Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas

Volume III

pp. 485-730

Published by BAHÁ'Í PUBLISHING SOCIETY
P. O. Box 283
CHICAGO, U.S.A.

First edition: Published at Chicago, May 1915
Second edition: Published at Chicago, February 1919

If the people live and act in accord with the General Tablets which are revealed in the beloved of the East and of the West, this universe will become another universe, and the whole existence of this world will be clad in another garment.
`Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas

[Page 485]

TABLETS OF `ABDU'L-BAHÁ O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Thou hast asked regarding the phrase, "He is God!" written above the Tablets. By this Word it is intended that no one hath any access to the Invisible Essence. The way is barred and the road is impassable. In this world all men must turn their faces toward "Him-whom God-shall-Manifest." He is the "Dawning-place of Divinity" and the "Manifestation of Deity." He is the "Ultimate Goal," the "Adored One" of all and the "Worshipped One" of all. Otherwise, whatever flashes through the mind is not that Essence of essences and the Reality of realities; nay, rather it is pure imagination¹ woven by man and is surrounded, not the surrounding. Consequently, it returns finally to the realm of suppositions and conjectures. O God! O thou Attracted of the hearts of the favored ones toward the Manifest Horizon! Verily, Thou art witnessing that the fire is ablaze in the breasts, the tears are streaming from the eyes and the period of patience and silence hath come to an end. The eyes of the beloved ones, O my God, are swimming in tears; the hearts of the yearning ones, O my Beloved, are wandering in the wilderness of Thy mercifulness; and the souls of the attracted ones, O my Desires, are afflicted with anguish on account of Thy separation! Verily, they have heard Thy universal proclamation,

1. See page 562

[Page 486]

O my God, and what Thou has revealed in the Koran: "Say! travel ye on earth, so that ye may behold the signs of the mercy of God." thereupon, after Thy ascension, the people of faithfulness have arisen, traveling to distant lands and hastening to far and remote regions of the world, in order to cry out Thy Name, to remind the souls of the arrival of Thy days, to lead the minds to the fountain of Thy signs, to demonstrate to all the inhabitants of the world Thy proof and Thy religion, to guide the truth seekers to the right path and to indicate the straight highway to the strivers. From among them is Thy servant ... who is firm in the Ancient Covenant, fleeing from the people of darkness, drinking from the water of eternal life and intoxicated with the wine which is overflowing from the divine cup. Verily, he hath left his native abode, waved the hand of farewell to his relatives, forsaken ease and comfort, hastened to strange and unknown kingdoms and accepted hardship and adversities while heralding Thy Name, commemorating Thy glorification, attracted to Thy beauty, stirred by the fragrances of Thy holiness, speaking Thy praises, voicing Thy Cause, guiding others to Thee, proving Thy religion, demonstrating Thy irrefutable truth, becoming an answerer to every questioning one and a guide to every one held in error! O my Lord! O my Lord! Verily, he endured every affliction in Thy path and bore patiently every hardship and adversity in Thy love. A breath of rest hath he not breathed, neither hath his sought after any favor, abode or habitation in this world; nay, rather hath he walked in the footsteps of Thy most exalted Word, His

[Page 487]

Highness Christ, for he hath taken the stars for his lamp, the earth for his bed and the herbs for his food. Notwithstanding this, his cry was raised in the assemblages and his voice was heard in the meetings. The seekers flowed toward him and the thirsty ones hastened to drink from the water of his utterance. O my God! This is no other than through Thy generosity, Thy beneficence, Thy mercy and Thy favors. O my God! Help him by the hosts of the approximate angels, assist him by the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse amid Thy creatures, make him a lamp of guidance in that distant part of the earth and a luminary shining and sparkling from the dawning-place of faithfulness, in order that he may serve Thy holy threshold, falling prostrate upon the ground thanking and praising for Thy bounty, liberality and gifts to him; girding up his loins of endeavor in Thy service and becoming reinforced and empowered in Thy adoration! O my Lord! O my Lord! Assign for him every bounty and suffer him to become the sign of Thy gifts amid Thy people. Then have pity upon me, forgive me, show me Thy mercy and make me a sharer in his services, a partner in his adversities and a companion in his loneliness. Verily Thou art the Confirmer, the Assister, the Mighty, the Generous, the Compassionate and the Merciful! O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Your letters have been received. God willing, answer will be given very soon, but as a matter of great importance is on foot (afloat), therefore I write it to

[Page 488]

you in brief and it is this, that his honor Mr. ... must compose a letter of thanks on behalf of the believers of America in general and that letter of thanks should be addressed to a very eminent and lofty personage. (The contents of that letter must be of this nature:) "That excellent news hath reached American countries that His Royal Highness, the noble Prince, hath dealt with utmost justice with the subjects and the people and hath treated all the subjects with perfect equality. He hath protected the rights of all and forbidden the extortions of the tyrants. He is dealing with utmost kindness and affinity and is an asylum for every oppressed one and an open treasury to every indigent one. He decides with justice the case of every pleader and is a refuge and protection to the helpless. Consequently, we in general, who are the well-wishers of the government and Persian nation, with utmost gratification are praising and commending the justice of His Royal Highness, the Prince, and are content and glad; and in order to manifest our thanks we present this petition; and whatever in the line of service is commanded us, we are ready to comply with the most extreme diligence. We ask earnestly from God that the Imperial Government become everlasting, His Imperial Majesty, the just Shah, remain and live long, and His Royal Highness, the Prince, become to every subject a divine gift and that he may become confirmed and helped in all affairs." Let there be two copies of this petition and the ore the believers sign each of these two copies, the better it is. Each person must sign personally. Then (when they are finished) you forward them here. We will

[Page 489]

write on them the address and forward to their destination. Wisdom does not permit the mentioning of the name of these two distinguished personages; therefore, it is better to be left unknown. His honor Mr. .... must compose these two petitions in English with utmost eloquence and perfect style. You, likewise, must translate them and forward them here with the translations. Upon thee be greeting and praise! O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Now I have found the opportunity to answer the petitions recently received and forward them to you in this mail. Regarding the subject of Persia: Praise be to God! she became the East of the Sun of Truth in this age. The Light of Eternity dawned, the Everlasting Glory unveiled her countenance and the Reality of the Mercifulness became manifest. This is the prosperity of Persia. Undoubtedly she will progress day by day under the shade of the Blessed Tree until her illumination shall penetrate throughout the wide expanse of the earth. Regarding the question of the establishment of the National Assembly: This National Assembly¹ will not bring any rapid results. Now some of the agitators are harboring evil intentions and do not let agreement and union be realized between the nations and the government. They are instigating the hopeless ones at every moment and sending them to the British Legation, while on the other hand they ask private assistance and protection

1. Established Sept. 12, 1906.

[Page 490]

from the government so that they may procure wealth. Each and all of the clergy are thinking in this line. However, we have nothing to do with these proceedings and counter-proceedings. We are commanded to quicken the souls, to train the characters, to illumine the realm of man, to guide all the inhabitants of the earth, to create concord and unity among all men and to lead the world of humanity to the Fountain of the Everlasting Glory. The reformation of one empire is not our aim; nay, rather we invoke from God that all the regions of the world be reformed and cultivated; the republic of men become the manifestors of the bounty of the most glorious Lord; the East and the West be brought nearer together; and that Turk and Tajik, Iran and America, India and Arabia, Japan and Persia, China and Germany; in brief, all the nations and peoples of the world become as one soul and one spirit, in order that strife and warfare be entirely removed and the rancor and hostility disappear so that all become as the waves of one ocean, the drops of one sea, the flowers of one rose-garden, the trees of one orchard, the grains of one harvest and the plants of one meadow. Regarding the statement that hath been given out as the saying of His Majesty the Shah: This hath no connection whatever with the Bahá'ís; nay, rather it hath meant the Babis. Mirza Yahya, the son of Mirza Hadi of Doulet Abad, and a few souls of Ezelis¹ who are living in Teheran and were at one time secret friends of Jamal-ed-Din of Afghan, have allied themselves with the party, which is working against the government,

1. Followers of Subi-Ezel who disturbed the Babis by claiming to be the One promised by the Bab.

[Page 491]

and is engaged in the work of instigating and inciting the people. His Imperial Majesty did mean these souls, that is, the Babis, not the Bahá'ís. But it is an established facts that the Bahá'ís are the well-wishers of the nation and the government; are showing forth obedience and displaying good intentions; are not interfering in political matters; are engaged in the education and spiritualization of characters and are occupied with the training of the ignorant ones. O thou who art firm in the Covenant! The general historical report about the Cause of God in that country,¹ that thou hast forwarded to Menshadi,² became very acceptable. Undoubtedly you must, every few months, write a report about the general conditions and attitudes of the Cause of God in America and forward it to Acca, so that we may send it to Persia to be printed and spread among the people. O thou yearning servant of the Beauty of Abha! In the time that all the ulemas and sages, leaders, merchants and traders, nay, even the public itself from the highest to the lowest have taken refuge in the British Legation and began to complain and clamor that they are oppressed, His Royal Highness Shoa-Us-Saltanah, the son of the Shah, cried in the Assembly of Nobles: "These ulemas and Sheite leaders were always stigmatizing the Bahá'ís, saying, `They are the ill-wishers of the government and the corruptors of nations!' Now consider ye with the eye of justice! Sixty years have rolled by and the Bahá'ís have been the object of the sword of affliction and the target of the arrows of oppression. Thousands of houses have been destroyed,

1. America.
2. One of the well-known Bahá'ís in Egypt.

[Page 492]

children became captives, women became prisoners, property was pillaged and not even a small children remained safe; yet, notwithstanding all of this, not one single Bahá'í took refuge under the flag of a foreign power! Now these Sheites, though they have always been treated with the utmost favor and benefit by the government, yet without the slightest reason they went under the protection of a foreign power and brought down such humiliation and dishonor upon the nation and the government! If they presented primarily their petitions to the government, their wishes would be complied with in a better and more effective way. This is the difference between the Sheites and the Bahá'ís!" O thou who art firm in the Covenant! I have received the eloquent article which thou hast written at the moment of the arrival of the most great glad-tidings regarding the establishment of the National Assembly and the organization of the constitutional and judicial government of Persia according to the evident command of the Book of Akdas, and the spontaneous joy and the genuine sympathy demonstrated by the people of science and discernment in America at hearing this soul-refreshing news, and the utmost happiness to the members of the Legation. I read it and it became the cause of the utmost joy and fragrance. The Constitutional Government, according to the irrefutable text of the Religion of God, is the cause of the glory and prosperity of the nation and the civilization and freedom of the people. However, according to what is known, the hands of the selfish leaders from among the ulemas (Mohammedan clergy) are in this

[Page 493]

affair. Outwardly they are desiring the establishment of the National Assembly and at every moment they are crying and clamoring (for its immediate realization), but inwardly they are sowing the seeds of corruption and agitation and try to put at naught the noble intention of the government. In the secret of their hearts and souls they do not favor the upbuilding of the National Assembly, the civilization of Persia, the awakening of the people, the advancement of the age, the spreading of knowledge and public instruction. Thieves like to lurk in darkness; fishers desire disturbed water; the bat shuns the rays of the sun; the black beetle dislikes the fragrance of the rose-garden; the ferocious wolf is in expectation of the sleet and snow; and the wine seller sees his advantage in the inebriate, irrational drinker. These leaders of religion also desire to behold the nation thrown into a weltering chaos of ignorance so that the rein of affairs remain in the hands of the arrogant ulemas. They know that if the nation began to adore wisdom, truthfulness, progression and fidelity, it would bring about their (the ulemas) degradation. However, rest ye assured upon the favor and bounty of His Highness the Almighty; for the Imperial throne of Persia is confirmed and the Crown of the Sovereignty of the East is protected,. Undoubtedly the noble purpose of His Imperial Majesty will play an important role in the development of Persia. May God help and send victory from the Supreme Kingdom, the heavenly powers become supporters and the mercy and bestowal of His Highness the Merciful One become the Helpers! Be ye engaged in prayer that with the utmost good-pleasure

[Page 494]

the nation obey the government, comply with the wise counsels of the attendants of the central dominion, give no attention to the hearsay of the agitators and rise not to quarrel with and to protest against the government like unto the Russian Douma, so as to throw the whole empire, the nation and the kingdom into a sea of anarchy and lawlessness. Much prayer is needed so that God may help and protect. The marks of kindness that thou hast shown to his honor Mr. ... became highly acceptable. You must treat the strangers, at all times, in this manner and help, as far as possible, all the nations of the world. O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Truly, I say, thou art firm and have arisen to perform the conditions of firmness. This very matter of his honor Mr. ... is a sign of wonder to all men and the greatest proof of the power of the Word of God and the penetration of the servitude of '`Abdu'l-Bahá, thou art walking in this road and art steadfast in this path, know thou of a certainty that the assistance of Providence with descend upon thee and the confirmation of the Kingdom unveil herself to thee. O thou who art firm in the Covenant! An article in the Broadway Magazine of September, 1906, written by G. A. Dobson and published in New York, was read. It is entitled, "The Strangest Religion in New York." Unquestionably, you get that magazine and read it. The writer complains of the Ottoman government and its treatmet towards the Bahá'í community. There is no doubt that this article will be read by His Excellency the Turkish Minister or the

[Page 495]

members of the Legation. The truth is that His Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan hath exercised the utmost justice toward `Abdu'l-Bahá. Although the internal and external enemies entered into an alliance, wrote reports full of pure calumnies and baseless impositions, became themslves the complainers and witnesses, a body of examiners came from Constantinople for the investigation of the true situation and that committee of commissioners became united with the outside and inside enemies, ratifying all the impositions and adding to those some more important matters, yet His Imperial Majesty Abdul Hamid Khan - may God assist him! - acted with delilberation until it became known and evident that all these calumnies were founded upon rancor and hositility. Therefore, he hath treated us, until the present time, with the utmost justice and because of this treatment we are exceedingly happy. If there were any other king beside His Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan, he would exercise his autority in another way in the face of these unjust imputations and the conspiracies of the external and internal foes. Nevertheless, the justice and equity of the Sultan prevented the attacks of the enemies and the reports of the people of oppositions and falsehood from producing any effect. Therefore, all the friends must pray from their hearts in behalf of their Imperial Majesties the Padeshah of the Ottomans and the Shah of Persia. As in these days His Imperial Majesty Sultan Abdul Hamid Khan is in a state of illness and indisposition, therefore the believers of God, in meetings and assemblages, in private and public, but invoke from the Threshold of Oneness

[Page 496]

swift recovery for him. The friends and strangers must know and realize that all the believers of God have the utmost love for His Majesty the Padeshah of the Ottoman empire and that they are entreating for him protection and confirmation. O thou who art firm in the Covenant! The International Congress of Religions was organized this year¹ in the capital of Japan. Many souls hastened to that empire from different parts of the world, in order that they might talk of and discuss the principles of their own religions, each one longing to convert that assembly to his own religion and establish the validity of his own particular belief. This congress had under discussion the politics of the religions., In truth, it is a political affair and not the attraction of the heart, faith, advancement toward God nor enkindlement with the fire of the love of God. This congress will not produce a lasting effect, for it is essentially politico-religious. What is effective and conducive to the penetration of the Word of God and the attraction of hearts is the fragrances of holiness and the divine glad-tidings, which the members of the congress do not in the least comprehend. Consequently, if the believers of God go to that country - not to the congress - and through the power of the Word of God, the breath of the Holy Spirit, the reading of the verses of Oneness and associating with the individual inhabitants of that kingdom, undoubtedly untold and tremendous results will be realized and the sweet fragrance of the rose-garden of mysteries will

1. During 1906.

[Page 497]

perfume the nostrils of the people of those regions. It is significantly useful if some of the friends of God put forth and effort and hasten from America to those parts (Japan). O thou servant of God! Unquestionably, through the manifestation of the Infinite Power in this glorious age, wonderful signs will appear in the world and great changes are seen in the present and promised in the future, for the Word of God is like unto the Spirit, and the contingent world like unto the embryo in the womb of the mother. Through the power of the Spirit such various changes and metamorphoses become apparent, transforming them from one form to another. Especially in Persia, through the power of the Word of God, wonderful signs will appear. O thou servant of the True One! Though I had not the opportunity of reading one line of the paper * * * yet I read it with the utmost attention. Truly, I say, it was a superior paper and the details of the reception of the two great ambassadors in the house of the favored and attracted maid-servant of God, Miss ..., became known. Such receptions are very acceptable and praiseworthy. You must all show forth the utmost consideration to these two ambassadors, neither do ye fall short in serving them in whatever manner possible. It is very acceptable for you to present to them the excellent praises which the Blessed Perfection hath made in behalf of these two governments, the exhortations which He hath delivered for obedience to them and the prayers He hath written for the confirmation and protection of His Imperial Majesty the Shah.

[Page 498]

Likewise, the advices and recommendations that this servant (`Abdu'l-Bahá, himself) hath written in Tablets to Persia and America; also the irrefutable command that the Blessed Perfection hath given in Tablets that the believers must obey the kings with the utmost sincerity and fidelity, and He hath forbidden them to interfere at all with political problems. He hath even prohibited the believers from discussing political affairs. Convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the favored maid-servant of God, Miss ..., the the utmost kindness and announce to her: "These services and self-sacrifices of thine in the Kingdom of God are acceptable." O thou servant of the Blessed Perfection! Since I have found this paper very eloquent, I send it to Persia. O thou dear friend! I entreat from His Highness the Desired One that He may grant divine confirmation to that illumined youth to such an extent that he may become the main-spring of spiritual emotions in those regions. Convey respectful greeting with the utmost longing to all the friends of God on behalf of this servant. Thy¹ letters were received. Although thou hast complained on account of not receiving answers to the petitions of the people, yet thou hast no right to do so, for the letters coming from those regions are like unto a sea - who is able to answer all of them? Some of the letters are not received and this is not the fault of the friends and, as the administration of the post is not well organized, many letters are lost in the mail. But

1. Following Tablet as received bore no opening line of address.

[Page 499]

to those letters which are received, God willing, no neglect will be displayed so far as there is time to answer them. Thou hast written regarding the formation of three gatherings for spreading the Tablets; this is very acceptable. Convey greeting on my behalf to the maid-servant of God, Miss .... I have written two Tablets with my own hand to her so that she may realize that her services are accepted. Likewise, I have written a Tablet to his honor Mr. ..., with my own hand, so that he may known also that his endeavors are praised. Thou hast forwarded the copies of six letters addressed to thee form different assemblies in America. I have not yet found time to read them, but, God willing, I will read them. Rest thou assured. I have not time at the present for more than this. Upon thee be greeting and praise! O thou who are firm in the Covenant! Thou has written regarding the articles and papers which are written by the believers of God and the forwarding of them to this land for correction. This servant, on account of the multitude of works and occupations, hath no time whatever to attend to this matter. If this articles are read in the spiritual assembly of each city in America and the printing and spreading of them is advised and approved by the assembly, it is acceptable. This permission is granted so that those souls do not become disappointed and may be engaged in the composition and printing of instructive papers.

[Page 500]

Mr. ... will arrive here and we will discuss with him regarding this matter. Say to Mr. ...: "If he writeth any article and the spiritual assembly of Washington doth approve its circulation, the spreading will be of good results." His honor ... hath not displayed the slightest shortcoming or omission in forwarding the letters and papers to this land. Know ye this for a certainty. Some of the letters have been received, but there hath not yet been time to answer them; while on the other hand some of them are lost in the mail. Whatever hath been received, its answer dependeth upon time and opportunity. But regarding the articles: These articles must be revised and corrected by those souls who know the history of the Cause. If they approve their circulation undoubtedly it will lead to the rapid promotion of the Cause. For this servant hath no time whatever (to revise those articles). Regarding the receipt of letters and their early acknowledgment: A new and complete system is organized. God willing, it will become perfected and put into execution. O thou who are firm in the Covenant! Convey the longing greeting of this servant to his honor Professor .... The association which he hath organized is acceptable and beloved. God willing, he will become assisted and the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha will descend. Today any soul who is planted, like a tree, along the steam of this divine rose-garden, will grow and develop through the infinite outpourings. For the rays of the Sun of Truth will shine forth, the Divine

[Page 501]

Husbandman will irrigate and the soul-refreshing breeze will waft from the direction of grace. Consequently, that tree will find the utmost freshness and delicacy, producing delicious fruits. Deliver to him the enclosed Tablet. Thou hast written regarding his honor Mr. .... This personage is a believer and assured; he is attracted, enkindled and of the utmost sincerity. The believers of God must have the utmost consideration toward him; they must not avoid him; they must seek his companionship in a cheerful manner,. For this servant (`Abdu'l-Bahá) is intoxicated with the wine of servitude and he is happy and joyful in the thralldom of God. Therefore, all must declare and do whatever is the wish of his heart and soul. The point is there: The believers must associate with Mr. ... with joy and love. Thou hast written regarding the reception at the Persian Legation and the presence of the people of intelligence, His Excellency the Turkish Minister, and the conversation of the attracted maid-servants of God, ... and .... This news imparted the greatest joy and happiness. O heavenly one! The maid-servant of God ... hath praised thee! I hope thou wilt acquire great proficiency in writing literature, composition, eloquence of tongue and fluency of speech, co-operating with the maid-servant of God in the service of God, becoming an esteemed servant in the Threshold of Oneness and partaking of a share of the heavenly gifts, and progressing day by

[Page 502]

day until thou attain to the apex of the excellencies of this human world. O ye¹ illumined friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful! When the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness concerning the realm of eternity and bereavement (or deprivation) from the True One had encircled the universe, then the resplendent Luminary dawned and the brilliant Light illumined the horizon of the East. Hence, the Sun of Realty shone forth, scattering the sparkling lights of the Kingdom to the East and to the West. Those who had seeing eyes found the Most Great Glad-Tidings, began to cry the call, "O blessed are we! O blessed are we!" - and have beheld the reality of things in themselves, have discovered the mysteries of the Kingdom, were released from superstition and doubts, perceived the lights of Truth and became so intoxicated with the cup of the love of God, that, wholly forgetting themselves and the world while dancing, they ran with utmost joy and ecstasy to the city of Martyrdom, sacrificing their minds and their lives upon the altar of Love. But those who were blinded became astonished and on account of these joyous acclamation were bewildered and beginning to cry, "Where is the light?" and said, "We do not behold any light, we do not see any rising sun! It is void of any truth! This is pure imagination!" However, they have hastened bat-like in the darkness below the ground, and according to their own

1. To the Fair Hope (Ala.) assembly.

[Page 503]

thoughts they have found a little comfort and tranquility. Nevertheless, it is yet the early dawn and the strength of the heat and the rays of the Sun of Truth have not yet made their torrid and complete impression. When it reacheth the zenith, the heat will interpenetrate with such great intensity that it will move and spur to the greatest velocity even the insects below the earth. Alhtough they are not able to behold the light, yet the penetration of the heat will move and agitate all of them. Consequently, O ye friends of God, be ye thankful that in the Day of the Effulgence ye have turned your faces to the Orb of the regions and beheld the Lights! Ye have received a portion from the rays of Truth and are endowed with a share from the Everlasting Outpouring. Therefore, ye must not rest one minute, but thank Him for this bestowal. Be ye not seated and silent! Diffuse the glad-tidings of the Kingdom far and wide to the ears, promulgate the Word of God, and put into practice the advices and covenants of God; that is, arise ye with such qualities and attributes that ye may continually bestow life to the body of the world, and nurse the infants of the universe up to the station of maturity and perfection. Enkindle with all your might in every meeting the light of the love of God, gladden and cheer every heart with the utmost loving-kindness, show forth your love to the strangers just as you show forth to your relations. If a soul is seeking to quarrel, ask ye for reconciliation; if he blame ye, praise [him]; if he give you a deadly poison, bestow ye an all-healing antidote; if he createth death, adminster ye eternal life; if he

[Page 504]

becometh a thorn, change ye into roses and hyacinths. Perchance, though such deeds and words, this darkened world will become illuminated, this terrestrial universe will become transformed into a heavenly realm, and this satanic prison become a divine court; warfare and bloodshed be annihilated, and love and faithfulness hoist the tent of unity upon the apex of the world. These are the results of the divine advices and exhortations, and the epitome of the teachings of the Bahá'í Cycle. O thou who art advanced toward the Kingdom! Thy letter was received and its contents created joy, for it showed thy faith and assurance. Thou hast written that they have expelled thee from the church and thy friends are manifesting aversion toward thee. This is the beginning of thy trials. There are greater trials than these. Therefore, be thou not sad, nay rather, be thou happy and full of glad-tidings. There is no harm done if they have expelled thee from the church. Thou hast stepped into the Kingdom of God. Thou hast entered into the Heavenly Jerusalem and discovered the Way to the Holy of Holies of the Kingdom. That church is of stone and cement, whereas this Holy of Holies is of overwhelming Light. But the more the tormenting friends shun thee, go thou the nearer to them. The more they deride and blame thee, show thou forth the greater love and affection. Do not look upon their shortcomings. Look thou upon all of them as the people of God and endeavor thou in right-doing and well-meaning. Ignorant

[Page 505]

are they; understand they do not. Therefore they are avoiding, criticizing and scorning thee. Do not pursue thy friend, ...; leave him to himself. In the time of invocation to God, I remember thee and supplicate and entreat Him to confirm thee and assist thee in the service of His holy vineyard. O thou yearner after the Kingdom of God! The maid-servant of God, Aseyeh, hath mentioned thy name in her letter, praising and commending thee. Likewise thy letter was received. I was exceedingly happy on account of the love of the maid-servant of God, Aseyeh, for thee. The advent of the prophets and the revelation of the Holy Books is intended to create love between souls and friendship between the inhabitants of the earth. Real love is impossible unless one turn his face towards God and be attracted to His Beauty. The maid-servants of the Merciful should love each other with heart and soul; for though there be many bodies, the spirit of the faith is one and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is universal. There is one Light but many lamps; there is one Wine but the glasses differ. So thou shouldst love with all thy heart and soul the maid-servants of the Merciful and associate with them in utmost affection in order that thou mayest realize divine happiness and behold the outpouring of mercy. I beseech God that heavenly blessings may descend upon thee, guiding thy relatives, adding day by day to thy joy and happiness, so that thou mayest become a heavenly herald, leading others to the Light of Truth.

[Page 506]

O thou attracted maid-servant of God! Thy letter was received. Its contents were redolent with spiritual emotion. Praise be unto God! who hath created sanctified souls, illumining them with the reflections of the Sun of Truth, and raising certain persons for the service of the Kingdom and gardening in the divine orchard. I hope thou wilt become a fruitful tree producing sweet fruits. Trust thou in the bounties of God and engage thyself in His service. Praise be to God! that thou feelest progress in the luminous realm through divine love. This very fact denotes that, God willing, thou art to be a fruitful tree; nay, rather, thou wilt become a rose-garden of the hyacinths¹ of realities and significances. Supplicate God that thou mayest become so. Verily this is not impossible for God to fulfill! O ye two dear maid-servants of God! Your longing to visit the Sacred Soil² is expressed and evident and your presence will be a source of pleasure to me. But the best of meetings is the spiritual meeting; for in these days visits to these regions are accomplished with difficulty. I ask God that the spiritual meeting become realized so that the illumined bounty may prevail, the inner susceptibilities may be awakened and the eternal meeting in the Kingdom of God may be attained.

1. See foot note page 479. Here it implies the wisdom which comes from knowledge of realities and significations.
2. Acca.

[Page 507]

O ye two¹ dear maid-servants of God! Man must prove whatsoever he speaketh by deeds and actions. If he claim faith, he must live and do according to the teachings of the Kingdom of Abha. Praise be to God! you have proved your words by deeds, were confirmed by divine strength and have gathered together the Bahá'í children in the morn and taught them communion (prayers). This deed is very acceptable and the joy of hearts, that children gather every morn and turn to the Kingdom, mention God and commune in the utmost of sweetness and bounty. Those children are like plants and this teaching and praying as rain which gives freshness and delicacy and as the zephyr of the love of God which revives. Blessed are ye and good is your end! Say² to [Dr.] ... that "he studied physical medicine and he cured physical diseases. I beg of God that he may become a spiritual physician and heal the sickness of the ignorant ones." Convey³ my respectful greetings to [Dr.] ... and say: "Have confidence in heavenly bounty and be sure of the favor of the Lord of the Kingdom. Soon thou shalt see that the East hath embraced the West and that the Occident and Orient are attracted to each other. They will become as one soul, one heart and one body." Express³ my affection to Mrs. ... and say: "The grace of God hath chosen thee and distinguished thee for His love, that thou mayest thank Him, a

1. Addressed to two maid-servants living in the same household.
2. Following Tablets as received bore no opening line of address
3.

[Page 508]

thousand times in every moment. Because of this bounty, you must choose to serve the maid-servants of the Merciful." O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! Thou wert an extinguished candle; now - praise be to God! - thou art ignited; silent wert thou, but how thou hast become a speaker, a seer, a hearer, living and endowed with eternal life.! Today, any soul who looseneth his tongue in the delivery of Truth and is engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of God, he shall undoubtedly be assisted and confirmed by the Holy Spirit and can resist the attacks of all the people of the world, [for the] power of the Realm of Might shall prevail. That is why thou seest that, although the disciples of Christ were physically weak and apparently vanquished by the persecution of every king, yet in the end were victorious over all and brought them under their protection. O thou maid-servant of God! Thy letter was received. Thou hast written of the organization of an assembly in that city. Look not at the small number; nay, rather seek the pure hearts. One holy soul is better than one thousand other souls. If a few souls gather together in a beloved meeting with the feelings of the Kingdom, with the divine attractions, with pure hearts and with absolute purity and holiness, to consort in spirit and fragrance, that gathering will have its effect upon all the world. The conditions, the words and the deeds of that gathering will lead a world to eternal happiness and will be an evidence

[Page 509]

of the favors of the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit will strengthen them and the hosts of the Supreme Concourse will render them victorious and the angels of Abha will come in succession. By angels is meant the divine confirmations and heavenly powers. Angels are also those holy souls who have severed attachment to the earthly world, who are free from the fetters of self and passion and who have attached their hearts to the Divine Realm and the Merciful Kingdom. They are of the Kingdom, heavenly; they are of the Merciful One, divine. They are the manifestations of the divine grace and the dawns of spiritual bounty. O maid-servant of God! Thank God! Thy dear husband inhaled a breath of the rose-garden of the Kingdom. Now thou must draw him nearer daily through the love of God and good conduct. The San Francisco¹ occurrences were great. Such events ought to awaken people and they should attach themselves less to the mortal world; for the earthly world hath such painful experiences and offers such cups from the bitter wine. O thou dear maid-servant of God! Thy letter and that of thy revered daughter were received last year, but the storm of trials was so severe as to hinder the writing of the answers. You will certainly excuse. But I have implored and supplicated the Kingdom of Abha for you and have sought help and grace (in your behalf). Thus may your hearts be set aglow with the fire of the love of God and [may it]

1. Refers to the earthquake and fire, April 18, 1906.

[Page 510]

burn away the self-life. Night and day may you serve the divine garden, endeavor to promulgate the lights of the knowledge of God, attract souls and set aglow the hearts. I am hopeful that thus will ye do. If ye reach this most glorious and sublime station, ye will receive congratulative letters from the Kingdom of Abha. O thou confident leaf! Thank thou God that thou hast been guided by the light of guidance and illumined by the brilliance of the Supreme Concourse, kindled by the fire of the love of God and hath directed thyself to His Kingdom, partook of the heavenly table and enjoyed the fruits of the Tree of Life! Thou hast been confirmed in serving those who are nigh unto the divine household. Thou hast been cut from aught else save God and hast been made a maid-servant for the men of God¹. This is now servitude by sovereignty, and this is not service but chieftanship and greatness! This is the garment of everlasting glory with which thou hast clothed thyself, and this is the rose of eternal exaltation with which thou hast adorned thy head. It is said in the New Testament: "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." In short, thou shouldst thank God a hundred-thousand times for having been confirmed and strengthened in obtaining such a great gift! Know thou the value thereof and consider that its price is highly appraised.

1. The first meetings of the House of Justice (House of Spirituality) in America, were held in the household of the recipient of this Tablet - Librarian

[Page 511]

O ye two¹ advancers towards the Kingdom of God! I supplicate God that ye may be enkindled, like unto two candles, with the light of the love of God; that [your children] may be educated under the shadow of the Tree of Life; that all the family may discover the way to the temple of the Lord and gather in the Kingdom of Abha. You have written that the Cause of God is progressing in that city. Through the showers of the glad-tidings of the Cause of God a small mustard seed hath become a fruitful spreading tree - its roots in the hearts of the people. I pray, also, that God may in such wise cultivate and nurture that Tree that it cast its shadow over that vast and great country, distributing to all the fruits of divine knowledge and eternal life. O ye two lovers of the Beauty of Abha! Ere long the Word of God will display a wonderful influence and finally that region (America) will become the paradise of Abha. Consequently, strive ye bravely that this aim may be accomplished in the near future. Striving means this: Ye must live and move according to the divine commands and behests, be united in loving with ecstasy and joy; do not take any rest but engage continually in the service of the Cause of God. O thou maid-servant of God! What thou hast written was subjected to my consideration and I was informed of the contents. if thou seekest to be intoxicated with the Cup of the Most Mighty Gift, cut thyself from the world and be quit of

1. Husband and wife

[Page 512]

self and desire. Exert thyself night and day until spiritual powers may penetrate thy heart and soul. Abandon the body and the material, until the merciful powers may become manifest; because not until the soil is become pure will it develop through the heavenly bounty; not until the heart is purified, will the radiance of the Sun of Truth shine therein. I beg of God that thou wilt day by day increase the purity of thy heart, and cheerfulness of thy soul, the light of thy insight and the search for Truth. O thou honorable one! Thank thou God that that art instructed in music and melody, singing with pleasant voice the glorification and praise of the Eternal, the Living. I pray to God that thou mayest employ this talent in prayer and supplication, in order that the souls may become quickened, the hearts may become attracted and all may become inflamed with the fire of the love of God! O thou seeker after Truth! The question of the Trinity, since the time of His Holiness Christ until now, is the belief of the Christians, and to the present time all the learned among them are perplexed and confounded. All have confessed that the question is beyond the grasp of reason, for three cannot become one, nor one three. To unite these is impossible; it is either one or three. If we say the Essence of Divinity is divided, even in some aspects, division is one of the necessities of the contingent world and of generation, but the Ancient is holy (i.e., whole and indivisible). If we say that the Trinity was

[Page 513]

originally one and was later divided, change and transformation will be necessarily applied to the Essence of Oneness, and change and transformation are necessities of the contingent world and not of the Essence of Divinity. If we say this number is Ancient, three Ancients become necessary, and among the three some are distinguished which are also Ancients. In this wise five Ancients are the result, and among the five are those who are distinguished and thus nine Ancients become necessary, and so on ad infinitium. Thus considered, Trinity is made a necessity, although the falsity of Trinity is evident. Furthermore, the signs of oneness are evident and plain in all existence. If thou shouldst gather all existent beings, thou wouldst be unable to find two alike in all states and qualities; of necessity there is a difference. Thus the signs of oneness are manifest and evident in all things. How much more is the Creator of all things! But there are, in the Gospels, clear expressions indicative of Trinity; among them: "The Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father." As Christians did not understand the meaning of this expression, their thoughts were scattered. The reality of this question is as follows: Divine Oneness is proven and He revealeth Himself in the Holy Essences. The sun is one sun but manifesteth itself in different mirrors. If thou lookest into the mirror and seest the manifestation of the sun, thou wilt way, the sun is in the mirror and this sun manifest in the mirror is the same sun of the heavens; although two suns, yet in reality they are one. The sun hath not descended from its high and lofty station, it hath not

[Page 514]

taken up its abode in this mirror, but hath manifested itself therein. The Christ reality was like unto a pure mirror and the Sun of Reality shone upon it from the Holy Horizon. Therefore, it bcame evident that the sun is one with regard to reality but manifesting itself in all mirrors. This question was explained in full for Miss ..., who translated it upon paper. Thou wilt soon learn thereof¹. This difficult question in its entirety was elucidated, explained and proven. O thou yearner after the Truth! The Supper of the Lord which His Highness the Spirit (Christ) ate with the apostles was a heavenly supper and not one of material bread and water, for material objects have no connection with spiritual objects. As at that time material food was also present, therefore the leaders of the religion of Christ thought that it was material food which was changed into spiritual food. The proof that it was not material food is this: The apostles upon many occasions partook of material food with His Highness Christ, yet the supper of that night became designated as the "Lord's Supper." From this designation it is plain and evident that they ate heavenly food at that supper. That heavenly food consisted of the love of God, the knowledge of God, the mysteries of God and the bestowal of God.

1. Incorporated in book entitled "Some Answered Questions," compiled by Miss L. C. Barney and published in 1908 by Kegan Paul, Trench, &Trubner & Co., London, Eng.

[Page 515]

O thou seeker of Truth! The Lord of Hosts became manifest to Moses and the children of Israel in a pillar of fire, and appeared to Christ in the fire of the love of God. This is that of which it is said in the Gospel: One must be baptized with fire and spirit. Now the lights of the divine bounties of the fire of the love of God have shone forth in the word and letters. That is, the words and letters are similar to a mirror, and the Sun of Truth and the Rays of Significances have become manifest and shone forth in these mirrors of words and letters. Seek thou from God that thy heart may be as one of these letters, until the Eternal Bounty may cast a ray of splendor therein. Pay attention minutely and cogitate, until thou mayest apprehend the meaning of this explanation and advance day by day, like unto thy dear mother. O thou that mirror in which the Light of Guidance is printed! I was informed of thy prayer, thy supplication and thy beseeching. Know thou verily: My throne is my mat! My glorious crown in my servitude toward God! My standard is the commemoration of my Lord! My hosts are the knowledge of my Master! My sword is the guidance of God! My dominion is my humility, my submissiveness, my lowliness, my abasement, my supplication and my beseeching unto God - this is that permanent reign which no one is able to dispute, gainsay or usurp!

[Page 516]

I beg God to cause thee to be one of the pillars of this divine reign, that thou mayest abundantly partake of this joy and gladness, and I invoke God that He may register thy name in the published Tablet, in the pages of the Kingdom of God. I beg God to cause thy kinsmen (those who are near and dear to thee) to attain that which thou hast attained, to drink from that Cup wherefrom thou art exhilarated, to brighten their eyes through that Light whereby thine eyes were brightened and to cause them to hearken to that Call whereby thine ears were delighted; and that He may make you assemble under the shadow of the Tree of the Testament, and cause you to be of the hosts of His Kingdom, that ye may conquer the East of that region as well as its West, through the sword of peace and the weapons of love, union and agreement, and that He may make thee to be a server in His blessed Olive Garden, and in his El-Abha (i.e., Most Glorious) Paradise, and in His Holy Garden of the Supreme Kingdom. O thou who art always calling on God! Thank thou God for He hath guided thee to the path of His Kingdom and provided thee with the fruit of the Tree of Life, which is planted in the middle of the Ferdowee (i.e., the highest Paradise). Yea, this fruit is the knowing God and love for God, and reliance upon God and is the virtue with which the reality of man is adorned, and it is the perfections which are the great gift for the children of Adam (i.e., mankind) in this first creation. Verily, I beg of God to bestow upon thee and thy relatives the blessing of His clemency and to assign for

[Page 517]

thee and for them everlasting glory and eternal life in the visible world and in the Kingdom. O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God! Verily, the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ..., hath greatly praised thee; she hath given in words her thankfulness, for thou hast guided her to the Kingdom of her great Lord. Verily, I say unto thee, this is better for thee than to possess the treasures of the world, because by this means thou wilt be drawn nigh to the Kingdom of God and the protection of the Merciful One will always possess thee. O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God! Beloved art thou, for thou hast lighted the lamp of the love of God in the glass of America, called out in His Name among the people and guided them to the Kingdom of El-Abha. O maid-servant of God! Fly away with joy, for God hath strengthened thee in this great gift, which is a glorious crown, the gems of which are scintillating with the light of guidance. Blessed is thy head for it is decorated with this crown. Verily, this is better for thee than the dominion of the world! O thou who art calling in the cities, the bearer of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God! Verily, I read thy wonderful and eloquent letter, which proved thy being attracted by the utterances (or fragrances) of God, in the new day and glorious century.

[Page 518]

I praised God for the spreading of His fragrances in those regions and for the display of His manifest signs. Thank thou God for that He revived thee by the Spirit of Life and awakened thee by the life-giving breeze, which is emanating for the people of the world. I ask God to make thee a lamp shining and illuminating in the assemblies of knowledge, that thou shine forth by the lights of love and peace among the maid-servants of God, the Merciful. O maid-servant of God! Be a caller to universal peace, a standard of love among the people, a spreader of the spirit of concord and union among nations and sects, an utterer of exhortations, a demonstrator of the proofs of the appearance of the Kingdom of God, by a power whereby the hearts of the chosen ones become attracted, confirmed by a might whereto the necks of the proud men bow and those of great people are humbled. Take hold of the hem of the Garment of God and preach the Kingdom of God and baptize the spirits by the fragrances of God which have perfumed the horizons. Verily, I say unto thee that this holy fragrance is the Water of Life, the Fire of the Lord which hath flamed in the Tree of Sinai and the Spirit of Life which reviveth the dead. We send thee herewith answers to the letters thou sent us. This is on account of my utmost love for thee, my great kindness to thee and my extreme sympathy for thee. Thank thou God for this great favor.

[Page 519]

O thou who art set aglow with the Fire of the Love of God! Verily, I read thy long letter and was informed of thy visions, which art for whosoever follows the path of the Kingdom of God. These visions repeat themselves, pass away, and appear to the human sight every instant; but the matter which hath stability and upon which confidence is laid, is the bounty of the Kingdom of God and the Center of Lights. As to the zodiac of the stations of the Sun of Truth, it is the station of the attainment of the mystery of sacrifice, whereupon the lights of love, harmony and salvation shine forth and the manifestation of firmness dawns, in a cause unendurable by the lofty mountains. I ask God to confirm thee therein and to make thee a sign of salvation, a banner of progress, a spreader of the fragrances of God and a caller in the Name of God. Shouldst thou make firm thy feet in the love of God and hold steadfast to the Great Cause, God will reveal unto thee mysteries unheard by the ears and incomprehensible by the intellects. As to thy question regarding the meeting of trinity, it is incumbent on thee to make it a meeting of unity, an exposition of the mysteries of singleness, the elevation of the standard of universal love, the spreading of the knowledge of thy Merciful Lord, the guidance of the souls unto the path of the Kingdom of God, the animation of the hearts by the spirit of the love of God, and the purification of the eyes by the light of the knowledge of God. Verily, I pray God to confirm thee in lighting the

[Page 520]

lamp of God's love in the hearts and spirits. It is incumbent on thee to organize a spiritual assembly in that city, wherein the mysteries of the Kingdom of thy Lord be spread and this wondrous Manifestation promulgated. This is beneficial for thee both in the world and in the Kingdom, and all else vanisheth away. O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God! I have read thy recent letter and noted its beautiful contents. I thank God that He hath opened thy sight for thee, unfolded to thee His word of love and chosen thee from among women. Thus thou responded to the call, east attracted to the lights of the Kingdom of the Lord of Manifest Signs, proclaimed the Truth and called in the Name of the Lord of the high heaven. O maid-servant of God! This day is not a day of seclusion and solitude, but a day of proclaiming the manifestation of the light of the Beauty of thy Supreme Lord. Therefore, abandon silence and seclusion and solitary nooks and go forth into the arena of explanation. Convey the Message of thy Lord with clearest speech and most complete elucidation. This is better for thee than solitude. The season of seclusion in quiet nooks is the season of winter when the cold and the winds increase. But during the spring, the wafting of gentle breezes, the passing of fragrances from the rose, the state of equilibrium in the atmosphere and the green hue of

[Page 521]

valleys and prairies, it is best for man to leave solitude and enjoy out-of-door blessings. Thus be thou happy in the commemoration of thy Lord. Go out from the solitary place like unto a shining star blazing on its horizon. This is better for thee in the Kingdom of the Lord of the worlds. Thus, hearken unto the melodies of the birds of holiness, in the garden of fellowship, upon the branches of purity; to the murmuring of its waters, the rustling of the trees, the blowing of its breezes and the cooing of its doves. O thou beloved maid-servant of God! The Divine Providence hath chosen thee, made thee the object of favors and guided thee to the Heavenly Father. He bestowed upon thee the eternal outpouring and granted thee the life everlasting. I hope that thou shalt discover the hidden significances of divine verses, and through the bounty of the Almighty, thou mayest become informed of the concealed mystery and recondite symbol of the stone of the Most Great Name¹. These mysteries can neither be written nor uttered. Whenever the eye of insight is opened, the reality of meanings is understood. In reality, all the souls are silent and speechless, but be thou a a speaker. God willing, thou wilt become such. O thou dear maid-servant of God! Mr. ... hath greatly praised thee that - praise be to God! - thou art like unto a melodious nightingale, singing and warbling in the rose-garden of the love of God, and art uttering of the mystery of the Kingdom;

1. Ring stone having this design: [Design of Greatest Name]

[Page 522]

that thy house and dwelling is a meeting-place of the spiritual ones and thy nest and abode is a shelter for the birds of heaven. Nothing is better than that man should become a manifestor of the powers of God and the cause of illuminating the creatures. O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom! Thy letter was received. From its contents it became known that thou hast turned thy face toward His Highness, the Merciful One, after the reading of the Book of Ighan¹, and hast become a new creation. I trust in the favor of the True One, that thy sisters and brothers may likewise attain, and that thou mayest become confirmed with the confirmation of the Holy Spirit, in order that thou mayest be the cause of teaching many souls, and guide every person with whom thou hast association and intercourse. I ask from God that thou mayest be the cause of the awakening and mindfulness of thy father and mother, and that many of thy friends may rend asunder the veils of superstition and behold the Light of Truth. O thou advancer toward the Kingdom! Endeavor thou day by day to increase thy yearning and attraction, so that the attitude of supplication and prayer may be realized more often. If we do not meet in this physical word, I ask from God that we may meet in the realm of vision, and that day by day the revelation of the Kingdom may become greater. *** Convey my respectful greeting to Mr. ... I hope that he will become confirmed and assisted in his

1. See foot note page 107, Vol. 1, or page 322, Vol. II.

[Page 523]

voyage to India; and that the power of the Word of God will penetrate in such wise in those parts (India) that Mr. ... himself will stand astonished and add to his faith and assurance. O thou tree planted in the Garden of the Love of God! Although thou art absent in body, yet, praise God! thou art present in spirit and art illuminated by the lights of the Divine Love. Thou must develop day by day and become more rejoiced than before through the fragrances of the Holy Spirit and illumine the hearts of others by the light of the love of God. I ask God to confirm thee in the service of the Threshold of God and to strengthen thee in His servitude, like unto `Abdu'l-Bahá. Thus thou mayest be thrilled with the ecstasy of the wine of the Covenant and give a drink thereof unto the world. O maid-servant of God! Thy letter was read. The doors of the Kingdom are open and the bounty of God is like unto spring rain. Although the signs of material bounty are great, yet the true bounty is that of heaven, spiritual, which gives life eternal. Follow this and thy heart will become as beautiful as a garden, thine eyes bright, thy spirit happy and thy thought a comfort to souls. Be a well-wisher of humanity and a servant of mankind. Thus the strength of the Kingdom will uphold thee and the avenues of revelation open to thee. Because today every servant is served and is an honorable lord and every maid-servant the queen of horizons.

[Page 524]

Grow in humility and meekness daily, until thou attainest eternal glory and everlasting grace. O thou who hast turned thy face toward the Kingdom of God! Thy letter was received. In reality thou art spiritually hungry and athirst for the Water of Life. Therefore I send to thee spiritual food and bestow upon thee the Water of Life Eternal. That food is the divine advices and exhortations revealed in the Tablets and the spiritual outpourings of the breath of the Holy Spirit. I hope ere long it will reach thee and thou wilt behold what an exhilaration and beatitude it produceth and what cheerfulness and serenity and what heavenly emotions it createth. Educate and train thou that dear child with the utmost perseverance. O thou yearning one! Be thou a physician to every sick one and teach thou every ignorant one; that is, show thou to others the way of the Kingdom and guide them to life eternal. Praise be to God! I became known and revealed myself to thee in the world of vision and instructed thee in the search of Truth. Seek thou the light of God, relate thou the mysteries of the True One and walk thou in the path of the Kingdom, so that thou mayest behold wonderful signs and observe universal confirmations. O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God! Verily I am in receipt of thy last letter which indicateth thy exceeding love for `Abdu'l-Bahá, thy confidence

[Page 525]

in God, and thy good and sincere intention in the service of the Cause of God. Excellent is the statement given by thee in that precious letter - that ye are in need of love and affinity in that country to unite the hearts and spirits. This is the truth and there is naught beyond the truth save error. Know thou assuredly that - Love is the mystery of divine revelations! Love is the effulgent manifestation! Love is the spiritual fulfillment! Love is the breath of the Holy Spirit inspired into the human spirit! Love is the cause of the manifestation of the Truth (God) in the phenomenal world! Love is the necessary tie proceeding from the realities of things through divine creation! Love is the means of the most great happiness in both the material and spiritual worlds! Love is a light of guidance in the dark night! Love is the bond between the Creator and the creature in the inner world! Love is the cause of development to every enlightened man! Love is the greatest law in this vast universe of God! Love is the one law which causeth and controleth order among the existing atoms! Love is the universal magnetic power between the planets and stars shining in the loft firmament!

[Page 526]

Love is the cause of unfoldment to a searching mind, of the secrets deposited in the universe by the Infinite! Love is the spirit of life in the bountiful body of the world! Love is the cause of the civilization of nations in this mortal world! Love is the highest honor to every righteous nation! The people who are confirmed therein are indeed glorified by the Supreme Concourse, the angels of heaven and the dwellers of the Kingdom of El-Abha! But if the hearts of the people become devoid of the Divine Grace - the Love of God - they wander in the desert of ignorance, descend to the depths of ruin and fall to the abyss of despair where there is no refuge! They are like insects living in the lowest plane. O beloved of God! Be ye the manifestations of God and the lamps of guidance throughout all regions shining with the light of love and union! How beautiful the effulgence of this light! O my friend! Let this letter be spread among the beloved in America, that they may agree, unite and love one another; nay, rather that they should love all the people, and (be willing to) sacrifice even their lives for one another. This is the Path of El-Baha! This is the Religion of El-Baha! This is the Law of El-Baha! He who hath not this hath no portion with El-Baha!

[Page 527]

O thou maid-servant of God! I ask from the favors of the Sun of Truth the splendors of the eternal outpouring for thee; I beg everlasting glory and desire for thee and thy family divine gifts, so that all of you may become united and harmonized, rest under the shade of the Tree of Life, and become eternal and established in the Kingdom of Being. O thou who art turning toward the Kingdom of God! I was informed of the contents of thy excellent letter and supplicated the Holy Threshold, the Circuit of the Supreme Concourse, to baptize thee with the water of knowledge and the fire of the love of God and to make thee a perfect and faithful servant in His Great Vineyard, so that thou mayest water the trees of the love of God in the Paradise of Abha; and to make thee a sign of meekness and humbleness among the maid-servants of God and a promulgator of His Cause in those vast and extensive regions. O thou pure soul¹ who hath turned with a submissive heart to the Kingdom of God! Turn thy face to the Assembly of the Covenant and [hear him] say: "Salutations and praise be upon you, the fragrances of God be upon you! for that by reason of which ye have awakened from your sleep, arisen from your negligence and heedlessness, aroused from your couches, relied upon your Creator, depended upon your Maker and been kindled with the fire burning in the Spirit on Mt. Sinai and in the Heart of Mt. Paran

1. To the Itaca (N.Y.) assembly.

[Page 528]

- from this conflagration shall appear dazzling lights, which shall shine upon all regions. "Consider the first century of the time of Christ - glory be unto Him! - and the beginning of His Cause. In that time no one but a certain few persons believed in Him; and the great one among them was Peter the disciple, who, through the burning of the fire of test and persecution, was in great fear and denied Christ three times; then the Jews who were scoffing, persecuting, deriding and laughing at Him, despised Him as through He were a thief, a murderer, or a villain, and committed against Him that which made the hearts lament, distressed the minds, caused tears to flow and the foundations of existence to tremble and shake! They thought that they had quenched the Fire which flamed in the tree of Christian certainty; nay, verily, that Lamp hath diffused its dazzling rays unto the Supreme Height and that Fire hath burned until it kindled the hearts of the righteous!" "Then consider this day, and the day of His existence among those people - how they crowned Him with a diadem of thorns and now how thousands of people adorn their heads in His name, with the Most Brilliant Gem, glittering to the sight! Woe, woe unto the like of such heedless people! Alas for the souls, because of what they have committed against the Word of God in the day of His Appearance - and today they worship the dust which the feet of His Beloved have trod! Such is the condition of the people. Abandon them and let them play until they fall in abasement and loss! "But as to you, O ye beloved of God, let your breasts

[Page 529]

be dilated with joy for that by reason of which ye have attained unto the Day of God, entered the Kingdom of God, and tasted the food of Knowledge which hath descended from Heaven!" O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom of God! Thy letter was read; its contents had bearing upon Guidance. Praise be to God! thou possessed a perceiving eye and an attentive ear! Now is the time for thee to give thanks to God with an expressive tongue; to appreciate this bounty. Consider in what a great age thou hast stepped into the world of existence and under the shadow of what an Ensign of Guidance thou wert sheltered and attained the hope and greatest desire of the saints! If thou dost arise to comply with that which is deemed worthy of this favor and is a duty, thou shalt observe that this Guidance is the crown of eternal sovereignty and this attainment is everlasting glory, happiness and the means of the forgiveness of sins and the lamp of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. O thou who art witnessing the Light of Guidance! Verily I read thy excellent letter and praised God, for He hath removed the veil (from thy sight), caused the light of guidance to appear, filled for thee the cup of bestowal and directed thee to His Kingdom. I supplicate God to increase thy faith, to encircle thee with the lights of the Kingdom, and to guide thy thirsting and craving sons to the Fountain-head of Mercifulness. And (I beg of Him) to enable thee

[Page 530]

III-530 to teach His truth, to deliver His Cause, to promote His Word, and to train the souls whom superstitions have veiled from witnessing the lights of the Bounty of these days. O maid-servant of God! Be filled with joy, so that thine eyes may be overflowing with tears of happiness and beatitude, and beseech thou God to remove the veil from the face of your sons so that they may find a spiritual understanding of the existence of God and may know how the human soul can receive bounty from the divine Spirit. O thou kind maid-servant of God! Thy letter was like a perfumed nosegay and from that nosegay the fragrance of faith and assurance was inhaled. Well done! Well done! that thou hast turned thy face toward the invisible Kingdom. Excellent! Excellent that thou art attracted to the Beauty of His Highness the Almighty! Well done! Well done! How happy thou art that thou hast attained to his Most Great Gift! O thou beloved maid-servant of God! Thank thou God that thou hast stepped into the arena of existence in such a blessed Age and hast opened thine ears and thine eyes in such a Promised Day. The Splendor of the Sun of Truth thou hast beheld and the divine Call thou hast heard. To thine ultimate desire thou hast attained and from the sweetness of the love of God thou hast tasted. Consequently, supplicate ardently for spiritual attraction and ecstacy. O thou beloved maid-servant of God! If thou art

[Page 531]

not seeing dreams (and visions), be thou not sad. Thou are going to see, whilst thou art awake. A wakeful eye is acceptable in the Threshold of the Almighty. Therefore, I hope that thou wilt open the eye of thine insight, travel in all the realms of God, see the splendor of the Kingdom and behold the effulgence of the Realm of Might. Show thou forth love and kindness on my behalf toward thy dear husband and convey to him longing greeting. I supplicate from God in his behalf, and invoke assistance and confirmation for you both. O ye¹ friends of `Abdu'l-Bahá! His honor Mr. ... wrote a letter and in that letter he mentioned your names, asking divine favor on your behalf. While reading your names I opened my tongue in thanksgiving in the Threshold of Oneness, that he hath granted such favor and bestowed such providence. He guided the souls and pointed out to them the entrance to the Kingdom. Such confirmation deserveth thanks and praise, and such guidance is the most great bounty of His Highness the One. Likewise, you must be engaged day and night, with all your soul and heart, in thanksgiving and the glorification of His Highness the Desired One who hath created you in such a glorious period, made you the manifestors of guidance in the Day of the Lord, imparted to you the insight and enkindled your souls and spirits with the fire of love. Today the grandeur, the majesty, the splendor and the magnitude of this station is not clear and manifest because it is the time of seed-sowing and

1. To the Montreal (Canada) assembly.

[Page 532]

the beginning of the planting of trees in the orchard of the Merciful One. When that seed is grown and the tree reacheth the time of its fruition, then many harvests shall be gathered and all regions and kingdoms shall be adorned with its blossoms and fruits. Ere long the Adored One of this providence will become the Beloved of the assemblages of the world and the rays of the Sun of Truth will illumine every house, every place and corner. At that time the greatness and superiority of the friends of God will become evident and demonstrated. Consider ye! In the day of His Highness Christ, the grandeur and majesty of their Holiness the Apostles, was not known. After three-hundred years the loftiness of the station and the exaltation of their attainment became manifest. Ere long the result of the deeds in this cycle of Bahá'u'lláh will appear and every one of the friends and the maid-servants will be crowned with a diadem whose splendid gems will radiate brilliancy and effulgence throughout cycles and ages. Therefore, O ye servants of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful One, do ye not rest for one moment! Do ye not seek any composure! Do ye not wish for any rest and ease! Endeavor and make ye an effort with all your heart and soul to spread the fragrances of Paradise, to raise the eternal melody of the Kingdom of Abha, to establish the gathering of fellowship, to become assisted with the confirmations of the Holy Spirit; to clothe the temple of existence with a new garment; to bestow eternal life upon the reality of souls; to become a cause of the civilization of the

[Page 533]

human world; to characterize the bloodthirsty animals with the heavenly attributes and divine commemorations; to pacify the world with peace and salvation, and to adorn man with the favors of His Highness the Merciful One; that perchance ignorance, animosity and strangeness may be removed entirely from among the denizens of the world, and the Banner of Reconciliation, Freedom, Nobleness and Oneness be hoisted; for the chains of existence contain countless links, each connected with the other. This connection is the cause of the appearance of the invisible powers in the world of the visible. O ye real friends! Make ye an effort that this universe may become another universe and this darkened world find a ray of the Sun of Truth and become luminous and refulgent. I entreat God that this favor may be realized and this unending outpouring become manifest and apparent, and the friends of God be confirmed by every bounty. O ye¹ blessed souls! On the night of the feast ye entertained the beloved and were occupied in the service of the friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful One. Service to the sons and the daughters of the Kingdom is the diadem of everlasting glory with which ye have crowned your heads, the garment of eternal sovereignty with which ye have adorned your bodies, and the throne of majesty and grandeur of heaven upon which ye sat. `Abdu'l-Bahá found the utmost rejoicing from that feast

1. To a family.

[Page 534]

and he was a host in his heart and soul, praying and entreating at the Threshold of Oneness that the breaths of the Holy Spirit waft, the angels of mercy descend and the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha surround you upon all sides. Rest ye assured that ye will become illumined, spiritual and celestial, and your services were accepted and praised at the Threshold of Oneness. O ye two¹ kind and beloved maid-servants of God! A splendour from the Supper of the Lord was cast upon the table that ye have spread and the spiritual food descended. It was on this account that the souls were rejoicing and happy and the spirits of those who were present were uplifted. The soul and heart of `Abdu'l-Bahá was present and manifest. What a happy night that was, and what a blessed feast! It became conducive to the happiness of the people of the Supreme Concourse, and the cause of joy and bliss to the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Abha. I beg of God that He may assist and confirm you so that ye may bring about such feasts. O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God! Be thou thankful and grateful to the favored maid-servant ..., for she became the cause of thy utmost joy and bliss; she delivered thee from the narrow way of doubts and imaginations and ushered thee into the delectable meadow of happiness and beatitude. She led thee from the inferior world to the exalted realm of divinity; she took thee away from darkness

1. Mother and daughter.

[Page 535]

and guided thee to light, and while thou hast been deprived, she made thee confident of the mysteries of the Kingdom. I supplicate God that the coverings may be removed, the Beauty of Truth become apparent and evident; in order that thou mayest be taught in the wisdom of God, become a great teacher in the world of humanity and all thy desires be attained.*** O thou seeker of the Kingdom! The letter was received and I became acquainted with its contents. The Cause of Bahá'u'lláh is the same as the Cause of Christ. It is the same Temple and the same Foundation. Both of these are spiritual springtimes and seasons of the soul-refreshing awakening and the cause of the renovation of the life of mankind. The spring of this year is the same as the spring of last year. The origins and ends are the same. The sun of today is the sun of yesterday. In the coming of Christ, the divine teachings were given in accordance with the infancy of the human race. The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh have the same basic principles, but are according to the stage of the maturity of the world and the requirements of this illumined age. O thou seeker of the Kingdom! Make thou an effort so that thou mayest partake from the spiritual Supper of the Lord. At that time every difficulty will become easy, and every trouble will be conducive to the tranquility of the heart and soul. I supplicate God that thy spiritual sight be opened so that thou mayest behold the mysteries of the Kingdom

[Page 536]

and become the cause of ease, adornment, reconciliation, faithfulness and uprightness in the human world. O thou who art guided by the Light of Guidance! The material world is gloomy. Praise be to God! thou hast been led to the illumined realm. Darkness hath environed all the inhabitants of the globe, but thou hast found guidance. The souls are dead; thou hast been quickened through the Spirit of Truth. The eyes are blind; thine eyes became bright by beholding the lights. The ears are deaf; thou hast heard the voice of the Merciful One. Thou must express the utmost satisfaction and thanks to Mrs. ..., for she hath guided thee and beckoned thee to the everlasting universe. For thee she desired perpetual glory and for thee she asked life eternal. Therefore strive in order that in the divine vineyard thou mayest become a gardener of Truth and live with such deeds and words that thou mayest become the cause of the enlightenment of the world. O thou wooer of Truth and attracted one toward the Kingdom of God! Thy detailed letter was received and its reading produced the utmost joy, for it was a glorious proof of the loftiness of thy aim and the exaltation of thine intention. Praise be to God! that thou art the well-wisher of the human world, art attracted to the Kingdom of Abha and art aspiring for the advancement of the realm of humanity. I hope that, through the instrumentality of these lofty thoughts, attractions of

[Page 537]

heart and heavenly glad-tidings, thou mayest become so illumined that, through the mildly beaming splendor of the love of God, thou mayest shine and gleam throughout centuries and cycles. Thou hast written that thou art a student in the progressive spiritual school. Happy is thy condition! If the various progressive schools join themselves to the universal university of the Kingdom, such knowledge and sciences will be brought into light that man will see that the potentialities of the "Open Tablet" of existence are infinite; will realize that all the created things are as letters and words; will be instructed in the lessons of the degrees of significances; will perceive the signs of oneness in the primordial atoms of the earth; will hear the voice of the Lord of the Kingdom; will behold the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and will find such ecstasy and joy that, being unable to contain himself in the vast area of existence, he will prepare himself for the journey toward the Kingdom and will hasten to the immensity of the Realm of Might. As soon as a bird if fledged, it cannot keep itself on the ground; nay, rather it soareth up toward the Supreme Apex - except the birds whose feet are tied, whose wings are clipped and feathers broken and who are soiled with water and clay. O thou seeker of Truth! The realm of the Kingdom is a unit. The only difference lies in this: That when the season of spring dawneth, a new and wonderful motion and rejuvenation is witnessed in all the existing things; the mountains and meadows are revived; the trees find freshness and delicacy and are clothed with radiant and bright leaves, blossoms and fruits. In a

[Page 538]

like manner the preceding Manifestations form an inseparable link with the subsequent dispensations; nay, rather they are identical with each other. Since the world is constantly developing itself, the rays become stronger, the outpouring becometh greater and the sun appeareth in the meridian orbit. O thou yearner after the Kingdom! Each Manifestations is the heart of the world and the proficient Physician of every patient. The world of humanity is sick, but that skilled Physician hath the healing remedy and He bestoweth divine teachings, exhortations and advices which are the remedy of every ailment and the dressing for every wound. Undoubtedly, the wise physician discovereth the needs of the patient at every season and prescribeth medicine. Therefore, when thou wilt compare the teachings of the Beauty of Abha with the requisitions and necessities of the present time, thou wilt conclude that they are to the sick body of the world the swift healing antidote; nay, rather they are the remedy of everlasting health. The prescription of the proficient physicians of the past and the future will not be the same; nay, rather they will be in accord with the ailment of the patient. Although the medicine is changed, yet all of these are for the sole purpose of the healing of the sick. In former dispensations the sick body of the world could not bear the strong and overpowering remedies. That is why His Highness the Christ said: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of the Comforter, who is sent by the Father, is come, He will guide you into all truth." Therefore, in this age of lights, specific teachings have become universal,

[Page 539]

in order that the outpouring of the Merciful One environ both the East and the West, the oneness of the Kingdom of humanity become visible and the luminosity of truth enlighten the world of consciousness. The descent of the New Jerusalem is the heavenly religion which secures the prosperity of the human world and is the effulgence of the illumination of the realm of God. In reality Emmanuel was the forerunner of the second coming of His Highness the Christ and the herald of the path of the Kingdom. This is self-evident that the letter is an organic member of the word. This membership denotes subordination; that is, the letter draws its life from the word and hath spiritual relationship with it and is accounted a part of it. The apostles were the Letters and His Highness Christ the Essence of the Word; and the significance of the Word, which is the Everlasting Outpouring, cast a splendor upon those Letters,. Since a Letter is a part of the Word itself, it is intrinsically identical with the Word. I hope that thou shalt arise to perform all that which His Highness Emmanuel hath predicted. Know thou this of a certainty that thou shalt become assisted. The confirmations of the Holy Spirit are descending uninterruptedly. The power of the Word shall penetrate in such wise that the Letter will become the reflective mirror of the Sun of the Word, and the radiation of the lights of the Word shall illumine the whole earth. But the heavenly Jerusalem, which is established upon the Apex of the world and the Holy of Holies of the Almighty, which hath hoisted its banner, comprehendeth and includeth in it all the perfections and teachings of

[Page 540]

the former dispensations. Likewise, it is the herald of the oneness of the world of humanity, the ensign of universal peace, the spirit of eternal life, the lights of divine perfections, the surrounding bestowal of the realm of existence, the adornment and grandeur of the world of creation and the cause of the tranquility of human-kind. Turn thy attention toward the holy Tablets. Read and reflect upon the Tablets of Ishraghat, Tajalliat, the Words of Paradise, the Glad-tidings, Tarazat and the Book of Akdas.¹ These divine teachings in this day are the remedy of the ailments of the world of man and the dressing for the wounded body of existence; they are the Spirit of Life, the Ark of Salvation, the Magnet of the Everlasting Glory and the penetrative power in the reality of man! O thou dear wise man! They letter *** was considered. Its contents were in the utmost of beauty and great joy was realized therefrom. Thou hast asked "Is it possible that this new and living Cause is to take the place of the dead religion of England when there hath been organized certain sects who have arrived at high stations of spiritual knowledge and to exalted degrees of merciful powers, and have become distinguished in virtue from all predecessors; notwithstanding this, is it possible that this new Cause will attract the attention of such people to such a degree as to unite their hearts, and gather them under its over-shadowing protection?"

1. All revealed by Bahá'u'lláh.

[Page 541]

O thou dear friend! Know thou that the Distinguished Individual of every age is according to the virtues of that age. The Distinguished Personage who was in the former cycle, His power and virtues were according to the former age, but in this brilliant age and divine cycle, the Noble Personage, the Radiant Star, the Distinguished One, will manifest with virtues which will eventually amaze the peoples, for He is in spiritual virtues and divine perfections loftier than all the Individuals; any, rather He is the Source of Divine Benediction and the Center of the Radiant Circle. He is certainly comprehensive. There is no doubt that He will reveal Himself to such a degree as to bring all under His over-shadowing shelter. When thou considerest carefully thou wilt find this order and system to be 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.

[Page 542]

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.

[Page 543]

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 Bahá'ís. 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 (Bahá'u'lláh) 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 Bahá'í Cause in that country¹. 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

1. England.

[Page 544]

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 Bahá'ís and that the foundation is love. As the power of love among the Bahá'ís 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 (Bahá'u'lláh) 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.¹ 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 Bahá'u'lláh 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

1. While in Haifa, some years ago, before he became a believer, the recipient of this Tablet saw Bahá'u'lláh and some of the followers and was attracted to Him, but owing to circumstances had no means of communicating with Him at that time.

[Page 545]

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! 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! 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.

[Page 546]

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! 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! The letter which thou hast written to ... was received and its contents became known. If thou

[Page 547]

ask my name and title, it is `Abdu'l-Bahá 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

[Page 548]

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 ye¹ 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.

1. Husband and wife.

[Page 549]

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! 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 qualities¹ and not the return of entities. This

1. i.e., the return of the qualities, powers and attributes in another human being.

[Page 550]

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.¹ 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 ye² 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!"

1. i.e., in the sense of continued existence after the death of the body.
2. Husband and wife.

[Page 551]

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!¹ 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.² 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! 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.

1. This Tablet bore the following heading: "Chant thou this commune."
2. This metaphor means the state of spontaneous prayer and communion with God.

[Page 552]

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! 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! 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.

[Page 553]

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 `Abdu'l-Bahá 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! 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

[Page 554]

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! 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!¹ As ye were gathered in the meeting of hospitality with the utmost longing for the knowledge of God, that

1. To the Buffalo (N.Y.) assembly.

[Page 555]

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!¹ 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!

1. To the Buffalo assembly.

[Page 556]

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! 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:

[Page 557]

"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! 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. If the friends and relatives are keeping themselves at a distance from thee, be thou not sad, for God is near to thee. Associate thou, as much as thou canst, with the relatives and strangers; display thou loving kindness; show thou forth the utmost patience and resignation. The more they oppose thee, shower thou upon

[Page 558]

them the greater justice and equity; the more they show hatred and opposition toward thee, challenge thou them with great truthfulness, friendship and reconciliation. Praise be to God, thou art near to the Kingdom of Abha! Rest thou assured. With all my soul and spirit, I am thy companion at all moments. Know thou this of a certainty! I prayed in behalf of thy relatives and family, supplicating from God confirmation and assistance for them. O ye¹ friends of `Abdu'l-Bahá! The glad-tidings of your attraction and enkindlement, ecstasy and exhilaration, hath reached us before and a special Rablet hath been forwarded to you. Mr. ......... and Mr. ......... arrived and praised you with the utmost enthusiasm, that "the friends of Hoboken are firm, steadfast and eloquent (in delivering the Truth)." In that region they have adorned a meeting with the fragrances of holiness and organized an assembly like unto the delectable paradise. Each one of them is like unto a lamp brilliant with the light of guidance and a conquering host invincible with the power of the love of god. Likewise, they gave the utmost praise to all the beloved throughout the regions of America, and they were extremely happy and grateful. They praised and commended highly the spiritual assembly of New York, saying that day and night they were engaged in the service of the Kingdom; likewise they were very grateful to Mr. ......... Briefly, four days and four nights were they the

1. To the Hoboken (N.J.) assembly.

[Page 559]

guests in the house of this imprisoned one, continually praising and commending the beloved of God and giving the glad-tidings of the attraction of the friends with the fragrances of God. In this prison, `Abdu'l-Bahá hath no happiness except the arrival of the good news of the believers. Whenever one praises them, the heart is dilated and the soul is rejoiced. Therefore, O ye companions of `Abdu'l-Bahá, display ye an effort, so that ye may make that region (America) the Paradise of Abha, hoisting the banner of the Most Great Peace and spreading the teachings of the Beauty of Abha; in order that the slumbrous world become awakened, the unconscious become mindful, the universe become another universe, the human world become the realm of the Kingdom, earthly emotions become heavenly attractions, cruelty and oppression be changed into love and faithfulness, the clattering of the sword be transformed into the sweet melody of the pen and the discordant sound of war become the wonderful song of love and intelligence; in order that all the individuals of humanity embrace each other and live among themselves in perfect love and affinity.¹ O thou who hast addressed `Abdu'l-Bahá! Verily, I pray my Lord to teach thee a language and writing of the Kingdom which will satisfy thee, so as to dispense with all things; for that spiritual writing and instructive tongue are eloquent, clear, laudable, legible, read by the tongue and preserved in the heart. Blessed is he who knows it in the world of man!

1. The following four Tablets are addressed to a Japanese residing in the United States.

[Page 560]

Know, verily, that the Ocean is waving, the Sun shining, the Stars dawning. (Understand what I say!) The tree will grow, the earth will send forth hyacinths¹ and give blessings, and man will become of the heavenly angels. Feed on the light of guidance and impart light to the people. The bird will warble melodies unknown save by the birds of heaven; then tear asunder the veil and see the realities of things with the eye of God. Verily, thy Lord guideth whomsoever He willeth unto the Straight Path! The Promised Spot will be made a racecourse for the steeds of the race of Knowledge and the lights of the Merciful will shine upon it. The dispersed ones will return to the Center of Gathering and the birds will return from the meadows of the world unto the Nest of Harmony. This is a preordained matter. As to thee: Thou hast borne every difficulty and hardship and soon will be rewarded by God with a good reward. He will destine to thee all that is good, and choose for thee the manifestation of His mercy among the servants; that they may thus see that the Sons of the Kingdom have gone out² , while there hath come a soul from the remotest horizon who hath entreated the Kingdom of God.*** O thou who art the single one of Japan and the unique one of the extreme Orient! That country hath been deprived of the divine breath until this time; now, God be praised! thou art initiated

1. Hyacinth - the flower symbolic of knowledge.
2. Comparing those near at hand who disobeyed the command of Bahá'u'lláh, with the recipient of this Tablet - a Japanese.

[Page 561]

in the mysteries and conscious of the secrets of the lights. Thou hast been earthly, I hope that thou wilt become heavenly; thou hast been gloomy, I desire that thou wilt become luminous. Thou wert wandering in the wilderness, thou hast found a way to the abode of the Beloved One; thou wert a thirsty fish, thou hast attained to the endless Ocean; thou wert a roving bird, thou hast reached the divine Rose-garden; thou wert spiritually sick and thou hast found real health! Now is the time that thou shouldest entirely abandon the comfort, ease, enjoyment and the life of this transient world, and wholly arise to guide the people of Japan, illuminating faces, perfuming nostrils and conquering, through the heavenly hosts and divine reinforcements, the hearts of the people of that region. Do not wonder at the favor and bounty of the Lord. By the favor of God, how often a drop hath become undulating like a sea, and an atom hath become shining like the sun! The sun of Truth hath enlightened the divine world and illumined the universe. The rays of His grace have shone upon the East and West, and His heat hath caused vegetation in all countries. So the lights and the heat of the Sun of Truth being help and assistance, what more dost thou need? Thou must warble, like the nightingale of significances, in the rose-garden, so that thou mayest inspire all the birds of the meadow to chant and to sing. O thou youth of God! Thank God that thou hast found thy way to the

[Page 562]

Radiant Kingdom, torn asunder the veil of superstition and learned the reality of the mysteries. All the people have formed a god in the world of thought, and that form of their own imagination they worship; when the fact is that the imagined form is finite and the human mind is infinite.¹ Surely the infinite is greater than the finite, for imagination is accidental (or non-essential) while the mind is essential; surely the essential is greater than the accidental. Therefore consider: All the sects and peoples worship their own thought; they create a god in their own minds and acknowledge him to be the creator of all things, when that form is superstition - thus people adore and worship imagination (or illusion). That Essence of the Divine Entity and the Unseen of the unseen is holy above imagination and is beyond thought. Consciousness doth not reach It. Within the capacity of comprehension of a produced (or created) reality that Ancient Reality cannot be contained. It is a different world; from it there is no information; arrival thereat is impossible; attainment thereto is prohibited and inaccessible. This much is known: It exists and Its existence is certain and proven - but the condition is unknown. All the philosophers and the doctors knew that It is, but they were perplexed in the comprehension of Its existence and were at last discouraged, and in great

1. Infinite in regard to imagination, for without the mind there would be no imagination. Another translation of this paragraph is as follows: "All the people have formed a god in the world of thought and they worship that form of their own imagination, while the fact is that the imagined concept is comprehended by the mind which is comprehensive. Surely that which comprehends is greater than the comprehended, for imagination is accidental (non-essential), while the mind is essential. Surely the essential is greater than the accidental."

[Page 563]

despair they left this world. For the comprehension of the condition and mysteries of that Reality of realities and Mystery of mysteries there is need for another power and another sense. That power and sense is not possessed by mankind, therefore they have not found any information. For example: If a man possess the power of hearing, the power of tasting, the power of smelling and the power of feeling, but no power of seeing, he cannot see. Hence, through the powers and senses present in man the realization of the Unseen Reality, which is pure and holy above the reach of doubts, is impossible. Other powers are needed and other senses required. If those powers and senses are obtained, then information can be had; otherwise, not. As to the question of marriage, according to the law of God: First you must select one, and then it depends upon the consent of the father and mother. Before your selection they have no right of interference. Endeavor as much as thou canst to acquire the English language with the utmost of eloquence and excellence, so that thou mayest be enabled to translate the

Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas

Volume III

Published by BAHÁ'Í PUBLISHING SOCIETY P. O. Box 283 CHICAGO, U.S.A.

Published by BAHÁ'Í PUBLISHING SOCIETY
P. O. Box 283
CHICAGO, U.S.A.