“O maid-servant of the Beauty of Abha!...”
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, (1909) · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
O maid-servant of the Beauty of Abha!
The valued epistle was received and the contents understood. By its reading and perusal the utmost of spirit and fragrance was obtained, for it indicated that during the period of cessation of communication, no failure obtained in the delivery of the Word of God.
O servant of the Kingdom! Know for a certainty that this light of reality shall eventually envelop the world, illuminating the East and the West entirely.
That dear maid-servant of God [i.e., thyself] is in reality the servant of the Cause of God and in future thou wilt be more confirmed.
I pray for .........
Convey my great respect to the attracted maid-servants of God, Mrs. ......... and Mrs. ........., and say: “Praise God for having found the treasury of the Kingdom and that in the Threshold of the Kingdom of the Lord ye are very dear and are of the maid-servants of the Beauty of Abha.”
Convey my message to his honor ......... and say: “Thank God that thou became a sign of the divine blessing and the cause of guiding the people. I hope day by day thou wilt become more illumined and eloquent until thou mayest guide a great number of people.”
Source: 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas (1909). Public domain text from Project Gutenberg eBook #19312.
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do hope and service meet in this story?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of hope?
- What stands out about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's response in this account?
For teens
- How could the spirit of hope show up in your week?
- What does this story say about how to face hard moments?
Reflection
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice hope?
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "“O maid-servant of the Beauty of Abha!...”" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
'Abdu'l-Bahá. (1909). *Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas*. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/19312/pg19312-images.html
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