Volume III: Tablets (part 3)

Mrs. ......... became the guide and directed thee to the path of the Kingdom and informed thee of my love. Whatever she said is correct. I am the lamp and the love of God is my light. this light hath become reflected in the mirrors of hearts. Therefore turn thou unto thy heart, that is, when it is in the utmost freedom, and behold how the radiance of my love is manifest in that mirror, and thou art near unto me.

Recite the Greatest Name at every morn, and turn thou unto the Kingdom of Abha, until thou mayest apprehend my mysteries.

O thou plant in the Garden of the Kingdom!

God created man in the utmost perfection, for He inscribed the edict of the divine likeness on his brow.

+P 675 Every excellent person (or soul), if confirmed by the heavenly bounty, is a plant of the Kingdom and becometh green and refreshed and putteth forth wonderful blossoms and groweth on the river bank of the love of God.

O thou seeker of Truth!

Thank thou the maid-servant of God Mrs. ........., for she hath guided thee to the Divine Kingdom and led thee to the noblest station of the human world. Appreciate thou her value, and turn thou unto the Word of God, so that thou mayest be confirmed by the power of the Merciful One, and attain to that which is wished for by the holy ones.

O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom of God!

The doors of the Ideal Heaven of God are opened and some souls are on the wing like unto birds of holiness and have attained to the divine Kingdom.

I beg of God that thou wilt become one of those birds and soar up in such manner that thou mayest astonish all.

O ye maid-servants of His Majesty, the Lord - daughters and sons of the Kingdom!+F1

The meeting of the Lord's Supper, which you held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. ......... (was blessed) with the lights of the Beauty of the Merciful, which shone from the Kingdom of Abha, and Abdul-Baha was present in spirit and heart although absent in body.

------------------------ 1. To the Fruitport (Mich.) assembly. +P 676 That meeting was exceedingly bright, and as the rose-garden, emitted a pleasant fragrance.

Meetings organized with the utmost holiness and piety, wherein those who are present engage in the mention and thought of God, and wherein the verses of Oneness are chanted and the prayers of the Threshold of the Lord of Verses are offered and the exhortations and counsels of the Blessed Beauty recited, such meetings are illumined, spiritual, divine and heavenly. They are the means of training the world of humanity.

I am, night and day, engaged in remembering you, and happy with your thought, and ask the Lord of the Kingdom for confirmation, that He may make each one of you a sign of guidance and the means of educating and guiding other women and men.

The bounty and grace of God in this illumined cycle is like the ocean. Every instant it surges, reaching the apogee with its waves and inundating the shores of existence. Therefore, O ye maid-servants of the Merciful and servants of God, endeavor while this ocean is still surging and this cloud raining and pouring, to make the surface of the earth feel the reality, that it may grow the hyacinths, the flowers and frits of concord, peace, love, faith, realities and significances.

O seeker of Truth!

If thou desirest that god may open thy (spiritual) eye, thou must supplicate unto God, pray to and commune with Him at midnight, saying:

"o Lord, I have turned my face unto thy Kingdom of Oneness and am drowned in the sea of Thy mercy! O

+P 677 Lord, enlighten my sight by beholding Thy lights in this dark night, and make me happy by the wine of Thy love in this wonderful age! O Lord, make me hear Thy call, and open before my face the doors of Thy heaven, so that I may see the light of Thy glory (Baha') and become attracted to Thy beauty!

"Verily, thou art the Giver, the Generous, the Merciful, the Forgiving!"

At that time such signs will appear which will guide thee to the Kingdom of Thy Lord, the Merciful.

The babe dressed in the white garment that gave thee the jessamine is a fragrance of the fragrances of God, reared through His love, a sign of His signs and a breeze of His breezes. It hath a wonderful power and there shall be for it astonishing states to the minds and spirits. Understand what I say to thee through the best of symbols.

O thou maid-servant of God!

Thy writing was considered. Thank God that thou wert fed from the table which hath descended from heaven. That food is the "I am the bread which descended from heaven," recorded in the Gospel. That is faith, certainty, love and knowledge. I ask God that, day by day, thy steps may progress, that thou mayest grow firmer in the love of God; that unto thee and thy kindred a blessing of God shall come, and that thou mayest remain protected and sheltered under all conditions. Thus, may thy weakness be changed to strength and thy inability to power.

+P 678 O ye+F1 dear servants of God!

Your letter received and the contents proved excellent. That which is the desire of you hearts is the utmost hope of the daughters of the Kingdom; that is, they wish to sacrifice themselves for the Beauty of Abha+F2 and offer their lives for His Holiness, the Supreme.+F3

In reality, the radiant, pure hearts are the Mashrak-el-Azcar and from them the voice of supplication and invocation continually reacheth the Supreme Concourse.

I ask God to make the heart of every one of you a temple of the Divine Temples and to let the lamp of the great guidance be lighted therein; and when the hearts find such an attainment, they will certainly exert the utmost endeavor and energy in the building of the Mashrak-el-Azcar; thus may the outward express the inward, and the form (or letter) indicate the meaning (or reality).

O servant of God!

Give thanks to God, for thou hast come to the Holy Land, visited the Sacred Threshold, associated with us for a few days and heard the divine admonitions, which are in the heavenly Books. Now return, behave and act with perfect firmness, according to the heavenly teachings, in those regions, in order that you may become the cause by which human perfections will be attained.

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Give thanks unto God for having revealed unto thee, in visions, the mysteries of His Kingdom and for having

------------------------ 1. To three maid-servants at Chicago. 2. Baha'o'llah. 3. The Bab. +P 679 strengthened thee to attain certain revelations which show thine utmost attraction and constancy unto this great Cause.

Verily, the three birds are the three holy souls. The one on the right is His Holiness the great Bab, the one on the left is His Honor the Khudoos,+F1 the glorious soul, and the great bird in the middle is the Greatest Name.+F2 The light shining from the Supreme Horizon is the Beauty of El-Abha. These birds descended from an infinite height and the nearer they came to earth the more their majesty and glory became manifest. All nations were promised by a sure promise and were awaiting with anxiety and longing the coming of the Promised One. The two birds accompanying the great bird in the center signifies that the Bab and His Honor the Khudoos were both under the wings of the Greatest name. As those birds descended and their shadows extended vertically over the expectants, as the sun approacheth the zenith at noontide, at this time thou hast seen a majestic being in the form of man upon the back of the huge bird in the center. This person in the human form is the "divine station" mentioned in the Bible: "Let us make man in our image after our likeness." And the divine lights were reflected from the reality of the Greatest Name. Although this station is far from the minds and understandings, yet its lights are apparent, its rays reflected and its brilliancy manifested throughout the universe.

The white garments signify holy dignity and a station sanctified from color, i.e., free from the universal

------------------------ 1. Khudoos, literally, Holy; the title given to one of the great martyrs of

Persia. 2. Baha'o'llah +P 680 conditions and material qualities. That luminous countenance, manifested in beauty, signifieth that the divine lights shone forth from the human form, which were reflected and descended upon thee, dazzling the eyes of those who were perceiving it as the sun dazzles the eyes of those who try to look upon it. That divine form manifested itself in America and entered the great Temple which shall soon be constructed therein. this glorious Temple resembles the Oriental edifices and soon thou wilt see it erected there with a most solid foundation and strongest basis. That divine face will beam upon numberless souls who will enter this Temple.

Regarding the table laid in that magnificent house: This is the heavenly table of divine knowledge, love and eternal life. As to the people gathered there, they are the beloved of God and His chosen ones whose faces shine with wonderful and heavenly beauty. The woman sitting at the side of the Temple is the law of God, which will soon dispel all veils and its beauty will appear, after which it shall be established forever and ever. The stamped coins presented to the woman sitting in that honored station, are the good deeds and actions of the beloved of God and His maid-servants, submitted with praise, greetings and great thanksgiving unto that holy law. The beautiful woman is blessed by being touched by that Merciful Being the glory of whose blessing shall suffuse the universe. Then the Merciful Being returned to His station, mounting the bird and ascended to the Supreme Horizon in the infinite realm.

This vision showeth that thou, O confirmed and attracted one, by the breezes of God will soon be acquainted with the ancient mysteries, for the Manifest

+P 681 Light will appear to thee. The vision also signifieth that a Mashrak-el-Azcar will soon be established in America. The cries of supplication and invocation will be raised to the Highest Kingdom therefrom and, verily, the people will enter into the religion of God by troops with great enthusiasm and attraction.

Concerning thy vision of the angels surrounding the great white throne: This "throne" is the body of the Greatest name. The beautiful and glorious person riding upon the white horse is the Greatest Name and the white horse means also His glorious body. The herald who proclaimed the written names is Abdul-Baha who announceth the names of those who deserve salvation and are firm in the Covenant of God, and thou art one of those people, the people of salvation. Be thankful for this great favor.

O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!

Verily, thy coming, at this time, unto this shining, blessed Holy Land is not consistent with wisdom, but when the (proper) time cometh, we shall give thee permission to come to this Spot of Light. Thank thou God for that the love of God hath pervaded thee and seized the reins from thy hands. This spiritual love shall surely pervade all regions.

As to the human souls (or individuals): Unless they acquire the light, they are unable to shine upon other individuals. But when a man ariseth to expound the arguments of God and invite people to enter in the religion of God, and when he uttereth those argumments and advanceth consummate proofs concerning the appearance of the great Kingdom, then intense love shall

+P 682 become manifest in his heart. This love causeth the development of this spirit by the grace of the beneficent Lord. Consider, O maid-servant of God, the bearer who brought the garment of Joseph to Jacob. That messenger was the bearer of the garment, but he could not inhale the fragrance of Joseph. But Jacob, whose nostrils were pure, inhaled the fragrances of Joseph from a long distance.

It may be that man can guide a blessed, holy soul into the Kingdom of God while he, himself, is deprived therof. Consider Judas Iscariot: He invited others, while he, himself, was deprived of the Kingdom of God. But in spiritual training (or development) it is impossible for an imperfect one to perfect another or train another unless he first conquers his own self and desire and becomes purified from selfish impurities in order to become capable of merciful slendors. When he acquires divine bounties, then he is able to train another. An ignorant man hath no power to teach a seeker (of knowledge) and a poor man hath no power to succor a needy one. Consequently, be thou assured that, verily, man needs to wish for eternal life and then confer the same upon another. These human perfections and merciful bounties are that peace which was promised and spoken of by Christ.

Then know thou that, verily, the people of Baha' must need be distinguished from others in all respects, until they become the lamps of the True One among the creatures and the stars of guidance shining from the Supreme Concourse.

Then know thou, verily, that Luminous Man, the lights of whose Face dazzle the eyes and before whom

+P 683 thou knelt down when thou sawest His light, is the Greatest Name, the Ancient Light, the Honorable Temple!

O thou sincere servant of Baha'o'llah!

Thy letter was received and its content was the cause of infinite happiness, for it was an indication of thy firmness in the faith and thy steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament. Today, the greatest of all titles and praises are firmness and steadfastness, for the tests and trials are of the utmost intensity. I ask God that day by day thou mayest increase in steadfastness, so like unto a solid rock thou mayest withstand the tempestuous sea of test.

The people of the world are like unto trees (i.e., trees without roots), they are torn up by the passing of a gust of wind, but trees which are deeply rooted, strong and sturdy, are not uprooted by the most violent tempest - therefore they produce leaves, blossoms and fruits.

O thou spiritual friend! Thou hast asked the wisdom of prayer. Know thou that prayer is indispensable and obligatory, and man under no pretext whatsoever is excused from performing the prayer unless he be mentally unsound, or an insurmountable obstacle prevent him. The wisdom of prayer is this: That it causeth a connection between the servant and the True One, because in that state (i.e., prayer) man with all heart and soul turneth his face towards His Highness the Almighty, seeking His association and desiring His love and compassion. The greatest happiness for a lover is to converse with his beloved, and the greatest

+P 684 gift for a seeker is to become familiar with the object of his longing; that is why with every soul who is attracted to the Kingdom of God, his greatest hope is to find an opportunity to entreat and supplicate before his Beloved, appeal for His mercy and grace and be immersed in the ocean of His utterance, goodness and generosity.

Beside all this, prayer and fasting is the cause of awakening and mindfulness and conducive to protection and preservation from tests. The obligatory prayer is revealed from the Supreme Pen and is translated in America. Ask for it from the believers and use it.

O thou beloved maid-servant of God!

Thank thou God that thou art directed to the Light of Guidance and ushered into the Kingdom of the Love of God, became the recipient of the inexhaustible bounties and that thou hast a son like ........., who is the servant in the Threshold of God and is one of the sons of the Kingdom of the Merciful.

God hath accomplished His gift in thee; thou must be happy and thankful and hopeful for the favor of the True one.

O thou who art longing for the Kingdom!

Mr. ......... in thy behalf hath made a great endeavor. Thou shouldst be eternally grateful to him and thank him, for he hath guided thee to the Kingdom, led thee to life eternal and set upon thy brow a crown whose brilliant gems shall illumine the world of existence. That crown is the Divine Guidance. Thousands

+P 685 of illustrious and famous women are deprived but thou hast partaken of a share of this heavenly food. The queens of the world are portionless, but thou art inexhaustibly supplied.

Therefore, thank thou the Pure, the Almighty, and adore Him, that He hath bestowed such a beloved and glorious gift upon thee!

O thou leaf who art moved by the Breeze of God!

Verily, I address thee with all spiritual love and gladness from this my residence at the base of Mount Carmel, which is blessed through all ages by the prophets, as recorded in the ancient Books. And I beseech His Highness the Merciful One to ordain thee a faithful footing in the Kingdom of God and to provide for thee all things by which thy mind may be brightened, thy breast be gladdened, thy tongue become eloquent and whereby the doors of the meanings hinted at in the sacred Books and Tablets be opened to thy mind. Verily, the people are veiled from comprehending the meanings of the Gospel, the Bible and the Koran and know not the interpretation of the scriptures of God, except those whose eyes are opened by the outpouring of the Spirit of God. Thou shalt behold men-servants and maid-servants of Baha' in those far-distant lands and wide countries, speaking the secrets of the Gospel and the mysteries of the Bible and the allusions of the Koran and the explanation of the Words of the Merciful One. Those are the servants to whomsoever God hath assigned His mercy which overfloweth the existence.

+P 686 O thou tree planted in the Vineyard of God!

Verily, the clouds of the mercy of thy Lord have poured forth the rain of His greatest gift; the heat of the Sun of Truth hath become intense upon the plains, valleys and hills, and the winds of fecundation of the mercy of thy Lord have blown o'er the gardens, mountains and thickets. Therefore, O thou tree, be verdant, blossom, put forth leaves and bear beautiful fruits in this most Supreme Paradise!

O thou who art seeking fire from the Fire of the Love of God!

I received thy brilliant letter and became pleased with its beautiful contents. Shouldst thou desire to add perception and understanding, to become fully aware of the mysteries as deposited in the Holy Books and to spread the divine significances, it is incumbent upon thee to be straightforward in the right Path, to be firm in the teachings and to be patient under the great test. he who is steadfast shall grow and he who is straightforward shall succeed.

I supplicate God to grant thee power wherewith thou wilt confront the beliefs of all regions and innumerable nations; and to make it possible for thee to come hither in a convenient time when no obstacles exist, but now there are many obstacles in the way of thy coming. However, if thou turn thy face thoroughly to God, He will grant thee wisdom and power which maketh thy words to penetrate the hearts as the spirit penetrate the body.

O thou maid-servant of God! Thou must leave

+P 687 selfishness, separate thyself from the world and cling thoroughly to the Most Supreme Kingdom. give my salutations to Mrs. ......... and to the maid-servant of God, ........., and say to them that "God hath chosen His pure, devout and good maid-servants to turn their faces to Him and to become attracted by His fragrances in this new and wonderful day."

O thou son of the Kingdom!

Thy sweet letters with their interesting contents are always conducive to the joy of the hearts. They are like unto the melodies of the nightingale which imparteth exultation to soul and mind. Thank thou God! that thou hast gone to those parts+F1 for the purpose of spreading the Word of God and diffusing the holy fragrances of the Kingdom of God and that thou art a gardener in the divine orchard. Ere long, confirmation and assistance shall environ thee.

O thou son of the Kingdom! If one possesses the love of God, everything that he undertakes is useful, but if the undertaking is without the love of God, then it is hurtful and the cause fo veiling one's self from the Lord of the Kingdom. But with the love of God every bitterness is changed into sweetness and every gift becometh precious. For instance, a musical and melodious voice imparteth life to an attracted heart but lureth toward lust those souls who are engulfed in passion and desire.

With the love of God all sciences are accepted and beloved, but without it, are fruitless; nay, rather the

------------------------ 1. Germany. +P 688 cause of insanity. Every science is like unto a tree; if the fruit of it is the love of God, that is a blessed tree. Otherwise it is dried wood and finally a food for fire.

O thou sincere servant of the True One and the spiritual physician of the people! Whenever thou presentest thyself at the bed of a patient turn thy face toward the Lord of the Kingdom and supplicate assistance from the Holy Spirit and heal the ailments of the sick one. I beg of God to bestow thee with an eloquent tongue.

O thou maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was received and the contents indicated that - praise be to God! - thy heart is ablaze with the fire of the love of God and thine eyes are illumined with the light of the guidance of God, that thy face is cheerfully beaming and thy countenance is shining and gleaming.

Say unto thine honored helpmate, thy dear husband: "Thousands of souls, including the great divines and Pharisees among the Jews, were awaiting the Manifestation of Christ, lamenting and weeping and supplicating that the Messiah should soon appear. But when His Holiness Christ came with a beautiful face and sweet utterance and dawned from the day-spring of the contingent world like unto the shining sun, all those souls who awaited Him rejected Him, became afflicted with the sleep of heedlessness, did not wake up by the voice of Christ nor did they gain consciousness. Now again the same is the case in the Manifestation of Baha'o'llah."

+P 689

I beg of God that thy dear husband be guided through the light of guidance and become a sign of the gift of the Kingdom of Abha.

O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom!

The decoration and adornment of the tongue consists in praising and thanksgiving to the Lord Almighty, especially when a man is guided by divine grace and mercy to the path of guidance and when he is intoxicated by the chalice of boundless blessings.

Thank God that - praise be to God! - the glass of thy life and heart hath become bright with the lamp of guidance, and the chalice of hope and desire hath overflowed with the wine of the love of God. This is an attainment and blessing that, if thou give thanks a thousand centuries and cycles, thou wilt not be capable of doing it justice. Therefore, in the utmost joy, gladness, rejoicings and endless happiness thou must open thy tongue in thanksgiving and glorifying the Lord of mercy and become the cause of enlightenment.

When in perfect obedience thou followest the path of the evident Light, thou mayest rest assured that in a little while life will find the Beloved, the seeker the Desired One and the traveler the Goal.

Kiss the face and hair of thy dear children for me, love them and educate them in divine education.

***O ye+F1 children of the Kingdom!

The letter that ye have written, although short and significant, was a manifest book and an evidence of your faith and assurance and a proof of your union and harmony.

------------------------ 1. To the Seattle (Wash.) assembly. +P 690

Praise be to God! that ye are gathered in one assembly like unto the stars of the Pleiades, are illumined with the light of the knowledge of God and through the outpouring of the cloud of the love of God, ye are the fresh flowers of the meadow and plain; ye are intimate and familiar with infinite unity and love.

Therefore, this meeting is blessed. But if it is firmly established and become constant, it will bring forth great results and most weighty developments will be attained. Consequently, persevere ye in renewing your meetings and display utmost magnanimity in firmness and steadfastness. When the root of the tree of the garden is well established and its protection is safeguarded, it will bring forth luscious fruits.

Likewise, when the regiment of an army and the individuals of a cohort are united and related with ease, untold triumphs will be acquired. But if they come together one day and disperse another day, no fruits will be produced.

Therefore, as ye have prepared an army of heaven and become the host of life, ye must continue to hold meetings, have spiritual communications, be firm in resolution, steadfast in purpose and be constant and persevering so that ye may win celestial conquests.

I supplicate and entreat at the Threshold of God to assist and confirm you in firmness and steadfastness and cause you to guide the inhabitants of that region.

O thou lover of humanity!+F1

Thy letter was received and its contents imparted spiritual significances. Thank thou God that from thy

------------------------ 1. To a believer in New Zealand. +P 691 early childhood thou hast been always a seeker after salvation and hast been spending thy energy and effort in charitable affairs and the excellences of the world of humanity. However, every great Cause in this world of existence findeth a visible expression through three means; first, intention; second, confirmation; third, action. Today on this earth there are many souls who are the spreaders of peace and reconciliation and are longing for the realization of the oneness and unity of the world of man; but this intention needs a dynamic power, so that it may become manifest in the world of being. Today the divine instructions and lordly exhortations of Baha'o'lah promulgate this most great aim and the confirmations of the Kingdom are the supports and defenders of this eminent intention. For the power of the Word of God is penetrative and the existence of the divine Kingdom is uninterrupted. Therefore, ere long it will become evident and clear that the ensign of the Most Great Peace is the teachings of Baha'o'llah. For the intention, the power and the action, all the three essential elements are brought together and the realization of everything in the contingent world dependeth upon these three principles.

Therefore, O thou lover of the oneness of the world of humanity! spread thou as much as thou canst the instructions and teachings of His Highness Baha'o'llah, so that the desired Beloved become unveiled in the assembly of humankind and cast her light upon all the people.

Likewise, some of the ancient philosophers have spoken regarding the oneness of the world of humanity,

+P 692 but confirmation and assistance became not their supports and helpers. Consequently their endeavors ended in being without result and the tree of their hope without fruit.

Thou hast written regarding the language of Esperanto. This language will be spread and universalized to a certain degree, but later on a language more complete than this, or the same language will undergo some changes and alterations and will be adopted and become universal. I hope that Dr. Zamenhof become assisted by the invisible confirmation and do a great service to the world of humanity.

O thou maid-servant of God! Whatsoever question thou hast in thy heart, turn thou thy heart toward the Kingdom of Abha and entreat in the Threshold of the Almighty and reflect upon that problem, then unquestionably the light of truth shall dawn and the reality of that problem will become evident and clear to thee. For the teachings of His Highness Baha'o'llah are the keys to all the doors. Every hidden secret will become discovered and every hidden mystery will become manifest and apparent.***

O thou who art rejoicing by the Glad-tidings of God!

The contents of thy letter clearly show that thou art drawn by the love of God, pondering over the Cause of God and that the cover hath been removed from off thine eyes.

I ask God to shower down upon thee a heavenly blessing; to make thee to serve His Cause and attain His good pleasure; to teach thee that which thou knewest

+P 693 not; to inspire thee with His argument and proof; to confirm thee in faith and assurance; and to make thee the sign of the Merciful among the concourse of the worlds.

Verily, He is the Giver, the Generous!

O thou maid-servant of God, who art guided to the

Light of Guidance!

Verily, I read thy letter which expressed praise to thy Supreme Lord for having guided thee to the Fountain-head of Knowledge, quickened thy heart with the spirit of faith, poured on thee the clouds of beneficence and opened thine insight to witness His mighty signs in the world of man.

O thou maid-servant of God! Be rejoiced by this most great glad-tidings; praise in commemorating the Name of thy Supreme Lord; thank thou God because He hath quickened thee with an eternal spirit, bestowed upon thee a heavenly bounty and hath illumined thy face with the light by which the existence scintillates in the world of emanation!

Verily, I was informed of thy great longing to present thyself at this holy, luminous Spot, but at present this is not favorable; but I bear unto thee the glad-tidings that when thou hast departed to thy native land, the invisible hosts will surely confirm and assist thee with power and strength, and God will reveal unto thy heart that which will rejoice it forevermore; and He shall endow thee with a speech whereat thou in thyself shalt be astonished and wilt say: "Blessed am I for this great gift! Glad-tidings be unto me for this mighty

+P 694 bestowal, for my Lord hath confirmed me therewith and enabled me to uplift the Word of God and to diffuse His fragrances! Verily, I glory among all the women of the world! This is a bestowal which hath no equal!"

O thou maid-servant of God! Verily, the tongue of the Supreme Concourse uttereth the praise of those women who are the glory of men; women who have forgotten themselves, have abandoned their own rest, attached their hearts to the Kingdom of God, raised their voice in the Name of God, diffused the signs of God and uttereed clear arguments and firm proofs concerning the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. Trust thou in this promise; then depart to those regions with infinite joy and gladness and bear unto people glad-tidings in commemorating thy Lord. Verily, thy Lord will assist thee under all aspects and circumstances. And in the coming year, if it is possible for thee to come, present thyself at this Blessed Spot and fragrant region.

O thou maid-servant of God who art attracted unto

Him!

Verily, I read thy letter and was informed of its words. Its meaning showed that thou hast come out of the tests of God and that thou art firm and steadfast in the love of God. This is through the grace of thy Lord and His mercy upon those of His maid-servants who are firm in His right path.

Gird up thy loins, therefore, to serve the Cause of God in His great vineyard; trust in the favors of thy Lord; supplicate unto Him and beseech in the middle

+P 695 of the night and at early morn just as a needy and captive one beseeches. It is incumbent upon thee to turn unto the Kingdom of God and to pray, supplicate and invoke during all times. This is the means by which thy soul shall ascend upward to the apex of the gift of God.

O thou seeker after the Beauty of the True One!

What thou hast written was perused. In indicated thy yearning and advancement toward the Kingdom of God.

If thou standest steadfast and firm in this seeking and advancement, not becoming agitated by the trials, giving repose and composure to the mind, and freeing thyself from attachment to this ephemeral world, be thou assured that thou shalt become an enkindled lamp, spreading the lights of faith, assurance, knowledge and the love of God in every gathering-place.

We will five thee permission to stand before the Presence when it is a favorable and suitable time and not contrary to wisdom.

If thou seekest after the light of the Kingdom, hasten undoubtedly to the meetings of the believers, in order that the rays of truth may reflect in thy heart.

O thou advancing maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was received and considered. Thank God that the evidence and the proof became clear and manifest to thee. He gave thee eyes to see therewith the lights of guidance; He gave thee ears to hear the divine call; He gave thee nostrils to sense the beautiful fragrance of the rose-garden of the Kingdom; He gave thee

+P 696 taste to find the sweetness of the love of God; He gave thee a tongue to mention Him. Therefore, thou must thank Him night and day for having attained this bounty. Thus mayest thou become firm in trials and bear every difficulty and, like unto the mountains, hold thy feet firm and steadfast, so that thou mayest not be shaken by the adverse winds.

The bounty of the Lord of the Kingdom is great and His outpouring is glorious. His favors are boundless. I ask, through His bounty, to grant thee readiness and capacity, so that the rains of mercy may cultivate flowers of significances in the garden of the heart.

The essential thing is firmness and steadfastness. I hope that all the friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful One may be strengthened and confirmed therein.

To pardon shortcomings is an attribute of the Lord of forgiveness. Thank God, thou art a dawning-point of kindness and the recipient of pardon and forgiveness.

Sacrifice thy life to the Lord of the Kingdom and seek only His will. Make thy meeting the house of Abdul-Baha and the rose-garden of the heavenly birds.

Convey reverential greeting to Miss ......... and say: "Know thou the value of the day of the Lord and take a portion and a share of the bounty in this glorious cycle. If a tree doth not thrive and grow in this divine springtime, in what season will it bear fruit? I hope that, though the life-nurturing breeze of the rose-garden of the Kingdom, thou mayest become a tree full of blossoms and fruit."

Convey reverential greeting to the maid-servant of God, ......... and say: "Happy is thy condition

+P 697 that thou art meek and humble and directed to the Kingdom of God and looking to God. I ask God that, day by day, thou mayest become more illumined and more spiritual."

Be in sympathy with ......... and in the utmost of kindness. Close thine eyes to shortcomings and live according to the divine teachings. I hope that the breath of life may penetrate them. Thank God that in the world of vision thou art witnessing great signs.

In great tenderness blow the breath of life into ......... and ......... and call them to God. Perchance, through divine bounty and providence, their hearts may become radiant and illumined and may remain firm and steadfast through trials.

To be far in body is of no account. To be near in spirit is essential. Seek that from God. When thou hast attained that, thou art always with me.

O thou ignited candle!

The real light is the light of the love o God. Praise be to God! thy face is illumined by the radiance of the divine love and thy nostrils are perfumed through the fragrances of the garden of the Kingdom of Abha, and thou art engaged, night and day, in service in this divine garden and art spreading the Tablets of Abdul-Baha. Wherefore, thank thou God that thou art assisted to such a service.

O thou who art gazing toward the Kingdom!

Thy letter was received. its contents became known. Thank thou God that thy house became the shelter and

+P 698 the nest of the birds of the Kingdom. The spiritual assembly was arranged. Abdul-Baha, in His heart, was present in your gathering and His spirit was gazing upon you.

In order to render thanks for this gift, you must become engaged in creating harmony and union to such an extent that all of you may become as one soul and one spirit; that you may become waves of one sea, breezes of one rose-garden, flowers of one meadow and trees of one orchard. You must devote your time to the training of yourselves and the guidance of souls.

Thy house is my house. Therefore, it must become adorned with the lights of the Kingdom.

O thou who hast turned thy face toward the Kingdom!

What thou hast written was read. Convey my loving greeting to ......... and say: "Every soul who was deprived of the Kingdom of God in the day of Christ was disappointed in the other world. Now be thou a seeker of Truth with all thy soul and heart and receive thou the reflection of guidance, so that thou mayest not become sad and disappointed in the other realm."

O my Juliet! In this glorious age the divine confirmations are like unto the rays of the sun. The hearts and souls are like unto the surface of crystal. The clearer the crystal the greater the refulgence of the sunlight.

Praise be to God! that the door of servitude is already opened before thy face. Therefore, be thou the cause of happiness to the souls of the friends of God; impart thou attraction and exhilaration to others and

+P 699 suffer them to quaff the wine of bounty from the cup of the most great guidance, in order that they may open wings like unto birds and soar upward, upward to the realm of the Kingdom.

Thou hast written: "So that the friends may discover the Truth, become like unto a flaming torch and change the darkness of that country into illumination." This statement was of the utmost sweetness. My heart was rejoiced by reading it. The second statement of thy letter was this: "In order that we may demonstrate this manifest light to others through deeds and actions." This also was of the utmost eloquence and beauty.

O thou maid-servant of God! The penetration of the word of man dependeth upon the heat of the fire of the love of God. The more the splendors of the love of God become manifest in the heart, the greater will be the penetration of the Word.

I hope that thou, O my Juliet, with ........., will become confirmed in the service and arise to the good pleasure of the True One.

O thou beloved maid-servant of God!

The letter was received and a sweet fragrance was inhaled from the rose-garden of its significances. Glad-tidings be unto thee that thou hast become the object of such county and hast attained to the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts. I hope that thou mayest progress day by day in the spiritual attributes, the beauty of deeds, the knowledge of the True One and the love of God, and that thou mayest grow nearer and nearer to the threshold of the Almighty.

Convey on my behalf greeting and salutation to his

+P 700 honor Prof. ........ I desire from my heart and soul that he may become a cause of the illumination of the world, hoist the ensign of gift and point out the light of the Kingdom to the eyes.

Announce respectful greeting to the attracted maid-servant of God, Mrs. ......... In reality, she is spiritual and illumined and hath arisen to the requirements of service. You must exercise toward her the utmost respect and consideration.

Show thou on my behalf loving kindness to ......... and rejoice her heart by the gift of the most great glad-tidings.

O thou maid-servant of God! The utmost desire of the lordly ones is the union of the friends, the agreement of the believers and the spiritual communication of the hearts; in order that they may shine in this darkened world like unto bright stars; educate all the communities of the world like unto bright stars; educate all the communities of the world in the precepts of love; be kind and benevolent to every one, sympathetic and compassionate to all; to become the cool and pure water to every thirsty one, a heavenly table to every hungry one, a swift healing antidote to every sick one and the cause of the everlasting glory to every humiliated one.

Convey on my behalf respectful greeting to all the maid-servants of the Merciful One and the friends of God.

O thou who art enkindled with the fire of the Love of

God!

Thou art a beloved daughter in the Kingdom of Abha and art respected in the presence of Abdul-Baha. Truly, I declare, thou art engaged in the service of the

+P 701 Cause of God from all directions, art familiar with the glorification of the Most Great name and art intimate in spreading the fragrances of holiness. God is pleased with thee, I am pleased with thee and the angels of the Supreme Concourse are pleased with thee.

It is hoped, from the bounty of His Highness the Almighty, that thou mayest find such ecstasy and exhilaration and so ignite the fire of the love of God that thou mayest bring the regions of America near to the Kingdom of Abha.

O maid-servant of the Beauty of Abha!

The valued epistle was received and the contents understood. By its reading and perusal the utmost of spirit and fragrance was obtained, for it indicated that during the period of cessation of communication, no failure obtained in the delivery of the Word of God.

O servant of the Kingdom! Know for a certainty that this light of reality shall eventually envelop the world, illuminating the East and the West entirely.

That dear maid-servant of God [i.e., thyself] is in reality the servant of the Cause of God and in future thou wilt be more confirmed.

I pray for .........

Convey my great respect to the attracted maid-servants of God, Mrs. ......... and Mrs. ........., and say: "Praise God for having found the treasury of the Kingdom and that in the Threshold of the Kingdom of the Lord ye are very dear and are of the maid-servants of the Beauty of Abha."

Convey my message to his honor ......... and say: "Thank God that thou became a sign of the divine

+P 702 blessing and the cause of guiding the people. I hope day by day thou wilt become more illumined and eloquent until thou mayest guide a great number of people."

O thou attracted one of the Kingdom!

The epistle was received; likewise the enclosed epistle was read. The personage (Mr. .........) is in reality enraptured with the truth and seeketh the discovery of the mysteries of God. His intention is blessed and his efforts (directed toward) the development of the world of humanity.

The various sects who consider themselves servants of the world of humanity are possessed of good intention, but they are inert, not active; captive, not free; silent, not eloquent; slow, not fast. They have sluggish movement and great intention. These tow do not agree (or unite).

Many a good intention was there in the world of existence which left no trace, for it was not confirmed by the effective power. But the good intentions of the beloved of God and the merciful projects of the real friends are enforced by the power of the Word of God; therefore, it is effective and quick in action and the means of life to the world of humanity. Thank thou God that He hath provided such a means for thee that by divine aid, heavenly confirmation, merciful intention and heavenly power thou mayest arise to serve, so that thou mayest see wonderful signs and marvelous results.

The good news of the unity and concord of the friends of New York proved a great source of Joy. The original intention and the divine foundation is the unification

+P 703 of the world of humanity. Therefore, this merciful reality must first find realization among the friends (Bahais), so that it may affect other souls.

Today the world and the people are under the shadow of divine providence, the light of the Sun of Reality hath been shed upon the world of minds and thoughts; hence, light is seen everywhere.

O thou illumined maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was received. Praise be to God! that thou art assisted and confirmed and, through the light of the love of God, thou art an ignited candle. Thou hast an eloquent tongue and a pure heart; thou art attracted to the Kingdom and wondering, in awe and astonishment, at the power and dominion of the Lord of Hosts.

Exercise infinite kindness and convey longing greeting on my behalf to Miss .........

Thank God that thou hast found a way to the treasury of the Kingdom and hast attained to the heavenly wealth.

I supplicate God that the hearts and souls of ......... and ......... receive a share from the love of God, and that ......... find a portion from the divine bestowal and be assisted with heavenly confirmations, so that she may help thee.

O thou who art attracted to the Beauty of God!

Thy letter was received. I ask from God, supplicating and entreating in the Threshold of Oneness, that thy utmost desire may become realized. The desire of the sanctified souls is always for sacrifice in the path of

+P 704 God, attraction by the merciful fragrances, the vivification of souls, the proclamation of universal peace, the establishment of the oneness of humanity and the enkindlement of the fire of the love of God in the hearts of men. It is my hope that the desire of the friends of God be as such, so that they may be released from the influence of the ephemeral world, shine in the Kingdom of eternity, be exhilarated by the wine of the love of God and, like unto the tempestuous sea, rage and roar with the ardor of the love of God. I desire this station for thee.

O thou who art preparing to receive knowledge from the Herald of the Kingdom!

I have read thy letter in which thou showed thy desire toward the divine teachings and the texts of the knowledge of Truth. Blessed thou art and more blessed thou shalt be if thy feet be firm, thy heart tranquil through the fragrance of His Holy Spirit and thy secret and hidden thoughts pure before the Lord of Hosts! Then, by God the Truth! the hosts of the angels of the Kingdom shall surround thee and convey to all thy limbs and veins the Spirit of Life; thy tongue shall utter fluently and distinctly the most eloquent and clear words and thoughts; thy bosom shall be cheered with joy through the appearance of the evident texts; thy face shall be illuminated, among the daughters of the Kingdom, with the light of firmness; the door of glad-tidings shall be opened before thy face and thou shalt receive knowledge through the symbolic signs descending from the heavenly Kingdom in the Books and Tablets!

+P 705 O thou who are supplicating to God and turning to the Spirit of His Kingdom!

I have read the texts of thy praise to God on the occasion of the arrival of my letter to thee. Know thou, that letter sent to thee by me, was only because of my perfect love for thee and my pity upon thee, for I had the desire that the fragrance of the Holy Spirit, which hath perfumed all regions and imbued the entire body of the world with the Spirit of Life, should pass over thee and abide with thee. Notwithstanding the high position it occupieth, still, with an eloquent tongue, through which the Spirit moveth, hearts are attracted and bosoms burn, it speaketh to the pure hearts and to the good and righteous souls in every spot of the earth. This is the powerful Spirit, the dazzling light, the brilliant star and the overwhelming and universal abundance. And, from its traces, spread and divulged everywhere, thou wilt know and realize its influence and comprehend its radiance. I ask God to expose thee by its coals of fire and illuminate thee by its brightness. Turn thyself wholly to it - thus thou shalt be enabled to ascertain its influence and power, the strength of its life and the greatness of its confirmation. Verily, I say unto thee, that if for the appearance of that Divine Essence thou desirest to have a definite proof, and indisputable testimony and a strong, convincing evidence, thou must prepare thyself to make thy heart empty and thine eye ready to look only toward the Kingdom of God. Then, at that time, the radiance of that widespread effulgence will descend upon thee successively, and that motion rendered thee by the Holy Spirit will

+P 706 make thee dispense with any other strong evidence that leadeth to the appearance of this Light, because the greatest and strongest proof for showing the abundance of the Spirit to the bodies is the very appearance of its power and influence in those bodies.

Think deeply of this in order to know the reality of my explanation and demonstration.

O thou that virtuous soul and individual who art ready for the confirmation of the Holy Spirit!

I, with the utmost clemency, have read thy brilliant letter which showeth thine advancement toward the Kingdom of God and the excessive preparation for the effulgence of the lights of God and the greatest tendency for the baptism of the Spirit of God and thy pleasure at the glad-tidings of God, thine attraction by the fragrance of God and thy gladness in the love of God. May God strengthen thee so thou mayest come nearer to God, to separate thyself from aught else save Him and to assist thee in spreading His lights and uttering the abundance of His mysteries, to perfume thy nostrils with the fragrance of His holiness and to prepare for thee the heavenly table, that thou mayest taste the delight of His loving-kindness. I now assure thee, O servant of God, that, if thy mind become empty and pure from every mention and thought and thy heart attracted wholly to the Kingdom of God, forget all else besides God and come in communion with the Spirit of God, then the Holy Spirit will assist thee with a power which will enable thee to penetrate all things, and a Dazzling Spark which enlightens all sides, a Brilliant Flame in the zenith of the heavens,

+P 707 will teach thee that which thou dost not know of the facts of the universe and of the divine doctrine. Verily, I say unto thee, every soul which ariseth today to guide others to the path of safety and infuse in them the Spirit of Life, the Holy Spirit will inspire that soul with evidences, proofs and facts and the lights will shine upon it from the Kingdom of God. Do not forget what I have conveyed unto thee from the breath of the Spirit. Verily, it is the shining morning and the rosy dawn which will impart unto thee the lights, reveal the mysteries and make thee competent in science, and through it the pictures of the Supreme World will be printed in thy heart and the facts of the secrets of the Kingdom of God will shine before thee. Christ said - glory be to Him! - "Many are called but few chosen." Thank thou thy Lord for He hath made thee of the chosen. By my life! verily, this is a station which God giveth to whomsoever He pleaseth. Know its value and appreciate it according to its desserts! Arise with all thy power to answer [i.e., to perform] all that is necessary to obtain this grace and bounty and be strengthened in all circumstances and conditions of this existence. how many noble-minded women, who were the queens of all provinces and countries, have died and passed away and thou no longer hearest any mention of them; but every servant of the servants of the Merciful, who were in the past decades and centuries, owing to their bright faces illumined by the lights of truth and knowledge, their stars shine until today in the horizon of the highest and their rays dazzle in the mirrors of the world and their fame is divulged in the Supreme World and their sanctification spread in

+P 708 the Kingdom of God; and if - God forbid! - the foot of man deviate as did that of Judas, so that he became human after he was divine and sold the blood of Christ for a small and trifling sum - verily, there is in that a great lesson to the people of understanding!

Although I am far away from thee in body, still I am near unto thee in spirit. But I ask God that the body will follow the spirit and out meeting will be facilitated. The most essential thing is the spiritual relation, the hearty friendship and the heavenly attraction. Thou must accomplish this.

O thou gem of the Kingdom and brilliant leaf!

Verily, I have read thy letter which showeth how thou art turning unto God, moved by the breath of God, drawn by the Spirit of God and how the mystery of existence, the image of the Lord of Hosts, was revealed unto thee. This indicates that God shall open before thee the doors of revelation and the Spirit of Truth shall confirm thee with evident signs.

Seeing this servant in thy prayers is a proof of the ideal nearness, of the spiritual unity and of the impression that was printed within thine own consciousness. At all times I do supplicate to the divine Kingdom to make thy heart a pure, clear and polished mirror, facing the most glorious Kingdom, El-Abha, that the pictures of the Supreme Concourse may be printed in it, and this is exactly what was meant in the Bible by this text: "Let us create man after our own image and likeness."

To see repeatedly is an evidence that the vision will take place both in the spirit and body; but separation

+P 709 and union, parting and meeting are things which belong to the material body. The spirit is sanctified from association, departure, nearness, remoteness, connection and separation, for these are of the properties of material bodies and of the characteristics of the elementary facts; but the Spirit is everlastingly in the station of its loftiness and supremacy in a similar way to the sun which is continually stationed in its sphere orbit; its appearance and disappearance signify the clearness of the place and the fineness of the body which is facing it, and as long as the confronting surface continues to be in a well-polished condition, the lights of the sun will then appear in it; but when it becometh rough and impure, the lights disappear.

Consequently, it hath been proven that nearness and remoteness signify smoothness, clearness and fineness; or rust, impurity and roughness, respectively.

And if God wisheth, through the clearness of the heart, we will be continually in the assembly of alliance and friendship, resting permanently in the spiritual and heavenly realm, adoring and worshipping God, meeting and uniting by the holy fragrances, drawn by the magnet of the love of God and thanking Him for this great bounty and evident victory.

As to our meeting materially (i.e., face to face), I ask God that He may ordain this for us in the way He deemeth best.

Then know, O thou virtuous soul, that as soon as thou becometh separated from aught else save God and dost cut thyself from the worldly things, thy heart will shine with the lights of divinity and with the effulgence of the Sun of Truth from the horizon of the Realm of

+P 710 Might, and then thou wilt be filled by the spirit of power from God and become capable of doing that which thou desirest. This is the confirmed truth.

As to the desire shown by thee towards serving holy and spiritual souls, it is indeed of the best desires and of the most noble qualities. Blessed is he who is strengthened and confirmed by such a desire during all his life, in the hope of attaining eternal life.

As to thee, O thou being who art attracted to God, announce the glad-tidings of the Kingdom of God through the breaths of the Holy Spirit; for He will confirm thee in a similar manner to the confirmation He bestowed upon the holy souls in the past decades and former ages.

O thou who art attracted to the "Spirit of Truth!"

At this moment I remember thee while the cup of my tongue is overflowing with the wine of God's praise and I address thee in a spirit whereby the hearts of all the creation are cheerfully moved.

Know thou, verily, the Spirit hath indeed so surrounded my limbs that it moveth them as it willeth and my tongue uttereth the most wonderful speeches and most sweet words while addressing thee, so that thou mayest be moved by these holy fragrances which perfume all regions and be dilated with joy by this address which is raised from my abundant love for thee and my excessive kindness and great affection unto thee. o maid-servant of God! Verily, the Holy Spirit breathes, in this day, unto the hearts which are moving, beating, pure and attracted by the love of God.

+P 711

Abandon thou every occupation and be engaged in the affairs of thy Lord and serve the "Spirit of Truth" which hath poured a spiritual, divine and everlasting life upon the brilliant hearts.

O maid-servant of God! By God the True One, verily, the crown of mighty gift is suspended betwixt heaven and earth and the angels of holiness are awaiting a lofty head which may be worthy of this great bestowal, so that it may descend upon that head, that it may wear that glorious crown, the most precious gems of which illumine the eyes of all the world.

O maid-servant of God! Many spiritual women came (into the world) and passed away in vain; no sound is heard of them and no trace is seen of them, inasmuch as their spirits were not dependent upon the Holy Spirit, nor were they attracted to the fragrances of truth; nor were they ever baptized by the water of life, by the fire of the love of God, nor by the "Spirit of Truth" which speaketh in the assemblies of the Kingdom and breatheth upon spirits the breezes which waft an eternal glory, the signs of which are everlasting.

O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!

I was informed of thy recent letter which indicated thine abundant love for God, thine attraction to the Kingdom of God and thy reliance upon the Word of God.

Verily, I address thee, with the tongue of my spirit, such an address which is life to hearts and souls, light to existent beings and is joy and fragrance. Hearken unto this address and be dilated in breast for the emanation of this letter.

+P 712

Be thou a breath of life, a banner of salvation and a manifest sign in this great world, so that thou mayest become a lamp of reconciliation and peace, a banner of love and attraction, a star of guidance among mankind, (and be thou) humble, meek and a servant to the maid-servants of the Merciful One. Unfurl the sail of spirit on the ship of guidance and hoist the banner of piety in those regions, so that the everlasting light may shine forth upon all parts.

Verily, I am cognizant of the sincerity of thine intention and the purity of thine heart. Therefore, I address thee with this great address, so that thou mayest impart the "Greatest Name" to whomsoever thou findest prepared for entering the Kingdom of God.

We have sent letters for the names which were written in thy letter. We have also sent [stones of the] Greatest Name and roses which express the redness of my blood which I beg of God to be shed in the path of God.

Then, know thou, verily, I will always associate thee with the fragrances of the Spirit and will continually rejoice thee at the glad-tidings of god. I beg of God to enable thee to diffuse the spirit of life (i.e., to teach this truth0, to herald the Kingdom of God, to speak the praise of God and to be wholly attracted to the Word of God, so that thou mayest become a well-rooted tree in the garden of the Kingdom, its fruits within reach, its wide-spread branches overshadowing those regions.

O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of Holiness!

Verily, I read thy words in which thou hast thanked God for His great kindness and providence after those

+P 713 Tablets reached thee, for the bounty of their significances which hath shone forth upon thee. Verily, they are Tablets the words of which have proceeded from a heart which is filled with the love of God, is free and isolated from all else save God, is illumined and over-flowing with the bounties of the Kingdom of El-Abha and in which the verses of unity are traced through the breath of the spirit of the gift of God.

O maid-servant of God! It is incumbent upon thee to learn that which the spirit of Abdul-Baha poureth upon thee. Look not at thy capacity and ability; nay, look at the grace of thy Lord in these days and at the gift of His Kingdom, the like of which hath never been seen by the eye of existence in former cycles.

Verily existence is a parched ground and the bounty of the Kingdom is a copious rain. The ground of existence shall surely be developed into myrtles of the wisdom of God, for the fragrances of holiness have encompassed the earth, east and west, the glad-tidings of God have successively come from the Kingdom of heaven and the Sun of Truth hath shone forth to all regions with the greatest effulgence. Impart thou the Greatest Name to the ears, so that all may call out among nations: "O Thou Baha' of the world! O Thou Sun of Pre-existence!"

Truly, I say unto thee, this blessed Name is the spirit of life, the deliverer from death, the word of salvation and of manifest signs! Thou shalt surely hear from all parts the cry, "Ya Baha El-Abha!" reaching to the Supreme Concourse.

Deliver my spiritual greeting to thy spiritual son and to his revered wife whose name is near to thy name.

+P 714 Deliver my greeting to thy spiritual daughter, the revered ......... and tell her: "O my dear daughter! Turn unto the Kingdom of thy Lord and be benefited by spiritual bounties. Be attracted by the fragrances of holiness - such an attraction which may breather life into dead souls, quicken them by a pure life and may illumine their sights with the light which is shining forth to all the world in this glorious century and new age."

Deliver my praise to the maid-servant of God, ......... and say unto her: "Verily, thou hast seen the physical picture of Abdul-Baha printed by the rays of the phenomenal sun (i.e., his photograph) and thine eyes became overflowing with tears. Beg thou of God that He may show unto thee his (Abdul-Baha's) spiritual picture printed by the ray shining forth from the Merciful Kingdom. Then the attractions of God shall overtake thee and make thee as a spark of fire aflame with the heat of the love of God."

O maid-servant of God! It is incumbent upon thee to visit his holiness Mirza Abul Fazl, so that thou mayest learn from him the arguments and decisive texts in the holy Bible concerning the appearance of the Kingdom of God in this great cycle. Verily, his visit+F1 is a prize unto thee, a hoard+F2 unto thee, a consolation unto

O maid-servant of God! Verily, Mr. ......... is an excellent man, exerting all his powers to diffuse fragrances of God. God shall surely strengthen

------------------------ 1. To America. 2. This word means a treasure or supply laid up for future use. - Translator. +P 715 him in a great matter and make him a banner waving through the winds of confirmation upon this glorious castle.

As to my drinking the sup of sacrifice: By the Lord of heaven, this is my utmost hope, the joy of my heart, the consolation of my soul and my final desire. Thou shouldst pray God that He may prepare this hope for me and ordain for me this mighty gift and that he may give me to quaff this cup which is overflowing with the wine of faithfulness in the path of Baha'.

O maid-servant of God! When I had thy letter in my hand, I was in such a condition that the breeze of the love of God cheered me and I was thereby moved with such joy that the place was filled with the spirit of the love of God. No doubt thy heart hath been also impressed by this spiritual joy, merciful attraction and ecstatic love.

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!

Verily, I read thy letter of graceful expressions and eloquent composition and was rejoiced in heart at the feelings sent forth from thy pure heart. Verily, I invoke God that He may bestow upon thee the confirmation of the Spirit in all moments, so that thou mayest direct (or guide) people to the glorified and praised One, hold the cup of the love of God in thy hand, give it to drink to every thirsty [one], heal every sick person and nourish every hungry one with this table (or food) which hath descended from heaven.

As to thy question concerning the registering of the names of those to whom thou hast given the "Greatest

+P 716 Name," there is no obstacle (or harm) in this. Verily, thy Lord will enroll their names upon the scroll of the Kingdom and the angels of heaven will bless them with the glad-tidings of the Kingdom of Abha.

As to what thou hast said concerning the longing and the burning of thy revered daughter with the fire of the love of God: I beg of God to make her a sign of salvation and a light scintillating in the Supreme Apex.

As to what thou hast written concerning thy coming (to Acca): For the present this is not consistent with wisdom. When the opportunity cometh, at an appointed time, we will summon thee to come; and this is a glad-tidings unto thee and the greatest joy and happiness.

O maid-servant of God! It is incumbent upon thee to boil forth like unto the fire ablaze in Sinai, so that thou mayest attract hearts unto the Kingdom of the Merciful. This is a gift which the dominion of the world cannot equal!

O thou lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the

Love of God!

Verily, I read thy recent letter which showed thy strong love, thy being ablaze with the fire of the love of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Praised, and the penetration of the Spirit of Truth in thy limbs, nerves, veins, arteries, bones, blood and flesh, until it hath taken the reins of power from thy hands and moveth thee as it willeth, causeth thee to speak in what it willeth and attracteth thee as it willeth. This is becoming of whatever heart is replenished with the spirit of the love of

+P 717 God. Thou shalt surely behold wondrous traces and shalt discover the signs of thy Mighty Lord.

O maid-servant of God! The meaning which thou hast apprehended from my former statement is the real fact. It is the meaning of (my) statement; God hath strengthened thee therein and shall surely confirm thee in still greater than this. At that time thou wilt say: "This is that which was promised by Abdul-Baha and His promise was certain and decided."

O maid-servant of God! Verily, thy Lord hath breathed the spirit of argument into thy mouth. Speak thou in the most wonderful explanation and meditate not at the time of advancing proofs, evidences and signs, and speak thou that which the Spirit inspireth thee. This is a proof unto thee and unto every just one among the possessors of understanding.

O maid-servant of God! Verily, I am with thee in spirit and reveal unto thee the word of guidance at every moment and time.

O maid-servant of God! We have sent thee nine ring stones of the Greatest Name. This is an allusion unto thee of a matter which thou shalt surely understand henceforth. We have also sent unto thee a photograph of His Holiness the glorious Badi whom thy Lord did send to His Highness Nassir-ed'Din-Shah with a manifest epistle by which He perfected the proof and evidence to the people of Persia. this faithful messenger (Badi) took the epistle of Baha' with all power and authority and repaired to the threshold of His Highness the Shah, while cheered and smiling in joy. He then presented himself before the Shah and said: "This is

+P 718 an epistle from Baha'o'llah," and then presented it to him. They arrested him and after severe torture and punishment, delivered him to the executioners. he was sitting between the executioners at the time of his death with all dignity, while turning unto God.

O thou candle of the Love of God!

What thou hast written was considered. The contents were spiritual and the sentiments merciful. Praise be to God! that thou art attracted to the Beauty of Abha and severed from the world. Thy face hast glowed like unto fire and thou hast consumed the veils of superstitions. Thou hast opened thine eyes to the Sun of Truth and inhaled the fragrant odor from the garment of the divine Joseph. Thy mission now is this: Travel as much as possible to different parts in America, pass through cities and villages (or towns), guide all to the Beauty of Abha and raise the call of the Kingdom and say: "O greatest of glad-tidings, for the Sun of Truth of the Beauty of Abha hath dawned from the horizon of the contingent world and illumined the regions with the lights of the mightiest guidance! The reality of the Pentateuch and the Gospel have become manifest and the mysteries of the heavenly Books have appeared! Now is the age of the Merciful One and the time of joy and gladness! O ye heedless ones, be ye conscious! O ye sleepers, be ye awake! O ye blind ones, see! O ye deaf ones, hear! O ye dumb ones, speak! O ye dead ones, be quickened! O ye destitute ones, receive a portion and share! It is the irradiation of the Merciful One and the moving of the boundless sea! It is the bounty of the wonderful springtime and

+P 719 the downpour of the rain of the gift of the Great Lord!" This is thy mission.

Send greeting to the maid-servant fo God, Miss ........, and say, "As the love of God hath the utmost penetration in thy heart, the ring-stone bearing the Greatest Name will take effect in thy heart like unto a strong wine, for capacity is great and the power of the wine is intense. Therefore, there wilt not remain any power or resistance."+F1

Looking upon the picture which thou hast sent caused great delight, joy and fragrance. God willing, thine actual picture (or form) will also become present (here).

When thou wert present at Acca, the seeds of the love of God were sown in thy heart, through the power of the Spirit. At that time they were not so much manifest. Now that pure seed is growing more verdant and refreshed, day by day, and becometh more manifest. This is why thou findest thyself possessing more and more spiritual sentiments.

+F2 The contents of thy last letter were extremely rejoicing, for they were a glorious evidence of the glowing of the fire of the love of God, of attainment to the gift of God and of the spiritual connection of the spirits. Forasmuch as hearts are like unto mirrors, when the light of the love of God is enkindled, brilliant rays will reflect and merciful phenomena become manifest and clear. Physical nearness or remoteness is of no importance; the essential fact is the spiritual affinity

------------------------ 1. i.e., the power of the spiritual wine of truth will make her conscious of all else save the love of God. - Translator. 2. The following Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 720 and ideal nearness. Judas Iscariot was for a long time favored in the holy court of His Holiness Christ, yet he was entirely far and remote; while Paul, the apostle, was in close embrace with His Holiness. The Egyptian carrier of glad-tidings was the bearer of the garment of Joseph, yet he could not inhale the fragrance of the garment. His holiness Jacob, in Canaan, longed for meeting (Joseph), yet he was near and inhaled the fragrance of the garment. Consequently, it is evident that one can certainly and surely inhale the perfume of affinity even from a far distance. I beg of God that He may strengthen and solidify such connections between the friends (believers), so that the spiritual unity may become a manifest light and the earthly world may become a camping-place for the heavenly hosts.

O thou dear maid-servant of God! Be thou aglow and illumined and be thou enkindled in soul with the fire of the love of God in every assemblage. Be not quiet for a moment and do not seek composure even for an hour (i.e., be active in spreading the light). Be thou a cause for the illumining of hearts and spiritualizing of souls. Always communicate about this (truth) with that great personage in France and write to him: "No matter how clear, pure and polished a mirror may be, not until it is turned unto the Sun of Truth will it find glorious bounty and become reflective of rays." ***

O thou servant of the Beauty of Abha!

We considered all that thou hast written. It seems that the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........., hath arisen to deliver (the truth). If she advanceth in this

+P 721 manner, maketh more effort and day by day groweth in spirituality, sincerity, devotion and severance, in a short time she will become purely merciful and will spiritualize others; she will progress in the stations of sanctity and purity; she will become the possessor of a fluent speech and will find her heart brilliant and full of serenity and faith to such an extent that her pure breath will so take effect even in stone, tree and clay (i.e., in all people), that she, herself, will be astonished. When the interior parts of musical instruments become clear and polished, their tone will take effect and warm the hearts. I hope the maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........., may attain to this degree, for she is capable.

O thou who art attracted to the Holy Spirit!

It is some time since news hath come from thee, though I have the utmost kindness toward that favored maid-servant of the Threshold of the Almighty. I beg of God that the power of the Spirit will cause in thee such an ecstasy and attraction that thou mayest be the cause of everlasting life to the seekers; mayest hold a cup of the knowledge of God in thy hand and give people to drink the wine of the love of God; that thou mayest exhilarate the souls, awaken the heedless, bring the ignorant to consciousness, make the blind seeing, quicken the dead, enkindle the faded souls and refresh the withered ones.

Convey greeting and praise to the favored maid-servant of God, thy revered daughter. Also, announce thou on my behalf the confirmations of the Holy Spirit unto the other maid-servants of the Merciful One.

+P 722

O thou divinely attracted one! If thou wishest for the illumination of the Kingdom, exert thyself in steadfastness as much as thou canst and resist thou the tests, so that thou mayest, like unto a lamp, illumine the world and bestow everlasting life, like unto the Spirit.

O thou flame of the Love of God!

What thou hast written caused joy, for that letter was like unto a rose-garden whose roses of significances bestowed the sweet odor of the love of God upon the nostrils. Similarly, my answers to thy letters will, like unto rain and dew, bestow infinite purity and freshness upon those myrtles of significances which have blossomed in the garden of the heart. thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee. To the sincere ones, tests are as a gift from God, the Exalted, for a heroic person hasteneth, with the utmost joy and gladness, to the tests of a violent battlefield, but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation. Likewise, an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort, and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master. Likewise, the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test. Consequently, it is made clear that for holy souls, trials are as the gift of God, the Exalted; but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity. This test is just as thou hast written: it removeth the rust of egotism from the mirror of the heart until the Sun of Truth may shine therein. For, no veil is greater than egotism and no matter how thin that covering may be, yet it will finally veil man entirely

+P 723 and prevent him from receiving a portion from the eternal bounty.

O thou attracted maid-servant of God! When the men and maid-servants of God pass in my mind, I feel the heat of the love of God and I pray the Almighty God to assist those blessed souls with the invisible hosts. Praise be to God! the prophecies of all the prophets have become manifest and are fulfilled in this holy and blessed age and this great day of Baha'o'llah!

O thou attracted maid-servant of God! Nearness is, in reality, of the soul, not of the body, and help and receptivity of help are spiritual, not physical. Notwithstanding this, I hope that thou mayest attain nearness in every respect. Be thou assured that the divine bounties will so encompass holy souls even as the light of the sun doth the moon and stars.

Convey thou, on behalf of Abdul-Baha, the sweet odor of the fragrances of holiness to the nostrils of each one of the friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful and inspire and encourage thou all of them to diffuse the fragrances of God (i.e., to teach the truth).

O thou dear sister!

The letter arrived at a time when - praise be to God! - calamities and sufferings in the path of God have surrounded us from every direction and arrows and darts are flying from every bow. But, through the love of His Holiness Baha'o'llah, we, in this intense darkness, are like unto a shining torch, and while in this tempest of calamities, we are turning toward the Kingdom of the Almighty and engaged in remembering

+P 724 thee. We do not consider this calamity as billows of the sea of afflictions and sufferings; nay, it is the ark of deliverance and the shore of peace and security.

Praise be to God! according to the commandments and exhortations of Baha'o'llah, we are the well-wisher of all governments and act toward all the nations of the world in peace and love. We have no intention but that which is good and no desire but the good pleasure of God. We mean well toward every people and seek to have sincerity and good-will toward every government. In return for arrows and swords, we present milk and honey and we heal the deadly poison with the swift healing antidote. Night and day we are in action and exertion, in order to dress the wounds and cure the pain (of the people), to care for the afflicted and comfort even the ill-natured one, so that, through the assistance and favor of God, this darkness of selfish prejudice shall vanish and the error of folly and ignorance shall be changed into divine guidance.

O thou dear sister! Whenever the daughters of the Kingdom are ready in the Presence, they become initiated into the mystery and are always companions and associates (with us).

Convey respectful greeting to the favored maid-servant of God, Mrs. ........., and tell her: "Be thou assured in the divine favors and rejoice in the glad-tidings of the Merciful One."

I hope the maid-servants of the Merciful will day by day increase in faith and assurance.

I send thee a few stones (of the Greatest Name).

All the holy leaves send greeting to thee.

+P 725 O thou beloved maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was received and it produced joy and fragrance. Its contents were of the utmost sweetness. Whatsoever thou mayest write I will read with great attention.

Praise be to God! thou hast consumed the veils and become enkindled with the fire of the love of God. thank thou God for this.

Mr. ......... hath been delighted with your city, for he hath inhaled the fragrance fo the love of God from it.

Although thy visit to Acca in the year 1899 was short, yet it was the breath of life. Later on its traces will become manifest.

I hope that the divine mysteries may become revealed to thee at all time. Become thou engaged in teaching the truth, for the teaching of the Cause containeth the power of a magnet; it attracteth the mysteries of God.

Regarding my freedom: To me prison is freedom; to me incarceration is an open court; to me humility is identical with glory; to me adversity is a gift and death is life. I hope that thou wilt also take a portion from this sea and seek a reflection from these lights, becoming and ignited lamp so that the winds of contradiction will not blow it out, and day by day more revelation and vision may descend, and thou be enkindled more than before with the fire of the love of God.

Convey respectful greeting to the maid-servants of the Merciful One. I supplicate God that they may add to their faith and assurance every moment.

+P 726 O thou sign of the Kingdom and the bird singing with the most wonderful melodies in the rose-garden of Paradise!

Verily, I have considered the meanings of thy brilliant letter which was of most eloquent expression and found it overflowing with praise, thanksgiving, sanctification, supplication and invocation toward the Supreme Kingdom. By my life, it was like unto a rose-garden adorned with the myrtles of realities and truths, wherefrom the pure fragrances emanated and perfumed the nostrils and dilated the hearts and souls.

O thou maid-servant of God! Display thou an effort, gird up the loins of endeavor, dilate thy breast and be thou prepared for the manifestation of the breaths of the Holy Spirit in thine heart. By God, the true One, verily, the Holy Spirit confirmeth every maid-servant who ariseth to spread the fragrances of God, so that the inhabitants of the whole world cannot overcome her spiritual strength - for similar things have happened in the past centuries.

O thou maid-servant of God! Celebrate the praises of God; become thou engaged with His mentioning like unto the tempestuous and roaring torrent rushing down from the mountains and hills; rend asunder the veils and coverings, so that the shining lights may become manifest to the eyes, refreshing the hearts of the righteous ones with the gentle breezes of the flowers of truth and the sweet fragrance of the dawn of eternity.

O thou maid-servant of God! Verily, the bounties of thy Lord are great and great in this glorious century and new age; the confirmations are consecutive and continuous; the rays of the Sun of Truth are shining

+P 727 and sparkling; the stars of guidance are gleaming and scintillating and the rains of generosity are falling and flowing! Blessing is upon the one who taketh a share from this glorious outpouring and receiveth illumination from this light which is shining forth from the firmament of ether.

O thou maid-servant of God! Blessed art thou, for the Temple of the Covenant (Abdul-Baha) hath become manifest to thee in a dream with incomparable humility and submission toward God, and that thou hast beheld that countenance overflowing with yearning, attraction and love toward the Beauty of the Almighty. Ere long thou shalt witness a great effect through this observation, whereby the spirit of life will become manifest in thee, which is now flowing in the veins of the contingent beings. Then thou shalt behold that which none have seen! At that time thou shalt fall upon the ground before God the True One, for He hath favored thee with this most great bounty.

O thou bird of the Rose-garden of the Kingdom!

In appearance there hath some time elapsed since news hath been received from thee, but in spirit the arrival of the news is uninterrupted. I hope, from the bounties of the Exalted, the Quickener of the souls, that thou mayest not rest for one moment but pulsate constantly like unto the pulsation of an artery in the body of the world, to infuse the spirit of life in the souls and suffer the people to soar up the the zenith of the Kingdom.

Undoubtedly, write thou letters and do not stop correspondence even in appearance.

+P 728 +F1 <Convey my respectful greeting to Mrs. ......... and say: "We hope that day by day thou mayest take higher flights, attain to greater spiritual attractions, thy word become more penetrative through the power of the Spirit and through the confirmations of the Spirit of Abha become illumined. This is the path of salvation and prosperity. This is the attractive power of the Holy Spirit from the Supreme Concourse."

O thou daughter of the Kingdom!

I hope, from the Almighty, that thou mayest be confirmed to the necessities and conditions of the following address; that is, to forget this world of possession, become wholly heavenly, become embodied spirit and attain to universal mind. This arena is vast and unlimited; therein the charger of spirit must move swiftly, for here one cannot travel by foot. This gift is very great but complete and sufficient capacity is necessary.

O thou daughter of the Kingdom! The moment thou presented thyself in this prison, at the time of meeting, I realized that thou wouldst become attracted and attain to spiritual communication, such communication that as soon as the mirror of the heart is cleansed from the rust of worldly thoughts, immediately thou shalt find me reflected therein, and all the mountains, seas and deserts annihilated. Thou art present and visible and under all circumstances thou art protected by the glances of the Spirit.

Print the account which thou hast written about thy trip to Acca and spread it.

------------------------ 1. The following extract from a Tablet as received bore no opening line of address. +P 729

Shouldst thou become entirely attached to the Kingdom of Abha, thou shalt find the Holy Spirit always thy companion and shalt behold the spiritual confirmations uninterrupted.

Convey in my behalf the utmost love and kindness to each and all the friends and maid-servants of the Merciful.

Upon thee and upon them to Baha-el-Abha!

O thou who art attracted to the Beauty of Abha!

For a period of time no news hath been outwardly received from thee, but spiritual communications are continual (between us). Thou hast always been remembered and been present here. Though bodily ailments have come upon thee, yet the divine health is always constant and permanent. If thou knewest to what favors thou hast attained and how thou art gazed upon by the eye of the Beauty of Abha, even thy bodily ailments will be removed and merciful glad-tidings will surround thee.

Thou hast asked for permission to come: If the means for a comfortable journey are, in the best manner, arranged and ready for thee, thou art permitted to come here.

That merciful maid-servant (i.e., thyself) seeth some spiritual dreams (or visions). These are, in reality, discoveries of the heart and are spiritual visions. I beg of God that, through the power of insight, thou mayest continually witness the lights of the Kingdom of Abha.

Thou hast written that the fundamental basis is

+P 730 love. This is the actual truth; the divine splendors are founded on love and the radiance of the Merciful One in the human world produceth heartfelt attractions.

Convey on behalf of Abdul-Baha the most wonderful Abha greeting to Dr. ......... in Cleveland and tell her I always bear a resemblance of her.

Convey the most wonderful greeting of Abha to the attracted maid-servant of God, Mrs. .........

O maid-servant of God! The Lord of the Kingdom hath raised His voice with the utmost power and strength and is conquering the realms of hearts and souls with the hosts of the Supreme Concourse. All holy souls in the kingdom of existence respond unto this voice and cause the call, "Ya Baha El-Abha!" to reach the Lofty Apex.

All the members of the household send their most wonderful Abha greeting.

Upon ye be greeting and praise!

Abdul-Baha Abbas.