Japan Will Turn Ablaze! | Page 3

Bahá'ís should go to Oriental countries as teachers."
The first Bahá'ís to make the long voyage, Mr. Howard Struven(2) and
Mr. C.M. Remey, 1909; Mme. Aurelia Bethlen, 1911; Mr. and Mrs.

Dreyfus-Barney, 1914, stayed for brief periods of time and continued
around the world. Dr. George Augur and Miss Agnes Alexander both
arrived in 1914--Miss Alexander shortly after Dr. Augur. They sailed to
Japan with the intention of residing there for some time. All these
believers traveled in response to the wishes of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Besides
Japan, He also encouraged travel in those early days to China, India,
Persia and other Asian countries.
In the Tablet of the Divine Plan written to the Bahá'ís of the United
States and Canada, Japan is mentioned six times and the Japanese
language itself once. In those Tablets 'Abdu'l-Bahá again urged travel.
"How good would it be were there any possibility of a commission
composed of men and women, to travel together through China and
Japan..."
In 1919 'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote to Mr. Roy Wilhelm(3), "Attach great
importance to the Japanese people. Mrs. Magee should continually
communicate with them." And again, later in the year to the same
believer, "Convey to Mr. Nasu(4), the Japanese, my greeting and say:
The world of nature is darkness but the heavenly Sun dissipates by its
light this darkness that prevails over the world. Likewise the world of
mind and of souls is a dark one and nothing will illuminate it save the
rays of the Sun of Truth. My hope therefore is that thou mayest be the
cause of the shining of the Divine Teachings in Japan, that thou mayest
vivify the dead. The people of Japan are intelligent but they are in need
of a leader that he may awaken them. I hope that thou mayest be the
cause of their awakening and may vivify them."
To Mr. William Randall(5), in 1920, He wrote, "The association which
has been formed for promoting the relationship and love between
America and Japan, will, God willing, be confirmed and assisted. This
association is important. It will unquestionably, bring forth great
results."
* * * * * * * * *
"These are His very words, that still keep ringing in my ears: 'Japan

will turn ablaze!'"
The title of this book was taken from 'Abdu'l-Bahá's prophecy of the
spiritual future of Japan as quoted by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the
Bahá'í Faith, in his first letter to the Bahá'ís of Japan, January 26, 1922.
* * * * * * * * *
We have taken the liberty of adding a few words, for the sake of
continuity, and also that the reader, knowing something of the
individuals and circumstances might better observe the creative power
in the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi as reflected in the
lives and actions of the recipients.
For further information on the history of the Bahá'í Faith in Japan, we
recommend to the reader History of the Bahá'í Faith in Japan
1914-1938 by Agnes B. Alexander, and Traces That Remain, (A
Pictorial History of the Early Days of the Bahá'í Faith Among the
Japanese) by Barbara R. Sims.
Barbara R. Sims Tokyo, Japan 1992


PART I: THE EPOCH OF
'ABDU'L-BAHÁ'S MINISTRY

1: Miss Agnes B. Alexander 1875-1971
The year was 1913, and Miss Alexander recalls: "My only desire was
to serve His Cause. The words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá rang in my ears: 'I have
a lamp in My Hand searching through the lands and seas to find souls
who can become heralds of the Cause. Day and night I am engaged in
this work.'

"I prayed that His lamp might find me. For nearly twelve years I had
been privileged to assist in establishing His Cause in Hawaii. Now the
time had come when I was free to go forth to serve in other parts of His
lands... I received a Tablet from the Master which contained the first
intimation that He wished me to travel to Japan. He wrote in part:
'Therefore if thou travelest toward Japan unquestionably Divine
confirmations shall descend upon thee.'
"Through the Divine favors all difficulties were overcome and I
sailed ... reaching Japan November 1, 1914."
Between the time of her arrival and 1967 when she left for the last time,
Miss Alexander spent a total of about 31 years in Japan. The rest of her
time was spent in Hawaii or other parts of the world teaching the Faith.
Shoghi Effendi referred to Miss Alexander as a "distinguished pioneer"
and wrote the following to her regarding her role in the development of
the Faith.
"Your glorious services in those remote regions of the earth (China and
Japan) are never to be forgotten. I ever pray on your behalf and wish
you to remember the sacred interests of the