happiness, for it was an indication of thy firmness in the faith and thy
steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament. Today, the greatest of all
titles and praises are firmness and steadfastness, for the tests and
trials are of the utmost intensity. I ask God that day by day thou mayest
increase in steadfastness, so like unto a solid rock thou mayest withstand
the tempestuous sea of test.
The people of the world are like unto trees (i.e., trees without roots),
they are torn up by the passing of a gust of wind, but trees which are
deeply rooted, strong and sturdy, are not uprooted by the most violent
tempest--therefore they produce leaves, blossoms and fruits.
O thou spiritual friend! Thou hast asked the wisdom of prayer. Know thou
that prayer is indispensable and obligatory, and man under no pretext
whatsoever is excused from performing the prayer unless he be mentally
unsound, or an insurmountable obstacle prevent him. The wisdom of prayer
is this: That it causeth a connection between the servant and the True
One, because in that state (i.e., prayer) man with all heart and soul
turneth his face towards His Highness the Almighty, seeking His
association and desiring His love and compassion. The greatest happiness
for a lover is to converse with his beloved, and the greatest gift for a
seeker is to become familiar with the object of his longing; that is why
with every soul who is attracted to the Kingdom of God, his greatest hope
is to find an opportunity to entreat and supplicate before his Beloved,
appeal for His mercy and grace and be immersed in the ocean of His
utterance, goodness and generosity.
Beside all this, prayer and fasting is the cause of awakening and
mindfulness and conducive to protection and preservation from tests. The
obligatory prayer is revealed from the Supreme Pen and is translated in
America. Ask for it from the believers and use it.
"O thou beloved maid-servant of God!..."
O thou beloved maid-servant of God!
Thank thou God that thou art directed to the Light of Guidance and ushered
into the Kingdom of the Love of God, became the recipient of the
inexhaustible bounties and that thou hast a son like ........., who is the
servant in the Threshold of God and is one of the sons of the Kingdom of
the Merciful.
God hath accomplished His gift in thee; thou must be happy and thankful
and hopeful for the favor of the True one.
"O thou who art longing for the Kingdom!..."
O thou who art longing for the Kingdom!
Mr. ......... in thy behalf hath made a great endeavor. Thou shouldst be
eternally grateful to him and thank him, for he hath guided thee to the
Kingdom, led thee to life eternal and set upon thy brow a crown whose
brilliant gems shall illumine the world of existence. That crown is the
Divine Guidance. Thousands of illustrious and famous women are deprived
but thou hast partaken of a share of this heavenly food. The queens of the
world are portionless, but thou art inexhaustibly supplied.
Therefore, thank thou the Pure, the Almighty, and adore Him, that He hath
bestowed such a beloved and glorious gift upon thee!
"O thou leaf who art moved by the Breeze of God!..."
O thou leaf who art moved by the Breeze of God!
Verily, I address thee with all spiritual love and gladness from this my
residence at the base of Mount Carmel, which is blessed through all ages
by the prophets, as recorded in the ancient Books. And I beseech His
Highness the Merciful One to ordain thee a faithful footing in the Kingdom
of God and to provide for thee all things by which thy mind may be
brightened, thy breast be gladdened, thy tongue become eloquent and
whereby the doors of the meanings hinted at in the sacred Books and
Tablets be opened to thy mind. Verily, the people are veiled from
comprehending the meanings of the Gospel, the Bible and the Koran and know
not the interpretation of the scriptures of God, except those whose eyes
are opened by the outpouring of the Spirit of God. Thou shalt behold
men-servants and maid-servants of Baha' in those far-distant lands and
wide countries, speaking the secrets of the Gospel and the mysteries of
the Bible and the allusions of the Koran and the explanation of the Words
of the Merciful One. Those are the servants to whomsoever God hath
assigned His mercy which overfloweth the existence.
"O thou tree planted in the Vineyard of God!..."
O thou tree planted in the Vineyard of God!
Verily, the clouds of the mercy of thy Lord have poured forth the rain of
His greatest gift; the heat of the Sun of Truth hath become intense upon
the plains, valleys and hills, and the winds of fecundation of the mercy
of thy Lord have blown o'er the gardens, mountains and thickets.
Therefore, O thou tree, be verdant, blossom, put forth leaves and bear
beautiful fruits in this most Supreme Paradise!
"O thou who art seeking fire from the Fire of the Love..."
O thou who art seeking fire from the Fire of the Love of God!
I received thy brilliant letter and became pleased with its beautiful
contents. Shouldst thou desire to add perception and understanding, to
become fully aware of the mysteries as deposited in the Holy Books and to
spread the divine significances, it is incumbent upon thee to be
straightforward in the right Path, to be firm in the teachings and to be
patient under the great test. he who is steadfast shall grow and he who is
straightforward shall succeed.
I supplicate God to grant thee power wherewith thou wilt confront the
beliefs of all regions and innumerable nations; and to make it possible
for thee to come hither in a convenient time when no obstacles exist, but
now there are many obstacles in the way of thy coming. However, if thou
turn thy face thoroughly to God, He will grant thee wisdom and power which
maketh thy words to penetrate the hearts as the spirit penetrate the body.
O thou maid-servant of God! Thou must leave selfishness, separate thyself
from the world and cling thoroughly to the Most Supreme Kingdom.
Give my salutations to Mrs. ......... and to the maid-servant of God,
........., and say to them that "God hath chosen His pure, devout and good
maid-servants to turn their faces to Him and to become attracted by His
fragrances in this new and wonderful day."
"O thou son of the Kingdom!..."
O thou son of the Kingdom!
Thy sweet letters with their interesting contents are always conducive to
the joy of the hearts. They are like unto the melodies of the nightingale
which imparteth exultation to soul and mind. Thank thou God! that thou
hast gone to those parts(310) for the purpose of spreading the Word of God
and diffusing the holy fragrances of the Kingdom of God and that thou art
a gardener in the divine orchard. Ere long, confirmation and assistance
shall environ thee.
O thou son of the Kingdom! If one possesses the love of God, everything
that he undertakes is useful, but if the undertaking is without the love
of God, then it is hurtful and the cause fo veiling one's self from the
Lord of the Kingdom. But with the love of God every bitterness is changed
into sweetness and every gift becometh precious. For instance, a musical
and melodious voice imparteth life to an attracted heart but lureth toward
lust those souls who are engulfed in passion and desire.
With the love of God all sciences are accepted and beloved, but without
it, are fruitless; nay, rather the cause of insanity. Every science is
like unto a tree; if the fruit of it is the love of God, that is a blessed
tree. Otherwise it is dried wood and finally a food for fire.
O thou sincere servant of the True One and the spiritual physician of the
people! Whenever thou presentest thyself at the bed of a patient turn thy
face toward the Lord of the Kingdom and supplicate assistance from the
Holy Spirit and heal the ailments of the sick one. I beg of God to bestow
thee with an eloquent tongue.
"O thou maid-servant of God!..."
O thou maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received and the contents indicated that--praise be to God!
--thy heart is ablaze with the fire of the love of God and thine eyes are
illumined with the light of the guidance of God, that thy face is
cheerfully beaming and thy countenance is shining and gleaming.
Say unto thine honored helpmate, thy dear husband: "Thousands of souls,
including the great divines and Pharisees among the Jews, were awaiting
the Manifestation of Christ, lamenting and weeping and supplicating that
the Messiah should soon appear. But when His Holiness Christ came with a
beautiful face and sweet utterance and dawned from the day-spring of the
contingent world like unto the shining sun, all those souls who awaited
Him rejected Him, became afflicted with the sleep of heedlessness, did not
wake up by the voice of Christ nor did they gain consciousness. Now again
the same is the case in the Manifestation of Baha'o'llah."
I beg of God that thy dear husband be guided through the light of guidance
and become a sign of the gift of the Kingdom of Abha.
"O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom!..."
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom!
The decoration and adornment of the tongue consists in praising and
thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty, especially when a man is guided by
divine grace and mercy to the path of guidance and when he is intoxicated
by the chalice of boundless blessings.
Thank God that--praise be to God! --the glass of thy life and heart hath
become bright with the lamp of guidance, and the chalice of hope and
desire hath overflowed with the wine of the love of God. This is an
attainment and blessing that, if thou give thanks a thousand centuries and
cycles, thou wilt not be capable of doing it justice. Therefore, in the
utmost joy, gladness, rejoicings and endless happiness thou must open thy
tongue in thanksgiving and glorifying the Lord of mercy and become the
cause of enlightenment.
When in perfect obedience thou followest the path of the evident Light,
thou mayest rest assured that in a little while life will find the
Beloved, the seeker the Desired One and the traveler the Goal.
Kiss the face and hair of thy dear children for me, love them and educate
them in divine education.
"***O ye children of the Kingdom!..."
***O ye(311) children of the Kingdom!
The letter that ye have written, although short and significant, was a
manifest book and an evidence of your faith and assurance and a proof of
your union and harmony.
Praise be to God! that ye are gathered in one assembly like unto the stars
of the Pleiades, are illumined with the light of the knowledge of God and
through the outpouring of the cloud of the love of God, ye are the fresh
flowers of the meadow and plain; ye are intimate and familiar with
infinite unity and love.
Therefore, this meeting is blessed. But if it is firmly established and
become constant, it will bring forth great results and most weighty
developments will be attained. Consequently, persevere ye in renewing your
meetings and display utmost magnanimity in firmness and steadfastness.
When the root of the tree of the garden is well established and its
protection is safeguarded, it will bring forth luscious fruits.
Likewise, when the regiment of an army and the individuals of a cohort are
united and related with ease, untold triumphs will be acquired. But if
they come together one day and disperse another day, no fruits will be
produced.
Therefore, as ye have prepared an army of heaven and become the host of
life, ye must continue to hold meetings, have spiritual communications, be
firm in resolution, steadfast in purpose and be constant and persevering
so that ye may win celestial conquests.
I supplicate and entreat at the Threshold of God to assist and confirm you
in firmness and steadfastness and cause you to guide the inhabitants of
that region.
"O thou lover of humanity!..."
O thou lover of humanity!(312)
Thy letter was received and its contents imparted spiritual significances.
Thank thou God that from thy early childhood thou hast been always a
seeker after salvation and hast been spending thy energy and effort in
charitable affairs and the excellences of the world of humanity. However,
every great Cause in this world of existence findeth a visible expression
through three means; first, intention; second, confirmation; third,
action. Today on this earth there are many souls who are the spreaders of
peace and reconciliation and are longing for the realization of the
oneness and unity of the world of man; but this intention needs a dynamic
power, so that it may become manifest in the world of being. Today the
divine instructions and lordly exhortations of Baha'o'lah promulgate this
most great aim and the confirmations of the Kingdom are the supports and
defenders of this eminent intention. For the power of the Word of God is
penetrative and the existence of the divine Kingdom is uninterrupted.
Therefore, ere long it will become evident and clear that the ensign of
the Most Great Peace is the teachings of Baha'o'llah. For the intention,
the power and the action, all the three essential elements are brought
together and the realization of everything in the contingent world
dependeth upon these three principles.
Therefore, O thou lover of the oneness of the world of humanity! spread
thou as much as thou canst the instructions and teachings of His Highness
Baha'o'llah, so that the desired Beloved become unveiled in the assembly
of humankind and cast her light upon all the people.
Likewise, some of the ancient philosophers have spoken regarding the
oneness of the world of humanity, but confirmation and assistance became
not their supports and helpers. Consequently their endeavors ended in
being without result and the tree of their hope without fruit.
Thou hast written regarding the language of Esperanto. This language will
be spread and universalized to a certain degree, but later on a language
more complete than this, or the same language will undergo some changes
and alterations and will be adopted and become universal. I hope that Dr.
Zamenhof become assisted by the invisible confirmation and do a great
service to the world of humanity.
O thou maid-servant of God! Whatsoever question thou hast in thy heart,
turn thou thy heart toward the Kingdom of Abha and entreat in the
Threshold of the Almighty and reflect upon that problem, then
unquestionably the light of truth shall dawn and the reality of that
problem will become evident and clear to thee. For the teachings of His
Highness Baha'o'llah are the keys to all the doors. Every hidden secret
will become discovered and every hidden mystery will become manifest and
apparent.***
"O thou who art rejoicing by the Glad-tidings of God!..."
O thou who art rejoicing by the Glad-tidings of God!
The contents of thy letter clearly show that thou art drawn by the love of
God, pondering over the Cause of God and that the cover hath been removed
from off thine eyes.
I ask God to shower down upon thee a heavenly blessing; to make thee to
serve His Cause and attain His good pleasure; to teach thee that which
thou knewest not; to inspire thee with His argument and proof; to confirm
thee in faith and assurance; and to make thee the sign of the Merciful
among the concourse of the worlds.
Verily, He is the Giver, the Generous!
"O thou maid-servant of God, who art guided to the..."
O thou maid-servant of God, who art guided to the Light of Guidance!
Verily, I read thy letter which expressed praise to thy Supreme Lord for
having guided thee to the Fountain-head of Knowledge, quickened thy heart
with the spirit of faith, poured on thee the clouds of beneficence and
opened thine insight to witness His mighty signs in the world of man.
O thou maid-servant of God! Be rejoiced by this most great glad-tidings;
praise in commemorating the Name of thy Supreme Lord; thank thou God
because He hath quickened thee with an eternal spirit, bestowed upon thee
a heavenly bounty and hath illumined thy face with the light by which the
existence scintillates in the world of emanation!
Verily, I was informed of thy great longing to present thyself at this
holy, luminous Spot, but at present this is not favorable; but I bear unto
thee the glad-tidings that when thou hast departed to thy native land, the
invisible hosts will surely confirm and assist thee with power and
strength, and God will reveal unto thy heart that which will rejoice it
forevermore; and He shall endow thee with a speech whereat thou in thyself
shalt be astonished and wilt say: "Blessed am I for this great gift!
Glad-tidings be unto me for this mighty bestowal, for my Lord hath
confirmed me therewith and enabled me to uplift the Word of God and to
diffuse His fragrances! Verily, I glory among all the women of the world!
This is a bestowal which hath no equal!"
O thou maid-servant of God! Verily, the tongue of the Supreme Concourse
uttereth the praise of those women who are the glory of men; women who
have forgotten themselves, have abandoned their own rest, attached their
hearts to the Kingdom of God, raised their voice in the Name of God,
diffused the signs of God and uttereed clear arguments and firm proofs
concerning the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Trust thou in this
promise; then depart to those regions with infinite joy and gladness and
bear unto people glad-tidings in commemorating thy Lord. Verily, thy Lord
will assist thee under all aspects and circumstances. And in the coming
year, if it is possible for thee to come, present thyself at this Blessed
Spot and fragrant region.
"O thou maid-servant of God who art attracted unto..."
O thou maid-servant of God who art attracted unto Him!
Verily, I read thy letter and was informed of its words. Its meaning
showed that thou hast come out of the tests of God and that thou art firm
and steadfast in the love of God. This is through the grace of thy Lord
and His mercy upon those of His maid-servants who are firm in His right
path.
Gird up thy loins, therefore, to serve the Cause of God in His great
vineyard; trust in the favors of thy Lord; supplicate unto Him and beseech
in the middle of the night and at early morn just as a needy and captive
one beseeches. It is incumbent upon thee to turn unto the Kingdom of God
and to pray, supplicate and invoke during all times. This is the means by
which thy soul shall ascend upward to the apex of the gift of God.
"O thou seeker after the Beauty of the True One!..."
O thou seeker after the Beauty of the True One!
What thou hast written was perused. In indicated thy yearning and
advancement toward the Kingdom of God.
If thou standest steadfast and firm in this seeking and advancement, not
becoming agitated by the trials, giving repose and composure to the mind,
and freeing thyself from attachment to this ephemeral world, be thou
assured that thou shalt become an enkindled lamp, spreading the lights of
faith, assurance, knowledge and the love of God in every gathering-place.
We will five thee permission to stand before the Presence when it is a
favorable and suitable time and not contrary to wisdom.
If thou seekest after the light of the Kingdom, hasten undoubtedly to the
meetings of the believers, in order that the rays of truth may reflect in
thy heart.
"O thou advancing maid-servant of God!..."
O thou advancing maid-servant of God!
Thy letter was received and considered. Thank God that the evidence and
the proof became clear and manifest to thee. He gave thee eyes to see
therewith the lights of guidance; He gave thee ears to hear the divine
call; He gave thee nostrils to sense the beautiful fragrance of the
rose-garden of the Kingdom; He gave thee taste to find the sweetness of
the love of God; He gave thee a tongue to mention Him. Therefore, thou
must thank Him night and day for having attained this bounty. Thus mayest
thou become firm in trials and bear every difficulty and, like unto the
mountains, hold thy feet firm and steadfast, so that thou mayest not be
shaken by the adverse winds.
The bounty of the Lord of the Kingdom is great and His outpouring is
glorious. His favors are boundless. I ask, through His bounty, to grant
thee readiness and capacity, so that the rains of mercy may cultivate
flowers of significances in the garden of the heart.
The essential thing is firmness and steadfastness. I hope that all the
friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful One may be strengthened and
confirmed therein.
To pardon shortcomings is an attribute of the Lord of forgiveness. Thank
God, thou art a dawning-point of kindness and the recipient of pardon and
forgiveness.
Sacrifice thy life to the Lord of the Kingdom and seek only His will. Make
thy meeting the house of Abdul-Baha and the rose-garden of the heavenly
birds.
Convey reverential greeting to Miss ......... and say: "Know thou the
value of the day of the Lord and take a portion and a share of the bounty
in this glorious cycle. If a tree doth not thrive and grow in this divine
springtime, in what season will it bear fruit? I hope that, though the
life-nurturing breeze of the rose-garden of the Kingdom, thou mayest
become a tree full of blossoms and fruit."
Convey reverential greeting to the maid-servant of God, ......... and say:
"Happy is thy condition that thou art meek and humble and directed to the
Kingdom of God and looking to God. I ask God that, day by day, thou mayest
become more illumined and more spiritual."
Be in sympathy with ......... and in the utmost of kindness. Close thine
eyes to shortcomings and live according to the divine teachings. I hope
that the breath of life may penetrate them. Thank God that in the world of
vision thou art witnessing great signs.
In great tenderness blow the breath of life into ......... and .........
and call them to God. Perchance, through divine bounty and providence,
their hearts may become radiant and illumined and may remain firm and
steadfast through trials.
To be far in body is of no account. To be near in spirit is essential.
Seek that from God. When thou hast attained that, thou art always with me.
"O thou ignited candle!..."
O thou ignited candle!
The real light is the light of the love o God. Praise be to God! thy face
is illumined by the radiance of the divine love and thy nostrils are
perfumed through the fragrances of the garden of the Kingdom of Abha, and
thou art engaged, night and day, in service in this divine garden and art
spreading the Tablets of Abdul-Baha. Wherefore, thank thou God that thou
art assisted to such a service.
"O thou who art gazing toward the Kingdom!..."
O thou who art gazing toward the Kingdom!
Thy letter was received. its contents became known. Thank thou God that
thy house became the shelter and the nest of the birds of the Kingdom. The
spiritual assembly was arranged. Abdul-Baha, in His heart, was present in
your gathering and His spirit was gazing upon you.
In order to render thanks for this gift, you must become engaged in
creating harmony and union to such an extent that all of you may become as
one soul and one spirit; that you may become waves of one sea, breezes of
one rose-garden, flowers of one meadow and trees of one orchard. You must
devote your time to the training of yourselves and the guidance of souls.
Thy house is my house. Therefore, it must become adorned with the lights
of the Kingdom.
"O thou who hast turned thy face toward the Kingdom!..."
O thou who hast turned thy face toward the Kingdom!
What thou hast written was read. Convey my loving greeting to .........
and say: "Every soul who was deprived of the Kingdom of God in the day of
Christ was disappointed in the other world. Now be thou a seeker of Truth
with all thy soul and heart and receive thou the reflection of guidance,
so that thou mayest not become sad and disappointed in the other realm."
O my Juliet! In this glorious age the divine confirmations are like unto
the rays of the sun. The hearts and souls are like unto the surface of
crystal. The clearer the crystal the greater the refulgence of the
sunlight.
Praise be to God! that the door of servitude is already opened before thy
face. Therefore, be thou the cause of happiness to the souls of the
friends of God; impart thou attraction and exhilaration to others and
suffer them to quaff the wine of bounty from the cup of the most great
guidance, in order that they may open wings like unto birds and soar
upward, upward to the realm of the Kingdom.