“All Things Made New” ( by John Ferraby )

“All Things Made New” ( by John Ferraby )

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : address : Synopsis


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 5 / 7
Ferraby dedicated his book to "The First Guardian of the Baha'i Faith." In the later edition, Ferraby's dedication is to "The Guardian." This is the first of many changes concerning the perpetuity and indispensable nature of the Guardianship.


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 27-8 / 27-8
Ferraby originally stated that the Guardianship was to be perpetual, but this section has been reworked, explaining that another Guardian could not be appointed since none were qualified. All references to the duties of the Guardian were in the present tense, but have been changed to the past tense, indicating that the Guardianship has ceased.


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 64 / 67
Islam was said to be declining in influence and power in the world and that this trend will continue. Because of events in the Middle East during the past two decades, this section has been rewritten, shifting the emphasis to a decline in Islam's spirituality and reputation in the world.


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 246-7 / 252-3
In the original edition, Ferraby quoted the Will of Abdu'l-Baha and demonstrated that the Cause would continue to have a visible Centre through the institution of successive Guardians. He referred to this as "a Covenant so mighty that mankind has never seen its like." However, this section has been completely rewritten, stating that the Will only provided for the "possibility" for a succession of Guardians and that the writings nowhere "promise or guarantee" that the institution would continue. The Universal House of Justice is now presented as the "visible centre."


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 250-5 / 256-61
The Will of Abdu'l-Baha and the Covenant were discussed. References to the Guardian have been replaced or amended with "the Universal House of Justice."


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 256-62 / 262-72
This section has undergone major revision with the addition of hundreds of words. References to the Guardianship have been changed to the past tense or have been replaced with "the Universal House of Justice."


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 272-4 / 288-90
Ferraby extolled the virtues of the Baha'i Administrative Order and cited evidences of its superiority over concepts of authority in Christianity and Islam. Because of the unexpected death of Shoghi Effendi, this information was modified to a great extent, with the notion of the hereditary Guardianship being played down.


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 279 / 295
Baha'i burial customs were discussed and Ferraby's statement that "Cremation is forbidden, because the too sudden disintegration of the body may harm the departed soul" has been replaced with a statement by Abdu'l-Baha.


(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 308-12 / 326-31
A number of books have been dropped from Ferraby's bibliography, including those written by Edward G. Browne. References to Browne's works still appear in the text of later editions, but the notes refer the reader to books by other Baha'i authors who also quote Browne. Two of the Baha'i books referred to also contain material which is critical of Browne, so these revisions were apparently made to divert the reader from the primary sources, which contain material that is at variance with orthodox versions of the history of the movement.