Bahá’u’lláh: “the True Shepherd” of God

God made manifest the True Shepherd to gather together all His flocks, and that kind Shepherd was Bahá’u’lláh. He brought together the scattered flocks, and fostered fellowship among various peoples. Wishing to protect and support the peoples of the world, He made Himself even as a shield - and in so doing became the target of the darts of calamity, and prey to the onslaught of ravenous wolves - so that the sheep of God may be kept safe from the cruelty of ferocious and relentless beasts, and sheltered from the oppression of the wolves of self and desire, with the aim that these sheep may enjoy protection and eternal life. My hope is that we, too, may succeed in gathering together the scattered flocks beneath the shade of the True Shepherd, guiding them to the pasture of divine bounty and protecting them from the wolves. Thus shall these scattered flocks come together and live out their days in the utmost happiness. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 24 December 1912, London, England 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)

Mary Magdalene asked Roman emperor to spare the executioners of Jesus Christ and the Jews who “were responsible for killing Christ”

Following the martyrdom of Jesus Christ, among the services Mary Magdalene rendered was that, by some means or other, she secured a meeting with the emperor of Rome.[1] That meeting took place at a time when Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas were both aware that the Jews had levelled unfounded allegations against Jesus Christ, and that He was in fact innocent of any crime. Pilate and Herod, therefore, began to persecute the Jews. When the emperor of Rome inquired about the reason for her visit, Mary Magdalene replied, “I have come on behalf of the Christians; they have asked that the executioners of Jesus Christ be spared punishment, and the Jews be left undisturbed. Since Pilate and Herod persecuted the Jews, even though the Jews were responsible for killing Christ, He would not at all be pleased if anyone attempted to exact vengeance upon them.” These remarks from Mary Magdalene pleased the emperor greatly and made a profound impression on him. As a result, the emperor decreed that the Jews were to be left alone. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 22 December 1912, London, England 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)

[1] Apparently a reference to Tiberius, the second Roman emperor.

“Love is of several kinds.”

Last night, we discussed the subjects of love and brotherhood. Love is of several kinds. One of these is the love a person feels for his immediate family and other relatives. This love alone, however, is not sufficient. How often have the bitterest hatred and the most rancorous enmity developed among the members of a family! It is evident, then, that familial love by itself is not enough.

The same likewise applies to the love a person feels for the members of his own race; this love, too, is inadequate. How many the times when animosity has sprung up between peoples and races, and grown so fierce that it has led each party to shed the other’s blood and plunder his property!

Another kind of love and brotherhood is one that is nationalistic in nature. How numerous the countrymen that have risen up against one another with enmity and hatred, and uprooted each others families! It is clear, therefore, that nationalistic love and brotherhood are likewise insufficient.

Still another kind involves love and brotherhood among one’s own kind. How frequently have discord and strife ravaged entire clans and tribes! It is apparent, then, that love and brotherhood among ones own kind is not enough.

Meaning of “harvest of reason becomes consumed by the fire of faith”

Question—Suppose you reason out something, and your reason tells you it is true. In the "Seven Valleys" it is said that when the "fire of Love becomes ablaze, the harvest of reason is consumed." How is this?

Abdu’l-Baha—That is not to be taken literally. It has an inner meaning. It refers to ordinary reasoning. For example: a soul in Persia who became a believer endangered his very life. Now, what would the ordinary intellect say? Preserve your life! Preserve your property! But he who is set on fire with God's love will forego all possessions. On such occasions his actions appear insane; but he is in a sacrificial state. Honor, glory, everything pertaining to himself, is sacrificed. Baha’u’llah means that the harvest of reason becomes consumed by the fire of faith. In such a state a man appears insane. Those who see him under such circumstances would say: "Here is a man who has good position, who has honor, affluence, influence,—a man of competence, and he has sacrificed all of these in the path of some mysterious thing!" 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a group of Baha’is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Dodge, New York City, April 16, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 10, September 8, 1912)

“Capacity and privilege in this Cause are intrinsic.”

Question—Those who assume the direction of Baha’i affairs are often criticized. If a man has a superior intellect, should he come down to the station of those who are less capable?

Abdu’l-Baha: Capacity and privilege in this Cause are intrinsic. Whosoever has a greater power of speech, whosoever has a greater power of attraction, whosoever has a greater sincerity, will advance, no matter what happens. In other movements, positions are like public offices; but in this Cause the people advance because of their innate qualities, — because their works echo in the hearts of men.

In Persia there are many Baha’is who are the center of all the friends. When the friends of God find that a soul has arisen to serve the Cause in sincerity, they accept him with heart and soul. They do not doubt him; they believe in what he says and consider that to believe in what he says is to believe in and to obey God. It is true that all souls are not equal. Some souls are in high stations of exaltation,—in the vanguard of the army; some are in the second rank. This is an innate Cause. The friends of God must have utmost consideration for those souls who are sincere and endeavoring to serve in the Cause.

For example, when we see a man doing public service, we must have consideration for him; if he gives a good address, we must praise him; if he makes wise suggestions, and if good intentions appear from him, we must have for him the greatest consideration.

Virtues needed when spreading the Message: “first, faith; second, assurance; third, severance; fourth, complete attraction to the Kingdom of Abha”

Walking to and fro and addressing Mr. Latimer, ‘Abdu’l-Baha said:

The Bahai must first be informed of the Principles and Teachings of Baha’u’llah, then go forth and spread the Message. It is like unto a soldier, who must arm himself with the buckler and armor, and then he enters the battlefield to fight against the foe. But if he goes to fight without arming himself, he will be defeated. The Bahais are the Army of God. Their defensive armors or weapons are: first, faith; second, assurance; third, severance; fourth, complete attraction to the Kingdom of Abha. If they are armed with these weapons, they will gain the victory in whatever field they may enter. As long as he is not equipped with these weapons, he will not be successful. He must cut himself entirely from all imitations.

In Persia we were under the sword. From one moment to the other we had no assurance of life, and during our long imprisonment we were in constant danger. As we were not attached to this life, we were entirely forgetful of these outward conditions. Therefore we remained firm. We did not notice the gleaming, flashing swords around us. But in reality we were happy. [Here He laughed heartily.] At that time there were many severe tests, but there was abundant spirituality. We were walking on the earth, but in reality we were soaring toward the Supreme Concourse. [Laughing]: What were those days, and what are these days! Those days were the cause of the development of the souls. Those days people progressed and advanced spiritually.

Assisting one another in times of need

The problem of contributing for the care of Baha'is who may be sick or infirm, was presented; in view of the fact that there are many demands at times and the friends are able to do but little, generally speaking.

'Abdu'l-Baha: "The Friends must strive and show efforts and assist. Whosoever is a believer and assured, firm in the Cause, there is no doubt that he will contribute towards the assistance of the poor. This is an evidence of the faith. But if a person comes in contact with another who is in the utmost need, and he sees that he can help, and if he fails, this is an evidence of the weakness of his faith. If his faith is firm and strong, it is impossible for him not to assist. There is no greater trial than the test of riches. Whosoever you see that he is helping and assisting the poor ones according to his ability, know of a certainty that his faith is strong.

"Continue according to your ability, not beyond your power, and tell him to content himself with it. Not that he may receive your assistance and not look out for himself. He is not able to work, that is why he needs assistance; if he were able to work it is not allowable to assist him. Lazy people should not be assisted; otherwise everybody would leave his work and expect others to support them. There would be no end to it. But there may be someone who is either unable to work or is striving to find some work and is not able to find it; it is not really a shortcoming but he cannot succeed. Such souls are to be assisted. The aim is this, that the friends of God must assist each other, and in assistance be greater than all the other communities of the world. If one of the friends finds out that another has no food for this evening, for instance, he should not rest, he should not sleep till he finds food for him. All the members of humanity are in need of each other." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a group of Baha’is at ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s residence, Dublin, New Hampshire, 31 July, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 11, September 27, 1912)

“The world of life, the world of existence is connected, each with the other.”

A question was asked based upon the familiar reply to those who say there is good in all things: "What shall we say when they ask, 'Of what use are the flies and mosquitoes?'"

'Abdu'l-Baha: "What is the use of your creation? What benefit have you given to the world?' The same benefit that you have given to the world, the mosquito has. You say that the mosquito harms, and sucks in the human blood; but you kill animals and eat them. You do not suck blood, but decapitate the animals. Therefore, you are more harmful than the mosquito. By this, I mean that man commits greater sins.

“But that which is the reality of the matter is this: The world of life, the world of existence is connected, each with the other. All the created beings are the members of this stupendous body. Each one is a member, and that member should not remain imperfect. If that member is, for instance, harming the human body, but it is useful from some other standpoint, because it is one member of the members of this creational book, is it allowable that a member of the members of this great world be imperfect? For instance, we do not know what is the use of this nail. It grows and it is cut again. We see that we have the nail; but we do not know that there are a thousand wisdoms within the creation of this nail. For instance, men ask: Why should we have the beard; why should we have the moustache? They shave. But in reality there is a great wisdom in this. It is healthful. The skin receives the oxygen through the beard." 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a group of Baha’is at ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s residence, Dublin, New Hampshire, 31 July, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 11, September 27, 1912)

Length of the meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Baha

In reality, the length or shortness of the meeting has no influence whatever. It depends upon capacity. A piece of dry wood, as soon as it comes in contact with fire, receives the ignition, but a piece of wet wood, even if it stays in the fire a long time, is not ignited; it will only produce smoke and fumes. No matter how long a piece of stone is in the fire it will not dissolve. Therefore the length of time has no sway whatever. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to a group of Baha’is at ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s residence, Dublin, New Hampshire, 31 July, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 11, September 27, 1912)

“as long as the government and the people are not mingled together like milk and honey, prosperity shall remain unattainable.”

After showing deference to the Master, [E.G.] Browne immediately began to discuss matters of the past. He wished to explain himself, and sought the Masters forgiveness for what had taken place. The Master replied,

“We should discuss other matters - matters that will generate feelings of love.”

Realizing that the Master had no interest in dwelling on the past, Browne changed the subject. He inquired about the current situation in Persia and the Ottoman Empire. The Master replied:

“I have previously written that, for as long as the government and the people are not mingled together like milk and honey, prosperity shall remain unattainable. Persia shall fall into ruin, and as a result, the governments of neighbouring countries will work to meddle in its affairs.”

The Master elaborated further on the same subject, saying:

"You must strive to transform the characters of the people, such that they will become receptive to constitutionalism and other matters. Should this not occur, fresh problems will beset you with every passing day, and anguish and despair will increase. Consider how acquired knowledge, when not aligned with a refined character, becomes the cause of harm. Indeed, if the acquisition of knowledge is coupled with the best of characters, that knowledge will bring about marvellous results . . . Material progress and civilization alone will not suffice, and the acquisition of knowledge by itself will not result in complete prosperity." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 18 December 1912, London, England 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)