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Bahai Story Library
Serve the Kingdom
“If a soul is seeking to quarrel, ask ye for reconciliation; if he blame you, praise him; if he give you a deadly poison, bestow ye an all-healing antidote; if he createth death, administer ye eternal life; if he becometh a thorn, change ye into roses and hyacinths.”
When the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness
concerning the realm of eternity and bereavement from the True One
had encircled the universe, then the resplendent Luminary dawned and
the brilliant Light illumined the horizon of the East. Hence, the Sun
of Reality shone forth, scattering the sparkling lights of the
Kingdom to the East and to the West. Those who had seeing eyes found
the Most Great Glad-Tidings, began to cry the call, “O blessed
are we!
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O blessed are we!”—and have beheld the reality of
things in themselves, have discovered the mysteries of the Kingdom,
were released from superstition and doubts, perceived the lights of
Truth and became so intoxicated with the cup of the love of God,
that, wholly forgetting themselves and the world while dancing, they
ran with utmost joy and ecstasy to the city of Martyrdom, sacrificing
their minds and their lives upon the altar of Love.
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But those who were blinded became astonished and on
account of these joyous acclamations were bewildered and beginning to
cry, “Where is the light?” and said, “We do not
behold any light, we do not see any rising sun! It is void of any
truth! This is pure imagination!”
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However, they have hastened bat-like in the darkness
below the ground, and according to their own thoughts they have found
a little comfort and tranquillity. Nevertheless, it is yet the early
dawn and the strength of the heat and the rays of the Sun of Truth
have not yet made their torrid and complete impression.
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When it
reacheth the zenith, the heat will interpenetrate with such great
intensity that it will move and spur to the greatest velocity even
the insects below the earth. Although they are not able to behold the
light, yet the penetration of the heat will move and agitate all of
them.
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Consequently, O ye friends of God, be ye thankful that
in the Day of the Effulgence ye have turned your faces to the Orb of
the regions and beheld the Lights! Ye have received a portion from
the rays of Truth and are endowed with a share from the Everlasting
Outpouring. Therefore, ye must not rest one minute, but thank Him for
this bestowal.
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Be ye not seated and silent! Diffuse the glad-tidings of
the Kingdom far and wide to the ears, promulgate the Word of God, and
put into practice the advices and covenants of God; that is, arise ye
with such qualities and attributes that ye may continually bestow
life to the body of the world, and nurse the infants of the universe
up to the station of maturity and perfection.
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Enkindle with all your
might in every meeting the light of the love of God, gladden and
cheer every heart with the utmost loving-kindness, show forth your
love to the strangers just as you show forth to your relations.
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If a
soul is seeking to quarrel, ask ye for reconciliation; if he blame
you, praise him; if he give you a deadly poison, bestow ye an
all-healing antidote; if he createth death, administer ye eternal
life; if he becometh a thorn, change ye into roses and hyacinths.
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Perchance, through such deeds and words, this darkened world will
become illuminated, this terrestrial universe will become transformed
into a heavenly realm, and this satanic prison become a divine court;
warfare and bloodshed be annihilated, and love and faithfulness hoist
the tent of unity upon the apex of the world.
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These are the results of the divine advices and
exhortations, and the epitome of the teachings of the Bahá’í
Cycle.