Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, January 1908/Introduction

Daily Lessons Received at ‘Akká, January 1908 Introduction

Proofread once

[Page 3]

INTRODUCTION

During our visit of two weeks in the “White City” we shared with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the prison life, but we were in the Home of God. There one is indeed made to feel that he represents and is a part of the whole Bahá’í Kingdom, that the Divine Love poured out upon him from that Spiritual Fountain is for all the believers in the world; but also he must realize that his responsibility increases in proportion to the favors and blessings showered upon him, not only toward God the Bestower of the blessings and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá through Whom they flow, but toward all humanity; for in accepting this sweet Water of Life so freely given, it becomes incumbent upon him to give in his turn—all that his capacity will hold; and the more he is favored the greater will be the service expected of him. It is to be thus fitted for higher endeavor that the souls are permitted to make the Pilgrimage, and not because of their deserts.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá is no respecter of persons—(His own Personality is entirely in abeyance) and to Him one believer is the same as another. His Love embraces each and all as God’s children and needy members of the human race.

In His presence, one gains some realization of the Divine Wisdom required to establish the Kingdom.

Considering that the hearts of the people must first be turned to God (and this depends upon their own [Page 4]desire and choice), and that constant training is necessary to keep the souls in the Straight Path, one understands that only the Power of God could accomplish this Great Work, and also that His chosen Instrument for the purpose must be perfect—not only in qualities, but in wisdom and judgment.

In this connection, what an inspiring thought it is to feel that the early believers have also been chosen by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to serve side by side with Him—during His Lifetime—have been granted the inestimable privilege of becoming real pioneers in the arduous and glorious task of establishing the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men!

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s instructions were given to us each day at luncheon. Greeting us with a few words in English, He always summoned us Himself to His bountifully spread table. Besides this material and spiritual food, which we received daily from His Hand, we were privileged to learn many beautiful lessons by watching His daily life. He is indeed the living Exemplar of the truth of Bahá’u’lláh’s teaching that “Guidance hath ever been by words, but at this time it is by deeds—that is, all pure deeds must appear from the temple of man, because all are partners in words, but pure and holy deeds belong especially to Our friends.”¹

His most simple act is full of significance, containing the seed of great teaching. If He never spoke one word to the pilgrims, the only lesson necessary would be His daily life.

And so we have called this little book Daily Lessons, meaning the name to embrace both the direct oral [Page 5]instruction and that conveyed by the “pure and holy deeds” of every hour and moment of His Glorious Existence.