The Covenant as an Ark of Salvation

*A retelling based on **Ten Days in the Light of Akka** by Julia M. Grundy, her record of a pilgrimage to 'Abdu'l-Bahá in 'Akká in 1905. The words in quotation marks are as she wrote them down. They are pilgrim's notes: her memory of what the Master said, not an authenticated text of His words.*

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In 1905 Julia Grundy, an American believer, made the pilgrimage to 'Akká. She kept notes of the talks she heard from 'Abdu'l-Bahá and published them in 1907. One of the talks is headed "Obedience."

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It opens: "Today we will speak about Obedience!" The Master said that the Manifestation of God is "a perfect example of real obedience," and that every plan and longing must be given up to the Will of God. Of Himself He said: "I am only His Servant, nothing more."

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He compared the believers to an army. "The soldiers in an army are under the will and control of one commander; therefore, they are united and can press on to victory," He said. If each soldier followed his own inclination, "nothing would be accomplished." The believers, He went on, are all "under the Tent of the Covenant in this Revelation. There is strength only in unity."

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Then He gave two pictures of the Covenant:

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"The Covenant of God in this Day of Manifestation is a Lifeboat, an Ark of Salvation. All true followers of the Blessed Perfection are sheltered and protected in this Ark. Whoever leaves it, trusting in his own will and strength, will drown and be destroyed."

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"The Covenant is like the sea, and the believers are as the fishes in the sea. If a fish leaves the water, it cannot live."

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The Blessed Perfection is Bahá'u'lláh. The Master reminded the pilgrims that He had put His Covenant in writing: "The Blessed Perfection wrote a Testament or Covenant with His Own Pen so that no one who obeys it will deny or disobey God." And He asked: "What cause of union could be greater than the Covenant God has revealed through His Manifestation Bahá'u'lláh?"

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*This is a retelling. For the full talk, see the chapter "Obedience" in **Ten Days in the Light of Akka** by Julia M. Grundy.*

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