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Compllatlon on the -Nineteen Day Feast 1 The American BahA'i / October 1989 BNR / 1 BAHA'I NATIONAL REVIEW OCTOBER 1989 No. 126 Compllatlon on the -Nineteen Day Feast 1. General Statements scend from heaven, and draw down the confirma- Vigorous steps must be taken to establish the Nine- tions of the All-Merciful. My hope is that the teen Day reception throughout the whole communi- Fhom the Writings of Bahd'u'lldh breathings of the Holy Spirit will be wafted over ty. Since this Feast is confined to believers only, con- It hath been enjoined upon you once a month to them, and that each one present shall, in great assem- clusive proofs must there be set forth as to the people offer hospitality, even should ye serve no more than blies, with an eloquent tongue and a heart flooded of the Bayan, so that newcomers, unaware of the water; for God hath willed to bind your hearts to- with the love of God, set himself to acclaiming the situation, may be made aware of it. (From a Tablet gether, though it be through heavenly and earthly rise of the Sun of Truth, the dawn of the Day-Star to an individual believer, translated from the Persian) means combined. (From the Kitdb-i-Aqdas, provis- that lighteth all the world. (Sc elections.from the Writ- (13) ional translation) (1) ings of 'Abdu'l-Bahd, rev. ec d., sec. 49, P. 91) (6) It befit teth the f tiends to hold a gathering, a meet- - -. ing, wherc,- *LA-.Lucy allall"L glorify God and fix their hearts From the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahd Give ye great weight to the Nineteen Day gather- ings, so that on these occasions the beloved of the upon Him, and read and recite the Holy Writings of 0 thou steadfast in the Covenant! Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful may turn the Blessed Beauty-may my soul be the ransom of their faces toward the Kingdom, chant the com- His lovers! The lights of the All-Glorious Realm, the Thou hast written ... concerning the Feast. This rays of the Supreme Horizon, will be cast upon such festivity, which is held on a day of the nineteen-day munes, beseech God's help, become joyfully enarn- ored each of the other, and grow in purity and holi- bright assemblages, for these are none other than the month, was established by His Holiness the Bbb, and Mashriqu'l-Adhkhrs, the Dawning-Points of God's the Blessed Beauty directed, confirmed and warmly ness, and in the fear of God, and in resistance to pas- sion and self. Thus will they separate themselves Remembrance, which must, at the direction of the encouraged the holding of it. It is, therefore, of the Most Exalted Pen, be established in every hamlet and utmost importance. You should unquestionably see from this elemental world, and immerse themselves in the ardors of the spirit. (From a Tablet to the local city. ... These spiritual gatherings must be held with ,to it with the greatest care, and make its value the utmost purity and consecration, so that from the known, so that it may become solidly established on Spiritual Assembly of Spokane, Washington, trans- lated from the Persian) (7) site itself, and its earth and the air about it, one will a permanent basis. Let the beloved of God gather inhale the fragrant breathings of the Holy Spirit. together and associate most lovingly and spiritually I beg of God, out of His endless bounties, that (Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu 'I-Bahd, rev. and happily with one another, conducting themselves many such gatherings will be held, and that the Nine- ed., sec. 55, pp. 93-94) (14) with the greatest courtesy and self-restraint. Let them teen Day festivity will also be observed, so that men read the holy verses, as well as essays which are of and women believers will occupy themselves with Thou hast written of that meeting held in the qua- benefit, and the letters of 'Abdu'l-Bahb; encourage making mention of God, and praising and glorifying ter where standeth the city gate of 'Abdu'l-Adm. Do and inspire one another to love each and all; chant Him, and guiding the people aright. (From a Tablet not call it a meeting. Call it a confluence of holy the prayers with serenity and ja~y; give el oquent ta ~lks, to the Bahb'is of Stuttgart, Germany, translated souls; a convocation of those who love the Lord; a and praise the matchless Lord, from the Persian) (8) retreat for the people of the All-Merciful; a palace- --A -I---. hall for all who sing His praise. For the members of The host, with complete self -er I~~~III~IIL,allowing 0 thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! that gathering are each one a lighted taper, and that kinclness to P - 111, must be a comfort to each one, and council a mansio~1 of the moon ar ld stars. It hath serv,e the friends with his own hands. Your dei tailed let.ter hath been received, but be- cause of th e press olf work a brief answer must suf- been bles sed by ttle Lord (>f all ma nkind, and hath If ' the. Fern. rt is-. befit .tingly held, in the manner de- fice. You have as~edas to the Feast in every Baha'i made cur rent the I;east as set forth. .in the Most Holy scribed,. then.this..supper will verily be the Lord's month. This Feast is held to foster comradeship and r '-rom a Tablet to an individual believer, Supper, for its fruits will be the very fruits of that love, to call God to mind and supplicate Him with I 1 from th e Persiar (1 5) Supper, and its influence the same. (From a Tablet to contrite hearts, and to encourage benevolent pur- And th ly dear daughter, an individual believer, translated from the Persian) stay thou at all suits. That is, the friends should there dwell upon t~mesin close touch with my nonorea. aaugnter,. .. Mrs. (2) God and glorify H:im, read 1 the prayers and holy ....., and be thou her friend. Rest you assured that s to the Day Feast, ye must give this verses, and treat on1e anothex- with the utmost affec- the breathings of the Holy Spirit will loosen your - ... --A -. your most carerul attention, and firmly establish it. tion and love. Shou11d-.. troublle arise between two of tongue. Speak, therefore; speak out with great cour- For this Feast bringeth bliss and unity and love to the the friends, let both be invited in and efforts made to age at every meeting. When you are about to begin lovers of God. (From a Tablet to an individual be- compose their differences. Let all discussion center your address, turn first to Bahb'u'llAh and ask for liever. translated from the Persian) (ql on the doinn of charitable acts and holy deeds. that thn r.nnf;rmot;nne nF +ha U-1.. C-:-:r +ha- --a- ..-..- nau ror a11 wnu slrlg n1s ylcu~~.&.US uar IaarAssvl.u .,. The host, with complete self-effacement, showing 0 thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! that gathering are each one a lighted taper, and that kindness to all, must be a comfort to each one, and . council a mansion of the moon and stars. It hath serve the friends with his own hands. Your detailed letter hath been received, but be- cause of the press of work a brief answer must suf- been blessed by the Lord of all mankind, and hath If the Feast is befittingly held, in the manner de- fice. You have asked as to the Feast in every Bahh'i made current the Feast as set forth in the Most Holy scribed, then .this,supper will verily be the Lord's month. This Feast is held to foster comradeship and Book. (From a Tablet to an individual believer, Supper, for its fruits will be the very fruits of that love, to call God to mind and supplicate Him with translated from the Persian) (1 5) sup13er, and i ts influenIce the saime. (From a Tablet to contrite hearts, and to encourage benevolent pur- And thou, 0 my dear daughter, stay thou at all an it ~dividualbeliever, translatexi from the Persian) suits. That is, the friends should there dwell upon times in close touch with my honored daughter, Mrs. (2) God and glorify Him, read the prayers and holy ....., and be thou her friend. Rest you assured that As to the Nineteen Day Feast, ye must give this verses, and treat one another with the utmost affec- the breathings of the Holy Spirit will loosen your your most careful attention, and firmly establish it. tion and love. Should trouble arise between two of tongue. Speak, therefore; speak out with great cour- For this Feast bringeth bliss and unity and love to the the friends, let both be invited in and efforts made to age at every meeting. When you are about to begin lovers of God. (From a Tablet to an individual be- compose their differences. Let all discussion center your address, turn first to Bahh'u'llhh and ask for liever, translated from the Persian) (3) on the doing of charitable acts and holy deeds, that the confirmations of the Holy Spirit, then open your laudable results may be the fruit thereof.' (From a Ye have written of the Nineteen Day festivities. lips and say whatever is suggested to your heart; this, Tablet to an individual believer, translated from the however, with the utmost courage, dignity and con- This Feast is a bringer of joy.
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