To the Bahais of Germany, through Frau Consul Schwarz

O dear friends!

Praise be to God, we are all well and safe under the shelter of divine patronage and protection. We are in the utmost harmony; we pray night and day and beseech God's mercy for all the people of the world, that He may not look at the capacity of His creatures (at what the people deserve), but may He deal with them through His mere Blessing and Grace, so that the means of comfort and joy may be attained; so that the hearts may become lamps for (His) lights, and the souls (people) may attain God's pleasure. This is our utmost desire and longing. And you also pray that the ocean of bounties may rise in waves, and all the people may become immersed in the ocean of God's forgiveness.

God be praised! Strong love is produced between Germany and Islam. The Islamic world is in love with the Germanic world. The former loves exceedingly, the latter. What a good friendship is produced! We hope that this love and friendship will give rise to great results, that it will influence others (nations) also.

By the grace of God, we are well and happy. We hope that you are happy too. Your postal cards were received. As they bear the glad-tidings of your good health, they became the cause of our delight and joy. May peace be upon you!

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Translated on July 25, 1915; Star of the West, vol. 6, no. 13, November 4, 1915)

To Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, New York City

The confirmation of the Kingdom of Abha shall descend uninterruptedly upon those souls who are firm in the Covenant. Thou hast well observed that every firm one is assisted and aided and every violator is degraded, humiliated and lost. It is very astonishing that people are not admonished. They have observed how Mirza Mohamed Ali on account of the violation of the Covenant descended to the lowest degree of humiliation, and yet they do not become mindful. They have seen how others through disobedience to the Testament have fallen into a well of degradation, and yet they are not awakened. This Covenant is the Covenant of His Holiness, Baha'u'llah. Now its importance is not known befittingly; but in the future it shall attain to such a degree of importance that if a king violates to the extent of one atom he shall be cut off immediately.

Consider that during the life of Christ—May my life be a sacrifice to Him!—His Cause had no importance whatsoever; nay, rather the people scoffed and ridiculed Him, and according to the text of the Gospel they called Him Beezlebub. Now you can see the importance which it had later.

Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(From a Tablet to Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, New York City, translated on August 2, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)    

Concerning “Any person who comes to America from the East”

Convey this message to each and all the believers in New York: Any person who comes to America from the East, whether Baha’i or non-Baha’i, although he may be one of my relatives, such as Mirza Jalal, Mirza Mohsen and Mirza Hadi (the three sons-in-law of Abdu’l-Baha), who has not in his hand a letter of permission in my handwriting and signature, the believers of God must not at all approach him, but shun him and know that he is a wolf—he has come to scatter the flock; a thief—he has come to rob the house. . . . . .

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(From a Tablet to Miss Juliet Thompson, New York City, translated on October 29, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)    

Any Persian who “goes to America without permission has no other aim save sedition and the violation of the Covenant”

If a Persian comes from the East to those parts—supposing the impossible: Although he may be my own son, or the only daughter of Abdul-Baha—without having in his hand an epistle with my own hand and my own signature, to meet and hold conversation with him is forbidden. For whosoever goes to America without permission has no other aim save sedition and the violation of the Covenant.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(From a Tablet to the friends of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful, United States of America; translated on April 19, 1914; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)   

[1] These words are in the handwriting of Abdu’l-Baha

In response to a letter detailing the circumstances attending the arrival in San Francisco of two Persians from India (via Honolulu), without credentials, and their appearance at a Baha'i meeting

O thou who are attracted to the Kingdom of Abha! Thy letter was received. Its details concerning those two persons (Persians) became known. You have acted most reasonably. Every Persian, or non-Persian, who comes from the East and has not in his hand a letter from me, although he may be one of my relatives, the believers must not receive him, neither should they let him enter into their meetings. For some wolves are coming from Persia to those parts in order to tear the sheep of God, and to scatter the seeds of corruption and to become the means of division—especially the followers of Mirza Yahya. To receive those souls would be like permitting a thief to enter a home, or like letting a wolf into a flock (of sheep). Unquestionably this is not permissible!

A man may receive his own enemy into his house and show him the utmost respect and consideration, but it is not allowable to receive a thief into his house, nor a traitor into his home, nor a wolf into the flock. This would be injustice. Although the heart of the wolf is displeased at this, yet the sheep of God must be protected…

Show ye the utmost kindness toward enemies, that is, ignorant enemies, but not toward traitorous and treacherous enemies. I hope that through the divine bounty and favor you may be guarded and protected.

Say to those two persons (Persians): "Because! we have explicit instructions in regard to this matter we cannot disobey them. It would have been better for you to have gone first to Akka, and, receiving permission and credentials, to have come to America from there. Then you would have experienced the utmost consideration. You must likewise obey this command. If you are sincere believers, act according to this clear injunction."

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(From a Tablet, translated on September 30, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)   

[1] These Persians were advised to leave and return to their hotel and were entertained subsequently in the home of a believer.

Not to associate with any Persian not having a letter from ‘Abdu’l-Baha

Any Persian, whether Bahai, or belonging to the ancient religions of Persia, —in short, any Persian—without carrying in his hand a letter either in my handwriting, or signed with my signature, the believers must not associate with him or speak to him, even if he is Shoghi Effendi or Rouhi Effendi (the two grandsons of ‘Abdu’l-Baha). The friends must demand of him before anything else, his credential letter, written in my handwriting, or signed with my signature.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(Message from Abdu’l-Baha in His own handwriting, to the American Bahais, translated on September 18, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

“Whosoever claims that ‘Abdu’l-Baha has given to him a Tablet or sent a cablegram”

Whosoever claims that ‘Abdu’l-Baha has given to him a tablet or sent a cablegram he must prove it (by showing it). Do not accept the saying of anyone on mere statement. He must bring forth the unmistakable and valid evidence, signed by my own written signature and not the signature on a cablegram which cannot be substantiated.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(From a Tablet to an American Bahai, translated on March 4, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

To Mrs. Harriet Cline, Los Angeles, California

Today firmness in the Covenant is the means of the promotion of the Word of God and conducive to the effect of the word of man. Any explanation which does not accord with the Covenant will have no effect whatever. Therefore, whosoever heralds the Covenant of God, unquestionably he is confirmed. This has been tried a thousand times: Any soul who violates the Covenant and Testament in the least degree, immediately he is cut off; even in this material world he will become afflicted with remorse and regret.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas 

(From a Tablet to Mrs. Harriet Cline, Los Angeles, Calif., translated on March 29, 1913; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

To Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm [1]

Convey my longing greeting to all the believers of God throughout all the cities of America and announce to them on my behalf that if any person from amongst the Persian believers who may be well known as to his character, whether man or woman—although he may be my own son or daughter—comes to America and has not a new permission for his going to America written with my own handwriting and signed with my own signature, you must not give him any attention at all. Whosoever speaks with him is a violator of the Covenant! This question is most important. Undoubtedly you must show the utmost caution. There are some wolves in sheep's clothes who may claim to be shepherds. Whosoever from amongst the Persian believers arrives in America although he may be related to me, — that is, —even if he be my son-in-law or she be my daughter, first ask of him the letter giving him a new permission to come again to America. If he shows you any such letter, be most careful and attentive that it is my writing and my signature, that they may not be counterfeits. Then you cable to me and inquire about him. When the answer is received by you that it is correct then you meet him, otherwise do not associate with him. Announce the contents of this letter to all the believers and the maid-servants of the Merciful throughout America.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(From a Tablet to Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, translated on March 25, 1913;

[1] The original of this tablet is in Abdu’l-Baha's own handwriting; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

“Baha'u'llah is unique and peerless”

I am servant of Baha! His holiness Baha'u'llah is unique and peerless. All must turn to Baha'u'llah. This is the religion of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Firmness in the Covenant means love and obedience to the command of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Announce this.

(Signed) Abbas.

(Cablegram from Paris, February 14, 1913, to Parsons-Remey, Washington; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

Any Persian without written permission from ‘Abdu’l-Baha

We have reached Paris. Greetings to all. Any Persian, be he my own son or daughter, if he comes to America without having a new permission written in my own handwriting or signature, do not meet him at all. Inform all cities.

(Signed) Abbas

(Cablegram received February 3, 1913, from Paris to Wilhelmite, New York; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

“Awaken the friends, for ere long a test shall come.”

Awaken the friends, for ere long a test shall come. Perchance some persons, outwardly firm and inwardly wavering, shall come to those parts in order to weaken the faith of the friends in the Covenant of God. Let them be awake! Let them be mindful! As long as they see a trace of violation of the Covenant, they must hold aloof from the violator. Day and night let them strive so that the lights of the Kingdom of Abha may encircle the globe, and the darkness of error may be entirely dispelled.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas 

(From a Tablet to Charles Mason Remey, Washington, D. C., translated on December 29, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

Persian visitors

Receive no Persian, even my family, without autographic permission. Communicate to all friends.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha

(Cable from London to Wilhelmite, New York, received December 30, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

“The wolves clothe themselves with the shepherd's garment”

O ye beloved of God! Highway robbers are many and hypocrites are innumerable. The wolves clothe themselves with the shepherd's garment and thieves show themselves in the form of watchmen. Hereafter, if any Persian or Oriental come to those parts, even though he be from the very city of Akka, if ye find he does not possess a letter written by the hand and sealed by the seal of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, you must decidedly avoid him.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet to the Baha’is in America; Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

To the beloved of God in America—On them be glory and bounty!

The maid-servant of God, Lua, was a long time occupied in India in spreading the fragrances of the love of God. She is now ready to return to the regions of America. Show her every consideration. She is firm in the Covenant of love. In reality she worked vigorously during her sojourn in India, and she is worthy of love.

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas (Translated on August 27, 1915)

(Star of the West, vol. 6, no.12, October 16, 1915)

Extract from a tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 4, 1914

About fifty years ago, His Holiness proclaimed certain teachings, and chanted the song of Universal Peace. In numerous tablets and epistles he foretold in the most clear language the present cataclysm: [WWI] stating that the world of humanity was facing the most portentous danger, and that the coming of universal war was unfortunately inevitable; for the combustible material stored in the infernal arsenals of Europe would some day explode through contact with a single spark. Amongst other things he foresaw that the Balkans would become a volcano, and the map of Europe would be changed. For these and similar reasons Baha'u'llah invited the kings and rulers of the world to lay down their arms and proclaim an era of universal peace. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 6, no.11, September 27, 1915)