Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 59

Thou hast written about the dear maid-servant of G.o.d, Mrs. ........ That one attracted unto G.o.d is indeed always occupied in the service and she doth her utmost to spread the divine lights; if she continueth in the same way there will be great results in the future. That which is of the greatest importance is to have firmness, steadfastness and constancy.

I pray G.o.d that through the desires and the efforts of the maid-servants of the Merciful the foot of the mountains by the ocean's sh.o.r.e(138) will be enlightened by the brilliancy of the love of G.o.d in such a way that its light may be transmitted all over the world.

You ask if, through the appearance of the Kingdom of G.o.d, every soul hath been saved. The Sun of Reality hath appeared to the all the world. This Luminous Appearance is salvation and life; but only he who hath opened the eye of reality and who hath seen these lights will be saved.

You also ask about the eventual victory of spirituality in the Bahai age.

It is certain that spirituality will overcome materiality and that the divine will have the victory over the human; it is also true that by divine education souls in every condition of existence will be elevated, except those that are blind, deaf, dumb and dead. How can such souls comprehend the light? The sun lighteth up all the dark world, but the blind man hath no portion in its brilliancy; the cloud of mercy poureth forth streams of water, but the sterile land will never produce plants and flowers.

Give my greetings to the maid-servant of G.o.d, Mrs. ........ and to her daughter. I pray G.o.d to a.s.sist them to help them, that their meeting day by day will grow brighter and that their hearts will be more and more attracted.

If you see Mrs........., give her my greeting and say to her: "Thou hast come to Acca, thou hast seen my teachings, thou hast heard my explanations and thou hast smelled the sweet odors of the Kingdom. Do not forget this, and try with thy heart and soul to diffuse this fragrance to thy respected husband also."

Give my greeting to all the maid-servants of G.o.d.

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

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

The celebration of the Feast of Naurooz(139) made me glad. Consider how different this meeting was from that of last year. Consider the bounty and the blessing of G.o.d. Therefore, know that this Cause is progressive. All the obstacles of the world cannot hinder it. Thou didst realize divine joy and happiness in that meeting. Is it possible for earthly gatherings to give such divine joy? This bounty is in itself the greatest evidence of the appearance of the Kingdom. I ask G.o.d to increase daily the fire and zeal of the love of G.o.d. Thus may that land become a veritable paradise and the heavenly attainments become manifest.

If thou knewest in what (spiritual) state I write this letter thou wouldst surely become like a flame of fire and set aglow the hearts by the fire of the love of G.o.d.

Thou hast written concerning the Most Holy Book.(140) It is intended that in the future-inshallah(141)-means will be provided and with the utmost care it will be translated and sent to those regions.

O thou dear maid-servant of G.o.d! The souls who bear the tests of G.o.d become the manifestations of great bounties; for the divine trials cause some souls to become entirely lifeless, while they cause the holy souls to ascend to the highest degree of love and solidity. They cause progress and they also cause retrogression.

Dr. ........ hath well said. Surely this Cause is beyond imaginations and thoughts. convey greetings of respect to him, to his revered wife, to his son and to his bride.

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d! Surely, if holy souls are found and arise to do well the commandments and precepts of G.o.d, to serve, they will verily become centers of light; an illuminating ray will extend from their hearts to all parts and the continent will become radiant.

Surely, all must today be called to love, to unity and to kindness; to integrity, to friendship, to fellowship and to divine worship. I hope that thou and thy dear husband may continue to serve in all spirit and fragrance and that in this world ye may remain two radiant candles and in the eternal horizon ye may glisten like unto two shining stars.

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

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

Thy letter *** was received and its contents became known.

In this most Merciful Age the ignorant prejudices are entirely removed, therefore the marriage of Miss ........ to Mr. ........ is permissible; but Miss ........ must exert herself day and night so that, like the favored maid-servant of G.o.d, Mrs. ........ she may guide her husband. She must not rest until she makes him her spiritual as well as physical partner in life. But the Bahai engagement is the perfect communication and the entire consent of both parties. However, they must show forth the utmost attention and become informed of one another's character and the firm covenant made between each other must become an eternal binding, and their intentions must be everlasting affinity, friendship, unity and life.

The bridegroom must, before the bridesman and a few others, say: "Verily, we are content with the will of G.o.d". And the bride must rejoin: "Verily, we are satisfied with the desire of G.o.d." This is Bahai matrimony.

Regarding the marriage of Mr. ........ and Miss ........, that also, G.o.d willing, is blessed.

The marriage of the Bahais means that both man and woman must become spiritually and physically united, so that they may have eternal unity throughout all the divine worlds and improve the spiritual life of each other. This is Bahai matrimony.

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

O maid-servant of G.o.d!

Thy letter hath arrived. It brought joy to all hearts, for it carried the proof of thy sincere work. Today, directing mankind in the right path is the magnet which will attract to us the help of G.o.d. All those who consecrate themselves to this work are accompanied by divine protection.

Thus, rely upon G.o.d and address thy supplications to the Most High. Then, after perfect renunciation, care for the souls of the undirected and negligent. I pray that thou mayest be aided and strengthened.

Thou has demanded the permission to go to Algeria in order to give thyself to the direction of men; may G.o.d aid and help you in this work.

"O thou who art seeking for the Power of the Holy..."

O thou who art seeking for the Power of the Holy Spirit!

The reality of man is like unto a sea, and the Holy Power is like unto brilliant pearls. Not until the sea moveth in waves doth it throw a sh.e.l.l of pearls upon the sh.o.r.e. Therefore if thou wishest to become heavenly, cut thy attention from the earth; that is, cease to attach thy heart unto this world and seek connection with or attachment to the Kingdom and turn unto G.o.d. and when thou doest this, thou wilt become the mercy of G.o.d and a gift of the Almighty. Consider how the attracted maid-servant of G.o.d, Mrs. ........, is in constant progress through the heavenly bounty. I hope that thou mayest become likewise.

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

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

What thou hast written was perused and its contents became manifest. Thou hast questioned how thou canst accept this divine cause, for thou art a member of the Church: (Know thou) in the day of the Manifestation of Christ, many souls became portionless and deprived (from the favor of G.o.d) because they were members of the Holy of Holies in Jerusalem. According to that membership, they became veiled from that brilliant Beauty. Therefore, turn thou thy face to the Church of G.o.d which consists in divine instructions and merciful exhortations. For what similarity (is there) between the church of stone and cement and the Celestial Holy of Holies!

Endeavor that thou mayest enter in this Church of G.o.d. Although thou hast given oath to attend the church, yet thy spirit is under the Covenant and Testament of the Spiritual Divine Church. Thou shouldst protect this.

Although they consider the wine and the bread in the church as the blood and body of Christ, yet this is but the appearance and not the reality.

But the reality of Christ is the words of the Holy Spirit. If thou are able, take a portion thereof.

The performance of baptismal celebration would cleanse the body, but the spirit hath no share; but the divine teachings and the exhortations of the Beauty of Abha will baptize the soul. This is the real baptism. I hope that thou wilt receive this baptism.

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

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