Selections from the writings of ‘Abdu'l-BaháʻAbdu'l-Bahá
Religion
Selections from the writings of ‘Abdu'l-Bahá
ʻAbdu'l-Bahá
Bahai Faith
O thou revered maidservant of God! Thy letter from Los Angeles was
received. Thank divine Providence that thou hast been assisted in service
and hast been the cause of the promulgation of the oneness of the world of
humanity, so that the darkness of differences among men may be dissipated,
and the pavilion of the unity of nations may cast its shadow over all
regions. Without such unity, rest and comfort, peace and universal
reconciliation are unachievable. This illumined century needeth and
calleth for its fulfilment. In every century a particular and central
theme is, in accordance with the requirements of that century, confirmed
by God. In this illumined age that which is confirmed is the oneness of
the world of humanity. Every soul who serveth this oneness will
undoubtedly be assisted and confirmed.
I hope that in the assemblies thou mayest sing praises with a sweet melody
and thus become the cause of joy and gladness to all.
78: O THOU WHO ART PURE IN HEART, SANCTIFIED IN SPIRIT, ...
O thou who art pure in heart, sanctified in spirit, peerless in character,
beauteous in face! Thy photograph hath been received revealing thy
physical frame in the utmost grace and the best appearance. Thou art dark
in countenance and bright in character. Thou art like unto the pupil of
the eye which is dark in colour, yet it is the fount of light and the
revealer of the contingent world.
I have not forgotten nor will I forget thee. I beseech God that He may
graciously make thee the sign of His bounty amidst mankind, illumine thy
face with the light of such blessings as are vouchsafed by the merciful
Lord, single thee out for His love in this age which is distinguished
among all the past ages and centuries.
79: O RESPECTED PERSONAGE! I HAVE READ YOUR WORK, ...
O respected personage! I have read your work, The Gospel of Wealth,(34)
and noted therein truly apposite and sound recommendations for easing the
lot of humankind.
To state the matter briefly, the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh advocate
voluntary sharing, and this is a greater thing than the equalization of
wealth. For equalization must be imposed from without, while sharing is a
matter of free choice.
Man reacheth perfection through good deeds, voluntarily performed, not
through good deeds the doing of which was forced upon him. And sharing is
a personally chosen righteous act: that is, the rich should extend
assistance to the poor, they should expend their substance for the poor,
but of their own free will, and not because the poor have gained this end
by force. For the harvest of force is turmoil and the ruin of the social
order. On the other hand voluntary sharing, the freely-chosen expending of
one’s substance, leadeth to society’s comfort and peace. It lighteth up
the world; it bestoweth honour upon humankind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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