The Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar is one of the most vital institutions in the
world, and it hath many subsidiary branches. Although it is a House of
Worship, it is also connected with a hospital, a drug dispensary, a
traveller's hospice, a school for orphans, and a university for advanced
studies. Every Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar is connected with these five things.
My hope is that the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar will now be established in
America, and that gradually the hospital, the school, the university, the
dispensary and the hospice, all functioning according to the most
efficient and orderly procedures, will follow. Make these matters known to
the beloved of the Lord, so that they will understand how very great is
the importance of this 'Dawning-Point of the Remembrance of God.' The
Temple is not only a place for worship; rather, in every respect is it
complete and whole.
O thou dear handmaid of God! If only thou couldst know what a high station
is destined for those souls who are severed from the world, are powerfully
attracted to the Faith, and are teaching, under the sheltering shadow of
Baha'u'llah! How thou wouldst rejoice, how thou wouldst, in exultation and
rapture, spread thy wings and soar heavenward--for being a follower of such
a way, and a traveller toward such a Kingdom.
As to the terminology I used in my letter, bidding thee to consecrate
thyself to service in the Cause of God, the meaning of it is this: limit
thy thoughts to teaching the Faith. Act by day and night according to the
teachings and counsels and admonitions of Baha'u'llah. This doth not
preclude marriage. Thou canst take unto thyself a husband and at the same
time serve the Cause of God; the one doth not preclude the other. Know
thou the value of these days; let not this chance escape thee. Beg thou
God to make thee a lighted candle, so that thou mayest guide a great
multitude through this darksome world.