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Return to Holy Land
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Pages 60-62
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Return to Holy Land
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He was then in His seventieth year, and His long and arduous
labors, culminating in these strenuous Western tours, had
worn out His physical frame. After His return He wrote the
following pathetic Tablet to the believers in East and West: --
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Friends, the time is coming when I shall be no longer
with you. I have done all that could be done. I have
served the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh to the utmost of my ability.
I have labored night and day all the years of my life.
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Oh, how I long to see the believers shouldering the responsibilities
of the Cause! Now is the time to proclaim
the Kingdom of Abhá (i.e. The Most Glorious!). Now is
the hour of union and concord! Now is the day of the
spiritual harmony of the friends of God! ...
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I am straining my ears toward the East and toward the
West, toward the North and toward the South, that haply
I may hear the songs of love and fellowship raised in the
meetings of the believers. My days are numbered, and
save this there remains none other joy for me.
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Oh, how I yearn to see the friends united, even as a
shining strand of pearls, as the brilliant Pleiades, as the
rays of the sun, the gazelles of one meadow!
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The mystic nightingale is singing for them; will they
not listen? The bird of paradise is warbling; will they not
hear? The Angel of the Kingdom of Abhá is calling to
them; will they not hearken? The Messenger of the Covenant
is pleading; will they not heed?
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Ah! I am waiting, waiting to hear the glad news that
the believers are the embodiment of sincerity and loyalty,
the incarnation of love and amity and the manifestation of
unity and concord!
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Will they not rejoice my heart? Will they not satisfy
my yearnings? Will they not heed my pleadings? will they
not fulfill my hopes? Will they not answer my call?
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I am waiting, I am patiently waiting!
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The enemies of the Bahá'í Cause, whose hopes had risen
high when the Báb fell a victim to their fury, when Bahá'u'lláh
was driven from His native land and made a prisoner for life,
and again at the passing of Bahá'u'lláh -- these enemies once
more took heart when they saw the physical weakness and
weariness of `Abdu'l-Bahá after His return from His Western
travels. But again their hopes were doomed to disappointment.
In a short time `Abdu'l-Bahá was able to write: --
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Unquestionably this physical body and human energy
would have been unable to stand the constant wear and
tear...but the aid and help of the Desired One were
the Guardian and Protector of the weak and humble
`Abdu'l-Bahá. ... Some have asserted that `Abdu'l-Bahá
is on the eve of bidding his last farewell to the world,
that his physical energies are depleted and drained and
that ere long these complications will put an end to his life.
This is far from the truth. Although in the outward estimation
of the Covenant-breakers and defective-minded
the body is weak on account of ordeals in the Blessed
Path, yet, Praise be to God! through the providence of the
Blessed Perfection the spiritual forces are in the utmost rejuvenation
and strength. Thanks be to God that now,
through the blessing and benediction of Bahá'u'lláh, even
the physical energies are fully restored, divine joy is obtained,
the supreme glad-tidings are resplendent and ideal
happiness overflowing.
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Both during the European War and after its close `Abdu'l-Bahá,
amidst countless other activities, was able to pour forth
a series of great and inspiring letters which, when communications
were reopened, roused believers throughout the world
to new enthusiasm and zeal for service. Under the inspiration
of these letters the Cause progressed by leaps and bounds and
everywhere the Faith showed signs of new vitality and vigor.
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