,selections from the ,writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah by #8,abdu'l-,bah ,edition #a1 7,june #bjjf7 ,,baha',i ,,terms ,,of ,,use ,you have permission to freely make and use copies of the text and any other information 7,content7 available on this ,site including printing1 emailing1 posting1 distributing1 copying1 downloading1 uploading1 transmitting1 displaying the ,content in whole or in part subject to the following3 #a4 ,our copyright notice and the source reference must be attached to the ,content2 #b4 ,the ,content may not be modified or altered in any way except to change the font or appearance2 #c4 ,the ,content must be used solely for a non-commercial purpose4 ,although this blanket permission to reproduce the ,content is given freely such that no special permission is required1 the ,bah' ,international ,community retains full copyright protection for all ,content included at this ,site under all applicable national and international laws4 ,for permission to publish1 transmit1 display or otherwise use the ,content for any commercial purpose1 please contact us 7http3_/_/reference4bahai4org_/en_/conta ct4html74 ,,contents ,baha'i ,terms of ,use #a3 ,o peoples of the world6 ,the ,sun of ,truth hath 444 #b3 ,o my ,lord6 ,i have drawn nigh unto ,thee1 in the 444 #c3 ,o ye beloved of ,god6 ,o ye children of ,his ,kingdom6 444 #d3 ,praise be to ,him ,who hath made the world of being1 444 #e3 ,the world's great ,light1 once resplendent upon all 444 #f3 ,o ye peoples of the ,kingdom6 ,how many a soul 444 #g3 ,o ye spiritual friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,a trusted 444 #h3 ,o ye beloved of #8,abdu'l-,bah and ye handmaids of 444 #i3 ,o thou whose heart overfloweth with love for the 444 #aj3 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,thy letter hath 444 #aa3 ,service to the friends is service to the ,kingdom of 444 #ab3 ,know thou of a certainty that ,love is the secret of 444 #ac3 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter dated 444 #ad3 ,o ye two blessed souls6 ,your letters were received4 444 #ae3 ,o captive of the love of ,god6 ,the letter which 444 #af3 ,o ye illumined loved ones and ye handmaids of the 444 #ag3 ,o ye who are the chosen ones of the ,abh ,kingdom6 444 #ah3 ,o thou possessor of a seeing heart6 ,although1 444 #ai3 ,praise be to ,him through ,whose splendours the 444 #bj3 ,when ,christ appeared1 twenty centuries ago1 although 444 #ba3 ,o thou distinguished personage1 thou seeker after 444 #bb3 ,o thou who art turning thy face towards ,god6 444 #bc3 ,o thou who dost search after truth6 ,thy letter of 444 #bd3 ,o spiritual youth6 ,praise thou ,god that thou hast 444 #be3 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,it is recorded in eastern 444 #bf3 ,o thou who seekest the ,kingdom of ,heaven6 ,thy 444 #bg3 ,in cycles gone by1 each one of the ,manifestations of 444 #bh3 ,o leaf upon the ,tree of ,life6 ,the ,tree of ,life1 of 444 #bi3 ,o thou who art captivated by the truth and 444 #cj3 ,existence is of two kinds3 one is the existence of 444 #ca3 ,o thou who art dear1 and wise6 ,thy letter dated 444 #cb3 ,o ye handmaids of the ,lord6 ,in this century--the 444 #cc3 ,o servant of ,god6 ,we have noted what thou didst 444 #cd3 ,o thou who art serving the world of humanity6 444 #ce3 ,o army of ,god6 ,a letter signed jointly by all of 444 #cf3 ,o ye two favoured handmaids of the ,lord6 ,the 444 #cg3 ,o ye dear friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,a blessed letter 444 #ch3 ,o handmaid of ,god1 who tremblest even as a fresh 444 #ci3 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,thy letter hath been received1 444 #dj3 ,o ye whom #8,abdu'l-,bah loveth6 ,i have read your 444 #da3 ,o thou who art steadfast in the ,covenant1 and 444 #db3 ,o ye co-workers who are supported by armies 444 #dc3 ,the prime requisites for them that take counsel 444 #dd3 ,the members thereof must take counsel together 444 #de3 ,the first condition is absolute love and harmony 444 #df3 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant6 #8,abdu'l-,bah 444 #dg3 ,o ye true friends6 ,your letter hath been received 444 #dh3 ,o ye loyal servants of the ,ancient ,beauty6 ,in every 444 #di3 ,thy letter hath been received4 ,thou didst write of 444 #ej3 ,you have asked as to the feast in every ,bah' 444 #ea3 ,as to the ,nineteen ,day ,feast1 it rejoiceth mind and 444 #eb3 ,o servant of the ,one true ,god6 ,the ,lord be 444 #ec3 ,verily1 #8,abdu'l-,bah inhaleth the fragrance of the 444 #ed3 ,ye have written as to the meetings of the friends1 and 444 #ee3 ,it befitteth the friends to hold a gathering1 a 444 #ef3 ,whensoever a company of people shall gather in a 444 #eg3 ,we hear that thou hast in mind to embellish thy 444 #eh3 ,thou hast asked about places of worship and the 444 #ei3 #8,abdu'l-,bah hath long cherished the desire that a 444 #fj3 ,although to outward seeming the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr 444 #fa3 ,o ,lord1 ,o ,thou ,who dost bless all those who 444 #fb3 ,o my well-beloved daughter of the ,kingdom6 444 #fc3 ,o ye blessed souls6 ,the letter ye had written to 444 #fd3 ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr is one of the most vital 444 #fe3 ,o thou favoured handmaid of the heavenly ,kingdom6 444 #ff3 ,o thou who hast sought illumination from the 444 #fg3 ,o thou lady of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter sent from 444 #fh3 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant and the ,testament6 444 #fi3 ,thou hast written concerning organization4 ,the 444 #gj3 ,o thou ignited candle6 ,thy letter was received4 ,its 444 #ga3 ,o thou beloved maidservant of ,god6 ,thy letter 444 #gb3 ,o thou true friend6 ,read1 in the school of ,god1 the 444 #gc3 ,o daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter hath come 444 #gd3 ,o bird that singeth sweetly of the ,abh ,beauty6 ,in 444 #ge3 ,strive with heart and soul in order to bring about 444 #gf3 ,o thou who hast an illumined heart6 ,thou art even 444 #gg3 ,o thou revered maidservant of ,god6 ,thy letter 444 #gh3 ,o thou who art pure in heart1 sanctified in spirit1 444 #gi3 ,o respected personage6 ,i have read your work1 444 #hj3 ,o thou who art turning thy face to ,god6 ,thy 444 #ha3 ,those souls who during the war have served the 444 #hb3 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant1 thy letter 444 #hc3 ,convey on behalf of #8,abdu'l-,bah to thy respected 444 #hd3 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,thy letter hath 444 #he3 ,as for the question regarding marriage under the 444 #hf3 ,bah' marriage is the commitment of the two 444 #hg3 ,o thou memento of him who died for the ,blessed 444 #hh3 ,o ye my two beloved children6 ,the news of your 444 #hi3 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the letter 444 #ij3 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,this ,thy handmaid is calling 444 #ia3 ,o thou who hast bowed thyself down in prayer 444 #ib3 ,o ye two believers in ,god6 ,the ,lord1 peerless is 444 #ic3 ,o thou maidservant of ,god6 ,every woman who 444 #id3 ,o handmaids of the beauty of ,abh6 ,your letter 444 #ie3 ,o handmaids of the ,lord6 ,the spiritual assemblage 444 #if3 ,o handmaids of the ,merciful6 ,render ye thanks 444 #ig3 ,there are certain pillars which have been established 444 #ih3 ,were there no educator1 all souls would remain 444 #ii3 ,thou didst write as to the children3 from the very 444 #ajj3 ,my wish is that these children should receive a 444 #aja3 ,o ye who have peace of soul6 ,among the divine 444 #ajb3 ,o true companions6 ,all humankind are as children 444 #ajc3 ,the education and training of children is among 444 #ajd3 ,o loved ones of ,god and handmaids of the 444 #aje3 ,as to the difference between that material civilization 444 #ajf3 ,among the greatest of all services that can possibly 444 #ajg3 ,it is the hope of #8,abdu'l-,bah that those youthful 444 #ajh3 ,ye should consider the question of goodly 444 #aji3 ,o ye recipients of the favours of ,god6 ,in this new 444 #aaj3 ,as to the organization of the schools3 if possible 444 #aaa3 ,the root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance1 and 444 #aab3 ,in this holy ,cause the question of orphans hath 444 #aac3 ,o handmaid of ,god6444 ,to the mothers must be 444 #aad3 ,o ye loving mothers1 know ye that in ,god's sight1 444 #aae3 ,o ye two well-loved handmaids of ,god6 ,whatever 444 #aaf3 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letters 444 #aag3 ,o dear one of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,be the son of thy 444 #aah3 ,o ye young ,bah' children1 ye seekers after true 444 #aai3 ,it is incumbent upon ,bah' children to surpass 444 #abj3 ,o my dear children6 ,your letter was received4 ,a 444 #aba3 ,o thou whose years are few1 yet whose mental 444 #abb3 ,as to thy question regarding the education of 444 #abc3 ,o thou who gazest upon the ,kingdom of ,god6 444 #abd3 ,the ,sunday school for the children in which the 444 #abe3 ,the changing of teachers should be neither too 444 #abf3 ,thy letter was received4 ,praise be to ,god it 444 #abg3 ,o thou servant of the ,one true ,god6 ,in this 444 #abh3 ,thy letter was received4 ,i hope that thou mayest 444 #abi3 ,o ,friends of the ,pure and ,omnipotent ,god6 ,to 444 #acj3 ,o thou distinguished physician6444 ,praise be 444 #aca3 ,when giving medical treatment turn to the 444 #acb3 ,although ill health is one of the unavoidable conditions 444 #acc3 ,there are two ways of healing sickness1 material 444 #acd3 ,o thou who art attracted to the fragrant breathings 444 #ace3 ,according to the explicit decree of ,bah'u'llh 444 #acf3 ,it is incumbent upon everyone to seek medical 444 #acg3 ,o thou who art voicing the praises of thy ,lord6 444 #ach3 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the ,kingdom of ,god 444 #aci3 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,the heavenly glad 444 #adj3 ,thou didst ask as to the transfiguration of ,jesus1 444 #ada3 ,o thou yearning flame1 thou who art afire with 444 #adb3 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,praise thou ,god1 444 #adc3 ,o thou who hast drawn nigh unto the spirit of 444 #add3 ,o lover of humankind6 ,thy letter hath been 444 #ade3 ,thou didst write as to the question of spiritual 444 #adf3 ,o thou handmaid afire with the love of ,god6 ,i 444 #adg3 ,reflect upon the past events of the time of 444 #adh3 ,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 444 #adi3 ,o thou who hast eyes to see6 ,that which thou 444 #aej3 ,o thou handmaid aflame with the fire of ,god's 444 #aea3 ,o thou believer in the oneness of ,god6 ,know 444 #aeb3 ,as to the question regarding the soul of a murderer1 444 #aec3 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,in this day1 to thank 444 #aed3 ,o thou son of the ,kingdom6 ,thy most agreeable 444 #aee3 ,o thou flame of ,god's love6 ,what thou hast 444 #aef3 ,o thou servant of the ,holy ,threshold6 ,we have 444 #aeg3 ,o ye who are strongly attracted6 ,o ye who are 444 #aeh3 ,grieve thou not over the ascension of my beloved 444 #aei3 ,as to thy question1 doth every soul without 444 #afj3 ,o thou sincere and loyal handmaid of the ,lord6 444 #afa3 ,o thou who seekest the ,kingdom of heaven6 444 #afb3 ,o ye dear friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,at all times 444 #afc3 ,o ye two seekers after truth6 ,your letter was 444 #afd3 ,o ye two faithful and assured souls6 ,the letter 444 #afe3 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,verily ,thy servant1 444 #aff3 ,o servant of ,bah6 ,be self-sacrificing in the path 444 #afg3 ,thou hadst asked about fate1 predestination and 444 #afh3 ,o thou lady of the ,kingdom6 ,praise thou ,god 444 #afi3 ,o ye two patient souls6 ,your letter was received4 444 #agj3 ,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was 444 #aga3 ,o thou beloved maidservant of ,god1 although 444 #agb3 ,praise be to ,god1 thy heart is engaged in the 444 #agc3 ,those souls that1 in this day1 enter the divine 444 #agd3 ,o ye spiritual friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,the letter 444 #age3 ,mortal charm shall fade away1 roses shall give 444 #agf3 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of 444 #agg3 ,o living flame of heavenly love6 ,thine heart 444 #agh3 ,o maidservant of ,god6 ,thy letter dated #i 444 #agi3 ,strive as much as ye can to turn wholly toward 444 #ahj3 ,i hope that in this nether world thou shalt attain 444 #aha3 ,regarding the statement in ,the ,hidden ,words1 444 #ahb3 ,o ye who are holding fast unto the ,covenant and 444 #ahc3 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was 444 #ahd3 ,o ye blessed souls6 ,although ye are undergoing 444 #ahe3 ,o ye friends and maidservants of the ,merciful6 444 #ahf3 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,three 444 #ahg3 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter 444 #ahh3 ,o ye the cherished loved ones of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 444 #ahi3 ,today1 every wise1 vigilant and foresighted person 444 #aij3 ,thou seest me1 ,o my ,god1 bowed down in lowliness1 444 #aia3 ,o thou who hast been sore afflicted on the pathway 444 #aib3 ,today1 the ,lord of ,hosts is the defender of the 444 #aic3 ,it is daybreak1 and from the rising-point of the 444 #aid3 ,o ye the sincere loved ones of the ,abh ,beauty6 444 #aie3 ,o thou exalted bough of the divine ,lote-,tree6 444 #aif3 ,o thou who art steadfast in the ,covenant6 ,thy 444 #aig3 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,do not grieve at the 444 #aih3 ,o thou who art enamoured of the breaths of ,god6 444 #aii3 ,o ye sincere ones1 ye longing ones1 ye who are 444 #bjj3 ,o my spiritual loved ones6 ,at a time when an 444 #bja3 ,o thou who art carried away by the love of ,god6 444 #bjb3 ,o ye lovers of truth1 ye servants of humankind6 444 #bjc3 ,o thou who art enamoured of the ,covenant6 444 #bjd3 ,o phoenix of that immortal flame kindled in the 444 #bje3 ,o ye respected souls6 ,from the continual imitation 444 #bjf3 ,praise be to ,him ,who hath rent the dark asunder1 444 #bjg3 ,o ye who have turned your faces toward the 444 #bjh3 ,o ye servants of the ,sacred ,threshold6 ,the 444 #bji3 ,o ye servants of the ,blessed ,beauty6444 ,it is clear 444 #baj3 ,o ye roses in the garden of ,god's love6 ,o ye 444 #baa3 ,when the friends do not endeavour to spread the 444 #bab3 ,it is at such times that the friends of ,god avail 444 #bac3 ,the teaching work should under all conditions be 444 #bad3 ,follow thou the way of thy ,lord1 and say not 444 #bae3 ,my hope from the grace of the ,one true ,lord 444 #baf3 ,rest assured that the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit 444 #bag3 ,the teacher1 when teaching1 must be himself 444 #bah3 ,o ye close and dear friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 444 #bai3 ,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,your 444 #bbj3 ,the ,lord of all mankind hath fashioned this 444 #bba3 ,o ye who are steadfast in the ,covenant6 ,the 444 #bbb3 ,o ye homeless and wanderers in the ,path of ,god6 444 #bbc3 ,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,your 444 #bbd3 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 444 #bbe3 ,o ye concourse of the ,kingdom of ,abh6 ,two 444 #bbf3 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received1 444 #bbg3 ,o ye esteemed ones who are pioneers among the 444 #bbh3 ,o ,servant of the ,threshold of ,bah'u'llh6 ,thy 444 #bbi3 ,o sincere servant of the ,true ,one6 ,i hear thou 444 #bcj3 ,o respected personage6 ,thy second letter dated 444 #bca3 ,o thou blossom on the ,tree of ,life6 ,happy art 444 #bcb3 ,as to ,president ,wilson1 the fourteen principles 444 #bcc3 ,o ye faithful friends1 ,o ye sincere servants of 444 #bcd3 ,o thou who art enraptured by the sweet breathings 444 #bce3 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,illumine the brows of ,thy true 444 #bcf3 ,o ,thou1 my ,god1 ,who guidest the seeker to the 444 #bcg3 ,whoso reciteth this prayer with lowliness and 444 ,,references ,,to ,,the ,,qur',n ,in footnotes referring to the ,qur'n the srihs have been numbered according to the original1 whereas the verse numbers are those in ,rodwell's translation which differ sometimes from those of the ,arabic4 #a3 ,o ,,peoples ,,of ,,the ,,world6 ,,the ,,sun ,,of ,,truth ,,hath 444 ,o peoples of the world6 ,the ,sun of ,truth hath risen to illumine the whole earth1 and to spiritualize the community of man4 ,laudable are the results and the fruits thereof1 abundant the holy evidences deriving from this grace4 ,this is mercy unalloyed and purest bounty2 it is light for the world and all its peoples2 it is harmony and fellowship1 and love and solidarity2 indeed it is compassion and unity1 and the end of foreignness2 it is the being at one1 in complete dignity and freedom1 with all on earth4 ,the ,blessed ,beauty saith3 #8,ye are all the fruits of one tree1 the leaves of one branch4' ,thus hath ,he likened this world of being to a single tree1 and all its peoples to the leaves thereof1 and the blossoms and fruits4 ,it is needful for the bough to blossom1 and leaf and fruit to flourish1 and upon the interconnection of all parts of the world-tree1 dependeth the flourishing of leaf and blossom1 and the sweetness of the fruit4 ,for this reason must all human beings powerfully sustain one another and seek for everlasting life2 and for this reason must the lovers of ,god in this contingent world become the mercies and the blessings sent forth by that clement ,king of the seen and unseen realms4 ,let them purify their sight and behold all humankind as leaves and blossoms and fruits of the tree of being4 ,let them at all times concern themselves with doing a kindly thing for one of their fellows1 offering to someone love1 consideration1 thoughtful help4 ,let them see no one as their enemy1 or as wishing them ill1 but think of all humankind as their friends2 regarding the alien as an intimate1 the stranger as a companion1 staying free of prejudice1 drawing no lines4 ,in this day1 the one favoured at the ,threshold of the ,lord is he who handeth round the cup of faithfulness2 who bestoweth1 even upon his enemies1 the jewel of bounty1 and lendeth1 even to his fallen oppressor1 a helping hand2 it is he who will1 even to the fiercest of his foes1 be a loving friend4 ,these are the ,teachings of the ,blessed ,beauty1 these the counsels of the ,most ,great ,name4 ,o ye dear friends6 ,the world is at war and the human race is in travail and mortal combat4 ,the dark night of hate hath taken over1 and the light of good faith is blotted out4 ,the peoples and kindreds of the earth have sharpened their claws1 and are hurling themselves one against the other4 ,it is the very foundation of the human race that is being destroyed4 ,it is thousands of households that are vagrant and dispossessed1 and every year seeth thousands upon thousands of human beings weltering in their life-blood on dusty battlefields4 ,the tents of life and joy are down4 ,the generals practise their generalship1 boasting of the blood they shed1 competing one with the next in inciting to violence4 #8,with this sword1' saith one of them1 #8,i beheaded a people6' ,and another3 #8,i toppled a nation to the ground6' ,and yet another3 #8,i brought a government down6' ,on such things do men pride themselves1 in such do they glory6 ,love--righteousness--these are everywhere censured1 while despised are harmony1 and devotion to the truth4 ,the ,faith of the ,blessed ,beauty is summoning mankind to safety and love1 to amity and peace2 it hath raised up its tabernacle on the heights of the earth1 and directeth its call to all nations4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye who are ,god's lovers1 know ye the value of this precious ,faith1 obey its teachings1 walk in this road that is drawn straight1 and show ye this way to the people4 ,lift up your voices and sing out the song of the ,kingdom4 ,spread far and wide the precepts and counsels of the loving ,lord1 so that this world will change into another world1 and this darksome earth will be flooded with light1 and the dead body of mankind will arise and live2 so that every soul will ask for immortality1 through the holy breaths of ,god4 ,soon will your swiftly-passing days be over1 and the fame and riches1 the comforts1 the joys provided by this rubbish-heap1 the world1 will be gone without a trace4 ,summon ye1 then1 the people to ,god1 and invite humanity to follow the example of the ,company on high4 ,be ye loving fathers to the orphan1 and a refuge to the helpless1 and a treasury for the poor1 and a cure for the ailing4 ,be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression1 the patrons of the disadvantaged4 ,think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race4 ,pay ye no heed to aversion and rejection1 to disdain1 hostility1 injustice3 act ye in the opposite way4 ,be ye sincerely kind1 not in appearance only4 ,let each one of ,god's loved ones centre his attention on this3 to be the ,lord's mercy to man2 to be the ,lord's grace4 ,let him do some good to every person whose path he crosseth1 and be of some benefit to him4 ,let him improve the character of each and all1 and reorient the minds of men4 ,in this way1 the light of divine guidance will shine forth1 and the blessings of ,god will cradle all mankind3 for love is light1 no matter in what abode it dwelleth2 and hate is darkness1 no matter where it may make its nest4 ,o friends of ,god6 ,that the hidden ,mystery may stand revealed1 and the secret essence of all things may be disclosed1 strive ye to banish that darkness for ever and ever4 #b3 ,o ,,my ,,lord6 ,i ,,have ,,drawn ,,nigh ,,unto ,,thee1 ,,in ,,the 444 ,o my ,lord6 ,i have drawn nigh unto ,thee1 in the depths of this darksome night1 confiding in ,thee with the tongue of my heart1 trembling with joy at the sweet scents that blow from ,thy realm1 the ,all-,glorious1 calling unto ,thee1 saying3 ,o my ,lord1 no words do ,i find to glorify ,thee2 no way do ,i see for the bird of my mind to soar upward to ,thy ,kingdom of ,holiness2 for ,thou1 in ,thy very essence1 art sanctified above those tributes1 and in ,thy very being art beyond the reach of those praises which are offered ,thee by the people that ,thou hast created4 ,in the sanctity of ,thine own being hast ,thou ever been exalted above the understanding of the learned among the ,company on high1 and forever wilt ,thou remain enwrapped within the holiness of ,thine own reality1 unreached by the knowledge of those dwellers in ,thine exalted ,kingdom who glorify ,thy ,name4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,how can ,i glorify or describe ,thee inaccessible as ,thou art2 immeasurably high and sanctified art ,thou above every description and praise4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,have mercy then upon my helpless state1 my poverty1 my misery1 my abasement6 ,give me to drink from the generous cup of ,thy grace and forgiveness1 stir me with the sweet scents of ,thy love1 gladden my bosom with the light of ,thy knowledge1 purify my soul with the mysteries of ,thy oneness1 raise me to life with the gentle breeze that cometh from the gardens of ,thy mercy--till ,i sever myself from all else but ,thee1 and lay hold of the hem of ,thy garment of grandeur1 and consign to oblivion all that is not ,thee1 and be companioned by the sweet breathings that waft during these ,thy days1 and attain unto faithfulness at ,thy ,threshold of ,holiness1 and arise to serve ,thy ,cause1 and to be humble before ,thy loved ones1 and1 in the presence of ,thy favoured ones1 to be nothingness itself4 ,verily art ,thou the ,helper1 the ,sustainer1 the ,exalted1 the ,most ,generous4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,i beg of ,thee by the dawning of the light of ,thy ,beauty that hath illumined all the earth1 and by the glance of ,thy divine compassion's eye that considereth all things1 and by the surging sea of ,thy bestowals in which all things are immersed1 and by ,thy streaming clouds of bounty raining down gifts upon the essences of all created things1 and by the splendours of ,thy mercy that existed before ever the world was--to help ,thy chosen ones to be faithful1 and assist ,thy loved ones to serve at ,thine exalted ,threshold1 and cause them to gain the victory through the battalions of ,thy might that overpowereth all things1 and reinforce them with a great fighting host from out of the ,concourse on high4 ,o my ,lord6 ,they are weak souls standing at ,thy door2 they are paupers in ,thy courtyard1 desperate for ,thy grace1 in dire need of ,thy succour1 turning their faces toward the kingdom of ,thy oneness1 yearning for the bounties of ,thy bestowals4 ,o my ,lord6 ,flood ,thou their minds with ,thy holy light2 cleanse ,thou their hearts with the grace of ,thine assistance2 gladden their bosoms with the fragrance of the joys that waft from ,thy ,company above2 make bright their eyes by beholding the signs and tokens of ,thy might2 cause them to be the ensigns of purity1 the banners of sanctity waving high above all creatures on the summits of the earth2 make ,thou their words to move hearts which are even as solid rock4 ,may they arise to serve ,thee and dedicate themselves to the ,kingdom of ,thy divinity1 and set their faces toward the realm of ,thy ,self-,subsistence1 and spread far and wide ,thy signs1 and be illumined by ,thy streaming lights1 and unfold ,thy hidden mysteries4 ,may they guide ,thy servants unto gentle waters and to the fountain of ,thy mercy that welleth and leapeth in the midmost heart of the ,heaven of ,thy oneness4 ,may they hoist the sail of detachment upon the ,ark of ,salvation1 and move over the seas of ,thy knowledge2 may they spread wide the pinions of unity and by their aid soar upward to the ,kingdom of ,thy singleness to become servants whom the ,supreme ,concourse will applaud1 whose praises the dwellers in ,thine all-glorious realm will utter2 may they hear the heralds of the invisible world as they raise their cry of the ,most ,great ,glad-,tidings2 may they1 in their longing to meet ,thee1 invoke and pray unto ,thee1 intoning wondrous orisons at the dawn of light--,o my ,lord ,who disposest all things--shedding their tears at morningtide and even1 yearning to pass into the shadow of ,thy mercy that endeth never4 ,help them1 ,o my ,lord1 under all conditions1 support them at all times with ,thine angels of holiness1 they who are ,thine invisible hosts1 ,thy heavenly battalions who bring down to defeat the massed armies of this nether world4 ,verily art ,thou the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,strong1 the ,all-,encompassing1 the ,one ,who hath dominion over all that is4 ,o holy ,lord6 ,o ,lord of loving-kindness6 ,we stray about ,thy dwelling1 longing to behold ,thy beauty1 and loving all ,thy ways4 ,we are hapless1 lowly1 and of small account4 ,we are paupers3 show us mercy1 give us bounty2 look not upon our failings1 hide ,thou our endless sins4 ,whatever we are1 still are we ,thine1 and what we speak and hear is praise of ,thee1 and it is ,thy face we seek1 ,thy path we follow4 ,thou art the ,lord of loving-kindness1 we are sinners and astray and far from home4 ,wherefore1 ,o ,cloud of ,mercy1 grant us some drops of rain4 ,o ,flowering ,bed of grace1 send forth a fragrant breeze4 ,o ,sea of all bestowals1 roll towards us a great wave4 ,o ,sun of ,bounty1 send down a shaft of light4 ,grant us pity1 grant us grace4 ,by ,thy beauty1 we come with no provision but our sins1 with no good deeds to tell of1 only hopes4 ,unless ,thy concealing veil doth cover us1 and ,thy protection shield and cradle us1 what power have these helpless souls to rise and serve ,thee1 what substance have these wretched ones to make a brave display8 ,thou ,who art the ,mighty1 the ,all-,powerful1 help us1 favour us2 withered as we are1 revive us with showers from ,thy clouds of grace2 lowly as we are1 illumine us with bright rays from the ,day-,star of ,thy oneness4 ,cast ,thou these thirsty fish into the ocean of ,thy mercy1 guide ,thou this lost caravan to the shelter of ,thy singleness2 to the wellspring of guidance lead ,thou the ones who have wandered far astray1 and grant to those who have missed the path a haven within the precincts of ,thy might4 ,lift ,thou to these parched lips the bounteous and soft-flowing waters of heaven1 raise up these dead to everlasting life4 ,grant ,thou to the blind eyes that will see4 ,make ,thou the deaf to hear1 the dumb to speak4 ,set ,thou the dispirited ablaze1 make ,thou the heedless mindful1 warn ,thou the proud1 awaken those who sleep4 ,thou art the ,mighty1 ,thou art the ,bestower1 ,thou art the ,loving4 ,verily ,thou art the ,beneficent1 the ,most ,exalted4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god1 ye helpers of this evanescent ,servant6 ,when the ,sun of ,reality shed its endless bounties from the ,dawning-,point of all desires1 and this world of being was lit with that sacred light from pole to pole1 with such intensity did it cast down its rays that it blotted out the ,stygian dark forever1 whereupon this earth of dust became the envy of the spheres of heaven1 and this lowly place took on the state and panoply of the supernal realm4 ,the gentle breeze of holiness blew over it1 scattering abroad sweet savours2 the spring winds of heaven passed by it1 and over it1 from the ,source of all bestowals1 were wafted fruitful airs that carried boundless grace4 ,then the bright dawn rose1 and there came tidings of great joy4 ,the divine springtime was here1 pitching its tents in this contingent world1 so that all creation leapt and danced4 ,the withered earth brought forth immortal blooms1 the dead dust woke to everlasting life4 ,then came forth flowers of mystic learning1 and1 bespeaking the knowledge of ,god1 fresh greenery from the ground4 ,the contingent world displayed ,god's bounteous gifts1 the visible world reflecting the glories of realms that were hidden from sight4 ,god's summons was proclaimed1 the table of the ,eternal ,covenant was readied1 the cup of the ,testament was passed from hand to hand1 the universal invitation was sent forth4 ,then some among the people were set afire with the wine of heaven1 and some were left without a share of this greatest of bestowals4 ,the sight and insight of some were illumined by the light of grace1 and there were some who1 hearing the anthems of unity1 leapt for joy4 ,there were birds that began to carol in the gardens of holiness1 there were nightingales in the branches of the rose tree of heaven that raised their plaintive cries4 ,then were decked and adorned both the ,kingdom on high and the earth below1 and this world became the envy of high heaven4 ,yet alas1 alas1 the neglectful have stayed fast in their heedless sleep1 and the foolish have spurned this most sacred of bestowals4 ,the blind remain shrouded in their veils1 the deaf have no share in what hath come to pass1 the dead have no hopes of attaining thereto1 for even as ,he saith3 #8,they despair of the life to come1 as the infidels despair that the dwellers in the tombs will rise again4'7#a7 ,as to you1 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,loose your tongues and offer ,him thanks2 praise ye and glorify the ,beauty of the ,adored ,one1 for ye have drunk from this purest of chalices1 and ye are cheered and set aglow with this wine4 ,ye have detected the sweet scents of holiness1 ye have smelled the musk of faithfulness from ,joseph's raiment4 ,ye have fed on the honey-dew of loyalty from the hands of ,him ,who is the one alone ,beloved1 ye have feasted on immortal dishes at the bounteous banquet table of the ,lord4 ,this plenty is a special favour bestowed by a loving ,god1 these are blessings and rare gifts deriving from ,his grace4 ,in the ,gospel ,he saith3 #8,for many are called1 but few are chosen4'7#b7 ,that is1 to many is it offered1 but rare is the soul who is singled out to receive the great bestowal of guidance4 #8,such is the bounty of ,god3 to whom ,he will ,he giveth it1 and of immense bounty is ,god4'7#c7 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,from the peoples of the world1 against the ,candle of the ,covenant discordant winds do beat and blow4 ,the ,nightingale of faithfulness is beset by renegades who are even as ravens of hate4 ,the ,dove of ,god's remembrance is hard pressed by mindless birds of night1 and the ,gazelle that dwelleth in the meadows of ,god's love is being hunted down by ravening beasts4 ,deadly is the peril1 tormenting the pain4 ,the beloved of the ,lord must stand fixed as the mountains1 firm as impregnable walls4 ,unmoved must they remain by even the direst adversities1 ungrieved by the worst of disasters4 ,let them cling to the hem of ,almighty ,god1 and put their faith in the ,beauty of the ,most ,high2 let them lean on the unfailing help that cometh from the ,ancient ,kingdom1 and depend on the care and protection of the generous ,lord4 ,let them at all times refresh and restore themselves with the dews of heavenly grace1 and with the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit revive and renew themselves from moment to moment4 ,let them rise up to serve their ,lord1 and do all in their power to scatter ,his breathings of holiness far and wide4 ,let them be a mighty fortress to defend ,his ,faith1 an impregnable citadel for the hosts of the ,ancient ,beauty4 ,let them faithfully guard the edifice of the ,cause of ,god from every side2 let them become the bright stars of ,his luminous skies4 ,for the hordes of darkness are assailing this ,cause from every direction1 and the peoples of the earth are intent on extinguishing this evident ,light4 ,and since all the kindreds of the world are mounting their attack1 how can our attention be diverted1 even for a moment8 ,assuredly be cognizant of these things1 be watchful1 and guard the ,cause of ,god4 ,the most vital duty1 in this day1 is to purify your characters1 to correct your manners1 and improve your conduct4 ,the beloved of the ,merciful must show forth such character and conduct among ,his creatures1 that the fragrance of their holiness may be shed upon the whole world1 and may quicken the dead1 inasmuch as the purpose of the ,manifestation of ,god and the dawning of the limitless lights of the ,invisible is to educate the souls of men1 and refine the character of every living man--so that blessed individuals1 who have freed themselves from the murk of the animal world1 shall rise up with those qualities which are the adornings of the reality of man4 ,the purpose is that earthlings should turn into the people of ,heaven1 and those who walk in darkness should come into the light1 and those who are excluded should join the inner circle of the ,kingdom1 and those who are as nothing should become intimates of the everlasting ,glory4 ,it is that the portionless should gain their share of the boundless sea1 and the ignorant drink their fill from the living fount of knowledge2 that those who thirst for blood should forsake their savagery1 and those who are barbed of claw should turn gentle and forbearing1 and those who love war should seek instead for true conciliation2 it is that the brutal1 their talons razor-sharp1 should enjoy the benefits of lasting peace2 that the foul should learn that there is a realm of purity1 and the tainted find their way to the rivers of holiness4 ,unless these divine bestowals be revealed from the inner self of humankind1 the bounty of the ,manifestation will prove barren1 and the dazzling rays of the ,sun of ,truth will have no effect whatever4 ,wherefore1 ,o beloved of the ,lord1 strive ye with heart and soul to receive a share of ,his holy attributes and take your portion of the bounties of ,his sanctity--that ye may become the tokens of unity1 the standards of singleness1 and seek out the meaning of oneness2 that ye may1 in this garden of ,god1 lift up your voices and sing the blissful anthems of the spirit4 ,become ye as the birds who offer ,him their thanks1 and in the blossoming bowers of life chant ye such melodies as will dazzle the minds of those who know4 ,raise ye a banner on the highest peaks of the world1 a flag of ,god's favour to ripple and wave in the winds of ,his grace2 plant ye a tree in the field of life1 amid the roses of this visible world1 that will yield a fruitage fresh and sweet4 ,i swear by the true ,teacher that if ye will act in accord with the admonitions of ,god1 as revealed in ,his luminous ,tablets1 this darksome dust will mirror forth the ,kingdom of heaven1 and this nether world the realm of the ,all-,glorious4 ,o ye loved ones of the ,lord6 ,praise be to ,him1 the unseen1 welling bounties of the ,sun of ,truth encompass you on every side1 and from every direction the portals of ,his mercy stand ajar4 ,now is the time to take advantage of these bestowals1 and benefit therefrom4 ,know ye the value of this time1 let not this chance escape you4 ,stay ye entirely clear of this dark world's concerns1 and become ye known by the attributes of those essences that make their home in the ,kingdom4 ,then shall ye see how intense is the glory of the heavenly ,day-,star1 and how blinding bright are the tokens of bounty coming out of the invisible realm4 #c3 ,o ,,ye ,,beloved ,,of ,,god6 ,o ,,ye ,,children ,,of ,,his ,,kingdom6 444 ,o ye beloved of ,god6 ,o ye children of ,his ,kingdom6 ,verily1 verily1 the new heaven and the new earth are come4 ,the holy ,city1 new ,jerusalem1 hath come down from on high in the form of a maid of heaven1 veiled1 beauteous1 and unique1 and prepared for reunion with her lovers on earth4 ,the angelic company of the ,celestial ,concourse hath joined in a call that hath run throughout the universe1 all loudly and mightily acclaiming3 #8,this is the ,city of ,god and ,his abode1 wherein shall dwell the pure and holy among ,his servants4 ,he shall live with them1 for they are ,his people and ,he is their ,lord4' ,he hath wiped away their tears1 kindled their light1 rejoiced their hearts and enraptured their souls4 ,death shall no more overtake them neither shall sorrow1 weeping or tribulation afflict them4 ,the ,lord ,god ,omnipotent hath been enthroned in ,his ,kingdom and hath made all things new4 ,this is the truth and what truth can be greater than that announced by the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john the ,divine8 ,he is ,alpha and ,omega4 ,he is the ,one that will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life and bestow upon the sick the remedy of true salvation4 ,he whom such grace aideth is verily he that receiveth the most glorious heritage from the ,prophets of ,god and ,his holy ones4 ,the ,lord will be his ,god1 and he ,his dearly-beloved son4 ,rejoice1 then1 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord and ,his chosen ones1 and ye the children of ,god and ,his people1 raise your voices to laud and magnify the ,lord1 the ,most ,high2 for ,his light hath beamed forth1 ,his signs have appeared and the billows of ,his rising ocean have scattered on every shore many a precious pearl4 #d3 ,,praise ,,be ,,to ,,him ,,who ,,hath ,,made ,,the ,,world ,,of ,,being1 444 ,praise be to ,him ,who hath made the world of being1 and hath fashioned all that is1 ,him ,who hath raised up the sincere to a station of honour7#d7 and hath made the invisible world to appear on the plane of the visible--yet still1 in their drunken stupor17#e7 do men wander and stray4 ,he hath laid down the foundations of the lofty ,citadel1 ,he hath inaugurated the ,cycle of ,glory1 ,he hath brought forth a new creation on this day that is clearly ,judgement ,day--and still do the heedless stay fast in their drunken sleep4 ,the ,bugle7#f7 hath sounded1 the ,trumpet7#g7 hath been blown1 the ,crier hath raised his call1 and all upon the earth have swooned away--but still do the dead1 in the tombs of their bodies1 sleep on4 ,and the second clarion7#h7 hath sounded1 there hath followed the second blast after the first17#i7 and the dread woe hath come1 and every nursing mother hath forgot the infant at her breast7#aj7--yet still the people1 confused and distracted1 heed it not4 ,and the ,resurrection hath dawned1 and the ,hour hath struck1 and the ,path hath been drawn straight1 and the ,balance hath been set up1 and all upon the earth have been gathered together7#aa7--;but still the people see no sign of the way4 ,the light hath shone forth1 and radiance floodeth ,mount ,sinai1 and a gentle wind bloweth from over the gardens of the ,ever-,forgiving ,lord2 the sweet breaths of the spirit are passing by1 and those who lay buried in the grave are rising up--and still do the heedless slumber on in their tombs4 ,the flames of hell have been made to blaze1 and heaven hath been brought nigh2 the celestial gardens are in flower1 and fresh pools are brimming over1 and paradise gleameth in beauty--but the unaware are still mired down in their empty dreams4 ,the veil hath fallen away1 the curtain is lifted1 the clouds have parted1 the ,lord of ,lords is in plain sight--yet all hath passed the sinners by4 ,it is ,he ,who hath made for you the new creation17#ab7 and brought on the woe7#ac7 that surpasseth all others1 and gathered the holy together in the realm on high4 ,verily in this are signs for those who have eyes to see4 ,and among ,his signs is the appearance of omens and joyous prophecies1 of hints and clues1 the spreading of many and various tidings1 and the anticipations of the righteous1 they who have now attained their goal4 ,and among ,his signs are ,his splendours1 rising above the horizon of oneness1 ,his lights streaming out from the dayspring of might1 and the announcement of the ,most ,great ,glad-,tidings by ,his ,herald1 the ,one1 the ,incomparable4 ,verily in this is a brilliant proof for the company of those who know4 ,among ,his signs is ,his being manifest1 being seen by all1 standing as ,his own proof1 and ,his presence among witnesses in every region1 among peoples who fell upon ,him even as wolves1 and compassed ,him about from every side4 ,among ,his signs is ,his withstanding powerful nations and all-conquering states1 and a host of enemies thirsting for ,his blood1 intent at every moment upon ,his ruin1 wheresoever ,he might be4 ,verily this is a matter deserving the scrutiny of those who ponder the signs and tokens of ,god4 ,another of ,his signs is the marvel of ,his discourse1 the eloquence of ,his utterance1 the rapidity with which ,his ,writings were revealed1 ,his words of wisdom1 ,his verses1 ,his epistles1 ,his communes1 ,his unfolding of the ,qur'n1 both the abstruse verses thereof and the clear4 ,by thy very life6 ,this thing is plain as day to whoever will regard it with the eye of justice4 ,again among ,his signs is the dawning sun of ,his knowledge1 and the rising moon of ,his arts and skills1 and ,his demonstrating perfection in all ,his ways1 as testified by the learned and accomplished of many nations4 ,and again among ,his signs is the fact that ,his beauty stayed inviolate1 and ,his human temple was protected as ,he revealed ,his splendours1 despite the massed attacks of all ,his foes1 who came against ,him in their thousands with their darting arrows1 spears and swords4 ,herein is verily a wonder and a warning to any fair judge4 ,and among ,his signs is ,his long-suffering1 ,his tribulations and ,his woes1 ,his agony in ,his chains and fetters1 and ,his calling out at every moment3 #8,come unto ,me1 come unto ,me1 ye righteous6 ,come unto ,me1 come unto ,me1 ye lovers of the good6 ,come unto ,me1 come unto ,me1 ye dawning points of light6' ,verily the gates of mystery are opened wide--but still do the wicked disport themselves with their vain cavillings67#ad7 ,yet another of ,his signs is the promulgation of ,his ,book1 ,his decisive ,holy ,text wherein ,he reproved the kings1 and ,his dire warning to that one7#ae7 whose mighty rule was felt around the world--and whose great throne then toppled down in a matter of brief days--this being a fact clearly established and widely known4 ,and among ,his signs is the sublimity of ,his grandeur1 ,his exalted state1 ,his towering glory1 and the shining out of ,his beauty above the horizon of the ,prison3 so that heads were bowed before ,him and voices lowered1 and humble were the faces that turned ,his way4 ,this is a proof never witnessed in the ages gone before4 ,again among ,his signs are the extraordinary things ,he continually did1 the miracles ,he performed1 the wonders appearing from ,him without interruption like the streaming down of ,his clouds--and the acknowledgement1 even by unbelievers1 of ,his powerful light4 ,by ,his own life6 ,this was clearly verified1 it was demonstrated to those of every persuasion who came into the presence of the living1 the self-subsisting ,lord4 ,and yet another of ,his signs is the wide-spreading rays of the sun of ,his era1 the rising moon of ,his times in the heaven of all the ages3 ,his day1 which standeth at the summit of all days1 for its rank and power1 its sciences and its arts1 reaching far and wide1 that have dazzled the world and astonished the minds of men4 ,verily is this a matter settled and established for all time4 #e3 ,,the ,,world',s ,,great ,,light1 ,,once ,,resplendent ,,upon ,,all 444 ,the world's great ,light1 once resplendent upon all mankind1 hath set1 to shine everlastingly from the ,abh ,horizon1 ,his ,kingdom of fadeless glory1 shedding splendour upon ,his loved ones from on high and breathing into their hearts and souls the breath of eternal life4 ,ponder in your hearts that which ,he hath foretold in ,his ,tablet of the ,divine ,vision that hath been spread throughout the world4 ,therein ,he saith3 #8,thereupon she wailed and exclaimed3 8,may the world and all that is therein be a ransom for ,thy woes4 ,o ,sovereign of heaven and earth6 ,wherefore hast ,thou left ,thyself in the hands of the dwellers of this prison-city of ,akk8 ,hasten ,thou to other dominions1 to ,thy retreats above1 whereon the eyes of the people of names have never fallen40 ,we smiled and spake not4 ,reflect upon these most exalted words1 and comprehend the purpose of this hidden and sacred mystery4' ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,beware1 beware lest ye hesitate and waver4 ,let not fear fall upon you1 neither be troubled nor dismayed4 ,take ye good heed lest this calamitous day slacken the flames of your ardour1 and quench your tender hopes4 ,today is the day for steadfastness and constancy4 ,blessed are they that stand firm and immovable as the rock and brave the storm and stress of this tempestuous hour4 ,they1 verily1 shall be the recipients of ,god's grace2 they1 verily1 shall receive ,his divine assistance1 and shall be truly victorious4 ,they shall shine amidst mankind with a radiance which the dwellers of the ,pavilion of ,glory laud and magnify4 ,to them is proclaimed this celestial call1 revealed in ,his ,most ,holy ,book3 #8,let not your hearts be perturbed1 ,o people1 when the glory of ,my ,presence is withdrawn1 and the ocean of ,my utterance is stilled4 ,in ,my presence amongst you there is a wisdom1 and in ,my absence there is yet another1 inscrutable to all but ,god1 the ,incomparable1 the ,all-,knowing4 ,verily1 ,we behold you from ,our realm of glory1 and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of ,our ,cause with the hosts of the ,concourse on high and a company of ,our favoured angels4' ,the ,sun of ,truth1 that ,most ,great ,light1 hath set upon the horizon of the world to rise with deathless splendour over the ,realm of the ,limitless4 ,in ,his ,most ,holy ,book ,he calleth the firm and steadfast of ,his friends3 #8,be not dismayed1 ,o peoples of the world1 when the day-star of ,my beauty is set1 and the heaven of ,my tabernacle is concealed from your eyes4 ,arise to further ,my ,cause1 and to exalt ,my ,word amongst men4' #f3 ,o ,,ye ,,peoples ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,how ,,many ,a ,,soul 444 ,o ye peoples of the ,kingdom6 ,how many a soul expended all its span of life in worship1 endured the mortification of the flesh1 longed to gain an entry into the ,kingdom1 and yet failed1 while ye1 with neither toil nor pain nor self-denial1 have won the prize and entered in4 ,it is even as in the time of the ,messiah1 when the ,pharisees and the pious were left without a portion1 while ,peter1 ,john and ,andrew1 given neither to pious worship nor ascetic practice1 won the day4 ,wherefore1 thank ye ,god for setting upon your heads the crown of glory everlasting1 for granting unto you this immeasurable grace4 ,the time hath come when1 as a thank-offering for this bestowal1 ye should grow in faith and constancy as day followeth day1 and should draw ever nearer to the ,lord1 your ,god1 becoming magnetized to such a degree1 and so aflame1 that your holy melodies in praise of the ,beloved will reach upward to the ,company on high2 and that each one of you1 even as a nightingale in this rose garden of ,god1 will glorify the ,lord of ,hosts1 and become the teacher of all who dwell on earth4 #g3 ,o ,,ye ,,spiritual ,,friends ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 ,a ,,trusted 444 ,o ye spiritual friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,a trusted messenger hath arrived and hath1 in the world of the spirit1 delivered a message from ,god's loved ones4 ,this auspicious courier bringeth fragrances of great ardour and wafteth the life-giving breezes of the love of ,god4 ,he maketh the heart to dance for joy and filleth up the soul with an ecstasy of love and rapture4 ,so intensely hath the glory of ,divine ,unity penetrated souls and hearts that all are now bound one to another with heavenly ties1 and all are even as a single heart1 a single soul4 ,wherefore reflections of the spirit and impressions of the ,divine are now mirrored clear and sharp in the deep heart's core4 ,i beg of ,god to strengthen these spiritual bonds as day followeth day1 and make this mystic oneness to shine ever more brightly1 until at last all shall be as troops marshalled together beneath the banner of the ,covenant within the sheltering shade of the ,word of ,god2 that they may strive with all their might until universal fellowship1 close and warm1 and unalloyed love1 and spiritual relationships1 will connect all the hearts in the world4 ,then will all humankind1 because of this fresh and dazzling bounty1 be gathered in a single homeland4 ,then will conflict and dissension vanish from the face of the earth1 then will mankind be cradled in love for the beauty of the ,all-,glorious4 ,discord will change to accord1 dissension to unison4 ,the roots of malevolence will be torn out1 the basis of aggression destroyed4 ,the bright rays of union will obliterate the darkness of limitations1 and the splendours of heaven will make the human heart to be even as a mine veined richly with the love of ,god4 ,o ye loved ones of the ,lord6 ,this is the hour when ye must associate with all the earth's peoples in extreme kindliness and love1 and be to them the signs and tokens of ,god's great mercy4 ,ye must become the very soul of the world1 the living spirit in the body of the children of men4 ,in this wondrous ,age1 at this time when the ,ancient ,beauty1 the ,most ,great ,name1 bearing unnumbered gifts1 hath risen above the horizon of the world1 the ,word of ,god hath infused such awesome power into the inmost essence of humankind that ,he hath stripped men's human qualities of all effect1 and hath1 with ,his all-conquering might1 unified the peoples in a vast sea of oneness4 ,now is the time for the lovers of ,god to raise high the banners of unity1 to intone1 in the assemblages of the world1 the verses of friendship and love and to demonstrate to all that the grace of ,god is one4 ,thus will the tabernacles of holiness be upraised on the summits of the earth1 gathering all peoples into the protective shadow of the ,word of ,oneness4 ,this great bounty will dawn over the world at the time when the lovers of ,god shall arise to carry out ,his ,teachings1 and to scatter far and wide the fresh1 sweet scents of universal love4 ,in every dispensation1 there hath been the commandment of fellowship and love1 but it was a commandment limited to the community of those in mutual agreement1 not to the dissident foe4 ,in this wondrous age1 however1 praised be ,god1 the commandments of ,god are not delimited1 not restricted to any one group of people1 rather have all the friends been commanded to show forth fellowship and love1 consideration and generosity and loving-kindness to every community on earth4 ,now must the lovers of ,god arise to carry out these instructions of ,his3 let them be kindly fathers to the children of the human race1 and compassionate brothers to the youth1 and self-denying offspring to those bent with years4 ,the meaning of this is that ye must show forth tenderness and love to every human being1 even to your enemies1 and welcome them all with unalloyed friendship1 good cheer1 and loving-kindness4 ,when ye meet with cruelty and persecution at another's hands1 keep faith with him2 when malevolence is directed your way1 respond with a friendly heart4 ,to the spears and arrows rained upon you1 expose your breasts for a target mirror-bright2 and in return for curses1 taunts and wounding words1 show forth abounding love4 ,thus will all peoples witness the power of the ,most ,great ,name1 and every nation acknowledge the might of the ,ancient ,beauty1 and see how ,he hath toppled down the walls of discord1 and how surely ,he hath guided all the peoples of the earth to oneness2 how ,he hath lit man's world1 and made this earth of dust to send forth streams of light4 ,these human creatures are even as children1 they are brash and unconcerned4 ,these children must be reared with infinite1 loving care1 and tenderly fostered in the embraces of mercy1 so that they may taste the spiritual honey-sweetness of ,god's love2 that they may become like unto candles shedding their beams across this darksome world1 and may clearly perceive what blazing crowns of glory the ,most ,great ,name1 the ,ancient ,beauty1 hath set on the brows of ,his beloved1 what bounties ,he hath bestowed on the hearts of those ,he holdeth dear1 what a love ,he hath cast into the breasts of humankind1 and what treasures of friendship ,he hath made to appear amongst all men4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,aid ,thou ,thy trusted servants to have loving and tender hearts4 ,help them to spread1 amongst all the nations of the earth1 the light of guidance that cometh from the ,company on high4 ,verily ,thou art the ,strong1 the ,powerful1 the ,mighty1 the ,all-,subduing1 the ,ever-,giving4 ,verily ,thou art the ,generous1 the ,gentle1 the ,tender1 the ,most ,bountiful4 #h3 ,o ,,ye ,,beloved ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah ,,and ,,ye ,,handmaids ,,of 444 ,o ye beloved of #8,abdu'l-,bah and ye handmaids of the ,merciful6 ,it is early morning1 and the reviving winds of the ,abh ,paradise are blowing over all creation1 but they can stir only the pure of heart1 and only the pure sense can detect their fragrance4 ,only the perceiving eye beholdeth the rays of the sun2 only the listening ear can hear the singing of the ,concourse on high4 ,although the plentiful rains of spring1 the bestowals of ,heaven1 pour down upon all things1 they can only fructify good soil2 they love not brackish ground1 where no results of all the bounty can be shown4 ,today the soft and holy breathings of the ,abh ,realm are passing over every land1 but only the pure in heart draw nigh and derive a benefit therefrom4 ,it is the hope of this wronged soul that from the grace of the ,self-,subsistent ,one and by the manifest power of the ,word of ,god1 the heads of the unmindful may be cleared1 that they may perceive these sweet savours which blow from secret rosebeds of the spirit4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,true friends are even as skilled physicians1 and the ,teachings of ,god are as healing balm1 a medicine for the conscience of man4 ,they clear the head1 so that a man can breathe them in and delight in their sweet fragrance4 ,they waken those who sleep4 ,they bring awareness to the unheeding1 and a portion to the outcast1 and to the hopeless1 hope4 ,if in this day a soul shall act according to the precepts and the counsels of ,god1 he will serve as a divine physician to mankind1 and like the trump of ,isrfl17#af7 he will call the dead of this contingent world to life2 for the confirmations of the ,abh ,realm are never interrupted1 and such a virtuous soul hath1 to befriend him1 the unfailing help of the ,company on high4 ,thus shall a sorry gnat become an eagle in the fulness of his strength1 and a feeble sparrow change to a royal falcon in the heights of ancient glory4 ,wherefore1 look not on the degree of your capacity1 ask not if you are worthy of the task3 rest ye your hopes on the help and loving-kindness1 the favours and bestowals of ,bah'u'llh--may my soul be offered up for ,his friends6 ,urge on the steed of high endeavour over the field of sacrifice1 and carry away from this wide arena the prize of divine grace4 ,o ye handmaids of the merciful ,lord6 ,how many queens of this world laid down their heads on a pillow of dust and disappeared4 ,no fruit was left of them1 no trace1 no sign1 not even their names4 ,for them1 no more granting of bestowals2 for them1 no more living at all4 ,not so the handmaids who ministered at the ,threshold of ,god2 these have shone forth like glittering stars in the skies of ancient glory1 shedding their splendours across all the reaches of time4 ,these have fulfilled their dearest hopes in the ,abh ,paradise2 they have tasted the honey of reunion in the congregation of the ,lord4 ,such souls as these profited from their existence here on earth3 they plucked the fruit of life4 ,as for the rest1 #8,there surely came upon them a time when they were a thing not spoken of4' ,o ye lovers of this wronged one6 ,cleanse ye your eyes1 so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves4 ,see ye no strangers2 rather see all men as friends1 for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness4 ,and in this new and wondrous age1 the ,holy ,writings say that we must be at one with every people2 that we must see neither harshness nor injustice1 neither malevolence1 nor hostility1 nor hate1 but rather turn our eyes toward the heaven of ancient glory4 ,for each of the creatures is a sign of ,god1 and it was by the grace of the ,lord and ,his power that each did step into the world2 therefore they are not strangers1 but in the family2 not aliens1 but friends1 and to be treated as such4 ,wherefore must the loved ones of ,god associate in affectionate fellowship with stranger and friend alike1 showing forth to all the utmost loving-kindness1 disregarding the degree of their capacity1 never asking whether they deserve to be loved4 ,in every instance let the friends be considerate and infinitely kind4 ,let them never be defeated by the malice of the people1 by their aggression and their hate1 no matter how intense4 ,if others hurl their darts against you1 offer them milk and honey in return2 if they poison your lives1 sweeten their souls2 if they injure you1 teach them how to be comforted2 if they inflict a wound upon you1 be a balm to their sores2 if they sting you1 hold to their lips a refreshing cup4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,these are ,thy feeble servants2 they are ,thy loyal bondsmen and ,thy handmaidens1 who have bowed themselves down before ,thine exalted ,utterance and humbled themselves at ,thy ,threshold of light1 and borne witness to ,thy oneness through which the ,sun hath been made to shine in midday splendour4 ,they have listened to the summons ,thou didst raise from out ,thy hidden ,realm1 and with hearts quivering with love and rapture1 they have responded to ,thy call4 ,o ,lord1 shower upon them all the outpourings of ,thy mercy1 rain down upon them all the waters of ,thy grace4 ,make them to grow as beauteous plants in the garden of heaven1 and from the full and brimming clouds of ,thy bestowals and out of the deep pools of ,thine abounding grace make ,thou this garden to flower and keep it ever green and lustrous1 ever fresh and shimmering and fair4 ,thou art verily the ,mighty1 the ,exalted1 the ,powerful1 ,he ,who alone1 in the heavens and on the earth1 abideth unchanged4 ,there is none other ,god save ,thee1 the ,lord of manifest tokens and signs4 #i3 ,o ,,thou ,,whose ,,heart ,,overfloweth ,,with ,,love ,,for ,,the 444 ,o thou whose heart overfloweth with love for the ,lord6 ,i address thee from this consecrated spot1 to gladden thy bosom with mine epistle to thee1 for this is such a letter as maketh the heart of him who believeth in ,god's oneness to wing its flight toward the summits of bliss4 ,thank thou ,god for having enabled thee to enter into ,his ,kingdom of might4 ,erelong will thy ,lord's bounties descend upon thee1 one following the other1 and ,he will make of thee a sign for every seeker after truth4 ,hold thou fast to the ,covenant of thy ,lord1 and as the days go by1 increase thy store of love for ,his beloved ones4 ,bend thou with tenderness over the servitors of the ,all-,merciful1 that thou mayest hoist the sail of love upon the ark of peace that moveth across the seas of life4 ,let nothing grieve thee1 and be thou angered at none4 ,it behoveth thee to be content with the ,will of ,god1 and a true and loving and trusted friend to all the peoples of the earth1 without any exceptions whatever4 ,this is the quality of the sincere1 the way of the saints1 the emblem of those who believe in the unity of ,god1 and the raiment of the people of ,bah4 ,thank thou and bless thou the ,lord for ,he hath allowed thee to offer ,him the ,right of ,god47#ag7 ,this is verily a special favour on ,his part1 for thee2 praise ,him then for this commandment that is set forth in the ,scriptures of thy ,lord1 of ,him that is the ,ancient of ,days4 ,verily is ,he the ,loving1 the ,tender1 the ,ever-,bestowing4 #aj3 ,o ,,thou ,,dear ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,hath 444 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,thy letter hath been received and its contents noted4 ,thou didst ask for a rule whereby to guide thy life4 ,believe thou in ,god1 and keep thine eyes fixed upon the exalted ,kingdom2 be thou enamoured of the ,abh ,beauty2 stand thou firm in the ,covenant2 yearn thou to ascend into the ,heaven of the ,universal ,light4 ,be thou severed from this world1 and reborn through the sweet scents of holiness that blow from the realm of the ,all-,highest4 ,be thou a summoner to love1 and be thou kind to all the human race4 ,love thou the children of men and share in their sorrows4 ,be thou of those who foster peace4 ,offer thy friendship1 be worthy of trust4 ,be thou a balm to every sore1 be thou a medicine for every ill4 ,bind thou the souls together4 ,recite thou the verses of guidance4 ,be engaged in the worship of thy ,lord1 and rise up to lead the people aright4 ,loose thy tongue and teach1 and let thy face be bright with the fire of ,god's love4 ,rest thou not for a moment1 seek thou to draw no easeful breath4 ,thus mayest thou become a sign and symbol of ,god's love1 and a banner of ,his grace4 #aa3 ,,service ,,to ,,the ,,friends ,,is ,,service ,,to ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of 444 ,service to the friends is service to the ,kingdom of ,god1 and consideration shown to the poor is one of the greatest teachings of ,god4 #ab3 ,,know ,,thou ,,of ,a ,,certainty ,,that ,,love ,,is ,,the ,,secret ,,of 444 ,know thou of a certainty that ,love is the secret of ,god's holy ,dispensation1 the manifestation of the ,all-,merciful1 the fountain of spiritual outpourings4 ,love is heaven's kindly light1 the ,holy ,spirit's eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul4 ,love is the cause of ,god's revelation unto man1 the vital bond inherent1 in accordance with the divine creation1 in the realities of things4 ,love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next4 ,love is the light that guideth in darkness1 the living link that uniteth ,god with man1 that assureth the progress of every illumined soul4 ,love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle1 the unique power that bindeth together the divers elements of this material world1 the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms4 ,love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe4 ,love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind1 the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world1 and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation4 ,whatsoever people is graciously favoured therewith by ,god1 its name shall surely be magnified and extolled by the ,concourse from on high1 by the company of angels1 and the denizens of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,and whatsoever people turneth its heart away from this ,divine ,love--the revelation of the ,merciful--shall err grievously1 shall fall into despair1 and be utterly destroyed4 ,that people shall be denied all refuge1 shall become even as the vilest creatures of the earth1 victims of degradation and shame4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,strive to become the manifestations of the love of ,god1 the lamps of divine guidance shining amongst the kindreds of the earth with the light of love and concord4 ,all hail to the revealers of this glorious light6 #ac3 ,o ,,thou ,,daughter ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,dated 444 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter dated #e ,december #aiah was received4 ,it contained the good news that the friends of ,god and the maidservants of the ,merciful have gathered in summer at ,green ,acre1 have been engaged day and night in the commemoration of ,god1 have served the oneness of the world of humanity1 have shown love to all religions1 have remained aloof from every religious prejudice and have been kind to all people4 ,the divine religions must be the cause of oneness among men1 and the means of unity and love2 they must promulgate universal peace1 free man from every prejudice1 bestow joy and gladness1 exercise kindness to all men and do away with every difference and distinction4 ,just as ,bah'u'llh addressing the world of humanity saith3 #8,o people6 ,ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch4' ,at most it is this1 that some souls are ignorant1 they must be educated2 some are sick1 they must be healed2 some are still of tender age1 they must be helped to attain maturity1 and the utmost kindness must be shown to them4 ,this is the conduct of the people of ,bah4 ,i hope that thy brothers and sisters will all become the well-wishers of the world of mankind4 #ad3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,blessed ,,souls6 ,,your ,,letters ,,were ,,received4 444 ,o ye two blessed souls6 ,your letters were received4 ,they showed that ye have investigated the truth and have been freed from imitations and superstitions1 that ye observe with your own eyes and not with those of others1 hearken with your own ears and not with the ears of others1 and discover mysteries with the help of your own consciences and not with those of others4 ,for the imitator saith that such a man hath seen1 such a man hath heard1 and such a conscience hath discovered2 in other words he dependeth upon the sight1 the hearing and the conscience of others and hath no will of his own4 ,now1 praise be to ,god1 ye have shown will-power and have turned to the ,sun of ,truth4 ,the plain of your hearts hath been illumined by the lights of the ,lord of the ,kingdom and ye have been led to the straight path1 have marched along the road that leadeth to the ,kingdom1 have entered the ,abh ,paradise1 and have secured a portion and share of the fruit of the ,tree of ,life4 ,blessed are ye and a goodly home awaiteth you4 ,upon you be greetings and praise4 #ae3 ,o ,,captive ,,of ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,god6 ,,the ,,letter ,,which 444 ,o captive of the love of ,god6 ,the letter which thou didst write at the time of thy departure hath been received4 ,it brought me joy2 and it is my hope that thine inner eye may be opened wide1 so that unto thee the very core of the divine mysteries may be disclosed4 ,thou didst begin thy letter with a blessed phrase1 saying3 #8,i am a ,christian4' ,o would that all were truly ,christian6 ,it is easy to be a ,christian on the tongue1 but hard to be a true one4 ,today some five hundred million souls are ,christian1 but the real ,christian is very rare3 he is that soul from whose comely face there shineth the splendour of ,christ1 and who showeth forth the perfections of the ,kingdom2 this is a matter of great moment1 for to be a ,christian is to embody every excellence there is4 ,i hope that thou1 too1 shalt become a true ,christian4 ,praise thou ,god that at last1 through the divine teachings1 thou hast obtained both sight and insight to the highest degree1 and hast become firmly rooted in certitude and faith4 ,it is my hope that others as well will achieve illumined eyes and hearing ears1 and attain to everlasting life3 that these many rivers1 each flowing along in diverse and separated beds1 will find their way back to the circumambient sea1 and merge together and rise up in a single wave of surging oneness2 that the unity of truth1 through the power of ,god1 will make these illusory differences to vanish away4 ,this is the one essential3 for if unity be gained1 all other problems will disappear of themselves4 ,o honoured lady6 ,in accordance with the divine teachings in this glorious dispensation we should not belittle anyone and call him ignorant1 saying3 #8,you know not1 but ,i know'4 ,rather1 we should look upon others with respect1 and when attempting to explain and demonstrate1 we should speak as if we are investigating the truth1 saying3 #8,here these things are before us4 ,let us investigate to determine where and in what form the truth can be found4' ,the teacher should not consider himself as learned and others ignorant4 ,such a thought breedeth pride1 and pride is not conducive to influence4 ,the teacher should not see in himself any superiority2 he should speak with the utmost kindliness1 lowliness and humility1 for such speech exerteth influence and educateth the souls4 ,o honoured lady6 ,for a single purpose were the ,prophets1 each and all1 sent down to earth2 for this was ,christ made manifest1 for this did ,bah'u'llh raise up the call of the ,lord3 that the world of man should become the world of ,god1 this nether realm the ,kingdom1 this darkness light1 this satanic wickedness all the virtues of heaven--and unity1 fellowship and love be won for the whole human race1 that the organic unity should reappear and the bases of discord be destroyed and life everlasting and grace everlasting become the harvest of mankind4 ,o honoured lady6 ,look about thee at the world3 here unity1 mutual attraction1 gathering together1 engender life1 but disunity and inharmony spell death4 ,when thou dost consider all phenomena1 thou wilt see that every created thing hath come into being through the mingling of many elements1 and once this collectivity of elements is dissolved1 and this harmony of components is dissevered1 the life form is wiped out4 ,o honoured lady6 ,in cycles gone by1 though harmony was established1 yet1 owing to the absence of means1 the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved4 ,continents remained widely divided1 nay even among the peoples of one and the same continent association and interchange of thought were wellnigh impossible4 ,consequently intercourse1 understanding and unity amongst all the peoples and kindreds of the earth were unattainable4 ,in this day1 however1 means of communication have multiplied1 and the five continents of the earth have virtually merged into one4 ,and for everyone it is now easy to travel to any land1 to associate and exchange views with its peoples1 and to become familiar1 through publications1 with the conditions1 the religious beliefs and the thoughts of all men4 ,in like manner all the members of the human family1 whether peoples or governments1 cities or villages1 have become increasingly interdependent4 ,for none is self-sufficiency any longer possible1 inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and nations1 and the bonds of trade and industry1 of agriculture and education1 are being strengthened every day4 ,hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved4 ,verily this is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age1 this glorious century4 ,of this past ages have been deprived1 for this century--the century of light--hath been endowed with unique and unprecedented glory1 power and illumination4 ,hence the miraculous unfolding of a fresh marvel every day4 ,eventually it will be seen how bright its candles will burn in the assemblage of man4 ,behold how its light is now dawning upon the world's darkened horizon4 ,the first candle is unity in the political realm1 the early glimmerings of which can now be discerned4 ,the second candle is unity of thought in world undertakings1 the consummation of which will erelong be witnessed4 ,the third candle is unity in freedom which will surely come to pass4 ,the fourth candle is unity in religion which is the corner-stone of the foundation itself1 and which1 by the power of ,god1 will be revealed in all its splendour4 ,the fifth candle is the unity of nations--a unity which in this century will be securely established1 causing all the peoples of the world to regard themselves as citizens of one common fatherland4 ,the sixth candle is unity of races1 making of all that dwell on earth peoples and kindreds of one race4 ,the seventh candle is unity of language1 i4e41 the choice of a universal tongue in which all peoples will be instructed and converse4 ,each and every one of these will inevitably come to pass1 inasmuch as the power of the ,kingdom of ,god will aid and assist in their realization4 #af3 ,o ,,ye ,,illumined ,,loved ,,ones ,,and ,,ye ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the 444 ,o ye illumined loved ones and ye handmaids of the ,merciful6 ,at a time when the sombre night of ignorance1 of neglect of the divine world1 of being veiled from ,god1 had overspread the earth1 a bright morning dawned and a rising light lit up the eastern sky4 ,then rose the ,sun of ,truth and the splendours of the ,kingdom were shed over east and west4 ,those who had eyes to see rejoiced at the glad tidings and cried out3 #8,o blessed1 blessed are we6'1 and they witnessed the inner reality of all things1 and uncovered the mysteries of the ,kingdom4 ,delivered then from their fancies and their doubts1 they beheld the light of truth1 and so exhilarated did they become from draining the chalice of ,god's love1 that they utterly forgot the world and their own selves4 ,dancing for joy they hastened to the place of their own martyrdom and there1 where men die for love1 they flung away their heads and hearts4 ,but those with unseeing eyes were astonished at this tumult1 and they cried1 #8,where is the light8' and again1 #8,we see no light6 ,we see no rising sun6 ,here is no truth4 ,this is but fantasy and nothing more4' ,bat-like they fled into the underground dark1 and there1 to their way of thinking1 they found a measure of security and peace4 ,this1 however1 is but the beginning of the dawn1 and the heat of the rising ,orb of ,truth is not yet at the fullness of its power4 ,once the sun hath mounted to high noon1 its fires will burn so hot as to stir even the creeping things beneath the earth2 and although it is not for them to behold the light1 yet will they all be set in frenzied motion by the impact of the heat4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye beloved of ,god1 offer up thanks that ye have1 in the day of the dawning1 turned your faces unto the ,light of the ,world and beheld its splendours4 ,ye have received a share of the light of truth1 ye have enjoyed a portion of those blessings that endure forever2 and therefore1 as a returning of thanks for this bounty1 rest ye not for a moment1 sit ye not silent1 carry to men's ears the glad tidings of the ,kingdom1 spread far and wide the ,word of ,god4 ,act in accordance with the counsels of the ,lord3 that is1 rise up in such wise1 and with such qualities1 as to endow the body of this world with a living soul1 and to bring this young child1 humanity1 to the stage of adulthood4 ,so far as ye are able1 ignite a candle of love in every meeting1 and with tenderness rejoice and cheer ye every heart4 ,care for the stranger as for one of your own2 show to alien souls the same loving kindness ye bestow upon your faithful friends4 ,should any come to blows with you1 seek to be friends with him2 should any stab you to the heart1 be ye a healing salve unto his sores2 should any taunt and mock at you1 meet him with love4 ,should any heap his blame upon you1 praise ye him2 should he offer you a deadly poison1 give him the choicest honey in exchange2 and should he threaten your life1 grant him a remedy that will heal him evermore4 ,should he be pain itself1 be ye his medicine2 should he be thorns1 be ye his roses and sweet herbs4 ,perchance such ways and words from you will make this darksome world turn bright at last2 will make this dusty earth turn heavenly1 this devilish prison place become a royal palace of the ,lord--so that war and strife will pass and be no more1 and love and trust will pitch their tents on the summits of the world4 ,such is the essence of ,god's admonitions2 such in sum are the teachings for the ,dispensation of ,bah4 #ag3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are ,,the ,,chosen ,,ones ,,of ,,the ,,abh ,,kingdom6 444 ,o ye who are the chosen ones of the ,abh ,kingdom6 ,praise ye the ,lord of ,hosts for ,he1 riding upon the clouds1 hath come down to this world out of the heaven of the invisible realm1 so that ,east and ,west were lit by the glory of the ,sun of ,truth1 and the call of the ,kingdom was raised1 and the heralds of the realm above1 with melodies of the ,concourse on high1 sang out the glad tidings of the ,coming4 ,then the whole world of being did quiver for joy1 and still the people1 even as the ,messiah saith1 slept on3 for the day of the ,manifestation1 when the ,lord of ,hosts descended1 found them wrapped in the slumber of unknowing4 ,as ,he saith in the ,gospel1 ,my coming is even as when the thief is in the house1 and the goodman of the house watcheth not4 ,from amongst all mankind hath ,he chosen you1 and your eyes have been opened to the light of guidance and your ears attuned to the music of the ,company above2 and blessed by abounding grace1 your hearts and souls have been born into new life4 ,thank ye and praise ye ,god that the hand of infinite bestowals hath set upon your heads this gem-studded crown1 this crown whose lustrous jewels will forever flash and sparkle down all the reaches of time4 ,to thank ,him for this1 make ye a mighty effort1 and choose for yourselves a noble goal4 ,through the power of faith1 obey ye the teachings of ,god1 and let all your actions conform to ,his laws4 ,read ye ,the ,hidden ,words1 ponder the inner meanings thereof1 act in accord therewith4 ,read1 with close attention1 the ,tablets of ,tarazt 7,ornaments71 ,kalmt 7,words of ,paradise71 ,tajallyyt 7,effulgences71 ,ishrqt 7,splendours71 and ,bishrt 7,glad ,tidings71 and rise up as ye are bidden in the heavenly teachings4 ,thus may each one of you be even as a candle casting its light1 the centre of attraction wherever people come together2 and from you1 as from a bed of flowers1 may sweet scents be shed4 ,raise ye a clamour like unto a roaring sea2 like a prodigal cloud1 rain down the grace of heaven4 ,lift up your voices and sing out the songs of the ,abh ,realm4 ,quench ye the fires of war1 lift high the banners of peace1 work for the oneness of humankind and remember that religion is the channel of love unto all peoples4 ,be ye aware that the children of men are sheep of ,god and ,he their loving ,shepherd1 that ,he careth tenderly for all ,his sheep and maketh them to feed in ,his own green pastures of grace and giveth them to drink from the wellspring of life4 ,such is the way of the ,lord4 ,such are ,his bestowals4 ,such1 from among ,his teachings1 is ,his precept of the oneness of mankind4 ,the portals of ,his blessings are opened wide and ,his signs are published abroad and the glory of truth is blazing forth2 inexhaustible are the blessings4 ,know ye the value of this time4 ,strive ye with all your hearts1 raise up your voices and shout1 until this dark world be filled with light1 and this narrow place of shadows be widened out1 and this dust heap of a fleeting moment be changed into a mirror for the eternal gardens of heaven1 and this globe of earth receive its portion of celestial grace4 ,then will aggression crumble away1 and all that maketh for disunity be destroyed1 and the structure of oneness be raised--that the ,blessed ,tree may cast its shade over east and west1 and the ,tabernacle of the singleness of man be set up on the high summits1 and flags that betoken love and fellowship flutter from their staffs around the world until the sea of truth lift high its waves1 and earth bring forth the roses and sweet herbs of blessings without end1 and become from pole to pole the ,abh ,paradise4 ,these are the counsels of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,it is my hope that out of the bestowals of the ,lord of ,hosts ye will become the spiritual essence and the very radiance of humankind1 binding the hearts of all with bonds of love2 that through the power of the ,word of ,god ye will bring to life the dead now buried in the graves of their sensual desires2 that ye will1 with the rays of the ,sun of ,truth1 restore the sight of those whose inner eye is blind2 that ye will bring spiritual healing to the spiritually sick4 ,these things do ,i hope for1 out of the bounties and the bestowals of the ,beloved4 ,at all times do ,i speak of you and call you to mind4 ,i pray unto the ,lord1 and with tears ,i implore ,him to rain down all these blessings upon you1 and gladden your hearts1 and make blissful your souls1 and grant you exceeding joy and heavenly delights4444 ,o ,thou loving ,provider6 ,these souls have hearkened to the summons of the ,kingdom1 and have gazed upon the glory of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,they have risen upward to the refreshing skies of love2 they are enamoured of ,thy nature1 and they worship ,thy beauty4 ,unto ,thee have they turned themselves1 speaking together of ,thee1 seeking out ,thy dwelling1 and thirsting for the waterbrooks of ,thy heavenly realm4 ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,bestower1 the ,ever-loving4 #ah3 ,o ,,thou ,,possessor ,,of ,a ,,seeing ,,heart6 ,,although1 444 ,o thou possessor of a seeing heart6 ,although1 materially speaking1 thou art deprived of physical sight1 yet1 praise be to ,god1 spiritual insight is thine4 ,thy heart seeth and thy spirit heareth4 ,bodily sight is subject to a thousand maladies and assuredly will ultimately be lost4 ,thus no importance should be attached to it4 ,but the sight of the heart is illumined4 ,it discerneth and discovereth the divine ,kingdom4 ,it is everlasting and eternal4 ,praise ,god1 therefore1 that the sight of thy heart is illumined1 and the hearing of thy mind responsive4 ,each of the meetings ye have organized1 wherein ye feel heavenly emotions and comprehend realities and significances1 is like unto the firmament1 and those souls are as resplendent stars shining with the light of guidance4 ,happy is the soul that seeketh1 in this brilliant era1 heavenly teachings1 and blessed is the heart which is stirred and attracted by the love of ,god4 #ai3 ,,praise ,,be ,,to ,,him ,,through ,,whose ,,splendours ,,the 444 ,praise be to ,him through ,whose splendours the earth and the heavens are aglow1 through ,whose fragrant breathings the gardens of holiness that adorn the hearts of the chosen are trembling for joy1 to ,him ,who hath shed ,his light and brightened the face of the firmament4 ,verily there appeared luminous and sparkling stars1 glittering1 shining out1 and casting forth their rays upon the supreme horizon4 ,they derived their grace and brilliance from the bounties of the ,abh ,realm1 then1 stars of guidance1 they poured down their lights upon this earth4 ,praise be to ,him ,who hath fashioned this new era1 this age of majesty1 even as an unfolding pageant where the realities of all things can be exposed to view4 ,now are clouds of bounty raining down and the gifts of the loving ,lord are clearly manifest2 for both the seen and the unseen worlds have been illumined1 and the ,promised ,one hath come to earth and the beauty of the ,adored ,one hath shone forth4 ,salutations1 blessings1 and welcome to that ,universal ,reality1 that ,perfect ,word1 that ,manifest ,book1 that ,splendour which hath dawned in the highest heaven1 that ,guide of all nations1 that ,light of the world--the billowing ocean of ,whose abounding grace hath flooded all creation1 in such wise that the waves thereof have cast upon the sands of this visible world their shining pearls4 ,now hath the ,truth appeared1 and falsehood fled away2 now hath the day dawned and jubilation taken over1 wherefore men's souls are sanctified1 their spirits purged1 their hearts rejoiced1 their minds purified1 their secret thoughts made wholesome1 their consciences washed clean1 their inmost selves made holy3 for the ,day of ,resurrection hath come to pass1 and the bestowals of thy ,lord1 the ,forgiving1 have encompassed all things4 ,salutations and praise be unto those luminous1 resplendent stars that are shedding down their rays from the highest heaven1 those celestial bodies of the girdling zodiac of the ,abh ,realm4 ,may glory rest upon them4 ,and now1 ,o thou honoured man who hath hearkened unto the ,great ,announcement1 rise up to serve the ,cause of ,god with the resistless power of the ,abh ,kingdom and the breaths that blow from the spirit of the ,company on high4 ,grieve thou not over what the ,pharisees1 and the purveyors of false rumours among writers for the press1 are saying of ,bah4 ,call thou to mind the days of ,christ1 and the afflictions heaped upon ,him by the people1 and all the torments and tribulations inflicted upon ,his disciples4 ,since ye are lovers of the ,abh ,beauty1 ye also must1 for ,his love's sake1 incur the peoples' blame1 and all that befell those of a former age must likewise befall you4 ,then will the faces of the chosen be alight with the splendours of the ,kingdom of ,god1 and will shine down the ages1 yea1 down all the cycles of time1 while the deniers shall remain in their manifest loss4 ,it will be even as was said by the ,lord ,christ3 they shall persecute you for ,my name's sake4 ,remind them of these words and say unto them3 #8,verily did the ,pharisees rise up against ,messiah1 despite the bright beauty of ,his face and all ,his comeliness1 and they cried out that ,he was not ,messiah ,mash but a monster ,maskh1 because ,he had claimed to be ,almighty ,god1 the sovereign ,lord of all1 and told them1 #8,i am ,god's ,son1 and verily in the inmost being of ,his only ,son1 ,his mighty ,ward1 clearly revealed with all ,his attributes1 all ,his perfections1 standeth the ,father4' ,this1 they said1 was open blasphemy and slander against the ,lord according to the clear and irrefutable texts of the ,old ,testament4 ,therefore they passed the sentence upon ,him1 decreeing that ,his blood be shed1 and they hanged ,him on the cross1 where ,he cried out1 #8,o ,my beloved ,lord1 how long wilt ,thou abandon ,me to them8 ,lift ,me up unto ,thee1 shelter ,me close to ,thee1 make ,me a dwelling by ,thy throne of glory4 ,verily art ,thou the ,answerer of prayers1 and ,thou art the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 ,o ,my ,lord6 ,verily this world with all its vastness can no longer contain ,me1 and ,i love this cross1 out of love for ,thy beauty1 and yearning for ,thy realm on high1 and because of this fire1 fanned by the gusts of ,thy holiness1 aflame within ,my heart4 ,help me1 ,o ,lord1 to ascend unto ,thee1 sustain ,me that ,i may reach unto ,thy sacred ,threshold1 ,o ,my loving ,lord6 ,verily ,thou art the ,merciful1 the ,possessor of great bounty6 ,verily ,thou art the ,generous6 ,verily ,thou art the ,compassionate6 ,verily ,thou art the ,all-,knowing6 ,there is none other ,god save ,thee1 the ,mighty1 the ,powerful6' ,never would the ,pharisees have been emboldened to calumniate ,him and charge ,him with that grievous sin1 but for their ignorance of the inner core of mysteries and the fact that they paid no heed to ,his splendours and regarded not ,his proofs4 ,else would they have acknowledged ,his words1 and borne witness to the verses ,he revealed1 confessed the truth of ,his utterances1 sought shelter under the protective shadow of ,his banner1 learned of ,his signs and tokens1 and rejoiced in ,his blissful tidings4 ,know thou that the ,divine ,essence1 which is called the ,invisible of the ,invisibles1 never to be described1 beyond the reach of mind--is sanctified above any mention1 any definition or hint or allusion1 any acclamation or praise4 ,in the sense that ,it is that ,it is1 the intellect can never grasp ,it1 and the soul seeking knowledge of ,it is but a wanderer in the desert1 and far astray4 #8,no vision taketh in ,him1 but ,he taketh in all vision3 ,he is the ,subtile1 the ,all-,informed4'7#ah7 ,when1 however1 thou dost contemplate the innermost essence of all things1 and the individuality of each1 thou wilt behold the signs of thy ,lord's mercy in every created thing1 and see the spreading rays of ,his ,names and ,attributes throughout all the realm of being1 with evidences which none will deny save the froward and the unaware4 ,then wilt thou observe that the universe is a scroll that discloseth ,his hidden secrets1 which are preserved in the well-guarded ,tablet4 ,and not an atom of all the atoms in existence1 not a creature from amongst the creatures but speaketh ,his praise and telleth of ,his attributes and names1 revealeth the glory of ,his might and guideth to ,his oneness and ,his mercy3 and none will gainsay this who hath ears to hear1 eyes to see1 and a mind that is sound4 ,and whensoever thou dost gaze upon creation all entire1 and dost observe the very atoms thereof1 thou wilt note that the rays of the ,sun of ,truth are shed upon all things and shining within them1 and telling of that ,day-,star's splendours1 ,its mysteries1 and the spreading of ,its lights4 ,look thou upon the trees1 upon the blossoms and fruits1 even upon the stones4 ,here too wilt thou behold the ,sun's rays shed upon them1 clearly visible within them1 and manifested by them4 ,shouldst thou1 however1 turn thy gaze unto a ,mirror1 brilliant1 stainless1 and pure1 wherein the divine ,beauty is reflected1 therein wilt thou find the ,sun shining with ,its rays1 ,its heat1 ,its disc1 ,its fair form all entire4 ,for each separate entity possesseth its allotted portion of the solar light and telleth of the ,sun1 but that ,universal ,reality in all ,its splendour1 that stainless ,mirror ,whose qualities are appropriate to the qualities of the ,sun revealed within ,it--expresseth in their entirety the attributes of the ,source of ,glory4 ,and that ,universal ,reality is ,man1 the divine ,being1 the ,essence that abideth forever4 #8,say1 ,call upon ,god1 or call upon the ,all-,merciful2 whichsoever ye call upon1 most beauteous are ,his ,names4'7#ai7 ,this is the meaning of the ,messiah's words1 that the ,father is in the ,son47#bj7 ,dost thou not see that should a stainless mirror proclaim1 #8,verily is the sun ashine within me1 together with all its qualities1 tokens and signs'1 such an utterance by such a mirror would be neither deceptive nor false8 ,no1 by the ,one ,who created ,it1 shaped ,it1 fashioned ,it1 and made ,it to be an entity conformable to the attributes of the glory within ,it6 ,praised be ,he ,who created ,it6 ,praised be ,he ,who fashioned ,it6 ,praised be ,he ,who made ,it manifest6 ,such were the words uttered by ,christ4 ,on account of these words they cavilled at and assailed ,him when ,he said unto them1 #8,verily the ,son is in the ,father1 and the ,father is in the ,son4'7#ba7 ,be thou informed of this1 and learn thou the secrets of thy ,lord4 ,as for the deniers1 they are veiled from ,god3 they see not1 they hear not1 neither do they understand4 #8,leave them to entertain themselves with their cavillings4'7#bb7 ,abandon them to their wanderings along river beds where no stream flows4 ,like grazing beasts they cannot tell paste from pearl4 ,are they not shut away from the mysteries of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful8 ,for thy part1 rejoice at this best of all glad tidings1 and rise up to exalt the ,word of ,god and to spread abroad ,his sweet savours in all that vast and mighty land4 ,know thou of a certainty that thy ,lord will come to thine aid with a company of the ,concourse on high and hosts of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,these will mount the attack1 and will furiously assail the forces of the ignorant1 the blind4 ,erelong wilt thou behold the flush of daybreak spreading from out the ,most ,exalted ,realm1 and the morn encompassing all regions4 ,it will put the dark to flight1 and the gloom of night will fade and pass1 and the bright brow of the ,faith shine forth1 and the ,day-,star rise and overspread the world4 ,on that day will the faithful rejoice1 and the steadfast be blissful2 then will the slanderers take themselves off1 and the waverers be blotted out1 even as deepest shadows fall away at the first light of the breaking dawn4 ,greetings be unto thee1 and praise4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,this is ,thy radiant servant1 ,thy spiritual thrall1 who hath drawn nigh unto ,thee and approached ,thy presence4 ,he hath turned his face unto ,thine1 acknowledging ,thy oneness1 confessing ,thy singleness1 and he hath called out in ,thy name among the nations1 and led the people to the streaming waters of ,thy mercy1 ,o ,thou ,most generous ,lord6 ,to those who asked ,he hath given to drink from the cup of guidance that brimmeth over with the wine of ,thy measureless grace4 ,o ,lord1 assist him under all conditions1 cause him to learn ,thy well-guarded mysteries1 and shower down upon him ,thy hidden pearls4 ,make of him a banner rippling from castle summits in the winds of ,thy heavenly aid1 make of him a wellspring of crystal waters4 ,o my forgiving ,lord6 ,light up the hearts with the rays of a lamp that sheddeth abroad its beams1 disclosing to those among ,thy people whom ,thou hast bounteously favoured1 the realities of all things4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,protector1 the ,strong1 the ,beneficent6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,lord of all mercies6 #bj3 ,,when ,,christ ,,appeared1 ,,twenty ,,centuries ,,ago1 ,,although 444 7#bc7,when ,christ appeared1 twenty centuries ago1 although the ,jews were eagerly awaiting ,his ,coming1 and prayed every day1 with tears1 saying3 #8,o ,god1 hasten the ,revelation of the ,messiah1' yet when the ,sun of ,truth dawned1 they denied ,him and rose against ,him with the greatest enmity1 and eventually crucified that divine ,spirit1 the ,word of ,god1 and named ,him ,beelzebub1 the evil one1 as is recorded in the ,gospel4 ,the reason for this was that they said3 #8,the ,revelation of ,christ1 according to the clear text of the ,torah1 will be attested by certain signs1 and so long as these signs have not appeared1 whoso layeth claim to be a ,messiah is an impostor4 ,among these signs is this1 that the ,messiah should come from an unknown place1 yet we all know this man's house in ,nazareth1 and can any good thing come out of ,nazareth8 ,the second sign is that ,he shall rule with a rod of iron1 that is1 ,he must act with the sword1 but this ,messiah has not even a wooden staff4 ,another of the conditions and signs is this3 ,he must sit upon the throne of ,david and establish ,david's sovereignty4 ,now1 far from being enthroned1 this man has not even a mat to sit on4 ,another of the conditions is this3 the promulgation of all the laws of the ,torah2 yet this man has abrogated these laws1 and has even broken the sabbath day1 although it is the clear text of the ,torah that whosoever layeth claim to prophethood and revealeth miracles and breaketh the sabbath day1 must be put to death4 ,another of the signs is this1 that in ,his reign justice will be so advanced that righteousness and well-doing will extend from the human even to the animal world--the snake and the mouse will share one hole1 and the eagle and the partridge one nest1 the lion and the gazelle shall dwell in one pasture1 and the wolf and the kid shall drink from one fountain4 ,yet now1 injustice and tyranny have waxed so great in ,his time that they have crucified ,him6 ,another of the conditions is this1 that in the days of the ,messiah the ,jews will prosper and triumph over all the peoples of the world1 but now they are living in the utmost abasement and servitude in the empire of the ,romans4 ,then how can this be the ,messiah promised in the ,torah8' ,in this wise did they object to that ,sun of ,truth1 although that ,spirit of ,god was indeed the ,one promised in the ,torah4 ,but as they did not understand the meaning of these signs1 they crucified the ,word of ,god4 ,now the ,bah's hold that the recorded signs did come to pass in the ,manifestation of ,christ1 although not in the sense which the ,jews understood1 the description in the ,torah being allegorical4 ,for instance1 among the signs is that of sovereignty4 ,for ,bah's say that the sovereignty of ,christ was a heavenly1 divine1 everlasting sovereignty1 not a ,napoleonic sovereignty that vanisheth in a short time4 ,for well nigh two thousand years this sovereignty of ,christ hath been established1 and until now it endureth1 and to all eternity that ,holy ,being will be exalted upon an everlasting throne4 ,in like manner all the other signs have been made manifest1 but the ,jews did not understand4 ,although nearly twenty centuries have elapsed since ,christ appeared with divine splendour1 yet the ,jews are still awaiting the coming of the ,messiah and regard themselves as true and ,christ as false4 #ba3 ,o ,,thou ,,distinguished ,,personage1 ,,thou ,,seeker ,,after 444 ,o thou distinguished personage1 thou seeker after truth6 ,thy letter of #d ,april #aiba1 hath been read with love4 ,the existence of the ,divine ,being hath been clearly established1 on the basis of logical proofs1 but the reality of the ,godhead is beyond the grasp of the mind4 ,when thou dost carefully consider this matter1 thou wilt see that a lower plane can never comprehend a higher4 ,the mineral kingdom1 for example1 which is lower1 is precluded from comprehending the vegetable kingdom2 for the mineral1 any such understanding would be utterly impossible4 ,in the same way1 no matter how far the vegetable kingdom may develop1 it will achieve no conception of the animal kingdom1 and any such comprehension at its level would be unthinkable1 for the animal occupieth a plane higher than that of the vegetable3 this tree cannot conceive of hearing and sight4 ,and the animal kingdom1 no matter how far it may evolve1 can never become aware of the reality of the intellect1 which discovereth the inner essence of all things1 and comprehendeth those realities which cannot be seen2 for the human plane as compared with that of the animal is very high4 ,and although these beings all co-exist in the contingent world1 in each case the difference in their stations precludeth their grasp of the whole2 for no lower degree can understand a higher1 such comprehension being impossible4 ,the higher plane1 however1 understandeth the lower4 ,the animal1 for instance1 comprehendeth the mineral and vegetable1 the human understandeth the planes of the animal1 vegetable and mineral4 ,but the mineral cannot possibly understand the realms of man4 ,and notwithstanding the fact that all these entities co-exist in the phenomenal world1 even so1 no lower degree can ever comprehend a higher4 ,then how could it be possible for a contingent reality1 that is1 man1 to understand the nature of that pre-existent ,essence1 the ,divine ,being8 ,the difference in station between man and the ,divine ,reality is thousands upon thousands of times greater than the difference between vegetable and animal4 ,and that which a human being would conjure up in his mind is but the fanciful image of his human condition1 it doth not encompass ,god's reality but rather is encompassed by it4 ,that is1 man graspeth his own illusory conceptions1 but the ,reality of ,divinity can never be grasped3 ,it1 ,itself1 encompasseth all created things1 and all created things are in ,its grasp4 ,that ,divinity which man doth imagine for himself existeth only in his mind1 not in truth4 ,man1 however1 existeth both in his mind and in truth2 thus man is greater than that fanciful reality which he is able to imagine4 ,the furthermost limits of this bird of clay are these3 he can flutter along for some short distance1 into the endless vast2 but he can never soar upward to the ,sun in the high heavens4 ,we must1 nevertheless1 set forth reasoned or inspired proofs as to the existence of the ,divine ,being1 that is1 proofs commensurate with the understanding of man4 ,it is obvious that all created things are connected one to another by a linkage complete and perfect1 even1 for example1 as are the members of the human body4 ,note how all the members and component parts of the human body are connected one to another4 ,in the same way1 all the members of this endless universe are linked one to another4 ,the foot and the step1 for example1 are connected to the ear and the eye2 the eye must look ahead before the step is taken4 ,the ear must hear before the eye will carefully observe4 ,and whatever member of the human body is deficient1 produceth a deficiency in the other members4 ,the brain is connected with the heart and stomach1 the lungs are connected with all the members4 ,so is it with the other members of the body4 ,and each one of these members hath its own special function4 ,the mind force--whether we call it pre-existent or contingent--doth direct and co-ordinate all the members of the human body1 seeing to it that each part or member duly performeth its own special function4 ,if1 however1 there be some interruption in the power of the mind1 all the members will fail to carry out their essential functions1 deficiencies will appear in the body and the functioning of its members1 and the power will prove ineffective4 ,likewise1 look into this endless universe3 a universal power inevitably existeth1 which encompasseth all1 directing and regulating all the parts of this infinite creation2 and were it not for this ,director1 this ,co-ordinator1 the universe would be flawed and deficient4 ,it would be even as a madman2 whereas ye can see that this endless creation carrieth out its functions in perfect order1 every separate part of it performing its own task with complete reliability1 nor is there any flaw to be found in all its workings4 ,thus it is clear that a ,universal ,power existeth1 directing and regulating this infinite universe4 ,every rational mind can grasp this fact4 ,furthermore1 although all created things grow and develop1 yet are they subjected to influences from without4 ,for instance1 the sun giveth heat1 the rain nourisheth1 the wind bringeth life1 so that man can develop and grow4 ,thus it is clear that the human body is under influences from the outside1 and that without those influences man could not grow4 ,and likewise1 those outside influences are subjected to other influences in their turn4 ,for example1 the growth and development of a human being is dependent upon the existence of water1 and water is dependent upon the existence of rain1 and rain is dependent upon the existence of clouds1 and clouds are dependent upon the existence of the sun1 which causeth land and sea to produce vapour1 the condensation of vapour forming the clouds4 ,thus each one of these entities exerteth its influence and is likewise influenced in its turn4 ,inescapably then1 the process leadeth to ,one ,who influenceth all1 and yet is influenced by none1 thus severing the chain4 ,the inner reality of that ,being1 however1 is not known1 although ,his effects are clear and evident4 ,and further1 all created beings are limited1 and this very limitation of all beings proveth the reality of the ,limitless2 for the existence of a limited being denoteth the existence of a ,limitless ,one4 ,to sum it up1 there are many such proofs1 establishing the existence of that ,universal ,reality4 ,and since that ,reality is pre-existent1 ,it is untouched by the conditions that govern phenomena2 for whatever entity is subject to circumstances and the play of events is contingent1 not pre-existent4 ,know then3 that divinity which other communions and peoples have conjured up1 falleth within the scope of their imagination1 and not beyond it1 whereas the reality of the ,godhead is beyond all conceiving4 ,as to the ,holy ,manifestations of ,god1 ,they are the focal points where the signs1 tokens and perfections of that sacred1 pre-existent ,reality appear in all their splendour4 ,they are an eternal grace1 a heavenly glory1 and on ,them dependeth the everlasting life of humankind4 ,to illustrate3 the ,sun of ,truth dwelleth in a sky to which no soul hath any access1 and which no mind can reach1 and ,he is far beyond the comprehension of all creatures4 ,yet the ,holy ,manifestations of ,god are even as a looking-glass1 burnished and without stain1 which gathereth streams of light out of that ,sun1 and then scattereth the glory over the rest of creation4 ,in that polished surface1 the ,sun with all ,its majesty standeth clearly revealed4 ,thus1 should the mirrored ,sun proclaim1 #8,i am the ,sun6' this is but truth2 and should ,it cry1 #8,i am not the ,sun6' this is the truth as well4 ,and although the ,day-,star1 with all ,its glory1 ,its beauty1 ,its perfections1 be clearly visible in that mirror without stain1 still ,it hath not come down from ,its own lofty station in the realms above1 ,it hath not made ,its way into the mirror2 rather doth ,it continue to abide1 as ,it will forever1 in the supernal heights of ,its own holiness4 ,and further1 all the earth's creatures require the bounty of the sun1 for their very existence is dependent upon solar light and heat4 ,should they be deprived of the sun1 they would be wiped out4 ,this is the being with ,god1 as referred to in the ,holy ,books3 man must be with his ,lord4 ,it is clear1 then1 that the essential reality of ,god is revealed in ,his perfections2 and the sun1 with its perfections1 reflected in a mirror1 is a visible thing1 an entity clearly expressing the bounty of ,god4 ,my hope is that thou wilt acquire a perceptive eye1 a hearing ear1 and that the veils will be removed from thy sight4 #bb3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,turning ,,thy ,,face ,,towards ,,god6 444 ,o thou who art turning thy face towards ,god6 ,close thine eyes to all things else1 and open them to the realm of the ,all-,glorious4 ,ask whatsoever thou wishest of ,him alone2 seek whatsoever thou seekest from ,him alone4 ,with a look ,he granteth a hundred thousand hopes1 with a glance ,he healeth a hundred thousand incurable ills1 with a nod ,he layeth balm on every wound1 with a glimpse ,he freeth the hearts from the shackles of grief4 ,he doeth as ,he doeth1 and what recourse have we8 ,he carrieth out ,his ,will1 ,he ordaineth what ,he pleaseth4 ,then better for thee to bow down thy head in submission1 and put thy trust in the ,all-,merciful ,lord4 #bc3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,dost ,,search ,,after ,,truth6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,of 444 ,o thou who dost search after truth6 ,thy letter of #ac ,december #aibj hath come4 ,from the days of ,adam until today1 the religions of ,god have been made manifest1 one following the other1 and each one of them fulfilled its due function1 revived mankind1 and provided education and enlightenment4 ,they freed the people from the darkness of the world of nature and ushered them into the brightness of the ,kingdom4 ,as each succeeding ,faith and ,law became revealed it remained for some centuries a richly fruitful tree and to it was committed the happiness of humankind4 ,however1 as the centuries rolled by1 it aged1 it flourished no more and put forth no fruit1 wherefore was it then made young again4 ,the religion of ,god is one religion1 but it must ever be renewed4 ,moses1 for example1 was sent forth to man and ,he established a ,law1 and the ,children of ,israel1 through that ,mosaic ,law1 were delivered out of their ignorance and came into the light2 they were lifted up from their abjectness and attained to a glory that fadeth not4 ,still1 as the long years wore on1 that radiance passed by1 that splendour set1 that bright day turned to night2 and once that night grew triply dark1 the star of the ,messiah dawned1 so that again a glory lit the world4 ,our meaning is this3 the religion of ,god is one1 and it is the educator of humankind1 but still1 it needs must be made new4 ,when thou dost plant a tree1 its height increaseth day by day4 ,it putteth forth blossoms and leaves and luscious fruits4 ,but after a long time1 it doth grow old1 yielding no fruitage any more4 ,then doth the ,husbandman of ,truth take up the seed from that same tree1 and plant it in a pure soil2 and lo1 there standeth the first tree1 even as it was before4 ,note thou carefully that in this world of being1 all things must ever be made new4 ,look at the material world about thee1 see how it hath now been renewed4 ,the thoughts have changed1 the ways of life have been revised1 the sciences and arts show a new vigour1 discoveries and inventions are new1 perceptions are new4 ,how then could such a vital power as religion--the guarantor of mankind's great advances1 the very means of attaining everlasting life1 the fosterer of infinite excellence1 the light of both worlds--not be made new8 ,this would be incompatible with the grace and loving-kindness of the ,lord4 ,religion1 moreover1 is not a series of beliefs1 a set of customs2 religion is the teachings of the ,lord ,god1 teachings which constitute the very life of humankind1 which urge high thoughts upon the mind1 refine the character1 and lay the groundwork for man's everlasting honour4 ,note thou3 could these fevers in the world of the mind1 these fires of war and hate1 of resentment and malice among the nations1 this aggression of peoples against peoples1 which have destroyed the tranquillity of the whole world ever be made to abate1 except through the living waters of the teachings of ,god8 ,no1 never6 ,and this is clear3 a power above and beyond the powers of nature must needs be brought to bear1 to change this black darkness into light1 and these hatreds and resentments1 grudges and spites1 these endless wrangles and wars1 into fellowship and love amongst all the peoples of the earth4 ,this power is none other than the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit and the mighty inflow of the ,word of ,god4 #bd3 ,o ,,spiritual ,,youth6 ,,praise ,,thou ,,god ,,that ,,thou ,,hast 444 ,o spiritual youth6 ,praise thou ,god that thou hast found thy way into the ,kingdom of ,splendours1 and hast rent asunder the veil of vain imaginings1 and that the core of the inner mystery hath been made known unto thee4 ,this people1 all of them1 have pictured a god in the realm of the mind1 and worship that image which they have made for themselves4 ,and yet that image is comprehended1 the human mind being the comprehender thereof1 and certainly the comprehender is greater than that which lieth within its grasp2 for imagination is but the branch1 while mind is the root2 and certainly the root is greater than the branch4 ,consider then1 how all the peoples of the world are bowing the knee to a fancy of their own contriving1 how they have created a creator within their own minds1 and they call it the ,fashioner of all that is--whereas in truth it is but an illusion4 ,thus are the people worshipping only an error of perception4 ,but that ,essence of ,essences1 that ,invisible of ,invisibles1 is sanctified above all human speculation1 and never to be overtaken by the mind of man4 ,never shall that immemorial ,reality lodge within the compass of a contingent being4 ,his is another realm1 and of that realm no understanding can be won4 ,no access can be gained thereto2 all entry is forbidden there4 ,the utmost one can say is that ,its existence can be proved1 but the conditions of ,its existence are unknown4 ,that such an ,essence doth exist1 the philosophers and learned doctors one and all have understood2 but whenever they tried to learn something of ,its being1 they were left bewildered and dismayed1 and at the end1 despairing1 their hopes in ruins1 they went their way1 out of this life4 ,for to comprehend the state and the inner mystery of that ,essence of ,essences1 that ,most ,secret of ,secrets1 one needs must have another power and other faculties2 and such a power1 such faculties would be more than humankind can bear1 wherefore no word of ,him can come to them4 ,if1 for example1 one be endowed with the senses of hearing1 of taste1 of smell1 of touch--but be deprived of the sense of sight1 it will not be possible for one to gaze about2 for sight cannot be realized through hearing or tasting1 or the sense of smell or touch4 ,in the same way1 with the faculties at man's disposal it is beyond the realm of possibility for him to grasp that unseeable ,reality1 holy and sanctified above all the sceptics' doubts4 ,for this1 other faculties are required1 other senses2 should such powers become available to him1 then could a human being receive some knowledge of that world2 otherwise1 never4 #be3 ,o ,,thou ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,it ,,is ,,recorded ,,in ,,eastern 444 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,it is recorded in eastern histories that ,socrates journeyed to ,palestine and ,syria and there1 from men learned in the things of ,god1 acquired certain spiritual truths2 that when he returned to ,greece1 he promulgated two beliefs3 one1 the unity of ,god1 and the other1 the immortality of the soul after its separation from the body2 that these concepts1 so foreign to their thought1 raised a great commotion among the ,greeks1 until in the end they gave him poison and killed him4 ,and this is authentic2 for the ,greeks believed in many gods1 and ,socrates established the fact that ,god is one1 which obviously was in conflict with ,greek beliefs4 ,the ,founder of monotheism was ,abraham2 it is to ,him that this concept can be traced1 and the belief was current among the ,children of ,israel1 even in the days of ,socrates4 ,the above1 however1 cannot be found in the ,jewish histories2 there are many facts which are not included in ,jewish history4 ,not all the events of the life of ,christ are set forth in the history of ,josephus1 a ,jew1 although it was he who wrote the history of the times of ,christ4 ,one may not1 therefore1 refuse to believe in events of ,christ's day on the grounds that they are not to be found in the history of ,josephus4 ,eastern histories also state that ,hippocrates sojourned for a long time in the town of ,tyre1 and this is a city in ,syria4 #bf3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,seekest ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,heaven6 ,,thy 444 ,o thou who seekest the ,kingdom of ,heaven6 ,thy letter hath been received and its contents noted4 ,the ,holy ,manifestations of ,god possess two stations3 one is the physical station1 and one the spiritual4 ,in other words1 one station is that of a human being1 and one1 of the ,divine ,reality4 ,if the ,manifestations are subjected to tests1 it is in ,their human station only1 not in the splendour of ,their ,divine ,reality4 ,and further1 these tests are such only from the viewpoint of mankind4 ,that is1 to outward seeming1 the human condition of the ,holy ,manifestations is subjected to tests1 and when ,their strength and endurance have by this means been revealed in the plenitude of power1 other men receive instruction therefrom1 and are made aware of how great must be their own steadfastness and endurance under tests and trials4 ,for the ,divine ,educator must teach by word and also by deed1 thus revealing to all the straight pathway of truth4 ,as to my station1 it is that of the servant of ,bah2 #8,abdu'l-,bah1 the visible expression of servitude to the ,threshold of the ,abh ,beauty4 #bg3 ,,in ,,cycles ,,gone ,,by1 ,,each ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,manifestations ,,of 444 ,in cycles gone by1 each one of the ,manifestations of ,god hath had ,his own rank in the world of existence1 and each hath represented a stage in the development of humanity4 ,but the ,manifestation of the ,most ,great ,name--may my life be a sacrifice for ,his loved ones--was an expression of the coming of age1 the maturing of man's inmost reality in this world of being4 ,for the sun is the source and well-spring of light and heat1 the focal point of splendours1 and it compriseth all the perfections that are made manifest by the other stars which have dawned upon the world4 ,make thou an effort that thou mayest take thy place under the sun and receive an abundant share of its dazzling light4 ,in truth do ,i tell thee1 once thou hast attained this station1 thou shalt behold the saints bowing down their heads in all humility before ,him4 ,haste thou to life before death cometh2 haste thou to the spring season before autumn draweth in2 and before illness striketh1 haste thou to healing--that thou mayest become a physician of the spirit who1 with the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit1 healeth all manner of sickness in this famed and glorious age4 #bh3 ,o ,,leaf ,,upon ,,the ,,tree ,,of ,,life6 ,,the ,,tree ,,of ,,life1 ,,of 444 ,o leaf upon the ,tree of ,life6 ,the ,tree of ,life1 of which mention is made in the ,bible1 is ,bah'u'llh1 and the daughters of the ,kingdom are the leaves upon that blessed ,tree4 ,then thank thou ,god that thou hast become related to that ,tree1 and that thou art flourishing1 tender and fresh4 ,the gates of the ,kingdom are opened wide1 and every favoured soul is seated at the banquet table of the ,lord1 receiving his portion of that heavenly feast4 ,praised be ,god1 thou too art present at this table1 taking thy share of the bountiful food of heaven4 ,thou art serving the ,kingdom1 and art well acquainted with the sweet savours of the ,abh ,paradise4 ,then strive thou with all thy might to guide the people1 and eat thou of the bread that hath come down from heaven4 ,for this is the meaning of ,christ's words3 #8,i am the living bread which came down from heaven 444 he that eateth of this bread shall live forever4'7#bd7 #bi3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,captivated ,,by ,,the ,,truth ,,and 444 ,o thou who art captivated by the truth and magnetized by the ,heavenly ,kingdom6 ,thy long letter hath come and it brought great joy1 as it clearly betokened thy strenuous efforts and high purposes4 ,praised be ,god1 thou wishest well to men1 and yearnest after the ,kingdom of ,bah1 and art longing to see the human race press forward4 ,it is my hope that because of these high ideals1 these noble intimations of the heart1 and these tidings of heaven1 thou shalt become so luminous that down all the ages the light of thy love for ,god will shed its glory4 ,thou hast described thyself as a student in the school of spiritual progress4 ,fortunate art thou6 ,if these schools of progress lead to the university of heaven1 then branches of knowledge will be developed whereby humanity will look upon the tablet of existence as a scroll endlessly unfolding2 and all created things will be seen upon that scroll as letters and words4 ,then will the different planes of meaning be learned1 and then within every atom of the universe will be witnessed the signs of the oneness of ,god4 ,then will man hear the cry of the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 and behold the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit coming to succour him4 ,then will he feel such bliss1 such ecstasy1 that the wide world with its vastness will no longer contain him1 and he will set out for the ,kingdom of ,god1 and hurry along to the realm of the spirit4 ,for once a bird hath grown its wings1 it remaineth on the ground no more1 but soareth upward into high heaven--except for those birds that are tied by the leg1 or those whose wings are broken1 or mired down4 ,o thou seeker after truth6 ,the world of the ,kingdom is one world4 ,the only difference is that spring returneth over and over again1 and setteth up a great new commotion throughout all created things4 ,then plain and hillside come alive1 and trees turn delicately green1 and leaves1 blossoms and fruits come forth in beauty1 infinite and tender4 ,wherefore the dispensations of past ages are intimately connected with those that follow them3 indeed1 they are one and the same1 but as the world groweth1 so doth the light1 so doth the downpour of heavenly grace1 and then the ,day-,star shineth out in noonday splendour4 ,o thou seeker after the ,kingdom6 ,every divine ,manifestation is the very life of the world1 and the skilled physician of each ailing soul4 ,the world of man is sick1 and that competent ,physician knoweth the cure1 arising as ,he doth with teachings1 counsels and admonishments that are the remedy for every pain1 the healing balm to every wound4 ,it is certain that the wise physician can diagnose his patient's needs at any season1 and apply the cure4 ,wherefore1 relate thou the ,teachings of the ,abh ,beauty to the urgent needs of this present day1 and thou wilt see that they provide an instant remedy for the ailing body of the world4 ,indeed1 they are the elixir that bringeth eternal health4 ,the treatment ordered by wise physicians of the past1 and by those that follow after1 is not one and the same1 rather doth it depend on what aileth the patient2 and although the remedy may change1 the aim is always to bring the patient back to health4 ,in the dispensations gone before1 the feeble body of the world could not withstand a rigorous or powerful cure4 ,for this reason did ,christ say3 #8,i have yet many things to say unto you1 matters needing to be told1 but ye cannot bear to hear them now4 ,howbeit when that ,comforting ,spirit1 ,whom the ,father will send1 shall come1 ,he will make plain unto you the truth4'7#be7 ,therefore1 in this age of splendours1 teachings once limited to the few are made available to all1 that the mercy of the ,lord may embrace both east and west1 that the oneness of the world of humanity may appear in its full beauty1 and that the dazzling rays of reality may flood the realm of the mind with light4 ,the descent of the ,new ,jerusalem denoteth a heavenly ,law1 that ,law which is the guarantor of human happiness and the effulgence of the world of ,god4 ,emmanuel7#bf7 was indeed the ,herald of the ,second ,coming of ,christ1 and a ,summoner to the pathway of the ,kingdom4 ,it is evident that the ,letter is a member of the ,word1 and this membership in the ,word signifieth that the ,letter is dependent for its value on the ,word1 that is1 it deriveth its grace from the ,word2 it has a spiritual kinship with the ,word1 and is accounted an integral part of the ,word4 ,the ,apostles were even as ,letters1 and ,christ was the essence of the ,word ,itself2 and the meaning of the ,word1 which is grace everlasting1 cast a splendour on those ,letters4 ,again1 since the ,letter is a member of the ,word1 it therefore1 in its inner meaning1 is consonant with the ,word4 ,it is our hope that thou wilt in this day arise to promote that which ,emmanuel foretold4 ,know thou for a certainty that thou wilt succeed in this1 for the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit are continually descending1 and the power of the ,word will exert such an influence that the ,letter shall become the mirror in which the splendid ,sun--the ,word ,itself--will be reflected1 and the grace and glory of the ,word will illumine the whole earth4 ,as for the heavenly ,jerusalem that hath come to rest on the summits of the world1 and ,god's ,holy of ,holies1 ,whose banner is now lifted high1 this comprehendeth within itself all the perfections1 all the knowledge of the dispensations gone before4 ,beyond this1 it heraldeth the oneness of the children of men4 ,it is the flag of universal peace1 the spirit of eternal life2 it is the glory of the perfections of ,god1 the circumambient grace of all existence1 the ornament bedecking all created things1 the source of inner quietude for all humankind4 ,direct thine attention to the holy ,tablets2 read thou the ,ishrqt1 ,tajallyyt1 the ,words of ,paradise1 the ,glad ,tidings1 the ,tarazt1 the ,most ,holy ,book4 ,then wilt thou see that today these heavenly ,teachings are the remedy for a sick and suffering world1 and a healing balm for the sores on the body of mankind4 ,they are the spirit of life1 the ark of salvation1 the magnet to draw down eternal glory1 the dynamic power to motivate the inner self of man4 #cj3 ,,existence ,,is ,,of ,,two ,,kinds3 ,,one ,,is ,,the ,,existence ,,of 444 ,existence is of two kinds3 one is the existence of ,god which is beyond the comprehension of man4 ,he1 the invisible1 the lofty and the incomprehensible1 is preceded by no cause but rather is the ,originator of the cause of causes4 ,he1 the ,ancient1 hath had no beginning and is the all-independent4 ,the second kind of existence is the human existence4 ,it is a common existence1 comprehensible to the human mind1 is not ancient1 is dependent and hath a cause to it4 ,the mortal substance does not become eternal and vice versa2 the human kind does not become a ,creator and vice versa4 ,the transformation of the innate substance is impossible4 ,in the world of existence--that which is comprehensible--there are stages of mortality3 the first stage is the mineral world1 next is the vegetable world4 ,in the latter world the mineral doth exist but with a distinctive feature which is the vegetable characteristic4 ,likewise in the animal world1 the mineral and vegetable characteristics are present and in addition the characteristics of the animal world are to be found1 which are the faculties of hearing and of sight4 ,in the human world the characteristics of the mineral1 vegetable and animal worlds are found and in addition that of the human kind1 namely the intellectual characteristic1 which discovereth the realities of things and comprehendeth universal principles4 ,man1 therefore1 on the plane of the contingent world is the most perfect being4 ,by man is meant the perfect individual1 who is like unto a mirror in which the divine perfections are manifested and reflected4 ,but the sun doth not descend from the height of its sanctity to enter into the mirror1 but when the latter is purified and turned towards the ,sun of ,truth1 the perfections of this ,sun1 consisting of light and heat1 are reflected and manifested in that mirror4 ,these souls are the ,divine ,manifestations of ,god4 #ca3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,dear1 ,,and ,,wise6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,dated 444 ,o thou who art dear1 and wise6 ,thy letter dated #bg ,may #aijf hath been received and its contents are most pleasing and have brought great joy4 ,thou didst ask whether this ,cause1 this new and living ,cause1 could take the place of the dead religious rites and ceremonials of ,england2 whether it would be possible1 now that various groups have appeared1 whose members are highly placed divines and theologians1 far superior in their attainments to those of the past1 for this new ,cause so to impress the members of such groups as to gather them and the rest into its all-protecting shade4 ,o thou dear friend6 ,know thou that the distinguished ,individual of every age is endowed according to the perfections of ,his age4 ,that ,individual who in past ages was set above ,his fellows was gifted according to the virtues of ,his time4 ,but in this age of splendours1 this era of ,god1 the pre-eminent ,personage1 the luminous ,orb1 the chosen ,individual will shine out with such perfections and such power as ultimately to dazzle the minds of every community and group4 ,and since such a ,personage is superior to all others in spiritual perfections and heavenly attainments1 and is indeed the focal centre of divine blessings and the pivot of the circle of light1 ,he will encompass all others1 and there is no doubt whatsoever that ,he will shine out with such power as to gather every soul into ,his sheltering shade4 ,when ye consider this matter with care1 it will become apparent that this is according to a universal law1 which one can find at work in all things3 the whole attracteth the part1 and in the circle1 the centre is the pivot of the compasses4 ,ponder thou upon the ,spirit7#bg7 3 because ,he was the focal centre of spiritual power1 the wellspring of divine bounties1 although at the beginning ,he gathered unto ,himself only a very few souls1 later on ,he was able1 because of that all-subduing power that ,he had1 to unite within the sheltering ,tabernacle of ,christendom all the differing sects4 ,compare the present with the past1 and see how great is the difference2 thus canst thou arrive at truth and certitude4 ,the differences among the religions of the world are due to the varying types of minds4 ,so long as the powers of the mind are various1 it is certain that men's judgements and opinions will differ one from another4 ,if1 however1 one single1 universal perceptive power be introduced--a power encompassing all the rest--those differing opinions will merge1 and a spiritual harmony and oneness will become apparent4 ,for example1 when the ,christ was made manifest1 the minds of the various contemporary peoples1 their views1 their emotional attitudes1 whether they were ,romans1 ,greeks1 ,syrians1 ,israelites1 or others1 were at variance with one another4 ,but once ,his universal power was brought to bear1 it gradually succeeded1 after the lapse of three hundred years1 in gathering together all those divergent minds under the protection1 and within the governance1 of one central ,point1 all sharing the same spiritual emotions in their hearts4 ,to use a metaphor1 when an army is placed under various commanders1 each with his own strategy1 they will obviously differ as to battle lines and movements of the troops2 but once the ,supreme ,commander1 who is thoroughly versed in the arts of war1 taketh over1 those other plans will disappear1 for the supremely gifted general will bring the whole army under his control4 ,this is intended only as a metaphor1 not an exact comparison4 ,now if you should say that each and every one of those other generals is highly skilled in the military art1 is thoroughly proficient and experienced1 and therefore will not subject himself to the rule of one individual1 no matter how indescribably great1 your statement is untenable1 for the above situation is demonstrably what cometh to pass1 and there is no doubt thereof whatever4 ,such is the case with the holy ,manifestations of ,god4 ,such in particular is the case with the divine reality of the ,most ,great ,name1 the ,abh ,beauty4 ,when once ,he standeth revealed unto the assembled peoples of the world and appeareth with such comeliness1 such enchantments--alluring as a ,joseph in the ,egypt of the spirit--,he enslaveth all the lovers on earth4 ,as to those souls who are born into this life as ethereal and radiant entities and yet1 on account of their handicaps and trials1 are deprived of great and real advantages1 and leave the world without having lived to the full--certainly this is a cause for grieving4 ,this is the reason why the universal ,manifestations of ,god unveil ,their countenances to man1 and endure every calamity and sore affliction1 and lay down ,their lives as a ransom2 it is to make these very people1 the ready ones1 the ones who have capacity1 to become dawning points of light1 and to bestow upon them the life that fadeth never4 ,this is the true sacrifice3 the offering of oneself1 even as did ,christ1 as a ransom for the life of the world4 ,as to the influence of holy ,beings and the continuance of ,their grace to mankind after ,they have put away ,their human form1 this is1 to ,bah's1 an indisputable fact4 ,indeed1 the flooding grace1 the streaming splendours of the holy ,manifestations appear after ,their ascension from this world4 ,the exaltation of the ,word1 the revelation of the power of ,god1 the conversion of ,god-fearing souls1 the bestowal of everlasting life--it was following the ,messiah's martyrdom that all these were increased and intensified4 ,in the same way1 ever since the ascension of the ,blessed ,beauty1 the bestowals have been more abundant1 the spreading light is brighter1 the tokens of the ,lord's might are more powerful1 the influence of the ,word is much stronger1 and it will not be long before the motion1 the heat1 the brilliance1 the blessings of the ,sun of ,his reality will encompass all the earth4 ,grieve thou not over the slow advance of the ,bah' ,cause in that land4 ,this is but the early dawn4 ,consider how1 with the ,cause of ,christ1 three hundred years had to go by1 before its great influence was made manifest4 ,today1 not sixty years from its birth1 the light of this ,faith hath been shed around the planet4 ,regarding the health society of which thou art a member1 once it cometh under the shelter of this ,faith its influence shall increase a hundredfold4 ,thou dost observe that love among the ,bah's is very great1 and that love is the main thing4 ,just as love's power hath been developed to such a high degree among the ,bah's1 and is far greater than among the people of other religions1 so is it with all else as well2 for love is the ground of all things4 ,regarding the translation of the ,books and ,tablets of the ,blessed ,beauty1 erelong will translations be made into every tongue1 with power1 clarity and grace4 ,at such time as they are translated1 conformably to the originals1 and with power and grace of style1 the splendours of their inner meanings will be shed abroad1 and will illumine the eyes of all mankind4 ,do thy very best to ensure that the translation is in conformity with the original4 ,the ,blessed ,beauty proceeded to ,haifa on many occasions4 ,thou beheldest ,him there1 but thou didst not know ,him at that time4 ,it is my hope that thou wilt attain unto the true meeting with ,him1 which is to behold ,him with the inner1 not the outer eye4 ,the essence of ,bah'u'llh's ,teaching is all-embracing love1 for love includeth every excellence of humankind4 ,it causeth every soul to go forward4 ,it bestoweth on each one1 for a heritage1 immortal life4 ,erelong shalt thou bear witness that ,his celestial ,teachings1 the very glory of reality itself1 shall light up the skies of the world4 ,the brief prayer which thou didst write at the close of thy letter was indeed original1 touching and beautiful4 ,recite thou this prayer at all times4 #cb3 ,o ,,ye ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the ,,lord6 ,,in ,,this ,,century--,,the 444 ,o ye handmaids of the ,lord6 ,in this century--the century of the ,almighty ,lord--the ,day-,star of the ,realms above1 the ,light of ,truth1 shineth in its meridian splendour and its rays illuminate all regions4 ,for this is the age of the ,ancient ,beauty1 the day of the revelation of the might and power of the ,most ,great ,name--may my life be offered up as a sacrifice for ,his loved ones4 ,in the ages to come1 though the ,cause of ,god may rise and grow a hundredfold and the shade of the ,sadratu'l-,muntah shelter all mankind1 yet this present century shall stand unrivalled1 for it hath witnessed the breaking of that ,morn and the rising of that ,sun4 ,this century is1 verily1 the source of ,his ,light and the dayspring of ,his ,revelation4 ,future ages and generations shall behold the diffusion of its radiance and the manifestations of its signs4 ,wherefore1 exert yourselves1 haply ye may obtain your full share and portion of ,his bestowals4 #cc3 ,o ,,servant ,,of ,,god6 ,,we ,,have ,,noted ,,what ,,thou ,,didst 444 ,o servant of ,god6 ,we have noted what thou didst write to ,jinb-i-,ibn-#8,abhar1 and thy question regarding the verse3 #8,whoso layeth claim to a ,revelation direct from ,god1 ere the expiration of a full thousand years1 such a man is assuredly a lying impostor4' ,the meaning of this is that any individual who1 before the expiry of a full thousand years--years known and clearly established by common usage and requiring no interpretation--should lay claim to a ,revelation direct from ,god1 even though he should reveal certain signs1 that man is assuredly false and an impostor4 ,this is not a reference to the ,universal ,manifestation1 for it is clearly set forth in the ,holy ,writings that centuries1 nay thousands of years1 must pass on to completion1 before a ,manifestation like unto this ,manifestation shall appear again4 ,it is possible1 however1 that after the completion of a full thousand years1 certain ,holy ,beings will be empowered to deliver a ,revelation3 this1 however1 will not be through a ,universal ,manifestation4 ,wherefore every day of the cycle of the ,blessed ,beauty is in reality equal to one year1 and every year of it is equal to a thousand years4 ,consider1 for example1 the sun3 its transit from one zodiacal sign to the next occurreth within a short period of time1 yet only after a long period doth it attain the plenitude of its resplendency1 its heat and glory1 in the sign of ,leo4 ,it must first complete one full revolution through the other constellations before it will enter the sign of ,leo again1 to blaze out in its full splendour4 ,in its other stations1 it revealeth not the fullness of its heat and light4 ,the substance is1 that prior to the completion of a thousand years1 no individual may presume to breathe a word4 ,all must consider themselves to be of the order of subjects1 submissive and obedient to the commandments of ,god and the laws of the ,house of ,justice4 ,should any deviate by so much as a needle's point from the decrees of the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 or falter in his compliance therewith1 then is he of the outcast and rejected4 ,as to the cycle of the ,blessed ,beauty--the times of the ,greatest ,name--this is not limited to a thousand or two thousand years4444 ,when it is said that the period of a thousand years beginneth with the ,manifestation of the ,blessed ,beauty and every day thereof is a thousand years1 the intent is a reference to the cycle of the ,blessed ,beauty1 which in this context will extend over many ages into the unborn reaches of time4 #cd3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,serving ,,the ,,world ,,of ,,humanity6 444 ,o thou who art serving the world of humanity6 ,thy letter was received and from its contents we felt exceedingly glad4 ,it was a decisive proof and a brilliant evidence4 ,it is appropriate and befitting that in this illumined age--the age of the progress of the world of humanity--we should be self-sacrificing and should serve the human race4 ,every universal cause is divine and every particular one is temporal4 ,the principles of the divine ,manifestations of ,god were1 therefore1 all-universal and all-inclusive4 ,every imperfect soul is self-centred and thinketh only of his own good4 ,but as his thoughts expand a little he will begin to think of the welfare and comfort of his family4 ,if his ideas still more widen1 his concern will be the felicity of his fellow citizens2 and if still they widen1 he will be thinking of the glory of his land and of his race4 ,but when ideas and views reach the utmost degree of expansion and attain the stage of perfection1 then will he be interested in the exaltation of humankind4 ,he will then be the well-wisher of all men and the seeker of the weal and prosperity of all lands4 ,this is indicative of perfection4 ,thus1 the divine ,manifestations of ,god had a universal and all-inclusive conception4 ,they endeavoured for the sake of everyone's life and engaged in the service of universal education4 ,the area of their aims was not limited--nay1 rather1 it was wide and all-inclusive4 ,therefore1 ye must also be thinking of everyone1 so that mankind may be educated1 character moderated and this world may turn into a ,garden of ,eden4 ,love ye all religions and all races with a love that is true and sincere and show that love through deeds and not through the tongue2 for the latter hath no importance1 as the majority of men are1 in speech1 well-wishers1 while action is the best4 #ce3 ,o ,,army ,,of ,,god6 ,a ,,letter ,,signed ,,jointly ,,by ,,all ,,of 444 ,o army of ,god6 ,a letter signed jointly by all of you hath been received4 ,it was most eloquent and full of flavour1 and reading it was a delight4 ,ye had written of the fasting month4 ,fortunate are ye to have obeyed the commandment of ,god1 and kept this fast during the holy season4 ,for this material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast2 it is a symbol of self-restraint1 the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self1 taking on the characteristics of the spirit1 being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of ,god4 ,your letter also betokened your unity and the closeness of your hearts4 ,it is my hope that the west1 through the boundless grace that ,god is pouring down in this new era1 will become the east1 the dawning-point of the ,sun of ,truth1 and western believers the daysprings of light1 and manifestors of the signs of ,god2 that they will be guarded from the doubts of the heedless and will stay firm and unmoveable in the ,covenant and ,testament2 that they will toil by day and by night until they awaken those who sleep1 and make mindful those who are unaware1 and bring in the outcast to be intimates of the inner circle1 and bestow upon the destitute their portion of eternal grace4 ,let them be heralds of the ,kingdom1 and call out to the denizens of this nether world1 and summon them to enter the realm on high4 ,o army of ,god6 ,today1 in this world1 every people is wandering astray in its own desert1 moving here and there according to the dictates of its fancies and whims1 pursuing its own particular caprice4 ,amongst all the teeming masses of the earth1 only this community of the ,most ,great ,name is free and clear of human schemes and hath no selfish purpose to promote4 ,alone amongst them all1 this people hath arisen with aims purified of self1 following the ,teachings of ,god1 most eagerly toiling and striving toward a single goal3 to turn this nether dust into high heaven1 to make of this world a mirror for the ,kingdom1 to change this world into a different world1 and cause all humankind to adopt the ways of righteousness and a new manner of life4 ,o army of ,god6 ,through the protection and help vouchsafed by the ,blessed ,beauty--may my life be a sacrifice to ,his loved ones--ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye may stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls4 ,should any one of you enter a city1 he should become a centre of attraction by reason of his sincerity1 his faithfulness and love1 his honesty and fidelity1 his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world1 so that the people of that city may cry out and say3 #8,this man is unquestionably a ,bah'1 for his manners1 his behaviour1 his conduct1 his morals1 his nature1 and disposition reflect the attributes of the ,bah's4' ,not until ye attain this station can ye be said to have been faithful to the ,covenant and ,testament of ,god4 ,for ,he hath1 through irrefutable ,texts1 entered into a binding ,covenant with us all1 requiring us to act in accordance with ,his sacred instructions and counsels4 ,o army of ,god6 ,the time hath come for the effects and perfections of the ,most ,great ,name to be made manifest in this excellent age1 so as to establish1 beyond any doubt1 that this era is the era of ,bah'u'llh1 and this age is distinguished above all other ages4 ,o army of ,god6 ,whensoever ye behold a person whose entire attention is directed toward the ,cause of ,god2 whose only aim is this1 to make the ,word of ,god to take effect2 who1 day and night1 with pure intent1 is rendering service to the ,cause2 from whose behaviour not the slightest trace of egotism or private motives is discerned--who1 rather1 wandereth distracted in the wilderness of the love of ,god1 and drinketh only from the cup of the knowledge of ,god1 and is utterly engrossed in spreading the sweet savours of ,god1 and is enamoured of the holy verses of the ,kingdom of ,god--know ye for a certainty that this individual will be supported and reinforced by heaven2 that like unto the morning star1 he will forever gleam brightly out of the skies of eternal grace4 ,but if he show the slightest taint of selfish desires and self love1 his efforts will lead to nothing and he will be destroyed and left hopeless at the last4 ,o army of ,god6 ,praise be to ,god1 ,bah'u'llh hath lifted the chains from off the necks of humankind1 and hath set man free from all that trammelled him1 and told him3 ,ye are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch2 be ye compassionate and kind to all the human race4 ,deal ye with strangers the same as with friends1 cherish ye others just as ye would your own4 ,see foes as friends2 see demons as angels2 give to the tyrant the same great love ye show the loyal and true1 and even as gazelles from the scented cities of ,khat and ,khutn7#bh7 offer up sweet musk to the ravening wolf4 ,be ye a refuge to the fearful2 bring ye rest and peace to the disturbed2 make ye a provision for the destitute2 be a treasury of riches for the poor2 be a healing medicine for those who suffer pain2 be ye doctor and nurse to the ailing2 promote ye friendship1 and honour1 and conciliation1 and devotion to ,god1 in this world of non-existence4 ,o army of ,god6 ,make ye a mighty effort3 perchance ye can flood this earth with light1 that this mud hut1 the world1 may become the ,abh ,paradise4 ,the dark hath taken over1 and the brute traits prevail4 ,this world of man is now an arena for wild beasts1 a field where the ignorant1 the heedless1 seize their chance4 ,the souls of men are ravening wolves and animals with blinded eyes1 they are either deadly poison or useless weeds--all except for a very few who indeed do nurture altruistic aims and plans for the well-being of their fellow men3 but ye must in this matter--that is1 the serving of humankind--lay down your very lives1 and as ye yield yourselves1 rejoice4 ,o army of ,god6 ,the ,exalted ,one1 the ,bb1 gave up ,his life4 ,the ,blessed ,perfection gave up a hundred lives at every breath4 ,he bore calamities4 ,he suffered anguish4 ,he was imprisoned4 ,he was chained4 ,he was made homeless and was banished to distant lands4 ,finally1 then1 ,he lived out ,his days in the ,most ,great ,prison4 ,likewise1 a great multitude of the lovers of ,god who followed this path have tasted the honey of martyrdom and they gave up everything--life1 possessions1 kindred--all they had4 ,how many homes were reduced to rubble2 how many dwellings were broken into and pillaged2 how many a noble building went to the ground2 how many a palace was battered into a tomb4 ,and all this came about that humankind might be illumined1 that ignorance might yield to knowledge1 that men of earth might become men of heaven1 that discord and dissension might be torn out by the roots1 and the ,kingdom of ,peace become established over all the world4 ,strive ye now that this bounty become manifest1 and this best-beloved of all hopes be realized in splendour throughout the community of man4 ,o army of ,god6 ,beware lest ye harm any soul1 or make any heart to sorrow2 lest ye wound any man with your words1 be he known to you or a stranger1 be he friend or foe4 ,pray ye for all2 ask ye that all be blessed1 all be forgiven4 ,beware1 beware1 lest any of you seek vengeance1 even against one who is thirsting for your blood4 ,beware1 beware1 lest ye offend the feelings of another1 even though he be an evil-doer1 and he wish you ill4 ,look ye not upon the creatures1 turn ye to their ,creator4 ,see ye not the never-yielding people1 see but the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,gaze ye not down upon the dust1 gaze upward at the shining sun1 which hath caused every patch of darksome earth to glow with light4 ,o army of ,god6 ,when calamity striketh1 be ye patient and composed4 ,however afflictive your sufferings may be1 stay ye undisturbed1 and with perfect confidence in the abounding grace of ,god1 brave ye the tempest of tribulations and fiery ordeals4 ,last year a number of the unfaithful1 both from within and from without1 both known to us and strangers1 took before the ,suln of ,turkey slanderous charges against these homeless exiles1 bringing against us grave accusations with no basis in fact4 ,the ,government1 conformably with prudence1 determined to look into these charges1 and dispatched a ,commission of ,investigation to this city4 ,it is obvious what an opportunity this afforded our ill-wishers1 and what a storm they unleashed1 all this beyond description by tongue or pen4 ,only one who witnessed it could know what a turmoil they created and what an earthquake of anguish was the result4 ,and notwithstanding this1 the response was to depend utterly upon ,god1 and to remain composed1 confident1 long-suffering1 undisturbed1 to such a degree that a person knowing nothing of the situation would have thought us easy of heart and mind1 perfectly happy1 thriving and at peace4 ,then it came about that the accusers themselves1 those who had made the defamatory charges against us1 joined with the members of the ,commission to investigate the accusations1 so that plaintiffs1 witnesses and judge were all one and the same1 and the conclusion was foregone4 ,nevertheless1 to be fair1 it must be stated that up to now ,his ,majesty the ,suln of ,turkey hath paid no heed to these false charges1 this defamation1 these fables and traducements1 and hath acted with justice4444 ,o ,thou ,provider6 ,thou hast breathed over the friends in the ,west the sweet fragrance of the ,holy ,spirit1 and with the light of divine guidance ,thou hast lit up the western sky4 ,thou hast made those who were once remote to draw near unto ,thyself2 ,thou hast turned strangers into loving friends2 ,thou hast awakened those who slept2 ,thou hast made the heedless mindful4 ,o ,thou ,provider6 ,assist ,thou these noble friends to win ,thy good pleasure1 and make them well-wishers of stranger and friend alike4 ,bring them into the world that abideth forever2 grant them a portion of heavenly grace2 cause them to be true ,bah's1 sincerely of ,god2 save them from outward semblances1 and establish them firmly in the truth4 ,make them signs and tokens of the ,kingdom1 luminous stars above the horizons of this nether life4 ,make them to be a comfort and a solace to humankind and servants to the peace of the world4 ,exhilarate them with the wine of ,thy counsel1 and grant that all of them may tread the path of ,thy commandments4 ,o ,thou ,provider6 ,the dearest wish of this servant of ,thy ,threshold is to behold the friends of east and west in close embrace2 to see all the members of human society gathered with love in a single great assemblage1 even as individual drops of water collected in one mighty sea2 to behold them all as birds in one garden of roses1 as pearls of one ocean1 as leaves of one tree1 as rays of one sun4 ,thou art the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 and ,thou art the ,god of strength1 the ,omnipotent1 the ,all-,seeing4 #cf3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,favoured ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the ,,lord6 ,,the 444 ,o ye two favoured handmaids of the ,lord6 ,the letter from ,mother ,beecher hath been received1 and truly it spoke for you both1 wherefore ,i address the two of you together4 ,this seemeth very good to me1 for ye two pure beings are even as a single precious gem1 ye are two boughs branched from a single tree2 ye both adore the same ,beloved1 ye both are longing for the same resplendent ,sun4 ,my hope is that all the handmaids of ,god in that region will unite like unto the waves of one unending sea2 for although blown about as the wind listeth1 these are separate in themselves1 yet in truth are they all at one with the boundless deep4 ,how good it is if the friends be as close as sheaves of light1 if they stand together side by side in a firm unbroken line4 ,for now have the rays of reality from the ,sun of the world of existence1 united in adoration all the worshippers of this light2 and these rays have1 through infinite grace1 gathered all peoples together within this wide-spreading shelter2 therefore must all souls become as one soul1 and all hearts as one heart4 ,let all be set free from the multiple identities that were born of passion and desire1 and in the oneness of their love for ,god find a new way of life4 ,o ye two handmaids of ,god6 ,now is the time for you to become as bounteous cups that are filled to overflowing1 and even as the reviving gusts that blow from the ,abh ,paradise1 to scatter the fragrance of musk across that land4 ,release yourselves from this world's life1 and at every stage long ye for non-existence2 for when the ray returneth to the sun1 it is wiped out1 and when the drop cometh to the sea1 it vanisheth1 and when the true lover findeth his ,beloved1 he yieldeth up his soul4 ,until a being setteth his foot in the plane of sacrifice1 he is bereft of every favour and grace2 and this plane of sacrifice is the realm of dying to the self1 that the radiance of the living ,god may then shine forth4 ,the martyr's field is the place of detachment from self1 that the anthems of eternity may be upraised4 ,do all ye can to become wholly weary of self1 and bind yourselves to that ,countenance of ,splendours2 and once ye have reached such heights of servitude1 ye will find1 gathered within your shadow1 all created things4 ,this is boundless grace2 this is the highest sovereignty2 this is the life that dieth not4 ,all else save this is at the last but manifest perdition and great loss4 ,praise be to ,god1 the gate of boundless grace is opened wide1 the heavenly table is set1 the servants of the ,merciful and ,his handmaids are present at the feast4 ,strive ye to receive your share of this eternal food1 so that ye shall be loved and cherished in this world and the next4 #cg3 ,o ,,ye ,,dear ,,friends ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 ,a ,,blessed ,,letter 444 ,o ye dear friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,a blessed letter hath been received from you1 telling of the election of a ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,it hath rejoiced my heart to know that1 ,god be praised1 the friends in that area1 with absolute unity1 fellowship and love1 have held this new election and were successful in voting for souls who are sanctified1 are favoured at the ,holy ,threshold and are well known amongst the friends to be staunch and firm in the ,covenant4 ,now must those elected representatives arise to serve with spirituality and joy1 with purity of intent1 with strong attraction to the fragrances of the ,almighty1 and well supported by the ,holy ,spirit4 ,let them raise up the banner of guidance1 and as soldiers of the ,company on high1 let them exalt ,god's ,word1 spread abroad ,his sweet savours1 educate the souls of men1 and promote the ,most ,great ,peace4 ,truly1 blessed souls have been elected4 ,the moment ,i read their names1 ,i felt a thrill of spiritual joy to know that1 praised be ,god1 persons have been raised up in that country who are servants of the ,kingdom1 and ready to lay down their lives for ,him ,who hath neither likeness nor peer4 ,o ye dear friends of mine6 ,light up this ,assembly with the splendour of ,god's love4 ,make it ring out with the joyous music of the hallowed spheres1 make it thrive on those foods that are served at the ,lord's ,supper1 at the heavenly banquet table of ,god4 ,come ye together in gladness unalloyed1 and at the beginning of the meeting1 recite ye this prayer3 ,o ,thou ,lord of the ,kingdom6 ,though our bodies be gathered here together1 yet our spellbound hearts are carried away by ,thy love1 and yet are we transported by the rays of ,thy resplendent face4 ,weak though we be1 we await the revelations of ,thy might and power4 ,poor though we be1 with neither goods nor means1 still take we riches from the treasures of ,thy ,kingdom4 ,drops though we be1 still do we draw from out ,thy ocean deeps4 ,motes though we be1 still do we gleam in the glory of ,thy splendid ,sun4 ,o ,thou our ,provider6 ,send down ,thine aid1 that each one gathered here may become a lighted candle1 each one a centre of attraction1 each one a summoner to ,thy heavenly realms1 till at last we make this nether world the mirror image of ,thy ,paradise4 ,o ye dear friends of mine6 ,it is incumbent upon the assemblies of those regions to be connected one with another and to correspond with one another1 and also to communicate with the assemblies of the east1 thus to become agencies for union throughout the world4 ,o ye spiritual friends6 ,such must be your constancy that should the evil-wishers put every believer to death and only one remain1 that one1 singly and alone1 will withstand all the peoples of the earth1 and will go on scattering far and wide the sweet and holy fragrances of ,god4 ,wherefore1 should any fearsome news1 any word of terrifying events1 reach you from the ,holy ,land1 see to it that ye waver not1 be ye not stricken by grief1 be ye not shaken4 ,rather1 rise ye up instantly1 with iron resolve1 and serve ye the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,this ,servant of the ,lord's ,threshold hath been in peril at all times4 ,he is in peril now4 ,at no time have ,i had any hope of safety1 and my dearest wish is this3 to drink of the martyr's bounteous and brim-full cup1 and die on the field of sacrifice1 delighting in that wine which is the most precious of ,god's gifts4 ,this is my highest hope1 this my most vehement desire4 ,we hear that the ,tablets of ,ishrqt 7,splendours71 ,tarazt 7,ornaments71 ,bishrt 7,glad ,tidings71 ,tajallyyt 7,effulgences71 and ,kalmt 7,words of ,paradise7 have been translated and published in those regions4 ,in these ,tablets will ye have a model of how to be and how to live4 #ch3 ,o ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god1 ,,who ,,tremblest ,,even ,,as ,a ,,fresh 444 ,o handmaid of ,god1 who tremblest even as a fresh and tender branch in the winds of the love of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter1 which telleth of thine abundant love1 thine intense devotion1 and of thy being occupied with the remembrance of thy ,lord4 ,depend thou upon ,god4 ,forsake thine own will and cling to ,his1 set aside thine own desires and lay hold of ,his1 that thou mayest become an example1 holy1 spiritual1 and of the ,kingdom1 unto ,his handmaids4 ,know thou1 ,o handmaid1 that in the sight of ,bah1 women are accounted the same as men1 and ,god hath created all humankind in ,his own image1 and after ,his own likeness4 ,that is1 men and women alike are the revealers of ,his names and attributes1 and from the spiritual viewpoint there is no difference between them4 ,whosoever draweth nearer to ,god1 that one is the most favoured1 whether man or woman4 ,how many a handmaid1 ardent and devoted1 hath1 within the sheltering shade of ,bah1 proved superior to the men1 and surpassed the famous of the earth4 ,the ,house of ,justice1 however1 according to the explicit text of the ,law of ,god1 is confined to men2 this for a wisdom of the ,lord ,god's1 which will erelong be made manifest as clearly as the sun at high noon4 ,as to you1 ,o ye other handmaids who are enamoured of the heavenly fragrances1 arrange ye holy gatherings1 and found ye ,spiritual ,assemblies1 for these are the basis for spreading the sweet savours of ,god1 exalting ,his ,word1 uplifting the lamp of ,his grace1 promulgating ,his religion and promoting ,his ,teachings1 and what bounty is there greater than this8 ,these ,spiritual ,assemblies are aided by the ,spirit of ,god4 ,their defender is #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,over them ,he spreadeth ,his wings4 ,what bounty is there greater than this8 ,these ,spiritual ,assemblies are shining lamps and heavenly gardens1 from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions1 and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created things4 ,from them the spirit of life streameth in every direction4 ,they1 indeed1 are the potent sources of the progress of man1 at all times and under all conditions4 ,what bounty is there greater than this8 #ci3 ,o ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,hath ,,been ,,received1 444 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,thy letter hath been received1 bringing its news that an ,assembly hath been established in that city4 ,look ye not upon the fewness of thy numbers1 rather1 seek ye out hearts that are pure4 ,one consecrated soul is preferable to a thousand other souls4 ,if a small number of people gather lovingly together1 with absolute purity and sanctity1 with their hearts free of the world1 experiencing the emotions of the ,kingdom and the powerful magnetic forces of the ,divine1 and being at one in their happy fellowship1 that gathering will exert its influence over all the earth4 ,the nature of that band of people1 the words they speak1 the deeds they do1 will unleash the bestowals of ,heaven1 and provide a foretaste of eternal bliss4 ,the hosts of the ,company on high will defend them1 and the angels of the ,abh ,paradise1 in continuous succession1 will come down to their aid4 ,the meaning of #8angels' is the confirmations of ,god and ,his celestial powers4 ,likewise angels are blessed beings who have severed all ties with this nether world1 have been released from the chains of self and the desires of the flesh1 and anchored their hearts to the heavenly realms of the ,lord4 ,these are of the ,kingdom1 heavenly2 these are of ,god1 spiritual2 these are revealers of ,god's abounding grace2 these are dawning-points of ,his spiritual bestowals4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,praise be to ,him1 thy dear husband hath perceived the sweet scents that blow from the gardens of heaven4 ,now1 as day followeth day1 must thou1 through the love of ,god1 and thine own good actions1 draw him ever closer to the ,faith4 ,those were indeed dire events in ,san ,francisco47#bi7 ,disasters of this kind should serve to awaken the people1 and diminish the love of their hearts for this inconstant world4 ,it is in this nether world that such tragic things take place3 this is the cup that yieldeth bitter wine4 #dj3 ,o ,,ye ,,whom #8,,abdu',l-,,bah ,,loveth6 ,i ,,have ,,read ,,your 444 ,o ye whom #8,abdu'l-,bah loveth6 ,i have read your reports with great joy2 they are of a nature to cheer and refresh the heart and gladden the soul4 ,if this ,assembly1 through the holy breathings of the ,all-,merciful and ,his divine confirmations1 endure and remain fixed and firm1 it shall produce notable results and it shall succeed in enterprises of great moment4 ,the ,spiritual ,assemblies to be established in this ,age of ,god1 this holy century1 have1 it is indisputable1 had neither peer nor likeness in the cycles gone before4 ,for those assemblages that wielded power were based on the support of mighty leaders of men1 while these ,assemblies are based on the support of the ,beauty of ,abh4 ,the defenders and patrons of those other assemblages were either a prince1 or a king1 or a chief priest1 or the mass of the people4 ,but these ,spiritual ,assemblies have for their defender1 their supporter1 their helper1 their inspirer1 the omnipotent ,lord4 ,look ye not upon the present1 fix your gaze upon the times to come4 ,in the beginning1 how small is the seed1 yet in the end it is a mighty tree4 ,look ye not upon the seed1 look ye upon the tree1 and its blossoms1 and its leaves and its fruits4 ,consider the days of ,christ1 when none but a small band followed ,him2 then observe what a mighty tree that seed became1 behold ye its fruitage4 ,and now shall come to pass even greater things than these1 for this is the summons of the ,lord of ,hosts1 this is the trumpet-call of the living ,lord1 this is the anthem of world peace1 this is the standard of righteousness and trust and understanding raised up among all the variegated peoples of the globe2 this is the splendour of the ,sun of ,truth1 this is the holiness of the spirit of ,god ,himself4 ,this most powerful of dispensations will encompass all the earth1 and beneath its banner will all peoples gather and be sheltered together4 ,know then the vital import of this tiny seed that the true ,husbandman hath1 with the hands of ,his mercy1 sown in the ploughed fields of the ,lord1 and watered with the rain of bestowals and bounties and is now nurturing in the heat and light of the ,day-,star of ,truth4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye loved ones of ,god1 offer up thanks unto ,him1 since ,he hath made you the object of such bounties1 and the recipients of such gifts4 ,blessed are ye1 glad tidings to you1 for this abounding grace4 #da3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,steadfast ,,in ,,the ,,covenant1 ,,and 444 ,o thou who art steadfast in the ,covenant1 and staunch6 ,the letter which thou didst write 444 hath been shown to me1 and the opinions expressed therein were most commendable4 ,it is incumbent upon the ,spiritual ,consultative ,assembly of ,new ,york to be in complete agreement with that of ,chicago1 and for these two assemblies of consultation jointly to approve whatever they consider suitable for publication and distribution4 ,following that1 let them send one copy to ,akk1 so that it may also be approved from here1 after which the material will be returned to be published and circulated4 ,the question of co-ordinating and unifying the two ,spiritual ,assemblies1 that of ,chicago and of ,new ,york1 is of the utmost importance1 and once a ,spiritual ,assembly is duly formed in ,washington1 these two ,assemblies should also establish ties of unity with that ,assembly4 ,to sum it up1 it is the desire of the ,lord ,god that the loved ones of ,god and the handmaids of the ,merciful in the ,west should come closer together in harmony and unity as day followeth day1 and until this is accomplished1 the work will never go forward4 ,the ,spiritual ,assemblies are collectively the most effective of all instruments for establishing unity and harmony4 ,this matter is of the utmost importance2 this is the magnet that draweth down the confirmations of ,god4 ,if once the beauty of the unity of the friends--this ,divine ,beloved--be decked in the adornments of the ,abh ,kingdom1 it is certain that within a very short time those countries will become the ,paradise of the ,all-,glorious1 and that out of the west the splendours of unity will cast their bright rays over all the earth4 ,we are striving with heart and soul1 resting neither day nor night1 seeking not a moment's ease1 to make this world of man the mirror of the unity of ,god4 ,then how much more must the beloved of the ,lord reflect that unity8 ,and this cherished hope1 this yearning wish of ours will be visibly fulfilled only on the day when the true friends of ,god arise to carry out the ,teachings of the ,abh ,beauty--may my life be a ransom for ,his lovers6 ,one amongst ,his ,teachings is this1 that love and good faith must so dominate the human heart that men will regard the stranger as a familiar friend1 the malefactor as one of their own1 the alien even as a loved one1 the enemy as a companion dear and close4 ,who killeth them1 him will they call a bestower of life2 who turneth away from them1 him will they regard as turning towards them2 who denieth their message1 him will they consider as one acknowledging its truth4 ,the meaning is that they must treat all humankind even as they treat their sympathizers1 their fellow-believers1 their loved ones and familiar friends4 ,should such a torch light up the world community1 ye will find that the whole earth is sending forth a fragrance1 that it hath become a delightsome paradise1 and the face of it the image of high heaven4 ,then will the whole world be one native land1 its diverse peoples one single kind1 the nations of both east and west one household4 ,it is my hope that such a day will come1 that such a splendour will shine forth1 that such a vision will be unveiled in its full beauty4 #db3 ,o ,,ye ,,co-,,workers ,,who ,,are ,,supported ,,by ,,armies 444 ,o ye co-workers who are supported by armies from the realm of the ,all-,glorious6 ,blessed are ye1 for ye have come together in the sheltering shade of the ,word of ,god1 and have found a refuge in the cave of ,his ,covenant2 ye have brought peace to your hearts by making your home in the ,abh ,paradise1 and are lulled by the gentle winds that blow from their source in ,his loving-kindness2 ye have arisen to serve the ,cause of ,god and to spread ,his religion far and wide1 to promote ,his ,word and to raise high the banners of holiness throughout all those regions4 ,by the life of ,bah6 ,verily will the consummate power of the ,divine ,reality breathe into you the bounties of the ,holy ,spirit1 and aid you to perform an exploit whose like the eye of creation hath never looked upon4 ,o ye ,league of the ,covenant6 ,verily the ,abh ,beauty made a promise to the beloved who are steadfast in the ,covenant1 that ,he would reinforce their strivings with the strongest of supports1 and succour them with ,his triumphant might4 ,erelong shall ye see that your illumined assemblage hath left conspicuous signs and tokens in the hearts and souls of men4 ,hold ye fast to the hem of ,god's garment1 and direct all your efforts toward furthering ,his ,covenant1 and burning ever more brightly with the fire of ,his love1 that your hearts may leap for joy in the breathings of servitude which well out from the breast of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,rally your hearts1 make firm your steps1 trust in the everlasting bounties that will be shed upon you1 one following another from the ,kingdom of ,abh4 ,whensoever ye gather in that radiant assemblage1 know ye that the splendours of ,bah are shining over you4 ,it behoveth you to seek agreement and to be united2 it behoveth you to be in close communion one with the other1 at one both in body and soul1 till ye match the ,pleiades or a string of lustrous pearls4 ,thus will ye be solidly established2 thus will your words prevail1 your star shine out1 and your hearts be comforted4444 ,whenever ye enter the council-chamber1 recite this prayer with a heart throbbing with the love of ,god and a tongue purified from all but ,his remembrance1 that the ,all-,powerful may graciously aid you to achieve supreme victory3 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,we are servants of ,thine that have turned with devotion to ,thy ,holy ,face1 that have detached ourselves from all besides ,thee in this glorious ,day4 ,we have gathered in this ,spiritual ,assembly1 united in our views and thoughts1 with our purposes harmonized to exalt ,thy ,word amidst mankind4 ,o ,lord1 our ,god6 ,make us the signs of ,thy ,divine ,guidance1 the ,standards of ,thine exalted ,faith amongst men1 servants to ,thy mighty ,covenant1 ,o ,thou our ,lord ,most ,high1 manifestations of ,thy ,divine ,unity in ,thine ,abh ,kingdom1 and resplendent stars shining upon all regions4 ,lord6 ,aid us to become seas surging with the billows of ,thy wondrous ,grace1 streams flowing from ,thine all-glorious ,heights1 goodly fruits upon the ,tree of ,thy heavenly ,cause1 trees waving through the breezes of ,thy ,bounty in ,thy celestial ,vineyard4 ,o ,god6 ,make our souls dependent upon the ,verses of ,thy ,divine ,unity1 our hearts cheered with the outpourings of ,thy ,grace1 that we may unite even as the waves of one sea and become merged together as the rays of ,thine effulgent ,light2 that our thoughts1 our views1 our feelings may become as one reality1 manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world4 ,thou art the ,gracious1 the ,bountiful1 the ,bestower1 the ,almighty1 the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate4 #dc3 ,,the ,,prime ,,requisites ,,for ,,them ,,that ,,take ,,counsel 444 ,the prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive1 radiance of spirit1 detachment from all else save ,god1 attraction to ,his ,divine ,fragrances1 humility and lowliness amongst ,his loved ones1 patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to ,his exalted ,threshold4 ,should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes1 victory from the unseen ,kingdom of ,bah shall be vouchsafed to them4 #dd3 ,,the ,,members ,,thereof ,,must ,,take ,,counsel ,,together 444 ,the members thereof7#cj7 must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise4 ,this can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument4 ,should anyone oppose1 he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed4 ,the shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions4 ,if after discussion1 a decision be carried unanimously well and good2 but if1 the ,lord forbid1 differences of opinion should arise1 a majority of voices must prevail4 #de3 ,,the ,,first ,,condition ,,is ,,absolute ,,love ,,and ,,harmony 444 ,the first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the members of the assembly4 ,they must be wholly free from estrangement and must manifest in themselves the ,unity of ,god1 for they are the waves of one sea1 the drops of one river1 the stars of one heaven1 the rays of one sun1 the trees of one orchard1 the flowers of one garden4 ,should harmony of thought and absolute unity be nonexistent1 that gathering shall be dispersed and that assembly be brought to naught4 ,the second condition is that the members of the assembly should unitedly elect a chairman and lay down guide-lines and by-laws for their meetings and discussions4 ,the chairman should have charge of such rules and regulations and protect and enforce them2 the other members should be submissive1 and refrain from conversing on superfluous and extraneous matters4 ,they must1 when coming together1 turn their faces to the ,kingdom on high and ask aid from the ,realm of ,glory4 ,they must then proceed with the utmost devotion1 courtesy1 dignity1 care and moderation to express their views4 ,they must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion1 for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden4 ,the honoured members must with all freedom express their own thoughts1 and it is in no wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another1 nay1 he must with moderation set forth the truth1 and should differences of opinion arise a majority of voices must prevail1 and all must obey and submit to the majority4 ,it is again not permitted that any one of the honoured members object to or censure1 whether in or out of the meeting1 any decision arrived at previously1 though that decision be not right1 for such criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced4 ,in short1 whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of motive1 its result is light1 and should the least trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness4444 ,if this be so regarded1 that assembly shall be of ,god1 but otherwise it shall lead to coolness and alienation that proceed from the ,evil ,one4444 ,should they endeavour to fulfil these conditions the ,grace of the ,holy ,spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them1 and that assembly shall become the centre of the ,divine blessings1 the hosts of ,divine confirmation shall come to their aid1 and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of ,spirit4 #df3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are ,,firm ,,in ,,the ,,covenant6 #8,,abdu',l-,,bah 444 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant6 #8,abdu'l-,bah is constantly engaged in ideal communication with any ,spiritual ,assembly which is instituted through the divine bounty1 and the members of which1 in the utmost devotion1 turn to the divine ,kingdom and are firm in the ,covenant4 ,to them he is whole-heartedly attached and with them he is linked by everlasting ties4 ,thus correspondence with that gathering is sincere1 constant and uninterrupted4 ,at every instant1 ,i beg for you assistance1 bounty1 and a fresh favour and blessing1 so that the confirmations of ,bah'u'llh may1 like unto the sea1 be constantly surging1 the lights of the ,sun of ,truth may shine upon you all and that ye may be confirmed in service1 may become the manifestations of bounty and that each one of you may1 at dawn1 turn unto the ,holy ,land and may experience spiritual emotions with all intensity4 #dg3 ,o ,,ye ,,true ,,friends6 ,,your ,,letter ,,hath ,,been ,,received 444 ,o ye true friends6 ,your letter hath been received and it brought great joy4 ,god be praised1 ye had made ready an entertainment and established the feast which is to be held every nineteen days4 ,whatsoever gathering is arranged with the utmost love1 and where those who attend are turning their faces toward the ,kingdom of ,god1 and where the discourse is of the ,teachings of ,god1 and the effect of which is to cause those present to advance--that gathering is the ,lord's1 and that festive table hath come down from heaven4 ,it is my hope that this feast will be given on one day out of every nineteen1 for it bringeth you closer together2 it is the very well-spring of unity and loving-kindness4 ,ye observe to what a degree the world is in continual turmoil and conflict1 and to what a pass its nations have now come4 ,perchance will the lovers of ,god succeed in upraising the banner of human unity1 so that the one-coloured tabernacle of the ,kingdom of ,heaven will cast its sheltering shadow over all the earth2 that misunderstandings among the world's peoples will vanish away2 that all nations will mingle one with another1 dealing with one another even as the lover with his beloved4 ,it is your duty to be exceedingly kind to every human being1 and to wish him well2 to work for the upliftment of society2 to blow the breath of life into the dead2 to act in accordance with the instructions of ,bah'u'llh and walk ,his path--until ye change the world of man into the world of ,god4 #dh3 ,o ,,ye ,,loyal ,,servants ,,of ,,the ,,ancient ,,beauty6 ,,in ,,every 444 ,o ye loyal servants of the ,ancient ,beauty6 ,in every cycle and dispensation1 the feast hath been favoured and loved1 and the spreading of a table for the lovers of ,god hath been considered a praiseworthy act4 ,this is especially the case today1 in this dispensation beyond compare1 this most generous of ages1 when it is highly acclaimed1 for it is truly accounted among such gatherings as are held to worship and glorify ,god4 ,here the holy verses1 the heavenly odes and laudations are intoned1 and the heart is quickened1 and carried away from itself4 ,the primary intent is to kindle these stirrings of the spirit1 but at the same time it follows quite naturally that those present should partake of food1 so that the world of the body may mirror the spirit's world1 and flesh take on the qualities of soul2 and just as the spiritual delights are here in profusion1 so too the material delights4 ,happy are ye1 to be observing this rule1 with all its mystic meanings1 thus keeping the friends of ,god alert and heedful1 and bringing them peace of mind1 and joy4 #di3 ,,thy ,,letter ,,hath ,,been ,,received4 ,,thou ,,didst ,,write ,,of 444 ,thy letter hath been received4 ,thou didst write of the ,nineteen ,day festivity1 and this rejoiced my heart4 ,these gatherings cause the divine table to descend from heaven1 and draw down the confirmations of the ,all-,merciful4 ,my hope is that the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit will be wafted over them1 and that each one present shall1 in great assemblies1 with an eloquent tongue and a heart flooded with the love of ,god1 set himself to acclaiming the rise of the ,sun of ,truth1 the dawn of the ,day-,star that lighteth all the world4 #ej3 ,,you ,,have ,,asked ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,feast ,,in ,,every ,,bah' 444 ,you have asked as to the feast in every ,bah' month4 ,this feast is held to foster comradeship and love1 to call ,god to mind and supplicate ,him with contrite hearts1 and to encourage benevolent pursuits4 ,that is1 the friends should there dwell upon ,god and glorify ,him1 read the prayers and holy verses1 and treat one another with the utmost affection and love4 #ea3 ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,nineteen ,,day ,,feast1 ,,it ,,rejoiceth ,,mind ,,and 444 ,as to the ,nineteen ,day ,feast1 it rejoiceth mind and heart4 ,if this feast be held in the proper fashion1 the friends will1 once in nineteen days1 find themselves spiritually restored1 and endued with a power that is not of this world4 #eb3 ,o ,,servant ,,of ,,the ,,one ,,true ,,god6 ,,the ,,lord ,,be 444 ,o servant of the ,one true ,god6 ,the ,lord be praised1 the loved ones of ,god are found in every land1 and are1 one and all1 neath the shadow of the ,tree of ,life and under the protection of ,his good providence4 ,his care and loving-kindness surge even as the eternal billows of the sea1 and ,his blessings are continually showered from ,his eternal ,kingdom4 ,ours should be the prayer that ,his blessings may be vouchsafed in still greater abundance1 and ours to hold fast to such means as shall ensure a fuller outpouring of ,his grace and a greater measure of ,his divine assistance4 ,one of the greatest of these means is the spirit of true fellowship and loving communion amongst the friends4 ,remember the saying3 #8,of all pilgrimages the greatest is to relieve the sorrow-laden heart4' #ec3 ,,verily1 #8,,abdu',l-,,bah ,,inhaleth ,,the ,,fragrance ,,of ,,the 444 ,verily1 #8,abdu'l-,bah inhaleth the fragrance of the love of ,god from every meeting place where the ,word of ,god is uttered and proofs and arguments set forth that shed their rays across the world1 and where they recount the tribulations of #8,abdu'l-,bah at the evil hands of those who have violated the ,covenant of ,god4 ,o handmaid of the ,lord6 ,speak thou no word of politics2 thy task concerneth the life of the soul1 for this verily leadeth to man's joy in the world of ,god4 ,except to speak well of them1 make thou no mention of the earth's kings1 and the worldly governments thereof4 ,rather1 confine thine utterance to spreading the blissful tidings of the ,kingdom of ,god1 and demonstrating the influence of the ,word of ,god1 and the holiness of the ,cause of ,god4 ,tell thou of abiding joy and spiritual delights1 and godlike qualities1 and of how the ,sun of ,truth hath risen above the earth's horizons3 tell of the blowing of the spirit of life into the body of the world4 #ed3 ,,ye ,,have ,,written ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,meetings ,,of ,,the ,,friends1 ,,and 444 ,ye have written as to the meetings of the friends1 and how filled they are with peace and joy4 ,of course this is so2 for wherever the spiritually minded are gathered together1 there in ,his beauty reigneth ,bah'u'llh4 ,thus it is certain that such reunions will yield boundless happiness and peace4 ,today it behoveth one and all to forgo the mention of all else1 and to disregard all things4 ,let their speaking1 let their inner state be summed up thus3 #8,keep all my words of prayer and praise confined to one refrain2 make all my life but servitude to ,thee4' ,that is1 let them concentrate all their thoughts1 all their words1 on teaching the ,cause of ,god and spreading the ,faith of ,god1 and inspiring all to characterize themselves with the characteristics of ,god2 on loving mankind2 on being pure and holy in all things1 and spotless in their public and private life2 on being upright and detached1 and fervent1 and afire4 ,all is to be yielded up1 save only the remembrance of ,god2 all is to be dispraised1 except ,his praise4 ,today1 to this melody of the ,company on high1 the world will leap and dance3 #8,glory be to my ,lord1 the ,all-,glorious6' ,but know ye this3 save for this song of ,god1 no song will stir the world1 and save for this nightingale-cry of truth from the ,garden of ,god1 no melody will lure away the heart4 #8,whence cometh this ,singer ,who speaketh the ,beloved's name8' #ee3 ,,it ,,befitteth ,,the ,,friends ,,to ,,hold ,a ,,gathering1 ,a 444 ,it befitteth the friends to hold a gathering1 a meeting1 where they shall glorify ,god and fix their hearts upon ,him1 and read and recite the ,holy ,writings of the ,blessed ,beauty--may my soul be the ransom of ,his lovers6 ,the lights of the ,all-,glorious ,realm1 the rays of the ,supreme ,horizon1 will be cast upon such bright assemblages1 for these are none other than the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkrs1 the ,dawning-,points of ,god's ,remembrance1 which must1 at the direction of the ,most ,exalted ,pen1 be established in every hamlet and city444 ,these spiritual gatherings must be held with the utmost purity and consecration1 so that from the site itself1 and its earth and the air about it1 one will inhale the fragrant breathings of the ,holy ,spirit4 #ef3 ,,whensoever ,a ,,company ,,of ,,people ,,shall ,,gather ,,in ,a 444 ,whensoever a company of people shall gather in a meeting place1 shall engage in glorifying ,god1 and shall speak with one another of the mysteries of ,god1 beyond any doubt the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit will blow gently over them1 and each shall receive a share thereof4 #eg3 ,,we ,,hear ,,that ,,thou ,,hast ,,in ,,mind ,,to ,,embellish ,,thy 444 ,we hear that thou hast in mind to embellish thy house from time to time with a meeting of ,bah's1 where some among them will engage in glorifying the ,all-,glorious ,lord444 ,know that shouldst thou bring this about1 that house of earth will become a house of heaven1 and that fabric of stone a congress of the spirit4 #eh3 ,,thou ,,hast ,,asked ,,about ,,places ,,of ,,worship ,,and ,,the 444 ,thou hast asked about places of worship and the underlying reason therefor4 ,the wisdom in raising up such buildings is that at a given hour1 the people should know it is time to meet1 and all should gather together1 and1 harmoniously attuned one to another1 engage in prayer2 with the result that out of this coming together1 unity and affection shall grow and flourish in the human heart4 #ei3 #8,,abdu',l-,,bah ,,hath ,,long ,,cherished ,,the ,,desire ,,that ,a 444 #8,abdu'l-,bah hath long cherished the desire that a ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr be upraised in that region4 ,praised be ,god1 thanks to the strenuous efforts of the friends1 in recent days the joyful news of this hath been announced4 ,this service is highly acceptable at the ,threshold of ,god1 for the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr inspiriteth the lovers of ,god and delighteth their hearts1 and causeth them to become steadfast and firm4 ,this is a matter of the utmost significance4 ,if the erection of the ,house of ,worship in a public place would arouse the hostility of evil-doers1 then the meeting must1 in every locality1 be held in some hidden place4 ,even in every hamlet1 a place must be set aside as the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 and even though it be underground4 ,now1 praised be ,god1 ye have succeeded in this4 ,engage ye in the remembrance of ,god at dawn2 rise ye up to praise and glorify ,him4 ,blessed are ye1 and joy be yours1 ,o ye the righteous1 for having established the ,dawning-,point of the ,praises of ,god4 ,verily ,i ask of the ,lord that ,he make you standards of salvation and banners of redemption1 rippling high over the valleys and hills4 #fj3 ,,although ,,to ,,outward ,,seeming ,,the ,,mashriqu',l-,,adhk,r 444 ,although to outward seeming the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr is a material structure1 yet it hath a spiritual effect4 ,it forgeth bonds of unity from heart to heart2 it is a collective centre for men's souls4 ,every city in which1 during the days of the ,manifestation1 a temple was raised up1 hath created security and constancy and peace1 for such buildings were given over to the perpetual glorification of ,god1 and only in the remembrance of ,god can the heart find rest4 ,gracious ,god6 ,the edifice of the ,house of ,worship hath a powerful influence on every phase of life4 ,experience hath1 in the east1 clearly shown this to be a fact4 ,even if1 in some small village1 a house was designated as the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 it produced a marked effect2 how much greater would be the impact of one especially raised up4 #fa3 ,o ,,lord1 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,dost ,,bless ,,all ,,those ,,who 444 ,o ,lord1 ,o ,thou ,who dost bless all those who stand firm in the ,covenant by enabling them1 out of their love for the ,light of the ,world1 to expend what they have as an offering to the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 the dayspring of ,thy wide-spread rays and the proclaimer of ,thine evidences1 help ,thou1 both in this world and the world to come1 these righteous these upright and pious ones to draw ever nearer to ,thy sacred ,threshold1 and make bright their faces with ,thy dazzling splendours4 ,verily art ,thou the ,generous1 the ,ever-,bestowing4 #fb3 ,o ,,my ,,well-,,beloved ,,daughter ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 444 ,o my well-beloved daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,the letter thou hadst written to ,dr4 ,esslemont was forwarded by him to the ,land of ,desire ,the ,holy ,land4 ,i read it all through with the greatest attention4 ,on the one hand1 ,i was deeply touched1 for thou hadst sheared off those fair tresses of thine with the shears of detachment from this world and of self-sacrifice in the path of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,and on the other1 ,i was greatly pleased1 for that dearly-beloved daughter hath evinced so great a spirit of self-sacrifice as to offer up so precious a part of her body in the pathway of the ,cause of ,god4 ,hadst thou sought my opinion1 ,i would in no wise have consented that thou shouldst shear off even a single thread of thy comely and wavy locks2 nay1 ,i myself would have contributed in thy name for the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,this deed of thine is1 however1 an eloquent testimony to thy noble spirit of self-sacrifice4 ,thou hast1 verily1 sacrificed thy life and great will be the spiritual results thou shalt obtain4 ,rest thou confident that day by day thou shalt progress and wax greater in firmness and in constancy4 ,the bounties of ,bah'u'llh shall compass thee about and the joyful tidings from on high shall time and again be imparted unto thee4 ,and though it be thine hair that thou hast sacrificed1 yet thou shalt be filled with the ,spirit1 and though it be this perishable member of thy body which thou hast laid down in the path of ,god1 yet thou shalt find the ,divine ,gift1 shalt behold the ,celestial ,beauty1 obtain imperishable glory and attain unto everlasting life4 #fc3 ,o ,,ye ,,blessed ,,souls6 ,,the ,,letter ,,ye ,,had ,,written ,,to 444 ,o ye blessed souls67#ca7 ,the letter ye had written to ,rahmatu'llh hath been perused4 ,many and various were the joyful tidings it conveyed1 namely1 that through the power of faith and constancy in the ,covenant1 numerous gatherings have been convened1 and the loved ones are everywhere astir and active4 #8,abdu'l-,bah's ardent desire hath ever been that the soil of that hallowed spot1 which in the earliest days of the ,cause hath been refreshed and made verdant with the spring showers of grace1 may so bloom and blossom as to fill every heart with joy4 ,praised be the ,lord1 the ,cause of ,god hath been proclaimed and promoted throughout the ,east and the ,west in such wise that no mind had ever conceived that the sweet savours of the ,lord would so rapidly perfume all regions4 ,this1 verily1 is only through the consummate bounties of the ever-blessed ,beauty1 ,whose grace and ,whose triumphing power are time and again abundantly received4 ,one of the wondrous events that has of late come to pass is this1 that the edifice of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr is being raised in the very heart of the ,american continent1 and numerous souls from the surrounding regions are contributing for the erection of this holy ,temple4 ,among these is a highly esteemed lady of the city of ,manchester1 who hath been moved to offer her share4 ,having no portion of goods and earthly riches1 she sheared off with her own hands the fine1 long and precious tresses that adorned her head so gracefully1 and offered them for sale1 that the price thereof might promote the cause of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,consider ye1 that though in the eyes of women nothing is more precious than rich and flowing locks1 yet notwithstanding this1 that highly-honoured lady hath evinced so rare and beautiful a spirit of self-sacrifice4 ,and though this was uncalled for1 and #8,abdu'l-,bah would not have consented to such a deed1 yet as it doth reveal so high and noble a spirit of devotion1 ,he was deeply touched thereby4 ,precious though the hair be in the sight of western women1 nay1 more precious than life itself1 yet she offered it up as a sacrifice for the cause of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr6 ,it is related that once in the days of the ,apostle of ,god7#cb7 ,he signified ,his desire that an army should advance in a certain direction1 and leave was granted unto the faithful to raise contributions for the holy war4 ,among many was one man who gave a thousand camels1 each laden with corn1 another who gave half his substance1 and still another who offered all that he had4 ,but a woman stricken in years1 whose sole possession was a handful of dates1 came to the ,apostle and laid at ,his feet her humble contribution4 ,thereupon the ,prophet of ,god--may my life be offered up as a sacrifice unto ,him--bade that this handful of dates be placed over and above all the contributions that had been gathered1 thus asserting the merit and superiority thereof over all the rest4 ,this was done because that elderly woman had no other earthly possessions but these4 ,and in like manner this esteemed lady had nothing else to contribute but her precious locks1 and these she gloriously sacrificed in the cause of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,ponder and reflect how mighty and potent hath the ,cause of ,god become6 ,a woman of the west hath given her hair for the glory of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,nay1 this is but a lesson unto them that perceive4 ,in conclusion ,i am greatly pleased with the loved ones in ,najaf-bd for1 from the very early dawn of the ,cause unto this day they have one and all under all conditions evinced a great spirit of self-sacrifice4 ,zaynu'l-,muqarrabn hath throughout his lifetime prayed with all the sincerity of his stainless soul on behalf of the believers in ,najaf-bd and implored for them the grace of ,god and ,his divine confirmation4 ,the ,lord be praised that the prayers of this gracious soul have been answered1 for the effects thereof are everywhere manifest4 #fd3 ,,the ,,mashriqu',l-,,adhk,r ,,is ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,most ,,vital 444 ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr is one of the most vital institutions in the world1 and it hath many subsidiary branches4 ,although it is a ,house of ,worship1 it is also connected with a hospital1 a drug dispensary1 a traveller's hospice1 a school for orphans1 and a university for advanced studies4 ,every ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr is connected with these five things4 ,my hope is that the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr will now be established in ,america1 and that gradually the hospital1 the school1 the university1 the dispensary and the hospice1 all functioning according to the most efficient and orderly procedures1 will follow4 ,make these matters known to the beloved of the ,lord1 so that they will understand how very great is the importance of this #8,dawning-,point of the ,remembrance of ,god4' ,the ,temple is not only a place for worship2 rather1 in every respect is it complete and whole4 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,if only thou couldst know what a high station is destined for those souls who are severed from the world1 are powerfully attracted to the ,faith1 and are teaching1 under the sheltering shadow of ,bah'u'llh6 ,how thou wouldst rejoice1 how thou wouldst1 in exultation and rapture1 spread thy wings and soar heavenward--for being a follower of such a way1 and a traveller toward such a ,kingdom4 ,as to the terminology ,i used in my letter1 bidding thee to consecrate thyself to service in the ,cause of ,god1 the meaning of it is this3 limit thy thoughts to teaching the ,faith4 ,act by day and night according to the teachings and counsels and admonitions of ,bah'u'llh4 ,this doth not preclude marriage4 ,thou canst take unto thyself a husband and at the same time serve the ,cause of ,god2 the one doth not preclude the other4 ,know thou the value of these days2 let not this chance escape thee4 ,beg thou ,god to make thee a lighted candle1 so that thou mayest guide a great multitude through this darksome world4 #fe3 ,o ,,thou ,,favoured ,,handmaid ,,of ,,the ,,heavenly ,,kingdom6 444 ,o thou favoured handmaid of the heavenly ,kingdom6 ,thy letter hath been received4 ,it conveyeth high aspirations and noble goals1 saying that thou hast in mind to make a journey to the ,far ,east1 and that thou art ready to endure extreme hardships1 in order to guide the souls1 and to spread far and wide the glad tidings of ,god's ,kingdom4 ,this purpose of thine betokeneth that thou1 dear handmaid of ,god1 dost cherish the very noblest of all aims4 ,when delivering the glad tidings1 speak out and say3 the ,promised ,one of all the world's peoples hath now been made manifest4 ,for each and every people1 and every religion1 await a ,promised ,one1 and ,bah'u'llh is that ,one ,who is awaited by all2 and therefore the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh will bring about the oneness of mankind1 and the tabernacle of unity will be upraised on the heights of the world1 and the banners of the universality of all humankind will be unfurled on the peaks of the earth4 ,when thou dost loose thy tongue to deliver this great good news1 this will become the means of teaching the people4 ,thy projected journey1 however1 is to a very far-away land1 and unless a group of persons be available1 the glad tidings will not take much effect in that place4 ,if ye think best1 travel instead to ,persia1 and on the way back1 go through ,japan and ,china4 ,this would appear to be much better1 and far more enjoyable4 ,in any case1 do whatever seemeth feasible1 and it will be approved4 #ff3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,hast ,,sought ,,illumination ,,from ,,the 444 ,o thou who hast sought illumination from the light of guidance6 ,praise thou ,god that ,he hath directed thee to the light of truth and hath invited thee to enter the ,kingdom of ,abh4 ,thy sight hath been illumined and thy heart hath been turned into a rose garden4 ,i pray for thee that thou mayest ever grow in faith and assurance1 shine like unto a torch in the assemblies and bestow upon them the light of guidance4 ,whenever an illumined assembly of the friends of ,god is gathered1 #8,abdu'l-,bah1 although bodily absent1 is yet present in spirit and in soul4 ,i am always a traveller to ,america and am assuredly associating with spiritual and illumined friends4 ,distance is annihilated and prevents not the close and intimate association of two souls that are closely attached in heart even though they may be in two different countries4 ,i am therefore thy close companion1 attuned and in harmony with thy soul4 #fg3 ,o ,,thou ,,lady ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,sent ,,from 444 ,o thou lady of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter sent from ,new ,york hath been received4 ,its contents imparted joy and gladness for they indicated that with a firm resolve and a pure intention thou hast determined to travel to ,paris1 that thou mayest in that silent city enkindle the fire of the love of ,god and in the midst of that darkness of nature shine like unto a resplendent candle4 ,this journey is highly praiseworthy and suitable4 ,when thou reachest ,paris1 thou must strive1 no matter how small the number of the friends may be1 to institute the assembly of the ,covenant and to vivify the souls through the power of the ,covenant4 ,paris is exceedingly dispirited and is in a state of torpor and so far it hath not burst into flames although the ,french nation is an active and lively one4 ,but the world of nature hath fully stretched its pavilion over ,paris and hath done away with religious sentiments4 ,but this power of the ,covenant shall heat every freezing soul1 shall bestow light upon everything that is dark and shall secure for the captive in the hand of nature the true freedom of the ,kingdom4 ,arise thou at present in ,paris with the power of the ,kingdom1 with a divine confirmation1 with a genuine zeal and ardour and with a flame of the love of ,god4 ,roar like unto a lion and exhibit such ecstasy and love among these few souls that praise and glorification may continuously reach thee from the divine ,kingdom and mighty confirmations may descend upon thee4 ,rest thou assured4 ,if thou dost act accordingly and hoist the standard of the ,covenant1 ,paris shall burst into flame4 ,be constantly attached to and seek always the confirmations of ,bah'u'llh for these turn the drop into a sea and convert the gnat into an eagle4 #fh3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are ,,firm ,,in ,,the ,,covenant ,,and ,,the ,,testament6 444 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant and the ,testament6 ,your letter was received and your blessed names were one by one perused4 ,the contents of the letter were divine inspirations and manifest bounties because they were indicative of the union of the friends and the harmony of all hearts4 ,today the most remarkable favour of ,god centereth around union and harmony among the friends2 so that this unity and concord may be the cause of the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity1 may emancipate the world from this intense darkness of enmity and rancour1 and that the ,sun of ,truth may shine in full and perfect effulgence4 ,today1 all the peoples of the world are indulging in self-interest and exert the utmost effort and endeavour to promote their own material interests4 ,they are worshipping themselves and not the divine reality1 nor the world of mankind4 ,they seek diligently their own benefit and not the common weal4 ,this is because they are captives of the world of nature and unaware of the divine teachings1 of the bounty of the ,kingdom and of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,but ye1 praise be to ,god1 are at present especially favoured with this bounty1 have become of the chosen1 have been informed of the heavenly instructions1 have gained admittance into the ,kingdom of ,god1 have become the recipients of unbounded blessings and have been baptized with the ,water of ,life1 with the fire of the love of ,god and with the ,holy ,spirit4 ,strive1 therefore1 with heart and soul that ye become ignited candles in the assemblage of the world1 glittering stars on the horizon of ,truth and may become the cause of the propagation of the light of the ,kingdom2 in order that the world of humanity may be converted into a divine realm1 the nether world may become the world on high1 the love of ,god and the mercy of the ,lord may raise their canopy upon the apex of the world1 human souls may become the waves of the ocean of truth1 the world of humanity may grow into one blessed tree1 the verses of oneness may be chanted and the melodies of sanctity may reach the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,day and night ,i entreat and supplicate to the ,kingdom of ,god and beg for you infinite assistance and confirmation4 ,do not take into consideration your own aptitudes and capacities1 but fix your gaze on the consummate bounty1 the divine bestowal and the power of the ,holy ,spirit--the power that converteth the drop into a sea and the star into a sun4 ,praise be to ,god1 the hosts of the ,supreme ,concourse secure the victory and the power of the ,kingdom is ready to assist and to support4 ,should ye at every instant unloosen the tongue in thanksgiving and gratitude1 ye would not be able to discharge yourselves of the obligation of gratitude for these bestowals4 ,consider3 eminent personages whose fame hath spread all over the world shall1 erelong1 fade into utter nothingness as the result of their deprivation of this heavenly bounty2 no name and no fame shall they leave behind1 and of them no fruit and trace shall survive4 ,but as the effulgences of the ,sun of ,truth have dawned forth upon you and ye have attained everlasting life1 ye shall shine and sparkle forevermore from the horizon of existence4 ,peter was a fisherman and ,mary ,magdalene a peasant1 but as they were specially favoured with the blessings of ,christ1 the horizon of their faith became illumined1 and down to the present day they are shining from the horizon of everlasting glory4 ,in this station1 merit and capacity are not to be considered2 nay rather1 the resplendent rays of the ,sun of ,truth1 which have illumined these mirrors1 must be taken into account4 ,ye are inviting me to ,america4 ,i am likewise longing to gaze upon those illumined faces and converse and associate with those true friends4 ,but the magnetic power which shall draw me to those shores is the union and harmony of the friends1 their behaviour and conduct in accordance with the teachings of ,god and the firmness of all in the ,covenant and the ,testament4 ,o ,divine ,providence6 ,this assemblage is composed of ,thy friends who are attracted to ,thy beauty and are set ablaze by the fire of ,thy love4 ,turn these souls into heavenly angels1 resuscitate them through the breath of ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 grant them eloquent tongues and resolute hearts1 bestow upon them heavenly power and merciful susceptibilities1 cause them to become the promulgators of the oneness of mankind and the cause of love and concord in the world of humanity1 so that the perilous darkness of ignorant prejudice may vanish through the light of the ,sun of ,truth1 this dreary world may become illumined1 this material realm may absorb the rays of the world of spirit1 these different colours may merge into one colour and the melody of praise may rise to the kingdom of ,thy sanctity4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,omnipotent and the ,almighty6 #fi3 ,,thou ,,hast ,,written ,,concerning ,,organization4 ,,the 444 ,thou hast written concerning organization4 ,the divine teachings and the admonitions and exhortations of ,bah'u'llh are manifestly evident4 ,these constitute the organization of the ,kingdom and their enforcement is obligatory4 ,the least deviation from them is absolute error4 ,thou hast written concerning my travel to ,america4 ,if thou couldst see how the waves of constant occupation are surging thou wouldst have considered that time for travel is absolutely lacking2 in times of fixed residence partial rest is even impossible4 ,god willing1 ,i trust1 through the bounty of ,bah'u'llh1 that as soon as means for the composure of mind and of heart are provided1 ,i shall determine to journey and shall inform thee about it4 #gj3 ,o ,,thou ,,ignited ,,candle6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was ,,received4 ,,its 444 ,o thou ignited candle6 ,thy letter was received4 ,its contents imparted spiritual gladness1 for they were pervaded by spiritual sentiments and indicated the attraction of thy heart1 attachment to the ,kingdom of ,god and love for ,his divine teachings4 ,verily1 thou showest a high endeavour1 hast a pure and sanctified purpose1 wishest naught save the good-pleasure of ,god1 seekest nothing but the attainment of limitless bounties1 and art engaged in the promulgation of divine teachings and the explanation of abstruse metaphysical problems4 ,it is my hope that1 by the favour of ,bah'u'llh1 thou and thy respected wife may daily increase in firmness and steadfastness1 so that in that exalted land ye may become two upraised standards and two resplendent lights4 ,extensive travel in ,october1 to the north1 south1 east and west1 accompanied by that candle of the love of ,god1 ,mrs4 ,maxwell1 would be highly acceptable4 ,my hope is that she may entirely recover2 this beloved handmaid of ,god is like a flame of fire and thinks day and night of nothing save service to ,god4 ,for the present1 travel throughout the northern states1 and in the winter season hasten to the states in the south4 ,your service should consist of eloquent speeches delivered in gatherings wherein ye may promulgate the divine teachings4 ,if possible1 undertake at some time a voyage to the ,hawaiian ,islands4 ,the events which have transpired were all recorded fifty years ago in the ,tablets of ,bah'u'llh--,tablets which have been printed1 published and spread throughout the world4 ,the teachings of ,bah'u'llh are the light of this age and the spirit of this century4 ,expound each of them at every gathering4 ,the first is investigation of truth1 ,the second1 the oneness of mankind1 ,the third1 universal peace1 ,the fourth1 conformity between science and divine revelation1 ,the fifth1 abandonment of racial1 religious1 worldly and political prejudices1 prejudices which destroy the foundation of mankind4 ,the sixth is righteousness and justice1 ,the seventh1 the betterment of morals and heavenly education1 ,the eighth1 the equality of the two sexes1 ,the ninth1 the diffusion of knowledge and education1 ,the tenth1 economic questions1 and so on and so forth4 ,strive that souls may attain unto the light of guidance and hold fast unto the hem of ,bah'u'llh4 ,the letter thou hast enclosed was perused4 ,when man's soul is rarified and cleansed1 spiritual links are established1 and from these bonds sensations felt by the heart are produced4 ,the human heart resembleth a mirror4 ,when this is purified human hearts are attuned and reflect one another1 and thus spiritual emotions are generated4 ,this is like the world of dreams when man is detached from things which are tangible and experienceth those of the spirit4 ,what amazing laws operate1 and what remarkable discoveries are made6 ,and it may even be that detailed communications are registered444 ,finally1 ,i hope that in ,chicago the friends may become united and may illumine that city1 for therein the dawn of the ,cause appeared1 and in this lieth its preference over other cities4 ,therefore it must be held in respect2 perchance it may1 ,god willing1 be freed from all spiritual afflictions1 and may attain unto perfect health and become a centre of the ,covenant and ,testament4 #ga3 ,o ,,thou ,,beloved ,,maidservant ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter 444 ,o thou beloved maidservant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and its contents revealed the fact that the friends1 in perfect energy and vitality are engaged in the propagation of the heavenly teachings4 ,this news hath caused intense joy and gladness4 ,for every era hath a spirit2 the spirit of this illumined era lieth in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,for these lay the foundation of the oneness of the world of humanity and promulgate universal brotherhood4 ,they are founded upon the unity of science and religion and upon investigation of truth4 ,they uphold the principle that religion must be the cause of amity1 union and harmony among men4 ,they establish the equality of both sexes and propound economic principles which are for the happiness of individuals4 ,they diffuse universal education1 that every soul may as much as possible have a share of knowledge4 ,they abrogate and nullify religious1 racial1 political1 patriotic and economic prejudices and the like4 ,those teachings that are scattered throughout the ,epistles and ,tablets are the cause of the illumination and the life of the world of humanity4 ,whoever promulgateth them will verily be assisted by the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the ,president of the ,republic1 ,dr4 ,wilson1 is indeed serving the ,kingdom of ,god for he is restless and strives day and night that the rights of all men may be preserved safe and secure1 that even small nations1 like greater ones1 may dwell in peace and comfort1 under the protection of ,righteousness and ,justice4 ,this purpose is indeed a lofty one4 ,i trust that the incomparable ,providence will assist and confirm such souls under all conditions4 #gb3 ,o ,,thou ,,true ,,friend6 ,,read1 ,,in ,,the ,,school ,,of ,,god1 ,,the 444 ,o thou true friend6 ,read1 in the school of ,god1 the lessons of the spirit1 and learn from love's ,teacher the innermost truths4 ,seek out the secrets of ,heaven1 and tell of the overflowing grace and favour of ,god4 ,although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of mankind1 this is so only on condition that man's river flow into the mighty sea1 and draw from ,god's ancient source ,his inspiration4 ,when this cometh to pass1 then every teacher is as a shoreless ocean1 every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge4 ,if1 then1 the pursuit of knowledge lead to the beauty of ,him ,who is the ,object of all ,knowledge1 how excellent that goal2 but if not1 a mere drop will perhaps shut a man off from flooding grace1 for with learning cometh arrogance and pride1 and it bringeth on error and indifference to ,god4 ,the sciences of today are bridges to reality2 if then they lead not to reality1 naught remains but fruitless illusion4 ,by the one true ,god6 ,if learning be not a means of access to ,him1 the ,most ,manifest1 it is nothing but evident loss4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to acquire the various branches of knowledge1 and to turn thy face toward the beauty of the ,manifest ,beauty1 that thou mayest be a sign of saving guidance amongst the peoples of the world1 and a focal centre of understanding in this sphere from which the wise and their wisdom are shut out1 except for those who set foot in the ,kingdom of lights and become informed of the veiled and hidden mystery1 the well-guarded secret4 #gc3 ,o ,,daughter ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,hath ,,come 444 ,o daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter hath come and its contents make clear the fact that thou hast directed all thy thoughts toward acquiring light from the realms of mystery4 ,so long as the thoughts of an individual are scattered he will achieve no results1 but if his thinking be concentrated on a single point wonderful will be the fruits thereof4 ,one cannot obtain the full force of the sunlight when it is cast on a flat mirror1 but once the sun shineth upon a concave mirror1 or on a lens that is convex1 all its heat will be concentrated on a single point1 and that one point will burn the hottest4 ,thus is it necessary to focus one's thinking on a single point so that it will become an effective force4 ,thou didst wish to celebrate the ,day of ,ridvn with a feast1 and to have those present on that day engage in reciting ,tablets with delight and joy1 and thou didst request me to send thee a letter to be read on that day4 ,my letter is this3 ,o ye beloved1 and ye handmaids of the ,merciful6 ,this is the day when the ,day-,star of ,truth rose over the horizon of life1 and its glory spread1 and its brightness shone out with such power that it clove the dense and high-piled clouds and mounted the skies of the world in all its splendour4 ,hence do ye witness a new stirring throughout all created things4 ,see how1 in this day1 the scope of sciences and arts hath widened out1 and what wondrous technical advances have been made1 and to what a high degree the mind's powers have increased1 and what stupendous inventions have appeared4 ,this age is indeed as a hundred other ages3 should ye gather the yield of a hundred ages1 and set that against the accumulated product of our times1 the yield of this one era will prove greater than that of a hundred gone before4 ,take ye1 for an example1 the sum total of all the books that were ever written in ages past1 and compare that with the books and treatises that our era hath produced3 these books1 written in our day alone1 far and away exceed the total number of volumes that have been written down the ages4 ,see how powerful is the influence exerted by the ,day-,star of the world upon the inner essence of all created things6 ,but alas1 a thousand times alas6 ,the eyes see it not1 the ears are deaf1 and the hearts and minds are oblivious of this supreme bestowal4 ,strive ye then1 with all your hearts and souls1 to awaken those who slumber1 to cause the blind to see1 and the dead to rise4 #gd3 ,o ,,bird ,,that ,,singeth ,,sweetly ,,of ,,the ,,abh ,,beauty6 ,,in 444 ,o bird that singeth sweetly of the ,abh ,beauty6 ,in this new and wondrous dispensation the veils of superstition have been torn asunder and the prejudices of eastern peoples stand condemned4 ,among certain nations of the ,east1 music was considered reprehensible1 but in this new age the ,manifest ,light hath1 in ,his holy ,tablets1 specifically proclaimed that music1 sung or played1 is spiritual food for soul and heart4 ,the musician's art is among those arts worthy of the highest praise1 and it moveth the hearts of all who grieve4 ,wherefore1 ,o thou ,shahnz17#cc7 play and sing out the holy words of ,god with wondrous tones in the gatherings of the friends1 that the listener may be freed from chains of care and sorrow1 and his soul may leap for joy and humble itself in prayer to the realm of ,glory4 #ge3 ,,strive ,,with ,,heart ,,and ,,soul ,,in ,,order ,,to ,,bring ,,about 444 ,strive with heart and soul in order to bring about union and harmony among the white and the black and prove thereby the unity of the ,bah' world wherein distinction of colour findeth no place1 but where hearts only are considered4 ,praise be to ,god1 the hearts of the friends are united and linked together1 whether they be from the east or the west1 from north or from south1 whether they be ,german1 ,french1 ,japanese1 ,american1 and whether they pertain to the white1 the black1 the red1 the yellow or the brown race4 ,variations of colour1 of land and of race are of no importance in the ,bah' ,faith2 on the contrary1 ,bah' unity overcometh them all and doeth away with all these fancies and imaginations4 #gf3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,hast ,,an ,,illumined ,,heart6 ,,thou ,,art ,,even 444 ,o thou who hast an illumined heart6 ,thou art even as the pupil of the eye1 the very wellspring of the light1 for ,god's love hath cast its rays upon thine inmost being and thou hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom of thy ,lord4 ,intense is the hatred1 in ,america1 between black and white1 but my hope is that the power of the ,kingdom will bind these two in friendship1 and serve them as a healing balm4 ,let them look not upon a man's colour but upon his heart4 ,if the heart be filled with light1 that man is nigh unto the threshold of his ,lord2 but if not1 that man is careless of his ,lord1 be he white or be he black4 #gg3 ,o ,,thou ,,revered ,,maidservant ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter 444 ,o thou revered maidservant of ,god6 ,thy letter from ,los ,angeles was received4 ,thank divine ,providence that thou hast been assisted in service and hast been the cause of the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity1 so that the darkness of differences among men may be dissipated1 and the pavilion of the unity of nations may cast its shadow over all regions4 ,without such unity1 rest and comfort1 peace and universal reconciliation are unachievable4 ,this illumined century needeth and calleth for its fulfilment4 ,in every century a particular and central theme is1 in accordance with the requirements of that century1 confirmed by ,god4 ,in this illumined age that which is confirmed is the oneness of the world of humanity4 ,every soul who serveth this oneness will undoubtedly be assisted and confirmed4 ,i hope that in the assemblies thou mayest sing praises with a sweet melody and thus become the cause of joy and gladness to all4 #gh3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,pure ,,in ,,heart1 ,,sanctified ,,in ,,spirit1 444 ,o thou who art pure in heart1 sanctified in spirit1 peerless in character1 beauteous in face6 ,thy photograph hath been received revealing thy physical frame in the utmost grace and the best appearance4 ,thou art dark in countenance and bright in character4 ,thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in colour1 yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world4 ,i have not forgotten nor will ,i forget thee4 ,i beseech ,god that ,he may graciously make thee the sign of ,his bounty amidst mankind1 illumine thy face with the light of such blessings as are vouchsafed by the merciful ,lord1 single thee out for ,his love in this age which is distinguished among all the past ages and centuries4 #gi3 ,o ,,respected ,,personage6 ,i ,,have ,,read ,,your ,,work1 444 ,o respected personage6 ,i have read your work1 ,the ,gospel of ,wealth17#cd7 and noted therein truly apposite and sound recommendations for easing the lot of humankind4 ,to state the matter briefly1 the ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh advocate voluntary sharing1 and this is a greater thing than the equalization of wealth4 ,for equalization must be imposed from without1 while sharing is a matter of free choice4 ,man reacheth perfection through good deeds1 voluntarily performed1 not through good deeds the doing of which was forced upon him4 ,and sharing is a personally chosen righteous act3 that is1 the rich should extend assistance to the poor1 they should expend their substance for the poor1 but of their own free will1 and not because the poor have gained this end by force4 ,for the harvest of force is turmoil and the ruin of the social order4 ,on the other hand voluntary sharing1 the freely-chosen expending of one's substance1 leadeth to society's comfort and peace4 ,it lighteth up the world2 it bestoweth honour upon humankind4 ,i have seen the good effects of your own philanthropy in ,america1 in various universities1 peace gatherings1 and associations for the promotion of learning1 as ,i travelled from city to city4 ,wherefore do ,i pray on your behalf that you shall ever be encompassed by the bounties and blessings of heaven1 and shall perform many philanthropic deeds in ,east and ,west4 ,thus may you gleam as a lighted taper in the ,kingdom of ,god1 may attain honour and everlasting life1 and shine out as a bright star on the horizon of eternity4 #hj3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,turning ,,thy ,,face ,,to ,,god6 ,,thy 444 ,o thou who art turning thy face to ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,from its contents it became known that thy wish is to serve the poor4 ,what wish better than this6 ,those souls who are of the ,kingdom eagerly wish to be of service to the poor1 to sympathize with them1 to show kindness to the miserable and to make their lives fruitful4 ,happy art thou that thou hast such a wish4 ,convey on my behalf to thy two children the utmost kindness and love4 ,their letters have been received but1 as ,i have no time1 separate letters cannot be written at present4 ,show them on my behalf the utmost kindness4 #ha3 ,,those ,,souls ,,who ,,during ,,the ,,war ,,have ,,served ,,the 444 ,those souls who during the war have served the poor and have been in the ,red ,cross ,mission work1 their services are accepted at the ,kingdom of ,god and are the cause of their everlasting life4 ,convey to them these glad tidings4 #hb3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,firm ,,in ,,the ,,covenant1 ,,thy ,,letter 444 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant1 thy letter was received4 ,thou hast exerted a great effort for that prisoner1 perchance it may prove to be fruitful4 ,tell him1 however3 #8,the denizens of the world are confined in the prison of nature--a prison that is continuous and eternal4 ,if thou art at present restrained within the limits of a temporary prison1 be not grieved at this2 my hope is that thou mayest be emancipated from the prison of nature and may attain unto the court of everlasting life4 ,pray to ,god day and night and beg forgiveness and pardon4 ,the omnipotence of ,god shall solve every difficulty4' #hc3 ,,convey ,,on ,,behalf ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah ,,to ,,thy ,,respected 444 ,convey on behalf of #8,abdu'l-,bah to thy respected wife my ,abh greetings1 and say3 #8,kindness1 training and education extended to prisoners is exceedingly important4 ,therefore as thou hast exerted an effort in this1 hast awakened some of them1 and hast been the cause of the turning of their faces to the divine ,kingdom1 this praiseworthy deed is highly acceptable4 ,assuredly persevere4 ,convey on my behalf to the two prisoners in ,san ,quentin the utmost kindness1 and tell them3 #8,that prison in the sight of wise souls is a school of training and development4 ,ye must strive with heart and soul that ye may become renowned in character and knowledge4' #hd3 ,o ,,thou ,,dear ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,hath 444 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,thy letter hath been received1 and its contents were noted4 ,marriage1 among the mass of the people1 is a physical bond1 and this union can only be temporary1 since it is foredoomed to a physical separation at the close4 ,among the people of ,bah1 however1 marriage must be a union of the body and of the spirit as well1 for here both husband and wife are aglow with the same wine1 both are enamoured of the same matchless ,face1 both live and move through the same spirit1 both are illumined by the same glory4 ,this connection between them is a spiritual one1 hence it is a bond that will abide forever4 ,likewise do they enjoy strong and lasting ties in the physical world as well1 for if the marriage is based both on the spirit and the body1 that union is a true one1 hence it will endure4 ,if1 however1 the bond is physical and nothing more1 it is sure to be only temporary1 and must inexorably end in separation4 ,when1 therefore1 the people of ,bah undertake to marry1 the union must be a true relationship1 a spiritual coming together as well as a physical one1 so that throughout every phase of life1 and in all the worlds of ,god1 their union will endure2 for this real oneness is a gleaming out of the love of ,god4 ,in the same way1 when any souls grow to be true believers1 they will attain a spiritual relationship with one another1 and show forth a tenderness which is not of this world4 ,they will1 all of them1 become elated from a draught of divine love1 and that union of theirs1 that connection1 will also abide forever4 ,souls1 that is1 who will consign their own selves to oblivion1 strip from themselves the defects of humankind1 and unchain themselves from human bondage1 will beyond any doubt be illumined with the heavenly splendours of oneness1 and will all attain unto real union in the world that dieth not4 #he3 ,,as ,,for ,,the ,,question ,,regarding ,,marriage ,,under ,,the 444 ,as for the question regarding marriage under the ,law of ,god3 first thou must choose one who is pleasing to thee1 and then the matter is subject to the consent of father and mother4 ,before thou makest thy choice1 they have no right to interfere4 #hf3 ,,bah' ,,marriage ,,is ,,the ,,commitment ,,of ,,the ,,two 444 ,bah' marriage is the commitment of the two parties one to the other1 and their mutual attachment of mind and heart4 ,each must1 however1 exercise the utmost care to become thoroughly acquainted with the character of the other1 that the binding covenant between them may be a tie that will endure forever4 ,their purpose must be this3 to become loving companions and comrades and at one with each other for time and eternity4444 ,the true marriage of ,bah's is this1 that husband and wife should be united both physically and spiritually1 that they may ever improve the spiritual life of each other1 and may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the worlds of ,god4 ,this is ,bah' marriage4 #hg3 ,o ,,thou ,,memento ,,of ,,him ,,who ,,died ,,for ,,the ,,blessed 444 ,o thou memento of him who died for the ,blessed ,beauty6 ,in recent days1 the joyful news of thy marriage to that luminous leaf hath been received1 and hath infinitely gladdened the hearts of the people of ,god4 ,with all humility1 prayers of supplication have been offered at the ,holy ,threshold1 that this marriage may be a harbinger of joy to the friends1 that it may be a loving bond for all eternity1 and yield everlasting benefits and fruits4 ,from separation doth every kind of hurt and harm proceed1 but the union of created things doth ever yield most laudable results4 ,from the pairing of even the smallest particles in the world of being are the grace and bounty of ,god made manifest2 and the higher the degree1 the more momentous is the union4 #8,glory be to ,him ,who hath created all the pairs1 of such things as earth produceth1 and out of men themselves1 and of things beyond their ken4'7#ce7 ,and above all other unions is that between human beings1 especially when it cometh to pass in the love of ,god4 ,thus is the primal oneness made to appear2 thus is laid the foundation of love in the spirit4 ,it is certain that such a marriage as yours will cause the bestowals of ,god to be revealed4 ,wherefore do we offer you felicitations and call down blessings upon you and beg of the ,blessed ,beauty1 through ,his aid and favour1 to make that wedding feast a joy to all and adorn it with the harmony of ,heaven4 ,o my ,lord1 ,o my ,lord6 ,these two bright orbs are wedded in ,thy love1 conjoined in servitude to ,thy ,holy ,threshold1 united in ministering to ,thy ,cause4 ,make ,thou this marriage to be as threading lights of ,thine abounding grace1 ,o my ,lord1 the ,all-,merciful1 and luminous rays of ,thy bestowals1 ,o ,thou the ,beneficent1 the ,ever-,giving1 that there may branch out from this great tree boughs that will grow green and flourishing through the gifts that rain down from ,thy clouds of grace4 ,verily ,thou art the ,generous1 verily ,thou art the ,almighty1 verily ,thou art the ,compassionate1 the ,all-,merciful4 #hh3 ,o ,,ye ,,my ,,two ,,beloved ,,children6 ,,the ,,news ,,of ,,your 444 ,o ye my two beloved children6 ,the news of your union1 as soon as it reached me1 imparted infinite joy and gratitude4 ,praise be to ,god1 those two faithful birds have sought shelter in one nest4 ,i beseech ,god that ,he may enable them to raise an honoured family1 for the importance of marriage lieth in the bringing up of a richly blessed family1 so that with entire gladness they may1 even as candles1 illuminate the world4 ,for the enlightenment of the world dependeth upon the existence of man4 ,if man did not exist in this world1 it would have been like a tree without fruit4 ,my hope is that you both may become even as one tree1 and may1 through the outpourings of the cloud of loving-kindness1 acquire freshness and charm1 and may blossom and yield fruit1 so that your line may eternally endure4 ,upon ye be the ,glory of the ,most ,glorious4 #hi3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,firm ,,in ,,the ,,covenant6 ,,the ,,letter 444 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the letter thou hadst written on #b ,may #aiai was received4 ,praise thou ,god that in tests thou art firm and steadfast and art holding fast to the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,thou art not shaken by any affliction or disturbed by any calamity4 ,not until man is tried doth the pure gold distinctly separate from the dross4 ,torment is the fire of test wherein the pure gold shineth resplendently and the impurity is burned and blackened4 ,at present thou art1 praise be to ,god1 firm and steadfast in tests and trials and art not shaken by them4 ,thy wife is not in harmony with thee1 but praise be to ,god1 the ,blessed ,beauty is pleased with thee and is conferring upon thee the utmost bounty and blessings4 ,but still try to be patient with thy wife1 perchance she may be transformed and her heart may be illumined4 ,the contribution thou hast made for teaching is highly acceptable and it shall be eternally mentioned in the divine ,kingdom for it is the cause of the diffusion of fragrances and the exaltation of the ,word of ,god4 #ij3 ,o ,,god1 ,,my ,,god6 ,,this ,,thy ,,handmaid ,,is ,,calling 444 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,this ,thy handmaid is calling upon ,thee1 trusting in ,thee1 turning her face unto ,thee1 imploring ,thee to shed ,thy heavenly bounties upon her1 and to disclose unto her ,thy spiritual mysteries1 and to cast upon her the lights of ,thy ,godhead4 ,o my ,lord6 ,make the eyes of my husband to see4 ,rejoice ,thou his heart with the light of the knowledge of ,thee1 draw ,thou his mind unto ,thy luminous beauty1 cheer ,thou his spirit by revealing unto him ,thy manifest splendours4 ,o my ,lord6 ,lift ,thou the veil from before his sight4 ,rain down ,thy plenteous bounties upon him1 intoxicate him with the wine of love for ,thee1 make him one of ,thy angels whose feet walk upon this earth even as their souls are soaring through the high heavens4 ,cause him to become a brilliant lamp1 shining out with the light of ,thy wisdom in the midst of ,thy people4 ,verily ,thou art the ,precious1 the ,ever-,bestowing1 the ,open of ,hand4 #ia3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,hast ,,bowed ,,thyself ,,down ,,in ,,prayer 444 ,o thou who hast bowed thyself down in prayer before the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,blessed art thou1 for the beauty of the divine ,countenance hath enraptured thy heart1 and the light of inner wisdom hath filled it full1 and within it shineth the brightness of the ,kingdom4 ,know thou that ,god is with thee under all conditions1 and that ,he guardeth thee from the changes and chances of this world and hath made thee a handmaid in ,his mighty vineyard4444 ,as to thy respected husband3 it is incumbent upon thee to treat him with great kindness1 to consider his wishes and be conciliatory with him at all times1 till he seeth that because thou hast directed thyself toward the ,kingdom of ,god1 thy tenderness for him and thy love for ,god have but increased1 as well as thy concern for his wishes under all conditions4 ,i beg of the ,almighty to keep thee firmly established in ,his love1 and ever shedding abroad the sweet breaths of holiness in all those regions4 #ib3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,believers ,,in ,,god6 ,,the ,,lord1 ,,peerless ,,is 444 ,o ye two believers in ,god6 ,the ,lord1 peerless is ,he1 hath made woman and man to abide with each other in the closest companionship1 and to be even as a single soul4 ,they are two helpmates1 two intimate friends1 who should be concerned about the welfare of each other4 ,if they live thus1 they will pass through this world with perfect contentment1 bliss1 and peace of heart1 and become the object of divine grace and favour in the ,kingdom of heaven4 ,but if they do other than this1 they will live out their lives in great bitterness1 longing at every moment for death1 and will be shamefaced in the heavenly realm4 ,strive1 then1 to abide1 heart and soul1 with each other as two doves in the nest1 for this is to be blessed in both worlds4 #ic3 ,o ,,thou ,,maidservant ,,of ,,god6 ,,every ,,woman ,,who 444 ,o thou maidservant of ,god6 ,every woman who becometh the maidservant of ,god outshineth in glory the empresses of the world1 for she is related to ,god1 and her sovereignty is everlasting1 whereas a handful of dust will obliterate the name and fame of those empresses4 ,in other words1 as soon as they go down to the grave they are reduced to naught4 ,the maidservants of ,god's ,kingdom1 on the other hand1 enjoy eternal sovereignty unaffected by the passing of ages and generations4 ,consider how many empresses have come and gone since the time of ,christ4 ,each was the ruler of a country but now all trace and name of them is lost1 while ,mary ,magdalene1 who was only a peasant and a maidservant of ,god1 still shineth from the horizon of everlasting glory4 ,strive thou1 therefore1 to remain the maidservant of ,god4 ,thou hast praised the ,convention4 ,this ,convention shall acquire great importance in future1 for it is serving the divine ,kingdom and the world of mankind4 ,it promulgateth universal peace and layeth the basis of the oneness of mankind2 it freeth the souls from religious1 racial and worldly prejudices and gathereth them under the shade of the one-coloured pavilion of ,god4 ,praise thou ,god1 therefore1 that thou hast attended such a ,convention and hast listened to the divine ,teachings4 #id3 ,o ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the ,,beauty ,,of ,,abh6 ,,your ,,letter 444 ,o handmaids of the beauty of ,abh6 ,your letter hath come1 and its perusal brought great joy4 ,praised be ,god1 the women believers have organized meetings where they will learn how to teach the ,faith1 will spread the sweet savours of the ,teachings and make plans for training the children4 ,this gathering must be completely spiritual4 ,that is1 the discussions must be confined to marshalling clear and conclusive proofs that the ,sun of ,truth hath indeed arisen4 ,and further1 those present should concern themselves with every means of training the girl children2 with teaching the various branches of knowledge1 good behaviour1 a proper way of life1 the cultivation of a good character1 chastity and constancy1 perseverance1 strength1 determination1 firmness of purpose2 with household management1 the education of children1 and whatever especially applieth to the needs of girls--to the end that these girls1 reared in the stronghold of all perfections1 and with the protection of a goodly character1 will1 when they themselves become mothers1 bring up their children from earliest infancy to have a good character and conduct themselves well4 ,let them also study whatever will nurture the health of the body and its physical soundness1 and how to guard their children from disease4 ,when matters are thus well arranged1 every child will become a peerless plant in the gardens of the ,abh ,paradise4 #ie3 ,o ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the ,,lord6 ,,the ,,spiritual ,,assemblage 444 ,o handmaids of the ,lord6 ,the spiritual assemblage that ye established in that illumined city is most propitious4 ,ye have made great strides2 ye have surpassed the others1 have arisen to serve the ,holy ,threshold1 and have won heavenly bestowals4 ,now with all spiritual zeal must ye gather in that enlightened assemblage and recite the ,holy ,writings and engage in remembering the ,lord4 ,set ye forth ,his arguments and proofs4 ,work ye for the guidance of the women in that land1 teach the young girls and the children1 so that the mothers may educate their little ones from their earliest days1 thoroughly train them1 rear them to have a goodly character and good morals1 guide them to all the virtues of humankind1 prevent the development of any behaviour that would be worthy of blame1 and foster them in the embrace of ,bah' education4 ,thus shall these tender infants be nurtured at the breast of the knowledge of ,god and ,his love4 ,thus shall they grow and flourish1 and be taught righteousness and the dignity of humankind1 resolution and the will to strive and to endure4 ,thus shall they learn perseverance in all things1 the will to advance1 high mindedness and high resolve1 chastity and purity of life4 ,thus shall they be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they undertake4 ,let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of children is of the first importance4 ,let them put forth every effort in this regard1 for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in whatever way ye train it4 ,therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants4 ,let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude1 the fear of ,god1 the love of the ,beloved of the worlds1 and all good qualities and traits4 ,whensoever a mother seeth that her child hath done well1 let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart2 and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself1 let her counsel the child and punish him1 and use means based on reason1 even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary4 ,it is not1 however1 permissible to strike a child1 or vilify him1 for the child's character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse4 #if3 ,o ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the ,,merciful6 ,,render ,,ye ,,thanks 444 ,o handmaids of the ,merciful6 ,render ye thanks unto the ,ancient ,beauty that ye have been raised up and gathered together in this mightiest of centuries1 this most illumined of ages4 ,as befitting thanks for such a bounty1 stand ye staunch and strong in the ,covenant and1 following the precepts of ,god and the holy ,law1 suckle your children from their infancy with the milk of a universal education1 and rear them so that from their earliest days1 within their inmost heart1 their very nature1 a way of life will be firmly established that will conform to the divine ,teachings in all things4 ,for mothers are the first educators1 the first mentors2 and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness1 the future greatness1 the courteous ways and learning and judgement1 the understanding and the faith of their little ones4 #ig3 ,,there ,,are ,,certain ,,pillars ,,which ,,have ,,been ,,established 444 ,there are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable supports of the ,faith of ,god4 ,the mightiest of these is learning and the use of the mind1 the expansion of consciousness1 and insight into the realities of the universe and the hidden mysteries of ,almighty ,god4 ,to promote knowledge is thus an inescapable duty imposed on every one of the friends of ,god4 ,it is incumbent upon that ,spiritual ,assembly1 that assemblage of ,god1 to exert every effort to educate the children1 so that from infancy they will be trained in ,bah' conduct and the ways of ,god1 and will1 even as young plants1 thrive and flourish in the soft-flowing waters that are the counsels and admonitions of the ,blessed ,beauty4 #ih3 ,,were ,,there ,,no ,,educator1 ,,all ,,souls ,,would ,,remain 444 ,were there no educator1 all souls would remain savage1 and were it not for the teacher1 the children would be ignorant creatures4 ,it is for this reason that1 in this new cycle1 education and training are recorded in the ,book of ,god as obligatory and not voluntary4 ,that is1 it is enjoined upon the father and mother1 as a duty1 to strive with all effort to train the daughter and the son1 to nurse them from the breast of knowledge and to rear them in the bosom of sciences and arts4 ,should they neglect this matter1 they shall be held responsible and worthy of reproach in the presence of the stern ,lord4 #ii3 ,,thou ,,didst ,,write ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,children3 ,,from ,,the ,,very 444 ,thou didst write as to the children3 from the very beginning1 the children must receive divine education and must continually be reminded to remember their ,god4 ,let the love of ,god pervade their inmost being1 commingled with their mother's milk4 #ajj3 ,,my ,,wish ,,is ,,that ,,these ,,children ,,should ,,receive ,a 444 ,my wish is that these children should receive a ,bah' education1 so that they may progress both here and in the ,kingdom1 and rejoice thy heart4 ,in a time to come1 morals will degenerate to an extreme degree4 ,it is essential that children be reared in the ,bah' way1 that they may find happiness both in this world and the next4 ,if not1 they shall be beset by sorrows and troubles1 for human happiness is founded upon spiritual behaviour4 #aja3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,have ,,peace ,,of ,,soul6 ,,among ,,the ,,divine 444 ,o ye who have peace of soul6 ,among the divine ,texts as set forth in the ,most ,holy ,book and also in other ,tablets is this3 it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both in good conduct and the study of books2 study1 that is1 to the degree required1 so that no child1 whether girl or boy1 will remain illiterate4 ,should the father fail in his duty he must be compelled to discharge his responsibility1 and should he be unable to comply1 let the ,house of ,justice take over the education of the children2 in no case is a child to be left without an education4 ,this is one of the stringent and inescapable commandments to neglect which would draw down the wrathful indignation of ,almighty ,god4 #ajb3 ,o ,,true ,,companions6 ,,all ,,humankind ,,are ,,as ,,children 444 ,o true companions6 ,all humankind are as children in a school1 and the ,dawning-,points of ,light1 the ,sources of divine revelation1 are the teachers1 wondrous and without peer4 ,in the school of realities they educate these sons and daughters1 according to teachings from ,god1 and foster them in the bosom of grace1 so that they may develop along every line1 show forth the excellent gifts and blessings of the ,lord1 and combine human perfections2 that they may advance in all aspects of human endeavour1 whether outward or inward1 hidden or visible1 material or spiritual1 until they make of this mortal world a widespread mirror1 to reflect that other world which dieth not4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,because1 in this most momentous of ages1 the ,sun of ,truth hath risen at the highest point of the spring equinox1 and cast its rays on every clime1 it shall kindle such tremulous excitement1 it shall release such vibrations in the world of being1 it shall stimulate such growth and development1 it shall stream out with such a glory of light1 and clouds of grace shall pour down such plentiful waters1 and fields and plains shall teem with such a galaxy of sweet-smelling plants and blooms1 that this lowly earth will become the ,abh ,kingdom1 and this nether world the world above4 ,then will this fleck of dust be as the vast circle of the skies1 this human place the palace-court of ,god1 this spot of clay the dayspring of the endless favours of the ,lord of ,lords4 ,wherefore1 ,o loved ones of ,god6 ,make ye a mighty effort till you yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations1 and become focal centres of ,god's blessings1 daysprings of the light of ,his unity1 promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life4 ,be ye in that land vanguards of the perfections of humankind2 carry forward the various branches of knowledge1 be active and progressive in the field of inventions and the arts4 ,endeavour to rectify the conduct of men1 and seek to excel the whole world in moral character4 ,while the children are yet in their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace1 foster them in the cradle of all excellence1 rear them in the embrace of bounty4 ,give them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge4 ,let them share in every new and rare and wondrous craft and art4 ,bring them up to work and strive1 and accustom them to hardship4 ,teach them to dedicate their lives to matters of great import1 and inspire them to undertake studies that will benefit mankind4 #ajc3 ,,the ,,education ,,and ,,training ,,of ,,children ,,is ,,among 444 ,the education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts of humankind and draweth down the grace and favour of the ,all-,merciful1 for education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and alloweth man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory4 ,if a child be trained from his infancy1 he will1 through the loving care of the ,holy ,gardener1 drink in the crystal waters of the spirit and of knowledge1 like a young tree amid the rilling brooks4 ,and certainly he will gather to himself the bright rays of the ,sun of ,truth1 and through its light and heat will grow ever fresh and fair in the garden of life4 ,therefore must the mentor be a doctor as well3 that is1 he must1 in instructing the child1 remedy its faults2 must give him learning1 and at the same time rear him to have a spiritual nature4 ,let the teacher be a doctor to the character of the child1 thus will he heal the spiritual ailments of the children of men4 ,if1 in this momentous task1 a mighty effort be exerted1 the world of humanity will shine out with other adornings1 and shed the fairest light4 ,then will this darksome place grow luminous1 and this abode of earth turn into ,heaven4 ,the very demons will change to angels then1 and wolves to shepherds of the flock1 and the wild-dog pack to gazelles that pasture on the plains of oneness1 and ravening beasts to peaceful herds1 and birds of prey1 with talons sharp as knives1 to songsters warbling their sweet native notes4 ,for the inner reality of man is a demarcation line between the shadow and the light1 a place where the two seas meet27#cf7 it is the lowest point on the arc of descent17#cg7 and therefore is it capable of gaining all the grades above4 ,with education it can achieve all excellence2 devoid of education it will stay on1 at the lowest point of imperfection4 ,every child is potentially the light of the world--and at the same time its darkness2 wherefore must the question of education be accounted as of primary importance4 ,from his infancy1 the child must be nursed at the breast of ,god's love1 and nurtured in the embrace of ,his knowledge1 that he may radiate light1 grow in spirituality1 be filled with wisdom and learning1 and take on the characteristics of the angelic host4 ,since ye have been assigned to this holy task1 ye must therefore exert every effort to make that school famed in all respects throughout the world2 to make it the cause of exalting the ,word of the ,lord4 #ajd3 ,o ,,loved ,,ones ,,of ,,god ,,and ,,handmaids ,,of ,,the 444 ,o loved ones of ,god and handmaids of the ,merciful6 ,a large body of scholars is of the opinion that variations among minds and differing degrees of perception are due to differences in education1 training and culture4 ,that is1 they believe that minds are equal to begin with1 but that training and education will result in mental variations and differing levels of intelligence1 and that such variations are not an inherent component of the individuality but are the result of education3 that no one hath any inborn superiority over another4444 ,the ,manifestations of ,god are likewise in agreement with the view that education exerteth the strongest possible influence on humankind4 ,they affirm1 however1 that differences in the level of intelligence are innate2 and this fact is obvious1 and not worth debating4 ,for we see that children of the same age1 the same country1 the same race1 indeed of the same family1 and trained by the same individual1 still are different as to the degree of their comprehension and intelligence4 ,one will make rapid progress1 one will receive instruction only gradually1 one will remain at the lowest stage of all4 ,for no matter how much you may polish a shell1 it will not turn into a gleaming pearl1 nor can you change a dull pebble into a gem whose pure rays will light the world4 ,never1 through training and cultivation1 will the colocynth and the bitter tree7#ch7 change into the ,tree of ,blessedness47#ci7 ,that is to say1 education cannot alter the inner essence of a man1 but it doth exert tremendous influence1 and with this power it can bring forth from the individual whatever perfections and capacities are deposited within him4 ,a grain of wheat1 when cultivated by the farmer1 will yield a whole harvest1 and a seed1 through the gardener's care1 will grow into a great tree4 ,thanks to a teacher's loving efforts1 the children of the primary school may reach the highest levels of achievement2 indeed1 his benefactions may lift some child of small account to an exalted throne4 ,thus is it clearly demonstrated that by their essential nature1 minds vary as to their capacity1 while education also playeth a great role and exerteth a powerful effect on their development4 #aje3 ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,difference ,,between ,,that ,,material ,,civilization 444 ,as to the difference between that material civilization now prevailing1 and the divine civilization which will be one of the benefits to derive from the ,house of ,justice1 it is this3 material civilization1 through the power of punitive and retaliatory laws1 restraineth the people from criminal acts2 and notwithstanding this1 while laws to retaliate against and punish a man are continually proliferating1 as ye can see1 no laws exist to reward him4 ,in all the cities of ,europe and ,america1 vast buildings have been erected to serve as jails for the criminals4 ,divine civilization1 however1 so traineth every member of society that no one1 with the exception of a negligible few1 will undertake to commit a crime4 ,there is thus a great difference between the prevention of crime through measures that are violent and retaliatory1 and so training the people1 and enlightening them1 and spiritualizing them1 that without any fear of punishment or vengeance to come1 they will shun all criminal acts4 ,they will1 indeed1 look upon the very commission of a crime as a great disgrace and in itself the harshest of punishments4 ,they will become enamoured of human perfections1 and will consecrate their lives to whatever will bring light to the world and will further those qualities which are acceptable at the ,holy ,threshold of ,god4 ,see then how wide is the difference between material civilization and divine4 ,with force and punishments1 material civilization seeketh to restrain the people from mischief1 from inflicting harm on society and committing crimes4 ,but in a divine civilization1 the individual is so conditioned that with no fear of punishment1 he shunneth the perpetration of crimes1 seeth the crime itself as the severest of torments1 and with alacrity and joy1 setteth himself to acquiring the virtues of humankind1 to furthering human progress1 and to spreading light across the world4 #ajf3 ,,among ,,the ,,greatest ,,of ,,all ,,services ,,that ,,can ,,possibly 444 ,among the greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered by man to ,almighty ,god is the education and training of children1 young plants of the ,abh ,paradise1 so that these children1 fostered by grace in the way of salvation1 growing like pearls of divine bounty in the shell of education1 will one day bejewel the crown of abiding glory4 ,it is1 however1 very difficult to undertake this service1 even harder to succeed in it4 ,i hope that thou wilt acquit thyself well in this most important of tasks1 and successfully carry the day1 and become an ensign of ,god's abounding grace2 that these children1 reared one and all in the holy ,teachings1 will develop natures like unto the sweet airs that blow across the gardens of the ,all-,glorious1 and will waft their fragrance around the world4 #ajg3 ,,it ,,is ,,the ,,hope ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah ,,that ,,those ,,youthful 444 ,it is the hope of #8,abdu'l-,bah that those youthful souls in the schoolroom of the deeper knowledge will be tended by one who traineth them to love4 ,may they all1 throughout the reaches of the spirit1 learn well of the hidden mysteries2 so well that in the ,kingdom of the ,all-,glorious1 each one of them1 even as a nightingale endowed with speech1 will cry out the secrets of the ,heavenly ,realm1 and like unto a longing lover pour forth his sore need and utter want of the ,beloved4 #ajh3 ,,ye ,,should ,,consider ,,the ,,question ,,of ,,goodly 444 ,ye should consider the question of goodly character as of the first importance4 ,it is incumbent upon every father and mother to counsel their children over a long period1 and guide them unto those things which lead to everlasting honour4 ,encourage ye the school children1 from their earliest years1 to deliver speeches of high quality1 so that in their leisure time they will engage in giving cogent and effective talks1 expressing themselves with clarity and eloquence4 #aji3 ,o ,,ye ,,recipients ,,of ,,the ,,favours ,,of ,,god6 ,,in ,,this ,,new 444 ,o ye recipients of the favours of ,god6 ,in this new and wondrous ,age1 the unshakeable foundation is the teaching of sciences and arts4 ,according to explicit ,holy ,texts1 every child must be taught crafts and arts1 to the degree that is needful4 ,wherefore1 in every city and village1 schools must be established and every child in that city or village is to engage in study to the necessary degree4 ,it followeth that whatever soul shall offer his aid to bring this about will assuredly be accepted at the heavenly ,threshold1 and extolled by the ,company on high4 ,since ye have striven hard toward this all-important end1 it is my hope that ye will reap your reward from the ,lord of clear tokens and signs1 and that the glances of heavenly grace will turn your way4 #aaj3 ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,organization ,,of ,,the ,,schools3 ,,if ,,possible 444 ,as to the organization of the schools3 if possible the children should all wear the same kind of clothing1 even if the fabric is varied4 ,it is preferable that the fabric as well should be uniform2 if1 however1 this is not possible1 there is no harm done4 ,the more cleanly the pupils are1 the better2 they should be immaculate4 ,the school must be located in a place where the air is delicate and pure4 ,the children must be carefully trained to be most courteous and well-behaved4 ,they must be constantly encouraged and made eager to gain all the summits of human accomplishment1 so that from their earliest years they will be taught to have high aims1 to conduct themselves well1 to be chaste1 pure1 and undefiled1 and will learn to be of powerful resolve and firm of purpose in all things4 ,let them not jest and trifle1 but earnestly advance unto their goals1 so that in every situation they will be found resolute and firm4 ,training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning4 ,a child that is cleanly1 agreeable1 of good character1 well-behaved--even though he be ignorant--is preferable to a child that is rude1 unwashed1 ill-natured1 and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts4 ,the reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well1 even though he be ignorant1 is of benefit to others1 while an ill-natured1 ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others1 even though he be learned4 ,if1 however1 the child be trained to be both learned and good1 the result is light upon light4 ,children are even as a branch that is fresh and green2 they will grow up in whatever way ye train them4 ,take the utmost care to give them high ideals and goals1 so that once they come of age1 they will cast their beams like brilliant candles on the world1 and will not be defiled by lusts and passions in the way of animals1 heedless and unaware1 but instead will set their hearts on achieving everlasting honour and acquiring all the excellences of humankind4 #aaa3 ,,the ,,root ,,cause ,,of ,,wrongdoing ,,is ,,ignorance1 ,,and 444 ,the root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance1 and we must therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and knowledge4 ,good character must be taught4 ,light must be spread afar1 so that1 in the school of humanity1 all may acquire the heavenly characteristics of the spirit1 and see for themselves beyond any doubt that there is no fiercer hell1 no more fiery abyss1 than to possess a character that is evil and unsound2 no more darksome pit nor loathsome torment than to show forth qualities which deserve to be condemned4 ,the individual must be educated to such a high degree that he would rather have his throat cut than tell a lie1 and would think it easier to be slashed with a sword or pierced with a spear than to utter calumny or be carried away by wrath4 ,thus will be kindled the sense of human dignity and pride1 to burn away the reapings of lustful appetites4 ,then will each one of ,god's beloved shine out as a bright moon with qualities of the spirit1 and the relationship of each to the ,sacred ,threshold of his ,lord will be not illusory but sound and real1 will be as the very foundation of the building1 not some embellishment on its faade4 ,it followeth that the children's school must be a place of utmost discipline and order1 that instruction must be thorough1 and provision must be made for the rectification and refinement of character2 so that1 in his earliest years1 within the very essence of the child1 the divine foundation will be laid and the structure of holiness raised up4 ,know that this matter of instruction1 of character rectification and refinement1 of heartening and encouraging the child1 is of the utmost importance1 for such are basic principles of ,god4 ,thus1 if ,god will1 out of these spiritual schools illumined children will arise1 adorned with all the fairest virtues of humankind1 and will shed their light not only across ,persia1 but around the world4 ,it is extremely difficult to teach the individual and refine his character once puberty is passed4 ,by then1 as experience hath shown1 even if every effort be exerted to modify some tendency of his1 it all availeth nothing4 ,he may1 perhaps1 improve somewhat today2 but let a few days pass and he forgetteth1 and turneth backward to his habitual condition and accustomed ways4 ,therefore it is in early childhood that a firm foundation must be laid4 ,while the branch is green and tender it can easily be made straight4 ,our meaning is that qualities of the spirit are the basic and divine foundation1 and adorn the true essence of man2 and knowledge is the cause of human progress4 ,the beloved of ,god must attach great importance to this matter1 and carry it forward with enthusiasm and zeal4 #aab3 ,,in ,,this ,,holy ,,cause ,,the ,,question ,,of ,,orphans ,,hath 444 ,in this holy ,cause the question of orphans hath the utmost importance4 ,the greatest consideration must be shown towards orphans2 they must be taught1 trained and educated4 ,the ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh1 especially1 must by all means be given to them as far as is possible4 ,i supplicate ,god that thou mayest become a kind parent to orphaned children1 quickening them with the fragrances of the ,holy ,spirit1 so that they will attain the age of maturity as true servants of the world of humanity and as bright candles in the assemblage of mankind4 #aac3 ,o ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6444 ,,to ,,the ,,mothers ,,must ,,be 444 ,o handmaid of ,god6444 ,to the mothers must be given the divine ,teachings and effective counsel1 and they must be encouraged and made eager to train their children1 for the mother is the first educator of the child4 ,it is she who must1 at the very beginning1 suckle the newborn at the breast of ,god's ,faith and ,god's ,law1 that divine love may enter into him even with his mother's milk1 and be with him till his final breath4 ,so long as the mother faileth to train her children1 and start them on a proper way of life1 the training which they receive later on will not take its full effect4 ,it is incumbent upon the ,spiritual ,assemblies to provide the mothers with a well-planned programme for the education of children1 showing how1 from infancy1 the child must be watched over and taught4 ,these instructions must be given to every mother to serve her as a guide1 so that each will train and nurture her children in accordance with the ,teachings4 ,thus will these young plants in the garden of ,god's love grow and flourish under the warmth of the ,sun of ,truth1 the gentle spring winds of ,heaven1 and their mother's guiding hand4 ,thus1 in the ,abh ,paradise1 will each become a tree1 bearing his clustered fruit1 and each one1 in this new and wondrous season1 out of the bounties of the spring1 will become possessed of all beauty and grace4 #aad3 ,o ,,ye ,,loving ,,mothers1 ,,know ,,ye ,,that ,,in ,,god',s ,,sight1 444 ,o ye loving mothers1 know ye that in ,god's sight1 the best of all ways to worship ,him is to educate the children and train them in all the perfections of humankind2 and no nobler deed than this can be imagined4 #aae3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,well-,,loved ,,handmaids ,,of ,,god6 ,,whatever 444 ,o ye two well-loved handmaids of ,god6 ,whatever a man's tongue speaketh1 that let him prove by his deeds4 ,if he claimeth to be a believer1 then let him act in accordance with the precepts of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,praised be ,god1 ye two have demonstrated the truth of your words by your deeds1 and have won the confirmations of the ,lord ,god4 ,every day at first light1 ye gather the ,bah' children together and teach them the communes and prayers4 ,this is a most praiseworthy act1 and bringeth joy to the children's hearts3 that they should1 at every morn1 turn their faces toward the ,kingdom and make mention of the ,lord and praise ,his ,name1 and in the sweetest of voices1 chant and recite4 ,these children are even as young plants1 and teaching them the prayers is as letting the rain pour down upon them1 that they may wax tender and fresh1 and the soft breezes of the love of ,god may blow over them1 making them to tremble with joy4 ,blessedness awaiteth you1 and a fair haven4 #aaf3 ,o ,,thou ,,daughter ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,letters 444 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letters were received4 ,their contents indicated that thy mother hath ascended to the invisible realm and that thou hast been left alone4 ,thy wish is to serve thy father1 who is dear to thee1 and also to serve the ,kingdom of ,god1 and thou art perplexed as to which of the two thou shouldst do4 ,assuredly engage in service to thy father1 and as well1 whenever thou findest time1 diffuse the divine fragrances4 #aag3 ,o ,,dear ,,one ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 ,,be ,,the ,,son ,,of ,,thy 444 ,o dear one of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,be the son of thy father and be the fruit of that tree4 ,be a son that hath been born of his soul and heart and not only of water and clay4 ,a real son is such a one as hath branched from the spiritual part of man4 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest be at all times confirmed and strengthened4 #aah3 ,o ,,ye ,,young ,,bah' ,,children1 ,,ye ,,seekers ,,after ,,true 444 ,o ye young ,bah' children1 ye seekers after true understanding and knowledge6 ,a human being is distinguished from an animal in a number of ways4 ,first of all1 he is made in the image of ,god1 in the likeness of the ,supernal ,light1 even as the ,torah saith1 #8,let us make man in our image1 after our likeness4'7#dj7 ,this divine image betokeneth all the qualities of perfection whose lights1 emanating from the ,sun of ,truth1 illumine the realities of men4 ,and among the greatest of these attributes of perfection are wisdom and knowledge4 ,ye must therefore put forth a mighty effort1 striving by night and day and resting not for a moment1 to acquire an abundant share of all the sciences and arts1 that the ,divine ,image1 which shineth out from the ,sun of ,truth1 may illumine the mirror of the hearts of men4 ,it is the longing desire of #8,abdu'l-,bah to see each one of you accounted as the foremost professor in the academies1 and in the school of inner significances1 each one becoming a leader in wisdom4 #aai3 ,,it ,,is ,,incumbent ,,upon ,,bah' ,,children ,,to ,,surpass 444 ,it is incumbent upon ,bah' children to surpass other children in the acquisition of sciences and arts1 for they have been cradled in the grace of ,god4 ,whatever other children learn in a year1 let ,bah' children learn in a month4 ,the heart of #8,abdu'l-,bah longeth1 in its love1 to find that ,bah' young people1 each and all1 are known throughout the world for their intellectual attainments4 ,there is no question but that they will exert all their efforts1 their energies1 their sense of pride1 to acquire the sciences and arts4 #abj3 ,o ,,my ,,dear ,,children6 ,,your ,,letter ,,was ,,received4 ,a 444 ,o my dear children6 ,your letter was received4 ,a degree of joy was attained that is beyond words or writing that1 praise be to ,god1 the power of the ,kingdom of ,god hath trained such children who1 from their early childhood1 eagerly wish to acquire ,bah' education that they may1 from the period of their childhood1 engage in service to the world of humanity4 ,my highest wish and desire is that ye who are my children may be educated according to the teachings of ,bah'u'llh and may receive a ,bah' training2 that ye may each become a lighted candle in the world of humanity1 may be devoted to the service of all mankind1 may give up your rest and comfort1 so that ye may become the cause of the tranquillity of the world of creation4 ,such is my hope for you and ,i trust that ye may become the cause of my joy and gladness in the ,kingdom of ,god4 #aba3 ,o ,,thou ,,whose ,,years ,,are ,,few1 ,,yet ,,whose ,,mental 444 ,o thou whose years are few1 yet whose mental gifts are many6 ,how many a child1 though young in years1 is yet mature and sound in judgement6 ,how many an aged person is ignorant and confused6 ,for growth and development depend on one's powers of intellect and reason1 not on one's age or length of days4 ,although still in the season of childhood1 yet hast thou recognized thy ,lord1 while myriads of women are oblivious of ,him and are shut away from ,his heavenly ,kingdom and deprived of ,his bestowals4 ,render thou thanks unto thy ,lord for this wondrous gift4 ,i beg of ,god to heal thy mother1 who is honoured in the ,kingdom of heaven4 #abb3 ,,as ,,to ,,thy ,,question ,,regarding ,,the ,,education ,,of 444 ,as to thy question regarding the education of children3 it behoveth thee to nurture them at the breast of the love of ,god1 and urge them onward to the things of the spirit1 that they may turn their faces unto ,god2 that their ways may conform to the rules of good conduct and their character be second to none2 that they make their own all the graces and praiseworthy qualities of humankind2 acquire a sound knowledge of the various branches of learning1 so that from the very beginning of life they may become spiritual beings1 dwellers in the ,kingdom1 enamoured of the sweet breaths of holiness1 and may receive an education religious1 spiritual1 and of the ,heavenly ,realm4 ,verily will ,i call upon ,god to grant them a happy outcome in this4 #abc3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,gazest ,,upon ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,god6 444 ,o thou who gazest upon the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and we note that thou art engaged in teaching the children of the believers1 that these tender little ones have been learning ,the ,hidden ,words and the prayers and what it meaneth to be a ,bah'4 ,the instruction of these children is even as the work of a loving gardener who tendeth his young plants in the flowering fields of the ,all-,glorious4 ,there is no doubt that it will yield the desired results2 especially is this true of instruction as to ,bah' obligations and ,bah' conduct1 for the little children must needs be made aware in their very heart and soul that 8,bah'0 is not just a name but a truth4 ,every child must be trained in the things of the spirit1 so that he may embody all the virtues and become a source of glory to the ,cause of ,god4 ,otherwise1 the mere word 8,bah'01 if it yield no fruit1 will come to nothing4 ,strive then to the best of thine ability to let these children know that a ,bah' is one who embodieth all the perfections1 that he must shine out like a lighted taper--not be darkness upon darkness and yet bear the name 8,bah'04 ,name thou this school the ,bah' ,sunday ,school47#da7 #abd3 ,,the ,,sunday ,,school ,,for ,,the ,,children ,,in ,,which ,,the 444 ,the ,sunday school for the children in which the ,tablets and ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh are read1 and the ,word of ,god is recited for the children is indeed a blessed thing4 ,thou must certainly continue this organized activity without cessation1 and attach importance to it1 so that day by day it may grow and be quickened with the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,if this activity is well organized1 rest thou assured that it will yield great results4 ,firmness and steadfastness1 however1 are necessary1 otherwise it will continue for some time1 but later be gradually forgotten4 ,perseverance is an essential condition4 ,in every project firmness and steadfastness will undoubtedly lead to good results2 otherwise it will exist for some days1 and then be discontinued4 #abe3 ,,the ,,changing ,,of ,,teachers ,,should ,,be ,,neither ,,too 444 ,the changing of teachers should be neither too frequent nor too much delayed2 moderation is preferable4 ,holding your meetings when it is the time of prayer in other churches is not advisable2 it would lead to alienation1 since the ,bah' children who have their own ,sunday school would be deprived of it if they tried to attend other ,sunday schools4 ,moreover1 the admission of children of non-,bah' parents to the school for ,bah' children is permissible4 ,and if1 in this school1 an outline of the fundamental principles underlying all religions be set forth for the information of the children1 it can do no harm4 ,as the children are few in number1 it is not possible to have different classes and naturally only one is necessary4 ,concerning the last question regarding differences among children1 act as ye deem advisable4 #abf3 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was ,,received4 ,,praise ,,be ,,to ,,god ,,it 444 ,thy letter was received4 ,praise be to ,god it imparted the good news of thy health and safety and indicated that thou art ready to enter an agricultural school4 ,this is highly suitable4 ,strive as much as possible to become proficient in the science of agriculture1 for in accordance with the divine teachings the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts are considered acts of worship4 ,if a man engageth with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art1 it is as if he has been worshipping ,god in churches and temples4 ,thus as thou enterest a school of agriculture and strivest in the acquisition of that science thou art day and night engaged in acts of worship--acts that are accepted at the threshold of the ,almighty4 ,what bounty greater than this that science should be considered as an act of worship and art as service to the ,kingdom of ,god4 #abg3 ,o ,,thou ,,servant ,,of ,,the ,,one ,,true ,,god6 ,,in ,,this 444 ,o thou servant of the ,one true ,god6 ,in this universal dispensation man's wondrous craftsmanship is reckoned as worship of the ,resplendent ,beauty4 ,consider what a bounty and blessing it is that craftsmanship is regarded as worship4 ,in former times1 it was believed that such skills were tantamount to ignorance1 if not a misfortune1 hindering man from drawing nigh unto ,god4 ,now consider how ,his infinite bestowals and abundant favours have changed hell-fire into blissful paradise1 and a heap of dark dust into a luminous garden4 ,it behoveth the craftsmen of the world at each moment to offer a thousand tokens of gratitude at the ,sacred ,threshold1 and to exert their highest endeavour and diligently pursue their professions so that their efforts may produce that which will manifest the greatest beauty and perfection before the eyes of all men4 #abh3 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was ,,received4 ,i ,,hope ,,that ,,thou ,,mayest 444 ,thy letter was received4 ,i hope that thou mayest be protected and assisted under the providence of the ,true ,one1 be occupied always in mentioning the ,lord and display effort to complete thy profession4 ,thou must endeavour greatly so that thou mayest become unique in thy profession and famous in those parts1 because attaining perfection in one's profession in this merciful period is considered to be worship of ,god4 ,and whilst thou art occupied with thy profession1 thou canst remember the ,true ,one4 #abi3 ,o ,,friends ,,of ,,the ,,pure ,,and ,,omnipotent ,,god6 ,,to 444 ,o ,friends of the ,pure and ,omnipotent ,god6 ,to be pure and holy in all things is an attribute of the consecrated soul and a necessary characteristic of the unenslaved mind4 ,the best of perfections is immaculacy and the freeing of oneself from every defect4 ,once the individual is1 in every respect1 cleansed and purified1 then will he become a focal centre reflecting the ,manifest ,light4 ,first in a human being's way of life must be purity1 then freshness1 cleanliness1 and independence of spirit4 ,first must the stream bed be cleansed1 then may the sweet river waters be led into it4 ,chaste eyes enjoy the beatific vision of the ,lord and know what this encounter meaneth2 a pure sense inhaleth the fragrances that blow from the rose gardens of ,his grace2 a burnished heart will mirror forth the comely face of truth4 ,this is why1 in ,holy ,scriptures1 the counsels of heaven are likened to water1 even as the ,qur'n saith3 #8,and pure water send ,we down from ,heaven1'7#db7 and the ,gospel3 #8,except a man be baptized of water and of the spirit1 he cannot enter into the ,kingdom of ,god4'7#dc7 ,thus is it clear that the ,teachings which come from ,god are heavenly outpourings of grace2 they are rain-showers of divine mercy1 and they cleanse the human heart4 ,my meaning is this1 that in every aspect of life1 purity and holiness1 cleanliness and refinement1 exalt the human condition and further the development of man's inner reality4 ,even in the physical realm1 cleanliness will conduce to spirituality1 as the ,holy ,writings clearly state4 ,and although bodily cleanliness is a physical thing1 it hath1 nevertheless1 a powerful influence on the life of the spirit4 ,it is even as a voice wondrously sweet1 or a melody played3 although sounds are but vibrations in the air which affect the ear's auditory nerve1 and these vibrations are but chance phenomena carried along through the air1 even so1 see how they move the heart4 ,a wondrous melody is wings for the spirit1 and maketh the soul to tremble for joy4 ,the purport is that physical cleanliness doth also exert its effect upon the human soul4 ,observe how pleasing is cleanliness in the sight of ,god1 and how specifically it is emphasized in the ,holy ,books of the ,prophets2 for the ,scriptures forbid the eating or the use of any unclean thing4 ,some of these prohibitions were absolute1 and binding upon all1 and whoso transgressed the given law was abhorred of ,god and anathematized by the believers4 ,such1 for example1 were things categorically forbidden1 the perpetration of which was accounted a most grievous sin1 among them actions so loathsome that it is shameful even to speak their name4 ,but there are other forbidden things which do not cause immediate harm1 and the injurious effects of which are only gradually produced3 such acts are also repugnant to the ,lord1 and blameworthy in ,his sight1 and repellent4 ,the absolute unlawfulness of these1 however1 hath not been expressly set forth in the ,text1 but their avoidance is necessary to purity1 cleanliness1 the preservation of health1 and freedom from addiction4 ,among these latter is smoking tobacco1 which is dirty1 smelly1 offensive--an evil habit1 and one the harmfulness of which gradually becometh apparent to all4 ,every qualified physician hath ruled--and this hath also been proven by tests--that one of the components of tobacco is a deadly poison1 and that the smoker is vulnerable to many and various diseases4 ,this is why smoking hath been plainly set forth as repugnant from the standpoint of hygiene4 ,the ,bb1 at the outset of ,his mission1 explicitly prohibited tobacco1 and the friends one and all abandoned its use4 ,but since those were times when dissimulation was permitted1 and every individual who abstained from smoking was exposed to harassment1 abuse and even death--the friends1 in order not to advertise their beliefs1 would smoke4 ,later on1 the ,book of ,aqdas was revealed1 and since smoking tobacco was not specifically forbidden there1 the believers did not give it up4 ,the ,blessed ,beauty1 however1 always expressed repugnance for it1 and although1 in the early days1 there were reasons why ,he would smoke a little tobacco1 in time ,he completely renounced it1 and those sanctified souls who followed ,him in all things also abandoned its use4 ,my meaning is that in the sight of ,god1 smoking tobacco is deprecated1 abhorrent1 filthy in the extreme2 and1 albeit by degrees1 highly injurious to health4 ,it is also a waste of money and time1 and maketh the user a prey to a noxious addiction4 ,to those who stand firm in the ,covenant1 this habit is therefore censured both by reason and experience1 and renouncing it will bring relief and peace of mind to all men4 ,furthermore1 this will make it possible to have a fresh mouth and unstained fingers1 and hair that is free of a foul and repellent smell4 ,on receipt of this missive1 the friends will surely1 by whatever means and even over a period of time1 forsake this pernicious habit4 ,such is my hope4 ,as to opium1 it is foul and accursed4 ,god protect us from the punishment ,he inflicteth on the user4 ,according to the explicit ,text of the ,most ,holy ,book1 it is forbidden1 and its use is utterly condemned4 ,reason showeth that smoking opium is a kind of insanity1 and experience attesteth that the user is completely cut off from the human kingdom4 ,may ,god protect all against the perpetration of an act so hideous as this1 an act which layeth in ruins the very foundation of what it is to be human1 and which causeth the user to be dispossessed for ever and ever4 ,for opium fasteneth on the soul1 so that the user's conscience dieth1 his mind is blotted away1 his perceptions are eroded4 ,it turneth the living into the dead4 ,it quencheth the natural heat4 ,no greater harm can be conceived than that which opium inflicteth4 ,fortunate are they who never even speak the name of it2 then think how wretched is the user4 ,o ye lovers of ,god6 ,in this1 the cycle of ,almighty ,god1 violence and force1 constraint and oppression1 are one and all condemned4 ,it is1 however1 mandatory that the use of opium be prevented by any means whatsoever1 that perchance the human race may be delivered from this most powerful of plagues4 ,and otherwise1 woe and misery to whoso falleth short of his duty to his ,lord47#dd7 ,o ,divine ,providence6 ,bestow ,thou in all things purity and cleanliness upon the people of ,bah4 ,grant that they be freed from all defilement1 and released from all addictions4 ,save them from committing any repugnant act1 unbind them from the chains of every evil habit1 that they may live pure and free1 wholesome and cleanly1 worthy to serve at ,thy ,sacred ,threshold and fit to be related to their ,lord4 ,deliver them from intoxicating drinks and tobacco1 save them1 rescue them1 from this opium that bringeth on madness1 suffer them to enjoy the sweet savours of holiness1 that they may drink deep of the mystic cup of heavenly love and know the rapture of being drawn ever closer unto the ,realm of the ,all-,glorious4 ,for it is even as ,thou hast said3 #8,all that thou hast in thy cellar will not appease the thirst of my love--bring me1 ,o cup-bearer1 of the wine of the spirit a cup full as the sea6' ,o ye1 ,god's loved ones6 ,experience hath shown how greatly the renouncing of smoking1 of intoxicating drink1 and of opium1 conduceth to health and vigour1 to the expansion and keenness of the mind and to bodily strength4 ,there is today a people7#de7 who strictly avoid tobacco1 intoxicating liquor and opium4 ,this people is far and away superior to the others1 for strength and physical courage1 for health1 beauty and comeliness4 ,a single one of their men can stand up to ten men of another tribe4 ,this hath proved true of the entire people3 that is1 member for member1 each individual of this community is in every respect superior to the individuals of other communities4 ,make ye then a mighty effort1 that the purity and sanctity which1 above all else1 are cherished by #8,abdu'l-,bah1 shall distinguish the people of ,bah2 that in every kind of excellence the people of ,god shall surpass all other human beings2 that both outwardly and inwardly they shall prove superior to the rest2 that for purity1 immaculacy1 refinement1 and the preservation of health1 they shall be leaders in the vanguard of those who know4 ,and that by their freedom from enslavement1 their knowledge1 their self-control1 they shall be first among the pure1 the free and the wise4 #acj3 ,o ,,thou ,,distinguished ,,physician6444 ,,praise ,,be 444 ,o thou distinguished physician6444 ,praise be to ,god that thou hast two powers3 one to undertake physical healing and the other spiritual healing4 ,matters related to man's spirit have a great effect on his bodily condition4 ,for instance1 thou shouldst impart gladness to thy patient1 give him comfort and joy1 and bring him to ecstasy and exultation4 ,how often hath it occurred that this hath caused early recovery4 ,therefore1 treat thou the sick with both powers4 ,spiritual feelings have a surprising effect on healing nervous ailments4 #aca3 ,,when ,,giving ,,medical ,,treatment ,,turn ,,to ,,the 444 ,when giving medical treatment turn to the ,blessed ,beauty1 then follow the dictates of thy heart4 ,remedy the sick by means of heavenly joy and spiritual exultation1 cure the sorely afflicted by imparting to them blissful glad tidings and heal the wounded through ,his resplendent bestowals4 ,when at the bedside of a patient1 cheer and gladden his heart and enrapture his spirit through celestial power4 ,indeed1 such a heavenly breath quickeneth every mouldering bone and reviveth the spirit of every sick and ailing one4 #acb3 ,,although ,,ill ,,health ,,is ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,unavoidable ,,conditions 444 ,although ill health is one of the unavoidable conditions of man1 truly it is hard to bear4 ,the bounty of good health is the greatest of all gifts4 #acc3 ,,there ,,are ,,two ,,ways ,,of ,,healing ,,sickness1 ,,material 444 ,there are two ways of healing sickness1 material means and spiritual means4 ,the first is by the treatment of physicians2 the second consisteth in prayers offered by the spiritual ones to ,god and in turning to ,him4 ,both means should be used and practised4 ,illnesses which occur by reason of physical causes should be treated by doctors with medical remedies2 those which are due to spiritual causes disappear through spiritual means4 ,thus an illness caused by affliction1 fear1 nervous impressions1 will be healed more effectively by spiritual rather than by physical treatment4 ,hence1 both kinds of treatment should be followed2 they are not contradictory4 ,therefore thou shouldst also accept physical remedies inasmuch as these too have come from the mercy and favour of ,god1 ,who hath revealed and made manifest medical science so that ,his servants may profit from this kind of treatment also4 ,thou shouldst give equal attention to spiritual treatments1 for they produce marvellous effects4 ,now1 if thou wishest to know the true remedy which will heal man from all sickness and will give him the health of the divine kingdom1 know that it is the precepts and teachings of ,god4 ,focus thine attention upon them4 #acd3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,attracted ,,to ,,the ,,fragrant ,,breathings 444 ,o thou who art attracted to the fragrant breathings of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter addressed to ,mrs4 ,lua ,getsinger4 ,thou hast indeed examined with great care the reasons for the incursion of disease into the human body4 ,it is certainly the case that sins are a potent cause of physical ailments4 ,if humankind were free from the defilements of sin and waywardness1 and lived according to a natural1 inborn equilibrium1 without following wherever their passions led1 it is undeniable that diseases would no longer take the ascendant1 nor diversify with such intensity4 ,but man hath perversely continued to serve his lustful appetites1 and he would not content himself with simple foods4 ,rather1 he prepared for himself food that was compounded of many ingredients1 of substances differing one from the other4 ,with this1 and with the perpetrating of vile and ignoble acts1 his attention was engrossed1 and he abandoned the temperance and moderation of a natural way of life4 ,the result was the engendering of diseases both violent and diverse4 ,for the animal1 as to its body1 is made up of the same constituent elements as man4 ,since1 however1 the animal contenteth itself with simple foods and striveth not to indulge its importunate urges to any great degree1 and committeth no sins1 its ailments relative to man's are few4 ,we see clearly1 therefore1 how powerful are sin and contumacy as pathogenic factors4 ,and once engendered these diseases become compounded1 multiply1 and are transmitted to others4 ,such are the spiritual1 inner causes of sickness4 ,the outer1 physical causal factor in disease1 however1 is a disturbance in the balance1 the proportionate equilibrium of all those elements of which the human body is composed4 ,to illustrate3 the body of man is a compound of many constituent substances1 each component being present in a prescribed amount1 contributing to the essential equilibrium of the whole4 ,so long as these constituents remain in their due proportion1 according to the natural balance of the whole--that is1 no component suffereth a change in its natural proportionate degree and balance1 no component being either augmented or decreased--there will be no physical cause for the incursion of disease4 ,for example1 the starch component must be present to a given amount1 and the sugar to a given amount4 ,so long as each remaineth in its natural proportion to the whole1 there will be no cause for the onset of disease4 ,when1 however1 these constituents vary as to their natural and due amounts--that is1 when they are augmented or diminished--it is certain that this will provide for the inroads of disease4 ,this question requireth the most careful investigation4 ,the ,bb hath said that the people of ,bah must develop the science of medicine to such a high degree that they will heal illnesses by means of foods4 ,the basic reason for this is that if1 in some component substance of the human body1 an imbalance should occur1 altering its correct1 relative proportion to the whole1 this fact will inevitably result in the onset of disease4 ,if1 for example1 the starch component should be unduly augmented1 or the sugar component decreased1 an illness will take control4 ,it is the function of a skilled physician to determine which constituent of his patient's body hath suffered diminution1 which hath been augmented4 ,once he hath discovered this1 he must prescribe a food containing the diminished element in considerable amounts1 to re-establish the body's essential equilibrium4 ,the patient1 once his constitution is again in balance1 will be rid of his disease4 ,the proof of this is that while other animals have never studied medical science1 nor carried on researches into diseases or medicines1 treatments or cures--even so1 when one of them falleth a prey to sickness1 nature leadeth it1 in fields or desert places1 to the very plant which1 once eaten1 will rid the animal of its disease4 ,the explanation is that if1 as an example1 the sugar component in the animal's body hath decreased1 according to a natural law the animal hankereth after a herb that is rich in sugar4 ,then1 by a natural urge1 which is the appetite1 among a thousand different varieties of plants across the field1 the animal will discover and consume that herb which containeth a sugar component in large amounts4 ,thus the essential balance of the substances composing its body is re-established1 and the animal is rid of its disease4 ,this question requireth the most careful investigation4 ,when highly-skilled physicians shall fully examine this matter1 thoroughly and perseveringly1 it will be clearly seen that the incursion of disease is due to a disturbance in the relative amounts of the body's component substances1 and that treatment consisteth in adjusting these relative amounts1 and that this can be apprehended and made possible by means of foods4 ,it is certain that in this wonderful new age the development of medical science will lead to the doctors' healing their patients with foods4 ,for the sense of sight1 the sense of hearing1 of taste1 of smell1 of touch--all these are discriminative faculties1 their purpose being to separate the beneficial from whatever causeth harm4 ,now1 is it possible that man's sense of smell1 the sense that differentiates odours1 should find some odour repugnant1 and that odour be beneficial to the human body8 ,absurd6 ,impossible6 ,in the same way1 could the human body1 through the faculty of sight--the differentiator among things visible--benefit from gazing upon a revolting mass of excrement8 ,never6 ,again1 if the sense of taste1 likewise a faculty that selecteth and rejecteth1 be offended by something1 that thing is certainly not beneficial2 and if1 at the outset1 it may yield some advantage1 in the long run its harmfulness will be established4 ,and likewise1 when the constitution is in a state of equilibrium1 there is no doubt that whatever is relished will be beneficial to health4 ,observe how an animal will graze in a field where there are a hundred thousand kinds of herbs and grasses1 and how1 with its sense of smell1 it snuffeth up the odours of the plants1 and tasteth them with its sense of taste2 then it consumeth whatever herb is pleasurable to these senses1 and benefiteth therefrom4 ,were it not for this power of selectivity1 the animals would all be dead in a single day2 for there are a great many poisonous plants1 and animals know nothing of the pharmacopoeia4 ,and yet1 observe what a reliable set of scales they have1 by means of which to differentiate the good from the injurious4 ,whatever constituent of their body hath decreased1 they can rehabilitate by seeking out and consuming some plant that hath an abundant store of that diminished element2 and thus the equilibrium of their bodily components is re-established1 and they are rid of their disease4 ,at whatever time highly-skilled physicians shall have developed the healing of illnesses by means of foods1 and shall make provision for simple foods1 and shall prohibit humankind from living as slaves to their lustful appetites1 it is certain that the incidence of chronic and diversified illnesses will abate1 and the general health of all mankind will be much improved4 ,this is destined to come about4 ,in the same way1 in the character1 the conduct and the manners of men1 universal modifications will be made4 #ace3 ,,according ,,to ,,the ,,explicit ,,decree ,,of ,,bah',u',,ll,h 444 ,according to the explicit decree of ,bah'u'llh one must not turn aside from the advice of a competent doctor4 ,it is imperative to consult one even if the patient himself be a well-known and eminent physician4 ,in short1 the point is that you should maintain your health by consulting a highly-skilled physician4 #acf3 ,,it ,,is ,,incumbent ,,upon ,,everyone ,,to ,,seek ,,medical 444 ,it is incumbent upon everyone to seek medical treatment and to follow the doctor's instructions1 for this is in compliance with the divine ordinance1 but1 in reality1 ,he ,who giveth healing is ,god4 #acg3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,voicing ,,the ,,praises ,,of ,,thy ,,lord6 444 ,o thou who art voicing the praises of thy ,lord6 ,i have read thy letter1 wherein thou didst express astonishment at some of the laws of ,god1 such as that concerning the hunting of innocent animals1 creatures who are guilty of no wrong4 ,be thou not surprised at this4 ,reflect upon the inner realities of the universe1 the secret wisdoms involved1 the enigmas1 the inter-relationships1 the rules that govern all4 ,for every part of the universe is connected with every other part by ties that are very powerful and admit of no imbalance1 nor any slackening whatever4 ,in the physical realm of creation1 all things are eaters and eaten3 the plant drinketh in the mineral1 the animal doth crop and swallow down the plant1 man doth feed upon the animal1 and the mineral devoureth the body of man4 ,physical bodies are transferred past one barrier after another1 from one life to another1 and all things are subject to transformation and change1 save only the essence of existence itself--since it is constant and immutable1 and upon it is founded the life of every species and kind1 of every contingent reality throughout the whole of creation4 ,whensoever thou dost examine1 through a microscope1 the water man drinketh1 the air he doth breathe1 thou wilt see that with every breath of air1 man taketh in an abundance of animal life1 and with every draught of water1 he also swalloweth down a great variety of animals4 ,how could it ever be possible to put a stop to this process8 ,for all creatures are eaters and eaten1 and the very fabric of life is reared upon this fact4 ,were it not so1 the ties that interlace all created things within the universe would be unravelled4 ,and further1 whensoever a thing is destroyed1 and decayeth1 and is cut off from life1 it is promoted into a world that is greater than the world it knew before4 ,it leaveth1 for example1 the life of the mineral and goeth forward into the life of the plant2 then it departeth out of the vegetable life and ascendeth into that of the animal1 following which it forsaketh the life of the animal and riseth into the realm of human life1 and this is out of the grace of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he will assist thee to comprehend the mysteries that lie at the heart of creation1 and will draw away the veil from before thine eyes and thy sister's1 that the well-guarded secret may be disclosed unto thee1 and the hidden mystery be revealed as clear as the sun at noonday2 that ,he will aid thy sister and thy husband to enter the ,kingdom of ,god1 and will heal thee of every ill1 whether physical or spiritual1 that assaileth one in this life4 #ach3 ,o ,,ye ,,beloved ,,of ,,the ,,lord6 ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,god 444 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the ,kingdom of ,god is founded upon equity and justice1 and also upon mercy1 compassion1 and kindness to every living soul4 ,strive ye then with all your heart to treat compassionately all humankind--except for those who have some selfish1 private motive1 or some disease of the soul4 ,kindness cannot be shown the tyrant1 the deceiver1 or the thief1 because1 far from awakening them to the error of their ways1 it maketh them to continue in their perversity as before4 ,no matter how much kindliness ye may expend upon the liar1 he will but lie the more1 for he believeth you to be deceived1 while ye understand him but too well1 and only remain silent out of your extreme compassion4 ,briefly1 it is not only their fellow human beings that the beloved of ,god must treat with mercy and compassion1 rather must they show forth the utmost loving-kindness to every living creature4 ,for in all physical respects1 and where the animal spirit is concerned1 the selfsame feelings are shared by animal and man4 ,man hath not grasped this truth1 however1 and he believeth that physical sensations are confined to human beings1 wherefore is he unjust to the animals1 and cruel4 ,and yet in truth1 what difference is there when it cometh to physical sensations8 ,the feelings are one and the same1 whether ye inflict pain on man or on beast4 ,there is no difference here whatever4 ,and indeed ye do worse to harm an animal1 for man hath a language1 he can lodge a complaint1 he can cry out and moan2 if injured he can have recourse to the authorities and these will protect him from his aggressor4 ,but the hapless beast is mute1 able neither to express its hurt nor take its case to the authorities4 ,if a man inflict a thousand ills upon a beast1 it can neither ward him off with speech nor hale him into court4 ,therefore is it essential that ye show forth the utmost consideration to the animal1 and that ye be even kinder to him than to your fellow man4 ,train your children from their earliest days to be infinitely tender and loving to animals4 ,if an animal be sick1 let the children try to heal it1 if it be hungry1 let them feed it1 if thirsty1 let them quench its thirst1 if weary1 let them see that it rests4 ,most human beings are sinners1 but the beasts are innocent4 ,surely those without sin should receive the most kindness and love--all except animals which are harmful1 such as bloodthirsty wolves1 such as poisonous snakes1 and similar pernicious creatures1 the reason being that kindness to these is an injustice to human beings and to other animals as well4 ,if1 for example1 ye be tender-hearted toward a wolf1 this is but tyranny to a sheep1 for a wolf will destroy a whole flock of sheep4 ,a rabid dog1 if given the chance1 can kill a thousand animals and men4 ,therefore1 compassion shown to wild and ravening beasts is cruelty to the peaceful ones--and so the harmful must be dealt with4 ,but to blessed animals the utmost kindness must be shown1 the more the better4 ,tenderness and loving-kindness are basic principles of ,god's heavenly ,kingdom4 ,ye should most carefully bear this matter in mind4 #aci3 ,o ,,thou ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,the ,,heavenly ,,glad 444 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,the heavenly glad tidings must be delivered with the utmost dignity and magnanimity4 ,and until a soul ariseth with qualities which are essential for the bearer of these tidings1 his words will take no effect4 ,o bondswoman of ,god6 ,the human spirit possesseth wondrous powers1 but it should be reinforced by the ,holy ,spirit4 ,what thou hearest other than this is pure imagination4 ,if1 however1 it be assisted by the bounty of the ,holy ,spirit1 then will its strength be a thing to marvel at4 ,then will that human spirit uncover realities1 and unravel mysteries4 ,turn thy heart fully to the ,holy ,spirit1 and invite others to do the same2 then shall ye witness wonderful results4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,the stars in the sky do not exert any spiritual influence on this world of dust2 but all the members and parts of the universe are very strongly linked together in that limitless space1 and this connection produceth a reciprocity of material effects4 ,outside the bounty of the ,holy ,spirit1 whatsoever thou hearest as to the effect of trances1 or the mediums' trumpets1 conveying the singing voices of the dead1 is imagination pure and simple4 ,as to the bounty of the ,holy ,spirit1 however1 relate whatsoever thou wilt--it cannot be overstated2 believe1 therefore1 whatsoever thou hearest of this4 ,but the persons referred to1 the trumpet-people1 are entirely shut out from this bounty and receive no portion thereof2 their way is an illusion4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,prayers are granted through the universal ,manifestations of ,god4 ,nevertheless1 where the wish is to obtain material things1 even where the heedless are concerned1 if they supplicate1 humbly imploring ,god's help--even their prayer hath an effect4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,although the reality of ,divinity is sanctified and boundless1 the aims and needs of the creatures are restricted4 ,god's grace is like the rain that cometh down from heaven3 the water is not bounded by the limitations of form1 yet on whatever place it poureth down1 it taketh on limitations--dimensions1 appearance1 shape--according to the characteristics of that place4 ,in a square pool1 the water1 previously unconfined1 becometh a square2 in a six-sided pool it becometh a hexagon1 in an eight-sided pool an octagon1 and so forth4 ,the rain itself hath no geometry1 no limits1 no form1 but it taketh on one form or another1 according to the restrictions of its vessel4 ,in the same way1 the ,holy ,essence of the ,lord ,god is boundless1 immeasurable1 but ,his graces and splendours become finite in the creatures1 because of their limitations1 wherefore the prayers of given persons will receive favourable answers in certain cases4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,it is with the ,lord ,christ even as with ,adam4 ,did the first human being who came into existence on this earth have a father or mother8 ,it is certain that he had neither4 ,but ,christ lacked only a father4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,the prayers which were revealed to ask for healing apply both to physical and spiritual healing4 ,recite them1 then1 to heal both the soul and the body4 ,if healing is right for the patient1 it will certainly be granted2 but for some ailing persons1 healing would only be the cause of other ills1 and therefore wisdom doth not permit an affirmative answer to the prayer4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,the power of the ,holy ,spirit healeth both physical and spiritual ailments4 ,o handmaid of ,god6 ,it is recorded in the ,torah3 ,and ,i will give you the valley of ,achor for a door of hope4 ,this valley of ,achor is the city of ,akk1 and whoso hath interpreted this otherwise is of those who know not4 #adj3 ,,thou ,,didst ,,ask ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,transfiguration ,,of ,,jesus1 444 ,thou didst ask as to the transfiguration of ,jesus1 with ,moses and ,elias and the ,heavenly ,father on ,mount ,tabor1 as referred to in the ,bible4 ,this occurrence was perceived by the disciples with their inner eye1 wherefore it was a secret hidden away1 and was a spiritual discovery of theirs4 ,otherwise1 if the intent be that they witnessed physical forms1 that is1 witnessed that transfiguration with their outward eyes1 then there were many others at hand on that plain and mountain1 and why did they fail to behold it8 ,and why did the ,lord charge them that they should tell no man8 ,it is clear that this was a spiritual vision and a scene of the ,kingdom4 ,wherefore did the ,messiah bid them to keep this hidden1 #8till the ,son of ,man were risen from the dead1'7#df7--that is1 until the ,cause of ,god should be exalted1 and the ,word of ,god prevail1 and the reality of ,christ rise up4 #ada3 ,o ,,thou ,,yearning ,,flame1 ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,afire ,,with 444 ,o thou yearning flame1 thou who art afire with the love of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter1 and its contents1 well-expressed and eloquent1 delighted my heart1 showing as they did thy deep sincerity in the ,cause of ,god1 thy persevering steps along the pathway of ,his ,kingdom1 and thy staunchness in ,his ,faith--for of all great things1 this is the greatest in ,his sight4 ,how many a soul hath turned itself unto the ,lord and entered into the protective shadow of ,his ,word1 and become famed throughout the world--for example1 ,judas ,iscariot4 ,and then1 when the tests grew harsh and the violence thereof intensified1 their feet slipped on the pathway and they turned backward from the ,faith after having acknowledged its truth1 and they denied it1 and fell away from harmony and love into mischief and hate4 ,thus became visible the power of tests1 which maketh mighty pillars to tremble and shake4 ,judas ,iscariot was the greatest of the disciples1 and he summoned the people to ,christ4 ,then it seemed to him that ,jesus was showing increasing regard to the ,apostle ,peter1 and when ,jesus said1 #8,thou art ,peter1 and upon this rock ,i will build ,my church1' these words addressed to ,peter1 and this singling out of ,peter for special honour1 had a marked effect on the ,apostle1 and kindled envy within the heart of ,judas4 ,for this reason he who had once drawn nigh did turn aside1 and he who had believed in the ,faith denied it1 and his love changed to hate1 until he became a cause of the crucifixion of that glorious ,lord1 that manifest ,splendour4 ,such is the outcome of envy1 the chief reason why men turn aside from the ,straight ,path4 ,so hath it occurred1 and will occur1 in this great ,cause4 ,but it doth not matter1 for it engendereth loyalty in the rest1 and maketh souls to arise who waver not1 who are fixed and unshakeable as the mountains in their love for the ,manifest ,light4 ,convey thou unto the handmaids of the ,merciful the message that when a test turneth violent they must stand unmoved1 and faithful to their love for ,bah4 ,in winter come the storms1 and the great winds blow1 but then will follow spring in all its beauty1 adorning hill and plain with perfumed plants and red anemones1 fair to see4 ,then will the birds trill out upon the branches their songs of joy1 and sermonize in lilting tones from the pulpits of the trees4 ,erelong shall ye bear witness that the lights are streaming forth1 the banners of the realm above are waving1 the sweet scents of the ,all-,merciful are wafted abroad1 the hosts of the ,kingdom are marching down1 the angels of heaven are rushing forward1 and the ,holy ,spirit is breathing upon all those regions4 ,on that day thou shalt behold the waverers1 men and women alike1 frustrated of their hopes and in manifest loss4 ,this is decreed by the ,lord1 the ,revealer of ,verses4 ,as to thee1 blessed art thou1 for thou art steadfast in the ,cause of ,god1 firm in ,his ,covenant4 ,i beg of ,him to bestow upon thee a spiritual soul1 and the life of the ,kingdom1 and to make thee a leaf verdant and flourishing on the ,tree of ,life1 that thou mayest serve the handmaids of the ,merciful with spirituality and good cheer4 ,thy generous ,lord will assist thee to labour in ,his vineyard and will cause thee to be the means of spreading the spirit of unity among ,his handmaids4 ,he will make thine inner eye to see with the light of knowledge1 ,he will forgive thy sins and transform them into goodly deeds4 ,verily ,he is the ,forgiving1 the ,compassionate1 the ,lord of immeasurable grace4 #adb3 ,o ,,thou ,,dear ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,praise ,,thou ,,god1 444 ,o thou dear handmaid of ,god6 ,praise thou ,god1 because thou art favoured at ,his ,holy ,threshold1 and cherished in the ,kingdom of ,his might4 ,thou art the head of an assembly which is the very imprint of the ,company on high1 the mirror-image of the all-glorious realm4 ,strive thou with heart and soul1 in prayerful humility and self-effacement1 to uphold the ,law of ,god and spread ,his sweet savours abroad4 ,endeavour thou to become the true president of the assemblies of spiritual souls1 and a companion to the angels in the realm of the ,all-,merciful4 ,thou didst ask as to the tenth to the seventeenth verses of the twenty-first chapter of ,saint ,john the ,divine's ,revelation4 ,know thou that according to mathematical principles1 the firmament of this earth's brilliant day-star hath been divided among twelve constellations1 which they call the twelve zodiacal signs4 ,in the same way1 the ,sun of ,truth shineth out from and sheddeth its bounties through twelve stations of holiness1 and by these heavenly signs are meant those stainless and unsullied personages who are the very well-springs of sanctity1 and the dawning-points proclaiming the oneness of ,god4 ,consider how in the days of the ,interlocutor 7,moses71 there were twelve holy beings who were leaders of the twelve tribes2 and likewise in the dispensation of the ,spirit 7,christ71 note that there were twelve ,apostles gathered within the sheltering shade of that supernal ,light1 and from those splendid dawning-points the ,sun of ,truth shone forth even as the sun in the sky4 ,again1 in the days of ,muammad1 observe that there were twelve dawning-points of holiness1 the manifestors of ,god's confirming help4 ,such is the way of it4 ,accordingly did ,saint ,john the ,divine tell of twelve gates in his vision1 and twelve foundations4 ,by #8that great city1 the holy ,jerusalem1 descending out of heaven from ,god' is meant the holy ,law of ,god1 and this is set forth in many ,tablets and still to be read in the ,scriptures of the ,prophets of the past3 for instance1 that ,jerusalem was seen going out into the wilderness4 ,the meaning of the passage is that this heavenly ,jerusalem hath twelve gates1 through which the blessed enter into the ,city of ,god4 ,these gates are souls who are as guiding stars1 as portals of knowledge and grace2 and within these gates there stand twelve angels4 ,by #8angel' is meant the power of the confirmations of ,god--that the candle of ,god's confirming power shineth out from the lamp-niche of those souls--meaning that every one of those beings will be granted the most vehement confirming support4 ,these twelve gates surround the entire world1 that is they are a shelter for all creatures4 ,and further1 these twelve gates are the foundation of the ,city of ,god1 the heavenly ,jerusalem1 and on each one of these foundations is written the name of one of the ,apostles of ,christ4 ,that is to say1 each one maketh manifest the perfections1 the joyous message1 and the excellency of that holy ,being4 ,in brief1 the ,scripture saith3 #8,and he that talked with me had a rod made out of gold1 that is1 a measure1 wherewith he measured the city and the gates thereof and the towers thereof4' ,the meaning is that certain personages guided the people with a staff grown out of the earth1 and shepherded them with a rod1 like unto the rod of ,moses4 ,others trained and shepherded the people with a rod of iron1 as in the dispensation of ,muammad4 ,and in this present cycle1 because it is the mightiest of ,dispensations1 that rod grown out of the vegetable kingdom and that rod of iron will be transformed into a rod of purest gold1 taken from out the endless treasure houses in the ,kingdom of the ,lord4 ,by this rod will the people be trained4 ,note well the difference3 at one time the ,teachings of ,god were as a staff1 and by this means the ,holy ,scriptures were spread abroad1 the ,law of ,god was promulgated and ,his ,faith established4 ,then followed a time when the staff of the true ,shepherd was as iron4 ,and today1 in this new and splendid age1 the rod is even as pure gold4 ,how wide is the difference here6 ,know1 then1 how much ground hath been gained by the ,law of ,god and ,his ,teachings in this dispensation1 how they have reached such heights that they far transcend the dispensations gone before3 truly this rod is purest gold1 while those of other days were of iron and wood4 ,this is a brief answer that hath been written for thee1 because there was no time for more4 ,it is certain that thou wilt forgive me4 ,the handmaids of ,god must rise to such a station that they will1 by themselves and unaided1 comprehend these inner meanings1 and be able to expound at full length every single word2 a station where1 out of the truth of their inmost hearts1 a spring of wisdom will well up1 and jet forth even as a fountain that leapeth from its own original source4 #adc3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,hast ,,drawn ,,nigh ,,unto ,,the ,,spirit ,,of 444 ,o thou who hast drawn nigh unto the spirit of ,christ in the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily the body is composed of physical elements1 and every composite must needs be decomposed4 ,the spirit1 however1 is a single essence1 fine and delicate1 incorporeal1 everlasting1 and of ,god4 ,for this reason whoso looketh for ,christ in ,his physical body hath looked in vain1 and will be shut away from ,him as by a veil4 ,but whoso yearneth to find ,him in the spirit will grow from day to day in joy and desire and burning love1 in closeness to ,him1 and in beholding ,him clear and plain4 ,in this new and wondrous day1 it behoveth thee to seek after the spirit of ,christ4 ,verily the heaven into which the ,messiah rose up was not this unending sky1 rather was ,his heaven the ,kingdom of ,his beneficent ,lord4 ,even as ,he ,himself hath said1 #8,i came down from heaven1'7#dg7 and again1 #8,the ,son of ,man is in heaven4'7#dh7 ,hence it is clear that ,his heaven is beyond all directional points2 it encircleth all existence1 and is raised up for those who worship ,god4 ,beg and implore thy ,lord to lift thee up into that heaven1 and give thee to eat of its food1 in this age of majesty and might4 ,know thou that the people1 even unto this day1 have failed to unravel the hidden secrets of the ,book4 ,they imagine that ,christ was excluded from ,his heaven in the days when ,he walked the earth1 that ,he fell from the heights of ,his sublimity1 and afterwards mounted to those upper reaches of the sky1 to the heaven which doth not exist at all1 for it is but space4 ,and they are waiting for ,him to come down from there again1 riding upon a cloud1 and they imagine that there are clouds in that infinite space and that ,he will ride thereon and by that means ,he will descend4 ,whereas the truth is that a cloud is but vapour that riseth out of the earth1 and it doth not come down from heaven4 ,rather1 the cloud referred to in the ,gospel is the human body1 so called because the body is as a veil to man1 which1 even as a cloud1 preventeth him from beholding the ,sun of ,truth that shineth from the horizon of ,christ4 ,i beg of ,god to open before thine eyes the gates of discoveries and perceptions1 that thou mayest become informed of ,his mysteries in this most manifest of days4 ,i am most eager to meet thee1 but the times are not propitious4 ,god willing1 we shall let thee know of a better time1 when thou canst come rejoicing4 #add3 ,o ,,lover ,,of ,,humankind6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,hath ,,been 444 ,o lover of humankind6 ,thy letter hath been received1 and it telleth1 ,god be praised1 of thy health and well-being4 ,it appeareth1 from thine answer to a previous letter1 that feelings of affection were being established between thyself and the friends4 ,one must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise4 ,when this is done1 one can be a friend to the whole human race4 ,if1 however1 we look at people from the standpoint of their faults1 then being a friend to them is a formidable task4 ,it happened one day in the time of ,christ--may the life of the world be a sacrifice unto ,him--that ,he passed by the dead body of a dog1 a carcass reeking1 hideous1 the limbs rotting away4 ,one of those present said3 #8,how foul its stench6' ,and another said3 #8,how sickening6 ,how loathsome6' ,to be brief1 each one of them had something to add to the list4 ,but then ,christ ,himself spoke1 and ,he told them3 #8,look at that dog's teeth6 ,how gleaming white6' ,the ,messiah's sin-covering gaze did not for a moment dwell upon the repulsiveness of that carrion4 ,the one element of that dead dog's carcass which was not abomination was the teeth3 and ,jesus looked upon their brightness4 ,thus is it incumbent upon us1 when we direct our gaze toward other people1 to see where they excel1 not where they fail4 ,praise be to ,god1 thy goal is to promote the well-being of humankind and to help the souls to overcome their faults4 ,this good intention will produce laudable results4 #ade3 ,,thou ,,didst ,,write ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,question ,,of ,,spiritual 444 ,thou didst write as to the question of spiritual discoveries4 ,the spirit of man is a circumambient power that encompasseth the realities of all things4 ,whatsoever thou dost see about thee--wondrous products of human workmanship1 inventions1 discoveries and like evidences--each one of these was once a secret hidden away in the realm of the unknown4 ,the human spirit laid that secret bare1 and drew it forth from the unseen into the visible world4 ,there is1 for example1 the power of steam1 and photography and the phonograph1 and wireless telegraphy1 and advances in mathematics3 each and every one of these was once a mystery1 a closely guarded secret1 yet the human spirit unravelled these secrets and brought them out of the invisible into the light of day4 ,thus is it clear that the human spirit is an all-encompassing power that exerteth its dominion over the inner essences of all created things1 uncovering the well kept mysteries of the phenomenal world4 ,the divine spirit1 however1 doth unveil divine realities and universal mysteries that lie within the spiritual world4 ,it is my hope that thou wilt attain unto this divine spirit1 so that thou mayest uncover the secrets of the other world1 as well as the mysteries of the world below4 ,thou didst ask as to chapter #ad1 verse #cj of the ,gospel of ,john1 where the ,lord ,christ saith1 #8,hereafter ,i will not talk much with you3 for the ,prince of this world cometh1 and hath nothing in ,me4' ,the ,prince of this world is the ,blessed ,beauty2 and #8hath nothing in ,me' signifieth3 after ,me all will draw grace from ,me1 but ,he is independent of ,me1 and will draw no grace from ,me4 ,that is1 ,he is rich beyond any grace of ,mine4 ,as to thy question regarding discoveries made by the soul after it hath put off its human form3 certainly1 that world is a world of perceptions and discoveries1 for the interposed veil will be lifted away and the human spirit will gaze upon souls that are above1 below1 and on a par with itself4 ,it is similar to the condition of a human being in the womb1 where his eyes are veiled1 and all things are hidden away from him4 ,once he is born out of the uterine world and entereth this life1 he findeth it1 with relation to that of the womb1 to be a place of perceptions and discoveries1 and he observeth all things through his outer eye4 ,in the same way1 once he hath departed this life1 he will behold1 in that world whatsoever was hidden from him here3 but there he will look upon and comprehend all things with his inner eye4 ,there will he gaze on his fellows and his peers1 and those in the ranks above him1 and those below4 ,as for what is meant by the equality of souls in the all-highest realm1 it is this3 the souls of the believers1 at the time when they first become manifest in the world of the body1 are equal1 and each is sanctified and pure4 ,in this world1 however1 they will begin to differ one from another1 some achieving the highest station1 some a middle one1 others remaining at the lowest stage of being4 ,their equal status is at the beginning of their existence2 the differentiation followeth their passing away4 ,thou didst write as to ,seir4 ,seir is a locality near ,nazareth in ,galilee4 ,as to the statement of ,job1 chapter #ai1 verses #be-bg1 #8,i know that my ,redeemer liveth1 and that ,he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth1' the meaning here is3 ,i shall not be abased1 ,i have a ,sustainer and a ,guardian1 and my ,helper1 my ,defender will in the end be made manifest4 ,and although now my flesh be weak and clothed with worms1 yet shall ,i be healed1 and with these mine own eyes1 that is1 mine inner sight1 ,i shall behold ,him4 ,this did ,job say after they had reproached him1 and he himself had lamented the harms that his tribulations had wreaked upon him4 ,and even when1 from the terrible inroads of the sickness1 his body was covered with worms1 he sought to tell those about him that still he would be fully healed1 and that in his very body1 with his very eyes1 he would gaze on his ,redeemer4 ,as to the woman in the ,revelation of ,saint ,john1 chapter #ab1 who fled into the wilderness1 and the great wonder appearing in the heavens--that woman clothed with the sun1 with the moon under her feet3 what is meant by the woman is the ,law of ,god4 ,for according to the terminology of the ,holy ,books1 this reference is to the ,law1 the woman being its symbol here4 ,and the two luminaries1 the sun and the moon1 are the two thrones1 the ,turkish and the ,persian1 these two being under the rule of the ,law of ,god4 ,the sun is the symbol of the ,persian ,empire1 and the moon1 that is1 the crescent1 of the ,turkish4 ,the twelve-fold crown is the twelve ,imms1 who1 even as the ,apostles1 supported the ,faith of ,god4 ,the newborn ,child is the ,beauty of the ,adored ,one17#di7 come forth out of the ,law of ,god4 ,he then saith that the woman fled into the wilderness1 that is1 the ,law of ,god was carried out of ,palestine to the desert of ijz1 where it remained #abfj years--that is1 until the advent of the promised ,child4 ,and as is well known1 in the ,holy ,books1 every day is accounted as one year4 #adf3 ,o ,,thou ,,handmaid ,,afire ,,with ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,god6 ,i 444 ,o thou handmaid afire with the love of ,god6 ,i have considered thine excellent letter1 and thanked ,god for thy safe arrival in that great city4 ,i beg of ,him1 through ,his unfailing aid1 to cause this return of thine to exert a powerful effect4 ,such a thing can only come about if thou dost divest thyself of all attachment to this world1 and dost put on the vesture of holiness2 if thou dost limit all thy thoughts and all thy words to the remembrance of ,god and ,his praise2 to spreading ,his sweet savours abroad1 and performing righteous acts2 and if thou dost devote thyself to awakening the heedless and restoring sight to the blind1 hearing to the deaf1 speech to the mute1 and through the power of the spirit1 giving life to the dead4 ,for even as ,christ said of them in the ,gospel1 the people are blind1 they are deaf1 they are dumb2 and ,he said3 #8,i will heal them4' ,be thou kind and compassionate to thine enfeebled mother1 and speak to her of the ,kingdom1 that her heart may rejoice4 ,give thou my greetings to ,miss ,ford4 ,convey to her the glad tidings that these are the days of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,say unto her3 ,blessed art thou for thy noble aims1 blessed art thou for thy goodly deeds1 blessed art thou for thy spiritual nature4 ,verily do ,i love thee on account of these thine aims and qualities and deeds4 ,tell her further3 ,remember the ,messiah1 and ,his days on earth1 and ,his abasement1 and ,his tribulations1 and how the people paid ,him no mind4 ,remember how the ,jews would hold ,him up to ridicule1 and mock at ,him1 and address ,him with3 #8,peace be upon thee1 ,king of the ,jews6 ,peace be upon thee1 ,king of ,kings6' ,how they would say that ,he was mad1 and would ask how the ,cause of that crucified ,one could ever spread out to the easts of the world and the wests thereof4 ,none followed ,him then1 save only a few souls who were fishermen1 carpenters1 and other plain folk4 ,alas1 alas1 for such delusions6 ,and see what happened then3 how their mighty banners were reversed1 and in their place ,his most exalted standard lifted up2 how all the bright stars in that heaven of honour and pride did set2 how they sank in the west of all that vanisheth--while ,his brilliant ,orb still shineth down out of skies of undying glory1 as the centuries and the ages roll by4 ,be ye then admonished1 ye that have eyes to see6 ,erelong shall ye behold even greater things than this4 ,know thou that all the powers combined have not the power to establish universal peace1 nor to withstand the overmastering dominion1 at every time and season1 of these endless wars4 ,erelong1 however1 shall the power of heaven1 the dominion of the ,holy ,spirit1 hoist on the high summits the banners of love and peace1 and there above the castles of majesty and might shall those banners wave in the rushing winds that blow out of the tender mercy of ,god4 ,convey thou my greetings to ,mrs4 ,florence1 and tell her3 ,the diverse congregations have given up the ground of their belief1 and adopted doctrines that are of no account in the sight of ,god4 ,they are even as the ,pharisees who both prayed and fasted1 and then did sentence ,jesus ,christ to death4 ,by the life of ,god6 ,this thing is passing strange6 ,as to thee1 ,o handmaid of ,god1 softly recite thou this commune to thy ,lord1 and say unto ,him3 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,fill up for me the cup of detachment from all things1 and in the assembly of ,thy splendours and bestowals1 rejoice me with the wine of loving ,thee4 ,free me from the assaults of passion and desire1 break off from me the shackles of this nether world1 draw me with rapture unto ,thy supernal realm1 and refresh me amongst the handmaids with the breathings of ,thy holiness4 ,o ,lord1 brighten ,thou my face with the lights of ,thy bestowals1 light ,thou mine eyes with beholding the signs of ,thine all-subduing might2 delight my heart with the glory of ,thy knowledge that encompasseth all things1 gladden ,thou my soul with ,thy soul-reviving tidings of great joy1 ,o ,thou ,king of this world and the ,kingdom above1 ,o ,thou ,lord of dominion and might1 that ,i may spread abroad ,thy signs and tokens1 and proclaim ,thy ,cause1 and promote ,thy ,teachings1 and serve ,thy ,law1 and exalt ,thy ,word4 ,thou art verily the ,powerful1 the ,ever-,giving1 the ,able1 the ,omnipotent4 ,as to the fundamentals of teaching the ,faith3 know thou that delivering the ,message can be accomplished only through goodly deeds and spiritual attributes1 an utterance that is crystal clear and the happiness reflected from the face of that one who is expounding the ,teachings4 ,it is essential that the deeds of the teacher should attest the truth of his words4 ,such is the state of whoso doth spread abroad the sweet savours of ,god and the quality of him who is sincere in his faith4 ,once the ,lord hath enabled thee to attain this condition1 be thou assured that ,he will inspire thee with words of truth1 and will cause thee to speak through the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit4 #adg3 ,,reflect ,,upon ,,the ,,past ,,events ,,of ,,the ,,time ,,of 444 ,reflect upon the past events of the time of ,christ1 and the present events shall become clear and manifest4 #adh3 ,o ,,ye ,,sons ,,and ,,daughters ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 444 ,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,thankful1 the birds of the spirit seek only to fly in the high heavens and to sing out their songs with wondrous art4 ,but the pitiable earthworms love only to tunnel into the ground1 and what a mighty struggle they make to get themselves down into its depths6 ,even so are the sons of earth4 ,their highest aim is to augment their means of continuing on1 in this vanishing world1 this death in life2 and this despite the fact that they are bound hand and foot by a thousand cares and sorrows1 and never safe from danger1 not even for the twinkling of an eye2 never at any time secure1 even from sudden death4 ,wherefore1 after a brief span1 are they utterly effaced1 and no sign remaineth to tell of them1 and no word of them is ever heard again4 ,then let you engage in the praise of ,bah'u'llh1 for it is through ,his grace and succour that ye have become sons and daughters of the ,kingdom2 it is thanks to ,him that ye are now songsters in the meadows of truth1 and have soared upward to the heights of the glory that abideth forever4 ,ye have found your place in the world that dieth not2 the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit have blown upon you2 ye have taken on another life1 ye have gained access to the ,threshold of ,god4 ,wherefore1 with great gladness1 establish ye spiritual assemblies1 and engage ye in uttering the praise and glorification of the ,lord1 and calling ,him ,holy and ,most ,great4 ,lift up to the realm of the ,all-,glorious your suppliant cries for help1 and voice ye at every moment a myriad thanks for having won this abounding favour and exceeding grace4 #adi3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,hast ,,eyes ,,to ,,see6 ,,that ,,which ,,thou 444 ,o thou who hast eyes to see6 ,that which thou didst witness is the very truth1 and it pertaineth to the realm of vision4 ,the perfume is intimately commingled and blended with the bud1 and once the bud hath opened the sweet scent of it is spread abroad4 ,the herb is not without its fruit1 although it seemeth so1 for in this garden of ,god every plant exerteth its own influence and hath its own properties1 and every plant can even match the laughing1 hundred-petalled rose in rejoicing the sense with its fragrance4 ,be thou assured of this4 ,although the pages of a book know nothing of the words and the meanings traced upon them1 even so1 because of their connection with these words1 friends pass them reverently from hand to hand4 ,this connection1 furthermore1 is purest bounty4 ,when the human soul soareth out of this transient heap of dust and riseth into the world of ,god1 then veils will fall away1 and verities will come to light1 and all things unknown before will be made clear1 and hidden truths be understood4 ,consider how a being1 in the world of the womb1 was deaf of ear and blind of eye1 and mute of tongue2 how he was bereft of any perceptions at all4 ,but once1 out of that world of darkness1 he passed into this world of light1 then his eye saw1 his ear heard1 his tongue spoke4 ,in the same way1 once he hath hastened away from this mortal place into the ,kingdom of ,god1 then he will be born in the spirit2 then the eye of his perception will open1 the ear of his soul will hearken1 and all the truths of which he was ignorant before will be made plain and clear4 ,an observant traveller passing along a way will certainly recall his discoveries to mind1 unless some accident befall him and efface the memory4 #aej3 ,o ,,thou ,,handmaid ,,aflame ,,with ,,the ,,fire ,,of ,,god',s 444 ,o thou handmaid aflame with the fire of ,god's love6 ,grieve thou not over the troubles and hardships of this nether world1 nor be thou glad in times of ease and comfort1 for both shall pass away4 ,this present life is even as a swelling wave1 or a mirage1 or drifting shadows4 ,could ever a distorted image on the desert serve as refreshing waters8 ,no1 by the ,lord of ,lords6 ,never can reality and the mere semblance of reality be one1 and wide is the difference between fancy and fact1 between truth and the phantom thereof4 ,know thou that the ,kingdom is the real world1 and this nether place is only its shadow stretching out4 ,a shadow hath no life of its own2 its existence is only a fantasy1 and nothing more2 it is but images reflected in water1 and seeming as pictures to the eye4 ,rely upon ,god4 ,trust in ,him4 ,praise ,him1 and call ,him continually to mind4 ,he verily turneth trouble into ease1 and sorrow into solace1 and toil into utter peace4 ,he verily hath dominion over all things4 ,if thou wouldst hearken to my words1 release thyself from the fetters of whatsoever cometh to pass4 ,nay rather1 under all conditions thank thou thy loving ,lord1 and yield up thine affairs unto ,his ,will that worketh as ,he pleaseth4 ,this verily is better for thee than all else1 in either world4 #aea3 ,o ,,thou ,,believer ,,in ,,the ,,oneness ,,of ,,god6 ,,know 444 ,o thou believer in the oneness of ,god6 ,know thou that nothing profiteth a soul save the love of the ,all-,merciful1 nothing lighteth up a heart save the splendour that shineth from the realm of the ,lord4 ,forsake thou every other concern1 let oblivion overtake the memory of all else4 ,confine thy thoughts to whatever will lift up the human soul to the ,paradise of heavenly grace1 and make every bird of the ,kingdom wing its way unto the ,supreme ,horizon1 the central point of everlasting honour in this contingent world4 #aeb3 ,,as ,,to ,,the ,,question ,,regarding ,,the ,,soul ,,of ,a ,,murderer1 444 ,as to the question regarding the soul of a murderer1 and what his punishment would be1 the answer given was that the murderer must expiate his crime3 that is1 if they put the murderer to death1 his death is his atonement for his crime1 and following the death1 ,god in ,his justice will impose no second penalty upon him1 for divine justice would not allow this4 #aec3 ,o ,,thou ,,handmaid ,,of ,,god6 ,,in ,,this ,,day1 ,,to ,,thank 444 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,in this day1 to thank ,god for ,his bounties consisteth in possessing a radiant heart1 and a soul open to the promptings of the spirit4 ,this is the essence of thanksgiving4 ,as for offering thanks by speaking out or writing1 although this is indeed acceptable1 yet when compared with that other thanksgiving1 it is only a semblance and unreal2 for the essential thing is these intimations of the spirit1 these emanations from the deep recess of the heart4 ,it is my hope that thou wilt be favoured therewith4 ,regarding one's lack of capacity and one's undeserving on the ,day of ,resurrection1 this does not cause one to be shut out from gifts and bounties2 for this is not the ,day of ,justice but the ,day of ,grace1 while justice is allotting to each whatever is his due4 ,then look thou not at the degree of thy capacity1 look thou at the boundless favour of ,bah'u'llh2 all-encompassing is ,his bounty1 and consummate ,his grace4 ,i ask of ,god that with ,his assistance and strong support thou mayest teach the inner meanings of the ,torah with eloquence1 understanding1 vigour and skill4 ,turn thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,god1 ask for the bestowals of the ,holy ,spirit1 speak1 and the confirmations of the ,spirit will come4 ,as for that mighty solar orb which thou didst behold in thy dream1 that was the ,promised ,one1 and its spreading rays were ,his bounties1 and the translucent surface of the mass of water signifieth hearts that are undefiled and pure1 while the surging waves denote the great excitement of those hearts and the fact that they were shaken and deeply moved1 that is1 the waves are the stirrings of the spirit and holy intimations of the soul4 ,praise thou ,god that in the world of the dream thou hast witnessed such disclosures4 ,with reference to what is meant by an individual becoming entirely forgetful of self3 the intent is that he should rise up and sacrifice himself in the true sense1 that is1 he should obliterate the promptings of the human condition1 and rid himself of such characteristics as are worthy of blame and constitute the gloomy darkness of this life on earth--not that he should allow his physical health to deteriorate and his body to become infirm4 ,i do earnestly and humbly supplicate at the ,holy ,threshold that heavenly blessings and divine forgiveness will encompass thy dear mother1 as well as thy loving sisters and relatives4 ,especially do ,i pray on behalf of thy betrothed1 who hath suddenly hastened away from this world into the next4 #aed3 ,o ,,thou ,,son ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,most ,,agreeable 444 ,o thou son of the ,kingdom6 ,thy most agreeable letters1 with their pleasing style1 ever gladden our hearts4 ,when the song is of the ,kingdom1 it rejoiceth the soul4 ,praise thou ,god that thou hast travelled to that country7#ej7 for the purpose of raising up ,his ,word and spreading abroad the holy fragrance of ,his ,kingdom1 and that thou art serving as a gardener in the gardens of heaven4 ,erelong shall thine efforts be crowned with success4 ,o thou son of the ,kingdom6 ,all things are beneficial if joined with the love of ,god2 and without ,his love all things are harmful1 and act as a veil between man and the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,when ,his love is there1 every bitterness turneth sweet1 and every bounty rendereth a wholesome pleasure4 ,for example1 a melody1 sweet to the ear1 bringeth the very spirit of life to a heart in love with ,god1 yet staineth with lust a soul engrossed in sensual desires4 ,and every branch of learning1 conjoined with the love of ,god1 is approved and worthy of praise2 but bereft of ,his love1 learning is barren--indeed1 it bringeth on madness4 ,every kind of knowledge1 every science1 is as a tree3 if the fruit of it be the love of ,god1 then is it a blessed tree1 but if not1 that tree is but dried-up wood1 and shall only feed the fire4 ,o thou loyal servant of ,god and thou spiritual healer of man6 ,whensoever thou dost attend a patient1 turn thy face toward the ,lord of the heavenly ,kingdom1 ask the ,holy ,spirit to come to thine aid1 then heal thou the sickness4 #aee3 ,o ,,thou ,,flame ,,of ,,god',s ,,love6 ,,what ,,thou ,,hast 444 ,o thou flame of ,god's love6 ,what thou hast written hath brought great joy1 for thy letter was as a garden from which roses of inner meanings spread abroad the sweet exhalations of the love of ,god4 ,in the same way1 my answers will serve as rainshowers and dew1 to bestow on those spiritual plants that have blossomed in the garden of thy heart more freshness and delicate beauty than words can tell4 ,thou didst write of afflictive tests that have assailed thee4 ,to the loyal soul1 a test is but ,god's grace and favour2 for the valiant doth joyously press forward to furious battle on the field of anguish1 when the coward1 whimpering with fright1 will tremble and shake4 ,so too1 the proficient student1 who hath with great competence mastered his subjects and committed them to memory1 will happily exhibit his skills before his examiners on the day of his tests4 ,so too will solid gold wondrously gleam and shine out in the assayer's fire4 ,it is clear1 then1 that tests and trials are1 for sanctified souls1 but ,god's bounty and grace1 while to the weak1 they are a calamity1 unexpected and sudden4 ,these tests1 even as thou didst write1 do but cleanse the spotting of self from off the mirror of the heart1 till the ,sun of ,truth can cast its rays thereon2 for there is no veil more obstructive than the self1 and however tenuous that veil may be1 at the last it will completely shut a person out1 and deprive him of his portion of eternal grace4 ,o thou enraptured handmaid of the ,lord6 ,when the believers1 men and women1 pass in thought before my eyes1 ,i feel myself warmed at the fire of ,god's love1 and ,i pray that the ,almighty will succour those holy souls with ,his invisible hosts4 ,praised be the ,lord that the prophecies of all ,his ,manifestations have now been clearly fulfilled1 in this greatest of all days1 this holy and blessed age4 ,o thou enraptured handmaid of ,god6 ,nearness is verily of the soul1 not of the body2 and the help that is sought1 and the help that cometh1 is not material but of the spirit2 nevertheless it is my hope that thou wilt attain to nearness in every sense4 ,the bounties of ,god will verily encompass a sanctified soul even as the sun's light doth the moon and stars3 be thou assured of this4 ,waft thou to each one of the believers1 men and women alike1 fragrant breaths of holiness on behalf of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,inspire them all and urge them on to shed abroad the sweet savours of the ,lord4 #aef3 ,o ,,thou ,,servant ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,threshold6 ,,we ,,have 444 ,o thou servant of the ,holy ,threshold6 ,we have read what flowed out from thy pen in thy love for ,god1 and found the contents of thy letter most pleasing4 ,my hope is that through the bounty of ,god1 the breaths of the ,all-,merciful will at all times refresh and renew thee4 ,thou didst write of reincarnation4 ,a belief in reincarnation goeth far back into the ancient history of almost all peoples1 and was held even by the philosophers of ,greece1 the ,roman sages1 the ancient ,egyptians1 and the great ,assyrians4 ,nevertheless such superstitions and sayings are but absurdities in the sight of ,god4 ,the major argument of the reincarnationists was this1 that according to the justice of ,god1 each must receive his due3 whenever a man is afflicted with some calamity1 for example1 this is because of some wrong he hath committed4 ,but take a child that is still in its mother's womb1 the embryo but newly formed1 and that child is blind1 deaf1 lame1 defective--what sin hath such a child committed1 to deserve its afflictions8 ,they answer that1 although to outward seeming the child1 still in the womb1 is guilty of no sin--nevertheless he perpetrated some wrong when in his previous form1 and thus he came to deserve his punishment4 ,these individuals1 however1 have overlooked the following point4 ,if creation went forward according to only one rule1 how could the all-encompassing ,power make ,itself felt8 ,how could the ,almighty be the ,one ,who #8doeth as ,he pleaseth and ordaineth as ,he willeth'87#ea7 ,briefly1 a return is indeed referred to in the ,holy ,scriptures1 but by this is meant the return of the qualities1 conditions1 effects1 perfections1 and inner realities of the lights which recur in every dispensation4 ,the reference is not to specific1 individual souls and identities4 ,it may be said1 for instance1 that this lamplight is last night's come back again1 or that last year's rose hath returned to the garden this year4 ,here the reference is not to the individual reality1 the fixed identity1 the specialized being of that other rose1 rather doth it mean that the qualities1 the distinctive characteristics of that other light1 that other flower1 are present now1 in these4 ,those perfections1 that is1 those graces and gifts of a former springtime are back again this year4 ,we say1 for example1 that this fruit is the same as last year's2 but we are thinking only of the delicacy1 bloom and freshness1 and the sweet taste of it2 for it is obvious that that impregnable centre of reality1 that specific identity1 can never return4 ,what peace1 what ease and comfort did the ,holy ,ones of ,god ever discover during ,their sojourn in this nether world1 that ,they should continually seek to come back and live this life again8 ,doth not a single turn at this anguish1 these afflictions1 these calamities1 these body blows1 these dire straits1 suffice1 that ,they should wish for repeated visits to the life of this world8 ,this cup was not so sweet that one would care to drink of it a second time4 ,therefore do the lovers of the ,abh ,beauty wish for no other recompense but to reach that station where they may gaze upon ,him in the ,realm of ,glory1 and they walk no other path save over desert sands of longing for those exalted heights4 ,they seek that ease and solace which will abide forever1 and those bestowals that are sanctified beyond the understanding of the worldly mind4 ,when thou lookest about thee with a perceptive eye1 thou wilt note that on this dusty earth all humankind are suffering4 ,here no man is at rest as a reward for what he hath performed in former lives2 nor is there anyone so blissful as seemingly to pluck the fruit of bygone anguish4 ,and if a human life1 with its spiritual being1 were limited to this earthly span1 then what would be the harvest of creation8 ,indeed1 what would be the effects and the outcomes of ,divinity ,itself8 ,were such a notion true1 then all created things1 all contingent realities1 and this whole world of being--all would be meaningless4 ,god forbid that one should hold to such a fiction and gross error4 ,for just as the effects and the fruitage of the uterine life are not to be found in that dark and narrow place1 and only when the child is transferred to this wide earth do the benefits and uses of growth and development in that previous world become revealed--so likewise reward and punishment1 heaven and hell1 requital and retribution for actions done in this present life1 will stand revealed in that other world beyond4 ,and just as1 if human life in the womb were limited to that uterine world1 existence there would be nonsensical1 irrelevant--so too if the life of this world1 the deeds here done and their fruitage1 did not come forth in the world beyond1 the whole process would be irrational and foolish4 ,know then that the ,lord ,god possesseth invisible realms which the human intellect can never hope to fathom nor the mind of man conceive4 ,when once thou hast cleansed the channel of thy spiritual sense from the pollution of this worldly life1 then wilt thou breathe in the sweet scents of holiness that blow from the blissful bowers of that heavenly land4 ,the ,glory rest upon thee1 and upon whosoever turneth toward and gazeth on the ,kingdom of the ,all-,glorious1 which the ,lord hath sanctified beyond the understanding of those who are neglectful of ,him1 and hath hid from the eyes of those who show ,him pride4 #aeg3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are ,,strongly ,,attracted6 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are 444 ,o ye who are strongly attracted6 ,o ye who are mindful6 ,o ye who are advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily with all my heart and soul and with all lowliness do ,i supplicate the ,lord ,god to make of you ensigns of guidance1 banners of righteousness1 well-springs of understanding and knowledge1 that through you ,he may lead the seekers unto the straight path and guide them to the broad way of truth in this mightiest of ages4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,know ye that the world is even as a mirage rising over the sands1 that the thirsty mistaketh for water4 ,the wine of this world is but a vapour in the desert1 its pity and compassion but toil and trouble1 the repose it proffereth only weariness and sorrow4 ,abandon it to those who belong to it1 and turn your faces unto the ,kingdom of your ,lord the ,all-,merciful1 that ,his grace and bounty may cast their dawning splendours over you1 and a heavenly table may be sent down for you1 and your ,lord may bless you1 and shower ,his riches upon you to gladden your bosoms and fill your hearts with bliss1 to attract your minds1 and cleanse your souls1 and console your eyes4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,is there any giver save ,god8 ,he singleth out for ,his mercy whomsoever ,he willeth4 ,erelong will ,he open before you the gates of ,his knowledge and fill up your hearts with ,his love4 ,he will cheer your souls with the gentle winds of ,his holiness and make bright your faces with the splendours of ,his lights1 and exalt the memory of you amongst all peoples4 ,your ,lord is verily the ,compassionate1 the ,merciful4 ,he will come to your aid with invisible hosts1 and support you with armies of inspiration from the ,concourse above2 ,he will send unto you sweet perfumes from the highest ,paradise1 and waft over you the pure breathings that blow from the rose gardens of the ,company on high4 ,he will breathe into your hearts the spirit of life1 cause you to enter the ,ark of salvation1 and reveal unto you ,his clear tokens and signs4 ,verily is this abounding grace4 ,verily is this the victory that none can deny4 #aeh3 ,,grieve ,,thou ,,not ,,over ,,the ,,ascension ,,of ,,my ,,beloved 444 ,grieve thou not over the ascension of my beloved ,breakwell1 for he hath risen unto a rose garden of splendours within the ,abh ,paradise1 sheltered by the mercy of his mighty ,lord1 and he is crying at the top of his voice3 #8,o that my people could know how graciously my ,lord hath forgiven me1 and made me to be of those who have attained ,his ,presence6'7#eb7 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,where now is thy fair face8 ,where is thy fluent tongue8 ,where thy clear brow8 ,where thy bright comeliness8 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,where is thy fire1 blazing with ,god's love8 ,where is thy rapture at ,his holy breaths8 ,where are thy praises1 lifted unto ,him8 ,where is thy rising up to serve ,his ,cause8 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,where are thy beauteous eyes8 ,thy smiling lips8 ,the princely cheek8 ,the graceful form8 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thou hast quit this earthly world and risen upward to the ,kingdom1 thou hast reached unto the grace of the invisible realm1 and offered thyself at the threshold of its ,lord4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thou hast left the lamp that was thy body here1 the glass that was thy human form1 thy earthy elements1 thy way of life below4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thou hast lit a flame within the lamp of the ,company on high1 thou hast set foot in the ,abh ,paradise1 thou hast found a shelter in the shadow of the ,blessed ,tree1 thou hast attained ,his meeting in the haven of ,heaven4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thou art now a bird of ,heaven1 thou hast quit thine earthly nest1 and soared away to a garden of holiness in the kingdom of thy ,lord4 ,thou hast risen to a station filled with light4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thy song is even as birdsong now1 thou pourest forth verses as to the mercy of thy ,lord2 of ,him ,who forgiveth ever1 thou wert a thankful servant1 wherefore hast thou entered into exceeding bliss4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thy ,lord hath verily singled thee out for ,his love1 and hath led thee into ,his precincts of holiness1 and made thee to enter the garden of those who are ,his close companions1 and hath blessed thee with beholding ,his beauty4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thou hast won eternal life1 and the bounty that faileth never1 and a life to please thee well1 and plenteous grace4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,thou art become a star in the supernal sky1 and a lamp amid the angels of high ,heaven2 a living spirit in the most exalted ,kingdom1 throned in eternity4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,i ask of ,god to draw thee ever closer1 hold thee ever faster2 to rejoice thy heart with nearness to ,his presence1 to fill thee with light and still more light1 to grant thee still more beauty1 and to bestow upon thee power and great glory4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 ,at all times do ,i call thee to mind4 ,i shall never forget thee4 ,i pray for thee by day1 by night2 ,i see thee plain before me1 as if in open day4 ,o ,breakwell1 ,o my dear one6 #aei3 ,,as ,,to ,,thy ,,question1 ,,doth ,,every ,,soul ,,without 444 ,as to thy question1 doth every soul without exception achieve life everlasting8 ,know thou that immortality belongeth to those souls in whom hath been breathed the spirit of life from ,god4 ,all save these are lifeless--they are the dead1 even as ,christ hath explained in the ,gospel text4 ,he whose eyes the ,lord hath opened will see the souls of men in the stations they will occupy after their release from the body4 ,he will find the living ones thriving within the precincts of their ,lord1 and the dead sunk down in the lowest abyss of perdition4 ,know thou that every soul is fashioned after the nature of ,god1 each being pure and holy at his birth4 ,afterwards1 however1 the individuals will vary according to what they acquire of virtues or vices in this world4 ,although all existent beings are in their very nature created in ranks or degrees1 for capacities are various1 nevertheless every individual is born holy and pure1 and only thereafter may he become defiled4 ,and further1 although the degrees of being are various1 yet all are good4 ,observe the human body1 its limbs1 its members1 the eye1 the ear1 the organs of smell1 of taste1 the hands1 the fingernails4 ,notwithstanding the differences among all these parts1 each one within the limitations of its own being participateth in a coherent whole4 ,if one of them faileth it must be healed1 and should no remedy avail1 that part must be removed4 #afj3 ,o ,,thou ,,sincere ,,and ,,loyal ,,handmaid ,,of ,,the ,,lord6 444 ,o thou sincere and loyal handmaid of the ,lord6 ,i have read thy letter4 ,thou art truly attached to the ,kingdom and devoted to the ,all-,glorious ,horizon4 ,i beg of ,god in ,his bounty to make thee to burn ever more brightly in the fire of ,his love1 as each day passeth by4 ,thou wert1 it appeareth1 in doubt as to whether to write1 or to teach the ,faith4 ,teaching the ,faith is essential1 and for the present teaching is preferable for thee4 ,whensoever thou dost find an opportunity1 loose thy tongue and guide the human race4 ,thou didst ask as to acquiring knowledge3 read thou the ,books and ,tablets of ,god1 and the articles written to demonstrate the truth of this ,faith4 ,included among them are the qn1 which hath been translated into ,english1 the works of ,mrz ,abu'l-,fadl1 and those of some others among the believers4 ,in the days to come a great number of holy ,tablets and other sacred writings will be translated1 and thou shouldst read these as well4 ,likewise1 ask thou of ,god that the magnet of ,his love should draw unto thee the knowledge of ,him4 ,once a soul becometh holy in all things1 purified1 sanctified1 the gates of the knowledge of ,god will open wide before his eyes4 ,thou hast written of the dear handmaid of ,god1 ,mrs4 ,goodall4 ,that soul enraptured of ,god is truly serving the ,faith at all times1 and doing whatever she can to scatter abroad the heavenly splendours4 ,if she continue in this same way1 very great results will follow in a time to come4 ,the main thing is to remain staunch and firmly rooted1 and persevere to the end4 ,it is my hope that through the high endeavours of the handmaids of the ,lord1 those foothills and that ocean7#ec7 shore will grow so bright with the love of ,god as to cast their beams to the ends of the earth4 ,thou didst ask whether1 at the advent of the ,kingdom of ,god1 every soul was saved4 ,the ,sun of ,truth hath shone forth in splendour over all the world1 and its luminous rising is man's salvation and his eternal life--but only he is of the saved who hath opened wide the eye of his discernment and beheld that glory4 ,likewise didst thou ask whether1 in this ,bah' ,dispensation1 the spiritual will ultimately prevail4 ,it is certain that spirituality will defeat materialism1 that the heavenly will subdue the human1 and that through divine education the masses of mankind generally will take great steps forward in all degrees of life--except for those who are blind and deaf and mute and dead4 ,how can such as they understand the light8 ,though the sun's rays illumine every darkest corner of the globe1 still the blind can have no share in the glory1 and though the rain of heavenly mercy come down in torrents over all the earth1 no shrub or flower will bloom from a barren land4 #afa3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,seekest ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,heaven6 444 ,o thou who seekest the ,kingdom of heaven6 ,this world is even as the body of man1 and the ,kingdom of ,god is as the spirit of life4 ,see how dark and narrow is the physical world of man's body1 and what a prey it is to diseases and ills4 ,on the other hand1 how fresh and bright is the realm of the human spirit4 ,judge thou from this metaphor how the world of the ,kingdom hath shone down1 and how its laws have been made to work in this nether realm4 ,although the spirit is hidden from view1 still its commandments shine out like rays of light upon the world of the human body4 ,in the same way1 although the ,kingdom of heaven is hidden from the sight of this unwitting people1 still1 to him who seeth with the inner eye1 it is plain as day4 ,wherefore dwell thou ever in the ,kingdom1 and be thou oblivious of this world below4 ,be thou so wholly absorbed in the emanations of the spirit that nothing in the world of man will distract thee4 #afb3 ,o ,,ye ,,dear ,,friends ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 ,,at ,,all ,,times 444 ,o ye dear friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,at all times do ,i await your good news1 longing as ,i do to hear that ye are making progress from day to day1 and are becoming ever more illumined by the light of guidance4 ,the blessings of ,bah'u'llh are a shoreless sea1 and even life everlasting is only a dewdrop therefrom4 ,the waves of that sea are continually lapping against the hearts of the friends1 and from those waves there come intimations of the spirit and ardent pulsings of the soul1 until the heart giveth way1 and willing or not1 turneth humbly in prayer unto the ,kingdom of the ,lord4 ,wherefore do all ye can to disengage your inner selves1 that ye may at every moment reflect new splendours from the ,sun of ,truth4 ,ye live1 all of you1 within the heart of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 and with every breath do ,i turn my face toward the ,threshold of ,oneness and call down blessings upon you1 each and all4 #afc3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,seekers ,,after ,,truth6 ,,your ,,letter ,,was 444 ,o ye two seekers after truth6 ,your letter was received and its contents noted4 ,as for the letters ye had previously sent1 not all were received1 while some reached here at a time when the cruelty of the oppressors had so intensified that it was not possible to send a reply4 ,now this present letter is here1 and we are able to answer it1 and ,i have therefore set about writing1 in spite of much pressing business1 so that ye will know that ye are loved amongst us1 and also accepted in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,your questions1 however1 can be answered only briefly1 since there is no time for a detailed reply4 ,the answer to the first question3 the souls of the children of the ,kingdom1 after their separation from the body1 ascend unto the realm of everlasting life4 ,but if ye ask as to the place1 know ye that the world of existence is a single world1 although its stations are various and distinct4 ,for example1 the mineral life occupieth its own plane1 but a mineral entity is without any awareness at all of the vegetable kingdom1 and indeed1 with its inner tongue denieth that there is any such kingdom4 ,in the same way1 a vegetable entity knoweth nothing of the animal world1 remaining completely heedless and ignorant thereof1 for the stage of the animal is higher than that of the vegetable1 and the vegetable is veiled from the animal world and inwardly denieth the existence of that world--all this while animal1 vegetable and mineral dwell together in the one world4 ,in the same way the animal remaineth totally unaware of that power of the human mind which graspeth universal ideas and layeth bare the secrets of creation--so that a man who liveth in the east can make plans and arrangements for the west2 can unravel mysteries2 although located on the continent of ,europe can discover ,america2 although sited on the earth can lay hold of the inner realities of the stars of heaven4 ,of this power of discovery which belongeth to the human mind1 this power which can grasp abstract and universal ideas1 the animal remaineth totally ignorant1 and indeed denieth its existence4 ,in the same way1 the denizens of this earth are completely unaware of the world of the ,kingdom and deny the existence thereof4 ,they ask1 for example3 #8,where is the ,kingdom8 ,where is the ,lord of the ,kingdom8' ,these people are even as the mineral and the vegetable1 who know nothing whatever of the animal and the human realm2 they see it not2 they find it not4 ,yet the mineral and vegetable1 the animal and man1 are all living here together in this world of existence4 ,as to the second question3 the tests and trials of ,god take place in this world1 not in the world of the ,kingdom4 ,the answer to the third question is this1 that in the other world the human reality doth not assume a physical form1 rather doth it take on a heavenly form1 made up of elements of that heavenly realm4 ,and the answer to the fourth question3 the centre of the ,sun of ,truth is in the supernal world--the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,those souls who are pure and unsullied1 upon the dissolution of their elemental frames1 hasten away to the world of ,god1 and that world is within this world4 ,the people of this world1 however1 are unaware of that world1 and are even as the mineral and the vegetable that know nothing of the world of the animal and the world of man4 ,the answer to the fifth question is this3 ,bah'u'llh hath raised up the tabernacle of the oneness of mankind4 ,whoso seeketh shelter under this roof will certainly come forth from other dwellings4 ,and to the sixth question3 if on some point or other a difference ariseth among two conflicting groups1 let them refer to the ,centre of the ,covenant for a solution to the problem4 ,and the seventh question3 ,bah'u'llh hath been made manifest to all mankind and ,he hath invited all to the table of ,god1 the banquet of ,divine bounty4 ,today1 however1 most of those who sit at that table are the poor1 and this is why ,christ hath said blessed are the poor1 for riches do prevent the rich from entering the ,kingdom2 and again1 ,he saith1 #8,it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle1 than for a rich man to enter into the ,kingdom of ,god4'7#ed7 ,if1 however1 the wealth of this world1 and worldly glory and repute1 do not block his entry therein1 that rich man will be favoured at the ,holy ,threshold and accepted by the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,in brief1 ,bah'u'llh hath become manifest to educate all the peoples of the world4 ,he is the ,universal ,educator1 whether of the rich or the poor1 whether of black or white1 or of peoples from east or west1 or north or south4 ,among those who visit ,akk1 some have made great forward strides4 ,lightless candles1 they were set alight2 withered1 they began to bloom2 dead1 they were recalled to life and went home with tidings of great joy4 ,but others1 in truth1 have simply passed through2 they have only taken a tour4 ,o ye twain who are strongly attracted to the ,kingdom1 thank ye ,god that ye have made your home a ,bah' centre and a gathering place for the friends4 #afd3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,faithful ,,and ,,assured ,,souls6 ,,the ,,letter 444 ,o ye two faithful and assured souls6 ,the letter was received4 ,praise be to ,god1 it imparted good tidings4 ,california is ready for the promulgation of the ,teachings of ,god4 ,my hope is that ye may strive with heart and soul that the sweet scent may perfume the nostrils4444 ,convey on my behalf to ,mrs4 ,chase respectful greetings and say3 #8,mr4 ,chase is a twinkling star above the horizon of ,truth1 but at present it is still behind the clouds2 soon these shall be dispersed and the radiance of that star shall illumine the state of ,california4 ,appreciate thou this bounty that thou hast been his wife and companion in life4' ,every year on the anniversary of the ascension7#ee7 of that blessed soul the friends must visit his tomb on behalf of #8,abdu'l-,bah and in the utmost lowliness and humility should with all respect lay on his grave wreaths of flowers and spend all the day in quiet prayer1 while turning their faces toward the ,kingdom of ,signs and mentioning and praising the attributes of that illustrious person4 #afe3 ,o ,,my ,,god6 ,o ,,my ,,god6 ,,verily ,,thy ,,servant1 444 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,verily ,thy servant1 humble before the majesty of ,thy divine supremacy1 lowly at the door of ,thy oneness1 hath believed in ,thee and in ,thy verses1 hath testified to ,thy word1 hath been enkindled with the fire of ,thy love1 hath been immersed in the depths of the ocean of ,thy knowledge1 hath been attracted by ,thy breezes1 hath relied upon ,thee1 hath turned his face to ,thee1 hath offered his supplications to ,thee1 and hath been assured of ,thy pardon and forgiveness4 ,he hath abandoned this mortal life and hath flown to the kingdom of immortality1 yearning for the favour of meeting ,thee4 ,o ,lord1 glorify his station1 shelter him under the pavilion of ,thy supreme mercy1 cause him to enter ,thy glorious paradise1 and perpetuate his existence in ,thine exalted rose garden1 that he may plunge into the sea of light in the world of mysteries4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,generous1 the ,powerful1 the ,forgiver and the ,bestower4 ,o thou assured soul1 thou maidservant of ,god4446 ,be not grieved at the death of thy respected husband4 ,he hath1 verily1 attained the meeting of his ,lord at the seat of ,truth in the presence of the potent ,king4 ,do not suppose that thou hast lost him4 ,the veil shall be lifted and thou shalt behold his face illumined in the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,just as ,god1 the ,exalted1 hath said1 #8,him will we surely quicken to a happy life4' ,supreme importance should be attached1 therefore1 not to this first creation but rather to the future life4 #aff3 ,o ,,servant ,,of ,,bah6 ,,be ,,self-,,sacrificing ,,in ,,the ,,path 444 ,o servant of ,bah6 ,be self-sacrificing in the path of ,god1 and wing thy flight unto the heavens of the love of the ,abh ,beauty1 for any movement animated by love moveth from the periphery to the centre1 from space to the ,day-,star of the universe4 ,perchance thou deemest this to be difficult1 but ,i tell thee that such cannot be the case1 for when the motivating and guiding power is the divine force of magnetism it is possible1 by its aid1 to traverse time and space easily and swiftly4 ,glory be upon the people of ,bah4 #afg3 ,,thou ,,hadst ,,asked ,,about ,,fate1 ,,predestination ,,and 444 ,thou hadst asked about fate1 predestination and will4 ,fate and predestination consist in the necessary and indispensable relationships which exist in the realities of things4 ,these relationships have been placed in the realities of existent beings through the power of creation and every incident is a consequence of the necessary relationship4 ,for example1 ,god hath created a relation between the sun and the terrestrial globe that the rays of the sun should shine and the soil should yield4 ,these relationships constitute predestination1 and the manifestation thereof in the plane of existence is fate4 ,will is that active force which controlleth these relationships and these incidents4 ,such is the epitome of the explanation of fate and predestination4 ,i have no time for a detailed explanation4 ,ponder over this2 the reality of fate1 predestination and will shall be made manifest4 #afh3 ,o ,,thou ,,lady ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,praise ,,thou ,,god 444 ,o thou lady of the ,kingdom6 ,praise thou ,god that in this age1 the age of the dispensation of ,bah'u'llh1 thou hast been awakened1 hast been made aware of the ,manifestation of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,all the people of the world are buried in the graves of nature1 or are slumbering1 heedless and unaware4 ,just as ,christ saith3 #8,i may come when you are not aware4 ,the coming of the ,son of ,man is like the coming of a thief into a house1 the owner of which is utterly unaware4' ,in brief1 my hope is that from the bounties of ,bah'u'llh1 thou mayest daily advance in the ,kingdom1 that thou mayest become a heavenly angel1 confirmed by the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit1 and mayest erect a structure that shall eternally remain firm and unshakeable4444 ,these days are very precious2 grasp the present opportunity and ignite a candle that shall never be extinguished1 and which shall pour out its light eternally illuminating the world of mankind6 #afi3 ,o ,,ye ,,two ,,patient ,,souls6 ,,your ,,letter ,,was ,,received4 444 ,o ye two patient souls6 ,your letter was received4 ,the death of that beloved youth and his separation from you have caused the utmost sorrow and grief2 for he winged his flight in the flower of his age and the bloom of his youth to the heavenly nest4 ,but he hath been freed from this sorrow-stricken shelter and hath turned his face toward the everlasting nest of the ,kingdom1 and1 being delivered from a dark and narrow world1 hath hastened to the sanctified realm of light2 therein lieth the consolation of our hearts4 ,the inscrutable divine wisdom underlieth such heart-rending occurrences4 ,it is as if a kind gardener transferreth a fresh and tender shrub from a confined place to a wide open area4 ,this transfer is not the cause of the withering1 the lessening or the destruction of that shrub2 nay1 on the contrary1 it maketh it to grow and thrive1 acquire freshness and delicacy1 become green and bear fruit4 ,this hidden secret is well known to the gardener1 but those souls who are unaware of this bounty suppose that the gardener1 in his anger and wrath1 hath uprooted the shrub4 ,yet to those who are aware1 this concealed fact is manifest1 and this predestined decree is considered a bounty4 ,do not feel grieved or disconsolate1 therefore1 at the ascension of that bird of faithfulness2 nay1 under all circumstances pray for that youth1 supplicating for him forgiveness and the elevation of his station4 ,i hope that ye will attain the utmost patience1 composure and resignation1 and ,i entreat and implore at the ,threshold of ,oneness1 begging for forgiveness and pardon4 ,my hope from the infinite bounties of ,god is that ,he may shelter this dove of the garden of faith1 and cause him to abide on the branch of the ,supreme ,concourse1 that he may sing in the best of melodies the praise and glorification of the ,lord of ,names and ,attributes4 #agj3 ,o ,,thou ,,seeker ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was 444 ,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast written of the severe calamity that hath befallen thee--the death of thy respected husband4 ,that honourable man hath been so subjected to the stress and strain of this world that his greatest wish was for deliverance from it4 ,such is this mortal abode3 a storehouse of afflictions and suffering4 ,it is ignorance that binds man to it1 for no comfort can be secured by any soul in this world1 from monarch down to the most humble commoner4 ,if once this life should offer a man a sweet cup1 a hundred bitter ones will follow2 such is the condition of this world4 ,the wise man1 therefore1 doth not attach himself to this mortal life and doth not depend upon it2 at some moments1 even1 he eagerly wisheth for death that he may thereby be freed from these sorrows and afflictions4 ,thus it is seen that some1 under extreme pressure of anguish1 have committed suicide4 ,as to thy husband1 rest assured4 ,he will be immersed in the ocean of pardon and forgiveness and will become the recipient of bounty and favour4 ,strive thine utmost to give his child a ,bah' training so that when he attaineth maturity he may be merciful1 illumined and heavenly4 #aga3 ,o ,,thou ,,beloved ,,maidservant ,,of ,,god1 ,,although 444 ,o thou beloved maidservant of ,god1 although the loss of a son is indeed heart-breaking and beyond the limits of human endurance1 yet one who knoweth and understandeth is assured that the son hath not been lost but1 rather1 hath stepped from this world into another1 and she will find him in the divine realm4 ,that reunion shall be for eternity1 while in this world separation is inevitable and bringeth with it a burning grief4 ,praise be unto ,god that thou hast faith1 art turning thy face toward the everlasting ,kingdom and believest in the existence of a heavenly world4 ,therefore be thou not disconsolate1 do not languish1 do not sigh1 neither wail nor weep2 for agitation and mourning deeply affect his soul in the divine realm4 ,that beloved child addresseth thee from the hidden world3 #8,o thou kind ,mother1 thank divine ,providence that ,i have been freed from a small and gloomy cage and1 like the birds of the meadows1 have soared to the divine world--a world which is spacious1 illumined1 and ever gay and jubilant4 ,therefore1 lament not1 ,o ,mother1 and be not grieved2 ,i am not of the lost1 nor have ,i been obliterated and destroyed4 ,i have shaken off the mortal form and have raised my banner in this spiritual world4 ,following this separation is everlasting companionship4 ,thou shalt find me in the heaven of the ,lord1 immersed in an ocean of light4' #agb3 ,,praise ,,be ,,to ,,god1 ,,thy ,,heart ,,is ,,engaged ,,in ,,the 444 ,praise be to ,god1 thy heart is engaged in the commemoration of ,god1 thy soul is gladdened by the glad tidings of ,god and thou art absorbed in prayer4 ,the state of prayer is the best of conditions1 for man is then associating with ,god4 ,prayer verily bestoweth life1 particularly when offered in private and at times1 such as midnight1 when freed from daily cares4 #agc3 ,,those ,,souls ,,that1 ,,in ,,this ,,day1 ,,enter ,,the ,,divine 444 ,those souls that1 in this day1 enter the divine kingdom and attain everlasting life1 although materially dwelling on earth1 yet in reality soar in the realm of heaven4 ,their bodies may linger on earth but their spirits travel in the immensity of space4 ,for as thoughts widen and become illumined1 they acquire the power of flight and transport man to the kingdom of ,god4 #agd3 ,o ,,ye ,,spiritual ,,friends ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 ,,the ,,letter 444 ,o ye spiritual friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,the letter ye had written hath been noted2 its contents were most pleasing and bespoke your firmness and steadfastness in the ,cause of ,god4 ,that ,assembly resteth in the sheltering shade of the ,lord of all bounties1 and it is my hope that1 as beseemeth that body1 it will be favoured and invigorated by the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit1 and that day by day ye will love ,god in ever greater measure1 and become more tightly bound to the ,beauty that abideth forever1 to ,him ,who is the ,light of the world4 ,for love of ,god and spiritual attraction do cleanse and purify the human heart and dress and adorn it with the spotless garment of holiness2 and once the heart is entirely attached to the ,lord1 and bound over to the ,blessed ,perfection1 then will the grace of ,god be revealed4 ,this love is not of the body but completely of the soul4 ,and those souls whose inner being is lit by the love of ,god are even as spreading rays of light1 and they shine out like stars of holiness in a pure and crystalline sky4 ,for true love1 real love1 is the love for ,god1 and this is sanctified beyond the notions and imaginings of men4 ,let ,god's beloved1 each and every one1 be the essence of purity1 the very life of holiness1 so that in every country they may become famed for their sanctity1 independence of spirit1 and meekness4 ,let them be cheered by draughts from the eternal cup of love for ,god1 and make merry as they drink from the wine-vaults of ,heaven4 ,let them behold the ,blessed ,beauty1 and feel the flame and rapture of that meeting1 and be struck dumb with awe and wonder4 ,this is the station of the sincere2 this is the way of the loyal2 this is the brightness that shineth on the faces of those nigh unto ,god4 ,wherefore must the friends of ,god1 with utter sanctity1 with one accord1 rise up in the spirit1 in unity with one another1 to such a degree that they will become even as one being and one soul4 ,on such a plane as this1 physical bodies play no part1 rather doth the spirit take over and rule2 and when its power encompasseth all then is spiritual union achieved4 ,strive ye by day and night to cultivate your unity to the fullest degree4 ,let your thoughts dwell on your own spiritual development1 and close your eyes to the deficiencies of other souls4 ,act ye in such wise1 showing forth pure and goodly deeds1 and modesty and humility1 that ye will cause others to be awakened4 ,never is it the wish of #8,abdu'l-,bah to see any being hurt1 nor will ,he make anyone to grieve2 for man can receive no greater gift than this1 that he rejoice another's heart4 ,i beg of ,god that ye will be bringers of joy1 even as are the angels in ,heaven4 #age3 ,,mortal ,,charm ,,shall ,,fade ,,away1 ,,roses ,,shall ,,give 444 ,mortal charm shall fade away1 roses shall give way to thorns1 and beauty and youth shall live their day and be no more4 ,but that which eternally endureth is the ,beauty of the ,true ,one1 for its splendour perisheth not and its glory lasteth for ever2 its charm is all-powerful and its attraction infinite4 ,well is it then with that countenance that reflecteth the splendour of the ,light of the ,beloved ,one6 ,the ,lord be praised1 thou hast been illumined with this ,light1 hast acquired the pearl of true knowledge1 and hast spoken the ,word of ,truth4 #agf3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,attracted ,,to ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of 444 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,every soul seeketh an object and cherisheth a desire1 and day and night striveth to attain his aim4 ,one craveth riches1 another thirsteth for glory and still another yearneth for fame1 for art1 for prosperity and the like4 ,yet finally all are doomed to loss and disappointment4 ,one and all they leave behind them all that is theirs and empty-handed hasten to the realm beyond1 and all their labours shall be in vain4 ,to dust they shall all return1 denuded1 depressed1 disheartened and in utter despair4 ,but1 praised be the ,lord1 thou art engaged in that which secureth for thee a gain that shall eternally endure2 and that is naught but thine attraction to the ,kingdom of ,god1 thy faith1 and thy knowledge1 the enlightenment of thine heart1 and thine earnest endeavour to promote the ,divine ,teachings4 ,verily this gift is imperishable and this wealth is a treasure from on high6 #agg3 ,o ,,living ,,flame ,,of ,,heavenly ,,love6 ,,thine ,,heart 444 ,o living flame of heavenly love6 ,thine heart hath been so fired with the love of ,god that from ten thousand leagues afar its warmth and radiance may be felt and seen4 ,the fire lit by mortal hand imparteth light and warmth to but a little space1 whereas that sacred flame which the ,hand of ,god hath kindled1 though burning in the east1 will set aflame the west and give warmth to both the north and the south2 nay1 it shall rise from this world to glow with the hottest flame in the realms on high1 flooding with light the ,kingdom of eternal glory4 ,happy art thou to have obtained so heavenly a gift4 ,blessed art thou to be favoured with ,his divine bestowals4 ,the glory of ,god rest upon thee and upon them that hold fast unto the sure handle of ,his ,will and holy ,covenant4 #agh3 ,o ,,maidservant ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,dated #i 444 ,o maidservant of ,god6 ,thy letter dated #i ,december #aiah was received4 ,its contents were noted4 ,never lose thy trust in ,god4 ,be thou ever hopeful1 for the bounties of ,god never cease to flow upon man4 ,if viewed from one perspective they seem to decrease1 but from another they are full and complete4 ,man is under all conditions immersed in a sea of ,god's blessings4 ,therefore1 be thou not hopeless under any circumstances1 but rather be firm in thy hope4 ,attendance at the gatherings of the friends is specifically to keep them alert1 vigilant1 loving and attracted to the divine ,kingdom4 ,if thou hast a full and eager desire to travel to ,phillsburg1 ,montana1 thou art permitted1 perchance thou mayest be able to ignite a candle amid that group of miners and may make them awake and vigilant so that they may turn to ,god and may acquire a share from the ,bounty of the divine ,kingdom4 #agi3 ,,strive ,,as ,,much ,,as ,,ye ,,can ,,to ,,turn ,,wholly ,,toward 444 ,strive as much as ye can to turn wholly toward the ,kingdom1 that ye may acquire innate courage and ideal power4 #ahj3 ,i ,,hope ,,that ,,in ,,this ,,nether ,,world ,,thou ,,shalt ,,attain 444 ,i hope that in this nether world thou shalt attain unto heavenly light1 thou wilt free the souls from the gloom of nature1 which is the animal kingdom1 and cause them to reach lofty stations in the human kingdom4 ,today all people are immersed in the world of nature4 ,that is why thou dost see jealousy1 greed1 the struggle for survival1 deception1 hypocrisy1 tyranny1 oppression1 disputes1 strife1 bloodshed1 looting and pillaging1 which all emanate from the world of nature4 ,few are those who have been freed from this darkness1 who have ascended from the world of nature to the world of man1 who have followed the divine ,teachings1 have served the world of humanity1 are resplendent1 merciful1 illumined and like unto a rose garden4 ,strive thine utmost to become godlike1 characterized with ,his attributes1 illumined and merciful1 that thou mayest be freed from every bond and become attached at heart to the ,kingdom of the incomparable ,lord4 ,this is ,bah' bounty1 and this is heavenly light4 #aha3 ,,regarding ,,the ,,statement ,,in ,,the ,,hidden ,,words1 444 ,regarding the statement in ,the ,hidden ,words1 that man must renounce his own self1 the meaning is that he must renounce his inordinate desires1 his selfish purposes and the promptings of his human self1 and seek out the holy breathings of the spirit1 and follow the yearnings of his higher self1 and immerse himself in the sea of sacrifice1 with his heart fixed upon the beauty of the ,all-,glorious4 ,as for the reference in ,the ,hidden ,words regarding the ,covenant entered into on ,mount ,prn1 this signifieth that in the sight of ,god the past1 the present and the future are all one and the same--whereas1 relative to man1 the past is gone and forgotten1 the present is fleeting1 and the future is within the realm of hope4 ,and it is a basic principle of the ,law of ,god that in every ,prophetic ,mission1 ,he entereth into a ,covenant with all believers--a ,covenant that endureth until the end of that ,mission1 until the promised day when the ,personage stipulated at the outset of the ,mission is made manifest4 ,consider ,moses1 ,he ,who conversed with ,god4 ,verily1 upon ,mount ,sinai1 ,moses entered into a ,covenant regarding the ,messiah1 with all those souls who would live in the day of the ,messiah4 ,and those souls1 although they appeared many centuries after ,moses1 were nevertheless--so far as the ,covenant1 which is outside time1 was concerned--present there with ,moses4 ,the ,jews1 however1 were heedless of this and remembered it not1 and thus they suffered a great and clear loss4 ,as to the reference in the ,arabic ,hidden ,words that the human being must become detached from self1 here too the meaning is that he should not seek out anything whatever for his own self in this swiftly-passing life1 but that he should cut the self away1 that is1 he should yield up the self and all its concerns on the field of martyrdom1 at the time of the coming of the ,lord4 #ahb3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are ,,holding ,,fast ,,unto ,,the ,,covenant ,,and 444 ,o ye who are holding fast unto the ,covenant and ,testament6 ,this day1 from the realms of the ,all-,glorious1 from the ,kingdom of ,holiness where hosannas of glorification and praise rise up1 the ,company on high direct their gaze upon you4 ,whensoever their gaze lighteth upon gatherings of those who are steadfast in the ,covenant and ,testament1 then do they utter their cry1 #8,glad tidings6 ,glad tidings6' ,then1 exulting1 do they lift up their voices1 and shout1 #8,o ye spiritual communion6 ,o ye gathering of ,god6 ,blessed are ye6 ,glad tidings be unto you6 ,bright be your faces1 and be ye of good cheer1 for ye cling to the ,covenant of the ,beloved of all the worlds1 ye are on fire with the wine of ,his ,testament4 ,ye have plighted your troth to the ,ancient of ,days1 ye have drunk deep from the chalice of loyalty4 ,ye have guarded and defended the ,cause of ,god2 ye have not been a cause of dividing up ,his ,word2 ye have not brought ,his ,faith low1 but have striven to glorify ,his ,holy ,name2 ye have not allowed the ,blessed ,cause to be exposed to the derision of the people4 ,ye have not permitted the ,designated ,station to be humbled1 nor been willing to see the ,centre of ,authority discredited or exposed to mockery and persecution4 ,ye have striven to keep the ,word whole and one4 ,ye have passed through the portals of mercy4 ,ye have not let the ,blessed ,beauty slip from your minds1 to fade unremembered4' ,the ,glory rest upon you4 #ahc3 ,o ,,thou ,,daughter ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was 444 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received4 ,it was like the melody of the divine nightingale1 whose song delighteth the hearts4 ,this is because its contents indicated faith1 assurance and firmness in the ,covenant and the ,testament4 ,today the dynamic power of the world of existence is the power of the ,covenant which like unto an artery pulsateth in the body of the contingent world and protecteth ,bah' unity4 ,the ,bah's are commanded to establish the oneness of mankind2 if they cannot unite around one point how will they be able to bring about the unity of mankind8 ,the purpose of the ,blessed ,beauty in entering into this ,covenant and ,testament was to gather all existent beings around one point so that the thoughtless souls1 who in every cycle and generation have been the cause of dissension1 may not undermine the ,cause4 ,he hath1 therefore1 commanded that whatever emanateth from the ,centre of the ,covenant is right and is under ,his protection and favour1 while all else is error4 ,praise be to ,god1 thou art firm in the ,covenant and the ,testament4 #ahd3 ,o ,,ye ,,blessed ,,souls6 ,,although ,,ye ,,are ,,undergoing 444 ,o ye blessed souls6 ,although ye are undergoing crucial tests in view of the repeated and assiduous attempts of some people to shake the faith of the friends in ,los ,angeles1 yet ye are under the guarding eye of the bounty of ,bah'u'llh and are assisted by legions of angels4 ,walk1 therefore1 with a sure step and engage with the utmost assurance and confidence in the promulgation of the divine fragrances1 the glorification of the ,word of ,god and firmness in the ,covenant4 ,rest ye assured that if a soul ariseth in the utmost perseverance and raiseth the ,call of the ,kingdom and resolutely promulgateth the ,covenant1 be he an insignificant ant he shall be enabled to drive away the formidable elephant from the arena1 and if he be a feeble moth he shall cut to pieces the plumage of the rapacious vulture4 ,endeavour1 therefore1 that ye may scatter and disperse the army of doubt and of error with the power of the holy utterances4 ,this is my exhortation and this is my counsel4 ,do not quarrel with anybody1 and shun every form of dispute4 ,utter the ,word of ,god4 ,if he accepteth it the desired purpose is attained1 and if he turneth away leave him to himself and trust to ,god4 ,such is the attribute of those who are firm in the ,covenant4 #ahe3 ,o ,,ye ,,friends ,,and ,,maidservants ,,of ,,the ,,merciful6 444 ,o ye friends and maidservants of the ,merciful6 ,from the ,spiritual ,assembly of ,los ,angeles a letter hath been received4 ,it was indicative of the fact that the blessed souls in ,california1 like unto an immovable mountain1 are withstanding the gale of violation1 have1 like unto blessed trees1 been planted in the soil of the ,covenant and are most firm and steadfast4 ,the hope is entertained1 therefore1 that through the blessings of the ,sun of ,truth they may daily increase in their firmness and steadfastness4 ,the tests of every dispensation are in direct proportion to the greatness of the ,cause1 and as heretofore such a manifest ,covenant1 written by the ,supreme ,pen1 hath not been entered upon1 the tests are proportionately more severe4 ,these trials cause the feeble souls to waver while those who are firm are not affected4 ,these agitations of the violators are no more than the foam of the ocean1 which is one of its inseparable features2 but the ocean of the ,covenant shall surge and shall cast ashore the bodies of the dead1 for it cannot retain them4 ,thus it is seen that the ocean of the ,covenant hath surged and surged until it hath thrown out the dead bodies--souls that are deprived of the ,spirit of ,god and are lost in passion and self and are seeking leadership4 ,this foam of the ocean shall not endure and shall soon disperse and vanish1 while the ocean of the ,covenant shall eternally surge and roar4444 ,from the early days of creation down to the present time1 throughout all the divine dispensations1 such a firm and explicit ,covenant hath not been entered upon4 ,in view of this fact is it possible for this foam to remain on the surface of the ocean of the ,covenant8 ,no1 by ,god6 ,the violators are trampling upon their own dignity1 are uprooting their own foundations and are proud at being upheld by flatterers who exert a great effort to shake the faith of feeble souls4 ,but this action of theirs is of no consequence2 it is a mirage and not water1 foam and not the sea1 mist and not a cloud1 illusion and not reality4 ,all this ye shall soon see4 ,praise be to ,god1 ye are firm and steadfast2 be ye thankful that like unto blessed trees ye are firmly planted in the soil of the ,covenant4 ,it is sure that every firm one will grow1 will yield new fruits and will increase daily in freshness and grace4 ,reflect upon all the writings of ,bah'u'llh1 whether epistles or prayers1 and ye shall surely come across a thousand passages wherein ,bah'u'llh prays3 #8,o ,god6 ,bring to naught the violators of the ,covenant and defeat the oppressors of the ,testament4' #8,he who denieth the ,covenant and the ,testament is rejected by ,god1 and he who remaineth firm and steadfast therein is favoured at the ,threshold of ,oneness4' ,such sayings and prayers abound1 refer to them and ye shall know4 ,never be depressed4 ,the more ye are stirred by violation1 the more deepen ye in firmness and steadfastness1 and be assured that the divine hosts shall conquer1 for they are assured of the victory of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,throughout all regions the standard of firmness and steadfastness is upraised and the flag of violation is debased1 for only a few weak souls have been led away by the flattery and the specious arguments of the violators who are outwardly with the greatest care exhibiting firmness but inwardly are engaged in agitating souls4 ,only a few who are the leaders of those who stir and agitate are outwardly known as violators while the rest1 through subtle means1 deceive the souls1 for outwardly they assert their firmness and steadfastness in the ,covenant but when they come across responsive ears they secretly sow the seeds of suspicion4 ,the case of all of them resembleth the violation of the ,covenant by ,judas ,iscariot and his followers4 ,consider3 hath any result or trace remained after them8 ,not even a name hath been left by his followers and although a number of ,jews sided with him it was as if he had no followers at all4 ,this ,judas ,iscariot who was the leader of the apostles betrayed ,christ for thirty pieces of silver4 ,take heed1 ,o ye people of perception6 ,at this time these insignificant violators will surely betray the ,centre of the ,covenant for the large sum which by every subtle means they have begged4 ,it is now thirty years since ,bah'u'llh ascended1 and in that time these violators have striven with might and main4 ,what have they achieved8 ,under all conditions those who have remained firm in the ,covenant have conquered1 while the violators have met defeat1 disappointment and dejection4 ,after the ascension of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 no trace of them shall remain4 ,these souls are ignorant of what will happen and are proud of their own fancies4 ,in short1 ,o ye friends of ,god and maidservants of the ,merciful6 ,the hand of divine bounty hath placed upon your heads a jewelled crown1 the precious gems of which shall shine eternally over all regions4 ,appreciate this bounty1 loose your tongues in praise and thanksgiving1 and engage in the promulgation of the divine teachings1 for this is the spirit of life and the means of salvation4 #ahf3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,firm ,,in ,,the ,,covenant6 ,,three 444 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,three consecutive letters have been received from thee4 ,from their contents it became known that in ,cleveland the hearts are afflicted by the murky breaths of the ,covenant-breakers and harmony hath decreased among the friends4 ,gracious ,god6 ,a hundred times it hath been foretold that the violators are lying in ambush and by every means desire to cause dissension among the friends so that this dissension may end in violation of the ,covenant4 ,how is it that1 notwithstanding this warning1 the friends have neglected this explicit statement8 ,the point at issue is clear1 direct and of utmost brevity4 ,either ,bah'u'llh was wise1 omniscient and aware of what would ensue1 or was ignorant and in error4 ,he entered1 by ,his supreme pen1 into such a firm ,covenant and ,testament with all the ,bah's1 first with the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn and ,his kindred1 and commanded them to obey and turn toward ,him4 ,by ,his supreme pen ,he hath explicitly declared that the object of the following verse of the ,kitb-i-,aqdas is the ,most ,great ,branch3 #8,when the ocean of ,my presence hath ebbed and the ,book of ,my ,revelation is ended1 turn your faces toward ,him ,whom ,god hath purposed1 ,who hath branched from this ,ancient ,root4' ,its meaning briefly is this3 that after ,my ascension it is incumbent upon the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn and the kindred1 and all the friends of ,god1 to turn their faces to ,him ,who hath branched from the ,ancient ,root4 ,he also plainly saith in the ,kitb-i-,aqdas3 #8,o ye people of the world6 ,when the ,mystic ,dove will have winged its flight from its ,sanctuary of ,praise and sought its far-off goal1 its hidden habitation1 refer ye whatsoever ye understand not in the ,book to ,him ,who hath branched from this mighty ,stock4' ,addressing all the people of the world ,he saith3 ,when the ,mystic ,dove flieth away from the orchard of praise to the ,most ,supreme and ,invisible ,station--that is1 when the ,blessed ,beauty turneth away from the contingent world towards the invisible realm--refer whatever ye do not understand in the ,book to ,him ,who hath branched from the ,ancient ,root4 ,that is1 whatever ,he saith is the very truth4 ,and in the ,book of the ,covenant ,he explicitly saith that the object of this verse #8,who hath branched from this ,ancient ,root' is the ,most ,mighty ,branch4 ,and ,he commandeth all the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn1 the kindred and the ,bah's to turn toward ,him4 ,now1 either one must say that the ,blessed ,beauty hath made a mistake1 or ,he must be obeyed4 #8,abdu'l-,bah hath no command for the people to obey save the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god1 the exaltation of ,his ,word1 the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity1 the establishment of universal peace1 and other of the commands of ,god4 ,these are divine commands and have nothing to do with #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,whoever wisheth may accept them1 and anyone who rejecteth them may do as he pleaseth4 ,now some of the mischief-makers1 with many stratagems1 are seeking leadership1 and in order to reach this position they instil doubts among the friends that they may cause differences1 and that these differences may result in their drawing a party to themselves4 ,but the friends of ,god must be awake and must know that the scattering of these doubts hath as its motive personal desires and the achievement of leadership4 ,do not disrupt ,bah' unity1 and know that this unity cannot be maintained save through faith in the ,covenant of ,god4 ,thou hast the desire to travel that thou mayest spread the fragrances of ,god4 ,this is highly suitable4 ,assuredly divine confirmations will assist thee and the power of the ,covenant and ,testament will secure for thee triumph and victory4 #ahg3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,firm ,,in ,,the ,,covenant6 ,,thy ,,letter 444 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast expressed satisfaction with the ,convention1 that this gathering hath been the means of the elevation of the ,cause of ,god and the demonstration of the power of ,his ,word4 ,the greatness of the ,cause will clear away these differences and may be compared to health in the body of man which1 when established1 cureth all disease and weakness4 ,our hope is that no trace of opposition may remain2 but some of the friends in ,america are restless in their fresh ambitions and strive and seek under the ground and in the air to discover anything that breedeth dissension4 ,praise be to ,god1 all such doors are closed in the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh for a special authoritative ,centre hath been appointed--a ,centre that solveth all difficulties and wardeth off all differences4 ,the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 likewise1 wardeth off all differences and whatever it prescribeth must be accepted and he who transgresseth is rejected4 ,but this ,universal ,house of ,justice which is the ,legislature hath not yet been instituted4 ,thus it is seen that no means for dissension hath been left1 but carnal desires are the cause of difference as it is the case with the violators4 ,these do not doubt the validity of the ,covenant but selfish motives have dragged them to this condition4 ,it is not that they do not know what they do--they are perfectly aware and still they exhibit opposition4 ,in short1 the ocean of the ,covenant is tumultuous and wide4 ,it casteth ashore the foam of violation and thus rest ye assured4 ,be engaged in the furtherance of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr and prepare the means for the diffusion of the divine fragrances4 ,be not engaged in anything but this1 for otherwise thou shalt dissipate thine attention and the work will not advance4 #ahh3 ,o ,,ye ,,the ,,cherished ,,loved ,,ones ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 444 ,o ye the cherished loved ones of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,it is a long time now since my inward ear hath heard any sweet melodies out of certain regions1 or my heart been gladdened2 and this despite the fact that ye are ever present in my thoughts and standing clearly visible before my sight4 ,filled to overflowing is the goblet of my heart with the wine of the love ,i bear you1 and my yearning to set eyes upon you streameth like the spirit through my arteries and veins4 ,from this it is clear how great is my affliction4 ,at this time and throughout this tempest of calamities now tossing its waves to high heaven1 cruel and incessant darts are being hurled against me from every point of the compass1 and at every moment1 here in the ,holy ,land1 terrifying news is received1 and every day bringeth its quota of horror4 ,the ,centre of ,sedition had imagined that it needed but his arrogant rebellion to bring down the ,covenant and ,testament in ruins2 it needed but this1 so he thought1 to turn the righteous away from the ,holy ,will4 ,wherefore he sent out far and wide his leaflets of doubt1 devising many a secret scheme4 ,now he would cry out that ,god's edifice had been subverted and ,his divine commands annulled1 and that accordingly1 the ,covenant and ,testament was abolished4 ,again he would set himself to sighing and groaning that he was being held a prisoner and was kept hungry and thirsty day and night4 ,another day he would raise an uproar1 saying that the oneness of ,god had been denied1 since another ,manifestation had been proclaimed1 prior to the expiration of a thousand years4 ,when he saw that his calumnies had no effect1 he gradually formed a plan to incite a disturbance4 ,he began stirring up mischief1 and went knocking at every door4 ,he started making false accusations to the officials of the ,government4 ,he approached some of the foreigners1 made himself their intimate1 and together with them prepared a document and presented it to the ,seat of the ,sultanate1 bringing consternation to the authorities4 ,among the many slanderous charges was this1 that this hapless one had raised up a standard of revolt1 a flag bearing the words ,y ,bah'u'l-,abh2 that ,i had paraded this throughout the countryside1 to every city1 town and village1 and even among the desert tribes1 and had summoned all the inhabitants to unite under this flag4 ,o my ,lord1 verily ,i seek refuge with ,thee from the very thought of such an act1 which is contrary to all the commandments of ,bah'u'llh1 and which would indeed be a mighty wrong that none but a grievous sinner would ever perpetrate4 ,for ,thou hast made it incumbent upon us to obey the rulers and kings4 ,another of his slanders was that the ,shrine on ,mount ,carmel was a fortress that ,i had built strong and impregnable--this when the building under construction compriseth six rooms--and that ,i had named it ,medina the ,resplendent1 while ,i had named the ,holy ,tomb7#ef7 ,mecca the ,glorified4 ,yet another of his calumnies was that ,i had established an independent sovereignty1 and that--,god forbid6 ,god forbid6 ,god forbid6--,i had summoned all the believers to join me in this massive wrongdoing4 ,how dire1 ,o my ,lord1 is his slander6 ,yet again1 he claimeth that since the ,holy ,shrine hath become a point visited by pilgrims from all over the world1 great damage will accrue to this ,government and people4 ,he1 the ,centre of ,sedition1 averreth that he himself hath had no hand in all these matters1 that he is a ,sunn of the ,sunnites and a devoted follower of ,ab-,bakr and ,umar1 and regardeth ,bah'u'llh as only a pious man and a mystic2 all these things1 he saith1 were set afoot by this wronged one4 ,to be brief1 a ,commission of ,investigation was appointed by the ,suln1 may the glory of his reign endure4 ,the ,commission journeyed hither and immediately upon arrival betook themselves to the house of one of the accusers4 ,they then summoned the group who1 working with my brother1 had prepared the accusatory document and asked them whether it was true4 ,the group explained the contents of the document1 stated that everything they had reported therein was nothing but the truth1 and added further accusations4 ,thus they functioned at one and the same time as plaintiffs1 witnesses1 and judge4 ,the ,commission hath now returned to the seat of the ,caliphate1 and reports of a most frightful nature are coming in daily from that city4 ,however1 praised be ,god1 #8,abdu'l-,bah remaineth composed and unperturbed4 ,to none do ,i bear ill will because of this defamation4 ,i have made all my affairs conditioned upon ,his irresistible ,will and ,i am waiting1 indeed in perfect happiness1 to offer my life and prepared for whatever dire affliction may be in store4 ,praise be to ,god1 the loving believers also accept and remain submissive to ,god's ,will1 content with it1 radiantly acquiescent1 offering thanks4 ,the ,centre of ,sedition hath imagined that once the blood of this wronged one is spilled out1 once ,i have been cast away on the wide desert sands or drowned in the ,mediterranean ,sea--nameless1 gone without trace1 with none to tell of me--then would he at last have a field where he could urge his steed ahead1 and with his mallet of lies and doubts1 hit hard at the polo ball of his ambitions1 and carry off the prize4 ,far from it6 ,for even if the sweet musk-scent of faithfulness should pass1 and leave no trace behind1 who would be drawn by the stench of perfidy8 ,and even if some gazelle of heaven were to be ripped apart by dogs and wolves1 who would go running to seek out a ravening wolf8 ,even should the day of the ,mystic ,nightingale draw to its close1 who would ever lend his ear to the raven's croak1 or the cawing of the crow8 ,what an empty supposition is his6 ,what a foolish presumption6 #8,their works are like the vapour in a desert which the thirsty dreameth to be water1 until when he cometh unto it1 he findeth nothing4'7#eg7 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,be ye firm of foot1 and fixed of heart1 and through the power of the ,blessed ,beauty's help1 stand ye committed to your purpose4 ,serve ye the ,cause of ,god4 ,face ye all nations of the world with the constancy and the endurance of the people of ,bah1 that all men may be astounded and ask how this could be1 that your hearts are as well-springs of confidence and faith1 and as mines so rich in the love of ,god4 ,be ye so1 that ye shall neither fail nor falter on account of these tragedies in the ,holy ,land2 let not these dread events make you despondent4 ,and if all the believers be put to the sword1 and only one be left1 let that one cry out in the name of the ,lord and tell the joyous tidings2 let that one rise up and confront all the peoples of the earth4 ,gaze ye not upon the dire happenings at this ,illumined ,spot4 ,the ,holy ,land is in danger at all times1 and here1 the tide of calamities is ever at the flood2 for this upraised call hath now been heard around the world1 and the fame of it hath gone forth to the ends of the earth4 ,it is because of this that foes1 both from within and from without1 have turned themselves with subtlety and craft to spreading slander4 ,it is clear that such a place as this would be exposed to danger1 for there is no defender here1 none to arise and take our side in the face of calumny3 here are only a few souls that are homeless1 hapless1 held captive in this stronghold4 ,no champion have they2 there is none to succour them1 none to ward off the arrows of lies1 the darts of defamation that are hurled against them3 none except ,god4 ,it behoveth you to ponder on all those well-beloved ones who hastened to the holy field of sacrifice1 those precious souls who offered up their lives4 ,bear ye in mind what streams of sacred blood were poured away1 how many a righteous heart was commingled with its gore1 how many a breast was the target of tyranny's spear1 how many a chaste body was ripped to shreds4 ,how then could it be right for us even to think of saving ourselves6 ,to curry favour with stranger or kin1 and make a show of compromise6 ,should we not1 rather1 take the pathway of the righteous1 and follow in the footsteps of those great ones gone before8 ,these few brief days shall pass away1 this present life shall vanish from our sight2 the roses of this world shall be fresh and fair no more1 the garden of this earth's triumphs and delights shall droop and fade4 ,the spring season of life shall turn into the autumn of death1 the bright joy of palace halls give way to moonless dark within the tomb4 ,and therefore is none of this worth loving at all1 and to this the wise will not anchor his heart4 ,he who hath knowledge and power will rather seek out the glory of heaven1 and spiritual distinction1 and the life that dieth not4 ,and such a one longeth to approach the sacred ,threshold of ,god2 for in the tavern of this swiftly-passing world the man of ,god will not lie drunken1 nor will he even for a moment take his ease1 nor stain himself with any fondness for this earthly life4 ,nay rather1 the friends are stars in the high heavens of guidance1 celestial bodies in the skies of divine grace1 who with all their powers put the dark to flight4 ,they break down the foundations of malevolence and hate4 ,they cherish but one desire for the world and all its peoples3 well-being and peace4 ,by them1 the ramparts of warfare and aggression are battered down4 ,they have truthfulness and honest dealing and friendship for their goal1 and kindness even toward a vicious foe2 until at last they change this prison of treachery1 the world1 into a mansion of utmost trust1 and turn this gaol-house of hatred and malevolence and spite1 into ,god's ,paradise4 ,o ye loving friends6 ,strive ye with heart and soul to make this world the mirror-image of the ,kingdom1 that this nether world may teem with the blessings of the world of ,god1 that the voices of the ,company on high may be raised in acclamation1 and signs and tokens of the bounties and bestowals of ,bah'u'llh may encompass all the earth4 ,jinb-i-#8,amn hath expressed the greatest admiration for you honoured men and enlightened women1 naming and commending you each by each1 telling at length of the firmness and constancy ye all have shown1 saying that1 ,god be praised1 in all ,persia the men and women are standing together1 straight1 strong1 unmoveable--a mighty edifice solidly raised up2 and that ye are engaged with love and joy in spreading abroad the sweet savours of the ,lord4 ,these were tidings of great joy1 especially as they have reached me in these days of extreme peril4 ,for the dearest wish of this wronged one is that the friends be spiritual of heart and illumined of mind1 and once this grace is granted me1 calamity1 however afflictive1 is but bounty pouring down upon me1 like copious rain4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,thou seest me plunged in an ocean of anguish1 held fast to the fires of tyranny1 and weeping in the darkness of the night4 ,sleepless ,i toss and turn upon my bed1 mine eyes straining to behold the morning light of faithfulness and trust4 ,i agonize even as a fish1 its inward parts afire as it leapeth about in terror upon the sand1 yet ,i ever look for ,thy bestowals to appear from every side4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,make thou the believers in other lands to partake of ,thine abounding grace1 deliver ,thou1 by ,thine unfailing help and bounty1 whoso among ,thy loved ones in the farthermost climes sigheth over the bitter cruelty of his foe4 ,o ,lord1 they are the captives of ,thy love1 the prisoners taken by ,thy troops4 ,they are the birds that fly in the heavens of ,thy guidance1 the whales that swim in the ocean of ,thy bestowals1 the stars that sparkle on the horizon of ,thy gifts4 ,they are the defenders of the fortress of ,thy law4 ,they are the banners of ,thy remembrance amongst men4 ,they are the deep wells of ,thy divine compassion1 the fountains of ,thy favours1 the well-springs of ,thy grace4 ,keep them ever in safety beneath ,thine all-protecting eye4 ,assist them to exalt ,thy ,word2 make ,thou their hearts to be constant in ,thy love2 strengthen ,thou their backs that they may serve ,thee well2 in servitude1 strengthen ,thou their powers4 ,spread ,thou through them ,thy sweet savours far and wide2 expound through them ,thy ,holy ,writ2 make known through them ,thine ,utterance2 fulfil through them ,thy ,words2 through them pour out ,thy mercy4 ,thou art verily the ,mighty1 the ,powerful4 ,thou art verily the ,clement1 the ,compassionate4 #ahi3 ,,today1 ,,every ,,wise1 ,,vigilant ,,and ,,foresighted ,,person 444 ,today1 every wise1 vigilant and foresighted person is awakened1 and to him are unveiled the mysteries of the future which show that nothing save the power of the ,covenant is able to stir and move the heart of humanity1 just as the ,new and ,old ,testaments propounded throughout all regions the ,cause of ,christ and were the pulsating power in the body of the human world4 ,a tree that hath a root shall bear fruit1 while the tree that hath none1 no matter how high and hardy it may be1 will eventually wither1 perish and become but a log fit for the fire4 ,the ,covenant of ,god is like unto a vast and fathomless ocean4 ,a billow shall rise and surge therefrom and shall cast ashore all accumulated foam4 ,praise be to ,god that the highest wish entertained by heedful souls is the exaltation of the ,word of ,god and the propagation of divine fragrances4 ,this is1 verily1 the secure and firm foundation4 ,now1 like unto the morn1 the light of the ,sun of ,truth hath been shed abroad4 ,effort must be made that slumbering souls may be awakened1 the heedless become vigilant1 and that the divine teachings1 which constitute the spirit of this age1 may reach the ears of the people of the world1 may be propagated in the press and set forth with brilliance and eloquence in the assemblages of men4 ,one's conduct must be like the conduct of ,paul1 and one's faith similar to that of ,peter4 ,this musk-scented breeze shall perfume the nostrils of the people of the world1 and this spirit shall resuscitate the dead4 ,the offensive odour of violation hath temporarily arrested the onward movement of the ,cause1 for otherwise the divine teachings1 like unto the rays of the sun1 would immediately spread and permeate all regions4 ,thou intendest to print and publish the addresses of #8,abdu'l-,bah which thou hast compiled4 ,this is indeed very advisable4 ,this service shall cause thee to acquire an effulgent face in the ,abh ,kingdom1 and shall make thee the object of the praise and gratitude of the friends in the ,east as well as in the ,west4 ,but it is to be undertaken with the utmost care1 so that the exact text may be reproduced and will exclude all deviations and corruptions committed by former translators4 #aij3 ,,thou ,,seest ,,me1 ,o ,,my ,,god1 ,,bowed ,,down ,,in ,,lowliness1 444 ,thou seest me1 ,o my ,god1 bowed down in lowliness1 humbling myself before ,thy commandments1 submitting to ,thy sovereignty1 trembling at the might of ,thy dominion1 fleeing from ,thy wrath1 entreating ,thy grace1 relying upon ,thy forgiveness1 shaking with awe at ,thy fury4 ,i implore ,thee with a throbbing heart1 with streaming tears and a yearning soul1 and in complete detachment from all things1 to make ,thy lovers as rays of light across ,thy realms1 and to aid ,thy chosen servants to exalt ,thy ,word1 that their faces may turn beauteous and bright with splendour1 that their hearts may be filled with mysteries1 and that every soul may lay down its burden of sin4 ,guard them then from the aggressor1 from him who hath become a shameless and blasphemous doer of wrong4 ,verily ,thy lovers thirst1 ,o my ,lord2 lead them to the wellspring of bounty and grace4 ,verily1 they hunger2 send down unto them ,thy heavenly table4 ,verily1 they are naked2 robe them in the garments of learning and knowledge4 ,heroes are they1 ,o my ,lord1 lead them to the field of battle4 ,guides are they1 make them to speak out with arguments and proofs4 ,ministering servants are they1 cause them to pass round the cup that brimmeth with the wine of certitude4 ,o my ,god1 make them to be songsters that carol in fair gardens1 make them lions that couch in the thickets1 whales that plunge in the vasty deep4 ,verily ,thou art ,he of abounding grace4 ,there is none other ,god save ,thee1 the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,ever-,bestowing4 ,o ye my spiritual friends6 ,for some time now the pressures have been severe1 the restrictions as shackles of iron4 ,this hapless wronged one was left single and alone1 for all the ways were barred4 ,friends were forbidden access to me1 the trusted were shut away1 the foe compassed me about1 the evil watchers were fierce and bold4 ,at every instant1 fresh affliction4 ,at every breath1 new anguish4 ,both kin and stranger on the attack2 indeed1 one-time lovers1 faithless and unpitying1 were worse than foes as they rose up to harass me4 ,none was there to defend #8,abdu'l-,bah1 no helper1 no protector1 no ally1 no champion4 ,i was drowning in a shoreless sea1 and ever beating upon my ears were the raven-croaking voices of the disloyal4 ,at every daybreak1 triple darkness4 ,at eventide1 stone-hearted tyranny4 ,and never a moment's peace1 and never any balm for the spear's red wounds4 ,from moment to moment1 word would come of my exile to the ,fezzan sands2 from hour to hour1 ,i was to be cast into the endless sea4 ,now they would say that these homeless wanderers were ruined at last2 again that the cross would soon be put to use4 ,this wasted frame of mine was to be made the target for bullet or arrow2 or again1 this failing body was to be cut to ribbons by the sword4 ,our alien acquaintances could not contain themselves for joy1 and our treacherous friends exulted4 #8,praise be to ,god1' one would exclaim1 #8,here is our dream come true4' ,and another1 #8,god be thanked1 our spear-head found the heart4' ,affliction beat upon this captive like the heavy rains of spring1 and the victories of the malevolent swept down in a relentless flood1 and still #8,abdu'l-,bah remained happy and serene1 and relied on the grace of the ,all-,merciful4 ,that pain1 that anguish1 was a paradise of all delights2 those chains were the necklace of a king on a throne in heaven4 ,content with ,god's will1 utterly resigned1 my heart surrendered to whatever fate had in store1 ,i was happy4 ,for a boon companion1 ,i had great joy4 ,finally a time came when the friends turned inconsolable1 and abandoned all hope4 ,it was then the morning dawned1 and flooded all with unending light4 ,the towering clouds were scattered1 the dismal shadows fled4 ,in that instant the fetters fell away1 the chains were lifted off the neck of this homeless one and hung round the neck of the foe4 ,those dire straits were changed to ease1 and on the horizon of ,god's bounties the sun of hope rose up4 ,all this was out of ,god's grace and ,his bestowals4 ,and yet1 from one point of view1 this wanderer was saddened and despondent4 ,for what pain1 in the time to come1 could ,i seek comfort8 ,at the news of what granted wish could ,i rejoice8 ,there was no more tyranny1 no more affliction1 no tragical events1 no tribulations4 ,my only joy in this swiftly-passing world was to tread the stony path of ,god and to endure hard tests and all material griefs4 ,for otherwise1 this earthly life would prove barren and vain1 and better would be death4 ,the tree of being would produce no fruit2 the sown field of this existence would yield no harvest4 ,thus it is my hope that once again some circumstance will make my cup of anguish to brim over1 and that beauteous ,love1 that ,slayer of souls1 will dazzle the beholders again4 ,then will this heart be blissful1 this soul be blessed4 ,o ,divine ,providence6 ,lift to ,thy lovers' lips a cup brimful of anguish4 ,to the yearners on ,thy pathway1 make sweetness but a sting1 and poison honey-sweet4 ,set ,thou our heads for ornaments on the points of spears4 ,make ,thou our hearts the targets for pitiless arrows and darts4 ,raise ,thou this withered soul to life on the martyr's field1 make ,thou his faded heart to drink the draught of tyranny1 and thus grow fresh and fair once more4 ,make him to be drunk with the wine of ,thine ,eternal ,covenant1 make him a reveller holding high his cup4 ,help him to fling away his life2 grant that for ,thy sake1 he be offered up4 ,thou art the ,mighty1 the ,powerful4 ,thou art the ,knower1 the ,seer1 the ,hearer4 #aia3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,hast ,,been ,,sore ,,afflicted ,,on ,,the ,,pathway 444 ,o thou who hast been sore afflicted on the pathway of the ,covenant6 ,anguish and torment1 when suffered on the pathway of the ,lord1 ,him of manifest signs1 is only favour and grace2 affliction is but mercy1 and grief a gift from ,god4 ,poison is sugar on the tongue1 and wrath is kindness1 nourishing the soul4 ,then praise thou ,him1 the loving ,provider1 for having ordained this dire affliction1 which is but bounty unalloyed4 ,if ,i1 like ,abraham1 through flames must go1 ,or yet like ,john7#eh7 a bloodstained road must run2 ,if1 ,joseph-like1 ,thou'd cast me in a well1 ,or shut me up within a prison cell-- ,or make me e'en as poor as ,mary's ,son-- ,i will not go from ,thee1 ,but ever stand ,my soul and body bowed to ,thy command4 #aib3 ,,today1 ,,the ,,lord ,,of ,,hosts ,,is ,,the ,,defender ,,of ,,the 444 ,today1 the ,lord of ,hosts is the defender of the ,covenant1 the forces of the ,kingdom protect it1 heavenly souls tender their services1 and heavenly angels promulgate and spread it broadcast4 ,if it is considered with insight1 it will be seen that all the forces of the universe1 in the last analysis serve the ,covenant4 ,in the future it shall be made evident and manifest4 ,in view of this fact1 what can these weak and feeble souls achieve8 ,hardy plants that are destitute of roots and are deprived of the outpourings of the cloud of mercy will not last4 ,what then may be expected from feeble weeds8444 #aic3 ,,it ,,is ,,daybreak1 ,,and ,,from ,,the ,,rising-,,point ,,of ,,the 444 ,it is daybreak1 and from the rising-point of the invisible realms of ,god1 the light of unity is dawning2 and streaming and beating down from the hidden world of the ,kingdom of oneness there cometh a flood of abounding grace4 ,glad tidings of the ,kingdom are sounding from every side1 and wafting in from every direction are the first morning signs of the exalting of ,god's ,word and the upraising of ,his ,cause4 ,the word of unity is spreading1 the verses of oneness are being sung1 the sea of ,god's bestowals is tossing high its waves1 and in plunging cataracts ,his blessings are pouring down4 ,the confirmations of ,him ,who is the ,ever-,forgiving have wrapped every clime in light1 the armies of the ,company on high are rushing forward to do battle at the side of the friends of the ,lord and carry the day1 the fame of the ,ancient ,beauty--may my life be offered up for ,his loved ones--resoundeth from pole to pole and word of the ,holy ,cause hath spread to east and west4 ,all these things bring joy to the heart1 and yet #8,abdu'l-,bah is sunk deep in an ocean of grief1 and pain and anguish have so affected my limbs and members that utter weakness hath overtaken my whole body4 ,note ye that when1 singly and alone1 with none to second me1 ,i upraised the call of ,god around the world1 the peoples thereof rose up to oppose1 to dispute1 to deny4 ,on one side1 it is clear how the religionists of the past have mounted their attack at all points2 again1 there cometh word of the lying mockers and the extreme limits to which they are going to pull out the ,divine ,tree by the roots4 ,what malicious and slanderous charges they bring against the ,ancient ,beauty1 what pamphlets filled with wicked and depraved allegations they are busily writing and spreading against the ,most ,great ,name6 ,and now1 in deepest secrecy1 they are straining every nerve to deal this ,faith a fearsome blow4 ,again have the prideful devised all manner of plots and schemes to completely disable the ,cause of ,god and to erase the name of #8,abdu'l-,bah from the ,book of ,life4 ,and now1 added to all these tribulations1 these miseries1 these enemy attacks1 there hath arisen a dust cloud of ill will amongst the believers themselves4 ,this in spite of the fact that the ,cause of the ,ancient ,beauty is the very essence of love1 the very channel of oneness1 existing only that all may become the waves of one sea1 and bright stars of the same endless sky1 and pearls within the shell of singleness1 and gleaming jewels quarried from the mines of unity2 that they may become servants one to another1 adore one another1 bless one another1 praise one another2 that each one may loose his tongue and extol the rest without exception1 each one voice his gratitude to all the rest2 that all should lift up their eyes to the horizon of glory1 and remember that they are linked to the ,holy ,threshold2 that they should see nothing but good in one another1 hear nothing but praise of one another1 and speak no word of one another save only to praise4 ,there are indeed certain ones who tread this way of righteousness1 and ,god be thanked1 these are strengthened and supported by heavenly power in every land4 ,but others have not arisen as they ought to this gloried and exalted station1 and this doth lay upon the heart of #8,abdu'l-,bah a heavy burden of grief1 of inconceivable grief4 ,for no tempest more perilous than this could ever assail the ,cause of ,god1 nor could anything else so diminish the influence of ,his ,word4 ,it behoveth all the beloved of ,god to become as one1 to gather together under the protection of a single flag1 to stand for a uniform body of opinion1 to follow one and the same pathway1 to hold fast to a single resolve4 ,let them forget their divergent theories and put aside their conflicting views since1 ,god be praised1 our purpose is one1 our goal is one4 ,we are the servants of one ,threshold1 we all draw our nourishment from the same one ,source1 we all are gathered in the shade of the same high ,tabernacle1 we all are sheltered under the one celestial ,tree4 ,o beloved of the ,lord6 ,if any soul speak ill of an absent one1 the only result will clearly be this3 he will dampen the zeal of the friends and tend to make them indifferent4 ,for backbiting is divisive1 it is the leading cause among the friends of a disposition to withdraw4 ,if any individual should speak ill of one who is absent1 it is incumbent on his hearers1 in a spiritual and friendly manner1 to stop him1 and say in effect3 would this detraction serve any useful purpose8 ,would it please the ,blessed ,beauty1 contribute to the lasting honour of the friends1 promote the holy ,faith1 support the ,covenant1 or be of any possible benefit to any soul8 ,no1 never6 ,on the contrary1 it would make the dust to settle so thickly on the heart that the ears would hear no more1 and the eyes would no longer behold the light of truth4 ,if1 however1 a person setteth about speaking well of another1 opening his lips to praise another1 he will touch an answering chord in his hearers and they will be stirred up by the breathings of ,god4 ,their hearts and souls will rejoice to know that1 ,god be thanked1 here is a soul in the ,faith who is a focus of human perfections1 a very embodiment of the bounties of the ,lord1 one whose tongue is eloquent1 and whose face shineth1 in whatever gathering he may be1 one who hath victory upon his brow1 and who is a being sustained by the sweet savours of ,god4 ,now which is the better way8 ,i swear this by the beauty of the ,lord3 whensoever ,i hear good of the friends1 my heart filleth up with joy2 but whensoever ,i find even a hint that they are on bad terms one with another1 ,i am overwhelmed by grief4 ,such is the condition of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,then judge from this where your duty lieth4 ,god be praised1 wherever we turn1 the ,ancient ,beauty hath opened wide the gates of grace1 and hath in unmistakable words announced glad tidings of victory through the ,lord's sustaining help4 ,through love hath ,he carried off the hearts of the believers1 and ,he hath entrusted their triumph to the armies of the ,concourse on high4 ,now amidst all the peoples of the world must the beloved arise1 with a heart even as the day-star1 a strong inward urge1 a shining brow1 a musk-scented breath1 a tongue speaking ever of ,god1 an exposition crystal-clear1 a high resolve1 a power born of heaven1 a spiritual character1 a confirmation nothing short of the divine4 ,let them one and all become as a splendour on the horizon of heaven1 and in the skies of the world a dazzling star4 ,let them be fruitful trees in the celestial bowers1 sweet-scented blooms in the divine gardens2 let them be verses of perfection on the page of the universe1 words of oneness in the ,book of ,life4 ,this is the first age1 and the early beginnings of the dispensation of the ,most ,great ,light1 wherefore1 within this century1 virtues must be acquired1 goodly qualities must be perfected within this span of time4 ,in these very days the ,abh ,paradise must pitch its pavilions on the plains of the world4 ,the lights of reality must now be revealed1 and the secrets of ,god's bestowals must now be made known1 and now must the olden grace shine forth and this world change into the pleasure-ground of heaven1 the garden of ,god4 ,and out of pure hearts1 and through heavenly bounties1 all the perfections1 qualities and attributes of the divine must now be made manifest4 ,at all times doth #8,abdu'l-,bah supplicate and with tears entreat the ,almighty at the sacred ,threshold1 and crieth out3 ,o ,thou kind ,lord6 ,we are servants of ,thy ,threshold1 taking shelter at ,thy holy ,door4 ,we seek no refuge save only this strong pillar1 turn nowhere for a haven but unto ,thy safekeeping4 ,protect us1 bless us1 support us1 make us such that we shall love but ,thy good pleasure1 utter only ,thy praise1 follow only the pathway of truth1 that we may become rich enough to dispense with all save ,thee1 and receive our gifts from the sea of ,thy beneficence1 that we may ever strive to exalt ,thy ,cause and to spread ,thy sweet savours far and wide1 that we may become oblivious of self and occupied only with ,thee1 and disown all else and be caught up in ,thee4 ,o ,thou ,provider1 ,o ,thou ,forgiver6 ,grant us ,thy grace and loving-kindness1 ,thy gifts and ,thy bestowals1 and sustain us1 that we may attain our goal4 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,able1 the ,knower1 the ,seer2 and verily ,thou art the ,generous1 and verily ,thou art the ,all-,merciful1 and verily ,thou art the ,ever-,forgiving1 ,he to ,whom repentance is due1 ,he ,who forgiveth even the most grievous of sins4 #aid3 ,o ,,ye ,,the ,,sincere ,,loved ,,ones ,,of ,,the ,,abh ,,beauty6 444 ,o ye the sincere loved ones of the ,abh ,beauty6 ,in these days the ,cause of ,god1 the world over1 is fast growing in power and1 day by day1 is spreading further and further to the utmost bounds of the earth4 ,its enemies1 therefore1 from all the kindreds and peoples of the world1 are growing aggressive1 malevolent1 envious and bitterly hostile4 ,it is incumbent upon the loved ones of ,god to exercise the greatest care and prudence in all things1 whether great or small1 to take counsel together and unitedly resist the onslaught of the stirrers up of strife and the movers of mischief4 ,they must endeavour to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone1 must follow moderation in their conduct1 must have respect and consideration one for another and show loving-kindness and tender regard to all the peoples of the world4 ,they must be patient and long-suffering1 that they may grow to become the divine magnets of the ,abh ,kingdom and acquire the dynamic power of the hosts of the realm on high4 ,the fleeting hours of man's life on earth pass swiftly by and the little that still remaineth shall come to an end1 but that which endureth and lasteth for evermore is the fruit that man reapeth from his servitude at the ,divine ,threshold4 ,behold the truth of this saying1 how abundant and glorious are the proofs thereof in the world of being6 ,the glory of glories rest upon the people of ,bah6 #aie3 ,o ,,thou ,,exalted ,,bough ,,of ,,the ,,divine ,,lote-,,tree6 444 ,o thou exalted bough of the divine ,lote-,tree6 444,when thou art disdained and rejected by the wicked doers be not cast down2 and at the power and stiffneckedness of the presumptuous be neither vexed nor sick at heart2 for such is the way of heedless souls1 from time out of mind4 #8,o the misery of men6 ,no ,messenger cometh unto them but they laugh ,him to scorn6'7#ei7 ,indeed1 the attacks and the obstructiveness of the ignorant but cause the ,word of ,god to be exalted1 and spread ,his signs and tokens far and wide4 ,were it not for this opposition by the disdainful1 this obduracy of the slanderers1 this shouting from the pulpits1 this crying and wailing of great and small alike1 these accusations of unbelief levelled by the ignorant1 this uproar from the foolish--how could news of the advent of the ,primal ,point and the bright dawning of the ,day-,star of ,bah ever have reached to east and west8 ,how else could the planet have been rocked from pole to pole8 ,how else could ,persia have become the focal point of scattering splendours1 and ,asia ,minor the radiating heart of the beauty of the ,lord8 ,however else could the flame of the ,manifestation have spread into the south8 ,by what means could the cries of ,god have been heard in the far north8 ,how else could ,his summons have been heard in the continents of ,america and of ,africa the dark8 ,how else could the cock-crow of ,heaven have penetrated those ears8 ,how else could the sweet parrots of ,india have come upon this sugar1 or nightingales have lifted up their warblings out of the land of #8,irq8 ,what else could set the east and west to dancing1 how else could this ,consecrated ,spot become the throne of the ,beauty of ,god8 ,how else could ,sinai behold this burning brightness1 how could the ,advent's flame adorn that mount8 ,how else could the ,holy ,land be made the footstool of ,god's beauty1 and the holy vale of ,towa7#fj7 become the site of excellence and grace1 the sacred spot where ,moses put off ,his shoes8 ,how could the breaths of heaven be carried across the ,vale of ,holiness1 how could the sweet-scented1 airy streams that blow out of the ,abh gardens ever be perceived by those that dwell on the ,verdant ,isle8 ,how else could the pledges of the ,prophets1 the joyous tidings of the holy ,seers of old1 the stirring promises given unto this ,sacred ,place by the ,manifestations of ,god1 ever have been fulfilled8 ,how else could the ,tree of ,ans have been planted here1 the flag of the ,testament be flown1 the intoxicating cup of the ,covenant be lifted to these lips8 ,all these blessings and bestowals1 the very means of proclaiming the ,faith1 have come about through the scorn of the ignorant1 the opposition of the foolish1 the stubbornness of the dull-witted1 the violence of the aggressor4 ,had it not been for these things1 the news of the ,bb's advent would not1 to this day1 have reached even into lands hard by4 ,wherefore we should never grieve over the blindness of the unwitting1 the attacks of the foolish1 the hostility of the low and base1 the heedlessness of the divines1 the charges of infidelity brought against us by the empty of mind4 ,such too was their way in ages past1 nor would it be thus if they were of those who know2 but they are benighted1 and they come not close to understanding what is told them47#fa7 ,wherefore doth it befit thyself1 an offshoot of the ,holy ,tree of ,god1 branched out from that mighty ,trunk--and it behoveth ourselves as well--so to burn1 through the sustaining grace of the ,ancient ,beauty--may my life be offered up for ,his ,most ,holy ,shrine--with this kindled flame out of heaven1 that we will light the fire of ,god's love from pole to pole4 ,let us take for our example the great and sacred ,tree of the exalted ,bb--may my life be offered up for ,him4 ,like ,him let us bare our breasts to the shafts of agony1 like ,him make our hearts to be targets for the spears decreed by ,god4 ,let us1 like candles1 burn away2 as moths1 let us scorch our wings2 as the field larks1 vent our plaintive cries2 as the nightingales1 burst forth in lamentations4 ,even as the clouds let us shed down tears1 and as the lightning flashes let us laugh at our coursings through east and west4 ,by day1 by night1 let us think but of spreading the sweet savours of ,god4 ,let us not keep on forever with our fancies and illusions1 with our analysing and interpreting and circulating of complex dubieties4 ,let us put aside all thoughts of self2 let us close our eyes to all on earth1 let us neither make known our sufferings nor complain of our wrongs4 ,rather let us become oblivious of our own selves1 and drinking down the wine of heavenly grace1 let us cry out our joy1 and lose ourselves in the beauty of the ,all-,glorious4 ,o thou ,afnn of the divine ,lote-,tree6 ,we must strive1 each one of us1 to become as fecund boughs and to yield an ever sweeter and more wholesome fruit1 that the branch may prove itself to be a continuation of the root1 and the part be in harmony with the whole4 ,it is my hope that out of the bounty of the ,greatest ,name and the loving-kindness of the ,primal ,point--may my soul be offered up for ,them both--we shall become the means of exalting the ,word of ,god around the world2 that we may ever render services unto the ,source of our ,cause and spread over all the canopy of the true and holy zeal of the ,lord4 ,that from over the fields of grace1 we may make zephyrs to blow1 bringing to man the sweet scents that come from the gardens of ,god4 ,that we may make of this world the ,abh ,paradise1 and change this nether place into the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,it is true that every one of ,god's servants1 and in particular those who are on fire with the ,faith1 have been allotted this task of servitude to ,almighty ,god2 still1 the duty imposed upon us is greater than that which hath been laid upon the rest4 ,to ,him do we look for grace and favour and strength4 ,all praise and thanksgiving be unto the ,blessed ,beauty1 for calling into action the armies of ,his ,abh ,kingdom1 and sending forth to us ,his never-interrupted aid1 dependable as the rising stars4 ,in every region of the earth hath ,he supported this single1 lonely servant1 at every moment hath ,he made known to me the signs and tokens of ,his love4 ,he hath cast into a stupor all those who are clinging to their vain illusions1 and made them infamous in the sight of high and low4 ,he hath caused those who run after their fads and fancies to become objects of general reproach1 and hath exposed the arrogant to public view2 ,he hath made those of the friends who proved infirm of faith to serve as a warning to every beholder1 and hath caused the leaders of those who waver to love but themselves and sink down in self-conceit4 ,meanwhile1 by the power of ,his might1 ,he hath made this broken-winged bird to rise up before all who dwell on earth4 ,he hath shattered the serried ranks of the rebellious1 and hath given the victory to the hosts of salvation1 and breathed into the hearts of those who stand firm in the ,covenant and ,testament the breath of everlasting life4 ,convey thou the greetings of ,abh to each one of the ,afnn1 branched from the ,holy ,tree4 ,the glory rest upon thee and upon all the ,afnn who remain faithful and true to the ,covenant4 #aif3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,steadfast ,,in ,,the ,,covenant6 ,,thy 444 ,o thou who art steadfast in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter of #i ,september #aiji hath been received4 ,be thou neither grieved nor despondent over what hath come to pass4 ,this trouble overtook thee as thou didst walk the path of ,god1 wherefore it should bring thee joy4 ,we addressed the friends in writing ere this1 and made a verbal statement as well1 to the effect that the friends in the ,west will unquestionably have their share of the calamities befalling the friends in the ,east4 ,it is inevitable that1 walking the pathway of ,bah'u'llh1 they too will become targets for persecution by the oppressors4 ,consider how at the beginning of the ,christian era the ,apostles were afflicted1 and what torments they endured in the pathway of ,christ4 ,every day of their lives they were targets for the ,pharisees' darts of mockery1 vilification and abuse4 ,they bore great hardship2 they saw prison2 and most of them carried to their lips the sweet cup of martyrdom4 ,now ye1 as well1 must certainly become my partners to some slight degree1 and accept your share of tests and sorrows4 ,but these episodes shall pass away1 while that abiding glory and eternal life shall remain unchanged forever4 ,moreover1 these afflictions shall be the cause of great advancement4 ,i ask of ,god that thou1 ,his husbandman1 shalt plough the hard and stony ground1 and water it1 and scatter seeds therein--for this will show how skilful is the farmer1 while any man can sow and till where the ground is soft1 and clear of brambles and thorns4 #aig3 ,o ,,thou ,,servant ,,of ,,god6 ,,do ,,not ,,grieve ,,at ,,the 444 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,do not grieve at the afflictions and calamities that have befallen thee4 ,all calamities and afflictions have been created for man so that he may spurn this mortal world--a world to which he is much attached4 ,when he experienceth severe trials and hardships1 then his nature will recoil and he will desire the eternal realm--a realm which is sanctified from all afflictions and calamities4 ,such is the case with the man who is wise4 ,he shall never drink from a cup which is at the end distasteful1 but1 on the contrary1 he will seek the cup of pure and limpid water4 ,he will not taste of the honey that is mixed with poison4 ,praise thou ,god1 that thou hast been tried and hast experienced such a test4 ,be patient and grateful4 ,turn thy face to the divine ,kingdom and strive that thou mayest acquire merciful characteristics1 mayest become illumined and acquire the attributes of the ,kingdom and of the ,lord4 ,endeavour to become indifferent to the pleasures of this world and to its comfort1 to remain firm and steadfast in the ,covenant and to promulgate the ,cause of ,god4 ,this is the cause of the exaltation of man1 the cause of his glory and of his salvation4 #aih3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,enamoured ,,of ,,the ,,breaths ,,of ,,god6 444 ,o thou who art enamoured of the breaths of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter1 which cried out with thy love for ,god and thine irresistible attraction to ,his ,beauty1 and its wondrous theme did cheer my heart4 ,the intent of what ,i wrote to thee in my previous letter was this1 that when exalting the ,word of ,god1 there are trials to be met with1 and calamities2 and that in loving ,him1 at every moment there are hardships1 torments1 afflictions4 ,it behoveth the individual first to value these ordeals1 willingly accept them1 and eagerly welcome them2 only then should he proceed with teaching the ,faith and exalting the ,word of ,god4 ,in such a state1 no matter what may befall him in his love for ,god--harassment1 reproach1 vilification1 curses1 beatings1 imprisonment1 death--he will never be cast down1 and his passion for the ,divine ,beauty will but gain in strength4 ,this was what ,i meant4 ,otherwise1 woe and misery to the soul that seeketh after comforts1 riches1 and earthly delights while neglecting to call ,god to mind6 ,because calamities encountered in ,god's pathway are1 to #8,abdu'l-,bah1 but favour and grace1 and in one of ,his ,tablets the all-glorious ,beauty hath declared3 #8,i never passed a tree but ,mine heart addressed it saying3 8,o would that thou wert cut down in ,my name1 and ,my body crucified upon thee60' ,these were the words of the ,most ,great ,name4 ,this is ,his path4 ,this is the way to ,his ,realm of ,might4 #aii3 ,o ,,ye ,,sincere ,,ones1 ,,ye ,,longing ,,ones1 ,,ye ,,who ,,are 444 ,o ye sincere ones1 ye longing ones1 ye who are drawn as if magnetized1 ye who have risen up to serve the ,cause of ,god1 to exalt ,his ,word and scatter ,his sweet savours far and wide6 ,i have read your excellent letter1 beautiful as to style1 eloquent as to words1 profound as to meaning1 and ,i praised ,god and thanked ,him for having come to your aid and enabled you to serve ,him in ,his widespreading vineyard4 ,erelong shall your faces be bright with the radiance of your supplications and your worship of ,god1 your prayers unto ,him1 and your humility and selflessness in the presence of the friends4 ,he will make of your assemblage a magnet that will draw unto you the bright rays of divine confirmations that shine out from ,his kingdom of glory4 ,it is incumbent upon you to ponder in your hearts and meditate upon ,his words1 and humbly to call upon ,him1 and to put away self in ,his heavenly ,cause4 ,these are the things that will make of you signs of guidance unto all mankind1 and brilliant stars shining down from the all-highest horizon1 and towering trees in the ,abh ,paradise4 ,know ye that #8,abdu'l-,bah dwelleth in continual delight4 ,to have been lodged in this faraway prison is for me exceeding joy4 ,by the life of ,bah6 ,this prison is my supernal paradise2 it is my cherished goal1 the comfort of my bosom1 the bliss of my heart2 it is my refuge1 my shelter1 my asylum1 my safe haven1 and within it do ,i exult amid the hosts of heaven and the ,company on high4 ,rejoice in my bondage1 ,o ye friends of ,god1 for it soweth the seeds of freedom2 rejoice at my imprisonment1 for it is the well-spring of salvation2 be ye glad on account of my travail1 for it leadeth to eternal ease4 ,by the ,lord ,god6 ,i would not exchange this prison for the throne of the whole world1 nor give up this confinement for pleasures and pastimes in all the fair gardens on earth4 ,my hope is that out of the ,lord's abundant grace1 ,his munificence and loving-kindness1 ,i may1 in ,his pathway1 be hanged against the sky1 that my heart may become the target for a thousand bullets1 or that ,i may be cast into the depths of the sea1 or be left to perish on desert sands4 ,this is what ,i long for most2 this is my supreme desire2 it refresheth my soul1 it is balm for my breast1 it is the very solace of mine eyes4 ,as for you1 ,o ye lovers of ,god1 make firm your steps in ,his ,cause1 with such resolve that ye shall not be shaken though the direst of calamities assail the world4 ,by nothing1 under no conditions1 be ye perturbed4 ,be ye anchored fast as the high mountains1 be stars that dawn over the horizon of life1 be bright lamps in the gatherings of unity1 be souls humble and lowly in the presence of the friends1 be innocent in heart4 ,be ye symbols of guidance and lights of godliness1 severed from the world1 clinging to the handhold that is sure and strong1 spreading abroad the spirit of life1 riding the ,ark of salvation4 ,be ye daysprings of generosity1 dawning-points of the mysteries of existence1 sites where inspiration alighteth1 rising-places of splendours1 souls that are sustained by the ,holy ,spirit1 enamoured of the ,lord1 detached from all save ,him1 holy above the characteristics of humankind1 clothed in the attributes of the angels of heaven1 that ye may win for yourselves the highest bestowal of all1 in this new time1 this wondrous age4 ,by the life of ,bah6 ,only he who is severed from the world shall achieve this ultimate grace1 he who is a captive of divine love1 empty of passion and self1 from every aspect true unto his ,god1 humble1 lowly1 supplicating1 in tears1 submissive in the presence of the ,lord4 #bjj3 ,o ,,my ,,spiritual ,,loved ,,ones6 ,,at ,a ,,time ,,when ,,an 444 ,o my spiritual loved ones6 ,at a time when an ocean of trials and tribulations was surging up and flinging its waves to the heavens1 when multitudes were assailing us and the tyrannical were inflicting upon us crushing wrongs--at such a time a band of individuals1 intent on defaming us1 allied themselves with our unkind brother1 brought out a treatise that was filled with slanderous charges1 and levelled accusations and calumnies against us4 ,in this way they alarmed and confused the government authorities1 and it is obvious what the condition of this captive then became1 in this dilapidated fortress1 and what terrible harm and mischief was done1 far worse than words can tell4 ,in spite of everything1 this homeless prisoner remained inwardly tranquil and secure1 trusting in the peerless ,lord1 yearning for whatever afflictions might have to be encountered in the pathway of ,god's love4 ,for bolts of hate are1 in our sight1 but a gift of pearls from ,him1 and mortal poison but a healing draught4 ,such was our state when a letter came to us from the ,american friends47#fb7 ,they had covenanted together1 so they wrote1 to remain at one in all things1 and the signatories one and all had pledged themselves to make sacrifices in the pathway of the love of ,god1 thus to achieve eternal life4 ,at the very moment when this letter was read1 together with the signatures at its close1 #8,abdu'l-,bah experienced a joy so vehement that no pen can describe it1 and thanked ,god that friends have been raised up in that country who will live together in perfect harmony1 in the best of fellowship1 in full agreement1 closely knit1 united in their efforts4 ,the more this compact is reinforced1 the happier and the better shall all things be1 for it will draw unto itself the confirmations of ,god4 ,if the lovers of the ,lord are hoping for grace to win as their friends the ,company on high1 they must do all they can to strengthen this compact1 for such an alliance for brotherhood and unity is even as watering the ,tree of ,life3 it is life everlasting4 ,o ye lovers of ,god6 ,make firm your steps2 fulfil your pledge to one another2 go forth in harmony to scatter abroad the sweet savours of ,god's love1 and to establish ,his ,teachings1 until ye breathe a soul into the dead body of this world1 and bring true healing in the physical and spiritual realms to everyone who aileth4 ,o ye lovers of ,god6 ,the world is even as a human being who is diseased and impotent1 whose eyes can see no longer1 whose ears have gone deaf1 all of whose powers are corroded and used up4 ,wherefore must the friends of ,god be competent physicians who1 following the holy ,teachings1 will nurse this patient back to health4 ,perhaps1 ,god willing1 the world will mend1 and become permanently whole1 and its exhausted faculties will be restored1 and its person will take on such vigour1 freshness and verdancy that it will shine out with comeliness and grace4 ,the first remedy of all is to guide the people aright1 so that they will turn themselves unto ,god1 and listen to ,his counsellings1 and go forth with hearing ears and seeing eyes4 ,once this speedily effective draught is given them1 then1 in accordance with the ,teachings1 they must be led to acquire the characteristics and the behaviour of the ,concourse on high1 and encouraged to seek out all the bounties of the ,abh ,realm4 ,they must cleanse their hearts from even the slightest trace of hatred and spite1 and they must set about being truthful and honest1 conciliatory and loving to all humankind--so that ,east and ,west will1 even as two lovers1 hold each other close2 that hatred and hostility will perish from the earth1 and universal peace be firmly rooted in their place4 ,o ye lovers of ,god6 ,be kind to all peoples2 care for every person2 do all ye can to purify the hearts and minds of men2 strive ye to gladden every soul4 ,to every meadow be a shower of grace1 to every tree the water of life2 be as sweet musk to the sense of humankind1 and to the ailing be a fresh1 restoring breeze4 ,be pleasing waters to all those who thirst1 a careful guide to all who have lost their way2 be father and mother to the orphan1 be loving sons and daughters to the old1 be an abundant treasure to the poor4 ,think ye of love and good fellowship as the delights of heaven1 think ye of hostility and hatred as the torments of hell4 ,indulge not your bodies with rest1 but work with all your souls1 and with all your hearts cry out and beg of ,god to grant you ,his succour and grace4 ,thus may ye make this world the ,abh ,paradise1 and this globe of earth the parade ground of the realm on high4 ,if only ye exert the effort1 it is certain that these splendours will shine out1 these clouds of mercy will shed down their rain1 these life-giving winds will rise and blow1 this sweet-smelling musk will be scattered far and wide4 ,o ye lovers of ,god6 ,do not dwell on what is coming to pass in this holy place1 and be ye in no wise alarmed4 ,whatsoever may happen is for the best1 because affliction is but the essence of bounty1 and sorrow and toil are mercy unalloyed1 and anguish is peace of mind1 and to make a sacrifice is to receive a gift1 and whatsoever may come to pass hath issued from ,god's grace4 ,see ye1 therefore1 to your own tasks3 guide ye the people and educate them in the ways of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,deliver to mankind this joyous message from the ,abh ,realm4 ,rest not1 by day or night2 seek ye no moment's peace4 ,strive ye with all your might to bring to men's ears these happy tidings4 ,in your love for ,god and your attachment to #8,abdu'l-,bah1 accept ye every tribulation1 every sorrow4 ,endure the aggressor's taunts1 put up with the enemy's reproaches4 ,follow in the footsteps of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 and in the pathway of the ,abh ,beauty1 long at every moment to give up your lives4 ,shine out like the day-star1 be unresting as the sea2 even as the clouds of heaven1 shed ye life upon field and hill1 and like unto ,april winds1 blow freshness through those human trees1 and bring them to their blossoming4 #bja3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,carried ,,away ,,by ,,the ,,love ,,of ,,god6 444 ,o thou who art carried away by the love of ,god6 ,the ,sun of ,truth hath risen above the horizon of this world and cast down its beams of guidance4 ,eternal grace is never interrupted1 and a fruit of that everlasting grace is universal peace4 ,rest thou assured that in this era of the spirit1 the ,kingdom of ,peace will raise up its tabernacle on the summits of the world1 and the commandments of the ,prince of ,peace will so dominate the arteries and nerves of every people as to draw into ,his sheltering shade all the nations on earth4 ,from springs of love and truth and unity will the true ,shepherd give ,his sheep to drink4 ,o handmaid of ,god1 peace must first be established among individuals1 until it leadeth in the end to peace among nations4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye ,bah's1 strive ye with all your might to create1 through the power of the ,word of ,god1 genuine love1 spiritual communion and durable bonds among individuals4 ,this is your task4 #bjb3 ,o ,,ye ,,lovers ,,of ,,truth1 ,,ye ,,servants ,,of ,,humankind6 444 ,o ye lovers of truth1 ye servants of humankind6 ,out of the flowering of your thoughts and hopes1 fragrant emanations have come my way1 wherefore an inner sense of obligation compelleth me to pen these words4 ,ye observe how the world is divided against itself1 how many a land is red with blood and its very dust is caked with human gore4 ,the fires of conflict have blazed so high that never in early times1 not in the ,middle ,ages1 not in recent centuries hath there ever been such a hideous war1 a war that is even as millstones1 taking for grain the skulls of men4 ,nay1 even worse1 for flourishing countries have been reduced to rubble1 cities have been levelled with the ground1 and many a once prosperous village hath been turned into ruin4 ,fathers have lost their sons1 and sons their fathers4 ,mothers have wept away their hearts over dead children4 ,children have been orphaned1 women left to wander1 vagrants without a home4 ,from every aspect1 humankind hath sunken low4 ,loud are the piercing cries of fatherless children2 loud the mothers' anguished voices1 reaching to the skies4 ,and the breeding-ground of all these tragedies is prejudice3 prejudice of race and nation1 of religion1 of political opinion2 and the root cause of prejudice is blind imitation of the past--imitation in religion1 in racial attitudes1 in national bias1 in politics4 ,so long as this aping of the past persisteth1 just so long will the foundations of the social order be blown to the four winds1 just so long will humanity be continually exposed to direst peril4 ,now1 in such an illumined age as ours1 when realities previously unknown to man have been laid bare1 and the secrets of created things have been disclosed1 and the ,morn of ,truth hath broken and lit up the world--is it admissible that men should be waging a frightful war that is bringing humanity down to ruin8 ,no1 by the ,lord ,god6 ,christ ,jesus summoned all mankind to amity and peace4 ,unto ,peter ,he said3 #8,put up thy sword into the sheath4'7#fc7 ,such was the bidding and counsel of the ,lord ,christ2 and yet today the ,christians one and all have drawn their swords from out the scabbard4 ,how wide is the discrepancy between such acts and the clear ,gospel text6 ,sixty years ago ,bah'u'llh rose up1 even as the ,day-,star1 over ,persia4 ,he declared that the skies of the world were dark1 that this darkness boded evil1 and that terrible wars would come4 ,from the prison at ,akk1 ,he addressed the ,german ,emperor in the clearest of terms1 telling him that a great war was on the way and that his city of ,berlin would break forth in lamentation and wailing4 ,likewise did ,he write to the ,turkish sovereign1 although ,he was that ,suln's victim and a captive in his prison--that is1 ,he was being held prisoner in the ,fortress at ,akk--and clearly stated that ,constantinople would be overtaken by a sudden and radical change1 so great that the women and children of that city would mourn and cry aloud4 ,in brief1 ,he addressed such words to all the monarchs and the presidents1 and everything came to pass1 exactly as ,he had foretold4 ,there have issued1 from ,his mighty ,pen1 various teachings for the prevention of war1 and these have been scattered far and wide4 ,the first is the independent investigation of truth2 for blind imitation of the past will stunt the mind4 ,but once every soul inquireth into truth1 society will be freed from the darkness of continually repeating the past4 ,his second principle is the oneness of mankind3 that all men are the sheep of ,god1 and ,god is their loving ,shepherd1 caring most tenderly for all without favouring one or another4 #8,no difference canst thou see in the creation of the ,god of mercy'27#fd7 all are ,his servants1 all implore ,his grace4 ,his third teaching is that religion is a mighty stronghold1 but that it must engender love1 not malevolence and hate4 ,should it lead to malice1 spite1 and hate1 it is of no value at all4 ,for religion is a remedy1 and if the remedy bring on disease1 then put it aside4 ,again1 as to religious1 racial1 national and political bias3 all these prejudices strike at the very root of human life2 one and all they beget bloodshed1 and the ruination of the world4 ,so long as these prejudices survive1 there will be continuous and fearsome wars4 ,to remedy this condition there must be universal peace4 ,to bring this about1 a ,supreme ,tribunal must be established1 representative of all governments and peoples2 questions both national and international must be referred thereto1 and all must carry out the decrees of this ,tribunal4 ,should any government or people disobey1 let the whole world arise against that government or people4 ,yet another of the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is the equality of men and women and their equal sharing in all rights4 ,and there are many similar principles4 ,it hath now become evident that these teachings are the very life and soul of the world4 ,ye who are servants of the human race1 strive ye with all your heart to deliver mankind out of this darkness and these prejudices that belong to the human condition and the world of nature1 so that humanity may find its way into the light of the world of ,god4 ,praise be to ,him1 ye are acquainted with the various laws1 institutions and principles of the world2 today nothing short of these divine teachings can assure peace and tranquillity to mankind4 ,but for these teachings1 this darkness shall never vanish1 these chronic diseases shall never be healed2 nay1 they shall grow fiercer from day to day4 ,the ,balkans will remain discontented4 ,its restlessness will increase4 ,the vanquished ,powers will continue to agitate4 ,they will resort to every measure that may rekindle the flame of war4 ,movements1 newly-born and world-wide in their range1 will exert their utmost effort for the advancement of their designs4 ,the ,movement of the ,left will acquire great importance4 ,its influence will spread4 ,strive ye1 therefore1 with the help of ,god1 with illumined minds and hearts and a strength born of heaven1 to become a bestowal from ,god to man1 and to call into being for all humankind1 comfort and peace4 #bjc3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,enamoured ,,of ,,the ,,covenant6 444 ,o thou who art enamoured of the ,covenant6 ,the ,blessed ,beauty hath promised this servant that souls would be raised up who would be the very embodiments of guidance1 and banners of the ,concourse on high1 torches of ,god's oneness1 and stars of ,his pure truth1 shining in the heavens where ,god reigneth alone4 ,they would give sight to the blind1 and would make the deaf to hear2 they would raise the dead to life4 ,they would confront all the peoples of the earth1 pleading their ,cause with proofs of the ,lord of the seven spheres4 ,it is my hope that in ,his bounty ,he will soon raise up these souls1 that ,his ,cause may be exalted4 ,the lodestone which will attract this grace is staunchness in the ,covenant4 ,render thou thanks unto ,god that thou art firmest of the firm4 ,o my ,god1 aid ,thou ,thy servant to raise up the ,word1 and to refute what is vain and false1 to establish the truth1 to spread the sacred verses abroad1 reveal the splendours1 and make the morning's light to dawn in the hearts of the righteous4 ,thou art verily the ,generous1 the ,forgiving4 #bjd3 ,o ,,phoenix ,,of ,,that ,,immortal ,,flame ,,kindled ,,in ,,the 444 ,o phoenix of that immortal flame kindled in the sacred ,tree6 ,bah'u'llh--may my life1 my soul1 my spirit be offered up as a sacrifice unto ,his lowly servants--hath1 during ,his last days on earth1 given the most emphatic promise that1 through the outpourings of the grace of ,god and the aid and assistance vouchsafed from ,his ,kingdom on high1 souls will arise and holy beings appear who1 as stars1 would adorn the firmament of divine guidance2 illumine the dayspring of loving-kindness and bounty2 manifest the signs of the unity of ,god2 shine with the light of sanctity and purity2 receive their full measure of divine inspiration2 raise high the sacred torch of faith2 stand firm as the rock and immoveable as the mountain2 and grow to become luminaries in the heavens of ,his ,revelation1 mighty channels of ,his grace1 means for the bestowal of ,god's bountiful care1 heralds calling forth the name of the ,one true ,god1 and establishers of the world's supreme foundation4 ,these shall labour ceaselessly1 by day and by night1 shall heed neither trials nor woe1 shall suffer no respite in their efforts1 shall seek no repose1 shall disregard all ease and comfort1 and1 detached and unsullied1 shall consecrate every fleeting moment of their lives to the diffusion of the divine fragrance and the exaltation of ,god's holy ,word4 ,their faces will radiate heavenly gladness1 and their hearts be filled with joy4 ,their souls will be inspired1 and their foundation stand secure4 ,they shall scatter in the world1 and travel throughout all regions4 ,they shall raise their voices in every assembly1 and adorn and revive every gathering4 ,they shall speak in every tongue1 and interpret every hidden meaning4 ,they shall reveal the mysteries of the ,kingdom1 and manifest unto everyone the signs of ,god4 ,they shall burn brightly even as a candle in the heart of every assembly1 and beam forth as a star upon every horizon4 ,the gentle breezes wafted from the garden of their hearts shall perfume and revive the souls of men1 and the revelations of their minds1 even as showers1 will reinvigorate the peoples and nations of the world4 ,i am waiting1 eagerly waiting for these holy ones to appear2 and yet1 how long will they delay their coming8 ,my prayer and ardent supplication1 at eventide and at dawn1 is that these shining stars may soon shed their radiance upon the world1 that their sacred countenances may be unveiled to mortal eyes1 that the hosts of divine assistance may achieve their victory1 and the billows of grace1 rising from ,his oceans above1 may flow upon all mankind4 ,pray ye also and supplicate unto ,him that through the bountiful aid of the ,ancient ,beauty these souls may be unveiled to the eyes of the world4 ,the glory of ,god rest upon thee1 and upon him whose face is illumined with that everlasting light that shineth from ,his ,kingdom of ,glory4 #bje3 ,o ,,ye ,,respected ,,souls6 ,,from ,,the ,,continual ,,imitation 444 ,o ye respected souls6 ,from the continual imitation of ancient and worn-out ways1 the world had grown dark as darksome night4 ,the fundamentals of the divine ,teachings had passed from memory2 their pith and heart had been totally forgotten1 and the people were holding on to husks4 ,the nations had1 like tattered garments long outworn1 fallen into a pitiful condition4 ,out of this pitch blackness there dawned the morning splendour of the ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,he hath dressed the world with a garment new and fair1 and that new garment is the principles which have come down from ,god4 ,now the new age is here and creation is reborn4 ,humanity hath taken on new life4 ,the autumn hath gone by1 and the reviving spring is here4 ,all things are now made new4 ,arts and industries have been reborn1 there are new discoveries in science1 and there are new inventions2 even the details of human affairs1 such as dress and personal effects--even weapons--all these have likewise been renewed4 ,the laws and procedures of every government have been revised4 ,renewal is the order of the day4 ,and all this newness hath its source in the fresh outpourings of wondrous grace and favour from the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 which have renewed the world4 ,the people1 therefore1 must be set completely free from their old patterns of thought1 that all their attention may be focused upon these new principles1 for these are the light of this time and the very spirit of this age4 ,unless these ,teachings are effectively spread among the people1 until the old ways1 the old concepts1 are gone and forgotten1 this world of being will find no peace1 nor will it reflect the perfections of the ,heavenly ,kingdom4 ,strive ye with all your hearts to make the heedless conscious1 to waken those who sleep1 to bring knowledge to the ignorant1 to make the blind to see1 the deaf to hear1 and restore the dead to life4 ,it behoveth you to show forth such power1 such endurance1 as to astonish all beholders4 ,the confirmations of the ,kingdom are with you4 ,upon you be the glory of the ,all-,glorious4 #bjf3 ,,praise ,,be ,,to ,,him ,,who ,,hath ,,rent ,,the ,,dark ,,asunder1 444 ,praise be to ,him ,who hath rent the dark asunder1 hath blotted out the night1 hath drawn aside the coverings and torn away the veils2 ,whose light thereupon shone out1 ,whose signs and tokens were spread abroad1 and ,his mysteries laid bare4 ,then did ,his clouds part and loaded down the earth with ,his bounties and bestowals1 and made all things sweet with rain1 and caused the fresh greenery of knowledge and the hyacinths of certitude to spring forth and to shake and tremble for joy1 till the whole world was scented with the fragrance of ,his holiness4 ,salutations and praise1 blessings and glory be upon those divine realities1 those sacred windflowers that have come forth out of this supreme bestowal1 this flooding grace that hath roared like a clashing sea of gifts and bounties1 tossing its waves to the high heavens4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,praise be unto ,thee for kindling the fire of divine love in the ,holy ,tree on the summit of the loftiest mount3 that ,tree which is #8neither of the east nor of the west1'7#fe7 that fire which blazed out till the flame of it soared upward to the ,concourse on high1 and from it those realities caught the light of guidance1 and cried out3 #8,verily have we perceived a fire on the slope of ,mount ,sinai4'7#ff7 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,increase ,thou this fire1 as day followeth day1 till the blast of it setteth in motion all the earth4 ,o ,thou1 my ,lord6 ,kindle the light of ,thy love in every heart1 breathe into men's souls the spirit of ,thy knowledge1 gladden their breasts with the verses of ,thy oneness4 ,call ,thou to life those who dwell in their tombs1 warn ,thou the prideful1 make happiness world-wide1 send down ,thy crystal waters1 and in the assemblage of manifest splendours1 pass round that cup which is #8tempered at the camphor fountain4'7#fg7 ,verily art ,thou the ,giving1 the ,forgiving1 the ,ever-,bestowing4 ,verily art ,thou the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,the wine-cup of ,heaven overfloweth1 the banquet of ,god's ,covenant is bright with festive lights1 the dawn of all bestowals is breaking1 the gentle winds of grace are blowing1 and out of the invisible world come good tidings of bounties and gifts4 ,in flower-spangled meadows hath the divine springtime pitched its tents1 and the spiritual are inhaling sweet scents from the ,sheba of the spirit1 carried their way by the east wind4 ,now doth the mystic nightingale carol its odes1 and buds of inner meaning are bursting into blossoms delicate and fair4 ,the field larks are become the festival's musicians1 and lifting wondrous voices they cry and sing to the melodies of the ,company on high1 #8,blessed are ye6 ,glad ,tidings6 ,glad ,tidings6' ,and they urge on the revellers of the ,abh ,paradise to drink their fill1 and they eloquently hold forth upon the celestial tree1 and utter their sacred cries4 ,all this1 that withered souls who tread the desert of the heedless1 and faded ones lost in the sands of unconcern1 may come to throbbing life again1 and present themselves at the feasts and revels of the ,lord ,god4 ,praise be to ,him6 ,the renown of ,his ,cause hath reached to east and west1 and word of the power of the ,abh ,beauty hath quickened north and south4 ,that cry from the ,american continent is a choir of holiness1 that shout from far and near that riseth even to the ,company on high is #8,y ,bah'u'l-,abh6' ,now is the east lit up with a glory1 and the west rose-sweet1 and all the earth is fragrant with ambergris1 and the winds that blow over the ,holy ,shrine are laden with musk4 ,erelong shall ye see that even the darkest lands are bright1 and the continents of ,europe and ,africa have turned into gardens of flowers1 and forests of blossoming trees4 ,but since the dawning of this ,day-,star was in ,persia1 and since from that orient the sun shone upon the west1 it is our fondest hope that the flames of love's fire should blaze ever more vehemently in that land1 and that there the splendour of this ,holy ,faith should grow ever more intense4 ,may the tumult of ,god's ,cause so shake that land to its foundations1 may the spiritual force of ,his ,word so manifest itself1 as to make rn the core and focus of well-being and peace4 ,may rectitude and conciliation1 and love and trust1 issuing forth from rn1 bring immortality to all on earth4 ,may she raise on the highest summits the banner of public order1 of purest spirituality1 of universal peace4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,in this1 the ,bah' dispensation1 ,god's ,cause is spirit unalloyed4 ,his ,cause belongeth not to the material world4 ,it cometh neither for strife nor war1 nor for acts of mischief or of shame2 it is neither for quarrelling with other ,faiths1 nor for conflicts with the nations4 ,its only army is the love of ,god1 its only joy the clear wine of ,his knowledge1 its only battle the expounding of the ,truth2 its one crusade is against the insistent self1 the evil promptings of the human heart4 ,its victory is to submit and yield1 and to be selfless is its everlasting glory4 ,in brief1 it is spirit upon spirit3 ,unless ye must1 ,bruise not the serpent in the dust1 ,how much less wound a man4 ,and if ye can1 ,no ant should ye alarm1 ,much less a brother harm4 ,let all your striving be for this1 to become the source of life and immortality1 and peace and comfort and joy1 to every human soul1 whether one known to you or a stranger1 one opposed to you or on your side4 ,look ye not upon the purity or impurity of his nature3 look ye upon the all-embracing mercy of the ,lord1 the light of ,whose grace hath embosomed the whole earth and all who dwell thereon1 and in the plenitude of ,whose bounty are immersed both the wise and the ignorant4 ,stranger and friend alike are seated at the table of ,his favour4 ,even as the believer1 the denier who turneth away from ,god doth at the same time cup his hands and drink from the sea of ,his bestowals4 ,it behoveth the loved ones of the ,lord to be the signs and tokens of ,his universal mercy and the embodiments of ,his own excelling grace4 ,like the sun1 let them cast their rays upon garden and rubbish heap alike1 and even as clouds in spring1 let them shed down their rain upon flower and thorn4 ,let them seek but love and faithfulness1 let them not follow the ways of unkindness1 let their talk be confined to the secrets of friendship and of peace4 ,such are the attributes of the righteous1 such is the distinguishing mark of those who serve ,his ,threshold4 ,the ,abh ,beauty endured the most afflictive of calamities4 ,he bore countless agonies and ills4 ,he enjoyed not a moment's peace1 drew not an easeful breath4 ,he wandered1 homeless1 over desert sands and mountain slopes2 ,he was shut in a fortress1 and a prison cell4 ,but to ,him1 ,his pauper's mat of straw was an eternal throne of glory1 and ,his heavy chains a sovereign's carcanet4 ,by day1 by night1 ,he lived under a whirring sword1 and ,he was ready from moment to moment for death on the cross4 ,he bore all this that ,he might purify the world1 and deck it out with the tender mercies of the ,lord ,god2 that ,he might set it at rest2 that conflict and aggression might be put to flight1 the lance and the keen blade be exchanged for loving fellowship1 malevolence and war turn into safety and gentleness and love1 that battlefields of hate and wrath should become gardens of delight1 and places where once the blood-drenched armies clashed1 be fragrant pleasure grounds2 that warfare should be seen as shame1 and the resort to arms1 even as a loathsome sickness1 be shunned by every people2 that universal peace raise its pavilions on the loftiest mounts1 and war be made to perish forever from the earth4 ,wherefore must the loved ones of ,god1 laboriously1 with the waters of their striving1 tend and nourish and foster this tree of hope4 ,in whatsoever land they dwell1 let them with a whole heart befriend and be companions to those who are either close to them1 or far removed4 ,let them1 with qualities like unto those of heaven1 promote the institutions and the religion of ,god4 ,let them never lose heart1 never be despondent1 never feel afflicted4 ,the more antagonism they meet1 the more let them show their own good faith2 the more torments and calamities they have to face1 the more generously let them pass round the bounteous cup4 ,such is the spirit which will become the life of the world1 such is the spreading light at its heart3 and he who may be and do other than this is not worthy to serve at the ,holy ,threshold of the ,lord4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,the ,sun of ,truth is shining down from invisible skies2 know ye the value of these days4 ,lift up your heads1 and grow ye cypress-tall in these swift-running streams4 ,take ye joy in the beauty of the narcissus of ,najd1 for night will fall and it will be no more4444 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,praise be to ,him1 the bright banner of the ,covenant is flying higher every day1 while the flag of perfidy hath been reversed1 and hangeth at half-mast4 ,the benighted attackers have been shaken to their core2 they are now as ruined sepulchres1 and even as blind creatures that dwell beneath the earth they creep and crawl about a corner of the tomb1 and out of that hole1 from time to time1 like unto savage beasts1 do they jibber and howl4 ,glory be to ,god6 ,how can the darkness hope to overcome the light1 how can a magician's cords hold fast #8a serpent plain for all to see'8 #8,then lo6 ,it swallowed up their lying wonders4'7#fh7 ,alas for them6 ,they have deluded themselves with a fable1 and to indulge their appetites they have done away with their own selves4 ,they gave up everlasting glory in exchange for human pride1 and they sacrificed greatness in both worlds to the demands of the insistent self4 ,this is that of which ,we have forewarned you4 ,erelong shall ye behold the foolish in manifest loss4 ,o my ,lord and my ,hope6 ,help ,thou ,thy loved ones to be steadfast in ,thy mighty ,covenant1 to remain faithful to ,thy manifest ,cause1 and to carry out the commandments ,thou didst set down for them in ,thy ,book of ,splendours2 that they may become banners of guidance and lamps of the ,company above1 wellsprings of ,thine infinite wisdom1 and stars that lead aright1 as they shine down from the supernal sky4 ,verily art ,thou the ,invincible1 the ,almighty1 the ,all-,powerful4 #bjg3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,have ,,turned ,,your ,,faces ,,toward ,,the 444 ,o ye who have turned your faces toward the ,exalted ,beauty6 ,by night1 by day1 at morningtide and sunset1 when darkness draweth on1 and at early light ,i remember1 and ever have remembered1 in the realms of my mind and heart1 the loved ones of the ,lord4 ,i beg of ,him to bestow ,his confirmations upon those loved ones1 dwellers in that pure and holy land1 and to grant them successful outcomes in all things3 that in their character1 their behaviour1 their words1 their way of life1 in all they are and do1 ,he will make them to achieve distinction among men2 that ,he will gather them into the world community1 their hearts filled with ecstasy and fervour and yearning love1 with knowledge and certitude1 with steadfastness and unity1 their faces beauteous and bright4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,this day is the day of union1 the day of the ingathering of all mankind4 #8,verily ,god loveth those who1 as though they were a solid wall1 do battle for ,his ,cause in serried lines6'7#fi7 ,note that ,he saith #8in serried lines'--meaning crowded and pressed together1 one locked to the next1 each supporting his fellows4 ,to do battle1 as stated in the sacred verse1 doth not1 in this greatest of all dispensations1 mean to go forth with sword and spear1 with lance and piercing arrow--but rather weaponed with pure intent1 with righteous motives1 with counsels helpful and effective1 with godly attributes1 with deeds pleasing to the ,almighty1 with the qualities of heaven4 ,it signifieth education for all mankind1 guidance for all men1 the spreading far and wide of the sweet savours of the spirit1 the promulgation of ,god's proofs1 the setting forth of arguments conclusive and divine1 the doing of charitable deeds4 ,whensoever holy souls1 drawing on the powers of heaven1 shall arise with such qualities of the spirit1 and march in unison1 rank on rank1 every one of those souls will be even as one thousand1 and the surging waves of that mighty ocean will be even as the battalions of the ,concourse on high4 ,what a blessing that will be--when all shall come together1 even as once separate torrents1 rivers and streams1 running brooks and single drops1 when collected together in one place will form a mighty sea4 ,and to such a degree will the inherent unity of all prevail1 that the traditions1 rules1 customs and distinctions in the fanciful life of these populations will be effaced and vanish away like isolated drops1 once the great sea of oneness doth leap and surge and roll4 ,i swear by the ,ancient ,beauty1 that at such a time overwhelming grace will so encircle all1 and the sea of grandeur will so overflow its shores1 that the narrowest strip of water will grow wide as an endless sea1 and every merest drop will be even as the shoreless deep4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,struggle and strive to reach that high station1 and to make a splendour so to shine across these realms of earth that the rays of it will be reflected back from a dawning-point on the horizon of eternity4 ,this is the very foundation of the ,cause of ,god4 ,this is the very pith of the ,law of ,god4 ,this is the mighty structure raised up by the ,manifestations of ,god4 ,this is why the orb of ,god's world dawneth4 ,this is why the ,lord establisheth ,himself on the throne of ,his human body4 ,o ye loved ones of ,god6 ,see how the ,exalted ,one7#gj7--may the souls of all on earth be a ransom for ,him--for this high purpose made ,his blessed heart the target for affliction's spears2 and because the real intent of the ,ancient ,beauty--for ,him may the souls of the ,concourse on high be offered up--was to win this same supernal goal1 the ,exalted ,one bared ,his holy breast for a target to a myriad bullets fired by the people of malice and hate1 and with utter meekness died the martyr's death4 ,on the dust of this pathway the holy blood of thousands upon thousands of sacred souls gushed out1 and many a time the blessed body of a loyal lover of ,god was hanged to the gallows tree4 ,the ,abh ,beauty ,himself--may the spirit of all existence be offered up for ,his loved ones--bore all manner of ordeals1 and willingly accepted for ,himself intense afflictions4 ,no torment was there left that ,his sacred form was not subjected to1 no suffering that did not descend upon ,him4 ,how many a night1 when ,he was chained1 did ,he go sleepless because of the weight of ,his iron collar2 how many a day the burning pain of the stocks and fetters gave ,him no moment's peace4 ,from ,nyvarn to ihrn they made ,him run--,he1 that embodied spirit1 ,he ,who had been accustomed to repose against cushions of ornamented silk--chained1 shoeless1 ,his head bared2 and down under the earth1 in the thick darkness of that narrow dungeon1 they shut ,him up with murderers1 rebels and thieves4 ,ever and again they assailed ,him with a new torment1 and all were certain that from one moment to the next ,he would suffer a martyr's death4 ,after some time they banished ,him from ,his native land1 and sent ,him to countries alien and far away4 ,during many a year in #8,irq1 no moment passed but the arrow of a new anguish struck ,his holy heart2 with every breath a sword came down upon that sacred body1 and ,he could hope for no moment of security and rest4 ,from every side ,his enemies mounted their attack with unrelenting hate2 and singly and alone ,he withstood them all4 ,after all these tribulations1 these body blows1 they flung ,him out of #8,irq in the continent of ,asia1 to the continent of ,europe1 and in that place of bitter exile1 of wretched hardships1 to the wrongs that were heaped upon ,him by the people of the ,qur'n were now added the virulent persecutions1 the powerful attacks1 the plottings1 the slanders1 the continual hostilities1 the hate and malice1 of the people of the ,bayn4 ,my pen is powerless to tell it all2 but ye have surely been informed of it4 ,then1 after twenty-four years in this1 the ,most ,great ,prison1 in agony and sore affliction1 ,his days drew to a close4 ,to sum it up1 the ,ancient ,beauty was ever1 during ,his sojourn in this transitory world1 either a captive bound with chains1 or living under a sword1 or subjected to extreme suffering and torment1 or held in the ,most ,great ,prison4 ,because of ,his physical weakness1 brought on by ,his afflictions1 ,his blessed body was worn away to a breath2 it was light as a cobweb from long grieving4 ,and ,his reason for shouldering this heavy load and enduring all this anguish1 which was even as an ocean that hurleth its waves to high heaven--,his reason for putting on the heavy iron chains and for becoming the very embodiment of utter resignation and meekness1 was to lead every soul on earth to concord1 to fellow-feeling1 to oneness2 to make known amongst all peoples the sign of the singleness of ,god1 so that at last the primal oneness deposited at the heart of all created things would bear its destined fruit1 and the splendour of #8,no difference canst thou see in the creation of the ,god of ,mercy1'7#ga7 would cast abroad its rays4 ,now is the time1 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord1 for ardent endeavour4 ,struggle ye1 and strive4 ,and since the ,ancient ,beauty was exposed by day and night on the field of martyrdom1 let us in our turn labour hard1 and hear and ponder the counsels of ,god2 let us fling away our lives1 and renounce our brief and numbered days4 ,let us turn our eyes away from empty fantasies of this world's divergent forms1 and serve instead this pre-eminent purpose1 this grand design4 ,let us not1 because of our own imaginings1 cut down this tree that the hand of heavenly grace hath planted2 let us not1 with the dark clouds of our illusions1 our selfish interests1 blot out the glory that streameth from the ,abh ,realm4 ,let us not be as barriers that wall out the rolling ocean of ,almighty ,god4 ,let us not prevent the pure1 sweet scents from the garden of the ,all-,glorious ,beauty from blowing far and wide4 ,let us not1 on this day of reunion1 shut out the vernal downpour of blessings from on high4 ,let us not consent that the splendours of the ,sun of ,truth should ever fade and disappear4 ,these are the admonitions of ,god1 as set forth in ,his ,holy ,books1 ,his ,scriptures1 ,his ,tablets that tell out ,his counsellings to the sincere4 ,the glory rest upon you1 and ,god's mercy1 and ,god's blessings4 #bjh3 ,o ,,ye ,,servants ,,of ,,the ,,sacred ,,threshold6 ,,the 444 ,o ye servants of the ,sacred ,threshold6 ,the triumphant hosts of the ,celestial ,concourse1 arrayed and marshalled in the ,realms above1 stand ready and expectant to assist and assure victory to that valiant horseman who with confidence spurs on his charger into the arena of service4 ,well is it with that fearless warrior1 who armed with the power of true ,knowledge1 hastens unto the field1 disperses the armies of ignorance1 and scatters the hosts of error1 who holds aloft the ,standard of ,divine ,guidance1 and sounds the ,clarion of ,victory4 ,by the righteousness of the ,lord6 ,he hath achieved a glorious triumph and obtained the true victory4 #bji3 ,o ,,ye ,,servants ,,of ,,the ,,blessed ,,beauty6444 ,,it ,,is ,,clear 444 ,o ye servants of the ,blessed ,beauty6444 ,it is clear that in this day1 confirmations from the unseen world are encompassing all those who deliver the divine ,message4 ,should the work of teaching lapse1 these confirmations would be entirely cut off1 since it is impossible for the loved ones of ,god to receive assistance unless they teach4 ,under all conditions1 the teaching must be carried forward1 but with wisdom4 ,if the work cannot proceed openly1 then let them teach in private1 and thus engender spirituality and fellowship among the children of men4 ,if1 for example1 each and every one of the believers would become a true friend to one of the unheeding1 and1 conducting himself with absolute rectitude1 associate with this soul1 treat him with the utmost kindness1 himself exemplify the divine instructions he hath received1 the good qualities and behaviour patterns1 and at all times act in accord with the admonitions of ,god--it is certain that little by little he will succeed in awakening that previously heedless individual1 and in changing his ignorance to knowledge of the truth4 ,souls are inclined toward estrangement4 ,steps should first be taken to do away with this estrangement1 for only then will the ,word take effect4 ,if a believer showeth kindness to one of the neglectful1 and1 with great love1 gradually leadeth him to an understanding of the validity of the ,holy ,cause1 so that he may come to know the fundamentals of ,god's ,faith and the implications thereof--such a one will certainly be transformed1 excepting only those seldom-encountered individuals who are even as ashes1 whose hearts are #8hard as rocks1 or harder still4'7#gb7 ,if every one of the friends should strive in this way to guide one soul aright1 the number of believers will double every year2 and this can be accomplished with prudence and wisdom1 and no harm whatever would result therefrom4 ,furthermore1 the teachers must travel about1 and if spreading the ,message openly should cause a disturbance1 then instead1 let them stimulate and train the believers1 inspire them1 delight them1 rejoice their hearts1 revive and refresh them with the sweet savours of holiness4 #baj3 ,o ,,ye ,,roses ,,in ,,the ,,garden ,,of ,,god',s ,,love6 ,o ,,ye 444 ,o ye roses in the garden of ,god's love6 ,o ye bright lamps in the assemblage of ,his knowledge6 ,may the soft breathings of ,god pass over you1 may the ,glory of ,god illumine the horizon of your hearts4 ,ye are the waves of the deep sea of knowledge1 ye are the massed armies on the plains of certitude1 ye are the stars in the skies of ,god's compassion1 ye are the stones that put the people of perdition to flight1 ye are clouds of divine pity over the gardens of life1 ye are the abundant grace of ,god's oneness that is shed upon the essences of all created things4 ,on the outspread tablet of this world1 ye are the verses of ,his singleness2 and atop lofty palace towers1 ye are the banners of the ,lord4 ,in ,his bowers are ye the blossoms and sweet-smelling herbs1 in the rose garden of the spirit the nightingales that utter plaintive cries4 ,ye are the birds that soar upward into the firmament of knowledge1 the royal falcons on the wrist of ,god4 ,why then are ye quenched1 why silent1 why leaden and dull8 ,ye must shine forth like the lightning1 and raise up a clamouring like unto the great sea4 ,like a candle must ye shed your light1 and even as the soft breezes of ,god must ye blow across the world4 ,even as sweet breaths from heavenly bowers1 as musk-laden winds from the gardens of the ,lord1 must ye perfume the air for the people of knowledge1 and even as the splendours shed by the true ,sun1 must ye illumine the hearts of humankind4 ,for ye are the life-laden winds1 ye are the jessamine-scents from the gardens of the saved4 ,bring then life to the dead1 and awaken those who slumber4 ,in the darkness of the world be ye radiant flames2 in the sands of perdition1 be ye well-springs of the water of life1 be ye guidance from the ,lord ,god4 ,now is the time to serve1 now is the time to be on fire4 ,know ye the value of this chance1 this favourable juncture that is limitless grace1 ere it slip from your hands4 ,soon will our handful of days1 our vanishing life1 be gone1 and we shall pass1 empty-handed1 into the hollow that is dug for those who speak no more2 wherefore must we bind our hearts to the manifest ,beauty1 and cling to the lifeline that faileth never4 ,we must gird ourselves for service1 kindle love's flame1 and burn away in its heat4 ,we must loose our tongues till we set the wide world's heart afire1 and with bright rays of guidance blot out the armies of the night1 and then1 for ,his sake1 on the field of sacrifice1 fling down our lives4 ,thus let us scatter over every people the treasured gems of the recognition of ,god1 and with the decisive blade of the tongue1 and the sure arrows of knowledge1 let us defeat the hosts of self and passion1 and hasten onward to the site of martyrdom1 to the place where we die for the ,lord4 ,and then1 with flying flags1 and to the beat of drums1 let us pass into the realm of the ,all-,glorious1 and join the ,company on high4 ,well is it with the doers of great deeds4 #baa3 ,,when ,,the ,,friends ,,do ,,not ,,endeavour ,,to ,,spread ,,the 444 ,when the friends do not endeavour to spread the message1 they fail to remember ,god befittingly1 and will not witness the tokens of assistance and confirmation from the ,abh ,kingdom nor comprehend the divine mysteries4 ,however1 when the tongue of the teacher is engaged in teaching1 he will naturally himself be stimulated1 will become a magnet attracting the divine aid and bounty of the ,kingdom1 and will be like unto the bird at the hour of dawn1 which itself becometh exhilarated by its own singing1 its warbling and its melody4 #bab3 ,,it ,,is ,,at ,,such ,,times ,,that ,,the ,,friends ,,of ,,god ,,avail 444 ,it is at such times that the friends of ,god avail themselves of the occasion1 seize the opportunity1 rush forth and win the prize4 ,if their task is to be confined to good conduct and advice1 nothing will be accomplished4 ,they must speak out1 expound the proofs1 set forth clear arguments1 draw irrefutable conclusions establishing the truth of the manifestation of the ,sun of ,reality4 #bac3 ,,the ,,teaching ,,work ,,should ,,under ,,all ,,conditions ,,be 444 ,the teaching work should under all conditions be actively pursued by the believers because divine confirmations are dependent upon it4 ,should a ,bah' refrain from being fully1 vigorously and wholeheartedly involved in the teaching work he will undoubtedly be deprived of the blessings of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,even so1 this activity should be tempered with wisdom--not that wisdom which requireth one to be silent and forgetful of such an obligation1 but rather that which requireth one to display divine tolerance1 love1 kindness1 patience1 a goodly character1 and holy deeds4 ,in brief1 encourage the friends individually to teach the ,cause of ,god and draw their attention to this meaning of wisdom mentioned in the ,writings1 which is itself the essence of teaching the ,faith--but all this to be done with the greatest tolerance1 so that heavenly assistance and divine confirmation may aid the friends4 #bad3 ,,follow ,,thou ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,thy ,,lord1 ,,and ,,say ,,not 444 ,follow thou the way of thy ,lord1 and say not that which the ears cannot bear to hear1 for such speech is like luscious food given to small children4 ,however palatable1 rare and rich the food may be1 it cannot be assimilated by the digestive organs of a suckling child4 ,therefore unto every one who hath a right1 let his settled measure be given4 #8,not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed1 nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely1 nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it4' ,such is the consummate wisdom to be observed in thy pursuits4 ,be not oblivious thereof1 if thou wishest to be a man of action under all conditions4 ,first diagnose the disease and identify the malady1 then prescribe the remedy1 for such is the perfect method of the skilful physician4 #bae3 ,,my ,,hope ,,from ,,the ,,grace ,,of ,,the ,,one ,,true ,,lord 444 ,my hope from the grace of the ,one true ,lord is that thou wilt be enabled to spread the fragrances of ,god among the tribes4 ,this is extremely important4444 ,if thou succeedest in rendering this service thou shalt excel and be the leader in the field4 #baf3 ,,rest ,,assured ,,that ,,the ,,breathings ,,of ,,the ,,holy ,,spirit 444 ,rest assured that the breathings of the ,holy ,spirit will loosen thy tongue4 ,speak1 therefore2 speak out with great courage at every meeting4 ,when thou art about to begin thine address1 turn first to ,bah'u'llh1 and ask for the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit1 then open thy lips and say whatever is suggested to thy heart2 this1 however1 with the utmost courage1 dignity and conviction4 ,it is my hope that from day to day your gatherings will grow and flourish1 and that those who are seeking after truth will hearken therein to reasoned arguments and conclusive proofs4 ,i am with you heart and soul at every meeting2 be sure of this4 #bag3 ,,the ,,teacher1 ,,when ,,teaching1 ,,must ,,be ,,himself 444 ,the teacher1 when teaching1 must be himself fully enkindled1 so that his utterance1 like unto a flame of fire1 may exert influence and consume the veil of self and passion4 ,he must also be utterly humble and lowly so that others may be edified1 and be totally self-effaced and evanescent so that he may teach with the melody of the ,concourse on high--otherwise his teaching will have no effect4 #bah3 ,o ,,ye ,,close ,,and ,,dear ,,friends ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah6 444 ,o ye close and dear friends of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,in the ,orient scatter perfumes1 ,and shed splendours on the ,west4 ,carry light unto the ,bulgar1 ,and the ,slav with life invest4 ,one year after the ascension of ,bah'u'llh1 there came this verse from the lips of the ,centre of the ,covenant4 ,the ,covenant-breakers found it strange indeed1 and they treated it with scorn4 ,yet1 praised be ,god1 its effects are now manifest1 its power revealed1 its import clear2 for by ,god's grace1 today both ,east and ,west are trembling for joy1 and now1 from sweet waftings of holiness1 the whole earth is scented with musk4 ,the ,blessed ,beauty1 in unmistakable language1 hath made this promise in ,his ,book3 #8,we behold you from ,our realm of glory1 and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of ,our ,cause with the hosts of the ,concourse on high and a company of ,our favoured angels4'7#gc7 ,god be thanked1 that promised aid hath been vouchsafed1 as is plain for all to see1 and it shineth forth as clear as the sun in the heavens4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye friends of ,god1 redouble your efforts1 strain every nerve1 till ye triumph in your servitude to the ,ancient ,beauty1 the ,manifest ,light1 and become the cause of spreading far and wide the rays of the ,day-,star of ,truth4 ,breathe ye into the world's worn and wasted body the fresh breath of life1 and in the furrows of every region sow ye holy seed4 ,rise up to champion this ,cause2 open your lips and teach4 ,in the meeting place of life be ye a guiding candle2 in the skies of this world be dazzling stars2 in the gardens of unity be birds of the spirit1 singing of inner truths and mysteries4 ,expend your every breath of life in this great ,cause and dedicate all your days to the service of ,bah1 so that in the end1 safe from loss and deprivation1 ye will inherit the heaped-up treasures of the realms above4 ,for the days of a man are full of peril and he cannot rely on so much as a moment more of life2 and still the people1 who are even as a wavering mirage of illusions1 tell themselves that in the end they shall reach the heights4 ,alas for them6 ,the men of bygone times hugged these same fancies to their breasts1 until a wave flicked over them and they returned to dust1 and they found themselves excluded and bereft--all save those souls who had freed themselves from self and had flung away their lives in the pathway of ,god4 ,their bright star shone out in the skies of ancient glory1 and the handed-down memories of all the ages are the proof of what ,i say4 ,wherefore1 rest ye neither day nor night and seek no ease4 ,tell ye the secrets of servitude1 follow the pathway of service1 till ye attain the promised succour that cometh from the realms of ,god4 ,o friends6 ,black clouds have shrouded all this earth1 and the darkness of hatred and malice1 of cruelty and aggression and defilement is spreading far and wide4 ,the people1 one and all1 live out their lives in a heedless stupor and the chief virtues of man are held to be his rapacity and his thirst for blood4 ,out of all the mass of humankind ,god hath chosen the friends1 and ,he hath favoured them with ,his guidance and boundless grace4 ,his purpose is this1 that we1 all of us1 should strive with our whole hearts to offer ourselves up1 guide others to ,his path1 and train the souls of men--until these frenzied beasts change to gazelles in the meadows of oneness1 and these wolves to lambs of ,god1 and these brutish creatures to angelic hosts2 till the fires of hatred are quenched1 and the flame coming out of the sheltered vale of the ,holy ,shrine doth shed its splendours2 till the foul odour of the tyrant's dunghill is blown away1 and yieldeth to the pure1 sweet scents that stream from the rosebeds of faith and trust4 ,on that day will the weak of intellect draw on the bounty of the divine1 ,universal ,mind1 and they whose life is but abomination will seek out these cleansing1 holy breaths4 ,but there needs must be souls who will manifest such bestowals1 there needs must be husbandmen to till these fields1 gardeners for these gardens1 there needs must be fish to swim in this sea1 stars to gleam in these heavens4 ,these ailing ones must be tended by spiritual physicians1 these who are the lost need gentle guides--so that from such souls the bereft may receive their portion1 and the deprived obtain their share1 and the poor discover in such as they unmeasured wealth1 and the seekers hear from them unanswerable proofs4 ,o my ,lord1 my ,defender1 my ,help in peril6 ,lowly do ,i entreat ,thee1 ailing do ,i come unto ,thee to be healed1 humbly do ,i cry out to ,thee with my tongue1 my soul1 my spirit3 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,the gloom of night hath shrouded every region1 and all the earth is shut away behind thick clouds4 ,the peoples of the world are sunk in the black depths of vain illusions1 while their tyrants wallow in cruelty and hate4 ,i see nothing but the glare of searing fires that blaze upward from the nethermost abyss1 ,i hear nothing save the thunderous roar that belloweth out from thousands upon thousands of fiery weapons of assault1 while every land is crying aloud in its secret tongue3 #8,my riches avail me nothing1 and my sovereignty hath perished6' ,o my ,lord1 the lamps of guidance have gone out4 ,the flames of passion are mounting high1 and malevolence is ever gaining on the world4 ,malice and hate have overspread the face of the whole earth1 and ,i find no souls except ,thine own oppressed small band who are raising up this cry3 ,make haste to love6 ,make haste to trust6 ,make haste to give6 ,to guidance come6 ,come ye for harmony6 ,to behold the ,star of ,day6 ,come here for kindliness1 for ease6 ,come here for amity and peace6 ,come and cast down your weapons of wrath1 till unity is won6 ,come and in the ,lord's true path each one help each one4 ,verily with exceeding joy1 with heart and soul1 do these oppressed of ,thine offer themselves up for all mankind in every land4 ,thou seest them1 ,o my ,lord1 weeping over the tears ,thy people shed1 mourning the grief of ,thy children1 condoling with humankind1 suffering because of the calamities that beset all the denizens of the earth4 ,o my ,lord1 wing them with victory that they may soar upward to salvation1 strengthen their loins in service to ,thy people1 and their backs in servitude to ,thy ,threshold of ,holiness4 ,verily ,thou art the ,generous1 verily ,thou art the ,merciful6 ,there is none other ,god save ,thee1 the ,clement1 the ,pitiful1 the ,ancient of ,days6 #bai3 ,o ,,ye ,,sons ,,and ,,daughters ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,your 444 ,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,your letter1 which was surely inspired of heaven1 hath been received4 ,its contents were most pleasing1 its sentiments arising out of luminous hearts4 ,the believers in ,london are indeed steadfast and true1 they are resolute1 they are constant in service2 when put to the test1 they do not falter1 nor doth their fire abate with the passage of time2 rather1 they are ,bah's4 ,they are of heaven1 they are filled with light1 they are of ,god4 ,without any doubt they will become the cause of raising high the ,word of ,god1 and advancing the oneness of the world of man2 of promoting the teachings of ,god1 and spreading far and near the equality of every member of the human race4 ,it is easy to approach the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 but hard to stand firm and staunch within it1 for the tests are rigorous1 and heavy to bear4 ,but the ,english remain steadfast under all conditions1 neither at the first sign of trouble do their footsteps slip4 ,they are not changeable1 playing fast and loose with some project and soon giving it up4 ,they do not1 for some trivial reason1 fail in enthusiasm and zeal1 their interest gone4 ,no1 in all they do1 they are stable1 rock-solid and staunch4 ,although ye dwell in western lands1 still1 praise be to ,god1 ye did hear ,his call from out the east and1 even as ,moses1 did warm your hands at the fire kindled in the ,asian ,tree4 ,ye did find the true path1 were lit like unto lamps1 and have come into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,and now have ye arisen1 out of gratitude for these blessings1 and ye are asking ,god's help for all the peoples of the earth1 that their eyes as well may behold the splendours of the ,abh ,realm1 and their hearts1 even as mirrors1 reflect the bright rays of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,it is my hope that the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit will so be breathed into your hearts that your tongues will disclose the mysteries1 and set forth and expound the inner meanings of the ,holy ,books2 that the friends will become physicians1 and will1 through the potent medicine of the heavenly ,teachings1 heal the long-standing diseases that afflict the body of this world2 that they will make the blind to see1 the deaf to hear1 the dead to come alive2 that they will awaken those who are sound asleep4 ,rest ye assured that the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit will descend upon you1 and that the armies of the ,abh ,kingdom will grant you the victory4 #bbj3 ,,the ,,lord ,,of ,,all ,,mankind ,,hath ,,fashioned ,,this 444 ,the ,lord of all mankind hath fashioned this human realm to be a ,garden of ,eden1 an earthly paradise4 ,if1 as it must1 it findeth the way to harmony and peace1 to love and mutual trust1 it will become a true abode of bliss1 a place of manifold blessings and unending delights4 ,therein shall be revealed the excellence of humankind1 therein shall the rays of the ,sun of ,truth shine forth on every hand4 ,remember how ,adam and the others once dwelt together in ,eden4 ,no sooner1 however1 did a quarrel break out between ,adam and ,satan than they were1 one and all1 banished from the ,garden1 and this was meant as a warning to the human race1 a means of telling humankind that dissension--even with the ,devil--is the way to bitter loss4 ,this is why1 in our illumined age1 ,god teacheth that conflicts and disputes are not allowable1 not even with ,satan himself4 ,gracious ,god6 ,even with such a lesson before him1 how heedless is man6 ,still do we see his world at war from pole to pole4 ,there is war among the religions2 war among the nations2 war among the peoples2 war among the rulers4 ,what a welcome change would it be1 if only these black clouds would lift from off the skies of the world1 so that the light of reality could be shed abroad6 ,if only the darksome dust of this continual fighting and killing could settle forever1 and the sweet winds of ,god's loving-kindness could blow from out the well-spring of peace4 ,then would this world become another world1 and the earth would shine with the light of her ,lord4 ,if there is any hope1 it is solely in the bounties of ,god3 that ,his strengthening grace will come1 and the struggling and contending will cease1 and the acid bite of blood-dripping steel will be turned into the honey-dew of friendship and probity and trust4 ,how sweet would that day be in the mouth1 how fragrant as musk the scent thereof4 ,god grant that the new year will bring a promise of the new peace4 ,may ,he enable this distinguished assemblage to conclude a fair treaty and establish a just covenant1 that you may be blessed forever1 across the unborn reaches of time4 ,addressed to the readers of ,the ,christian ,commonwealth1 #a ,january #aiac #bba3 ,o ,,ye ,,who ,,are ,,steadfast ,,in ,,the ,,covenant6 ,,the 444 ,o ye who are steadfast in the ,covenant6 ,the pilgrim hath made mention of each one of you1 and hath asked for a separate letter addressed to each1 but this wanderer in the wilderness of ,god's love is withheld from correspondence by a thousand preoccupations and concerns2 and since out of the easts and the wests of the earth there poureth a mounting flood of letters upon him1 it would be impossible to send a separate letter to each one1 wherefore this one letter is addressed to each of you1 that it may1 as sealed wine1 rejoice your souls and warm your hearts4 ,o ye steadfast loved ones6 ,the grace of ,god is beating down upon mankind1 even as the rains in spring1 and the rays of the manifest ,light have made this earth to be the envy of heaven4 ,but alas1 the blind are deprived of this bounty1 the heedless are closed off from it1 the withered despair of it1 the faded are dying away--so that even as flooding waters1 this endless stream of grace passeth back into its primal source in a hidden sea4 ,only a few receive this grace and take their share of it4 ,wherefore1 let us put our hopes in whatever the strong arm of the ,beloved can bring about4 ,we trust that in a time to come the slumberers will waken1 and the heedless will be made aware1 and the excluded will become initiates in the mysteries4 ,now must the friends work on with heart and soul and put forth a mighty effort1 until the ramparts of dissension are toppled down and the glories of the oneness of humanity lead all to unity4 ,today the one overriding need is unity and harmony among the beloved of the ,lord1 for they should have among them but one heart and soul and should1 so far as in them lieth1 unitedly withstand the hostility of all the peoples of the world2 they must bring to an end the benighted prejudices of all nations and religions and must make known to every member of the human race that all are the leaves of one branch1 the fruits of one bough4 ,until such time1 however1 as the friends establish perfect unity among themselves1 how can they summon others to harmony and peace8 ,that soul which hath itself not come alive1 ,can it then hope another to revive8 ,reflect ye as to other than human forms of life and be ye admonished thereby3 those clouds that drift apart cannot produce the bounty of the rain1 and are soon lost2 a flock of sheep1 once scattered1 falleth prey to the wolf1 and birds that fly alone will be caught fast in the claws of the hawk4 ,what greater demonstration could there be that unity leadeth to flourishing life1 while dissension and withdrawing from the others1 will lead only to misery2 for these are the sure ways to bitter disappointment and ruin4 ,the holy ,manifestations of ,god were sent down to make visible the oneness of humanity4 ,for this did ,they endure unnumbered ills and tribulations1 that a community from amongst mankind's divergent peoples could gather within the shadow of the ,word of ,god and live as one1 and could1 with delight and grace1 demonstrate on earth the unity of humankind4 ,therefore must the desire of the friends be this1 to bring together and unify all peoples1 that all may receive a generous drink of this pure wine from this cup that is #8tempered at the camphor fountain4'7#gd7 ,let them make the differing populations to be as one and induce the hostile and murderous kindreds of the earth to love one another instead4 ,let them loose from their shackles the captives of sensual desires and cause the excluded to become intimates of the mysteries4 ,let them give to the bereft a share of the blessings of these days2 let them guide the portionless to inexhaustible treasure4 ,this grace can come about through words and ways and deeds that are of the ,unseen ,kingdom but1 lacking such1 it can never be4 ,the confirmations of ,god are the surety for these blessings2 the sacred bounty of ,god bestoweth these great gifts4 ,the friends of ,god are supported by the ,kingdom on high and they win their victories through the massed armies of the most great guidance4 ,thus for them every difficulty will be made smooth1 every problem will most easily be solved4 ,note ye how easily1 where unity existeth in a given family1 the affairs of that family are conducted2 what progress the members of that family make1 how they prosper in the world4 ,their concerns are in order1 they enjoy comfort and tranquillity1 they are secure1 their position is assured1 they come to be envied by all4 ,such a family but addeth to its stature and its lasting honour1 as day succeedeth day4 ,and if we widen out the sphere of unity a little to include the inhabitants of a village who seek to be loving and united1 who associate with and are kind to one another1 what great advances they will be seen to make1 how secure and protected they will be4 ,then let us widen out the sphere a little more1 let us take the inhabitants of a city1 all of them together3 if they establish the strongest bonds of unity among themselves1 how far they will progress1 even in a brief period and what power they will exert4 ,and if the sphere of unity be still further widened out1 that is1 if the inhabitants of a whole country develop peaceable hearts1 and if with all their hearts and souls they yearn to cooperate with one another and to live in unity1 and if they become kind and loving to one another1 that country will achieve undying joy and lasting glory4 ,peace will it have1 and plenty1 and vast wealth4 ,note then3 if every clan1 tribe1 community1 every nation1 country1 territory on earth should come together under the single-hued pavilion of the oneness of mankind1 and by the dazzling rays of the ,sun of ,truth should proclaim the universality of man2 if they should cause all nations and all creeds to open wide their arms to one another1 establish a ,world ,council1 and proceed to bind the members of society one to another by strong mutual ties1 what would happen then8 ,there is no doubt whatsoever that the divine ,beloved1 in all ,his endearing beauty1 and with ,him a massive host of heavenly confirmations and human blessings and bestowals1 would appear in ,his full glory before the assemblage of the world4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord1 bestir yourselves1 do all in your power to be as one1 to live in peace1 each with the others3 for ye are all the drops from but one ocean1 the foliage of one tree1 the pearls from a single shell1 the flowers and sweet herbs from the same one garden4 ,and achieving that1 strive ye to unite the hearts of those who follow other faiths4 ,for one another must ye give up even life itself4 ,to every human being must ye be infinitely kind4 ,call none a stranger2 think none to be your foe4 ,be ye as if all men were your close kin and honoured friends4 ,walk ye in such wise that this fleeting world will change into a splendour and this dismal heap of dust become a palace of delights4 ,such is the counsel of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 this hapless servant4 #bbb3 ,o ,,ye ,,homeless ,,and ,,wanderers ,,in ,,the ,,path ,,of ,,god6 444 ,o ye homeless and wanderers in the ,path of ,god6 ,prosperity1 contentment1 and freedom1 however much desired and conducive to the gladness of the human heart1 can in no wise compare with the trials of homelessness and adversity in the pathway of ,god2 for such exile and banishment are blessed by the divine favour1 and are surely followed by the mercy of ,providence4 ,the joy of tranquillity in one's home1 and the sweetness of freedom from all cares shall pass away1 whilst the blessing of homelessness shall endure forever1 and its far-reaching results shall be made manifest4 ,abraham's migration from ,his native land caused the bountiful gifts of the ,all-,glorious to be made manifest1 and the setting of ,canaan's brightest star unfolded to the eyes the radiance of ,joseph4 ,the flight of ,moses1 the ,prophet of ,sinai1 revealed the ,flame of the ,lord's burning ,fire1 and the rise of ,jesus breathed the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit into the world4 ,the departure of ,muammad1 the ,beloved of ,god1 from the city of ,his birth was the cause of the exaltation of ,god's ,holy ,word1 and the banishment of the ,sacred ,beauty led to the diffusion of the light of ,his divine ,revelation throughout all regions4 ,take ye good heed1 ,o people of insight6 #bbc3 ,o ,,ye ,,sons ,,and ,,daughters ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom6 ,,your 444 ,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,your letter was received4 ,from its contents it was known that1 praise be to ,god1 your hearts are in the utmost purity and your souls rejoice in the glad tidings of ,god4 ,the mass of the people are occupied with self and worldly desire1 are immersed in the ocean of the nether world and are captives of the world of nature1 save those souls who have been freed from the chains and fetters of the material world and1 like unto swift-flying birds1 are soaring in this unbounded realm4 ,they are awake and vigilant1 they shun the obscurity of the world of nature1 their highest wish centereth on the eradication from among men of the struggle for existence1 the shining forth of the spirituality and the love of the realm on high1 the exercise of utmost kindness among peoples1 the realization of an intimate and close connection between religions and the practice of the ideal of self-sacrifice4 ,then will the world of humanity be transformed into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,o ye friends1 exert ye an effort6 ,every expenditure is in need of an income4 ,this day1 in the world of humanity1 men are all the time expending1 for war is nothing but the consumption of men and of wealth4 ,at least engage ye in a deed of profit to the world of humanity that ye may partially compensate for that loss4 ,perchance1 through the divine confirmations1 ye may be assisted in promulgating amity and concord among men1 in substituting love for enmity1 in causing universal peace to result from universal war and in converting loss and rancour into profit and love4 ,this wish will be realized through the power of the ,kingdom4 #bbd3 ,o ,,thou ,,servant ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was ,,received4 444 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,its contents were lofty and sublime1 and its aim high and far-reaching4 ,the world of humanity is in need of great improvement1 for it is a material jungle wherein trees without fruit flourish and useless weeds abound4 ,if at all there is a tree that beareth fruit it is overshadowed by the fruitless ones1 and if a flower groweth in this jungle it is hidden and concealed4 ,the world of mankind is in need of expert gardeners who may convert these forests into delectable rose gardens1 may substitute for these barren trees ones that yield fruit1 and may replace these useless weeds with roses and fragrant herbs4 ,thus active souls and vigilant people rest neither by day nor by night2 they strive to be closely linked to the divine ,kingdom and thereby become the manifestations of infinite bounty and ideal gardeners for these forests4 ,thus the world of humanity will be wholly transformed and the merciful bounties become manifest4 #bbe3 ,o ,,ye ,,concourse ,,of ,,the ,,kingdom ,,of ,,abh6 ,,two 444 ,o ye concourse of the ,kingdom of ,abh6 ,two calls to success and prosperity are being raised from the heights of the happiness of mankind1 awakening the slumbering1 granting sight to the blind1 causing the heedless to become mindful1 bestowing hearing upon the deaf1 unloosing the tongue of the mute and resuscitating the dead4 ,the one is the call of civilization1 of the progress of the material world4 ,this pertaineth to the world of phenomena1 promoteth the principles of material achievement1 and is the trainer for the physical accomplishments of mankind4 ,it compriseth the laws1 regulations1 arts and sciences through which the world of humanity hath developed2 laws and regulations which are the outcome of lofty ideals and the result of sound minds1 and which have stepped forth into the arena of existence through the efforts of the wise and cultured in past and subsequent ages4 ,the propagator and executive power of this call is just government4 ,the other is the soul-stirring call of ,god1 ,whose spiritual teachings are safeguards of the everlasting glory1 the eternal happiness and illumination of the world of humanity1 and cause attributes of mercy to be revealed in the human world and the life beyond4 ,this second call is founded upon the instructions and exhortations of the ,lord and the admonitions and altruistic emotions belonging to the realm of morality which1 like unto a brilliant light1 brighten and illumine the lamp of the realities of mankind4 ,its penetrative power is the ,word of ,god4 ,however1 until material achievements1 physical accomplishments and human virtues are reinforced by spiritual perfections1 luminous qualities and characteristics of mercy1 no fruit or result shall issue therefrom1 nor will the happiness of the world of humanity1 which is the ultimate aim1 be attained4 ,for although1 on the one hand1 material achievements and the development of the physical world produce prosperity1 which exquisitely manifests its intended aims1 on the other hand dangers1 severe calamities and violent afflictions are imminent4 ,consequently1 when thou lookest at the orderly pattern of kingdoms1 cities and villages1 with the attractiveness of their adornments1 the freshness of their natural resources1 the refinement of their appliances1 the ease of their means of travel1 the extent of knowledge available about the world of nature1 the great inventions1 the colossal enterprises1 the noble discoveries and scientific researches1 thou wouldst conclude that civilization conduceth to the happiness and the progress of the human world4 ,yet shouldst thou turn thine eye to the discovery of destructive and infernal machines1 to the development of forces of demolition and the invention of fiery implements1 which uproot the tree of life1 it would become evident and manifest unto thee that civilization is conjoined with barbarism4 ,progress and barbarism go hand in hand1 unless material civilization be confirmed by ,divine ,guidance1 by the revelations of the ,all-,merciful and by godly virtues1 and be reinforced by spiritual conduct1 by the ideals of the ,kingdom and by the outpourings of the ,realm of ,might4 ,consider now1 that the most advanced and civilized countries of the world have been turned into arsenals of explosives1 that the continents of the globe have been transformed into huge camps and battlefields1 that the peoples of the world have formed themselves into armed nations1 and that the governments of the world are vying with each other as to who will first step into the field of carnage and bloodshed1 thus subjecting mankind to the utmost degree of affliction4 ,therefore1 this civilization and material progress should be combined with the ,most ,great ,guidance so that this nether world may become the scene of the appearance of the bestowals of the ,kingdom1 and physical achievements may be conjoined with the effulgences of the ,merciful4 ,this in order that the beauty and perfection of the world of man may be unveiled and be manifested before all in the utmost grace and splendour4 ,thus everlasting glory and happiness shall be revealed4 ,praise be to ,god1 throughout succeeding centuries and ages the call of civilization hath been raised1 the world of humanity hath been advancing and progressing day by day1 various countries have been developing by leaps and bounds1 and material improvements have increased1 until the world of existence obtained universal capacity to receive the spiritual teachings and to hearken to the ,divine ,call4 ,the suckling babe passeth through various physical stages1 growing and developing at every stage1 until its body reacheth the age of maturity4 ,having arrived at this stage it acquireth the capacity to manifest spiritual and intellectual perfections4 ,the lights of comprehension1 intelligence and knowledge become perceptible in it and the powers of its soul unfold4 ,similarly1 in the contingent world1 the human species hath undergone progressive physical changes and1 by a slow process1 hath scaled the ladder of civilization1 realizing in itself the wonders1 excellencies and gifts of humanity in their most glorious form1 until it gained the capacity to express the splendours of spiritual perfections and divine ideals and became capable of hearkening to the call of ,god4 ,then at last the call of the ,kingdom was raised1 the spiritual virtues and perfections were revealed1 the ,sun of ,reality dawned1 and the teachings of the ,most ,great ,peace1 of the oneness of the world of humanity and of the universality of men1 were promoted4 ,we hope that the effulgence of these rays shall become more and more intense1 and the ideal virtues more resplendent1 so that the goal of this universal human process will be attained and the love of ,god will appear in the utmost grace and beauty and bedazzle all hearts4 ,o ye beloved of ,god6 ,know ye1 verily1 that the happiness of mankind lieth in the unity and the harmony of the human race1 and that spiritual and material developments are conditioned upon love and amity among all men4 ,consider ye the living creatures1 namely those which move upon the earth and those which fly1 those which graze and those which devour4 ,among the beasts of prey each kind liveth apart from other species of its genus1 observing complete antagonism and hostility2 and whenever they meet they immediately fight and draw blood1 gnashing their teeth and baring their claws4 ,this is the way in which ferocious beasts and bloodthirsty wolves behave1 carnivorous animals that live by themselves and fight for their lives4 ,but the docile1 good-natured and gentle animals1 whether they belong to the flying or grazing species1 associate with one another in complete affinity1 united in their flocks1 and living their lives with enjoyment1 happiness and contentment4 ,such are the birds that are satisfied with and grateful for a few grains2 they live in complete gladness1 and break into rich and melodious song while soaring over meadows1 plains1 hills and mountains4 ,similarly those animals which graze1 like the sheep1 the antelope and the gazelle1 consort in the greatest amity1 intimacy and unity while living in their plains and prairies in a condition of complete contentment4 ,but dogs1 wolves1 tigers1 hyenas and those other beasts of prey1 are alienated from each other as they hunt and roam about alone4 ,the creatures of the fields and birds of the air do not even shun or molest one another when they come upon their mutual grazing and resting grounds but accept each other with friendliness1 unlike the devouring beasts who immediately tear each other apart when one intrudes upon the other's cave or lair2 yea1 even if one merely passeth by the abode of another the latter at once rusheth out to attack and if possible kill the former4 ,therefore1 it hath been made clear and manifest that in the animal kingdom also love and affinity are the fruits of a gentle disposition1 a pure nature and praiseworthy character1 while discord and isolation are characteristic of the fierce beasts of the wild4 ,the ,almighty hath not created in man the claws and teeth of ferocious animals1 nay rather hath the human form been fashioned and set with the most comely attributes and adorned with the most perfect virtues4 ,the honour of this creation and the worthiness of this garment therefore require man to have love and affinity for his own kind1 nay rather1 to act towards all living creatures with justice and equity4 ,similarly1 consider how the cause of the welfare1 happiness1 joy and comfort of humankind are amity and union1 whereas dissension and discord are most conducive to hardship1 humiliation1 agitation and failure4 ,but a thousand times alas1 that man is negligent and unaware of these facts1 and daily doth he strut abroad with the characteristics of a wild beast4 ,lo6 ,at one moment he turneth into a ferocious tiger2 at the next he becometh a creeping1 venomous viper6 ,but the sublime achievements of man reside in those qualities and attributes that exclusively pertain to the angels of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,therefore1 when praiseworthy qualities and high morals emanate from man1 he becometh a heavenly being1 an angel of the ,kingdom1 a divine reality and a celestial effulgence4 ,on the other hand1 when he engageth in warfare1 quarrelling and bloodshed1 he becometh viler than the most fierce of savage creatures1 for if a bloodthirsty wolf devoureth a lamb in a single night1 man slaughtereth a hundred thousand in the field of battle1 strewing the ground with their corpses and kneading the earth with their blood4 ,in short1 man is endowed with two natures3 one tendeth towards moral sublimity and intellectual perfection1 while the other turneth to bestial degradation and carnal imperfections4 ,if ye travel the countries of the globe ye shall observe on one side the remains of ruin and destruction1 while on the other ye shall see the signs of civilization and development4 ,such desolation and ruin are the result of war1 strife and quarrelling1 while all development and progress are fruits of the lights of virtue1 co-operation and concord4 ,if one were to travel through the deserts of ,central ,asia he would observe how many cities1 once great and prosperous like ,paris and ,london1 are now demolished and razed to the ground4 ,from the ,caspian ,sea to the ,river ,oxus there stretch wild and desolate plains1 deserts1 wildernesses and valleys4 ,for two days and two nights the ,russian railway traverseth the ruined cities and uninhabited villages of that wasteland4 ,formerly that plain bore the fruit of the finest civilizations of the past4 ,tokens of development and refinement were apparent all around1 arts and sciences were well protected and promoted1 professions and industries flourished1 commerce and agriculture had reached a high stage of efficiency1 and the foundations of government and statesmanship were laid on a strong and solid basis4 ,today that vast stretch of land hath become mostly the shelter and asylum of ,turkoman tribes1 and an arena for the ferocious display of wild beasts4 ,the ancient cities of that plain1 such as ,gurgn1 ,niss1 bvard and ,shahristn1 famous throughout the world for their arts1 sciences1 culture1 industry1 and well known for their wealth1 greatness1 prosperity and distinction1 have given way to a wilderness wherein no voice is heard save the roaring of wild beasts and where bloodthirsty wolves roam at will4 ,this destruction and desolation was brought about by war and strife1 dissension and discord between the ,persians and the ,turks1 who differed in their religion and customs4 ,so rigid was the spirit of religious prejudice that the faithless leaders sanctioned the shedding of innocent blood1 the ruin of property and the desecration of family honour4 ,this is to cite only one illustration4 ,consequently1 when thou traversest the regions of the world1 thou shalt conclude that all progress is the result of association and co-operation1 while ruin is the outcome of animosity and hatred4 ,notwithstanding this1 the world of humanity doth not take warning1 nor doth it awake from the slumber of heedlessness4 ,man is still causing differences1 quarrels and strife in order to marshal the cohorts of war and1 with his legions1 rush into the field of bloodshed and slaughter4 ,then again1 consider the phenomenon of composition and decomposition1 of existence and non-existence4 ,every created thing in the contingent world is made up of many and varied atoms1 and its existence is dependent on the composition of these4 ,in other words1 through the divine creative power a conjunction of simple elements taketh place so that from this composition a distinct organism is produced4 ,the existence of all things is based upon this principle4 ,but when the order is deranged1 decomposition is produced and disintegration setteth in1 then that thing ceaseth to exist4 ,that is1 the annihilation of all things is caused by decomposition and disintegration4 ,therefore attraction and composition between the various elements is the means of life1 and discord1 decomposition and division produce death4 ,thus the cohesive and attractive forces in all things lead to the appearance of fruitful results and effects1 while estrangement and alienation of things lead to disturbance and annihilation4 ,through affinity and attraction all living things like plants1 animals and men come into existence1 while division and discord bring about decomposition and destruction4 ,consequently1 that which is conducive to association and attraction and unity among the sons of men is the means of the life of the world of humanity1 and whatever causeth division1 repulsion and remoteness leadeth to the death of humankind4 ,and if1 as thou passest by fields and plantations1 thou observest that the plants1 flowers and sweet-smelling herbs are growing luxuriantly together1 forming a pattern of unity1 this is an evidence of the fact that that plantation and garden is flourishing under the care of a skilful gardener4 ,but when thou seest it in a state of disorder and irregularity thou inferrest that it hath lacked the training of an efficient farmer and thus hath produced weeds and tares4 ,it therefore becometh manifest that amity and cohesion are indicative of the training of the ,real ,educator1 and dispersion and separation a proof of savagery and deprivation of divine education4 ,a critic may object1 saying that peoples1 races1 tribes and communities of the world are of different and varied customs1 habits1 tastes1 character1 inclinations and ideas1 that opinions and thoughts are contrary to one another1 and how1 therefore1 is it possible for real unity to be revealed and perfect accord among human souls to exist8 ,in answer we say that differences are of two kinds4 ,one is the cause of annihilation and is like the antipathy existing among warring nations and conflicting tribes who seek each other's destruction1 uprooting one another's families1 depriving one another of rest and comfort and unleashing carnage4 ,the other kind which is a token of diversity is the essence of perfection and the cause of the appearance of the bestowals of the ,most ,glorious ,lord4 ,consider the flowers of a garden3 though differing in kind1 colour1 form and shape1 yet1 inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one spring1 revived by the breath of one wind1 invigorated by the rays of one sun1 this diversity increaseth their charm1 and addeth unto their beauty4 ,thus when that unifying force1 the penetrating influence of the ,word of ,god1 taketh effect1 the difference of customs1 manners1 habits1 ideas1 opinions and dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity4 ,this diversity1 this difference is like the naturally created dissimilarity and variety of the limbs and organs of the human body1 for each one contributeth to the beauty1 efficiency and perfection of the whole4 ,when these different limbs and organs come under the influence of man's sovereign soul1 and the soul's power pervadeth the limbs and members1 veins and arteries of the body1 then difference reinforceth harmony1 diversity strengtheneth love1 and multiplicity is the greatest factor for co-ordination4 ,how unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants1 the leaves and blossoms1 the fruits1 the branches and the trees of that garden were all of the same shape and colour6 ,diversity of hues1 form and shape1 enricheth and adorneth the garden1 and heighteneth the effect thereof4 ,in like manner1 when divers shades of thought1 temperament and character1 are brought together under the power and influence of one central agency1 the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest4 ,naught but the celestial potency of the ,word of ,god1 which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things1 is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts1 sentiments1 ideas1 and convictions of the children of men4 ,verily1 it is the penetrating power in all things1 the mover of souls and the binder and regulator in the world of humanity4 ,praise be to ,god1 today the splendour of the ,word of ,god hath illumined every horizon1 and from all sects1 races1 tribes1 nations1 and communities souls have come together in the light of the ,word1 assembled1 united and agreed in perfect harmony4 ,oh6 ,what a great number of meetings are held adorned with souls from various races and diverse sects6 ,anyone attending these will be struck with amazement1 and might suppose that these souls are all of one land1 one nationality1 one community1 one thought1 one belief and one opinion2 whereas1 in fact1 one is an ,american1 the other an ,african1 one cometh from ,asia and another from ,europe1 one is a native of ,india1 another is from ,turkestan1 one is an ,arab1 another a ,tajik1 another a ,persian and yet another a ,greek4 ,notwithstanding such diversity they associate in perfect harmony and unity1 love and freedom2 they have one voice1 one thought and one purpose4 ,verily1 this is from the penetrative power of the ,word of ,god6 ,if all the forces of the universe were to combine they would not be able thus to gather a single assemblage so imbued with the sentiments of love1 affection1 attraction and enkindlement as to unite the members of different races and to raise up from the heart of the world a voice that shall dispel war and strife1 uproot dissension and disputation1 usher in the era of universal peace and establish unity and concord amongst men4 ,can any power withstand the penetrative influence of the ,word of ,god8 ,nay1 by ,god6 ,the proof is clear and the evidence is complete6 ,if anyone looketh with the eyes of justice he shall be struck with wonder and amazement and will testify that all the peoples1 sects and races of the world should be glad1 content and grateful for the teachings and admonitions of ,bah'u'llh4 ,for these divine injunctions tame every ferocious beast1 transform the creeping insect into a soaring bird1 cause human souls to become angels of the ,kingdom1 and make the human world a focus for the qualities of mercy4 ,furthermore each and every one is required to show obedience1 submission and loyalty towards his own government4 ,today no state in the world is in a condition of peace or tranquillity1 for security and trust have vanished from among the people4 ,both the governed and the governors are alike in danger4 ,the only group of people which today submitteth peacefully and loyally to the laws and ordinances of government and dealeth honestly and frankly with the people1 is none other than this wronged community4 ,for while all sects and races in ,persia and ,turkestan are absorbed in promoting their own interests and only obey their governments either with the hope of reward or from fear of punishment1 the ,bah's are the well-wishers of the government1 obedient to its laws and bearing love towards all peoples4 ,such obedience and submission is made incumbent and obligatory upon all by the clear ,text of the ,abh ,beauty4 ,therefore the believers1 in obedience to the command of the ,true ,one1 show the utmost sincerity and goodwill towards all nations2 and should any soul act contrary to the laws of the government he would consider himself responsible before ,god1 deserving divine wrath and chastisement for his sin and wrongdoing4 ,it is astonishing that1 in spite of this1 some of the officials of the government consider the ,bah's to be ill-wishers while they regard the members of other communities as their well-wishers4 ,gracious ,god6 ,recently1 when there was general revolution and agitation in ihrn and in other provinces of ,persia1 it was proven that not a single ,bah' had taken part nor intervened in these affairs4 ,for this reason they were reproached by the ignorant because they had obeyed the command of the ,blessed ,perfection and refrained absolutely from interference in political matters4 ,they were not associated with any party1 but busied themselves with their own affairs and professions and discharged their own duties4 ,all the friends of ,god bear witness to the fact that #8,abdu'l-,bah is1 from every standpoint1 the well-wisher of all governments and nations1 and prayeth sincerely for their progress and advancement1 especially for the two great states of the east1 for these two countries are the native land and the place of exile of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in all epistles and writings he hath commended and praised these two governments and hath supplicated divine confirmations for them from the ,threshold of the ,one true ,god4 ,the ,abh ,beauty--may my life be a sacrifice for ,his loved ones--hath offered prayers on behalf of ,their ,imperial ,majesties4 ,gracious ,god6 ,how strange that1 notwithstanding these conclusive proofs1 every day some event transpireth and difficulties arise4 ,but we1 and the friends of ,god1 should on no account slacken our efforts to be loyal1 sincere and men of good will4 ,we should at all times manifest our truthfulness and sincerity1 nay rather1 we must be constant in our faithfulness and trustworthiness1 and occupy ourselves in offering prayers for the good of all4 ,o ye beloved of ,god1 these are days for steadfastness1 for firmness and perseverance in the ,cause of ,god4 ,ye must not focus your attention upon the person of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 for erelong he will bid you farewell4 ,rather must ye fix your gaze upon the ,word of ,god4 ,if the ,word of ,god is being promoted1 rejoice and be happy and thankful1 though #8,abdu'l-,bah himself be threatened by the sword or burdened by the weight of chains and fetters4 ,for the ,holy ,temple of the ,cause of ,god is important1 not the physical body of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,the friends of ,god must arise with such steadfastness that if1 at any moment1 a hundred souls like #8,abdu'l-,bah become the target for the arrows of affliction1 they will not shift or waver in their resolve1 their determination1 their enkindlement1 their devotion and service in the ,cause of ,god4 #8,abdu'l-,bah is himself a servant at the ,threshold of the ,blessed ,beauty and a manifestation of pure and utter servitude at the ,threshold of the ,almighty4 ,he hath no other station or title1 no other rank or power4 ,this is my ultimate ,purpose1 my eternal ,paradise1 my holiest ,temple and my ,sadratu'l-,muntah4 ,with the ,abh ,blessed ,beauty and the ,exalted ,one1 ,his ,herald--may my life be a sacrifice for ,them both--hath ended the appearance of ,god's independent and universal ,manifestation4 ,and for a thousand years all shall be illumined by ,his lights and be sustained by the ocean of ,his favours4 ,o ye lovers of ,god6 ,this1 verily1 is my last wish and my admonition unto you4 ,blessed1 therefore1 is he who is aided by ,god to follow that which is inscribed upon this scroll whose words are sanctified from the symbols current amongst men4 #bbf3 ,o ,,thou ,,servant ,,of ,,god6 ,,thy ,,letter ,,was ,,received1 444 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received1 and was the cause of gladness4 ,thou hast expressed thine ardent wish that ,i should attend the ,peace ,congress4 ,i do not present myself at such political conferences1 for the establishment of peace is unachievable save through the power of the ,word of ,god4 ,when a conference is convened1 representative of all nations and working under the influence of the ,word of ,god1 then universal peace will be established but otherwise it is impossible4 ,at present it is certain that temporary peace is established but it is not lasting4 ,all governments and nations have become tired of war1 of the difficulties of travel1 of huge expenditures1 of the loss of life1 of the affliction of women1 of the great number of orphans1 and they are driven by force to peace4 ,but this peace is not permanent1 it is temporary4 ,we hope that the power of the ,word of ,god will establish a peace that shall eternally remain effective and secure4 #bbg3 ,o ,,ye ,,esteemed ,,ones ,,who ,,are ,,pioneers ,,among ,,the 444 7#ge7 ,o ye esteemed ones who are pioneers among the well-wishers of the world of humanity6 ,the letters which ye sent during the war were not received1 but a letter dated ,february #aath1 #aiaf1 has just come to hand1 and immediately an answer is being written4 ,your intention deserves a thousand praises1 because you are serving the world of humanity1 and this is conducive to the happiness and welfare of all4 ,this recent war has proved to the world and the people that war is destruction while universal peace is construction2 war is death while peace is life2 war is rapacity and bloodthirstiness while peace is beneficence and humaneness2 war is an appurtenance of the world of nature while peace is of the foundation of the religion of ,god2 war is darkness upon darkness while peace is heavenly light2 war is the destroyer of the edifice of mankind while peace is the everlasting life of the world of humanity2 war is like a devouring wolf while peace is like the angels of heaven2 war is the struggle for existence while peace is mutual aid and co-operation among the peoples of the world and the cause of the good-pleasure of the ,true ,one in the heavenly realm4 ,there is not one soul whose conscience does not testify that in this day there is no more important matter in the world than that of universal peace4 ,every just one bears witness to this and adores that esteemed ,assembly because its aim is that this darkness may be changed into light1 this bloodthirstiness into kindness1 this torment into bliss1 this hardship into ease and this enmity and hatred into fellowship and love4 ,therefore1 the effort of those esteemed souls is worthy of praise and commendation4 ,but the wise souls who are aware of the essential relationships emanating from the realities of things consider that one single matter cannot1 by itself1 influence the human reality as it ought and should1 for until the minds of men become united1 no important matter can be accomplished4 ,at present universal peace is a matter of great importance1 but unity of conscience is essential1 so that the foundation of this matter may become secure1 its establishment firm and its edifice strong4 ,therefore ,bah'u'llh1 fifty years ago1 expounded this question of universal peace at a time when ,he was confined in the fortress of ,akk and was wronged and imprisoned4 ,he wrote about this important matter of universal peace to all the great sovereigns of the world1 and established it among ,his friends in the orient4 ,the horizon of the east was in utter darkness1 nations displayed the utmost hatred and enmity towards each other1 religions thirsted for each other's blood1 and it was darkness upon darkness4 ,at such a time ,bah'u'llh shone forth like the sun from the horizon of the east and illumined ,persia with the lights of these teachings4 ,among ,his teachings was the declaration of universal peace4 ,people of different nations1 religions and sects who followed ,him came together to such an extent that remarkable gatherings were instituted consisting of the various nations and religions of the east4 ,every soul who entered these gatherings saw but one nation1 one teaching1 one pathway1 one order1 for the teachings of ,bah'u'llh were not limited to the establishment of universal peace4 ,they embraced many teachings which supplemented and supported that of universal peace4 ,among these teachings was the independent investigation of reality so that the world of humanity may be saved from the darkness of imitation and attain to the truth2 may tear off and cast away this ragged and outgrown garment of a thousand years ago and may put on the robe woven in the utmost purity and holiness in the loom of reality4 ,as reality is one and cannot admit of multiplicity1 therefore different opinions must ultimately become fused into one4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is the oneness of the world of humanity2 that all human beings are the sheep of ,god and ,he is the kind ,shepherd4 ,this ,shepherd is kind to all the sheep1 because ,he created them all1 trained them1 provided for them and protected them4 ,there is no doubt that the ,shepherd is kind to all the sheep and should there be among these sheep ignorant ones1 they must be educated2 if there be children1 they must be trained until they reach maturity2 if there be sick ones1 they must be cured4 ,there must be no hatred and enmity1 for as by a kind physician these ignorant1 sick ones should be treated4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is that religion must be the cause of fellowship and love4 ,if it becomes the cause of estrangement then it is not needed1 for religion is like a remedy2 if it aggravates the disease then it becomes unnecessary4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is that religion must be in conformity with science and reason1 so that it may influence the hearts of men4 ,the foundation must be solid and must not consist of imitations4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is that religious1 racial1 political1 economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of humanity4 ,as long as these prejudices prevail1 the world of humanity will not have rest4 ,for a period of #f1jjj years history informs us about the world of humanity4 ,during these #f1jjj years the world of humanity has not been free from war1 strife1 murder and bloodthirstiness4 ,in every period war has been waged in one country or another and that war was due to either religious prejudice1 racial prejudice1 political prejudice or patriotic prejudice4 ,it has therefore been ascertained and proved that all prejudices are destructive of the human edifice4 ,as long as these prejudices persist1 the struggle for existence must remain dominant1 and bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue4 ,therefore1 even as was the case in the past1 the world of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness of nature and cannot attain illumination except through the abandonment of prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the ,kingdom4 ,if this prejudice and enmity are on account of religion consider that religion should be the cause of fellowship1 otherwise it is fruitless4 ,and if this prejudice be the prejudice of nationality consider that all mankind are of one nation2 all have sprung from the tree of ,adam1 and ,adam is the root of the tree4 ,that tree is one and all these nations are like branches1 while the individuals of humanity are like leaves1 blossoms and fruits thereof4 ,then the establishment of various nations and the consequent shedding of blood and destruction of the edifice of humanity result from human ignorance and selfish motives4 ,as to the patriotic prejudice1 this is also due to absolute ignorance1 for the surface of the earth is one native land4 ,every one can live in any spot on the terrestrial globe4 ,therefore all the world is man's birthplace4 ,these boundaries and outlets have been devised by man4 ,in the creation1 such boundaries and outlets were not assigned4 ,europe is one continent1 ,asia is one continent1 ,africa is one continent1 ,australia is one continent1 but some of the souls1 from personal motives and selfish interests1 have divided each one of these continents and considered a certain part as their own country4 ,god has set up no frontier between ,france and ,germany2 they are continuous4 ,yea1 in the first centuries1 selfish souls1 for the promotion of their own interests1 have assigned boundaries and outlets and have1 day by day1 attached more importance to these1 until this led to intense enmity1 bloodshed and rapacity in subsequent centuries4 ,in the same way this will continue indefinitely1 and if this conception of patriotism remains limited within a certain circle1 it will be the primary cause of the world's destruction4 ,no wise and just person will acknowledge these imaginary distinctions4 ,every limited area which we call our native country we regard as our motherland1 whereas the terrestrial globe is the motherland of all1 and not any restricted area4 ,in short1 for a few days we live on this earth and eventually we are buried in it1 it is our eternal tomb4 ,is it worth while that we should engage in bloodshed and tear one another to pieces for this eternal tomb8 ,nay1 far from it1 neither is ,god pleased with such conduct nor would any sane man approve of it4 ,consider6 ,the blessed animals engage in no patriotic quarrels4 ,they are in the utmost fellowship with one another and live together in harmony4 ,for example1 if a dove from the east and a dove from the west1 a dove from the north and a dove from the south chance to arrive1 at the same time1 in one spot1 they immediately associate in harmony4 ,so is it with all the blessed animals and birds4 ,but the ferocious animals1 as soon as they meet1 attack and fight with each other1 tear each other to pieces and it is impossible for them to live peaceably together in one spot4 ,they are all unsociable and fierce1 savage and combative fighters4 ,regarding the economic prejudice1 it is apparent that whenever the ties between nations become strengthened and the exchange of commodities accelerated1 and any economic principle is established in one country1 it will ultimately affect the other countries and universal benefits will result4 ,then why this prejudice8 ,as to the political prejudice1 the policy of ,god must be followed and it is indisputable that the policy of ,god is greater than human policy4 ,we must follow the ,divine policy and that applies alike to all individuals4 ,he treats all individuals alike3 no distinction is made1 and that is the foundation of the ,divine ,religions4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is the origination of one language that may be spread universally among the people4 ,this teaching was revealed from the pen of ,bah'u'llh in order that this universal language may eliminate misunderstandings from among mankind4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is the equality of women and men4 ,the world of humanity has two wings--one is women and the other men4 ,not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly4 ,should one wing remain weak1 flight is impossible4 ,not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections1 can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is voluntary sharing of one's property with others among mankind4 ,this voluntary sharing is greater than equality1 and consists in this1 that man should not prefer himself to others1 but rather should sacrifice his life and property for others4 ,but this should not be introduced by coercion so that it becomes a law and man is compelled to follow it4 ,nay1 rather1 man should voluntarily and of his own choice sacrifice his property and life for others1 and spend willingly for the poor1 just as is done in ,persia among the ,bah's4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is man's freedom1 that through the ideal ,power he should be free and emancipated from the captivity of the world of nature2 for as long as man is captive to nature he is a ferocious animal1 as the struggle for existence is one of the exigencies of the world of nature4 ,this matter of the struggle for existence is the fountain-head of all calamities and is the supreme affliction4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is that religion is a mighty bulwark4 ,if the edifice of religion shakes and totters1 commotion and chaos will ensue and the order of things will be utterly upset1 for in the world of mankind there are two safeguards that protect man from wrongdoing4 ,one is the law which punishes the criminal2 but the law prevents only the manifest crime and not the concealed sin2 whereas the ideal safeguard1 namely1 the religion of ,god1 prevents both the manifest and the concealed crime1 trains man1 educates morals1 compels the adoption of virtues and is the all-inclusive power which guarantees the felicity of the world of mankind4 ,but by religion is meant that which is ascertained by investigation and not that which is based on mere imitation1 the foundations of ,divine ,religions and not human imitations4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is that although material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind1 yet until it becomes combined with ,divine civilization1 the desired result1 which is the felicity of mankind1 will not be attained4 ,consider6 ,these battleships that reduce a city to ruins within the space of an hour are the result of material civilization2 likewise the ,krupp guns1 the ,mauser rifles1 dynamite1 submarines1 torpedo boats1 armed aircraft and bombers--all these weapons of war are the malignant fruits of material civilization4 ,had material civilization been combined with ,divine civilization1 these fiery weapons would never have been invented4 ,nay1 rather1 human energy would have been wholly devoted to useful inventions and would have been concentrated on praiseworthy discoveries4 ,material civilization is like a lamp-glass4 ,divine civilization is the lamp itself and the glass without the light is dark4 ,material civilization is like the body4 ,no matter how infinitely graceful1 elegant and beautiful it may be1 it is dead4 ,divine civilization is like the spirit1 and the body gets its life from the spirit1 otherwise it becomes a corpse4 ,it has thus been made evident that the world of mankind is in need of the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,without the spirit the world of mankind is lifeless1 and without this light the world of mankind is in utter darkness4 ,for the world of nature is an animal world4 ,until man is born again from the world of nature1 that is to say1 becomes detached from the world of nature1 he is essentially an animal1 and it is the teachings of ,god which convert this animal into a human soul4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh is the promotion of education4 ,every child must be instructed in sciences as much as is necessary4 ,if the parents are able to provide the expenses of this education1 it is well1 otherwise the community must provide the means for the teaching of that child4 ,and among the teachings of ,bah'u'llh are justice and right4 ,until these are realized on the plane of existence1 all things shall be in disorder and remain imperfect4 ,the world of mankind is a world of oppression and cruelty1 and a realm of aggression and error4 ,in fine1 such teachings are numerous4 ,these manifold principles1 which constitute the greatest basis for the felicity of mankind and are of the bounties of the ,merciful1 must be added to the matter of universal peace and combined with it1 so that results may accrue4 ,otherwise the realization of universal peace by itself in the world of mankind is difficult4 ,as the teachings of ,bah'u'llh are combined with universal peace1 they are like a table provided with every kind of fresh and delicious food4 ,every soul can find1 at that table of infinite bounty1 that which he desires4 ,if the question is restricted to universal peace alone1 the remarkable results which are expected and desired will not be attained4 ,the scope of universal peace must be such that all the communities and religions may find their highest wish realized in it4 ,the teachings of ,bah'u'llh are such that all the communities of the world1 whether religious1 political or ethical1 ancient or modern1 find in them the expression of their highest wish4 ,for example1 the people of religions find1 in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh1 the establishment of ,universal ,religion--a religion that perfectly conforms with present conditions1 which in reality effects the immediate cure of the incurable disease1 which relieves every pain1 and bestows the infallible antidote for every deadly poison4 ,for if we wish to arrange and organize the world of mankind in accordance with the present religious imitations and thereby to establish the felicity of the world of mankind1 it is impossible and impracticable--for example1 the enforcement of the laws of the ,torah and also of the other religions in accordance with present imitations4 ,but the essential basis of all the ,divine ,religions which pertains to the virtues of the world of mankind and is the foundation of the welfare of the world of man1 is found in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh in the most perfect presentation4 ,similarly1 with regard to the peoples who clamour for freedom3 the moderate freedom which guarantees the welfare of the world of mankind and maintains and preserves the universal relationships1 is found in its fullest power and extension in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,so with regard to political parties3 that which is the greatest policy directing the world of mankind1 nay1 rather1 the ,divine policy1 is found in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,likewise with regard to the party of #8equality' which seeks the solution of the economic problems3 until now all proposed solutions have proved impracticable except the economic proposals in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh which are practicable and cause no distress to society4 ,so with the other parties3 when ye look deeply into this matter1 ye will discover that the highest aims of those parties are found in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,these teachings constitute the all-inclusive power among all men and are practicable4 ,but there are some teachings of the past1 such as those of the ,torah1 which cannot be carried out at the present day4 ,it is the same with the other religions and the tenets of the various sects and the different parties4 ,for example1 the question of universal peace1 about which ,bah'u'llh says that the ,supreme ,tribunal must be established3 although the ,league of ,nations has been brought into existence1 yet it is incapable of establishing universal peace4 ,but the ,supreme ,tribunal which ,bah'u'llh has described will fulfil this sacred task with the utmost might and power4 ,and ,his plan is this3 that the national assemblies of each country and nation--that is to say parliaments--should elect two or three persons who are the choicest men of that nation1 and are well informed concerning international laws and the relations between governments and aware of the essential needs of the world of humanity in this day4 ,the number of these representatives should be in proportion to the number of inhabitants of that country4 ,the election of these souls who are chosen by the national assembly1 that is1 the parliament1 must be confirmed by the upper house1 the congress and the cabinet and also by the president or monarch so these persons may be the elected ones of all the nation and the government4 ,from among these people the members of the ,supreme ,tribunal will be elected1 and all mankind will thus have a share therein1 for every one of these delegates is fully representative of his nation4 ,when the ,supreme ,tribunal gives a ruling on any international question1 either unanimously or by majority rule1 there will no longer be any pretext for the plaintiff or ground of objection for the defendant4 ,in case any of the governments or nations1 in the execution of the irrefutable decision of the ,supreme ,tribunal1 be negligent or dilatory1 the rest of the nations will rise up against it1 because all the governments and nations of the world are the supporters of this ,supreme ,tribunal4 ,consider what a firm foundation this is6 ,but by a limited and restricted ,league the purpose will not be realized as it ought and should4 ,this is the truth about the situation1 which has been stated4444 #bbh3 ,o ,,servant ,,of ,,the ,,threshold ,,of ,,bah',u',,ll,h6 ,,thy 444 ,o ,servant of the ,threshold of ,bah'u'llh6 ,thy letter dated #ad ,june #aibj hath been received4 ,a letter from some of the members of the ,peace ,committee hath also been received and an answer hath been written to them4 ,deliver it to them4 ,it is evident that this meeting is not what it is reputed to be and is unable to order and arrange affairs in the manner which is befitting and necessary4 ,however that may be1 the matter in which they are engaged is nevertheless of the greatest importance4 ,the meeting at ,the ,hague should have such power and influence that its word will have an effect on the governments and nations4 ,point out to the revered members gathered there that the ,hague ,conference held before the war had as its ,president the ,emperor of ,russia1 and its members were men of the greatest eminence4 ,nevertheless this did not prevent such a terrible war4 ,now how will it be8 ,for in the future another war1 fiercer than the last1 will assuredly break out2 verily1 of this there is no doubt whatever4 ,what can the ,hague meeting do8 ,but the fundamental principles laid down by ,bah'u'llh are day by day spreading4 ,deliver the answer to their letter and express the greatest love and kindness1 and leave them to their own affairs4 ,in any case they ought to be pleased with you1 and subject to their approval you may print and distribute that detailed epistle of mine which hath already been translated into ,english4 ,as to the ,esperantists1 associate with them4 ,whenever you find one with capacity1 convey to him the fragrances of ,life4 ,in all the meetings converse about the teachings of ,bah'u'llh1 because this will be effective today in the western countries4 ,and if they ask regarding your belief in ,bah'u'llh1 you should reply that we consider ,him as the foremost ,teacher and ,educator of the world in this age1 and make clear1 explaining in detail1 that these teachings regarding universal peace and other subjects were revealed by the pen of ,bah'u'llh fifty years ago and have already been published in ,persia and ,india and spread abroad throughout the whole world4 ,in the beginning all were incredulous about the idea of universal peace1 considering it an impossibility4 ,further1 speak of the greatness of ,bah'u'llh1 of the events that took place in ,persia and ,turkey1 of the astonishing influence that ,he exerted1 of the contents of the ,epistles which ,he addressed to all the sovereigns1 and of their fulfilment4 ,also speak of the spread of the ,bah' ,cause4 ,associate with the ,committee of ,universal ,peace at ,the ,hague as much as possible1 showing them every courtesy4 ,it is evident that the ,esperantists are receptive and thou art familiar with and expert in their language4 ,communicate also with the ,esperantists of ,germany and other places4 ,the literature which thou circulatest should deal only with the teachings4 ,the dissemination of other literature is at present not advisable4 ,my hope is that the divine confirmations may continually assist thee4444 ,grieve not over the apathy and coldness of the ,hague meeting4 ,put thy trust in ,god4 ,our hope is that among the people the ,esperanto language may hereafter have a powerful effect4 ,thou hast now sown the seed4 ,assuredly it will grow4 ,its growth dependeth upon ,god4 #bbi3 ,o ,,sincere ,,servant ,,of ,,the ,,true ,,one6 ,i ,,hear ,,thou 444 ,o sincere servant of the ,true ,one6 ,i hear thou art grieved and distressed at the happenings of the world and the vicissitudes of fortune4 ,wherefore this fear and sorrow8 ,the true lovers of the ,abh ,beauty1 and they that have quaffed the ,cup of the ,covenant fear no calamity1 nor feel depressed in the hour of trial4 ,they regard the fire of adversity as their garden of delight1 and the depth of the sea the expanse of heaven4 ,thou who art neath the shelter of ,god1 and under the shadow of the ,tree of ,his ,covenant1 why sorrow and repine8 ,rest thou assured and feel confident4 ,observe the written commandments of thy ,lord with joy and peace1 with earnestness and sincerity2 and be thou the well-wisher of thy country and thy government4 ,his grace shall assist thee at all times1 ,his blessings shall be bestowed upon thee1 and thy heart's desire shall be realized4 ,by the ,ancient ,beauty6--may my life be a sacrifice for ,his loved ones--,were the friends to realize what a glorious sovereignty the ,lord hath destined for them in ,his ,kingdom1 surely they would be filled with ecstasy1 would behold themselves crowned with immortal glory and carried away with transports of delight4 ,erelong it shall be made manifest how brilliantly the light of ,his bountiful care and mercy hath shone upon ,his loved ones1 and what a turbulent ocean hath been stirred in their hearts6 ,then will they clamour and exclaim3 ,happy are we2 let all the world rejoice6 #bcj3 ,o ,,respected ,,personage6 ,,thy ,,second ,,letter ,,dated 444 ,o respected personage6 ,thy second letter dated #ai ,december #aiah was received4 ,it was the cause of great joy and gladness1 for it showed thy firmness and steadfastness in the ,covenant and ,testament and thy yearning to raise the call of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,today the call of the ,kingdom is the magnetic power which draweth to itself the world of mankind1 for capacity in men is great4 ,divine teachings constitute the spirit of this age1 nay rather the sun of this age4 ,every soul must endeavour that the veils that cover men's eyes may be torn asunder and that instantly the sun may be seen and that heart and sight may be illumined thereby4 ,now1 through the aid and bounty of ,god1 this power of guidance and this merciful bestowal are found in thee4 ,arise1 therefore1 in the utmost ,power that thou mayest bestow spirit upon mouldering bones1 give sight to the blind1 balm and freshness to the depressed1 and liveliness and grace to the dispirited4 ,every lamp will eventually be extinguished save the lamp of the ,kingdom1 which increaseth day by day in splendour4 ,every call shall ultimately weaken except the call to the ,kingdom of ,god1 which day unto day is raised4 ,every path shall finally be twisted except the road of the ,kingdom1 which straighteneth day by day4 ,undoubtedly heavenly melody is not to be measured with an earthly one1 and artificial lights are not to be compared with the heavenly ,sun4 ,hence one must exert endeavour in whatever is lasting and permanent so that one may more and more be illumined1 strengthened and revived4444 ,i pray and supplicate the ,divine ,kingdom that thy father1 mother and brother may1 through the light of guidance1 enter the ,kingdom of ,god4 #bca3 ,o ,,thou ,,blossom ,,on ,,the ,,tree ,,of ,,life6 ,,happy ,,art 444 ,o thou blossom on the ,tree of ,life6 ,happy art thou to have girded thy loins in service2 to have risen with all thy power in the promulgation of the divine teachings1 to have convened gatherings and to have striven for the exaltation of the ,word of ,god4 ,in this mortal world every important matter hath an end2 and every remarkable achievement a termination2 none having permanent existence4 ,for instance1 consider how the important achievements of the ancient world have been totally exterminated and not a trace remaineth therefrom save the great ,cause of the ,kingdom of ,god1 which hath no beginning and will have no end4 ,at most1 it is only renewed4 ,at the beginning of each renewal it commandeth no attention in the sight of the people1 but when once definitely established1 it will daily advance and in its daily exaltation will reach the supreme heavens4 ,for instance1 consider the day of ,christ1 which was the day of the renewal of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the people of the world attached no importance to it and did not realize its significance to such an extent that the sepulchre of ,christ remained lost and unknown for three hundred years1 until the maidservant of ,god1 ,helen1 the mother of ,constantine arrived and discovered the sacred spot4 ,my purpose in all this is to show how unobservant are the people of the world and how ignorant1 and on the day of the establishment of the ,kingdom1 they remain heedless and negligent4 ,erelong the power of the ,kingdom will encompass all the world and then they will be awakened and will cry and lament over those who were oppressed and martyred1 and will sigh and moan4 ,such is the nature of people4 #bcb3 ,,as ,,to ,,president ,,wilson1 ,,the ,,fourteen ,,principles 444 ,as to ,president ,wilson1 the fourteen principles which he hath enunciated are mostly found in the teachings of ,bah'u'llh and ,i therefore hope that he will be confirmed and assisted4 ,now is the dawn of universal peace2 my hope is that its morn will fully break1 converting the gloom of war1 of strife and of wrangling among men into the light of union1 of harmony and of affection4 #bcc3 ,o ,,ye ,,faithful ,,friends1 ,o ,,ye ,,sincere ,,servants ,,of 444 ,o ye faithful friends1 ,o ye sincere servants of ,bah'u'llh6 ,now1 in the midwatches of the night1 when eyes are closed in slumber and all have laid their heads upon the couch of rest and deep sleep1 #8,abdu'l-,bah is wakeful within the precincts of the ,hallowed ,shrine and1 in the ardour of his invocation uttereth this1 his prayer3 ,o ,thou kind and loving ,providence6 ,the east is astir and the west surgeth even as the eternal billows of the sea4 ,the gentle breezes of holiness are diffused and1 from the ,unseen ,kingdom1 the rays of the ,orb of ,truth shine forth resplendent4 ,the anthems of divine unity are being chanted and the ensigns of celestial might are waving4 ,the angelic ,voice is raised and1 even as the roaring of the leviathan1 soundeth the call to selflessness and evanescence4 ,the triumphal cry ,y ,bah'u'l-,abh resoundeth on every side1 and the call ,y #8,alyyu'l-,a#8l ringeth throughout all regions4 ,no stir is there in the world save that of the ,glory of the ,one ,ravisher of ,hearts1 and no tumult is there save the surging of the love of ,him1 the ,incomparable1 the ,well-,beloved4 ,the beloved of the ,lord1 with their musk-scented breath1 burn like bright candles in every clime1 and the friends of the ,all-,merciful1 even as unfolding flowers1 can be found in all regions4 ,not for a moment do they rest2 they breathe not but in remembrance of ,thee1 and crave naught but to serve ,thy ,cause4 ,in the meadows of truth they are as sweet-singing nightingales1 and in the flower-garden of guidance they are even as brightly-coloured blossoms4 ,with mystic flowers they adorn the walks of the ,garden of ,reality2 as swaying cypresses they line the riverbanks of the ,divine ,will4 ,above the horizon of being they shine as radiant stars2 in the firmament of the world they gleam as resplendent orbs4 ,manifestations of celestial grace are they1 and daysprings of the light of divine assistance4 ,grant1 ,o ,thou ,loving ,lord1 that all may stand firm and steadfast1 shining with everlasting splendour1 so that1 at every breath1 gentle breezes may blow from the bowers of ,thy loving-kindness1 that from the ocean of ,thy grace a mist may rise1 that the kindly showers of ,thy love may bestow freshness1 and the zephyr waft its perfume from the rose garden of divine unity4 ,vouchsafe1 ,o ,best ,beloved of the ,world1 a ray from ,thy ,splendour4 ,o ,well-,beloved of mankind1 shed upon us the light of ,thy ,countenance4 ,o ,god ,omnipotent1 do ,thou shield us and be our refuge and1 ,o ,lord of ,being1 show forth ,thy might and ,thy dominion4 ,o ,thou loving ,lord1 the movers of sedition are in some regions astir and active1 and by night and day are inflicting a grievous wrong4 ,even as wolves1 tyrants are lying in wait1 and the wronged1 innocent flock hath neither help nor succour4 ,hounds are on the trail of the gazelles of the fields of divine unity1 and the pheasant in the mountains of heavenly guidance is pursued by the ravens of envy4 ,o ,thou divine ,providence1 preserve and protect us6 ,o ,thou ,who art our ,shield1 save us and defend us6 ,keep us beneath ,thy ,shelter1 and by ,thy ,help save us from all ills4 ,thou art1 indeed1 the ,true ,protector1 the ,unseen ,guardian1 the ,celestial ,preserver1 and the ,heavenly ,loving ,lord4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,on one side the standard of the ,one ,true ,god is unfurled and the ,voice of the ,kingdom raised4 ,the ,cause of ,god is spreading1 and manifest in splendour are the wonders from on high4 ,the east is illumined and the west perfumed2 fragrant with ambergris is the north1 and musk-scented the south4 ,on the other side the faithless wax in hate and rancour1 ceaselessly stirring up grievous sedition and mischief4 ,no day goeth by but someone raiseth the standard of revolt and spurreth his charger into the arena of discord4 ,no hour passeth but the vile adder bareth its fangs and scattereth its deadly venom4 ,the beloved of the ,lord are wrapped in utter sincerity and devotion1 unmindful of this rancour and malice4 ,smooth and insidious are these snakes1 these whisperers of evil1 artful in their craft and guile4 ,be ye on your guard and ever wakeful6 ,quick-witted and keen of intellect are the faithful1 and firm and steadfast are the assured4 ,act ye with all circumspection6 #8,fear ye the sagacity of the faithful1 for he seeth with the divine light6' ,beware lest any soul privily cause disruption or stir up strife4 ,in the ,impregnable ,stronghold be ye brave warriors1 and for the ,mighty ,mansion a valiant host4 ,exercise the utmost care1 and day and night be on your guard1 that thereby the tyrant may inflict no harm4 ,study the ,tablet of the ,holy ,mariner that ye may know the truth and consider that the ,blessed ,beauty hath fully foretold future events4 ,let them who perceive take warning4 ,verily in this is a bounty for the sincere6 ,even as dust upon the ,sacred ,threshold1 in utter humility and lowliness1 #8,abdu'l-,bah is engaged in the promulgation of ,his signs in the daytime and in the night season4 ,whensoever he findeth time he prayeth ardently1 and beseecheth ,him tearfully and fervently1 saying3 ,o ,thou divine ,providence1 pitiful are we1 grant us ,thy succour2 homeless wanderers1 give us ,thy shelter2 scattered1 do ,thou unite us2 astray1 gather us to ,thy fold2 bereft1 do ,thou bestow upon us a share and portion2 athirst1 lead us to the well-spring of ,life2 frail1 strengthen us that we may arise to help ,thy ,cause and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice in the pathway of guidance4 ,the faithless1 however1 by day and night1 openly and privily do their utmost to shake the foundations of the ,cause1 to root out the ,blessed ,tree1 to deprive this servant of service1 to kindle secret sedition and strife and to annihilate #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,outwardly they appear as sheep1 yet inwardly they are naught but ravening wolves4 ,sweet in words1 they are but at heart a deadly poison4 ,o ye beloved ones1 guard the ,cause of ,god6 ,let no sweetness of tongue beguile you--nay1 rather consider the motive of every soul1 and ponder the thought he cherisheth4 ,be ye straightway mindful and on your guard4 ,avoid him1 yet be not aggressive6 ,refrain from censure and from slander1 and leave him in the ,hand of ,god4 ,upon you rest the ,glory of ,glories4 #bcd3 ,o ,,thou ,,who ,,art ,,enraptured ,,by ,,the ,,sweet ,,breathings 444 ,o thou who art enraptured by the sweet breathings of the ,lord6 ,i have noted the contents of thine eloquent letter1 and have learned that thou sheddest tears and thy heart is afire from grieving over the imprisonment of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,o thou handmaid of ,god6 ,this prison is sweeter to me and more to be desired than a garden of flowers2 to me1 this bondage is better than the freedom to go my way1 and ,i find this narrow place more spacious than wide and open plains4 ,do not grieve over me4 ,and should my ,lord decree that ,i be blessed with sweet martyrdom's cup1 this would but mean receiving what ,i long for most4 ,fear not if this ,branch be severed from this material world and cast aside its leaves2 nay1 the leaves thereof shall flourish1 for this ,branch will grow after it is cut off from this world below1 it shall reach the loftiest pinnacles of glory1 and it shall bear such fruits as will perfume the world with their fragrance4 #bce3 ,o ,,god1 ,,my ,,god6 ,,illumine ,,the ,,brows ,,of ,,thy ,,true 444 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,illumine the brows of ,thy true lovers and support them with angelic hosts of certain triumph4 ,set firm their feet on ,thy straight path1 and out of ,thine ancient bounty open before them the portals of ,thy blessings2 for they are expending on ,thy pathway what ,thou hast bestowed upon them1 safeguarding ,thy ,faith1 putting their trust in their remembrance of ,thee1 offering up their hearts for love of ,thee1 and withholding not what they possess in adoration for ,thy ,beauty and in their search for ways to please ,thee4 ,o my ,lord6 ,ordain for them a plenteous share1 a destined recompense and sure reward4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,sustainer1 the ,helper1 the ,generous1 the ,bountiful1 the ,ever-,bestowing4 #bcf3 ,o ,,thou1 ,,my ,,god1 ,,who ,,guidest ,,the ,,seeker ,,to ,,the 444 ,o ,thou1 my ,god1 ,who guidest the seeker to the pathway that leadeth aright1 ,who deliverest the lost and blinded soul out of the wastes of perdition1 ,thou ,who bestowest upon the sincere great bounties and favours1 ,who guardest the frightened within ,thine impregnable refuge1 ,who answerest1 from ,thine all-highest horizon1 the cry of those who cry out unto ,thee4 ,praised be ,thou1 ,o my ,lord6 ,thou hast guided the distracted out of the death of unbelief1 and hast brought those who draw nigh unto ,thee to the journey's goal1 and hast rejoiced the assured among ,thy servants by granting them their most cherished desires1 and hast1 from ,thy ,kingdom of beauty1 opened before the faces of those who yearn after ,thee the gates of reunion1 and hast rescued them from the fires of deprivation and loss--so that they hastened unto ,thee and gained ,thy presence1 and arrived at ,thy welcoming door1 and received of gifts an abundant share4 ,o my ,lord1 they thirsted1 ,thou didst lift to their parched lips the waters of reunion4 ,o ,tender ,one1 ,bestowing ,one1 ,thou didst calm their pain with the balm of ,thy bounty and grace1 and didst heal their ailments with the sovereign medicine of ,thy compassion4 ,o ,lord1 make firm their feet on ,thy straight path1 make wide for them the needle's eye1 and cause them1 dressed in royal robes1 to walk in glory for ever and ever4 ,verily art ,thou the ,generous1 the ,ever-,giving1 the ,precious1 the ,most ,bountiful4 ,there is none other ,god but ,thee1 the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,exalted1 the ,victorious4 ,o my spiritual loved ones6 ,praise be to ,god1 ye have thrust the veils aside and recognized the compassionate ,beloved1 and have hastened away from this abode to the placeless realm4 ,ye have pitched your tents in the world of ,god1 and to glorify ,him1 the ,self-,subsistent1 ye have raised sweet voices and sung songs that pierced the heart4 ,well done6 ,a thousand times well done6 ,for ye have beheld the ,light made manifest1 and in your reborn beings ye have raised the cry1 #8,blessed be the ,lord1 the best of all creators6' ,ye were but babes in the womb1 then were ye sucklings1 and from a precious breast ye drew the milk of knowledge1 then came ye to your full growth1 and won salvation4 ,now is the time for service1 and for servitude unto the ,lord4 ,release yourselves from all distracting thoughts1 deliver the ,message with an eloquent tongue1 adorn your assemblages with praise of the ,beloved1 till bounty shall descend in overwhelming floods and dress the world in fresh greenery and blossoms4 ,this streaming bounty is even the counsels1 admonitions1 instructions1 and injunctions of ,almighty ,god4 ,o ye my loved ones6 ,the world is wrapped in the thick darkness of open revolt and swept by a whirlwind of hate4 ,it is the fires of malevolence that have cast up their flames to the clouds of heaven1 it is a blood-drenched flood that rolleth across the plains and down the hills1 and no one on the face of the earth can find any peace4 ,therefore must the friends of ,god engender that tenderness which cometh from ,heaven1 and bestow love in the spirit upon all humankind4 ,with every soul must they deal according to the ,divine counsellings and admonitions2 to all must they show forth kindness and good faith2 to all must they wish well4 ,they must sacrifice themselves for their friends1 and wish good fortune to their foes4 ,they must comfort the ill-natured1 and treat their oppressors with loving-kindness4 ,they must be as refreshing water to the thirsty1 and to the sick1 a swift remedy1 a healing balm to those in pain and a solace to every burdened heart4 ,they must be a guiding light to those who have gone astray1 a sure leader for the lost4 ,they must be seeing eyes to the blind1 hearing ears to the deaf1 and to the dead eternal life1 and to the despondent joy forever4 ,let them willingly subject themselves to every just king1 and to every generous ruler be good citizens4 ,let them obey the government and not meddle in political affairs1 but devote themselves to the betterment of character and behaviour1 and fix their gaze upon the ,light of the world4 #bcg3 ,,whoso ,,reciteth ,,this ,,prayer ,,with ,,lowliness ,,and 444 ,whoso reciteth this prayer with lowliness and fervour will bring gladness and joy to the heart of this ,servant2 it will be even as meeting ,him face to face4 ,he is the ,all-,glorious6 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,lowly and tearful1 ,i raise my suppliant hands to ,thee and cover my face in the dust of that ,threshold of ,thine1 exalted above the knowledge of the learned1 and the praise of all that glorify ,thee4 ,graciously look upon ,thy servant1 humble and lowly at ,thy door1 with the glances of the eye of ,thy mercy1 and immerse him in the ,ocean of ,thine eternal grace4 ,lord6 ,he is a poor and lowly servant of ,thine1 enthralled and imploring ,thee1 captive in ,thy hand1 praying fervently to ,thee1 trusting in ,thee1 in tears before ,thy face1 calling to ,thee and beseeching ,thee1 saying3 ,o ,lord1 my ,god6 ,give me ,thy grace to serve ,thy loved ones1 strengthen me in my servitude to ,thee1 illumine my brow with the light of adoration in ,thy court of holiness1 and of prayer to ,thy ,kingdom of grandeur4 ,help me to be selfless at the heavenly entrance of ,thy gate1 and aid me to be detached from all things within ,thy holy precincts4 ,lord6 ,give me to drink from the chalice of selflessness2 with its robe clothe me1 and in its ocean immerse me4 ,make me as dust in the pathway of ,thy loved ones1 and grant that ,i may offer up my soul for the earth ennobled by the footsteps of ,thy chosen ones in ,thy path1 ,o ,lord of ,glory in the ,highest4 ,with this prayer doth ,thy servant call ,thee1 at dawntide and in the night-season4 ,fulfil his heart's desire1 ,o ,lord6 ,illumine his heart1 gladden his bosom1 kindle his light1 that he may serve ,thy ,cause and ,thy servants4 ,thou art the ,bestower1 the ,pitiful1 the ,most ,bountiful1 the ,gracious1 the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate4 ,,footnotes #a ,qur'n #fj3ac4 #b ,matthew #bb3ad4 #c ,qur'n #eg3ba4 #d ,qur'n #ag3ha4 #e ,qur'n #ae3gb4 #f ,qur'n #ci3fh2 ,epistle to the ,son of the ,wolf1 p4 #acc4 #g ,qur'n #gd3h4 #h ,qur'n #ci3fh4 #i ,qur'n #gi3f4 #aj ,qur'n #bb3b4 #aa ,qur'n #cd3ci4 #ab ,qur'n #bi3ai4 #ac ,qur'n #gi3cd4 #ad ,qur'n #f3ia2 #eb3ab4 #ae ,napoleon ,,iii #af ,believed to be the angel appointed to sound the trumpet on the ,day of ,resurrection to raise the dead at the bidding of the ,lord4 #ag uqqu'llh #ah ,qur'n #f3ajc4 #ai ,qur'n #ag3aaj4 #bj ,john #ad3aa4 #ba ,john #ad3aj4 #bb ,qur'n #f3ia4 #bc ,written especially for ,dr4 ,esslemont's immortal work ,bah'u'llh and the ,new ,era4 #bd ,john #f3ea1 #eh4 #be cf4 ,john #ae3bf2 #af3ab-ac4 #bf ,regarding this ,tablet ,shoghi ,effendi's secretary wrote on his behalf1 on #i ,may #aich1 #8444this obviously refers to the ,bb1 as the text shows clearly1 and is in no way a reference to ,swedenborg4' #bg ,jesus #bh ,cities in ,china celebrated for their musk-producing animals4 #bi ,the earthquake of #aijf #cj ,of a ,spiritual ,assembly #ca ,the ,bah's of ,najaf-bd #cb ,muammad #cc ,shahnz1 the name given to the recipient of this ,tablet1 is also the name of a musical mode4 #cd ,an article from ,andrew ,carnegie's book ,the ,gospel of ,wealth was published in ,england in the ,pall ,mall ,budget and called ,the ,gospel of ,wealth1 cf4 ,andrew ,carnegie's ,autobiography #been4 #ce ,qur'n #cf3cf1 and cf4 #ea3di4 #cf ,qur'n #be3ee1 #ce3ac1 #ee3ai-be4 ,see also ,marriage ,prayer revealed by #8,abdu'l-,bah beginning #8,he is ,god6 ,o peerless ,lord6 ,in ,thine almighty wisdom ,thou hast enjoined marriage upon the peoples444' #cg ,see ,some ,answered ,questions1 pp4 #cbh-i for #8,abdu'l-,bah's comments on the arc of descent and ascent4 #ch cf4 ,qur'n #cg3fj 7,the ,tree of ,zaqqm7 #ci cf4 ,qur'n #bd3ce4 #dj ,genesis #a3bf4 #da ,a ,bah' children's class in ,kenosha1 ,wisconsin4 #db ,qur'n #be3ej4 #dc cf4 ,john #c3e4 #dd cf4 ,qur'n #ci3eg4 #de ,possibly #8,abdu'l-,bah was referring to the ,sikhs2 the description appears to apply to them4 #df ,matthew #ag3a-ai2 ,mark #i3b-i2 ,luke #i3bh-cf4 #dg ,john #f3ch4 #dh ,john #c3ac4 #di ,the ,bb1 cf4 ,some ,answered ,questions1 chap4 ,,xiii4 #ej ,germany #ea cf4 ,qur'n #c3ce2 #b3bed4 #eb cf4 ,qur'n #cf3be4 #ec ,the ,pacific #ed ,matthew #ai3bd2 ,mark #aj3be4 #ee #cj ,september #aiab #ef at ,bahj #eg ,qur'n #bd3ci4 #eh ,john the ,baptist #ei ,qur'n #cf3bi4 #fj ,qur'n #bj3ab4 ,also referred to as the #8,sacred ,vale' #fa cf4 ,qur'n #d3hj4 #fb ,this letter was signed by four hundred and twenty-two believers in ,america1 and sent on #d ,july #aije4 #fc ,john #ah3aa4 #fd ,qur'n #fg3c4 #fe ,qur'n #bd3ce4 #ff cf4 ,qur'n #bh3bi4 #fg ,qur'n #gf3e4 #fh ,qur'n #bf3ca2 #bf3dd2 the reference is to ,moses' rod1 and the enchanters4 #fi ,qur'n #fa3d4 #gj ,the ,bb #ga ,qur'n #fg3c4 #gb ,qur'n #b3fi4 #gc ,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh1 ,,lxxii4 #gd ,qur'n #gf3e4 #ge ,this is the first part of #8,abdu'l-,bah's reply to a letter addressed to ,him by the ,executive ,committee of the ,central ,organization for a ,durable ,peace4 ,the ,tablet1 described by ,shoghi ,effendi in ,god ,passes ,by as of #8far reaching importance'1 and dated ,december #ag1 #aiai1 was despatched to the ,committee at ,the ,hague by the hands of a special delegation4