Kingdom, this is very acceptable and praiseworthy; and if it is expended
to the benefit of the human world in general--even though it be to their
material (or bodily) benefit and be a means of doing good--that is also
acceptable. But if the health and welfare of man be spent in sensual
desires, in a life on the animal plane, and in devilish pursuits--then
disease is better than such health; nay, death itself is preferable to
such a life. If thou art desirous of health, wish thou health for serving
the Kingdom. I hope thou mayest attain a perfect insight, an inflexible
resolution, a complete health and spiritual and physical strength in order
that thou mayest drink from the fountain of eternal life and be assisted
by the spirit of divine confirmation.
Say unto ........: "Thou art sowing pure seeds, but that soil (wherein the
seeds fall) is full of useless plants, weeds and rubbish. Therefore the
seeds are wasted. Consequently, come and sow those seeds in a pure, sweet
and fertile soil, in order that they may vegetate, become fresh and
verdant and form into heaps on heaps of harvest."
Send my greeting to ........ and say unto her: "The sun is in the utmost
effulgence but the surface turned toward it must be a mirror; the clearer
and purer it is, the more lights shall be reflected therein."
Send my loving greeting to his honor ........ and say unto him: "Do not
miss the opportunity. Now in the springtime and the bounty of heaven is
pouring on earth and the fields and rose-gardens are in growth and
development. Exert thyself as much as thou canst, in order that through
this everlasting bounty and the sprinklings of the clouds of the divine
gift, thou mayest grow and thrive like unto a fruitful tree, with the
utmost freshness and purity."
That matter (or substance) which is the cause of the moderation and
perfection of the body is that perfect moderate temperament which is
produced by the organization and admixture of constituent elements; that
matter (or substance) is material (or physical) not spiritual. But reason,
which comprehends (or detects) the realities of things, is a spiritual
reality, not physical (or material). Therefore the animal is deprived of
reason, and it (reason) is specialized to mankind. The animal feeleth
realities which are perceptible to the senses, but man perceiveth
intellectual realities (or things perceptible to reason). Consequently, it
hath become evident that reason is a spiritual faculty, not physical (or
material).
The Holy Land is not tranquil in these days(101). Consequently, let thy
presence (or coming) in the Holy Land depend on some other time. Endeavor
night and day in serving the Cause of God; this service is real visit, and
this is meeting, itself.
Deliver my greeting to each one of the friends of God and maid-servants of
the Merciful with the utmost love.
That blessed name which thou hast asked to remain with thee forever and
become the cause of spiritual progress--the name is "Aseyeh," which is the
name of the mother of Abdul-Baha. I give the blessed name to thee. Be
therefore in the utmost joy and happiness, and be engaged in all gladness
and attraction (or ecstasy) for thou hast become the object of such a
favor.
"O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!..."
O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!
I know how great a love thou hast! Thou art like unto a blooming rose in
the rose-garden of the love of God and thou art like unto a fruitful tree
on the bank of the stream of knowledge of God. I beg of God that thou
mayest always enjoy spiritual nearness and ever be rejoiced. Reveal thou
(or teach thou) the Word of God; be not grieved at the people's lack of
hearing. Do thou sow the seed, and God will make it grow and the cloud (or
rain) of mercy will develop it.
Convey greeting to the beloved of God and to the maid-servants of the
Merciful.
"O thou maid-servant of God!..."
O thou maid-servant of God!
Thy detailed letter was perused. On account of the multitude of
occupations and work, a brief answer is written. This brief Tablet is most
significant. Thou art forever in my memory and in reality thou art
present. Thou art never forgotten!
Blessed is thy state that thou art firm in the Covenant and steadfast in
the Cause of God. Rest thou assured of the bounty and providence of the
Heavenly Lord. Be thou rejoiced! Be thou a merciful being! Be thou
illumined! Associate with all the maid-servants of the Merciful with
utmost love and kindness, also with other women of the world.
I have prayed for the outpouring of the blessing upon those souls for whom
thou hast asked supplication of the Holy Spirit (in their behalf). I hope
that they may become quickened through the breeze of life wafting from the
garden of immortality and be gladdened with utmost happiness and joy. But
the capacity is necessary for the descent of rain, and preparation of soil
is of great importance. The heavenly outpouring will develop from the pure
ground roses and hyacinths. We also hope that such things will appear from
them.
Convey my respectful greeting to the attracted maid-servant of God
......... I am always engaged in her remembrance, beseeching for her
merciful gifts from the Heavenly Father. Utmost bounty is extended toward
her.
Exert thyself in studying the Persian language in order that with perfect
eloquence and fluency thou mayest talk, read and write.
Know thou the value of ........ for she hath an illumined heart and a soul
gladdened with the love of God. She hath presented herself at this Blessed
Spot, hearing the utterances of Abdul-Baha with her own ears. Blessed is
she, and again, blessed is she!
"O thou dear maid-servant of God!..."
O thou dear maid-servant of God!
The letter that thou hast written in Persian was highly appreciated. I
have read it from beginning to end. It contained wonderful thoughts.
Convey my longing greetings to all the friends in Washington (D.C.). Also
present my respectful greetings to the maid-servants of the Merciful.
Present my respectful salutations to the maid-servant of God, the Eternal,
the Protector, Mrs. ........, for she is near and dear in the Threshold of
Oneness. I beseech God that she may be confirmed and assisted in all
stations and attain the heavenly confirmations.
"O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God!..."
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God!
The letter written by you *** was received. Its contents became evident.
The expressions (of thy letter) evinced utmost attraction and caused joy
and fragrance.
Thou hast asked for permission to come to our presence with his honor
......... I am also longing greatly after the meeting of the friends. If
there was no obstacle, it would be very acceptable, but in these days, thy
presence (in this land(102)) is not according to wisdom. Besides this,
thou must be engaged in the service of the Kingdom in those parts. Also,
the presence of his honor(103) ........ is of utmost necessity in those
parts, for we henceforth forward all the Tablets to him for translation,
that he may send to the believers. If he should move, this work would be
neglected. Therefore now thou must wait until some happy occasion will
bring this about later on.
Also, thou hast written concerning the meeting with the minister of
Persia. This is very acceptable. The believers of God must render utmost
consideration toward Persian ministers and officials.
Also convey respectful greetings from Abdul-Baha to all the friends of
God.
"O thou maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection!..."
O thou maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection!
Thy letter was received. It was written in Persian. I was very much
pleased. I hope thou wilt memorize all the poetry of the Blessed
Perfection and chant with wonderful melody in the assemblages and
gatherings. These verses will soon be translated into English poetical
form and then this Divine Song will rise from those lands and reach the
ABHA Kingdom in utmost joy and happiness.
Thou hast written that ........ is giving lessons of [the Book of]
Ighan(104) ; this news brought me real joy.
Thou hast written that ........ hath started upon her trips again, to be
engaged in the service of the Kingdom. In reality she is attracted and
will bear every calamity and trial in the path of the Blessed Perfection
and this very thing will be conducive to her spiritual development.
O thou attracted one! If thou art able, be thou engaged in the promotion
of the Cause of God, either with ........ or alone.
O thou maid-servant of God! Whatever thou dost and upon whatever occasion
thou showest any effort, the end will prove fruitless except in teaching
the Cause of God and in serving the divine Kingdom.
If the means of thy travel to these parts(105) be brought about, it is
better to come alone, because ........ must remain in those parts and be
engaged in the service. The confirmation of the Holy Spirit will descend
upon him uninterruptedly.
Convey respectful greeting to the beloved maid-servant of God ........ and
love her.
"O thou attracted maid-servant of God!..."
O thou attracted maid-servant of God!
Thy letter *** was received and its contents produced happiness and joy,
for it evinced affinity and love among the maid-servants of the Merciful
One gathering in the assemblages and commemorating the name of the True
One. ***
Convey my respectful greeting to ........ and announce to her: "This
period is a blessed period; endeavor that thou mayest live according to
the requirements of this Glorious Age."
Convey my greeting to ........ and say: "The Heavenly Table is descended;
become thou hungry in so far as thou canst and partake of that Food."
Announce thou to ........: "At a time when the light of the Sun of Truth
hath penetrated into all those regions, then the spiritual oneness will
become realized. Therefore, make thou an effort that the souls may become
attracted with the light of the Kingdom and the shining heavenly lamp
become ignited in thy house. I beseech God that thou mayest become a
center of merciful feelings in those regions and seek after the
everlasting glory."
I prayed for those whose names thou hast mentioned in thy letter, asking
from God confirmation and assistance in their behalf. Say to the beloved
maid-servant of God, ........, to write the book which she had in mind.
"O thou favored maid-servant of God!..."
O thou favored maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast expressed joy on account of thy visit
to the friends of Chicago. I also yearn to visit them. At the time when ye
were assembled in the house of Mrs. ........, Abdul-Baha was also present
with heart and soul.
I hope that hou mayest become an incarnation of love and embodiment of
spirit and personficiation of kindness and that thou mayest progress day
by day in the spiritual attributes through the Beauty of ABHA.
Convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the dear and kind maid-servant
of God, the assured leaf, ....... Behold thou how attracted and enkindled
she is! Love and have great consideration for the attracted maid-servant
of God, ......... Exercise the utmost affection and kindness toward the
dear maid-servant of God, .........
O thou maid-servant of God! No one hath any way to the Reality of Deity
except through the Instrumentality of the Manifestation. To suppose so is
a theory and not a fact.
Convey greeting on my behalf to ........... and say: "If thou art desiring
the refulgent light, add to thy love for God. If thou art begging for the
breaths of the Holy Spirit, become thou engaged in the commemoration of
the Beauty of ABHA. If thou art seeking everlasting glory, choose humility
in the path of the True One. If thou art aspiring to eternal life,
sacrifice thy soul in the way of God."
Announce my love and affection to the attracted maid-servant ......... and
say: "Every eye which is weeping for the sake of the love of God is
blessed; every ear which is hearing the divine call is blessed. Then may
thine eyes flow with the tears of joy because of the coruscation of the
fire of the heart and may thy soul and thy spirit be attracted to the
Beauty of the Beloved."
Show forth kindness on my behalf to the maid-servants of the Merciful whom
thou hast mentioned by name in thy letter and impart to them the
glad-tidings of the Kingdom.
Give especial greeting to ........... and say: "There lie glorious
meanings in the word "Allaho-ABHA.(106) I hope thou wilt discover those
significances."
"O thou spiritual maid-servant of God!..."
O thou spiritual maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received and its contents became known. God willing, the
vision will become actualized. Announce thou to ........: "Become thou a
new creation and be thou patient and forbearing. Be baptized by the fire
of the love of God and by the spirit of the knowledge of God, in order
that thou mayest become characterized by the spiritual attributes; attain
to the nature of that kind Beloved; be so enkindled that thou mayest
illumine a region, become a sign of guidance and an ensign of the love of
God."
O thou maid-servant of God! I know that thou hast spiritual love for
Abdul-Baha and this is confirmed and beyond doubt.
Say to ........: "Leave thou the "New Thought" and seek after the New
Kingdom. The "New Thought" is a part of the New Kingdom. When thou hast
found the latter, thou hast found the former; nay rather, thou hast found
all things."
"O thou attracted maid-servant of God!..."
O thou attracted maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast manifested cheerfulness and gladness on
account of the news of my happiness. Abdul-Baha hath the glad-tidings of
the Kingdom of ABHA. His happiness hath no sorrow in its trail and His
life is not followed by any death. To him, prison is a court; to him, a
tomb is a spacious palace; to him, a well is the apex of heaven; and to
him, manacles and chains are the throne of ether.
If at times he becometh sad, it is not on account of affliction and
adversities, but that grief is produced from a word or an act which is
against the exhortations and behests of the Blessed Perfection.
For instance: I hope that the believers of God may become the cause of the
unity and agreement of the human realm, and suffer other nations and
communities of the world to enter under the shade of the Canopy of
Oneness. Now, when the news reacheth me that the slightest differences
have crept in among the believers of God, I become sad and heartbroken.
The point is this: Afflictions and hardships, ordeals or trials, do not
make me weak or faint, nor do they in the slightest degree make me sad or
unhappy.
Thou hast written regarding the feast *** I became very happy therefrom.
Convey greeting on my behalf to the favored maid-servant of God, .........
and say: "On that night thy house was the nest and the shelter of the
birds of God. The divine melodies and the celestial lyres made that place
a feast of heaven and an assembly of the Kingdom. Abdul-Baha was present
there in heart and soul and was joyful and happy. Thank thou God."
Announce salutation to Mrs. ......... and say: "A thousand times, Well
done! --that thou art working in the vineyard of the Kingdom and hast
arisen to faithfulness and art engaged in the service of His Highness, the
Almighty! Thou art helping the helpless ones and art comforting those who
are instance."
Convey respectful greeting to Mrs. ......... and say: "May thy joy be
unending and thy comfort and happiness everlasting! May thy life be
eternal and the light of thy thought the heavenly glad-tidings."
Convey greeting and kindness to the maid-servant of God, ........, and
say: "If thou art desiring an illumined house, enkindle thou therein the
lamp of the love of God; and if thou art seeking after a heavenly palace,
make thy house the gathering place of the believers of the Merciful One;
so that the splendors of the Sun of Truth may cast therein rays spiritual
and the harmony of holiness ascend to the Kingdom of ABHA."
Say to the maid-servant of God! The feast given by Mrs. ......... became
highly acceptable and the respected personages who served in that feast,
as did ........., Mr. ........., Mrs. ......... and Mrs. ........., are in
reality worthy of all praise. They were engaged in the duty and the work
of Abdul-Baha and have arisen to serve the believers of God.
Convey my greeting to his honor ......... and say: "Thou didst deliver a
wonderful talk on that night. Well done! Well done! That talk was given in
the West yet Abdul-Baha became happy from it in the East."
I congratulate and compliment the maid-servant of God, ........, in her
firmness and steadfastness in the Cause of God. Truly, I say, she is
illumined, spiritual, heavenly and celestial. She taketh care of the
strangers among the friends and serveth and praiseth the servants of God.
O thou maid-servant of God! Do not be slow in the study of the Persian
language and be thou engaged in the service.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy letter was received. Thou hast written regarding thy trip to the Holy
Land. God willing, this desire of thine will be realized.
The name Aseyeh is acceptable in the Threshold of Oneness, for the
daughter of Pharaoh had this name, who, when (Moses) the Light of Guidance
dawned, became confirmed by the Merciful One, left the court of Pharaoh
with its grandeur and sovereignty and became perfumed with the fragrances
of holiness. Then she assisted in the service of His Holiness (Moses)--upon
him be peace! Also, Aseyeh was the name of my mother.
Thou hast written that thou lovest the Bible. Undoubtedly, the friends and
the maid-servants of the Merciful should know the value of the Bible, for
they are the ones who have discovered its real significances and have
become cognizant of the hidden mystery of the Holy Book.***
Deliver my greeting to ......... and say: "I supplicate God that thou
mayest gladden and rejoice the heart of ......... with the melody of the
Kingdom, rend asunder the veil of her concealment, enlighten her face with
the light of the Most Great Guidance and make her eyes see and her ears
hear."
Say on my behalf to the maid-servant of God, ........, "The end of every
(material) work is without result, because it is perishable and
inconstant, but the first (real) work is attraction to the fragrance of
God, enkindlement with the fire of the love of God, reading the verses of
Unity and beholding the lights from the Dawning-place of Mystery.(107)
After that cometh the training of the soul, purification of character and
service to humanity. If thou art able to accomplish any one of these, the
result is eternal and the fruit everlasting."
Thou hast written regarding thy coming to the Holy Land; do not hasten,
for then thou mayest travel with comfort. It would be better not to resign
from the school, nay rather, avail thyself of the opportunity during
vacation time which is in the season of summer, and present thyself in
this land; because thy presence in that school is fruitful. Thou shalt
finally study the Persian language.***
"O thou whose breast is dilated with the Fragrances..."
O thou whose breast is dilated with the Fragrances of God!
I received thy letter which showed thine advance toward the Kingdom of
God.
O maid-servant of God! Verily, the weakness of body and its strength do
neither harm nor benefit; nay, rather the spirit must be strong through
the breath of the Holy Spirit, at this time, so that it may apprehend the
consummate wisdom which is deposited in this great age. I beg of God that
He may increase joy and fragrance in thy spirit, give thee power and
strength, and that He may help thee at every moment in faith and
assurance. Verily my Lord is powerful in all things! Trust thou in the
grace of thy Master and ask that which thou wishest from His Name, the
Clement, the Merciful.
"O thou who art rejoiced at the Kingdom of God!..."
O thou who art rejoiced at the Kingdom of God!
The letter indicating thy great wish to be a maid-servant of the Cause of
God in His wonderful and excellent vineyard, was received.
Thank thou God that He hath removed the veil and hath manifested unto thee
the reality of things until thou hast apprehended that, verily, the world
and all of its concerns are but confused dreams and of non-duration.
Verily I beg of God to grant thy greatest wishes and bestow upon thee the
good of this and the world to come.
"O thou herald of the Kingdom!..."
O thou herald of the Kingdom!
Thou wast not alone in the trip that thou didst undertake in various
places. The spirit and soul of Abdul-Baha was with thee. Although thou
hast been afflicted with many and severe persecutions, hast heard
derision, scorn and contempt and observed the opposition of the heedless
ones, yet this is conducive to thy glory, that thou hast been made a
target for the arrow of opposition in the Path of God and hast drunk the
cup of affliction. Consider this, how many a calamity was submitted to by
those sanctified souls in bygone ages and to how many sufferings they were
resigned! Thou also must endure dire oppression and ordeals in the Path of
ABHA and maintain the feet of steadfastness and firmness. Then thou shalt
behold the confirmation of God surrounding thee. Rejoice thou and be happy
that thou hast attained to this station and walked in the footsteps of the
holy souls.
Announce on my behalf longing greeting to Mr. ........ and say, "The
melody of the Kingdom is that which hath caused the motion of the
universe; the musk-diffusing fragrance of the rose-garden of God is that
which hath perfumed the nostrils; and the reflection of the Sun of Truth
is that which hath illumined the whole earth. Now is the beginning of
illumination! Therefore, the people of darkness imagine that they can
oppose (this Revelation); yet, ere long they shall find themselves in loss
and consternation! They shall observe that the power of the Word of God
hath subdued East and West. Be thou not sad and dispirited on account of
the opposition of the heedless ones. Soon they shall regret sorely.
Reflect thou how the Pharisees persecuted and looked down in contempt upon
His Holiness the Christ. The result was that His lamp became ignited, His
light began to shine and His followers sparkled like unto the stars from
the horizon of existence; and the consequence to the Pharisees was the
pangs of remorse and regrets."
Convey, also, greeting to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........ and say,
"Thy house is the nest and the shelter of this heavenly bird. Undoubtedly,
thou must enkindle the lights of the Kingdom therein."
Likewise convey respectful greeting on my behalf to Mrs. ........ and say,
"I ask God that thy house may become the gathering-place of the spiritual
ones and the assembly of the godly ones; that the light of Truth may shine
therein and make it brilliant and resplendent."
Also convey longing greeting to Mr. ........ and say, "Those souls who, in
the time of His Highness Christ, turned their faces toward the Kingdom and
quaffed the wine of guidance from the cup of the Word of God, had their
troubles changed into everlasting bliss. No matter how much they heard the
rebuke of the heedless ones, observed the censure of the relatives, were
afflicted with the injury of the oppressors and thrown into abjection, yet
that ignominy finally became eternal glory. Thou must show the utmost love
and kindness towards the heedless ones and the oppressors and ask from God
forgiveness and pardon for them, for they are ignorant. If they
understood, they would not oppress; nay, rather would they arise (to serve
the Cause) with faithfulness."