Tablets of the Divine Plan
by 'Abdu'l-Baha
Edition 1, (/September 2006)
BAHA'I TERMS OF USE
You have permission to freely make and use copies of the text and any
other information ("Content") available on this Site including printing,
emailing, posting, distributing, copying, downloading, uploading,
transmitting, displaying the Content in whole or in part subject to the
following:
1. Our copyright notice and the source reference must be attached to the
Content;
2. The Content may not be modified or altered in any way except to change
the font or appearance;
3. The Content must be used solely for a non-commercial purpose.
Although this blanket permission to reproduce the Content is given freely
such that no special permission is required, the Baha'i International
Community retains full copyright protection for all Content included at
this Site under all applicable national and international laws.
For permission to publish, transmit, display or otherwise use the Content
for any commercial purpose, please contact us
(http://reference.bahai.org/en/contact.html).
CONTENTS
Baha'i Terms of Use
1: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES
2: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES
3: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE CENTRAL STATES
4: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE WESTERN STATES
5: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF CANADA AND GREENLAND
6: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
7: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
8: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
9: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES
10: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES
11: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE CENTRAL STATES
12: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE WESTERN STATES
13: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF CANADA AND GREENLAND
14: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
1: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE NORTHEASTERN STATES
_Revealed on March 26, 1916, in 'Abdu'l-Baha's room at the house in Bahji,
addressed to the Baha'is of nine Northeastern States of the United States:
Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. _
1 O ye heavenly heralds:
2 These are the days of Naw-Ruz. I am always thinking of those kind
friends! I beg for each and all of you confirmations and assistance from
the threshold of oneness, so that those gatherings may become ignited like
unto candles, in the republics of America, enkindling the light of the
love of God in the hearts; thus the rays of the heavenly teachings may
begem and brighten the states of America like the infinitude of immensity
with the stars of the Most Great Guidance.
3 The Northeastern States on the shores of the Atlantic--Maine, New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York--in some of these states believers
are found, but in some of the cities of these states up to this date
people are not yet illumined with the lights of the Kingdom and are not
aware of the heavenly teachings; therefore, whenever it is possible for
each one of you, hasten ye to those cities and shine forth like unto the
stars with the light of the Most Great Guidance. God says in the glorious
Qur'an: "The soil was black and dried. Then we caused the rain to descend
upon it and immediately it became green, verdant, and every kind of plant
sprouted up luxuriantly."(1) In other words, He says the earth is black,
but when the spring showers descend upon it that black soil is quickened,
and variegated flowers are pushed forth. This means the souls of humanity
belonging to the world of nature are black like unto the soil. But when
the heavenly outpourings descend and the radiant effulgences appear, the
hearts are resuscitated, are liberated from the darkness of nature and the
flowers of divine mysteries grow and become luxuriant. Consequently man
must become the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity and
propagate the holy teachings revealed in the sacred books through the
divine inspiration. It is stated in the blessed Gospel: Travel ye toward
the East and toward the West and enlighten the people with the light of
the Most Great Guidance, so that they may take a portion and share of
eternal life.(2) Praise be to God, that the Northeastern States are in the
utmost capacity. Because the ground is rich, the rain of the divine
outpouring is descending. Now you must become heavenly farmers and scatter
pure seeds in the prepared soil. The harvest of every other seed is
limited, but the bounty and the blessing of the seed of the divine
teachings is unlimited. Throughout the coming centuries and cycles many
harvests will be gathered. Consider the work of former generations. During
the lifetime of Jesus Christ the believing, firm souls were few and
numbered, but the heavenly blessings descended so plentifully that in a
number of years countless souls entered beneath the shadow of the Gospel.
God has said in the Qur'an: "One grain will bring forth seven sheaves, and
every sheaf shall contain one hundred grains."(3) In other words, one
grain will become seven hundred; and if God so wills He will double these
also. It has often happened that one blessed soul has become the cause of
the guidance of a nation. Now we must not consider our ability and
capacity, nay, rather, we must fix our gaze upon the favors and bounties
of God, in these days, Who has made of the drop a sea, and of the atom a
sun.
4 Upon you be greeting and praise!
2: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE SOUTHERN STATES
_Revealed on March 27, 1916, in the garden adjacent to the Shrine of
Baha'u'llah, addressed to the Baha'is of sixteen Southern States of the
United States: Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. _
1 O ye heralds of the Kingdom of God:
2 A few days ago an epistle was written to those divine believers, but
because these days are the days of Naw-Ruz, you have come to my mind and I
am sending you this greeting for this glorious feast. All the days are
blessed, but this feast is the national fete of Persia. The Persians have
been holding it for several thousand years past. In reality every day
which man passes in the mention of God, the diffusion of the fragrances of
God and calling the people to the Kingdom of God, that day is his feast.
Praise be to God that you are occupied in the service of the Kingdom of
God and are engaged in the promulgation of the religion of God by day and
by night. Therefore all your days are feast days. There is no doubt that
the assistance and the bestowal of God shall descend upon you.
3 In the Southern States of the United States, the friends are few, that
is, in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Consequently you must either go
yourselves or send a number of blessed souls to those states, so that they
may guide the people to the Kingdom of Heaven. One of the holy
Manifestations, addressing a believing soul, has said that, if a person
become the cause of the illumination of one soul, it is better than a
boundless treasury. "O 'Ali! If God guide, through thee, one soul, it is
better for thee than all the riches!" Again He says, "Direct us to the
straight path!"(4) that is, Show us the right road. It is also mentioned
in the Gospel: Travel ye to all parts of the world and give ye the glad
tidings of the appearance of the Kingdom of God.(5)
4 In brief, I hope you will display in this respect the greatest effort
and magnanimity. It is assured that you will become assisted and
confirmed. A person declaring the glad tidings of the appearance of the
realities and significances of the Kingdom is like unto a farmer who
scatters pure seeds in the rich soil. The spring cloud will pour upon them
the rain of bounty, and unquestionably the station of the farmer will be
raised in the estimation of the lord of the village, and many harvests
will be gathered.
5 Therefore, ye friends of God! Appreciate ye the value of this time and
be ye engaged in the sowing of the seeds, so that you may find the
heavenly blessing and the lordly bestowal. Upon you be Baha'u'l-Abha!
3: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE CENTRAL STATES
_Revealed on March 29, 1916, outside the house in Bahji, and addressed to
the Baha'is of twelve Central States of the United States: Michigan,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North
Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. _
1 O ye heavenly souls, O ye spiritual assemblies, O ye lordly meetings:
2 For some time past correspondence has been delayed, and this has been on
account of the difficulty of mailing and receiving letters. But because at
present a number of facilities are obtainable, therefore, I am engaged in
writing you this brief epistle so that my heart and soul may obtain joy
and fragrance through the remembrance of the friends. Continually this
wanderer supplicates and entreats at the threshold of His Holiness the One
and begs assistance, bounty and heavenly confirmations in behalf of the
believers. You are always in my thoughts. You are not nor shall you ever
be forgotten. I hope by the favor of His Holiness the Almighty that day by
day you may add to your faith, assurance, firmness and steadfastness, and
become instruments for the promotion of the holy fragrances.
3 Although in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and
Minnesota--praise be to God--believers are found who are associating with
each other in the utmost firmness and steadfastness--day and night they
have no other intention save the diffusion of the fragrances of God, they
have no other hope except the promotion of the heavenly teachings, like
the candles they are burning with the light of the love of God, and like
thankful birds are singing songs, spirit-imparting, joy-creating, in the
rose garden of the knowledge of God--yet in the states of Indiana, Iowa,
Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas few of the
believers exist. So far the summons of the Kingdom of God and the
proclamation of the oneness of the world of humanity has not been made in
these states systematically and enthusiastically. Blessed souls and
detached teachers have not traveled through these parts repeatedly;
therefore these states are still in a state of heedlessness. Through the
efforts of the friends of God souls must be likewise enkindled in these
states, with the fire of the love of God and attracted to the Kingdom of
God, so that section may also become illumined and the soul imparting
breeze of the rose garden of the Kingdom may perfume the nostrils of the
inhabitants. Therefore, if it is possible, send to those parts teachers
who are severed from all else save God, sanctified and pure. If these
teachers be in the utmost state of attraction, in a short time great
results will be forthcoming. The sons and daughters of the kingdom are
like unto the real farmers. Through whichever state or country they pass
they display self-sacrifice and sow divine seeds. From that seed harvests
are produced. On this subject it is revealed in the glorious Gospel: When
the pure seeds are scattered in the good ground heavenly blessing and
benediction is obtained.(6) I hope that you may become assisted and
confirmed, and never lose courage in the promotion of the divine
teachings. Day by day may you add to your effort, exertion, and
magnanimity.
4 Upon you be greeting and praise!
4: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE WESTERN STATES
_Revealed on April 1, 1916, in 'Abdu'l-Baha's room at the house in Bahji,
addressed to the Baha'is of eleven Western States of the United States:
New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, California, Wyoming, Utah, Montana,
Idaho, Oregon and Washington. _
1
_He is God!_
O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom:
2 Day and night I have no other occupation than the remembrance of the
friends, praying from the depth of my heart in their behalf, begging for
them confirmation from the Kingdom of God and supplicating the direct
effect of the breaths of the Holy Spirit. I am hopeful from the favors of
His Highness the Lord of Bestowals, that the friends of God during such a
time may become the secret cause of the illumination of the hearts of
humanity, breathing the breath of life upon the spirits--whose praiseworthy
results may become conducive to the glory and exaltation of humankind
throughout all eternity. Although in some of the Western States, like
California, Oregon, Washington and Colorado, the fragrances of holiness
are diffused, numerous souls have taken a share and a portion from the
fountain of everlasting life, they have obtained heavenly benediction,
have drunk an overflowing cup from the wine of the love of God and have
hearkened to the melody of the Supreme Concourse--yet in the states of New
Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona and Nevada, the lamp of the
love of God is not ignited in a befitting and behooving manner, and the
call of the Kingdom of God has not been raised. Now, if it is possible,
show ye an effort in this direction. Either travel yourselves, personally,
throughout those states or choose others and send them, so that they may
teach the souls. For the present those states are like unto dead bodies:
they must breathe into them the breath of life and bestow upon them a
heavenly spirit. Like unto the stars they must shine in that horizon and
thus the rays of the Sun of Reality may also illumine those states.
3 God says in the great Qur'an: "Verily God is the helper of those who
have believed. He will lead them from darkness into light."(7) This means:
God loves the believers, consequently He will deliver them from darkness
and bring them into the world of light.
4 It is also recorded in the blessed Gospel: Travel ye throughout the
world and call ye the people to the Kingdom of God.(8) Now this is the
time that you may arise and perform this most great service and become the
cause of the guidance of innumerable souls. Thus through this superhuman
service the rays of peace and conciliation may illumine and enlighten all
the regions and the world of humanity may find peace and composure.
5 During my stay in America I cried out in every meeting and summoned the
people to the propagation of the ideals of universal peace. I said plainly
that the continent of Europe had become like unto an arsenal and its
conflagration was dependent upon one spark, and that in the coming years,
or within two years, all that which is recorded in the Revelation of John
and the Book of Daniel would become fulfilled and come to pass. This
matter, in all probability, was published in the San Francisco Bulletin,
October 12, 1912. You may refer to it, so that the truth may become clear
and manifest; thus ye may fully realize that this is the time for the
diffusion of the fragrances.
6 The magnanimity of man must be heavenly or, in other words, it must be
assisted by the divine confirmation, so that he may become the cause of
the illumination of the world of humanity.
7 Upon you be greeting and praise!
5: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF CANADA AND GREENLAND
_Revealed on April 5, 1916, in the garden adjacent to the Shrine of
Baha'u'llah, and addressed to the Baha'is of Canada--Newfoundland, Prince
Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba,
Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Mackenzie, Keewatin, Ungava,
Franklin Islands--and Greenland. _
1
_He is God!_
O ye daughters and sons of the Kingdom:
2 Although in most of the states and cities of the United States, praise
be to God, His fragrances are diffused, and souls unnumbered are turning
their faces and advancing toward the Kingdom of God, yet in some of the
states the Standard of Unity is not yet upraised as it should be, nor are
the mysteries of the Holy Books, such as the Bible, the Gospel, and the
Qur'an, unraveled. Through the concerted efforts of all the friends the
Standard of Unity must needs be unfurled in those states, and the divine
teachings promoted, so that these states may also receive their portion of
the heavenly bestowals and a share of the Most Great Guidance. Likewise in
the provinces of Canada, such as Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta,
British Columbia, Ungava, Keewatin, Mackenzie, Yukon, and the Franklin
Islands in the Arctic Circle--the believers of God must become
self-sacrificing and like unto the candles of guidance become ignited in
the provinces of Canada. Should they show forth such a magnanimity, it is
assured that they will obtain universal divine confirmations, the heavenly
cohorts will reinforce them uninterruptedly, and a most great victory will
be obtained. God willing, the call of the Kingdom may reach the ears of
the Eskimos, the inhabitants of the Islands of Franklin in the north of
Canada, as well as Greenland. Should the fire of the love of God be
kindled in Greenland, all the ice of that country will be melted, and its
cold weather become temperate--that is, if the hearts be touched with the
heat of the love of God, that territory will become a divine rose garden
and a heavenly paradise, and the souls, even as fruitful trees, will
acquire the utmost freshness and beauty. Effort, the utmost effort, is
required. Should you display an effort, so that the fragrances of God may
be diffused among the Eskimos, its effect will be very great and
far-reaching. God says in the great Qur'an: A day will come wherein the
lights of unity will enlighten all the world. "The earth will be
irradiated with the light of its Lord."(9) In other words, the earth will
become illumined with the light of God. That light is the light of unity.
"There is no God but God." The continent and the islands of Eskimos are
also parts of this earth. They must similarly receive a portion of the
bestowals of the Most Great Guidance.
3 Upon you be greeting and praise!
6: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
_Revealed on April 8, 1916, in the garden outside the Shrine of
Baha'u'llah, and addressed to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada.
_
1
_He is God!_
O ye blessed souls:
2 I desire for you eternal success and prosperity and beg perfect
confirmation for each one in the divine world. My hope for you is that
each one may shine forth like unto the morning star from the horizon of
the world and in this Garden of God become a blessed tree, producing
everlasting fruits and results.
3 Therefore I direct you to that which is conducive to your heavenly
confirmation and illumination in the Kingdom of God!
4 It is this: Alaska is a vast country; although one of the maidservants
of the Merciful has hastened to those parts, serving as a librarian in the
public library, and according to her ability is not failing in teaching
the Cause, yet the call of the Kingdom of God is not yet raised through
that spacious territory.
5 His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to the East and to the West of the
world and summon the people to the Kingdom of God.(10) Hence the mercy of
God must encompass all humanity. Therefore do ye not think it permissible
to leave that region deprived of the breezes of the Morn of Guidance.
Consequently, strive as far as ye are able to send to those parts fluent
speakers, who are detached from aught else save God, attracted with the
fragrances of God, and sanctified and purified from all desires and
temptations. Their sustenance and food must consist of the teachings of
God. First they must themselves live in accordance with those principles,
then guide the people. Perchance, God willing, the lights of the Most
Great Guidance will illuminate that country, and the breezes of the rose
garden of the love of God will perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of
Alaska. Should you be aided to render such a service, rest ye assured that
your heads shall be crowned with the diadem of everlasting sovereignty,
and at the threshold of oneness you will become the favored and accepted
servants.
6 Likewise the republic of Mexico is very important. The majority of the
inhabitants of that country are devoted Catholics. They are totally
unaware of the reality of the Bible, the Gospel and the new divine
teachings. They do not know that the basis of the religions of God is one
and that the holy Manifestations are like unto the Sun of Truth, rising
from the different dawning-places. Those souls are submerged in the sea of
dogmas. If one breath of life be blown over them, great results will issue
therefrom. But it is better for those who intend to go to Mexico to teach,
to be familiar with the Spanish language.
7 Similarly, the six Central American republics, situated south of
Mexico--Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and
the seventh country Belize or British Honduras. The teachers going to
those parts must also be familiar with the Spanish language.
8 Attach great importance to the indigenous population of America. For
these souls may be likened unto the ancient inhabitants of the Arabian
Peninsula, who, prior to the Mission of Muhammad, were like unto savages.
When the light of Muhammad shone forth in their midst, however, they
became so radiant as to illumine the world. Likewise, these Indians,
should they be educated and guided, there can be no doubt that they will
become so illumined as to enlighten the whole world.
9 All the above countries have importance, but especially the Republic of
Panama, wherein the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans come together through the
Panama Canal. It is a center for travel and passage from America to other
continents of the world, and in the future it will gain most great
importance.
10 Likewise the islands of the West Indies, such as Cuba, Haiti, Puerto
Rico, Jamaica, the islands of the Lesser Antilles, Bahama Islands, even
the small Watling Island, have great importance; especially the two black
republics, Haiti and Santo Domingo, situated in the cluster of the Greater
Antilles. Likewise the cluster of the islands of Bermuda in the Atlantic
Ocean have importance.
11 In a similar way, the republics of the continent of South
America--Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, British Guiana, Dutch Guiana,
French Guiana, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela;
also the islands to the north, east and west of South America, such as
Falkland Islands, the Galapagos, Juan Fernandez, Tobago and Trinidad.
Likewise the city of Bahia, situated on the eastern shore of Brazil.
Because it is some time that it has become known by this name, its
efficacy will be most potent.
12 In short, O ye believers of God! Exalt your effort and magnify your
aims. His Holiness Christ says: Blessed are the poor, for theirs shall be
the Kingdom of Heaven.(11) In other words: Blessed are the nameless and
traceless poor, for they are the leaders of mankind. Likewise it is said
in the Qur'an: "And We desire to show favor to those who were brought low
in the land, and to make them spiritual leaders among men, and to make of
them Our heirs."(12) Or, we wish to grant a favor to the impotent souls
and suffer them to become the inheritors of the Messengers and Prophets.
13 Now is the time for you to divest yourselves of the garment of
attachment to this world that perisheth, to be wholly severed from the
physical world, become heavenly angels, and travel to these countries. I
swear by Him, besides Whom there is none other God, that each one of you
will become an Israfil of Life, and will blow the Breath of Life into the
souls of others.
14 Upon you be greeting and praise!
Supplication
O THOU Incomparable God! O Thou Lord of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy
heavenly army. Assist them and, with the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse,
make them victorious, so that each one of them may become like unto a
regiment and conquer these countries through the love of God and the
illumination of divine teachings.
O God! Be Thou their supporter and their helper, and in the wilderness,
the mountain, the valley, the forests, the prairies and the seas, be Thou
their confidant--so that they may cry out through the power of the Kingdom
and the breath of the Holy Spirit.
Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Omnipotent, and Thou art
the Wise, the Hearing and the Seeing.
7: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
_Revealed on April 11, 1916, in 'Abdu'l-Baha's room at the house in Bahji,
and addressed to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada. _
1
_He is God!_
O ye real Baha'is of America:
2 Praise be to His Highness the Desired One that ye have become confirmed
in the promotion of divine teachings in that vast Continent, raised the
call of the Kingdom of God in that region and announced the glad tidings
of the manifestation of the Lord of Hosts and His Highness the Promised
One. Thanks be unto the Lord that ye have become assisted and confirmed in
this aim. This is purely through the confirmations of the Lord of Hosts
and the breaths of the Holy Spirit. The full measure of your success is as
yet unrevealed, its significance still unapprehended. Erelong ye will,
with your own eyes, witness how brilliantly every one of you, even as a
shining star, will radiate in the firmament of your country the light of
divine Guidance, and will bestow upon its people the glory of an
everlasting life.
3 Consider! The station and the confirmation of the apostles in the time
of Christ was not known, and no one looked on them with the feeling of
importance--nay, rather, they persecuted and ridiculed them. Later on it
became evident what crowns studded with the brilliant jewels of guidance
were placed on the heads of the apostles, Mary Magdalene and Mary the
mother of John.
4 The range of your future achievements still remains undisclosed. I
fervently hope that in the near future the whole earth may be stirred and
shaken by the results of your achievements. The hope, therefore, which
'Abdu'l-Baha cherishes for you is that the same success which has attended
your efforts in America may crown your endeavors in other parts of the
world, that through you the fame of the Cause of God may be diffused
throughout the East and the West and the advent of the Kingdom of the Lord
of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the globe.
5 The moment this divine Message is carried forward by the American
believers from the shores of America and is propagated through the
continents of Europe, of Asia, of Africa and of Australasia, and as far as
the islands of the Pacific, this community will find itself securely
established upon the throne of an everlasting dominion. Then will all the
peoples of the world witness that this community is spiritually illumined
and divinely guided. Then will the whole earth resound with the praises of
its majesty and greatness. A party speaking their languages, severed,
holy, sanctified and filled with the love of God, must turn their faces to
and travel through the three great island groups of the Pacific
Ocean--Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia, and the islands attached to
these groups, such as New Guinea, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Philippine
Islands, Solomon Islands, Fiji Islands, New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, New
Caledonia, Bismarck Archipelago, Ceram, Celebes, Friendly Islands, Samoa
Islands, Society Islands, Caroline Islands, Low Archipelago, Marquesas,
Hawaiian Islands, Gilbert Islands, Moluccas, Marshall Islands, Timor and
the other islands. With hearts overflowing with the love of God, with
tongues commemorating the mention of God, with eyes turned to the Kingdom
of God, they must deliver the glad tidings of the manifestation of the
Lord of Hosts to all the people. Know ye of a certainty that whatever
gathering ye enter, the waves of the Holy Spirit are surging over it, and
the heavenly grace of the Blessed Beauty encompasseth that gathering.
6 Consider ye, that Miss Agnes Alexander, the daughter of the Kingdom, the
beloved maidservant of the Blessed Perfection, traveled alone to the
Hawaiian Islands, to the Island of Honolulu, and now she is gaining
spiritual victories in Japan! Reflect ye how this daughter was confirmed
in the Hawaiian Islands. She became the cause of the guidance of a
gathering of people.
7 Likewise Miss Knobloch traveled alone to Germany. To what a great extent
she became confirmed! Therefore, know ye of a certainty that whosoever
arises in this day to diffuse the divine fragrances, the cohorts of the
Kingdom of God shall confirm him and the bestowals and the favors of the
Blessed Perfection shall encircle him.
8 O that I could travel, even though on foot and in the utmost poverty, to
these regions, and, raising the call of "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha" in cities,
villages, mountains, deserts and oceans, promote the divine teachings!
This, alas, I cannot do. How intensely I deplore it! Please God, ye may
achieve it.
9 At this time, in the Hawaiian Islands, through the efforts of Miss
Alexander, a number of souls have reached the shore of the sea of faith!
Consider ye, what happiness, what joy is this! I declare by the Lord of
Hosts that had this respected daughter founded an empire, that empire
would not have been so great! For this sovereignty is eternal sovereignty
and this glory is everlasting glory.
10 Likewise, if some teachers go to other islands and other parts, such as
the continent of Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, also to Japan, Asiatic
Russia, Korea, French Indochina, Siam, Straits Settlements, India, Ceylon
and Afghanistan, most great results will be forthcoming. How good would it
be were there any possibility of a commission composed of men and women,
to travel together through China and Japan--so that this bond of love may
become strengthened, and through this going and coming they may establish
the oneness of the world of humanity, summon the people to the Kingdom of
God and spread the teachings.
11 Similarly, if possible, they should travel to the continent of Africa,
Canary Islands, Cape Verde Islands, Madeira Islands, Reunion Islands, St.
Helena, Zanzibar, Mauritius, etc., and in those countries summon the
people to the Kingdom of God and raise the cry of "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!" They
must also upraise the flag of the oneness of the world of humanity in the
island of Madagascar.
12 Books and pamphlets must be either translated or composed in the
languages of these countries and islands, to be circulated in every part
and in all directions.
13 It is said that in South Africa, a diamond mine is discovered. Although
this mine is most valuable, yet after all it is stone. Perchance, God
willing, the mine of humanity may be discovered and the brilliant pearls
of the Kingdom be found.
14 In brief, this world-consuming war has set such a conflagration to the
hearts that no word can describe it. In all the countries of the world the
longing for universal peace is taking possession of the consciousness of
men. There is not a soul who does not yearn for concord and peace. A most
wonderful state of receptivity is being realized. This is through the
consummate wisdom of God, so that capacity may be created, the standard of
the oneness of the world of humanity be upraised, and the fundamental of
universal peace and the divine principles be promoted in the East and the
West.
15 Therefore, O ye believers of God! Show ye an effort and after this war
spread ye the synopsis of the divine teachings in the British Isles,
France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Italy, Spain, Belgium,
Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Portugal, Rumania, Serbia,
Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco,
San Marino, Balearic Isles, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Malta,
Iceland, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, Hebrides and Orkney Islands.
16 In all these countries, like unto the morning stars shine ye forth from
the horizon of guidance. Thus far ye have been untiring in your labors.
Let your exertions henceforth increase a thousandfold. Summon the people
in these countries, capitals, islands, assemblies and churches to enter
the Abha Kingdom. The scope of your exertions must needs be extended. The
wider its range, the more striking will be the evidence of divine
assistance.
17 You have observed that while 'Abdu'l-Baha was in the utmost bodily
weakness and feebleness, while he was indisposed, and had not the power to
move--notwithstanding this physical state he traveled through many
countries, in Europe and America, and in churches, meetings and
conventions was occupied with the promotion of the divine principles and
summoned the people to the manifestation of the Kingdom of Abha. You have
also observed how the confirmations of the Blessed Perfection encompassed
all. What result is forthcoming from material rest, tranquillity, luxury
and attachment to this corporeal world? It is evident that the man who
pursues these things will in the end become afflicted with regret and
loss.
18 Consequently, one must close his eyes wholly to these thoughts, long
for eternal life, the sublimity of the world of humanity, the celestial
developments, the Holy Spirit, the promotion of the Word of God, the
guidance of the inhabitants of the globe, the promulgation of universal
peace and the proclamation of the oneness of the world of humanity! This
is the work! Otherwise like unto other animals and birds one must occupy
himself with the requirements of this physical life, the satisfaction of
which is the highest aspiration of the animal kingdom, and one must stalk
across the earth like unto the quadrupeds.
19 Consider ye! No matter how much man gains wealth, riches and opulence
in this world, he will not become as independent as a cow. For these
fattened cows roam freely over the vast tableland. All the prairies and
meadows are theirs for grazing, and all the springs and rivers are theirs
for drinking! No matter how much they graze, the fields will not be
exhausted! It is evident that they have earned these material bounties
with the utmost facility.
20 Still more ideal than this life is the life of the bird. A bird, on the
summit of a mountain, on the high, waving branches, has built for itself a
nest more beautiful than the palaces of the kings! The air is in the
utmost purity, the water cool and clear as crystal, the panorama charming
and enchanting. In such glorious surroundings, he expends his numbered
days. All the harvests of the plain are his possessions, having earned all
this wealth without the least labor. Hence, no matter how much man may
advance in this world, he shall not attain to the station of this bird!
Thus it becomes evident that in the matters of this world, however much
man may strive and work to the point of death, he will be unable to earn
the abundance, the freedom and the independent life of a small bird. This
proves and establishes the fact that man is not created for the life of
this ephemeral world--nay, rather, is he created for the acquirement of
infinite perfections, for the attainment to the sublimity of the world of
humanity, to be drawn nigh unto the divine threshold, and to sit on the
throne of everlasting sovereignty!
21 Upon you be Baha'u'l-Abha!
Whoever sets out on a teaching journey to any place, let him recite this
prayer day and night during his travels in foreign lands:
O GOD, my God! Thou seest me enraptured and attracted toward Thy glorious
kingdom, enkindled with the fire of Thy love amongst mankind, a herald of
Thy kingdom in these vast and spacious lands, severed from aught else save
Thee, relying on Thee, abandoning rest and comfort, remote from my native
home, a wanderer in these regions, a stranger fallen upon the ground,
humble before Thine exalted threshold, submissive toward the heaven of
Thine omnipotent glory, supplicating Thee in the dead of night and at the
break of dawn, entreating and invoking Thee at morn and at eventide to
graciously aid me to serve Thy Cause, to spread abroad Thy teachings and
to exalt Thy Word throughout the East and the West.
O Lord! Strengthen my back, enable me to serve Thee with the utmost
endeavor, and leave me not to myself, lonely and helpless in these
regions.
O Lord! Grant me communion with Thee in my loneliness, and be my companion
in these foreign lands.
Verily, Thou art the Confirmer of whomsoever Thou willest in that which
Thou desirest, and, verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the Omnipotent.
8: TABLET TO THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
_Revealed on April 19, 1916, in 'Abdu'l-Baha's room at the house in Bahji;
on April 20, in the pilgrims' quarters of the house in Bahji; on April 22,
in the garden adjacent to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah, and addressed to the
Baha'is of the United States and Canada. _
1
_He is God!_
O ye Apostles of Baha'u'llah!
May my life be sacrificed for you!
2 The Blessed Person of the Promised One is interpreted in the Holy Book
as the Lord of Hosts--the heavenly armies. By heavenly armies those souls
are intended who are entirely freed from the human world, transformed into
celestial spirits and have become divine angels. Such souls are the rays
of the Sun of Reality who will illumine all the continents. Each one is
holding in his hand a trumpet, blowing the breath of life over all the
regions. They are delivered from human qualities and the defects of the
world of nature, are characterized with the characteristics of God, and
are attracted with the fragrances of the Merciful. Like unto the apostles
of Christ, who were filled with Him, these souls also have become filled
with His Holiness Baha'u'llah; that is, the love of Baha'u'llah has so
mastered every organ, part and limb of their bodies, as to leave no effect
from the promptings of the human world.
3 These souls are the armies of God and the conquerors of the East and the
West. Should one of them turn his face toward some direction and summon
the people to the Kingdom of God, all the ideal forces and lordly
confirmations will rush to his support and reinforcement. He will behold
all the doors open and all the strong fortifications and impregnable
castles razed to the ground. Singly and alone he will attack the armies of
the world, defeat the right and left wings of the hosts of all the
countries, break through the lines of the legions of all the nations and
carry his attack to the very center of the powers of the earth. This is
the meaning of the Hosts of God.
4 Any soul from among the believers of Baha'u'llah who attains to this
station will become known as the Apostle of Baha'u'llah. Therefore strive
ye with heart and soul so that ye may reach this lofty and exalted
position, be established on the throne of everlasting glory, and crown
your heads with the shining diadem of the Kingdom, whose brilliant jewels
may irradiate upon centuries and cycles.
5 O ye kind friends! Uplift your magnanimity and soar high toward the apex
of heaven so that your blessed hearts may become illumined more and more,
day by day, through the rays of the Sun of Reality, that is, His Holiness
Baha'u'llah; at every moment the spirits may obtain a new life, and the
darkness of the world of nature may be entirely dispelled; thus you may
become incarnate light and personified spirit, become entirely unaware of
the sordid matters of this world and in touch with the affairs of the
divine world.
6 Behold the portals which Baha'u'llah hath opened before you! Consider
how exalted and lofty is the station you are destined to attain; how
unique the favors with which you have been endowed. Should we become
intoxicated with this cup, the sovereignty of this globe of earth will
become lower in our estimation than children's play. Should they place in
the arena the crown of the government of the whole world, and invite each
one of us to accept it, undoubtedly we shall not condescend, and shall
refuse to accept it.
7 To attain to this supreme station is, however, dependent on the
realization of certain conditions:
8 The first condition is firmness in the Covenant of God. For the power of
the Covenant will protect the Cause of Baha'u'llah from the doubts of the
people of error. It is the fortified fortress of the Cause of God and the
firm pillar of the religion of God. Today no power can conserve the
oneness of the Baha'i world save the Covenant of God; otherwise
differences like unto a most great tempest will encompass the Baha'i
world. It is evident that the axis of the oneness of the world of humanity
is the power of the Covenant and nothing else. Had the Covenant not come
to pass, had it not been revealed from the Supreme Pen and had not the
Book of the Covenant, like unto the ray of the Sun of Reality, illuminated
the world, the forces of the Cause of God would have been utterly
scattered and certain souls who were the prisoners of their own passions
and lusts would have taken into their hands an axe, cutting the root of
this Blessed Tree. Every person would have pushed forward his own desire
and every individual aired his own opinion! Notwithstanding this great
Covenant, a few negligent souls galloped with their chargers into the
battlefield, thinking perchance they might be able to weaken the
foundation of the Cause of God: but praise be to God all of them were
afflicted with regret and loss, and erelong they shall see themselves in
poignant despair. Therefore, in the beginning the believers must make
their steps firm in the Covenant so that the confirmations of Baha'u'llah
may encircle them from all sides, the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse may
become their supporters and helpers, and the exhortations and advices of
'Abdu'l-Baha, like unto the pictures engraved on stone, may remain
permanent and ineffaceable in the tablets of all hearts.
9 The second condition: Fellowship and love amongst the believers. The
divine friends must be attracted to and enamored of each other and ever be
ready and willing to sacrifice their own lives for each other. Should one
soul from amongst the believers meet another, it must be as though a
thirsty one with parched lips has reached to the fountain of the water of
life, or a lover has met his true beloved. For one of the greatest divine
wisdoms regarding the appearance of the holy Manifestations is this: The
souls may come to know each other and become intimate with each other; the
power of the love of God may make all of them the waves of one sea, the
flowers of one rose garden, and the stars of one heaven. This is the
wisdom for the appearance of the holy Manifestations! When the most great
bestowal reveals itself in the hearts of the believers, the world of
nature will be transformed, the darkness of the contingent being will
vanish, and heavenly illumination will be obtained. Then the whole world
will become the Paradise of Abha, every one of the believers of God will
become a blessed tree, producing wonderful fruits.
10 O ye friends! Fellowship, fellowship! Love, love! Unity, unity!--so that
the power of the Baha'i Cause may appear and become manifest in the world
of existence. My thoughts are turned towards you, and my heart leaps
within me at your mention. Could ye know how my soul glows with your love,
so great a happiness would flood your hearts as to cause you to become
enamored with each other.
11 The third condition: Teachers must continually travel to all parts of
the continent, nay, rather, to all parts of the world, but they must
travel like 'Abdu'l-Baha, who journeyed throughout the cities of America.
He was sanctified and free from every attachment and in the utmost
severance. Just as His Holiness Christ says: Shake off the very dust from
your feet.(13)
12 You have observed that while in America many souls in the utmost of
supplication and entreaty desired to offer some gifts, but this servant,
in accord with the exhortations and behests of the Blessed Perfection,
never accepted a thing, although on certain occasions we were in most
straitened circumstances. But on the other hand, if a soul for the sake of
God, voluntarily and out of his pure desire, wishes to offer a
contribution (toward the expenses of a teacher) in order to make the
contributor happy, the teacher may accept a small sum, but must live with
the utmost contentment.
13 The aim is this: The intention of the teacher must be pure, his heart
independent, his spirit attracted, his thought at peace, his resolution
firm, his magnanimity exalted and in the love of God a shining torch.
Should he become as such, his sanctified breath will even affect the rock;
otherwise there will be no result whatsoever. As long as a soul is not
perfected, how can he efface the defects of others? Unless he is detached
from aught else save God, how can he teach severance to others?
14 In short, O ye believers of God! Endeavor ye, so that you may take hold
of every means in the promulgation of the religion of God and the
diffusion of the fragrances of God.
15 Amongst other things is the holding of the meetings for teaching so
that blessed souls and the old ones from amongst the believers may gather
together the youths of the love of God in schools of instruction and teach
them all the divine proofs and irrefragable arguments, explain and
elucidate the history of the Cause, and interpret also the prophecies and
proofs which are recorded and are extant in the divine books and epistles
regarding the manifestation of the Promised One, so that the young ones
may go in perfect knowledge in all these degrees.
16 Likewise, whenever it is possible a committee must be organized for the
translation of the Tablets. Wise souls who have mastered and studied
perfectly the Persian, Arabic, and other foreign languages, or know one of
the foreign languages, must commence translating Tablets and books
containing the proofs of this Revelation, and publishing those books,
circulate them throughout the five continents of the globe.
17 Similarly, the magazine, the Star of the West, must be edited with the
utmost regularity, but its contents must be the promulgation of the Cause
of God that both East and West may become informed of the most important
events.
18 In short, in all the meetings, whether public or private, nothing
should be discussed save that which is under consideration, and all the
articles be centered around the Cause of God. Promiscuous talk must not be
dragged in and contention is absolutely forbidden.
19 The teachers traveling in different directions must know the language
of the country in which they will enter. For example, a person being
proficient in the Japanese language may travel to Japan, or a person
knowing the Chinese language may hasten to China, and so forth.
20 In short, after this universal war, the people have obtained
extraordinary capacity to hearken to the divine teachings, for the wisdom
of this war is this: That it may become proven to all that the fire of war
is world-consuming, whereas the rays of peace are world-enlightening. One
is death, the other is life; this is extinction, that is immortality; one
is the most great calamity, the other is the most great bounty; this is
darkness, that is light; this is eternal humiliation and that is
everlasting glory; one is the destroyer of the foundation of man, the
other is the founder of the prosperity of the human race.
21 Consequently, a number of souls may arise and act in accordance with
the aforesaid conditions, and hasten to all parts of the world, especially
from America to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, and travel through
Japan and China. Likewise, from Germany teachers and believers may travel
to the continents of America, Africa, Japan and China; in brief, they may
travel through all the continents and islands of the globe. Thus in a
short space of time, most wonderful results will be produced, the banner
of universal peace will be waving on the apex of the world and the lights
of the oneness of the world of humanity may illumine the universe.