O ye(153) friends of G.o.d and daughters of the Kingdom!
The letter you have written was considered. It caused abundant spirit and fragrance. It was not a letter, it was a rose-garden. The fragrances of the flowers of significances were exhaling from that garden and perfumed the nostrils. It was a proof of unity and oneness and an evidence of love and freedom.
I became very happy through reading it. I hope that this love and unity may increase day by day, and its effects may reach other regions. The purpose of the coming of the Manifestation of the Mount is the unification of the world of humanity. Therefore, the friends of G.o.d and the daughters of the Kingdom must serve this purpose and become the cause of joy to the heart of Abdul-Baha. Thus can they bring together under the protection of the Tent of Oneness the other nations and peoples; make this gloomy world radiant, this mundane earth a plane of the Kingdom, and the material world the manifestation of divine signs.
O ye friends and daughters of the Kingdom and leaves of the Blessed Tree!
Endeavor to make that continent the Paradise of Abha, and the West the East of Lights. This is the hope of Abdul-Baha.
"O ye dwellers of the Kingdom!..."
O ye(154) dwellers of the Kingdom!
Thank ye G.o.d that ye have turned your faces toward the Kingdom of Abha, and are yearning for the outpouring of the Exalted Realm. Ye are accepted in the Threshold of the True One and are chosen by the Most Great Guidance!
Ye have asked regarding the word of the "Ransomed Ones". The mystery of "Ransom" (or Sacrifice) is a most great subject and is inexhaustible.
Briefly it is as follows: The moth is a sacrifice to the candle. The spring is a sacrifice to the thirsty one. The sincere lover is a sacrifice to the loved one and the longing one is a sacrifice to the beloved. The point lies in this: He must wholly forget himself, become a wanderer (in the Abode of the Beloved) enamoured with His Tresses. He must consign to oblivion the body and soul, the life, comfort and existence. He must seek the good pleasure of the True One; desire the Face of the True One; and walk in the Path of the True One. He must become intoxicated with His Cup, resigned in His Hand and close the eyes to life and living, in order that he may shine like unto the Light of Truth from the Horizon of Eternity.
This is the first station of sacrifice.
The second station of sacrifice is as follows: Man must become severed from the human world, be delivered from the contingent gloominess, the illumination of mercifulness must shine and radiate in him, the nether world become as non-existent and the Kingdom become manifest. He must become like unto the iron thrown within the furnace of fire. The qualities of iron, such as blackness, coldness and solidity which belong to the earth disappear and vanish while the characteristics of fire, such as redness, glowing and heat, which belong to the Kingdom become apparent and visible. Therefore, iron hath sacrificed its qualities and grades to the fire, acquiring the virtues of that element.
Likewise, when the souls are released from the fetters of the world, the imperfections of mankind and that animalistic darkness, and have stepped into the Realm of Abstraction, have partaken a share from the outpouring of the Placeless and have acquired lordly perfections, they are the "ransomed ones" (or the martyrs) of the Sun of Truth, who are hastening to the altar of heart and soul.
"O Thou Pure G.o.d!..."
O Thou Pure G.o.d!(155)
Gaze providently at the beloved ones and the dear maid-servants in Chicago. Confer upon them Thy bounty and grace. Teach them the law of the Kingdom, burn away the veil of material superst.i.tion and light the candle of Thy love in their hearts!
O G.o.d! The clay (or being) of these servants is kneaded with the water of fidelity and the nature of these maid-servants is adorned with love! They believe and are a.s.sured. they are firm and steadfast; they are kneeling and worshipping; they are uttering (the Words) and are informed. Render them confirmed and victorious with the hosts of strength. Aid and gladden them through the angels of the Kingdom of Abha! At every moment reveal a new power to them and with every breath confer a great bounty. Thus with a heavenly power, divine strength, merciful fragrance, supreme light, and conscious attraction, may they arise to serve Thee, to perfume the East and the West with the fragrances of holiness, establish the universal peace, promulgate integrity and honesty, to adore the truth, become a means of life to the people of the world, a cause of comfort and rest to them; to help the spiritual meeting, to serve the gathering of the Lord, to send well-informed souls (teachers) to other regions and climes, to be self-sacrificing with life and heart, to build the Mashrak-el-Azcar, to raise the anthem of sanct.i.ty to the Supreme Kingdom, to live in perfect love with one another; nay, rather, to be the cause of rest ot whole world, to adorn the realm of creation, to destroy the edifice of jealousy and envy and to establish the law of love and unity, to be truthful servants of mankind and conscientious well-wishers of the human race!
O G.o.d! Thou art the Able, the Powerful! Thou are the Confirmer and the Helper in all conditions and circ.u.mstances!
"O thou whose breast is dilated (with joy) for the Kingdom..."
O thou whose breast is dilated (with joy) for the Kingdom of Truth!
Verily I read thy letter which showed that thine inner heart is attracted to the Beauty of G.o.d and that thou hast entered the Kingdom of G.o.d. I beg of G.o.d to make thy feet firm in this right path and to protect thee from violent tests and form calumnies on the part of every woman who hath, like unto Judas Iscariot, turned away from the True One and who hath withdrawn herself and is deprived of the mercy of G.o.d.
As to thee, O maid-servant of G.o.d! Blessed art thou, for thou hast dealt with people in goodness and good favor. Do not seek from them any reward whatever, but seek all grace and beneficence from thy Lord, and even deal with the people of great oppression in faithfulness, for as much as this is becoming of the people of Baha".
"O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!..."
O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!
The letter that thou hast written, through his honor Mr. ........, was received. In reality, there is no happiness in the world of existence for men except in the splendors of the Light of the Kingdom.
Thou has written concerning the acceptance (of this Cause) by some French people. Make an effort in order that some firm and steadfast souls may arise in this great Cause from France, and to make that jungle a garden of G.o.d.
Be a.s.sured in the favor and grace of G.o.d, for each maid-servant of G.o.d who ariseth to serve the Kingdom will undoubtedly be confirmed.
"O thou who art honored and dear!..."
O thou who art honored and dear!
Thy letter was received and was the source of pleasure, for thou hast not forgotten this imprisoned one and remembered Acca. Although thy days here were few, as they were pleasant, they will count as years; a real intimacy between thee and all the family was formed which will not be forgotten in the pa.s.sing of the years.
I desire of G.o.d that thou wilt be heavenly, angelic and spiritual; and as a torch, become illumined with the love of G.o.d in the kingdom of existence.
In regard to the question thou askest about the picture of this oppressed one, say that it was much spread in America: Know that this imprisoned one never had a picture taken except in youth, and that one also on account of the command and will of Baha"o"llah, I merely consented so as to obey His command. Therefore I do not like it to be great spread.
I desire of G.o.d, that the traces of the spiritual likeness, which are attributes and qualities, will remain eternally.
"O thou who art attracted to the Spirit of Truth!..."
O thou who art attracted to the Spirit of Truth!
In whatsoever matter man wisheth to engage, he must first acquire some capability and make provisions and preparations therefor. In this day, whatever soul intendeth to raise the voice of the Kingdom, and to draw people under the Tree of Life in the ideal paradise, and to invite them to eternal life, must first be delivered from all attachments, must even shut his eyes to rest, quietude and to the mortal life of this world.
I hope thou hast abandoned all such (mortal) things, and when thou hast attained to this great bounty, that is, when thou art delivered from the attachments of this mortal world, and hast intended to endure all calamities in the path ofG.o.d-in such wise that reproaches on the part of the enemy will seem to thee as praise and glorification, and the blame of the people of hatred will appear like unto admiration and applause, and the bitterness of afflictions will taste as the honey of favor and all hardships be as sweetness-then canst thou step into the path of the Kingdom and become the herald of G.o.d.
Consequently, do thou show a steadfast and firm footing in this station, engage in guiding the people and call them unto the Kingdom; then wilt thou find how the divine magnet-the power of the Word of G.o.d-will attract the hearts and bestow ecstasy and enthusiasm upon souls!