Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas Part 57

Tests and trials shall soon arise, blessed are those who endure patiently!

Blessed are those who keep firm! Be patient, that thou mayest be rendered victorious in thy greatest wishes, and know thou that verily, thou art with me in the nearness of my Lord, the Supreme!

Verily, this is a glad-tidings unto thee forevermore!

"O thou who art controlled by the attraction of the Fragrances..."

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

I perused thy letter which speaks of thy love to G.o.d and thine attraction to the Beauty of G.o.d, and I became cheered in heart by its beautiful contents. In my previous letter to thee it was my intention to point out to thee that in the way of exalting the Word of G.o.d there are tests and trials, and in His love there are at all times calamities and afflictions and sufferings. Therefore, it behooveth one to first ponder over these calamities and wistfully accept them, then undertake to spread the fragrances of G.o.d and exalt His Word. At that time, whatever may befall him in the love of G.o.d, of reproach, persecution, reviling, abuse, insult, beating, imprisonment or a.s.sa.s.sination, will not offend him; rather it will augment his attraction to the Beauty of G.o.d. This was what I intended previously. Otherwise, woe and misery to the soul which hunts after comfort, luxury, wealth and affluence, while it is remiss of the mention of G.o.d; because calamity in the path of G.o.d is a favor to Abdul-Baha.

In one of the Tablets the Beauty of El-Abha sayeth, "I never pa.s.sed by a tree that my heart did not address it, saying, 'Would that thou was cut in My Name, that upon thee my body should be crucified!'"

This is that which was uttered by the Greatest Name. This is His Path!

This is the evidence of His Great Kingdom!

"O thou who art commemorating the Name of G.o.d!..."

O thou who art commemorating the Name of G.o.d!

Verily, I read thy interesting letter and my heart was made happy by its beautiful contents.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! Rest a.s.sured in the bounty of thy Lord and place thy confidence in Him, for He will confirm thee in all aspects and under all conditions.

Know, verily, that the seed, however virile it may be, however strong the hand of the sower, however pure the water that watereth it, it is impossible for it to grow, blossom and bear fruit in a short time; nay a long period is needed for its development.

So is the Kingdom of G.o.d. Consider the seed which was sown by Christ; verily, it did not blossom until after a long period. Thus it is inc.u.mbent upon thee to be patient in all affairs. Verily thy Lord is powerful, forgiving, precious and persevering! Depend upon the favor of thy LOrd. He shall bless thee and protect thee under the shadow of His generosity and mercy.

"O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!..."

O thou maid-servant of G.o.d!

I supplicate and implore my Lord to strengthen thee by the Spirit of Life, make thee enter the Ark of Safety, and show thee the evident signs; that the veils of the people of suspicion may be rent asunder and the brilliant proof of G.o.d become manifest to all regions, and thy heart be made a clear mirror wherein are printed the Lights of the Kingdom of the earth and heaven.

"O thou who art remembered by Abdul-Baha!..."

O thou who art remembered by Abdul-Baha!

Thy letter which is couched in graceful words hath given me joy and happiness, for it showeth how thou art controlled by the attraction of the fragrances of G.o.d and how thou art kindled by the flame of fire that burneth in the Tree of Sinai.

Blessed art thou because of this great bounty and manifest abundance!

Verily, by day and by night I do mention thee and thy daughter who is the delight of thine eye, and supplicate G.o.d to make you both two burning lamps, s.h.i.+ning at the meetings of the maid-servants of G.o.d, spreading the light of knowledge, burning the moth of imaginations and surmise and removing, through the light of manifest evidences and peremptory proofs, the darkness of suspicions.

"O thou whose heart is moved by a breeze blowing from..."

O thou whose heart is moved by a breeze blowing from the Garden of El-Abha!

Thy elegant and terse letter, couched in graceful words, was read by me. I rejoiced at the fragrances of love, which being scented from the verdant gardens of the Paradise of El-Abha, have cheerfully moved thee.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! Be submissive to thy Lord, humble to His servants and compliant to his maid-servants. Overcome pa.s.sions and desires, purify the heart from remembrance of aught save that of thy Lord, the Precious, the Gracious, and be controlled by the attraction of the Beauty of G.o.d, that His remembrance may run as the spirit in thy blood veins and limbs, and thus fill thee with the thoughts of the love of G.o.d.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! Ignite the fire of love in the hearts which are remiss of the mention of G.o.d that they may become awakened by the breath of G.o.d, and quickened by His Spirit in this Great Day.

"O thou attracted maid-servant of G.o.d!..."

O thou attracted maid-servant of G.o.d!

Verily, I bow my face to the dust of the Threshold of El-Baha and to Him who sitteth on the Throne, I pet.i.tion as a supplicating captive, begging Him to make thee to behold His Glorious Face and to purify thine insight from aught else save Him among the people. Verily, He is the refuge of all and our Great Protection!

We are all poor at His Door, weak before His Power, lowly at His Threshold, and we possess the power of neither good nor harm. He is indeed the Confirmer, the Strengthener, the Benevolent!

Truly hath He opened before our faces the doors of the Kingdom, granted us the treasures of His mysteries through the divine bounty and He hath chosen us for His love, for attainment unto His lights, the study of His teachings, the spreading of His name, the guidance unto His path and service in His great vineyard. I pray for confirmation in thy behalf and thou shouldst pray for strength on my part. Thy prayers for me should be that I may attain martyrdom in His path, that my spirit may be His sacrifice, and that my blood may be shed for His love.

O maid-servant of G.o.d! verily, I long for that cup, which is overflowing with the bounty of G.o.d, as a patient desiring to be healed, as a thirsty soul seeking water, as the poor in quest of wealth, and as one in separation yearning after the meeting of the beloved one night and day.

"O thou who art advancing to the Kingdom of G.o.d!..."

O thou who art advancing to the Kingdom of G.o.d!

Verily, I pray G.o.d to make thee the sign of guidance among the maid-servants of the Merciful, to enkindle in thy heart a spark of that fire which was ignited in the Sinaiatic Tree and to give thee to drink and overflowing cup from the choice wine of the love of G.o.d, until the intoxication of that wine may so prevail upon thee that thou mayest thereby forget all else save G.o.d, be attracted to the Beauty of G.o.d, glorify thy Lord and sanctify Him during morn and eve.