Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 107

"O thou seeker of Truth!..."

O thou seeker of Truth!

Praise be to G.o.d! the essence of severance is manifest from this world and the star of the love of G.o.d is shining, and kindness towards mankind is clear and evident. These divine gifts became manifest, spread and known in the world through the teachings of Baha'o'llah. I hope thou mayest abundantly partake of all there three benefits, so that thou mayest appear among people in the utmost spirituality and illumination.

"O thou excellent maid-servant of G.o.d!..."

O thou excellent maid-servant of G.o.d!

Thank thou G.o.d that thou hast stepped into the arena of existence in this glorious age, hast become the manifestor of never-ending outpouring, hast attained to the most great gift, hast found the season of the divine springtime, hast perfumed thy nostrils with heavenly flowers, hast discovered the way to the celestial Kingdom and hast partaken a share from eternal life.

"O thou daughter of the Kingdom!..."

O thou daughter of the Kingdom!

Thy excellent letter was full of spiritual significance. It was an indication of the loftiness of thy nature, the grandeur of thy aspiration, the sincerity of thy aim and the confirmation of the bounty of His Highness the Single One. Moreover, it proved that thou shalt be purified and sanctified from attachment to material conditions, be freed from every restriction and thou shalt dedicate thy life to the spreading of the glad-tidings of the Kingdom.

Whenever this longing and desire is attained, that maid-servant of G.o.d [i.e., thyself] will become a lighted candle in the a.s.semblage of the world, receiving the lights of the Kingdom and reflecting them in turn upon the souls.

This trip thou hast in mind is blessed and acceptable and the cause of the attainment of everlasting glory in the world of existence, but thou shouldest have a companion to go with thee. Therefore, start thou with a firm resolution, pure intention, heavenly glad-tidings, divine gift and supreme confirmation toward the East, i.e., j.a.pan, China, India, Russia, Greece, Bulgaria, Roumania, Austria, Germany, France and the English empires, perchance thou mayest spread the fragrances of G.o.d in those parts and receive the lights of confirmation from the Kingdom of Holiness. But it is not necessary, for the present, to travel in the Turkish, Egyptian and Persian territories, for internal troubles make the traveling of women very difficult. It is hoped, from the eminent bounty and favor of G.o.d, that thou mayest be quickened in such wise, from the fragrances of the Kingdom of Abha, that thou mayest bestow upon dead souls eternal life.

Convey, on my behalf, respectful greetings to the attracted Miss ........., who is favored and enkindled with the fire of the love of her Lord. That blessed leaf is mentioned and known in the Kingdom of G.o.d.***

As Persia hath many nomadic tribes and they are now(282) rebellious and insurgent and infesting the highways, the maid-servants of the Merciful cannot travel there, but men can. However, after that maid-servant hath traveled in j.a.pan, China, Russia, Germany, France, England, Austria, Greece, Roumania, Bulgaria and India, perhaps peace and security will be established in Persia and then thou canst also travel there.

"O thou daughter of the Kingdom!..."

O thou daughter of the Kingdom!

Thank thou G.o.d for having found the realm of the Kingdom, become guided by the lights of the Sun of Reality and guided others.

Endeavor day and night in order to make the negligent souls mindful, to give life to the dead spirits, to heal the spiritual patients, to make wise the simple, to inform the uninformed, to make the earthly heavenly, to draw nigh (unto G.o.d) those who are afar and to make the strangers friends.

This is the magnetic power which attracts the confirmation of G.o.d.

"O thou favored maid-servant of the Kingdom of G.o.d!..."

O thou favored maid-servant of the Kingdom of G.o.d!

The letter, which thou hast written, was received. Its contents evinced high aspiration and rare magnanimity; and that thou hast the intention to travel to the far-eastern countries and bear great trouble, so that thou mayest become the cause of the guidance of the souls and spread the glad-tidings of the Kingdom of G.o.d. This desire indicateth that the beloved maid-servant of G.o.d hath a very high aim. However, thou mayest deliver the glad-tidings in the following manner:

"The Promised One of all the nations of the world hath become apparent and manifest! Each community and religion expecteth the coming of their Promised One, and His Highness Baha'o'llah is the Promised One of all!

Therefore, the Cause of Baha'o'llah is conductive to harmony, raiseth the canopy of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity upon the apex of the contingent beings and unfurleth the ensign of universal brotherhood and ideal commonwealth upon the summit of the hills and mountains!"

When thou openest thy tongue with such glad-tidings, it will become conducive to the teaching of others. But this trip is indeed very remote and unless there are several [teachers], the delivery of the glad-tidings will not produce the desired results in those parts. Shouldst thou deem it advisable, thou mayest take a trip to Persia and on thy return pa.s.s by j.a.pan and China. This plan seems much better and more pleasant. Otherwise, thou mayest act according to thy judgment and it will be acceptable.

The contribution that thou hast made to the Temple is beloved. The Temple is the most great foundation of the world of humanity and it hath many branches. Although the Temple is the place of worship, with it is connected a hospital, pharmacy, pilgrims' house, school for the orphans, and a university for the study of high sciences. Every Temple is connected with these five things. I hope that now in America they will build a Temple and gradually add to it the hospital, school, university, pharmacy and pilgrims' house with the utmost efficiency and thoroughness. Thou shouldst make known to the believers these details, so that they may realize how important the Temple is. The Temple is not only a place for worship; nay, it is perfect in every way.

O thou beloved maid-servant of G.o.d! Didst thou know what station is destined and appointed, under the protection of His Highness Baha'o'llah, for those souls who are severed, attracted and teachers of truth, undoubtedly thou shouldst find the utmost joy and happiness, and, by reason of exultation and rejoicing, soar toward the heaven of peace, inasmuch as thou art walking in this road and advancing toward such a Kingdom.

Regarding the statement that I have written to thee, about dedicating thyself to the service of the Cause of G.o.d, it means this: Center thy thoughts in the teachings of the Cause, day and night, and act according to the teachings and behests of His Highness Baha'o'llah. This is not contrary to marriage. It is possible for thee to be married and be engaged in the service of the Cause of G.o.d. The first does not interfere with the latter.

Briefly, avail thyself of the opportunity and do not let it slip from thy grasp; i.e., supplicate G.o.d that in this darkened world thou mayest become an ignited candle and the cause of the guidance of many souls.

"O ye blessed maid-servant of the Beauty of Abha!..."

O ye blessed maid-servant(283) of the Beauty of Abha!

If ye have written letters to Abdul-Baha and answers to them are delayed, know ye of a certainty that untold hindrances have been the cause. Be ye not unhappy. Praise be to G.o.d! that, on account of firmness and steadfastness in the Cause of G.o.d and service to the Word of G.o.d, spiritual letters are continually and uninterruptedly descending from the Supreme Concourse and the Kingdom of Abha. That holy Messenger is eternal and perennial and His messages come to the heart successively and the verses of oneness are read therein. Likewise, this imprisoned one is greatly attached with his heart and soul to the beloved ones and this very attachment is the faithful Messenger and the manifest Tablet. Therefore, my request is this: Should ye send a hundred letters and no answers be received, do ye not feel at all sad; nay, rather think of this occurrence as a glorious proof of the power of love, as it will demonstrate that there is no inc.u.mbency (or formality) between us. Were there any opportunity, undoubtedly answers would be forwarded. In brief, I beg of G.o.d that each one of you become the sign of guidance, a manifest book from the Supreme Concourse, attracted with the fragrances of G.o.d and enkindled with the fire of the love of G.o.d.

"O thou pure and spiritual one!..."

O thou pure and spiritual one!

Turn thou toward G.o.d with thy heart beating with His love, devoted to His praise, gazing toward His Kingdom and seeking help from His Holy Spirit in a state of ecstasy, rapture, love, yearning, joy and fragrance. G.o.d will a.s.sist thee, through a Spirit from His Presence, to heal sickness and diseases.

"O thou who art turning toward the Kingdom of G.o.d!..."