Letters from T. K. Cheyne to Lady
Blomfield
South Elms
Oxford
September 11 1912
Dear Friend in the Holy Cause.
Your kind letter strengthens me, and
the Message of our loved and venerated Head is a heavenly surprise. I may be
rather long because my ‘light affliction’ extends to my speech, and so, if I
have anything special to communicate, I like to do it by letter. Still, I
shall be very glad to have a talk with you and my dear wife will interpret
me. didn’t think such bliss could be in store for me. For some years after my
great sorrow, I .... very mournfully. .....helped me much and my dear
Elizabeth filled up what was still lacking. I was then ready for communion of
souls in the brotherhood of al-Abha. That you may know my darling wife, we
send you some of our books.
We were married in August
19... about four years after I lost...my first wife. The family of love and
eternity in the Abha is my great joy.
We both anticipate eagerly the second
visit of Abdul Baha to this country. I am sure that - as has been said already
- he is like no one else among living men. It is true, I was much struck by
Vivekananda, but that great man had not.....himself to such an extent as
Abdul-Baha had, when he was called away to the Beautiful Vision. So he was
only the forerunner of One greater. And he was not far from the mistaken
theory of asceticism.
I can never forget Sister .....She and
I wrote frequent letters and in the latter years she never omitted to come and
see me.
You, too, will come and see me and my
wife. The last letter Sister N wrote to me in Sept 11 was on the news of my
marriage.
I want so much to make Baha’i views of
‘love’ a reality for me. But I cannot move about. (The exception I make is for
my annual holiday). And Nov. would be a very bad month for me. I fear also
that, unless the weather is very kind, it may be bad for Abdul Baha.
Now, would this Great One confer on me
a favour of a visit? Oxford is - by a slight exaggeration - the Heart of
England, and close by me is Manchester College, the Head of which (Dr.Estlin
Carpenter) would readily grant the use of a lecture hall. I long for it.
In any case, some day will
you not arrange for a Bahai meeting? We will try to get those who sympathise
to come.
I am busy arranging the
papers of a book of mine which will appear early next year - the last of a
long series. Then I shall direct myself to a book on the Bahai Movement.
Meantime, I am, dear Lady
Blomfield, or rather, dear sister in al-Abha,
Yours with devotion
T. K. Cheyne
October 21 1912
My dear friend -
Allah’u’abha!
My wife and I are keenly
interested in the prospect of Abdul-Baha’s visit, and Miss Rosenberg has most
kindly done her best to convey to him our earnest invitation to visit us at
Oxford.
He will, no doubt if he
can, he will see at once that Oxford is a first-rate place for ‘sowing the
seed’ and he will sympathize with my privations which are not slight. But in
any case it is important that we should endeavour to make the word of the
kingdom known here.
A large lecture-room, often
used by professors etc. is offered for our use by Dr Estlin Carpenter the
Principal of Manchester College. We think some Wednesday would be the best day
- there are plenty of trains. 3pm would be the best time.
Would you introduce the
subject to our audience? I understand that you have often spoken at such
meetings.
Mrs Cheyne and I would be
so glad if you would join us at lunch with any other friends who may accompany
you.
On hearing from you, we
will send out notice.
You have no doubt seen Mr
Skrine’s little book on ‘Bahai’ which I had the pleasure of receiving in the
‘Christian Commonwealth’.
With loving Baha’i
greetings
I am yours in the Supreme
Beauty,
T.K. Cheyne
November
29 1912
Dear Friend in the Cause.
I heard from Miss Rosenberg
that the dear Master may reach Plymouth on Monday.
I am longing and also my dear wife to
see and hear him. It would, however, be most hazardous for me to try to come.
I therefore have written an
invitation....
December 23 1912
My dear friend.
I am so delighted to hear of the
welfare of the beloved Master and of the spiritual impression which he seems
to have made; so delighted too that he can come to Oxford. Christmas and the
New Year are bad times for getting up meetings: we can only hope to get a few
sympathetic hearers. Will you confer on us the pleasure of coming yourself on
the morning of the 31st. The train which you took before left London at
10.20am and reached Oxford at 1144. I suppose my visitors will take that
train.
Who will see after the Master, and how
many will bring with him?suppose, too, that he will have to return soon after
tea. It will be best to have luncheon at 1pm to avoid hurry. The meeting will
begin with a short passage from the Bible and prayer, as there are hindrances
to having it in a church or chapel. Abdul Baha, I hope quite understands that
he and his companion or companions are invited here to luncheon and tea. I
have written to Mrs Thornburgh Cropper and I hope very much that both you and
she will also join us.am so thankful and happy. My wife has to rest these days
but will I hope be herself by Christmas. best wishes, and Bahai greetings from
us all
Believe me dear Lady Blomfield
Yours ever in the Great Light
TKCheyne
January 25 13
Dear Lady Blomfield
I have wanted to return the books and
papers you so kindly lent, hoping that a breath from on high might stir up my
faculties. I suppose, however, there are physical hindrances, and the desired
Breath will come when a lifegiving breath touches all nature. At any rate, the
touch of the Masters’ lips cannot be and I am sure as not without result. It
is Allah’u’abha. I remember too that prayers for me ‘this humble one’ are not
wanting.
I am still on the Bab. But I ...
Can I get a copy of the tablet about
Abdul B’s interpretations of His mission? That certainly I might to give in
full. It is so very important. Would the Unity Press get it for me?
I see mMr .... has been “happy” about
the Bahais/
Thank you so much for the two
pamphlets. I have been able to get out...
February 19, 1913
Dear Lady Blomfield
We all send you Bahai love. You have
had a stirring time. I will now want to bathe yourselves in the Spirit of
Spring.
Thank you much for the tiny booklet. Is
it in the Star of the West. If so I have it. It seems to familiar to me but
the recommendation of this copy is its size. On page the Tablet of the Branch
is referred to, where is it given in full?
The leaflet which I meant is one
included in the packet which you kindly sent me and I returned. It is I think
chiefly by Abdul Baha and gives a full explanation of his servitude.
I did not like to ask leave to keep it
a while longer; for I cannot coincide with all that the Bahai books say but
this I can accpet. This service is perfect freedom. you time to refer to your
copy. and tell me if I could get a copy from the Unity Press.
With all good wishes
I am always ...
yours in Al-abha
TKCheyne
Letters from T.K.Cheyne to Lady Blomfield
South Elms
Oxford
September 11 1912
Dear Friend in the Holy Cause.
Your kind letter strengthens me, and the Message of our loved and
venerated Head is a heavenly surprise. I may be rather long because my ‘light
affliction’ extends to my speech, and so, if I have anything special to
communicate, I like to do it by letter. Still, I shall be very glad to have a
talk with you and my dear wife will interpret me.
I didn’t think such bliss could be in store for me. For some years after my
great sorrow, I .... very mournfully. .....helped me much and my dear Elizabeth
filled up what was still lacking. I was then ready for communion of souls in the
brotherhood of al-Abha. That you may know my darling wife, we send you some of
our books.
We were married in August 19...about four years after
I lost...my first wife. The family of love and eternity in the Abha is my great
joy.
We both anticipate eagerly the second visit of Abdul Baha to this
country. I am sure that - as has been said already - he is like no one else
among living men. It is true, I was much struck by Vivekananda, but that great
man had not.....himself to such an extent as Abdul-Baha had, when he was called
amway to the Beautiful Vision. So he was only the forerunner of One greater. And
he was not far from the mistaken theory of asceticism.
I can never forget Sister .....She and I wrote frequent letters
and in the latter years she never omitted to come and see me.
You, too, will come and see me and my wife. The last letter
Sister N wrote to me in Sept 11 was on the news of my marriage.
I want so much to make Baha’i views of ‘love’ a reality for me.
But I cannot move about. (The exception I make is for my annual holiday). And
Nov. would be a very bad month for me. I fear also that, unless the weather is
very kind, it may be bad for Abdul Baha.
Now, would this Great One confer on me a favour of a visit?
Oxford is - by a slight exaggeration - the Heart of England, and close by me is
Manchester College, the Head of which (Dr. Estlin Carpenter) would readily grant
the use of a lecture hall. I long for it.
In any case, some day will you not arrange for a
Bahai meeting? We will try to get those who sympathise to come.
I am busy arranging the papers of a book of mine
which will appear early next year - the last of a long series. Then I shall
direct myself to a book on the Bahai Movement.
Meantime, I am, dear Lady Blomfield, or rather, dear
sister in al-Abha,
Yours with devotion
T.K.Cheyne
October 21 1912
My dear friend -
Allah’u’abha!
My wife and I are keenly interested in the prospect
of Abdul-Baha’s visit, and Miss Rosenberg has most kindly done her best to
convey to him our earnest invitation to visit us at Oxford.
He will, no doubt if he can, he will see at once that
Oxford is a first-rate place for ‘sowing the seed’ and he will sympathize with
my privations which are not slight. But in any case it is important that we
should endeavour to make the word of the kingdom known here.
A large lecture-room, often used by professors etc.
is offered for our use by Dr Estlin Carpenter the Principal of Manchester
College. We think some Wednesday would be the best day - there are plenty of
trains. 3pm would be the best time.
Would you introduce the subject to our audience? I
understand that you have often spoken at such meetings.
Mrs Cheyne and I would be so glad if you would join
us at lunch with any other friends who may accompany you.
On hearing from you, we will send out notice.
You have no doubt seen Mr Skrine’s little book on
‘Bahai’ which I had the pleasure of receiving in the ‘Christian Commonwealth’.
With loving Baha’i greetings
I am yours in the Supreme Beauty,
T.K. Cheyne
November 29 1912
Dear Friend in the Cause.
I heard from Miss Rosenberg that the dear Master may
reach Plymouth on Monday.
I am longing and also my dear wife to see and hear him. It would,
however, be most hazardous for me to try to come.
I therefore have written an invitation....
December 23 1912
My dear friend.
I am so delighted to hear of the welfare of the beloved Master
and of the spiritual impression which he seems to have made; so delighted too
that he can come to Oxford. Christmas and the New Year are bad times for getting
up meetings: we can only hope to get a few sympathetic hearers. Will you confer
on us the pleasure of coming yourself on the morning of the 31st. The train
which you took before left London at 10.20am and reached Oxford at 1144. I
suppose my visitors will take that train.
Who will see after the Master, and how many will bring with him?
I suppose, too, that he will have to return soon after tea. It will be best to
have luncheon at 1pm to avoid hurry. The meeting will begin with a short passage
from the Bible and prayer, as there are hindrances to having it in a church or
chapel. Abdul Baha, I hope quite understands that he and his companion or
companions are invited here to luncheon and tea. I have written to Mrs
Thornburgh Cropper and I hope very much that both you and she will also join us.
I am so thankful and happy. My wife has to rest these days but will I hope be
herself by Christmas.
With best wishes, and Bahai greetings from us all
Believe me dear Lady Blomfield
Yours ever in the Great Light
TKCheyne
January 25 13
Dear Lady Blomfield
I have wanted to return the books and papers you so kindly lent,
hoping that a breath from on high might stir up my faculties. I suppose,
however, there are physical hindrances, and the desired Breath will come when a
lifegiving breath touches all nature. At any rate, the touch of the Masters’
lips cannot be and I am sure as not without result. It is Allah’u’abha. I
remember too that prayers for me ‘this humble one’ are not wanting.
I am still on the Bab. But I ...
Can I get a copy of the tablet about Abdul B’s interpretations of
His mission? That certainly I might to give in full. It is so very important.
Would the Unity Press get it for me?
I see mMr .... has been “happy” about the Bahais/
Thank you so much for the two pamphlets. I have been able to get
out...
February 19, 1913
Dear Lady Blomfield
We all send you Bahai love. You have had a stirring time. I will
now want to bathe yourselves in the Spirit of Spring.
Thank you much for the tiny booklet. Is it in the Star of the
West. If so I have it. It seems to familiar to me but the recommendation of this
copy is its size. On page the Tablet of the Branch is referred to, where is it
given in full?
The leaflet which I meant is one included in the packet which you
kindly sent me and I returned. It is I think chiefly by Abdul Baha and gives a
full explanation of his servitude.
I did not like to ask leave to keep it a while longer; for I
cannot coincide with all that the Bahai books say but this I can accpet. This
service is perfect freedom.
Have you time to refer to your copy. and tell me if I could get a copyu from the
Unity Press.
With all good wishes
I am always ...
yours in Al-abha
T K Cheyne
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