Volume II: Tablets (part 3)

You have written that there is a difference among the believers concerning the "Second Coming of Christ." Praise be to God!--time and again this question hath arisen and its answer hath emanated in a clear and irrefutable text from the pen of Abdul-Baha that what is meant in the prophecies by the "Lord of Hosts,"

------------------------ 1. the New York City Board of Counsel. +P 430 the "Promised Christ" is the Blessed Perfection (Baha'o'llah) and His Highness the Supreme (the Bab). The faith of everyone must resolve around this palpable and evident text.

My name is Abdul-Baha, my identity is Abdul-Baha, my qualification is Abdul-Baha, my reality is Abdul-Baha, my praise is Abdul-Baha. Thraldom to the Blessed Perfection is my glorious and refulgent diadem; and servitude to all the human race is my perpetual religion. Through the bounty and favor of the Blessed Perfection, Abdul-Baha is the Ensign of the Most-Great-Peace, which is waving from the Supreme Apex; and through the gift of the Greatest name, he is the Lamp of Universal Salvation, which is shining with the light of the love of God. The Herald of the Kingdom is he, so that he may awaken the people of the East and of the West. The Voice of Friendship, Uprightness, Truth and Reconciliation is he, so as to cause acceleration throughout all regions. No name, no title, no mention, no commendation hath he nor will ever have except Abdul-Baha. This is my longing. This is my supreme apex. This is my greatest yearning. This is my eternal life. This is my everlasting glory! Express ye the same thing which is issued from my pen. This is the duty of all. Consequently the friends of God must assist and help Abdul-Baha in the adoration of the True One; in the servitude to the human race; in the well-being of the human world and in divine love and kindness.

O ye friends of God! Through the Appearance of the Blessed Perfection the theories are abrogated and the facts are established. The time of superficiality is

+P 431 gone by and the cycle of reality hath appeared. One must become the incarnation of Servitude, the personification of Love, the embodiment of Spirituality and the mirror of Mercy.

The believers must become the cause of life; deliver the people from heedlessness, call the souls to the perfection of humanity, beckon nations to unity and agreement, destroy the foundations of foreignness, make everyone as friends and associates, treat the negligent souls as their own children, and train and educate them with the utmost love--so that the ignorant become wise, the blind become endowed with sight, and the deaf be given hearing.

O ye friends of God! Beware! Beware of differences! By differences the Temple of God is razed to its very foundation, and by the blowing of the winds of disagreement the Blessed Tree is prevented from producing any fruit. By the intense cold of the diversity of opinions the rose-garden of Unity is withered, and the fire of the love of God is extinguished!

O ye friends of God! Abdul-Baha is the Manifestation of Thraldom and not "Christ." The servant of the human realm is he, and not a "chief." Nonexistent is he and not "Existent." Pure nothingness is he and not "Eternal+F1 ."

There is no outcome or result to these discussions. We must put aside these disputes and controversies, nay, rather must we consign them to utter oblivion and

------------------------ 1. the Tablet in which I have state `I am not Christ and am not Eternal,' 2. the meaning is this, that I am not Christ--and not the Eternal Lord!

But I am Abdul-Baha. This is its real purport. Undoubtedly those souls who are under the shadow of the Blessed Cause, believing and assured, firm and steadfast, and living in accord with the divine exhortations and advices, all of them are confirmed in the everlasting life."--Abdul-Baha. +P 432 arise to do that which is indispensable and which is demanded of us in this Day. Controversies are words and not significances, theories and not realities.

The quintessence of Truth is this: We must all become united and harmonized in order to illumine this gloomy world, to abolish the foundations of hostility and animosity from among mankind, to perfume the inhabitants of the universe with the holy fragrances of the nature and disposition of the Beauty of Abha, to enlighten the people of the East and West with the light of guidance, to hoist the tent of the love of God and suffer each and all to enter under its protection, to bestow comfort and tranquillity to every one under the shade of the Divine Tree, to astonish the enemy by the manifestation of the utmost love, to make the ravenous and bloodthirsty wolves to be gazelles of the meadow of the love of God; to administer the taste of non-resistance to the tyrant, to teach long-suffering and resignation of the martyrs to the murderer, to spread the traces of Oneness, to chant the praises and glorification of the Glorious Lord, to raise the voice of "Ya Baha El-Abha!" to the Supreme Apex and to reach the ears of the inhabitants of the Kingdom with the outcry--"Verily the earth is illumined by the lights of its Lord!" This is reality! This is guidance! This is service! This is the consummation of the perfection of the realm of humanity!

O ye believers of God! Each person must summon the people to the Servitude of Abdul-Baha and not the Christhood; and no soul must either publicly or privately utter one word against or in contradiction to the general Teachings, and no one must believe that Abdul-Baha

+P 433 is the "Second Coming of Christ", nay, rather he must believe that he is the Manifestation of Servitude, the Main-spring of the Unity of the human world, the Herald of the True One with spiritual power throughout all regions, the Commentator of the Book according to the divine text, and the Ransom to each one of the believers of God in the transitory world.

Print ye this Tablet and spread it throughout all countries.

O ye+F1 who are turned towards the Kingdom and drawn unto the Holy Fragrances diffused from the Garden of El-Abha!

Arise with every power to assist the Covenant of God and serve in His vineyard. Be confident that a confirmation will be granted unto you and a success on His part given unto you. Verily He shall support you by the angels of His Holiness and reinforce you with the breaths of the Spirit that ye may mount the Ark of Safety, set forth the evident signs, impart the spirit of life, declare the essence of His commands and precepts, guide the sheep who are straying from the fold in all directions, use every effort in your power to give the blessings ye have and strive earnestly and wisely in this new century. By God, verily the Lord of Hosts is your support, the angels of heaven your assistance, the Holy Spirit your companion and the Center of the Covenant your helper! Be not idle, but active and fear not. Look unto those who have been in the former ages--how they have resisted all nations and suffered persecutions and afflictions, and how their stars

------------------------ 1. the New York City assembly. +P 434 shone and their attacks proved successful, their teachings established, their regions expanded, their hearts gladdened, their ideas cleared and their motives effective. Ye are now in a great station and noble rank and ye shall find yourselves in evident success and prosperity, the like of which the eye of existence hath never seen in former ages.

El-Baha and salutations be upon every one who is firm in the Covenant, free from dissension, sanctified from deceits and steadfast in the Path!

O ye+F1 elect and chosen ones of the Kingdom!

Thank God that the Greatest Name selected and elected that gathering, ushered it into the Kingdom of Eternal Glory, honored and crowned it amid the Supreme Concourse.

He placed upon each head a glorious diadem of guidance and established each one upon the throne of eternal reign. This is not known now but shall become evident and clear hereafter.

The seed when growing, at first doth not attract attention, but later it becometh green and thriveth, adorning the rose-garden and the orchard. Now, likewise, this divine bounty is unknown, it is not yet revealed, but soon will its splendor illumine the horizons and brighten the East and the West.

Send Mr. ........ to India for the purpose of teaching. He must have a companion. If this be not possible from among the men, send one of the maid-servants of the Merciful.

As to the ordeals of Abdul-Baha, his trials and

------------------------ 1. the New York City assembly. +P 435 calamities, grieve not on that account, but rather be in perfect happiness and joy, for--praise be to God!--he was worthy and deserved these trials in the Path of Baha'.

Through the news of the progress of the Cause of God, and the unity and agreement of the beloved of God, great joy was realized, and to such an extent that I forgot all sorrow and all ills. ***

O ye+F1 sons of the Kingdom!

At a time when conditions were most difficult and oppressive and the reception or letters hard and impracticable, your letter was received. Therefore, its reception denoteth that the honorable assembly is confirmed. I hope from the bounties of His Highness the Incomparable One that under all circumstances and conditions ye may become assisted in the service of the Kingdom of God.

Ye have written regarding the erection of the Temple and the purchase of the ground, or the finding of a place to be as a home for the gathering of the believers. At this moment that Abdul-Baha is immersed in the ocean of calamities, this news caused him joy and happiness, that--praise be to God!--the friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful are thinking to serve the Kingdom of God.

O ye sanctified souls! It is the time of firmness and steadfastness and the period of arising in the service of the Word of God, for the Blessed City+F2 is environed from all directions with the tempestuous waves of tests and trials and the sweeping hurricanes of persecutions

------------------------ 1. the New York City assembly. 2. +P 436 and hardships are blowing and roaring high. The joy and happiness of the heart of Abdul-Baha depends upon the stability and constancy of the believers. For they must live and act in accord with the divine advices and exhortations and show forth to each other the power of the perfection of love with infinite accord and unity, so that they may become the embodiment of one existence, the waves of ones sea, the myrtles of one rose-garden, the rays of one sun, the stars of one horizon, the fruits of one tree and the birds of one meadow.

Likewise, they must treat with and behave toward all the governments, nations, communities, kings and subjects with the utmost sincerity, trustworthiness, straightforwardness, love and kindness. Even they must make hopeful a bloodthirsty enemy, show sympathy with the utmost faithfulness and honor to the perfidious unjust, know the ill-wisher as the well-wisher and torment not the sinner with reproaches. Should they become the targets of a thousand arrows of persecution, they must challenge it with love and friendship and treat every one with purity of purpose and kindness.

O ye friends of God! Show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world, even the enemies, put their trust, assurance and hope in you; that if a person falls into errors for a hundred-thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent. This is the conduct and the manner of the people of Baha'. This is the foundation of the most high pathway! Ye should conform your conduct and manners with the advices of Abdul-Baha.

+P 437

Concerning the erection of the Temple: Now all the believers must become united, so that the Temple may be built soon in one place. For should (the believers) undertake (the erection of the Temple) in many places, it will not become completed anywhere; and as in Chicago they have preceded every other place to plan the erection of the Temple, undoubtedly to cooperate and help them is nobler and a necessity. Then, when it is built in one place, it will become erected in many other places. If, for the present, you prepare or establish a home in New York, though by renting it, to become a center for the gathering of the believers of God, it is very acceptable. God willing, in all the states of America in the future there will be erected Temples with infinite architectural beauty, art, with pleasing proportion and handsome and attractive appearances; especially in New York. But for the present, be ye satisfied with a rented place.

The utmost happiness was produced by hearing the news of unity and agreement among the believers in New York; for the foundation of progress is union and when this object is attained, the Cause will develop.

Deliver on my behalf longing greeting to his honor Mr. ........ .

When the friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful gather together on Sundays, in the spiritual assemblies, exercise ye toward them, on behalf of this imprisoned one, the utmost affection, love and kindness.

Convey on behalf of this longing one the glad-tidings of the attainment to confirmation to his honor Mr. ........; that ere long he shall in such wise be assisted

+P 438 by the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha that he, himself, will become astonished.

O ye members of the spiritual assembly! Become ye firm and steadfast in the Covenant and Testament to such a degree that your meeting become the expression of one soul and endeavor ye with your hearts and minds so that ye may become the cause of the illumination of this darkened world and that through your efforts the lights of the Kingdom dawn upon this nether sphere.

Whatever hath and will transpire in this land is through the conspiracy of the brothers who are not resting, neither day nor night, and are thirsting for the blood of Abdul-Baha. The government is not responsible at all. These difficulties are brought about through the evil slanders and machinations of the nakazeen+F1 .

O thou+F3 whose heart is attracted and whose breast is dilated with joy by the Holy Fragrances!

Give the glad-tidings to the assemblies of the beloved who are firm in the Covenant and say:

"Verily the Lord hath manifested Himself in this new and wonderful age with the greatest bounty and mercy, which have never been preceded and whereof the eye of existence hath never seen the like; and it is His Great Covenant and New Testament, as appointed by the trace of His Supreme Pen, through which, and according to clear ordinances and explicit statements, the

------------------------ 1. i.e., those who reject after having professed allegience. 2. Here it refers particularly to those scattered few who profess to believer in Baha'o'llah but who refuse to follow His command to turn to Abdul-Baha, the Centre of the Covenant, as appointed by

Baha'o'llah. 3. the Washington (D. C.) assembly. +P 439 matter was plainly shown and the branches (sons), twigs (relations), kinsmen and beloved were commanded to obey the "appointed Center of the Covenant." But the Covenant of God and His Testament is a bounty to the righteous and a curse to the wicked.

"On hearing this Command some faces have rejoiced by this Glowing Lamp, and others become gloomy and in their hearts the fire of jealousy and rebellion hath been kindled. They disobeyed the Command of their Lord the Merciful, endeavored to spread lies and arose to divulge seditious rumors contrary to that which was descended from God. They imagine that they are able to resist this Power, which penetrates into the heart of the contingent world, or to cover the Truth through their false tongues and complicated opinions, and to withhold this Sea from surging, the holy fragrances from being spread, and the breaths of the Spirit of the Ancient from reaching the beloved! No, by no means! Verily, the Word of God penetrates into the core of all things and cannot be resisted either by the hosts of the world or by the armies of the enemies! In the past ages there is a warning to every intelligent one! Ye shall see their banners reversed, their sign abolished, their happiness destroyed in those regions in a similar way to the disappointment of their hopes in the East.

"But, as the people of the West are still children in the Cause+F1 and have not perfect knowledge of its reality and validity, the nakazeen thought it to be an easy prey and availed themselves of this opportunity for laying doubts and suspicions, speaking false words, divulging seditious calumnies among the people. Ye

------------------------ 1. in 1900. +P 440 shall see all this as scattered dust, and all these thick, dark clouds which were gathered in those far regions, will disappear and the Sun of Certainty and Reality shall shine with the Most Dazzling Light; the darkness will vanish, the firm believers will be in great joy, and the nakazeen shall be in evident loss."

O ye+F1 servants of God and maid-servants of the

Merciful!

The letter, which was in reality the congratulation for the entrance of the day of the anniversary of His Highness the Promised One, was received. The names of the friends of God were read one after another and caused great joy.

I hope that upon the coming of each auspicious day the friends of God may become doubled, that is, may become twofold; that the gentle fragrances of the love of God may be spread so universally that large cohorts enter under the shadow of the Word of God in a short space of time, and arise to serve, according to the heavenly instructions, in order that strife and warfare may vanish wholly from the human world, and the beauty of love, friendship and harmony may appear with such an appearance that all the intellects may become astonished, all the souls entranced and all the hearts attracted.

O ye friends! O ye maid-servants of the Merciful! Should ye realize in what a state this Tablet is written, assuredly ye will soar heavenward with joy and exultations and begin to cry out: "Glad-tidings! Glad-tidings!"

------------------------ 1. the Washington (D. C.) assembly. +P 441

Today the whole world is heedless and ye are aware; all are in sleep and ye are wide awake; all are deprived and ye are the custodians of the mysteries of the Kingdom! Therefore, to render thanks for these bounties, open ye the tongue of praise and glorification and engage yourselves in the divine commemoration, in order that the confirmation may be added and the assistance may become renewed!

O ye+F1 beloved! O ye maid-servants of the Merciful!

What a wonderful meeting ye have arranged and longed for the beauty of service and have arisen to spread the fragrances of God! Truly I declare, ye are confirmed by the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse and are reinforced and empowered by the Exalted Realm!

When the confirmation of the Holy Spirit descendeth, ye are not a drop, but a roaring sea! Ye are the stars of the horizon of guidance! If this committee become firm, it will grow and develop; if it remain steadfast, it will become a gift of the Almighty to the human world; if it last, it will display marvelous signs for the well-being of the children of man!

The hosts of the Kingdom of Abha are drawn and filed up in battle-array on the plain of the Supreme Apex and are expecting that a band of volunteers step upon the field of action with the intention of service; so that they may assist that band and make it victorious and triumphant.

------------------------ 1. the "Working Committee" of the Washington (D. C.) assembly. As 2. no Board of Counsel had been organised, a number of the believers, both men and women, volunteered for service as a "Working Committee." +P 442

O Thou Almighty God! Confirm Thou these friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful! Grant Thou to them assistance. Open Thou before their faces the closed doors and make them intimate with the fragrances of holiness, so that they may become the confident friends of each other; raise the melody and the song of joy and sing the harmony of heaven, in order that they may exhilarate and gladden the regions of the West and impart attraction and ecstasy!

Make Thou them the magnets of love so that they may attract the hearts to the Kingdom of Abha!

Verily, Thou art the Powerful and the Mighty; and Thou art the Giver, the Seer and the Hearer! There is no God but Thee, the Generous, the Merciful!

O ye+F1 whom God hath chosen from among those who are called!--know that "many are called but few are chosen"!--upon whom He caused the evident

Light to descend; whom He guided into the right

Path, and to whom He gave the Glad-tidings of the Great Success!

Ye must be sincere and faithful, ye must follow the ordinances which refer to the Covenant of God, who is the solid edifice.

O ye beloved of God, know that steadfastness and firmness in this new and wonderful Covenant is indeed the spirit that quickeneth the hearts which are overflowing with the love of the Glorious Lord; verily, it is the power which penetrates into the hearts of the people of the world! Your Lord hath assuredly promised His servants who are firm and steadfast to render them

------------------------ 1. the Baltimore (Md.) assembly. +P 443 victorious at all times, to exalt their word, propagate their power, diffuse their lights, strengthen their hearts, elevate their banners, assist their hosts, brighten their stars, increase the abundance of the showers of mercy upon them, and enable the brave lions (or teachers) to conquer.

Hasten, hasten, O ye firm believers! Hasten, hasten, O ye steadfast! Abandon the heedless, set aside every ignorant, take hold of the strong rope, be firm in this Great Cause, draw light from this Evident Light, be patient and be steadfast in this wise Religion! Ye shall see the hosts of inspiration descending successively from the Supreme World, the procession of attraction falling incessantly from the heights of heaven, the abundance of the Kingdom of El-Abha outpouring continually and the teachings of God penetrating with the utmost power, while the heedless are indeed in evident loss.

O ye+F1 esteemed maid-servants of God, and ye revered beloved ones (or men believers) of the Merciful!

Your letter was received and its contents noted. The maid-servant of God, she who hath ascended to heaven, i. e., Mrs. ........, hastened from this mortal world to the divine world and soared from this temporal realm to the expanse of the Kingdom. She abandoned the earthly cage and flew toward the bower of the upper world; so that, like unto a nightingale of significances, she may, in that divine rose-garden, engage in praising, glorifying and sanctifying the True One, with the most marvelous melody.

------------------------ 1. the Baltimore assembly. +P 444

Consequently, do ye not sigh in grief of her decease, and be not dejected on account of her ascension.

To the people of adoration, death is an ark of deliverance, and to pure souls, flight from this world of dust is the means of attaining the Kingdom of Spheres. By "Spheres" is not meant this infinite space, nay, is meant the divine world, and the invisible realm.

To be brief: I hope her noble son may seek the Path wherein his mother walked, and may become better and more illustrious; nay, rather, the lights of his love may also take effect in his grand parents.

As to ye who are friends of that bird of the meadow of guidance, ye must, after her, have such unison, love, association and unity that it may make things better and more favorable than they were during her days.

Praise be to God! the divine bounty favors all of you, he doors of gifts are open before the faces of you all, and the radiance of the Sun of Truth is shining upon you all. Capacity, worth (or merit) and ability, are necessary, for the clearer and purer the mirror is, the lights of the Sun are more manifest thereon.

We are always gazing toward those parts in order to find from what corner (or place) the voice will be raised! We hope Baltimore will become an assemblage of light and that city may become a mirror of the love of God!

O ye+F1 my dear friends!

Your letter was received and its contents were wonderful and beautiful for it evinced the spreading of the

------------------------ 1. the Baltimore assembly. +P 445 light of Guidance. Praise be to God! the lights of the Morn of Eternity have cast their rays upon that city, and in the future it will become enlightened, and luminous stars will dawn, gleam and sparkle from its horizon.

Today the Sun of the Most Great Guidance hath appeared with the greatest splendor from the horizon of the world, and the rays of the Sun of Truth shine with utmost light and power therefrom. Therefore, the world hath become another world and the bounties, other bounties!

A little earnestness and endeavor is encumbent upon you, so that the pages of the soul may be cleansed and purified from the rust of attachment to this ephemeral world. At that time you will consider how dazzling and brilliant is the effulgence of the Kingdom.

The maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........, and the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........--praise be to God!--have made their homes the nest and shelter of the heavenly birds, and have arranged meetings. I hope that these two meeting places will become more illumined day by day, adding to the knowledge, faith and assurance of the audience, and increasing their resolution and steadfastness.

In fact, those two gathering places are my homes, and the nest and shelter of the birds of the field of God. Convey my loving greetings to each and every believer!

Likewise present my respectful greetings to the dear maid-servants of God in Baltimore and Washington.

+P 446 O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom of

Abha!

Be thankful that thou art inebriated with the cup of the love of God, hast partaken of the graces of the Supreme Concourse and art quickened with the fragrances of holiness.

Night and day lament and implore, with the utmost supplication and humility, before the Threshold of the Presence of the One God, that thou mayest be strengthened to guide people with all steadfastness on this path and take a plenteous share from this Most Great Sea.

The hosts of the Kingdom will assist (thee) and the heavenly armies will protect and defend thee. Wherefore seek bounties as much as thou canst.

O thou who art supplicating unto God!

Verily I mention thee always and shall never forget thee forever and ever. I beseech God to make thee a sign of guidance among the people and a lamp of dazzling light in that extensive and large city, so that pure and good souls may be illuminated by the light of the knowledge of God and thus serve the Merciful Threshold by showing earnest desire for love, peace, affinity and harmony with the people of all religions. Verily the Spirit through which the temple of the contingent world shall be quickened in this time is indeed the founder of peace, the spirit of affinity and the light of love. This is that whereby this being of existence shall evolve and develop and the world of humanity be adorned with the raiment of glory and honor. Therefore it is incumbent upon thee to enkindle thyself with

+P 447 the fire of the love of God in order that thy words may have an effect in hearts which are as of hard stone.

O thou young, incomparable tree of the Rose-garden of the Love of God!

Thank thou God that thou art planted beside this heavenly stream, has been favored with the inexhaustible outpouring, hast been trained and developed by the rain of the cloud of the Kingdom of God and hast brought forth fruit under the care of the Divine Gardener. Now it is the time to cast the shade and produce delicious fruits and impart sweetness to the palate of the spiritual ones. Exert [thyself] with heart and soul. Do not rest one moment, neither do thou seek after composure. Give thou to others the glad-tidings of the Kingdom and announce to them the manifestation of the signs of the Realm of Might! This is from the bounty of God. He bestoweth to whomsoever He willeth. Verily God is the Possessor of great gifts!

O thou who hast approached toward God!

Verily I have received thy letter and my heart was dilated by the content of thy expression, for it indicated the illumination of thy heart, the spirituality of thy soul, thy detachment from all the grades of this nether world and thy yearning after the effulgences of the Realm of Light.

By the glory of my Lord, I declare: "Verily the splendors of divinity are continually descending upon the pure, enlightened souls and the outpouring of the

+P 448 Kingdom fall tumultuously, like unto torrents, upon the favored realities from the rains of the providence of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement!

"Cast behind every single thought and idea and attach thyself to the commemoration of thy Master, the Ancient. Be thou soaring in the Kingdom of God, the Mighty, the Beneficent. Live thou in Paris until the fragrance of the love of God may emanate from thee in the college wherein thou art studying sciences and unfurl thou the standard of universal peace, reconciliation, agreement and security among all men. Rejoice thou by the bounty of thy Lord which hath encompassed the whole existence and sing and warble with the most wonderful melody in the rose-garden of knowledge. Verily thy Lord, the Beneficent, will confirm thee in every moment and second and will empower thee with such a power that the columns of warfare and bloodshed shall shake and the foundation of peace and harmony shall arise."

O thou who art firm in the Covenant of God!

Mayest thou enjoy this cup which is overflowing with the pure wine of the love of God! Glad-tidings unto thee for that by reason of which thou hast become an acceptable servant before God!

Verily I have read thy brilliant letter and praised God for He hath made the cup of thy heart filled with the pure wine of His love and hath chosen thee to enter the Kingdom of His Guidance.

Now as to what thou askest concerning giving up the scientific attainment in Paris for the sake of confining thy days to the delivery of this Truth, it is indeed

+P 449 acceptable and beloved, but if thou acquire both it would be better and more perfect, because in this new century the attainment of science, arts and belles lettres, whether divine or worldly, material or spiritual, is a matter which is acceptable before God and a duty which is incumbent upon us to accomplish. Therefore, never deny the spiritual things to the material, rather both are incumbent upon thee. Nevertheless, at the time when thou art working for such a scientific attainment, thou must be controlled by the attraction of the love of thy Glorious Lord and mindful of mentioning His Splendid Name. This being the case, thou must attain the art thou art studying to its perfection.

I implore God to assist thee in all cases and aspects and perfume thy nostrils with the holy fragrance during all times. Be tranquil through my love unto thee and rejoice at my compassion upon thee.

As to the tribute thou hast sent: We have accepted it as a treasure because it was presented by thee with all love and great sincerity and we shall use it in building the Holy Tomb+F1 , that thy name may become immortal forever and ever.

O thou who art directed toward the Light of Guidance!

In this moment the heart of Abdul-Baha is rejoiced at thy remembrance and he is writing an answer to thy letter so that thou mayest be so moved by the breezes of the love of God that thou mayest become the envy of the cypress of the rose-garden and cause joy, yearning, longing and ecstasy to the friends.

In this great dispensation, art (or a profession) is

------------------------ 1. Tomb of the Bab on Mt. Carmel. +P 450 identical with an act of worship and this is a clear text of the Blessed Perfection. Therefore, extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the people in that region. Nay, rather, each should assist the other in art and guidance. For instance, when the studying of art is with the intention of obeying the command (of God) this study will certainly be done easily and great progress will soon be made therein; and when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself, this same will cause their awakening. Likewise, managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and affinity; and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others (to the Truth).

Satisfy thy revered father and seek his pleasure,so that he may consider that thou observest his obedience more than ever. Practice the utmost love and affection.

I supplicate and beseech the Threshold of Oneness that thou mayest be confirmed and assisted.

O thou who art rejoiced by the Divine Glad-tidings!

Verily I have received thy last letter and thanked God that thou didst reach Paris protected and guarded (by Him). Thank thou God that He assisted thee to behold the brilliant faces of the believers of God and favored thee to meet them in American countries. For, verily, beholding those shining countenances is a divine gift; by it the hearts are dilated, the souls are rejoiced and the spirits are attracted toward the Supreme Concourse.

Do not lament over the departure of my dearly beloved

+P 451 Breakwell, for verily he hath ascended to the luminous rose-garden in the Abha Kingdom, near the mercy of his Lord, the Almighty, and is crying out with the loudest voice: "O that my people knew how my Lord hath forgiven me and made me one of those who have attained (to the meeting of God)!"

O Breakwell, my beloved! Where is thy beautiful countenance and where is thy eloquent tongue? Where is thy radiant brow and where is thy brilliant face?

O Breakwell, my beloved! Where is thy enkindlement with the fire of the love of God and where is thy attraction to the fragrances of God? Where is thy utterance for the glorification of God and where is thy rising in the service of God?

O my dear, O Breakwell! Where are thy bright eyes and where are thy smiling lips? Where are thy gentle cheeks and where is thy graceful stature?

O my dear, O Breakwell! Verily thou hast abandoned this transitory world and soared upward to the Kingdom, hast attained to the grace of the Invisible Realm and sacrificed thyself to the Threshold of the Lord of Might!

O my adored one, O Breakwell! Verily thou hast left behind this physical lamp, this human glass, these earthly elements and this worldly enjoyment!

O my adored one, O Breakwell! Then thou hast ignited a light in the glass of the Supreme Concourse, hast entered the Paradise of Abha, art protected under the Shade of the Blessed Tree and hast attained to the Meeting (of the True One) in the Abode of Paradise!

+P 452

O my dearly beloved, O Breakwell! Thou hast been a divine bird and, forsaking thy earthly nest, thou hast soared toward the holy rose-garden of the Divine Kingdom and obtained a luminous station there!

O my dearly beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thou art like unto he birds, chanting the verses of thy Lord, the Forgiving, for thou wert a thankful servant; therefore thou hast entered (into the realm beyond) with joy and happiness!

O my beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thy Lord hath chosen thee for His love, guided thee to the Court of His Holiness, caused thee to enter into the Rizwan+F1 of His Association and granted thee to behold His Beauty!

O my beloved, O Breakwell! Verily thou hast attained to the eternal life, never-ending bounty, beatific bliss and immeasurable providence!

O my beloved, O Breakwell! Thou hast become a star in the most exalted horizon, a lamp among the angels of heaven, a living spirit in the Supreme World and art established upon the throne of immortality!

O my adored one, O my Breakwell! I supplicate God to increase thy nearness and communication, to make thee enjoy thy prosperity and union (wih Him), to add to thy light and beauty and to bestow upon thee glory and majesty.

O my adored one, O my Breakwell! I mention thy name continually, I never forget thee, I pray for thee day and night and I see thee clearly and manifestly, O my adored one, O Breakwell!

------------------------ 1. i. e., Paradise. +P 453 ***Concerning thy question whether all the souls enjoy eternal life: Know thou those souls partake of the Eternal Life in whom the Spirit of Life is breathed from the Presence of God and all beside them are dead --without Life, as Christ hath explained in the texts of the Gospel. Any person whose insight is opened by God seeth the souls in their stations after the disintegration of the bodies. Verily they are living and are subsisting before their Lord and he seeth also the dead souls submerged in the gulfs of mortality. Then know thou verily all the souls are created according to the nature of God and all are in the state of (unconscious) purity at the time of their births. But afterward they differ from one another insofar as they acquire excellencies or defects. Nevertheless, the creatures have different degrees in existence insofar as the creation goes, for capacities are different, but all of them are good and pure (in their essence), then afterward they are polluted and defiled. Although there are different states of creation, yet all of them are beneficial. Glance thou over the temple of man, its members and its parts. Among them there are the eye, ear, nose, mouth, hands and fingers. Notwithstanding the differences between these organs, all of them are useful in their proper spheres. But if one of them is out of order, there is need of a remedy and if the medicine does not heal, then the amputation of that member becomes necessary.

Verily I beseech God to make thee confirmed under all circumstances. Do not become despondent, neither be thou sad. Ere long thy Lord shall make thee a sign of guidance among mankind.

+P 454 O thou dear and honorable!

I received thy last letter through his honor ........ and its contents imparted to me spiritual joy, for it indicated the high and good friendship between thee and the respectful maid-servant of God, ......... I supplicate God to increase at every moment and second your faith, assurance, steadfastness and your knowledge, and likewise to create spiritual friendship and celestial love among the friends, in order that they may become a unit host and enlisted soldiers (of the Kingdom of God) with accomplishment, skillfulness, solidarity, fellowship and unison.

Verily, by this their breasts will become dilated, their names exalted, their faces illumined, their host confirmed and their progress, illumination, insight, knowledge, spirituality, fragrance, attraction, enkindlement, sanctity and purity promulgated.

Convey my greeting to ........ and say to her: "Verily the teachings which flowed from the lips of His Highness Christ were spiritual, celestial, heavenly and the cause of the eternal life; therefore it is explained as heavenly food and the divine table. But the philosophers who were the greatest sages of the world at that time could not realize the power of the teachings of Christ and these very philosophers were veiled from the Spirit of Christ and did not acknowledge His instructions, for their imaginations did not correspond with the apprehensions of their intellects. O what remorse is their lot by losing this Great Cause! Consequently, the teachings of Baha' shall assuredly breathe the spirit of peace, the love of God and divine compassion in the hearts of men. These universal

+P 455 results will become clear to those who cling to them (teachings) after experience. As to thee, consider profoundly these teachings in order that thou mayest apprehend their realities."

O my dear Mr. .........! I beseech God to grant thee the power of knowledge and understanding so that thou mayest fathom the mysteries of the teachings descended from the presence of he Glorious Lord.

O thou spiritual son!

Verily I have received thy lettter***and its contents were known. I supplicate God to open to thee a way and prepare for thee and guide thee in thy affair.

But concerning thy marriage with the maid-servant of God, ........, do not be in a hurry. Deliberation and patience are necessary until her mother giveth her consent and thy father and mother also acquiesce. This is the divine commandment! Take thou hold of it with a true firmness. Verily this is better for thee under all circumstances! Verily thy Lord is gracious to His servants and He facilitates ere long every straight cause. But thou must submit to and rely upon God under all conditions and He will bestow upon thee that which is conducive to thy well-being. Verily He is merciful and compassionate! For how many an affair was involved in difficulty and then was straightened, and how many a problem was solved by the permission of God.

Be thou not grieved, neither be thou sad. Finish thy studies in sciences and then turn thy face unto God, asking from Him help and protection under all conditions.

+P 456 O thou dear friend!

What thou hast written was perused. I beg of God that thou wilt become assisted and confirmed under all circumstances to find the ease of spirit and the happiness of consciousness, to enter under the shadow of the Tree of Life and to perfume thy nostrils from the fragrances of the holy rose-garden and to illumine thy heart with the lights of the mercy of guidance. Through the grace of His Highness, the Almighty, all the affairs become easy and feasible.

O thou who art attracted to the Fire of the Love of

God!

I am cognizant of all thou hast written in thy letters. To attain the pleasure of God is the more important thing. Thank God thou art content with the will of God and art attached in heart to His divine wishes; and as thou art thus, all thy desires will be granted thee.

Relative to your going to America, thou must observe the wishes of thy parents and in the meantime endeavor to diffuse the breaths of God and satisfy those who are thirsting for the fountain of the knowledge of God by giving them the heavenly water and merciful rain.

Give my greetings to ........ and say to her: "If thou desirest to soften the hearts and bring thy friends under the shadow of the Tree of Life, show forth firmness and integrity; day by day increase thy sincerity and severance until by the power of the Truth thou wilt soften and subdue the hearts and awaken the souls of the heedless."

+P 457

Also give my spiritual greetings to Mr. and Mrs. ........ and say to them: "May your little daughter be a blessing to you."

O my dear ........, endure and be patient, and by patience thou wilt attain thy desire.

O thou sincere servant of God!

Be not sad nor sorrowful over what hath occurred. What hath transpired is for the best and in it is a sacred wisdom concealed which ere long will become manifest.

Turn thou to the Kingdom of Abha and supplicate to the Highest Concourse. The aid and mercy of God encompasseth all and His divine bounty is all-sufficient. Verily something will soon occur for that kind friend (i. e., thyself) which will bring all happiness, joy, pleasure and contentment in the Kingdom of God.

Regarding those whose names thou hast written, I ask aid and assistance for them from God, especially ......... I beseech at the Threshold of the Oneness of God to shower upon him blessings and open upon him the door of guidance, bestowing upon his heart the heavenly light.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

Thank thou God for that thou art assisted to establish a spiritual meeting in that city. That assembly is the rose-garden of the Cause of God and that meeting is the gathering-place of the beloved of God. If it endureth, it is the first assembly of the world and is the greatest assembly of mankind. Exert thyself with all heart and soul so that it may continue and be stable and constant until blessed results may ensue therefrom,

+P 458 for without firmness and steadfastness no matter shall prove effective in existence. Some of the friends organized meetings for teaching in the neighborhood of that region, but owing to lack of steadfastness those meetings scattered with great rapidity. I hope that thy spiritual meeting may become continual and cause the spread of the lights.

O thou my dear friend!

I am now viewing the flowers in the little garden and remembering thy rose-like face. This material rose, although it is beautiful and fragrant, yet it cannot be compared with the beauty of the friends. Great is the difference between this fragrance and that of the friends, between the scent of this rose and the fragrance of the love of God. That face of thine which attracts the hearts is far more beautiful and better than this rose, for with that beauty is accompanied illumination.

Thy gift is much appreciated and very acceptable. I was made very, very happy and I prayed for thee that thou mayest appreciate the contents and significance of it.

Indeed thou hast served in Washington with no will save the will of God in view and thou hast made me happy and attained my pleasure.

Hold the spiritual meeting at the stated times and be thou its candle, giving (the friends) such happiness and joy through the glad-tidings of God as will make them joyful and full of ecstasy. Give them all my loving greetings. Surely manifest the utmost love and goodness o the Baltimore friends and organize for them a spiritual gathering.

+P 459 O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

Great joy was obtained on learning of the harmony and love of the friends. Communication with the friends of various parts is one of the greatest means for spreading the fragrances.

The place adjoining Washington, where, during the summer season, the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........, shall go, if it will not cause any disturbance and doth not become a means of talk among the enemies, the gathering of some of the friends there will be favorable. We must be considerate lest it may cause "sensation" among the people, for some people are weak and should be treated very quietly. However, the gathering of some of the friends there will be a cause of enkindling the fire of the love of God and the organization of a Bahai meeting will be harmless.

Every week two or three of the Washington friends should go to Baltimore and endeavor to help and encourage the friends there.

As to the seven qualifications (of the divinely enlightened soul) of which thou hast asked an explanation, it is as follows:

1. KNOWLEDGE. Man must attain the knowledge of God.

2. FAITH.

3. STEADFASTNESS.

4. TRUTHFULNESS. Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds of God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also become realized.

+P 460

5. UPRIGHTNESS. And this is one of the greatest divine attainments.

6. FIDELITY. This is also a beautiful trait of the heavenly man.

7. EVANESCENCE OR HUMILITY. That is to say, man must become evanescent in God. Must forget his own selfish conditions that he may thus arise to the station of sacrifice. It should be to such a degree that if he sleep, it should not be for pleasure, but to rest the body in order to do better, to speak better, to explain more beautifully, to serve the servants of God and to prove the truths. When he remains awake, he should seek to be attentive, serve the Cause of God and sacrifice his own stations for those of God. When he attains to this station, the confirmations of the Holy Spirit will surely reach him, and man with this power can withstand all who inhabit the earth.

In regard to children, thou hast written that it is decided to train them in the teachings of God from childhood. This thought is very acceptable.

Give greeting and praise to all of the friends of God and to His maid-servants.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

Thy letter, sent through the maid-servant, ........, hath been received. Thou hast written concerning the changing of names. A name hath no importance, for a name must needs have a bearer (i. e., deserving a high name). That is to say, consider (people's) morals and character, then consider the person himself and be attentive (to detect) one's manners and conduct and consider his faith and assurance. If a person is illumined

+P 461 with the light of the love of God, he is (like unto) the morning star, even though his name be dark; and if he is a captive in the darkness of error, he is gloomy even though his name be that of a shining star. Consequently, be thou intent that thou makest thy face illumined with the light of the love of God, through the divine assistance and favor. This attribute will make thee independent of every name!

Convey my loving greetings to all of the friends of God.

O thou seeker of the Kingdom!

Thy letter***was received. Its contents became evident. Thou hast written concerning Baltimore-- this caused me great joy.

The revered maid-servant of God, Miss ........, hath undergone great roubles. Praise be to God! that she hath arisen (and is confirmed) to serve (the Kingdom of God).

I hope that Mr. and Mrs. ........ will become the cause of spreading (the teachings) and organizing gathering-places.

The news of Camp Mineola brought me utmost joy and fragrance. I pray to God that the power of the Word of God may become more evident and manifest day by day in those regions.

Convey my respectful greeting to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........, and say: "Thy service is to the everlasting Kingdom of Glory and is conducive to eternal life."

Convey also my greeting to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........, likewise to Miss ......... I supplicate

+P 462 in their behalf that God may bestow upon them heavenly illumination.

In another letter***thou hast expressed sorrow and grief concerning the events in the Holy Land. On the contrary, (these events) must cause joy, happiness and exultation, for this is the day of trial and the occasion for the manifestation of the secrets of the soul and heart. Have the utmost joy about the incidents in the Holy Land and do not consider from any other viewpoint; for the deluge of affliction is surrounding always the Holy Land and the sincere servant of the True One is like unto the enkindled lamp around about which the adverse winds blow. Therefore, you must engage in your own occupation, be familiar in spreading the fragrances of God and characterized in promulgating the Word of God. For instance, if you receive news that the Holy Land is entirely changed, you must not become relaxed at all; nay, rather you must become firmer, more steadfast and more attracted and more engaged in the service of the Kingdom.

+F1 What thou hast written was read and its contents became known. In reality blessed days are coming. This is the time for the service of the Kingdom and the period of spreading the divine Call. I hope that thou and all of the friends will occupy their time in the service of the Kingdom at this moment when Abdul-Baha is involved in he greatest danger, so that this heart may become gladdened and that you may become strengthened by the Word of God, causing also the strength of others.

------------------------ 1. Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 463

Concerning thy presence in the Land of Desire, for the present postpone (this matter) for some later time until the arrival of summer and the passing of frosty winter. At that time it will be acted upon according to the circumstances.

The petition concerning unity and harmony, signed by the majority of the believers of God, was received. We have written a detailed answer for it and it will be forwarded. This letter, which was signed by the majority of the friends, brought me great, great joy.

The book that thou hast written thou wilt send and, after its translation, it will be read.

Each letter that thou receivest from me, where in the ending there is the command for its spreading, thou oughtest to publish that letter and circulate it.

Endeavor so far as thou art able to create unity, harmony and loving-kindness among the believers of God.

+F1 Thy last letter was received and its contents brought joy. Thank thou God, for thou art engaged in serving the Word of God and spending thy time with the friends of God. If thou somewhat regard thy father and mother, too, so that they may be somewhat pleased, this will be the cause of pleasing me. Father and mother are worthy of esteem and it is necessary (to secure their good pleasure); but this on condition that they may not prevent one from nearness to the Threshold of the Almighty and may not withhold one from walking in the path of the Kingdom. Nay, rather they (parents) should encourage and inspire one (to walk in God's path).

------------------------ 1. Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 464

As to living (or conduct) in accord with the Book of Akdas: We have spoken of this to his honor Mr. ........, for there is freedom in those lands and there are no obstacles.

Likewise, the Ishrakat, Tarazat, and Tajalliat+F1 must be translated and published (and spread) among the friends.

But, whatever writings and articles which the believers may write for the spread of the Cause of God, these they must necessarily send to the Holy Land, in order to be corrected and rectified (or approved of) and then to be returned to them and then published. Before their being corrected here and before securing permission from here, their publication is by no means allowable.

As to the obligatory prayer (to be said three times a day): Each one must say his prayer alone by himself, and this is not conditional on a private place; that is, both at home and in the worshipping-place, which is a gathering-place, it is allowable for one to say his prayer; but each person must say his prayer by himself (i. e., not in company with others who might recite the same words and continue the same postures together at the same time). But if they chant supplications (communes, etc.) together (and in company), in a good and effective voice, that is very good.

+F2 O God!

Grant Washington happiness and peace! Illuminate that land with the light of the faces of the friends,

------------------------ 1. of some important Tablets of Baha'o'llah, published in 1906. 2. Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 465 make it a paradise of Glory, let it become an envy of the green gardens of the earth! Help the friends, increase their number, make their hearts sources of inspiration and their souls dawnings of light. Thus may that city become a beautiful paradise and fragrant with the fragrance of musk.

+F1 O God!

Make this youth illumined and this weak one strong! Bestow upon him knowledge and give unto him an added strength at every dawn. Thus may he be protected and sheltered in Thy protection from every sin to serve Thy Cause, to guide those who are led astray, to lead those who are poor (or weak), to free those who are in captivity (or bondage), to awaken those who are in lethargy and to be happy with Thy remembrance and thought. Thou art the Powerful, the Wise!

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

The short treatise which thou has written upon "Service in the Kingdom," forwarding it here and asking permission for its publication, was read. Spread it among the believers.

Likewise, correspondence with all the believers in all parts is very desirable.

The copy of the pamphlet that thou hast sent before, God willing, in opportune time will be read and forwarded to thee.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Endeavor thou in the service in the Kingdom and, God willing, in a

------------------------ 1. Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 466 seasonable time, permission will be given to thee to come to the East.

Convey longing greetings to all the friends of God.

O thou servant of Baha'!

Thy letter***was received. Correspondence between the believers of the Orient and the Occident, as well as between the different states of America, is of the utmost importance and is conducive to the enkindlement and attraction of the hearts. Show thou great consideration to this matter.

Thou hast written concerning the translation of Tablets. Perfect translation will be made at a time when a committee of translators is organized. The members of that committee must be composed of several Persians and several Americans, all of whom must have the utmost proficiency in both the Persian and English languages. Then the Tablets will be translated through this committee. For the present the organization of such a committee is not possible. Therefore, whenever the publication of a Tablet becomes necessary, have a proficient person translate it, then circulate it and the end will be attained.

Regarding the station of this servant: My station is Abdul-Baha, my name is Abdul-Baha, my qualification is Abdul-Baha, my praise is Abdul-Baha, my title is Abdul-Baha. All the friends of God must declare this word, in order that all of them become united and harmonized upon it. No difference must arise. Collect, translate, print and spread all the Tablets written by me regarding this question.

Concerning the Book of Akdas: Undoubtedly it

+P 467 must be translated by a scientific committee of translators. The translation of one person is not sufficient.

Concerning the spiritual assembly of Washington: I supplicate God that it may finally become the cause of the unification of all the nations of the world.

The maid-servant of God, Miss ......., hath not yet returned from Persia. God willing, we will direct her to travel to those parts.

Thou hast written regarding the believers of Baltimore. Undoubtedly whenever opportunity affords, the believers of Washington must go to Baltimore, become engaged in teaching the Truth, spread the carpet of feasting and prepare the heavenly table.

Convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the maid-servant of God, Miss ........, and say: "O thou divinely attracted one! Day and night, with an eloquent tongue, teach thou the heedless ones; awaken those who are speechless and silent. Undoubtedly the confirmation of the Holy Spirit will descend upon thee."

Announce, on my behalf, respectful greeting to the attracted maid-servant of God, Miss ........, and say: "O thou beloved maid-servant of God! Now is the time, now is the moment in which, like unto Mary Magdalene (who loosened her tongue in the city of great Rome), thou mayest arise and become engaged in teaching the coming of the Kingdom of God and spread far and wide to the ears the glad-tidings of the Realm of Eternity!"

In brief, O thou servant of Baha'! Strive ye that the souls be engaged, in all parts of Europe, with the utmost purity and sanctification, in the diffusion of the fragrances of God.

+P 468

Undoubtedly teachers both from among the women as well as the men must go to Australia and New Zealand whenever the means and opportunity are brought about. Now make ye an effort that perchance through correspondence some souls, in those parts, may become illumined with the light of the Kingdom.

O thou servant of Baha'! Rest thou assured. I supplicate from God that thou mayest be delivered wholly from passion and desire and become the faithful and sincere servant of the Beauty of Abha.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

Thou hast written to his honor ........ concerning the Feast.

This Feast was established by His Highness the Bab, to occur once in nineteen days. Likewise, the Blessed Perfection [Baha'o'llah] hath commanded, encourage and reiterated it. Therefore, it hath the utmost importance. Undoubtedly you must give the greatest attention to its establishment and raise it to the highest point of importance, so that it may become continual and constant. The believers of God must assemble and associate with each other in the utmost love, joy and fragrance. They must conduct themselves (in these Feasts) with the greatest dignity and consideration, chant divine verses, peruse instructive articles, read the Tablets of Abdul-Baha, encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race, invoke God with perfect joy and fragrance, sing the verses, glorifications and praises of the Self-subsistent Lord and deliver eloquent speeches. The owner of the house must personally serve the beloved

+P 469 ones. He must seek after the comfort of all and with the utmost humility he must show forth kindness to every one. If the Feast is arranged in this manner and in the way mentioned, that supper is the "Lord's supper," for the result is the same result and the effect is the same effect.

O thou sincere servant of the Beauty of Abha! Thou hast written concerning Baltimore. Convey respectful greeting on my behalf to Miss ........ and say: "Exert thyself as much as thou canst in order that thou mayest illumine Baltimore, lay there an eternal foundation and ignite a lamp whose rays may shine throughout cycles and ages."

Thou hast written concerning the Tablet of Baka Ya Ali--Baka Ya Vafi (Tablet of Protection). This Tablet is for the healing of ailments. Whenever one is anxious about the recovery of an ill one, he may read this prayer with a melodious voice while in a state of the utmost attention and concentration.

Thou hast written regarding Buddha and Confucius. Buddha was an illustrious personage. Confucius became the cause of civilization, advancement and prosperity for the people of China. Now it is not the time when we discuss concerning the stations and positions of those who are passed away. We must concentrate our attention upon the present. What hath transpired in a former time is past. Now is the time when we restrict our discussion to the Most Great Luminary of Peace and Salvation in the Age, to talk of the Blessed Perfection [Baha'o'llah] and to voice His exhortations, behests and teachings. Buddha and Confucius were kings in bygone ages who have disappeared.

+P 470 Their sovereignty in this world is ended and their cycle is completed. Now the Throne of the Kingdom of Abha is established and the Blessed Perfection is sitting upon the Throne of Grandeur. We must raise this Call, promulgate the Word of God and live in accord with the teachings and advices of the Beauty of Abha.

Thou hast written regarding ........, the resident of Calcutta (India), that he hath forwarded to thee some addresses so that thou mayest correspond with them about the Cause of God. If thou doest write to them there is no harm done, nay, rather it is advantageous.

But regarding the tests: Undoubtedly they must be violent so that those souls who are weak may fall back, while the souls who are firm and sincere may shine forth from the horizon of the Most Great Guidance like unto the sparkling stars.

O thou sincere servant of God!

Thy letters are received regularly and by reading them joy was produced.

Thou hast written regarding the building of the Mashrak-el-Azcar in Washington. This matter was discussed with the maid-servant of Baha', Miss ......... It hath been concluded that when she arrives in America she will discuss this question with you. Whatever will be the conclusions of your discussion write to Acca. The maid-servant of Baha' is in Paris; she will go to America. These services of thine are in reality worthy of praises, that thou hast sacrificed thyself wholly to the True One.

+P 471

Mr. ........ and Mr. ....... arrived and stayed a few days here. The, with the utmost joy and fragrance, they started toward India.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

Thy letter***was received and its contents became the cause of the happiness of the heart of this grieved one, for it was an evidence of exertion and magnanimity in the service of the Cause of God.

Thou hast written regarding the publication of a magazine. If thou shouldst edit one magazine every six months--two in a year--then forward it to the Holy Land to be corrected and returned, after due correction, for its publication--it is very acceptable and will be the cause of the penetration of the Word of God.***

Thy former articles were received. I have not yet had time to read them. However, one of thy articles was corrected and forwarded and thou hast it printed and circulated. Now write thou a new article and send it here to be corrected. It is better.

Regarding the proposition which thou hast suggested that one of the maid-servants of the Merciful reside in the Land of Desire and be the medium for the regulation of correspondence, now it is not according to wisdom.

Therefore, now edit thou a magazine in Persian and English, then forward it here to be revised and sent back for publication.

Convey the wonderful Abha greeting to all the friends of God.***

+P 472 ***O thou my kind friend!

I have the utmost love for thee and I ask God that thou mayest become assisted in the world and in the Kingdom and precede Paul and Peter in spreading the Word of God and diffusing the fragrances of God and become a manifest ensign in the regions of America.

Perhaps thou wilt meet a person in Paris who is thoughtless and followeth his own desire. Forget thou wholly his vain sayings and know thou that in future again thou wilt become in touch with such souls, but --praise be to God!--the fire of thy love is to such a degree that the suggestions of such souls do not at all affect thee.

In brief, arise thou in the service of thy Lord with the utmost firmness and steadfastness. I was very much pleased with thee. Undoubtedly this favor will become the cause of the greatest development for thee.

Likewise, thou and his honor Mirza ........ are two brothers and like unto two birds living in one nest and singing one melody.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant and Testament!

Thy letter***was received and its contents became known. Thou hast written regarding the election of a committee+F1 . This is very acceptable, is conducive to the glory of the Cause of God and the spreading of the fragrances of God in those regions. I hope that this committee may progress day by day until it become a merciful assembly.

Thou hast written regarding the correspondence with other parts, that from now on it will be carried under the name of The Bahai Assembly of Washington. This

------------------------ 1. page 441. +P 473 is also acceptable. I hope that this committee becometh established and its members be of the utmost unity and affinity. If the Bahai Assembly of Washington ariseth in a befitting manner to love, service and magnanimity, the lights of the love of God will be cast upon all sides from the Assembly and it will find more importance day by day, until it attain to the Most Supreme Station. ***

O thou my beloved friend!

For a long time thou didst have the longing to visit the Blessed Sport and the yearning to meet this imprisoned one. Finally this gift became realized, but it was for one moment and as the dew to the rose-garden of the hearts. The destiny was such and the means were brought about in this way. I became sad and disappointed more than thyself. But I hope that this meeting became as the wick of the lamp and the fire--that as soon as it was touched it became ignited. I am expecting the results of this meeting, that I may see thee lighted as a candle and burning thyself as a moth with the fire of the love of God, weeping like unto the cloud by the greatness of love and attraction, laughing like unto the meadow and stirred into cheerfulness like unto the young tree by the wafting of the breeze of the Paradise of Abha!

All the believers in the East and in this Sport are expecting the receipt of letters from thee.

+F1 The letter was received and its contents became evident. Thou hast written regarding the days of summer, that thou hast vacation for three months and a half.

------------------------ 1. Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 474 Shouldst though find any companions, make thou a trip to Persia, for during three months and a half it is possible to reach Teheran, stay there a few days and then return; but the time is not sufficient to come to the Holy Land. If the trip to Persia cannot be brought about, then to Ishkabad+F1 .

Regarding the question of matrimony: Know thou that the command of marriage is eternal. It will never be changed nor altered. This is divine creation and there is not the slightest possibility that change or alteration affect this divine creation (marriage).

Regarding the remains of his honor the beloved Breakwell--him who hath attained to the meeting of the countenance of his Lord in His great Kingdom-- must be interred in that very land, not in some other place, for to transfer the remains of the believers from one city to another city is against the test of the Book.

Concerning the word Baha'o'llah: It must be written with O and not with U.

Regarding the Moronites: All the communities of the world will finally become familiar with this great and most holy Cause and all of them will enter under the shade of the Word of God.

Convey my respectful greeting to Mrs. ........ and say: "We hope that day by day thou mayest take higher flights, attain to greater spiritual attraction, thy word become more penetrative through the power of the Spirit and through the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha become more illumined. This is the path of salvation and prosperity. This is the attractive power of the Holy Spirit from the Supreme Concourse."

------------------------ 1. Russia, near the Persian border. +P 475 O thou who hast confessed and believed in the Words of God!

Thank God, for He hath uncovered the veil from before thine eye, and that thou hast witnessed the great signs of the greatest glad-tidings which have been revealed in the Gospel, Bible and the Psalms; and wert confirmed that verily those glad-tidings have been allusions to the appearance of the Kingdom of God during this time, and that the horizons shall brighten through the light of the effulgence in this age, which is the age of the lights and the century of thy God, the Powerful, the Almighty!

What a great gift is this guidance, the standards of which are raised, the traces of which are published and the breeze of which has blown, the garden of which is ornamented, the basins of which have poured out, the birds of which have sung and the joy of which is completed!

I beg God to cause thee to be a crier unto His Kingdom in that region, wherein the Sun of Truth hath newly commenced to disseminate and the dawn of guidance hath risen from its horizons.

O thou who art assuredly believing in God!

Verily, I am informed of thy letter which showeth how thou art praising God, hast acknowledged the unity of God, art attracted to His kingdom and art thanking Him for His favor; that He hath strengthened thee in guidance, hath illumined thine inner sight with the light which is shining forth from the Kingdom of El-Abha, hath caused thee to hear the Call of the Merciful from the Supreme Concourse and hath made thee one of the

+P 476 chosen ones in His brilliant and holy Threshold. O glad-tidings be unto thee for this great gift! O blessed art thou for this worthy deed!

O thou maid-servant of God!

What thou hast written was perused. It is evident that thou hast all thy life been seeking the Lord of signs, until now thou hast found the path of Truth and discovered the Lord of Hosts and attained His Kingdom.

If thou shouldst stand firm and steadfast, thou wilt progress day by day in this condition, and this flame of fire will become a luminous lamp. If it be possible for thee, turn thy face toward that city and be a cause of guidance to some souls there. It is not now advisable for you to write secretly; the time will come for that. When you go there yourself you will be confirmed to teach some of the people.

O thou who art advancing toward God!

Verily, I read thy long letter, which showed thine abundant joy for the appearance of the Kingdom of God and the longing of thy heart for the knowledge of God. endeavor with thy soul, so that the fountain of knowledge may flow within thy heart and the bounties of mysteries may pour upon thee from the Kingdom of Lights. Then thou wilt understand the meanings hidden and recorded in symbols in the Holy Scriptures.

O maid-servant of God! Hold fast to the Covenant which hath emanated from the Supreme Pen and which is scintillating with the light of the Orb of the Horizons. Know thou verily, Baha'o'llah is the

+P 477 Promised One in all the Books and Tablets, and verily, this servant, is the herald of the Kingdom of God.

And know thou, that verily, he earthly world is as a prison to the holy souls and these long for the Kingdom of Sanctity, as birds long for their nests in the gardens of beautiful and wonderful trees, flowers and fruits. And know thou, verily, that those who were following the steps of Christ, detached their souls from the desires of the world, and made their hearts to depend on the bounties of heaven. Such as the people of the Kingdom and they are in no need of return for apprehending the bounty of the Kingdom. The consciences of such souls are clear, their inmost hearts are pure, [they] have obtained their aim, have betaken themselves to the vicinity of the mercy of their Mighty Lord, and thus they are in no need of being refined, developed and again endowed with sight.

I beg of God to grant all thy wishes and to cause to appear unto thee the reality of the Cause and the divine teachings through a heavenly bounty from the heaven of the Covenant.

Send my greetings and peace to thy revered husband. Every one of my household, the firm ones in the Covenant, present unto thee greetings and praise.

O thou who hast prayed to the Kingdom of God!

I have read thy letter and I have taken knowledge of God as to thy conduct towards the Kingdom of God and also thy conflagration with the fire of God's love. Be reassured by the grace of thy Lord and direct thyself towards Him.

Consider attentively and with assiduity in the New

+P 478 Testament, as well as the Bible, and thou shalt find new significances, very clear of this great Manifestation.

I declare by the just God that thou wilt see therein a revelation of the Holy Spirit which will aid thee in the good understanding of the Truth and the mysteries and significances of the Books of God, the All-powerful and the Eternal.

Then as to what thou hast asked me for pious people who died before they heard the Voice of this Manifestation. Listen: Those who have mounted to God before hearing the Voice, if they followed the rules of conduct as laid down by Jesus and always walked in the straight path,they have obtained this Dazzling Light after their rising to the Kingdom of God. I pray God to lift the veil for thee and to corroborate by the spirit of experience, so that all may be evident to thee, by the Holy Spirit of God.

I implore God to give thee indication of good conduct in the way of salvation, as a guiding lamp lighted from the fire of God's Love, and to cause thee to be called in His Name by the multitude of the world, so that the Name of God shall be proclaimed in all far off countries.

Give my compliments and my praises to thy estimable husband; my greeting and praise to thee.

O ye two+F1 maid-servants of God!

The Lord of the Kingdom hath invited, chosen and guided you through His pure favor, feeding you from the heavenly table of divine knowledge! Know ye the value of this favor and bounty and loosen your tongues

------------------------ 1. and daughter. +P 479 in praise; showing forth the power of knowledge and assurance and breathing the spirit of guidance into the hearts of the seekers.

Ask from God that ye stand firm and steadfast in this great Cause.

I pray in your behalf, asking assistance and favor for you. I hope that ye may become confirmed and helped.

O thou thrall of the Lord of the Kingdom!

Thy photograph was considered with utmost insight. This picture is an emblem of an enlightened face, that is, a countenance which hath taken a share of the outpouring of the manifest Light. This picture is produced by the light of the sun. Therefore, it is called a sun picture. I pray to God that thy picture may become reflected upon the page of existence forever and ever.

O thou attracted maid-servant of God!

A few days ago the photograph of thyself and sister was received and a tablet was revealed and forwarded. Now, also, through pure mercy, the answer of thy letter is transmitted.

Praise be to God! that the heavenly blessings are being poured upon thee and thou art being led by the light of guidance.

Supplication to God that the seed of knowledge in the soil of thy heart may soon develop and grow into hyacinths and roses+F1 and that the flower-garden of the love of God may be thereby perfumed.

------------------------ 1. typify knowledge; roses typify wisdom. +P 480

Therefore, I beseech God that He may bestow upon thee a meek and submissive heart and that He may confirm thee in the service of the divine garden and assist thee to emulate the actions and deeds of the godly ones. Also, that He may guide, to the Kingdom of God, your father, mother and friends, in order that by these heavenly blessings they may become fruitful trees and obtain a portion of the great and glorious gift.

O ye members of the shining assembly!+F1

The letter which was written by you, was not a letter, but a musk sack. For the fragrances of the rose-garden of its significances perfumed the nostrils of every heavenly one; evincing firmness in the love of God, steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament and affinity among the friends.

This yearning one was enflamed and burning intensely, but when I perused that letter, a gentle breeze wafted and an extraordinary freshness and delicacy was imparted to me. I turned my face toward the Threshold of the Almighty and supplicated Him imploringly thus:

"O thou Eternal One! Make the friends of that country prosperous, acquaint them with the mysteries; usher them into the divine rose-garden and reveal to them the hidden realities and significances; make their hearts the association of truth and their souls full of divine melodies and sacred (choral) music!"

"O God! This respectful assemblage are my relatives and kindred and the cause of the happiness of this

------------------------ 1. the Newark (N. J.) assembly. +P 481 afflicted one. Bestow upon them a shining face and grant them a musk-diffusing character. Show them the mystery of the Kingdom and suffer them to hear the soul-elevating harmony of heaven! Awaken (the people) by the breeze of the Paradise of Abha and make them alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. Verily, Thou are the Powerful and Omnipotent, and Thou art the Bestower and generous!"

O thou dear servant of God!

Thy letter is received and its contents were the cause of happiness. Regard the bounty and forgiveness of the Mighty Creator: Though Abdul-Baha is in this blessed and illuminated Spot and thou in St. Peter (Minn.)--the other side of the world--thou hast inhaled the divine breath notwithstanding the great distance, and beheld the heavenly Light. There are thousands of people in the Holy Land associated with us and yet they are deprived and have no hope in God. This is naught save a blessing from the heavenly Father which hath enlightened that face (i. e., thy face) and made that heart (thy heart) divine. I ask God that thou wilt be so animated by the breaths of the Holy Spirit that thou wilt cause that region to become an Eden of Paradise and illumine many souls with the brilliant Light.

Though we cannot see each other physically at this time, thank God the Spiritual Breath is a messenger between us, which is the means of assuring the heart and rejoicing the spirit.

+P 482 O thou seeker of the Heavenly Kingdom!

This world resembles the human body and the Kingdom of God is like the spirit of life. Think how narrow and dark the material world of man is, how afflicted with disease and maladies; but how bright and spacious is His Spiritual World! Through this illustration thou mayest comprehend in what manner is the Spiritual World portrayed in this earthly world and in what degree is its power effected. Though the Spirit is concealed, its power is manifested and clear in the phenomenal world; and so with the Kingdom of God, though it is veiled from the eyes of the ignorant people, to men of perception it is discernable and evident. Therefore, thou must become entirely heavenly that thou mayest forget the earthly conditions and be immersed in the perception of Divinity to such a degree that thou wilt be unconscious of the surrounding material existence.

O my dear friend!

Verily, my heart is united with thee even though my body is in a distant land, for verily neither long distance nor immense remoteness can prevent the union between hearts, because the clear hearts are in reality assembled in union in the Kingdom of God, while bodies are disperse in the east and west of the earth. This dispersion cannot stop the affinity and cannot veil the eye of soul from seeing in all directions.

O thou who art cheerfully moving by the Fragrances of God!

Know thou verily, that when the Sun of Truth shown forth to the horizons, the eyes of the people of affection

+P 483 were brightened by witnessing thereof, but the blind are in veil and discord, and say: "Where is the Sun of the Horizon?" Leave them in the veils of passions and fathoms of the seas of ignorance, to sink and play.

Verily, thou shouldst be rejoiced with this Light, which is shining to the Easts of the earth and the Wests thereof, and be illumined thereby, so that thou becomest saved with thy whole being from the gloomy darkness. Then thou wilt become of the great signs of guidance.

O thou seeker of Truth!

I received the photograph of thy shining figure and I looked at it with thorough attention. A tranquility and steadfastness was manifest in thy visage. I beg of God that the lights of the Kingdom may so shine upon this face (or figure) that they may dispel the darkness of error from many. If thou doest act according to the commandments and exhortations of God, know thou for a certainty that the luminosity of thy face will day by day increase. Be thou happy and well pleased and arise to offer thanks to God, in order that thanksgiving may conduce to the increase of bounty.

O thou maid-servant of God!

Thy message, through the maid-servant of God ........ was received. Happy is thy state that thou art seeking the Truth and endeavoring to attain eternal life. This is a lofty aim, but it requireth the heavenly confirmation and assistance.

I pray that this assistance may be vouchsafed unto

+P 484 thee and this bounty environ thee, that thou hearest the call of the Kingdom and beholdest the greatest signs.

Reflect upon this: What a bounty and what a favor it is that the sages of the world and the wise among mankind are incompetent of comprehension, yet the little children of the Kingdom have attained the Truth, dwell and abide under the shadow of the Tree of Life and are assisted by the everlasting and eternal gift!

O maid-servant of God!

Verily that Infant is born and exists and their will appear from His Cause a wonder which thou wilt hear in future. Thou shalt see Him with the most perfect form, most great gift, most complete perfection, most great power and strongest might! His Face glisteneth a glistening whereby the horizons are illumined! Therefore, forget not this account as long as thou art living, forasmuch as there are signs for it in the passing centuries and ages.

Upon ye be greeting and praise!

ABDUL-BAHA ABBAS. ################################################################################ This has not yet been proofread. Page numbers are correct. Volume III pp. 485-730

"If the people live and act in accord with the General Tablets which are revealed in the beloved of the East and of the

West, this universe will become another universe, and the whole existence of this world will be clad in another garment"

Abdul-Baha Abbas

+P 485