Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 86

Convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the favored maid-servant of G.o.d, Miss ..., the the utmost kindness and announce to her: "These services and self-sacrifices of thine in the Kingdom of G.o.d are acceptable."

O thou servant of the Blessed Perfection! Since I have found this paper very eloquent, I send it to Persia.

O thou dear friend! I entreat from His Highness the Desired One that He may grant divine confirmation to that illumined youth to such an extent that he may become the main-spring of spiritual emotions in those regions.

Convey respectful greeting with the utmost longing to all the friends of G.o.d on behalf of this servant.

"Thy letters were received. Although thou hast..."

Thy(229) letters were received. Although thou hast complained on account of not receiving answers to the pet.i.tions of the people, yet thou hast no right to do so, for the letters coming from those regions are like unto a sea-who is able to answer all of them? Some of the letters are not received and this is not the fault of the friends and, as the administration of the post is not well organized, many letters are lost in the mail. But to those letters which are received, G.o.d willing, no neglect will be displayed so far as there is time to answer them.

Thou hast written regarding the formation of three gatherings for spreading the Tablets; this is very acceptable.

Convey greeting on my behalf to the maid-servant of G.o.d, Miss .... I have written two Tablets with my own hand to her so that she may realize that her services are accepted. Likewise, I have written a Tablet to his honor Mr. ..., with my own hand, so that he may known also that his endeavors are praised.

Thou hast forwarded the copies of six letters addressed to thee form different a.s.semblies in America. I have not yet found time to read them, but, G.o.d willing, I will read them. Rest thou a.s.sured.

I have not time at the present for more than this. Upon thee be greeting and praise!

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

O thou who are firm in the Covenant!

Thou has written regarding the articles and papers which are written by the believers of G.o.d and the forwarding of them to this land for correction. This servant, on account of the mult.i.tude of works and occupations, hath no time whatever to attend to this matter. If this articles are read in the spiritual a.s.sembly of each city in America and the printing and spreading of them is advised and approved by the a.s.sembly, it is acceptable. This permission is granted so that those souls do not become disappointed and may be engaged in the composition and printing of instructive papers. Mr. ... will arrive here and we will discuss with him regarding this matter.

Say to Mr. ...: "If he writeth any article and the spiritual a.s.sembly of Washington doth approve its circulation, the spreading will be of good results."

His honor ... hath not displayed the slightest shortcoming or omission in forwarding the letters and papers to this land. Know ye this for a certainty. Some of the letters have been received, but there hath not yet been time to answer them; while on the other hand some of them are lost in the mail. Whatever hath been received, its answer dependeth upon time and opportunity.

But regarding the articles: These articles must be revised and corrected by those souls who know the history of the Cause. If they approve their circulation undoubtedly it will lead to the rapid promotion of the Cause.

For this servant hath no time whatever (to revise those articles).

Regarding the receipt of letters and their early acknowledgment: A new and complete system is organized. G.o.d willing, it will become perfected and put into execution.

O thou who are firm in the Covenant! Convey the longing greeting of this servant to his honor Professor .... The a.s.sociation which he hath organized is acceptable and beloved. G.o.d willing, he will become a.s.sisted and the confirmations of the Kingdom of Abha will descend. Today any soul who is planted, like a tree, along the steam of this divine rose-garden, will grow and develop through the infinite outpourings. For the rays of the Sun of Truth will shine forth, the Divine Husbandman will irrigate and the soul-refreshing breeze will waft from the direction of grace.

Consequently, that tree will find the utmost freshness and delicacy, producing delicious fruits. Deliver to him the enclosed Tablet.

Thou hast written regarding his honor Mr. .... This personage is a believer and a.s.sured; he is attracted, enkindled and of the utmost sincerity. The believers of G.o.d must have the utmost consideration toward him; they must not avoid him; they must seek his companionship in a cheerful manner,. For this servant (Abdul-Baha) is intoxicated with the wine of servitude and he is happy and joyful in the thralldom of G.o.d.

Therefore, all must declare and do whatever is the wish of his heart and soul. The point is there: The believers must a.s.sociate with Mr. ... with joy and love.

Thou hast written regarding the reception at the Persian Legation and the presence of the people of intelligence, His Excellency the Turkish Minister, and the conversation of the attracted maid-servants of G.o.d, ...

and .... This news imparted the greatest joy and happiness.

"O heavenly one!..."

O heavenly one!

The maid-servant of G.o.d ... hath praised thee! I hope thou wilt acquire great proficiency in writing literature, composition, eloquence of tongue and fluency of speech, co-operating with the maid-servant of G.o.d in the service of G.o.d, becoming an esteemed servant in the Threshold of Oneness and partaking of a share of the heavenly gifts, and progressing day by day until thou attain to the apex of the excellencies of this human world.

"O ye illumined friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful!..."

O ye(230) illumined friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful!

When the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness concerning the realm of eternity and bereavement (or deprivation) from the True One had encircled the universe, then the resplendent Luminary dawned and the brilliant Light illumined the horizon of the East. Hence, the Sun of Realty shone forth, scattering the sparkling lights of the Kingdom to the East and to the West. Those who had seeing eyes found the Most Great Glad-Tidings, began to cry the call, "O blessed are we! O blessed are we!"-and have beheld the reality of things in themselves, have discovered the mysteries of the Kingdom, were released from superst.i.tion and doubts, perceived the lights of Truth and became so intoxicated with the cup of the love of G.o.d, that, wholly forgetting themselves and the world while dancing, they ran with utmost joy and ecstasy to the city of Martyrdom, sacrificing their minds and their lives upon the altar of Love.

But those who were blinded became astonished and on account of these joyous acclamation were bewildered and beginning to cry, "Where is the light?" and said, "We do not behold any light, we do not see any rising sun! It is void of any truth! This is pure imagination!"

However, they have hastened bat-like in the darkness below the ground, and according to their own thoughts they have found a little comfort and tranquility. Nevertheless, it is yet the early dawn and the strength of the heat and the rays of the Sun of Truth have not yet made their torrid and complete impression. When it reacheth the zenith, the heat will interpenetrate with such great intensity that it will move and spur to the greatest velocity even the insects below the earth. Alhtough they are not able to behold the light, yet the penetration of the heat will move and agitate all of them.

Consequently, O ye friends of G.o.d, be ye thankful that in the Day of the Effulgence ye have turned your faces to the Orb of the regions and beheld the Lights! Ye have received a portion from the rays of Truth and are endowed with a share from the Everlasting Outpouring. Therefore, ye must not rest one minute, but thank Him for this bestowal.

Be ye not seated and silent! Diffuse the glad-tidings of the Kingdom far and wide to the ears, promulgate the Word of G.o.d, and put into practice the advices and covenants of G.o.d; that is, arise ye with such qualities and attributes that ye may continually bestow life to the body of the world, and nurse the infants of the universe up to the station of maturity and perfection. Enkindle with all your might in every meeting the light of the love of G.o.d, gladden and cheer every heart with the utmost loving-kindness, show forth your love to the strangers just as you show forth to your relations. If a soul is seeking to quarrel, ask ye for reconciliation; if he blame ye, praise [him]; if he give you a deadly poison, bestow ye an all-healing antidote; if he createth death, administer ye eternal life; if he becometh a thorn, change ye into roses and hyacinths. Perchance, though such deeds and words, this darkened world will become illuminated, this terrestrial universe will become transformed into a heavenly realm, and this satanic prison become a divine court; warfare and bloodshed be annihilated, and love and faithfulness hoist the tent of unity upon the apex of the world.

These are the results of the divine advices and exhortations, and the epitome of the teachings of the Bahai Cycle.

"O thou who art advanced toward the Kingdom!..."

O thou who art advanced toward the Kingdom!

Thy letter was received and its contents created joy, for it showed thy faith and a.s.surance. Thou hast written that they have expelled thee from the church and thy friends are manifesting aversion toward thee. This is the beginning of thy trials. There are greater trials than these.

Therefore, be thou not sad, nay rather, be thou happy and full of glad-tidings. There is no harm done if they have expelled thee from the church. Thou hast stepped into the Kingdom of G.o.d. Thou hast entered into the Heavenly Jerusalem and discovered the Way to the Holy of Holies of the Kingdom. That church is of stone and cement, whereas this Holy of Holies is of overwhelming Light.

But the more the tormenting friends shun thee, go thou the nearer to them.

The more they deride and blame thee, show thou forth the greater love and affection. Do not look upon their shortcomings. Look thou upon all of them as the people of G.o.d and endeavor thou in right-doing and well-meaning.

Ignorant are they; understand they do not. Therefore they are avoiding, criticizing and scorning thee.

Do not pursue thy friend, ...; leave him to himself.

In the time of invocation to G.o.d, I remember thee and supplicate and entreat Him to confirm thee and a.s.sist thee in the service of His holy vineyard.