“Thankfulness is of three kinds” : (1) “verbal thanksgiving”; (2) “cordial thanksgiving”; “(3) “real Thanksgiving” –> to “act in accordance with the Teachings of Baha’u’llah”

Thankfulness is of three kinds: First—verbal thanksgiving which is confined to a mere utterance of gratitude. This is of no importance because perchance the tongue may give thanks while the heart is unaware of it. Many who offer thanks to God are of this type, —their spirits and hearts unaware of thanksgiving. This is mere usage, just as when we meet, receive a gift and say "thank you," — speaking the words without significance. One may say "thank you" a thousand times, but the heart remain thankless, even sorry. Therefore mere verbal thanksgiving is without effect. But real thankfulness is a cordial thanksgiving from the heart. When man, in response to the favors of God, manifests susceptibilities of conscience, the heart is happy, the spirit is exhilarated. These spiritual susceptibilities are ideal thanksgiving.

But there is a cordial thanksgiving which comprises the deeds of man when he feels a heart gratitude which expresses itself in actions. For example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance and in thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from man. To portray his gratitude for the favors of God, man must show forth deeds and actions. In response to these bestowals he must render good deeds, be self- sacrificing, kind to all the servants of God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the creatures. He must be severed from the world, attracted to the Kingdom of Abha, the face radiant, the tongue eloquent, the ear attentive, day and night striving to attain the good pleasure of God. Whatsoever he wishes to do must correspond with the good pleasure of God. He must observe and see what is God's good pleasure and act accordingly. There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of God.

Consider how grateful anyone becomes when healed from sickness, when treated kindly by another or when a service is rendered by another, even though of the least assistance. If we forget such favors it is an evidence of ingratitude. Then it will be said a loving kindness has been done to so and so but he is thankless, not appreciating this love and favor. We are submerged in the sea of God's favor, — physically and spiritually. From the standpoints of our physical and spiritual natures we observe how we are surrounded by His favors. He has provided all foods, drink and other requirements; His favors encompass us from all directions. The sustenances provided for man are blessings. Sight, hearing and all his faculties are great blessings. These blessings are innumerable; — no matter how many are mentioned, they are still endless. Now spiritual blessings are likewise endless; — spirit, consciousness, thought, memory, perception, ideation and other endowments. By these He has guided us and we arrive at His Kingdom. He has opened the doors of all good before our faces! He has vouchsafed eternal glory! He has summoned us to the Kingdom of God! He has enriched us by the bestowals of God! Every day He has proclaimed new glad-tidings! Every hour fresh bounties descend!

Consider how all the people are asleep and ye are awake! They are dead and ye are alive through the breaths of the Holy Spirit! All are blind while ye are endowed with perceptive sight! All are deprived of the Love of God but in your hearts it exists and is glowing! Consider these bestowals and favors.

Therefore in thanksgiving for them ye must act in accordance with the Teachings of Baha’u’llah. Ye must read the Tablets, — "Hidden Words,". "Ishraqat (Splendours),", " Bisharat (Glad-Tidings),", all the holy utterances, — and act according to them. This is real Thanksgiving—to live in accord with these Utterances. This is true Thankfulness and the Divine Bestowal. This is Thanksgiving and Glorification of God.

I hope you all may attain thereto, — be mindful of these favors of God, — and be attentive. It is my hope that I may go away from New York with a happy heart; and my heart is happy when the friends of God love each other; — when they love and manifest the mercy of God to all people. If I see this I shall go away happy.

Salutations!

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (From a talk, July 15, 1912, New York City, Home of Mrs. Florian Krug; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 6, June 24, 1913)