Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 45

Verily, I saw thy photograph and was rejoiced by perceiving thy illumined likeness, which proved the purity of thy heart and thy being well directed unto G.o.d.

Strive with thy power to paint thy likeness on the pages of the hearts with such beauty as to brighten the minds. That beauty is the splendor of the Merciful and the glad-tidings of thy Lord, the Clement, whereby the faces shine with an eternal light in the course of ages and centuries.

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

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

In these times thanksgiving for the bounty of the Merciful One consists in the illumination of the heart and the feeling of the soul. This is the reality of thanksgiving. But, although offering thanks through speech or writings is approvable, yet, in comparison with that, it is but unreal, for the foundation is spiritual feelings and merciful sentiments. I hope that you may be favored therewith. But the lack of capacity and merit in the Day of Judgment does not prevent one from bounty and generosity, for it is the day of grace and not justice, and to give every one his due is justice. Consequently, do not look upon thy capacity, nay, rather, look upon the infinite grace of the Bounty of Abha who grace is comprehending and whose bounty is perfect.

I beg of G.o.d through the confirmation and a.s.sistance of the True One thou mayest show the utmost eloquence, fluency, ability and skill in teaching the real significances of the Bible. Turn toward the Kingdom of Abha and seek the bounty of the Holy Spirit. Loosen the tongue and the confirmation of the Spirit shall reach thee.

As to that great Sun which thou sawest in a dream: That is His Holiness the Promised One and the lights thereof are His bounties. The surface of the water is transparent body-that is, pure hearts. Its waves are the moving of the hearts, the cheering of the souls-that is, spiritual feelings and merciful sentiments. Thank tho G.o.d for that thou hast had such a revelation in the world of dreams.

As to the fact that man must entirely forget himself, by this is meant that he should arise in the mystery of sacrifice and that is the disappearance of mortal sentiments and extinction of blamable morals which const.i.tute the temporal gloom, and not that the physical health should be changed into weakness and debility.

I humbly supplicate to the Threshold of Oneness that heavenly blessings and merciful forgiveness may overtake thy dear mother, sisters and loving relations, especially thy betrothed who suddenly departed from this world to the next one.

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

O thou seeker of the Kingdom!

Thou hast forwarded thy photograph and it was considered. In thy face a brilliant light is apparent and that sparkling light is the love of G.o.d.

All faces are dark except the face which is a mirror of the light of the love of divinity. This light is not accidental-it is eternal. It is not temporal but real. When the heart hath become clear and pure then the face will become illuminated, because the face is the mirror of the heart.

I was indeed very happy to look at thy picture and pray G.o.d that thy face may become shining. Be happy and joyful and in this Age be it illuminated and full of light.

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

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

Truly, I say, thou art worthy of the service in the Kingdom and art meriting to be a maid-servant in the threshold of the love of the realm of Might. Rest thou a.s.sured upon the bounty and favors of the Lord of Hosts, who will undoubtedly confirm thee.

Restrict all thy time to the spreading of the fragrances of G.o.d and be thou engaged in the guidance of souls. I a.s.sociate with thee in spirit at all times and am thy friend and helper.

Ere long thou shalt behold that innumerable centers are going to be organised in America(110) for the purpose of the promotion of the Cause of G.o.d and hearing the speeches of the maid-servants of the Merciful and the believers of G.o.d. Consider thou the days of Christ, how they were a very few, yet in a short s.p.a.ce of time they caused a clamor and acclamation throughout all regions.

Convey my greetings to Mrs. ........ and say: "These seeds which are scattered here and there are spreading strong roots in the bosom of the earth and these will develop and grow until many harvests are gathered.

Rest thou a.s.sured."

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d! Show thou the utmost affection and love toward Mrs. ........ Truly, I say, his honor Mirza ........ is beloved and kind.

Ere long he shall behold the universal confirmation descending upon him.

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d! Strive thou in Buffalo (N.Y.) so that perfect and lasting spiritual a.s.semblies may be established and the souls be trained and progress spiritually.

Convey my respectful greetings to Mr. and Mrs. ........ and say: "A most great gift is prepared and made ready for you in the universe of the Kingdom and the invisible realm. Display ye an endeavor and show ye an effort, so that ye may attain to it and become eternal and everlasting."

Exercise the utmost affection on my part to Miss ........ and say: "If thou art seeking a heavenly palace, make thy house the gathering-place of the friends of G.o.d."

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d! Praise be to G.o.d that thou has become famous throughout the regions as a Bahai. This favor is worthy of the utmost thanks and praise.

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d! Whenever thou art intending to deliver a speech, turn thy face toward the Kingdom of Abha and, with a heart detached, begin to talk. The breaths of the Holy Spirit will a.s.sist thee.

a.s.sist thou Dr. ........ and help her all the time. Perchance, G.o.d willing, she may attain to guidance. Exercise the utmost kindness to ........ and say: "Whatsoever is thy desire is found in the Cause of Baha'o'llah. If thou art asking confirmation and a.s.sistance, be thou faithful, firm and steadfast."

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

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

Verily, I read thy letter which was sent to us, and I noted its contents, wherein thou prayest for confirmation to serve thy Lord. I pray G.o.d to bless thee and aid thee to receive His trusts, so that thou mayest receive the greatest favor in the world of humanity.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! Forget all else save G.o.d, be in communion with Him, supplicate and pray to Him to make thee conqueror over the material things, impressed by the bounties of the Kingdom, commemorating the name of thy Lord, pure from all else save Him, and imbued with the spiritual attributes of those who are holy (and high); then shall thy breaths have effect upon the hearts, and attract the hearts of thy son and husband unto the Kingdom of G.o.d.

I pray G.o.d to confirm thee in this, to make firm thy heart in faith, and give thee a spiritual power, effective in hearts and spirits.

"O thou who art set aglow with the Fire burning in the..."

O thou who art set aglow with the Fire burning in the Tree of Sinai!

Verily, I read thy letter, which speaks of the throbbing of thy heart by the thoughts of the love of G.o.d and indicates the unity of the maid-servants of the Merciful, their harmony in the word of G.o.d, and their attraction by the fragrances of G.o.d, for they are the waves of one sea, the leaves of one tree, and the flowers of one garden. By these tidings the heart of Abdul-Baha was made happy and he attained thereby fragrance and spirituality.

For the Greatest Name and the Ancient Beauty(111)-may my soul be a sacrifice to His beloved-endured all difficulty and ordeals for the purpose of uniting the hearts of the beloved of G.o.d; that they might be exhilarated through the wine of unity and proclaim with one voice:

"Hasten to love, to love, O peoples of the world!

Hasten to harmony, to harmony, O creatures of the universe!

Hasten to peace, to peace, O mankind!

Hasten to safety, to safety, O concourse of the Divine!