The dawn of the Sun of Reality is assuredly for the
illumination of the world and for the manifestation of mercy. In the assemblage
of the family of Adam results and fruits are praiseworthy, and the holy
bestowals of every bounty are abundant. It is an absolute mercy and a complete
bounty, the illumination of the world, fellowship and harmony, love and union;
nay, rather, mercifulness and oneness, the elimination of discord and the unity
of whomsoever are on the earth in the utmost of freedom and dignity. The
Blessed Beauty [Baha’u’llah] said; “All are the fruits of one tree and the
leaves of one branch". He likened the world of existence to one tree and
all the souls to leaves, blossoms and fruits. Therefore all the branches,
leaves, blossoms and fruits must be in the utmost of freshness, and the
bringing about of this delicacy and sweetness depends upon union and
fellowship. Therefore they must assist each other with all their power and seek
everlasting life. Thus the friends of God must manifest the mercy of the
Compassionate Lord in the world of existence and must show forth the bounty of
the visible and invisible King.
They must purify their sight, and look upon mankind as the
leaves, blossoms and fruits of the tree of creation, and must always be thinking
of doing good to someone, of love, consideration, affection and assistance to
somebody. They must see no enemy and count no one as an ill-wisher. They must
consider everyone on the earth as a friend; regard the stranger as an intimate,
and the alien as a companion. They must not be bound by any tie, nay, rather,
they should be free from every bond. In this day the one who is favored in the
threshold of grandeur is the one who offers the cup of faithfulness and bestows
the pearl of gift to the enemies, even to the fallen oppressor, lends a helping
hand, and considers every bitter foe as an affectionate friend.
These are the commands of the Blessed Beauty, these are the counsels of the Greatest Name. 0 ye dear friends! The world is engaged in war and struggle, and mankind is in the utmost conflict and danger. The darkness of unfaithfulness has enshrouded the earth and the illumination of faithfulness has become concealed. All nations and tribes of the world have sharpened their claws and are warring and fighting with each other. The edifice of man is shattered. Thousands of families are wandering disconsolate. Thousands of thousands of souls are besmeared with dust and blood in the arena of battle and struggle every year, and the tent of happiness and life is overthrown.
The prominent men become commanders and boast of bloodshed,
and glory in destruction. One says: "I have severed with my sword the
necks of a nation," and one: "I have levelled a kingdom to the
dust" and another: "I have overthrown the foundation of a
government." This is the pivot around which the pride and glory of mankind
are revolving. In all regions friendship and uprightness are denounced and
reconciliation and regard for truth are despised. The herald of peace,
reformation, love and reconciliation is the Religion of the Blessed Beauty
which has pitched its tent on the apex of the world and proclaimed its summons
to the people.
Then, O ye friends of God! Appreciate the value of this
precious Revelation, move and act in accordance with it and walk in the
straight path and the right way. Show it to the people. Raise the melody of the
Kingdom and spread abroad the teachings and ordinances of the loving Lord so
that the world may become another world, the darkened earth may become illumined
and the dead body of the people may obtain new life. Every soul may seek
everlasting life through the breath of the Merciful. Life in this mortal world
will quickly come to an end, and this earthly glory, wealth, comfort and
happiness will soon vanish and be no more. Summon ye the people to God and call
the souls to the manners and conduct of the Supreme Concourse. To the orphans
be ye kind fathers, and to the unfortunate a refuge and shelter. To the poor be
a treasure of wealth, and to the sick a remedy and healing. Be a helper of
every oppressed one, the protector of every destitute one, be ye ever mindful
to serve any soul of mankind. Attach no importance to self-seeking, rejection,
arrogance, oppression and enmity. Heed them not. Deal in the contrary way. Be
kind in truth, not only in appearance and outwardly. Every soul of the friends
of God must concentrate his mind on this, that he may manifest the mercy of God
and the bounty of the Forgiving One. He must do good to every soul whom he
encounters, and render benefit to him, becoming the cause of improving the
morals and correcting the thoughts so that the light of guidance may shine
forth and the bounty of His Holiness the Merciful One may encompass. Love is
light in whatsoever house it may shine and enmity is darkness in whatsoever
abode it dwell.
O friends of God! Strive ye so that this darkness may be
utterly dispelled and the Hidden Mystery may be revealed and the realities of
things made evident and manifest.
(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol.11, no. 8, August 1, 1920)
