That evening, a respected woman attained the presence of the Master. This woman was sailing first class, and had been moved by the Master’s talk - which He gave on the ship before it had set sail - and had sought permission through the Bahá’ís of New York to visit the Master. After receiving permission to make this visit, she sat down and asked Him, ‘How are You faring with this voyage across the ocean?’
The Master said in response:
“When God entrusts one to do something, He also gives one the capacity to endure it. We should not be constantly preoccupied with bodily comfort; rather, we should strive for lofty goals, even if those goals are incompatible with physical comfort.”
The woman then remarked, ‘I fear hardship and death’, to which the Master responded:
“In that case, do something that will cause you never to die, but rather to become more alive with every passing day, and will confer eternal life upon you. According to the words of Christ, those who enter the Kingdom of God will never die. Enter, then, into the Kingdom of God, that you may have no fear of death. One should seek that life which has no end. This mortal life lasts for only a few days. This eating and sleeping will come to an end; it has no significance. What should be sought is that life which ends not in death, that day which is not succeeded by night, and that joy which is not followed by sorrow. Strive to the utmost; be not content with the ease and comfort of the flesh.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha en route to Liverpool, on board the Celtic, 5 December 1912; recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’, vol. 2: ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913)