Pilgrim's Notes
Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-07-06 - 1 clipping

Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Marion Holley Hofman, Pilgrim's Notes, bahai-library.com.
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Pilgrim's Notes

Marion Holley Hofman

1953

[page 1]

"The Administrative Order will gradually evolve into the World Order."

LeRoy: The establishment of Universal Peace does not mark the World
Order?

Guardian: "No, No! The Lesser Peace will in all probability be in the
Formative Age of the Faith. The Golden Age will witness the Most Great
Peace. The Lesser Peace is a non-Bahá'í World Superstate. The Most Great
Peace is the Bahá'í Superstate; the proper term is Commonwealth.

World Civilization will be the result of the establishment of the Most
Great Peace. The establishment of the Commonwealth will follow the Most
Great Peace as a development of it and the World Civilization will follow
that as an evolution. It is a very long process from germ to maturity.
It started in the Heroic Age and will culminate in the Bahá'í Cycle,
not in the Bahá'í dispensation. This is more than the fruit; it is
the Fruition. (Note three steps).

The Superstate will go on perfecting itself. It will take some time
before International problems are solved and the Superstate begins to
function properly. Meantime the Bahá'í World Order will be developing and
gradually it will absorb the non-Bahá'í Superstate. when the nations are
united and functioning as part of one whole, the Bahá'í world Order will
be progressing and will gradually absorb one nation, then another. We
have to wait until the majority of nations are Bahá'í before we have the
Bahá'í world Commonwealth.

When the majority in a state become Bahá'ís, it will cease to be
democratic and will become theocratic, following the Laws of Bahá'u'lláh -
essentially religious. Ours is neither democratic nor secular for the
simple reason that Bahá'í representatives are not responsible to the
people, but to the Universal House of Justice. The representatives are
elected by the people, which is democratic, but are responsible to a
higher body. the rule is of God, not the rule of the people. Democracy
is the rule of, for, and by the people. The Bahá'í state is the rule of
God for the people by the Representatives of the people; essentially
Divine, true theocracy. The Catholics believe their's is a
theocracy, but there is a difference: their theocracy is man made.

World Order develops through National Communities. As nations pass
through these stages (stated in Advent) World Order will be evolving at
the same time and when the majority of the nations are Bahá'í, the Bahá'í
World Commonwealth will be reached.

............

MHH: What is the spiritual condition of humanity during most of the
Dispensation? (I had reference to the WOB as the "sole refuge" and that
the whole of humanity didn't reach it until near the close of the
Dispensation."

G. While politically developing, the world is spiritually declining all
the time. The world will feel more and more in need of a spiritual

[page 2]

revival and the WOB which is developing all the time, will be its
deliverance. The world has to be politically united, then spiritualized.
Political unity and spiritual revival - these are two essential needs of
the world at the present time: unified and spiritualized; politically
united and spiritually vitalized.

The great disaster that befell the Roman Empire was confined to the
Empire, whereas this is on a world scale. A world convulsion which
prepares man for political unification and ultimately spiritual
revival.

The World Crusade as two aspects: territorial, the propagation; the
administrative, the establishment of institutions. When Pioneers arrive
at their posts, they must not think they have accomplished territorial
expansion, but they must start building the administration - local LSA's,
and National in the future. The reason why Bahá'ís scatter is not only to
scatter but to increase numbers. The movement from place to place must be
supplemented by action:

Move, settle,
teach

Arise, Persevere, Establish,

Respond to
pioneer call, lay foundations

By increasing
number of believers.

...1......

TEMPLES

The Temple on Mount Carmel will be the Mother Temple of the Holy Land; that of
London, the Mother Temple of the British Isles; Sydney, the Mother Temple of the
Antipodes; Paris, the Mother Temple of France; Sydney will have the Mother
Temple of the British Commonwealth unless Canada beats it. In this case the
mother will have to let the child surpass it!

Ishqabad Temple was built with bricks on a plain;

Wilmette Temple was built by a lake with concrete;

Persia and Germany will be built of stone.

Later they will be built of marble. Eventually rubies, precious stones will be
used.

The Master named five doors of the Shrines after believers associated with the
building of it. One person later became a Covenant-Breaker but his name will
remain associated with his door.

Bahá'u'lláh is the founder of the Shrine, and much more, He is the Founder of the
whole set of Institutions on Mount Carmel. He is the Founder of both the spiritual
and the administrative centers. The Tablet of Carmel is the Charter of the World
Order of the Faith just as the Will is the Charter of the Administrative Order. We
build according to the direction of these Charters. The Divine plan constitutes the
3rd Charter for the propagation of the Faith. There are three distinct processes:

1. Building the administrative Order according to the Will.

2. Propagation of the Faith according to the Divine Plan.

3. Building up the World Center according to the Tablet of Carmel.

Note. The Guardian sat a long time in silence after this.

[page 3]

G. Communism was never successful among the peasants, but only in industrial
areas. Russia will make this experiment but in the end will see that it is not
successful. Meanwhile the world and Russia will suffer.

1st epoch, the 25 years of the Formative Age distinguished by the rise of local and
National Institutions;

2nd epoch (now) distinguished by the rise of world institutions - Shrine of the Bab,
establishment of the International Council prelude to the U.H.J.;

Purchase of land on Mt. Carmel (now about half million square metres);

120 acres of land on Mt. Carmel and in Akka;

Purchase on land for the Bahá'í Temple -;

All this is evidence that the World Center of the Faith is being established in the
Holy Land.;

Appointment of the Hands

The final stages in the evolution of human society.

Adolescence - now - efflorescence of Tree of Divine
Revelation.;

Coming of Age World Unification.;

Superstate;

Lesser Peace;

Most Great Peace. Spiritualization of man.;

Fruition of
Tree of Divine Revelation.

When all the processes merge, it will mark the birth of World Civilization. This is
the starting point of a succession of dispensations culminating in the maturity of the
World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, the majority of the Fruit of the Tree of Progressive
Revelation, and the maturity of human society (all this together).

The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh is progressing, but purely Bahá'í. At the same time
the world is progressing. Divine Revelation is progressing. (Here the Guardian
showed a chart which he did not wish to be copied, showing this process) It is
interesting how the two will merge: World Order and human Society, because they
have to; they cannot go on being separate processes. The Bahá'í World and the
non-Bahá'í world will meet in the World Civilization. They culminate in the same
thing. Both culminate in the Bahá'í World Commonwealth towards the end of the
Bahá'í Dispensation (not Cycle) and this leads to the birth of the world Spiritual
Civilization. This is the fruit of the Golden Age.

(Note) In speaking of the world process of Human Society and showing it on the
Chart, he told us that this process ends when it merges with the Bahá'í process of
World Order.)

The process of the Diffusion of the Light of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the Planet -
starts with Adam. In a way it is the evolution of the Divine Revelation... From
Adam to the Bab is represented by the branch, leaf, bud and flower. The Bab is the
fruit if one compares Him to the olive tree. The olive tree is mentioned in the
Koran, not without reason. It is a different simile altogether. (See Convention
Message USA 1953, also July Br. Journal #81.)

This is the station of the Bab: I compare it to the fruit. The olive sacrifices itself for
the oil. The oil is ignited - this is Bahá'u'lláh.

[page 4]

The Koran refers to the tree that belongs neither to the East nor the West, and the
oil is so powerful that it lights by itself. This oil refers to the Bab; when it is ignited
it becomes Bahá'u'lláh. This happened in the Siyah Chal.

(S.E. then read from the Surah of Light. Sales version, sec. 5 v. 35.)

"Allah is the Light of the heavens and of the earth; a likeness of His light is as a
pillar on which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, and the glass is as it were a brightly
shining star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil thereof
gives light though fire touch it not - light upon light - Allah guides to his light
whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men and Allah is cognizant of
all things."

In the Siyah-Chal the light is only a faint glimmer, a flicker; soon enveloped by
clouds, for ten years obscured, eclipsed by calamities. Then Bahá'u'lláh revives the
community; the flicker becomes a lamp lighted in Baghdad. When Baha moved to
Adrianople, the lamp was lighted in a crystal globe, meaning the stage of
proclamation of the message in Adrianople: it shown more brightly. The light was
confined to the East at this time. when Baha passed on, through the Covenant the
Light strikes the "fingers" of the Continents of America, Europe and Australia.
After the Master, as a result of the birth of the Administrative Order, (its father, the
Law of Baha, its mother of the Covenant) the light spread over all continents. This
is the stage we now witness. It is now "diffusing its light over all continents. Then
it will "penetrate." When the Administrative Order is firmly established in each
country, this firm establishment will cause penetration of that Light that its first
flicker in the "year Nine". The olive tree and also the almond tree; these are very
similar because the fruit of both give oil.

In the Koran the olive is symbolic of the Christian Dispensation and the fig is
symbolic of the Mosaic. In the Tablet of Rais (Prime Minister of Turnkey) Baha says
that 'once We appeared as a olive (Mount of olives) or Zetah and once as a fig. In
another passage in the Koran, Mohammad swears by the fig and the olive (i.e. by
the Christian and Mosaic Dispensations) and by 'this noble city, which means
Mecca. The Muslim dispensation is not symbolized by the tree, but by Mt. Paran,
near Sinai. Missionaries have derided Mohammad for swearing by trees, whereas
He meant Dispensations. All three mountains are mentioned in Deuteronomy:
Sinai, Paran and Seir (Christian) and the "10,000 saints" referring to Baha (33.2)

MHH asked: Will there be the same process each 500,00 years?

S.E. "Beyond 500,000 it is much too distant. There is nothing in the Teachings to
reveal the station of the Manifestation after that.

L.I. "Will humanity start all over again in each universal cycle?"

S.E. "We do not know if humanity will start over again."

(Note) The Guardian showed us a chart. RK told us that he had been working on it
all day. He did not wish us to copy it. The following are the actual headings and
sub-headings.)

[page 5]

STAGES IN THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN SOCIETY

circa 4156 B.C. - 501844 or Bahá'í Cycle.

A. Adamic or Prophetic Cycle: circa 4156 BC-1844 A.D.

(lost of 7
Religions below.)

B. Cycle of fulfillment : circa 1844-501,844 Bahá'í Cycle.

1. Bahá'í Dispensation at least 1000
years.

Babi
Revelation

Bahá'í
Revelation.

2. Succession of Dispensations.

(Note: 4156 BC comes from the statement that Adam appeared 6000 years
ago;
subtract 6000 from 1844 A.D.

Also note that "Bahá'í Era and Bahá'í Dispensation are the same)

Bahá'í Cycle is different.)

The Revelation of the Bab is the 8th Revelation. This is why the throne of God is
carried by eight (Bible) and why there are 8 pillars, eight minerals, eight doors, in the
Shrine of the Bab. It is one before nine.

The Seven Religions of the Adamic Cycle:

HinduismAryanIndia

SabeansimSemiticIraq

JudaismSemiticPalestinecirca
1500.B.C.

ZoroastrianismAryanPersia1000 B.C.

BuddhismAryanIndia600 B.C.

ChristianitySemiticPalestine

IslamSemeticArabia632 A.D.

The process of World Order starts only with the Bahá'í Revelation. The
Administrative Order is in the embryo and has three stages: Local, National, and
International Bahá'í Institutions. We are now starting the third stage. It will
gradually lead to the birth of World Order - the offspring. This will pass through
the phases of

1. Obscurity3. Emancipation5. Establishment

2. Repression4. Recognition6.
Sovereignty.

The emergence of a Bahá'í World Commonwealth marks the coming of age of the
World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, signalizing the establishment of the Most Great Peace,
This is the Golden Age.

This has never happened before nor could ever happen any other time. The planet
was not yet discovered when Mohammad appeared, neither America nor the Far
East; so it was impossible for Mohammad or the Prophets before Him to stress the
unification of man. First the world had to be discovered; then science developed;
then the world must contract - this marks the coming of age - the culmination of
the 6000 year process. nothing more important happens in the life of man than
reaching 21. Something happens inside him. (spiritually, psychologically,) Maturity
reached at 40 is due to the change that came over him at 21. What happens at 21 is
more important than what happens at 40, for the latter change is determined by
what happens at 21. That is why the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is so important
...This is the answer Bahá'ís must give when people object to our saying that other
major Prophets will be under Bahá'u'lláh's shadow.

[page 6]

This is the only answer we can give.

We do not claim finality. All other Religions do claim it, and the Bahá'í are
fundamentally different. In fact no Revelation will be final after Bahá'u'lláh. It is
unreasonable to assert that Divine Revelation is final, it is progressive, and
indefinitely so. But, at the same time we must assert that future Revelations will be
under His shadow. We are not contradicting ourselves when we disclaim finality,
yet claim that Revelations after Him will be under His shadow. The Revelators
following will give Laws better suited to the evolution of humanity as it progresses
but His spiritual station will be less.

Bahá'ís claims are very challenging, tremendous, but essentially reasonable. We
make the most tremendous claim, are are most reasonable. No one had made a
greater claim than Bahá'u'lláh in history, and no one of the Prophets a lesser claim
than Mohammad because He, Mohammad, stressed the least challenging aspect of
God. In the Iqan Bahá'u'lláh gives all the stations of the Manifestations (the
Guardian quoted them here) "If We say we are servants, we are right; and if we say
we are God, We are also right." Mohammad claimed only to be the Messenger of
God, the least challenging. Bahá'u'lláh did the opposite. He claimed to be the
reflection of God. When One claims a very high station, all lower ones are
included.

Previous Prophets were all "preliminary" Manifestations, preparing the way for
Him, under His shadow. Like John's relation to Christ the Bab to Bahá'u'lláh.
There are two distinct Cycles - the Adamic or Prophetic; and the Bahá'í Cycle. The
word, Prophet" means "announcer"; all those who appearing announced the
coming of Bahá'u'lláh and paved the way. Their purpose was Bahá'u'lláh's
Revelation, although They were major Prophets, independent, with Books and
established new Dispensations. The "Seal of the Prophets" means the last of the
Prophets" to announce" (Seal means last, prophet means "to announce".

Alaska is the connecting link between the Bahá'ís of the USA and the USSR
through which the Americans will have to pass (to teach the Cause) They will enter
Russia through Alaska. The Bahá'ís will converge on Russia from different
directions and in all Soviet Republics the Cause will be established. Iraq, Persia,
Germany, (into the Ukraine) the USA - all will converge on Russia. Eventually
Siberia itself will be open to the Faith. Bahá'ís have been banished there. It is a
huge concentration camp. I have promised their relatives that in Siberia there will
be LSA's and a Mashriqu'l-Ahskar.

Just as Fezan, the Central Province of Lybia, has been opened to the Faith, it is quite
possible there will be an LSA this Ridvan. Abdul-Hamid intended to banish the
Master there...Cyprus too is historic. Subhi-Azel is buried not far from Famagusta
where he lived. The Persians will send pioneers there. They should disburse all
over Cyprus as soon as Necosia has an LSA. There will be an LSA in Famagusta.

Bahá'í invalids, especially in London, should disperse. It would be very good for
the Cause and very good for their health. They should go to semi-tropical islands:
Madeira, Canaries, Mediterranean islands. The British NSA reports are concise,
precise, It is easy to read their reports. They always distinguish between the essential
and non-essential, neither

[page 7]

too detailed or too abridged. The USA still has too many details.

Commenting on 1000 Jewish visitors on day to the Shrine, S.E, said: The
fundamental reason why the Jews, after 2000 years of dispersal returned to
Palestine is to become supporters of the Faith at its World Center. This
is their future destiny. Their immediate destiny is to build up their
state which is very valuable to the Faith. The Arabs would never have
done this.... the Jews are 'cousins of the British" in tenacity and courage.
They fought very bravely when defending their State. They are great
thinkers, a scientific mind. They are keen business men - also a British
trait.

S.E. told us that John R his wife and daughter have settled in
Bechuanaland, in Mafeking. His son is a university student in
Johannesburg and another son is pioneering elsewhere in Africa.

The period of Bahá'u'lláh's service started with the Declaration of the
Bab. In the 9 years of the Bab's ministry the Cause spread to 2
countries; in the 39 years of Baha's ministry the Cause spread to 15
Oriental countries; in 29 years of Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry, 20 were added
(9.39.29 strange coincidence) in that ² of a century number of countries
was 35. When the Cause was in the days of its infancy, its spread was
necessarily slow. It spread more in the days of the Master, not because it
was a superior time but because the Cause had more vitality.

Note at the end of the manuscript:

Mrs. Marion Hoffman was a well-beloved teacher in the U.S. and later married David Hoffman.

They now live in England and operate the Ronald Press, producer of many Bahá'í books.

From the notebook of Laura R. Davis.

Material received from Mrs. Rosemary Sala of Port Elizabeth. South Africa.

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-- Pilgrim's Notes (Used by permission of the curator)