1/23/16

To Mr. C. C. Philips, Secretary of the Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration

Through Mírzá Ahmad Sohráb, to his honor Mr. C. C. Philips, the Secretary of the Mohonk Conference on' International Arbitration.

He is God!

O thou perfect man!

The Conference on International Arbitration and Peace is the greatest results of this great age. This brilliant century has no likeness and similitude in the history of man. From every standpoint it is distinguished above all other centuries. It is specialized with such excellencies that the shining star of the heavenly confirmations shall gleam from the horizon of this century upon all the future cycles and periods. One of the most extraordinary events of this time, which indeed is a miracle, is the founding of the oneness of this realm of humanity and its essential branches, such as Universal Peace and the unity of the different nations, in this arena of existence.

Persia was at one time the centre of religious difference, antagonism and oppression, to such an extent that pen is unable to describe. The adherents of different nations and religions considered it their religious duty to shed the blood of their opponents; they pillaged and ransacked each other's property and did not fall short of oppressing their own flesh and blood. The hatred between the various religions attained to such a height that they considered each other unclean. Should a Jew enter a Muslim home, he would be made to sit upon the ground; if he drank water from a cup, that cup was destroyed or washed again and again; for the Jew was considered unclean. Such was the hatred and rancor among the different religions and nations in Persia.

1/10/16

To Albert Smiley, the founder of Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration

Through Mírzá Ahmad Sohráb to his honour, Mr. Albert Smiley, the founder of the Lake Mohonk Conference on International Arbitration.  May God assist him!

He is God!
O thou great and respected personage!

The details of the Conference of Peace and Arbitration which is organized under your presidency has been read in the papers of the East and the West and the utmost joy and fragrance was produced; that, praise be to God, in the continent of America, under the presidency of a glorious personage, the Conference of International Peace is convened. Today in the world of existence there is no more important and greater cause than this for it is conducive to the promotion of happiness in the commonwealth of humanity and is the cause of tranquillity of all the nations and countries and the prosperity of the individuals of the human world.  What cause is greater than this! It is evident that it has the utmost importance, nay, rather, it will be the cause of the illumination of the East and the West and the reason for the manifestation of the Countenance and the Face of God in the world of humanity and the appearance of infinite affections. Therefore, although this longing one has no acquaintance with your honour, but this great cause and this eminent effort of yours became the cause of my having infinite love for you while absent. Consequently I am engaged in writing you this epistle.

1/3/16

To all friends of Abhá in America

Through Áqá Ahmad Sohráb and Jináb Mr. Remey
Upon them be the Glory of God!

O friends of Bahá'u'lláh!

Your letters reached me and were read with great joy. Praise be to God, that they are the prods of Baha and assurance in the Kingdom of Abhá. They are witnesses of firmness and steadfastness and earnest supplication.

His highness Jesus says if the Promised One manifests in the East, his signs will appear in the West. Now give thanks to God that as the Great Sun arose in the East, his Brilliant Light shone upon the West and brightened the western world.  Therefore you must give a thousand thanks every moment that though you were apparently very far off, in reality you were near.

A blind person cannot see the sun though near, but eyes with sight can see it from a thousand miles' distance. For this the Great Almighty be praised, that in the far west the nostrils are perfumed by the Holy Fragrance.

Appreciate this Bounty, be happy and joyful for this Divine boundless Bounty. With great love you have asked for the presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in America, I also greatly wish to go to the friends and see their interesting faces. But during this journey I have no time.  I must go back to the East, this is according to wisdom.  Therefore with great regret and sorrow at separation I am obliged to return. If it pleases God next year I will take a journey towards the West so that I may engage myself in seeing the faces of the friends, in proclaiming the Word of God and in spreading the Divine Fragrance and the calling of the Kingdom of God in the great meetings and assemblies.

If you only knew in what condition of tumult and excitement of longing is the soul and heart of 'Abdu'l-Bahá to see you, then surely, because of the greatness of your happiness you would express your joy in music and song and engage yourselves in the melodies of the Supreme Court in worshipping and praising Almighty God.

Upon you be the Glory of Abhá!

(Signed) 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 13, November 4, 1911)