January 16, 1913 London; the MOST important work

Earl Redman writes: 

Back in London the next day, Lady Blomfield showed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá a statement she had written about the Bahá’í Faith and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London that she hoped, because of her high-level connections, to show to King George V. The Master, after praising the effort, advised her not to carry out her plan because it might be misunderstood by some. Besides, He had come to visit the poor and had little interest in visiting the rich and powerful.

            Later He gave a talk to the Bahá’ís gathered at 97 Cadogan Gardens. It was a unique talk that focused on two points: (1) the great diversity of people entering the Faith and the difficulty of administering such a diverse group, and consequently (2) what should happen at Bahá’í meetings. It is here that the Master states that we must abandon the important for the most important.

The Cause has become very great. Many souls are entering it – souls with different mentalities and degrees of understanding. Complex difficulties constantly rise before us. The administration of the Cause has become most difficult. Conflicting thought and theories attack the Cause from every side. Now consider to what extent the believers of God must become firm and soul-sacrificing. Every one of the friends must become the essence of essences; each one must become a brilliant lamp. People all around the world are entering the Cause; people of various tribes and nations and religions and sects. It is most difficult to administer to such heterogeneous elements. Wisdom and Divine insight are necessary. Firmness and steadfastness are needed at such a crucial period of the Cause. All the meetings must be for teaching the Cause and spreading the Message, and suffering the souls to enter into the Kingdom of Baha’o’llah. Look at me. All my thoughts are centered around the proclamation of the Kingdom. I have a Lamp in my hand searching throughout the lands and seas to find souls who can become heralds of the Cause. Day and night I am engaged in this work. Any other deliberations in the meetings are futile and fruitless. Convey the Message! Attract the hearts! Sow the seeds! Teach the Cause to those who do not know.  

. . . I enter all meetings, all churches, so that the Cause may be spread. When the Most Important work is before our sight, we must let go the Important one.

            If the meetings or Spiritual Assembly has any other occupation, the time is spent in futility. All the deliberations, all consultation, all the talks and addresses must revolve around one focal center, and that is: Teach the Cause! Teach! Teach! Convey the Message! Awaken the souls! Now is the time of laying the foundation. Now must we gather brick, stone, wood, iron, and other building materials! Now is not the time of decoration. We must strive day and night and think and work. What can I say that may become effective? What can I do that may bring results? What can I write that may bring forth fruits? Nothing else will be useful, today. The interests of such a Glorious Cause will not advance without such undivided attention. While we are carrying this load we cannot carry any other load!  {end of account}

Of course the talk is familiar to many of us--but the context of the talk is wonderful to visualize and understand. He spoke these words to specific people, at a specific time--and yet the message is so clear and important for us now--or at any time during the coming centuries! He must have been extremely inspired that day. . . .