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
In the Bahá’í Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are counted as
worship. The man who makes a piece of note- paper to the best of
his ability, conscientiously, concentrating all his forces on
perfecting it, is giving praise to God. Briefly, all effort and
exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is
worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to
do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to
minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer. A
physician ministering to the sick, gently, tenderly, free from
prejudice and believing in the solidarity of the human race, is
giving praise.
Teaching
The real Bahá’í will not only believe in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, but
find in them the guide and inspiration of his whole life and joyfully
impart to others the knowledge that is the wellspring of his own being.
Only thus will he receive in full measure “the power and confirmation of
the Spirit.” All cannot be eloquent speakers or ready writers, but all can
teach by “living the life.” Bahá’u’lláh says:—
The people of Bahá must serve the Lord with wisdom, teach others
by their lives, and manifest the light of God in their deeds. The
effect of deed is in truth more powerful than that of words.—Words
of Paradise
The Bahá’í will, however, on no account force his ideas on those who do
not wish to hear them. He will attract people to the Kingdom of God, not
try to drive them into it. He will be like the good shepherd who leads his
flock, and charms the sheep by his music, rather than like the one who,
from behind, urges them on with dog and stick.
Bahá’u’lláh says in the Hidden Words:—
O Son of Dust!
The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing,
even as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cup till he findeth
a seeker, and the lover who crieth not out from the depths of his
heart until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved. Wherefore
sow the seeds of wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil of the
heart, and keep them hidden, till the hyacinths of divine wisdom
spring from the heart and not from mire and clay.
Again He says, in the Tablet of I_sh_ráqát:—
O people of Bahá! Ye are the dawning-places of the Love and
daysprings of the Favor of God. Defile not your tongues with
cursing or execrating anyone, and guard your eyes from that which
is not worthy. Show forth that which ye possess (i.e. Truth). If
it be accepted, the aim is attained. If not, to rebuke or
interfere with him who rejects is vain. Leave him to himself, and
advance towards God, the Protector, the Self-Subsistent. Be not
the cause of sorrow, how much less of sedition and strife! It is
hoped that ye may be nurtured in the shade of the tree of Divine
Bounty and act as God has willed for you. Ye are all leaves of one
tree and drops of one sea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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