Adib Masumian

What follows is my provisional translation (in other words, not official or authorized; see here for more) of a Tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Viktoria Schütz, an early German Bahá’í. The original text has not been published; it was kindly provided to me by Alexander Meinhard, who has told me that Schütz was responsible for bringing Adelbert Mühlschlegel, a Hand of the Cause of God, into the Bahá’í Faith. A scan of that original text, written in the hand of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, can be found here.

Stuttgart
Care of Mr. [Wilhelm] Herrigel
To that daughter of the Kingdom, Miss Viktoria Schütz, upon her be the glory of God, the All-Glorious.

He is God.

O daughter of the Kingdom! Thy letter hath arrived; its contents were laden with heavenly sentiments. In the world of being, there is nothing worthy of attachment save the Kingdom of God—a divine bounty that shall abide forever—for whatsoever existeth and can be seen will ultimately fade into nothingness. Of this there is no doubt; it is acknowledged by all the peoples of the world. Had the Emperor of Germany, or the Emperor of Russia, or the Emperor of Austria been heedful and aware, they surely would never have set their hearts upon such sovereignty nor become attached thereto. Yet the veil of heedlessness had so impaired their sight that they failed to perceive this transience and extinction. Indeed, it never crossed their minds that these mighty edifices of theirs would be reduced to ruins in so short a span. It hath thus become clear and evident that, in this ephemeral realm, there is nothing that deserveth the attachment of the heart.

The Kingdom of God, however, is the eternal Throne. Its sovereignty endureth everlastingly; its sublimity is boundless. This is worthy of attachment. This foundation is built upon a solid rock, and its battlements rise to the loftiest heights of heaven. Yield praise unto God that thy heart hath turned toward Him and that thy soul hath been gladdened by His joyful tidings. My hope is that thou mayest become a cornerstone of this divine palace, laying so immovable and lasting a foundation that it shall remain firm and abide unto all eternity.

Observe these kings of the world and these queens of the earth who have passed before. They have all gone beneath layers of dust, leaving no name or trace, neither fruit nor legacy. Their life was the life of this world of dust; as a result, it was effaced and came to naught. Strive as much as thou canst to awaken receptive souls, to bestow wisdom upon the ignorant, to grant a portion to the deprived, and to turn the excluded into intimates of divine mysteries.

The replies to the letters thou hadst sent are enclosed herein. The trouble thou hast taken on behalf of that handmaid of God, Mrs. [Marie] Herrigel, as well as the care thou hast shown her, are accepted at the Divine Threshold, and, as hath been promised, they shall be recompensed with an abundant reward.

Upon thee be the glory of the All-Glorious.

12 August 1920
Haifa
‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abbás

A typescript of the original Persian text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).