,tablets of ,abdul-,baha ,abbas by #8,abdu'l-,bah ,edition #a1 7,september #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 ,volume ,i ,frontispiece ,introduction 8,a sufficient number of ,tablets having been gathered together14440 8,he is ,god64440 8,these ,tablets were originally written in ,persian and all4440 8,for the information of those who know little or nothing4440 8,just as this book was going to press the introduction to4440 8,he is ,god64440 ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha 8,o thou party who art assisted by the hosts of the ,kingdom4440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,we are servants who4440 8,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye4440 8,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 8,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who4440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o ye servants of the ,threshold of ,god64440 8,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant4440 8,o ye who are attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 8,o ye firm ones in the ,covenant64440 8,o ,god6 ,o ,god64440 8,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye4440 8,o ye who are chosen6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who4440 8,your three reports1 together with the public4440 8,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ye dear friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8999999 ,thou has written concerning the ,board of4440 8,o ye leaves of the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha1 and the maid-servants4440 8,when you assemble in the meeting of teaching 7the4440 8,o ye verdant and flourishing leaves of the ,blessed4440 8,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 8,o ye crying voices in the region of ,america64440 8,o thou son of the associate and companion of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ,thou kind ,god6 ,that scattered assembly is4440 8,o ye my divine friends64440 8,o ye children of the ,kingdom64440 8,o ye ,cohorts of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 8,o ye two accepted ones in the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye two truthful believers64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,word of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god1 who art supplicating unto the4440 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,dawning-point of4440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou flower perfumed by the ,breaths of the ,love4440 8,o thou who dost believe in the ,unity of ,god64440 8,o servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art supplicating unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o dear servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art uttering the praise of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou lamp ignited by the fire of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou bird of pleasing tones64440 8,o thou spiritual lad64440 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art ignited through the brilliant ,flame4440 8999999,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring4440 8,o servant of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou candle shining by the light of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o servant of ,god64440 8,o thou spiritual friend64440 8,o thou kind friend64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou plant in the garden of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ,spiritual ,assembly 64440 8,o ,god6 ,confirm them in the promotion of ,thy4440 8,o ye two birds warbling in the ,garden of ,wisdom44440 8,o thou handsome child64440 8,o thou blooming rose in the garden of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art anticipating the appearance of the ,gift4440 8,o my tender friend64440 8,o thou lamp who art illuminated with the light of the4440 8,o thou who hearest and seest in this wonderful ,cause64440 8,o thou who art agitated as oceans by the winds blown4440 8,verily1 ,i read thy magnificent letter1 thy brilliant4440 8,o thou who art enkindled by the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art marching onward to ,god64440 8,o thou who art submissive and humble before the4440 8,o thou whose heart is soaring in the sky of the love of4440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 8,o thou who hast acknowledged the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye two birds in the open-space of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art longing for the ,orb of the ,horizons64440 8,o thou ,secretary of the meanings emanated from the4440 8,o ye who have advanced6 ,o ye who are rejoiced64440 8,o ye sincere ones and ye who are attracted and moved4440 8,o thou who hast acknowledged the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye who are set aglow with the fire of ,god's ,love64440 8,o thou who art turning unto ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to ,god64440 8,o thou opened rose in the garden of ,el-,,abha64440 8,o thou who art tested with a great calamity64440 8,o thou who art patient and resigning thyself to the4440 8,o thou who hast humbled thyself before the ,kingdom4440 8,o thou loving torch1 flaming by the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o maid-servant of ,god who art swayed like a strong4440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art assured by the grace of thy ,lord64440 8,o thou dear servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art hoping for the ,kingdom64440 8,o dear servant of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,holiness64440 8,o thou who art cheered through the ,fragrances of4440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who has sought shelter in the ,impregnable4440 8,o thou who art confessing the ,oneness of ,god64440 8,o thou illumined youth64440 8,o thou revered sincere one64440 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who are enkindled by the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art made happy by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,convey my love to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444444414440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,breath of ,god64440 8,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god64440 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 and4440 8,o thou who art imploring ,god64440 8,o visitant of the ,resort of spirits 7who are7 sincere in4440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou slave of the ,beauty of ,,abha64440 8,o thou who art awakened from the sleep of negligence4440 8,o thou fortunate and righteous1 sincere and pious64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of4440 8,o thou at whose mention ,i am rejoiced64440 8,o thou who art assured in ,god64440 8,o thou who art advanced towards ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou sincere servant of the ,true ,one64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ,god who art without likeness64440 8,o thou servant of ,baha'64440 8,o servant of ,baha'64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 8,o my dear1 intimate friend64440 8,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou beloved of my heart64440 8,o thou who art partaking of the ,heavenly ,food64440 8,o thou tree1 developed in the garden of the ,love of4440 8,o thou spiritual man and merciful being64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,holy ,fragrances64440 8,o thou who art accepted of ,god64440 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of the ,deity64440 8,o ye who are longing for the beauty of ,el-,,abha64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8999999,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art marching unto ,god64440 8,rejoice1 ,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art afflicted by a visitation by which thine4440 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye illumined faces6 ,o ye divine souls6 and ,o ye4440 8,o ye who are attracted to the ,heavenly ,kingdom6 ,o4440 8,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,leaves of the4440 8,o ye firm1 steadfast1 and faithful ,believers64440 8,o ye dear friends and maid-servants of ,god64440 8,o thou servant who art near and dear to the ,glorious4440 8,o thou who art turning to the divine ,kingdom64440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art near to the ,threshold of ,,abha64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o my spiritual beloved64440 8,o thou fresh1 slender branch saturated with the abundant4440 8,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art nurtured from the breasts of the ,kingdom4440 8,o thou spiritual temple whose heart is drawn unto the4440 8,o thou heavenly1 brilliant and precious pearl64440 8,o thou faithful servant of the ,true ,one64440 8,o thou son of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art rejoicing at the ,glad-tidings of ,god64440 8,o thou who art drawn unto ,god and kindled by the ,fire4440 8,to him who is looking unto ,god6 ,o thou who art4440 8,o ye who are turned towards the ,kingdom and drawn4440 8,o thou herald of the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who hast arisen to render service to the ,cause4440 8,o thou who hast sought illumination from the ,light of4440 8,o my ,lord1 my ,hope64440 8,o my ,lord1 my ,hope64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,true ,one64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art a young tree in the ,garden of the ,love4440 8,o thou who art quickened by the ,divine ,fragrances64440 8,o thou who art acknowledging the ,oneness of ,god64440 8,o thou bright pearl64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,breaths of ,god6 --may4440 8,o thou who art sincere in the ,religion of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,speech of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,,abha64440 8,o thou whose heart is overflowing with the love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art confident in the appearance of the ,kingdom4440 8,o thou who art directed unto ,god64440 8,o ,thou ,forgiving ,lord64440 8,o thou sign of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art commemorating the praises of ,god64440 8,o thou dear one64440 8,o thou young in age and great in mind64440 8,o my ,god1 my ,god64440 8,o thou who art attached to the ,beauty of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,light of ,guidance64440 8,o thou who hast gained illumination from the ,light of4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou wonderful leaf of the ,tree of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou bird who art warbling in the ,garden of the4440 8,o ye two doves1 flying in the verdant ,gardens of the4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,bounty of ,el-,,abha64440 8,o thou messenger in the command of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,divine4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou sincere servant of the ,lord of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou whose heart is filled with the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou favored maid-servant in the ,threshold of the4440 8,o loving ,god6 ,i am a young child1 a suppliant1 a4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou ,godlike person and spiritual friend64440 8,o thou whose face is illumined with the ,light of the4440 8,o thou who art enkindled with the ,fire of the ,love4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,threshold of4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art esteemed in the ,threshold of the4440 8,o thou who hast attained to ,truth64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of the ,blessed ,perfection64440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou spiritual maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou whose breast is dilated with the ,fragrances4440 8,o thou who art rejoiced at the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou herald of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou beloved and benevolent daughter of the ,kingdom4440 8,thy letter was received4 ,it became conducive to4440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,call of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 8,o thou who art honorable and faithful to ,god64440 8,o thou whose heart is empty and pure through the4440 8,o thou who art shining with the ,kingdom's ,lights64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom of the ,lord1 the4440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art longing to witness the lights from the4440 8,o thou spiritual clarion64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou flower of the ,rose-,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art kindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou dazzling gem by the light of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,volume ,,ii3 pp4 #bci-dhd ,frontispiece 8,it is hoped that wonderful effects will be displayed4440 8,abdul-,baha ,abbas4440 8,o thou who art attracted by a ,breath that passed upon4440 8,o thou honorable lady64440 8,o thou who art advancing towards ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou believer in ,god64440 8,o thou who has turned towards the ,lights of the4440 8,o thou who art directed unto ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou kind maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire burning in the4440 8,o thou who has advanced towards ,baha'64440 8,o thou who art anticipating the descent of the ,gift of4440 8,o thou shining ray64440 8,o thou effulgence of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art desirous of the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o tho dear friend64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye shining ,assembly64440 8,o ye members of the shining assembly6 ,each one4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou whom ,i mention with my heart and tongue64440 8,o thou spiritual youth and merciful young man64440 8,o thou who art directed to the ,light of ,guidance64440 8,o ye who are advancing towards the ,kingdom of4440 8,o ,my ,god6 ,o ,my ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 8,o thou confirmed by an inspiration from the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,el-,abha64440 8,o thou who hast spread the ,fragrance of ,god6--may4440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou whose nostrils are perfumed with the ,fragrances4440 8,o dear servant of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art calling in the ,name of ,god and heralding4440 8,o thou who art firm in the love of ,god64440 8999999,o ye shining faces and spiritual beings64440 8,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are united6 ,o ye4440 8,o ye longing ones6 ,o ye cheered ones6 ,o ye attracted4440 8,o thou who art kindled by the ,fire of ,guidance which4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 ,elohim 44440 8,o maid-servant of ,god1 thou who hast given up thy4440 8,o thou who in truth art attracted through the ,breaths4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art wholly advancing unto ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,word of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of the4440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god and4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou artery pulsating in the body of the world64440 8,o thou esteemed maid-servant of the ,loving ,lord64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o bird without a nest64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of the4440 8,inquire after the health of ,miss 44444444441 send4440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art favored in the ,kingdom of the4440 8,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing towards the ,shining ,orb of4440 8,o thou who art spreading the ,cause of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou rose of the ,rose-,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou bird warbling in the ,garden of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art conscious64440 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art controlled by the attraction of the ,fragrances4440 8,o thou who art commemorating the ,name of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art remembered by ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o thou whose heart is moved by a breeze blowing from4440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who dost believe in the ,spirit of ,christ1 in the4440 8,o ye who are considering the ,kingdom of your august4440 8,o ye two singing birds in the ,garden of ,belief64440 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye two pilgrims of the ,holy ,shrine64440 8,o ye two lamps of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou respectful soul64440 8,o thou faithful maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art seeking for the ,power of the ,holy4440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,light of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who hast been attracted by the ,magnet of the4440 8,o thou whose heart hath been filled with the love of4440 8,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom64440 8,my ,god6 ,my ,god64440 8,o thou who art kindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of god4440 8,o thou who art arisen for the service of the ,cause of4440 8,o thou who art controlled by the attraction of the ,holy4440 8,o thou honored friend64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou friend of old and ,o thou incomparable companion64440 8,o ,lord6 ,o ,beloved64440 8,o thou herald of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou ,thahbet 7,firm7 in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o ye beloved of ,god and ,his sincere friends64440 8,o ye sincere ones6 ,o ye firm ones6 ,o ye heralds of4440 8,o ye two revered persons1 ye servants in the vineyard4440 8,o ye sincere1 ,o ye firm and steadfast in the ,testament4440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o ye friends of ,god and daughters of the ,kingdom64440 8,o ye dwellers of the ,kingdom64440 8,o ,thou ,pure ,god64440 8,o thou whose breast is dilated 7with joy7 for the ,kingdom4440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art honored and dear64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,spirit of ,truth64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou child of the ,kingdom and firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou speaker in the remembrance of ,god64440 8,o thou pure soul who art kindled by the fire of the love4440 8,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who hast approached the ,kingdom of ,god and4440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,verily ,i approach ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 in the darkest hour4440 8,to the beloved of ,god in ,persia64440 8,el-,baha1 praise1 light1 blessing and peace be upon thee14440 8,o thou peerless1 matchless1 glorious martyr64440 8,the first light which shone forth from the horizon of4440 8,o ye beloved servants of ,abdul-,baha and the maid-servants4440 8,o servants of the ,blessed ,beauty64440 8,o ye sincere ones6 ,o ye favored ones6 ,o ye beseeching4440 8,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o ,thou whose mercy hath encompassed4440 8,o thou who art sweet tongued64440 8,o bird of the ,rose-garden of ,fidelity64440 8,o thou friend64440 8,o ye brilliant realities64440 8,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are remembered64440 8,o thou who art guided by the ,light of ,guidance64440 8,o thou whose breast is dilated by the ,fragrances of4440 8,o thou who seekest for the ,will of ,god64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,true ,one64440 8,o thou cup overflowing with the ,wine of the ,love of4440 8,o thou whose tongue is uttering the ,name of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou who art turning thy heart unto the ,kingdom of4440 8,o thou who art baptized by the ,spirit of the ,love of4440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou faithful and confident64440 8,o thou my dear friend1 my associate and companion64440 8,o thou spiritual friend64440 8,o thou my spiritual companion64440 8,honorable ,dr4 4444444444440 8,o ,spiritual 4444444464440 8,o thou bearer of the ,great-tidings of the ,kingdom of4440 8,o thou esteemed maid-servant of the ,word of ,god64440 8,o thou who art kindled as a lamp with the ,fire of the4440 8,o thou who art cheerful in heart1 by the ,fragrances4440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,i ask ,god that thou mayest find a perceiving eye1 an4440 8999999,o ye real friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ye beloved friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ye who are turned towards the ,kingdom and drawn4440 8,o ye elect and chosen ones of the ,kingdom64440 8,o ye sons of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou whose heart is attracted and whose breast is4440 8,o ye servants of ,god and maid-servants of the4440 8,o ye beloved6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 8,o ye whom ,god hath chosen from among those who4440 8,o ye esteemed maid-servants of ,god1 and ye revered4440 8,o ye my dear friends64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of4440 8,o thou who art supplicating unto ,god64440 8,o thou young1 incomparable tree of the ,rose-garden4440 8,o thou who hast approached toward ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art directed toward the ,light of ,guidance64440 8,o thou who art rejoiced by the ,divine ,glad-tidings64440 8,o thou dear and honorable64440 8,o thou spiritual son64440 8,o thou dear friend64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou sincere servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou my dear friend64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom64440 8,what thou hast written was read and its contents4440 8,thy last letter was received and its contents brought4440 8,o ,god64440 8,o ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou servant of ,baha'64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou sincere servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant and ,testament64440 8,o thou my beloved friend64440 8,the letter was received and its contents became evident44440 8,o thou who hast confessed and believed in the ,words4440 8,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 8,o thou who hast prayed to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye two maid-servants of ,god64440 8,o thou thrall of the ,lord of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye members of the shining assembly64440 8,o thou dear servant of ,god64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,heavenly ,kingdom64440 8,o my dear friend64440 8,o thou who art cheerfully moving by the ,fragrances4440 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,if the people live and act in accord with4440 ,volume ,,iii 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o ,god6 ,o thou ,attracted of the hearts of the favored4440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,your letters have been received4 ,god willing1 answer4440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,thy letters were received4 ,although thou hast4440 8,o thou who are firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o heavenly one64440 8,o ye illumined friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 8,o thou who art advanced toward the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye two dear maid-servants of ,god64440 8,o ye two dear maid-servants of ,god64440 8,say to ,dr4 444 that 8he studied physical4440 8,convey my respectful greetings to ,dr4 4444440 8,express my affection to ,mrs4 444 and say34440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou confident leaf64440 8,o ye two advancers towards the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou honorable one64440 8,o thou seeker after ,truth64440 8,o thou yearner after the ,truth64440 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 8,o thou that mirror in which the ,light of ,guidance is printed64440 8,o thou who art always calling on ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art calling in the cities1 the bearer of the4440 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou tree planted in the ,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou yearning one64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou pure soul who hath turned with a submissive4440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art witnessing the ,light of ,guidance64440 8,,iii-#ecj4440 8,o thou kind maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o ye blessed souls64440 8,o ye two kind and beloved maid-servants of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art guided by the ,light of ,guidance64440 8,o thou wooer of ,truth and attracted one toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou dear wise man64440 8,o thou esteemed maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 8,o thou seeker after ,truth64440 8,o ye seekers of ,truth64440 8,o thou dear friend64440 8,o ye seekers of ,truth64440 8,o thou ,glorious ,lord64440 8,o thou plant of the ,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou dear friend64440 8,o thou faithful one64440 8,o thou who art advanced toward ,god64440 8,o thou servant of the ,true ,one64440 8,o thou heavenly one64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 8,o ye spiritual assembly64440 8,o ye friends64440 8,o thou lamp of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art attracted toward the ,kingdom64440 8,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o thou who hast addressed ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o thou who art the single one of ,japan and the unique4440 8,o thou youth of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,word of god to the4440 8,o thou spiritual youth64440 8,announce greeting on my behalf to the two young4440 8,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,i supplicate unto4440 8,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god64440 8,o ye beloved ones of ,abdul-,baha6 ,this servant4440 8,o ye beloved ones6 ,it is the moment of the ecstasy4440 8,o ,thou ,pure ,god64440 8,o ye real companions6 ,day and night ,abdul-,baha4440 8,o ye beloved of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 8,o pure friends of ,god64440 8,o ye two 1 servant and maid-servant of the ,beauty of4440 8,o thou who art skilled in the ,knowledge of ,god and4440 8,o seeker for the ,truth64440 8,o thou darling dear64440 8,o thou worshipper of ,truth64440 8,o thou whose face is radiant with the light of the ,love4440 8,o thou yearner after ,truth64440 8,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou flower of the ,rose-garden of ,god64440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye spiritual ones6 ,o ye heavenly ones64440 8,o ye servants of the ,true ,one and the maid-servants4440 8,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord64440 8,thou hast written concerning the universal peace14440 8,o thou who art attracted by the brilliant lights of the4440 8,o thou who art illuminated by the ,light of ,knowledge64440 8,o thou who art gazing toward ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,spirit of ,truth64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the call of the ,lord of the4440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god who art attracted to the4440 8,o thou who art ablaze with the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou seeing one64440 8,o thou who art speaking the praise of god in that vast4440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art rejoiced at the explanation of the maid-servant4440 8,o thou who art awakened to the ,cause of ,god64440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 8,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord64440 8,my ,lord6 ,my ,lord64440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 8,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord64440 8,o my ,lord1 my ,beloved1 my ,desire64440 8,o my ,lord64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 8,o thou lamp glowing with the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou fragrant rose blooming in the ,garden of ,guidance64440 8,o thou who art controlled by the attractions of the4440 8,o ye dear children64440 8,o thou advancer to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,announce on my behalf respectful greeting to the4440 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 8,o thou excellent maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou favored maid-servant of the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye blessed maid-servant of the ,beauty of ,abha64440 8,o thou pure and spiritual one64440 8,o thou who art turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o thou who art tranquilized by the ,call of the ,kingdom4440 8,o thou who art yearning for the ,glad-tidings of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye friends of this prisoner64440 8,o thou near servant to the ,threshold of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 8,o ye two merciful assemblies64440 8,o thou who art set aglow with the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o thou advancer to ,god64440 8,o thou pure soul who art turning toward the ,lord of4440 8,o thou whose heart is pure and whose souls is rejoiced64440 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who hath advanced to the ,kingdom of his4440 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,face of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou advancing maid-servant of ,god64440 80,o ,compassionate ,god6 ,thanks be to ,thee for4440 8,o ye friends of ,god64440 8,o thou servant of the ,threshold of ,god64440 8,o my spiritual friends64440 8,as to what thou hast heard concerning the child4440 8,o thou spiritual beloved64440 8,o thou who art gazing toward the ,kingdom of the4440 8,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god64440 8,o thou confident soul who art content and patient64440 8,o thou spiritual person and heavenly man--may ,god4440 8,o thou who art esteemed and guarded64440 8,o thou who art rejoiced by the ,appearance of ,god64440 8,o thou who art exhilarated by the ,wine of the ,love of4440 8,to the servant of ,god64440 8,to the servant of ,god1 44444444434440 8,o seeker of the truth64440 8,thy letter was received and its contents noted4 ,in4440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o ye who are attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o ye maid-servants of ,god and leaves of the ,tree of4440 8,if you arise in accord with the exhortations and commands4440 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 8,convey my respectful greeting to ,mr4 444444444 and4440 8,o ye beloved friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art waiting for the ,appearance of the4440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou bird of the ,rose-garden of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou who art uttering the mention of ,god64440 8,o thou who art kindled by the fire of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou dear servant of ,god64440 8,o thou attracted one64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou spiritual leaf who art verdant and well-watered4440 8,o thou bird of the ,garden of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou seeker of the ,divine ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art longing for the ,heavenly ,kingdom64440 8,o thou plant in the ,garden of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 8,o ye maid-servants of ,his ,majesty1 the ,lord--daughters4440 8,o seeker of ,truth64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o ye dear servants of ,god644440 8,o servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou sincere servant of ,baha'o'llah64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art longing for the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou leaf who art moved by the ,breeze of ,god64440 8,o thou tree planted in the ,vineyard of ,god64440 8,o thou who art seeking fire from the ,fire of the ,love4440 8,o thou son of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 8999999,o ye children of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou lover of humanity64440 8,o thou who art rejoicing by the ,glad-tidings of ,god64440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god1 who art guided to the4440 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god who art attracted unto4440 8,o thou seeker after the ,beauty of the ,true ,one64440 8,o thou advancing maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou ignited candle64440 8,o thou who art gazing toward the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 8,o maid-servant of the ,beauty of ,abha64440 8,o thou attracted one of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou illumined maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of ,god64440 8,o thou who art preparing to receive knowledge from4440 8,o thou who are supplicating to ,god and turning to4440 8,o thou that virtuous soul and individual who art ready4440 8,o thou gem of the ,kingdom and brilliant leaf64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the 8,spirit of ,truth604440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,holiness64440 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 8,o thou lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the4440 8,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god64440 8,the contents of thy last letter were extremely rejoicing14440 8,o thou servant of the ,beauty of ,abha64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,holy ,spirit64440 8,o thou flame of the ,love of ,god64440 8,o thou dear sister64440 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 8,o thou sign of the ,kingdom and the bird singing with4440 8,o thou bird of the ,rose-garden of the ,kingdom64440 8,convey my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 4444444440 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of ,abha64440 ,,volume ,i ,frontispiece 8,in reality thou art spiritually hungry and athirst for the ,water of ,life4 ,therefore ,i send thee spiritual food and bestow upon thee the ,water of ,life ,eternal4 ,that food is the divine advices and exhortations revealed in the ,tablets and the spiritual outpourings of the ,breath of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,i hope ere long it will reach thee and thou wilt behold what an exhilaration and beatitude it produceth and what cheerfulness and serenity and what heavenly emotions it createth60 ,abdul-,baha ,abbas4 ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha ,abbas ,volume ,i ,published by ,,bahai ,,publishing ,,society ,p4 ,o4 ,box #bhc ,,chicago1 ,u4,s4,a4 ,introduction ,this book is a reproduction of the ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha as contained in the archives of the ,house of ,spirituality7#a7 of ,bahais of ,chicago from the recipients for the purpose of safe preservation in accordance with the purpose mentioned in the following letter sent out by that ,body3 ,march #ba1 #aijh4 ,to the ,friends of ,god in the ,light of ,el-,abha1 throughout ,america4 ,greeting3-- ,for a number of years the ,house of ,spirituality has been gathering copies of ,tablets1 received by the ,friends in ,america from ,abdul-,baha ,abbas1 for sacred preservation in its archives1 in accord with permission from him to do so in a ,tablet addressed to it dated ,april #ba1 #aijc1 as follows3 8,as to the compiling of the ,tablets in a ,book for the ,house of ,spirituality1 this depends upon the consent of the receivers of the ,tablets2 if the owners of the ,tablets consent1 copies should be kept and collected in the ,house of ,spirituality and it will be acceptable40 ,although many ,tablets1 both published and unpublished1 were known to be in circulation among the believers1 and notwithstanding the restriction to collect only copies sent in with the consent of the recipients1 yet1 in the spring of #aijg1 through the hearty response and co-operation in this endeavor about #ejj copies of different ,tablets had been received1 acknowledge and filed with data concerning each in a safety deposit vault equipped with all modern appliances for protection4 ,we believe the ,friends everywhere will be further interested in knowing that at that time a draft of the ,tablets was made by the ,librarian of the ,house of ,spirituality for the ,bahai ,publishing ,society 7who contemplated issuing same in book form71 with all references to personalities eliminated1 and said compilation was taken by ,mr4 ,agnew to the presence of ,abdul-,baha1 who inquired especially as to elimination of all names of persons and everything of a clearly personal nature1 and as to whether the recipients of the ,tablets had consented to publication of them1 etc4--to all of which he gave approval and instructed the ,publishing ,society to proceed with the work4 ,the purpose of this communication is therefore twofold3 ,first1 that the endeavor be continued to preserve a copy of every ,tablet obtainable2 and second1 that it be accomplished at the earliest possible moment in order to make the forthcoming ,volumes of ,tablets 7now being prepared by the ,publishing ,society7 as complete as possible1 for only the ,tablets in the archives of the ,house will be used1 as therein is recorded the desire of the recipients4 ,in sending copies of ,tablets1 kindly see in so far as possible that together with each is given3 7#a7 ,full name of recipient 7#b7 present address1 mentioning street number1 city or town1 and state1 7#c7 on or about date translation1 7#d7 name of translator1 7#e7 clearly state whether or not permission to publish all or only a portion of same is granted4 ,should there be any doubt as to whether or not a copy of any certain ,tablet is already in the archives1 you may be assured in knowing that every ,tablet received has been acknowledged on a special printed form1 signed by the ,librarian4 ,concerning this important matter the following words of ,abdul-,baha will be of interest to all3 8,verily know1 that the ,tablets 7,book7 of ,abdul-,baha and his address is a hidden mystery and concealed fact2 no one is informed of its greatness and importance at these times4 ,but in the course of times and future centuries1 the signs thereof will be manifested1 the lights thereof will dawn1 the fragrance thereof will be diffused1 and the greatness1 the importance thereof will be known4 ,the truth ,i say unto thee1 that each leaflet from ,abdul-,baha will be a wide-spread ,book2 nay1 rather1 a glistening ,gem on the ,glorious ,crown4 ,know thou ,its value and hold great ,its station60 ,thanking you in advance1 we are your fellow servants in the ,vineyard of ,el-,abha1 ,the ,house of ,spirituality 8,a sufficient number of ,tablets having been gathered together14440 ,a sufficient number of ,tablets having been gathered together1 they have been entrusted to the ,baha'i ,publishing ,society for publication in this concrete form for the enlightenment of the ,english-speaking world4 ,the ,tablets appear in the book in the order received and filed in the archives1 i4e4 the first to respond to the above letter sent out by the ,house of ,spirituality appear first in the book1 and1 so far as possible1 all the ,tablets to any one person or to a family or to an assembly have been placed together4 ,regarding publications1 the following ,tablet from ,abdul-,baha was received by this ,society in ,october1 #aijf3 8,he is ,god64440 ,he is ,god6 ,o ye heavenly ,assemblage6 ,your letter was received and its contents became known4 ,ye have written concerning the printing and publication of the ,tablets4 ,the translation of the ,surat-ul-,hykl7#b7 is of the utmost difficulty4 ,it must be translated by a committee who are exceedingly efficient both in ,persian and ,english1 exercising the closest and most minute attention4 ,otherwise the text would not become intelligible4 ,the same rule applieth to other ,writings and ,tablets4 ,for the present the organization of such a committee of translators is not possible and there is no other means than the translations made by individuals4 ,in the future1 ,god willing1 means will be brought about4 ,translations will be made by a committee composed of two most erudite ,persians and two learned ,americans1 all of them having the utmost proficiency in both languages and possessing a certain knowledge of sciences and arts4 ,then others from among the scholars and thinkers must assist4 ,at that time ,tablets will be translated correctly and published4 ,what ye have in your hands and what is already printed will impart a certain degree of information4 ,whatever matter the spiritual ,boards of ,council in ,new ,york1 ,chicago1 ,washington and ,kenosha unanimously deem advisable to print and publish1 ye may print and publish2 and have the utmost union and oneness with each other4 ,regarding the ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha3 ,each of them is important4 ,print ye those which are in detail4 ,as to the question of annihilation and destruction of the ,spirits7#c7 3 ,mr4 ,phelps hath not not fully understood the matter or else the translator hath made some mistake4 ,it was not intended to convey the idea that the unbelieving souls are absolutely annihilated4 ,nay1 rather1 it was meant that the existence of the evil spirits in comparison to the existence of the sanctified souls was like unto annihilation4 ,as you clearly behold1 the existence of mineral in comparison with the existence of man is like unto non-being4 ,when the body of man is destroyed and disintegrated1 it returneth to the mineral4 ,concerning the income of the printing and publishing society1 as ye write1 it must be expended for charitable purposes4 ,o ye believers of ,god6 ,i am pleased with you and seek for your assistance and confirmation4 ,i hope that ye may1 day by day1 add to your love1 steadfastness1 purity of intention and service to the ,cause of ,god4 ,upon ye be greeting and praise6 ,abdul-,baha ,abbas4 8,these ,tablets were originally written in ,persian and all4440 ,these ,tablets were originally written in ,persian and all bear the caption1 8,he is ,god607#d7 and close with expressions of good will1 such as1 8,upon ye be greetings and praise60 ,these expressions have been omitted from this compilation2 also such portions as are clearly of a personal nature1 as well as names of persons1 as instructed by ,abdul-,baha4 ,omission of names of persons has been designated by the sign1 thus 444444442 omission of purely personal portions of the text have been designated by the sign1 thus 9999994 ,the translator's interpolations are enclosed in parentheses1 thus 7 72 editor's interpolations are enclosed in brackets1 thus 4 ,for messages within ,tablets a special sign has been found necessary and these messages are enclosed within this special sign1 thus 4 ,quotations are shown by the usual sign1 thus 8 04 ,the great labor of translating these ,tablets from the original language has been entrusted to the following translators1 whose inestimable service is hereby gratefully acknowledged3 ,anton ,haddad1 ,mirza ,s4 ,m4 ,raffie1 ,mirza ,housein ,rouhy1 ,ali ,kuli ,khan1 ,dr4 ,ameen ,u4 ,fareed1 ,h4 ,s4 ,m4 ,taki ,manshadi1 ,mirza ,ahmad ,esphahani1 ,mrs4 ,getsinger1 ,miss ,barney and ,mirza ,moneer ,zane4 ,the ,house of ,spirituality desires to thank all who have assisted in this matter of gathering in copies of ,tablets for preservation in its archives1 and requests the ,bahais everywhere to continue the endeavor as outlined in the circular letter sent out by that ,body1 as herein quoted4 ,address such communications to the ,librarian of the ,house of ,spirituality1 ,p4 ,o4 ,box #bhc1 ,chicago1 ,ill4 ,only a portion of the ,tablets now on file with the ,house of ,spirituality are contained in this volume4 ,other volumes will be issued as soon as possible4 ,tablets coming in will take their place in order according to the date received and appear in forth-coming volumes4 ,the ,bahai ,publishing ,society4 ,feast of ,naurooz1 ,march #ba1 #aiji4 8,for the information of those who know little or nothing4440 ,for the information of those who know little or nothing of the ,bahai ,revelation1 we quote the following account translated from the 7,french7 ,encyclopaedia of ,larousse3-- ,bahaism the religion of the disciples of ,baha'o'llah1 an outcome of ,babism4--,mirza ,husain ,ali ,nuri ,baha'o'llah was born at ,teheran in #ahag ,a4 ,d4 ,from #ahdd he was one of the first adherents of the ,bab1 and devoted himself to the pacific propagation of his doctrine in ,persia4 ,after the death of the ,bab he was1 with the principal ,babis1 exiled to ,baghdad1 and later to ,constantinople and ,adrianople1 under the surveillance of the ,ottoman ,government4 ,it was in the latter city that he openly declared his mission4 ,he was 8,he whom ,god would make manifest10 whom the ,bab had announced in his writings1 the great ,manifestation of ,god1 promised for the last days2 and in his letters to the principal ,rulers of the ,states of ,europe he invited them to join him in establishing religion and universal peace4 ,from this time1 the ,babis who acknowledged him became ,bahais4 ,the sultan then exiled him 7#ahfh ,a4 ,d47 to ,acca in ,palestine1 where he composed the greater part of his doctrinal works1 and where he died in #ahib ,a4 ,d4 7,may #bi74 ,he had confided to his son1 ,abbas ,effendi ,abdul-,baha1 the work of spreading the religion and continuing the connection between the ,bahais of all parts of the world4 ,in point of fact1 there are ,bahais everywhere1 not only in ,mohammedan countries1 but also in all the countries of ,europe1 as well as in the ,united ,states1 ,canada1 ,japan1 ,india1 etc4 ,this is because ,baha'o'llah has known how to transform ,babism into a universal religion1 which is presented as the fulfillment and completion of all the ancient faiths4 ,the ,jews await the ,messiah1 the ,christians the return of ,christ1 the ,moslem the ,mahdi1 the ,buddhists the fifth ,buddha1 the ,zoroastrians ,shah ,bahran1 the ,hindoos the reincarnation of ,krishna1 and the ,atheists--a better social organization6 ,baha'o'llah represents all these1 and thus destroys the rivalries and the enmities of the different religions2 reconciles them in their primitive purity1 and frees them from the corruption of dogmas and rites4 ,for ,bahaism has no clergy1 no religious ceremonial1 no public prayers2 its only dogma is belief in ,god and in his ,manifestations 7,zoroaster1 ,moses1 ,jesus1 et al41 ,baha'o'llah74 ,the principal works of ,baha'o'llah are the ,kitab-ul-,ighan1 the ,kitab-ul-,akdas1 the ,kitab-ul-,ayd1 and numerous letters or tablets addressed to sovereigns or to private individuals4 ,ritual holds no place in the religion1 which must be expressed in all the actions of life1 and accomplished in neighborly love4 ,every one must have an occupation4 ,the education of children is enjoined and regulated4 ,no one has the power to receive confession of sins1 or to give absolution4 ,the priests of the existing religions should renounce celibacy1 and should preach by their example1 mingling in the life of the people4 ,monogamy is universally recommended1 etc4 ,questions not treated of are left to the civil law of each country1 and to the decisions of the ,bait-ul-,adl1 or ,house of ,justice1 instituted by ,baha'o'llah4 ,respect toward the ,head of the ,state is a part of respect toward ,god4 ,a universal language1 and the creation of tribunals of arbitration between nations1 are to suppress wars4 8,you are all leaves of the same tree1 and drops of the same sea10 ,baha'o'llah has said4 ,briefly1 it is not so much a new religion as ,religion renewed and unified1 which is directed today by ,abdul-,baha4--7,nouveau ,larousse ,illustre1 supplement1 p4 #ff47 8,just as this book was going to press the introduction to4440 ,just as this book was going to press the introduction to it appearing on the following page was received from ,abdul-,baha4 8,he is ,god64440 ,he is ,god6 ,o ,thou ,almighty ,lord6 ,strengthen all mankind that they may do according to the instructions and teachings recorded in these writings1 so that wars and strifes may be eliminated from the world of man2 that the roots of enmity may be destroyed and the foundations of love and affection be established2 that the hearts may be filled with love and the souls be attracted2 that wisdom may advance and the faces become brightened and illumined2 that there be no more wars and strifes and that reconciliation and peace appear2 that the ,unity of the world of man may pitch its tent on the 8apex of the horizons10 so that peoples and parties become as one nation1 that different continents become as one continent and the whole earth as one land2 that the sects of antagonizing and dogmatic religions be unified2 that the world of creation be adorned and all the people of the earth abide in unity and peace4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,bestower1 the ,beholder6 7signed7 ,abdul-,baha ,abbas4 ,,tablets ,,of ,,abdul-,,baha 8,o thou party who art assisted by the hosts of the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou party7#e7 who art assisted by the hosts of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha6 ,blessed are ye who are assembled in the shadow of the ,word of ,god1 who are abiding in the cave of the ,covenant of ,god1 who are comforted by dwelling in the ,paradise of ,el-,abha7#f71 who are cheerfully moved with the breezes which blow from the point of the providence of ,god1 and who have arisen to render service to the ,cause of ,god1 to promulgate the ,religion of ,god1 to promote the ,word of ,god and to hoist the standards of sanctity in those regions and climes4 ,by the life of ,el-,baha6 ,verily1 the perfect and divine power will breathe in you with bounties from the ,holy ,spirit and enable you to accomplish a thing the like of which hath never been seen by the eye of existence4 ,o party of the ,covenant6 ,verily1 the ,beauty of ,el-,abha hath promised the most great assistance to the beloved who are firm in the ,covenant and to confirm them through the mightiest power4 ,ye will surely find in your luminous assembly such signs as will shine within hearts and souls4 ,adhere to the hem of the robe of the ,lofty ,one and do your best to spread the ,covenant of ,god and to kindled with the fire of the love of ,god1 so that your hearts may move with joy through the fragrances of humbleness which are being diffused from the heart of ,abdul-,baha4 ,make feet firm1 strengthen hearts and rely upon the everlasting bounties which will successively pour on your from the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 ,know1 verily1 the lights of ,baha' will shine forth onto you during your gathering together in the brilliant ,paradise4 ,it is incumbent on you to have union and harmony4 ,it is incumbent upon you to have affinity and accord1 so that ye may become united in body and soul as the ,pleiades1 and as strings of brilliant pearls4 ,thereby your foundation will be laid1 your argument will become manifest1 your stars will beam forth and your souls will be comforted4 ,when ye enter the spiritual meeting of ,consultation1 chant the following commune1 your hearts beating with the love of ,god and your tongues purified from aught else save the commemoration of ,god2 so that the ,most ,might ,power may confirm you by the greatest assistance3 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,we are servants who4440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,we are servants who have sincerely turned our faces unto ,thy grand face1 severed ourselves from all else save ,thee in this great day and are assembled together in this glorious meeting1 of one accord and desire1 and unanimous in thought to promulgate ,thy ,word amid ,thy creatures4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,suffer us to be signs of guidance1 standards of ,thy manifest ,religion throughout the world1 servants of ,thy ,great ,covenant--,o our exalted ,lord6 --appearances of ,thy oneness in ,thy ,kingdom1 the ,el-,abha1 and stars which dawn forth unto all regions4 ,o ,lord6 ,make us as seas rolling with the waves of ,thy great abundance1 rivers flowing from the mountains of ,thy glorious ,kingdom1 pure fruits on the tree of ,thy illustrious ,cause1 plants refreshed and moved by the breeze of ,thy gift in ,thy wonderful vineyard4 ,o ,lord6 ,cause our souls to depend upon the signs of ,thy ,oneness1 our hearts to be dilated with the bounties of ,thy ,singleness1 so that we may become united as are ripples on a waving sea2 become harmonized as are the rays which shine forth from a brilliant light2 so that our thoughts1 opinions and feelings become as one reality from which the spirit of accord may be diffused throughout all regions4 ,verily ,thou art the ,beneficent1 the ,bestower6 ,verily ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,mighty1 the ,loving1 the ,merciful6 8,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye4440 ,o ye7#g7 who are sincere6 ,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are yearning6 ,o ye who are arising for service to the ,cause of ,god1 for the promotion of the ,word of ,god and the spreading of the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read your excellent letter1 its beautiful composition1 eloquent words and deep meanings4 ,i praised ,god and gave glory to ,him for that ,he hath strengthened you and confirmed you in serving ,his glorious vineyard4 ,your faces shall be enlightened with the radiance of supplication to ,god1 invocation to ,him1 ,humbleness and submissiveness to the friends 7believers71 and your assembly will be made a magnet for the lights of assistance from ,his ,great ,kingdom4 ,it is incumbent upon you to commemorate and ponder upon the signs of ,god1 to implore to ,god and to be evanescent and subservient in the ,cause of ,god4 ,this is what makes you the signs of guidance among the people1 stars shining in the supreme horizon and thriving trees in the ,paradise of ,el-,abha4 ,then know ye that ,abdul-,baha is in cheerfulness and joy and in the happiness of great glad-tidings through being in this far distant prison47#h7 ,by the life of ,el-,baha6 --this prison is my supreme paradise1 my utmost desire1 the joy of my heart and the dilation of my breast1 my shelter1 my asylum1 my inaccessible cave and my high protection4 ,by it ,i glory among the angels of heaven and the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,be rejoiced1 ,o friends of ,god1 with this confinement which is a cause of freedom1 this prison which is a means of salvation 7to many7 and this suffering which is the best cause of great comfort4 ,verily1 by ,god1 ,i would not change this prison for the throne of the command of the horizons and would not exchange this confinement for all excursions and enjoyments in the gardens of the earth4 ,verily1 ,i hope1 through the kindness of my ,lord and ,his mercy1 bounty and generosity1 to be suspended in the air in ,his path and that my breast may become the target to be be pierced by thousands of bullets2 or that ,i may be cast into the bottomless seas1 or thrown into the wilderness and plains of barrenness4 ,this is my utmost aim1 my supreme desire1 the animation of my spirit1 the healing of my bosom and the sight of my eyes4 ,as to you1 ,o friends of ,god3 ,make firm your feet in the ,cause of ,god with such firmness as cannot be shaken by the most great disasters of this world4 ,be not troubled by anything under any condition4 ,be as lofty mountains1 dawning stars from the horizon of existence1 brilliant lamps in the assemblies of oneness and lowly souls1 pure hearted1 with the friends4 ,be signs of guidance2 lights of piety2 severed from the world1 holding fast to the firm rope2 spreaders of the spirit of life2 abiders in the ark of safety2 manifestations of mercy2 dawning-stars of the mysteries of existence2 points of revelation2 day-springs of light2 strengthened by the ,holy ,spirit2 attracted toward ,god2 sanctified from all things and from the 7natural7 qualities of people1 and characterized with the attributes of the angels of heaven--so ye may attain to the greatest gift in this great century and new age4 ,by the life of ,el-,abha6 ,no one will obtain this great favor save he who cuts himself from this world1 being attracted by the love of ,god1 who is dead to the desires and appetites of self1 sincere to ,god in all things and meek1 humble1 imploring1 pleading and lowly before ,god4 8,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant6 ,the report of the ,spiritual ,gathering1 which is dated 999999 and sent by you1 was received and its contents were a source of great fragrance and spirituality4 ,i was glad to read the names of the revered members4 ,the signature of that meeting should be the ,spiritual ,gathering 7,house of ,spirituality7 and the wisdom therein is that hereafter the government should not infer from the term 8,house of ,justice0 that a court is signified1 that it is connected with political affairs1 or that at any time it will interfere with governmental affairs4 ,hereafter1 enemies will be many4 ,they would use this subject as a cause for disturbing the mind of the government and confusing the thoughts of the public4 ,the intention was to make known that by the term ,spiritual ,gathering 7,house of ,spirituality71 that ,gathering has not the least connection with material matters1 and that its whole aim and consultation is confined to matters connected with spiritual affairs4 ,the was also instructed 7performed7 in all ,persia4999999 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,these are servants who have turned to ,thy ,kingdom and hearkened unto ,thy voice4 ,their hearts were dilated by ,thy call1 responded unto ,thy summons1 were attracted unto ,thy beauty1 acknowledged ,thy proofs1 believed in ,thy signs1 confessed ,thy ,oneness and arose for the service of ,thy ,cause and the promotion of ,thy ,word4 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,lord6 ,make them lamps of guidance1 lights glistening in the supreme apex1 sparkling stars in heaven1 holy angels moving on earth and thriving trees bearing delicious and fragrant fruits4 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,lord6 ,purify their qualities1 clarify their consciousness1 cleanse their hearts and illumine their faces4 ,verily ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,precious1 the ,protecting6 ,o ye spiritual ones6 ,the rules for election are those which are customary in that country4 ,the period of election is five years4 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,lord6 ,bless this ,spiritual ,gathering1 strengthen them by ,thy power for the spreading of ,thy divine fragrances1 cause them to follow ,thy will which is effective in the realities of all things1 and aid them by a confirmation such as never hath preceded to any one in former centuries47#i7 ,for these are servants of ,thy servants and ,thou hast crowned them them with this diadem1 the most luminous 7,abha7 gems of which will shine unto all the horizons4 ,verily ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,mighty1 the ,giver6 8,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who4440 ,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who are steadfast6 ,verily1 ,i received a letter from that brilliant body and ,spiritual ,gathering--those who have arisen and called out for the ,kingdom of ,god among the peoples of ,america4 ,verily1 know with certain knowledge that ye will be confirmed by hosts from the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha and with inspirations from the ,supreme ,concourse in the promotion of the ,word of ,god4 ,verily1 ,abdul-,baha is with you and supplicates unto ,god1 desiring ,his heavenly blessings to surround you1 ,his divine favors to encompass you1 the appearances of the ,sun of ,truth to shine in your hearts1 the glad tidings of ,god to rejoice your spirits1 the fragrances of holiness to perfume your nostrils1 the verses of guidance to be chanted in your gatherings1 and the lamp of the ,supreme ,concourse to illumine your meetings4 ,know with real assurance that this light will encompass the horizons 7the world7 with great brilliancy4 ,i ask ,god to make ye lamps ignited by the great ,light1 so that ye may stand with all power1 meekness1 humbleness1 sacrifice and self-resignation and thus become examples for the people and pure types for the world1 be salt of the earth1 stars of guidance1 great trees with broad foliage and excellent fruits of fragrant scent1 growing by the bounty of the cloud of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 ,i praise ,god that ye were firm in faithfulness in that ye testified and acknowledged the efforts which ,mirza ,assa ,ullah7#aj7 manifested in spreading the fragrances of ,god and that ye thanked him for his labor and teaching for you1 and this is what gladdens the heart of ,abdul-,baha4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou7#aa7 who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i say unto thee the truth1 that ,i am with you in spirit and in heart1 that ,i rejoice by your joy and am happy by your happiness2 and hear with the ear of spirit your calling and scent with the spiritual nostrils the fragrances of your garden4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,arise from the corporeal beds 7bodies7 and ask for the divine favors1 so that ye become revived by the ,holy ,spirit through the breath which the ,spirit breathes into the souls4 ,by the glory of my ,lord1 there will be for your brilliant assemblage an evident sign and great effects in the spirits and the hearts4 ,therefore1 gladden the friends of the ,merciful with the glad-tidings of thy ,lord in this time1 and convey to them greeting from ,abdul-,baha in this promised century1 so that they may arise with me in servitude to the ,threshold of ,el-,baha4 8,o ye servants of the ,threshold of ,god64440 ,o ye servants of the ,threshold of ,god6 ,the weekly reports of 999999 were received and ,i was informed of their beautiful meanings which proved firmness and steadfastness in the ,cause of ,god and solidity in the ,covenant of ,god4 ,through the favor and providence of the ,beauty7#ab7 of ,abha ,i trust that ,spiritual ,gathering will develop day by day and will be reinforced by the strength of ,god4 ,communication with the friends of ,god in other countries is a source of fragrant spirituality4 ,o ye members of the ,spiritual ,gathering6 ,appreciate this favor4 ,this is the glorious crown of the ,kingdom1 which1 in this century1 the ,hand of the ,great ,favor has placed on your head1 and the gems of this brilliant diadem will surely glisten unto all centuries4 ,thank ,god that ye became a manifestation of such favor and are addressed by such speech4 8,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,verily ,i read your reports with great joy4 ,they are a cause of spirituality and fragrance and a source of dilation of souls4 ,if this ,spiritual ,meeting1 by the divine fragrance and heavenly confirmation1 be firmly established 7or continued7 it will become a source of great signs and will be confirmed in matters of paramount importance4 ,the ,spiritual ,meetings1 which are organized in this cycle of ,god and this divine century1 have never had their simile or likeness in bygone cycles4 ,for the great meetings 7organizations7 were under the protection of aristocratic men1 while these meetings 7or organizations7 are under the protection of the bounty of ,el-,abha4 ,the helper or supporter of those 7organizations7 was either a prince or a king2 either a priest was the principal1 or a great republic 7the cause72 but the ,helper1 the ,assistant1 the ,confirmer and the ,inspirer of these spiritual meetings 7or organizations7 is ,his ,majesty the ,everlasting ,god4 ,consider not the present condition1 but rather foresee the future and the end4 ,a seed in the beginning is very small1 but in the end a great tree4 ,one should not consider the seed1 but the tree and its abundance of blossoms1 leaves and fruits4 ,consider the days of ,jesus1 when there was only a small body of people1 and then observe the great tree which grew from that seed and what an abundant fruit it produced4 ,this is greater than that1 forasmuch as it is the calling of the ,lord of ,hosts and the ,voice of the ,trumpet of the ,living ,god2 it is the summons unto the harmony and unison of the world1 and it is the banner of faithfulness1 trustworthiness and friendship among the difference nations and sects of the universe2 it is the light of the ,sun of ,truth and the spirituality of the ,majestic ,one4 ,verily this great cycle 7dispensation7 will encompass all the horizons and ultimately all the nations will gather together under this standard4 ,therefore1 know the importance of this seed which was planted in the divine field by the heavenly ,gardener1 watered with the rain of grace and nurtured by the heat and light of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,thus1 ,o ye friends of ,god1 give thanks unto ,his ,majesty1 the ,one1 that ye became 7or were made7 the manifestation of such a gift and the recipient of such favor4 ,blessed are ye6 ,good-tidings unto you for this great blessing6 8,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant4440 ,o ye who are sincere6 ,o ye who are firm in the ,covenant of ,god in this new cycle6 ,verily ,i praise ,god for that ,he confirmed you in the service of the ,cause of ,god in ,his great vineyard4 ,write to ,mrs4 44444444 and convey to her greetings and praise and say to her that her ,lord will aid and strengthen her in attaining her desire4 ,convey my greeting and salutation unto the maidservant of ,god1 the attracted one1 ,mrs4 444444441 the respected4 ,i ask ,god to make her a spreader of the new ,gospel1 an utterer in praise of her ,lord in that vast region4 ,convey my kindness and love unto the maid-servant of ,god1 who is thrilled by the fragrances of ,god1 ,miss 44444444 of that place so that she may be rejoiced by my greeting to her1 the fullness of my favor1 and that she may be drawn by the love of ,god even as the magnet attracts the iron4 ,o my precious friends in the ,kingdom of ,god1 the members of the ,spiritual ,meeting6 ,communicate with all parts of ,persia2 write replies to the letters which are sent to you1 with all joy1 happiness1 fragrance and spirituality2 because the friends of ,god in ,persia are all rejoiced in commemorating you in the meetings and assemblies1 in houses and ,mashrak-el-,azcars47#ac7 8,o ye who are attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o ye who are attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i read your letters which uttered your steadfastness in the ,cause of ,god1 your firmness in ,his ,religion and your joy by the breezes wafted from the garden of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the truth1 ,i say unto you1 8,verily1 the ,supreme ,concourse utter praise upon you1 because ye forsook the desires of self1 were illumined by the light of guidance1 clothed yourselves with the garment of sanctity and called in the ,name of ,el-,abha among the people4 ,verily1 ye shall reap what ye sow and obtain the fruits of what ye plant4 ,this is a pre-ordained fact40 ,o ye beloved of ,god6 ,when the winds blow severely1 rains fall fiercely1 the lightning flashes1 the thunder roars1 the bold descends and storms of trial become severe1 grieve not2 for after this storm1 verily1 the divine spring will arrive1 the hills and fields will become verdant1 the expanses of grain will joyfully wave1 the earth will become covered with blossoms1 the trees will be clothed with green garments and adorned with blossoms and fruits4 ,thus blessings become manifest in all countries4 ,these favors are results of those storms and hurricanes4 ,the discerning man rejoiceth at the day of trials1 his breast becometh dilated at the time of severe storms1 his eyes become brightened when seeing the showers of rain and gusts of wind1 whereby trees are uprooted2 because he foreseeth the result and the end 7of these trials71 the leaves1 blossoms and fruits 7which follow this wintry storm72 while the ignorant 7short-sighted7 person becometh troubled when he seeth a storm1 is saddened when it raineth severely1 is terrified by the thunder and trembleth at the surging of the waves which storm the shores4 ,as ye have heard of the former times1 when 7for example7 ,christ--glory be to ,him6 --appeared1 a storm of trials arose1 afflictions appeared1 the winds of tests blew1 the thunder of temptation descended and hosts of people 7,pharisees7 surrounded the houses of the friends2 then the weak ones were shaken and were misled after once being guided2 but the disciples withstood the hardships and endured the storms of ordeals1 remaining firm in the ,religion of ,god4 ,then observe that which occurred after the storm and what appeared subsequent to that severity1 whereby the members 7followers7 trembled4 ,god hath changed the sorrow to joy1 the destructive darkness of calamity into the shining light from the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,the people at the beginning persecuted and reviled the believers in ,god and said of them3 8,these are the people of aberration40 ,then1 when their light appeared1 their stars shone and their lamps illuminated1 the people returned into love and affinity2 they prayed to them1 offered words of glory night and day 7in their name7 and remembered them in eulogy1 reverence1 honor and majesty4 ,therefore1 ,o ye beloved of ,god1 be not grieved when people stand against you1 persecute you1 afflict and trouble you and say all manner of evil against you4 ,the darkness will pass away and the light of the manifest signs will appear1 the veil will be withdrawn and the ,light of ,reality will shine forth from the unseen ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 ,this we inform you before it occurs1 so that when the hosts of people arise against you for my love1 be not disturbed or troubled2 nay1 rather1 be firm as a mountain1 for this persecution and reviling of the people upon you is a pre-ordained matter4 ,blessed is the soul who is firm in the path6 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 ,o thou servant7#ad7 of ,god6 999999,trust no man save him whose breast hath been dilated by ,god through the light of faith1 whom ,god hath confirmed in ,his ,religion1 and who is severed from all else save ,god and attracted by ,his ,fragrances4 ,in future1 of course1 certain people will come to you claiming faith2 do not believe them nor trust them1 unless after critical examination1 search and investigation1 and a long period of waiting1 they shall appear to be faithful and truthful in word1 confident in heart1 attracted in spirit1 pure in intention1 patient in hardship1 enduring the most severe tests2 then associate with them4 ,because some sects will send certain men to mingle with you in order to throw suspicion upon those who are weak1 therefore avoid them carefully4999999 ,but let such deliberations be hidden that you may not become a cause of hindrance to such souls47#ae7 8,o ye firm ones in the ,covenant64440 ,o ye firm ones in the ,covenant6 ,the report of your meeting was noted4 ,all the arrangements of the meeting are suitable and acceptable4 ,the reading of the ,tablets which are sent to special persons dependeth upon their consent4 ,first send the ,tablets to them and if they should agree1 the same may be read in the meeting4 ,all the arrangements were good and suitable4 ,a special letter is enclosed for the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444 ,forward it4 ,as to letters for ,chicago and its vicinity1 if ,god so willeth 7,inshallah71 they will be sent through the ,house of ,spirituality4 ,as to the copying of the ,tablets in a book for the ,house of ,spirituality1 this dependeth upon the consent of the receivers of the ,tablets4 ,if the owners of the ,tablets consent1 copies should be kept and collected in the ,house of ,spirituality and it will be acceptable4 ,nevertheless1 this should be with perfect consent of the receivers4 ,regarding arrangements for the ,bahai ,sunday meeting for the purpose of worship1 this is very suitable4 ,but1 in a meeting for worship1 first1 prayer should be chanted and supplication made until all gather2 then communion should be made4 ,after praying1 sacred readings with melodious voices should be read by all together4 ,as this is the commencement of holding meetings1 this is sufficient4 8,o ,god6 ,o ,god64440 ,o ,god6 ,o ,god67#af7 ,thou dost look upon us from ,thine unseen ,kingdom of ,oneness1 beholding that we have assembled in this ,spiritual ,meeting1 believing in ,thee1 confident in ,thy signs1 firm in ,thy ,covenant and ,testament1 attracted unto ,thee1 set aglow with the fire of ,thy love1 sincere in ,thy ,cause1 servants in ,thy vineyard1 spreaders of ,they ,religion1 worshipers of ,thy ,countenance1 humble to ,thy beloved1 submissive at ,thy door and imploring ,thee to confirm us in the service of ,thy chosen ones4 ,support us with ,thine unseen hosts1 strengthen our loins in ,thy servitude and make us submissive and worshiping servants1 communing with ,thee4 ,o our ,lord6 ,turn our faces unto ,thy divine face2 feed us from ,thy heavenly table by ,thy godly grace2 help us through the hosts of ,thy supreme angles and confirm us by the holy ones of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,verily ,thou art the ,generous1 the ,merciful6 ,thou art possessor of great bounty and verily ,thou art the ,clement and ,gracious6 8,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye4440 ,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who are zealous in the service of the ,cause of ,god and are sacrificers of possessions and lives for the promotion of the ,word of ,god6 ,i perused your recent letter1 dated 999999 and my heart was filled with joy through its beautify meanings and its eloquent contents4 ,truly they were suggested by the breaths of confirmation from the ,glorious ,lord4 ,o friends of ,abdul-,baha and his co-sharers and partners in the servitude of the ,lord of ,hosts6 ,verily1 the greatest affair and the most important matter today is to establish a ,masharak-el-,azcar7#ag7 and to found a ,temple from which the voice of praisings may rise to the ,kingdom of the majestic ,lord4 ,blessings be upon you for having thought to do so and intending to erect such an edifice1 advancing all in devoting your wealth in this great purpose and in this splendid work4 ,you will soon see the angels of confirmation following after you and the hosts of reinforcement crowding before you4 ,when the ,mashrak-el-,azcar is accomplished1 when the lights are emanating therefrom1 the righteous ones are presenting themselves therein1 the prayers are performed with supplication towards the mysterious ,kingdom 7of heaven71 the voice of glorification is raised to the ,lord1 the ,supreme1 then the believers shall rejoice1 the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love of the ,all-living and ,self-existent 7,god74 ,the people shall hasten to worship in that heavenly ,temple1 the fragrances of ,god will be elevated1 the divine teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment of the ,spirit in mankind2 the people will then stand firm in the ,cause of your ,lord1 the ,merciful4 ,praise and greetings be upon you4 8,o ye who are chosen6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who4440 ,o ye who are chosen6 ,o ye who are firm6 ,o ye who are calling6 ,o ye who are sincere6 ,verily ,i praise my ,supreme ,lord for choosing you to call in ,his ,name among the people1 for attracting you to the beauty of ,el-,abha and for strengthening you in rendering ,his ,cause victorious4 ,i trust in ,him to make your faces shine forth with glorious lights in that clime1 glistening as the face of heaven by the light of the early dawn1 unto the horizons4 ,verily ,i herald unto you the confirmations which will sustain you by the mercy of your ,lord4 ,for ye have arisen with all your power to serve ,god's ,cause in that vast region4 ,ponder over this great bounty and manifest attainment6 ,i send you the glad-tidings of the erection of the ,temple of worship 7,mashrak-el-,azcar7 in ,ishkabad ,russia1 with all joy and great happiness4 ,the friends of ,god assembled together with rejoicing and conveyed the stones themselves1 upon their backs1 while attracted by the love of ,god and for the glory of ,god4 ,soon that great ,temple will be completed and the voice of prayer and praise shall ascend to the sublime ,kingdom4 ,i was rejoiced through your endeavors in this glorious cause1 made with joy and good interest4 ,i pray ,god to aid you in exalting ,his ,word and in establishing the ,temple of ,worship1 through ,his grace and ancient mercy4 ,verily you are the first to arise for this glorious cause in that vast region4 ,soon will ye see the spread of this enterprise in the world and its resounding voice shall go through the ears of the people in all parts4 ,exert your energy in accomplishing what you have undertaken1 so that this glorious ,temple may be built1 that the beloved of ,god may assemble therein and that they may pray and offer glory to ,god for guiding them to ,his ,kingdom4 ,convey my greeting and praise to the beloved of ,god in that city4 8,your three reports1 together with the public4440 7#ah7 ,your three reports1 together with the public announcement7#ai71 were received4 ,praise be to ,god6 all the contents indicated firmness1 spirituality and goodness4 ,the friends of the ,spiritual ,meeting are indeed manifesting efforts in the ,cause of ,god4 ,soon the unseen strength of heaven will become evident1 and such zeal and earnestness will become manifest in that country that it will affect all parts of the world4 ,souls are like unto mirrors1 and the bounty of ,god is like unto the sun4 ,when the mirrors pass beyond all coloring and attain purity and polish1 and are confronted with the sun1 they will reflect in full perfection its light and glory4 ,in this condition one should not consider the mirror1 but the power of the light of the sun1 which hath penetrated the mirror1 making it a reflector of the heavenly glory4 ,i hope that the ,house of ,spirituality will become a heavenly mirror and the lights of the ,sun of ,truth will so penetrate it that all parts will be illuminated through it4 ,your public announcement was carefully considered1 and in some places slight corrections were made1 and it was returned to you4 ,this announcement should be given forth with wisdom1 and not in haste1 for it would be a cause of stirring up4 ,when ye find a soul manifesting a demand for ,truth1 then ye may give this to him1 that he may be informed of the rudiments of the ,cause4 ,but my name should be confined to ,abdul-,baha in all writings4 ,this is the collective name which will gather all the people1 and it is the strong fortress and protection of the ,cause of ,god4 ,the beloved ones must limit themselves to this4 ,however1 ye may mention me as the ,light of the ,love of ,god1 the ,flame of the ,guidance of ,god and the ,banner of ,peace and ,harmony4 ,i trust in ,god that ye may ever be confirmed through the ,holy ,spirit4 8,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,your long letter was considered and its contents were a source of happiness4 ,thank ,god that ye1 western friends1 have become dawning-points of the love of ,god and stars of knowledge leading to ,him2 night and day are ye thinking of imparting life to souls and of educating people of discernment4 ,regarding the blessed word1 the ,greatest ,name3 ,its writing or spelling is according to its pronunciation 7i4e41 it is spelled as it is pronounced7 in the ,persian language4 ,baha is correct2 ,beha is incorrect4 ,however this question must not cause inharmony and grief among the friends4 ,this truth shall become manifest4 ,should ye attribute a mistake to a person1 it will be a cause of offense and grief to him--how much greater would this be if it is attributed to a number of people6 ,how often it hath occurred that a slight difference hath caused a great dissension and hath been made a reason for division4 ,now1 you write ,baha'u'llah17#bj7 but do not object to any person4 ,all will eventually follow the correct spelling4 ,o ye beloved ones of ,god6 ,the manifestation of the ,light of ,unity is for binding together the people of the world4 ,if this unity is not attained1 the tree of life is made fruitless1 the heavenly bounty is not utilized4 ,the blessed blood 7of the saints7 was shed for bringing about unity and harmony4 ,these souls gave their lives as sacrifice in order to produce the love that bindeth the hearts of all the people4 ,therefore1 ye should all spend your efforts in uniting and reconciling 7the people71 so that the light of ,god's love may permeate the universe4 ,the ,spiritual ,meeting of men 7,house of ,spirituality7 and the ,spiritual ,meeting of women 7,assembly of ,teaching7 in ,chicago are indeed endeavoring to serve4 ,if they unite1 as they should1 they will produce great results4 ,especially1 if the ,spiritual ,meetings of ,chicago unite with those of ,new ,york and become bound together1 in a short while the fragrance of the divine garden1 which giveth life1 will perfume all regions4 8,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,your letter was considered2 its contents were a source of satisfaction to the heart and its meaning indicative of firmness and steadfastness in the ,cause of ,god4 ,that gathering is under the shelter and protection of the mighty ,lord4 ,i hope that1 as it should be1 ye may be confirmed by the fragrance of the ,holy ,spirit and day by day may grow in love for ,god and attraction to the eternal beauty of the ,sun of the horizons4 ,the spiritual love of ,god maketh man pure and holy and clotheth him with the garment of virtue and purity4 ,and when man attacheth his heart wholly to ,god and becometh related to the ,blessed ,perfection1 the divine bounty will dawn4 ,this love is not physical1 nay1 rather1 it is absolutely spiritual4 ,the souls whose consciences are enlightened through the light of the love of ,god1 they are like unto shining lights and resemble stars of holiness in the heaven of purity4 ,the real and great love is the love of ,god4 ,that is holy above the imaginations and thoughts of men4 ,the beloved of ,god must each be the essence of purity and holiness2 so may they be known by their purity1 freedom and meekness in every land2 they may drink from the eternal chalice of the love of ,god1 enjoy its ecstasy1 and through meeting the ,beauty of ,abha1 they should be joyful1 active1 aglow with zeal and wonderful4 ,this is the station of the sincere4 ,this is the quality of those who are firm4 ,this is the illumination of the faces of those who are near4 ,therefore1 ,o ye friends of ,god1 ye must in perfect purity attain spiritual unity and agreement to a degree that ye may express one spirit and one life4 ,in this condition physical bodies play no part3 the command and authority are in the hand of the spirit4 ,when the spirit becometh all inclusive1 the ,spiritual union shall be attained4 ,night and day endeavor to attain perfect harmony2 be thoughtful concerning your own spiritual developments and close your eyes to the shortcomings of one another4 ,by good deeds1 pure lives1 humility and meekness be a lesson for others4 ,abdul-,baha wisheth no one's heart to feel hurt1 nor will he be a source of grief to any one2 for there is no greater satisfaction than being a source of joy to the hearts4 ,i ask ,god that ye may become like angels of heaven1 sources of happiness to souls4 8,o ye dear friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye dear friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,the blessed letter indicating the election of the ,spiritual ,meeting was received and proved a source of joy4 ,thank ,god1 the beloved of that city1 in perfect unity1 love and oneness1 held the new election and were confirmed and strengthened to elect such holy souls as are near the divine ,threshold and known by the republic of the beloved to be firm and steadfast in the ,covenant4 ,now they 7the members of ,spiritual ,meeting7 must1 in perfect spirit and fragrance1 in sincerity of heart1 in attraction by the fragrances of ,god and by the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit1 engage in service2 in the promotion of the ,word of ,god2 the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god2 the training of the souls2 the promulgation of the most great peace4 ,they must raise the ,banner of ,guidance and become the host of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,indeed1 blessed souls have been elected4 ,when ,i read their names1 spiritual joy was immediately realized1 for1 praise be to ,god6 certain souls have appeared in that continent who are servants of the kingdom1 self-sacrificing ones of the ,peerless ,majesty4 ,o ye friends of mine6 ,illuminate the meeting with the light of the love of ,god1 make it joyful and happy through the melody of the ,kingdom of holiness1 and with heavenly food and through the 8,lord's ,supper07#ba7 confer life4 ,congregate in the utmost of joy and happiness and commence with this commune3 ,o ,lord of the ,kingdom6 ,although we are assembled1 yet we are ,thy scattered ones2 captives of ,thy ,shining ,face4 ,although we are incapable1 yet we anticipate the manifestation of ,thy strength and ability4 ,although we are without capital and commodity1 yet we are aided by the treasury of the ,kingdom4 ,although we are a drop1 yet we emanate from ,thy sea of seas4 ,although we are an atom1 yet we are illumined by ,thy most bright ,sun4 ,o ,lord6 ,confirm us so that each one in this gathering become a bright candle1 a witness of the meeting1 a caller to the ,kingdom2 that the world of matter become the mirror of heaven4 ,o ye dear friends of mine6 ,the assemblies of those regions must be connected with one another and must communicate 7correspond7 with each other4 ,even communicate with the assemblies of the ,east1 so that this may become the means of the great unity and concord4 ,o ye spiritual friends6 ,firmness 7constancy7 must reach a degree that if all the souls 7,bahais7 be destroyed by the evil wishers and there remain but one1 that one singly and alone should be capable of withstanding all who live on earth1 and of spreading the fragrances of holiness4 ,therefore1 when any terrible new or calamitous tidings reach you from the land of desire 7,acca71 ye should not grow cold1 sad1 or be affected thereby4 ,nay1 rather1 ye must immediately in the utmost firmness1 arise for the service of the ,kingdom4 ,this servant of the ,threshold of ,his ,majesty the eternal ,god1 hath always been and is in danger2 there hath never been a hope for rest4 ,the utmost of his hopes is that in the arena of martyrdom the cup of grace become replete and the wine of great bounty lend the wondrous ecstasy4 ,this is the utmost of my hopes and desires4 ,the ,tablets of ,israghat1 ,tarazat1 ,bescharat1 ,tajaliat and ,kalamat17#bb7 according to what is heard have been translated and printed in those regions4 ,hasten to become imbued with the qualifications and attributes set forth therein4 ,and this letter7#bc7 will close with reverential greetings1 in the utmost kindliness1 from me to the beloved ones and to the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 8999999 ,thou has written concerning the ,board of4440 7#bd7 999999 ,thou has written concerning the ,board of ,consultation4 ,it is very proper thou shouldst exert thyself with heart and soul so that this assembly shall become a source of merciful events1 and enter the shadow of the protection and preservation of ,his ,highness1 the ,one ,god4 ,the more this gains strength and becomes effective1 the greater will become the penetration of the ,word of ,god1 and the more will the doors of confirmation be opened4 ,as to the ,assembly of ,teaching1 the revered members of which are the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 they are also assisted by the help and the providence of the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha4 ,they will soon discover that they are strengthened by the invisible hosts1 and rendered successful by the abundant bounty of the ,kingdom of the ,forgiving ,lord4 ,they will set such a flame to the regions as will kindle the heart of the universe1 and will cause the pillars of the world to tremble4 ,but all of their mention and thought in their meeting should be confined to teaching the truth1 and to constantly persuade people in pure and divine brilliancy and in absolute godlike spirituality4 ,they should not interfere with the affairs which have regard to the ,board of ,consultation1 because confusion of thought conduces to division and causes disturbance to the mind1 and then pure spirituality would cease4 ,but if all mentions are turned into one mention1 and all thoughts concentrated in one point1 then man will find 7a higher7 spirit1 and witness 7a higher7 confirmation4 ,his power and penetration will increase1 and his armies and hosts will gain successive victories4 ,by this it is intended that the assembly of the maid-servants of the ,merciful should be with pure spirituality and with absolute brilliancy1 and become a torch of that blessed fire1 a center of the merciful feelings4 ,the ,assembly of ,teaching is in this day of the first importance1 and is promised to be assisted and protected through the assistance of ,his ,highness1 the ,one ,god4 ,announce infinite glad-tidings to the revered maid-servants of ,god--the members of the merciful assembly1 so that they may arise with the utmost tranquillity 7to further7 prosperity and success1 because ,abdul-,baha is their strong and firm assistant through the help and the providence of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,concerning organizing ,houses of ,justice of men and ,assemblies of ,teaching of maid-servants of ,god1 the more endeavor is made1 the more agreeable it will be4 ,it is very useful4 ,likewise1 electing men and women teachers1 and their traveling and journeying in all parts1 and their going and coming in cities and villages1 is greatly conducive to the solidity of the ,cause4999999 8,o ye leaves of the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha1 and the maid-servants4440 ,o ye leaves7#be7 of the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha1 and the maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,verily1 ,i read your words of thanksgiving to ,god1 and of celebrating the praise of ,god1 for that ,he hath illuminated your faces with the lights of guidance1 hath transfigured ,himself on your hearts with the bounties of spirit1 and hath made you as lofty and magnificent trees bearing ripened fruits in the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha4 ,these signs will surely become manifest in your faces1 these lights will shine within your hearts1 the splendor of oneness will envelop you1 and your brows will glitter with rays shining from the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha4 ,o maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,know that1 verily1 this day is the day of teaching1 this day is the day of diffusing the fragrances of ,god1 being severed from aught else save ,god1 attracted to the ,word of ,god1 and clinging to the ,covenant of ,god4 ,there is no work greater than this4 ,be ye entirely spiritual1 purely brilliant1 cut your dependence from any other mention1 thought or purpose1 and confine your mentions1 thoughts and occupations to spreading the fragrances of ,god1 and devote your attention to this great work4 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 verily1 the ,sun of ,truth will cast forth its lights in your assemblies and will make you shining lamps1 glittering stars1 brilliant signs1 and as souls attracted to the ,holy ,spirit4 ,this is the great prosperity6 ,this is the manifest light6 ,upon you be greeting and praise6 8,when you assemble in the meeting of teaching 7the4440 ,when you assemble in the meeting of teaching 7the truth71 it is incumbent on you to chant the following supplication and commune3 ,o ,god1 ,o ,god6 ,we are ,thy humble and submissive servants1 leaves of ,thine exalted and verdant paradise1 drops from the basins of ,thine abundant mercy1 and scattered particles flying about in ,thy shining rays4 ,o ,lord1 ,o ,lord1 render us successful through ,thy conquering power1 in that which ,thou lovest and approvest1 so that we may become standards of guidance1 signs of ,thy ,kingdom1 the ,el-,,abha and that we may adore ,thee1 supplicate before the ,kingdom of ,thy mercy1 beseech ,thy realm of might1 be submissive to ,thy servants1 humble before ,thy maid-servants1 severed from aught else save ,thee1 sincerely turned unto ,thy face1 aflame with the fire of ,thy love1 diffusing ,thy fragrances1 united in ,thy ,cause1 of one accord in ,thy religion1 and firm in ,thy ,covenant4 ,o ,god1 strengthen us through the fragrances of ,thy sanctity1 that we may become sanctified from the stain of egotism and lust1 baptized with ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 with the fire of ,thy love and the water of ,thy bounty4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,bestower1 the ,assister1 the ,confirmer1 the ,beneficent1 the ,merciful6 8,o ye verdant and flourishing leaves of the ,blessed4440 ,o ye verdant and flourishing leaves7#bf7 of the ,blessed ,tree6 ,verily1 ,i read your letter1 which expressed your spiritual attraction to the fragrances of ,god1 your service to the ,cause of ,god1 your firmness in the ,covenant of ,god1 your joy in this blessed and great day1 your union and harmony in the religion of ,god1 your happiness in diffusing the light of the knowledge of ,god1 and your work in the ,vineyard of ,god--the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha4 ,such prosperity1 success1 blessing and salvation behooveth one like you6 ,blessed are ye1 ,o ye stars who are beaming with the light of the love of ,god6 ,blessed are ye1 ,o ye lamps lighted with the fire of the love of ,god6 ,blessed ye are1 ,o ye who are attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,glad-tidings be unto you1 ,o you who are severed from aught else save ,god6 ,blessed ye are1 ,o ye pure and chaste ones6 ,glad-tidings be unto you through the gift of the ,covenant1 from the light of which all regions are illuminated6 ,be rejoiced that the lights of the ,sun of ,truth are shining forth unto all parts2 be gladdened at the gifts of your ,lord1 which have surrounded all the universe2 dilate your breasts by chanting the verses of ,god1 and console your eyes by witnessing the bounties of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 verily1 the angels of heaven praise you every morn and eve from the loftiest apex1 and announce to you a favor which will surely appear as clear and lucid as the sun in mid-day4 ,then your faces will shine with a light which will gleam forth unison and harmony1 in diffusing the fragrances of ,god1 in preaching the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha1 and promoting the word of ,god4 ,let each one of you be attracted to the love of the other1 so that ye may become as fountains flowing from one source1 stars beaming with one life1 myrtles verdant and flourishing by the abundance of one rain4 ,by this your hearts will be purified1 your consciences illumined1 your souls made clear1 your banners hoisted1 and ye will become signs of guidance among the maid-servants1 standards of chastity and piety throughout all the nations of the earth1 and the appearances of the gifts of your ,lord among women4 ,verily1 ,i implore ,god to gaze upon you with the eye of ,his mercy1 to raise you through a godlike power1 to move you by the breezes of ,his glory1 to make you fluent in irrefutable and divine proofs and arguments1 to sever you from the world and all therein1 to purify and sanctify you from every material grade1 and enable you to diffuse the bounties of the ,divine ,worlds4 8,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,be rejoiced with the glad-tidings of ,god and thank your ,lord for that ,he assembled you in the brilliant gathering with illumined faces1 pure hearts1 wherein the mysteries of ,god are printed1 and spirits gladdened by the fragrances of ,god4 ,this is from ,his favor to you in this glorious century4 ,i ask ,god to adorn your heads with the pearls of ,his favor1 to ignite in your hearts the fire of the love of ,god1 to free your tongues in utterance of eloquent words and excellent meanings and mysteries in the gathering of the pious1 to make ye roses of the paradise of ,el-,,abha1 angels of heaven1 united in opinions1 harmonious in thoughts and to manifest in your faces signs of holiness of the ,kingdom among the people4 ,soon will your ,lord make you growing trees in ,his wonderful vineyard1 blossoming1 leafing and bearing fruits of the paradise of ,el-,,abha through the shadow of ,his ,name1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement4 8,o ye crying voices in the region of ,america64440 ,o ye7#bg7 crying voices in the region of ,america6 ,make level the path of the ,covenant of ,god6 ,,be firm in the ,alliance of ,god6 ,i surely read your answer to my words1 and my heart overflowed with joy and fragrance1 when ,i heard of your supplication to ,god1 and of your entreaty to ,god1 and of your begging assistance of ,god1 and of your endeavor in the service of the ,cause of ,god1 and of your effort in publishing the ,alliance of ,god1 and of your yearning after and your longing for harmony and union in the love of ,god4 ,ye shall soon behold the lights of confirmation shining forth unto your hearts and your spirits from the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,stand up1 as the standing of the souls by whose lights of sincerity in the ,cause of ,god the horizons are shining1 and guard the sheep of ,god with the staff of the instructions of ,god4 ,i beg ,god to confirm thee to ,his will1 as ,he confirmed the ,apostles 7of ,jesus7 aforetime4 ,i know1 verily1 that the universal1 never ending1 eternal1 bright and divine establishments are only the diffusing of the breaths of ,god1 and the spreading of the instructions of ,god1 and all that are beside these1 though they be the reigning over all the regions of the earth1 or the construction of railroads from the earth to the heavens1 or means of transportation with the rapidity of rising lightning from the globe of earth to the globe of the sun1 all are but mortal1 perishing1 demolishing and disadvantageous1 in comparison with the divine establishments4 ,because the latter 7divine establishments7 are intrinsic matters1 while the former are but metaphorical matters2 the latter are truth1 while the former are imaginary4 ,verily1 ,i yearn after your visit as the yearning of the thirsty after the fountain of the water of ,euphrates 7agreeable water71 but at present your remaining in that region 7,america7 is obligatory4 ,please ,god1 when it will be the occasion1 ,i will inform you to come2 and 7now7 ,i will circumambulate instead of you the ,holy ,tomb47#bh7 ,glory be upon you6 8,o thou son of the associate and companion of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o thou son of the associate and companion7#bi7 of ,abdul-,baha6 ,you brought many letters with you from those regions1 but on account of the great disturbance it was not possible to write the answers4 ,you saw what a commotion was set up in the ,blessed ,spot7#cj7 throught the instigation of the jealous brother4 ,it still continues4 ,therefore you must apologize3 ,say that ,abdul-,baha has considered every one of the letters with the eyes of the spirit1 has read each1 and through the valid messenger--that is1 through the spiritual susceptibilities--has sent each the message of peace and greeting4 ,therefore1 let them turn to the blessed and ,radiant ,spot with a pure heart and an attracted spirit1 that they may receive answer through the lights radiating therefrom4 ,communication is not confined to writing4 ,this is a trace1 while the spiritual message is fruitful and effective4 ,that is the essential1 and without it communication is useless4 8,o ,thou kind ,god6 ,that scattered assembly is4440 ,o ,thou kind ,god6 ,that scattered assembly7#ca7 is ,thine1 and that gathering of friends is of ,thee4 ,their eyes are opened1 their hearts in tune with ,thy love1 and their ears in communion with ,thy hidden mysteries4 ,o ,thou who art self-sufficient6 ,let a beautiful song reach this people from the birds of that garden1 that they may warble1 rejoice and be happy1 implore and supplicate the ,lord4 ,o ,thou ,educator6 ,train that assembly of the righteous2 comfort them2 set their hearts aglow with the fire of ,thy love2 acquaint them with ,thy mystery and commune with them1 so that they may find ,thy kingdom of mysteries1 become of the people of piety and leading in liberty4 ,grant them the soul immortal2 enrich them above the world1 and detach them from the world2 usher them into the tent of ,thy ,kingdom and give them a portion of the divine bounty4 ,bestow upon them the everlasting life and bless them with the new teachings4 ,make every one a lighted torch and a warbling nightingale--the king of the rose in the garden4 ,reveal to them ,thine attractive beauty2 make each a growing tree on the shore of ,thy guidance1 bearing the fruit of ,thy grace4 ,thus may the ,east illumine the ,west and the ,west become the ,east of the ,supreme ,heaven4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,almighty1 and verily ,thou art the ,precious1 the ,omnipotent1 the ,omniscient6 8,o ye my divine friends64440 ,o ye my divine friends67#cb7 ,at a time when the sea of tests had become tempestuous and the waves of calamity were heaving and the hosts of nations were in the utmost violence and the people of oppression dealt with infinite injustice1 some of the calumniators1 uniting with our unkind brother1 wrote a letter replete with false accusations and engaged in seditions and calumnies4 ,they confused the mind of the government and agitated the state authorities4 ,from this it is evident how a prisoner in this ruined walled city would fare and how the conditions are so full of perplexity and confusion as to baffle all description6 ,notwithstanding1 this imprisoned exile is in the utmost firmness and calmness1 trusts in ,his ,highness the ,peerless ,god1 and wishes for every calamity and affliction in the path of the love of ,god6 7,to us7 the arrow of oppression is a rich flow of divine bounty1 and deadly poison is a swift-healing antidote4 ,we were in such a state when a letter came from the friends in ,america4 ,the whole of its contents showed an agreement on their part to be in unity and harmony in all respects1 and it was signed by all1 determined to be self-sacrificing in the path of the love of ,god1 in order thus to secure eternal life4 ,upon perusing that letter and looking at the name signed to it1 such a joy and gladness came over ,abdul-,baha as is beyond description1 and he thanked ,god that such friends are found in that country1 who in utmost joy and fragrance are in union and accord and one in agreement with each other4 ,the more this ,covenant is strengthened1 the happier1 the better1 the sweeter it will be and it will thus attract the divine confirmations4 ,if the friends of ,god are wishing for confirmation in order to enjoy the friendship of the ,supreme ,concourse1 they must exert themselves to confirm and strengthen this ,covenant2 for the making of a covenant1 and an alliance for brotherhood and unity is like unto the irrigation of the tree of life which is conducive to eternal life6 ,briefly1 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,make your feet firm1 make a firm compact1 and in union and accord endeavor to diffuse the fragrance of the love of ,god and to spread the divine teachings1 in order that ye may impart life to the dead body of this world1 and bestow a real healing on every one diseased 7in soul74 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,the world is like the body of man--it hath become sick1 feeble and infirm4 ,its eye is devoid of sight1 its ear hath become destitute of hearing and its faculties of sense are entirely dissolved4 ,the friends of ,god must become as wise physicians and care for and heal this sick person1 in accord with the divine teachings1 in order that--,god willing--it may perchance gain health1 find eternal healing and that its lost powers may be restored2 and that the person of the world may find such health1 freshness and purity that it will appear in the utmost beauty and charm4 ,the first remedy is to guide the people1 so that they may turn unto ,god1 hearken unto the divine commandments and go forth with a hearing ear and seeing eye4 ,after this swift and certain remedy hath been applied1 then according to the divine teachings1 they ought to be trained in the conduct1 morals and deeds of the ,supreme ,concourse1 encouraged and inspire with the gifts of the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,the hearts should be purified and cleansed from every trace of hatred and rancor and enabled to engage in truthfulness1 conciliation1 uprightness and love toward the world of humanity2 so that the ,east and the ,west may embrace each other like unto two lovers1 enmity and animosity may vanish from the human world and the universal peace be established6 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,be kind to all peoples and nations1 have love for all of them1 exert yourselves to purify the hearts as much as you can1 and bestow abundant effort in rejoicing the souls4 ,be ye a sprinkling of rain to every meadow and a water of life to every tree4 ,be ye as fragrant musk to every nostril and a soul-refreshing breeze to every invalid4 ,be ye salutary water to every thirsty one1 a wise guide to every one led astray1 an affectionate father or mother to every orphan1 and1 in the utmost joy and fragrance1 a son or daughter to every one bent with age4 ,be ye a rich treasure to every indigent one2 consider love and union as a delectable paradise1 and count annoyance and hostility as the torment of hell-fire4 ,exert with your soul2 seek no rest in body2 supplicate and beseech with your heart and search for divine assistance and favor1 in order that ye may make this world the ,paradise of ,,abha and this terrestrial globe the arena of the ,supreme ,kingdom4 ,if ye make an effort1 it is certain that these lights will shine1 this cloud of mercy shall rain1 this soul-nourishing breeze shall waft1 and the scent of this most fragrant musk be diffused4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,be ye not concerned with the events transpiring at this ,blessed ,spot1 and give no thought thereto4 ,whatever may happen is good1 for calamities are bestowal itself1 hardship is the reality of mercy1 discomposure is but composure of mind1 and sacrifice of life is a manifest gift4 ,whatever may happen is a bounty from ,god1 the ,most ,high4 ,be ye engaged in your own affairs2 be employed in guiding the people2 train the souls in the qualities and nature of ,abdul-,baha1 and convey the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,,abha to the people4 ,do not seek rest during night and day and sit not tranquil for a minute4 ,bring these glad-tidings to the hearing of mankind with the utmost exertion1 and accept every calamity and affliction in your love for ,god and reliance on ,abdul-,baha4 ,endure the censure of enemies and bear the reproaches of the people of oppression with patience4 ,follow the example of ,abdul-,baha and at every moment wish to offer yourselves in the path of the ,beauty of ,,abha4 ,shine ye like unto the sun and roar and move like unto the sea2 impart life to mountain and desert like unto clouds1 and similar to the vernal breeze1 bestow freshness1 grace and elegance on the trees of human temples4 8,o ye children of the ,kingdom64440 ,o ye7#cc7 children of the ,kingdom6 ,it is ,new ,year2 that is to say1 the rounding of the cycle of the year4 ,a year is the expression of a cycle 7of the sun72 but now is the beginning of a cycle of ,realty1 a ,new ,cycle1 a ,new ,age1 a ,new ,century1 a ,new ,time and a ,new ,year4 ,therefore it is very blessed4 ,i wish this blessing to appear and become manifest in the faces and characteristics of the believers1 so that they1 too1 may become a new people1 and having found new life and been baptized with fire and spirit1 may make the world a new world1 to the end that the old earth may disappear and the new earth appear2 old ideas depart and new thoughts come2 old garments be cast aside and new garments put on2 ancient politics whose foundation is war be discarded and modern politics founded on peace raise the standard of victory2 the new star shine and gleam and the new sun illumine and radiate2 new flowers bloom2 the new spring become known2 the new breeze blow2 the new bounty descend2 the new tree give forth new fruit2 the new voice become raised and this new sound reach the ears1 that the new will follow the new1 and all the old furnishings and adornments be cast aside and new decorations put in their places4 ,i desire for you all that you will have this great assistance and partake of this great bounty1 and that in spirit and heart you will strive and endeavor until the world of war become the world of peace2 the world of darkness the world of light2 satanic conduct be turned into heavenly behavior2 the ruined places become built up2 the sword be turne dinto the olive branch2 the flash of hatred become the flame of the love of ,god and the noise of the gun the voice of the ,kingdom2 the soldiers of death the soldiers of life2 all the nations of the world one nation2 all races as one race2 and all national anthems harmonized into one melody4 ,then this material realm will be ,paradise1 the earth ,heaven1 and the world of ,satan become the world of ,angels4 8,o ye ,cohorts of ,god64440 ,o ye7#cd7 ,cohorts of ,god6 ,a letter which was signed by you in general was received4 ,its content was of the utmost beauty1 sweetness1 eloquence and perfection4 ,while reading it the utmost happiness was produced4 ,it spoke of fasting during the month of the ,fast4 ,happy is your condition for you have executed the divine command2 and have arisen to fast in these blessed days4 ,for this physical fasting is a symbol of the spiritual fasting1 that is1 abstaining from all carnal desires1 becoming characterized with the attributes of the spiritual ones1 attracted to the heavenly fragrances and enkindled with the fire of the love of ,god4 ,likewise your letter was an evidence of the union and affinity of the hearts4 ,i hope that through the bounty and favors of the ,most ,glorious ,lord1 in this new age1 the regions of the ,west become the ,east of the ,sun of ,truth1 the believers of ,god become the dawning-places of lights1 the manifestors of the signs1 be protected and guarded from the doubts of the heedless ones1 remain firm and steadfast in the ,covenant and ,testament1 and strive day and night in order to awaken those who are asleep1 to make mindful those who are heedless1 to make confident of the mysteries of the ,kingdom those who are deprived1 to confer a share from the never-ending outpouring upon those who are helpless1 to become the heralds of the ,kingdom and to call the inhabitants of this terrestrial world to the ,celestial ,realm4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,today in the present world each community is wandering in a wilderness1 moving in accord with some passion and desire1 and running to and fro in pursuance of his own imagination4 ,among the communities of the world1 this community of the 8,most ,great ,name0 is free from every thought1 keeping aloof from every project and scheme1 arising with the purest designs and intentions1 and striving and endeavoring with the utmost hope to live in accordance with the divine teachings in order that the surface of the earth become the delectable paradise1 the nether world become the mirror of the ,kingdom1 the universe become another universe1 and the human race attain to higher morals1 conduct and manners4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,through the protection and help of the ,blessed ,perfection--may my life be a sacrifice to ,his beloved ones6 --you must conduct and deport yourselves in such a manner that you may stand out among other souls distinguished by a brilliancy like unto the sun4 ,if any one of you enters a city he must become the center of attraction because of the sincerity1 faithfulness1 love1 honesty1 fidelity1 truthfulness and loving-kindness of his disposition and nature toward all the inhabitants of the world1 that the people of the city may all cry out3 8,this person is unquestionably a ,bahai2 for his manners1 his behaviour1 his conduct1 his morals1 his nature and his disposition are of the attributes of the ,bahais40 ,until you do attain to this station1 you have not fulfilled the ,covenant and the ,testament of ,god4 ,for according to the irrefutable texts1 ,he has taken from us a firm covenant that we may live and act in accord with the divine exhortations1 commands and lordly teachings4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,now is the time when the signs and the perfections of the 8,most ,great ,name0 become manifest and clear in this golden cycle in order that it may become demonstrated and established beyond doubt that this period is the period of the ,blessed ,perfection1 and this cycle is distinguished from all other cycles and epochs4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,if you observe that a soul has turned his face completely toward the ,cause of ,god1 his intention is centralized upon the penetration of the ,word of ,god1 he is serving the ,cause day and night with the utmost fidelity1 no scent of selfishness is inhaled from his manners and deeds1 and no trace of egotism or prejudice is seen in his personality--nay rather is he a wanderer in the wilderness of the love of ,god1 and one intoxicated with the wine of the knowledge of ,god1 occupied wholly with the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god1 and attracted to the signs of the ,kingdom of ,god2 know ye of a certainty that he is confirmed with the powers of the ,kingdom1 assisted by the heaven of ,might2 and he will shine1 gleam and sparkle like unto the morning star with the utmost brilliancy and splendor from the horizon of the everlasting gift4 ,if he is alloyed with the slightest trace of passion1 desire1 ostentation or self-interest1 it is certain that the results of all efforts will prove fruitless1 and he will become deprived and hopeless4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,praise be to ,god6 --that the ,blessed ,perfection hath freed the necks from the bonds and fetters and released all from racial attachments by proclaiming1 8,ye are all the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch40 ,be ye kind to the human world1 and be ye compassionate to the race of man1 deal with the strangers as you deal with the friends1 be ye gentle toward the outsiders as you are toward the beloved ones1 know the enemy as the friend1 look upon the satan as upon the angel1 receive the unjust with the utmost love like unto a faithful one1 and diffuse far and wide the fragrances of the musk of the gazelles of ,kheta and ,khotan7#ce7 to the nostrils of the ravenous wolves4 ,become ye a shelter and asylum to the fearful ones1 be ye a cause of tranquillity and cease to the souls and hearts of the agitated ones1 impart ye strength to the helpless ones1 be ye a remedy and antidote to the afflicted ones1 and a physician and nurse to the sick ones4 ,serve ye for the promotion of peace and concord and establishe in this transitory world the foundation of friendship1 fidelity1 reconciliation and truthfulness4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,strive ye that this human world may be changed into a luminous realm and this mound of earth become the ,paradise of ,,abha4 ,darkness hath environed the world upon all sides4 ,savage tempers and inclination predominate4 ,the human world has become the battlefield of the rapacious savages and the arena of the heedless and ignorant ones4 ,the souls are either bloodthirsty wolves or beasts with degenerate reason4 ,they are either deadly poison1 or worthless plants4 ,there are a few souls who in reality have some humanitarian intentions and are thinking of the well-being and prosperity of human kind4 ,you must in this instance 7that is1 service to humanity7 sacrifice your lives1 and in sacrificing your lives celebrate happiness and beatitude4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,his ,highness1 the ,supreme7#cf7--may my life be a sacrifice to ,him6 --hath given up ,his life1 and at every moment the ,blessed ,perfection7#cg7 in ,his own life sacrificed hundreds of lives1 endured dire calamities and oppressions4 ,laden with fetters ,he was thrown into the dark dungeon1 ,he was exiled and banished to distant lands and finally passed ,his days in the ,most ,great ,prison7#ch7 4 ,likewise a multitude of friends drank the sweet chalice of martyrdom and sacrificed soul1 possession1 family and relatives for the ,cause4 ,how many houses were overthrown6 ,how many residences were pillaged and rapined6 ,how many magnificent palaces were turned into a desolate tomb6 ,all these phenomena transpired only that the world of humanity may become a luminous realm2 ignorance be changed into wisdom1 human souls become merciful1 warfare and bloodshed be destroyed to their very foundation1 and the ,kingdom of ,peace become paramount over all men4 ,now strive ye1 that perchance this ,beloved of ,hopes appear in the assemblage of the world and this ,providence become a realized fact4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,beware lest ye offend the feelings of anyone1 or sadden the heart of any person1 or move the tongue in reproach of and finding fault with anybody1 whether he is friend or stranger1 believer or enemy4 ,pray in behalf of all and entreat ,god for forgiveness and bounty for all4 ,beware1 beware that any soul take revenge or retaliate over another even if he be a bloodthirsty enemy4 ,beware1 beware that any one rebuke or reproach a soul1 though he may be an ill-wisher and an ill-doer4 ,do ye not look upon the creature1 advance ye toward the ,creator4 ,behold ye not the rebellious people1 turn your faces toward the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,look ye not upon the ground1 raise your eyes to the world-illuminating ,sun1 which hath transformed every atom of the gloomy soil into bright and luminous substance4 ,o ye ,cohorts of ,god6 ,in the moment of catastrophe1 find ye patience1 resignation and submission4 ,the more the calamities are intensified the less become ye disturbed4 ,withstand ye1 with perfect assurance1 the flood of trials and calamities1 through the power of ,his ,highness1 the ,almighty4 ,last year some of the known and unknown1 friends and strangers1 slandered1 calumniated and presented false accusations against these exiled ones1 before the throne of ,his ,imperial ,majesty1 the ,padeshah of the ,ottomans2 while these oppressed ones were entirely free from those calumnies4 ,the government1 conformable with prudent measures1 arose to investigate these calumnies and dispatched some commissioners 7or examiners7 to this city4 ,therefore it is evident that the field which was found by the ill-wishers and the flood which was brought about by them1 can neither be written nor explained4 ,however1 relying upon ,god1 we conducted ourselves with the utmost patience and submission1 resignation and calmness2 so much so that if one did not know anything about these matters1 he would have thought that we were in perfect ease of soul1 enjoying the tranquillity of heart and mind1 and were engaged in happiness and felicity4 ,the matters reached to such an issue that the plaintiffs and calumniators entered into alliance and intrigue with the officials1 in regard to the carrying out of the work of investigation4 ,consequently1 the plaintiff1 the magistrate and the witness became as one single soul4 ,therefore it is clear what things transpired6 ,but here one witnesses the fairness and impartiality of ,his ,imperial ,majesty1 the ,padeshah of the ,ottomans1 who so far has not given any consideration to these slanders1 statements1 stories and calumnies1 but has dealt with the utmost justice and equity4 ,truly1 ,i say1 if there had been any other person except this ,padeshah1 no trace of these exiled ones would remain4 ,this is the truth6 ,we must not overlook justice4 ,in reality today in the ,asiatic world1 the ,padeshah of the ,ottoman ,empire and the ,shah of ,persia1 ,mozeffer-,eddin1 are peerless and have no equals4 ,if you could realize the degree of the malignity of the enemies1 and the wickedness and mischief done by the ill-wishers1 especially by the unkind brother1 both here and in ,persia1 and that notwithstanding these seditions and villainies1 these two kings have treated us with tranquillity and mildness1 ye would undoubtedly feel sure that both are just4 ,if they were like kings of bygone ages1 unquestionably every day thousands of souls would have been deprived of life in ,persia4 ,therefore pray ye earnestly in behalf of these two kings1 beseech for them protection and confirmation in the threshold of the ,almighty1 and ask for them1 from ,god1 victory and triumph2 especially for the ,padeshah of the ,ottoman ,empire1 who has dealt at all times in justice with these exiled ones4 ,o ,thou ,omnipotent ,god6 ,perfume the nostrils of the friends in the ,occident with the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit2 and illumine the horizon of the ,west with the light of guidance4 ,make the remote ones the near ones1 change the strangers into compassionate friends1 awaken those who are asleep1 and make heedful those who are heedless4 ,o ,thou ,glorious ,lord6 ,confirm and assist these noble friends with ,thy good pleasure1 suffer them to become the well-wishers of the known and unknown1 enter them in the world of the everlasting ,kingdom1 confer upon them a share from the outpouring of the ,realm of ,might1 make them real ,bahais and sincere godly ones1 deliver them from superficiality and establish them in ,truth1 make them the signs of the ,kingdom and brilliant stars in the horizon of the world1 make them the cause of the prosperity and composure of the world of humanity and the servants of the universal peace1 intoxicate all of them with the wine of ,thy commands and exhortations and grant to all good morals and conduct in the path of ,thy teachings4 ,o my ,god6 ,the desire of this ,servant of the ,threshold is to see that the friends of the ,west have embraced the beloved of the ,east1 and the individuals of the world of humanity are with the utmost kindness the members of one assemblage1 the drops of one ocean1 the birds of one rose-garden1 the pearls of one sea1 the leaves of one tree and the rays of one sun4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i received thy letter which proved thy yearning to the ,kingdom of ,god1 thy exceeding desire to the ,beauty of ,god and thy great attachment unto the ,word of ,god4 ,know1 verily1 that thy letters did not reach me until now2 but ,i love thee with all my heart and my soul1 for the sake of ,god4 ,regarding thy presence1 at this time1 in this ,brilliant ,spot7#ci7--;it is not in accord with the wisdom revealed in the ,book4 ,but ,i pray ,god to make thee a manifestation of ,his hidden favors1 so that thou be with me in ,his ,sublime ,kingdom4 ,we send for thee and thy revered wife1 stones of the ,greatest ,name47#dj7 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto ,god6 ,verily ,i pray to ,god to make thee and thy revered husband--under the shadow of ,his ,greatest ,name--confirmed in all conditions1 aided in the service of the ,cause of ,god with a confirmation on the part of the ,merciful ,lord4 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,i ask thee to protect these two birds in the orchard of ,thy mercy1 confirmed in joy and happiness in the garden of ,thy bounties1 warbling with the best melodies in the wood 7garden7 of ,thy knowledge4 ,verily ,thou art the ,precious1 the ,mighty1 the ,protecting6 8,o ye two accepted ones in the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o ye two7#da7 accepted ones in the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,your letter was read and its contents caused joy and happiness4 ,thank ,god that in such a cycle ye have stepped into the plane of existence1 attained the glory of the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 obtained light from the ,sun of ,truth and were ushered in under the shadow of the ,tree of ,life in the paradise of joy4 ,give the name 8,rooha0 7i4e41 ,spiritual7 to your new born child1 and let your own name be 8,saffa0 7this1 in ,arabic1 means ,peter or ,rock74 8,o ye two truthful believers64440 ,o ye two7#db7 truthful believers6 ,your letter was received4 ,it contents were faith1 certainty and sincerity4 ,it was an evidence of perceiving eyes1 attentive ears and acute mind4 ,were it not so1 ye would not have witnessed the lights of the ,sun of ,truth1 heard the divine ,call1 nor attained the knowledge of ,god4 ,although in body we are far from one another1 yet--praise be to ,god6 --with life and heart we are present in one assembly2 we enjoy the spiritual meeting1 abide under the shadow of one ,blessed ,tree1 are attracted to the beauty of one ,beloved and gaze in the direction of one ,object4 ,therefore1 be not sorry on account of the remoteness1 but rather engage in the commemoration of ,god and praise ,him4 ,i hope that we may be together in all the worlds of ,god4 ,teach the dear child ,rooha this commune3 ,o ,god6 ,rear this little babe in the bosom of ,thy love and give it milk from the breat of ,providence4 ,cultivate this fresh plant in the rose-garden of ,thy love and nurture it by showers from the clouds of ,providence4 ,make it a child of the ,kingdom and lead it to the divine world4 ,thou art powerful and kind6 ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,bestower1 whose blessings precede all else6 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,word of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,word of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which contained new significances4 ,i ask ,god to make thee a new creature so that the lights of human perfections may shine through thee and to make thee kind hearted unto all human beings so that thou mayest be a mercy unto souls1 absolute goodness to all1 a sign of kindness1 a word of tenderness4 ,verily1 thy ,lord is the ,mighty1 the ,powerful6 ,he reviveth whomsoever ,he wisheth by the spirit of righteousness and granteth unto whom ,he wisheth great bounty1 guideth whom ,he wisheth unto the path of life and confirmeth whom ,he desireth in attaining the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,as to thee1 be confident in the mercy of thy ,lord1 and ask what thou desirest4 ,verily1 ,god is the ,generous1 the ,giver6 8,o maid-servant of ,god1 who art supplicating unto the4440 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 who art supplicating unto the ,sublime ,kingdom6 ,grieve not at the divine trials4 ,be not troubled because of hardships and ordeals2 turn unto ,god1 bowing in humbleness and praying to ,him1 while bearing every ordeal1 contented under all conditions and thankful in every difficulty4 ,verily thy ,lord loveth ,his maid-servants who are patient1 believing and firm4 ,he draws them nigh unto ,him through these ordeals and trials4 ,be not sorrowful on account of the departure of thy good son4 ,he hath indeed departed from this narrow and gloomy world which is darkened by unlimited sorrow1 unto the ,kingdom which is spacious1 illumined1 joyous and beautiful4 ,god delivered him from this dark well and promoted him unto the ,supreme ,height6 ,he gave him wings whereby he soared to the heaven of happiness4 ,verily this is the great mercy from ,him who is precious and forgiving4 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,dawning-point of4440 ,o thou who art advancing to the ,dawning-point of ,lights6 ,extend the hands of communion unto the sacred and brilliant ,threshold and read the following prayer3 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,glory be unto ,thee for that ,thou hast confirmed me to the confession of ,thy ,oneness1 attracted me unto the word of ,thy ,singleness1 enkindled me by the fire of ,thy love1 and occupied me with ,thy mention and the service of ,thy friends and maid-servants4 ,o ,lord1 help me to be meek and lowly and strengthen me in severing myself from all things and in holding to the hem of the garment of ,thy ,glory1 so that my heart may be filled with ,thy love and leave no space for the love of the world and the attachment to its qualities4 ,o ,god6 ,sanctify me from all else save ,thee1 purge me from the dross of sins and transgressions and cause me to possess a spiritual heart and conscience4 ,verily ,thou art merciful and verily ,thou art the ,generous1 the ,helper4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy likeness 7photograph7 was received through ,mrs4 4444444444 and was seen4 ,the light of faith shone in thy brow and the smile of the ,kingdom in thy face4 ,when ,i saw that likeness1 ,i supplicated and implored1 at the ,threshold of the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 to make thee a dear one of the two realms and to free thee from every fetter save the love of ,god4 8,o thou flower perfumed by the ,breaths of the ,love4440 ,o thou flower perfumed by the ,breaths of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy written letter and have supplicated unto ,god to receive thee in ,his ,kingdom1 to make thee worthy to be called a child of the ,kingdom1 to be firm in the ,covenant of ,god as firm mountains and to proclaim in ,his ,great ,covenant which ,he hath entered into which the people of heaven and earth by a trace of ,his ,supreme ,pen1 until thou mayest be confirmed to diffuse the fragrance of holiness in those climes and regions4 8,o thou who dost believe in the ,unity of ,god64440 ,o thou who dost believe in the ,unity of ,god6 ,know verily nothing will benefit a person save the love of the ,merciful ,one4 ,nothing illuminates a man's heart save the radiance which shines forth from the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,put away every thought and doubtful mentioning and keep thy thoughts entirely on that which uplifts man to the heaven of the gift of ,god and that which causes every bird that belongs to the ,kingdom to soar unto the incomparable realms1 the center of everlasting grandeur in this world4 8,o servant of ,god64440 ,o servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written and that which thou hast retained in mind are evident4 ,appreciate ,mrs4 444444 who reminds you of ,god and explains ,his divine mysteries4 ,regarding thy question concerning a verse in the #bbnd chapter of ,exodus3 ,we gave a brief explanation of it in a letter to ,mrs4 4444444444 ,please refer to that4 ,owing to the great 7press of7 work1 ,i have not the time for several explanations4 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest attain such a state of perception1 as will enable thee to expound with knowledge the words of the ,holy ,bible4 8,o thou who art supplicating unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art supplicating unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,rest assured in the mercy of thy ,lord2 be rejoiced for my remembering thee2 gladden thyself by the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god1 be attracted by the fragrance of ,god and call out3 8,ya ,baha ,el-,,abha60--from the depths of thy heart with all meekness and supplication1 attracted by the fire of the love of ,god4 7,then annoint or rub all the parts of the body47 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 if thou attainest the condition we demonstrate to thee 7i4e41 if thou followest the directions given7 be confident in the speedy recovery through the favor of ,god4 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i ask ,god to make thee a helper to the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 to walk in the path of salvation1 to disperse the clouds of doubt from the horizon of the hearts1 to make the sun of knowledge manifest unto souls and spirits and to confirm thee in a matter which will make thee to raise the banner of the ,covenant in the world4 8,o dear servant of ,god64440 ,o dear servant of ,god6 ,observe how dear thou wert that ,he guided thee to the ,kingdom of ,light1 and how near to ,his ,threshold1 that ,he granted thee admission into ,his ,court4 ,thou were poor in spirit2 ,he led thee to the ,heavenly ,treasure4 ,thou wert in quest of illumination2 ,he enlightened thee through the rays of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,thou wert athirst2 ,he led thee to the ,spring of ,life4 ,thou wert sick2 ,he bestowed upon thee the ,heavenly ,remedy4 ,i have read thy letter and have considered its contents4 ,know this3 ,that today whoever turns to the ,kingdom of the ,glorious ,god1 holds communion with the ,almighty ,one1 the ,omniscient1 and lives wholly the true and good life1 the doors of progress and help will be opened unto him everywhere2 such an one will be aided1 victorious and protected4 ,therefore1 turn to the ,supreme ,kingdom1 forget thyself entirely and remain firm in the spiritual trials1 so that thou mayest see the favors of the ,kingdom and realize the heavenly confirmation4 8,o thou who art uttering the praise of ,god64440 ,o thou who art uttering the praise of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy letter1 which expressed thy surprise at some of the commandments of the law of ,god1 such as that concerning the hunting of innocent animals4 ,be not surprised at this4 ,ponder over the contingent realities1 their mysteries1 wisdom1 connection and relations4 ,the world is harmonious in all things and the connection therein is mighty and nothing is missing4 ,all things are eaters and eaten in the physical creation4 ,the plant sucks from the mineral1 the animal eats and swallows the plant1 and the human eats the animal4 ,then the mineral 7in turn7 eats the human body4 ,physical bodies are transferred from death to death and life to life4 ,therefore1 all things are subject to transfer and change except the ,cause of existence1 which cannot be changed or transferred1 because it is the foundation for life in all kinds and species and in all possible realities in the world of creation4 ,if thou observest closely through a microscope the water which man drinks and the air which he breathes1 thou wilt see that in every breath which man breathes1 that breath contains numerous animals1 and in every draught of water great number of animals exist4 ,this could not be prevented because the existent beings are eaters and eaten and1 by this1 existence is caused2 otherwise1 the relations between existent things would cease4 ,when a thing decomposes and decays1 being bereft of life1 it becomes promoted to a world of life greater than the former4 ,for instance1 it ceased in a mineral life and was promoted to the vegetable life2 then leaves the vegetable life and is elevated to that of the animal2 then leaving the animal life it advances to the human1 and this is on account of the favor of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement4 ,i ask ,god to strengthen thee in comprehending the mysteries deposited in the reality of existence1 to lift up the veil before thee and thy sister1 so that the concealed mystery and the hidden reality become manifest as the sun at noon1 and to confirm thy sister and thy husband in entering the ,kingdom of ,god1 and heal thee from all physical and spiritual disease in the world of creation4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy writing was considered4 ,i ask ,god that thy mind7#dc7 may be illumined with the light of knowledge and faith to the extent that thy face will radiate its glory1 even as a light1 when set aglow in the lamp1 will cast its rays to the surrounding regions4 ,i hope that the darkness of evil suggestions shall be dispersed and that the veil of uncertainty shall be torn asunder2 that the beauty of truth may become manifest with glory and the light of mercy become radiant4 ,thus mayest thou1 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 with thy honorable husband and revered son1 become free from the severe trials and appear with grace in the gatherings of the people of ,god4 ,the nineteen-day fast7#dd7 is a duty to be observed by all4 ,all should abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset4 ,this fast is conducive to the spiritual development of the individual4 ,the ,greatest ,name should be read every day4 8,o thou lamp ignited by the fire of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou lamp ignited by the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,i ask ,god to make thee a sign of love1 standard of agreement1 means of union and harmony and spreader of peace among the people4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,strive with all thy powers in diffusing the spirit of real union among the people1 so that all who are on earth become one family1 loving1 united1 agreed1 bound by the bonds of love and united with all harmony in all things and conditions2 this is the greater happiness of the human race in the world of possibilities and the cause of attaining to all hopes and reaching unto the ,supreme ,kingdom1 after ascending unto the world of ,god4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i chanted thy poem4 ,its significance was beautiful1 its composition eloquent and its words excellent4 ,it was like the melody of the birds of holiness in the paradise of ,el-,,abha4 ,the breasts of the maid-servants of the ,merciful were exhilarated by its chanting4 ,blessed art thou for uttering forth such an excellent poem and brilliant pearl4 ,verily1 these verses shall be sung in the divine meetings and in the assemblages of the spiritual in the course of ages and centuries to come1 for thou hast uttered the praise of thy ,lord and expressed significant meanings in eulogy of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement4 ,all poems shall be forgotten in the course of time save those that are extraordinary2 thy poem shall be chanted with melody and best voices in the ,center of ,worship 7or ,mashrak-el-,azcar7 forevermore4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy poem1 which contained new significances and beautiful words4 ,my heart was dilated by its eloquent sense4 ,i prayed ,god to make thee utter more beautiful compositions that this4 ,thus thou mayest be the first to praise the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha and the first utterer of ,his ,name among the women4 ,chant the verses of guidance among the people and commence the composition of melodies of great beauty and effect in praise and glorification of the ,generous ,lord4 ,we sent those poems to all countries1 so that the friends of ,god may remember thee and pray for confirmation and aid in this great ,cause in thy behalf4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,warble as birds in the garden of joy and pray to thy forgiving ,lord1 so that the souls may rejoice through the psalms of the descendant of ,david4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter reached me and ,i prayed ,god to bless thee by ,his heavenly blessing in thy marriage with ,mr4 44444444 and to confirm both of you with comfort and repose and the turning of your heart to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,may ,his divine providence abide with you in all conditions and circumstances4 8,o thou bird of pleasing tones64440 ,o thou bird of pleasing tones6 ,thy little book of poems1 which were very sweet1 was read4 ,it was a source of joy1 for it was a spiritual anthem and a melody of the love of ,god4 ,continue as long as thou canst this melody in the gatherings of the beloved2 thus may the minds find rest and joy and become in tune with the love of ,god4 ,when eloquence of expression1 beauty of sense and sweetness of composition unite with new melodies the effect is very great1 especially if it be the anthem of the verses of oneness and the songs of praise to the ,lord of ,glory4 ,endeavor your utmost to compose beautiful poems to be chanted with heavenly music2 thus may their beauty affect the minds and impress the hearts of those who listen4 8,o thou spiritual lad64440 ,o thou spiritual lad6 ,may ,god uphold thee and edify thee in the flower of thy youth and in the spring-time of thy life and may ,he illumine thy face with the lights of advancement unto ,god and turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,if thou become firm and steadfast in the love of ,god1 thou shalt be confirmed with a confirmation whereby thy face will be gladdened1 thy heart rejoiced and all thy family will be happy and pleased4 ,therefore1 confine thy thoughts and ideas in turning to ,god and submitting unto ,him and chant the signs 7verses7 of thanks and praise for that by reason of which ,he hath strengthened thee to attain this great gift4 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thank and praise ,god that ,he hath cause thee to drink from the cup of the gifts and caused thee to suckle from the bosom of guidance while yet very young and didst possess but a few years of age4 ,i beg of ,god and hope that the love of ,god may be mingled 7and mixed7 in thy flesh and bones and run in thy whole being1 like the running 7or circulation7 of the spirit in the veins and in the arteries4 8,o thou who art ignited through the brilliant ,flame4440 ,o thou who art ignited through the brilliant ,flame which is blazing in this ,blessed ,spot6 ,verily1 ,i considered the meanings of thy letter and my heart overflows with perfect and spiritual love unto thee and unto the beloved ones of ,god1 whose eyes are brightened by witnessing the lights of ,god and whose innermost hearts are purified by the love of ,god and whose consciences are made clear by the knowledge of ,god and whose hearts are tranquilized by the commemoration of ,god4 ,theirs is the treasury of the ,kingdom and the abundant wealth of the storehouse of the divine world6 ,they are wealthy1 not poor2 they are powerful1 not weak2 they are grandees1 not mean persons2 and they are kindred1 not strangers6 ,because1 verily1 their wealth and honor is divine and supreme and will never be consumed4 ,blessed are they6 ,glad-tidings be unto them6 ,as to those souls who are preaching the ,word of ,god1 it behooveth them to shake the dust of every land which they have passed by off their shoes and to be with ,god and without need of the rich--although their bed is the soil1 their light is the stars of the sky and their food is the herbs of the desert--because theirs is the wealth of the ,kingdom1 the honor of the realm of might and the bounty of the divine world2 and they are not in want of this world and its cares4 ,their throne is the mat of humility1 their honor is in suffering every lowliness in the path of the ,loving ,lord and their wealth is being empty-handed from the pomps of the world and its vanities and their provision is trusting in ,god and being severed from all that is on the earth and its wealth4 ,as to thee3 ,associate thou with the poor and be united with the weak souls and hold intercourse with the needy1 with a compassionate heart and great love4 ,because thereby is ordained for thee an eternal glory in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,invite thou the people to the ,exalted ,world1 to the ,supreme ,horizon and to the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha6 ,there is no harm in thy loneliness in those regions2 for verily1 the hosts of confirmation are thy help1 thy ,glorious ,lord is thy protector and the angels of the ,kingdom are thy fellow-speakers4 ,glad-tidings be unto thee for this6 ,blessed art thou for this6 8999999,o maid-servant of ,god64440 999999,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,if thou seekest eternal glory1 let thyself be humble and meek in the presence of the beloved of ,god2 make thyself the servant of all1 and serve all alike4 ,the service of the friends belongs to ,god1 not to them4 ,strive to become a source of harmony1 spirituality and joyfulness to the hearts of the friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 ,this is a cause of great satisfaction to ,abdul-,baha4999999 8,o thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring4440 ,o thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring of the cloud of favor from ,god6 ,verily1 ,i beseech1 with all earnestness1 the ,omnipotence of ,might and ,glory to brighten thy face by the light gleaming from the lamp of the ,alliance and to quicken thy mind by the spirit which out-pours from the ,kingdom of ,god and to make thee a sign of ,his signs which are shining in the horizons4 ,he grants that which ,he wisheth and to whomsoever ,he wisheth4 ,verily1 ,he is powerful and mighty6 8,o servant of ,god64440 ,o servant of ,god6 ,faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of the ,merciful ,one4 ,service is the magnet which attracts the heavenly strength4 ,i hope thou wilt attain both4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,how blessed thou hast been to have entered the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,h,ow near thou hast been to the ,paradise of ,,abha to have been ushered in6 ,i hope that thou mayest become a source of joy to the hearts1 a good example for people1 imbued with spiritual qualities in the world of humanity1 and mayest promulgate the divine teachings1 so that the various people may find unity and become freed from discord4 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy letter of wonderful expression and eloquent composition and thanked ,god that ,he hath poured upon thee the bounty of guidance and hath made thy heart a lamp of piety4 ,verily ,i beseech ,god1 with all humbleness1 to remove the covering from thine insight and to show unto thee ,his great signs1 and to make thee a banner of guidance1 severed from all else save ,him1 enkindled with the fire of ,his love1 engaged in ,his praise and apprehending the realities of things2 so that thou mayest see with thine eyes1 hear with thine ears and not imitate any of the fathers and ancestors2 have perception in the matter of thy ,lord1 for the people are in dark veils4 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 verily the doors of the everlasting paradise are opened before the faces of the devoted ones and the ,tree of ,life therein overshadows the spiritual ones4 ,happy are those who enter it and are sheltered under its shadow6 8,o thou candle shining by the light of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou candle shining by the light of the ,love of ,god6 ,that which thou hast inscribed and conceived of in thy mind was manifest and clear4 ,the contents indicate spiritual signs and the meanings were like unto a sweet chalice4 ,i trust in ,god that thy pure mind may become reflective of light2 thus thou mayest become prepared for the divine manifestation and attract the light of guidance from the ,heavenly ,star4 ,o servant of ,god6 ,through the power of ,god's love the weak become mighty1 the poor become rich1 the little bird becomes a great eagle soaring on the ethereal wave1 the tiny plant grows into a great palm tree4 ,o servant of ,god6 ,trials and tests are severe4 ,if thou seekest progress and advancement in the ,kingdom1 remain firm and withstand4 ,when it is possible for thee to visit this land7#de7 in all fragrance and spirituality1 thou art permitted to come4 ,if thou canst help the up-building of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar in ,chicago1 it will be most acceptable4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,i am in the blessed place of the ,holy ,land and thou art in foreign parts and ,i do not see thee with my material eyes1 but ,i see thee with the eyes of my heart and ,i remember thee in recalling to thee that which the ,christ promised to the believers1 the great blessing and favor1 the light of which illuminates those present and those absent4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be thou rejoiced because of this good news which draws 7inclines7 the sanctified hearts from all worldly conditions and know thou the value of this great gift 7favor7 and do not exchange it for the great sovereignty 7of the world71 for1 verily1 the sovereignty of the world is a mortal rule and follows pride4 ,however1 this gift is an eternal and a divine favor1 the light of which illumines the passing of times and periods4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i noted thy letter and utterance4 ,god hath accepted thy devotion1 prayer and worship and hath manifested upon thee the lights of ,his great favor1 ushered thee into ,his ,kingdom1 gave thee to drink of the wine of ,his love and made thee to hear the melodies of the birds of holiness in this wonderful day4 ,thank ,god that ,he enriched thee beyond the delicacies of this mortal world and caused thee to taste the sweetness of ,his love in ,his ,new ,kingdom4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee1 since thou hast attained the knowledge of ,god and ,his love1 to sacrifice thy spirit and all thy conditions for the life of the world1 bearing every difficulty for the comfort of the souls1 sinking to the depth of the sea of ordeals for the sake of the love of faithfulness and burning with the fire of torture and regret like unto a lamp while the light is shining from thee unto the surroundings4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the mystery of sacrifice is that man should sacrifice all his conditions for the divine station of ,god4 ,the station of ,god is mercy1 kindness1 forgiveness1 sacrifice1 favor1 grace and giving life to the spirits and lighting the fire of ,his love in the hearts and arteries4 ,i asked ,god to make thee a sign of mercy1 the banner of kindness among ,his maid-servants4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,sing with beautiful melodies in the meetings of the maid-servants1 praising and glorifying thy ,supreme ,lord4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the human spirit hath an impression and effect in the world1 but the divine ,spirit giveth life to the souls and conferreth eternal life upon those who are attracted to the fragrances of ,god4 ,this is the ,great ,cause from the ,kingdom of thy ,lord4 ,be attached to this ,new ,spirit which hath effective power in the realities of things and creates new creatures4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 forsake every thought1 every remembrance and every praise1 while holding to the ,word of ,god4 ,confine thy interests1 thy works and efforts to the ,cause of ,god4 ,thus the spirit of power and might will confirm thee and the manifest light will shine upon thy brow4 8,o servant of ,god64440 ,o servant of ,god6 ,i was very happy to receive thy letter because it showed thy servitude to the ,one ,god and indicated belief and assurance in the ,cause of ,his ,presence4 ,thank ,god that thou art favored with this blessing1 that thou servest the friends of ,god and thou waitest at the ,threshold of the ,merciful4 ,i beg of ,god that thou mayest be baptized by the baptism of ,,baha',o',,llah and become free from all the stains of the mortal world and that thou mayest take delight in the favors of ,god in the paradise of unity1 and that thou mayest be able to become pleasing to ,god and mayest appear with thy face illuminated as a candle in the world of eternity4 8,o thou spiritual friend64440 ,o thou spiritual friend6 ,verily1 ,i was informed of the contents of thy letter and increased gratitude unto ,god1 for that ,he hath granted the friends clear consciences1 pure and holy hearts1 attraction unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 enkindlement by the fire of the love and humbleness to ,god4 ,glad-tidings unto ye for this abundant blessing1 sufficient bounties1 wide mercy1 glorious appearances2 therefore1 be united in hearts and spirits1 strive so that ye may obtain the great favors1 attain to the overflowing chalice1 perform charity 7good deeds71 gain the spirit of life1 attracted by the fragrance and depend on the ,lord of ,signs4 ,at that time your faces will be illumined1 your souls holy1 your hearts severed from this world and attached to the ,supreme ,concourse1 and you will call out with the most loud voice3 8,glad-tidings unto us through these divine favors and blessed are we by this heavenly guidance60 ,i was glad in heart when ,i saw thy likeness in the photograph and looked at the resemblance like the reality of thy identity and thanked ,god witnessing the light of ,god in thy beautiful face4 8,o thou kind friend64440 ,o thou kind friend6 ,thy letter was received and its contents considered4 ,man must1 under all conditions1 be thankful to ,god1 the ,one1 for it is said in the blessed text3 8,if ye be thankful ,i will increase thee40 ,man must seek shelter in the mercy and protection of ,god1 for he is constantly subject to a hundred thousand dangers4 ,save for the refuge and protection of the ,most ,high1 man is without shelter4 ,i ask ,god to help thy children to gain knowledge1 to attain virtues and morals which are the refinements of the reality of man1 and to strengthen thee to remain firm4 ,convey my respect and greeting to ,mr444444444 and ,mrs4 444444444 ,i trust in the providence of ,god that thou mayest ascertain what is worthy and fitting for ,bahais1 and that day by day the love of ,god may increase in the hearts4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be exceedingly grateful to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs444444444 who guided thee1 led thee to the ,kingdom of ,glory and invited thee to the heavenly table1 so that thou mayest attain eternal life and enjoy the happiness of the ,kingdom4 ,thou didst write3 8,how can ,i serve ,thee80 ,the greatest service is thine own firmness and steadfastness and thy withstanding severe trials when they come4 ,through firmness thou wilt perceive the opening of the doors of grace4 8,o thou plant in the garden of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou plant in the garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,open the tongue of praise to the ,horizon of ,,abha1 for having received light from ,him in the age of youth1 and for having been planted by ,him in the paradise of glory4 ,i hope thou shalt be a child of the ,kingdom1 shalt learn sciences1 arts and significances1 may become a full grown tree1 fruitful and green in the vineyard of ,god and be happy and full of cheer through the showers of the clouds of paradise4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,i rejoiced to read thy letter1 for it indicated thy progress unto the ,kingdom of thy ,glorious ,lord1 thy wish to serve in ,his vineyard and thy faith in this ,cause which has shed its light upon those regions4 ,blessed art thou for having opened the door of thy home unto the people to come and hear of the ,kingdom4 ,the maid-servant of ,god remembered thee in her letter1 mentioning thy great joy and progress in the ,cause of thy ,lord4 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to make thy home a center for the radiation of light and the glowing of ,his love in the hearts of ,his people4 ,know that in every home where ,god is praised and prayed to1 and ,his ,kingdom proclaimed1 that home is a garden of ,god and a paradise of ,his happiness4 8,o ,spiritual ,assembly 64440 ,o ,spiritual ,assembly7#df7 6 ,everything produces an impression in existence and results in the course of ages4 ,the 7earthly7 assemblies established in the different parts of ,europe1 ,asia and ,america have no results save the help of the physical and the mortal life in this lesser world1 for the removal of its conditions and reformation of its customs1 and in the end no name will remain thereof4 ,but every spiritual assembly of solid foundation1 good structure and unwavering constancy will last forever and will send forth its illumination unto all regions4 ,observe the gatherings of the disciples after ,christ3 ,their light is still shining1 their power is still revealing and their trumpets still resounding throughout the ages4 ,such is the spiritual meeting4 8,o ,god6 ,confirm them in the promotion of ,thy4440 ,o ,god6 ,confirm them in the promotion of ,thy ,word among the people and in strengthening and multiplying ,thy servants4 ,verily ,thou art the ,bounteous1 the ,merciful6 8,o ye two birds warbling in the ,garden of ,wisdom44440 ,o ye7#dg7 two birds warbling in the ,garden of ,wisdom4 ,verily1 ,i saw your photographs1 whose beauty proved the turning of your hearts unto the ,center of ,guidance and the dilation of your breasts by the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the light of ,god is verily shining in the face of the man who is of the ,kingdom1 spiritual1 heavenly1 divine and ,bahai4 ,the rest among the people are like animals2 nay1 they are led astray from the ,path4 ,thank ,god for that ,he enlightened your faces by the light of guidance1 deposited in your hearts the sign of faith1 and made you of the chosen ones in this new century4 ,the truth ,i say unto you6 ,if ye were aware of what ,god hath destined for you in the kingdom of ,his glory1 verily ye would rejoice exceedingly and soar with the wings of joy unto the heights of happiness1 crying with the most loud voice3 8,blessings and happiness from this great attainment and evident bounty40 8,o thou handsome child64440 ,o thou handsome child6 ,thy spiritual father and thy good mother sent me thy radiant picture and ,i rejoiced on seeing it4 ,i pray ,god to illumine thy heart with the light of the ,manifestation1 to nurture thee in ,his mercy so that thou mayest attain maturity in ,his love2 thy spirit be enlightened with beholding ,his light and thy spirit revived by the bounty of the ,holy ,spirit1 so that thou mayest be a sign of the love of ,god1 speaking in the name of ,god1 joyous by the favors of ,god1 attaining unto the sea of the mercy of ,god1 and being baptized with the water of life1 the fire of love and the spirit of attraction4 8,o thou blooming rose in the garden of the ,love of4440 ,o thou blooming rose in the garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 the heavenly angels address thee from the ,supreme ,horizon1 saying3 8,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be rejoiced for ,god hath chosen thee for ,his love and sheltered thee under the shade of ,his ,kingdom1 the lights of which shone forth1 the signs of which were manifested1 the mysteries of which were unfolded1 the fragrance of which emanated1 the waves of which surged1 the causes of which were promulgated1 the suns of which appeared1 the moons of which shone and the stars of which sparkled40 ,therefore1 praise ,god for that ,he honored thee with presence in this great century and new cycle and caused thee to attain this new bounty4 ,i ask ,god to send down upon thee a blessing and upon thy family a favor from ,his ,kingdom4 8,o thou who art anticipating the appearance of the ,gift4440 ,o thou who art anticipating the appearance of the ,gift of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which indicated that thou hast turned unto the ,blessed ,spot1 that the ,truth 7of ,god7 hath revealed itself to thee1 that thy fear is quieted and that thou hast attained to composure1 assuredly believing in this great ,cause4 ,know thou1 verily1 there are many veils in which the ,truth is enveloped3 gloomy veils2 then delicate and transparent veils2 then the envelopment of ,light1 the sight of which dazzles the eyes1 as doth the sun which is enveloped only in its own light and1 as we look at it1 the sight is blinded and eyes are dazzled4 ,i beg of ,god to remove all the veilings and familiarize the light with all eyes1 so that man may not be veiled from witnessing the ,sun of ,truth4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the tests and trials of ,god are very great and very violent4 ,beseech thou ,god to protect thee from all doubts and to guard thee from the interpretations of parabolical7#dh7 verses1 as made by those who know not in what valley they are roving1 who speak according to their own selfish purposes and after their own evil inclinations2 who accept and then reject2 who believe in ,god and then deny ,him2 and who appear firm and then backslide3 thus thou beholdest these oscillating daily4 8,leave them to amuse themselves with their own vain discourses10 and turn thou to the light of the ,testament1 and rejoice at the bounty of the effulgence1 and seek shelter under the shadow of the standard of the ,covenant4 ,thou wilt soon find it fluttering on the highest summits of glory1 surrounded by the valiant hosts of the angels of heaven and assisted by spiritual armies of great number that proceed from the ,supreme ,concourse4 8,o my tender friend64440 ,o my tender friend6 ,verily1 the union between myself and thee is on a solid foundation and a well made basis4 ,neither the winds can remove it nor the events of time annihilate it4 ,it is everlasting and eternal1 heavenly1 spiritual and divine1 and it is of no end or termination4 ,consequently be rejoiced at these words which cheer the hearts of the righteous and the souls of the pious when hearing them4 8,o thou lamp who art illuminated with the light of the4440 ,o thou lamp who art illuminated with the light of the ,love of ,god6 ,leave thou the world and abandon the people and turn unto the ,kingdom of thy independent ,lord4 ,beseech ,him every morn and eve and supplicate to the ,gate of ,his ,oneness to make thee firm and steadfast in the ,testament and to guard thee from all calamities1 with the eye of ,his protection1 and protect thee from the tests which are 7so violent7 as the whirlwinds which uproot trees4 8,o thou who hearest and seest in this wonderful ,cause64440 ,o thou who hearest and seest in this wonderful ,cause6 ,verily1 ,i read thy interesting letter1 its beautiful composition and ,i noted its purpose which indicated spiritual aspiration to the ,kingdom of thy ,great ,lord4 ,thank ,god for guiding thee unto the ,straight ,path1 manifesting unto thee the ,evident ,light4 ,he shall give thee a draught of the cup whereby thy spiritual power will be increased4 ,thou shalt advance unto the ,lofty ,station1 acquire heavenly qualities and attain knowledge of the significances of the words of ,god in this glorious day4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to turn wholly unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 to enter entirely into this wonderful ,cause1 and to make thy thought1 remembrance and effort confined to the education of thy character1 the enlightenment through the ,light of ,,abha1 and to guide the people to the ,source of the mercy of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 ,comfort thy mother and endeavor to do what is conducive to the happiness of her heart4 ,approach not those who are drowned in the sea of this world1 but rather be enkindled by the fire of the love of ,god4 ,be thou such a flame whereby the hearts may be set aglow4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to assemble continuously with the beloved of ,god and to meet with those whose faces are illumined with the light of the love of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i supplicate to ,god to make thee sincere in this love1 to illumine thee with the light of ,his ,kingdom1 to destine unto thee the illumination by the light of ,his attributes1 to make thee a sign of mercy1 a bird warbling the verses of unity2 that thou mayest be nurtured in the bosom of ,his providence1 and become a growing tree bearing fruit in the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha4 ,verily1 thy ,lord confirmeth him whom ,he willeth1 and ,he is the ,forgiving1 the ,merciful4 8,o thou who art agitated as oceans by the winds blown4440 ,o thou who art agitated as oceans by the winds blown from the direction of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy wonderful letter1 declaring the grandeur of thy nature and the excess of thy love and thine attaining the knowledge of ,god4 ,verily its contents were as spiritual meanings poured forth from a heart throbbing by the spirit of the love of ,god4 ,i beseech ,god to confer on thee1 and on thy noble husband1 a perfect favor from ,his ,supreme ,kingdom1 until your faces may sparkle by its light1 among the creatures1 and by which the fame of your love in ,god may be renowned among the horizons4 ,by my life1 this is a favor for which the angels of heaven and the spirits of the holy ones are longing in the ,supreme ,world4 ,and 7,i beg ,god7 to prepare for you your greatest desire--that is1 the attaining 7the visit to7 the blessed1 perfumed1 amber-scented ,tomb17#di7 diffused in all horizons4 8,verily1 ,i read thy magnificent letter1 thy brilliant4440 7#ej7 ,verily1 ,i read thy magnificent letter1 thy brilliant writing1 and found its meanings as the chanting of the verses of guidance and its foundation based on righteousness and piety4 ,verily ,i beseech ,god to make thee a sign of supplication1 humbleness and submissiveness unto ,god1 so that thou mayest commune with thy ,lord1 in the gloomy hours of night and in the morn and eve while being enkindled with the fire of the love of ,god1 attracted to ,his fragrances of holiness1 strengthened by ,his ,spirit1 speaking ,his praise and bowing down before ,his ,threshold of ,sanctity4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,assister1 the ,beneficent6 ,then know thou that1 verily1 the hosts of confirmation from the ,kingdom of ,god will assist every soul who is severed from aught else save ,god1 is associated with the commemoration of ,god and is rejoiced at the glad-tidings of ,god4 ,cut thyself from this world and rely on the ,supreme ,concourse1 so that thou mayest heart the call from the ,lofty ,apex and thy face may become illuminated with a light shining forth from the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha4 8,o thou who art enkindled by the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art enkindled by the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i was informed of the text of thy letter1 wherein thou praisest the firm servant of ,god1 ,mirza 44444444 and was rejoiced in heart for the signs of joy which are manifested in thee in this illustrious day4 ,i ask ,god to make thee a sign of guidance1 fountain of knowledge and a caller in ,his name1 the ,merciful1 so that the hearts may become gladdened by the mention of ,god and the souls be led to the ,kingdom of ,god1 to this ,great ,dwelling ,place and ,sublime ,home4 ,as to the four stations which ,i refer to in the divine treatise3 ,i ask ,god to open the door before thy face1 that thou mayest enter therein1 that thou mayest attain to its lights and become informed of its mysteries4 ,i shall not give a detailed explanation thereof1 on account of the great work 7i4e41 because of the exceeding press of business74 ,regarding the treatise 7or pamphlet7 which thou didst compile in proof of the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god--thou didst well6 ,i shall read it at a leisure time1 and ask ,god to aide thee in compiling other useful writings in demonstration of ,god4 ,as to organization of other meetings for the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 for the spread of the fragrances of ,god2 this is the best deed and most complete action4 ,i ask ,god to strengthen thee in this matter so that you may organize many gatherings for the spread of the teachings of ,god4 ,thus the ,lord of ,hosts will confirm you by armies of the ,supreme ,concourse and hosts of the angels of heaven4 ,verily it is the army of inspiration and the hosts of benediction4 8,o thou who art marching onward to ,god64440 ,o thou who art marching onward to ,god6 ,i have read thy beautiful letter which contained delicate meanings1 and ,i am made glad by its contents which expressed spiritual feelings4 ,i have prayed to ,god to send down upon thee a blessing from the ,kingdom of ,heaven and thus make thy heart beat with joy in the love of ,god1 and make thee meek and humble before the good maid-servants of ,god1 and pure and holy in ,his ,kingdom4999999 8,o thou who art submissive and humble before the4440 ,o thou who art submissive and humble before the ,holy ,threshold6 ,know thou1 verily1 submissiveness is the good quality of the maid-servants of ,god1 and humility is the character of the ,god-fearing leaves7#ea7 who have sprung forth from the ,tree of ,mercifulness4 ,thou oughtest to be characterized with these1 that thou mayest be an example for the maid-servants of the ,merciful and a leader of the leaves who are moved by the winds of the love of ,god4 ,abandon the concerns of mankind and be naturalized with the attributes of the angels of the ,supreme ,concourse1 because these angels humble themselves to the lowest thing of the things despite their honor1 glory1 the loftiness of station and the greatness of their might4 ,this is seemly to the unitarian women and an honor for those women who are surely believing in ,god6 ,this is the consolation of the heart of the ,god-fearing women1 and this is a tranquility to the soul of those women who are attracted to the fragrances of the ,lord of ,signs6 8,o thou whose heart is soaring in the sky of the love of4440 ,o thou whose heart is soaring in the sky of the love of ,god6 ,praise be unto ,him whose light hath risen1 whose appearance hath become exalted1 whose signs are promulgated and whose evidences are fulfilled4 ,the tongue of the realities of all things hath uttered3 8,glory be to my ,god1 the ,el-,baha60 ,thanks for ,his manifest ,beauty and for ,his ,great ,splendor6 --for ,he hath quickened mankind with the spirit of guidance and hath rendered clear the ,white ,path of ,gifts1 through the arguments which are brilliant and clear to the hearts of the intelligent and thereby these hearts are moved1 enlightened1 illuminated and become cognizant of the ,mighty ,message7#eb7 in this ,manifest ,day of the ,manifestation of the ,honorable ,station7#ec7 when the mystery of existence flows just as do the souls in the bodies4 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,this1 ,thy servant1 hath advanced toward ,thee and is passionately wandering in the desert of ,thy love and is walking in the path of ,thy service1 is expecting ,thy favors1 hoping for ,thy bounty1 depending upon ,thy ,kingdom and intoxicated by the wine of ,thy gift4 ,o my ,god6 ,increase his fervor in ,thy affection1 his constancy in ,thy praise and his ardor in ,thy love4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,generous and endued with great bounty4 ,there is no ,god save ,thee1 the ,forgiving1 the ,merciful6 8,o thou who hast acknowledged the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who hast acknowledged the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i received thy letter and considered its wonderful expressions and found therein facts which show thine approach toward ,god1 thy passionate love of the ,beauty of ,god1 thy cheerfulness in the ,cause of ,god and thy turning unto the ,center of the ,testament1 for that thou art brightened through the light of the effulgence4 ,then praise ,god for that ,he hath made thee to show the light of guidance1 to lay hold on the hem of the robe of greatness and to be attracted by the breaths of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,this is a matter which will satisfy thee from aught else save ,god and make thee above all needs and will cause thee to acquire an immortal wealth4 ,then thank ,god for this heavenly bounty on which the life of spirit depends entirely in all the worlds4 8,o ye two birds in the open-space of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o ye7#ed7 two birds in the open-space of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily ,i read your letter and ,i inhaled therefrom a spiritual fragrance which perfumes the nostrils of the spirit4 ,thank ye ,god that ,he hath filled for you the cup of gift with the wine of the great guidance and hath abundantly bestowed ,his benefit on you and hath enabled you to be healed from spiritual ailments which deaden the souls4 ,truly1 ,i say unto you verily this guidance is a precious pearl and a gem1 the lights of which glitter and the rays of which beam forth during centuries and ages4 ,appreciate ye its value and show forth spiritual virtues1 merciful characteristics and brilliant manners2 so that ye may be submerged in the seas of great mercy and shine forth from the horizon of mighty gift4 8,o thou who art longing for the ,orb of the ,horizons64440 ,o thou who art longing for the ,orb of the ,horizons67#ee7 ,verily1 ,i read thine eloquent1 accurate and wonderful letter1 whereby the feelings of thy heart and the loftiness of thy thoughts and the craving of thy spirit for the ,kingdom of ,god were expressed4 ,thank thou ,god that ,he hath given thee a power for discriminating the reality of things1 hath made thy feet firm in the ,path1 hath made thy heart overflowing with ,his love and hath exhilarated thee with the wine of ,his knowledge4 ,i beg of ,god to entirely remove the veiling from thine insight1 so that thou mayest become duly cognizant of the teachings of ,baha'4 ,and ,i beg of ,god to forgive thy sins and to illumine thy face with the light of forgiveness1 so that thou mayest conquer the self which desires the earthly world and prevent it from its wishes and appetites4 ,as to the spiritual meeting which ye have organized for diffusing the fragrances of ,god 7i4e41 for teaching the ,truth71 this is a good thing that ye have performed4 ,i beg of ,god1 to make the ,holy ,spirit breathe there in such fragrances which may perfume all regions4 ,be not grieved at the smallness of your number and thank ,god for the power of your spirits4 ,he shall assist you with such a confirmation whereat minds will be astonished and souls will be amazed4 8,o thou ,secretary of the meanings emanated from the4440 ,o thou ,secretary of the meanings emanated from the hearts of the people of the ,kingdom4 ,verily1 ,i have read thine eloquent letter and brilliant writing1 which indicated the attraction of the people of ,god by the fragrances of ,his ,kingdom1 and their gathering in the assembly of the merciful feelings and the congregation of the upright4 ,i do supplicate ,god to confirm that spiritual assembly1 that gathering of commemoration1 to that whereby the merciful faces brighten1 and ,i beseech ,him to assist them and thee to that whereby man ascends the highest and noblest station of excellence and the loftiest apex of honor1 to make them humble and courteous before the beloved of ,god1 to become severed from aught else save ,god1 to beseech the ,kingdom of ,,abha1 to be freed from every mention save the commemoration of ,god1 and to be sanctified from all the grades of passion and desire1 with pure1 holy hearts which are devoid of every feeling except entire attention unto ,god1 the ,lord of the present and the world to come4 ,i have written answers to the letters which thou hast sent and ,i enclose them with this ,tablet4 ,i wrote also a ,tablet to the assembly7#ef7 2 read it unto them with a fluent tongue and a heart overflowing with the love of ,god4 8,o ye who have advanced6 ,o ye who are rejoiced64440 ,o ye7#eg7 who have advanced6 ,o ye who are rejoiced6 ,verily1 ,god hath1 through ,his grace and generosity1 guided you toward ,his ,kingdom1 hath facilitated unto you every good1 hath favored you with the bounty of guidance1 hath made you signs of piety1 hath caused a blessing to descend upon you from heaven1 and hath made you banners of ,his commemoration among mankind4 ,thank ye ,god for this gift1 by reason of which the hearts of the ,supreme ,concourse are exhilarated4 ,the fragrances of holiness shall soon be diffused and the breeze of grace shall blow from the direction of the providence of your ,lord1 whereby your mentioning will be exalted1 your light will become scintillating1 your backs will be strengthened and you joy will be perfected4 ,make you feet firm in the love of ,god1 arise to carry on the teachings of ,god1 purify souls from desire and illumine faces with the light of guidance2 so that ye may obtain the might gift and the great mercy4 8,o ye sincere ones and ye who are attracted and moved4440 ,o ye7#eh7 sincere ones and ye who are attracted and moved by the breeze of the favor of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i have read the names of your beloved assembly which deserves to be mentioned with sanctity and which attracts the confirmation of the loving ,lord and seeks to attain to the favors of ,god1 the ,mighty1 the ,compassionate6 ,i beseech ,god at all times1 with all supplication1 humility and lowliness1 to confirm these souls who have no purpose in their deliberation and consultations save to seek the merciful bounties and the divine invisible confirmations4 ,i hope and request1 through the bounty of my ,lord1 that the greatest assistance and the most eminent confirmation be granted unto you when ye are firm and steadfast and withstand every difficulty which may befall you in spreading the ,cause of ,god in those regions4 ,by the life of ,god1 all the confirmations of the ,kingdom of ,god will surround those whose hearts are firm1 whose feet are steadfast and whose souls are tranquilized in the ,most ,great ,cause4 ,consider ye the past centuries1 how a single one of the beloved of ,god withstood all the people on the earth because of his firmness in the love of ,god1 and his entire turning of the heart toward the ,kingdom of ,god and with the cup of his heart overflowing with the wine of the knowledge of ,god4 ,be ye assured with the greatest assurance that1 verily1 ,god will help those who are firm in ,his ,covenant in every matter1 through ,his confirmation and favor1 the lights of which will shine forth unto the east of the earth1 as well as the west thereof4 ,he will make them the signs of guidance among the creation and as shining and glittering stars from all horizons4 ,consequently1 do ye beseech unto ,god and pray and supplicate ,him and ask ,him for the greatest gift and eminent favor4 8,o thou who hast acknowledged the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who hast acknowledged the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i received thy letter wherein thou hast confessed the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god at this time1 declared ,his ,oneness and believed in ,his ,words4 ,blessed art thou for this clear confession6 ,thank the maid-servant of ,god 44444444444444 for she hath guided thee to this ,path and declared to thee the ,call of ,god4 ,shouldst thou offer all the treasures of the earth to her1 they would not equal this great guidance4 ,depend upon ,god1 be sincere and sever thyself from all else save ,him4 ,thus thou wilt receive the teaching of ,god and thy heart will be made happy4 ,may thy tongue praise ,him and thy sight behold the light shining from the ,sun of ,truth4 ,verily1 this is a rich blessing for which the saints of the past longed4 ,be happy and say3 8,god chooses for ,his favors whomsoever ,he willeth4 ,he is the ,merciful1 the ,generous60 8,o ye who are set aglow with the fire of ,god's ,love64440 ,o ye who are set aglow with the fire of ,god's ,love6 ,blessed are ye for having been chosen by ,god for ,his love1 in this new age1 and joy be to you for having been guided to the ,great ,kingdom6 ,verily1 your ,lord hath chosen you to show the path to the ,kingdom of ,god1 among the people4 ,the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 444444444444 praised you in beautiful expressions and informed me of your earnest endeavors in serving1 teaching and offering the chalice of ,truth to the maid-servants of ,god4 ,i rejoiced to hear of your efforts in the ,cause of ,god4 ,this is indeed good service4 8,o thou who art turning unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art turning unto ,god6 ,thy letter was an inheritance of joy and happiness unto me1 for its significance was a supplication and an entreaty unto ,god to make thee a pure servant1 exempt from all material desires1 sanctified and severed from all save ,god1 that thou mayest be characterized with the attributes of the heavenly angels1 cleansed from all desires and earthly wishes1 with thy heart severed from all save the knowledge of the divine teachings4 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to nourish thee upon the breast of bounty and rear thee in such a manner that all men of learning shall be amazed1 and to make thee a miracle of guidance among the servants4 8,o thou who art attracted to ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to ,god6 ,i send this letter written by my own hand1 that thou mayest thank ,god1 thy ,lord1 the ,supreme1 grow in happiness in the love of ,god and be kindled by the fire of ,his love1 chanting verses of greetings and thanks1 and be quickened by the breezes of life blown from the garden of the knowledge of ,god4 8,o thou opened rose in the garden of ,el-,,abha64440 ,o thou opened rose in the garden of ,el-,,abha6 ,i have perused thy excellently worded letter showing what is moving in thy heart by the emotions of the love of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,chant the ,words of ,god and1 pondering over their meaning1 transform them into actions6 ,i ask ,god to cause thee to attain a high station in the ,kingdom of ,life forever and ever4 8,o thou who art tested with a great calamity64440 ,o thou who art tested with a great calamity6 ,be not grieved nor troubled because of the loss which hath befallen thee--a loss which caused the tears to flow1 sighs to be produced1 sorrow to exist and hearts to burn in great agony2 but know1 this hath reference only to the physical body1 and if thou considerest this matter with a discerning and intelligent eye1 thou wilt find that it hath no power whatsoever1 for separation belongeth to the characteristics of the body4 ,but concerning the spirit1 know that thy pure son shall be with thee in the ,kingdom of ,god and thou shalt witness his smiling face1 illumined brow1 handsome spirit and real happiness4 ,accordingly1 thou wilt then be comforted and thank ,god for ,his favor upon thee4 8,o thou who art patient and resigning thyself to the4440 ,o thou who art patient and resigning thyself to the judgment 7of ,god76 ,be not grieved at the calamity which hath unexpectedly come upon thee and for the misfortune which heavily weigheth upon thee4 ,it behooveth one like thee to endure every trial1 to be pleased with the decree and to commit all thy affairs to ,god1 so that thou mayest be a calm1 approved and pleasing soul before ,god4 ,know thou1 that thy beloved son hath soared1 with the wing of soul1 up to the loftiest height which is never-ending in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,rejoice at this great prosperity which the chosen ones were longingly asking from the ,holy and ,exalted ,threshold 7of ,god74 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 wert thou informed of the position in which is thy son1 thy face would be illuminated by the lights of happiness and thou wouldst thank thy forgiving ,lord therefor and thou wouldst long for ascending to that praiseworthy position4 8,o thou who hast humbled thyself before the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou who hast humbled thyself before the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,blessed art thou that thine heart is attracted to the ,beauty of ,god1 is illumined with the light of knowledge and the ray of the ,kingdom hath shone within it4 ,know thou1 verily1 ,god is with thee under all circumstances and guards thee from the concerns of the world and makes thee a servant in ,his great vineyard4 ,as to thy question concerning training children3 ,it is incumbent upon thee to nurture them from the breast of the love of ,god1 to urge them towards spiritual matters1 to turn unto ,god and to acquire good manners1 best characteristics and praiseworthy virtues and qualities in the world of humanity1 and to study sciences with the utmost diligence2 so that they may become spiritual1 heavenly and attracted to the fragrances of sanctity from their childhood and be reared in a religious1 spiritual and heavenly training4 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to confirm them therein4 ,as to thy revered husband3 ,it is expedient that thou shouldst behave toward him in the best way and persevere in his good pleasure 7i4e41 please him7 and treat him with kindness under all aspects2 until 7or so that7 he may find that through thy turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god 7i4e41 by becoming a believer7 thy affection toward him and thy love for ,god is increased and that thou hast regard for his good will in every condition4 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to make thee steadfast in ,his love and to cause thee to diffuse the fragrances of sanctity in those places 7i4e41 to teach the ,truth74 8,o thou loving torch1 flaming by the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou loving torch1 flaming by the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter sent by thee and was rejoiced in heart by the wonderful meaning and eloquent content1 which proved thy extreme sincerity in the ,cause of ,god1 thy steadfastness in the path of the ,kingdom of ,god and thy firmness in the religion of ,god1 forasmuch as this is of the utmost importance before ,god4 ,how many souls advanced unto ,god1 entered the shadow of the ,word of ,god and became celebrated in the world1 as ,judas ,iscariot4 ,then1 when the tests became severe and trials great1 their feet turned from the path2 turned from confession to denial2 changed from love and affection to severe enmity4 ,then the power of tests1 whereby the foundations shake1 were manifested4 ,judas ,iscariot was one of the greatest disciples1 was called unto ,jesus2 he thought that ,jesus increased his kindness to ,peter1 the disciple1 when saying to him3 8,thou art ,peter2 upon thee ,i shall build my church40 ,this speech affecting ,peter with special impression whereby envy was created in the heart of ,judas and1 therefore1 he turned after advancing1 denied after confessing1 hated after loving1 until he became the cause of the crucifixion of the ,glorious ,lord and ,manifest ,light4 ,this is the end of envy which causes people to turn from the right path4 ,such has taken place and will occur in this ,great ,cause2 but there is no harm in it1 as it is the cause of manifesting the firmness of the rest and the arising of the firm souls who are as solid as the lofty mountains in the love of the ,manifest ,light4 ,as to thee1 convey unto the maid-servants of the ,merciful that they must be firm in the love of ,el-,baha at the time of the severe trials and tests2 forasmuch as the storms and winds occur during the winter seasons2 then comes the spring with the wonderful scenery and it adorns the hills and plains with flowers and beautiful birds sing the melodies of joy on the branches of the trees and warble beautiful tunes on the roofs of bowers1 in wonderful melodies4 ,soon shalt thou see that the lights have shone forth1 the banners of the ,kingdom have been raised1 the fragrances of ,god diffused1 the hosts of the ,kingdom descending1 the angels of heaven confirmed and the ,holy ,spirit breathed into those horizons 7regions74 ,then shalt thou see the waverers frightened and at loss4 ,this is a complete matter on the part of the ,lord of ,signs4 ,blessed art thou for keeping firm in the ,cause of ,god4 ,i pray ,god to give thee a divine spirit1 spiritual blood and to make thee a growing and thriving leaf on the ,tree of ,life1 so that thou mayest serve the maid-servants of ,god in fragrance and spirituality4 ,thy generous ,lord will confirm thee in serving in ,his great vineyard and will make thee an instrument for spreading the spirit of concord and union among the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 will open thine insight by the light of knowledge and forgive thee thy sins and change them to good deeds4 ,verily thy ,lord is the ,forgiving1 the ,merciful and ,possessor of ,great ,bounty6 8,o maid-servant of ,god who art swayed like a strong4440 ,o maid-servant of ,god who art swayed like a strong branch by the breeze of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter which evinces the abundance of thy love and the warmth of thy devotion and thy zeal in acknowledging ,god4 ,commit thyself to ,god2 give up thy will and choose that of ,god2 abandon thy desire and lay hold on that of ,god2 that thou mayest be a holy1 spiritual and heavenly example among the maid-servants of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,know thou that in the sight of ,god1 the conduct of women is the same as that of men4 ,all are the creatures of ,god and ,he has created them after ,his form and likeness2 that is to say1 after the form and likeness of the ,manifestations of ,his names and ,his attributes4 ,from the spiritual point of view1 therefore1 there is no difference between women and men4 8,the nearer we draw to ,god1 the nearer ,he comes to us0 without regard to whether the person be a man or a woman4 ,how many women1 thus drawn to ,god1 have surpassed men in the shadow of ,baha' in bringing men under it--women famous throughout the world6 ,the ,house of ,justice1 however1 according to the positive commandments of the ,doctrine of ,god1 has been specialized to the men1 for a 7specific7 reason or exercise of wisdom on the part of ,god1 and this reason will presently appear1 even as the sun at midday4 ,and as to you--you other maid-servants attracted by the perfume of ,god--establish spiritual gatherings 7assemblies7 and heavenly meetings4 ,this work is the beginning of the diffusing of the perfume of ,god and the foundation of the elevating of the ,word of ,god and the making known of the commandments of ,god4 ,is there a blessing greater than this8 ,these spiritual gatherings 7assemblies7 are sustained 7reinforced7 by the ,spirit of ,god1 and their protector is ,abdul-,baha1 who spreads his wings 7over7 above them4 ,is there a blessing greater than this8 ,these spiritual gatherings 7assemblies7 are glowing lamps and heavenly gardens which cast the light of knowledge upon the contingent world and cause the spirit of life to penetrate to every quarter4 ,this1 then1 is the best means of the progress of the human race in all conditions and circumstances4 ,is there a greater blessing than this8 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy beautifully composed letter and thank ,god for that ,he granted thee characteristics1 attributes and deeds which made thee dear and loved by the maid-servants of ,god and chosen to be the president of the 8,assembly of ,teaching40 ,thank ,god for that ,he confirmed thee by this wonderful bounty1 and1 verily1 ,i supplicate unto ,him to strengthen thee in rendering this great service in ,his great vineyard1 and to strengthen thy respected husband in patience and forbearance in this test which will pass away1 by the help of ,god1 and the veil be removed2 difficulty will be replaced by ease2 hardships and trouble be changed into comfort1 in the shadow of ,his great ,kingdom4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank ,god that thou hast come near unto the ,holy ,threshold and art dear in the ,kingdom of ,his ,glory4 ,thou art president of an assembly which is a type of the assemblages of the ,supreme ,concourse and a reflection of the semblances of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,with heart and soul1 with entire devotion1 supplication1 humbleness and submissiveness1 endeavor to promulgate the law of ,god and strive to diffuse the fragrances of ,god4 ,exert yourself to become the real president of assemblies of spiritual ones and a companion of the ,kingdom of the ,merciful4 ,thou hast asked in regard to the #ajth verse of the #bast chapter of ,revelation and to the #agth verse3 ,know that the firmament of the bright sun of the world of possibilities is divided into twelve sections1 according to mathematical principles1 which are called the twelve constellations2 likewise1 the ,sun of ,truth manifests and pours forth ,his bounty in twelve constellations of holiness4 ,by these constellations are meant holy souls who are the manifestations of purity and the dawning-points of the lights of ,unity4 ,observe that in the day of ,his ,holiness the ,speaker of ,god 7,moses71 there were twelve holy souls who were the leaders of the ,truth4 ,in like manner1 in the cycle of ,his ,holiness the ,spirit 7,jesus ,christ71 note that there were twelve apostles under the shadow of the light of the ,most ,high1 and the ,sun of ,truth was manifested through those bright dawning-places like unto the phenomenal sun4 ,likewise1 in the time of ,his ,holiness ,mohammed1 consider that there were twelve dawning points of holiness who were the manifestations of confirmation4 ,such is the case4 ,accordingly1 ,st4 ,john1 the divine1 declared in his vision regarding the twelve doors and the twelve foundations4 ,by the great and holy city of ,jerusalem1 which is descended from heaven1 is meant the sacred law of ,god4 ,this subject has been repeatedly explained in many ,tablets and in the ,scriptures of the ancient prophets4 ,for example1 it is said in one place3 8,i beheld ,jerusalem marching on to the wilderness40 ,the purport is that this ,heavenly ,jerusalem has twelve doors through which the advancing souls enter into the ,city of ,god4 ,these doors are the souls who are the stars of guidance and doors unto bounty and knowledge4 8,at the gates twelve angels stood40 ,by 8angel0 is meant the power of the confirmation of ,god2 that the candle of the power of the divine confirmation shines forth and is illumined in those souls4 ,that is to say1 that each one of those souls will be confirmed by the mightiest power4 ,those twelve gates surround the whole universe4 ,this signifies that all existence is under the shadow of those souls2 also1 that these doors are the foundation of the city of ,god1 the divine ,jerusalem2 that upon each of these foundations the name of one of the ,apostles of ,his ,holiness the ,spirit7#ei7 is written4 ,that is to say1 the manifestation of the perfections1 glad-tidings1 virtues and high attributes of that holy soul4 ,in brief1 it is said that3 8,and he that talked with me had a golden rod to measure the city and the gates thereof and the walls thereof40 ,the purport is this1 that certain souls guided 7people7 with a rod of the plant1 that is1 a reed wherewith he shepherded the sheep1 like unto the rod of ,moses2 other trained 7the people7 with a rod of iron and drove them1 as in the time of ,mohammed 7,the scepter of ,mohammed was the sword74 ,in this ,greatest ,day the rod of the plant and the rod of iron are changed into a rod which is of pure gold and is from the endless treasuries of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,by the instrumentality of this1 all people shall be trained4 ,observe the difference3 ,in a certain time the teachings of ,god were like unto the twigs of a tree and by them the signs of ,god were spread1 the law of ,god promulgated and the religion of ,god founded4 ,later a time came when the rod of the divine ,shepherd was like iron1 and now in this blessed and glorious cycle that rod is become like unto pure gold4 ,what a great difference exists between them6 ,therefore know that the law of ,god and the divine teachings prove a great advance in this day4 ,they have reached a degree of supremacy1 compared with former ages4 ,nay1 rather1 this is pure gold1 while that was iron and wood4 ,this answer was written briefly because there was no more time4 ,you will certainly excuse4 ,the maid-servants of ,god must reach a station wherein they themselves shall comprehend the realities and meanings1 to give clear explanations for each word and the fountains of wisdom gush forth from the reality of their hearts like a full flowing stream4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i noted the contents of thy letter1 which was beautifully composed1 was informed of thy sorrow1 the shedding of thy tears and the glowing of thy heart on account of the imprisonment of ,abdul-,baha4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,this prison is indeed more precious and sweet than a garden to me1 this fetter is greater than any liberty and the confinement is broader than the most spacious wilderness4 ,therefore1 grieve not on this account4 ,verily1 if my ,lord destine unto me and causes me to taste the sweetness of the cup of the great martyrdom1 my greatest desire will be fulfilled4 ,fear not if this ,branch be severed from the material earth and cast aside the leaves--nay1 rather1 its leaves will flourish1 for this ,branch will grow after it is cut from the earth 7world71 will ascend until it shelters the universe1 its foliage will reach the ,supreme ,apex and bear fruits1 imparting fragrant perfume unto the world4 ,therefore1 turn unto thy ,supreme ,lord and say3 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,this ,thy maid-servant supplicates to ,thee1 trusts in ,thee and directs herself unto ,thee1 asking ,thee to shed ,thy divine mercies upon her1 to manifest ,thy spiritual mysteries and to show forth ,thy majesty unto her4 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,lord6 ,illumine the sight of my husband1 cheer his breast by the light of knowing ,thee1 attract his heart unto ,thy manifest ,beauty and gladden his spirit by the manifestation of ,thy radiant light4 ,o ,lord6 ,withdraw the veil from his sight1 grant him ,thy compassion1 exhilarate him with the wine of ,thy love among the people1 make him an angel of ,thine walking upon the earth1 let his spirit soar unto heaven and make him a lamp glistening with the light of ,thy knowledge in the community4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,generous1 the ,precious1 the ,bestower6 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,be rejoiced through the grace of thy ,lord and happy through the bounties of thy ,god1 the ,most ,merciful of the ,merciful4 ,thy ,lord hath indeed chosen thee for ,his love1 guided thee unto the straight path1 attracted thee by the magnet of ,his knowledge1 from among women1 and crowned thee with the diadem of guidance among the maid-servants4 ,praise thy ,lord for this great favor1 heavenly mercy and bounty which hath no equal in the world of creation4 ,gladden the maid-servants of the ,merciful through the grace of thy ,lord4 ,thus their breasts may become dilated by the holy fragrances emanating from the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha4 ,soon the lights will glisten and the ,sun of ,truth will shine with the burning ray in that country4 ,at that time the maid-servants who are firm and constant will rejoice2 while every doubtful soul who wavers will regret4 ,woe unto him1 woe unto him1 in that day wherein the beloved will attain joy by the surrounding ,kingdom of thy ,lord1 the ,precious1 the ,beneficent6 ,verily1 the end is for them who are ushered into the tent of the ,covenant of thy merciful ,lord4 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily ,i am acquainted with the contents of the letter which thou hast addressed to 444444444444 the servant of ,god1 and ,i find its significance excellent1 proclaiming the ,truth about which there can be no doubt or uncertainty4 ,now the day has arrived in which the edifice of ,god1 the divine sanctuary1 the spiritual temple1 shall be erected in ,america6 ,i entreat ,god to assist the confirmed believers in accomplishing this great service and with entire zeal to rear this mighty structure which shall be renowned throughout the world4 ,the support of ,god will be with those believers in that district that they may be successful in their undertaking1 for the ,cause is great and great2 because this is the first ,mashrak-el-,azcar in that country and from it the praise of ,god shall ascend to the ,kingdom of ,mystery and the tumult of ,his exaltation and greetings from the whole world shall be heard6 ,whosoever arises for the service of this building shall be assisted with a great power from ,his ,supreme ,kingdom and upon him spiritual and heavenly blessings shall descend1 which shall fill his heart with wonderful consolation and enlighten his eyes by beholding the glorious and eternal ,god6 ,give my greetings and salutations to thy honorable husband and say to him from me3 8,notice the sign which shall soon appear in those regions and then your searching heart shall be assured4 ,verily thy ,lord is the ,powerful60 8,o thou who art assured by the grace of thy ,lord64440 ,o thou who art assured by the grace of thy ,lord6 ,i have perused thy excellent letter which shows that thou art turning thy face unto the living1 eternal ,one and grasping the hem of ,his ,grandeur and thy attraction unto the ,call of thy ,supreme ,lord4 ,well done6 ,well done6 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 for thou hast believed in the ,glorious ,beauty 7of ,el-,,abha7 and art confirmed in the manifestation of the ,kingdom of ,god1 during this time4 ,it behooveth thee to sever thyself from all desires save thy ,lord1 the ,supreme1 expecting no help or aid from anyone in the universe1 not even from thy father or children4 ,resign thyself to ,god6 ,content thyself with but little of this world's goods6 ,verily1 economy is a great treasure4 ,if one of thy relations oppress thee1 complain not magnificent patience during every calamity and hardship4 ,verily thy ,master is the ,lord of ,faithfulness6 ,forgive and overlook the shortcomings which have appeared in that one1 for the sake of love and affection4 ,know that nothing will benefit thee in this life save supplication and invocation unto ,god1 service in ,his vineyard1 and1 with a heart full of love1 be in constant servitude unto ,him4 ,if thy daily living become difficult1 soon 7,god7 thy ,lord will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee4 ,be patient in the time of affliction and trial1 endure every difficulty and hardship with dilated heart1 attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the ,merciful4 ,verily this is the life of satisfaction1 the spiritual existence1 heavenly repose1 divine benediction and the celestial table6 ,soon thy ,lord will extenuate thy straightened circumstances even in this world4 8,o thou dear servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and its contents noted4 ,as to instructions which thou desirest1 they are as follows3 ,believe in ,god2 turn unto the ,supreme ,kingdom2 be attracted unto the ,beauty of ,,abha2 remain firm in the ,covenant2 yearn for ascending unto the heaven of the sun of the universe2 be disinterested in the world2 be alive with the fragrances of holiness in the ,kingdom of the ,highest2 be a caller to love2 kind to the human race2 gentle with humanity2 interested in all the people of the world2 wish for harmony and seek friendship and honesty4 ,be a healing for every wound1 a remedy for every sick1 a source of harmony among the people2 chant the verses of guidance2 pray to ,god2 arise for the guidance of the people2 let thy tongue explain and thy face illumine with the glowing of the love of ,god4 ,rest not a moment and breathe not a breath of repose until thou becomest a sign of ,god's love and a banner of ,god's favor4 8,o thou who art hoping for the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art hoping for the ,kingdom6 ,thank thou ,god that ,he hath guided thee1 led thee to the ,kingdom of ,being1 ushered thee under the shade of the bounties of the ,lord of ,hosts1 and that thou hast stepped into the ,paradise of ,,abha4 ,do not grieve on account of the death of thy son1 neither sigh nor lament4 ,that nightingale soared upward to the divine rose-garden2 that drop returned to the most great ocean of ,truth2 that foreigner hastened to his native abode2 and that ill one found salvation and life eternal4 ,why shouldst thou be sad and heartbroken8 ,this separation is temporal2 this remoteness and sorrow is counted only by days4 ,thou shalt find him in the ,kingdom of ,god and thou wilt attain to the everlasting union4 ,physical companionship is ephemeral1 but heavenly association is eternal4 ,whenever thou rememberest the eternal and never ending union1 thou wilt be comforted and blissful4 8,o dear servant of ,god64440 ,o dear servant of ,god6 ,thy letter hath arrived and the contents have given glad-tidings that the ground for the ,temple hath been bought and also told about the meeting which was held concerning the needs for the ,temple4 ,from this news great fragrance and joy were produced4 ,thanks be to ,god that thou wast helped to establish a meeting for this purpose4 ,i hope that the members of this meeting will become the receivers of the divine benevolence and be aided by the heavenly assistances4 ,but consult with the ,house of ,spirituality of ,chicago4 ,ye must all be perfectly united and harmonious until1 through this harmony1 ye may perpetually receive help from the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,concerning the members of this spiritual meeting1 you suggested that they be selected from all the spiritual meetings of the other cities of ,america4 ,i quite approve and am very much pleased with this plan4 ,this will become the cause of harmony in the ,word in all ,america4 ,therefore1 ask every spiritual meeting in the other cities that they will each select one and send him1 and from these selected ones and with those who are selected from the ,chicago meetings1 establish a new meeting for the provision of the needs of the ,temple4 ,if this be established with perfect fragrance and joy1 it will produce great results4 ,in this new meeting1 especially for the establishment of the ,temple1 ladies are also to be members4 ,give to all the divine friends the glad-tidings of the boundless heavenly blessings and tell them that the glances of the eyes of ,providence are upon them and the perfect favor and bounty are descending upon them4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter1 concerning the celebration of the anniversary of the declaration of ,his ,holiness the ,supreme7#fj7--may my spirit be sacrificed for ,him6--which was held on the land of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar7#fa71 was read4 ,the utmost joy was attained1 for--praise be to ,god6 --the friends of the ,merciful passed some time on that day joyous and singing in the land of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar and enjoyed commemorating the ,lord of the verses with the greatest joy4 ,that melody was heard by the ,supreme ,concourse and that rose-song of the nightingale of faithfulness gladdened the people of the rose-garden of ,,abha4 ,i am hopeful that1 during the coming ,rizwan7#fb71 a great feast shall be held in the land of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar1 a spiritual celebration prepared and the melodies of the violin and the mandoline and hymns in praise and glorification of the ,lord of ,hosts make all the audience joyous and ecstatic4 ,a few days ago an epistle was written--therefore1 brevity is considered here4 ,treat thy dear daughter1 for me1 with the utmost kindness and1 likewise1 the other friends and maid-servants of the ,merciful4 8,o attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,the epistle written 7and sent7 through ,mirza444444 was received4 ,the account of the land designated for the ,mashrak-el-,azcar1 of your placing therein1 in company with ,mrs4 444444441 nine stones and pouring thereon attar1 water and olive oil1 and of your commemorating the ,beauty of ,,abha and ,his ,holiness the ,supreme7#fc71 was all understood4 ,that land is blessed because it is mentioned by the name of ,mashrak-el-,azcar4 ,surely1 the beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful in all the cities of ,america must put forth the utmost of effort in order that the ,mashrak-el-,azcar be raised in that land4 ,i am hopeful through the aids and confirmations of ,god that the beloved ones and maid-servants of the ,merciful may achieve this service4 ,express the utmost love and kindliness on behalf of ,abdul-,baha to all the beloved and the dear maid-servants of the ,merciful1 especially ,mrs4 4444444444 and thy dear daughter4 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i have considered thy writing1 which indicates brightness of heart and the love of ,god4 ,blessed art thou for having been thus favored and for having attained to guidance4 ,you have asked me two questions3 8,that if the same spirit is manifest in all the ,manifestations and ,prophets1 then what is the distinction or difference between ,christ 7or rather ,jesus7 and the other ,prophets2 also what is the difference between ,father and ,son80 ,know that the human spirit is one1 but it manifests itself in various members of the body in a certain 7measure or7 form4 ,the human spirit is existent in the sight 7eyes72 it is also existent in the brain1 which is the location of great functions and powers2 it is also existent in the heart1 which organ is largely connected with the brain or the center of the mind1 and the heart1 or that center which is connection with the brain1 has a distinct and separate function1 effect and appearance4 ,in this connection1 the hair and nails have no command 7nor direct feeling74 ,figuratively speaking1 the ,father is the center of the brain and the ,son is the center of the heart2 the rest of the ,prophets are members and parts4 ,fatherhood and ,prophethood1 in this case1 are two expressions of the same thing1 as man and creature are two names of the same reality4 ,the word 8man10 however1 is greater than the word 8creature0 because it bears a weightier meaning than the name 8creature02 both are the same4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,i pray ,god to confirm thee forever anew4 ,give greeting to thy dear mother4 ,superstition hath somewhat overcome her4 ,when the imagined ,satan overpowers1 let her say3 8,o ,baha-el-,,abha60 ,she should then turn to the highest ,kingdom4 ,thus will the imagined ,satan leave her4 ,she has a form of obsession2 therefore1 you may not heed her sayings4 ,cultivate the land and thus1 through its fruits1 you will obtain benefits4 ,god will relieve you from care 7on account7 of your mother4 ,give your good husband my spiritual greeting4 ,i pray that he may be made a recipient of the divine bounties and attain to the grace of ,god4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,holiness64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,holiness6 ,be dilated in thy heart by the gentle breeze which emanates from the garden of ,eternal ,life and enkindled in the ,tree of ,sinai in the center of ,paradise2 so that thou mayest be a pillar of fire and a cloud of light in this age1 wherein a drop grows into a large wave of the sea1 and a lamp glistens with the light of the dazzling stars1 and this is from the power which is manifested by thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 999999 ,be firm in the worship of ,god1 fasting1 praying1 imploring and invoking unto thy ,god1 the ,generous2 so that ,he shall destine to thee the honor of sacrifice in the path of thy ,beloved1 the ,ancient4 ,i ask ,god to grant thee thy greatest wish in this wonderful time4 8,o thou who art cheered through the ,fragrances of4440 ,o thou who art cheered through the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,when thou desirest and yearnest for meeting in the world of vision2 at the time when thou art in perfect fragrance and spirituality1 wash thy hands and face1 clothe thyself in clean robes1 turn toward the court of the ,peerless ,one1 offer prayer to ,him and lay thy head upon the pillow4 ,when sleep cometh1 the doors of revelation shall be opened and all thy desires shall become revealed4 ,endeavor to guide thy mother and confirm her in faith2 when the heart becometh confident1 the imagination of ,satan and evil vanisheth away4 ,if the heart becometh absolutely tranquil1 suspicion and imagination will entirely pass away4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was read and ,i am very happy that thou art active and full of life through the spirit of ,life and that thou art firm and steadfast in this great ,cause4 ,to enter the ,kingdom is easy1 but to remain firm and constant is difficult4 ,the planting of trees is easy1 but their cultivation and training to strengthen their roots and to make them firm is difficult4 ,now1 as thou art a firm tree1 thou shalt certainly grow and send out branches1 leaves and blossoms and bear fruits4 ,these branches1 leaves1 blossoms and fruits are the souls who may be guided1 through the providence of ,god1 by thee4 ,therefore1 thou art confirmed and strengthened4 ,some of the friends intended to visit the ,holy ,land1 but hindrances prevented them and they have deferred their coming4 ,you should also remain with your mother and serve her until a suitable time arrives4 ,give my greetings and praise to my spiritual friend thy husband and gladden him with the joyful tidings of ,god2 also1 give the same to the friends of ,god and ,his maid-servants4 8,o thou who has sought shelter in the ,impregnable4440 ,o thou who has sought shelter in the ,impregnable ,cave6 ,verily1 the glad-tidings of ,god have encompassed ,abdul-,baha from all directions4 ,while his heart is beating with the love of ,god1 he holds a cup full of the knowledge of ,god in his right hand and wishes to give the seekers to drink of this wine1 so that they may1 perchance1 be exhilarated with this cup1 which is overflowing with the signs of ,god4 ,be thou rejoiced at these words1 because thou wilt partake of this wine which refreshes hearts and souls4 8,o thou who art confessing the ,oneness of ,god64440 ,o thou who art confessing the ,oneness of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter and ,i besought ,god to cause thee to promulgate ,his divine ,manifestation1 to be rejoiced at the bounty of ,his ,kingdom1 to adhere to ,his ,testament1 to hold fast to the hem of the robe of ,his grandeur1 to exert thyself in ,his ,cause1 to desire the unity of ,his dearly beloved ones1 and the harmony amongst ,his chosen ones and to endeavor to remove the doubts which are being emanated from deceitful souls4 ,by the might of my ,lord1 verily1 the ,lord will assist only those who will remain firm in ,his ,cause1 and desire union1 love1 humility and submissiveness1 and to become separated from aught else save ,god4 ,every forehead which is illuminated with these lights will be a lamp of guidance and a star whereby all horizons will be lighted4 ,exert thyself with all thy heart and soul and with all strength1 so that thou mayest become a sign of firmness and as a banner of the ,word of ,god which may wave on every lofty edifice through the favor of thy ,glorious ,lord4 ,as to thy question concerning the #abth chapter of ,ecclesiastes3 ,this is prophecy regarding the coming of ,jesus in that book1 the signs and marks of which were fulfilled with the appearance of the ,promised ,one of the ,bible7#fd7 2 but since the ,jews did not understand the meaning thereof1 so they denied ,jesus and-- ,god forbid6 --said that ,he was the deformed 7,antichrist74 ,then it is said by ,jesus in the ,gospel1 that similar signs would appear in the 8last day0--or in other words--in the day when ,christ will come the second time in this world4 ,the interpretation of these statements is mentioned in the clearest manner and with the most wonderful proofs in the ,book of ,ighan7#fe7 4 ,his honor1 ,ali-,kuli-,khan1 has already translated this ,book which will soon be published in ,america7#ff7 4 ,then you will be informed of the explanation and interpretation of these verses and statements as elucidated by the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,therefore my interpretation is not necessary4 ,as to thy question concerning the #edth chapter of ,isaiah3 ,this chapter refers to the ,exalted ,leaf1 the mother of ,abdul-,baha4 ,as a proof to this it is said3 8,for more are the children of the desolate1 than the children of the married wife40 ,reflect upon this statement and then upon the following3 8,and thy seed shall inherit the ,gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited40 ,and truly the humiliation and reproach which she suffered in the path of ,god is a fact which no one can refute4 ,for the calamities and afflictions mentioned in the whole chapter are such afflictions which she suffered in the path of ,god1 all of which she endured with patience and thanked ,god therefor and praised ,him1 because ,he had enabled her to endure afflictions for the sake of ,baha'4 ,during all this time1 the men and women 7nakazeen7 persecuted her in an incomparable manner1 while she was patient1 ,god-fearing1 calm1 humble and contented through the favor of her ,lord and by the bounty of her ,creator4 ,as to thee--,o thou who art confessing the ,oneness of ,god6 --rise with all thy power to keep firm in the ,testament of ,god1 and firmly believe that1 verily1 all troops are defeated save those of the ,testament and all banners are reversed1 save that of the ,covenant of ,god1 which will wave over all horizons and will overshadow the hosts of spirit1 love and peace1 while agitated by the breeze of the favor of ,god4 ,be thou of the number of this great host and among the vanguard of this great and powerful army4 8,o thou illumined youth64440 ,o thou illumined youth6 ,thank thou ,god1 for that the tongues spoke in thy praise and the pends moved with thy love1 thy knowledge and thy enkindlement by the fire of the love of ,god4 ,one of them is the pen of ,abdul-,baha4 ,therefore1 be a sign of knowledge1 standard of assurance and a light of ,god1 so that thou mayest become strengthened by the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit in these days4 8,o thou revered sincere one64440 ,o thou revered sincere one6 ,know thou1 verily1 the brilliant realities and sanctified spirits are likened to a shining crescent4 ,it has one face turned toward the ,sun of ,truth1 and another face opposite to the contingent world4 ,the journey of this crescent in the heaven of the universe ends in 7becoming7 a full moon4 ,that is1 that face of it which is turned toward the divine world becomes also opposite to the contingent world1 and by this1 both its merciful and spiritual1 as well as contingent1 perfections become complete4 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast spoken concerning thy lack of ability and capacity4 ,wert thou without ability and capacity1 thou wouldst not have advanced toward the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,consider how there are thousands of heedless souls who are asleep1 while there is one who is conscious and awake6 ,even as ,his ,holiness ,christ has said1 the friends of ,god are the salt of the earth1 and the salt is but a little part of the whole4 ,undoubtedly the friends of ,god have been endowed with ability and capacity1 on which account this became of the 8chosen0 and not of the 8called40 ,o thou spiritual friend6 ,this world is a prison for heavenly souls1 and this earthly world is but a cage1 and not a nest1 unto the divine birds4 ,a prisoner who is awake and conscious will certainly seek for freedom1 and a mindful bird will certainly wish for deliverance from the cage4 ,when the heart becometh free from attachment unto this world1 it will crave for the world of the ,kingdom and seek for eternal life4 8,o thou who are enkindled by the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who are enkindled by the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i received thy good and beautiful letter and ,i found it to be a sign of thy love and an evidence of thy being attracted to the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha4 ,i ask ,god to make thee a caller to the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha1 in those regions2 to give thee a draught of the wine of grace1 to attract thee to the center of guidance1 to cause thee to ascend unto the ,supreme ,world and to confirm thee by the fragrances of the ,holy ,spirit1 until thou mayest guide the people unto the kingdom of immortality1 revive the hearts by the fragrances of ,god and plant the seed of guidance in the field of the souls1 by a help from thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement4 ,as to the wonderful melody whereby thy spirit was revived1 verily it is a melody of the melodies of the divine music1 which will cause the spirits to ascend unto the ,supreme ,horizon and will 7cause7 the mysteries to be unfolded4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be one of the angels of peace and a saint in the world4 ,verily thy ,lord will cause thee to listen to that wonderful melody1 through the spiritual instrument4 ,regarding thy visit to this region7#fg71 it is not permissible at this time4 ,but when the time comes1 permission will be granted thee to present thyself at this ,source of ,light and ,dawning-,point of the love of thy ,lord1 the ,forgiver4 8,o thou who art made happy by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art made happy by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i have not forgotten thee and will never forget thee4 ,i supplicate my ,lord and thy ,lord to make thee a sign of ,his love among the maid-servants of the ,merciful and an overflowing chalice with the wine of ,his knowledge among the women1 so that thou be filled with the love of thy ,lord and be severed from aught else save ,him4 ,verily thy ,lord is the ,generous and the ,giver4 ,he will give thee what will dilate thy breast1 enlighten thine eyes and attract thee in all conditions and circumstances4 8,convey my love to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444444414440 7#fh7 ,convey my love to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 and say3 8,serve ,god all you can1 for this service is eternal and lasting40 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank ,god for choosing thee1 saving thee and granting thee of these great blessings and glorious attainments4 ,verily1 thy ,lord shall confirm thee in that which shall surprise the minds1 through the glowing of its love and the manifestations of the signs of its favors4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be pure and holy4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be severed from all else save thy ,lord4 ,confine thy attention and thoughts to the ,cause of thy great ,lord and to diffusing ,his fragrances in that country4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,commune with thy ,lord1 saying3 ,o my ,god6 my ,god6 ,thanks be to ,thee for guiding me unto ,thy ,kingdom1 for opening before my face the door of ,thy guidance1 enlightening my eyes with beholding ,thy signs1 and filling my heart with the feelings of ,thy love4 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,lord6 ,make me severed from the world and void of its conditions1 attracted by the fragrances of ,thy holiness among ,thy maid-servants1 free in heart1 happy in soul1 cheerful in mind1 longing for the ,kingdom of ,thy ,beauty1 and glowing with the fire of ,thy love in the world4 ,thus may ,i enkindle the light of guidance in the hearts of ,thy servants4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,bestower1 the ,precious1 the ,mighty6 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,breath of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,breath of ,god6 ,with all joy ,i read thy brilliant letter and was informed of its expression and meanings1 which showed thine abundant love in ,god1 thy humility before the beloved of ,god1 thine attraction to the fragrances of ,god and thy firmness in the ,testament of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god to make thee promote perfect harmony among the believers of ,god and pure affection amid the chosen ones of ,god and make thee to cause greatest tranquillity to all the creatures and to show kindness towards all the people on the earth1 because the bounty of the ,merciful ,god is but pure love1 great prosperity and universal peace among the different people in all regions and laying the foundation of great happiness and felicity for all the creatures4 ,consequently1 ,o thou who art attracted by the fragrances of ,god1 exert thyself and fail not to infuse affection throughout all hearts and souls2 fail not to gather all the souls together in the assemblage of union and cheerfulness1 so that the beloved of ,god may become as a levied army of the ,supreme ,concourse and as a host of salvation descending from the ,kingdom of ,,abha and conquer the countries of hearts and the cities of souls with their tongues1 similar to sharp swords whereby fortresses and castles are conquered4 ,by the ,life of ,god6 ,verily ,i love thee with all my heart and pray for thee every eve and morn that the forgiving ,lord may enable thee to serve in ,his excellent vineyard and make thee a sign of ,his signs1 to cause thee to deliver ,his ,cause1 diffuse ,his breath 7and ,i beg of ,him7 to strengthen thine honorable wife to that which behooveth these days4 ,verily ,he is the ,giver of ,confirmation in all circumstances6 8,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god64440 ,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy brilliant letter and thanked ,god for that ,he hath created a maid-servant for ,baha'1 who prays for ,abdul-,baha and beg the confirmation and assistance of ,god in his behalf1 because ,i am earnestly fond of the prayer of the maid-servants of ,god in my behalf and of their asking the blessing of ,god for this servant6 ,i begged of ,god to ordain all good unto thee for thy praying for ,abdul-,baha4 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 and4440 ,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 and looking unto the ,day-spring of the lights of ,god6 ,i1 with the utmost joy and cheerfulness1 have perused the contents of thy letter1 which shows thy faith in ,god1 thy assurance in the ,kingdom of ,god1 the gladness of thy breast in hearing the voice of ,god and the adherence of thy heart to the word of ,god4 ,o servant of ,god6 rejoice through the glad-tidings of ,god1 be happy by the wafting of the fragrance of ,god1 and cling to the ,kingdom of ,god in such wise that it makes thee separate thyself from the world and kindle in thy heart the fire of the love of ,god to such an extent that any one who approaches thee will feel its warmth2 and if thou desirest to attain to this station1 thou shouldst turn thyself wholly unto ,god4 ,perhaps an illumination will descend upon thee by which the fragrances of ,god will be diffused throughout those regions and districts and thou wilt be a lamp of guidance from which the lights of knowledge will emanate and spread in those far countries and distant lands4 8,o thou who art imploring ,god64440 ,o thou who art imploring ,god6 ,i was indeed acquainted with the great misfortunes and afflictions which have befallen thee1 but ,i hope that through the bounty of thy ,lord1 ,he may ordain unto thee heavenly fragrance and spirituality1 attractive and internal perceptions and incorporeal susceptibilities2 that ,he may grant thee strength after weakness1 give thee rest after trouble1 bring thee nigh to ,him1 and make thee a sign of ,his love among all ,his maid-servants1 and forgive thy father1 mother1 brother and grandfather their sins4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,pardoner1 the ,forgiver4 8,o visitant of the ,resort of spirits 7who are7 sincere in4440 ,o visitant of the ,resort7#fi7 of spirits 7who are7 sincere in the ,religion of ,god6 ,blessed is the mother who bore thee and the breast whose milk suckled thee and the bosom wherein thou wert nurtured1 because thou hast apprehended the ,day of the ,lord1 hast prepared thyself to enter in unto ,his kingdom1 hast set thy face singly toward ,his ,gracious ,countenance1 hast believed in the ,manifest ,light1 hast rejoiced in the ,abundant ,grace1 hast responded to the ,voice of thy ,lord with a sincere and beating heart and hast presented thyself from those regions at the ,glorious ,threshold and hast marked thy forehead with the pure1 holy1 fragrant ,tomb7#gj71 the breaths of whose sanctity are spread abroad throughout the lands as fragrant musk is diffused unto the distant place6 ,then thank thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement1 for this great salvation 7or fruition1 achievement1 or attainment7 and exceeding grace6 ,now as to what thou askest concerning the spirit and its 8return0 to this world of humanity and this elemental space3 ,know that spirit in general is divided into five sorts--the vegetable spirit1 the animal spirit1 the human spirit1 the spirit of faith1 and the divine spirit of sanctity4 ,the vegetable spirit is the virtue augmentative1 or growing or vegetative faculty1 which results from the admixture of the simple elements1 with the co-operation of water1 air and heat4 ,the animal spirit is the virtue perceptive resulting from the admixture and absorption of the vital elements generated in the heart1 which apprehend sense impressions4 ,the human spirit consists of the rational1 or logical1 reasoning faculty1 which apprehends general ideas and things intelligible and perceptible4 ,now these 8spirits0 are not reckoned as ,spirit in the terminology of the ,scriptures and the usage of the people of the ,truth1 inasmuch as the laws governing them are as the laws which govern all phenomenal being 7i4e41 all existences belonging to the phenomenal or material universe1 called 8the world of generation and corruption071 in respect to generation1 corruption1 production1 change and reversion1 as is clearly indicated in the ,gospel where it says3 8,let the dead bury their dead20 8,that which is born of the flesh is flesh1 and that which is born of the ,spirit is ,spirit02 inasmuch as he who would bury these dead was alive with the vegetative1 animal and rational human soul1 yet did ,christ--to whom be glory6 --declare such dead and devoid of life1 in that this person was devoid of the ,spirit of ,faith1 which is of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,in brief1 for these three spirits there is no restitution or 8return10 but they are subordinate to reversions and production and corruption4 ,but the ,spirit of ,faith which is of the ,kingdom 7of ,god7 consists of the all-comprehending ,grace and the perfect attainment 7or salvation1 fruition1 achievement7 and the power of sanctity and the divine effulgence from the ,sun of ,truth on luminous light-seeking essences from the presence of the divine ,unity4 ,and by this ,spirit is the life of the spirit of man1 when it is fortified thereby1 as ,christ saith3 8,that which is born of the ,spirit is ,spirit40 ,and this ,spirit hath both restitution and return1 inasmuch as it consists of the ,light of ,god and the unconditioned ,grace4 ,so1 having regard to this state and station4 ,christ announced that ,john the ,baptist was ,elias1 who was to come before ,christ 7,matt4 #aa3ad74 ,and the likeness of this station is as that of lamps kindled 7from one another73 for these in respect to their glasses and oil-holders1 are different1 but in respect to their light1 ,one1 and in respect to their illumination1 ,one2 nay1 each one is identical with the other1 without imputation of plurality1 or diversity or multiplicity or separateness4 ,this is the ,truth and beyond the ,truth there is only error4 ,but as to the question of the ,trinity1 know1 ,o advancer unto ,god1 that in each one of the cycles wherein the ,lights have shone forth upon the horizons 7i4e41 in each prophetic dispensation7 and the ,forgiving ,lord hath revealed ,himself on ,mount ,paran 7see ,habbakkuk #c3c1 etc47 or ,mount ,sinai1 or ,mount ,seir 7see ,ezekiel #ce71 there are necessarily three things3 ,the ,giver of the ,grace1 and the ,grace1 and the ,recipient of the ,grace2 the ,source of the ,effulgence1 and the ,effulgence1 and the ,recipient of the ,effulgence2 the ,illuminator1 and the ,illumination1 and the ,illuminated4 ,look at the ,mosaic cycle3 ,the ,lord1 and ,moses1 and the ,fire 7i4e41 the burning bush71 the ,intermediary2 and in the ,mohammedan cycle3 ,the ,lord1 the ,apostle 7or ,messenger1 ,mohammed71 and ,gabriel 7for1 as the ,mohammedans believe1 ,gabriel brought the ,revelation from ,god to ,mohammed74 ,look at the sun and its rays and the heat which results from its rays2 the rays and the heart are but two effects of the sun1 but inseparable from it2 yet the sun is one in its essence1 unique in its real identity1 single in its attributes1 neither is it possible that anything should resemble it4 ,such is the essence of the ,truth concerning the ,unity1 the real doctrine of the ,singularity1 the undiluted reality as to the 7,divine7 ,sanctity4 ,but as to the question concerning the atonement on the part of the ,holy ,redeemer1 ,i have explained this to thee by word of mouth in a plain and detailed manner1 devoid of ambiguities1 and ,i have made it clear to thee as the sun at noonday4 ,and ,i ask ,god to open unto thee the gates1 that thou mayest thyself apprehend the true meanings of these mysteries4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,confirmer1 the ,beneficent1 the ,merciful6 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the means of communication being severed7#ga71 your letter of 999999 was received only in these days4 ,you have made mention of the persons who have lately accepted the ,truth4 ,convey most wonderful ,,abha greetings to ,mrs4 44444444 and say3 8,thank thou ,god for thou hast worn a crown studded with gems of the knowledge of ,god and partaken of the fountain of the ,water of ,life40 ,convey also most wonderful greetings to ,mrs4 44444444 and say3 8,thou wast in darkness and thou hast attained the world of lights4 ,thou was not informed of ,almighty ,god4 ,i hope thou wilt witness signs40 ,o thou real friend6 ,another letter hath just been received for thee4 ,its contents bear upon the cablegram which was sent to prevent publication4 ,by thy dear life1 thou wast not meant by it2 for numerous publications were seen in newspapers and magazines which were not proper4 ,the purpose of that cablegram is this3 ,that each one of the beloved ones of ,god 7believers in general who may wish to publish any writings or articles1 etc47 should first send the same to the ,holy ,land1 to be seen 7or examined7 and then printed4 ,and this matter is general and this 7message7 was sent equally to ,america1 ,persia1 ,india and ,turkestan4 ,i have the utmost love for thee and thy family for thou servest me--how can ,i be offended at you8 ,be assured and happy4 ,convey my greetings to thy sons and also to the maid-servant of ,god1 thy wife4 8,o thou slave of the ,beauty of ,,abha64440 ,o thou slave of the ,beauty of ,,abha6 ,thy letter was received4 ,praise be to ,god6 ,it indicated thy firmness and steadfastness in the love of ,god--therefore1 it was the cause of happiness4 ,thou hast written regarding the meeting of his honor ,mr4 444444441 his respected wife and daughter4 ,truly1 ,i say1 ,mr4 44444444 is a blessed soul and is engaged in the service of the ,cause and his extreme hope is to bring about affinity between the souls and cause the believers to be united and agree4 ,this is also my highest hope4 ,i hope1 ,god willing1 this unity and agreement will be established and this imprisoned one1 immersed in the sea of trials1 become exhilarated and rejoiced4 ,the aim of the appearance of the ,blessed ,perfection--may my life be a sacrifice for ,his beloved ones6 --was the unity and agreement of all the people of the world4 ,therefore1 my utmost desire1 firstly1 is the accord and union and love of the believers and after that of all the people of the world4 ,now1 if unity and agreement is not established among the believers1 ,i will become heartbroken and the afflictions will leave a greater imprint upon me4 ,but if the fragrance of love and unity among the believers is wafted to my nostrils1 every trial will become a mercy1 every unhappiness a joy1 every difficulty an expansion1 every misery a treasure and every hardship a felicity4 ,convey on my behalf the utmost love and kindness to the favored maid-servant of ,god thy wife1 and thy worthy and noble sons4 8,o thou who art awakened from the sleep of negligence4440 ,o thou who art awakened from the sleep of negligence and forgetfulness6 ,thank ,god for that ,he hath awakened thee from thy sleep1 found thee after thy being lost and quickened thee after thy death4 ,verily1 ,i beg ,god to confirm thee by a power by which thou mayest be enabled to worship ,god and to serve ,his ,cause and to be submissive and lowly before the beloved of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i remember thee in my prayers an din my invocation1 beseeching the ,heavenly ,father1 the ,lord of ,hosts1 to confirm thee by a power and cause thee to be firm and to work and serve in the olive garden of ,god and to be lowly and submissive before ,his ,holy and ,exalted ,threshold4 8,o thou fortunate and righteous1 sincere and pious64440 ,o thou fortunate and righteous1 sincere and pious6 ,thank thou ,god for that by reason of which the breath of ,god hath awakened thee and the spirit of ,god hath quickened thee and raised thee from among the dead with a joyful spirit of life4 ,in my prayers ,i supplicate ,god to bestow upon thee in all cases and aspects an influential and penetrating power that thou mayest be a firm1 faithful and successful servant in the garden of ,el-,,abha1 and a skillful laborer in the vineyard of ,god4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of4440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i supplicate ,god to illuminate thy heart through the light which is shining from the ,supreme ,concourse that ,his mightiest power may strengthen thee to be firm1 steadfast1 submissive and lowly before the ,kingdom of ,god1 and to be an example of good deeds among the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 ,and ,i beseech ,him to make thy breast a clear mirror to reflect the light of the spirit of ,god4 8,o thou at whose mention ,i am rejoiced64440 ,o thou at whose mention ,i am rejoiced6 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 verily pure hearts are as clear and brilliant mirrors which imprint the one on the other1 and hearts discover the secrets of hearts4 ,therefore1 they 7hearts7 chant the verses of longing and recite the odes of glorification and praise4 ,consequently1 the recourse is to pages of hearts1 not pages filled with written lines4 ,give my greetings to thy revered wife and announce to her the glad-tidings of a gift from ,god2 and ,i beg of ,god to make her a spark from out the fire of ,his love4 ,verily ,he is the ,powerful1 the ,mighty6 8,o thou who art assured in ,god64440 ,o thou who art assured in ,god6 ,verily we read thy letter and asked for thee confirmation4 ,verily thy ,lord will strengthen thee in great spirituality and cause thy heart to overflow with the gifts of ,god4 ,all the servants of the ,merciful here convey to thee greetings and praise4 999999 8,o thou who art advanced towards ,god64440 ,o thou who art advanced towards ,god6 ,verily ,i implore ,god to cause thee to be a sign of the book of ,genesis1 declaring ,his mentionings and ,his praise among the creatures1 with brilliant face1 smiling mouth1 dilated breast and rejoiced heart1 for the manifestation of ,his evident glory and the appearance of ,his illumining ,beauty from that wonderful horizon4 ,surely a day will come when all thy desires will be attained and ,god will answer all that which thou hast prayed for in thine heart1 and ,i beg of ,him to make all that which thou hast longed for long ago very attainable4 ,then thine heart will be overflowed with joy on account of such a great bounty4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy new letter and was informed of its meanings1 which proved thy lowiness to thy ,glorious ,lord4 ,verily we promised thee1 by the favor of thy ,lord1 last year1 that thy ,lord would grant thee 8sight of eyes0 7i4e41 a son71 a blessed birth4 ,thanks and praise be unto ,god for that ,he granted thee a good descendant and dilated thy breast by this great bounty4 ,it is incumbent on thee to offer many thanks to the ,merciful ,lord for this great favor in the world of humanity4 ,verily ,i implore unto ,god to make him a sign of ,his ,kingdom1 illuminated1 spiritual and god-like among the children4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,thank ,god for giving and granting thee 8sight of eyes0 7i4e41 a son7 whereby thy bosom becomes dilated and thy heart rejoiced4 ,then make his name 8,ruhullah0 7i4e41 the ,spirit of ,god71 so that the ,spirit of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful of the ,merciful1 will confirm him4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,know1 verily1 that the one who bore similar name 7i4e41 ,ruhullah71 son of ,varga1 was martyred in the path of ,god in the twelfth year of his life4 ,while he was beneath the unsheathed sword he called out 8,ya ,baha-el-,,abha60 until he was killed in the path of ,god4 ,we called thy son by this noble name so that he may have a great station in the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou sincere servant of the ,true ,one64440 ,o thou sincere servant of the ,true ,one6 ,thy letter caused joy to the hearts4 ,its meanings perfumed the nostrils like unto a tender flower and a red rose4 ,the heat of thy longing was felt and thy wish to present thyself to the blessed ,threshold was recognized4 ,happy art thou who hast entered this ,supreme ,paradise under the shadow of the ,tree of ,life and hast partaken of the ,heavenly ,table4 ,this ,servant hath also the utmost longing to see thee and hopeth that some day this wish may be attained4 ,but in these days1 owing to the sedition of these faithless ones 7i4e41 violators71 coming to this blessed region is 7subject to7 great caution4 ,therefore1 leave it to some other time and be engaged in diffusing the lights of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,turn thou unto the ,kingdom of ,oneness and chant thou the verses of ,singleness4 ,be thou invested with a robe1 the embroidery of which is purity and sanctity and the woof and warp of which is the spirituality of the ,mighty ,lord1 so that thou mayest inhale the fragrance of the divine rose-garden from the garment of the real ,joseph and so divest thyself of the mantle of bodily things that angelhood and ideal spirituality become realized 7in thee74 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,i have seen the letter which thou hast written to ,mr4 444444444 ,the opinion 7expresssed therein7 was very agreeable4 ,the ,spiritual ,meeting of ,consultation of ,new ,york must be in the utmost union and harmony with the ,spiritual ,meeting of ,consultation of ,chicago1 and that which they deem advisable to publish1 these two ,meetings of ,consultation must unitedly approve of it and deem its publication advisable4 ,then the ,meeting of ,consultation must send one copy thereof to ,acca1 in order that it may be also approved of here and then returned1 and that the it may be printed and published4 ,that the two ,spiritual ,meetings of ,chicago and ,new ,york must be in unity and harmony is very important1 and when a ,spiritual ,meeting may be also organized in ,washington in a befitting manner1 these two meeting 7of ,chicago and ,new ,york7 must be also in unity and harmony with that meeting4 ,to be brief1 it hath been decided by the ,desire of ,god that union and harmony may day by day increase among the friends of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one1 in the ,west4 ,not until this is realized will the affairs advance by any means whatever6 ,and the greatest means for the union and harmony of all is ,spiritual ,meetings4 ,this matter is very important and is as a magnet 7to attract or7 for divine confirmation4 ,if the beauty of this ,divine ,beloved ,one--that is1 unity of believers--does appear in the ornament of the ,kingdom of ,,abha1 it is certain that those countries will1 in a short time1 become the ,paradise of ,,abha and the light of ,unity 7or ,oneness7 and ,singleness will shine upon the whole world from the ,west4 ,we7#gb7 are endeavoring with all heart an soul1 have no rest night and day1 nor a moment of tranquillity1 so that we may make the world of humanity the mirror of the divine unity2 how much more the beloved of ,god6 ,and this wish and hope shall appear and shine forth at that time when the true friends of ,god may arise and act in accord with the teachings of the ,beauty of ,,abha--may my life be a sacrifice to ,his beloved ones6 ,one of the teachings is that love and faithfulness must so prevail in the hearts that men may see the stranger as a friend1 the sinner as an intimate fellow1 may count enemies as allies1 regard foes as loving comrades1 call their executioner the giver of life1 consider the denier as a believer and the unbeliever as a faithful one--that is1 men must behave in such a manner as may befit the believers1 the faithful1 the friend and the confidant4 ,if this lamp may shine in a befitting manner in the assemblage of the world you will find that the regions will become fragrant and the world become a delectable paradise1 the surface of the earth will become an excellent garden1 the world will become as one home1 the different nations will become as one kind1 and the peoples and nationalities of the ,east and ,west will become as one household4 ,i hope such a day may come and such lights may dawn and such a ,countenance may appear in the utmost beauty4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,though thy letter was brief in words1 it was ample in significance4 ,it indicated that thy heart is illumined1 thine inner sight is open and thine ear of understanding is familiar with the mystery4 ,this is a gift from ,god1 the ,independent4 ,thine expression of kindness to ,miss 44444444 is very acceptable4 ,be thou kind to all on the earth1 a care-taker 7or helper7 to every sick person1 an open treasure to every indigent one2 offer thou salutary water to the athirst2 bestow the bread 7or food7 of life upon the hungered2 console thou the helpless1 exhort the ignorant and seek forgiveness for the sinner4 ,if1 hereafter1 thou mayest write a letter to ,miss 444444441 deliver unto her this my message3 8,o ,miss 444444446 ,the ,tree of ,life is full of blossoms1 leave and fruits6 --the shade thereof is a peace to soul and a rest to the consciousness4 ,whosoever is under this ,tree will certainly partake of fruit4 ,but shade trees are many in the forest1 which1 though fresh and verdant1 are1 nevertheless1 fruitless4 ,this truth shall finally become clear and manifest unto thee40 ,kiss thou the face and hair of ,ruhullah on my behalf4 8,o ,god who art without likeness64440 ,o ,god who art without likeness6 ,the servant of ,thy ,kingdom1 ,mr4 444444441 reached the ,holy ,threshold in the utmost of sincerity and longing and sought ,thy good will4 ,it is some time that he hath been engaged in the land of ,america with ,thy commemoration and known by ,thy commendation4 ,to the beloved he is a cause of joy and to the friends a means of unity and gladness4 ,o world ,creator6 ,for his life--well done6 --for he is alive with ,thy name and thoughtful of ,thee night and day4 ,confer upon him ,thy grace that he may daily receive a new life1 attain a fresh bounty1 offer a new service to ,thy ,threshold and serve ,thy ,throne4 ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,forgiver and ,thou art the ,pardoner1 the ,educator4 8,o thou servant of ,baha'64440 ,o thou servant of ,baha'6 ,thy visit is accepted and thy name ever mentioned in the presence of ,abdul-,baha4 ,i forget thee not for a moment but remember thee always4 ,i seek confirmation and strength from ,god for thee4 ,rest thou assured and be happy in the love of ,abdul-,baha4 ,know for a certainty that divine confirmation will arrive and great attainment be made4 8,o servant of ,baha'64440 ,o servant of ,baha'6 ,thy letter written to his honor1 ,mirza 444444441 with the enclosed map of the ground of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar1 hath been seen4 ,the place is suitable1 but if it were possible to have a wider piece of ground1 so that the building should stand in the middle1 surrounded by a flower garden1 it would be better and more pleasing2 otherwise1 if this is not possible1 the building on the present ground is also permissible4 ,the flowers which ,ruhullah picked on the ground of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar and thou didst send to me brought with them and exhaled a very sweet fragrance4 ,this fragrance is just as thou didst write1 8the fragrance of the rose-garden of the unity of the ,east and ,west40 ,i hope that daily these fragrances may become more powerful and more diffused throughout the world4 ,thou must hasten to send his honor 4444 444444 all the writings for which he asked1 to ,rangoon1 ,india4 ,an utmost happiness was produced by the news of the good health and safety of the friends of ,god4 ,my spiritual beloved1 his honor1 ,mr4 444444441 is rendering a great service to the ,kingdom of ,,abha and becoming a means of strong attraction towards1 and connection with the world above by making this long tour7#gc7 and giving the news of the ,holy ,spot and diffusing the fragrances of the love of ,god4 ,as to the calamities and afflictions of ,abdul-,baha3 ,these are not calamities1 but bounties2 they are not afflictions1 but gifts2 not hardships1 but tranquillity2 not trouble1 but mercy--and we thank ,god for this great favor4 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto ,god6 ,praise ,god that ,he guided thee to the ,path of ,his ,kingdom1 blessed thee with the word of holiness1 and illumined thy heart with a light shining in the lofty ,kingdom4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,every star hath a setting1 but the star of the knowledge of ,god in the divine heaven2 every light shall darken save the light of the guidance of ,god2 every dignity shall vanish away save the glory under the shadow of the ,word of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to make thee firm in this ,path2 to cause thee to enter the ,ark of ,safety2 and to strengthen thee in becoming humble and meek to the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 and in overcoming self and passion through the power of ,god4 8,o my dear1 intimate friend64440 ,o my dear1 intimate friend6 ,verily1 ,i address thee with such an appellation whereby the hearts of those who are endowed with intelligence1 are dilated with joy2 because1 verily1 this is from my heart which is overflowing with the love of ,god--and an appellation that proceeds from love will certainly be as a spirit for the souls1 as a light to the eyes1 as a life to bodies and as a dressing for the hearts and bodies which are wounded and lacerated by the afflictions of this world4 ,then be consoled by the praise of thy ,lord1 whenever thou art attacked by grief and sorrow4 8,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god6 ,i ask ,god to grant thee by ,his favor and grace that which is thy utmost desire2 that the closed doors become opened1 the uneven roads become even1 thy face shine by the love of ,god1 thy sight become brighter by witnessing the signs of ,god2 that thou mayest attain spiritual joy1 eternal happiness and heavenly life4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank ,god that thou dost believe in the ,greatest ,manifestation1 art confident in the ,word of ,god and dost hold to the divine teachings4 ,i hope that thou mayest be confirmed to give the ,message to thy friends and relatives and guide them also4 ,be patient and forbearing and treat them with great love and kindness4 ,surely the attributes of the people of ,god will have their effect eventually upon the people4 8,o thou beloved of my heart64440 ,o thou beloved of my heart6 ,verily1 my soul longs for thee1 for the lamp of the love of ,baha' is lighted within thy heart and ,i love to look upon thy face1 for it is glittering with the light of guidance among the creatures4 ,glory be to ,him who hath united hearts together6 ,glory be to ,him who hath brought the ,east and ,west under the shadow of the ,blessed ,tree1 the root of which is firmly fixed in the earth and the branches of which reach unto the ,supreme ,concourse6 8,o thou who art partaking of the ,heavenly ,food64440 ,o thou who art partaking of the ,heavenly ,food6 ,know thou verily the ,divine ,food is descending from heaven1 but only those taste thereof who are directed to the light of guidance1 and only those can enjoy it who are endowed with a sound taste4 ,otherwise every diseased soul disliketh the delicious and merciful food and this is because of the sickness which hath seized him1 whereby the ,el-,zekkum7#gd7 is sweet 7to his taste7 while he fleeth from the ripe fruit of the ,tree of the ,living and ,pre-existent ,god--and there is no wonder in that4 ,in a similar way1 thou beholdest some women who have abandoned the ,testament1 and to them the bitterness of discord is sweet4 ,they keep aloof from the ,extended ,shadow and dwell under the shade of a 8black smoke40 ,alas for them and grief for them6 ,they will surely lament and find themselves in loss4 ,verily1 this is but an evident truth6 8,o thou tree1 developed in the garden of the ,love of4440 ,o thou tree1 developed in the garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,be well watered with the abundant rain falling from the clouds of the ,testament of ,god1 that thou mayest bring forth fresh and ripe fruits which are beneficial to the hearts and souls4 8,o thou spiritual man and merciful being64440 ,o thou spiritual man and merciful being6 ,i have read thy brilliant letter which showeth the utterance of thy praise upon the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha1 the ,most ,glorious4 ,blessed thou art6 ,glad-tidings unto thee for that by reason of which thou hast drunk from the cup which is overflowing with the wine of the love of ,god1 and hast become intoxicated from that pure wine which was given to thee from the hand of ,providence in the meeting of the knowledge of ,god4 ,take the cup of sanctity in thy right hand and pass the glass of the ,kingdom1 in the social meeting--which is the wine of the love of ,god and the sweet1 pure1 cool water of the knowledge of ,god--and give to drink to those who are in attendance1 that they may rejoice1 be happy and sing the hymns of sanctity and unification1 offering their praise to the ,supreme ,kingdom4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,holy ,fragrances64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,holy ,fragrances6 ,the light of truth hath made thine eyes to see1 the voice of ,god hath made thine ears to hear and the lights emanating from the beauty of the ,light of the ,world both made thine heart attracted and astonished4 ,i hope that thou wilt cut thyself from all that is in this world2 wilt sever thyself from all desires of this transitory world2 wilt attach thy heart entirely to the light of truth and wilt1 at all times1 rise in the service of truth in the rose-garden of ,god4 ,the deriding of the enemy addeth to the joy of the heart and taunting of the ignorant becometh the means of spirituality and fragrance4 ,observe that the ,pharisees called ,his ,holiness1 the sweet and the divine ,christ1 ,beelzebub or the head of evil spirits4 ,this people 7the people of the world7 are in the depths of ignorance and their reproach and detraction are like praise and congratulation4 ,i hope that1 in the path of the love of ,god1 thou wilt exert thyself exceedingly and thus wilt enjoy life4 ,the letter which thou hadst written to ,mrs4 444444 was perused by me4 ,indeed1 its contents were indicative of divine knowledge and showed that thou art really attracted to the ,beauty of ,god4 ,thou hast very well explained the question of the progress of man in the higher stations and his reaching the life eternal4 ,this explanation is indeed from the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit4 8,o thou who art accepted of ,god64440 ,o thou who art accepted of ,god6 ,know thou that1 verily1 the eye of favors is directed to thee and is beholding thee with a divine glance1 so that thou mayest1 with clear eyes1 see the lights of the ,kingdom upon the horizon4 ,remember1 at all times1 this great favor and thank thy ,lord and supplicate to ,him every day4 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,according to what ,i have heard1 thou hast experienced a great financial loss4 ,do not feel sorry1 for thou wilt be compensated4 ,i hope that whatever thou hast lost will come back to thee4 ,but this material loss is not a very grave one2 it is for a time and shall pass away4 ,alhamdallah67#ge7--that thou hast a share in the ,kingdom of ,god and art receiving gifts from the treasury of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,do not feel sorry2 do not brood over the loss2 do not sit down depressed2 do not be silent2 but1 on the contrary1 day and night be engaged in the commemoration of thy ,lord in the greatest joy and gladness4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of the ,deity64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of the ,deity6 ,verily1 ,i have read thy clear letter1 and was heartily cheered at its elegant style1 because it indicated thy sincerity in the ,cause of ,god1 thy hearty adherence to the ,word of ,god1 and thy service in the vineyard of ,god4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,be tranquil and know1 verily1 that indeed1 the ,holy ,ghost in this glorious age teacheth every soul that is sincerely faithful1 firm and drawn to the ,kingdom of the ,great ,lord4 ,verily1 ,i address thee with a heart overflowing with the love of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god to ordain for thee all that which thou desirest and grant thee the honors of meeting1 and that thou mayest be a true maid-servant1 emptied of all save ,him1 that thou mayest be apt in serving in ,his vineyard and in guiding thy two children into ,his ,right ,path4 ,indeed thou wilt see the teachings of ,god spread in those regions by the breath of the ,holy ,spirit1 and thou wilt discover the fragrances of the paradise of the ,kingdom4 ,verily1 these glad-tidings are very great for thee1 and also for the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one1 and for the men of ,god in that wide region 7i4e41 ,america74 8,o ye who are longing for the beauty of ,el-,,abha64440 ,o ye7#gf7 who are longing for the beauty of ,el-,,abha6 ,verily that ,light 7i4e41 the ,light of the ,manifestation7 shone forth from the horizon of the ,manifestation1 appeared upon the horizon of existence1 and the darkness was changed into light2 the ,sun of ,guidance dawned in the horizon of heaven1 whereby the eyes which were looking unto the ,kingdom of ,god were illuminated1 the breasts which were filled with ,god's love were dilated1 and the heavenly spirits were attracted by the magnet of the ,holy ,spirit1 so that the hearts became as pure mirrors reflecting the godlike appearances and manifesting the heavenly lights--except the eyes which were in the veil of imitation of the forefathers 7i4e41 those who followed the theories of their fathers7 were hindered from or veiled from witnessing that brilliant and godlike illumination1 and the people held to the superstitions of the ,pharisees and neglected the mystery of ,god and the glad-tidings 7recorded7 in the ,holy ,scriptures1 which elucidated the appearance of the ,lord of ,hosts in the promised day4 ,as to you--,o ye who are attracted to the fragrances of ,god6 --kneel down and thank ,god for choosing you to enter ,his wonderful ,kingdom4 ,how many of the ,pharisees were waiting for the appearance of the ,spirit 7i4e41 ,jesus7 then were veiled from it4 ,but ye have taken away the veil and were guided unto the light1 have given up imitating forefathers and directed your eyes to the ,sun of ,truth1 which is shining in the ,supreme ,horizon4 ,this is a favor to you on the part of your ,lord1 and a gift for you4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was understood4 ,thou hast asked1 very humbly1 for certain things and all were worthy to be coveted4 ,thou desirest forgiveness of sins2 didst ask for great unity and peace2 sought nearness to the ,threshold of ,god2 hoped to be detached from thine own will1 seeking the will of ,god2 prayed for rescue from self-love 7or selfishness72 hoped for progress in the station of knowledge2 desired to serve ,god2 and prayed that thy honorable husband and thy children may be set aglow with the fire of the love of ,god and may manifest light on their brows through the radiance of the knowledge of ,god4 ,all these wishes are well worthy of asking4 ,especially the rescue from self-love4 ,this is a strange trait and means of the destruction of many important souls in the world4 ,if man be imbued with all good qualities but be selfish1 all the other virtues will fade or pass away and eventually he will grow worse4 ,i hope the beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful will be entirely freed from selfishness4 ,should this become their nature1 they will indeed become manifestations of great bounties1 and the doors of the divine grace will open4 ,be thou grateful to ,mrs4 44444444 for having led thee to the ,straight ,path and guiding thee to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,if thou shouldst thank her a thousand times an hour1 thou wilt fail to thank her sufficiently for the attainment4 8999999,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 999999,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,know thou that the heart of ,abdul-,baha is overflowing with great love for thee1 and verily he is night and day invoking and beseeching the ,kingdom of ,god that ,he may make thee a sign of ,his mercy among ,his creatures1 a cause of love and harmony and a means of hinging or a pivot for every good among the people of all regions1 and to make thee announce to the people the opening of the door of the ,kingdom4 8,verily ,god will appropriate ,his mercy unto whom ,he pleaseth40 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,turn thy face thoroughly unto ,god1 so that ,he may make thee to show forth the ,greatest ,gift and make thee to be a source of those signs which may prove thy proper relationship unto ,god and the joy of thy heart1 through the fragrances of the ,holy ,spirit1 in every moment and instant4 ,be thou sure that1 verily1 thy deceased child is now one of those babes who are suckled in the ,kingdom of ,life1 under the charge of the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha4 8,verily1 ,god confirmeth whom ,he wisheth60 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy excellent letter which contained thy praises of the ,supreme ,lord4 ,verily ,i supplicate ,god to confirm thee in that which ,he desireth1 to protect thee from conceit and self-exaltation and from selfish concerns1 to make thee devoted unto ,him and resigned unto ,him and to be the means of promoting the divine love amongst the dearly beloved of ,god4 ,and ,i beseech ,him to preserve thee from the confirmed tests and great trials which break backs and perish souls and to make thee a sign of submissiveness and a standard of meekness1 lowliness and humility before the ,kingdom of the ,mighty and ,omnipotent ,god4 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily ,i noted thy writing and was made glad by thy letter4 ,i pray ,god to cause thee to attain the bounties of the ,kingdom1 so that thou mayest arise for the service of the ,cause of ,god and that of the world of humanity--and 7may ,god's7 blessing descend upon thy honorable wife4 ,verily my ,lord is kind unto ,his servants and is the ,generous1 the ,giver of ,bounty6 ,know that the return of ,christ for a second time doth not mean what the people believe1 but1 rather1 signifieth the ,one promised to come after ,him4 ,he shall come with the ,kingdom of ,god and ,his power which hath surrounded the world4 ,this power 7or reign7 is in the world of hearts and spirits and not in that of matter 7or bodies74 ,for the material world is not comparable to a single wing of a fly1 or rather less in the sight of thy ,lord1 wert thou of those who know6 ,verily ,christ came with ,his ,kingdom from the beginning which hath no beginning and will come with ,his ,kingdom to the eternity of eternities1 inasmuch as in this sense ,christ is an expression of the divine reality1 the simple essence and heavenly entity which hath no beginning or ending4 ,it hath appearance1 arising and manifestation and setting in each of the cycles4 8,o thou who art marching unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art marching unto ,god6 ,thy letter was read4 ,its contents indicated thy devotion to the ,horizon of the ,living ,god and thy love for the ,promised ,perfection4 ,firmness is1 however1 a requisite4 ,thou must remain solid and firm as a great mountain4 ,regarding thy revered wife1 thou hast written that a warmer place is more suitable than the cold4 ,if this winter thou shouldst go to those regions1 it is better4 ,i ask ,god that thou1 thy wife and thy friends may draw nigh unto the ,spiritual ,beauty4 8,rejoice1 ,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,rejoice1 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 --for that thou hast known ,god and heard ,his call and art attracted to ,his breaths6 ,then prostrate thyself and kneel down before the gracious ,lord1 in ,his great ,kingdom1 and say3 8,my ,lord6 ,my ,lord6 ,i praise ,thee and ,i thank ,thee for that whereby ,thou hast favored ,thine humble maid-servant1 ,thy slave beseeching and supplicating ,thee1 because ,thou hast verily guided her unto ,thine obvious ,kingdom and caused her to hear ,thine exalted ,call in the contingent world and to behold ,thy ,signs which prove the appearance of ,thy victorious reign over all things4 8,o my ,lord1 ,i dedicate that which is in my womb unto ,thee4 ,then cause it to be a praiseworthy child in ,thy ,kingdom and a fortunate one by ,thy favor and ,thy generosity2 to develop and to grow up under the charge of ,thine education4 ,verily ,thou art the ,gracious6 ,verily ,thou art the ,lord of ,great ,favor60 8,o thou who art afflicted by a visitation by which thine4440 ,o thou who art afflicted by a visitation by which thine eyes are overflowing with tears6 ,be not grieved and afflicted for this calamity which hath befallen thee2 nay1 rather1 rejoice that ,god hath favored 7thy babe7 with ,his heavenly gifts4 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 wert thou informed of that felicity which thy babe hath attained in the worlds of ,god1 thy breast would be dilated and thy soul would be purified4 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 thy child will be fostered from the breast of the gift of ,god in the ,exalted ,kingdom and will be nursed in the bosom of mercy in the ,supreme ,world of ,god4 ,therefore1 be filled with delight1 for the favor of thy ,lord is very great6 ,i beg of ,god to pour on thee becoming patience1 so that thy heart may be consoled with the fragrance of ,his mercy and that thy breast may be dilated with ,his favors1 that thou mayest attain to the spiritual states which are lasting forever and ever4 ,thou oughtest to bear it with becoming patience4 ,again1 thou oughtest to patiently bear this calamity which hath flowed thine eyes with tears and hath greatly afflicted thee4 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy beautiful letter1 its good composition1 and ,i scented from the garden of its significances the fragrance of ,god's love4 ,i pray ,god to confirm thee in the ,path1 to cause thee to enter the ,ark of ,safety1 to reveal unto thee the signs and manifest to thee the evidences2 thus thou mayest be firm in the love of ,god1 steadfast in the religion of ,god and a growing tree by the bounty of the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be rejoiced for ,god hath made thee a believing maid-servant in ,his ,holy ,threshold and a leaf of the leaves of the ,tree of ,life4 ,if ,god giveth thee good descendants and a manly son1 rest assured in that he will be a good son1 looking unto the ,supreme ,horizon and confident in his soul by the favors of the ,lord of the ,high ,heavens4 ,i supplicate ,god to make ,his beloved ones in ,cincinnati 7,o47 glow with the fire of ,sinai1 imploring unto the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha1 meek and lowly for the sake of ,god among ,his beloved1 denying self and passion1 grasping the rope of piety1 so that they may be lamps of guidance in those regions4 ,i pray ,god to make thee a maid-servant whose garment shall be faithfulness and the crown of her head the love of ,el-,baha4 ,convey greeting and praise from me to thy honorable husband4 ,i ask ,god to aid him with a strength whereat minds shall amaze in the ,cause of the ,living ,god4 8,o ye illumined faces6 ,o ye divine souls6 and ,o ye4440 ,o ye7#gg7 illumined faces6 ,o ye divine souls6 and ,o ye spiritual temples6 ,verily1 ,i read your letter which uttered your extreme love and entire attraction to the ,kingdom of ,god1 your trust in ,god1 your immersing into the deep seas of the bounties of ,god and your chanting the verses of thanksgiving to ,god1 because ,he guided you to ,his ,eternal ,kingdom1 manifested to you ,his evident light1 descended upon you a heavenly table through ,his great favor1 planted you in ,his glorious vineyard and caused you to become manifestations of guidance among the people and dawning-points of wisdom among the creatures4 ,servants of ,god6 ,sanctify the soul and dilate the breast by the promise your ,lord gave you1 that1 verily1 ,he confirms you through the hosts of inspiration4 ,ye will see 7the time when7 your faces shine as stars in the horizon of guidance and your heads crowned by the crown of success in the ,supreme ,world4 ,o ,thou kind ,lord6 ,these souls are ,thy friends and this gathering is longing for ,thee4 ,they are captives of the lights of ,thy ,beauty and ecstatic by ,thy musk-scented locks4 ,their hearts are ,thine2 they are ,thy poor1 humble and homeless2 they have severed themselves from relative and stranger and have established the relationship of unity with ,thee4 ,they have adored ,thee4 ,they were sons of earth2 ,thou hast made them new fruits of the ,kingdom4 ,they were plants of the desert of bereavement2 ,thou hast made them trees of the rose-garden of knowledge4 ,they were silent2 ,thou hast made them speak4 ,they were extinct2 ,thou hast lighted them4 ,they were sterile soil2 ,thou hast made them the rose-garden of significances4 ,they were the children of the world of humanity2 ,thou hast caused them to attain development and the maturity of the ,kingdom6 ,o kind ,one6 ,grant them shelter and security under ,thy protection1 preserve them from tests and trials1 send them invisible help and confer upon them the doubtless bounty1 ,o ,thou kind ,beloved6 ,they are the body and ,thou art the ,life4 ,the body is dependent for its life and freshness upon the ,spirit--therefore they are in need of confirmation and long for the ,breaths of the ,holy ,spirit in this new ,cause6 ,thou art the ,able6 ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,educator1 the ,forgiver1 the ,pardoner and the ,light shining from the ,invisible ,realm6 8,o ye who are attracted to the ,heavenly ,kingdom6 ,o4440 ,o ye7#gh7 who are attracted to the ,heavenly ,kingdom6 ,o ye who are enlightened by the ,light of ,guidance6 ,o ye lamps lighted by the ,light of ,love and ,affection6 ,verily1 ,i have read your brilliant letter1 which indicated your enkindlement by the fire of the love of ,god and prayed for your entrance into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,blessed ye are1 ,o ye who are firm and steadfast in the ,covenant of ,god6 ,blessed ye are1 ,o ye shining stars from the horizon of the love of ,god6 ,i supplicate to ,god to make you the heralds of ,his mercy1 spreaders of the fragrances of ,his holiness1 utterers of ,his name1 servants in ,his vineyard and dwellers in the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha2 so that ye may become signs of guidance1 standards of love and divine fruitful trees1 cheerfully moved by the breezes of ,god4 ,make firm your feet in the ,cause of ,god2 dilate your breasts by the glad-tidings of ,god and turn to the kingdom of ,god with pure hearts1 sanctified souls1 cheerful spirits1 brightened eyes and illumined faces4 ,verily1 ,i say unto you then 7when ye become so7 the angels of holiness will welcome you by the glad-tidings of ,god1 the ,mighty1 the ,powerful4 8,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,leaves of the4440 ,o ye7#gi7 maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,leaves of the ,tree of ,life6 ,thank ye the ,lord1 for ,he hath removed the covering from off your insight1 illuminated your eyes by witnessing the ,sun of ,truth1 purified your souls1 and hath quickened your hearts through the holy fragrances which are being diffused from the garden of the kingdom of ,his ,great ,glory6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,it is incumbent upon you to soar up with wings of joy and happiness unto the apex of exultation and gladness2 for ,he hath assigned unto you the greatest guidance in the ,day of ,resurrection1 and hath crowned you with the diadem of glory and divine honor among the women of the whole world1 and hath chosen you above the queens of the world for ,his great bounty4 ,verily1 the crowns which are on the heads of the noble women--the queens of the world--all their bases will be finally broken1 their gems scattered away1 their luster removed and will become as dispersed dust4 ,but your magnificent crowns are everlastingly brilliant and permanently glorious and mighty and their gems scintillating throughout cycles and ages4 ,this is the highest gift6 ,this is the greatest bestowal6 ,thank ye your ,lord for this great bounty and favor6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 verily1 your ,lord1 the ,supreme1 is calling upon you from ,his ,ancient ,kingdom and announces unto you such glad-tidings1 whereat the hearts of the angels of heaven rejoice4 ,it is incumbent upon you to strip yourselves of every old garment 7i4e41 old beliefs and past customs74 ,it is incumbent upon you to be severed from this contemptible earthly world4 ,it is incumbent upon you 7to seek after7 the ,kingdom1 in this great ,day6 ,purify ye your hearts1 sanctify your souls and cleanse your spirits2 so that ye may attain to this great success4 ,then ye will become the angels of heaven1 will enter among the ,supreme ,concourse and will permanently abide in the paradise of union 7with ,god71 and will be associated with the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha4 8,o ye firm1 steadfast1 and faithful ,believers64440 ,o ye7#hj7 firm1 steadfast1 and faithful ,believers6 ,verily1 ,i1 from this brilliant and ,blessed ,spot1 speak to you face to face1 while ye are in that far distant country1 saying3 8,o people of loyalty1 ,o people of faithfulness1 ,o people who are awakened by the ,breath of ,god1 ,o people who are inhaling the scent of life from the ,spirit of ,god6 ,the path hath become smooth1 the way straightened1 the carpet of the ,kingdom is spread1 the ,tabernacle hath been elevated upon the ,hill of ,might1 the powers of heaven have been shaken1 the corners of the earth have quaked1 the sun has been darkened1 the moon ceased to give light1 the stars have fallen1 the nations of the earth have lamented1 and the ,son of ,man hath come upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory1 and ,he hath sent ,his angels with the sound of the great trumpet1 and no one knows the meaning of these emblems save the wise and informed4 8,ye are the angels1 if your feet be firm1 your spirits rejoiced1 your secret thoughts pure1 your eyes consoled1 your ears opened1 your breasts dilated with joy1 and your souls gladdened1 and if you arise to assist the ,covenant1 to resist dissension and to be attracted to the ,effulgence6 ,verily1 ,i say unto you that the ,word of ,god has assuredly been explained and has become an evident sign and a strong and solid proof1 and its traces shall be spread in the ,east and ,west1 and to these all heads shall bow and all souls shall submit and kneel down with their faces to the ground40 8,o ye dear friends and maid-servants of ,god64440 ,o ye7#ha7 dear friends and maid-servants of ,god6 ,a good fragrance is coming from the rose-garden of ,kenosha and a pleasing breeze is blowing from the orchard of the hearts of the friends and maid-servants of the ,merciful4 ,praise be to ,god1 that town1 by the presence of the beloved ones and the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 hath become a veritable paradise and its space1 like unto the heavens1 is illuminated with radiant lamps4 ,if this conflagration and attraction continue for a period1 ,kenosha will soon attain great provisions1 will travel with speed through the degrees of existence and make great progress in the orders of the ,kingdom4 ,therefore1 this prisoner implores and supplicates at dawn1 seeking strength and confirmation for the beloved of that town4 ,thus may heavenly confirmation become your associate and the morn of eternal happiness dawn upon ye and the ,sun of ,reality rise with such brilliancy as to dispel entirely the gloom of ignorance from those horizons4 ,o ye real friends and dear maid-servants of ,god6 ,the ,lover of the ,east in perfect love has outstretched ,his two hands to embrace the beloved of the ,west and to rejoice in that love and unity4 ,o ye beloved of ,god6 ,as long as ye can strive to set aglow the hearts with love1 be attracted to one another and be members of each other4 ,every soul of the beloved ones must adore the other and withhold not his possession and life from them1 and by all means he must endeavor to make that other joyous and happy4 ,but that other 7the recipient of such love7 must also be disinterested and life-sacrificing4 ,thus may this ,sunrise flood the horizons1 this melody gladden and make happy all the people1 this divine remedy become the panacea for every disease1 this ,spirit of ,reality become the cause of life for every soul4 ,o ye friends and maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,it is life-offering1 rejoicing1 happiness and the manifestation of ,divine ,favors4 8,o thou servant who art near and dear to the ,glorious4440 ,o thou servant who art near and dear to the ,glorious ,threshold6 ,give thanks to ,god for having been ushered into ,his ,kingdom1 partaken of the heavenly table and the 8lord's supper10 attained ecstasy by the wine of ,his love1 become enrolled as a soldier for life among the hosts of the ,lord1 and for ,his having blessed thy head with a crown of great guidance1 whose gems and pearls illumine the ages4 ,convey the greetings of this imprisoned one to the beloved of ,god in the spiritual assembly of ,kenosha4 ,say unto them3 8,the ,cause is ,great6 ,great6 and the ,kingdom of the ,majestic ,lord overshadoweth heaven and earth4 ,your spiritual assembly should be a source of joy to the world of humanity and be so illumined with light as to dispel the darkened horizons1 withstand the power of tests1 remain firm and constant1 be not disturbed by ordeals and feel no difficulty in spreading the light of guidance4 ,if ye attain this attitude of firmness1 the confirmation of the ,divine will verily penetrate the world through your meeting4 ,but this requires disinterestedness in worldly things and devotion to the ,kingdom of ,,abha1 perseverance and effort are requisites and firmness is a necessity4 ,i beg ,god to illumine the faces of each of you so that they may shine as stars in the high firmament40 8,o thou who art turning to the divine ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art turning to the divine ,kingdom6 ,the lengthy epistle was considered4 ,notwithstanding lack of time and opportunity1 on account of exceeding love an answer will be written4 ,thank ,god thou didst become a soldier of life2 subdued the domain of hearts with the arms of the love of ,god and the sword of concord and peace2 didst go after the army of the ,kingdom of ,,abha2 followed the ,supreme ,concourse and by the aid of the ,spirit made many conquests4 ,the merciful assembly of ,kenosha hath in reality taken food and provisions from the ,kingdom of ,,abha and become confirmed by the aid of the ,sun of ,reality4 ,therefore1 ,i am hopeful that1 day by day1 it may advance and progress4 ,the members of the ,spiritual ,meeting 7the ,board of ,consultation7 must endeavor1 by the power of the ,holy ,spirit1 to make the souls real ,bahais4 ,if they attain this glorious purpose1 that country will be illumined and that land will become a veritable paradise1 all nations will look to that assembly and from the explanation and exposition thereof receive realities and meanings4 ,o thou servant of ,baha'6 ,always remind the friends of the greatness of the great message4 ,convey longing greeting of great love from me to the members of the ,meeting of ,consultation3 99 99 99 ,whenever ,i think of them ,i find soulful repose and conscious joy4 ,the feast 7supper7 every nineteen days is very acceptable and will finally produce good results4 ,the beloved and the maid-servants of the ,merciful must inaugurate the feast in such wise as to resurrect the feast of the ancients--namely1 the 8lord's supper40 ,the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 ,i hope will be inspired so she may become the means of unity among the friends in every city4 ,that meeting for feast for which thou wert preparing and providing1 should recur every so often1 so that it may prove a means of attracting the confirmation of the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,inform the maid-servant of ,god1 who prepared her home as a temporary ,mashrak-el-,azcar1 that this service was accepted in the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,inform the near 7dear7 maid-servant of ,god thy wife1 who hath organized a school of industry in order that children may learn an industry and chant communes1 that this is very agreeable4 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,to look after the sick is one of the greatest duties4 ,every soul who becomes sick1 the other friends should certainly offer the life 7of service7 in the utmost kindness4 ,thou hast asked regarding the naming of children3 ,when thou wishest to name a babe1 prepare a meeting therefor2 chant the verses and communes1 and supplicate and implore the ,threshold of ,oneness and beg the attainment of guidance for the babe and wish confirmated firmness and constancy2 then give the name and enjoy beverage and sweetmeat4 ,this is spiritual baptism4 ,his honor1 ,mr4 4444441 ,mrs4 444444 and 444444 arrived4 ,they were attracted by the fragrances of ,god and ignited by the fire of the love of ,god4 ,with a new spirit and fresh life they returned4 ,o son of the ,kingdom6 ,thy services in the ,kingdom of ,,abha are evident1 well known and accepted4 ,indeed thou art a truthful servant of the ,holy ,threshold and a firm caller to the divine ,kingdom4 ,strive so that the odor of violation cease and all come under the protection of the ,covenant4 ,remain in and about that town and know that trial is the cause of promotion4 ,but thou must deal with all in the utmost love and do kindness4 ,although they lift up the head of pride1 show thou greater humility and meekness and treat them with the utmost submission and lowliness4 ,show the utmost kindness in my behalf to the near maid-servant of ,god 7thy wife74999999 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,this is a blessed address4 ,if thou fulfill its requirements1 which are purity of intention1 attractive love1 insight1 discovery of truth and absolute spiritual attitude1 thou wilt become entirely free from the physical conditions and wilt soar to the spiritual realms4 8,o servant of ,god64440 ,o servant of ,god6 ,the content of thy letter was replete with spiritual feelings and was a source of pleasure and of joy4 ,of my freedom thou hast expressed great joy4 ,i am free1 although ,i should remain in prison4 ,all fortresses and castles shall not confine me1 and the dungeon cannot bring me under the narrow bondage of the world4 ,the spirit is every soaring1 even if the body be in the depths4 ,what can these ignorant creatures do8 ,they might imprison the body1 but the spirit they cannot2 the spirit will ever soar in the atmosphere of eternal bliss and glory4 ,therefore1 neither the prison is a cause of sorrow1 nor freedom from it a source of joy4 ,when thou findest the way to the ,kingdom1 the earthly world shall be of no account2 and when thou art illumined the darkness will not affect thee--nay1 rather the four corners of the earth will then be radiant and every thorn will become a rose and a rose-garden4 8,o thou who art near to the ,threshold of ,,abha64440 ,o thou who art near to the ,threshold of ,,abha6 ,i have considered what thou hast written to ,mirza 444444 as well as the letter addressed to me4 ,thou hast written concerning the publication of some proofs and arguments along with the ,hidden ,words4 ,now1 since they are published1 circulate them among the people4 ,i hope that it may produce beneficial results4 ,perchance some of the souls who are truth-seekers may get a little information about this ,cause4 ,but afterward1 if thou desirest to get the translation of a ,tablet from the ,blessed ,writings1 it must be translated by a committee of two ,persian translators together with two competent ,english writers4 ,the ,persians should translate1 and the writers mould the significance into profound1 musical and perfect cast of style in ,english1 and in such wise that the musical sweetness of the original ,persian may not be lost4 ,then the material must be forwarded to me4 ,i will consider the matter and give permission for its publication and circulation4 ,consequently1 rejoice thou that thou hast already become specialized with this permission1 that thou hast circulated publications4 ,in brief1 translation is one of the most difficult arts4 ,in both ,persian and ,english utmost proficiency is necessary1 that the translator be a writer and use as the vehicle of expression great eloquence and fluency of tongue4 ,i hope that thou mayest be confirmed with great service in the ,cause of ,god4 ,announce to 444444 on my behalf longing greeting1 and show to him kindness and love with thy whole energy1 for he is very dear to me4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the letter which thou hast written to his honor1 ,mirza 4444441 was received4 ,its contents imparted the utmost happiness4 ,thank ,god that thou hast crossed the ocean of the ,east and the ,west1 reached to the ,goal of ,desire and attained to the visit of the ,holy ,threshold4 ,although the length of thy stay in this ,most ,great ,prison was very short1 yet ,i hope that it may become like unto the oil1 which no sooner comes in touch with the fire than it becomes ignited4 ,therefore1 ,god willing1 important results will be the outcome of this visit4 ,o thou who are firm in the ,covenant6 ,be thou firm in the ,cause and be engaged in service4 ,awaken the souls and make mindful the 7heedless7 minds4 ,the spiritual outpouring will become uninterrupted and the meetings of heart to heart constant4 ,rest thou assured upon the favor and bounty of the ,beauty of ,,abha4 ,i became very sad upon hearing the news of the death of ,mr4 4444441 but ,i implored and entreated the ,threshold of ,oneness and sought mercy in his behalf4 ,convey my greeting and love to his son and say3 8,do thou not lament on account of the death of thy father4 ,trust thou in ,god4 ,rely upon the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,that father of thine hastened to the world of immortality and took a share from the realm of the ,merciful and with the utmost joy hath attained to eternal life in the everlasting universe4 ,walk thou also in the footsteps of thy father and be characterized with his attributes and qualities4 ,enkindle thou his lamp and fructify his garden1 so that thou mayest become his real son and worthy of the favors and gift of the ,almighty40999999 8,o my spiritual beloved64440 ,o my spiritual beloved6 ,the days of association and intimacy7#hb7 are not forgotten and the sweetness of that love and meeting is still tasted in my heart4 ,praise be to ,god6 ,its signs are apparent and its results manifest4 ,thank thou ,god thou wast assisted in teaching the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444441 and supplicate ,him that thou mayest be confirmed in the guidance of innumerable souls4 ,the confirmation of the ,kingdom is with thee4 ,rest thou assured4 ,loosen thy tongue with the utmost fluency and eloquence and summon the souls to the ,kingdom1 explain the proofs and give forth the arguments1 and instruct the people in the exhortations and advices of ,god4 ,i pray in thy behalf and supplicate for thee from the ,kingdom of ,glory protection and providence4999999 8,o thou fresh1 slender branch saturated with the abundant4440 7#hc7,o thou fresh1 slender branch saturated with the abundant rain of ,his bounty6 ,i ask ,god to continue the heavenly abundant gifts upon thee and to grant thee more freshness1 tenderness and fineness day by day4 ,verily ,i say unto thee that man is likened unto a tree4 ,and as the life of a tree and its tenderness and brilliancy depend on the abundant rain descending from the clouds1 so also the happiness of man1 his pleasure1 dignity1 loftiness of position and highness of rank depend on the abundant bounty of the ,kingdom and the light of the ,sun of ,truth coming from the horizon of the gift of ,god4 8,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom6 ,thou shouldst establish a divine and heavenly transaction4 ,by ,god the ,truth6 ,every divine transaction is eternal and everlasting and giveth the heavenly spirit to the pure hearts attracted to ,god1 enlighteneth the world with the bright shining light of love and unity1 affinity and agreement4 ,but every worldly transaction1 although it be a gift through which the far and the near be profited1 still it is transient and temporary and will not last for ages and its blessings will not extend successively to the righteous people in the ages to come4 ,and as the heavenly abundance and the divine gifts and the omnipotent grace come in these days successively and uninterruptedly1 therefore1 thou shouldst establish a heavenly edifice to facilitate and level the way before the divine transaction1 to carry out the divine order1 to gladden the pure hearts of every one1 to sanctify thyself from everything but ,god and to keep aloof from all the worldly things for the ,cause of ,god2 to be kindled with the fire of the love of ,god1 to spread the fragrance of ,god and to expose thyself to the gentle breeze of ,god4 ,o my dear6 ,if thou lovest to be happy and pleasant1 this is the cup that is full of the wine of glee and delight2 and if thou desirest to have the ancient glory1 the eternal retinue and the everlasting dominion1 thou must look after these gifts which wave in the horizon of bounty with a brilliant light to all sides and regions4 ,by my life6 ,if thou knowest what thou art commanded and speak openly of it1 the dominion is for thee1 the ,kingdom is for thee and thy shining star will never set1 thy brilliant light never sink1 thy brimful treasure never be consumed and thy brave army never be deafeated4 8,o thou who art nurtured from the breasts of the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou who art nurtured from the breasts of the ,kingdom of ,god1 who wert brought up in the lap of the ,guidance of ,god6 ,i supplicate to ,god--exalted and glorified is ,he6 --with a submissive1 imploring and attracted heart unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 to assist thee1 while still very young and of small age1 with that by reason of which the vigorous men and the greatest souls were assisted in attaining perfection4 ,do not be amazed or astonished at the command of ,god1 according to the ordinances of ,christ--glory be to ,him6 --unto the children who have been fostered from the breasts of the bounty of ,god4 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest be as one of them4 ,this is glad-tidings emanating from a heart filled by the love of ,god4 ,therefore1 know its value and station4 8,o thou spiritual temple whose heart is drawn unto the4440 ,o thou spiritual temple whose heart is drawn unto the ,horizon of ,certainty6 ,verily1 ,i am now in the ,assembly of the beloved of ,god1 whose hearts are kindled with a burning1 blazing and flaming fire from the fragrance of ,god1 and ,i have mentioned thee with a heart overflowing with thy love4 ,by my ,god6 ,it is love which hath surrounded me from all directions and thus ,i mention thee with a beating heart and with a spirit turned unto the horizon of ,el-,,abha4 ,therefore1 thank ,god for this bounty1 the traces of which ,i hope will be spread1 its lights shine and the fragrance of its breath diffused in the whole world of existence forever and ever4 8,o thou heavenly1 brilliant and precious pearl64440 ,o thou heavenly1 brilliant and precious pearl6 ,i greet thee from this ,holy ,land with a fragrance from ,god and ,i desire that thy heart become animated through the gentle breeze of ,god1 thy bosom dilated with joy by the miracles of the gifts of ,god1 thine eye consoled by seeing the lights of ,god1 thy tongue by uttering the mention of ,,baha',o',,llah1 and thy taste to become sweet through the divine table descending from heaven4 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee that the gifts of thy ,lord are encircling thee in a similar way as the spirit encircles the body at the beginning of the amalgamation of the elements and natures in the womb2 the power of the spirit begins then to appear in the body gradually and successively according to the preparation and capacity to receive that everlasting abundance4 ,i ask ,god to help thee that the spirit will carry out its power in thee as desired and wished4 8,o thou faithful servant of the ,true ,one64440 ,o thou faithful servant of the ,true ,one6 ,i received thy letter and its contents caused the utmost joy and fragrance within me1 because it showed thy firmness in the ,cause of ,god and proved thy steadfastness in the love of the ,word of ,god4 ,its meanings were the mystery of unity and its expression showed thy firm intention in serving the glorious ,lord4 ,i beseech the ,threshold of ,unity with all humility and supplication to make thee confirmed in ,his service and to enable thee to be serviceable in the ,holy ,threshold2 that thou mayest not be a moment at rest nor take a breath of composure2 nay1 rather to pass all thy life in this greatest gift and this supreme favor employed in diffusing the breath of ,god2 that thy sincerity of heart1 thy sanctity and purity may increase and that thou mayest become entirely separated from aught else save ,god4 ,except a man be purified and sanctified from the soil of his dependence on this world1 the spiritual purity will not become manifest in him4 ,the more the mirror is clear and pure the greater will the rays and the bounties of the ,sun of ,truth show forth from it4 ,as to those things published in journals against thee3 ,thou shouldst not be grieved nor sorry therefor1 because thousands of journals have written traducing ,abdul-,baha1 have given false and base accusations and awful calumnies4 ,notwithstanding these he was neither troubled nor grieved thereby2 nay1 rather these cause me to exert myself more than usual in the path of ,god and to drink the cup of sacrifice and to boil in the fire of ,his love4 ,man must seek to gain the acceptance of ,god and not that of the different classes of men4 ,if one is praised and chosen by ,god1 the accusation of all the creatures will cause no loss to him2 and if the man is not accepted in the threshold of ,god1 the praise and admiration of all men will be of no use to him4 ,by all these it is meant that thou must not be sorry and grieved because of these things the papers have written against thee2 nay1 rather trust in ,god and be unmoved by either the praise or the false accusations declared by people towards thee1 depend entirely on ,god and exert thyself to serve ,his holy vineyard4 ,all else save this is but imagination1 though it be the praises of all people in thy behalf2 because all else is of no result and bears no fruit4 ,as to thine action against the journal which hath libeled thee3 ,it is not at all best to bring action against them1 because there is no profit in doing that2 nay1 it will lead to more sayings of a similar nature4 ,under these circumstances silence is best4 ,thou must not be disappointed1 sorry or grieved thereat2 ,god will remove all these difficulties4 ,if thou wilt employ thyself in the service 7of the ,cause of ,god7 the past losses will be recovered and all the troubles will be settled4 ,this is the manifest truth4 ,send my greeting to the enlightened leaf1 the maid-servant of ,god1 thy noble wife4 8,o thou son of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou son of the ,kingdom6 ,consider the bounty of the ,lord and the gifts of thy ,creator4 ,he hath chosen thee to love ,him and selected thee from among ,his beings to know ,him and distinguished thee particularly with the gift of dazzling light through which the faces of the righteous will shine4 ,verily ,i say unto thee that this gift now signifieth a globule and a date stone which shall spring up and grow until it becometh a tree of solid root and the branches thereof will extend to the ,east and ,west4 ,then the tongues shall utter3 8,this is naught but a great bounty60 8,o thou who art rejoicing at the ,glad-tidings of ,god64440 ,o thou who art rejoicing at the ,glad-tidings of ,god6 ,thank thou ,god for that by reason of which ,he hath enabled thee to traverse the seas and countries and come safe to a ,spot wherein the lights are shining with great brilliancy4 ,thank ,him for the help ,he rendered thee to visit the pure and ,holy ,tomb and revolve around it1 the fragrance of which hath excelled that of the flowers of the dawn4 ,go back to those regions where thy return is expected by those souls who1 through the signs of thy ,lord1 became attracted unto ,him1 the ,unconstrained1 and say unto them3 8,glad-tidings unto you who are sincere6 ,glad-tidings unto you who are faithful servants6 ,verily ,i have seen the ,kingdom of ,god with its doors open1 the garden of ,el-,,abha with extensive sides and regions1 with dazzling lights1 rolling seas1 verdant and beautiful orchards1 overflowing beds1 green trees1 fresh and bright leaves1 perfumed flowers1 sweet rivers1 gentle breeze1 beautiful air1 magnificent views1 elegant and handsome lips and mouths40 ,tell them that 8,the suns of the garden of ,el-,,abha are still shining1 the moons rising1 the stars brightening1 the gifts perpetual1 the grace perfect1 the glad-tidings spreading1 the signs of singleness and oneness are chanted in the cloister of its ,godhead and the flags of sanctity are waving above the palaces of its glory4 ,come here6 ,come here60 8,o thou who art drawn unto ,god and kindled by the ,fire4440 ,o thou who art drawn unto ,god and kindled by the ,fire which burned on ,mt4 ,sinai6 ,set aside every mention save the mention of ,god and abandon everything save the divulgence of the ,testament1 be attracted by the magnet of the ,covenant that thou mayest see the triumph of the angels of the ,king of the ,kingdom and the valor of the hosts of the ,lord of ,might4 ,by the life of the ,lord6 ,the ,invincible ,power will indeed strengthen1 the ,holy ,spirit will speak in thy mouth1 the ,word of ,god will be revealed in thy heart1 the sound of the trumpet of the ,lord will gladden thee1 the light of unity will shine from thy brow1 the doors of success and prosperity will be opened upon thy face and the secrets of the ,holy ,books will be unfolded4 ,then1 at that time1 thou shalt cry at the top of thy voice1 saying3 8,blessed ,i am for this great bounty6 ,blessed ,i am for this evident victory6 ,blessed ,i am for this power which could not be resisted by the powers of whomsoever is upon the earth60 8,to him who is looking unto ,god6 ,o thou who art4440 ,to him who is looking unto ,god6 ,o thou who art gazing unto the ,center of the ,covenant--may ,god confirm thee6 ,i supplicate ,god1 beseech ,him and pray to ,him that ,he may deliver the souls from the deluge of tests and kindle the lamp of sincerity in the midst of the hearts4 ,as to thee--,o thou who art sincere in the ,cause of ,god1 looking unto the ,kingdom of ,god and uttering the praise of ,god6 --thank thou ,him for that by reason of which ,he hath made thee wholly faithful in ,his ,cause1 kindled thy heart with the fire of the ,testament1 illumined thy mind with the light and conveyed unto thy spirit the glad-tidings of the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit in the world of effulgence4 ,therefore1 roll up thy sleeves to serve the ,covenant1 make the hearts firm in the ,covenant of the beloved ,lord1 create harmony and agreement among the believers and impart to them the glad-tidings of the confirmation which they will receive from ,god if the differences of opinion be removed and if they unite and agree1 be firm in spreading the fragrance of ,god1 divulging the traces and chanting the signs of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i send thee good news of the confirmation which thou shalt receive1 the like of which was never seen by the eyes in those regions1 and of the success1 the lights of which will brilliantly shine in those regions--if thou wilt arise with all thy power to assist the ,testament of ,god and to serve the ,covenant of ,god4 ,give all the beloved salutations and praise4 ,el-,baha is upon you all1 ,o people of ,el-,baha6 8,o ye who are turned towards the ,kingdom and drawn4440 ,o ye who are turned towards the ,kingdom and drawn unto the ,holy ,fragrance diffused from the ,garden of ,el-,,abha6 ,arise with every power to assist the ,covenant of ,god and serve in ,his vineyard4 ,be confident that a confirmation will be granted unto you and a success on ,his part is given unto you4 ,verily1 ,he shall support you by the angels of ,his holiness and reinforce you with the breaths of the ,spirit that ye may mount the ,ark of ,safety1 set forth the evident signs1 impart the spirit of life1 declare the essence of ,his commands and precepts1 guide the sheep who are straying from the fold in all directions1 and give the blessings4 ,ye have to use every effort in your power and strive earnestly and wisely in this new century4 ,by ,god1 verily the ,lord of ,hosts is your support1 the angels of heaven your assistance1 the ,holy ,spirit your companion and the ,center of the ,covenant your helper4 ,be not idle1 but active and fear not4 ,look unto those who have been in the former ages--how they have resisted all nations and suffered all persecutions and afflictions1 and how their stars shone1 their attacks proved successful1 their teachings established1 their regions expanded1 their hearts gladdened1 their ideas cleared and their motives effective4 ,ye are now in a great station and noble rank and ye shall find yourselves in evident success and prosperity1 the like of which the eye of existence never saw in former ages4 ,el-,baha and salutations be upon every one who is firm in the ,covenant1 free from dissension1 sanctified from deceits and steadfast in the path4 8,o thou herald of the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou herald of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,hearken with the ears of 7thy7 spirit to the ,concourse of ,el-,,abha1 and thou wilt hear1 verily1 the angels of the ,supreme ,concourse blessing and praising thee1 while saying3 8,be thou rejoiced1 ,o thou who hast arisen to serve the ,cause of ,god and to promote the ,word of ,god1 and be gladdened at the light of the gift of ,god60 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 verily1 the gifts of ,god are in such profusion as to rush like a torrent1 overflow as a sea1 and shower as rain4 ,gird up thy loins1 strengthen thy back1 make firm thy feet1 and exert thyself in quickening souls1 dilating breasts1 illumining insights1 giving hearing to ears1 and attracting hearts4 ,unseal the jars of the choice wine of the love of ,god1 and give the craving ones to drink from this cup which is overflowing with the knowledge of ,god4 ,o my friend1 the affection of my heart unto thee cannot be expressed through any interpretation1 and ,i can hardly write it or acknowledge it3 ,turn with thy breast unto the heart of ,abdul-,baha1 and then this concealed fact will be disclosed1 and the hidden mystery be unveiled unto thee4 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,god to make thee a tree with ripened fruits within reach1 overshadowing those regions4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be meek1 to be humble1 to be submissive and suppliant before the ,threshold of the ,merciful4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to serve the beloved of ,god in that spiritual clime4 ,send my greeting and praise to thy revered wife1 to thy esteemed daughter and to thy other children4 ,i beg of ,god to enable all of them to render service to ,his ,cause in ,his great vineyard4 8,o thou who hast arisen to render service to the ,cause4440 ,o thou who hast arisen to render service to the ,cause of ,god in ,his ,great ,vineyard6 ,verily1 ,i have already written thee several letters1 and sent them to thee at different times4 ,now1 ,i address thee with such words whereby the souls of the proximate ones are rejoiced1 and the faces of the sincere ones are cheered4 ,o my friend1 verily the ,cause is great and great1 and the penetration of the ,word of ,god in the temple 7body7 of all the regions is similar to the pervasion of the soul in a sound body4 ,by the life of ,baha'1 verily1 the power of the ,kingdom of ,god hath taken hold of the pillars of the world1 and hath possessed all the nations4 ,thou wilt surely find the standards of the ,testament waving in all regions1 the chanting of the verses of unity raised in exalted assemblies1 and the lights of the ,sun of ,truth and its heat dispersing the thick clouds massed on the horizon4 ,be rejoiced at this glad-tidings1 whereby the hearts of the sincere among the beloved are cheered4 ,o my friend1 isolate all thy faculties and senses from every other mention and thought1 and follow the example of ,abdul-,baha in servitude to the ,holy and ,exalted ,threshold4 ,hasten to the field of sacrifice1 craving for the most great martyrdom2 expend thy life and all of thy grades in love for ,god and in attraction to the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha4 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 man should seek only this bounty1 inasmuch as it is everlasting1 eternal1 divine1 spiritual1 luminous and merciful4 ,be sanctified from all the universe1 and send my greeting and praise to the spiritual leaf1 the being who relies upon the grace of her ,lord--the maid-servant of ,god1 thy revered wife1 and say unto her that she may address the veiled ones 7those blind to the ,truth71 saying3 8,verily1 eyes are dazzled by gazing at the sun1 and it is impossible to consider it because of the intensity of its rays2 and verily the sea cannot be contained in a cup4 ,the weakness of eyes does no harm to the sun1 nor the smallness of the cup to the sea40 ,then let her explain to the people1 and make known to every questioner1 by saying3 8,verily1 minds are limited1 and the splendor of lights is so great as not to be comprehended by 7man's7 reflective faculties4 ,ye ought to have the sigh of the heart so that ye may apprehend the reality of the mysteries of ,god which are deposited behind coverings40 8,o thou who hast sought illumination from the ,light of4440 ,o thou who hast sought illumination from the ,light of the ,guidance of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy words of thanksgiving to ,god for that ,he hath directed thee to ,his ,kingdom1 illuminated thine insight with the light of guidance1 and baptized thee with the water which hath descended from heaven1 with the fire which was ignited in the ,sinaitic ,tree1 and with the ,holy ,spirit which quickeneth hearts and souls4 ,then1 thank thou ,god for this gift whereby thy face is shining amid the concourse of ,chosen ,ones4 ,know thou1 verily1 man before reaching 7spiritual7 maturity passes his days and only apprehends trivial things which are clear on account of their exoteric indications1 but when he attains full development1 then he grasps the reality of things and their esoteric facts4 ,every day after maturity is equivalent to one year before it1 on account of 7man's7 perception1 understanding apprehension and discoveries4 ,now1 thou hast reached development and apprehended the degree of maturity3 ,gaze at the grades of the existence1 the realities of beings1 the allegories in the epistles of ,god1 and the mysteries in the ,old and ,new ,testament4 ,by the life of ,baha'1 the covering will be removed from off thee 7i4e41 facts will be unfolded to thee71 and thou wilt be informed of that which all the philosophers and wise men are unable to apprehend4 ,verily1 this is a gift which ,god assigns only to such of ,his chosen servants as ,he willeth4 ,verily1 thy ,lord will inspire thee with the mysteries of ,god1 the ,protector1 the ,self-subsistent4 ,verily1 ,i beseech the ,lord of ,hosts to increase thy faith each day over that of the previous day1 to confirm thee through ,his ,holy ,spirit1 to give thee capacity to partake of the lights of knowledge and wisdom1 to make thee a herald of the ,covenant in those regions1 and to instruct thee in that which thou knowest not2 so that thou mayest become a physician for bodies as well as souls1 to heal bodies with the medicines which are useful and beneficial for physical 7sickness71 and to cure hearts and souls with that antidote which quickeneth hearts and souls4 ,o my friend1 it is incumbent upon thee to be severed 7from all else save ,god71 to be attracted1 to be sincere1 and to spend thy life in the path of ,god4 ,be thou holy1 spiritual1 divine1 lively1 brilliant1 godlike1 sanctified1 pure1 with merciful character1 firm in the ,covenant1 fluent and knowing2 and gaze toward the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha with a heart brimming over with the love of ,god1 with tears flowing the commemoration of ,god1 with a face scintillating through the light of ,god1 with a heart sincere to the beloved of ,god1 and with a sword which divides truth from falsehood4 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 the ,spirit of ,baha' will assist thee with such strength that all the concourse of the earth will fail 7to withstand74 8,o my ,lord1 my ,hope64440 ,o my ,lord1 my ,hope67#hd7 ,praise be unto ,thee1 for ,thou hast sent down unto us this spiritual table1 supreme benefit and heavenly blessing4 ,o our ,lord6 ,strengthen us to partake of this heavenly food1 so that its fine essence may run through the pillars of our spiritual being and that we may thereby obtain a celestial power for serving ,thy ,cause1 promulgating ,thy signs and adorning ,thy vineyard with lofty trees1 the fruits whereof shall be near 7to gather7 and of perfuming fragrances4 ,verily ,thou art the ,possessor of great bounty6 ,verily ,thou are the ,clement1 the ,merciful6 8,o my ,lord1 my ,hope64440 ,o my ,lord1 my ,hope67#he7 ,thanks be unto ,thee for these foods and benefits4 ,o ,lord6 ,suffer us to ascend to ,thy ,kingdom and to sit at the tables of thy divine world4 ,nourish us with the food of ,thy meeting and cause us to attain to the sweetness of beholding ,thy beauty1 forasmuch as this is the utmost wish1 the mightiest gift and the greatest bestowal4 ,o ,lord1 ,o ,lord6 ,make this feasible unto us4 ,verily ,thou art the ,beneficent1 the ,giver6 ,verily ,thou art the ,bestower1 the ,mighty1 the ,merciful4 8,o thou seeker of the ,true ,one64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,true ,one6 ,if thou wishest the divine knowledge and recognition1 purify thy heart from all beside ,god1 be wholly attracted to the ideal1 beloved ,one2 search for and choose ,him and apply thyself to rational and authoritative arguments4 ,for arguments are a guide to the path and by this the heart will be turned unto the ,sun of ,truth4 ,and when the heart is turned unto the ,sun1 then the eye will be opened and will recognize the ,sun through the ,sun itself4 ,then 7man7 will be in no need of arguments 7or proofs71 for the ,sun is altogether independent1 and absolute independence is in need of nothing1 and proofs are one of the things 7of which absolute independence has no need74 ,be not like ,thomas2 be thou like ,peter4 ,i hope you will be healed physically1 mentally and spiritually4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank ,god1 thy faith increased and thou didst become attached to the ,kingdom of the ,merciful4 ,endeavor and supplicate and pray ,god that1 day unto day1 thy firmness and steadfastness may grow and that thy countenance may radiate through the light of guidance4 ,thus shalt thou stand solid as an iron mountain4 ,for firmness attracts the bounty of ,god and steadfastness is a magnet to receive ,his strength4 ,pray thou ,god for this 7attainment71 and ,i will pray to ,him to awaken the two people that they may avoid alcoholic drinks4 ,hypnotism hath a weak influence over bodies1 but hath no result4 ,but the power of the ,kingdom of ,god is great4 ,if thou canst1 endeavor to obtain a share of that power4 ,i ask ,god to help thy son in attaining faith and assurance and in directing himself to the desired ,one4 ,although young1 he shall attain maturity4 ,may the love of ,god take root in his heart from his youthful age4 8,o thou who art a young tree in the ,garden of the ,love4440 ,o thou who art a young tree in the ,garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,i supplicate to ,god that ,he may develop and flourish thee with the shower of mercy1 the heat and light of the ,sun of ,truth and the soul-imparting breeze of the ,paradise of ,,abha and to bestow upon thee a great limitless delicacy and freshness4 8,o thou who art quickened by the ,divine ,fragrances64440 ,o thou who art quickened by the ,divine ,fragrances6 ,i considered thy letter4 ,its expression was wonderful and indicated the brilliancy of thy heart and conscience4 ,be hopeful of the mercy of the ,lord of ,creation1 whose grace is infinite and the sea of whose gift is boundless4 ,i beg of the abundant favor of that ,ancient ,lord that thou mayest decorate thy spiritual reality 7being7 with the human perfections1 be endowed with a new life1 keep steadfast in the ,covenant1 diffuse the fragrances 7i4e41 teach the ,truth7 and deliver the ,cause of ,god4 8,o thou who art acknowledging the ,oneness of ,god64440 ,o thou who art acknowledging the ,oneness of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which contained beautiful meanings and wonderful texts2 was informed of thy turning unto ,god and thy attainment unto the bounty of the ,kingdom1 which is apparent and manifest by the appearance of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,let not thy hands tremble nor thy heart be disturbed1 but rather be confident and firm in the love of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 all existence is a book of pages and tablets which utter the glad-tidings of the appearance of the ,kingdom of thy ,lord1 the ,supreme1 the ,great4 ,observe the pages of the universe and discover the traces which appeared6 ,hast thou seen or heard in any of the previous centuries or generations that which is manifested in this ,glorious ,age8 ,if the writings of the previous centuries1 the middle centuries and the later centuries1 be compared with that which is manifested in this single century1 they will not weigh against it6 nay1 rather1 they are as drops of water in comparison with the ocean4 ,magnified is ,he1 who hath crowned this century with the appearance of ,his ,kingdom6 ,as to thee1 turn unto ,god with a heart cheerfully swayed by ,his love and kindled by the fire of ,his desires1 both day and night4 ,the lights of ,god will appear unto thee1 the mysteries of ,god be unfolded to thee and thy bosom healed by the exhortations uttered by the ,supreme ,pen4 ,convey my greeting and praise to thy respected husband and say to him that the ,jews are still expecting ,christ and long to see ,him in all anticipation and great zeal1 while ,his light was manifested1 ,his beauty shone forth1 ,his call was raised1 ,his trumpet blown1 ,his standard hoisted1 and ,his stars sparkled2 but the ,pharisees are yet in an amazing slumber1 immersed in former traditions1 and they make play with the signs of ,thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement4 ,thank ,god that ,he guided thee unto the fountain of guidance1 gave thee to drink from the cup of affection1 summoned thee unto ,his ,supreme ,kingdom and chose thee from among those people4 ,this is a favor wholly above comprehension and is not realized by the intellects which are negligent of the ,lord of hosts and angels4 ,o thou friend6 ,endeavor so that thou mayest ascend to the station which is above the firmaments1 near to the ,generous ,lord who created and made thee4 8,o thou bright pearl64440 ,o thou bright pearl6 ,endeavor1 and spare no effort1 and hasten to the ,kingdom of thy ,lord1 the ,lord of the shining and clear evidences and arguments4 ,verily1 by ,truth1 every seed cast in this great and magnificent century 7period7 will be cultivated by ,god and produce plants through the abundance of the clouds of ,his mercy1 which preceded the postulates1 and from which all the existing beings have been awakened and issued1 and to which they will return4 ,therefore1 use thy utmost power to sow and cast those pure seeds1 the divine teachings1 in the hearts which move and cheer by the fragrance of ,god4 ,convey my greeting and praise to thy honored1 noble-minded husband1 for ,i love him with all that is within me4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,breaths of ,god6 --may4440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,breaths of ,god6 --may ,god confirm thee6 ,verily ,i read thy letter1 which contained expressions like as of 8the pure sealed wine10 showing what throbs of the thoughts of the love of ,god in the mind of that righteous one 7thyself7 and that which shines of the lights of the knowledge of ,god in the heart of that beloved one4 ,i beseech ,god to ordain thee as a sign of ,his great signs1 to confirm thee to shine as a light in the lantern of ,america2 to cause thee to be stripped and cut from all positions1 to announce the good tidings of ,god1 to diffuse the breaths of ,god1 to speak the praise of ,god and to turn thy face to the ,kingdom of ,,abha1 to be freed from depending on this world1 to be kindled by the fire of the love of ,god1 to be adorned with the ornament of perfection2 to be the center of those virtues and characteristics wherewith the inner qualities of man are ornamented1 to be confirmed by the breaths of the ,holy ,ghost1 to call on the name of ,god4 ,o my beloved one6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be firm in the ,covenant and to stand up and serve the religion of ,god4 ,verily1 this is the magnet of confirmation and assistance1 the attracter of all success and the leader of hosts of gifts4 ,may ,god protect thee from all accidents6 ,may the ,glory of ,,abha be upon thee6 ,convey my greetings to the spiritual leaf1 the servant of ,god1 thy honored wife1 the esteemed 444444441 and say unto her3 8,serve in the olive garden of ,god1 that ,god may help thee by those confirmations by which intellects are astounded and the perceptions are cleared40 8,o thou who art sincere in the ,religion of ,god64440 ,o thou who art sincere in the ,religion of ,god6 ,verily1 the maid-servant of ,god1 the assured leaf thy wife hath presented herself in the ,sacred ,spot and is blessed by the pure and holy dust1 inhaled the fragrances of ,god from the meadow of ,abdul-,baha4 ,she will soon return unto thee1 while being watched over by the glance of the providence of ,god4 ,i beseech ,god to cause thee to partake of the heavenly table1 to be firm in the love of ,god and to transmit ,his lights in those regions2 to make thee severed from all else save ,him and to be a servant of ,his ,cause1 and to strengthen thee with a power which may penetrate into the reality of things4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,speech of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,speech of ,abdul-,baha6 ,verily ,i speak unto thee through the tongue of my spirit1 from the spiritual direction1 and explain for thee the mysteries of the kingdom and the meanings of the sacred1 heavenly books4 ,direct thyself unto the ,lord of the ,supreme ,world and loosen thy tongue1 so that ,he shall confirm thee by the spirit of ,beyan 7i4e41 explanation7 and breathe into thy mouth the ,holy ,spirit and move thy tongue with the best meanings and mysteries4 ,trust in ,god and rely on ,his great bounty1 because ,his bounty is overflowing like the seas1 brilliant like unto the lights1 flowing like currents of water and raining like the clouds4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be humble1 lowly and submissive at the appearance of the lights of the gifts of thy ,lord1 in every instant4 ,serve the friends of ,god under all circumstances and conditions4 ,this is the station of the spiritual ones2 this is the honor of the ,bahais2 this is the glory of the sincere ones and this is the sovereignty of the unitarians4 8,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,,abha64440 ,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,,abha6 ,verily ,i call thee1 from this ,spot1 with a speech whereby the spirit is breathed into hearts and bodies1 and address thee with a calling whereby ,his clear wine overflows in the fountain of a heart which is consumed by the love of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i love thee with my heart1 my spirit and my mind1 and associate with thee in spirit 7and converse with thee7 by my innate tongue4 ,i love for thee to arise for that to which ,i have arisen in servitude to the ,sublime and ,holy ,threshold1 turning unto ,god1 hoping for martyrdom1 so that thou mayest attain to the gift1 the lights of which glisten in the eternal horizon47#hf7 8,o thou whose heart is overflowing with the love of ,god64440 ,o thou whose heart is overflowing with the love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i received thy beautiful letter and praised ,god for kindling the fire of ,his love in thy heart and cheering thy spirit with the cup of the gift of thy ,lord4 ,i ask ,god to increase thy intoxication with this wine and gladden thy spirit with this great gospel4 ,i wrote letters to those whose names thou didst mention in thy letter4 ,deliver them with rejoicing face1 revived heart1 and tongue uttering the name of the ,merciful4 8,o thou who art confident in the appearance of the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou who art confident in the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy letter1 which was beautifully composed and which proved thy great love1 the extent of thy knowledge and the illumination of thy sight1 by witnessing the signs whereunto the heads bow in reverence and faces show respect4 ,o beloved6 ,thank ,god that ,he chose thee for ,his love and elected thy wife for the calling of the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,verily1 this is a great favor1 and wert thou aware of the results which will follow it in the ,kingdom of ,god1 thou wouldst1 verily1 rejoice exceedingly and wouldst call with loud voice3 8,blessed are we for this great favor1 and glad-tidings be unto us for this glorious attainment40 ,consider the past1 so that thou mayest become informed of the mysteries which shall be disclosed in the future4 ,when the disciples were calling in the name of ,christ1 the ,jews scoffed1 scorned and laughed at them4 ,they were saying1 8,they 7i4e41 the disciples7 are taken with madness1 and madness is made an art40 ,they even beat them with whips1 threw stones at them1 prevented the people from approaching them1 and were saying1 8,this man 7,christ7 is naught but a sorcerer1 blasphemeth ,god and is possess of a devil40 ,then observe how that persecution and scorn were changed to glory1 honor and reverence4 ,ultimately1 they 7the ,jews7 honored their sublime stations and acknowledged their loftiness1 which was exalted1 promoted and glorified in the center of the horizons until it reached the degree of exaggeration in deeds4 ,they made for them likenesses and pictures1 decorated with jewels shining in the eyes2 they placed these likenesses or pictures in the temples1 churches and monasteries built on the tops of the mountains1 and worshipped them with respect1 glory1 majesty and reverence4 ,this is the condition of the neglectful ones who are deprived of the ,truth 7the ,manifestations of ,god7 at the day of their existence among them4 ,after the ascension of their 7the prophets'7 spirits unto the ,center of ,purity and ,piety1 then the negligent ones repent and return1 making likenesses and pictures according to their own ideas1 which do not bear resemblance1 and worship the same4 ,this is the station of the ignorant ones who are as animals1 following every croaker and shaken by every wind4 8,forsake them to play in their shallow waters40 ,as to thee3 ,be happy because of what thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful1 hath given thee2 choosing thee and thy esteemed wife for entrance into ,his ,kingdom1 for calling in ,his name1 praising ,him in assemblies1 gatherings and meetings4 ,the truth ,i verily say unto thee1 this divine grace cannot be exchanged for the sovereignty of the earth1 the east or the west4 ,for that 7the worldly kingdom7 is naught but dreams1 torture to the spirit1 trouble for the hearts2 its mortality is certain and its destruction a well known fact--while this spiritual kingdom and divine grace will shine1 and it is an ,,abha 7,glorious7 jewel which will glisten on the diadems of great glory in the course of centuries and cycles4 8,o thou who art directed unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art directed unto ,god6 ,thy revered wife1 ,mrs4 444444441 is indeed confirmed by the fragrances of the spirit and rendered victorious by the hosts of the ,kingdom4 ,verily1 she hath abandoned comfort and ease2 calleth in the name of ,god in those regions2 hath remained firm in ,god's religion2 and no power of test hath shaken her4 ,rest thou assured6 ,her light shall shine in the globe of the love of ,god and her face shall be illumined with the light of ,god's bounty6 ,i pray for a heavenly blessing to descend upon the heart of thy wife1 for she arose for the spreading of ,god's fragrances4 ,i ask ,god to protect thee and her from the winds of trial4 ,may thy tongue be moved to utter beautiful explanations and may the hearts of the people of ,johnstown 7,n4,y47 become tender1 so that they may be guided to the ,fountain of the ,water of ,life and be illumined by the lights shining from the kingdom of heaven4 7#hg7 ,be not in despair1 but rather smile by the mercy of thy ,lord2 and be not sorrowful when meeting with worldly difficulties and depressions1 for they pass away--and thine shall be immortality during ages and centuries1 times and cycles4 7#hh7 ,be not sad on account of poverty1 nor be sorrowful when the people scorn thee4 ,remember the poverty of ,jesus1 the persecution of the ,jews to ,his glorious person and the scorn of ,him4 ,verily1 that poverty is the glory of the beginning and the ending4 ,it is a light which hath illumined the heavens and the earth4 999999,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 999999,consider not the present state1 for it is the time of sowing seeds in that country 7,america7 and1 of course1 great difficulties are met with1 differences and hindrances of the people being severe4 ,firmness must uphold us4 ,as the servants and the maid-servants of the ,merciful stand firmly and persevere1 the good see will soon grow and bear the fruit of blessing4 ,then will spirit and fragrance prevail1 and joy and rejoicing come from the heavenly sphere2 the sorrows and toils shall be forgotten and the eternal peace and rest appear4 ,i trust1 through the bounty of ,,abha1 that ye may be strengthened to serve and to spread the ,word of ,god4999999 ,the giving 4444 the ring7#hi7 of the ,greatest ,name is very beautiful4 ,the ring should be worn on the small finger of the right hand4 ,the prayer for forgiveness7#ij7 is behalf of those who have passed1 ignorant1 from this world1 will be sent as requested4 ,regarding the 8two wings0 of the soul3 ,these signify wings of ascent4 ,one is the wing of knowledge1 the other of faith1 as this is the means of the ascent of the human soul to the lofty station of divine perfections4999999 8,o ,thou ,forgiving ,lord64440 ,o ,thou ,forgiving ,lord67#ia7 ,although certain souls finished the days of life in ignorance1 were estranged and selfish1 yet the ocean of ,thy forgiveness is1 verily1 able to redeem and make free the sinners by one of its waves4 ,thou redeemest whomsoever ,thou willest and deprivest whomsoever ,thou willest not7#ib7 6 ,shouldst ,thou treat justly1 we all are sinners and deserve to be deprived2 and shouldst ,thou observe mercy1 every sinner shall be made pure and every stranger shall become a friend4 ,therefore1 forgive and pardon and grant ,thy mercy unto all4 ,thou art the ,forgiver1 the ,light-giver and the ,compassionate6 8,o thou sign of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou sign of the ,love of ,god6 ,be rejoiced that thou hast held the cup of providence in thy hand and drunk the choice wine of guidance1 opened thine eye and witnessed the lights of the ,kingdom1 unstopped thine ear and heard thy voice of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,be not grieved at the death of thy dear daughter4 ,this divine bird flew away to the rose-garden of the ,merciful and that plant of humanity hastened to the garden of the ,kingdom of ,el-,,abha4 ,that drop returned to the ,most ,great ,sea and that ray betook herself to the ,most ,great ,orb4 ,be happy and thankful because thou wilt see her face shining in the divine ,kingdom and wilt find her as a lamp amid an assembly in the spiritual heaven4 8,o thou who art commemorating the praises of ,god64440 ,o thou who art commemorating the praises of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter of elegant expression1 for which ,i supplicate to ,god to make thee meek1 humble and fit for the effulgence of the light of ,his love among the maid-servants2 and 7,i beg of ,god7 to make all mankind the children of ,his mercy6 ,this is the utmost mercy of ,abdul-,baha for which he is endeavoring night and day and is summoning all to this fountain which is flowing with the pure water of the gift of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to assembly all mankind in the shadow of the standard of peace and under the tents of love in the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha2 so that all of them may become the children of ,god and ,his beloved ones4 ,verily thy ,lord is compassionate to the servants who are rightly guided4 ,as to thee3 ,appreciate the value of thy father1 for he taught thee to await the manifestation of the ,light of ,lights4 ,verily he hath inhaled the fragrance of the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha and his nostrils are therewith perfumed4 ,therefore1 he bade thee to anticipate and prepare thyself for the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou dear one64440 ,o thou dear one6 ,blessed art thou1 for thou hast entered into the bosom of the training of ,god and drunk the cup of knowledge while thou art young in age among girls4 ,thank thou ,god for that ,he hath caused thee to taste the sweetness of ,his love at thy earliest childhood4 ,i beg of ,god to protect thee from wavering in the ,cause of ,god1 to make thee firm in the ,covenant of ,god1 to guard thy mother in the stronghold of ,his great ,kingdom and to make thee a girl successful and nurtured from the breast of the love of ,god1 refreshed from the milk of ,his knowledge in this great day4 8,o thou young in age and great in mind64440 ,o thou young in age and great in mind6 ,there is many a young child who is mature and grown up1 and many an aged one who is ignorant and stupid4 ,growth and maturity are in intellect and understanding and not in age and duration of life4 ,verily thou hast know thy ,lord while thou art young in age2 but there are thousands of women who are heedless of the commemoration of ,god1 veiled from the ,kingdom of ,god and deprived of the bounty of the gift of ,god4 ,as to thee1 thank thy ,lord for this great gift4 ,i beg of ,god to heal thy mother1 who is revered in the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o my ,god1 my ,god64440 ,o my ,god1 my ,god6 ,i am a servant attracted to ,thee1 humbly coming to the door of ,thy ,oneness and addressing the kingdom of ,thy mercy4 ,yes1 my ,god1 permit that ,i should be entirely ,thine1 occupied in thinking of ,thee1 inflamed by the fire of ,thy love and separated from all except ,thee1 so that ,i may work in ,thy ,cause1 spread ,thy wisdom1 transmit ,thy knowledge and the joy of knowing ,thee4 ,yes1 my ,god1 ,i am a flame lighted by the hand of ,thy power4 ,do not permit that it be extinguished by the winds of trials4 ,increase my love for ,thee1 my ardor for the ,beauty of ,thy ,oneness1 the fire that burneth in me in the ,sinai of ,thy ,singleness1 and the eternal life in me1 through ,thy bounty and grace2 for ,thou art the ,protector1 the ,watcher1 the ,pitiful and the ,merciful6 8,o thou who art attached to the ,beauty of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attached to the ,beauty of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i was rejoiced when ,i read thy excellent letter1 which portrayed a spiritual attraction and a rejoicing at the 7news7 of the merciful ,kingdom6 ,know thou verily1 the hand of divine ,providence hath attracted thee to the ,throne of the ,kingdom1 and the divine glad-tidings hath caused such joy and happiness in thee1 that thou hast removed the covering and lifted the veiling from the ,countenance of the ,divine ,beauty1 beheld the ,brilliant ,face through thine insight1 and became cognizant of the mysteries of purity and sanctity in this divine ,cause6 ,now1 with a heart overflowing with the love of ,god1 supplicate to ,god with all joy1 and thank thou ,god for this guidance and this high gift4 ,and know thou1 that verily1 the vanguards of the gifts of thy ,lord shall overtake thee from all sides 7parts7 when thy feet become firm in the ,path4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,light of ,guidance64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,light of ,guidance6 ,verily1 ,i read the signs of thy thanks to ,god1 for ,he hath guided thee unto the ,path of the ,kingdom1 dispelled the darkness1 caused thee to enter into the light of faith1 and awakened thee to the proof and argument4 ,this is through the grace of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 who hath chosen thee for ,his knowledge and hath adorned thy head with the crown of ,his love which is scintillating in the apex of glory and beneficence4 ,verily1 ,i beseech the ,threshold of ,mercifulness to kindle the lamp of light within thy heart1 so that thy breast may thereby be dilated and thy soul rejoiced4 ,thou art present in spirit in a meeting 7in ,acca7 in which the gifts of ,god are radiating1 even though thou art remote in regard to body in the far away land4 ,as to thy coming here now1 this is not in accord with the wisdom revealed in the ,gospels4 ,but the time shall come and thou wilt attain to the gifts of thy ,lord4 ,but for the present1 make thy tongue fluent in praising thy clement ,lord at every moment and time1 so that thou mayest attain to all good under the shadow of the ,lord of ,generosity and ,beneficence4 8,o thou who hast gained illumination from the ,light of4440 ,o thou who hast gained illumination from the ,light of ,guidance6 ,verily1 ,i perused thy brilliant letter1 which showed that thou hast advanced toward ,god1 thy sight illumined by witnessing the signs of ,god1 thy heart cheered by the sacred and spiritual breeze which is being blown from the garden of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,it behooveth thee to spend thy life1 body and blood in the path of ,god1 for this mighty gift4 ,verily1 ,i inhale the fragrance of faithfulness from the believers of that brilliant and pure city4 ,i beg of ,god to make ,his beloved and maid-servants in that city as one band1 united in soul1 heart and tongue1 even as stars assembled in the constellation of ,unity1 although the distance between them is extensive and the interval infinite4x ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,know thou1 the first bounty from the ,true ,one is love1 unity and harmony1 and without these all the deeds pass in vain and give no result4 ,love is the result of the ,manifestation and the glorious purpose of the rising of ,light on the ,mount1 in the ,sinai of the ,forgiving ,lord4 ,it is incumbent upon you 7to act7 with merciful harmony and spiritual unity1 so that the bounties of your ,lord may embrace you and make you as waves in this sacred1 moving sea4 ,this is seemly of the believing women6 ,this is the spirit of the assured women6 ,this is the light of the peaceful women6 ,this is the ultimate wish of the attracted women6 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,god to illumine thy sight by witnessing the light of hopes and cause thee to speak ,his praise among the maid-servants1 and to make thee steadfast in this path1 on which feet have slipped through the power of tests4 ,and ,i beg of ,him to enable thee to confirm thy parents and make thee a servant in ,his great vineyard1 and cause the consolation of thine eye1 thy noble child1 to enter the garden of ,his exalted ,kingdom4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thine excellent letter and was informed of thy turning unto ,god1 thy drawing near unto the lofty holy ,threshold1 thy drinking from the ,fountain of ,life and that thine heart hath partaken of the lights of heaven4 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to ordain for thee in the future to come to this ,blessed and ,white ,land1 to cause thee to hear the melodies of the ,dove and to grant that thou mayest present thyself before the hands of ,abdul-,baha4 ,exert thyself1 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 that thou mayest guide thy relatives and bring union and accord among the beloved ones and harmony among the maid-servants of ,god2 and that thou mayest become of the myrtles of the ,paradise of ,oneness and of the trees of the ,reality of ,singleness4 ,every flock of the sheep of ,god which is protected under the shadow of the ,divine ,shepherd will not be scattered1 but when the sheep are dispersed from the flock1 they will necessarily be caught and torn by the wolf4 ,therefore1 it is incumbent upon you to flock together6 ,it is incumbent upon you to be united6 ,it is incumbent upon you to expose yourselves to the fragrances of ,god at every time and moment6 ,verily1 ,i am with you when you turn unto ,god and are attracted to the fragrances of ,god1 and ,i pray for confirmation1 union1 harmony and love in your behalf4 ,deliver my greetings and praise to the maid-servants of ,god there4 8,o thou wonderful leaf of the ,tree of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou wonderful leaf of the ,tree of the ,love of ,god6 ,all that thou hast written was perused4 ,it was read from beginning to end1 and it caused joy and fragrance4 ,but we write a brief but useful answer1 on account of the lack of leisure4 ,engage thou in commemorating ,god at every morn and turn unto the ,horizon of ,mercifulness4 ,take some honey1 recite 8,ya ,baha-ul-,,abha10 and eat a little thereof for several days4 ,for these thy prevailing diseases are not on account of sins1 but they are to make thee detest this world and know that there is no rest and composure in this temporal life4 ,i beg of ,god that thou mayest find a cheerful life1 cause the increase of the longing of all present in the meetings of the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one and bring joy and happiness to the handmaidens of ,god2 so that thou mayest diffuse the fragrances and chant the manifest verses4 ,supplication to ,god at morn and eve is conducive to the joy of hearts1 and prayer cause spirituality and fragrance4 ,thou shouldst necessarily continue therein4 ,i beg of ,god that the closed door may be opened before the face of the friends and that they may be enabled to visit the ,holy ,threshold4 ,trust thou in the divine grace and have hope in the merciful gift4 ,if thou wishest for everlasting joy and happiness1 engage thou in delivering 7teaching7 the ,cause of ,god night and day1 for the commemoration of ,god attracts confirmation and assistance like unto a magnet4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and thy words produced effect in the hearts4 ,for thy letter showed thy love for the ,glorious ,lord1 proved thy knowledge of ,his ,highness1 the ,merciful ,one1 and indicated thy effort and exertion in unifying the beloved ones and creating harmony among the chosen ones4 ,o thou esteemed 7or dear7 maid-servant of ,god6 ,all that thou hast looked upon--even in the dominion of ,victoria1 the ,queen of ,england--is but an image on the water and a mirage of phantasms6 ,that which is a reality and is eternal and everlasting is the love of ,god1 is the knowledge of ,his ,highness1 the ,forgiver1 is the spread of the perspicuous religion of ,god1 the uplifting of the ,word of ,god1 and the diffusion of the lights of the guidance of ,god6 ,i beg of ,god1 that thou and thy revered husband and thy affectionate father will be confirmed by the gift of the ,merciful ,one2 and that thy brother will also follow you1 in order that he may1 through the gems and pearls of the guidance of ,god1 wear a kingly crown on his head4 ,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god6 ,i give thee the name ,natekah 7i4e41 ,speaker--gifted with speech2 it can also be written ,ntegheh71 in order that thou mayest find an eloquent speech in teaching 7the ,truth72 that thou mayest kindle the lamp of light in those parts1 especially in ,baltimore1 and bestow joy and happiness upon the hearts through the commemoration of ,god4 ,my good pleasure is in this1 that thou shouldst devote thy time wholly to teaching 7the ,truth71 so that thou mayest train the souls1 illumine the eyes1 and make the ears hearing4 8,o thou bird who art warbling in the ,garden of the4440 ,o thou bird who art warbling in the ,garden of the ,guidance of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy excellent and brilliant letter4 ,it showed how thou hast sought the fire of guidance from the ,sinaitic ,tree1 and art shining by the light of faithfulness of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,blessed art thou2 again1 blessed art thou6 ,glad-tidings be unto thee2 again1 glad-tidings be unto thee6 ,appreciate the worth of this peerless and choice ,pearl 7of the ,truth74 ,by the life of ,god1 verily1 this is the most splendid jewel which glitters on the crown of glory1 among all the people of the world4 8,o ye two doves1 flying in the verdant ,gardens of the4440 ,o ye7#ic7 two doves1 flying in the verdant ,gardens of the ,kingdom6 ,thank ye your ,lord for that by reason of which ,he hath guided you into the ,path of ,safety1 led you unto the ,fountain of ,life1 turned your faces unto the ,lord of the evident ,signs1 and baptized you with the ,water of ,life1 and the everlasting spirit of safety1 in this new and glorious century4 ,your pictures came to the presence of the servant of ,god1 who is supplicating to ,his ,kingdom that ,he may cause to descend upon you the heavenly blessings4 ,he was rejoiced by seeing your likenesses1 for his spirit is attached to the ,spirit4 ,and from the flowers1 which were enclosed in your note1 he has smelled the scent of the gardens of your hearts1 which are ornamented by the flowers of faith and assurance2 and ,i ask ,god to continue sending upon you the gifts of ,his merciful benevolence at all times4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,bounty of ,el-,,abha64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,bounty of ,el-,,abha6 ,verily1 ,i have read thine excellent message1 which announced thy praise to thy ,supreme ,lord1 and ,i have understood thine effort and endeavor in spreading the perfume of guidance and propagating the ,supreme ,word6 ,verily1 ,i implore ,god to keep thee and thy wife steadfast in such service with which both of your faces may shine in the ,concourse of ,el-,,abha6 ,indeed1 this is the treasure of the ,kingdom1 which 7treasure7 ceaseth not2 and ,i beg of ,him to cause you 7both7 to be in no need of the false beauty of the world and to be as two rising stars in the horizon of existence6 8,o thou messenger in the command of ,god64440 ,o thou messenger in the command of ,god6 ,blessed art thou for guiding 44444444 unto the ,fountain of the ,water of ,life1 caused him to enter the ,ark of ,safety1 demonstrated unto him the manifest signs1 and proved to him the elegant proofs4 ,may ,god reward thee with the best of rewards1 in the end and the beginning4 ,therefore1 continue spreading the fragrances of ,god in this new age1 which dawns as the sun with the lights of favors unto the horizon of ages and centuries4999999 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,be rejoiced at the mercy of ,god and be delighted by the remembrance of thy ,master6 ,thank thou ,him1 for ,he hath removed the veils from thy wight and shown thee a ,glorious ,face6 ,blessed art thou1 as thou hast sought martyrdom in the ,cause of ,god6 ,know thou verily1 ,he will strengthen thee to the service of ,his ,cause in ,his vineyard4 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,thy letter reached me and ,i noted its beautiful contents4 ,i ask ,god to augment thy faith1 certainty1 steadfastness and firmness1 that thus thou mayest be a cause for enkindling the fire of the love of ,god in the hearts of the maid-servants of ,god4 ,we sent thee a rosary1 as thou didst so wish4 ,mention ,god7#id7 with this and thus thou mayest be strengthened in spirit and fragrance1 in joy and love4 ,convey my greeting and praise to thy honorable husband1 ,mr4 444444441 the beloved1 the precious and honored4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of4440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i received thy letter and was informed of the content of thy speech4 ,know thou1 verily1 ,baha' was the ,sun of ,love and ,peace1 who shone forth with the ,light of ,guidance and was a ,spirit of ,life to all regions4 ,the signs of ,his effulgence shall appear when the love of ,god shall influence the hearts1 just as the soul influenceth bodies4 ,the clouds of darkness shall be dispelled from the manifest light of love and peace1 and from the abundant bounty of reconciliation and tranquillity4 ,as to thee3 ,do not look at thy weakness and impotence2 nay1 look at the power of thy ,lord1 which hath surrounded all regions4 ,the sea of forgiveness hath moved and the waves of pardon and beneficence have submerged the people of sin4 ,be isolated from the grades of self and desire1 so that thou mayest succeed in that which behooveth the service of the ,kingdom of ,god1 and that thou mayest be healed from every disease and sickness4 ,as to the 8white dove10 it is the ,holy ,spirit4 ,it shall flutter over thee and over the head of the beloved of ,god4 ,verily ,i beseech ,god to assist thee with the spirit of knowledge and enable thee to be good and benevolent to all the people of religions4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,divine4440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,divine ,kingdom6 ,what thou hast written was understood and noted4 ,thou hast asked concerning the station of this servant4 ,the station of this servant is servitude to the ,holy ,threshold 7,,baha',o',,llah7 and ,i glory and honor in this4 ,abdul-,baha is the standard of the divine love1 the sign of the gift of ,god1 the servant of the assemblage of the merciful ones1 the light of the meeting of the spiritual ones4 ,he is the orb of peace and reconciliation and the light of love in the world of humanity4 ,he is the herald of the ,kingdom of the ,merciful ,one and the promulgator of the religion of rectitude and security4 ,this is the station of this servant6 ,this is the ,truth6 ,i hope through the divine grace that the brilliancy of the love of ,god will pervade all regions1 and that he will remove warfare and strife from the world of existence4 ,then the human world will become expressive of the unity of the merciful world1 the inferior world will become a clear and purified mirror reflecting the ,supreme ,concourse1 the ,east and ,west will embrace each other like unto two longing ones and the ,north and ,south will shake hands and clasp each other in the arms like unto two beloved ones4 ,this is the station of ,abdul-,baha4 ,as to the light thou dost witness3 ,it is not an earthly light 7phenomenal72 nay1 rather1 it is a heavenly light4 ,it cannot be seen by the sight2 nay1 rather1 it is perceived by the insight4 ,as to the resurrection of the body of ,christ three days subsequent to ,his departure3 ,this signified the divine teachings and spiritual religion of ,his ,holiness ,christ1 which constitute ,his spiritual body1 which is living and perpetual forevermore4 ,by the 8three days0 of ,his death is meant that after the great martyrdom1 the penetration of the divine teachings and the spread of the spiritual law became relaxed on account of the crucifixion of ,christ4 ,for the disciples were somewhat troubled by the violence of divine tests4 ,but when they became firm1 that divine spirit resurrected and that body--which signifies the divine word--arose4 ,likewise the address of the angels to the people of ,galilee1 8,that this ,christ will return in the same way and that ,he will descend from heaven10 is a spiritual address4 ,for when ,christ appeared1 ,he came from heaven1 although ,he was outwardly born from the womb of ,mary4 ,for ,he said3 8,no man hath ascended up to heaven1 but he that came down from heaven40 ,he said3 8,i came down from heaven and likewise will go to heaven40 ,by 8heaven0 is not meant this infinite phenomenal space1 but 8heaven0 signifies the world of the divine kingdom which is the supreme station and seat of the ,sun of ,truth4 ,to be brief3 ,the mysteries of the ,holy ,books are many and require explanation and elucidation4 ,i hope thine insight will be so opened that the divine mysteries may become manifest and clear4 ,o thou candle of the love of ,god6 ,i read what thou hast written4 ,its meanings were spiritual and its contents merciful4 ,it indicated 7thy7 pure intention and expressed clear brilliancy4 ,i beg of ,god that thou mayest become an associate and partner of ,abdul-,baha in servitude to the ,holy ,threshold of ,baha'1 that thou mayest praise me in my pure servitude and summon all to the ,most ,great ,guidance4 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,what thou has written was perused4 ,thou hast written concerning the meeting of ,his ,highness ,christ after the crucifixion and that some of the apostles perceived ,him but did not recognize ,him2 but that they did recognize ,him after the breaking of bread4 ,know thou that the ,messianic ,spirit and the outpouring of the ,holy ,spirit is always manifest1 but capacity and ability 7to receive it7 is more in some and less in others4 ,after the crucifixion the apostles had not in the beginning the capacity and ability of witnessing the ,messianic reality4 ,for they were agitated4 ,but when they found firmness and steadfastness their inner sight became opened1 and they saw the reality of the ,messiah as manifest4 ,for the body of ,christ was crucified and vanished1 but the ,spirit of ,christ is always pouring upon the contingent world1 and is manifest before the insight of the people of assurance4 ,o thou seeker of the kingdom of ,god6 ,if thou wishest thy speech and utterance to take effect in the hardened hearts1 be thou severed from all attachment to this world and turn unto the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,enkindle the fire of the love of ,god in the heart with such intensity that thou mayest become a flame of fire and a luminous lamp of guidance4 ,at that time thy speech will take effect within the hearts1 through the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit4 8,o thou sincere servant of the ,lord of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou sincere servant of the ,lord of the ,kingdom6 ,thou art favored and accepted in the ,threshold of ,his ,highness the ,incomparable ,one1 and art beloved and praised in the presence of ,abdul-,baha4 ,thy services in the divine kingdom are evident and registered and the most eminent reward and the most great bounty are destined and in store for thee4 ,the confirmation which hath descended unto thee is conducive to unlimited favor4 ,therefore1 be thou engaged in the glorification of the ,forgiving ,lord4 8,o thou whose heart is filled with the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou whose heart is filled with the ,love of ,god6 ,i was informed of thy longing for meeting 7me7 and that thy breast is boiling with the love of ,god4 ,blessed are thou for this wish4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,beseech thou ,god to be filled with ,his love and make thy tongue fluent with the glorification of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i supplicate ,god to forgive thy father and to submerge him in the sea of forgiveness and pardon4 ,be not grieved at the death of that infant child1 for it is placed in trust for thee before thy ,lord in ,his great ,kingdom4 ,verily ,god will bestow upon thee that whereby thy heart shall be rejoiced and thy breast shall be dilated4 ,verily thy ,lord is compassionate and merciful6 8,o thou favored maid-servant in the ,threshold of the4440 ,o thou favored maid-servant in the ,threshold of the ,almighty6 ,the letter which thou hast written was perused and its contents were noted4 ,thou hast written concerning spiritual hearing and insight4 ,the insight 7or inner perception7 is a correct sight1 for it never blundereth4 ,but the outward sight doth err 7or misjudgeth72 it seeth the mirage as water1 considereth the revolving flame as a circle1 imagineth the images reflected in a mirror as a reality and judgeth huge bodies as small ones1 from a remote distance4 ,there are many evidences as to the blundering of the sight2 but the insight apprehendeth the reality and discovereth the mysteries4 ,as to the difference between inspiration and imagination3 ,inspiration is in conformity with the ,divine ,texts1 but imaginations do not conform therewith4 ,a real1 spiritual connection between the ,true ,one and the servant is a luminous bounty which causeth an ecstatic 7or divine7 flame1 passion and attraction4 ,when this connection is secured 7or realized7 such an ecstasy and happiness become manifest in the heart that man doth fly away 7with joy7 and uttereth melody and song4 ,just as the soul bringeth the body in motion1 so that spiritual bounty and real connection likewise moveth 7or cheereth7 the human soul4 ,as to truthful dreams3 ,i beg of ,god that thy inner eye 7insight7 may be so opened that thou mayest thyself differentiate between truthful and untruthful dreams4 ,treat thy friends and relatives in general with the utmost kindness and love2 7deal in like manner7 even with strangers 7or outsiders74 ,convey my great compassion to the little maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 ,she must memorize and recite the following commune3 8,o loving ,god6 ,i am a young child1 a suppliant1 a4440 8,o loving ,god6 ,i am a young child1 a suppliant1 a captive4 ,be ,thou my refuge1 my support1 my protector4 ,i am in distress3 give me the means of tranquillity4 ,i am needy3 bestow upon me the treasure of the ,kingdom4 ,i am dead3 give me the ,spirit of ,life4 ,i am weak3 favor me with power and strength1 so that ,i may be a maid-servant in ,thy ,threshold1 with perfect purity and sanctity2 sacrifice myself unto ,thee1 be quit of myself and seek ,thee1 walk in the path of ,thy good pleasure1 speak ,thy secret and witness the signs of ,thy ,oneness wherever ,i look4 ,o ,god6 ,make me ablaze1 like unto the fire of ,thy love1 and make me free from attachment to this mortal world1 until ,i find the peace of soul and the rest of conscience4 8,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,mighty6 ,thou art the ,hearer1 the ,seer60 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,blessed art thou1 for the lights of guidance have shone forth upon thee and the bounty of the ,supreme ,kingdom hath illumined thy heart4 ,the effect of the ,spirit will surely increase within hearts1 so souls will grow in advancing toward the ,kingdom1 the wonderful bounty shall appear from the invisible kingdom1 the hidden exalted world1 and your powers and firmness will increase in the ,cause of ,god1 the ,lofty1 the ,mighty4 8,o thou ,godlike person and spiritual friend64440 ,o thou ,godlike person and spiritual friend6 ,verily ,god hath1 through ,his bounty and grace1 removed the covering from off thine eyes and inspired thee the night in which the ,morn of ,guidance dawned and the ,holy ,spirit breathed in the being of 8,the ,exalted1 the ,supreme07#ie7 4 ,ye went out7#if71 desirous to witness and visit the ,lord1 and awaited the appearance of the ,great ,bounty in that brilliant night4 ,is there any evidence greater than this to the discerning8 ,no1 by my ,beloved1 the ,,abha6 ,this is a gift to which ye have been assigned among mankind4 ,thank ye ,god for this bestowal in which the inspired ones glory in the kingdom of heaven4 ,as to thee1 strengthen thou thy back to spread that ,spirit and diffuse that ,light and arise to serve the ,cause of ,god in ,his vineyard1 so that thou mayest be of the first to call in the name of ,god and draw nearer unto the ,kingdom of thy ,lord1 the ,glorious1 the ,supreme4 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 if thou be steadfast in this ,cause and arise with all thy power to promote the ,word in those parts1 and if thou render thine utmost efforts in breathing the ,spirit of ,life into the hearts of the righteous1 thou wilt find thyself assisted by the angels of heaven and the hosts of the ,supreme ,concourse2 thou wilt hoist the banner of peace and the sounds of the trumpet will be heard in the tunes of love and union throughout those countries2 thou wilt guide people 7literally1 souls7 to the running water of life and lead them to the field of knowledge2 thou wilt give them to drink the wine of assurance and quicken them with the fragrances of the ,merciful ,one2 thou wilt clothe them with the robes of bestowal and give them to drink the wine of faithfulness in love for ,baha'1 so that they will be awakened from the sleep of selfish desires and behold the signs of their ,mighty ,lord in this exalted life4 ,this is better for thee than all the glory and dominion of the world4 ,as to thy coming at this time to the ,blessed ,spot 7,acca71 this is not in accordance with the wisdom revealed in the ,tablets4 ,send unto us some of the traces of thy pen 7writings7 so that we may see it and pray ,god to assist and render thee successful in everything4 8,o thou whose face is illumined with the ,light of the4440 ,o thou whose face is illumined with the ,light of the ,love of ,god6 ,the answer already hath been delayed1 but there is no harm in that4 ,for1 verily1 my heart is gazing unto thee1 my love is constant and permanent for thee and the fragrances of holiness are wafting 7over thee7 and my spirit is pouring upon thee1 and the spiritual communication is extended between us4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to show forth the greatest steadfastness2 it is incumbent upon thee to stand the tests of the ,lord6 ,be thou firm in the love of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful6999999 8,o thou who art enkindled with the ,fire of the ,love4440 ,o thou who art enkindled with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and ,i was informed of the contents4 ,it was a proof of truthfulness and sincerity and an evidence of spiritual feelings4 ,consider how the radiance of the light of the ,holy ,spirit doth illumine the court of the soul1 that it bringeth about spiritual discoveries and produceth merciful attachment6 ,the essential meeting is that spiritual attachment 7or union7 and heartfelt feelings2 when this gift becometh manifest1 heavenly bounties will be attained and hopes shall be fulfilled4 ,it is the same as ,i have written3 ,thou shalt attain to visit ,acca2 but now a physical visit 7or presence7 will lead to interference on the part of the ignorant and cause the tumult and commotion of the unwise4 ,for the present1 satisfy thyself with a spiritual union4 ,god willing1 thy coming will be also brought about afterward4 ,occupy thyself with the ,kingdom as much as thou canst and forget all else save the ,true ,one2 in order that thou mayest1 day by day1 find a new power in the ,cause of ,god and gain a great stability4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,threshold of4440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,threshold of ,mercifulness6 ,verily1 ,i have read the expressions of thy longing for the visit and thy craving to come to this ,brilliant ,spot4 ,but the violators of the ,covenant of ,god have stirred up the dust of deception1 and besides this1 there are numerous obstacles and it is impossible for thee to come in these times4 ,but verily1 ,i pray my ,lord to make this success feasible unto thee in a future time4 ,there is for this a mature wisdom concealed from sight1 but it shall appear as clear as the sun in midday4 ,as to thee1 be rejoiced at the glad-tidings of thy ,lord and trust in ,his great gifts1 the lights of which have shone forth upon the horizons of hearts and souls1 and trust in the assistance of thy ,master1 and ask what thou wishest of the gifts of thy ,lord1 the ,unconstrained6 ,draw nigh unto ,him with a pure heart1 cheerful face1 gazing eye and a joyful spirit and plunge with thy whole being into the sea of the love of ,god and forget all else save ,him1 so that thou mayest be filled with such spiritual sentiments from the kingdom of ,god1 which will take the reins of desire from thy hands and move thee with the power of thy ,lord1 just as the wind moveth a mote in the open air as it willeth4 ,at that time we will draw unto each other in spirit1 a nearness which will be eternal1 everlasting and endless4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i considered the meanings of thy beautiful words and found them as a peerless1 brilliant pearl1 shining with a luster of the lights of the love of ,god4 ,god shall surely enable thee to speak in more eloquent and wonderful words through a confirmation from the ,spirit of the gift of ,god4999999 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the picture 7photograph7 is an indication of what is in the heart of man4 ,there are faces which are rejoiced and brilliant like unto the garden of paradise and faces which are dusty and dark and are covered with the dimness of fire4 ,verily ,i beg of ,god that ,he may strengthen thee in whatever matter thou mayest undertake and unto which thou mayest advance4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy heart shall surely have attractions and revelations through the power of the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha1 which will be followed by glad-tidings and signs1 in every minute and instant4 ,verily1 ,i reveal unto thee in spirit and address thee in heart1 a speech which will open unto thee the doors of mysteries which are concealed behind veils4 ,when mirrors become pure and the lights shine1 the signs of the ,sun of ,truth shall reflect therein with most wonderful splendors4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i have not forgotten thee and will not forget thee4 ,trust thou in the love of ,abdul-,baha1 for verily1 nothing equals it4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the ,household7#ig7 present unto thee greeting and praise1 with all longing and attraction4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i pray to ,god that ,he may cause to descend upon thee a heavenly blessing1 quicken thy heart with the ,holy ,spirit into an everlasting life and make thy heart a source of merciful sentiments2 so that thy breath may become a quickener of the souls1 thine attractions may move the heart of the world1 thy strong love may attract the hearts of men1 and that thine abundant affection may become a mercy to mankind in the world of existence4 ,verily1 my ,lord is ,powerful1 ,potent and the ,bestower6 ,be thou loving to every afflicted one1 a dispeller of sorrows to every grieved one1 a refuge to every fearful one1 a heavenly food to every destitute one1 a balm to every wounded one1 a consolation to dejected hearts1 a blessing to unfortunate souls1 a treasure to every begging one and a succor to every lamenting one--so that thou mayest be a banner of guidance and the essence of piety among the maid-servants of thy ,supreme ,lord4 ,verily1 thy ,lord is the ,beneficent1 the ,gracious1 the ,bestower6 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 999999,i beg of ,god that ,he may make that place a center of merciful events and a point whereon the lordly favors may fall2 and that ,he may make thee so ablaze with the fire of ,his love that the flame of the love of ,god may pervade all those parts4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and a sweet odor wafted from the rose-garden of its meanings4 ,thou hast offered thanks before the threshold of the ,one ,god1 for that thou hast stepped into the ,court of the ,manifestation in such a blessed day and hast partaken a share and portion from the bounties of the ,pre-existent ,beauty7#ih7 4 ,this mortal world is fickle and unstable like unto a shifting shadow1 and the human life is like unto a mirage and a reflection on the water4 ,when thou lookest at the result thou wilt consider the preliminaries as important1 otherwise1 preliminaries without a result are of no fruit or harm2 they are pure fancy and sheer darkness4 ,therefore even a short duration of life is sufficient4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he may render thee successful so that thou mayest find the result of the supernal life from the temporal life and attain to the gift of the heavenly food and be strengthened to serve the ,cause of ,god4 8,o thou who art esteemed in the ,threshold of the4440 ,o thou who art esteemed in the ,threshold of the ,almighty6 ,praise thou ,god1 for that thou hast found the ,light of ,guidance1 recognized the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 art engaged in the service of the ,divine ,garden and hast guided a number of souls and led them to the ,kingdom of ,existence4 ,when thou occupiest thyself with all thy strength in service1 thou wilt become a magnet of attraction and cause every seeker to reach the presence of the ,desired ,one2 thou wilt raise a great clamor in the world and evince such an ecstasy and rapture that will astonish the minds4 ,send my loving greeting to those souls whom thou hast guided unto the divine kingdom and say unto them3 8,ye must appreciate ,miss 4444444 ,move your tongues in thanksgiving and be obliged for her great effort2 for she gave you to drink the wine of guidance from the cup of the love of ,god and led you to the kingdom of lights4 ,were you to thank her for many years as a reward for this guidance1 ye will not be able to repay your obligation for this gift40 ,thou hast written concerning the ,impersonality of the ,divinity4 ,personality is in the ,manifestation of the ,divinity1 not in the ,essence of the ,divinity4 ,the reality of the divine world is purified and sanctified from limits and restriction4 ,but the pure ,mirror1 which is the ,manifestor of the ,sun of ,truth and in which the ,sun of ,truth is manifest in appearance--that mirror is restricted1 not the lights4 ,the soul pervadeth throughout the whole body1 and its commands are effective in all the parts and limbs of man4 ,notwithstanding its utmost sanctification 7or abstraction7 this soul is manifest and evident in all its grades1 in this material form4 ,by seeing ,god is meant beholding the ,manifestation of ,himself2 for witnessing the sun in its entire splendor1 in a clear glassy surface1 is identical with witnessing the essence of the sun itself4 ,when the souls of the sincere depart 7from this body71 then their unreal vision 7i4e41 seeing7 is changed into a vision of reality4 ,even as man1 when in the age of babyhood and imperfection1 though he seeth things1 yet that vision is superficial and external4 ,but when he reacheth the world 7or age7 of perfection and becometh endowed with reasoning faculty and 7the power of7 discrimination and comprehension1 then that vision of his is a vision 7i4e41 seeing7 of reality7#ii7 and not the unreality4 ,it is evident that the divine nearness is an unlimited nearness1 be it in this world or the next one4 ,this is a nearness which is sanctified from the comprehension of the minds4 ,the more a man seeketh light from the ,sun of ,truth1 the nearer he will draw4 ,for instance1 a clear body is near unto the sun1 and a black stone is far from the sun4 ,this nearness dependeth upon clearness1 purity and perfection and that remoteness is due to density1 dullness 7or obscurity7 and imperfection4 ,as to the question whether the souls will recognize each other in the spiritual world3 ,this 7fact7 is certain2 for the ,kingdom is the world of vision 7i4e41 things are visible in it71 where all the concealed realities will become disclosed4 ,how much more the well-known souls will become manifest4 ,the mysteries of which man is heedless in this earthly world1 those will he discover in the heavenly world1 and there will he be informed of the secret of truth2 how much more will he recognize or discover persons with whom he hath been associated4 ,undoubtedly1 the holy souls who find a pure eye and are favored with insight will1 in the kingdom of lights1 be acquainted with all mysteries1 and will seek the bounty of witnessing the reality of every great soul4 ,even they will manifestly behold the ,beauty of ,god in that world4 ,likewise will they find all the friends of ,god1 both those of the former and recent times1 present in the heavenly assemblage4 ,as to the difference and distinction between ,lazarus and that 8rich man03 ,the first was spiritual1 while the second was material4 ,one was in the highest degree of knowledge and the other in the lowest depths of ignorance4 ,the difference and distinction will naturally become realized between all men after their departure from this mortal world4 ,but this 7distinction7 is not in respect to place1 but it is in respect to the soul and conscience4 ,for the ,kingdom of ,god is sanctified 7or free7 from time and place2 it is another world and another universe4 ,but the holy souls are promised the gift of intercession4 ,and know thou for a certainty1 that in the divine worlds1 the spiritual beloved ones 7believers7 will recognize each other1 and will seek union 7with each other71 but a spiritual union4 ,likewise1 a love that one may have entertained for any one will not be forgotten in the world of the ,kingdom4 ,likewise1 thou wilt not forget 7there7 the life that thou hast had in the material world4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,hold fast to the ,most ,strong ,handle7#ajj7 and be thoroughly attracted to the ,kingdom of ,,abha1 until thou mayest at every instant find a new confirmation and attain to a wonderful gift and become a cause for the guidance of souls4 8,o thou who hast attained to ,truth64440 ,o thou who hast attained to ,truth6 ,i beg of ,god that the divine light which is spoken of in the ,twelfth ,chapter of ,john may shed its rays upon thee forever1 so that thou mayest always be in light4 ,the life of man in this world is short and will soon drawn to an end4 ,consequently one must appreciate 7or count as gain7 every breath 7or moment7 of his life and endeavor in that which is conducive to eternal glory4 ,thou hast written concerning the shining assembly of ,washington 7,d4,c473 ,this caused me great joy1 for that assemblage is a rose-garden of mysteries and very sweet fragrances of being inhaled from it4 ,i hope that through the sincerity of heart of the friends and maid-servants of ,god1 that assembly will continue and be extended 7or grow7 day by day1 will increase in luminosity every moment and that the members of that assembly will make extraordinary progress in the ,divine ,threshold4 ,if the health and well-being of the body be expended in the path of the ,kingdom1 this is very acceptable and praiseworthy2 and if it is expended to the benefit of the human world in general--even though it be to their material 7or bodily7 benefit and be a means of doing good--that is also acceptable4 ,but if the health and welfare of man be spent in sensual desires1 in a life on the animal plane1 and in devilish pursuits--then disease is better than such health2 nay1 death itself is preferable to such a life4 ,if thou art desirous of health1 wish thou health for serving the ,kingdom4 ,i hope thou mayest attain a perfect insight1 an inflexible resolution1 a complete health and spiritual and physical strength in order that thou mayest drink from the fountain of eternal life and be assisted by the spirit of divine confirmation4 ,say unto 444444443 8,thou art sowing pure seeds1 but that soil 7wherein the seeds fall7 is full of useless plants1 weeds and rubbish4 ,therefore the seeds are wasted4 ,consequently1 come and sow those seeds in a pure1 sweet and fertile soil1 in order that they may vegetate1 become fresh and verdant and form into heaps on heaps of harvest40 ,send my greeting to 44444444 and say unto her3 8,the sun is in the utmost effulgence but the surface turned toward it must be a mirror2 the clearer and purer it is1 the more lights shall be reflected therein40 ,send my loving greeting to his honor 44444444 and say unto him3 8,do not miss the opportunity4 ,now in the springtime and the bounty of heaven is pouring on earth and the fields and rose-gardens are in growth and development4 ,exert thyself as much as thou canst1 in order that through this everlasting bounty and the sprinklings of the clouds of the divine gift1 thou mayest grow and thrive like unto a fruitful tree1 with the utmost freshness and purity40 ,that matter 7or substance7 which is the cause of the moderation and perfection of the body is that perfect moderate temperament which is produced by the organization and admixture of constituent elements2 that matter 7or substance7 is material 7or physical7 not spiritual4 ,but reason1 which comprehends 7or detects7 the realities of things1 is a spiritual reality1 not physical 7or material74 ,therefore the animal is deprived of reason1 and it 7reason7 is specialized to mankind4 ,the animal feeleth realities which are perceptible to the senses1 but man perceiveth intellectual realities 7or things perceptible to reason74 ,consequently1 it hath become evident that reason is a spiritual faculty1 not physical 7or material74 ,the ,holy ,land is not tranquil in these days7#aja74 ,consequently1 let thy presence 7or coming7 in the ,holy ,land depend on some other time4 ,endeavor night and day in serving the ,cause of ,god2 this service is real visit1 and this is meeting1 itself4 ,deliver my greeting to each one of the friends of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful with the utmost love4 ,that blessed name which thou hast asked to remain with thee forever and become the cause of spiritual progress--the name is 8,aseyeh10 which is the name of the mother of ,abdul-,baha4 ,i give the blessed name to thee4 ,be therefore in the utmost joy and happiness1 and be engaged in all gladness and attraction 7or ecstasy7 for thou hast become the object of such a favor4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i know how great a love thou hast6 ,thou art like unto a blooming rose in the rose-garden of the love of ,god and thou art like unto a fruitful tree on the bank of the stream of knowledge of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god that thou mayest always enjoy spiritual nearness and ever be rejoiced4 ,reveal thou 7or teach thou7 the ,word of ,god2 be not grieved at the people's lack of hearing4 ,do thou sow the seed1 and ,god will make it grow and the cloud 7or rain7 of mercy will develop it4 ,convey greeting to the beloved of ,god and to the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy detailed letter was perused4 ,on account of the multitude of occupations and work1 a brief answer is written4 ,this brief ,tablet is most significant4 ,thou art forever in my memory and in reality thou art present4 ,thou art never forgotten6 ,blessed is thy state that thou art firm in the ,covenant and steadfast in the ,cause of ,god4 ,rest thou assured of the bounty and providence of the ,heavenly ,lord4 ,be thou rejoiced6 ,be thou a merciful being6 ,be thou illumined6 ,associate with all the maid-servants of the ,merciful with utmost love and kindness1 also with other women of the world4 ,i have prayed for the outpouring of the blessing upon those souls for whom thou hast asked supplication of the ,holy ,spirit 7in their behalf74 ,i hope that they may become quickened through the breeze of life wafting from the garden of immortality and be gladdened with utmost happiness and joy4 ,but the capacity is necessary for the descent of rain1 and preparation of soil is of great importance4 ,the heavenly outpouring will develop from the pure ground roses and hyacinths4 ,we also hope that such things will appear from them4 ,convey my respectful greeting to the attracted maid-servant of ,god 444444444 ,i am always engaged in her remembrance1 beseeching for her merciful gifts from the ,heavenly ,father4 ,utmost bounty is extended toward her4 ,exert thyself in studying the ,persian language in order that with perfect eloquence and fluency thou mayest talk1 read and write4 ,know thou the value of 44444444 for she hath an illumined heart and a soul gladdened with the love of ,god4 ,she hath presented herself at this ,blessed ,spot1 hearing the utterances of ,abdul-,baha with her own ears4 ,blessed is she1 and again1 blessed is she6 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,the letter that thou hast written in ,persian was highly appreciated4 ,i have read it from beginning to end4 ,it contained wonderful thoughts4 ,convey my longing greetings to all the friends in ,washington 7,d4,c474 ,also present my respectful greetings to the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 ,present my respectful salutations to the maid-servant of ,god1 the ,eternal1 the ,protector1 ,mrs4 444444441 for she is near and dear in the ,threshold of ,oneness4 ,i beseech ,god that she may be confirmed and assisted in all stations and attain the heavenly confirmations4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the letter written by you 999999 was received4 ,its contents became evident4 ,the expressions 7of thy letter7 evinced utmost attraction and caused joy and fragrance4 ,thou hast asked for permission to come to our presence with his honor 444444444 ,i am also longing greatly after the meeting of the friends4 ,if there was no obstacle1 it would be very acceptable1 but in these days1 thy presence 7in this land7#ajb77 is not according to wisdom4 ,besides this1 thou must be engaged in the service of the ,kingdom in those parts4 ,also1 the presence of his honor7#ajc7 44444444 is of utmost necessity in those parts1 for we henceforth forward all the ,tablets to him for translation1 that he may send to the believers4 ,if he should move1 this work would be neglected4 ,therefore now thou must wait until some happy occasion will bring this about later on4 ,also1 thou hast written concerning the meeting with the minister of ,persia4 ,this is very acceptable4 ,the believers of ,god must render utmost consideration toward ,persian ministers and officials4 ,also convey respectful greetings from ,abdul-,baha to all the friends of ,god4 8,o thou maid-servant of the ,blessed ,perfection64440 ,o thou maid-servant of the ,blessed ,perfection6 ,thy letter was received4 ,it was written in ,persian4 ,i was very much pleased4 ,i hope thou wilt memorize all the poetry of the ,blessed ,perfection and chant with wonderful melody in the assemblages and gatherings4 ,these verses will soon be translated into ,english poetical form and then this ,divine ,song will rise from those lands and reach the ,,abha ,kingdom in utmost joy and happiness4 ,thou hast written that 44444444 is giving lessons of the ,book of ,ighan7#ajd7 2 this news brought me real joy4 ,thou hast written that 44444444 hath started upon her trips again1 to be engaged in the service of the ,kingdom4 ,in reality she is attracted and will bear every calamity and trial in the path of the ,blessed ,perfection and this very thing will be conducive to her spiritual development4 ,o thou attracted one6 ,if thou art able1 be thou engaged in the promotion of the ,cause of ,god1 either with 44444444 or alone4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,whatever thou dost and upon whatever occasion thou showest any effort1 the end will prove fruitless except in teaching the ,cause of ,god and in serving the divine ,kingdom4 ,if the means of thy travel to these parts7#aje7 be brought about1 it is better to come alone1 because 44444444 must remain in those parts and be engaged in the service4 ,the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit will descend upon him uninterruptedly4 ,convey respectful greeting to the beloved maid-servant of ,god 44444444 and love her4 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter 999999 was received and its contents produced happiness and joy1 for it evinced affinity and love among the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one gathering in the assemblages and commemorating the name of the ,true ,one4 999999 ,convey my respectful greeting to 44444444 and announce to her3 8,this period is a blessed period2 endeavor that thou mayest live according to the requirements of this ,glorious ,age40 ,convey my greeting to 44444444 and say3 8,the ,heavenly ,table is descended2 become thou hungry in so far as thou canst and partake of that ,food40 ,announce thou to 444444443 8,at a time when the light of the ,sun of ,truth hath penetrated into all those regions1 then the spiritual oneness will become realized4 ,therefore1 make thou an effort that the souls may become attracted with the light of the ,kingdom and the shining heavenly lamp become ignited in thy house4 ,i beseech ,god that thou mayest become a center of merciful feelings in those regions and seek after the everlasting glory40 ,i prayed for those whose names thou hast mentioned in thy letter1 asking from ,god confirmation and assistance in their behalf4 ,say to the beloved maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 to write the book which she had in mind4 8,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast expressed joy on account of thy visit to the friends of ,chicago4 ,i also yearn to visit them4 ,at the time when ye were assembled in the house of ,mrs4 444444441 ,abdul-,baha was also present with heart and soul4 ,i hope that hou mayest become an incarnation of love and embodiment of spirit and personficiation of kindness and that thou mayest progress day by day in the spiritual attributes through the ,beauty of ,,abha4 ,convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the dear and kind maid-servant of ,god1 the assured leaf1 4444444 ,behold thou how attracted and enkindled she is6 ,love and have great consideration for the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 ,exercise the utmost affection and kindness toward the dear maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,no one hath any way to the ,reality of ,deity except through the ,instrumentality of the ,manifestation4 ,to suppose so is a theory and not a fact4 ,convey greeting on my behalf to 44444444444 and say3 8,if thou art desiring the refulgent light1 add to thy love for ,god4 ,if thou art begging for the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit1 become thou engaged in the commemoration of the ,beauty of ,,abha4 ,if thou art seeking everlasting glory1 choose humility in the path of the ,true ,one4 ,if thou art aspiring to eternal life1 sacrifice thy soul in the way of ,god40 ,announce my love and affection to the attracted maid-servant 444444444 and say3 8,every eye which is weeping for the sake of the love of ,god is blessed2 every ear which is hearing the divine call is blessed4 ,then may thine eyes flow with the tears of joy because of the coruscation of the fire of the heart and may thy soul and thy spirit be attracted to the ,beauty of the ,beloved40 ,show forth kindness on my behalf to the maid-servants of the ,merciful whom thou hast mentioned by name in thy letter and impart to them the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom4 ,give especial greeting to 44444444444 and say3 8,there lie glorious meanings in the word 8,allaho-,,abha47#ajf7 ,i hope thou wilt discover those significances40 8,o thou spiritual maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou spiritual maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and its contents became known4 ,god willing1 the vision will become actualized4 ,announce thou to 444444443 8,become thou a new creation and be thou patient and forbearing4 ,be baptized by the fire of the love of ,god and by the spirit of the knowledge of ,god1 in order that thou mayest become characterized by the spiritual attributes2 attain to the nature of that kind ,beloved2 be so enkindled that thou mayest illumine a region1 become a sign of guidance and an ensign of the love of ,god40 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,i know that thou hast spiritual love for ,abdul-,baha and this is confirmed and beyond doubt4 ,say to 444444443 8,leave thou the 8,new ,thought0 and seek after the ,new ,kingdom4 ,the 8,new ,thought0 is a part of the ,new ,kingdom4 ,when thou hast found the latter1 thou hast found the former2 nay rather1 thou hast found all things40 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast manifested cheerfulness and gladness on account of the news of my happiness4 ,abdul-,baha hath the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,his happiness hath no sorrow in its trail and ,his life is not followed by any death4 ,to him1 prison is a court2 to him1 a tomb is a spacious palace2 to him1 a well is the apex of heaven2 and to him1 manacles and chains are the throne of ether4 ,if at times he becometh sad1 it is not on account of affliction and adversities1 but that grief is produced from a word or an act which is against the exhortations and behests of the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,for instance3 ,i hope that the believers of ,god may become the cause of the unity and agreement of the human realm1 and suffer other nations and communities of the world to enter under the shade of the ,canopy of ,oneness4 ,now1 when the news reacheth me that the slightest differences have crept in among the believers of ,god1 ,i become sad and heartbroken4 ,the point is this3 ,afflictions and hardships1 ordeals or trials1 do not make me weak or faint1 nor do they in the slightest degree make me sad or unhappy4 ,thou hast written regarding the feast 999999 ,i became very happy therefrom4 ,convey greeting on my behalf to the favored maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 and say3 8,on that night thy house was the nest and the shelter of the birds of ,god4 ,the divine melodies and the celestial lyres made that place a feast of heaven and an assembly of the ,kingdom4 ,abdul-,baha was present there in heart and soul and was joyful and happy4 ,thank thou ,god40 ,announce salutation to ,mrs4 444444444 and say3 8,a thousand times1 ,well done6 --that thou art working in the vineyard of the ,kingdom and hast arisen to faithfulness and art engaged in the service of ,his ,highness1 the ,almighty6 ,thou art helping the helpless ones and art comforting those who are instance40 ,convey respectful greeting to ,mrs4 444444444 and say3 8,may thy joy be unending and thy comfort and happiness everlasting6 ,may thy life be eternal and the light of thy thought the heavenly glad-tidings40 ,convey greeting and kindness to the maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 and say3 8,if thou art desiring an illumined house1 enkindle thou therein the lamp of the love of ,god2 and if thou art seeking after a heavenly palace1 make thy house the gathering place of the believers of the ,merciful ,one2 so that the splendors of the ,sun of ,truth may cast therein rays spiritual and the harmony of holiness ascend to the ,kingdom of ,,abha40 ,say to the maid-servant of ,god6 ,the feast given by ,mrs4 444444444 became highly acceptable and the respected personages who served in that feast1 as did 4444444441 ,mr4 4444444441 ,mrs4 444444444 and ,mrs4 4444444441 are in reality worthy of all praise4 ,they were engaged in the duty and the work of ,abdul-,baha and have arisen to serve the believers of ,god4 ,convey my greeting to his honor 444444444 and say3 8,thou didst deliver a wonderful talk on that night4 ,well done6 ,well done6 ,that talk was given in the ,west yet ,abdul-,baha became happy from it in the ,east40 ,i congratulate and compliment the maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 in her firmness and steadfastness in the ,cause of ,god4 ,truly1 ,i say1 she is illumined1 spiritual1 heavenly and celestial4 ,she taketh care of the strangers among the friends and serveth and praiseth the servants of ,god4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,do not be slow in the study of the ,persian language and be thou engaged in the service4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast written regarding thy trip to the ,holy ,land4 ,god willing1 this desire of thine will be realized4 ,the name ,aseyeh is acceptable in the ,threshold of ,oneness1 for the daughter of ,pharaoh had this name1 who1 when 7,moses7 the ,light of ,guidance dawned1 became confirmed by the ,merciful ,one1 left the court of ,pharaoh with its grandeur and sovereignty and became perfumed with the fragrances of holiness4 ,then she assisted in the service of ,his ,holiness 7,moses7--upon him be peace6 ,also1 ,aseyeh was the name of my mother4 ,thou hast written that thou lovest the ,bible4 ,undoubtedly1 the friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful should know the value of the ,bible1 for they are the ones who have discovered its real significances and have become cognizant of the hidden mystery of the ,holy ,book4999999 ,deliver my greeting to 444444444 and say3 8,i supplicate ,god that thou mayest gladden and rejoice the heart of 444444444 with the melody of the ,kingdom1 rend asunder the veil of her concealment1 enlighten her face with the light of the ,most ,great ,guidance and make her eyes see and her ears hear40 ,say on my behalf to the maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 8,the end of every 7material7 work is without result1 because it is perishable and inconstant1 but the first 7real7 work is attraction to the fragrance of ,god1 enkindlement with the fire of the love of ,god1 reading the verses of ,unity and beholding the lights from the ,dawning-place of ,mystery47#ajg7 ,after that cometh the training of the soul1 purification of character and service to humanity4 ,if thou art able to accomplish any one of these1 the result is eternal and the fruit everlasting40 ,thou hast written regarding thy coming to the ,holy ,land2 do not hasten1 for then thou mayest travel with comfort4 ,it would be better not to resign from the school1 nay rather1 avail thyself of the opportunity during vacation time which is in the season of summer1 and present thyself in this land2 because thy presence in that school is fruitful4 ,thou shalt finally study the ,persian language4999999 8,o thou whose breast is dilated with the ,fragrances4440 ,o thou whose breast is dilated with the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i received thy letter which showed thine advance toward the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the weakness of body and its strength do neither harm nor benefit2 nay1 rather the spirit must be strong through the breath of the ,holy ,spirit1 at this time1 so that it may apprehend the consummate wisdom which is deposited in this great age4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he may increase joy and fragrance in thy spirit1 give thee power and strength1 and that ,he may help thee at every moment in faith and assurance4 ,verily my ,lord is powerful in all things6 ,trust thou in the grace of thy ,master and ask that which thou wishest from ,his ,name1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 8,o thou who art rejoiced at the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art rejoiced at the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the letter indicating thy great wish to be a maid-servant of the ,cause of ,god in ,his wonderful and excellent vineyard1 was received4 ,thank thou ,god that ,he hath removed the veil and hath manifested unto thee the reality of things until thou hast apprehended that1 verily1 the world and all of its concerns are but confused dreams and of non-duration4 ,verily ,i beg of ,god to grant thy greatest wishes and bestow upon thee the good of this and the world to come4 8,o thou herald of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou herald of the ,kingdom6 ,thou wast not alone in the trip that thou didst undertake in various places4 ,the spirit and soul of ,abdul-,baha was with thee4 ,although thou hast been afflicted with many and severe persecutions1 hast heard derision1 scorn and contempt and observed the opposition of the heedless ones1 yet this is conducive to thy glory1 that thou hast been made a target for the arrow of opposition in the ,path of ,god and hast drunk the cup of affliction4 ,consider this1 how many a calamity was submitted to by those sanctified souls in bygone ages and to how many sufferings they were resigned6 ,thou also must endure dire oppression and ordeals in the ,path of ,,abha and maintain the feet of steadfastness and firmness4 ,then thou shalt behold the confirmation of ,god surrounding thee4 ,rejoice thou and be happy that thou hast attained to this station and walked in the footsteps of the holy souls4 ,announce on my behalf longing greeting to ,mr4 44444444 and say1 8,the melody of the ,kingdom is that which hath caused the motion of the universe2 the musk-diffusing fragrance of the rose-garden of ,god is that which hath perfumed the nostrils2 and the reflection of the ,sun of ,truth is that which hath illumined the whole earth4 ,now is the beginning of illumination6 ,therefore1 the people of darkness imagine that they can oppose 7this ,revelation72 yet1 ere long they shall find themselves in loss and consternation6 ,they shall observe that the power of the ,word of ,god hath subdued ,east and ,west4 ,be thou not sad and dispirited on account of the opposition of the heedless ones4 ,soon they shall regret sorely4 ,reflect thou how the ,pharisees persecuted and looked down in contempt upon ,his ,holiness the ,christ4 ,the result was that ,his lamp became ignited1 ,his light began to shine and ,his followers sparkled like unto the stars from the horizon of existence2 and the consequence to the ,pharisees was the pangs of remorse and regrets40 ,convey1 also1 greeting to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444 and say1 8,thy house is the nest and the shelter of this heavenly bird4 ,undoubtedly1 thou must enkindle the lights of the ,kingdom therein40 ,likewise convey respectful greeting on my behalf to ,mrs4 44444444 and say1 8,i ask ,god that thy house may become the gathering-place of the spiritual ones and the assembly of the godly ones2 that the light of ,truth may shine therein and make it brilliant and resplendent40 ,also convey longing greeting to ,mr4 44444444 and say1 8,those souls who1 in the time of ,his ,highness ,christ1 turned their faces toward the ,kingdom and quaffed the wine of guidance from the cup of the ,word of ,god1 had their troubles changed into everlasting bliss4 ,no matter how much they heard the rebuke of the heedless ones1 observed the censure of the relatives1 were afflicted with the injury of the oppressors and thrown into abjection1 yet that ignominy finally became eternal glory4 ,thou must show the utmost love and kindness towards the heedless ones and the oppressors and ask from ,god forgiveness and pardon for them1 for they are ignorant4 ,if they understood1 they would not oppress2 nay1 rather would they arise 7to serve the ,cause7 with faithfulness40 ,announce1 also1 respectful greeting from me to ,mrs4 44444444 and ,mrs4 44444444 and say1 8,the sons of the ,kingdom are scattered throughout the whole world1 but the ignorant ,pharisees have arisen with the utmost hatred instigating persecutions4 ,they imagine that persecution and suffering will hinder the promulgation of the ,cause2 whereas no rampart is able to obstruct the descent of the waves of the ,most ,great ,sea2 no veil can conceal the rays of the ,sun of ,truth2 no wall can stay the wafting of the ,divine ,breeze2 and no power is able to resist the ,spirit of ,god4 ,be ye not sad nor dejected on account of the disturbance and uproar of the people of desire and passion4 ,ere long the symphony of the ,kingdom shall silence all the other noises4 ,rest ye assured and illumine your house with the lights of divine commemoration40 ,give my greeting to ,mr4 44444444 and announce to him1 8,caiaphas and ,annas were the colossal pillars of the ,mosaic ,dispensation in the day of ,his ,highness the ,spirit2 but as they did not acknowledge the ,word of ,god1 they fell from the apex of glory to the bottom of the pit of the greatest abasement4 ,but ,peter was a catcher of fish2 as he turned his face toward the ,word of ,god1 the fame of his imperishable1 deathless and immortal glory encircled ,east and ,west2 and he found in the sovereignty of the ,kingdom1 eternal and everlasting majesty4 ,it is the same in these days40 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter was read with the utmost attention4 ,the poetry was beautiful4 ,praise be to ,god1 thou art severed from all else save the ,heavenly ,father4 ,thou hast been of the earth--thou art now of the ,kingdom4 ,thou hast been of the world--thou art now of the ,realm of ,might4 ,thou art spreading the divine ,teachings4 ,thank thou ,god1 thou art bearing trials in the path of the ,kingdom and art enduring persecutions and sufferings4 ,these afflictions are conducive to the spiritual development and the descent of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,i supplicate ,god that ,he suffer thee to become a herald of the ,kingdom in all those places1 so that thou mayest proclaim the glad-tidings of the ,lord of ,hosts4 8,o thou beloved and benevolent daughter of the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou beloved and benevolent daughter of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the letter which thou hast written was received4 ,i read it with the utmost love2 thy services became known and thy forbearance in the afflictions became evident and manifest4 ,happy is thy condition1 for thou art spending thy days in heralding the ,kingdom and art crying1 8,o ye concourse of men6 ,make ye straight the path2 walk ye in the direct road60 ,thou hast abandoned ease and accepted thousands of hardships and traveled for the purpose of promoting the ,word of ,god4 ,convey on my behalf love to ,mrs4 44444444 and say1 8,praise be to ,god1 thou art set aglow with the fire of the ,love of ,god and hast arisen in the service of the ,cause of ,god40 ,announce my affection to the maid-servant1 4444444 and say1 8,thank thou ,god that thou hast become related to the ,kingdom and art an object of the favors of the ,lord of ,might40 ,gladden the heart of ,mrs4 44444444 by the divine glad-tidings and say1 8,be thou like unto a bird and unweariedly soar upward until thou reachest the ,supreme ,apex40 ,say thou to ,mr4 444444441 8,when engaged in useless service the end is loss within loss4 ,therefore1 serve thou the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 which in the end is profit within profit40 ,announce my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 44444444 and her daughter and say1 8,thank ye ,god that ye have illumined faces with the light of ,guidance and ye have perfumed the nostrils with the holy fragrances of the rose-garden of the ,kingdom of ,,abha40 ,proclaim the glad-tidings of the bounty of the ,almighty to ,mrs4 44444444 and deliver my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 44444444 and say1 8,in the churches turn thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,,abha and supplicate the help of the ,holy ,spirit1 and1 with a detached heart1 begin to talk40 ,convey respectful greeting to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 444444444 and say1 8,be ye thankful to ,god that your house became the nest of the birds of the divine garden and the shelter of the flocks of heaven4 ,they sit together1 read the holy ,tablets1 are engage din the commemoration of the ,true ,one and strive and endeavor to promote the ,word of ,god40 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444446 ,regarding the star with five points1 thou hast made an excellent comparison4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,if it is possible1 change the meeting of every nineteen days into a feast4 999999 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,those fishes which thou hast seen in the vision are the souls who are swimming in the sea of this nether world4 ,god willing1 thou wilt bring them out of the nether world1 with the net of the love of ,god1 into the immensity of the kingdom4 ,those brilliant stars which thou hast beheld are the children of the ,kingdom4 ,that brilliant crescent is the ,cause of ,god4 ,the appearance of ,his ,highness ,christ and ,his white robe and resplendent light in ,his blessed face is the proof of the power and the promulgation of the ,word of ,god in ,america4 ,therefore1 it is the same thing which ,i said3 8,the night is drawing nigh and then no one can work40 ,consequently1 one must hasten to perform something and show forth exertion4 8,thy letter was received4 ,it became conducive to4440 7#ajh7 ,thy letter was received4 ,it became conducive to happiness4 ,up to the present thou hast been serving in the ,kingdom of ,god and hast been assisted4 ,i hope that1 in the future1 thou wilt become assisted more and serve more4 ,praise be to ,god6 ,thou art watched by the glances of ,providence and art encircled with endless bounties4 ,i hope that1 day by day1 thou mayest step further1 become characterized with a godlike nature and disposition1 manner and morals1 in order that thou mayest become the cause of the guidance of many souls and the instrument for the illumination of a region4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,the letter1 which thou hast forwarded through ,mrs4 44444444 was received4 ,thank thou ,god that thou art assisted in the thralldom of ,his ,threshold1 art favored in the ,kingdom1 art heralding the ,name of the ,true ,one1 art speaking of divine praises1 art guiding the souls to the ,sun of ,truth1 art quickening the dead with the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit and art endeavoring with heart and soul to spread the ,cause4 ,thou hast ,mrs4 44444444 as thy partner and sharer1 co-operating with each other to serve1 and hast lied in her house4 ,show thou forth love to ,mrs4 44444444 and convey to her greetings on my behalf4 ,associate with her and seek her companionship as far as possible1 for it is conducive to the development of you both4 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,verily1 ,i received thy letter1 which showed that thou hast turned unto the ,kingdom of ,god and advanced toward the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha4 ,verily1 thy ,lord hath chosen thee for ,his love1 elected thee for ,his knowledge and selected thee for entering the ,paradise of ,el-,,abha1 so that thou mayest attain to the mightiest bliss and greatest honor3 ,it is no other than the ,light which is shining upon hearts and sights and the ,spirit which is thrilling and flowing within veins and nerves6 ,verily1 thou hast attained thereto1 for thou hast acknowledged the ,oneness of ,god and ,his ,singleness1 and turned unto ,his ,face1 the lights of which are shining from the horizon of the unseen1 upon all regions6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,call of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,call of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was presented and ,i was informed of thy expression4 ,and it was glorious proof of thine abundant reliance upon the ,kingdom of thy ,lord and of thine excessive love for thy great ,master4 ,know thou1 verily1 the ,kingdom is a magnet of the divine world1 and it attracteth the iron of pure hearts which are capable of the bounties of the ,lord of ,might4 ,blessed art thou1 for thou hast turned unto the ,lord of ,heaven1 thy heart hath relied upon the light of guidance1 thou hast advanced toward the center of righteousness1 and thy spirit is cheered by the bounty of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,god to strengthen thee with the ,most ,great ,power1 so that the ,spirit may pour upon thee the teachings of the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha1 and to baptize thee with the water of life1 the fire of the love of ,god and with the spirit of confirmation among the maid-servants4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to supplicate to thy ,lord1 to seek ,his nearness with thy heart1 to be submissive and humble before ,his maid-servants and to serve ,his great vineyard4 ,forsake the mortal grades 7i4e41 things of the world7 and be engaged in praising thy ,lord2 so that ,his ,holy ,spirit may assist thee2 may make thee a sign of faith and illumine thy heart with the light of assurance1 and that thou mayest become a sign of peace1 a servant of reconciliation1 love and security4 ,verily1 my ,merciful ,lord is gracious under all aspects6 ,as to thy question concerning ,christ3 ,know thou1 ,he was perfect in respect to spirit as well as body4 ,his material 7body7 was a perfect body in every respect2 none of ,his material conditions were imperfect at all1 inasmuch as imperfection is contrary to perfection4 ,his heavenly condition was also a perfect one1 comprising all the divine perfections4 ,reflect thou upon these words1 so that the door of knowledge may be opened before thy face4 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,god to strengthen the assured leaves 7or women7 whom thou hast mentioned in thy letter1 under all grades1 aspects and circumstances4 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter came and ,i was informed of its wonderful contents4 ,know thou1 verily1 all the doors are closed except the door of the kingdom of ,god6 ,all the trees are without fruit except the ,tree of ,life planted in the paradise of ,god6 ,all the winds are disqueting to the souls except the cup of the love of ,god6 ,every benefit vanisheth except the food of heaven4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to partake thereof4 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to strengthen thee in these divine gifts1 merciful bestowals and supreme favors4 ,exert thyself1 so that thou mayest abundantly enjoy this glorious grace4 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god67#aji7 ,this is a servant who hath ascended to the ,kingdom of ,thy ,mercifulness2 supplicated to the realm of ,thy ,might and ,singleness2 is rejoiced at the appearance of ,thy ,kingdom2 the effulgence of ,thy lights and the spread of ,thy signs4 ,he hath believed in ,thy ,verses1 been overtaken with the ecstasy of ,thy love and with the cheer of ,thy affection1 until his soul craved to behold ,thy ,beauty--and could not 7or was unable to7 endure the grief and violence of the fire of separation1 hastened unto the ,supreme ,friend and betook himself to ,thy ,threshold of ,holiness at the visiting places of grandeur6 ,o my ,lord6 ,suffer him to abide in a blessed abode and cause him to enter into a retreat of faithfulness and favor him to everlastingly dwell in the heavenly paradise1 the precinct of meeting in the shelter of ,thy great mercy6 ,verily1 thou art the ,beneficent1 the ,merciful1 the ,powerful1 the ,forgiving1 the ,mighty1 the ,bestower6 8,o thou who art honorable and faithful to ,god64440 ,o thou who art honorable and faithful to ,god6 ,how many men and women awaited the manifestation of the ,messiah after ,moses8 ,yet when ,his beauty shone forth and ,his face appeared1 they 7the people7 did not recognize ,him1 but continued to follow the superstitions of the ,pharisees1 who used to say3 8,where is the authority of the ,messiah8 ,where is the throne of ,david1 the ,glorious8 ,where is his iron rod8 ,where are his innumerable hosts8 ,where are his attacking armies8 ,where are his angels of heaven8 ,where do we see justice of government existing among people and even among beasts and insects8 ,where is his great majesty8 ,where is his power1 which shaketh heaven and earth8 ,is not this a claim of one who is bewildered and wandering amidst valleys and hills8 ,doth he not ride upon as ass1 while on his head there is a crown of thorns and he is despised80 ,indeed1 all of the foregoing statements are of the evil opinions which the ,pharisees used to proclaim through every man's tongue4 ,but those who had listening ears and clear insight1 listened not to such misleading speeches1 but realized the ,messiah as the rising ,sun with ,his effulgent face1 and that the radiance of ,his illumination was diffused over the whole world4 ,they regarded even the ass on which ,he 7,christ7 was mounted as a splendid throne and also the thorns which were upon ,his head as a brilliant diadem6 ,verily1 direct thou thine own self towards ,his ,kingdom1 that thou mayest perceive that ,his traces and authority continue forever and will never cease6 8,o thou whose heart is empty and pure through the4440 ,o thou whose heart is empty and pure through the ,light of the word of ,god shining therein6 ,i have read thy brilliant letter which proveth thy humbleness before the ,divine ,might and thy cheerfulness by the fragrances of ,god emanating from the gardens of expressions and facts4 ,i ask ,god to make thee1 thy relations and kindred attentive to the ,merciful ,mighty and the ,supreme ,kingdom and to illumine their sights and hearts by the light of the knowledge of ,god4 ,and be thou rejoiced at the mercy of thy ,lord and this great abundance from the ,kingdom of ,mysteries4 ,be thou a strong and fortified refuge and a high cave4 ,this is naught else than to cut thyself from everything beside ,god1 to be drawn by the fragrances of ,god and to be happy and joyful by the gift of ,god4 8,o thou who art shining with the ,kingdom's ,lights64440 ,o thou who art shining with the ,kingdom's ,lights6 ,verily1 ,i am informed of thine earnest desire for the ,kingdom of ,god1 thy sparkling by the love of ,god and thy longing for the service of the sacred and effulgent ,threshold4 ,i pray ,god to kindle and light the lamp of knowledge in the glass of thy heart1 so that it may shine upon all parts of the world and bring thy husband to the life by the ,spirit of ,life1 assist thee to announce the good news by the illuminating ,light1 and remove the covering of thy sight so that thou mayest see ,god's ,beauty and ,his ,essential ,perfection1 ,his astonishing profusion and ,his appearance to the hearts and spirits4 999999 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter 999999 was received2 its contents were very sweet4 ,the sweetness of the meanings was unlimited4 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest find rest and comfort in the shelter of the holy ,banner of ,peace and ,concord2 become the means of spreading the love of ,god2 attain boundless health and security2 grow joyfully1 day by day1 through the glad-tidings2 soar on high through ecstasy and delight2 sings the melody and proclaim the call1 8,ya ,baha-ul-,,abha60 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,that call to which thou didst listen is from the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,therefore1 praise and glorify the ,possessor of that ,call1 so that the call may be repeated4 ,as to the interpretation of the vision1 it is thus3 ,ascent from earth to heaven indicateth growth in the love of ,god and development in the knowledge of ,god4 ,the more thou dost develop1 the brighter and more spacious becometh the pathway to the ,kingdom4 ,the building in front of which thou didst stand is an edifice of divine edifices1 a station of the spiritual stations4 ,i hope that thou mayest attain to that station1 also to other stations which are the other edifices4 ,i supplicate and implore the ,kingdom of ,,abha in behalf of thine honored husband and all the family and the friends in ,cincinnati4 ,i pray that the heavenly blessings may descend1 the divine bounties become possible and that thou mayest become a true caller of the ,word of ,god4 8,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom of the ,lord1 the4440 ,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom of the ,lord1 the ,forgiving6 ,with prayers and supplications and with submissive songs of the ,texts of ,god1 ,i plead to ,him to accept thee in ,his ,kingdom2 to clothe thee with the mantle of sanctity2 to gloriously cover thee with the veil of abstinence2 to illumine thy brow with the light of singleness2 to console thine eyes with the seeing of the ,texts of the ,kingdom in the human form2 and to make thee utter the mentioning of ,him1 rejoicing through ,his bounty1 heralding ,his ,kingdom with a bright face1 whose light will illumine all sides 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to turn thyself wholly to the kingdom of ,god1 to sever thyself from aught else but ,him1 to be filled by the love of ,god1 to put on the garment of sanctity and continence1 which is free from worldliness1 to become transfigured in the mantle of the gifts of the kingdom of ,god and to be a great sign among the maid-servants of ,god2 that the ,supreme ,concourse may send out through thee a fragrance by which hearts may be cheered and spirits rested4 ,give this ,truth to every pliable soul that thou mayest deem ready to harken unto the voice of ,god2 for this is better unto thee than the earth and that which is thereupon4 8,o thou who art longing to witness the lights from the4440 ,o thou who art longing to witness the lights from the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha6 ,thy letter reached me at this moment and ,i was rejoiced at thine excellent words which proved the enkindlement of the fire of the love of ,god in thy heart4 ,be confident in the bounty of thy ,lord4 ,verily ,he will make thee a manifest example and an evident proof for the attainment of ,his ,kingdom in this glorious century4 ,then the fire of ,his love will flame in thy heart1 the light of ,his knowledge will shine in thy face1 thy tongue will speak with eloquent explanation and thy spirit will be attracted unto the kingdom of knowledge4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the ,spirit knoweth the spirit1 the ,spirit addresseth the spirit and the ,spirit associateth with the spirit4999999 8,o thou spiritual clarion64440 ,o thou spiritual clarion6 ,the voice of the physical clarion may travel the distance of three miles1 but the harmony of the spiritual ,clarion reacheth to the ,east and the ,west4 ,the effect of that is only in the bodies2 but the effect of this is in the spirits4 ,the first proclaimeth the time of prayer2 the second announceth the appearance of the ,most ,great ,resurrection4 ,that hath no conscious knowledge of its own voice2 while this is exhilarated and rejoiced by its own melody4 ,how significant and eloquent were those new verses1 for they were the notes of the clarion of the love of ,god4 ,raise thou this call as much as thou canst1 and sound and blow this clarion continually night and day1 so that the souls may become quickened and the people find eternal life4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written hath caused joy and happiness1 for it was an evidence of turning to the ,kingdom and of seeking the bounty of heaven4 ,i ask ,god to provide means whereby that which is thy utmost hope may be realized4 ,concerning the young ,japanese1 the answer to his letter is enclosed herein4 ,perchance this youth may be the cause of guiding his family and people4999999 8,o thou flower of the ,rose-,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou flower of the ,rose-,garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,the letter which thou hast written was read4 ,thou hast written regarding the arrival of the beloved maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444442 that she has lived for eighteen days in your house and become the cause of joy and fragrance among the believers4 ,praise be to ,god6 that thou hast seen the effulgence of the light of the covenant which hath enlightened all the countries4 ,invoke thou ,god that day by day the splendors of the ,orb of regions may become manifest and evident more and more4 ,thou hast asked for permission to present thyself with thy dear husband in this ,blessed ,spot4 ,in these days it is not according to wisdom4 ,postpone this matter until some other time4 ,convey greeting and kindnesses on my behalf to all the maid-servants of the ,true ,one4 8,o thou who art kindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art kindled with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,blessed art thou1 for thy letter was presented at the ,blessed ,spot and was read by ,abdul-,baha with a delight and love which is journeying out towards all directions4 ,o servant of ,god6 ,be thou a sign of guidance1 a standard of the ,supreme ,concourse and a light shining in the meeting of the maid-servants4 ,verily1 ,i beseech my ,lord to grant thee thy greatest wishes and to bestow on thee the privilege of entering into the center of the ,kingdom of ,god2 and to make thee a herald in ,his name1 in that vast and extensive region4 ,deliver my greeting and praise to all the maid-servants of ,god4 8,o thou dazzling gem by the light of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou dazzling gem by the light of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy beautiful1 elegant and expressive letter which informed me of thine extreme love for ,god1 which 7love7 impresseth the souls and dilateth the breasts and which causeth thy heart to become filled with the knowledge of ,god and overflow with the favor of ,god4 ,i ask ,god to make thee a sign of mercy and an exemplar of servitude to the ,sublime ,threshold4 ,thank ,god for saving thee from baseness1 trouble1 selfishness and death1 and that ,he took away the veil from before thine eyes1 manifested unto thee the ,beauty of ,el-,,abha1 granted thee healing1 planted in thy heart the seed of love and thereby chose thee from among the maid-servants4 ,therefore1 endeavor so that thou dedicate 7thyself7 entirely to ,god2 no thought or mention should remain in thee save the name of thy ,supreme ,lord4 ,endeavor so that those countries become illumined by the light of the gift of ,god4 ,embrace the light of thine eyes 7thy son7 on my behalf in the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and its content read4 ,thank ,god that thou wast guided by the light of guidance and attracted to the ,kingdom of ,,abha4 ,serve ,god day and night and seek happiness from ,his name4 ,although thou hast met with many difficulties and passed through many trials1 yet thou must thank ,god that thou didst attain to the light of guidance and directed thyself to the ,kingdom of ,glory4 ,i hope that thou mayest be a cause of guidance to people and that thou mayest seek absolute spirituality4 ,train thy dear son in such a manner that he will attain the illumination of the ,kingdom1 will become a true servant of ,god1 a light of love and a radiance of harmony4 8,o thou who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,thank thou thy revered friend and thy attracted 7spiritual7 sister who hath guided thee to this right path and given thee to drink the choice wine of knowledge from the cheerful cup4 ,wert thou duly informed of this divine bounty1 thou wouldst kneel down and prostrate thyself before her for this great gift4 ,for1 verily1 thou wert athirst and she was a clear running fountain4 ,thank thou ,god for that ,he hath favored thee with her meeting1 that thou art benefited by her clouds and sought light from her lamp4 ,wert thou to expend all that is in the earth1 thou wouldst not appreciate her due value4 ,glorified is ,he who hath enabled her to illumine thine insight1 to purify thy heart1 to dilate thy breast and to sanctify thy soul6 ,then know thou1 if thy revered husband herald the ,kingdom of ,god among peoples1 he would find the doors of the ,kingdom open before his face among the nations1 and then his breath would take effect within the heart of the world through the breath of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,i beg of ,god to guide him unto that whereunto ,he hath guided thee1 and to favor him with that with which ,he hath favored thee4 ,at that time the lamps of gifts will be enkindled among thy kinsmen and people4 ,verily1 thy ,lord is the ,beneficent1 the ,merciful1 the ,giver6 ,upon ye be greeting and praise6 ,,abdul-,,baha ,,abbas4 ,,volume ,,ii3 ,,pp4 #bci-dhd ,frontispiece ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha ,abbas ,volume ,,ii ,published by ,,bah' ,,publishing ,,society ,p4 ,o4 ,box #bhc ,,chicago1 ,u4 ,s4 ,a4 ,first edition3 ,published at ,chicago1 ,may #aiae ,second edition3 ,published at ,chicago1 ,february #aiai 8,it is hoped that wonderful effects will be displayed4440 8,it is hoped that wonderful effects will be displayed in the future1 that the friends of ,god may live and act in accord with the heavenly teachings1 in order that the region of ,america may become the ,paradise of ,abha1 that desert and wilderness become the rose-garden of human perfections1 the verses of guidance be read1 the melody of 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 reach the ,kingdom of ,beauty2 warfare and bloodshed be removed from among the people1 affinity and love hoist their tent upon the apex of the world1 and all mankind become real friends with one another and each soul respect the other4 ,whenever these signs appear1 then it will become manifest that the ,tablets have had their effect40 8,abdul-,baha ,abbas4440 ,abdul-,baha ,abbas 8,o thou who art attracted by a ,breath that passed upon4440 ,o thou who art attracted by a ,breath that passed upon thee from the ,holy ,garden1 the ,blessed ,spot--the ,paradise of ,el-,abha6 ,i have read thy brilliant letter1 which although short in words yet is loquacious1 and shows thy firmness in the ,covenant of ,god1 thy steadfastness in the religion of ,god1 thy adherence to the laws of ,god1 and thine energy which thou hast shown towards the doctrines of ,god4 ,thou has done well4 ,thou has done well1 ,o thou shining star in the ,horizon of ,el-,abha6 ,well done6 ,well done6 ,o thou burning candle in the glass of that remote country6 ,it hath been reported by 44444 that thou hast rendered valuable services to the vineyard of ,god and ,his beloved servants1 that thou art encouraging the shaking hearts and making them more firm and solid1 and about the facilitations thou hast made for the promotion of the utterances of ,god amongst the people4 ,by the ,life of ,god6 the angels of heaven magnify thee1 the ,supreme ,concourse praise thee1 the party of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha announce to thee the glad-tidings and the hosts of the unseen assist thee and render thee victorious through the banners of ,baha4 ,i have answered the two supplications sent through thee by two newly guided servants4 8,o thou honorable lady64440 ,o thou honorable lady6 ,verily1 ,i received thy excellent letter and read it and my heart was gladdened with its content1 which shows thy guidance4 ,thou hast--praise be unto ,god6--entered under the shadow of the ,kingdom of ,god and become one of the sheep of ,god2 entered under the education of the ,holy ,shepherd1 who hath sacrificed ,his soul and body1 as well as ,his grades1 to ,his subjects4 ,as to the letters which thou hast sent1 ,i forward to thee their answers through this letter and thou wilt send them to the owners2 thereby thou wilt be rewarded in the ,kingdom of ,god1 since thou hast guided those souls unto the ,right ,path1 and caused them to enter the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,el-,baha be upon thee6 8,o thou who art advancing towards ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing towards ,god6 ,i have already read thy letter sent to his honor1 44444 ,may ,god confirm and strengthen thee to serve ,his ,cause and to enable thee to speak ,his praise among the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 and to call out in ,his name in those regions and climes2 so that thou mayest work in the vineyard of ,god with thy heart severed from aught else save ,god1 and overflowing with the waters of the knowledge of ,god4 ,we have herewith written answers to the three supplications which thou hast sent4 ,rejoice at the glad-tidings of ,god1 in this day wherein the fragrances of holiness have perfumed the nostrils of all in the universe6 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,i was informed of the contents of thy letter and rejoiced with the fragrances which are being diffused from the garden of its texts4 ,it showed that thou art inebriated with the wine of the love of ,god and moved by the breezes of acceptance which are blowing from the point of the favor of ,god4 ,by my life1 ,i was rejoiced at thy humility1 submissiveness1 lowliness and meekness in the ,cause of ,god1 inasmuch as rendering service to the maid-servants of ,god is a mighty crown1 which all the greatest queens among women will glory to wear4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 thou oughtest to pray2 thou oughtest to be suppliant2 thou oughtest to be humble in every time and moment4 ,i beg of ,god to enable thee to serve ,him in ,his glorious vineyard1 and in ,his garden1 by the holy fragrances of which all regions are perfumed in this great day4 ,as to thy coming to this land1 there is no harm in that4 ,thou art permitted to come and this is an ample reward unto thee4 8,o thou believer in ,god64440 ,o thou believer in ,god6 ,thy letter was received and from its contents happiness was realized4 ,it was a proof of faith and assurance and of firmness in the ,covenant and ,testament4 ,desire thou through the bounty and mercy of the ,lord of ,might that ,he make thee a cause of spreading the fragrances of ,god and confirm thee in the service of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the letter of ,mrs4 44444444 was considered and for thy sake a letter was written her4 ,it is enclosed4 ,i pray ,god and supplicate the ,threshold of ,mercy for both of you that you may attain to that which is the will of ,god and may be aided and strengthened 7while7 in this mortal world4 ,there is much work and ,i have not the leisure to write more than this4 8,o thou who has turned towards the ,lights of the4440 ,o thou who has turned towards the ,lights of the ,alliance6 ,verily1 ,i greet thee from the ,white ,place1 the bright1 blessed ,holy ,land1 and say3 8,greeting and praise and blessings and glory be upon thee1 ,o thou believer in ,god1 and 7,o thou7 enkindled by the fire of the love of ,god6 8,verily1 the ,lord of ,hosts shall watch thee with the gaze of the eye of favor and shall assist thee in a matter whereby thy breast shall rejoice and thine eye shall brighten and thine affairs shall be arranged and composed from all directions40 ,therefore1 thou wilt call and say3 8,blessing be upon me for this great favor and for this manifest success60 8,o thou who art directed unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art directed unto ,god6 ,verily1 ,i saw thy photograph and was rejoiced by perceiving thy illumined likeness1 which proved the purity of thy heart and thy being well directed unto ,god4 ,strive with thy power to paint thy likeness on the pages of the hearts with such beauty as to brighten the minds4 ,that beauty is the splendor of the ,merciful and the glad-tidings of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 whereby the faces shine with an eternal light in the course of ages and centuries4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,in these times thanksgiving for the bounty of the ,merciful ,one consists in the illumination of the heart and the feeling of the soul4 ,this is the reality of thanksgiving4 ,but1 although offering thanks through speech or writings is approvable1 yet1 in comparison with that1 it is but unreal1 for the foundation is spiritual feelings and merciful sentiments4 ,i hope that you may be favored therewith4 ,but the lack of capacity and merit in the ,day of ,judgment does not prevent one from bounty and generosity1 for it is the day of grace and not justice1 and to give every one his due is justice4 ,consequently1 do not look upon thy capacity1 nay1 rather1 look upon the infinite grace of the ,bounty of ,abha who grace is comprehending and whose bounty is perfect4 ,i beg of ,god through the confirmation and assistance of the ,true ,one thou mayest show the utmost eloquence1 fluency1 ability and skill in teaching the real significances of the ,bible4 ,turn toward the ,kingdom of ,abha and seek the bounty of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,loosen the tongue and the confirmation of the ,spirit shall reach thee4 ,as to that great ,sun which thou sawest in a dream3 ,that is ,his ,holiness the ,promised ,one and the lights thereof are ,his bounties4 ,the surface of the water is transparent body--that is1 pure hearts4 ,its waves are the moving of the hearts1 the cheering of the souls--that is1 spiritual feelings and merciful sentiments4 ,thank tho ,god for that thou hast had such a revelation in the world of dreams4 ,as to the fact that man must entirely forget himself1 by this is meant that he should arise in the mystery of sacrifice and that is the disappearance of mortal sentiments and extinction of blamable morals which constitute the temporal gloom1 and not that the physical health should be changed into weakness and debility4 ,i humbly supplicate to the ,threshold of ,oneness that heavenly blessings and merciful forgiveness may overtake thy dear mother1 sisters and loving relations1 especially thy betrothed who suddenly departed from this world to the next one4 8,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom6 ,thou hast forwarded thy photograph and it was considered4 ,in thy face a brilliant light is apparent and that sparkling light is the love of ,god4 ,all faces are dark except the face which is a mirror of the light of the love of divinity4 ,this light is not accidental--it is eternal4 ,it is not temporal but real4 ,when the heart hath become clear and pure then the face will become illuminated1 because the face is the mirror of the heart4 ,i was indeed very happy to look at thy picture and pray ,god that thy face may become shining4 ,be happy and joyful and in this ,age be it illuminated and full of light4 8,o thou kind maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou kind maid-servant of ,god6 ,truly1 ,i say1 thou art worthy of the service in the ,kingdom and art meriting to be a maid-servant in the threshold of the love of the realm of ,might4 ,rest thou assured upon the bounty and favors of the ,lord of ,hosts1 who will undoubtedly confirm thee4 ,restrict all thy time to the spreading of the fragrances of ,god and be thou engaged in the guidance of souls4 ,i associate with thee in spirit at all times and am thy friend and helper4 ,ere long thou shalt behold that innumerable centers are going to be organised in ,america7#aaj7 for the purpose of the promotion of the ,cause of ,god and hearing the speeches of the maid-servants of the ,merciful and the believers of ,god4 ,consider thou the days of ,christ1 how they were a very few1 yet in a short space of time they caused a clamor and acclamation throughout all regions4 ,convey my greetings to ,mrs4 44444444 and say3 8,these seeds which are scattered here and there are spreading strong roots in the bosom of the earth and these will develop and grow until many harvests are gathered4 ,rest thou assured40 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,show thou the utmost affection and love toward ,mrs4 44444444 ,truly1 ,i say1 his honor ,mirza 44444444 is beloved and kind4 ,ere long he shall behold the universal confirmation descending upon him4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,strive thou in ,buffalo 7,n4,y47 so that perfect and lasting spiritual assemblies may be established and the souls be trained and progress spiritually4 ,convey my respectful greetings to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 44444444 and say3 8,a most great gift is prepared and made ready for you in the universe of the ,kingdom and the invisible realm4 ,display ye an endeavor and show ye an effort1 so that ye may attain to it and become eternal and everlasting40 ,exercise the utmost affection on my part to ,miss 44444444 and say3 8,if thou art seeking a heavenly palace1 make thy house the gathering-place of the friends of ,god40 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,praise be to ,god that thou has become famous throughout the regions as a ,bahai4 ,this favor is worthy of the utmost thanks and praise4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,whenever thou art intending to deliver a speech1 turn thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,abha and1 with a heart detached1 begin to talk4 ,the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit will assist thee4 ,assist thou ,dr4 44444444 and help her all the time4 ,perchance1 ,god willing1 she may attain to guidance4 ,exercise the utmost kindness to 44444444 and say3 8,whatsoever is thy desire is found in the ,cause of ,baha'o'llah4 ,if thou art asking confirmation and assistance1 be thou faithful1 firm and steadfast40 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which was sent to us1 and ,i noted its contents1 wherein thou prayest for confirmation to serve thy ,lord4 ,i pray ,god to bless thee and aid thee to receive ,his trusts1 so that thou mayest receive the greatest favor in the world of humanity4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,forget all else save ,god1 be in communion with ,him1 supplicate and pray to ,him to make thee conqueror over the material things1 impressed by the bounties of the ,kingdom1 commemorating the name of thy ,lord1 pure from all else save ,him1 and imbued with the spiritual attributes of those who are holy 7and high72 then shall thy breaths have effect upon the hearts1 and attract the hearts of thy son and husband unto the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,i pray god to confirm thee in this1 to make firm thy heart in faith1 and give thee a spiritual power1 effective in hearts and spirits4 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire burning in the4440 ,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire burning in the ,tree of ,sinai6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter1 which speaks of the throbbing of thy heart by the thoughts of the love of ,god and indicates the unity of the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 their harmony in the word of ,god1 and their attraction by the fragrances of ,god1 for they are the waves of one sea1 the leaves of one tree1 and the flowers of one garden4 ,by these tidings the heart of ,abdul-,baha was made happy and he attained thereby fragrance and spirituality4 ,for the ,greatest ,name and the ,ancient ,beauty7#aaa7--may my soul be a sacrifice to ,his beloved--endured all difficulty and ordeals for the purpose of uniting the hearts of the beloved of ,god2 that they might be exhilarated through the wine of unity and proclaim with one voice3 8,hasten to love1 to love1 ,o peoples of the world6 ,hasten to harmony1 to harmony1 ,o creatures of the universe6 ,hasten to peace1 to peace1 ,o mankind6 ,hasten to safety1 to safety1 ,o concourse of the ,divine6 ,hasten to concord1 to concord1 ,o hosts of the ,merciful6 ,hasten to oneness1 to oneness1 ,o people of ,el-,baha1 among the people60 ,i ask ,god to aid you in spreading these fragrances1 and in reading these words in the supreme assemblages and great meetings4 ,convey my spiritual greeting to thy honored sister4 ,i ask ,god to confirm the weak and to make them mighty in the kingdom of ,his ,majesty4 ,i pray ,god to guide thy honorable husband to the ,path of the ,kingdom1 the sublime1 and to aid thee in the service of ,his ,cause in ,his glorious vineyard4999999 8,o thou who has advanced towards ,baha'64440 ,o thou who has advanced towards ,baha'6 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 wert thou to spend all that is on earth1 thou couldst not obtain this gift which ,god hath strengthened thee to take freely4 ,lo6 it is the guidance of ,god and it is being attracted to the ,beauty of ,el-,baha6 ,thank ,god for this gift1 which is the most wonderful jewel which is glittering on the crown of great glory and honorable position4 8,o thou who art anticipating the descent of the ,gift of4440 ,o thou who art anticipating the descent of the ,gift of ,god6 ,the sweetness of the expressions contained in thy words reached the taste of my perception and ,i was informed of the glorious aim embodied in thy sentences4 ,no doubt the breeze of ,god hath awakened thee from thy sleep1 until thou hast become conscious of the bounties of the ,kingdom which are descending at this time4 ,as to thy desire to be severed from this mortal life and thy great attraction to the eternal life3 ,this is becoming to every discerning human being who hath a lofty character4 ,i pray ,god to ordain for thee this pure life and make thy heart attracted unto exalted grades1 favored in ,his ,supreme ,kingdom1 humble and meek before every penitent servant and diffusing the fragrance of ,god in this new age4 8,o thou shining ray64440 ,o thou shining ray6 ,verily1 the ray1 being transmitted from the etheric sphere1 rends the space and reaches the surface of the earth and dispels the gloomy darkness4 ,verily1 be thou one of the rays of the ,sun of ,truth and then thou wilt cause the darkness of error to disappear and wilt change its intense obscurity into a discovering light which will guide 7the people7 unto the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou effulgence of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou effulgence of the ,kingdom6 ,i read thy letter and was informed of thy speech1 the contents of which were full of the feelings within thy consciousness1 and of thy spiritual sympathies4 ,the light is divided into two kinds1 material and spiritual4 ,the material light is a vanishing matter and is known by etheric vibrations4 ,but the spiritual light is the divine1 eternal and never-ending quality and is a truth of the ,kingdom4 ,blessed is thy face for that it hath taken a portion and a radiance from that ,light4 8,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god6 ,the light of man depends on the light of the love of ,god4 ,thank thou ,god1 for thou hast illuminated thy face with this light and hast partaken of the bounty of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha1 chanted the verses of unity and worn the crown of guidance of the ,glorious ,lord on thy head4 ,this is the real ,kingdom6 8,o thou who art desirous of the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art desirous of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter was the cause of happiness and its contents were the proof of thy turning to the ,shining ,beauty4 ,in this blessed period1 when the light of the endless bounties is illuminating the dark world1 some souls1 like the butterfly1 circled round the ,divine ,lamp and with perfect yearning sacrificed their lives4 ,i ask of ,god that thou mayest be one of those souls1 so that the rays of knowledge will shine forth from thy face to those regions and will be the cause of guiding the seekers of ,reality4 ,though thou wert obliged to leave ,baltimore1 ,i hope that thou wilt be the cause of guidance in ,washington 7,d4,c474 ,receive proofs and evidence from ,mirza ,abul ,fazl7#aab7 so that thou wilt be armed with convincing proofs and sufficient argument to break down the ranks of denial1 pride and ignorance4 8,o tho dear friend64440 ,o thou dear friend6 ,the maid-servant of ,god 44444444 hath remembered thee in her letter and hath thus made my heart busy with thy thought4 ,consider how much she must care for thee to have remembered thee in such a place4 ,indeed1 this is great love and ,i am hopeful that this may be a confirmation to thee1 so that thou mayest become a personage of the ,kingdom1 heavenly1 illumined and spiritual and a means of spreading and exemplifying the qualities and attributes of ,god4 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,the letter of that divine maid-servant was received and contents were apprehended4 ,the morn of guidance is beaming forth from the supreme horizon and the light of oneness is shining on the supreme apex4 ,the verses of unity are being chanted and the evidences of the ,glorious ,lord are in themselves the greatest witness and proof4 ,i beg of ,god that thou mayest be so replenished with the spirit of the love of ,god that there may not remain 7in thee7 any place or access for the winds of tests4 ,for what can dark doubts do with the light of guidance1 or clouds with the shining moon8 ,tests and trials only cause agitation to weak hearts4 ,but the pure souls1 a hundred thousand tests are but to them like mirage1 imagination and shadow4 ,the shadow cannot withstand the rays of the sun and pure fragrances of holiness will not be concealed through the doubts of the beetle4 ,the headache of wavering 7or hesitancy7 will not affect those exhilarated with the wine of the love of ,god4 ,in sooth1 there will be found in those regions certain persons like the ,pharisees of the time of ,christ1 who1 night and day1 will exert themselves with all heart and soul to cast forth doubts1 in order that they may deprive the souls of the glad-tidings of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,they will disseminate false rumors and utter many a calumny and will publish and announce 7false7 stories4 ,they will undertake all these only for the sake of earthly vanities4 ,and some ,pharisees among the missionaries of the ,gospel will hasten thither from ,persia and say1 8,we are aware of the secret of the matter40 ,all they may say is sheer slander4 ,now know you these things1 that in its time you may dispel and annihilate the darkness of those suspicions1 like unto a manifest light4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he may grant thee a power that thou mayest resist all in the earth--how much more these weak1 hired individuals who receive salary and bribe for spreading such calumnies6 ,be ye admonished1 ,o possessors of understanding6 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,your letter was received4 ,its contents were a glorious proof that thy heart and soul are attracted to the fragrances of the ,merciful ,one4 ,thank thou ,god for that thou art awakened by such a ,breeze and quickened by such a ,spirit and hast found joy and fragrance4 ,those souls who have attained to faith1 if they be protected and preserved from tests and keep firm and steadfast1 the divine confirmations will surround them from all directions4999999 ,i beg of ,god that thou wilt be confirmed with the love of ,god in all conditions4 ,i beg of ,god that thou mayest be so assisted in serving the ,holy ,threshold that all thy family will be astonished and amazed1 and will glory and honor4 8,o ye shining ,assembly64440 ,o ye shining ,assembly67#aac7 ,the meeting that you organized hath attracted the divine gaze and the subject of your conversation was the divine commemoration4 ,a ray from the ,kingdom of ,abha fell upon that assemblage and that meeting was adorned1 and a number of souls1 supplicants to ,god1 were gathered in that meeting4 ,if this assembly continues as it is befitting and behooving1 great results will thereby appear and conduce to the illumination of those parts1 spiritual progress will ensue1 the lights of the ,sun of ,truth will shine1 hearts will be illumined1 eyes will become seeing1 ears become hearing1 the lukewarm 7or withdrawn ones7 become aflame1 the inanimate 7or numbed ones7 will be enkindled in soul and an ecstasy will come to all by which those present will be astonished4 ,i supplicate to and invoke before the ,threshold of ,oneness1 saying3 8,o ,thou ,creator6 ,preserve and protect ,thou that assembly from grave 7or general7 tests and keep them firm and constant in the ,covenant and ,testament4 ,confer upon them such steadfastness as will enable them to withstand doubts and root our the foundation of calumnious rumors2 for some person hath appeared 7or arisen7 with the utmost falsehood1 in those parts1 and publisheth false reports in some newspapers40 8,o ye members of the shining assembly6 ,each one4440 ,o ye members of the shining assembly6 ,each one of you must resist doubts 7or false rumors7 in those parts like unto a great barrier1 until the invisible confirmations may appear and merciful assistance may become manifest4 ,may your souls be cheered6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter of thanksgiving to ,god1 for ,he hath illumined thy heart with the light of the ,mightiest ,guidance1 dilated thy breast through the fragrance of the garden of ,his ,kingdom1 the ,abha1 caused thee to speak ,his praise in that remote and extensive country1 and hath enabled thee to guide souls who are attracted to the beauty of ,god and enkindled by the fire of ,his ,love at this moment4 ,by the ,lord of ,hosts1 ,god hath ordained for no one greater good than this1 or any spirit more brilliance than this1 or any spirit more activity than this4 ,were the dominions of the whole1 entire earth to be thine1 it would not equal this great dominion which is no other than spreading the guidance of ,god4 ,forasmuch as the earthly dominion is like unto the kingdom of ,edward ,,vii1 king of ,england1 his coronation day became unto him the day of griefs1 the day of sorrows1 and the days of moaning2 his joy was changed into abundant sorrow1 and the light of happiness was transformed into the darkness of a gloomy night4 ,this is the condition of the world1 its honor1 its dominion1 its glory and affluence4 ,but as to thee--,o thou who art attracted unto ,god6 --thou hast established an eternal and everlasting throne through the guidance of ,god1 and hast become crowned with a diadem1 the gems of which scintillate throughout centuries and ages2 nay1 rather1 for cycles and periods6 ,this throne cannot be shaken by the powers of the earth and its calamities2 nor can incidental obstacles1 worldly impediments1 or all the diseases and ailments prevent or delay this coronation4 ,for this is under the protection of ,god and ,his preservation1 defended by ,his guard and in the stronghold of ,his patronage1 and is watched over by the eye of ,his mercifulness4 therefore1 thank thou ,god forevermore6 ,deliver my greetings to the attracted maid-servant of ,god thy honorable wife1 and bear unto her the glad-tidings of the graces of her ,lord4 8,o thou whom ,i mention with my heart and tongue64440 ,o thou whom ,i mention with my heart and tongue6 ,though ,i do not see thee with mine eyes1 ,i do see thee with my heart1 and mention thee with the fullness of love1 clemency1 yearning and attraction1 supplicating my ,lord that we may meet together at the meeting of ,his ,kingdom and the pavilion of ,his might1 where we shall chant the verses of thanks for ,his bounty1 generosity and gifts1 the lights of which have shone upon all horizons and their effulgences have become intense upon the hearts of the people of harmony4 ,o thou my dearly beloved6 ,hasten6 ,hasten6 to the gifts of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful6 ,come to the ,benefactor2 avail thyself of this opportunity and take thy portion of this ,greatest ,treasure in this promised day6 8,o thou spiritual youth and merciful young man64440 ,o thou spiritual youth and merciful young man6 ,consider the grace of thy ,master2 how ,he hath directed thee to the fountain of salvation1 until thou hast drunk from the salsabil 7i4e41 clear water of life7 of the guidance of ,god1 in this holy and rich garden4 ,cling to this firm handle and make thy feet steady in this path1 so that the bounties of thy ,supreme ,lord may successively pour upon thee and make thee a sign of ,his mighty knowledge4 8,o thou who art directed to the ,light of ,guidance64440 ,o thou who art directed to the ,light of ,guidance6 ,thank thou ,god1 for tho hast chanted the verses of the ,mighty guidance in the assemblage of knowledge and hast unfurled the banner of attraction in those most extensive places4 ,therefore1 appreciate this with due appreciation and know thou that this guidance is a gift1 greater than which cannot be imagined4 ,forasmuch as it is a bounty from the ,glorious ,lord1 a success to every sincere servant1 a light for the faces of devoted ones and a bestowal from the ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 8,o ye who are advancing towards the ,kingdom of4440 ,o ye7#aad7 who are advancing towards the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,mr4 44444444 hath praised you that1 verily1 ye have rent the veil asunder1 removed the covering1 become informed of the mysteries of ,god and of the symbols of the ,holy ,bible1 have understood the interpretations of its verses1 discovered the truth of its evidences and been guided to the ,path of ,his ,kingdom2 are imploring for ,his heavenly gifts and are engaged in ,his commemoration among seekers4 ,verily1 ,i thank ,god1 for ,he hath guided you and ordained for you this great success and manifest bounty4 ,kiss1 on my behalf1 the faces of your august children who are nurtured from the breast of the guidance of ,god4 8,o ,my ,god6 ,o ,my ,god64440 ,o ,my ,god6 ,o ,my ,god6 ,this thy servant hath abandoned superstitions1 emerged from darkness and hath entered into ,thy ,light which hath shone forth to the world6 ,praise be unto ,thee1 ,o ,my ,god6 for thou hast removed the covering from his insight1 caused the reality of ,guidance to appear unto him and hath ordained for him a gift which is not followed by destruction6 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,lord6 ,send unto him a gentle breeze from the garden of ,thy sanctity in ,thy ,kingdom of ,abha1 so that he may be refreshed and developed as a flourishing branch in that adorned and thickly planted grove2 cause his tongue to speak ,thy praise among mankind and confirm him through the breath of ,thy ,holy ,spirit at the time of prayer1 so that he may become a soul unto bodies1 a light unto every eye1 a joy to every heart1 a consolation to every depressed one1 a happiness to every grieved one1 and a proof to every gazer6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,potent1 the ,bestower1 the ,merciful1 the ,giver6 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto ,god6 ,thy precious and beloved letter came to hand and all contents noted4 ,consider how the bounty of ,god hath surrounded thee until it brought thee to the shore of the sea of the endless and boundless gift of ,god6 ,i supplicate the benevolence of ,god and ,his providence to make thee a dazzling light and a merciful and bounteous gift to ,his creatures2 and to enable thee to be firm and steadfast in the ,cause of the ,truth and to appoint thee as a means for the exaltation of ,his ,word4 8,o thou confirmed by an inspiration from the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou confirmed by an inspiration from the ,kingdom6 ,blessed thou art1 for thou hast delivered the ,word of thy ,lord to 444444441 the maid-servant of ,god6 ,glad-tidings unto thee for that by reason of which the spring of knowledge hath flowed out in the garden of thy heart1 inundated thy tongue and made thee utter the name of thy ,lord and call the people to the ,kingdom of thy ,god6 ,i supplicate ,god1 my ,lord and thy ,lord1 to illumine thy forehead with the light of success and victory1 strengthen thy spirit by the breath of god1 quicken thee by the spirit of ,god and make thee a pillar of guidance set up in the firmament of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,grieve not because of my imprisonment and calamity2 for this prison is my beautiful garden1 my mansioned paradise and my throne of dominion among mankind4 ,my calamity in my prison is a crown to me in which ,i glory among the righteous4 ,thou shalt hear greater than this4 ,i ask ,god to assist whosoever is related to thee to receive guidance in the future days1 and to bless ,mrs4 and ,miss 444444441 ,miss 44444444 and ,miss 444444441 and make them the signs of ,his gift among the people of the world4 8,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,el-,abha64440 ,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,el-,abha6 ,verily ,i read thy recent letter9999991 and noted its beautiful contents and meanings which proved thy firmness in the straight ,path4 ,o friend6 ,be set aglow with the fire of the love of ,god1 so that the hearts of the people will become enlightened by the light of thy love4 ,supplicate to ,god1 pray to ,him and invoke ,him at midnight and at dawn4 ,be humble and submissive to ,god and chant the verses of thanksgiving at morn and eve1 for that ,he guided thee unto the ,manifest ,light and showed to thee the straight ,path and destined to thee the station of nearness in ,his wonderful ,kingdom4 ,verily ,i ask ,god to augment for thee1 every day1 the light of guidance and ,his gift of virtue1 comfort and ease4 ,thus thou mayest set a good example in that region2 that ,he may lift up the veil from before the eyes of thy mother and father1 so that they may witness the lights of the ,kingdom of ,god1 which have encompassed all regions4 8,o thou who hast spread the ,fragrance of ,god6--may4440 ,o thou who hast spread the ,fragrance of ,god6--may ,god confirm thee6 ,since thou hast reached ,america1 we have not received any message announcing to us thy safe and sound arrival there1 but ,mr4 444444441 in a letter to us1 hath endeavored to explain in detail that thy return was like showers of rain to that country and like the attack of a lion upon those valleys and mountains4 ,he also informed us that thou hadst been received there with honors by the best men2 by those whose breasts were dilated by the gentle breeze coming from the gardens of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,o thou who warmest thyself by the fire of the love of ,god1 spreading from the ,tree of the ,covenant6 ,let thy soul be at ease and thy heart in peace concerning the perfect success and progress which the pen is not able to express1 for in a short time thou shalt see the flag of the ,kingdom waving in those far and wide regions1 and the lights of the ,truth shining brilliantly in its dawn above those horizons1 and thou shalt know that thou art the center of the circle of the love of ,god1 the axis around which souls revolve in their way and supplication to ,god4 ,therefore1 thou must widen thy heart1 dilate thy breast1 have patience in plenty1 calmness of soul and cut thyself from everything but ,god6 ,by ,god1 the truth is1 if thou goest according to the teachings of ,el-,abd7#aae7 and followest the steps of ,him who is annihilated in ,god1 thou shalt see that the cohorts of the ,kingdom of ,god will come to thy help1 one after another1 and that the hosts of the ,might of ,god will be in thy presence in steady succession1 the gates of the great victory opened and the rays of the brilliant morning diffused6 ,by thy life1 ,o my beloved6 if thou didst know what ,god hath ordained for thee1 thou wouldst fly with delight and thy happiness1 gladness and joy would increase every hour6 ,el-,baha be upon thee6 ,present to the beloved people of ,god there my longings for them4 ,preach to them the glad-tidings of ,god4999999 ,present my best greetings to the honorable and spiritual women1 to those who are very much attracted toward ,god1 and particularly to that one who have proved that it is possible for a camel to pass through a needle's eye4 ,may ,god keep them in joy and happiness and burning with ,his love4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,be rejoiced for my mentioning thee and gladden thine eyes by the bounty of thy ,lord4 ,know1 verily1 that ,his favor unto thee is great1 great2 for ,he guided thee unto the ,merciful ,light1 confirmed thee in bearing calamities and hardships in the path of ,god1 on the part of the neglectful ones4 ,there is no harm in any affliction which befalleth thee in the love of ,el-,baha1 for this affliction is a gem which glistens and shines on the crown of guidance which adorns thy head among the maid-servants4 ,remember the hardships of the disciples1 and what ,mary1 the ,virgin2 ,mary1 the ,magdalene2 and ,mary1 the mother of ,jesus1 bore in the path of ,god2 especially ,barbara1 until she was martyred in the love of ,christ2 and she being attracted unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 her spirit soared unto the summits of holiness in the paradise of eternal life1 in the place of ,meeting4 8,o thou whose nostrils are perfumed with the ,fragrances4440 ,o thou whose nostrils are perfumed with the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which contained graceful expressions and was of a well made foundation1 and ,i inhaled the odor of the love of ,god from the garden of its meanings and witness the lights of sincerity in the ,cause of ,god from the dawning-place of its mysteries4 ,blessed art thou1 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 for thou art attracted to the ,word of god1 and thy heart is illuminated with the lights of the guidance of ,god1 and thy soul is cheered by the gentle breeze blowing from the direction of the favor of ,god4 ,verily thy ,lord is gracious toward thee4 ,thank thou ,god for this great bounty and praise ,him for ,he hath caused thee to enter ,his ,new ,kingdom2 and glorify ,him for ,he hath chosen thee from among those men and women 8who were called04 ,preach the ,kingdom of ,god to every man and maid-servant who is waiting the appearance of ,his ,glorious ,kingdom4 ,the lights of guidance shall surely be spread1 even as the morning light spreads over all the regions of the earth2 all the regions of the earth shall be refreshed by the ,word of ,god4 ,deliver my longings and greetings to the consolation of thine eye7#aaf71 4444441 and to thy younger son1 4444444 ,verily ,i love them both even as a compassionate father loveth his dear children4 ,as to thee1 have for them an abundant love and exert thine utmost in training them1 so that their being may grow through the milk of the love of ,god1 forasmuch as it is the duty of parents to perfectly and thoroughly train their children4 ,there are also certain sacred duties on children toward parents1 which duties are written in the ,book of ,god1 as belonging to ,god4 ,the 7children's7 prosperity in this world and the ,kingdom depends upon the good pleasure of parents1 and without this they will be in manifest loss4 ,send my greetings to 444444447#aag71 who is free in this world1 but a slave of ,god in ,his ,great ,kingdom4 8,o dear servant of ,god64440 ,o dear servant of ,god6 ,the tests of ,god are surrounding you from all directions and many afflictions have occurred2 but thanks be to ,god that you and your honorable husband are patient1 thankful and constant4 ,the necessity and the particularity of the assured and believing ones is to be firm in the ,cause of ,god and withstand the hidden and evident tests4 ,thanks be to ,god that you are distinguished and made eminent by this blessing4 ,anybody can be happy in the state of comfort1 ease1 health1 success1 pleasure and joy2 but if one will be happy and contented in the time of trouble1 hardship and prevailing disease1 it is the proof of nobility4 ,thanks be to ,god that that dear servant of ,god is extremely patient under the disastrous circumstances1 and in the place of complaining gives thanks4 ,verily ,i am pleased with both you and your husband1 and ,i ask ,god that you may find pleasure and ease in another world--for this earthly world is narrow1 dark and frightful1 rest cannot be imagined and happiness really is non-existent1 everyone is captured in the net of sorrow1 and is day and night enslaved by the chain of calamity2 there is no one who is at all free or at rest from grief and affliction4 ,still1 as the believers of ,god are turning to the limitless world1 they do not become very depressed and sad by disastrous calamities--there is something to console them2 but the others in no way have anything to comfort them at the time of calamity4 ,whenever a calamity and a hardship occurs1 they become sad and disappointed1 and hopeless of the bounty and the mercy of the ,glorious ,lord4 ,give especial greetings of ,abha to all the friends of ,god and the divine servants1 and give them deep love from ,abdul-,baha4 ,o dear servant of ,god6 ,give my greeting and love to your boys4 ,i ask ,god that each one of them become a shining lamp4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,in reality thou art faithful and assured1 thoughtful and mentioning the name of thy ,lord4 ,all the inhabitants of the ,kingdom are satisfied with thy service1 and the approximate angels are opening their tongues in thy praise4 ,these angels are spiritual and merciful powers1 and in one sense the angels are those sanctified souls who have disentangled themselves from the world of possession and are confirmed with the powers of the ,kingdom4 ,however1 be thou not sad4 ,rejoice and delight in the divine glad-tidings6 ,i know that thou art in difficulty1 but this difficulty is conducive to the everlasting felicity and this weakness is followed by the supreme strength4 ,consider thou how the faithful women in the time of ,christ1 and after the departure of ,his ,highness1 underwent hardships6 ,what difficulties did they not bear2 and what calamities did they not endure6 ,but that adversity and trial1 misfortune and derision1 became the cause of imperishable and deathless glory and rest4 ,do ye not look upon the beginning of the affairs2 attach your hearts to the ends and results4 ,the present period is like unto the sowing time4 ,undoubtedly it is impregnated with perils and difficulties1 but in the future many a harvest shall be gathered and benefits and results will come apparent4 ,when one considers the issue and the end1 exhaustless joy and happiness will dawn4 ,live thou as far as thou art able according to the divine commands and advices1 because they are conducive to eternal life4 ,caress and kiss on my behalf1 with utmost love and yearning1 thy two dear children4 ,i supplicate ,god that they may come the servants of the ,cause of ,god as their father and mother have1 and be trained according to ,bahai education1 so that they may become two great signs of the love of ,god4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy interesting letter1 understood from it an excellent meaning and pray to ,god to augment thy love1 knowledge1 certainty and confidence4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,everything of importance in this world demands the close attention of its seeker4 ,the one in pursuit of anything must undergo difficulties and hardships until the object in view is attained and the great success is obtained4 ,this is the case of things pertaining to the world4 ,how much higher is that which concerns the ,supreme ,concourse6 ,that ,cause involves every favor1 glory and eternal bliss in the world of ,god4 ,the seeker after the great guidance and eternal happiness necessarily will encounter difficulties4 ,he must be patient under such circumstances4 ,the chosen believers of the past quaffed the chalice of suffering and sank deep in the ocean of trials until they attained to that blessed station and sublime beatitude4 ,verily1 ,i pray to ,god to aid thy children in the service of the ,word of ,god1 the furtherance of ,his ,covenant and the spread of ,his fragrances1 for this is the great happiness of this life and that to come4 ,i ask ,god to confirm the maid-servants of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444 and ,mrs4 444444441 in spirituality and to make them firm in turning unto the ,center of ,mercy and to make them sincere unto ,his glorious ,face4 ,convey my greetings to ,madam 44444444 and say to her3 8,be not sorrowful on account of separation2 verily1 thy ,lord is of more good to thee than anything in the material world4 ,he is the best companion and the best friend and will accompany three under all aspects40 ,convey my regards to the maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 and say to her3 8,be rejoiced1 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 through the fragrances which have perfumed the world4 ,seek an abundant share from this table which hath descended from heaven40 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is necessary for every sould who believeth in her ,lord to send ,abdul-,baha a letter of acknowledgement in the ,oneness of ,god4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,glad-tidings unto thee because of my address and answer to thee6 ,god hath purified thee from iniquities when ,he hath drowned thee in the sea of ,his mercy and made thee drink the cup of faith and the pure wine of knowledge4 ,well done6 ,well done6 because thou hast desired the evanescence of thy will for the will of ,god1 sought the augmentation of the love of ,god1 the enlargement of the knowledge of ,god and straightforwardness in the path of ,god4 ,i ask ,god to assist thee under all conditions and to enable thee to attain the utmost of hopes4 8,o thou who art calling in the ,name of ,god and heralding4440 ,o thou who art calling in the ,name of ,god and heralding unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily ,i considered the contents of thy recent letter1 thy beautiful writing and ,i observed thy heartfelt thanks4 ,verily my heart is filled with love and affection2 overflowing with spiritual attractions4 ,verily ,i know that the ,tablets 7,book7 of ,abdul-,baha and his address is a hidden mystery and concealed fact4 ,no one is informed of its greatness and importance at these times1 but in the course of time and future centuries the signs thereof will be manifested1 the lights thereof will dawn forth1 the fragrances thereof will be diffused and the greatness1 the importance thereof will be known4 ,the truth ,i say unto thee1 that each leaflet from ,abdul-,baha will be a wide-spread book1 nay1 rather1 a glistening gem on the ,glorious ,crown4 ,know tho its value and hold great its station4 ,then praise ,god for that ,he chose thee to love ,him and elected thee to spread ,his fragrances4 ,he selected thee from among the women of the world1 so that thou become a flame to the fire of ,his love1 a sign of the ,kingdom of ,his ,grace and a summoner to ,his ,name1 in humbleness and meekness1 invocation and supplication to ,god4 ,verily ,i ask ,god to protect thee from the waves of tests and storms of trial until thou becomest firm in the ,cause of thy ,lord--a firmness whereby thou be enabled to withstand all nations and peoples4 ,when thou art thus confirmed by ,god1 with firmness and solidity in ,his ,covenant among the people1 thou wilt see the hosts of the ,kingdom shelter thee from all sides with banners whereunto all heads bow4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be firm6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be steadfast6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be steadfast6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be steadfast in the ,cause of the ,light which hath shone forth unto the world with great brilliancy6 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 ,mary1 the ,magdalene1 was a villager1 but she kept firm in the ,cause of ,christ and confirmed the apostles at the time she declared to them 7thus73 8,verily1 ,christ is alive and eternal and death did not overtake ,him2 and verily1 the foundation of ,his religion is not shaken by ,his crucifixion at the hand of the oppressors60 ,by this her face is eternally shining from the horizon of guidance4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the circumstances will be severe for every thankful servant 7i4e41 believer in the ,teachings7 in those boundaries and countries4 ,the people shall arise against you with the most bitter hatred1 opposition and envy4 ,swords of persecution and curses shall be thrown at you by all the nations4 ,the wind of tests and trials shall fiercely blow and thereby the weak trees1 which are not firmly rooted in this wonderful vineyard1 shall be uprooted4 ,but the trees which are strong1 thriving and green will be strengthened1 their branches extended1 their leaves opened1 their appearance beautified and their blossoms and fruits increased4 ,i ask ,god to make thee one of those firmly rooted trees and an extended branch in this most great vineyard1 and to make thy heart like unto a cup overflowing with ,his love in every assemblage4 ,verily ,he is the ,powerful1 the ,generous6 ,supplicate to ,god to guide ,mrs4 444444441 so that she may become thy partner and partaker of this great bounty1 and to confirm the family of ,mr4 444444441 so that they may be blest with blessings and successive aids and with the appearance of the manifest signs4 ,thus all ye may become spreaders of the banner of union1 love1 harmony and peace upon plains and deserts1 hills and mountains4 8,o thou who art firm in the love of ,god64440 ,o thou who art firm in the love of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy recent letter999999 and ,i praised ,god for ,his glorious mercy and ,his blessings which are successively poured into the pure hearts4 ,i have written a reply to the letter of 44444444 and have enclosed it with this letter4 ,i ask ,god to make him a sign of guidance and to guide1 through him1 souls 7people7 of his native land and of other people4 ,verily1 my ,god chooses whomsoever ,he willeth1 by ,his mercy and generosity1 for entrance into the ,kingdom of ,glory and shineth the lights of 7,his7 ,beauty upon them4 ,blessed is he who keeps firm in the ,path and stands for the ,cause of thy ,merciful ,lord--a firmness like unto the lofty mountains4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to sanctify thee from the material and thus clothe thee with the garment of holiness and the mantle of purity and send through thee the glad-tidings of thy ,lord from the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be firm and steadfast1 for by it man attains the greatest hope4 ,bear every difficulty and be content with any ordeal for the love of thy ,lord1 so that thou mayest obtain that favor1 the lights of which shine throughout the horizons4 8999999,o ye shining faces and spiritual beings64440 999999,o ye7#aah7 shining faces and spiritual beings6 ,verily1 ,i was rejoiced at beholding those merciful faces in whose brows the lights of guidance shine on account of their turning unto the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha6 ,o ye beloved of ,god and ,his chosen ,ones6 ,blessed are your ears1 for they have heard the ,call6 ,blessed are your eyes1 for they have beheld the signs of their ,mighty ,lord6 ,blessed are your tongues1 for they have uttered the praise of my ,lord1 the ,supreme6 ,blessed are your nostrils1 for they have inhaled the odor of faithfulness from the people of guidance6 ,blessed are your hearts1 for they are attracted to the ,beauty of ,el-,abha6 ,blessed are your breasts1 for they are dilated by the knowledge of ,god6 ,blessed are your souls1 for they have partaken of the spirit of life from the fragrances of sanctity in the ,paradise of ,el-,abha6 ,thank ye ,god6 for ,he hath guided you unto ,his ,kingdom and hath chosen you from among the called ones of nations6 ,your ,lord hath indeed crowned you with the diadem of eternal glory 7which will continue7 throughout cycles and ages6 ,truly ,i say unto you1 verily1 the angels of heaven repeatedly bless you1 for ye have advanced toward ,god and turned unto ,his ,great ,kingdom4 ,ye shall surely see in this effulgence a flash which will pervade all regions4 ,at that time1 all nations and communities will arise to praise and glorify you1 and they will bless themselves with your commemoration in gatherings1 temples of worship and in exalted assemblies4 ,is there any gift greater than this8 ,it is incumbent upon you to have union and harmony and love and uprightness1 and to be characterized with the morals of your ,lord1 the ,clement2 to walk in the highway of equity and beneficence4 ,be ye manifestations of the mercy of ,god1 dawning-places of the light of ,his great bounty1 and arise with all steadfastness1 truthfulness1 trustworthiness1 compassion1 modesty1 love and accord with the people of the world1 no matter of what community they may be2 inasmuch as it behooveth the light to shine even upon the rocks in the field1 and the soul is qualified for quickening individuals1 even though they be of the ugliest and most disagreeable form1 and a pure tree is adapted to bestow a blessed fruit even upon those who throw stones at it4 8,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are united6 ,o ye4440 ,o ye7#aai7 who are attracted6 ,o ye who are united6 ,o ye who are believers and assured6 ,glad-tidings unto you for that ye believed in ,god1 were attracted to the ,beauty of ,god1 were directed unto the ,kingdom of ,god and were kindled by the fire of the love of ,god6 ,therefore1 ,i say unto you that1 verily1 the angels of the ,kingdom pray for the maid-servants of the ,merciful2 the possessors of brilliant hearts1 spiritual susceptibilities1 godlike feelings1 heavenly attributes1 holy characteristics1 confident souls1 perfection of humanity and sanctified and pure souls who are striving to spread the spirit of harmony--holy above qualities 7pertaining to7 nature and passion--spreaders of the fragrances of ,god severed from all else save ,god1 banners of union and peace--signs of love and accord6 ,blessed are ye for organizing the assembly of unity6 ,i ask ,god to confirm you by the divine aid and strengthen you by the heavenly strength so that every one of you may become a shining star by the light of the love of ,god in the world1 and banners moving by the breezes of love and peace on the heights of glory among mankind2 and lamps brilliant by the lights of eternal majesty on the assemblies of men4 ,if ye keep firm in this path1 ye will see by the eyes of joy signs wherefore ye will thank your ,forgiving ,lord1 and will be confirmed by the hosts from the ,supreme ,concourse and angels from the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 8,o ye longing ones6 ,o ye cheered ones6 ,o ye attracted4440 ,o ye7#abj7 longing ones6 ,o ye cheered ones6 ,o ye attracted ones6 ,o ye who are beseeching the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,blessed are ye1 for ye have removed the covering2 witnessed the lights of the ,sun of ,truth which is shining from the horizon of bestowal2 are attracted by the fragrances sent forth from the garden of the ,kingdom2 have arisen to praise the ,lord of ,grandeur and ,might1 and have resolved to disseminate the teachings of ,god in those vast and extensive regions6 ,truly ,i say unto you6 ,verily1 ye have cast away superstitions2 have partaken an abundant portion from that ,reality which is shining upon all regions2 have perceived the manifest signs1 have entered the ark of salvation and attained unto eternal life1 under the shadow of the ,lord of ,hosts1 gazing unto the ,most ,honorable ,station1 enkindled with the fire ablaze in the tree of existence1 in the spot of ,sinai2 responding to the call of the ,clement ,one1 severed from the world1 and yearning for the place of sacrifice in the path of ,baha'4 ,you will surely hear from this call a ringing voice in the regions4 ,then the nations will awake to this effulgence and hasten unto the fountain of the ,covenant2 so that they may drink fresh and salutary water from the grace of your ,lord1 the ,clement4 ,at that time1 the faithful shall be cheered1 the sincere shall rejoice and the yearning ones shall be drawn unto the unseen world1 the ,kingdom of your ,lord1 the ,merciful6 ,o ye beloved of ,god and ,his chosen ones6 ,trust ye in the divine confirmation1 the merciful bounty and the supreme bestowal4 ,verily1 ,he will confirm your hearts1 dilate your breasts1 make your tongues fluent and will rejoice your souls by a grace from the ,compassionate ,merciful ,one6 ,o ye beloved of ,baha'6 ,do not look at your weakness1 nay1 rely upon the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,verily1 ,it maketh the weak strong1 the lowly mighty1 the child grown1 the infant mature and the small great4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he may make you diffusers of ,his fragrances1 servants of ,his ,cause1 gazers unto ,his ,face1 speakers in ,his praise1 and that ,he may protect you against tests and trials1 so that ye may become shining lights1 beaming stars1 gleaming lamps and lofty trees4 ,verily1 this is not difficult with ,god6 ,verily1 ,i hope from ,god that ye may become my associates in servitude to ,his ,holy ,threshold and my partners at the entrance of the ,door of ,his ,oneness2 so that ye may equally serve in ,his great vineyard4 ,then thank ye your ,lord1 for ,he hath favored you with this manifest success4 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one6 this cannot be equalled either by the dominion of the world or by the gift of ruling over all regions with pomp1 glory and power6 ,reflect ye upon the chosen ones of ,god in the earlier ages6 ,how their worth was unknown during their days2 how they were known by people as but ordinary individuals and unimportant persons6 ,afterwards1 their arguments appeared1 their lights scintillated1 their stars beamed1 their trees became lofty1 their mysteries gleamed forth1 their fruits were praised1 their reservoirs became overflowing1 their gardens adorned1 their birds warbled and their joy became perfect in the ,kingdom of their ,beneficent ,lord4 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,these are souls who have advanced toward ,thy ,kingdom2 their breasts dilated by supplicating to ,thy ,realm of ,might2 their eyes anticipating the descent of ,thy mercy2 and their spirits rejoiced at ,thy grace and gift6 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,guard them by the eye of ,thy protection1 preserve them in the cave of ,thy defence1 deliver them from the grade of the contingent world1 protect them during the violence of tests and trials1 and assist them by a power from the breath of ,thy ,holy ,spirit1 in the world of existence6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,beneficent1 the ,mighty1 the ,clement6 8,o thou who art kindled by the ,fire of ,guidance which4440 ,o thou who art kindled by the ,fire of ,guidance which blazed and burnt in the ,tree of ,sinai6 ,by the life of ,god1 ,i am moved with joy by the mention of the beloved and delighted in the love of the elect6 ,and now1 with a heart clear from aught else save ,god and overflowing with the love of ,god1 ,i mention thee1 supplicating ,god to make thee a lamp of guidance in those districts1 that out of thee the spirit of knowledge may be spread upon the hearts and spirits until thou becomest a spring of fresh and sweet water whereto the thirsty and earnest desirers will come to drink1 and thus be satisfied with the sweetness thereof4 ,rejoice at this address which ,i hope from ,god will have a great effect on thy heart and spirit and accordingly become the banner of the ,supreme ,concourse in that distant and extensive spot7#aba7 through which certain nations and tribes would be directed with bright faces1 rejoiced hearts and speaking tongues uttering the praise of ,god4 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy letter which thou hast sent through ,mrs4 44444444 and was rejoiced at its contents1 which indicated thy excessive love and thy great passion for the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,o my friend6 ,thank thou ,god for ,he hath illumined thy sight with a radiance which is shining forth from the ,sun of ,truth2 hath quickened thee1 and baptized thee with the water of life and with the fire of the love of god4 ,i beg ,god to bless thee so that thou mayest diffuse the fragrances of ,god in those countries and purify hearts from the filth of ignorance and to make thy revered wife and honored daughters signs of ,his love among the maid-servants of ,god1 and to ordain for thee a reward befitting one who hath attained 7the visit of7 the ,holy ,threshold in this ,cause4 ,verily1 ,i bestowed every kindness upon the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 because she hath been the cause of thy guidance1 and hath given thee to drink the cup of knowledge4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,supplicate ,god that thou mayest be confirmed to what is worthy and fit for the ,most ,mighty ,cycle4 ,deliver my respectful greeting to ,mr4 44444444 and refresh him with regards and affection4 ,convey my longing greeting to ,messrs4 4444444441 44444444 and 44444444 and say to them to engage with ,mr4 44444444 in the service of the ,word of ,god with the utmost love and affinity1 in order that they may behold the confirmation of the ,supreme ,kingdom and observe the protection and preservation of ,his ,highness the ,almighty4 ,truly their hearts are like unto a cup1 overflowing with the wine of the love of ,god and at all times ,i expect to hear good news of them4 ,o thou dear friend6 ,thou hast said the truth6 ,last year7#abb7 was the time of test for all the friends4 ,trials for the faithful believers are like unto divine bestowal and everlasting gifts4 ,the firmness and steadfastness of the person will become evident and manifest4 ,how could the disciples of ,his ,holiness 7,christ7 attain to any spiritual development if they did not undergo trials and tests6 ,o friend6 ,although we are weak1 yet the confirmations of the ,merciful ,lord are inexhaustible4 ,pray thou that the ill-natured become good-natured and the weak become strong4 ,the dream thou hast seen is in accord with thy interpretation4 ,i hope that ,mr4 44444444 may become the light of the ,merciful ,one and be confirmed and assisted to spread the ,cause of ,god4 8,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 ,elohim 44440 ,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 ,elohim7#abc7 4 ,to this ,thy servant give the understanding of the ,old ,testament and the ,new and enable her to speak forth with mighty voice and to sing with power the holy songs and to discover the real meaning and the secret mysteries of those verses1 for ,thou art the ,powerful ,inspirer and the ,mighty ,one6 8,o maid-servant of ,god1 thou who hast given up thy4440 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 thou who hast given up thy life to the service of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i have read the signs of thy thankfulness to ,god for guiding thee to the way of the ,lord1 to the path of salvation which leads to the ,tent of the ,testament behind the ,tabernacle in the ,capital of the ,kingdom4 ,know in the reality of assurance that every true woman who is attracted by the fragrances of holiness in this most glorious age will surpass even the most developed men of previous centuries4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to make thy greatest effort2 to put forth thy full strength2 to supplicate and to worship1 and to be careful to put thy full trust in the ,kingdom of the ,lord ,most ,high4 ,make ready thy soul that thou mayest be like the light which shineth forth from the loftiest heights on the coast1 by means of which guidance may be given to the timid ships amid the darkness of fog and the heaving of the sea4 ,then gain the knowledge of godliness and learn the exact facts from the revered ,abul ,fazl7#abd71 and1 if it be possible1 remain there a few months4 ,with regard to thy friend1 send her to the sea coast or accompany her to ,marseilles and return to ,cairo that thou mayest learn the necessary proofs4 ,then return to ,america--this is in case it is possible for thee4 ,if anything happens otherwise1 the way is open and it will be made convenient for thee--say always in the name of ,god--and rely upon ,him2 but to understand the teachings regarding the ,truth is absolutely required4 ,and upon ,god let thy confidence rest4 8,o thou who in truth art attracted through the ,breaths4440 ,o thou who in truth art attracted through the ,breaths of the ,holy ,spirit6 ,i sent to thee a letter few in words and full in its meanings and its mysteries1 showing signs of good-tidings4 ,by my life1 there are manifested meanings in the mysteries of the words6 ,at present ,i address thee in plain language without being veiled1 and ,i say to thee3 8,stand up with all thy strength to guide the followers of negligence and blindness1 and diffuse the breaths of ,god in those regions2 and set off with all speed to ,new ,york and ,chicago and call with the loudest voice in the assemblies of the beloved ones and invite them to the ,alliance of ,god2 and make them steadfast in the ,covenant of ,god1 and bear good-tidings to all the steadfast ones1 and inspire all who waver to be firm in the religion of ,god and to resist all force with is against the ,alliance of ,god4 ,verily ,i promise the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit to thee in those great assemblies whenever ye argue upon the ,covenant of ,god40 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i hope thou wilt ride thy steed in this field as much as thou canst and that thou mayest know nothing except praising1 worshiping and extolling the ,sun of the ,world of ,creation4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the radiance of favor is 7cast7 upon thy head and thou art clad with the robe of gift4 ,praise be unto ,god1 that the breeze of the divine spring maketh the soul thrive and the fragrances of holiness are quickening the heart of man4 ,favor is perfect and bounty is overflowing--the doors of prosperity are opened and hearts are expanded and dilated4 ,the drops of the cloud of favor are continually 7falling7 and the lakes of graces are successively overflowing4 ,the wine of the love of ,god is circulating1 and the melodies of thankful birds are astonishing all people distant and near4 ,the radiance of the ,manifestor of the ,mount is illuminating all hearts and breasts and the never-ending bounties are successively 7flowing7 from the divine ,kingdom4 ,i hope that1 through the favor of the ,blessed ,perfection thou wilt become the lamp of the society of ,green ,acre 7,me471 and wilt become the cup-bearer of the wine of the love of ,god1 thou wilt invite a great number of people into the ,kingdom of the ,powerful ,lord and wilt teach numerous souls1 thou wilt put the crown of the exalted gift upon thy heard and wilt rule over the empire of the greatest spirituality1 and thou wilt become the envy of the queens of all regions and wilt be the rival of all the celebrated people of the world4 8,o thou who art wholly advancing unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art wholly advancing unto ,god6 ,verily ,i have read thy letter in answer to mine and praised ,god--may glory and dignity be unto ,him6--for by reason of which ,he hath kindled the lamp of guidance in the glass of thy heart1 lighted in thy breast the fire of love and faithfulness1 illumined thy face with the light of ,his knowledge among women and chosen thee for spreading ,his fragrances amid the maid-servants4 ,be happy and rejoice at this speech through which the sick will recover1 the sad become cheered1 the dumb speak and the deaf hear2 rather1 the decayed bones will be quickened and the rocks and stones be affected4 ,remember my spiritual favors which have uninterruptedly descended upon thee at the table which was spread under the abundant gifts of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i continue supplicating ,god to make to grow from the luxuriant garden of the heart the aromatic plants of ,his knowledge1 through the abundant rain pouring froth from the clouds of ,his ,kingdom1 the ,most ,great2 that thou mayest be a herald of the ,covenant in those regions and a preacher of the ,kingdom of ,god in those distant isles4 ,blessed thou art for this letter4 ,glad-tidings unto thee for this speech6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,by ,god the ,truth1 verily he angels of the ,supreme ,assembly pray for thee every morn and eve and announce to thee glad-tidings6 ,o blessed art thou who hast devoted thyself to diffusing the fragrances of ,god6 ,know thou that1 verily1 thy ,lord will surely strengthen thy hands and assist thee through the hosts which are hidden from the sight of the heedless ones1 and will give the victory through a numerous army from the ,supreme ,assembly and will illuminate thy heart with the rays shining from the ,kingdom of ,abha1 the ,most ,glorious6 ,o maid-servants of ,god6 ,gird up thy loins1 strengthen thy back1 be not discouraged or grieved if people are pouring the arrows of scorn and blame thee1 insomuch as in this thou wilt follow the example of those who have endured every tribulation and calamity4 ,as to the young man and his revered wife1 as to both of whom thou hast informed me3 ,i beseech ,god to remove the veil from them and lift the covering from before their faces1 so that they may witness the greatest signs of their ,lord1 the ,great1 in this day in which all the regions of heaven and earth are sparkling with the lights of their ,lord4 ,tell him1 8,verily the ,kingdom hath appeared with the ornaments of sanctity on the apex of the world of being4 ,thou oughtest to enter therein1 and this is glad-tidings unto thee and to all those who have been expecting the advent of the ,kingdom of their ,lord with true heart turned toward ,god40 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,word of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,word of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy excellent letter1 nay1 rather thy brilliant1 peerless pearls1 which proved thy sincerity in the ,cause of ,god1 the enkindlement of thy heart with the fire of the love of ,god and the illumination of thy face through the light of the gift of ,god6 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,know1 verily1 ,i was with you in spirit during your assemblage in the meeting of the commemoration of ,god1 the ,house of ,agreement1 under the ,standard of peace1 and ,i perceived ye with my spirit on the ,mount of ,salvation and shared with ye in celebrating the praise of my ,lord1 and ,i smiled with all cheerfulness1 joy and gladness when ,i found that ye were beseeching ,god and supplicating before the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,i beseech ,god to guide some of those who have given themselves to the ,word of ,god1 while they know not the ,word4 ,and ,i beg of ,god to give insight to every heedless one1 so that he may witness the signs of his ,mighty ,lord in this great century wherein the ,lord is glorified for the bounties and gifts which ,he hath bestowed on all the horizons i4e41 regions through ,his ,ancient ,grace4 ,verily ,i wrote an answer to the letter of 44444444 and enclose it in this letter4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,by ,god the ,true ,one1 verily ,abdul-,baha invokes ,god to strengthen thee through the mightiest power1 so that thou mayest become a star of guidance in ,green ,acre1 to diffuse the fragrances of ,god1 to blow forth the spirit of ,god1 to summon people to the ,word of god1 and may speeches pour forth from thy pure lips as a torrent which rapidly pours down from the loftiest mountains6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of the4440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of the ,garden of the ,covenant and art speaking the praise of the ,orb of the ,universe6 ,know thou1 verily1 ,i read thy letter which expressed the commemoration of thy ,lord1 the ,great1 and indicated that the fire of the love of god is ablaze in thy heart and in the soul of the sincere ones4 ,truly ,i say unto thee1 verily thy magnificent letter was as one of the melodies of the birds of holiness in the wonderful garden4 ,verily the hearts of the ,supreme ,concourse are dilated with the songs which thou hast warbled on the ,blessed ,tree in the ,exalted ,paradise4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily ,abdul-,baha was with you in ,green ,acre in his spirit1 soul and in all of his spiritual grades1 and he was your companion in your meetings and was bearing unto you1 with his spiritual tongue1 the glad-tidings of the divine splendors which shall be poured forth upon you from the ,kingdom of ,god1 in a short time4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be rejoiced at this glad-tidings whereby the hearts of the people of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha are moved with joy4 ,verily ,i beseech ,god to make ,green ,acre as the paradise of ,el-,abha1 so that the melodies of the nightingale of sanctity may be heard from it and that the chanting of the verses of unity may be raised therein2 to cause the clouds of the great gift to pour upon it the rains falling from heaven2 to make those countries become verdant with the myrtles of truth and inner significances and to plant therein blessed trees1 with the hand of ,providence1 which may bring forth pure and excellent fruits wherefrom the fragrances of ,god may be diffused throughout all regions4 ,these signs shall surely appear and these lights shall shine forth4 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 the ,merciful6 ,it is incumbent upon you to unveil the covering and to witness the ,beauty of the ,almighty6 ,ye shall surely see the lights rising in those parts1 as ye have already seen them4 ,ye shall surely behold a ,pillar of ,fire extending upward to the ,supreme ,apex and it will call unto you with the most wonderful expression and will address you1 saying3 8,i am the ,ancient ,light6 ,i am the ,lord of the ,exalted ,kingdom6 ,i am the ,star shining forth unto the horizon of the hearts of the people of ,oneness60 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be tranquil in heart and be enkindled with the fire ignited in the ,blessed ,tree--an enkindlement which may cause a fire to blaze in the inanimate hearts in those regions4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be not disheartened if thou hearest the murmuring of the deniers1 the clamor of the hypocrites1 the shouting of the contradictors1 the barking of the furious1 harmful dogs1 in those climes4 ,remember the persecutions which consecutively befell the disciples of christ from the perverse ,jews4 ,consequently1 withstand their oppositions with all quiescence and dignity 7patience7 and their contradictions with all cheerfulness1 gladness and dilation of heart 7i4e41 exaltation7 by day and night4 ,resist their fighting with peace and reconciliation1 their blows with kindness and perfection and their blame with joy and tranquillity4 ,do beseech ,god to direct them to the ,path of ,salvation and breathe into them the ,spirit of ,life4 ,be thou a light to every darkness1 a dispeller of every sadness1 a healer for every sick person1 a quencher for every thirst1 a shelter for every refugee1 a refuge for every captive4 ,if the ,pharisees interfere with thee1 it is incumbent upon thee to implore ,god to guide them to the road of salvation6 ,and it is incumbent upon thee to be affable to them under all circumstances1 to be patient in afflictions1 to be courteous with the enemies and to pray for the hateful sinners6 ,this is the nature of the faithful and convinced women believers whose hearts are dilated with the fragrances of ,god and who instruct 7people7 in the teachings of ,god6 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,trust in the grace of thy ,lord4 ,he shall surely assist thee with a confirmation whereat minds will be amazed and the thoughts of the men of learning will be astonished4 ,consider the divine splendors in ,green ,acre3 ,one of them is the tree of fire and another is what was witnessed by thy friend--a light shining forth unto all sides4 ,this is through the grace of thy ,lord unto thee6 ,consequently1 be engaged in perusing ,st4 ,john's ,revelation2 all these signs are spoken of in that vision4 ,thou shalt soon behold 7things7 still greater than this4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to diffuse the fragrances of ,god and to be occupied in delivering 7teaching7 the ,cause of ,god6 ,deliver my greeting to 44444444 and say unto them3 8,trust ye in the grace of your ,lord and thank your ,master1 for ,he hath directed you to the ,path of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,verily ,he is the ,assister1 the ,beneficent60 ,the coming of any one to these countries is1 at this time1 difficult and unallowable4 ,i beg of ,god to facilitate it and then we will permit 44444444 to come4 ,i beg of ,god to manifest ,his lights in the heart of 44444444 so that he may apprehend that which he never before apprehended and behold the mysteries of the ,kingdom with real certainty in this glorious age4 ,god willing1 next year some of the teachers 7of the ,truth7 will present themselves at ,green ,acre and will cause the voices of the people of the ,kingdom to reach the ,supreme ,apex4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god and4440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god and enkindled with the ,fire wherein ,moses1 the ,speaker1 found ,guidance6 ,may it be salutary to thee1 the draught from this cup1 which is overflowing with the wine of the love of ,god4 ,blessed art thou1 that thy heart is connected with the callings of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha1 so that thou hast dispensed with the telepathic wires of the world1 because the terminal of the spiritual wire reached the center of thy heart and the other is placed in the ,spiritual ,center1 vibrating informations constantly through the power of the ,spirit and successively conveying the great glad-tidings4 ,this is the station of 7or for7 every maid-servant whose heart is filled with the love of ,god and attracted to the ,beauty of ,el-,abha4 ,thank ,god for showing unto thee and thy dear friend1 the revered 444444441 the great power and might of the ,kingdom personified in the body of humanity1 and that thou didst worship ,him with a brilliant heart1 and ,he addressed thee 7saying73 8,peace be unto thee6 ,peace be unto thee60 ,his white vestment is the garment of the ,manifestation and ,his brilliant color4 ,regarding the gems which appeared on ,his breast1 they are peerless pearls of wisdom which shine unto the horizons with a godlike fame4 ,as to ,his shining face1 verily it hath illumined the earth and dispersed the darkness from the contingent world4 ,regarding thine entrance with thy friend into the gallery lighted with lamps1 know thou that gallery is the world of humanity and the lamps ,his wonderful teaching1 ,his all-wisdom1 ,his perfect bounty and ,his clear manifestation4 ,he is the ,absent-,present in the world of humanity4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to diffuse the fragrances1 it is incumbent upon thee to promulgate the teachings of ,god and it is incumbent upon thee to breathe the spirit of life into the hearts of the people of those regions1 so that thou be a lamp of guidance in the recess of ,green ,acre4 ,take the cup of the love of ,god in thy right hand and with thy left hand hoist the banner of universal peace1 love and affection among the nations of the earth4 ,call out 7saying73 8,hasten6 ,hasten unto the ,great ,bounty6 ,press6 ,press forward unto the ,abundant ,mercy6 ,speed6 ,speed unto the ,manifest ,light6 ,be urgent6 ,be urgent for the ,great ,attainment6 ,verily1 by ,god the ,truth1 the doors of the ,kingdom are opened1 the lights of god have shown forth and illumined the horizon of the earth6 ,the ,lord of ,hosts hath descended with the army of lights and angels of heaven and depressed the armies of darkness6 ,he sent ,his angels to all directions1 with a call of the trumpet of realities and meanings1 instructions and teachings6 ,therefore1 ,o people of the earth1 appreciate the opportunity1 in this new century1 wherein the lights have been revealed by the ,glorious ,lord60 ,in regard to the school which tho didst think of and its organization3 ,i ask ,god that thou shouldst become confirmed in it with all order and command4 ,but now it is necessary first to organize the ,cause of ,god in those countries2 then1 order and preparation4 ,therefore arise1 through a power from ,god1 in organizing the ,cause of ,god--that is1 the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god1 promotion of the ,word of ,god and heralding unto the nations and peoples with a pre-existent power the appearance of the ,most ,great ,sun4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy excellent letter and was dilated through its excellent contents4 ,know thou that the distance of habitation doth not prevent the rising of the lights1 and that time and place only control the bodies and not the spirits which are free from the contingent beings1 not 7do they control7 the realities which are sanctified from the stains of the world4 ,when the ,spirit is breathed in the ,east1 its signs immediately appear in the ,west and it hath a spiritual dominion which penetrates the pillars of the world4 ,then know thou that ,god hath not ordained any greater happiness and joy than the removing of the veils by witnessing the ,kingdom of ,god and presenting oneself in an assembly which is radiant with merciful emotions which cannot be apprehended by minds and thoughts4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily opposition will wax fierce upon thee and denial and unbelief will day by day increase4 ,people will arise to oppression and people will torment thee for thou hast believed in ,god1 art attracted to the fragrances of ,god and hath spoken ,his praise among the maid-servants4 ,they will execrate1 revile1 curse and oppress thee with acute tongues4 ,be not distressed at this2 nay1 rather continue with an increased firmness and stanchness in the ,cause of ,god4 ,for through calamity the heart of ,abdul-,baha is attracted2 through 7suffering7 oppression the breast of ,abdul-,baha is dilated2 through enduring afflictions the faithfulness of ,abdul-,baha is proven2 through imprisonment the soul of ,abdul-,baha is cheered2 at every moment he wishes to quaff the cup of sacrifice in the path of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,opposition shall surely pass away1 the dark clouds in all regions will be dispelled and the lights of the ,covenant shall shine forth4 ,at that time your value shall appear among the nations of the world and tribes and people will arise to praise you4 ,take warning by the former cycles and the bygone ,manifestations4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily the ,cause is great and great6 ,regiments and regiments enter therein6 ,some people must necessarily turn their backs upon it1 on account of their lack of sincerity in he ,cause of god and for their selfishness and egotism4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,a pure sea doth not accept a dead body1 therefore the waves will necessarily throw the dead finally upon the shores4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,when some souls turn away from the love of ,god1 there is no harm therein4 ,did not ,judas ,iscariot1 the chief of the apostles1 turn away on account of jealousy for ,peter the apostle8 ,likewise1 some people must necessarily turn away on account of jealousy for others4 ,as to thee3 ,consider the predecessors as a warning to posterity and purify thy heart from all else save ,god1 under all circumstances4 ,when thou was in ,acca we pointed this out to thee4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,whenever sorrows and afflictions grow violent toward thee1 remember that which we told thee during thy presence in these lands2 then thy sorrows shall be removed and thy heart shall become dilated through the fragrances of ,god in these days4 ,be thou rejoiced at the glad-tidings of ,god6 ,be as a globe of fire from which the heat of the love of ,god will be diffused4 ,sanctify thyself from the grades of this world1 be purified from the superstitions of people and be characterized with spiritual qualities4 ,be thou a mountain of quiescence1 a sign of meekness1 a sea of patience1 a light of love1 a standard of utter separation 7from all else save ,god71 so that thou mayest become everlasting in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,the light shall surely encompass the maid-servants who are attracted by the fragrances of ,god and it will shine forth from their faces upon all regions4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,let thy joy and happiness be increased every moment through the light of ,god4 ,verily1 the ,exalted ,leaf and the brilliant ,leaves7#abe7 remember thee by night and day4 ,then know thou1 verily the prison is my wonderful paradise in love for ,baha'2 it is my lofty stronghold1 my impregnable mansion and glorious throne4 ,be not grieved thereat1 nay1 rather beg of ,god to make me quaff the cup of sacrifice in the path of ,baha'4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i am already informed of the import of thy wonderful letter and the meanings of thine excellent words4 ,i was rejoiced to find how it expressed that thou art devoted to ,god1 turning unto the ,supreme ,horizon1 enkindled with the fire of the love of ,god and attracted to the fragrances of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god to increase thy separation from the world1 thy supplication before the ,kingdom of ,god and thy yearning for the ,beauty of ,god4 ,what thou hast said 7in thy letter7 concerning the servant of ,baha'1 the 8,mother of the ,faithful10 is but true4 ,verily she is purified in soul1 enkindled by the fire of the love of ,god1 hath sincerely turned unto her ,master1 hath completely faced toward the ,kingdom of ,god and hath arisen to diffuse ,his fragrances in all parts and serve ,his friends with a sincerity and joy unto which the ,supreme ,concourse beareth witness4 ,she shall surely have a firm and steady footing in the ,cause of ,god1 her face shall shine forth from the ,horizon of ,loftiness1 her fame shall be spread in the ,kingdom of ,god1 and she shall have a ringing voice throughout regions1 and the lights of her glorious deeds shall beam forth during cycles and ages4 ,as to 44444444 and 444444441 verily the faces of these are as the pupil of the eye2 although the pupil is created black1 yet it is the source of light4 ,i hope ,god will make these black ones the glory of the white ones and as the depositing of the lights of love of ,god4 ,and ,i ask ,god to assist them in all circumstances1 that they may be encompassed with the favors of their ,loving ,lord throughout centuries and ages4 ,as to 444444441 verily ,god hath ordained for her a noble station4 ,the lights of knowledge shall surely shine forth from her face upon the world4 ,verily she is attracted to the word of her ,lord1 was dilated by hearing the speech of ,abdul-,baha at the time of meeting and her eyes became consoled by witnessing the signs of her ,mighty ,lord4 ,as to the maid-servant of ,god 444444443 ,god hath indeed favored her with an excellent disposition which is like fragrance from a garden of the ,merciful and she passeth her days in serving the ,cause of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god to confirm and assist her under all aspects and circumstances4 ,as to the son of the 8,mother of the ,faithful03 ,i beg of ,god to make his ears attentive1 his eyes observing1 his heart abounding with the lights of guidance and to make his soul as one of the signs of his ,mighty ,lord4 ,pray ye in his behalf night and day that ,god may strengthen him in a matter which may shine1 beam and glow in the niche of the ,kingdom of ,god and that ,he may cause him to arise and assist the pious ones1 to seek bounty from the signs1 to gain illumination from the lights1 deliver the necks of all men from the chains of superstition1 to feed the needy ones upon the food of the ,kingdom of ,god and support the weak ones with a penetrative power from the ,word of ,god4 ,verily thy ,lord is the ,confirmer6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,we have written a clear and efficient answer to 44444444 out of the love for thee and for her2 otherwise ,abdul-,baha is free from any other mention than that of ,god4 ,as to thee1 be not grieved at anything whatever4 ,there is a right wisdom in whatever happens in this great ,cause4 ,be not grieved if the trash of the world is decreased in thy hands1 for thy brilliant heart is a great treasury1 inasmuch as every heart which trusts in the grace of its ,lord is illumined through the lights of its ,creator and it is one of the treasuries of the ,kingdom1 filled with the wealth of ,his divine world and heavenly bounties4 ,this is a great wealth6 ,deliver my greetings to 44444444 and announce to him the glad-tidings of ,god and say unto him3 8,this day is the day of soaring and the day of shining4 ,this day is the day of the ,ancient ,honor1 ,abundant ,wealth1 ,mighty ,dominion and ,great ,gift4 ,appreciate thou its value and do not neglect it1 so that thou mayest attain to that which was longed for by the holy ones in bygone ages and centuries40 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy letter which indicated thy knowledge of the significances of the ,revelation of ,st4 ,john4 ,i ask ,god to enlighten thine eyes by witnessing ,his lights which have illumined the horizon of existence to eternity of eternities4 ,praise ,god that ,he manifested unto thee the brilliancy of the ,sun of ,truth which is shining from the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha2 and ,god made thee look with divine eyes at the reality of revelation4 ,rest assured the light of the love of ,god will envelope the world with great illumination4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,may ,god increase thy glowing with the fire of ,his love and by a light from the rays of the ,sun of the ,universe4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,raise the call at ,green ,acre1 summon all unto the ,kingdom of ,god whose lights shone forth1 fragrances wafted1 clouds changed into tears 7or drops of rain7 and guardians smiled4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy last letter and gathered from its meanings the mysteries of thy great love4 ,i supplicate to my ,lord that ,he may at every moment increase thy joy and fragrance1 thy speech and utterance1 thine attraction and enkindlement1 and that ,he may heal thee from the infirmities which have affected thee and weakened thy feeble body1 and strengthen thee to guide mankind into the ,supreme ,kingdom and quicken hearts by the fragrances of the ,paradise of ,abha1 so that thou mayest become a bird warbling upon the twigs of the ,tree of ,life1 with most wonderful melodies and most charming tunes4 8,o thou artery pulsating in the body of the world64440 ,o thou artery pulsating in the body of the world6 ,verily ,i read thy recent letter which indicated conscious joy and abundant happiness from the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 ,know1 verily that the feast is the day wherein ,god opened thine insight through the ,manifest ,light1 showed thee unto ,his ,great ,kingdom and granted to thee to drink from the chalice overflowing with the wine of divine guidance among the maid-servants4 ,is there a feast more happy and more noble than this8 ,no1 indeed1 by the ,lord of ,heaven1 it is a day wherein the thirsty one attaineth to the ,spring from which gusheth forth cool and refreshing water1 the lover meeteth his ,loved ,one and the sick one is healed by the remedy of the ,physician4 ,blessed art thou for attaining unto this6 ,verily1 the people who rejoice in the day of the feast and enjoyed the tree7#abf7 7which7 was decorated1 following the custom of ancient times1 are the people of superstitions4 ,by the ,majesty of thy ,lord6 ,were they in the time of ,christ1 they would turn their backs and would not behold ,his smiling1 glorious face2 but today they play in the shallow waters of their superstitions without discretion4 ,therefore1 thank ,god for ,his having privileged thee to attain nearness to the ,blessed ,tree which is grown upon the highest ,sinai and is set aglow with the fire of ,god's love1 calling unto responsive listeners4 ,i supplicate ,god to heal thee from all troubles and diseases and make thee a sign of guidance and a standard of the ,supreme ,concourse in those regions and particularly at ,green ,acre4 8,o thou esteemed maid-servant of the ,loving ,lord64440 ,o thou esteemed maid-servant of the ,loving ,lord6 ,what thou hast written in recommendation of a number of ,christians was perused4 ,although the presence of these persons will1 in these times1 cause the revolt of the heedless ones and increase the trouble1 yet for your sake we will send them a telegram to ,egypt and permit them to come and visit4 ,this is but for thy sake1 and ,abdul-,baha cannot endure to meet but the people of the ,merciful and does not wish to be in union except with the heavenly ones4 ,o thou chosen maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is time for thee to cry aloud and fervently1 day and night1 not to sit still a moment1 not to rest for an instant1 but to be always engaged in the commemoration of ,god and invite the people with the utmost longing and ecstasy unto the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,raise thou such melodies and harmony in ,green ,acre that may reach unto the ,kingdom of ,abha and cause joy and exaltation in the angels of heaven6 ,this matter needs a great enthusiasm 7heat or exertion7 and a sanctity and purity like unto a manifest light4 ,thou knowest what secrets doeth the spirit of ,abdul-,baha communicate with thee and what glad-tidings he giveth unto thee6 ,show forth thy capacity and merit1 for without capacity the ,gift doth not become manifest4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was excellent and its contents were perfect and complete4 ,happy is thy condition for that thou hast not forgotten the time of thy visit7#abg71 nay1 at every instant thou hast grown in this thought and art remembering the exhortations of ,abdul-,baha and wishing in thy soul to put them thoroughly into practice4 ,praise be to ,god that thou hast kept steadfast with all firmness under the millstone of tests like unto a grain of diamond4 ,be not grieved2 tests lead to the development of holy souls and the ardor of the flame of fire causeth the pure gold to shine and the violence of winds is conducive to the growth and thriving of a firm and well rooted tree4 ,if the earthen house and mortal dwelling-place was burned17#abh7 yet ,i hope that thou mayest build thy nest and abode1 like unto the birds of holiness1 in the ,tree of ,life in the ,divine ,kingdom4999999 ,all the members of the household1 especially the ,exalted ,leaf7#abi71 send most wonderful ,abha greetings4 ,the maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 is present here longing for you with the utmost joy and happiness4 ,as to the catalogue of the book of which thou has written1 convey 7the following7 to the author of that book3 8,although thou hast exerted the utmost endeavors in compiling this book and hast written the life of ,his ,kingdom ,christ and ,his blessed sayings--and this service and labor deserve favor--yet these are events of former times and all that is past is of a different effect4 ,if thou art a hero of the field and a melodious bird in the garden of the ,merciful ,one1 speak of the ,beauty of ,abha1 for it is ready and present4 consider that the last year's springtime is past and all that thou mayest say or hear 7about it7 is but a story 7or narrative72 but appreciate thou this ,new ,year's ,spring--which is this present time--hath pitched its tent with the utmost magnificence in the field and plain and hath made the mountain and desert verdant and fresh1 hath made the trees to appear pure and fresh1 blooming with flowers and blossoms through the vernal bounty and caused them to bring forth pure fruits4 ,nor all that thou mayest speak of the past springtime1 be it even spoken with all excellence and eloquence and in accord with reality1 all that will1 nevertheless1 be a past story4 8,do thou not abandon that which is ready in the present time until thou mayest gain the result and gather fruits from the garden of thy hopes and wishes4 ,otherwise1 thy book is a book of history--it will be concluded and forgotten4 ,harken unto me 7i4e41 take my advice73 ,one single ready drop is better than a sea which is past4 ,more especially1 this ,new ,cause is like unto a sea1 while all those which are past were like unto rivers40 8,o bird without a nest64440 ,o bird without a nest6 ,it is reported thy home and shelter is burnt1 thy resting place and habitation is become desolate4 ,though this news is greatly affecting1 yet do not be sorrowful and disheartened1 because the birds of the divine gardens have nests on the branches of the ,tree of ,life4 ,the earthly abode is not worth the attachment of the heart1 for this structure will surely be destroyed1 but that which is of worth to freed ones 7detached from all save ,god7 is the heavenly palace and the court of ,divine ,majesty4 ,thanks be to ,god that for each one of the divine freed slaves and the heavenly and dear maid-servants1 and indestructible mansion will be erected in the ,new ,kingdom4 ,this mansion will be an everlasting dwelling1 an eternal abode and shelter4 ,there is a hidden wisdom in the burning of the house which before long will be clearly known4 ,divine attractions and heavenly bounties alone cause happiness to the hearts4 ,use your utmost endeavors to dwell in the thought that in ,green ,acre this year the divine proclamation will be raised to the heavenly zenith and the lights of the supreme guidance will enlighten those regions4 ,be sure that heavenly assistance will be given and that the breeze of the ,divine ,garden will perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of the earth4 ,some of the weak souls thought that this dear maid-servant of ,god was attached to this house and to this perishable world4 ,now the house is burnt1 all will realize that thy attraction is increasing1 thy steps are drawing near1 thy flag is raised higher and thy condition more excellent4 ,show forth such happiness and joy that all will be astonished4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of the4440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha6 ,i read thy letter which was beautifully composed and which indicated that thy delicate body hath gained rest4 ,i send thee the answer spiritually so that the signs of the address may become manifest in thy heart4 ,verily thou art with me in spirit at all times4 ,i ask ,god to make thee follow my example in establishing the ,kingdom of ,unity and ,peace and building up the ,dominion of ,love and ,faith which was founded by the ,beauty of ,el-,abha4 ,rest and repose are necessary for thee in these days2 be thou composed in all conditions4 ,thou art with me under all circumstances4 ,then thank ,god for ,his guidance unto thee4 ,he hath made thee drink from a cup overflowing with the wine of ,his love in the world4 ,i ask ,god to make thee the essence of holiness and purity among the maid-servants of the ,merciful--thus thou mayest be a brilliant flame in the universe4 ,all the ,illumined ,leaves1 the maid-servants of ,god in this most great prison1 convey to thee greeting and praise4 8,inquire after the health of ,miss 44444444441 send4440 7#acj7 ,inquire after the health of ,miss 44444444441 send her my greeting and say3 8,many ideas rise up in the human mind2 some of them concern truth and some untruth4 ,among such ideas those which owe their source to the ,light of ,truth will be realized in the outward world2 while others of a different origin vanish1 come and go like waves on the sea of imagination and find no realization in the world of existence4 8,similarly1 numerous1 various meetings and assemblages have been organized during the past ages and bygone centuries4 ,all these produced no result except those assemblages which rendered unmixed service to the ,light of ,truth2 from such assemblages alone great results were realized in the world of existence4 8,for instance1 consider how many a thousand assemblages--religious1 political and literary--have been organized in ,india1 ,persia1 ,turkestan1 ,chinese countries and1 in a word1 in every part of ,asia4 ,all these gave no result except that assemblage of the disciples of ,christ on the mount fifty days after ,christ's ascension4 all that hath since been effected along the line of diffusing the holy fragrances of ,christ1 uplifting the ,word of ,god1 spreading the ,gospel1 training souls and guiding the people1 hath been wholly from the result of the effects produced by that assemblage of the disciples4 ,those effects are continual even in the present time4 8,consequently1 if one looks for praiseworthy results and wishes to produce eternal effects1 let him make exceeding effort1 in order that ,green ,acre may become an assemblage for the ,word of ,god and a gathering place for the spiritual ones of the heavenly world4 8,the moldered1 two-thousand-years-old superstitions of the heedless1 ignorant peoples1 whether of ,asia or ,europe1 should not be spread in that revered gathering place2 for1 if such be the case1 let it be known for certain that that assemblage will yield no result and will1 before long1 be forgotten and consigned to oblivion1 similar to other meetings of bygone times4 8,i beg of ,god that that esteemed maid-servant of ,god shall be the cause of spreading the ,cause of ,god1 so that the ,light of ,truth may shine and the world be illumined4 8,when you reflect attentively1 you will find that the ,word is what we have hereby said and that all else save this is pure imagination1 is of no stability and is evanescent4 8,the tree must have roots in order to yield fruit4 ,the trees of the forest of ,asia have yielded no fruit for thousands of years1 except the blessed ,trees of the ,divine ,manifestations1 for each one of these ,trees hath so developed and flourished that it hath trained and nourished the whole earth with fruits and yields40 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written was considered4 ,it indicated purity of heart and advancement toward ,god4 ,o thou maid-servant of the ,blessed ,perfection6 ,be thou not sad1 neither be thou unhappy1 although the divine tests are violent1 yet are they conducive to the life of the soul and the heart4 ,the more often the pure gold is thrown into the furnace of test1 the greater will become its purity and brilliancy and it will acquire a new splendor and brightness4 ,i hope that thou art thyself in such a position4 ,consider thou the lives of the former sanctified souls2 what tests have they not withstood and what persecutions have they not beheld2 while they were surrounded with calamities they increased their firmness and while they were overwhelmed with tests they manifested more zeal and courage4 ,be thou also like unto them4 ,the utmost favor is shown toward thee and the divine bounties are thy guide4 endeavor thou1 as far as thou canst1 in order that thou mayest be like unto a chaste and clear mirror1 cleansed and purified from every dust1 so that the outpouring of the rays of the ,sun of ,truth may descend and thou mayest illumine those who are around thee4 ,this is my counsel to thee4 ,i pray always in thy behalf and supplicate for thy confirmation and assistance1 in order that thou mayest become a sign of the ,most ,great ,bounty and be the cause of the guidance of many souls4 ,if thou art mindful1 seek thou the favor everlasting and the illumination eternal4 ,do thou some work1 that thou mayest become favored in the ,threshold of the ,almighty and a beloved maid-servant of the ,blessed ,perfection1 in the ,kingdom4 ,his honor 44444444 hath delivered thy message4 ,i entreat ,god that thine utmost hopes and desires may become realized4 ,every one in the ,holy ,household is engaged in thy remembrance and sends thee their longing greeting4 ,convey to 44444444 my respectful greeting and announce to him3 8,no matter how brilliant a receding star is1 its light never reaches to this world4 ,worship thou the newly ascendant ,shining ,luminary whose lights are glittering and whose proof is self-evident4 ,become thou the cause of guidance of the person whom thou art respecting4 ,no matter how much endeavor and effort is shown1 a tree which hath been in existence for two thousand years or more will never bring new and fresh fruits4 ,this is the truth and there is nothing beyond the truth but manifest error40 8,o thou who art favored in the ,kingdom of the4440 ,o thou who art favored in the ,kingdom of the almighty6 ,the letter that thou hast written with the utmost eloquence1 compassion1 humility and submission of heart and spiritual emotions1 hath been read4 ,if the people live and act in accord with the ,general ,tablets which are revealed to the beloved of the ,east and of the ,west1 this universe will become another universe and the whole existence of this world will be clad in another garment4 ,you must encourage and reinforce the beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful that they may live and act in accord with the teachings in the ,general ,tablets4 ,consider thou how vast is the arena of the ,kingdom--it hath environed the whole world4 ,the splendor of ,providence hath encircled all races1 nations1 communities and religions2 the foundation of foreignness is swept away and the basis of ,oneness is established2 love hath become universal and the spiritual ties are strengthened4999999 8,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou favored maid-servant of ,god6 ,the meeting which thou hast formed and therein assembled the faithful 7or believers7 together and engaged with them in the commemoration of ,god1 caused the ,supreme ,concourse to praise and the angels of heaven to applaud4 ,be thou a cause of unifying hearts as much as thou canst and guide thou the heedless souls1 and in this spiritual springtime perfume thou nostrils with the sweet fragrances of the rose-garden of the ,kingdom4 ,this is eternal life2 this everlasting ,glory6 ,and this is a peace which is not followed by any trouble6 ,all else save this is a plaything of children and is useless and nonsense6 8,o thou who art advancing towards the ,shining ,orb of4440 ,o thou who art advancing towards the ,shining ,orb of the ,horizons6 ,verily1 the ,east and ,west have already glittered through the light which is shining forth from the ,horizon of the mercy of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful1 but the blind are still in great error4 ,the ,call of ,god is already raised throughout all concourses of the earth2 but the deaf are still muffled in thick veils4 ,all things have already uttered the praise of ,god2 but the dumb are still continuing in their astounding silence4 ,as to thee3 ,listen to the ,supreme ,concourse and hear the call1 8,glory be unto my ,lord1 the ,el-,baha60 8,o thou who art spreading the ,cause of ,god64440 ,o thou who art spreading the ,cause of ,god6 ,i hope thou wilt become as a rising light and obtain spiritual health--and spiritual health is conducive to physical health--so that thou mayest be enabled to liquidate thy debts and be strengthened to attain the blessing of the ,forgiving ,lord2 that thou mayest become a mirror of truth and reveal the spiritual brilliancy of the heavenly universe to all eyes1 direct large numbers of people under the shadow of the ,powerful ,lord and guide all thy family and relations unto the ,greatest ,guidance2 and that thou mayest be honored with a visit to the ,holy ,threshold after having attained to all these gifts4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,acquire the ,persian tongue1 so as to learn of the meanings of the divine words and to know the divine mysteries1 to develop an eloquent speech and to translate the blessed ,tablets of ,baha'o'llah4 ,the ,persian language shall become noteworthy in this cycle2 nay1 rather1 the people shall study it in all the world4 8,o thou rose of the ,rose-,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou rose of the ,rose-,garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,his ,holiness ,christ--may my spirit be ,his sacrifice6 --said in the ,gospel1 8,many are called1 but few chosen40 ,that is1 many have been invited to faith1 but few chosen for guidance4 ,praise be to ,god that thou wert of the chosen1 realized the ,day of the ,lord1 heard the divine ,call and attained the ,light of ,reality6 ,endeavor and make an effort that certain souls may be trained1 of whom ,his ,holiness ,christ said1 8,ye shall know the tree by its fruits40 ,that is to say1 every soul is known by 7his7 conduct1 manners1 words and deeds4 ,therefore1 we must strive with life and heart that1 day by day1 our deeds may be better1 our conduct more beautiful and our forbearance greater4 ,that is1 to cultivate love for all the world2 to attain beatific character4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,study ,persian and acquire it more day by day1 for by the study of this language great and boundless results are obtained4 ,convey greeting and praise to thy revered mother and also to all thy sisters4 ,i hope that all may become bright as the candle through the light of the love of ,god4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,be happy for thou hast found guidance1 witnessed the light of ,truth and hearkened unto the exhortations of ,abdul-,baha4 ,though the worth and value of this gift is not apparent and manifest in this world of mortality1 in the divine world this gift is abundantly radiant and brilliant4 ,thou shall of course perceive 7or behold7 this4 ,i have not forgotten thee nor will ,i do so1 and ,i always beg of ,god that thou wilt day by day increase in love and that thy heart will become more illuminated4 ,i was rejoiced with the kindness shown by the dear maid-servants 44444444 toward 444444444 ,for ,god hath guided the maid-servants of the ,merciful in order for kindness 7to appear7 so that they may become a mercy to all mankind 7or all the creatures7 and a gift to the world of humanity4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the tongues have spoken of thy attraction to ,god and the pens testified of thy burning by the fire of the love of ,god4 ,indeed the heart of ,abdul-,baha approveth of this1 because it feeleth its heat from this distant and ,blessed ,spot4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,by ,god1 the ,truth1 the ,spirit of ,christ from the ,supreme ,concourse doth in every time and aspect announce to thee this great good news4 ,be1 therefore1 a divine bird1 proceed to thy native country1 spread the wings of sanctity over those spots and sing and chant and celebrate the name of thy ,lord1 that thou mayest gladden the ,supreme ,concourse and make the seeking souls hasten unto thee as the moths hasten to the lamp1 and thus illumine that distant country by the light of ,god4 8,o thou bird warbling in the ,garden of the ,love of4440 ,o thou bird warbling in the ,garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,thank ,god that ,he hath illumined thine insight1 led thee unto the ,fire glowing in the ,tree of ,man1 caused thee to utter ,his praise among the creatures and guided certain women to whom thou delivered the ,word of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of god6 ,verily thy ,lord lighteth the lamp of love in the heart of whomsoever ,he chooseth4 ,this is indeed the great happiness4 ,he confirmeth him in the service of ,his ,supreme ,vineyard4 ,i pray ,god to confirm the relatives in attaining to the ,brilliant ,light1 to let the light of insight shine forth to the hearts and sights1 to aid thy friends in being illumined by the light of ,el-,baha and being fed from the heavenly table1 and to make thee empty1 void from the thoughts of the life of this world and filled with the love of thy ,lord1 ready for ,his service1 uttering ,his praise and demonstrating with proofs the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou who art conscious64440 ,o thou who art conscious6 ,at last thou didst learn of the path of salvation and didst find the straight way4 ,now remain firm that thou mayest attain confirmation and victory4 ,the powers of the sympathetic nerve are neither entirely physical nor spiritual1 but are between the two 7systems747#aca7 ,the nerve is connected with both4 ,its phenomena shall be perfect when its spiritual and physical relations are normal4 ,when the material world and the divine world are well co-related1 when the hearts become heavenly and the aspirations grow pure and divine1 perfect connection shall take place4 ,then shall this power produce a perfect manifestation4 ,physical and spiritual diseases will then receive absolute healing4 ,the exposition is brief4 ,ponder and thou shalt understand the meaning4 ,although1 on account of lack of time1 the answer is short1 by close reflection it shall be made long4 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,on perusing the contents of thy brilliant letter1 ,i became cognizant of the secrets of thy heart1 which is illumined by the clear light4 ,verily1 ,i supplicate my ,lord to cause to descend upon thee an abundant grace of the spirit of ,his ,holiness1 that thine eyes may become clear and thy mind rejoiced by the gift which hath shone over all regions4 ,know that the poor people hasten by parties to the ,kingdom of ,god2 the weak become mighty before thy ,lord1 and the slaves when entering the shadow of thy ,lord attain the station of masters1 lords and freed slaves in the presence of ,god4 ,grieve not because of my confinement1 for it is a joy to my heart1 a pleasure to my spirit1 a good news to my soul1 an utmost desire of my hope1 an intended aim of my aspiration2 because it is a confinement in the path of ,god1 the ,lord of the worlds4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter which indicated thy straightforwardness in the love of ,god and thy desire in spreading this brilliant light among the offspring of the ,africans4 ,how good is the intention6 ,and what an excellent aim this great aim is6 ,indeed the hearts of the ,africans are as a blank scroll of paper upon which thou canst write any phrase2 but thou must have patience and a heart as firm as a mountain1 owing to the innumerable hardships that may intervene1 which could be endured only by one who surrenders to grievous calamities4 ,if thou art of the people of this field 7race-course7 let loose the reins and rely upon the ,merciful1 and ,he will indeed assist thee with the hosts of the unseen at all times4 ,use thy utmost power to affiliate the hearts and1 with the whole of thy might1 bring the scattered souls into union4999999 ,look not unto thy weakness1 but rely upon thy ,lord1 and ,he will then grant thee all thy desires and reveal to thee the answer without asking4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,thou hast said aright1 that verily1 ,abdul-,baha looketh to deeds and not to words4 ,even as it was said by ,christ1 8,ye shall know them by their fruits40 ,be not grieved if the affairs are made difficult and troubles have waxed intense upon thee from all sides6 ,verily thy ,lord changeth the hardships into facility1 troubles into ease and afflictions into greatest composure4 ,verily1 thy ,lord is on the right path6 ,tests and trials shall soon arise1 blessed are those who endure patiently6 ,blessed are those who keep firm6 ,be patient1 that thou mayest be rendered victorious in thy greatest wishes1 and know thou that verily1 thou art with me in the nearness of my ,lord1 the ,supreme6 ,verily1 this is a glad-tidings unto thee forevermore6 8,o thou who art controlled by the attraction of the ,fragrances4440 ,o thou who art controlled by the attraction of the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i perused thy letter which speaks of thy love to ,god and thine attraction to the ,beauty of ,god1 and ,i became cheered in heart by its beautiful contents4 ,in my previous letter to thee it was my intention to point out to thee that in the way of exalting the ,word of ,god there are tests and trials1 and in ,his love there are at all times calamities and afflictions and sufferings4 ,therefore1 it behooveth one to first ponder over these calamities and wistfully accept them1 then undertake to spread the fragrances of ,god and exalt ,his ,word4 ,at that time1 whatever may befall him in the love of ,god1 of reproach1 persecution1 reviling1 abuse1 insult1 beating1 imprisonment or assassination1 will not offend him2 rather it will augment his attraction to the ,beauty of ,god4 ,this was what ,i intended previously4 ,otherwise1 woe and misery to the soul which hunts after comfort1 luxury1 wealth and affluence1 while it is remiss of the mention of ,god2 because calamity in the path of ,god is a favor to ,abdul-,baha4 ,in one of the ,tablets the ,beauty of ,el-,abha sayeth1 8,i never passed by a tree that my heart did not address it1 saying1 #8,would that thou was cut in ,my ,name1 that upon thee my body should be crucified6'0 ,this is that which was uttered by the ,greatest ,name4 ,this is ,his ,path6 ,this is the evidence of ,his ,great ,kingdom6 8,o thou who art commemorating the ,name of ,god64440 ,o thou who art commemorating the ,name of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy interesting letter and my heart was made happy by its beautiful contents4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,rest assured in the bounty of thy ,lord and place thy confidence in ,him1 for ,he will confirm thee in all aspects and under all conditions4 ,know1 verily1 that the seed1 however virile it may be1 however strong the hand of the sower1 however pure the water that watereth it1 it is impossible for it to grow1 blossom and bear fruit in a short time2 nay a long period is needed for its development4 ,so is the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,consider the seed which was sown by ,christ2 verily1 it did not blossom until after a long period4 ,thus it is incumbent upon thee to be patient in all affairs4 ,verily thy ,lord is powerful1 forgiving1 precious and persevering6 ,depend upon the favor of thy ,l,ord4 ,he shall bless thee and protect thee under the shadow of ,his generosity and mercy4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,i supplicate and implore my ,lord to strengthen thee by the ,spirit of ,life1 make thee enter the ,ark of ,safety1 and show thee the evident signs2 that the veils of the people of suspicion may be rent asunder and the brilliant proof of ,god become manifest to all regions1 and thy heart be made a clear mirror wherein are printed the ,lights of the ,kingdom of the earth and heaven4 8,o thou who art remembered by ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o thou who art remembered by ,abdul-,baha6 ,thy letter which is couched in graceful words hath given me joy and happiness1 for it showeth how thou art controlled by the attraction of the fragrances of ,god and how thou art kindled by the flame of fire that burneth in the ,tree of ,sinai4 ,blessed art thou because of this great bounty and manifest abundance6 ,verily1 by day and by night ,i do mention thee and thy daughter who is the delight of thine eye1 and supplicate ,god to make you both two burning lamps1 shining at the meetings of the maid-servants of ,god1 spreading the light of knowledge1 burning the moth of imaginations and surmise and removing1 through the light of manifest evidences and peremptory proofs1 the darkness of suspicions4 8,o thou whose heart is moved by a breeze blowing from4440 ,o thou whose heart is moved by a breeze blowing from the ,garden of ,el-,abha6 ,thy elegant and terse letter1 couched in graceful words1 was read by me4 ,i rejoiced at the fragrances of love1 which being scented from the verdant gardens of the ,paradise of ,el-,abha1 have cheerfully moved thee4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be submissive to thy ,lord1 humble to ,his servants and compliant to his maid-servants4 ,overcome passions and desires1 purify the heart from remembrance of aught save that of thy ,lord1 the ,precious1 the ,gracious1 and be controlled by the attraction of the ,beauty of ,god1 that ,his remembrance may run as the spirit in thy blood veins and limbs1 and thus fill thee with the thoughts of the love of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,ignite the fire of love in the hearts which are remiss of the mention of ,god that they may become awakened by the breath of ,god1 and quickened by ,his ,spirit in this ,great ,day4 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i bow my face to the dust of the ,threshold of ,el-,baha and to ,him who sitteth on the ,throne1 ,i petition as a supplicating captive1 begging ,him to make thee to behold ,his ,glorious ,face and to purify thine insight from aught else save ,him among the people4 ,verily1 ,he is the refuge of all and our ,great ,protection6 ,we are all poor at ,his ,door1 weak before ,his ,power1 lowly at ,his ,threshold1 and we possess the power of neither good nor harm4 ,he is indeed the ,confirmer1 the ,strengthener1 the ,benevolent6 ,truly hath ,he opened before our faces the doors of the ,kingdom1 granted us the treasures of ,his mysteries through the divine bounty and ,he hath chosen us for ,his love1 for attainment unto ,his lights1 the study of ,his teachings1 the spreading of ,his name1 the guidance unto ,his path and service in ,his great vineyard4 ,i pray for confirmation in thy behalf and thou shouldst pray for strength on my part4 ,thy prayers for me should be that ,i may attain martyrdom in ,his path1 that my spirit may be ,his sacrifice1 and that my blood may be shed for ,his love4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 verily1 ,i long for that cup1 which is overflowing with the bounty of ,god1 as a patient desiring to be healed1 as a thirsty soul seeking water1 as the poor in quest of wealth1 and as one in separation yearning after the meeting of the beloved one night and day4 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to make thee the sign of guidance among the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 to enkindle in thy heart a spark of that fire which was ignited in the ,sinaiatic ,tree and to give thee to drink and overflowing cup from the choice wine of the love of ,god1 until the intoxication of that wine may so prevail upon thee that thou mayest thereby forget all else save ,god1 be attracted to the ,beauty of ,god1 glorify thy ,lord and sanctify ,him during morn and eve4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to be severed from the desires of the world1 and it is incumbent upon thee to be attracted to the ,supreme ,kingdom4 ,at that time thou wilt become fluent in tongue and thou wilt speak in most eloquent words through the confimation of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,this is that gift which the ,lord of ,heaven hath promised4 8,o thou who dost believe in the ,spirit of ,christ1 in the4440 ,o thou who dost believe in the ,spirit of ,christ1 in the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the body is composed1 in truth1 of corporeal elements and every composition is necessarily subject to decomposition2 but the spirit is an essence1 simple1 pure1 spiritual1 eternal1 perpetual and divine4 ,he who seeketh ,christ from the point of view of ,his body hath1 in truth1 debased ,him and hath gone astray from ,him2 but he who seeketh ,christ from the point of view of ,his ,spirit will grow from day to day in joy1 attraction1 zeal1 proximity1 perception and vision4 ,thou hast then to seek the ,spirit of ,christ in this marvelous day4 ,the heaven whither ,christ ascended is not an infinite space4 ,his heaven is much rather the kingdom of ,his ,lord1 the ,munificent4 ,as ,he said1 8,the ,son of ,man is in heaven40 ,it is known then that ,his heaven is beyond the boundaries that surround existence and that ,he is elevated for the people who adore4 ,pray ,god to ascend to this heaven1 to taste of its food--and know thou that the people have not understood to this day the mystery of the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,they believe that ,christ was deprived of ,his heaven when ,he was in this world1 that ,he had fallen from the heights of ,his elevation and that later ,he ascended to this elevated pinnacle--that is to say1 towards the heaven which doth not exist1 for there is only space4 ,they expect that ,he will descend from this heaven seated upon a cloud4 ,they believe that there is in the heavens a cloud upon which ,he will be seated and by which ,he will descend2 while1 in reality1 the clouds are vapors which rise from the earth and which do not descend from the heavens4 ,the cloud mentioned in the ,holy ,scriptures is the human body1 because it is a veil for them1 like a cloud1 which prevents them from seeing the ,sun of ,truth which is shining in the horizon of ,christ4 ,i pray ,god to open before your face the gates of revelation and of vision in such a way that thou shalt learn the mysteries of ,god in this known day4999999 8,o ye who are considering the ,kingdom of your august4440 ,o ye who are considering the ,kingdom of your august ,savior6 ,i know the ardor which enflames you both7#acb7 with the desire to present yourselves in the ,sacred ,place and ,i desire1 also1 to see you both4 ,but my ,lord hath a supreme wisdom and ,his wisdom hath required the imprisonment of ,abdul-,baha and the prevention of visits of impassioned friends4 ,it is a temporary condition that will pass away in the future4 ,in the meantime ,i shall remember you in my heart and ,i love you with a holy affection that is spiritual1 divine1 eternal and perpetual2 that is founded on the surest base and on the most durable of foundations4 ,i pray ,god to remove all the veils and to illumine your hearts with lights shining from the ,supreme ,horizon1 in such a manner that the light of guidance shall move before you and that your hearts shall dilate in perceiving great signs4 ,turn towards ,california with a luminous face1 a joyous soul1 an attracted heart1 an enlightened spirit1 an eloquent speech and a radiant expression4 ,in those regions ,god will1 through you1 become the guide of many people4 8,o ye two singing birds in the ,garden of ,belief64440 ,o ye two7#acc7 singing birds in the ,garden of ,belief6 ,i have read your letter in which you confess the ,unity of ,god and the grandeur of ,his reign1 and in which you make known that you have been attracted by the perfumes of ,god and that you have bathed in the sea of knowledge4 ,thank ,god for that6 ,i pray ,god to strengthen your steps in the straight road1 to preserve you from violent tests1 in making of you two green and fruitful trees in ,his great vineyard1 to the end that ye may arrive at a favor that shall make of you two elected ones in the court of the august ,lord4 ,appreciate this favor and give thanks to your ,savior that ,he hath heaped upon you this great kindness4 8,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art turning unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter is received and perused4 ,it afforded us joy and pleasure1 gave us good news and is the token of the wealth of thy love4 ,this period of time is the ,promised ,age1 the assembling of the human race to the 8,resurrection ,day0 and now is the great 8,day of ,judgment40 ,soon the whole world1 as in springtime1 will change its garb4 ,the turning and falling of the autumn leaves is past2 the bleakness of the winter time is over4 ,the new year hath appeared and the spiritual springtime is at hand4 ,the black earth is becoming a verdant garden2 the deserts and mountains are teeming with red flowers2 from the borders of the wilderness the tall grasses are standing like advance guards before the cypress and jessamine trees2 while the birds are singing among the rose branches like the angels in the highest heavens1 announcing the glad-tidings of the approach of that spiritual spring1 and the sweet music of their voices is causing the real essence of all things to move and quiver4 ,o my spiritual friend6 ,dost thou know from what airs emanate the notes sung by those birds8 ,they are from the melodies of peace and reconciliation1 of love and unity1 of justice and security1 of concord and harmony4 ,in a short time this heavenly singing will intoxicate all humanity2 the foundations of enmity shall be destroyed2 unity and affection shall be witnessed in every assembly2 and the lovers of the love of ,god at these great festivals shall behold their splendor4 ,therefore1 contemplate what a spirit of life ,god hath given that the the body of the whole earth may attain life everlasting6 ,the ,paradise of ,el-,abha will soon spread a pavilion from the pole-star of the world1 under whose shelter the beloved shall rejoice and the pure hearts shall repose in peace4 8,o ye two pilgrims of the ,holy ,shrine64440 ,o ye two7#acd7 pilgrims of the ,holy ,shrine6 ,the news of your protected and safe arrival in ,paris1 ,france1 reached here and made me glad and happy4 ,the news expressed the love and devotion of the beloved of ,paris1 who met you with the greatest joy and cheerfulness1 and who are themselves in love1 peace and harmony4 ,you shall openly declare all the signs of the ,kingdom that you say with you own eyes and shall suggest with greatest joy and happiness all the divine teachings that you heard4 ,i ask and supplicate ,god to make you to convinced souls1 to bring you forth with such a steadfastness that each of you may withstand the people of a country1 and to intoxicate you with the wine of the love of ,god so that you may cause your hearers to dance1 to be joyful and to exult4 ,this is the time of happiness2 it is the day of cheerfulness and exhilaration4 ,for1 praise to ,god1 all the doors are opened through the bounty of the ,glorious ,beauty4 ,but one must show forth perseverance and self-devotion and consecrate his thoughts1 until the tree of hope may give fruit and produce consequences4 8,o ye two lamps of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o ye two7#ace7 lamps of the ,love of ,god6 ,your letter to 44444444 was read and its contents considered4 ,its meanings expressed the feelings of spiritual hearts and emanated from the spring of the conscience4 ,this is from the bounty of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,i hope that this drop will increase and grow and become like unto an ocean2 that your faith1 certainty and love toward ,god may grow1 that your light may increase1 that ye may become heavenly and that ye may receive aid and confirmation at every moment1 spreading the ,word of ,god and promulgating ,his religion4 8,o thou respectful soul64440 ,o thou respectful soul6 ,thy letter with its great and expressive contents gave me satisfaction4 ,it gave utterance to the feelings of thy heart and to thy contentment4 ,thy going to ,california was for the best4 ,i hope that it will give great results2 that through thee the ignorant will receive knowledge1 the blind will gain sight1 the deaf will hear1 the dumb will speak1 the negligent will awaken1 the heedless will receive intelligence4 ,if thou arisest as it must and should be in the service of the ,cause1 the divine assistance will direct and the heavenly1 everlasting help will continue4 ,i hope that thou will be assisted to the intention which thou hast in thy heart4 8,o thou faithful maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou faithful maid-servant of ,god6 ,what thou has written me hath been seen4 ,indeed thou belongest to the ,kingdom and thou turnest towards the ,horizon of ,abha4 ,i ask from the bounty of ,god that thou mayest be enflamed day by day more and more by the fire of the love of ,god4 ,it seems that thou wast uncertain whether to occupy thyself in writing or in delivering the tidings of the ,cause of ,god4 ,in these days1 to deliver the glad-tidings is the best of all4 ,open then thy tongue to the guidance of the human race on any occasion that presents itself4 ,thou hast asked about knowledge and cognition4 ,read the divine books and tablets and look into he books of proofs that have been written in presenting this ,cause4 ,one of them is the ,book of ,ighan7#acf71 which is translated into ,english4 ,there is also the book7#acg7 by ,mirza ,abul ,fazl and there are others written by the believers4 ,in the time to come1 many divine books and tablets will be translated and thou wilt read them2 but thou mayest ask ,god that thou mayest attract divine knowledge by the magnet of the love of ,god4 ,when the soul becomes sanctified in every condition and becomes pure and holy1 then the door of the divine knowledge will be opened to the face4 ,thou hast written about the dear maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444 ,that one attracted unto ,god is indeed always occupied in the service and she doth her utmost to spread the divine lights2 if she continueth in the same way there will be great results in the future4 ,that which is of the greatest importance is to have firmness1 steadfastness and constancy4 ,i pray ,god that through the desires and the efforts of the maid-servants of the ,merciful the foot of the mountains by the ocean's shore7#ach7 will be enlightened by the brilliancy of the love of ,god in such a way that its light may be transmitted all over the world4 ,you ask if1 through the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god1 every soul hath been saved4 ,the ,sun of ,reality hath appeared to the all the world4 ,this ,luminous ,appearance is salvation and life2 but only he who hath opened the eye of reality and who hath seen these lights will be saved4 ,you also ask about the eventual victory of spirituality in the ,bahai age4 ,it is certain that spirituality will overcome materiality and that the divine will have the victory over the human2 it is also true that by divine education souls in every condition of existence will be elevated1 except those that are blind1 deaf1 dumb and dead4 ,how can such souls comprehend the light8 ,the sun lighteth up all the dark world1 but the blind man hath no portion in its brilliancy2 the cloud of mercy poureth forth streams of water1 but the sterile land will never produce plants and flowers4 ,give my greetings to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444 and to her daughter4 ,i pray ,god to assist them to help them1 that their meeting day by day will grow brighter and that their hearts will be more and more attracted4 ,if you see ,mrs4444444441 give her my greeting and say to her3 8,thou hast come to ,acca1 thou hast seen my teachings1 thou hast heard my explanations and thou hast smelled the sweet odors of the ,kingdom4 ,do not forget this1 and try with thy heart and soul to diffuse this fragrance to thy respected husband also40 ,give my greeting to all the maid-servants of ,god4 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,the celebration of the ,feast of ,naurooz7#aci7 made me glad4 ,consider how different this meeting was from that of last year4 ,consider the bounty and the blessing of ,god4 ,therefore1 know that this ,cause is progressive4 ,all the obstacles of the world cannot hinder it4 ,thou didst realize divine joy and happiness in that meeting4 ,is it possible for earthly gatherings to give such divine joy8 ,this bounty is in itself the greatest evidence of the appearance of the ,kingdom4 ,i ask ,god to increase daily the fire and zeal of the love of ,god4 ,thus may that land become a veritable paradise and the heavenly attainments become manifest4 ,if thou knewest in what 7spiritual7 state ,i write this letter thou wouldst surely become like a flame of fire and set aglow the hearts by the fire of the love of ,god4 ,thou hast written concerning the ,most ,holy ,book47#adj7 ,it is intended that in the future-inshallah7#ada7--means will be provided and with the utmost care it will be translated and sent to those regions4 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,the souls who bear the tests of ,god become the manifestations of great bounties2 for the divine trials cause some souls to become entirely lifeless1 while they cause the holy souls to ascend to the highest degree of love and solidity4 ,they cause progress and they also cause retrogression4 ,dr4 44444444 hath well said4 ,surely this ,cause is beyond imaginations and thoughts4 convey greetings of respect to him1 to his revered wife1 to his son and to his bride4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,surely1 if holy souls are found and arise to do well the commandments and precepts of ,god1 to serve1 they will verily become centers of light2 an illuminating ray will extend from their hearts to all parts and the continent will become radiant4 ,surely1 all must today be called to love1 to unity and to kindness2 to integrity1 to friendship1 to fellowship and to divine worship4 ,i hope that thou and thy dear husband may continue to serve in all spirit and fragrance and that in this world ye may remain two radiant candles and in the eternal horizon ye may glisten like unto two shining stars4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter 999999 was received and its contents became known4 ,in this most ,merciful ,age the ignorant prejudices are entirely removed1 therefore the marriage of ,miss 44444444 to ,mr4 44444444 is permissible2 but ,miss 44444444 must exert herself day and night so that1 like the favored maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444 she may guide her husband4 ,she must not rest until she makes him her spiritual as well as physical partner in life4 ,but the ,bahai engagement is the perfect communication and the entire consent of both parties4 ,however1 they must show forth the utmost attention and become informed of one another's character and the firm covenant made between each other must become an eternal binding1 and their intentions must be everlasting affinity1 friendship1 unity and life4 ,the bridegroom must1 before the bridesman and a few others1 say3 8,verily1 we are content with the will of ,god04 ,and the bride must rejoin3 8,verily1 we are satisfied with the desire of ,god40 ,this is ,bahai matrimony4 ,regarding the marriage of ,mr4 44444444 and ,miss 444444441 that also1 ,god willing1 is blessed4 ,the marriage of the ,bahais means that both man and woman must become spiritually and physically united1 so that they may have eternal unity throughout all the divine worlds and improve the spiritual life of each other4 ,this is ,bahai matrimony4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter hath arrived4 ,it brought joy to all hearts1 for it carried the proof of thy sincere work4 ,today1 directing mankind in the right path is the magnet which will attract to us the help of ,god4 ,all those who consecrate themselves to this work are accompanied by divine protection4 ,thus1 rely upon ,god and address thy supplications to the ,most ,high4 ,then1 after perfect renunciation1 care for the souls of the undirected and negligent4 ,i pray that thou mayest be aided and strengthened4 ,thou has demanded the permission to go to ,algeria in order to give thyself to the direction of men2 may ,god aid and help you in this work4 8,o thou who art seeking for the ,power of the ,holy4440 ,o thou who art seeking for the ,power of the ,holy ,spirit6 ,the reality of man is like unto a sea1 and the ,holy ,power is like unto brilliant pearls4 ,not until the sea moveth in waves doth it throw a shell of pearls upon the shore4 ,therefore if thou wishest to become heavenly1 cut thy attention from the earth2 that is1 cease to attach thy heart unto this world and seek connection with or attachment to the ,kingdom and turn unto ,god4 and when thou doest this1 thou wilt become the mercy of ,god and a gift of the ,almighty4 ,consider how the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 is in constant progress through the heavenly bounty4 ,i hope that thou mayest become likewise4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written was perused and its contents became manifest4 ,thou hast questioned how thou canst accept this divine cause1 for thou art a member of the ,church3 7,know thou7 in the day of the ,manifestation of ,christ1 many souls became portionless and deprived 7from the favor of ,god7 because they were members of the ,holy of ,holies in ,jerusalem4 ,according to that membership1 they became veiled from that brilliant ,beauty4 ,therefore1 turn thou thy face to the ,church of ,god which consists in divine instructions and merciful exhortations4 ,for what similarity 7is there7 between the church of stone and cement and the ,celestial ,holy of ,holies6 ,endeavor that thou mayest enter in this ,church of ,god4 ,although thou hast given oath to attend the church1 yet thy spirit is under the ,covenant and ,testament of the ,spiritual ,divine ,church4 ,thou shouldst protect this4 ,although they consider the wine and the bread in the church as the blood and body of ,christ1 yet this is but the appearance and not the reality4 ,but the reality of ,christ is the words of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,if thou are able1 take a portion thereof4 ,the performance of baptismal celebration would cleanse the body1 but the spirit hath no share2 but the divine teachings and the exhortations of the ,beauty of ,abha will baptize the soul4 ,this is the real baptism4 ,i hope that thou wilt receive this baptism4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the subject matter of thy letter is known to me4 ,happy is thy condition1 for thou hast loved ,jesus always and wept over ,his sufferings4 ,sufferings though they were intense in those days1 yet they are more intense in these days and are more worthy of being wept over4 ,but at present1 one must not weep1 but one must show forth firmness and steadfastness and withstand the tests4 ,i beg of ,god that that maid-servant of ,god and all her family be blessed1 remain firm and steadfast in love for ,his ,holiness ,baha'1 and arise 7to do7 that which is befitting these days4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,light of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,light of the ,kingdom6 ,thank thou ,god1 that in this glorious period1 thou hast advance toward the ,manifest ,light2 thou hast beheld the doors of the ,kingdom open and considered entrance therein conducive to eternal prosperity and success4 ,thou hast arisen to serve the ,cause of god and occupied thy time in assisting in the spiritual meeting4 ,ere long thou shalt know what a light thou hast enkindled4 8,o thou who hast been attracted by the ,magnet of the4440 ,o thou who hast been attracted by the ,magnet of the ,kingdom6 ,note that thy ,lord hath manifested the ,magnet of the souls and hearts in the ,pole of the existing world1 to which all the sacred hearts are attracted from the far distant lands and countries4 ,the iron body is attractable although at long distances away2 but the earthen one is not although in contact and very close4 ,therefore1 thank thou ,god for being an attractable body1 to be drawn to the ,magnet of the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou whose heart hath been filled with the love of4440 ,o thou whose heart hath been filled with the love of the ,beauty of ,god6 ,i have read thy kind letter and voiced thy words which show the excess of thy love to ,god1 the greatness of thine adherence to the ,cause of ,god and the abundance of thine attraction to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,from a man like unto thee such words are always expected and it is your duty thus to proclaim4 ,i do greet thee from this ,exalted ,place1 while thou art in that far distant country1 and present to thee salutations and praise1 and ,i see thee with the eye of the heart as though thou were present here and ,i speak to thee by the tongue of the ,spirit1 saying3 8,blessed thou art with every blessing6 ,then preach to the beloved of ,god in that country the glad-tidings of ,el-,baha60 ,the form of prayer requested by thee3 ,my ,god6 my ,god6 thou art my hope and my beloved1 my intended aim and desire6 ,with great humbleness and entire devotion ,i pray to ,thee to make me the minaret of ,thy love in ,thy region1 the lamp of ,thy knowledge among ,thy creatures and the banner of thy gift in ,thy ,kingdom4 ,make me one of ,thy worshippers who cut themselves from everything but ,thee and sanctify themselves from everything pertaining to the world and divert themselves from the defects of the suspicious4 ,let my heart be dilated with joy through the spirit of confirmation from ,thy ,kingdom and illumine my sight with seeing the hosts of success following one another and descending upon me from thine ,omnipotence4 ,thou art the ,almighty1 the ,invincible1 the ,powerful6 8,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art turned to the ,kingdom6 ,in truth1 ,i say unto thee that if a spark of the fire of the love of god should fall into a heart1 its flame will increase gradually1 as the breeze blows upon it1 until the sparks of the flame reach the ,supreme ,kingdom1 providing the necessary preparations are made to kindle that fire in thy heart1 to shed the tears from thine eyes and to bring thy patience to an end for the purpose of being drawn into the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 ,in truth1 ,i say unto thee1 if thou hear this call1 do not relax in mentioning ,god1 nor grow weary of spreading the fragrances of ,god4 ,and then rejoice at the good news of the gifts which shall shine as the sun in the highest culmination of ,america4 8,my ,god6 ,my ,god64440 ,my ,god6 ,my ,god6 ,i am a servant1 miserable1 humbled1 submissive and low at the door of ,thy ,oneness1 supplicating ,thee with a heart full of ,thy love and a face rejoiced at ,thy glad-tidings6 ,o ,god6 ,make me of those who are drawn unto light and who detest darkness2 with a heart overflowing with the lights of ,thy love among mankind2 a tongue fluent in mentioning ,thee in the assemblies of worship 7remembrance72 a breast1 cheered and widened with ,thy knowledge when uttering explanations2 an eye consoled with seeing ,thy traces in all directions2 a foot firm in ,thy ,covenant1 which ,i have received from the traces of the ,supreme ,pen2 a spreader of mysteries to those who are heedless of them1 who have veiled themselves with doubts and suspicions4 ,verily ,thou art the ,almighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,generous6 8,o thou who art kindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art kindled with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily ,i read thy words which showed thy yearning love in ,god1 and chanted thy expressions written in ,his praise4 ,i beg of ,god to make thee a sign of guidance1 a standard of righteousness and a lamp shining with the light of the knowledge of ,god4 ,give my greeting and salutation to ,mrs4 44444444 and say to her3 8,be not disappointed by the calamity which hath befallen thee and be not grieved that the consolation of thine eye 7thy child7 hath left the world of dust and hath ascended to the expanse of the ,kingdom1 that he hath abandoned the abode of the lowest world and hath sought refuge in the presence of the greatest mercy1 where the ,lord hath placed him in a comfortable abode40 ,we have already written a consoling letter7#adb7 to her1 whereby her breast will be dilated and her soul will cheer4 8,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted unto the ,beauty of ,god6 ,verily ,i have read thy excellent letter and was gladdened by its wonderful meaning4 ,blessed art thou1 as thou hast been kindled like a lamp by the fire of ,god's love and as thou hast supplicated unto ,god and communicated with thy ,lord with an eloquent tongue and excellent explanation4 ,verily ,i pray unto my ,lord with all humbleness1 meekness1 obedience and submissiveness--which demolisheth every edifice of self-exaltation--that ,he shall strengthen thee by the fragrances of holiness and the breath of the ,spirit of ,truth and cause thee to be dedicated 7or severed7 unto ,god1 purged and purified from the dross of the world1 holy and sanctified from carnal passions1 sacrificing thy soul to the beloved of ,god1 contented with that which the ,lord hath granted thee in the world1 anxious to perform noble and good deeds while following the teachings of god1 and in all things adhering to the law of ,god6 ,as ,god liveth6 shouldest thou be honored by attaining to this station1 thou wilt find thyself in the center of the ,paradise 7,ferdowce71 the highest of paradises6 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of god4440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of god and steadfast in the ,covenant of god6 ,verily ,i read thine eloquent letter1 the composition of which was beautiful1 words excellent and significances interesting1 and ,i thanked ,god that ,he hath chosen certain souls for ,his knowledge and love1 deposited in their hearts ,his mysteries1 manifested from their faces ,his lights and made them the signs of ,his ,kingdom1 the banners of ,his majesty1 the trees of ,his paradise and the birds of the garden of ,his holiness4 ,o thou1 my honorable friend6 ,verily ,i scented the fragrance of meekness and humbleness from the orchard of the meanings of thy letter and was caused to rejoice1 smile and be made glad that ,god hath made thee humble and submissive to ,his beloved4 ,verily this is the greatest bounty from ,god and by it the breast of ,abdul-,baha is dilated in this remote prison4 ,o friend6 ,verily the prison is my paradise and the chains my necklace2 my balance 7or testing7 is my redemption 7or salvation7 and the castle is my fortified safety1 for this imprisonment is in the path of my ,lord and it is my salvation1 my joy1 my gratitude and happiness4 ,verily1 in calamity the face of ,abdul-,baha shineth and through hardship joy is attained by this servant in all conditions4 ,o thou friend6 ,be not sorrowful because of my imprisonment and lament not for my difficulties2 nay1 rather ask ,god to increase my hardship in ,his path1 for therein lies a wisdom which none are able to comprehend save the near angels4 ,o thou friend6 ,verily1 those among the friends who were martyred in the path of ,god--verily this is a favor from ,god which ,he bestoweth upon whomsoever ,he chooses2 verily ,god is the most bountiful6--they attained what the holy ones in the ,supreme ,kingdom yearned for1 and quaffed the wine of grace from the bountiful hand of thy ,lord the ,merciful--may my spirit be a sacrifice to them6 ,therefore1 be not sorrowful1 for in it is a great bounty for them and by it 7martyrdom7 the fire of the love of ,god is increased in glowing1 the ,word of ,god in spreading1 the standard of ,god in elevation1 the fragrances of ,god in diffusion1 and by this blood the tree of peace is watered1 the orchard of unity and harmony pruned1 and by it the fragrances of holiness emanate from the ,tree of ,life and are being diffused in the world4 ,verily this is from the mercy of ,god1 which is bestowed upon whomsover ,he wishes4 ,o friend6 ,i implore to ,god to make thee a banner of the banners of the ,kingdom1 firm and steadfast1 unshaken by the most severe winds of tests and trials in this terrestrial world2 to confirm thee in the servitude of the ,sublime ,threshold2 to guide through thee many souls and to make thee a sign of meekness and humbleness before the beloved of ,god1 the ,mighty1 the ,protecting6 8,o thou who art arisen for the service of the ,cause of4440 ,o thou who art arisen for the service of the ,cause of ,god6 ,i received thy recent letter and rejoiced in spirit at its interesting contents which indicated thy arising for the service of the ,kingdom of god1 servitude unto ,his beloved ones and meekness and lowliness to ,his chosen ones4 ,i ask ,god to augment1 day by day1 thy zeal1 attraction and glowing with the fire of ,god's love2 to destine for thee a glorious station 7or mansion7 in ,his great ,kingdom and to open before thy face doors of success and dilation1 such that hearts shall be amazed and minds astounded4 8,o thou who art controlled by the attraction of the ,holy4440 ,o thou who art controlled by the attraction of the ,holy fragrances of the gardens of ,god's ,kingdom6 ,thy brilliant letter1 which thou hast sent by the beloved 444444441 was read by me4 ,the bounty is of ,god for that ,he hath inspired thee with the word of fidelity and chosen thee from among those who are called1 whether men or women4 ,therefore1 thank thou thy ,lord at morn and eve and glorify ,his praise for this favor4 ,verily a great favor is bestowed upon thee6 ,our dear friend 444444444 hath arrived4 ,he praises the beloved of ,god and ,his maid-servants and adorns the ears with the pearls of praiseworthy actions and good qualities of the elect and the faithful4 ,i supplicate ,god to enable him and every one else to serve ,him in the garden of ,el-,abha and to help thee to be gentle1 humble and submissive2 to reveal ,himself upon thee with the attributes of the ,merciful and to grant thee a heavenly table at all times4 8,o thou honored friend64440 ,o thou honored friend6 ,verily the sight of ,providence is far reaching and the divine glance is perfect4 ,thou hast always been a recipient of favors and the object of the bounty of the glorious ,beauty of ,abha4 ,i trust in ,god that thou mayest be thus aided by ,him to serve ,his ,cause and so shine as a luminous star in the horizon of ,his ,kingdom1 an illumining candle burning in the assemblage of the ,bahais2 that thou mayest be confirmed by a power of the ,kingdom and attain divine bounty and providence4 ,as to the question of women being chosen rather than men3 ,in this cycle there were men who arose through a divine power and who shone forth as the sun from the dawning-point of holiness2 and1 likewise1 there appeared certain women who became side by side with men4 ,the expression which you quote1 8,every woman who is directed to the guidance of ,god in this great age1 will surpass men in every respect10 signified that1 in this age1 certain women will appear who will surpass some men4 ,it does not mean that they will surpass all the men who have given their lives as sacrifices in this ,cause2 for in this wonderful cycle there appeared such men as his holiness ,khudoos1 his holiness ,bab-el-,bab1 his holiness the 8,king of ,martyrs0 and his holiness the 8,beloved of ,martyrs10 his holiness the great ,vaheed7#adc71 and such ones who have no equals in the world of existence4 ,if1 in the letters to the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 there hath been written in the sense of encouragement 7that form which such meanings can be inferred71 the purport is that some women in the wonderful age have surpassed some men1 and not that all women have surpassed all men4 ,the members of the ,house of ,spirituality must give unlimited encouragement to women4 ,in this age1 both men and women are in the shadow of the ,word of ,god4 ,whosoever endeavors the most will attain the greatest share1 be it of men or of women1 of the strong or of the weak4 ,as to the matter of teaching and the choosing of men1 the letters which ,i have written to the ,spiritual ,meeting 7,house of ,spirituality7 of which you are a member1 will answer this question and will manifest the station of men who remain firm in the ,covenant of ,god4 ,refer to them4 ,as to the number of ,tablets to women1 this is due to the fact that most of the letters which come to the ,holy ,land are from women4 ,rarely do letters come from men and1 naturally1 to women the most are written4 ,men are enjoined more than women to give the ,message of the ,cause of ,god and to diffuse ,his fragrances4 ,my dear friend6 ,if thou didst know how dear thou art to ,abdul-,baha1 thou wouldst spread wings1 and through excess of joy1 soar and begin teaching all that country4 ,as to the question3 8,whither shall we turn in our prayers80 ,there is an appointed center toward which one must direct himself in prayer1 but at present this center is not unfolded because of wisdom4 ,in its time this shall be announced4 ,at present1 in those regions1 you should direct yourself1 as formerly1 to the ,east4 ,the appointed and certain center will be announced in its time4 ,you also ask3 8,to whom shall we turn80 ,turn to the ,ancient ,beauty4 ,if it be the will of ,god1 the blessed likeness 7of the ,manifestation7 will be sent in its proper time1 so that1 in the world of the heart1 thou mayest direct thyself to that holy likeness and thus be saved from imagination and phantasy4 ,however1 in the ,temple 7,mashrak-el-,azcar7 the blessed picture must never be placed 7or hung7 on the wall4 ,this you should know4 ,as to the subject of babes and infants and weak ones who are afflicted by the hands of oppressors3 ,this contains great wisdom and this subject is of paramount importance4 ,in brief1 for those souls there is a recompense in another world and many details are connected with this matter4 ,for those souls that suffering is the greatest mercy of ,god4 ,verily that mercy of the ,lord is far better and preferable to all the comfort of this world and the growth and development of this place of mortality4 ,if it be the will of ,god1 when thou shalt be present this will be explained in detail by word of mouth4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,your letter 999999 arrived at this time and was read with great care4 ,its contents proved a source of gladness1 for it indicated firmness4 ,today firmness is of the greatest favors of the merciful ,lord4 ,how many a soul who traveled in one pathway and after a time wanting firmness 7or constancy7 went back2 yea1 followed the way again until he reached the same point 7as before7 and arrived at the first destination4 ,thus did he waste his life and endeavored to set the minds 7of the people7 uneasy and doubtful4 ,the opportunity and portion of these souls became an evident loss4 ,thank thou ,god that thou art firm and constant and art abiding at the threshold of servitude4 ,i ask ,god to increase daily thy faith and certainty1 trust and firmness4 ,give thou the glad-tidings in a manner which shall set afire souls that are in lethargy1 give life to them that are dead and sight to the blind4 ,give greeting and praise from ,abdul-,baha to all the friends of ,god1 particularly to the maid-servant of ,god1 the firm and steadfast ,mrs4 44444444 4 ,tell her to 8feel at rest2 thou art ever in mind1 with me and present in the gathering4 ,god willing1 ,i shall ask thee to come40 8,o thou friend of old and ,o thou incomparable companion64440 ,o thou friend of old and ,o thou incomparable companion6 ,many letters have so far been received from thee and lengthy answers have been written to them1 but it is strange that they have not reached thee4 ,i was grieved when ,mr4 4444444 said thou hadst not received them4 ,therefore1 ,i write this epistle immediately so that it may be a cause of comfort to thee4 ,o dear friend6 ,thou art more deserving than others2 thou art worthy of every favor and attention4 ,is it possible then that ,i should answer others and leave thee disappointed8 ,god forbid6 ,thou art an old and true believer2 in faith thou hast attained precedence2 thou art constantly engaged in servitude2 with an eloquent tongue thou art teaching the ,cause of ,god2 thou hast become the cause of faith in others2 whenever thou findest an opportunity thou dost travel and visit the believers1 disseminating the fragrances of ,god2 thou hast a soul full of glad-tidings and hast an enlightened and clear heart4 ,i have a great attachment for thee2 how is it possible then that ,i should disappoint thee8 ,i pray and supplicate ,god and ask for favor and help for thee4 ,i am very desirous to behold thy face4 ,convey to all the beloved of ,god the utmost longing on the part of ,abdul-,baha4 8,o ,lord6 ,o ,beloved64440 ,o ,lord6 ,o ,beloved6 ,the truthful servant1 ,mr4 444444441 abandoned home1 left his native land and crossed the great ocean until he reached the shore of the ,holy ,land and arrived at the ,blessed ,spot4 ,he laid his head upon the threshold of the sacred dust2 he implored and supplicated the ,gateway of ,unity and sought confirmation and strength4 ,now he is returning to his native clime to serve and to spread the fragrances of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,o ,lord6 ,confirm him1 aid and strengthen him through the hosts of the ,kingdom1 so that he may become the cause of the spread of the ,word of ,god1 the cause of joy and happiness to the friends and the means of awakening the negligent4 ,thou art the ,mighty and ,powerful and ,thou art the ,precious1 the ,almighty1 the ,wise6 ,o thou truthful servant of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,with a power of the ,kingdom1 a divine attraction and a spiritual breath1 return thou to that land2 fill to overflowing the lives and hearts with the wine of the love of ,god2 be the cause of joy to all and the means of unity and agreement to all2 because through unity and agreement do the beloved of ,god hoist the standard1 shine with the light of the love of ,god and are tender to one another4 ,this is the attitude of the beloved of ,god and this is the example and life of the sons of the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou herald of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou herald of the ,kingdom6 ,thank ,god that thou didst come to the holy shrine1 put thy head upon the holy dust1 reached the gathering-place of the spiritual ones1 became a member of the assembly of the ,merciful1 found friendship with ,abdul-,baha and with the utmost love and joy spent a few days there4 ,then thou didst receive permission to return so that thou mayest serve the ,kingdom on the continent of ,america and show 7to the people7 the way to heaven and lead them toward the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,i hope that1 with a divine strength and a godlike personality1 with a heavenly guidance1 with a divine attraction and with a spiritual zeal1 thou wilt educate the people4 ,o thou1 the firm one in the ,covenant6 ,give my respectful greeting to thy honored wife and say to her from me3 8,the ,jewish people were expecting the manifestation of ,jesus and were at the same time attracted to ,moses4 ,when ,his ,holiness ,christ appeared1 they 7the ,jewish people7 thought that holy personality intended to take away the eternal honor of ,moses4 ,moses1 in the eye of ,israel1 had no equal4 ,now1 these had never thought that a greater than him 7,moses7 would appear4 ,so this way of thinking became the cause of their being kept away from the ,light of ,christ and they were prevented from the precious things of the ,holy ,spirit1 notwithstanding the fact that the greatest friend of ,moses was ,christ and ,he made ,his ,holiness ,moses great in the eye of the world and made ,him to be glorious in the contingent world2 whereas1 even now1 ,israel 7that is1 the ,jews7 deny ,his ,holiness1 the promised ,christ1 and count ,him to be an enemy of ,his ,holiness ,moses and of ,aaron and ,david2 and they were kept away from the bounties of ,christ4 ,they think that no other great person like ,moses could ever come upon the earth and if such a person should be sent 7by ,god71 he must come under the shadow of ,his ,holiness ,moses and promulgate the law of the ,torah4 ,this negligence on the part of the ,jews became the cause of keeping away a multitude from the heavenly bounties and from the beneficence of the ,holy ,spirit for nineteen-hundred years4 8,the ,sun is ever the same1 but the place whence the ,sun hath appeared hath changed4 ,then1 at ,christ's time1 it appeared in the sign of ,aquarius1 but not it hath manifested itself from the sign of ,cancer4 ,these signs are just for an illustration4 ,the sun is the same sun1 no matter from what sign it may manifest itself or from what spot it may arise4 ,thou must look at the ,sun2 do not become veiled by the places from which the ,sun appears40 ,o ,mr4 444444446 ,likewise instruct and give my love to thy dear son and say3 8,o dear one of ,abdul-,baha6 ,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 the water and clay4 ,a real son is such an one as hath branches from the spiritual part of a man4 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest be at all times confirmed and strengthened40 ,o thou servant of ,baha'6 ,thou hast asked regarding the political affairs4 ,in the ,united ,states it is necessary that the citizens shall take part in elections4 ,this is a necessary matter and no excuse from it is possible4 ,my object in telling the believers that they should not interfere in the affairs of government is this3 ,that they should not make any trouble and that they should not move against the opinion of the government1 but obedience to the laws and the administration of the commonwealth is necessary4 ,now1 as the government of ,america is a republican form of government1 it is necessary that all the citizens shall take part in the elections of officers and take part in the affairs of the republic4 ,o thou firm one in the ,covenant6 ,we give thee ,thahbet 7the ,firm7 for a name1 so that this name be an example of firmness and in the future thou mayest1 even more than before1 be confirmed in service1 and upon thee be ,el-,baha-el-,abha6 8,o thou ,thahbet 7,firm7 in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou ,thahbet 7,firm7 in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter was received4 ,it indicated firmness and steadfastness2 therefore1 it gave me joy and gladness4 ,today the greatest of all affairs in the ,cause is firmness and steadfastness4 ,a tree will not give fruit unless it be firmly rooted4 ,a foundation will not last unless it be firm4 ,there is nothing in this world of man greater than firmness4 ,a soul who is firm will become a son of the ,kingdom of ,god and will be confirmed with the power of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,for this reason ,i have named thee ,thahbet 7meaning firmness7 and ,i ask the ,true ,one and supplicate ,him that thou shalt remain firm in the ,cause of ,god as an unshakable mountain and that the whirlwinds of test shall never have any effect upon thee2 nay1 rather that thou shalt be the cause of the firmness of others4 ,with me thou art beloved and ,i ask ,god that thou mayest become the lighthouse of guidance in those regions and that thou mayest shine with the lights of oneness in this world of man4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the letter1 which thou hast written to his honor ,mirza 444444441 was considered4 ,be thou happy6 ,be thou happy6 that thou hast put aside rest and composure2 that thou hast traveled through and visited different states and endured innumerable inconveniences so that thou might diffuse the fragrances of mysteries and perfume the nostrils of the spiritual ones4 ,when thou wert engaged in the service of the ,cause1 thou wert my partner in all trials and difficulties4 ,thou hast been my associate and companion and both of us were intoxicated and exhilarated with the wine of the love of god4 ,praise be to ,god that thou hast been confirmed in the service and ,i have likewise been assisted in visiting the ,holy ,threshold4 ,in one day7#add7 the world hath become another world and the chains and manacles of prison and incarceration have been broken to pieces1 and ,abdul-,baha hath attained to the meeting of the ,holy ,threshold4 ,although in prison1 ,i have experienced the utmost joy and fragrance1 the heart was attracted1 the spirit rejoiced1 the eyes turned toward the ,kingdom of ,god and the tongue mentioning the ,name of the ,true ,one and displaying the utmost effort and endeavor in the promotion of the ,word of ,god and the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god2 yet1 under all difficulties1 there have been no shortcomings1 nor hath there been any lack of enthusiasm4 ,the call hath been raised uninterruptedly and the fragrances of holiness have been diffused through all regions and empires4 ,in the meeting that had been organised in ,los ,angeles the rays of the ,sun of ,truth shone forth1 making it an assembly of illumination4 ,the house of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 44444444 became the nest and shelter of the birds of the ,kingdom1 and the house of ,mrs4 444444444 and the residence of ,miss 44444444 in ,pasadena became the gathering-place of the ,merciful and the rose-garden of realities and significances4 ,i supplicate from the bounty and favor of ,his ,holiness the ,almighty to assist those holy souls by the invisible confirmations and that they be helped by the providence and grace of ,his ,highness the ,one4 ,convey on my behalf longing greeting to the brother of ,mr4 44444444 and say3 8,praise ,god that thou hast followed in the footsteps of thy respected brother1 associated with him and become his confidant40 ,likewise announce my longing greeting to the assemblies of ,oakland and ,san ,francisco4 ,the houses of ,mrs4 44444444 and ,mrs4 44444444 have become the place of reading the divine verses and the nests of the nightingales of the heavenly orchard4 ,a sweet fragrance hath reached the spirit and soul from those assemblies4 ,praise be to ,god1 that in all cities the believers have met thee with the utmost attraction and thy shining face and joyful disposition became the cause of the enkindlement of the fire of their souls and hearts4 ,undoubtedly thou shalt also make a trip to ,green ,acre4 ,the utmost joy was produced by the news of the purchase of the ground for the erection of the ,temple4 ,i hope that ere long they may lay the foundation4 ,deliver on my behalf divine glad-tidings to the assemblies in ,seattle1 the members of the houses of ,mrs4 44444444 and ,mrs4 44444444 and the assemblies in ,portland and ,denver and say3 8,o ye sons and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,be ye thankful that although the light of guidance hath dawned from the ,east1 yet1 praise be to ,god1 it illuminated both the ,east and the ,west6 ,in order that glorification and thanks may be shown for these bounties1 the words and actions must be in accordance with the advices and behests of ,his ,highness ,baha'o'llah4 ,thanks does not depend upon words but upon deeds60 8,o ye beloved of ,god and ,his sincere friends64440 ,o ye7#ade7 beloved of ,god and ,his sincere friends6 ,by the life of ,god6 ,the hearts are cheered whenever you are mentioned1 the souls are comforted in your love1 the holy spirits are captivated by your fragrance1 the eyes are expecting to see you and the hearts are longing to meet you1 owing to the fact that your hearts were kindled with the fire of the love of ,god1 your ears were charmed by hearing the ,word of ,god and your souls were rested in the appearance of the mysteries of ,god4 ,blessed are ye1 ,o children of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,glad-tidings to ye1 ,o friends of ,god6 as ,he hath made your destiny great and your share victory and happiness1 your lamps lighted and your spring to yield supply6 ,ye are the most brilliant stars6 ,ye are the most dazzling lamps6 ,ye are the green branches6 ,ye are the ripe fruits6 ,ye are the beautiful gardens6 ,ye are the overflowing bowls6 ,god is merciful and compassionate6 ,his bounty is great and great6 ,he appropriateth by ,his mercy those whom ,he liketh and chooseth for ,his love those of whom ,he approveth4 ,this is in accordance with what ,christ said3 8,many are called1 but few chosen40 ,god maketh your endeavor praiseworthy1 your reward great and your days in ,el-,baha feasts and pleasures1 because of your casting away the imaginary god and accepting the ,knowable1 for your discarding every evil spirit1 craving for the witnessed ,light and for turning your faces to the ,exalted ,position4 ,god will show forth your endeavor1 increase your spirit and fragrance1 perfume the different directions with your perfume1 enlighten the horizon with your light and quicken the hearts with that which is treasured within you2 will cheer the souls with what you have accomplished and cause the verses of thankfulness to be recited in all places2 the banner in remembrance of you to wave through all the ages2 your fame and praise to encircle the horizon and the tongues to speak of your virtues and good endeavors4 ,by the living ,truth6 ,that bounty is great and great and the ,lord is supreme in majesty6 ,the confirmation is successive and success is continuous1 and the kindness of your ,god1 the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate1 will surround you from all sides4 8,o ye sincere ones6 ,o ye firm ones6 ,o ye heralds of4440 ,o ye7#adf7 sincere ones6 ,o ye firm ones6 ,o ye heralds of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,fly away with joy6 ,flutter in the open of the ,kingdom6 ,spread the wings of sanctity in those districts and lands1 so that the shadow of the ,king of the ,kingdom may be stretched over those climes and the fragrances of ,god be diffused in those tracts and in those vast and extensive regions4 ,by the ,lord of the ,kingdom6 ,if one arise to promote the ,word of ,god with a pure heart1 overflowing with the love of ,god and severed from the world1 the ,lord of ,hosts will assist him with such a power as will penetrate the core of the existent beings4 ,as to ye1 be rejoiced1 ,o ye children of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,your faces will surely become illuminated1 your brows shining1 your breasts dilated with an abundant bounty and refreshed with a rain pouring from the clouds of the gift of ,god4 ,you will find yourselves as souls for the temple of the contingent world and as arteries pulsating in the body of the universe4 ,your faces will shine with the light of favor throughout all environments4 ,make your feet firm2 withstand the creeds 7or multitudes72 chant the ,book2 and explain mysteries through an inspiration on the part of your ,exalted ,lord1 the possessor of glory and honor6 8,o ye two revered persons1 ye servants in the vineyard4440 ,o ye two7#adg7 revered persons1 ye servants in the vineyard of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read your letter and was informed of its contents filled with spiritual attractions and thanked ,god--glorified is ,he6--for ,his grace and ,his merciful bestowals4 ,it behooveth you to be the first assistant to the ,word of ,god1 the first servant of the ,cause of ,god and the first one to withstand the spreaders 7of false rumors7 who say that which they know not1 who calumniate ,god1 well knowing that they are calumniators and that they1 themselves1 have contrived the thing for their own sakes1 and evil is that which they do4 ,remember what the ,pharisees published concerning ,jesus1 attributed to ,him and said about ,him and how they oppressed ,him until they paraded ,him in ,jerusalem in such a form as made the angels of sanctity to weep in the ,sublime ,kingdom4 ,they put on ,his head a crown of thistles2 nay1 more1 they cast dust in ,his face--into a face whereby the heaven and the earth is illuminated6 ,they turned their backs upon ,him1 then bowed and said3 8,peace be unto thee1 ,o ,king of kings6 ,peace be unto thee1 ,o ,king of the ,jews60 ,of the same class are the ,pharisees and priests in this manifest day4 8,leave them to amuse themselves with their vain discourse40 ,they are as people deluded by their temptations and are isolated from the gifts of your ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 8,they are deaf1 dumb and blind2 therefore1 they will not understand40 ,verily1 ,i1 through the grace of my ,lord1 have never heeded these souls1 even to reading their articles1 inasmuch as their articles signify no other than the buzzing of flies to the hearing of an eagle1 or the croaking of a frog of the material world to the ears of the leviathan of the sea of the ,kingdom4 ,is it to be considered as anything8 ,no1 by no means6 ,verily1 the eagle soareth high in the supreme apex while the flies rumble in the lowest rubbish4 ,but it is incumbent upon you to block them up as a stone with decisive arguments before which heads are bowed and voices are made humble4 ,god will strengthen you therein4 ,you will surely find these ,pharisees in manifest loss4 ,can one ever prevent the waves of the sea of the ,lofty ,one from rolling8 ,or is it possible for me to restrain the fragrances of sanctity from diffusion8 ,or can one withhold the sun from casting its rays to all regions8 ,no1 by no means6 ,nay1 rather such souls make the table sent down from heaven unlawful unto themselves4 ,how is the bat to be compared with the most great orb which bestows bounty upon all regions6 ,how is the gnat to be compared with the eagle soaring in the spacious firmament6 ,how are the ,caiaphas and ,annas to be compared with the ,christ mounted on the clouds with great power and glory6 ,thank ,god that ,he hath opened your insight to the ,light which is shining from the ,supreme ,concourse and caused you to witness ,his most mighty signs4 ,by my life6 the hearts of the people of ,baha' are cheered with such gifts6 8,o ye sincere1 ,o ye firm and steadfast in the ,testament4440 ,o ye7#adh7 sincere1 ,o ye firm and steadfast in the ,testament of ,god6 ,i have read your letter signed by you1 which shows your steadfastness and firmness in the ,covenant of ,god and ,his ,testament1 which was confirmed by the trace of ,his ,supreme ,pen7#adi71 the greatness of which hath been divulged in all the regions1 entered the palaces of kings of which both rulers and subjects have been informed1 and no human being could ever deny it1 even he who turns away and backslides4 ,it came to the imagination of some children that they are able to abolish this ,covenant1 the like of which was not known in the early centuries and the heavenly ages of the past2 and they shall see themselves in evident loss6 ,but as to you1 ,o ye firm and steadfast1 be straightforward in the ,cause of ,god1 let your feet be firm in the ,religion of ,god1 and arise with every effort within your power to render victorious the ,covenant of ,god4 ,by ,god1 the ,truth1 you will be assisted by a numerous army1 and re-inforced by a cohort of the angels of ,god4 ,pay not the slightest attention to that which is said by these children1 for their statements and sayings are nothing but confused dreams4 ,the ,star of the ,covenant shall shine intensely upon all horizons and regions1 and the violators will be as bats hiding themselves in dark holes6 ,it is enough humiliation and abasement to them that they have violated the ,covenant of ,god and contradicted the ,appointed ,center1 and desired to demolish this solid edifice--which1 alas1 could not be6 ,by ,god1 they did not demolish but their own edifice1 did not shake but their own foundations1 and did not scatter but their own union1 and to them shall come the news of what they have done6 ,but as to you1 ,o ye beloved of ,god1 strengthen yourselves by every effort and arise to serve the ,cause of ,god1 for verily the ,holy ,spirit will confirm you by the breaths of the ,true ,one in all cases and under all circumstances6 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou7#aej7 who art firm in the ,covenant6 999999,the prison is like a paradise to ,abdul-,baha1 the depth of the well is as the height of the moon--such is my desire in the ,path of the ,blessed ,beauty6 ,were it not for the chain1 sword and affliction1 how should the people of faithfulness be distinguished from the people of hatred8 ,nay1 otherwise1 they would seem as one4 ,this wound cannot be remedied save by a host of calamities1 and this illness cannot be cured except by the cup of affliction4 ,i ask ,god that ,i may not repose for a moment1 but that1 night and day1 in the love of the ,blessed ,beauty7#aea7--may my spirit be a sacrifice to ,him6--,i may drink from the rosy cup of the blood of the heart4 ,with every breath do ,i desire to perceive thousands of afflictions approaching me from every inhuman one2 at one time1 to rest in the bottom of a dungeon2 at another1 to repose on the chain2 and1 ultimately1 by the favor and providence of the ,blessed ,perfection1 to roll my face and hair in my blood4 ,therefore1 their invitation7#aeb7 was not accepted because they invited departure to that region4 ,lately1 that general letter was requested from persia1 and it was sent thereto4999999 8,o ye friends of ,god and daughters of the ,kingdom64440 ,o ye7#aec7 friends of ,god and daughters of the ,kingdom6 ,the letter you have written was considered4 ,it caused abundant spirit and fragrance4 ,it was not a letter1 it was a rose-garden4 ,the fragrances of the flowers of significances were exhaling from that garden and perfumed the nostrils4 ,it was a proof of unity and oneness and an evidence of love and freedom4 ,i became very happy through reading it4 ,i hope that this love and unity may increase day by day1 and its effects may reach other regions4 ,the purpose of the coming of the ,manifestation of the ,mount is the unification of the world of humanity4 ,therefore1 the friends of ,god and the daughters of the ,kingdom must serve this purpose and become the cause of joy to the heart of ,abdul-,baha4 ,thus can they bring together under the protection of the ,tent of ,oneness the other nations and peoples2 make this gloomy world radiant1 this mundane earth a plane of the ,kingdom1 and the material world the manifestation of divine signs4 ,o ye friends and daughters of the ,kingdom and leaves of the ,blessed ,tree6 ,endeavor to make that continent the ,paradise of ,abha1 and the ,west the ,east of ,lights4 ,this is the hope of ,abdul-,baha4 8,o ye dwellers of the ,kingdom64440 ,o ye7#aed7 dwellers of the ,kingdom6 ,thank ye ,god that ye have turned your faces toward the ,kingdom of ,abha1 and are yearning for the outpouring of the ,exalted ,realm4 ,ye are accepted in the ,threshold of the ,true ,one and are chosen by the ,most ,great ,guidance6 ,ye have asked regarding the word of the 8,ransomed ,ones04 ,the mystery of 8,ransom0 7or ,sacrifice7 is a most great subject and is inexhaustible4 ,briefly it is as follows3 ,the moth is a sacrifice to the candle4 ,the spring is a sacrifice to the thirsty one4 ,the sincere lover is a sacrifice to the loved one and the longing one is a sacrifice to the beloved4 ,the point lies in this3 ,he must wholly forget himself1 become a wanderer 7in the ,abode of the ,beloved7 enamoured with ,his ,tresses4 ,he must consign to oblivion the body and soul1 the life1 comfort and existence4 ,he must seek the good pleasure of the ,true ,one2 desire the ,face of the ,true ,one2 and walk in the ,path of the ,true ,one4 ,he must become intoxicated with ,his ,cup1 resigned in ,his ,hand and close the eyes to life and living1 in order that he may shine like unto the ,light of ,truth from the ,horizon of ,eternity4 ,this is the first station of sacrifice4 ,the second station of sacrifice is as follows3 ,man must become severed from the human world1 be delivered from the contingent gloominess1 the illumination of mercifulness must shine and radiate in him1 the nether world become as non-existent and the ,kingdom become manifest4 ,he must become like unto the iron thrown within the furnace of fire4 ,the qualities of iron1 such as blackness1 coldness and solidity which belong to the earth disappear and vanish while the characteristics of fire1 such as redness1 glowing and heat1 which belong to the ,kingdom become apparent and visible4 ,therefore1 iron hath sacrificed its qualities and grades to the fire1 acquiring the virtues of that element4 ,likewise1 when the souls are released from the fetters of the world1 the imperfections of mankind and that animalistic darkness1 and have stepped into the ,realm of ,abstraction1 have partaken a share from the outpouring of the ,placeless and have acquired lordly perfections1 they are the 8ransomed ones0 7or the martyrs7 of the ,sun of ,truth1 who are hastening to the altar of heart and soul4 8,o ,thou ,pure ,god64440 ,o ,thou ,pure ,god67#aee7 ,gaze providently at the beloved ones and the dear maid-servants in ,chicago4 ,confer upon them ,thy bounty and grace4 ,teach them the law of the ,kingdom1 burn away the veil of material superstition and light the candle of ,thy love in their hearts6 ,o ,god6 ,the clay 7or being7 of these servants is kneaded with the water of fidelity and the nature of these maid-servants is adorned with love6 ,they believe and are assured4 they are firm and steadfast2 they are kneeling and worshipping2 they are uttering 7the ,words7 and are informed4 ,render them confirmed and victorious with the hosts of strength4 ,aid and gladden them through the angels of the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,at every moment reveal a new power to them and with every breath confer a great bounty4 ,thus with a heavenly power1 divine strength1 merciful fragrance1 supreme light1 and conscious attraction1 may they arise to serve ,thee1 to perfume the ,east and the ,west with the fragrances of holiness1 establish the universal peace1 promulgate integrity and honesty1 to adore the truth1 become a means of life to the people of the world1 a cause of comfort and rest to them2 to help the spiritual meeting1 to serve the gathering of the ,lord1 to send well-informed souls 7teachers7 to other regions and climes1 to be self-sacrificing with life and heart1 to build the ,mashrak-el-,azcar1 to raise the anthem of sanctity to the ,supreme ,kingdom1 to live in perfect love with one another2 nay1 rather1 to be the cause of rest ot whole world1 to adorn the realm of creation1 to destroy the edifice of jealousy and envy and to establish the law of love and unity1 to be truthful servants of mankind and conscientious well-wishers of the human race6 ,o ,god6 ,thou art the ,able1 the ,powerful6 ,thou are the ,confirmer and the ,helper in all conditions and circumstances6 8,o thou whose breast is dilated 7with joy7 for the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou whose breast is dilated 7with joy7 for the ,kingdom of ,truth6 ,verily ,i read thy letter which showed that thine inner heart is attracted to the ,beauty of ,god and that thou hast entered the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,i beg of god to make thy feet firm in this right path and to protect thee from violent tests and form calumnies on the part of every woman who hath1 like unto ,judas ,iscariot1 turned away from the ,true ,one and who hath withdrawn herself and is deprived of the mercy of ,god4 ,as to thee1 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,blessed art thou1 for thou hast dealt with people in goodness and good favor4 ,do not seek from them any reward whatever1 but seek all grace and beneficence from thy ,lord1 and even deal with the people of great oppression in faithfulness1 for as much as this is becoming of the people of ,baha'4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the letter that thou hast written1 through his honor ,mr4 444444441 was received4 ,in reality1 there is no happiness in the world of existence for men except in the splendors of the ,light of the ,kingdom4 ,thou has written concerning the acceptance 7of this ,cause7 by some ,french people4 ,make an effort in order that some firm and steadfast souls may arise in this great ,cause from ,france1 and to make that jungle a garden of ,god4 ,be assured in the favor and grace of ,god1 for each maid-servant of ,god who ariseth to serve the ,kingdom will undoubtedly be confirmed4 8,o thou who art honored and dear64440 ,o thou who art honored and dear6 ,thy letter was received and was the source of pleasure1 for thou hast not forgotten this imprisoned one and remembered ,acca4 ,although thy days here were few1 as they were pleasant1 they will count as years2 a real intimacy between thee and all the family was formed which will not be forgotten in the passing of the years4 ,i desire of ,god that thou wilt be heavenly1 angelic and spiritual2 and as a torch1 become illumined with the love of ,god in the kingdom of existence4 ,in regard to the question thou askest about the picture of this oppressed one1 say that it was much spread in ,america3 ,know that this imprisoned one never had a picture taken except in youth1 and that one also on account of the command and will of ,baha'o'llah1 ,i merely consented so as to obey ,his command4 ,therefore ,i do not like it to be great spread4 ,i desire of ,god1 that the traces of the spiritual likeness1 which are attributes and qualities1 will remain eternally4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,spirit of ,truth64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,spirit of ,truth6 ,in whatsoever matter man wisheth to engage1 he must first acquire some capability and make provisions and preparations therefor4 ,in this day1 whatever soul intendeth to raise the voice of the ,kingdom1 and to draw people under the ,tree of ,life in the ideal paradise1 and to invite them to eternal life1 must first be delivered from all attachments1 must even shut his eyes to rest1 quietude and to the mortal life of this world4 ,i hope thou hast abandoned all such 7mortal7 things1 and when thou hast attained to this great bounty1 that is1 when thou art delivered from the attachments of this mortal world1 and hast intended to endure all calamities in the path of,god--in such wise that reproaches on the part of the enemy will seem to thee as praise and glorification1 and the blame of the people of hatred will appear like unto admiration and applause1 and the bitterness of afflictions will taste as the honey of favor and all hardships be as sweetness--then canst thou step into the path of the ,kingdom and become the herald of ,god4 ,consequently1 do thou show a steadfast and firm footing in this station1 engage in guiding the people and call them unto the ,kingdom2 then wilt thou find how the divine magnet--the power of the ,word of ,god--will attract the hearts and bestow ecstasy and enthusiasm upon souls6 ,when thou reachest this station there shall remain no obstacles and no veil shall intervene1 and all that is thy highest wish shall be realized4 ,send my greeting to ,miss 44444444 4 ,i hope she may be wholly attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,as to the book that thou intendest to write3 ,when thou hast written it 7or if you write it71 send it to the ,holy ,land 7i4e41 ,acca7 to be seen 7or examined7 so that thou mayest publish it afterward4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thy faith and certainty became evident4 ,happy is thy condition1 that in such a day thou hast opened thine eyes and beheld the light of the ,sun of ,reality4 ,convey reverential greetings to the believing maid-servant of ,god 44444444 and say3 8,be not grieved and bear the ordeal from thy husband4 ,the meeting of the beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful take the place of his ignorance4 ,i hope that they may be the cause of joy and happiness to thee40 8,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,what thou hast written became evident and what thou hast heard from ,mirza 44444444 regarding the necessity of many teachers in ,america1 is true4 ,i have said so4 ,indeed1 there is need of a thousand teachers1 each one severed from the world1 attracted by the ,holy ,spirit in the ,supreme ,concourse and joyful through the ,kingdom of ,god and in perfect sanctity1 holiness and sufficiency4 ,this matter of teachers requires the greatest condition2 that is1 they should never stain themselves with the world1 they should not look for the least pecuniary reward from any soul2 nay1 rather they should bear the utmost poverty and with the perfect wealth of nature7#aef71 through the bounty of ,god1 may they associate with the people4 ,they should seek no reward nor recompense4 ,freely have they received1 freely should they give4 ,his ,holiness ,christ sayeth3 8,when ye leave the city1 clean off from your shoes the dust thereof40 ,the holiness of the teachers must reach this degree4 ,thus may they utter with eloquence1 while in ecstasy and great joy1 and guide the people to the manifest light4 ,if this be the endeavor1 strive with life and heart and guide the people to he ,kingdom of ,god1 lead them to the straight pathway1 inform them of the greatness and magnitude of this ,cause and give them the glad-tidings through the bounty of divine providence and the revelation of the ,sun of ,truth in this great age4 ,convey my greeting to the advancing maid-servant of ,god thy wife1 and say to her3 8,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,seek whilst thou canst the life eternal and wish for everlasting glory in the divine world40 ,embrace twice thy children1 and give my greeting to the maid-servant of ,god1 thy mother4 thy name is ,joseph4 ,let thy title be ,bahai4 8,o thou child of the ,kingdom and firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou child of the ,kingdom and firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter1 through his honor ,mirza 444444441 was received and thy former letters also became acceptable and through the contents of those writings utmost joy and fragrance was produced1 for they all evinced faith1 assurance and firmness in the ,covenant4 ,in this day the most vital and momentous matter is steadfastness in the love of the ,manifestor of ,light on the ,mount of ,sinai and endurance of ordeals and unaccountable calamities in this ,cause4 ,ere long the seditious people shall arise in that country to deride the righteous ones and to ridicule the holy ones4 ,every day they will cast ignominy and at every moment they will present great persecution4 ,they shall revile the friends for the sake of the love of ,baha2 and bring down upon them contempt and sarcasm2 neither do they fall short in creating torture4 ,this is the custom and sentence of the people of bygone ages4 ,undoubtedly these things must transpire in these days even with a greater intensity4 ,that is why ,his ,holiness the ,christ sayeth3 8,everything which hath happened in the cycles of the former prophets will certainly occur again in these days40 ,consider ye6 ,what calumny1 slander1 cruelty and oppression were brought down upon the apostles by the ,israelites for the sake of faith and assurance6 ,they unlocked the hands of pillage1 persecuted and tortured those sanctified souls4 ,therefore1 there is no doubt but that you will become afflicted with trial1 calamity and oppression in the path of the ,beauty of ,abha4 ,these trials are the essence of bestowal and pure bounty and the proofs of your acceptance in the ,threshold of ,oneness4 ,consequently1 when the fire of trials is ignited1 celebrate ye in joy1 dance with overflowing emotions and be ye happy that--praise be to ,god6--ye have become the target of contempt in the path of the ,beauty of ,abha and are hated by the people of passion and desire4 ,thy services in the highway of the ,kingdom are accepted1 thy toleration of the troubles is known and manifest and thy eloquent speeches in the assemblies of believers are heard and appreciated4 ,i hope that through these services thou mayest become the manifestor of the favors of the ,lord of the ,kingdom and recipient of the merciful glances of ,his ,highness the ,magnificent and the ,compassionate4 8,o thou speaker in the remembrance of ,god64440 ,o thou speaker in the remembrance of ,god6 ,verily ,i say unto thee1 ,o servant of ,god6 ,the earth and what is therein are imaginations or reflections in mirrors or shades2 but the bounty of the ,kingdom and the gifts of the invisible world are the thoughts of the ,merciful ,one1 and the lordly radiances are immortal and constant and unending4 ,thou must depend upon these6 ,thou must depend unto these6 ,thou must depend upon these6 ,be assured with the true assurance that1 verily1 dependence upon the ,covenant of ,god is surrounded from all directions by those gifts and the angel hosts assist it on the right hand and on the left hand1 and the power of the ,holy spirit strengthens it in all circumstances and meets it with signs of splendor in the horizons4 ,therefore1 confirm the wavering minds in the path of ,god1 and the feeble souls with the love of ,god4 8,o thou pure soul who art kindled by the fire of the love4440 ,o thou pure soul who art kindled by the fire of the love of ,baha'6 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one6 thy letter created joy and happiness within hearts1 because it was speaking the praise of ,baha' and contained words which showed thy attraction to the light of the ,beauty of ,el-,baha4 ,blessed art thou and blessed is thy heart which is longing for the ,kingdom of ,el-,baha1 and that thou art hoping to serve ,baha' in ,his great vineyard and in ,his wonderful garden6 ,i beg of ,god to favor thee with a power which may encourage thee to promulgate the ,truth and guide the father and sister to the right path4 ,i beg ,him to make thee a herald1 in ,his name1 in those regions4 ,have resignation and devotion and attraction and make thy heart empty of aught else save the love of ,baha'4 ,this is the state which was coveted by the near ones and this is a position which was longed for by the holy souls4 8,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i supplicate ,god that thou mayest become like unto ,peter1 the 8,rock0--unshaken1 immovable and strong2 be assisted by heavenly confirmation2 be helped to the service of the ,cause of ,god1 opening thy tongue to teach the divine instructions1 and living and walking according to the laws of the ,book of ,akdas7#aeg7 4 ,thou hast asked permission to come to our presence3 ,these days are very difficult4 ,god willing1 it will be brought about in the future4 ,i pray to ,god that thou mayest enter into such a state that presence and absence may become equal in thine understanding4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,thy letter 999999 was received4 ,its contents were of the utmost grace1 for it indicated that thou hast become a heavenly1 spiritual ,bahai2 that is1 thou hast found the attractions of heart and art aspiring to associate with the ,holy ,fragrances4 ,peter1 who was the ,rock 7of the ,christian dispensation71 was firm and solid2 but1 in the moment of ,christ's deliverance1 that ,rock quaked a little1 until the crowing of the cock was raised4 ,i hope that thou wilt become1 in steadfastness1 so firm and so solid that thousands of deliverances would not cause thee to tremble4 ,this is the ,new ,spirit and the uninterrupted assistance4 ,when this is attained1 the language will become eloquent and the utterance penetrating4 8,o thou who hast approached the ,kingdom of ,god and4440 ,o thou who hast approached the ,kingdom of ,god and hast looked toward the ,center of the ,covenant6 ,verily1 thy namesake1 the faithful ,joseph1 fell surely into grievous distress through the jealousy of his brethren1 who dishonored him2 nay1 outraged him1 and cast him behind their backs and threw him in a dark well2 they sold him for a paltry price--for a few pence--returning to their father at eve weeping1 and1 with his shirt stained with false blood1 they slandered the wolf who was free from blame4 ,the same shall also appear from these violators4 ,then interpret this vision3 ,how the conduct of these former evil-doers agreeth with the course of the succeeding followers of the great darkness6 ,verily1 thou who art called by this honorable name1 desire to have a portion in its great successes1 to become a cherished one in the ,egypt of the love of ,god1 to possess qualities free from all evil and to become the source of good deeds4 ,god assisteth whomsoever ,he pleaseth with that which ,he pleaseth4 ,verily ,he is the ,mighty and ,powerful6 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i received thy letter which spoke of thy extreme love for ,god1 thy being occupied in the commemoration of ,god and thy joy in the ,spirit of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i supplicate ,god to enkindle in thy heart the fire of ,his love2 and enkindlement the light of which shall affect all regions1 so that thy face may become illumined by the lights of the ,spirit and give forth fragrance in the world of possibility4 ,arise for the service of the ,cause of ,god in those countries which are vast and spacious1 and sing1 warbling beautiful melodies in the ,name of thy ,lord1 the ,supreme4 ,i saw thy photograph among the photographs of the friends1 witnessed the light of guidance glistening in thy face and asked aid and strength for thee in this great day4 ,the most important matter in this day is the spreading of the fragrances of ,god in those cities4 ,verily1 confirmation will surround thee from all sides4 ,this matter is equivalent to thy presence in these regions4 ,now presence is not allowable for a certain wisdom which ,god shall manifest in future time4 8,verily ,i approach ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 in the darkest hour4440 ,verily ,i approach ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 in the darkest hour of this dark night1 and pray ,thee with my inmost heart1 while ,i am moving by ,thy fragrances1 which are being diffused from ,thy ,kingdom of ,abha1 and say7#aeh7 3 ,o my ,lord1 ,i have not words enough to praise ,thee1 nor can the birds of meditation ever ascend to the ,kingdom of ,thy sanctity4 ,thou art1 in ,thine entity1 sanctified from every praise and commendation1 and art purified1 in ,thyself1 from the thanksgiving of the people of emanation4 ,thou hast been eternally in the sanctity of ,thyself exalted beyond the comprehension of the knowing among the ,supreme ,concourse1 and ,thou shalt be permanently in the purity of ,thine essence1 incomprehensible beyond the knowledge of the praisers among the dwellers in the exalted ,realm of ,might6 ,o my ,god1 ,o my ,god1 because of ,thine incomprehensibility1 how can ,i ever mention ,thee by any praise1 or glorify ,thee by any commendation6 ,thou art1 ,o my ,god1 exalted and sanctified from all praises and glorification1 ,o ,thou1 my beloved6 ,o my ,god1 ,o my ,god1 have pity on my impotence1 my abasement1 my indigence1 my shame1 and my humility4 ,give me the cup of ,thy forgiveness and ,thy gift1 move me by the breath of ,thy love1 dilate my breast by the light of ,thy knowledge1 purify my person by the mysteries of ,thy singleness1 and quicken me through the breezes of the garden of ,thy mercy so that ,i may sever myself from all beside ,thee1 lay hold of the hem of the mantle of ,thy majesty1 forget aught else save ,thee1 be associated with the fragrance of ,thy days1 be enabled to continue faithful in the threshold of ,thy sanctity and stand up in the service of ,thy ,cause1 be submissive and lowly before ,thy beloved ones and to account myself as nothing in the presence of ,thy chosen ones4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,helper1 the ,assister1 the ,exalted1 the ,generous6 ,o my ,god1 ,o my ,god1 ,i beg of ,thee1 by the effulgence of the light of ,thy countenance1 whereby all the regions of the world are illumined2 by the glances of the eye of ,thy mercy1 which comprehends all things2 by the billows of the sea of ,thy favor1 wherewith all parts are overflowing2 by the rains from the clouds of ,thy gift1 which are falling upon the essence of the created beings2 by the radiance of ,thy mercy1 which overpowers existence--to strengthen ,thy chosen ones to faithfulness1 to enable ,thy beloved ones to serve ,thine exalted ,threshold1 to encircle them through the hosts of ,thy power1 which have encompassed all things1 and to assist them through ,thy numerous armies from the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,o my ,god1 these are lowly souls in ,thy doorway and poor ones before ,thy court1 humbly seeking ,thy grace and in need of ,thy confirmation1 turning toward the ,kingdom of ,thy ,singleness1 and yearning for the bounties of ,thy gift4 ,o my ,lord1 refine their consciences through the lights of ,thy sanctity1 and purify their hearts through the gift of ,thy confirmation1 dilate their breasts through the fragrances of joy and happiness1 which are being diffused from ,thy ,supreme ,concourse1 and illumine their sight by witnessing ,thy chief signs4 ,make them signs of sanctity and standards of purity waving on the apex of the contingent world1 unto all creatures2 so that their words may take effect in the hearts though they are even as flint4 ,may they stand up to serve ,thee1 to devote themselves unto the ,kingdom of ,thy divinity1 to turn unto the realm of the might of ,thy self-subsistence1 to spread ,thy signs1 to become illumined through ,thy lights1 to unfold ,thy mysteries1 to direct ,th servants unto the running water1 and the fountain of ,tassnime7#aei7 which is gushing and springing out in the midst of the paradise of ,thy singleness2 to unfold the sail of devotion on board the ,ark of ,deliverance and sail on the sea of ,thy knowledge1 to spread the wings of unity and soar up towards the kingdom of ,thy ,singleness1 to become servants whom the ,supreme ,concourse may commend1 and whom the people of ,thy ,kingdom of ,abha may praise1 to hear the invisible heralds who announce the chief glad-tidings2 to pray ,thee at the dawn with with most wonderful invocations1 while yearning after ,thy visit--,o my mighty ,lord6--to weep every morn and eve1 longing for the entrance into the shadow of ,thy great mercy6 ,o my ,lord1 assist them in all cases1 and help them under all circumstances1 through the angels of ,thy sanctity1 who are ,thine invisible hosts1 and overwhelm all the armies of the inferior concourse4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,omnipotent1 the ,comprehending1 and ,thou art the ,almighty6 ,o pure ,god1 ,o loving ,god6 ,we are wandering around ,thy abode and longing for the gift of ,thy meeting1 and are loving ,thy characteristics4 ,we are helpless1 humble1 lowly1 and weak2 confer ,thy mercy upon us1 favor us with ,thy gifts1 overlook our shortcomings1 and conceal our endless faults4 ,we are ,thine1 whatever we might be 7good or bad71 and whatever we may say or hear is but ,thy commendation4 ,we seek but ,thy face1 and we search but ,thy path4 ,thou art the loving ,god1 while we are but sinners and love ,thee passionately4 ,o ,thou ,cloud of ,mercy 7shower upon us7 a few drops6 ,o ,flower-garden of ,favor 7send to us7 some fragrances6 ,o ,sea of ,gifts 7flow over us7 ,thy waves6 ,o ,sun of ,grace 7pour on us7 some radiances6 ,have pity on us1 and show us favor4 ,we swear by ,thy ,beauty that we are full of errors1 and we have no deeds1 but hopes4 ,except ,thy concealing veil should cover us1 and ,thy preservation and protection should favor us1 these weak souls have not enough power to employ themselves in ,thy service1 and the indigent ones have not enough wealth to show a rich appearance4 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,mighty6 ,i beg of ,thee to assist them6 ,do refresh these faded souls with the drops of the cloud of ,thy gifts1 and do illumine these lowly beings through the effulgences of the sun of ,thy ,singleness6 ,i pray ,thee to cast these thirsty fishes into the sea of ,thy mercy2 guide their lost caravan unto the asylum of ,thy unity2 direct these bewildered souls unto the fountain of ,thy guidance1 and cause these wanderers to abide in the shelter of ,thy might4 ,suffer the thirsty ones to drink from the ,salsabil7#afj7 of ,thy gifts1 and quicken the dead by eternal life4 ,endow the blind with sight1 the deaf with hearing1 the dumb with speech1 the lukewarm with energy1 the heedless with mindfulness1 the sleepers with wakefulness1 and the proud with humility4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 ,thou art the ,forgiver6 ,thou art the ,loving6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,generous1 the ,most ,high6 ,o friends of ,god1 and assistants of this humble servant6 ,when the ,sun of ,truth shone forth with ,hi infinite bounties from the dawning-place of hopes1 and the horizon of existence was illuminated through the radiance of sanctity--then ,he cast forth such splendor whereby the gloomy darkness disappeared6 ,therefore1 the earth became the envy of the celestial world1 and the realm of dust was made a scene of the exalted kingdom4 ,then the fragrances of holiness exhaled1 and the sweet odors were diffused4 ,the breeze of the divine spring blew1 and the fruitful winds of infinite generosity passed by from the point of favor4 ,the brilliant morning dawned and the glad-tidings of the greatest gift were announced4 ,the divine spring appeared throughout the contingent world4 ,the earth of existence moved and the material world was put in motion4 ,the barren and dried up soil turned into an eternal garden1 and the inanimate earth was endowed with eternal life4 ,the flowers and myrtles of knowledge grew1 and the fresh herbage of the knowledge of ,god flourished4 ,the material world showed forth the bounties of the ,merciful1 and the visible world displayed the scene of the invisible world4 ,the call of ,god was raised1 the divine banquet celebrated1 the cup of the ,testament was circulated and the universal acclamation was uttered6 ,among the people1 a multitude became intoxicated with this divine wine--and a multitude were deprived of this great favor4 ,many a soul enlightened his sight and insight by the radiance of grace1 and many were cheered and rejoiced at the melodies of unity4 ,some birds sang melodies and harmonies1 and some nightingales began to warble on the branches of the rose-tree of mercifulness4 ,the ,kingdom and the phenomenal world were adorned1 and became the envy of the delectable paradise--but1 alas--and a thousand times alas6--that the heedless souls are still in the sleep of negligence1 and the ignorant are keeping clear of this holy gift4 ,the blind are veiled1 the deaf are bereft and the dead despair of attaining to it2 just as it is said 7in the ,koran7 8,they despair of the life to come1 as the infidels despair 7of the resurrection of7 those who dwell in the graves40 ,as to you--,o friends of the ,merciful6--move your tongues to thank the ,loving ,lord1 and employ yourselves in praising and glorifying the ,beauty of the ,adored ,one1 for ye were granted the privilege to be exhilarated from this most pure cup1 and became full of cheer and attraction from this goblet of wine4 ,ye have perfumed your nostrils with the fragrances of sanctity1 and delighted your senses with the scent of the garment of the ,joseph of faithfulness4 ,ye tasted the honey of devotion from the hand of the ,unique ,beloved and partook of the eternal table at the feast of the blessing of the ,presence of the ,unity4 ,this favor is one of the special gifts of the ,presence of the ,merciful1 and this grace and generosity is one of the incomparable gifts of our ,loving ,lord4 this is in accordance with what ,christ said3 8,many are called1 but few chosen40 ,that is to say1 there are many who are invited1 but those souls who are signalized with the grace and favor of guidance are but very rare4 8,this is the bounty of ,god2 ,he will give the same unto whom ,he pleaseth2 and ,god is endowed with great bounty40 ,o friends of ,god6 the candle of the ,testament is surrounded by the hypocritical winds of the people of the world and the nightingale of faithfulness is surprised by the crows of ill-nature--the violators4 ,the mindless birds of night are plotting against the dove of commemoration and the ferocious beasts are prowling after the gazelle of the plain of the love of ,god4 ,so1 ,he is in great danger and painful affliction4 ,the beloved of ,god must be as firm as a mountain1 and must not quiver under the most violent shock1 nor grieve at the greatest calamities2 but must be as a solid foundation4 ,they must cling to the hem of ,glory and trust in the ,beauty of the ,most ,high4 ,they must lean on the help and assistance of the ,ancient ,kingdom and confide in the care and protection of the ,generous ,lord4 ,they must at every instant nourish and refresh themselves with the dew of favor1 and in every breath revive and cheer themselves through the waves of the ,holy ,spirit1 raise themselves to serve the ,cause of the ,supreme1 and endeavor their utmost to diffuse the breath of ,god4 they must be as a strongly fortified fortress for the defense of the blessed ,cause1 and as a well-made fortification for the protection of the hosts of the ,pre-existent ,beauty4 ,they must in all conditions faithfully guard the edifice of the ,cause of ,god1 and be scintillating stars on the horizon of the visible2 because the gloomy darkness of all nations prevailed from all directions1 and all the creeds of the world are plotting to quench their evident light4 ,notwithstanding the strenuous opposition of all tribes1 how can ye continue heedless thereof8 ,so1 ye must be conscious and aware thereof1 and be ready to guard and preserve the ,cause of the ,creator4 ,for this day the most necessary duty is to purify your morals1 to correct your manners1 and to improve your deeds4 ,the beloved of the ,merciful must appear with such morals and habits among the creatures that the fragrant odor of the garden of sanctity may perfume all the horizons and may quicken all the dead souls1 because the ,manifestation of ,divinity and the dawning of the infinite lights of the ,invisible is intended for the education of souls and the refinement of the morals of all in existence1 so that some blessed souls may be delivered from the gloomy world of brutality and be characterized with attributes which tend to adorn the being of man2 that the earthly people may become godlike1 the dark ones may become illuminated1 the uninstructed ones may become familiar with the mystery of the ,kingdom1 and the mortal souls may be associated with the ,immortal ,splendor2 the deprived ones may partake of the endless sea1 and the ignorant may drink from the living water of knowledge2 the savage may give up their ferocity1 and the cruel may become forbearing2 that the warlike may search after true conciliation and the pitiless savages may be favored with ideal peace2 that the degraded may learn about the condition of purity and the soiled ones may attain to the stream of sanctity4 ,if these divine bounties do not appear in the being of men1 the bounty of the ,divine ,manifestation will prove fruitless and the splendor of the ,sun of ,truth will become without effect4 ,so1 ,o beloved of ,god1 endeavor with your hearts and souls1 that ye may be qualified with the morals and attributes of the ,blessed ,perfection1 and partake of the bounties of ,his sanctity2 that ye may become signs of unity and standards of oneness1 discover the essence of singleness and sing harmonies and lays in in this divine garden1 in merciful melodies2 that ye may become as thankful birds1 and sing a song in the rose-garden of existence which may astonish minds and senses2 that ye may hoist a standard on the apex of the universe which may flutter in the winds of favor1 and plant a tree in the field of the visible world which may bring forth fruits of the utmost delicacy and freshness4 ,i swear by the ,ideal ,educator that1 if ye act in compliance with the divine exhortations1 as revealed in brilliant ,tablets1 this gloomy earth will become a mirror of the ,exalted ,kingdom1 and the inferior page will display the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,o friends of ,god6 ,praise be unto ,god that the invisible bounties of the ,sun of ,truth are encompassing you from all directions1 and the doors of mercy are opened from all parts4 ,now is the time to be benefited and filled therewith4 ,seize the opportunity1 and lose not the chance4 ,keep yourselves entirely clear of the world's conditions of gloom1 and show forth the characters and qualities of divine souls1 that ye may consider to what an extent the radiance of the ,divine ,sun is shining and brilliant1 and how the signs of favor are showing forth from the invisible ,world of ,unity4 ,o friends of ,god6 ,praise be unto ,god that ,his ,imperial ,majesty1 the ,shah1 acts with the utmost kindness1 and ,his ,highness1 the ,prime ,minister1 is practising the greatest fairness and equity towards the people4 ,so1 the friends of ,god must night and day pray for the permanence of the glorious empire1 and raise themselves to return thanks to ,his ,majesty for his justice1 equity and kindness1 because this is one of the indisputable commandments of ,god1 as revealed in all celestial books4 8,to the beloved of ,god in ,persia64440 ,to the beloved of ,god in ,persia6 ,o ye dear friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,it is some time since any heart-thrilling melody hath reached the ear of life from certain countries1 and life and conscience have not found happiness and joy4 ,howbeit all are remembered at all times and are indeed present before the sight4 ,for1 verily1 the chalice of the heart is overflowing with the wine of the love of the friends2 and their attachment and the desire to see them flow and circulate in the veins and arteries1 even as the spirit4 ,in this condition it is evident how sad and grieved the heart is4 ,in this storm of ordeal1 whose wave hath reached the ,supreme ,apogee1 and the arrow of hate hath come in succession from the six points2 with every breath there is bewildering news and every day astonishing signs in the ,blessed ,spot4 ,the center of violation7#afa7 supposed that through mere pride the foundation of the ,covenant and ,testament could be destroyed and that the righteous ones would shun and disobey the ordinances of ,god4 ,therefore1 he spread writings of suspicion to all parts and busied himself with secret plans4 ,at one time he cried that 8,the ,divine ,foundation is overthrown1 the law of ,god is abrogated1 therefore the ,covenant and ,testament of ,god are annulled60 ,again1 he moaned and grieved that 8,we are exiles and captives1 hungry and thirsty1 night and day60 ,one day he effected disturbance and commotion1 saying1 8,the ,oneness of ,god is abolished1 and the ,manifestation1 before the lapse of a thousand years1 hath appeared607#afb7 ,upon finding that these fictions were not successful1 he gradually planned corruptions and caused commotion4 ,he grasped every garment 7means72 he calumniated to the government and he became acquainted with some of the unfriendly1 associated and became confidential with them4 ,together they compiled a report and presented it to the center of the government1 which disturbed the members of the cabinet4 ,among their fictitious reports was this3 ,that this oppressed one7#afc7 has hoisted the banner of independence2 upon that banner he has inscribed 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 and circulated it in all this country17#afd7 in the cities and hamlets1 even among the tribes in the desert1 and that he has summoned them all to assemble under the banner4 ,o ,god1 verily ,i seek shelter in ,thee from this action which is contrary to the precepts of ,baha'1 nay1 it is a great wrong1 committed only by every persistent sinner4 ,for ,thou hast enjoined upon us obedience to kings and rulers6 ,among the fictions was that the building upon ,mt4 ,carmel was purposed to be a fort1 built with perfect solidity and strength1 assigned it to be the 8illumined city0 and made the ,holy ,tomb1 the ,sacred ,mecca2 when in truth that is a building containing six vaults4 ,among other fictions was1 that he has founded a new monarchy 7kingdom7 and that he has called all the friends to this great wrong4 ,god forbid2 ,god forbid2 ,god forbid6 ,praise be to ,thee67#afe7--this is a great calumny6--that since the ,sacred ,tomb7#aff7 has become a visiting center for the world1 it shall be a great misfortune to the country and to the public6 and that the center of violation is not connected with these affairs1 nay rather1 he is a ,suni1 ,sanavi1 ,bekri1 and ,omari47#afg7 ,that he knows the ,blessed ,perfection7#afh7 to be only one of the reformers among the people1 and a follower of the ,path1 and that these affairs were instituted by this oppressed one4 ,in short1 an inquisitory body was appointed by the center of the great government--may her glory increase6 --and was sent to this land1 taking up its abode directly in the home of one of the plaintiffs4 ,the parties who joined in compiling the report and who were co-partners of my brother were sent for and questioned regarding the truth of the report4 ,they amplified the contents of the report1 explained them1 confirmed them and above all added to them4 ,they were the plaintiffs1 the witnesses and the judge4 ,now that body hath returned to the ,capital and every day terrible and frightful news is received4 ,but ,abdul-,baha--praise be to ,god6--is in perfect peace1 composure and rest4 ,he is not even disturbed through this calumny and fiction1 but rather hath referred all affairs to the pre-ordained decree and in perfect joy and happiness is ready to give up his life1 expecting every ordeal4 ,praise be to ,god6--the kind friends of ,god are also in a state of resignation and submissiveness4 ,all are happy1 thankful1 joyful1 and content4 ,but the center of violation presumed that after the shedding of the blood of this oppressed one1 or the throwing of him into the ,mediterranean ,sea1 he will become nameless1 traceless and forgotten1 and that he himself would find an arena to gallop in and could win1 with the spear of suspicions and fictions1 the object of his hopes and desire4 ,in vain6 ,in vain6 ,if there be no permanence to the fragrance of the musk of faithfulness1 will any one be attracted by the vile odor of jealousy8 ,if the deer of ,god be torn asunder by dogs and wolves1 no one will run after the blood-thirsty wolf4 ,if the nightingale of significances end his days1 no one will listen to the croaking of the raven1 nor to the cawing of the crow4 what vain imagination is this1 and what an ignorant display6 ,their actions are like unto a mirage in the desert1 which the thirsty imagines to be water1 but when he reaches it1 finds it to be nothing4 ,in sooth1 ,o ye friends of ,god1 make firm your feet and heart1 make perfect resolve through the power of confirmation of the ,blessed ,beauty2 engage in the service of the ,cause of ,god and withstand the nations and the peoples with the firmness1 the solidity and and the steadfastness of the people of ,baha'4 ,thus may others wonder how these hearts are fountains of trust and mines of the love of ,his ,majesty1 the ,merciful ,one4 ,thus may ye remain unshaken by the painful occurrences in the ,holy ,land1 and may remain firm through the disastrous events4 ,if all the friends oppose 7the ,cause of ,god7 with sword and one remain 7firm71 he will be the proclaimer of ,god1 a divine herald1 and will stand before all upon the earth4 ,in sooth1 you must not mind the events in the ,radiant ,spot4 ,the ,holy ,land is ever in danger and the flood of ordeal comes from every side1 for the call hath become world-wide and the summons hath spread throughout the earth1 and enemies1 both the unfamiliar and the familiar1 are engaged in their plans1 their stratagems and schemes to calumniate2 and it is evident that such a place is in danger1 for against calumny there is no defence1 nay rather1 some wandering oppressed souls are imprisoned in a fortress1 having no helper1 assistant nor shelter from the sword of accusation and the teeth of calumny1 save ,god6 ,ye must think of this3 ,how many dear friends have hastened to the divine altar2 how many blessed souls have sacrificed life2 what holy blood was shed2 what pure hearts were drowned in blood2 how many breasts were offered as targets for the arrows of malice1 and how many sanctified bodies were cut to pieces4 ,what is our duty8 ,to be thinking of our own life and to dissimulate and associate with enemies and friends1 or should we also follow the righteous and walk in the footprints of those who are great8 ,the numbered days 7of life7 will vanish away1 and the present existence disappear4 ,the garden of being will lose its freshness and fragrance1 the orchard of mirth will miss its joy and beauty4 ,the spring of life will change into the autumn of death1 the joy of happiness of the palaces will change into the gloomy darkness of the grave4 ,therefore1 it is not worth attachment and the wise person will not set his heart thereon4 ,the wise and great man seeketh heavenly glory and divine might1 desireth eternal life and seeketh nearness to the ,threshold of ,god4 ,for in the tavern of the mortal world the bile of the man of ,god is not removed4 ,he will not rest a moment here and will not stain himself with the attachments of the world4 ,nay1 rather1 the friends are the stars of the summit of ,providence and the planets of the firmament of ,guidance4 with perfect strength do they dispel darkness and destroy the foundation of envy and enmity4 ,they wish for the world and its denizens unity and peace2 they destroy the basis of war and strife2 they seek integrity1 faithfulness and friendliness1 and are well-wishes even of the evil-disposed enemy4 ,thus they make this prison of infidelity the sublime mansion of fidelity1 and this dungeon of envy a delectable paradise4 ,o ye friends1 endeavor with life and heart that this world may become the mirror of the world of the ,kingdom2 that the earthly kingdom be filled with the bounty of the heavenly2 that the voice of the ,supreme ,concourse may be raised in commendation1 and that the traces of the bounty and grace of the ,beauty of ,abha may envelop the earth6 ,his honor1 ,ameen7#afi71 hath praised highly the honored servants and the maid-servants of the ,manifest ,light2 commending each one separately and eulogizing the firmness and steadfastness of all2 that--praise be to ,god6--the friends and maid-servants of the ,merciful in all ,persia are in perfect resignation and firm and steadfast1 like unto a firm and solid foundation1 and in an absolute state of ecstasy and attraction are engaged in spreading the fragrance of the ,lord of ,lords4 ,through this news1 at this time of great jeopardy1 much happiness was realized1 for the supreme hope and desire of this oppressed one is the spirituality of the hearts and the radiance of the beings of the friends4 ,when this gift is obtained every ordeal is for him as an abundant bounty and a great shower4 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,thou seest me drowned in the sea of ordeals1 seized upon by the fire of infidelity1 with tears flowing in the dark night rolling in the bed of sleeplessness1 mine eyes expectant to see the dawn of the lights of ,faith4 ,and when ,i am anxious1 as the fish whose bowels are inflamed upon the dust1 ,i anticipate the manifestation of ,thy bounties from all sides6 ,o ,lord6 ,surround the friends in other regions with ,thy great bounties and uplift those who are weak among ,thy chosen1 through ,thy strength and providence1 in every remote place6 ,o ,lord1 verily they are the captives of ,thy love and the prisoners of ,thy host1 the birds of the atmosphere of ,thy guidance1 the fish of the sea of ,thy providence1 the stars of the horizon of ,thy bounty1 the army of the fortress of ,thy law1 the banners of ,thy remembrance1 the eyes of ,thy mercy1 the fountains of ,thy grace and the springs of ,thy generosity4 ,therefore1 guard them with the eye of kindness1 confirm them in promoting ,thy ,word1 strengthen their hearts in ,thy love1 reinforce their backs in ,thy service1 make firm their loins in ,thy servitude1 spread through them ,thy fragrances1 reveal through them ,thy signs1 manifest through them ,thy proofs1 accomplish through them ,thy words and perfect through them ,thy mercy6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,mighty1 and1 verily1 thou art the ,clement1 the ,merciful6 8,el-,baha1 praise1 light1 blessing and peace be upon thee14440 ,el-,baha1 praise1 light1 blessing and peace be upon thee17#agj7 ,o thou fire of the ,love of ,god1 thou light of the ,kingdom of ,god1 thou radiance of the ,gift of ,god1 thou peerless pearl in the ,sea of the ,mercy of ,god1 thou sturdy lion in the ,jungle of the ,guidance of ,god6 ,i testify that1 verily1 thou hast believed in ,god1 thou hast become assured of the ,verses of ,god1 thou hast trusted in the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god1 thou hast turned unto ,god1 thou hast kept firm in the ,covenant of ,god1 thou hast served the ,cause of ,god1 thou hast endeavored to promote the ,word of ,god1 and thou hast suffered martyrdom in the path of ,god4 ,may the soul of men be a sacrifice to thee6 ,blessed is the land which is reddened by thy blood6 ,blessed is the heart which is burnt with the fire of thine afflictions6 ,blessed is the eye which weeps over thy disaster6 ,blessed are the hearts which are consumed by thy calamities6 ,blessed are the bosoms which are rent asunder by thy sufferings6 ,praise be unto thee6 ,exaltation be unto thee6 ,faithfulness be unto thee6 ,o thou sign of guidance and thou standard of great martyrdom6 ,o that the bullets which shot thee were shot at the breast of ,abdul-,baha6 ,o that the darts which pierced thee would strike the heart of ,abdul-,baha6 ,by the might of my ,lord1 afflictions are much more favored by ,abdul-,baha than the honey of life1 inasmuch as this cup is overflowing with the gift of ,god4 ,blessed is the one who attaineth to visit thy grave6 ,blessed is the forehead which is set against thy tomb6 ,blessed is the man who serves thy sepulchre6 ,blessed is the person who lights a lamp7#aga7 at thy resting-place6 ,i beg of ,god to cause spheres of light to descend upon thy sepulchre and the clouds of mercy to shower rains of forgiveness upon thy resting-place and tomb6 ,verily1 ,he is the ,compensator1 the ,beneficent1 the ,giver6 8,o thou peerless1 matchless1 glorious martyr64440 ,o thou peerless1 matchless1 glorious martyr67#agb7 ,verily1 ,i salute thy pure dust1 and thy holy1 blessed tomb1 which is perfumed by the fragrances of sanctity which are blowing upon thee from the ,supreme ,concourse1 and the lights which are cast upon thee from the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha1 and the copious rain which purifieth thy fragrant plain1 and say3 8,upon thee be ,el-,baha6 ,upon thee be mercy1 ,o thou lamp ignited with the fire of the love of ,god1 irradiated with the ray of the gift of ,god1 and aflame in the glass of the knowledge of ,god6 ,thou art he who hath drunk the cup of sacrifice1 hath expended his life in the path of ,god1 and hath shed his blood on the earth in love for the ,beauty of ,god4 ,for they did not appreciate thy merit1 denied thy dignity1 were veiled from beholding the gift of thy ,lord1 and supposed themselves to be just4 ,no6 ,by no means6 8,punishment is for such as persecuted thee1 hell is for such as rejected thee1 fire is for such as sentenced thee to death1 infernal flame be for such as betrayed thee1 and the hellish gulf is for such as shed thy blood with impunity6 ,and paradise is for such as love thee1 heaven is for such as serve thee1 the everlasting abode is for such as visit 7thy tomb76 8,upon thee be ,el-,baha6 ,upon thee be greeting and praise1 ,o thou who hast suffered martyrdom in the path of ,god1 and art submerged in the ocean of the mercy of ,god6 8,blessed are the nostrils which will be perfumed by the scent of thy brilliant spot6 ,blessed are the eyes which will be illumined by the ray which is being cast upon thee from the bounty of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha6 8,i beg of ,god to make thy sepulchre a mine of mercy1 a depository of gifts1 and to encompass it with manifest signs4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,beneficent6 the ,giver6 ,verily1 ,he is gracious1 and showeth great favor toward martyrs1 and ,he is the ,bestower1 the ,generous60 8,the first light which shone forth from the horizon of4440 ,the first light which shone forth from the horizon of ,eternity1 the first radiance which was cast forth from the ,morn of ,guidance1 and the first mercy which descended from the ,kingdom of ,heaven1 be upon thee17#agc7 ,o thou manifest light1 thou 8strong rope10 and the beloved one of the denizens of the exalted heaven1 who hast suffered martyrdom in the path of the ,lord of the ,creatures1 and who art submerged in the sea of favors1 through the grace of thy ,lord1 the ,clement6 the ,merciful6 ,el-,baha be upon thee6 ,praise be upon thee6 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one6 ,the angels of mercy bless thee in the ,kingdom of ,el-,baha1 and the nostrils of the chosen ones are perfumed with the sweet odor which is wafting from the garden of the ,supreme ,concourse upon thy sepulchre2 and hearts are burning1 tears are being shed1 the power of endurance is cut off by the grievous disaster and great martyrdom1 whereby all hearts are consumed6 ,i testify that1 verily1 thou art a martyr of faithfulness1 thou art peerless among the beloved1 thou art matchless among the chosen ones and art fortunate among the pious6 ,blessed art thou1 for they pierced thy shining brow with a nail1 and suspended upon it thine outward decoration1 tortured thee by reins1 made thee to ride on a furious bull1 paraded thee in the city1 cut off thine ear with a sharp-edged blade1 and by force and compulsion made thee to devour it1 tormented thee with the torture of the wicked1 persecuted thee with a rage like unto the ferocity of ravenous wolves of the plain and desert1 and consumed thy pure body with the torture of fire6 ,blessed is the pure blood which was shed on the perfumed soil1 and which was poured out in the path of the forgiving ,lord6 ,blessed is thy body which was burned by the hand of every transgressor6 ,blessed is thy throat which was cut by the poniard of every traitor6 ,blessed is thy breast which was stricken by the oppressors' darts6 ,blessed is thy heart which was wounded by a sharp sword6 ,blessed art thou1 for thou hast showed forth all happiness and joy when hou wert being paraded in the streets of the people of haughtiness and the people of wickedness were clapping their hands and oppressing thee with innumerable blows and wounds1 whilst thou wert clapping thy hands with them--,o thou manifestor of light6--and wert warbling melodies1 whereby the people of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha were moved and breasts dilated 7with joy76 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one6 ,verily1 ,abdul-,baha inhaleth the odor of faithfulness from that remote region1 the soil of which is reddened by thy pure blood1 and beholdeth the lights of bestowal successively pouring upon thy resplendent tomb1 and the rains of grace dropping upon thy blessed resting-place1 which is fragrant1 brilliant and magnificent6 ,blessed is he whosoever may roll his face in the dust of thine excellent grave6 ,blessed is he whosoever may press his brow on thy great sepulchre6 ,upon thee be ,el-,baha6 ,upon thee be praise6 ,upon thee be bestowal1 ,o thou honorable martyr1 who hast severed thyself from all things in the pah of thine ,ancient ,lord1 who hast sacrificed thy soul1 blood and body in the path of thy ,most ,beautiful ,beloved ,one6 ,upon thee be grace from thy ,lord1 the ,exalted6 the ,great6 8,o ye beloved servants of ,abdul-,baha and the maid-servants4440 ,o ye7#agd7 beloved servants of ,abdul-,baha and the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one6 ,it is the early dawn and the soul-refreshing breeze of the ,paradise of ,abha is wafting upon all the contingent beings1 but it displays the effect only in pure hearts and perfumes only the healthy mind4 ,a seeing eye beholdeth the splendors of the sun and a hearing ear listeneth to the melody of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,although the mercy of the vernal shower and the heavenly outpouring descend upon all the earth1 yet only from a virgin soil vegetation groweth while the brackish ground is deprived and unproductive1 for the traces of the outpouring are not evident and manifest4 ,now the holy ,fragrances of ,abha are diffused in every clime1 but only the spiritual souls are attracted and draw benefits4 ,it is hoped by this imprisoned one1 from the bounty of the ,living ,self-,subsistent1 that1 through the dominating power of the ,word of ,god1 the nostrils of the heedless ones becomes opened and partake a share from the fragrances of the ,rose-,garden of ,mystery4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,the real friends are the skillful physicians and the divine instructions are the antidote of the ,merciful ,one and the remedies of the hearts4 ,they 7the believers7 heal the nostril affected with rheum1 make mindful the negligent ones1 give a share to the deprived ones and make hopeful the hopeless ones4 ,in this day if anyone liveth in accord with the heavenly teachings and instructions1 he shall become a spiritual physician to the world of humanity and the trumpet of ,israfel7#age7 to quicken the dead2 for the confirmations of the ,kingdom of ,abha are uninterrupted and the victory of the ,supreme ,concourse is the associate of every one who is pure in heart4 ,the weak gnat will become the strong royal falcon and the sparrow is transformed into the eagle soaring toward the apex of the ,ancient ,glory4 ,therefore1 look ye not upon your own capability and merit1 nay rather1 lay your confidence in the bounty and protection1 favor and grace of the ,blessed ,perfection--may my life be a sacrifice to ,his beloved ones6--and1 mounting upon the charger of magnanimity1 rush ye toward the arena of martyrdom1 so that ye may win the polo of favors in this vast field of ,god6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one6 ,the queens of the world went down to the tombs and disapeared and vanished from the face of the earth4 ,there remained for them no fruit1 no name1 no trace1 no fame and no existence4 ,but every one of the maid-servants in the court of ,oneness shone forth like unto the brilliant stars from the glorious ,ancient ,horizon1 cast their rays upon centuries and cycles1 attained to their utmost desires in the ,kingdom of ,abha and drank from the wine of meeting 7with ,god7 in the ,assembly of the ,almighty4 ,these souls have taken a share from 7the benefits7 of being and obtained results4 ,o ye friends of the wronged one6 ,purify your eyes from beholding any as strangers4 ,do ye not see foreignness1 nay rather1 know all as friends2 for with the observation of strangeness1 the practice of love and unity is difficult4 ,in this wonderful age1 according to the divine texts1 ye must befriend all nations and communities4 ,ye must not look upon violence1 force1 evil intentions1 persecutions or hostility1 nay rather1 ye must raise your eyes to the horizon of glory and see that each one of these creatures is a sign of the ,lord of ,signs and has stepped upon the arena of existence through divine favor and supreme energy4 ,thus they are known and not unknown1 are friends and not strangers4 ,we must deal with all according to the above criterion4 ,therefore1 the beloved must1 with infinite kindness and love1 associate and sympathize with both friends and strangers and not look at all upon the merits and capabilities of the persons4 ,under all circumstances they must show forth genuine love and be not defeated by the intensity of rancor1 hatred1 quarrel1 malice and the grudge of the people4 ,should they 7they people7 shoot arrows they 7the friends7 must administer milk and honey2 if they give poison1 the believers must impart delicacies2 if they cause pain1 let the beloved be a remedy2 if they strike a blow1 let them become the antidote4 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,verily1 these are ,thy weak servants and ,thy submissive1 faithful ones and ,thy sincere maid-servants who are humbled before ,thy illumined ,threshold1 acknowledging ,thy ,oneness which hath appeared like unto the appearance of the sun in midday1 listening to ,thy call from ,thy mysterious ,kingdom and uttering ,thy prayers with hearts overflowing with ,thy love and devotion6 ,o my ,lord6 ,pour upon all of them the rain of ,thy mercy1 cause to descend upon every one the showers of ,thy bounty from the clouds of ,thy munificence1 make them graceful plants in ,thy divine ,rose-garden and suffer these myrtles to become verdant1 green and refreshed by the outpouring from the ,cloud of ,thy ,singleness4 ,verily ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,most ,high1 the ,mighty and ,omnipotent1 and the ,creator of the earth and heaven1 and verily there is no ,god but ,thee1 the ,lord of the ,manifest ,signs6 8,o servants of the ,blessed ,beauty64440 ,o servants7#agf7 of the ,blessed ,beauty6 ,it is a well known fact that1 owing to the frequency of disturbances1 the work of delivering the ,message hath been for a short time discontinued4 ,in consequence1 persons travel less frequently to the different parts of the country4 ,it is known and clear that today the unseen divine assistance encompasseth those who deliver the ,message4 ,and if the work of delivering the ,message be neglected1 the assistance shall be entirely cut off1 for it is impossible that the friends of ,god could receive assistance unless they be engaged in delivering the ,message4 ,under all conditions the ,message must be delivered1 but with wisdom4 ,if it be not possible openly1 it must be done quietly4 ,the friends should be engaged in educating the souls and should become instruments in aiding the world of humanity to acquire spiritual joy and fragrance4 ,for example3 ,if every one of the friends 7believers7 were to establish relations of friendship and right dealings with one of the negligent souls1 associate and live with him with perfect kindliness1 and meanwhile through good conduct and moral behavior lead him to divine instruction1 to heavenly advice and teachings1 surely he would gradually arouse that negligent person and would change his ignorance into knowledge4 ,souls are liable to estrangement4 ,such methods should be adopted that the estrangement should be first removed1 then the ,word will have effect4 ,if one of the believers be kind to one of the negligent ones and with perfect love should gradually make him understand the reality of the ,cause of ,god in such a way that the latter should know in what manner the ,religion of ,god hath been founded and what its object is1 doubtless he will become changed2 excepting abnormal souls who are reduced to the state of ashes and whose hearts are like stones1 yea1 even harder4 ,if by this method every one of the friends of ,god were to try to lead one soul to the right path1 the number of the believers would be doubled every year4 ,but this should be carried out with perfect wisdom and in such a manner that no harm would ever result therefrom4 ,in the same way those who deliver the ,message should travel to all parts of the country4 ,and if delivering the ,message should be the cause of disturbance1 let them then be engaged in encouraging and educating the friends1 in order that those souls receive spiritual attraction and rejoice1 seek delight and ecstasy1 acquire new life and through the fragrances of sanctity gain vivacity and freshness4 ,the object is this1 that in the time of peace and safety this work of delivering the ,message should be carried on with the utmost fervor4 ,but when there is no peace and safety1 extreme wisdom should be exercised1 though no complete cessation of effort is permissible1 for in that case the divine assistance shall be entirely cut off4 ,with regard to the formation of benevolent associations1 surely this subject should be given due attention4 ,the disciples of ,his ,holiness ,christ--may my life be a sacrifice unto ,him6--were only eleven persons and they had established a benevolent fund4 ,so the establishment of the fund had that degree of importance4 8,o ye sincere ones6 ,o ye favored ones6 ,o ye beseeching4440 ,o ye7#agg7 sincere ones6 ,o ye favored ones6 ,o ye beseeching ones6 ,o ye supplicating ones6 ,verily1 ,i set my forehead on the dust and turn my face toward the ,lord of ,lords and invoke my ,lord with intense fervor and attraction1 that ,he may look upon you with the glances of the eye of ,his providence1 watch over you with the gaze of ,his protection1 unite your hearts1 dilate your breasts1 harmonize your souls1 rejoice you with gladness1 exhilarate you with the chalices of salvation1 make you steadfast in the divine ,cause and that ,he may enable you to cling to the hem of the ,almighty1 to hasten toward the place of sacrifice and to be sheltered under the shadow of the ,blessed ,tree whose roots are planted firm and whose branches are extended to heaven3 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,these are the chosen ones whose faces are illumined with the light of guidance1 who found the heavenly table pleasing to their tastes1 who submitted willingly to every matter which happened in the land and sought help from the hosts of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,their feet are indeed made firm1 their banners hoisted1 their deeds righteous and their actions just4 ,o ,lord6 ,make them fragrant plants of ,thy paradise1 flowers of the garden of nearness1 verses of ,thy glorious book1 words of ,thy 8,published tablet0 unto the people of the world and as falcons soaring on the loftiest summit4 ,verily ,thou art the ,beneficent1 the ,merciful1 the ,powerful1 the ,mighty1 the ,bestower6 ,o my dear friends6 ,yours was not merely a letter2 it was perfumed with amber and diffused a sweet fragrance4 ,every word thereof was a rose in the rose-garden of the love of ,god and was a flower1 a hyacinth4 ,when the breeze of ,providence blows from the direction of gift1 the gardens of hearts attain thereby exceeding purity and freshness4 ,such significances arise from the soul and consciousness and impart joy and fragrance4 ,o friends6 ,it is the wish of ,abdul-,baha that the friends may establish general unity and not a particular meeting of unity4 ,you must have great consideration for this fact1 for during the past cycles though such events 7founding of particular1 i4e41 exclusive unity meetings7 were1 in the beginning1 a means for harmony1 they became in the end the cause of trouble4 ,we are all servants of one ,threshold1 attendants at one ,court1 waves of one sea1 drops of one stream1 the dust before one door and plants of one garden4 ,there must arise no trouble to deprive one from that which is the real purpose4 ,the beloved of ,god must be friendly even with strangers and intimate even with outsiders--how much more with others among the righteous 7i4e41 believers76 ,to organize assemblies is praiseworthy and acceptable1 but these must be established for certain matters4 ,for example3 ,assemblages for teaching 7the ,truth71 gatherings for the spread of the fragrances of ,god1 gatherings for the relief of the orphans1 gatherings for the protection 7i4e41 feeding1 etc417 of the poor1 assemblages for the spread of learning and1 in a word1 there must be gatherings for matters which concern the well-being of men1 such as organizations of a society of commerce1 societies for the expansion of agriculture4 ,to be brief1 similar societies are very acceptable and praiseworthy and concern all in general and not a particular number4 ,in a word3 ,that which is conducive to the life 7or growth7 of the people is acceptable and whatever is the cause of disaffection is blameworthy4 ,i hope all the friends of the ,east and ,west shall rest in the same assemblage and adorn one gathering1 appearing with all the heavenly attributes and virtues in the world of humanity4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,enable me to witness the most great sign and to realize the fulfillment of this hope throughout all regions4 ,verily ,thou art the ,bestower1 the ,beneficent1 whose bounties are great6 ,some of the friends have asked to present themselves in these parts4 ,in these days this does not conform with wisdom4 ,god willing1 permission shall be given at some favorable time4 8,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o ,thou whose mercy hath encompassed4440 7#agh7 ,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o ,thou whose mercy hath encompassed all things1 whose gift is made perfect1 whose power hath encircled the world1 whose proof is demonstrated1 whose signs have become manifest1 whose words are promulgated1 whose arguments are established and whose ensigns are hoisted6 ,praise be unto ,thee for that which ,thou hast bestowed6 ,thanks be unto ,thee for that which ,thou hast granted6 ,glorification behooveth ,thee for ,thou hast manifested ,thyself6 ,glory be unto ,thee ,glory be unto ,thee6 ,how inaccessible is ,thy station6 ,how manifest is ,thy proof and how all-embracing is ,thy munificence6 ,verily the dark night hath been spreading its wings over all the regions and the face of the heaven and earth was hidden behind the clouds of inky gloom and blackness--wherefore the sights were veiled from beholding the most great signs and inner perceptions were blinded and unable to find the fire of divine guidance2 souls were wandering in the desert of error and heedlessness and the possessors of intelligence were lost in the wilderness of amazement and skepticism1 crying and weeping as a mother bereft of her babe--bewailing and lamenting like unto a thirsty one in the midst of a vast and boundless ,sahara6 ,but through ,thy greatest bounty1 the glorious dawn broke and the lightning of guidance flashed from the ,supreme ,horizon upon the face of heaven6 ,then the ,first ,point 7the ,bab7 appeared among mankind with the glad-tidings of ,thy ,manifestation1 the fragrances of ,thy ,holiness and the verses of ,thy ,singleness1 spreading ,thy good news1 heralding ,thy ,name1 declaring and praising ,thee in numerous epistles6 ,thine is favor for this gift which hath cheered the souls of the pure ones6 ,thine is generosity for ,thou hast enabled every righteous and devoted one to adore ,thee by causing the ,sun of ,truth to shine upon all the regions of existence6 ,thine is glory and excellence6 ,thine is power and beauty6 ,thine is sovereignty and authority6 ,thine is dominion and kingdom6 ,thine is exaltation and omnipresence6 ,thine is divinity and lordship6 ,for thou hast manifested ,thy bounty from the horizon of emanation1 rent asunder the veil and raised the covering from ,thy illumined countenance in the promised day and shone forth upon the world of being with the rays gleaming from the dawn of revelation6 ,then the 8,resurrection0 appeared1 the 8,day ofd ,judgment0 became manifest1 the 8earth0 heaved and shook1 the 8mountains0 were levelled1 the 8seas0 boiled1 the 8sun0 was eclipsed1 the 8luminaries0 were darkened1 the 8stars0 scattered1 the 8signs0 became known1 the 8bridge0 expanded1 the 8conditions0 were fulfilled1 the 8balance0 was set up1 the 8fire0 burned fiercely and the 8paradise0 became begemmed6--wherefore the devoted ones entered into delectable gardens with beatitude and the veiled ones were left to amuse themselves with their own imaginations2 the possessors of perception beheld the lights and those whose eyes were weak vanished in gloomy darkness before the appearance of the mid-day ,sun6 ,then those whose ears were unstopped and open rejoiced in listening to the call1 while the deaf 7or ignorant7 were astonished 1 crying out1 8,what is the cause of this acclamation and rejoicing80 ,then the fluent speakers loosened their tongues in thanksgiving and glorification1 while the dumb became as hard and lifeless stones2 then the souls were purified1 the hearts were attracted1 the breasts were dilated1 the characters were sanctified1 the secret thoughts became manifest and the realities stepped into the arena of existence2 they sought illumination1 were guided1 became ablaze1 enflamed and enkindled1 called forth and proclaimed1 saying3 8,glad-tidings be unto the righteous ones6 ,rejoicing be unto the perceiving ones6 ,happiness be unto the favored ones6 ,joy be unto the yearning ones6 ,cheerfulness be unto the attracted ones6 ,exhilaration be unto the longing ones6 ,glory be unto ,him who hath arisen from the ,brightest ,dawn6 ,glory be unto ,him who hath shone forth the ,manifest ,light6 ,glory be unto ,him who showered ,glorious ,outpourings upon the contingent beings6 ,glory be unto ,him who illumined the ,supreme ,horizon with such a ,radiance by which the gloom of the dark night hath been dispelled6 ,glory be unto ,him who causeth to descend the ,food from heaven6 ,glory be unto ,him who causeth the ,running ,spring to gush forth from the rugged cliff6 ,glory be unto ,him who poured down the ,pure ,water from on high6 ,glory be unto ,him who allayed the thirst of the devoted ones with the ,cup which is mixed with ,camphire67#agi7 ,glory be unto ,him who developed the barren and sterile ground into fruitfulness6 ,glory be unto ,him who hath produced growth in the adjoining fields of various natures6 ,glory be unto ,him who irrigated them with the same waters gushing forth from that ,fountain6 ,glory be unto ,him who adorned the delectable gardens with all kinds of delicate and delicious fruits6 ,glory be unto ,him who ushered in the ,emanation of the new creation6 ,glory be unto ,him who hath brought forth the ,day of ,retribution6 ,glory be unto ,him who granted ,life unto the contingent ,beings6 ,glory be unto ,him who created the ,existence6 ,glory be unto ,him who extended forth the ,path6 ,glory be unto ,him who made clear the ,way6 ,glory be unto ,him who appeared in the ,most ,wonderful ,age6 ,glory be unto the ,founder of this ,new ,epoch6 ,then thanks be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god1 for these ,gifts and praise be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,beloved1 for this ,eminent ,bounty6 ,verily ,thou art the ,merciful of the ,most ,merciful60 ,o ye merciful friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,at this moment a letter hath been received from ,america containing the good news that that region of the ,occident hath become the ,orient2 that is1 in that region the rays of the ,sun of ,truth have appeared and shone forth with such penetration that the bright light of the morn of guidance hath dawned and every longing one hath attained to the desire of this heart1 and that the melody of the ,kingdom of ,abha ascends continuously to the ,supreme ,concourse and the soul-refreshing strains of 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 reach the ears of the peoples and communities of that country4 ,according to what they have written1 they have celebrated the day of the 8,birth anniversary0 in twenty-four cities by giving public feasts and beautiful receptions4 ,they have spent that day in the utmost joy and happiness1 they have sent out general invitations1 spread the table of gifts1 engaged in the commemoration of the ,true ,one and in imparting glad-tidings to each other4 ,likewise1 letters of congratulation and felicitation have been received from these twenty-four cities and assemblies4 ,consider ye what influence the penetrative power of the ,word of ,god hath displayed in existence and how the universe is stirred and moved through it6 ,how in ,america on the 8,birth anniversary0 such feasting and banqueting is prepared6 ,how the remote ones have become the near ones and how the customs and habits of the ,east are spread abroad6 ,this is the penetrative power of the ,word of ,god and this is the might of the subduing desire of ,god6 ,o ye friends of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,his honor ,ameen7#ahj7 hath mentioned you with the highest praise and commendation1 saying that1 thank ,god1 the believers in all parts of the cities and towns are the manifestations of bounties and the dawning-places of justice and equity2 are mindful1 obedient1 kind-hearted and steadfast2 are engaged in reading the verses and occupied with spreading the signs2 are in the utmost ecstasy and exhilaration and intoxicated with the pure wine2 are active in praising and adoring the ,most ,great ,name and intimate in paying homage to the ,holy ,threshold2 are living in accord with the divine teachings and exhortations and are in every way endowed with all human excellences and attributes2 that they are in the utmos unity and agreement and in great zeal and enthusiasm2 are kind to every soul and treat all the communities with exceeding joy and fragrance2 that they have sympathy even for the enemies and are faithful friends even to the unjust2 that to the outsiders they are as relatives and to the strangers they are a swift-healing antidote instead of a poisonous sting2 are the servants of the world of humanity and manifestors of the attributes of the ,merciful ,one6 ,blessed are they for this testimony1 which is expressive of the beauty of their characters and the merit of their virtues6 ,truly1 ,i say1 his honor ,ameen is the well-wisher of all4 ,in the day of the ,manifestation he was the ,ameen 7,faithful7 of the ,blessed perfection7#aha7 and in the days of the ,covenant7#ahb7 he is the confidant of this yearning one4 ,therefore1 his testimony is heard and accepted and his evidence is praised and beloved4 ,o ye beloved of ,god6 ,according to what is heard1 some of the ulemas of the ,sheite sect 7,persian moslem mullas71 as well as some leaders of the ,shekhei school1 are engaged constantly in instigating revolts and have arisen against the government with enmity and opposition1 confusing the affairs of the state more than before4 ,praise be to ,god67#ahc7 ,what is this heedlessness and ignorance and what is this antagonism and insubordination6 ,verily1 the ,persian empire hath been at all times deprived of every bounty on account of the encroaching influence of the ritualistic mullas6 ,whenever that just government conceived a good intention to introduce reforms and amelioration of conditions1 these ignorant leaders raised vehement opposition1 protested severely and prevented the introduction of measures which would better conditions and spread culture and progress4 ,one must be just4 ,the intention of ,his ,imperial ,majesty is higher and purer than all the other leaders and chiefs1 for the sole desire of the throne is the peace and security of the inhabitants and the cultivation and betterment of the conditions of the empire4 ,but alas6 they do not give a moment's rest to the kind ,padeshah1 in order that he may voluntarily and of his own accord inaugurate reforms as much as may be warranted by circumstances4 ,however1 the inhabitants of ,persia are not the only ones who are afflicted with this ignorance and blindness4 ,the people of the imperial ,ottoman government are also in a state of the utmost ignorance and blindness4 ,diversity of opinions and ignorance of factions do not allow one breath of tranquility to the imperial government1 in order that it may adjust internal conditions and rectify foreign relations4 ,yet1 under all these conditions1 ,his ,imperial ,majesty the ,padeshah f the ,ottomans is intelligently directing the affairs4 ,the proof and testimony of this assertion is the protection afforded these exiled ones 7in ,acca7 from the rebellious despotism of the enemies4 ,if authority were in the people's hands or in other hands than those of the government1 the conspiracies and seditions of inside and outside enemies would have scattered even the ashes of this imprisoned one to the winds4 ,but the forebearance1 intelligence1 foresight1 far-reaching wisdom and discernment of ,his ,imperial ,majesty the ,padeshah of the ,ottomans have so far protected these exiled ones1 notwithstanding the attacks of the calumniators and the party of the slanderers4 ,we are of those who pray for these two just kings and are grateful to these two equitable sovereigns4 ,praise be unto ,god6 ,one of the imputations of the enemies is this3 ,that--we seek refuge in ,god--we deny the validity and truth of the ,sun of ,guidance1 the ,lamp of the ,supreme ,concourse1 the messenger of the ,almighty1 ,his ,highness ,mohammed ,mostafa--upon ,him be greeting and praise6--and that--,god forbid6 --we have written books in ,his refutation4 ,woe unto those who have arisen to spread this great falsehood and calumny6 ,however1 all the friends of ,god who are informed of the mysteries know that this exiled and imprisoned one would readily sacrifice his life at the dust of the ,prophet's feet4 ,furthermore1 the ,blessed ,perfection-may my life be a sacrifice to ,his beloved ones--in the book of ,ighan1 hath established with invincible proofs and clear arguments the prophethood of ,his ,highness the ,messenger--may my life be a sacrifice to ,him6--and also ,his ,highness the ,supreme 7the ,bab7 hath invoked ,him 7,mohammed7 in many supplications4 ,notwithstanding all these evidences1 the unjust ones are crying out and secretly spreading the falsehood that we--,god forbid6--are ,his deniers and the unfaithful friends 7nakzeen7 acknowledge these erroneous imputations4 ,praise be to ,god6 ,if we deny the messengers and prophets of ,god1 what have we to say for ourselves8 ,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,verily this is a great calumny6 ,to be brief1 the aim is this3 ,though the interference of the ignorant and fanatical leaders the country of ,persia is in a state of decadence1 although the pure intention of ,his ,imperial ,majesty the crowned ,shah is for progress4 ,however1 ye who are the well-wishers of the government and are sincere1 obedient and kind toward it1 be ye engaged always in service4 ,should any one of you enter into the service 7or employment7 of the government1 he must live and act with the utmost truthfulness1 righteousness1 chastity1 uprightness1 purity1 sanctity1 justice and equity4 ,but if--,i seek refuge in ,god--any one betray the least of trusts or neglect and be remiss in the performance of duties which are intrusted to him1 or by oppression takes one penny of extortion from the subjects1 or seeks after his own personal1 selfish aims and ends in the attainment of his own interests1 he shall undoubtedly remain deprived of the outpourings of ,his ,highness the ,almighty6 ,beware6 ,beware6 lest ye fall short in that which ye are commanded in this ,tablet6 8,o thou who art sweet tongued64440 ,o thou who art sweet tongued6 ,thy poem7#ahd7 is a wonder to the minds and intellects and thy composition an evidence of the gift of the great ,lord4 ,therefore1 thy wine is the pure wine1 thy heart the recess of light and thy brow radiant with love4 ,if the people of the world were fair in judgment1 the sweetness of thy poem should be a sufficient proof4 ,a young boy of the posterity of ,israel whose pure mouth still emits the fragrance of milk1 uttering such a marvelous anthem6 8,o bird of the ,rose-garden of ,fidelity64440 ,o bird7#ahe7 of the ,rose-garden of ,fidelity6 ,be of no cheerless heart2 have no wing nor feather broken2sigh not1 neither do thou wail1 and sit not chilled in a corner4 ,the little girl lamented is in the divine ,rose-garden in the highest happiness1 delight1 cheerfulness and gratification4 ,why then art thou grieved1 sorrowing with a bleeding heart8 ,this is the day of rejoicing and the hour of ecstasy6 ,this is the season of the dead arising from the graves and gathering together6 ,and this is the promised time for the attainment of plenteous grace4 ,be calm1 be strong1 be grateful1 and become a lamp full of light1 that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated1 and that the sun of everlasting joy arise from the dawning-place of heard and soul1 shining brightly4999999 ,upon thee be the ,glory of the ,most-,glorious6 8,o thou friend64440 ,o thou friend67#ahf7 ,a fire from the ,kingdom hath been kindled in the heart of the world1 in the ,blessed ,tree1 whose flame shall ere long set aglow the pillars of the earth and its rays illumine the horizons of the nations4 ,all the signs hath appeared1 all the 7prophetic7 references hath become clear1 all that was revealed in the ,books and ,scriptures hath become fully manifest1 and there is no ground for any one to hesitate in regard thereto4 ,some people of former times and some sects avoided certain others as strangers1 but now the ,glorious ,beloved ,one hath ridden upon ,his swift coursing steed1 circling about in the arena of ,truth and all that was hidden became manifest4 ,let there be no more silence nor reticence1 taciturnity nor negligence4 ,the ,candle is lighted--yet the moths continue motionless and melancholy behind the veils4 ,now is the time to roar like unto a sea and seek to ascend heavenward6 ,if we desire to reach the apex of the ,supreme ,kingdom1 we must unfurl our wings2 if we wish to dive into the depths of the ocean1we must teach our limbs swimming4 ,the time is short and the ,divine ,courser moves swiftly on2 let us keep up and compete with each other and let us light a brilliant candle6 8,o ye brilliant realities64440 ,o ye7#ahg7 brilliant realities6 ,blessed are ye1 for that ye believed in the ,lord of ,hosts1 advanced unto the ,kingdom of ,god1 with faces rejoicing with the glad-tidings of ,god1 that ye were awakened by the breezes of ,god1 revived by the ,spirit of ,god1 and attracted by the fragrances of ,god4 ,may it be salutary to ye1 the cup overflowing with the wine of the love of ,god6 ,thank your ,lord for making ye signs of guidance and standards of the ,supreme ,kingdom4 ,soon shall the earth shake in your name1 the angels pray for you4 the bells ring in your mentioning1 the hearts overflow with your love and tongues speak in your praise2 forasmuch as the doors of the ,kingdom are being opened before your faces1 and the paradise of eternal life is being prepared and decorated for your entrance2 therefore enter ye1 while believing1 assured1 rejoiced1 attracted1 severed from the world and all therein4 ,and be not sorrowful on account of the affliction of ,abdul-,baha1 for calamity is a light1 whereby his face glistens among the ,supreme ,concourse2 affliction is healing to his breast1 joy of his heart1 happiness to his soul2 nay1 rather1 the most honored garment upon his temple and best robe upon his body1 and the dearest crown upon his head4 ,this is his utmost desire4 ,implore unto ,god and supplicate to ,him in your prayers at morn and eve1 asking ,god to destine to ,abdul-,baha the draught of the great martyrdom1 so that he may welcome it with great desire1 and ascend unto the ,kingdom of ,god with illumined face1 with smiling lips1 brilliant forehead1 eloquent tongue1 and great thankfulness among the ,supreme ,concourse4 8,o ye who are attracted6 ,o ye who are remembered64440 ,o ye7#ahh7 who are attracted6 ,o ye who are remembered6 ,o ye who are directed unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily ,i supplicate ,god in heart and spirit to make you signs of guidance1 standards of sanctity and fountains of knowledge and understanding1 that through you ,he may guide the seekers unto the ,straight path and lead them unto the ,mighty ,way in this ,great ,cycle4 ,o beloved of ,god6 ,know ye that the world is like unto a mirage which the thirsty one thinks to be water2 its water is a vapor2 its mercy a difficulty2 its repose hardship and ordeal2 leave it to its people and turn unto the ,kingdom of your ,lord the ,merciful4 ,thus the lights of mercy and beneficence may shine upon you1 the heavenly table descend for you1 your ,lord may bestow upon you the greatest gifts and favors1 whereby your breasts may become dilated1 your hearts gladdened1 your souls purified1 and your eyes enlightened4 ,o beloved of ,god6 ,is there any giver save ,god8 ,he chooseth for ,his mercy whomsoever ,he desireth4 ,he shall open unto you the doors of ,his knowledge1 fill your hearts with ,his love1 rejoice your spirits by the wafting of ,his holy fragrances1 illumine your faces by the ,manifest ,light and elevate your names among the people4 ,verily your ,lord is the most merciful of the merciful6 ,he will aid you through an unseen host1 and help you by armies of inspiration from the ,supreme ,concourse1 send you the fragrances of the ,supreme ,paradise1 perfume your nostrils by the breath of purity wafted from the garden of the ,supreme ,concourse1 cause you to enter the ,ark of ,safety1 and reveal to you the ,manifest ,signs4 ,verily this is a great bounty6 ,verily this is a manifest attainment6 8,o thou who art guided by the ,light of ,guidance64440 ,o thou who art guided by the ,light of ,guidance6 ,verily1 ,i am informed of thy confession of the ,oneness of ,god and thy being attracted to the fragrances of ,god4 ,i implore unto ,god to make thee a sign of guidance2 thy face rejoicing among the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 and thy heart severed from this world1 which weakeneth the hearts and spirits4 8,o thou whose breast is dilated by the ,fragrances of4440 ,o thou whose breast is dilated by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily thy letter reached me and ,i prayed ,god to confirm thee in guiding the people to the ,manifestation of ,lights2 satisfying the thirsty ones with the pure and peaceful water2 leading the sick to the ,glorious ,physician2 guiding those who are led astray into the ,path1 imparting the wine to those who are seeking1 and feeding the hungry souls with the food which descendeth from the heaven of thy ,lord1 the ,glorious6 8,o thou who seekest for the ,will of ,god64440 ,o thou who seekest for the ,will of ,god6 ,give thanks to ,god that thou entered the divine ,kingdom and knowest the heavenly ,lord of ,hosts6 ,the light of truth hath radiated from the ,sun of ,divinity to the horizons in such a manner that the ,east and the ,west are illumined4 ,but1 alas6 the blind do not see and the deaf do not hear the divine proclamation4 ,the bats do not perceive the light of the sun and the beetles cannot enjoy the fragrances of a rose-garden4 ,consider that the horizons of the world were enlightened through the light of the beauty of ,his ,holiness ,christ2 yet all the people were asleep1 blind and sightless1 except a few whose eyes were opened and perceived the lights4 ,now thou shalt thank ,god that a beam of the light came to thy sight4 ,i ask ,god that thine inner sight may be illumined so that thou mayest discover the hidden mysteries of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,if thou become so1 thou wilt be an evident light and a divine angel in the celestial dominion2 then it dependeth on the divine confirmation1 according to thy perseverance4 8,o thou seeker of the ,true ,one64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,true ,one6 ,in the day of ,christ all nations were expecting that ,his ,holiness ,christ should come from heaven1 and ,he came from heaven1 though outwardly ,he came from the womb of ,mary4 ,hence1 ,he hath said in the ,gospels3 8,no one shall ascend to heaven except the one who hath come from heaven40 ,now all the people expect ,him to come from heaven4 ,if thou wishest to find the truth1 compare the days of the ,manifestation of the ,beauty of ,abha with the days of ,christ2 consider this is identically like that and the same doubts and oppositions are put forth 7by the people74 as to the proofs and arguments of the ,beauty of ,abha1 these are manifest like the sun4 ,if thou wishest a discerning eye and seekest for a hearing ear1 set thou aside that which thou hast heard from fathers and ancestors1 for such things are imitation--and then seek for the truth with the utmost attention until the divine confirmation may reach thee and the matter may be properly disclosed unto thee4 8,o thou cup overflowing with the ,wine of the ,love of4440 ,o thou cup overflowing with the ,wine of the ,love of ,god6 ,know1 verily1 that the doors of the ,kingdom are being opened to the ,east and ,west4 ,verily the people neglected the ,name of their ,lord after expectancy of centuries and ages6 ,however1 those whose consciences were pure1 whose hearts were sanctified1 urge forward thereto and enter therein through every door with faces shining1 hearts and spirits rejoiced4 thank ,god for this great guidance and mighty gift6 8,o thou whose tongue is uttering the ,name of ,god64440 ,o thou whose tongue is uttering the ,name of ,god6 ,turn wholly unto the ,lord of ,hosts1 8,glorious ,station10 the ,manifest2 be severed from all things1 and hold to the robe of the ,clement ,lord1 and enter into the extended shade1 until thy ,lord confirmeth thee by the fragrances of holiness in this promised day1 wherein the name of the ,kingdom is celebrated and spread in all regions4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy words of thanksgiving to ,god1 for ,he hath guided the beloved of ,god and ,his maid-servants to the light of guidance and given them to drink the cup filled with the wine of the most mighty gift4 ,verily1 ,i beseech the ,divine ,might to strengthen them by the ,holy ,spirit in all times and circumstances so that they may be firm in the ,cause of ,god and steadfast in love for ,baha'1 a firmness and steadfastness resembling that of immovable mountains and lofty hills4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,deliver my greetings1 praise and longings to the beloved of ,god and ,his maid-servants in that remote region1 and say unto them3 8,hasten1 hasten to the fountain of the mercy of ,god6 ,hasten1 hasten to enter into the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,hasten1 hasten to the effulgence which is shining like unto the sun from the ,supreme ,horizons throughout ages and cycles6 8,o beloved of ,god and ,his maid-servants6 ,verily the ,beauty of ,el-,abha hath endured every hardship1 calamity and great affliction in love for you1 so that ye may be directed by the lights of the ,kingdom unto the ,king of the ,realm of ,might1 and be shining as a brilliant light in the glass of the contingent world4 ,hasten to avail yourselves of the opportunity to enter the protection of the inaccessible ,cause and lofty ,shelter6 8,truly ,i say unto you1 this is a gift which neither the dominion of the world1 nor the riches of treasuries1 nor the glory of the distinguished men of the world1 can equal in this glorious century and new age2 inasmuch as crowns are transient1 while this is eternal and never ending40 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,strengthen them in whatsoever ,thou willest1 with that ,thou willest1 upon what ,thou willest6 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily thy letter indicated thy faith in the ,oneness of ,god4 ,i ask ,god to make thee firm in ,his ,religion1 to confirm thee through the breath of the ,holy ,spirit1 so that thou mayest speak the teachings of ,god and guide the people unto the ,kingdom4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily the bounty of ,god upon thee is great1 great6 ,if thou remainest firm in the path of the love of thy ,lord1 thou shalt behold the doors of success and progress open before thy face from all sides4 ,verily this is not far from the mercy of thy ,lord6 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,i ask ,god to open before thy face the doors of wisdom1 to give thee a drink of the chalice overflowing with the wine of certainty1 and to inspire thee with the mysteries of the ,holy ,book1 so that thou mayest know the significances of vision and the reality of revelation1 and all the hidden symbols of prophetic ,scripture1 such as those of ,isaiah1 ,jeremiah and ,ezekiel4 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto ,god6 ,thank ,god for that ,he taught thee the word of guidance1 illuminated thy heart by the light of the ,kingdom in this world1 destined to thee eternal life1 everlasting salvation1 progress and prosperity in the world of spirit4 ,hold to the garment of glory1 grasp the firm rope and loosen thy tongue in praise of the ,beloved ,el-,abha4 ,neglect not praying and communing in the gloomy midnights and morn and eve1 and offer glory unto thy ,lord1 the ,supreme4 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i am in receipt of thy letter1 and my breast is dilated by its contents which proved thy great attraction 7to ,god71 thy joy of heart and the rejoicing of thy spirit by the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,trust in ,god in all matters and lead the people unto the solid faith1 the way of the ,kingdom2 so that they may be ushered into the canopy of peace and abide in the strong castle of the mercy of thy ,lord1 the ,clement2 that they may hoist the standards of the love of ,god in the highest mountain summits1 promulgate the revelation of strength on the ,ark of ,safety and immerse thyself in the seas of the mercy of thy ,lord1 the ,clement4 ,convey my greetings and praise to thy respected wife and to thy mother1 who believed in her ,god2 cheer her heart and comfort her spirit through the ,kingdom of ,god4 8,o thou who art turning thy heart unto the ,kingdom of4440 ,o thou who art turning thy heart unto the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy recent letter and praised ,god for having blessed thee with two babes1 as a mercy on ,his part4 ,he is indeed the ,merciful1 the ,generous6 ,give to them the names ,leah and ,rachel1 which are the names of the two wives of ,jacob1 for they were two sisters1 beloved of ,god4 ,perchance ,god hath destined profound wisdom in this4 ,then thank ,god that ,he hath guided thy honorable wife to the ,manifestation of ,light1 the ,revealer of ,signs and the ,source of ,mysteries4 ,verily1 this is the great favor4 ,then know verily1 that the doors of tests will be opened in that town1 but it is incumbent on thee to be steadfast in the love of ,god and firm in ,his great ,cause4 ,he who remaineth firm1 grows2 and he who is steadfast will be confirmed by ,god with great power in this glorious century4 8,o thou who art baptized by the ,spirit of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art baptized by the ,spirit of the ,love of ,god6 ,be rejoiced with this great bounty and gladdened by this mighty gift6 ,verily1 thou art from the ,west and we are from the ,east1 the distance between is great4 ,nevertheless1 it is as if we were from one native land1 one city1 one house and one household4 ,the love of ,god gathered us all under the shade of one tent1 beneath one banner4 ,this is from the power of the command of ,god and ,his dominion1 which encompasseth all contingent beings and affects the hearts of all existing things4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the ,lord of ,hosts calleth thee from the absence of existence 7or non-existence7 and sayeth3 8,come1 ,o ,my maid-servant1 to ,my ,kingdom6 ,come1 ,o ,my attracted one1 unto ,my ,great ,paradise6 ,come1 ,o ,my maid-servant1 unto ,my ,sublime ,heaven6 ,come1 ,o ,my attracted one1 unto the place of ,my ,glorious ,throne40 ,therefore turn1 with a heart throbbing and tears flowing1 unto the ,beauty of ,el-,abha1 so that thou obtaineth the great favor and drinketh from that wine1 and tasteth the fruits of the ,paradise of ,el-,abha4 8,o thou faithful and confident64440 ,o thou faithful and confident6 ,thanks be to ,god that thou hast obtained that which was sought by all prophets and holy souls2 namely1 the knowledge of ,god and the love of god4 ,first1 the knowledge2 and1 second1 ,his unfathomable love4 ,also the different members of thy family1 who followed thee and who obtained that which thou didst obtain4 ,this is a great gift from ,god and hath no equal2 although in this physical world its greatness is not perceivable1 nor its nature clearly known1 yet in the spiritual world it shineth like the sun4 ,so long as the pearl remaineth hidden at the bottom of the sea1 its value is not known nor its brilliancy and fineness seen1 it is only when in the hands of the expert jeweler that its great beauty becomes revealed4 ,thou shouldst be at the utmost height of joy and satisfaction1 for thou art surrounded by the bounties of the ,merciful and hast become the object of the appearance of divine guidance4 ,in order to give thanks for this great and glorious gift1 thou shouldst do all thou canst to guide ,his creatures1 to give sight to the blind1 hearing to the deaf1 life to the dead1 and endeavor to turn those who are still attached to material things in the way which leads to spiritual heights2 to help them to travel in the way of the ,kingdom and to walk in the path that leads to the ,king of ,kings4 ,servant and believer in ,god6 ,present the greetings of ,abdul-,baha to the faithful maid-servant of ,god thy wife and to thy two revered daughters4 8,o thou my dear friend1 my associate and companion64440 ,o thou my dear friend1 my associate and companion6 ,the times of 7our7 meeting7#ahi7 are still remembered and the sweetness of thy company is lastingly established in the recess of 7my7 life4 ,i pray and implore the threshold of the ,lord of the ,kingdom always1 and seek for thee ,his strength and confirmation1 saying3 8,o ,lord of ,hosts6 ,confirm ,thine affectionate 44444444 in ,thy servitude1 aid him in the service of ,thy ,word1 open to his face the door of knowledge1 reveal to his heart the realities and significances1 and grant him the ecstasy of the cup of reality1 gladden him through the melody of ,thy love1 make his night1 day1 and day1 happy60 ,in sooth1 ,o dear one6 thy services are evident1 thy endurance of ordeals and difficulties well known4 ,in the organization of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar1 thou art indeed well striving4 ,i hope thou wilt attain a great reward1 open an eloquent tongue1 raise a wonderful melody in every meeting1 draw and paint the images and forms of the ,kingdom in the material world4 ,rest assured in the grace of the ,lord and be dilated by ,his infinite favors4 ,convey greetings of reverence to the maid-servant of ,god thy wife1 likewise thy revered daughter4 ,i am ever thoughtful of them and will never forget them4 8,o thou spiritual friend64440 ,o thou spiritual friend6 ,thy services are accepted in the ,kingdom of ,abha1 mentioned in this merciful ,assemblage and the cause of joy and gladness to ,abdul-,baha4 ,thank ,god1 thou art a believer and an assured one1 firm and steadfast2 a truthful servant of the divine ,kingdom and an agreeable lover of ,his ,holiness ,baha'o'llah4 ,thou hast spent thy time in spreading the fragrances of ,god and thy possession in the promotion of the ,word of ,god4 ,rest assured in the great bounty and bestowal1 be attracted by the fragrances of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,fatigue not thyself on account of any difficulty and give not up because of any ordeal4 ,be not grieved because of any trial nor hindered by any hindrance4 ,night and day confine thy time to the education of the world of humanity4 ,arise to guide the creatures and spend time in promulgating the teachings of ,his ,holiness ,baha'o'llah1 so that lives may find glad-tidings1 hearts gladness1 the souls eternal life and the minds extraordinary advancement4 ,in respect to the ,mashrak-el-,azcar3 ,brevity must now be observed2 that is1 as much as possible endeavor should be made so that by the assistance of all the friends and the sincerity of your intentions it may become instituted and built in ,chicago even though it be not possible to build a most solid1 lofty and great 7edifice74 ,whatever is now possible should be erected4 ,and the question of giving the glad-tidings 7i4e41 teachings of this religion7 should be given moment4 ,the holy souls who are free from the ties of this mortal world and attain the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit1 although they live on earth1 yet1 verily1 they are heavenly1 illuminated1 spiritual1 divine4 ,such souls must appear and engage1 with simplicity1 freedom and purity1 in training the public and in guiding all people4 ,if such souls arise1 the ,holy ,spirit will aid them1 the hosts of the heavenly angels will render them victorious1 the bounties of the ,kingdom of ,abha will surround them1 the ray of the ,sun of ,truth will shine1 the breezes of the ,paradise of ,abha will give spirit1 the ocean of favors will boil and the good scent of the fragrances of holiness will perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants of the world4 ,by the bounty and grace of the ,educator1 ,i hope thou mayest attain to this providence and bounty6 ,convey greeting of reverence of utmost kindness to all thy relations1 thy wife and thy respected daughter1 and others1 and to all the beloved and the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 8,o thou my spiritual companion64440 ,o thou my spiritual companion6 ,two letter have reached me from you1 and the contents of both ,i have considered4 ,communication of the beloved of ,god from all parts of the world with ,america1 and the correspondence of ,america with all parts is most agreeable and the cause of attracting the hearts4 ,endeavor greatly to accomplish this important matter and write to all parts4 ,the beloved of ,god must1 like the roses of the rose-garden1 send fragrant messages from one to another1 receive strength from one another1 and co-operate together1 by the strength of the ,kingdom4 ,there is no greater means than communion and communication4 8,communication is half a meeting40 ,send a copy of this letter to all parts and write to them4 ,thus may the beloved of ,god1 in every city1 send collectively letters to other cities1 especially ,america4 ,this shall be the means of growth and the cause of attraction4 he souls will be made happy1 the spirits revived1 the hearts dilated and the breasts expanded4 ,convey greetings and longing to all the beloved of ,god4 8,honorable ,dr4 4444444444440 ,honorable ,dr4 444444444 ,according to what is heard you have received the permission of medication and the certificate of graduation 7diploma7 from the ,college of ,medicine4 ,now experience is necessary in order to attain skill and proficiency4 ,the greatest of all these is the confirmation and the strength of ,his ,majesty1 the ,one 7,god71 through the favor of the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,i am hopeful that will also be thine4 ,for the physician the first qualifications are3 ,good intentions1 trustworthiness1 tenderness1 sympathy for the sick1 truthfulness1 integrity1 and the fear of the ,lord4 ,with life and heart strive thou to be both a spiritual and physical physician4 ,thus mayest thou be ,ameen and ,fareed 7,trustworthy and ,unique74 ,thy honorable father night and day prays1 hopes and supplicates that thy life1 like his1 may be entirely devoted to the service of the ,threshold of ,god1 that thou remain the servant of the ,holy ,cause4 8,o ,spiritual 4444444464440 ,o ,spiritual 444444446 ,thy letter is received2 likewise that of ,mr4 44444444 ,print soon the booklet 7,mirza ,badi ,ullah's ,epistle to the ,bahai world7 and spread it broadcast4 ,the dear maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 is indeed an assured believer2 likewise 444444441 his honor ,mr4 444444441 and his honor ,mr4 444444444 ,in reality they are revered souls4 ,i hope that they will soon arise for the ,mashrak-el-,azcar and thus attain ,his favor4 ,all the beloved of ,god must strive so that this eternal edifice arise4 999999 8,o thou bearer of the ,great-tidings of the ,kingdom of4440 ,o thou bearer of the ,great-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter 999999 was received4 ,it contained the good news of the assemblage of the beloved ones1 of the ,meeting of ,faithfulness which was held1 the joy and fragrance obtained1 the appearance of the lights of the love of the ,beauty of ,abha1 and the good news that the breasts of the beloved ones were dilated 7with joy74 ,this news caused such joy that our afflictions1 sufferings and calamities were wholly forgotten1 a new carpet was spread and a great joy attained with the utmost exaltation6 ,for ,abdul-,baha serves with all devotion in order that union and affection may be created among the beloved of ,god2 nay1 in the whole of the human world4 ,my utmost hope and wish is to find that an assemblage hath been arranged which hath become the cause of love and affection in the world of humanity which announceth the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,abha1 diffuseth the fragrances of the love of ,god1 setteth the pillars of the world in motion through the power of divine guidance1 and is quickening the dead through the spirit of divine knowledge6 ,o dear friend6 ,the darkness of error hath encompassed the world2 it is now the time to spread the light of guidance4 ,the world hath wholly become the tomb of the dead2 it is now time that it shall be transformed into palaces of the living4 ,the ,east and the ,west have become a thorny desert of oppression2 it is time they should become a rose-garden of faithfulness4 ,you have written concerning the ,feast7#aij7 of ,remembrance which you arranged after the ,persian manner1 at which ,mr4 44444444 and ,mr4 44444444 engaged in serving the beloved ones like unto ,abdul-,baha3 ,this arrangement of festivities and affection1 chanting of ,tablets1 explaining realities and significances1 and this inculcating of the teachings and exhortations of ,abdul-,baha causeth everlasting life and maketh the hearers as heavenly angels4 ,whenever such an entertainment is arranged through spiritual sentiments1 shining faces and merciful hearts1 it is a 8,lord's ,supper40 ,for the brilliancy of the ,kingdom of ,abha will shine and the spirituality of ,abdul-,baha become manifest4 ,this is that 8divine table0 7or food7 of which mention is made in the prophecies3 8,on that day they shall gather together at the divine table02 and 8people shall come from the ,east and ,west and arrive in ,his ,kingdom40 ,convey loving greetings to his honor 44444444 and say3 8,o dear one6 ,the heart of ,abdul-,baha greatly rejoiceth at thy reading of the ,tablets and ,words at the meetings of the merciful ones6 ,i beg of ,god1 that in all assemblages thou mayest cause happiness unto the hearts of the friends and bestow joy and fragrance60 ,announce to his honor 444444444 my love and longing 7for him7 and say3 8,that ,power which strengthened the apostles is now in full confirmation4 ,i hope thou wilt receive an abundant portion from that confirmation40 ,announce the utmost love from ,abdul-,baha to his honor 44444444 and say3 8,o thou friend of my heart6 ,the heavenly food is needed successively2 be thou a server of the food and direct thou the people of the world to present themselves at that able and guide them to partake thereof40 ,convey greetings and respect from ,abdul-,baha to the esteemed maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 and say3 8,thou art always in our midst and art not forgotten1 even for a moment4 ,i beg the ,beauty of ,abha for confirmation in thy behalf4 ,it is some time since1 by the dust of calamities and occupation of mind1 the correspondence hath been delayed2 but there is no harm in that4 ,for my heart is engaged in prayer and ,i beg for confirmation in thy behalf40 ,convey on my behalf1 greetings and respect to the invoking maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 and say3 8,thank thou ,god for thou hast arrived at the ,holy ,city and at the ,heavenly ,jerusalem and hast found thy way to the ,divine ,city and entered the ,kingdom of ,abha60 ,o thou real friend6 ,o ,mr4 444444446 ,seek not a single minute of rest and do not keep still4 ,travel more and more in cities and villages4 ,bear the glad-tidings and guide them4 ,strengthen the beloved 7i4e41 believers7 and open the eye of perception of the strangers 7those who do not believe74 ,as to chanting supplications in the ,oriental tune1 this is very agreeable4 ,his honor 44444444 must exert his endeavors in this matter4 ,in reality the friends of ,god are always present in my society and are associated with the friends of ,god in the ,sacred ,spot2 even though they be in the remotest lands of the earth4 ,o thou real friend6 ,such entertainments are always necessary1 for they cause the increase of love1 unity and harmony in the friends of ,god4 ,bring about 7such entertainments7 by all means4 8,o thou esteemed maid-servant of the ,word of ,god64440 ,o thou esteemed maid-servant of the ,word of ,god6 ,praise be to ,god6 upon thy departure from ,acca1 thou hast been assisted and rendered successful in serving the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,accordingly1 thou must offer the utmost thanks to the ,threshold of ,oneness1 for this1 thy journey1 was fruitful and this peregrination became the cause of discovering the mysteries of the ,lord of ,glory4 ,arise thou1 in unison with his honor thy husband1 to serve with the utmost devotion and consecrate your time1 night and day1 to promote the ,word of ,god1 to diffuse the fragrances of ,god and to guide all the people of the earth4 ,in the world of existence nothing hath any result1 even if it be dominion over the ,east and ,west4 ,but that which hath an immortal result is servitude in the ,holy ,threshold1 service rendered to the ,kingdom of ,god and guiding all in the earth4 ,i hope1 through the divine grace and bounty1 thou wilt be assisted and strengthened therein4 8,o thou who art kindled as a lamp with the ,fire of the4440 ,o thou who art kindled as a lamp with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,be thou a fountain flowing with the waters of the mercy of ,god1 a myrtle perfumed with the fragrances of ,god and a bird warbling the most wonderful melodies of the knowledge of ,god in the garden of faith4 ,know thou1 verily1 the ,sun of ,truth hath shone forth with the lights of peace upon all regions4 ,strife and conflict will surely be removed from all the nations of the earth4 ,carnage shall be taken away2 fighting1 violence and reviling will be changed into universal reconciliation and the hosts of tranquillity will pitch their tents in the midst of the world4 ,then the awning of the mercy of thy ,lord will be hoisted and those souls who are free from the filth of prejudice1 contradictions and presumption and are filled with a love that imparts affinity1 intimacy1 affection1 meekness and humbleness will be sheltered under it4 8,o thou who art cheerful in heart1 by the ,fragrances4440 ,o thou who art cheerful in heart1 by the ,fragrances of the ,merciful6 ,verily1 ,i read the verses of thy thanksgiving unto ,god1 for depositing in thy heart an eternal joy reviving thee by the breath of the ,holy spirit to everlasting life1 for having cast upon thee the light of guidance and awakened thee by the breezes of ,his great mercy4 ,therefore1 thank ,god for this4 ,verily1 ,his bounty to thee is great1 great6 ,beware not to be sorrowful on account of my confinement2 inasmuch as it is the comfort of my heart1 the healing of my breast1 the dispeller of my sorrow and sadness1 the cause of my salvation in servitude to the ,bounty of ,el-,abha4 ,if thou desirest to pray for me a beneficial prayer1 do not ask for the removal of my imprisonment1 but implore ,god to increase my calamities in the ,path of ,el-,abha1 to make me a sacrifice in ,his love and give me to drink the cup of martyrdom by ,his bounty and grace4 ,i ask ,god to confirm thee by the breath of ,his ,holy ,spirit1 the hosts of ,his angels and armies of ,his strength1 so that thou arisest to serve the vineyard of ,god and to enlighten the insight of thy revered husband by the light of the knowledge of the ,greatest ,name4 ,this is not far from the bounty of thy ,lord4 ,the maid-servant of ,baha'1 the ,exalted ,leaf7#aia71 conveys to thee greetings and praise--likewise the rest of the brilliant leaves7#aib7 4 ,regarding the star which appeareth while thou art turned unto ,god3 ,this is the spiritual disclosure and the divine impression4 ,also the fire circle which appeareth to thine eyes1 is a spiritual transfiguration and signifieth the ,eternal ,grace manifesting itself in the human garment2 because 8cloud0 signifies the human form 7or body71 while the 8circle of fire10 the divine form1 which is manifested in the reality of man4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,love of ,god6 ,in the ,persian tongue has thou written a letter2 ,i was happy to read it4 ,praise be to ,god6 ,this is the dawn of the light of unity between the ,eastern and ,western people4 ,in ,persia the ,english language is being studied widely and in ,america the ,persian tongue is beloved by some dear souls4 ,in both countries the respective languages are being studied4 ,this is in itself a proof that the ,east and the ,west 7literally1 place of sunrise and sunset7 shall clasp hands as two families4 ,the standard of unity shall be raised1 and the means of love and friendship will be accomplished4 ,endeavor to complete the study of the ,persian--thus mayest thou read the ,tablets of the ,blessed ,beauty7#aic7 and mayest translate them1 and without the interpreter's aid thou mayest read all my letter to thee4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank thou the kind ,father for that the world of creation was adorned with the light of ,his ,manifestation and the heart of the universe found comfort in ,his mercy1 for ,his infinite mercy whereby ,he illumined thine heart with the light of guidance and thy sight with witnessing ,his radiance to the extent that thou didst hearken to he call of the ,supreme ,concourse and didst turn to the horizon of sanctity4 ,praise be to ,him and to ,him be thanks for this greatest favor and evident attainment6 ,as to thy vision1 it is reality itself 7it is what hath occurred74 ,whatever thou hast seen in the realm of vision is interpreted in the contraries and opposites1 for laughter in the world of vision is weeping1 and weeping1 joy and happiness2 death is longevity1 and dangers1 in certain cases1 safety itself4 ,harm 7in this wise7 is helpfulness1 and friendship1 enmity and hatred4 ,therefore1 thou shalt not kill the lamb2 nay1 rather thou shalt be the cause of the spread of ,his ,name2 thou shalt share a portion of ,his eternal life and attain a share of ,his infinite mercy4 ,the impressions of the heart 7the painful feelings of the heart71 which were like the blows of a weapon1 are interpreted to mean joy and happiness4 ,i hope that thou mayest attain to all these4 ,the purport of the study of the ,persian tongue is this3 ,that thou mayest memorize a commune in the ,persian and at the time of communion and supplication1 when present in the meeting of the maid-servants of the ,merciful1 thou mayest chant it4 ,the translation of ,tablets is acceptable and beloved4 ,if1 occasionally1 thou writest a concise1 terse and useful article1 with the utmost sweetness1 containing the teachings and exhortations of the ,blessed ,perfection1 verbatim1 for the purpose of publishing in the journals of ,denmark1 it will be most agreeable4 ,i ask ,god for strength and confirmation for thee4 8,i ask ,god that thou mayest find a perceiving eye1 an4440 7#aid7 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest find a perceiving eye1 an attentive ear and an eloquent tongue2 that thou mayest loosen thy tongue in delivering the ,cause of ,god1 promoting the ,word of ,god in that country1 educating the children and training them in the training of ,god1 and in early childhood enkindling in their hearts the lights of spiritual morals4 ,thou hast written that in thine articles for the papers thou hast cited from the holy ,tablets of ,tarazat and ,tajalliat4 ,it is very agreeable4 ,respecting the translating of ,miss ,barney's book1 in which thou hast engaged thyself1 it is very agreeable2 but thou must communicate concerning this with ,miss ,barney herself4 ,she will assist thee in its publication and spreading4 ,i ask ,god to aid thee by the divine confirmation and engage1 night and day1 with the commemoration of ,god4 ,upon thee be ,baha ,el-,abha6 8999999,o ye real friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 999999,o ye real friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,from the gathering of those illuminated faces and flowers of the rose-garden 7of ,god7 in ,camp ,mineola7#aie7 utmost joy and fragrance 7to me7 was the result4 ,i hope that assembly1 like sparkling stars1 may shed the lights of love and unison upon the human world1 and become the cause of the happiness and joy of the inhabitants of the earth2 that they may become like unto clear mirrors reflecting 7the rays7 of the ,sun of ,truth1 and give the glad-tidings of the manifestation of the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,i ask the blessings of ,god that year after year ,he may add souls to that assembly1 and in future it may become doubled an hundred-fold4 ,how blessed it is that this assembly may become firmly established1 and it is sure that the heavenly confirmations will pour down6 8,o ye beloved friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye7#aif7 beloved friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,the detailed letter which you have written was received and it was read with the greatest attention4 ,from the rose-garden of its significances a perfumed fragrance reached the nostrils and from its suggestions and statements traces of sincerity of intention became manifest4 ,praise be to ,god6--that each one of that assembly is like unto a shining lamp1 is ignited by the fire of the love of ,god1 hath closed his eyes to the world and the inhabitants thereof1 hath burned away the veils of superstitions and hath acquired the treasury of ,truth4 ,i have loosened my tongue to thank ,god for this gift at the ,threshold of ,oneness and praised and glorified the ,incomparable ,god for ,his bounty1 because ,he assisted those souls in the service of the ,kingdom1 and established such an assembly in ,new ,york that it will finally become a cause of the guidance of that continent4 ,you have written that there is a difference among the believers concerning the 8,second ,coming of ,christ40 ,praise be to ,god6--time and again this question hath arisen and its answer hath emanated in a clear and irrefutable text from the pen of ,abdul-,baha that what is meant in the prophecies by the 8,lord of ,hosts10 the 8,promised ,christ0 is the ,blessed ,perfection 7,baha'o'llah7 and ,his ,highness the ,supreme 7the ,bab74 ,the faith of everyone must resolve around this palpable and evident text4 ,my name is ,abdul-,baha1 my identity is ,abdul-,baha1 my qualification is ,abdul-,baha1 my reality is ,abdul-,baha1 my praise is ,abdul-,baha4 ,thraldom to the ,blessed ,perfection is my glorious and refulgent diadem2 and servitude to all the human race is my perpetual religion4 ,through the bounty and favor of the ,blessed ,perfection1 ,abdul-,baha is the ,ensign of the ,most-,great-,peace1 which is waving from the ,supreme ,apex2 and through the gift of the ,greatest name1 he is the ,lamp of ,universal ,salvation1 which is shining with the light of the love of ,god4 ,the ,herald of the ,kingdom is he1 so that he may awaken the people of the ,east and of the ,west4 ,the ,voice of ,friendship1 ,uprightness1 ,truth and ,reconciliation is he1 so as to cause acceleration throughout all regions4 ,no name1 no title1 no mention1 no commendation hath he nor will ever have except ,abdul-,baha4 ,this is my longing4 ,this is my supreme apex4 ,this is my greatest yearning4 ,this is my eternal life4 ,this is my everlasting glory6 ,express ye the same thing which is issued from my pen4 ,this is the duty of all4 ,consequently the friends of ,god must assist and help ,abdul-,baha in the adoration of the ,true ,one2 in the servitude to the human race2 in the well-being of the human world and in divine love and kindness4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,through the ,appearance of the ,blessed ,perfection the theories are abrogated and the facts are established4 ,the time of superficiality is gone by and the cycle of reality hath appeared4 ,one must become the incarnation of ,servitude1 the personification of ,love1 the embodiment of ,spirituality and the mirror of ,mercy4 ,the believers must become the cause of life2 deliver the people from heedlessness1 call the souls to the perfection of humanity1 beckon nations to unity and agreement1 destroy the foundations of foreignness1 make everyone as friends and associates1 treat the negligent souls as their own children1 and train and educate them with the utmost love--so that the ignorant become wise1 the blind become endowed with sight1 and the deaf be given hearing4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,beware6 ,beware of differences6 ,by differences the ,temple of ,god is razed to its very foundation1 and by the blowing of the winds of disagreement the ,blessed ,tree is prevented from producing any fruit4 ,by the intense cold of the diversity of opinions the rose-garden of ,unity is withered1 and the fire of the love of ,god is extinguished6 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,abdul-,baha is the ,manifestation of ,thraldom and not 8,christ40 ,the servant of the human realm is he1 and not a 8chief40 ,nonexistent is he and not 8,existent40 ,pure nothingness is he and not 8,eternal7#aig7 40 ,there is no outcome or result to these discussions4 ,we must put aside these disputes and controversies1 nay1 rather must we consign them to utter oblivion and arise to do that which is indispensable and which is demanded of us in this ,day4 ,controversies are words and not significances1 theories and not realities4 ,the quintessence of ,truth is this3 ,we must all become united and harmonized in order to illumine this gloomy world1 to abolish the foundations of hostility and animosity from among mankind1 to perfume the inhabitants of the universe with the holy fragrances of the nature and disposition of the ,beauty of ,abha1 to enlighten the people of the ,east and ,west with the light of guidance1 to hoist the tent of the love of ,god and suffer each and all to enter under its protection1 to bestow comfort and tranquillity to every one under the shade of the ,divine ,tree1 to astonish the enemy by the manifestation of the utmost love1 to make the ravenous and bloodthirsty wolves to be gazelles of the meadow of the love of ,god2 to administer the taste of non-resistance to the tyrant1 to teach long-suffering and resignation of the martyrs to the murderer1 to spread the traces of ,oneness1 to chant the praises and glorification of the ,glorious ,lord1 to raise the voice of 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 to the ,supreme ,apex and to reach the ears of the inhabitants of the ,kingdom with the outcry--8,verily the earth is illumined by the lights of its ,lord60 ,this is reality6 ,this is guidance6 ,this is service6 ,this is the consummation of the perfection of the realm of humanity6 ,o ye believers of ,god6 ,each person must summon the people to the ,servitude of ,abdul-,baha and not the ,christhood2 and no soul must either publicly or privately utter one word against or in contradiction to the general ,teachings1 and no one must believe that ,abdul-,baha is the 8,second ,coming of ,christ01 nay1 rather he must believe that he is the ,manifestation of ,servitude1 the ,main-spring of the ,unity of the human world1 the ,herald of the ,true ,one with spiritual power throughout all regions1 the ,commentator of the ,book according to the divine text1 and the ,ransom to each one of the believers of ,god in the transitory world4 ,print ye this ,tablet and spread it throughout all countries4 8,o ye who are turned towards the ,kingdom and drawn4440 ,o ye7#aih7 who are turned towards the ,kingdom and drawn unto the ,holy ,fragrances diffused from the ,garden of ,el-,abha6 ,arise with every power to assist the ,covenant of ,god and serve in ,his vineyard4 ,be confident that a confirmation will be granted unto you and a success on ,his part given unto you4 ,verily ,he shall support you by the angels of ,his ,holiness and reinforce you with the breaths of the ,spirit that ye may mount the ,ark of ,safety1 set forth the evident signs1 impart the spirit of life1 declare the essence of ,his commands and precepts1 guide the sheep who are straying from the fold in all directions1 use every effort in your power to give the blessings ye have and strive earnestly and wisely in this new century4 ,by ,god1 verily the ,lord of ,hosts is your support1 the angels of heaven your assistance1 the ,holy ,spirit your companion and the ,center of the ,covenant your helper6 ,be not idle1 but active and fear not4 ,look unto those who have been in the former ages--how they have resisted all nations and suffered persecutions and afflictions1 and how their stars shone and their attacks proved successful1 their teachings established1 their regions expanded1 their hearts gladdened1 their ideas cleared and their motives effective4 ,ye are now in a great station and noble rank and ye shall find yourselves in evident success and prosperity1 the like of which the eye of existence hath never seen in former ages4 ,el-,baha and salutations be upon every one who is firm in the ,covenant1 free from dissension1 sanctified from deceits and steadfast in the ,path6 8,o ye elect and chosen ones of the ,kingdom64440 ,o ye7#aii7 elect and chosen ones of the ,kingdom6 ,thank ,god that the ,greatest ,name selected and elected that gathering1 ushered it into the ,kingdom of ,eternal ,glory1 honored and crowned it amid the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,he placed upon each head a glorious diadem of guidance and established each one upon the throne of eternal reign4 ,this is not known now but shall become evident and clear hereafter4 ,the seed when growing1 at first doth not attract attention1 but later it becometh green and thriveth1 adorning the rose-garden and the orchard4 ,now1 likewise1 this divine bounty is unknown1 it is not yet revealed1 but soon will its splendor illumine the horizons and brighten the ,east and the ,west4 ,send ,mr4 44444444 to ,india for the purpose of teaching4 ,he must have a companion4 ,if this be not possible from among the men1 send one of the maid-servants of the ,merciful4 ,as to the ordeals of ,abdul-,baha1 his trials and calamities1 grieve not on that account1 but rather be in perfect happiness and joy1 for--praise be to ,god6--he was worthy and deserved these trials in the ,path of ,baha'4 ,through the news of the progress of the ,cause of ,god1 and the unity and agreement of the beloved of ,god1 great joy was realized1 and to such an extent that ,i forgot all sorrow and all ills4 999999 8,o ye sons of the ,kingdom64440 ,o ye7#bjj7 sons of the ,kingdom6 ,at a time when conditions were most difficult and oppressive and the reception or letters hard and impracticable1 your letter was received4 ,therefore1 its reception denoteth that the honorable assembly is confirmed4 ,i hope from the bounties of ,his ,highness the ,incomparable ,one that under all circumstances and conditions ye may become assisted in the service of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,ye have written regarding the erection of the ,temple and the purchase of the ground1 or the finding of a place to be as a home for the gathering of the believers4 ,at this moment that ,abdul-,baha is immersed in the ocean of calamities1 this news caused him joy and happiness1 that--praise be to ,god6--the friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful are thinking to serve the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,o ye sanctified souls6 ,it is the time of firmness and steadfastness and the period of arising in the service of the ,word of ,god1 for the ,blessed ,city7#bja7 is environed from all directions with the tempestuous waves of tests and trials and the sweeping hurricanes of persecutions and hardships are blowing and roaring high4 ,the joy and happiness of the heart of ,abdul-,baha depends upon the stability and constancy of the believers4 ,for they must live and act in accord with the divine advices and exhortations and show forth to each other the power of the perfection of love with infinite accord and unity1 so that they may become the embodiment of one existence1 the waves of ones sea1 the myrtles of one rose-garden1 the rays of one sun1 the stars of one horizon1 the fruits of one tree and the birds of one meadow4 ,likewise1 they must treat with and behave toward all the governments1 nations1 communities1 kings and subjects with the utmost sincerity1 trustworthiness1 straightforwardness1 love and kindness4 ,even they must make hopeful a bloodthirsty enemy1 show sympathy with the utmost faithfulness and honor to the perfidious unjust1 know the ill-wisher as the well-wisher and torment not the sinner with reproaches4 ,should they become the targets of a thousand arrows of persecution1 they must challenge it with love and friendship and treat every one with purity of purpose and kindness4 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,show ye an endeavor that all the nations and communities of the world1 even the enemies1 put their trust1 assurance and hope in you2 that if a person falls into errors for a hundred-thousand times he may yet turn his face to you1 hopeful that you will forgive his sins2 for he must not become hopeless1 neither grieved nor despondent4 ,this is the conduct and the manner of the people of ,baha'4 ,this is the foundation of the most high pathway6 ,ye should conform your conduct and manners with the advices of ,abdul-,baha4 ,concerning the erection of the ,temple3 ,now all the believers must become united1 so that the ,temple may be built soon in one place4 ,for should 7the believers7 undertake 7the erection of the ,temple7 in many places1 it will not become completed anywhere2 and as in ,chicago they have preceded every other place to plan the erection of the ,temple1 undoubtedly to cooperate and help them is nobler and a necessity4 ,then1 when it is built in one place1 it will become erected in many other places4 ,if1 for the present1 you prepare or establish a home in ,new ,york1 though by renting it1 to become a center for the gathering of the believers of ,god1 it is very acceptable4 ,god willing1 in all the states of ,america in the future there will be erected ,temples with infinite architectural beauty1 art1 with pleasing proportion and handsome and attractive appearances2 especially in ,new ,york4 ,but for the present1 be ye satisfied with a rented place4 ,the utmost happiness was produced by hearing the news of unity and agreement among the believers in ,new ,york2 for the foundation of progress is union and when this object is attained1 the ,cause will develop4 ,deliver on my behalf longing greeting to his honor ,mr4 44444444 4 ,when the friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful gather together on ,sundays1 in the spiritual assemblies1 exercise ye toward them1 on behalf of this imprisoned one1 the utmost affection1 love and kindness4 ,convey on behalf of this longing one the glad-tidings of the attainment to confirmation to his honor ,mr4 444444442 that ere long he shall in such wise be assisted by the confirmations of the ,kingdom of ,abha that he1 himself1 will become astonished4 ,o ye members of the spiritual assembly6 ,become ye firm and steadfast in the ,covenant and ,testament to such a degree that your meeting become the expression of one soul and endeavor ye with your hearts and minds so that ye may become the cause of the illumination of this darkened world and that through your efforts the lights of the ,kingdom dawn upon this nether sphere4 ,whatever hath and will transpire in this land is through the conspiracy of the brothers who are not resting1 neither day nor night1 and are thirsting for the blood of ,abdul-,baha4 ,the government is not responsible at all4 ,these difficulties are brought about through the evil slanders and machinations of the nakazeen7#bjb7 4 8,o thou whose heart is attracted and whose breast is4440 ,o thou7#bjc7 whose heart is attracted and whose breast is dilated with joy by the ,holy ,fragrances6 ,give the glad-tidings to the assemblies of the beloved who are firm in the ,covenant and say3 8,verily the ,lord hath manifested ,himself in this new and wonderful age with the greatest bounty and mercy1 which have never been preceded and whereof the eye of existence hath never seen the like2 and it is ,his ,great ,covenant and ,new ,testament1 as appointed by the trace of ,his ,supreme ,pen1 through which1 and according to clear ordinances and explicit statements1 the matter was plainly shown and the branches 7sons71 twigs 7relations71 kinsmen and beloved were commanded to obey the 8appointed ,center of the ,covenant40 ,but the ,covenant of ,god and ,his ,testament is a bounty to the righteous and a curse to the wicked4 8,on hearing this ,command some faces have rejoiced by this ,glowing ,lamp1 and others become gloomy and in their hearts the fire of jealousy and rebellion hath been kindled4 ,they disobeyed the ,command of their ,lord the ,merciful1 endeavored to spread lies and arose to divulge seditious rumors contrary to that which was descended from ,god4 ,they imagine that they are able to resist this ,power1 which penetrates into the heart of the contingent world1 or to cover the ,truth through their false tongues and complicated opinions1 and to withhold this ,sea from surging1 the holy fragrances from being spread1 and the breaths of the ,spirit of the ,ancient from reaching the beloved6 ,no1 by no means6 ,verily1 the ,word of ,god penetrates into the core of all things and cannot be resisted either by the hosts of the world or by the armies of the enemies6 ,in the past ages there is a warning to every intelligent one6 ,ye shall see their banners reversed1 their sign abolished1 their happiness destroyed in those regions in a similar way to the disappointment of their hopes in the ,east4 8,but1 as the people of the ,west are still children in the ,cause7#bjd7 and have not perfect knowledge of its reality and validity1 the nakazeen thought it to be an easy prey and availed themselves of this opportunity for laying doubts and suspicions1 speaking false words1 divulging seditious calumnies among the people4 ,ye shall see all this as scattered dust1 and all these thick1 dark clouds which were gathered in those far regions1 will disappear and the ,sun of ,certainty and ,reality shall shine with the ,most ,dazzling ,light2 the darkness will vanish1 the firm believers will be in great joy1 and the nakazeen shall be in evident loss40 8,o ye servants of ,god and maid-servants of the4440 ,o ye7#bje7 servants of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,the letter1 which was in reality the congratulation for the entrance of the day of the anniversary of ,his ,highness the ,promised ,one1 was received4 ,the names of the friends of ,god were read one after another and caused great joy4 ,i hope that upon the coming of each auspicious day the friends of ,god may become doubled1 that is1 may become twofold2 that the gentle fragrances of the love of ,god may be spread so universally that large cohorts enter under the shadow of the ,word of ,god in a short space of time1 and arise to serve1 according to the heavenly instructions1 in order that strife and warfare may vanish wholly from the human world1 and the beauty of love1 friendship and harmony may appear with such an appearance that all the intellects may become astonished1 all the souls entranced and all the hearts attracted4 ,o ye friends6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,should ye realize in what a state this ,tablet is written1 assuredly ye will soar heavenward with joy and exultations and begin to cry out3 8,glad-tidings6 ,glad-tidings60 ,today the whole world is heedless and ye are aware2 all are in sleep and ye are wide awake2 all are deprived and ye are the custodians of the mysteries of the ,kingdom6 ,therefore1 to render thanks for these bounties1 open ye the tongue of praise and glorification and engage yourselves in the divine commemoration1 in order that the confirmation may be added and the assistance may become renewed6 8,o ye beloved6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 ,o ye7#bjf7 beloved6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,what a wonderful meeting ye have arranged and longed for the beauty of service and have arisen to spread the fragrances of ,god6 ,truly ,i declare1 ye are confirmed by the cohorts of the ,supreme ,concourse and are reinforced and empowered by the ,exalted ,realm6 ,when the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit descendeth1 ye are not a drop1 but a roaring sea6 ,ye are the stars of the horizon of guidance6 ,if this committee become firm1 it will grow and develop2 if it remain steadfast1 it will become a gift of the ,almighty to the human world2 if it last1 it will display marvelous signs for the well-being of the children of man6 ,the hosts of the ,kingdom of ,abha are drawn and filed up in battle-array on the plain of the ,supreme ,apex and are expecting that a band of volunteers step upon the field of action with the intention of service2 so that they may assist that band and make it victorious and triumphant4 ,o ,thou ,almighty ,god6 ,confirm ,thou these friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,grant ,thou to them assistance4 ,open ,thou before their faces the closed doors and make them intimate with the fragrances of holiness1 so that they may become the confident friends of each other2 raise the melody and the song of joy and sing the harmony of heaven1 in order that they may exhilarate and gladden the regions of the ,west and impart attraction and ecstasy6 ,make ,thou them the magnets of love so that they may attract the hearts to the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful and the ,mighty2 and ,thou art the ,giver1 the ,seer and the ,hearer6 ,there is no ,god but ,thee1 the ,generous1 the ,merciful6 8,o ye whom ,god hath chosen from among those who4440 ,o ye7#bjg7 whom ,god hath chosen from among those who are called6--know that 8many are called but few are chosen06--upon whom ,he caused the evident ,light to descend2 whom ,he guided into the right ,path1 and to whom ,he gave the ,glad-tidings of the ,great ,success6 ,ye must be sincere and faithful1 ye must follow the ordinances which refer to the ,covenant of ,god1 who is the solid edifice4 ,o ye beloved of ,god1 know that steadfastness and firmness in this new and wonderful ,covenant is indeed the spirit that quickeneth the hearts which are overflowing with the love of the ,glorious ,lord2 verily1 it is the power which penetrates into the hearts of the people of the world6 ,your ,lord hath assuredly promised ,his servants who are firm and steadfast to render them victorious at all times1 to exalt their word1 propagate their power1 diffuse their lights1 strengthen their hearts1 elevate their banners1 assist their hosts1 brighten their stars1 increase the abundance of the showers of mercy upon them1 and enable the brave lions 7or teachers7 to conquer4 ,hasten1 hasten1 ,o ye firm believers6 ,hasten1 hasten1 ,o ye steadfast6 ,abandon the heedless1 set aside every ignorant1 take hold of the strong rope1 be firm in this ,great ,cause1 draw light from this ,evident ,light1 be patient and be steadfast in this wise ,religion6 ,ye shall see the hosts of inspiration descending successively from the ,supreme ,world1 the procession of attraction falling incessantly from the heights of heaven1 the abundance of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha outpouring continually and the teachings of ,god penetrating with the utmost power1 while the heedless are indeed in evident loss4 8,o ye esteemed maid-servants of ,god1 and ye revered4440 ,o ye7#bjh7 esteemed maid-servants of ,god1 and ye revered beloved ones 7or men believers7 of the ,merciful6 ,your letter was received and its contents noted4 ,the maid-servant of ,god1 she who hath ascended to heaven1 i4e41 ,mrs4 444444441 hastened from this mortal world to the divine world and soared from this temporal realm to the expanse of the ,kingdom4 ,she abandoned the earthly cage and flew toward the bower of the upper world2 so that1 like unto a nightingale of significances1 she may1 in that divine rose-garden1 engage in praising1 glorifying and sanctifying the ,true ,one1 with the most marvelous melody4 ,consequently1 do ye not sigh in grief of her decease1 and be not dejected on account of her ascension4 ,to the people of adoration1 death is an ark of deliverance1 and to pure souls1 flight from this world of dust is the means of attaining the ,kingdom of ,spheres4 ,by 8,spheres0 is not meant this infinite space1 nay1 is meant the divine world1 and the invisible realm4 ,to be brief3 ,i hope her noble son may seek the ,path wherein his mother walked1 and may become better and more illustrious2 nay1 rather1 the lights of his love may also take effect in his grand parents4 ,as to ye who are friends of that bird of the meadow of guidance1 ye must1 after her1 have such unison1 love1 association and unity that it may make things better and more favorable than they were during her days4 ,praise be to ,god6 the divine bounty favors all of you1 he doors of gifts are open before the faces of you all1 and the radiance of the ,sun of ,truth is shining upon you all4 ,capacity1 worth 7or merit7 and ability1 are necessary1 for the clearer and purer the mirror is1 the lights of the ,sun are more manifest thereon4 ,we are always gazing toward those parts in order to find from what corner 7or place7 the voice will be raised6 ,we hope ,baltimore will become an assemblage of light and that city may become a mirror of the love of ,god6 8,o ye my dear friends64440 ,o ye7#bji7 my dear friends6 ,your letter was received and its contents were wonderful and beautiful for it evinced the spreading of the light of ,guidance4 ,praise be to ,god6 the lights of the ,morn of ,eternity have cast their rays upon that city1 and in the future it will become enlightened1 and luminous stars will dawn1 gleam and sparkle from its horizon4 ,today the ,sun of the ,most ,great ,guidance hath appeared with the greatest splendor from the horizon of the world1 and the rays of the ,sun of ,truth shine with utmost light and power therefrom4 ,therefore1 the world hath become another world and the bounties1 other bounties6 ,a little earnestness and endeavor is encumbent upon you1 so that the pages of the soul may be cleansed and purified from the rust of attachment to this ephemeral world4 ,at that time you will consider how dazzling and brilliant is the effulgence of the ,kingdom4 ,the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 and the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 44444444--praise be to ,god6--have made their homes the nest and shelter of the heavenly birds1 and have arranged meetings4 ,i hope that these two meeting places will become more illumined day by day1 adding to the knowledge1 faith and assurance of the audience1 and increasing their resolution and steadfastness4 ,in fact1 those two gathering places are my homes1 and the nest and shelter of the birds of the field of ,god4 ,convey my loving greetings to each and every believer6 ,likewise present my respectful greetings to the dear maid-servants of ,god in ,baltimore and ,washington4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of4440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,be thankful that thou art inebriated with the cup of the love of ,god1 hast partaken of the graces of the ,supreme ,concourse and art quickened with the fragrances of holiness4 ,night and day lament and implore1 with the utmost supplication and humility1 before the ,threshold of the ,presence of the ,one ,god1 that thou mayest be strengthened to guide people with all steadfastness on this path and take a plenteous share from this ,most ,great ,sea4 ,the hosts of the ,kingdom will assist 7thee7 and the heavenly armies will protect and defend thee4 ,wherefore seek bounties as much as thou canst4 8,o thou who art supplicating unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art supplicating unto ,god6 ,verily ,i mention thee always and shall never forget thee forever and ever4 ,i beseech ,god to make thee a sign of guidance among the people and a lamp of dazzling light in that extensive and large city1 so that pure and good souls may be illuminated by the light of the knowledge of ,god and thus serve the ,merciful ,threshold by showing earnest desire for love1 peace1 affinity and harmony with the people of all religions4 ,verily the ,spirit through which the temple of the contingent world shall be quickened in this time is indeed the founder of peace1 the spirit of affinity and the light of love4 ,this is that whereby this being of existence shall evolve and develop and the world of humanity be adorned with the raiment of glory and honor4 ,therefore it is incumbent upon thee to enkindle thyself with the fire of the love of ,god in order that thy words may have an effect in hearts which are as of hard stone4 8,o thou young1 incomparable tree of the ,rose-garden4440 ,o thou young1 incomparable tree of the ,rose-garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,thank thou ,god that thou art planted beside this heavenly stream1 has been favored with the inexhaustible outpouring1 hast been trained and developed by the rain of the cloud of the ,kingdom of ,god and hast brought forth fruit under the care of the ,divine ,gardener4 ,now it is the time to cast the shade and produce delicious fruits and impart sweetness to the palate of the spiritual ones4 ,exert thyself with heart and soul4 ,do not rest one moment1 neither do thou seek after composure4 ,give thou to others the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom and announce to them the manifestation of the signs of the ,realm of ,might6 ,this is from the bounty of ,god4 ,he bestoweth to whomsoever ,he willeth4 ,verily ,god is the ,possessor of great gifts6 8,o thou who hast approached toward ,god64440 ,o thou who hast approached toward ,god6 ,verily ,i have received thy letter and my heart was dilated by the content of thy expression1 for it indicated the illumination of thy heart1 the spirituality of thy soul1 thy detachment from all the grades of this nether world and thy yearning after the effulgences of the ,realm of ,light4 ,by the glory of my ,lord1 ,i declare3 8,verily the splendors of divinity are continually descending upon the pure1 enlightened souls and the outpouring of the ,kingdom fall tumultuously1 like unto torrents1 upon the favored realities from the rains of the providence of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 the ,clement6 8,cast behind every single thought and idea and attach thyself to the commemoration of thy ,master1 the ,ancient4 ,be thou soaring in the ,kingdom of ,god1 the ,mighty1 the ,beneficent4 ,live thou in ,paris until the fragrance of the love of ,god may emanate from thee in the college wherein thou art studying sciences and unfurl thou the standard of universal peace1 reconciliation1 agreement and security among all men4 ,rejoice thou by the bounty of thy ,lord which hath encompassed the whole existence and sing and warble with the most wonderful melody in the rose-garden of knowledge4 ,verily thy ,lord1 the ,beneficent1 will confirm thee in every moment and second and will empower thee with such a power that the columns of warfare and bloodshed shall shake and the foundation of peace and harmony shall arise40 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant of ,god64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant of ,god6 ,mayest thou enjoy this cup which is overflowing with the pure wine of the love of ,god6 ,glad-tidings unto thee for that by reason of which thou hast become an acceptable servant before ,god6 ,verily ,i have read thy brilliant letter and praised ,god for ,he hath made the cup of thy heart filled with the pure wine of ,his love and hath chosen thee to enter the ,kingdom of ,his ,guidance4 ,now as to what thou askest concerning giving up the scientific attainment in ,paris for the sake of confining thy days to the delivery of this ,truth1 it is indeed acceptable and beloved1 but if thou acquire both it would be better and more perfect1 because in this new century the attainment of science1 arts and belles lettres1 whether divine or worldly1 material or spiritual1 is a matter which is acceptable before ,god and a duty which is incumbent upon us to accomplish4 ,therefore1 never deny the spiritual things to the material1 rather both are incumbent upon thee4 ,nevertheless1 at the time when thou art working for such a scientific attainment1 thou must be controlled by the attraction of the love of thy ,glorious ,lord and mindful of mentioning ,his ,splendid ,name4 ,this being the case1 thou must attain the art thou art studying to its perfection4 ,i implore ,god to assist thee in all cases and aspects and perfume thy nostrils with the holy fragrance during all times4 ,be tranquil through my love unto thee and rejoice at my compassion upon thee4 ,as to the tribute thou hast sent3 ,we have accepted it as a treasure because it was presented by thee with all love and great sincerity and we shall use it in building the ,holy ,tomb7#baj71 that thy name may become immortal forever and ever4 8,o thou who art directed toward the ,light of ,guidance64440 ,o thou who art directed toward the ,light of ,guidance6 ,in this moment the heart of ,abdul-,baha is rejoiced at thy remembrance and he is writing an answer to thy letter so that thou mayest be so moved by the breezes of the love of ,god that thou mayest become the envy of the cypress of the rose-garden and cause joy1 yearning1 longing and ecstasy to the friends4 ,in this great dispensation1 art 7or a profession7 is identical with an act of worship and this is a clear text of the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,therefore1 extreme effort should be made in art and this will not prevent the teaching of the people in that region4 ,nay1 rather1 each should assist the other in art and guidance4 ,for instance1 when the studying of art is with the intention of obeying the command 7of ,god7 this study will certainly be done easily and great progress will soon be made therein2 and when others discover this fragrance of spirituality in the action itself1 this same will cause their awakening4 ,likewise1 managing art with propriety will become the means of sociability and affinity2 and sociability and affinity themselves tend to guide others 7to the ,truth74 ,satisfy thy revered father and seek his pleasure1so that he may consider that thou observest his obedience more than ever4 ,practice the utmost love and affection4 ,i supplicate and beseech the ,threshold of ,oneness that thou mayest be confirmed and assisted4 8,o thou who art rejoiced by the ,divine ,glad-tidings64440 ,o thou who art rejoiced by the ,divine ,glad-tidings6 ,verily ,i have received thy last letter and thanked ,god that thou didst reach ,paris protected and guarded 7by ,him74 ,thank thou ,god that ,he assisted thee to behold the brilliant faces of the believers of ,god and favored thee to meet them in ,american countries4 ,for1 verily1 beholding those shining countenances is a divine gift2 by it the hearts are dilated1 the souls are rejoiced and the spirits are attracted toward the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,do not lament over the departure of my dearly beloved ,breakwell1 for verily he hath ascended to the luminous rose-garden in the ,abha ,kingdom1 near the mercy of his ,lord1 the ,almighty1 and is crying out with the loudest voice3 8,o that my people knew how my ,lord hath forgiven me and made me one of those who have attained 7to the meeting of ,god760 ,o ,breakwell1 my beloved6 ,where is thy beautiful countenance and where is thy eloquent tongue8 ,where is thy radiant brow and where is thy brilliant face8 ,o ,breakwell1 my beloved6 ,where is thy enkindlement with the fire of the love of ,god and where is thy attraction to the fragrances of ,god8 ,where is thy utterance for the glorification of ,god and where is thy rising in the service of ,god8 ,o my dear1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,where are thy bright eyes and where are thy smiling lips8 ,where are thy gentle cheeks and where is thy graceful stature8 ,o my dear1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,verily thou hast abandoned this transitory world and soared upward to the ,kingdom1 hast attained to the grace of the ,invisible ,realm and sacrificed thyself to the ,threshold of the ,lord of ,might6 ,o my adored one1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,verily thou hast left behind this physical lamp1 this human glass1 these earthly elements and this worldly enjoyment6 ,o my adored one1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,then thou hast ignited a light in the glass of the ,supreme ,concourse1 hast entered the ,paradise of ,abha1 art protected under the ,shade of the ,blessed ,tree and hast attained to the ,meeting 7of the ,true ,one7 in the ,abode of ,paradise6 ,o my dearly beloved1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,thou hast been a divine bird and1 forsaking thy earthly nest1 thou hast soared toward the holy rose-garden of the ,divine ,kingdom and obtained a luminous station there6 ,o my dearly beloved1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,verily thou art like unto he birds1 chanting the verses of thy ,lord1 the ,forgiving1 for thou wert a thankful servant2 therefore thou hast entered 7into the realm beyond7 with joy and happiness6 ,o my beloved1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,verily thy ,lord hath chosen thee for ,his love1 guided thee to the ,court of ,his ,holiness1 caused thee to enter into the ,rizwan7#baa7 of ,his ,association and granted thee to behold ,his ,beauty6 ,o my beloved1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,verily thou hast attained to the eternal life1 never-ending bounty1 beatific bliss and immeasurable providence6 ,o my beloved1 ,o ,breakwell6 ,thou hast become a star in the most exalted horizon1 a lamp among the angels of heaven1 a living spirit in the ,supreme ,world and art established upon the throne of immortality6 ,o my adored one1 ,o my ,breakwell6 ,i supplicate ,god to increase thy nearness and communication1 to make thee enjoy thy prosperity and union 7wih ,him71 to add to thy light and beauty and to bestow upon thee glory and majesty4 ,o my adored one1 ,o my ,breakwell6 ,i mention thy name continually1 ,i never forget thee1 ,i pray for thee day and night and ,i see thee clearly and manifestly1 ,o my adored one1 ,o ,breakwell6 999999,concerning thy question whether all the souls enjoy eternal life3 ,know thou those souls partake of the ,eternal ,life in whom the ,spirit of ,life is breathed from the ,presence of ,god and all beside them are dead--without ,life1 as ,christ hath explained in the texts of the ,gospel4 ,any person whose insight is opened by ,god seeth the souls in their stations after the disintegration of the bodies4 ,verily they are living and are subsisting before their ,lord and he seeth also the dead souls submerged in the gulfs of mortality4 ,then know thou verily all the souls are created according to the nature of ,god and all are in the state of 7unconscious7 purity at the time of their births4 ,but afterward they differ from one another insofar as they acquire excellencies or defects4 ,nevertheless1 the creatures have different degrees in existence insofar as the creation goes1 for capacities are different1 but all of them are good and pure 7in their essence71 then afterward they are polluted and defiled4 ,although there are different states of creation1 yet all of them are beneficial4 ,glance thou over the temple of man1 its members and its parts4 ,among them there are the eye1 ear1 nose1 mouth1 hands and fingers4 ,notwithstanding the differences between these organs1 all of them are useful in their proper spheres4 ,but if one of them is out of order1 there is need of a remedy and if the medicine does not heal1 then the amputation of that member becomes necessary4 ,verily ,i beseech ,god to make thee confirmed under all circumstances4 ,do not become despondent1 neither be thou sad4 ,ere long thy ,lord shall make thee a sign of guidance among mankind4 8,o thou dear and honorable64440 ,o thou dear and honorable6 ,i received thy last letter through his honor 44444444 and its contents imparted to me spiritual joy1 for it indicated the high and good friendship between thee and the respectful maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 ,i supplicate ,god to increase at every moment and second your faith1 assurance1 steadfastness and your knowledge1 and likewise to create spiritual friendship and celestial love among the friends1 in order that they may become a unit host and enlisted soldiers 7of the ,kingdom of ,god7 with accomplishment1 skillfulness1 solidarity1 fellowship and unison4 ,verily1 by this their breasts will become dilated1 their names exalted1 their faces illumined1 their host confirmed and their progress1 illumination1 insight1 knowledge1 spirituality1 fragrance1 attraction1 enkindlement1 sanctity and purity promulgated4 ,convey my greeting to 44444444 and say to her3 8,verily the teachings which flowed from the lips of ,his ,highness ,christ were spiritual1 celestial1 heavenly and the cause of the eternal life2 therefore it is explained as heavenly food and the divine table4 ,but the philosophers who were the greatest sages of the world at that time could not realize the power of the teachings of ,christ and these very philosophers were veiled from the ,spirit of ,christ and did not acknowledge ,his instructions1 for their imaginations did not correspond with the apprehensions of their intellects4 ,o what remorse is their lot by losing this ,great ,cause6 ,consequently1 the teachings of ,baha' shall assuredly breathe the spirit of peace1 the love of ,god and divine compassion in the hearts of men4 ,these universal results will become clear to those who cling to them 7teachings7 after experience4 ,as to thee1 consider profoundly these teachings in order that thou mayest apprehend their realities40 ,o my dear ,mr4 4444444446 ,i beseech ,god to grant thee the power of knowledge and understanding so that thou mayest fathom the mysteries of the teachings descended from the presence of he ,glorious ,lord4 8,o thou spiritual son64440 ,o thou spiritual son6 ,verily ,i have received thy lettter999999and its contents were known4 ,i supplicate ,god to open to thee a way and prepare for thee and guide thee in thy affair4 ,but concerning thy marriage with the maid-servant of ,god1 444444441 do not be in a hurry4 ,deliberation and patience are necessary until her mother giveth her consent and thy father and mother also acquiesce4 ,this is the divine commandment6 ,take thou hold of it with a true firmness4 ,verily this is better for thee under all circumstances6 ,verily thy ,lord is gracious to ,his servants and ,he facilitates ere long every straight cause4 ,but thou must submit to and rely upon ,god under all conditions and ,he will bestow upon thee that which is conducive to thy well-being4 ,verily ,he is merciful and compassionate6 ,for how many an affair was involved in difficulty and then was straightened1 and how many a problem was solved by the permission of ,god4 ,be thou not grieved1 neither be thou sad4 ,finish thy studies in sciences and then turn thy face unto ,god1 asking from ,him help and protection under all conditions4 8,o thou dear friend64440 ,o thou dear friend6 ,what thou hast written was perused4 ,i beg of ,god that thou wilt become assisted and confirmed under all circumstances to find the ease of spirit and the happiness of consciousness1 to enter under the shadow of the ,tree of ,life and to perfume thy nostrils from the fragrances of the holy rose-garden and to illumine thy heart with the lights of the mercy of guidance4 ,through the grace of ,his ,highness1 the ,almighty1 all the affairs become easy and feasible4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,i am cognizant of all thou hast written in thy letters4 ,to attain the pleasure of ,god is the more important thing4 ,thank ,god thou art content with the will of ,god and art attached in heart to ,his divine wishes2 and as thou art thus1 all thy desires will be granted thee4 ,relative to your going to ,america1 thou must observe the wishes of thy parents and in the meantime endeavor to diffuse the breaths of ,god and satisfy those who are thirsting for the fountain of the knowledge of ,god by giving them the heavenly water and merciful rain4 ,give my greetings to 44444444 and say to her3 8,if thou desirest to soften the hearts and bring thy friends under the shadow of the ,tree of ,life1 show forth firmness and integrity2 day by day increase thy sincerity and severance until by the power of the ,truth thou wilt soften and subdue the hearts and awaken the souls of the heedless40 ,also give my spiritual greetings to ,mr4 and ,mrs4 44444444 and say to them3 8,may your little daughter be a blessing to you40 ,o my dear 444444441 endure and be patient1 and by patience thou wilt attain thy desire4 8,o thou sincere servant of ,god64440 ,o thou sincere servant of ,god6 ,be not sad nor sorrowful over what hath occurred4 ,what hath transpired is for the best and in it is a sacred wisdom concealed which ere long will become manifest4 ,turn thou to the ,kingdom of ,abha and supplicate to the ,highest ,concourse4 ,the aid and mercy of ,god encompasseth all and ,his divine bounty is all-sufficient4 ,verily something will soon occur for that kind friend 7i4e41 thyself7 which will bring all happiness1 joy1 pleasure and contentment in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,regarding those whose names thou hast written1 ,i ask aid and assistance for them from ,god1 especially 444444444 ,i beseech at the ,threshold of the ,oneness of ,god to shower upon him blessings and open upon him the door of guidance1 bestowing upon his heart the heavenly light4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thank thou ,god for that thou art assisted to establish a spiritual meeting in that city4 ,that assembly is the rose-garden of the ,cause of ,god and that meeting is the gathering-place of the beloved of ,god4 ,if it endureth1 it is the first assembly of the world and is the greatest assembly of mankind4 ,exert thyself with all heart and soul so that it may continue and be stable and constant until blessed results may ensue therefrom1 for without firmness and steadfastness no matter shall prove effective in existence4 ,some of the friends organized meetings for teaching in the neighborhood of that region1 but owing to lack of steadfastness those meetings scattered with great rapidity4 ,i hope that thy spiritual meeting may become continual and cause the spread of the lights4 8,o thou my dear friend64440 ,o thou my dear friend6 ,i am now viewing the flowers in the little garden and remembering thy rose-like face4 ,this material rose1 although it is beautiful and fragrant1 yet it cannot be compared with the beauty of the friends4 ,great is the difference between this fragrance and that of the friends1 between the scent of this rose and the fragrance of the love of ,god4 ,that face of thine which attracts the hearts is far more beautiful and better than this rose1 for with that beauty is accompanied illumination4 ,thy gift is much appreciated and very acceptable4 ,i was made very1 very happy and ,i prayed for thee that thou mayest appreciate the contents and significance of it4 ,indeed thou hast served in ,washington with no will save the will of ,god in view and thou hast made me happy and attained my pleasure4 ,hold the spiritual meeting at the stated times and be thou its candle1 giving 7the friends7 such happiness and joy through the glad-tidings of ,god as will make them joyful and full of ecstasy4 ,give them all my loving greetings4 ,surely manifest the utmost love and goodness o the ,baltimore friends and organize for them a spiritual gathering4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,great joy was obtained on learning of the harmony and love of the friends4 ,communication with the friends of various parts is one of the greatest means for spreading the fragrances4 ,the place adjoining ,washington1 where1 during the summer season1 the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 shall go1 if it will not cause any disturbance and doth not become a means of talk among the enemies1 the gathering of some of the friends there will be favorable4 ,we must be considerate lest it may cause 8sensation0 among the people1 for some people are weak and should be treated very quietly4 ,however1 the gathering of some of the friends there will be a cause of enkindling the fire of the love of ,god and the organization of a ,bahai meeting will be harmless4 ,every week two or three of the ,washington friends should go to ,baltimore and endeavor to help and encourage the friends there4 ,as to the seven qualifications 7of the divinely enlightened soul7 of which thou hast asked an explanation1 it is as follows3 #a4 ,,knowledge4 ,man must attain the knowledge of ,god4 #b4 ,,faith4 #c4 ,,steadfastness4 #d4 ,,truthfulness4 ,truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity4 ,without truthfulness1 progress and success in all of the worlds of ,god are impossible for a soul4 ,when this holy attribute is established in man1 all the divine qualities will also become realized4 #e4 ,,uprightness4 ,and this is one of the greatest divine attainments4 #f4 ,,fidelity4 ,this is also a beautiful trait of the heavenly man4 #g4 ,,evanescence ,,or ,,humility4 ,that is to say1 man must become evanescent in ,god4 ,must forget his own selfish conditions that he may thus arise to the station of sacrifice4 ,it should be to such a degree that if he sleep1 it should not be for pleasure1 but to rest the body in order to do better1 to speak better1 to explain more beautifully1 to serve the servants of ,god and to prove the truths4 ,when he remains awake1 he should seek to be attentive1 serve the ,cause of ,god and sacrifice his own stations for those of ,god4 ,when he attains to this station1 the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit will surely reach him1 and man with this power can withstand all who inhabit the earth4 ,in regard to children1 thou hast written that it is decided to train them in the teachings of ,god from childhood4 ,this thought is very acceptable4 ,give greeting and praise to all of the friends of ,god and to ,his maid-servants4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter1 sent through the maid-servant1 444444441 hath been received4 ,thou hast written concerning the changing of names4 ,a name hath no importance1 for a name must needs have a bearer 7i4e41 deserving a high name74 ,that is to say1 consider 7people's7 morals and character1 then consider the person himself and be attentive 7to detect7 one's manners and conduct and consider his faith and assurance4 ,if a person is illumined with the light of the love of ,god1 he is 7like unto7 the morning star1 even though his name be dark2 and if he is a captive in the darkness of error1 he is gloomy even though his name be that of a shining star4 ,consequently1 be thou intent that thou makest thy face illumined with the light of the love of ,god1 through the divine assistance and favor4 ,this attribute will make thee independent of every name6 ,convey my loving greetings to all of the friends of ,god4 8,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter999999was received4 ,its contents became evident4 ,thou hast written concerning ,baltimore--this caused me great joy4 ,the revered maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 444444441 hath undergone great roubles4 ,praise be to ,god6 that she hath arisen 7and is confirmed7 to serve 7the ,kingdom of ,god74 ,i hope that ,mr4 and ,mrs4 44444444 will become the cause of spreading 7the teachings7 and organizing gathering-places4 ,the news of ,camp ,mineola brought me utmost joy and fragrance4 ,i pray to ,god that the power of the ,word of ,god may become more evident and manifest day by day in those regions4 ,convey my respectful greeting to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 and say3 8,thy service is to the everlasting ,kingdom of ,glory and is conducive to eternal life40 ,convey also my greeting to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444441 likewise to ,miss 444444444 ,i supplicate in their behalf that ,god may bestow upon them heavenly illumination4 ,in another letter999999thou hast expressed sorrow and grief concerning the events in the ,holy ,land4 ,on the contrary1 7these events7 must cause joy1 happiness and exultation1 for this is the day of trial and the occasion for the manifestation of the secrets of the soul and heart4 ,have the utmost joy about the incidents in the ,holy ,land and do not consider from any other viewpoint2 for the deluge of affliction is surrounding always the ,holy ,land and the sincere servant of the ,true ,one is like unto the enkindled lamp around about which the adverse winds blow4 ,therefore1 you must engage in your own occupation1 be familiar in spreading the fragrances of ,god and characterized in promulgating the ,word of ,god4 ,for instance1 if you receive news that the ,holy ,land is entirely changed1 you must not become relaxed at all2 nay1 rather you must become firmer1 more steadfast and more attracted and more engaged in the service of the ,kingdom4 8,what thou hast written was read and its contents4440 7#bab7 ,what thou hast written was read and its contents became known4 ,in reality blessed days are coming4 ,this is the time for the service of the ,kingdom and the period of spreading the divine ,call4 ,i hope that thou and all of the friends will occupy their time in the service of the ,kingdom at this moment when ,abdul-,baha is involved in he greatest danger1 so that this heart may become gladdened and that you may become strengthened by the ,word of ,god1 causing also the strength of others4 ,concerning thy presence in the ,land of ,desire1 for the present postpone 7this matter7 for some later time until the arrival of summer and the passing of frosty winter4 ,at that time it will be acted upon according to the circumstances4 ,the petition concerning unity and harmony1 signed by the majority of the believers of ,god1 was received4 ,we have written a detailed answer for it and it will be forwarded4 ,this letter1 which was signed by the majority of the friends1 brought me great1 great joy4 ,the book that thou hast written thou wilt send and1 after its translation1 it will be read4 ,each letter that thou receivest from me1 where in the ending there is the command for its spreading1 thou oughtest to publish that letter and circulate it4 ,endeavor so far as thou art able to create unity1 harmony and loving-kindness among the believers of ,god4 8,thy last letter was received and its contents brought4440 7#bac7 ,thy last letter was received and its contents brought joy4 ,thank thou ,god1 for thou art engaged in serving the ,word of ,god and spending thy time with the friends of ,god4 ,if thou somewhat regard thy father and mother1 too1 so that they may be somewhat pleased1 this will be the cause of pleasing me4 ,father and mother are worthy of esteem and it is necessary 7to secure their good pleasure72 but this on condition that they may not prevent one from nearness to the ,threshold of the ,almighty and may not withhold one from walking in the path of the ,kingdom4 ,nay1 rather they 7parents7 should encourage and inspire one 7to walk in ,god's path74 ,as to living 7or conduct7 in accord with the ,book of ,akdas3 ,we have spoken of this to his honor ,mr4 444444441 for there is freedom in those lands and there are no obstacles4 ,likewise1 the ,ishrakat1 ,tarazat1 and ,tajalliat7#bad7 must be translated and published 7and spread7 among the friends4 ,but1 whatever writings and articles which the believers may write for the spread of the ,cause of ,god1 these they must necessarily send to the ,holy ,land1 in order to be corrected and rectified 7or approved of7 and then to be returned to them and then published4 ,before their being corrected here and before securing permission from here1 their publication is by no means allowable4 ,as to the obligatory prayer 7to be said three times a day73 ,each one must say his prayer alone by himself1 and this is not conditional on a private place2 that is1 both at home and in the worshipping-place1 which is a gathering-place1 it is allowable for one to say his prayer2 but each person must say his prayer by himself 7i4e41 not in company with others who might recite the same words and continue the same postures together at the same time74 ,but if they chant supplications 7communes1 etc47 together 7and in company71 in a good and effective voice1 that is very good4 8,o ,god64440 7#bae7 ,o ,god6 ,grant ,washington happiness and peace6 ,illuminate that land with the light of the faces of the friends1 make it a paradise of ,glory1 let it become an envy of the green gardens of the earth6 ,help the friends1 increase their number1 make their hearts sources of inspiration and their souls dawnings of light4 ,thus may that city become a beautiful paradise and fragrant with the fragrance of musk4 8,o ,god64440 7#baf7 ,o ,god6 ,make this youth illumined and this weak one strong6 ,bestow upon him knowledge and give unto him an added strength at every dawn4 ,thus may he be protected and sheltered in ,thy protection from every sin to serve ,thy ,cause1 to guide those who are led astray1 to lead those who are poor 7or weak71 to free those who are in captivity 7or bondage71 to awaken those who are in lethargy and to be happy with ,thy remembrance and thought4 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,wise6 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the short treatise which thou has written upon 8,service in the ,kingdom10 forwarding it here and asking permission for its publication1 was read4 ,spread it among the believers4 ,likewise1 correspondence with all the believers in all parts is very desirable4 ,the copy of the pamphlet that thou hast sent before1 ,god willing1 in opportune time will be read and forwarded to thee4 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,endeavor thou in the service in the ,kingdom and1 ,god willing1 in a seasonable time1 permission will be given to thee to come to the ,east4 ,convey longing greetings to all the friends of ,god4 8,o thou servant of ,baha'64440 ,o thou servant of ,baha'6 ,thy letter999999was received4 ,correspondence between the believers of the ,orient and the ,occident1 as well as between the different states of ,america1 is of the utmost importance and is conducive to the enkindlement and attraction of the hearts4 ,show thou great consideration to this matter4 ,thou hast written concerning the translation of ,tablets4 ,perfect translation will be made at a time when a committee of translators is organized4 ,the members of that committee must be composed of several ,persians and several ,americans1 all of whom must have the utmost proficiency in both the ,persian and ,english languages4 ,then the ,tablets will be translated through this committee4 ,for the present the organization of such a committee is not possible4 ,therefore1 whenever the publication of a ,tablet becomes necessary1 have a proficient person translate it1 then circulate it and the end will be attained4 ,regarding the station of this servant3 ,my station is ,abdul-,baha1 my name is ,abdul-,baha1 my qualification is ,abdul-,baha1 my praise is ,abdul-,baha1 my title is ,abdul-,baha4 ,all the friends of ,god must declare this word1 in order that all of them become united and harmonized upon it4 ,no difference must arise4 ,collect1 translate1 print and spread all the ,tablets written by me regarding this question4 ,concerning the ,book of ,akdas3 ,undoubtedly it must be translated by a scientific committee of translators4 ,the translation of one person is not sufficient4 ,concerning the spiritual assembly of ,washington3 ,i supplicate ,god that it may finally become the cause of the unification of all the nations of the world4 ,the maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 44444441 hath not yet returned from ,persia4 ,god willing1 we will direct her to travel to those parts4 ,thou hast written regarding the believers of ,baltimore4 ,undoubtedly whenever opportunity affords1 the believers of ,washington must go to ,baltimore1 become engaged in teaching the ,truth1 spread the carpet of feasting and prepare the heavenly table4 ,convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 444444441 and say3 8,o thou divinely attracted one6 ,day and night1 with an eloquent tongue1 teach thou the heedless ones2 awaken those who are speechless and silent4 ,undoubtedly the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit will descend upon thee40 ,announce1 on my behalf1 respectful greeting to the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 444444441 and say3 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,now is the time1 now is the moment in which1 like unto ,mary ,magdalene 7who loosened her tongue in the city of great ,rome71 thou mayest arise and become engaged in teaching the coming of the ,kingdom of ,god and spread far and wide to the ears the glad-tidings of the ,realm of ,eternity60 ,in brief1 ,o thou servant of ,baha'6 ,strive ye that the souls be engaged1 in all parts of ,europe1 with the utmost purity and sanctification1 in the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god4 ,undoubtedly teachers both from among the women as well as the men must go to ,australia and ,new ,zealand whenever the means and opportunity are brought about4 ,now make ye an effort that perchance through correspondence some souls1 in those parts1 may become illumined with the light of the ,kingdom4 ,o thou servant of ,baha'6 ,rest thou assured4 ,i supplicate from ,god that thou mayest be delivered wholly from passion and desire and become the faithful and sincere servant of the ,beauty of ,abha4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thou hast written to his honor 44444444 concerning the ,feast4 ,this ,feast was established by ,his ,highness the ,bab1 to occur once in nineteen days4 ,likewise1 the ,blessed ,perfection ,baha'o'llah hath commanded1 encourage and reiterated it4 ,therefore1 it hath the utmost importance4 ,undoubtedly you must give the greatest attention to its establishment and raise it to the highest point of importance1 so that it may become continual and constant4 ,the believers of ,god must assemble and associate with each other in the utmost love1 joy and fragrance4 ,they must conduct themselves 7in these ,feasts7 with the greatest dignity and consideration1 chant divine verses1 peruse instructive articles1 read the ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha1 encourage and inspire each other with love for the whole human race1 invoke ,god with perfect joy and fragrance1 sing the verses1 glorifications and praises of the ,self-subsistent ,lord and deliver eloquent speeches4 ,the owner of the house must personally serve the beloved ones4 ,he must seek after the comfort of all and with the utmost humility he must show forth kindness to every one4 ,if the ,feast is arranged in this manner and in the way mentioned1 that supper is the 8,lord's supper10 for the result is the same result and the effect is the same effect4 ,o thou sincere servant of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,thou hast written concerning ,baltimore4 ,convey respectful greeting on my behalf to ,miss 44444444 and say3 8,exert thyself as much as thou canst in order that thou mayest illumine ,baltimore1 lay there an eternal foundation and ignite a lamp whose rays may shine throughout cycles and ages40 ,thou hast written concerning the ,tablet of ,baka ,ya ,ali--,baka ,ya ,vafi 7,tablet of ,protection74 ,this ,tablet is for the healing of ailments4 ,whenever one is anxious about the recovery of an ill one1 he may read this prayer with a melodious voice while in a state of the utmost attention and concentration4 ,thou hast written regarding ,buddha and ,confucius4 ,buddha was an illustrious personage4 ,confucius became the cause of civilization1 advancement and prosperity for the people of ,china4 ,now it is not the time when we discuss concerning the stations and positions of those who are passed away4 ,we must concentrate our attention upon the present4 ,what hath transpired in a former time is past4 ,now is the time when we restrict our discussion to the ,most ,great ,luminary of ,peace and ,salvation in the ,age1 to talk of the ,blessed ,perfection ,baha'o'llah and to voice ,his exhortations1 behests and teachings4 ,buddha and ,confucius were kings in bygone ages who have disappeared4 ,their sovereignty in this world is ended and their cycle is completed4 ,now the ,throne of the ,kingdom of ,abha is established and the ,blessed ,perfection is sitting upon the ,throne of ,grandeur4 ,we must raise this ,call1 promulgate the ,word of ,god and live in accord with the teachings and advices of the ,beauty of ,abha4 ,thou hast written regarding 444444441 the resident of ,calcutta 7,india71 that he hath forwarded to thee some addresses so that thou mayest correspond with them about the ,cause of ,god4 ,if thou doest write to them there is no harm done1 nay1 rather it is advantageous4 ,but regarding the tests3 ,undoubtedly they must be violent so that those souls who are weak may fall back1 while the souls who are firm and sincere may shine forth from the horizon of the ,most ,great ,guidance like unto the sparkling stars4 8,o thou sincere servant of ,god64440 ,o thou sincere servant of ,god6 ,thy letters are received regularly and by reading them joy was produced4 ,thou hast written regarding the building of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar in ,washington4 ,this matter was discussed with the maid-servant of ,baha'1 ,miss 444444444 ,it hath been concluded that when she arrives in ,america she will discuss this question with you4 ,whatever will be the conclusions of your discussion write to ,acca4 ,the maid-servant of ,baha' is in ,paris2 she will go to ,america4 ,these services of thine are in reality worthy of praises1 that thou hast sacrificed thyself wholly to the ,true ,one4 ,mr4 44444444 and ,mr4 4444444 arrived and stayed a few days here4 ,the1 with the utmost joy and fragrance1 they started toward ,india4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter999999was received and its contents became the cause of the happiness of the heart of this grieved one1 for it was an evidence of exertion and magnanimity in the service of the ,cause of ,god4 ,thou hast written regarding the publication of a magazine4 ,if thou shouldst edit one magazine every six months--two in a year--then forward it to the ,holy ,land to be corrected and returned1 after due correction1 for its publication--it is very acceptable and will be the cause of the penetration of the ,word of ,god4999999 ,thy former articles were received4 ,i have not yet had time to read them4 ,however1 one of thy articles was corrected and forwarded and thou hast it printed and circulated4 ,now write thou a new article and send it here to be corrected4 ,it is better4 ,regarding the proposition which thou hast suggested that one of the maid-servants of the ,merciful reside in the ,land of ,desire and be the medium for the regulation of correspondence1 now it is not according to wisdom4 ,therefore1 now edit thou a magazine in ,persian and ,english1 then forward it here to be revised and sent back for publication4 ,convey the wonderful ,abha greeting to all the friends of ,god4999999 999999,o thou my kind friend6 ,i have the utmost love for thee and ,i ask ,god that thou mayest become assisted in the world and in the ,kingdom and precede ,paul and ,peter in spreading the ,word of ,god and diffusing the fragrances of ,god and become a manifest ensign in the regions of ,america4 ,perhaps thou wilt meet a person in ,paris who is thoughtless and followeth his own desire4 ,forget thou wholly his vain sayings and know thou that in future again thou wilt become in touch with such souls1 but--praise be to ,god6--the fire of thy love is to such a degree that the suggestions of such souls do not at all affect thee4 ,in brief1 arise thou in the service of thy ,lord with the utmost firmness and steadfastness4 ,i was very much pleased with thee4 ,undoubtedly this favor will become the cause of the greatest development for thee4 ,likewise1 thou and his honor ,mirza 44444444 are two brothers and like unto two birds living in one nest and singing one melody4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant and ,testament64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant and ,testament6 ,thy letter999999was received and its contents became known4 ,thou hast written regarding the election of a committee7#bag7 4 ,this is very acceptable1 is conducive to the glory of the ,cause of ,god and the spreading of the fragrances of ,god in those regions4 ,i hope that this committee may progress day by day until it become a merciful assembly4 ,thou hast written regarding the correspondence with other parts1 that from now on it will be carried under the name of ,the ,bahai ,assembly of ,washington4 ,this is also acceptable4 ,i hope that this committee becometh established and its members be of the utmost unity and affinity4 ,if the ,bahai ,assembly of ,washington ariseth in a befitting manner to love1 service and magnanimity1 the lights of the love of ,god will be cast upon all sides from the ,assembly and it will find more importance day by day1 until it attain to the ,most ,supreme ,station4 999999 8,o thou my beloved friend64440 ,o thou my beloved friend6 ,for a long time thou didst have the longing to visit the ,blessed ,spot and the yearning to meet this imprisoned one4 ,finally this gift became realized1 but it was for one moment and as the dew to the rose-garden of the hearts4 ,the destiny was such and the means were brought about in this way4 ,i became sad and disappointed more than thyself4 ,but ,i hope that this meeting became as the wick of the lamp and the fire--that as soon as it was touched it became ignited4 ,i am expecting the results of this meeting1 that ,i may see thee lighted as a candle and burning thyself as a moth with the fire of the love of ,god1 weeping like unto the cloud by the greatness of love and attraction1 laughing like unto the meadow and stirred into cheerfulness like unto the young tree by the wafting of the breeze of the ,paradise of ,abha6 ,all the believers in the ,east and in this ,spot are expecting the receipt of letters from thee4 8,the letter was received and its contents became evident44440 7#bah7 ,the letter was received and its contents became evident4 ,thou hast written regarding the days of summer1 that thou hast vacation for three months and a half4 ,shouldst though find any companions1 make thou a trip to ,persia1 for during three months and a half it is possible to reach ,teheran1 stay there a few days and then return2 but the time is not sufficient to come to the ,holy ,land4 ,if the trip to ,persia cannot be brought about1 then to ,ishkabad7#bai7 4 ,regarding the question of matrimony3 ,know thou that the command of marriage is eternal4 ,it will never be changed nor altered4 ,this is divine creation and there is not the slightest possibility that change or alteration affect this divine creation 7marriage74 ,regarding the remains of his honor the beloved ,breakwell--him who hath attained to the meeting of the countenance of his ,lord in ,his great ,kingdom--must be interred in that very land1 not in some other place1 for to transfer the remains of the believers from one city to another city is against the test of the ,book4 ,concerning the word ,baha'o'llah3 ,it must be written with ,o and not with ,u4 ,regarding the ,moronites3 ,all the communities of the world will finally become familiar with this great and most holy ,cause and all of them will enter under the shade of the ,word of ,god4 ,convey my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 44444444 and say3 8,we hope that day by day thou mayest take higher flights1 attain to greater spiritual attraction1 thy word become more penetrative through the power of the ,spirit and through the confirmations of the ,kingdom of ,abha become more illumined4 ,this is the path of salvation and prosperity4 ,this is the attractive power of the ,holy ,spirit from the ,supreme ,concourse40 8,o thou who hast confessed and believed in the ,words4440 ,o thou who hast confessed and believed in the ,words of ,god6 ,thank ,god1 for ,he hath uncovered the veil from before thine eye1 and that thou hast witnessed the great signs of the greatest glad-tidings which have been revealed in the ,gospel1 ,bible and the ,psalms2 and wert confirmed that verily those glad-tidings have been allusions to the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god during this time1 and that the horizons shall brighten through the light of the effulgence in this age1 which is the age of the lights and the century of thy ,god1 the ,powerful1 the ,almighty6 ,what a great gift is this guidance1 the standards of which are raised1 the traces of which are published and the breeze of which has blown1 the garden of which is ornamented1 the basins of which have poured out1 the birds of which have sung and the joy of which is completed6 ,i beg ,god to cause thee to be a crier unto ,his ,kingdom in that region1 wherein the ,sun of ,truth hath newly commenced to disseminate and the dawn of guidance hath risen from its horizons4 8,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god64440 ,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god6 ,verily1 ,i am informed of thy letter which showeth how thou art praising ,god1 hast acknowledged the unity of ,god1 art attracted to ,his kingdom and art thanking ,him for ,his favor2 that ,he hath strengthened thee in guidance1 hath illumined thine inner sight with the light which is shining forth from the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha1 hath caused thee to hear the ,call of the ,merciful from the ,supreme ,concourse and hath made thee one of the chosen ones in ,his brilliant and holy ,threshold4 ,o glad-tidings be unto thee for this great gift6 ,o blessed art thou for this worthy deed6 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written was perused4 ,it is evident that thou hast all thy life been seeking the ,lord of signs1 until now thou hast found the path of ,truth and discovered the ,lord of ,hosts and attained ,his ,kingdom4 ,if thou shouldst stand firm and steadfast1 thou wilt progress day by day in this condition1 and this flame of fire will become a luminous lamp4 ,if it be possible for thee1 turn thy face toward that city and be a cause of guidance to some souls there4 ,it is not now advisable for you to write secretly2 the time will come for that4 ,when you go there yourself you will be confirmed to teach some of the people4 8,o thou who art advancing toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy long letter1 which showed thine abundant joy for the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god and the longing of thy heart for the knowledge of ,god4 endeavor with thy soul1 so that the fountain of knowledge may flow within thy heart and the bounties of mysteries may pour upon thee from the ,kingdom of ,lights4 ,then thou wilt understand the meanings hidden and recorded in symbols in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,hold fast to the ,covenant which hath emanated from the ,supreme ,pen and which is scintillating with the light of the ,orb of the ,horizons4 ,know thou verily1 ,baha'o'llah is the ,promised ,one in all the ,books and ,tablets1 and verily1 this servant1 is the herald of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,and know thou1 that verily1 he earthly world is as a prison to the holy souls and these long for the ,kingdom of ,sanctity1 as birds long for their nests in the gardens of beautiful and wonderful trees1 flowers and fruits4 ,and know thou1 verily1 that those who were following the steps of ,christ1 detached their souls from the desires of the world1 and made their hearts to depend on the bounties of heaven4 ,such as the people of the ,kingdom and they are in no need of return for apprehending the bounty of the ,kingdom4 ,the consciences of such souls are clear1 their inmost hearts are pure1 they have obtained their aim1 have betaken themselves to the vicinity of the mercy of their ,mighty ,lord1 and thus they are in no need of being refined1 developed and again endowed with sight4 ,i beg of ,god to grant all thy wishes and to cause to appear unto thee the reality of the ,cause and the divine teachings through a heavenly bounty from the heaven of the ,covenant4 ,send my greetings and peace to thy revered husband4 ,every one of my household1 the firm ones in the ,covenant1 present unto thee greetings and praise4 8,o thou who hast prayed to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who hast prayed to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter and ,i have taken knowledge of ,god as to thy conduct towards the ,kingdom of ,god and also thy conflagration with the fire of ,god's love4 ,be reassured by the grace of thy ,lord and direct thyself towards ,him4 ,consider attentively and with assiduity in the ,new ,testament1 as well as the ,bible1 and thou shalt find new significances1 very clear of this great ,manifestation4 ,i declare by the just ,god that thou wilt see therein a revelation of the ,holy ,spirit which will aid thee in the good understanding of the ,truth and the mysteries and significances of the ,books of ,god1 the ,all-powerful and the ,eternal4 ,then as to what thou hast asked me for pious people who died before they heard the ,voice of this ,manifestation4 ,listen3 ,those who have mounted to ,god before hearing the ,voice1 if they followed the rules of conduct as laid down by ,jesus and always walked in the straight path1they have obtained this ,dazzling ,light after their rising to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,i pray ,god to lift the veil for thee and to corroborate by the spirit of experience1 so that all may be evident to thee1 by the ,holy ,spirit of ,god4 ,i implore ,god to give thee indication of good conduct in the way of salvation1 as a guiding lamp lighted from the fire of ,god's ,love1 and to cause thee to be called in ,his ,name by the multitude of the world1 so that the ,name of ,god shall be proclaimed in all far off countries4 ,give my compliments and my praises to thy estimable husband2 my greeting and praise to thee4 8,o ye two maid-servants of ,god64440 ,o ye two7#bbj7 maid-servants of ,god6 ,the ,lord of the ,kingdom hath invited1 chosen and guided you through ,his pure favor1 feeding you from the heavenly table of divine knowledge6 ,know ye the value of this favor and bounty and loosen your tongues in praise2 showing forth the power of knowledge and assurance and breathing the spirit of guidance into the hearts of the seekers4 ,ask from ,god that ye stand firm and steadfast in this great ,cause4 ,i pray in your behalf1 asking assistance and favor for you4 ,i hope that ye may become confirmed and helped4 8,o thou thrall of the ,lord of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou thrall of the ,lord of the ,kingdom6 ,thy photograph was considered with utmost insight4 ,this picture is an emblem of an enlightened face1 that is1 a countenance which hath taken a share of the outpouring of the manifest ,light4 ,this picture is produced by the light of the sun4 ,therefore1 it is called a sun picture4 ,i pray to ,god that thy picture may become reflected upon the page of existence forever and ever4 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,a few days ago the photograph of thyself and sister was received and a tablet was revealed and forwarded4 ,now1 also1 through pure mercy1 the answer of thy letter is transmitted4 ,praise be to ,god6 that the heavenly blessings are being poured upon thee and thou art being led by the light of guidance4 ,supplication to ,god that the seed of knowledge in the soil of thy heart may soon develop and grow into hyacinths and roses7#bba7 and that the flower-garden of the love of ,god may be thereby perfumed4 ,therefore1 ,i beseech ,god that ,he may bestow upon thee a meek and submissive heart and that ,he may confirm thee in the service of the divine garden and assist thee to emulate the actions and deeds of the godly ones4 ,also1 that ,he may guide1 to the ,kingdom of ,god1 your father1 mother and friends1 in order that by these heavenly blessings they may become fruitful trees and obtain a portion of the great and glorious gift4 8,o ye members of the shining assembly64440 ,o ye members of the shining assembly67#bbb7 ,the letter which was written by you1 was not a letter1 but a musk sack4 ,for the fragrances of the rose-garden of its significances perfumed the nostrils of every heavenly one2 evincing firmness in the love of ,god1 steadfastness in the ,covenant and ,testament and affinity among the friends4 ,this yearning one was enflamed and burning intensely1 but when ,i perused that letter1 a gentle breeze wafted and an extraordinary freshness and delicacy was imparted to me4 ,i turned my face toward the ,threshold of the ,almighty and supplicated ,him imploringly thus3 8,o thou ,eternal ,one6 ,make the friends of that country prosperous1 acquaint them with the mysteries2 usher them into the divine rose-garden and reveal to them the hidden realities and significances2 make their hearts the association of truth and their souls full of divine melodies and sacred 7choral7 music60 8,o ,god6 ,this respectful assemblage are my relatives and kindred and the cause of the happiness of this afflicted one4 ,bestow upon them a shining face and grant them a musk-diffusing character4 ,show them the mystery of the ,kingdom and suffer them to hear the soul-elevating harmony of heaven6 ,awaken 7the people7 by the breeze of the ,paradise of ,abha and make them alive by the power of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,verily1 ,thou are the ,powerful and ,omnipotent1 and ,thou art the ,bestower and generous60 8,o thou dear servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear servant of ,god6 ,thy letter is received and its contents were the cause of happiness4 ,regard the bounty and forgiveness of the ,mighty ,creator3 ,though ,abdul-,baha is in this blessed and illuminated ,spot and thou in ,st4 ,peter 7,minn47--the other side of the world--thou hast inhaled the divine breath notwithstanding the great distance1 and beheld the heavenly ,light4 ,there are thousands of people in the ,holy ,land associated with us and yet they are deprived and have no hope in ,god4 ,this is naught save a blessing from the heavenly ,father which hath enlightened that face 7i4e41 thy face7 and made that heart 7thy heart7 divine4 ,i ask ,god that thou wilt be so animated by the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit that thou wilt cause that region to become an ,eden of ,paradise and illumine many souls with the brilliant ,light4 ,though we cannot see each other physically at this time1 thank ,god the ,spiritual ,breath is a messenger between us1 which is the means of assuring the heart and rejoicing the spirit4 8,o thou seeker of the ,heavenly ,kingdom64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,heavenly ,kingdom6 ,this world resembles the human body and the ,kingdom of ,god is like the spirit of life4 ,think how narrow and dark the material world of man is1 how afflicted with disease and maladies2 but how bright and spacious is ,his ,spiritual ,world6 ,through this illustration thou mayest comprehend in what manner is the ,spiritual ,world portrayed in this earthly world and in what degree is its power effected4 ,though the ,spirit is concealed1 its power is manifested and clear in the phenomenal world2 and so with the ,kingdom of ,god1 though it is veiled from the eyes of the ignorant people1 to men of perception it is discernable and evident4 ,therefore1 thou must become entirely heavenly that thou mayest forget the earthly conditions and be immersed in the perception of ,divinity to such a degree that thou wilt be unconscious of the surrounding material existence4 8,o my dear friend64440 ,o my dear friend6 ,verily1 my heart is united with thee even though my body is in a distant land1 for verily neither long distance nor immense remoteness can prevent the union between hearts1 because the clear hearts are in reality assembled in union in the ,kingdom of ,god1 while bodies are disperse in the east and west of the earth4 ,this dispersion cannot stop the affinity and cannot veil the eye of soul from seeing in all directions4 8,o thou who art cheerfully moving by the ,fragrances4440 ,o thou who art cheerfully moving by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,know thou verily1 that when the ,sun of ,truth shown forth to the horizons1 the eyes of the people of affection were brightened by witnessing thereof1 but the blind are in veil and discord1 and say3 8,where is the ,sun of the ,horizon80 ,leave them in the veils of passions and fathoms of the seas of ignorance1 to sink and play4 ,verily1 thou shouldst be rejoiced with this ,light1 which is shining to the ,easts of the earth and the ,wests thereof1 and be illumined thereby1 so that thou becomest saved with thy whole being from the gloomy darkness4 ,then thou wilt become of the great signs of guidance4 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 ,o thou seeker of ,truth6 ,i received the photograph of thy shining figure and ,i looked at it with thorough attention4 ,a tranquility and steadfastness was manifest in thy visage4 ,i beg of ,god that the lights of the ,kingdom may so shine upon this face 7or figure7 that they may dispel the darkness of error from many4 ,if thou doest act according to the commandments and exhortations of ,god1 know thou for a certainty that the luminosity of thy face will day by day increase4 ,be thou happy and well pleased and arise to offer thanks to ,god1 in order that thanksgiving may conduce to the increase of bounty4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy message1 through the maid-servant of ,god 44444444 was received4 ,happy is thy state that thou art seeking the ,truth and endeavoring to attain eternal life4 ,this is a lofty aim1 but it requireth the heavenly confirmation and assistance4 ,i pray that this assistance may be vouchsafed unto thee and this bounty environ thee1 that thou hearest the call of the ,kingdom and beholdest the greatest signs4 ,reflect upon this3 ,what a bounty and what a favor it is that the sages of the world and the wise among mankind are incompetent of comprehension1 yet the little children of the ,kingdom have attained the ,truth1 dwell and abide under the shadow of the ,tree of ,life and are assisted by the everlasting and eternal gift6 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily that ,infant is born and exists and their will appear from ,his ,cause a wonder which thou wilt hear in future4 ,thou shalt see ,him with the most perfect form1 most great gift1 most complete perfection1 most great power and strongest might6 ,his ,face glisteneth a glistening whereby the horizons are illumined6 ,therefore1 forget not this account as long as thou art living1 forasmuch as there are signs for it in the passing centuries and ages4 ,upon ye be greeting and praise6 ,,abdul-,,baha ,,abbas4 8,if the people live and act in accord with4440 8,if the people live and act in accord with the ,general ,tablets which are revealed in the beloved of the ,east and of the ,west1 this universe will become another universe1 and the whole existence of this world will be clad in another garment0 ,abdul-,baha ,abbas ,,volume ,,iii 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thou hast asked regarding the phrase1 8,he is ,god60 written above the ,tablets4 ,by this ,word it is intended that no one hath any access to the ,invisible ,essence4 ,the way is barred and the road is impassable4 ,in this world all men must turn their faces toward 8,him-whom ,god-shall-,manifest40 ,he is the 8,dawning-place of ,divinity0 and the 8,manifestation of ,deity40 ,he is the 8,ultimate ,goal10 the 8,adored ,one0 of all and the 8,worshipped ,one0 of all4 ,otherwise1 whatever flashes through the mind is not that ,essence of essences and the ,reality of realities2 nay1 rather it is pure imagination7#bbc7 woven by man and is surrounded1 not the surrounding4 ,consequently1 it returns finally to the realm of suppositions and conjectures4 8,o ,god6 ,o thou ,attracted of the hearts of the favored4440 ,o ,god6 ,o thou ,attracted of the hearts of the favored ones toward the ,manifest ,horizon6 ,verily1 ,thou art witnessing that the fire is ablaze in the breasts1 the tears are streaming from the eyes and the period of patience and silence hath come to an end4 ,the eyes of the beloved ones1 ,o my ,god1 are swimming in tears2 the hearts of the yearning ones1 ,o my ,beloved1 are wandering in the wilderness of ,thy mercifulness2 and the souls of the attracted ones1 ,o my ,desires1 are afflicted with anguish on account of ,thy separation6 ,verily1 they have heard ,thy universal proclamation1 ,o my ,god1 and what ,thou has revealed in the ,koran3 8,say6 travel ye on earth1 so that ye may behold the signs of the mercy of ,god40 thereupon1 after ,thy ascension1 the people of faithfulness have arisen1 traveling to distant lands and hastening to far and remote regions of the world1 in order to cry out ,thy ,name1 to remind the souls of the arrival of ,thy days1 to lead the minds to the fountain of ,thy signs1 to demonstrate to all the inhabitants of the world ,thy proof and ,thy religion1 to guide the truth seekers to the right path and to indicate the straight highway to the strivers4 ,from among them is ,thy servant 444 who is firm in the ,ancient ,covenant1 fleeing from the people of darkness1 drinking from the water of eternal life and intoxicated with the wine which is overflowing from the divine cup4 ,verily1 he hath left his native abode1 waved the hand of farewell to his relatives1 forsaken ease and comfort1 hastened to strange and unknown kingdoms and accepted hardship and adversities while heralding ,thy ,name1 commemorating ,thy glorification1 attracted to ,thy beauty1 stirred by the fragrances of ,thy holiness1 speaking ,thy praises1 voicing ,thy ,cause1 guiding others to ,thee1 proving ,thy religion1 demonstrating ,thy irrefutable truth1 becoming an answerer to every questioning one and a guide to every one held in error6 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 he endured every affliction in ,thy path and bore patiently every hardship and adversity in ,thy love4 ,a breath of rest hath he not breathed1 neither hath his sought after any favor1 abode or habitation in this world2 nay1 rather hath he walked in the footsteps of ,thy most exalted ,word1 ,his ,highness ,christ1 for he hath taken the stars for his lamp1 the earth for his bed and the herbs for his food4 ,notwithstanding this1 his cry was raised in the assemblages and his voice was heard in the meetings4 ,the seekers flowed toward him and the thirsty ones hastened to drink from the water of his utterance4 ,o my ,god6 ,this is no other than through ,thy generosity1 ,thy beneficence1 ,thy mercy and ,thy favors4 ,o my ,god6 ,help him by the hosts of the approximate angels1 assist him by the cohorts of the ,supreme ,concourse amid ,thy creatures1 make him a lamp of guidance in that distant part of the earth and a luminary shining and sparkling from the dawning-place of faithfulness1 in order that he may serve ,thy holy threshold1 falling prostrate upon the ground thanking and praising for ,thy bounty1 liberality and gifts to him2 girding up his loins of endeavor in ,thy service and becoming reinforced and empowered in ,thy adoration6 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,assign for him every bounty and suffer him to become the sign of ,thy gifts amid ,thy people4 ,then have pity upon me1 forgive me1 show me ,thy mercy and make me a sharer in his services1 a partner in his adversities and a companion in his loneliness4 ,verily ,thou art the ,confirmer1 the ,assister1 the ,mighty1 the ,generous1 the ,compassionate and the ,merciful6 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 8,your letters have been received4 ,god willing1 answer4440 ,your letters have been received4 ,god willing1 answer will be given very soon1 but as a matter of great importance is on foot 7afloat71 therefore ,i write it to you in brief and it is this1 that his honor ,mr4 444 must compose a letter of thanks on behalf of the believers of ,america in general and that letter of thanks should be addressed to a very eminent and lofty personage4 7,the contents of that letter must be of this nature37 8,that excellent news hath reached ,american countries that ,his ,royal ,highness1 the noble ,prince1 hath dealt with utmost justice with the subjects and the people and hath treated all the subjects with perfect equality4 ,he hath protected the rights of all and forbidden the extortions of the tyrants4 ,he is dealing with utmost kindness and affinity and is an asylum for every oppressed one and an open treasury to every indigent one4 ,he decides with justice the case of every pleader and is a refuge and protection to the helpless4 ,consequently1 we in general1 who are the well-wishers of the government and ,persian nation1 with utmost gratification are praising and commending the justice of ,his ,royal ,highness1 the ,prince1 and are content and glad2 and in order to manifest our thanks we present this petition2 and whatever in the line of service is commanded us1 we are ready to comply with the most extreme diligence4 ,we ask earnestly from ,god that the ,imperial ,government become everlasting1 ,his ,imperial ,majesty1 the just ,shah1 remain and live long1 and ,his ,royal ,highness1 the ,prince1 become to every subject a divine gift and that he may become confirmed and helped in all affairs40 ,let there be two copies of this petition and the ore the believers sign each of these two copies1 the better it is4 ,each person must sign personally4 ,then 7when they are finished7 you forward them here4 ,we will write on them the address and forward to their destination4 ,wisdom does not permit the mentioning of the name of these two distinguished personages2 therefore1 it is better to be left unknown4 ,his honor ,mr4 444 must compose these two petitions in ,english with utmost eloquence and perfect style4 ,you1 likewise1 must translate them and forward them here with the translations4 ,upon thee be greeting and praise6 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,now ,i have found the opportunity to answer the petitions recently received and forward them to you in this mail4 ,regarding the subject of ,persia3 ,praise be to ,god6 she became the ,east of the ,sun of ,truth in this age4 ,the ,light of ,eternity dawned1 the ,everlasting ,glory unveiled her countenance and the ,reality of the ,mercifulness became manifest4 ,this is the prosperity of ,persia4 ,undoubtedly she will progress day by day under the shade of the ,blessed ,tree until her illumination shall penetrate throughout the wide expanse of the earth4 ,regarding the question of the establishment of the ,national ,assembly3 ,this ,national ,assembly7#bbd7 will not bring any rapid results4 ,now some of the agitators are harboring evil intentions and do not let agreement and union be realized between the nations and the government4 ,they are instigating the hopeless ones at every moment and sending them to the ,british ,legation1 while on the other hand they ask private assistance and protection from the government so that they may procure wealth4 ,each and all of the clergy are thinking in this line4 ,however1 we have nothing to do with these proceedings and counter-proceedings4 ,we are commanded to quicken the souls1 to train the characters1 to illumine the realm of man1 to guide all the inhabitants of the earth1 to create concord and unity among all men and to lead the world of humanity to the ,fountain of the ,everlasting ,glory4 ,the reformation of one empire is not our aim2 nay1 rather we invoke from ,god that all the regions of the world be reformed and cultivated2 the republic of men become the manifestors of the bounty of the most glorious ,lord2 the ,east and the ,west be brought nearer together2 and that ,turk and ,tajik1 ,iran and ,america1 ,india and ,arabia1 ,japan and ,persia1 ,china and ,germany2 in brief1 all the nations and peoples of the world become as one soul and one spirit1 in order that strife and warfare be entirely removed and the rancor and hostility disappear so that all become as the waves of one ocean1 the drops of one sea1 the flowers of one rose-garden1 the trees of one orchard1 the grains of one harvest and the plants of one meadow4 ,regarding the statement that hath been given out as the saying of ,his ,majesty the ,shah3 ,this hath no connection whatever with the ,bahais2 nay1 rather it hath meant the ,babis4 ,mirza ,yahya1 the son of ,mirza ,hadi of ,doulet ,abad1 and a few souls of ,ezelis7#bbe7 who are living in ,teheran and were at one time secret friends of ,jamal-ed-,din of ,afghan1 have allied themselves with the party1 which is working against the government1 and is engaged in the work of instigating and inciting the people4 ,his ,imperial ,majesty did mean these souls1 that is1 the ,babis1 not the ,bahais4 ,but it is an established facts that the ,bahais are the well-wishers of the nation and the government2 are showing forth obedience and displaying good intentions2 are not interfering in political matters2 are engaged in the education and spiritualization of characters and are occupied with the training of the ignorant ones4 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the general historical report about the ,cause of ,god in that country17#bbf7 that thou hast forwarded to ,menshadi17#bbg7 became very acceptable4 ,undoubtedly you must1 every few months1 write a report about the general conditions and attitudes of the ,cause of ,god in ,america and forward it to ,acca1 so that we may send it to ,persia to be printed and spread among the people4 ,o thou yearning servant of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,in the time that all the ulemas and sages1 leaders1 merchants and traders1 nay1 even the public itself from the highest to the lowest have taken refuge in the ,british ,legation and began to complain and clamor that they are oppressed1 ,his ,royal ,highness ,shoa-,us-,saltanah1 the son of the ,shah1 cried in the ,assembly of ,nobles3 8,these ulemas and ,sheite leaders were always stigmatizing the ,bahais1 saying1 #8,they are the ill-wishers of the government and the corruptors of nations6' ,now consider ye with the eye of justice6 ,sixty years have rolled by and the ,bahais have been the object of the sword of affliction and the target of the arrows of oppression4 ,thousands of houses have been destroyed1 children became captives1 women became prisoners1 property was pillaged and not even a small children remained safe2 yet1 notwithstanding all of this1 not one single ,bahai took refuge under the flag of a foreign power6 ,now these ,sheites1 though they have always been treated with the utmost favor and benefit by the government1 yet without the slightest reason they went under the protection of a foreign power and brought down such humiliation and dishonor upon the nation and the government6 ,if they presented primarily their petitions to the government1 their wishes would be complied with in a better and more effective way4 ,this is the difference between the ,sheites and the ,bahais60 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,i have received the eloquent article which thou hast written at the moment of the arrival of the most great glad-tidings regarding the establishment of the ,national ,assembly and the organization of the constitutional and judicial government of ,persia according to the evident command of the ,book of ,akdas1 and the spontaneous joy and the genuine sympathy demonstrated by the people of science and discernment in ,america at hearing this soul-refreshing news1 and the utmost happiness to the members of the ,legation4 ,i read it and it became the cause of the utmost joy and fragrance4 ,the ,constitutional ,government1 according to the irrefutable text of the ,religion of ,god1 is the cause of the glory and prosperity of the nation and the civilization and freedom of the people4 ,however1 according to what is known1 the hands of the selfish leaders from among the ulemas 7,mohammedan clergy7 are in this affair4 ,outwardly they are desiring the establishment of the ,national ,assembly and at every moment they are crying and clamoring 7for its immediate realization71 but inwardly they are sowing the seeds of corruption and agitation and try to put at naught the noble intention of the government4 ,in the secret of their hearts and souls they do not favor the upbuilding of the ,national ,assembly1 the civilization of ,persia1 the awakening of the people1 the advancement of the age1 the spreading of knowledge and public instruction4 ,thieves like to lurk in darkness2 fishers desire disturbed water2 the bat shuns the rays of the sun2 the black beetle dislikes the fragrance of the rose-garden2 the ferocious wolf is in expectation of the sleet and snow2 and the wine seller sees his advantage in the inebriate1 irrational drinker4 ,these leaders of religion also desire to behold the nation thrown into a weltering chaos of ignorance so that the rein of affairs remain in the hands of the arrogant ulemas4 ,they know that if the nation began to adore wisdom1 truthfulness1 progression and fidelity1 it would bring about their 7the ulemas7 degradation4 ,however1 rest ye assured upon the favor and bounty of ,his ,highness the ,almighty2 for the ,imperial throne of ,persia is confirmed and the ,crown of the ,sovereignty of the ,east is protected14 ,undoubtedly the noble purpose of ,his ,imperial ,majesty will play an important role in the development of ,persia4 ,may ,god help and send victory from the ,supreme ,kingdom1 the heavenly powers become supporters and the mercy and bestowal of ,his ,highness the ,merciful ,one become the ,helpers6 ,be ye engaged in prayer that with the utmost good-pleasure the nation obey the government1 comply with the wise counsels of the attendants of the central dominion1 give no attention to the hearsay of the agitators and rise not to quarrel with and to protest against the government like unto the ,russian ,douma1 so as to throw the whole empire1 the nation and the kingdom into a sea of anarchy and lawlessness4 ,much prayer is needed so that ,god may help and protect4 ,the marks of kindness that thou hast shown to his honor ,mr4 444 became highly acceptable4 ,you must treat the strangers1 at all times1 in this manner and help1 as far as possible1 all the nations of the world4 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,truly1 ,i say1 thou art firm and have arisen to perform the conditions of firmness4 ,this very matter of his honor ,mr4 444 is a sign of wonder to all men and the greatest proof of the power of the ,word of ,god and the penetration of the servitude of ,abdul-,baha4 ,as thou art walking in this road and art steadfast in this path1 know thou of a certainty that the assistance of ,providence with descend upon thee and the confirmation of the ,kingdom unveil herself to thee4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,an article in the ,broadway ,magazine of ,september1 #aijf1 written by ,g4 ,a4 ,dobson and published in ,new ,york1 was read4 ,it is entitled1 8,the ,strangest ,religion in ,new ,york40 ,unquestionably1 you get that magazine and read it4 ,the writer complains of the ,ottoman government and its treatmet towards the ,bahai community4 ,there is no doubt that this article will be read by ,his ,excellency the ,turkish ,minister or the members of the ,legation4 ,the truth is that ,his ,imperial ,majesty the ,sultan ,abdul ,hamid ,khan hath exercised the utmost justice toward ,abdul-,baha4 ,although the internal and external enemies entered into an alliance1 wrote reports full of pure calumnies and baseless impositions1 became themslves the complainers and witnesses1 a body of examiners came from ,constantinople for the investigation of the true situation and that committee of commissioners became united with the outside and inside enemies1 ratifying all the impositions and adding to those some more important matters1 yet ,his ,imperial ,majesty ,abdul ,hamid ,khan--may ,god assist him6 --acted with delilberation until it became known and evident that all these calumnies were founded upon rancor and hositility4 ,therefore1 he hath treated us1 until the present time1 with the utmost justice and because of this treatment we are exceedingly happy4 ,if there were any other king beside ,his ,imperial ,majesty ,sultan ,abdul ,hamid ,khan1 he would exercise his autority in another way in the face of these unjust imputations and the conspiracies of the external and internal foes4 ,nevertheless1 the justice and equity of the ,sultan prevented the attacks of the enemies and the reports of the people of oppositions and falsehood from producing any effect4 ,therefore1 all the friends must pray from their hearts in behalf of their ,imperial ,majesties the ,padeshah of the ,ottomans and the ,shah of ,persia4 ,as in these days ,his ,imperial ,majesty ,sultan ,abdul ,hamid ,khan is in a state of illness and indisposition1 therefore the believers of ,god1 in meetings and assemblages1 in private and public1 but invoke from the ,threshold of ,oneness swift recovery for him4 ,the friends and strangers must know and realize that all the believers of ,god have the utmost love for ,his ,majesty the ,padeshah of the ,ottoman empire and that they are entreating for him protection and confirmation4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,the ,international ,congress of ,religions was organized this year7#bbh7 in the capital of ,japan4 ,many souls hastened to that empire from different parts of the world1 in order that they might talk of and discuss the principles of their own religions1 each one longing to convert that assembly to his own religion and establish the validity of his own particular belief4 ,this congress had under discussion the politics of the religions41 ,in truth1 it is a political affair and not the attraction of the heart1 faith1 advancement toward ,god nor enkindlement with the fire of the love of ,god4 ,this congress will not produce a lasting effect1 for it is essentially politico-religious4 ,what is effective and conducive to the penetration of the ,word of ,god and the attraction of hearts is the fragrances of holiness and the divine glad-tidings1 which the members of the congress do not in the least comprehend4 ,consequently1 if the believers of ,god go to that country--not to the congress--and through the power of the ,word of ,god1 the breath of the ,holy ,spirit1 the reading of the verses of ,oneness and associating with the individual inhabitants of that kingdom1 undoubtedly untold and tremendous results will be realized and the sweet fragrance of the rose-garden of mysteries will perfume the nostrils of the people of those regions4 ,it is significantly useful if some of the friends of ,god put forth and effort and hasten from ,america to those parts 7,japan74 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,unquestionably1 through the manifestation of the ,infinite ,power in this glorious age1 wonderful signs will appear in the world and great changes are seen in the present and promised in the future1 for the ,word of ,god is like unto the ,spirit1 and the contingent world like unto the embryo in the womb of the mother4 ,through the power of the ,spirit such various changes and metamorphoses become apparent1 transforming them from one form to another4 ,especially in ,persia1 through the power of the ,word of ,god1 wonderful signs will appear4 ,o thou servant of the ,true ,one6 ,though ,i had not the opportunity of reading one line of the paper 99 99 99 yet ,i read it with the utmost attention4 ,truly1 ,i say1 it was a superior paper and the details of the reception of the two great ambassadors in the house of the favored and attracted maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 4441 became known4 ,such receptions are very acceptable and praiseworthy4 ,you must all show forth the utmost consideration to these two ambassadors1 neither do ye fall short in serving them in whatever manner possible4 ,it is very acceptable for you to present to them the excellent praises which the ,blessed ,perfection hath made in behalf of these two governments1 the exhortations which ,he hath delivered for obedience to them and the prayers ,he hath written for the confirmation and protection of ,his ,imperial ,majesty the ,shah4 ,likewise1 the advices and recommendations that this servant 7,abdul-,baha1 himself7 hath written in ,tablets to ,persia and ,america2 also the irrefutable command that the ,blessed ,perfection hath given in ,tablets that the believers must obey the kings with the utmost sincerity and fidelity1 and ,he hath forbidden them to interfere at all with political problems4 ,he hath even prohibited the believers from discussing political affairs4 ,convey respectful greeting on my behalf to the favored maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 4441 the the utmost kindness and announce to her3 8,these services and self-sacrifices of thine in the ,kingdom of ,god are acceptable40 ,o thou servant of the ,blessed ,perfection6 ,since ,i have found this paper very eloquent1 ,i send it to ,persia4 ,o thou dear friend6 ,i entreat from ,his ,highness the ,desired ,one that ,he may grant divine confirmation to that illumined youth to such an extent that he may become the main-spring of spiritual emotions in those regions4 ,convey respectful greeting with the utmost longing to all the friends of ,god on behalf of this servant4 8,thy letters were received4 ,although thou hast4440 ,thy7#bbi7 letters were received4 ,although thou hast complained on account of not receiving answers to the petitions of the people1 yet thou hast no right to do so1 for the letters coming from those regions are like unto a sea--who is able to answer all of them8 ,some of the letters are not received and this is not the fault of the friends and1 as the administration of the post is not well organized1 many letters are lost in the mail4 ,but to those letters which are received1 ,god willing1 no neglect will be displayed so far as there is time to answer them4 ,thou hast written regarding the formation of three gatherings for spreading the ,tablets2 this is very acceptable4 ,convey greeting on my behalf to the maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 4444 ,i have written two ,tablets with my own hand to her so that she may realize that her services are accepted4 ,likewise1 ,i have written a ,tablet to his honor ,mr4 4441 with my own hand1 so that he may known also that his endeavors are praised4 ,thou hast forwarded the copies of six letters addressed to thee form different assemblies in ,america4 ,i have not yet found time to read them1 but1 ,god willing1 ,i will read them4 ,rest thou assured4 ,i have not time at the present for more than this4 ,upon thee be greeting and praise6 8,o thou who are firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who are firm in the ,covenant6 ,thou has written regarding the articles and papers which are written by the believers of ,god and the forwarding of them to this land for correction4 ,this servant1 on account of the multitude of works and occupations1 hath no time whatever to attend to this matter4 ,if this articles are read in the spiritual assembly of each city in ,america and the printing and spreading of them is advised and approved by the assembly1 it is acceptable4 ,this permission is granted so that those souls do not become disappointed and may be engaged in the composition and printing of instructive papers4 ,mr4 444 will arrive here and we will discuss with him regarding this matter4 ,say to ,mr4 4443 8,if he writeth any article and the spiritual assembly of ,washington doth approve its circulation1 the spreading will be of good results40 ,his honor 444 hath not displayed the slightest shortcoming or omission in forwarding the letters and papers to this land4 ,know ye this for a certainty4 ,some of the letters have been received1 but there hath not yet been time to answer them2 while on the other hand some of them are lost in the mail4 ,whatever hath been received1 its answer dependeth upon time and opportunity4 ,but regarding the articles3 ,these articles must be revised and corrected by those souls who know the history of the ,cause4 ,if they approve their circulation undoubtedly it will lead to the rapid promotion of the ,cause4 ,for this servant hath no time whatever 7to revise those articles74 ,regarding the receipt of letters and their early acknowledgment3 ,a new and complete system is organized4 ,god willing1 it will become perfected and put into execution4 ,o thou who are firm in the ,covenant6 ,convey the longing greeting of this servant to his honor ,professor 4444 ,the association which he hath organized is acceptable and beloved4 ,god willing1 he will become assisted and the confirmations of the ,kingdom of ,abha will descend4 ,today any soul who is planted1 like a tree1 along the steam of this divine rose-garden1 will grow and develop through the infinite outpourings4 ,for the rays of the ,sun of ,truth will shine forth1 the ,divine ,husbandman will irrigate and the soul-refreshing breeze will waft from the direction of grace4 ,consequently1 that tree will find the utmost freshness and delicacy1 producing delicious fruits4 ,deliver to him the enclosed ,tablet4 ,thou hast written regarding his honor ,mr4 4444 ,this personage is a believer and assured2 he is attracted1 enkindled and of the utmost sincerity4 ,the believers of ,god must have the utmost consideration toward him2 they must not avoid him2 they must seek his companionship in a cheerful manner14 ,for this servant 7,abdul-,baha7 is intoxicated with the wine of servitude and he is happy and joyful in the thralldom of ,god4 ,therefore1 all must declare and do whatever is the wish of his heart and soul4 ,the point is there3 ,the believers must associate with ,mr4 444 with joy and love4 ,thou hast written regarding the reception at the ,persian ,legation and the presence of the people of intelligence1 ,his ,excellency the ,turkish ,minister1 and the conversation of the attracted maid-servants of ,god1 444 and 4444 ,this news imparted the greatest joy and happiness4 8,o heavenly one64440 ,o heavenly one6 ,the maid-servant of ,god 444 hath praised thee6 ,i hope thou wilt acquire great proficiency in writing literature1 composition1 eloquence of tongue and fluency of speech1 co-operating with the maid-servant of ,god in the service of ,god1 becoming an esteemed servant in the ,threshold of ,oneness and partaking of a share of the heavenly gifts1 and progressing day by day until thou attain to the apex of the excellencies of this human world4 8,o ye illumined friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 ,o ye7#bcj7 illumined friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,when the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness concerning the realm of eternity and bereavement 7or deprivation7 from the ,true ,one had encircled the universe1 then the resplendent ,luminary dawned and the brilliant ,light illumined the horizon of the ,east4 ,hence1 the ,sun of ,realty shone forth1 scattering the sparkling lights of the ,kingdom to the ,east and to the ,west4 ,those who had seeing eyes found the ,most ,great ,glad-,tidings1 began to cry the call1 8,o blessed are we6 ,o blessed are we60--and have beheld the reality of things in themselves1 have discovered the mysteries of the ,kingdom1 were released from superstition and doubts1 perceived the lights of ,truth and became so intoxicated with the cup of the love of ,god1 that1 wholly forgetting themselves and the world while dancing1 they ran with utmost joy and ecstasy to the city of ,martyrdom1 sacrificing their minds and their lives upon the altar of ,love4 ,but those who were blinded became astonished and on account of these joyous acclamation were bewildered and beginning to cry1 8,where is the light80 and said1 8,we do not behold any light1 we do not see any rising sun6 ,it is void of any truth6 ,this is pure imagination60 ,however1 they have hastened bat-like in the darkness below the ground1 and according to their own thoughts they have found a little comfort and tranquility4 ,nevertheless1 it is yet the early dawn and the strength of the heat and the rays of the ,sun of ,truth have not yet made their torrid and complete impression4 ,when it reacheth the zenith1 the heat will interpenetrate with such great intensity that it will move and spur to the greatest velocity even the insects below the earth4 ,alhtough they are not able to behold the light1 yet the penetration of the heat will move and agitate all of them4 ,consequently1 ,o ye friends of ,god1 be ye thankful that in the ,day of the ,effulgence ye have turned your faces to the ,orb of the regions and beheld the ,lights6 ,ye have received a portion from the rays of ,truth and are endowed with a share from the ,everlasting ,outpouring4 ,therefore1 ye must not rest one minute1 but thank ,him for this bestowal4 ,be ye not seated and silent6 ,diffuse the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom far and wide to the ears1 promulgate the ,word of ,god1 and put into practice the advices and covenants of ,god2 that is1 arise ye with such qualities and attributes that ye may continually bestow life to the body of the world1 and nurse the infants of the universe up to the station of maturity and perfection4 ,enkindle with all your might in every meeting the light of the love of ,god1 gladden and cheer every heart with the utmost loving-kindness1 show forth your love to the strangers just as you show forth to your relations4 ,if a soul is seeking to quarrel1 ask ye for reconciliation2 if he blame ye1 praise him2 if he give you a deadly poison1 bestow ye an all-healing antidote2 if he createth death1 administer ye eternal life2 if he becometh a thorn1 change ye into roses and hyacinths4 ,perchance1 though such deeds and words1 this darkened world will become illuminated1 this terrestrial universe will become transformed into a heavenly realm1 and this satanic prison become a divine court2 warfare and bloodshed be annihilated1 and love and faithfulness hoist the tent of unity upon the apex of the world4 ,these are the results of the divine advices and exhortations1 and the epitome of the teachings of the ,bahai ,cycle4 8,o thou who art advanced toward the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art advanced toward the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received and its contents created joy1 for it showed thy faith and assurance4 ,thou hast written that they have expelled thee from the church and thy friends are manifesting aversion toward thee4 ,this is the beginning of thy trials4 ,there are greater trials than these4 ,therefore1 be thou not sad1 nay rather1 be thou happy and full of glad-tidings4 ,there is no harm done if they have expelled thee from the church4 ,thou hast stepped into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,thou hast entered into the ,heavenly ,jerusalem and discovered the ,way to the ,holy of ,holies of the ,kingdom4 ,that church is of stone and cement1 whereas this ,holy of ,holies is of overwhelming ,light4 ,but the more the tormenting friends shun thee1 go thou the nearer to them4 ,the more they deride and blame thee1 show thou forth the greater love and affection4 ,do not look upon their shortcomings4 ,look thou upon all of them as the people of ,god and endeavor thou in right-doing and well-meaning4 ,ignorant are they2 understand they do not4 ,therefore they are avoiding1 criticizing and scorning thee4 ,do not pursue thy friend1 4442 leave him to himself4 ,in the time of invocation to ,god1 ,i remember thee and supplicate and entreat ,him to confirm thee and assist thee in the service of ,his holy vineyard4 8,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the maid-servant of ,god1 ,aseyeh1 hath mentioned thy name in her letter1 praising and commending thee4 ,likewise thy letter was received4 ,i was exceedingly happy on account of the love of the maid-servant of ,god1 ,aseyeh1 for thee4 ,the advent of the prophets and the revelation of the ,holy ,books is intended to create love between souls and friendship between the inhabitants of the earth4 ,real love is impossible unless one turn his face towards ,god and be attracted to ,his ,beauty4 ,the maid-servants of the ,merciful should love each other with heart and soul2 for though there be many bodies1 the spirit of the faith is one and the outpouring of the ,holy ,spirit is universal4 ,there is one ,light but many lamps2 there is one ,wine but the glasses differ4 ,so thou shouldst love with all thy heart and soul the maid-servants of the ,merciful and associate with them in utmost affection in order that thou mayest realize divine happiness and behold the outpouring of mercy4 ,i beseech ,god that heavenly blessings may descend upon thee1 guiding thy relatives1 adding day by day to thy joy and happiness1 so that thou mayest become a heavenly herald1 leading others to the ,light of ,truth4 8,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,its contents were redolent with spiritual emotion4 ,praise be unto ,god6 who hath created sanctified souls1 illumining them with the reflections of the ,sun of ,truth1 and raising certain persons for the service of the ,kingdom and gardening in the divine orchard4 ,i hope thou wilt become a fruitful tree producing sweet fruits4 ,trust thou in the bounties of ,god and engage thyself in ,his service4 ,praise be to ,god6 that thou feelest progress in the luminous realm through divine love4 ,this very fact denotes that1 ,god willing1 thou art to be a fruitful tree2 nay1 rather1 thou wilt become a rose-garden of the hyacinths7#bca7 of realities and significances4 ,supplicate ,god that thou mayest become so4 ,verily this is not impossible for ,god to fulfill6 8,o ye two dear maid-servants of ,god64440 ,o ye two dear maid-servants of ,god6 ,your longing to visit the ,sacred ,soil7#bcb7 is expressed and evident and your presence will be a source of pleasure to me4 ,but the best of meetings is the spiritual meeting2 for in these days visits to these regions are accomplished with difficulty4 ,i ask ,god that the spiritual meeting become realized so that the illumined bounty may prevail1 the inner susceptibilities may be awakened and the eternal meeting in the ,kingdom of ,god may be attained4 8,o ye two dear maid-servants of ,god64440 ,o ye two7#bcc7 dear maid-servants of ,god6 ,man must prove whatsoever he speaketh by deeds and actions4 ,if he claim faith1 he must live and do according to the teachings of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,praise be to ,god6 you have proved your words by deeds1 were confirmed by divine strength and have gathered together the ,bahai children in the morn and taught them communion 7prayers74 ,this deed is very acceptable and the joy of hearts1 that children gather every morn and turn to the ,kingdom1 mention ,god and commune in the utmost of sweetness and bounty4 ,those children are like plants and this teaching and praying as rain which gives freshness and delicacy and as the zephyr of the love of ,god which revives4 ,blessed are ye and good is your end6 8,say to ,dr4 444 that 8he studied physical4440 ,say7#bcd7 to ,dr4 444 that 8he studied physical medicine and he cured physical diseases4 ,i beg of ,god that he may become a spiritual physician and heal the sickness of the ignorant ones40 8,convey my respectful greetings to ,dr4 4444440 ,convey my respectful greetings to ,dr4 444 and say3 8,have confidence in heavenly bounty and be sure of the favor of the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,soon thou shalt see that the ,east hath embraced the ,west and that the ,occident and ,orient are attracted to each other4 ,they will become as one soul1 one heart and one body40 8,express my affection to ,mrs4 444 and say34440 ,express my affection to ,mrs4 444 and say3 8,the grace of ,god hath chosen thee and distinguished thee for ,his love1 that thou mayest thank ,him1 a thousand times in every moment4 ,because of this bounty1 you must choose to serve the maid-servants of the ,merciful40 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thou wert an extinguished candle2 now--praise be to ,god6 --thou art ignited2 silent wert thou1 but how thou hast become a speaker1 a seer1 a hearer1 living and endowed with eternal life46 ,today1 any soul who looseneth his tongue in the delivery of ,truth and is engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god1 he shall undoubtedly be assisted and confirmed by the ,holy ,spirit and can resist the attacks of all the people of the world1 for the power of the ,realm of ,might shall prevail4 ,that is why thou seest that1 although the disciples of ,christ were physically weak and apparently vanquished by the persecution of every king1 yet in the end were victorious over all and brought them under their protection4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast written of the organization of an assembly in that city4 ,look not at the small number2 nay1 rather seek the pure hearts4 ,one holy soul is better than one thousand other souls4 ,if a few souls gather together in a beloved meeting with the feelings of the ,kingdom1 with the divine attractions1 with pure hearts and with absolute purity and holiness1 to consort in spirit and fragrance1 that gathering will have its effect upon all the world4 ,the conditions1 the words and the deeds of that gathering will lead a world to eternal happiness and will be an evidence of the favors of the ,kingdom4 ,the ,holy ,spirit will strengthen them and the hosts of the ,supreme ,concourse will render them victorious and the angels of ,abha will come in succession4 ,by angels is meant the divine confirmations and heavenly powers4 ,angels are also those holy souls who have severed attachment to the earthly world1 who are free from the fetters of self and passion and who have attached their hearts to the ,divine ,realm and the ,merciful ,kingdom4 ,they are of the ,kingdom1 heavenly2 they are of the ,merciful ,one1 divine4 ,they are the manifestations of the divine grace and the dawns of spiritual bounty4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank ,god6 ,thy dear husband inhaled a breath of the rose-garden of the ,kingdom4 ,now thou must draw him nearer daily through the love of ,god and good conduct4 ,the ,san ,francisco7#bce7 occurrences were great4 ,such events ought to awaken people and they should attach themselves less to the mortal world2 for the earthly world hath such painful experiences and offers such cups from the bitter wine4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter and that of thy revered daughter were received last year1 but the storm of trials was so severe as to hinder the writing of the answers4 ,you will certainly excuse4 ,but ,i have implored and supplicated the ,kingdom of ,abha for you and have sought help and grace 7in your behalf74 ,thus may your hearts be set aglow with the fire of the love of ,god and may it burn away the self-life4 ,night and day may you serve the divine garden1 endeavor to promulgate the lights of the knowledge of ,god1 attract souls and set aglow the hearts4 ,i am hopeful that thus will ye do4 ,if ye reach this most glorious and sublime station1 ye will receive congratulative letters from the ,kingdom of ,abha4 8,o thou confident leaf64440 ,o thou confident leaf6 ,thank thou ,god that thou hast been guided by the light of guidance and illumined by the brilliance of the ,supreme ,concourse1 kindled by the fire of the love of ,god and hath directed thyself to ,his ,kingdom1 partook of the heavenly table and enjoyed the fruits of the ,tree of ,life6 ,thou hast been confirmed in serving those who are nigh unto the divine household4 ,thou hast been cut from aught else save ,god and hast been made a maid-servant for the men of ,god7#bcf7 4 ,this is now servitude by sovereignty1 and this is not service but chieftanship and greatness6 ,this is the garment of everlasting glory with which thou hast clothed thyself1 and this is the rose of eternal exaltation with which thou hast adorned thy head4 ,it is said in the ,new ,testament3 8,whosoever will be chief among you1 let him be your servant40 ,in short1 thou shouldst thank ,god a hundred-thousand times for having been confirmed and strengthened in obtaining such a great gift6 ,know thou the value thereof and consider that its price is highly appraised4 8,o ye two advancers towards the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o ye two7#bcg7 advancers towards the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i supplicate ,god that ye may be enkindled1 like unto two candles1 with the light of the love of ,god2 that your children may be educated under the shadow of the ,tree of ,life2 that all the family may discover the way to the temple of the ,lord and gather in the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,you have written that the ,cause of ,god is progressing in that city4 ,through the showers of the glad-tidings of the ,cause of ,god a small mustard seed hath become a fruitful spreading tree--its roots in the hearts of the people4 ,i pray1 also1 that ,god may in such wise cultivate and nurture that ,tree that it cast its shadow over that vast and great country1 distributing to all the fruits of divine knowledge and eternal life4 ,o ye two lovers of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,ere long the ,word of ,god will display a wonderful influence and finally that region 7,america7 will become the paradise of ,abha4 ,consequently1 strive ye bravely that this aim may be accomplished in the near future4 ,striving means this3 ,ye must live and move according to the divine commands and behests1 be united in loving with ecstasy and joy2 do not take any rest but engage continually in the service of the ,cause of ,god4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written was subjected to my consideration and ,i was informed of the contents4 if thou seekest to be intoxicated with the ,cup of the ,most ,mighty ,gift1 cut thyself from the world and be quit of self and desire4 ,exert thyself night and day until spiritual powers may penetrate thy heart and soul4 ,abandon the body and the material1 until the merciful powers may become manifest2 because not until the soil is become pure will it develop through the heavenly bounty2 not until the heart is purified1 will the radiance of the ,sun of ,truth shine therein4 ,i beg of ,god that thou wilt day by day increase the purity of thy heart1 and cheerfulness of thy soul1 the light of thy insight and the search for ,truth4 8,o thou honorable one64440 ,o thou honorable one6 ,thank thou ,god that that art instructed in music and melody1 singing with pleasant voice the glorification and praise of the ,eternal1 the ,living4 ,i pray to ,god that thou mayest employ this talent in prayer and supplication1 in order that the souls may become quickened1 the hearts may become attracted and all may become inflamed with the fire of the love of ,god6 8,o thou seeker after ,truth64440 ,o thou seeker after ,truth6 ,the question of the ,trinity1 since the time of ,his ,holiness ,christ until now1 is the belief of the ,christians1 and to the present time all the learned among them are perplexed and confounded4 ,all have confessed that the question is beyond the grasp of reason1 for three cannot become one1 nor one three4 ,to unite these is impossible2 it is either one or three4 ,if we say the ,essence of ,divinity is divided1 even in some aspects1 division is one of the necessities of the contingent world and of generation1 but the ,ancient is holy 7i4e41 whole and indivisible74 ,if we say that the ,trinity was originally one and was later divided1 change and transformation will be necessarily applied to the ,essence of ,oneness1 and change and transformation are necessities of the contingent world and not of the ,essence of ,divinity4 ,if we say this number is ,ancient1 three ,ancients become necessary1 and among the three some are distinguished which are also ,ancients4 ,in this wise five ,ancients are the result1 and among the five are those who are distinguished and thus nine ,ancients become necessary1 and so on ad infinitium4 ,thus considered1 ,trinity is made a necessity1 although the falsity of ,trinity is evident4 ,furthermore1 the signs of oneness are evident and plain in all existence4 ,if thou shouldst gather all existent beings1 thou wouldst be unable to find two alike in all states and qualities2 of necessity there is a difference4 ,thus the signs of oneness are manifest and evident in all things4 ,how much more is the ,creator of all things6 ,but there are1 in the ,gospels1 clear expressions indicative of ,trinity2 among them3 8,the ,father is in the ,son and the ,son is in the ,father40 ,as ,christians did not understand the meaning of this expression1 their thoughts were scattered4 ,the reality of this question is as follows3 ,divine ,oneness is proven and ,he revealeth ,himself in the ,holy ,essences4 ,the sun is one sun but manifesteth itself in different mirrors4 ,if thou lookest into the mirror and seest the manifestation of the sun1 thou wilt way1 the sun is in the mirror and this sun manifest in the mirror is the same sun of the heavens2 although two suns1 yet in reality they are one4 ,the sun hath not descended from its high and lofty station1 it hath not taken up its abode in this mirror1 but hath manifested itself therein4 ,the ,christ reality was like unto a pure mirror and the ,sun of ,reality shone upon it from the ,holy ,horizon4 ,therefore1 it bcame evident that the sun is one with regard to reality but manifesting itself in all mirrors4 ,this question was explained in full for ,miss 4441 who translated it upon paper4 ,thou wilt soon learn thereof7#bch7 4 ,this difficult question in its entirety was elucidated1 explained and proven4 8,o thou yearner after the ,truth64440 ,o thou yearner after the ,truth6 ,the ,supper of the ,lord which ,his ,highness the ,spirit 7,christ7 ate with the apostles was a heavenly supper and not one of material bread and water1 for material objects have no connection with spiritual objects4 ,as at that time material food was also present1 therefore the leaders of the religion of ,christ thought that it was material food which was changed into spiritual food4 ,the proof that it was not material food is this3 ,the apostles upon many occasions partook of material food with ,his ,highness ,christ1 yet the supper of that night became designated as the 8,lord's ,supper40 ,from this designation it is plain and evident that they ate heavenly food at that supper4 ,that heavenly food consisted of the love of ,god1 the knowledge of ,god1 the mysteries of ,god and the bestowal of ,god4 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 ,o thou seeker of ,truth6 ,the ,lord of ,hosts became manifest to ,moses and the children of ,israel in a pillar of fire1 and appeared to ,christ in the fire of the love of ,god4 ,this is that of which it is said in the ,gospel3 ,one must be baptized with fire and spirit4 ,now the lights of the divine bounties of the fire of the love of ,god have shone forth in the word and letters4 ,that is1 the words and letters are similar to a mirror1 and the ,sun of ,truth and the ,rays of ,significances have become manifest and shone forth in these mirrors of words and letters4 ,seek thou from ,god that thy heart may be as one of these letters1 until the ,eternal ,bounty may cast a ray of splendor therein4 ,pay attention minutely and cogitate1 until thou mayest apprehend the meaning of this explanation and advance day by day1 like unto thy dear mother4 8,o thou that mirror in which the ,light of ,guidance is printed64440 ,o thou that mirror in which the ,light of ,guidance is printed6 ,i was informed of thy prayer1 thy supplication and thy beseeching4 ,know thou verily3 ,my throne is my mat6 ,my glorious crown in my servitude toward ,god6 ,my standard is the commemoration of my ,lord6 ,my hosts are the knowledge of my ,master6 ,my sword is the guidance of ,god6 ,my dominion is my humility1 my submissiveness1 my lowliness1 my abasement1 my supplication and my beseeching unto ,god--this is that permanent reign which no one is able to dispute1 gainsay or usurp6 ,i beg ,god to cause thee to be one of the pillars of this divine reign1 that thou mayest abundantly partake of this joy and gladness1 and ,i invoke ,god that ,he may register thy name in the published ,tablet1 in the pages of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,i beg ,god to cause thy kinsmen 7those who are near and dear to thee7 to attain that which thou hast attained1 to drink from that ,cup wherefrom thou art exhilarated1 to brighten their eyes through that ,light whereby thine eyes were brightened and to cause them to hearken to that ,call whereby thine ears were delighted2 and that ,he may make you assemble under the shadow of the ,tree of the ,testament1 and cause you to be of the hosts of ,his ,kingdom1 that ye may conquer the ,east of that region as well as its ,west1 through the sword of peace and the weapons of love1 union and agreement1 and that ,he may make thee to be a server in ,his blessed ,olive ,garden1 and in his ,el-,abha 7i4e41 ,most ,glorious7 ,paradise1 and in ,his ,holy ,garden of the ,supreme ,kingdom4 8,o thou who art always calling on ,god64440 ,o thou who art always calling on ,god6 ,thank thou ,god for ,he hath guided thee to the path of ,his ,kingdom and provided thee with the fruit of the ,tree of ,life1 which is planted in the middle of the ,ferdowee 7i4e41 the highest ,paradise74 ,yea1 this fruit is the knowing ,god and love for ,god1 and reliance upon ,god and is the virtue with which the reality of man is adorned1 and it is the perfections which are the great gift for the children of ,adam 7i4e41 mankind7 in this first creation4 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to bestow upon thee and thy relatives the blessing of ,his clemency and to assign for thee and for them everlasting glory and eternal life in the visible world and in the ,kingdom4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4441 hath greatly praised thee2 she hath given in words her thankfulness1 for thou hast guided her to the ,kingdom of her great ,lord4 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 this is better for thee than to possess the treasures of the world1 because by this means thou wilt be drawn nigh to the ,kingdom of ,god and the protection of the ,merciful ,one will always possess thee4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,beloved art thou1 for thou hast lighted the lamp of the love of ,god in the glass of ,america1 called out in ,his ,name among the people and guided them to the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,fly away with joy1 for ,god hath strengthened thee in this great gift1 which is a glorious crown1 the gems of which are scintillating with the light of guidance4 ,blessed is thy head for it is decorated with this crown4 ,verily1 this is better for thee than the dominion of the world6 8,o thou who art calling in the cities1 the bearer of the4440 ,o thou who art calling in the cities1 the bearer of the ,gospel of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy wonderful and eloquent letter1 which proved thy being attracted by the utterances 7or fragrances7 of ,god1 in the new day and glorious century4 ,i praised ,god for the spreading of ,his fragrances in those regions and for the display of ,his manifest signs4 ,thank thou ,god for that ,he revived thee by the ,spirit of ,life and awakened thee by the life-giving breeze1 which is emanating for the people of the world4 ,i ask ,god to make thee a lamp shining and illuminating in the assemblies of knowledge1 that thou shine forth by the lights of love and peace among the maid-servants of ,god1 the ,merciful4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be a caller to universal peace1 a standard of love among the people1 a spreader of the spirit of concord and union among nations and sects1 an utterer of exhortations1 a demonstrator of the proofs of the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god1 by a power whereby the hearts of the chosen ones become attracted1 confirmed by a might whereto the necks of the proud men bow and those of great people are humbled4 ,take hold of the hem of the ,garment of ,god and preach the ,kingdom of ,god and baptize the spirits by the fragrances of ,god which have perfumed the horizons4 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee that this holy fragrance is the ,water of ,life1 the ,fire of the ,lord which hath flamed in the ,tree of ,sinai and the ,spirit of ,life which reviveth the dead4 ,we send thee herewith answers to the letters thou sent us4 ,this is on account of my utmost love for thee1 my great kindness to thee and my extreme sympathy for thee4 ,thank thou ,god for this great favor4 8,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou who art set aglow with the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy long letter and was informed of thy visions1 which art for whosoever follows the path of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,these visions repeat themselves1 pass away1 and appear to the human sight every instant2 but the matter which hath stability and upon which confidence is laid1 is the bounty of the ,kingdom of ,god and the ,center of ,lights4 ,as to the zodiac of the stations of the ,sun of ,truth1 it is the station of the attainment of the mystery of sacrifice1 whereupon the lights of love1 harmony and salvation shine forth and the manifestation of firmness dawns1 in a cause unendurable by the lofty mountains4 ,i ask ,god to confirm thee therein and to make thee a sign of salvation1 a banner of progress1 a spreader of the fragrances of ,god and a caller in the ,name of ,god4 ,shouldst thou make firm thy feet in the love of ,god and hold steadfast to the ,great ,cause1 ,god will reveal unto thee mysteries unheard by the ears and incomprehensible by the intellects4 ,as to thy question regarding the meeting of trinity1 it is incumbent on thee to make it a meeting of unity1 an exposition of the mysteries of singleness1 the elevation of the standard of universal love1 the spreading of the knowledge of thy ,merciful ,lord1 the guidance of the souls unto the path of the ,kingdom of ,god1 the animation of the hearts by the spirit of the love of ,god1 and the purification of the eyes by the light of the knowledge of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i pray ,god to confirm thee in lighting the lamp of ,god's love in the hearts and spirits4 ,it is incumbent on thee to organize a spiritual assembly in that city1 wherein the mysteries of the ,kingdom of thy ,lord be spread and this wondrous ,manifestation promulgated4 ,this is beneficial for thee both in the world and in the ,kingdom1 and all else vanisheth away4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i have read thy recent letter and noted its beautiful contents4 ,i thank ,god that ,he hath opened thy sight for thee1 unfolded to thee ,his word of love and chosen thee from among women4 ,thus thou responded to the call1 east attracted to the lights of the ,kingdom of the ,lord of ,manifest ,signs1 proclaimed the ,truth and called in the ,name of the ,lord of the high heaven4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,this day is not a day of seclusion and solitude1 but a day of proclaiming the manifestation of the light of the ,beauty of thy ,supreme ,lord4 ,therefore1 abandon silence and seclusion and solitary nooks and go forth into the arena of explanation4 ,convey the ,message of thy ,lord with clearest speech and most complete elucidation4 ,this is better for thee than solitude4 ,the season of seclusion in quiet nooks is the season of winter when the cold and the winds increase4 ,but during the spring1 the wafting of gentle breezes1 the passing of fragrances from the rose1 the state of equilibrium in the atmosphere and the green hue of valleys and prairies1 it is best for man to leave solitude and enjoy out-of-door blessings4 ,thus be thou happy in the commemoration of thy ,lord4 ,go out from the solitary place like unto a shining star blazing on its horizon4 ,this is better for thee in the ,kingdom of the ,lord of the worlds4 ,thus1 hearken unto the melodies of the birds of holiness1 in the garden of fellowship1 upon the branches of purity2 to the murmuring of its waters1 the rustling of the trees1 the blowing of its breezes and the cooing of its doves4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,the ,divine ,providence hath chosen thee1 made thee the object of favors and guided thee to the ,heavenly ,father4 ,he bestowed upon thee the eternal outpouring and granted thee the life everlasting4 ,i hope that thou shalt discover the hidden significances of divine verses1 and through the bounty of the ,almighty1 thou mayest become informed of the concealed mystery and recondite symbol of the stone of the ,most ,great ,name7#bci7 4 ,these mysteries can neither be written nor uttered4 ,whenever the eye of insight is opened1 the reality of meanings is understood4 ,in reality1 all the souls are silent and speechless1 but be thou a a speaker4 ,god willing1 thou wilt become such4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,mr4 444 hath greatly praised thee that--praise be to ,god6 --thou art like unto a melodious nightingale1 singing and warbling in the rose-garden of the love of ,god1 and art uttering of the mystery of the ,kingdom2 that thy house and dwelling is a meeting-place of the spiritual ones and thy nest and abode is a shelter for the birds of heaven4 ,nothing is better than that man should become a manifestor of the powers of ,god and the cause of illuminating the creatures4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received4 ,from its contents it became known that thou hast turned thy face toward ,his ,highness1 the ,merciful ,one1 after the reading of the ,book of ,ighan7#bdj71 and hast become a new creation4 ,i trust in the favor of the ,true ,one1 that thy sisters and brothers may likewise attain1 and that thou mayest become confirmed with the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit1 in order that thou mayest be the cause of teaching many souls1 and guide every person with whom thou hast association and intercourse4 ,i ask from ,god that thou mayest be the cause of the awakening and mindfulness of thy father and mother1 and that many of thy friends may rend asunder the veils of superstition and behold the ,light of ,truth4 ,o thou advancer toward the ,kingdom6 ,endeavor thou day by day to increase thy yearning and attraction1 so that the attitude of supplication and prayer may be realized more often4 ,if we do not meet in this physical word1 ,i ask from ,god that we may meet in the realm of vision1 and that day by day the revelation of the ,kingdom may become greater4 999999 ,convey my respectful greeting to ,mr4 444 ,i hope that he will become confirmed and assisted in his voyage to ,india2 and that the power of the ,word of ,god will penetrate in such wise in those parts 7,india7 that ,mr4 444 himself will stand astonished and add to his faith and assurance4 8,o thou tree planted in the ,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou tree planted in the ,garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,although thou art absent in body1 yet1 praise ,god6 thou art present in spirit and art illuminated by the lights of the ,divine ,love4 ,thou must develop day by day and become more rejoiced than before through the fragrances of the ,holy ,spirit and illumine the hearts of others by the light of the love of ,god4 ,i ask ,god to confirm thee in the service of the ,threshold of ,god and to strengthen thee in ,his servitude1 like unto ,abdul-,baha4 ,thus thou mayest be thrilled with the ecstasy of the wine of the ,covenant and give a drink thereof unto the world4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was read4 ,the doors of the ,kingdom are open and the bounty of ,god is like unto spring rain4 ,although the signs of material bounty are great1 yet the true bounty is that of heaven1 spiritual1 which gives life eternal4 ,follow this and thy heart will become as beautiful as a garden1 thine eyes bright1 thy spirit happy and thy thought a comfort to souls4 ,be a well-wisher of humanity and a servant of mankind4 ,thus the strength of the ,kingdom will uphold thee and the avenues of revelation open to thee4 ,because today every servant is served and is an honorable lord and every maid-servant the queen of horizons4 ,grow in humility and meekness daily1 until thou attainest eternal glory and everlasting grace4 8,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,in reality thou art spiritually hungry and athirst for the ,water of ,life4 ,therefore ,i send to thee spiritual food and bestow upon thee the ,water of ,life ,eternal4 ,that food is the divine advices and exhortations revealed in the ,tablets and the spiritual outpourings of the breath of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,i hope ere long it will reach thee and thou wilt behold what an exhilaration and beatitude it produceth and what cheerfulness and serenity and what heavenly emotions it createth4 ,educate and train thou that dear child with the utmost perseverance4 8,o thou yearning one64440 ,o thou yearning one6 ,be thou a physician to every sick one and teach thou every ignorant one2 that is1 show thou to others the way of the ,kingdom and guide them to life eternal4 ,praise be to ,god6 ,i became known and revealed myself to thee in the world of vision and instructed thee in the search of ,truth4 ,seek thou the light of ,god1 relate thou the mysteries of the ,true ,one and walk thou in the path of the ,kingdom1 so that thou mayest behold wonderful signs and observe universal confirmations4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily ,i am in receipt of thy last letter which indicateth thy exceeding love for ,abdul-,baha1 thy confidence in ,god1 and thy good and sincere intention in the service of the ,cause of ,god4 ,excellent is the statement given by thee in that precious letter--that ye are in need of love and affinity in that country to unite the hearts and spirits4 ,this is the truth and there is naught beyond the truth save error4 ,know thou assuredly that-- ,love is the mystery of divine revelations6 ,love is the effulgent manifestation6 ,love is the spiritual fulfillment6 ,love is the breath of the ,holy ,spirit inspired into the human spirit6 ,love is the cause of the manifestation of the ,truth 7,god7 in the phenomenal world6 ,love is the necessary tie proceeding from the realities of things through divine creation6 ,love is the means of the most great happiness in both the material and spiritual worlds6 ,love is a light of guidance in the dark night6 ,love is the bond between the ,creator and the creature in the inner world6 ,love is the cause of development to every enlightened man6 ,love is the greatest law in this vast universe of ,god6 ,love is the one law which causeth and controleth order among the existing atoms6 ,love is the universal magnetic power between the planets and stars shining in the loft firmament6 ,love is the cause of unfoldment to a searching mind1 of the secrets deposited in the universe by the ,infinite6 ,love is the spirit of life in the bountiful body of the world6 ,love is the cause of the civilization of nations in this mortal world6 ,love is the highest honor to every righteous nation6 ,the people who are confirmed therein are indeed glorified by the ,supreme ,concourse1 the angels of heaven and the dwellers of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha6 ,but if the hearts of the people become devoid of the ,divine ,grace--the ,love of ,god--they wander in the desert of ignorance1 descend to the depths of ruin and fall to the abyss of despair where there is no refuge6 ,they are like insects living in the lowest plane4 ,o beloved of ,god6 ,be ye the manifestations of ,god and the lamps of guidance throughout all regions shining with the light of love and union6 ,how beautiful the effulgence of this light6 ,o my friend6 ,let this letter be spread among the beloved in ,america1 that they may agree1 unite and love one another2 nay1 rather that they should love all the people1 and 7be willing to7 sacrifice even their lives for one another4 ,this is the ,path of ,el-,baha6 ,this is the ,religion of ,el-,baha6 ,this is the ,law of ,el-,baha6 ,he who hath not this hath no portion with ,el-,baha6 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,i ask from the favors of the ,sun of ,truth the splendors of the eternal outpouring for thee2 ,i beg everlasting glory and desire for thee and thy family divine gifts1 so that all of you may become united and harmonized1 rest under the shade of the ,tree of ,life1 and become eternal and established in the ,kingdom of ,being4 8,o thou who art turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i was informed of the contents of thy excellent letter and supplicated the ,holy ,threshold1 the ,circuit of the ,supreme ,concourse1 to baptize thee with the water of knowledge and the fire of the love of ,god and to make thee a perfect and faithful servant in ,his ,great ,vineyard1 so that thou mayest water the trees of the love of ,god in the ,paradise of ,abha2 and to make thee a sign of meekness and humbleness among the maid-servants of ,god and a promulgator of ,his ,cause in those vast and extensive regions4 8,o thou pure soul who hath turned with a submissive4440 ,o thou pure soul7#bda7 who hath turned with a submissive heart to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,turn thy face to the ,assembly of the ,covenant and hear him say3 8,salutations and praise be upon you1 the fragrances of ,god be upon you6 for that by reason of which ye have awakened from your sleep1 arisen from your negligence and heedlessness1 aroused from your couches1 relied upon your ,creator1 depended upon your ,maker and been kindled with the fire burning in the ,spirit on ,mt4 ,sinai and in the ,heart of ,mt4 ,paran --from this conflagration shall appear dazzling lights1 which shall shine upon all regions4 8,consider the first century of the time of ,christ--glory be unto ,him6 --and the beginning of ,his ,cause4 ,in that time no one but a certain few persons believed in ,him2 and the great one among them was ,peter the disciple1 who1 through the burning of the fire of test and persecution1 was in great fear and denied ,christ three times2 then the ,jews who were scoffing1 persecuting1 deriding and laughing at ,him1 despised ,him as through ,he were a thief1 a murderer1 or a villain1 and committed against ,him that which made the hearts lament1 distressed the minds1 caused tears to flow and the foundations of existence to tremble and shake6 ,they thought that they had quenched the ,fire which flamed in the tree of ,christian certainty2 nay1 verily1 that ,lamp hath diffused its dazzling rays unto the ,supreme ,height and that ,fire hath burned until it kindled the hearts of the righteous60 8,then consider this day1 and the day of ,his existence among those people--how they crowned ,him with a diadem of thorns and now how thousands of people adorn their heads in ,his name1 with the ,most ,brilliant ,gem1 glittering to the sight6 ,woe1 woe unto the like of such heedless people6 ,alas for the souls1 because of what they have committed against the ,word of ,god in the day of ,his ,appearance--and today they worship the dust which the feet of ,his ,beloved have trod6 ,such is the condition of the people4 ,abandon them and let them play until they fall in abasement and loss6 8,but as to you1 ,o ye beloved of ,god1 let your breasts be dilated with joy for that by reason of which ye have attained unto the ,day of ,god1 entered the ,kingdom of ,god1 and tasted the food of ,knowledge which hath descended from ,heaven60 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy letter was read2 its contents had bearing upon ,guidance4 ,praise be to ,god6 thou possessed a perceiving eye and an attentive ear6 ,now is the time for thee to give thanks to ,god with an expressive tongue2 to appreciate this bounty4 ,consider in what a great age thou hast stepped into the world of existence and under the shadow of what an ,ensign of ,guidance thou wert sheltered and attained the hope and greatest desire of the saints6 ,if thou dost arise to comply with that which is deemed worthy of this favor and is a duty1 thou shalt observe that this ,guidance is the crown of eternal sovereignty and this attainment is everlasting glory1 happiness and the means of the forgiveness of sins and the lamp of eternal life in the ,kingdom of ,heaven4 8,o thou who art witnessing the ,light of ,guidance64440 ,o thou who art witnessing the ,light of ,guidance6 ,verily ,i read thy excellent letter and praised ,god1 for ,he hath removed the veil 7from thy sight71 caused the light of guidance to appear1 filled for thee the cup of bestowal and directed thee to ,his ,kingdom4 ,i supplicate ,god to increase thy faith1 to encircle thee with the lights of the ,kingdom1 and to guide thy thirsting and craving sons to the ,fountain-head of ,mercifulness4 ,and 7,i beg of ,him7 to enable thee 8,,iii-#ecj4440 ,,iii-#ecj to teach ,his truth1 to deliver ,his ,cause1 to promote ,his ,word1 and to train the souls whom superstitions have veiled from witnessing the lights of the ,bounty of these days4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be filled with joy1 so that thine eyes may be overflowing with tears of happiness and beatitude1 and beseech thou ,god to remove the veil from the face of your sons so that they may find a spiritual understanding of the existence of ,god and may know how the human soul can receive bounty from the divine ,spirit4 8,o thou kind maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou kind maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was like a perfumed nosegay and from that nosegay the fragrance of faith and assurance was inhaled4 ,well done6 ,well done6 that thou hast turned thy face toward the invisible ,kingdom4 ,excellent6 ,excellent that thou art attracted to the ,beauty of ,his ,highness the ,almighty6 ,well done6 ,well done6 ,how happy thou art that thou hast attained to his ,most ,great ,gift6 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank thou ,god that thou hast stepped into the arena of existence in such a blessed ,age and hast opened thine ears and thine eyes in such a ,promised ,day4 ,the ,splendor of the ,sun of ,truth thou hast beheld and the divine ,call thou hast heard4 ,to thine ultimate desire thou hast attained and from the sweetness of the love of ,god thou hast tasted4 ,consequently1 supplicate ardently for spiritual attraction and ecstacy4 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,if thou art not seeing dreams 7and visions71 be thou not sad4 ,thou are going to see1 whilst thou art awake4 ,a wakeful eye is acceptable in the ,threshold of the ,almighty4 ,therefore1 ,i hope that thou wilt open the eye of thine insight1 travel in all the realms of ,god1 see the splendor of the ,kingdom and behold the effulgence of the ,realm of ,might4 ,show thou forth love and kindness on my behalf toward thy dear husband and convey to him longing greeting4 ,i supplicate from ,god in his behalf1 and invoke assistance and confirmation for you both4 8,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye7#bdb7 friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,his honor ,mr4 444 wrote a letter and in that letter he mentioned your names1 asking divine favor on your behalf4 ,while reading your names ,i opened my tongue in thanksgiving in the ,threshold of ,oneness1 that he hath granted such favor and bestowed such providence4 ,he guided the souls and pointed out to them the entrance to the ,kingdom4 ,such confirmation deserveth thanks and praise1 and such guidance is the most great bounty of ,his ,highness the ,one4 ,likewise1 you must be engaged day and night1 with all your soul and heart1 in thanksgiving and the glorification of ,his ,highness the ,desired ,one who hath created you in such a glorious period1 made you the manifestors of guidance in the ,day of the ,lord1 imparted to you the insight and enkindled your souls and spirits with the fire of love4 ,today the grandeur1 the majesty1 the splendor and the magnitude of this station is not clear and manifest because it is the time of seed-sowing and the beginning of the planting of trees in the orchard of the ,merciful ,one4 ,when that seed is grown and the tree reacheth the time of its fruition1 then many harvests shall be gathered and all regions and kingdoms shall be adorned with its blossoms and fruits4 ,ere long the ,adored ,one of this providence will become the ,beloved of the assemblages of the world and the rays of the ,sun of ,truth will illumine every house1 every place and corner4 ,at that time the greatness and superiority of the friends of ,god will become evident and demonstrated4 ,consider ye6 ,in the day of ,his ,highness ,christ1 the grandeur and majesty of their ,holiness the ,apostles1 was not known4 ,after three-hundred years the loftiness of the station and the exaltation of their attainment became manifest4 ,ere long the result of the deeds in this cycle of ,baha'o'llah will appear and every one of the friends and the maid-servants will be crowned with a diadem whose splendid gems will radiate brilliancy and effulgence throughout cycles and ages4 ,therefore1 ,o ye servants of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one1 do ye not rest for one moment6 ,do ye not seek any composure6 ,do ye not wish for any rest and ease6 ,endeavor and make ye an effort with all your heart and soul to spread the fragrances of ,paradise1 to raise the eternal melody of the ,kingdom of ,abha1 to establish the gathering of fellowship1 to become assisted with the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit2 to clothe the temple of existence with a new garment2 to bestow eternal life upon the reality of souls2 to become a cause of the civilization of the human world2 to characterize the bloodthirsty animals with the heavenly attributes and divine commemorations2 to pacify the world with peace and salvation1 and to adorn man with the favors of ,his ,highness the ,merciful ,one2 that perchance ignorance1 animosity and strangeness may be removed entirely from among the denizens of the world1 and the ,banner of ,reconciliation1 ,freedom1 ,nobleness and ,oneness be hoisted2 for the chains of existence contain countless links1 each connected with the other4 ,this connection is the cause of the appearance of the invisible powers in the world of the visible4 ,o ye real friends6 ,make ye an effort that this universe may become another universe and this darkened world find a ray of the ,sun of ,truth and become luminous and refulgent4 ,i entreat ,god that this favor may be realized and this unending outpouring become manifest and apparent1 and the friends of ,god be confirmed by every bounty4 8,o ye blessed souls64440 ,o ye7#bdc7 blessed souls6 ,on the night of the feast ye entertained the beloved and were occupied in the service of the friends of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one4 ,service to the sons and the daughters of the ,kingdom is the diadem of everlasting glory with which ye have crowned your heads1 the garment of eternal sovereignty with which ye have adorned your bodies1 and the throne of majesty and grandeur of heaven upon which ye sat4 ,abdul-,baha found the utmost rejoicing from that feast and he was a host in his heart and soul1 praying and entreating at the ,threshold of ,oneness that the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit waft1 the angels of mercy descend and the confirmations of the ,kingdom of ,abha surround you upon all sides4 ,rest ye assured that ye will become illumined1 spiritual and celestial1 and your services were accepted and praised at the ,threshold of ,oneness4 8,o ye two kind and beloved maid-servants of ,god64440 ,o ye two7#bdd7 kind and beloved maid-servants of ,god6 ,a splendour from the ,supper of the ,lord was cast upon the table that ye have spread and the spiritual food descended4 ,it was on this account that the souls were rejoicing and happy and the spirits of those who were present were uplifted4 ,the soul and heart of ,abdul-,baha was present and manifest4 ,what a happy night that was1 and what a blessed feast6 ,it became conducive to the happiness of the people of the ,supreme ,concourse1 and the cause of joy and bliss to the inhabitants of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he may assist and confirm you so that ye may bring about such feasts4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,be thou thankful and grateful to the favored maid-servant 4441 for she became the cause of thy utmost joy and bliss2 she delivered thee from the narrow way of doubts and imaginations and ushered thee into the delectable meadow of happiness and beatitude4 ,she led thee from the inferior world to the exalted realm of divinity2 she took thee away from darkness and guided thee to light1 and while thou hast been deprived1 she made thee confident of the mysteries of the ,kingdom4 ,i supplicate ,god that the coverings may be removed1 the ,beauty of ,truth become apparent and evident2 in order that thou mayest be taught in the wisdom of ,god1 become a great teacher in the world of humanity and all thy desires be attained4999999 8,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom6 ,the letter was received and ,i became acquainted with its contents4 ,the ,cause of ,baha'o'llah is the same as the ,cause of ,christ4 ,it is the same ,temple and the same ,foundation4 ,both of these are spiritual springtimes and seasons of the soul-refreshing awakening and the cause of the renovation of the life of mankind4 ,the spring of this year is the same as the spring of last year4 ,the origins and ends are the same4 ,the sun of today is the sun of yesterday4 ,in the coming of ,christ1 the divine teachings were given in accordance with the infancy of the human race4 ,the teachings of ,baha'o'llah have the same basic principles1 but are according to the stage of the maturity of the world and the requirements of this illumined age4 ,o thou seeker of the ,kingdom6 ,make thou an effort so that thou mayest partake from the spiritual ,supper of the ,lord4 ,at that time every difficulty will become easy1 and every trouble will be conducive to the tranquility of the heart and soul4 ,i supplicate ,god that thy spiritual sight be opened so that thou mayest behold the mysteries of the ,kingdom and become the cause of ease1 adornment1 reconciliation1 faithfulness and uprightness in the human world4 8,o thou who art guided by the ,light of ,guidance64440 ,o thou who art guided by the ,light of ,guidance6 ,the material world is gloomy4 ,praise be to ,god6 thou hast been led to the illumined realm4 ,darkness hath environed all the inhabitants of the globe1 but thou hast found guidance4 ,the souls are dead2 thou hast been quickened through the ,spirit of ,truth4 ,the eyes are blind2 thine eyes became bright by beholding the lights4 ,the ears are deaf2 thou hast heard the voice of the ,merciful ,one4 ,thou must express the utmost satisfaction and thanks to ,mrs4 4441 for she hath guided thee and beckoned thee to the everlasting universe4 ,for thee she desired perpetual glory and for thee she asked life eternal4 ,therefore strive in order that in the divine vineyard thou mayest become a gardener of ,truth and live with such deeds and words that thou mayest become the cause of the enlightenment of the world4 8,o thou wooer of ,truth and attracted one toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou wooer of ,truth and attracted one toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,thy detailed letter was received and its reading produced the utmost joy1 for it was a glorious proof of the loftiness of thy aim and the exaltation of thine intention4 ,praise be to ,god6 that thou art the well-wisher of the human world1 art attracted to the ,kingdom of ,abha and art aspiring for the advancement of the realm of humanity4 ,i hope that1 through the instrumentality of these lofty thoughts1 attractions of heart and heavenly glad-tidings1 thou mayest become so illumined that1 through the mildly beaming splendor of the love of ,god1 thou mayest shine and gleam throughout centuries and cycles4 ,thou hast written that thou art a student in the progressive spiritual school4 ,happy is thy condition6 ,if the various progressive schools join themselves to the universal university of the ,kingdom1 such knowledge and sciences will be brought into light that man will see that the potentialities of the 8,open ,tablet0 of existence are infinite2 will realize that all the created things are as letters and words2 will be instructed in the lessons of the degrees of significances2 will perceive the signs of oneness in the primordial atoms of the earth2 will hear the voice of the ,lord of the ,kingdom2 will behold the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit and will find such ecstasy and joy that1 being unable to contain himself in the vast area of existence1 he will prepare himself for the journey toward the ,kingdom and will hasten to the immensity of the ,realm of ,might4 ,as soon as a bird if fledged1 it cannot keep itself on the ground2 nay1 rather it soareth up toward the ,supreme ,apex--except the birds whose feet are tied1 whose wings are clipped and feathers broken and who are soiled with water and clay4 ,o thou seeker of ,truth6 ,the realm of the ,kingdom is a unit4 ,the only difference lies in this3 ,that when the season of spring dawneth1 a new and wonderful motion and rejuvenation is witnessed in all the existing things2 the mountains and meadows are revived2 the trees find freshness and delicacy and are clothed with radiant and bright leaves1 blossoms and fruits4 ,in a like manner the preceding ,manifestations form an inseparable link with the subsequent dispensations2 nay1 rather they are identical with each other4 ,since the world is constantly developing itself1 the rays become stronger1 the outpouring becometh greater and the sun appeareth in the meridian orbit4 ,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom6 ,each ,manifestations is the heart of the world and the proficient ,physician of every patient4 ,the world of humanity is sick1 but that skilled ,physician hath the healing remedy and ,he bestoweth divine teachings1 exhortations and advices which are the remedy of every ailment and the dressing for every wound4 ,undoubtedly1 the wise physician discovereth the needs of the patient at every season and prescribeth medicine4 ,therefore1 when thou wilt compare the teachings of the ,beauty of ,abha with the requisitions and necessities of the present time1 thou wilt conclude that they are to the sick body of the world the swift healing antidote2 nay1 rather they are the remedy of everlasting health4 ,the prescription of the proficient physicians of the past and the future will not be the same2 nay1 rather they will be in accord with the ailment of the patient4 ,although the medicine is changed1 yet all of these are for the sole purpose of the healing of the sick4 ,in former dispensations the sick body of the world could not bear the strong and overpowering remedies4 ,that is why ,his ,highness the ,christ said3 8,i have yet many things to say unto you1 but ye cannot bear them now4 ,howbeit1 when ,he1 the ,spirit of the ,comforter1 who is sent by the ,father1 is come1 ,he will guide you into all truth40 ,therefore1 in this age of lights1 specific teachings have become universal1 in order that the outpouring of the ,merciful ,one environ both the ,east and the ,west1 the oneness of the ,kingdom of humanity become visible and the luminosity of truth enlighten the world of consciousness4 ,the descent of the ,new ,jerusalem is the heavenly religion which secures the prosperity of the human world and is the effulgence of the illumination of the realm of ,god4 ,in reality ,emmanuel was the forerunner of the second coming of ,his ,highness the ,christ and the herald of the path of the ,kingdom4 ,this is self-evident that the letter is an organic member of the word4 ,this membership denotes subordination2 that is1 the letter draws its life from the word and hath spiritual relationship with it and is accounted a part of it4 ,the apostles were the ,letters and ,his ,highness ,christ the ,essence of the ,word2 and the significance of the ,word1 which is the ,everlasting ,outpouring1 cast a splendor upon those ,letters14 ,since a ,letter is a part of the ,word itself1 it is intrinsically identical with the ,word4 ,i hope that thou shalt arise to perform all that which ,his ,highness ,emmanuel hath predicted4 ,know thou this of a certainty that thou shalt become assisted4 ,the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit are descending uninterruptedly4 ,the power of the ,word shall penetrate in such wise that the ,letter will become the reflective mirror of the ,sun of the ,word1 and the radiation of the lights of the ,word shall illumine the whole earth4 ,but the heavenly ,jerusalem1 which is established upon the ,apex of the world and the ,holy of ,holies of the ,almighty1 which hath hoisted its banner1 comprehendeth and includeth in it all the perfections and teachings of the former dispensations4 ,likewise1 it is the herald of the oneness of the world of humanity1 the ensign of universal peace1 the spirit of eternal life1 the lights of divine perfections1 the surrounding bestowal of the realm of existence1 the adornment and grandeur of the world of creation and the cause of the tranquility of human-kind4 ,turn thy attention toward the holy ,tablets4 ,read and reflect upon the ,tablets of ,ishraghat1 ,tajalliat1 the ,words of ,paradise1 the ,glad-tidings1 ,tarazat and the ,book of ,akdas47#bde7 ,these divine teachings in this day are the remedy of the ailments of the world of man and the dressing for the wounded body of existence2 they are the ,spirit of ,life1 the ,ark of ,salvation1 the ,magnet of the ,everlasting ,glory and the penetrative power in the reality of man6 8,o thou dear wise man64440 ,o thou dear wise man6 ,they letter 999999 was considered4 ,its contents were in the utmost of beauty and great joy was realized therefrom4 ,thou hast asked 8,is it possible that this new and living ,cause is to take the place of the dead religion of ,england when there hath been organized certain sects who have arrived at high stations of spiritual knowledge and to exalted degrees of merciful powers1 and have become distinguished in virtue from all predecessors2 notwithstanding this1 is it possible that this new ,cause will attract the attention of such people to such a degree as to unite their hearts1 and gather them under its over-shadowing protection80 ,o thou dear friend6 ,know thou that the ,distinguished ,individual of every age is according to the virtues of that age4 ,the ,distinguished ,personage who was in the former cycle1 ,his power and virtues were according to the former age1 but in this brilliant age and divine cycle1 the ,noble ,personage1 the ,radiant ,star1 the ,distinguished ,one1 will manifest with virtues which will eventually amaze the peoples1 for ,he is in spiritual virtues and divine perfections loftier than all the ,individuals2 any1 rather ,he is the ,source of ,divine ,benediction and the ,center of the ,radiant ,circle4 ,he is certainly comprehensive4 ,there is no doubt that ,he will reveal ,himself to such a degree as to bring all under ,his over-shadowing shelter4 ,when thou considerest carefully thou wilt find this order and system to be established in all things4 ,the whole attracted the part1 and the center of the circle is the axis of the compass4 ,consider ,his ,holiness the ,spirit 7,christ73 ,since ,he was the ,center of spiritual power and the ,origin of divine benediction1 although in the beginning ,he gathered but few under ,his power1 yet later through that conquering power1 ,he ushered all sects under the shadow of the ,christian tabernacle4 ,compare the present with the past1 see the great difference4 ,by this thou canst measure and reach the reality and know for a certainty that the difference among the sects of the world is due to the difference of comprehensions4 ,as long as the perceptive powers differ1 surely the opinions and thoughts also differ4 ,but if ,one ,great ,perceptive ,power which comprehendeth all1 cometh to the ,center1 the differing opinions become united1 and ideal unity and oneness are revealed4 ,for example3 ,when ,his ,holiness1 the ,spirit 7,jesus ,christ7 appeared1 the comprehensions of the creatures1 the susceptibilities and minds of the sects then present1 such as the ,romans1 the ,greeks1 ,assyrians and ,israelites were different4 ,when the universal power of the ,spirit of ,god appeared in the ,center1 eventually after three-hundred years1 all the differing minds gathered under the protection of ,one ,center4 ,the same spiritual susceptibilities were attained4 ,for the sake of illustration 7literally1 likeness71 ,i will say3 ,when an army is under the command of generals who have differing opinions1 certainly it will disagree in regard to maneuvers and in the order of marching to the battlefields4 ,but when the great commander-in-chief who is expert in the arts of warfare cometh to the front1 all the differing opinions will be erased and one opinion will prevail2 the commander-in-chief will bring all under his own direction4 ,this is an instance and not a likeness4 ,now if thou shouldest say1 the generals of this army are every one artists in the art of warfare1 expert and experienced1 why should they obey one person1 even though he may have accomplished a great feat--this saying does not deserve attention1 for this matter is certain and there is no doubt therein4 ,likewise the ,holy ,manifestations1 especially the reality of the ,greatest ,name1 the ,beauty of ,abha1 when unveiled amid the assemblage of the world1 like unto ,joseph of ,canaan1 in the divine ,egypt1 will appear with such ,beauty and ,sweetness as to make the lovers of the world ,his captives4 ,as to the souls who are born into this world radiant entities and who through excessive difficulty are deprived of great benefits and thus leave the world--they are worthy of all sympathy1 for in reality this is worthy of regret4 ,it is for this purpose 7that is1 it is with regard to this wisdom7 that the great ,manifestations 7of ,god7 unveil themselves in this world1 bear every difficulty and ordeal--to make these ready souls dawnings of light and confer upon them eternal life4 ,this is the real atonement that ,his ,holiness ,christ made--,he sacrificed ,himself for the life of the world4 ,as to the question that the holy and spiritual souls influence1 help and guide the creatures after they have cast off this elemental mould--this is an established truth of the ,bahais4 ,nay even the ,holy ,manifestations of ,god extend a great ,bounty and an evident ,light after their ascent from this world4 ,for ,his ,holiness ,christ there was more and greater promotion of the ,word1 manifestation of divine power1 conversion of holy souls1 and the giving of eternal life1 after ,his martyrdom4 ,likewise for the ,blessed ,beauty 7,baha'o'llah7 there was greater bounty and dawning of light1 manifestation of divine power1 and effectiveness of the ,word after ,his ,ascent2 and ere long the ,sun of ,his ,reality will encircle the world with its motion1 heat1 radiation and bounty4 ,be not sorry on account of the limited extent of the progress of the ,bahai ,cause in that country7#bdf7 4 ,this is the beginning of the dawn4 ,consider the ,cause of ,his ,holiness ,christ1 which took three-hundred years to produce great effect4 ,now sixty years have not passed since the beginning of this ,cause1 and ,its ,lights are shed upon all horizons4 ,regarding the ,society for healing of which thou art of a member2 when it comes under the protection of this ,cause1 its power will be an hundred fold4 ,thou hast observed how extensive is the love of the ,bahais and that the foundation is love4 ,as the power of love among the ,bahais is in the utmost degree and superior to that in other religions1 it is even the same in other relations1 for the cause of all is ,love4 ,as to the question of translating the ,books and ,tablets of the ,blessed ,beauty2 it will soon be done in all languages with the utmost of eloquence and excellence4 ,when the ,tablets of ,his ,holiness 7,baha'o'llah7 are translated in accordance with the original1 with excellence and eloquence1 then the ,lights of ,significances will dawn and brighten all the eyes4 ,endeavor thou with all thy power to make the translation as the original4 ,the ,blessed ,beauty went to ,haifa many times1 and thou hast seen ,him47#bdg7 ,i hope thou mayest attain the real meeting and that is the witnessing with the eye of insight and not of sight4 ,the essence of the teachings of ,his ,holiness ,baha'o'llah is ,universal ,love1 which comprehendeth all the virtues of the world of humanity1 is the cause of eternal life and of the progress of all the individuals of the human race4 ,soon thou wilt see that these heavenly teachings1 like unto the light of reality1 will envelope and enlighten the world4 ,the short prayer which thou hast written at the end of thy letter is in reality original1 beautiful1 sweet and effective4 ,chant it always4 8,o thou esteemed maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou esteemed maid-servant of ,god6 ,be thou hopeful and be thou happy and rejoiced4 ,for ,i have supplicated and beseeched before the ,threshold of the ,almighty that thy wish may be realized1 so thou mayest overcome the self and perform charitable deeds and that the human perfections may appear from thee2 that thou mayest be endowed with lofty gifts2 find thy way to divine wisdom and show forth the manners and conduct of those who are favored in the ,threshold of the ,almighty4 ,the essence of all exhortation is that thou shouldst abandon thyself and sacrifice life1 body and heart for the ,beloved ,one of the world4 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and the sign of the hand was observed4 ,this sign was a mystery of the perfection of ,love4 ,i ask ,god that it may become realized1 and day by day1 thou mayest walk more and more in the path of the ,kingdom1 in order that thou mayest be freed from the strangers and friends1 be disengaged from attachment to the material world and be attached wholly to the divine ,kingdom4 ,at that time thou wilt behold the lights of the most great gift4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy poetry was received4 ,the context was elegant4 ,the words were eloquent and the theme1 the ,manifest ,light4 ,consequently1 it was highly appreciated4 ,endeavor1 so far as it is possible for thee1 that day by day thou mayest string the pearls of poesy with sweeter rhythm and more eloquent contents1 in order that it may become conducive to the perpetuity of thy name in the spiritual meetings4 ,upon thee be greeting and praise6 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,what thou hast written was perused4 ,be thou rejoiced on account of hearing the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom4 ,to render thanks for such a bounty is to show forth praiseworthy deeds4 ,sacrifice thyself for the well-being of the people and be thou a kind comforter to all the inhabitants of the world4 ,ask and pray to ,god that thou mayest become an enkindled lamp1 to shed light upon the assembly1 to become a lover of men and a well-wisher of human kind2 nay1 rather1 thou mayest become the manifestation of the divine providence1 finding out the heavenly gifts1 enlisting thyself among the soldiers of the kingdom of peace and reconciliation1 delivering the people as far as possible from war and carnage1 spreading righteousness and friendship and becoming the cause of tranquility and composure to the world of humanity4 8,o thou seeker after ,truth64440 ,o thou seeker after ,truth6 ,the letter which thou hast written to 444 was received and its contents became known4 ,if thou ask my name and title1 it is ,abdul-,baha and any name beside this is unknown here4 ,whosoever calleth me by this name1 accept from him--otherwise reject4 ,but about the three questions which thou hast asked for thyself3 ,the first is true4 ,undoubtedly1 when a soul engages in commemoration of the ,true ,one1 he will naturally feel the rest of soul and tranquility of heart4 ,the second question about the supernatural power3 ,without advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,abha1 it is impossible and inaccessible4 ,but should a soul enter under the shadow of the ,blessed ,perfection1 step into the divine ,kingdom1 act according to the councils and exhortations of ,god and practice the ,new ,teachings1 unquestionably he will become endowed with a supernatural power4 ,but about thy third question3 8,have ,i been subjected to such troubles and vicissitudes before80 and the indisputable answer1 8,no60--this is also true4 ,for any soul who walketh in the path of guidance1 there is no doubt he shall endure hardships4 ,consider thou their ,highness the ,apostles2 likewise the ,assembly of ,christians1 who were sanctified souls2 what calamities and persecutions hailed them in the ,cause during the first and second century and even up to the third century6 ,look thou around the world of existence3 ,a little worldly transaction cannot be brought about except through surmounting many an obstacle4 ,how much more important are the objects of the ,supreme ,world6 ,certainly there existeth troubles1 trials1 afflictions1 persecution1 censure and contempt4 ,when thou didst occupy thy time in the past to give out religious exhortations and advices1 thou experienced some persecutions and trouble4 ,but thou canst not realize in this present moment what great ordeals are in store and what unbearable calamities1 affliction and adversity exist1 and that to give up life is the easiest of all those calamities4 ,but the end of all these is bliss1 overflowing joy1 everlasting exultation1 happiness and supreme contentment4 it is eternal life1 never ending glory1 a lordly gift and divine sovereignty6 ,in brief1 thou hast asked concerning my desire for thee3 ,i wish1 if thou art worldly1 to become heavenly2 if thou art of the world of possession1 become thou celestial2 if thou art of the material sphere1 become an inhabitant of the realm of ,light2 hasten from the world of darkness to the world of illumination and become the manifestor of the exhortations1 advices and instructions of the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,this is my greatest desire for thee4 8,o ye seekers of ,truth64440 ,o ye7#bdh7 seekers of ,truth6 ,your letter was received and its contents became known4 ,the new ,kingdom hath raised its tents in all regions and hath enveloped ,east and ,west1 but the blind ones cannot see and the deaf ones cannot hear4 ,in the time of ,christ1 the doors of the divine ,kingdom were opened1 but the people1 being veiled1 were negligent and in a deep sleep4 ,therefore1 they were deprived of the spiritual glory4 ,now1 thank ye ,god that ye have found the way to the ,kingdom of peace and salvation and have heard the call of the ,true ,one4 ,supplicate ,god that ye may become heavenly hosts1 spreading the oneness of the world of humanity1 taking in hand the armor of peace and conquering the hearts with the sword of love4 ,ye are people of the earth1 become ye angels of heaven2 ye are from the ,west1 draw ye bounties from the ,east6 ,be ye illumined1 become ye heavenly1 become ye merciful and show kindness to all the people6 8,o thou dear friend64440 ,o thou dear friend6 ,although a person of good deeds is acceptable at the ,threshold of the ,almighty1 yet it is first 8to know10 and then 8to do40 ,although a blind man produceth a most wonderful and exquisite art1 yet he is deprived of seeing it4 consider how most animals labor for man1 draw loads and facilitate travel2 yet1 as they are ignorant1 they receive no reward for this toil and labor4 ,the cloud raineth1 roses and hyacinths grow2 the plain and meadow1 the garden and trees become green and blossom2 yet they do not realize the results and outcome of all these4 ,the lamp is lighted1 but as it hath not a conscious knowledge of itself1 no one hath become glad because of it4 ,moreover1 a soul of excellent deeds and good manners will undoubtedly advance from whatever horizon he beholdeth the lights radiating4 ,herein lies the difference3 ,by faith is meant1 first1 conscious knowledge1 and second1 the practice of good deeds4 ,thou hast asked concerning reincarnation3 ,reincarnation as understood by the people1 is untrue2 but in the ,gospel1 8return0 is referred to1 and that is the return of qualities7#bdi7 and not the return of entities4 ,this matter is explained in detail in the ,book of ,ighan1 which is translated and published4 ,study that ,book4 ,but the difference between ,christ and others is this3 ,christ was the ,spirit1 others were bodies2 ,christ was the ,sun1 others were mirrors2 ,christ was the ,truth and was bestowing eternal life1 others were dead and imparting deadness and negligence4 ,thou hast asked concerning the spirits of men3 ,they are not at all annihilated--they are immortal47#bej7 ,the spirits of heavenly souls will find eternal life1 that is1 they will attain the highest and most great stations of perfection2 but the spirits of the heedless souls1 although they are eternal1 yet they are in a world of imperfection1 concealment and ignorance4 ,this is a concise answer4 ,contemplate and meditate upon it1 in order that thou mayest comprehend the reality of the mysteries in detail4 for instance3 ,no matter how much the mineral has an existence and life1 yet in comparison to man1 it is entirely non-existent and deprived of life4 ,for where man is translated from life to death1 his comparative station will be that of a mineral existence4 8,o ye seekers of ,truth64440 ,o ye7#bea7 seekers of ,truth6 ,your letter was received and a sweet fragrance was inhaled from the rose-garden of its significances4 it was an evidence of your insight1 hearing and spiritual life4 ,for1 no matter if the people are living in appearance1 yet they may be dead in reality4 ,that is why ,his ,holiness ,christ1 sayeth in the gospels3 8,let the dead bury the dead60 ,praise be to ,god6 that you have found eternal life from among the dead2 that is1 you have hear the call of the divine ,kingdom1 are attracted to the ,heavenly ,countenance and have turned your faces toward the ,center of the ,light of ,truth4 ,i hope that you continue to be a living1 eternal light6 ,two stones of the ,most ,great ,name are sent enclosed with this ,tablet4 8,o thou ,glorious ,lord64440 ,o thou ,glorious ,lord67#beb7 ,make thou this little maid-servant a brilliant-starred daughter of the ,kingdom2 endear her in the ,threshold of ,oneness and overflow her with the cup of ,thy love1 in order that she may raise the cries of joy and ecstasy and mix ambergris with musk47#bec7 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful and the ,mighty1 and ,thou art the ,wise1 the ,seer6 8,o thou plant of the ,garden of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou plant of the ,garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,its content was of utmost grace and sweetness4 ,as thou hast turned thy face toward the ,supreme ,kingdom1 ,i hope thy disposition and nature will prove agreeable and comforting to thy brother and sister4 ,although thou art small1 yet ,i hope thou wilt become great in the ,kingdom4 ,his ,highness ,christ1 sayeth3 8,happy is the condition of the children60 ,god willing1 thou art one of those children4 ,be obedient and kind to thy father and mother1 caressing brother and sister1 and day by day adding to thy faith and assurance4 8,o thou dear friend64440 ,o thou dear friend6 ,what thou hast written was perused4 ,thank thou ,god that the doors of the ,kingdom are opened and the way of the ,truth become manifest and evident4 ,therefore1 enter thou completely into this divine ,kingdom2 that is1 acquire heavenly bliss and beatitude and turn thy face to the ,luminous ,realm1 so that the hurtful powers may be dispersed at once1 eternal felicity1 composure and tranquility become realized1 the heart find glad-tidings1 the soul1 peace1 and even the body1 grace and beauty4 8,o thou faithful one64440 ,o thou faithful one6 ,one of the requirements of faithfulness is that thou mayest sacrifice thyself and1 in the divine path1 close thine eye to every pleasure and strive with all thy soul that thou mayest disappear and be lost1 like unto a drop1 in the ocean of the love of ,god4 8,o thou who art advanced toward ,god64440 ,o thou who art advanced toward ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,its contents indicated that thou hast become alive through the spiritual breaths of his honor1 ,mr4 444444444 ,thank thou ,god that thou hast attained to this bounty and hast caught the light of guidance4 ,thou must be thankful to his honor1 ,mr4 4444444441 to the end of thy days1 for from his hand thou hast drunk this overflowing cup of the ,most ,great ,guidance4 ,now show thou forth firmness and steadfastness without wavering4 ,if any test fall upon thee1 it will be conducive to the strength of thy faith4 8,o thou servant of the ,true ,one64440 ,o thou servant of the ,true ,one6 ,thy letter was received4 ,the meeting 999999 which was arranged with the utmost union in the studio of ,miss 444444444 was in reality spiritual1 merciful and illumined4 ,the friends of ,god were associating with great harmony and friendship4 ,i hope that all the people of the world become united and cemented4 ,the ,blessed ,perfection hath appeared for the sole purpose of the unification and solidarity of the people of the world1 so that all of them may enter under the shade of one tree1 sing one melody in one rose-garden and adorn the universe with love and oneness4 ,every meeting which is organized for the purpose of unity and concord will be conducive to changing strangers into friends1 enemies into associated1 and ,abdul-,baha will be present in his heart and soul with that meeting4 ,i entreat from ,god that the believers may at all times strive to bring about union and harmony1 in order that this power of unity may display an effect in this world2 each country become illuminated1 the darkness of foreignness be dispelled gradually and the light of unanimity dawn and shed its rays to all parts4 8,o thou heavenly one64440 ,o thou heavenly one6 ,organize ye spiritual assemblies2 lay ye the foundation of union and concord in this world2 destroy ye the fabric of strife and war from the face of the earth2 construct ye the temple of harmony and agreement2 enkindle ye the light of the realm of the oneness of humanity2 open ye your eyes2 gaze and behold ye the other world6 ,the ,kingdom of peace1 salvation1 uprightness and reconciliation is founded in the ,invisible ,world1 and it will by degrees become manifest and apparent through the power of the ,word of ,god6 ,i supplicate ,god that ye may become the army of that ,kingdom1 in order that by the power of the ,most ,great ,name1 the friends of ,god may conquer this world through love1 friendship and the strength of the ,kingdom of peace2 the human race become compassionate1 and bloodshed and carnage be completely effaced from the universe4 ,the ,spirit of truth is soaring on the ,supreme ,apex1 like unto a bird1 in order that it may discover a severed heart and alight therein and make its nest4 ,i hope that all the friends become manifestors of knowledge and the centers of merciful feelings4 ,each of them become like unto an angel and radiate heavenly deeds1 thoughts and actions4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter contained meanings full of sweetness4 ,i therefore took it in my hand with the utmost love and became informed of thy desire4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,glad-tidings be unto thee6 ,as thou art faithful and art going to remain firm1 the favors of the ,bounty of ,abha will encircle thee2 thou wilt become a cause of the illumination of the human world1 and be assisted by the heavenly confirmation4 8,o ye spiritual assembly64440 ,o ye spiritual assembly67#bed7 ,as ye were gathered in the meeting of hospitality with the utmost longing for the knowledge of ,god1 that meeting was mentioned in the divine ,kingdom and you became favored with special bounty4 ,such gatherings are very praiseworthy and acceptable1 for all beget joy and fragrance1 the hearts become illumined and the despondent souls become heavenly4 ,likewise1 thou ,i was remote in so far as the body is concerned1 ,i was near to the friends in heart and spirit and close to the believers in that assembly4 ,i entreat ,god that your assembly wax greater day by day and the meeting of the love of ,god become adorned with celestial attributes1 so that the confirmation of the ,kingdom of ,god descend continually4 8,o ye friends64440 ,o ye friends67#bee7 ,thank ,god that the ,light of ,truth shone in that city1 the bounty of guidance was granted1 the fire of the love of ,god was ignited and the veil of superstition was burned away4 ,some souls have arisen who have unsealed their eyes1 unstopped their ears1 witnessed the great signs and heard the eternal melody of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,each of them became a faithful tree in the orchard of the love of ,god and a shining luminous star in the horizon of the knowledge of ,god4 this is from the eternal bounty and the everlasting gift4 ,i entreat and supplicate in the ,threshold of the ,almighty and ask for your confirmation and assistance1 that you may be born wholly out of the physical world into the ,realm ,divine1 to seek after the eternal life and wish for the everlasting gift1 so that you may shine upon ages and cycles like unto the morning star6 8,o thou lamp of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou lamp of the ,love of ,god6 ,thou hast made the wish for the great martyrdom in the path of ,baha'1 that thou mayest become intoxicated with that overflowing cup and sacrifice this ephemeral life upon the divine altar1 in order that thou mayest walk in the road of faithfulness and show forth firmness and steadfastness for the sake of the love of ,baha'4 ,this is the ultimate desire of the people of sanctity4 ,if the eternal prosperity favor and befriend thee1 thou wilt undoubtedly attain to this bounty4 ,but for the present this very attitude is sacrifice and martyrdom4 ,blessed art thou1 and again1 blessed art thou6999999 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received2 its contents were of the utmost sweetness4 ,no sooner had ,i heard it1 than ,i supplicated to ,god in thy behalf that thou mayest become a strong growing tree1 protected and guarded from the winds of tests and attain to heavenly guidance4 ,know thou the value of ,miss 444444444 ,truly ,i say1 she was an angel of heaven and a light beaming and sparkling4 ,endear thy beloved daughter1 44444444 ,entreat ,god that she and 444444444 may become two shining lamps in the assemblage of the world and the cause of the grandeur and promotion of the divine teachings4 ,blessing be upon thy dear son 444444444 and his family4 ,endeavor thou in their training4 ,convey on my behalf1 spiritual greeting to the new bridegroom and bride 444444444 and say to them3 8,you must become the young trees in the divine garden and produce good fruits40 ,convey my love to 444444444 ,i prayed in behalf of all the family that they may be confirmed with the most great guidance and sacrifice their abilities1 talents and possessions in the ,path of ,god4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,this celestial music hath moved the hearts of the people in the world and the ,blessed ,tree embraced all communities and nations under its shade6 8,o thou who art attracted toward the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted toward the ,kingdom6 ,be thou not unhappy2 the tempest of sorrow shall pass2 regret will not last2 disappointment will vanish2 the fire of the love of ,god will become enkindled1 and the thorns and briars of sadness and despondency will be consumed6 ,be thou happy2 rest thou assured upon the favors of ,baha'1 so that uncertainty and hesitation may become non-existent and the invisible outpourings descend upon the arena of being6 ,if thou art seeking after spiritual tranquility1 turn thy face at all times toward the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,if thou art desiring divine joy1 free thyself from the bands of attachment4 if thou art wishing for the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit1 become thou engaged in teaching the ,cause of ,god4 ,if the friends and relatives are keeping themselves at a distance from thee1 be thou not sad1 for ,god is near to thee4 ,associate thou1 as much as thou canst1 with the relatives and strangers2 display thou loving kindness2 show thou forth the utmost patience and resignation4 ,the more they oppose thee1 shower thou upon them the greater justice and equity2 the more they show hatred and opposition toward thee1 challenge thou them with great truthfulness1 friendship and reconciliation4 ,praise be to ,god1 thou art near to the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,rest thou assured4 ,with all my soul and spirit1 ,i am thy companion at all moments4 ,know thou this of a certainty6 ,i prayed in behalf of thy relatives and family1 supplicating from ,god confirmation and assistance for them4 8,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye7#bef7 friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,the glad-tidings of your attraction and enkindlement1 ecstasy and exhilaration1 hath reached us before and a special ,rablet hath been forwarded to you4 ,mr4 444444444 and ,mr4 444444444 arrived and praised you with the utmost enthusiasm1 that 8the friends of ,hoboken are firm1 steadfast and eloquent 7in delivering the ,truth740 ,in that region they have adorned a meeting with the fragrances of holiness and organized an assembly like unto the delectable paradise4 ,each one of them is like unto a lamp brilliant with the light of guidance and a conquering host invincible with the power of the love of god4 ,likewise1 they gave the utmost praise to all the beloved throughout the regions of ,america1 and they were extremely happy and grateful4 ,they praised and commended highly the spiritual assembly of ,new ,york1 saying that day and night they were engaged in the service of the ,kingdom2 likewise they were very grateful to ,mr4 444444444 ,briefly1 four days and four nights were they the guests in the house of this imprisoned one1 continually praising and commending the beloved of ,god and giving the glad-tidings of the attraction of the friends with the fragrances of ,god4 ,in this prison1 ,abdul-,baha hath no happiness except the arrival of the good news of the believers4 ,whenever one praises them1 the heart is dilated and the soul is rejoiced4 ,therefore1 ,o ye companions of ,abdul-,baha1 display ye an effort1 so that ye may make that region 7,america7 the ,paradise of ,abha1 hoisting the banner of the ,most ,great ,peace and spreading the teachings of the ,beauty of ,abha2 in order that the slumbrous world become awakened1 the unconscious become mindful1 the universe become another universe1 the human world become the realm of the ,kingdom1 earthly emotions become heavenly attractions1 cruelty and oppression be changed into love and faithfulness1 the clattering of the sword be transformed into the sweet melody of the pen and the discordant sound of war become the wonderful song of love and intelligence2 in order that all the individuals of humanity embrace each other and live among themselves in perfect love and affinity4 8,o thou who hast addressed ,abdul-,baha64440 7#beg7 ,o thou who hast addressed ,abdul-,baha6 ,verily1 ,i pray my ,lord to teach thee a language and writing of the ,kingdom which will satisfy thee1 so as to dispense with all things2 for that spiritual writing and instructive tongue are eloquent1 clear1 laudable1 legible1 read by the tongue and preserved in the heart4 ,blessed is he who knows it in the world of man6 ,know1 verily1 that the ,ocean is waving1 the ,sun shining1 the ,stars dawning4 7,understand what ,i say67 ,the tree will grow1 the earth will send forth hyacinths7#beh7 and give blessings1 and man will become of the heavenly angels4 ,feed on the light of guidance and impart light to the people4 ,the bird will warble melodies unknown save by the birds of heaven2 then tear asunder the veil and see the realities of things with the eye of ,god4 ,verily1 thy ,lord guideth whomsoever ,he willeth unto the ,straight ,path6 ,the ,promised ,spot will be made a racecourse for the steeds of the race of ,knowledge and the lights of the ,merciful will shine upon it4 ,the dispersed ones will return to the ,center of ,gathering and the birds will return from the meadows of the world unto the ,nest of ,harmony4 ,this is a preordained matter4 ,as to thee3 ,thou hast borne every difficulty and hardship and soon will be rewarded by ,god with a good reward4 ,he will destine to thee all that is good1 and choose for thee the manifestation of ,his mercy among the servants2 that they may thus see that the ,sons of the ,kingdom have gone out7#bei71 while there hath come a soul from the remotest horizon who hath entreated the ,kingdom of ,god4999999 8,o thou who art the single one of ,japan and the unique4440 ,o thou who art the single one of ,japan and the unique one of the extreme ,orient6 ,that country hath been deprived of the divine breath until this time2 now1 ,god be praised6 thou art initiated in the mysteries and conscious of the secrets of the lights4 ,thou hast been earthly1 ,i hope that thou wilt become heavenly2 thou hast been gloomy1 ,i desire that thou wilt become luminous4 ,thou wert wandering in the wilderness1 thou hast found a way to the abode of the ,beloved ,one2 thou wert a thirsty fish1 thou hast attained to the endless ,ocean2 thou wert a roving bird1 thou hast reached the divine ,rose-garden2 thou wert spiritually sick and thou hast found real health6 ,now is the time that thou shouldest entirely abandon the comfort1 ease1 enjoyment and the life of this transient world1 and wholly arise to guide the people of ,japan1 illuminating faces1 perfuming nostrils and conquering1 through the heavenly hosts and divine reinforcements1 the hearts of the people of that region4 ,do not wonder at the favor and bounty of the ,lord4 ,by the favor of ,god1 how often a drop hath become undulating like a sea1 and an atom hath become shining like the sun6 ,the sun of ,truth hath enlightened the divine world and illumined the universe4 ,the rays of ,his grace have shone upon the ,east and ,west1 and ,his heat hath caused vegetation in all countries4 ,so the lights and the heat of the ,sun of ,truth being help and assistance1 what more dost thou need8 ,thou must warble1 like the nightingale of significances1 in the rose-garden1 so that thou mayest inspire all the birds of the meadow to chant and to sing4 8,o thou youth of ,god64440 ,o thou youth of ,god6 ,thank ,god that thou hast found thy way to the ,radiant ,kingdom1 torn asunder the veil of superstition and learned the reality of the mysteries4 ,all the people have formed a god in the world of thought1 and that form of their own imagination they worship2 when the fact is that the imagined form is finite and the human mind is infinite47#bfj7 ,surely the infinite is greater than the finite1 for imagination is accidental 7or non-essential7 while the mind is essential2 surely the essential is greater than the accidental4 ,therefore consider3 ,all the sects and peoples worship their own thought2 they create a god in their own minds and acknowledge him to be the creator of all things1 when that form is superstition--thus people adore and worship imagination 7or illusion74 ,that ,essence of the ,divine ,entity and the ,unseen of the unseen is holy above imagination and is beyond thought4 ,consciousness doth not reach ,it4 ,within the capacity of comprehension of a produced 7or created7 reality that ,ancient ,reality cannot be contained4 ,it is a different world2 from it there is no information2 arrival thereat is impossible2 attainment thereto is prohibited and inaccessible4 ,this much is known3 ,it exists and ,its existence is certain and proven--but the condition is unknown4 ,all the philosophers and the doctors knew that ,it is1 but they were perplexed in the comprehension of ,its existence and were at last discouraged1 and in great despair they left this world4 ,for the comprehension of the condition and mysteries of that ,reality of realities and ,mystery of mysteries there is need for another power and another sense4 ,that power and sense is not possessed by mankind1 therefore they have not found any information4 ,for example3 ,if a man possess the power of hearing1 the power of tasting1 the power of smelling and the power of feeling1 but no power of seeing1 he cannot see4 ,hence1 through the powers and senses present in man the realization of the ,unseen ,reality1 which is pure and holy above the reach of doubts1 is impossible4 ,other powers are needed and other senses required4 ,if those powers and senses are obtained1 then information can be had2 otherwise1 not4 ,as to the question of marriage1 according to the law of ,god3 ,first you must select one1 and then it depends upon the consent of the father and mother4 ,before your selection they have no right of interference4 ,endeavor as much as thou canst to acquire the ,english language with the utmost of eloquence and excellence1 so that thou mayest be enabled to translate the ,tablets into the ,japanese tongue4 ,this is my advice4 ,certainly exert thy utmost endeavor to attain this bounty4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,word of god to the4440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,word of god to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,turn with the whole of thy being to ,god1 forget aught else save ,god1 and supplicate ,god to make thee a sign of guidance in the midst of people who are veiled from ,god2 perchance they may be guided to the ,orb of all horizons1 enter the kingdom of harmony1 drink of the cup of the love of ,god1 rejoice at the manifestation of the ,kingdom of ,god1 and shelter themselves in the shadow of the ,tree of ,life in the midst of the ,paradise of ,god4 ,this beseemeth the believers2 this is the qualification of the sincere2 this is the path of the knowers1 and this is the utmost aim of the faithful4 ,exert thy utmost power that thou mayest share this great bounty4 8,o thou spiritual youth64440 ,o thou spiritual youth67#bfa7 ,japan hath made wonderful progress in material civilization1 but she will become perfect when she also becometh spiritually developed and the power of the ,kingdom becometh manifest in her4 ,one will encounter a little difficulty in the beginning of the establishment of the ,cause of ,god in that country1 but later it will become very easy1 for the inhabitants of ,japan are intelligent1 sagacious and have the power of rapid assimilation4 ,for the present1 a perfect youth like thee is favored by the bounty of the ,kingdom and hath attained to the knowledge of the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,show thou forth an effort that thou mayest finish that which is necessary in the acquisition and study of science and art2 then travel thou toward the countries of ,japan1 so that thou mayest hoist the ,ensign of ,truth waving from the apex of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,look thou not upon thine own capability2 the invisible divine confirmations are great and the protection and providence of the ,beauty of ,abha is the helper and the assistant4 ,when a drop draws help from the ocean1 it is an ocean in itself1 and a little seed1 through the outpouring of rain1 the favor of the sun and the soul-refreshing breeze1 will become a tree with the utmost freshness1 full of leaves1 blossoms and fruits4 ,therefore1 do not consider thy capacity and merit1 but rely upon the infinite bounty and trust to ,his ,highness the ,almighty4 ,do not delay4 ,undertake soon that which thou art intending4 ,there are prophecies concerning this ,manifestation in the ,buddhistic books1 but they are in symbols and metaphors1 and some spiritual conditions are mentioned therein1 but the leaders of religion do not understand4 ,they think these prophecies are material things2 yet those signs are foreshadowing spiritual occurances4 8,announce greeting on my behalf to the two young4440 7#bfb7 ,announce greeting on my behalf to the two young ,japanese7#bfc7 and say3 8,his ,imperial ,majesty1 the ,mikado1 became the cause of the material progress of ,japan4 ,i hope that you may become the cause of her spiritual development4 ,this is the principle of progress4 8,unless man maketh spiritual progress in the world of spirit1 intellect and heart1 he cannot gather universal results from material advancements4 ,now you must gird up the loins of endeavor and reflect duly1 so that you may quicken the people of ,japan through the spirit of ,god40 8,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 7#bfd7 ,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha6 8,perfume ,thou the ,east6 ,illumine ,thou the ,west6 ,bestow ,thou light to the ,north6 ,grant ,thou life to the ,south60 ,this verse hath been revealed from the lips of the ,center of the ,covenant one year after the departure7#bfe7 of ,baha'o'llah4 ,but the nakazeen 7not understanding its spiritual purport7 wondered and derided4 ,praise be to ,god6 that now its signs have become manifest1 its power evident1 and its proof plain4 ,thanks be unto ,him6 that the ,east and ,west are stirred into cheerfulness1 and through the ,holy ,fragrances all directions are perfumed4 ,the ,blessed ,perfection1 in a clear text1 hath promised us in the ,book3 8,verily ,i behold you from the ,horizon of ,abha and will make victorious whomsoever will arise in the service of my cause with the hosts of the ,supreme ,concourse and the cohorts of the favored angels60 ,praise be to ,god6 that this victory and confirmation became visible and manifest and hath shone forth from the horizon of the world like unto the sun4 ,therefore1 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,show ye forth an earnest endeavor and display ye a resolute effort1 so that ye may become assisted in the adoration of the ,ancient ,beauty and the ,manifest ,light2 to be the cause of spreading the light of the ,sun of ,truth2 to infuse into the dead1 antiquated body of the world a new spirit2 to cast in the fields of the hearts pure seeds2 to arise in the service of the ,cause2 to speak with eloquent tongues2 to become candles of guidance in the assemblage of the world2 to become shining stars in the horizon of the existent being2 to become merciful birds in the rose-garden of oneness2 to sing the melodies of realities and significances2 to spend every breath of your lives in the most great ,cause2 and to devote the period of your existence to the service of this conspicuous ,light2 so that in the end ye may be freed from loss and failure and attain to the inexhaustible treasury of the ,kingdom4 ,for the life on man is wholly subject to danger and impermanency4 ,a person cannot put his assurance even in one moment's continuity4 ,notwithstanding this1 the nations of the world1 deceived by the mirage of superstition1 imagine themselves secure in the heavenly way4 ,alas6 ,alas6 ,former communities in bygone ages entertained the same perishing thoughts2 but by one of those periodical fluctuations they were all hidden under the ground and afflicted with deprivation and loss1 except those souls who had become pure evanescence and had arisen with great self-abnegation in the path of ,god4 ,such souls shine forth as brilliant stars from the ,horizon of the ,ancient ,glory1 and the results which emanated from their lives in succeeding ages and cycles are the proofs of this statement4 ,therefore1 do ye not rest1 neither day nor night2 seek ye not for composure2 talk ye of the mystery of servitude1 and seek ye the path of thralldom2 so that through the promised confirmations ye may become assisted from the ,kingdom of ,oneness4 ,o ye friends6 ,dense and gloomy clouds have covered the horizon of the world1 and the darkness of hatred1 malignity1 persecution1 tyranny1 and the greatest cruelty is spreading4 ,all the people are drunk with the wine of heedlessness2 and blood-thirstiness and rapaciousness are considered the noblest excellencies of the world of men4 ,his ,highness the ,almighty hath chosen the friends from among the concourse of men and hath especialized them with the most eminent guidance and the highest gift2 so that we may with our souls and hearts exert ourselves1 sacrifice our lives1 be engaged in the guidance of the people and the training of souls2 so that the wild beasts may become the gazelles of the meadows of unity2 the wolves the sheep of ,god2 the bloodthirsty ones the heavenly angels2 the fire of malice be extinguished and the flame of safety in the blessed tabernacle bestow illumination2 the odor of the nether realm of infidelity be dispelled and the fragrances of the rose-garden of faithfulness be diffused in all parts2 the weak draw light from the ,universal ,reason and evil souls seek to be purified with the holy and divine ,breath4 ,there are needed manifestors for this gift2 farmers for this field2 gardeners for this rose-garden2 fishers for this sea2 luminous stars for this heaven2 spiritual physicians for these ill ones1 and loving guides for these wanderers2 so that they may bestow a share to those who are deprived1 grant a portion to those who are shareless1 give unmeasured treasure to the indigent ones1 and show forth the power of proof to the seekers4 8,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,i supplicate unto4440 ,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,i supplicate unto ,thee1 ,o ,thou my ,helper6 ,i invoke ,thee1 ,o ,thou my ,refuge6 ,i utter to ,thee my agonies1 ,o ,thou my ,physician1 and entreat ,thee with all my hear1 my soul and my spirit1 saying3 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,verily1 the gloomy night hath fallen upon all regions and the clouds of ignorance have extended in all directions2 the people are immersed in the darkness of surmise and the tyrants are sunk in the depths of brutality and lawlessness2 the red glare of the burning fire is flashing forth from the nether world2 roaring1 ominous voices are rising from the cruel1 destructive and terrible armaments2 every region is crying out with its dumb secret tongue3 8,nothing that ,i possess hath benefitted me and power and strength are taken away from me60 ,verily1 ,o my ,god1 the lamps of guidance are extinguished2 the fire of animosity is enkindled2 wrath and antipathy are spread abroad and provocation and maliciousness are disseminated upon the face of the earth4 ,yet ,i see only ,thy wronged followers who are crying at the tops of their voices and summoning the people3 8,hasten ye toward affinity6 ,hasten ye toward faithfulness6 ,hasten ye toward generosity6 ,hasten ye toward guidance6 ,hasten ye toward union6 ,hasten ye to behold the ,light of the ,world6 ,hasten ye toward love and prosperity6 ,hasten ye toward peace and reconciliation6 ,hasten ye toward the law of disarmament6 ,hasten ye toward harmony and success6 ,hasten ye toward co-operation and mutual help in the path of guidance60 ,verily1 these wronged ones do sacrifice themselves with infinite joy and happiness for the sake of the people1 with all their souls and spirits throughout all regions4 ,verily1 ,thou beholdest them weeping at the misfortunes of every one of ,thy creatures and becoming grieved at the distress of ,thy children2 they are kind to all the people and pained at the sight of the calamities of the inhabitants of the world4 ,o my ,lord6 make the wings of prosperity to grow upon their shoulders1 so that they may ever soar toward the apex of their aspirations2 strengthen their loins in the service of ,thy people1 and confirm them in the thralldom and adoration of the threshold of ,thy ,holiness4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,merciful6 ,thou art the ,clement1 and there is no ,god but ,thee1 the ,powerful1 the ,compassionate1 and the ,ancient6 8,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god64440 ,glory be unto ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 ,thou seest me rolling my face in the dust of humility and contrition1 supplicating toward the ,kingdom of ,thy ,might1 yearning for the contemplation of ,thy ,greatness1 entreating ,thy ,grandeur1 invoking at the ,threshold of ,thy ,mercifulness1 beseeching the realm of ,thy ,singleness1 acknowledging my shortcomings1 longing for ,thy bounty1 desiring ,thy concealing veil and expecting the outpouring of the rain of ,thy favor upon all the meadows and mountains6 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,thy power hath enveloped all things1 ,thy dominion1 ,thy glory and ,thy sovereignty have become manifest as the manifestation of the sun in mid-day2 ,thy ,word hath penetrated the reality of the contingent beings2 ,thy voice hath been raised on the apex of the world2 ,thy beaming lights have radiated from the dawning-places of all the horizons and ,thy wonderful refulgent signs have become known in all directions2 consequently the sights and insights have become dazzled by beholding these manifestations of truth6 ,there is no land in which the fame of ,thy ,merciful ,cause hath not been spread1 and there is no region in which ,thy manifest ensign hath not been hoisted6 ,verily1 ,thy voice hath reached the ears of all the inhabitants of the globe1 and the attracted ones have become exhilarated by its holy and divine fragrances6 ,praise be to ,thee1 ,o my ,god6 for the bestowal of this most great bounty upon ,thy chosen ones2 and thanks be to ,thee1 ,o my ,lord6 for this most eminent favor upon ,thy righteous servants in suffering them to become the signs of ,thy ,oneness in this glorious age and the standards of ,thy sanctity in this new cycle6 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,assist the weak ones with the ,supreme ,energy2 shelter the indigent ones near the asylum of ,thy ,greatest ,majesty2 strengthen the loins of those souls whose faces radiate with ,thy lights and whose tongues become eloquent in the glorification and commemoration of ,thy ,name2 make them the plants of ,thy luminous orchard1 the blossoms of ,thy blessed tree1 the leaves of ,thy ,sadrat-el-,montaha7#bff7 and the flowers of ,thy exalted rose-garden6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,clement1 the ,lofty1 the ,magnificent1 the ,omnipresent and ,thou art the ,protector1 the ,guardian1 the ,helper1 the ,powerful1 the ,merciful and the ,generous6 8,o ye beloved ones of ,abdul-,baha6 ,this servant4440 ,o ye beloved ones of ,abdul-,baha6 ,this servant longeth to write a special ,tablet to each one of the friends of ,god--but what can be done6 ,for there is neither opportunity nor time4 ,the affairs are like unto the waves1 and the requirements are like unto the vernal showers4 ,i do not rest a moment1 neither do ,i have leisure for an instant4 ,letters are received every day from all the regions and it is impossible and impracticable to answer one among ten2 yet there is no other mode than to answer the letters which are the most important1 for the urgent affairs must be attended to4 ,therefore1 ,i request the pardon and ask the forgiveness of the friends1 that they may overlook these shortcomings and be content and happy with that which is possible4 ,o ye friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,the ,east is illumined1 the ,west is perfumed and the world is in motion and acceleration4 ,such a tumult is visible in the regions2 and such a spiritual commotion is perceived in the pillars of the earth6 ,the fame of the grandeur of the ,word of ,god hath reached the ears of the inhabitants of the world1 and the voice of the ,cause of ,god holdeth universal sway6 ,it is the time for joy and happiness and the moment of exhileration and ecstasy4 ,one must live in accord with the exhortations and advices of the ,blessed ,perfection and behave with such deeds and actions as to become conducive to the illumination of the world and the manifestion of mercifulness among the nations4 ,all the denizens of the earth1 the communities and the people have taken an axe in their hands to uproot the life-tree of each other2 they are blood-thirsty and the instigators of corruption2 they are armed to the teeth with destructive implements2 each seeketh the death and annihilation of the other4 ,but the heavenly power1 the divine energy and the celestial hand of strength1 hath raised the canopy of the oneness of the realm of humanity on the pinnacle of the contingent being and hoisted the standard of the most great peace1 friendship1 love1 uprightness and the adoration of truth4 ,the friends are the servants of this canopy and the beloved are the hosts of this standard4 ,therefore they must with one accord arise to that which is the requirement and the merit of this day1 become overflowing with joy and beatitude1 perfume the nostrils with the fragrances1 sweeten the tastes with the honey and delicacy of love1 become the signs of guidance1 be the glad-tidings of the ,supreme ,concourse and the army of the ,kingdom of ,abha2 so that they may destroy the edifice of war and bloodshed1 efface the traces of battle and strife from the face of the earth1 uproot the tree of foreignness and plant the tree of unity in the rose-garden of the regions1 extinguish the fire of hatred and animosity and set in motion the sea of love and affinity1 erase the traces of discord from the ,tablet of the earth and register thereon the verses of concord1 clear the field of existence from the thorns and brambles of hostilities and ill-feeling and adorn it with the hyacinths and anemones of harmony1 train and educate the souls and loosen the tongue in the delivery of the instructions and teachings of the ,blessed ,perfection6 8,o ye beloved ones6 ,it is the moment of the ecstasy4440 ,o ye beloved ones6 ,it is the moment of the ecstasy of the soul and consciousness and the season of running in the arena of sacrifice6 ,show ye kindness to all2 be ye engaged in the refinement of the souls4 ,become ye as ignited lamps and adorn ye the orchard of being6 ,these days are swiftly passing and this mortal life will remain fruitless and without result4 ,therefore1 while there is yet time and the arrow is in the bow1 enter ye the chase and strike ye the game4 ,this game is the good-pleasure of ,god1 and this chase is the merciful ,providence2 that is1 living in accord with the divine instructions4 8,o ,thou ,pure ,god64440 ,o ,thou ,pure ,god6 ,thou art the ,seer and the ,hearer6 ,thou art the ,powerful and the ,mighty6 ,the fame of ,thy ,most ,great ,cause hath traveled forth and radiated from all the horizons6 ,the believers have attracted to the ,face of that ,brilliant ,orb4 ,the tongues are engaged in ,thy ,commemoration and the hearts are at all times dilated with the ,fragrances of ,thy ,holiness4 ,the faces are all turned toward ,thee2 the hearts are captive of ,thy ,abode1 and the souls are athirst for the ,salubrious ,water of ,thy ,river4 ,the call of ,thy ,greatest ,name hath caused a mighty reverberation throughout all the kingdoms1 and the ,power of ,thy ,consummate ,word hath unfurled ,thy ,ensign to the ,east and to the ,west6 ,the favored ones supplicate with the utmost humility1 and the righteous ones are in an attitude of soulful invocation to the ,kingdom of ,beauty4 ,o my ,god6 ,assist ,thou all of them and pour upon them the showers of ,thy ,supreme ,confirmations2 so that they may become the cause of the tranquility of the world of creation2 to be the servants of the human race2 to become1 with all their hearts and souls1 the real friends of all nations2 to become with the utmost joy and fragrance1 the spiritual companions of the adherents of all religions2 to dispel the darkness of strangeness and to spread the lights of friendship in this transitory world6 ,o ,god6 ,grant ,thou to all of them an ,asylum in ,thy ,neighborhood and gladden their hearts and impart to them rejoicing through ,thine ,incomparable bounties6 ,thou are the ,omnipotent and the ,mighty6 ,thou art the ,seer and the ,hearer6 8,o ye real companions6 ,day and night ,abdul-,baha4440 ,o ye real companions6 ,day and night ,abdul-,baha is engaged in the remembrances of the friends1 and time after time doth he associate with them and behold their blessed faces4 ,i entreat in the ,threshold of the ,lord of ,existence to confrim them in a befitting manner and assist them to follow wholly the ,commands of ,god6 ,o ye friends of ,god6 ,according to what is heard1 some of the friends have celebrated my birthday in some countries on the fifth of ,zamadi-,avval 7#bcrd day of ,may74 ,although their intention is no other than good1 their aim be to promote the ,word of ,god and to commemorate the ,true ,one among the people in this manner1 yet1 according to the text of the ,religion of ,god and the irrefutable command1 the fifth of ,zamadi-,avval 7,may #bcrd7 is the day of the ,declaration of ,his ,highness the ,supreme 7the ,bab7--may my life be a sacrifice to ,him6 ,consequently1 they must celebrate and adorn that ,blessed ,day in the name of the ,declaration of that ,orb of regions2 make rejoicing and happiness1 and impart the glad-tidings of heavenly beatitude to each other4 ,for that holy essence was the ,herald of the ,most ,great ,name4 ,therefore1 no one must mention that day of the fifth of ,zamadi-,avval 7,may #bcrd7 except as the ,day of the ,declaration of ,his ,highness the ,bab4 ,this is the unquestionable text of the ,religion of ,god4 ,regarding the birth of this servant1 which also happened on that day1 this is a proof of the favors and bounties of ,god toward this servant4 ,however1 this ,blessed ,day must become known as the ,day of the ,declaration of ,his ,highness the ,supreme 7,bab7 and the beginning of the effulgence of the ,sun of ,reality4 ,you must on this account be engaged in rejoicing1 happiness and gladness4 ,this is the truth6 ,beware6 ,beware6 that you avoid that which is mentioned2 otherwise1 it will cause the utmost grief to the heart of ,abdul-,baha4 ,i ask from the inexhaustible bounties of ,his ,highness the ,almighty1 that the righteous ones become assisted to live in accord with the ,religion of ,god2 neither do they deviate a hair's breadth therefrom2 and spread this ,tablet throughout all regions1 so that all the friends may comprehend the truth and act accordingly4 8,o ye beloved of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful64440 ,o ye beloved of ,god and maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,the republic of wise men believes that the difference in minds and opinions is due to the difference of education and the acquisition of ethics4 ,that is1 that minds are equal in origin1 but education and the acquisition of ethics cause minds to differ and comprehensions to be at variance2 that this difference is not in entity but in education and teaching2 that there is no individual distinction for any soul4 ,hence1 the members of the human race all possess the capacity of attaining to the highest station1 and the proof they adduce therefor is this3 8,the inhabitants of a country like ,africa are all as wandering savages and wild animals2 they lack intelligence and knowledge2 all are uncivilized2 not one civilized and wise man is to be found among them4 ,on the contrary1 consider the civilized countries1 the inhabitants of which are living in the highest state of culture and ethics1 solidarity and inter-dependence2 possessing1 with few exceptions1 acute power of comprehensions and sound mind4 ,therefore1 it is made clear and evident that the superiority and inferiority of minds and comprehensions arises from education and cultivation1 or from their lack and absence4 ,a bent branch is straightened by training and the wild fruit of the jungle is made the product of the orchard4 ,an ignorant man by learning becomes knowing1 and the world of savagery1 through the bounty of a wise educator1 is changed into a civilized kingdom4 ,the sick is healed by medication1 and the poor man1 by learning the arts of commerce1 is made rich4 ,the follower1 by attaining the virtues of the leader1 becomes great1 and the lowly man1 by the education of the teacher1 rises from the nadir of oblivion to the zenith of celebrity40 ,these are the proofs of the wise men4 ,the prophets also acknowledge this opinion1 towit3 ,that education hath a great effect upon the human race1 but they declare that minds and comprehensions are originally different4 ,and this matter is self-evident2 it cannot be refuted4 ,we see that certain children of the same age1 nativity and race1 nay1 from the same household1 under the tutorship of one teacher1 differ in their minds and comprehensions4 ,one advanceth rapidly1 another is slow in catching the rays of culture1 still another remaineth in the lowest degree of stupidity4 ,no matter how much the shell is educated 7or polished71 it can never become the radiant pearl4 ,the black stone will not become the world illumining gem4 ,the calocynth7#bfg7 and the thorny cactus can never by training and development become the blessed tree4 ,that is to say1 training doth not change the human gem 7i4e41 human nature or entity71 but it produceth a marvelous effect4 ,by this effective power all that is registered latent of virtues and capacities in the human reality will be revealed4 ,cultivation by the farmer maketh of the grain the harvest1 and the effort of the gardener maketh of the seed a noble tree4 ,the gentle teacher promoteth the children of the school to the lofty altitude and the bestowal of the trainer placeth the little child upon the throne of ether4 ,therefore1 it is demonstrated and proven that minds are different in the original entity or nature1 and that education commandeth a decided and great influence4 ,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 shall1 be held responsible and worthy of reproach in the presence of the stern ,lord4 ,this is a sin unpardonable1 for they have made that poor babe a wanderer in the ,sahara of ignorance1 unfortunate and tormented2 to remain during a lifetime a captive of ignorance and pride1 negligent and without discernment4 ,verily1 if that babe depart from this world at the age of infancy1 it is sweeter and better4 ,in this sense1 death is better than life2 deprivation than salvation2 non-existence lovelier than existence2 the grave better than the spacious1 regal home2 for in the sight of mankind that child is abased and degraded and in the sight of ,god weak and defective4 in gatherings it is ashamed and humiliated and in the arena of examination subdued and defeated by young and old4 ,what a mistake is this6 ,what an everlasting humiliation6 ,therefore1 the beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful must train their children with life and heart and teach them in the school of virtue and perfection4 ,they must not be lax in the matter2 they must not be inefficient4 ,truly1 if a babe did not live at all it were better than to let it grow ignorant1 for that innocent babe1 in later life1 would become afflicted with innumerable defects1 responsible to and questioned by ,god1 reproached and rejected by the people4 ,what a sin this would be and what an omission6 the first duty of the beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful is this3 ,they must strive by all possible means to educate both sexes1 male and female2 girls like boys2 there is no difference whatsoever between them4 ,the ignorance of both is blameworthy1 and negligence in both cases is reprovable4 8,are they who know and they who do not know equal80 7,koran7 ,the command is decisive concerning both4 ,if it be considered through the eye of reality1 the training and culture of daughters is more necessary than that of sons1 for these girls will come to the station of motherhood and will mould the lives of the children4 ,the first trainer of the child is the mother4 ,the babe1 like unto a green and tender branch1 will grow according to the way it is trained4 ,if the training be right1 it will grow right1 and if crooked1 the growth likewise1 and unto the end of life it will conduct itself accordingly4 ,hence1 it is firmly established that an untrained and uneducated daughter1 on becoming a mother1 will be the prime factor in the deprivation1 ignorance1 negligence and the lack of training of many children4 ,o ye beloved of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,teaching and learning1 according to the decisive texts of the ,blessed ,beauty 7,baha'o'llah71 is a duty4 ,whosover is indifferent therein depriveth himself of the great bounty4 ,beware6 ,beware6 that ye fail not in this matter4 ,endeavor with heart1 with life1 to train your children1 especially the daughters4 ,no excuse is acceptable in this matter4 ,thus may eternal glory and everlasting supremacy1 like unto the mid-day sun1 shine forth in the assemblage of the people of ,baha'1 and the heart of ,abdul-,baha become happy and thankful4 8,o pure friends of ,god64440 ,o pure friends of ,god6 ,cleanliness and sanctity in all conditions are the characteristics of pure beings and necessities of free souls4 ,the first perfection consists in cleanliness and sanctity and in purity from every defect4 ,when man in all conditions is pure and immaculate1 he will become the center of the reflection of the manifest ,light4 ,in all his actions and conduct there must first be purity1 then beauty and independence4 ,the channel must be cleansed before it is filled with sweet water4 ,the pure eye comprehendeth the sight and the meeting of ,god2 the pure nostril inhaleth the perfumes of the rose-garden of bounty2 the pure heart becometh the mirror of the beauty of truth4 ,this is why1 in the heavenly ,books1 the divine counsels and commands have been compared to water4 ,so1 in the ,koran it is said1 8and we have caused a pure water to descend from heaven20 and in the ,gospel1 8,except a man hath received the baptism of water and of the spirit1 he cannot enter into the ,kingdom of ,god40 ,then it is evident that the divine teachings are the heavenly grace and the showers of the mercy of ,god1 which purify the hearts of men4 ,the meaning is1 in all conditions1 cleanliness and sanctity1 purity and delicacy exalt humanity and make the contingent beings progress4 ,even when applied to physical things1 delicacy causeth the attainment of spirituality1 as it is established in the ,holy ,scriptures4 ,external cleanliness1 although it is but a physical thin1 hath a great influence upon spirituality4 ,for example1 although sound is but the vibrations of the air which affect the tympanum of the ear1 and vibrations of the air are but an accident among the accidents which depend upon the air1 consider how much marvelous notes or a charming song influence the spirits6 ,a wonderful song giveth wings to the spirit and filleth the heart with exalteth4 ,to return to the subject1 the fact of having a pure and spotless body likewise exerciseth an influence upon the spirit of man4 ,now1 see how much purity is approved in the ,court of ,god1 that it should be especially mentioned in the ,holy ,books of the ,prophets4 ,so the ,holy ,books forbid the eating of any unclean thing1 or the use of anything which is not pure4 ,certain prohibitions are absolute and imperative for all3 he who commits that which is forbidden is detested by ,god and excluded from the number of the elect4 ,this applieth to the things forbidden by an absolute prohibition and of which the perpetration is a grave sin2 they are so vile that even to mention them is shameful4 ,there are other forbidden things which do not cause an immediate evil and of which the pernicious effect is only gradually produced4 ,they are also abhorred1 blamed and rejected by ,god1 but their prohibition is not recorded in an absolute way1 although cleanliness and sanctity1 spotlessness and purity1 the preservation of health and independence are required by these interdictions4 ,one of these last prohibitions is the smoking of tobacco1 which is unclean1 malodorous1 disagreeable and vulgar and of which the gradual harmfulness is universally recognized4 ,all clever physicians have judged1 and have also shown by experiment1 that one of the constituents of tobacco is a mortal poison and that smokers are exposed to different indispositions and maladies4 ,that is why cleanly people have a marked aversion for its use4 ,his ,supreme ,highness 7the ,bab7--may my soul be ,his sacrifice6 --in the beginning of ,his ,cause1 openly forbade it and all the friends abandoned its use4 ,but1 as it was a time for caution and he who abstained from smoking was ill treated1 persecuted and even killed1 therefore the friends were obliged1 as a matter of prudence1 to smoke4 later1 the ,kitab-el-,akdas was revealed and as the prohibition of tobacco was not clearly stated in it1 the friends did not renounce it4 ,but the ,blessed ,perfection had always a marked aversion for its use4 ,at the beginning of the ,cause1 for certain reasons1 he smoked a little1 but later he abandoned it completely1 and the holy souls who obeyed him in all circumstances1 also entirely gave up smoking4 ,i wish to say that1 in the sight of ,god1 the smoking of tobacco is a thing which is blamed and condemned1 very unclean1 and of which the result is by degrees injurious4 ,besides it is a cause of expense and of loss of time and it is a harmful habit4 ,so1 for those who are firm in the ,covenant1 it is a thing reprobated by the reason and by tradition1 the renouncement of which giveth gradual repose and tranquility1 permitteth one to have stainless hands and a clean mouth1 and hair which is not pervaded by a bad odor4 ,without any doubt1 the friends of ,god on receiving this epistle will renounce this injurious by all means1 even if it be necessary to do so by degrees4 ,this is my hope4 ,as to the question of opium1 disgusting and execrated1 ,i resign myself to ,god for its punishment4 ,the formal text of the ,kitab-el-,akdas forbids and reproves it and1 according to reason1 its use leads to madness4 ,experience hath shown that he who giveth himself up to it is completely excluded from the world of humanity4 ,let us take refuge in ,god against the perpetration of so shameful a thing1 which is the destruction of the foundations of humanity and which causeth a perpetual unhappiness4 ,it taketh possession of the soul of man1 killeth the reason1 weakeneth the intelligence1 maketh a living man dead and extinguisheth the natural heat4 ,it is impossible to imagine anything more pernicious4 ,happy is he who never mentioneth the word opium6 ,but what is the fate of those who make use of it6 ,o friends of ,god6 ,force and violence1 constraint and oppression are condemned in this divine cycle1 but to prevent the use of opium1 all means must be employed1 so that the human species may be delivered and freed from this great calamity4 ,otherwise1 alas6 for all the negligent before ,god4 ,o ,lord6 ,give to the people of ,baha' cleanliness and holiness in all conditions1 purify and free them from all defilement1 deliver them from the use of all that is execrated1 liberate them from the chains of habits1 so that they may be pure and free1 clean and spotless1 that they may be worthy servants of the ,sacred ,threshold and may deserve to enter into relation with ,god4 ,deliver them from alcohol and tobacco1 and save them from opium1 the purveyor of madness6 ,make them companions of the holy breezes1 in order that they may know the pleasures of the wine of the love of ,god1 and that they may attain to the joy and the happiness of attraction to the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,hast ,thou not said1 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 spirit1 a cup full as the sea60 ,o friends of ,god6 ,experience hath shown how much the renouncing of tobacco1 wine and opium1 giveth health1 strength and intellectual enjoyments1 penetration of judgment and physical vigor4 ,there exists today a tribe7#bfh7 which refrains and abstains from tobacco1 alcohol and opium and it completely excels all others in power1 in bravery1 in health1 beauty and grace4 ,a single one of these men can withstand ten men of other tribes1 and this hath been universally proved2 that is to say1 generally1 the individuals of this tribe are superior to the individuals of the other tribes4 ,therefore strive that the greatest cleanliness and sanctity1 which is the great desire of ,abdul-,baha1 should be resplendent among the ,bahais1 and that the companions of ,god should surpass the rest of mankind in all conditions and perfections2 that they may be physically and morally superior to others2 that through cleanliness and purity1 refinement and health1 they may be the chief of wise men1 and that by their affranchisement1 their prudence1 and the control of their desires1 they may be the princes of the pure1 the free and the wise4 ,upon you be the glory of ,el-,abha6 8,o ye two 1 servant and maid-servant of the ,beauty of4440 ,o ye two7#bfi71 servant and maid-servant of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,thank ye ,his ,highness the ,incomparable ,one1 that ye have become assisted in the service of the self-subsistent ,lord and that ye are making copies of the ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha1 spreading them all around4 ,this service is the most great bounty2 for like unto the messenger from ,egypt1 ye are sending the garment of the ,joseph of the love of ,god to all directions1 so that the fragrance of the rose-garden of the ,kingdom of ,abha impart the spirit of life to the inquirers4 ,excellent6 ,excellent is your magnanimity and exalted intention6 8,o thou who art skilled in the ,knowledge of ,god and4440 ,o thou who art skilled in the ,knowledge of ,god and wise in the ,wisdom of the ,almighty6 ,turn thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,might with supplication and invocation and entreat thy ,lord1 the ,merciful1 with this commune1 until the heart and consciousness be illumined by the breath of ,god from the right side of grace and generosity1 and say3 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,verily ,i am ,thy humble servant and ,thy meek slave4 ,i beseech ,thee with all my heart and soul1 in the middle of nights1 and declare3 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,enlighten the sights or eyes by the outpouring of lights2 purify the souls by the fragrances of ,paradise2 dilate the hearts by the wafting of the breeze whereby the sorrows are dispelled1 and exhilarate the spirits by the cups of the wine which is gleaming and sparkling like unto a lamp6 8,then intoxicate me with the wine of ,thy love1 so that ,i may attain to success and prosperity in this dawn of ,light2 may speak ,thy praises1 call upon ,thy ,name1 be engaged in ,thy commemoration in this vast country and spacious continent and be inebriated with the pure ,wine which is glowing in the excellent ,cup4 ,then suffer me to become the sign of guidance among ,thy creatures and to become a supreme example among the believers1 in order that ,i may lead others to ,thy ,word1 spread ,thy truth1 promulgate ,thy knowledge and deliver ,thy teachings4 8,verily1 ,thou art the ,confirmer1 the ,assister1 the ,mighty1 the ,powerful and the ,beneficent60 8,o seeker for the ,truth64440 ,o seeker for the ,truth6 ,there are two ways of healing sickness1 material means and spiritual means4 ,the first is by the use of remedies1 of medicines2 the second consists in praying to ,god and in turning to ,him4 ,both means should be used and practiced4 ,illness caused by physical accident should be treated 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 by spiritual rather than by physical treatment4 ,hence1 both kinds of remedies should be considered4 ,moreover1 they are not contradictory1 and thou shouldst accept the physical remedies as coming from the mercy and favor 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 divine 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 ,god4l ,guard them sacredly4 8,o thou darling dear64440 ,o thou darling dear6 ,turn thy face toward the ,supreme ,kingdom and chant thou this commune3 ,o ,thou ,pure ,god6 ,i am a little child2 make ,thou the bosom of ,thy ,gift a dear resting-place of comfort1 suffer me to grow and be nurtured with the honey and the milk of ,thy love and train me under the breast of ,thy knowledge2 bestow ,thou freedom while in a state of childhood and grant ,thou excellence6 ,o ,thou ,incomparable ,one6 ,make me the confident of the ,kingdom of the ,unseen6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,mighty and the ,powerful6 ,o ,unequalled ,lord67#bgj7 ,for this helpless child be a ,protector2 for this weak and sinful one be kind and forgiving4 ,o ,creator6 ,although we are but useless grass1 still we are of ,thy garden2 though we are but young trees1 bare of leaves and blossoms1 still we are of ,thy orchard2 therefore1 nourish this grass with the rain of ,thy county2 refresh and vivify these young1 languishing trees with the breeze of ,thy spiritual springtime4 ,awaken us1 enlighten us1 sustain us1 give us eternal life and accept us into ,thy ,kingdom6 8,o thou worshipper of ,truth64440 ,o thou worshipper of ,truth6 ,thy letter was received and its contents became known4 ,praise be to ,god6 immense results and great effect have been produced by forwarding recent ,tablets to that country 7,america74 ,they gladdened and exhilarated the friends and imparted happiness to the souls4 ,they granted sight to the eyes and hearing to the ears4 ,it is hoped that wonderful effects will be displayed in the future1 that the friends of ,god may live and act in accord with the heavenly teachings1 in order that the region of ,america may become the ,paradise of ,abha1 that desert and wilderness become the rose-garden of human perfections1 the verses of guidance be read1 the melody of 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 reach the ,kingdom of ,beauty2 warfare and bloodshed be removed from among the people1 affinity and love hoist their tent upon the apex of the world1 all mankind become real friends with one another and each soul respect the other4 ,whenever these signs appear1 then it will become manifest that the ,tablets have had their effect4 8,o thou whose face is radiant with the light of the ,love4440 ,o thou whose face is radiant with the light of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 the angel of mercy heralds to thee the glad-tidings which are the light of the eyes of the sincere believers and the illumination of the countenance of the virtuous and pious4 ,rest assured in ,god6 ,engage in commemoration of ,god2 be aglow with the fire of the love of ,god and be severed from all else save ,god4 ,this is the spirit of life for the soul who is submissive to the ,word of ,god4 8,o thou yearner after ,truth64440 ,o thou yearner after ,truth6 ,i know in what condition thou art1 and how much thou longest for the meeting4 ,the real meeting consists in the communication of heart4 ,i hope that this communication will become strong1 for the hearts which are spiritually related to each other1 their meetings are eternal1 both in this world and in the ,universe of ,god4 ,i hope that thou mayest attain thereunto6 8,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou yearner after the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received4 ,it was brief and expressive of meaning4 ,i ask from ,god that thy name be registered in the ,tablet of the ,kingdom2 that thou be assisted by the merciful confirmation2 become characterized with divine characteristics1 and that thou mayest become a tree with the utmost freshness and delicacy in the orchard of ,god4 8,o thou flower of the ,rose-garden of ,god64440 ,o thou flower of the ,rose-garden of ,god6 ,thou hast presented thy life4 ,i have also accepted it1 in order that thou mayest sacrifice thyself in the path of ,god and attain to the ultimate desire of the spiritual ones4 ,thou art a fresh plant in this divine orchard4 ,i hope that thou mayest become fruitful1 and become the cause of the adornment of this rose-garden4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy letter was received4 ,thou hast written regarding the visit of the beloved maid-servant of ,god1 the attracted one to the fragrance of holiness1 ,mrs4 4444444441 to ,california1 which hath been the cause of affinity among the friends and the guidance of others4 ,mrs4 444444444 is the favored maid-servant of the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,in reality she is the daughter of the ,kingdom and is an informed speaker4 ,have ye the utmost consideration toward her and show her exceeding respect4 ,should anyone in this day attach his heart to the ,kingdom1 release himself from all else save ,god and become attracted to the fragrances of holiness1 the army of the ,kingdom of ,abha will help him and the angels of the ,supreme ,concourse will assist him4 ,convey my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 444444444 ,i sought for her protection and bounty from the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,regarding the question of your presence in ,acca now1 it is not according to wisdom4 ,postpone this matter to some other time4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,thou hast written regarding the death of thy mother4 ,praise be to ,god1 she hath attained to the desire of her heart and hath ascended to the ,kingdom of ,abha6 ,happiness dependeth of the spiritual glad-tidings and not upon material means4 ,it is found in the ,kingdom of ,abha and not in this mortal world4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,become thou not extinguished by the winds of tests1 but rather become ignited and be more happy1 for then thou wilt become a tried believer4 ,guide the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444444441 to the power of the ,holy ,spirit and say3 8,unless the ,holy ,spirit become intermediary1 one cannot attain directly to the bounties of ,god4 ,do not overlook the obvious truths1 for it is a self-evident fact that a child cannot be instructed without a teacher1 and knowledge is a bounty from the bounties of ,god4 ,the soil is not covered with grass and green without the rain of the cloud2 therefore the cloud is the intermediary between the divine bounties and the soil4 ,a body doth not develop and grow without the soul2 therefore the soul is the medium of the spiritual life40 ,convey respectful greeting to ,mrs4 444444444 and say3 8,i hope that through the breath of the ,holy ,spirit the mysteries may become disclosed to thee1 for without this channel it is impossible and unattainable4 ,turn thine attention to the days of ,his ,highness the ,christ2 some people imagine that without the ,messianic outpourings1 it is possible to attain to ,truth1 but this very imagination became the cause of their deprivation40 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,whenever thou art desiring to talk and answer questions1 turn thy face toward the ,kingdom of ,abha and beseech for assistance2 then loosen thy tongue4 ,thou wilt behold at that time how thou art able to answer all the questions6 o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the aim of the theosophists is to attain to ,truth1 but the ,truth is unattainable except through the favor of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,the light hath a center and if one desire to seek it otherwise but from the center1 he can never attain to it4 ,in this solar system the source of light is the sun and every light is acquired from it2 even the lamps of the night are ignited through the sun1 for if there were no sun the trees would not grow nor the mines develop1 so that the oil be extracted from those trees and mines1 and the lamps of the night be lit by it4 ,is it possible that one attain to the light in this globular sphere without the mediation of the sun8 ,no1 by the life of ,god6 ,to suppose it1 is pure imagination4 ,but the ,truth is this3 ,the main source of the lights is the ,sun and the rays are shed from it upon all the regions4 8,o ye spiritual ones6 ,o ye heavenly ones64440 ,o ye7#bga7 spiritual ones6 ,o ye heavenly ones6 ,the assembly which you have established in that city is a splendor from the congregation of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,i ask from ,god that the hearts may be illuminated1 the spirits be rejoiced through the most great glad-tidings1 the eyes be upraised toward the ,supreme ,realm and the tongues be loosened in thanksgiving and glorification4 ,the members of that assembly are favored in the ,threshold of ,oneness and are loved and respected by this imprisoned one4 ,they must continue to teach with utmost firmness1 be engaged in the mentioning of the ,true ,one1 read the verses of ,god1 supplicate toward the ,kingdom of eternity1 bring about the meetings of consultation17#bgb7 and spread the ,word of ,god1 the spiritual attraction of the love of ,god1 the increase of the knowledge of ,god and the realization of affinity1 friendship1 unison and nobility4 8,o ye servants of the ,true ,one and the maid-servants4440 ,o ye7#bgc7 servants of the ,true ,one and the maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,do not think that ye are forgotten for one moment6 ,abdul-,baha is at all times remembering you with infinite love and kindness and supplicates assistance and favor1 at the ,threshold of ,oneness1 so that the invisible confirmation may pour down1 the divine bounties unveil their countenances1 the friends in that region be ignited like unto lamps and the maid-servants of ,god shine like stars2 in order to illumine that country1 to make that clime the 8,paradise of perpetual abode0 or heaven1 to suffer the people to drink from the wine of guidance1 to intoxicate the ones yearning after the ,kingdom of ,abha1 to open spiritual universities1 to be instructed in the mysteries of the love of ,god by the ,heavenly ,instructor1 to associate with each other with the utmost humility and attain to spiritual affinity4 ,each one must sacrifice his life and possessions to the other and each person be loving to all the inhabitants of the world1 rending asunder the curtain of foreignness and consorting with all the people with union and accord4 ,they must be faithful to the traitors and benevolent to the tyrant4 ,they must recognize the enemies as friends1 the unknown as known4 ,these are the advices and exhortations of ,god6 ,o ye friends3 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,in order to thank ,god for this most great guidance1 consort with all the people with the utmost joy and happiness1 so that ye may become the recipients of the glances of ,providence4 ,become ye not sad on account of any calamity1 neither be ye broken hearted by any trials4 ,be ye firm and steadfast in order that the beloved may become the cup-bearer of the assembly and the greatest desire become realized4 ,blessing be upon ye by the bounty of your ,lord the ,merciful6 8,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord64440 7#bgd7 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 7#bge7 ,i am a child of tender years4 ,nourish me from the breast of ,thy mercy1 train me in the bosom of ,thy love1 educate me in the school of ,thy guidance and develop me under the shadow of ,thy bounty6 ,deliver me from darkness1 make me a brilliant light2 free me from unhappiness1 make me a flower of the rose-garden2 suffer me to become the servant of ,thy ,threshold and confer upon me the disposition and nature of the righteous ones2 make me a cause of bounty to the human world and crown my head with the diadem of eternal life6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,mighty1 the ,seer1 the ,hearer6 8,thou hast written concerning the universal peace14440 7#bgf7 ,thou hast written concerning the universal peace1 that before long the congress of ,the ,hague will be opened7#bgg7 and discussion will be made in regard to the universal peace4 ,this problem cannot be solved by the congress of ,the ,hague1 whose members are the representatives of nations2 nay1 rather1 this graceful beloved will unveil her face in all the regions through the penetrative power of the ,word of ,god4 ,the congress of ,the ,hague is as follows3 ,the wine sellers call a meeting so that they may discuss the evils of wine and remove from the world the drinking of wine2 yet their own vocation is wine selling4 ,nations who are constantly thinking wither of worldly conquest1 the expansion of their own dominion or waging war upon their contemporaries1 send ministers and representatives to the congress of ,the ,hague to discuss the problem of universal peace and legislative registrations for the prevention of war6 ,but regarding the universal language3 ,ere long significance and scientific discussions concerning this matter will arise among the people of discernment and insight and it will produce the desired result4 8,o thou who art attracted by the brilliant lights of the4440 ,o thou who art attracted by the brilliant lights of the ,merciful ,one1 shining from the ,supreme ,kingdom6 ,i opened thy letter with the greatest happiness and considered the meaning of thine address2 but sadness became most intense within me when ,i learned about the dissensions among the brethren7#bgh7 in those countries4 ,by the life of ,god6 8,this is a wonderful thing60 ,verily1 the mission of all the prophets1 the relation of all the scriptures1 the diffusion of the instructions of ,god and the descent of ,his law1 were all in order to establish agreement and union and to strengthen love and harmony among nations of different customs and thoughts1 of diverse beliefs1 doctrines1 rites and habits2 of various classes1 tribes and races4 ,so likewise1 as thou seest in this beautiful religion1 verily1 men of different beliefs1 creeds and religions1 of contrary ideas and thoughts1 of various races1 languages and natal lands--whether from ,east1 ,west1 ,north or ,south--all have entered under the shade of this ,blessed ,tree1 planted1 grown and reared in the midst of ,paradise1 and are formed into a single nation and religion in mutual union and agreement1 ready to sacrifice their souls and bodies1 each to the other4 ,this harmony is not effected but through the influence of the ,word of ,god and is circulated and spread in all directions among the believers of ,god1 who are firm in the ,covenant4 ,the dissensions prevailing in those parts 7,america7 is altogether too surprising and strange2 and ,i entreat ,god to purge it out through thy power of unity and oneness and unite the congregations and gather together the dispersed multitude4 verily1 ,he is powerful in all things6 ,but for thee1 leave such matters and disturbances and withdraw from those districts and places and turn thy face sincerely to ,god2 take ,his instructions and be expanded through the breaths of god4 ,the ,spirit of ,god shall assist thee and ,his angels will confirm thee2 the life of holiness of ,god will be breathed into thy mouth and thou wilt find thyself in a position free from these ideas and thoughts resulting from worldly grades4 7,verily1 these are disgraces to all who are in the habit of reading the verses of unity in the assemblies of existence67 ,seize the opportunity1 use every effort and depend not upon circumstances which produce no fruits4 ,spend thy days1 with all joy and fragrance1 in speaking to the praise of ,god1 being gladdened through ,his good tidings1 in rejoicing through ,his graces and in spreading ,his breaths4 ,then thou shalt1 with the eye of joy1 see the banners of the ,covenant fluttering above all stately mansions4 ,verily1 ,god effecteth that which ,he pleaseth2 naught can annul ,his ,covenant2 naught can obstruct ,his favor nor oppose ,his ,cause6 ,he doeth with ,his will that which pleaseth ,him and ,he is powerful over all things6 ,at that time thou wilt find the waverers in manifest loss4 ,as for the instructions3 ,they will be revealed to thee and spread all through all those regions by the translation of the divine verses4 ,as for the symbol of the cross1 appointed in former times3 ,know verily1 that the cross form is a wonderful figure and consists of two right lines placed crosswise--one perpendicular to the other--and this figure exists in all things4 ,meditate upon these words and pay attention to the tissue in all existing substances1 either plant1 animal or man1 and thou wilt see that they all are formed of the cross figure or two crosswise lines4 ,consider this intently with true meditation4 ,then thou wilt be taught by the ,holy ,ghost that it is for this reason that ,god hath chosen this symbol to be displayed as the token of sacrifice in all periods of the ages4 ,i will explain to thee1 in future time1 the mystery of sacrifice4 ,there is nothing more beautiful than this tree united with the cross4 ,verily1 this tree is a type of the ,tree of ,life inconjunction with the cross2 in this1 the mystery of sacrifice4 as for the crescent3 ,it hath reference to the beginning of the religion of ,god which shall grow to be a full moon4 ,as for the stars3 ,they are types of the guides2 for1 verily1 the star is a guide to people1 even in the most gloomy darkness1 on both land and sea4 ,in former centuries1 people were aided by the pole-star in whatever direction they went4 ,verily1 ,i supplicate ,god to raise the instrument of sacrifice in those regions and to reveal there the mystery of sacrifice2 to cause the crescent of the religion of ,god to rise until it groweth into a shining full moon2 to brighten the stars of guidance and guide all through it2 and ,i beseech ,him to assist those brethren to promote ,his ,word in those most distant places1 cause them to be servants to ,his precious olive-garden1 keepers of ,his inaccessible fortress and guides to his straight path6 ,may glory be unto thee and unto them6 8,o thou who art illuminated by the ,light of ,knowledge64440 ,o thou who art illuminated by the ,light of ,knowledge6 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,god and supplicate ,him to increase thine assurance1 thy knowledge and thine attraction and enkindlement by the fire of the love of ,god1 day by day4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,clothe thyself with the cuirass of assurance1 so that thou mayest endure the arrows of suspicion which are successively pouring from the tongues of the heedless ones4 ,be a lamp1 the light of which may dispel the darkness1 and a real standard which may remove the doubts of the veiled people4 ,turn thou unto the ,kingdom of thy ,lord1 the ,ancient1 and seek for confirmation at every moment and time1 so that lights may shine forth unto thee from the kingdom of mysteries1 and the angels of the ,kingdom may come unto thee in succession1 with a power from the ,realm of ,might4 ,verily1 thy ,lord shall assist thee and strengthen thee in that whereby thy breast will be dilated among the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one6 8,o thou who art gazing toward ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o thou who art gazing toward ,abdul-,baha6 ,now ,i address thee with a heart filled with affection toward thee1 and say3 8,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,be a flame of the fire of the love of ,god1 and consume the veils of women's doubts4 ,and know thou that1 verily1 the ,lord who 8doeth whatsoever ,he willeth0 will assist thee in proof and argument and will enable thee to speak the praise of the ,merciful ,one and will make thee a sign of knowledge4 8,arise to serve the ,cause of ,god in the vineyard of ,god and water the developed and flourishing trees with the waters of mysteries which are deposited in the innermost parts of the words of the ,books2 and be assured that the fountain of assurance will gush out in the hearts of the firm and steadfast women believers1 and the divine graces will strengthen them from all sides1 and the ,lord will enable them to diffuse the fragrances4 ,and ,he will make them manifest signs1 beaming stars1 shining lights1 fruitful trees1 flowing fountains1 perfect words and mature proofs4 ,then know thou that verily ,abdul-,baha is between the fangs of the dragon of afflictions and in the grasp of dangers night and day40 ,as to ye1 ,o maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one3 8,gird up your loins in union and harmony1 so that the ,lord may strengthen your backs in ,his mighty ,kingdom1 make you servants in ,his excellent vineyard1 raise you to the highest stations in this glorious age1 and cause you to reach your greatest hopes in this auspicious day40 ,address thou the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one1 and say3 8,verily1 ,mary ,magdalene was a villager1 but on account of her keeping firm in the ,cause of ,christ after ,his death1 she was rendered successful in such a matter1 whereby her face is shining and beaming forth on the horizon of the universe forevermore6 ,and she surpassed even men in defending the fortress of the ,cause of ,god against the attack of the hosts of suspicions4 ,this is indeed a glorious condition6 ,this is indeed a great matter6 ,this is indeed a manifest light60 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,spirit of ,truth64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,spirit of ,truth6 ,at this moment ,i remember thee1 while the cup of my tongue is overflowing with the wine of ,god's praise1 and ,i address thee in a spirit whereby the hearts of all the creation are cheerfully moved4 ,know thou1 verily1 the ,spirit hath indeed so surrounded my limbs that it moveth them as it willeth and my tongue uttereth the most wonderful speech and most sweet words while addressing thee1 so that thou mayest be moved by these holy fragrances which perfume all regions1 and be dilated with joy by this address1 which is revealed because of my abundant love for thee and my excessive kindness and great affection unto thee4 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 verily the ,holy ,spirit breathes in this day unto the hearts which are moving1 beating1 pure and attracted by the love of ,god4 ,abandon thou every occupation and be engaged in the affairs of thy ,lord and serve the ,spirit of ,truth which hath poured a spiritual1 divine and everlasting life upon the brilliant hearts4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,by ,god1 the ,true ,one1 verily the crown of mighty gift is suspended betwixt heaven and earth and the angels of holiness are awaiting a lofty head which may be worthy of this great bestowal1 so that it may descend upon that head1 and that it may wear that glorious crown1 the most precious gems of which illumine the eyes of all in the world6 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,many a spiritual woman came 7into the world7 and passed away in vain2 no sound is heard of them and no trace of them is seen2 inasmuch as their spirits were not dependent upon the ,holy ,spirit1 nor were they attracted to the fragrances of ,truth2 nor were they ever baptized by the ,water of ,life1 not by the ,spirit of ,truth which speaketh in the assemblies of the ,kingdom and which breathes upon spirits the breezes which waft an eternal glory1 the signs of which are everlasting4 8,o thou who art attracted to the call of the ,lord of the4440 ,o thou who art attracted to the call of the ,lord of the ,kingdom6 ,know thou1 verily1 the ,kingdom is a magnet of the divine world1 and it attracteth the iron of pure hearts which are capable of the bounties of the ,lord of ,might4 ,blessed art thou1 for thou hast turned unto the ,lord of ,heaven1 thy heart hath depended upon the ,light of ,guidance1 thou hast advanced toward the ,center of ,righteousness1 and thy spirit is cheered by the abundance of the ,supreme ,concourse6 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,god to strengthen thee with 8,one ,mighty in ,power10 so that the spirit may pour upon thee the teachings of the ,beauty of ,el-,abha1 and to baptize thee with the water of life1 the fire of the love of ,god1 and with the spirit of confirmation1 among maid-servants4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to supplicate thy ,lord1 to seek ,his nearness with thy heart1 to be submissive and humble before ,his maid-servants1 and to serve ,his great vineyard4 forsake the mortal grades1 i4e41 things of the world1 and be engaged in praising thy ,lord1 so that ,his ,holy ,spirit may assist thee1 may make thee a sign of faith and illumine thy heart with the light of assurance and that thou mayest become a sign of peace and a servant of reconciliation1 love and security4 ,verily1 my ,merciful ,lord is gracious under all aspects6 ,as to thy question concerning ,christ0 ,know thou1 ,he was perfect in respect to spirit as well as body4 ,his material 7body7 was a perfect body in every respect2 none of ,his material conditions were imperfect4 ,his heavenly condition was also a perfect at all1 inasmuch as imperfection is contrary to perfection4 ,his heavenly condition was also a perfect one1 comprising all the divine perfections4 ,reflect thou upon these words1 so that the door of knowledge may be opened before thy face4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god who art attracted to the4440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,speak of my servitude unto ,god1 of my humbleness and submissiveness to the ,beloved of ,god1 and of my evanescence1 nothingness and utter meekness to the ,threshold of ,baha'4 ,verily1 ,i am the servant of ,baha'1 the slave of ,baha' and the captive of ,baha'4 ,i have no grade but this and ,i do not possess anything for myself4 ,therefore1 mention me in my pure servitude2 this is that by which my heart is dilated by every maid-servant who speaks the praise of ,god4 ,i beseech ,god to make thee a dove in the grove of holiness1 to coo with the most wonderful melodies the praise of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful6 8,o thou who art ablaze with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art ablaze with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,as to thy vision that thou wert traveling to ,acca in a ship with the maid-servant of ,god 4444444443 this ship is the ship of the ,covenant1 which is surrounded by the winds of discord from the people of hypocrisy4 ,be rejoiced that ye two are preserved and have reached the shore of salvation4 ,know thou1 verily1 the winds of confirmation shall surely surround the ,ark of ,deliverance1 the sails of the covenant shall be unfurled1 and it shall reach the shore of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,blessed art thou1 for thou hast entered this ,ark and art saved from afflictions6 ,as to what thou hast seen in the dream1 concerning the letter which reached thee from me1 and angels were enclosed in it and they surrounded thee3 ,know thou verily1 that letter is this glorious writing whereby ,i address thee2 and1 verily1 this is full of angels of confirmation from the ,kingdom off ,god and they will assist thee to serve the ,cause of ,god in the vineyard of ,god4 8,o thou seeing one64440 ,o thou seeing one6 ,know thou1 verily1 ,god hath preferred the insight to the sight1 because the sight seeth the material things1 while the insight apprehendeth the spiritual4 the former witnesseth the earthly world1 while the latter seeth the world of the ,kingdom4 ,the former's judgment is temporary1 while the latter's vision is everlasting4 ,thou shalt soon behold the ,kingdom of ,god and its mysteries and the signs of ,god and the lights of ,his great ,realm of ,divinity6 8,o thou who art speaking the praise of god in that vast4440 ,o thou who art speaking the praise of god in that vast and extensive region6 ,thank ,god1 who hath raised such women from the essences of the love of ,god in that distant place and hath made them as fountains of knowledge1 sources of assurance and dawning-places of the commemoration of thy ,lord1 the ,merciful6 ,i beg of ,god to strengthen them through the most strong power1 by the hosts rushing forth from the kingdom of ,el-,abha and by the angels successively coming from heaven4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,assister1 the ,beneficient6 ,as to thy question concerning the husband and wife1 the tie between them and the children given to them by ,god3 ,know thou1 verily1 the husband is one who hath sincerely turned unto ,god1 is awakened by the call of the ,beauty of ,el-,baha and chanteth the verses of ,oneness in the great assemblies2 the wife is a being who wisheth to be overflowing with and seeketh after the attributes of ,god and ,his names2 and the tie between them is none other than the ,word of ,god4 ,verily1 it the ,word of ,god causeth the multitudes to assemble together and the remote ones to be united4 ,thus the husband and wife are brought into affinity1 are united and harmonized1 even as though they were one person4 ,through their mutual union1 companionship and love great results are produced in the world1 both material and spiritual4 ,the spiritual result is the appearance of divine bounties4 ,the material result is the children who are born in the cradle of the love of ,god1 who are nurtured by the breast of knowledge of ,god1 who are brought up in the bosom of the gift of ,god1 and who are fostered in the lap of the training of ,god4 ,such children are those of whom it was said by ,christ1 8,verily1 they are the children of the ,kingdom60 ,consequently1 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god1 go unto the maid-servants of the ,merciful one and tell them from the tongue of ,abdul-,baha3 8,o maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,it is incumbent upon you to train the children from their earliest babyhood6 ,it is incumbent upon you to beautify their morals6 ,it is incumbent upon you to attend to them under all aspects and circumstances1 inasmuch as ,god--glorified and exalted is ,he6 --hath ordained mothers to be the primary trainers of children and infants4 ,this is a great and important affair and a high and exalted position1 and it is not allowable to slacken therein at all6 ,if thou walkest in this right path1 thou wouldst become a real mother to the children1 both spiritually and materially4 ,i beg of ,god to make thee severed from this world1 attracted to the fragrances of sanctity which are being diffused from the garden of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha1 and a servant of the ,cause of ,god in the vineyard of ,god4 ,greeting and high respects to the maid-servant of ,god ,miss4444444441 who is attracted1 enkindled1 hath spoken and called out1 and hath stripped herself from the garment of dependence of this mortal world and its concerns and is clothed with the embroidered garments of separation 7from the world7 in this great ,paradise4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,know thou that some of the souls who arrive at this ,blessed ,spot possess hearing1 seeing and smelling2 they see what no eye hath ever seen1 they hear the melodies of the ,dove of ,holiness on the ,tree of ,life1 they inhale the fragrances of ,god from this ,garden1 and they surely realize that1 verily1 this ,blessed ,spot is a center for pure seeing and strong hearing and is the direction from which the breezes of the ,holy ,spirit blow4 ,but those who have neither seeing not hearing apprehend nothing and say what they understand not4 ,as to thee and thy daughter who is devoted to god1 who presented herself1 saw and heard3 ,know ye1 verily1 7one possessing7 a pure insight is a servant to the people of ,baha'1 but only the prudent can understand this4 ,know thou1 verily1 insight 7or mental perception7 seeth that which sight 7or physical perception7 seeth not and apprehendeth that which the body perceiveth not1 inasmuch as the sight seeth the mirage as water1 the images pictured in the mirror as a reality and genuine1 and it seeth the earth as stationary1 the great stars as small4 ,but the insight correcteth the mistake of the sight and apprehendeth the reality and seeth that the mirage is not water1 that the images pictured in mirrors are naught else save mere reflections1 that the earth is moving and the distant stars are great4 ,consequently1 the truth of insight1 its effectiveness and power is proven1 as well as the weakness of sight1 its inefficiency and defects4 ,then1 know thou that the power of the ,word of ,god is effective1 both in the spirit and the body1 and the influence of the spirit of god is predominant over the material as well as the essential and spiritual4 ,and that1 verily1 ,god is powerful in all things1 and that the signs 7or verses7 have exoteric and esoteric meaning1 and neither their outward preventeth their inward1 nor doth their inward prevent their outward meaning4 ,greeting and praise to the maid-servant of ,god1 thy revered daughter1 and to all who commemorate the praise of god1 long for the ,kingdom of ,god and are cheerfully moved by the fragrances of ,god6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,consider not thy capacity and merit1 nay rather consider the grace of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful4 ,verily1 thy ,lord confirmeth whomsoever ,he willeth of ,his servants1 through the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom1 the signals of clemency and the spiritual fragrances4 forsake every commemoration and thought in the cell of oblivion 7i4e41 forget everything7 and confine thy days and time in preaching the ,kingdom of ,god1 spreading the teachings of god and igniting the lights of guidance in the hearts which are awaiting the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 to be engaged in diffusing the fragrance of ,god 7teaching the ,truth7 for one hour of time is better than the dominion of the world and all therein2 for the latter is mortal and temporary1 while the former is permanent and endless4 ,this is the day of ,life1 the day of ,salvation and the day of ,bestowal2 it is not the day of death1 unless it be martyrdom in the path of ,god1 or embracing the cross in the love of ,god4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,as to thy question1 8,if the husband preventeth his wife from entering into the ,light1 or the wife preventeth the husband from entering into the ,kingdom of ,god38 ,in reality neither one of them preventeth the other from entering into the ,kingdom of ,god1 except when the husband hath a great attachment to the wife1 or the wife to the husband4 ,when either one of the two adoreth the other to the exclusion of ,god1 then each will prevent the other from entering into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,as to thy question concerning the additions to the ,old and ,new ,testament3 ,know thou1 verily1 as people could not understand the words1 nor could they apprehend the realities therein1 therefore they have translated them according to their own understanding and interpreted the verses after their own ideas and thus the text fell into confusion4 ,this is undoubtedly true4 ,as to an intentional addition3 ,this is something uncertain4 ,but they have made great mistakes as to the understanding of the texts and the comprehending of the references and have therefore fallen into doubts1 especially in regard to the symbolical verses4 ,as to thy question1 8,that ,abdul-,baha hath said to some of the believers that evil never exists1 nay rather1 it is a non-existent thing38 ,this is but truth1 inasmuch as the greatest evil is 7man's7 going astray and being veiled from ,truth4 ,error is lack of guidance2 darkness is absence of light2 ignorance is lack of knowledge2 falsehood is lack of truthfulness2 blindness is lack of sight2 and deafness is lack of hearing4 ,therefore1 error1 blindness1 deafness and ignorance are non-existent things4 ,if we say that according to the text of the bible1 8,god hardened ,pharaoh's heart0 that he not believe in ,moses1 this signifies that1 verily1 ,he did not soften his heart4 ,and when we wish to say that ,god hath not guided a certain one of ,his servants1 this would be interpreted 7by people7 that ,god led him astray4 ,the darkness spoken of in the ,bible as being created by ,god1 signifieth that1 verily1 ,god hath not caused light to shine2 inasmuch as where there is no light1 there will be darkness2 when there is no sight1 there will be blindness2 when there is no life1 there ill be death2 when there is no riches1 there will be poverty2 and when there is no knowledge1 there will be ignorance4 ,consequently1 it is proven by indisputable argument and clear explanation that1 verily1 evils are non-existent1 but people have not understood the meaning of the verses of the ,bible4 ,i beg of ,god to make thee a faithful servant in ,his great vineyard1 enable thee to speak ,his praise1 to diffuse ,his fragrances1 to chant ,his verses and to herald ,his name at every moment4 8,o thou who art rejoiced at the explanation of the maid-servant4440 ,o thou who art rejoiced at the explanation of the maid-servant of ,god 4444444446 ,thank thou god that ,he hath sent forth unto thee such a spiritual and loving sister1 who is preserved from egotism and desires and is rejoiced at the glad-tidings of ,god4 ,can there be imagined any greater mercy than this8 ,no6 by the ,one who hath created the heaven and earth6 ,blessed thou art1 for thou hast inhaled the fragrances of life from the garden of the ,kingdom of ,el-,baha before thine ears had heard the call6 ,as to 444444444 whom thou hast mentioned1 it behooveth him to seek only the divine bounties and subjects which lead to the real knowledge of the invisible 7world of god71 through the mediation of the ,holy spirit4 ,then he will perceive the reality of the triune powers in man1 through his innate perception4 ,for1 verily1 the sign of these triune powers which exist in mankind are spirit1 mind and soul4 ,the spirit is the power of life1 the mind is the power which apprehendeth the reality of things1 and the soul is an intermediary between the ,supreme ,concourse 7or ,spiritual ,world7 and the lower concourse 7or material world74 ,it1 i4e41 the soul1 hath two phases3 ,the higher aspireth to the ,kingdom of ,el-,baha1 and the lights of the mind shine forth from that horizon 7or kingdom7 unto its higher sphere2 the other phase inclineth to the lower concourse of the material world and its lowest sphere is enveloped in the darkness of ignorance4 ,but when light is poured upon this phase1 and if this phase of the soul is capable of receiving it1 then 8truth hath come and falsehood vanisheth1 for falsehood is of short duration0--otherwise1 darkness will surround it from all directions and it will be deprived of association with the ,supreme ,concourse and will remain in the lowest depths4 ,as to the 8voice38 ,there are two kinds of voices4 ,one is the physical voice and it is expressed by atmospheric vibrations which affect the nerves of the ear2 the other is the breath of the ,merciful1 and this is a call which is continually heard from the ,supreme ,concourse and cheereth the pure and holy souls4 ,may it be beneficial to those who have heard the ,call6 ,know thou that the ,ancient ,light and the ,manifest ,beauty 7,god7 hath sown seeds in the soil of existence and hath irrigated it through ,his spiritual bounties4 ,this soil will surely bring forth good plants of divine gifts2 the leaves of this growth are love and union1 its stem is the teachings of the ,true ,one and ,his supreme laws1 and the grain pods are the heavenly blessings which giveth life to the souls4 ,depend thou on these6 ,depend thou on these6 ,depend thou on this1 and abandon every imagination and be attracted to the light of reality and discover both the divine truths and physical truths6 also1 know thou that the greatest spiritual and divine 8chaplet0 is the ,word of ,god and the ,sun of ,truth which penetrateth the reality of the created things and attracteth the entire soul of man in the world of existence and shineth forth unto all horizons 7or regions74 ,hast thou ever perceived a greater 8chaplet0 than this8 ,no6 by the ,splendor of ,baha'6 ,verily1 ,i yearn for the visit of those souls who are cheered1 dilated and moved by and attracted to the ,holy ,spirit and the ,word of ,god4 8,o thou who art awakened to the ,cause of ,god64440 ,o thou who art awakened to the ,cause of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter and my heart was rejoiced at thine interesting words2 and ,i thanked ,god for ,he hath favored those souls who earnestly desire to guard ,his strongly fortified fortress and ,his inaccessible cave and who love unity1 affinity1 harmony and accord and who agree on one opinion1 one idea and one word4 ,this behooveth the sincere souls6 ,this behooveth such as believe in the divine unity6 ,this behooveth such as are firm and steadfast in the ,covenant1 which is throbbing within the heart of the whole creation6 ,be ye guardians of the throne of the ,kingdom of ,god and armies of defense for the ,religion of ,god4 ,whenever ye find someone desiring to separate himself from the flock1 it is incumbent upon you to treat him with fragrance and kindness and persuade and encourage him1 so that this secluded sheep may return to the flock4 ,verily1 thy ,lord loveth union and hateth discord2 for the appearance of the ,holy ,manifestations and divine laws is only for the sake of affinity1 union and concord1 so that the remote1 contradictory and different nations and creeds may enter under the shadow of the ,blessed ,tree in unanimous love and agreement4 ,i bed of god to confirm all of ,his dearly beloved ones in one opinion1 one belief1 one movement1 one path and one manner4 ,this is that by which the station of the beloved ones will be elevated1 the ,word of ,god will be promoted1 the fragrances of ,god will be diffused and the faces of the sincere ones will be illuminated in the path of ,god4 ,it is incumbent upon you to practice these instructions under all aspects and circumstances4 ,as to the manifestation of the ,greatest ,name 7,baha'o'llah73 ,this was the ,divine ,manifestation which appeared upon the earthly world4 ,this is ,he whom ,god promised in all ,his ,books and ,scriptures1 such as the ,bible1 the gospels and the ,koran4 ,all of these ,books indicate this fact1 and the least doubt cannot possibly occur to the minds concerning this clear fact1 as is recorded in detail in the heavenly ,books1 especially in the brilliant and holy ,tablets4 ,but notwithstanding this fact1 if there is anyone who hesitates therein1 do not dispute with him1 nay rather prove this to him with all joy and fragrance1 lest he may be obstinately compelled to rebellion4 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,praise be unto ,thee6 for ,thou hast created me of the most excellent fabric1 in the most honored form1 and in the most exalted kind of ,thy creation2 didst nurture me from the breast of ,thy favor1 didst nurse me in the bosom of ,thy mercy1 until ,i grew up under the protection of ,thy divinity1 in the cradle of ,thy training1 and reached full growth through ,thy favor and grace4 ,then ,thou hast made me to experience various circumstances and suffer countless calamities1 afflictions and troubles in myself and griefs in my soul4 ,thou hast 7finally7 guided me to the fountain of ,thy favor and illumined my sight through the light of ,thy guidance1 quickened by spirit with ,thy fragrances of holiness and moved my heart with the breeze of the garden of ,thy favor4 ,then ,i became rejoiced at the appearance of ,thy ,beauty1 the rising of ,thy ,lights and the dawning of the morn of ,thy ,oneness4 ,thou hast delivered me from the depths of sorrows1 saved me from the darkness of griefs and dilated my breast by showing unto me ,thy greatest ,signs in the ,day of ,resurrection4 ,o my ,lord6 ,engage me in ,thy love1 enable me to cut myself from aught else save ,thee1 to be consumed with the love of ,thy ,beauty1 to burn with the fire of love for ,thy ,face1 so that ,i may be entirely drawn unto ,thee and become enkindled by the fire ablaze in the ,sinaiatic ,tree4 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 with ,thee ,i am free from all else1 while turning unto ,thy ,glorious ,kingdom4 ,deliver me from every gloomy sorrow2 shelter me under the protection of ,thy greatest favor2 save me from my attachment to this inferior world4 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,i am humble2 elevate me through ,thy greatest bounty6 ,i am poor2 enrich me by ,thine abundant treasury6 ,i am ill2 heal me by ,thy precious antidote and make me as a sign of ,thy favor among ,thy maid-servants6 ,verily1 ,thou art powerful to do that which ,thou willest6 ,verily1 ,thou art ,potent and ,mighty6 8,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord64440 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,i am one of ,thy maid-servants1 supplicating humbly before the ,door of ,thy ,singleness1 beseeching and humbling myself to ,thee6 ,o my ,lord6 ,thanks be unto ,thee for ,thy greatest guidance and ,thy greatest favor1 which ,thou hast assigned unto me and unto ,thy worshipping maid-servants1 whom ,thou hast chosen to enter ,thine exalted ,kingdom and abide in ,thy ,paradise of ,el-,abha4 ,o my ,lord6 ,sanctify me from every worldly station in this primal life and purify me from all else save ,thee1 ,o ,thou ,great ,giver6 ,exhilarate me with the wine of ,thy love1 ,o ,thou ,brilliant ,countenance6 ,intoxicate me with the wine of sanctity1 purity1 unity and singleness1 ,o ,thou who attractest the hearts of the righteous by the magnet of favors1 unto the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha6 ,o my ,lord6 ,cause me to speak ,thy praise1 illumine my sight through the light of ,thy knowledge1 cause me to hear ,thy ,call1 and quicken me with the spirit of ,thy grace4 ,make me rejoiced at the melodies of the birds of ,thy holiness1 and make me a servant to ,thy maid-servants4 ,cause my soul to be tranquilized1 my heart attached1 and my mind drawn to the light of thy guidance1 which is shining unto all regions2 so that ,i may walk in the path of ,thy good pleasure1 yield to ,thy decree and be rejoiced at the most violent calamities1 and that my breast may become dilated during every tribulation1 even though the suffering is beyond endurance4 ,verily1 thou art the ,holy1 the ,pure1 the ,potent1 the ,powerful1 the ,exalted1 the ,great6 8,my ,lord6 ,my ,lord64440 ,my ,lord6 ,my ,lord6 ,thou hast caused me to hear the ,call1 guided me unto the sea of favor1 awakened me through ,thy fragrant breeze1 and quickened me by the spirit of ,thy greatest guidance4 ,i thank and praise ,thee for this4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,i am athirst2 do cause me to drink from the fountain of ,thy grace4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,i am ill2 do heal me by the antidote of ,thy mercy4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,i am sick2 do ,thou cure me through ,thy favor4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,i am needy2 do enrich me through ,thy compassion4 ,and ,i am poor2 render me prosperous by the treasury of ,thy ,kingdom4 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,increase my hope in the court of ,thy holiness1 and grant my wishes by thy favor and grace4 ,confirm me to deliver ,thy ,cause1 enable me to call in ,thy ,name1 and cause me to show forth the proofs of ,thy ,manifestation4 ,strengthen me to promote ,thy ,word1 dilate my breast by serving ,thy maid-servants and being humble and submissive before ,thy beloved ones4 ,o my ,lord6 ,verily1 ,i am impotent2 do strengthen me by ,thy power4 ,i am lost in indigence2 do confer on me ,thy greatest favor4 ,make me as one of the maid-servants who diffuse ,thy fragrances1 who worship ,thy ,kingdom1 who bow down in the worshipping-places of ,thy unity1 who kneel down on every dust which is related to the threshold of ,thy beloved ones1 and who serve in ,thy vineyard1 speak ,thy praise and are attracted to ,thy love4 ,verily1 ,thou are the ,giver1 the ,powerful1 the ,mighty6 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,this1 thy servant1 is turning unto ,thee1 relying upon ,thee and is believing in ,thee and in ,thy great signs4 ,he hath indeed traversed lands and seas1 desiring to reach ,thy brilliant ,holy ,land and ,thy perfuming dust1 and hath advanced toward the lofty court of ,thy mercy to worship ,thine ,exalted ,word4 ,o my ,god6 ,assist him1 through the ,one ,mighty in ,power1 to obey ,thy command1 to walk in the path of ,thy good pleasure to supplicate before the ,kingdom of ,thy ,oneness1 to become severed from all else save ,thee1 to beseech ,thy might1 to be consumed by ,thy love and to spread ,thy commemoration1 ,o ,thou who grantest the wishes of every supplicant6 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,powerful1 the ,mighty6 8,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god64440 ,o my ,god6 ,o my ,god6 ,this1 ,thy servant1 hath advanced toward ,thee1 is passionately wandering in the desert of ,thy love1 walking in the path of ,thy service1 anticipating ,thy favors1 hoping for ,thy bounty1 relying upon ,thy ,kingdom1 and being exhilarated with the wine of ,thy gift4 ,o my ,god6 ,increase his fervor in ,thy passion1 his constancy in ,thy praise and his ardor in ,thy love4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,beneficient and endowed with great bounty6 ,there is no ,god but ,thee1 the ,forgiving1 the ,merciful6 8,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord64440 ,o my ,lord6 ,o my ,lord6 ,this is a lamp lighted by the fire of ,thy love and ablaze with the flame which is ignited in the tree of ,thy mercy4 ,o my ,lord6 ,increase his enkindlement1 heat and flame1 with the fire which is kindled in the ,sinai of ,thy ,manifestation4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,confirmer1 the ,assister1 the ,powerful1 the ,generous1 the ,loving6 8,o my ,lord1 my ,beloved1 my ,desire64440 ,o my ,lord1 my ,beloved1 my ,desire6 ,befriend me in my loneliness and accompany me in my exile2 remove my sorrow1 cause me to be devoted to ,thy ,beauty1 withdraw me from all else save ,thee1 attract me through ,thy fragrances of holiness1 cause me to be associated in ,thy ,kingdom with those who are severed from all else save ,thee and who long to serve ,thy ,sacred ,threshold and who stand to work in ,thy ,cause1 and enable me to be one of ,thy maid-servants who have attained to ,thy good pleasure4 verily1 ,thou art the ,gracious1 the ,generous6 8,o my ,lord64440 ,o my ,lord67#bgi7 ,thou knowest that the people are encircled with pain and calamities and are environed with hardships and trouble4 ,every trial doth attack man and every dire adversity doth assail him like unto the assault of a serpent4 ,there is no shelter and asylum for him except under the wing of ,thy protection1 preservation1 guard and custody4 ,o ,thou the ,merciful ,one6 ,o my ,lord6 ,make ,thy protection my armory1 ,thy preservation my shield1 humbleness before the door of ,thy ,oneness my guard1 and ,thy custody and defense my fortress and abode4 ,preserve me from the suggestions of myself and desire1 and guard me from every sickness1 trial1 difficulty and ordeal4 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,protector1 the ,guardian1 the ,preserver1 the ,sufficer1 and verily1 ,thou art the ,merciful of the ,most ,merciful6 8,o thou who art advancing unto ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter and noted its contents4 ,rest assured in the bounty of thy ,lord4 ,verily1 ,he confirmeth whomsoever ,he willeth in all aspects and conditions4 ,i supplicate ,god to sustain thee and thine honorable husband1 to open for you the door of comfort and rest and protect you from the harm of every hateful one4 ,if thou wishest to guide the souls1 it is incumbent on thee to be firm1 to be good and to be imbued with praiseworthy attributes and divine qualities under all circumstances4 ,be a sign of love1 a manifestation of mercy1 a fountain of tenderness1 kind-hearted1 good to all and gentle to the servants of ,god1 and especially to those who bear relation to thee1 both men and women4 ,bear every ordeal that befalleth thee from the people and confront them not save with kindness1 with great love and good wishes4 8,o thou lamp glowing with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou lamp glowing with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,know that the garden drew near and the paradise hath been adorned with the sweet-basils of the knowledge of ,god4 ,be1 therefore1 a gilly-flower of fragrant smell in the ,garden of ,el-,abha1 that1 through thy perfumed breaths1 the spirits and hearts be quickened and animated4 ,o thou friend of ,abdul-,baha6 ,i do mention thee now while my heart is throbbing through the breezes that are blowing from the verdant gardens of the love of ,god4 ,accordingly1 it is incumbent upon thee to be purely sincere1 to turn to the holy ,kingdom and to generously give the spirit in the cause of the ,lord of ,might4 ,verily1 this is no other than an eternal and everlasting life which hath no end in the world of existence4 8,o thou fragrant rose blooming in the ,garden of ,guidance64440 ,o thou fragrant rose blooming in the ,garden of ,guidance6 ,thank thou ,god for that ,he hath removed from off thine eyes the covering1 made thee to see the signs of the ,kingdom of thy ,lord1 the supreme1 filled for thee the cup of bounty and gave thee to drink the pure wine of fidelity which ,he hath promised to the sincere in the holy ,books and ,tablets4 ,o thou my dear6 ,the cup of knowledge is overflowing2 blessed are they who partake in draughts6 ,the fountain of life is issuing forth2 blessed are they who drink6 ,the doors of the ,kingdom are opened2 ,o what good news to those who advance6 ,the garden of paradise is drawn near2 ,o what a pleasure to those who enter6 ,the dove of holiness is cooing2 ,o what a happiness to those who hear6 ,the gates of heaven are open2 blessed are they who see6 ,the hosts of angels are standing in battle order2 what a joy to those who gain the victory6 ,the trumpet of life is sounding2 how good it is to those who are awake6 ,as to thee3 ,realize the bounty of thy ,lord as it is1 and thank thou thy ,lord and praise ,him for that ,he hath directed thee to the right path4 8,o thou who art controlled by the attractions of the4440 ,o thou who art controlled by the attractions of the ,fragrance of ,god6 ,thy terse and eloquent letter1 showing the excess of thine attraction as caused by the fragrances of god1 was read by me4 ,i1 therefore1 supplicate ,god to confirm thy glorious children1 ,frederick1 ,robert and ,herbert1 to surround them with the glances of ,his merciful eye1 to direct them to the path of guidance and to make them enter the ,ark of ,safety which is cleaving the sea of this contingent world in the midst of the deluge of tests2 that they may become righteous1 guiding the people to the ,kingdom of the glorious ,lord1 the doors of which are open before the faces of all beings4 ,i implore ,him to appoint thee one of the angels of the ,spirit1 that thou mayest blow the spirit of life into the hearts which are good and pure through the love of ,god2 that ,he may strengthen the elect in ,america to spread the fragrances of ,god and to reveal the spirit of knowledge to the hearts which are cheered by the breaths of ,god4 8,o ye dear children64440 ,o ye dear children67#bhj7 ,your father is compassionate1 clement and merciful unto you and desireth for you success1 prosperity and eternal life in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,therefore1 it is incumbent upon you1 dear children1 to seek his good pleasure1 to be guided by his guidance1 to be drawn by the magnet of the love of ,god and be brought up in the lap of the love of ,god2 that ye may become beautiful branches in the ,garden of ,el-,abha1 verdant and watered by the abundance of the gift of ,god4 8,o thou advancer to the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou advancer to the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,shouldst thou come with the whole of thy being to ,god and be attracted to the lights of the ,kingdom of ,god and be enkindled by the fire of the love1 of ,god1 then wilt thou see that which thou canst not see today1 wilt comprehend the inner significance of the ,word of ,god and thoroughly understand the mysteries contained in the holy books4 ,but as to the ,jewish doctors1 ,christian priests and monks who read those ,books1 verily1 they know the letter only and they utter the words1 as parrots1 without understanding their inner meanings4 ,they comprehend them not1 because they are engrossed in worldly desires and lusts and their hearts are attached to mundane allurements4 ,verily1 are they not heedless of ,god and understand nothing and find not the right path8 8,announce on my behalf respectful greeting to the4440 7#bha7 ,announce on my behalf respectful greeting to the maid-servant of god1 ,madam 4444444441 and say3 8,praise be to god6 that thy house hath become the nest and the shelter of the divine birds and thy face is illumined and brightened by the light of the love of ,god and thy tongue is loosened in uttering heavenly proofs and evidences4 ,therefore1 in order to give thanks for this bestowal1 add1 day by day1 to thy love of ,god and be thou engaged in service40 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 ,o thou seeker of ,truth6 ,praise be to ,god6 the essence of severance is manifest from this world and the star of the love of ,god is shining1 and kindness towards mankind is clear and evident4 ,these divine gifts became manifest1 spread and known in the world through the teachings of ,baha'o'llah4 ,i hope thou mayest abundantly partake of all there three benefits1 so that thou mayest appear among people in the utmost spirituality and illumination4 8,o thou excellent maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou excellent maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank thou ,god that thou hast stepped into the arena of existence in this glorious age1 hast become the manifestor of never-ending outpouring1 hast attained to the most great gift1 hast found the season of the divine springtime1 hast perfumed thy nostrils with heavenly flowers1 hast discovered the way to the celestial ,kingdom and hast partaken a share from eternal life4 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thy excellent letter was full of spiritual significance4 ,it was an indication of the loftiness of thy nature1 the grandeur of thy aspiration1 the sincerity of thy aim and the confirmation of the bounty of ,his ,highness the ,single ,one4 ,moreover1 it proved that thou shalt be purified and sanctified from attachment to material conditions1 be freed from every restriction and thou shalt dedicate thy life to the spreading of the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom4 ,whenever this longing and desire is attained1 that maid-servant of ,god i4e41 thyself will become a lighted candle in the assemblage of the world1 receiving the lights of the ,kingdom and reflecting them in turn upon the souls4 ,this trip thou hast in mind is blessed and acceptable and the cause of the attainment of everlasting glory in the world of existence1 but thou shouldest have a companion to go with thee4 ,therefore1 start thou with a firm resolution1 pure intention1 heavenly glad-tidings1 divine gift and supreme confirmation toward the ,east1 i4e41 ,japan1 ,china1 ,india1 ,russia1 ,greece1 ,bulgaria1 ,roumania1 ,austria1 ,germany1 ,france and the ,english empires1 perchance thou mayest spread the fragrances of ,god in those parts and receive the lights of confirmation from the ,kingdom of ,holiness4 ,but it is not necessary1 for the present1 to travel in the ,turkish1 ,egyptian and ,persian territories1 for internal troubles make the traveling of women very difficult4 ,it is hoped1 from the eminent bounty and favor of ,god1 that thou mayest be quickened in such wise1 from the fragrances of the ,kingdom of ,abha1 that thou mayest bestow upon dead souls eternal life4 ,convey1 on my behalf1 respectful greetings to the attracted ,miss 4444444441 who is favored and enkindled with the fire of the love of her ,lord4 ,that blessed leaf is mentioned and known in the ,kingdom of ,god4999999 ,as ,persia hath many nomadic tribes and they are now7#bhb7 rebellious and insurgent and infesting the highways1 the maid-servants of the ,merciful cannot travel there1 but men can4 ,however1 after that maid-servant hath traveled in ,japan1 ,china1 ,russia1 ,germany1 ,france1 ,england1 ,austria1 ,greece1 ,roumania1 ,bulgaria and ,india1 perhaps peace and security will be established in ,persia and then thou canst also travel there4 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,thank thou ,god for having found the realm of the ,kingdom1 become guided by the lights of the ,sun of ,reality and guided others4 ,endeavor day and night in order to make the negligent souls mindful1 to give life to the dead spirits1 to heal the spiritual patients1 to make wise the simple1 to inform the uninformed1 to make the earthly heavenly1 to draw nigh 7unto ,god7 those who are afar and to make the strangers friends4 ,this is the magnetic power which attracts the confirmation of ,god4 8,o thou favored maid-servant of the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou favored maid-servant of the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the letter1 which thou hast written1 was received4 ,its contents evinced high aspiration and rare magnanimity2 and that thou hast the intention to travel to the far-eastern countries and bear great trouble1 so that thou mayest become the cause of the guidance of the souls and spread the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,this desire indicateth that the beloved maid-servant of ,god hath a very high aim4 ,however1 thou mayest deliver the glad-tidings in the following manner3 8,the ,promised ,one of all the nations of the world hath become apparent and manifest6 ,each community and religion expecteth the coming of their ,promised ,one1 and ,his ,highness ,baha'o'llah is the ,promised ,one of all6 ,therefore1 the ,cause of ,baha'o'llah is conductive to harmony1 raiseth the canopy of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity upon the apex of the contingent beings and unfurleth the ensign of universal brotherhood and ideal commonwealth upon the summit of the hills and mountains60 ,when thou openest thy tongue with such glad-tidings1 it will become conducive to the teaching of others4 ,but this trip is indeed very remote and unless there are several teachers1 the delivery of the glad-tidings will not produce the desired results in those parts4 ,shouldst thou deem it advisable1 thou mayest take a trip to ,persia and on thy return pass by ,japan and ,china4 ,this plan seems much better and more pleasant4 ,otherwise1 thou mayest act according to thy judgment and it will be acceptable4 ,the contribution that thou hast made to the ,temple is beloved4 ,the ,temple is the most great foundation of the world of humanity and it hath many branches4 ,although the ,temple is the place of worship1 with it is connected a hospital1 pharmacy1 pilgrims' house1 school for the orphans1 and a university for the study of high sciences4 ,every ,temple is connected with these five things4 ,i hope that now in ,america they will build a ,temple and gradually add to it the hospital1 school1 university1 pharmacy and pilgrims' house with the utmost efficiency and thoroughness4 ,thou shouldst make known to the believers these details1 so that they may realize how important the ,temple is4 ,the ,temple is not only a place for worship2 nay1 it is perfect in every way4 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,didst thou know what station is destined and appointed1 under the protection of ,his ,highness ,baha'o'llah1 for those souls who are severed1 attracted and teachers of truth1 undoubtedly thou shouldst find the utmost joy and happiness1 and1 by reason of exultation and rejoicing1 soar toward the heaven of peace1 inasmuch as thou art walking in this road and advancing toward such a ,kingdom4 ,regarding the statement that ,i have written to thee1 about dedicating thyself to the service of the ,cause of ,god1 it means this3 ,center thy thoughts in the teachings of the ,cause1 day and night1 and act according to the teachings and behests of ,his ,highness ,baha'o'llah4 ,this is not contrary to marriage4 ,it is possible for thee to be married and be engaged in the service of the ,cause of ,god4 ,the first does not interfere with the latter4 ,briefly1 avail thyself of the opportunity and do not let it slip from thy grasp2 i4e41 supplicate ,god that in this darkened world thou mayest become an ignited candle and the cause of the guidance of many souls4 8,o ye blessed maid-servant of the ,beauty of ,abha64440 ,o ye blessed maid-servant7#bhc7 of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,if ye have written letters to ,abdul-,baha and answers to them are delayed1 know ye of a certainty that untold hindrances have been the cause4 ,be ye not unhappy4 ,praise be to ,god6 that1 on account of firmness and steadfastness in the ,cause of ,god and service to the ,word of ,god1 spiritual letters are continually and uninterruptedly descending from the ,supreme ,concourse and the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,that holy ,messenger is eternal and perennial and ,his messages come to the heart successively and the verses of oneness are read therein4 ,likewise1 this imprisoned one is greatly attached with his heart and soul to the beloved ones and this very attachment is the faithful ,messenger and the manifest ,tablet4 ,therefore1 my request is this3 ,should ye send a hundred letters and no answers be received1 do ye not feel at all sad2 nay1 rather think of this occurrence as a glorious proof of the power of love1 as it will demonstrate that there is no incumbency 7or formality7 between us4 ,were there any opportunity1 undoubtedly answers would be forwarded4 ,in brief1 ,i beg of ,god that each one of you become the sign of guidance1 a manifest book from the ,supreme ,concourse1 attracted with the fragrances of ,god and enkindled with the fire of the love of ,god4 8,o thou pure and spiritual one64440 ,o thou pure and spiritual one6 ,turn thou toward ,god with thy heart beating with ,his love1 devoted to ,his praise1 gazing toward ,his ,kingdom and seeking help from ,his ,holy ,spirit in a state of ecstasy1 rapture1 love1 yearning1 joy and fragrance4 ,god will assist thee1 through a ,spirit from ,his ,presence1 to heal sickness and diseases4 8,o thou who art turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art turning toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,i have read thy letter of clearest composition4 ,i beg of ,god to make thee fluent in tongue1 pure in heart1 strong in spirit1 severed in heart from all else save ,god and occupied in the praise of ,god2 to continue in prayer and supplication unto ,god1 to be humble1 meek1 spiritual1 free from the earthly world and its concerns and awakened to the ,kingdom and its ,manifestation4 ,verily1 thy ,lord is powerful in all things6 8,o thou who art tranquilized by the ,call of the ,kingdom4440 ,o thou who art tranquilized by the ,call of the ,kingdom at this time6 ,the meanings of thy words evinced thine abundant attraction and thy turning unto the ,lamp of ,lights4 ,be not grieved on account of lack of information of the mysteries of this great ,cause4 ,if thou keepest firm in the religion of ,god1 the covering shall be removed for thee and thou shalt become informed of the allegories and mysteries of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,o maid-servants of ,god6 ,continue in healing hearts and bodies and seek healing for sick persons by turning unto the ,supreme ,kingdom and by setting the heart upon obtaining healing through the power of the ,greatest ,name and by the spirit of the love of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to ordain perfect rest and composure for thy revered daughter4 ,as to your moving to another city3 ,meditate thou1 perform the ablution and pray to ,god before sleeping2 and whatever the ,merciful ,one may inspire unto thee at the time of revelation in a dream1 that will be consistent with obtaining thy wishes4 ,but the greatest motive for the happiness 7or felicity7 of that family1 both in this world and the next one1 is that thy revered husband and thy dear son-in-law should become believers in the lights of the ,kingdom which have surrounded all regions at this age of effulgence4 8,o thou who art yearning for the ,glad-tidings of ,god64440 ,o thou who art yearning for the ,glad-tidings of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i was informed of the contents of thy letter which showed that thine insight is opened1 thy heart is purified1 that thou art baptized by the divine water and by the lordly fire and spirit and that thou art born again from the womb of this mortal world4 ,this is through the grace of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 the ,merciful6 ,as to the imprisonment of ,abdul-,baha3 ,this is his utmost wish1 his extreme joy and this is what refreshes his burning2 and ,i do not long for deliverance from the depths of this agreeable prison4 ,verily1 this ,most ,great ,prison is conducive unto the shining of the ,orb of the ,horizons47#bhd7 ,verily1 ,i beg of ,god to bless unto thee thy marriage with thy revered husband1 to protect thee under all conditions from the violence of tests and trials and to make thy feet firm in the ,religion of ,god in this wonderful 7or new7 age4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom6 ,mrs4 444444444 became the cause of thy life and suffered thee to inhale of the rose-garden of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,be thou thankful to her and sacrifice thyself for her1 for she became the means of thy guidance and thou hast become the object of favor and a center of the bounty of ,god4 ,she was thy guide to the ,kingdom and the cause of eternal life4 ,supplicate thou also from ,god that thou mayest walk in her footsteps and become engaged in the training and guidance of souls4 ,caress on my behalf the beloved maid-servant of ,god1 ,miss 4444444441 thy daughter1 and convey to her my respectful greetings4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,praise ,god6 for thou didst hear the call of the ,kingdom1 wast awakened1 attentive and attained faith in the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,his ,holiness ,christ1 addressing the believers1 uttereth the following in the ,gospel3 8,be awake lest the ,son of ,man come and find ye asleep60 ,now1 thou wast awake1 therefore thou didst advance and engage in the service of the ,word of ,god4 ,appreciate the value of this attainment1 and1 like unto a candle1 radiate the light of the love of ,god in the meeting of the beloved4 ,encourage the beloved of ,god and be a source of joy and gladness to the ,bahais4 hold meetings and read and chant the heavenly teachings1 so that city may be illumined with the light of reality and that country become a veritable paradise by the strength of the ,holy ,spirit1 for this cycle is the cycle of the ,glorious ,lord and the melody of oneness and solidarity of the world of mankind must reach the ears of the ,east and ,west4 ,convey greeting of reverence to all the maid-servants of ,god and ,his man-servants4 8,o ye friends of this prisoner64440 ,o ye friends7#bhe7 of this prisoner6 ,according to what is heard and evident1 you have arranged an assembly in the utmost beauty and a number of you present yourselves in that meeting with all love and unity and engage in communion 7i4e41 reading of the communes71 chanting of the verses1 spiritual conversation and utterance of the ,kingdom4 ,blessed are ye for having adorned such a meeting and for having prepared such a feast6 ,that gathering receiveth bounty from the ,supreme ,concourse and that nucleus is under the protection of the ,bounty of ,abha4 ,in thanksgiving for this attainment and confirmation you must strive to make ,boston a fruit-garden7#bhf7 and a rose-garden4 ,verily1 this is not difficult with the ,lord4 the beloved of ,god in this mortal world are each a spiritual trumpet4 ,they breathe the breath of life and thus confer upon them that are dead in negligence and ignorance1 the life eternal4 ,they are the merciful physicians who bestow upon the spiritual patients eternal healing4 ,the city of ,boston hath great preparation 7literally1 readiness71 but the endeavor of the righteous is needed and the efforts and strivings of the free are necessary4 ,for unless the seed is sown1 the bounty and blessing will not be attained2 until the tree be planted1 the fresh fruit will not be produced2 unless the candle contact with fire1 it will not ignite2 and until a light dawn1 the darkness will not vanish4 ,therefore1 the beloved of ,god must sow the seeds and plant the fresh plants in that garden4 ,they must ignite the extinguished candles so that the purpose may be attained and the beloved intent unveil its face4 ,in the spirit of humility and supplication do ,i beg and implore at the ,divine ,threshold and seek for you assistance and providence4 8,o thou near servant to the ,threshold of ,god64440 ,o thou near servant to the ,threshold of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and thy desire became known4 ,thou wishest to serve the ,threshold of ,god4 ,i wish for thee the same4 ,therefore1 copy the ,tablets and spread them among the beloved4 ,the meanings of those leaves are the spiritual table1 the heavenly blessing and the means for the life eternal4 ,thou hast written concerning the organization of a council for the building of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar4 ,this news brought much spirit and fragrance1 for the nine delegates1 sent by the various assemblies1 gathered in that meeting and consulted concerning the building of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar4 ,the ,mashrak-el-,azcar is the most important matter and the greatest divine institute4 ,consider how the first institute of ,his ,holiness ,moses1 after ,his exodus from ,egypt1 was the 8,tent of ,martyrdom0 which ,he raised and which was the traveling ,temple4 ,it was a tent which they pitched in the desert1 wherever they aobde1 and worshipped in it4 ,likewise1 after ,his ,holiness ,christ--may the spirit of the world be a sacrifice to ,him6 --the first institute by the disciples was a ,temple4 ,they planned a church in every country4 ,consider the ,gospel 7read it7 and the importance of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar will become evident4 ,in fine1 ,i hope that all the beloved of ,god1 collectively1 in the continent of ,america1 men and women1 will strive night and day until the ,mashrak-el-,azcar be erected in the utmost solidity and beauty4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom6 ,thy likeness 7photograph7 was seen4 ,the ,sun of the ,kingdom hath shed a light on thee1 so thy likeness is made radiant and thy face happy4 ,beneath the photograph the word 8faithfully0 was inscribed which indicated that thine heart is attracted to faithfulness and that thou seekest faithfulness4 ,no attribute is more commmendable than faithfulness4 ,it is of the greatest of the virtues in the world of humanity4 ,i hope that thou mayest be faithful to the ,lord of the ,kingdom1 be attracted to ,his ,beauty1 serve in ,his ,threshold and strive in ,his vineyard4 8,o ye two merciful assemblies64440 ,o ye two merciful assemblies67#bhg7 ,praise be to ,god6 that through the outpouring of guidance1 ,india is rapidly becoming a ,rose-garden of ,abha1 for many souls have lately embraced the truth and are in the utmost attraction and enkindlement4 ,forward ye1 as soon as ye can1 a few copies of every ,tablet and epistle which is translated into the ,english and the books which are written by the believers1 in this language1 to the merciful assembly of ,bombay and to his honor 444444444 in ,rangoon4 ,o ye spiritual friends of ,abdul-,baha6 ,at this moment when danger is threatening to surround all directions1 ,abdul-,baha is attracted to the fragrances of the ,kingdom of ,abha and with infinite joy and happiness is begging providence and favor from the ,threshold of ,oneness in your behalf4 ,now is the time of firmness and resolution and the moment of steadfastness and constancy and the period of showing forth divine power by the strength of proof1 the solidity of argument1 the eloquence of utterance and the grandeur of spirit6 8,o thou who art set aglow with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art set aglow with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,the letter was received4 ,thou hast commended the meeting held at the home of ,miss 444444444 ,in reality it was a goodly meeting4 ,although ,i was absent in body1 yet in life and heart ,i was present4 it is as thou hast written3 ,thy services at ,green ,acre were accepted in the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,every year a number of the beloved ones and the maid-sevants of the ,merciful must go to ,green ,acre and raise the divine call there4 ,the more who go1 the better4 ,convey greeting of reverence to the dear maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444444 ,i pray for her and wish her the joy1 the happiness1 the tranquility of the godly4 ,convey loving greeting to his honor ,mr4 444444444 and say3 8,it is hoped1 through the favor and confirmation of ,god1 that thou mayest organize a spiritual meeting at ,leominster and become the cause of guidance to many souls40 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god1 ,florence6 ,rest assured in the bounty and favor of ,god4 ,i hope thou wilt achieve great services4 8,o thou advancer to ,god64440 ,o thou advancer to ,god6 ,verily1 ,i have read thy brilliant letter which is elegantly composed4 ,i supplicate ,god to alleviate thy trials and look upon thee with the eye of ,his mercy under all aspects4 ,turn thou to the ,kingdom of thy great ,lord with a truthful heart and with all devotion1 sincerity and great spirituality and ask to be healed from pain and passions and be confident in the great bounty of thy ,lord4 8,o thou pure soul who art turning toward the ,lord of4440 ,o thou pure soul who art turning toward the ,lord of the creatures6 ,verily1 ,i received thy letter999999 and was informed of its meanings and contents which indicated thine humbleness before ,god and thy meekness to ,his great realm of might4 ,o my dear one6 ,this day is the day of purification1 the day of sanctification1 the day of turning toward ,god1 the day of severance from all else save ,god1 the day of lowliness and humiliation1 the day of serving the beloved ones of ,god1 the day of becoming utterly destitute of and free from egotism and desire and the day of purity and sacrifice in the path of ,god4 ,this is incumbent upon thee1 so that thou mayest be accepted in the court of the ,almighty and praised in ,his lofty ,threshold of ,holiness4 8,o thou whose heart is pure and whose souls is rejoiced64440 ,o thou whose heart is pure and whose souls is rejoiced6 ,verily1 thy revered wife sent unto us thy photograph and we say and rejoiced at witnessing thy face1 even though it was a 7mere7 image1 for1 verily1 this image indicateth the reality4 ,verily1 ,i saw in thine eyes the sign of acuteness and thought4 ,let thy thoughts be an eternal thought1 a spiritual reflection and divinely full of meaning4 ,this is but truth and there is naught beyond truth except extinction4 8,o maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank thy ,lord for confirming thee unto this wonderful day and new century and giving thee to drink the cup of ,his love with the hand of ,his providence4 ,verily1 this is a great favor4 ,be not sorrowful on account of the maid-servant of ,god1 ,madam 444444444 ,this is a test on the part of ,god and its wisdom 7or reason7 is concealed4 ,we ask ,god to gaze on her with the eye of mercy4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,merciful1 the ,clement6 8,o thou who hath advanced to the ,kingdom of his4440 ,o thou who hath advanced to the ,kingdom of his ,lord1 the ,glorious6 ,know thou that the ,kingdom of ,god hath pitched its tents1 hoisted its banner and uplifted its pavilions in this extensive space4 ,the hosts of the angels of ,god have come down with standards of signs2 marched off towards all horizons2 opened the cities of the hearts of the servants by the power of thy ,lord1 the ,generous2 and have blown the great trumpet4 ,the ,hoy ,spirit hath freely given eternal life to every pure heart1 and the souls became attracted through the effulgence of the ,beauty of the ,glorious ,kingdom and through the brilliancy of the ,light of ,truth over all regions4 ,the clamor of the spiritual people hath risen with praise and glory to ,god1 the ,all-glorious6 ,as to thee1 thank thou thy ,lord for that ,he hath enabled to see the sins of ,his ,kingdom in this wonderful day4 ,arise to serve the ,cause of thy ,lord and devote thyself to ,god's service as a penitent servant4 8,o thou servant of ,god64440 ,o thou servant of ,god6 ,i was assuredly informed of thy confessing the unity of ,god and that thou hast drawn from the ocean of the gift of ,god and thine insight hath brightened by the light of guidance and by the dependence of thine heart upon the lights of the ,beauty of ,god4 ,the1 glad-tidings be unto thee for this bounty which ,god hath assigned unto every holy and spiritual being in the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,by the life of ,god6 verily1 the gift of guidance1 during this great century and this age of lights1 is greater than reigning over the earth and all that is in it2 because the earthly reign is mortal1 banishing1 imaginary and of no permanence2 but this gift is permanent1 eternal1 everlasting and endless4 consequently1 it is confirmed that this 7gift of guidance7 is greater than the sovereignty of the world4 ,o servant of ,god6 ,rejoice1 announce glad-tidings and be filled with the ,spirit and preach and call in the ,name of ,god in that region and hear the good-tidings of ,god in that land6 ,thou shalt hear the sound of this glorious bell in every near and distant region1 and the call of the ,true ,one will be elevated in the monasteries of the world of mankind1 just as it was elevated in the assmeblies of the divine world1 and the earthly people will be combined with the divine and heavenly concourse4 ,thereupon thy heart shall rejoice1 thy soul shall become pure1 thine eye shall brighten and thou shalt be inwardly revived4 ,praise be upon thee6 8,o thou who art advancing unto the ,face of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing unto the ,face of ,god6 ,blessed art thou for that thou wert saved from the storm of doubts1 wert healed from all manner of disease1 wert rejoiced in spirit by the fragrances of ,god1 held firm to the love of ,god and ,god helped thee through the trials4 ,this we heralded unto thee before and it was an ordained and firm promise4 ,draw night unto ,god and perservere in 7thy7 communion with 7or prayer to7 thy ,lord1 so that the fire of ,god's love may glow more luminously in the heart1 its heat grow stronger and give warmth to that region and its sound reach the ,supreme ,concourse4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,truly1 ,i say1 complete capacity and ability is the cause of the appearance of the divine gifts4 ,souls are many who in the years gone by have listened to the glad-tidings1 but up to this time they have remained veiled1 deprived and unmoved4 ,but1 through the bounty of the ,beauty of ,abha1 as soon as thou didst hear the call1 thou didst turn thy face toward the ,lord of ,hosts and became a believer in ,god and assured of ,his divine verses4 ,immediately the ,most ,great ,name made an impression upon thee4 ,therefore1 ,i hope thy breath may become also effective and in a short time1 like unto dry wood1 become enkindled and ignited4 ,do not wonder at the mercy and bounty of ,god4 ,consider thou how one spark sets on fire a great forest4 ,therefore1 there is great hope1 and the favor and grace of the ,almighty is limitless4 8,o thou advancing maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou advancing maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and ,i was informed of its contents4 ,thanks be to ,god6 thou art guided to the ,light of guidance and hast attained to this most great gift4 ,i hope thou mayest become a daughter of the ,kingdom4 ,thou must be thankful to ,mrs4 4444444441 for she was the cause of thy guidance2 and thou must forever seek the providence of ,god in her behalf1 for she hath illumined thine eyes4 ,the love that she hath shown to you1 its value is not known at present1 but after departing from this transient world1 its value will become known and evident in the divine ,kingdom1 and even in this mortal world its value shall appear in future4 ,in the days of ,christ1 guidance had no importance whatever to the deniers2 now consider how much importance it hath gained4 ,turn thou with thy heart ot he divine ,kingdom and supplicate to ,him1 7saying73 80,o ,compassionate ,god6 ,thanks be to ,thee for4440 8,o ,compassionate ,god6 ,thanks be to ,thee for ,thou hast awakened and made 7me7 conscious4 ,thou hast given me a seeing eye and favored me with a hearing ear2 hast led me to ,thy ,kingdom and guided me to ,thy ,path4 ,thou hast shown me the right way and caused me to enter the ,ark of ,deliverance4 ,o ,god6 ,keep me steadfast and make me firm and stanch4 ,protect me from violent tests and preserve and shelter me in the strongly fortified fortress of ,thy ,covenant and ,testament4 ,thou art the ,powerful6 ,thou art the ,seeing6 ,thou art the ,hearing6 ,o ,thou the ,compassionate ,god6 ,bestow upon me a heart which1 like unto glass1 may be illumined wit the light of ,thy love1 and confer upon me a thought which may change this world into a rose-garden through the spiritual bounty4 ,thou art the ,compassionate1 the ,merciful6 ,thou art the ,great ,beneficent ,god60 8,o ye friends of ,god64440 ,o ye7#bhh7 friends of ,god6 ,do ye know in what cycle ye are created and in what age ye exist8 ,this is the age of the ,blessed ,perfection and this is the time of the ,greatest ,name6 ,this is the century of the ,manifestation1 the age of the ,sun of the ,horizons and the beautiful springtime of ,his ,holiness the ,eternal ,one6 ,the earth is in motion and growth2 the mountains1 hills and prairies are green and pleasant2 the bounty is overflowing2 the mercy universal2 the rain is descending from the cloud of mercy2 the brilliant ,sun is shining2 the full moon is ornamenting the horizon of ether2 the great ocean-tide is flooding every little stream2 the gifts are successive2 the favors consecutive2 and the refreshing breeze is blowing1 wafting the fragrant perfume of the blossoms4 ,boundless treasure is in the hand of the ,king of ,kings6 ,lift the hem of thy garment in order to receive it4 ,if we are not happy and joyous at this season1 for what other season shall we wait and for what other time shall we look8 ,this is the time for growing2 the season for joyous gathering6 ,take the cup of the ,testament in thy hand2 leap and dance with ecstasy in the triumphal procession of the ,covenant6 ,lay your confidence in the everlasting bounty1 turn to the presence of the generous ,god2 ask assistance from the ,kingdom of ,abha2 seek confirmation from the ,supreme ,world2 turn thy vision to the horizon of eternal wealth2 and pray for help from the ,source of ,mercy6 ,soon shall ye see the friends attaining their longed-for destination and pitching their tents1 while we are but in the first day of our journey4 8,o thou servant of the ,threshold of ,god64440 ,o thou servant7#bhi7 of the ,threshold of ,god6 ,i read what flowed from thy pen in the love of ,god1 and found charming meanings from the contents 7of thy letter74 ,i hope1 through the gift of the glorious ,lord1 that thou wilt be always refreshed and revived by the fragrances of the ,merciful4 ,as to what thou hast written concerning 8,reincarnation03 ,believing in reincarnation is one of the old tenets held by most nations and creeds1 as well as by the ,greek and ,roman philosophers and wise men1 the old ,egyptians and the chief ,assyrians4 ,but all these sayings and superstitions are vanity in the sight of ,god4 ,the greatest argument produced by those who held to reincarnation has been this3 8,that it is necessary to the justice of ,god to give every one his due4 ,now everybody who is afflicted by any calamity is said to have sinned2 but when a little child1 which is still in the womb of its mother and hath just been formed1 is found to be blind1 deaf or imperfect1 how could it have committed any sin that we might say this imperfection is given to it as a punishment therefore--so1 though such a child hath not done outwardly any sin in the womb of its mother1 ye they say it must have sinned when it was in its former body1 which hath caused it to suffer this punishment40 ,indeed1 these people have been negligent of the fact that had the creation been carried out in a uniform fashion1 how could the statement be true1 that 8,god doeth whatever ,he wisheth and ,god doeth whatever ,he desireth607#bij7 ,though the fact of 8,return0 is mentioned in the ,divine ,books1 by this is intended the return of the qualities1 characters1 perfections1 truths and lights 7of the past age71 which re-appear in every age1 and not 7the return7 of certain persons and souls4 ,for example3 ,if we say this lamp is the return of that of last night1 or that the last year's flower hath returned in the garden 7this year71 in this sense the return of the individual1 or identity1 or personality is not meant2 nay1 rather1 it is intended that the same qualities and states existing in that lamp or flower1 which are now seen in this lamp or flower1 have returned4 ,that is1 the same perfections and virtues and properties which existed in the past springtime have returned during this present springtime4 ,for instance3 ,when one says1 these fruits are the same as those of last year2 in this sense1 he hath reference to the freshness and delicacy of the fruit1 which hath returned1 although there is no doubt that the identical fruit of last year hath not returned4 ,have the friends of ,god found such enjoyments and respose during their existence on this visible earth1 that they might wish to have their return renewed and repeated constantly8 ,are all these calamities1 injuries1 trials and difficulties of the once coming not sufficient for them that they should wish a repeated life in this world8 ,hath this cup been of such sweetness that they should long for it successively and repeatedly8 ,no6 the friends of the ,beauty of ,el-,baha neve seek any recompense or reward except the meeting and the visit 7of ,god7 in the ,kingdom of ,el-,baha2 and they never walk but in the valley of desire to attain the ,supreme ,height4 ,they only wish the immortal blessing and the eternal gift1 which are sanctified above the worldly understanding4 ,because1 when thou lookest with the iron sight1 thou wilt find that all mankind is suffering in this earthly world2 there is no one in such tranquility that this 7state7 might have been a reward for his good deeds in a former life and there is no soul so happy that this might be the fruit of his past pain6 ,had the life of a man in his spiritual being been only confined to his life in this world1 the creation would have proved useless2 the divine qualities would have no result and effect2 nay1 all things1 created beings and the world of creation would have proved abortive4 ,i ask pardon of ,god for such false imaginations and for such errors6 ,as the usefulness and powers of the life 7of a child7 were not seen in that dark and narrow world 7of the womb71 but when it is brought into this vast world1 all the use of its growth and development becometh manifest and obvious in it1 so likewise1 reward and punishment1 paradise and hell1 and the requital of deeds and actions done by it in the present life become manifest and evident when it is transferred to the world to come--which is far from this world6 ,had the life and growth of the child in the womb been confined to that condition1 then the existence of the child in the womb would have proved utterly abortive and unintelligible2 as would the life of this world1 were its deeds1 actions and their results not to appear in the world to come4 ,therefore1 know thou that the ,true ,one possesseth invisible worlds which human meditation is unable to comprehend and the intellect of man hath no power to imagine4 ,when thou wilt purify and clarify thy spiritual2 nostrils from every worldly moisture1 then thou wilt inhale the holy fragrances diffusing from the merciful gardens of these worlds4 ,el-,abha be upon thee and upon all those who are gazing and turning unto the ,kingdom of ,el-,baha1 which ,god hath sanctified above the understanding of the heedless souls and from being perceived by the eye of those who deny6 8,o my spiritual friends64440 ,o my spiritual friends67#bia7 ,what you have written is perused1 all of which was an entreaty and invocation unto ,god and a desire for devotion unto the ,most ,high4 ,i hope through the bounty of ,god1 day by day1 your assurance1 belief and faith will increase2 moment by moment the flame of the love of ,god will be intensified2 louder and louder will the proclamation of the ,word of ,god be heard in that country2 the breeze of sanctity will begin to blow2 the attraction of the inner consciousness will cause these districts to be animated2 the mercy and aid of ,god will be your associates and the assistance from the ,kingdom of compassion will be momentarily bestowed4 ,now is the time for those spiritual friends1 7i4e41 yourselves17 to adorn the divine meetings1 endeavor to spread the ,cause of god1 arise to diffuse ,his breaths and stand for the promotion of ,his ,word2 that the breath of the ,holy ,spirit may bestow life to the hearts1 causing the spirits to attain the ,beloved4 ,the letter you have previously written is not yet received2 if it were you may be sure it would be answered1 because this servant hath great love and attachment for the believers in that city and will always communicate with them4 ,o ,thou pitiful ,god6 ,these friends are perfectly infatuated with ,thy nearness2 they have given their hearts for the beauty of ,thy face2 are devoted to ,thy ,kingdom and are intoxicated by the wine of belief4 ,in the meeting of the covenant they are bearing in their hands the cup of anxiety1 needing ,thy benevolence and yearning for the heavenly blessings4 ,o ,mighty ,creator6 ,cause these souls to be the receptacle of ,thy mercy1 regarded by divine attention1 and render each one as a lighted candle1 that they may illuminate that region with the light of righteousness4 ,make them the companions of and partaker with this servant ,abdul-,baha in the devotion of ,thy ,threshold4 ,o my ,god6 ,strengthen the weak ones and open the eyes of those who are anxious to behold the beauty of the ,kingdom1 that they may arise with divine strength1 heavenly bounty1 spiritual blessing1 ethereal breaths and mighty assistance for ,thy service1 dispelling the superstitions of the doubters1 elucidating the proofs and evidences before all seekers1 healing the sick1 being kind to the poor1 a refuge and home for the helpless and a light for the hopeless4 ,thou art the ,powerful and the ,able1 the ,pitiful and ,compassionate ,god6 ,o my friends6 ,endeavor to your utmost ability that1 day by day1 unity and harmony will increase and the love of ,god will so firmly capture the hearts that they will forget all save ,him and be engrossed1 night and day1 in mentioning the ,kingdom1 the heavenly signs and the divine verses4 ,if love1 friendship1 association and unity be established among the believers1 the door of all significances will be opened and each believer of ,god will be able to explain and interpret all of the holy ,books4 ,o believers6 ,the tests of ,god are very severe2 you should beseech and cry unto ,him that you may be firm and steadfast during all temptations4 8,as to what thou hast heard concerning the child4440 7#bib7 ,as to what thou hast heard concerning the child born from ,russian parentage1 this is pure imagination4 ,yea1 certain persons shall in this divine dispensation produce heavenly children and such children shall promulgate the teachings of the ,beauty of ,abha and serve ,his great ,cause4 ,through a heavenly power and spiritual confirmation they shall be enabled to promote the ,word of ,god and to diffuse the fragrances of ,god4 ,these children are neither ,oriental nor ,occidental1 neither ,asiatic nor ,american1 neither ,european nor ,african1 but they are of the ,kingdom2 their native home is heaven and their resort is the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,this is but the truth and there is naught after truth save superstitions 7or fancy74 8,o thou spiritual beloved64440 ,o thou spiritual beloved6 ,i have carefully looked at thy picture and found that from thy face emanates the spiritual glad-tidings1 the merciful complaisance and the heavenly brightness4 ,their traces shall appear and their lights shall shine4 8,o thou who art gazing toward the ,kingdom of the4440 ,o thou who art gazing toward the ,kingdom of the ,testament6 ,i already received thy letter which announced thy receipt of the loving letter sent to thee by the pen of ,abdul-,baha4 ,by ,god the ,true ,one6 ,verily1 those letters are as gifts of ,god to thee1 to thy noble wife and to thine honorable daughter4 ,i beg of ,god to enable thee to perfectly endeavor to practice according to their contents4 ,yes1 some of the intellectually cultured people in those countries exert themselves to reach the loftiest summits of prosperity in worldly affairs and most of them are desiring wealth and are making an effort to attain it somehow4 ,but they are unmindful of the treasury of the ,kingdom1 the spiritual affluence and the wealth of mind2 therefore1 thou findest them subject to the rage of lusts and under the influence of egotistic and selfish desires1 sinking into intemperance and engaged in drinking the cup of lust4 ,were they to become mindful of their heedlessness and awakened from the sleep of ignorance1 they would become intoxicated by the cup of the love of ,god and exhilarated by the good cheer of the wine of the knowledge of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god to shine forth unto you with the lights of ,his sanctity and send to you divine souls1 that they may fully reveal to you the divine teachings4 ,the letters which ,i sent to you are as the fragrant breezes of the garden of the knowledge of ,god1 which can be smelled by every one whose sense of smelling is clean and purified from any rheum1 because they are glad-tidings proceeding from pure lips which are fluent in explaining the mysteries of ,god4 ,i beg of ,god to ordain for us to meet one another4 8,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god64440 ,o thou who art assuredly believing in ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which showed how thou art believing in ,god1 assured of the signs of ,god and art attracted by the love of ,god4 ,i thank ,god for that ,he hath ignited the fire of ,his love in thy heart1 hath drawn thee by the magnet of ,his guidance1 hath dilated thy heart through the light of ,his knowledge1 hath assisted thee to be firm in ,his ,testament1 hath sent down ,his blessing upon thee1 upon thy household and upon thy children1 hath illuminated thy house by igniting therein the lamp of the praise of ,god1 hath caused those souls who have drawn nigh unto the ,kingdom to abide in thy house7#bic7--those who deliver the ,cause of ,god1 who speak the praise of ,god and explain the indisputable proofs of ,god unto the servants4 ,it behooveth thee to thank ,god for this great gift and say3 8,o my ,lord6 ,confirm me to serve ,thy beloved and to be submissive and humble before ,thy chosen ones4 ,make me to know the meaning of ,thy ,words and inform me of the mysteries of ,thy signs4 ,place me in the shadow of the standard of ,thy ,testament and preserve me from ,thy tests which break backs and unveil the sins of the back-sliders and tend to disgrace the party of deception and the people of wickedness 7i4e41 the nakazeen74 ,verily1 ,thou art the ,mighty1 the ,pardoner60 8,o thou confident soul who art content and patient64440 ,o thou confident soul who art content and patient6 ,verily1 ,i read thy welcome letter and was informed of its contents which gladdened the hearts of the unitarians 7i4e41 the believers at ,acca7 of thy desire for ,god's confirmation in the service of ,his ,cause among the sincere servants4 ,do not consider the weakness of the people1 but observe the power of attainment in this manifest day4 ,separate thyself from all thoughts1 strip thyself from the unclean garment of attachment to this drossful 7or earthly7 world1 arise for the service of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 and be clothed with the robe of assurance 7or certainty71 so that thou mayest behold the hosts of confirmation from thy ,lord arising from all sides4 ,as to thy information concerning the services of ,mirza ,assad ,ullah to the holy and brilliant ,threshold1 verily1 it gladdened ,abdul-,baha and he thanked ,god for this great bounty unto him 7,mirza ,assad ,ullah7 and the chosen of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i hope1 through the favor of my ,lord1 that ,he will confirm ye unto that which he 7,mirza ,assad ,ullah7 was confirmed2 because the treasury of the favors of thy ,lord are full of bounties4 ,verily1 he granteth to whomsoever ,he wisheth what ,he desireth1 and1 verily1 ,he is the ,generous1 the ,giver and the ,forgiver6 8,o thou spiritual person and heavenly man--may ,god4440 ,o thou spiritual person and heavenly man--may ,god confirm thee6 ,know1 that the divine springtime hath come with its rains and abundance1 with the heat of its sun1 the breeze of its life and the scent of its fragrance2 and through this universal and great abundance1 the land of the holy truth and facts hath moved and brought forth of every kind1 good and beautiful fruits4 ,but the barren1 wicked land will not bring forth save the thorn of denial1 of haughtiness and disdain4 ,therefore1 thank thou ,god for ,he hath made thee a good1 fertile land by the clouds of the abundance of ,god the ,chosen4 ,convey my greetings to thy esteemed wife and daughter1 who are honored by the people of the ,kingdom of ,perfection4 8,o thou who art esteemed and guarded64440 ,o thou who art esteemed and guarded6 ,thank ,god for that by reason of which thy picture hath come into the court of holiness of perfumed breaths4 ,i supplicate to ,god to confirm thee in that which beseemeth this station4 8,o thou who art rejoiced by the ,appearance of ,god64440 ,o thou who art rejoiced by the ,appearance of ,god6 ,blessed art thou for that thine eyes were brightened by the light of guidance1 thine ears heard the calling of ,god from the ,supreme ,concourse1 thine heart was gladdened by the love of ,god and attracted unto the ,beauty of ,god4 ,verily1 by the ,lord of ,hosts1 thou wilt find thyself in the ,kingdom surrounded by favors on the part of thy ,lord1 the ,clement1 and the angels of mercy will herald to thee glad-tidings which are the greatest gift from the ,king of ,might4 ,upon thee be ,el-,baha and upon thee be praise6 ,o thou who art attracted by the fragrance of ,god in this manifest day6 8,o thou who art exhilarated by the ,wine of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art exhilarated by the ,wine of the ,love of ,god--young in age and old in soul6 ,truly1 truly1 ,i say unto thee1 thy thanksgiving for my brilliant letter1 which was sent thee1 caused me to address thee repeatedly with the greatest affection of soul and spirit4 ,by the life of ,god6 verily1 this letter will make thee and thine household rejoice throughout the eternity of the eternities1 because the tongue of ,abdul-,baha is addressing thee from this lofty and sublime threshold of the ,blessed ,perfection4 ,i assuredly cast mine eyes on the picture traced by thine hand and smelled the fragrance of the love of ,god from its flowers1 because it is painted while thine heart hath been overflowing with the love of ,baha' and thou hast made it as a token for thy remembrance4 ,i beg of ,god to make thee cut thine heart from this world and whatever is in it1 to devote thy life to the service of the maid-servants of ,god1 to kneel down1 worship and glorify the affectionate ,lord1 the ,exalted1 the ,lord of angels and spirit6999999 ,the brilliant leaves 7i4e41 the ladies of the household7 who are overshadowed by the protection of ,baha'1 present their greetings and love to thee4 8,to the servant of ,god64440 ,to the servant of ,god6 ,i ask ,god to make thee a growing1 developing branch in ,his vineyard1 bearing flowers1 leaves and fruits1 with widespread branches1 blooming1 verdant and watered by the abundance of the clouds of ,his ,kingdom and the heat of the sun of ,his ,word4 8,to the servant of ,god1 44444444434440 ,to the servant of ,god1 4444444443 ,what thou hast written is understood4 ,in reply ,i will elucidate briefly1 the purport of which you1 with your intelligence1 will surely comprehend3 ,the world of humanity is encompassed by the darkness of conventionalities1 disagreements1 discords1 avoidance1 animosity1 enmity1 ignorance1 folly1 lustful desires and animal tendencies2 the gloomy night had darkened the horizon of the world in such manner that all had forgotten the light and deemed the darkness inevitable in the world of humanity1 and its solution impossible2 when1 unexpectedly1 the ,light of ,reality appeared and enlightened the horizon of the world1 diffusing its rays throughout the ,east and ,west1 the beholding of which instantly delighted the perfect and perceiving eyes2 but the imperfect eyes1 afflicted by the darkness1 were dazzled by the radiance1 while the negligent closed theirs and turned away entirely4 ,that light is the ,love of ,god1 the ,spirit of ,god1 unity1 concord1 science and knowledge1 bounty and perfection1 redemption of life1 spiritual perception1 universal peace1 alliance of the nations1 unification of all peoples and the reality of the attributes of the ,merciful ,one1 which ,i hope thou wilt fully attain4 8,o seeker of the truth64440 ,o seeker of the truth6 ,there are two ways of healing diseases1 the material way and the spiritual way4 ,the first is the remedies of the physician2 the second prayers and turning one's self to ,god4 ,both must be practiced and followed4 ,the diseases that happen to be caused by physical accident are cured by medical aid2 others1 which are due to spiritual causes1 will disappear by spiritual means4 ,for instance3 ,for a disease due to grieving1 fear1 nervous impressions1 the spiritual remedies will take more effect than the physical4 ,therefore1 these tow kinds of remedies must be followed2 neither is an obstacle to the other4 ,you must take care of the physical remedies4 ,these also came from the bounty and mercy of ,god who revealed and made evident the science of medicine1 so that ,his servants may also be benefited by this mode of healing4 ,in the same way take care of the spiritual healing1 because it giveth wonderful results4 ,and if thou art looking for the divine remedy which will cure the spirit of man of all diseases and make him obtain the health of the divine ,kingdom1 know that it is the precepts and teaching of ,god4 ,take the greatest care of them4 8,thy letter was received and its contents noted4 ,in4440 7#bid7 ,thy letter was received and its contents noted4 ,in truth1 thou hast been thrown amid dire ordeals1 enduring agonizing afflictions4 ,these trials were according to the consummate wisdom1 therefore they were for the best4 ,it is good for man to endure 7in such moments74 ,reflect upon his holiness ,job3 ,what trials1 calamities and perplexities did he not endure6 ,but these tests were like unto the fire and his holiness ,job was like unto pure gold4 ,assuredly gold is purified by being submitted to the fire and if it contain any alloy or imperfection1 it will disappear4 ,that is the reason why violent tests become the cause of the everlasting glory of the righteous and are conducive to the destruction and disappearance of the unrighteous4 ,the wisdom of all these tribulations that poured successively upon thee was this1 that thou shouldst be prepared and made ready for this ,cause1 that thou mightiest expect the attainment to the greatest guidance1 for all these trials were but a preparation for thine entrance into the ,most ,exalted ,paradise and the beginning of obtaining this most great benefit4 ,unless the season of winter appear1 thunder roll1 lightening flash1 snow and rain fall1 hail and frost descend and the intensity of cold execute its command1 the season of the soul-refreshing spring would not come1 the fragrant breeze would not waft1 the moderation of temperature would not be realized1 the roses and hyacinths would not grow1 the surface of the heart would not become a delectable paradise1 the trees would not bloom1 neither would they bring forth fruits and leaves4 ,that was the beginning of the manifestation of these roses1 hyacinths1 buds1 blossoms and fruits4 ,therefore1 be not distressed on account of those adversities which fell upon thee2 nay1 rather1 arise and render thanks that the ultimate goal is the attainment to this eminent bounty and the enjoyment of this highest gift of the almighty ,god4 ,consequently gird up the loins of thine endeavor1 that thereby some results might be produced1 some fruits gathered1 the lamp of everlasting life ignited and the gifts of the ,lord of the ,kingdom be manifest1 so that thou mayest accomplish again1 with great yearning and exaltation1 the worship of the ,lord of ,hosts4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,thy last letter1 sent by ,mirza 4444444441 hath arrived4 ,it is not a very long time since ,i wrote thee a letter in which ,i said how contented ,i was with thee and ,i explained to thee the importance of thy visit to ,india and showed thee the results and the fruits of that visit4 ,at this moment hath arrived a letter in which thou hast praised the believers of ,rangoon1 especially ,seyed 4444444441 ,mirza 4444444441 ,mirza 444444444 and ,khai ,khosroe7#bie7 who sacrificed his life for thine2 ea1 this is the truth6 ,consider what a difference exists between his country and thine and what a great effect this ,bahai spirit hath manifested that an oriental sacrificed his life for an ,occidental6 ,what attraction1 what love1 what relationship is this6 ,blessed are those who are able to arrive at an understanding of the reality of the power of this love6 ,concerning ,mr4 4444444441 one of the ,hindus of whom thou hast written3 ,say to him1 8,to me thou art not a stranger1 but a friend2 thou art not unknown1 but known40 ,thou hast spoken of a spiritual wave4 ,this is not a wave1 but a sea2 nay1 the very ocean6 ,but his is not to destroy the cities1 but to purify them2 and soon it will submerge them all4 ,this does not mean destruction1 but salvation2 it is not death1 but life2 it is not enmity1 but love2 it is not pain2 it is a remedy4 ,the world of existence is the body1 and this is its spirit2 this immense world is the glass chimney1 and this is the lamp lighted wick2 humanity is the heaven1 and this is its sun4 ,the signs of this bounty are clear and visible4 ,the proof is the changing of the characters of the friends and the perfection that the believers have made in their actions and words3 ,they were dark1 they became luminous2 they were terrestrial1 they became celestial2 they were human1 they became divine2 they were diabolic1 they became angelic2 they were a drop1 they became the sea2 they were an atom1 they became the sun4 ,these are the signs of those who are entirely submerged by this wave2 that is to say1 this ocean4 ,o thou 4444444446 ,i hope that thou wilt progress more and more2 that thou wilt increase thy knowledge and science2 and that thou wilt ever strive for gentleness and love4 ,perhaps it will be possible for thee1 next winter1 to go to ,persia4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank ye that ,god hath enkindled the light of guidance in this darkness of ignorance1 hath quickened those who were asleep1 made mindful those who were heedless1 made unproductive trees full of blossoms and fruit1 and old men laden with years1 fair and graceful youths4 ,praise be unto ,god6 ,what an effect there lies in divine guidance6 ,it endoweth the blind with sight1 granteth strength to the impotent1 maketh the darkened ones illuminated1 changeth youth to the aged2 nay1 rather it breatheth life into the dead6 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,if thou seeketh after a work which is brighter and more attractive1 sweeter and more delightful than all the affairs1 it is the thralldom in the ,threshold of the ,almighty and servitude to ,his ,highness the ,lord of ,might4 ,forget thou entirely the ease1 tranquility1 composure and living of this transitory world and occupy thyself with the well-being and the service of the human world and conduct thyself in accord with the advices and exhortations of ,god4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i have read thy beautiful letter containing beautiful significances and indicating that which hath occurred to thy heart of spiritual events1 and that which hath encompassed thy spirit of merciful thoughts4 ,this is from the bounty of ,thy ,lord upon thee and upon every maid-servant chosen by ,his mercy in this new age4 7,question3 8,master1 who art thou8 ,art thou the ,christ807 ,as to what thou asked concerning me3 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 that ,i am indeed an humble1 submissive and imploring servant of ,god2 a servant of ,his ,beloved2 a messenger of the exaltation of ,his ,word2 a spreader of ,his ,fragrances2 an extoller of the banner of love and harmony2 a promoter of the greatest peace among all nations and tribes2 a kindler of the fire of the love of ,god in the hearts of the people2 a runner to the place of martyrdom in the ,cause of ,god2 a yearner for every calamity in the love of ,god2 a longer for suspension upon the cross for the love of the beloved2 a herald of the ,kingdom of ,god among the sects of all horizons4 ,this is my station and condition2 this is my blazing crown2 this is my glorious throne2 because my servitude to the ,holy ,threshold is my brilliant light1 my shining star and my drawn sword2 and beside this ,i have no other name4 ,then know that for the dominion of the reality of ,christ there is no beginning and there is no end4 ,everlastingly that luminous ,entity hath been sitting on the throne of might and everlastingly ,it will have a penetrating dominion over the worlds of existence4 ,this dominion is eternal and everlasting and has no abrupt end4 7,question3 8,when is the time of the millenium8 ,will ,i see it87 ,concerning the one thousand years as recorded in the ,book3 ,it signifieth the beginning of this ,manifestation until the end of its predominance throughout the contingent world2 because this ,cause is great1 its powers are growing and its signs are dazzling4 ,it shall continue in elevation1 exaltation1 growth1 promulgation and promotion until it shall reach the apex of its glory in one thousand years--as the day of this ,manifestation is one thousand years4 ,thou shalt see its conquering power1 its manifest dominion1 its eternal might and its everlasting glory4 7,question3 8,at the time of thy departure will there not be some great spiritual manifestation all over the earth807 ,as to the question of 8after my departure0 to the neighborhood of the mercy of my ,lord3 ,know there shall appear wonderful traces2 the breath of ,god shall pass by2 the fragrance of ,god shall spread and the ,spirit of ,god shall run in the body of the contingent world both before and after my departure2 but ,i supplicate ,god that ,he may grant the greatest spirituality in these days4 ,endeavor1 therefore1 that thou mayest have a great portion in it4 7,question3 8,what did the vision of a paper signify in my dream807 ,concerning the appearance of a paper in thy dream1 before thine eyes1 which thou wast unable to read3 ,thou shalt read it through the permission of ,god and thou shalt comprehend its meanings4 ,it is a diary of the ,word of ,god and the divine mysteries4 8,o ye who are attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o ye7#bif7 who are attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 this mundane world is as the mirage of the desert1 but the ,kingdom is like unto a sea of great surges and rolling waves4 ,those who longed for the mirage have indeed become more thirsty the more they hastened toward it and have perished in grief after a drop of water4 ,ye see1 as the condition really is1 that the people of the world are striving day and night for the sake of attaining perfect happiness and tranquil life1 but the result is none other to them than disappointment1 affliction1 lamentation and destruction4 ,but those who have advanced to the ,kingdom of ,god have assuredly advanced to a sea of clear and limpid water and thus have attained unto the greatest bounty1 the perfect rest and the eternal life to which there is no abrupt end4 ,their faces have shined with joy1 their souls delighted with pleasure1 their hearts illumined and their cups overflowed with abundance4 ,their edifice hath risen high1 their palaces have been adorned1 their suns shone1 their stars gleamed and their diadems radiated with a dazzling light4 ,their dominions have expanded and their lights have spread to all ages and generations4 ,these are their set-up thrones1 their high palaces1 their luminous lamps and their shining moons throughout all horizons4 ,these are their traces in the world2 how much more then would be their lights in the highest of the high--consider1 therefore1 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,this being the case1 care no more for the world and its desires1 but cling to the spiritual world and its gifts1 spread the fragrances of ,god1 be submissive to the ,word of ,god1 establish a spiritual meeting-place wherefrom theincense of sanctity and purity will rise up to ,god1 assemble there with fragrance and spirituality and celebrate the ,name of your ,lord by day and by night4 ,at that time ye would become illumined lamps1 spiritual stars2 rather1 eternal suns4 ,this is a favor that was longed for by the spirits of the godly people and the hearts of the queens in the former ages4 8,o ye maid-servants of ,god and leaves of the ,tree of4440 ,o ye maid-servants7#big7 of ,god and leaves of the ,tree of ,eternal ,life6 ,blessed are ye for attaining to that which was the greatest hope of ,mary the ,magdalene and ,mary the mother of ,jacob6 ,this gift was shining on the face of the ,virgin ,mary like unto a brilliant gem glistening on the great crown of glory4 ,happy are ye for this favor1 the likeness of which was not seen by the eye of existence1 not its similitude heard by the ears of the creatures2 because it is the greatest favor on the part of the ,lord of the ,kingdoms in the world of existence2 that is1 the greatest guidance1 the attainment unto the day of the ,lord and listening unto the call of ,god4 ,how blessed is this great favor6 ,o ye maid-servants of ,god6 ,all the palaces shall be destroyed and become like graves1 buried beneath the ground1 but god1 through ,his mighty hand1 will build for ye solid palaces in ,his ,kingdom which will not be destroyed forever and evermore2 nay1 rather its foundation will be strengthened in the course of ages and centuries4 ,therefore1 call in ,his ,name1 spread the fragrances of ,god1 guide unto the path of ,god and cause souls to enter the ,kingdom of ,god6 8,if you arise in accord with the exhortations and commands4440 7#bih7 ,if you arise in accord with the exhortations and commands of the ,blessed ,perfection--may my life be a sacrifice to ,his beloved ones6 --before long agreeable results will be obtained1 the great newspapers of the world will all engage in praising you and such activity will be brought about in the ,west as will increase the motion and activity in the ,east4 ,you have written concerning the meetings in ,cambridge and ,boston4 ,the more such meetings increase1 it will increase the diffusing of the fragrances4 ,the news concerning the unity1 harmony1 affinity and oneness of the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one and the friends of ,god in those parts1 imparted the utmost joy and happiness 7to me74 ,this indicated that the ,cause will before long yield results in that country4 ,convey on my behalf respectful greeting to the favored and attracted maid-servant of ,god1 the daughter of the ,kingdom1 ,miss 444444444 ,o thou 4444444446 ,exhort thou all the believers and say3 8,the ,beauty of ,abha--may my life be a sacrifice to the dust of ,his footsteps6 --hath opened a great door before your faces and bestowed a weighty gift upon you4 ,we must know the value of this and sacrifice ourselves entirely2 nay1 we must forget ourselves4 ,we must wish for no rest and seek no joy4 ,we must seek no name nor fame1 no ease1 amplitude nor convenience2 nay1 we must sacrifice everything in order that we may be clad in the kingdom of immortality607#bii7 ,the letter which thou hast written was received and its perusal brought me joy1 for it indicated that you are extremely pleased with the beloved ones 7i4e41 men7 and the maid-servants of ,god in ,persia4 forsooth1 their love is heartfelt and real2 they are devoted in service with all their soul and they are attracted by the love of the friends with all their heart4 ,if any occasion befalleth and cases of tests come up1 they will sacrifice their precious lives for the sake of the friends and freely give up all their possessions4 ,briefly1 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,praise be to ,god6 thou didst see with thine own eyes1 thou didst hear with thine own ears and thou didst comprehend with thine own heart4 ,thou didst witness the qualities and the life and conduct of ,abdul-,baha and thou didst behold the love and kindness1 faith and assurance of the friends of ,persia4 ,thou didst see the exaltation 7or progress7 of the ,cause of ,god and thou didst test the general character 7or qualities7 of the friends2 and thou didst know with perfect assurance that the ,cause of ,baha'o'llah is the means for the quickening of the world and for the extraordinary progress of mankind2 that it hath quickened ,persia and hath removed the darkness of ignorance1 that the friends are kind unto all the people of the world and self-sacrificing servants of mankind4 8,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant64440 ,o thou who art firm in the ,covenant6 ,i am ever busy with the remembrance of the friends1 praying and supplicating at the threshold of ,his ,majesty1 the ,merciful ,one1 and seek aid and assistance for the beloved4 ,concerning the journey of ,mr4 4444444443 ,the friends of the west put forth their efforts and helped until the means for the trip were made ready and he left for ,india in perfect comfort and is now busy with the diffusion of the fragrances4 ,this service of the beloved to the ,kingdom of ,abha will be the means of great bounty1 a magnet of strength and power attracting assistance and providence in the divine realm4 ,the beloved of ,god must take thought night and day for the spread of the fragrances and for the promotion of the ,word of ,god4 ,they must send criers and messengers 7teachers7 to all parts of the world4 ,every soul who is himself able must ignite the candle of guidance1 illumine the hearts with the light of knowledge and1 if possible1 they must travel to other countries of ,god4 ,thus may the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit arrive and the breath of life reach other souls4 ,the purport is this3 ,i am made happy and am pleased with the souls who have furnished the means for the journey of ,mr4 444444444 ,i pray for them and supplicate for bounty and blessing on their behalf4 8,convey my respectful greeting to ,mr4 444444444 and4440 7#cjj7 ,convey my respectful greeting to ,mr4 444444444 and say3 8,praise be to ,god6 that there exists in thee capacity and endowment to enter into the ,kingdom of ,god1 and that thy wisdom and intelligence are known to the republic47#cja7 ,therefore1 tarry thou not4 ,enter thou immediately into the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,enlist thyself in the roll of the army of the ,lord of ,hosts1 in order that thou mayest become the cause of salvation to the people1 endow sight to the blind1 hearing to the deaf and life to the dead4 ,this is the divine gift6 ,this is the supreme guidance6 make thou thy meetings a palace for the heavenly beloved and thy residence a glass for the light of ,deity4 ,suffer thy home to become a nest for the dove of the ,holy ,spirit and thine eye the mirror for the reflection of the ,beauty of the ,almighty40 8,o ye beloved friends of ,abdul-,baha64440 ,o ye beloved friends of ,abdul-,baha67#cjb7 ,the news of your spiritual assembly reached this ,illumined ,spot and the heart of this yearning one was rejoiced on account of your concord1 unity and affinity4 ,what wonderful meetings and brilliant gatherings were those1 whose fame will become world-wide and whose melody will ere long reach to all the kingdoms6 that in the region of ,america the believers are real companions and associates with each other and are as beloved friends among themselves2 that they bring about gatherings of friendship1 engage themselves in the praise and glorification of the glorious ,lord1 deliver eloquent speeches1 establish the proofs and arguments of the ,manifestation of the ,sun of ,truth1 spread the divine teachings and shed broadcast the musk-diffusing fragrances of the ,kingdom1 so that the nostrils become perfumed and the eyes become brightened4 ,o ye friends6 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful6 ,those assemblies are the emblems of the ,supreme ,concourse and the prototypes of the congregations of the spirits in the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,avail yourselves of the opportunities of this time1 neither let the occasion slip by unheeded4 ,the season of the soul-refreshing springtime will not appear at all time1 neither will the breezy dawn be at every moment4 ,now is the time of proclamation and the occasion of supplication and invocation toward the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,therefore1 sing ye the sweet melody in the assemblages1 entreat ye at the ,threshold of the ,kingdom of the ,lord of ,hosts and beg ye for confirmation and assistance4 ,the ,guide of ,providence will appear and the 8beloved of divine gift0 will unveil her luminous countenance4 8,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,thou hast learned of thy ,lord and engaged thyself in the servitude of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,in the promised day thou art adoring the beloved ,countenance and thou shalt be aided and confirmed in that which is the greatest desire of the saints4 ,the cause of eternal glory to man is faith and certainty and then living 7or acting7 according to the behests of ,his ,majesty the ,eternal ,god4 ,my hope is that thou wilt attain to the three4 ,as long as thou canst1 wish thou the most great peace for all mankind3 ,associate with all in perfect love and kindness2 hold all dear and count all friends and familiar ones2 know no enemies2 imagine no strangers4 ,thus mayest thou be a mercy to the people of the world and a source of bounty to the world of humanity4 8,o thou who art waiting for the ,appearance of the4440 ,o thou who art waiting for the ,appearance of the ,kingdom6 ,glad-tidings be unto thee1 for the ,kingdom of ,god hath raised its tent and tabernacle upon the apex of the world1 the standard of the ,kingdom is hoisted1 the call of the ,kingdom is sent forth and the hosts of the ,kingdom have appeared4 ,therefore1 there are many fortresses and castles of hearts which are conquered and many regions of spirits which are subdued4 ,the lights of the ,kingdom have shone forth from the horizon of the ,east and ,west4 ,praise be to ,god6 that thou hast entered therein and hast received manifest outpouring from the ,most ,great ,beauty4 ,although thou art old in age1 yet thou art young in spirit and have freshness and vivacity1 vigor and strength1 beauty and sweetness4 ,thank thou ,god for this4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the breeze of ,life is wafting from the rose-garden of the ,kingdom2 become thou undoubtedly moved thereby4 ,the rays of light are emanating from the ,luminary of regions2 become thou unquestionably illumined thereby4 ,drink thou as much as thou canst from this overflowing cup of the love of ,god and then cause others to drink2 take thou a portion from this ocean of guidance and then suffer others to share4 ,i hope that ,god will become thy helper and the outpouring of the manifest ,light will shine in thy heart4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received and i supplicated and implored at the ,divine ,kingdom that ,he may bestow real health to thee1 thy husband and thy child and confirm all of you by the heavenly assistance and grant you happiness and joy in both worlds6 8,o thou bird of the ,rose-garden of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou bird of the ,rose-garden of the ,love of ,god6 ,thank thou ,god that1 through the utterances of ,mrs4 4444444441 thou hast heard of the universe of the ,kingdom1 thy heart recognized 7the ,truth71 thine eyes became seeing and thy soul became mindful4 ,shouldst thou remain firm and steadfast in faith1 the desire of thy heart and soul will become realized1 thou wilt find the utmost joy and wilt be assisted in visiting the holy ,threshold4 8,o thou who art uttering the mention of ,god64440 ,o thou who art uttering the mention of ,god6 ,know1 that the pure hearts upon which the mysteries of the ,kingdom of ,god are printed and pictured1 are reflectors one upon another and thus the once can discover the secrets of the other1 because such hearts are only mirrors confronting each other on which the secrets of unity1 affinity and concord are printed and reflected4 ,accordingly1 it would be possible that a certain servant of the servants of the ,merciful might discover a treasured mystery or a preserved sign1 whatever his shortcomings or defects might be2 yet we do indeed rely upon ,god the ,forgiver4 ,i supplicate ,him to deliver us from the pangs of lust and its dangers and from the destructive conditions of passion4 ,verily1 ,i do testify that thine heart is moved by the fragrance of the love of ,god1 that thy memory is a fountain overflowing with the water of the knowledge of ,god4 ,therefore1 finish the poem which thou art composing and send it here1 that through reading it the breast of the believers may be refreshed and dilated with joy4 8,o thou who art kindled by the fire of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou who art kindled by the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,rejoice through the fragrance of ,god and be attracted by the melodies of the holy birds in the garden of the gifts of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i1 with great humbleness and submissiveness before the abundance of ,his mercy1 do roll my face upon the dust to make thee a sign of unity and a gift of mercy1 that thou mayest be1 in all aspects and cases1 near to the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,blessed thou art for this great abundance6 ,glad-tidings unto thee because of this manifest light6 ,by the life of ,god6 a single drop of the ocean of ,his love is more profitable unto thee than the earth and that which is thereupon1 because this will vanish and perish1 but that drop of love will remain eternally and everlastingly in the worlds of ,god4 8,o thou dear servant of ,god64440 ,o thou dear servant of ,god6 ,during the time of thy visit here the meanings of the words of ,christ1 8,let the dead bury their dead10 was explained to thee4 ,those souls who are not vivified and attracted by the ,holy ,spirit1 are accounted among the dead1 because their souls are deprived of the breath of the ,holy ,spirit1 and these persons after physical death are in a certain condition1 having feeling and discernment in their environment1 but in comparison with the pure souls who have been vivified by the ,holy ,spirit1 they are as dead and deprived4 ,for example3 ,the mineral kingdom in comparison with the vegetable is lifeless2 also the existence of the animal kingdom in comparison with that of man is death4 ,the meaning is not that the neglectful souls will be non-existent4 ,give my loving greeting to all the servants of ,god and the sharers of divinity4 8,o thou attracted one64440 ,o thou attracted one6 ,thy letter was an evidence of the happiness and rejoicing of thy heart and soul and a proof of knowing the ,true ,one and severing thyself from all else save ,him4 ,when thou beholdest with the eye of ,truth1 then thou wilt realize that in this world neither known or unknown1 neither kind father or beloved son1 mother or sister1 help us4 ,no persons assist except the ,benevolent ,almighty4 ,when thou knowest ,him1 thou art independent from all else4 ,when thou art attached to ,his love1 then thou art detached from every kith and kin4 ,o thou attracted one of the ,kingdom6 ,complete thou the study of the art of music and sacrifice thyself more or less to the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,the spiritual lily reached me in the world of the ,merciful and its sweet fragrance perfumed the nostril47#cjc7 ,i ask ,god that thou mayest find a soul overflowing with glad-tidings1 seek a heart of joy and attain to tthe beautiful ideal6 ,that thou mayest sever thyself from this world and soar up to the ,universe of the ,creator6 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and from the rose-garden of its significances sweet fragrances were inhaled4 ,thank ,god that thou hast found guidance1 become knowing1 attached thyself to the ,lord of the ,kingdom and attained to spiritual attraction4 ,thou hast asked permission to come in the presence4 ,if the means are brought about that traveling may be made with utmost ease1 thou hast permission4 8,o thou spiritual leaf who art verdant and well-watered4440 ,o thou spiritual leaf who art verdant and well-watered by the outpouring from the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i beseech ,his ,presence1 the ,mighty and the majestic ,one1 to enlighten the mind through the lights gleaming from the summit of the ,kingdom1 and by which thy tongue shall become eloquent with the remembrance of the ,ever-living ,one 7,he who liveth and dieth not71 to make thee a lamp shininng with the lights of knowledge in those far-distant horizons and vast countries4 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 the ,covenant of ,god and ,his ,alliance is a ,lamp diffusing lights from the ,supreme ,concourse unto the horizons of the earth and heaven4 ,whosoever hath this ,divine ,lamp before his face1 his forehead shall glisten with manifest light and his speech shall take effect in all minds and spirits1 and ,god shall assist him by the poser which penetrateth the essences of things4 8,o thou bird of the ,garden of ,god64440 ,o thou bird of the ,garden of ,god6 ,why art thou sad and sorrowful1 disappointed and grieved6 ,praise be to ,god6 the eternal bounty is in succession1 the divine glory is apparent and manifest1 the display of ,providence and light of guidance is glistening and shining from the ,kingdom of ,abha and the appearance of the ,greatest ,sun is clear and evident4 if thou art outwardly far1 then thou art near in spirit1 and if thou art absent in body1 thou art present in heart and spirit4 ,arise and wash thy body1 wear a pure gown1 and directing thyself to the ,kingdom of ,god1 supplicate and pray to ,him4 ,sleep in a clean1 well prepared and ventilated place1 and ask for appearance 7or display7 in the world of vision4 ,thou wilt have visions which will cause the doors of doubts to be closed1 which will five you new joy1 wonderful dilation1 brilliant glory4 thou wilt comprehend realities and meanings4 ,verily1 the bounty of the ,kingdom is unlimited and the favors of the ,lord of ,majesty are like unto the rains of springtime4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,dost thou remember when ,mrs4 444444444 was talking with thee1 what a cheerful feeling thou felt in thy heart8 ,and what a gladness and rejoicing thou didst find8 ,even thy friends were astonished at what was the cause of this joy4 ,therefore1 follow thou that rejoicing1 and continue 7saying7 the ,greatest ,name every morning4 ,may thy soul be cheered6 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,happiness consists of two kinds2 physical and spiritual4 ,the physical happiness is limited2 its utmost duration is one day1 one month1 one year4 ,it hath no result4 ,spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable4 ,this kind of happiness appeareth in one's soul with the love of ,god and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity4 ,therefore1 endeavor as much as thou art able in order to illumine the lamp of thy heart by the light of love4 8,o thou seeker of the ,divine ,kingdom64440 ,o thou seeker of the ,divine ,kingdom6 ,the heavenly doors opened1 the hosts of realities and significances rushed forth1 the ,lord of ,hosts established a heavenly throne and spread the armies of peace and reconciliation in all parts of the world1 in order that the reign of peace and love may be founded4 ,now that army is engaged in diffusing virtues throughout all regions4 ,as to thee3 ,be thou of ,god1 that thou mayest become a leader of peace and reconciliation1 hoist the banner of love and quicken the souls through the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit4 8,o thou who art longing for the ,heavenly ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art longing for the ,heavenly ,kingdom6 ,mrs4 444444444 became the guide and directed thee to the path of the ,kingdom and informed thee of my love4 ,whatever she said is correct4 ,i am the lamp and the love of ,god is my light4 this light hath become reflected in the mirrors of hearts4 ,therefore turn thou unto thy heart1 that is1 when it is in the utmost freedom1 and behold how the radiance of my love is manifest in that mirror1 and thou art near unto me4 ,recite the ,greatest ,name at every morn1 and turn thou unto the ,kingdom of ,abha1 until thou mayest apprehend my mysteries4 8,o thou plant in the ,garden of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou plant in the ,garden of the ,kingdom6 ,god created man in the utmost perfection1 for ,he inscribed the edict of the divine likeness on his brow4 ,every excellent person 7or soul71 if confirmed by the heavenly bounty1 is a plant of the ,kingdom and becometh green and refreshed and putteth forth wonderful blossoms and groweth on the river bank of the love of ,god4 8,o thou seeker of ,truth64440 ,o thou seeker of ,truth6 ,thank thou the maid-servant of ,god ,mrs4 4444444441 for she hath guided thee to the ,divine ,kingdom and led thee to the noblest station of the human world4 ,appreciate thou her value1 and turn thou unto the ,word of ,god1 so that thou mayest be confirmed by the power of the ,merciful ,one1 and attain to that which is wished for by the holy ones4 8,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god64440 ,o thou who art advancing toward the ,kingdom of ,god6 ,the doors of the ,ideal ,heaven of ,god are opened and some souls are on the wing like unto birds of holiness and have attained to the divine ,kingdom4 ,i beg of ,god that thou wilt become one of those birds and soar up in such manner that thou mayest astonish all4 8,o ye maid-servants of ,his ,majesty1 the ,lord--daughters4440 ,o ye maid-servants of ,his ,majesty1 the ,lord--daughters and sons of the ,kingdom67#cjd7 ,the meeting of the ,lord's ,supper1 which you held in the home of ,mr4 and ,mrs4 444444444 7was blessed7 with the lights of the ,beauty of the ,merciful1 which shone from the ,kingdom of ,abha1 and ,abdul-,baha was present in spirit and heart although absent in body4 ,that meeting was exceedingly bright1 and as the rose-garden1 emitted a pleasant fragrance4 ,meetings organized with the utmost holiness and piety1 wherein those who are present engage in the mention and thought of ,god1 and wherein the verses of ,oneness are chanted and the prayers of the ,threshold of the ,lord of ,verses are offered and the exhortations and counsels of the ,blessed ,beauty recited1 such meetings are illumined1 spiritual1 divine and heavenly4 ,they are the means of training the world of humanity4 ,i am1 night and day1 engaged in remembering you1 and happy with your thought1 and ask the ,lord of the ,kingdom for confirmation1 that ,he may make each one of you a sign of guidance and the means of educating and guiding other women and men4 ,the bounty and grace of ,god in this illumined cycle is like the ocean4 ,every instant it surges1 reaching the apogee with its waves and inundating the shores of existence4 ,therefore1 ,o ye maid-servants of the ,merciful and servants of ,god1 endeavor while this ocean is still surging and this cloud raining and pouring1 to make the surface of the earth feel the reality1 that it may grow the hyacinths1 the flowers and frits of concord1 peace1 love1 faith1 realities and significances4 8,o seeker of ,truth64440 ,o seeker of ,truth6 ,if thou desirest that god may open thy 7spiritual7 eye1 thou must supplicate unto ,god1 pray to and commune with ,him at midnight1 saying3 8,o ,lord1 ,i have turned my face unto thy ,kingdom of ,oneness and am drowned in the sea of ,thy mercy6 ,o ,lord1 enlighten my sight by beholding ,thy lights in this dark night1 and make me happy by the wine of ,thy love in this wonderful age6 ,o ,lord1 make me hear ,thy call1 and open before my face the doors of ,thy heaven1 so that ,i may see the light of ,thy glory 7,baha'7 and become attracted to ,thy beauty6 8,verily1 thou art the ,giver1 the ,generous1 the ,merciful1 the ,forgiving60 ,at that time such signs will appear which will guide thee to the ,kingdom of ,thy ,lord1 the ,merciful4 ,the babe dressed in the white garment that gave thee the jessamine is a fragrance of the fragrances of ,god1 reared through ,his love1 a sign of ,his signs and a breeze of ,his breezes4 ,it hath a wonderful power and there shall be for it astonishing states to the minds and spirits4 ,understand what ,i say to thee through the best of symbols4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy writing was considered4 ,thank ,god that thou wert fed from the table which hath descended from heaven4 ,that food is the 8,i am the bread which descended from heaven10 recorded in the ,gospel4 ,that is faith1 certainty1 love and knowledge4 ,i ask ,god that1 day by day1 thy steps may progress1 that thou mayest grow firmer in the love of ,god2 that unto thee and thy kindred a blessing of ,god shall come1 and that thou mayest remain protected and sheltered under all conditions4 ,thus1 may thy weakness be changed to strength and thy inability to power4 8,o ye dear servants of ,god644440 ,o ye7#cje7 dear servants of ,god6 ,your letter received and the contents proved excellent4 ,that which is the desire of you hearts is the utmost hope of the daughters of the ,kingdom2 that is1 they wish to sacrifice themselves for the ,beauty of ,abha7#cjf7 and offer their lives for ,his ,holiness1 the ,supreme47#cjg7 ,in reality1 the radiant1 pure hearts are the ,mashrak-el-,azcar and from them the voice of supplication and invocation continually reacheth the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,i ask ,god to make the heart of every one of you a temple of the ,divine ,temples and to let the lamp of the great guidance be lighted therein2 and when the hearts find such an attainment1 they will certainly exert the utmost endeavor and energy in the building of the ,mashrak-el-,azcar2 thus may the outward express the inward1 and the form 7or letter7 indicate the meaning 7or reality74 8,o servant of ,god64440 ,o servant of ,god6 ,give thanks to ,god1 for thou hast come to the ,holy ,land1 visited the ,sacred ,threshold1 associated with us for a few days and heard the divine admonitions1 which are in the heavenly ,books4 ,now return1 behave and act with perfect firmness1 according to the heavenly teachings1 in those regions1 in order that you may become the cause by which human perfections will be attained4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,give thanks unto ,god for having revealed unto thee1 in visions1 the mysteries of ,his ,kingdom and for having strengthened thee to attain certain revelations which show thine utmost attraction and constancy unto this great ,cause4 ,verily1 the three birds are the three holy souls4 ,the one on the right is ,his ,holiness the great ,bab1 the one on the left is ,his ,honor the ,khudoos17#cjh7 the glorious soul1 and the great bird in the middle is the ,greatest ,name47#cji7 ,the light shining from the ,supreme ,horizon is the ,beauty of ,el-,abha4 ,these birds descended from an infinite height and the nearer they came to earth the more their majesty and glory became manifest4 ,all nations were promised by a sure promise and were awaiting with anxiety and longing the coming of the ,promised ,one4 ,the two birds accompanying the great bird in the center signifies that the ,bab and ,his ,honor the ,khudoos were both under the wings of the ,greatest name4 ,as those birds descended and their shadows extended vertically over the expectants1 as the sun approacheth the zenith at noontide1 at this time thou hast seen a majestic being in the form of man upon the back of the huge bird in the center4 ,this person in the human form is the 8divine station0 mentioned in the ,bible3 8,let us make man in our image after our likeness40 ,and the divine lights were reflected from the reality of the ,greatest ,name4 ,although this station is far from the minds and understandings1 yet its lights are apparent1 its rays reflected and its brilliancy manifested throughout the universe4 ,the white garments signify holy dignity and a station sanctified from color1 i4e41 free from the universal conditions and material qualities4 ,that luminous countenance1 manifested in beauty1 signifieth that the divine lights shone forth from the human form1 which were reflected and descended upon thee1 dazzling the eyes of those who were perceiving it as the sun dazzles the eyes of those who try to look upon it4 ,that divine form manifested itself in ,america and entered the great ,temple which shall soon be constructed therein4 this glorious ,temple resembles the ,oriental edifices and soon thou wilt see it erected there with a most solid foundation and strongest basis4 ,that divine face will beam upon numberless souls who will enter this ,temple4 ,regarding the table laid in that magnificent house3 ,this is the heavenly table of divine knowledge1 love and eternal life4 ,as to the people gathered there1 they are the beloved of ,god and ,his chosen ones whose faces shine with wonderful and heavenly beauty4 ,the woman sitting at the side of the ,temple is the law of ,god1 which will soon dispel all veils and its beauty will appear1 after which it shall be established forever and ever4 ,the stamped coins presented to the woman sitting in that honored station1 are the good deeds and actions of the beloved of ,god and ,his maid-servants1 submitted with praise1 greetings and great thanksgiving unto that holy law4 ,the beautiful woman is blessed by being touched by that ,merciful ,being the glory of whose blessing shall suffuse the universe4 ,then the ,merciful ,being returned to ,his station1 mounting the bird and ascended to the ,supreme ,horizon in the infinite realm4 ,this vision showeth that thou1 ,o confirmed and attracted one1 by the breezes of ,god will soon be acquainted with the ancient mysteries1 for the ,manifest ,light will appear to thee4 ,the vision also signifieth that a ,mashrak-el-,azcar will soon be established in ,america4 ,the cries of supplication and invocation will be raised to the ,highest ,kingdom therefrom and1 verily1 the people will enter into the religion of ,god by troops with great enthusiasm and attraction4 ,concerning thy vision of the angels surrounding the great white throne3 ,this 8throne0 is the body of the ,greatest name4 ,the beautiful and glorious person riding upon the white horse is the ,greatest ,name and the white horse means also ,his glorious body4 ,the herald who proclaimed the written names is ,abdul-,baha who announceth the names of those who deserve salvation and are firm in the ,covenant of ,god1 and thou art one of those people1 the people of salvation4 ,be thankful for this great favor4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 thy coming1 at this time1 unto this shining1 blessed ,holy ,land is not consistent with wisdom1 but when the 7proper7 time cometh1 we shall give thee permission to come to this ,spot of ,light4 ,thank thou ,god for that the love of ,god hath pervaded thee and seized the reins from thy hands4 ,this spiritual love shall surely pervade all regions4 ,as to the human souls 7or individuals73 ,unless they acquire the light1 they are unable to shine upon other individuals4 ,but when a man ariseth to expound the arguments of ,god and invite people to enter in the religion of ,god1 and when he uttereth those argumments and advanceth consummate proofs concerning the appearance of the great ,kingdom1 then intense love shall become manifest in his heart4 ,this love causeth the development of this spirit by the grace of the beneficent ,lord4 ,consider1 ,o maid-servant of ,god1 the bearer who brought the garment of ,joseph to ,jacob4 ,that messenger was the bearer of the garment1 but he could not inhale the fragrance of ,joseph4 ,but ,jacob1 whose nostrils were pure1 inhaled the fragrances of ,joseph from a long distance4 ,it may be that man can guide a blessed1 holy soul into the ,kingdom of ,god while he1 himself1 is deprived therof4 ,consider ,judas ,iscariot3 ,he invited others1 while he1 himself1 was deprived of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,but in spiritual training 7or development7 it is impossible for an imperfect one to perfect another or train another unless he first conquers his own self and desire and becomes purified from selfish impurities in order to become capable of merciful slendors4 ,when he acquires divine bounties1 then he is able to train another4 ,an ignorant man hath no power to teach a seeker 7of knowledge7 and a poor man hath no power to succor a needy one4 ,consequently1 be thou assured that1 verily1 man needs to wish for eternal life and then confer the same upon another4 ,these human perfections and merciful bounties are that peace which was promised and spoken of by ,christ4 ,then know thou that1 verily1 the people of ,baha' must need be distinguished from others in all respects1 until they become the lamps of the ,true ,one among the creatures and the stars of guidance shining from the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,then know thou1 verily1 that ,luminous ,man1 the lights of whose ,face dazzle the eyes and before whom thou knelt down when thou sawest ,his light1 is the ,greatest ,name1 the ,ancient ,light1 the ,honorable ,temple6 8,o thou sincere servant of ,baha'o'llah64440 ,o thou sincere servant of ,baha'o'llah6 ,thy letter was received and its content was the cause of infinite happiness1 for it was an indication of thy firmness in the faith and thy steadfastness in the ,covenant and ,testament4 ,today1 the greatest of all titles and praises are firmness and steadfastness1 for the tests and trials are of the utmost intensity4 ,i ask ,god that day by day thou mayest increase in steadfastness1 so like unto a solid rock thou mayest withstand the tempestuous sea of test4 ,the people of the world are like unto trees 7i4e41 trees without roots71 they are torn up by the passing of a gust of wind1 but trees which are deeply rooted1 strong and sturdy1 are not uprooted by the most violent tempest--therefore they produce leaves1 blossoms and fruits4 ,o thou spiritual friend6 ,thou hast asked the wisdom of prayer4 ,know thou that prayer is indispensable and obligatory1 and man under no pretext whatsoever is excused from performing the prayer unless he be mentally unsound1 or an insurmountable obstacle prevent him4 ,the wisdom of prayer is this3 ,that it causeth a connection between the servant and the ,true ,one1 because in that state 7i4e41 prayer7 man with all heart and soul turneth his face towards ,his ,highness the ,almighty1 seeking ,his association and desiring ,his love and compassion4 ,the greatest happiness for a lover is to converse with his beloved1 and the greatest gift for a seeker is to become familiar with the object of his longing2 that is why with every soul who is attracted to the ,kingdom of ,god1 his greatest hope is to find an opportunity to entreat and supplicate before his ,beloved1 appeal for ,his mercy and grace and be immersed in the ocean of ,his utterance1 goodness and generosity4 ,beside all this1 prayer and fasting is the cause of awakening and mindfulness and conducive to protection and preservation from tests4 ,the obligatory prayer is revealed from the ,supreme ,pen and is translated in ,america4 ,ask for it from the believers and use it4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,thank thou ,god that thou art directed to the ,light of ,guidance and ushered into the ,kingdom of the ,love of ,god1 became the recipient of the inexhaustible bounties and that thou hast a son like 4444444441 who is the servant in the ,threshold of ,god and is one of the sons of the ,kingdom of the ,merciful4 ,god hath accomplished ,his gift in thee2 thou must be happy and thankful and hopeful for the favor of the ,true one4 8,o thou who art longing for the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art longing for the ,kingdom6 ,mr4 444444444 in thy behalf hath made a great endeavor4 ,thou shouldst be eternally grateful to him and thank him1 for he hath guided thee to the ,kingdom1 led thee to life eternal and set upon thy brow a crown whose brilliant gems shall illumine the world of existence4 ,that crown is the ,divine ,guidance4 ,thousands of illustrious and famous women are deprived but thou hast partaken of a share of this heavenly food4 ,the queens of the world are portionless1 but thou art inexhaustibly supplied4 ,therefore1 thank thou the ,pure1 the ,almighty1 and adore ,him1 that ,he hath bestowed such a beloved and glorious gift upon thee6 8,o thou leaf who art moved by the ,breeze of ,god64440 ,o thou leaf who art moved by the ,breeze of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i address thee with all spiritual love and gladness from this my residence at the base of ,mount ,carmel1 which is blessed through all ages by the prophets1 as recorded in the ancient ,books4 ,and ,i beseech ,his ,highness the ,merciful ,one to ordain thee a faithful footing in the ,kingdom of ,god and to provide for thee all things by which thy mind may be brightened1 thy breast be gladdened1 thy tongue become eloquent and whereby the doors of the meanings hinted at in the sacred ,books and ,tablets be opened to thy mind4 ,verily1 the people are veiled from comprehending the meanings of the ,gospel1 the ,bible and the ,koran and know not the interpretation of the scriptures of ,god1 except those whose eyes are opened by the outpouring of the ,spirit of ,god4 ,thou shalt behold men-servants and maid-servants of ,baha' in those far-distant lands and wide countries1 speaking the secrets of the ,gospel and the mysteries of the ,bible and the allusions of the ,koran and the explanation of the ,words of the ,merciful ,one4 ,those are the servants to whomsoever ,god hath assigned ,his mercy which overfloweth the existence4 8,o thou tree planted in the ,vineyard of ,god64440 ,o thou tree planted in the ,vineyard of ,god6 ,verily1 the clouds of the mercy of thy ,lord have poured forth the rain of ,his greatest gift2 the heat of the ,sun of ,truth hath become intense upon the plains1 valleys and hills1 and the winds of fecundation of the mercy of thy ,lord have blown o'er the gardens1 mountains and thickets4 ,therefore1 ,o thou tree1 be verdant1 blossom1 put forth leaves and bear beautiful fruits in this most ,supreme ,paradise6 8,o thou who art seeking fire from the ,fire of the ,love4440 ,o thou who art seeking fire from the ,fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,i received thy brilliant letter and became pleased with its beautiful contents4 ,shouldst thou desire to add perception and understanding1 to become fully aware of the mysteries as deposited in the ,holy ,books and to spread the divine significances1 it is incumbent upon thee to be straightforward in the right ,path1 to be firm in the teachings and to be patient under the great test4 he who is steadfast shall grow and he who is straightforward shall succeed4 ,i supplicate ,god to grant thee power wherewith thou wilt confront the beliefs of all regions and innumerable nations2 and to make it possible for thee to come hither in a convenient time when no obstacles exist1 but now there are many obstacles in the way of thy coming4 ,however1 if thou turn thy face thoroughly to ,god1 ,he will grant thee wisdom and power which maketh thy words to penetrate the hearts as the spirit penetrate the body4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thou must leave selfishness1 separate thyself from the world and cling thoroughly to the ,most ,supreme ,kingdom4 ,give my salutations to ,mrs4 444444444 and to the maid-servant of ,god1 4444444441 and say to them that 8,god hath chosen ,his pure1 devout and good maid-servants to turn their faces to ,him and to become attracted by ,his fragrances in this new and wonderful day40 8,o thou son of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou son of the ,kingdom6 ,thy sweet letters with their interesting contents are always conducive to the joy of the hearts4 ,they are like unto the melodies of the nightingale which imparteth exultation to soul and mind4 ,thank thou ,god6 that thou hast gone to those parts7#caj7 for the purpose of spreading the ,word of ,god and diffusing the holy fragrances of the ,kingdom of ,god and that thou art a gardener in the divine orchard4 ,ere long1 confirmation and assistance shall environ thee4 ,o thou son of the ,kingdom6 ,if one possesses the love of ,god1 everything that he undertakes is useful1 but if the undertaking is without the love of ,god1 then it is hurtful and the cause fo veiling one's self from the ,lord of the ,kingdom4 ,but with the love of ,god every bitterness is changed into sweetness and every gift becometh precious4 ,for instance1 a musical and melodious voice imparteth life to an attracted heart but lureth toward lust those souls who are engulfed in passion and desire4 ,with the love of ,god all sciences are accepted and beloved1 but without it1 are fruitless2 nay1 rather the cause of insanity4 ,every science is like unto a tree2 if the fruit of it is the love of ,god1 that is a blessed tree4 ,otherwise it is dried wood and finally a food for fire4 ,o thou sincere servant of the ,true ,one and the spiritual physician of the people6 ,whenever thou presentest thyself at the bed of a patient turn thy face toward the ,lord of the ,kingdom and supplicate assistance from the ,holy ,spirit and heal the ailments of the sick one4 ,i beg of ,god to bestow thee with an eloquent tongue4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and the contents indicated that--praise be to ,god6 --thy heart is ablaze with the fire of the love of ,god and thine eyes are illumined with the light of the guidance of ,god1 that thy face is cheerfully beaming and thy countenance is shining and gleaming4 ,say unto thine honored helpmate1 thy dear husband3 8,thousands of souls1 including the great divines and ,pharisees among the ,jews1 were awaiting the ,manifestation of ,christ1 lamenting and weeping and supplicating that the ,messiah should soon appear4 ,but when ,his ,holiness ,christ came with a beautiful face and sweet utterance and dawned from the day-spring of the contingent world like unto the shining sun1 all those souls who awaited ,him rejected ,him1 became afflicted with the sleep of heedlessness1 did not wake up by the voice of ,christ nor did they gain consciousness4 ,now again the same is the case in the ,manifestation of ,baha'o'llah40 ,i beg of ,god that thy dear husband be guided through the light of guidance and become a sign of the gift of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,kingdom6 ,the decoration and adornment of the tongue consists in praising and thanksgiving to the ,lord ,almighty1 especially when a man is guided by divine grace and mercy to the path of guidance and when he is intoxicated by the chalice of boundless blessings4 ,thank ,god that--praise be to ,god6 --the glass of thy life and heart hath become bright with the lamp of guidance1 and the chalice of hope and desire hath overflowed with the wine of the love of ,god4 ,this is an attainment and blessing that1 if thou give thanks a thousand centuries and cycles1 thou wilt not be capable of doing it justice4 ,therefore1 in the utmost joy1 gladness1 rejoicings and endless happiness thou must open thy tongue in thanksgiving and glorifying the ,lord of mercy and become the cause of enlightenment4 ,when in perfect obedience thou followest the path of the evident ,light1 thou mayest rest assured that in a little while life will find the ,beloved1 the seeker the ,desired ,one and the traveler the ,goal4 ,kiss the face and hair of thy dear children for me1 love them and educate them in divine education4 8999999,o ye children of the ,kingdom64440 999999,o ye7#caa7 children of the ,kingdom6 ,the letter that ye have written1 although short and significant1 was a manifest book and an evidence of your faith and assurance and a proof of your union and harmony4 ,praise be to ,god6 that ye are gathered in one assembly like unto the stars of the ,pleiades1 are illumined with the light of the knowledge of ,god and through the outpouring of the cloud of the love of ,god1 ye are the fresh flowers of the meadow and plain2 ye are intimate and familiar with infinite unity and love4 ,therefore1 this meeting is blessed4 ,but if it is firmly established and become constant1 it will bring forth great results and most weighty developments will be attained4 ,consequently1 persevere ye in renewing your meetings and display utmost magnanimity in firmness and steadfastness4 ,when the root of the tree of the garden is well established and its protection is safeguarded1 it will bring forth luscious fruits4 ,likewise1 when the regiment of an army and the individuals of a cohort are united and related with ease1 untold triumphs will be acquired4 ,but if they come together one day and disperse another day1 no fruits will be produced4 ,therefore1 as ye have prepared an army of heaven and become the host of life1 ye must continue to hold meetings1 have spiritual communications1 be firm in resolution1 steadfast in purpose and be constant and persevering so that ye may win celestial conquests4 ,i supplicate and entreat at the ,threshold of ,god to assist and confirm you in firmness and steadfastness and cause you to guide the inhabitants of that region4 8,o thou lover of humanity64440 ,o thou lover of humanity67#cab7 ,thy letter was received and its contents imparted spiritual significances4 ,thank thou ,god that from thy early childhood thou hast been always a seeker after salvation and hast been spending thy energy and effort in charitable affairs and the excellences of the world of humanity4 ,however1 every great ,cause in this world of existence findeth a visible expression through three means2 first1 intention2 second1 confirmation2 third1 action4 ,today on this earth there are many souls who are the spreaders of peace and reconciliation and are longing for the realization of the oneness and unity of the world of man2 but this intention needs a dynamic power1 so that it may become manifest in the world of being4 ,today the divine instructions and lordly exhortations of ,baha'o'lah promulgate this most great aim and the confirmations of the ,kingdom are the supports and defenders of this eminent intention4 ,for the power of the ,word of ,god is penetrative and the existence of the divine ,kingdom is uninterrupted4 ,therefore1 ere long it will become evident and clear that the ensign of the ,most ,great ,peace is the teachings of ,baha'o'llah4 ,for the intention1 the power and the action1 all the three essential elements are brought together and the realization of everything in the contingent world dependeth upon these three principles4 ,therefore1 ,o thou lover of the oneness of the world of humanity6 spread thou as much as thou canst the instructions and teachings of ,his ,highness ,baha'o'llah1 so that the desired ,beloved become unveiled in the assembly of humankind and cast her light upon all the people4 ,likewise1 some of the ancient philosophers have spoken regarding the oneness of the world of humanity1 but confirmation and assistance became not their supports and helpers4 ,consequently their endeavors ended in being without result and the tree of their hope without fruit4 ,thou hast written regarding the language of ,esperanto4 ,this language will be spread and universalized to a certain degree1 but later on a language more complete than this1 or the same language will undergo some changes and alterations and will be adopted and become universal4 ,i hope that ,dr4 ,zamenhof become assisted by the invisible confirmation and do a great service to the world of humanity4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,whatsoever question thou hast in thy heart1 turn thou thy heart toward the ,kingdom of ,abha and entreat in the ,threshold of the ,almighty and reflect upon that problem1 then unquestionably the light of truth shall dawn and the reality of that problem will become evident and clear to thee4 ,for the teachings of ,his ,highness ,baha'o'llah are the keys to all the doors4 ,every hidden secret will become discovered and every hidden mystery will become manifest and apparent4999999 8,o thou who art rejoicing by the ,glad-tidings of ,god64440 ,o thou who art rejoicing by the ,glad-tidings of ,god6 ,the contents of thy letter clearly show that thou art drawn by the love of ,god1 pondering over the ,cause of ,god and that the cover hath been removed from off thine eyes4 ,i ask ,god to shower down upon thee a heavenly blessing2 to make thee to serve ,his ,cause and attain ,his good pleasure2 to teach thee that which thou knewest not2 to inspire thee with ,his argument and proof2 to confirm thee in faith and assurance2 and to make thee the sign of the ,merciful among the concourse of the worlds4 ,verily1 ,he is the ,giver1 the ,generous6 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god1 who art guided to the4440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god1 who art guided to the ,light of ,guidance6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter which expressed praise to thy ,supreme ,lord for having guided thee to the ,fountain-head of ,knowledge1 quickened thy heart with the spirit of faith1 poured on thee the clouds of beneficence and opened thine insight to witness ,his mighty signs in the world of man4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,be rejoiced by this most great glad-tidings2 praise in commemorating the ,name of thy ,supreme ,lord2 thank thou ,god because ,he hath quickened thee with an eternal spirit1 bestowed upon thee a heavenly bounty and hath illumined thy face with the light by which the existence scintillates in the world of emanation6 ,verily1 ,i was informed of thy great longing to present thyself at this holy1 luminous ,spot1 but at present this is not favorable2 but ,i bear unto thee the glad-tidings that when thou hast departed to thy native land1 the invisible hosts will surely confirm and assist thee with power and strength1 and ,god will reveal unto thy heart that which will rejoice it forevermore2 and ,he shall endow thee with a speech whereat thou in thyself shalt be astonished and wilt say3 8,blessed am ,i for this great gift6 ,glad-tidings be unto me for this mighty bestowal1 for my ,lord hath confirmed me therewith and enabled me to uplift the ,word of ,god and to diffuse ,his fragrances6 ,verily1 ,i glory among all the women of the world6 ,this is a bestowal which hath no equal60 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the tongue of the ,supreme ,concourse uttereth the praise of those women who are the glory of men2 women who have forgotten themselves1 have abandoned their own rest1 attached their hearts to the ,kingdom of ,god1 raised their voice in the ,name of ,god1 diffused the signs of ,god and uttereed clear arguments and firm proofs concerning the manifestation of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,trust thou in this promise2 then depart to those regions with infinite joy and gladness and bear unto people glad-tidings in commemorating thy ,lord4 ,verily1 thy ,lord will assist thee under all aspects and circumstances4 ,and in the coming year1 if it is possible for thee to come1 present thyself at this ,blessed ,spot and fragrant region4 8,o thou maid-servant of ,god who art attracted unto4440 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god who art attracted unto ,him6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter and was informed of its words4 ,its meaning showed that thou hast come out of the tests of ,god and that thou art firm and steadfast in the love of ,god4 ,this is through the grace of thy ,lord and ,his mercy upon those of ,his maid-servants who are firm in ,his right path4 ,gird up thy loins1 therefore1 to serve the ,cause of ,god in ,his great vineyard2 trust in the favors of thy ,lord2 supplicate unto ,him and beseech in the middle of the night and at early morn just as a needy and captive one beseeches4 ,it is incumbent upon thee to turn unto the ,kingdom of ,god and to pray1 supplicate and invoke during all times4 ,this is the means by which thy soul shall ascend upward to the apex of the gift of ,god4 8,o thou seeker after the ,beauty of the ,true ,one64440 ,o thou seeker after the ,beauty of the ,true ,one6 ,what thou hast written was perused4 ,in indicated thy yearning and advancement toward the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,if thou standest steadfast and firm in this seeking and advancement1 not becoming agitated by the trials1 giving repose and composure to the mind1 and freeing thyself from attachment to this ephemeral world1 be thou assured that thou shalt become an enkindled lamp1 spreading the lights of faith1 assurance1 knowledge and the love of ,god in every gathering-place4 ,we will five thee permission to stand before the ,presence when it is a favorable and suitable time and not contrary to wisdom4 ,if thou seekest after the light of the ,kingdom1 hasten undoubtedly to the meetings of the believers1 in order that the rays of truth may reflect in thy heart4 8,o thou advancing maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou advancing maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and considered4 ,thank ,god that the evidence and the proof became clear and manifest to thee4 ,he gave thee eyes to see therewith the lights of guidance2 ,he gave thee ears to hear the divine call2 ,he gave thee nostrils to sense the beautiful fragrance of the rose-garden of the ,kingdom2 ,he gave thee taste to find the sweetness of the love of ,god2 ,he gave thee a tongue to mention ,him4 ,therefore1 thou must thank ,him night and day for having attained this bounty4 ,thus mayest thou become firm in trials and bear every difficulty and1 like unto the mountains1 hold thy feet firm and steadfast1 so that thou mayest not be shaken by the adverse winds4 ,the bounty of the ,lord of the ,kingdom is great and ,his outpouring is glorious4 ,his favors are boundless4 ,i ask1 through ,his bounty1 to grant thee readiness and capacity1 so that the rains of mercy may cultivate flowers of significances in the garden of the heart4 ,the essential thing is firmness and steadfastness4 ,i hope that all the friends and the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one may be strengthened and confirmed therein4 ,to pardon shortcomings is an attribute of the ,lord of forgiveness4 ,thank ,god1 thou art a dawning-point of kindness and the recipient of pardon and forgiveness4 ,sacrifice thy life to the ,lord of the ,kingdom and seek only ,his will4 ,make thy meeting the house of ,abdul-,baha and the rose-garden of the heavenly birds4 ,convey reverential greeting to ,miss 444444444 and say3 8,know thou the value of the day of the ,lord and take a portion and a share of the bounty in this glorious cycle4 ,if a tree doth not thrive and grow in this divine springtime1 in what season will it bear fruit8 ,i hope that1 though the life-nurturing breeze of the rose-garden of the ,kingdom1 thou mayest become a tree full of blossoms and fruit40 ,convey reverential greeting to the maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 and say3 8,happy is thy condition that thou art meek and humble and directed to the ,kingdom of ,god and looking to ,god4 ,i ask ,god that1 day by day1 thou mayest become more illumined and more spiritual40 ,be in sympathy with 444444444 and in the utmost of kindness4 ,close thine eyes to shortcomings and live according to the divine teachings4 ,i hope that the breath of life may penetrate them4 ,thank ,god that in the world of vision thou art witnessing great signs4 ,in great tenderness blow the breath of life into 444444444 and 444444444 and call them to ,god4 ,perchance1 through divine bounty and providence1 their hearts may become radiant and illumined and may remain firm and steadfast through trials4 ,to be far in body is of no account4 ,to be near in spirit is essential4 ,seek that from ,god4 ,when thou hast attained that1 thou art always with me4 8,o thou ignited candle64440 ,o thou ignited candle6 ,the real light is the light of the love o ,god4 ,praise be to ,god6 thy face is illumined by the radiance of the divine love and thy nostrils are perfumed through the fragrances of the garden of the ,kingdom of ,abha1 and thou art engaged1 night and day1 in service in this divine garden and art spreading the ,tablets of ,abdul-,baha4 ,wherefore1 thank thou ,god that thou art assisted to such a service4 8,o thou who art gazing toward the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who art gazing toward the ,kingdom6 ,thy letter was received4 its contents became known4 ,thank thou ,god that thy house became the shelter and the nest of the birds of the ,kingdom4 ,the spiritual assembly was arranged4 ,abdul-,baha1 in ,his heart1 was present in your gathering and ,his spirit was gazing upon you4 ,in order to render thanks for this gift1 you must become engaged in creating harmony and union to such an extent that all of you may become as one soul and one spirit2 that you may become waves of one sea1 breezes of one rose-garden1 flowers of one meadow and trees of one orchard4 ,you must devote your time to the training of yourselves and the guidance of souls4 ,thy house is my house4 ,therefore1 it must become adorned with the lights of the ,kingdom4 8,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou who hast turned thy face toward the ,kingdom6 ,what thou hast written was read4 ,convey my loving greeting to 444444444 and say3 8,every soul who was deprived of the ,kingdom of ,god in the day of ,christ was disappointed in the other world4 ,now be thou a seeker of ,truth with all thy soul and heart and receive thou the reflection of guidance1 so that thou mayest not become sad and disappointed in the other realm40 ,o my ,juliet6 ,in this glorious age the divine confirmations are like unto the rays of the sun4 ,the hearts and souls are like unto the surface of crystal4 ,the clearer the crystal the greater the refulgence of the sunlight4 ,praise be to ,god6 that the door of servitude is already opened before thy face4 ,therefore1 be thou the cause of happiness to the souls of the friends of ,god2 impart thou attraction and exhilaration to others and suffer them to quaff the wine of bounty from the cup of the most great guidance1 in order that they may open wings like unto birds and soar upward1 upward to the realm of the ,kingdom4 ,thou hast written3 8,so that the friends may discover the ,truth1 become like unto a flaming torch and change the darkness of that country into illumination40 ,this statement was of the utmost sweetness4 ,my heart was rejoiced by reading it4 ,the second statement of thy letter was this3 8,in order that we may demonstrate this manifest light to others through deeds and actions40 ,this also was of the utmost eloquence and beauty4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the penetration of the word of man dependeth upon the heat of the fire of the love of ,god4 ,the more the splendors of the love of ,god become manifest in the heart1 the greater will be the penetration of the ,word4 ,i hope that thou1 ,o my ,juliet1 with 4444444441 will become confirmed in the service and arise to the good pleasure of the ,true ,one4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,the letter was received and a sweet fragrance was inhaled from the rose-garden of its significances4 ,glad-tidings be unto thee that thou hast become the object of such county and hast attained to the ,kingdom of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,i hope that thou mayest progress day by day in the spiritual attributes1 the beauty of deeds1 the knowledge of the ,true ,one and the love of ,god1 and that thou mayest grow nearer and nearer to the threshold of the ,almighty4 ,convey on my behalf greeting and salutation to his honor ,prof4 44444444 ,i desire from my heart and soul that he may become a cause of the illumination of the world1 hoist the ensign of gift and point out the light of the ,kingdom to the eyes4 ,announce respectful greeting to the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444444 ,in reality1 she is spiritual and illumined and hath arisen to the requirements of service4 ,you must exercise toward her the utmost respect and consideration4 ,show thou on my behalf loving kindness to 444444444 and rejoice her heart by the gift of the most great glad-tidings4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,the utmost desire of the lordly ones is the union of the friends1 the agreement of the believers and the spiritual communication of the hearts2 in order that they may shine in this darkened world like unto bright stars2 educate all the communities of the world like unto bright stars2 educate all the communities of the world in the precepts of love2 be kind and benevolent to every one1 sympathetic and compassionate to all2 to become the cool and pure water to every thirsty one1 a heavenly table to every hungry one1 a swift healing antidote to every sick one and the cause of the everlasting glory to every humiliated one4 ,convey on my behalf respectful greeting to all the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one and the friends of ,god4 8,o thou who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of4440 ,o thou who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,thou art a beloved daughter in the ,kingdom of ,abha and art respected in the presence of ,abdul-,baha4 ,truly1 ,i declare1 thou art engaged in the service of the ,cause of ,god from all directions1 art familiar with the glorification of the ,most ,great name and art intimate in spreading the fragrances of holiness4 ,god is pleased with thee1 ,i am pleased with thee and the angels of the ,supreme ,concourse are pleased with thee4 ,it is hoped1 from the bounty of ,his ,highness the ,almighty1 that thou mayest find such ecstasy and exhilaration and so ignite the fire of the love of ,god that thou mayest bring the regions of ,america near to the ,kingdom of ,abha4 8,o maid-servant of the ,beauty of ,abha64440 ,o maid-servant of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,the valued epistle was received and the contents understood4 ,by its reading and perusal the utmost of spirit and fragrance was obtained1 for it indicated that during the period of cessation of communication1 no failure obtained in the delivery of the ,word of ,god4 ,o servant of the ,kingdom6 ,know for a certainty that this light of reality shall eventually envelop the world1 illuminating the ,east and the ,west entirely4 ,that dear maid-servant of ,god i4e41 thyself is in reality the servant of the ,cause of ,god and in future thou wilt be more confirmed4 ,i pray for 444444444 ,convey my great respect to the attracted maid-servants of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444444 and ,mrs4 4444444441 and say3 8,praise ,god for having found the treasury of the ,kingdom and that in the ,threshold of the ,kingdom of the ,lord ye are very dear and are of the maid-servants of the ,beauty of ,abha40 ,convey my message to his honor 444444444 and say3 8,thank ,god that thou became a sign of the divine blessing and the cause of guiding the people4 ,i hope day by day thou wilt become more illumined and eloquent until thou mayest guide a great number of people40 8,o thou attracted one of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou attracted one of the ,kingdom6 ,the epistle was received2 likewise the enclosed epistle was read4 ,the personage 7,mr4 4444444447 is in reality enraptured with the truth and seeketh the discovery of the mysteries of ,god4 ,his intention is blessed and his efforts 7directed toward7 the development of the world of humanity4 ,the various sects who consider themselves servants of the world of humanity are possessed of good intention1 but they are inert1 not active2 captive1 not free2 silent1 not eloquent2 slow1 not fast4 ,they have sluggish movement and great intention4 ,these tow do not agree 7or unite74 ,many a good intention was there in the world of existence which left no trace1 for it was not confirmed by the effective power4 ,but the good intentions of the beloved of ,god and the merciful projects of the real friends are enforced by the power of the ,word of ,god2 therefore1 it is effective and quick in action and the means of life to the world of humanity4 ,thank thou ,god that ,he hath provided such a means for thee that by divine aid1 heavenly confirmation1 merciful intention and heavenly power thou mayest arise to serve1 so that thou mayest see wonderful signs and marvelous results4 ,the good news of the unity and concord of the friends of ,new ,york proved a great source of ,joy4 ,the original intention and the divine foundation is the unification of the world of humanity4 ,therefore1 this merciful reality must first find realization among the friends 7,bahais71 so that it may affect other souls4 ,today the world and the people are under the shadow of divine providence1 the light of the ,sun of ,reality hath been shed upon the world of minds and thoughts2 hence1 light is seen everywhere4 8,o thou illumined maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou illumined maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,praise be to ,god6 that thou art assisted and confirmed and1 through the light of the love of ,god1 thou art an ignited candle4 ,thou hast an eloquent tongue and a pure heart2 thou art attracted to the ,kingdom and wondering1 in awe and astonishment1 at the power and dominion of the ,lord of ,hosts4 ,exercise infinite kindness and convey longing greeting on my behalf to ,miss 444444444 ,thank ,god that thou hast found a way to the treasury of the ,kingdom and hast attained to the heavenly wealth4 ,i supplicate ,god that the hearts and souls of 444444444 and 444444444 receive a share from the love of ,god1 and that 444444444 find a portion from the divine bestowal and be assisted with heavenly confirmations1 so that she may help thee4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of ,god6 ,thy letter was received4 ,i ask from ,god1 supplicating and entreating in the ,threshold of ,oneness1 that thy utmost desire may become realized4 ,the desire of the sanctified souls is always for sacrifice in the path of ,god1 attraction by the merciful fragrances1 the vivification of souls1 the proclamation of universal peace1 the establishment of the oneness of humanity and the enkindlement of the fire of the love of ,god in the hearts of men4 ,it is my hope that the desire of the friends of ,god be as such1 so that they may be released from the influence of the ephemeral world1 shine in the ,kingdom of eternity1 be exhilarated by the wine of the love of ,god and1 like unto the tempestuous sea1 rage and roar with the ardor of the love of ,god4 ,i desire this station for thee4 8,o thou who art preparing to receive knowledge from4440 ,o thou who art preparing to receive knowledge from the ,herald of the ,kingdom6 ,i have read thy letter in which thou showed thy desire toward the divine teachings and the texts of the knowledge of ,truth4 ,blessed thou art and more blessed thou shalt be if thy feet be firm1 thy heart tranquil through the fragrance of ,his ,holy ,spirit and thy secret and hidden thoughts pure before the ,lord of ,hosts6 ,then1 by ,god the ,truth6 the hosts of the angels of the ,kingdom shall surround thee and convey to all thy limbs and veins the ,spirit of ,life2 thy tongue shall utter fluently and distinctly the most eloquent and clear words and thoughts2 thy bosom shall be cheered with joy through the appearance of the evident texts2 thy face shall be illuminated1 among the daughters of the ,kingdom1 with the light of firmness2 the door of glad-tidings shall be opened before thy face and thou shalt receive knowledge through the symbolic signs descending from the heavenly ,kingdom in the ,books and ,tablets6 8,o thou who are supplicating to ,god and turning to4440 ,o thou who are supplicating to ,god and turning to the ,spirit of ,his ,kingdom6 ,i have read the texts of thy praise to ,god on the occasion of the arrival of my letter to thee4 ,know thou1 that letter sent to thee by me1 was only because of my perfect love for thee and my pity upon thee1 for ,i had the desire that the fragrance of the ,holy ,spirit1 which hath perfumed all regions and imbued the entire body of the world with the ,spirit of ,life1 should pass over thee and abide with thee4 ,notwithstanding the high position it occupieth1 still1 with an eloquent tongue1 through which the ,spirit moveth1 hearts are attracted and bosoms burn1 it speaketh to the pure hearts and to the good and righteous souls in every spot of the earth4 ,this is the powerful ,spirit1 the dazzling light1 the brilliant star and the overwhelming and universal abundance4 ,and1 from its traces1 spread and divulged everywhere1 thou wilt know and realize its influence and comprehend its radiance4 ,i ask ,god to expose thee by its coals of fire and illuminate thee by its brightness4 ,turn thyself wholly to it--thus thou shalt be enabled to ascertain its influence and power1 the strength of its life and the greatness of its confirmation4 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 that if for the appearance of that ,divine ,essence thou desirest to have a definite proof1 and indisputable testimony and a strong1 convincing evidence1 thou must prepare thyself to make thy heart empty and thine eye ready to look only toward the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,then1 at that time1 the radiance of that widespread effulgence will descend upon thee successively1 and that motion rendered thee by the ,holy ,spirit will make thee dispense with any other strong evidence that leadeth to the appearance of this ,light1 because the greatest and strongest proof for showing the abundance of the ,spirit to the bodies is the very appearance of its power and influence in those bodies4 ,think deeply of this in order to know the reality of my explanation and demonstration4 8,o thou that virtuous soul and individual who art ready4440 ,o thou that virtuous soul and individual who art ready for the confirmation of the ,holy ,spirit6 ,i1 with the utmost clemency1 have read thy brilliant letter which showeth thine advancement toward the ,kingdom of ,god and the excessive preparation for the effulgence of the lights of ,god and the greatest tendency for the baptism of the ,spirit of ,god and thy pleasure at the glad-tidings of ,god1 thine attraction by the fragrance of ,god and thy gladness in the love of ,god4 ,may ,god strengthen thee so thou mayest come nearer to ,god1 to separate thyself from aught else save ,him and to assist thee in spreading ,his lights and uttering the abundance of ,his mysteries1 to perfume thy nostrils with the fragrance of ,his holiness and to prepare for thee the heavenly table1 that thou mayest taste the delight of ,his loving-kindness4 ,i now assure thee1 ,o servant of ,god1 that1 if thy mind become empty and pure from every mention and thought and thy heart attracted wholly to the ,kingdom of ,god1 forget all else besides ,god and come in communion with the ,spirit of ,god1 then the ,holy ,spirit will assist thee with a power which will enable thee to penetrate all things1 and a ,dazzling ,spark which enlightens all sides1 a ,brilliant ,flame in the zenith of the heavens1 will teach thee that which thou dost not know of the facts of the universe and of the divine doctrine4 ,verily1 ,i say unto thee1 every soul which ariseth today to guide others to the path of safety and infuse in them the ,spirit of ,life1 the ,holy ,spirit will inspire that soul with evidences1 proofs and facts and the lights will shine upon it from the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,do not forget what ,i have conveyed unto thee from the breath of the ,spirit4 ,verily1 it is the shining morning and the rosy dawn which will impart unto thee the lights1 reveal the mysteries and make thee competent in science1 and through it the pictures of the ,supreme ,world will be printed in thy heart and the facts of the secrets of the ,kingdom of ,god will shine before thee4 ,christ said--glory be to ,him6 --8,many are called but few chosen40 ,thank thou thy ,lord for ,he hath made thee of the chosen4 ,by my life6 verily1 this is a station which ,god giveth to whomsoever ,he pleaseth4 ,know its value and appreciate it according to its desserts6 ,arise with all thy power to answer i4e41 to perform all that is necessary to obtain this grace and bounty and be strengthened in all circumstances and conditions of this existence4 how many noble-minded women1 who were the queens of all provinces and countries1 have died and passed away and thou no longer hearest any mention of them2 but every servant of the servants of the ,merciful1 who were in the past decades and centuries1 owing to their bright faces illumined by the lights of truth and knowledge1 their stars shine until today in the horizon of the highest and their rays dazzle in the mirrors of the world and their fame is divulged in the ,supreme ,world and their sanctification spread in the ,kingdom of ,god2 and if--,god forbid6 --the foot of man deviate as did that of ,judas1 so that he became human after he was divine and sold the blood of ,christ for a small and trifling sum--verily1 there is in that a great lesson to the people of understanding6 ,although ,i am far away from thee in body1 still ,i am near unto thee in spirit4 ,but ,i ask ,god that the body will follow the spirit and out meeting will be facilitated4 ,the most essential thing is the spiritual relation1 the hearty friendship and the heavenly attraction4 ,thou must accomplish this4 8,o thou gem of the ,kingdom and brilliant leaf64440 ,o thou gem of the ,kingdom and brilliant leaf6 ,verily1 ,i have read thy letter which showeth how thou art turning unto ,god1 moved by the breath of ,god1 drawn by the ,spirit of ,god and how the mystery of existence1 the image of the ,lord of ,hosts1 was revealed unto thee4 ,this indicates that ,god shall open before thee the doors of revelation and the ,spirit of ,truth shall confirm thee with evident signs4 ,seeing this servant in thy prayers is a proof of the ideal nearness1 of the spiritual unity and of the impression that was printed within thine own consciousness4 ,at all times ,i do supplicate to the divine ,kingdom to make thy heart a pure1 clear and polished mirror1 facing the most glorious ,kingdom1 ,el-,abha1 that the pictures of the ,supreme ,concourse may be printed in it1 and this is exactly what was meant in the ,bible by this text3 8,let us create man after our own image and likeness40 ,to see repeatedly is an evidence that the vision will take place both in the spirit and body2 but separation and union1 parting and meeting are things which belong to the material body4 ,the spirit is sanctified from association1 departure1 nearness1 remoteness1 connection and separation1 for these are of the properties of material bodies and of the characteristics of the elementary facts2 but the ,spirit is everlastingly in the station of its loftiness and supremacy in a similar way to the sun which is continually stationed in its sphere orbit2 its appearance and disappearance signify the clearness of the place and the fineness of the body which is facing it1 and as long as the confronting surface continues to be in a well-polished condition1 the lights of the sun will then appear in it2 but when it becometh rough and impure1 the lights disappear4 ,consequently1 it hath been proven that nearness and remoteness signify smoothness1 clearness and fineness2 or rust1 impurity and roughness1 respectively4 ,and if ,god wisheth1 through the clearness of the heart1 we will be continually in the assembly of alliance and friendship1 resting permanently in the spiritual and heavenly realm1 adoring and worshipping ,god1 meeting and uniting by the holy fragrances1 drawn by the magnet of the love of ,god and thanking ,him for this great bounty and evident victory4 ,as to our meeting materially 7i4e41 face to face71 ,i ask ,god that ,he may ordain this for us in the way ,he deemeth best4 ,then know1 ,o thou virtuous soul1 that as soon as thou becometh separated from aught else save ,god and dost cut thyself from the worldly things1 thy heart will shine with the lights of divinity and with the effulgence of the ,sun of ,truth from the horizon of the ,realm of ,might1 and then thou wilt be filled by the spirit of power from ,god and become capable of doing that which thou desirest4 ,this is the confirmed truth4 ,as to the desire shown by thee towards serving holy and spiritual souls1 it is indeed of the best desires and of the most noble qualities4 ,blessed is he who is strengthened and confirmed by such a desire during all his life1 in the hope of attaining eternal life4 ,as to thee1 ,o thou being who art attracted to ,god1 announce the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,god through the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit2 for ,he will confirm thee in a similar manner to the confirmation ,he bestowed upon the holy souls in the past decades and former ages4 8,o thou who art attracted to the 8,spirit of ,truth604440 ,o thou who art attracted to the 8,spirit of ,truth60 ,at this moment ,i remember thee while the cup of my tongue is overflowing with the wine of ,god's praise and ,i address thee in a spirit whereby the hearts of all the creation are cheerfully moved4 ,know thou1 verily1 the ,spirit hath indeed so surrounded my limbs that it moveth them as it willeth and my tongue uttereth the most wonderful speeches and most sweet words while addressing thee1 so that thou mayest be moved by these holy fragrances which perfume all regions and be dilated with joy by this address which is raised from my abundant love for thee and my excessive kindness and great affection unto thee4 o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the ,holy ,spirit breathes1 in this day1 unto the hearts which are moving1 beating1 pure and attracted by the love of ,god4 ,abandon thou every occupation and be engaged in the affairs of thy ,lord and serve the 8,spirit of ,truth0 which hath poured a spiritual1 divine and everlasting life upon the brilliant hearts4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,by ,god the ,true ,one1 verily1 the crown of mighty gift is suspended betwixt heaven and earth and the angels of holiness are awaiting a lofty head which may be worthy of this great bestowal1 so that it may descend upon that head1 that it may wear that glorious crown1 the most precious gems of which illumine the eyes of all the world4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,many spiritual women came 7into the world7 and passed away in vain2 no sound is heard of them and no trace is seen of them1 inasmuch as their spirits were not dependent upon the ,holy ,spirit1 nor were they attracted to the fragrances of truth2 nor were they ever baptized by the water of life1 by the fire of the love of ,god1 nor by the 8,spirit of ,truth0 which speaketh in the assemblies of the ,kingdom and breatheth upon spirits the breezes which waft an eternal glory1 the signs of which are everlasting4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,i was informed of thy recent letter which indicated thine abundant love for ,god1 thine attraction to the ,kingdom of ,god and thy reliance upon the ,word of ,god4 ,verily1 ,i address thee1 with the tongue of my spirit1 such an address which is life to hearts and souls1 light to existent beings and is joy and fragrance4 ,hearken unto this address and be dilated in breast for the emanation of this letter4 ,be thou a breath of life1 a banner of salvation and a manifest sign in this great world1 so that thou mayest become a lamp of reconciliation and peace1 a banner of love and attraction1 a star of guidance among mankind1 7and be thou7 humble1 meek and a servant to the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one4 ,unfurl the sail of spirit on the ship of guidance and hoist the banner of piety in those regions1 so that the everlasting light may shine forth upon all parts4 ,verily1 ,i am cognizant of the sincerity of thine intention and the purity of thine heart4 ,therefore1 ,i address thee with this great address1 so that thou mayest impart the 8,greatest ,name0 to whomsoever thou findest prepared for entering the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,we have sent letters for the names which were written in thy letter4 ,we have also sent stones of the ,greatest ,name and roses which express the redness of my blood which ,i beg of ,god to be shed in the path of ,god4 ,then1 know thou1 verily1 ,i will always associate thee with the fragrances of the ,spirit and will continually rejoice thee at the glad-tidings of god4 ,i beg of ,god to enable thee to diffuse the spirit of life 7i4e41 to teach this truth#j1 to herald the ,kingdom of ,god1 to speak the praise of ,god and to be wholly attracted to the ,word of ,god1 so that thou mayest become a well-rooted tree in the garden of the ,kingdom1 its fruits within reach1 its wide-spread branches overshadowing those regions4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,holiness64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,fragrances of ,holiness6 ,verily1 ,i read thy words in which thou hast thanked ,god for ,his great kindness and providence after those ,tablets reached thee1 for the bounty of their significances which hath shone forth upon thee4 ,verily1 they are ,tablets the words of which have proceeded from a heart which is filled with the love of ,god1 is free and isolated from all else save ,god1 is illumined and over-flowing with the bounties of the ,kingdom of ,el-,abha and in which the verses of unity are traced through the breath of the spirit of the gift of ,god4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to learn that which the spirit of ,abdul-,baha poureth upon thee4 ,look not at thy capacity and ability2 nay1 look at the grace of thy ,lord in these days and at the gift of ,his ,kingdom1 the like of which hath never been seen by the eye of existence in former cycles4 ,verily existence is a parched ground and the bounty of the ,kingdom is a copious rain4 ,the ground of existence shall surely be developed into myrtles of the wisdom of ,god1 for the fragrances of holiness have encompassed the earth1 east and west1 the glad-tidings of ,god have successively come from the ,kingdom of heaven and the ,sun of ,truth hath shone forth to all regions with the greatest effulgence4 ,impart thou the ,greatest ,name to the ears1 so that all may call out among nations3 8,o ,thou ,baha' of the world6 ,o ,thou ,sun of ,pre-existence60 ,truly1 ,i say unto thee1 this blessed ,name is the spirit of life1 the deliverer from death1 the word of salvation and of manifest signs6 ,thou shalt surely hear from all parts the cry1 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 reaching to the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,deliver my spiritual greeting to thy spiritual son and to his revered wife whose name is near to thy name4 ,deliver my greeting to thy spiritual daughter1 the revered 444444444 and tell her3 8,o my dear daughter6 ,turn unto the ,kingdom of thy ,lord and be benefited by spiritual bounties4 ,be attracted by the fragrances of holiness--such an attraction which may breather life into dead souls1 quicken them by a pure life and may illumine their sights with the light which is shining forth to all the world in this glorious century and new age40 ,deliver my praise to the maid-servant of ,god1 444444444 and say unto her3 8,verily1 thou hast seen the physical picture of ,abdul-,baha printed by the rays of the phenomenal sun 7i4e41 his photograph7 and thine eyes became overflowing with tears4 ,beg thou of ,god that ,he may show unto thee his 7,abdul-,baha's7 spiritual picture printed by the ray shining forth from the ,merciful ,kingdom4 ,then the attractions of ,god shall overtake thee and make thee as a spark of fire aflame with the heat of the love of ,god40 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to visit his holiness ,mirza ,abul ,fazl1 so that thou mayest learn from him the arguments and decisive texts in the holy ,bible concerning the appearance of the ,kingdom of ,god in this great cycle4 ,verily1 his visit7#cac7 is a prize unto thee1 a hoard7#cad7 unto thee1 a consolation unto ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 ,mr4 444444444 is an excellent man1 exerting all his powers to diffuse fragrances of ,god4 ,god shall surely strengthen him in a great matter and make him a banner waving through the winds of confirmation upon this glorious castle4 ,as to my drinking the sup of sacrifice3 ,by the ,lord of heaven1 this is my utmost hope1 the joy of my heart1 the consolation of my soul and my final desire4 ,thou shouldst pray ,god that ,he may prepare this hope for me and ordain for me this mighty gift and that he may give me to quaff this cup which is overflowing with the wine of faithfulness in the path of ,baha'4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,when ,i had thy letter in my hand1 ,i was in such a condition that the breeze of the love of ,god cheered me and ,i was thereby moved with such joy that the place was filled with the spirit of the love of ,god4 ,no doubt thy heart hath been also impressed by this spiritual joy1 merciful attraction and ecstatic love4 8,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god64440 ,o thou who art attracted by the ,fragrances of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy letter of graceful expressions and eloquent composition and was rejoiced in heart at the feelings sent forth from thy pure heart4 ,verily1 ,i invoke ,god that ,he may bestow upon thee the confirmation of the ,spirit in all moments1 so that thou mayest direct 7or guide7 people to the glorified and praised ,one1 hold the cup of the love of ,god in thy hand1 give it to drink to every thirsty one1 heal every sick person and nourish every hungry one with this table 7or food7 which hath descended from heaven4 ,as to thy question concerning the registering of the names of those to whom thou hast given the 8,greatest ,name10 there is no obstacle 7or harm7 in this4 ,verily1 thy ,lord will enroll their names upon the scroll of the ,kingdom and the angels of heaven will bless them with the glad-tidings of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,as to what thou hast said concerning the longing and the burning of thy revered daughter with the fire of the love of ,god3 ,i beg of ,god to make her a sign of salvation and a light scintillating in the ,supreme ,apex4 ,as to what thou hast written concerning thy coming 7to ,acca73 ,for the present this is not consistent with wisdom4 ,when the opportunity cometh1 at an appointed time1 we will summon thee to come2 and this is a glad-tidings unto thee and the greatest joy and happiness4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,it is incumbent upon thee to boil forth like unto the fire ablaze in ,sinai1 so that thou mayest attract hearts unto the ,kingdom of the ,merciful4 ,this is a gift which the dominion of the world cannot equal6 8,o thou lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the4440 ,o thou lamp who art enkindled with the fire of the ,love of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i read thy recent letter which showed thy strong love1 thy being ablaze with the fire of the love of thy ,lord1 the ,mighty1 the ,praised1 and the penetration of the ,spirit of ,truth in thy limbs1 nerves1 veins1 arteries1 bones1 blood and flesh1 until it hath taken the reins of power from thy hands and moveth thee as it willeth1 causeth thee to speak in what it willeth and attracteth thee as it willeth4 ,this is becoming of whatever heart is replenished with the spirit of the love of ,god4 ,thou shalt surely behold wondrous traces and shalt discover the signs of thy ,mighty ,lord4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the meaning which thou hast apprehended from my former statement is the real fact4 ,it is the meaning of 7my7 statement2 ,god hath strengthened thee therein and shall surely confirm thee in still greater than this4 ,at that time thou wilt say3 8,this is that which was promised by ,abdul-,baha and ,his promise was certain and decided40 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 thy ,lord hath breathed the spirit of argument into thy mouth4 ,speak thou in the most wonderful explanation and meditate not at the time of advancing proofs1 evidences and signs1 and speak thou that which the ,spirit inspireth thee4 ,this is a proof unto thee and unto every just one among the possessors of understanding4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 ,i am with thee in spirit and reveal unto thee the word of guidance at every moment and time4 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,we have sent thee nine ring stones of the ,greatest ,name4 ,this is an allusion unto thee of a matter which thou shalt surely understand henceforth4 ,we have also sent unto thee a photograph of ,his ,holiness the glorious ,badi whom thy ,lord did send to ,his ,highness ,nassir-ed',din-,shah with a manifest epistle by which ,he perfected the proof and evidence to the people of ,persia4 this faithful messenger 7,badi7 took the epistle of ,baha' with all power and authority and repaired to the threshold of ,his ,highness the ,shah1 while cheered and smiling in joy4 ,he then presented himself before the ,shah and said3 8,this is an epistle from ,baha'o'llah10 and then presented it to him4 ,they arrested him and after severe torture and punishment1 delivered him to the executioners4 he was sitting between the executioners at the time of his death with all dignity1 while turning unto ,god4 8,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou candle of the ,love of ,god6 ,what thou hast written was considered4 ,the contents were spiritual and the sentiments merciful4 ,praise be to ,god6 that thou art attracted to the ,beauty of ,abha and severed from the world4 ,thy face hast glowed like unto fire and thou hast consumed the veils of superstitions4 ,thou hast opened thine eyes to the ,sun of ,truth and inhaled the fragrant odor from the garment of the divine ,joseph4 ,thy mission now is this3 ,travel as much as possible to different parts in ,america1 pass through cities and villages 7or towns71 guide all to the ,beauty of ,abha and raise the call of the ,kingdom and say3 8,o greatest of glad-tidings1 for the ,sun of ,truth of the ,beauty of ,abha hath dawned from the horizon of the contingent world and illumined the regions with the lights of the mightiest guidance6 ,the reality of the ,pentateuch and the ,gospel have become manifest and the mysteries of the heavenly ,books have appeared6 ,now is the age of the ,merciful ,one and the time of joy and gladness6 ,o ye heedless ones1 be ye conscious6 ,o ye sleepers1 be ye awake6 ,o ye blind ones1 see6 ,o ye deaf ones1 hear6 ,o ye dumb ones1 speak6 ,o ye dead ones1 be quickened6 ,o ye destitute ones1 receive a portion and share6 ,it is the irradiation of the ,merciful ,one and the moving of the boundless sea6 ,it is the bounty of the wonderful springtime and the downpour of the rain of the gift of the ,great ,lord60 ,this is thy mission4 ,send greeting to the maid-servant fo ,god1 ,miss 444444441 and say1 8,as the love of ,god hath the utmost penetration in thy heart1 the ring-stone bearing the ,greatest ,name will take effect in thy heart like unto a strong wine1 for capacity is great and the power of the wine is intense4 ,therefore1 there wilt not remain any power or resistance407#cae7 ,looking upon the picture which thou hast sent caused great delight1 joy and fragrance4 ,god willing1 thine actual picture 7or form7 will also become present 7here74 ,when thou wert present at ,acca1 the seeds of the love of ,god were sown in thy heart1 through the power of the ,spirit4 ,at that time they were not so much manifest4 ,now that pure seed is growing more verdant and refreshed1 day by day1 and becometh more manifest4 ,this is why thou findest thyself possessing more and more spiritual sentiments4 8,the contents of thy last letter were extremely rejoicing14440 7#caf7 ,the contents of thy last letter were extremely rejoicing1 for they were a glorious evidence of the glowing of the fire of the love of ,god1 of attainment to the gift of ,god and of the spiritual connection of the spirits4 ,forasmuch as hearts are like unto mirrors1 when the light of the love of ,god is enkindled1 brilliant rays will reflect and merciful phenomena become manifest and clear4 ,physical nearness or remoteness is of no importance2 the essential fact is the spiritual affinity and ideal nearness4 ,judas ,iscariot was for a long time favored in the holy court of ,his ,holiness ,christ1 yet he was entirely far and remote2 while ,paul1 the apostle1 was in close embrace with ,his ,holiness4 ,the ,egyptian carrier of glad-tidings was the bearer of the garment of ,joseph1 yet he could not inhale the fragrance of the garment4 ,his holiness ,jacob1 in ,canaan1 longed for meeting 7,joseph71 yet he was near and inhaled the fragrance of the garment4 ,consequently1 it is evident that one can certainly and surely inhale the perfume of affinity even from a far distance4 ,i beg of ,god that ,he may strengthen and solidify such connections between the friends 7believers71 so that the spiritual unity may become a manifest light and the earthly world may become a camping-place for the heavenly hosts4 ,o thou dear maid-servant of ,god6 ,be thou aglow and illumined and be thou enkindled in soul with the fire of the love of ,god in every assemblage4 ,be not quiet for a moment and do not seek composure even for an hour 7i4e41 be active in spreading the light74 ,be thou a cause for the illumining of hearts and spiritualizing of souls4 ,always communicate about this 7truth7 with that great personage in ,france and write to him3 8,no matter how clear1 pure and polished a mirror may be1 not until it is turned unto the ,sun of ,truth will it find glorious bounty and become reflective of rays40 999999 8,o thou servant of the ,beauty of ,abha64440 ,o thou servant of the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,we considered all that thou hast written4 ,it seems that the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444444441 hath arisen to deliver 7the truth74 ,if she advanceth in this manner1 maketh more effort and day by day groweth in spirituality1 sincerity1 devotion and severance1 in a short time she will become purely merciful and will spiritualize others2 she will progress in the stations of sanctity and purity2 she will become the possessor of a fluent speech and will find her heart brilliant and full of serenity and faith to such an extent that her pure breath will so take effect even in stone1 tree and clay 7i4e41 in all people71 that she1 herself1 will be astonished4 ,when the interior parts of musical instruments become clear and polished1 their tone will take effect and warm the hearts4 ,i hope the maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444444441 may attain to this degree1 for she is capable4 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,holy ,spirit64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,holy ,spirit6 ,it is some time since news hath come from thee1 though ,i have the utmost kindness toward that favored maid-servant of the ,threshold of the ,almighty4 ,i beg of ,god that the power of the ,spirit will cause in thee such an ecstasy and attraction that thou mayest be the cause of everlasting life to the seekers2 mayest hold a cup of the knowledge of ,god in thy hand and give people to drink the wine of the love of ,god2 that thou mayest exhilarate the souls1 awaken the heedless1 bring the ignorant to consciousness1 make the blind seeing1 quicken the dead1 enkindle the faded souls and refresh the withered ones4 ,convey greeting and praise to the favored maid-servant of ,god1 thy revered daughter4 ,also1 announce thou on my behalf the confirmations of the ,holy ,spirit unto the other maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one4 ,o thou divinely attracted one6 ,if thou wishest for the illumination of the ,kingdom1 exert thyself in steadfastness as much as thou canst and resist thou the tests1 so that thou mayest1 like unto a lamp1 illumine the world and bestow everlasting life1 like unto the ,spirit4 8,o thou flame of the ,love of ,god64440 ,o thou flame of the ,love of ,god6 ,what thou hast written caused joy1 for that letter was like unto a rose-garden whose roses of significances bestowed the sweet odor of the love of ,god upon the nostrils4 ,similarly1 my answers to thy letters will1 like unto rain and dew1 bestow infinite purity and freshness upon those myrtles of significances which have blossomed in the garden of the heart4 thou hast written concerning the tests that have come upon thee4 ,to the sincere ones1 tests are as a gift from ,god1 the ,exalted1 for a heroic person hasteneth1 with the utmost joy and gladness1 to the tests of a violent battlefield1 but the coward is afraid and trembles and utters moaning and lamentation4 ,likewise1 an expert student prepareth and memorizeth his lessons and exercises with the utmost effort1 and in the day of examination he appeareth with infinite joy before the master4 ,likewise1 the pure gold shineth radiantly in the fire of test4 ,consequently1 it is made clear that for holy souls1 trials are as the gift of ,god1 the ,exalted2 but for weak souls they are an unexpected calamity4 ,this test is just as thou hast written3 it removeth the rust of egotism from the mirror of the heart until the ,sun of ,truth may shine therein4 ,for1 no veil is greater than egotism and no matter how thin that covering may be1 yet it will finally veil man entirely and prevent him from receiving a portion from the eternal bounty4 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,when the men and maid-servants of ,god pass in my mind1 ,i feel the heat of the love of ,god and ,i pray the ,almighty ,god to assist those blessed souls with the invisible hosts4 ,praise be to ,god6 the prophecies of all the prophets have become manifest and are fulfilled in this holy and blessed age and this great day of ,baha'o'llah6 ,o thou attracted maid-servant of ,god6 ,nearness is1 in reality1 of the soul1 not of the body1 and help and receptivity of help are spiritual1 not physical4 ,notwithstanding this1 ,i hope that thou mayest attain nearness in every respect4 ,be thou assured that the divine bounties will so encompass holy souls even as the light of the sun doth the moon and stars4 ,convey thou1 on behalf of ,abdul-,baha1 the sweet odor of the fragrances of holiness to the nostrils of each one of the friends of ,god and the maid-servants of the ,merciful and inspire and encourage thou all of them to diffuse the fragrances of ,god 7i4e41 to teach the truth74 8,o thou dear sister64440 ,o thou dear sister6 ,the letter arrived at a time when--praise be to ,god6 --calamities and sufferings in the path of ,god have surrounded us from every direction and arrows and darts are flying from every bow4 ,but1 through the love of ,his ,holiness ,baha'o'llah1 we1 in this intense darkness1 are like unto a shining torch1 and while in this tempest of calamities1 we are turning toward the ,kingdom of the ,almighty and engaged in remembering thee4 ,we do not consider this calamity as billows of the sea of afflictions and sufferings2 nay1 it is the ark of deliverance and the shore of peace and security4 ,praise be to ,god6 according to the commandments and exhortations of ,baha'o'llah1 we are the well-wisher of all governments and act toward all the nations of the world in peace and love4 ,we have no intention but that which is good and no desire but the good pleasure of ,god4 ,we mean well toward every people and seek to have sincerity and good-will toward every government4 ,in return for arrows and swords1 we present milk and honey and we heal the deadly poison with the swift healing antidote4 ,night and day we are in action and exertion1 in order to dress the wounds and cure the pain 7of the people71 to care for the afflicted and comfort even the ill-natured one1 so that1 through the assistance and favor of ,god1 this darkness of selfish prejudice shall vanish and the error of folly and ignorance shall be changed into divine guidance4 ,o thou dear sister6 ,whenever the daughters of the ,kingdom are ready in the ,presence1 they become initiated into the mystery and are always companions and associates 7with us74 ,convey respectful greeting to the favored maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 4444444441 and tell her3 8,be thou assured in the divine favors and rejoice in the glad-tidings of the ,merciful ,one40 ,i hope the maid-servants of the ,merciful will day by day increase in faith and assurance4 ,i send thee a few stones 7of the ,greatest ,name74 ,all the holy leaves send greeting to thee4 8,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god64440 ,o thou beloved maid-servant of ,god6 ,thy letter was received and it produced joy and fragrance4 ,its contents were of the utmost sweetness4 ,whatsoever thou mayest write ,i will read with great attention4 ,praise be to ,god6 thou hast consumed the veils and become enkindled with the fire of the love of ,god4 thank thou ,god for this4 ,mr4 444444444 hath been delighted with your city1 for he hath inhaled the fragrance fo the love of ,god from it4 ,although thy visit to ,acca in the year #ahii was short1 yet it was the breath of life4 ,later on its traces will become manifest4 ,i hope that the divine mysteries may become revealed to thee at all time4 ,become thou engaged in teaching the truth1 for the teaching of the ,cause containeth the power of a magnet2 it attracteth the mysteries of ,god4 ,regarding my freedom3 ,to me prison is freedom2 to me incarceration is an open court2 to me humility is identical with glory2 to me adversity is a gift and death is life4 ,i hope that thou wilt also take a portion from this sea and seek a reflection from these lights1 becoming and ignited lamp so that the winds of contradiction will not blow it out1 and day by day more revelation and vision may descend1 and thou be enkindled more than before with the fire of the love of ,god4 ,convey respectful greeting to the maid-servants of the ,merciful ,one4 ,i supplicate ,god that they may add to their faith and assurance every moment4 8,o thou sign of the ,kingdom and the bird singing with4440 ,o thou sign of the ,kingdom and the bird singing with the most wonderful melodies in the rose-garden of ,paradise6 ,verily1 ,i have considered the meanings of thy brilliant letter which was of most eloquent expression and found it overflowing with praise1 thanksgiving1 sanctification1 supplication and invocation toward the ,supreme ,kingdom4 ,by my life1 it was like unto a rose-garden adorned with the myrtles of realities and truths1 wherefrom the pure fragrances emanated and perfumed the nostrils and dilated the hearts and souls4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,display thou an effort1 gird up the loins of endeavor1 dilate thy breast and be thou prepared for the manifestation of the breaths of the ,holy ,spirit in thine heart4 ,by ,god1 the true ,one1 verily1 the ,holy ,spirit confirmeth every maid-servant who ariseth to spread the fragrances of ,god1 so that the inhabitants of the whole world cannot overcome her spiritual strength--for similar things have happened in the past centuries4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,celebrate the praises of ,god2 become thou engaged with ,his mentioning like unto the tempestuous and roaring torrent rushing down from the mountains and hills2 rend asunder the veils and coverings1 so that the shining lights may become manifest to the eyes1 refreshing the hearts of the righteous ones with the gentle breezes of the flowers of truth and the sweet fragrance of the dawn of eternity4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,verily1 the bounties of thy ,lord are great and great in this glorious century and new age2 the confirmations are consecutive and continuous2 the rays of the ,sun of ,truth are shining and sparkling2 the stars of guidance are gleaming and scintillating and the rains of generosity are falling and flowing6 ,blessing is upon the one who taketh a share from this glorious outpouring and receiveth illumination from this light which is shining forth from the firmament of ether4 ,o thou maid-servant of ,god6 ,blessed art thou1 for the ,temple of the ,covenant 7,abdul-,baha7 hath become manifest to thee in a dream with incomparable humility and submission toward ,god1 and that thou hast beheld that countenance overflowing with yearning1 attraction and love toward the ,beauty of the ,almighty4 ,ere long thou shalt witness a great effect through this observation1 whereby the spirit of life will become manifest in thee1 which is now flowing in the veins of the contingent beings4 ,then thou shalt behold that which none have seen6 ,at that time thou shalt fall upon the ground before ,god the ,true ,one1 for ,he hath favored thee with this most great bounty4 8,o thou bird of the ,rose-garden of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou bird of the ,rose-garden of the ,kingdom6 ,in appearance there hath some time elapsed since news hath been received from thee1 but in spirit the arrival of the news is uninterrupted4 ,i hope1 from the bounties of the ,exalted1 the ,quickener of the souls1 that thou mayest not rest for one moment but pulsate constantly like unto the pulsation of an artery in the body of the world1 to infuse the spirit of life in the souls and suffer the people to soar up the the zenith of the ,kingdom4 ,undoubtedly1 write thou letters and do not stop correspondence even in appearance4 8,convey my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 4444444440 7#cag7 ,convey my respectful greeting to ,mrs4 444444444 and say3 8,we hope that day by day thou mayest take higher flights1 attain to greater spiritual attractions1 thy word become more penetrative through the power of the ,spirit and through the confirmations of the ,spirit of ,abha become illumined4 ,this is the path of salvation and prosperity4 ,this is the attractive power of the ,holy ,spirit from the ,supreme ,concourse40 8,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom64440 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,i hope1 from the ,almighty1 that thou mayest be confirmed to the necessities and conditions of the following address2 that is1 to forget this world of possession1 become wholly heavenly1 become embodied spirit and attain to universal mind4 ,this arena is vast and unlimited2 therein the charger of spirit must move swiftly1 for here one cannot travel by foot4 ,this gift is very great but complete and sufficient capacity is necessary4 ,o thou daughter of the ,kingdom6 ,the moment thou presented thyself in this prison1 at the time of meeting1 ,i realized that thou wouldst become attracted and attain to spiritual communication1 such communication that as soon as the mirror of the heart is cleansed from the rust of worldly thoughts1 immediately thou shalt find me reflected therein1 and all the mountains1 seas and deserts annihilated4 ,thou art present and visible and under all circumstances thou art protected by the glances of the ,spirit4 ,print the account which thou hast written about thy trip to ,acca and spread it4 ,shouldst thou become entirely attached to the ,kingdom of ,abha1 thou shalt find the ,holy ,spirit always thy companion and shalt behold the spiritual confirmations uninterrupted4 ,convey in my behalf the utmost love and kindness to each and all the friends and maid-servants of the ,merciful4 ,upon thee and upon them to ,baha-el-,abha6 8,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of ,abha64440 ,o thou who art attracted to the ,beauty of ,abha6 ,for a period of time no news hath been outwardly received from thee1 but spiritual communications are continual 7between us74 ,thou hast always been remembered and been present here4 ,though bodily ailments have come upon thee1 yet the divine health is always constant and permanent4 ,if thou knewest to what favors thou hast attained and how thou art gazed upon by the eye of the ,beauty of ,abha1 even thy bodily ailments will be removed and merciful glad-tidings will surround thee4 ,thou hast asked for permission to come3 ,if the means for a comfortable journey are1 in the best manner1 arranged and ready for thee1 thou art permitted to come here4 ,that merciful maid-servant 7i4e41 thyself7 seeth some spiritual dreams 7or visions74 ,these are1 in reality1 discoveries of the heart and are spiritual visions4 ,i beg of ,god that1 through the power of insight1 thou mayest continually witness the lights of the ,kingdom of ,abha4 ,thou hast written that the fundamental basis is love4 ,this is the actual truth2 the divine splendors are founded on love and the radiance of the ,merciful ,one in the human world produceth heartfelt attractions4 ,convey on behalf of ,abdul-,baha the most wonderful ,abha greeting to ,dr4 444444444 in ,cleveland and tell her ,i always bear a resemblance of her4 ,convey the most wonderful greeting of ,abha to the attracted maid-servant of ,god1 ,mrs4 444444444 ,o maid-servant of ,god6 ,the ,lord of the ,kingdom hath raised ,his voice with the utmost power and strength and is conquering the realms of hearts and souls with the hosts of the ,supreme ,concourse4 ,all holy souls in the kingdom of existence respond unto this voice and cause the call1 8,ya ,baha ,el-,abha60 to reach the ,lofty ,apex4 ,all the members of the household send their most wonderful ,abha greeting4 ,upon ye be greeting and praise6 ,abdul-,baha ,abbas4 ,,footnotes #a ,see pages #a and #f of ,tablets4 #b ,surat-ul-,hykl1 by ,baha'o'llah1 a portion of which was translated by ,anton ,haddad1 published in #aijj4 ,the retranslation of this book has not yet been undertaken4 #c ,referring to passage in 8,the ,life and ,teachings of ,abbas ,effendi0 7,abdul-,baha7 by ,myron ,t4 ,phelps1 published by ,g4 ,p4 ,putnam's ,sons1 ,new ,york4 #d ,this is a usage of the people of the ,east4 ,the purpose is that in every matter the commencement should be in the ,name of ,god4 #e ,this ,tablet bears the following superscription3 8,to the members of the ,house of ,justice1 the servants of the ,covenant1 the faithful worshippers of the ,holy ,threshold of the ,beauty of ,el-,abha40 ,this ,tablet and the following eighteen are to the ,house of ,spirituality of ,chicago4 #f ,abha--literally1 the ,most ,glorious4 #g ,this ,tablet is also addressed to the ,house of ,justice4 #h ,acca1 ,syria--the ,holy ,land4 #i ,i4e41 such as hath no precedent in any former age4 #aj ,a renowned ,bahai teacher sent by ,abdul-,baha in #aija to ,america1 and who organized the ,house of ,justice 7,house of ,spirituality7 in ,september of that year4 #aa ,addressed to the ,secretary of the ,house of ,spirituality4 #ab ,baha'o'llah4 #ac ,mashrak-el-,azcar--,temple of ,worship4 ,literally1 the ,dawning-place of ,praises4 #ad ,addressed to the ,secretary of the ,house of ,spirituality4 #ae ,this instruction is to the organized and elected ,body1 whose function is to look after the welfare of the ,cause in its community4 #af ,prayer to be said at the close of the meeting of the ,house of ,spirituality4 #ag ,temple of ,worship4 ,literally1 the ,dawning-place of ,praises4 #ah ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #ai ,refers to a declaration intended to be spread broadcast drafted by the ,house of ,spirituality1 and sent to ,abdul-,baha for his approval4 #bj ,this spelling was later changed by ,abdul-,baha to ,baha'o'llah1 as an aid to more correct pronunciation4 #ba ,a term synonymous with heavenly food4 #bb ,ishrakat1 i4e41 ,effulgences4 ,tarazat1 i4e41 ,spiritual ,ornaments4 ,bescharat1 i4e41 ,glad-tidings4 ,tajalliat1 i4e41 ,spiritual ,splendors4 ,kalamat1 i4e41 ,words of ,paradise4 #bc ,this completes the ,tablets to the ,house of ,spirituality4 #bd ,extracts from a ,tablet to ,mirza ,assad ,ullah1 at the time of the organization of the ,house of ,justice1 and the ,assembly of ,teaching of ,chicago1 in ,september1 #aija4 #be ,leaves1 i4e41 women4 ,this ,tablet and the two following are to the ,assembly of ,teaching of ,chicago4 #bf ,maid-servants4 #bg ,to the believers in general throughout ,america4 #bh ,the ,tomb of ,,baha',o',,llah4 #bi ,mirza ,ameen ,ullah ,fareed1 son of ,mirza ,assad ,ullah4 #cj ,acca4 #ca ,american believers4 #cb ,revealed in response to a supplication signed by #dbb believers in ,america and sent ,july #d1 #aije4 #cc ,revealed for ,american believers in #aijf1 who had sent ,abdul-,baha a ,new ,year's greeting4 #cd ,revealed in response to a supplication signed by #dhi believers in ,america during the period of the #ai-;day fast in #aijf4 #ce ,kheta and ,khotan are two cities in ,china celebrated for having large numbers of musk-producing animals4 ,the reference here symbolizes the severed and detached believers who are diffusing the fragrance of the ,word of ,god4 #cf ,the ,,bab4 #cg ,,baha',o',,llah4 #ch ,acca4 #ci ,acca4 #dj ,ring stone having this design3i3 ,ringstone symbol4 #da ,husband and wife4 #db ,husband and wife4 #dc ,the word 8mind0 7,persian1 8dale07 is also translated 8heart02 here it is mind4 #dd ,from ,march #b;d to ,march #bjth1 inclusive4 ,the fast is kept by refraining from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset4 #de ,acca4 #df ,to the ,muskegon 7,mich47 assembly4 #dg ,husband and wife4 #dh ,texts relating to parables and which are veiled in symbols and have esoteric meanings4 #di ,the ,tomb of ,,baha',o',,llah4 #ej ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #ea ,women4 #eb ,the ,cause4 #ec ,the high station mentioned in the ,koran referring to the ,manifestation1 ,,baha',o',,llah4 #ed ,husband and wife4 #ee ,the ,light of the ,world4 #ef ,see following ,tablet4 #eg ,to the above mentioned assembly of ,racine 7,wis474 #eh ,to the ,racine assembly4 #ei ,christ4 #fj ,the ,,bab4 #fa ,site of ,temple at ,chicago1 ,ill4 #fb ,april #ba1 #aiji4 #fc ,the ,,bab4 #fd 8,bible0 signifies the ,old ,testament2 8,gospel0 signifies the ,new ,testament4 #fe ,during the time of ,,baha',o',,llah',s residence in ,baghdad 7the ,dwelling of ,peace71 men of learning1 including ,jews1 ,christians and ,mohammedans1 visited ,him seeking answer to religious and scriptural questions4 ,such answer ,he gave in the ,book of ,ighan1 otherwise known as the ,book of ,explanations and ,assurance4 ,it concerns the ,reality and ,authority of the human ,divine 8,manifestations40 #ff ,the book was published in #aijd4 #fg ,acca4 #fh ,extract from ,tablet4 ,copy sent in bore no opening line of address4 #fi ,acca1 ,syria--the ,holy ,land4 #gj ,the ,tomb of ,,baha',o',,llah4 #ga ,interrupted4 #gb ,abdul-,baha himself4 #gc ,through the western states4 #gd ,el-,zekkum--a thorny tree so called1 which bears fruit like an almond1 but extremely bitter4 ,therefore the tree symbolizes a very sever punishment and bitter remorse for the unbelievers4 #ge ,praise be to ,god6 #gf ,husband and wife4 #gg ,to the ,board of ,counsel of ,kenosha 7,wis474 #gh ,to the maid-servants of the ,kenosha assembly4 #gi ,to the maid-servants of the ,kenosha assembly4 #hj ,to the ,kenosha assembly4 #ha ,to the ,kenosha assembly4 #hb ,when the recipient was in ,acca4 #hc ,the ,recipients of the following ,tablets1 up to and including page #afg1 are unknown to the ,librarian of the ,house of ,spirituality1 but have previously been published4 #hd ,may be said before meals4 #he ,may be said after meals4 #hf ,eternal world4 #hg ,following extracts from ,tablets as received bore no opening line of address4 #hh ,following extracts from ,tablets as received bore no opening line of address4 #hi ,ring having stone of this design3 i3 ,ring ,stone symbol4 #ij ,see following ,tablet4 #ia ,a prayer for the forgiveness of souls who have departed from this world in ignorance of the ,truth4 #ib 8,deprivest whomsoever ,thou willest not10 refers to the reward and punishment of the souls according to its deeds4 ,there are many instances of this in all the heavenly ,scriptures4 #ic ,husband and wife4 #id ,a rosary is generally used in connection with the daily mentioning of the ,greatest ,name4 #ie ,the ,,bab4 #if ,the mother of the one to whom this ,tablet was revealed was an ,adventist1 who1 in #ahdd1 expected to 8meet the ,lord in the air40 ,at that time the recipient was three months old4 #ig ,at ,acca4 #ih ,,baha',o',,llah4 #ii ,insight4 #ajj ,the ,manifestation of ,god4 #aja ,revealed in #aije4 #ajb ,the ,holy ,land4 #ajc ,one of the translators4 #ajd ,see page #ajg4 #aje ,the ,holy ,land4 #ajf ,the ,greatest ,name4 #ajg ,i4e41 as the sun rises out of the darkness4 #ajh ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #aji ,supplication begging the forgiveness of ,god for ,dr4 44444444441 who hath ascended to the ,kingdom of ,god4 #aaj ,revealed in #aijf4 #aaa ,baha'o'llah4 #aab ,mirza ,abul ,fazl--a renowned ,bah' teacher who visited ,america during #aijb-aijd4 #aac ,to the ,cleveland 7,o47 assembly4 #aad ,husband and wife4 #aae ,el ,abd--the ,servant1 meaning ,abdul-,baha4 #aaf 8,consolation of the eye0--idiomatic ,persian expression meaning 8son40 #aag ,to a,x,x,x a man who was born a slave and freed by the emancipation proclamation4 #aah ,to the ,counsel ,board of ,west ,hoboken 7,n4,j474 #aai ,to the ,west ,hoboken assembly4 #abj ,to the ,west ,hoboken assembly4 #aba ,america4 #abb #aije4 #abc ,written by ,abdul-,baha on the flyleaf of a ,bible4 #abd ,mirza ,abul ,fazl--a renowned ,bahai teacher1 then in ,cairo1 ,egypt4 #abe ,leaf1 ,leaves--meaning the ladies of the ,household at ,acca--sister1 wife and daughters of ,abdul-,baha4 #abf ,christmas tree4 #abg ,to ,acca4 #abh ,the residence was destroyed by fire4 #abi ,the ,sister of ,abdul-,baha4 #acj ,the following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #aca ,answer to question of a physician regarding the sympathetic nervous system of the human organism4 #acb ,husband and wife4 #acc ,husband and wife4 #acd ,husband and wife4 #ace ,husband and wife4 #acf ,during the time of ,baha'o'llah's residence in ,baghdad 7the ,dwelling of ,peace71 men of learning1 including ,jews1 ,christians and ,mohammedans1 visited ,him seeking answer to religious and scriptural questions4 ,such answer ,he gave in the ,book of ,ighan1 otherwise known as the ,book of ,explanations and ,assurance4 ,it concerns the ,reality and ,authority of the human 8,divine ,manifestations40 #acg 8,the ,bahai ,proofs40 #ach ,refers to ,california and the ,pacific coast4 #aci ,naurooz1 i4e41 ,new ,day--or spring equinox1 ,march #bast4 #adj ,kitab-el-,akdas1 by ,baha'o'llah4 #ada ,inshallah1 i4e41 if it be the will of ,god--also implies hope or wish4 #adb ,see ,tablet commencing bottom page #aci1 ,vol4 ,i4 #adc ,all martyred in ,persia4 ,khudoos1 in the city of ,barfurush2 ,bab-el-,bab1 in ,tabarsi2 ,king of ,martyrs and ,beloved of ,martyrs1 both in ,ispahan2 ,vaheed1 in ,nariz4 #add ,july #bd1aijh1 the day of the proclamation of a constitutional government in ,turkey1 and the freeing of all political prisoners and exiles4 #ade ,to four members of the ,chicago 7,ill47 assembly4 #adf ,to three members of the ,chicago assembly who were traveling and teaching4 #adg ,to two members of the ,chicago assembly4 #adh ,to the ,chicago assembly4 #adi ,baha'o'llah4 #aej ,addressed to the translator for the ,chicago assembly4 #aea ,baha'o'llah4 #aeb ,refers to an invitation sent from ,chicago1 in #aija1 to ,abdul-,baha to come to ,america4 #aec ,to the ,chicago assembly4 #aed ,to fifteen members of the ,chicago assembly4 #aee ,to the ,chicago assembly4 #aef 8,wealth of ,nature0 refers to a state wherein man can dispense with things and be happy in their absence4 #aeg ,the ,book of ,laws--the ,most ,holy ,book4 #aeh ,revealed for the believers in ,persia in #aija4 #aei ,one of the fountains of ,paradise mentioned in the ,koran4 #afj ,salsahil1 i4e41 ,sweet ,water of ,life4 #afa ,the unkind brother4 #afb ,an accusation that ,abdul-,baha was claiming to be a ,manifestation who is promised after a lapse of a thousand years4 #afc ,abdul-,baha4 #afd ,syria4 #afe ,an expression of astonishment4 #aff ,the ,tomb of the ,bab on ,mt4 ,carmel4 #afg ,these expressions are intended to convey the inference that he is orthodox4 #afh ,baha'o'llah4 #afi ,one of the teachers of the ,bahai ,revelation in ,persia4 #agj ,for recitation when visiting the tomb of his honor ,aka-,reza1 of ,isfand-,abad1 ,persia1 a famous and valiant man who suffered martyrdom in #aija4 ,the chief religious magistrate of the locality commissioned a number of men to enter his home at night and they shot him to death4 #aga ,idiomatic expression for turning unto ,god and being illumined with ,his ,spirit4 #agb ,for recitation when visiting the tomb of his honor ,aka-,seyed-,jaffar1 of ,isfand-,abad1 ,persia1 who suffered martyrdom in #aija4 ,when he would not recant1 ,mulla ,abdul-,kani1 the chief religious magistrate of the locality1 turned him over to three different men for execution1 and when each refused to carry out the order1 the ,mulla struck him on the head with a stone1 and1 with the assistance of another ,mulla1 put him to death4 #agc ,for recitation when visiting the tomb of his honor ,aka-,zaman1 of ,isfand-,abad1 ,persia1 who suffered martyrdom in #aija4 ,he was delivered into the hands of a mob1 who brought him out of prison1 made him ride an ox and paraded him through the streets4 ,many struck him with stones and clubs1 and wounded him4 ,while he was surrounded by this general assault and uproar and the people danced and clapped their hands in joy1 ,aka-,zaman himself also clapped his hands with them1 and evinced great joy on account of his approaching martyrdom4 ,then a wretch from behind cut off his ear and stuffed it into the martyr's mouth1 but he did not even turn nor move4 ,finally they put him to death with all kinds of wounds and with the severest persecutions1 and stoned him4 ,then they dragged away his body from under the heaps of stones and burned it along with the body of his honor ,aka-,seyed-,jaffar4 #agd ,to the assembly of ,zanjan1 ,persia4 #age ,one of the angels of the 8,resurrection day10 mentioned in the ,koran4 #agf ,to the assembly of ,teheran1 ,persia4 #agg ,to the assembly of ,teheran1 ,persia4 #agh ,this ,tablet is to the believers throughout ,persia4 ,copy sent in bore no opening line of address4 #agi ,one of the ,fountains of ,paradise mentioned in the ,koran4 #ahj ,one of ,x,x,xhe teachers of the ,bahai ,revelation in ,persia4 #aha ,baha'o'llah4 #ahb ,abdul-,baha4 #ahc ,an expression of astonishment4 #ahd ,refers to the following poem composed by a nine-year-old boy of ,hamadan1 ,persia1 by the name of ,isaac4 ,it is a literal rather than a poetic translation3 ,,he ,,is ,,the ,,purpose6 ,rejoice1 ,o ye servants1 for the ,king of kings hath come6 ,be glad1 be happy1 ,the shining ,sun hath come6 ,o ye lovers6 ,o ye lovers6 ,lights have been shed upon the world4 ,o nightingales6 ,o nightingales6 ,the ,rose hath come to the garden4 ,o ye who are negligent1 be mindful6 ,o ye who sleep1 awake6 ,o ye who are dead1 get ye life6 ,for the ,life of lives hath come4 ,how long will ye remain ignorant8 ,your time is but a waste4 ,rejoice in this glad-tidings3 ,abdul-,baha the beloved hath come6 ,my ,lord6 ,my ,god6 ,thou who gave life again to my brethren4 ,his bounty hath enveloped me1 ,his love hath thrilled me4 ,thy love makes ,isaac proclaim2 ,his joy increase1 ,o ,baha'6 ,the world has ,abdul-,baha4 ,the sea hath the brilliant pearl4 #ahe ,to the maid-servant ,ta-er1 of ,teheran1 ,persia4 #ahf ,to a believer in ,persia4 #ahg ,to the ,johnstown 7,n4,y47 assembly4 #ahh ,to the ,johnstown 7,n4,y47 assembly4 #ahi ,when the recipient was in ,acca4 #aij ,feast of ,remembrance or ,meeting of ,faithfulness1 held every nineteen days4 #aia ,the ,sister of ,abdul-,baha4 #aib ,spiritual women4 #aic ,baha'o'llah4 #aid ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #aie ,where a number of the believers spent the summer months4 #aif ,to the ,new ,york ,city ,board of ,counsel4 #aig 8,in the ,tablet in which ,i have state,x,x,x ',i am not ,christ and am not ,eternal1' the meaning is this1 that ,i am not ,christ--and not the ,eternal ,lord6 ,but ,i am ,abdul-,baha4 ,this is its real purport4 ,undoubtedly those souls who are under the shadow of the ,blessed ,cause1 believing and assured1 firm and steadfast1 and living in accord with the divine exhortations and advices1 all of them are confirmed in the everlasting life40--,abdul-,baha4 #aih ,to the ,new ,york ,city assembly4 #aii ,to the ,new ,york ,city assembly4 #bjj ,to the ,new ,york ,city assembly4 #bja ,acca4 #bjb ,nakazeen--violators1 i4e41 those who reject after having professed allegience4 ,here it refers particularly to those scattered few who profess to believe in ,baha'o'llah but who refuse to follow ,his command to turn to ,abdul-,baha1 the ,centre of the ,covenant1 as appointed by ,baha'o'llah4 #bjc ,to the ,washington 7,d4,c47 assembly4 #bjd ,revealed in #aijj4 #bje ,to the ,washington 7,d4,c47 assembly4 #bjf ,to the 8,working ,committee0 of the ,washington 7,d4,c47 assembly4 ,as no ,board of ,counsel had been organized1 a number of the believers1 both men and women1 volunteered for service as a 8,working ,committee40 #bjg ,to the ,baltimore 7,md47 assembly4 #bjh ,to the ,baltimore assembly4 #bji ,to the ,baltimore assembly4 #baj ,the ,tomb of the ,bab on ,mt4 ,carmel4 #baa ,rizwan1 i4e41 ,paradise4 #bab ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bac ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bad ,names of some important ,tablets of ,baha'o'llah1 published in #aijf4 #bae ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #baf ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bag ,see page #dda4 #bah ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bai ,ishkabad1 ,russia1 near the ,persian border4 #bbj ,mother and daughter4 #bba ,hyacinths typify knowledge2 roses typify wisdom4 #bbb ,to the ,newark 7,n4,j47 assembly4 #bbc ,see page #efb4 #bbd ,established ,sept4 #ab1 #aijf4 #bbe ,followers of ,subi-,ezel who disturbed the ,babis by claiming to be the ,one promised by the ,bab4 #bbf ,america4 #bbg ,one of the well-known ,bahais in ,egypt4 #bbh ,during #aijf4 #bbi ,following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bcj ,to the ,fair ,hope 7,ala47 assembly4 #bca ,see foot note page #dgi4 ,here it implies the wisdom which comes from knowledge of realities and significations4 #bcb ,acca4 #bcc ,addressed to two maid-servants living in the same household4 #bcd ,following ,tablets as received bore no opening line of address4 #bce ,refers to the earthquake and fire1 ,april #ah1 #aijf4 #bcf ,the first meetings of the ,house of ,justice 7,house of ,spirituality7 in ,america1 were held in the household of the recipient of this ,tablet--,librarian4 #bcg ,husband and wife4 #bch ,incorporated in book entitled 8,some ,answered ,questions10 compiled by ,miss ,l4 ,c4 ,barney and published in #aijh by ,kegan ,paul1 ,trench1 ,trubner ,co41 ,london1 ,eng4 #bci ,ring stone having this design3 ,design of ,greatest ,name #bdj ,see footnote page #ajg1 ,vol4 #a1 or page #cbb1 ,vol4 ,,ii4 #bda ,to the ,ithaca 7,n4,y47 assembly4 #bdb ,to the ,montreal 7,canada7 assembly4 #bdc ,to a family4 #bdd ,mother and daughter4 #bde ,all revealed by ,baha'o'llah4 #bdf ,england4 #bdg ,while in ,haifa1 some years ago1 before he became a believer1 the recipient of this ,tablet saw ,baha'o'llah and some of the followers and was attracted to ,him1 but owing to circumstances had no means of communicating with ,him at that time4 #bdh ,husband and wife4 #bdi ,i4e41 the return of the qualities1 powers and attributes in another human being4 #bej ,i4e41 in the sense of continued existence after the death of the body4 #bea ,husband and wife4 #beb ,this ,tablet bore the following heading3 8,chant thou this commune40 #bec ,this metaphor means the state of spontaneous prayer and communion with ,god4 #bed ,to the ,buffalo 7,n4,y47 assembly4 #bee ,to the ,buffalo assembly4 #bef ,to the ,hoboken 7,n4,j47 assembly4 #beg ,the following four ,tablets are addressed to a ,japanese residing in the ,united ,states4 #beh ,hyacinth--the flower symbolic of knowledge4 #bei ,comparing those near at hand who disobeyed the command of ,baha'o'llah1 with the recipient of this ,tablet--a ,japanese4 #bfj ,infinite in regard to imagination1 for without the mind there would be no imagination4 ,another translation of this paragraph is as follows3 8,all the people have formed a god in the world of thought and they worship that form of their own imagination1 while the fact is that the imagined concept is comprehended by the mind which is comprehensive4 ,surely that which comprehends is greater than the comprehended1 for imagination is accidental 7non-essential71 while the mind is essential4 ,surely the essential is greater than the accidental40 #bfa ,addressed to a ,japanese residing in the ,united ,states--a friend of the recipient of the four preceding ,tablets4 #bfb ,the following extract from a ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bfc ,refers to the recipients of the preceding ,tablets4 #bfd ,the following ,tablets up to and including page #ehe1 are 8,general ,tablets0 revealed for all the friends throughout the world4 #bfe ,departure1 i4e41 death--which occurred ,may #bi1 #ahib4 #bff ,sadrat-el-,montaha--,the name of a tree planted by the ,arabs in ancient times at the end of a road1 to serve as a guide4 ,as a symbol it denotes a ,manifestation in ,his day4 #bfg ,cucumis calocynthis4 #bfh ,the ,druses4 #bfi ,husband and wife4 #bgj ,a prayer for children4 #bga ,to the ,milwaukee 7,wis47 assembly4 #bgb ,board of ,counsel4 #bgc ,the recipients of the following ,tablets up to and including page #fai1 are unknown1 and although we have no specific permission to publish them1 they are included here as they have been previously published4--,librarian #bgd ,the recipients of the following ,tablets up to and including page #fai1 are unknown1 and although we have no specific permission to publish them1 they are included here as they have been previously published4--,librarian4 #bge ,this ,tablet bears the following heading3 8,each child may memorize as much as he can from this supplication40 #bgf ,the following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bgg ,refers to the congress of ,the ,hague held in #aijg4 #bgh ,during the year #ahii4 #bgi ,this ,tablet bore the following heading3 8,a general prayer for everyone to recite40 #bhj ,children of the recipient of the preceding ,tablet4 #bha ,the following extract from a ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bhb ,revealed during #aijh4 #bhc ,addressed to three maid-servants4 #bhd ,baha'o'llah4 #bhe ,to the ,boston 7,mass47 assembly4 #bhf ,the name 8,boston0 rhymes with the ,arabic name 8,bostan10 or fruit-garden4--,translator4 #bhg ,this ,tablet bears the following heading3 8,to the members of the ,spiritual ,assembly of ,chicago and the ,spiritual ,assembly of ,new ,york40 #bhh ,to the ,samarkand1 ,russia1 assembly4 #bhi ,to a believer in ,baku1 ,russia4 #bij ,abdul-,baha elucidated ,jesus' teaching against the theory of 8blindness from birth0 and the defects being caused by the sin of the individual in a former state 7see ,st4 ,john #i3a-c71 thus3 8,jesus states that this defect exists in order to prove and show that the gift of sight is from ,god alone and is one of his bounties4 ,because were all created with sight the people would consider it a mere natural fact that they must be so made1 and not give ,god thanks for ,his great gift40--,translator #bia ,to the ,cincinnati 7,o47 assembly4 #bib ,the following extract from a ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bic ,the first teachers of the ,bahai ,cause to come to ,america from the ,orient dwelt in the household of the recipient of this ,tablet4 #bid ,the following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #bie ,khai ,khosroe was a ,zoroastrian ,bahai of ,bombay1 ,india1 who left his home and went to ,lahore to nurse ,mr4 ,sydney ,sprague who was sick of a fever4 ,mr4 ,sprague recovered1 while the great ,khai ,khosroe died4 ,he was the first ,oriental friend to give his life for a ,western ,bahai brother4 #bif ,to the ,california maid-servants4 #big ,to the ,california maid-servants4 #bih ,the following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 ,the ,tablet is to husband and wife4 #bii ,literally1 in order that we may emerge our head out of the bosom of the kingdom of immortality4 #cjj ,the following extract from a ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #cja ,the believers are sometimes referred to as a republic4 #cjb ,to the ,brooklyn 7,n4,y47 assembly4 #cjc ,the recipient of this ,tablet1 when writing to ,abdul-,baha1 extended to him1 in spirit1 a lily4 #cjd ,to the ,fruitport 7,mich47 assembly4 #cje ,to three maid-servants at ,chicago4 #cjf ,baha'o'llah4 #cjg ,the ,bab4 #cjh ,khudoos1 literally1 ,holy2 the title given to one of the great martyrs of ,persia4 #cji ,baha'o'llah4 #caj ,germany4 #caa ,to the ,seattle 7,wash47 assembly4 #cab ,to a believer in ,new ,zealand4 #cac ,to ,america4 #cad ,this word means a treasure or supply laid up for future use4--,translator4 #cae ,i4e41 the power of the spiritual wine of truth will make her conscious of all else save the love of ,god4--,translator4 #caf ,the following ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4 #cag ,the following extract from a ,tablet as received bore no opening line of address4