The King of Kings of the Covenant and the Monarch of Devotion – an ode by Mahmud Zarqani concerning the Master’s voyage to the West

The Beloved of the East

and the Supreme Spirit of Persia

crossed the Atlantic Ocean,

Each second replete with joyful acclamations

exclaiming from the Cedric

That the King of Kings of the Covenant

and the Monarch of Devotion

had consented to come to America.

 

He was welcomed with open arms

and the earth became the envy of heaven.

Existence itself nudged the world of being

The sea raised its ceaseless voice

that the King of Kings of the Covenant

had consented to come to America.

 

On the tenth of April 1912 the illustrious and

beauteous Beloved reached New York

to a great and wondrous welcome,

While heavenly angels proclaimed the glad tidings

that the King of Kings of the Covenant

had consented to come to America.

- Mahmud Zarqani (‘Abdu’l-Baha’s secretary and chronicler during His travels in the West ‘Mahmud’s Diary, vol. 1’)

God is sufficient unto me - by Elika Mahony

 

To The Center of the Covenant: ‘Abdu’l-Baha - May the Souls of all Mankind be a Sacrifice to Him! – by Thornton Chase

[This Ode “To the Center of the Covenant" was composed by Thornton Chase a few weeks before his death. It was read in the holy presence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha]

Thou David of the Promised Kingdom of God!

Thou Princely Leader of all Humanity!

Thou Warrior against the Tribes of Infidelity!

Thou Conqueror of Darkness and Radiator of Light!

Thou Bearer of the Banner of Divine Peace and Prosperity to the Nations!

Thou First Born in the Kingdom of Baha! Beloved of God and Men!

Thou First Citizen of the Royal and Holy City!

Thou Branch of the LORD, Beautiful and Glorious!

Thou Greatest Branch from the Ancient Root!

Thou Fruit-bearing Branch of the Divine Tree!

Thou Host of the Divine Table!

Thou Cup-Bearer of the Divine Knowledge!

Thou Diffuser of the Holy Fragrances!

Thou Interpreter of the Revealed Word!

Thou Liver of the Baha’i Law!

Thou Heart of the World, sending the Blood of Truth through the arteries of Humanity!

Thou Physician of Souls, raising the dead to Life by the Elixir of the Word!

 Behold the candle how it gives its life...

An Invocation

Performed by choir at the dedication of Baha'i Temple in India 

Kindness to Animals - by Nancy Ward