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A Mighty River

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[Page i] A MIGHTY RIVER [Page 1]

A MIGHTY RIVER

Selections from the Bahá’í Writings

Arranged and Illustrated by Audrie Reynolds

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST Wilmette, Illinois 60091 [Page 2] Copyright © 1977 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved

Reprinted 1980

Illustrations on pages 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29, 31, 34, and 35 are used by permission of the publisher, Dover Publications, Inc., from Dorothy Smith Side’s Decorative Art of the Southwestern Indians, first published in 1961.

Other illustrations are adapted from shards collected by the author and from Indian Art of the Americas. The cover design was adapted from a Navajo Rug.

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Printed in U.S.A. [Page 3] "The earth is in motion and growth; the mountains, hills and prairies are green and pleasant; the bounty is overflowing; the mercy universal; the rain is descending from the clouds of mercy; the brilliant Sun is shining. . . .

Boundless treasure is in the hand of the King of Kings!

Lift up the hem of thy garment in order to receive it."

"Blessed are your ears, for they have heard the Call! Blessed are your eyes, for they have beheld the signs of their Mighty Lord! Blessed are your tongues, for they have uttered the praise of my Lord, the Supreme!" [Page 4] “Minds are powerless to comprehend God, and the souls become bewildered in explaining Him. ‘The eyes see Him not, but He seeth the eyes. . .’”

“Through Thy name, O my God, all created things were stirred up, and the heavens were spread, and the earth was established, and the clouds were raised and made to rain upon the earth.” [Page 5] “No man hath ever known Him; no soul hath ever found the pathway to His Being. . . . The way is barred. . . .”

“Thou, truly, art the King of all men. There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.”

“Thou, truly, art the Lord of all mankind, and the Possessor of this world and of the next. No God is there save Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.” [Page 6] “How all-encompassing are the wonders of His boundless grace! Behold how they have pervaded the whole of creation.”

“Sanctified be the Lord of all mankind, at the mention of Whose name all the atoms of the earth have been made to vibrate. . . .” [Page 7] “... the mystery of eternal might vibrates within the innermost being of all created things.”

“... how vast the oceans of wisdom that surge within a drop!”

“O Son of Being! With the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee; and within thee have I placed the essence of My light. Be thou content with it and seek naught else, for My work is perfect and My command is binding. Question it not, nor have a doubt thereof.” [Page 8] “This period of time is the Promised Age, the assembling of the human race to the Resurrection Day and now is the great Day of Judgment.

“Soon the whole world, as in springtime, will change its garb. The turning and falling of the autumn leaves is past; the bleakness of the winter time is over. The new year hath appeared and the spiritual springtime is at hand.” [Page 9] “Every spring has an autumn and every autumn has its spring. The coming of a manifestation of God is the season of spiritual spring. For instance, the appearance of His Holiness Christ was a divine springtime.... Then gradually that spring was followed by the autumn of death and decay.... At such a time as this His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh dawned....”

“All men will adhere to one religion, will have one common faith, will be blended into one race and become a single people. All will dwell in one common fatherland, which is the planet itself.” [Page 10] “... in this brilliant age and divine cycle, the Noble Personage, the Radiant Star, the Distinguished One,

will manifest with virtues which will eventually amaze the peoples, for He is in spiritual virtues and divine perfections loftier than all the Individuals; nay, rather He is the Source of Divine Benediction and the Center of the Radiant Circle.”

“Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples....” [Page 11] “The basis of the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh is the Unity of Mankind, and his greatest desire was that love and goodwill should live in the heart of men.”

“Bahá’u’lláh spent His life teaching this lesson of Love and Unity.”

“Although Bahá’u’lláh was in prison the great Power of the Holy Spirit was with Him!” [Page 12] <poem> "The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves." </poem>

<poem> "Whenever My laws appear like the sun in the heaven of Mine utterance, They must be faithfully obeyed by all...." </poem> [Page 13] “A twofold obligation resteth upon him who hath recognized the Day Spring of the Unity of God, and acknowledged the truth of Him Who is the Manifestation of His oneness .

The first is steadfastness in His Love . . . .

The second is strict observance of the laws He hath prescribed . . . .”

“He Who is everlastingly hidden from the eyes of men can never be known except through His Manifestation . . . .” [Page 14] “In the estimation of God all men are equal. There is no distinction or preference for any soul. . . .”

“As the compassionate God has placed such a wonderful crown upon the head of man, man should strive that its brilliant jewels may become visible in the world.” [Page 15] “O Children of Men! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land. . . .” [Page 16] "How lofty

is the station which man,

if he but choose

to fulfill his high destiny,

can attain!"

"What a power

God has given our spirits!

He has endowed us

with a power to penetrate

the realities of things. . . ."

[Page 17] "Man has two powers. . . . One power is connected with the material world and by it he is capable of material advancement.

"The other power is spiritual. . . . These powers are like two wings. Both must be developed, for flight is impossible with one wing." [Page 18] “‎Bahá’ulláh Bahá’u’lláh‎ hath said that the various races of human kind lend a composite harmony and beauty of color to the whole. Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden even as flowers grow and blend together side by side without discord or disagreement between them.” [Page 19] “In the estimation of God there is no distinction of color; all are one in the color and beauty of servitude to Him. Color is not important; the heart is all-important.”

“God doth not behold differences of hue and complexion. He looketh at the hearts.... he who is devoted to the Kingdom is most beloved.”

“We are all servants of one Threshold, attendants at one Court, waves of one sea, drops of one stream, the dust before one door and plants of one garden. There must arise no trouble to deprive one from that which is the real purpose.” [Page 20] “He [Bahá’u’lláh] 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.” [Page 21] <poem> “These days are swiftly passing and this mortal life will remain fruitless and without result. Therefore, while there is yet time and the arrow is in the bow, enter ye the chase and strike ye the game. This game is the good-pleasure of God, and this chase is the merciful Providence; that is, living in accord with the divine instructions.” </poem> [Page 22] “All mankind are creatures and servants of the one God. The surface of the earth is one home; humanity is one family and household. Distinctions and boundaries are artificial, human.”

“. . . no one should glorify himself over another; . . . no one should look upon another with scorn and contempt and no one should deprive or oppress a fellow-creature. All must be considered as submerged in the ocean of God’s mercy. We must associate with all humanity in gentleness and kindliness. We must love all with love of the heart.” [Page 23] “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. . . .

So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”

“It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” [Page 24] “... without patience the wayfarer on this journey will reach nowhere and attain no goal.”

“... if there be no pain this journey will never end.”

“In the ocean he findeth a drop, in a drop he beholdeth the secrets of the sea.”

“Even in fire, he seeth the face of the Beloved.” [Page 25] "O My friend, listen with heart and soul to the songs of the spirit, and treasure them as thine own eyes."

"Turn thy sight unto thyself, that Thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting."

"Trust in the favor of God. Look not at your own capacities, for the divine bestowal can transform a drop into an ocean; it can make a tiny seed a lofty tree." [Page 26] “Thou knowest, and seest,
and hearest, O my Lord,
that before every tree
I am moved to lift up
my voice to Thee. . . .”

“If it be Thy pleasure,
make me to grow as a Tender herb
in the meadows of Thy grace,
that the gentle winds of Thy will
may stir me up and bend me
into conformity with Thy pleasure,
in such wise that my movement
and my stillness
may be wholly directed by Thee.” [Page 27] "Supplicate to God, pray to Him and invoke Him at midnight and at dawn. Be humble and submissive to God and chant the verses of thanksgiving at morn and eve. . . ."

"Chant (or recite) the words of God every morning and evening. The one who neglects this has not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His agreement, and he who turns away from it today is of those who have turned away from God." [Page 28] "Know thou that prayer is indispensable and obligatory. . . ."

". . . prayer and fasting is the cause of awakening and mindfulness and conducive to protection and preservation from tests. . . ." [Page 29] “If thou be a man of communion and prayer, soar up on the wings of assistance from Holy Souls, that thou mayest behold the mysteries of the Friend and attain to the lights of the Beloved.”

“I now assure thee, O servant of God, that, if thy mind become empty and pure from every mention and thought and thy heart attracted wholly to the Kingdom of God, forget all else besides God and come in communion with the Spirit of God, then the Holy Spirit will assist thee with a power which will enable thee to penetrate all things. . . .” [Page 30] “Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.”

“Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind. . . . It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others. Through them the brightness of your light can be shed upon the whole earth.” [Page 31] "That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race. The Great Being saith: Blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth."

"Be ye as the fingers of one hand, the members of one body." [Page 32] “He [the seeker] must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vain-glory, must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence and refrain from idle talk.”

“Men who suffer not, attain no perfection. The plant most pruned by the gardeners is that one which, when the summer comes, will have the most beautiful blossoms and the most abundant fruit.”

“The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust. . . .” [Page 33] "O My Brother! A pure heart is as a mirror; cleanse it with the burnish of love and severance from all save God, that the true sun may shine within it and the eternal morning dawn."

"Love the creatures for the sake of God and not for themselves. You will never become angry or impatient if you love them for the sake of God."

"Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues. Without truthfulness progress and success, in all the worlds of God, are impossible for any soul."

"Beware lest ye prefer yourselves above your neighbors." [Page 34] "Out of the whole world He hath chosen for Himself the hearts of men. . . ."

". . . this mystery of inner meaning may be whispered only from heart to heart, confided only from breast to breast." [Page 35] “O Man of Two Visions! Close one eye and open the other. Close one to the world and all that is therein, and open the other to the hallowed beauty of the Beloved.”

“The real meeting consists in the communication of heart . . . hearts which are spiritually related to each other, their meetings are eternal, both in this world and in the Universe of God. I hope that thou mayest attain thereunto.” [Page 36] “An humble man without learning, but filled with the Holy Spirit, is more powerful than the most nobly-born profound scholar without that inspiration.”

“Be happy and joyous because the bestowals of God are intended for you and the life of the Holy Spirit is breathing upon you.” [Page 37] "Beware lest ye offend the feelings of anyone, or sadden the heart of any person, or move the tongue in reproach of and finding fault with anybody, whether he is friend or stranger. . . ."

"If any differences arise amongst you, behold Me standing before your face, and overlook the faults of one another for My name’s sake. . . ."

". . . if a person falls into errors for a hundred - thousand times he may yet turn his face to you, hopeful that you will forgive his sins; for he must not become hopeless, neither grieved nor despondent. This is the conduct and the manner of the people of Bahá!" [Page 38] "Through his ignorance, man fears death; but the death he shrinks from is imaginary...."

"O Son of the Supreme! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?" [Page 39] “As to the question that the holy and spiritual souls influence, help and guide the creatures after they have cast off this elemental mould—this is an established truth of the Bahá’ís.”

“And know thou for a certainty, that in the divine worlds, the spiritual beloved ones . . . will recognize each other, and will seek union [with each other], but a spiritual union.” [Page 40] “Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God. . . .”

“. . . in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the kingdom must be obtained here.” [Page 41] “Now there are many wisdoms to ponder in the dream. . . . First, what is this world, where without eye and ear and hand and tongue, a man puts all of these to use? Second, how is it that in the outer world thou seest today the effect of a dream, when thou didst vision it in the world of sleep some ten years past? . . .

“God, the Exalted, hath placed these signs in men, to the end that philosophers may not deny the mysteries of the life beyond nor belittle that which hath been promised them.

“. . . reflect upon the perfection of man’s ‎creation , creation,‎ and that all these planes and states are folded up and hidden away within him.” [Page 42] “Lay not on any soul

a load which ye would not wish

to be laid upon you,

and desire not for any one

the things ye would not desire

for yourselves.

This is My best counsel

unto you, did ye but

observe it.” [Page 43] “O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me. . . .”

“Be vigilant, that ye may not do injustice to anyone, be it to the extent of a grain of mustard seed. Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path.” [Page 44] “‘Observe My commandments, for the love of My beauty.’...

“Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws.

Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power....

Whenever My laws appear like the sun in the heaven of Mine utterance, they must be faithfully obeyed by all....” [Page 45] “Verily, God loveth those who are working in His path in groups, for they are a solid foundation.”

“May they drink from the same fountain. May they be refreshed by the same breezes. May they obtain illumination from the same source.”

“What a great blessing it is when the torrents, streams, currents, tides and drops are all gathered in one place! They will form a great ocean and the real harmony shall overcome and reign....” [Page 46]

The Spiritual Assembly

“In this day, assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a vital necessity.”

“The first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the members of the assembly.”

“The members of the Spiritual Assembly must day and night endeavor to create love and unity among the believers, to glorify the Cause of God and to propagate the Divine Faith.” [Page 47] "Obedience unto them [Spiritual Assemblies] is essential and obligatory. The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed." [Page 48] "God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of teaching His Cause."

"If he be kindled with the fire of His love, if he foregoeth all created things, the words he uttereth shall set on fire them that hear him."

"These are the days of seed-sowing. These are the days of tree-planting. . . . He who sows a seed in this day will behold his reward in the fruits and harvest of the heavenly kingdom." [Page 49] "Know ye of a certainty
that the powers of the Kingdom
of Abhá are with you. . . .

Not for a moment

are ye alone,

Not for a second

are ye left to yourselves.

The Beauty of Abhá

is with you.

The Glorious God

is with you.

The King of Kings

is with you."

[Page 50] “We live upon this earth for a few days and then rest beneath it forever.... Shall man fight for the tomb which devours him, for his eternal sepulchre? What ignorance could be greater than this? To fight over his grave; to kill another for his grave!”

“Today there is no greater glory for man than that of service in the cause of the ‘Most Great Peace.’ Peace is light whereas war is darkness. Peace is life; war is death. Peace is guidance; war is error. Peace is the foundation of God; war is ‎satanic institution a satanic institution‎. Peace is the illumination of the world of humanity....” [Page 51] “Under the leadership and training of God the real shepherd, all will be protected and preserved. He will lead them in green pastures of happiness and sustenance and they will attain to the real goal of existence.

This is the blessing and benefit of unity; this is the outcome of love.

This is the sign of the ‘Most Great Peace’; this is the star of the oneness of the human world.

Consider how blessed this condition will be.” [Page 52]

NOTES

Page

3 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, III, 641. Ibid., II, 270. Hopi Pueblo. 4 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 168. Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 236. Sioux. 5 Bahá’u’lláh, The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys, p. 23. Bahá’u’lláh, in Bahá’í Prayers, p. 12. Ibid., p. 70. Sioux. 6 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 62. Ibid., p. 16. Pueblo. 7 The Báb, quoted in The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 39. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 177. Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 6. Acoma Pueblo. 8 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, II, 318. Ojibway. 9 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 52. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 205. Ojibway. 10 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, III, 541. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 54. Zuni. 11 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 45. Ibid., p. 49. Ibid., p. 79. Zuni. 12 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 287. Ibid., p. 333. Papago. Canada. 13 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, pp. 289-90. Ibid., p. 49. Laguna Pueblo. 14 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Advent of Divine Justice, p. 31. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 91. Tesuque Pueblo. 15 Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, p. 20. Pueblo. Maricopa.

16 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 206. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 182. Sioux. 17 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 57. Sioux. 18 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Advent of Divine Justice, p. 31. East Canada. 19 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Advent of Divine Justice, p. 31. Ibid. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, II, 394. Pueblo. 20 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 215. Cochiti. 21 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, III, 574. Zuñi. 22 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, pp. 103-04. Ibid., p. 60. Canada. 23 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 288. Ibid., p. 250. Canada. 24 Bahá’u’lláh, Seven Valleys, p. 5. Ibid., p. 8. Ibid., p. 12. Ibid., p. 31. Ojibway. 25 Bahá’u’lláh, Seven Valleys, p. 37. Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, p. 7. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 127. Ojibway. 26 Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations, p. 271. Ibid., p. 240. Cochiti. Santo Domingo. 27 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, II, 259. Bahá’u’lláh, quoted in Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, p. 92. Cochiti. Santo Domingo. 28 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, III, 683. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 368. Hopi. 29 Bahá’u’lláh, Seven Valleys, p. 17. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 369. Hopi.

[Page 53] 30 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 334. Ibid., p. 305. Tlingit.

31 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 250. Ibid., p. 140. Zuñi. Santo Domingo.

32 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, pp. 264-65. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 51. Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, p. 41. Sioux.

33 Bahá’u’lláh, Seven Valleys, p. 21. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 89. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Advent of Divine Justice, p. 22. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 315. Sioux.

34 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 279. Bahá’u’lláh, Seven Valleys, p. 30. Navajo.

35 Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, p. 26. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, III, 589-90. Navajo.

36 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 165. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 209. Ojibway.

37 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, I, 45. Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 315. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, II, 436. Ojibway.

38 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 85. Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, p. 11. Ojibway.

39 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas, III, 543. Ibid. I, 206. Ojibway.

40 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 155. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, 221. Iroquois.

41 Bahá’u’lláh, Seven Valleys, pp. 32-33, 34. Mohawk.

42 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 128. Blackfoot.

43 Bahá’u’lláh, Hidden Words, pp. 3-4. Bahá’u’lláh, quoted in The Promised Day Is Come, p. 21. Blackfoot.

44 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 332. Slavey. Athabascan.

45 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 401. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í Prayers, pp. 43-44. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í World Faith, p. 402. Slavey. Athabascan.

46 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá’í Administration, p. 21. Ibid., p. 22. Shoghi Effendi, from a letter dated 1923 to the Eastern Bahá’ís, quoted in “Local Assemblies: Digest of Annual Teaching Reports,” Bahá’í News, no. 135 (Apr. 1940), 3-4. Arapaho.

47 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá’í Administration, p. 21. Arapaho.

48 Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings, p. 335. Ibid. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 6. Penobscot. Passamaquoddy.

49 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in “Editorial: Join the Army of Peace!” Star of the West, 13, no. 5 (Aug. 1922), 11. Delaware. Penobscot.

50 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 349. Ibid., p. 119. Tlingit.

51 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation, p. 54. Tlingit.