From: Baha’i
Historical Facts
Having heard enthusiastic reports of the building of the
first Mashriqu’l-Adhkar [Baha’i Temple] in ‘Ishqabad, Russia, the members of
the Spiritual committee (better known as the "House of Spirituality")
of the Chicago Assembly were inspired to supplicate to the Center of the
Covenant, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, to grant permission for the second Mashriqu’l-Adhkar to
be built in America. On June 7, 1903, a tablet was revealed in Acca by
‘Abdu’l-Baha saying, "Now the day has arrived in which the edifice of God,
the divine sanctuary, the Spiritual temple, shall be erected in America."
The following words from the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Baha clearly
indicate the erection of a material building: "The Mashriqu’l-Adhkar,
though outwardly a material foundation, is possessed of spiritual effect and
causes the union of hearts and the gathering of souls. . . . Praise be to God !
The erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar has a great effect in all grades (or
states). It was tested in the east and so evidently and plainly was it proved
good (that) even when in a village a house was called the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, it
possessed a different effect. How much more its building and
organization."
(The Baha’i Year Book 1925-1926)
