The Awe of Connecting with History

Last week I worked a couple of days in Records and Archives. One of the tasks I was given was to go through old letters written to an early Australian Baha'i believer, Mrs. Irene Cover. The selection of letters I was going through started in the 1950's and I have to tell you, I'm getting good practice on how to read cursive writing. It's so difficult! I feel like I'm learning how to read English all over again! But it was really cool to to get little history lessons from the people who lived it.

So, just a little history before I get to the really cool part- Mrs. Irene Covers' husband was the one who gave Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Hyde-Dunne his first job in when he and his wife pioneered from the US to Australia in the year 1920. What it's meant by "Hand of the Cause of God" is that they were"individuals appointed by Bahá'u'lláh and charged with various duties, especially those of protecting and propagating His Faith." After His passing, Abdu'l-Baha was named the authorized interpreter of the Writings and to guide the believers in this new Faith, and referred to some "outstanding individuals" as Hand of the Cause. He gave that authority to His grandson Shoghi Effendi, (the Guardian, who was named the authorized interpreter of the Writings and to guide the Faith), for after His passing to appoint Hand of the Causes at his discretion. "In the period between the passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957 and the election of the Universal House of Justice (which is now our governing body) in 1963, the Hand of the Cause directed the affairs of the Faith in their capacity as Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth."

In all, 50 were chosen by Bahá'u'lláh, referred to as such by Abdu'l-Bahá, or appointed by Shoghi Effendi. The last of which passed away in 2007. It was a lifelong duty and honor to be appointed as a Hand of the Cause, and a rarity, too, it seems to me. They had such a responsibility and an ocean of knowledge; they dedicated their time and energy, because of their love of the Faith and Baha'u'llah, in promoting the Faith and protecting the Faith, a job that is invaluable, and a dedication I wish to have. I've had the honor of meeting 3 in my life time- Mr. Ali-Muhammad Varqa when I was about 10 in Israel, and the Guardian's wife Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum when I was 1 year old, and Mr. Collis Featherstone when I was about 2, both when they visited Taiwan on separate occasions.

Anyway, so the cool story that relates to all this!! I came across this letter that was written to Mrs. Cover by Hand of the Cause Mr. Abu’l-Qasim Faizi, stating that as a token of appreciation of her work in the Faith, he was enclosing in the letter a gift of thanks- it was a handkerchief with which his wife, some years ago while visiting the house of the Bab in Shiraz, Iran, used to wipe the door in which The Bab declared His mission in 1844- that He was the next Manifestation of the new prophetic cycle, and the forerunner to the Promised one who would bring a new Faith into the world. The room in which the Bab declared no longer exists- it, along with the house, was torn down by the people at the instigation of the clergy.

The fact that I could read the letter (dated early 1950's) hand written by Mr. Faizi, and virtually touch the handkerchief that dusted the room where the Bab declared His message...it was so surreal....It took me a little while to grasp the significance of what my gloved hands were holding, and when it finally kinda dawned on me, I still couldn't completely grasp the awe of it all. Even a week later, I don't think my brain has completely processed it!

And a couple of weeks ago at the regular Sunday prayer service that is held in the House of Worship, the son of the only Hand of the Cause appointed from Africa Mr. Enoch Olinga, attended. It was so cool to witness. He's in his old age and many people were greeting him, I felt like it was just fine for me to observe; it was very special to have someone so close to Baha'i history to be in my vicinity.

My soul's got all filled up with spirituality, and yesterday my spirit was filled with joy for we had a Halloween party!!! So, Australia doesn't celebrate Halloween, that much I get, but people were saying how they thought Halloween was fake since the only time they saw it was in movies! Hahaha, oh Australia, how isolated you are. The friends here used the opportunity of having 3 North American youth to experience Halloween. Now, I'm not a big Halloween person at all- did the whole dress up and trick-or-treat thing twice and got over it; attempted to be excited about Halloween in high school but just couldn't be bothered with planning an outfit and executing it. But for some reason I got really into it this year and was very excited for the occasion! The party was a blast, I had loads of fun- they had games and music and lots of food (though not enough candy!), and most everyone was dressed up which is always more fun! I'll post some pictures soon and you'll see my joyous costume =) I think Halloween parties are the way to go...who needs free candy anyway?! (My friend's probably gana kill me cuz she's been trying to get me to do Halloween things for about 9 years- you know who you are ;D )

-let me know if you want more information about the administration of the Faith!!-