Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 21

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

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

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

In brief, for these three spirits there is no rest.i.tution or "return," but they are subordinate to reversions and production and corruption.

But the Spirit of Faith which is of the Kingdom (of G.o.d) consists of the all-comprehending Grace and the perfect attainment (or salvation, fruition, achievement) and the power of sanct.i.ty and the divine effulgence from the Sun of Truth on luminous light-seeking essences from the presence of the divine Unity. And by this Spirit is the life of the spirit of man, when it is fortified thereby, as Christ saith: "That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." And this Spirit hath both rest.i.tution and return, inasmuch as it consists of the Light of G.o.d and the unconditioned Grace.

So, having regard to this state and station. Christ announced that John the Baptist was Elias, who was to come before Christ (Matt. 11:14). And the likeness of this station is as that of lamps kindled (from one another): for these in respect to their gla.s.ses and oil-holders, are different, but in respect to their light, One, and in respect to their illumination, One; nay, each one is identical with the other, without imputation of plurality, or diversity or multiplicity or separateness.

This is the Truth and beyond the Truth there is only error.

But as to the question of the Trinity, know, O advancer unto G.o.d, that in each one of the cycles wherein the Lights have shone forth upon the horizons (i.e., in each prophetic dispensation) and the Forgiving Lord hath revealed Himself on Mount Paran (see Habbakkuk 3:3, etc.) or Mount Sinai, or Mount Seir (see Ezekiel 35), there are necessarily three things: The Giver of the Grace, and the Grace, and the Recipient of the Grace; the Source of the Effulgence, and the Effulgence, and the Recipient of the Effulgence; the Illuminator, and the Illumination, and the Illuminated.

Look at the Mosaic cycle: The Lord, and Moses, and the Fire (i.e., the burning bush), the Intermediary; and in the Mohammedan cycle: The Lord, the Apostle (or Messenger, Mohammed), and Gabriel (for, as the Mohammedans believe, Gabriel brought the Revelation from G.o.d to Mohammed). Look at the sun and its rays and the heat which results from its rays; the rays and the heart are but two effects of the sun, but inseparable from it; yet the sun is one in its essence, unique in its real ident.i.ty, single in its attributes, neither is it possible that anything should resemble it. Such is the essence of the Truth concerning the Unity, the real doctrine of the Singularity, the undiluted reality as to the (Divine) Sanct.i.ty.

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

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

"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

The means of communication being severed(71), your letter of *** was received only in these days. You have made mention of the persons who have lately accepted the Truth. Convey most wonderful ABHA greetings to Mrs.

........ and say: "Thank thou G.o.d for thou hast worn a crown studded with gems of the knowledge of G.o.d and partaken of the fountain of the Water of Life." Convey also most wonderful greetings to Mrs. ........ and say: "Thou wast in darkness and thou hast attained the world of lights. Thou was not informed of Almighty G.o.d. I hope thou wilt witness signs."

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

"O thou slave of the Beauty of ABHA!..."

O thou slave of the Beauty of ABHA!

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

Thou hast written regarding the meeting of his honor Mr. ........, his respected wife and daughter. Truly, I say, Mr. ........ is a blessed soul and is engaged in the service of the Cause and his extreme hope is to bring about affinity between the souls and cause the believers to be united and agree. This is also my highest hope. I hope, G.o.d willing, this unity and agreement will be established and this imprisoned one, immersed in the sea of trials, become exhilarated and rejoiced. The aim of the appearance of the Blessed Perfection-may my life be a sacrifice for His beloved ones! -was the unity and agreement of all the people of the world.

Therefore, my utmost desire, firstly, is the accord and union and love of the believers and after that of all the people of the world. Now, if unity and agreement is not established among the believers, I will become heartbroken and the afflictions will leave a greater imprint upon me. But if the fragrance of love and unity among the believers is wafted to my nostrils, every trial will become a mercy, every unhappiness a joy, every difficulty an expansion, every misery a treasure and every hardship a felicity.

Convey on my behalf the utmost love and kindness to the favored maid-servant of G.o.d [thy wife], and thy worthy and n.o.ble sons.

"O thou who art awakened from the sleep of negligence..."

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

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

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

"O thou fortunate and righteous, sincere and pious!..."

O thou fortunate and righteous, sincere and pious!

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

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

"O thou who art advancing toward the Kingdom of..."

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

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

"O thou at whose mention I am rejoiced!..."

O thou at whose mention I am rejoiced!

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

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

"O thou who art a.s.sured in G.o.d!..."

O thou who art a.s.sured in G.o.d!