A Tablet on Testing Before Trusting

In *Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas,* the compilation of Tablets gathered by the House of Spirituality of Chicago, a brief Tablet opens *O thou servant of God!* The compilers' notes record that it was addressed to the Secretary of the House of Spirituality, and that its instruction was meant for that elected body, whose function was to look after the welfare of the Cause in its community.

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> Trust no man save him whose breast hath been dilated by God > through the light of faith, whom God hath confirmed in His > Religion, and who is severed from all else save God and attracted > by His Fragrances.

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'Abdu'l-Bahá then explains why the warning is needed:

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> In future, of course, certain people will come to you claiming > faith; do not believe them nor trust them, unless after critical > examination, search and investigation, and a long period of > waiting, they shall appear to be faithful and truthful in word, > confident in heart, attracted in spirit, pure in intention, > patient in hardship, enduring the most severe tests; then > associate with them. Because some sects will send certain men to > mingle with you in order to throw suspicion upon those who are > weak, therefore avoid them carefully.

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The Tablet closes by asking that such deliberations be kept hidden, "that you may not become a cause of hindrance" to such souls.

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*A retelling based on **Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá Abbas**. For the fuller account, see the original.*

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