Bahá'u'lláh and the New EraEsslemont, J. E. (John Ebenezer)
Religion
Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era
Esslemont, J. E. (John Ebenezer)
Bahai Faith; Bahá'u'lláh, 1817-1892
The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are
purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else
save God, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and
lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in
difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should they
be graciously aided to acquire these attributes, victory from the
unseen Kingdom of Bahá shall be vouchsafed to them. In this day,
assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a
vital necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and obligatory.
The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that
no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be
attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his
own opinion and must on no account feel hurt for not until matters
are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining
spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing
opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously
well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion
should arise, a majority of voices must prevail....
The first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the
members of the assembly. They must be wholly free from
estrangement and must manifest in themselves the Unity of God, for
they are the waves of one sea, the drops of one river, the stars
of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, the
flowers of one garden. Should harmony of thought and absolute
unity be non-existent, that gathering shall be dispersed and that
assembly be brought to naught. The second condition:—They must
when coming together turn their faces to the Kingdom on High and
ask aid from the Realm of Glory.... Discussions must all be
confined to spiritual matters that pertain to the training of
souls, the instruction of children, the relief of the poor, the
help of the feeble throughout all classes in the world, kindness
to all peoples, the diffusion of the fragrances of God and the
exaltation of His Holy Word. Should they endeavor to fulfill these
conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto
them, and that assembly shall become the center of the Divine
blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall come to their
aid, and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of Spirit.
Expounding this subject, Shoghi Effendi writes:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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