October 14-21, 2001
Bahá'í Quote of the Week
Archive-
*(November 2000-November.2001)
Nov. 6-12, 2000

It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his
own country, but rather for him who loveth the
whole world.  The earth is but one country, and
mankind its citizens.

                          -Bahá 'u' lláh


Nov. 13-19, 2000
Concerning the prejudice of race: it is an illusion, a supestition pure and simple! For God created us all of one race.  There were no differences in the beginning, for we are all descendants of Adam.  In the beginning, also, there were no limits and boundaries between the different lands; no part of the earth belonged more to one people than to another.

                              -'Abdu'l-Bahá

Nov. 20-27, 2000
Put all your beliefs into harmony with science; there can be no opposistion, for truth is one. When religion, shorn of its superstitions,traditions,and unintelligent dogmas, shows its conformity with science, then will there be a great unifying,cleansing force in the world which will sweep before it all wars, disagreements,
discords and struggles- and then will mankind be united in the power of the Love of God.

                               'Abdu'l-Bahá

Nov. 28-Dec.3, 2000
This is a new cycle of human power. All the horizons of the world are luminous, and the world will become indeed as a garden and a paradise....
The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and the fundamental oneness of religion.


                                   -'Abdu'l-Bahá

Dec. 4-11, 2000
The day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script. When this is achieved, to whatsoever city a man may journey, it shall be as if he were entering his own home.

                                 -Bahá 'u' lláh

Dec. 11-18, 2000
Humanity is like a bird with its two wings- the one is male, the other female. Unless both wings are strong and impelled by some common force, the bird cannot fly heavenwards.

                            'Abdu'l-Bahá

Dec. 18-25, 2000
Dec.25, 2000-Jan. 1, 2001
Truthfulness is the foundation of all the virtues of the world of humanity. Without truthfulness, progress and success in all the worlds of God are impossible for a soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also become realized.

                        'Abdu'l-Bahá
January 1-7, 2001
Arise O people, and, by the power of God's might,
resolve to gain the victory over your own selves,
that haply the whole earth may be freed and sanctified from its servitude to the gods of its idle fancies...

                  -Bahá 'u' lláh

Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish
to be laid upon you, and desire not for any one the things ye would not desire for yourselves.
                  -Bahá 'u' lláh

January 8-14, 2001
Prayer for Mankind

O Thou kind Lord!  Thou hast created all humanity
from the same stock.  Thou hast decreed that all shall
belong to the same household.  In Thy Holy Presence
they are all Thy servants, and all mankind are
sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle; all have gathered
together at Thy Table of Bounty; all are illumined
through the light of Thy Providence.

   O God!  Thou art kind to all, Thou hast provided
for all, dost shelter all, conferrest life upon all.
Thou hast endowed each and all with talents and
faculties, and all are submerged in the Ocean of Thy
Mercy.

O Thou kind Lord!  Unite all.  Let the religions
agree and make the nations one, so that they may see
each other as one family and the whole earth as one
home.  May they all live together in perfect harmony.

   O God!  Raise aloft the banner of the oneness of
mankind.

   O God!  Establish the Most Great Peace.  Cement
Thou, O God, the hearts together.  O Thou kind Father, God!  Gladden our hearts through the fragrance of Thy love.  Brighten our eyes through the Light of Thy Guidance.  Delight our ears with the melody of Thy Word, and shelter us all in the Stronghold of Thy Providence.  Thou art the Mighty and Powerful, Thou art the Forgiving and Thou art the One Who overlooketh the shortcomings of all mankind. 

                            -'Abdu'l-Bahá

January 14-21, 2001
O CHILDREN OF MEN!
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest. Such is My counsel to you, O concourse of light! Heed ye this counsel that ye may obtain the fruit of holiness from the tree of wondrous glory

                        Bahá'u'lláh
                        # 68 / Hidden Words

January 21-28, 2001
In accordance with the Divine Teachings, the acquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts is considered as acts of worship. If a man engages with all his power in the acquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he has been worshipping God in the churches and temples.

                         -'Abdu'l-Bahá
January 25-Feb. 4, 2001
With the utmost friendliness and in a spirit of perfect fellowship take ye counsel together, and dedicate the precious days of your lives to the betterment of the world and the promotion of the Cause of Him Who is the Ancient and Sovereign Lord of all. He, verily, enjoineth upon all men what is right, and forbiddeth whatsoever degradeth their station.
               
                      --Bahá'u'lláh
February 4-11, 2001
The unity which is productive of unlimited results is first a unity of mankind which recognizes that all are sheltered beneath the overshadowing glory of the All-Glorious; that all are servants of one God; for all breathe the same atmosphere, live upon the same earth, move beneath the same heavens, receive effulgence from the same sun and are under the protection of one God.

                      'Abdu'l-Bahá
February 11-18, 2001
The knowledge of the Reality of the Divinity is impossible and unattainable, but the knowledge of the Manifestations of God is the knowledge of God, for the bounties, splendors, and divine attributes are apparent in Them.

                     'Abdu'l-Bahá
February 18-25, 2001
Fair speech and truthfulness, by reason
of their lofty rank and position, are regarded as a sun shining above the horizon of knowledge.

                    
                       Bahá 'u' lláh
February 25-March 1, 2001
     The Celebration of Ayyám-i-Há Begins
                     (Intercalary Days)

My God, my Fire and my light! The days which Thou hast named the Ayyám-i-Há in Thy book have begun, O Tho Who art the King of names, and the fast which Thy most exhalted Pen hath enjoined unto all who are in the kingdom of Thy creation to observe is approaching. I entreat Thee, O my Lord... to grant that unto every soul may be assigned a place within the precincts of Thy court, and a seat at the revelation of the splendors of the light of Thy countenance.

                    
                              Bahá 'u' lláh

The Nineteen Day Fast Begins
             (March 2-20)
.
March 2-5, 2001
Fortunate are ye to have obeyed the commandment of God, and kept this fast during the holy season.  For this material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast;  it is a symbol of self-restraint, the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self, taking on the characteristics of the spirit, being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of God.

                                    'Abdu'l-Bahá
March 5-12, 2001
The flame of the fire of love, in this world of earth and water, comes through the power of attraction and not by effort and striving.
Nevertheless, by effort and perseverance, knowledge, science and other perfections can be acquired; but only the light of the Divine Beauty can transport and move the spirits through the force of attraction.  Therefore, it is said: "Many are called , but few are chosen."
       
                     'Abdu'l-Bahá

For many are called, but few are chosen
                     Matthew 22:14
March 12-19, 2001
There are no whites and blacks before God. All colors are one, and that is the color of servitude to God. Scent and color are not important. The heart is important.

                      -'Abdu'l-Bahá
March 19-26, 2001
The knowledge of the Reality of the Divinity is impossible and unattainable, but the knowledge of the Manifestations of God is the knowledge of God, for the bounties, splendors, and divine attributes are apparent  in Them.
                 
                   - 'Abdu'l-Bahá

March 26- April 2, 2001
What profit is there in agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal? Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of action, they are useless.

                              - 'Abdu'l-Bahá
April 2-9, 2001
Do not be satisfied until each one with whom you are concerned is to you as a member of your family.  Regard each one either as a father, or as a brother, or as a sister, or as a mother, or as a child.  If you can attain to this, your difficulties will vanish, you will know what to do.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá
April 9-16, 2001
O Son of Being!
Bring thyself to account each day ere thou
art summoned to a reckoning; for death, unheralded, shall come upon thee and thou shalt be called to give account for thy deeds.

                                 - Bahá 'u' lláh

April 16-21, 2001
True civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost heart of the world whenever a certain number of its distinguished and high-minded sovereigns- the shining exemplars of devotion and determination- shall, for the good and happiness of all mankind, arise, with firm resolve and clear vision, to establish the Cause of Universal Peace.

                                    -'Abdu'l-Bahá


April 21-May 2, 2001

The Festival of Ridván

The twelve day festival commemorating Bahá 'u' lláh's Declaration of His mission to His companions is celebrated annually from 21 April through 2 May.  Bahá 'u' lláh acclaimed Ridván as the 'Most Great Festival' , the 'King of Festivals, the 'Festival of God'  and has referred to it as the Day whereon 'the breezes of forgiveness were wafted over the entire creation'.

The first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridván are celebrated as Holy Days on which work is suspended. Local spiritual assemblies are elected annually on the first day of Ridván
while national spiritual assemblies are elected during the
Ridván  period. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years during the Ridván  period.


Quote:

Verily, all created things were immersed in the sea of purification when, on that first day of Ridván, We shed upon the whole of creation the splendors of Our most excellent Names and Our most exalted Attributes. This, verily, is a token of My loving providence, which hath encompassed all the worlds.

                                 Bahá 'u' lláh
May 2-7, 2001
Consider the former generations. Witness how every time the Day Star of Divine bounty hath shed the light of His Revelation upon the world, the people of His Day have arisen against Him, and repudiated His truth. They who were regarded as the leaders of men have invariably striven to hinder their followers from turning unto Him Who is the Ocean of God's limitless bounty.


                               -Bahá 'u' lláh


May 7-14, 2001

O Kings of earth!  He Who is the sovereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God's, the omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting. Worship none but God, and, with radiant hearts, lift up your faces unto your Lord, the Lord of all names. This is a Revelation to which whatever ye possess can never be compared, could ye but know it.

                     
                              -Bahá 'u' lláh
May 14-21, 2001
Praise be to God, thy heart is engaged in the commemoration of God, thy soul is gladdened by the glad tidings of God and thou art absorbed in prayer. The state of prayer is the best of conditions, for man is then associating with God. Prayer verily bestoweth life, particularly when offered in private and at times, such as midnight, when freed from daily cares.

                              
                             -'Abdu'l-Bahá

May 21-27, 2001
We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has, and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good- that is the secret of right living.

           
                             -Shoghi Effendi


May 27-June 3, 2001
In accordance with the Divine Teachings, the aquisition of sciences and the perfection of arts is considered as acts of worship. If a man engages with all his power in the aquisition of a science or in the perfection of an art, it is as if he he has been worshipping God in the churches and temples.


                           -'Abdu'l-Bahá
June 3-10, 2001
God, who sees all hearts, knows how far our lives are the fulfillment of our words.

                           -'Abdu'l-Bahá

June 11-18, 2001
A Prayer for Spiritual Qualities


Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope!  Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire!  Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God!  Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquility on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!

                                                 -Bahá 'u' lláh

June 18-25, 2001
O Son of Man!
Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee, for his face is My face; be then abashed before Me.

                                                   -Bahá 'u' lláh                
June 25-July 1, 2001

The body of the human world is sick. Its remedy and healing will be the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Its life is "The Most Great Peace". Its illumination and quickening is love, Its happiness is the attainment of spiritual perfections.


                                                            -'Abdu'l-Bahá
July 1-7, 2001
Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting.
   While a man is happy he may forget his God; but when grief comes and sorrows overwhelm him, then will he remember his Father Who is in Heaven, and Who is able to deliver him from his humiliations.

                                   
                                                            -'Abdu'l-Bahá
July 8-15,2001
Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.  He who is the Day Star of Truth beareth Me witness!  So
powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.  The one true God, He Who knoweth all things, Himself testifieth to the truth of these words.


                                                              -Bahá 'u' lláh
July 15-22, 2001
O Son of Spirit!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not throught the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.


                                                              -Bahá 'u' lláh

July 22-29, 2001
Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day wil come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit.

                           
                                                             -'Abdu'l-Bahá
July 29-August 5, 2001
Were any of the all-embracing Manifestations of God to declare: "I am God," He verily, speaketh the truth, and no doubt attracteth thereto. For it hath been repeatedly demonstrated that through their revelation, their attributes and names, the Revelation of God, His names and His attributes, are manifested in the world.... And were any of them to voice the utterance,"I am the Messenger of God," He, also, speaketh the truth, the indubitable truth.


                                                              -Bahá 'u' lláh

August 5-12, 2001
O Son of Man!
Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness.

                                                             -Bahá 'u' lláh
August12-19,2001
Question:

What is meant by the term :   Progressive Revelation?

Answer:

Progressive revelation refers to the belief that God has a great plan that He unfolds to humanity in different periods in history. Each Messenger of God (such as Moses, Christ, or Bahá 'u' lláh) reveals a new stage of this plan.
  Every Prophet Whom the Almighty and Peerless Creator hath purposed to send to the peoples of the earth hath been entrusted with a Message, and charged to act in a manner that would best meet the requirements of the age in which He appeared.

                                                             -Bahá 'u' lláh

August 19-26, 2001
A Prayer for Spiritual Qualities      
  
   From the sweet-scented streams of Thine eternity give me to drink, O my God, and of the fruits of the tree of Thy being enable me to taste, O my Hope!  From the crystal springs of Thy love suffer me to quaff, O my Glory, and beneath the shadow of Thine everlasting providence let me abide, O my Light!  Within the meadows of Thy nearness, before Thy presence make me able to roam, O my Beloved, and at the right hand of the throne of Thy mercy, seat me, O my Desire!  From the fragrant breezes of Thy joy let a breath pass over me, O my Goal, and into the heights of the paradise of Thy reality let me gain admission, O my Adored One!
To the melodies of the dove of Thy oneness suffer me to hearken, O Resplendent One, and through the spirit of Thy power and Thy might quicken me, O my Provider!
In the spirit of Thy love keep me steadfast, O my Succorer, and in the path of Thy good pleasure set firm my steps, O my Maker!  Within the garden of Thine immortality, before Thy countenance, let me abide for ever, O Thou Who art merciful unto me, and upon the seat of Thy glory stablish me, O Thou Who art my Possessor!  To the heaven of Thy loving- kindness lift me up, O my Quickener, and unto the Daystar of Thy guidance lead me, O Thou my Attractor!  Before the revelations of Thine invisible spirit summon me to be present, O Thou Who art my Origin and my Highest Wish, and unto the essence of the fragrance of Thy beauty, which Thou wilt manifest, cause me to return, O Thou Who art my God!  Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee.  Thou art, verily, the Most Exalted, the All- Glorious, the All-Highest. 
              
                      
                                                             -Bahá 'u' lláh

August 26- September 2, 2001
God has given man the eye of investigation by which he may see and recognize truth...Man is not intended to see through the eyes of another, hear through another's ears nor comprehend with another's brain...Therefore, depend upon your own reason and judgement and adhere to the outcome of your own investigation....

                                                             -'Abdu'l-Bahá                                                                                        
September 2-9, 2001
The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.


                                                              -'Abdu'l-Bahá
September 9-16, 2001.
O Son of Man!
Should prosperity befall thee, rejoice not, and should abasement come upon thee, grieve not, for both shall pass away and be no more.

                                       
                       -Bahá 'u' lláh
September 16-23, 2001
The body of the human world is sick. Its remedy and healing will be the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Its life is "The Most Great Peace". Its illumination and quickening is love, Its happiness is the attainment of spiritual perfections.

                                                          -'Abdu'l-Bahá

Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting.
   While a man is happy he may forget his God; but when grief comes and sorrows overwhelm him, then will he remember his Father Who is in Heaven, and Who is able to deliver him from his humiliations.

                                                           -'Abdu'l-Bahá

O Son of Spirit!
The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not throught the knowledge
of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and
the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.

                                                            -Bahá 'u' lláh
September 23-30, 2001
Prayer for America

"O Thou kind Lord!
This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal."

                                                             -'Abdu'l-Bahá

The Heavenly Books, the Bible, Qu'ran, and the other Holy Writings have been given by God as guides into the paths of Divine virtue,love, justice and Peace.

                                                               -'Abdu'l-Bahá

The Prophets of God should be regarded as physicians whose task is to foster the well-bing of the world and its peoples, that, through the spirit of oneness, they may heal the sickness of a divided humanity.

                                                                -Bahá 'u' lláh
September 30 - October 7, 2001
Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit.

                                                               -'Abdu'l-Bahá
October 7-14, 2001
O my Lord! Make Thy beauty to be my food, and Thy presence my drink, and Thy pleasure my hope, and praise of Thee my action, and remembrance of Thee my companion, and the power of Thy sovereignty my succorer, and Thy habitation my home, and my dwelling-place the seat Thou hast sanctified from the limitations imposed upon them who are shut out as by a veil from Thee.

                                                                 -Bahá 'u' lláh
God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth, and that the seal, "the Kingdom is God's",  may be stamped upon the brow of all its peoples.
                                          
                                                               -Bahá 'u' lláh

True civilization will unfurl its banner in the mid-most heart of the world whenever a certain number of its distinguished and high-minded sovereigns- the shining exemplars of devotion and determination- shall, for the good and happiness of all mankind, arise, with firm resolve and clear vision, to establish the Cause of Universal Peace.
                                                        
                                                                -Abdu'l-Bahá
October 21-28, 2001
There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God.

                                           -Bahá 'u' lláh

Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship....
They that are endued with sincerity and faithfulness should associate with all the peoples and kindreds of the earth with joy and radiance, inasmuch as consorting with people hath promoted and will continue to promote unity and concord, which in turn are conducive to the maintenance of order in the world and the regeneration of nations.

                                              -Bahá 'u' lláh

What profit is there in agreeing that universal friendship is good, and talking of the solidarity of the human race as a grand ideal?  Unless these thoughts are translated into the world of acton, they are useless.

                                               - 'Abdu'l-Bahá



October 28- November 4, 2001
We must be like the fountain of spring which is continually emptying itself of all that it has, and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continuallly giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good- that is the secret of right living.

                                          
                                                 -Shoghi Effendi


November 4- 11, 2001
He (the true seeker) must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vain-glory, must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence and refrain from idle talk. For the tongue is a smoldering fire, and excess of speech a deadly poison. Material fire consumeth the body, whereas the fire of the tongue devoureth both heart and soul.

                                                
                                                           -Bahá 'u' lláh

A Prayer for Spiritual Qualities

Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope!  Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire! Through the power of Thy transcendent might lift me up unto the heaven of Thy holiness, O Source of my being, and by the breezes of Thine eternity gladden me, O Thou Who art my God!  Let Thine everlasting melodies breathe tranquility on me, O my Companion, and let the riches of Thine ancient countenance deliver me from all except Thee, O my Master, and let the tidings of the revelation of Thine incorruptible Essence bring me joy, O Thou Who art the most manifest of the manifest and the most hidden of the hidden!                                                                                                                                                            --Bahá 'u' lláh

                                                                         




Nov.8- 15, 2003

A TABLET ADDRESSED TO
'HIM WHO WILL BE MADE MANIFEST'

This is an epistle from this lowly servant to the All-Glorious Lord--He Who hath been aforetime and will be hereafter made manifest. Verily He is the Most Manifest, the Almighty.

In the name of the Sovereign Lord, the Lord of Power.

Glorified is He before Whom all the dwellers of earth and heaven bow down in adoration and unto Whom all men turn in supplication. He is the One Who holdeth in His grasp the mighty kingdom of all created things and unto Him shall all return. He is the One Who revealeth  whatsoever He willeth and by His injunction `Be Thou' all things have come into being.

This is an epistle from the letter `Tha' unto Him Who will be made manifest through the power of Truth--He Who is the All-Glorious, the Best Beloved--to affirm that all created things as well as myself bear witness for all time that there is none other God but Thee, the Omnipotent, the Self-Subsisting; that Thou art God, there is no God besides Thee and that all men shall be raised up to life through Thee.

Lauded and glorified be Thy name, O Lord, my God!

From all eternity I have indeed recognized Thee and unto all eternity will ever do so through Thine Own Self and not through any one else besides Thee. Verily Thou art the Source of all knowledge, the Omniscient. From everlasting I have besought and unto everlasting will beseech forgiveness for my limited understanding of Thee, aware as I am that there is no God but Thee, the All-Glorious, the Almighty.

I beg of Thee, O my Best Beloved, to pardon me and those who earnestly seek to promote Thy Cause; Thou art indeed the One Who forgiveth the sins of all mankind. And in this second year of my Revelation--a Revelation which took place at Thy behest--I bear witness that Thou art the Most Manifest, the Omnipotent, the Ever-Abiding; that of all things that exist on earth and in the heavens nothing whatsoever can frustrate Thy purpose and that Thou art the Knower of all things and the Lord of might and majesty. 

Verily, we have believed in Thee and in Thy signs ere the dawn of Thy Manifestation, and in Thee are we all well-assured. Verily, we have believed in Thee and in Thy signs after the fulfillment of Thy Manifestation, and in Thee do we all believe. Verily, we have believed in Thee and in Thy signs at the hour of Thy Manifestation and bear witness that through Thine injunction `Be Thou' all things have been created.

Every Manifestation is but a revelation of Thine Own Self, with each of Whom we have truly appeared and we bow down in adoration before Thee. Thou hast been, O my Best Beloved, and shalt ever be my witness throughout bygone times and in the days to come. Verily, Thou art the All-Powerful, the Ever-Faithful, the Omnipotent.

I have testified to Thy oneness through Thine Own Self  before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that, verily, Thou art the All-Glorious, the Best Beloved. I have attained the recognition of Thee through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that Thou art in truth the Almighty, the All-Praised. I have glorified Thy Name through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that Thou art indeed the Lord of power, He Who is the Most Manifest. I have exalted Thy holiness through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that in truth Thou art the Most Sanctified, the Most Holy. I have praised Thy sanctity through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that Thou art indeed the Indescribable, the Inaccessible, the Immeasurably Glorified. I have extolled Thine overpowering majesty through Thine Own Self before the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, bearing witness that, verily, Thou and Thou alone art the Lord of might, the Eternal One, the Ancient of Days.

Hallowed and glorified art Thou; there is none other God but Thee and in truth unto Thee do we all return.

As to those who have put the kindred of `Alí to death, ere long they shall realize to what depths of perdition they have descended.

                                                                     
                         - Selections from the
                          Writings of the Báb
The flame of the fire of love, in this world of earth and water, comes through the power of attraction and not by effort and striving.
Nevertheless, by effort and perseverance, knowledge, science and other perfections can be acquired; but only the light of the Divine Beauty can transport and move the spirits through the force of attraction.  Therefore, it is said: "Many are called , but few are chosen."
       
                     'Abdu'l-Bahá