What would happen if we live and act according to the teachings of Baha'u’llah for one year

Now is the time for us to work. I swear by the Blessed Beauty, that if we live and act according to the teachings of Baha'u’llah for one year, all the doors will be opened before us, and the world will become a wonderful world. Until now we have been greatly oppressed. Suppose you have a bird in this room with all the doors and windows closed, the bird cannot fly. The Baha’i Cause has been like that bird, but now is the time for our freedom. The restrictions are removed. Now we must make an effort, and the Cause will make wonderful progress. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Agnes Parsons during her pilgrimage on January 8, 1920. Mrs. Parsons noted that the Master’s words were written down from memory the following morning, and not taken down verbatim at the time.) 

Acquiring land for the Shrine of the Báb

The beloved Guardian told the pilgrims that, upon hearing of Baha'u'llah's instructions to 'Abdu'l-Baha to acquire the site on Mount Carmel for the resting-place of the Báb, the Covenant-breakers attempted to win the glory. Mirza Badi'u'llah started negotiations and worked hard to buy that land. He had intended to acquire the land and report the good news to Baha'u'llah. But he did not succeed. Baha'u'llah told him, "This is none of your business, it is for Aqá (the Master) to accomplish." 

(Related by Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem in ‘Carmel: The Mountain of God and the Tablet of Carmel’ published in ‘Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God’, by Javidukht Khadem)

How to become a true servant

Someone in the audience asked, `What shall I do to become a true servant?' ‘Abdu’l-Baha replied:

Act in accordance with the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh. Do not only read His teachings but put into practice in your lives the Hidden Words and the other holy writings. Whatever I say is not even a drop from the ocean of the Supreme Pen and the treasure-filled sea of the bounty and favor of the Abhá Beauty. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 24 September 1912, Denver, USA; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)

‘Abdu’l-Baha knew some English

We met the Ladies of the Holy Household assembled in the Tea Room, and with them two widows of martyrs to the Cause of Baha'u'llah. Greetings and messages of love from the friends at home were given with joy; then we heard a firm, quick step approaching the Tea-Room. No need to tell us who! Instantly all arose, and there in the open doorway we first beheld ‘Abdu’l-Baha, smiling a Heavenly welcome. Entering, he gave to each of us a hearty grasp of his hand, saying in English "Good Morning!" with a motion of his hand inviting all to be seated; inquiring as to our health; had we enjoyed restful sleep, expressing the hope that our journey may have been made with comfort. ‘Abdu’l-Baha then, turning to Miss Alma Knobloch, asked: "How are the German Believers?" She replied: "They are united and harmonious and are very firm." ‘Abdu’l-Baha then said: "Many great souls will arise in Germany to spread the Teachings to a great extent. I have sent Tablets to the Believers and the Assembly, and also to you. I have prayed for them. In the time to come you will be very happy to think of them. It will give you great joy and pleasure." Turning to Mrs. Ida Finch, he asked: "How are the Believers in Seattle?" Mrs. Finch replied: "They are very faithful. Some of us are united, but not all." ‘Abdu’l-Baha said: "I hope when you return to America you will carry to them the power of uniting all." He then inquired of Miss Fanny Knobloch the condition of the Washington Believers. "They are well and they love each other very dearly," was her reply. After this, messages sent by the various Friends were given, and many precious messages for them received in return. 

(Ida A. Finch, Fanny Alma Knobloch, and Alma S. Knobloch, Akka, November 1908; ‘Flowers Culled from the Rose Garden of Acca’)

Some of the Prophets who either lived on Mount Carmel or spent some time there…

Many Israelitish prophets either lived here or passed a portion of their lives or sojourned for a while or spent the last days of their existence on this mountain... Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, David, Solomon, Moses, Isaiah, Zechariah and, last of all, Christ. Elijah lived on Mount Carmel. ... His Holiness Christ came to this holy mountain many times. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some pilgrims in 1914; quoted by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, in “Mount Carmel, the Vineyard of God,’ Star of the West, vol. 14, no. 5, August 1923; quoted by Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem in ‘Carmel: The Mountain of God and the Tablet of Carmel’ published in ‘Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God’, by Javidukht Khadem) 

The historical significance of Mount Carmel

"This mountain [Carmel] is where Israel's prophets passed their nights in prayer. Every step of it has been blessed by the footsteps of the prophets... This land will be the envy of the world, the center of arts and sciences. 'Akka and Haifa will be connected and all the vacant lands will be cultivated. All these caves that you see have been the abode of the prophets, step by step. [1] Every atom of this soil is holy. All the prophets, while praying, longed to reach this day and give the glad tidings of the coming of the Lord. They prophesied that the Lord of Hosts would come and the tent of the Lord would be pitched on Mount Carmel... in all these mountains and caves the prophets of God prayed at night, shed tears, and longed to be with us in these days of the Blessed Beauty. Since I am a prisoner and cannot move, you make a pilgrimage on My behalf. My utmost desire is to go and visit in freedom, but I cannot. You go on behalf of 'Abdu'l-Baha and make a pilgrimage to all of the Holy Places... and beseech God's bouncy. I cannot go. I am a prisoner. I am re-incarcerated, and I have no permission to go out. The government prohibits me." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to some pilgrims around the end of 1907; from ‘Memoirs of Dr. Habib Mu’ayyad’, pp. 19, 21, 22, 53; quoted by Hand of the Cause Zikrullah Khadem in ‘Carmel: The Mountain of God and the Tablet of Carmel’ published in ‘Zikrullah Khadem, The Itinerant Hand of the Cause of God’, by Javidukht Khadem)

[1] Including the Lower Cave of Elijah, known also as Maqam-i-Khidr, blessed by the footsteps of Baha'u'llah for three days (according to Memoirs of Dr. Mu'ayyad, 2:258) and of 'Abdu'l-Baha for about two months (according to an unpublished manuscript). See also David S. Ruhe, ‘Door of Hope: A Century of the Baha', Faith in the Holy Land", pp. 186-88)

Seeing ‘Abdu’l-Baha eating meat

October 27, 1920 … Pilgrims House .. Luncheon ..

Mrs. C … We have always understood that ‘Abdu'l-Baha did not eat meat, but we see that he does. Is he not eating it to please us?

A.B … Yes, I eat it in order that I may be your partner. In the same way, in the world of the Kingdom, I may be your partner, God willing, that on earth and in heaven we may be co-partners. You are always and everywhere with me. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 27, 1920, recorded by some pilgrims)

Eating meat is permissible in the religion of God

… in the religion of God eating meat is permissible. Man can live without meat. To kill an animal and eat his flesh seems to be cruelty, but today it is almost impossible for the people not to eat the flesh of animals. It is difficult to tell people not to eat pork, mutton, beef, fish. Supposing that they do not eat these, what are they going to do about drinking water: for in this glass there are thousands of living animalcule which cannot be seen under the microscope, swimming in the water. They are dancing in the air that man breathes… They enter the body of man and die. This cheese is full of them. If you put it under the microscope you will see them moving. When you consider this with a broader view, you see it is not possible not 'to eat animals. Why is it permissible?

We must observe that these animals which are in the cheese represent animal life without intelligence, but you are eating them. This transfers them from the animal kingdom to the human kingdom. They were without intelligence and now they find intelligence; they were knowledge zand now they attain knowledge. Their sensibilities were primitive now they become developed, they receive a portion in thinking and reasoning. Then these animals which you are eating evolve from a low stage to a higher stage of existence. Therefore it is permissible to eat animals. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, October 29, 1920, recorded by Mrs. H.E. Hoagg)