Verily I mention thee always and shall never forget thee forever and ever.
I beseech God to make thee a sign of guidance among the people and a lamp
of dazzling light in that extensive and large city, so that pure and good
souls may be illuminated by the light of the knowledge of God and thus
serve the Merciful Threshold by showing earnest desire for love, peace,
affinity and harmony with the people of all religions. Verily the Spirit
through which the temple of the contingent world shall be quickened in
this time is indeed the founder of peace, the spirit of affinity and the
light of love. This is that whereby this being of existence shall evolve
and develop and the world of humanity be adorned with the raiment of glory
and honor. Therefore it is incumbent upon thee to enkindle thyself with
the fire of the love of God in order that thy words may have an effect in
hearts which are as of hard stone.
"O thou young, incomparable tree of the Rose-garden..."
O thou young, incomparable tree of the Rose-garden of the Love of God!
Thank thou God that thou art planted beside this heavenly stream, has been
favored with the inexhaustible outpouring, hast been trained and developed
by the rain of the cloud of the Kingdom of God and hast brought forth
fruit under the care of the Divine Gardener. Now it is the time to cast
the shade and produce delicious fruits and impart sweetness to the palate
of the spiritual ones. Exert [thyself] with heart and soul. Do not rest
one moment, neither do thou seek after composure. Give thou to others the
glad-tidings of the Kingdom and announce to them the manifestation of the
signs of the Realm of Might! This is from the bounty of God. He bestoweth
to whomsoever He willeth. Verily God is the Possessor of great gifts!
"O thou who hast approached toward God!..."
O thou who hast approached toward God!
Verily I have received thy letter and my heart was dilated by the content
of thy expression, for it indicated the illumination of thy heart, the
spirituality of thy soul, thy detachment from all the grades of this
nether world and thy yearning after the effulgences of the Realm of Light.
By the glory of my Lord, I declare: "Verily the splendors of divinity are
continually descending upon the pure, enlightened souls and the outpouring
of the Kingdom fall tumultuously, like unto torrents, upon the favored
realities from the rains of the providence of thy Lord, the Merciful, the
Clement!
"Cast behind every single thought and idea and attach thyself to the
commemoration of thy Master, the Ancient. Be thou soaring in the Kingdom
of God, the Mighty, the Beneficent. Live thou in Paris until the fragrance
of the love of God may emanate from thee in the college wherein thou art
studying sciences and unfurl thou the standard of universal peace,
reconciliation, agreement and security among all men. Rejoice thou by the
bounty of thy Lord which hath encompassed the whole existence and sing and
warble with the most wonderful melody in the rose-garden of knowledge.
Verily thy Lord, the Beneficent, will confirm thee in every moment and
second and will empower thee with such a power that the columns of warfare
and bloodshed shall shake and the foundation of peace and harmony shall
arise."
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant of God!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant of God!
Mayest thou enjoy this cup which is overflowing with the pure wine of the
love of God! Glad-tidings unto thee for that by reason of which thou hast
become an acceptable servant before God!
Verily I have read thy brilliant letter and praised God for He hath made
the cup of thy heart filled with the pure wine of His love and hath chosen
thee to enter the Kingdom of His Guidance.
Now as to what thou askest concerning giving up the scientific attainment
in Paris for the sake of confining thy days to the delivery of this Truth,
it is indeed acceptable and beloved, but if thou acquire both it would be
better and more perfect, because in this new century the attainment of
science, arts and belles lettres, whether divine or worldly, material or
spiritual, is a matter which is acceptable before God and a duty which is
incumbent upon us to accomplish. Therefore, never deny the spiritual
things to the material, rather both are incumbent upon thee. Nevertheless,
at the time when thou art working for such a scientific attainment, thou
must be controlled by the attraction of the love of thy Glorious Lord and
mindful of mentioning His Splendid Name. This being the case, thou must
attain the art thou art studying to its perfection.
I implore God to assist thee in all cases and aspects and perfume thy
nostrils with the holy fragrance during all times. Be tranquil through my
love unto thee and rejoice at my compassion upon thee.
As to the tribute thou hast sent: We have accepted it as a treasure
because it was presented by thee with all love and great sincerity and we
shall use it in building the Holy Tomb(210), that thy name may become
immortal forever and ever.
"O thou who art directed toward the Light of Guidance!..."
O thou who art directed toward the Light of Guidance!
In this moment the heart of Abdul-Baha is rejoiced at thy remembrance and
he is writing an answer to thy letter so that thou mayest be so moved by
the breezes of the love of God that thou mayest become the envy of the
cypress of the rose-garden and cause joy, yearning, longing and ecstasy to
the friends.
In this great dispensation, art (or a profession) is identical with an act
of worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore,
extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the
teaching of the people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the
other in art and guidance. For instance, when the studying of art is with
the intention of obeying the command (of God) this study will certainly be
done easily and great progress will soon be made therein; and when others
discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same
will cause their awakening. Likewise, managing art with propriety will
become the means of sociability and affinity; and sociability and affinity
themselves tend to guide others (to the Truth).
Satisfy thy revered father and seek his pleasure,so that he may consider
that thou observest his obedience more than ever. Practice the utmost love
and affection.
I supplicate and beseech the Threshold of Oneness that thou mayest be
confirmed and assisted.
"O thou who art rejoiced by the Divine Glad-tidings!..."
O thou who art rejoiced by the Divine Glad-tidings!
Verily I have received thy last letter and thanked God that thou didst
reach Paris protected and guarded (by Him). Thank thou God that He
assisted thee to behold the brilliant faces of the believers of God and
favored thee to meet them in American countries. For, verily, beholding
those shining countenances is a divine gift; by it the hearts are dilated,
the souls are rejoiced and the spirits are attracted toward the Supreme
Concourse.
Do not lament over the departure of my dearly beloved Breakwell, for
verily he hath ascended to the luminous rose-garden in the Abha Kingdom,
near the mercy of his Lord, the Almighty, and is crying out with the
loudest voice: "O that my people knew how my Lord hath forgiven me and
made me one of those who have attained (to the meeting of God)!"
O Breakwell, my beloved! Where is thy beautiful countenance and where is
thy eloquent tongue? Where is thy radiant brow and where is thy brilliant
face?
O Breakwell, my beloved! Where is thy enkindlement with the fire of the
love of God and where is thy attraction to the fragrances of God? Where is
thy utterance for the glorification of God and where is thy rising in the
service of God?
O my dear, O Breakwell! Where are thy bright eyes and where are thy
smiling lips? Where are thy gentle cheeks and where is thy graceful
stature?
O my dear, O Breakwell! Verily thou hast abandoned this transitory world
and soared upward to the Kingdom, hast attained to the grace of the
Invisible Realm and sacrificed thyself to the Threshold of the Lord of
Might!
O my adored one, O Breakwell! Verily thou hast left behind this physical
lamp, this human glass, these earthly elements and this worldly enjoyment!
O my adored one, O Breakwell! Then thou hast ignited a light in the glass
of the Supreme Concourse, hast entered the Paradise of Abha, art protected
under the Shade of the Blessed Tree and hast attained to the Meeting (of
the True One) in the Abode of Paradise!
O my dearly beloved, O Breakwell! Thou hast been a divine bird and,
forsaking thy earthly nest, thou hast soared toward the holy rose-garden
of the Divine Kingdom and obtained a luminous station there!
O my dearly beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thou art like unto he birds,
chanting the verses of thy Lord, the Forgiving, for thou wert a thankful
servant; therefore thou hast entered (into the realm beyond) with joy and
happiness!
O my beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thy Lord hath chosen thee for His love,
guided thee to the Court of His Holiness, caused thee to enter into the
Rizwan(211) of His Association and granted thee to behold His Beauty!
O my beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thou hast attained to the eternal life,
never-ending bounty, beatific bliss and immeasurable providence!
O my beloved, O Breakwell! Thou hast become a star in the most exalted
horizon, a lamp among the angels of heaven, a living spirit in the Supreme
World and art established upon the throne of immortality!
O my adored one, O my Breakwell! I supplicate God to increase thy nearness
and communication, to make thee enjoy thy prosperity and union (wih Him),
to add to thy light and beauty and to bestow upon thee glory and majesty.
O my adored one, O my Breakwell! I mention thy name continually, I never
forget thee, I pray for thee day and night and I see thee clearly and
manifestly, O my adored one, O Breakwell!
***Concerning thy question whether all the souls enjoy eternal life: Know
thou those souls partake of the Eternal Life in whom the Spirit of Life is
breathed from the Presence of God and all beside them are dead--without
Life, as Christ hath explained in the texts of the Gospel. Any person
whose insight is opened by God seeth the souls in their stations after the
disintegration of the bodies. Verily they are living and are subsisting
before their Lord and he seeth also the dead souls submerged in the gulfs
of mortality. Then know thou verily all the souls are created according to
the nature of God and all are in the state of (unconscious) purity at the
time of their births. But afterward they differ from one another insofar
as they acquire excellencies or defects. Nevertheless, the creatures have
different degrees in existence insofar as the creation goes, for
capacities are different, but all of them are good and pure (in their
essence), then afterward they are polluted and defiled. Although there are
different states of creation, yet all of them are beneficial. Glance thou
over the temple of man, its members and its parts. Among them there are
the eye, ear, nose, mouth, hands and fingers. Notwithstanding the
differences between these organs, all of them are useful in their proper
spheres. But if one of them is out of order, there is need of a remedy and
if the medicine does not heal, then the amputation of that member becomes
necessary.
Verily I beseech God to make thee confirmed under all circumstances. Do
not become despondent, neither be thou sad. Ere long thy Lord shall make
thee a sign of guidance among mankind.
"O thou dear and honorable!..."
O thou dear and honorable!
I received thy last letter through his honor ........ and its contents
imparted to me spiritual joy, for it indicated the high and good
friendship between thee and the respectful maid-servant of God, .........
I supplicate God to increase at every moment and second your faith,
assurance, steadfastness and your knowledge, and likewise to create
spiritual friendship and celestial love among the friends, in order that
they may become a unit host and enlisted soldiers (of the Kingdom of God)
with accomplishment, skillfulness, solidarity, fellowship and unison.
Verily, by this their breasts will become dilated, their names exalted,
their faces illumined, their host confirmed and their progress,
illumination, insight, knowledge, spirituality, fragrance, attraction,
enkindlement, sanctity and purity promulgated.
Convey my greeting to ........ and say to her: "Verily the teachings which
flowed from the lips of His Highness Christ were spiritual, celestial,
heavenly and the cause of the eternal life; therefore it is explained as
heavenly food and the divine table. But the philosophers who were the
greatest sages of the world at that time could not realize the power of
the teachings of Christ and these very philosophers were veiled from the
Spirit of Christ and did not acknowledge His instructions, for their
imaginations did not correspond with the apprehensions of their
intellects. O what remorse is their lot by losing this Great Cause!
Consequently, the teachings of Baha' shall assuredly breathe the spirit of
peace, the love of God and divine compassion in the hearts of men. These
universal results will become clear to those who cling to them (teachings)
after experience. As to thee, consider profoundly these teachings in order
that thou mayest apprehend their realities."
O my dear Mr. .........! I beseech God to grant thee the power of
knowledge and understanding so that thou mayest fathom the mysteries of
the teachings descended from the presence of he Glorious Lord.
"O thou spiritual son!..."
O thou spiritual son!
Verily I have received thy lettter***and its contents were known. I
supplicate God to open to thee a way and prepare for thee and guide thee
in thy affair.
But concerning thy marriage with the maid-servant of God, ........, do not
be in a hurry. Deliberation and patience are necessary until her mother
giveth her consent and thy father and mother also acquiesce. This is the
divine commandment! Take thou hold of it with a true firmness. Verily this
is better for thee under all circumstances! Verily thy Lord is gracious to
His servants and He facilitates ere long every straight cause. But thou
must submit to and rely upon God under all conditions and He will bestow
upon thee that which is conducive to thy well-being. Verily He is merciful
and compassionate! For how many an affair was involved in difficulty and
then was straightened, and how many a problem was solved by the permission
of God.
Be thou not grieved, neither be thou sad. Finish thy studies in sciences
and then turn thy face unto God, asking from Him help and protection under
all conditions.
"O thou dear friend!..."
O thou dear friend!
What thou hast written was perused. I beg of God that thou wilt become
assisted and confirmed under all circumstances to find the ease of spirit
and the happiness of consciousness, to enter under the shadow of the Tree
of Life and to perfume thy nostrils from the fragrances of the holy
rose-garden and to illumine thy heart with the lights of the mercy of
guidance. Through the grace of His Highness, the Almighty, all the affairs
become easy and feasible.
"O thou who art attracted to the Fire of the Love of..."
O thou who art attracted to the Fire of the Love of God!
I am cognizant of all thou hast written in thy letters. To attain the
pleasure of God is the more important thing. Thank God thou art content
with the will of God and art attached in heart to His divine wishes; and
as thou art thus, all thy desires will be granted thee.
Relative to your going to America, thou must observe the wishes of thy
parents and in the meantime endeavor to diffuse the breaths of God and
satisfy those who are thirsting for the fountain of the knowledge of God
by giving them the heavenly water and merciful rain.
Give my greetings to ........ and say to her: "If thou desirest to soften
the hearts and bring thy friends under the shadow of the Tree of Life,
show forth firmness and integrity; day by day increase thy sincerity and
severance until by the power of the Truth thou wilt soften and subdue the
hearts and awaken the souls of the heedless."
Also give my spiritual greetings to Mr. and Mrs. ........ and say to them:
"May your little daughter be a blessing to you."
O my dear ........, endure and be patient, and by patience thou wilt
attain thy desire.
"O thou sincere servant of God!..."
O thou sincere servant of God!
Be not sad nor sorrowful over what hath occurred. What hath transpired is
for the best and in it is a sacred wisdom concealed which ere long will
become manifest.
Turn thou to the Kingdom of Abha and supplicate to the Highest Concourse.
The aid and mercy of God encompasseth all and His divine bounty is
all-sufficient. Verily something will soon occur for that kind friend
(i.e., thyself) which will bring all happiness, joy, pleasure and
contentment in the Kingdom of God.
Regarding those whose names thou hast written, I ask aid and assistance
for them from God, especially ......... I beseech at the Threshold of the
Oneness of God to shower upon him blessings and open upon him the door of
guidance, bestowing upon his heart the heavenly light.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thank thou God for that thou art assisted to establish a spiritual meeting
in that city. That assembly is the rose-garden of the Cause of God and
that meeting is the gathering-place of the beloved of God. If it endureth,
it is the first assembly of the world and is the greatest assembly of
mankind. Exert thyself with all heart and soul so that it may continue and
be stable and constant until blessed results may ensue therefrom, for
without firmness and steadfastness no matter shall prove effective in
existence. Some of the friends organized meetings for teaching in the
neighborhood of that region, but owing to lack of steadfastness those
meetings scattered with great rapidity. I hope that thy spiritual meeting
may become continual and cause the spread of the lights.
"O thou my dear friend!..."
O thou my dear friend!
I am now viewing the flowers in the little garden and remembering thy
rose-like face. This material rose, although it is beautiful and fragrant,
yet it cannot be compared with the beauty of the friends. Great is the
difference between this fragrance and that of the friends, between the
scent of this rose and the fragrance of the love of God. That face of
thine which attracts the hearts is far more beautiful and better than this
rose, for with that beauty is accompanied illumination.
Thy gift is much appreciated and very acceptable. I was made very, very
happy and I prayed for thee that thou mayest appreciate the contents and
significance of it.
Indeed thou hast served in Washington with no will save the will of God in
view and thou hast made me happy and attained my pleasure.
Hold the spiritual meeting at the stated times and be thou its candle,
giving (the friends) such happiness and joy through the glad-tidings of
God as will make them joyful and full of ecstasy. Give them all my loving
greetings. Surely manifest the utmost love and goodness o the Baltimore
friends and organize for them a spiritual gathering.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Great joy was obtained on learning of the harmony and love of the friends.
Communication with the friends of various parts is one of the greatest
means for spreading the fragrances.
The place adjoining Washington, where, during the summer season, the
maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........, shall go, if it will not cause any
disturbance and doth not become a means of talk among the enemies, the
gathering of some of the friends there will be favorable. We must be
considerate lest it may cause "sensation" among the people, for some
people are weak and should be treated very quietly. However, the gathering
of some of the friends there will be a cause of enkindling the fire of the
love of God and the organization of a Bahai meeting will be harmless.
Every week two or three of the Washington friends should go to Baltimore
and endeavor to help and encourage the friends there.
As to the seven qualifications (of the divinely enlightened soul) of which
thou hast asked an explanation, it is as follows:
1. KNOWLEDGE. Man must attain the knowledge of God.
2. FAITH.
3. STEADFASTNESS.
4. TRUTHFULNESS. Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the
world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of
the worlds of God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is
established in man, all the divine qualities will also become realized.
5. UPRIGHTNESS. And this is one of the greatest divine attainments.
6. FIDELITY. This is also a beautiful trait of the heavenly man.
7. EVANESCENCE OR HUMILITY. That is to say, man must become evanescent in
God. Must forget his own selfish conditions that he may thus arise to the
station of sacrifice. It should be to such a degree that if he sleep, it
should not be for pleasure, but to rest the body in order to do better, to
speak better, to explain more beautifully, to serve the servants of God
and to prove the truths. When he remains awake, he should seek to be
attentive, serve the Cause of God and sacrifice his own stations for those
of God. When he attains to this station, the confirmations of the Holy
Spirit will surely reach him, and man with this power can withstand all
who inhabit the earth.
In regard to children, thou hast written that it is decided to train them
in the teachings of God from childhood. This thought is very acceptable.
Give greeting and praise to all of the friends of God and to His
maid-servants.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy letter, sent through the maid-servant, ........, hath been received.
Thou hast written concerning the changing of names. A name hath no
importance, for a name must needs have a bearer (i.e., deserving a high
name). That is to say, consider (people's) morals and character, then
consider the person himself and be attentive (to detect) one's manners and
conduct and consider his faith and assurance. If a person is illumined
with the light of the love of God, he is (like unto) the morning star,
even though his name be dark; and if he is a captive in the darkness of
error, he is gloomy even though his name be that of a shining star.
Consequently, be thou intent that thou makest thy face illumined with the
light of the love of God, through the divine assistance and favor. This
attribute will make thee independent of every name!
Convey my loving greetings to all of the friends of God.
"O thou seeker of the Kingdom!..."
O thou seeker of the Kingdom!
Thy letter***was received. Its contents became evident. Thou hast written
concerning Baltimore--this caused me great joy.
The revered maid-servant of God, Miss ........, hath undergone great
roubles. Praise be to God! that she hath arisen (and is confirmed) to
serve (the Kingdom of God).
I hope that Mr. and Mrs. ........ will become the cause of spreading (the
teachings) and organizing gathering-places.
The news of Camp Mineola brought me utmost joy and fragrance. I pray to
God that the power of the Word of God may become more evident and manifest
day by day in those regions.
Convey my respectful greeting to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........,
and say: "Thy service is to the everlasting Kingdom of Glory and is
conducive to eternal life."
Convey also my greeting to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........,
likewise to Miss ......... I supplicate in their behalf that God may
bestow upon them heavenly illumination.