Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, January 1908/Appendices
APPENDIX I
TABLET TO MRS. ELLA GOODALL COOPER
[edit]Through his honor
Mírzá Aḥmad and Mírzá Munír.
Translated by M. A. Iṣfahání, Sept. 29, 1908.
To the maidservant of God,
Mrs. Ella Goodall Cooper.
Upon her be Bahá’u’lláh-al-Abhá!
HE IS GOD!
Oh, thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God!
Thy detailed letter was received. Its perusal produced the utmost happiness, for it evidenced the fact that thou hast attained to the knowledge of the reality of tests, that tests endured in the Path of God are conducive to confirmation, nay, rather, they are heavenly powers and the bounties of the realm of Might. But to the weak believers tests are trials and examination, for, on account of the weakness of their faith and assurance, they fall into difficulties and vicissitudes.
However, to those souls who are firm and steadfast, tests are the greatest favors.
Consider thou that at the time of an examination in sciences and arts, the dull and lazy pupil finds himself in calamity. But to the intelligent and sagacious student, examination in learning produces honor and infinite happiness. Alloyed gold subjected to the fire
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portrays its baseness, while the intensity of the flame enhances the beauty of pure gold. Therefore, tests to the weak souls are calamity, and to the veiled ones the cause of their disgrace and humiliation.
The point is this, that in the Path of Truth every difficulty is made plain and every trial is the matchless bounty.
Therefore, the believers of God and the maid-servants of the Merciful must not relax during trial, and no disaster must deter their service in the Cause of God.
You have written that upon your return you have compiled whatever you saw and heard (at ‘Akká) and you have received the invisible assistance, that the teachings, which were like invisible seeds, have sprung to life and verdancy, spreading branches and leaves, and producing blossoms and fruits. Indeed, what you have written is true.
You have asked regarding the influence of evil spirits. Evil spirits are deprived of eternal life. How then can they exercise any influence? But as eternal life is ordained for holy spirits, therefore their influence exists in all the divine worlds.
At the time you were here, this question was accordingly answered, that after the ascension of the godly souls, great influence and widespreading bounties are destined for them, and all-encircling signs in the seen and unseen are decreed for them.
When the souls leave the bodies, they do not assume elemental bodies. Whatever man thinks regarding this is but his own imagination.
When man desires help and communication from holy souls, he puts himself in a condition of [Page 79]
selfunconsciousness and becomes submerged in the sea of meditation, then a spiritual state, which is sanctified from matter and all material things, becomes visible and apparent to him. Then he thinks he beholds a form. Its appearance is like unto a vision.
Man beholds in the world of vision various images, communicates with them, and receives benefits, and in that world of vision he thinks they are physical temples and material bodies, while they are purely immaterial.
Briefly, the reality of the soul is sanctified and purified above matter and material things, but like unto the world of vision, it manifests itself in these material forms and visages. Likewise, in the psychic condition, one beholds the spirits like unto physical forms and visages.
To be brief, the holy souls have great influence and intense effect, and their influence and continuity does not depend upon physical existence and elemental composition.
Ponder ye, that during sleep the human body and the five physical senses, viz., sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch are passive—i.e., all physical forces are inactive. Notwithstanding this, human reality has spiritual life, and the spiritual powers are penetrative; and wonderful disclosures are made in both the East and the West, and perchance one may discover some matters, which, after a long time, may become apparent in the physical world. Therefore, it has become evident that the continuity and influence of the human reality does not depend upon the physical instrumentality; nay, rather, the physical body is an instrument over which the human spirit
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spreads a luminosity. It is like unto the sun which, shining upon the mirror, causes its brilliancy, and when the reflection is withdrawn from the mirror, it becomes dark. Likewise, when the luminosity of the human spirit is withdrawn from the body, that instrument becomes useless.
To be brief, Humanity consists of the spiritual reality, and that reality is penetrative in all things, and it is that reality which discovers the invisible mysteries, and through that reality all sciences, arts, and inventions become known and manifest. Whatever thou beholdest of the works of man is but a faint ray of that reality. It encircles all things and comprehends all things.
Reflect thou that all these existent sciences, crafts, industries, and arts were at one time in the world of invisibility, unknown and concealed mysteries. As the spirit of man environs all things, therefore he has discovered them and brought them from the unknown world into the arena of manifestation.
Therefore, it is evident and established that the human spirit is the discoverer of things, the seer of things, and the comprehender of things.
But regarding the progress of the spirit in the world of the Kingdom after its ascension, it is wholly beyond space and time, and developments after leaving this body are spiritual and not terrestrial. It is like unto the progress of the child from the world of the fetus to the world of maturity and intelligence, from the world of ignorance to the world of knowledge, from the station of imperfection to the pinnacle of perfection.
As Divine Perfections are infinite, therefore the progress of the spirit is limitless.
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Whatever the European and American historians have written regarding His Highness Muḥammad the Messenger of God, most of it is falsehood.
Consider ye, is it possible for a person afflicted with epilepsy to establish such a great nation?
Therefore, this statement of the European historians regarding that Holy Personage is unqualified falsehood.
Reflect ye that that Illustrious Personage was born in the Sahara of Arabia among the ignorant tent dwellers, affiliating and associating with them till he grew to manhood and maturity, never studying the sciences and arts; nay, even He was apparently illiterate and uninstructed. Notwithstanding all this, He brought forth such a nation, established such a religion, and uttered such explanations regarding scientific questions, with great perspicuity, and raised such a community from the nadir of ignorance and barbarism to the zenith of civilization and prosperity! Through His influence, science, literature, philosophy, crafts, and trades made wonderful progress during the medieval ages in Andalusia and Bag͟hdád.
Now is it possible that such an illustrious Personage be afflicted with epilepsy?
Relative to the Paradise explained by Muḥammad in the Qur’án, such utterances are spiritual and are cast into the mold of words and figures of speech; for at that time people did not possess the capacity of comprehending spiritual significances. It is similar to that reference to His Highness Christ who, addressing His disciples said, “I shall not partake of the fruit of the vine anymore until I reach the Kingdom of My Father.” Now it is evident His Highness Christ did
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not mean material grapes, but it was a spiritual condition and a heavenly state which He interpreted as this fruit.
Now, whatever is revealed in the Qur’án has the same import.
Regarding the Most Great Name, Its influence, both in physical and spiritual affairs, is indisputable and certain.
In the last Tablet (to the Board of Council of New York) in which I have stated, “I am not Christ and am not eternal,” the meaning is this, that I am not Christ—and not the Eternal Lord! But I am ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This is its real purport. Undoubtedly, those souls who are under the shadow of the Blessed Cause, believing and assured, firm and steadfast, and living in accord with the Divine exhortations and advices, all of them are confirmed in the Everlasting Life.
Regarding the materialization of spirits through mediums: A person finding himself in a state of trance, or unconsciousness, is like one who sleeps; whatever he feels and sees he imagines to be matter and of material things, but in reality they are wholly immaterial.
O thou maidservant of God! Arouse ye the people and make them cheerful through the Glad Tidings of God, and quicken them through the Spirit of Gladness and Heavenly Rejoicing. The essence and foundation of all is to advance toward the Kingdom of Abhá and to be attracted by the Beauty of God. Whatever produces any influence in the world of existence is on account of the Love of God, which is the Spirit of Life and the cause of Salvation.
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Convey on behalf of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wonderful Abhá Greetings to the believers and the maidservants of the merciful.
Upon thee be Bahá’ul-Abhá!
- (signed) ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ ‘ABBÁS
APPENDIX II
[edit]TABLET TO MRS. ELLA GOODALL COOPER21
[edit]Through Dr. Amínulláh Faríd.
To the revered Maidservant of God,
Mrs. Ella G. Cooper.
Upon her be Bahá’u’lláh!
HE IS GOD!
O thou who art attracted to the Kingdom of God:
Thy writing of August 19, 1905, was considered, and the contents were a source of joy.
If thou question regarding the trials and difficulties of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that is a sea, boundless, surging, and full of storms; but ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is in perfect peace and composure, and in complete joy, happiness, and tranquility; nay, it is for Him a ready banquet and an adorned feast. I hope that at the end of this feast and banquet the overflowing chalice of Martyrdom will come round to Him, and then will He be intoxicated by that wine.
But you must not look to the catastrophes of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Consider power and strength, and withstand the world. For the sake of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá bear the persecution of the enemies, and the blame of those who oppose. Under all conditions, My Soul and My Life shall abide with you in this world as well as the world above.
O maidservant of God! Hasten and sow the seed as
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best you can, for time passes away, and through it shall the blessing of the Kingdom appear.
Question: Is astrology a real science, and is it possible for persons to receive messages or trumpet communications from departed souls, etc.?
O, thou maidservant of God! There is a wonderful power and strength which belongs to the human spirit, but it must receive confirmation from the Holy Spirit. The rest of which you hear is superstition. But if it is aided by the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, it will show great power; it will discover realities; it will be informed of the mysteries. Direct all the attention to the Holy Spirit, and call the attention of every soul to It. Then will you see wonderful signs.
O maidservant of God! The planets and stars have no spiritual effect in the earthly world, but the parts of the universe which are in endless space are closely connected with each other. This connection produces material effects. Outside of the Bounty of the Holy Spirit all that thou hearest concerning mesmerism or trumpet communications from the dead are sheer imagination.
But thou canst say whatever thou desirest concerning the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, and what thou hearest from the Holy Spirit and obey. But the people who are mentioned, those in connection with the trumpets, are entirely bereft of this Bounty, and they have no portion therein. Theirs is imagination.
Question: Are prayers answered by the Essence of God or by His Manifestation?
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O, thou maidservant of God! The answer to prayer is through the Great Manifestation of God. But for obtaining material things, if the ignorant (of the Manifestation) supplicate and implore and pray God, it will also be effective.
O, thou maidservant of God! Although the Reality of Divinity is boundless, yet the purposes and needs of the servants are limited. The Bounty of God is like unto the rain from Heaven. The water has no limit and no form, but in every place it will take to itself a form and effect peculiar to the capacity and preparation thereof. That shapeless water when poured into a square reservoir will appear as a square. Likewise when in the hexagonal vessel or in the octagonal. Water has no geometry, no limit, and no form. But it will appear in one of the forms according to the exigencies of time and place.
Likewise the Holy Essence of God is boundless, but Its Manifestation and Bounty in the creatures is limited. Thus the prayers of certain persons concerning special matters are answered accordingly.
Question: Were the Healing Tablets intended for physical healing or only spiritual illness?
O maidservant of God! The prayers which were written for the purpose of healing are both for the spiritual and material healing. Therefore, chant them for the spiritual and material healing. If healing is best for the patient, surely it will be granted. For some who are sick, healing for them shall be the cause of other ills. Thus it is that Wisdom does not decree the answer to some prayers.
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O maidservant of God! The power of the Holy Spirit heals both material and spiritual ills.
Question: It is claimed by some Bible students that the Valley of Achor, referred to in Hosea 2:15, does not mean the City of ‘Akká, and is not a prophecy relating to this Manifestation. Is this another place?
O maidservant of God! It is recorded in the Bible: “Achor shall be a door of hope unto them.” This Achor is the City of ‘Akká. Whosoever interprets this otherwise is ignorant.22
O thou maidservant of God! I hope that thou mayest again make the pilgrimage to this Blessed Spot and attain great development.
Question: Was Buddha a real prophet sent by God?
O thou maidservant of God! Buddha was also one of the prophets, but His teachings were interpolated and altered. What the Buddhists now have in hand is contrary to the original laws of Buddha.
- Upon thee be greetings and praise,
- (signed) ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ ‘ABBÁS
APPENDIX III
[edit]TABLET PREDICTING THE “TESTS” OF SAN FRANCISCO.
[edit]To the Maidservant of God,
Mrs. Helen S. Goodall—California.
Upon her be Bahá’u’lláh!
HE IS GOD!
O thou who art attracted to the Fragrances of God!
Verily, I read thy latest letter, and My great love welled forth unto thee on account of its wonderful contents. Verily, it showed thy firmness in the Cause of God, and that thou wilt resist great tests in the future. Still greater tests will appear in your great city.
As to thee, make firm the footsteps of the believers of God on this right Path, and say, verily, the test has a great power, and when its storms wax fierce, they uproot everything, even large and well-rooted trees, and they wreck great ships on the ocean.
But whoso among the maidservants of God firmly resists a great test, her face shall gleam, and her brow shall glitter in the Supreme Concourse. This is what We inform thee, so that when the test appears, thou mayst be heedful thereof and mayst remind the maidservants of God that the tests have also occurred in former dispensations, even at the time of Christ.
Christ said, “Fast, so that you may not fall into temptation.” Verily, tests withheld a great apostle
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(Judas) from the Mercy of God and made him take part in the shedding of the Christ’s blood. The tests made Peter the apostle deny Christ. The tests made the brothers of Christ deny Him. Many a just, faithful, and assured soul did not endure the power of the tests, turned backward, until they reached the lowest of the low.
O maidservant of God! Rely upon the Bounty of thy Master, for, verily, thou art firm and steadfast, and His Favor is great and great toward thee. But make firm the hearts of the maidservants and believers in this Cause, which the greatest powers of the world cannot withstand, and which spreads in spite of all through the Power of the Kingdom of God.
Upon thee be greeting and praise.
APPENDIX IV
PORTIONS OF TABLETS SENT BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ
[edit]To Mrs. Helen S. Goodall.
Translated by Anṭún F. Ḥaddád.
In The Hidden Words “Leave the ego” means that man must leave his passions and lusts, his human sentiments, his personal interests and aims, and seek the Spiritual Fragrances and Heavenly Attractions, and become drowned in the sea of redemption, and drawn to the Beauty of Al-Abhá.23
In The Hidden Words “Remember the covenant you entered into with Me upon the Mount of Paran” means that in relation to the Truth (God) the past, the present, and the future are regarded as one time, but in relation to the created beings, the past has passed and expired, the present is about vanishing, and the future is the place of hopes.24
Of the fundamental principles of the Law of God, there is one which means that in every Prophetical Mission God taketh a covenant from all the souls which come up to the end of that mission, which is the Promised Day of the Appearance of a Promised Person.
Look back to Moses, the Interlocutor. Verily, He took the Covenant of Christ upon the Mount of Sinai
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from all the souls who came in the time of Christ. Those souls, though they came after Moses by ages and generations, yet, with reference to the Covenant which is sanctified from times, they were present. But the Jews were heedless and did not remember; so they fell into a manifest loss.
In the Arabic Hidden Words “No peace was ordained for thee save by cutting the ego from thyself”: It means that man, also, must not seek for himself in this perishable world anything, but must be separated from it—i.e., he must redeem his whole soul under all conditions, in the place of martyrdom, on the appearing of its Lord.25
Through Dr. Amín Faríd, January, 1903.
As to thy question concerning the “Minor Resurrection” and the first creation, this is the appearance of the Báb, the Great, His Holiness the Supreme. But the “Major Resurrection” signifies the Manifestation of the Preexistent Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh), the GREATEST NAME. (May My Spirit be a sacrifice for His beloved!)
By the majesty of My Lord, your gathering in the meeting of Oneness, your commemoration of God with a pure heart, and your association with a spirit rejoiced by the Spirit of God in the Great Day profiteth you more than all favors and this Bounty surpasseth all wishes.
O maidservant of God, assemble the maidservants of the merciful with all spirituality and fragrance, love and attraction, and raise your voice in the praise and
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glory of your Majestic Lord for His abundant mercy and great favor of guidance.
Upon thee be greeting and praise.