I have read thy letter and I have taken knowledge of G.o.d as to thy conduct towards the Kingdom of G.o.d and also thy conflagration with the fire of G.o.d"s love. Be rea.s.sured by the grace of thy Lord and direct thyself towards Him.
Consider attentively and with a.s.siduity in the New Testament, as well as the Bible, and thou shalt find new significances, very clear of this great Manifestation.
I declare by the just G.o.d that thou wilt see therein a revelation of the Holy Spirit which will aid thee in the good understanding of the Truth and the mysteries and significances of the Books of G.o.d, the All-powerful and the Eternal.
Then as to what thou hast asked me for pious people who died before they heard the Voice of this Manifestation. Listen: Those who have mounted to G.o.d before hearing the Voice, if they followed the rules of conduct as laid down by Jesus and always walked in the straight path,they have obtained this Dazzling Light after their rising to the Kingdom of G.o.d. I pray G.o.d to lift the veil for thee and to corroborate by the spirit of experience, so that all may be evident to thee, by the Holy Spirit of G.o.d.
I implore G.o.d to give thee indication of good conduct in the way of salvation, as a guiding lamp lighted from the fire of G.o.d"s Love, and to cause thee to be called in His Name by the mult.i.tude of the world, so that the Name of G.o.d shall be proclaimed in all far off countries.
Give my compliments and my praises to thy estimable husband; my greeting and praise to thee.
"O ye two maid-servants of G.o.d!..."
O ye two(220) maid-servants of G.o.d!
The Lord of the Kingdom hath invited, chosen and guided you through His pure favor, feeding you from the heavenly table of divine knowledge! Know ye the value of this favor and bounty and loosen your tongues in praise; showing forth the power of knowledge and a.s.surance and breathing the spirit of guidance into the hearts of the seekers.
Ask from G.o.d that ye stand firm and steadfast in this great Cause.
I pray in your behalf, asking a.s.sistance and favor for you. I hope that ye may become confirmed and helped.
"O thou thrall of the Lord of the Kingdom!..."
O thou thrall of the Lord of the Kingdom!
Thy photograph was considered with utmost insight. This picture is an emblem of an enlightened face, that is, a countenance which hath taken a share of the outpouring of the manifest Light. This picture is produced by the light of the sun. Therefore, it is called a sun picture. I pray to G.o.d that thy picture may become reflected upon the page of existence forever and ever.
"O thou attracted maid-servant of G.o.d!..."
O thou attracted maid-servant of G.o.d!
A few days ago the photograph of thyself and sister was received and a tablet was revealed and forwarded. Now, also, through pure mercy, the answer of thy letter is transmitted.
Praise be to G.o.d! that the heavenly blessings are being poured upon thee and thou art being led by the light of guidance.
Supplication to G.o.d that the seed of knowledge in the soil of thy heart may soon develop and grow into hyacinths and roses(221) and that the flower-garden of the love of G.o.d may be thereby perfumed.
Therefore, I beseech G.o.d that He may bestow upon thee a meek and submissive heart and that He may confirm thee in the service of the divine garden and a.s.sist thee to emulate the actions and deeds of the G.o.dly ones.
Also, that He may guide, to the Kingdom of G.o.d, your father, mother and friends, in order that by these heavenly blessings they may become fruitful trees and obtain a portion of the great and glorious gift.
"O ye members of the shining a.s.sembly!..."
O ye members of the shining a.s.sembly!(222)
The letter which was written by you, was not a letter, but a musk sack.
For the fragrances of the rose-garden of its significances perfumed the nostrils of every heavenly one; evincing firmness in the love of G.o.d, steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament and affinity among the friends.
This yearning one was enflamed and burning intensely, but when I perused that letter, a gentle breeze wafted and an extraordinary freshness and delicacy was imparted to me. I turned my face toward the Threshold of the Almighty and supplicated Him imploringly thus:
"O thou Eternal One! Make the friends of that country prosperous, acquaint them with the mysteries; usher them into the divine rose-garden and reveal to them the hidden realities and significances; make their hearts the a.s.sociation of truth and their souls full of divine melodies and sacred (choral) music!"
"O G.o.d! This respectful a.s.semblage are my relatives and kindred and the cause of the happiness of this afflicted one. Bestow upon them a shining face and grant them a musk-diffusing character. Show them the mystery of the Kingdom and suffer them to hear the soul-elevating harmony of heaven!
Awaken (the people) by the breeze of the Paradise of Abha and make them alive by the power of the Holy Spirit. Verily, Thou are the Powerful and Omnipotent, and Thou art the Bestower and generous!"
"O thou dear servant of G.o.d!..."
O thou dear servant of G.o.d!
Thy letter is received and its contents were the cause of happiness.
Regard the bounty and forgiveness of the Mighty Creator: Though Abdul-Baha is in this blessed and illuminated Spot and thou in St. Peter (Minn.)-the other side of the world-thou hast inhaled the divine breath notwithstanding the great distance, and beheld the heavenly Light. There are thousands of people in the Holy Land a.s.sociated with us and yet they are deprived and have no hope in G.o.d. This is naught save a blessing from the heavenly Father which hath enlightened that face (i.e., thy face) and made that heart (thy heart) divine. I ask G.o.d that thou wilt be so animated by the breaths of the Holy Spirit that thou wilt cause that region to become an Eden of Paradise and illumine many souls with the brilliant Light.
Though we cannot see each other physically at this time, thank G.o.d the Spiritual Breath is a messenger between us, which is the means of a.s.suring the heart and rejoicing the spirit.
"O thou seeker of the Heavenly Kingdom!..."
O thou seeker of the Heavenly Kingdom!
This world resembles the human body and the Kingdom of G.o.d is like the spirit of life. Think how narrow and dark the material world of man is, how afflicted with disease and maladies; but how bright and s.p.a.cious is His Spiritual World! Through this ill.u.s.tration thou mayest comprehend in what manner is the Spiritual World portrayed in this earthly world and in what degree is its power effected. Though the Spirit is concealed, its power is manifested and clear in the phenomenal world; and so with the Kingdom of G.o.d, though it is veiled from the eyes of the ignorant people, to men of perception it is discernable and evident. Therefore, thou must become entirely heavenly that thou mayest forget the earthly conditions and be immersed in the perception of Divinity to such a degree that thou wilt be unconscious of the surrounding material existence.
"O my dear friend!..."