+P 1
This has not yet been proofread
Page numbers are correct.
Volume I  pp. 1-238.


"In reality thou art spiritually hungry and
athirst for the Water of Life.  Therefore I
send thee spiritual food and bestow upon thee
the Water of Life Eternal. That food is the
divine advices and exhortations revealed in
the Tablets and the spiritual outpourings of
the Breath of the Holy Spirit.  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 createth!"

                         Abdul-Baha Abbas.



                        Tablets
                          of
                    Abdul-Baha Abbas

                        Volume I

                      Published by
                BAHAI PUBLISHING SOCIETY
                      P. O. Box 283
                     CHICAGO, U.S.A.


INTRODUCTION

     This book is a reproduction of the Tablets of Abdul-Baha
as contained in the archives of the House of Spirituality+F1
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 Body:

                                          March 21, 1908.

To the Friends of God in the Light of El-Abha,
        throughout America.

Greeting: --
     For a number of years the House of Spirituality has been gathering
copies of Tablets, received by the Friends in America from
Abdul-Baha Abbas, for sacred preservation in its archives, in
accord with permission from him to do so in a Tablet addressed
to it dated April 21, 1903, as follows:  "As to the compiling of
the Tablets in a Book for the House of Spirituality, this depends
upon the consent of the receivers of the Tablets; if the owners of
the Tablets consent, copies should be kept and collected in the
House of Spirituality and it will be acceptable."
     Although many Tablets, both published and unpublished, were
known to be in circulation among the believers, and notwithstanding
the restriction to collect only copies sent in with the consent
of the recipients, yet, in the spring of 1907, through the hearty
response and co-operation in this endeavor about 500 copies of different
Tablets had been received, acknowledge and filed with data
concerning each in a safety deposit vault equipped with all modern

appliances for protection.
     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 (who contemplated issuing same in book form),
with all references to personalities eliminated, and said compilation
was taken by Mr. Agnew to the presence of Abdul-Baha,
who inquired especially as to elimination of all names of persons
and everything of a clearly personal nature, and as to whether the
recipients of the Tablets had consented to publication of them,
etc. - to all of which he gave approval and instructed the Publishing
Society to proceed with the work.
     The purpose of this communication is therefore twofold:  First,
that the endeavor be continued to preserve a copy of every Tablet
obtainable; and second, that it be accomplished at the earliest
possible moment in order to make the forthcoming Volumes of
Tablets (now being prepared by the Publishing Society) as complete
as possible, for only the Tablets in the archives of the House
will be used, as therein is recorded the desire of the recipients.
     In sending copies of Tablets, kindly see in so far as possible that
together with each is given: (1) Full name of recipient (2) present
address, mentioning street number, city or town, and state, (3)
on or about date translation, (4) name of translator, (5) clearly
state whether or not permission to publish all or only a portion of same
is granted.  Should there be any doubt as to whether or not a
copy of any certain Tablet is already in the archives, you may be
assured in knowing that every Tablet received has been acknowledged
on a special printed form, signed by the Librarian.
     Concerning this important matter the following words of Abdul-Baha
will be of interest to all:  "Verily know, that the Tablets
(Book) of Abdul-Baha and his address is a hidden mystery and
concealed fact; no one is informed of its greatness and importance
at these times.  But in the course of times and future centuries,
the signs thereof will be manifested, the lights thereof will dawn,
the fragrance thereof will be diffused, and the greatness, the importance
thereof will be known.  The truth I say unto thee, that
each leaflet from Abdul-Baha will be a wide-spread Book; nay,
rather, a glistening Gem on the Glorious Crown.  Know thou Its
value and hold great Its station!"
     Thanking you in advance, we are your fellow servants in the
Vineyard of El-Abha,
                                      The House of Spirituality

     A sufficient number of Tablets having been gathered together,
they have been entrusted to the Baha'i Publishing
Society for publication in this concrete form for the enlightenment
of the English-speaking world.
     The Tablets appear in the book in the order received and
filed in the archives, i.e. the first to respond to the above letter
sent out by the House of Spirituality appear first in the
book, and, so far as possible, all the Tablets to any one person
or to a family or to an assembly have been placed together.
     Regarding publications, the following Tablet from Abdul-Baha
was received by this Society in October, 1906:

                        He is God!
O ye heavenly Assemblage!
     Your letter was received and its contents became
known.  Ye have written concerning the printing and
publication of the Tablets.
     The translation of the Surat-ul-Hykl+F2 is of the utmost
difficulty.  It must be translated by a committee
who are exceedingly efficient both in Persian and English,
exercising the closest and most minute attention.
Otherwise the text would not become intelligible.  The
same rule applieth to other Writings and Tablets.  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 individuals.  In the
future, God willing, means will be brought about.
Translations will be made by a committee composed of
two most erudite Persians and two learned Americans,
all of them having the utmost proficiency in both
languages and possessing a certain knowledge of sciences
and arts.  Then others from among the scholars and
thinkers must assist.  At that time Tablets will be translated
correctly and published.  What ye have in your
hands and what is already printed will impart a certain
degree of information.  Whatever matter the spiritual
Boards of Council in New York, Chicago, Washington
and Kenosha unanimously deem advisable to print
and publish, ye may print and publish; and have the utmost
union and oneness with each other.
     Regarding the Tablets of Abdul-Baha:  Each of
them is important.  Print ye those which are in detail.
     As to the question of annihilation and destruction of
the Spirits+F3 :  Mr. Phelps hath not not fully understood the
matter or else the translator hath made some mistake.
It was not intended to convey the idea that the unbelieving
souls are absolutely annihilated.  Nay, rather, it
was meant that the existence of the evil spirits in comparison
to the existence of the sanctified souls was like
unto annihilation.  As you clearly behold, the existence
of mineral in comparison with the existence of man is
like unto non-being.  When the body of man is destroyed
and disintegrated, it returneth to the mineral.
     Concerning the income of the printing and publishing
society, as ye write, it must be expended for charitable
purposes.
     O ye believers of God!  I am pleased with you and
seek for your assistance and confirmation.  I hope that
ye may, day by day, add to your love, steadfastness,
purity of intention and service to the Cause of God.
     Upon ye be greeting and praise!
                                    Abdul-Baha Abbas.

     These Tablets were originally written in Persian and all
bear the caption, "He is God!"+F4 and close with expressions
of good will, such as, "Upon ye be greetings and praise!"
These expressions have been omitted from this compilation;
also such portions as are clearly of a personal nature, as
well as names of persons, as instructed by Abdul-Baha.
     Omission of names of persons has been designated by the
sign, thus ........; omission of purely personal portions
of the text have been designated by the sign, thus ***.
The translator's interpolations are enclosed in parentheses,
thus ( ); editor's interpolations are enclosed in brackets,
thus [ ].  For messages within Tablets a special sign has
been found necessary and these messages are enclosed within
this special sign, thus & &.  Quotations are shown by the
usual sign, thus " ".
     The great labor of translating these Tablets from the
original language has been entrusted to the following translators,
whose inestimable service is hereby gratefully acknowledged:
Anton Haddad, Mirza S. M. Raffie, Mirza
Housein Rouhy, Ali Kuli Khan, Dr. Ameen U. Fareed,
H. S. M. Taki Manshadi, Mirza Ahmad Esphahani,
Mrs. Getsinger, Miss Barney and Mirza Moneer Zane.
     The House of Spirituality desires to thank all who have
assisted in this matter of gathering in copies of Tablets for
preservation in its archives, and requests the Bahais everywhere
to continue the endeavor as outlined in the circular
letter sent out by that Body, as herein quoted.  Address
such communications to the Librarian of the House of
Spirituality, P. O. Box 283, Chicago, Ill.
     Only a portion of the Tablets now on file with the House
of Spirituality are contained in this volume.  Other volumes
will be issued as soon as possible.  Tablets coming in will
take their place in order according to the date received
and appear in forth-coming volumes.
                                The Bahai Publishing Society.
Feast of Naurooz, March 21, 1909.

     For the information of those who know little or nothing
of the Bahai Revelation, we quote the following account
translated from the (French) Encyclopaedia of Larousse: -

     Bahaism the religion of the disciples of Baha'o'llah, an
outcome of Babism. - Mirza Husain Ali Nuri Bah'o'llah
was born at Teheran in 1817 A. D.  From 1844 he was
one of the first adherents of the Bab, and devoted himself
to the pacific propagation of his doctrine in Persia.  After
the death of the Bab he was, with the principal Babis, exiled
to Baghdad, and later to Constantinople and Adrianople,
under the surveillance of the Ottoman Government.  It was
in the latter city that he openly declared his mission.  He
was "He whom God would make manifest," whom the Bab
had announced in his writings, the great Manifestation of
God, promised for the last days; and in his letters to the
principal Rulers of the States of Europe he invited them to
join him in establishing religion and universal peace.  From
this time, the Babis who acknowledged him became Bahais.
The sultan then exiled him (1868 A. D.) to Acca in Palestine,
where he composed the greater part of his doctrinal
works, and where he died in 1892 A. D. (May 29).  He had
confided to his son, Abbas Effendi Abdul-Baha, the
work of spreading the religion and continuing the connection
between the Bahais of all parts of the world.  In point
of fact, there are Bahais everywhere, not only in Mohammedan
countries, but also in all the countries of Europe, as
well as in the United States, Canada, Japan, India, etc.
This is because Baha'o'llah has known how to transform
Babism into a universal religion, which is presented as the
fulfillment and completion of all the ancient faiths.  The
Jews await the Messiah, the Christians the return of Christ,
the Moslem the Mahdi, the Buddhists the fifth Buddha,
the Zoroastrians Shah Bahran, the Hindoos the reincarnation
of Krishna, and the Atheists - a better social organization!
Baha'o'llah represents all these, and thus destroys the
rivalries and the enmities of the different religions; reconciles
them in their primitive purity, and frees them from the corruption
of dogmas and rites.  For Bahaism has no clergy,
no religious ceremonial, no public prayers; its only dogma
is belief in God and in his Manifestations (Zoroaster, Moses,
Jesus, et al., Baha'o'llah).  The principal works of Baha'o'llah
are the Kitab-ul-Ighan, the Kitab-ul-Akdas, the Kitab-ul-Ayd,
and numerous letters or tablets addressed to
sovereigns or to private individuals.  Ritual holds no place
in the religion, which must be expressed in all the actions of
life, and accomplished in neighborly love.  Every one must
have an occupation.  The education of children is enjoined
and regulated.  No one has the power to receive confession
of sins, or to give absolution.  The priests of the existing
religions should renounce celibacy, and should preach by
their example, mingling in the life of the people.  Monogamy
is universally recommended, etc.  Questions not
treated of are left to the civil law of each country, and to
the decisions of the Bait-ul-Adl, or House of Justice, instituted
by Baha-o-llah.  Respect toward the Head of the State
is a part of respect toward God.  A universal language, and
the creation of tribunals of arbitration between nations, are
to suppress wars.  "You are all leaves of the same tree, and
drops of the same sea," Baha'o'llah has said.  Briefly, it
is not so much a new religion as Religion renewed and unified,
which is directed today by Abdul-Baha. - (Nouveau
Larousse Illustre, supplement, p. 66.)

     Just as this book was going to press the introduction to
it appearing on the following page was received from
Abdul-Baha.

                     He is God!
O Thou Almighty Lord!
     Strengthen all mankind that they may do according
to the instructions and teachings recorded in these writings,
so that wars and strifes may be eliminated from
the world of man;  that the roots of enmity may be
destroyed and the foundations of love and affection be
established;  that the hearts may be filled with love and
the souls be attracted; that wisdom may advance and
the faces become brightened and illumined; that there
be no more wars and strifes and that reconciliation and
peace appear; that the Unity of the world of man may
pitch its tent on the "apex of the horizons," so that
peoples and parties become as one nation, that different
continents become as one continent and the whole
earth as one land; that the sects of antagonizing and
dogmatic religions be unified; that the world of creation
be adorned and all the people of the earth abide
in unity and peace.
     Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the Beholder!
                             (signed)   Abdul-Baha Abbas.

                 TABLETS OF ABDUL-BAHA

O thou party+F5 who art assisted by the hosts of the Kingdom
       of El-Abha!
     Blessed are ye who are assembled in the shadow of
the Word of God, who are abiding in the cave of the
Covenant of God, who are comforted by dwelling in
the Paradise of El-Abha+F6 , who are cheerfully moved
with the breezes which blow from the point of the
providence of God, and who have arisen to render
service to the Cause of God, to promulgate the Religion
of God, to promote the Word of God and to
hoist the standards of sanctity in those regions and
climes.
     By the life of El-Baha!  Verily, 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 existence.
     O party of the Covenant!  Verily, 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 power.  Ye will
surely find in your luminous assembly such signs as
will shine within hearts and souls.  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


------------------------
1.  See pages 1 and 6 of Tablets.
2.  Surat-ul-Hykl, by Baha'o'llah, a portion of which was translated by
    Anton Haddad, published in 1900.  The retranslation of this book
    has not yet been undertaken.
3.  Referring to passage in "The Life and Teachings of Abbas Effendi"
    Abdul-Baha) by Myron T. Phelps, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons,
    New York.
4.  This is a usage of the people of the East.  The purpose is that in every
    matter the commencement should be in the Name of God.
5.  This Tablet bears the following superscription:  "To the members of the
    House of Justice, the servants of the Covenant, the faithful worshippers of
    the Holy Threshold of the Beauty of El-Abha."  This Tablet and the
    following eighteen are to the House of Spirituality of Chicago.
6.  Abha - literally, the Most Glorious.
+P 2
fire of the love of God, so that your hearts may move
with joy through the fragrances of humbleness which
are being diffused from the heart of Abdul-Baha.  Make
feet firm, strengthen hearts and rely upon the everlasting
bounties which will successively pour on your from
the Kingdom of El-Abha.  Know, verily, the lights of
Baha' will shine forth onto you during your gathering
together in the brilliant Paradise.
     It is incumbent on you to have union and harmony.
It is incumbent upon you to have affinity and accord,
so that ye may become united in body and soul as the
Pleiades, and as strings of brilliant pearls.  Thereby
your foundation will be laid, your argument will become
manifest, your stars will beam forth and your
souls will be comforted.
     When ye enter the spiritual meeting of Consultation,
chant the following commune, your hearts beating with
the love of God and your tongues purified from aught
else save the commemoration of God; so that the Most
Might Power may confirm you by the greatest assistance:

     O my God!  O my God!  We are servants who
have sincerely turned our faces unto Thy grand face,
severed ourselves from all else save Thee in this great
day and are assembled together in this glorious meeting,
of one accord and desire, and unanimous in thought
to promulgate Thy Word amid Thy creatures.
     O my Lord!  O my Lord!  Suffer us to be signs of
guidance, standards of Thy manifest Religion throughout
the world, servants of Thy Great Covenant - O our
exalted Lord! - appearances of Thy oneness in Thy


+P 3
Kingdom, the El-Abha, and stars which dawn forth
unto all regions.
 +P  O Lord!  Make us as seas rolling with the waves of
Thy great abundance, rivers flowing from the mountains
of Thy glorious Kingdom, pure fruits on the tree
of Thy illustrious Cause, plants refreshed and moved
by the breeze of Thy gift in Thy wonderful vineyard.
     O Lord! Cause our souls to depend upon the signs
of Thy Oneness, our hearts to be dilated with the bounties
of Thy Singleness, so that we may become united
as are ripples on a waving sea; become harmonized as
are the rays which shine forth from a brilliant light;
so that our thoughts, opinions and feelings become as
one reality from which the spirit of accord may be
diffused throughout all regions.
     Verily Thou art the Beneficent, the Bestower!  Verily
Thou art the Giver, the Mighty, the Loving, the
Merciful!

O ye+F7 who are sincere!  O ye who are attracted! O ye
      who are yearning!  O ye who are arising for
      service to the Cause of God, for the promotion of
      the Word of God and the spreading of the Fragrances
      of God!
     Verily, I read your excellent letter, its beautiful
composition, eloquent words and deep meanings.  I praised
God and gave glory to Him for that He hath strengthened
you and confirmed you in serving His glorious
vineyard.  Your faces shall be enlightened with the
radiance of supplication to God, invocation to Him,
Humbleness and submissiveness to the friends (believers),


------------------------
7.  This Tablet is also addressed to the House of Justice.
+P 4
and your assembly will be made a magnet for the
lights of assistance from His Great Kingdom.
     It is incumbent upon you to commemorate and ponder
upon the signs of God, to implore to God and to
be evanescent and subservient in the Cause of God.
This is what makes you the signs of guidance among
the people, stars shining in the supreme horizon and
thriving trees in the Paradise of El-Abha.
     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 prison.+F8  By the life of
El-Baha! - this prison is my supreme paradise, my utmost
desire, the joy of my heart and the dilation of
my breast, my shelter, my asylum, my inaccessible cave
and my high protection.  By it I glory among the
angels of heaven and the Supreme Concourse.
     Be rejoiced, O friends of God, with this confinement
which is a cause of freedom, this prison which is
a means of salvation (to many) and this suffering
which is the best cause of great comfort.  Verily, by
God, 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 earth.
     Verily, I hope, through the kindness of my Lord
and His mercy, bounty and generosity, to be suspended
in the air in His path and that my breast may become
the target to be be pierced by thousands of bullets; or that
I may be cast into the bottomless seas, or thrown into
the wilderness and plains of barrenness.  This is my
utmost aim, my supreme desire, the animation of my


------------------------
8.  Acca, Syria - the Holy Land
+P 5
spirit, the healing of my bosom and the sight of my
eyes.
     As to you, O friends of God:  Make firm your feet
in the Cause of God with such firmness as cannot be
shaken by the most great disasters of this world.  Be
not troubled by anything under any condition.  Be as
lofty mountains, dawning stars from the horizon of
existence, brilliant lamps in the assemblies of oneness
and lowly souls, pure hearted, with the friends.
     Be signs of guidance; lights of piety; severed from
the world, holding fast to the firm rope; spreaders of
the spirit of life; abiders in the ark of safety; manifestations
of mercy; dawning-stars of the mysteries of
existence; points of revelation; day-springs of light;
strengthened by the Holy Spirit; attracted toward God;
sanctified from all things and from the (natural) qualities
of people, and characterized with the attributes of
the angels of heaven - so ye may attain to the greatest
gift in this great century and new age.
     By the life of El-Abha!  No one will obtain this
great favor save he who cuts himself from this world,
being attracted by the love of God, who is dead to the
desires and appetites of self, sincere to God in all things
and meek, humble, imploring, pleading and lowly before
God.

O ye who are firm in the Covenant!
     The report of the Spiritual Gathering, which is
dated *** and sent by you, was received and
its contents were a source of great fragrance and spirituality.
I was glad to read the names of the revered members.


+P 6
     The signature of that meeting should be the Spiritual
Gathering (House of Spirituality) and the wisdom
therein is that hereafter the government should not infer
from the term "House of Justice" that a court is
signified, that it is connected with political affairs, or
that at any time it will interfere with governmental
affairs.
     Hereafter, enemies will be many.  They would use
this subject as a cause for disturbing the mind of the
government and confusing the thoughts of the public.
The intention was to make known that by the term
Spiritual Gathering (House of Spirituality), that Gathering
has not the least connection with material matters,
and that its whole aim and consultation is confined to
matters connected with spiritual affairs.  The was
also instructed (performed) in all Persia.***

O my God!  O my God!
     These are servants who have turned to Thy Kingdom
and hearkened unto Thy voice.  Their hearts
were dilated by Thy call, responded unto Thy summons,
were attracted unto Thy beauty, acknowledged
Thy proofs, believed in Thy signs, confessed Thy
Oneness and arose for the service of Thy Cause and
the promotion of Thy Word.
     O Lord!  O Lord!  Make them lamps of guidance,
lights glistening in the supreme apex, sparkling
stars in heaven, holy angels moving on earth and thriving
trees bearing delicious and fragrant fruits.
     O Lord!  O Lord!  Purify their qualities, clarify
their consciousness, cleanse their hearts and illumine


+P 7
their faces.  Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Precious,
the Protecting!
     O ye spiritual ones!  The rules for election are those
which are customary in that country.  The period of
election is five years.
     O Lord!  O Lord!  Bless this Spiritual Gathering,
strengthen them by Thy power for the spreading of
Thy divine fragrances, cause them to follow Thy will
which is effective in the realities of all things, and aid
them by a confirmation such as never hath preceded to
any one in former centuries.+F9  For these are servants of
Thy servants and Thou hast crowned them them with this
diadem, the most luminous (Abha) gems of which
will shine unto all the horizons.
     Verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, the
Giver!

O ye who are sincere!  O ye who are firm!  O ye who
        are steadfast!
     Verily, 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 America.
     Verily, 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 God.  Verily, Abdul-Baha is
with you and supplicates unto God, desiring His heavenly
blessings to surround you, His divine favors to
encompass you, the appearances of the Sun of Truth


------------------------
9.  i.e., such as hath no precedent in any former age.
+P 8
to shine in your hearts, the glad tidings of God to rejoice
your spirits, the fragrances of holiness to perfume
your nostrils, the verses of guidance to be chanted in
your gatherings, and the lamp of the Supreme Concourse
to illumine your meetings.  Know with real assurance
that this light will encompass the horizons (the
world) with great brilliancy.
     I ask God to make ye lamps ignited by the great
Light, so that ye may stand with all power, meekness,
humbleness, sacrifice and self-resignation and thus become
examples for the people and pure types for the
world, be salt of the earth, stars of guidance, great
trees with broad foliage and excellent fruits of fragrant
scent, growing by the bounty of the cloud of the
Kingdom of El-Abha.
     I praise God that ye were firm in faithfulness in that
ye testified and acknowledged the efforts which Mirza
Assa Ullah+F10manifested in spreading the fragrances of
God and that ye thanked him for his labor and teaching
for you, and this is what gladdens the heart of
Abdul-Baha.

O thou+F11who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
     Verily I say unto thee the truth, that I am with you in spirit
and in heart, that I rejoice by your joy and am happy
by your happiness; and hear with the ear of spirit your


------------------------
10. A renowned Bahai teacher sent by Abdul-Baha in 1901 to America, and who
      organized the House of Justice (House of Spirituality) in September
      of that year.
11. Addressed to the Secretary of the House of Spirituality.
+P 9
calling and scent with the spiritual nostrils the fragrances
of your garden.
     O ye friends of God!  Arise from the corporeal beds
(bodies) and ask for the divine favors, so that ye become
revived by the Holy Spirit through the breath
which the Spirit breathes into the souls.
     By the glory of my Lord, there will be for your brilliant
assemblage an evident sign and great effects in the
spirits and the hearts.  Therefore, gladden the friends
of the Merciful with the glad-tidings of thy Lord in
this time, and convey to them greeting from Abdul-Baha
in this promised century, so that they may arise
with me in servitude to the Threshold of El-Baha.

O ye servants of the Threshold of God!
     The weekly reports of *** 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 God.
     Through the favor and providence of the Beauty+F12of
Abha I trust that Spiritual Gathering will develop day
by day and will be reinforced by the strength of God.
     Communication with the friends of God in other
countries is a source of fragrant spirituality.
     O ye members of the Spiritual Gathering!  Appreciate
this favor.  This is the glorious crown of the Kingdom,
which, in this century, the Hand of the Great
Favor has placed on your head, and the gems of this
brilliant diadem will surely glisten unto all centuries.
     Thank God that ye became a manifestation of such
favor and are addressed by such speech.


------------------------
12. Baha'o'llah.
+P 10
O ye friends of Abdul-Baha!
     Verily I read your reports with great joy.  They
are a cause of spirituality and fragrance and a source
of dilation of souls.  If this Spiritual Meeting, by the
divine fragrance and heavenly confirmation, be firmly
established (or continued) it will become a source of
great signs and will be confirmed in matters of paramount
importance.
     The Spiritual Meetings, which are organized in this
cycle of God and this divine century, have never had
their simile or likeness in bygone cycles.  For the great
meetings (organizations) were under the protection of
aristocratic men, while these meetings (or organizations)
are under the protection of the bounty of El-Abha.
The helper or supporter of those (organizations)
was either a prince or a king; either a priest
was the principal, or a great republic (the cause); but
the Helper, the Assistant, the Confirmer and the Inspirer
of these spiritual meetings (or organizations) is
His Majesty the Everlasting God.
     Consider not the present condition, but rather foresee
the future and the end.  A seed in the beginning is
very small, but in the end a great tree.  One should
not consider the seed, but the tree and its abundance
of blossoms, leaves and fruits.
     Consider the days of Jesus, when there was only a
small body of people, and then observe the great tree
which grew from that seed and what an abundant fruit
it produced.  This is greater than that, forasmuch as
it is the calling of the Lord of Hosts and the Voice of
the Trumpet of the Living God; it is the summons unto
the harmony and unison of the world, and it is the banner


+P 11
of faithfulness, trustworthiness and friendship
among the difference nations and sects of the universe;
it is the light of the Sun of Truth and the spirituality
of the Majestic One.  Verily this great cycle (dispensation)
will encompass all the horizons and ultimately all
the nations will gather together under this standard.
     Therefore, know the importance of this seed which
was planted in the divine field by the heavenly Gardener,
watered with the rain of grace and nurtured by
the heat and light of the Sun of Truth.  Thus, O ye
friends of God, give thanks unto His Majesty, the One,
that ye became (or were made) the manifestation of
such a gift and the recipient of such favor.
     Blessed are ye!  Good-tidings unto you for this great
blessing!

O ye who are sincere!  O ye who are firm in the Covenant
        of God in this new cycle!
     Verily I praise God for that He confirmed you in
the service of the Cause of God in His great vineyard.
     Write to Mrs. ........ and convey to her greetings
and praise and say to her that her Lord will aid
and strengthen her in attaining her desire.
     Convey my greeting and salutation unto the maidservant
of God, the attracted one, Mrs. ........, the
respected.   I ask God to make her a spreader of the
new Gospel, an utterer in praise of her Lord in that
vast region.
     Convey my kindness and love unto the maid-servant
of God, who is thrilled by the fragrances of God, Miss
........ of [that place] so that she may be rejoiced
by my greeting to her, the fullness of my favor, and


+P 12
that she may be drawn by the love of God even as the
magnet attracts the iron.
     O my precious friends in the Kingdom of God, the
members of the Spiritual Meeting!  Communicate with
all parts of Persia; write replies to the letters which
are sent to you, with all joy, happiness, fragrance and
spirituality; because the friends of God in Persia are
all rejoiced in commemorating you in the meetings and
assemblies, in houses and Mashrak-el-Azcars.+F13

O ye who are attracted by the Fragrances of God!
     Verily I read your letters which uttered your steadfastness
in the Cause of God, your firmness in His Religion
and your joy by the breezes wafted from the
garden of the Kingdom of God.
     The truth, I say unto you, &Verily, the Supreme
Concourse utter praise upon you, because ye forsook
the desires of self, were illumined by the light of guidance,
clothed yourselves with the garment of sanctity
and called in the Name of El-Abha among the people.
Verily, ye shall reap what ye sow and obtain the fruits
of what ye plant.  This is a pre-ordained fact.&
     O ye beloved of God!  When the winds blow severely,
rains fall fiercely, the lightning flashes, the thunder
roars, the bold descends and storms of trial become
severe, grieve not; for after this storm, verily, the
divine spring will arrive, the hills and fields will become
verdant, the expanses of grain will joyfully wave,
the earth will become covered with blossoms, the trees
will be clothed with green garments and adorned with


------------------------
13. Mashrak-el-Azcar - Temple of Worship.  Literally, the Dawning-place of
      Praises.
+P 13
blossoms and fruits.  Thus blessings become manifest
in all countries.  These favors are results of those
storms and hurricanes.
     The discerning man rejoiceth at the day of trials,
his breast becometh dilated at the time of severe
storms, his eyes become brightened when seeing the
showers of rain and gusts of wind, whereby trees are
uprooted; because he foreseeth the result and the end
(of these trials), the leaves, blossoms and fruits (which
follow this wintry storm); while the ignorant (short-
sighted) person becometh troubled when he seeth a
storm, is saddened when it raineth severely, is terrified
by the thunder and trembleth at the surging of the
waves which storm the shores.
     As ye have heard of the former times, when (for example)
Christ - glory be to Him! - appeared, a storm
of trials arose, afflictions appeared, the winds of tests
blew, the thunder of temptation descended and hosts
of people (Pharisees) surrounded the houses of the
friends; then the weak ones were shaken and were misled
after once being guided; but the disciples withstood
the hardships and endured the storms of ordeals, remaining
firm in the Religion of God.  Then observe
that which occurred after the storm and what appeared
subsequent to that severity, whereby the members (followers)
trembled.
     God hath changed the sorrow to joy, the destructive
darkness of calamity into the shining light from the Supreme
Concourse.  The people at the beginning persecuted
and reviled the believers in God and said of them:
"These are the people of aberration."  Then, when


+P 14
their light appeared, their stars shone and their lamps
illuminated, the people returned into love and affinity;
they prayed to them, offered words of glory night and
day (in their name) and remembered them in eulogy,
reverence, honor and majesty.
     Therefore, O ye beloved of God, be not grieved
when people stand against you, persecute you, afflict
and trouble you and say all manner of evil against you.
The darkness will pass away and the light of the manifest
signs will appear, the veil will be withdrawn and
the Light of Reality will shine forth from the unseen
[Kingdom] of El-Abha.  This we inform you before
it occurs, so that when the hosts of people arise against
you for my love, be not disturbed or troubled; nay,
rather, be firm as a mountain, for this persecution and
reviling of the people upon you is a pre-ordained matter.
Blessed is the soul who is firm in the path!

O thou servant+F14of God!
     ***Trust no man save him whose breast hath
been dilated by God through the light of faith, whom
God hath confirmed in His Religion, and who is severed
from all else save God and attracted by His Fragrances.
     In future, of course, certain people will come to you
claiming faith; do not believe them nor trust them, unless
after critical examination, search and investigation,
and a long period of waiting, they shall appear to be
faithful and truthful in word, confident in heart, attracted
in spirit, pure in intention, patient in hardship,


------------------------
14. Addressed to the Secretary of the House of Spirituality.
+P 15
enduring the most severe tests; then associate with
them.  Because some sects will send certain men to
mingle with you in order to throw suspicion upon those
who are weak, therefore avoid them carefully.***
But let such [deliberations] be hidden that you
may not become a cause of hindrance [to such souls].+F15

O ye firm ones in the Covenant!
     The report of [your meeting] was noted.  All the
arrangements of the meeting are suitable and acceptable.
The reading of the Tablets which are sent to
special persons dependeth upon their consent.  First
send the Tablets to them and if they should agree, the
same may be read in the meeting.  All the arrangements
were good and suitable.
     A special letter is enclosed for the maid-servant of
God, Mrs. ........  Forward it.  As to letters for
Chicago and its vicinity, if God so willeth (Inshallah),
they will be sent through the House of Spirituality.  As
to the copying of the Tablets in a book for the House
of Spirituality, this dependeth upon the consent of the
receivers of the Tablets.  If the owners of the Tablets
consent, copies should be kept and collected in the
House of Spirituality and it will be acceptable.  Nevertheless,
this should be with perfect consent of the receivers.
     Regarding arrangements for the Bahai Sunday
meeting for the purpose of worship, this is very suitable.
But, in a meeting for worship, first, prayer should
be chanted and supplication made until all gather; then


------------------------
15. This instruction is to the organized and elected Body, whose function is to
      look after the welfare of the Cause in its community.
+P 16
communion should be made.  After praying, sacred
readings with melodious voices should be read by all
together.  As this is the commencement of holding
meetings, this is sufficient.

O God!  O God!+F16
     Thou dost look upon us from Thine unseen Kingdom
of Oneness, [beholding] that we have assembled
in this Spiritual Meeting, believing in Thee, confident
in Thy signs, firm in Thy Covenant and Testament, attracted
unto Thee, set aglow with the fire of Thy love,
sincere in Thy Cause, servants in Thy vineyard,
spreaders of They Religion, worshipers of Thy Countenance,
humble to Thy beloved, submissive at Thy
door and imploring Thee to confirm us in the service
of Thy chosen ones.  Support us with Thine unseen
hosts, strengthen our loins in Thy servitude and make
us submissive and worshiping servants, communing
with Thee.
     O our Lord!  Turn our faces unto Thy divine face;
feed us from Thy heavenly table by Thy godly grace;
help us through the hosts of Thy supreme angles and
confirm us by the holy ones of the Kingdom of Abha.
     Verily Thou art the Generous, the Merciful!  Thou
art possessor of great bounty and verily Thou art the
Clement and Gracious!


------------------------
16. Prayer to be said at the close of the meeting of the House of
      Spirituality.
+P 17
O ye who are attracted!  O ye who are firm!  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 God!
     I perused your recent letter, dated *** and my
heart was filled with joy through its beautify meanings
and its eloquent contents.  Truly they were suggested
by the breaths of confirmation from the Glorious
Lord.
     O friends of Abdul-Baha and his co-sharers and
partners in the servitude of the Lord of Hosts!  Verily,
the greatest affair and the most important matter
today is to establish a Masharak-el-Azcar+F17and to found
a Temple from which the voice of praisings may rise
to the Kingdom of the majestic Lord.  Blessings be
upon you for having thought to do so and intending to
erect such an edifice, advancing all in devoting your
wealth in this great purpose and in this splendid work.
You will soon see the angels of confirmation following
after you and the hosts of reinforcement crowding before
you.
     When the Mashrak-el-Azcar is accomplished, when
the lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones
are presenting themselves therein, the prayers are performed
with supplication towards the mysterious Kingdom
(of heaven), the voice of glorification is raised to
the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers shall rejoice,
the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love
of the All-living and Self-existent (God).  The people
shall hasten to worship in that heavenly Temple,
the fragrances of God will be elevated, the divine


------------------------
17. Temple of Worship.  Literally, the Dawning-place of Praises.
+P 18
teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment
of the Spirit in mankind; the people will
then stand firm in the Cause of your Lord, the Merciful.
Praise and greetings be upon you.

O ye who are chosen!  O ye who are firm!  O ye who
        are calling!  O ye who are sincere!
     Verily I praise my Supreme Lord for choosing you
to call in His Name among the people, for attracting
you to the beauty of El-Abha and for strengthening
you in rendering His Cause victorious.
     I trust in Him to make your faces shine forth with
glorious lights in that clime, glistening as the face of
heaven by the light of the early dawn, unto the horizons.
     Verily I herald unto you the confirmations which will
sustain you by the mercy of your Lord.  For ye have
arisen with all your power to serve God's Cause in that
vast region.  Ponder over this great bounty and manifest
attainment!
     I send you the glad-tidings of the erection of the
Temple of worship (Mashrak-el-Azcar) in Ishkabad
[Russia], with all joy and great happiness.  The friends
of God assembled together with rejoicing and conveyed
the stones themselves, upon their backs, while attracted
by the love of God and for the glory of God.  Soon
that great Temple will be completed and the voice of
prayer and praise shall ascend to the sublime Kingdom.
     I was rejoiced through your endeavors in this glorious
cause, made with joy and good interest.  I pray
God to aid you in exalting His Word and in establishing
the Temple of Worship, through His grace and


+P 19
ancient mercy.  Verily you are the first to arise for this
glorious cause in that vast region.  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 parts.
     Exert your energy in accomplishing what you have undertaken,
so that this glorious Temple may be built,
that the beloved of God may assemble therein and that
they may pray and offer glory to God for guiding them
to His Kingdom.
     Convey my greeting and praise to the beloved of
God in that city.

     +F18Your three reports, together with the public
announcement+F19, were received.  Praise be to God! all the
contents indicated firmness, spirituality and goodness.
The friends of the Spiritual Meeting are indeed manifesting
efforts in the Cause of God.  Soon the unseen
strength of heaven will become evident, and such zeal
and earnestness will become manifest in that country
that it will affect all parts of the world.
     Souls are like unto mirrors, and the bounty of God
is like unto the sun.  When the mirrors pass beyond all
coloring and attain purity and polish, and are confronted
with the sun, they will reflect in full perfection
its light and glory.  In this condition one should not
consider the mirror, but the power of the light of the
sun, which hath penetrated the mirror, making it a reflector
of the heavenly glory.
     I hope that the House of Spirituality will become a


------------------------
18. Following Tablet as received bore no opening line of address.
19. Refers to a declaration intended to be spread broadcast drafted by the
      House of Spirituality, and sent to Abdul-Baha for his approval.
+P 20
heavenly mirror and the lights of the Sun of Truth
will so penetrate it that all parts will be illuminated
through it.
     Your public announcement was carefully considered,
and in some places slight corrections were made,
and it was returned to you.  This announcement should
be given forth with wisdom, and not in haste, for it
would be a cause of stirring up.  When ye find a soul
manifesting a demand for Truth, then ye may give this
to him, that he may be informed of the rudiments of
the Cause.
     But my name should be confined to Abdul-Baha in
all writings.  This is the collective name which will
gather all the people, and it is the strong fortress and
protection of the Cause of God.  The beloved ones
must limit themselves to this.  However, ye may mention
me as the Light of the Love of God, the Flame of
the Guidance of God and the Banner of Peace and
Harmony.  I trust in God that ye may ever be confirmed
through the Holy Spirit.

O ye spiritual friends of Abdul-Baha!
     Your long letter was considered and its contents were
a source of happiness.  Thank God that ye, western
friends, have become dawning-points of the love of
God and stars of knowledge leading to Him; night and
day are ye thinking of imparting life to souls and of
educating people of discernment.
     Regarding the blessed word, the Greatest Name:
Its writing or spelling is according to its pronunciation
(i.e., it is spelled as it is pronounced) in the Persian
language.  Baha is correct; Beha is incorrect.  However


+P 21
this question must not cause inharmony and grief
among the friends.  This truth shall become manifest.
     Should ye attribute a mistake to a person, 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 people!
How often it hath occurred that a slight difference hath
caused a great dissension and hath been made a reason
for division.  Now, you write Baha'u'llah,+F20but do
not object to any person.  All will eventually follow
the correct spelling.
     O ye beloved ones of God!  The manifestation of
the Light of Unity is for binding together the people
of the world.  If this unity is not attained, the tree of
life is made fruitless, the heavenly bounty is not utilized.
The blessed blood (of the saints) was shed for
bringing about unity and harmony.  These souls gave
their lives as sacrifice in order to produce the love that
bindeth the hearts of all the people.  Therefore, ye
should all spend your efforts in uniting and reconciling
(the people), so that the light of God's love may permeate
the universe.
     The Spiritual Meeting of men (House of Spirituality)
and the Spiritual Meeting of women (Assembly
of Teaching) in Chicago are indeed endeavoring to
serve.  If they unite, as they should, they will produce
great results.  Especially, if the Spiritual Meetings of


------------------------
20. This spelling was later changed by Abdul-Baha to Baha'o'llah, as an aid to
      more correct pronunciation.
+P 22
Chicago unite with those of New York and become
bound together, in a short while the fragrance of the
divine garden, which giveth life, will perfume all
regions.

O ye spiritual friends of Abdul-Baha!
     Your letter was considered; its contents were a source
of satisfaction to the heart and its meaning indicative
of firmness and steadfastness in the Cause of God.
     That gathering is under the shelter and protection
of the mighty Lord.  I hope that, as it should be, 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 horizons.
     The spiritual love of God maketh man pure and holy
and clotheth him with the garment of virtue and purity.
And when man attacheth his heart wholly to God
and becometh related to the Blessed Perfection, the divine
bounty will dawn.  This love is not physical, nay,
rather, it is absolutely spiritual.
     The souls whose consciences are enlightened through
the light of the love of God, they are like unto shining
lights and resemble stars of holiness in the heaven of
purity.
     The real and great love is the love of God.  That
is holy above the imaginations and thoughts of men.
     The beloved of God must each be the essence of
purity and holiness; so may they be known by their
purity, freedom and meekness in every land; they may
drink from the eternal chalice of the love of God, enjoy
its ecstasy, and through meeting the Beauty of
Abha, they should be joyful, active, aglow with zeal


+P 23
and wonderful.  This is the station of the sincere.  This
is the quality of those who are firm.  This is the illumination
of the faces of those who are near.
     Therefore, O ye friends of God, ye must in perfect
purity attain spiritual unity and agreement to a degree
that ye may express one spirit and one life.
     In this condition physical bodies play no part:  the
command and authority are in the hand of the spirit.
When the spirit becometh all inclusive, the Spiritual
union shall be attained.  Night and day endeavor to
attain perfect harmony; be thoughtful concerning your
own spiritual developments and close your eyes to the
shortcomings of one another.
     By good deeds, pure lives, humility and meekness be
a lesson for others.
     Abdul-Baha wisheth no one's heart to feel hurt, nor
will he be a source of grief to any one; for there is no
greater satisfaction than being a source of joy to the
hearts.
     I ask God that ye may become like angels of heaven,
sources of happiness to souls.

O ye dear friends of Abdul-Baha!
     The blessed letter indicating the election of the Spiritual
Meeting was received and proved a source of joy.
Thank God, the beloved of that city, in perfect unity,
love and oneness, 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 Covenant.
     Now they (the members of Spiritual Meeting)
must, in perfect spirit and fragrance, in sincerity of


+P 24
heart, in attraction by the fragrances of God and by
the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, engage in service;
in the promotion of the Word of God; the diffusion of
the fragrances of God; the training of the souls; the promulgation
of the most great peace.  They must raise
the Banner of Guidance and become the host of the
Supreme Concourse.
     Indeed, blessed souls have been elected.  When I
read their names, spiritual joy was immediately realized,
for, praise be to God! certain souls have appeared
in that continent who are servants of the kingdom,
self-sacrificing ones of the Peerless Majesty.
     O ye friends of mine!  Illuminate the meeting with
the light of the love of God, make it joyful and happy
through the melody of the Kingdom of holiness, and
with heavenly food and through the "Lord's Supper"+F21
confer life.
     Congregate in the utmost of joy and happiness and
commence with this commune:
     O Lord of the Kingdom!  Although we are assembled,
yet we are Thy scattered ones; captives of Thy
Shining Face.  Although we are incapable, yet we anticipate
the manifestation of Thy strength and ability.
Although we are without capital and commodity, yet
we are aided by the treasury of the Kingdom.  Although
we are a drop, yet we emanate from Thy sea
of seas.  Although we are an atom, yet we are illumined
by Thy most bright Sun.
     O Lord!  Confirm us so that each one in this gathering
become a bright candle, a witness of the meeting,


------------------------
21. A term synonymous with heavenly food.
+P 25
a caller to the Kingdom; that the world of matter become
the mirror of heaven.

     O ye dear friends of mine!  The assemblies of those
regions must be connected with one another and must
communicate (correspond) with each other.  Even
communicate with the assemblies of the East, so that
this may become the means of the great unity and
concord.
     O ye spiritual friends!  Firmness (constancy) must
reach a degree that if all the souls (Bahais) be destroyed
by the evil wishers and there remain but one,
that one singly and alone should be capable of withstanding
all who live on earth, and of spreading the
fragrances of holiness.
     Therefore, when any terrible new or calamitous
tidings reach you from the land of desire (Acca), ye
should not grow cold, sad, or be affected thereby.  Nay,
rather, ye must immediately in the utmost firmness,
arise for the service of the Kingdom.
     This servant of the Threshold of His Majesty the
eternal God, hath always been and is in danger; there
hath never been a hope for rest.  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 ecstasy.  This is the utmost of my
hopes and desires.
     The Tablets of Israghat, Tarazat, Bescharat, Tajaliat
and Kalamat,+F22according to what is heard have been


------------------------
22. Ishrakat, i.e., Effulgences. Tarazat, i.e. Spiritual Ornaments. Bescharat,
      i.e., Glad-tidings. Tajalliat, i.e., Spiritual Splendors. Kalamat,
      i.e., Word of Paradise.
+P 26
translated and printed in those regions.  Hasten to become
imbued with the qualifications and attributes set
forth therein.
     And this letter+F23will close with reverential greetings,
in the utmost kindliness, from me to the beloved ones
and to the maid-servants of the Merciful.

  +F24*** Thou has written concerning the Board of
Consultation.

translated and printed in those regions.  Hasten to become
imbued with the qualifications and attributes set
forth therein.
     And this letter+F25will close with reverential greetings,
in the utmost kindness, from me to the beloved ones
and to the maid-servants of the Merciful.

     +F26*** Thou hast written concerning the Board of

Consultation.
     It is very proper thou shouldst exert
thyself with heart and soul so that this assembly shall
become a source of merciful events, and enter the
shadow of the protection and preservation of His Highness,
the One God.  The more this gains strength and
becomes effective, the greater will become the penetration
of the Word of God, and the more will the doors
of confirmation be opened.
     As to the Assembly of Teaching, the revered members
of which are the maid-servants of the Merciful,
they are also assisted by the help and the providence
of the Beauty of El-ABHA.  They will soon discover
that they are strengthened by the invisible hosts, and
rendered successful by the abundant bounty of the
Kingdom of the Forgiving Lord.  They will set such
a flame to the regions as will kindle the heart of the
universe, and will cause the pillars of the world to
tremble.  But all of their mention and thought in their
meeting should be confined to teaching the truth, and to


------------------------
23. This completes the Tablets to the House of Spirituality.
24. Extracts from a Tablet to Mirza Assad Ullah, at the time of the
         organization of the House of Justice, and the Assembly of Teaching of
         Chicago, in September, 1901.
25. This completes the Tablets to the House of Spirituality.
26. Extracts from a Tablet to Mirza Assad Ullah, at the time of the
      organization of the House of Justice, and the Assembly of Teaching of
      Chicago, in September, 1901.
+P 27
constantly persuade people in pure and divine brilliancy
and in absolute godlike spirituality.  They should not
interfere with the affairs which have regard to the
Board of Consultation, because confusion of thought
conduces to division and causes disturbance to the mind,
and then pure spirituality would cease.  But if all mentions
are turned into one mention, and all thoughts concentrated
in one point, then man will find (a higher)
spirit, and witness (a higher) confirmation.  His power
and penetration will increase, and his armies and hosts
will gain successive victories.  By this it is intended
that the assembly of the maid-servants of the Merciful
should be with pure spirituality and with absolute brilliancy,
and become a torch of that blessed fire, a center
of the merciful feelings.
     The Assembly of Teaching is in this day of the first
importance, and is promised to be assisted and protected
through the assistance of His Highness, the One God.
     Announce infinite glad-tidings to the revered maid-servants
of God -- the members of the merciful assembly,
so that they may arise with the utmost tranquillity
(to further) prosperity and success, because
Abdul-Baha is their strong and firm assistant through
the help and the providence of the Lord of Hosts.
     Concerning organizing Houses of Justice of men and
Assemblies of Teaching of maid-servants of God, the
more endeavor is made, the more agreeable it will be.
It is very useful.  Likewise, electing men and women
teachers, and their traveling and journeying in all parts,
and their going and coming in cities and villages, is
greatly conducive to the solidity of the Cause.***


+P 28
O ye leaves+F1 of the Paradise of El-ABHA, and the maid-servants
     of the Merciful!

     Verily, I read your words of thanksgiving to God,
and of celebrating the praise of God, for that He hath
illuminated your faces with the lights of guidance, hath
transfigured Himself on your hearts with the bounties
of spirit, and hath made you as lofty and magnificent
trees bearing ripened fruits in the Paradise of El-ABHA.
These signs will surely become manifest in your faces,
these lights will shine within your hearts, the splendor
of oneness will envelop you, and your brows will glitter
with rays shining from the Kingdom of El-ABHA.
     O maid-servants of the Merciful!  Know that, verily,
this day is the day of teaching, this day is the day
of diffusing the fragrances of God, being severed from
aught else save God, attracted to the Word of God,
and clinging to the Covenant of God.  There is no
work greater than this.  Be ye entirely spiritual, purely
brilliant, cut your dependence from any other mention,
thought or purpose, and confine your mentions,
thoughts and occupations to spreading the fragrances
of God, and devote your attention to this great work.
By God, the True One, verily, the Sun of Truth will
cast forth its lights in your assemblies and will make
you shining lamps, glittering stars, brilliant signs, and
as souls attracted to the Holy Spirit.  This is the great
prosperity!  This is the manifest light!

     Upon you be greeting and praise!

     When you assemble in the meeting of teaching (the


------------------------
1.  Leaves, i.e., women.  This Tablet and the two following are to the Assembly
      of Teaching of Chicago.
+P 29
truth), it is incumbent on you to chant the following
supplication and commune:

     O God, O God!  We are Thy humble and submissive
servants, leaves of Thine exalted and verdant
paradise, drops from the basins of Thine abundant
mercy, and scattered particles flying about in Thy shining
rays.
     O Lord, O Lord, render us successful through Thy
conquering power, in that which Thou lovest and approvest,
so that we may become standards of guidance,
signs of Thy Kingdom, the El-ABHA [and that we
may] adore Thee, supplicate before the Kingdom of
Thy mercy, beseech Thy realm of might, be submissive
to Thy servants, humble before Thy maid-servants,
severed from aught else save Thee, sincerely turned
unto Thy face, aflame with the fire of Thy love, diffusing
Thy fragrances, united in Thy Cause, of one accord
in Thy religion, and firm in Thy Covenant.  O God,
strengthen us through the fragrances of Thy sanctity,
that we may become sanctified from the stain of egotism
and lust, baptized with Thy Holy Spirit, with the fire
of Thy love and the water of Thy bounty.
     Verily, Thou art the Bestower, the Assister, the
Confirmer, the Beneficent, the Merciful!

O ye verdant and flourishing leaves+F1 of the Blessed
     Tree!
     Verily, I read your letter, which expressed your spiritual
attraction to the fragrances of God, your service
to the Cause of God, your firmness in the Covenant of
God, your joy in this blessed and great day, your union


------------------------
1.  Maid-servants.
+P 30
and harmony in the religion of God, your happiness in
diffusing the light of the knowledge of God, and your
work in the Vineyard of God -- the Paradise of El-ABHA.
Such prosperity, success, blessing and salvation
behooveth one like you!  Blessed are ye, O ye stars
who are beaming with the light of the love of God!
Blessed are ye, O ye lamps lighted with the fire of the
love of God!  Blessed ye are, O ye who are attracted
to the Kingdom of God!  Glad-tidings be unto you, O
you who are severed from aught else save God!  Blessed
ye are, O ye pure and chaste ones!  Glad-tidings be
unto you through the gift of the Covenant, from the
light of which all regions are illuminated!  Be rejoiced
that the lights of the Sun of Truth are shining forth
unto all parts; be gladdened at the gifts of your Lord,
which have surrounded all the universe; dilate your
breasts by chanting the verses of God, and console your
eyes by witnessing the bounties of the Supreme
Concourse.
     By God, the True One, verily, the angels of heaven
praise you every morn and eve from the loftiest apex,
and announce to you a favor which will surely appear
as clear and lucid as the sun in mid-day.  Then your
faces will shine with a light which will gleam forth
unison and harmony, in diffusing the fragrances of God,
in preaching the Beauty of El-ABHA, and promoting
the word of God.  Let each one of you be attracted
to the love of the other, so that ye may become as fountains
flowing from one source, stars beaming with one
life, myrtles verdant and flourishing by the abundance
of one rain.  By this your hearts will be purified, your


+P 31
consciences illumined, your souls made clear, your banners
hoisted, and ye will become signs of guidance
among the maid-servants, standards of chastity and
piety throughout all the nations of the earth, and the
appearances of the gifts of your Lord among women.
     Verily, I implore God to gaze upon you with the
eye of His mercy, to raise you through a godlike power,
to move you by the breezes of His glory, to make you
fluent in irrefutable and divine proofs and arguments,
to sever you from the world and all therein, to purify
and sanctify you from every material grade, and enable
you to diffuse the bounties of the Divine Worlds.

O ye maid-servants of the Merciful!
     Be rejoiced with the glad-tidings of God and thank
your Lord for that He assembled you in the brilliant
gathering with illumined faces, pure hearts, wherein the
mysteries of God are printed, and spirits gladdened by
the fragrances of God.  This is from His favor to you
in this glorious century.
     I ask God to adorn your heads with the pearls of His
favor, to ignite in your hearts the fire of the love of
God, to free your tongues in utterance of eloquent
words and excellent meanings and mysteries in the gathering
of the pious, to make ye roses of the paradise of
El-ABHA, angels of heaven, united in opinions, harmonious
in thoughts and to manifest in your faces signs
of holiness of the Kingdom among the people.
     Soon will your Lord make you growing trees in His
wonderful vineyard, blossoming, leafing and bearing
fruits of the paradise of El-ABHA through the shadow
of His Name, the Merciful, the Clement.


+P 32
O ye+F1 crying voices in the region of America!
     Make level the path of the Covenant of God!  BE
firm in the Alliance of God!
     I surely read your answer to my words, and my heart
overflowed with joy and fragrance, when I heard of
your supplication to God, and of your entreaty to God,
and of your begging assistance of God, and of your
endeavor in the service of the Cause of God, and of
your effort in publishing the Alliance of God, and of
your yearning after and your longing for harmony and
union in the love of God.
     Ye shall soon behold the lights of confirmation shining
forth unto your hearts and your spirits from the
Kingdom of ABHA.
     Stand up, as the standing of the souls by whose lights
of sincerity in the Cause of God the horizons are shining,
and guard the sheep of God with the staff of the
instructions of God.
     I beg God to confirm thee to His will, as He confirmed
the Apostles (of Jesus) aforetime.
     I know, verily, that the universal, never ending,
eternal, bright and divine establishments are only the
diffusing of the breaths of God, and the spreading of
the instructions of God, and all that are beside these,
though they be the reigning over all the regions of the
earth, or the construction of railroads from the earth
to the heavens, or means of transportation with the
rapidity of rising lightning from the globe of earth
to the globe of the sun, all are but mortal, perishing,
demolishing and disadvantageous, in comparison with
the divine establishments.  Because the latter (divine


------------------------
1.  To the believers in general throughout America.
+P 33
establishments) are intrinsic matters, while the former
are but metaphorical matters; the latter are truth, while
the former are imaginary.
     Verily, I yearn after your visit as the yearning of the
thirsty after the fountain of the water of Euphrates
(agreeable water), but at present your remaining in
that region (America) is obligatory.  Please God, when
it will be the occasion, I will inform you to come; and
(now) I will circumambulate instead of you the Holy
Tomb.+F1  Glory be upon you!

O thou son of the associate and companion+F2 of Abdul-Baha!
     You brought many letters with you from those
regions, but on account of the great disturbance it was
not possible to write the answers.  You saw what a
commotion was set up in the Blessed Spot+F3 throught the
instigation of the jealous brother.  It still continues.
Therefore you must apologize:  Say that Abdul-Baha
has considered every one of the letters with the eyes of
the spirit, has read each, and through the valid messenger --
that is, through the spiritual susceptibilities --
has sent each the message of peace and greeting.
Therefore, let them turn to the blessed and Radiant
Spot with a pure heart and an attracted spirit, that
they may receive answer through the lights radiating
therefrom.
     Communication is not confined to writing.  This is
a trace, while the spiritual message is fruitful and effective.


------------------------
1.  The Tomb of BAHA'O'LLAH.
2.  Mirza Ameen Ullah Fareed, son of Mirza Assad Ullah.
3.  Acca.
+P 34
That is the essential, and without it communication
is useless.

     O Thou kind God!  That scattered assembly+F1 is
Thine, and that gathering of friends is of Thee.  Their
eyes are opened, their hearts in tune with Thy love, and
their ears in communion with Thy hidden mysteries.
     O Thou who art self-sufficient!  Let a beautiful song
reach this people from the birds of that garden, that
they may warble, rejoice and be happy, implore and
supplicate the Lord.
     O Thou Educator!  Train that assembly of the
righteous; comfort them; set their hearts aglow with
the fire of Thy love; acquaint them with Thy mystery
and commune with them, so that they may find Thy
kingdom of mysteries, become of the people of piety
and leading in liberty.
     Grant them the soul immortal; enrich them above
the world, and detach them from the world; usher them
into the tent of Thy Kingdom and give them a portion
of the divine bounty.
     Bestow upon them the everlasting life and bless
them with the new teachings.  Make every one a
lighted torch and a warbling nightingale -- the king of
the rose in the garden.  Reveal to them Thine attractive
beauty; make each a growing tree on the shore of
Thy guidance, bearing the fruit of Thy grace.  Thus
may the East illumine the West and the West become
the East of the Supreme Heaven.
     Verily, Thou art the Powerful, the Almighty, and
verily Thou art the Precious, the Omnipotent, the
Omniscient!


------------------------
1.  American believers.
+P 35
O ye my divine friends!+F1
     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 injustice, some
of the calumniators, uniting with our unkind brother,
wrote a letter replete with false accusations and engaged
in seditions and calumnies.
     They confused the mind of the government and
agitated the state authorities.  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 description!  Notwithstanding,
this imprisoned exile is in the utmost firmness and
calmness, trusts in His Highness the Peerless God, and
wishes for every calamity and affliction in the path of
the love of God!  (To us) the arrow of oppression is
a rich flow of divine bounty, and deadly poison is a
swift-healing antidote.
     We were in such a state when a letter came from
the friends in America.  The whole of its contents
showed an agreement on their part to be in unity and
harmony in all respects, and it was signed by all, determined
to be self-sacrificing in the path of the love of
God, in order thus to secure eternal life.
     Upon perusing that letter and looking at the name
signed to it, such a joy and gladness came over Abdul-Baha
as is beyond description, and he thanked God
that such friends are found in that country, who in
utmost joy and fragrance are in union and accord and


------------------------
1.  Revealed in response to a supplication signed by 422 believers in America
      and sent July 4, 1905.
+P 36
one in agreement with each other.  The more this
Covenant is strengthened, the happier, the better, the
sweeter it will be and it will thus attract the divine
confirmations.  If the friends of God are wishing for
confirmation in order to enjoy the friendship of the
Supreme Concourse, they must exert themselves to
confirm and strengthen this Covenant; for the making
of a covenant, and an alliance for brotherhood and
unity is like unto the irrigation of the tree of life which
is conducive to eternal life!
     Briefly, O ye friends of God!  Make your feet firm,
make a firm compact, and in union and accord endeavor
to diffuse the fragrance of the love of God and to
spread the divine teachings, in order that ye may impart
life to the dead body of this world, and bestow a real
healing on every one diseased (in soul).
     O ye friends of God!  The world is like the body
of man -- it hath become sick, feeble and infirm.  Its eye
is devoid of sight, its ear hath become destitute of hearing
and its faculties of sense are entirely dissolved.  The
friends of God must become as wise physicians and
care for and heal this sick person, in accord with the
divine teachings, in order that -- God willing -- it may
perchance gain health, find eternal healing and that its
lost powers may be restored; and that the person of
the world may find such health, freshness and purity
that it will appear in the utmost beauty and charm.
     The first remedy is to guide the people, so that they
may turn unto God, hearken unto the divine commandments
and go forth with a hearing ear and seeing eye.
After this swift and certain remedy hath been applied,
then according to the divine teachings, they ought to


+P 37
be trained in the conduct, morals and deeds of the
Supreme Concourse, encouraged and inspire with the
gifts of the Kingdom of ABHA.  The hearts should
be purified and cleansed from every trace of hatred
and rancor and enabled to engage in truthfulness, conciliation,
uprightness and love toward the world of
humanity; so that the East and the West may embrace
each other like unto two lovers, enmity and animosity
may vanish from the human world and the universal
peace be established!
     O ye friends of God!  Be kind to all peoples and
nations, have love for all of them, exert yourselves to
purify the hearts as much as you can, and bestow
abundant effort in rejoicing the souls.  Be ye a
sprinkling of rain to every meadow and a water of
life to every tree.  Be ye as fragrant musk to every
nostril and a soul-refreshing breeze to every invalid.
Be ye salutary water to every thirsty one, a wise guide
to every one led astray, an affectionate father or mother
to every orphan, and, in the utmost joy and fragrance,
a son or daughter to every one bent with age.  Be ye
a rich treasure to every indigent one; consider love and
union as a delectable paradise, and count annoyance
and hostility as the torment of hell-fire.  Exert with
your soul; seek no rest in body; supplicate and beseech
with your heart and search for divine assistance and
favor, in order that ye may make this world the Paradise
of ABHA and this terrestrial globe the arena of
the Supreme Kingdom.  If ye make an effort, it is
certain that these lights will shine, this cloud of mercy
shall rain, this soul-nourishing breeze shall waft, and
the scent of this most fragrant musk be diffused.


+P 38
     O ye friends of God!  Be ye not concerned with the
events transpiring at this Blessed Spot, and give no
thought thereto.  Whatever may happen is good, for
calamities are bestowal itself, hardship is the reality
of mercy, discomposure is but composure of mind, and
sacrifice of life is a manifest gift.  Whatever may happen
is a bounty from God, the Most High.  Be ye
engaged in your own affairs; be employed in guiding
the people; train the souls in the qualities and nature
of Abdul-Baha, and convey the glad-tidings of the
Kingdom of ABHA to the people.  Do not seek rest
during night and day and sit not tranquil for a minute.
Bring these glad-tidings to the hearing of mankind
with the utmost exertion, and accept every calamity
and affliction in your love for God and reliance on
Abdul-Baha.  Endure the censure of enemies and bear
the reproaches of the people of oppression with
patience.  Follow the example of Abdul-Baha and at
every moment wish to offer yourselves in the path of
the Beauty of ABHA.  Shine ye like unto the sun and
roar and move like unto the sea; impart life to mountain
and desert like unto clouds, and similar to the
vernal breeze, bestow freshness, grace and elegance on
the trees of human temples.

O ye+F1 children of the Kingdom!
     It is New Year; that is to say, the rounding of the
cycle of the year.  A year is the expression of a cycle
(of the sun); but now is the beginning of a cycle of
Realty, a New Cycle, a New Age, a New Century, a


------------------------
1.  Revealed for American believers in 1906, who had sent Abdul-Baha a New
      Year's greeting.
+P 39
New Time and a New Year.  Therefore it is very
blessed.

     I wish this blessing to appear and become manifest
in the faces and characteristics of the believers, so that
they, too, may become a new people, and having found
new life and been baptized with fire and spirit, may
make the world a new world, to the end that the old
earth may disappear and the new earth appear; old
ideas depart and new thoughts come; old garments be
cast aside and new garments put on; ancient politics
whose foundation is war be discarded and modern
politics founded on peace raise the standard of victory;
the new star shine and gleam and the new sun illumine
and radiate; new flowers bloom; the new spring become
known; the new breeze blow; the new bounty
descend; the new tree give forth new fruit; the new
voice become raised and this new sound reach the ears,
that the new will follow the new, and all the old furnishings
and adornments be cast aside and new decorations
put in their places.

     I desire for you all that you will have this great
assistance and partake of this great bounty, and that in
spirit and heart you will strive and endeavor until the
world of war become the world of peace; the world
of darkness the world of light; satanic conduct be
turned into heavenly behavior; the ruined places
become built up; the sword be turne dinto the olive
branch; the flash of hatred become the flame of the
love of God and the noise of the gun the voice of the
Kingdom; the soldiers of death the soldiers of life; all
the nations of the world one nation; all races as one


+P 40
race; and all national anthems harmonized into one
melody.
     Then this material realm will be Paradise, the earth
Heaven, and the world of Satan become the world of
Angels.

O ye+F1 Cohorts of God!
     A letter which was signed by you in general was
received.  Its content was of the utmost beauty, sweetness,
eloquence and perfection.  While reading it the
utmost happiness was produced.  It spoke of fasting
during the month of the Fast.  Happy is your condition
for you have executed the divine command; and
have arisen to fast in these blessed days.  For this
physical fasting is a symbol of the spiritual fasting,
that is, abstaining from all carnal desires, becoming
characterized with the attributes of the spiritual ones,
attracted to the heavenly fragrances and enkindled
with the fire of the love of God.
     Likewise your letter was an evidence of the union
and affinity of the hearts.  I hope that through the
bounty and favors of the Most Glorious Lord, in this
new age, the regions of the West become the East of
the Sun of Truth, the believers of God become the
dawning-places of lights, the manifestors of the signs,
be protected and guarded from the doubts of the heedless
ones, remain firm and steadfast in the Covenant
and Testament, and strive day and night in order to
awaken those who are asleep, to make mindful those
who are heedless, to make confident of the mysteries
of the Kingdom those who are deprived, to confer a


------------------------
1.  Revealed in response to a supplication signed by 489 believers in America
      during the period of the 19-day fast in 1906.
+P 41
share from the never-ending outpouring upon those who
are helpless, to become the heralds of the Kingdom and
to call the inhabitants of this terrestrial world to the
Celestial Realm.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  Today in the present world
each community is wandering in a wilderness, moving
in accord with some passion and desire, and running
to and fro in pursuance of his own imagination.  Among
the communities of the world, this community of the
"Most Great Name" is free from every thought, keeping
aloof from every project and scheme, arising with
the purest designs and intentions, 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 paradise, the nether
world become the mirror of the Kingdom, the universe
become another universe, and the human race attain to
higher morals, conduct and manners.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  Through the protection and
help of the Blessed Perfection -- may my life be a
sacrifice to His beloved ones! -- 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 sun.  If any one of you enters a city he must
become the center of attraction because of the sincerity,
faithfulness, love, honesty, fidelity, truthfulness and
loving-kindness of his disposition and nature toward
all the inhabitants of the world, that the people of
the city may all cry out:  "This person is unquestionably
a Bahai; for his manners, his behaviour, his conduct,
his morals, his nature and his disposition are of the
attributes of the Bahais."  Until you do attain to this


+P 42
station, you have not fulfilled the Covenant and the
Testament of God.  For according to the irrefutable
texts, He has taken from us a firm covenant that we
may live and act in accord with the divine exhortations,
commands and lordly teachings.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  Now is the time when the
signs and the perfections of the "Most Great Name"
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 Perfection, and this cycle is distinguished from
all other cycles and epochs.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  If you observe that a soul
has turned his face completely toward the Cause of
God, his intention is centralized upon the penetration
of the Word of God, he is serving the Cause day and
night with the utmost fidelity, no scent of selfishness is
inhaled from his manners and deeds, 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 God, and one intoxicated with the wine of the
knowledge of God, occupied wholly with the diffusion
of the fragrances of God, and attracted to the signs
of the Kingdom of God; know ye of a certainty that he
is confirmed with the powers of the Kingdom, assisted
by the heaven of Might; and he will shine, gleam and
sparkle like unto the morning star with the utmost
brilliancy and splendor from the horizon of the everlasting
gift.  If he is alloyed with the slightest trace
of passion, desire, ostentation or self-interest, it is
certain that the results of all efforts will prove fruitless,
and he will become deprived and hopeless.


+P 43
     O ye Cohorts of God!  Praise be to God! -- that the
Blessed Perfection hath freed the necks from the bonds
and fetters and released all from racial attachments by
proclaiming, "Ye are all the fruits of one tree and the
leaves of one branch."  Be ye kind to the human world,
and be ye compassionate to the race of man, deal with
the strangers as you deal with the friends, be ye gentle
toward the outsiders as you are toward the beloved
ones, know the enemy as the friend, look upon the
satan as upon the angel, receive the unjust with the
utmost love like unto a faithful one, and diffuse far
and wide the fragrances of the musk of the gazelles of
Kheta and Khotan+F1 to the nostrils of the ravenous
wolves.
     Become ye a shelter and asylum to the fearful ones,
be ye a cause of tranquillity and cease to the souls and
hearts of the agitated ones, impart ye strength to the
helpless ones, be ye a remedy and antidote to the
afflicted ones, and a physician and nurse to the sick
ones.  Serve ye for the promotion of peace and concord
and establishe in this transitory world the foundation
of friendship, fidelity, reconciliation and truthfulness.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  Strive ye that this human
world may be changed into a luminous realm and this
mound of earth become the Paradise of ABHA.  Darkness
hath environed the world upon all sides.  Savage
tempers and inclination predominate.  The human
world has become the battlefield of the rapacious savages


------------------------
1.  Kheta and Khotan are two cities in China celebrated for having large
      numbers of musk-producing animals.  The reference here symbolizes
      the severed and detached believers who are diffusing the fragrance of
      the Word of God.
+P 44
and the arena of the heedless and ignorant ones.
The souls are either bloodthirsty wolves or beasts with
degenerate reason.  They are either deadly poison, or
worthless plants.  There are a few souls who in reality
have some humanitarian intentions and are thinking of
the well-being and prosperity of human kind.  You
must in this instance (that is, service to humanity)
sacrifice your lives, and in sacrificing your lives celebrate
happiness and beatitude.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  His Highness, the Supreme+F1
-- may my life be a sacrifice to Him! -- hath given up
His life, and at every moment the Blessed Perfection+F2
in His own life sacrificed hundreds of lives, endured
dire calamities and oppressions.  Laden with fetters
He was thrown into the dark dungeon, He was exiled
and banished to distant lands and finally passed His
days in the Most Great Prison+F3 .  Likewise a multitude
of friends drank the sweet chalice of martyrdom and
sacrificed soul, possession, family and relatives for the
Cause.  How many houses were overthrown!  How
many residences were pillaged and rapined!  How
many magnificent palaces were turned into a desolate
tomb!  All these phenomena transpired only that the
world of humanity may become a luminous realm;
ignorance be changed into wisdom, human souls become
merciful, warfare and bloodshed be destroyed to their
very foundation, and the Kingdom of Peace become
paramount over all men.  Now strive ye, that perchance
this Beloved of Hopes appear in the assemblage of the
world and this Providence become a realized fact.


------------------------
1.  The BAB.
2.  BAHA'O'LLAH.
3.  Acca.
+P 45
     O ye Cohorts of God!  Beware lest ye offend the
feelings of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person,
or move the tongue in reproach of and finding fault with
anybody, whether he is friend or stranger, believer or
enemy.  Pray in behalf of all and entreat God for
forgiveness and bounty for all.  Beware, beware that
any soul take revenge or retaliate over another even if
he be a bloodthirsty enemy.  Beware, beware that any
one rebuke or reproach a soul, though he may be an
ill-wisher and an ill-doer.  Do ye not look upon the
creature, advance ye toward the Creator.  Behold ye
not the rebellious people, turn your faces toward the
Lord of Hosts.  Look ye not upon the ground, raise
your eyes to the world-illuminating Sun, which hath
transformed every atom of the gloomy soil into bright
and luminous substance.
     O ye Cohorts of God!  In the moment of catastrophe,
find ye patience, resignation and submission.
     The more the calamities are intensified the less become
ye disturbed.  Withstand ye, with perfect assurance,
the flood of trials and calamities, through the
power of His Highness, the Almighty.
     Last year some of the known and unknown, friends
and strangers, slandered, calumniated and presented
false accusations against these exiled ones, before the
throne of His Imperial Majesty, the Padeshah of the
Ottomans; while these oppressed ones were entirely
free from those calumnies.  The government, conformable
with prudent measures, arose to investigate these
calumnies and dispatched some commissioners (or examiners)
to this city.  Therefore it is evident that the
field which was found by the ill-wishers and the flood


+P 46
which was brought about by them, can neither be
written nor explained.  However, relying upon God,
we conducted ourselves with the utmost patience and
submission, resignation and calmness; so much so that
if one did not know anything about these matters, he
would have thought that we were in perfect ease of
soul, enjoying the tranquillity of heart and mind, and
were engaged in happiness and felicity.  The matters
reached to such an issue that the plaintiffs and calumniators
entered into alliance and intrigue with the officials,
in regard to the carrying out of the work of investigation.
Consequently, the plaintiff, the magistrate and
the witness became as one single soul.  Therefore it
is clear what things transpired!  But here one witnesses
the fairness and impartiality of His Imperial Majesty,
the Padeshah of the Ottomans, who so far has not
given any consideration to these slanders, statements,
stories and calumnies, but has dealt with the utmost
justice and equity.  Truly, I say, if there had been any
other person except this Padeshah, no trace of these
exiled ones would remain.  This is the truth!  We
must not overlook justice.  In reality today in the
Asiatic world, the Padeshah of the Ottoman Empire
and the Shah of Persia, Mozeffer-Eddin, are peerless
and have no equals.  If you could realize the degree
of the malignity of the enemies, and the wickedness and
mischief done by the ill-wishers, especially by the unkind
brother, both here and in Persia, and that notwithstanding
these seditions and villainies, these two
kings have treated us with tranquillity and mildness,
ye would undoubtedly feel sure that both are just.  If
they were like kings of bygone ages, unquestionably


+P 47
every day thousands of souls would have been deprived
of life in Persia.  Therefore pray ye earnestly in behalf
of these two kings, beseech for them protection and
confirmation in the threshold of the Almighty, and
ask for them, from God, victory and triumph; especially
for the Padeshah of the Ottoman Empire, who has
dealt at all times in justice with these exiled ones.

     O Thou Omnipotent God!  Perfume the nostrils of
the friends in the Occident with the breaths of the Holy
Spirit; and illumine the horizon of the West with the
light of guidance.  Make the remote ones the near
ones, change the strangers into compassionate friends,
awaken those who are asleep, and make heedful those
who are heedless.
     O Thou Glorious Lord!  Confirm and assist these
noble friends with Thy good pleasure, suffer them to
become the well-wishers of the known and unknown,
enter them in the world of the everlasting Kingdom,
confer upon them a share from the outpouring of the
Realm of Might, make them real Bahais and sincere
godly ones, deliver them from superficiality and establish
them in Truth, make them the signs of the Kingdom
and brilliant stars in the horizon of the world,
make them the cause of the prosperity and composure
of the world of humanity and the servants of the
universal peace, 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 teachings.
     O my God!  The desire of this Servant of the
Threshold is to see that the friends of the West have
embraced the beloved of the East, and the individuals


+P 48
of the world of humanity are with the utmost kindness
the members of one assemblage, the drops of one ocean,
the birds of one rose-garden, the pearls of one sea,
the leaves of one tree and the rays of one sun.

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
     Verily, I received thy letter which proved thy yearning
to the Kingdom of God, thy exceeding desire to
the Beauty of God and thy great attachment unto the
Word of God.
     Know, verily, that thy letters did not reach me until
now; but I love thee with all my heart and my soul,
for the sake of God.
     Regarding thy presence, at this time, in this Brilliant
Spot+F1 -- it is not in accord with the wisdom revealed
in the Book.  But I pray God to make thee a
manifestation of His hidden favors, so that thou be
with me in His Sublime Kingdom.
     We send for thee and thy revered wife, stones of
the Greatest Name.+F2

O thou who art advancing unto God!
     Verily I pray to God to make thee and thy revered
husband -- under the shadow of His Greatest Name --
confirmed in all conditions, aided in the service of the
Cause of God with a confirmation on the part of the
Merciful Lord.
     O my God!  O my God!  I ask thee to protect


------------------------
1.  Acca.
2.  Ring stone having this design:
+P 49
these two birds in the orchard of Thy mercy, confirmed
in joy and happiness in the garden of Thy bounties,
warbling with the best melodies in the wood (garden)
of Thy knowledge.  Verily Thou art the Precious, the
Mighty, the Protecting!

O ye two+F1 accepted ones in the Kingdom of God!
     Your letter was read and its contents caused joy and
happiness.  Thank God that in such a cycle ye have
stepped into the plane of existence, attained the glory
of the Lord of the Kingdom, obtained light from the
Sun of Truth and were ushered in under the shadow
of the Tree of Life in the paradise of joy.
     Give the name "Rooha" (i. e., Spiritual) to your
new born child, and let your own name be "Saffa" (this,
in Arabic, means Peter or Rock).

O ye two+F2 truthful believers!
     Your letter was received.  It contents were faith,
certainty and sincerity.  It was an evidence of perceiving
eyes, attentive ears and acute mind.  Were it not
so, ye would not have witnessed the lights of the Sun
of Truth, heard the divine Call, nor attained the knowledge
of God.
     Although in body we are far from one another,
yet -- praise be to God! -- with life and heart we are
present in one assembly; we enjoy the spiritual meeting,
abide under the shadow of one Blessed Tree, are
attracted to the beauty of one Beloved and gaze in the
direction of one Object.  Therefore, be not sorry on


------------------------
1.  Husband and wife.
2.  Husband and wife.
+P 50
account of the remoteness, but rather engage in the
commemoration of God and praise Him.  I hope that
we may be together in all the worlds of God.

     Teach the dear child Rooha this commune:

     O God!  Rear this little babe in the bosom of Thy
love and give it milk from the breat of Providence.
Cultivate this fresh plant in the rose-garden of Thy
love and nurture it by showers from the clouds of
Providence.  Make it a child of the Kingdom and lead
it to the divine world.  Thou art powerful and kind!
Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, whose blessings
precede all else!

O thou who art attracted by the Word of God!
     Verily, I read thy letter which contained new significances.
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 souls, absolute
goodness to all, a sign of kindness, a word of tenderness.
Verily, thy Lord is the Mighty, the Powerful!
He reviveth whomsoever He wisheth by the spirit of
righteousness and granteth unto whom He wisheth
great bounty, guideth whom He wisheth unto the path
of life and confirmeth whom He desireth in attaining
the Kingdom of God.
     As to thee, be confident in the mercy of thy Lord,
and ask what thou desirest.  Verily, God is the Generous,
the Giver!


+P 51
O maid-servant of God, who art supplicating unto the
       Sublime Kingdom!
     Grieve not at the divine trails.  Be not troubled because
of hardships and ordeals; turn unto God, bowing
in humbleness and praying to Him, while bearing every
ordeal, contented under all conditions and thankful in
every difficulty.  Verily thy Lord loveth His maid-servants
who are patient, believing and firm.  He draws
them nigh unto Him through these ordeals and trials.
     Be not sorrowful on account of the departure of thy
good son.  He hath indeed departed from this narrow
and gloomy world which is darkened by unlimited
sorrow, unto the Kingdom which is spacious, illumined,
joyous and beautiful.  God delivered him from this
dark well and promoted him unto the Supreme Height!
He gave him wings whereby he soared to the heaven of
happiness.  Verily this is the great mercy from Him
who is precious and forgiving.

O thou who art advancing to the Dawning-point of
       Lights!
     Extend the hands of communion unto the sacred and
brilliant Threshold and read the following prayer:

     O my God!  O my God!  Glory be unto Thee for that
Thou hast confirmed me to the confession of Thy Oneness,
attracted me unto the word of Thy Singleness,
enkindled me by the fire of Thy love, and occupied me
with Thy mention and the service of Thy friends and
maid-servants.
     O Lord, help me to be meek and lowly and strengthen


+P 52
me in severing myself from all things and in holding
to the hem of the garment of Thy Glory, 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
qualities.
     O God!  Sanctify me from all else save Thee, purge
me from the dross of sins and transgressions and cause
me to possess a spiritual heart and conscience.
     Verily Thou art merciful and verily Thou art the
Generous, the Helper.

O thou dear maid-servant of God!
     Thy likeness (photograph) was received through
Mrs. .......... and was seen.  The light of faith
shone in thy brow and the smile of the Kingdom in
thy face.  When I saw that likeness, I supplicated and
implored, at the Threshold of the Lord of the Kingdom,
to make thee a dear one of the two realms and
to free thee from every fetter save the love of God.

O thou flower perfumed by the Breaths of the Love
       of God!
     Verily, I read thy written letter and have supplicated
unto God to receive thee in His Kingdom, to make
thee worthy to be called a child of the Kingdom, 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 Pen, until thou mayest be confirmed to
diffuse the fragrance of holiness in those climes and
regions.


+P 53
O thou who dost believe in the Unity of God!
     Know verily nothing will benefit a person save the
love of the Merciful One.  Nothing illuminates a man's
heart save the radiance which shines forth from the
Kingdom of God!  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 realms, the center
of everlasting grandeur in this world.

O servant of God!
     What thou hast written and that which thou hast
retained in mind are evident.  Appreciate Mrs. ......
who reminds you of God and explains His divine
mysteries.
     Regarding thy question concerning a verse in the
22nd chapter of Exodus:  We gave a brief explanation
of it in a letter to Mrs. ..........  Please refer to
that.  Owing to the great (press of) work, I have
not the time for several explanations.
     I ask God that thou mayest attain such a state of
perception, as will enable thee to expound with knowledge
the words of the Holy Bible.

O thou who art supplicating unto the Kingdom of God!
     Rest assured in the mercy of thy Lord; be rejoiced
for my remembering thee; gladden thyself by the appearance
of the Kingdom of God, be attracted by the
fragrance of God and call out:  "Ya Baha El-ABHA!"
-- from the depths of thy heart with all meekness and


+P 54

supplication, attracted by the fire of the love of God.
(Then annoint or rub all the parts of the body.)
     Verily, I say unto thee, if thou attainest the condition
we demonstrate to thee (i.e., if thou followest the
directions given) be confident in the speedy recovery
through the favor of God.

O thou who art advancing unto the Kingdom of God!
     I ask God to make thee a helper to the maid-servants
of the Merciful, to walk in the path of salvation, to
disperse the clouds of doubt from the horizon of the
hearts, 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 world.

O dear servant of God!
     Observe how dear thou wert that He guided thee to
the Kingdom of Light, and how near to His Threshold,
that He granted thee admission into His Court.  Thou
were poor in spirit; He led thee to the Heavenly
Treasure.  Thou wert in quest of illumination; He enlightened
thee through the rays of the Sun of Truth.
Thou wert athirst; He led thee to the Spring of Life.
Thou wert sick; He bestowed upon thee the Heavenly
Remedy.
     I have read thy letter and have considered its contents.
Know this:  That today whoever turns to the
Kingdom of the Glorious God, holds communion with
the Almighty One, the Omniscient, and lives wholly
the true and good life, the doors of progress and help


+P 55
will be opened unto him everywhere; such an one will
be aided, victorious and protected.
     Therefore, turn to the Supreme Kingdom, forget
thyself entirely and remain firm in the spiritual trials,
so that thou mayest see the favors of the Kingdom and
realize the heavenly confirmation.

O thou who art uttering the praise of God!
     Verily I read thy letter, which expressed thy surprise
at some of the commandments of the law of God, such
as that concerning the hunting of innocent animals.
Be not surprised at this.  Ponder over the contingent
realities, their mysteries, wisdom, connection and relations.
The world is harmonious in all things and the
connection therein is mighty and nothing is missing.
All things are eaters and eaten in the physical creation.
The plant sucks from the mineral, the animal eats and
swallows the plant, and the human eats the animal.
Then the mineral (in turn) eats the human body.
Physical bodies are transferred from death to death and
life to life.  Therefore, all things are subject to transfer
and change except the Cause of existence, which
cannot be changed or transferred, because it is the
foundation for life in all kinds and species and in all
possible realities in the world of creation.
     If thou observest closely through a microscope the
water which man drinks and the air which he breathes,
thou wilt see that in every breath which man breathes,
that breath contains numerous animals, and in every
draught of water great number of animals exist.  This
could not be prevented because the existent beings are
eaters and eaten and, by this, existence is caused; otherwise,


+P 56
the relations between existent things would cease.
When a thing decomposes and decays, being bereft of
life, it becomes promoted to a world of life greater than
the former.  For instance, it ceased in a mineral life
and was promoted to the vegetable life; then leaves the
vegetable life and is elevated to that of the animal;
then leaving the animal life it advances to the human,
and this is on account of the favor of thy Lord, the
Merciful, the Clement.
     I ask God to strengthen thee in comprehending the
mysteries deposited in the reality of existence, to lift
up the veil before thee and thy sister, so that the
concealed mystery and the hidden reality become manifest
as the sun at noon, and to confirm thy sister and thy
husband in entering the Kingdom of God, and heal thee
from all physical and spiritual disease in the world of
creation.

O thou maid-servant of God!
     Thy writing was considered.  I ask God that thy
mind+F1 may be illumined with the light of knowledge
and faith to the extent that thy face will radiate its
glory, even as a light, when set aglow in the lamp, will
cast its rays to the surrounding regions.
     I hope that the darkness of evil suggestions shall be
dispersed and that the veil of uncertainty shall be torn
asunder; that the beauty of truth may become manifest
with glory and the light of mercy become radiant.  Thus
mayest thou, O maid-servant of God, with thy honorable
husband and revered son, become free from the


------------------------
1.  The word "mind" (Persian, "dale") is also translated "heart"; here it is
      mind.
+P 57
severe trials and appear with grace in the gatherings
of the people of God.
     The nineteen-day fast+F1 is a duty to be observed by
all.  All should abstain from eating and drinking from
sunrise to sunset.  This fast is conducive to the spiritual
development of the individual.  The Greatest Name
should be read every day.

O thou lamp ignited by the fire of the Love of God!
     I ask God to make thee a sign of love, standard of
agreement, means of union and harmony and spreader
of peace among the people.
     O maid-servant of God!  Strive with all thy powers
in diffusing the spirit of real union among the people,
so that all who are on earth become one family, loving,
united, agreed, bound by the bonds of love and united
with all harmony in all things and conditions; 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 Kingdom, after ascending
unto the world of God.

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
     Verily, I chanted thy poem.  Its significance was
beautiful, its composition eloquent and its words excellent.
It was like the melody of the birds of holiness
in the paradise of El-ABHA.  The breasts of the maid-servants
of the Merciful were exhilarated by its chanting.
Blessed art thou for uttering forth such an excellent
poem and brilliant pearl.


------------------------
1.  From March 2d to March 20th, inclusive.  The fast is kept by refraining
    from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.
+P 58
     Verily, these verses shall be sung in the divine meetings
and in the assemblages of the spiritual in the
course of ages and centuries to come, for thou hast
uttered the praise of thy Lord and expressed significant
meanings in eulogy of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement.
All poems shall be forgotten in the course of
time save those that are extraordinary; thy poem shall
be chanted with melody and best voices in the Center of
Worship (or Mashrak-el-Azcar) forevermore.

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
     Verily, I read thy poem, which contained new significances
and beautiful words.  My heart was dilated by
its eloquent sense.  I prayed God to make thee utter
more beautiful compositions that this.  Thus thou
mayest be the first to praise the Beauty of El-ABHA
and the first utterer of His Name among the women.
     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
Lord.
     We sent those poems to all countries, so that the
friends of God may remember thee and pray for confirmation
and aid in this great Cause in thy behalf.
     O maid-servant of God!  Warble as birds in the
garden of joy and pray to thy forgiving Lord, so that
the souls may rejoice through the psalms of the descendant
of David.

O maid-servant of God!
     Thy letter reached me and I prayed God to bless
thee by His heavenly blessing in thy marriage with


+P 59
Mr. ........ and to confirm both of you with comfort
and repose and the turning of your heart to the
Kingdom of God.  May His divine providence abide
with you in all conditions and circumstances.

O thou bird of pleasing tones!
     Thy little book of poems, which were very sweet,
was read.  It was a source of joy, for it was a spiritual
anthem and a melody of the love of God.
     Continue as long as thou canst this melody in the
gatherings of the beloved; thus may the minds find rest
and joy and become in tune with the love of God.
When eloquence of expression, beauty of sense and
sweetness of composition unite with new melodies the
effect is very great, especially if it be the anthem of the
verses of oneness and the songs of praise to the Lord
of Glory.
     Endeavor your utmost to compose beautiful poems
to be chanted with heavenly music; thus may their
beauty affect the minds and impress the hearts of those
who listen.

O thou spiritual lad!
     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 God.  If
thou become firm and steadfast in the love of God,
thou shalt be confirmed with a confirmation whereby thy
face will be gladdened, thy heart rejoiced and all thy
family will be happy and pleased.  Therefore, confine
thy thoughts and ideas in turning to God and submitting


+P 60
unto Him and chant the signs (verses) of
thanks and praise for that by reason of which He hath
strengthened thee to attain this great gift.

O thou daughter of the Kingdom!
     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 age.  I beg
of God and hope that the love of God may be mingled
(and mixed) in thy flesh and bones and run in thy
whole being, like the running (or circulation) of the
spirit in the veins and in the arteries.

O thou who art ignited through the brilliant Flame
        which is blazing in this Blessed Spot!
     Verily, I considered the meanings of thy letter and
my heart overflows with perfect and spiritual love unto
thee and unto the beloved ones of God, 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 God.  Theirs is the treasury of the
Kingdom and the abundant wealth of the storehouse
of the divine world!  They are wealthy, not poor; they
are powerful, not weak; they are grandees, not mean
persons; and they are kindred, not strangers!  Because,
verily, their wealth and honor is divine and supreme and
will never be consumed.  Blessed are they!  Glad-tidings
be unto them!
     As to those souls who are preaching the Word of


+P 61
God, 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 soil, their light is the stars of the sky and their
food is the herbs of the desert -- because theirs is the
wealth of the Kingdom, the honor of the realm of
might and the bounty of the divine world; and they are
not in want of this world and its cares.  Their throne
is the mat of humility, 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 wealth.
     As to thee:  Associate thou with the poor and be
united with the weak souls and hold intercourse with
the needy, with a compassionate heart and great love.
Because thereby is ordained for thee an eternal glory
in the Kingdom of God.  Invite thou the people to the
Exalted World, to the Supreme Horizon and to the
Kingdom of El-ABHA!
     There is no harm in thy loneliness in those regions;
for verily, the hosts of confirmation are thy help, thy
Glorious Lord is thy protector and the angels of the
Kingdom are thy fellow-speakers.  Glad-tidings be unto
thee for this!  Blessed art thou for this!

***O maid-servant of God!
     If thou seekest eternal glory, let thyself be humble
and meek in the presence of the beloved of God; make
thyself the servant of all, and serve all alike.  The
service of the friends belongs to God, not to them.


+P 62
Strive to become a source of harmony, spirituality and
joyfulness to the hearts of the friends and the maid-servants
of the Merciful.  This is a cause of great
satisfaction to Abdul-Baha.***

O thou leaf who art well watered through the out-pouring
        of the cloud of favor from God!
     Verily, I beseech, with all earnestness, 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 horizons.  He grants
that which He wisheth and to whomsoever He wisheth.
Verily, He is powerful and mighty!

O servant of God!
     Faith is the magnet which draws the confirmation of
the Merciful One.  Service is the magnet which attracts
the heavenly strength.  I hope thou wilt attain
both.

O maid-servant of God!
     How blessed thou hast been to have entered the
Kingdom of God!  HOw near thou hast been to the
Paradise of ABHA to have been ushered in!
     I hope that thou mayest become a source of joy to
the hearts, a good example for people, imbued with
spiritual qualities in the world of humanity, and mayest
promulgate the divine teachings, so that the various
people may find unity and become freed from discord.


+P 63
O thou who art advancing toward God!
     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 piety.
     Verily I beseech God, with all humbleness, to remove
the covering from thine insight and to show unto
thee His great signs, and to make thee a banner of
guidance, severed from all else save Him, enkindled
with the fire of His love, engaged in His praise and
apprehending the realities of things; so that thou mayest
see with thine eyes, hear with thine ears and not
imitate any of the fathers and ancestors; have perception
in the matter of thy Lord, for the people are in
dark veils.  By God, the True One, 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 ones.  Happy are those who enter
it and are sheltered under its shadow!

O thou candle shining by the light of the Love of God!
     That which thou hast inscribed and conceived of in
thy mind was manifest and clear.  The contents indicate
spiritual signs and the meanings were like unto
a sweet chalice.  I trust in God that thy pure mind
may become reflective of light; thus thou mayest become
prepared for the divine manifestation and attract
the light of guidance from the Heavenly Star.
     O servant of God!  Through the power of God's
love the weak become mighty, the poor become rich,
the little bird becomes a great eagle soaring on the


+P 64
ethereal wave, the tiny plant grows into a great palm
tree.
     O servant of God!  Trials and tests are severe.  If
thou seekest progress and advancement in the Kingdom,
remain firm and withstand.  When it is possible
for thee to visit this land+F1 in all fragrance and spirituality,
thou art permitted to come.
     If thou canst help the up-building of the Mashrak-el-Azcar
in Chicago, it will be most acceptable.

O maid-servant of God!
     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
eyes, 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 believers, the great blessing and
favor, the light of which illuminates those present and
those absent.
     O maid-servant of God!  Be thou rejoiced because
of this good news which draws (inclines) the sanctified
hearts from all wordly conditions and know thou the
value of this great gift (favor) and do not exchange
it for the great sovereignty (of the world), for, verily,
the sovereignty of the world is a mortal rule and follows
pride.  However, this gift is an eternal and a
divine favor, the light of which illumines the passing
of times and periods.

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of God!
     Verily, I noted thy letter and utterance.  God hath
accepted thy devotion, prayer and worship and hath


------------------------
1.  Acca.
+P 65
manifested upon thee the lights of His great favor,
ushered thee into His Kingdom, 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 day.
     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 Kingdom.
     O maid-servant of God!  It is incumbent upon thee,
since thou hast attained the knowledge of God and His
love, to sacrifice thy spirit and all thy conditions for
the life of the world, bearing every difficulty for the
comfort of the souls, 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
surroundings.
     O maid-servant of God!  The mystery of sacrifice
is that man should sacrifice all his conditions for the
divine station of God.  The station of God is mercy,
kindness, forgiveness, sacrifice, favor, grace and giving
life to the spirits and lighting the fire of His love in the
hearts and arteries.  I asked God to make thee a sign
of mercy, the banner of kindness among His
maid-servants.
     O maid-servant of God!  Sing with beautiful melodies
in the meetings of the maid-servants, praising
and glorifying thy Supreme Lord.
     O maid-servant of God!  The human spirit hath an
impression and effect in the world, but the divine Spirit
giveth life to the souls and conferreth eternal life upon
those who are attracted to the fragrances of God.  This
is the Great Cause from the Kingdom of thy Lord.


+P 66
Be attached to this New Spirit which hath effective
power in the realities of things and creates new
creatures.
     O maid-servant of God! forsake every thought,
every remembrance and every praise, while holding
to the Word of God.  Confine thy interests, thy works
and efforts to the Cause of God.  Thus the spirit of
power and might will confirm thee and the manifest
light will shine upon thy brow.

O servant of God!
     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 Presence.
Thank God that thou art favored with this blessing,
that thou servest the friends of God and thou waitest
at the Threshold of the Merciful.  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 unity, 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 eternity.

O thou spiritual friend!
     Verily, I was informed of the contents of thy letter
and increased gratitude unto God, for that He hath
granted the friends clear consciences, pure and holy
hearts, attraction unto the Kingdom of God, enkindlement
by the fire of the love and humbleness to God.
     Glad-tidings unto ye for this abundant blessing, sufficient


+P 67
bounties, wide mercy, glorious appearances;
therefore, be united in hearts and spirits, strive so that
ye may obtain the great favors, attain to the overflowing
chalice, perform charity (good deeds), gain the
spirit of life, attracted by the fragrance and depend on
the Lord of Signs.  At that time your faces will be
illumined, your souls holy, your hearts severed from
this world and attached to the Supreme Concourse,
and you will call out with the most loud voice:  &Glad-tidings
unto us through these divine favors and blessed
are we by this heavenly guidance!&
     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 face.

O thou kind friend!
     Thy letter was received and its contents considered.
Man must, under all conditions, be thankful to God,
the One, for it is said in the blessed text:  "If ye be
thankful I will increase thee."
     Man must seek shelter in the mercy and protection
of God, for he is constantly subject to a hundred thousand
dangers.  Save for the refuge and protection of
the Most High, man is without shelter.
     I ask God to help thy children to gain knowledge, to
attain virtues and morals which are the refinements of
the reality of man, and to strengthen thee to remain
firm.
     Convey my respect and greeting to Mr.........
and Mrs. .........  I trust in the providence of
God that thou mayest ascertain what is worthy and


+P 68
fitting for Bahais, and that day by day the love of God
may increase in the hearts.

O maid-servant of God!
     Be exceedingly grateful to the maid-servant of God,
Mrs......... who guided thee, led thee to the Kingdom
of Glory and invited thee to the heavenly table,
so that thou mayest attain eternal life and enjoy the
happiness of the Kingdom.
     Thou didst write:  "How can I serve Thee?"  The
greatest service is thine own firmness and steadfastness
and thy withstanding severe trials when they come.
Through firmness thou wilt perceive the opening of the
doors of grace.

O thou plant in the garden of the Love of God!
     Open the tongue of praise to the Horizon of ABHA,
for having received light from Him in the age of youth,
and for having been planted by Him in the paradise of
glory.
     I hope thou shalt be a child of the Kingdom, shalt
learn sciences, arts and significances, may become a full
grown tree, fruitful and green in the vineyard of God
and be happy and full of cheer through the showers of
the clouds of paradise.

O maid-servant of God!
     I rejoiced to read thy letter, for it indicated thy
progress unto the Kingdom of thy Glorious Lord, thy
wish to serve in His vineyard and thy faith in this
Cause which has shed its light upon those regions.
     Blessed art thou for having opened the door of thy


+P 69
home unto the people to come and hear of the
Kingdom.
     The maid-servant of God remembered thee in her
letter, mentioning thy great joy and progress in the
Cause of thy Lord.
     Verily, 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 people.  Know that in every home
where God is praised and prayed to, and His Kingdom
proclaimed, that home is a garden of God and a
paradise of His happiness.

O Spiritual Assembly+F1 !
     Everything produces an impression in existence and
results in the course of ages.  The (earthly) assemblies
established in the different parts of Europe, Asia and
America have no results save the help of the physical
and the mortal life in this lesser world, for the removal
of its conditions and reformation of its customs,
and in the end no name will remain thereof.  But
every spiritual assembly of solid foundation, good
structure and unwavering constancy will last forever
and will send forth its illumination unto all regions.
     Observe the gatherings of the disciples after Christ:
Their light is still shining, their power is still revealing
and their trumpets still resounding throughout the
ages.  Such is the spiritual meeting.

     O God!  Confirm them in the promotion of Thy
Word among the people and in strengthening and multiplying
Thy servants.  Verily Thou art the Bounteous,
the Merciful!


------------------------
1.  To the Muskegon (Mich.) assembly.
+P 70
O ye+F1 two birds warbling in the Garden of Wisdom.
     Verily, I saw your photographs, 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 God.  The light of God
is verily shining in the face of the man who is of the
Kingdom, spiritual, heavenly, divine and Bahai.  The
rest among the people are like animals; nay, they are
led astray from the Path.
     Thank God for that He enlightened your faces by
the light of guidance, deposited in your hearts the
sign of faith, and made you of the chosen ones in this
new century.
     The truth I say unto you!  If ye were aware of what
God hath destined for you in the kingdom of His glory,
verily ye would rejoice exceedingly and soar with the
wings of joy unto the heights of happiness, crying with
the most loud voice:  &Blessings and happiness from
this great attainment and evident bounty.&

O thou handsome child!
     Thy spiritual father and thy good mother sent me
thy radiant picture and I rejoiced on seeing it.  I pray
God to illumine thy heart with the light of the Manifestation,
to nurture thee in His mercy so that thou
mayest attain maturity in His love; thy spirit be enlightened
with beholding His light and thy spirit revived
by the bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that thou
mayest be a sign of the love of God, speaking in the
name of God, joyous by the favors of God, attaining


------------------------
1.  Husband and wife.
+P 71
unto the sea of the mercy of God, and being baptized
with the water of life, the fire of love and the spirit of
attraction.

O thou blooming rose in the garden of the Love of
        God!
     Verily, the heavenly angels address thee from the
Supreme Horizon, saying:  &O maid-servant of God!
Be rejoiced for God hath chosen thee for His love and
sheltered thee under the shade of His Kingdom, the
lights of which shone forth, the signs of which were
manifested, the mysteries of which were unfolded, the
fragrance of which emanated, the waves of which
surged, the causes of which were promulgated, the suns
of which appeared, the moons of which shone and the
stars of which sparkled.&
     Therefore, praise God for that He honored thee
with presence in this great century and new cycle and
caused thee to attain this new bounty.
     I ask God to send down upon thee a blessing and
upon thy family a favor from His Kingdom.

O thou who art anticipating the appearance of the Gift
        of God!
     Verily, I read thy letter which indicated that thou
hast turned unto the Blessed Spot, that the Truth (of
God) hath revealed itself to thee, that thy fear is
quieted and that thou hast attained to composure, assuredly
believing in this great Cause.
     Know thou, verily, there are many veils in which
the Truth is enveloped:  gloomy veils; then delicate
and transparent veils; then the envelopment of Light,


+P 72
the sight of which dazzles the eyes, as doth the sun
which is enveloped only in its own light and, as we look
at it, the sight is blinded and eyes are dazzled.
     I beg of God to remove all the veilings and familiarize
the light with all eyes, so that man may not be
veiled from witnessing the Sun of Truth.
     O maid-servant of God!  Verily, the tests and trials
of God are very great and very violent.  Beseech thou
God to protect thee from all doubts and to guard thee
from the interpretations of parabolical+F1 verses, as made
by those who know not in what valley they are roving,
who speak according to their own selfish purposes and
after their own evil inclinations; who accept and then
reject; who believe in God and then deny Him; and
who appear firm and then backslide:  thus thou beholdest
these oscillating daily.
     "Leave them to amuse themselves with their own vain
discourses," and turn thou to the light of the Testament,
and rejoice at the bounty of the effulgence, and seek
shelter under the shadow of the standard of the Covenant.
Thou wilt soon find it fluttering on the highest
summits of glory, surrounded by the valiant hosts of
the angels of heaven and assisted by spiritual armies of
great number that proceed from the Supreme
Concourse.

O my tender friend!
     Verily, the union between myself and thee is on a
solid foundation and a well made basis.  Neither the
winds can remove it nor the events of time annihilate


------------------------
1.  Texts relating to parables and which are veiled in symbols and have
       esoteric meanings.
+P 73
it.  It is everlasting and eternal, heavenly, spiritual and
divine, and it is of no end or termination.  Consequently
be rejoiced at these words which cheer the
hearts of the righteous and the souls of the pious when
hearing them.

O thou lamp who art illuminated with the light of the
        Love of God!
     Leave thou the world and abandon the people and
turn unto the Kingdom of thy independent Lord.  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 calamities,
with the eye of His protection, and protect thee from
the tests which are (so violent) as the whirlwinds which
uproot trees.

O thou who hearest and seest in this wonderful Cause!
     Verily, I read thy interesting letter, its beautiful
composition and I noted its purpose which indicated
spiritual aspiration to the Kingdom of thy Great Lord.
     Thank God for guiding thee unto the Straight Path,
manifesting unto thee the Evident Light.  He shall
give thee a draught of the cup whereby thy spiritual
power will be increased.  Thou shalt advance unto the
Lofty Station, acquire heavenly qualities and attain
knowledge of the significances of the words of God in
this glorious day.
     It is incumbent upon thee to turn wholly unto the
Kingdom of God, to enter entirely into this wonderful
Cause, and to make thy thought, remembrance and
effort confined to the education of thy character, the enlightenment


+P 74
through the Light of ABHA, and to guide
the people to the Source of the mercy of thy Lord, the
Clement, the Merciful.
     Comfort thy mother and endeavor to do what is conducive
to the happiness of her heart.  Approach not
those who are drowned in the sea of this world, but
rather be enkindled by the fire of the love of God.  Be
thou such a flame whereby the hearts may be set aglow.
     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 God.
Verily, I supplicate to God to make thee sincere in this
love, to illumine thee with the light of His Kingdom,
to destine unto thee the illumination by the light of His
attributes, to make thee a sign of mercy, a bird warbling
the verses of unity; that thou mayest be nurtured
in the bosom of His providence, and become a growing
tree bearing fruit in the Paradise of El-ABHA.
     Verily, thy Lord confirmeth him whom He willeth,
and He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.

O thou who art agitated as oceans by the winds blown
        from the direction of the Kingdom of God!
     Verily I read thy wonderful letter, declaring the
grandeur of thy nature and the excess of thy love and
thine attaining the knowledge of God.  Verily its contents
were as spiritual meanings poured forth from a
heart throbbing by the spirit of the love of God.  I beseech
God to confer on thee, and on thy noble husband,
a perfect favor from His Supreme Kingdom, until your
faces may sparkle by its light, among the creatures, and


+P 75
by which the fame of your love in God may be renowned
among the horizons.
     By my life, this is a favor for which the angels of
heaven and the spirits of the holy ones are longing in
the Supreme World.  And (I be