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)