Frontispiece

“In reality thou art spiritually hungry and
athirst for the Water of Life. Therefore I send 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!”

Abdul-Baha Abbas.

Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas
Volume I
Published
by
BAHAI PUBLISHING SOCIETY
P. O. Box 283
CHICAGO, U.S.A.

Introduction

This book is a reproduction of the Tablets of Abdul-Baha
as contained in the archives of the House of Spirituality1
of Bahais of Chicago from the recipients for the purpose of safe
preservation in accordance with the purpose mentioned in the
following letter sent out by that Body:

March 21, 1908.

To the Friends of God in the Light of El-Abha,
throughout America.

Greeting:—

For a number of years the House of Spirituality has been
gathering copies of Tablets, received by the Friends in America from
Abdul-Baha Abbas, for sacred preservation in its archives, in accord
with permission from him to do so in a Tablet addressed to it dated
April 21, 1903, as follows: “As to the compiling of the Tablets
in a Book for the House of Spirituality, this depends upon the
consent of the receivers of the Tablets; if the owners of the Tablets
consent, copies should be kept and collected in the House of
Spirituality and it will be acceptable.”

Although many Tablets, both published and unpublished,
were known to be in circulation among the believers, and
notwithstanding the restriction to collect only copies sent in with
the consent of the recipients, yet, in the spring of 1907, through
the hearty response and co-operation in this endeavor about 500
copies of different Tablets had been received, acknowledge and filed
with data concerning each in a safety deposit vault equipped with all
modern appliances for protection.

We believe the Friends everywhere will be further
interested in knowing that at that time a draft of the Tablets was
made by the Librarian of the House of Spirituality for the Bahai
Publishing Society (who contemplated issuing same in book form), with
all references to personalities eliminated, and said compilation was
taken by Mr. Agnew to the presence of Abdul-Baha, who inquired
especially as to elimination of all names of persons and everything
of a clearly personal nature, and as to whether the recipients of the
Tablets had consented to publication of them, etc.—to all of
which he gave approval and instructed the Publishing Society to
proceed with the work.

The purpose of this communication is therefore twofold:
First, that the endeavor be continued to preserve a copy of every
Tablet obtainable; and second, that it be accomplished at the
earliest possible moment in order to make the forthcoming Volumes of
Tablets (now being prepared by the Publishing Society) as complete as
possible, for only the Tablets in the archives of the House will be
used, as therein is recorded the desire of the recipients.

In sending copies of Tablets, kindly see in so far as
possible that together with each is given: (1) Full name of recipient
(2) present address, mentioning street number, city or town, and
state, (3) on or about date translation, (4) name of translator, (5)
clearly state whether or not permission to publish all or only a
portion of same is granted. Should there be any doubt as to whether
or not a copy of any certain Tablet is already in the archives, you
may be assured in knowing that every Tablet received has been
acknowledged on a special printed form, signed by the Librarian.

Concerning this important matter the following words of
Abdul-Baha will be of interest to all: “Verily know, that the
Tablets (Book) of Abdul-Baha and his address is a hidden mystery and
concealed fact; no one is informed of its greatness and importance at
these times. But in the course of times and future centuries, the
signs thereof will be manifested, the lights thereof will dawn, the
fragrance thereof will be diffused, and the greatness, the importance
thereof will be known. The truth I say unto thee, that each leaflet
from Abdul-Baha will be a wide-spread Book; nay, rather, a glistening
Gem on the Glorious Crown. Know thou Its value and hold great Its
station!”

Thanking you in advance, we are your fellow servants in
the Vineyard of El-Abha,

The House of Spirituality

“A sufficient number of
Tablets having been gathered together,…”

A sufficient number of Tablets having been gathered
together, they have been entrusted to the Baha’i Publishing
Society for publication in this concrete form for the enlightenment
of the English-speaking world.

The Tablets appear in the book in the order received and
filed in the archives, i.e. the first to respond to the above letter
sent out by the House of Spirituality appear first in the book, and,
so far as possible, all the Tablets to any one person or to a family
or to an assembly have been placed together.

Regarding publications, the following Tablet from
Abdul-Baha was received by this Society in October, 1906:

“He is God!…”

He is God! O ye heavenly Assemblage!

Your letter was received and its contents became known.
Ye have written concerning the printing and publication of the
Tablets.

The translation of the Surat-ul-Hykl2
is of the utmost difficulty. It must be translated by a committee who
are exceedingly efficient both in Persian and English, exercising the
closest and most minute attention. Otherwise the text would not
become intelligible. The same rule applieth to other Writings and
Tablets. For the present the organization of such a committee of
translators is not possible and there is no other means than the
translations made by individuals. In the future, God willing, means
will be brought about. Translations will be made by a committee
composed of two most erudite Persians and two learned Americans, all
of them having the utmost proficiency in both languages and
possessing a certain knowledge of sciences and arts. Then others from
among the scholars and thinkers must assist. At that time Tablets
will be translated correctly and published. What ye have in your
hands and what is already printed will impart a certain degree of
information. Whatever matter the spiritual Boards of Council in New
York, Chicago, Washington and Kenosha unanimously deem advisable to
print and publish, ye may print and publish; and have the utmost
union and oneness with each other.

Regarding the Tablets of Abdul-Baha: Each of them is
important. Print ye those which are in detail.

As to the question of annihilation and destruction of
the Spirits3
: Mr. Phelps hath not not fully understood the matter or else the
translator hath made some mistake. It was not intended to convey the
idea that the unbelieving souls are absolutely annihilated. Nay,
rather, it was meant that the existence of the evil spirits in
comparison to the existence of the sanctified souls was like unto
annihilation. As you clearly behold, the existence of mineral in
comparison with the existence of man is like unto non-being. When the
body of man is destroyed and disintegrated, it returneth to the
mineral.

Concerning the income of the printing and publishing
society, as ye write, it must be expended for charitable purposes.

O ye believers of God! I am pleased with you and seek
for your assistance and confirmation. I hope that ye may, day by day,
add to your love, steadfastness, purity of intention and service to
the Cause of God.

Upon ye be greeting and praise!

Abdul-Baha Abbas.

“These Tablets were originally
written in Persian and all…”

These Tablets were originally written in Persian and all
bear the caption, “He is God!”4
and close with expressions of good will, such as, “Upon ye be
greetings and praise!” These expressions have been omitted from
this compilation; also such portions as are clearly of a personal
nature, as well as names of persons, as instructed by Abdul-Baha.

Omission of names of persons has been designated by the
sign, thus ……..; omission of purely personal portions of the text
have been designated by the sign, thus ***. The translator’s
interpolations are enclosed in parentheses, thus ( ); editor’s
interpolations are enclosed in brackets, thus [ ]. For messages
within Tablets a special sign has been found necessary and these
messages are enclosed within this special sign, thus ~ ~. Quotations
are shown by the usual sign, thus “ ”.

The great labor of translating these Tablets from the
original language has been entrusted to the following translators,
whose inestimable service is hereby gratefully acknowledged: Anton
Haddad, Mirza S. M. Raffie, Mirza Housein Rouhy, Ali Kuli Khan, Dr.
Ameen U. Fareed, H. S. M. Taki Manshadi, Mirza Ahmad Esphahani, Mrs.
Getsinger, Miss Barney and Mirza Moneer Zane.

The House of Spirituality desires to thank all who have
assisted in this matter of gathering in copies of Tablets for
preservation in its archives, and requests the Bahais everywhere to
continue the endeavor as outlined in the circular letter sent out by
that Body, as herein quoted. Address such communications to the
Librarian of the House of Spirituality, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill.

Only a portion of the Tablets now on file with the House
of Spirituality are contained in this volume. Other volumes will be
issued as soon as possible. Tablets coming in will take their place
in order according to the date received and appear in forth-coming
volumes.

The Bahai Publishing Society.

Feast of Naurooz, March 21, 1909.

“For the information of those
who know little or nothing…”

For the information of those who know little or nothing
of the Bahai Revelation, we quote the following account translated
from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse:—

Bahaism the religion of the disciples of Baha’o’llah,
an outcome of Babism.—Mirza Husain Ali Nuri Baha’o’llah
was born at Teheran in 1817 A. D. From 1844 he was one of the first
adherents of the Bab, and devoted himself to the pacific propagation
of his doctrine in Persia. After the death of the Bab he was, with
the principal Babis, exiled to Baghdad, and later to Constantinople
and Adrianople, under the surveillance of the Ottoman Government. It
was in the latter city that he openly declared his mission. He was
“He whom God would make manifest,” whom the Bab had
announced in his writings, the great Manifestation of God, promised
for the last days; and in his letters to the principal Rulers of the
States of Europe he invited them to join him in establishing religion
and universal peace. From this time, the Babis who acknowledged him
became Bahais. The sultan then exiled him (1868 A. D.) to Acca in
Palestine, where he composed the greater part of his doctrinal works,
and where he died in 1892 A. D. (May 29). He had confided to his son,
Abbas Effendi Abdul-Baha, the work of spreading the religion and
continuing the connection between the Bahais of all parts of the
world. In point of fact, there are Bahais everywhere, not only in
Mohammedan countries, but also in all the countries of Europe, as
well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, India, etc. This is
because Baha’o’llah has known how to transform Babism
into a universal religion, which is presented as the fulfillment and
completion of all the ancient faiths. The Jews await the Messiah, the
Christians the return of Christ, the Moslem the Mahdi, the Buddhists
the fifth Buddha, the Zoroastrians Shah Bahran, the Hindoos the
reincarnation of Krishna, and the Atheists—a better social
organization! Baha’o’llah represents all these, and thus
destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions;
reconciles them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the
corruption of dogmas and rites. For Bahaism has no clergy, no
religious ceremonial, no public prayers; its only dogma is belief in
God and in his Manifestations (Zoroaster, Moses, Jesus, et al.,
Baha’o’llah). The principal works of Baha’o’llah
are the Kitab-ul-Ighan, the Kitab-ul-Akdas, the Kitab-ul-Ayd, and
numerous letters or tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private
individuals. Ritual holds no place in the religion, which must be
expressed in all the actions of life, and accomplished in neighborly
love. Every one must have an occupation. The education of children is
enjoined and regulated. No one has the power to receive confession of
sins, or to give absolution. The priests of the existing religions
should renounce celibacy, and should preach by their example,
mingling in the life of the people. Monogamy is universally
recommended, etc. Questions not treated of are left to the civil law
of each country, and to the decisions of the Bait-ul-Adl, or House of
Justice, instituted by Baha’o’llah. Respect toward the
Head of the State is a part of respect toward God. A universal
language, and the creation of tribunals of arbitration between
nations, are to suppress wars. “You are all leaves of the same
tree, and drops of the same sea,” Baha’o’llah has
said. Briefly, it is not so much a new religion as Religion renewed
and unified, which is directed today by Abdul-Baha.—(Nouveau
Larousse Illustre, supplement, p. 66.)

“Just as this book was going
to press the introduction to…”

Just as this book was going to press the introduction to
it appearing on the following page was received from Abdul-Baha.

“He is God!…”

He is God!

O Thou Almighty Lord!

Strengthen all mankind that they may do according to the
instructions and teachings recorded in these writings, so that wars
and strifes may be eliminated from the world of man; that the roots
of enmity may be destroyed and the foundations of love and affection
be established; that the hearts may be filled with love and the souls
be attracted; that wisdom may advance and the faces become brightened
and illumined; that there be no more wars and strifes and that
reconciliation and peace appear; that the Unity of the world of man
may pitch its tent on the “apex of the horizons,” so that
peoples and parties become as one nation, that different continents
become as one continent and the whole earth as one land; that the
sects of antagonizing and dogmatic religions be unified; that the
world of creation be adorned and all the people of the earth abide in
unity and peace.

Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the Beholder!

(signed) Abdul-Baha Abbas.

“O thou party who art assisted
by the hosts of the Kingdom…”

O thou party5
who art assisted by the hosts of the Kingdom of El-Abha!

Blessed are ye who are assembled in the shadow of the
Word of God, who are abiding in the cave of the Covenant of God, who
are comforted by dwelling in the Paradise of El-Abha6, who are cheerfully moved with the breezes which blow from the point
of the providence of God, and who have arisen to render service to
the Cause of God, to promulgate the Religion of God, to promote the
Word of God and to hoist the standards of sanctity in those regions
and climes.

By the life of El-Baha! Verily, the perfect and divine
power will breathe in you with bounties from the Holy Spirit and
enable you to accomplish a thing the like of which hath never been
seen by the eye of existence.

O party of the Covenant! Verily, the Beauty of El-Abha
hath promised the most great assistance to the beloved who are firm
in the Covenant and to confirm them through the mightiest power. Ye
will surely find in your luminous assembly such signs as will shine
within hearts and souls. Adhere to the hem of the robe of the Lofty
One and do your best to spread the Covenant of God and to kindled
with the fire of the love of God, so that your hearts may move with
joy through the fragrances of humbleness which are being diffused
from the heart of Abdul-Baha. Make feet firm, strengthen hearts and
rely upon the everlasting bounties which will successively pour on
your from the Kingdom of El-Abha. Know, verily, the lights of Baha’
will shine forth onto you during your gathering together in the
brilliant Paradise.

It is incumbent on you to have union and harmony. It is
incumbent upon you to have affinity and accord, so that ye may become
united in body and soul as the Pleiades, and as strings of brilliant
pearls. Thereby your foundation will be laid, your argument will
become manifest, your stars will beam forth and your souls will be
comforted.

When ye enter the spiritual meeting of Consultation,
chant the following commune, your hearts beating with the love of God
and your tongues purified from aught else save the commemoration of
God; so that the Most Might Power may confirm you by the greatest
assistance:

“O my God! O my God! We are
servants who…”

O my God! O my God! We are servants who have sincerely
turned our faces unto Thy grand face, severed ourselves from all else
save Thee in this great day and are assembled together in this
glorious meeting, of one accord and desire, and unanimous in thought
to promulgate Thy Word amid Thy creatures.

O my Lord! O my Lord! Suffer us to be signs of guidance,
standards of Thy manifest Religion throughout the world, servants of
Thy Great Covenant—O our exalted Lord! —appearances of
Thy oneness in Thy Kingdom, the El-Abha, and stars which dawn forth
unto all regions.

O Lord! Make us as seas rolling with the waves of Thy
great abundance, rivers flowing from the mountains of Thy glorious
Kingdom, pure fruits on the tree of Thy illustrious Cause, plants
refreshed and moved by the breeze of Thy gift in Thy wonderful
vineyard.

O Lord! Cause our souls to depend upon the signs of Thy
Oneness, our hearts to be dilated with the bounties of Thy
Singleness, so that we may become united as are ripples on a waving
sea; become harmonized as are the rays which shine forth from a
brilliant light; so that our thoughts, opinions and feelings become
as one reality from which the spirit of accord may be diffused
throughout all regions.

Verily Thou art the Beneficent, the Bestower! Verily
Thou art the Giver, the Mighty, the Loving, the Merciful!

“O ye who are sincere! O ye
who are attracted! O ye…”

O ye7
who are sincere! O ye who are attracted! O ye who are yearning! O ye
who are arising for service to the Cause of God, for the promotion of
the Word of God and the spreading of the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I read your excellent letter, its beautiful
composition, eloquent words and deep meanings. I praised God and gave
glory to Him for that He hath strengthened you and confirmed you in
serving His glorious vineyard. Your faces shall be enlightened with
the radiance of supplication to God, invocation to Him, Humbleness
and submissiveness to the friends (believers), and your assembly will
be made a magnet for the lights of assistance from His Great Kingdom.

It is incumbent upon you to commemorate and ponder upon
the signs of God, to implore to God and to be evanescent and
subservient in the Cause of God. This is what makes you the signs of
guidance among the people, stars shining in the supreme horizon and
thriving trees in the Paradise of El-Abha.

Then know ye that Abdul-Baha is in cheerfulness and joy
and in the happiness of great glad-tidings through being in this far
distant prison.8
By the life of El-Baha! —this prison is my supreme paradise, my
utmost desire, the joy of my heart and the dilation of my breast, my
shelter, my asylum, my inaccessible cave and my high protection. By
it I glory among the angels of heaven and the Supreme Concourse.

Be rejoiced, O friends of God, with this confinement
which is a cause of freedom, this prison which is a means of
salvation (to many) and this suffering which is the best cause of
great comfort. Verily, by God, I would not change this prison for the
throne of the command of the horizons and would not exchange this
confinement for all excursions and enjoyments in the gardens of the
earth.

Verily, I hope, through the kindness of my Lord and His
mercy, bounty and generosity, to be suspended in the air in His path
and that my breast may become the target to be be pierced by
thousands of bullets; or that I may be cast into the bottomless seas,
or thrown into the wilderness and plains of barrenness. This is my
utmost aim, my supreme desire, the animation of my spirit, the
healing of my bosom and the sight of my eyes.

As to you, O friends of God: Make firm your feet in the
Cause of God with such firmness as cannot be shaken by the most great
disasters of this world. Be not troubled by anything under any
condition. Be as lofty mountains, dawning stars from the horizon of
existence, brilliant lamps in the assemblies of oneness and lowly
souls, pure hearted, with the friends.

Be signs of guidance; lights of piety; severed from the
world, holding fast to the firm rope; spreaders of the spirit of
life; abiders in the ark of safety; manifestations of mercy;
dawning-stars of the mysteries of existence; points of revelation;
day-springs of light; strengthened by the Holy Spirit; attracted
toward God; sanctified from all things and from the (natural)
qualities of people, and characterized with the attributes of the
angels of heaven—so ye may attain to the greatest gift in this
great century and new age.

By the life of El-Abha! No one will obtain this great
favor save he who cuts himself from this world, being attracted by
the love of God, who is dead to the desires and appetites of self,
sincere to God in all things and meek, humble, imploring, pleading
and lowly before God.

“O ye who are firm in the
Covenant!…”

O ye who are firm in the Covenant!

The report of the Spiritual Gathering, which is dated
*** and sent by you, was received and its contents were a source of
great fragrance and spirituality. I was glad to read the names of the
revered members.

The signature of that meeting should be the Spiritual
Gathering (House of Spirituality) and the wisdom therein is that
hereafter the government should not infer from the term “House
of Justice” that a court is signified, that it is connected
with political affairs, or that at any time it will interfere with
governmental affairs.

Hereafter, enemies will be many. They would use this
subject as a cause for disturbing the mind of the government and
confusing the thoughts of the public. The intention was to make known
that by the term Spiritual Gathering (House of Spirituality), that
Gathering has not the least connection with material matters, and
that its whole aim and consultation is confined to matters connected
with spiritual affairs. The was also instructed (performed) in all
Persia.***

“O my God! O my God!…”

O my God! O my God!

These are servants who have turned to Thy Kingdom and
hearkened unto Thy voice. Their hearts were dilated by Thy call,
responded unto Thy summons, were attracted unto Thy beauty,
acknowledged Thy proofs, believed in Thy signs, confessed Thy Oneness
and arose for the service of Thy Cause and the promotion of Thy Word.

O Lord! O Lord! Make them lamps of guidance, lights
glistening in the supreme apex, sparkling stars in heaven, holy
angels moving on earth and thriving trees bearing delicious and
fragrant fruits.

O Lord! O Lord! Purify their qualities, clarify their
consciousness, cleanse their hearts and illumine their faces. Verily
Thou art the Powerful, the Precious, the Protecting!

O ye spiritual ones! The rules for election are those
which are customary in that country. The period of election is five
years.

O Lord! O Lord! Bless this Spiritual Gathering,
strengthen them by Thy power for the spreading of Thy divine
fragrances, cause them to follow Thy will which is effective in the
realities of all things, and aid them by a confirmation such as never
hath preceded to any one in former centuries.9
For these are servants of Thy servants and Thou hast crowned them
them with this diadem, the most luminous (Abha) gems of which will
shine unto all the horizons.

Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the Giver!

“O ye who are sincere! O ye
who are firm! O ye who…”

O ye who are sincere! O ye who are firm! O ye who are
steadfast!

Verily, I received a letter from that brilliant body and
Spiritual Gathering—those who have arisen and called out for
the Kingdom of God among the peoples of America.

Verily, know with certain knowledge that ye will be
confirmed by hosts from the Kingdom of El-Abha and with inspirations
from the Supreme Concourse in the promotion of the Word of God.
Verily, Abdul-Baha is with you and supplicates unto God, desiring His
heavenly blessings to surround you, His divine favors to encompass
you, the appearances of the Sun of Truth to shine in your hearts, the
glad tidings of God to rejoice your spirits, the fragrances of
holiness to perfume your nostrils, the verses of guidance to be
chanted in your gatherings, and the lamp of the Supreme Concourse to
illumine your meetings. Know with real assurance that this light will
encompass the horizons (the world) with great brilliancy.

I ask God to make ye lamps ignited by the great Light,
so that ye may stand with all power, meekness, humbleness, sacrifice
and self-resignation and thus become examples for the people and pure
types for the world, be salt of the earth, stars of guidance, great
trees with broad foliage and excellent fruits of fragrant scent,
growing by the bounty of the cloud of the Kingdom of El-Abha.

I praise God that ye were firm in faithfulness in that
ye testified and acknowledged the efforts which Mirza Assa Ullah10
manifested in spreading the fragrances of God and that ye thanked him
for his labor and teaching for you, and this is what gladdens the
heart of Abdul-Baha.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou11
who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily I say unto thee the truth, that I am with you in
spirit and in heart, that I rejoice by your joy and am happy by your
happiness; and hear with the ear of spirit your calling and scent
with the spiritual nostrils the fragrances of your garden.

O ye friends of God! Arise from the corporeal beds
(bodies) and ask for the divine favors, so that ye become revived by
the Holy Spirit through the breath which the Spirit breathes into the
souls.

By the glory of my Lord, there will be for your
brilliant assemblage an evident sign and great effects in the spirits
and the hearts. Therefore, gladden the friends of the Merciful with
the glad-tidings of thy Lord in this time, and convey to them
greeting from Abdul-Baha in this promised century, so that they may
arise with me in servitude to the Threshold of El-Baha.

“O ye servants of the
Threshold of God!…”

O ye servants of the Threshold of God!

The weekly reports of *** were received and I was
informed of their beautiful meanings which proved firmness and
steadfastness in the Cause of God and solidity in the Covenant of
God.

Through the favor and providence of the Beauty12
of Abha I trust that Spiritual Gathering will develop day by day and
will be reinforced by the strength of God.

Communication with the friends of God in other countries
is a source of fragrant spirituality.

O ye members of the Spiritual Gathering! Appreciate this
favor. This is the glorious crown of the Kingdom, which, in this
century, the Hand of the Great Favor has placed on your head, and the
gems of this brilliant diadem will surely glisten unto all centuries.

Thank God that ye became a manifestation of such favor
and are addressed by such speech.

“O ye friends of
Abdul-Baha!…”

O ye friends of Abdul-Baha!

Verily I read your reports with great joy. They are a
cause of spirituality and fragrance and a source of dilation of
souls. If this Spiritual Meeting, by the divine fragrance and
heavenly confirmation, be firmly established (or continued) it will
become a source of great signs and will be confirmed in matters of
paramount importance.

The Spiritual Meetings, which are organized in this
cycle of God and this divine century, have never had their simile or
likeness in bygone cycles. For the great meetings (organizations)
were under the protection of aristocratic men, while these meetings
(or organizations) are under the protection of the bounty of El-Abha.
The helper or supporter of those (organizations) was either a prince
or a king; either a priest was the principal, or a great republic
(the cause); but the Helper, the Assistant, the Confirmer and the
Inspirer of these spiritual meetings (or organizations) is His
Majesty the Everlasting God.

Consider not the present condition, but rather foresee
the future and the end. A seed in the beginning is very small, but in
the end a great tree. One should not consider the seed, but the tree
and its abundance of blossoms, leaves and fruits.

Consider the days of Jesus, when there was only a small
body of people, and then observe the great tree which grew from that
seed and what an abundant fruit it produced. This is greater than
that, forasmuch as it is the calling of the Lord of Hosts and the
Voice of the Trumpet of the Living God; it is the summons unto the
harmony and unison of the world, and it is the banner of
faithfulness, trustworthiness and friendship among the difference
nations and sects of the universe; it is the light of the Sun of
Truth and the spirituality of the Majestic One. Verily this great
cycle (dispensation) will encompass all the horizons and ultimately
all the nations will gather together under this standard.

Therefore, know the importance of this seed which was
planted in the divine field by the heavenly Gardener, watered with
the rain of grace and nurtured by the heat and light of the Sun of
Truth. Thus, O ye friends of God, give thanks unto His Majesty, the
One, that ye became (or were made) the manifestation of such a gift
and the recipient of such favor.

Blessed are ye! Good-tidings unto you for this great
blessing!

“O ye who are sincere! O ye
who are firm in the Covenant…”

O ye who are sincere! O ye who are firm in the Covenant
of God in this new cycle!

Verily I praise God for that He confirmed you in the
service of the Cause of God in His great vineyard.

Write to Mrs. …….. and convey to her greetings and
praise and say to her that her Lord will aid and strengthen her in
attaining her desire.

Convey my greeting and salutation unto the maidservant
of God, the attracted one, Mrs. …….., the respected. I ask God to
make her a spreader of the new Gospel, an utterer in praise of her
Lord in that vast region.

Convey my kindness and love unto the maid-servant of
God, who is thrilled by the fragrances of God, Miss …….. of [that
place] so that she may be rejoiced by my greeting to her, the
fullness of my favor, and that she may be drawn by the love of God
even as the magnet attracts the iron.

O my precious friends in the Kingdom of God, the members
of the Spiritual Meeting! Communicate with all parts of Persia; write
replies to the letters which are sent to you, with all joy,
happiness, fragrance and spirituality; because the friends of God in
Persia are all rejoiced in commemorating you in the meetings and
assemblies, in houses and Mashrak-el-Azcars.13

“O ye who are attracted by the
Fragrances of God!…”

O ye who are attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily I read your letters which uttered your
steadfastness in the Cause of God, your firmness in His Religion and
your joy by the breezes wafted from the garden of the Kingdom of God.

The truth, I say unto you, “Verily, the Supreme
Concourse utter praise upon you, because ye forsook the desires of
self, were illumined by the light of guidance, clothed yourselves
with the garment of sanctity and called in the Name of El-Abha among
the people. Verily, ye shall reap what ye sow and obtain the fruits
of what ye plant. This is a pre-ordained fact.”

O ye beloved of God! When the winds blow severely, rains
fall fiercely, the lightning flashes, the thunder roars, the bold
descends and storms of trial become severe, grieve not; for after
this storm, verily, the divine spring will arrive, the hills and
fields will become verdant, the expanses of grain will joyfully wave,
the earth will become covered with blossoms, the trees will be
clothed with green garments and adorned with blossoms and fruits.
Thus blessings become manifest in all countries. These favors are
results of those storms and hurricanes.

The discerning man rejoiceth at the day of trials, his
breast becometh dilated at the time of severe storms, his eyes become
brightened when seeing the showers of rain and gusts of wind, whereby
trees are uprooted; because he foreseeth the result and the end (of
these trials), the leaves, blossoms and fruits (which follow this
wintry storm); while the ignorant (short-sighted) person becometh
troubled when he seeth a storm, is saddened when it raineth severely,
is terrified by the thunder and trembleth at the surging of the waves
which storm the shores.

As ye have heard of the former times, when (for example)
Christ—glory be to Him! —appeared, a storm of trials
arose, afflictions appeared, the winds of tests blew, the thunder of
temptation descended and hosts of people (Pharisees) surrounded the
houses of the friends; then the weak ones were shaken and were misled
after once being guided; but the disciples withstood the hardships
and endured the storms of ordeals, remaining firm in the Religion of
God. Then observe that which occurred after the storm and what
appeared subsequent to that severity, whereby the members (followers)
trembled.

God hath changed the sorrow to joy, the destructive
darkness of calamity into the shining light from the Supreme
Concourse. The people at the beginning persecuted and reviled the
believers in God and said of them: “These are the people of
aberration.” Then, when their light appeared, their stars shone
and their lamps illuminated, the people returned into love and
affinity; they prayed to them, offered words of glory night and day
(in their name) and remembered them in eulogy, reverence, honor and
majesty.

Therefore, O ye beloved of God, be not grieved when
people stand against you, persecute you, afflict and trouble you and
say all manner of evil against you. The darkness will pass away and
the light of the manifest signs will appear, the veil will be
withdrawn and the Light of Reality will shine forth from the unseen
[Kingdom] of El-Abha. This we inform you before it occurs, so that
when the hosts of people arise against you for my love, be not
disturbed or troubled; nay, rather, be firm as a mountain, for this
persecution and reviling of the people upon you is a pre-ordained
matter. Blessed is the soul who is firm in the path!

“O thou servant of God!…”

O thou servant14
of God!

***Trust no man save him whose breast hath been dilated
by God through the light of faith, whom God hath confirmed in His
Religion, and who is severed from all else save God and attracted by
His Fragrances.

In future, of course, certain people will come to you
claiming faith; do not believe them nor trust them, unless after
critical examination, search and investigation, and a long period of
waiting, they shall appear to be faithful and truthful in word,
confident in heart, attracted in spirit, pure in intention, patient
in hardship, enduring the most severe tests; then associate with
them. Because some sects will send certain men to mingle with you in
order to throw suspicion upon those who are weak, therefore avoid
them carefully.*** But let such [deliberations] be hidden that you
may not become a cause of hindrance [to such souls].15

“O ye firm ones in the
Covenant!…”

O ye firm ones in the Covenant!

The report of [your meeting] was noted. All the
arrangements of the meeting are suitable and acceptable. The reading
of the Tablets which are sent to special persons dependeth upon their
consent. First send the Tablets to them and if they should agree, the
same may be read in the meeting. All the arrangements were good and
suitable.

A special letter is enclosed for the maid-servant of
God, Mrs. …….. Forward it. As to letters for Chicago and its
vicinity, if God so willeth (Inshallah), they will be sent through
the House of Spirituality. As to the copying of the Tablets in a book
for the House of Spirituality, this dependeth upon the consent of the
receivers of the Tablets. If the owners of the Tablets consent,
copies should be kept and collected in the House of Spirituality and
it will be acceptable. Nevertheless, this should be with perfect
consent of the receivers.

Regarding arrangements for the Bahai Sunday meeting for
the purpose of worship, this is very suitable. But, in a meeting for
worship, first, prayer should be chanted and supplication made until
all gather; then communion should be made. After praying, sacred
readings with melodious voices should be read by all together. As
this is the commencement of holding meetings, this is sufficient.

“O God! O God!…”

O God! O God!16

Thou dost look upon us from Thine unseen Kingdom of
Oneness, [beholding] that we have assembled in this Spiritual
Meeting, believing in Thee, confident in Thy signs, firm in Thy
Covenant and Testament, attracted unto Thee, set aglow with the fire
of Thy love, sincere in Thy Cause, servants in Thy vineyard,
spreaders of They Religion, worshipers of Thy Countenance, humble to
Thy beloved, submissive at Thy door and imploring Thee to confirm us
in the service of Thy chosen ones. Support us with Thine unseen
hosts, strengthen our loins in Thy servitude and make us submissive
and worshiping servants, communing with Thee.

O our Lord! Turn our faces unto Thy divine face; feed us
from Thy heavenly table by Thy godly grace; help us through the hosts
of Thy supreme angles and confirm us by the holy ones of the Kingdom
of Abha.

Verily Thou art the Generous, the Merciful! Thou art
possessor of great bounty and verily Thou art the Clement and
Gracious!

“O ye who are attracted! O ye
who are firm! O ye…”

O ye who are attracted! O ye who are firm! O ye who are
zealous in the service of the Cause of God and are sacrificers of
possessions and lives for the promotion of the Word of God!

I perused your recent letter, dated *** and my heart was
filled with joy through its beautify meanings and its eloquent
contents. Truly they were suggested by the breaths of confirmation
from the Glorious Lord.

O friends of Abdul-Baha and his co-sharers and partners
in the servitude of the Lord of Hosts! Verily, the greatest affair
and the most important matter today is to establish a
Masharak-el-Azcar17
and to found a Temple from which the voice of praisings may rise to
the Kingdom of the majestic Lord. Blessings be upon you for having
thought to do so and intending to erect such an edifice, advancing
all in devoting your wealth in this great purpose and in this
splendid work. You will soon see the angels of confirmation following
after you and the hosts of reinforcement crowding before you.

When the Mashrak-el-Azcar is accomplished, when the
lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones are presenting
themselves therein, the prayers are performed with supplication
towards the mysterious Kingdom (of heaven), the voice of
glorification is raised to the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers
shall rejoice, the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love
of the All-living and Self-existent (God). The people shall hasten to
worship in that heavenly Temple, the fragrances of God will be
elevated, the divine teachings will be established in the hearts like
the establishment of the Spirit in mankind; the people will then
stand firm in the Cause of your Lord, the Merciful. Praise and
greetings be upon you.

“O ye who are chosen! O ye who
are firm! O ye who…”

O ye who are chosen! O ye who are firm! O ye who are
calling! O ye who are sincere!

Verily I praise my Supreme Lord for choosing you to call
in His Name among the people, for attracting you to the beauty of
El-Abha and for strengthening you in rendering His Cause victorious.

I trust in Him to make your faces shine forth with
glorious lights in that clime, glistening as the face of heaven by
the light of the early dawn, unto the horizons.

Verily I herald unto you the confirmations which will
sustain you by the mercy of your Lord. For ye have arisen with all
your power to serve God’s Cause in that vast region. Ponder
over this great bounty and manifest attainment!

I send you the glad-tidings of the erection of the
Temple of worship (Mashrak-el-Azcar) in Ishkabad [Russia], with all
joy and great happiness. The friends of God assembled together with
rejoicing and conveyed the stones themselves, upon their backs, while
attracted by the love of God and for the glory of God. Soon that
great Temple will be completed and the voice of prayer and praise
shall ascend to the sublime Kingdom.

I was rejoiced through your endeavors in this glorious
cause, made with joy and good interest. I pray God to aid you in
exalting His Word and in establishing the Temple of Worship, through
His grace and ancient mercy. Verily you are the first to arise for
this glorious cause in that vast region. Soon will ye see the spread
of this enterprise in the world and its resounding voice shall go
through the ears of the people in all parts.

Exert your energy in accomplishing what you have
undertaken, so that this glorious Temple may be built, that the
beloved of God may assemble therein and that they may pray and offer
glory to God for guiding them to His Kingdom.

Convey my greeting and praise to the beloved of God in
that city.

“Your three reports, together
with the public…”

18
Your three reports, together with the public
announcement19,
were received. Praise be to God! all the contents indicated
firmness, spirituality and goodness. The friends of the Spiritual
Meeting are indeed manifesting efforts in the Cause of God. Soon the
unseen strength of heaven will become evident, and such zeal and
earnestness will become manifest in that country that it will affect
all parts of the world.

Souls are like unto mirrors, and the bounty of God is
like unto the sun. When the mirrors pass beyond all coloring and
attain purity and polish, and are confronted with the sun, they will
reflect in full perfection its light and glory. In this condition one
should not consider the mirror, but the power of the light of the
sun, which hath penetrated the mirror, making it a reflector of the
heavenly glory.

I hope that the House of Spirituality will become a
heavenly mirror and the lights of the Sun of Truth will so penetrate
it that all parts will be illuminated through it.

Your public announcement was carefully considered, and
in some places slight corrections were made, and it was returned to
you. This announcement should be given forth with wisdom, and not in
haste, for it would be a cause of stirring up. When ye find a soul
manifesting a demand for Truth, then ye may give this to him, that he
may be informed of the rudiments of the Cause.

But my name should be confined to Abdul-Baha in all
writings. This is the collective name which will gather all the
people, and it is the strong fortress and protection of the Cause of
God. The beloved ones must limit themselves to this. However, ye may
mention me as the Light of the Love of God, the Flame of the Guidance
of God and the Banner of Peace and Harmony. I trust in God that ye
may ever be confirmed through the Holy Spirit.

“O ye spiritual friends of
Abdul-Baha!…”

O ye spiritual friends of Abdul-Baha!

Your long letter was considered and its contents were a
source of happiness. Thank God that ye, western friends, have become
dawning-points of the love of God and stars of knowledge leading to
Him; night and day are ye thinking of imparting life to souls and of
educating people of discernment.

Regarding the blessed word, the Greatest Name: Its
writing or spelling is according to its pronunciation (i.e., it is
spelled as it is pronounced) in the Persian language. Baha is
correct; Beha is incorrect. However this question must not cause
inharmony and grief among the friends. This truth shall become
manifest.

Should ye attribute a mistake to a person, it will be a
cause of offense and grief to him—how much greater would this
be if it is attributed to a number of people! How often it hath
occurred that a slight difference hath caused a great dissension and
hath been made a reason for division. Now, you write Baha’u’llah,20
but do not object to any person. All will eventually follow the
correct spelling.

O ye beloved ones of God! The manifestation of the Light
of Unity is for binding together the people of the world. If this
unity is not attained, the tree of life is made fruitless, the
heavenly bounty is not utilized. The blessed blood (of the saints)
was shed for bringing about unity and harmony. These souls gave their
lives as sacrifice in order to produce the love that bindeth the
hearts of all the people. Therefore, ye should all spend your efforts
in uniting and reconciling (the people), so that the light of God’s
love may permeate the universe.

The Spiritual Meeting of men (House of Spirituality) and
the Spiritual Meeting of women (Assembly of Teaching) in Chicago are
indeed endeavoring to serve. If they unite, as they should, they will
produce great results. Especially, if the Spiritual Meetings of
Chicago unite with those of New York and become bound together, in a
short while the fragrance of the divine garden, which giveth life,
will perfume all regions.

“O ye spiritual friends of
Abdul-Baha!…”

O ye spiritual friends of Abdul-Baha!

Your letter was considered; its contents were a source
of satisfaction to the heart and its meaning indicative of firmness
and steadfastness in the Cause of God.

That gathering is under the shelter and protection of
the mighty Lord. I hope that, as it should be, ye may be confirmed by
the fragrance of the Holy Spirit and day by day may grow in love for
God and attraction to the eternal beauty of the Sun of the horizons.

The spiritual love of God maketh man pure and holy and
clotheth him with the garment of virtue and purity. And when man
attacheth his heart wholly to God and becometh related to the Blessed
Perfection, the divine bounty will dawn. This love is not physical,
nay, rather, it is absolutely spiritual.

The souls whose consciences are enlightened through the
light of the love of God, they are like unto shining lights and
resemble stars of holiness in the heaven of purity.

The real and great love is the love of God. That is holy
above the imaginations and thoughts of men.

The beloved of God must each be the essence of purity
and holiness; so may they be known by their purity, freedom and
meekness in every land; they may drink from the eternal chalice of
the love of God, enjoy its ecstasy, and through meeting the Beauty of
Abha, they should be joyful, active, aglow with zeal and wonderful.
This is the station of the sincere. This is the quality of those who
are firm. This is the illumination of the faces of those who are
near.

Therefore, O ye friends of God, ye must in perfect
purity attain spiritual unity and agreement to a degree that ye may
express one spirit and one life.

In this condition physical bodies play no part: the
command and authority are in the hand of the spirit. When the spirit
becometh all inclusive, the Spiritual union shall be attained. Night
and day endeavor to attain perfect harmony; be thoughtful concerning
your own spiritual developments and close your eyes to the
shortcomings of one another.

By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be a
lesson for others.

Abdul-Baha wisheth no one’s heart to feel hurt,
nor will he be a source of grief to any one; for there is no greater
satisfaction than being a source of joy to the hearts.

I ask God that ye may become like angels of heaven,
sources of happiness to souls.

“O ye dear friends of
Abdul-Baha!…”

O ye dear friends of Abdul-Baha!

The blessed letter indicating the election of the
Spiritual Meeting was received and proved a source of joy. Thank God,
the beloved of that city, in perfect unity, love and oneness, held
the new election and were confirmed and strengthened to elect such
holy souls as are near the divine Threshold and known by the republic
of the beloved to be firm and steadfast in the Covenant.

Now they (the members of Spiritual Meeting) must, in
perfect spirit and fragrance, in sincerity of heart, in attraction by
the fragrances of God and by the confirmations of the Holy Spirit,
engage in service; in the promotion of the Word of God; the diffusion
of the fragrances of God; the training of the souls; the promulgation
of the most great peace. They must raise the Banner of Guidance and
become the host of the Supreme Concourse.

Indeed, blessed souls have been elected. When I read
their names, spiritual joy was immediately realized, for, praise be
to God! certain souls have appeared in that continent who are
servants of the kingdom, self-sacrificing ones of the Peerless
Majesty.

O ye friends of mine! Illuminate the meeting with the
light of the love of God, make it joyful and happy through the melody
of the Kingdom of holiness, and with heavenly food and through the
“Lord’s Supper”21
confer life.

Congregate in the utmost of joy and happiness and
commence with this commune:

O Lord of the Kingdom! Although we are assembled, yet we
are Thy scattered ones; captives of Thy Shining Face. Although we are
incapable, yet we anticipate the manifestation of Thy strength and
ability. Although we are without capital and commodity, yet we are
aided by the treasury of the Kingdom. Although we are a drop, yet we
emanate from Thy sea of seas. Although we are an atom, yet we are
illumined by Thy most bright Sun.

O Lord! Confirm us so that each one in this gathering
become a bright candle, a witness of the meeting, a caller to the
Kingdom; that the world of matter become the mirror of heaven.

O ye dear friends of mine! The assemblies of those
regions must be connected with one another and must communicate
(correspond) with each other. Even communicate with the assemblies of
the East, so that this may become the means of the great unity and
concord.

O ye spiritual friends! Firmness (constancy) must reach
a degree that if all the souls (Bahais) be destroyed by the evil
wishers and there remain but one, that one singly and alone should be
capable of withstanding all who live on earth, and of spreading the
fragrances of holiness.

Therefore, when any terrible new or calamitous tidings
reach you from the land of desire (Acca), ye should not grow cold,
sad, or be affected thereby. Nay, rather, ye must immediately in the
utmost firmness, arise for the service of the Kingdom.

This servant of the Threshold of His Majesty the eternal
God, hath always been and is in danger; there hath never been a hope
for rest. The utmost of his hopes is that in the arena of martyrdom
the cup of grace become replete and the wine of great bounty lend the
wondrous ecstasy. This is the utmost of my hopes and desires.

The Tablets of Israghat, Tarazat, Bescharat, Tajaliat
and Kalamat,22
according to what is heard have been translated and printed in those
regions. Hasten to become imbued with the qualifications and
attributes set forth therein.

And this letter23
will close with reverential greetings, in the utmost kindliness, from
me to the beloved ones and to the maid-servants of the Merciful.

“*** Thou has written
concerning the Board of…”

24
*** Thou has written concerning the Board of
Consultation.

It is very proper thou shouldst exert thyself with heart
and soul so that this assembly shall become a source of merciful
events, and enter the shadow of the protection and preservation of
His Highness, the One God. The more this gains strength and becomes
effective, the greater will become the penetration of the Word of
God, and the more will the doors of confirmation be opened.

As to the Assembly of Teaching, the revered members of
which are the maid-servants of the Merciful, they are also assisted
by the help and the providence of the Beauty of El-ABHA. They will
soon discover that they are strengthened by the invisible hosts, and
rendered successful by the abundant bounty of the Kingdom of the
Forgiving Lord. They will set such a flame to the regions as will
kindle the heart of the universe, and will cause the pillars of the
world to tremble. But all of their mention and thought in their
meeting should be confined to teaching the truth, and to constantly
persuade people in pure and divine brilliancy and in absolute godlike
spirituality. They should not interfere with the affairs which have
regard to the Board of Consultation, because confusion of thought
conduces to division and causes disturbance to the mind, and then
pure spirituality would cease. But if all mentions are turned into
one mention, and all thoughts concentrated in one point, then man
will find (a higher) spirit, and witness (a higher) confirmation. His
power and penetration will increase, and his armies and hosts will
gain successive victories. By this it is intended that the assembly
of the maid-servants of the Merciful should be with pure spirituality
and with absolute brilliancy, and become a torch of that blessed
fire, a center of the merciful feelings.

The Assembly of Teaching is in this day of the first
importance, and is promised to be assisted and protected through the
assistance of His Highness, the One God.

Announce infinite glad-tidings to the revered
maid-servants of God—the members of the merciful assembly, so
that they may arise with the utmost tranquillity (to further)
prosperity and success, because Abdul-Baha is their strong and firm
assistant through the help and the providence of the Lord of Hosts.

Concerning organizing Houses of Justice of men and
Assemblies of Teaching of maid-servants of God, the more endeavor is
made, the more agreeable it will be. It is very useful. Likewise,
electing men and women teachers, and their traveling and journeying
in all parts, and their going and coming in cities and villages, is
greatly conducive to the solidity of the Cause.***

“O ye leaves of the Paradise
of El-ABHA, and the maid-servants…”

O ye leaves25
of the Paradise of El-ABHA, and the maid-servants of the Merciful!

Verily, I read your words of thanksgiving to God, and of
celebrating the praise of God, for that He hath illuminated your
faces with the lights of guidance, hath transfigured Himself on your
hearts with the bounties of spirit, and hath made you as lofty and
magnificent trees bearing ripened fruits in the Paradise of El-ABHA.
These signs will surely become manifest in your faces, these lights
will shine within your hearts, the splendor of oneness will envelop
you, and your brows will glitter with rays shining from the Kingdom
of El-ABHA.

O maid-servants of the Merciful! Know that, verily, this
day is the day of teaching, this day is the day of diffusing the
fragrances of God, being severed from aught else save God, attracted
to the Word of God, and clinging to the Covenant of God. There is no
work greater than this. Be ye entirely spiritual, purely brilliant,
cut your dependence from any other mention, thought or purpose, and
confine your mentions, thoughts and occupations to spreading the
fragrances of God, and devote your attention to this great work. By
God, the True One, verily, the Sun of Truth will cast forth its
lights in your assemblies and will make you shining lamps, glittering
stars, brilliant signs, and as souls attracted to the Holy Spirit.
This is the great prosperity! This is the manifest light!

Upon you be greeting and praise!

“When you assemble in the
meeting of teaching (the…”

When you assemble in the meeting of teaching (the
truth), it is incumbent on you to chant the following supplication
and commune:

O God, O God! We are Thy humble and submissive servants,
leaves of Thine exalted and verdant paradise, drops from the basins
of Thine abundant mercy, and scattered particles flying about in Thy
shining rays.

O Lord, O Lord, render us successful through Thy
conquering power, in that which Thou lovest and approvest, so that we
may become standards of guidance, signs of Thy Kingdom, the El-ABHA
[and that we may] adore Thee, supplicate before the Kingdom of Thy
mercy, beseech Thy realm of might, be submissive to Thy servants,
humble before Thy maid-servants, severed from aught else save Thee,
sincerely turned unto Thy face, aflame with the fire of Thy love,
diffusing Thy fragrances, united in Thy Cause, of one accord in Thy
religion, and firm in Thy Covenant. O God, strengthen us through the
fragrances of Thy sanctity, that we may become sanctified from the
stain of egotism and lust, baptized with Thy Holy Spirit, with the
fire of Thy love and the water of Thy bounty.

Verily, Thou art the Bestower, the Assister, the
Confirmer, the Beneficent, the Merciful!

“O ye verdant and flourishing
leaves of the Blessed…”

O ye verdant and flourishing leaves26
of the Blessed Tree!

Verily, I read your letter, which expressed your
spiritual attraction to the fragrances of God, your service to the
Cause of God, your firmness in the Covenant of God, your joy in this
blessed and great day, your union and harmony in the religion of God,
your happiness in diffusing the light of the knowledge of God, and
your work in the Vineyard of God—the Paradise of El-ABHA. Such
prosperity, success, blessing and salvation behooveth one like you!
Blessed are ye, O ye stars who are beaming with the light of the love
of God! Blessed are ye, O ye lamps lighted with the fire of the love
of God! Blessed ye are, O ye who are attracted to the Kingdom of God!
Glad-tidings be unto you, O you who are severed from aught else save
God! Blessed ye are, O ye pure and chaste ones! Glad-tidings be unto
you through the gift of the Covenant, from the light of which all
regions are illuminated! Be rejoiced that the lights of the Sun of
Truth are shining forth unto all parts; be gladdened at the gifts of
your Lord, which have surrounded all the universe; dilate your
breasts by chanting the verses of God, and console your eyes by
witnessing the bounties of the Supreme Concourse.

By God, the True One, verily, the angels of heaven
praise you every morn and eve from the loftiest apex, and announce to
you a favor which will surely appear as clear and lucid as the sun in
mid-day. Then your faces will shine with a light which will gleam
forth unison and harmony, in diffusing the fragrances of God, in
preaching the Beauty of El-ABHA, and promoting the word of God. Let
each one of you be attracted to the love of the other, so that ye may
become as fountains flowing from one source, stars beaming with one
life, myrtles verdant and flourishing by the abundance of one rain.
By this your hearts will be purified, your consciences illumined,
your souls made clear, your banners hoisted, and ye will become signs
of guidance among the maid-servants, standards of chastity and piety
throughout all the nations of the earth, and the appearances of the
gifts of your Lord among women.

Verily, I implore God to gaze upon you with the eye of
His mercy, to raise you through a godlike power, to move you by the
breezes of His glory, to make you fluent in irrefutable and divine
proofs and arguments, to sever you from the world and all therein, to
purify and sanctify you from every material grade, and enable you to
diffuse the bounties of the Divine Worlds.

“O ye maid-servants of the
Merciful!…”

O ye maid-servants of the Merciful!

Be rejoiced with the glad-tidings of God and thank your
Lord for that He assembled you in the brilliant gathering with
illumined faces, pure hearts, wherein the mysteries of God are
printed, and spirits gladdened by the fragrances of God. This is from
His favor to you in this glorious century.

I ask God to adorn your heads with the pearls of His
favor, to ignite in your hearts the fire of the love of God, to free
your tongues in utterance of eloquent words and excellent meanings
and mysteries in the gathering of the pious, to make ye roses of the
paradise of El-ABHA, angels of heaven, united in opinions, harmonious
in thoughts and to manifest in your faces signs of holiness of the
Kingdom among the people.

Soon will your Lord make you growing trees in His
wonderful vineyard, blossoming, leafing and bearing fruits of the
paradise of El-ABHA through the shadow of His Name, the Merciful, the
Clement.

“O ye crying voices in the
region of America!…”

O ye27
crying voices in the region of America!

Make level the path of the Covenant of God! BE firm in
the Alliance of God!

I surely read your answer to my words, and my heart
overflowed with joy and fragrance, when I heard of your supplication
to God, and of your entreaty to God, and of your begging assistance
of God, and of your endeavor in the service of the Cause of God, and
of your effort in publishing the Alliance of God, and of your
yearning after and your longing for harmony and union in the love of
God.

Ye shall soon behold the lights of confirmation shining
forth unto your hearts and your spirits from the Kingdom of ABHA.

Stand up, as the standing of the souls by whose lights
of sincerity in the Cause of God the horizons are shining, and guard
the sheep of God with the staff of the instructions of God.

I beg God to confirm thee to His will, as He confirmed
the Apostles (of Jesus) aforetime.

I know, verily, that the universal, never ending,
eternal, bright and divine establishments are only the diffusing of
the breaths of God, and the spreading of the instructions of God, and
all that are beside these, though they be the reigning over all the
regions of the earth, or the construction of railroads from the earth
to the heavens, or means of transportation with the rapidity of
rising lightning from the globe of earth to the globe of the sun, all
are but mortal, perishing, demolishing and disadvantageous, in
comparison with the divine establishments. Because the latter (divine
establishments) are intrinsic matters, while the former are but
metaphorical matters; the latter are truth, while the former are
imaginary.

Verily, I yearn after your visit as the yearning of the
thirsty after the fountain of the water of Euphrates (agreeable
water), but at present your remaining in that region (America) is
obligatory. Please God, when it will be the occasion, I will inform
you to come; and (now) I will circumambulate instead of you the Holy
Tomb.28
Glory be upon you!

“O thou son of the associate
and companion of Abdul-Baha!…”

O thou son of the associate and companion29
of Abdul-Baha!

You brought many letters with you from those regions,
but on account of the great disturbance it was not possible to write
the answers. You saw what a commotion was set up in the Blessed Spot30
throught the instigation of the jealous brother. It still continues.
Therefore you must apologize: Say that Abdul-Baha has considered
every one of the letters with the eyes of the spirit, has read each,
and through the valid messenger—that is, through the spiritual
susceptibilities—has sent each the message of peace and
greeting. Therefore, let them turn to the blessed and Radiant Spot
with a pure heart and an attracted spirit, that they may receive
answer through the lights radiating therefrom.

Communication is not confined to writing. This is a
trace, while the spiritual message is fruitful and effective. That is
the essential, and without it communication is useless.

“O Thou kind God! That
scattered assembly is…”

O Thou kind God! That scattered assembly31
is Thine, and that gathering of friends is of Thee. Their eyes are
opened, their hearts in tune with Thy love, and their ears in
communion with Thy hidden mysteries.

O Thou who art self-sufficient! Let a beautiful song
reach this people from the birds of that garden, that they may
warble, rejoice and be happy, implore and supplicate the Lord.

O Thou Educator! Train that assembly of the righteous;
comfort them; set their hearts aglow with the fire of Thy love;
acquaint them with Thy mystery and commune with them, so that they
may find Thy kingdom of mysteries, become of the people of piety and
leading in liberty.

Grant them the soul immortal; enrich them above the
world, and detach them from the world; usher them into the tent of
Thy Kingdom and give them a portion of the divine bounty.

Bestow upon them the everlasting life and bless them
with the new teachings. Make every one a lighted torch and a warbling
nightingale—the king of the rose in the garden. Reveal to them
Thine attractive beauty; make each a growing tree on the shore of Thy
guidance, bearing the fruit of Thy grace. Thus may the East illumine
the West and the West become the East of the Supreme Heaven.

Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Almighty, and verily
Thou art the Precious, the Omnipotent, the Omniscient!

“O ye my divine friends!…”

O ye my divine friends!32

At a time when the sea of tests had become tempestuous
and the waves of calamity were heaving and the hosts of nations were
in the utmost violence and the people of oppression dealt with
infinite injustice, some of the calumniators, uniting with our unkind
brother, wrote a letter replete with false accusations and engaged in
seditions and calumnies.

They confused the mind of the government and agitated
the state authorities. From this it is evident how a prisoner in this
ruined walled city would fare and how the conditions are so full of
perplexity and confusion as to baffle all description!
Notwithstanding, this imprisoned exile is in the utmost firmness and
calmness, trusts in His Highness the Peerless God, and wishes for
every calamity and affliction in the path of the love of God! (To us)
the arrow of oppression is a rich flow of divine bounty, and deadly
poison is a swift-healing antidote.

We were in such a state when a letter came from the
friends in America. The whole of its contents showed an agreement on
their part to be in unity and harmony in all respects, and it was
signed by all, determined to be self-sacrificing in the path of the
love of God, in order thus to secure eternal life.

Upon perusing that letter and looking at the name signed
to it, such a joy and gladness came over Abdul-Baha as is beyond
description, and he thanked God that such friends are found in that
country, who in utmost joy and fragrance are in union and accord and
one in agreement with each other. The more this Covenant is
strengthened, the happier, the better, the sweeter it will be and it
will thus attract the divine confirmations. If the friends of God are
wishing for confirmation in order to enjoy the friendship of the
Supreme Concourse, they must exert themselves to confirm and
strengthen this Covenant; for the making of a covenant, and an
alliance for brotherhood and unity is like unto the irrigation of the
tree of life which is conducive to eternal life!

Briefly, O ye friends of God! Make your feet firm, make
a firm compact, and in union and accord endeavor to diffuse the
fragrance of the love of God and to spread the divine teachings, in
order that ye may impart life to the dead body of this world, and
bestow a real healing on every one diseased (in soul).

O ye friends of God! The world is like the body of
man—it hath become sick, feeble and infirm. Its eye is devoid
of sight, its ear hath become destitute of hearing and its faculties
of sense are entirely dissolved. The friends of God must become as
wise physicians and care for and heal this sick person, in accord
with the divine teachings, in order that—God willing—it
may perchance gain health, find eternal healing and that its lost
powers may be restored; and that the person of the world may find
such health, freshness and purity that it will appear in the utmost
beauty and charm.

The first remedy is to guide the people, so that they
may turn unto God, hearken unto the divine commandments and go forth
with a hearing ear and seeing eye. After this swift and certain
remedy hath been applied, then according to the divine teachings,
they ought to be trained in the conduct, morals and deeds of the
Supreme Concourse, encouraged and inspire with the gifts of the
Kingdom of ABHA. The hearts should be purified and cleansed from
every trace of hatred and rancor and enabled to engage in
truthfulness, conciliation, uprightness and love toward the world of
humanity; so that the East and the West may embrace each other like
unto two lovers, enmity and animosity may vanish from the human world
and the universal peace be established!

O ye friends of God! Be kind to all peoples and nations,
have love for all of them, exert yourselves to purify the hearts as
much as you can, and bestow abundant effort in rejoicing the souls.
Be ye a sprinkling of rain to every meadow and a water of life to
every tree. Be ye as fragrant musk to every nostril and a
soul-refreshing breeze to every invalid. Be ye salutary water to
every thirsty one, a wise guide to every one led astray, an
affectionate father or mother to every orphan, and, in the utmost joy
and fragrance, a son or daughter to every one bent with age. Be ye a
rich treasure to every indigent one; consider love and union as a
delectable paradise, and count annoyance and hostility as the torment
of hell-fire. Exert with your soul; seek no rest in body; supplicate
and beseech with your heart and search for divine assistance and
favor, in order that ye may make this world the Paradise of ABHA and
this terrestrial globe the arena of the Supreme Kingdom. If ye make
an effort, it is certain that these lights will shine, this cloud of
mercy shall rain, this soul-nourishing breeze shall waft, and the
scent of this most fragrant musk be diffused.

O ye friends of God! Be ye not concerned with the events
transpiring at this Blessed Spot, and give no thought thereto.
Whatever may happen is good, for calamities are bestowal itself,
hardship is the reality of mercy, discomposure is but composure of
mind, and sacrifice of life is a manifest gift. Whatever may happen
is a bounty from God, the Most High. Be ye engaged in your own
affairs; be employed in guiding the people; train the souls in the
qualities and nature of Abdul-Baha, and convey the glad-tidings of
the Kingdom of ABHA to the people. Do not seek rest during night and
day and sit not tranquil for a minute. Bring these glad-tidings to
the hearing of mankind with the utmost exertion, and accept every
calamity and affliction in your love for God and reliance on
Abdul-Baha. Endure the censure of enemies and bear the reproaches of
the people of oppression with patience. Follow the example of
Abdul-Baha and at every moment wish to offer yourselves in the path
of the Beauty of ABHA. Shine ye like unto the sun and roar and move
like unto the sea; impart life to mountain and desert like unto
clouds, and similar to the vernal breeze, bestow freshness, grace and
elegance on the trees of human temples.

“O ye children of the
Kingdom!…”

O ye33
children of the Kingdom!

It is New Year; that is to say, the rounding of the
cycle of the year. A year is the expression of a cycle (of the sun);
but now is the beginning of a cycle of Realty, a New Cycle, a New
Age, a New Century, a New Time and a New Year. Therefore it is very
blessed.

I wish this blessing to appear and become manifest in
the faces and characteristics of the believers, so that they, too,
may become a new people, and having found new life and been baptized
with fire and spirit, may make the world a new world, to the end that
the old earth may disappear and the new earth appear; old ideas
depart and new thoughts come; old garments be cast aside and new
garments put on; ancient politics whose foundation is war be
discarded and modern politics founded on peace raise the standard of
victory; the new star shine and gleam and the new sun illumine and
radiate; new flowers bloom; the new spring become known; the new
breeze blow; the new bounty descend; the new tree give forth new
fruit; the new voice become raised and this new sound reach the ears,
that the new will follow the new, and all the old furnishings and
adornments be cast aside and new decorations put in their places.

I desire for you all that you will have this great
assistance and partake of this great bounty, and that in spirit and
heart you will strive and endeavor until the world of war become the
world of peace; the world of darkness the world of light; satanic
conduct be turned into heavenly behavior; the ruined places become
built up; the sword be turne dinto the olive branch; the flash of
hatred become the flame of the love of God and the noise of the gun
the voice of the Kingdom; the soldiers of death the soldiers of life;
all the nations of the world one nation; all races as one race; and
all national anthems harmonized into one melody.

Then this material realm will be Paradise, the earth
Heaven, and the world of Satan become the world of Angels.

“O ye Cohorts of God!…”

O ye34
Cohorts of God!

A letter which was signed by you in general was
received. Its content was of the utmost beauty, sweetness, eloquence
and perfection. While reading it the utmost happiness was produced.
It spoke of fasting during the month of the Fast. Happy is your
condition for you have executed the divine command; and have arisen
to fast in these blessed days. For this physical fasting is a symbol
of the spiritual fasting, that is, abstaining from all carnal
desires, becoming characterized with the attributes of the spiritual
ones, attracted to the heavenly fragrances and enkindled with the
fire of the love of God.

Likewise your letter was an evidence of the union and
affinity of the hearts. I hope that through the bounty and favors of
the Most Glorious Lord, in this new age, the regions of the West
become the East of the Sun of Truth, the believers of God become the
dawning-places of lights, the manifestors of the signs, be protected
and guarded from the doubts of the heedless ones, remain firm and
steadfast in the Covenant and Testament, and strive day and night in
order to awaken those who are asleep, to make mindful those who are
heedless, to make confident of the mysteries of the Kingdom those who
are deprived, to confer a share from the never-ending outpouring upon
those who are helpless, to become the heralds of the Kingdom and to
call the inhabitants of this terrestrial world to the Celestial
Realm.

O ye Cohorts of God! Today in the present world each
community is wandering in a wilderness, moving in accord with some
passion and desire, and running to and fro in pursuance of his own
imagination. Among the communities of the world, this community of
the “Most Great Name” is free from every thought, keeping
aloof from every project and scheme, arising with the purest designs
and intentions, and striving and endeavoring with the utmost hope to
live in accordance with the divine teachings in order that the
surface of the earth become the delectable paradise, the nether world
become the mirror of the Kingdom, the universe become another
universe, and the human race attain to higher morals, conduct and
manners.

O ye Cohorts of God! Through the protection and help of
the Blessed Perfection—may my life be a sacrifice to His
beloved ones! —you must conduct and deport yourselves in such a
manner that you may stand out among other souls distinguished by a
brilliancy like unto the sun. If any one of you enters a city he must
become the center of attraction because of the sincerity,
faithfulness, love, honesty, fidelity, truthfulness and
loving-kindness of his disposition and nature toward all the
inhabitants of the world, that the people of the city may all cry
out: “This person is unquestionably a Bahai; for his manners,
his behaviour, his conduct, his morals, his nature and his
disposition are of the attributes of the Bahais.” Until you do
attain to this station, you have not fulfilled the Covenant and the
Testament of God. For according to the irrefutable texts, He has
taken from us a firm covenant that we may live and act in accord with
the divine exhortations, commands and lordly teachings.

O ye Cohorts of God! Now is the time when the signs and
the perfections of the “Most Great Name” become manifest
and clear in this golden cycle in order that it may become
demonstrated and established beyond doubt that this period is the
period of the Blessed Perfection, and this cycle is distinguished
from all other cycles and epochs.

O ye Cohorts of God! If you observe that a soul has
turned his face completely toward the Cause of God, his intention is
centralized upon the penetration of the Word of God, he is serving
the Cause day and night with the utmost fidelity, no scent of
selfishness is inhaled from his manners and deeds, and no trace of
egotism or prejudice is seen in his personality—nay rather is
he a wanderer in the wilderness of the love of God, and one
intoxicated with the wine of the knowledge of God, occupied wholly
with the diffusion of the fragrances of God, and attracted to the
signs of the Kingdom of God; know ye of a certainty that he is
confirmed with the powers of the Kingdom, assisted by the heaven of
Might; and he will shine, gleam and sparkle like unto the morning
star with the utmost brilliancy and splendor from the horizon of the
everlasting gift. If he is alloyed with the slightest trace of
passion, desire, ostentation or self-interest, it is certain that the
results of all efforts will prove fruitless, and he will become
deprived and hopeless.

O ye Cohorts of God! Praise be to God! —that the
Blessed Perfection hath freed the necks from the bonds and fetters
and released all from racial attachments by proclaiming, “Ye
are all the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch.”
Be ye kind to the human world, and be ye compassionate to the race of
man, deal with the strangers as you deal with the friends, be ye
gentle toward the outsiders as you are toward the beloved ones, know
the enemy as the friend, look upon the satan as upon the angel,
receive the unjust with the utmost love like unto a faithful one, and
diffuse far and wide the fragrances of the musk of the gazelles of
Kheta and Khotan35
to the nostrils of the ravenous wolves.

Become ye a shelter and asylum to the fearful ones, be
ye a cause of tranquillity and cease to the souls and hearts of the
agitated ones, impart ye strength to the helpless ones, be ye a
remedy and antidote to the afflicted ones, and a physician and nurse
to the sick ones. Serve ye for the promotion of peace and concord and
establishe in this transitory world the foundation of friendship,
fidelity, reconciliation and truthfulness.

O ye Cohorts of God! Strive ye that this human world may
be changed into a luminous realm and this mound of earth become the
Paradise of ABHA. Darkness hath environed the world upon all sides.
Savage tempers and inclination predominate. The human world has
become the battlefield of the rapacious savages and the arena of the
heedless and ignorant ones. The souls are either bloodthirsty wolves
or beasts with degenerate reason. They are either deadly poison, or
worthless plants. There are a few souls who in reality have some
humanitarian intentions and are thinking of the well-being and
prosperity of human kind. You must in this instance (that is, service
to humanity) sacrifice your lives, and in sacrificing your lives
celebrate happiness and beatitude.

O ye Cohorts of God! His Highness, the Supreme36—may
my life be a sacrifice to Him! —hath given up His life, and at
every moment the Blessed Perfection37
in His own life sacrificed hundreds of lives, endured dire calamities
and oppressions. Laden with fetters He was thrown into the dark
dungeon, He was exiled and banished to distant lands and finally
passed His days in the Most Great Prison38
. Likewise a multitude of friends drank the sweet chalice of
martyrdom and sacrificed soul, possession, family and relatives for
the Cause. How many houses were overthrown! How many residences were
pillaged and rapined! How many magnificent palaces were turned into a
desolate tomb! All these phenomena transpired only that the world of
humanity may become a luminous realm; ignorance be changed into
wisdom, human souls become merciful, warfare and bloodshed be
destroyed to their very foundation, and the Kingdom of Peace become
paramount over all men. Now strive ye, that perchance this Beloved of
Hopes appear in the assemblage of the world and this Providence
become a realized fact.

O ye Cohorts of God! Beware lest ye offend the feelings
of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person, or move the tongue in
reproach of and finding fault with anybody, whether he is friend or
stranger, believer or enemy. Pray in behalf of all and entreat God
for forgiveness and bounty for all. Beware, beware that any soul take
revenge or retaliate over another even if he be a bloodthirsty enemy.
Beware, beware that any one rebuke or reproach a soul, though he may
be an ill-wisher and an ill-doer. Do ye not look upon the creature,
advance ye toward the Creator. Behold ye not the rebellious people,
turn your faces toward the Lord of Hosts. Look ye not upon the
ground, raise your eyes to the world-illuminating Sun, which hath
transformed every atom of the gloomy soil into bright and luminous
substance.

O ye Cohorts of God! In the moment of catastrophe, find
ye patience, resignation and submission.

The more the calamities are intensified the less become
ye disturbed. Withstand ye, with perfect assurance, the flood of
trials and calamities, through the power of His Highness, the
Almighty.

Last year some of the known and unknown, friends and
strangers, slandered, calumniated and presented false accusations
against these exiled ones, before the throne of His Imperial Majesty,
the Padeshah of the Ottomans; while these oppressed ones were
entirely free from those calumnies. The government, conformable with
prudent measures, arose to investigate these calumnies and dispatched
some commissioners (or examiners) to this city. Therefore it is
evident that the field which was found by the ill-wishers and the
flood which was brought about by them, can neither be written nor
explained. However, relying upon God, we conducted ourselves with the
utmost patience and submission, resignation and calmness; so much so
that if one did not know anything about these matters, he would have
thought that we were in perfect ease of soul, enjoying the
tranquillity of heart and mind, and were engaged in happiness and
felicity. The matters reached to such an issue that the plaintiffs
and calumniators entered into alliance and intrigue with the
officials, in regard to the carrying out of the work of
investigation. Consequently, the plaintiff, the magistrate and the
witness became as one single soul. Therefore it is clear what things
transpired! But here one witnesses the fairness and impartiality of
His Imperial Majesty, the Padeshah of the Ottomans, who so far has
not given any consideration to these slanders, statements, stories
and calumnies, but has dealt with the utmost justice and equity.
Truly, I say, if there had been any other person except this
Padeshah, no trace of these exiled ones would remain. This is the
truth! We must not overlook justice. In reality today in the Asiatic
world, the Padeshah of the Ottoman Empire and the Shah of Persia,
Mozeffer-Eddin, are peerless and have no equals. If you could realize
the degree of the malignity of the enemies, and the wickedness and
mischief done by the ill-wishers, especially by the unkind brother,
both here and in Persia, and that notwithstanding these seditions and
villainies, these two kings have treated us with tranquillity and
mildness, ye would undoubtedly feel sure that both are just. If they
were like kings of bygone ages, unquestionably every day thousands of
souls would have been deprived of life in Persia. Therefore pray ye
earnestly in behalf of these two kings, beseech for them protection
and confirmation in the threshold of the Almighty, and ask for them,
from God, victory and triumph; especially for the Padeshah of the
Ottoman Empire, who has dealt at all times in justice with these
exiled ones.

O Thou Omnipotent God! Perfume the nostrils of the
friends in the Occident with the breaths of the Holy Spirit; and
illumine the horizon of the West with the light of guidance. Make the
remote ones the near ones, change the strangers into compassionate
friends, awaken those who are asleep, and make heedful those who are
heedless.

O Thou Glorious Lord! Confirm and assist these noble
friends with Thy good pleasure, suffer them to become the
well-wishers of the known and unknown, enter them in the world of the
everlasting Kingdom, confer upon them a share from the outpouring of
the Realm of Might, make them real Bahais and sincere godly ones,
deliver them from superficiality and establish them in Truth, make
them the signs of the Kingdom and brilliant stars in the horizon of
the world, make them the cause of the prosperity and composure of the
world of humanity and the servants of the universal peace, intoxicate
all of them with the wine of Thy commands and exhortations and grant
to all good morals and conduct in the path of Thy teachings.

O my God! The desire of this Servant of the Threshold is
to see that the friends of the West have embraced the beloved of the
East, and the individuals of the world of humanity are with the
utmost kindness the members of one assemblage, the drops of one
ocean, the birds of one rose-garden, the pearls of one sea, the
leaves of one tree and the rays of one sun.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I received thy letter which proved thy yearning
to the Kingdom of God, thy exceeding desire to the Beauty of God and
thy great attachment unto the Word of God.

Know, verily, that thy letters did not reach me until
now; but I love thee with all my heart and my soul, for the sake of
God.

Regarding thy presence, at this time, in this Brilliant
Spot39—it
is not in accord with the wisdom revealed in the Book. But I pray God
to make thee a manifestation of His hidden favors, so that thou be
with me in His Sublime Kingdom.

We send for thee and thy revered wife, stones of the
Greatest Name.40

“O thou who art advancing unto
God!…”

O thou who art advancing unto God!

Verily I pray to God to make thee and thy revered
husband—under the shadow of His Greatest Name—confirmed
in all conditions, aided in the service of the Cause of God with a
confirmation on the part of the Merciful Lord.

O my God! O my God! I ask thee to protect these two
birds in the orchard of Thy mercy, confirmed in joy and happiness in
the garden of Thy bounties, warbling with the best melodies in the
wood (garden) of Thy knowledge. Verily Thou art the Precious, the
Mighty, the Protecting!

“O ye two accepted ones in the
Kingdom of God!…”

O ye two41
accepted ones in the Kingdom of God!

Your letter was read and its contents caused joy and
happiness. Thank God that in such a cycle ye have stepped into the
plane of existence, attained the glory of the Lord of the Kingdom,
obtained light from the Sun of Truth and were ushered in under the
shadow of the Tree of Life in the paradise of joy.

Give the name “Rooha” (i.e., Spiritual) to
your new born child, and let your own name be “Saffa”
(this, in Arabic, means Peter or Rock).

“O ye two truthful
believers!…”

O ye two42
truthful believers!

Your letter was received. It contents were faith,
certainty and sincerity. It was an evidence of perceiving eyes,
attentive ears and acute mind. Were it not so, ye would not have
witnessed the lights of the Sun of Truth, heard the divine Call, nor
attained the knowledge of God.

Although in body we are far from one another, yet—praise
be to God! —with life and heart we are present in one assembly;
we enjoy the spiritual meeting, abide under the shadow of one Blessed
Tree, are attracted to the beauty of one Beloved and gaze in the
direction of one Object. Therefore, be not sorry on account of the
remoteness, but rather engage in the commemoration of God and praise
Him. I hope that we may be together in all the worlds of God.

Teach the dear child Rooha this commune:

O God! Rear this little babe in the bosom of Thy love
and give it milk from the breat of Providence. Cultivate this fresh
plant in the rose-garden of Thy love and nurture it by showers from
the clouds of Providence. Make it a child of the Kingdom and lead it
to the divine world. Thou art powerful and kind! Thou art the Giver,
the Bestower, whose blessings precede all else!

“O thou who art attracted by
the Word of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Word of God!

Verily, I read thy letter which contained new
significances. I ask God to make thee a new creature so that the
lights of human perfections may shine through thee and to make thee
kind hearted unto all human beings so that thou mayest be a mercy
unto souls, absolute goodness to all, a sign of kindness, a word of
tenderness. Verily, thy Lord is the Mighty, the Powerful! He reviveth
whomsoever He wisheth by the spirit of righteousness and granteth
unto whom He wisheth great bounty, guideth whom He wisheth unto the
path of life and confirmeth whom He desireth in attaining the Kingdom
of God.

As to thee, be confident in the mercy of thy Lord, and
ask what thou desirest. Verily, God is the Generous, the Giver!

“O maid-servant of God, who
art supplicating unto the…”

O maid-servant of God, who art supplicating unto the
Sublime Kingdom!

Grieve not at the divine trials. Be not troubled because
of hardships and ordeals; turn unto God, bowing in humbleness and
praying to Him, while bearing every ordeal, contented under all
conditions and thankful in every difficulty. Verily thy Lord loveth
His maid-servants who are patient, believing and firm. He draws them
nigh unto Him through these ordeals and trials.

Be not sorrowful on account of the departure of thy good
son. He hath indeed departed from this narrow and gloomy world which
is darkened by unlimited sorrow, unto the Kingdom which is spacious,
illumined, joyous and beautiful. God delivered him from this dark
well and promoted him unto the Supreme Height! He gave him wings
whereby he soared to the heaven of happiness. Verily this is the
great mercy from Him who is precious and forgiving.

“O thou who art advancing to
the Dawning-point of…”

O thou who art advancing to the Dawning-point of Lights!

Extend the hands of communion unto the sacred and
brilliant Threshold and read the following prayer:

O my God! O my God! Glory be unto Thee for that Thou
hast confirmed me to the confession of Thy Oneness, attracted me unto
the word of Thy Singleness, enkindled me by the fire of Thy love, and
occupied me with Thy mention and the service of Thy friends and
maid-servants.

O Lord, help me to be meek and lowly and strengthen me
in severing myself from all things and in holding to the hem of the
garment of Thy Glory, so that my heart may be filled with Thy love
and leave no space for the love of the world and the attachment to
its qualities.

O God! Sanctify me from all else save Thee, purge me
from the dross of sins and transgressions and cause me to possess a
spiritual heart and conscience.

Verily Thou art merciful and verily Thou art the
Generous, the Helper.

“O thou dear maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou dear maid-servant of God!

Thy likeness (photograph) was received through Mrs.
………. and was seen. The light of faith shone in thy brow and the
smile of the Kingdom in thy face. When I saw that likeness, I
supplicated and implored, at the Threshold of the Lord of the
Kingdom, to make thee a dear one of the two realms and to free thee
from every fetter save the love of God.

“O thou flower perfumed by the
Breaths of the Love…”

O thou flower perfumed by the Breaths of the Love of
God!

Verily, I read thy written letter and have supplicated
unto God to receive thee in His Kingdom, to make thee worthy to be
called a child of the Kingdom, to be firm in the Covenant of God as
firm mountains and to proclaim in His Great Covenant which He hath
entered into which the people of heaven and earth by a trace of His
Supreme Pen, until thou mayest be confirmed to diffuse the fragrance
of holiness in those climes and regions.

“O thou who dost believe in
the Unity of God!…”

O thou who dost believe in the Unity of God!

Know verily nothing will benefit a person save the love
of the Merciful One. Nothing illuminates a man’s heart save the
radiance which shines forth from the Kingdom of God! Put away every
thought and doubtful mentioning and keep thy thoughts entirely on
that which uplifts man to the heaven of the gift of God and that
which causes every bird that belongs to the Kingdom to soar unto the
incomparable realms, the center of everlasting grandeur in this
world.

“O servant of God!…”

O servant of God!

What thou hast written and that which thou hast retained
in mind are evident. Appreciate Mrs. …… who reminds you of God
and explains His divine mysteries.

Regarding thy question concerning a verse in the 22nd
chapter of Exodus: We gave a brief explanation of it in a letter to
Mrs. ………. Please refer to that. Owing to the great (press of)
work, I have not the time for several explanations.

I ask God that thou mayest attain such a state of
perception, as will enable thee to expound with knowledge the words
of the Holy Bible.

“O thou who art supplicating
unto the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who art supplicating unto the Kingdom of God!

Rest assured in the mercy of thy Lord; be rejoiced for
my remembering thee; gladden thyself by the appearance of the Kingdom
of God, be attracted by the fragrance of God and call out: “Ya
Baha El-ABHA!”—from the depths of thy heart with all
meekness and supplication, attracted by the fire of the love of God.
(Then annoint or rub all the parts of the body.)

Verily, I say unto thee, if thou attainest the condition
we demonstrate to thee (i.e., if thou followest the directions given)
be confident in the speedy recovery through the favor of God.

“O thou who art advancing unto
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who art advancing unto the Kingdom of God!

I ask God to make thee a helper to the maid-servants of
the Merciful, to walk in the path of salvation, to disperse the
clouds of doubt from the horizon of the hearts, to make the sun of
knowledge manifest unto souls and spirits and to confirm thee in a
matter which will make thee to raise the banner of the Covenant in
the world.

“O dear servant of God!…”

O dear servant of God!

Observe how dear thou wert that He guided thee to the
Kingdom of Light, and how near to His Threshold, that He granted thee
admission into His Court. Thou were poor in spirit; He led thee to
the Heavenly Treasure. Thou wert in quest of illumination; He
enlightened thee through the rays of the Sun of Truth. Thou wert
athirst; He led thee to the Spring of Life. Thou wert sick; He
bestowed upon thee the Heavenly Remedy.

I have read thy letter and have considered its contents.
Know this: That today whoever turns to the Kingdom of the Glorious
God, holds communion with the Almighty One, the Omniscient, and lives
wholly the true and good life, the doors of progress and help will be
opened unto him everywhere; such an one will be aided, victorious and
protected.

Therefore, turn to the Supreme Kingdom, forget thyself
entirely and remain firm in the spiritual trials, so that thou mayest
see the favors of the Kingdom and realize the heavenly confirmation.

“O thou who art uttering the
praise of God!…”

O thou who art uttering the praise of God!

Verily I read thy letter, which expressed thy surprise
at some of the commandments of the law of God, such as that
concerning the hunting of innocent animals. Be not surprised at this.
Ponder over the contingent realities, their mysteries, wisdom,
connection and relations. The world is harmonious in all things and
the connection therein is mighty and nothing is missing. All things
are eaters and eaten in the physical creation. The plant sucks from
the mineral, the animal eats and swallows the plant, and the human
eats the animal. Then the mineral (in turn) eats the human body.
Physical bodies are transferred from death to death and life to life.
Therefore, all things are subject to transfer and change except the
Cause of existence, which cannot be changed or transferred, because
it is the foundation for life in all kinds and species and in all
possible realities in the world of creation.

If thou observest closely through a microscope the water
which man drinks and the air which he breathes, thou wilt see that in
every breath which man breathes, that breath contains numerous
animals, and in every draught of water great number of animals exist.
This could not be prevented because the existent beings are eaters
and eaten and, by this, existence is caused; otherwise, the relations
between existent things would cease. When a thing decomposes and
decays, being bereft of life, it becomes promoted to a world of life
greater than the former. For instance, it ceased in a mineral life
and was promoted to the vegetable life; then leaves the vegetable
life and is elevated to that of the animal; then leaving the animal
life it advances to the human, and this is on account of the favor of
thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement.

I ask God to strengthen thee in comprehending the
mysteries deposited in the reality of existence, to lift up the veil
before thee and thy sister, so that the concealed mystery and the
hidden reality become manifest as the sun at noon, and to confirm thy
sister and thy husband in entering the Kingdom of God, and heal thee
from all physical and spiritual disease in the world of creation.

“O thou maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou maid-servant of God!

Thy writing was considered. I ask God that thy mind43
may be illumined with the light of knowledge and faith to the extent
that thy face will radiate its glory, even as a light, when set aglow
in the lamp, will cast its rays to the surrounding regions.

I hope that the darkness of evil suggestions shall be
dispersed and that the veil of uncertainty shall be torn asunder;
that the beauty of truth may become manifest with glory and the light
of mercy become radiant. Thus mayest thou, O maid-servant of God,
with thy honorable husband and revered son, become free from the
severe trials and appear with grace in the gatherings of the people
of God.

The nineteen-day fast44
is a duty to be observed by all. All should abstain from eating and
drinking from sunrise to sunset. This fast is conducive to the
spiritual development of the individual. The Greatest Name should be
read every day.

“O thou lamp ignited by the
fire of the Love of God!…”

O thou lamp ignited by the fire of the Love of God!

I ask God to make thee a sign of love, standard of
agreement, means of union and harmony and spreader of peace among the
people.

O maid-servant of God! Strive with all thy powers in
diffusing the spirit of real union among the people, so that all who
are on earth become one family, loving, united, agreed, bound by the
bonds of love and united with all harmony in all things and
conditions; this is the greater happiness of the human race in the
world of possibilities and the cause of attaining to all hopes and
reaching unto the Supreme Kingdom, after ascending unto the world of
God.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I chanted thy poem. Its significance was
beautiful, its composition eloquent and its words excellent. It was
like the melody of the birds of holiness in the paradise of El-ABHA.
The breasts of the maid-servants of the Merciful were exhilarated by
its chanting. Blessed art thou for uttering forth such an excellent
poem and brilliant pearl.

Verily, these verses shall be sung in the divine
meetings and in the assemblages of the spiritual in the course of
ages and centuries to come, for thou hast uttered the praise of thy
Lord and expressed significant meanings in eulogy of thy Lord, the
Merciful, the Clement. All poems shall be forgotten in the course of
time save those that are extraordinary; thy poem shall be chanted
with melody and best voices in the Center of Worship (or
Mashrak-el-Azcar) forevermore.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I read thy poem, which contained new
significances and beautiful words. My heart was dilated by its
eloquent sense. I prayed God to make thee utter more beautiful
compositions that this. Thus thou mayest be the first to praise the
Beauty of El-ABHA and the first utterer of His Name among the women.

Chant the verses of guidance among the people and
commence [the composition of] melodies of great beauty and effect in
praise and glorification of the Generous Lord.

We sent those poems to all countries, so that the
friends of God may remember thee and pray for confirmation and aid in
this great Cause in thy behalf.

O maid-servant of God! Warble as birds in the garden of
joy and pray to thy forgiving Lord, so that the souls may rejoice
through the psalms of the descendant of David.

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

Thy letter reached me and I prayed God to bless thee by
His heavenly blessing in thy marriage with Mr. …….. and to
confirm both of you with comfort and repose and the turning of your
heart to the Kingdom of God. May His divine providence abide with you
in all conditions and circumstances.

“O thou bird of pleasing
tones!…”

O thou bird of pleasing tones!

Thy little book of poems, which were very sweet, was
read. It was a source of joy, for it was a spiritual anthem and a
melody of the love of God.

Continue as long as thou canst this melody in the
gatherings of the beloved; thus may the minds find rest and joy and
become in tune with the love of God. When eloquence of expression,
beauty of sense and sweetness of composition unite with new melodies
the effect is very great, especially if it be the anthem of the
verses of oneness and the songs of praise to the Lord of Glory.

Endeavor your utmost to compose beautiful poems to be
chanted with heavenly music; thus may their beauty affect the minds
and impress the hearts of those who listen.

“O thou spiritual lad!…”

O thou spiritual lad!

May God uphold thee and edify thee in the flower of thy
youth and in the spring-time of thy life and may He illumine thy face
with the lights of advancement unto God and turning unto the Kingdom
of God. If thou become firm and steadfast in the love of God, thou
shalt be confirmed with a confirmation whereby thy face will be
gladdened, thy heart rejoiced and all thy family will be happy and
pleased. Therefore, confine thy thoughts and ideas in turning to God
and submitting unto Him and chant the signs (verses) of thanks and
praise for that by reason of which He hath strengthened thee to
attain this great gift.

“O thou daughter of the
Kingdom!…”

O thou daughter of the Kingdom!

Thank and praise God that He hath cause thee to drink
from the cup of the gifts and caused thee to suckle from the bosom of
guidance while yet very young and didst possess but a few years of
age. I beg of God and hope that the love of God may be mingled (and
mixed) in thy flesh and bones and run in thy whole being, like the
running (or circulation) of the spirit in the veins and in the
arteries.

“O thou who art ignited
through the brilliant Flame…”

O thou who art ignited through the brilliant Flame which
is blazing in this Blessed Spot!

Verily, I considered the meanings of thy letter and my
heart overflows with perfect and spiritual love unto thee and unto
the beloved ones of God, whose eyes are brightened by witnessing the
lights of God and whose innermost hearts are purified by the love of
God and whose consciences are made clear by the knowledge of God and
whose hearts are tranquilized by the commemoration of God. Theirs is
the treasury of the Kingdom and the abundant wealth of the storehouse
of the divine world! They are wealthy, not poor; they are powerful,
not weak; they are grandees, not mean persons; and they are kindred,
not strangers! Because, verily, their wealth and honor is divine and
supreme and will never be consumed. Blessed are they! Glad-tidings be
unto them!

As to those souls who are preaching the Word of God, it
behooveth them to shake the dust of every land which they have passed
by off their shoes and to be with God and without need of the
rich—although their bed is the soil, their light is the stars
of the sky and their food is the herbs of the desert—because
theirs is the wealth of the Kingdom, the honor of the realm of might
and the bounty of the divine world; and they are not in want of this
world and its cares. Their throne is the mat of humility, their honor
is in suffering every lowliness in the path of the Loving Lord and
their wealth is being empty-handed from the pomps of the world and
its vanities and their provision is trusting in God and being severed
from all that is on the earth and its wealth.

As to thee: Associate thou with the poor and be united
with the weak souls and hold intercourse with the needy, with a
compassionate heart and great love. Because thereby is ordained for
thee an eternal glory in the Kingdom of God. Invite thou the people
to the Exalted World, to the Supreme Horizon and to the Kingdom of
El-ABHA!

There is no harm in thy loneliness in those regions; for
verily, the hosts of confirmation are thy help, thy Glorious Lord is
thy protector and the angels of the Kingdom are thy fellow-speakers.
Glad-tidings be unto thee for this! Blessed art thou for this!

“***O maid-servant of God!…”

***O maid-servant of God!

If thou seekest eternal glory, let thyself be humble and
meek in the presence of the beloved of God; make thyself the servant
of all, and serve all alike. The service of the friends belongs to
God, not to them. Strive to become a source of harmony, spirituality
and joyfulness to the hearts of the friends and the maid-servants of
the Merciful. This is a cause of great satisfaction to Abdul-Baha.***

“O thou leaf who art well
watered through the out-pouring…”

O thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring
of the cloud of favor from God!

Verily, I beseech, with all earnestness, the Omnipotence
of Might and Glory to brighten thy face by the light gleaming from
the lamp of the Alliance and to quicken thy mind by the spirit which
out-pours from the Kingdom of God and to make thee a sign of His
signs which are shining in the horizons. He grants that which He
wisheth and to whomsoever He wisheth. Verily, He is powerful and
mighty!

“O servant of God!…”

O servant of God!

Faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of the
Merciful One. Service is the magnet which attracts the heavenly
strength. I hope thou wilt attain both.

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

How blessed thou hast been to have entered the Kingdom
of God! HOw near thou hast been to the Paradise of ABHA to have been
ushered in!

I hope that thou mayest become a source of joy to the
hearts, a good example for people, imbued with spiritual qualities in
the world of humanity, and mayest promulgate the divine teachings, so
that the various people may find unity and become freed from discord.

“O thou who art advancing
toward God!…”

O thou who art advancing toward God!

Verily I read thy letter of wonderful expression and
eloquent composition and thanked God that He hath poured upon thee
the bounty of guidance and hath made thy heart a lamp of piety.

Verily I beseech God, with all humbleness, to remove the
covering from thine insight and to show unto thee His great signs,
and to make thee a banner of guidance, severed from all else save
Him, enkindled with the fire of His love, engaged in His praise and
apprehending the realities of things; so that thou mayest see with
thine eyes, hear with thine ears and not imitate any of the fathers
and ancestors; have perception in the matter of thy Lord, for the
people are in dark veils. By God, the True One, verily the doors of
the everlasting paradise are opened before the faces of the devoted
ones and the Tree of Life therein overshadows the spiritual ones.
Happy are those who enter it and are sheltered under its shadow!

“O thou candle shining by the
light of the Love of God!…”

O thou candle shining by the light of the Love of God!

That which thou hast inscribed and conceived of in thy
mind was manifest and clear. The contents indicate spiritual signs
and the meanings were like unto a sweet chalice. I trust in God that
thy pure mind may become reflective of light; thus thou mayest become
prepared for the divine manifestation and attract the light of
guidance from the Heavenly Star.

O servant of God! Through the power of God’s love
the weak become mighty, the poor become rich, the little bird becomes
a great eagle soaring on the ethereal wave, the tiny plant grows into
a great palm tree.

O servant of God! Trials and tests are severe. If thou
seekest progress and advancement in the Kingdom, remain firm and
withstand. When it is possible for thee to visit this land45
in all fragrance and spirituality, thou art permitted to come.

If thou canst help the up-building of the
Mashrak-el-Azcar in Chicago, it will be most acceptable.

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

I am in the blessed place of the Holy Land and thou art
in foreign parts and I do not see thee with my material eyes, but I
see thee with the eyes of my heart and I remember thee in recalling
to thee that which the Christ promised to the believers, the great
blessing and favor, the light of which illuminates those present and
those absent.

O maid-servant of God! Be thou rejoiced because of this
good news which draws (inclines) the sanctified hearts from all
worldly conditions and know thou the value of this great gift (favor)
and do not exchange it for the great sovereignty (of the world), for,
verily, the sovereignty of the world is a mortal rule and follows
pride. However, this gift is an eternal and a divine favor, the light
of which illumines the passing of times and periods.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I noted thy letter and utterance. God hath
accepted thy devotion, prayer and worship and hath manifested upon
thee the lights of His great favor, ushered thee into His Kingdom,
gave thee to drink of the wine of His love and made thee to hear the
melodies of the birds of holiness in this wonderful day.

Thank God that He enriched thee beyond the delicacies of
this mortal world and caused thee to taste the sweetness of His love
in His New Kingdom.

O maid-servant of God! It is incumbent upon thee, since
thou hast attained the knowledge of God and His love, to sacrifice
thy spirit and all thy conditions for the life of the world, bearing
every difficulty for the comfort of the souls, sinking to the depth
of the sea of ordeals for the sake of the love of faithfulness and
burning with the fire of torture and regret like unto a lamp while
the light is shining from thee unto the surroundings.

O maid-servant of God! The mystery of sacrifice is that
man should sacrifice all his conditions for the divine station of
God. The station of God is mercy, kindness, forgiveness, sacrifice,
favor, grace and giving life to the spirits and lighting the fire of
His love in the hearts and arteries. I asked God to make thee a sign
of mercy, the banner of kindness among His maid-servants.

O maid-servant of God! Sing with beautiful melodies in
the meetings of the maid-servants, praising and glorifying thy
Supreme Lord.

O maid-servant of God! The human spirit hath an
impression and effect in the world, but the divine Spirit giveth life
to the souls and conferreth eternal life upon those who are attracted
to the fragrances of God. This is the Great Cause from the Kingdom of
thy Lord. Be attached to this New Spirit which hath effective power
in the realities of things and creates new creatures.

O maid-servant of God! forsake every thought, every
remembrance and every praise, while holding to the Word of God.
Confine thy interests, thy works and efforts to the Cause of God.
Thus the spirit of power and might will confirm thee and the manifest
light will shine upon thy brow.

“O servant of God!…”

O servant of God!

I was very happy to receive thy letter because it showed
thy servitude to the One God and indicated belief and assurance in
the Cause of His Presence. Thank God that thou art favored with this
blessing, that thou servest the friends of God and thou waitest at
the Threshold of the Merciful. I beg of God that thou mayest be
baptized by the baptism of BAHA’O’LLAH and become free
from all the stains of the mortal world and that thou mayest take
delight in the favors of God in the paradise of unity, and that thou
mayest be able to become pleasing to God and mayest appear with thy
face illuminated as a candle in the world of eternity.

“O thou spiritual friend!…”

O thou spiritual friend!

Verily, I was informed of the contents of thy letter and
increased gratitude unto God, for that He hath granted the friends
clear consciences, pure and holy hearts, attraction unto the Kingdom
of God, enkindlement by the fire of the love and humbleness to God.

Glad-tidings unto ye for this abundant blessing,
sufficient bounties, wide mercy, glorious appearances; therefore, be
united in hearts and spirits, strive so that ye may obtain the great
favors, attain to the overflowing chalice, perform charity (good
deeds), gain the spirit of life, attracted by the fragrance and
depend on the Lord of Signs. At that time your faces will be
illumined, your souls holy, your hearts severed from this world and
attached to the Supreme Concourse, and you will call out with the
most loud voice: “Glad-tidings unto us through these divine
favors and blessed are we by this heavenly guidance!”

I was glad in heart when I saw thy likeness in the
photograph and looked at the resemblance like the reality of thy
identity and thanked God witnessing the light of God in thy beautiful
face.

“O thou kind friend!…”

O thou kind friend!

Thy letter was received and its contents considered. Man
must, under all conditions, be thankful to God, the One, for it is
said in the blessed text: “If ye be thankful I will increase
thee.”

Man must seek shelter in the mercy and protection of
God, for he is constantly subject to a hundred thousand dangers. Save
for the refuge and protection of the Most High, man is without
shelter.

I ask God to help thy children to gain knowledge, to
attain virtues and morals which are the refinements of the reality of
man, and to strengthen thee to remain firm.

Convey my respect and greeting to Mr……… and Mrs.
……… I trust in the providence of God that thou mayest ascertain
what is worthy and fitting for Bahais, and that day by day the love
of God may increase in the hearts.

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

Be exceedingly grateful to the maid-servant of God,
Mrs……… who guided thee, led thee to the Kingdom of Glory and
invited thee to the heavenly table, so that thou mayest attain
eternal life and enjoy the happiness of the Kingdom.

Thou didst write: “How can I serve Thee?”
The greatest service is thine own firmness and steadfastness and thy
withstanding severe trials when they come. Through firmness thou wilt
perceive the opening of the doors of grace.

“O thou plant in the garden of
the Love of God!…”

O thou plant in the garden of the Love of God!

Open the tongue of praise to the Horizon of ABHA, for
having received light from Him in the age of youth, and for having
been planted by Him in the paradise of glory.

I hope thou shalt be a child of the Kingdom, shalt learn
sciences, arts and significances, may become a full grown tree,
fruitful and green in the vineyard of God and be happy and full of
cheer through the showers of the clouds of paradise.

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

I rejoiced to read thy letter, for it indicated thy
progress unto the Kingdom of thy Glorious Lord, thy wish to serve in
His vineyard and thy faith in this Cause which has shed its light
upon those regions.

Blessed art thou for having opened the door of thy home
unto the people to come and hear of the Kingdom.

The maid-servant of God remembered thee in her letter,
mentioning thy great joy and progress in the Cause of thy Lord.

Verily, I pray God to make thy home a center for the
radiation of light and the glowing of His love in the hearts of His
people. Know that in every home where God is praised and prayed to,
and His Kingdom proclaimed, that home is a garden of God and a
paradise of His happiness.

“O Spiritual Assembly !…”

O Spiritual Assembly46
!

Everything produces an impression in existence and
results in the course of ages. The (earthly) assemblies established
in the different parts of Europe, Asia and America have no results
save the help of the physical and the mortal life in this lesser
world, for the removal of its conditions and reformation of its
customs, and in the end no name will remain thereof. But every
spiritual assembly of solid foundation, good structure and unwavering
constancy will last forever and will send forth its illumination unto
all regions.

Observe the gatherings of the disciples after Christ:
Their light is still shining, their power is still revealing and
their trumpets still resounding throughout the ages. Such is the
spiritual meeting.

“O God! Confirm them in the
promotion of Thy…”

O God! Confirm them in the promotion of Thy Word among
the people and in strengthening and multiplying Thy servants. Verily
Thou art the Bounteous, the Merciful!

“O ye two birds warbling in
the Garden of Wisdom….”

O ye47
two birds warbling in the Garden of Wisdom.

Verily, I saw your photographs, whose beauty proved the
turning of your hearts unto the Center of Guidance and the dilation
of your breasts by the appearance of the Kingdom of God. The light of
God is verily shining in the face of the man who is of the Kingdom,
spiritual, heavenly, divine and Bahai. The rest among the people are
like animals; nay, they are led astray from the Path.

Thank God for that He enlightened your faces by the
light of guidance, deposited in your hearts the sign of faith, and
made you of the chosen ones in this new century.

The truth I say unto you! If ye were aware of what God
hath destined for you in the kingdom of His glory, verily ye would
rejoice exceedingly and soar with the wings of joy unto the heights
of happiness, crying with the most loud voice: “Blessings and
happiness from this great attainment and evident bounty.”

“O thou handsome child!…”

O thou handsome child!

Thy spiritual father and thy good mother sent me thy
radiant picture and I rejoiced on seeing it. I pray God to illumine
thy heart with the light of the Manifestation, to nurture thee in His
mercy so that thou mayest attain maturity in His love; thy spirit be
enlightened with beholding His light and thy spirit revived by the
bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that thou mayest be a sign of the love
of God, speaking in the name of God, joyous by the favors of God,
attaining unto the sea of the mercy of God, and being baptized with
the water of life, the fire of love and the spirit of attraction.

“O thou blooming rose in the
garden of the Love of…”

O thou blooming rose in the garden of the Love of God!

Verily, the heavenly angels address thee from the
Supreme Horizon, saying: “O maid-servant of God! Be rejoiced
for God hath chosen thee for His love and sheltered thee under the
shade of His Kingdom, the lights of which shone forth, the signs of
which were manifested, the mysteries of which were unfolded, the
fragrance of which emanated, the waves of which surged, the causes of
which were promulgated, the suns of which appeared, the moons of
which shone and the stars of which sparkled.”

Therefore, praise God for that He honored thee with
presence in this great century and new cycle and caused thee to
attain this new bounty.

I ask God to send down upon thee a blessing and upon thy
family a favor from His Kingdom.

“O thou who art anticipating
the appearance of the Gift…”

O thou who art anticipating the appearance of the Gift
of God!

Verily, I read thy letter which indicated that thou hast
turned unto the Blessed Spot, that the Truth (of God) hath revealed
itself to thee, that thy fear is quieted and that thou hast attained
to composure, assuredly believing in this great Cause.

Know thou, verily, there are many veils in which the
Truth is enveloped: gloomy veils; then delicate and transparent
veils; then the envelopment of Light, the sight of which dazzles the
eyes, as doth the sun which is enveloped only in its own light and,
as we look at it, the sight is blinded and eyes are dazzled.

I beg of God to remove all the veilings and familiarize
the light with all eyes, so that man may not be veiled from
witnessing the Sun of Truth.

O maid-servant of God! Verily, the tests and trials of
God are very great and very violent. Beseech thou God to protect thee
from all doubts and to guard thee from the interpretations of
parabolical48
verses, as made by those who know not in what valley they are roving,
who speak according to their own selfish purposes and after their own
evil inclinations; who accept and then reject; who believe in God and
then deny Him; and who appear firm and then backslide: thus thou
beholdest these oscillating daily.

“Leave them to amuse themselves with their own
vain discourses,” and turn thou to the light of the Testament,
and rejoice at the bounty of the effulgence, and seek shelter under
the shadow of the standard of the Covenant. Thou wilt soon find it
fluttering on the highest summits of glory, surrounded by the valiant
hosts of the angels of heaven and assisted by spiritual armies of
great number that proceed from the Supreme Concourse.

“O my tender friend!…”

O my tender friend!

Verily, the union between myself and thee is on a solid
foundation and a well made basis. Neither the winds can remove it nor
the events of time annihilate it. It is everlasting and eternal,
heavenly, spiritual and divine, and it is of no end or termination.
Consequently be rejoiced at these words which cheer the hearts of the
righteous and the souls of the pious when hearing them.

“O thou lamp who art
illuminated with the light of the…”

O thou lamp who art illuminated with the light of the
Love of God!

Leave thou the world and abandon the people and turn
unto the Kingdom of thy independent Lord. Beseech Him every morn and
eve and supplicate to the Gate of His Oneness to make thee firm and
steadfast in the Testament and to guard thee from all calamities,
with the eye of His protection, and protect thee from the tests which
are (so violent) as the whirlwinds which uproot trees.

“O thou who hearest and seest
in this wonderful Cause!…”

O thou who hearest and seest in this wonderful Cause!

Verily, I read thy interesting letter, its beautiful
composition and I noted its purpose which indicated spiritual
aspiration to the Kingdom of thy Great Lord.

Thank God for guiding thee unto the Straight Path,
manifesting unto thee the Evident Light. He shall give thee a draught
of the cup whereby thy spiritual power will be increased. Thou shalt
advance unto the Lofty Station, acquire heavenly qualities and attain
knowledge of the significances of the words of God in this glorious
day.

It is incumbent upon thee to turn wholly unto the
Kingdom of God, to enter entirely into this wonderful Cause, and to
make thy thought, remembrance and effort confined to the education of
thy character, the enlightenment through the Light of ABHA, and to
guide the people to the Source of the mercy of thy Lord, the Clement,
the Merciful.

Comfort thy mother and endeavor to do what is conducive
to the happiness of her heart. Approach not those who are drowned in
the sea of this world, but rather be enkindled by the fire of the
love of God. Be thou such a flame whereby the hearts may be set
aglow.

It is incumbent upon thee to assemble continuously with
the beloved of God and to meet with those whose faces are illumined
with the light of the love of God. Verily, I supplicate to God to
make thee sincere in this love, to illumine thee with the light of
His Kingdom, to destine unto thee the illumination by the light of
His attributes, to make thee a sign of mercy, a bird warbling the
verses of unity; that thou mayest be nurtured in the bosom of His
providence, and become a growing tree bearing fruit in the Paradise
of El-ABHA.

Verily, thy Lord confirmeth him whom He willeth, and He
is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

“O thou who art agitated as
oceans by the winds blown…”

O thou who art agitated as oceans by the winds blown
from the direction of the Kingdom of God!

Verily I read thy wonderful letter, declaring the
grandeur of thy nature and the excess of thy love and thine attaining
the knowledge of God. Verily its contents were as spiritual meanings
poured forth from a heart throbbing by the spirit of the love of God.
I beseech God to confer on thee, and on thy noble husband, a perfect
favor from His Supreme Kingdom, until your faces may sparkle by its
light, among the creatures, and by which the fame of your love in God
may be renowned among the horizons.

By my life, this is a favor for which the angels of
heaven and the spirits of the holy ones are longing in the Supreme
World. And (I beg God) to prepare for you your greatest desire—that
is, the attaining (the visit to) the blessed, perfumed, amber-scented
Tomb,49
diffused in all horizons.

“Verily, I read thy
magnificent letter, thy brilliant…”

50
Verily, I read thy magnificent letter, thy brilliant
writing, and found its meanings as the chanting of the verses of
guidance and its foundation based on righteousness and piety. Verily
I beseech God to make thee a sign of supplication, humbleness and
submissiveness unto God, so that thou mayest commune with thy Lord,
in the gloomy hours of night and in the morn and eve while being
enkindled with the fire of the love of God, attracted to His
fragrances of holiness, strengthened by His Spirit, speaking His
praise and bowing down before His Threshold of Sanctity. Verily, He
is the Assister, the Beneficent!

Then know thou that, verily, the hosts of confirmation
from the Kingdom of God will assist every soul who is severed from
aught else save God, is associated with the commemoration of God and
is rejoiced at the glad-tidings of God. Cut thyself from this world
and rely on the Supreme Concourse, so that thou mayest heart the call
from the Lofty Apex and thy face may become illuminated with a light
shining forth from the Kingdom of El-ABHA.

“O thou who art enkindled by
the fire of the Love of…”

O thou who art enkindled by the fire of the Love of God!

Verily, I was informed of the text of thy letter,
wherein thou praisest the firm servant of God, Mirza …….. and was
rejoiced in heart for the signs of joy which are manifested in thee
in this illustrious day. I ask God to make thee a sign of guidance,
fountain of knowledge and a caller in His name, the Merciful, so that
the hearts may become gladdened by the mention of God and the souls
be led to the Kingdom of God, to this Great Dwelling Place and
Sublime Home.

As to the four stations which I refer to in the divine
treatise: I ask God to open the door before thy face, that thou
mayest enter therein, that thou mayest attain to its lights and
become informed of its mysteries. I shall not give a detailed
explanation thereof, on account of the great work (i.e., because of
the exceeding press of business).

Regarding the treatise (or pamphlet) which thou didst
compile in proof of the appearance of the Kingdom of God—thou
didst well! I shall read it at a leisure time, and ask God to aide
thee in compiling other useful writings in demonstration of God.

As to organization of other meetings for the
maid-servants of the Merciful, for the spread of the fragrances of
God; this is the best deed and most complete action. I ask God to
strengthen thee in this matter so that you may organize many
gatherings for the spread of the teachings of God. Thus the Lord of
Hosts will confirm you by armies of the Supreme Concourse and hosts
of the angels of heaven. Verily it is the army of inspiration and the
hosts of benediction.

“O thou who art marching
onward to God!…”

O thou who art marching onward to God!

I have read thy beautiful letter which contained
delicate meanings, and I am made glad by its contents which expressed
spiritual feelings. I have prayed to God to send down upon thee a
blessing from the Kingdom of Heaven and thus make thy heart beat with
joy in the love of God, and make thee meek and humble before the good
maid-servants of God, and pure and holy in His Kingdom.***

“O thou who art submissive and
humble before the…”

O thou who art submissive and humble before the Holy
Threshold!

Know thou, verily, submissiveness is the good quality of
the maid-servants of God, and humility is the character of the
God-fearing leaves51
who have sprung forth from the Tree of Mercifulness.

Thou oughtest to be characterized with these, that thou
mayest be an example for the maid-servants of the Merciful and a
leader of the leaves who are moved by the winds of the love of God.
Abandon the concerns of mankind and be naturalized with the
attributes of the angels of the Supreme Concourse, because these
angels humble themselves to the lowest thing of the things despite
their honor, glory, the loftiness of station and the greatness of
their might. This is seemly to the unitarian women and an honor for
those women who are surely believing in God! This is the consolation
of the heart of the God-fearing women, and this is a tranquility to
the soul of those women who are attracted to the fragrances of the
Lord of Signs!

“O thou whose heart is soaring
in the sky of the love of…”

O thou whose heart is soaring in the sky of the love of
God!

Praise be unto Him whose light hath risen, whose
appearance hath become exalted, whose signs are promulgated and whose
evidences are fulfilled. The tongue of the realities of all things
hath uttered: “Glory be to my God, the El-Baha!” Thanks
for His manifest Beauty and for His Great Splendor! —for He
hath quickened mankind with the spirit of guidance and hath rendered
clear the White Path of Gifts, through the arguments which are
brilliant and clear to the hearts of the intelligent and thereby
these hearts are moved, enlightened, illuminated and become cognizant
of the Mighty Message52
in this Manifest Day of the Manifestation of the Honorable Station53
when the mystery of existence flows just as do the souls in the
bodies.

“O my God! O my God!…”

O my God! O my God!

This, Thy servant, hath advanced toward Thee and is
passionately wandering in the desert of Thy love and is walking in
the path of Thy service, is expecting Thy favors, hoping for Thy
bounty, depending upon Thy Kingdom and intoxicated by the wine of Thy
gift.

O my God! Increase his fervor in Thy affection, his
constancy in Thy praise and his ardor in Thy love.

Verily, Thou art the Generous and endued with great
bounty. There is no God save Thee, the Forgiving, the Merciful!

“O thou who hast acknowledged
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who hast acknowledged the Kingdom of God!

I received thy letter and considered its wonderful
expressions and found therein facts which show thine approach toward
God, thy passionate love of the Beauty of God, thy cheerfulness in
the Cause of God and thy turning unto the Center of the Testament,
for that thou art brightened through the light of the effulgence.

Then praise God for that He hath made thee to show the
light of guidance, to lay hold on the hem of the robe of greatness
and to be attracted by the breaths of the Supreme Concourse. This is
a matter which will satisfy thee from aught else save God and make
thee above all needs and will cause thee to acquire an immortal
wealth. Then thank God for this heavenly bounty on which the life of
spirit depends entirely in all the worlds.

“O ye two birds in the
open-space of the Love of God!…”

O ye54
two birds in the open-space of the Love of God!

Verily I read your letter and I inhaled therefrom a
spiritual fragrance which perfumes the nostrils of the spirit. Thank
ye God that He hath filled for you the cup of gift with the wine of
the great guidance and hath abundantly bestowed His benefit on you
and hath enabled you to be healed from spiritual ailments which
deaden the souls. Truly, I say unto you verily this guidance is a
precious pearl and a gem, the lights of which glitter and the rays of
which beam forth during centuries and ages. Appreciate ye its value
and show forth spiritual virtues, merciful characteristics and
brilliant manners; so that ye may be submerged in the seas of great
mercy and shine forth from the horizon of mighty gift.

“O thou who art longing for
the Orb of the Horizons!…”

O thou who art longing for the Orb of the Horizons!55

Verily, I read thine eloquent, accurate and wonderful
letter, whereby the feelings of thy heart and the loftiness of thy
thoughts and the craving of thy spirit for the Kingdom of God were
expressed.

Thank thou God that He hath given thee a power for
discriminating the reality of things, hath made thy feet firm in the
Path, hath made thy heart overflowing with His love and hath
exhilarated thee with the wine of His knowledge.

I beg of God to entirely remove the veiling from thine
insight, so that thou mayest become duly cognizant of the teachings
of Baha’. And I beg of God to forgive thy sins and to illumine
thy face with the light of forgiveness, so that thou mayest conquer
the self which desires the earthly world and prevent it from its
wishes and appetites.

As to the spiritual meeting which ye have organized for
diffusing the fragrances of God (i.e., for teaching the Truth), this
is a good thing that ye have performed. I beg of God, to make the
Holy Spirit breathe there in such fragrances which may perfume all
regions.

Be not grieved at the smallness of your number and thank
God for the power of your spirits. He shall assist you with such a
confirmation whereat minds will be astonished and souls will be
amazed.

“O thou Secretary of the
meanings emanated from the…”

O thou Secretary of the meanings emanated from the
hearts of the people of the Kingdom.

Verily, I have read thine eloquent letter and brilliant
writing, which indicated the attraction of the people of God by the
fragrances of His Kingdom, and their gathering in the assembly of the
merciful feelings and the congregation of the upright.

I do supplicate God to confirm that spiritual assembly,
that gathering of commemoration, to that whereby the merciful faces
brighten, and I beseech Him to assist them and thee to that whereby
man ascends the highest and noblest station of excellence and the
loftiest apex of honor, to make them humble and courteous before the
beloved of God, to become severed from aught else save God, to
beseech the Kingdom of ABHA, to be freed from every mention save the
commemoration of God, and to be sanctified from all the grades of
passion and desire, with pure, holy hearts which are devoid of every
feeling except entire attention unto God, the Lord of the present and
the world to come.

I have written answers to the letters which thou hast
sent and I enclose them with this Tablet. I wrote also a Tablet to
the assembly56
; read it unto them with a fluent tongue and a heart overflowing with
the love of God.

“O ye who have advanced! O ye
who are rejoiced!…”

O ye57
who have advanced! O ye who are rejoiced!

Verily, God hath, through His grace and generosity,
guided you toward His Kingdom, hath facilitated unto you every good,
hath favored you with the bounty of guidance, hath made you signs of
piety, hath caused a blessing to descend upon you from heaven, and
hath made you banners of His commemoration among mankind.

Thank ye God for this gift, by reason of which the
hearts of the Supreme Concourse are exhilarated. The fragrances of
holiness shall soon be diffused and the breeze of grace shall blow
from the direction of the providence of your Lord, whereby your
mentioning will be exalted, your light will become scintillating,
your backs will be strengthened and you joy will be perfected.

Make you feet firm in the love of God, arise to carry on
the teachings of God, purify souls from desire and illumine faces
with the light of guidance; so that ye may obtain the might gift and
the great mercy.

“O ye sincere ones and ye who
are attracted and moved…”

O ye58
sincere ones and ye who are attracted and moved by the breeze of the
favor of God!

Verily, I have read the names of your beloved assembly
which deserves to be mentioned with sanctity and which attracts the
confirmation of the loving Lord and seeks to attain to the favors of
God, the Mighty, the Compassionate!

I beseech God at all times, with all supplication,
humility and lowliness, to confirm these souls who have no purpose in
their deliberation and consultations save to seek the merciful
bounties and the divine invisible confirmations.

I hope and request, through the bounty of my Lord, that
the greatest assistance and the most eminent confirmation be granted
unto you when ye are firm and steadfast and withstand every
difficulty which may befall you in spreading the Cause of God in
those regions.

By the life of God, all the confirmations of the Kingdom
of God will surround those whose hearts are firm, whose feet are
steadfast and whose souls are tranquilized in the Most Great Cause.

Consider ye the past centuries, how a single one of the
beloved of God withstood all the people on the earth because of his
firmness in the love of God, and his entire turning of the heart
toward the Kingdom of God and with the cup of his heart overflowing
with the wine of the knowledge of God.

Be ye assured with the greatest assurance that, verily,
God will help those who are firm in His Covenant in every matter,
through His confirmation and favor, the lights of which will shine
forth unto the east of the earth, as well as the west thereof. He
will make them the signs of guidance among the creation and as
shining and glittering stars from all horizons.

Consequently, do ye beseech unto God and pray and
supplicate Him and ask Him for the greatest gift and eminent favor.

“O thou who hast acknowledged
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who hast acknowledged the Kingdom of God!

I received thy letter wherein thou hast confessed the
appearance of the Kingdom of God at this time, declared His Oneness
and believed in His Words. Blessed art thou for this clear
confession! Thank the maid-servant of God ………….. for she hath
guided thee to this Path and declared to thee the Call of God.
Shouldst thou offer all the treasures of the earth to her, they would
not equal this great guidance.

Depend upon God, be sincere and sever thyself from all
else save Him. Thus thou wilt receive the teaching of God and thy
heart will be made happy. May thy tongue praise Him and thy sight
behold the light shining from the Sun of Truth.

Verily, this is a rich blessing for which the saints of
the past longed. Be happy and say: “God chooses for His favors
whomsoever He willeth. He is the Merciful, the Generous!”

“O ye who are set aglow with
the fire of God’s Love!…”

O ye who are set aglow with the fire of God’s
Love!

Blessed are ye for having been chosen by God for His
love, in this new age, and joy be to you for having been guided to
the Great Kingdom! Verily, your Lord hath chosen you to show the path
to the Kingdom of God, among the people. The attracted maid-servant
of God, ………… praised you in beautiful expressions and
informed me of your earnest endeavors in serving, teaching and
offering the chalice of Truth to the maid-servants of God. I rejoiced
to hear of your efforts in the Cause of God. This is indeed good
service.

“O thou who art turning unto
God!…”

O thou who art turning unto God!

Thy letter was an inheritance of joy and happiness unto
me, for its significance was a supplication and an entreaty unto God
to make thee a pure servant, exempt from all material desires,
sanctified and severed from all save God, that thou mayest be
characterized with the attributes of the heavenly angels, cleansed
from all desires and earthly wishes, with thy heart severed from all
save the knowledge of the divine teachings. Verily, I pray God to
nourish thee upon the breast of bounty and rear thee in such a manner
that all men of learning shall be amazed, and to make thee a miracle
of guidance among the servants.

“O thou who art attracted to
God!…”

O thou who art attracted to God!

I send this letter written by my own hand, that thou
mayest thank God, thy Lord, the Supreme, grow in happiness in the
love of God and be kindled by the fire of His love, chanting verses
of greetings and thanks, and be quickened by the breezes of life
blown from the garden of the knowledge of God.

“O thou opened rose in the
garden of El-ABHA!…”

O thou opened rose in the garden of El-ABHA!

I have perused thy excellently worded letter showing
what is moving in thy heart by the emotions of the love of God.

O maid-servant of God! Chant the Words of God and,
pondering over their meaning, transform them into actions! I ask God
to cause thee to attain a high station in the Kingdom of Life forever
and ever.

“O thou who art tested with a
great calamity!…”

O thou who art tested with a great calamity!

Be not grieved nor troubled because of the loss which
hath befallen thee—a loss which caused the tears to flow, sighs
to be produced, sorrow to exist and hearts to burn in great agony;
but know, this hath reference only to the physical body, and if thou
considerest this matter with a discerning and intelligent eye, thou
wilt find that it hath no power whatsoever, for separation belongeth
to the characteristics of the body. But concerning the spirit, know
that thy pure son shall be with thee in the Kingdom of God and thou
shalt witness his smiling face, illumined brow, handsome spirit and
real happiness. Accordingly, thou wilt then be comforted and thank
God for His favor upon thee.

“O thou who art patient and
resigning thyself to the…”

O thou who art patient and resigning thyself to the
judgment (of God)!

Be not grieved at the calamity which hath unexpectedly
come upon thee and for the misfortune which heavily weigheth upon
thee. It behooveth one like thee to endure every trial, to be pleased
with the decree and to commit all thy affairs to God, so that thou
mayest be a calm, approved and pleasing soul before God. Know thou,
that thy beloved son hath soared, with the wing of soul, up to the
loftiest height which is never-ending in the Kingdom of God. Rejoice
at this great prosperity which the chosen ones were longingly asking
from the Holy and Exalted Threshold (of God). Truly, I say unto thee,
wert thou informed of the position in which is thy son, thy face
would be illuminated by the lights of happiness and thou wouldst
thank thy forgiving Lord therefor and thou wouldst long for ascending
to that praiseworthy position.

“O thou who hast humbled
thyself before the Kingdom…”

O thou who hast humbled thyself before the Kingdom of
God!

Blessed art thou that thine heart is attracted to the
Beauty of God, is illumined with the light of knowledge and the ray
of the Kingdom hath shone within it.

Know thou, verily, God is with thee under all
circumstances and guards thee from the concerns of the world and
makes thee a servant in His great vineyard.

As to thy question concerning training children: It is
incumbent upon thee to nurture them from the breast of the love of
God, to urge them towards spiritual matters, to turn unto God and to
acquire good manners, best characteristics and praiseworthy virtues
and qualities in the world of humanity, and to study sciences with
the utmost diligence; so that they may become spiritual, heavenly and
attracted to the fragrances of sanctity from their childhood and be
reared in a religious, spiritual and heavenly training. Verily, I beg
of God to confirm them therein.

As to thy revered husband: It is expedient that thou
shouldst behave toward him in the best way and persevere in his good
pleasure (i.e., please him) and treat him with kindness under all
aspects; until (or so that) he may find that through thy turning
toward the Kingdom of God (i.e., by becoming a believer) thy
affection toward him and thy love for God is increased and that thou
hast regard for his good will in every condition.

Verily, I beg of God to make thee steadfast in His love
and to cause thee to diffuse the fragrances of sanctity in those
places (i.e., to teach the Truth).

“O thou loving torch, flaming
by the fire of the Love of…”

O thou loving torch, flaming by the fire of the Love of
God!

Verily, I read thy letter sent by thee and was rejoiced
in heart by the wonderful meaning and eloquent content, which proved
thy extreme sincerity in the Cause of God, thy steadfastness in the
path of the Kingdom of God and thy firmness in the religion of God,
forasmuch as this is of the utmost importance before God.

How many souls advanced unto God, entered the shadow of
the Word of God and became celebrated in the world, as Judas
Iscariot. Then, when the tests became severe and trials great, their
feet turned from the path; turned from confession to denial; changed
from love and affection to severe enmity. Then the power of tests,
whereby the foundations shake, were manifested.

Judas Iscariot was one of the greatest disciples, was
called unto Jesus; he thought that Jesus increased his kindness to
Peter, the disciple, when saying to him: “Thou art Peter; upon
thee I shall build my church.” This speech affecting Peter with
special impression whereby envy was created in the heart of Judas
and, therefore, he turned after advancing, denied after confessing,
hated after loving, until he became the cause of the crucifixion of
the Glorious Lord and Manifest Light. This is the end of envy which
causes people to turn from the right path. Such has taken place and
will occur in this Great Cause; but there is no harm in it, as it is
the cause of manifesting the firmness of the rest and the arising of
the firm souls who are as solid as the lofty mountains in the love of
the Manifest Light.

As to thee, convey unto the maid-servants of the
Merciful that they must be firm in the love of El-Baha at the time of
the severe trials and tests; forasmuch as the storms and winds occur
during the winter seasons; then comes the spring with the wonderful
scenery and it adorns the hills and plains with flowers and beautiful
birds sing the melodies of joy on the branches of the trees and
warble beautiful tunes on the roofs of bowers, in wonderful melodies.
Soon shalt thou see that the lights have shone forth, the banners of
the Kingdom have been raised, the fragrances of God diffused, the
hosts of the Kingdom descending, the angels of heaven confirmed and
the Holy Spirit breathed into those horizons (regions). Then shalt
thou see the waverers frightened and at loss. This is a complete
matter on the part of the Lord of Signs.

Blessed art thou for keeping firm in the Cause of God. I
pray God to give thee a divine spirit, spiritual blood and to make
thee a growing and thriving leaf on the Tree of Life, so that thou
mayest serve the maid-servants of God in fragrance and spirituality.

Thy generous Lord will confirm thee in serving in His
great vineyard and will make thee an instrument for spreading the
spirit of concord and union among the maid-servants of the Merciful,
will open thine insight by the light of knowledge and forgive thee
thy sins and change them to good deeds.

Verily thy Lord is the Forgiving, the Merciful and
Possessor of Great Bounty!

“O maid-servant of God who art
swayed like a strong…”

O maid-servant of God who art swayed like a strong
branch by the breeze of God!

I have read thy letter which evinces the abundance of
thy love and the warmth of thy devotion and thy zeal in acknowledging
God.

Commit thyself to God; give up thy will and choose that
of God; abandon thy desire and lay hold on that of God; that thou
mayest be a holy, spiritual and heavenly example among the
maid-servants of God.

O maid-servant of God! Know thou that in the sight of
God, the conduct of women is the same as that of men. All are the
creatures of God and He has created them after His form and likeness;
that is to say, after the form and likeness of the Manifestations of
His names and His attributes. From the spiritual point of view,
therefore, there is no difference between women and men. “The
nearer we draw to God, the nearer He comes to us” without
regard to whether the person be a man or a woman. How many women,
thus drawn to God, have surpassed men in the shadow of Baha’ in
bringing men under it—women famous throughout the world!

The House of Justice, however, according to the positive
commandments of the Doctrine of God, has been specialized to the men,
for a (specific) reason or exercise of wisdom on the part of God, and
this reason will presently appear, even as the sun at midday.

And as to you—you other maid-servants attracted by
the perfume of God—establish spiritual gatherings (assemblies)
and heavenly meetings. This work is the beginning of the diffusing of
the perfume of God and the foundation of the elevating of the Word of
God and the making known of the commandments of God. Is there a
blessing greater than this? These spiritual gatherings (assemblies)
are sustained (reinforced) by the Spirit of God, and their protector
is Abdul-Baha, who spreads his wings (over) above them. Is there a
blessing greater than this? These spiritual gatherings (assemblies)
are glowing lamps and heavenly gardens which cast the light of
knowledge upon the contingent world and cause the spirit of life to
penetrate to every quarter. This, then, is the best means of the
progress of the human race in all conditions and circumstances. Is
there a greater blessing than this?

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I read thy beautifully composed letter and thank
God for that He granted thee characteristics, attributes and deeds
which made thee dear and loved by the maid-servants of God and chosen
to be the president of the “Assembly of Teaching.” Thank
God for that He confirmed thee by this wonderful bounty, and, verily,
I supplicate unto Him to strengthen thee in rendering this great
service in His great vineyard, and to strengthen thy respected
husband in patience and forbearance in this test which will pass
away, by the help of God, and the veil be removed; difficulty will be
replaced by ease; hardships and trouble be changed into comfort, in
the shadow of His great Kingdom.

“O thou dear maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou dear maid-servant of God!

Thank God that thou hast come near unto the Holy
Threshold and art dear in the Kingdom of His Glory. Thou art
president of an assembly which is a type of the assemblages of the
Supreme Concourse and a reflection of the semblances of the Kingdom
of God. With heart and soul, with entire devotion, supplication,
humbleness and submissiveness, endeavor to promulgate the law of God
and strive to diffuse the fragrances of God. Exert yourself to become
the real president of assemblies of spiritual ones and a companion of
the Kingdom of the Merciful.

Thou hast asked in regard to the 10th verse of the 21st
chapter of Revelation and to the 17th verse:

Know that the firmament of the bright sun of the world
of possibilities is divided into twelve sections, according to
mathematical principles, which are called the twelve constellations;
likewise, the Sun of Truth manifests and pours forth His bounty in
twelve constellations of holiness. By these constellations are meant
holy souls who are the manifestations of purity and the
dawning-points of the lights of Unity. Observe that in the day of His
Holiness the Speaker of God (Moses), there were twelve holy souls who
were the leaders of the Truth. In like manner, in the cycle of His
Holiness the Spirit (Jesus Christ), note that there were twelve
apostles under the shadow of the light of the Most High, and the Sun
of Truth was manifested through those bright dawning-places like unto
the phenomenal sun. Likewise, in the time of His Holiness Mohammed,
consider that there were twelve dawning points of holiness who were
the manifestations of confirmation. Such is the case.

Accordingly, St. John, the divine, declared in his
vision regarding the twelve doors and the twelve foundations. By the
great and holy city of Jerusalem, which is descended from heaven, is
meant the sacred law of God. This subject has been repeatedly
explained in many Tablets and in the Scriptures of the ancient
prophets. For example, it is said in one place: “I beheld
Jerusalem marching on to the wilderness.” The purport is that
this Heavenly Jerusalem has twelve doors through which the advancing
souls enter into the City of God. These doors are the souls who are
the stars of guidance and doors unto bounty and knowledge. “At
the gates twelve angels stood.” By “angel” is meant
the power of the confirmation of God; that the candle of the power of
the divine confirmation shines forth and is illumined in those souls.
That is to say, that each one of those souls will be confirmed by the
mightiest power. Those twelve gates surround the whole universe. This
signifies that all existence is under the shadow of those souls;
also, that these doors are the foundation of the city of God, the
divine Jerusalem; that upon each of these foundations the name of one
of the Apostles of His Holiness the Spirit59
is written. That is to say, the manifestation of the perfections,
glad-tidings, virtues and high attributes of that holy soul.

In brief, it is said that: “And he that talked
with me had a golden rod to measure the city and the gates thereof
and the walls thereof.” The purport is this, that certain souls
guided (people) with a rod of the plant, that is, a reed wherewith he
shepherded the sheep, like unto the rod of Moses; other trained (the
people) with a rod of iron and drove them, as in the time of Mohammed
(The scepter of Mohammed was the sword). In this Greatest Day the rod
of the plant and the rod of iron are changed into a rod which is of
pure gold and is from the endless treasuries of the Kingdom of God.

By the instrumentality of this, all people shall be
trained. Observe the difference: In a certain time the teachings of
God were like unto the twigs of a tree and by them the signs of God
were spread, the law of God promulgated and the religion of God
founded. Later a time came when the rod of the divine Shepherd was
like iron, and now in this blessed and glorious cycle that rod is
become like unto pure gold. What a great difference exists between
them! Therefore know that the law of God and the divine teachings
prove a great advance in this day. They have reached a degree of
supremacy, compared with former ages. Nay, rather, this is pure gold,
while that was iron and wood.

This answer was written briefly because there was no
more time. You will certainly excuse. The maid-servants of God must
reach a station wherein they themselves shall comprehend the
realities and meanings, to give clear explanations for each word and
the fountains of wisdom gush forth from the reality of their hearts
like a full flowing stream.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I noted the contents of thy letter, which was
beautifully composed, was informed of thy sorrow, the shedding of thy
tears and the glowing of thy heart on account of the imprisonment of
Abdul-Baha.

O maid-servant of God! This prison is indeed more
precious and sweet than a garden to me, this fetter is greater than
any liberty and the confinement is broader than the most spacious
wilderness. Therefore, grieve not on this account. Verily, if my Lord
destine unto me and causes me to taste the sweetness of the cup of
the great martyrdom, my greatest desire will be fulfilled. Fear not
if this Branch be severed from the material earth and cast aside the
leaves—nay, rather, its leaves will flourish, for this Branch
will grow after it is cut from the earth (world), will ascend until
it shelters the universe, its foliage will reach the Supreme Apex and
bear fruits, imparting fragrant perfume unto the world. Therefore,
turn unto thy Supreme Lord and say:

O my God! O my God! This Thy maid-servant supplicates to
Thee, trusts in Thee and directs herself unto Thee, asking Thee to
shed Thy divine mercies upon her, to manifest Thy spiritual mysteries
and to show forth Thy majesty unto her. O Lord! O Lord! Illumine the
sight of my husband, cheer his breast by the light of knowing Thee,
attract his heart unto Thy manifest Beauty and gladden his spirit by
the manifestation of Thy radiant light. O Lord! Withdraw the veil
from his sight, grant him Thy compassion, exhilarate him with the
wine of Thy love among the people, make him an angel of Thine walking
upon the earth, let his spirit soar unto heaven and make him a lamp
glistening with the light of Thy knowledge in the community. Verily,
Thou art the Generous, the Precious, the Bestower!

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Be rejoiced through the grace of thy Lord and happy
through the bounties of thy God, the Most Merciful of the Merciful.
Thy Lord hath indeed chosen thee for His love, guided thee unto the
straight path, attracted thee by the magnet of His knowledge, from
among women, and crowned thee with the diadem of guidance among the
maid-servants. Praise thy Lord for this great favor, heavenly mercy
and bounty which hath no equal in the world of creation. Gladden the
maid-servants of the Merciful through the grace of thy Lord. Thus
their breasts may become dilated by the holy fragrances emanating
from the Kingdom of El-ABHA.

Soon the lights will glisten and the Sun of Truth will
shine with the burning ray in that country. At that time the
maid-servants who are firm and constant will rejoice; while every
doubtful soul who wavers will regret. Woe unto him, woe unto him, in
that day wherein the beloved will attain joy by the surrounding
Kingdom of thy Lord, the Precious, the Beneficent! Verily, the end is
for them who are ushered into the tent of the Covenant of thy
merciful Lord.

“O thou who art turning unto
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who art turning unto the Kingdom of God!

Verily I am acquainted with the contents of the letter
which thou hast addressed to ………… the servant of God, and I
find its significance excellent, proclaiming the Truth about which
there can be no doubt or uncertainty.

Now the day has arrived in which the edifice of God, the
divine sanctuary, the spiritual temple, shall be erected in America!
I entreat God to assist the confirmed believers in accomplishing this
great service and with entire zeal to rear this mighty structure
which shall be renowned throughout the world. The support of God will
be with those believers in that district that they may be successful
in their undertaking, for the Cause is great and great; because this
is the first Mashrak-el-Azcar in that country and from it the praise
of God shall ascend to the Kingdom of Mystery and the tumult of His
exaltation and greetings from the whole world shall be heard!

Whosoever arises for the service of this building shall
be assisted with a great power from His Supreme Kingdom and upon him
spiritual and heavenly blessings shall descend, which shall fill his
heart with wonderful consolation and enlighten his eyes by beholding
the glorious and eternal God!

Give my greetings and salutations to thy honorable
husband and say to him from me: “Notice the sign which shall
soon appear in those regions and then your searching heart shall be
assured. Verily thy Lord is the Powerful!”

“O thou who art assured by the
grace of thy Lord!…”

O thou who art assured by the grace of thy Lord!

I have perused thy excellent letter which shows that
thou art turning thy face unto the living, eternal One and grasping
the hem of His Grandeur and thy attraction unto the Call of thy
Supreme Lord. Well done! Well done! O maid-servant of God, for thou
hast believed in the Glorious Beauty (of El-ABHA) and art confirmed
in the manifestation of the Kingdom of God, during this time.

It behooveth thee to sever thyself from all desires save
thy Lord, the Supreme, expecting no help or aid from anyone in the
universe, not even from thy father or children. Resign thyself to
God! Content thyself with but little of this world’s goods!
Verily, economy is a great treasure. If one of thy relations oppress
thee, complain not magnificent patience during every calamity and
hardship. Verily thy Master is the Lord of Faithfulness! Forgive and
overlook the shortcomings which have appeared in that one, for the
sake of love and affection. Know that nothing will benefit thee in
this life save supplication and invocation unto God, service in His
vineyard, and, with a heart full of love, be in constant servitude
unto Him.

If thy daily living become difficult, soon (God) thy
Lord will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee. Be patient
in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and
hardship with dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in
remembrance of the Merciful. Verily this is the life of satisfaction,
the spiritual existence, heavenly repose, divine benediction and the
celestial table! Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy straightened
circumstances even in this world.

“O thou dear servant of
God!…”

O thou dear servant of God!

Thy letter was received and its contents noted. As to
instructions which thou desirest, they are as follows:

Believe in God; turn unto the Supreme Kingdom; be
attracted unto the Beauty of ABHA; remain firm in the Covenant; yearn
for ascending unto the heaven of the sun of the universe; be
disinterested in the world; be alive with the fragrances of holiness
in the Kingdom of the Highest; be a caller to love; kind to the human
race; gentle with humanity; interested in all the people of the
world; wish for harmony and seek friendship and honesty. Be a healing
for every wound, a remedy for every sick, a source of harmony among
the people; chant the verses of guidance; pray to God; arise for the
guidance of the people; let thy tongue explain and thy face illumine
with the glowing of the love of God. Rest not a moment and breathe
not a breath of repose until thou becomest a sign of God’s love
and a banner of God’s favor.

“O thou who art hoping for the
Kingdom!…”

O thou who art hoping for the Kingdom!

Thank thou God that He hath guided thee, led thee to the
Kingdom of Being, ushered thee under the shade of the bounties of the
Lord of Hosts, and that thou hast stepped into the Paradise of ABHA.

Do not grieve on account of the death of thy son,
neither sigh nor lament. That nightingale soared upward to the divine
rose-garden; that drop returned to the most great ocean of Truth;
that foreigner hastened to his native abode; and that ill one found
salvation and life eternal.

Why shouldst thou be sad and heartbroken? This
separation is temporal; this remoteness and sorrow is counted only by
days. Thou shalt find him in the Kingdom of God and thou wilt attain
to the everlasting union. Physical companionship is ephemeral, but
heavenly association is eternal. Whenever thou rememberest the
eternal and never ending union, thou wilt be comforted and blissful.

“O dear servant of God!…”

O dear servant of God!

Thy letter hath arrived and the contents have given
glad-tidings that the ground for the Temple hath been bought and also
told about the meeting which was held concerning the needs for the
Temple. From this news great fragrance and joy were produced. Thanks
be to God that thou wast helped to establish a meeting for this
purpose. I hope that the members of this meeting will become the
receivers of the divine benevolence and be aided by the heavenly
assistances. But consult with the House of Spirituality of Chicago.
Ye must all be perfectly united and harmonious until, through this
harmony, ye may perpetually receive help from the Kingdom of God.

Concerning the members of this spiritual meeting, you
suggested that they be selected from all the spiritual meetings of
the other cities of America. I quite approve and am very much pleased
with this plan. This will become the cause of harmony in the Word in
all America. Therefore, ask every spiritual meeting in the other
cities that they will each select one and send him, and from these
selected ones and with those who are selected from the Chicago
meetings, establish a new meeting for the provision of the needs of
the Temple. If this be established with perfect fragrance and joy, it
will produce great results. In this new meeting, especially for the
establishment of the Temple, ladies are also to be members.

Give to all the divine friends the glad-tidings of the
boundless heavenly blessings and tell them that the glances of the
eyes of Providence are upon them and the perfect favor and bounty are
descending upon them.

“O thou dear maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou dear maid-servant of God!

Thy letter, concerning the celebration of the
anniversary of the declaration of His Holiness the Supreme60—may
my spirit be sacrificed for Him!—which was held on the land of
the Mashrak-el-Azcar61,
was read.

The utmost joy was attained, for—praise be to God!
—the friends of the Merciful passed some time on that day
joyous and singing in the land of the Mashrak-el-Azcar and enjoyed
commemorating the Lord of the verses with the greatest joy.

That melody was heard by the Supreme Concourse and that
rose-song of the nightingale of faithfulness gladdened the people of
the rose-garden of ABHA.

I am hopeful that, during the coming Rizwan62, a great feast shall be held in the land of the Mashrak-el-Azcar, a
spiritual celebration prepared and the melodies of the violin and the
mandoline and hymns in praise and glorification of the Lord of Hosts
make all the audience joyous and ecstatic.

A few days ago an epistle was written—therefore,
brevity is considered here.

Treat thy dear daughter, for me, with the utmost
kindness and, likewise, the other friends and maid-servants of the
Merciful.

“O attracted maid-servant of
God!…”

O attracted maid-servant of God!

The epistle written (and sent) through Mirza…… was
received. The account of the land designated for the
Mashrak-el-Azcar, of your placing therein, in company with Mrs.
…….., nine stones and pouring thereon attar, water and olive oil,
and of your commemorating the Beauty of ABHA and His Holiness the
Supreme63, was all understood.

That land is blessed because it is mentioned by the name
of Mashrak-el-Azcar. Surely, the beloved of God and the maid-servants
of the Merciful in all the cities of America must put forth the
utmost of effort in order that the Mashrak-el-Azcar be raised in that
land.

I am hopeful through the aids and confirmations of God
that the beloved ones and maid-servants of the Merciful may achieve
this service.

Express the utmost love and kindliness on behalf of
Abdul-Baha to all the beloved and the dear maid-servants of the
Merciful, especially Mrs. ………. and thy dear daughter.

“O thou who art advancing to
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who art advancing to the Kingdom of God!

I have considered thy writing, which indicates
brightness of heart and the love of God. Blessed art thou for having
been thus favored and for having attained to guidance.

You have asked me two questions: “That if the same
spirit is manifest in all the Manifestations and Prophets, then what
is the distinction or difference between Christ (or rather Jesus) and
the other Prophets; also [what is the difference] between Father and
Son?”

Know that the human spirit is one, but it manifests
itself in various members of the body in a certain (measure or) form.
The human spirit is existent in the sight (eyes); it is also existent
in the brain, which is the location of great functions and powers; it
is also existent in the heart, which organ is largely connected with
the brain or the center of the mind, and the heart, or that center
which is connection with the brain, has a distinct and separate
function, effect and appearance. In this connection, the hair and
nails have no command (nor direct feeling).

Figuratively speaking, the Father is the center of the
brain and the Son is the center of the heart; the rest of the
Prophets are members and parts. Fatherhood and Prophethood, in this
case, are two expressions of the same thing, as man and creature are
two names of the same reality. The word “man,” however,
is greater than the word “creature” because it bears a
weightier meaning than the name “creature”; both are the
same.

O maid-servant of God! I pray God to confirm thee
forever anew. Give greeting to thy dear mother. Superstition hath
somewhat overcome her. When the imagined Satan overpowers, let her
say: “O Baha-el-ABHA!” She should then turn to the
highest Kingdom. Thus will the imagined Satan leave her. [She] has a
form of obsession; therefore, you may not heed her sayings.

Cultivate the land and thus, through its fruits, you
will obtain benefits. God will relieve you from care (on account) of
your mother.

Give your good husband my spiritual greeting. I pray
that he may be made a recipient of the divine bounties and attain to
the grace of God.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of Holiness!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of Holiness!

Be dilated in thy heart by the gentle breeze which
emanates from the garden of Eternal Life and enkindled in the Tree of
Sinai in the center of Paradise; so that thou mayest be a pillar of
fire and a cloud of light in this age, wherein a drop grows into a
large wave of the sea, and a lamp glistens with the light of the
dazzling stars, and this is from the power which is manifested by thy
Lord, the Clement, the Merciful. ***

Be firm in the worship of God, fasting, praying,
imploring and invoking unto thy God, the Generous; so that He shall
destine to thee the honor of sacrifice in the path of thy Beloved,
the Ancient.

I ask God to grant thee thy greatest wish in this
wonderful time.

“O thou who art cheered
through the Fragrances of…”

O thou who art cheered through the Fragrances of God!

When thou desirest and yearnest for meeting in the world
of vision; at the time when thou art in perfect fragrance and
spirituality, wash thy hands and face, clothe thyself in clean robes,
turn toward the court of the Peerless One, offer prayer to Him and
lay thy head upon the pillow. When sleep cometh, the doors of
revelation shall be opened and all thy desires shall become revealed.

Endeavor to guide thy mother and confirm her in faith;
when the heart becometh confident, the imagination of Satan and evil
vanisheth away. If the heart becometh absolutely tranquil, suspicion
and imagination will entirely pass away.

“O thou dear maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou dear maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was read and I am very happy that thou art
active and full of life through the spirit of Life and that thou art
firm and steadfast in this great Cause.

To enter the Kingdom is easy, but to remain firm and
constant is difficult. The planting of trees is easy, but their
cultivation and training to strengthen their roots and to make them
firm is difficult. Now, as thou art a firm tree, thou shalt certainly
grow and send out branches, leaves and blossoms and bear fruits.

These branches, leaves, blossoms and fruits are the
souls who may be guided, through the providence of God, by thee.
Therefore, thou art confirmed and strengthened.

Some of the friends intended to visit the Holy Land, but
hindrances prevented them and they have deferred their coming. You
should also remain with your mother and serve her until a suitable
time arrives.

Give my greetings and praise to my spiritual friend [thy
husband] and gladden him with the joyful tidings of God; also, give
the same to the friends of God and His maid-servants.

“O thou who has sought shelter
in the Impregnable…”

O thou who has sought shelter in the Impregnable Cave!

Verily, the glad-tidings of God have encompassed
Abdul-Baha from all directions. While his heart is beating with the
love of God, he holds a cup full of the knowledge of God in his right
hand and wishes to give the seekers to drink of this wine, so that
they may, perchance, be exhilarated with this cup, which is
overflowing with the signs of God.

Be thou rejoiced at these words, because thou wilt
partake of this wine which refreshes hearts and souls.

“O thou who art confessing the
Oneness of God!…”

O thou who art confessing the Oneness of God!

Verily, I read thy letter and I besought God to cause
thee to promulgate His divine Manifestation, to be rejoiced at the
bounty of His Kingdom, to adhere to His Testament, to hold fast to
the hem of the robe of His grandeur, to exert thyself in His Cause,
to desire the unity of His dearly beloved ones, and the harmony
amongst His chosen ones and to endeavor to remove the doubts which
are being emanated from deceitful souls.

By the might of my Lord, verily, the Lord will assist
only those who will remain firm in His Cause, and desire union, love,
humility and submissiveness, and to become separated from aught else
save God. Every forehead which is illuminated with these lights will
be a lamp of guidance and a star whereby all horizons will be
lighted.

Exert thyself with all thy heart and soul and with all
strength, so that thou mayest become a sign of firmness and as a
banner of the Word of God which may wave on every lofty edifice
through the favor of thy Glorious Lord.

As to thy question concerning the 12th chapter of
Ecclesiastes: This is prophecy regarding the coming of Jesus in that
book, the signs and marks of which were fulfilled with the appearance
of the Promised One of the Bible64
; but since the Jews did not understand the meaning thereof, so they
denied Jesus and— God forbid! —said that He was the
deformed (Antichrist). Then it is said by Jesus in the Gospel, that
similar signs would appear in the “last day”—or in
other words—in the day when Christ will come the second time in
this world.

The interpretation of these statements is mentioned in
the clearest manner and with the most wonderful proofs in the Book of
Ighan65
. His honor, Ali-Kuli-Khan, has already translated this Book which
will soon be published in America66
. Then you will be informed of the explanation and interpretation of
these verses and statements as elucidated by the Blessed Perfection.
Therefore my interpretation is not necessary.

As to thy question concerning the 54th chapter of
Isaiah: This chapter refers to the Exalted Leaf, the mother of
Abdul-Baha. As a proof to this it is said: “For more are the
children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife.”
Reflect upon this statement and then upon the following: “And
thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to
be inhabited.” And truly the humiliation and reproach which she
suffered in the path of God is a fact which no one can refute. For
the calamities and afflictions mentioned in the whole chapter are
such afflictions which she suffered in the path of God, all of which
she endured with patience and thanked God therefor and praised Him,
because He had enabled her to endure afflictions for the sake of
Baha’. During all this time, the men and women (nakazeen)
persecuted her in an incomparable manner, while she was patient,
God-fearing, calm, humble and contented through the favor of her Lord
and by the bounty of her Creator.

As to thee—O thou who art confessing the Oneness
of God! —rise with all thy power to keep firm in the Testament
of God, and firmly believe that, verily, all troops are defeated save
those of the Testament and all banners are reversed, save that of the
Covenant of God, which will wave over all horizons and will
overshadow the hosts of spirit, love and peace, while agitated by the
breeze of the favor of God. Be thou of the number of this great host
and among the vanguard of this great and powerful army.

“O thou illumined youth!…”

O thou illumined youth!

Thank thou God, for that the tongues spoke in thy praise
and the pends moved with thy love, thy knowledge and thy enkindlement
by the fire of the love of God. One of them is the pen of Abdul-Baha.
Therefore, be a sign of knowledge, standard of assurance and a light
of God, so that thou mayest become strengthened by the breaths of the
Holy Spirit in these days.

“O thou revered sincere
one!…”

O thou revered sincere one!

Know thou, verily, the brilliant realities and
sanctified spirits are likened to a shining crescent. It has one face
turned toward the Sun of Truth, and another face opposite to the
contingent world. The journey of this crescent in the heaven of the
universe ends in (becoming) a full moon. That is, that face of it
which is turned toward the divine world becomes also opposite to the
contingent world, and by this, both its merciful and spiritual, as
well as contingent, perfections become complete.

“O thou servant of God!…”

O thou servant of God!

Thy letter was received. Thou hast spoken concerning thy
lack of ability and capacity. Wert thou without ability and capacity,
thou wouldst not have advanced toward the Kingdom of ABHA.

Consider how there are thousands of heedless souls who
are asleep, while there is one who is conscious and awake! Even as
His Holiness Christ has said, the friends of God are the salt of the
earth, and the salt is but a little part of the whole. Undoubtedly
the friends of God have been endowed with ability and capacity, on
which account this became of the “chosen” and not of the
“called.”

O thou spiritual friend! This world is a prison for
heavenly souls, and this earthly world is but a cage, and not a nest,
unto the divine birds. A prisoner who is awake and conscious will
certainly seek for freedom, and a mindful bird will certainly wish
for deliverance from the cage. When the heart becometh free from
attachment unto this world, it will crave for the world of the
Kingdom and seek for eternal life.

“O thou who are enkindled by
the fire of the Love of…”

O thou who are enkindled by the fire of the Love of God!

Verily, I received thy good and beautiful letter and I
found it to be a sign of thy love and an evidence of thy being
attracted to the Beauty of El-ABHA. I ask God to make thee a caller
to the Kingdom of El-ABHA, in those regions; to give thee a draught
of the wine of grace, to attract thee to the center of guidance, to
cause thee to ascend unto the Supreme World and to confirm thee by
the fragrances of the Holy Spirit, until thou mayest guide the people
unto the kingdom of immortality, revive the hearts by the fragrances
of God and plant the seed of guidance in the field of the souls, by a
help from thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement.

As to the wonderful melody whereby thy spirit was
revived, verily it is a melody of the melodies of the divine music,
which will cause the spirits to ascend unto the Supreme Horizon and
will (cause) the mysteries to be unfolded.

O maid-servant of God! Be one of the angels of peace and
a saint in the world. Verily thy Lord will cause thee to listen to
that wonderful melody, through the spiritual instrument.

Regarding thy visit to this region67, it is not permissible at this time. But when the time comes,
permission will be granted thee to present thyself at this Source of
Light and Dawning-Point of the love of thy Lord, the Forgiver.

“O thou who art made happy by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art made happy by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I have not forgotten thee and will never forget
thee. I supplicate my Lord and thy Lord to make thee a sign of His
love among the maid-servants of the Merciful and an overflowing
chalice with the wine of His knowledge among the women, so that thou
be filled with the love of thy Lord and be severed from aught else
save Him. Verily thy Lord is the Generous and the Giver. He will give
thee what will dilate thy breast, enlighten thine eyes and attract
thee in all conditions and circumstances.

“Convey my love to the
maid-servant of God, Mrs. ……..,…”

68
Convey my love to the maid-servant of God, Mrs.
…….., and say: “Serve God all you can, for this service is
eternal and lasting.”

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

Thank God for choosing thee, saving thee and granting
thee of these great blessings and glorious attainments. Verily, thy
Lord shall confirm thee in that which shall surprise the minds,
through the glowing of its love and the manifestations of the signs
of its favors. It is incumbent upon thee to be pure and holy. It is
incumbent upon thee to be severed from all else save thy Lord.
Confine thy attention and thoughts to the Cause of thy great Lord and
to diffusing His fragrances in that country.

O maid-servant of God! Commune with thy Lord, saying:

O my God! my God! Thanks be to Thee for guiding me unto
Thy Kingdom, for opening before my face the door of Thy guidance,
enlightening my eyes with beholding Thy signs, and filling my heart
with the feelings of Thy love.

O Lord! O Lord! Make me severed from the world and void
of its conditions, attracted by the fragrances of Thy holiness among
Thy maid-servants, free in heart, happy in soul, cheerful in mind,
longing for the Kingdom of Thy Beauty, and glowing with the fire of
Thy love in the world. Thus may I enkindle the light of guidance in
the hearts of Thy servants.

Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Bestower, the
Precious, the Mighty!

“O thou who art attracted by
the Breath of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Breath of God!

With all joy I read thy brilliant letter and was
informed of its expression and meanings, which showed thine abundant
love in God, thy humility before the beloved of God, thine attraction
to the fragrances of God and thy firmness in the Testament of God.

I beg of God to make thee promote perfect harmony among
the believers of God and pure affection amid the chosen ones of God
and make thee [to] cause greatest tranquillity to all the creatures
and [to] show kindness towards all the people on the earth, because
the bounty of the Merciful God is but pure love, great prosperity and
universal peace among the different people in all regions and laying
the foundation of great happiness and felicity for all the creatures.

Consequently, O thou who art attracted by the fragrances
of God, exert thyself and fail not to infuse affection throughout all
hearts and souls; [fail not] to gather all the souls together in the
assemblage of union and cheerfulness, so that the beloved of God may
become as a levied army of the Supreme Concourse and as a host of
salvation descending from the Kingdom of ABHA and conquer the
countries of hearts and the cities of souls with their tongues,
similar to sharp swords whereby fortresses and castles are conquered.

By the Life of God! Verily I love thee with all my heart
and pray for thee every eve and morn that the forgiving Lord may
enable thee to serve in His excellent vineyard and make thee a sign
of His signs, to cause thee to deliver His Cause, diffuse His breath
(and I beg of Him) to strengthen thine honorable wife to that which
behooveth these days. Verily He is the Giver of Confirmation in all
circumstances!

“O thou who art assuredly
believing in God!…”

O thou who art assuredly believing in God!

Verily, I read thy brilliant letter and thanked God for
that He hath created a maid-servant for Baha’, who prays for
Abdul-Baha and beg the confirmation and assistance of God in his
behalf, because I am earnestly fond of the prayer of the
maid-servants of God in my behalf and of their asking the blessing of
God for this servant!

I begged of God to ordain all good unto thee for thy
praying for Abdul-Baha.

“O thou who art turning unto
the Kingdom of God, and…”

O thou who art turning unto the Kingdom of God, and
looking unto the Day-spring of the lights of God!

I, with the utmost joy and cheerfulness, have perused
the contents of thy letter, which shows thy faith in God, thy
assurance in the Kingdom of God, the gladness of thy breast in
hearing the voice of God and the adherence of thy heart to the word
of God.

O servant of God! rejoice through the glad-tidings of
God, be happy by the wafting of the fragrance of God, and cling to
the Kingdom of God in such wise that it makes thee separate thyself
from the world and kindle in thy heart the fire of the love of God to
such an extent that any one who approaches thee will feel its warmth;
and if thou desirest to attain to this station, thou shouldst turn
thyself wholly unto God. Perhaps an illumination will descend upon
thee by which the fragrances of God will be diffused throughout those
regions and districts and thou wilt be a lamp of guidance from which
the lights of knowledge will emanate and spread in those far
countries and distant lands.

“O thou who art imploring
God!…”

O thou who art imploring God!

I was indeed acquainted with the great misfortunes and
afflictions which have befallen thee, but I hope that through the
bounty of thy Lord, He may ordain unto thee heavenly fragrance and
spirituality, attractive and internal perceptions and incorporeal
susceptibilities; that He may grant thee strength after weakness,
give thee rest after trouble, bring thee nigh to Him, and make thee a
sign of His love among all His maid-servants, and forgive thy father,
mother, brother and grandfather their sins.

Verily, He is the Pardoner, the Forgiver.

“O visitant of the Resort of
spirits (who are) sincere in…”

O visitant of the Resort69
of spirits (who are) sincere in the Religion of God!

Blessed is the mother who bore thee and the breast whose
milk suckled thee and the bosom wherein thou wert nurtured, because
thou hast apprehended the Day of the Lord, hast prepared thyself to
enter in unto His kingdom, hast set thy face singly toward His
Gracious Countenance, hast believed in the Manifest Light, hast
rejoiced in the Abundant Grace, hast responded to the Voice of thy
Lord with a sincere and beating heart and hast presented thyself from
those regions at the Glorious Threshold and hast marked thy forehead
with the pure, holy, fragrant Tomb70, the breaths of whose sanctity are spread abroad throughout the
lands as fragrant musk is diffused unto the distant place! Then thank
thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement, for this great salvation (or
fruition, achievement, or attainment) and exceeding grace!

Now as to what thou askest concerning the spirit and its
“return” to this world of humanity and this elemental
space: Know that spirit in general is divided into five sorts—the
vegetable spirit, the animal spirit, the human spirit, the spirit of
faith, and the divine spirit of sanctity.

The vegetable spirit is the virtue augmentative, or
growing or vegetative faculty, which results from the admixture of
the simple elements, with the co-operation of water, air and heat.

The animal spirit is the virtue perceptive resulting
from the admixture and absorption of the vital elements generated in
the heart, which apprehend sense impressions.

The human spirit consists of the rational, or logical,
reasoning faculty, which apprehends general ideas and things
intelligible and perceptible.

Now these “spirits” are not reckoned as
Spirit in the terminology of the Scriptures and the usage of the
people of the Truth, inasmuch as the laws governing them are as the
laws which govern all phenomenal being (i.e., all existences
belonging to the phenomenal or material universe, called “the
world of generation and corruption”), in respect to generation,
corruption, production, change and reversion, as is clearly indicated
in the Gospel where it says: “Let the dead bury their dead;”
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is Spirit”; inasmuch as he who would bury
these dead was alive with the vegetative, animal and rational human
soul, yet did Christ—to whom be glory! —declare such dead
and devoid of life, in that this person was devoid of the Spirit of
Faith, which is of the Kingdom of God.

In brief, for these three spirits there is no
restitution or “return,” but they are subordinate to
reversions and production and corruption.

But the Spirit of Faith which is of the Kingdom (of God)
consists of the all-comprehending Grace and the perfect attainment
(or salvation, fruition, achievement) and the power of sanctity and
the divine effulgence from the Sun of Truth on luminous light-seeking
essences from the presence of the divine Unity. And by this Spirit is
the life of the spirit of man, when it is fortified thereby, as
Christ saith: “That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.”
And this Spirit hath both restitution and return, inasmuch as it
consists of the Light of God and the unconditioned Grace. So, having
regard to this state and station. Christ announced that John the
Baptist was Elias, who was to come before Christ (Matt. 11:14). And
the likeness of this station is as that of lamps kindled (from one
another): for these in respect to their glasses and oil-holders, are
different, but in respect to their light, One, and in respect to
their illumination, One; nay, each one is identical with the other,
without imputation of plurality, or diversity or multiplicity or
separateness. This is the Truth and beyond the Truth there is only
error.

But as to the question of the Trinity, know, O advancer
unto God, that in each one of the cycles wherein the Lights have
shone forth upon the horizons (i.e., in each prophetic dispensation)
and the Forgiving Lord hath revealed Himself on Mount Paran (see
Habbakkuk 3:3, etc.) or Mount Sinai, or Mount Seir (see Ezekiel 35),
there are necessarily three things: The Giver of the Grace, and the
Grace, and the Recipient of the Grace; the Source of the Effulgence,
and the Effulgence, and the Recipient of the Effulgence; the
Illuminator, and the Illumination, and the Illuminated. Look at the
Mosaic cycle: The Lord, and Moses, and the Fire (i.e., the burning
bush), the Intermediary; and in the Mohammedan cycle: The Lord, the
Apostle (or Messenger, Mohammed), and Gabriel (for, as the
Mohammedans believe, Gabriel brought the Revelation from God to
Mohammed). Look at the sun and its rays and the heat which results
from its rays; the rays and the heart are but two effects of the sun,
but inseparable from it; yet the sun is one in its essence, unique in
its real identity, single in its attributes, neither is it possible
that anything should resemble it. Such is the essence of the Truth
concerning the Unity, the real doctrine of the Singularity, the
undiluted reality as to the (Divine) Sanctity.

But as to the question concerning the atonement on the
part of the Holy Redeemer, I have explained this to thee by word of
mouth in a plain and detailed manner, devoid of ambiguities, and I
have made it clear to thee as the sun at noonday.

And I ask God to open unto thee the gates, that thou
mayest thyself apprehend the true meanings of these mysteries.
Verily, He is the Confirmer, the Beneficent, the Merciful!

“O thou who art firm in the
Covenant!…”

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

The means of communication being severed71, your letter of *** was received only in these days. You have made
mention of the persons who have lately accepted the Truth. Convey
most wonderful ABHA greetings to Mrs. …….. and say: “Thank
thou God for thou hast worn a crown studded with gems of the
knowledge of God and partaken of the fountain of the Water of Life.”
Convey also most wonderful greetings to Mrs. …….. and say: “Thou
wast in darkness and thou hast attained the world of lights. Thou was
not informed of Almighty God. I hope thou wilt witness signs.”

O thou real friend! Another letter [hath just been]
received for thee. Its contents bear upon the cablegram which was
sent to prevent publication. By thy dear life, thou wast not meant by
it; for numerous publications were seen in newspapers and magazines
which were not proper. The purpose of that cablegram is this: That
each one of the beloved ones of God (believers in general who may
wish to publish any writings or articles, etc.) should first send the
same to the Holy Land, to be seen (or examined) and then printed. And
this matter is general and this (message) was sent equally to
America, Persia, India and Turkestan. I have the utmost love for thee
and thy family for thou servest me—how can I be offended at
you? Be assured and happy. Convey my greetings to thy sons and also
to the maid-servant of God, thy wife.

“O thou slave of the Beauty of
ABHA!…”

O thou slave of the Beauty of ABHA!

Thy letter was received. Praise be to God! It indicated
thy firmness and steadfastness in the love of God—therefore, it
was the cause of happiness.

Thou hast written regarding the meeting of his honor Mr.
…….., his respected wife and daughter. Truly, I say, Mr. ……..
is a blessed soul and is engaged in the service of the Cause and his
extreme hope is to bring about affinity between the souls and cause
the believers to be united and agree. This is also my highest hope. I
hope, God willing, this unity and agreement will be established and
this imprisoned one, immersed in the sea of trials, become
exhilarated and rejoiced. The aim of the appearance of the Blessed
Perfection—may my life be a sacrifice for His beloved ones!
—was the unity and agreement of all the people of the world.
Therefore, my utmost desire, firstly, is the accord and union and
love of the believers and after that of all the people of the world.
Now, if unity and agreement is not established among the believers, I
will become heartbroken and the afflictions will leave a greater
imprint upon me. But if the fragrance of love and unity among the
believers is wafted to my nostrils, every trial will become a mercy,
every unhappiness a joy, every difficulty an expansion, every misery
a treasure and every hardship a felicity.

Convey on my behalf the utmost love and kindness to the
favored maid-servant of God [thy wife], and thy worthy and noble
sons.

“O thou who art awakened from
the sleep of negligence…”

O thou who art awakened from the sleep of negligence and
forgetfulness!

Thank God for that He hath awakened thee from thy sleep,
found thee after thy being lost and quickened thee after thy death.
Verily, I beg God to confirm thee by a power by which thou mayest be
enabled to worship God and to serve His Cause and to be submissive
and lowly before the beloved of God.

Verily, I remember thee in my prayers an din my
invocation, beseeching the Heavenly Father, the Lord of Hosts, to
confirm thee by a power and cause thee to be firm and to work and
serve in the olive garden of God and to be lowly and submissive
before His Holy and Exalted Threshold.

“O thou fortunate and
righteous, sincere and pious!…”

O thou fortunate and righteous, sincere and pious!

Thank thou God for that by reason of which the breath of
God hath awakened thee and the spirit of God hath quickened thee and
raised thee from among the dead with a joyful spirit of life.

In my prayers I supplicate God to bestow upon thee in
all cases and aspects an influential and penetrating power that thou
mayest be a firm, faithful and successful servant in the garden of
El-ABHA, and a skillful laborer in the vineyard of God.

“O thou who art advancing
toward the Kingdom of…”

O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom of God!

Verily, I supplicate God to illuminate thy heart through
the light which is shining from the Supreme Concourse that His
mightiest power may strengthen thee to be firm, steadfast, submissive
and lowly before the Kingdom of God, and to be an example of good
deeds among the maid-servants of the Merciful. And I beseech Him to
make thy breast a clear mirror to reflect the light of the spirit of
God.

“O thou at whose mention I am
rejoiced!…”

O thou at whose mention I am rejoiced!

By God, the True One, verily pure hearts are as clear
and brilliant mirrors which imprint the one on the other, and hearts
discover the secrets of hearts. Therefore, they (hearts) chant the
verses of longing and recite the odes of glorification and praise.
Consequently, the recourse is to pages of hearts, not pages filled
with written lines.

Give my greetings to thy revered wife and announce to
her the glad-tidings of a gift from God; and I beg of God to make her
a spark from out the fire of His love. Verily He is the Powerful, the
Mighty!

“O thou who art assured in
God!…”

O thou who art assured in God!

Verily we read thy letter and asked for thee
confirmation. Verily thy Lord will strengthen thee in great
spirituality and cause thy heart to overflow with the gifts of God.

All the servants of the Merciful here convey to thee
greetings and praise. ***

“O thou who art advanced
towards God!…”

O thou who art advanced towards God!

Verily I implore God to cause thee to be a sign of the
book of Genesis, declaring His mentionings and His praise among the
creatures, with brilliant face, smiling mouth, dilated breast and
rejoiced heart, for the manifestation of His evident glory and the
appearance of His illumining Beauty from that wonderful horizon.

Surely a day will come when all thy desires will be
attained and God will answer all that which thou hast prayed for in
thine heart, and I beg of Him to make all that which thou hast longed
for long ago very attainable. Then thine heart will be overflowed
with joy on account of such a great bounty.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily I read thy new letter and was informed of its
meanings, which proved thy lowiness to thy Glorious Lord.

Verily we promised thee, by the favor of thy Lord, last
year, that thy Lord would grant thee “sight of eyes”
(i.e., a son), a blessed birth. Thanks and praise be unto God for
that He granted thee a good descendant and dilated thy breast by this
great bounty. It is incumbent on thee to offer many thanks to the
Merciful Lord for this great favor in the world of humanity. Verily I
implore unto God to make him a sign of His Kingdom, illuminated,
spiritual and god-like among the children.

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Thank God for giving and granting thee “sight of
eyes” (i.e., a son) whereby thy bosom becomes dilated and thy
heart rejoiced.

Then make his name “Ruhullah” (i.e., the
Spirit of God), so that the Spirit of thy Lord, the Merciful of the
Merciful, will confirm him.

O maid-servant of God! Know, verily, that the one who
bore similar name (i.e., Ruhullah), son of Varga, was martyred in the
path of God in the twelfth year of his life. While he was beneath the
unsheathed sword he called out “Ya Baha-el-ABHA!” until
he was killed in the path of God.

We called thy son by this noble name so that he may have
a great station in the Kingdom of God.

“O thou sincere servant of the
True One!…”

O thou sincere servant of the True One!

Thy letter caused joy to the hearts. Its meanings
perfumed the nostrils like unto a tender flower and a red rose. The
heat of thy longing was felt and thy wish to present thyself to the
blessed Threshold was recognized. Happy art thou who hast entered
this Supreme Paradise under the shadow of the Tree of Life and hast
partaken of the Heavenly Table. This Servant hath also the utmost
longing to see thee and hopeth that some day this wish may be
attained. But in these days, owing to the sedition of these faithless
ones (i.e., violators), coming to this blessed region is (subject to)
great caution. Therefore, leave it to some other time and be engaged
in diffusing the lights of the Sun of Truth.

Turn thou unto the Kingdom of Oneness and chant thou the
verses of Singleness. Be thou invested with a robe, the embroidery of
which is purity and sanctity and the woof and warp of which is the
spirituality of the Mighty Lord, so that thou mayest inhale the
fragrance of the divine rose-garden from the garment of the real
Joseph and so divest thyself of the mantle of bodily things that
angelhood and ideal spirituality become realized (in thee).

“O thou who art firm in the
Covenant!…”

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

I have seen the letter which thou hast written to Mr.
……… The opinion (expresssed therein) was very agreeable. The
Spiritual Meeting of Consultation of New York must be in the utmost
union and harmony with the Spiritual Meeting of Consultation of
Chicago, and that which they deem advisable to publish, these two
Meetings of Consultation must unitedly approve of it and deem its
publication advisable. Then the Meeting of Consultation must send one
copy thereof to Acca, in order that it may be also approved of here
and then returned, and that the it may be printed and published.

That the two Spiritual Meetings of Chicago and New York
must be in unity and harmony is very important, and when a Spiritual
Meeting may be also organized in Washington in a befitting manner,
these two meeting (of Chicago and New York) must be also in unity and
harmony with that meeting.

To be brief, it hath been decided by the Desire of God
that union and harmony may day by day increase among the friends of
God and maid-servants of the Merciful One, in the West. Not until
this is realized will the affairs advance by any means whatever! And
the greatest means for the union and harmony of all is Spiritual
Meetings. This matter is very important and is as a magnet (to
attract or) for divine confirmation. If the beauty of this Divine
Beloved One—that is, unity of believers—does appear in
the ornament of the Kingdom of ABHA, it is certain that those
countries will, in a short time, become the Paradise of ABHA and the
light of Unity (or Oneness) and Singleness will shine upon the whole
world from the West. We72
are endeavoring with all heart an soul, have no rest night and day,
nor a moment of tranquillity, so that we may make the world of
humanity the mirror of the divine unity; how much more the beloved of
God! And this wish and hope shall appear and shine forth at that time
when the true friends of God may arise and act in accord with the
teachings of the Beauty of ABHA—may my life be a sacrifice to
His beloved ones! One of the teachings is that love and faithfulness
must so prevail in the hearts that men may see the stranger as a
friend, the sinner as an intimate fellow, may count enemies as
allies, regard foes as loving comrades, call their executioner the
giver of life, consider the denier as a believer and the unbeliever
as a faithful one—that is, men must behave in such a manner as
may befit the believers, the faithful, the friend and the confidant.
If this lamp may shine in a befitting manner in the assemblage of the
world you will find that the regions will become fragrant and the
world become a delectable paradise, the surface of the earth will
become an excellent garden, the world will become as one home, the
different nations will become as one kind, and the peoples and
nationalities of the East and West will become as one household. I
hope such a day may come and such lights may dawn and such a
Countenance may appear in the utmost beauty.

“O thou maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou maid-servant of God!

Though thy letter was brief in words, it was ample in
significance. It indicated that thy heart is illumined, thine inner
sight is open and thine ear of understanding is familiar with the
mystery. This is a gift from God, the Independent.

Thine expression of kindness to Miss …….. is very
acceptable. Be thou kind to all on the earth, a care-taker (or
helper) to every sick person, an open treasure to every indigent one;
offer thou salutary water to the athirst; bestow the bread (or food)
of life upon the hungered; console thou the helpless, exhort the
ignorant and seek forgiveness for the sinner.

If, hereafter, thou mayest write a letter to Miss
…….., deliver unto her this my message:

“O Miss ……..! The Tree of Life is full of
blossoms, leave and fruits! —the shade thereof is a peace to
soul and a rest to the consciousness. Whosoever is under this Tree
will certainly partake of fruit. But shade trees are many in the
forest, which, though fresh and verdant, are, nevertheless,
fruitless. This truth shall finally become clear and manifest unto
thee.”

Kiss thou the face and hair of Ruhullah on my behalf.

“O God who art without
likeness!…”

O God who art without likeness!

The servant of Thy Kingdom, Mr. …….., reached the
Holy Threshold in the utmost of sincerity and longing and sought Thy
good will. It is some time that he hath been engaged in the land of
America with Thy commemoration and known by Thy commendation. To the
beloved he is a cause of joy and to the friends a means of unity and
gladness.

O world Creator! For his life—well done! —for
he is alive with Thy name and thoughtful of Thee night and day.
Confer upon him Thy grace that he may daily receive a new life,
attain a fresh bounty, offer a new service to Thy Threshold and serve
Thy Throne.

Thou art the Giver, the Forgiver and Thou art the
Pardoner, the Educator.

“O thou servant of Baha’!…”

O thou servant of Baha’!

Thy visit is accepted and thy name ever mentioned in the
presence of Abdul-Baha. I forget thee not for a moment but remember
thee always. I seek confirmation and strength from God for thee. Rest
thou assured and be happy in the love of Abdul-Baha. Know for a
certainty that divine confirmation will arrive and great attainment
be made.

“O servant of Baha’!…”

O servant of Baha’!

Thy letter written to his honor, Mirza …….., with
the enclosed map of the ground of the Mashrak-el-Azcar, hath been
seen.

The place is suitable, but if it were possible to have a
wider piece of ground, so that the building should stand in the
middle, surrounded by a flower garden, it would be better and more
pleasing; otherwise, if this is not possible, the building on the
present ground is also permissible.

The flowers which Ruhullah picked on the ground of the
Mashrak-el-Azcar and thou didst send to me brought with them and
exhaled a very sweet fragrance. This fragrance is just as thou didst
write, “the fragrance of the rose-garden of the unity of the
East and West.” I hope that daily these fragrances may become
more powerful and more diffused throughout the world.

Thou must hasten to send his honor …. …… all the
writings for which he asked, to Rangoon, India.

An utmost happiness was produced by the news of the good
health and safety of the friends of God.

My spiritual beloved, his honor, Mr. …….., is
rendering a great service to the Kingdom of ABHA and becoming a means
of strong attraction towards, and connection with the world above by
making this long tour73
and giving the news of the Holy Spot and diffusing the fragrances of
the love of God.

As to the calamities and afflictions of Abdul-Baha:
These are not calamities, but bounties; they are not afflictions, but
gifts; not hardships, but tranquillity; not trouble, but mercy—and
we thank God for this great favor.

“O thou who art advancing unto
God!…”

O thou who art advancing unto God!

Praise God that He guided thee to the Path of His
Kingdom, blessed thee with the word of holiness, and illumined thy
heart with a light shining in the lofty Kingdom.

O maid-servant of God! Every star hath a setting, but
the star of the knowledge of God in the divine heaven; every light
shall darken save the light of the guidance of God; every dignity
shall vanish away save the glory under the shadow of the Word of God.

Verily, I pray God to make thee firm in this Path; to
cause thee to enter the Ark of Safety; and to strengthen thee in
becoming humble and meek to the maid-servants of the Merciful, and in
overcoming self and passion through the power of God.

“O my dear, intimate
friend!…”

O my dear, intimate friend!

Verily, I address thee with such an appellation whereby
the hearts of those who are endowed with intelligence, are dilated
with joy; because, verily, this is from my heart which is overflowing
with the love of God—and an appellation that proceeds from love
will certainly be as a spirit for the souls, as a light to the eyes,
as a life to bodies and as a dressing for the hearts and bodies which
are wounded and lacerated by the afflictions of this world. Then be
consoled by the praise of thy Lord, whenever thou art attacked by
grief and sorrow.

“O thou candle of the Love of
God!…”

O thou candle of the Love of God!

I ask God to grant thee by His favor and grace that
which is thy utmost desire; that the closed doors become opened, the
uneven roads become even, thy face shine by the love of God, thy
sight become brighter by witnessing the signs of God; that thou
mayest attain spiritual joy, eternal happiness and heavenly life.

“O thou maid-servant of
God!…”

O thou maid-servant of God!

Thank God that thou dost believe in the Greatest
Manifestation, art confident in the Word of God and dost hold to the
divine teachings. I hope that thou mayest be confirmed to give the
Message to thy friends and relatives and guide them also. Be patient
and forbearing and treat them with great love and kindness. Surely
the attributes of the people of God will have their effect eventually
upon the people.

“O thou beloved of my
heart!…”

O thou beloved of my heart!

Verily, my soul longs for thee, for the lamp of the love
of Baha’ is lighted within thy heart and I love to look upon
thy face, for it is glittering with the light of guidance among the
creatures. Glory be to Him who hath united hearts together! Glory be
to Him who hath brought the East and West under the shadow of the
Blessed Tree, the root of which is firmly fixed in the earth and the
branches of which reach unto the Supreme Concourse!

“O thou who art partaking of
the Heavenly Food!…”

O thou who art partaking of the Heavenly Food!

Know thou verily the Divine Food is descending from
heaven, but only those taste thereof who are directed to the light of
guidance, and only those can enjoy it who are endowed with a sound
taste. Otherwise every diseased soul disliketh the delicious and
merciful food and this is because of the sickness which hath seized
him, whereby the El-Zekkum74
is sweet (to his taste) while he fleeth from the ripe fruit of the
Tree of the Living and Pre-existent God—and there is no wonder
in that.

In a similar way, thou beholdest some women who have
abandoned the Testament, and to them the bitterness of discord is
sweet. They keep aloof from the Extended Shadow and dwell under the
shade of a “black smoke.” Alas for them and grief for
them! They will surely lament and find themselves in loss. Verily,
this is but an evident truth!

“O thou tree, developed in the
garden of the Love of…”

O thou tree, developed in the garden of the Love of God!

Be well watered with the abundant rain falling from the
clouds of the Testament of God, that thou mayest bring forth fresh
and ripe fruits which are beneficial to the hearts and souls.

“O thou spiritual man and
merciful being!…”

O thou spiritual man and merciful being!

I have read thy brilliant letter which showeth the
utterance of thy praise upon the Beauty of El-ABHA, the Most
Glorious. Blessed thou art! Glad-tidings unto thee for that by reason
of which thou hast drunk from the cup which is overflowing with the
wine of the love of God, and hast become intoxicated from that pure
wine which was given to thee from the hand of Providence in the
meeting of the knowledge of God.

Take the cup of sanctity in thy right hand and pass the
glass of the Kingdom, in the social meeting—which is the wine
of the love of God and the sweet, pure, cool water of the knowledge
of God—and give to drink to those who are in attendance, that
they may rejoice, be happy and sing the hymns of sanctity and
unification, offering their praise to the Supreme Kingdom.

“O thou who art attracted to
the Holy Fragrances!…”

O thou who art attracted to the Holy Fragrances!

The light of truth hath made thine eyes to see, the
voice of God hath made thine ears to hear and the lights emanating
from the beauty of the Light of the World both made thine heart
attracted and astonished. I hope that thou wilt cut thyself from all
that is in this world; wilt sever thyself from all desires of this
transitory world; wilt attach thy heart entirely to the light of
truth and wilt, at all times, rise in the service of truth in the
rose-garden of God.

The deriding of the enemy addeth to the joy of the heart
and taunting of the ignorant becometh the means of spirituality and
fragrance.

Observe that the Pharisees called His Holiness, the
sweet and the divine Christ, Beelzebub or the head of evil spirits.
This people (the people of the world) are in the depths of ignorance
and their reproach and detraction are like praise and congratulation.

I hope that, in the path of the love of God, thou wilt
exert thyself exceedingly and thus wilt enjoy life.

The letter which thou hadst written to Mrs. …… was
perused by me. Indeed, its contents were indicative of divine
knowledge and showed that thou art really attracted to the Beauty of
God. Thou hast very well explained the question of the progress of
man in the higher stations and his reaching the life eternal. This
explanation is indeed from the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.

“O thou who art accepted of
God!…”

O thou who art accepted of God!

Know thou that, verily, the eye of favors is directed to
thee and is beholding thee with a divine glance, so that thou mayest,
with clear eyes, see the lights of the Kingdom upon the horizon.
Remember, at all times, this great favor and thank thy Lord and
supplicate to Him every day.

“O thou servant of God!…”

O thou servant of God!

According to what I have heard, thou hast experienced a
great financial loss. Do not feel sorry, for thou wilt be
compensated. I hope that whatever thou hast lost will come back to
thee. But this material loss is not a very grave one; it is for a
time and shall pass away. Alhamdallah!75—that
thou hast a share in the Kingdom of God and art receiving gifts from
the treasury of the Holy Spirit. Do not feel sorry; do not brood over
the loss; do not sit down depressed; do not be silent; but, on the
contrary, day and night be engaged in the commemoration of thy Lord
in the greatest joy and gladness.

“O thou who art attracted to
the Beauty of the Deity!…”

O thou who art attracted to the Beauty of the Deity!

Verily, I have read thy clear letter, and was heartily
cheered at its elegant style, because it indicated thy sincerity in
the Cause of God, thy hearty adherence to the Word of God, and thy
service in the vineyard of God.

O thou maid-servant of God! Be tranquil and know,
verily, that indeed, the Holy Ghost in this glorious age teacheth
every soul that is sincerely faithful, firm and drawn to the Kingdom
of the Great Lord. Verily, I address thee with a heart overflowing
with the love of God.

I beg of God to ordain for thee all that which thou
desirest and grant thee the honors of meeting, and that thou mayest
be a true maid-servant, emptied of all save Him, that thou mayest be
apt in serving in His vineyard and in guiding thy two children into
His Right Path.

Indeed thou wilt see the teachings of God spread in
those regions by the breath of the Holy Spirit, and thou wilt
discover the fragrances of the paradise of the Kingdom.

Verily, these glad-tidings are very great for thee, and
also for the maid-servants of the Merciful One, and for the men of
God in that wide region (i.e., America).

“O ye who are longing for the
beauty of El-ABHA!…”

O ye76
who are longing for the beauty of El-ABHA!

Verily that Light (i.e., the Light of the Manifestation)
shone forth from the horizon of the Manifestation, appeared upon the
horizon of existence, and the darkness was changed into light; the
Sun of Guidance dawned in the horizon of heaven, whereby the eyes
which were looking unto the Kingdom of God were illuminated, the
breasts which were filled with God’s love were dilated, and the
heavenly spirits were attracted by the magnet of the Holy Spirit, so
that the hearts became as pure mirrors reflecting the godlike
appearances and manifesting the heavenly lights—except the eyes
which were in the veil of imitation of the forefathers (i.e., those
who followed the theories of their fathers) were hindered from or
veiled from witnessing that brilliant and godlike illumination, and
the people held to the superstitions of the Pharisees and neglected
the mystery of God and the glad-tidings (recorded) in the Holy
Scriptures, which elucidated the appearance of the Lord of Hosts in
the promised day.

As to you—O ye who are attracted to the fragrances
of God! —kneel down and thank God for choosing you to enter His
wonderful Kingdom.

How many of the Pharisees were waiting for the
appearance of the Spirit (i.e., Jesus) then were veiled from it. But
ye have taken away the veil and were guided unto the light, have
given up imitating forefathers and directed your eyes to the Sun of
Truth, which is shining in the Supreme Horizon. This is a favor to
you on the part of your Lord, and a gift for you.

“O maid-servant of God!…”

O maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was understood. Thou hast asked, very humbly,
for certain things and all were worthy to be coveted. Thou desirest
forgiveness of sins; didst ask for great unity and peace; sought
nearness to the Threshold of God; hoped to be detached from thine own
will, seeking the will of God; prayed for rescue from self-love (or
selfishness); hoped for progress in the station of knowledge; desired
to serve God; and prayed that thy honorable husband and thy children
may be set aglow with the fire of the love of God and may manifest
light on their brows through the radiance of the knowledge of God.
All these wishes are well worthy of asking. Especially the rescue
from self-love. This is a strange trait and means of the destruction
of many important souls in the world. If man be imbued with all good
qualities but be selfish, all the other virtues will fade or pass
away and eventually he will grow worse.

I hope the beloved of God and the maid-servants of the
Merciful will be entirely freed from selfishness. Should this become
their nature, they will indeed become manifestations of great
bounties, and the doors of the divine grace will open.

Be thou grateful to Mrs. …….. for having led thee to
the Straight Path and guiding thee to the Kingdom of God. If thou
shouldst thank her a thousand times an hour, thou wilt fail to thank
her sufficiently for the attainment.

“***O thou who art attracted
to the Fragrances of God!…”

***O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!

Know thou that the heart of Abdul-Baha is overflowing
with great love for thee, and verily he is night and day invoking and
beseeching the Kingdom of God that He may make thee a sign of His
mercy among His creatures, a cause of love and harmony and a means of
hinging [or a pivot for] every good among the people of all regions,
and to make thee announce to the people the opening of the door of
the Kingdom. “Verily God will appropriate His mercy unto whom
He pleaseth.”

O thou servant of God! Turn thy face thoroughly unto
God, so that He may make thee to show forth the Greatest Gift and
make thee to be a source of those signs which may prove thy proper
relationship unto God and the joy of thy heart, through the
fragrances of the Holy Spirit, in every moment and instant.

Be thou sure that, verily, thy deceased child is now one
of those babes who are suckled in the Kingdom of Life, under the
charge of the Beauty of El-ABHA. “Verily, God confirmeth whom
He wisheth!”

“O thou who art attracted by
the Fragrances of God!…”

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily I read thy excellent letter which contained thy
praises of the Supreme Lord. Verily I supplicate God to confirm thee
in that which He desireth, to protect thee from conceit and
self-exaltation and from selfish concerns, to make thee devoted unto
Him and resigned unto Him and to be the means of promoting the divine
love amongst the dearly beloved of God. And I beseech Him to preserve
thee from the confirmed tests and great trials which break backs and
perish souls and to make thee a sign of submissiveness and a standard
of meekness, lowliness and humility before the Kingdom of the Mighty
and Omnipotent God.

“O thou who art advancing unto
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who art advancing unto the Kingdom of God!

Verily I noted thy writing and was made glad by thy
letter. I pray God to cause thee to attain the bounties of the
Kingdom, so that thou mayest arise for the service of the Cause of
God and that of the world of humanity—and (may God’s)
blessing descend upon thy honorable wife. Verily my Lord is kind unto
His servants and is the Generous, the Giver of Bounty!

Know that the return of Christ for a second time doth
not mean what the people believe, but, rather, signifieth the One
promised to come after Him. He shall come with the Kingdom of God and
His power which hath surrounded the world. This power (or reign) is
in the world of hearts and spirits and not in that of matter (or
bodies). For the material world is not comparable to a single wing of
a fly, or rather less in the sight of thy Lord, wert thou of those
who know! Verily Christ came with His Kingdom from the beginning
which hath no beginning and will come with His Kingdom to the
eternity of eternities, inasmuch as in this sense Christ is an
expression of the divine reality, the simple essence and heavenly
entity which hath no beginning or ending. It hath appearance, arising
and manifestation and setting in each of the cycles.

“O thou who art marching unto
God!…”

O thou who art marching unto God!

Thy letter was read. Its contents indicated thy devotion
to the Horizon of the Living God and thy love for the Promised
Perfection. Firmness is, however, a requisite. Thou must remain solid
and firm as a great mountain.

Regarding thy revered wife, thou hast written that a
warmer place is more suitable than the cold. If this winter thou
shouldst go to those regions, it is better. I ask God that thou, thy
wife and thy friends may draw nigh unto the Spiritual Beauty.

“Rejoice, O maid-servant of
God!…”

Rejoice, O maid-servant of God!

—for that thou hast known God and heard His call
and art attracted to His breaths! Then prostrate thyself and kneel
down before the gracious Lord, in His great Kingdom, and say:

“My Lord! My Lord! I praise Thee and I thank Thee
for that whereby Thou hast favored Thine humble maid-servant, Thy
slave beseeching and supplicating Thee, because Thou hast verily
guided her unto Thine obvious Kingdom and caused her to hear Thine
exalted Call in the contingent world and to behold Thy Signs which
prove the appearance of Thy victorious reign over all things.

“O my Lord, I dedicate that which is in my womb
unto Thee. Then cause it to be a praiseworthy child in Thy Kingdom
and a fortunate one by Thy favor and Thy generosity; to develop and
to grow up under the charge of Thine education. Verily Thou art the
Gracious! Verily Thou art the Lord of Great Favor!”

“O thou who art afflicted by a
visitation by which thine…”

O thou who art afflicted by a visitation by which thine
eyes are overflowing with tears!

Be not grieved and afflicted for this calamity which
hath befallen thee; nay, rather, rejoice that God hath favored (thy
babe) with His heavenly gifts. Truly, I say unto thee, wert thou
informed of that felicity which thy babe hath attained in the worlds
of God, thy breast would be dilated and thy soul would be purified.
Truly, I say unto thee, thy child will be fostered from the breast of
the gift of God in the Exalted Kingdom and will be nursed in the
bosom of mercy in the Supreme World of God. Therefore, be filled with
delight, for the favor of thy Lord is very great!

I beg of God to pour on thee becoming patience, so that
thy heart may be consoled with the fragrance of His mercy and that
thy breast may be dilated with His favors, that thou mayest attain to
the spiritual states which are lasting forever and ever.

Thou oughtest to bear it with becoming patience. Again,
thou oughtest to patiently bear this calamity which hath flowed thine
eyes with tears and hath greatly afflicted thee.

“O thou who art advancing unto
the Kingdom of God!…”

O thou who art advancing unto the Kingdom of God!

Verily, I read thy beautiful letter, its good
composition, and I scented from the garden of its significances the
fragrance of God’s love. I pray God to confirm thee in the
Path, to cause thee to enter the Ark of Safety, to reveal unto thee
the signs and manifest to thee the evidences; thus thou mayest be
firm in the love of God, steadfast in the religion of God and a
growing tree by the bounty of the Kingdom of El-ABHA.

O maid-servant of God! Be rejoiced for God hath made
thee a believing maid-servant in His Holy Threshold and a leaf of the
leaves of the Tree of Life. If God giveth thee good descendants and a
manly son, rest assured in that he will be a good son, looking unto
the Supreme Horizon and confident in his soul by the favors of the
Lord of the High Heavens.

I supplicate God to make His beloved ones in Cincinnati
(O.) glow with the fire of Sinai, imploring unto the Kingdom of
El-ABHA, meek and lowly for the sake of God among His beloved,
denying self and passion, grasping the rope of piety, so that they
may be lamps of guidance in those regions. I pray God to make thee a
maid-servant whose garment shall be faithfulness and the crown of her
head the love of El-Baha.

Convey greeting and praise from me to thy honorable
husband. I ask God to aid him with a strength whereat minds shall
amaze in the Cause of the Living God.

“O ye illumined faces! O ye
divine souls! and O ye…”

O ye77
illumined faces! O ye divine souls! and O ye spiritual temples!

Verily, I read your letter which uttered your extreme
love and entire attraction to the Kingdom of God, your trust in God,
your immersing into the deep seas of the bounties of God and your
chanting the verses of thanksgiving to God, because He guided you to
His Eternal Kingdom, manifested to you His evident light, descended
upon you a heavenly table through His great favor, planted you in His
glorious vineyard and caused you to become manifestations of guidance
among the people and dawning-points of wisdom among the creatures.

Servants of God! Sanctify the soul and dilate the breast
by the promise your Lord gave you, that, verily, He confirms you
through the hosts of inspiration. Ye will see (the time when) your
faces shine as stars in the horizon of guidance and your heads
crowned by the crown of success in the Supreme World.

O Thou kind Lord!

These souls are Thy friends and this gathering is
longing for Thee. They are captives of the lights of Thy Beauty and
ecstatic by Thy musk-scented locks. Their hearts are Thine; they are
Thy poor, humble and homeless; they have severed themselves from
relative and stranger and have established the relationship of unity
with Thee. They have adored Thee. They were sons of earth; Thou hast
made them new fruits of the Kingdom. They were plants of the desert
of bereavement; Thou hast made them trees of the rose-garden of
knowledge. They were silent; Thou hast made them speak. They were
extinct; Thou hast lighted them. They were sterile soil; Thou hast
made them the rose-garden of significances. They were the children of
the world of humanity; Thou hast caused them to attain development
and the maturity of the Kingdom!

O kind One! Grant them shelter and security under Thy
protection, preserve them from tests and trials, send them invisible
help and confer upon them the doubtless bounty, O Thou kind Beloved!

They are the body and Thou art the Life. The body is
dependent for its life and freshness upon the Spirit—therefore
they are in need of confirmation and long for the Breaths of the Holy
Spirit in this new Cause!

Thou art the Able! Thou art the Giver, the Educator, the
Forgiver, the Pardoner and the Light shining from the Invisible
Realm!

“O ye who are attracted to the
Heavenly Kingdom! O…”

O ye78
who are attracted to the Heavenly Kingdom! O ye who are enlightened
by the Light of Guidance! O ye lamps lighted by the Light of Love and
Affection!

Verily, I have read your brilliant letter, which
indicated your enkindlement by the fire of the love of God and prayed
[for] your entrance into the Kingdom of God.

Blessed ye are, O ye who are firm and steadfast in the
Covenant of God!

Blessed ye are, O ye shining stars from the horizon of
the love of God!

I supplicate to God to make you the heralds of His
mercy, spreaders of the fragrances of His holiness, utterers of His
name, servants in His vineyard and dwellers in the Paradise of
El-ABHA; so that ye may become signs of guidance, standards of love
and divine fruitful trees, cheerfully moved by the breezes of God.

Make firm your feet in the Cause of God; dilate your
breasts by the glad-tidings of God and turn to the kingdom of God
with pure hearts, sanctified souls, cheerful spirits, brightened eyes
and illumined faces. Verily, I say unto you then (when ye become so)
the angels of holiness will welcome you by the glad-tidings of God,
the Mighty, the Powerful.

“O ye maid-servants of the
Merciful! Leaves of the…”

O ye79
maid-servants of the Merciful! Leaves of the Tree of Life!

Thank ye the Lord, for He hath removed the covering from
off your insight, illuminated your eyes by witnessing the Sun of
Truth, purified your souls, and hath quickened your hearts through
the holy fragrances which are being diffused from the garden of the
kingdom of His Great Glory!

O ye maid-servants of the Merciful! It is incumbent upon
you to soar up with wings of joy and happiness unto the apex of
exultation and gladness; for He hath assigned unto you the greatest
guidance in the Day of Resurrection, and hath crowned you with the
diadem of glory and divine honor among the women of the whole world,
and hath chosen you above the queens of the world for His great
bounty.

Verily, the crowns which are on the heads of the noble
women—the queens of the world—all their bases will be
finally broken, their gems scattered away, their luster removed and
will become as dispersed dust. But your magnificent crowns are
everlastingly brilliant and permanently glorious and mighty and their
gems scintillating throughout cycles and ages.

This is the highest gift! This is the greatest bestowal!
Thank ye your Lord for this great bounty and favor! O ye
maid-servants of the Merciful! verily, your Lord, the Supreme, is
calling upon you from His Ancient Kingdom and announces unto you such
glad-tidings, whereat the hearts of the angels of heaven rejoice.

It is incumbent upon you to strip yourselves of every
old garment (i.e., old beliefs and past customs). It is incumbent
upon you to be severed from this contemptible earthly world. It is
incumbent upon you (to seek after) the Kingdom, in this great Day!

Purify ye your hearts, sanctify your souls and cleanse
your spirits; so that ye may attain to this great success. Then ye
will become the angels of heaven, will enter among the Supreme
Concourse and will permanently abide in the paradise of union (with
God), and will be associated with the Beauty of El-ABHA.