Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 17

In brief, it is said that: "And he that talked with me had a golden rod to measure the city and the gates thereof and the walls thereof." The purport is this, that certain souls guided (people) with a rod of the plant, that is, a reed wherewith he shepherded the sheep, like unto the rod of Moses; other trained (the people) with a rod of iron and drove them, as in the time of Mohammed (The scepter of Mohammed was the sword). In this Greatest Day the rod of the plant and the rod of iron are changed into a rod which is of pure gold and is from the endless treasuries of the Kingdom of G.o.d.

By the instrumentality of this, all people shall be trained. Observe the difference: In a certain time the teachings of G.o.d were like unto the twigs of a tree and by them the signs of G.o.d were spread, the law of G.o.d promulgated and the religion of G.o.d founded. Later a time came when the rod of the divine Shepherd was like iron, and now in this blessed and glorious cycle that rod is become like unto pure gold. What a great difference exists between them! Therefore know that the law of G.o.d and the divine teachings prove a great advance in this day. They have reached a degree of supremacy, compared with former ages. Nay, rather, this is pure gold, while that was iron and wood.

This answer was written briefly because there was no more time. You will certainly excuse. The maid-servants of G.o.d must reach a station wherein they themselves shall comprehend the realities and meanings, to give clear explanations for each word and the fountains of wisdom gush forth from the reality of their hearts like a full flowing stream.

"O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of G.o.d!..."

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of G.o.d!

Verily, I noted the contents of thy letter, which was beautifully composed, was informed of thy sorrow, the shedding of thy tears and the glowing of thy heart on account of the imprisonment of Abdul-Baha.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! This prison is indeed more precious and sweet than a garden to me, this fetter is greater than any liberty and the confinement is broader than the most s.p.a.cious wilderness. Therefore, grieve not on this account. Verily, if my Lord destine unto me and causes me to taste the sweetness of the cup of the great martyrdom, my greatest desire will be fulfilled. Fear not if this Branch be severed from the material earth and cast aside the leaves-nay, rather, its leaves will flourish, for this Branch will grow after it is cut from the earth (world), will ascend until it shelters the universe, its foliage will reach the Supreme Apex and bear fruits, imparting fragrant perfume unto the world. Therefore, turn unto thy Supreme Lord and say:

O my G.o.d! O my G.o.d! This Thy maid-servant supplicates to Thee, trusts in Thee and directs herself unto Thee, asking Thee to shed Thy divine mercies upon her, to manifest Thy spiritual mysteries and to show forth Thy majesty unto her. O Lord! O Lord! Illumine the sight of my husband, cheer his breast by the light of knowing Thee, attract his heart unto Thy manifest Beauty and gladden his spirit by the manifestation of Thy radiant light. O Lord! Withdraw the veil from his sight, grant him Thy compa.s.sion, exhilarate him with the wine of Thy love among the people, make him an angel of Thine walking upon the earth, let his spirit soar unto heaven and make him a lamp glistening with the light of Thy knowledge in the community. Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Precious, the Bestower!

"O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of G.o.d!..."

O thou who art attracted by the Fragrances of G.o.d!

Be rejoiced through the grace of thy Lord and happy through the bounties of thy G.o.d, the Most Merciful of the Merciful. Thy Lord hath indeed chosen thee for His love, guided thee unto the straight path, attracted thee by the magnet of His knowledge, from among women, and crowned thee with the diadem of guidance among the maid-servants. Praise thy Lord for this great favor, heavenly mercy and bounty which hath no equal in the world of creation. Gladden the maid-servants of the Merciful through the grace of thy Lord. Thus their b.r.e.a.s.t.s may become dilated by the holy fragrances emanating from the Kingdom of El-ABHA.

Soon the lights will glisten and the Sun of Truth will s.h.i.+ne with the burning ray in that country. At that time the maid-servants who are firm and constant will rejoice; while every doubtful soul who wavers will regret. Woe unto him, woe unto him, in that day wherein the beloved will attain joy by the surrounding Kingdom of thy Lord, the Precious, the Beneficent! Verily, the end is for them who are ushered into the tent of the Covenant of thy merciful Lord.

"O thou who art turning unto the Kingdom of G.o.d!..."

O thou who art turning unto the Kingdom of G.o.d!

Verily I am acquainted with the contents of the letter which thou hast addressed to ............ the servant of G.o.d, and I find its significance excellent, proclaiming the Truth about which there can be no doubt or uncertainty.

Now the day has arrived in which the edifice of G.o.d, the divine sanctuary, the spiritual temple, shall be erected in America! I entreat G.o.d to a.s.sist the confirmed believers in accomplis.h.i.+ng this great service and with entire zeal to rear this mighty structure which shall be renowned throughout the world. The support of G.o.d will be with those believers in that district that they may be successful in their undertaking, for the Cause is great and great; because this is the first Mashrak-el-Azcar in that country and from it the praise of G.o.d shall ascend to the Kingdom of Mystery and the tumult of His exaltation and greetings from the whole world shall be heard!

Whosoever arises for the service of this building shall be a.s.sisted with a great power from His Supreme Kingdom and upon him spiritual and heavenly blessings shall descend, which shall fill his heart with wonderful consolation and enlighten his eyes by beholding the glorious and eternal G.o.d!

Give my greetings and salutations to thy honorable husband and say to him from me: "Notice the sign which shall soon appear in those regions and then your searching heart shall be a.s.sured. Verily thy Lord is the Powerful!"

"O thou who art a.s.sured by the grace of thy Lord!..."

O thou who art a.s.sured by the grace of thy Lord!

I have perused thy excellent letter which shows that thou art turning thy face unto the living, eternal One and grasping the hem of His Grandeur and thy attraction unto the Call of thy Supreme Lord. Well done! Well done! O maid-servant of G.o.d, for thou hast believed in the Glorious Beauty (of El-ABHA) and art confirmed in the manifestation of the Kingdom of G.o.d, during this time.

It behooveth thee to sever thyself from all desires save thy Lord, the Supreme, expecting no help or aid from anyone in the universe, not even from thy father or children. Resign thyself to G.o.d! Content thyself with but little of this world's goods! Verily, economy is a great treasure. If one of thy relations oppress thee, complain not magnificent patience during every calamity and hards.h.i.+p. Verily thy Master is the Lord of Faithfulness! Forgive and overlook the shortcomings which have appeared in that one, for the sake of love and affection. Know that nothing will benefit thee in this life save supplication and invocation unto G.o.d, service in His vineyard, and, with a heart full of love, be in constant servitude unto Him.

If thy daily living become difficult, soon (G.o.d) thy Lord will bestow upon thee that which shall satisfy thee. Be patient in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hards.h.i.+p with dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the Merciful.

Verily this is the life of satisfaction, the spiritual existence, heavenly repose, divine benediction and the celestial table! Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy straightened circ.u.mstances even in this world.

"O thou dear servant of G.o.d!..."

O thou dear servant of G.o.d!

Thy letter was received and its contents noted. As to instructions which thou desirest, they are as follows:

Believe in G.o.d; turn unto the Supreme Kingdom; be attracted unto the Beauty of ABHA; remain firm in the Covenant; yearn for ascending unto the heaven of the sun of the universe; be disinterested in the world; be alive with the fragrances of holiness in the Kingdom of the Highest; be a caller to love; kind to the human race; gentle with humanity; interested in all the people of the world; wish for harmony and seek friends.h.i.+p and honesty.

Be a healing for every wound, a remedy for every sick, a source of harmony among the people; chant the verses of guidance; pray to G.o.d; arise for the guidance of the people; let thy tongue explain and thy face illumine with the glowing of the love of G.o.d. Rest not a moment and breathe not a breath of repose until thou becomest a sign of G.o.d's love and a banner of G.o.d's favor.

"O thou who art hoping for the Kingdom!..."

O thou who art hoping for the Kingdom!

Thank thou G.o.d that He hath guided thee, led thee to the Kingdom of Being, ushered thee under the shade of the bounties of the Lord of Hosts, and that thou hast stepped into the Paradise of ABHA.

Do not grieve on account of the death of thy son, neither sigh nor lament.

That nightingale soared upward to the divine rose-garden; that drop returned to the most great ocean of Truth; that foreigner hastened to his native abode; and that ill one found salvation and life eternal.

Why shouldst thou be sad and heartbroken? This separation is temporal; this remoteness and sorrow is counted only by days. Thou shalt find him in the Kingdom of G.o.d and thou wilt attain to the everlasting union. Physical companions.h.i.+p is ephemeral, but heavenly a.s.sociation is eternal. Whenever thou rememberest the eternal and never ending union, thou wilt be comforted and blissful.

"O dear servant of G.o.d!..."

O dear servant of G.o.d!