What to do if physically attacked?

At this point, one of the attendees inquired: ‘How, then, are we to defend ourselves?’ [if attacked physically] To this, the Master replied:

Indeed, reward and punishment constitute the basis of order in this world. For instance, were a person to come here and attempt to strike you - or even murder you - it would be unseemly for me to sit and remain silent. In such a situation, I must certainly rise up to defend you. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 25 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)

Apostles weren’t given permission to have “the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery”. They “bought a piece of land and interred Him”

In their own day the people beat them [disciples of Christ], put them in prison, ridiculed them, exiled them from their own cities and finally martyred them. They even did not give permission that they might be buried in their own cemeteries. They were not willing to have the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery. The Apostles went and bought a piece of land and interred Him. Then the Jews took their refuse there. Later men came and built a great church over it This was built by the mother of one of the Caesars, after three hundred years. Even up to this time in certain parts it is known as the Church of Refuse. This is really the Tomb of Christ. It was the place where all the refuse of the city was gathered in the day of Christ. For three hundred years it continued in this manner. You can go now and see what wonderful change there is, see what a wonderful church is built, how many jewels and precious stones are collected there. The statue of Christ is bejeweled with all kinds of precious stones, so are the statues of Mary and others. How different the attitude of the people in the days of Manifestations. They persecute, deride and ridicule them, put a crown of thorns upon their heads, beat them in the street, spit in their faces and finally crucify them. But later on they worship their images, kiss the ground upon which they walked, or the stone upon which they sat. This is the attitude of the people. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

The effects of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s talks “are due to the assistance of the Blessed Beauty”

I have made the subject of my talks here only one of the principles of the Blessed Beauty. I have not as yet touched upon others of greater importance. It is because I perceive the pulse of the people and the needs of the present circumstances that the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty successively rain down and assist me. These effects that you see are not only the result of addresses but are due to the assistance of the Blessed Beauty. Of course, everyone says that peace is desirable but the power to influence and conform is what is required. The Blessed Beauty is indeed my helper and protector, to the degree that were I, for example, even to make war the subject of my talks, the same effects would become apparent. It is indeed the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty that aid us. Otherwise how would Westerners show such consideration to us Easterners? 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, April 13, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

“The appearance of the divine Manifestations is like the coming of springtime.”

The appearance of the divine Manifestations is like the coming of springtime. It is self-evident that spring does not remain forever. We pray that the divine Spring may again be the cause of the rejuvenation of the garden of existence. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, April 12, 1912, New York, recorded by Mahmud Zarqani, His secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West; ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

Preparation for the Nineteen-day Feast and the attitude to maintain while attending

You must continue to keep the Nineteen-day Feast. It is very important,—very good. But when you present yourselves in the meetings, before entering them, free yourselves from all that you have in your hearts;—free your thoughts and minds from all else save God and speak from the heart—that all may make this a gathering of love;—make it the cause of illumination;—make it a gathering of attracted hearts; surround it with the lights of the Supreme Concourse. Thus may you be gathered together in the utmost love.

Turn to God and say:

O God! dispel all those elements which are the cause of discord, and prepare for us those things which are the cause of unity and agreement! O God! cause to descend upon us Heavenly Fragrance and change this gathering into a gathering of Heaven! Grant to us every benefit and every food! Prepare for us the food of love! Give to us the food of knowledge! Bestow upon us the food of Heavenly Illumination!

In your heart remember these things and then enter the Unity Feast.

Each one of you must think how to make the other members of your assembly happy and pleased. Each one must consider all those who are present as better and greater than himself. Each one must consider himself less than the rest. Consider their station as high, and think of your own station as low. Should you act and live according to these behests, know verily and of a certainty, that such a Feast is indeed the Heavenly Food; that Supper is indeed the Lord’s Supper. I am the servant of that gathering. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)

Apostles weren’t given permission to have “the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery”. They “bought a piece of land and interred Him”

In their own day the people beat them[the disciples of Christ], put them in prison, ridiculed them, exiled them from their own cities and finally martyred them. They even did not give permission that they might be buried in their own cemeteries. They were not willing to have the body of His Holiness Jesus Christ put in the Jews’ cemetery. The Apostles went and bought a piece of land and interred Him. Then the Jews took their refuse there. Later men came and built a great church over it This was built by the mother of one of the Caesars, after three hundred years. Even up to this time in certain parts it is known as the Church of Refuse. This is really the Tomb of Christ. It was the place where all the refuse of the city was gathered in the day of Christ. For three hundred years it continued in this manner. You can go now and see what wonderful change there is, see what a wonderful church is built, how many jewels and precious stones are collected there. The statue of Christ is bejeweled with all kinds of precious stones, so are the statues of Mary and others. How different the attitude of the people in the days of Manifestations. They persecute, deride and ridicule them, put a crown of thorns upon their heads, beat them in the street, spit in their faces and finally crucify them. But later on they worship their images, kiss the ground upon which they walked, or the stone upon which they sat. This is the attitude of the people. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some believers in Philadelphia, June 8-10, 1912; Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 6, June 24, 1914)