2/25/17

To the believers of God and the maid servants of the Merciful, Philadelphia

Upon them be Baha’u’l-Abha!

O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom!

… O ye friends and maid servants of the Merciful! It is easy to advance toward the Kingdom, but it is difficult to remain firm and steadfast. Therefore, endeavor ye as much as ye can to make your faith firm like unto a well rooted tree and produce blossoms and fruits. Neither be ye agitated on account of the blowing winds of tests and trials. The firmer the roots of the tree the greater its blossoms and fruits. Because the Apostles of Christ remained firm and steadfast they became assisted in the most great services and the confirmations of the Holy Spirit descended upon them uninterruptedly.

If ye seek the illumination of the Kingdom ye must arise with infinite resolution. Be ye not discouraged or lukewarm on account of troubles and vicissitudes. Show ye an effort so that that region may be illumined, the Kingdom of God may raise its tents and the breaths of the Holy Spirit may quicken the souls.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

2/17/17

‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Travels in the West

It is nearly two years and a half that I have been a wanderer over mountains and deserts and a traveler over seas and lands. The journey was extended to many climes. The penetrative power of the Holy Cause has stirred the columns of the world. in many cities of America, the Divine Call was raised. Likewise, in the countries of Europe. In many churches, clubs, meetings and universities of America the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom of Abha were explained explicitly with a resonant voice, and no one arose in opposition. They listened most attentively and expressed their pleasure afterward. Ere long this Call shall yield the most glorious results and will fill the world with its fruits.

‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Extract from a Tablet to Persian Baha’is; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914) 

2/10/17

Prayer for Assistance - “each one who endeavors for the erection of the House of the Lord”

O God! O God! I implore Thee with throbbing heart and streaming tears, to aid each one who endeavors for the erection of the House of the Lord (Mashriqu’l-Adhkar), the Building wherein Thy Name is mentioned every morn and eve. Send down Thy benediction on whomsoever endeavors for the uprising of this Edifice among the sects and religions, and confirm him in every good deed of mankind; open the doors of riches and wealth unto him and make him an inheritor of the treasures of the Kingdom which perish not; make him the sign of giving among the peoples and reinforce him by the sea of Thy generosity and bounty, which is surging with the waves of grace and favor.

Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful and the Bountiful!

‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 5, June 5, 1914)