O thou dear handmaid of God! Thy letter hath been received
and its contents noted. Thou didst ask for a rule whereby to guide thy life.
Believe thou in God, and keep thine eyes fixed upon the
exalted Kingdom; be thou enamoured of the Abhá Beauty; stand thou firm in the
Covenant; yearn thou to ascend into the Heaven of the Universal Light. Be thou
severed from this world, and reborn through the sweet scents of holiness that
blow from the realm of the All-Highest. Be thou a summoner to love, and be thou
kind to all the human race. Love thou the children of men and share in their
sorrows. Be thou of those who foster peace. Offer thy friendship, be worthy of
trust. Be thou a balm to every sore, be thou a medicine for every ill. Bind
thou the souls together. Recite thou the verses of guidance. Be engaged in the
worship of thy Lord, and rise up to lead the people aright. Loose thy tongue and teach, and let thy face be bright with the fire
of God’s love. Rest thou not for a moment, seek thou to draw no easeful breath.
Thus mayest thou become a sign and symbol of God’s love, and a banner of His
grace. (‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’)
