Introduction to the Aghsan Guardianship
This article affirms the legal and spiritual adoption of Charles Mason Remey by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, establishing his rightful position as an Aghsan—meaning “Branch”—in the Davidic lineage. Through documented statements, sacred tokens, and covenantal succession, the Guardianship of the Baha’i Faith is traced with precision and reverence.
‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Public and Private Affirmations
Mason Remey was an Aghsan because he was legally adopted by ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
In Star of the West, ‘Abdu’l-Baha publicly addressed Mason Remey as:
- “O my dear son” (vol. 10, no. 8, p. 144)
- “O thou enlightened beloved son” (vol. 11, no. 13, p. 229)
Additionally, in The Diary of Juliet Thompson, it is recorded that ‘Abdu’l-Baha sent Mason a message saying:
“You are very dear to me. You are so dear to me I think of you day and night. You are my real son. Therefore, I have an idea for you. I hope it may come to pass.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Diary of Juliet Thompson, p. 71
The “Other Branch” and Legal Adoption
Thus, Mason Remey, as ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s only living son (Aghsan), inherited the throne of King David—being the “other branch” referenced on page 12 of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. On 28 November 1921, ‘Abdu’l-Baha further stated to Mason:
“I have adopted you as my son. You must appreciate this favor greatly indeed. One should see that you are living according to the requirements of this sonship. You should be aware of your responsibilities. My prayers will help you. I always pray for you.”
— ‘Abdu’l-Baha to Mason Remey, cf. The Diaries of Mason Remey, Folio 2, “A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Reminiscences of the Master, 1921,” pp. 127–129, New York Public Library Collection
Shoghi Effendi’s Confirmation and Coronation
This legal adoption was upheld by Shoghi Effendi, the legally appointed Executor of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s estate and the first Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. In March 1922, Shoghi Effendi oversaw the transfer of the throne of King David to Charles Mason Remey-Aghsan. Shoghi Effendi met with Mason in the Holy Land and wrote to him explicitly, recognizing Mason’s inheritance:
“To ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s ‘DEAR SON’ Mr. Charles Mason Remey”
— Signed, Shoghi, March 1922
Dr. Leland Jensen explains that “DEAR SON” was translated to English from the Persian/Arabic term Aghsan, meaning “Branch” (see Zechariah 3:8 KJV). This lineage is affirmed by Baha’u’llah in the Kitab-i-‘Ahd and by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Some Answered Questions, in the chapter on Isaiah 11.
The Sacred Token of Adoption
To make the adoption legally binding under Ottoman and Israeli law, ‘Abdu’l-Baha gave Mason Remey a token of inheritance via Shoghi Effendi. The outer note read:
“Of all the remnants of Baha’u’llah’s all-sacred Person, the most hallowed, the most precious, confidently delivered into the hands of my brother and co-worker in the Cause of God, Mr. Remey.”
— Signed, Shoghi, March 1922
Inside, sealed with wax and a ring stamp:
“Coagulated drops of Baha’u’llah’s all-Sacred Blood and Ringlets of His Most Blessed Locks presented as my most precious possession to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s ‘DEAR SON’ Mr. Charles Mason Remey as a token of my Baha’i affection and brotherly love.”
— Shoghi Effendi
The blood symbolized sacred lineage; the hair represented headship and guardianship.
Succession Through the Aghsan Line
Mason Remey-Aghsan adopted and appointed his only son, Joseph Pepe Remey-Aghsan, who in turn adopted and appointed his only son, Glenn David Goldman-Aghsan—the current and only living Guardian of the Baha’i Faith.
Each succession was marked by sacred tokens:
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha used the hair and blood of Baha’u’llah
- Mason used similar tokens
- Pepe used inherited items including:
- A unique photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Baha
- A jeweled horseshoe
- A lapis lazuli (sapphire) ring passed through the lineage
This fulfilled the two-part criterion for succession:
- The Guardian must be an Aghsan (son)
- He must be appointed during the previous Guardian’s lifetime (Will and Testament, p. 11)
Clarifying the Role of Symbols
To dispel confusion about his personal medallions, Mason wrote:
“The nine-sided or pointed decoration that I have… has nothing to do with the Faith nor with the continuation of the Guardianship… I personally like insignia and symbols. A future Guardian may not feel as I do about such things.”
— Charles Mason Remey-Aghsan, Letter to Dr. Marie Frain, 1962
The Transfer to Glenn Goldman
When Glenn Goldman inherited the throne, he also inherited Pepe’s sacred possessions via Dr. Jensen, who had assigned the task of identifying the next Guardian and delivering Pepe’s possessions to him, to his wife (Bride of the Lamb – Revelation 19:7-8, and 21:9-10, KJV), and liaison officer, Wind Jensen. Years after Doc passed, Wind, being extremely educated and the world’s foremost expert on the Covenant and the criteria for Baha’i Guardian successorship, personally delivered Pepe’s Baha’i possessions to Mr. Goldman.
Joseph Pepe’s Will instructed his sister, Anna, to deliver a chest containing his most sacred Baha’i items—including the lapis/sapphire ring—to Dr. Jensen in Missoula, Montana. Though Dr. Jensen was not an Aghsan, he was the Establisher of the Baha’i Faith and recognized the significance of the transfer.
Dr. Jensen dispatched Wind and Neal Chase from Montana to retrieve the chest in New Jersey. The author of this article witnessed its delivery to Doc’s home and the opening of the chest (I also lived with Dr. Jensen for four years, studying daily, tending his 1/4 acre garden, washing his dishes, and helping prepare, serve, and dine, over a thousand dinners with him). The ring was inside the chest. Doc said to Neal, “Why don’t you see if it fits.” Neal struggled and finally was able to wrangle it onto his pinky. Doc said, “Go ahead and wear it for a while.” A short while later, Dr. Jensen recovered the ring from Mr. Chase, and the ring was returned to the chest. (Note: In an effort to bolster a false claim to the Guardianship, Mr. Chase has concocted an entirely different storyline about the ring.) The ring, however, rightfully belongs to one person, Pepe’s only son, Glenn Goldman Aghsan.
The Ring’s Disappearance and the Resolution of the Test
After Doc’s passing, his home was burglarized and the ring was stolen. It remains to be seen who may present it in the future.
Fortunately, now, 19 years after the passing and ascension of Dr. Jensen, the great test of the Baha’is Under the Provisions of the Covenant (BUPC)—that no one would know who the next Guardian was after Doc’s passing—is resolved. Even though the majority of Dr. Jensen’s former group of Apostles, students, and followers are still failing the test, having not figured it out yet, or are still in denial of the facts, or have lost faith in the plan they once espoused, preferring to make manifest the verse,
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine [criteria]; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” — 2 Timothy 4:3–4, KJV.
never-the-less, God’s Promise is fulfilled in this day!
Closing Reflection Regarding Mason Remeys Aghsanship
The world can now clearly see that without any doubt, Mason Remey was the son of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and the first Aghsan Guardian of the Baha’i faith, and that today Joseph Pepe Remey’s only son, Glenn D. Goldman Pepe, holds the only legal appointment and is the living, third Aghsan Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. This lineage, sealed by tokens and affirmed through covenantal succession, stands as a testament to the enduring structure of divine authority and the sacred trust passed from father to son.
You can read the third Aghsan Guardians’ proclamation statement here.