established in all things. The whole attracted the part, and the center of
the circle is the axis of the compass. Consider His Holiness the Spirit
(Christ): Since He was the Center of spiritual power and the Origin of
divine benediction, although in the beginning He gathered but few under
His power, yet later through that conquering power, He ushered all sects
under the shadow of the Christian tabernacle. Compare the present with the
past, see the great difference. By this thou canst measure and reach the
reality and know for a certainty that the difference among the sects of
the world is due to the difference of comprehensions. As long as the
perceptive powers differ, surely the opinions and thoughts also differ.
But if One Great Perceptive Power which comprehendeth all, cometh to the
Center, the differing opinions become united, and ideal unity and oneness
are revealed.
For example: When His Holiness, the Spirit (Jesus Christ) appeared, the
comprehensions of the creatures, the susceptibilities and minds of the
sects then present, such as the Romans, the Greeks, Assyrians and
Israelites were different. When the universal power of the Spirit of God
appeared in the Center, eventually after three-hundred years, all the
differing minds gathered under the protection of One Center. The same
spiritual susceptibilities were attained.
For the sake of illustration (literally, likeness), I will say: When an
army is under the command of generals who have differing opinions,
certainly it will disagree in regard to maneuvers and in the order of
marching to the battlefields. But when the great commander-in-chief who is
expert in the arts of warfare cometh to the front, all the differing
opinions will be erased and one opinion will prevail; the
commander-in-chief will bring all under his own direction. This is an
instance and not a likeness.
Now if thou shouldest say, the generals of this army are every one artists
in the art of warfare, expert and experienced, why should they obey one
person, even though he may have accomplished a great feat--this saying does
not deserve attention, for this matter is certain and there is no doubt
therein.
Likewise the Holy Manifestations, especially the reality of the Greatest
Name, the Beauty of Abha, when unveiled amid the assemblage of the world,
like unto Joseph of Canaan, in the divine Egypt, will appear with such
Beauty and Sweetness as to make the lovers of the world His captives.
As to the souls who are born into this world radiant entities and who
through excessive difficulty are deprived of great benefits and thus leave
the world--they are worthy of all sympathy, for in reality this is worthy
of regret. It is for this purpose (that is, it is with regard to this
wisdom) that the great Manifestations (of God) unveil themselves in this
world, bear every difficulty and ordeal--to make these ready souls dawnings
of light and confer upon them eternal life. This is the real atonement
that His Holiness Christ made--He sacrificed Himself for the life of the
world.
As to the question that the holy and spiritual souls influence, help and
guide the creatures after they have cast off this elemental mould--this is
an established truth of the Bahais. Nay even the Holy Manifestations of
God extend a great Bounty and an evident Light after their ascent from
this world. For His Holiness Christ there was more and greater promotion
of the Word, manifestation of divine power, conversion of holy souls, and
the giving of eternal life, after [His] martyrdom. Likewise for the
Blessed Beauty (Baha'o'llah) there was greater bounty and dawning of
light, manifestation of divine power, and effectiveness of the Word after
His Ascent; and ere long the Sun of His Reality will encircle the world
with its motion, heat, radiation and bounty.
Be not sorry on account of the limited extent of the progress of the Bahai
Cause in that country(246) . This is the beginning of the dawn. Consider
the Cause of His Holiness Christ, which took three-hundred years to
produce great effect. Now sixty years have not passed since the beginning
of this Cause, and Its Lights are shed upon all horizons.
Regarding the Society for healing of which thou art of a member; when it
comes under the protection of this Cause, its power will be an hundred
fold.
Thou hast observed how extensive is the love of the Bahais and that the
foundation is love. As the power of love among the Bahais is in the utmost
degree and superior to that in other religions, it is even the same in
other relations, for the cause of all is Love.
As to the question of translating the Books and Tablets of the Blessed
Beauty; it will soon be done in all languages with the utmost of eloquence
and excellence. When the Tablets of His Holiness (Baha'o'llah) are
translated in accordance with the original, with excellence and eloquence,
then the Lights of Significances will dawn and brighten all the eyes.
Endeavor thou with all thy power to make the translation as the original.
The Blessed Beauty went to Haifa many times, and thou hast seen Him.(247)
I hope thou mayest attain the real meeting and that is the witnessing with
the eye of insight and not of sight.
The essence of the teachings of His Holiness Baha'o'llah is Universal
Love, which comprehendeth all the virtues of the world of humanity, is the
cause of eternal life and of the progress of all the individuals of the
human race. Soon thou wilt see that these heavenly teachings, like unto
the light of reality, will envelope and enlighten the world.
The short prayer which thou hast written at the end of thy letter is in
reality original, beautiful, sweet and effective. Chant it always.
"O thou esteemed maid-servant of God!..."
O thou esteemed maid-servant of God!
Be thou hopeful and be thou happy and rejoiced. For I have supplicated and
beseeched before the Threshold of the Almighty that thy wish may be
realized, so thou mayest overcome the self and perform charitable deeds
and that the human perfections may appear from thee; that thou mayest be
endowed with lofty gifts; find thy way to divine wisdom and show forth the
manners and conduct of those who are favored in the Threshold of the
Almighty.
The essence of all exhortation is that thou shouldst abandon thyself and
sacrifice life, body and heart for the Beloved One of the world.
"O thou servant of God!..."
O thou servant of God!
Thy letter was received and the sign of the hand was observed. This sign
was a mystery of the perfection of Love. I ask God that it may become
realized, and day by day, thou mayest walk more and more in the path of
the Kingdom, in order that thou mayest be freed from the strangers and
friends, be disengaged from attachment to the material world and be
attached wholly to the divine Kingdom. At that time thou wilt behold the
lights of the most great gift.
"O thou maid-servant of God!..."
O thou maid-servant of God!
Thy poetry was received. The context was elegant. The words were eloquent
and the theme, the Manifest Light. Consequently, it was highly
appreciated. Endeavor, so far as it is possible for thee, that day by day
thou mayest string the pearls of poesy with sweeter rhythm and more
eloquent contents, in order that it may become conducive to the perpetuity
of thy name in the spiritual meetings. Upon thee be greeting and praise!
"O thou servant of God!..."
O thou servant of God!
What thou hast written was perused. Be thou rejoiced on account of hearing
the glad-tidings of the Kingdom. To render thanks for such a bounty is to
show forth praiseworthy deeds.
Sacrifice thyself for the well-being of the people and be thou a kind
comforter to all the inhabitants of the world. Ask and pray to God that
thou mayest become an enkindled lamp, to shed light upon the assembly, to
become a lover of men and a well-wisher of human kind; nay, rather, thou
mayest become the manifestation of the divine providence, finding out the
heavenly gifts, enlisting thyself among the soldiers of the kingdom of
peace and reconciliation, delivering the people as far as possible from
war and carnage, spreading righteousness and friendship and becoming the
cause of tranquility and composure to the world of humanity.
"O thou seeker after Truth!..."
O thou seeker after Truth!
The letter which thou hast written to ... was received and its contents
became known. If thou ask my name and title, it is Abdul-Baha and any name
beside this is unknown here. Whosoever calleth me by this name, accept
from him--otherwise reject.
But about the three questions which thou hast asked for thyself: The first
is true. Undoubtedly, when a soul engages in commemoration of the True
One, he will naturally feel the rest of soul and tranquility of heart.
The second question about the supernatural power: Without advancing toward
the Kingdom of Abha, it is impossible and inaccessible. But should a soul
enter under the shadow of the Blessed Perfection, step into the divine
Kingdom, act according to the councils and exhortations of God and
practice the New Teachings, unquestionably he will become endowed with a
supernatural power.
But about thy third question: "Have I been subjected to such troubles and
vicissitudes before?" and the indisputable answer, "No!"--this is also
true.
For any soul who walketh in the path of guidance, there is no doubt he
shall endure hardships. Consider thou their Highness the Apostles;
likewise the Assembly of Christians, who were sanctified souls; what
calamities and persecutions hailed them in the Cause during the first and
second century and even up to the third century!
Look thou around the world of existence: A little worldly transaction
cannot be brought about except through surmounting many an obstacle. How
much more important are the objects of the Supreme World! Certainly there
existeth troubles, trials, afflictions, persecution, censure and contempt.
When thou didst occupy thy time in the past to give out religious
exhortations and advices, thou experienced some persecutions and trouble.
But thou canst not realize in this present moment what great ordeals are
in store and what unbearable calamities, affliction and adversity exist,
and that to give up life is the easiest of all those calamities. But the
end of all these is bliss, overflowing joy, everlasting exultation,
happiness and supreme contentment. it is eternal life, never ending glory,
a lordly gift and divine sovereignty!
In brief, thou hast asked concerning my desire for thee: I wish, if thou
art worldly, to become heavenly; if thou art of the world of possession,
become thou celestial; if thou art of the material sphere, become an
inhabitant of the realm of Light; hasten from the world of darkness to the
world of illumination and become the manifestor of the exhortations,
advices and instructions of the Blessed Perfection. This is my greatest
desire for thee.
"O ye seekers of Truth!..."
O ye(248) seekers of Truth!
Your letter was received and its contents became known. The new Kingdom
hath raised its tents in all regions and hath enveloped East and West, but
the blind ones cannot see and the deaf ones cannot hear. In the time of
Christ, the doors of the divine Kingdom were opened, but the people, being
veiled, were negligent and in a deep sleep. Therefore, they were deprived
of the spiritual glory. Now, thank ye God that ye have found the way to
the Kingdom of peace and salvation and have heard the call of the True
One.
Supplicate God that ye may become heavenly hosts, spreading the oneness of
the world of humanity, taking in hand the armor of peace and conquering
the hearts with the sword of love.
Ye are people of the earth, become ye angels of heaven; ye are from the
West, draw ye bounties from the East! Be ye illumined, become ye heavenly,
become ye merciful and show kindness to all the people!
"O thou dear friend!..."
O thou dear friend!
Although a person of good deeds is acceptable at the Threshold of the
Almighty, yet it is first "to know," and then "to do." Although a blind
man produceth a most wonderful and exquisite art, yet he is deprived of
seeing it. consider how most animals labor for man, draw loads and
facilitate travel; yet, as they are ignorant, they receive no reward for
this toil and labor. The cloud raineth, roses and hyacinths grow; the
plain and meadow, the garden and trees become green and blossom; yet they
do not realize the results and outcome of all these. The lamp is lighted,
but as it hath not a conscious knowledge of itself, no one hath become
glad because of it. Moreover, a soul of excellent deeds and good manners
will undoubtedly advance from whatever horizon he beholdeth the lights
radiating. Herein lies the difference: By faith is meant, first, conscious
knowledge, and second, the practice of good deeds.
Thou hast asked concerning reincarnation: Reincarnation as understood by
the people, is untrue; but in the Gospel, "return" is referred to, and
that is the return of qualities(249) and not the return of entities. This
matter is explained in detail in the Book of Ighan, which is translated
and published. Study that Book.
But the difference between Christ and others is this: Christ was the
Spirit, others were bodies; Christ was the Sun, others were mirrors;
Christ was the Truth and was bestowing eternal life, others were dead and
imparting deadness and negligence.
Thou hast asked concerning the spirits of men: They are not at all
annihilated--they are immortal.(250) The spirits of heavenly souls will
find eternal life, that is, they will attain the highest and most great
stations of perfection; but the spirits of the heedless souls, although
they are eternal, yet they are in a world of imperfection, concealment and
ignorance. This is a concise answer. Contemplate and meditate upon it, in
order that thou mayest comprehend the reality of the mysteries in detail.
for instance: No matter how much the mineral has an existence and life,
yet in comparison to man, it is entirely non-existent and deprived of
life. For where man is translated from life to death, his comparative
station will be that of a mineral existence.
"O ye seekers of Truth!..."
O ye(251) seekers of Truth!
Your letter was received and a sweet fragrance was inhaled from the
rose-garden of its significances. it was an evidence of your insight,
hearing and spiritual life. For, no matter if the people are living in
appearance, yet they may be dead in reality. That is why His Holiness
Christ, sayeth in the gospels: "Let the dead bury the dead!"
Praise be to God! that you have found eternal life from among the dead;
that is, you have hear the call of the divine Kingdom, are attracted to
the Heavenly Countenance and have turned your faces toward the Center of
the Light of Truth. I hope that you continue to be a living, eternal
light!
Two stones of the Most Great Name are sent enclosed with this Tablet.
"O thou Glorious Lord!..."
O thou Glorious Lord!(252)
Make thou this little maid-servant a brilliant-starred daughter of the
Kingdom; endear her in the Threshold of Oneness and overflow her with the
cup of Thy love, in order that she may raise the cries of joy and ecstasy
and mix ambergris with musk.(253)
Verily, Thou art the Powerful and the Mighty, and Thou art the Wise, the
Seer!
"O thou plant of the Garden of the Love of God!..."
O thou plant of the Garden of the Love of God!
Thy letter was received. Its content was of utmost grace and sweetness. As
thou hast turned thy face toward the Supreme Kingdom, I hope thy
disposition and nature will prove agreeable and comforting to thy brother
and sister.
Although thou art small, yet I hope thou wilt become great in the Kingdom.
His Highness Christ, sayeth: "Happy is the condition of the children!" God
willing, thou art one of those children.
Be obedient and kind to thy father and mother, caressing brother and
sister, and day by day adding to thy faith and assurance.
"O thou dear friend!..."
O thou dear friend!
What thou hast written was perused. Thank thou God that the doors of the
Kingdom are opened and the way of the Truth become manifest and evident.
Therefore, enter thou completely into this divine Kingdom; that is,
acquire heavenly bliss and beatitude and turn thy face to the Luminous
Realm, so that the hurtful powers may be dispersed at once, eternal
felicity, composure and tranquility become realized, the heart find
glad-tidings, the soul, peace, and even the body, grace and beauty.
"O thou faithful one!..."
O thou faithful one!
One of the requirements of faithfulness is that thou mayest sacrifice
thyself and, in the divine path, close thine eye to every pleasure and
strive with all thy soul that thou mayest disappear and be lost, like unto
a drop, in the ocean of the love of God.
"O thou who art advanced toward God!..."
O thou who art advanced toward God!
Thy letter was received. Its contents indicated that thou hast become
alive through the spiritual breaths of his honor, Mr. ......... Thank thou
God that thou hast attained to this bounty and hast caught the light of
guidance. Thou must be thankful to his honor, Mr. ........., to the end of
thy days, for from his hand thou hast drunk this overflowing cup of the
Most Great Guidance.
Now show thou forth firmness and steadfastness without wavering. If any
test fall upon thee, it will be conducive to the strength of thy faith.
"O thou servant of the True One!..."
O thou servant of the True One!
Thy letter was received. The meeting *** which was arranged with the
utmost union in the studio of Miss ......... was in reality spiritual,
merciful and illumined. The friends of God were associating with great
harmony and friendship. I hope that all the people of the world become
united and cemented. The Blessed Perfection hath appeared for the sole
purpose of the unification and solidarity of the people of the world, so
that all of them may enter under the shade of one tree, sing one melody in
one rose-garden and adorn the universe with love and oneness.
Every meeting which is organized for the purpose of unity and concord will
be conducive to changing strangers into friends, enemies into associated,
and Abdul-Baha will be present in his heart and soul with that meeting.
I entreat from God that the believers may at all times strive to bring
about union and harmony, in order that this power of unity may display an
effect in this world; each country become illuminated, the darkness of
foreignness be dispelled gradually and the light of unanimity dawn and
shed its rays to all parts.
"O thou heavenly one!..."
O thou heavenly one!
Organize ye spiritual assemblies; lay ye the foundation of union and
concord in this world; destroy ye the fabric of strife and war from the
face of the earth; construct ye the temple of harmony and agreement;
enkindle ye the light of the realm of the oneness of humanity; open ye
your eyes; gaze and behold ye the other world! The Kingdom of peace,
salvation, uprightness and reconciliation is founded in the Invisible
World, and it will by degrees become manifest and apparent through the
power of the Word of God!
I supplicate God that ye may become the army of that Kingdom, in order
that by the power of the Most Great Name, the friends of God may conquer
this world through love, friendship and the strength of the Kingdom of
peace; the human race become compassionate, and bloodshed and carnage be
completely effaced from the universe.
The Spirit of truth is soaring on the Supreme Apex, like unto a bird, in
order that it may discover a severed heart and alight therein and make its
nest.
I hope that all the friends become manifestors of knowledge and the
centers of merciful feelings. Each of them become like unto an angel and
radiate heavenly deeds, thoughts and actions.
"O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom!..."
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom!
Thy letter contained meanings full of sweetness. I therefore took it in my
hand with the utmost love and became informed of thy desire.
O thou maid-servant of God! Glad-tidings be unto thee! As thou art
faithful and art going to remain firm, the favors of the Bounty of Abha
will encircle thee; thou wilt become a cause of the illumination of the
human world, and be assisted by the heavenly confirmation.
"O ye spiritual assembly!..."
O ye spiritual assembly!(254)
As ye were gathered in the meeting of hospitality with the utmost longing
for the knowledge of God, that meeting was mentioned in the divine Kingdom
and you became favored with special bounty. Such gatherings are very
praiseworthy and acceptable, for all beget joy and fragrance, the hearts
become illumined and the despondent souls become heavenly.
Likewise, thou I was remote in so far as the body is concerned, I was near
to the friends in heart and spirit and close to the believers in that
assembly.
I entreat God that your assembly wax greater day by day and the meeting of
the love of God become adorned with celestial attributes, so that the
confirmation of the Kingdom of God descend continually.
"O ye friends!..."
O ye friends!(255)
Thank God that the Light of Truth shone in that city, the bounty of
guidance was granted, the fire of the love of God was ignited and the veil
of superstition was burned away.
Some souls have arisen who have unsealed their eyes, unstopped their ears,
witnessed the great signs and heard the eternal melody of the Supreme
Concourse. Each of them became a faithful tree in the orchard of the love
of God and a shining luminous star in the horizon of the knowledge of God.
this is from the eternal bounty and the everlasting gift.
I entreat and supplicate in the Threshold of the Almighty and ask for your
confirmation and assistance, that you may be born wholly out of the
physical world into the Realm Divine, to seek after the eternal life and
wish for the everlasting gift, so that you may shine upon ages and cycles
like unto the morning star!
"O thou lamp of the Love of God!..."
O thou lamp of the Love of God!
Thou hast made the wish for the great martyrdom in the path of Baha', that
thou mayest become intoxicated with that overflowing cup and sacrifice
this ephemeral life upon the divine altar, in order that thou mayest walk
in the road of faithfulness and show forth firmness and steadfastness for
the sake of the love of Baha'.
This is the ultimate desire of the people of sanctity. If the eternal
prosperity favor and befriend thee, thou wilt undoubtedly attain to this
bounty. But for the present this very attitude is sacrifice and martyrdom.
Blessed art thou, and again, blessed art thou!***
"O thou daughter of the Kingdom!..."
O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received; its contents were of the utmost sweetness. No
sooner had I heard it, than I supplicated to God in thy behalf that thou
mayest become a strong growing tree, protected and guarded from the winds
of tests and attain to heavenly guidance.
Know thou the value of Miss ......... Truly I say, she was an angel of
heaven and a light beaming and sparkling. Endear thy beloved daughter,
........ Entreat God that she and ......... may become two shining lamps
in the assemblage of the world and the cause of the grandeur and promotion
of the divine teachings.
Blessing be upon thy dear son ......... and his family. Endeavor thou in
their training.
Convey on my behalf, spiritual greeting to the new bridegroom and bride
......... and say to them: "You must become the young trees in the divine
garden and produce good fruits."
Convey my love to ......... I prayed in behalf of all the family that they
may be confirmed with the most great guidance and sacrifice their
abilities, talents and possessions in the Path of God.
O thou maid-servant of God! This celestial music hath moved the hearts of
the people in the world and the Blessed Tree embraced all communities and
nations under its shade!
"O thou who art attracted toward the Kingdom!..."
O thou who art attracted toward the Kingdom!
Be thou not unhappy; the tempest of sorrow shall pass; regret will not
last; disappointment will vanish; the fire of the love of God will become
enkindled, and the thorns and briars of sadness and despondency will be
consumed! Be thou happy; rest thou assured upon the favors of Baha', so
that uncertainty and hesitation may become non-existent and the invisible
outpourings descend upon the arena of being!
If thou art seeking after spiritual tranquility, turn thy face at all
times toward the Kingdom of Abha. If thou art desiring divine joy, free
thyself from the bands of attachment. if thou art wishing for the
confirmation of the Holy Spirit, become thou engaged in teaching the Cause
of God.