children, and man's
explanation often leads astray."

Someone present asked how it was that in prayer and meditation the heart
often turns with instinctive appeal to some friend who has passed into the
next life.

'Abdu'l-Baha answered: "It is a law of God's creation that the weak should
lean upon the strong. Those to whom you turn may be the mediators of God's
power to you, even as when on earth. But it is the One Holy Spirit that
strengthens all men." Hereupon another friend referred to the communing of
Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah; and
'Abdu'l-Baha said: "The faithful are ever sustained by the presence of the
Supreme Concourse. In the Supreme Concourse are Jesus, and Moses, and
Elijah, and Baha'u'llah, and other supreme Souls: there, also, are the
martyrs."

When asked about the individual persistence of the animal's personality
after death, 'Abdu'l-Baha said: "Even the most developed dog has not the
immortal soul of the man; yet the dog is perfect in its own place. You do
not quarrel with a rose-tree because it cannot sing!"

A TRUE BAHA'I

A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism asked 'Abdu'l-Baha
if he would do well to continue in the church with which he had been
associated all his life, and whose language was full of meaning to him.
'Abdu'l-Baha answered: "You must not dissociate yourself from it. Know
this; the Kingdom of God is not in any Society; some seekers go through
many Societies as a traveller goes through many cities till he reach his
destination. If you belong to a Society already do not forsake your
brothers. You can be a Baha'i-Christian, a Baha'i-Freemason, a Baha'i-Jew,
a Baha'i-Muhammadan. The number nine contains eight, and seven, and all
the other numbers, and does not deny any of them. Do not distress or deny
anyone by saying 'He is not a Baha'i!' He will be known by his deeds.
There are no secrets among Baha'is; a Baha'i does not hide anything."

SPREADING THE TEACHING

When asked by an American friend: "Which is the best way to spread the
teaching?" he said: "By deeds. This way is open to all, and deeds are
understood by all. Join yourselves to those who work for the poor, the
weak and the unfortunate; this is greatly to be commended. To teach by
words requires the skill of a wise physician. He does not offer help to
those who do not want treatment. Do not press help on those who do not
need your help. The work of tea