“O thou maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection!...”
'Abdu'l-Bahá, Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas, (1909) · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
O thou maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection!
Thy letter was received. It was written in Persian. I was very much pleased. I hope thou wilt memorize all the poetry of the Blessed Perfection and chant with wonderful melody in the assemblages and gatherings. These verses will soon be translated into English poetical form and then this Divine Song will rise from those lands and reach the ABHA Kingdom in utmost joy and happiness.
Thou hast written that ........ is giving lessons of [the Book of] Ighan104 ; this news brought me real joy.
Thou hast written that ........ hath started upon her trips again, to be engaged in the service of the Kingdom. In reality she is attracted and will bear every calamity and trial in the path of the Blessed Perfection and this very thing will be conducive to her spiritual development.
O thou attracted one! If thou art able, be thou engaged in the promotion of the Cause of God, either with ........ or alone.
O thou maid-servant of God! Whatever thou dost and upon whatever occasion thou showest any effort, the end will prove fruitless except in teaching the Cause of God and in serving the divine Kingdom.
If the means of thy travel to these parts105 be brought about, it is better to come alone, because ........ must remain in those parts and be engaged in the service. The confirmation of the Holy Spirit will descend upon him uninterruptedly.
Convey respectful greeting to the beloved maid-servant of God ........ and love her.
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 joy 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
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about hope?
Reflection
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
- Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "“O thou maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection!...”" 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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