Relative to your going to America, thou must observe the wishes of thy parents and in the meantime endeavor to diffuse the breaths of G.o.d and satisfy those who are thirsting for the fountain of the knowledge of G.o.d by giving them the heavenly water and merciful rain.
Give my greetings to ........ and say to her: "If thou desirest to soften the hearts and bring thy friends under the shadow of the Tree of Life, show forth firmness and integrity; day by day increase thy sincerity and severance until by the power of the Truth thou wilt soften and subdue the hearts and awaken the souls of the heedless."
Also give my spiritual greetings to Mr. and Mrs. ........ and say to them: "May your little daughter be a blessing to you."
O my dear ........, endure and be patient, and by patience thou wilt attain thy desire.
"O thou sincere servant of G.o.d!..."
O thou sincere servant of G.o.d!
Be not sad nor sorrowful over what hath occurred. What hath transpired is for the best and in it is a sacred wisdom concealed which ere long will become manifest.
Turn thou to the Kingdom of Abha and supplicate to the Highest Concourse.
The aid and mercy of G.o.d encompa.s.seth all and His divine bounty is all-sufficient. Verily something will soon occur for that kind friend (i.e., thyself) which will bring all happiness, joy, pleasure and contentment in the Kingdom of G.o.d.
Regarding those whose names thou hast written, I ask aid and a.s.sistance for them from G.o.d, especially ......... I beseech at the Threshold of the Oneness of G.o.d to shower upon him blessings and open upon him the door of guidance, bestowing upon his heart the heavenly light.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thank thou G.o.d for that thou art a.s.sisted to establish a spiritual meeting in that city. That a.s.sembly is the rose-garden of the Cause of G.o.d and that meeting is the gathering-place of the beloved of G.o.d. If it endureth, it is the first a.s.sembly of the world and is the greatest a.s.sembly of mankind. Exert thyself with all heart and soul so that it may continue and be stable and constant until blessed results may ensue therefrom, for without firmness and steadfastness no matter shall prove effective in existence. Some of the friends organized meetings for teaching in the neighborhood of that region, but owing to lack of steadfastness those meetings scattered with great rapidity. I hope that thy spiritual meeting may become continual and cause the spread of the lights.
"O thou my dear friend!..."
O thou my dear friend!
I am now viewing the flowers in the little garden and remembering thy rose-like face. This material rose, although it is beautiful and fragrant, yet it cannot be compared with the beauty of the friends. Great is the difference between this fragrance and that of the friends, between the scent of this rose and the fragrance of the love of G.o.d. That face of thine which attracts the hearts is far more beautiful and better than this rose, for with that beauty is accompanied illumination.
Thy gift is much appreciated and very acceptable. I was made very, very happy and I prayed for thee that thou mayest appreciate the contents and significance of it.
Indeed thou hast served in Washington with no will save the will of G.o.d in view and thou hast made me happy and attained my pleasure.
Hold the spiritual meeting at the stated times and be thou its candle, giving (the friends) such happiness and joy through the glad-tidings of G.o.d as will make them joyful and full of ecstasy. Give them all my loving greetings. Surely manifest the utmost love and goodness o the Baltimore friends and organize for them a spiritual gathering.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Great joy was obtained on learning of the harmony and love of the friends.
Communication with the friends of various parts is one of the greatest means for spreading the fragrances.
The place adjoining Washington, where, during the summer season, the maid-servant of G.o.d, Mrs. ........, shall go, if it will not cause any disturbance and doth not become a means of talk among the enemies, the gathering of some of the friends there will be favorable. We must be considerate lest it may cause "sensation" among the people, for some people are weak and should be treated very quietly. However, the gathering of some of the friends there will be a cause of enkindling the fire of the love of G.o.d and the organization of a Bahai meeting will be harmless.
Every week two or three of the Washington friends should go to Baltimore and endeavor to help and encourage the friends there.
As to the seven qualifications (of the divinely enlightened soul) of which thou hast asked an explanation, it is as follows:
1. KNOWLEDGE. Man must attain the knowledge of G.o.d.
2. FAITH.
3. STEADFASTNESS.
4. TRUTHFULNESS. Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all of the worlds of G.o.d are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also become realized.
5. UPRIGHTNESS. And this is one of the greatest divine attainments.
6. FIDELITY. This is also a beautiful trait of the heavenly man.
7. EVANESCENCE OR HUMILITY. That is to say, man must become evanescent in G.o.d. Must forget his own selfish conditions that he may thus arise to the station of sacrifice. It should be to such a degree that if he sleep, it should not be for pleasure, but to rest the body in order to do better, to speak better, to explain more beautifully, to serve the servants of G.o.d and to prove the truths. When he remains awake, he should seek to be attentive, serve the Cause of G.o.d and sacrifice his own stations for those of G.o.d. When he attains to this station, the confirmations of the Holy Spirit will surely reach him, and man with this power can withstand all who inhabit the earth.
In regard to children, thou hast written that it is decided to train them in the teachings of G.o.d from childhood. This thought is very acceptable.
Give greeting and praise to all of the friends of G.o.d and to His maid-servants.
"O thou who art firm in the Covenant!..."
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy letter, sent through the maid-servant, ........, hath been received.
Thou hast written concerning the changing of names. A name hath no importance, for a name must needs have a bearer (i.e., deserving a high name). That is to say, consider (people"s) morals and character, then consider the person himself and be attentive (to detect) one"s manners and conduct and consider his faith and a.s.surance. If a person is illumined with the light of the love of G.o.d, he is (like unto) the morning star, even though his name be dark; and if he is a captive in the darkness of error, he is gloomy even though his name be that of a shining star.
Consequently, be thou intent that thou makest thy face illumined with the light of the love of G.o.d, through the divine a.s.sistance and favor. This attribute will make thee independent of every name!
Convey my loving greetings to all of the friends of G.o.d.