Bahíyyih Khánum | Page 6

my heart is longing for thee.

11: O thou my sister, my dear sister! ...

(15) O thou my sister, my dear sister!
Divine wisdom hath decreed this temporary separation, but I long more
and more to be with thee again. Patience is called for, and
long-suffering, and trust in God, and the seeking of His favour. Since
thou art there, my mind is completely at rest.
In recent days, I have made a plan to visit Egypt, if this be God's will.
Do thou, on my behalf, lay thy head on the sacred Threshold, and
perfume brow and hair in the dust of that Door, and ask that I may be
confirmed in my work; that I may, in return for His endless bounties,
win, if He will, a drop out of the ocean of servitude.

12: My sister and beloved of my soul! ...
(16) My sister and beloved of my soul!
Here on the slopes of Mount Carmel, by the cave of Elijah, we are
thinking of that Most Exalted Leaf, and the beloved and handmaids of
the Lord.
We pass our days in writing and our nights now in communion with
God, now in bed to overcome failing health. And although, to outward
seeming, we are absent from you all, and far away, still our thoughts
are with you always.
I can never, never forget thee. However great the distance that separates
us, we still feel as though we were seated under the same roof, in one
and the same gathering, for are we not all under the shadow of the
Tabernacle of God and beneath the canopy of His infinite grace and
mercy?

13: My sister, for a considerable period, that is, ...
(17) My sister, for a considerable period, that is, from the day of

Bahá'u'lláh's ascension, had grown so thin and feeble, and was in such a
weakened condition from the anguish of her mourning, that she was
close to breakdown.
Although, so far as she was concerned, it was her dearest wish to drain
her cup and wing her way to the realms where the Divine Essence
shineth in glory, still this servant could not bear to behold her in that
state. Then it occurred to me that, God be thanked, I have such an
unfailing comforter as Jinab-i-Hájí,(18) and it would be well to make
him my partner in distress. I therefore determined to send her to Egypt,
to provide her with a change of air.
Although this will certainly cause thee trouble and inconvenience, still,
I trust that out of God's bounty, it will also bring thee much joy and
good cheer.

14: O my spiritual sister! ...
(19) O my spiritual sister!
Thou didst go away to Haifa, supposedly for only three or four days.
Now it becometh apparent that the spiritual power of the Shrine hath
brought thee joy and radiance, and even as a magnet is holding thee fast.
Thou surely wouldst remember us as well.
Truly the spiritual quality of the holy place, its fresh skies and delicate
air, its crystal waters and sweet plains and charming seascape, and the
holy breathings from the Kingdom all do mingle in that Sacred Fold.
Thou art right to linger there...
Kiss the light of the eyes of the company of spiritual souls, Shoghi
Effendi...

15: O my spiritual sister! ...

(20) O my spiritual sister!
God be praised, through the Ancient Beauty's grace and bounty, we
have set foot safe and sound upon this shore, and arrived in this
town(21) ...
These coasts were once the place where the breezes of God's loving
kindness blew, and here in this sacred Vale the Son of Spirit(22) raised
up His call of 'Here am I, O Thou My Lord! Here am I!' That is why we
here perceive, from every direction, the sweet breathings of holiness.
My meaning is, rest thou assured, this servant is suffering neither from
any trouble, nor hardship, nor fatigue. I am looking after myself, and
keeping away from all mental preoccupations; all, that is, except for
one thought, which doth indeed disquiet the mind--and that is, God
forbid, that thou shouldst sorrow.
I hope that out of the bestowals and bounties of the Ancient Beauty, He
will in His grace bring comfort to every heart.

16: O my affectionate sister! ...
(23) O my affectionate sister!
God be praised, through His grace and favour, my health and
well-being are now restored, but it is very hard for me to bear thine
absence.
We think of thee at all times, here on the slopes of this sacred, holy and
blessed Mount Carmel, and we are being happy on thy behalf...

17: O my dear sister! ...
(24) O my dear sister!
It