Selections From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Preface
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s exposition of the Bahá’í Revelation is recorded in His written works, in the many compilations of His recorded utterances, and in His correspondence. The written works such as The Secret of Divine Civilization, A Traveler’s Narrative, the Will and Testament, are available in English translations. Likewise many compilations of His recorded utterances, among which may be mentioned Some Answered Questions, Memorials of the Faithful, Paris Talks, are kept in print. Not for sixty years, however, has any large compilation, in English, of His innumerable letters been made; the three volumes of Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá published in the United States between 1909 and 1916, although running into second editions, have long been out of print.
The present compilation attempts a much wider selection than was made for those early volumes, and its perusal will give some indication of the vast range of subjects dealt with by the Master in His correspondence. Included are a number of Tablets translated by a Committee at the World Center using early drafts made by Shoghi Effendi during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s lifetime, and a large number by Marzieh Gail, sent to her from the World Center’s collection of more than 19,000 original and authenticated copies. Some famous Tablets, such as the correspondence with Auguste Forel,
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