"Regarding the use of liquors ..."

He Is God

I beg of God that the means of thy composure may be brought about, that thou mayest be released from the fetters of this world, become a nightingale, be freed from the cage of the attachment of this earth and soar heavenward in the atmosphere of joy.

Regarding the use of liquors: According to the texts of the Book of Aqdas, both light and strong drinks are prohibited. The reason for this prohibition is that it leads the mind astray and is the cause of weakening the body. If alcohol were beneficial, it would have been brought into the world by the divine creation and not by the effort of man. Whatever is beneficial for man exists in creation. Now, it has been proved and is established medically and scientifically that liquors are harmful.

Therefore the meaning of that which is written in the Tablets: "I have chosen for thee whatsoever is in the heaven and earth," signifies those things which are according to the divine creation and not the things which are harmful. For instance, poison is one of the things: now, can we say that poisons are to be used habitually because God has created them for man? However, spirituous liquors, if prescribed by a physician for the patient and their use is necessary, then they may be used as directed.

In brief, I hope that thou mayest find eternal bliss and receive inexhaustible joy and happiness. The after effect of drinking is depression, but the wine of the Love of God bestows exaltation of the spirit.

Upon thee be Baha'u’l-Abha!

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 6, June 24, 1910)

To "the friends and maidservants of God, Sandusky, Ohio."

Upon them be Baha’u'l-Abha!

He Is God

O ye who are favored in the Threshold of the Almighty!

Your letter was a rose-garden of significances and from it the fragrance of the Love of God was exhaled. The friends can talk with each other without the lips or tongue, and without the assistance of pen, ink and paper they correspond with each other in the world of heart and spirit.

Your brief letter was an indication of those detailed letters. It was the essence of truths and contained innumerable meanings. Therefore, in reality I read in your letter a book, and I felt that all of you are illumined by the light of guidance, are soaring in the infinite sphere of the love of God, like unto the birds singing wonderful melodies in this rose-garden and like unto the nightingale chanting harmonious songs and music. We expect that day after day this melody will become sweeter, this symphony more wonderful and this song more exquisite. It is assured that the confirmations of God will assist that gathering to progress; the boundless gifts will increase and illumine all with the light of guidance.

Upon them be Baha’u'l-Abha!

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 6, June 24, 1910)

To "the Baha'i Assembly of Cleveland, Ohio": Dr. Pauline B. Peeke, Ella F. Priday, E. C. B. Peeke, Kathryn Preston, Emma K. Noble, Mrs. J. Clark, Myrtle Perkins Swingle, Albert J. West, Dr. C. M. Swingle, Minnie H. Gredsann, Mildred Emily Swingle, Eva Mae Swingle, Ahmad Sohrab

He Is God

O ye brothers and sisters of 'Abdu'l-Baha!

Your letter was received. The meeting which was established in the home of Dr. Pauline was an illumined gathering and merciful assembly. Should ye remain firm and steadfast, know ye of a certainty that ye will be assisted by the help of the Kingdom of Abha and confirmed in the service in the Realm of Truth, for through the power of the Word of God and the breaths of the Holy Spirit the universal forces of the angels of heaven are drawn in battle array on the plain of the Supreme Apex and are expecting to assist and make victorious that soul who is hastening toward the field of the Kingdom.

Upon ye be Baha’u'l-Abha!

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 6, June 24, 1910)

To"the friends of Buffalo, NY"

Upon them be Baha’ul-Abha!

He Is God

O ye sons and daughters of the Kingdom!

Your brief and interesting letter was perused. Although it was brief, yet in reality it was a detailed book. Every word was a letter, for it contained the oneness of the realm of humanity, and it was a proof of the oneness and concord among the friends and maid-servants of God. Today all the communities of the world are engaged in fighting and quarreling with each other. There is a religious strife, a sectarian strife, racial bias, patriotism, political contentions, commercial competition, industrial rivalry and a battle to defend their honor. In reality these strifes are continual, and there is no cessation or interruption thereto.

Now consider ye with what power and strength, love and devotion, union and harmony, happiness and joy the friends of God must arise, so that they may reconcile and crystallize together these different fighting and quarreling communities. Were it not for the confirmations of the Word of God the realization of these facts would have been impossible and improbable. But the confirmation of the Kingdom of God, the penetration of the Word of God, the illumination of the Divine Teachings, the instructions and advices of Baha’u’llah will solve these problems and ere long the Tabernacle of the Oneness of humanity will be raised in all regions, the beloved will find great rejoicing and beatitude and like unto the luminous stars they will shine from the horizon of sanctity.

Upon ye be Baha’u'l-Abha!

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol. 1, no. 6, June 24, 1910)