June 17, 1912 Degrees of devotion . . .

New York: Teachings of the Holy Spirit

Mahmud writes [on the 16th but means the 17th]:  "In the morning the Master spoke about the meeting held the previous evening at the church in Brooklyn. `This is how we establish the truth of Islam in synagogues, churches and great temples. And see what the Muslims say about us?'

He gave a detailed account of the new teachings to an eminent American author [Ward refers to a "writer of a national magazine" but neither give a name], who was to write about them and who had requested permission from `Abdu'l-Bahá to publish the work.

The subject of `Abdu'l-Bahá's talk in a public meeting today was, `However the material world may advance, it is still in need of the teachings of the Holy Spirit'.

These days He often encourages the friends to teach the Cause of God and to travel to neighboring countries. `You must teach the Cause of God', He said, `with great humility. Just as I feel myself humble before all, even before children, so must you be.' He then spoke about the various degrees of devotion.

In the days of the Blessed Beauty, I never had a desire to write. The friends even complained about it. In reply I finally wrote to Varqá [likely Mirza Ali-Muhammad Varqa] saying, `When the shrill of the Supreme Pen can be heard, what is the need of my writing?' However, in the days of the Most Great Luminary others wrote, referring to themselves, as the great sun of God."

Tomorrow (in 1912) is the day of filming  `Abdu'l-Bahá!  And after that the amazing day when NY is given the name "City of the Covenant" and the famous account of Lua and Juliet occurs. 

The picnic at Teaneck is coming up. Stay tuned for important events on the horizon!