Revealed on March 29,
1916, outside the house in Bahjí, and addressed to the Bahá’ís of twelve
Central States of the United States: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana,
Ohio, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and
Kansas.
O ye heavenly souls, O ye spiritual assemblies, O ye lordly
meetings:
For some time past correspondence has been delayed, and this
has been on account of the difficulty of mailing and receiving letters. But
because at present a number of facilities are obtainable, therefore, I am
engaged in writing you this brief epistle so that my heart and soul may obtain
joy and fragrance through the remembrance of the friends. Continually this wanderer
supplicates and entreats at the threshold of His Holiness the One and begs
assistance, bounty and heavenly confirmations in behalf of the believers. You
are always in my thoughts. You are not nor shall you ever be forgotten. I hope
by the favor of His Holiness the Almighty that day by day you may add to your
faith, assurance, firmness and steadfastness, and become instruments for the
promotion of the holy fragrances.
Although in the states of Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio,
Michigan and Minnesota—praise be to God—believers are found who are associating
with each other in the utmost firmness and steadfastness—day and night they
have no other intention save steadfastness—day and night they have no other
intention save the diffusion of the fragrances of God, they have no other hope
except the promotion of the heavenly teachings, like the candles they are
burning with the light of the love of God, and like thankful birds are singing
songs, spirit-imparting, joy-creating, in the rose garden of the knowledge of
God—yet in the states of Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Nebraska and Kansas few of the believers exist. So far the summons of the
Kingdom of God and the proclamation of the oneness of the world of humanity has
not been made in these states systematically and enthusiastically. Blessed
souls and detached teachers have not traveled through these parts repeatedly;
therefore these states are still in a state of heedlessness. Through the
efforts of the friends of God souls must be likewise enkindled in these states,
with the fire of the love of God and attracted to the Kingdom of God, so that
section may also become illumined and the soul imparting breeze of the rose
garden of the Kingdom may perfume the nostrils of the inhabitants. Therefore,
if it is possible, send to those parts teachers who are severed from all else
save God, sanctified and pure. If these teachers be in the utmost state of
attraction, in a short time great results will be forthcoming. The sons and
daughters of the kingdom are like unto the real farmers. Through whichever
state or country they pass they display self-sacrifice and sow divine seeds.
From that seed harvests are produced. On this subject it is revealed in the
glorious Gospel: When the pure seeds are scattered in the good ground heavenly
blessing and benediction is obtained.1 I hope that you may become assisted and
confirmed, and never lose courage in the promotion of the divine teachings. Day
by day may you add to your effort, exertion, and magnanimity.
Upon you be greeting and praise!
‘Abdu’l-Baha (Tablets of the Divine Plan’)