This is a "Pilgrim's note," an individual's recollection of statements and actions of the Central figures. They are subjective and not authoritative. See an overview of Pilgrim's Notes. However, as this book was "corrected" by Abdu'l-Bahá himself, it may be more reliable.
Some notes corrected by Abdu'l-Bahá in his own hand
Keep its contents ever before you as a guide to the path of Righteousness. This is not
intended as a tract, and should be known only to those who have received and respect the
message. Consider yourselves the guardian of it.
[page 1]
INTRODUCTION TO THE MESSAGE.
My presence before you tonight is in the meek and humble capacity of the messenger and
servant of the Master - Abdul-Beha, and as HIS messenger I am sent to you to deliver His
words as pronounced from His very lips, and as written by His hand. The present
conditions of the believers in America made Him very sad and He said that it caused Him
more sorrow than all the persecutions and oppressions combined. But before I begin to
read His words, it is necessary to define as to whom the message is sent and by whom it
is sent, then we will better realize the importance of the words, to comprehend the truth
as it is, and accordingly act and do in the future as will indicate your obedience. This
message is sent by the Master, Abbas Effendi, The Lord of the Kingdom, the Agent of God.
It is sent by the one into whose hands the Kingdom has been delivered and the reins of
government have been placed, and for this reason, he who disobeys His commands
disobeys the commands of God. In His hands the management of the Kingdom has been
entrusted, in accordance with the provisions in the Book of the Covenant, the last will
and testament of the Manifestation. These words are sent to you by the Greatest Branch,
Abbas Effendi, the one whom God has chosen and desired, the one who is branched from
the Ancient of Days, by the Branch who is building the Holy House as referred to in the
prophecies, and who has already begun the structure. It is sent by Abdul-Beha, the
servant of God, who has clad Himself with the mantle of servitude and devotion for the
beloved of God, and who is the Eldest Son, who promised to come in the Kingdom with His
Father. By the One who taught the world to pray - "Thy Kingdom come on Earth as it is
in Heaven." By the One who was and now is the living Example of the spiritual and
righteous. By the One whose blessed Tablets have been spread everywhere, numbering in
the thousands, and no one who has been honored with one of these finds it difficult to
distinguish the texts of these Holy Utterances from those of other human beings, for they
are
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incomparable. By the One whose Supreme and Exalted position is acknowledged by
everyone, and even by His most bitter enemies. By the One to whom the Manifestation
referred to in the Tablet to the Czar of Russia, saying: "The Father has come, and also the
Son in the Holy Valley, who cries out, 'Labeick, O God, Labeick.'" Meaning, I am ready, O
God, I am ready. By the One whose Love is incomparable, whose character is
unquestionable. By the One who sends to you His great Love, salutations and blessings.
The Message is sent to the American believers, to the beloved of God, to the honest,
sincere and faithful servants of God. To you who are pioneers, and whose actions and like
will linger in the memories of those who will come after you. To those upon whose
character, uprightness and energy the success of the Cause depends. To those who are
requested to lay a solid and valid foundation for the Kingdom of God on Earth; a foundation
which will not be affected by storm or wind. To those who will be called upon to oppose,
with the sword of wisdom and truth, the armies of error with whom you are surrounded,
and not to oppose each other. To you whose duty it is to ignore everything for the sake of
union and agreement. To you who are now laboring under trying circumstances - tested
as to your firmness and faith - and who must pass through the fire of purification. To
you who are not to allow any seditious rumors to prevent you from coming into the
Kingdom. To the Beloved Children whose hearts have been Kindled with the love of God. To
those who are commanded to live as one soul dwelling in different bodies, to live as
brethern of one family, and who are expected to make this vivifying truth the basis of
their practical life. To those who are commanded to spare no means within their power to
promote the cause of God and exalt His word. To those on whom rests the responsibility of
creating and maintaining peace and harmony. To those whom God has chosen to become the
vivifiers of the world; and this was written in a Tablet and decreed by the Supreme Pen.
Therefore, do not let the waves of oblivion roll over this message, which is most
important, and is for our own edification and for our own good.
ANTON HADDAD
[page 3]
A Message from Acca.
Dear Believers: -
It was a great thing for me to have that blessed opportunity to go to Syria and see the
blessed face of our Lord.
O course my visit to Syria was on private business, but at the same time I was
graciously granted the permission to go and pay a visit to the Head Quarters, which visit,
I hope, will tend to bring everything into perfect peace and tranquility, especially under
such circumstances which are known to you, and it is hoped also, that now is the time
to unite with each other, and live in perfect agreement in order to boldly
defend our position, and stand firmly before anything that may come against us.
You know that some time ago, the American believers were not allowed to go to Akka,
owing to the disturbances raised by the contradictors who violated the commandments of
the Manifestation, (the brothers of our Lord, and their followers,)
On my arrival there, I found that this prevention applied also to all the believers
wherever they are, in order to refute the statement of those contradictors and to show
the Turkish Government plainly and clearly that the intentions of our Lord and His
followers are only religious and have not the least connection with politics, as stated by
the enemies, but on the contrary, are for peace and tranquility. Some of the believers
who came from Persia after a long journey of about 60 days by land and sea, suffering
great deal of trouble and hardships, were not allowed to remain there more than two days
and some of them were telegraphed, while on their way, to go back home, fearing the
Government might do them harm through the intrigues of those bitter enemies.
These circumstances made me share with them the difficulty in going to Akka, and
spending there a certain time. But on my arrival at Beyreut, through the grace of Our
Lord, I found a telegram, sent to one of the believers known as Moh' Eff. Martaba
Bagdadi, telling him "Let Haddad come without waiting for permission." This made me
thank God for His mercy to this unworthy servant, and I proceeded to Akka at once in
compliance with the command.
I need not give you now any description of the Head Quarters of Our Lord, His dignity and
wisdom, and how he receives guests, etc. You have been acquainted with all this
[page 4]
for some time, but I wish only to relate to you the very words pronounced from the
blessed mouth of Our Lord regarding the present condition of the believers in America.
He said: "The field in America is now likened unto a field of land in which are planted
small trees having not the powers within themselves to stand any assault or attacks from
outside, or to repel the powers of storm and wind. Therefore, it is very necessary at
first to treat such trees very mildly and take much care of them until they become very
strong, solid and firm.
Consequently the guides and teachers who are in charge of this field must first deny
themselves and practice chastity, purity, and love all sincerely, out of their hearts from
the world and not care for the comforts of their bodies or for any other worldly thing.
And they must also abolish from their minds the word "Ego" or "I," and be servants
unto all, faithful and honest shepherds, watching very strictly day and night, putting all
their efforts to the care of their sheep and secure them inside the fold. If any of the sheep
go astray, they must do their best and not rest until they find it. They have to
serve the worshipers of God, for He (praise to Him) is not in need of our service,
our submissiveness or prayers, our kindness or assistance, etc., but those who are in
need of such things are the worshippers of God, and by this they will please God the
Almighty. Jesus said, And whosoever shall give to drink unto these little ones a cup of
cold water, only in the name of a disciple, it is as though he had given it to me, Verily, I
say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
"Everyone of us, and especially the guides or the deliverers of the truth must know that
what he does or acts, he does only to himself and none will profit but himself, and in
giving the truth none will enjoy but himself."
"The singer who has a sweet, soft and gentle voice, will, when he sings, please himself
far better than he pleases his audience, and therefore his pleasure and delight is confined
to himself. It is so in the case of the artist, the photographer and the inventor. Each one
of them has a special delight in himself - in the thing he does - more than others have in
their works. The same is true with the deliverer of the Truth. There is nothing in these
days more important than the delivery of the Truth. It is the best thing and the greatest,
because the future happiness of man and his comfort, the highness of his position and
exaltation, depends on his delivering the Truth to the worshippers of God."
The guide will not be confirmed by God unless he is a sincere and faithful servant to God.
It might be that sometimes it happens that the guide will be successful, but it is only for
a short time, but at last he will fall down if he is not thoroughly sincere, even if he is
the greatest philosopher and
[page 5]
the most learned man. It happens sometimes that the simple surpass and excel the
intelligent and bright."
He said also: "Besides my real knowledge, I have realized by experience that the sincere
servants of God have in many cases excelled the learned, and although ignorant and
simple, they were confirmed by God owing to their sincerity, and to such an extent that
it made the others astonished and perplexed. There was a certain riddler once in Persia
of low breed, simple and ignorant of anything, but owing to his pure sincerity of God he
was confirmed by God and became one of the greatest; so that he was envied by even the
most learned men in Persia, through the most wonderful knowledge given to him by God.
Take as an example; the disciples of Christ were fishermen of the lowest and meanest,
simple, ignorant and despised by everyone of their time, but owing to their pure
sincerity they became the greatest and are even now worshipped by Kings and Emperors;
their names are highly honored and respected by the great men of this age. As it was in
the past, so it will be in the future."
We are requested by Our Lord "to live in peace, love, union and agreement, and overlook
the faults and defects of others and to see only their good actions and not their bad ones.
These are things that will lead to perfect success and thorough happiness."
To illustrate this more fully, Our Lord, Abdel Beha, told the following story: "Once on a
certain time when Christ and his disciples were travelling from one place to another,
they came near a dead dog. One of the disciples said: "How ugly this dog is;" another said,
'How offensive and putrid he is,' another, 'How bad;' and another, 'Fie on him, how
abominadle.' On this Christ was anxious to show to them something that was good in that
dog, thus to teach them that first they should look for the good things without caring in
the least for the bad, and in some manner, he made the dog's teeth appear, saying to his
disciples, 'How white and beautiful are his teeth.' This made the diciples ashamed,
realizing at the same time that they were mistaken and that what they said was wrong.
This lesson teaches us how to behave toward each other and how to view and treat each
other, i.e. to look for the good things in each other, caring not for the bad."
He said also, "Tell the believers, if they hear some day that something has happened to
their Chief, Abdel Beha, whether killed or crucified, they must not fear or feel broken-
hearted, sad, or afflicted, but on the contrary should strengthen and comfort each other,
stand firm and continue working in the field of God, teaching and delivering the truth to
all the people." "Tell" El-Ahbab in America, that it is very necessary in these days that
they should not notice the bad things of
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others, nor mind the small, trifling, worldly things, but seek the spiritual, which tends
to their strengthening and confirmation, for these days are the days of persecutions,
dangers and perils, and accordingly they ought to unite with each other, for union is
power, and let them take as their example in everything, Abdel-Beha, The Master."
You know very well that our Lord is suffering from several things besides what he
suffered in the past, but yet he is very patient, and his special desire and pleasure is to
die in the cause of God, although greatly persecuted by his enemies, he is powerful
enough to have them dispersed, yet he is very loving, compassionate and merciful for the
sake of the cause of God, and requests every one of the believers to follow his steps, and
by this, they will have the desire of his heart fulfilled.
The Master also said, "Perhaps you have heard some thing about Ibn-Abhar. He is a
Persian teacher and one of the greatest in knowledge and spirituality and holds a very
high position among the believers; still, when asked by anyone about any other certain
believer he generally says, 'I am not worthy to unloose the latchet of his shoes.' This
teaches us humility and that we ought to speak very well of others, even to prefer them
to ourselves, that we should not boast by saying, - 'I am the man and nobody else.'
The believers should be thankful to the guide or teacher, and faithful to him for what he
has done for them, in giving them that treasured thing which could not be estimated or
re-compensated."
"What use will it be to you if you are an extinguished lamp and the other lamps are so
bright and brilliant, or what harm will it do you if you are bright and the others dark?
What profit will you get if you are poor and the others rich, or what harm will it do you
if you are rich and the others are in need of you? And so on in all cases. Under these
circumstances, everyone should at first reform himself and better his condition; when
this is settled with him he will do great deal of good to others and be competent to fulfill
many very important duties, then his words will have a great effect on the hearts of
others. I love everyone of you and therefore I wish you to love each other sincerely."
Ha also said, "Tell the believers that I want the strong ones among them to strengthen the
weak, just as Mary Magdalen did after the death of Christ. On that famous event the
disciples of Christ became very weak and dissapointed, and some of them were full of
doubts, and were likely to disbelieve in him. At last they went to Mary and said to her,
'Do you not know He is dead.' She replied, 'Well it does not matter; Was the soul killed or
the body?' They answered 'The body'; Then she said to them, 'Do not fear, he is still
alive and will be
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with us always, and is ready at all times to help us. Go, be firm and strong, and do not let
small things trouble you or fill you with doubts. Go and preach the word of God to
everyone with sincere faith and you will be confirmed by the Holy Spirit.' So they were
encouraged by her and went on preaching and teaching, thus she was the cause of
strengthening them and promoting the truth among all the people."
Abdel Beha wants you to follow the steps of that great woman, especially if you come
under similar. He wants you to take no thought for any other thing but the cause of God,
and to be as St. Paul when he said, 'I once had knowledge, wisdom and philosophy, but
after I knew Christ I forgot everything, and now I do not know but Christ.'" If believers
or guides fall into temptations, or commit any wrong, the others ought reform such
infirmities with the spirit of sincere love for his edification, that you may with one
mind and one mouth glorify God. Whosoever of you, if he had a certain beautiful tree in
his garden for a long time, during which long time it was giving good fruits, would cut it
down if, for one year he seeks fruit on this tree and find none; will he not be sad and have
pity? Will he not wait another year and take much care of it, until he removes all cause
which stood against that tree and injured it: this must be the case with the believers,
especially with the teachers and guides. Whosoever, if he had all his clothes saturated
with water, would care in the least if some small drops of water were thrown on him by
another? Of course he would not care, for such drops will not effect him at all. Thus we
should not notice the small faults committed against us by others. To speak evil against
the believers, the guides or the teachers, will hurt but yourselves. Everyone is liable to
mistakes and to fall into temptations; therefore we ought not to expect perfection in
anybody. Jesus said, "There is none good, but One, and He is God." "No one can claim the
Behaist religion unless very sincere and honest 'and born of water and the Spirit,' as
Jesus said. Therefore, he who comes to this religion with perfect and pure sincerity will
prosper and succeed thoroughly; otherwise, success will be only for a short time and
then will fail."
"Fear not any trouble, persecution or calamity which may befall you, for it is said that
when the flag of the truth appears it will be cursed by the people of the east and west;
just as it was in the past, so it will be now without the least difference."
"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God." One of the believers in Akka spoke to me, (the
master) that the only desire he was begging to attain was to get bread and water only
without any thought for good clothes, and to devote himself for the service of his Lord;
but owing to his sincerity, God the
[page 8]
Almighty has given him, without knowing how, instead of bread and water on his table,
more than ten kinds of good food. I have received news from Persia that someone there
has imitated the picture of the Manifestation and sold it to one of the believers there for a
sum of $200., thus be careful not to be deceived by anyone, for the real picture is not in
the possession of anyone but Abdel Beha."
(These are the words of Our Lord translated to you, word by word. May God the Almighty
help us keep them and take them as a lamp for our feet. Amen.)
(signed) ANTON HADDAD.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD RELATING TO DISAGREEMENT AMONG THE
BELIEVERS.
"Dissagreement among the believers is likened unto the clouds which prevent the rays of
the sun from reaching into the space covered by the clouds. Although it may be for a
short time only, the power of the rays will undoubtedly demolish the clouds, yet the
clouds will stop the rays for a while and consequently deprive the creatures of God from
that privilege of enjoying the beauty of the sun during the existence of the clouds."
"Accordingly, disagreement among the believers has the same effect and result. It
prevents the confirmation of God for a while. No confirmation to anyone as long as
disagreement is in existence."
"But know that the cause of God can never be demolished or destroyed and no one
whatever is able to prevent or even stop its appearance and spreading. It may become
latent or delayed for one, two or three years, but at last it will appear in spite of all
the hinderances, difficulties, and impediments that come in its way."
"Every one of you is aware that the tree has a special time for its leaves to come out,
another for its flowers, and another for its fruits; but it may happen some year that icy
weather and intenseness of cold may prevail for a while and thus stop the tree from
coming out in time. Do you think that if all the world should unite, 'can they stop the
coming of Spring.? O no, it must come by force, although the circumstances are not
suitable, still the trees bring out leaves, flowers, and fruits. This is the case of the cause
of God and is after the same method. If delayed for a while nothing can prevent
[page 9]
its appearance and promotion, for God is able to raise up some other people who will give
their fruits in time: but the great calamity will be on the souls who were in existence
during that time of disagreement, because these souls will be deprived of all the benefits
that were offered to them. Thus they will be losing and the souls coming after them
gaining. Disagreement is likened unto the destroyer of homes. It is an old saying that
1000 builders are not equal to one destroyer - how much more if there are one thousand
destroyers after one builder? Do your best and use every effort to unite. Have accord and
harmony among you, so that you may be able to defend your selves and oppose all the
collussions and attacks that may come against you."
You are a small army and a very few in number in comparison with those around you. If
dissension is existing among you and your opinions are different, everyone of you
wishing to fight with a special sort of arms, i.e., some with swords, some with rifles,
some with spears and some with guns, what will be the result? Defeat! and you will
never see victory. But if you will unite together with one heart, one mind, one opinion,
and one word, you will be able to fight all the armies of the world, and stand firmly
before them. Truly, you have before you all the different armies of the world and you
have to fight them. You will overcome them if you unite and receive the confirmation of
God. When in Persia we were very few in number, but owing to our unity and harmony,
and our fighting with one kind of arms, we stood before our numerous enemies, fought
and at last defeated them and gained the victory."
"There are before you so many temptations, trials, afflictions, calamities and
difficulties because you have to be purified through fire and sifted through the sieve in
order to separate the wheat from the tares. Verily I say unto you none will be saved but
the believers, and from the believers only the sincere, and even those are
in great danger, especially in such a time."
"Also, We have recorded the same in most of the tablets, and perhaps they will awaken
from their sleep and follow the truth in their days. Some of them have received the truth
and some have refused it, and those who received were brought near to us."
"Every soul is commanded by God to deliver the truth and work out His Cause, and those
who comply with His High Command, should, FIRST, characterize themselves with the
best characteristics and attributes, and THEN, try to deliver the truth to the people, who
will undoubtedly, under such circumstances, be attracted by the words of such teachers,
if these be truthseekers. Otherwise his words will not have the least effect in the hearts
of the worshipers of God."
[page 10]
"God the Forgiving, the Merciful, also teaches you that those who do wrong and oppress
others, and at the same time command the people to be just, will, by the words coming
out of their mouths, be accused of lying and declared to be liars by the people of the
Kingdom, and by those who go about the Handsome Throne of Thy Lord."
"Oh, ye people, commit not what will make you lose your honor, dignity, and the sanctity
of the cause before the worshipers. Be careful not to come near anything shunned by
your minds. Fear God and follow not the unmindful. Do not be unfaithful to the property
of the people. Be faithful and honest on this earth. Do not deprive the poor people, or
exclude them from what was given to you from the Bounty of God, and He will give you
the double of what you have and possess, for He is the Donor, the Bestower and the
Generous."
"Say! We have pre-ordained the delivery of the truth through eloquence and
demonstration; therefore beware not to dispute or argue with anyone, and he who wishes
implicitly and sincerely to receive the truth for the sake of the face of his Lord, will be
confirmed by the Holy Spirit and inspired with what will enlighten the heart of the
world, how much more the hearts of the seekers!"
"Oh people of Beha! make submissive the Cities of the Hearts with the Sword of Wisdom
and Explanation; and those who argue in accordance with their own desire and wish, they
are in obvious wrong."
"Say! The Sword of Wisdom is stronger than the summer and sharper than the Sword of
Iron, if ye are knowing. Draw out the Sword in My Name and Power, then invade with it
the Cities of the Hearts of those who are fortifying themselves with the fortification of
Desire, also, ye were commanded by your God, El-Abha, while He was sitting under the
swords of the disbeliever, that if ye know of any sin or wrong committed by others, do
not make it public, and do not reveal it to the others in order that he may not reveal you,
for he is the one who veils often - the Possessor of the Great Bounty."
"Oh rich people! When you see a poor man, do not grow proud and haughty and despise
him, but think from what you were created - for each one is created from despised
water. Be truthful and sincere to Him and your temples will be decorated and your names
elevated and your positions grow higher and higher among the people, and you will have,
before God The Truth, a great reward."
A TABLET TO THE GUIDES
"He who wishes to deliver the cause of his Lord must at first deliver it to himself, and
then to others, in order to have their hearers attracted to what they say. Otherwise
their
[page 11]
words will not have the least effect in the hearts of the truthseekers."
"O people! beware of being of those who command OTHERS to be righteous, and at the
same time they forget THEMSELVES, for that which comes out of their mouths will
declare them as liars. Not only that, but they will be accused of lying by the facts of
things, and by the angels who are near. But if it happens that the words of such guides do
take any effect in the hearts of any certain one, it is not in reality from them, but from
what was pre-ordained in the words by the Almighty, the Wise. Such guides will be
likened unto a lamp from which the worshipers received light while it burns in itself,
and at last is burned out."
"O ye people! Commit not what will make you lose your honor and dignity, and the
sanctity of the cause before the worshipers. Be not sowers of discord, and be careful not
to come near anything shunned by your minds. Turn aside sin and avoid iniquity, for it is
forbidden by God in the Book, which could not be touched by any but by those whom God
has purified from corruption and made them pure. Be just to yourselves, then to other
people, so that the traces of Justice will, through your actions and deeds, appear before
the sincere worshipers. Do not be unfaithful to the property of the people. Be faithful
and honest amongst them and do not deprive the poor people of what was given to you
from the Bounty of God, and He will give you the double of what you have and possess.
There is no God but He, and to Him is the Creative Power and Command. He gives to whom
He wishes and forbids whom He likes. He is the Donor, the Bestower, the Invincible, the
Generous."
"Say, oh people of Beha! Give the Word of God, for God has commanded that it is the duty
of every soul to deliver His Word, and it is the best thing and the greatest thing to do; as
no soul will be accepted unless it knows God, the Almighty, the Powerful. It is pre-
ordained to deliver the truth through explanations and arguments and not otherwise."
"It is also commanded by the Power of God, the Supreme, the Wise, not to argue or
dispute with any soul, but remind that soul with good explanations and admonitions. If
that soul is mindful, it is well. If not, leave and do not argue. Do not argue about the
world and its vanities, nor what was pre-ordained to anyone in this world, for God has
left the world to its people, and He does not wish anything out of it but the hearts of the
worshippers."
"It is also commanded by God, El-Beha, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, to have mercy
upon yourselves, then upon those near to you and then upon the sincere worshipers of
God. If you
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come in contact with a certain low and contemptible person, do not grow haughty and
despise him, for the Sultan of Glory and Grandeur will pass near him in these days and
nobody knows how, but only the One whose will is the will of your Lord, the Almighty,
the Wise."
"Oh people of wealth and riches! If you see a poor man suffering from any calamity, do
not run away from him, but sit with him and ask him about the things heaped upon him
from the seas of determination and predestination."
"By God, under this circumstance, the people of the High World will testify for you,
pray for you and with pure, holy and eloquent tongues. Blessed is the learned man who
does not boast of his knowledge and despise those who are under him. How good is the
charitable man who does not ridicule the one who disobeys and who does not make public
the faults committed by that man, so that his sins and crimes may not be unveiled by God,
who is the Best Veiler."
"Oh people, be veilers and forgivers so that God may forgive you from His own Bounty
and overlook the trespasses of others, so that God may overlook yours and clothe you with
the beautiful garment of Kindness. If anyone of the believers asks you for protection,
have him protected and do not deprive him of what he wants if you are able to do it, so
that God may protect you in the shadow of His Mercy, on that day in which the bosoms
heave, the heart's burn and the elements of all creations shake and tremble."
"Say O people! tell the pure truth always, for it is the thing which will decorate
yourselves and elevate your names and make your positions high and supreme amongst
all the people in this world; and in the world to come a great reward from your God, the
Truth. Also advise those who have believed and admonish them, perhaps they will accept
the advice given to them in the Book of God and come to the right path."
[horizontal rule in original]
"Let no seditious rumors prevent you from coming into the Kingdom of God and receiving
the Spirit of Confirmation. Take for example Jesus Christ, when He was here on earth
1900 years ago, how He was despised by the people to an extent unimaginable. How the
Jews and even the Romans refused to have Him buried in their cemeteries, and at last He
was interred in a dung-hill which they call now Golgotha. How in the second century
after Christ some of the so-called learned people sprang up and wrote many books in
which they denied Christ and His appearance among the people - that there was no person
such as Christ, an, in fact, there was no one by this name, that it was only the invention
of Peter and Paul,
[page 13]
and so many other things besides. But look at the result now, and see! Consider how
powerful is the cause of God! Be firm in the faith and let no doubts come to your mind,
for THIS CENTURY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL. He who pronounces one word of
truth now, that word will continue to wave and vibrate without end and will never be
annihilated; but not so the contrary. The same result follows those who commit good
deeds and bad deeds. Think of the actions and deeds done in the time of the prophets and
apostles, and consider - what were they? They were nothing but trifling things in
comparison with those done after their times; but we know very well that these small
things became known to everybody and will be forever and ever; while the great things
done after the times of the apostles were known for a short time only and then were
forgotten. What was done by some of the women and men mentioned in the Scriptures, in
the time of the apostles? They did nothing of great importance. Some of them received the
apostles in their houses, others rendered them service, while others gave them
protection and assistance. But after the time of the apostles many built churches, others
spent all their money in a charitable way, but nothing is now known about them. What a
great difference there is between their works."
"Look at the time of Christ! What of the two thieves crucified with him? Each
pronounced but one word, and these two words became known for many generations up to
the present time, and will still linger in the memories of those who will come after us,
although a great many people did greater things after the time of Christ, they were not to
be compared with the words of the thieves. Why is this? It is because what took place in
the time of Christ and apostles was done in the time of their appearance, the time of
distress and persecution. This is the case at present. He who does a very small thing now,
that thing will be remembered forever by everyone, but the things done after this time,
however great they may be, will never have the same effect, but will be remembered by
some and last only for a short time. To do now is of greater preference and importance
than hereafter, owing to the paucity of the number of the believers and the
circumstances they are surrounded with; for after this time the believers will number
millions and millions and they will be the majority everywhere. You are the pioneers
and have to work very hard."
"You have to be firm and solid. If success in the worldly things (which are nothing in
comparison with spiritual) depends on firmness, how much more is the spiritual? He
who stands firm will succeed, but the cowards who draw back will never see success.
Disagreement is just like poison - whenever
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the poison enters the body it will kill it all at once, notwithstanding its vitality and
strength. So beware not to let this kind of poison enter your heart."
"The Kingdom of God is also likened unto the temple of man. We know very well that such
temple is composed of many members which differ greatly in shape, form, action and
office, and when these different members act in harmony with each other and have the
real perfect affinity and attraction among them, they form together that temple which
will be thoroughly ready to receive the Spirit - although so various and different. We
cannot say that one member is preferred to another, or is of greater importance in the
formation of the temple. No, we cannot say that, for each member has its own office and
by the action of all in harmony and unison, a perfect result is produced. So is the case
with the Kingdom of God, which Kingdom is composed of different members, and if these
member, although differing in quality, form, shapes and characters, act in harmony
with each other and in perfect agreement, they will form the Kingdom of God and will be
ready to receive the confirmation of His Spirit. But if disagreement falls among them and
EACH ONE WANTS TO MAKE HIMSELF GREATER THAN THE OTHER, THINKING OF HIS HIGH
OFFICE AND IMPORTANCE, the Kingdom of God will not be formed of such members and
they will NEVER BE READY OR WORTHY to receive the confirmation of His Spirit."
"The Kingdom of God is also likened unto a garden of trees. We all know that a garden in
order to be beautiful must contain a good number of trees, various in size and different
in colors, flowers and fruits. Some of the trees are tall and some short, some bear good
and sweet fruits, some sour and some bitter, but all these trees are necessary to form a
garden. No tree can say to the other, 'I am the most important organ of the lot,' or 'I am
more profitable than you.' Not so whatever. Because all the trees in that garden are
watered by the same Hand, having the same sun and the same breeze passing on them. If
any, distinction is to be made among them, such distinction must belong to the owner of
the garden and not to the trees themselves."
"So is the Kingdom of God. He is the owner and Lord of the Kingdom, and everything
relating to the members of the Kingdom is in His Hands and belongs to Him only, although
two members are not equal in everything, but different in size, disposition, quality,
character, conduct, color and fruit. Yet, all of them are necessary to form the Kingdom,
but they cannot make any distinction among themselves. High distinction belongs only to
the Lord of the Kingdom. No one can prefer
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himself to others, because all are watered by the same Hand, having the same sun, the
same breeze of air passing over them; therefore, they should be as one, loving and
respecting each other and considering themselves as brothers and sisters and even more,
for in spirituality, kinship is not to be considered whatever. Jesus Christ said, "He who
hears my word is my brother, sister and mother."
"Agreement, union, affinity and attraction have a great effect on the universe. Take our
globe, for instance. I became so large through the great and perfect union, cohesion,
affinity and attraction among the different ingredients and particles of which it is
composed, but the small things which we see could not be any larger, owing to the lack of
affinity between their and other substance. Thus affinity has a great effect in the
enlargement of anything. so also among the believers. It should be the most important
factor and the basis of their growth, otherwise they will go asunder if they ever meet
with collision or difficulty."
"Tell my beloved that great persecutions and troubles are awaiting them. They have not
seen anything yet. They will be attacked by all the people around them, ridiculed and
despised for His sake. A great many books will be written against them and the papers
will attack them severely."
He said also that "a woman of great ability will write an article against the believers
full of lies and false things, but they ought not to let these things trouble or give them
the least doubt or fear. They will gain the victory and receive His confirmation and
strength if they only listen to His words and unite together as one soul and spirit."
(These are the translated words of our Lord spoken to me in response to the information
I gave Him regarding the difficulties among the American believers. These notes were
afterward corrected by His own hand, and may God help you to accept and practice
them.)
(signed) ANTON HADDAD
TABLET
DIRECTIONS FOR GUIDES
"Say! Know that We have commanded all who deliver the truth, and caused to descend, the
conditions necessary for the teachers and guides which will make every discerning man
cognizant of the Bounty of this Manifestation, and His Glory, GIFTS, DONATIONS and
KINDNESSES."
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"Every man wishing to turn his face to the Supreme Horizon must purify his inside and
outside, and abstain from what is forbidden in the Book of God, the Lord of the Worlds. He
must adhere to God, and do in accordance with what was descended in the Vision, to wit:
'Say! He is God, then, in their ford let hem play hopelessly.' He ought to consider
everything besides God, as a handful of dust. Also the Lights of the Cause on His Return,
has shown from the Horizon of the Heaven in accordance to the Will of God, the Almighty,
the Invincible, the Bestower; and he who wishes to deliver the cause of his Lord has to
decorate his head with the crown of devotion and his body with purity and godliness. In
another place, 'Every guide has to overlook everything in his possession and in that of
others, and look only to that which is in the possession of God, the Everlasting, the
Unchangeable."
"We have said, and what we say is the truth, "It is not the calamity that I have been
imprisoned and persecuted by my enemies, but it is caused by those who relate
themselves to Myself, and at the same time commit what will make my heart mourn and
my pen lament."
(It is here plainly outlined that the greatest enemies are those who sow discord as
believers, not those who are unbelieving opposers of Truth.)
Translated by me from the original Tablets.
ANTON HADDAD.
INSTRUCTIONS TO GUIDES AND BELIEVERS.
"My worshipers and servants are commanded to practice integrity and piety, so that
they may arise from the sleep of their desire, and turn their faces to God, the creator of
Earth and Heaven. Also, We likewise commanded the worshipers at that time when the
Brilliant Light shone from the direction of Arak. Some of the people have violated the
covenant, and some followed the command of the All-knowing and Wise."
"It is not the calamity that I have been imprisoned and oppressed by the rebels of my
subjects, but it is the action of those who attribute themselves to me - the Oppressed,
and who commit what will make them lose the honor of God amongst His creatures. They
are nothing but sowers of discord and those who corrupt and do mischief on this earth,
and who dispose of the property of people. I do not know them, and will not, unless they
repent and come back to God, the Forgiving, the Generous, the Merciful."
[page 17]
"Every man wishing to turn his face to the Supreme Horizon must purify his inside and outside, and abstain from what is forbidden in the Book of God, the Lord of the Worlds. He must adhere to God, and do in accordance with what was descended in the Vision, to wit: "Say! He is God, then, in their ford let hem play hopelessly." He ought to consider everything besides God, as a handful of dust. Also the Lights of the Cause on His Return, has shown from the Horizon of the Heaven in accordance to the Will of God, the Almighty, the Invincible, the Bestower; and he who wishes to deliver the cause of his Lord has to decorate his head with the crown of devotion and his body with purity and godliness. In another place, "Every guide has to overlook everything in his possession and in that of others, and look only to that which is in the possession of God, the Everlasting, the Unchangeable."
"We have said, and what we say is the truth, "It is not the calamity that I have been imprisoned and persecuted by my enemies, but it is caused by those who relate themselves to Myself, and at the same time commit what will make my heart mourn and my pen lament."
(It is here plainly outlined that the greatest enemies are those who sow discord as believers, not those who are unbelieving opposers of Truth.)
Translated by me from the original Tablets.
ANTON HADDAD.
INSTRUCTIONS TO GUIDES AND BELIEVERS.
"My worshipers and servants are commanded to practice integrity and piety, so that they may arise from the sleep of their desire, and turn their faces to God, the creator of Earth and Heaven. Also, We likewise commanded the worshipers at that time when the Brilliant Light shone from the direction of Arak. Some of the people have violated the covenant, and some followed the command of the All-knowing and Wise."
"It is not the calamity that I have been imprisoned and oppressed by the rebels of my subjects, but it is the action of those who attribute themselves to me ... the Oppressed, and who commit what will make them lose the honor of God amongst His creatures. They are nothing but sowers of discord and those who corrupt and do mischief on this earth, and who dispose of the property of people. I do not know them, and will not unless they repent and come back to God, the Forgiving, the Generous, the Merciful.