Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 103

(Verily, these are disgraces to all who are in the habit of reading the verses of unity in the a.s.semblies of existence!) Seize the opportunity, use every effort and depend not upon circ.u.mstances which produce no fruits. Spend thy days, with all joy and fragrance, in speaking to the praise of G.o.d, being gladdened through His good tidings, in rejoicing through His graces and in spreading His breaths. Then thou shalt, with the eye of joy, see the banners of the Covenant fluttering above all stately mansions. Verily, G.o.d effecteth that which He pleaseth; naught can annul His Covenant; naught can obstruct His favor nor oppose His Cause! He doeth with His will that which pleaseth Him and He is powerful over all things!

At that time thou wilt find the waverers in manifest loss.

As for the instructions: They will be revealed to thee and spread all through all those regions by the translation of the divine verses.

As for the symbol of the cross, appointed in former times: Know verily, that the cross form is a wonderful figure and consists of two right lines placed crosswise-one perpendicular to the other-and this figure exists in all things.

Meditate upon these words and pay attention to the tissue in all existing substances, either plant, animal or man, and thou wilt see that they all are formed of the cross figure or two crosswise lines. Consider this intently with true meditation. Then thou wilt be taught by the Holy Ghost that it is for this reason that G.o.d hath chosen this symbol to be displayed as the token of sacrifice in all periods of the ages.

I will explain to thee, in future time, the mystery of sacrifice. There is nothing more beautiful than this tree united with the cross. Verily, this tree is a type of the Tree of Life inconjunction with the cross; in this, the mystery of sacrifice.

as for the crescent: It hath reference to the beginning of the religion of G.o.d which shall grow to be a full moon.

As for the stars: They are types of the guides; for, verily, the star is a guide to people, even in the most gloomy darkness, on both land and sea.

In former centuries, people were aided by the pole-star in whatever direction they went.

Verily, I supplicate G.o.d to raise the instrument of sacrifice in those regions and to reveal there the mystery of sacrifice; to cause the crescent of the religion of G.o.d to rise until it groweth into a shining full moon; to brighten the stars of guidance and guide all through it; and I beseech Him to a.s.sist those brethren to promote His Word in those most distant places, cause them to be servants to His precious olive-garden, keepers of His inaccessible fortress and guides to his straight path!

May glory be unto thee and unto them!

"O thou who art illuminated by the Light of Knowledge!..."

O thou who art illuminated by the Light of Knowledge!

Verily, I beseech G.o.d and supplicate Him to increase thine a.s.surance, thy knowledge and thine attraction and enkindlement by the fire of the love of G.o.d, day by day.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! Clothe thyself with the cuira.s.s of a.s.surance, so that thou mayest endure the arrows of suspicion which are successively pouring from the tongues of the heedless ones. Be a lamp, the light of which may dispel the darkness, and a real standard which may remove the doubts of the veiled people. Turn thou unto the Kingdom of thy Lord, the Ancient, and seek for confirmation at every moment and time, so that lights may shine forth unto thee from the kingdom of mysteries, and the angels of the Kingdom may come unto thee in succession, with a power from the Realm of Might. Verily, thy Lord shall a.s.sist thee and strengthen thee in that whereby thy breast will be dilated among the maid-servants of the Merciful One!

"O thou who art gazing toward Abdul-Baha!..."

O thou who art gazing toward Abdul-Baha!

Now I address thee with a heart filled with affection toward thee, and say: "O maid-servant of G.o.d! Be a flame of the fire of the love of G.o.d, and consume the veils of women's doubts. And know thou that, verily, the Lord who "doeth whatsoever He willeth" will a.s.sist thee in proof and argument and will enable thee to speak the praise of the Merciful One and will make thee a sign of knowledge.

"Arise to serve the Cause of G.o.d in the vineyard of G.o.d and water the developed and flourishing trees with the waters of mysteries which are deposited in the innermost parts of the words of the Books; and be a.s.sured that the fountain of a.s.surance will gush out in the hearts of the firm and steadfast women believers, and the divine graces will strengthen them from all sides, and the Lord will enable them to diffuse the fragrances. And He will make them manifest signs, beaming stars, shining lights, fruitful trees, flowing fountains, perfect words and mature proofs. Then know thou that verily Abdul-Baha is between the fangs of the dragon of afflictions and in the grasp of dangers night and day."

As to ye, O maid-servants of the Merciful One: "Gird up your loins in union and harmony, so that the Lord may strengthen your backs in His mighty Kingdom, make you servants in His excellent vineyard, raise you to the highest stations in this glorious age, and cause you to reach your greatest hopes in this auspicious day."

Address thou the maid-servants of the Merciful One, and say: "Verily, Mary Magdalene was a villager, but on account of her keeping firm in the Cause of Christ after His death, she was rendered successful in such a matter, whereby her face is shining and beaming forth on the horizon of the universe forevermore! And she surpa.s.sed even men in defending the fortress of the Cause of G.o.d against the attack of the hosts of suspicions. This is indeed a glorious condition! This is indeed a great matter! This is indeed a manifest light!"

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

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 G.o.d'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 speech 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 revealed because of my abundant love for thee and my excessive kindness and great affection unto thee.

O maid-servant of G.o.d, verily the Holy Spirit breathes in this day unto the hearts which are moving, beating, pure and attracted by the love of G.o.d.

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 G.o.d! By G.o.d, 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, and that it may wear that glorious crown, the most precious gems of which illumine the eyes of all in the world!

O maid-servant of G.o.d! Many a spiritual woman came (into the world) and pa.s.sed away in vain; no sound is heard of them and no trace of them is seen; 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, not by the Spirit of Truth which speaketh in the a.s.semblies of the Kingdom and which breathes upon spirits the breezes which waft an eternal glory, the signs of which are everlasting.

"O thou who art attracted to the call of the Lord of the..."

O thou who art attracted to the call of the Lord of the Kingdom!

Know thou, verily, the Kingdom is a magnet of the divine world, and it attracteth the iron of pure hearts which are capable of the bounties of the Lord of Might. Blessed art thou, for thou hast turned unto the Lord of Heaven, thy heart hath depended upon the Light of Guidance, thou hast advanced toward the Center of Righteousness, and thy spirit is cheered by the abundance of the Supreme Concourse! Verily, I beseech G.o.d to strengthen thee with "One Mighty in Power," so that the spirit may pour upon thee the teachings of the Beauty of El-Abha, and to baptize thee with the water of life, the fire of the love of G.o.d, and with the spirit of confirmation, among maid-servants.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! It is inc.u.mbent upon thee to supplicate thy Lord, to seek His nearness with thy heart, to be submissive and humble before His maid-servants, and to serve His great vineyard. forsake the mortal grades, i.e., things of the world, and be engaged in praising thy Lord, so that His Holy Spirit may a.s.sist thee, may make thee a sign of faith and illumine thy heart with the light of a.s.surance and that thou mayest become a sign of peace and a servant of reconciliation, love and security.

Verily, my Merciful Lord is gracious under all aspects!

As to thy question concerning Christ" Know thou, He was perfect in respect to spirit as well as body. His material (body) was a perfect body in every respect; none of His material conditions were imperfect. His heavenly condition was also a perfect at all, inasmuch as imperfection is contrary to perfection. His heavenly condition was also a perfect one, comprising all the divine perfections. Reflect thou upon these words, so that the door of knowledge may be opened before thy face.

"O thou maid-servant of G.o.d who art attracted to the..."

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d who art attracted to the Fragrances of G.o.d!

Speak of my servitude unto G.o.d, of my humbleness and submissiveness to the Beloved of G.o.d, and of my evanescence, nothingness and utter meekness to the Threshold of Baha'. Verily, I am the servant of Baha', the slave of Baha' and the captive of Baha'. I have no grade but this and I do not possess anything for myself. Therefore, mention me in my pure servitude; this is that by which my heart is dilated by every maid-servant who speaks the praise of G.o.d. I beseech G.o.d to make thee a dove in the grove of holiness, to coo with the most wonderful melodies the praise of thy Lord, the Merciful!

"O thou who art ablaze with the fire of the Love of..."

O thou who art ablaze with the fire of the Love of G.o.d!