Tablets of Abdul-Baha Abbas
Volume III
become manifest in his heart. This love causeth the development of this spirit by the grace of the beneficent Lord. Consider, O maid-servant of God, the bearer who brought the garment of
Joseph to Jacob. That messenger was the bearer of the garment, but he could not inhale the fragrance of Joseph. But Jacob, whose nostrils were pure, inhaled the fragrances of Joseph from a long distance.
It may be that man can guide a blessed, holy soul into the Kingdom of God while he, himself, is deprived therof. Consider Judas Iscariot: He invited others, while he, himself, was deprived of the Kingdom of God. But in spiritual training (or development) it is impossible for an imperfect one to perfect another or train another unless he first conquers his own self and desire and becomes purified from selfish impurities in order to become capable of merciful slendors. When he acquires divine bounties, then he is able to train another. An ignorant man hath no power to teach a seeker (of knowledge) and a poor man hath no power to succor a needy one. Consequently, be thou assured that, verily, man needs to wish for eternal life and then confer the same upon another. These human perfections and merciful bounties are that peace which was promised and spoken of by Christ.
Then know thou that, verily, the
people of Baha must need be distinguished from others in all respects, until they become the lamps of the True One among the creatures and the stars of guidance shining from the
Supreme Concourse.
Then know thou, verily, that Luminous Man, the lights of whose Face dazzle the eyes and before whom
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