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Tablets of `Abdu'l-Bahá `Abbás
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Pages 23-26
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"O ye dear friends of Abdul-Baha!..."
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1 |
O ye dear friends of Abdul-Baha!
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2 |
The blessed letter indicating the election of the Spiritual
Meeting was received and proved a source of joy.
Thank God, the beloved of that city, in perfect unity,
love and oneness, held the new election and were confirmed
and strengthened to elect such holy souls as are
near the divine Threshold and known by the republic
of the beloved to be firm and steadfast in the Covenant.
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3 |
Now they (the members of Spiritual Meeting)
must, in perfect spirit and fragrance, in sincerity of
heart, in attraction by the fragrances of God and by
the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, engage in service;
in the promotion of the Word of God; the diffusion of
the fragrances of God; the training of the souls; the promulgation
of the most great peace. They must raise
the Banner of Guidance and become the host of the
Supreme Concourse.
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4 |
Indeed, blessed souls have been elected. When I
read their names, spiritual joy was immediately realized,
for, praise be to God! certain souls have appeared
in that continent who are servants of the kingdom,
self-sacrificing ones of the Peerless Majesty.
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5 |
O ye friends of mine! Illuminate the meeting with
the light of the love of God, make it joyful and happy
through the melody of the Kingdom of holiness, and
with heavenly food and through the "Lord's Supper"
[1]
confer life.
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6 |
Congregate in the utmost of joy and happiness and
commence with this commune:
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7 |
O Lord of the Kingdom! Although we are assembled,
yet we are Thy scattered ones; captives of Thy
Shining Face. Although we are incapable, yet we anticipate
the manifestation of Thy strength and ability.
Although we are without capital and commodity, yet
we are aided by the treasury of the Kingdom. Although
we are a drop, yet we emanate from Thy sea
of seas. Although we are an atom, yet we are illumined
by Thy most bright Sun.
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8 |
O Lord! Confirm us so that each one in this gathering
become a bright candle, a witness of the meeting,
a caller to the Kingdom; that the world of matter become
the mirror of heaven.
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9 |
O ye dear friends of mine! The assemblies of those
regions must be connected with one another and must
communicate (correspond) with each other. Even
communicate with the assemblies of the East, so that
this may become the means of the great unity and
concord.
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10 |
O ye spiritual friends! Firmness (constancy) must
reach a degree that if all the souls (Bahais) be destroyed
by the evil wishers and there remain but one,
that one singly and alone should be capable of withstanding
all who live on earth, and of spreading the
fragrances of holiness.
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11 |
Therefore, when any terrible new or calamitous
tidings reach you from the land of desire (Acca), ye
should not grow cold, sad, or be affected thereby. Nay,
rather, ye must immediately in the utmost firmness,
arise for the service of the Kingdom.
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12 |
This servant of the Threshold of His Majesty the
eternal God, hath always been and is in danger; there
hath never been a hope for rest. The utmost of his
hopes is that in the arena of martyrdom the cup
of grace become replete and the wine of great bounty
lend the wondrous ecstasy. This is the utmost of my
hopes and desires.
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13 |
The Tablets of Israghat, Tarazat, Bescharat, Tajaliat
and Kalamat,
[2]
to what is heard have been
translated and printed in those regions. Hasten to become
imbued with the qualifications and attributes set
forth therein.
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14 |
And this letter
[3]
close with reverential greetings,
in the utmost kindliness, from me to the beloved ones
and to the maid-servants of the Merciful.
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Notes
1. [A term synonymous with heavenly food.]
2. [Ishrakat, i.e., Effulgences. Tarazat, i.e. Spiritual Ornaments. Bescharat, i.e., Glad-tidings. Tajalliat, i.e., Spiritual Splendors. Kalamat, i.e., Word of Paradise.]
3. [This completes the Tablets to the House of Spirituality.]
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