the achievements of Zenobia and other great
women of the past, concluding with an eloquent tribute to the fearless
Mary Magdalene, whose faith remained firm while that of the apostles was
shaken. He continued:--

Amongst the women of our own time is Qurratu'l-'Ayn, the daughter
of a Muhammadan priest. At the time of the appearance of the Bab
she showed such tremendous courage and power that all who heard
her were astonished. She threw aside her veil despite the
immemorial custom of the women of Persia, and although it was
considered impolite to speak with men, this heroic woman carried
on controversies with the most learned men, and in every meeting
she vanquished them. The Persian Government took her prisoner; she
was stoned in the streets, anathematized, exiled from town to
town, threatened with death, but she never failed in her
determination to work for the freedom of her sisters. She bore
persecution and suffering with the greatest heroism; even in
prison she gained converts. To a Minister in Persia, in whose
house she was imprisoned, she said: "You can kill me as soon as
you like but you cannot stop the emancipation of women." At last
the end of her tragic life came; she was carried into a garden and
strangled. She put on, however, her choicest robes as if she were
going to join a bridal party. With such magnanimity and courage
she gave her life, startling and thrilling all who saw her. She
was truly a great heroine. Today in Persia, among the Baha'is,
there are women who also show unflinching courage, and who are
endowed with great poetic insight. They are most eloquent, and
speak before large gatherings of people.

Women must go on advancing; they must extend their knowledge of
science, literature, history, for the perfection of humanity.
Erelong they will receive their rights. Men will see women in
earnest, bearing themselves with dignity, improving the civil and
political life, opposed to warfare, demanding suffrage and equal
opportunities. I expect to see you advance in all phases of life;
then will your brows be crowned with the diadem of eternal glory.

Women and the New Age

When woman's point of view receives due consideration and woman's will is
allowed adequate expression in the arrangement of social affairs, we may
expect great advancement in matters which have often b