Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Julia M. Grundy, Ten Days in the Light of Akka, bahai-library.com.
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Ten Days in the Light of Akka

Julia M. Grundy

1907

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION DATA

Grundy, Julia Margaret Kunkle, 1874.

Ten days in the light of Akká.
First published in 1907 under title: Ten days in the light of Acca.

Includes bibliographical references.

1. Bahá'ísm. I. Title.

BP365.G7 1979 297'.89 79-12177

ISBN 0-87743-131-0

CONTENTS

i.Foreword
vii

ii. Introduction
3

1From the Words of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá
5

2Love
20

3Soul and Spirit
22

4The House Of Justice
25

5Heaven
27

6The Manifestation
29

7Spiritual Development
38

8Return of the Spirit
45

9Spiritual Relationship
46

10Obedience
48

11Woman in the Bahá'í Revelation
52

12Mount Carmel And Syria
55

13The Heavenly Springtime
57

14Faith
59

15The Second Coming
61

16Visit to the Tomb
64

17Visit to the Ridván
67

18‘Akká
69

19In the Household
70

20Afternoon Before the Feast
71

21At the Feast
72

22Heavenly Sustenance
77

23From Badí‘ulláh
79

24From the Mother of the Household
84

25Talks from Mírzá
Asadu'lláh87

26Three Stories Told by Abdu'l-Bahá
103

27Abdu'l-Bahá's Last Words
105

28Notes
107

FOREWORD

Before there were Bahá'í books, pamphlets,
periodicals—before there were, properly speaking, Bahá'í
administrative institutions; before ‘Abdu'l-Bahá made His historic voyage
to America; before Shoghi Effendi transmitted to the English speakers of the
world his own sensitive and authoritative translations of the Writings central
to the Bahá'í Faith—there were Bahá'ís in America. On
what spiritual food did they subsist? As soon as the announcement had been made
at the World Parliament of Religions in 1893, concerning the spiritual sanctity
of Bahá‘u'lláh, Americans began to explore the new Revelation. Some
Persian Bahá'ís came from the Holy Land about that time to give
lessons in the Bahá'í Faith in New York and Chicago. The first
pilgrimage to ‘Akká and Haifa, in 1898, was followed by a steady and ever
increasing stream of Americans intent on hearing the Faith expounded by
‘Abdu'l-Bahá, Whom Bahá‘u'lláh had designated Center of the
Covenant. The pilgrims, on their return to the United States and Canada,
conveyed their ardor, enkindled at the feet of the Master, to their questing
compatriots. They did it by word of mouth, by private letter, by widely
circulated and continually copied and recopied letters, descriptions, journals,
and accounts that went from hand to hand. Sometimes they published their little
books and pamphlets; and, when the Bahá'í Publishing Society
(predecessor of the present Bahá'í Publishing Trust) was established
in 1902, these travelers' accounts constituted an important part of its
output.
But infinitely more important than such publications were the Tablets, or
letters, that Abdu'l-Bahá sent to the North American pilgrims. He
maintained a continuous correspondence with the early believers, who welcomed
the Tablets and eagerly, reverently shared them with their friends—by the
same means, informal and formal, by which their personal experiences as
pilgrims had been shared. The Tablets were written in Persian and were
translated into English either in the Holy Land or in America by Persian
believers and teachers.
One of the translators of these Tablets was the Master's grandson, Shoghi
Effendi, destined by Abdu'l-Bahá's Will and Testament to become the
Guardian of the Cause of God. There came to be, even before Shoghi Effendi's
accession to the Guardianship, a strong sense of the difference between
official, authoritative expressions of the thoughts of Bahá‘u'lláh
and Abdu'l-Bahá, on the one hand, and the informal reminiscences of
travelers, on the other—of travelers eager to capture the precious words
uttered by the Master as He taught the pilgrims—for He always taught; at
tea, at lunch, on walks, on expeditions of mercy to the poor, He taught by
deeds as well as words. Every minute of the pilgrims' day was a lesson,
sometimes concealed to all but the truly sensitive, sometimes apparent to the
least gifted. Clearly, in the “pilgrims' notes” (as they came to be
called) there was necessarily involved the fallibility of each pilgrim's memory
and interpretive capacity. There was a danger that a sentence in a letter,
dictated in response to a very particular question, might be generalized far
beyond the case to which it was addressed or that an oral lesson, adapted and
filtered by the needs of the hearer, become the basis of a doctrine that,
emanating from Abdu'l-Bahá, would be seen as binding on all believers.
Precisely this had happened in Islám: the Traditions, or
Hadíth—that is, the sayings of Muhammad as reported by His
disciples—had come to represent, for the majority of Muslims, an
authority second only to that of the Qur'án itself.
Bahá‘u'lláh Himself had made it clear that, as Shoghi Effendi put
it in a letter written on his behalf, “only those things that have been
revealed in the form of Tablets have a binding power over the friends. Hearsays
may be matters of interest but can in no way claim authority”
(Bahá'í News, no. 125 [May 1939], 6). Shoghi Effendi was
particularly vigilant in such matters and repeatedly warned the friends against
accepting hearsay as binding on anyone except him who had heard the Master with
his own ears. However that may be, what can be more thrilling, short of the
immediate experience, than hearing or reading the account in a pilgrim's own
words of his reception in the loving arms of the Master? Who can tire of the
description of those penetrating eyes, that warm and merry laughter, the wise
brow, the wisps of hair escaping from the confining turban? Surely pilgrims'
notes are not binding on us; they cannot be adduced as proof of anything; they
cannot provide the basis of a serious, critical analysis of Bahá'í
teachings—though the temptation to use them so is sometimes nearly
irresistible!—but the sense of Abdu'l-Bahá's presence, His
quintessential courtesy, His tenderness, His occasional severity, His powers of
intellect and concentration—all these are infinitely precious to
Bahá'ís, every one of whom is in love with the Master.

In spite of considerable effort of research, we know practically nothing
about the life of Julia M. Grundy. There are records of John M. Grundy, her
husband; O. Z. Whitehead, in his chapter on Mr. and Mrs. Howard MacNutt in
Some Early Bahá'ís of the West, p. 36, mentions Mrs. Grundy as
having been in their party of pilgrims in 1905—this is certainly the
pilgrimage of which the present book (published in 1907) is a record. She was
listed as a Bahá'í in Brooklyn, New York, as late as 1944. After
that, no further trace. Some reader of this re-edition is bound to know more,
and we shall be grateful for any more information that may be sent to us.
This account of Julia Grundy's pilgrimage to ‘Akká tells us more about
her than we would probably learn from external sources. Ten Days in the
Light of ‘Akká gives us a glimpse into the life of the Holy Household
and introduces us not only into the presence of the Center of the Covenant but
also into that of some other persons of lesser degree—but more of that
later.
The central object of this account—which appears to be daily notes
only slightly organized and barely rewritten for publication—is to enable
the pilgrim to share with fellow believers the lessons she heard from the lips
of the Master Himself. At this point we must sound once again the customary
caveat: “Pilgrims' notes” convey, not the words of
‘Abdu'l-Bahá, but the pilgrim's memory and understanding of those words.
We must, however, be permitted to inquire as to the degree of reliability of
these notes. Two indications appear that seem to confer on them a rather high
degree of accuracy.
The first has to do with the lack of evident discrimination in presenting
the lessons, whether of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá or some of the Persians (or Mr.
MacNutt, for that matter) who happened to be at ‘Akká. Mrs. Grundy makes
very few observations of her own, contenting herself for the most part with a
few statements of fact: “‘Abdu'l-Bahá sent for me. I found Him in a
little room opening from the courtyard. He was sitting upon a raised chair, His
beautiful face, majestic in repose and strength, turned toward the only window.
He greeted me joyfully. Both the daughters were present. He said….”
Yes, her admiration is expressed, but with sobriety and modesty. The sentences
are short and direct, and except for the chapters “Visit to the
Tomb” and “Visit to the Ridván” the text consists
preponderantly of direct quotations. Although the attributes of
‘Abdu'l-Bahá—His beauty, kindness, and so on, are clearly marked,
there is no comment or judgment made concerning His words or any other
speaker's: the quotations stand on their own, without any attempt on the part
of their self-effacing reporter to influence the reader.
It would probably be evident to one quite unacquainted with the principles
of the Bahá'í Faith, solely on the basis of the lessons given by the
several teachers, that there is a sensible difference between ‘Abdu'l-Bahá
and all the rest, as to spirituality, intelligence, reason, and sense of
structure and rhetoric; and among the rest, there is a clear gradation, my
perception of which I have no intention of imposing upon the reader. The fact
that those differences leap to the eye is a testimony to the objectivity of the
reporter.
Another evidence of accuracy in reporting emerges from the substantively
exact correspondence of Mrs. Grundy's version of the lessons of
‘Abdu'l-Bahá with the authorized Writings of the Master that have been
published since her pilgrimage. Again, comparison with the other teachers
serves to confirm the author's faithfulness to the text of the lessons spoken
in her presence.
However, there are several points of variance between Julia Grundy's
pilgrims' notes and what we know, from authorized Writings, to be either the
historical truth of certain events or the doctrine revealed by the principal
Figures of the Bahá'í Faith.
For example, the “Mother of the Household” tells (p. 85) the
story of a dream that Bahá‘u'lláh is supposed to have had when He was
six years old. His father, according to this version, consulted a dream
interpreter who explained visions “for the Kings.” If we refer to
The Dawn-Breakers, p. 119, however, we learn that it was
Bahá‘u'lláh's father who had the dream—and there is no
indication that the interpreter was attached to the royal court. A small but
substantive discrepancy that shows the wisdom of Shoghi Effendi's warning
against uncritical confidence in pilgrims' notes.
As to more theoretical—even theological—interpretation, here
again there are discrepancies between the discourses of the lesser teachers and
those of the Master. Mírzá Asadu'lláh comes very close to
implying that ‘Abdu'l-Bahá enjoys direct Revelation: “…His
Knowledge has descended from the Invisible Source of Knowledge, and the Holy
Spirit is speaking through Him” (p. 98). Yet ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, far from
ever making such a claim, is quoted in this book as denying most emphatically
that He is the returned Christ, in spite of the strong wish of many of His
disciples to believe so (see pp. 36-37 in the chapter on “The
Manifestation”). Another indication of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's appreciation
both of His secondary status compared to that of a Manifestation of God and of
the importance of that station as commanding the obedience of all who believe
in the Covenant is clearly delineated in the chapter entitled “The Second
Coming.” On page 62 He establishes a multiple analogy: Moses : Joshua ::
Christ : Peter :: Bahá‘u'lláh : ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, adding that this
last authorization of successorship was, unlike the previous one, written in
the Manifestation's “own Hand.” One should remark that this is not
the progressive revelation of the chain of Manifestations; the very different
proportion John the Baptist : Christ :: the Báb : Bahá‘u'lláh is
not in question here. That is the difference between the successorship of
Mírzá Yahyá to the Báb, and the super-session of the
Báb by Bahá‘u'lláh. Just as Joshua continues the Mosaic era, and
Peter the Christian era, Subh-i-Azal was supposed to continue the
Bábí Dispensation; and, just as Christ superseded Moses, and
Muhammad, Christ, so Bahá‘u'lláh has superseded the Báb.
‘Abdu'l-Bahá, by comparing Himself to Joshua and to Peter, and in denying
His correspondence to Christ, clearly rules out for Himself the station of
Manifestation of God.
It is hard to read the lesson of Badí‘ulláh in the light of
hindsight and to retain one's objectivity and thus judge Mrs. Grundy's. Our
hindsight comes from having read Shoghi Effendi's God Passes By, where
Mírzá Badí‘ulláh and his brother Mírzá
Díya‘u'lláh are identified as Covenant-breakers of the party of the
infamous Muhammad-‘Alí. The two brothers vacillated, returned to the
Bahá'í fold several times, and ultimately chose to rebel against the
Covenant. Obviously, Badí‘ulláh was undergoing one of his episodes of
repentance, for he mentions Muhammad-‘Alí with evident disapproval (p.
82). It is impossible to read these words today without at least suspecting
Badí‘ulláh of hypocrisy.
The mention of Muhammad-‘Alí recalls to the reader that this pilgrimage
took place in a time of great trouble for the Bahá'ís. The sadness
that the nefarious activities of the Covenant-breakers occasioned the Master
breaks through from time to time in this account (pp. 50, 51), but for the most
part He clearly makes of cheerfulness in adversity a law of conduct. With what
courage (and foresight!) He proclaims: “If all the world combined against
Me, I would still possess this power, and all the world could not take it away
from Me. I can fight with this weapon forever and will always be victorious. It
is a sword which can never be dulled, a magazine that is always filled.”
This from the gentle, modest Servant of Bahá shows His other
side—His firmness in the calm knowledge of His invincible station and of
the power that will always sustain Him.
What do we learn about Julia Grundy? Here is the picture that emerges, for
me at least, for I could be proven quite wrong by one who really knew her: She
is modest, even fearful, but has the courage of faith. I have the distinct
impression that ‘Abdu'l-Bahá tried to inspire her with confidence. He
succeeded, at least to the extent that she could produce this book. She is
earnest, perhaps lacking in humor; it is odd that she never mentions
‘Abdu'l-Bahá's love of laughter, a characteristic other pilgrims rarely
fail to observe.
That this preface threatens to become longer than the book indicates the
power of these pilgrims' notes to stimulate curiosity, imagination, and
thought, in spite of their modest mien. They constitute a personal, though not
intimate, record and, at the same time, a document of considerable historical
value. In them we hear the voice of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá through the mind and
heart of a good and simple person and once again appreciate His ability to
teach anyone right to the limit of his spiritual and intellectual capacity to
learn.

Howard Garey

INTRODUCTION

I realize that the doors of a new Life are opening within me and that I have
been awakened as if from a sleep. Now it seems that never again can I go back
to the life which is so trivial, unsatisfying, and without eternal purpose.
It is a supreme pleasure to live in an atmosphere which is all Light. Here I
see about me those who have already laid hold upon Immortality, and viewing
them I realize that I too am a child of the Kingdom.
I met ‘Abdu'l-Bahá shortly after our arrival in the Household. He said,
“Blessed are you that the Word of God has reached you and found your soul
awake. Blessed it is that the East and the West have met in the Kingdom of God
as Christ prophesied.” I said, “It is a heavenly privilege to know
the Truth and become a child of the Kingdom.” He replied, “I hope
to meet you in the Spiritual Kingdom.” I said, “That will be my
wish and desire.” He answered, “I will pray for you.”

FROM THE WORDS OF ‘ABDU'L-BAHÁ

“Moral life consists in the government of one's self. Immortality is
government of a human soul by the Divine Will.”

“The soul is the Sanctuary of God; Reason is His Throne.”

“Our Actions reveal what we are, no matter what the tongue
speaks.”

“Every drop of blood shed in the Cause of God will raise up one
hundred believers.”

“Martyrdom is the supreme test of belief. Great martyrs will arise in
this Cause in the years to come. A believer is sometimes called upon to suffer
a living martyrdom.”

“Are miracles performed in this Day?” “Miracles are
constantly being performed in the material world about us, yet they make but
little impression. Every Prophet has His own particular Mission and function.
He does not come merely to perform miracles. People do not trouble themselves
about the proof of miracles. The function of a physician is not to make a tree
talk.”

“Be firm in the West! Let the foundation principles of this Truth
become deep-rooted. Hold fast until the fullness of Reality comes to you.
Christ's Teachings were established largely through the firmness of Paul. Many
calamities will befall the believers, but by loving the Cause of God, it will
be uplifted in human souls and the believers strengthened. Love one another.
Live in Unity under the Tent of God. Firmness and Love make Unity. God will
assist all who serve in this Cause.”

“Spirit is universal. Man is created in a potential degree of Spirit.
Growth is from the mental station into the Spiritual, something like the
development from soldier to Commander. God Himself cannot compel the soul to
become spiritual. The exercise of a free human will is necessary. We can point
the way and furnish the example. We should do little things as well as great
things for the Love of God. We should love people because they are God's
creatures.”

“Are the Manifestations sinless?” “Yes, there must be a
standard of perfection for human example.”

“Are Manifestations limited?” “They are limited only by
the capacity of souls to whom They reveal the Word.”

“What becomes of an undeveloped infant's soul?” “It rests
with the Mercy of God and through the Eternal Bounty it will not be deprived of
that Mercy.”

“Will the Tablets and Utterances of Bahá‘u'lláh be added to
our Bible?” “No, they are a distinct Revelation of God and will
form a Book larger than our Bible.”

“What will be the future of this Revelation?” “Know
this—that the Revelation of Bahá‘u'lláh is the Word of God.
There will not be a home which does not contain a believer. Look not at the
present. Turn your vision upon the future. All the books written concerning the
History of this Revelation number about fifty volumes. “

“Will the money of the rich ever be divided among the people without
revolution or bloodshed?”

“Will some men amass great fortunes in the future while others remain
poor?”

“Will the law prevent this condition of affairs?”

“It will not be possible in the future for men to amass great fortunes
by the labor of others. The rich will willingly divide. They will come to this
gradually, naturally, by their own volition. It will never be accomplished by
war and bloodshed. The ruling power or government cannot treat the rich
unjustly. To force them to divide their wealth would be unjust. In the future,
proportionately about three-quarters of the profits will go to the workmen and
one-quarter to the owner. This condition will prevail in about one century. It
will certainly come to pass.”

“The Blessed Perfection has revealed a Tablet called 'Tablet of the
Spiritual World.' All who read it are filled with an anxious desire to leave
this world and enter the next condition, so wonderful are the glories of the
Spiritual Kingdom. In Persia, one man who read this Tablet killed himself. he
could not wait for the happiness it promised him. Another, a youth of
Isfahán, could not stand the spiritual food contained in this Tablet, and
lost his reason.”

“I once lived in a cave on Mount Carmel. One day I went to the
Carmelite Monastery and asked to see someone, saying I had a message to
deliver. They refused to see me or hear my message. I said, 'I will put it in
writing if you will read it.' They still refused, so I returned to ‘Akká
in great sadness, walking the whole distance of nine miles.”

“Everlasting Life is the Bounty of God. It is like the Sea of Reality.
The believers are the waves of that Sea, one great Sea and a thousand waves as
one. Again, Everlasting Life is like the rays of the Sun and the believers are
windows; the Sun which produces the Light is One and the same. Into these
soul-windows the same Light enters and various things within are illuminated.
The Kingdom is like a garden. The flowers differ in color and perfume, yet they
receive growth, beauty, and bounty from the one God and are developed by the
same Divine Breeze. Truth is like the Light which is always the same. The souls
of Believers are as mirrors which reflect the Light. Truth is like the light of
a candle which does not vary, yet the candlestick which holds it may change.
Each year the rose is the same beautiful flower although it appears in
different gardens.”

“What will be the food of the future?” “Fruit and grains.
The time will come when meat will no longer be eaten. Medical science is only
in its infancy, yet it has shown that our natural diet is that which grows out
of the ground. The people will gradually develop up to the condition of this
natural food.”

“There is no appointed length of life for man. Lengthen your life by
living according to God's spiritual laws. Then you will live forever. This is
the true longevity, the real life. The real life is eternal happiness and
existence in the Knowledge of God.”

“Jesus was a dyer by trade. He also lived in Egypt 'Out of Egypt have
I called My Son' (Matt. 2:15; Hos. 11:1) was spoken of Jesus. The
5th Gospel which is considered noncanonical gave other history of
Jesus than is contained in the Gospels of the New Testament. There were fifty
gospels, but only four were accepted as genuine by the priesthood.”

“Spirit is the highest and supreme development of the soul. Soul is
the material or outer self—the Mind. Mind is the action of the Soul's
powers. The Body is the physical covering or medium in which Mind acts and
functions. At death everything but Spirit is destroyed and becomes
extinct.”

“The Prophets and Holy Men always went into the wilderness to pray.
Many of them walked upon Mount Carmel and communed with God.”

“True Religion has nothing to do with human imagination. God's Will is
independent of human opinion. Personal ideas and mere human prejudice are the
great obstacles to spiritual growth. For instance, some difference of opinion
arises between two believers in God. Each expects the Lord to support his view
of the question. The Word of God is perfect and arbitrary in Its perfection.
When there is difference of view there is absence of the Spirit. The Word is
the only Standard of Truth. Discord and disagreement are impossible among those
who adhere to the Manifestation and sever themselves from human opinion. There
are no 'heads' in this Cause; all are 'servants.'”

“If all the world should combine to overthrow the Covenant, it could
snot succeed. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá loves all no matter how they turn away from
Him. Whether they love or hate Him, go or come, He never changes in His love
for them. The Blessed Perfection has left nothing undone. What He ordained can
never be set aside.”

“Everything in life ministers to our development. Our lesson is to
study and learn. Money and difficulties are alike advantages to us. Tests are
either stumbling blocks or stepping-stones, just as we make them.”

“The Prophets of the Word could not sin. They possess the power and
will to violate the Will of God, but the desire to do so is never present in
them. Knowing the perfect fruit of Oneness, they have no inclination toward
that which is imperfect. Like beautiful flowers, they do not change in beauty
even when surrounded by foul conditions.”

“There are two kinds of suffering, one subtle, the other gross. The
subtle suffering is hatred, anger, fear, and torment which follow evil actions
of the soul. The gross suffering is imprisonment, chastisement, and physical
pain of martyrdom.”

“At the time of Muhammad, He sanctioned war for the preservation of
the lives of His followers. The laws of individual justice were confused and
preliminary in the souls of men. Therefore, the law of general justice of the
community was revealed by this Prophet. He commanded His followers to carry the
Religion of God by the sword. When a man is about to take poison, it is right
to dash the cup from his hand even with extreme violence. It will inflict
injury but at the same time save his life. There must be a law to prevent the
wolves from destroying the lambs at such a period of religious history. That is
why the Shepherd sanctioned such vigorous protection for the sheep. Behind such
laws of a Manifestation there is always a supreme wisdom.”

During dinner ‘Abdu'l-Bahá ate entirely with His fingers. After awhile
He said, “In the East there are many peoples who never use a knife or
fork. To eat with their fingers is custom among them, just as the Western
nations have their own peculiar customs. We must each view with respect the
customs of the other. There is a kind of food which needs neither knife nor
fork and of which every one may partake with perfect ease and benefit. It is
the food spiritual. This food brings life and stimulation instead of indolence
and apathy. It brings peace and content to the one who partakes of it; the more
food, the more joy and peace. For the Spirit is always eager to furnish
sustenance to the soul.”

“Allusion cannot convey what Reality teaches. Christ said, 'What has
happened in the past will happen again in the future.' The reason of this is
that all things are under the operation of Divine Law which is the same today,
yesterday, and forever. By this the spiritual eye may discern that which is
authentic in the Scriptures.”

“Sow the seeds of love in the heart and not the seeds of hatred. The
reflection in the glass proves whether we are laughing or frowning. By our
actions we reveal what is growing in the heart. Actions are mirrors of the
soul.”

“These are precious and wonderful days in ‘Akká. Each day is as a
year. Your visit cannot be measured merely by the length of time you have been
here. The real spiritual visit will be after you have gone. Some who remain but
one day go away filled and enkindled with the Spirit of God. They are like the
dry wood which bursts into flame as soon as it touches the fire. So it is with
a lamp; the oil within it responds instantly to the fire and gives forth light.
The soul which possesses sight can see in a moment, while the blind never see.
An awakened soul is like a precious pearl in the midst of a load of pebbles
which have but little value. To some it is given to hear and know the Message
of Life in a short time, while others hear and receive nothing even though they
make a long stay in this holy place.”

“We should not be occupied with our failings and weakness, but concern
ourselves about the Will of God so that It may flow through us, thereby healing
these human infirmities.”

“Faith is not so much what we believe as what we carry out.”

“In America you have only received a taste of the spiritual food which
is to come to you. Some will arise to serve the Cause of God in your land who
will sacrifice themselves entirely. They will be given great power from God
when they come forth to do His Will. Concentrate the soul upon God so that it
may become as a fountain pouring out the Water of Life to a thirsty world. Live
up to the principles of Sacrifice. The world will then become as nothing and be
without power to attract you away from God. Sacrifice your will to the Will of
God. The Kingdom is attained by the one who forgets self. Everything becomes
yours by Renunciation of everything. A lion, wolf, and fox went hunting. They
captured a wild ass, a gazelle, and a hare. The lion said to the wolf, 'Divide
the spoil.' The wolf said, 'That is easy; the ass for yourself, the gazelle for
me, and the hare for the fox.' The lion bit off the wolf's head saying, 'You
are not a good divider.' Then turning to the fox, he said, 'You divide!' The
fox said, 'The ass, the gazelle, and the hare are yours!' The lion looking at
him, said, 'Because you have accounted yourself as nothing, you may take all
the prey.'”

“The miracles of Christ were spiritual teachings, not
literal.”

“What is true greatness in man?”

“His spiritual attributes. No one can destroy his spiritual qualities;
they are from God.”

“Tests are like fire which purifies.”

“How will the masses be benefited by this Revelation?”

“The Revelation of Bahá‘u'lláh contains all the great laws
and principles of social government. The basis of God's perfect laws is love
for humanity and help for human needs. If all people followed this Revelation,
the masses would be immeasurably uplifted and the Cause of God glorified. This
development of humanity will be gradual, not sudden. It will surely come to
pass; it is impossible to swim against the current of Niagara. Teaching the
Truth is like building bridges by which humanity may cross over the current
which threatens. The world must come to know the Word in Christ. How He was
mocked, scorned, and laughed at, yet His mission was to uplift the very world
which refused Him. Realization of this will bring tears to the eyes of those
who deny Him, cause them to grow silent and thoughtful. Christ is always
Christ.”

“What is the best way to benefit humanity?”

“Guidance to God. What is dearer to man than life? So, therefore,
leading a soul to Eternal Life is the greatest blessing and benefit you can
bestow upon that soul.”

“When does our responsibility cease in giving the Message?”

“When we give the Message, we develop ourselves. Our own heart is
opened when we teach the heart of the listener. The more we give, the more we
get. Therefore, as this is the means of our own development we should never
cease teaching. Our responsibility remains as long as we have a
listener.”

“What is the best thing to do when met by a difficult
question?”

“A sincere worker in the Cause of God is always assisted by the Divine
Spirit when such questions arise. The Truth will flow through you if you stand
in the right attitude toward the Truth. In the Spiritual Station you will never
be without the Knowledge necessary to answer a question. With Spiritual food
the capacity to know increases with the will to serve.”

“What is sacrifice?”

“Giving up everything in the Cause of God and following His Will no
matter where it leads. We must not have desire for anything else but God. We
must entirely forget self. To be perfected we must give up everything in the
cause of God, judgment, reason, will, everything. To hold back anything is to
be imperfect. The thing we hold most dear is the thing to give. This is real
sacrifice.”

“Upon which finger should the ring with the Greatest Name be
worn?”

“The right hand is the hand of honor. In the East, wearing it upon
this hand attracts attention and causes comment. But the real place to wear the
Greatest Name is in the heart.”

“What is prayer, attitude or word?”

“Prayer is both attitude and word; it depends upon the soul-condition.
It is like a song; both words and music make the song. Sometimes the melody
will move us, sometimes the words.”

“What will be the future of this Teaching?”

“Know and realize the greatness of the Cause into which you have
entered. Look not at the present. The day will come when there will not be a
house which does not contain a believer in this Revelation. One Book or Tablet
of the Blessed Perfection is more comprehensive than fifty volumes of the
world's greatest wisdom. The Books and Words of God have been sealed and the
meanings locked. All the sacred mysteries were sealed, but now
Bahá‘u'lláh has broken the seals, revealed the meanings, and we can
understand the Realities.”

“My greatest wish is to teach this Message.”

‘Abdu'l-Bahá said, “I will pray God to assist you. It has often
happened that one who is not able to teach would be sent forth, and when the
time came, that one would be found powerful and eloquent. One man of this kind
in the East has even written a book. Two Jewish children have written a
beautiful commentary proving the Cause of Christ, Muhammad, and the Blessed
Perfection. Two unbelievers in the Center of the Covenant have recently
returned and are serving with zeal in the Vineyard of God.”

“Belief in this Revelation is a priceless spiritual blessing. Just as
a child will give up a jewel of great price for a sugarplum, so men will
exchange the Truth for a treasure of earth. The Báb said, 'One glance from
the Eye of Him Whom God shall Manifest is worth all the wealth of the world.'
In this one look we can attain life everlasting, resurrection from the dead,
and the treasures of Heaven.”

“The Revelation of Bahá‘u'lláh is not mere history; it is
the Voice and Will of God. If we guard the seed of Immortality, it will bring
forth the tree of Eternal Life. This is the true realization of the
Manifestation's Coming. His Mission is accomplished when we enter the Spiritual
Kingdom and attain Immortality. God be praised! This is the Spiritual Sight.
Peter perceived Christ when thousands of Jews saw Him not. Peter reached that
Station at once. This Knowledge is the glance from the Eye of God. It is more
precious than all the wealth of the world.”

‘Abdu'l-Bahá visited us in the afternoon. He said, “Speech is
necessary and good between soul and soul. Nothing of this world is eternal. The
highest longing and ambition of some people is to be a king or queen; but at
the last even the great ones of earth must perish. Even the earthly personality
of Jesus has come and gone. Only by serving God do we attain everlasting Life.
All our fame and glory should be in service to Him. This will never perish.
Live in the Cause of God; this is the Harmony of the Universe. Shine in the
Horizon of His Will. Life is wasted if not spiritual. Be of the Spirit, not of
the body. The Light of the body is the eye. The eye of conscience stands
between the power of knowledge and the spiritual world. Does your soul feel as
sure of God as your eye is sure of Nature? 'Blessed are the pure in heart; they
shall see God.' Once I was in prison under the ground and in chains, yet I was
happy because I was not deprived of spiritual sight. I tell you this so that
when you hear of my troubles and difficulties in the future, you may know that
I am spiritually happy. I am showing you the way of true happiness. By
comparing the future with the past you may understand, no matter what the
future brings forth. Firmness is the beginning of spiritual happiness. Christ
appeared in Palestine and was held in contempt because He was from Nazareth.
Only twelve believed in Him; one deserted Him. There were other believers, but
they were not strong. They were troubled with doubts and afterward fell away.
Mary Magdalene held steadfastly to Christ and made others firm. God will assist
all who are firm in His Cause. Firmness is the beginning of spiritual
happiness.”

“Spirituality is the possession of a good, pure heart. When the heart
is pure, the Spirit enters, and our growth is natural and assured. Everyone is
better informed of the condition of his own soul than the souls of others. Our
responsibility to God increases with our years.”

The “Government is upon the shoulder” of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. He
bears a burden of human griefs and troubles, yet helps all and is happy; for He
has cut Himself from the world.

LOVE

“How can we love another whose personality is unpleasant?”
“See how the enemies of Christ persecuted and crucified Him, yet He
loved them all. Man is like a tree. The tree lives to produce fruit. The fruit
of man is love. It is easy for us to love a friend or even an animal, but how
difficult to love one who is without attraction. Yet if the Love of God is
shining in our hearts, we, like Christ, may see that Love reflected in every
personality, and love all alike.”
“What is the difference between universal and individual
love?”
“We must love all humanity as the children of God. Even if they kill
us, we must die with love for them. It is not possible for us to love everybody
with a personal love, but we must love all humanity alike. Man is capable of
attaining a supreme station. Through the manifestation of Love God created Man.
To attain a supreme station man must reflect the Love of God.”
“There are many stages or kinds of Love. In the beginning God, through
His Love, created man. Man is the highest product of His Love, and the purpose
of man's existence is to reflect this Love of God in his soul. But man in his
egotism and love of self turns away from his Creator and thereby prevents the
accomplishment of the Divine Plan. The Manifestations appear to show man the
way to God through Love. By them, man is brought to the condition of severance
from his egotism and being absorbed into the Ocean of Love Divine. The three
stages of Love are therefore:
1st—God's Love for man.
2nd—Man's love for self.
3rd—Man's love for God.”
“There is a profound, a Divine Wisdom in Love. The Light of God shines
in the eyes when the heart is pure. The home of Religion is the
heart.”

SOUL AND SPIRIT

(Compiled from ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's Teachings)

Soul is the human will to live temporally.
Spirit is the Divine Will to live forever.
Salvation is the quickening of soul into Spirit.
All souls are alike in essence or quality as created. Owing to environment,
soul-needs differ; rich and poor, wise and ignorant, etc. Environment has its
dark side and its light side. Development has its good aspects and bad aspects.
Sin is the absence of Righteousness. Righteousness is doing the Will of God.
All souls have a free will to choose or refuse the Will of God. Each soul has
its station of individuality in which it may develop itself, but a soul cannot
leave its own station for another station or individuality. Man accomplishes
his true growth when the soul develops in its own station. His station does not
change; simply his capacity for knowing God is increased and developed.
Knowledge of God is the only spiritual development. The Power of the
Manifestations of God is beyond question inasmuch as human development
invariably follows their Teachings. This development is unmistakably toward a
higher existence. Every Manifestation teaches the Existence of God. As their
Power is evident their Knowledge must likewise be true. The soul can prove the
Existence of God through its intellectual powers, but the true perception of
God is through the spiritual eye of the soul. This Knowledge transcends mere
mental proof; it is spiritual Sight; it is Vision. The atheist has intelligence
of the mere mind. His words denying the existence of God are in reality
evidence that God exists. The atheist's real station of development is not ours
to judge or estimate. Spirit is Oneness of vision and Knowledge. The mind has
many attributes or powers. The Spirit is Conscious Perception. When all the
powers of the soul work together and are concentrated upon God, the soul has
its highest employment. Spirit is like the Sun, the Source of all Light, alone
in Its Station. The mind or soul has many lights, as the stars. The mind or
soul manifests itself throughout the whole body in perfect harmony. The Spirit
or Spirit of God manifests Itself throughout the whole body of the universe and
is in perfect harmony wherever manifest. A wicked soul is the only thing out of
harmony in the universe. As it does not come into the flow of the Divine Will,
it is not of the Spirit. This failure of the soul has led man to believe that
God will give the wicked soul another opportunity by allowing it to return in
another body and atone for its failure. There is no proof of this outside or
inside the Holy Book of Scriptures. Whatever is the destiny of the wicked soul
in the hereafter, we know that its development rests with the Mercy of God. A
wicked soul, lacking development, is nonexistent spiritually, just as in the
station of the tree, the stone is nonexistent because the stone lacks the
powers and development of the tree. Therefore, a soul which continues in a
condition of non-development through violating the Will of God suffers
extinction and is spiritually nonexistent. The fields and flowers of the
Spiritual Realm are pointed out to us by the Manifestations who walk amid their
glories. It remains for the soul of man to follow them in these paths of
eternal life, through the exercise of its own human will.

THE HOUSE OF JUSTICE

“The House of Justice must be obeyed in all things because it has been
established by the Blessed Perfection. The Council of Constantine decided many
things wisely, but its power and influence did not continue because it was not
established by Christ Himself. It was founded upon the Words of Christ
interpreted according to the ideas of men. The House of Justice will be
appointed by the people. It must be obeyed because it is the Law of God
expressed through the people by their own will and voice.”
“In this Day we are near to the Source of true Religion and the Law of
God, before Revelation has been corrupted by the interpretations of men. The
true believer is the one who follows the Manifestation of God in all things.
After the Departure of Bahá‘u'lláh we are commanded to obey the House
of Justice. I myself will obey the House of Justice because it is founded upon
the Commands of the Blessed Perfection. The Council of Constantine did not
survive because it was not founded by Christ; but in this Day the House of
Justice has been established by the Manifestation of God. It is the center of
true government and must be obeyed in all things. It is the Law of God embodied
in the people, reflecting His Will and their need and desire, not blindly
following command.”
“In war both parties are wrong. Neither Japan nor Russia is fulfilling
the Law and Will of God.[1] The kings and rulers of
the world will find their true authority under the rulings of the House of
Justice. The Law of God will be vested in nineteen men who will compose the
House of Justice and render decisions. War is never necessary. It is always an
expense and a calamity, never a great help. God utilizes even the wars of
nations to carry out His ultimate purposes. The House of Justice will decide
between kings and kings. All judgment will be from the standpoint of God's
Laws. Then rich and poor will be alike justly treated. When men are developed
spiritually, they obey God. The rule of the House of Justice will be the
dominion of the Spirit of God. Human will brings conditions to a climax in the
affairs of nations. The only solution and remedy is the administration of God's
Laws.”

HEAVEN

“What is meant by 'Heaven' in the Bible?”
“Christ said that nothing could ascend into Heaven except that which
came down from Heaven. He also said, 'I came from Heaven and will return to
Heaven,' and 'The Son of Man is in Heaven.' He said this while still upon the
earth and notwithstanding the fact that He had been born of Mary. There is no
doubt Christ came from Heaven and always was in Heaven, but when He spoke He
did not mean the literal sky. What then is meant by 'Heaven'? Science proves
that there is no heaven or sky, but all is limitless space and one universe. In
this limitless space the heavenly spheres revolve and have their orbits. But
the 'Heaven' of Christ is that invisible world which is beyond the sight and
comprehension of mere man. It is the spiritual condition. Therefore, the
'Heaven' of Christ is the Will of God. The Sun of that Heaven will never set.
In it the Moon and Stars are always shining. It is the limitless Kingdom of
God. It is sanctified from all place. Christ is always there. There Elijah and
the Holy Prophets live eternally. It is sanctified from all comprehension. The
Jews were deprived because they could not understand this spiritual
condition.”
“The 'heaven' of the material world is something else. It is the sky
overhead in which the clouds move. This heaven is ‘up' to us and 'down' to
those upon the other side of the earth, while vice versa their material heaven
is 'down' to us. In the Heavenly Book it is said that the 'stars will fall from
heaven.' Where will they fall? Science proves that nearly all the stars are
larger than the earth. Where will they find room to fall?”
“When the heart is pure and filled with the light of the Spirit, we
will know that we are in the true 'Heaven.' Christ came from Heaven, and still
the Jews are sleeping. The Kingdom of Heaven is within your soul. Let all
people see that you have the Light, that they may recognize something in you
which they themselves do not possess.”

THE MANIFESTATION

“When you give the Message of this Manifestation many say, 'This is
nothing new—I prefer the home of my old religious belief which has been
so serviceable and trustworthy.'”
‘Abdu'l-Bahá answered:
“Bahá‘u'lláh is the same Light in a new Lamp. To see, we
must look at the Light and not at the Lamp. This is Spiritual Sight. The sun is
one orb, but it has different rising-points on the horizon. One point was
Jesus, one Moses, one Bahá‘u'lláh, and so on. Therefore, be a lover
of the 'sun' and worship it, no matter at what point it may arise. If you
worship the dawning-place, you will fail to see the Sun when it arises in
another point of the horizon. Many stand at the old point and worship while
they are losing the Light of the Sun in this Manifestation. True lovers of the
Sun worship the Sun Itself and not the point of Its rising. They see and know
the Light. Pray for those who stand worshiping the old rising-point of the Sun,
spiritually blind to its New Appearance upon the Heavenly Horizon, spiritually
deprived of Its Light and Bounty. The ministers and clergy do not accept the
Message on account of their position in the Church. As stars in heaven they
have become darkened. When the Báb arose and declared His Mission, many of
the clergy who had occupied positions found it necessary to give them up and
follow His Teaching.”
“Many people, likewise, who hear the Message are deprived of its Glory
because they receive it from one whom they deem less competent to know than
themselves. The Word of God is revealed according to the degree of Spiritual
Sight, no matter who the messenger may be. Again, people do not receive the
Manifestation of God because they are veiled by their imaginations. Imagination
is one of our greatest powers and a most difficult one to rule. Imagination is
the father of superstition. For example, two men are dear friends. They love
each other so much they never wish to be parted. Yet when one of them dies, the
other through fear dreads to be alone with the one he cared so much for in
life. His imagination controls him and fills him with fear and horror. We are
led astray by imagination, even in violation of will and reason. It is our test
power. We are tested by our ability to control and subdue it. A man imagines he
is wealthy. Some day real wealth comes to him, but it is never what he imagined
it would be. Imagination is our greatest misleader. We hold to it until it
becomes fixed in memory. Then we hold to it the stronger, believing it to be
fact. It is a great power of the soul but without value unless rightly
controlled and guided. Through imagination men receive a distorted view of a
former Manifestation and are prevented from recognizing and accepting the Truth
and Reality of the present one. They are veiled from the Light and Glory of God
by imagination. These veils prevent the true Light from entering the soul.
Therefore, men follow the false light of their imaginations and cling to error
instead of truth. Thus the Egyptians were veiled from the Light of God in
Moses. The Jews were veiled from the Glory of Jesus simply because they did not
know Moses rightly and so were blinded to the one He promised would come after
Him. Today Jews, Muhammadans, and Christians, not seeing the former
Manifestation with true vision, are veiled from the Glory of God in
Bahá‘u'lláh. One of the greatest veils is literal interpretation of
the prophecies. Again, many refuse the Manifestation in His Day because they do
not want to walk the hard road of devotion and servitude, but prefer the easy
road of hereditary belief. Misconception of the Word of God and its meanings is
another great veil which imagination throws over the soul and by which the
Light is lost. Also, people inherit their belief from parents and ancestors and
follow it blindly, too negligent to know and see for themselves. Negligence and
apathy are heavy 'veils of Glory.' Read Mírzá Abu'l-Fadl's book of
Bahá'í Proofs, and you will find irresistible evidence of this
Manifestation.[2] Will is the center or focus of
human understanding. We must will to know God, just as we must
will in order to possess the life He has given us. The human will must be
subdued and trained into the Will of God. It is a great power to have a strong
will, but a greater power to give that will to God. The will is what we do, the
understanding is what we know. Will and understanding must be one in the Cause
of God. Intention brings attainment.”
“Do the Manifestations differ in degree?”
“These Supreme Holy Souls are Godlike in their attributes. The
garments in which they appear are different, but the attributes are the same.
In their real intrinsic power they show forth the Perfection of God. The
Reality of God in them never varies; only the garment in which the Primal
Reality is clothed is different according to the time and place of their
Appearance and Declaration to the world. One Day it is the garment of Abraham,
then Moses, then Jesus, then Bahá‘u'lláh. Knowledge of this Oneness
is true Enlightenment. Some see the garment only and worship the Personality;
some see the Reality and worship in 'spirit and in Truth.' Some of the Hebrews
admired the embroidered beauty of the garment of Abraham but were blind to the
Real Light which shone upon the darkness of the world through Him. Moses was
denied; Jesus was denied, crucified; all have been denied and persecuted for
this reason. Men see the garment and are blind to the Reality, worship the
Personality and do not know the Truth, the Light Itself. Some worship the Tree
of Life but do not eat of the blessed Fruit of the Tree. Therefore, differences
and disagreements arise in religious belief. If all would eat of the Fruit
Itself, they could never disagree. For instance, four men were traveling along
a road. They possessed a franc between them. One was a Turk, the others
Persian, Arab, and Greek. They became hungry and wished to buy some grapes, but
as they did not understand each other's language, none of them could express
his wish to the others. So they began to quarrel and abuse each other. Finally
a man came along who knew all four languages. He asked what the trouble was.
Then he said, 'Give me the money. I will buy each one what he wishes.' So he
bought grapes, and they were all satisfied. They had disagreed upon a word or
term only; all meant the same thing. Terms are of no importance. The Fruits of
the Tree should be our desire. These are the Spiritual 'grapes.' Find the Light
Itself, and there will be no difference of opinion or belief as to the
Personality or Degree of the Manifestations of God.”
“The greatest proof of a Manifestation is the Manifestation Himself.
We do not have to prove the existence of the sun. The sun is independent of
proof. He who has sight can see the sun and prove it for himself. It is not
necessary to seek for other proof. For instance, it is a fixed fact that
nothing could grow upon the earth without the light of the sun. It is easily
proved that without the sun's heat and light no animal life could exist. The
sun's light is indispensable, its heat essential. This is the sun's greatest
proof. God with all His qualities is independent of all His creatures. Look at
the Christ. He was a youth of Israel, not a great and honored man, but born
from a poor family. He was so poor that He was born in a manger, yet He changed
the conditions of the whole world. What proof could be greater than this that
He was from God? It is so strong and evident that no one can deny it. Without
this Light the world could not grow spiritually. The Blessed Perfection came
from Persia, which is not a prominent nation. The great Prophets did not enter
school to be taught of men, yet so many things did they manifest that at last
we must admit that the world is not able to destroy the wisdom of the Prophets
or grow without them. Everything of God is proof against the people and
evidence for God. Peter was the greatest of all the disciples. He was the
'head' appointed by the Christ, yet he denied the Christ three times. See what
happened afterward! See what a power of penetration the Word of God possessed!
How the Truth in Christ grew and spread all over the world! There must be a
Standard. The Kings of the earth cannot stand against the power of the Word.
The Light of God will shine, must shine. The great flag of Nero was lowered,
and Christ's standard raised in its stead. All the kings of earth, all the
learned men have become subject to the Word and are its worshipers. The Blessed
Perfection during His own lifetime had one thousand followers who believed in
Him. Only one proved ungrateful, yet he did not deny Bahá‘u'lláh.
Many of these followers were martyred with His Name upon their lips. The renown
of Jesus' Name did not reach outside His own country. We hear nothing of Him
from the Phoenicians. But the Name of Bahá‘u'lláh reached the whole
world while He lived. Jesus did not write to any of the rulers of the world.
Bahá‘u'lláh sent Tablets to all the Kings and rulers of the earth.
When Napoleon III was in the zenith of his power, the Blessed Perfection wrote
to him. If we should gather together all that the Christ said, it would be very
little in amount. But consider the number of Tablets and Books left by the
Blessed Perfection! Although the Christ was not a great and honored man,
although He was of such poor and humble condition that He was born in a manger,
yet He changed the whole world by His Power and Divinity. What proof could be
greater than this? How can anyone deny His proof! In the same way, the Blessed
Perfection came from Persia, which is not an important nation of the world. He
did not go to school, and yet so much Knowledge was manifest in Him that we
must confess that is impossible to deny His Wisdom and His Divinity. So
universal were the Bounties of the Blessed Perfection that the very stones and
trees mourned His Departure. Everything sent from God is proof enough for the
people of the world to accept and believe. The Manifestations of God are sent
when most needed. There were Nineteen 'Letters of the Living' who accepted the
Báb. The Blessed Perfection Himself spread the Báb's Message. Great
and learned men likewise embraced His Cause. They were Mullás or clergy of
the Muhammadans. One of them is known as the King of the Martyrs on account of
his death for this Cause. They were celebrated for their great knowledge and
learning. The Manifestation of God is proof of Himself, just as the sun is its
own greatest and sufficient proof. The sun says, 'I am proof.' In the ancient
times the women of Egypt thought Joseph was an angel. No proof was necessary
but his own beauty and excellence. The proof was himself. People of sight and
perception see at a glance what the blind and incapable can never
see.”
“Another great proof of a Manifestation is His power to develop souls.
Miracles are but secondary proofs. Our first and important duty is to ascertain
if the real Physician has come to heal the Spiritual sickness of the world, to
learn if the Commander of the hosts of righteousness has appeared, to prove the
appearance of a true Manifestation of God. If in crossing the ocean everyone on
board the ship should assume the authority of captain, where would be the
safety of the ship and its passengers? It would be impossible to reach the
destination if everybody was Captain. Then after we have found the Captain of
the ship of Truth, it is our duty to obey Him, submit to His Wisdom, and be
guided by Him into Eternal Life.”
“Before each Manifestation a sign appears in both the material and
spiritual heavens. It is the appearance of a literal star and the rise of a man
as a Forerunner. The Forerunner announces the Manifestation of the Promised
One. Before Moses appeared, a messenger came to the Hebrews, bidding them
prepare for His Manifestation. John the Baptist came before the Christ. The
Manifestations are greater or less in degree according to the Message they are
able to reveal. Muhammad was preceded by a Forerunner or Announcer. Before the
Manifestation of this Day, as it is the full Reality of Revelation, there were
two Heralds, Ahmad and Kázim. It will be a long time before the rise of
another Manifestation. The Manifestations are like seas. Some seas, such as the
Caspian, are alone and separated from all the others; some, like the
Mediterranean, are connected with the great body of the Ocean itself. The
Manifestation in Muhammad was like the Caspian, alone and separate. The
Báb and the Blessed Perfection are as the Mediterranean and the Ocean. The
Manifestations are as suns in the Heaven of the Divine Will. Sometimes the sun
and moon are far apart; for instance, in the middle of month they are 180
degrees from each other. But in the beginning and end of the lunar month they
are only one degree apart. In the Qur'án Muhammad prophesied that in this
Day the Sun and Moon will meet in Heaven; that is, the spiritual Sun and Moon
of this Dispensation will rise together in the form of man. We should thank God
continually that we live in this Day of a Manifestation of God. This
Manifestation ended with the Blessed Perfection. The Cycle of the Sun and Moon
is finished. I am nothing but the Servant of God. Some in America are looking
for a 'third Christ' or personage. This is only imagination. Some call me
Christ. This also is imagination. The Cycle of the Blessed Perfection will last
for a long time. The next manifestation will not be so great as this One. When
He appears, He will not be an independent One. Do they realize that I make no
claim for Myself? I have sacrificed everything—My body, My comfort, My
Station, all—to the Blessed Perfection. Bahá‘u'lláh is the
consummation of all degrees. He is the Revelation of all Truth and Light.
Whereas the Revelation of other Prophets had to be spread by the sword,
Bahá‘u'lláh commanded that we 'must be killed rather than kill.' So
He was the consummation of all degrees of Revelation which preceded
Him.”

SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

‘Abdu'l-Bahá sent for me. I found Him in a little room opening from the
courtyard. He was sitting upon a raised chair, His beautiful face, majestic in
repose and strength, turned toward the only window. He greeted me joyfully.
Both the daughters were present. He said, “I want you to carry away from
‘Akká the joy and peace of the spiritual life.” I answered,
“It would be impossible for me to be in this atmosphere of Spirit as I
have been and not receive wonderful benefit.” He continued, “God is
like the calm and limitless sea. His Bounty is overflowing and illimitable. In
our physical selves we are like the animals; yet in some ways the animals are
even higher than men—they are more restful and composed—more
trustful and reliant upon the Bounty of God—more in the flow of His Will.
The birds of Mount Carmel are His creatures. They can fly to the highest
branches of the trees and build their nests. From the treetops the bird can
enjoy the beautiful view of sea and mountain by its power of sight. All this
beauty exists for us as well. The Love of God, the Beauty of God is everywhere
and exists for man if he will but rise to spiritual heights, open his spiritual
vision, and behold it. Is the king free as the bird is free to fly upward? The
king's head is often heavy with anxiety and the things of this world which hold
him down. The true pleasure and happiness depend upon the spiritual perception
and enjoyment. The powers of mind are the bounties of God given to man to lead
him toward spiritual happiness. The highest grace in man is to love God. Love
of God, Knowledge of God is the greatest, the only real happiness, because it
is Nearness to God. This is the Kingdom of God. To love God is to know Him. To
know Him is to enter His Kingdom and be near Him. This is what I desire for
you—that you may walk in this path.”
I answered, “Now that you have shown me the way, I wish to walk in
this heavenly path.” He said, “You are near to God, and day by day
you will progress by the knowledge of God toward spiritual joy. Then you will
be a source of guidance to others. In you they will now behold another person;
in fact, everybody will witness the change in your life. You must develop
spiritual love in yourself and in them. Physical love is very different from
spiritual love. To awaken spiritual love in others is to attain peace and joy
for yourself.”
I said, “I wish to teach this Message of Light and Truth, but I feel
that my efforts are small and unimportant.” He answered, “The
mountain is large, but it has no intelligence. The diamond is small, but it is
filled with light. The elephant produces no melody; the nightingale's song is
like the music of Heaven. I will pray that you may become the recipient of the
Bounties of God. You will be filled with power because the Spirit will speak
through you. You must not bring unhappiness to others. In the future sacrifice
yourself more and more in the Cause of God. Then the Love of God will grow and
grow in your heart.” I told Him my regret in leaving the Household where
everything is in such peace and harmony. He said, “You are always here in
spirit; you will never be absent now.”
I asked, “What shall I say to those who state that they are satisfied
with Christianity and do not need this present Manifestation?” He
answered, “Let them alone. What would they do if a former king had
reigned and a new king was now seated upon the throne? They must acknowledge
the new king, or they are not true subjects of the Kingdom. Last year there was
a springtime. Can a man say, 'I do not need a new springtime this
year—the old springtime is enough for me'? No! the new spring must come
to fill the earth with beauty and brightness. The sun rose this morning. Shall
we say to the sun, 'Go away! We do not need you this morning; you were here
yesterday'? If we strive to upbuild this Cause with faith and love in our
hearts, it will overpower all the science, philosophy, and metaphysics of this
Day. I Myself am surprised at the wonderful things that are happening. The Word
of God shows such power and penetration that all will be surprised and
astonished at Its advance.”
I said, “I will pray to be assisted and strengthened.” He
replied, “God will help you in this.” Then He continued, “Do
everything in your power to help the poor and needy. Serve God in this way. The
poor are the trust of God. Give the Message to every listening soul. Give them
whatever they can take of it. In Persia there was a man who could not read or
write, yet he was the cause of guidance to many great men in this Truth by his
pure love of God. If you will turn to God, He will turn to you and assist you.
He will make you eloquent. He will make you irresistible by His Wisdom. The
tongue speaks from the heart, and if you are sincere, God will speak for you.
Help and assist others to see this Truth as you do. Be their guide and helper.
This Message is vital to young and old. In it the young must make more progress
and bring forth more fruit than the old, just as young and vigorous trees yield
the most fruit to the gardener. Christ said, 'Ye shall know the tree by its
fruits,' meaning whether the fruits be good or bad, much or little. Those who
are born of the Spirit have all the Divine qualities of growth. Without these
qualities they are nothing but mere men and women; they are not spiritually
alive; they are without the power of growth. Christ said they were 'dead.' Let
all your thoughts be upon this so that the believers and others will know that
you have the Spiritual Spring within your soul and have attained a newness of
life. This is complete happiness, the only Peace. After awhile you will realize
that you have been in the Presence of the Blessed Perfection. You are always in
the Presence of God. Open the windows of your soul so His Presence may
be within you.”
“Souls differ in their capacity to receive and manifest the Light of
the Spirit. The Blessed Perfection said, 'There are as many ways to God as the
breaths of His Human creatures.' Each soul must develop cording to its
individual capacity. Peter differed from John, Paul from Barnabas, yet all of
them were filled with the Light of the Spirit of Christ. Therefore, it follows that as each soul has its own possibility of development, it is
necessary for each soul to stand alone before God. No one can stand for you in
the Presence of God in the 'Last Day.' As the soul grows, its capacity
increases. Capacity is the measure of development. Love is the evidence of
capacity. When we love humanity as God loves us, we have reached the perfect
station. Eternal Life is then ours, and this mortal world can give us nothing
more. Do good each day, if only by speaking a kind word. Knowledge of God is
attained through Desire and Patience. We must knock at the Door of Truth and
seek God with earnestness. Ignorance is as much our natural condition as
Knowledge is our condition of Development. A good conscience is the divinity
within us that needs to be awakened and which shapes our eternal destiny. All
souls come into this world through the Bounty of God and have equal right of
Development. The soul is affected by its hereditary qualities, but no matter
what its condition, it never loses the possibility of being quickened by the
Fire of the Spirit of God. One brain may work quicker than another; one soul
may acquire intelligence easier than another; but the power and presence of the
Spirit does not depend upon mental capacity. The disciples of Christ were
humble fishermen, while the learned Pharisees failed to see Him. The soul or
mental intelligence awakes in the mother's womb. Spirit enters when the
conscience is quickened and the soul awakes to eternal Realities. Jesus said,
'The true worship is to worship God in Spirit and in Truth; for such worshipers
as these the Spirit seeketh.' Therefore, as all souls have capacity for
enkindlement by the Spirit and as we may all be assisted by Its Divine Power,
we must will to receive it.”
“Some behold in a seed only a hard black substance, while others see
in it the life principle, a tree, leaves, and fruit. The true believer in
Bahá‘u'lláh brings forth leaves and fruit, proving that the life
principle within him has been awakened and quickened. People are not sure of
this being the Reality and complete Truth. It is bound to be true if we see
spiritual growth in souls from the Blessed Perfection's planting. Christ spake
the parable of 'the seed.' The seed contained the Truth. Some of the seed was
wasted He said—and some that grew up was choked by human teachings. For
instance, by associating with people who do not believe in God the growth of
the Spirit is stopped. When we find believers in this condition, we should
strive to get them into different surroundings and under better influences.
They need a physician. The most needy are the ones to help first. The 'poor are
always with us,' Christ said, meaning those who are without the Teachings of
the Word. They are our charge and responsibility. During the Greek-Turkish war
the condition of the Turkish soldiers was frightful. The people appointed a
Commission to raise money for their relief. Many contributed for a while, but
finally nobody but Myself gave to help them. The soldiers complained that they
were receiving less and less assistance. The Governor replied to them that all
they were getting came from the hand of ‘Abbás Effendi and that all other
donations had ceased. The soldiers showed no gratitude for what they were
receiving but on the contrary complained bitterly against their benefactors.
Just so we cry out to God, 'have mercy upon us,' when God is the only Giver of
Bounty to us. War is a grievous calamity. It begins and ends in disaster. A
mother has a beautiful boy filled with every grace and promise. He develops
into manhood, goes to war, and in an instant all his possibilities sand
usefulness are cut off.”

RETURN OF THE SPIRIT

"In the Book of Íqán we can read the Word of God concerning the
true Reincarnation, which is the Return of the Spiritual Qualities in the
Servants of God.[3] In the Gospel it is written that
they asked John the Baptist if he was Elijah and that he answered plainly, 'I
am not.' Elijah appeared long before Jesus. When the Christ came, He was veiled
in a cloud from the eyes of the Jews. A voice came out of the cloud saying,
'This is my Beloved Son.' Clouds and darkness gradually obscure all the former
Manifestations. Although they are promised and expected, they are refused
during their earthly life on account of the spiritual blindness of the people.
Elijah came but was not recognized in John. It was not the person or entity of
Elijah but his perfection and qualities which John embodied. The flowers of
last year will come again this year. We can say they have returned—not the
actual substance of the former flowers, but their color, perfume, and
perfection have returned. Some are awaiting the coming of Christ in the clouds
of heaven. He has already come in the heart if you believe, while those who do
not believe in the Revelation of Bahá‘u'lláh cannot see Him on
account of clouds and veils. Many people are going out of the churches
dissatisfied with religious teaching. It is because they do not see
spiritually."

SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP

At dinner a violent rainstorm swept in from the sea.
“May we all live in the Sea of Reality and be filled with the Love of
God. Thank God we are in the Ark of the Covenant. See what great blessings God
has showered upon us. How many people of Persia looked upon the Blessed
Perfection, yet they do not know as you know. You have reached this station,
while they are deprived. There are two kinds of relationship—Physical and
Spiritual. The highest and greatest is the Spiritual. The physical is of no
importance. It is very good to possess both in each other.”
“God be praised! At this table we are joined in Spiritual
Relationship. We are all of one family because we are under the Shadow of the
Blessed Perfection. Look at the earth. Of itself it is worthless, yet it can
reflect the light and heat of the sun. Clouds gather, the rains descend, and
the earth becomes fruitful. In the same way the Spirit of God gives life to the
soul of man, and the Breeze of God awakens the soul from its sleep. Peter was
only a catcher of fishes, yet his attainment was very great. Ananias, the High
Priest, was much greater in the eyes of the world, yet he was deprived while
Peter received the Bounty of God.”
“Spiritual Relationship is the true Family-hood of God's children. The
Báb had many relatives. He particularly wished that His mother should
believe in this Revelation and attain. Christ said that His mother Mary was not
of His Relationship, also that those were His brothers and sisters who were in
the Kingdom of God.”

OBEDIENCE

“Today we will speak about Obedience! The Manifestation of God is a
perfect example of real obedience. Like Him, we must sacrifice everything;
every plan, every longing and ideal must be given up completely to the Will of
God. We must look to God for all we desire, all we attain. The Will of God must
outwork Its Purposes in us. Our human will must be laid down in sacrifice and
love. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá has given everything in sacrifice and obedience to the
Will of God. I am only His Servant, nothing more. All our soul-powers, our
outward self, our inward self must be consecrated to God in service and
sacrifice. Even life must be given if necessary. If we have not reached this
station of nothingness, we have not attained to real obedience to the Will of
God. A pupil must submit entirely to the will of the teacher. This is true
Sacrifice—true Obedience.”
“Real obedience and real sacrifice are identical—absolute
readiness to follow and perform whatever you are called upon to do in the Cause
of God. When you really love God, you will be willing to sacrifice everything
and submit yourself entirely to His Will. Consecrate yourself wholly to Him.
His Will is everything, His service paramount. If they were to burn Me, kill or
torture Me—no matter what affliction may descend upon Me, I shall welcome
it as one welcomes pleasure. These are precious moments in ‘Akká, so
precious we wish they might never end. How is the Bahá'í Faith
progressing in America? After you return, the believers will be in a much
stronger and better condition. But this cannot be unless they see and know he
Will and Desire of God. I have no wish but His Will. His Will is
Abdu'l-Bahá. If each human creature had his own will and way, spiritual
development would be impossible. The soldiers in an army are under the will and
control of one commander; therefore, they are united and can press on to
victory. If each soldier carried out his own inclination and desire, there
would be just that many different intentions and nothing would be accomplished.
One thousand soldiers under the control of a commander can overthrow and defeat
any number of disorganized troops. Without a directing will all would be
conquered and defeated. Be sure, therefore, that if the believers are not
united in the Will of God they will not be assisted. This is especially
necessary because all of them are under the Tent of the Covenant in this
Revelation. There is strength only in unity. Under one Tent there is union and
harmony. The Covenant of God in this Day of Manifestation is a Lifeboat, an Ark
of Salvation. All true followers of the Blessed Perfection are sheltered and
protected in this Ark. Whoever leaves it, trusting in his own will and
strength, will drown and be destroyed. For the Blessed Perfection left no
possibility for discord, disagreement, and dissension. The Covenant is like the
sea, and the believers are as the fishes in the sea. If a fish leaves the
water, it cannot live. There is nothing to equal, nothing so effective as the
Covenant of God to bring about and continue Unity. Christ said to Peter, 'Thou
art the rock upon which I will build My church.' Therefore, all the disciples
followed Peter, and there was no dissension among them. The Blessed Perfection
wrote a Testament or Covenant with His Own Pen so that no one who obeys it will
deny or disobey God. This point is expressed very clearly in the Covenant He
revealed. Therefore, there can be no possibility, no position of disobedience.
He knew that Muhammad-‘Alí would disobey the Covenant. By violating the
Covenant he has become a fallen branch. The Covenant was also written by
Muhammad-‘Alí's own hand from dictation of the Blessed Perfection who knew
he would disobey. What cause of union could be greater than the Covenant God
has revealed through His Manifestation Bahá‘u'lláh? Many of those who
followed Muhammad-‘Alí are coming back. After the departure of
Bahá‘u'lláh all the beautiful blossoms upon the Tree of Life were
destroyed by Muhammad-‘Alí and must now be grown again by the Love of
‘Abdu'l-Bahá. The work and mission of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá are very great. No
one could express the grief which followed the turning away from the Covenant
by Muhammad-‘Alí. We should be thankful that the Blessed Perfection,
foreseeing this action, ordained a Center of the Covenant through which, by
allegiance and love, we may protect and preserve the Revelation of
God.”

At the time Muhammad-‘Alí denied the Covenant and occasioned so much
grief and suffering, the perfect calmness and spiritual strength of the Holy
Leaf were most remarkable. The Blessed Perfection devotedly loved
‘Abdu'l-Bahá, and when He appeared, His expression would change from
gravity to one of great happiness and joy. Before His Ascension, the Blessed
Perfection, realizing the trouble Muhammad-‘Alí would bring about, would
say, “Becheveh Áqá!” (“O to be pitied
Master!”)[4]

WOMEN IN THE BAHÁ'Í REVELATION

“Why are women so favored in this Revelation?”
“Women in Persia were treated badly in former times by the
Muhammadans. When speaking evil of a man, they would say, 'He is just like a
woman.' When they wished to lower a man's pride, they would say, 'He is a
woman, not a man.' In this Day see what great firmness and strength women are
showing for God. The way to spiritual attainment in this Dispensation will be
made more and more easy for women, for they are more devoted and zealous in
this Cause than men. How many women are higher than men in moral and spiritual
development! How much more eloquent in the Cause of God! Women are held in
great honor in this Day. In Persia a handsome youth of twenty, son of a
believer, was despised and oppressed for announcing his belief in this
Revelation. He was imprisoned. His oppressors offered to release him provided
he would deny his faith. He still remained steadfast, saying, 'I will give my
life willingly for my belief.' He came from a very well known and respected
family. His mother was asked to speak with him, his persecutors thinking her
influence might induce him to recant and save his life. She told them her words
would have no effect upon him except to increase his faith. Then she was told
he would be killed. The Governor sent him word that if he would renounce his
faith his life would be spared. Still he remained fixed and steadfast. His
friends pleaded with him, begging him for their sakes to change. Then his
mother stood up beside him and kissed him, saying, 'Do not be shaken! Do not
waver! Be firm! Give your life to God! Say nothing that will deny His Cause!
Glorify it by your death! If you deny or waver, you will no longer be my
child!' She stood beside him as he was beheaded, pleading with him to the last
that he might not deny the Truth. In this Dispensation the women will progress
more rapidly and to a higher station than the men. God will assist
them.”
“Qurratu'l-Ayn (literally, 'consolation of the eye') was one of the
greatest and most heroic women of this Truth. She came from a learned family
and deeply loved knowledge. If Fátimih, daughter of Muhammad, had been a
boy and enjoyed greater opportunities, she would have elevated her family and
become a mighty pillar in the temple of Religion. While Qurratu'l-Ayn was
visiting her cousin's home, she happened to read a pamphlet explaining the
Mission of the Báb. She instantly became a believer. Afterward she was
taught by the Báb Himself and received her name Qurratu'l-Ayn from Him.
Some say she was taught in Baghdad by the command of the Báb. She was
independent and absolutely fearless. Upon her return home, her husband refused
to recognize her, so she left his house. Her uncle was killed in a Mosque for
his Bábí faith, and for a time she was kept prisoner in his house.
After being released, she went with a number of believers to a celebration
outside the city, in a grove near a deserted village. The Blessed Perfection
was present. It was a meeting filled with faith, love, and rejoicing. In
speaking to the meeting, she became so inspired she removed the cover from her
face. Her mother and some of her relatives were present, and her action
produced a great commotion among them. When the news came to the ears of the
Muhammadans, their charges and persecutions against her became violent and
bitter. Finally, she was taken away from her friends and put to death. She died
a martyr and a heroine. In her impassioned speech she had said, 'What God has
created pure shall I call impure?' removing her veil as she said it. She spent
the night before her execution in prayer. Her last wish was that she might be
strangled instead of decapitated. Once at a wedding all present left the bride
and gathered around Qurratu'l-Ayn; she was so eloquent and sincere. She knew
the Blessed Perfection before He declared Himself to be the Manifestation of
God. In herself she was a revelation to the women of the world. If this
Revelation had produced only one martyr like Qurratu'l-Ayn, this would be
sufficient proof in the Cause of God.”

MOUNT CARMEL AND SYRIA

“The history of Mount Carmel is holy history. A spiritual atmosphere
surrounds this 'Mountain of God.' Elijah and Jesus spent part of their precious
lives upon it. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá loves Mount Carmel and has often visited it,
sometimes staying overnight in caves which overlook the sea, in prayer and
communion with God. Syria is the center of the world. The extent and variety of
its resources, its wonderful fertility and natural advantages will make its
future history extraordinary. Its possibilities of development are unlimited.
It is the focus of interest in world history, the site of the Old and New
Jerusalem. Mount Carmel will be a Mountain of Knowledge, Peace, and Protection
in the future—the vineyard of God. We will not live to see this in the
body but will view it spiritually. Mount Carmel will someday be covered with
great universities and colleges of learning. Then the poor will enjoy the
highest advantages from the establishment here of free institutions of
education.”
“This is the Holy Land from whence all the Prophets and Holy Men came.
No country in the world has such a bright light of Religion. The Light of God
has always shone upon the world from this land, and the Religion of God has had
its Source and Revelation here. It is wonderful even in its physical
conformation. The Phoenicians came from here. Their great civilizations spread
from Syria. Abraham came to this land. Here His Teaching became known. The King
of Salem, Melchizedek, came from this land. All the Prophets had their missions
here.”

THE HEAVENLY SPRINGTIME

“Soon it will be the time of Spring. Already the signs of the flowers
may be seen upon the mountains and in the valleys. When Spring comes, there is
a Divine Wisdom in its appearance. God has a special object in renewing the
earth with its bounty. For the dead earth is again made to blossom so that the
life of plants and flowers may continue and be reproduced. The trees put forth
their leaves and are able to bear all kinds of delicious fruits. All the birds
and animals, everything with soul-life is rejoiced and rejuvenated in the
coming of Spring. If this does not come to pass, it is not Spring; it may be
autumn. But it is possible that Spring may come, and yet a tree rooted in bad
ground will be deprived of its vivifying powers. Or a fruitless tree may not
bear, although the warm sun and vernal shower are descending upon it. So,
likewise, an evil soul may derive no benefit, produce no fruit from the Coming
of a Manifestation of God. The Divine Springtime which brings forth spiritual
flowers in other souls fails to beautify the soul that is evil. In general,
however, just as everything is vivified, refreshed, and renewed by the bounty
of the literal spring, so every soul receives some degree of illumination and
growth from the Manifestation when He comes. He is the Divine Spring which
comes after the long winter of death and inaction. The Wisdom of God is seen in
His Coming. He adorns the soul of man with new Life, Divine Attributes, and
higher Spiritual qualities. By this the soul is enlightened, illumined. That
which is dark, gloomy, and forbidding becomes light, hopeful, and productive of
new growth. So in the Divine Springtime the blind receive sight, the deaf are
made to hear, the dumb speak, the timid become courageous, and the heedless
awaken to new realizations. In short, they have become the image of that which
God planned them to be and which the Heavenly Books promised shall be the true
station of Man. This is the power, purpose, and virtue of the Heavenly
Springtime.”

FAITH

The question was asked, “What is real Faith?”
“Faith outwardly means to believe the Message a Manifestation brings
to the world and accept the fulfillment in Him of that which the Prophets have
announced. But, in reality, Faith embodies three degrees:—To confess with
the tongue; to believe in the heart; to give evidence in our actions. These
three things are essential in true Faith. The important requirement is the Love
of God in the heart. For instance, we say a lamp gives light. In reality, the
oil which burns produces the illumination, but the lamp and the chimney are
necessary before the light can express itself. The Love of God is the light.
The tongue is the chimney or the medium by which that Love finds expression. It
also protects the Light. Likewise, the members of the body reflect the inner
Light by their actions. So the tongue confesses in speech, and the parts of the
body confess in their actions the Love of God within the soul of a true
believer. Thus it was that Peter confessed Christ by his tongue and by his
actions. When the tongue and actions reflect the Love of God, the real
qualities of man are revealed. Christ said, 'You will know them by their
fruits,' that is, by their deeds. If a believer shows forth divine qualities,
we know the true Faith is in his heart. If we do not find evidence of these
qualities, if he is selfish or wicked, he has not the true kind of Faith. Faith
is mentioned in the Scriptures as the 'second Birth' or 'Everlasting Life.' In
this day it is the Spirit of God, the real true belief. Many claim to possess
the true Faith, but it is rare and when it exists it cannot be destroyed. 'Many
are called but few are chosen.' Many believe themselves to be courageous, but
the battlefield of tests and trials will prove whether they have the real
strength to stand firm. In Persia some believers who claimed to have Faith in
Bahá‘u'lláh fell away when they were tested. On the other hand, some
who thought themselves weak, proved to be heroes and martyrs. I pray that you
who have journeyed from America to visit the Holy Tomb may become as pure glass
through which the Light of God may shine. Be firm! Be strong! We need to be
strongly tested in order to prove our Faith to ourselves and to the world.
Tests are always surrounding us. They are according to the greatness of the
Cause, just as the size of a wave is according to the sea upon which it
rises.”

THE SECOND COMING

“What is the Second Coming of Christ in this Dispensation?”
‘Abdu'l-Bahá answered: “In the Book of the Zend-Avesta the
Zoroastrians are awaiting the Coming of two Manifestations. Also, in the Old
Testament Scriptures there is the promise of Elijah and Messiah. In the Gospel
of the New Testament they are expecting the Father and the Second Coming of
Christ. Likewise, in the Qur'án the Muhammadans have the promise of the
Imám Mihdí and Christ. In brief, all the Holy Scriptures announce the
Coming of two Manifestations, and these two Manifestations are the Báb and
the Blessed Perfection. If you look into the Bible, it is Elias and Christ; in
the Qur'án it is the Mihdí and Christ. These tidings are the same in
all the Holy Books, only expressed in different ways—two successive
Manifestations. And all the Universe is promised these two. We must not search
for the outer word in Elijah and Christ but look for the Reality. The Blessed
Perfection said in His Tablets that once He was Abraham, once Moses, once
Jesus, once Muhammad, and once the Báb. This is explained clearly in the
'Book of Íqán,' that is, the meanings and perfection of qualities
which were once hidden are now revealed in Bahá‘u'lláh. Therefore, we
can consider Bahá‘u'lláh to be all the Prophets, no matter by what
Name He chooses to call Himself; for all their meanings, perfection, and
qualities are manifest in Him. Bahá‘u'lláh is the center of all their
perfections. For instance, in Moses the world received the Revelation of
material laws, in Jesus spiritual laws, while in Bahá‘u'lláh we have
received both material and spiritual laws. The Laws of Moses would cover but
few pages, and the Teachings of Jesus could be gathered into a small pamphlet.
The Old Testament contains nothing but material laws; no mention is in it of
spiritual laws such as we find in the New Testament. In the New Testament there
are no material laws except the laws of divorce and of the Sabbath. The New
Testament contains no answers to questions of science. But all knowledge has
been revealed by the Blessed Perfection in books which if gathered together
would make many volumes. He has revealed demonstrations in sciences, and He is
the epitome of all previous Revelations.”
“Now Moses said that after Him should come Joshua. The Christ said, addressing
Peter, 'Thou art the Rock, and I will build My temple upon this Rock.' Jesus spoke
this to Peter by word of mouth. The Blessed Perfection did not appoint His successor
by statement of tongue, but in the 'Book of Ahd' ('Book of the Covenant'), He
wrote it with His own Hand, commanding therein that all the branches and relations
should look toward the Center of the Covenant.[5] Also,
in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, revealed thirty years before His Ascension, it is mentioned
in two places.[6] During these thirty years these commands
of the Blessed Perfection were known and clearly understood by all. Again, in
a Tablet He refers specifically to this, naming one who would violate His Commands.
This Tablet was dictated by the Blessed Perfection and written at His Command
by the hand of Muhammad-‘Alí. Muhammad-‘Alí has made many
copies of it. Therefore, we cannot deny what it says. If it was not so, Muhammad-‘Alí
would be able to deny. When he violated the Covenant, he went out from the shadow
of the Blessed Perfection. Bahá‘u'lláh also said in this Tablet
mentioned, that if for an instant this one should disobey His Commands, he would
become a 'fallen branch.' He mentioned this expressly for Muhammad-‘Alí,
knowing that he would disobey and deny. He left no possibility for anyone to disobey
or misunderstand what He commanded. If it were not so, Muhammad-‘Alí
could do many things that would injure. As it is, he has appropriated many papers
and Tablets written by the Blessed Perfection. It is possible for these writings
to be altered, as the meanings in Persian are greatly changed by a single dot
here and there. Before His Ascension, the Blessed Perfection said to me, 'I have
given You all the papers.' He put them in two satchels and sent them to Me. After
His Ascension, Muhammad-‘Alí said, 'You had better give me the two satchels
to take care of.' He took them away and never returned them. He thought the Center
of the Covenant would be helpless without these papers. But he did not realize
that My strength is the assistance of the Blessed Perfection. If all the world
combined against Me, I would still possess this power, and all the world could
not take it away from Me. I can fight with this weapon forever and will always
be victorious. It is a sword which can never be dulled, a magazine that is always
filled.”

VISIT TO THE TOMB

In the afternoon we drove to the Tomb of the Blessed Perfection, passing out
through the narrow gateway of the city and following the road toward the
Ridván for a short distance. Then a sharp turn to the left toward the
Lebanons took us more inland and away from the sea. It seemed to a be a holiday
or festival occasion; a great number of people were seen along the roads and
highways. Bright colors prevailed in the peasant costumes, natives coming and
going in picturesque little groups of twos and threes. Some of the Arab girls
were dressed like the boys, hardly to be distinguished one from the other. They
wore wide pantaloons of a very bright colored cotton fabric, this costume no
doubt being cheaper and requiring less material than the voluminous gowns of
the older women. We drove on through a village of mud huts built very low and
surrounded by a squalor and filth most unpleasant to foreign eyes and nostrils.
People and animals were living or rather herding under the same roof. Dogs
looking like wolves vigilantly guarded these hovels and savagely attacked
visitors. Here and there upon the filthy ground we saw groups of men sitting
and lying, intent upon games of cards. The women were busily working. Women and
donkeys bear the domestic burdens of the East and shoulder the full quota of
suffering. Altogether, these Arab villagers were wild, almost desperate looking
creatures. Beyond the villages we drove across a beautiful level plain carpeted
with red anemones, the Bahá'í flower. Finally, we came to the
Bahjí, a very large white mansion in which Bahá‘u'lláh lived and
from which His Spirit passed into the Supreme Concourse. The room was pointed
out to us as we stopped and looked from the outside. We entered the Tomb, which
adjoins Bahjí, the “Palace of Joy.” Flowers were growing
abundantly all around the Sacred Shrine. In the center of the building is a
court where orange trees and rare plants were growing. We removed our shoes at
the entrance. The passageways surrounding this court were covered with soft and
costly Persian rugs. Then we stood at the Tomb itself where the Blessed
Perfection sleeps. Lamps and beautiful vases were placed about the room, loving
gifts and tokens from Bahá'í believers in all parts of the world. A
great slab in the floor marked the place of burial. Here we knelt and prayed
in solemn silence, communing with the great and glorified Spirit which had
ascended from earth to the Supreme Horizon. Then we silently withdrew to a
small side room at the opposite end of the building where some ladies served
tea and related experiences of other pilgrims and believers who had visited the
Tomb. Upon the anniversary of the Blessed Perfection's birthday they remain all
night at the Tomb, chanting and praying without intermission and standing
throughout the ceremonies. During the last few years ‘Abdu'l-Bahá has not
been able to attend this holy celebration. After receiving flowers from the
ladies in attendance we bade them loving good-bye and drove home across the
flower-carpeted plain, another spiritual visit accomplished, another priceless
spiritual experience fixed in our memories. Ahead of us mounted upon donkeys
were a number of elder pilgrims and believers also returning from a visit to
the Tomb. As they rode along, they looked like the old Jewish prophets and the
Disciples of Jesus. Among them were Haydar-‘Alí, Mírzá
Asadu'lláh, and eight or nine others of those faithful devoted souls who
love God, serve humanity, and follow the Revelation of Bahá‘u'lláh.
We entered the city, still silent, still wondering, still communing with the
Glorified Spirit which shed Its Light down upon us from the Supreme
Concourse.

VISIT TO THE RIDVÁN

We went to the Ridván with the holy daughters of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá.
Driving through the city and passing out the gates we saw the barracks where
‘Abdu'l-Bahá was once imprisoned. Then along the roadway bordered by fine
trees we went until well away from the city and its distressing pictures. The
roads now be-came rough, here and there poor-looking houses of the natives. To
the right we saw the hill Tel el Fukhar upon which Napoleon I planted his
batteries and laid siege to ‘Akká in 1799. Unable to overcome it, he
abandoned the siege, saying, “My fortune has been arrested by a grain of
sand; were it not for ‘Akká I would have conquered the world.”
Finally, we came to the Ridván, a beautiful garden filled with palm trees
and wonderful flowers. The air was redolent of perfume from them. A river, the
Na'mayn, runs through the garden in two streams, just as the prophecies
foretold, forming an island upon which an arbor is built. High above the arbor
tower two great round mulberry trees under the shade of which the Blessed
Perfection loved to sit. A fountain was playing in the midst of the garden.
This heavenly spot is in the midst of a desert-like barrenness, an oasis indeed
amid dry and hostile conditions of nature and humanity—a Paradise upon
earth, a garden of God—for here in this beautiful consecrated spot
Bahá‘u'lláh spent His summers. Some day the Ridván will be
visited by pilgrims from all over the world, just as the Garden of Gethsemane
is sacred with the memories of Jesus Christ. No one sits in the Manifestation's
chair under the mulberry trees. These two wonderful trees were leafless when we
saw them, for it was January, and they are at their best in June. Everywhere
beautiful odd trees were growing—oranges, lemons, and tangerines ripe and
waiting to be picked. All kinds of flowers, violets, narcissus, heliotropes,
roses, and red anemones greeted the eye. In summer golden pheasants fly about
the Ridván—ducks and waterfowl swim around in the waters which
quiver and glisten in the shadows from the arbor of leaves overhead
Abu'l-Qásim, the good old gardener who served the Blessed Perfection
during His lifetime, took us into the cottage where that Blessed One rested and
slept. Everything there is holy and sacred to His memory, His chair in the same
place He left it, and beautiful tributes of love placed about the room. We
knelt at the foot of the chair while one of the daughters chanted a prayer.
Then an Arab woman with tattoo marks upon her face served tea and mandarins
under the single mulberry tree near the cottage. We were indeed upon holy
ground.

AKKÁ

‘Akká is the home of exiles and prisoners of the Turkish Government. A
few merchants and bazaars comprise its present meager commerce, although in
former times it was an important market for Syrian products. It is the
residence of a governor and various officials. The inhabitants generally are
poor and wretched, evidences of poverty and squalor everywhere. Haifa has
absorbed the business vitality of ‘Akká. The city looks like a catacomb
with the roof lifted up, heavy walls, a labyrinth of passages, narrow streets,
and dark alleys leading in every direction. But the spiritual atmosphere which
surrounds us here is unmistakable and uplifting. Here in this unholy yet holy
place we have been taught that the Peace, Power, and Knowledge of God can only
be attained by severance from the things of earth and freedom from the
influences of transitory surroundings. ‘Akká is to us a gateway of
Heaven.

IN THE HOUSEHOLD

We looked again at the faces of the Blessed Perfection and the Báb in
the inner room. In the Blessed Perfection is the composite of all the Power
sand Love of the universe. The eyes seemed to scrutinize the very depths of my
soul. In that Face shines the greatness and majesty of all the Prophets and
Heavenly Messengers. It is the Face of a Manifestation of God. Mercy and Love
surround it like a halo. Its Beauty encircles the whole world.
The servants of the Household give their services willingly, so they may be
near ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. One of them is Sakínih Sultán, whose husband
was a martyr. It was her husband's mother who said, “What I have given to
God I will not take back,” throwing the head of her decapitated child at
her persecutors when they brought her the ghastly trophy. Sakínih
Sultán and her daughter both serve in the Household in love and devotion.
She said to me, “May the Light of God always descend upon you! May your
soul be a pure mirror always reflecting God! Pray for me!” She is indeed
a glorified soul, a conqueror through Love.
The ladies of the Household showed us how to cook the Persian pilau. They
gave us many gifts and presents, everything haloed with words of love.

AFTERNOON BEFORE THE FEAST

‘Abdu'l-Bahá came in to see us unexpectedly. He said, “I wish I
might he with you always, hut unfortunately other things claim My time and keep
Me sway from you. But My heart is filled with love and the thought of you. The
important thing is the heart, and that is yours. That heart may he united with
heart, Spirit with Spirit—this is the real life, the real existence. All
else is earthly and will pass away. But the Love which is of the Spirit will
live forever. I wish we might always be together. Tonight there will be a
Meeting of the believers here. At the table they will be gathered together from
all parts of the world. This is the reason of My happiness, seeing the East and
the West joined in the Kingdom of God. May all the believers in the world he so
joined until the whole world shall come under one rule and all nations be as
one family. This will surely come to pass.” Then turning to Mr. MacNutt,
He asked, “What do you say to this?” He answered, “What could
I say that would add to an already perfect wisdom!” ‘Abdu'l-Bahá
responded, “May we all be perfected in the Wisdom and Light of the
Blessed Perfection.” Again to Mr. MacNutt, “Will you speak?”
He answered, “It is a blessed privilege to listen. I am usually called
upon to speak, but I love to listen.” ‘Abdu'l-Bahá said, “May
you always listen, always hear, always speak with the power of the
Spirit.”

AT THE FEAST

Tonight we met ‘Abdu'l-Bahá and a large number of believers from all
parts of the East at the Feast, or Supper, under the shadow of the Blessed
Perfection. As we entered the large hall, ‘Abdu'l-Bahá greeted us,
extending both hands and bidding us, “Welcome! Welcome!” His face
aglow with light. Then He helped us to our seats and gave us our napkins. As
the believers came in, ‘Abdu'l-Bahá clasped each one in a loving embrace
and gave them their places at the table. Then He passed around the table
anointing each one with attar of rose, sometimes upon the cheek, again upon the
forehead, or over the heart. Some of the believers kissed His hand or touched
His garment in loving appreciation. As He walked about, He spoke beautiful
spiritual words: “This Meeting is through the Love of the Blessed
Perfection.” “In the sensibility of the heart is this
realization.” “God is Love!” “May spiritual fragrance
refresh thy soul as this perfume refreshes the nostrils.” “The
Beloved of God have gathered together to partake of material and spiritual
food.” “You are in prison here—My partners in
imprisonment—prisoners of love—God be praised!”
The food, pilau, made from Persian rice, was brought in, and
‘Abdu'l-Bahá served each one, again speaking heavenly words. “This
is the blessed supper of the Lord, for we have gathered under the shadow of the
Blessed Perfection.” “We are the lambs of the Blessed Perfection.
Jesus said to Peter, 'Lovest thou Me—feed My lambs.' Christ said, 'I am
the Living Bread which came down from Heaven; he who eats of this Bread shall
live forever.'” “The Heavenly Books prophesy that they shall come
from the East and the West to sit down in the Kingdom of God.” “In
the last day all the sheep shall be gathered together.” As He passed
around the table serving the brethren, He said to Taqí Manshádí,
who has a particularly dark face, “Eat plentifully dear brother; you are
pale with hunger.” Throughout the supper, which was very simple in its
character and appointment, ‘Abdu'l-Bahá was the Servant of the believers.
This was indeed a spiritual feast where Love reigned. The whole atmosphere was
Love, Joy, and Peace. Sometimes when American believers are not present at this
Feast, their places are left vacant in loving memory. After the rice and
oranges, Mírzá Asadu'lláh introduced Mr. MacNutt saying,
“He is one of our eloquent American brothers who has great power. God has
given him the power to attract souls to the Fountain of Life. His words are
like a magnet. In the midst of his work he has come to visit ‘Akká. We
have not been brought into this blessed brotherhood of the East and West
through miracles, but through the Word of the Manifestation of God
Bahá‘u'lláh. Through His Word the prophecy of Christ has been
fulfilled, that they should come from the East and the West to sit down at the
Table of the Lord. Jesus said that the coming of the Son of Man would be as the
flash of lightning from the East to the West. All the proofs are confirmed here
tonight.” Mr. MacNutt said, “My spiritual brothers in Al-Abhá!
The Persian language always seemed difficult to me until I visited the Holy
Household. Now I find it very easy to understand. For the Persian alphabet
contains but four letters, and the Persian language has only one word. These
letters are 'm,' 'h,' 'b,' and 't,' and the word is 'Mahabbat,' which
means 'love.' For 'Love' is the sum total of the Persian language as I hear it
spoken in ‘Akká. That is why I am able to understand and speak Persian so
quickly. The Blessed Perfection in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas recommended that the
nations of the earth should adopt one language. This was the outer language of
unity. At the same time He revealed the Divine Message of Unity in the inner
language of the Spirit. This inner language is understood by His children in
the East and the West. When the East and West meet in the Kingdom and commune
in this inner language, the putting together of mere words is an easy matter.
If men love each other, all the details of unity can be quickly settled upon.
Business would become a part of Religion and Commerce would be filled with the
Spirit of God if Love reigned in men's hearts. Religion underlies the laws of
nations. If we love each other, the Most Great Peace which
Bahá‘u'lláh promised will come in all hearts and so spread throughout
the world. Love is the foundation of all unity, for God Himself is Love. Races
will blend together when the will of man becomes the Will of God. The various
religious systems are coming closer together. Bahá‘u'lláh stands at
the meeting of their ways to God. In Him the Muhammadans are going forward to
meet their promised Imám Mihdí, the Christians to meet Christ, the
Jews their Messiah, and so on. When they meet Bahá‘u'lláh they meet
each other as at the top of a mountain. There they find unity because there
they find Him. There is the widest view, the heavenly horizon. No one but a
Manifestation of God can unify the religious systems of the world. No law, no
war, no power of kings could do this. The Kingdom is a real visible Kingdom, a
real Unity. This cannot be attained from books. It comes from the heart. In
these Bahá'í faces one can see the image of the Blessed Perfection.
He is here. I will take back this picture to the American believers. Their
spirits are here with us at this table of Love. The atmosphere is Love. The
soul of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá is among us; the glorified Spirit of the Blessed
Perfection looks down from the Supreme Concourse.
Alláh-u-Abhá!”
Mírzá Asadu'lláh said that the rice pudding we had for
dessert was the same kind which some Muhammadans believe Muhammad ate with God
when He visited Heaven. Asadu'lláh recalled the difficulty he experienced
in speaking through an interpreter when he visited America. After the speaking
was over, a Bahá'í from Persia chanted a Tablet. His voice vibrated
throughout the hall like the tones of a clear bell. This was indeed a spiritual
feast where Love reigned and Joy predominated.
The next morning we were with ‘Abdu'l-Bahá at breakfast.
“Greetings!” He said, “How are you?” in English. Then
He spoke of the feast, saying, “I have been taught the lesson of
servitude and sacrifice in these meetings where the believers come together in
spiritual joy and fragrance. My heart is touched with pity as I look upon the
discord and lack of unity among men. But when the people of God, the children
of the Kingdom, meet together, we find the true peace, the real Unity, and the
Love of God manifest.” Mrs. MacNutt mentioned the three progressive
spiritual steps—Obedience as Christ taught; Resignation as Muhammad
taught; and Renunciation as revealed by Bahá‘u'lláh.
‘Abdu'l-Bahá said, “I pray that you all may be assisted to attain
these stations in the Cause of God.” He continued, “The cause of My
happiness is meeting you here and seeing your faces filled with the Light of
God. I shall never forget the beautiful meeting last night. You must meet
together in this way in America. Be true, loyal servants of God. Arise to serve
His Cause. These are divine meetings, and the Bounties which surround the
Kingdom of Heaven will descend upon you. The same Spirit of Love and Life which
fills the Supreme Concourse will fill your meetings. This is a time of trouble
and testing to all the believers.” Then one of the daughters chanted a
Tablet most beautifully. The chant was rhythmic yet without form in the melody,
seeming to follow the words and adapt itself to their expression.

HEAVENLY SUSTENANCE

“God has favored us by bringing us together again at His Table. May
His Mercy and Bounty make night as day and make the Day everlasting! For night
and day are according to the motions of the earth, but, in relation to the sun,
day and night do not exist. To the sun, day is everlasting. If we could ascend
to its station in the heavens, there would be no night because there would be
no horizon. The earthly things have an existence, though they must perish. All
creatures have this same existence; all created things must die. The wise man
sees them as perished. But that which belongs to the Divine Kingdom of Heaven
is everlasting. The souls of those who are awake and mindful will take heed
unto this and turn to the Everlasting Kingdom before it is too late. The
outward and perishable is but the sign of the inward and imperishable. How many
celebrated people have come and gone since Christ lived! How many kings and
princes, famous men, and men considered wonderful for their learning have
arisen and passed away! No sign of them remains, no result, therefore no
existence. But those humble, meek, and unimportant men who partook of the Cup
of Christ's Teachings shine forever in the Spiritual Horizon, although they
were looked upon as having no knowledge. That which is of the Divine Kingdom is
everlasting; that which belongs to the kingdom of the world will fade away and
perish.”
“The Word of God is Love. It has gathered us together to partake of
material and spiritual food.” He then asked if we were
“happy.” Speaking to the servant of the Household He said,
“Why do you bring them food? They do not partake of it.” I
answered, “We are so filled with Heavenly Food that other food is not
necessary.” Then He continued, “Many of the people are heedless of
this Great Day. We are the blessed ones who Know and are acquainted with its
wonderful significances. Why are they sleeping while you have been awakened?
You have attained while they are deprived because they will not see. The reason
of this is mentioned in the Bible—'Many are called, but few are chosen.'
This is from the Bounty of God. His Mercy has descended upon us although we are
not worthy.”

FROM BADÍ‘ULLÁH

Badí‘ulláh came in during the afternoon. At first he seemed
somewhat self-conscious, but in a little while the Power came over him and the
Light shone in his face. Then he forgot self and spoke with fervor and
eloquence. His theme was “Love and Severance.” He said, “Cut
yourself from the perishable things of this world. There is a beautiful Persian
story which tells of the love of Majnún and Laylí. It is mentioned by
Bahá‘u'lláh in the Tablet of the 'seven Valleys.'[7] Majnún was seen searching everywhere for Laylí
after she had passed into the Spirit world. The lover, although he knew his
search was hopeless, continued to seek his beloved even by sifting sand through
his fingers, proving his devotion and worship. The story of this love teaches
us that there is a deep hidden wisdom in our trials and disappointments, for
they prove the quality of our love and devotion to God. Like Majnún, we
must seek Him everywhere, we must seek Him continually. While seeking for his
beloved one dark night, Majnún was seen and pursued by a patrol. Just as
he was about being taken prisoner, Majnún climbed over a high wall and
jumped down into a garden, falling at the feet of his beloved Laylí, who
happened to be searching with a candle for a lost ring. When he found himself
in her presence, he forgot his fears, offered a prayer of thanksgiving, and
asked God to bless the patrol ho had pursued him. So it is in our search for
God. At first everything seems difficult. Trials and oppositions beset us on
every side. But when we find Him, in our love and confidence, we thank Him for
all the difficulties and troubles we pass through. Our faith and peace have
been perfected by our search for Him; our enjoyment of His Love is so much
greater for the obstacles which have beset us on the way. The Prophets and
Messengers of God live their lives through storms of oppression and tempests of
hatred and suffering. They are despised and rejected, imprisoned, tortured, and
martyred. If they did not love God and know to what a Paradise of Love this
road of thorns was leading them, they could not go on to the end. The soul is
like gold which must be tried in the fire and in the crucible before it is
perfected and purified. In the crucible of His Love, all the base metal, all
the alloy is burned away and disappears, leaving only that which is precious
and proof against all tests. Outside the soul are innumerable barriers,
numberless enemies, and hostile pursuers. By the Mercy of God we have been
permitted to surmount these walls, escape from these pursuers, and fall at the
feet of our Beloved. Having found Him and His Love, we must be like our Beloved
and love one another, even blessing our enemies and those who have persecuted
us. All the Light and Love you have received in ‘Akká will illumine and
uplift other souls in America if you love them. In our actions we reveal what
the tongue cannot speak. This is like putting a candle in a dark place so that
the light may reach many eyes and guide many souls. The real light of the soul
shines forth to the world in our actions. The most important message for us to
deliver to the world is the message of Love. Through love we form
companionship, and by uniting in spiritual companionship we attain power. When
this magic circle of love, unity, and power is established, our influence
widens, and the number of our friends will increase. The reality of Love is to
love others better than we love ourselves, to excel one another in service. To
do this, all ill feeling must be taken out of the heart. We must remove ill
feeling entirely from our dispositions. The Blessed Perfection said in one of
His Tablets that if He knew He had been the cause of sadness to any soul during
the day, He could not sleep until all that sadness had been taken away by Love.
If this love and companionship do not exist, our meeting together in the Cause
of God is impossible and fruitless, for without Unity there is no
accomplishment. God has said, 'Because I loved thee, therefore I created
thee.'[8] The elements have been attracted toward
each other, coerced as it were through affinity for each other. Therefore, in
their mingling we witness growth and being. The existence of the physical and
mental Kingdom is through the cohesion of these atoms, and this makes the Life
of the Spiritual Kingdom possible. For the Spirit, although not of these atoms,
can only manifest Itself in the mental and physical, and it is by the Life of
the Spirit in us that the Eternal Life of God is transmitted to humanity. Why
do we Bahá'ís love one another? Because God wishes us to love the
creatures of God so that His Purpose may be accomplished in them and in us.
Then we are the lover, and humanity is the beloved. Majnún and Laylí
could not be mated because they belonged to opposite and hostile tribes, just
as Romeo and Juliet came from different families which bitterly hated each
other. Finally, the love of Majnún grew so strong that he wandered away
into the wilderness where a dog crossed his path. Weeping, he stopped and
caressed the creature, for it had once belonged to Laylí. If the earthly
love was so strong in Majnún, how much stronger should our spiritual love
be for each other! In everything we must strive to find God. Our love for
‘Abdu'l-Bahá must bring peace, harmony, and goodwill everywhere among
ourselves. The foundation of all existence is Love, and the foundation of Love
is God. What would there be in this world without love? The Blessed Perfection
said, 'The reason I have suffered all these tribulations is that Love should be
established among the friends of God.' They asked Majnún, 'Why do you love
the earth?' 'Because it is dark like Laylí,' he replied. The lover of an
earthly beloved is most unhappy and yet most interesting to us simply because
he loves. In the 'seven Valleys' the Blessed Perfection shows that some lovers
of God must slowly traverse all seven stages of the road toward the Eternal
Beloved, while others attain in one bound, in one step. Love is the true self
of the soul, for God Himself is Love.”[9]
“The sign of a true lover is that his heart must be in perfect accord
with his actions, or rather that his actions must speak the secrets of his
heart. Events show that Muhammad-‘Alí has followed his own will and not
the Will of the Blessed Perfection. A true seeker must seek for the Reality.
May the Power of God grow so strong within you that the world will become
aflame with your words and all the people be enkindled with the Fire of the
Love of God. What the Blessed Perfection has desired and announced will surely
come to pass. When Love is established in human hearts, war will cease and
swords be made into plowshares. Then will Peace reign over all nations and
kingdoms.”
Question asked Badí‘ulláh: “Was there communication between
the Báb and Bahá‘u'lláh?” He answered, “Before the
Báb was martyred, He directed that a large box of books and writings be
sent to Bahá‘u'lláh. This was less than a year before His death. At
the age of twenty-five He declared Himself to be the 'Door' or 'Gate' to 'He
Whom God will make manifest.' He announced Himself to be the Mediator between
this Promised One and the people of the world. It is said that for a short time
They were together, but this statement is without authority. I never heard
Bahá‘u'lláh say that He had seen the Báb. It is not historically
established that They met, but the sending of the box is a fact of history.
There were many writings of the Báb in this box; treatises upon the
Qur'án, etc.; also a paper entitled 'Conjugations in the Name of
Abhá' in which Bahá‘u'lláh is mentioned cabalistically and
otherwise three hundred and sixty times. The purpose of this was to announce
the 'Hidden One,' the 'Manifest One,' to the people and prepare them for His
Appearance. 'Bahá' means 'Glorious Light' or 'Effulgent Splendor.' The
Báb knew this was to be His Name when He appeared. He also knew and
announced the year of the Manifestation of Bahá‘u'lláh, who first
declared Himself near Baghdád. Thereupon the Name Bahá‘u'lláh
descended upon Him.”

FROM THE MOTHER OF THE HOUSEHOLD

She said, “I regret indeed that I cannot speak your language. You also
feel your need of Persian. Persian is most important in this Day as it is the
language of the Word. We will understand each other perfectly in the spiritual
world. A tradition of Muhammad says, 'Blessed is the one who sleeps one night
in ‘Akká.' He also said, 'They who rest in ‘Akká shall be honored
even though they know it not.' Again, 'Blessed is the one who has seen the One
who is in ‘Akká.' The eyes of the Muhammadans in ‘Akká are
spiritually closed.”
Then she read to us in Persian from the Tablet of
“Ishráqát.”[10] She
continued, “The House of Justice will be established. Men will watch over
this House day and night. The people will come to it for protection. They must
obey its laws and be attentive to its commands. It will be the Sun of Wisdom,
which will distribute Light to the politics of the whole world. The people of
wealth, honor, and power must turn to Religion as the evident Light and firm
fortress of humanity. Our duty is to be kind to everybody and avoid wrongdoing.
The Light of the world is Religion; without it we live in darkness. The Blessed
Perfection commanded all the people of the world to establish Peace. The kings
of the world must unite. They are the dawning-places and rising-places of the
Will of God. To assist them we must strive to obey the Laws of God. The Wisdom
of God is revealed in two Lights, the 'sun' and the 'Moon,' just as in the
material world. One, the 'Moon' is the consolation or the mercy to the world.
The other, the 'sun,' is the foundation upon which the world must build. What
shall be our reward and punishment?—we ask. The victorious armies of God
are made up of good deeds and actions. These are the soldiers of His Army. The
Commander of the Army is Righteousness and Guidance toward God the True Helper.
The King must know his subjects and reward or punish them according to their
merits, so those who are dishonest servants may not receive what the good are
rightly entitled to. So it is with those who come to ‘Akká.”
“When the Blessed Perfection was six years of age, He had a vision. He
saw Himself fall into the sea. In the water His long hair became shining like
the sun and spread out around Him like a golden net. All the fishes, large and
small, came swimming toward Him, holding to the strands of His hair. The fishes
came closer and closer, following Him as He swam through the waters, which were
shining like the sun. The fishes were countless in number. When He awoke, He
told His vision to His father who was an important man of Persia. His father
consulted a wise man named ‘Abdu'l-Karím who interpreted visions for the
kings. ‘Abdu'l-Karím said, 'Your son will be a great man. The water is
Knowledge, and the fishes swimming about Him are the people of all nations who
will come to be taught by His Wisdom. He will be forced away and separated from
earthly things and will reflect the Light of the Word of God.'”
“Give the Message whenever you are called, even if it be in China.
‘Abdu'l-Bahá has often prayed that His conditions might become more severe
in order that His strength to meet them might be increased. This blessing has
always followed His prayer. In prayer we must seek for strength to meet
conditions.”
“The garment with which God will clothe you when you teach will be an
armor of protection against all assault. The teachers in this Cause will be as
planets in the heavens, illuminating the great world of the West. Teaching is
the crown of action. This was the Crown Jesus bestowed upon His disciples. The
Blessed Perfection said, 'When the Sun of My Beauty has set, be not disturbed
nor troubled, for I will see you from the Highest Horizon and help those who
arise in My Cause.'”
“All existence is in conformity with Divine Law. This Law is and must
be universal. It is a natural order and there can be no deviation in its
action. Man must conform to Divine Law. That which is at variance with the
Truth and Reality of God cannot stand against the action of Divine Will or Law.
The Law of God which punishes and destroys is at the same time Eternal Life to
those who obey It.”
“It is necessary for the soul to prove the Message and reach a station
of belief through its own power of judgment. Few can see at once. When the soul
is firm and steadfast in its Faith, it instantly reflects the Light. Are many
firm in America? Even the greatest are sometimes weak, Peter for
instance.”
“The Báb was a supremely holy soul. He went to school at the age
of six. His teacher confessed that he could not teach Him—saying, 'He
knows more than I do.' This same teacher was one of the Báb's most devoted
followers and was afterward martyred.”

TALKS FROM MÍRZÁ ASADU'LLÁH

“Persian is the language of the Word because Bahá‘u'lláh
revealed Himself in it. God be praised that you have come to ‘Akká! Mr. M.
is a teacher. It is well that he has come to ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. As a pupil he
should come to learn how ‘Abdu'l-Bahá teaches. This Revelation is like
beautiful writing which the teacher sets forth as an example for the devoted
pupils to copy. It is from God. All who teach must come to learn in order that
they may give forth Truth to others. Christ's Teachings came forth after His
Ascension. He was the example. By washing the feet of His disciples, He taught
them the lesson of Servitude and Love. He set forth His qualities, and they
followed Him. Every day of your stay in ‘Akká will be as a year. This will
be evident to you after you have returned to America.' Here
Asadu'lláh remained silent, not speaking for a long time. Then we asked
him to talk. He said, ‘It is not difficult for me to talk; that is my
work. Why is it so? Because I look upon the universe for my knowledge, whereas
the teachings of science and philosophy are from books, and books are faulty.
The whole world is my book. Therefore, it is no trouble for me to talk, for I
simply speak of what I see in this great volume. It would tire my eyes to read
the books of science, weary my brain to repeat and remember all they say. When
I read the Book of the Universe, I read the essence of all books. All the
prophets of God read this Book and were taught in this way. Those who love true
knowledge know in this manner. When a Prophet appeared bringing a new Message
of Truth, He was considered crazy. The Prophets are able to speak from
different standpoints because their knowledge is from God and not from books.
Where are the books of men? They perish and are destroyed. The Book of God is
everlasting, imperishable. Messages from God are as points of beginning. They
are Sources of Light and Knowledge.”
“In the Persian alphabet you will find points or dots which change and
form the letters. These letters form words, the words make sentences, and the
sentences express thoughts. For instance, beginning with the letter ‘Alif' or
‘A'; then ‘Alif Bay' or ‘Ab'; and so on by addition of other letters and words
until the meaning is conveyed. In the first point, in Alif, the meaning was
hidden, waiting to be revealed. This meaning was not penned until the book and
its sentences were formed with Alif as a source or first point. So it is with
the seed and flower. The flower is in the seed and comes from it at maturity.
Thus words gather together, make a chapter, and the chapters form a book. The
Prophets from the Point of Oneness with God composed a Holy Book. The world is
a book. It proceeds from the Point of Oneness. The Báb said, 'I am the
point of the Book of the World.'”
“All things are good if we see aright. A flower is beautiful; we
desire to smell it and possess it. When we see something ugly, we wish to get
away from it. Once we possess something good, it is always beautiful.
Therefore, Truth and Righteousness are forever beautiful. The Prophets came
into the world as living examples so the people might acquire their good
qualities and perfections. The Ridván is not in its full beauty at this
season of the year; but when its flowers are in bloom, when you breathe their
many and varied fragrances which fill the air in summer, when you look upon
their lovely, glorious faces—you are made happy—all your senses are
delighted. Your nostrils are saluted by the heavenly odors, your eyes are
greeted by matchless colors, you taste delicious fruits, you hear the sweet
song of the birds. All this beauty is for your benefit, intended to make you
happy. Then why not praise God for the beauty of the garden in which everything
praises God! But if you go to another place which does not contain these
beauties, you wish to hurry away immediately, for instance, a swamp infested
with gnats and mosquitoes. This is only natural. Thus it is with the people of
God who show forth the Beauty and Graces of God in their attitude toward
humanity. We long to be with them. We love the beauty of their good qualities.
They refresh our spiritual senses. We are filled with their beauty. They are
the flowers and fruits in the Garden of Abhá, Ridván of the Blessed
Perfection.”
“Now I will tell you something about an orange. It will encourage you
as a teacher in this Truth. For each one you teach will be the means of leading
twenty others into the same pure Light. Out of one seed, by planting, you may
produce one thousand oranges, the outcome increasing in greater and greater
proportion. So it is with the Word of God. A teacher drops a seed. The one he
teaches another, and in the end the outcome of your planting will be one
thousand believers. If this increase is certain in the vegetable kingdom, how
much higher and greater the result in the kingdom of men!”
“Just as the description of ‘Akká by one who has lived here is
different from your own impressions as you drive through these streets and
actually see for yourself, so it is with the real disciples of
‘Abdu'l-Bahá. Without knowing the question asked Him, I gather from what
He says the attitude of the seeker. His words cover every phase of a question.
A perfect discourse must meet and fill everybody's requirements. To teach
aright one must wander through the wilderness of human ideas as I have done.
Then you will learn the secret of teaching by meeting all sorts of people and
discussing and answering every kind of question. No one loves to teach more
than I do with my own tongue. But the Truth and Reality of Interpretation must
be given according to the form of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá's Teaching. The one desire
of a teacher should be to reflect the Truth as a mirror. On the face of the
listener, the teacher should see what is needed and desired so that he may give
forth that which will confirm, strengthen, and develop the one taught. That is
to say, there is a key of knowledge which will unlock any door and enable us to
enter with the Message of Truth. This may sound difficult, but it is easy to
prove if you possess it. You must lead the seeker into the right road, then
progress is straight ahead. In Chicago I taught many ladies. I will now give
you a beautiful lesson, for you are a comparatively new believer, a new child
in the Kingdom of Al-Abhá. Human hearts are like mirrors, and their Light
is the Knowledge of God. If the Light should be dim, the mirror cannot reflect
the Knowledge of God. But the Light of God is never dim. We can always depend
upon its standard purity and power. Depend upon the Light, and it will always
increase in power and illumination for you. The great need is to keep the
mirror polished and clean and its face always turned toward the Light. When the
mirror is pure, you will have perfect knowledge, full power, and true Light.
The more Faith one has in the heart, the more the mirror is kept turned toward
God and the more fixed the soul becomes upon God. The greater the firmness, the
greater the understanding. Then the greater the Peace, and so on. If you do not
grow after you see the Light shining from your words, it is your own neglect
and failure. The Spirit of man is the cradle of the Lord. In it there comes the
new birth, the new being which is to live forever. If you teach but a few
souls, you have attained to spiritual greatness. From each one you will gain a
hundred spiritual children. You are in the Kingdom. Gratitude and love will
guide them to you. You will be like a lamp. The souls you have illumed have
been lighted from your flame. You will be the focus of the rays, the center
from which they come. Christ taught Peter. Peter planted the seed, and a
thousand souls arose in the Kingdom of Christ. The Blessed Perfection would
teach one soul, and from that one a multitude would be raised up. When the
heart is pure, it will be guided and directed in the Truth, and power to teach
will be given to you.”
“Sometimes in America I had no one to translate for me. To speak in
the language of Love we must have an instrument through which that Love may
manifest itself. Love lives in the heart, even if one tries to hide it and is
unwilling to speak it forth. Love in the heart becomes evident and speaks in
our actions. For instance, suppose I have a strong desire to perform some
action. Can I do it without the hand to carry out my desire? It is through
actions that qualities and attributes express themselves. The rose is revealed
through its color, perfume, and outer beauty. Knowledge is our greatest
possession, but we cannot give it to others without speech or writing. If we do
not express it in this way, it remains hidden and unrevealed. Take for instance
a quality like mercy or generosity. If we do not use the tongue and bring forth
these attributes, they are hidden, concealed. Therefore, all the human and
divine qualities become visible through the powers God has given to man and
through the Powers God Himself possesses. The tongue, the eyes, the ears are
necessary to perfect man and enable him to express Reality. God created man
with the intention that man should perfect his powers. If we did not possess
these qualities and the powers to express them, we could not reflect the Work
of God. God has said through His Manifestation, 'I have created man, and
through man My likeness is revealed.' Man can, therefore, attain a very high
station by reflecting the attributes of God. This power of expression is the
Spirit.”
“Independence is man's greatest gift. The knowledge of good and evil
makes us responsible. Otherwise, we would be as the angels who are the
messengers of Divine Purpose. So it came to pass that man was made of the dust
and from the earth he should appear and be developed into a high station. This
is reflected everywhere in creation. The eyes, ears, all the body of man
evidence this high purpose.”
“A child's knowledge does not depend upon the size of a child but upon
the capacity of its mind. A mountain is very large, but it does not possess
understanding. A bird is small by comparison, but it has life and the power of
flight which the mountain has not. Do not look at your own inability and
shortcomings when you wish to teach this Truth. Look at the Power and Bounty of
God, which are limitless. When man looks at himself, the view is hopeless
because he sees no ability and capacity in himself alone. But when he looks at
the Bounty of God, he is encouraged, strengthened, and feels that nothing is
too great for his accomplishment. The birds which fly above Mount Carmel can
reach the upper regions of the atmosphere, inhale the breezes of life, and view
the beauty which the creatures below cannot enjoy. These are the relative
positions of the Manifestations of God and humanity. All the fields of the
earth with their grains and seeds are for the sustenance of the bird, wherein
he gains his food without sowing or planting. These things are provided by God.
In the same way man has reasonable sustenance and plea sure, for God's Bounties
of Love are in man. God wishes that man should enjoy these Bounties, but while
doing so, fly into the upper regions of the Spirit. There is one Standard, One
Who is perfect, One, the Manifestation of God. He is infallible; others are
not. Absolute obedience to Him is necessary. The Judgment of God is His
Manifestation. The soul must be as a perfect reed so that the Breath of the
Spirit may blow through it pure and free. Truth is like a lake of pure, living
water. Our thirst for it should be conscious of nothing but that water. The
greatness of a man depends upon his soul development, upon his drinking from
the Waters of Truth. The Manifestation, the Blessed Perfection is a lake. He is
Truth.”
“The earth said to the sea, 'I am more excellent than you!' The sea
replied, 'In what respect art thou more excellent?' The earth answered,
'Because the Blessed Perfection lived and walked upon me!' Who can understand
this? None but those in whom the Eye of the Spirit is opened. In a Tablet,
Bahá‘u'lláh says that He understood the language of the waves, trees,
birds, and all living things. How much happier are we who understand the
Blessed Perfection than those who do not. He knew the Secrets of all living
things, looked within their mysteries and perfections. In the Day of the
Resurrection all of the prophets speak, and this is the language of the Spirit.
Only those who are awakened by the Divine Trumpet can hear and understand. To
those who are not awakened there is no Resurrection. When we go to sleep, we
close our windows and lapse into unconsciousness. The morning brings a new day.
We awaken, return to consciousness, and open our windows. Then the light and
illumination enter. When a man is really asleep and his soul inactive, we may
say the tenant of the house is not occupying the house and that the soul is not
living there. But an active soul is awake and occupying its house. The Universe
is a vast House, and He Who lives in it is God. Before the Appearance of the
Blessed Perfection it was as if the Owner of the Universe was asleep. When
Bahá‘u'lláh came, He opened the windows of the Universal Spirit; a
New Day dawned, and Light poured down upon us from Heaven. All things reflected
this New Light of the Morning. Arts, Sciences, and all human intelligence was
filled with new illumination. The power of the Sun produced new Life
everywhere. The earth thus awakened was vivified and filled with new energy.
This is the Light which appears in the human lamp at the time of the Coming of
a Manifestation. Progress, development, and civilization must inevitably
follow, just as all mankind receives benefit from a new invention or discovery.
That is to say all the world awakened when He awakes. When a man is asleep,
They awake with him. Many people of the world have been awakened by the New
Daylight, but they do not know from whence it came, nor can they tell you what
they are in search of. They simply know that a Light has come and disturbed
their slumber. So they are filled with uncertainty and unhappiness while
seeking. When they meet the Light of the New Day of God, it is like a man
having thoughts and hearing statements he does not understand the meaning of.
You from America have been awakened by the New Day; you have heard the Call of
God. You are alive and the Spirit vibrates within you. To give you a more
homely illustration: When dinner is served, all in the house will gather in one
room to partake of and enjoy the food. A bell is rung to summon us. The Voice
of Bahá‘u'lláh is a Bell in the center of the Universe, sounding the
Divine Call to the Heavenly Table where the Feast is spread. Knowledge of these
things is like collecting precious stones. After you have secured them, do not
throw them away but preserve them in your Heavenly Crown.”
“Do the Manifestations retain their individuality in the next
world?”
“Man is composed of three elemental conditions—the physical, the
mental or rational, and the spiritual or potential. The physical begins and
ends here, the mental or rational begins here, and in our true development has
no ending. The Spiritual or potential depends upon our will to know God. When
we become quickened with the Knowledge of the Will of God, we can say we have
always existed and will never cease to exist because His Will is from
everlasting to everlasting. These three conditions of man are from the Bounty
of God and His Gift. All Life is from the Word, which is from the Manifestation
of His Will. Spirit is born and unifies with Spirit by the power of the Word.
Spirit is the perfected man and is eternal. The Manifestations are Spirit.
Christ is in Moses. All the Manifestations have their own mental identity; but
all are one in the Spiritual. Therefore, as the mental in man's true
development has no ending, and as the Spiritual which is the Will of God is
eternal, the identity of the Manifestations must continue in the Supreme
Horizon. They exist in their own stations forever and eternal.”
“The Blessed Perfection may be likened to a Lamp which illuminates the
Universe. For instance, suppose three people are in a room, each seeking an
answer to a different question. Although these questions involve different
points, the Light of the Blessed Perfection will illumine all of them and
reveal the answers. So from Him we enjoy the fruit which ripens and grows
because the rain has come down upon the earth. Therefore, we see by the Light
which shines from the Mirror of the Blessed Perfection. He reflects the Light
to the soul, and the soul forthwith has vision. Through Him also we grow to
understand each other and to know what is in the minds around us. All souls
have some oil which will produce illumination. All souls will bear fruit. We
must strive to understand them and recognize what they possess. By studying the
Word of God and teaching it, we will develop this power of penetrating other
souls. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá does not ask questions. Each of us in His presence may
have a different thought or idea upon the subject He is explaining, but before
He finishes, all our ideas will be met, all our questions answered. When a soul
displays evil qualities, we are depressed, disappointed, and wish to turn away
immediately. On the other hand, we seek to associate with one who manifests
good qualities. The Coming of the Blessed Perfection was to teach us to absorb
His knowledge and show forth His Bounty, in order that we may be joined
together in Unity and Love by becoming like Him. His Word is Unity. His
Perfection is Oneness. This is our goal. This is our standard of perfect
attainment. The Blessed Perfection revealed a Tablet in which it is said, ‘A
wicked man asked, ‘What is Paradise?' We answered, ‘Paradise
is where I live; Hell is where you abide amid disease and horror.' 'The
effect of a Manifestation is to drive out all that is evil in the soul and
replace the natural growth of virtues, just as Jesus went about casting out
devils. An evil soul is like a stony field in which the seeds of beautiful
flowers have been planted but no growth has followed. God created man perfect
in powers and possibilities. Therefore, by reflecting the good qualities of God
the soul will witness this heavenly growth in itself and find rest and peace in
the knowledge of His Will concerning us. A good man manifests the qualities of
Heaven, a bad man those of Hell. Heaven is upon the earth because these good
qualities are witnessed here and now in our lives, Heaven is not above us
overhead. The condition of perfect happiness is found when we are beside
‘Abdu'l-Bahá. There you are in Heaven. When the heart is pure you cannot
help being happy. A good soul is like a beautiful rose. Not only do you enjoy
its beauty but inhale its fragrance and are delighted with every good quality
it manifests.”
“In each Word of God there are many meanings, many interpretations.
These interpretations vary according to the spiritual vision of the teacher.
The interpretation of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá is always the greatest and most
complete. Why? Because His Knowledge has descended from the Invisible Source of
Knowledge, and the Holy Spirit is speaking through Him. Therefore, He has all
the meanings. When a teacher wishes to explain the Word of God, he does not
confine himself to one kind of demonstration but uses many according to the
capacity of the listener. The interpretation of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá is always the
true form and the best example to follow. He often gives us a spiritual meaning
and then follows with a material one showing the harmony which exists in the
application of the Truth of God. For instance, we go into a factory. One goes
this way, and another that way among the machinery, and when we come out we
have various explanations and viewpoints to describe what we have seen.
Again—for instance, in the seed, there are many potentialities hidden,
and we may speak of whichever one we please. The rain and sunshine produce many
beautiful colors and fragrances in the flowers. So the Teachings of God and the
Love of God produce spiritual flowers of all kinds within us according to our
potentialities. The eye sees the rose; the nose smells its fragrance. There are
many ways of sensing the same object. Similarly, we can spiritually enjoy the
beauty and fragrance of the heavenly growth in our own souls and in the souls
of others. The senses act in harmony, all wishing to express to us in their own
way and language the beauty of the rose. Everything has speech; everything has
a language of eloquence and expression. I come into your room. You greet me by
word and look. I read the same greeting in this vase of flowers upon your
table. My ears listen to the greeting, my eyes witness it, my nose inhales it.
The tongue explains. The real speaker is the tongue. For when I enter the room,
I have something beautiful to tell you—something the ears never listened
to before. Man is the real tongue of the universe, intended by the Creator to
express God and set forth His Beauty and Love. The Blessed Perfection embodied
all the language of existence. All the Knowledge was poured into that one Cup
from which ‘Abdu'l-Bahá drank. The Prophets of God had veiled this
Knowledge, sealed the Wine of Inner Significances. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá drained
this Cup. We must drink from His Teachings. The Blessed Perfection said that
the ocean spoke in its own language, saying, 'O God! O God! My Beloved!' The
Blessed Perfection understood the language of the ocean. He heard heaven and
earth telling the Glory of God. To know as He knew we must understand this
Language of the Spirit. The Prophets, knowing it, were able to speak to all
people in their own language, no matter if Jews, Muhammadans, or
Christians.”
Mírzá Asadu'lláh came to see us again in the afternoon. We
mentioned the red anemone which carpets the mountains and fields of Palestine
at this season of the year. He said, ‘Little by little the flowers will
be coming. The red anemone, called 'shaqáyiq' and pronounced 'shaqa-yeq'
by the Persians, is the forerunner of spring. The Lebanons east of Akká,
where the Blessed Perfection frequently walked, are covered with these
beautiful, crimson-hearted flowers.”
“The more you see of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá, the more you will realize the
inexhaustible fountain of Knowledge within Him. He is the 'Bazaar' of God,
where everything humanity needs may be found without money and without price.
In Him there is always something new to learn and possess, always some new
thought in His words and explanations. What you receive from Him is measured by
your capacity. The possessions of God are limitless, whereas man's possessions
are limited even though they be vast and many in number. So man must always
fall back upon human treasures which are old and mostly worn out. Creation
never repeats itself. Truth is one, yet its expressions are innumerable; and no
two things are alike in the Kingdom of God. The Prophets are representations or
Manifestations of Truth. Truth is fixed, unalterable, whereas everything human
is changing and unstable. From death to life and from life to death, man comes,
man goes, never fixed, never permanent. Human life is a point in a circle. If
you whirl a burning stick around, it makes a circle of fire. Man is a point in
the circle of life. He always comes back to the starting point in a process
which is perpetual. Every day he is born anew; every day he dies. The past
never returns. The future comes toward us inevitably. Childhood cannot
continue; youth cannot be ours again. The Law of Time is inexorable. With God
there is but One Reality. There is but One Primal Truth. Teachings may differ,
but the meaning remains fixed, everlasting. The Prophets renew the Word of God,
which has been defiled by human interpretation. God has a new splendor every
day. We see evidence of this in ‘Abdu'l-Bahá. No one can understand the
real Essence of Truth. When we look at a rose, we can understand its form and
color but cannot penetrate the Essence of Truth which lies back of its
creation. Who can surround and know God? This is a proof that the Prophets
cannot be known in their fullness and completeness, for they come to express
God to us. How can a human mind encircle God and His Knowledge? When we look
into a mirror, we see only a part or representation of the Reality Itself. The
Blessed Perfection has often said in His Tablets that no matter how high the
mind may soar it cannot comprehend God. That which is in a lower station cannot
understand the station above it. For instance, the vegetable kingdom cannot
comprehend the station of the animal; the animal cannot know man; and so on.
Man progresses perpetually toward the Kingdom of Spirit, which is God and which
is everlasting. Therefore, as the human mind cannot encircle a Kingdom which is
everlasting, we cannot completely know the Prophets who appear from that
Kingdom. They have infinite Knowledge, for like the tides of the sea there is
limitless volume and force back of them. Therefore, we recognize the
Manifestations by their perfections and Divine qualities, but we cannot know
them unless we rise to their Station.”
“All human accomplishment is mortal; the Divine Will alone is
immortal. Man is composed of a mortal body and an indestructible Spirit. Good
qualities are Divine perfections reflected in man. The Prophets come to this
world to show us the way to Immortality. Good qualities evidence their light;
bad qualities are as darkness. When man feels the Divine Spark within him,
these godly graces appear as light in his actions. God is eternal.
‘Abdu'l-Bahá's Teachings aim to develop these heavenly qualities in us so
that we may become eternal and immortal. The soil of the soul must be made
ready for the seed and its development; then the fruit appears. As the seed
increases tenfold, so both good and bad qualities bring forth a corresponding
increase. The Reality of Spirit cannot be completely understood. We can simply
know It through Its attributes and good qualities.”
“The Prophets each had an individual mode of expression. In the outer
language of their teaching we must understand their terminology in order to
comprehend their utterance. Moses had His characteristic mode of expression;
Jesus spoke in parables; Muhammad spoke as if God were speaking. The Prophets
are like clouds; the Word of God in them is the rain which brings forth fruit
from a parched and thirsty world. All the Prophets are alike in essence and
meaning, and all of them are the children of the Blessed Perfection.”

THREE STORIES TOLD BY ‘ABDU'L-BAHÁ

“The disciples of Jesus, passing along the road and seeing a dead dog,
remarked how offensive and disgusting a spectacle it was. Then Christ turning
to them said, 'Yes, but see how white and beautiful are his teeth'—thus
teaching that there is some good in everything.”
“A master had a slave who was completely devoted to him. One day he
gave the slave a melon which when cut open looked most ripe and delicious. The
slave ate one piece, then another and another with great relish (the day being
warm) until nearly the whole melon had disappeared. The master, picking up the
last slice, tasted it, and found it exceedingly bitter and unpalatable. 'Why it
is very bitter! Did you not find it so?' he asked the servant. 'Yes, my
master,' the slave replied, 'it was bitter and unpleasant, but I have tasted so
much sweetness from thy hand that one bitter melon was not worth
mentioning.'”
“A certain king had a subject who, having by a heroic action rescued
the king from a great peril, was raised to a position of honor in the royal
court. Here he continued to please the king and finally came to occupy an
apartment in the palace close to the imperial chambers. The other courtiers of
the king naturally became very jealous and lost no opportunity of carrying
tales to the king, seeking to lower his opinion of the fortunate subject. One
day they reported to the king that this man was unfaithful and dishonorable,
that each night after everything was quiet in the palace, it was his custom to
go stealthily to a room in a remote corner of the palace carrying a bundle of
stolen valuables, which he hid there. The curiosity of the king was aroused. He
watched and found the report true. Thereupon, he summoned his retinue and next
evening, when the subject had gone to the room as usual, the king quickly
followed, knocked upon the door, and demanded entrance. When the door opened,
nothing was seen in the room but a dilapidated bed, some old clothes, and the
suspected servant. 'What does this mean?' demanded the king. 'Why do you come
here like a thief every night, and what do you bring in the bundle you carry?'
'O King!' replied the subject, 'thou hast blessed me with every gift and
kindness, far more indeed than I can ever deserve. By thee I have been raised
from poverty and lowliness to greatness and honor. Knowing this and fearing I
may grow negligent and fail to appreciate thy bounty and love, I come here each
night to pray God that I shall ever remain grateful to thee for thy goodness,
bringing with me my old peasant clothes, which I put on, and then sleep in the
humble bed in which I slept when thy love and mercy first lifted me up from my
lowly state. Thus am I taught gratitude and appreciation of thy loving
kindness.”

‘ABDU'L-BAHÁ'S LAST WORDS

‘Abdu'l-Bahá sent for me. I went to Him in the little room where He
writes. He said, “Be strong! Be firm! You are not leaving Me; it is only
your body that is going away. Your spirit will always be here. I shall always
see you. There is work for you to do in the West. You must teach your husband
the Way to God. Then you will both grow spiritually and be one in His Kingdom.
I hope you may come again to ‘Akká and remain with Me a long time. You
will always be here in the spirit. Think of this wherever you are, and
happiness will come to you.” I held His hand a long time, asking that I
might receive Light and Guidance.

ALLAH-U-ABHÁ!

NOTES

‘Abdu'l-Bahá is referring to the Russo-Japanese War,
1904-05.—ED.

Abu'l-Fazl, The Bahá'í Proofs: Also A Short Sketch of the
History and Lives of the Leaders of This Religion, trans.
Ishtael-ebn-Kalenter (New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee,
1929).—ED.

Bahá‘u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Iqán: The Book of
Certitude, trans. Shoghi Effendi, 3d ed. (Wilmette, Ill.: Bahá'í
Publishing Trust, 1974)—ED.

Becheveh may be Bíchárih, which means poor.

See Bahá‘u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá‘u'lláh: Revealed
after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, comp. Research Department of The Universal
House of Justice, trans. Habíb Taherzadeh and Committee at
Bahá'í World Centre (Haifa: Bahá'í World
Centre,1978).—ED.

See Bahá‘u'lláh, A Synopsis and Codification of The
Kitáb-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book of Bahá‘u'lláh, [comp. The
Universal House of Justice], (Haifa: Bahá'í World Centre,
1973).—ED.

See Bahá‘u'lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys,
trans. Ali-Kuli Khan and Marzieh Gail, 3d rev. ed. (Wilmette, Ill.:
Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1978), p. 6.—ED.

See Bahá‘u'lláh, The Hidden Words of
Bahá‘u'lláh, trans. Shoghi Effendi (Wilmette, Ill.:
Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1939), p. 4.—ED.

See Bahá‘u'lláh, Seven Valleys, pp. 40-41.—ED.

See Bahá‘u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá‘u'lláh, pp.
99-134.—ED.

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Inventory #
TDLA.005 [ABU3203], TDLA.005 [ABU3369], TDLA.005 [ABU3529], TDLA.005 [ABU3601], TDLA.005 [ABU3609], TDLA.005-006 [ABU2905], TDLA.006 [ABU3262], TDLA.006 [ABU3576], TDLA.006 [ABU3596], TDLA.006 [ABU3610], TDLA.006-007 [ABU3548], TDLA.007 [ABU3026], TDLA.007 [ABU3364], TDLA.007-008 [ABU2916], TDLA.008 [ABU2267], TDLA.008 [ABU3082], TDLA.008-009 [ABU3261], TDLA.009 [ABU3181], TDLA.009 [ABU3225], TDLA.009 [ABU3372], TDLA.009 [ABU3486], TDLA.009-010 [ABU2646], TDLA.010 [ABU2880], TDLA.010 [ABU3184], TDLA.010 [ABU3499], TDLA.011 [ABU2396], TDLA.011 [ABU3404], TDLA.011-012 [ABU2642], TDLA.012 [ABU3202], TDLA.012 [ABU3384], TDLA.012-013 [ABU1854], TDLA.013 [ABU3538], TDLA.013 [ABU3597], TDLA.013-014 [ABU1867], TDLA.014 [ABU2368], TDLA.014 [ABU3617], TDLA.014 [ABU3618], TDLA.014 [ABU3644], TDLA.014-015 [ABU3509], TDLA.015 [ABU3054], TDLA.015 [ABU3090], TDLA.015 [ABU3215], TDLA.016 [ABU2877], TDLA.016 [ABU3500], TDLA.016 [ABU3528], TDLA.016-017 [ABU1629], TDLA.017-018 [ABU1469], TDLA.018 [ABU3334], TDLA.020 [ABU2911], TDLA.020-021 [ABU1872], TDLA.022-024 [ABU0744], TDLA.025-026 [ABU1142], TDLA.027-028 [ABU1278], TDLA.029-031 [ABU0468], TDLA.031-037 [ABU0107], TDLA.038-039 [ABU1696], TDLA.039 [ABU2510], TDLA.039 [ABU2917], TDLA.040 [ABU2095], TDLA.041-044 [ABU0321], TDLA.045 [ABU1773], TDLA.046-047 [ABU1627], TDLA.048-051 [ABU0433], TDLA.052-054 [ABU0537], TDLA.055-056 [ABU1699], TDLA.057-058 [ABU1273], TDLA.059-060 [ABU1000], TDLA.061-063 [ABU0466], TDLA.077-078 [ABU1183], TDLA.103 [ABU1346], TDLA.103 [ABU2683], TDLA.103 [ABU3335]
Language
English
Permission
public domain
History
Typed 1999 by Guilda Mickelson; Formatted 2011-06-08 by Jonah Winters; Proofread 1999 by Michelle Reid.
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Shortlink: bahai-library.com/254
Citation: ris/254

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