A student of the modern methods of the higher criticism
asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 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-Bahá 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
Bahá’í-Christian, a Bahá’í-Freemason, a Bahá’í-Jew, a Bahá’í-Muḥammadan. 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
Bahá’í!’ He will be known by his deeds. There are no secrets among Bahá’ís; a
Bahá’í does not hide anything.”
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Notes of conversations;
‘Abdu’l-Baha in London’)
