Mural paintings on the walls of the Mansion of Bahji

Mural paintings on the walls of the Mansion of Bahji where Baha'u'llah spent the last years of His life. (The Baha'i World 1936-1938)

Message from ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the whole of humanity – request from a Chicago newspaper editor

From there He went to Dr. Milburn's home where a number of people met Him. Among them was an editor who asked that a message from the Master be given through his journal to the whole of humanity. The Master's message was this:

Praise be to God that the centuries of darkness have passed and the age of enlightenment has arrived!

Praise be to God that all traces of superstition and imitation have vanished and the minds and thoughts of men have broadened, inventions have gained new life, the arts and sciences have been revived, new plans have been evolved, discoveries have increased, all things have been revitalized, the rulings that regulate the world have been renewed! Thus it was necessary that the laws of God also be changed and the reality of divine religions be renewed, for divine teachings had been forgotten and there was nothing left but dogmatic imitation. The foundation of the divine religions is one and that is the truth which generates love and affection and is the cause of the unity of mankind. But imitations vary and they are the cause of disagreements and are the destroyers of spiritual foundations.

There are 75 times more cells in the human body than stars in the Milky Way galaxy

The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy 100,000–120,000 light-years in diameter containing 200–400 billion stars. The human body … consists of an estimated 20 to 30 trillion cells. This means there are approximately 75 times more cells in a human body than stars in the Milky Way galaxy. (Adapted from Wikipedia Encyclopedia and Encarta Encyclopedia) It reminds one of an Islamic tradition from Imam ‘Ali, quoted by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in ‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’: "Dost thou think thyself only a puny form, when the universe is folded up within thee?"

“Be at peace and make peace with all.”

Among those visiting `Abdu'l-Bahá for the first time was a man from Russia. When he was admitted into the Master's room he began to complain about Russia. The Master said to him:

"Do not speak ill of Russia. Render good to friend and foe alike. Say that you are one with all. Be a true well-wisher of people. Give up your evil thoughts and pray for all. Be at peace and make peace with all. Do not express hatred or resentment toward anyone. Be a proclaimer of peace and say, `Now I feel no enmity toward anyone.' Praise all and be mindful of the story of Christ. When everyone expressed disgust on seeing the body of a dead dog, Christ said, `What white teeth it has!'"

The visitor was so overwhelmed that he cried out, `Today I have found the way to salvation and safety.' The Master replied, `If you follow these teachings you will see things greater than this.' (Mahmud’s Diary, November 1, 1912, Chicago)

The “wisdom of trials” and the “cause of ordeals” – ‘Abdu’l-Baha explains

Consequently the Most Great Wisdom has ordained that the fire of tests shall rage and the rushing torrent of ordeals sweep tumultuously from the Mountain of Revelation, so that the untruthful may become distinguished from the truthful, the unrighteous be known from the righteous, the worshipper of self become separated from the worshipper of God, the good fruit be set apart from the evil fruit, the signs of light become manifest and the gloom of darkness be dispelled, the nightingale of trustworthiness sing the melody of love and the raven of oppression croak the discordant notes of error; the fertile soil become green and verdant and the barren ground produce its thorns and thistles; the attracted ones to the Breath of ABHA become firm and the follower of passion and desire turn away. This is the wisdom of trials and this is the cause of ordeals. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 1. No. 3, April 28, 1910)

1936: General view of the Resting-Place of Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf,

General view of the Resting-Place of Bahiyyih Khanum, the Greatest Holy Leaf, as it appeared in 1936. (The Baha'i World, 1934-1936)

The recipient of the book 'Fara'id' by Mirza Abu'l-Fadl

The Shaykhu'l-Islam of Tiflis, Caucasus, in reply to whose attacks on the Cause Mirza Abu'l-Fadl addressed his well-known book entitled 'Fara'id'. (The Baha'i World 1936-1938)

Portion of a Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the Baha’is of Seattle, USA

Through the boundless Favor, I hope that in Seattle by the endeavor of the beloved of God, certain souls may arise who may prove a radiant lamp to the world of humanity and merciful spirit to the phenomenal body; that they may be the cause of the purification of souls and the means of sanctification of hearts; that they may know this mortal world as fleeting shadow and call the rest and repose, the pleasure and blessing, the wealth and sovereignty of the earth, the waves of the sea of imagination; that they may arise in such wise to live by the Divine Teachings and Exhortations of the Blessed Beauty as to sparkle even like the morning star from the horizon of holiness. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, excerpt from a Tablet, Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 4, May 17, 1911)