"Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world ...”

"He Who is the Eternal Truth hath, from the Day Spring of Glory, directed His eyes towards the people of Bahá, and is addressing them in these words: “Address yourselves to the promotion of the well-being and tranquillity of the children of men. Bend your minds and wills to the education of the peoples and kindreds of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it may, through the power of the Most Great Name, be blotted out from its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one Order, and the inhabitants of one City. Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.”"

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 333-334

"That which beseemeth man is submission unto such restraints as will protect him from his own ignorance ..."

"Liberty must, in the end, lead to sedition, whose flames none can quench. Thus warneth you He Who is the Reckoner, the All-Knowing. Know ye that the embodiment of liberty and its symbol is the animal. That which beseemeth man is submission unto such restraints as will protect him from his own ignorance, and guard him against the harm of the mischief-maker. Liberty causeth man to overstep the bounds of propriety, and to infringe on the dignity of his station. It debaseth him to the level of extreme depravity and wickedness."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 335-336

"It behoveth him to fix his gaze upon the fundamentals of His Faith, and to labor diligently for its propagation..."

"Be unrestrained as the wind, while carrying the Message of Him Who hath caused the Dawn of Divine Guidance to break. Consider, how the wind, faithful to that which God hath ordained, bloweth upon all the regions of the earth, be they inhabited or desolate. Neither the sight of desolation, nor the evidences of prosperity, can either pain or please it. It bloweth in every direction, as bidden by its Creator. So should be every one that claimeth to be a lover of the one true God. It behoveth him to fix his gaze upon the fundamentals of His Faith, and to labor diligently for its propagation..."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 329





Benson

"Consider the relation between the craftsman and his handiwork, between the painter and his painting. "

"He is indeed a true believer in the unity of God who, in this Day, will regard Him as One immeasurably exalted above all the comparisons and likenesses with which men have compared Him. He hath erred grievously who hath mistaken these comparisons and likenesses for God Himself. Consider the relation between the craftsman and his handiwork, between the painter and his painting. Can it ever be maintained that the work their hands have produced is the same as themselves? By Him Who is the Lord of the Throne above and of earth below! They can be regarded in no other light except as evidences that proclaim the excellence and perfection of their author."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 336-337

The potentialities inherent in the station of man ... must all be manifested in this promised Day of God."

"The All-Merciful hath conferred upon man the faculty of vision, and endowed him with the power of hearing. Some have described him as the “lesser world,” when, in reality, he should be regarded as the “greater world.” The potentialities inherent in the station of man, the full measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 340

Benton

"Powerful is He to do that which He pleaseth. He saith: Be; and it is."

"Say: The springs that sustain the life of these birds are not of this world. Their source is far above the reach and ken of human apprehension. Who is there that can put out the light which the snow-white Hand of God hath lit? Where is he to be found that hath the power to quench the fire which hath been kindled through the might of thy Lord, the All-Powerful, the All-Compelling, the Almighty? It is the Hand of Divine might that hath extinguished the flames of dissension. Powerful is He to do that which He pleaseth. He saith: Be; and it is."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 341

"If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation."

"Whoso cleaveth to justice, can, under no circumstances, transgress the limits of moderation. He discerneth the truth in all things, through the guidance of Him Who is the All-Seeing. The civilization, so often vaunted by the learned exponents of arts and sciences, will, if allowed to overleap the bounds of moderation, bring great evil upon men. Thus warneth you He Who is the All-Knowing. If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation. Meditate on this, O people, and be not of them that wander distraught in the wilderness of error. The day is approaching when its flame will devour the cities, when the Tongue of Grandeur will proclaim: “The Kingdom is God’s, the Almighty, the All-Praised!”"


-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 342-343

"The mysteries of man’s physical death and of his return have not been divulged, and still remain unread."

"Know thou that every hearing ear, if kept pure and undefiled, must, at all times and from every direction, hearken to the voice that uttereth these holy words: “Verily, we are God’s, and to Him shall we return.” The mysteries of man’s physical death and of his return have not been divulged, and still remain unread. By the righteousness of God! Were they to be revealed, they would evoke such fear and sorrow that some would perish, while others would be so filled with gladness as to wish for death, and beseech, with unceasing longing, the one true God—exalted be His glory—to hasten their end.

Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life."

-Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 345

Edward Curtis

"By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others ..."

"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 through 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, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 2. pp. 3-4

"Love Me, that I may love thee."

"O SON OF BEING! Love Me, that I may love thee. If thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee. Know this, O servant."


-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 5, p. 4

"There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me ..."

"O SON OF SPIRIT! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me; for it behooveth thee to glory in My name, not in thine own; to put thy trust in Me and not in thyself, since I desire to be loved alone and above all that is."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh Arabic No. 8, p. 5

"My love has made in thee its home, it cannot be concealed."

"O SON OF SPIRIT! My claim on thee is great, it cannot be forgotten. My grace to thee is plenteous, it cannot be veiled. My love has made in thee its home, it cannot be concealed. My light is manifest to thee, it cannot be obscured."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 20, pp. 8-9

"I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit ..."

"O SON OF THE WONDROUS VISION! I have breathed within thee a breath of My own Spirit, that thou mayest be My lover. Why hast thou forsaken Me and sought a beloved other than Me?"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 19, p. 8

"Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself?"

"O SON OF SPIRIT! I created thee rich, why dost thou bring thyself down to poverty? Noble I made thee, wherewith dost thou abase thyself? Out of the essence of knowledge I gave thee being, why seekest thou enlightenment from anyone beside Me? Out of the clay of love I molded thee, how dost thou busy thyself with another? Turn thy sight unto thyself, that thou mayest find Me standing within thee, mighty, powerful and self-subsisting."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 13, pp. 6-7

"Thou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished ..."

"O SON OF MAN! Thou art My dominion and My dominion perisheth not; wherefore fearest thou thy perishing? Thou art My light and My light shall never be extinguished; why dost thou dread extinction? Thou art My glory and My glory fadeth not; thou art My robe and My robe shall never be outworn. Abide then in thy love for Me, that thou mayest find Me in the realm of glory."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 14, p. 7

Dr. Alain Locke

Link to story about the recent discovery of his ashes and  burial

Hand written note from Shoghi Effendi to Alain Locke 

regarding his assistance with translation of the Kitab-i-Igan.

"Deny not My servant should he ask anything from thee ..."

"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, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 30, p. 11

"I have made death a messenger of joy to thee."

"O SON OF THE SUPREME! I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve? I made the light to shed on thee its splendor. Why dost thou veil thyself therefrom?"

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 32. p. 11

"Thy sight is My sight, do thou see therewith ...

"O SON OF THE THRONE! Thy hearing is My hearing, hear thou therewith. Thy sight is My sight, do thou see therewith, that in thine inmost soul thou mayest testify unto My exalted sanctity, and I within Myself may bear witness unto an exalted station for thee."

- Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 44, p. 14

"Rejoice not save that thou art drawing near and returning unto Us."

"O SON OF MAN! Sorrow not save that thou art far from Us. Rejoice not save that thou art drawing near and returning unto Us."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 35, p. 12

"Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space ..."

"O SON OF MAN! Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our command and humbleness before Our Face."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No.40, p. 13

" ... how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?"

"O SON OF MAN! If adversity befall thee not in My path, how canst thou walk in the ways of them that are content with My pleasure? If trials afflict thee not in thy longing to meet Me, how wilt thou attain the light in thy love for My beauty?"

- Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 50, p. 15

"The sign of love is fortitude under My decree ..."

"O SON OF MAN! For everything there is a sign. The sign of love is fortitude under My decree and patience under My trials."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 48, p. 15

"The true lover yearneth for tribulation ..."

"O SON OF MAN! The true lover yearneth for tribulation even as doth the rebel for forgiveness and the sinful for mercy."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 49, p. 15

"Fear not abasement ..."

"O SON OF BEING! If poverty overtake thee, be not sad; for in time the Lord of wealth shall visit thee. Fear not abasement, for glory shall one day rest on thee."


-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 53, p. 16

"Thy spirit is My place of revelation ..."

"O SON OF BEING! Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent. Thy spirit is My place of revelation; cleanse it for My manifestation."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 59, p. 17











© 2014, Chuck Egerton

" ... free thyself from the veils of idle fancies and enter into My court ..."

"O SON OF MAN! The light hath shone on thee from the horizon of the sacred Mount and the spirit of enlightenment hath breathed in the Sinai of thy heart. Wherefore, free thyself from the veils of idle fancies and enter into My court, that thou mayest be fit for everlasting life and worthy to meet Me. Thus may death not come upon thee, neither weariness nor trouble."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 63, p. 18

"O CHILDREN OF THE DIVINE AND INVISIBLE ESSENCE!

"O CHILDREN OF THE DIVINE AND INVISIBLE ESSENCE! Ye shall be hindered from loving Me and souls shall be perturbed as they make mention of Me. For minds cannot grasp Me nor hearts contain Me."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 66, p. 19

"Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other."

"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, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 68, p. 20

"Ye are My treasury ..."

"O YE SONS OF SPIRIT! Ye are My treasury, for in you I have treasured the pearls of My mysteries and the gems of My knowledge. Guard them from the strangers amidst My servants and from the ungodly amongst My people."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 69, p. 20

" .. We have revealed unto thee with the ink of light upon the tablet of thy spirit."

"O SON OF MAN! Write all that We have revealed unto thee with the ink of light upon the tablet of thy spirit. Should this not be in thy power, then make thine ink of the essence of thy heart. If this thou canst not do, then write with that crimson ink that hath been shed in My path. Sweeter indeed is this to Me than all else, that its light may endure for ever."

-Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic No. 71, p.21