|
Paris Talks
|
Pages 39-41
|
|
THE IMPRISONMENT OF `ABDU'L-BAHÁ
4 Avenue de Camöens,
Wednesday, October 25th
| |
1 |
I regret much that I have kept you waiting this
morning, but I have so much to do in a short time
for the Cause of the love of God.
| |
2 |
You will not mind having waited a little to see me.
I have waited years and years in prison, that I might
come to see you now.
| |
3 |
Above all, God be praised, our hearts are always in
unison, and with one aim are drawn to the love of
God. By the Bounty of the Kingdom our desires, our
hearts, our spirits, are they not united in one bond?
Our prayers, are they not for the gathering together of
all men in harmony? Therefore are we not always
together?
| |
4 |
Yesterday evening when I came home from the
house of Monsieur Dreyfus I was very tired--yet I did
not sleep, I lay awake thinking.
| |
5 |
I said, O God, Here am I in Paris! What is Paris and
who am I? Never did I dream that from the darkness
of my prison I should ever be able to come to you,
though when they read me my sentence I did not
believe in it.
| |
6 |
They told me that `Abdu'l-Hamíd had ordered my
everlasting imprisonment, and I said, `This is impossible!
I shall not always be a prisoner. If `Abdu'l-Hamíd
were immortal, such a sentence might possibly
be carried out. It is certain that one day I shall be free.
My body may be captive for a time, but `Abdu'l-Hamíd
has no power over my spirit--free it must
remain--that can no man imprison'.
| |
7 |
Released from my prison by the Power of God I
meet here the friends of God, and I am thankful unto
Him.
| |
8 |
Let us spread the Cause of God, for which I suffered
persecution.
| |
9 |
What a privilege it is for us to meet here in freedom.
How happy for us that God has so decided that we
may work together for the coming of the Kingdom!
| |
10 |
Are you pleased to receive such a guest, freed from
his prison to bring the glorious Message to you? He
who never could have thought such a meeting possible!
Now by the Grace of God, by His wonderful Power,
I, who was condemned to perpetual imprisonment in
a far off town of the East, am here in Paris talking with
you!
| |
11 |
Henceforward we shall always be together, heart and
soul and spirit, pressing forward in the work till all
men are gathered together under the tent of the Kingdom,
singing the songs of peace.
| |
|