O G.o.d who art without likeness!
The servant of Thy Kingdom, Mr. ........, reached the Holy Threshold in the utmost of sincerity and longing and sought Thy good will. It is some time that he hath been engaged in the land of America with Thy commemoration and known by Thy commendation. To the beloved he is a cause of joy and to the friends a means of unity and gladness.
O world Creator! For his life-well done! -for he is alive with Thy name and thoughtful of Thee night and day. Confer upon him Thy grace that he may daily receive a new life, attain a fresh bounty, offer a new service to Thy Threshold and serve Thy Throne.
Thou art the Giver, the Forgiver and Thou art the Pardoner, the Educator.
"O thou servant of Baha"!..."
O thou servant of Baha"!
Thy visit is accepted and thy name ever mentioned in the presence of Abdul-Baha. I forget thee not for a moment but remember thee always. I seek confirmation and strength from G.o.d for thee. Rest thou a.s.sured and be happy in the love of Abdul-Baha. Know for a certainty that divine confirmation will arrive and great attainment be made.
"O servant of Baha"!..."
O servant of Baha"!
Thy letter written to his honor, Mirza ........, with the enclosed map of the ground of the Mashrak-el-Azcar, hath been seen.
The place is suitable, but if it were possible to have a wider piece of ground, so that the building should stand in the middle, surrounded by a flower garden, it would be better and more pleasing; otherwise, if this is not possible, the building on the present ground is also permissible.
The flowers which Ruhullah picked on the ground of the Mashrak-el-Azcar and thou didst send to me brought with them and exhaled a very sweet fragrance. This fragrance is just as thou didst write, "the fragrance of the rose-garden of the unity of the East and West." I hope that daily these fragrances may become more powerful and more diffused throughout the world.
Thou must hasten to send his honor .... ...... all the writings for which he asked, to Rangoon, India.
An utmost happiness was produced by the news of the good health and safety of the friends of G.o.d.
My spiritual beloved, his honor, Mr. ........, is rendering a great service to the Kingdom of ABHA and becoming a means of strong attraction towards, and connection with the world above by making this long tour(73) and giving the news of the Holy Spot and diffusing the fragrances of the love of G.o.d.
As to the calamities and afflictions of Abdul-Baha: These are not calamities, but bounties; they are not afflictions, but gifts; not hardships, but tranquillity; not trouble, but mercy-and we thank G.o.d for this great favor.
"O thou who art advancing unto G.o.d!..."
O thou who art advancing unto G.o.d!
Praise G.o.d that He guided thee to the Path of His Kingdom, blessed thee with the word of holiness, and illumined thy heart with a light shining in the lofty Kingdom.
O maid-servant of G.o.d! Every star hath a setting, but the star of the knowledge of G.o.d in the divine heaven; every light shall darken save the light of the guidance of G.o.d; every dignity shall vanish away save the glory under the shadow of the Word of G.o.d.
Verily, I pray G.o.d to make thee firm in this Path; to cause thee to enter the Ark of Safety; and to strengthen thee in becoming humble and meek to the maid-servants of the Merciful, and in overcoming self and pa.s.sion through the power of G.o.d.
"O my dear, intimate friend!..."
O my dear, intimate friend!
Verily, I address thee with such an appellation whereby the hearts of those who are endowed with intelligence, are dilated with joy; because, verily, this is from my heart which is overflowing with the love of G.o.d-and an appellation that proceeds from love will certainly be as a spirit for the souls, as a light to the eyes, as a life to bodies and as a dressing for the hearts and bodies which are wounded and lacerated by the afflictions of this world. Then be consoled by the praise of thy Lord, whenever thou art attacked by grief and sorrow.
"O thou candle of the Love of G.o.d!..."
O thou candle of the Love of G.o.d!
I ask G.o.d to grant thee by His favor and grace that which is thy utmost desire; that the closed doors become opened, the uneven roads become even, thy face shine by the love of G.o.d, thy sight become brighter by witnessing the signs of G.o.d; that thou mayest attain spiritual joy, eternal happiness and heavenly life.
"O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!..."
O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!
Thank G.o.d that thou dost believe in the Greatest Manifestation, art confident in the Word of G.o.d and dost hold to the divine teachings. I hope that thou mayest be confirmed to give the Message to thy friends and relatives and guide them also. Be patient and forbearing and treat them with great love and kindness. Surely the attributes of the people of G.o.d will have their effect eventually upon the people.
"O thou beloved of my heart!..."
O thou beloved of my heart!
Verily, my soul longs for thee, for the lamp of the love of Baha" is lighted within thy heart and I love to look upon thy face, for it is glittering with the light of guidance among the creatures. Glory be to Him who hath united hearts together! Glory be to Him who hath brought the East and West under the shadow of the Blessed Tree, the root of which is firmly fixed in the earth and the branches of which reach unto the Supreme Concourse!
"O thou who art partaking of the Heavenly Food!..."