Teaching the Cause: the call to every believer

42. O SON OF MAN! Humble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee. Arise for the triumph of My cause, that while yet on earth thou mayest obtain the victory.

In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself.

… Whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to the diffusion of the Light of Faith, let the loved ones give them counsel and say: "Of all the gifts of God the greatest is the gift of Teaching. It draweth unto us the Grace of God and is our first obligation. Of such a gift how can we deprive ourselves? Nay, our lives, our goods, our comforts, our rest, we offer them all as a sacrifice for the Abha Beauty and teach the Cause of God."

Say: Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Bahá, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds. Such a deed is acceptable only when he that teacheth the Cause is already a firm believer in God, the Supreme Protector, the Gracious, the Almighty. He hath, moreover, ordained that His Cause be taught through the power of men’s utterance, and not through resort to violence.

O ye beloved of God! Repose not yourselves on your couches, nay bestir yourselves as soon as ye recognize your Lord, the Creator, and hear of the things which have befallen Him, and hasten to His assistance. Unloose your tongues, and proclaim unceasingly His Cause. This shall be better for you than all the treasures of the past and of the future, if ye be of them that comprehend this truth.

Rise up to champion this Cause; open your lips and teach. In the meeting place of life be ye a guiding candle; in the skies of this world be dazzling stars; in the gardens of unity be birds of the spirit, singing of inner truths and mysteries.

God hath made it incumbent upon all to teach His Cause to the extent of their ability. Such is the decree that the Finger of might and power hath recorded in the Tablets of supernal glory. Whoso quickeneth but a single soul in this Revelation, it is as though he had quickened all humanity: Him will God, on the Day of Resurrection, raise again to life in the paradise of His oneness, adorned with the raiment of His own Self, the Sovereign Protector, the Almighty, the All-Bountiful.

These sublime words have streamed forth from the Pen of the Most High. He saith, exalted be His glory: "This is the day of vision, for the countenance of God is shining resplendent above the horizon of Manifestation. This is the day of hearing, for the call of God hath been raised. It behoveth everyone in this day to uphold and proclaim that which hath been revealed by Him Who is the Author of all scripture, the Dayspring of revelation, the Fount of knowledge and the Source of divine wisdom."

In short, O ye friends of God and maidservants of the Merciful! The hand of divine bounty hath placed upon your heads a jewelled crown, the precious gems of which shall shine eternally over all regions. Appreciate this bounty, loose your tongues in praise and thanksgiving, and engage in the promulgation of the divine teachings, for this is the spirit of life and the means of salvation.

At all times have We enjoined upon the servants of God that which is right, and forbidden them that which is wrong. By the Sun of Manifestation, which shineth forth from the horizon of the Prison, corruption, dissension, and strife have not been, nor shall ever be, the wont of man.

See ye, therefore, to your own tasks: guide ye the people and educate them in the ways of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Deliver to mankind this joyous message from the Abha Realm. Rest not, by day or night; seek ye no moment's peace. Strive ye with all your might to bring to men's ears these happy tidings.

It is incumbent, in this Day, upon every man to place his whole trust in the manifold bounties of God, and arise to disseminate, with the utmost wisdom, the verities of His Cause. Then, and only then, will the whole earth be enveloped with the morning light of His Revelation.

The Pen of the Most High hath decreed and imposed upon every one the obligation to teach this Cause.

… God will, no doubt, inspire whosoever detacheth himself from all else but Him, and will cause the pure waters of wisdom and utterance to gush out and flow copiously from his heart.

Now is the time for service, and for servitude unto the Lord. Release yourselves from all distracting thoughts, deliver the Message with an eloquent tongue, adorn your assemblages with praise of the Beloved, till bounty shall descend in overwhelming floods and dress the world in fresh greenery and blossoms.

As to the terminology I used in my letter, bidding thee to consecrate thyself to service in the Cause of God, the meaning of it is this: limit thy thoughts to teaching the Faith. Act by day and night according to the teachings and counsels and admonitions of Baha'u'llah.

All must engage in teaching the Cause with utmost joy and radiance, in accordance with the wisdom set forth in the Tablets. Should someone not be eloquent in speech, let him assist the teacher. It would be most regrettable if, in this day, any soul should be deprived of serving the Cause, for the deeds of this Day are accounted among the most exalted of all deeds in the sight of God.

Even as the clouds let us shed down tears, and as the lightning flashes let us laugh at our coursings through east and west. By day, by night, let us think but of spreading the sweet savours of God.

Waft thou to each one of the believers, men and women alike, fragrant breaths of holiness on behalf of Abdu'l-Baha. Inspire them all and urge them on to shed abroad the sweet savours of the Lord.

Thou wert, it appeareth, in doubt as to whether to write, or to teach the Faith. Teaching the Faith is essential, and for the present teaching is preferable for thee. Whensoever thou dost find an opportunity, loose thy tongue and guide the human race.

Say: His victory lies in teaching His Cause. Beware lest ye transgress therein, O people of unity! Those who shed blood are in grievous heedlessness.

Say: O people! If ye desire to struggle against God's enemies, then struggle against your own selves. This is nearer to righteousness, were ye of those who know.

Admonish everyone moreover to observe prudence as ordained by Him, and in the Name of God advise them, saying: It behooveth every one in this Day of God to dedicate himself to the teaching of the Cause with utmost prudence and steadfastness. Should he discover a pure soil, let him sow the seed of the Word of God, otherwise it would be preferable to observe silence.

In any case, O divine friends, at minimum each of the friends must teach one soul within the period of one year. This is eternal glory, this is everlasting bounty. The Prophet (may my spirit be sacrificed for him) said to His Holiness the Prince [Ali]: "The guidance of one soul is better than a thousand herds of camels" - and in the eyes of the Arabs there was no possession in existence better or more valuable than a herd of camels.

Unless these Teachings are effectively spread among the people, until the old ways, the old concepts, are gone and forgotten, this world of being will find no peace, nor will it reflect the perfections of the Heavenly Kingdom. Strive ye with all your hearts to make the heedless conscious, to waken those who sleep, to bring knowledge to the ignorant, to make the blind to see, the deaf to hear, and restore the dead to life.

In this day the duty of everyone, whether man or woman, is to teach the Cause.

Render thanks to the Lord that among that race thou art the first believer, that thou hast engaged in spreading sweet-scented breezes, and hast arisen to guide others.

Be engaged in the worship of thy Lord, and rise up to lead the people aright. Loose thy tongue and teach, and let thy face be bright with the fire of God's love.

Now is the time to speak forth and to deliver speeches, the time to teach and to give testimony. Loosen thy tongue, expound the truths, and establish the validity of the verse: "The All-Merciful hath taught the Qur'an."

To all that dwell on earth I cry aloud and say: "Fear ye God, O ye servants of God, and suffer not yourselves to be kept back from this pure Wine that hath flowed from the right hand of the throne of the mercy of your Lord, the Most Merciful.

Patience is praiseworthy except in teaching the Cause of thy Lord. Thus doth the Tongue of Revelation counsel thee in this manifest Prison.

This is the day in which to speak. It is incumbent upon the people of Bahá to strive, with the utmost patience and forbearance, to guide the peoples of the world to the Most Great Horizon. Every body calleth aloud for a soul. Heavenly souls must needs quicken, with the breath of the Word of God, the dead bodies with a fresh spirit. Within every word a new spirit is hidden.

Teaching the Cause in this day is the head cornerstone of the foundation itself. Whosoever ariseth to teach shall be graciously aided by the hosts of the celestial Concourse. Naught else will lead to any success whatsoever. Today is the day for laying the foundation, not the time for organization, repair, or restoration. One must first lay the foundation, and only then organize and arrange.

Therefore, let your faces be more radiant with hope and heavenly determination to serve the Cause of God, to spread the pure fragrances of the divine rose garden of unity, to awaken spiritual susceptibilities in the hearts of mankind, to kindle anew the spirit of humanity with divine fires and to reflect the glory of heaven to this gloomy world of materialism.

"The believers in America must be like lighthouses, lightships and searchlights, so that in the tempestuous sea of the world the arks of lives may reach the heaven of security. Each individual Bahai must be life-saver who, facing the rough waves of the sea, may plunge into the whirlpool and save the souls from drowning. To sit, to talk, to listen- there is no virtue in that. To rise, to act, to help- that is a Bahai Life.

Now is the time for them to arise and fulfil their duty. Let them translate into deeds the exhortations We have given them.

Press on, press on unto the wellspring of grace and compassion! Rush forth, rush forth to the fountainhead of bounty and favour! That is, arise to exalt the Word of God, to diffuse the sweet savours of God, to strive to spread the light of God, to kindle the fire of the love of God, to hold fast unto the Covenant and Testament of God, and to stand firm, by His gracious aid, in the Cause of God.

Whosoever hears and believes in the principles of this Cause, it is required of him to convey this Message to others. The Baha'is have no organized Missionary headquarter.

Focus on teaching and perfume your brow with the dust of servitude at the Threshold of Oneness. If you seek divine assistance and favor, teach, for today if a handmaiden engages in teaching, she will excel all the women of the world.

Most lovingly convey on behalf of `Abdu'l-Baha, the warmest Abha greetings to all the maidservants of God, and say that in this Dispensation, women have assumed the same position as men, nay rather in Europe and America they have even surpassed men in the teaching work as well as in their attraction to the Divine fragrances.

Q: 'Abdu'l-Baha, when will the Kingdom come? How soon will His Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven?

A: "It depends on how intensely you, each and every one of you, serve day and night. Ye are all torches that I have lighted with mine own hands. Go forth, light others till all the separate waiting servants are linked together in a great Unity.

When does our responsibility cease in giving the Message?

When we give the Message, we develop ourselves. Our own heart is opened when we teach the heart of the listener. The more we give, the more we get. Therefore, as this is the means of our own development we should never cease teaching. Our responsibility remains as long as we have a listener.

Strive that perchance you may heal a sick one in the name of God, or guide a wanderer to the straight path. This station is most exalted and lofty. Should anyone be prevented by worldly obstacles, it would be better to appoint a deputy who might give life to one who is dead in the name of God, or guide a wanderer to his true homeland.

However, today you must fix your gaze upon the Manifestation and what proceeds from Him, detached and freed from aught else. What you have expressed regarding the correspondence of numbers, letters and words was noted, but it would have been better if the time you spent on these matters had been spent on teaching the Cause of God with wisdom and utterance.

Every recipient of divine outpourings must share them with others. Christ says "Freely ye have received, freely give." Therefore, an effort must be made so that other thirsty ones may also be satisfied and those who are lost may find their way.

Each one of the believers of God is a teacher. Let him just turn his heart to the Blessed Perfection and unloose his tongue. God will inspire him. Teaching the Cause of God is dependent upon the spiritual Power and not upon the variety of knowledges or the vast range of 'information'.

If thou art able to convey the Cause of thy Lord, convey it; if not, then rest in thy place and trust in God in all matters.

It is better to guide one soul than to possess all that is on earth, for as long as that guided soul is under the shadow of the Tree of Divine Unity, he and the one who hath guided him will both be recipients of God’s tender mercy, whereas possession of earthly things will cease at the time of death. The path to guidance is one of love and compassion, not of force and coercion.

Some servants are not in need of teaching. They can be seen as like unto the eye, in that the eye need not be taught to see; so too the ear with hearing. The moment the eye is opened by the aid of the Spirit, it is able to see on its own, yet at all times must it seek refuge with the Face of God, lest bleariness or some other impairment develop and become a barrier. They are those servants who have turned toward the Supreme Horizon after the call was lifted up, so steadfast that none hath the power to divert the gaze of those well-assured souls from the direction of God. At every moment have they drunk and do they drink still from the living waters of the utterance of the Merciful; they read the divine Words with intimate familiarity and eagerness. Those apart from these souls stand in need of goodly exhortations and compassionate counsels. Therefore, the loved ones of God must carry out this weighty task with wisdom and clarity. Let some teach with their words, some with their deeds and actions, and some with their characters, drawing others toward God. Virtuous deeds and spiritual conduct are themselves teachers of the Cause.

Certain people should not be sad that they are unlearned and have not acquired human knowledge. Consider the time of the Apostle [Muhammad]: Following the appearance of that Most Great Luminary, all the divines, men of letters, and sages remained deprived of that Path to the recognition of the All-Merciful, while the instant that Abu Dhar -- a mere shepherd -- accepted Him Who is the All-Possessing and the Most High, oceans of wisdom and utterance flowed from his heart and his tongue. Thou seest how all the learned ones humble themselves today at the very mention of his name, whereas in the early days of that Revelation, none paid him any mind. Exalted be the Ancient of Days, the Lord of grace abounding! He, verily, ordaineth as He pleaseth; He is the Almighty, the Most Powerful. It is thus that each and every loved one of God who hath truly turned to the horizon of eternity shall be bountifully given what will guide mankind aright.

Say: O My loved ones! Ye are the world's spiritual physicians. It is incumbent upon you, through the power and might of God, to heal by the sovereign remedy of the Most Great Name the soul-sickness of the kindreds of the earth and clarify the vision of all mankind, that all may set their faces toward the shores of the Most Great Ocean in the days of the Ancient King.

It behoveth ye all so to adorn your inner and outer beings that, robed in trustworthiness, girt with righteousness and arrayed in truthfulness and rectitude, ye may become a means for the exaltation of the Cause and the education of the human race.

This Revelation hath not come to enforce earthly commandments, as were recorded in the Bayan by the Pen of the Merciful, but rather to manifest the evidences of perfection in human souls -- that their spirits may be lifted up to eternal stations and that which their minds can scarcely believe may brilliantly appear -- till all may ultimately tread above the kingdoms of earth and heaven. By My life! Were I to rend asunder the veil in this connection, men's souls would soar unto the Court of thy Lord, He Who causeth the dawn to break. Since, however, We have enjoined wisdom, We have kept some of these stations undisclosed, in order that the ecstasy of the Unconstrained may not seize the reins of volition, and so that all might walk amongst men with evident rectitude and lead the people aright.

He founded the oneness of the world of humanity, proclaimed that all are servants of the loving and merciful God Who has created, nourished and provided for all; therefore, why should men be unjust and unkind to each other, showing forth that which is contrary to God?

The door of divine knowledge has been opened by Baha'u'llah, for He has laid the foundation whereby man may become acquainted with the verities of heaven and earth and has bestowed the utmost confirmation in this day. He is our Teacher and Adviser; He is our Seer and the One clement toward us.

Then will aggression crumble away, and all that maketh for disunity be destroyed, and the structure of oneness be raised -- that the Blessed Tree may cast its shade over east and west, and the Tabernacle of the singleness of man be set up on the high summits, and flags that betoken love and fellowship flutter from their staffs around the world until the sea of truth lift high its waves, and earth bring forth the roses and sweet herbs of blessings without end, and become from pole to pole the Abha Paradise.

One of the holy Manifestations, addressing a believing soul, has said that, if a person become the cause of the illumination of one soul, it is better than a boundless treasury. "O Ali! If God guide, through thee, one soul, it is better for thee than all the riches!"

… A person declaring the glad tidings of the appearance of the realities and significances of the Kingdom is like unto a farmer who scatters pure seeds in the rich soil. The spring cloud will pour upon them the rain of bounty, and unquestionably the station of the farmer will be raised in the estimation of the lord of the village, and many harvests will be gathered.

Today, there is no result or fruit greater than guiding the people, because these helpless creatures, especially the Persians, have remained without a share in the bestowals of God.

These are the days of seed sowing. These are the days of tree planting. The bountiful bestowals of God are successive. He who sows a seed in this day will behold his reward in the fruits and harvest of the heavenly Kingdom.

I hope that each of the friends will become like a bright lamp and that the divine teachings, which are the light of the human world and the cause of comfort and tranquility for creation, will be spread with ultimate wisdom.

For the first soul who guides another soul creates a chain of continuity towards all others; from the first who generates faith evolves the unbroken link to other believers as a result of which one holy soul can be the cause of life unto one hundred thousand other souls.

Endeavour to become indifferent to the pleasures of this world and to its comfort, to remain firm and steadfast in the Covenant and to promulgate the Cause of God.

This is the cause of the exaltation of man, the cause of his glory and of his salvation.

In the world of existence the greatest bestowals of God are His teachings. The other bounties of God are limited as regards their benefits and provision. Human existence itself is a divine bestowal, but it is circumscribed with limitations. … Centuries and ages pass away, but their efficacy continues like the spirit of life which animates the world of existence. Without the teachings of God the world of humanity is like the animal kingdom.

These Holy Words and teachings are the remedy for the body politic, the divine prescription and real cure for the disorders which afflict the world. Therefore, we must accept and partake of this healing remedy in order that complete recovery may be assured.

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.

The learned one is he who guides people to My path and teaches them My straight way.

But, praised be the Lord, thou art engaged in that which secureth for thee a gain that shall eternally endure; and that is naught but thine attraction to the Kingdom of God, thy faith, and thy knowledge, the enlightenment of thine heart, and thine earnest endeavour to promote the Divine Teachings.

Verily this gift is imperishable and this wealth is a treasure from on high!

Whosoever arises to teach the Cause of God, kills nine birds with one stone. First: Proclamation of the Glad-tidings of the Kingdom of Abha. Second: Service to the Threshold of the Almighty. Third: His spiritual presence in this Court. Fourth: His perfection under the shade of the Standard of Truth. Fifth: The descent of the Bestowals of God upon him. Sixth: Bringing still nearer the age of fraternity and the dawn of Millenium. Seventh: Winning the divine approval of the Supreme Concourse. Eighth: The spiritual illumination of the hearts of humanity. Ninth: The education of the children of the race in the moral precepts of Baha'u'llah....

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As to what you wrote about the receptivity of that land and likewise its need for numerous teachers, after this was presented, these exalted words were revealed from the heaven of the favor of the Lord of Names, exalted be His glory: "O My Name! God willing, steadfast and receptive souls shall be assisted to recognize this Most Great Cause. After recognition of God, exalted be His glory, the command to teach is the greatest and most mighty. A witness to its greatness is what God revealed in the Book aforetime: 'Whosoever quickens a soul is as though he has quickened all humanity.'

Be thou a lamp of the love of thy Lord amongst His servants, that the receptive ones may be illumined thereby. Consider the lamp: though it be but one, yet from it can be lit, as God willeth, lamp after lamp, all drawing their light therefrom. Even so, consider the hearts of them that have detached themselves from all else but God and have turned unto the Mighty, the Well-Beloved. By My life! Should the lamp of any heart be lit with the love of God, from it would be kindled the hearts of all creation.

This station (that of a teacher) is in this Day the greatest of all stations, and this is acceptable in the Threshold of the Almighty. Every sincere soul who arises in this Day to spread the signs of the Kingdom and engages in guiding the seekers, will be assisted by the Invisible Hosts and rendered successful and victorious by the army of the Kingdom of Abha.

The heavenly joy, the beatific delight is only possible when we are occupied with teaching the Cause of the Merciful. The more we convey the Message, the greater will be our happiness.

Verily, the example of one who desireth to teach in these days is like unto him who planteth trees and looketh not to the length of time for gathering the fruits, but is rather eager to plant that others may benefit therefrom, even as he hath benefited from those who preceded him. Doth anyone doubt the fruits of this mighty tree?

It behoveth the people of Baha to render the Lord victorious through the power of their utterance and to admonish the people by their goodly deeds and character, inasmuch as deeds exert greater influence than words.

Say: To assist Me is to teach My Cause. This is a theme with which whole Tablets are laden. This is the changeless commandment of God, eternal in the past, eternal in the future.

… Say: If it be Our pleasure We shall render the Cause victorious through the power of a single word from Our presence. … However, since Our loving providence surpasseth all things, We have ordained that complete victory should be achieved through speech and utterance, that Our servants throughout the earth may thereby become the recipients of divine good. This is but a token of God's bounty vouchsafed unto them.

Proclaim ye the truth by diffusing the sweet savours of God and by spreading abroad His holy Utterances, for through the potency of these two instruments all men would be enabled to turn their faces towards Him; however those who fail to recognize the glory of this Day, will find themselves bewildered in the drunkenness of their selfish desires and are truly bereft of understanding.

Concerning the dispatch of petitions from the friends about which you wrote, according to His command if they present their petitions with utmost brevity their dispatch is permissible, for they will both attain the blessing and bring joy to your honor. In all matters, according to His command, wisdom must be observed and all friends must hold fast unto it. The matter of teaching, which is among the most momentous of all matters, has in God's Book been made contingent upon wisdom. He says: "With wisdom and utterance." First wisdom, then utterance. Exalted is He Who hath desired for us in all matters what is good from His presence and taught us that whereby the Cause is uplifted without raising the clamor of every heedless doubter.

Once these supreme blessed words were heard from the Tongue of Grandeur. He said: "Man can refresh the dispirited with the waters of grace and quicken the dead with the living waters without uttering what would be objectionable in the estimation of men." And He said: "Blessed is he who giveth the people to drink from the sea of the utterance of the All-Merciful without speaking a word that would cause rejection and objection." Indeed, forbearance is most beloved. Any soul who shows the slightest acceptance will later comprehend most matters himself, but if at first a word is expressed that is beyond his capacity, he will not bear it and will arise in opposition.

And concerning what you wrote about whether, if one of the friends wishes to send a letter to those parts other than the Divine Tablets and other than those of the Branches of God - may my spirit and being be sacrificed for the dust of their footsteps - and this servant, it should be reviewed and then dispatched: indeed this point is most beloved, for at present in this land there are about two hundred of the divine friends, and just as they differ in character and conduct, they certainly differ likewise in expression. However, this is a matter that cannot be mentioned to all, for some may become distressed. Therefore the divine friends in whatever land they may be, if they receive a letter or missive, they should examine it. If it conflicts with divine ordinances and heavenly utterances according to outward appearance, they should not accept it and should inquire of the source. If it attains the honor of approval it is acceptable, otherwise rejected. The purpose is that no difference should occur in any matter.

Proclaim the words of thy Lord unto His servants, that perchance they may shake off their slumber, and ask pardon of God, Who hath formed and fashioned them, and sent down unto them this most effulgent, this most holy, and manifest Revelation of His Beauty.

Remain there, then remind those who come to you, then convey to them what God has conveyed to you, and be among those who speak concerning the Cause of their Lord.

We counsel you to observe wisdom - wisdom being such deeds and actions as would cause the heedless ones of the world to become aware and draw them nigh unto the party of God. The helpless servants have been reared by the divines in vain imaginings. The wise ones of the earth must, with the utmost kindness and love, summon the people to the Law of God and the Dawning-Place of His favors.

Be thou steadfast in thy love for the Youth, then convey unto the people the Command of thy Lord with wisdom and utterance, lest the clamor of the heedless and the howling of the wicked be raised.

Trust not every claimant, believe not every speaker, nor reveal that which is hidden to every supplicant. Some souls are attracted by one word and repelled by another. In teaching, speak ye such words as will manifest the heat of the love of God. If the hearer be set ablaze and attain unto the wine of steadfastness, he will gradually comprehend that which was hidden from him.

One must consider the capacity and receptivity of the people and be moderate in speech and speak of preliminary matters, for these regions are beginners, not like the friends in Iran who are advanced. Especially 'Abdu'l-Baha speaks in public gatherings where all religions and sects are present, not just the friends alone. Therefore for all peoples one must have preliminary talks, not about the realities of inner meanings and the mysteries of divine questions.

Among the conditions for teaching set forth in the Book of God is wisdom; therefore one must speak to each soul according to their capacity, so that through the hands of training of the true physicians they may attain the station of maturity.

However, in all conditions ye must observe wisdom and summon the people with pure wisdom, for they are weak and heedless of the Dawning-Place of Divine Revelation and the Dayspring of the Lord's Manifestation. If they witness something whose reality they fail to comprehend, they will surely avoid it. In such case the work of teaching would be impeded.

O ye friends of God! Engage in love as much as you can and be gentle to every outsider; suffer from enemies and behave with patience; see the asleep as the awakened, know the heedless as heedful, deal justly with the unjust and treat the oppressor with faithfulness.

People do not become believers through reading books, but rather through the utterance of a living teacher.

Now the Baha'is must be occupied in spreading the Cause of God and furthering the instructions of Baha'u'llah, and not spend their time in disputing with one another. If they do the first, all will be happy; they will be assisted by the Breath of the Holy Spirit and become the beloved of His Heart.

In the name of the All-Wise Judge

In this Most Great Revelation most of the loved ones have been commanded to teach the Cause of the Lord of Names, that is, teaching has become obligatory upon all, so that perchance all the friends of the All-Merciful may attain to that exalted and most glorious station expressed in the words "Whoso quickeneth a soul is as though he had quickened all mankind."

However, all must observe wisdom in the matter of teaching. Without it, it is neither permissible nor allowed. For instance, if today someone were to call out at the top of their voice commanding people to rend asunder their imaginary veils, such a soul would not be considered among the teachers in the sight of God, for they would have acted outside the bounds of wisdom.

For when someone has spent years following a way and has been brought up in it, one cannot forbid them from it all at once. Rather, one must gradually, with the utmost kindness and mercy, present teachings from their own tradition, so that through these teachings and stories they may attain to the horizon of the Cause and rend asunder their imaginary veils. God's mercy has taken precedence and His grace has encompassed all. This is why He has commanded all to observe wisdom, lest anything occur that might cause minds and souls to be troubled.

Before the martyrdom of Badi', upon him be the most glorious Glory of God, We commanded a group to call out without concealment or veiling, and they acted according to what God desired and drank the cup of martyrdom from the most exalted of vessels. But after his martyrdom, all have been commanded to observe wisdom. Today, deviation from it is not permitted.

Read thou this Tablet to those who have believed in God, that they may be informed of what hath been sent down from the Ancient Revealer. Give thanks unto God for having been mentioned before the Wronged One, Who hath sent down for thee this wondrous Tablet. Say: All praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds.

O friends! Arise with heart and soul, engage in exalting the Word of God, and arise to guide the peoples. Wisdom consists in being steadfast in teaching, not in silence and quiet and fear and dread.

As far as possible, associate and consort at first with both Persians and others, and discourse on scholarly matters so that it may become evident to all that thou art learned and informed. When some measure of fellowship is established and they lend an attentive ear, then to whomsoever thou findest receptive, impart the Word discreetly.

Dr. Fareed:

The Master goes to meetings and often does not mention the name of Baha'u'llah. What necessitates the mentioning of a name? You can discuss a subject without mentioning any name. The name is not essential.

Teaching the Truth is like building bridges by which humanity may cross over the current which threatens.

Therefore miracles have no value in the teaching of religion.

However, what was intended was arising to teach God's Cause with wisdom and utterance, not such manifestation and proclamation as would cause the ignorant of the earth to turn away, so that hearts, which are the cities of God's love, might be opened with the key of wisdom.

Consider the cooing of the dove and the buzzing of the fly - the former draweth the hearts of men through God's grace and guideth them to the court of the Beloved, while from the latter no effect appears nor is its purpose understood.

When ye see anyone object to you, remind them with clear proof and evidence. If they accept, it is for their own sake, and if they turn away, oppose them not.

Now in 'Ishqabad and its surroundings, with utmost love, kindness, forbearance and gentle speech, engage in guiding the seekers, ignite extinguished candles and revive lifeless souls. Be tolerant of the impertinence of stubborn seekers, "dispute with them in the most excellent manner", and do not be defeated by any assault or oppression from other peoples.

O Surush, herald of the unseen realm and messenger of the Abha Kingdom! This melody reaches the ear: This is the century of the Sun of Truth and the cycle of the Ancient of Days.

… The weapons of the divine friends are peace and reconciliation, and their world-conquering sword is utterance, expression and speech.

But regarding teaching the Truth: One must teach with wisdom, amiability, good-naturedness and kindness. And should anyone circumscribe conditions (for teaching the Truth) it will become rare.

Now thou too must show forth such courage and valor--yet not through the sharp blade and perilous arrow, but rather through a honeyed tongue and sweet utterance and conduct like pure honey and nectar. This sword taketh not life but bestoweth it; it destroyeth not but buildeth up; it casteth not down hearth and home but raiseth up heavenly foundations.

As to his question about the permissibility of promulgating the divine teachings without relating them to the Most Great Name, you should answer: "This blessed Name hath an effect on the reality of things. If these teachings are spread without identifying them with this holy Name, they will fail to exert an abiding influence in the world.

Recite the verses of thy Lord with attraction and enthusiasm and in a melodious voice, for they will influence hardened hearts.

Whenever and wherever an opportunity presents itself favourably to speak of the Truth of the teachings of Baha'u'llah I enjoin you not to allow or permit that opportunity to pass by. But we must never at any time create strife by thrusting the teachings upon unwilling listeners, nor must we argue - we must live the life.

For example, in the West if divine teachings are imparted or accounts of the martyrs are given, this has a very powerful effect. The point is that the friends in Western lands must teach in this manner, making their explanations very clear and simple, not dealing with complex divine matters. They should discuss the teachings of the Blessed Beauty, mention His trials and tribulations, describe the afflictions and sufferings of the Bab, speak of the greatness of the Cause, tell of the self-sacrifice and martyrdom of the loved ones of God, discourse on fellowship and love, and associate with the people of the West with the essence of detachment, pure sanctity and holiness, and attraction to the love of God.

I have repeated on various occasions that the foundation of the progress of the Baha'i Cause consists in the spread of the message and the diffusion of the principles. For many years to come this must be the supreme concern of every Baha'i assembly and the driving force of every individual. To be able to teach one soul is more profitable than to write a thousand ineffective letters.

Try to suffer the people to enter in the Kingdom of God. To tell them only about the history of the Cause there is no permanent results, make them Baha'is.

Aid ye your Lord through utterance. We have lifted the decree of holy war by the sword and have made it to be waged through refinement, goodly character and knowledge.

Today it is incumbent upon all to engage in teaching the Cause with the utmost wisdom. The earth must first be made receptive through the power of utterance, and then the word must be delivered.

Reports about him have repeatedly arrived from the land of A, and an answer that would be the cause of awareness and the key to wisdom was sent. All must today hold fast to means that will cause the acceptance of those outside the Faith, that they may come and find. Some deeds and words are the cause of flight and denial, while others are proof of nearness and acceptance.

Whosoever desires to teach the Cause of God must conduct himself with the utmost kindliness and forbearance, for the people are weak, and thy Lord is the Mighty, the Bountiful, the Merciful.

Let your principal concern be to rescue the fallen from the slough of impending extinction, and to help him embrace the ancient Faith of God. Your behavior towards your neighbor should be such as to manifest clearly the signs of the one true God, for ye are the first among men to be recreated by His Spirit, the first to adore and bow the knee before Him, the first to circle round His throne of glory.

God hath prescribed unto everyone the duty of teaching His Cause. Whoever ariseth to discharge this duty, must needs, ere he proclaimeth His Message, adorn himself with the ornament of an upright and praiseworthy character, so that his words may attract the hearts of such as are receptive to his call. Without it, he can never hope to influence his hearers.

Let your light shine before the eyes of men. Such must be the purity of your character and the degree of your renunciation, that the people of the earth may through you recognize and be drawn closer to the heavenly Father who is the Source of purity and grace. For none has seen the Father who is in heaven. You who are His spiritual children must by your deeds exemplify His virtues, and witness to His glory.

… Scatter throughout the length and breadth of this land, and, with steadfast feet and sanctified hearts, prepare the way for His coming.

That is, each of the beloved ones should, each year, establish friendship with one of the strangers, at first merely cultivating friendship and companionship, amazing that person through their deeds and actions. Once love hath been established, they should gradually teach. In this way, teaching becomes possible for every soul.

A good character and associating with people in a pleasant manner - this is teaching. No matter how much one engages the other party in presenting proofs, it ultimately leads to stubbornness and opposition, for they see themselves as subdued and defeated, which increases their heedlessness and veiling. One should mention: "This is correct; consider this aspect as well - is it right or wrong?" Certainly with courtesy, love and kindness the other party will listen and will not become preoccupied with formulating responses and creating arguments, but will acknowledge the point.

Today the beloved of God must engage in teaching the Great Cause through sweet words and conduct of utmost purity, sanctity and kindness. They must speak with eloquent tongues and demonstrate a new way of being. Teaching through deeds is greater than teaching through words, for the latter causes awakening while the former causes attraction - and attraction is superior to awakening.

For example, it is clear that no intent or act is more praiseworthy than teaching the Faith of God, no act is more sacred than guiding the nations. Yet if you show someone kindliness and use this as a means to disarm and convert him, this, too, is hypocrisy and deceit.

He said: "Such is the way that must be adopted, for only through intimate association will the friends be able to teach and sow a seed in the heart of a seeker.

The service of God, exalted be His glory, hath been and ever shall be to teach His Cause and guide the people. This cannot be achieved except through goodly character, pure deeds, and kindness and love.

Now that the Call of God has encompassed the world and the fame of the Blessed Beauty has stirred East and West to excitement, we must engage in guiding all on earth with perfect wisdom. Each person must become the intimate companion of someone, guiding them through divine counsels, heavenly proofs, godly arguments, the way and conduct of those near to the Divine Court, spiritual qualities and pure and goodly deeds.

We must make souls thirsty through Baha'i conduct, speech and character, then offer them a cup from the fountain of life.

When asked by an American friend: "Which is the best way to spread the teaching?" he said:

"By deeds. This way is open to all, and deeds are understood by all.

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If wisdom permits, God willing, may every possessor of speech and utterance arise to teach and attain this most exalted and glorious station. Every pure deed that is manifested today from the friends of God is itself a teacher, and in most Tablets this comprehensive and binding word has been revealed.

Speak ye for the sake of God and teach His Cause for His sake. Look not to rejection or acceptance, but rather to the service whereunto ye have been bidden by God. This is the most great favor, eternal success, everlasting fruit, and the bestowal of Truth at all times, and His outpouring grace hath reached and shall continue to reach in every season.

When he is enkindled with the fire of His love and adorned with the ornament of detachment, his words shall set ablaze those that hear him.

O Ali! Thou hast been and art favored by the grace of the Lord of the Worlds. Through His might and power, arise to assist His Cause and exalt His remembrance amongst His servants. Be not grieved that thou possessest not outward learning and penmanship. The doors of all bounties are within the grasp of God's power; He hath opened them and will continue to open them to the faces of His servants.

The Lord of the worlds declareth: O servants! Abandon your desires and seek that which I have desired for you. Travel not the way without a guide, nor accept every guide's words. Many guides are themselves astray and have not found the right path. A guide is one who is free from the bonds of the world and whom nothing preventeth from speaking the truth.

O servants! Practice truthfulness, turn not away from the destitute, make mention of Me before the great ones, and fear not.

In Paris it is necessary to manifest absolute purity and detachment in order for souls to become cleansed and purified from the defilement of passion and desire, for in that city people are extremely heedless and are engrossed in satisfying the cravings of self. But if an angelic power is manifested, it will certainly have a pervasive influence, and those souls will become quickened through the breaths of the Holy Spirit. Assuredly, exert the utmost effort so that dead souls may come to life, the blind may see, and the deaf may hear.

With regard to what was written concerning teachers of the Cause, this found acceptance in the Most Holy Court. In truth, every soul who arises to serve this most great and momentous Cause must be adorned with all virtues, both outward and inward, and must have sufficient means. In whatever land he enters, the fragrance of detachment must waft from him.

O Amin! Those souls who are engaged in teaching the Cause need attention, for unless the heart is detached, words have no effect. Every being needs sustenance, therefore thou must give attention according to thy capacity.

O ye who have quaffed an intoxicating draught from the cup of fidelity to the Covenant! Thanks be to His Holiness the Self-Subsistent that ye are come beneath the shadow of the Mighty Tabernacle, and arrived within the Abha Paradise, in the Illumined Garden. Ye are transported by the wine of fidelity to the Covenant, and stirred into a tumult by the heat of the fire of the love of God. 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! This is a city wherein the fire of Thy love hath blazed, and the lights of Thy knowledge have shone. Make then its precincts illumined, its environs fragrant, its courts spacious, and its happiness immense, through the light of Thy Divine Unity which shineth from that city in every direction of that region; and make Thou Thy loved ones therein the waves of the sea of Thy oneness, the troops of the hosts of Thy knowledge, the trees of the garden of Thy bestowal, and the fruits of the tree of Thy providence.

Thou, verily, art the All-Bounteous, the Most Exalted.

It behoveth the individual first to value these ordeals, willingly accept them, and eagerly welcome them; only then should he proceed with teaching the Faith and exalting the Word of God.

The honored Name of God "J" hath also submitted a word in this regard which was favored with hearing and illumined with the light of acceptance. He wrote that the regions of Kurdistan are very receptive and need teachers, provided they keep in view only the exaltation of the Cause and do not spread their own carpet. In truth, some of the teachers should observe and be mindful of this word and thy word, and hold fast unto them, as a command from God, the Ordainer, the All-Wise.

First, we must remember ourselves, then turn to others; first, lovers must become self-sacrificing, then guide others. How can one who has not found existence from the Bestower of existence bestow existence on others?

How many souls traveled to those regions but, being captive to their desires and tainted by selfish and lustful motives, seeking fame and fortune for themselves - despite having been sent by me - returned utterly disappointed and deprived. However, His Holiness Abu'l-Fadl, may the spirit of those near to God be sacrificed for him, possessed these qualities and thus became a center of confirmation and success, laying a foundation that will endure forever.

To teach is a gift of God and is not based on one's talents. To present proofs and convincing evidence is but a bounty from the All Merciful and is not dependent on knowledge and learning. How often has one unlettered soul become the source of guidance for the entire world.

When the friends do not endeavor to spread the message, they fail to remember God befittingly, and will not witness the tokens of assistance and confirmation from the Abha Kingdom nor comprehend the divine mysteries. However, when the tongue of the teacher is engaged in teaching, he will naturally himself be stimulated, will become a magnet attracting the divine aid and bounty of the Kingdom, and will be like unto the bird at the hour of dawn, which itself becometh exhilarated by its own singing, its warbling and its melody....

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This is what God hath willed regarding thy journeying to the right and to the left. Follow, then, the paths of life if thou findest not the spirit of sorrow in thy heart; otherwise, rest thy heart with what We are content. We desire to witness in His path naught but the spirit of joy and exaltation. This is what God hath desired for all His servants.

Acquire the attributes of the merciful, be thou attracted to the holy fragrances so that thou mayest be revived by the breaths of the Holy Spirit and once thou hast taught thyself thou shalt be able to teach and educate other souls likewise.

She was one of the best teachers of the Cause. An eloquent tongue, a severed soul, a detached heart were hers.

The teacher cannot make perfect. The teacher cannot make one the light of the human world. Assuredly, an untutored child who can read is better than one who has acquired all knowledge but has not entered beneath the shadow of a divine educator, for from the latter harm will result while from the former it will not; and if one has received no education but has received divine training, that will yield results.

Whenever I spoke on these topics I was myself greatly moved. When a person delivers an address he must first of all address himself and see whether the recital of those experiences will stir his heart or not. In this manner one's talk will influence the heart and the soul.

Since some have observed the shining rays of the Sun of Truth from the horizon of America, they entertained thoughts of sending souls to those regions, hoping perchance they might gather a group around themselves. But they labor in vain, for divine confirmations do not accompany such persons.

Certainly we shall not deny access to members of other religions, but at the same time we have no wish that Green Acre should become a breeding ground for superstitions. Indeed, our ardent hope is that the cry of the Kingdom may be raised in that spot, and that the Baha'i character of the school may become sufficiently evident for it to attract the notice of other groups.

In any case, give importance to the matter of teaching, and think of ways of imparting the Message to prominent people, for once such persons have given their allegiance they will cause others to be led, troop after troop, to the wellspring of unfailing guidance.

Thou didst write concerning the Russian official. It is evident that, thanks to thine endeavours, he hath become somewhat attracted to the Cause; God willing, he will come little by little to believe in it entirely.

As for the Theosophical Society, shouldst thou attend their gatherings and speak of the oneness of humanity; of the contents of the Divine Tablets; of the spirituality born of heaven; and of equality, concord, love, and harmony among the children of men; and consort with them with the utmost attraction, this will doubtless be beneficial.

Therefore it is not to be wondered at that the movements of the birds of darkness attract attention. Through the potency of the Name of the Best-Beloved, invite thou the receptive souls unto God’s holy court, that perchance they may not remain deprived of the heavenly Fountain of living water.

I hope that thou wilt ... endeavour to teach some high-ranking and influential persons, for the hearts of the people have become attracted to the Cause of God and their minds bewildered and enthralled by its awesome grandeur. Those who occupy high positions, too, have become profoundly receptive to its message. The loved ones of God should therefore make a determined effort and guide these distinguished souls to the Cause.

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Your honor hath not fallen short in service, mention and teaching, but heedless souls are not susceptible to guidance.

I hope my words will be like pure seeds that are sown in good soil, for according to Christ the blessed word is like pure seed. But sometimes some seeds fall by the wayside and are trampled and destroyed. Although the seed is pure, since the soil lacks capacity it becomes corrupted. Some seeds fall on rocky ground and bear no fruit since they have no roots. But some seeds that are scattered on pure soil and are watered produce ears of grain and become a harvest.

When you speak with irreligious people, make them aware of the harmful effects and corruption of the natural world - that these conditions are characteristics of the animal kingdom. But humans, through their rational faculties and conscientious feelings, have been distinguished from other creatures so they may delve into spiritual matters, discover the realities of things, be attracted to the Supreme Kingdom, strive for human welfare and the comfort of humanity, and promote the means of justice and fairness.

People in the world do not talk enough about God. Their conversation is filled with trivialities, and they forget the most momentous subjects. Yet if you speak to them of God they are happy, and presently they open their hearts to you.

Those whom you find receptive to your call, share with them the epistles and tablets We have revealed for you, that, perchance, these wondrous words may cause them to turn away from the slough of heedlessness, and soar into the realm of the Divine presence.

Then remind the people of that which God hath cast into thy heart, and tarry not in thy soul less than a moment. And if thou findest one who is receptive, cast upon him the melodies of the Spirit, and if thou findest one who turneth away, turn away from him and turn unto God, and verily He shall suffice thee against all things and against His misbeliever servants.

Say: Consort with all religions with joy and fragrance, and remind them of that which hath appeared in creation. Should they turn towards it, it is for their own good; and should they turn away, withdraw from them and remain steadfast in great dignity.

Convey my longing greeting to the reverend minister whose name you mention in the letter and deliver to him this my message:

O thou dear friend! A wise farmer scatters his seeds in rich, productive soil. Those pure seeds are no other than the new, heavenly teachings and the rich soil is the hearts of the chosen ones. Become thou a heavenly farmer. Do not sow the seeds in barren soil.

Associate with souls with utmost love and convey the Word according to their capacity. Arrange feasts of fellowship that will attract hearts.

Should you observe any lessening in people's response, be not saddened, but continue sowing these pure seeds. Assuredly they will flourish and this garden will bear fruit. We are commanded to sow the seeds; their growth rests with God. Surely one day the rain of mercy and the warmth of the Sun of Truth will cause them to sprout.

Reveal thou (or teach thou) the Word of God; be not grieved at the people's lack of hearing. Do thou sow the seed, and God will make it grow and the cloud (or rain) of mercy will develop it.

When thou dost enter a city in India associate with the people in the beginning as a tourist, as a person interested in India and a lover of Indian people and institutions. Meet all those who come to see thee or thou callest on them with sympathy and do not in the least prejudice them. Thou must reconcile together the adherents of various religions and the notaries of different creeds with the solvent alchemy of love and infuse amongst them Baha'i freedom of conscience and solidarity. If some one ask thee 'who art thou, and why hast thou come to India.' Answer. 'I am a teacher of the Baha'i Cause.

No.

In serving the Cause of God we must ever keep the example of the farmers before our eyes. It is not enough to plough the ground. We must scatter the seeds. It is not sufficient to sow the seeds, we must root out the tares and weeds. It is not enough to pluck up the tares, we must water the soil and watch over it for several months till the harvests are gathered.

For example, if someone asks a question and thou mentionest a word in reply, if it is accepted, well and good; otherwise silence is preferable, lest there proceed from thee that which would sadden hearts.

Convey My greetings to the friends of God, and whenever thou beholdest in any soul the fire of search, mention unto him the Desired One.

Should thou find one who thirsteth, give him to drink of the pure wine in the name of the Lord of Power. Otherwise, preserve it in its vessel until there appeareth one who will drink it in My name, the Mighty, the Wondrous.

Therefore, mention of the Cause to the government is not and has never been permissible. In any case, the seeds of wisdom must be deposited in receptive soil. Verily, He commands what is best for you - act upon it and be among those who are firm.

No harm has been or is greater to the Cause of God than discord, for if numerous souls act without wisdom and openly and manifestly speak the Word of God among people, undoubtedly this matter will cause agitation and clamor among the people.

Summon Mr. Tafti to Tehran so that he may engage in teaching important souls secretly in your home. But keep hidden from all anyone who accepts the Faith - let no one catch wind of it. They are requesting teachers from all directions. Select from among enkindled and attracted souls as much as possible.

This matter is very beloved and apparently the Spiritual Assembly has also approved it. However, the women teachers must be dignified, wise and composed. They must act with the utmost wisdom, not in a way that would cause uproar and commotion in the city.

If one considers carefully, there are other benefits as well - among them that separation does not occur, for if the veil is torn away, opposition increases and separation will result, and when separation occurs the work of teaching becomes impaired.

But it is essential that, in the utmost wisdom, they should engage in teaching. And if any one of the friends guideth a soul unto the light of guidance, he must, so far as possible, keep this concealed; and that soul who hath been guided should likewise, in secret, lead another to the Faith and keep him hidden.

Although the command to teach hath been revealed in the Tablet, yet this is not intended for these days. They must act according to the capacity of the people. The more matters remain concealed in these days, the better it is.

However God's loved ones in different regions must all conduct themselves with perfect wisdom and render assistance. No action should occur that would cause affliction to those souls, for if all are afflicted, who would call people to God? Therefore protection is necessary, and though God is powerful over what He wills, He loves these beloved ones to assist Him. The trials of the Ancient Beauty Himself suffice, and this very wondrous trial is itself assistance.

Likewise, teaching the Faith to the female members of the family and other women is also very appropriate, for it is permissible for women to benefit from men in sciences and perfections and to receive truths and meanings, but with perfect dignity and all that modesty and chastity require.

If any of the friends opens their tongue to teach and speaks even a word to anyone, even in defense, the people will completely flee and not come near. Therefore, the Blessed Beauty has forbidden teaching in this land.

One day this Haji Muhammad grabbed hold of a Christian priest's collar to teach him the Faith.

… The priest became very agitated and, having no response, came to me and complained that Haji Muhammad had spoken thus and insulted him, and requested that I tell my followers to stop teaching priests and stop bothering them.

None of the souls dwelling in that land are commissioned to teach; rather, all must conduct themselves among the servants with spiritual qualities and praiseworthy attributes that will engender the love of people. This much sufficeth. Should any soul utter words that cause disturbance to another in that land, the harm will rebound upon all.

Today the believers in God must strive, wholly detached from all else, to protect the souls that have accepted the Faith, that perchance they may not be afflicted with the vain imaginings of the past.

Teaching in that land must not extend beyond Muslims, and even then only if they are from Iran, meaning subjects of the Iranian government. It must not go beyond matters of character and that which leads to the elevation and advancement of stations. In truth, your deeds are the cause of the awakening of souls. If they are not aware now, they will surely acknowledge it later.

Should they show forth such a magnanimity, it is assured that they will obtain universal divine confirmations, the heavenly cohorts will reinforce them uninterruptedly, and a most great victory will be obtained.

God willing, the call of the Kingdom may reach the ears of the Eskimos, the inhabitants of the Islands of Franklin in the north of Canada, as well as Greenland.

So may you all receive Divine assistance! No capacity is limited when led by the Spirit of God!

… If you thus keep yourselves in readiness, you will become to the world of humanity a burning flame, a star of guidance, and a fruitful tree, changing all its darkness and woe into light and joy by the shining of the Sun of Mercy and the infinite blessings of the Glad Tidings.

I ask of God that with His assistance and strong support thou mayest teach the inner meanings of the Torah with eloquence, understanding, vigour and skill. Turn thy face toward the Kingdom of God, ask for the bestowals of the Holy Spirit, speak, and the confirmations of the Spirit will come.

Render thou thanks unto the Beloved of the world for having graciously aided thee to attain confirmation in this glorious Cause. Entreat Him moreover to make His loved ones steadfast therein, for the inflammatory writings of the mischief-makers are widespread and the clamor of the foreboders of evil is raised high.

Be ye heralds of the Covenant and bearers of the glad-tidings of His Testament. Receive your portion from the breast of His grace, and with high resolve exert your utmost endeavour.

Verily I say unto thee that if thou be steadfast in this Cause, and arise with all thy power to promote the Word of God in those regions, and exert thine utmost effort to breathe the spirit of life into the hearts of the righteous, thou wilt find thyself assisted by the angels of heaven and the hosts of the Concourse on high.

Speak openly of all the signs of the Kingdom of God that ye have witnessed with your own eyes and share with the utmost happiness and exultation all that ye have heard of the divine teachings. I fervently supplicate God to bring assurance to your souls and to raise you up with such steadfastness that each of you may withstand an entire nation.

Through your efforts and sincerity this is made possible. If you arise in the Cause of God with divine power, heavenly grace, the sincerity of the Kingdom, a merciful heart and decisive intention, it is certain that the world of humanity will be entirely illumined, the moralities of mankind will become merciful, the foundations of the Most Great Peace will be laid, and the oneness of the kingdom of man will become a reality.

The Baha'is are displaying great effort and manifesting far-reaching magnanimity. The Confirmation of the Blessed Beauty is their net, Unity and Concord is their bait; attraction and enkindlement is their trap, service and self-sacrifice is their reliance. They cast their net into this great, turbulent sea and day by day are delivering new fishes. What delightful service is this to the world of humanity! What fruitful exertion is this in the Universe of God!

Be not distressed by difficulties, for every great cause must needs have its difficulties.

O servant of Truth! Victory is of two kinds: the conquest of strongholds and the conquest of hearts. The conquest of strongholds is easy, for they can be subdued with a measure of explosive materials. But the conquest of hearts is difficult, save through the power of the Most Great Name and the hosts ye cannot see. Therefore, strive thou with heart and soul that thou mayest be successful in conquering hearts, and mayest find thy breast expanded, and become the recipient of the outpourings of the Holy Spirit.

Today whosoever arises to herald the Kingdom of Abha, a magnetic power will be produced which shall attract the rays of Confirmation; the hosts of the Supreme Concourse will make him victorious and the power of the Holy Spirit will support and assist him.

Although the regions of India are slow to respond, when the kindled fire takes hold, souls will be educated with utmost speed. Therefore, do not become discouraged. In the beginning of establishment, every matter is naturally difficult and severe, but later becomes easy.

O young trees and plants, matchless and tender, that grow in the meadows of guidance! O ye newcomers to the Fraternity of Truth! Although now ye be learners, the hope is that through showerings from the clouds of grace, ye will become teachers; that ye will flourish even as flowers and fragrant herbs in the garden of that knowledge which is both of the mind and of the heart; that each one of you will grow as a tree rich in yield, fair, fresh, and strong, heavy with sweet fruit.

It is my hope that this gathering may increase in number day by day; that you may become more and more attracted, more spiritual, more illumined, acquire knowledge of the teachings of Baha'u'llah from each other and be able to spread the message of truth. May your hearts become so attracted that the instant a question is asked, you will be able to give the right answer and that the truth of the Holy Spirit may speak through your tongues.

In brief, spend your nights and days in the study of the holy Utterances and in acquiring perfections. Occupy yourselves always in discussing these matters. When ye meet each other, convey the glad-tidings and impart hope to one another because of the confirmations and bounties of the Ancient and Ever-Living Lord. Let each set forth proofs and evidences, and talk about the mysteries of the Kingdom, so that the true and divine Spirit may permeate the body of the contingent world and the secrets of all things, whether of the past or of the future, may become openly manifest and resplendent.

Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they will learn how to teach the Faith, will spread the sweet savours of the Teachings and make plans for training the children.

According to the explicit divine Text, teaching the children is indispensable and obligatory. It followeth that teachers are servants of the Lord God, since they have arisen to perform this task, which is the same as worship. You must therefore offer praise with every breath, for you are educating your spiritual children.

Verily, 'Abdu'l‑Baha inhaleth the fragrance of the love of God from every meeting place where the Word of God is uttered and proofs and arguments set forth that shed their rays across the world, and where they recount the tribulations of 'Abdu'l‑Baha at the evil hands of those who have violated the Covenant of God.

At present teachers are very few and from every direction rises the cry "Where is the teacher? Where is the teacher?" There is no solution except to establish in every city an assembly for teaching classes, so that the young plants of the Abha Paradise who are in utmost enthusiasm, joy, passion and devotion may learn the art of teaching. If this is properly implemented, in a short time in every city perfect teachers and steadfast speakers will appear.

The formation of a teaching council is most acceptable and beneficial. It is hoped that in days to come the desired outcome will become apparent.

However, all teaching and instruction must be lessons in teaching the Faith, so that the students gain proficiency in teaching. Otherwise, if they spend time on syntax, morphology, logic, rhetoric, figures of speech and the like, and then study lessons in teaching, years will pass and the opportunity will be lost.

O thou beloved maidservant of God! Thy letter was received and its contents revealed the fact that the friends, in perfect energy and vitality are engaged in the propagation of the heavenly teachings. This news hath caused intense joy and gladness.

O thou blossom on the Tree of Life! Happy art thou to have girded thy loins in service; to have risen with all thy power in the promulgation of the divine teachings, to have convened gatherings and to have striven for the exaltation of the Word of God.

My highest wish and desire is that ye who are my children may be educated according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah and may receive a Baha'i training; that ye may each become a lighted candle in the world of humanity, may be devoted to the service of all mankind, may give up your rest and comfort, so that ye may become the cause of the tranquillity of the world of creation.

Say: O people of God! Spend this precious life in service to the Cause. In every land the loved ones should consult together and appoint someone from among the people of that land for the purpose of teaching. Through an unnamed and unidentified intermediary, they should provide the teacher with sufficient means to meet his needs, that he may, with complete assurance, summon the servants of the All-Merciful to the horizon of God's bounty. And that soul must be adorned with the ornament of wisdom and be aware of the disposition of those who are near to God and sincere.

The contribution thou hast made for teaching is highly acceptable and it shall be eternally mentioned in the divine Kingdom for it is the cause of the diffusion of fragrances and the exaltation of the Word of God....

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Let them study the lessons of how to teach and assume for themselves the duties enjoined upon them by God's bounty and His supreme guidance. Let them memorise the sacred tablets that tell of His knowledge so that they might become sight unto the seeker in darkness and an instrument of guidance unto the eager of heart, so that they might be true sons of that father, true branches of that tree.

Today all the believers of God must think of conveying the message, and not of the formation of committees; for there will be no result from the organization of the committees.

The Hands of the Cause of God must, like this servant, focus all their thoughts on teaching the Cause of God so that the confirmations of the Abha Kingdom may arrive successively. What results can come from Assemblies? Rather, they will ultimately cause discord. Observe how in Tehran all time is now spent on these accounts and stories while teaching has been completely abandoned. Consider what enabled the apostles of Christ to succeed - was it through organizing assemblies or through establishing detachment, supplication and teaching?

It hath been revealed by the divine Pen that in every city several souls should gather specifically to consult about teaching God's Cause, determining what manner is most advisable and proceeding accordingly. Wondrous and sublime utterances have been specifically revealed from the Court of Divine Unity regarding this matter.

Since this is the beginning of establishment, therefore promotion is today the most important of all matters, and after promotion comes organization. If we focus on organization now, promotion will be delayed.

Definitely provide them fifteen tomans each month, and if they request somewhat more than this, provide that as well, for teachers must be shown the utmost respect - these souls are sacrificial servants of the Blessed Beauty.

Concerning the teaching gatherings you wrote about - today two things are of utmost importance and are confirmed with abundant success: teaching gatherings and teaching study classes. Both are supremely confirmed and successful, but wisdom must be observed lest it cause alarm among the people.

Thou hast written concerning the spiritual meetings. The spiritual meeting must be in the utmost of ecstasy and tumult. The supplication must be perused, the Tablets and verses be read, eloquent speeches be delivered, divine proofs be explained, the audience be encouraged and incited to enter the Kingdom of God, the news received from different parts be read and at the end they may collectively (ensemble) read (or chant or sing) a supplication.

Some of the friends organized meetings for teaching in the neighborhood of that region, but owing to lack of steadfastness those meetings scattered with great rapidity. I hope that thy spiritual meeting may become continual and cause the spread of the lights.

Now all efforts must be one effort and the aim must be one aim, and that is the diffusion of the divine fragrances and the exaltation of the Word of God. The time for order and organization will come, but now is not the time. The aim of all must be that the divine fragrances be spread abroad. When every soul's purpose is confined to this, surely they will become the manifestation of the confirmation of the manifest Light. Today no endeavor except the guidance of souls receives confirmation.

The principles of the Teachings of Baha'u'llah should be carefully studied, one by one, until they are realized and understood by mind and heart -- so will you become strong followers of the light, truly spiritual, heavenly soldiers of God, acquiring and spreading the true civilization in Persia, in Europe, and in the whole world.

According to what has been heard, two individuals have drunk from the Kawthar of faith and the other two are close. In any case, someone must, through divine confirmation, present these tablets to them in a fitting manner. Therefore, it is necessary that the presenter first recite them repeatedly so as to be able to read them properly.

The hope, therefore, which 'Abdu'l-Baha cherishes for you is that the same success which has attended your efforts in America may crown your endeavors in other parts of the world, that through you the fame of the Cause of God may be diffused throughout the East and the West and the advent of the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts be proclaimed in all the five continents of the globe.

O ye real friends:

All countries, in the estimation of the one true God, are but one country, and all cities and villages are on an equal footing. Neither holds distinction over another. All of them are the fields of God and the habitation of the souls of men. Through faith and certitude, and the precedence achieved by one over another, however, the dweller conferreth honor upon the dwelling, some of the countries achieve distinction, and attain a preeminent position. For instance, notwithstanding that some of the countries of Europe and of America are distinguished by, and surpass other countries in, the salubrity of their climate, the wholesomeness of their water, and the charm of their mountains, plains and prairies, yet Palestine became the glory of all nations inasmuch as all the holy and divine Manifestations, from the time of Abraham until the appearance of the Seal of the Prophets (Mua¸¥ammad), have lived in, or migrated to, or traveled through, that country. Likewise, Mecca and Medina have achieved illimitable glory, as the light of Prophethood shone forth therein. For this reason Palestine and a¸¤ijáz have been distinguished from all other countries.

Likewise, the continent of America is, in the eyes of the one true God, the land wherein the splendors of His light shall be revealed, where the mysteries of His Faith shall be unveiled, where the righteous will abide and the free assemble. Therefore, every section thereof is blessed: but because these nine states have been favored in faith and assurance, hence through this precedence they have obtained spiritual privilege.

They must realize the value of this bounty; because they have obtained such a favor and in order to render thanksgiving for this most great bestowal, they must arise in the diffusion of divine fragrances so that the blessed verse of the Qur'an, "God is the light of heaven and earth: the similitude of His light is a niche in a wall, wherein a lamp is placed, and the lamp enclosed in a case of glass; the glass appears as if it were a shining star. It is lighted with the oil of a Blessed Tree, an olive neither of the East, nor of the West; it wanteth little but that the oil thereof would give light, although no fire touched it. This is the light added unto light. God will direct unto His light whom He pleaseth" may be realized.

Consequently, the believers of God must display the utmost effort, upraise the divine melody throughout those regions, promulgate the heavenly teachings and waft over all the spirit of eternal life, so that those republics may become so illumined with the splendors and the effulgences of the Sun of Reality that they may become the objects of the praise and commendation of all other countries.

Every soul who travels through the cities, villages and hamlets of these states and is engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of God, should peruse this commune every morning:

O my God! O my God!

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As far as possible, rest thou not for a moment, travel to the North and South of the country and summon all men to the oneness of the world of humanity and to universal peace, saying: O people! Baha'u'llah laid the foundation of universal peace fifty years ago.

… Strive thou as much as possible to raise the Call of the Kingdom of God, for it is this Call that bestoweth the spirit of life.

They shall scatter in the world, and travel throughout all regions. They shall raise their voices in every assembly, and adorn and revive every gathering. They shall speak in every tongue, and interpret every hidden meaning. They shall reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom, and manifest unto everyone the signs of God.

Consider the work of former generations. During the lifetime of Jesus Christ the believing, firm souls were few and numbered, but the heavenly blessings descended so plentifully that in a number of years countless souls entered beneath the shadow of the Gospel. God has said in the Qur'an: "One grain will bring forth seven sheaves, and every sheaf shall contain one hundred grains." In other words, one grain will become seven hundred; and if God so wills He will double these also. It has often happened that one blessed soul has become the cause of the guidance of a nation.

Either travel yourselves, personally, throughout those states or choose others and send them, so that they may teach the souls. For the present those states are like unto dead bodies: they must breathe into them the breath of life and bestow upon them a heavenly spirit. Like unto the stars they must shine in that horizon and thus the rays of the Sun of Reality may also illumine those states.

Through whichever state or country they pass they display self-sacrifice and sow divine seeds. From that seed harvests are produced. On this subject it is revealed in the glorious Gospel: When the pure seeds are scattered in the good ground heavenly blessing and benediction is obtained.

That Land stood in great need of one mighty soul like that loving friend to enter therein, engage in discussion, show the Way of God, embellish the assemblage of men with mysteries unveiled, and watch over their spiritual lives so that they might abide under the shade of the tree of hope.

Thou shouldst speak forth, wax eloquent, divulge the hidden secrets, share the Word of God, inaugurate a school of the Kingdom and give instruction in heavenly Books, ignite a shining lamp and burn down the veils of the imaginings of the ignorant.

Your service should consist of eloquent speeches delivered in gatherings wherein ye may promulgate the divine teachings. If possible, undertake at some time a voyage to the Hawaiian Islands.

O thou whom the Lord hath aided to magnify His Word and to diffuse the sweet savours of the rose-garden of His holiness. Thou hast, for some time, been a companion of these enraptured souls and hast associated with these yearning ones in this Most Great Prison. Praise be to God, for thy brow hath been illumined and thy sight brightened by the dust of the sacred Shrine. Time and again, thou hast attained the honour of visiting the Exalted Threshold---that Spot round which circle the celestial Concourse, that Sanctuary of the denizens of the Abha Kingdom---and hast detected the sweet scents of holiness.

Now, aided by heavenly power, divine strength, celestial attraction, and spiritual vigour; endowed with inner joy, a radiant countenance, an eloquent tongue, an outstanding utterance, and words of perfect praise; and confirmed by the outpouring flood of His Grace, return thou to the land of Ta', and thence to the land of Kha'. Gather then together the believers in that land round the all-embracing Word, the luminous bounty, the manifest sign, and the glorious banner of the Book of God and His Faith, so that they may be revived and refreshed through the breaths of this supreme bestowal, and may be so set ablaze with the immortal flame kindled in the sacred Tree that each may become a kindled torch, a shining orb, and a brilliant star. The glory of God rest upon thee.

Convey my warmest loving greetings to the beloved of the Merciful, and tell them on behalf of this servant: "O ye who have quaffed from the Heavenly Cup, O ye who are attracted to the beauty of the All-Merciful! The Abha Beloved and desire of the celestial Concourse---may I offer up my soul, my spirit, my life, my essence, and mine inmost being for His loved ones---throughout these long years endured all manner of trials and tribulations, woes and hardships, chains and fetters, and even this afflictive prison. 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."

The journey thou didst wish to undertake to the regions of the Caucasus, and other lands, in order to proclaim the Word of God is a most blessed enterprise. God willing, thou wilt undertake this journey with the utmost enthusiasm and rapture, joy and exhilaration, and become a cause of the exaltation of the Word of God.

This journey is highly praiseworthy and suitable. When thou reachest Paris, thou must strive, no matter how small the number of the friends may be, to institute the assembly of the Covenant and to vivify the souls through the power of the Covenant.

Wherefore, render thanks unto the one true God that thou hast attained unto all these bestowals and hast been confirmed therein. Now, with a blissful heart and exalted soul, travel forth through every region and cheer and gladden the people of HamadÃin with the divine tidings.

O harbinger of the Covenant! Thou hast written concerning Khurasani, the Muslim divine of Najaf. Thou shouldst assuredly write in confidence to Aqa Mirza Asadu'llah-i-Mazindarani, asking him, if possible, to make a journey to visit him. He should, with a resolve born of the Kingdom, with spiritual strength and holy aspirations, with the breathings of heaven, and assisted by the confirmations of the Holy Spirit proceed thereto and speak forth with proofs and evidences, that perchance the light of the Most Great Guidance may illuminate Khurasani's heart and soul, delivering him entirely from his self, and causing him to find peace within the shelter of divine bestowals.

Do not remain long in any city. Let not your stay exceed nineteen days. But go from one city and town to another. Be thou a producer of unity among friends, guiding people to the Kingdom of GOD.

My hope from the grace of the One true Lord is that thou wilt be enabled to spread the fragrances of God among the tribes. This is extremely important....

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Praised be God that thou art now in an important place, a place where there is great capacity for the propagation of the divine teachings. For some time it hath been my wish that the call of the Kingdom of God may be raised in that great land. Nowhere in the whole world may be found people as civilized and humanitarian as the inhabitants of that land. Therefore, it is my earnest hope that the Divine Spirit may rapidly bestow eternal life upon those receptive souls, and that thou mayest be one of the summoners to the Kingdom, for I think it will become evident on all sides that divine confirmations will be vouchsafed to those heavenly souls from every direction.

Regarding the matter of souls turning toward various regions for the purpose of teaching God's Cause and spreading its traces, it is not permissible to insist upon anyone. The proclamation of the decree hath been sent down from the heaven of the Divine Will. Assuredly, none of the friends can remain content with any shortcoming, nor have they fallen short, nor will they fall short, in that which hath proceeded from the Source of the Command.

As for the matter of teachers, those souls must be like what Christ said - that when they enter any city and depart from it, they should shake even the dust of that city from their shoes.

Thus far ye have been untiring in your labors. Let your exertions, henceforth, increase a thousandfold. Summon the people in these countries, capitals, islands, assemblies and churches to enter the Abha Kingdom. The scope of your exertions must needs be extended. The wider its range, the more striking will be the evidences of Divine assistance.

In speaking of the spreading the Fragrances of the Kingdom, Abdul-Baha said "In movements there is life, in immobility there is death. The traveling of the teachers from place to place, from Orient to Occident, and from country to country, is one of the greatest means for spreading the Fragrances, and for sowing spiritual seeds in the souls of the people."

Before My departure, many souls warned Me not to travel to Montreal, saying, the majority of the inhabitants are Catholics, and are in the utmost fanaticism, that they are submerged in the sea of imitations, that they have not the capability to hearken to the call of the Kingdom of God, that the veil of bigotry has so covered the eyes that they have deprived themselves from beholding the signs of the Most Great Guidance, and that the dogmas have taken possession of the hearts entirely, leaving no trace of reality. They asserted that should the Sun of Reality shine with perfect splendor throughout that Dominion, the dark, impenetrable clouds of superstitions have so enveloped the horizon that it would be utterly impossible for anyone to behold its rays.

Second: A number of souls with the utmost firmness and steadfastness arose in that blessed spot in the promotion of the Word of God and even to the present moment, having purified and sanctified the heart from every thought, they are occupied with the promulgation of the teachings of God. Hence the call of praise is raised uninterruptedly from the Supreme Concourse.

He became a believer in Shiraz, in the early days of the Faith, and was soon widely known as such. And because he began to teach openly and boldly, they hung a halter on him and led him about the streets and bazars of the city. Even in that condition, composed and smiling, he kept on speaking to the people. He did not yield; he was not silenced.

He was held fast, time and again, in the claws of ravening wolves and ferocious lions, until he fell into the clutches of a savage hound who tormented him with countless afflictions and weighed him down with galling chains. All the while, he raised his voice amongst the people, openly proclaiming Thy Name. Undaunted and undismayed, he never wavered in teaching Thy Cause. He feared not the scourge of the oppressors, nor was he frightened by the tribulations meted out by the vicious, the ignoble, the wicked, and the vengeful. He spoke with the utmost eloquence and presented the most wondrous proofs with manifest authority.

They became a guiding torch to the wanderers in the wastes of bewilderment, and enkindled the despondent in the nether world with the flame of the love of the Lord.

O maidservants of God! Now is the time to take hold of the viol of love, raise the melody of the Kingdom of God, eradicate war and lay the foundation for peace.

The questions asked us have been opportune and to the point. Our answers have not been utilized for controversy and argument. We met savants and learned men and satisfied them with our explanations. Important people expressed their satisfaction and pleasure at our replies to their inquiries.

I have attended more meetings in New York than in all the other cities combined. Day and night, individually and collectively you have listened to the teachings and exhortations of Baha'u'llah. I have proclaimed unto you the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God and explained the wishes of the Blessed Perfection.

Through your call every sleeping one was awakened, every seated one rose up, and every reclining one rushed forth. Through that call the negligent were raised from slumber, the ignorant were enlightened, the agitated were assured, and the tongue of every stammerer was unloosed.

Ever was he thrilled by Thy sweet savours, and his breast dilated by the sight of Thy signs; and he would recite Thy words, guide the people unto the way of guidance, summon them unto piety and righteousness, and nurture them through Thy teachings, which are a light unto the eyes, a spirit unto the hearts, a boon unto the righteous, and life unto the hearts of the godly.

That is, God willing, like Paul the Apostle who, after receiving severe beatings, being struck on the head, slapped on the face and cheek, falling unconscious in the wilderness from unbearable blows, arose and hastened to the nearby city and proclaimed the Cause of God with most eloquent speech and wondrous explanation.

No sooner had this youth attained His presence and hearkened unto His words than, lo, he became so magnetized, so suffused with joy, that he guided his family to the truth and imparted the gladsome tidings to a great many.

Through their instrumentality the East was illumined, and the light which flooded the East flooded the West. This light was the cause of guiding great hosts of people. It proved to be a preventive of warfare in many instances.

Therefore, I am very happy to be here, and I hope that this happiness will be with you always -- an eternal condition.

We visited San Francisco and from there went to Los Angeles. In these places we found most devoted friends. Truly zealous and aglow with the fire of the love of God, their sole purpose is ever to serve the Kingdom of Abha. I hope that you may serve even more faithfully and take precedence over all the other friends.

As New York has made such progress in material civilization, I hope that it may also advance spiritually in the Kingdom and Covenant of God so that the friends here may become the cause of the illumination of America, that this city may become the city of love and that the fragrances of God may be spread from this place to all parts of the world. I have come for this.

Peter was a fisher of fish, yet became the leader of the world and guide of nations. Abu Dharr was a shepherd, yet became the cause of enlightenment for the people of learning and wisdom. Know ye your worth and recognize your station. The might of the world and its oppression and tribulations are but for a day or two, while that which is with God hath ever endured and will continue as it hath been. While time remaineth and breath endureth, expend it in service to the Cause.

Shortly thereafter, the Bab's maternal uncle, the honourable Afnan, arrived, attained His presence, and submitted some questions. The Epistle to the Uncle, titled the "Kitab-i-Iqan", was thus revealed. The province of Fars was then set aflame with the love of God, and the light of knowledge dawned forth and shone resplendent from that horizon.

Be engaged in the Masjid-i-Ilkhani in prayer and in teaching. I, too, will there join you in congregational prayer.

The purpose in these movements here and there is a single purpose -- it is to spread the light of truth in this dark world. On account of my age it is difficult to journey. Sometimes the difficulties are arduous, but out of love for the friends of God and with desire to sacrifice myself in the pathway of God, I bear them in gladness.

Give the Message to every listening soul. Give them whatever they can take of it. In Persia there was a man who could not read or write, yet he was the cause of guidance to many great men in this Truth by his pure love of God.

He welcomed her most cordially, and said: "You must become the cause of the illumination of Ireland. In Persia a woman came to the city of Ardestan from one of the surrounding villages. She was made radiant, she became a Baha'i. She returned to her home. In one year she was able to ignite forty lamps, but now you must ignite four thousand lamps in one year.

The outcome of the whole life of Jesus was the training of eleven disciples and two women. Why did He suffer troubles, ordeals and calamities? For the training of these few followers. That was the result of His life. The product of the life of Christ was not the churches but the illumined souls of those who believed in Him. Afterward, they spread His teachings.

Then it occurred to me that better than hunting for animals, to kill them, was hunting for souls of men to bring them to God. I then resolved that I would be a hunter of this sort.

'Abdu'l-Baha stated,

When I went to America, My fatigue was of such a degree that My voice could not reach more than a few meters. Of necessity, in gatherings of four or five thousands souls, I would first concentrate on the Blessed Beauty and then begin speaking. Confirmations would pour forth and then My voice would be raised.

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Praise be to God that in this migration you were enabled to teach important blessed souls. Thus observe how this calamity became the cause of success.

As has been seen and heard, the Persian youth became the guide for the Arab elder, and the Zoroastrian child made a group heavenly.

Thou art, in truth, a herald of the Kingdom and a harbinger of the Covenant. Thou art truly self-sacrificing. Thou showest kindness unto all nations. Thou art sowing a seed that shall, in due time, give rise to thousands of harvests. Thou art planting a tree that shall eternally put forth leaves and blossoms and yield fruits, and whose shadow shall day by day grow in magnitude....

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Now, should one desire, by means of sciences, arts, and morals, to reform certain souls, he must strive for years upon years, and exert himself until he hath guided a few. But the true believer, in a single hour, transformeth ten souls. He maketh the thief trustworthy; he bringeth the coward to the utmost degree of courage; he purifieth the defiled.

Although I often did not feel well, yet when I entered a large meeting or a church I was entirely transformed and spoke without hesitation for a long time."

I implore Thee, O Thou Who art the King of names and the Creator of earth and heaven, so to assist me by Thy strengthening grace that nothing whatsoever will have the power to hinder me from remembering Thee, or celebrating Thy praise, or to keep me back from observing what Thou hast prescribed unto me in Thy Tablets, that I may so arise to serve Thee that with bared head I will hasten forth from my habitation, cry out in Thy name amidst Thy creatures, and proclaim Thy virtues among Thy servants.

I beseech Thee, by Thy name through which Thou turnest restlessness into tranquillity, fear into confidence, weakness into strength, and abasement into glory, that Thou of Thy grace wilt aid me and Thy servants to exalt Thy name, to deliver Thy Message, and to proclaim Thy Cause, in such wise that we may remain unmoved by either the assaults of the transgressors or the wrath of the infidels, O Thou Who art my Well-Beloved!

Do Thou destine for me, O my God, what becometh the greatness of Thy majesty, and assist me, by Thy strengthening grace, so to teach Thy Cause that the dead may speed out of their sepulchers, and rush forth towards Thee, trusting wholly in Thee, and fixing their gaze upon the orient of Thy Cause, and the dawning-place of Thy Revelation.

Though the lover be loth to share with any one the intimate conversation of his beloved, yet at whatever time Thine inescapable commandment to declare Thy Cause reacheth me, I will unhesitatingly obey it. I would proclaim Thee, undeterred by the darts of affliction that may rain down upon me from the clouds of Thy decree.

I swear by Thy might! Neither the hosts of the earth nor those of heaven can keep me back from revealing the things I am commanded to manifest.

Thou knowest full well that I have not spoken a word but by Thy leave, that my lips have never been opened except at Thy bidding and in accordance with Thy pleasure, that every breath I have breathed hath been animated with Thy praise and Thy remembrance, that I have summoned all men to naught else except that whereunto Thy chosen ones have through all eternity been summoned, and that I have bidden them observe only the things that would draw them nearer unto the Day-Spring of Thy loving-kindness, and the Dawning-Place of Thy favors, and the Horizon of Thy riches, and the Manifestation of Thine inspiration and Thy revelation.

And when Thine irresistible summons reached me, I arose, fortified by Thy strength, and called all that are in Thy heaven and all that are on Thy earth to turn in the direction of Thy favors and the horizon of Thy bounties.

Cause it to water and nourish the seed of Thy Faith. Endow it with Thy celestial potency, that this infant seed of God may soon germinate in the hearts of men, that it may thrive and prosper, that it may grow to become a mighty tree, beneath the shadow of which all the peoples and kindreds of the earth may gather.

You must endeavour always to live and act in direct obedience to the teachings and laws of Baha'u'llah, so that every individual may see in all the acts of your life that in word and in deed you are followers of the Blessed Perfection. Exert yourselves so that this glorious teaching may encircle the globe, and that spirituality may be infused into the hearts of men.

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What is needed to achieve success in the teaching field is a complete dedication on the part of the individual, consecration to the glorious task of spreading the Faith, and the living of the Baha'i life, because that creates the magnet for the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit which quickens the new soul. Thus, the individual should be as a reed, through which the Holy Spirit may flow, to give new life to the seeking soul.

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But beyond the necessity of responding to the call of the institutions, the individual is charged by Baha'u'llah Himself with the sacred duty of teaching His Cause, described by Him as the "most meritorious of all deeds." So long as there are souls in need of enlightenment, this duty must surely remain the constant occupation of every believer. In its fulfilment, the individual is directly responsible to Baha'u'llah. "Let him not wait for any directions," Shoghi Effendi urgently advises, "or expect any special encouragement, from the elected representatives of his community, nor be deterred by any obstacles which his relatives, or fellow-citizens may be inclined to place in his path, nor mind the censure of his critics or enemies."

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Our primary response must be to teach -- to teach ourselves and to teach others -- at all levels of society, by all possible means, and without further delay. The beloved Master, in an exhortation on teaching, said it is "not until the light shineth forth that its brilliance can dispel the surrounding gloom". Go forth, then, and be the "lighters of unlit candles".

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The greatest glory and honor which can come to an individual is to bring the light of guidance to some new soul. … The most meritorious service which anyone could render is to bring the light of divine guidance and the quickening power of the spirit to an entirely new area. Humanity is crying for salvation; and it is only by the Baha'is going into the various areas of the world, that it can be brought to them. This is the reason the Guardian has encouraged all of the friends to disperse to new territories, for this is the hour for the quickening of the world.

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...The Baha'is are the leaven of God, which must leaven the lump of their nation. In direct ratio to their success will be the protection vouchsafed, not only to them but to their country. These are the immutable laws of God, from which there is no escape: 'For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.'

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There is no other aggregation of human beings who can claim to have raised up a system with the demonstrated capacity to unite all of God's children in one world-embracing Order. This achievement places us not only in a position of incomparable strength, but more particularly in one of inescapable responsibility. Does not every one of us therefore have a divine obligation to fulfil, a sacred duty to perform towards every other one who is not yet aware of the call of God's latest Manifestation? Time does not stop, does not wait. With every passing hour a fresh affliction strikes at a distracted humanity. Dare we linger?

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To find these receptive souls and teach them, with tact and understanding, is the duty and privilege of every single Baha'i.

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Teaching is of course the head corner-stone of all Baha'i service, but successful teaching is dependent upon many factors, one of which is the development of a true Baha'i way of living and the fulfilment of responsibilities which we have incurred.

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He fully realizes that the demands made upon the Baha'is are great, and that they often feel inadequate, tired and perhaps frightened in the face of the tasks that confront them. This is only natural. On the other hand, they must realize that the power of God can and will assist them; and that because they are privileged to have accepted the Manifestation of God for this Day, this very act has placed upon them a great moral responsibility toward their fellow-men. It is this moral responsibility to which the Guardian is constantly calling their attention...

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In the Aqdas Baha'u'llah considers teaching as a spiritual obligation imposed upon every devoted believer and servant of His Faith. Should the friends become fully conscious of this duty and arise to do their share, this Cause will soon permeate every home throughout the world and the Kingdom of God will be established.

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...the purpose of teaching is to attract human beings to the divine Message and so imbue them with its spirit that they will dedicate themselves to its service, and this world will become another world and its people another people. Viewed in this light a declaration of faith is merely a milestone along the way -- albeit a very important one.

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Ultimately, the power to transform the world is effected by love, love originating from the relationship with the divine, love ablaze among members of a community, love extended without restriction to every human being. This divine love, ignited by the Word of God, is disseminated by enkindled souls through intimate conversations that create new susceptibilities in human hearts, open minds to moral persuasion, and loosen the hold of biased norms and social systems so that they can gradually take on a new form in keeping with the requirements of humanity's age of maturity. You are channels for this divine love; let it flow through you to all who cross your path.

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...every one of them is able, in his own measure, to deliver the Message ... Everyone is a potential teacher. He has only to use what God has given him and thus prove that he is faithful to his trust.

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