“ Baha'u'llah and the New Era” ( by John E. Esselmont )

“ Baha'u'llah and the New Era” ( by John E. Esselmont )

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

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 8 / xiv

Esselmont expressed his gratitude to the Baha'i historian, Avarih, who later left the faith and was declared a Covenant-breaker. This reference was completely removed.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 13 / 14

"Miracles" were discussed which were intended to show how civilization has advanced since the nineteenth century. Some of these "miracles" have reversed and worsened since 1923. They have been edited from the text.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 22 / 13

The apostate Avarih was quoted, but his name has been replaced by "a historian."

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 28 / 20

In the original, Esselmont's remarks seem to indicate that the Bab was merely a forerunner to Baha'u'llah, a view which was quite common at the beginning of this century. Later editions reflect the current notion of the Bab and Baha'u'llah being the "Co-founders of their Faith."

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 34 / 26

Avarih's material was dropped completely.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 39 / 33

A quote of Avarih is left in the text, but his name was removed.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 55-6 / 53-4

Avarih provided a lengthy description of the marriage of Abdu'l-Baha, which remains in later editions with Avarih's name removed.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 67-9 / 67-9

This is a very important change. Esselmont spoke of the unique station of Abdu'l-Baha and stated that "whatever Abdu'l-Baha says or does is to be accepted as of equal authority with the direct utterance of the Manifestation." Further, he quoted Abdu'l-Baha to the effect that the Bab was "the 'Promised Christ.'" Two pages have been completely reworked. The institution of the Guardianship was introduced and the views which Esselmont originally expressed are referred to as "naive enthusiasm."

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 118 / 130

Baha'u'llah provided that Abdu'l-Baha would be the sole interpreter of his writings and after him the International House of Justice, but this has been changed to "the authorized interpreter." The institution of the Guardianship was added in the 1937 edition (pg. 160) and it was clearly stated that there would be "successive Guardians." However, this section was changed again in the 1970 revision and refers only to Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian, with no mention of succession.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 123-4 / 135-7

Esselmont was present when Abdu'l-Baha specifically advocated a form of constitutional monarchy under the heading "True Civilization." This quotation has been dropped and replaced with two pages of general material which merely says that there will be different types of government under the Lesser Peace and the Most Great Peace.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 146 / 165-6

Emphasis on the use of Esperanto as the universal language is played down in later editions.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 157-8 / 179-9

A detailed two page account of Spiritual Assemblies in Persia by Jinab-i-Assad'llah Fadil Mazindarani has been replaced by an updated description of functions.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 161 / 186

Nineteen Day Feast was added.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 190 / 218

The establishment of the League of Nations and reduction in armaments were cited as "advances in fulfillment" of prophecies of world peace. This statement has been removed.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 203-4 / 235-7

Esselmont claimed that Baha'u'llah's words have a "creative power" and he cited a number of specific advances as proof. He claimed that world temperance was advancing, military dictatorships had fallen and will not be revived, democracy was spreading, Esparanto was gaining worldwide acceptance as a universal language, and the "emancipation of the workers" was "steady and irresistible." This has been rewritten in a more general fashion.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 209-10 / 244-7

Under the heading of "Social Troubles After the War," Esselmont gave an eyewitness account of some specific predictions by Abdu'l-Baha, which did not take place. This section has been replaced by nearly three pages of general information summing up Baha'u'llah's proclamation.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 211-12 / 249-50

Abdu'l-Baha was quoted, asserting that the Kingdom of God would be established in this century along with world peace and a universal language, specifically by 1957. This section has been replaced with material by Abdu'l-Baha which speaks generally of the effect of the Baha'i Faith on the world. It has been made to appear as if Esselmont was referring to the progress of the movement at the one hundredth anniversary of Baha'u'llah's declaration, or 1963. It is important to note that this change was not made in the major revision in 1937, but in the 1970 revision, after the events predicted did not take place.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 215-6 / 253-4

Avarih's estimates of the number of Baha'is worldwide have been replaced. It is interesting to note that it was the issue of dishonesty in the Baha'i administration over the numerical success of the movement, which Avarih cited as his reason for leaving the faith.

(Edition / Page No. ) (1923 / 1980) : 228-9 / 287

Esselmont supplied a bibliography for further study which included books from a variety of authors, including Edward G. Browne. In the 1937 edition it was removed completely, but a new list of references is included at the end of later editions. Although, Browne's material remains in the text, his work is missing from the latest bibliography.