Call to action

God the true One is My Witness! This is the Day whereon it is incumbent upon everyone that seeth to behold, and every ear that hearkeneth to hear, and every heart that understandeth to perceive, and every tongue that speaketh to proclaim unto all who are in heaven and on earth, this holy, this exalted, and all-highest Name.

O people of the earth! It behooveth you to magnify the Name of God in this Day -- the Day in which the Spirit hath unloosed His tongue and the souls of such as were brought into being through the operation of the Word of God, the Mighty, the Exalted, eagerly yearn to wing their flight.

It beseemeth everyone in this Day to rejoice with exceeding gladness, to attire himself with exquisite garment, celebrate the praise of his Lord and yield thanksgiving unto Him by virtue of this great favour.

O people! Turn ye towards the Remembrance of God, the Truth, enquiring about the Gate, and unto God, the Truth, upon the truth, penitently returning.

I, verily, have not fallen short of My duty to admonish that people, and to devise means whereby they may turn towards God, their Lord, and believe in God, their Creator.

Say: This is the Day of meritorious deeds, did ye but know it. This is the Day of the glorification of God and of the exposition of His Word, could ye but perceive it. Abandon the things current amongst men and hold fast unto that which God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, hath enjoined upon you.

Turn wholly unto God.

Say: O people! Follow him who asketh no recompense of you and who summoneth you to the supreme horizon by what hath been ordained by One All-Knowing, All-Informed.

Say: O people! Fear the one true God. Look ye at the revealed Suras, read them and ponder upon them.

Verily they will guide you to the Straight Path of God and acquaint you with that which ye have neglected. Fear God and be not among the wrongdoers. O people of the earth! Be not heedless of the divine days, and arise to make good what ye have lost.

Say: O friends, until ye pass beyond the rivers of names ye shall not attain to the ocean of meanings. Strive that words may not become a barrier and that deeds and utterances may not turn into veils.

Say: Ye were created for this Call. By God! Were ye to turn with illumined hearts to God, the Lord of Names, there would flow from your hearts the river of wisdom and utterance in this perspicuous News.

Most blessed and precious is this time; let it not slip from your grasp. Deprive not yourselves of the everlasting fruits through attachment to things that perish.

O Husayn! This Wronged One broke the seal of the sealed wine in the name of the Self-Subsisting, and summoned all the peoples of the world - be they princes, divines, mystics or philosophers, male or female.

O concourse of priests! Leave the bells, and come forth, then, from your churches. It behooveth you, in this day, to proclaim aloud the Most Great Name among the nations. Prefer ye to be silent, whilst every stone and every tree shouteth aloud: "The Lord is come in His great glory!"?

Open your eyes, look with the eye of insight, and ponder, that ye may not be deprived of the rays of the Sun of Utterance nor be barred from the surging waves of the ocean of knowledge.

O servant of God! The day of deeds hath come: Now is not the time for words. The Messenger of God hath appeared: Now is not the hour for hesitation. Open thine inner eye that thou mayest behold the face of the Beloved, and hearken with thine inner ear that thou mayest hear the sweet murmur of His celestial voice.

Arise thou to serve God and help His Cause. He, verily, will assist thee with the hosts of the seen and unseen, and will set thee king over all that whereon the sun riseth. Thy Lord, in truth, is the All-Powerful, the Almighty.

Thus I exhort each of you, realizing its power and beauty, to sacrifice all your thoughts, words and actions to bring the knowledge of the Love of God into every heart.

Strive ye then, with all your hearts and souls, to awaken those who slumber, to cause the blind to see, and the dead to rise.

Why then are ye quenched, why silent, why leaden and dull? Ye must shine forth like the lightning, and raise up a clamouring like unto the great sea. Like a candle must ye shed your light, and even as the soft breezes of God must ye blow across the world. … Bring then life to the dead, and awaken those who slumber. In the darkness of the world be ye radiant flames; in the sands of perdition, be ye well-springs of the water of life, be ye guidance from the Lord God.

The eyes of the loving-kindness of the Ancient Beauty, the Most Great Name, are turned towards you, and the glances of the eye of mercy are cast upon you. Wherefore, in thanksgiving for such grace and bounty, strive ye to spread abroad His fragrances and drink deep from His refreshing cup. Burn brightly even as a candle, be ablaze as the Fire that was kindled in the right side of the Vale,1 and illumine the whole world.

All the signs have been revealed; every prophetic allusion hath been manifested. Whatever hath been enshrined in all the Scriptures of the past hath been made evident. To doubt or hesitate is no more possible…

… Time is pressing. The Divine Charger is impatient, and can tarry no longer. We must take the lead and light the luminous lamp.

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The fleet-footed charger is at the ready, the vast arena is beckoning, the ball of good fortune is in play, and the mallet of divine confirmation is at hand. It is time to spur on thy steed and carry away the prize from the field of play. "I do as bidden and bring the message." Make haste, make haste, for time is short and the minstrel’s melody is nearing its end. If, at this feast, thou dost not clap thy hands, beat the drum, lift up thy voice, and sing out the songs of joy, when wilt thou then know blissful rapture and heavenly intoxication?

We must not sit inactive for one moment; we must sever ourselves from composure, rest, tranquillity, goods, property, life and attachment to material things. We must sacrifice everything to His Highness, the Possessor of existence, so that the powers of the Kingdom may show greater penetration and the brilliant effulgence in this New Cycle may illumine the worlds of minds and ideals.

O newspaper of the world, convey a blessed message to the people of the world that this century is a luminous century and this age is the age of the All-Merciful. The dawn of guidance has risen. The Sun of Truth has shone with utmost heat. Consider the time as precious. Open your eyes that you may behold the lights. Open your ears that you may hear the call of the Kingdom.

O servant! Know thou that the verse of utterance hath abrogated the verse of silence. Arise, then, and remind My servants of that which hath appeared from the horizon of My Cause and My grandeur, and be not of them that remain silent.

The time for words hath passed and the day for deeds hath come, would that ye knew it. Gone are the days of fancy and vain imaginings, and come is the day of certitude, would that ye understood.

Guide thou first thine own self, then the souls of the servants, that they may detach themselves from all that they possess and turn unto a holy and mighty precinct. Thus have We commanded thee in truth. Act thou according to what thou art bidden, for this is better for thee than all who dwell in the kingdom, one and all.

Know thou moreover that thou hast with God a mighty station and an exalted rank. Isolate not thyself from the servants but gather them unto God's Cause and remind them of His days. Put thy trust in God in all matters and He will suffice thee against all things and protect thee from the hosts of Satan and cause thee to enter the eternal paradise, wherein thou shalt be among those who rejoice.

We must entirely collect our scattered thoughts, purify and sanctify the house of our existence from every attachment and make the palace of our hearts the nest and shelter of the Dove of Holiness. Then, and not till then will the significance of confirmation and assistance become evident and known, the power of the Kingdom become apparent, and the hosts of the Supreme Concourse run swiftly into the arena of heavenly conquest to gain victory over the East and West of the hearts, and make the North and South of the spirits of men the flowery regions of the Love of God!

Abdul-Baha answered: "I hope that whosoever hears your words, sees your deeds and beholds your manners and behaviour, may declare that these people are real Bahais--the incarnations of love and amity.

Whoso turneth towards God must distinguish himself from others by his every deed, and follow that which hath been enjoined upon him in the Book. Thus hath it been decreed in a lucid Tablet.

To what depths of degradation he can sink, depths which the meanest of creatures have never reached! Seize, O friends, the chance with this Day offereth you, and deprive not yourselves of the liberal effusions of His grace.

Arise, O people, and, by the power of God's might, resolve to gain the victory over your own selves, that haply the whole earth may be freed and sanctified from its servitude to the gods of its idle fancies - gods that have inflicted such loss upon, and are responsible for the misery of their wretched worshippers.

Today deeds and character are supporters and helpers. You must adorn all with the ornament of goodly character and pure deeds, and remind them of justice and fairness.

Hold fast unto deeds, for by them is the servant known, and not by words. He Who speaketh in every state beareth witness that there is none other God but Him, the Gracious, the Generous. We have sent down the verses and manifested the evidences, and commanded all to that which will preserve them and strengthen them in righteousness and godliness, from the presence of the Mighty, the Ancient.

Therefore it is incumbent and obligatory upon every soul to hold fast today unto that which is righteous and to shun that which is forbidden.

Say: O friends! Today is the dawn of the Day of Justice. Strive that ye may become manifestations, daysprings and dawning-places of goodly deeds and spiritual, praiseworthy characteristics. In these days man is able to acquire that which ensures eternal permanence and everlasting life.

Say: Follow, O people, what hath been prescribed unto you in Our Tablets, and walk not after the imaginations which the sowers of mischief have devised, they that commit wickedness and impute it to God, the Most Holy, the All-Glorious, the Most Exalted.

Say: Be ye God's trustees on earth and the emblems of His remembrance amidst mankind. Consort with all people in a spirit of joy and fragrance, such that no heart be saddened by you nor the hearts of those whom God hath created by His command be troubled.

We counsel you, O people of unity, to be trustworthy and religious and chaste, and to that whereby your stations may be exalted among the idolaters who have denied God and His signs and have surrounded the believers with such tyranny as hath caused the people of the cities of justice and equity to lament.

We beseech God to raise up through thee and His chosen ones the standards of trustworthiness, after they were reversed in the great city.

The river of mercy proclaims with the loudest call: O people! Hold fast to justice and cleave to equity. Your idle fancies will not suffice you in place of the Lord of all beings, nor will your conjectures suffice in place of His Name, the Self-Subsisting. Cast aside the book of your own selves and take hold of the Book of God, the Lord of all that was and shall be.

You must day by day, increase the sincerity of your intention, the exaltation of your character, the sublimity of your aim, the conquest over the world of nature, the promotion of the oneness of humanity, the diffusion for the universal equality, the love for the human race, the service to all nations and communities and the thralldom at the Threshold of Holiness.

And today this mighty service must be rendered in all aspects - that is, through deeds and actions and character and conduct and words - so that the lights of the Ancient's effulgences may shine forth brilliantly from the Most Great Name in the temples of unity from all directions.

The hearts must receive the bounties of the Holy-Spirit; the legislators must become prompted by a sense of moral rectitude, the lawyers must be inspired by the spirit of righteousness, the judges must have the fear of God and the representatives of the people voice rigorously the public opinion against dens of shame and moral squalor.

First they must they clear their own house, then start to clean the houses of the people.

Therefore take heed, O ye who have eyes to see!

So, O friends, think about planting a tree of hope that will yield new fruit and at life's end become the cause of salvation. Otherwise there is regret upon regret and endless disappointment and hopelessness.

But the lions of the jungle of divine knowledge are distinguished by their freedom from attachments, their generosity, their servitude and their oneness. Therefore, as thou art a lion of these meadows and a servant at this Threshold, strive thou to be the cause of life and not of death, to be the means of salvation and not of destruction, to be a luminous lamp and not a world-consuming fire, to become a brilliant star and not a dominant demon.

In any case, the divine friends must surge like the sea and roar like divine whales, and demonstrate such conduct that it becomes a model for all parties and causes love, affection, unity and kindness among all peoples.

Move with utmost tranquility and remember with utmost love. Let no sorrow overtake thee. In every breath be other than thy former self, and with every step advance beyond thy previous step, that thou mayest be occupied at all times in purifying and sanctifying thyself. This is the mystery of that utterance which sayeth that man should record his deeds each day and present them at the next Manifestation. The purpose of this statement is man's awareness of his own deeds, that perchance he may become conscious and turn from evil to good, and from the remoteness of doubt to the nearness of certitude.

Therefore, strive with your souls and free your hearts from the bonds of water and clay. In the shadow of the Word of Unity, with sincerity and tranquility and dignity and stability and firmness and steadfastness and persistence, arise to serve the Lord - that is, become manifest signs of the Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name (may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones) through your conduct and deeds and words and character and behavior, so that this bounty may increase day by day and this gift may grow moment by moment.

Then, O friends, strive with all your might to make yourselves free from ambitions until you become brimful of joyfulness like a cup of wine from the bounties of Baha'u'llah -- the Blessed Beauty -- that you may be the cause of the illumination of the world!

O thou who art enraptured by the sweet savours of God! Make haste, make haste towards the forgiveness and mercy of thy Lord! Press on, press on unto the wellspring of grace and compassion! Rush forth, rush forth to the fountainhead of bounty and favour!

O ye loved ones of God! Out of gratitude for firmness in the eternal Covenant arise to serve the threshold of the omnipotent Lord, observe obligatory prayer and fasting, and spend your time in diffusing the sweet savors of God and in spreading the Divine verses. Tear asunder the veils, remove the obstacles, proffer the life-giving waters, and point out the path of salvation.

Therefore one must walk on the traces of those luminous stars, those effulgent satellites, those resplendent suns. This is my advice to thee choose for thyself what thou wishest.

If the souls who have accepted the Faith had until now acted according to what God has willed, the earth would now be seen as a different earth.

Say: O people, believe in God and His signs, and transgress not the bounds set by God, and spread not corruption in the land. All this is My bidding unto you and My remembrance of you - through it take ye a path unto God, your Lord.

Arise to help the Cause of God, then walk in the ways of justice and shun the paths of the oppressors.

Say: O people! Fear God and spread not corruption in the land after its reformation, and be not of the wrongdoers. It behooveth you to manifest the signs of God and to diffuse from you the sweet fragrances of His sanctity amidst His heedless servants, that they might perceive from you the fragrance of truth and be guided by you to the paradise wherein its leaves proclaim that there is no God but He, the Omnipotent, the Most Exalted, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Ye and the loved ones of God must arise to assist the Cause for the sake of God, and must conquer the cities of men's hearts through virtuous deeds and actions. This is the irrevocable command which hath been sent down from the heaven of the commandments of the Lord of eternity.

The Supreme Pen has been occupied night and day with counsels and admonitions, commanding that which elevates the station of man and forbidding that which lowers it. Today the people of God must manifest such steadfastness that no opportunity for speech remains for the ungodly of the Bayan.

This is the day of humility and submissiveness, and the time of praise and glorification. Strive that ye may not be deprived of the rays of the Sun of Truth and be not barred from the ocean of mercy.

O friends! Strive ye, through the grace of the Best-Beloved of the world, to achieve such deeds as will endure in both the material and spiritual realms.

Arise from the sepulchers of self and desire, then hearken unto the call of your Lord, the Most High, the Most Glorious.

Say: Hearken unto the call of this Wronged One and beseech God not to afflict His servants anew with the vain imaginings of the former people, and to grant them that which will exalt them and draw them nigh unto Him. Verily, He is powerful over all things.

Is there anyone who pondereth My patience after My knowledge, and My forbearance after My power? Is there any who will arise to help My Cause, detached from all else but Me?

Say: If ye desire to strive against anyone, then strive against your own selves - this would be better for you, could ye but understand.

If thou art able, write with majestic pen upon this contingent page the praises and attributes of the Blessed Beauty, and record in the mighty tablet of creation unique odes and the qualities of the Most Great Luminary, that thou mayest behold the Preserved Tablet and witness the inscriptions of the Mother Book.

O servant! Remind the people and fear no one. Rather, place thy trust in the Self of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Powerful. Then preserve thyself lest the pride of the turbans of every hateful ass cause thee to waver. Say: O people! Adorn your heads with the turbans of truthfulness and justice, not with that which is borne upon the backs of camels.

Through the power of faith, obey ye the teachings of God, and let all your actions conform to His laws. Read ye The Hidden Words, ponder the inner meanings thereof, act in accord therewith. Read, with close attention, the Tablets of Tarazat (Ornaments), Kalimat (Words of Paradise), Tajalliyyat (Effulgences), Ishraqat (Splendours), and Bisharat (Glad Tidings), and rise up as ye are bidden in the heavenly teachings.

Today all the friends must manifest complete unity and harmony, and likewise through goodly deeds and virtuous character. These matters in this Revelation are the hosts of victory and are reckoned before the Throne as helpers of the Cause.

Say: Today is the day of deeds and actions, and in truth the helper of the Cause is a goodly deed and a goodly character, not hosts and swords.

O people of God! Aid your Lord, the All-Merciful, through the hosts of deeds and character, not by sword and spear. Thus have ye been commanded by the All-Merciful.

If thou desirest to help this Wronged One, help Him through mention and utterance. Then prevent the loved ones of God from warfare and disputation.

God willing, all the chosen ones should arise to that which will exalt the Cause of God and act accordingly. Reflect: which deeds today cause the elevation of the servants and the exaltation of the Cause?

Indifference breeds deterioration; silence is the cause of retrogression; speechlessness leads to forgetfulness; passivity and inactivity produce oblivion, and absent-mindedness. Consequently do ye not seek one moment of rest by day or by night; nay, rather, strive after the composure of heart in the Paradise of Abha.

Unite ye in the Cause. Whosoever ye find heedless, remind him with wisdom for a limited number of days. Should he turn away and reject guidance after it hath come unto him, then turn away from him and set your hearts toward God, the Lord of all worlds.

Those souls who are truly faithful servants of the Intended Lord travel to distant lands, that is, to countries where the Call of God has not properly reached. They surely hasten to dark regions to kindle the lamp of God's guidance.

The educative and reformative ideas must be introduced little by little according to the mental grasp and habits of the masses - so that they may adapt themselves to the new environment without any protest on their parts.

Today all the loved ones of God must be mindful of what benefits the Cause and reflect and deliberate upon matters that will lead to the exaltation of the Word of God.

All must strive for the betterment of the world. This is the binding decree that hath been revealed in this Most Great Revelation, both aforetime and hereafter. Blessed are they that understand, blessed are they that ponder, blessed are they that act accordingly.

Arise to promote the Cause through heavenly power and divine might, but with wisdom and utterance. Wisdom consists in deeds and actions that cause the people of earth to turn unto God.

O people of God! Arise to assist the Cause through wisdom and utterance, through deeds and conduct. Verily He aideth whom He willeth as a bounty from His presence, and He is the Commander, the All-Knowing.

Say: O concourse of the rulers and of the learned and the wise! The Promised Day is come and the Lord of Hosts hath appeared. Rejoice ye with great joy by reason of this supreme felicity. Aid Him then through the power of wisdom and utterance.

Say: O servants! Let not time slip away, for it is exceeding precious. I swear by the pearls of the divine ocean of knowledge that no likeness or peer can be found for it. Arise to serve the Cause with illumined faces and pure hearts, that perchance the dead in the valley of bewilderment and error might be quickened by the wine of guidance and arise as becometh the Days of God.

Say: O people, turn with your hearts unto the Beloved and follow not every heedless and veiled one. Aid your Lord, the All-Merciful, through remembrance and utterance, and commit not that which would disquiet souls.

When thou dost inhale the fragrance of the garment, arise amidst the servants with wisdom and utterance, and remind them of that which hath shone forth from the horizon of the Ancient of Days with manifest sovereignty.

O people of God! Strive ye that perchance the hearts of the diverse peoples of the world may be cleansed and sanctified from rancor and hatred through the waters of your forbearance and loving-kindness, and become worthy and receptive of the splendors of the Sun of Truth.

Say: O friends! Occupy yourselves with the reformation of the world through wisdom and utterance. This is the station of man.

O friends! Let not time slip away. This is a day wherein every good deed performed for God's sake shall have an everlasting effect that will endure throughout the kingdom of earth and heaven. Beseech ye God to aid you in that which shall remain and endure.

The foundation of the Cause is to arise to serve God. Thou must arise to serve this Cause with the utmost kindliness, mercy and spiritual qualities.

Know thou the value of the Day of God and act as befitteth it. The hosts of God have ever been and shall ever be praiseworthy deeds and goodly character. Today upon the banner of triumph these words are inscribed: "O people of God! Ye were created for this Day. Aid ye your Lord, the Most Merciful, through wisdom and utterance."

Arise to serve the Cause with wisdom and utterance, then make mention of thy Lord in such wise as to attract the souls.

This is a day whereon it behooveth every soul to arise to aid the Cause of his Lord, the Most High, the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. He hath ordained that aid be rendered through remembrance and utterance.

We counsel thee to observe wisdom lest there appear that which may perturb the hearts of them that have turned towards Him.

Today the call is raised from all directions, and the light of the Cause is dawning and visible from the horizon of the heaven of the prison.

… Now must all gird up the loins of endeavor and arise to serve the Cause, and guide and lead the people of the earth to the straight path of God through kindly counsels, wise exhortations, wisdom and utterance.

Arise to serve for the sake of God, but with wisdom and utterance, that the loved ones may be adorned with the ornament of detachment and piety, and be sanctified from unseemly conduct.

This servant sent a copy of the Blessed Tablet revealed in honor of the Sahib, written in clear script, so that any of the friends who wish to make a copy may do so, allowing the original to remain preserved and reach its owner. While writing this petition, this thought occurred: let the friends in that land strive diligently so that the Sahib may become aware of the essential matter - namely, that the purpose of God, exalted be His glory, was not and is not conflict and strife, and God forbid, reprehensible acts and rejected deeds, the shedding of blood, plunder and seizure of people's property.

Though these newspapers will, if written impartially, inform the people, yet we have written articles in the newspapers of the Kingdom. These are articles of perpetual influence, and they will never be forgotten. You all must work to write spiritual articles in these sorts of newspapers, and make a significant mark thereby.

Take the Book of God to His servants, then inform them of what thou hast seen and known, that they may gather together in remembrance and praise of God, shun the manifestations and dawning-places of negation, and turn with their hearts to the spot whereon the throne of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, is established.

Therefore, loosen the reins and raise the spears with eloquent, profound, wondrous, and beautiful utterance. By God, the Truth! These are spears that pierce the rock and penetrate the mountains of the skins of severity."

Supplicate God that ye may become heavenly hosts, spreading the oneness of the world of humanity, taking in hand the armor of peace and conquering the hearts with the sword of love.

Return then unto thy land, apprise the people of the advent of the days of God, and summon them unto His path through gentle admonitions and kindly utterances and through whatever is meet and seemly.

O maid-servant of God! This day is not a day of seclusion and solitude, but a day of proclaiming the manifestation of the light of the Beauty of thy Supreme Lord.

Therefore, abandon silence and seclusion and solitary nooks and go forth into the arena of explanation. Convey the Message of thy Lord with clearest speech and most complete elucidation.

Regarding your intention to compose a treatise proving the Cause of God - the divine friends must devote their thoughts and mention day and night to divine proofs and evidences, engage in scholarly discussions, and employ rational and traditional arguments, so that each one may be able to compose treatises and become the manifestation of "We have given him knowledge from Our presence."

My hope is that you will be among those souls who serve this great Cause. And as for the treatise you had written - publish and distribute this treatise. The friends of God will certainly assist you in publishing this treatise.

Arise to aid the Cause of your Lord as your Master hath arisen, in such wise that neither the greatness of the turbans nor the might of them that have wronged and are among the most lost shall prevent you. When ye desire to render aid, hold fast unto the cord of wisdom. Thus hath the All-Merciful commanded you in the Tablets.

Say: O concourse of men! By God, this is the Day of victory and triumph. Aid ye your Lord through that which We have revealed in the Holy Books and Scriptures, and in this glorious and wondrous Tablet. All must hold fast to the teaching of the Cause and present proofs and evidences from the verses and clear tokens of this Most Great Revelation and from Him Who sacrificed His life for My sake.

Soon will your swiftly passing days be over, and the fame and riches, the comforts, the joys provided by this rubbish-heap, the world, will be gone without a trace. Summon ye, then, the people to God, and invite humanity to follow the example of the Company on high. Be ye loving fathers to the orphan, and a refuge to the helpless, and a treasury for the poor, and a cure for the ailing. Be ye the helpers of every victim of oppression, the patrons of the disadvantaged. Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race.

As to you: Your efforts must be lofty. Exert yourselves with heart and soul so that, perchance, through your efforts the light of universal peace may shine and this darkness of estrangement and enmity may be dispelled from amongst men, that all men may become as one family and consort together in love and kindness, that the East may assist the West and the West give help to the East, for all are the inhabitants of one planet, the people of one original native land and the flocks of one Shepherd.

Gird up the loins of your endeavor, O people of Bahá, that haply the tumult of religious dissension and strife that agitateth the peoples of the earth may be stilled, that every trace of it may be completely obliterated. For the love of God, and them that serve Him, arise to aid this most sublime and momentous Revelation. Religious fanaticism and hatred are a world-devouring fire, whose violence none can quench.

O Amin! Exert thyself to the utmost to promote unity among the loved ones of God. Gird up the loins of endeavour for the manifestation of unity among the people of love, particularly those souls who are adorned with the ornament of distinction.

With utter nothingness, powerlessness and supplication, I entreat all to conduct themselves with one another in perfect love and harmony. Let them not seek to initiate any matter or utter any word that might cause discord. Had certain souls not become the cause of discord heretofore, most of the heedless ones would have turned to the horizon of the Cause.

Occupy not the days of your lives with the betterment of your own affairs; arise, rather, for the betterment of the world. Such indeed is the station of the people of Baha as recorded in the Crimson Book by the Pen of the Most High.

The people of Baha must today strive for the unity of the peoples of the world and the reformation thereof. The Concourse on High had supposed that the people of Baha today had attained unto this station, yet now they observe them perplexed and bewildered in discord and diverse matters. Do ye not desire that there should proceed from you that which would be acceptable to the Concourse on High, the denizens of Paradise and the angels drawn nigh? Strive then, O people of Baha, in that which the Lord of Names, Who speaketh in this noble station, hath commanded you.

We counsel you to perform goodly deeds. By God! Through them is the Cause of God exalted amongst His servants and the banner of justice raised throughout His lands. Hold fast unto that which God hath taught you in His Book, and cleave unto that which shall profit you in all the worlds of His creation.

The Book of God is wide open, and His Word is summoning mankind unto Him. No more than a mere handful, however, hath been found willing to cleave to His Cause, or to become the instruments for its promotion.

The purpose of this Revelation is that the clouds of oppression may be lifted away and the Sun of Justice may shine forth from behind the veil, that all the peoples of the world may abide in the cradle of security and peace.

Our purpose hath been naught but to quench the fire of hatred burning in the hearts of the peoples of the world, for reformation is impossible before the extinguishing of the kindled fire. During nights and days We have mentioned that which would bring about reformation, unity and concord among souls.

O friends! Strive to become the source of things that will bring comfort to all. Look not unto your own selves, neither confine your affairs to that which profiteth you alone. Rather, look upon the servants of the All-Merciful throughout creation and turn unto that which benefiteth the peoples of all the worlds.

O people of unity! Through your existence the world exists. Strive that perchance the world may be adorned with the ornament of justice and equity and attain unto that which God has willed.

Beseech the True One that He withhold not the rebellious from the ocean of His bestowal and bounty, nor deprive the ignorant from the effulgences of the Sun of knowledge, that all may discover and come.

May they show kindness to all peoples and nations, become the remedy for every sufferer and a balm for the wounds of every needy one. May they become proof of divine bounty and evidence of heavenly grace. May they strive night and day to guide other Persians to the straight path and perfume their nostrils with the fragrance of the celestial rose-garden.

The duties of Baha'is, the responsibilities of the Baha'is are these:- They must be kind to all the religions. They must love humankind with all their hearts and souls. They must work for the public welfare.

The time has come for the Persian friends to arise to serve the heavenly Faith, to become guides for the lost ones, to become refuge and shelter for the helpless, and to follow the path of their ancestors.

One must be loving, good-natured, radiant-faced, sweet-scented, and humble and submissive in every direction. Set aside sword and weapon, and seek peace and reconciliation.

Therefore it is incumbent upon thee to enkindle thyself with the fire of the love of God in order that thy words may have an effect in hearts which are as of hard stone.

Exert thine utmost endeavour, therefore, in pursuing that which will be the cause of progress of the world of humanity and will lead to perpetual exaltation and eternal life.

O thou sincere seeker! Strive thou with all thy might to summon the people to the heavenly Kingdom, so that through divine guidance thou mayest enable the human souls to become even as the angels of Paradise, mayest promote universal peace in this distinguished Age and serve the oneness of the world of humanity, and mayest attain unto everlasting life, follow the example of Christ, and become a companion of 'Abdu'l-Baha in this path.

He invited all to righteousness and prohibited strife and contention.

… Ask God that through the assistance of the Abha Kingdom you may become the manifestation of love and affection to all humanity, so that you may be accepted and beloved at the Threshold of Oneness.

Strive with your souls, be lovers of humanity, become servants of peace and reconciliation, and guarantors of success and prosperity. Be well-wishers of all humanity and serve the whole human race.

I hope, through divine favors, that gathering will become a heavenly gathering and will promote the unity of the human world, so that different nations and diverse races may all associate with one another in perfect love and fellowship under the canopy of the unity of humankind. May the different nations of Europe attain the station of one nation, and may the continent of Europe become one homeland, so that after this terrible war, perfect harmony, unity and love may be established among all the peoples of Europe. May the foundation of estrangement be demolished and the banner of oneness be raised high....

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You must occupy yourselves with His mention and praise at all times, and let your highest endeavor be the reformation of the world and the education of nations. This is not difficult for God to accomplish. How many shepherds in the days of the Dawning-Places of Revelation and the Daysprings of Inspiration attained to the knowledge and recognition of God, exalted be His glory, while how many divines and doctors remained deprived.

It is hoped that the river will flow and the horizon will be illumined, and the light of trustworthiness will prevail and encompass all regions, for it is evident to all that this party hath had and hath no purpose save the reformation of the world and the edification of the souls of nations.

We beseech Him, exalted be He, to make thee a dawning-place of reform and a manifestation of comfort for all creation. Preserve that wherewith We have remembered thee.

Therefore strive, surge forth and cry out so that you may attain to "that which is of use to mankind."

My hope is that you will be successful in outstanding services and become the cause of spreading universal peace, so that these fields of war and strife may be transformed into gatherings of fellowship, meeting, love and harmony.

For today the greatest service to the Cause of God is the healing, connection, unity and agreement of the loved ones of God.

Let them gather in groups of nine and make a covenant and pledge with each other that all will share in every matter that arises, whether ease or hardship.

I am infinitely eager to see the dear friends take responsibility for the blessed Cause. It is time to call to the Abha Kingdom.

Today is the day of spirit and joy for the loved ones of God.

I ask of you to take such action that, God willing, these differences of opinion in Tehran may be eliminated - that none may criticize another, and none may find fault with another.

May they seize upon this vast arena and count this mighty time as an opportunity, and arise to that which causes the elevation of the human world, the glory of illumined realities, the enlightenment of East and West, and progress and attainment to spiritual and material perfections, so that the escort of grace may arrive, eternal bounty may unveil its face, the sea of favors may surge, and the pearls of inner meanings may shine forth from the shells of human hearts with utmost brilliance.

O divine friends! The time has come to show utmost kindness and to manifest a merciful character toward all humanity. Become loving fathers to every young one and faithful servants to every elder. Be physicians to the sick and a wondrous refuge to the fearful. Become protectors of the poor and helpers of the weak. Be well-wishers to every ill-wisher and healing balm to every wounded heart. Transform enemies into friends and the faithless into the faithful.

Add as much as ye can to love and affinity and produce ye among yourselves unity and agreement. Put ye in practice the principles of consultation.

Convey My greetings to the loved ones in that land and give them the glad-tidings of God's grace, that all may arise and, through the waters of wisdom and utterance, quench the fire of hatred and animosity of the parties of the world.

Today there is no greater service than to arise in the love of God and strive to unite and bring harmony among the friends in that land.

Today We summon all to love, unity, fellowship and concord, that perchance through the light of assured souls the horizons may be cleansed and sanctified from the darkness of tyranny, and all may acknowledge the oneness and singleness of God, exalted be His glory, and attain unto the ultimate purpose of creation.

Dispute not after Me, but gather ye together around the Cause, for this is what God desired for you in the atomic realm before the creation of the heavens and the earth.

O my beloved! If the people of the world were to reflect even briefly upon this Most Great Revelation, all would find themselves free and liberated. All strife, conflict, differences, upheaval and estrangement have been forbidden in this blessed Revelation. All have been commanded to associate with the people of the world in a spirit of fragrance and joy.

Arise to aid the Cause, and with the hosts of utterance conquer the hearts and souls of the people of the world. From you must appear that which shall bring comfort and ease to the downtrodden. Strengthen your resolve that perchance the captives may be freed and attain unto true liberty.

Be thou eloquent in His praise, turn thy face toward His countenance, and fix thy gaze upon His bright horizon. With perfect wisdom strive to unite souls and to kindle hearts.

It is also recorded in the blessed Gospel: Travel ye throughout the world and call ye the people to the Kingdom of God. Now this is the time that you may arise and perform this most great service and become the cause of the guidance of innumerable souls.

O ye true friends! Make ye a mighty effort, that this world may become another world, and this darksome earth may become shining and resplendent through the rays of the Sun of Truth.

O people of Persia! How long will you wander? How long must your confusion last? How long will it go on, this conflict of opinions, this useless antagonism, this ignorance, this refusal to think? Others are alert, and we sleep our dreamless sleep. Other nations are making every effort to improve their condition; we are trapped in our desires and self-indulgences, and at every step we stumble into a new snare.

Wherefore must the friends, one and all, exhibit a signal effort to create a new invention, discover a new science, engage in a great enterprise, or manifest a power or a bestowal in the human world. I beseech God that thou mayest be assisted and confirmed under all conditions.

We must get hold of this Power. We must hold fast to a Cause which creates love and amity in the hearts and not hatred and prejudice.

We must free them from old prejudices which are decayed and rotten. We must confer upon them a new life. That is cordial love, good fellowship, amity and unity amongst all the children of man. Our behaviour and conduct must be an example to them.

May ye all show sympathy one towards the other and always be enamoured of each other's love Be ye united as the waves of one ocean for ye are the green grass of the same meadow, the flowers of the same garden, the leaves of the same tree and the rays of the same sun.

Strive ye to spread the divine fragrances and spread abroad the word of God.

You who are women's groups, strive to create different heart connections. Join hands together and work for the good of humanity so that human nobility may shine forth.

Today the greatest duty of women consists in the fact that they must strive to spread the ethical laws, to prove that women are capable of studying arts and sciences and that they are equal in all the duties of life. Women must demonstrate these principles to the men, so that all of them may bear testimony to the fact that these Bahai women are equal in morality, are equal in the acquirement of human excellency, are equal in the virtues of the world of humanity, are equal in crafts and professions, and are equal in sanctity and purity.

Therefore, awake! Awake! Become mindful! Become mindful! Let us all arise with the utmost resolve and, through divine assistance and grace, unfurl the standard of human unity and promote universal peace, that we may rescue humanity from this grave danger.

Inasmuch as this century is a century of light, capacity for action is assured to mankind. Necessarily the divine principles will be spread among men until the time of action arrives.

I hope that you may become assisted in this supreme accomplishment, that you may raise the flag of international peace and reconciliation upon this continent, that this government and people may be the means of spreading these lofty ideals in order that the world of man may find rest, in order that the good pleasure of the Most High God shall be attained and His favors encircle the Orient and Occident.

Consequently the advocates of Peace must strive day and night, so that the individuals of every country may become peace-loving, public opinion may gain a strong and permanent footing, and day by day the army of International Peace be increased, complete disarmament be realized and the Flag of Universal Conciliation be waving on the summit on the mountains of the earth.

God willing, in the City of Justice the kings shall assemble to consult regarding this Most Great Peace, and shall carry out that which hath been revealed by the Supreme Pen.

Let all the pacifists gather their scattered forces and combine their material and moral resources. They must look forward and not backward; above and not below.

The Colonel of the Kingdom must have a melody that bestows the spirit of love and renders service upon the throne of reality. He must raise up the armies of love and destroy the foundation of war and strife, so that the luminosity of oneness, nobility and tranquility may illumine all horizons.

Today the distinguished leaders of nations must sing such a song in the ears of the people that the heart of the world of humanity may be stirred into cheerfulness, and draft such a comprehensive plan of universal union that its reflection may be cast upon the mirror of the world of existence and be none other than the real prototype and portrait of the Realm on High.

God has purposed that peace must reign in this age, and it will come to pass. Let the advocates of peace work with greater zeal and courage for the Lord of Hosts is their supporter.

It would have been so much better for thee if thou didst become the cause of construction and not destruction, the bringer of joy and not pain, the conferrer of life and not death, the bearer of the message of Peace and not war, the standard-carrier of good-will towards all men and not hate ...

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Therefore, the intelligent must look searchingly into conditions to find out what important affair, what philanthropic institutions are most needed, and what foundations should be laid for the community on that particular day, so that they may be established.

May you all be united, may you be agreed, may you serve the solidarity of mankind. May you be well-wishers of all humanity. May you be assistants of every poor one. May you be nurses for the sick. May you be sources of comfort to the broken in heart. May you be a refuge for the wanderer. May you be a source of courage to the affrighted one.

O people of God! Hold fast unto means. As was formerly revealed: God hath refused to cause things to happen save through their means.

God willing, the friends of God must engage in service to the Cause, and service to the Cause means acting according to what hath been and shall be revealed in God's Book. Today, goodly character, pleasing deeds, and teaching God's Cause with wisdom are essential.

Strive that perchance the heedless may become aware and the oppressors be adorned with the ornament of justice. Whosoever hath today, through the aid of the Self-Subsisting Name, quaffed the sealed wine must, according to his capacity and means, make a supreme effort to quicken souls.

Each of you, in accordance with your own measure, must arise in service and sacrifice.

Now you rest for sometime in London. Notwithstanding the weakness of the body you cannot bear much pain and fatigue. Be satisfied with one or two meetings per week until (your) body gets strong.

Whilst thou doth still possess strength and endurance, strive and exert thyself and speak out, haply thou mayest receive a portion from this divine garden, and obtain a share of the bestowals of the All-Merciful.

I ask God to strengthen His faithful friends in a great service and enable them to exert endeavours adequate to the erection of this great edifice, for which there will be a resounding call in all countries. By it shall the Lord grant confirmation to His loved ones in that land. How great is the endeavour! How sublime the undertaking!

Through the concerted efforts of all the friends the Standard of Unity must needs be unfurled in those states, and the divine teachings promoted, so that these states may also receive their portion of the heavenly bestowals and a share of the Most Great Guidance.

Therefore I direct you to that which is conducive to your heavenly confirmation and illumination in the Kingdom of God!

It is hoped that in the future you will strive even more than before in organizing affairs, establishing schools, and caring for orphans. Complete the repairs on the fragrant tomb of His Holiness who ascended to God, who attained the Supreme Companion, Jinab-i-Ismu'llah al-Asdaq, and whatever is spent will be the debt of 'Abdu'l-Baha - write and it shall be sent.

If possible, change the name of this Society, to Persian-American Interdependence Society so that in the future it may include all points, such as commerce, industry and education so that spiritual and material results and benefits might be produced.

If thou canst promote this order and organization and this heavenly Law so that thou mayest truly become organizer of the spiritual souls and the arranger of the pearls of the mercy of the All-Merciful One.

Do not let it cease or weaken. Rather, the loved ones of God must strive with heart and soul so that day by day this society may gain strength and engage in service to the Cause - educating children, nurturing orphans, helping the poor, spreading knowledge, and becoming a means of guiding people.

Therefore, make ye an effort and show ye zeal that the price of the land be fully discharged and the means for the edifice procured.

Night and day confine thy time to the education of the world of humanity. Arise to guide the creatures and spend time in promulgating the teachings of His Holiness Baha'u'llah, so that lives may find glad-tidings, hearts gladness, the souls eternal life and the minds extraordinary advancement.

In gratitude for these bounties you must engage in service to the Cause so that day by day confirmation and success may increase. Act with sincere intention and natural inclination so that great results may be achieved.

Therefore, you must engage in your own occupation, be familiar in spreading the fragrances of God and characterized in promulgating the Word of God.

Through the sprinklings of the cloud of grace, you became fresh and verdant like flowers and herbs, and through the rain of the cloud of divine bounty you grew and developed. Now engage in business in India and arise to guide others.

In any case, with perfect steadfastness occupy yourselves with acquiring perfection in the Cause of God and attend to your business and trade.

Your honor must strive with the utmost effort in this matter so that, God willing, these accounts may be examined and yield results.

May they all, throughout the reaches of the spirit, learn well of the hidden mysteries; so well that in the Kingdom of the All-Glorious, each one of them, even as a nightingale endowed with speech, will cry out the secrets of the Heavenly Realm, and like unto a longing lover pour forth his sore need and utter want of the Beloved.

The hope is that other villages will take you for a model, and that in every village where there is a certain number of believers, a school will be founded where the children can study reading, writing, and basic knowledge.

Apply your utmost effort in learning the English language and complete it.

… Consolation of hearts is not possible and comfort is impossible, unless Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Na'im and Jinab-i-Haji Mirza Siyyid Ali from the people of Sad, and Jinab-i-Nayyir and Jinab-i-Sina make an effort and take action, and with heavenly determination and divine resolve and godly purpose, engage in teaching the students of that illustrious person and educating the children of the newcomers, and give lessons in teaching and impart a necessary portion of the sciences, so that perhaps this grieving heart may find solace and some peace and tranquility may appear.

The question of the School of Tarbiat is very important. Through the Bounty and Providence of the True One it must become evident to all that it is the first school of Persia and its graduates are the most successful. Otherwise its non-being is better than its being. Therefore display the utmost zeal in matters pertaining to the progress of this school.

Now God has purposed that you may become the means of this reformation. Strive day and night that Persia may become enlightened. Equip yourselves with practical education so that Persia may be benefited through you.

You must sow the seeds of Peace in the plastic minds of the children, teach them the victories of Peace, surround them with the lessons of Peace, envelope them with the atmosphere of Peace and inspire their hearts with the glorious achievements of Peace. Let their food be Peace, their vestures be Peace, their contemplation be Peace, their highest aspiration be piece and the impelling purpose of their lives be Peace.

Therefore, the friends of God in Najafabad must make boundless effort so that a Baha'i school may be quickly established, so that there will be no need for other schools and the Christians' hidden purposes in that region may not be achieved.

Therefore it is necessary, indeed obligatory, that treatises be written in the most beautiful calligraphy and sent to Paris for us to give to the public library.

… Therefore I am compelled to assign this task to you, that every three months you prepare one treatise in the finest calligraphy, illuminate and bind it, and send it to Mr. Dreyfus so that he may deliver it to the public library.

Surely you will make the utmost effort in receiving them, and you yourself should also travel to the states at a suitable time and raise the call to the Covenant with the utmost enthusiasm and ecstasy so that the favors of the Luminary of the horizons may encompass all.

You should select a detached, pure, humble and self-effacing person who can establish themselves in that land, so that they may always be a source of motivation, awakening and reminder to the other friends, and become the cause of fellowship, love, companionship and gathering of the friends of God.

In any case, be aflame, be a blazing fire, be a shining candle, be a bird of the meadow, be a sign of the Kingdom, be a banner of the Realm of Might. If that land is difficult, move to another region nearby.

This prisoner thinketh that if a suitable time cometh and there be no hindrance or consideration, thou mayest undertake a journey to America and Europe under the pretext of traveling to India and Japan, for the receptivity of the West increaseth day by day and the lights must shine from the East.

If it is possible for you, as a skilled physician, to make a journey to those parts, it would be most fitting and acceptable.

O divine herald! 'Abdu'l-Baha is pleased with you, and from the Supreme Kingdom at every moment new bounties and a great victory shall be yours. Therefore He writes that if possible, and if it would not cause too much difficulty, it would be very fitting and appropriate for you to undertake a journey to Hamadan and Iraq and other places in those regions. Surely this journey will prove better than other journeys and its results will be greater.

But you too must be firm and steadfast, must circle around the Most Great Announcement, must be a companion and intimate to the friends, and must endeavor according to your capacity to guide the people of that region, so that you may become a magnet for grace, an attractor of mercy, and a drawer of divine gifts.

Observe how despite the afflictions and successive tribulations, the Pen of the Cause has never ceased moving, continuously engaged in promoting God's Cause, such that it has encompassed all regions. The loved ones of God must also arise to serve the Cause according to their capacity.

Take heed that thou assist thy Lord to the extent of thy power and forget not His grace, for His grace hath ever encompassed the worlds. Shun those who have disbelieved and joined partners with God, and draw nigh unto those from whom thou dost inhale the fragrance of love from this Youth whom the idolaters have cast into a deep pit.

The friends of God, in whatsoever land they dwell, must have recourse to wisdom and consultation, and must hold fast to whatsoever will today draw the heedless to the ocean of awareness and awaken the slumbering from the sleep of negligence, that all hearts and minds may be illumined by the effulgences of the Sun of Knowledge and be adorned with that which God loveth.

Guard thou My affairs and be not impatient regarding them. Thus doth the Pen of Glory command thee from the presence of One Who is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

In any case, you must arise to remedy that matter and adorn the temple of the censurable with the robe of the praiseworthy. … God willing, you will arise with firm resolve and steadfast purpose to bring about reform.

And now hath risen the sun of leave from the horizon of thy Lord's command, and We grant thee permission to return to thy dwelling, that through thee the people of heedlessness may arise. Forget not thy Lord, but rather remember Him amongst His creatures.

Now reflect upon the creation and their words and deeds and thoughts and vain imaginings, that perchance ye may strive according to your capacity, for the sake of God, to exalt the Word.

There is no objection to what you have taken as a means of livelihood, for the remembrance of the Wronged One is praiseworthy at all times and seasons. Make it a means for awakening those who slumber and rousing those who are heedless, through symbols and allusions and intimations, as the poet has said: "Listen thou to the tale thyself."

Well, what are we going to do next? Tell me what should be done? We have already travelled a good deal. We have crossed the seas, passed through wonderful centers of populations in the West, traversed over mountains, deserts, deep valleys, impassable gorges, towns and villages. What routes should we take next? Wherever we have been we called the people to the Kingdom of Abha.

Now is the time, O ye beloved of the Lord, for ardent endeavour. Struggle ye, and strive. And since the Ancient Beauty was exposed by day and night on the field of martyrdom, let us in our turn labour hard, and hear and ponder the counsels of God; let us fling away our lives, and renounce our brief and numbered days.

Oh, would that a discerning and fair-minded soul could be found who would recognize the wonders of this Revelation—wonders that proclaim the sovereignty of God and the greatness of its power. Would that such a man might arise and, wholly for the sake of God, admonish, privately and openly, the people, that haply they may bestir themselves and aid this wronged One Whom the workers of iniquity have so sorely afflicted.

Follow thou the footsteps of thy Lord, and remember His servants even as He doth remember thee, undeterred by either the clamor of the heedless ones or the sword of the enemy.…

We have, ere now, sent unto thee a Tablet; and unto every soul in every land have been sent down the verses of thy Lord, the Almighty, the All-Knowing.

… Spread abroad the sweet savors of thy Lord, and hesitate not, though it be for less than a moment, in the service of His Cause.

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Arise for the triumph of this Cause, and gather together My loved ones. Help them to see the truth in this Day when the feet of men have slipped. Say: It behoveth every true believer to assist his Lord.

Say: O people of the world! Reflect upon the state of the Wronged One. Without any veil or covering He summoned all, with the most great call, to the straight path of God, and counseled them in that which would cause the exaltation of the Cause and the elevation of beings.

While encompassed by tribulations, We summoned all humanity unto God, the Lord of the First and the Last. To this beareth witness the faithful servants of God.

It therefore behooveth you to act in accordance with the requirements of love and to be ever turned toward God.

Through this hath appeared that which We counseled them before: "To be killed is better for you than to kill." Well is it with them that act, and woe unto them that have forsaken.

And ye, O concourse of the beloved! Forget not God's covenant, neither break His testament, nor cast the Cause of God behind your backs, nor be of the heedless.

May Khalil and Asad ever repose beneath the shadow of the Friend and conduct themselves with perfect wisdom, lest a word arise and become the cause of sedition.

We cherish the hope that all the friends of God will arise to champion His Cause and in all conditions remain detached and free from corruption, conflict and contention.

Today the Afnans of the Sacred Tree, both male and female, must arise to serve the Cause. They must not be perturbed nor frightened by the cawing of the ravens and the clamor of the oppressors.

O thou verdant, fresh, and radiant leaf! Were we to weep and moan for a hundred thousand years at this Supreme Affliction, to sigh and lament, to rend our garments in sorrow, to shed tears and heap dust upon our heads, and to pine away with grief, this pain would never be stilled, this wound never healed, this fire never quenched. It behoveth us, therefore, to see ourselves, at every breath, as standing ready to depart to the next world, and to arise to carry out that which is conducive to eternal life and would cause us to ascend unto the Kingdom and to attain the court of His Presence.

You who are the memorial of that noble one must follow in his footsteps and move according to his way and conduct, so that you may become a sign of mercy and witness the ultimate bounty.

And since in that luminous spot the bodies of the martyrs were torn to pieces and buried in the layers of earth, preserve the sites of martyrdom and burial places of those pure bodies lest they be lost and forgotten, until the promised day comes and those sacred spots are raised up.

O ye the sincere loved ones of the Abha Beauty! In these days the Cause of God, the world over, is fast growing in power and, day by day, is spreading further and further to the utmost bounds of the earth. Its enemies, therefore, from all the kindreds and peoples of the world, are growing aggressive, malevolent, envious and bitterly hostile.

It is incumbent upon the loved ones of God to exercise the greatest care and prudence in all things, whether great or small, to take counsel together and unitedly resist the onslaught of the stirrers up of strife and the movers of mischief.

Convey to all the beloved of God a most wondrous Abha greeting, saying: "O friends! The time hath come for you to devote yourselves with all your powers to the service of the Cause of God, to arise to spread abroad the sweet savours of God, and to make such a joyful noise that Caucasia---nay the whole of Russia---will be stirred into motion."

O gentle branch! Today's responsibility is mighty - one must gird up the loins of service mightily and advance day by day in the degrees of understanding, so that through the aid and protection of the Self-Subsisting Lord, one may shine forth like a luminous lamp in the glass of contingent being.

Our purpose is this, that the time hath come for the friends, one and all, to arise to guide the people, and to lead the souls aright by their conduct, their deeds, and their words.

Convey to the friends and maidservants of the All-Merciful my most wonderful and glorious greetings and say: O divine friends, silence and stillness make one bewildered and dumbfounded. It makes the living dead and the joyous and delighted sorrowful and grieved. One must have enthusiasm and outcry, movement and means of glad tidings and joy.

Like the apostles of Christ, engage in spreading the divine fragrances and arise to exalt the Word of God. Never be discouraged by nations and governments - be well-wishers of all nations and peoples, serve all sincerely and wholeheartedly, and pray for the good of all.

O ye Hands of the Cause of God! Convey to all of your kindred the most wondrous and the most glorious greetings on behalf of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and arise and exert all your strength in the service of the Cause of God , so that like 'Abdu'l-Baha, ye may witness the aid of the Abha Kingdom.

… All must appreciate and arise with utmost constancy and sincerity so that these divisions are reconciled, these wounds are healed, and these ailments are cured.

They should strive for Iran's development, endeavor to spread sciences, arts and industries, and demonstrate brilliant achievements in farming and agriculture.

Then, pointing to a tree, He said: "This tree must grow green from the root. No matter how much medicine you apply to the trunk of the tree to make it green, it is impossible."

Therefore the beloved friends of God must strive to bring about reconciliation between government and people, and if they remain powerless, they should withdraw.

… Now they must, day and night, with firm resolve, spiritual power, heavenly confirmation, divine breath and celestial determination, engage in educating and guiding the people so that the heavenly hosts may confirm them and the armies of the Abha Kingdom may grant victory.

In Istanbul, utmost caution is necessary in conversation, rather complete silence is obligatory, for they are lying in wait and Iranians and others, both minor and major, are informed of affairs.

In any case, immediately upon receipt of this writing, either summon Haji Abdul-Rahim and Haji Abdul-Majid, or go to them yourselves. Beseech them to forgive Us, to show mercy to these little ones who are with this caravan, not to cause any harm to befall them.

Speak in remembrance of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, give glad tidings of the Kingdom of thy Gracious Master, and roar like lions in the thickets of calling to God. Convey thy Lord's Cause to the East and West of the earth, for He has aided thee with angels of inspiration and the power of proof.

O fellow-traveler and spiritual companion! Since your departure, the talks are being continuously edited and delivered to Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Mahmud. This is solely in compliance with your request, otherwise 'Abdu'l-Baha has neither time nor opportunity. And you must, in return for this service, make an effort - namely, that you should strive with all your might to save Jinab-i-Aqa Mirza Fath'ali Khan in Sarvistan from the aggression of evil-doers. And upon you be the Most Glorious Glory!

You must make every effort to protect Nabil Qabl-i-'Ali and safely deliver him and what he possesses to a secure location by God's grace.

Rather, the friends must be in utmost joy and delight, familiar with divine breezes, strive to exalt the Word of God, and make effort to spread the fragrance of the love of God.

… Rather they must ever arise to fulfill their own duties, whether this land be calm or in turmoil.

You must persist in peace, amity, love and goodwill toward all people, loyalty to the government, and non-interference in political affairs.

The friends must day and night, with tearful eyes, fervently implore the threshold of His Divine Singleness that He may aid the government to execute its benevolent and magnanimous projects to serve the people.

Take thou the pen and write concerning this Cause what God hath cast into thy heart, and verily the Spirit will aid thee at all times. Beware lest thou associate with those in whose hearts thou findest hatred for God and the Manifestation of His Self, and remain under impregnable protection.

Rise not merely upon hearing the Word of God - if thou art in bed, come forth; if seated, stand up; if standing, hasten with utmost speed to complete that which thou art commanded. This is the firm decree that hath appeared from the court of the Most Great Name. Take it with hands of submission and acceptance, and be of them that act.

O Pure God! Grant power and might, and bestow aid and favor that we may arise to fulfill Thy counsels and exhortations and engage in reviving the world and its peoples through the breaths of Thy virtuous character.

We praise Thee and glorify Thee, and implore the kingdom of Thy mercy to make us lamps of guidance and stars in the horizon of eternal glory among all peoples, and teach us knowledge from Thy presence, O Thou Most Glorious!

O God! O my God! These are servants whose hearts have been ignited with the fire of Thy love, whose patience has been severed due to their separation from beholding the lights of Thy countenance, whose tears flow from the surging of their longing for Thy holy threshold, and in whose innermost beings burn the fires of anguish from being seized by the hardships of separation from Thy sacred court of oneness. O Lord! Aid them with the breaths of Thy holiness, gladden them with the signs of Thy companionship, illuminate their hearts with the effulgences of Thy mysteries, purify their souls with cool water and drink from Thy streams, brighten their eyes with the witnessing of Thy signs, expand their hearts through the appearance of Thy clear proofs, strengthen their loins with Thy power, fortify their backs with Thy might, protect them in the cave of Thy protection and shelter, guard them with Thy care, and make them the emblems of Thy Covenant and the guardians of the fortress of Thy Testament. Verily Thou art the Almighty, the Powerful, the Ever-Living, the Everlasting, the Capable, the Dominant, the Self-Subsisting.

O divine friends! It is morning and nostrils are perfumed with fragrances from the gardens of the Abha Kingdom, eyes are turned toward the Supreme Concourse, a sweet breeze blows from the direction of grace, the outpouring of favors arrives from the invisible Kingdom, the hosts of divine confirmation follow one after another, and the armies of success come in waves from the hidden bounties of the Intended Lord and King of existence - may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones. We hope that in this mighty century and glorious age, which is the first emanation and eternal life, we may be successful in servitude at the Sacred Threshold and arise to fulfill whatever are the mysteries and conditions of this servitude, so that, intoxicated with the sealed wine, all friends may arise dancing and stamping their feet in the arena of the Covenant, all may arise in complete servitude, engage in diffusing the divine fragrances, and strive to exalt the Word of God.

O loved ones of God and His trustees! The time has come and the moment has arrived for us to sacrifice our spirits and expend all we possess in the path of our Kind Lord, as He has strengthened us with mighty power in this great Cause, that we may strive and endeavor to sacrifice our spirits and attain the most great martyrdom and draw near to His Most Glorious Kingdom and cling to the Most Firm Handle. Hasten, hasten to this mighty gift! Rush, rush to this manifest mercy! Make haste, make haste to this great bounty! O loved ones of God, detach yourselves from all else but God! O trustees of God, be set ablaze with the fire of the love of God! O chosen ones of God, spread the fragrances of God! O pure ones of God, exalt the Word of God! O pious ones of God, hold fast to the Covenant of God! For time is a sharp sword, swift to pass - waste it not in that which profits you not nor avails anything.

O Lord! Grant this weak servant and Thy friends a dwelling and refuge at the threshold of Thy servitude, that we may arise to fulfill the conditions of servitude and sacrifice soul, heart and body with the utmost joy. Thou art the Bestower and the Helper in all things.

I beseech Thee, by Thy Most Great Name, to raise in every city a new creation that shall turn towards Thee, and shall remember Thee amidst Thy servants, and shall unfurl by virtue of their utterances and wisdom the ensigns of Thy victory, and shall detach themselves from all created things.

Empower them also, O my God, to be as the rain that poureth down from the clouds of Thy grace, and as the winds that waft the vernal fragrances of Thy loving-kindness, that through them the soil of the hearts of Thy creatures may be clad with verdure, and may bring forth the things that will shed their fragrance over all Thy dominion, so that every one may perceive the sweet smell of the Robe of Thy Revelation.

Cause me, O my Lord, to be of those who, with their substance and their own selves, have fought valiantly in Thy path. Write down, then, for me the recompense Thou didst ordain for them in the Tablet of Thy decree. Stablish me also on the seat of truth in Thy presence, and join me with the sincere among Thy servants.

Say: O people, cross over the bridge and tarry not around it. Fear God and turn not back. Verily your Lord, the All-Merciful, hath appeared with the truth. Beware that ye delay not. Hasten to the remembrance of God and His Cause, and be not of those who hesitate.

My hope is that, through the grace and bounties of the Abha Beauty, ye may become leaders of the free and commanders of the company of the righteous; become a focal centre of the traces of Him Who is the Living, the Self-Subsisting, and a dawning-place of the effulgences of His Holiness, the Object of all knowledge; become signs of Divine Unity and manifestations of Heavenly Detachment; become shining stars and radiant lamps; and so kindle the fire of the love of God in the very summits of the earth and the midmost heart of the world that its flame may spread to all parts and regions, and the sweet savours of holiness may be wafted from the rose-garden of understanding throughout the whole of the Caucasus.

O my God, aid Thou Thy servant to raise up the Word, and to refute what is vain and false, to establish the truth, to spread the sacred verses abroad, reveal the splendors, and make the morning's light to dawn in the hearts of the righteous.

O thou advancer toward the Kingdom! Endeavor thou day by day to increase thy yearning and attraction, so that the attitude of supplication and prayer may be realized more often.

The cause and reason for this hath been and continueth to be the heedlessness of the negligent ones and the tyranny of the oppressors. Now must thou and all the believers, with utmost humility and lowliness, beseech the Self-Sufficient One for that which would conduce to the betterment of the world and the progress and tranquility of its peoples.

Today the people of unity must arise with the utmost endeavor to serve the Cause, that perchance the hidden rancor in men's hearts may be transformed and the light of the Sun of the love of God may encompass the world.

How long, O my God, wilt Thou leave the oppressed to be toyed with by the hands of the oppressors? How long, O my God, wilt Thou grant respite to the murderers and not take vengeance for the murdered? How long, O my God, wilt Thou be patient with these painful events, these deadly injustices, these tragic calamities and these grievous crimes?

Be not dismayed, O peoples of the world, when the day-star of My beauty is set, and the heaven of My tabernacle is concealed from your eyes. Arise to further My Cause, and to exalt My Word amongst men. We are with you at all times, and shall strengthen you through the power of truth. We are truly almighty. Whoso hath recognized Me will arise and serve Me with such determination that the powers of earth and heaven shall be unable to defeat his purpose.

Erelong shall God draw forth, out of the bosom of power, the hands of ascendancy and might, and shall raise up a people who will arise to win victory for this Youth and who will purge mankind from the defilement of the outcast and the ungodly. These hands will gird up their loins to champion the Faith of God, and will, in My name the Self-Subsistent, the Mighty, subdue the peoples and kindreds of the earth. They will enter the cities and will inspire with fear the hearts of all their inhabitants.

O friends! Arise to diffuse the divine fragrances and spread the heavenly lights with spiritual attraction, merciful inspirations, celestial power, Christ-like breath, the white hand of Moses, the fire and friendship of Abraham, the purity of Adam, the ark of Noah, the luminosity of Muhammad, the spirituality of Ali, the bounty of the Most Glorious, the grace of the Lord, divine intention, and heavenly utterance. Raise high the banners of divine bestowal, that you may illumine the contingent world through heavenly outpourings and organize the world of consciousness according to divine teachings.

O ye who are firm in the Covenant and the Testament! Your letter was received and your blessed names were one by one perused. The contents of the letter were divine inspirations and manifest bounties because they were indicative of the union of the friends and the harmony of all hearts.

Today the most remarkable favor of God centereth around union and harmony among the friends; so that this unity and concord may be the cause of the promulgation of the oneness of the world of humanity, may emancipate the world from this intense darkness of enmity and rancor, and that the Sun of Truth may shine in full and perfect effulgence.

Today, all the peoples of the world are indulging in self-interest and exert the utmost effort and endeavor to promote their own material interests. They are worshipping themselves and not the divine reality, nor the world of mankind. They seek diligently their own benefit and not the common weal. This is because they are captives of the world of nature and unaware of the divine teachings, of the bounty of the Kingdom and of the Sun of Truth.

But ye, praise be to God, are at present especially favored with this bounty, have become of the chosen, have been informed of the heavenly instructions, have gained admittance into the Kingdom of God, have become the recipients of unbounded blessings and have been baptized with the Water of Life, with the fire of the love of God and with the Holy Spirit.

Strive, therefore, with heart and soul that ye become ignited candles in the assemblage of the world, glittering stars on the horizon of Truth and may become the cause of the propagation of the light of the Kingdom; in order that the world of humanity may be converted into a divine realm, the nether world may become the world on high, the love of God and the mercy of the Lord may raise their canopy upon the apex of the world, human souls may become the waves of the ocean of truth, the world of humanity may grow into one blessed tree, the verses of oneness may be chanted and the melodies of sanctity may reach the Supreme Concourse.

Day and night I entreat and supplicate to the Kingdom of God and beg for you infinite assistance and confirmation. Do not take into consideration your own aptitudes and capacities, but fix your gaze on the consummate bounty, the divine bestowal and the power of the Holy Spiritâ€"the power that converteth the drop into a sea and the star into a sun.

Praise be to God, the hosts of the Supreme Concourse secure the victory and the power of the Kingdom is ready to assist and to support. Should ye at every instant unloosen the tongue in thanksgiving and gratitude, ye would not be able to discharge yourselves of the obligation of gratitude for these bestowals.

Consider: eminent personages whose fame hath spread all over the world shall, erelong, fade into utter nothingness as the result of their deprivation of this heavenly bounty; no name and no fame shall they leave behind, and of them no fruit and trace shall survive. But as the effulgences of the Sun of Truth have dawned forth upon you and ye have attained everlasting life, ye shall shine and sparkle forevermore from the horizon of existence.

Peter was a fisherman and Mary Magdalene a peasant, but as they were specially favored with the blessings of Christ, the horizon of their faith became illumined, and down to the present day they are shining from the horizon of everlasting glory. In this station, merit and capacity are not to be considered; nay rather, the resplendent rays of the Sun of Truth, which have illumined these mirrors, must be taken into account.

Ye are inviting me to America. I am likewise longing to gaze upon those illumined faces and converse and associate with those true friends. But the magnetic power which shall draw me to those shores is the union and harmony of the friends, their behavior and conduct in accordance with the teachings of God and the firmness of all in the Covenant and the Testament.

O Divine Providence! This assemblage is composed of Thy friends who are attracted to Thy beauty and are set ablaze by the fire of Thy love. Turn these souls into heavenly angels, resuscitate them through the breath of Thy Holy Spirit, grant them eloquent tongues and resolute hearts, bestow on them heavenly power and merciful susceptibilities, cause them to become the promulgators of the oneness of mankind and the cause of love and concord in the world of humanity, so that the perilous darkness of ignorant prejudice may vanish through the light of the Sun of Truth, this dreary world may become illumined, this material realm may absorb the rays of the world of spirit, these different colors may merge into one color and the melody of praise may rise to the kingdom of Thy sanctity.

Verily, Thou art the Omnipotent and the Almighty!

These shall labour ceaselessly, by day and by night, shall heed neither trials nor woe, shall suffer no respite in their efforts, shall seek no repose, shall disregard all ease and comfort, and, detached and unsullied, shall consecrate every fleeting moment of their lives to the diffusion of the divine fragrance and the exaltation of God's holy Word.

Wherefore, O faithful friends, raise ye the triumphal cry of Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! O ye who yearn after the Beauty of the Almighty! Lift up your faces toward the Supreme Horizon. Rest not, even for a moment. Breathe not a single breath save in remembrance of His love and in recognition of His grace, in the promulgation of His Utterances and the vindication of His Testimonies.

The thanksgiving for this grace and bounty is that you should be aflame like fire and burning like a candle, be swift and bright like lightning, and like honey be the sweetness of every gathering.

All the while, He trained you beneath the shadow of the divine Teachings that ye might, on a day such as this, arise to proclaim the Faith of God and magnify His Word. Now is the time for you to forget all else but Him, even as did the disciples of Christ. Now is the time for you to surge forth like a mighty ocean, that the sweet savours of God may perfume the East and the West."

I trust in Him to make your faces shine forth with a glorious light in that clime, radiant as the face of heaven at early dawn, casting its light upon all regions.

O thou who art enkindled with the fire ablaze in the Burning Bush! Leave thou the alcove of indolence and ascend to the apex of confirmation. Hold thou unto means by which the tidings of joy are diffused in those regions and the effulgence of utterance shine in those lands, for verily, the lions of righteousness roar in those forests and the torrents of true understanding pour on those meadows.

Make thou thyself arise to be the first to call out the name of thy Lord in all the regions and the first lamp within which blazeth the light of triumph and felicity.

Now hath the Sun of Truth cast a ray upon Japan. The hope is cherished that that land may be illumined with the heavenly teachings.

In any case, O handmaiden of God, do not look to weakness and inability, but rather gallop in this field through the power of the love of God, and become the cause of enthusiasm and joy in Shiraz, that private chamber of mysteries. Bring the handmaidens of the Merciful to attraction and ecstasy and make the women's gatherings the pride of men's assemblies.

Appreciate this bounty! Consider not the present state, for it is the time of seed sowing, and of course great difficulties are met with, differences and hindrances of the people being severe. Firmness must uphold us.

Have patience - wait, but do not sit idle; work while you are waiting; smile while you are wearied with monotony; be firm while everything around you in being shaken; be joyous while the ugly face of despair grins at you; speak aloud while the malevolent forces of the nether world try to crush your mind; be valiant and courageous while men all around you are cringing with fear and cowardice.

Be thou so steadfast in the Cause that through thee may be made steadfast those servants who are perturbed and hesitant in the Cause of their Lord, the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Proclaim the Cause of thy Lord, the All-Merciful, with wisdom and utterance.

Stand thou firm in the Cause with such steadfastness as would stupefy all who dwell in the heavens and on earth. Be thou so enkindled with the love of thy Lord that should anyone encounter thee, the warmth of thy love would influence him.

And you, O believer in God, remind those whom drunkenness has overtaken in these days. Then be steadfast in yourself that through you the troubled servants of God may become steadfast. Thus have We commanded you that you may be among those who act.

O Leaf of the Divine Lote-Tree! Strive, for this is the Day of striving and endeavor, that thou mayest learn from the wondrous melodies of the Lote-Tree. Unseal the musk that is sealed, and manifest the light of thy heart, so that all steadfast handmaidens may find their way to the paradise of reunion with the Immortal Beloved through the fragrance of thy love and utterance.

Time is a severing sword, and opportunity a shining light. Kindle the candle of guidance, and burn away the veils of ignorance of the inhabitants of the world.

Your time has come - you must enter the field, wield the polo stick and carry away the ball. That is, you must arise to serve and become a partner in servitude at the threshold of the Ancient Friend.

O my kind friend! They call Hermes "thrice great", and say he combined prophethood, wisdom and bounty together, and was confirmed and assisted with these three gifts. That was the Hermes of ancient times. I hope that you will become the Hermes of the spiritual ones, and combine wisdom, bounty and guidance.

The Kingdom of God is possessed of limitless potency. Audacious must be the army of life if the confirming aid of that Kingdom is to be repeatedly vouchsafed unto it. Vast is the arena, and the time ripe to spur on the charger within it. Now is the time to reveal the force of one's strength, the stoutness of one's heart and the might of one's soul.

O loved ones of God! Be a piercing flame to every rebellious one, a pulsing vein to every heedless one, pure justice to every oppressor, perfect knowledge to every ignorant one, a decisive proof to every opponent, a clear evidence to every seeker, a sweet and refreshing spring to every thirsty one, a living spirit to every dead one, a fire to every extinguished one, and hope to every despairing one.

Arise, therefore, in the utmost Power that thou mayest bestow spirit upon mouldering bones, give sight to the blind, balm and freshness to the depressed, and liveliness and grace to the dispirited.

O ye friends of my heart and soul! Slumber not for a moment; relax not nor linger for an instant. In a spirit of exceeding joy and gladness, with unswerving constancy in the Covenant and the Testament of the ever-forgiving Lord and in anticipation of attaining His luminous horizon, make the greatest effort to diffuse His sweet savours and bend your energies to promote His Cause.

Tell them to fuel with the oil of faith and certitude the lamp that Jinab-i-Azghandi lit, to water the pure seed that that noble soul scattered, and to strive to complete the foundation he established. This is fitting, so that the labors of that noble one will not be wasted.

Therefore you must not rest or be still day or night, engage in acquiring divine knowledge, and in the school of truth learn lessons from the teacher of love so that you may become the cause of consolation to these yearning ones.

I was very glad to learn that after the death of Mr. Parmerton thou hast moved forth according to the call of the Teaching Committee; that thou hast severed thyself from the earthly world and those who live thereupon; that thou hast turned thine attention to the Kingdom of Abha; that thou hast made the whole of the globe of earth thy home, and thou hast been spreading the breaths (teachings).

Therefore with thy revered husband, thy beloved daughter and those souls who have caught the splendors of the Sun of Reality, strive unanimously so that the Continent of Africa may become illumined, that world may become another world, divine enlightenment may be diffused and the Blessed Tree of the Oneness of the world of humanity may cast its shade.

Therefore, O ye friends, arise with great resolve and render mighty service. Sow a seed, plant a sapling, lay a foundation, light a lamp, burn away the veils, manifest strength and show forth power. Under the shadow of the Standard of the Covenant, which is waving over all regions, sacrifice your lives.

O Shaykh! Hearken with the ear of thy heart to the call of the Wronged One, and arise to reform the world - an arising that no hindrance in the world can prevent or influence.

God willing, they must in all conditions exert their utmost endeavor, that perchance weak souls may drink from the wine of steadfastness and turn to the most exalted horizon.

How many a strong one has turned away from the Cause, and how many a weak one has hastened unto God - a command from Him. Verily He is the Helper of every one who turns toward Him and is steadfast.

Be thou steadfast in such wise that through thee every wavering one may become firm and every agitated soul may find tranquility.

At all times advise and admonish the friends of God to engage night and day in that which is conducive to Persia's abiding glory

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O Andalib! We counsel thee with that whereby thy station shall be exalted and the fragrance of thy love shall be wafted abroad.

… One such as thee must arise to reform the world, turning unto Him.

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O thou who hast turned thy face toward My Most Exalted Horizon!

We verily have not fallen short of Our duty to exhort men, and to deliver that whereunto I was bidden by God, the Almighty, the All-Praised. Had they hearkened unto Me, they would have beheld the earth another earth.

… Remind thou the people that they may abandon what they possess and take hold of that which they have been given by the Gracious, the Bountiful One.

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There is no time to lose. There is no room left for vacillation. Multitudes hunger for the Bread of Life. The stage is set. The firm and irrevocable Promise is given. God's own Plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and complete victory.

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