Consul Albert Schwarz

December 14, 1871-January 13, 1931

On January 13th, 1931, the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Germany, Councillor of Commerce, Albert Schwarz, Consul of the Kingdom of Norway, entered his eternal home.

Although he suffered greatly for the past years and could not attend fully to his various duties in full measure he did his very best to serve the Holy Cause with all the might of his personality. We, the Baha’is, lose in him one of the most loyal and most resigned followers and pioneers of the Revelation of Baha’u’llah.

By nature endowed richly with pronounced human attributes, he had at heart the progress and advancement of friendly human and social organizations, as he was permitted by the great Bounty to enter into the Circle of Light of 'Abdu’l-Baha in the year 1913.

He had created values in the field of assisting growing artists and in the commercial line, far surpassing the limits of Wurtemberg.

With the new erection of the Baths at Mergentheim he established a healing fount or spring for suffering humanity by indefatigable and restless labors under great personal sacrifices inspired by great idealism. He later had the great pleasure to interest our beloved Master during His sojourn in Stuttgart in this social work. The Blessings pronounced on these Baths, made themselves realized very soon, and now their reputation for healing in their salubrious and life-giving waters has been felt all over the world. In deepest appreciation of our honored Chairman, a monumental stone was erected in Mergentheim as a memento of the visit of 'Abdu’l-Bahá.

Mrs. Claudia S. Coles

With the passing of this great character, Mrs. Claudia Stuart Coles, the Baha’i Cause has lost one of its most loyal and enthusiastic adherents.

Mrs. Coles was born in South Carolina about sixty-five years ago. When quite young she moved to Washington, D. C., and it was here she heard and accepted the Baha’i Teachings, and served as a faithful and honored member of the Baha’i community for many years. In 1920 she moved to London, England, where her daughter and granddaughters lived, and thus for the past eleven years she was a member of the London Baha’i community. She had been reelected many times to the National Baha’i Assembly of England, and as Secretary of this body served indefatigably.

Mrs. Coles’ home in London was a meeting place for traveling Baha’is from other countries. It was always a joy to associate with and consult this radiant enthusiastic Baha’i to whom friends could turn for help and advice. She undoubtedly worked far beyond her strength in her great enthusiasm, and one might well say that from the standpoint of her physical health, there was always in her work and service the element of sacrifice. Particularly noteworthy, too, was her great efficiency. She was undoubtedly one of the best-informed Baha’i teachers in the western world, and knew where to find any quotation asked for. She certainly has been instrumental in spreading the Baha’i Message around the world, for her personal correspondence had assumed voluminous proportions.

As a Baha'i, Mrs. Coles had an international reputation, and was distinguished and will be forever remembered for her true spirituality and her unique spiritual enthusiasm. She classified among the most sincere and devoted Baha’is, and we are told that "the rays of those spirits (the sincere) are the cause of the development of the people." From this beautiful soul "will appear the traces of God.”

(The Baha’i World 1930-1932)

Harry Randall

I wish to refer, in conclusion, to the sad and untimely death of our dearly beloved and highly distinguished brother and fellow-worker, Mr. Harry Randall. The unsparing efforts which he exerted for the promotion of the Faith, the passionate eloquence with which he diffused its teachings, the mature judgment and ripe experience which he contributed to its councils, the liberality with which in days of prosperity he supported its institutions, and above all his upright and generous character, are traits that will long live after him, and which bodily separation can never remove. I will most fervently supplicate at the holy Threshold, and wish you to join with me in my prayers, for the spiritual advancement in the realms beyond of a soul that has already achieved such a noble standing in this world. Your true brother,

Shoghi

Haifa, Palestine. February 27th, 1929

(The Baha’i World 1928-1930)

Mirza Mahmud Zarqani

It is with great sorrow that we have to announce the sudden death of Mirza Mahmud Zarqani. His death, as all realize, is a great loss to the Cause and has deeply grieved the hearts of all the friends. The following telegram was received from the beloved Guardian: 'Deeply mourn passing (of) Zargan! His outstanding services will shine evermore. Urge friends hold befitting memorials.''

Mirza Mahmud was the Master's secretary during His visit in America and transcribed in Persian the complete text of ‘Abddu’l-Baha’s' public addresses and many of His words to individuals and groups. A manuscript exists, written by Mirza Mahmud, which gives in daily detail the events of that marvelous journey. It is ardently to be hoped that means will be found to publish this volume. 

(The Baha’i World 1928-1930)

Ustád Ismá’íl

Yet another from amongst that blessed company was Ustád Ismá’íl, the builder. He was the construction overseer of Farrukh Khán (Amínu’d-Dawlih) in Tihrán, living happily and prosperously, a man of high standing, well regarded by all. But he lost his heart to the Faith, and was enraptured by it, till his holy passion consumed every intervening veil. Then he cast caution aside, and became known throughout Tihrán as a pillar of the Bahá’ís.

Farrukh Khán ably defended him at first. But as time went on, he summoned him and said, “Ustád, you are very dear to me and I have given you my protection and have stood by you as best I could. But the Sháh has found out about you and you know what a bloodthirsty tyrant he is. I am afraid that he will seize you without warning, and he will hang you. The best thing for you is to go on a journey. Leave this country, go somewhere else, and escape from this peril.”

Composed, happy, Ustád gave up his work, closed his eyes to his possessions, and left for ‘Iráq, where he lived in poverty. He had recently taken a bride, and loved her beyond measure. Her mother arrived, and by subterfuge, obtained his permission to conduct the daughter back to Tihrán, supposedly for a visit. As soon as she reached Kirmansháh, she went to the mujtahid, and told him that because her son-in-law had abandoned his religion, her daughter could not remain his lawful wife. The mujtahid arranged a divorce, and wedded the girl to another man. When word of this reached Baghdád, Ismá’íl, steadfast as ever, only laughed. “God be praised!” he said. “Nothing is left me on this pathway. I have lost everything, including my bride. I have been able to give Him all I possessed.”

Albert R. Windust (1874- 1956)

"Deeply grieved passing much loved greatly admired staunch ardent promoter Faith, Albert Windust, Herald Covenant, whose notable services Heroic Formative Ages Faith unforgettable. Assure friends relatives fervently supplicating progress soul Kingdom.

Shoghi”

Albert Robert Windust was born on Chicago's west side near Hull House on March 28, 1874. His parents were Thomas and Sarah Sheffield Windust. His father was a printer, who, shortly after Albert was born, moved with his family to a section of Chicago known as Woodlawn. They were members of the Episcopal Church. Mrs. Windust, a school teacher and a very active church worker, was the founder of the First Christ Church of Woodlawn (Episcopalian). 

In his early years, Albert Windust was not physically strong and this may have accounted for the fact that he had very little formal schooling. He was tutored in his early years by his mother and entered a public school at the fourth grade level. He ended his formak education in the sixth grade. Despite this, Albert Windust during his life attained a depth of knowledge and spiritual wisdom reached by very few.

At the age of fourteen Albert became an apprentice in the printing firm where his father worked. The following November his mother died. His interest in nature awakened a desire to draw, and he became a pupil at Chicago's Art Institute. Through associations made in the printing business, he illustrated stories of many authors, including Opie Read and H. Rider Haggard.

Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alí, the Afnán

In the days of Bahá’u’lláh, during the worst times in the Most Great Prison, they would not permit any of the friends either to leave the Fortress or to come in from the outside. “Skew-Cap” [1] and the Siyyid [2] lived by the second gate of the city, and watched there at all times, day and night. Whenever they spied a Bahá’í traveler they would hurry away to the Governor and tell him that the traveler was bringing in letters and would carry the answers back. The Governor would then arrest the traveler, seize his papers, jail him, and drive him out. This became an established custom with the authorities and went on for a long time—indeed, for nine years until, little by little, the practice was abandoned.

It was at such a period that the Afnán, Hájí Mírzá Muhammad-‘Alí—that great bough of the Holy Tree [3]—journeyed to Akká, coming from India to Egypt, and from Egypt to Marseilles. One day I was up on the roof of the caravanserai. Some of the friends were with me and I was walking up and down. It was sunset. At that moment, glancing at the distant seashore, I observed that a carriage was approaching. “Gentlemen,” I said, “I feel that a holy being is in that carriage.” It was still far away, hardly within sight.

“Let us go to the gate,” I told them. “Although they will not allow us to pass through, we can stand there till he comes.” I took one or two people with me and we left.

At the city gate I called to the guard, privately gave him something and said: “A carriage is coming in and I think it is bringing one of our friends. When it reaches here, do not hold it up, and do not refer the matter to the Governor.” He put out a chair for me and I sat down.