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64
The Mashriqu'l-Adhkár is one of the most vital
institutions in the world, and it hath many subsidiary
branches. Although it is a House of Worship, it is also connected
with a hospital, a drug dispensary, a traveller's
hospice, a school for orphans, and a university for advanced
studies. Every Mashriqu'l-Adhkár is connected with these
five things. My hope is that the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár will
now be established in America, and that gradually the
hospital, the school, the university, the dispensary and the
hospice, all functioning according to the most efficient and
orderly procedures, will follow. Make these matters known
to the beloved of the Lord, so that they will understand how
very great is the importance of this `Dawning-Point of the
Remembrance of God.' The Temple is not only a place
for worship; rather, in every respect is it complete and
whole.
O thou dear handmaid of God! If only thou couldst
know what a high station is destined for those souls who are
severed from the world, are powerfully attracted to the
Faith, and are teaching, under the sheltering shadow of
Bahá'u'lláh! How thou wouldst rejoice, how thou wouldst,
in exultation and rapture, spread thy wings and soar
heavenward--for being a follower of such a way, and a
traveller toward such a Kingdom.
As to the terminology I used in my letter, bidding thee to
consecrate thyself to service in the Cause of God, the
meaning of it is this: limit thy thoughts to teaching the
Faith. Act by day and night according to the teachings and
counsels and admonitions of Bahá'u'lláh. This doth not
preclude marriage. Thou canst take unto thyself a husband
and at the same time serve the Cause of God; the one doth
not preclude the other. Know thou the value of these days;
let not this chance escape thee. Beg thou God to make thee
a lighted candle, so that thou mayest guide a great multitude
through this darksome world.
Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá
pages 99-100
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