The power of the Covenant: a bond that gives life

Today the dynamic power of the world of existence is the power of the Covenant which like unto an artery pulsateth in the body of the contingent world and protecteth Baha'i unity.

The Baha'is are commanded to establish the oneness of mankind; if they cannot unite around one point how will they be able to bring about the unity of mankind?

Wherefore reflections of the spirit and impressions of the Divine are now mirrored clear and sharp in the deep heart's core.

I beg of God to strengthen these spiritual bonds as day followeth day, and make this mystic oneness to shine ever more brightly, until at last all shall be as troops marshalled together beneath the banner of the Covenant within the sheltering shade of the Word of God; that they may strive with all their might until universal fellowship, close and warm, and unalloyed love, and spiritual relationships, will connect all the hearts in the world.

O friends in Paris! Know that no soul becomes alive except through the spirit of the Covenant, no eye becomes illumined except through the light of the Covenant, no ear vibrates except to the melody of the Covenant, and no heart becomes the manifestation of divine inspirations except through the bounty of the Covenant.

Today the pulsating power in the arteries of the body of the world is the spirit of the Covenant—the spirit which is the cause of life. Whosoever is vivified with this spirit the freshness and beauty of life become manifest in him, he is baptized with the Holy Spirit, he is born again, is freed from oppression and tyranny, from heedlessness and harshness which deaden the spirit, and attains to everlasting life.

If any one of you enters a city he must become the center of attraction because of the sincerity, faithfulness, love, honesty, fidelity, truthfulness and loving kindness of his disposition toward all the inhabitants of the world, that the people of the city may all cry out: "This person is unquestionably a Baha'i, for his manners, his behavior, his conduct, his morals, his nature and his disposition are of the attributes of the Baha'is."

Until you do attain to this station, you have not fulfilled the Covenant and the Testament of God.

Who can resist the power of the Covenant and who can prevent the outpouring of the Dayspring of the horizons? These souls are in darkness, but the horizon of creation is bright; these crows are birds of the trash heap, while the garden of the Covenant is a rose garden.

If all the world should combine to overthrow the Covenant, it could not succeed. 'Abdu'l-Baha loves all no matter how they turn away from Him. Whether they love or hate Him, go or come, He never changes in His love for them. The Blessed Perfection has left nothing undone. What He ordained can never be set aside.

Then turning towards some new inquirers, He said:

Behold the creative power of Baha'u'llah! He brought us from the most remote countries of the East and acquainted us with you. How He has connected our hearts and attracted our spirits to each other and has drawn all under the banner of peace and tranquillity! See how He has delivered us from religious, political, national and racial prejudices and saved us from the gloom of superstitions. Behold what a power this is! Had all the powers of the earth combined they could not have joined the hearts in such a manner but Baha'u'llah has joined all with a single word.

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Those whose icy breath and whispers are as cold as midwinter have now spread in all directions, carrying leaflets of doubt, hoping to wither the soil of the hearts with the biting chill of Covenant-breaking, so that the seeds of divine wisdom that God hath deposited therein may decay and perish. But how far, how very far from the truth! For the glowing fire of the Covenant hath so set the world ablaze that no frost or ice can withstand it for a moment. This, verily, is the truth.

The Covenant meeting that you have organized will surely receive confirmations, for the motivating force in the arteries of the world is the power of the Covenant. Without this power, spirituality cannot be attained and illumination will not become manifest.

For today it is through the power of the Covenant that souls are stirred, through the spirit of the Covenant that they are revived, through the call of the Covenant that they are moved - otherwise they become withered and dejected, a body without spirit, a lamp without light.

Today the directing power in the heart of the world is the power of the Covenant. The more the friends stand firm the more shall they be strengthened.

Now 'Abdu'l-Baha has sown a seed in Chicago and breathed forth a fragrance. The divine friends must water that seed and, through the power of confirmation from the Abha Kingdom, nurture that planting until it becomes green and verdant and yields mighty harvests. This will be achieved through unity, harmony, love and connection of hearts. Therefore the divine friends must first kindle the lamp of unity in their own gathering, and then raise the tent of the unity of humankind. The Blessed Beauty addresses all humanity: "Ye are all the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch." The reality is that some are ignorant - they must be made knowing; some are heedless - they must be made aware; some are asleep - they must be awakened; some are ill - they must be healed; some are children - they must be educated until they reach maturity. One must be kind to the sick and young, not show anger and wrath. The shepherd must gather the scattered sheep, not drive them away. This is the path of the people of Baha. You must conduct yourselves in this way.

I must always receive good news from you. I am waiting for a great stirring of thoughts to occur in Chicago through the power of confirmation from the Abha Kingdom, leading to good conduct, unity, high endeavor and eloquent speech among the divine friends, so that the beloved countenance of the friends may be illumined in the Abha Kingdom, and the fame of their unity and harmony may reach East and West, and their spiritual conquests may encompass the world. And if some negligent person or foolish individual raises an objection, pay it no attention whatsoever - it has no importance. We have had objectors from among the famous ones of the horizons, and objectors like Nasiri'd-Din and 'Abdu'l-Hamid, two kings, but through the power of the Abha Kingdom all of these were obliterated and destroyed, while the standard of the Covenant waves throughout all horizons.

And upon you be the Most Glorious Glory.

Therefore exercise the utmost of love and kindness towards each other to the utmost degree and love each other heartily and strive in the assistance of each other and take a firm hold of the Divine Testament and the Covenant, because the spirit of this age is the Covenant and the Testament of God. It is like the pulsating artery in the body of the world.

Speak in your meetings and assemblages about the Testament and the Covenant and invite everyone to the firmness and steadfastness of the Covenant. Know ye this, that if any person is the least doubtful about the Covenant he is immediately cut off.

Today, the world of humanity is in need of this Power more than at any other time.

… But the Power of the Blessed Perfection has come to stay, bringing healing under its wide, outstretched wings. This Power alone is the solvent for all these puzzling problems.

Consider what wonderful love is this that has been established between us through the Power of His Holiness Baha'u'llah!

… Therefore it is made clear to you that this love and amity have been brought into being through an extraordinary power; otherwise it would have been impossible for our hearts to be so cemented together; while from a worldly standpoint, the King of Persia must have been the object of love and estimation.

Because the power of the Greatest Name has gathered the wandering scattered souls in a heavenly assemblage and has kindled each one like a candle that they may throw themselves in the flame of the fire of love, like unto the self-burnt butterfly, and that they may be freed from any bondage and skip any trap, and in utmost joy and ecstasy run to the field of martyrdom and sacrifice life for the Beloved.

Praise be to God Who manifested Himself and removed the veil, rent asunder the covering through the power of mysteries, showered forth lights, rolled up the heaven, shook the earth, raised the dead, gathered the spirits, set up the Balance, extended the Path, kindled the fires, brought near the gardens of Paradise, established the Great Resurrection, revealed the mighty Catastrophe, and called every soul to account for what it had earned, whether good or evil. Among them were those who turned toward Him and those who turned away in pride and arrogance, those who believed and accepted and those who denied and rejected. As for those whose scale was light, they were cast into the depths of the fire, and those whose balance was heavy, the gates of Paradise were opened unto them. Thus one group dwells in eternal bliss while another group inhabits the midst of Hell, enduring painful torment.

Then He planted the tree of companionship and grew the Lote-Tree of Paradise, gathered the loved ones together and took from them a firm covenant and mighty pledge. He revealed what was hidden and inscribed in the unfurled scroll, and made clear what was cryptically referenced in the Preserved Tablet that abrogates all previous scriptures and tablets when they do not conform to its commandments and laws. He manifested the Center of the greatest servitude and supreme bondage and commanded all to turn unto him and refer to him, for he is the sole Interpreter, the unique Source, the glorious Reference Point, and the one who understands the mysteries of God's mighty and praiseworthy Book.

Thereupon the test appeared and the fires of trials blazed forth, the foundations were shaken, and the tribulation of the year of shidad emerged. Among the people were those whose faces became dust-stained and those whose faces became radiant, those who remained firm and grew, and those who wavered and broke their covenant. The steadfast ones are the triumphant ones, while those who wavered remain intoxicated with vain imaginings. Soon you shall know.

'Abdu'l-Baha

O Lord! Aid this assembly to attain Thy good-pleasure, spread through them the holy fragrances throughout all regions, and make firm through them all feet upon Thy straight path. For doubts have spread and circulated in all directions, and the armies of uncertainty have scattered to every corner. O Lord! Protect the ship of Thy Cause from the tempests of trials and guard the fortress of Thy Covenant from the onslaught of the forces of discord. Verily Thou art the Protector, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Compelling.

O beloved! The lights of unity and the effulgence of oneness have illumined the East and the West, and the radiant lamp of the Covenant hath brightened all horizons. The waves of the Kingdom have submerged the shores of existence, and the clouds of divine favors have poured forth upon all regions. Ere long shall the standard of God's Covenant wave at the axis of possibility, and the manifest morn of ancient glory shall illumine both East and West with its rays.

I constantly beseech the Sacred Threshold that the fragrances of the kindnesses of those dear friends may perfume the nostrils of the friends. This is from God's grace which He bestoweth upon whomsoever He willeth, and God is the possessor of great grace.

Observe the power of the divine teachings, that the chief executive expressed praise and gratitude for your services to the human world.

O Nush! The divine elixir consists of wisdom, insight, hearing, truthfulness, good nature, kindness and goodness. Today the crown of humanity is adorned with the world-illumining diadem of the Covenant. When this radiant crown rests upon the head, that elixir becomes sweet to the taste and every sting is removed at its root. Poison becomes honey and the bitter becomes sweet. May your soul, heart and spirit be made happy!

I swear by the Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name that the eye of the world has not seen anyone more truthful or more benevolent than these servants, for we are commanded by God's Covenant and Testament to show the utmost obedience and submission to the government, as you are fully aware. Nothing more remains to be said.

The chief aim and inmost purpose of the Blessed Beauty---may my spirit, my being, and mine inmost reality be a sacrifice at His pure Threshold---in this divine Covenant and Testament, the like of which hath never appeared in any age or cycle, was that no dissension should arise in the blessed Cause; rather, that all should be united beneath the shadow of the Word of Divine Unity and should cut off the root of the differences of the peoples.

Were it not for the protecting power of the Covenant to guard the impregnable fort of the Cause of God, there would arise among the Baha'is, in one day, a thousand different sects as was the case in former ages. But in this Blessed Dispensation, for the sake of the preservation of the Cause of God and the avoidance of dissension amongst the people of God, the Blessed Beauty (may my soul be a sacrifice unto Him) has through the Supreme Pen written the Covenant and the Testament; He appointed a Center, the Exponent of the Book and the annuller of disputes.

For thirty years He thus nursed the children of the Kingdom in the bosom of the Most Holy Book, that these divine obligations and relationships might be deeply engraved upon every heart, and that the stronghold of the Cause of God might become as impervious to intrusion as a mighty and impregnable fortress. He appointed the Interpreter of His perspicuous Book in the clearest terms and made the Centre of His Covenant known to all.

In previous dispensations, no explicit Covenant was taken from the Supreme Pen. There was no designated person who could be the standard of truth and error.

… But among the distinctions of this dispensation is that the Blessed Beauty did not leave souls in confusion. He took a Covenant from all and appointed the Center of the Covenant, writing with His own pen.

For five and twenty years did He nurture everyone and fed them from the breast of holiness. In all His Tablets, Books, Epistles, and Scriptures, He made mention of the Covenant and Testament, praising the steadfast and extolling those who cleave tenaciously unto it, while condemning and rebuking those who waver, and even forewarning them of divine punishment and the threat of everlasting chastisement.

In the Book of the Covenant Baha'u'llah declares that by these two verses this Personage is meant. In all His Books and Tablets He has praised those who are firm in the Covenant and rebuked those who are not. He said, "Verily, shun those who are shaken in the Covenant. Verily, God is the Confirmer of the firm ones."

Were it not for the power of the Covenant, you would have witnessed the dispersion of the believers and the total disappearance of the Cause of God.

When I say the Covenant, I mean the power and the authority of Baha'u'llah given to me.

Judas Iscariot must not be forgotten; The divine sheep must constantly be guarded against devouring wolves; the light of the Cause of God must be protected from contrary winds by means of a chimney; the oppressed fowls must be shielded against the birds of prey; the blooming roses should be saved from the outstretched hands of injustice and the lambs of God must be fortified against the fierceness of ravenous animals.

For He has clearly designated with the Supreme Pen a specific center, so that when any discord arises, reference should be made to that center and that center will remove the discord. Whatever he says is correct, for by explicit command all must turn to that center, and he is the interpreter of the Book. In this case it becomes clear and evident that the power of the Covenant is the solver of difficulties.

This divine Covenant is an impregnable fortress and a mighty stronghold. Whoever enters and holds fast to it is preserved and protected, fortunate and secure.

Baha'u'llah, desiring to prevent similar dissensions resulting from the misinterpretation of his words, wrote a book which he entitled Kitab el Ahd (Book of the Covenant). In this book, which is incontestable, being in his own handwriting, he appoints a center of his covenant, who is to be the expounder of the books and the judge between the false and the true.

In this Cause the Blessed Beauty has established a criterion that removes and averts all discord, because according to the conclusive text, the House of Justice is under the protection of the Blessed Beauty.

I appoint you, Lua, the Herald of the Covenant. And I am the Covenant, appointed by Baha'u'llah. And no one can refute His Word. This is the Testament of Baha'u'llah. You will find it in the Holy Book of Aqdas. Go forth and proclaim, "This is the Covenant of God in your midst."

How the Testament and Covenant of the Supreme Pen has become the cause of gathering together the loved ones and exalting the Word of God!

If this Testament and Covenant of the Blessed Beauty did not exist, you would see how the gathering of the loved ones would be scattered, the fire of the love of God extinguished, and the Cause of God forgotten from minds.

O you two who are firm in the Covenant of the Blessed Beauty! The Supreme Pen established a binding covenant and a mighty testament, and according to this covenant and testament all must show submission and obedience. No escape was left for anyone, and it was not made conditional upon anything.

He laid the foundation of obedience and submission upon the Covenant and Testament, establishing it upon solid rock, and encompassed it around creation like an impregnable fortress and mighty citadel, so that the hosts of doubts could not breach it and the waves of intimations could not damage it, and this edifice of God's Cause, this palace of God's bounty, these mighty foundations and lofty castle would remain protected and preserved forever.

This Covenant is neither tradition nor tale - it was established by Baha'u'llah's Supreme Pen with utmost power. Surely if all on earth were to gather and try to create a breach, they would ultimately be frustrated and disappointed, let alone a small handful. The power of the Covenant is like the sun, and those who moved in opposition are like pieces of thin cloud. The Sun of the Covenant dissolves and disperses even the thickest clouds, let alone these imaginary clouds. As you observe, the call of the Covenant is raised in all lands and is in full effect.

Through this the fortress of God's Cause is preserved from the onset of any weakening and the occurrence of any division. This is among the most precise of matters and upon it rests the establishment of God's religion and the strengthening of God's law.

By the "Chrysolite Tablet" is meant the Book of Baha'u'llah's Covenant which is the Preserved Tablet. It was hidden and preserved, now it is made manifest and resplendent. The Chrysolite Tablet is recorded and enshrined in the inmost recesses of the Book of the Covenant.

Say: O thoughtless ones! The hand of power has raised this pavilion of grandeur - its pillar is the Book of the Covenant, its fabric is the Most Holy Book, and its ropes are all the divine Tablets. No one can tear it - they can only deprive themselves.

In sum, the All-Merciful Presence, the Single Reality, and the Divine Essence addresses His righteous servants and noble bondsmen whose conduct is pure, whose inner being is goodly, whose reality is refined, whose hearts are expanded, whose souls are perfected, whose spirits are devoted to God, whose joy has increased, whose vision is illumined, and whose secrets are sweet, saying to them: "Hold fast to My mighty cord and My clear Covenant and My firm handle and surest means and greatest intermediary and most great instrument, that you may be safe from the evils of self and passion and the precipices of falling into the lowest depths and descending into the abyss of heedlessness and blindness."

O thou who art enraptured by the sweet savours of God! Make haste, make haste towards the forgiveness and mercy of thy Lord! Press on, press on unto the wellspring of grace and compassion! Rush forth, rush forth to the fountainhead of bounty and favour! That is, arise to exalt the Word of God, to diffuse the sweet savours of God, to strive to spread the light of God, to kindle the fire of the love of God, to hold fast unto the Covenant and Testament of God, and to stand firm, by His gracious aid, in the Cause of God. It behoveth one such as thee to be even as a banner raised above all other banners, which waveth in the breezes of holiness wafting from the meads of the loving-kindness of thine Ancient Lord, and is set astir by the sweet-smelling fragrances that are shed abroad from the Abha Kingdom. Glorified be my Lord, the Most High!

Thy letter, which testified to the firmness and constancy of the friends of God in the Covenant and the Testament, was perused and read out.

It is clear and evident that in every cycle and dispensation an implicit statement was made in order to safeguard the Word of Oneness, to preserve the Cause of God from harm, and to ensure the unity of all that are gathered beneath the shadow of the Divine Tree, so that the impregnable stronghold of His Faith might remain safe and secure under the shadow of a single Word. While statements such as "Whosoever hath Me as his Master ..." were indeed allusions and not explicit, in this Most Great Dispensation a Divine Covenant hath been established, and the Book of the Covenant hath been revealed by the Most Exalted Pen. Mention hath been made of this ancient Covenant and mighty Testament in all the sacred Tablets and Scriptures, so that the Word of Oneness might be revealed and made manifest in all degrees and stations in the form of singleness, the light of Divine Unity might illumine the East and the West of the world of being, and all the peoples of the earth might gather round the same wellspring and be unified upon the same Path.

And since thou art well informed of the mysteries enshrined in the Cause of God, thou must be vigilant at all times, lest the tempests of trials overtake feeble souls from any side, or the debilitating influence of vain interpretations and doubts cause the believers to waver. The glory of God rest upon thee.

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O thou who art gladdened by the glad-tidings of God!

In this Most Great and Blessed Century, which is the resplendent sun of former ages and the luminous orb of latter centuries, souls shall arise from the slumber of vain desire who shall shine forth like unto candles in the assemblage of the world with the light of steadfastness, and shall surge like unto an ocean with love for the Blessed Beauty. Like unto a mighty edifice and an impregnable barrier of steel shall they stand firm in God's Covenant and Testament, and abide steadfast in His divine Faith and Pledge. They shall mightily resist the hosts of violation and breach of the Covenant, and shall guide all to firmness and steadfastness in the Cause of God. They are the glorious army of the stronghold of the Word of God, and the defenders and protectors of the City of God's Cause against the surging throng of assailants. I beseech God that your honor may be numbered among the mightiest of these hosts of the Lord of Grace, and among the greatest guardians of this mighty Covenant of the Worshipped One.

In every age and dispensation, the Holy Manifestations of God made no covenant, no testament, no faith and no pledge. In the time of Abraham, there was but a blessed prayer regarding Isaac; in the Mosaic dispensation, but brief words of praise from His tongue regarding Joshua son of Nun; in the Christian Revelation, regarding Simon, only the concise statement "Thou art the rock, and upon this rock I will build my church"; at the dawning of the Muhammadan Sun, only the brief utterance at Ghadir Khum "Whomsoever I am the master of, 'Ali is his master."

But in this Most Great Cycle and Most Mighty Dispensation--the Manifestation of Truth and Rising of the Sun of Reality, which in all aspects excels all other cycles and dawns resplendent over all other ages--in the Most Holy Book, which is supreme over all books, scriptures and psalms, and all that is mentioned therein abrogates all previous scriptures and books--even its commandments, laws, pronouncements and declarations abrogate all incompatible commandments and inconsistent laws, save for such ordinances and laws as are not mentioned in that Holy Divine Book--in such a clear Book and certain Psalms, He has explicitly stated, without interpretation or allusion, and has emphasized, clarified and expounded in the Book of the Covenant by the Most Exalted Pen, so that the seat of authority in this Most Great Cycle might become clear and evident, leaving no room for any soul to hesitate, dispute or differ, and that God's primary purpose and true good-pleasure--namely the unity of all on earth under one Word--might be fulfilled, and the essence of oneness might become manifest and evident in the realities of souls...

This servant beholds himself as utterly effaced and evanescent in all things. His days are numbered and ere long he shall return to the holy threshold of the Lord of all existence. He has had and has no purpose save to preserve the unity of God's Cause and the oneness of God's loved ones.

Consider how the Bab--may my spirit be sacrificed for Him--endured all tribulations in the path of this Cause, and ultimately became the target of a hundred thousand arrows with such oppression. And Quddus, and the Bab, and Vahid, and Mulla Muhammad-'Ali, and the Uncle of the Bab, and the King of Martyrs, and the Beloved of Martyrs, and ten to twenty thousand pure and holy souls, both young and old, men and women, shed their sanctified blood in this path. And the Most Great Beauty (may my spirit be a sacrifice for the dust of His loved ones' feet) endured all these successive trials and tribulations and chains and fetters. Time and again severe afflictions were visited upon His blessed Person, and the effects of poison were ever visible on both sides of His blessed body. For a long period, at all times, He spent His days in prison, jail, exile and banishment. And finally, while imprisoned, confined and condemned, He ascended to the Kingdom of Holiness. His blessed lamentation and cry was ever this: "I have sacrificed Myself for the unity of all who are on earth. O loved ones! Strive that ye may remove the traces of discord from the face of the earth and cause the lights of unity to shine forth resplendent among all people."

Now, instead of all being united and in accord, clinging to the cord of unity and holding fast to the bond of concord, and rising up together in faithfulness to the bounties of the Blessed Beauty and the Most Great Name to establish the unity of all who dwell on earth, from certain corners, secretly and covertly, with utmost caution, unwholesome odors waft that would cause great discord in the Cause itself. God protect us from this!

In any case, I swear by the Blessed Beauty that I do not see myself as having any existence, and I perceive myself as evanescent before His sincere loved ones. I have never had, nor do I have, any claims, and to this day I have not uttered a word indicating any connection to the Sacred Threshold. However, I do have this much to implore of the loved ones of God: that they not become the cause of discord in this Cause which is the essence of sanctity, and that they not countenance secrets, mysteries and covert allusions.

The Cause of God is manifest and evident. Praise be to God, in this Most Great Dispensation the Cause is explicit and detailed, neither veiled nor mysterious. Neither are there degrees of religious law, spiritual path and truth, nor outer and inner manifestations as in the tasteless notions of the mystics. Rather, all these matters are condemned and rejected by the explicit verses of God.

In any case, now we must, in gratitude for divine favors and bounties, forget all such mentions and sayings, and all arise united and in accord to exalt the Word of God and make mighty efforts to diffuse the divine fragrances. Now your honor, praise be to God, has attained the honor of meeting and is informed of the details and aware of that which pleases the All-Merciful. Counsel any souls whom you observe have been influenced by unwholesome odors, that they may become aware and vigilant, and shun all that is displeasing to the Blessed Beauty. And the Glory be upon you.

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In no age or dispensation has such a Covenant and Testament been established, such a light of the Covenant shone forth, such a dawn appeared, such a proof become manifest.

In this Most Great Cycle, He established the foundation of the Cause like Alexander's wall of iron and steel, and laid the basis of the religion of God upon an impregnable foundation, so that the Gog of doubts and Magog of allusions might not, in any way, find a breach or penetrate therein, and the mighty fortress of the Cause might remain protected and preserved.

From the beginning of creation until now, no Holy Manifestation among the Divine Manifestations ever elevated His Cause while in the Most Great Prison under chains and fetters during His own day. This occurred in our own time - it is not a tale or narrative that could give rise to the slightest doubt. The Divine Call was raised from the Most Great Prison, the acclaim of God's Cause became world-embracing from the Most Great Prison, and the Divine Call from beneath chains and fetters set the horizons in motion.

This Covenant is the Covenant of Baha'u'llah. Its importance is not yet fully understood as it should be, but in the future it will attain such importance that if a king should waver even slightly, he will immediately fall.

This Covenant is firmly established and this Testament is mighty. In no age or dispensation of the Holy Manifestations has such a Covenant existed before or had any parallel. This is a Covenant that the Sun of the Divine Reality has, in Its essence, taken from holy realities, jewels of existence and atoms of all created things, and its decree, like the divine spirit, penetrates and flows through the reality of creation.

O thou who hast laid hold on the Sure Handle!

Know thou that the ‘Sure Handle’ mentioned from the foundation of the world in the Books, the Tablets and the Scriptures of old is naught else but the Covenant and the Testament.

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And now, when the Covenant has been written and established, how can any one be foolish enough to imagine that they can resist it? No, the ensign of the Covenant has reached to the supreme heights, and its authority will be spread over all the earth.

My hope is that you will be among those firm in the Covenant and call others to the Covenant. The Blessed Beauty established this Covenant so that all would know that whatever proceeds from the Pen of the Covenant is based on consummate wisdom.

It is as if the Blessed Beauty had not taken a Covenant and Testament and had not appointed an explicit Center and had not mentioned the Covenant in all Tablets and had not praised the steadfast ones with prayers and had not cursed the Covenant-breakers and had left the Cause ambiguous, dependent on the acceptance of every thoughtless one, and commanded all to exercise individual judgment, and established a system of self-direction.

Until now, in no previous Dispensation was there a Covenant and Testament of such magnitude and clarity. If some wavering occurred, it was not surprising or strange. But now in this Most Great Cycle, praise be to God, the lamp is brightly lit and the Beauty of the Covenant appears with utmost grace and loveliness.

O thou who art attracted to the Luminary of the horizons!

In the feast of the Covenant such a covenant was taken that no opportunity remained for disagreement by the people of discord - unless through clear statements, like the people of the cradle who mock the Covenant while being outwardly adherent and acknowledging it, yet inwardly avoiding and deviating from it.

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No covenant or testament like unto this hath ever appeared in existence, whether in the unseen or visible worlds. It is the fruit of the Supreme Pen - a single word thereof outweigheth all the scriptures of former times.

Another purpose, moreover, in this stillness and silence was that the loved ones of God might adopt the manner of 'Abdu'l-Baha, might raise such a melody, and manifest such firmness and steadfastness, that whether 'Abdu'l-Baha should remain or pass away, no slackening would befall the diffusion of the fragrances of God. Rather, all should surge like unto the sea, and cry out as the birds of the Concourse on High, so that those souls who await the death and departure of this servant of the Divine Threshold may be disappointed and confounded, and may know that the exaltation of the blessed Cause and the loftiness of the Word of God are neither dependent nor conditional upon the survival of 'Abdu'l-Baha.

When the Bab and Baha'u'llah ascended, the friends of God in Iran blazed a hundred times more brightly and manifested the utmost sanctity and holiness.

Say: God hath made My hidden love the key to the Treasure; would that ye might perceive it! But for the key, the Treasure would to all eternity have remained concealed; would that ye might believe it! Say: This is the Source of Revelation, the Dawning-place of Splendour, Whose brightness hath illumined the horizons of the world. Would that ye might understand! This is, verily, that fixed Decree through which every irrevocable decree hath been established.

For the Day of God is none other but His own Self, Who hath appeared with the power of truth. This is the Day that shall not be followed by night, nor shall it be bounded by any praise, would that ye might understand!

O servants of God! Did We not make with you in Our Word a clear covenant in truth with the truth, that ye should not speak vainly concerning Our servant?

For all things are dependent upon His Will, and the worth of all acts is conditioned upon His acceptance and pleasure. The whole universe is but a handful of clay in His grasp. Unless one recognize God and love Him, his cry shall not be heard by God in this Day. This is of the essence of His Faith, did ye but know it.

Thy proof hath appeared, Thy sovereignty hath emerged, Thy testimony hath been established, Thy Word hath been perfected, Thy verses have been chanted, Thy mention hath spread, Thy Cause hath been exalted, the might of Thy divine sovereignty hath encompassed all regions, the limbs of creation have trembled from the power of Thy Lordship, and the banner of Thy Covenant hath been raised in the East and the West, waving upon the towers of honor and glory.

Verily, God effecteth that which He pleaseth; naught can annul His Covenant; naught can obstruct His favor nor oppose His Cause! He doeth with His will that which pleaseth Him and He is powerful over all things!

The ocean of joy hath surged and the countenance of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting, hath smiled, inasmuch as the Call hath been raised from the Land of Ta unto the Most Exalted Horizon and hath gladdened the dwellers of the Most Glorious Paradise and the Supreme Heaven by the arising of the Hands of the Cause and the Manifestations of Utterance before the Kaaba of God with a clear covenant and firm pledge, that the world and all that dwell therein might be illumined by the light of unity and concord.

Therefore in every street and plain that you pass through, cry out: "This Covenant is the Covenant of Alast, and this Testament is the Ancient Testament! The armies of the Kingdom of God assist this Covenant, and the hosts of the Concourse on High protect this foundation. It is the continuous and enduring ray of the Sun of Truth and the brilliant lamp of the gathering of the Divine Unity. It is the strong rope and the manifest light. It is the firm handle and the fruit of the blessed tree.

O thou who art holding fast to the hem of God's Covenant! Know thou that the Covenant which God took beneath the shade of the Tree of Anisa is the Most Firm Handle and the strongest means and the light of guidance and the sun of the morning.

And He who shall be manifest after the thousand years will speak in My Name. And He who shall come in the time of the Mustaghath will bear witness unto Me, and proclaim that I am God, the Lord of heaven and earth. No one hath wholly comprehended this Revelation, except to a prescribed measure. He verily knoweth all things. Hold fast after Me unto the Branches that have branched from this Ancient Root. From them will the fragrance of My garment be shed throughout the world, and none shall inhale it, save those who turn their faces towards Him, and remain steadfast.

This is the covenant that was taken from all at the beginning of time. Blessed is the soul that hath fulfilled its covenant - such a one is numbered among those near unto God in the perspicuous Book.

The essence of all essences of eternity and everlasting purity is the Covenant of the Luminary of the horizons, which is from the day of "Am I not?" until the endless evening - it had no beginning and will have no end. Whosoever abideth beneath its shade is eternal and steadfast, and whosoever is outside it is transient and ephemeral.

The essence of the Torah is the Ancient Covenant, and that Ancient Covenant was a harbinger of this new Covenant, which is the Covenant of the manifestation of the Lord with all His attributes and perfection.

It is a Covenant taken from all the Prophets, whereby the face of the earth shall be transformed into the supreme Paradise and the divine signs shall become manifest throughout the world.

The teachings of the Ancient Beauty constitute that Covenant, all of which must needs be realized in its own time, even though it may take successive centuries; yet ultimately it must be fulfilled and breathe a new spirit into the dead bodies of mankind.

'Ali, peace be upon him, said: "O God, I know that knowledge will never cease entirely nor will its sources be cut off, and that Thou wilt never leave Thy earth without a Proof over Thy creatures - one manifest, though not obeyed, or one in fear and concealed - lest Thy proof be invalidated and Thy friends go astray after Thou hast guided them.

God took the covenant of this Day from all who are in the heavens and on earth, yet when He appeared in truth the people turned away, save those who shattered the idols of vain desire through the power of the Name of the Lord of all mankind and turned with radiant countenance toward the Supreme Horizon.

The entire world was brought from nothingness into being specifically for the knowledge of God, exalted be His glory, and was adorned with the ornament of existence. Yet when the horizon of the world was illumined by the Sun of Revelation, all were found to be deprived save whom God willed.

This is an epistle from Him Who took to Himself the Covenant of the Point of the Bayan before taking the covenant of all who are in the heavens and on earth, and who spoke His praise in His days, and through whose love He appeared amidst all created things, and who slept not except in His love, and arose not except in His remembrance, and moved not except by His will - may my spirit be a sacrifice unto Him!

This is He Who hath sent down the Book for His remembrance and God hath made it a leaf for His Paradise, each leaf whereof proclaimeth: The Covenant hath come and the Lord of the Day of Separation hath appeared. Blessed is he who in this Day hath fulfilled the Covenant while the idolators have risen up in hypocrisy.

These days are the days of God, and the divine Books speak of their mention and station. He saith unto Moses: "Lead forth thy people from darkness into light and remind them of the days of God."

O peoples of the world! The Day of the Covenant has come, and He Who was hidden in the eternity of eternities has appeared. He has come with the truth and gives you glad tidings of that which was ordained for you by the Most Exalted Pen in the Crimson Book.

The divine Jerusalem has come down from heaven. The bride of Zion has appeared. The voice of the Kingdom of God has been raised.

At such a time Baha'u'llah dawned from the eastern horizon like the glory of the sun. He renewed the basis of the religions of God, destroyed blind adherence to ancestral forms and established in their stead love and spiritual fellowship so that no strife, discord or hostility remained. This reconciliation of divergent sects is visible and evident. They now live together in love and unity.

Verily, God hath lifted the veil, been munificent in His bestowals, and bestowed every grace and bounty; and He hath gathered us beneath the shadow of the Tree of the Covenant and under the banner of the Testament, confessing His oneness, His singleness, His greatness, His might, and that power of His which hath spread abroad and shone forth through all regions, until even the enemies themselves have testified to His grandeur, to the exaltation of His Word, to the pervasive influence of His traces, to the power of His teachings, and to the swiftness of their diffusion.

O people! Look ye unto the Book of God and that which hath been sent down therein of mighty and glorious sovereignty, and forget not God's covenant within your souls, neither be heedless of it, nor be of them that turn aside.

Believe not everyone who attributeth himself to Us. They who follow their desires - God is quit of them and We are quit of them.

For the Covenant of God is the balance and the ark of salvation - whoever enters therein is saved, and whoever turns away from it perishes.

Victory, in the first instance, is belief in God and recognition of the Dawning-Place of His verses, the Dayspring of His Revelation and the Repository of His all-encompassing knowledge. The servant who is present hath brought a letter from him who is named Mustafa, upon him be the glory of God and His mercy, wherein mention was made of thee. We have made mention of thee with a mention that attracteth the hearts of them that have turned towards God.

Through Him hath the Hour appeared, and the Resurrection come to pass, and the Bridge been laid, and the Balance set up, and every firm and steadfast mountain been moved.

The people of certitude who are mentioned in the Qur'an as the companions of the right hand and in the Qayyumu'l-Asma as the dwellers of the Crimson Ark must manifest such power and might that such idle persons will be powerless to prevent them.

No covenant in previous cycles has preceded this Covenant, whereby even the exalted angels who were not commanded to bow before Adam on the day of the world's beginning have entered beneath its shade. Soon you will see the signs of this Covenant brilliant in souls and horizons, and the banners of this Covenant raised upon the highest peaks of the seven climes.

And verily thou, O thou who art enkindled with the fire of loyalty and who hast drawn light from the flames of love and faithfulness - leave the vain imaginings of the doubters and hearken to the true and honest Word explicitly set forth in the Book of God by the Center of the Covenant, the Interpreter of the Book, who is learned in its interpretation and firmly grounded in knowledge, through a clear text that accepteth neither interpretation nor explanation.

This is a day at the mention of which the eyes of the chosen ones were solaced, but when it appeared the divines and religious doctors denied it, save whom God, the Lord of the Day of Reckoning, wished. I bear witness that through their oppression the servants have broken God's Covenant and His Testament, and have committed that which hath caused the denizens of the most exalted Paradise and the dwellers of the pavilion of grandeur to lament at eventide and at dawn.

Their likeness is as the likeness of those who awaited the days of the Spirit, but when He came they turned away and denied God, the Lord of all worlds.

Say: O people! Blessed are ye for having attained unto the recognition of God and the Manifestation of His Self, and for having detached yourselves from the idolaters. Hold fast to the cord of God - verily it is His Most Great, Most Mighty Remembrance.

By God! None shall be protected today save those who have laid hold of the Most Great Handle, which hath appeared in the name of thy Lord, the Most Glorious, between earth and heaven.

...Regarding the rainbow,â€"this rainbow is the Covenant of God and the Testament of the Merciful One. The lights of the Kingdom and the heavenly illumination emanated from this rainbow. This rainbow is the sign of the removal of the wrath of God from all the people and the sign of prosperity, tranquillity, universal peace, the oneness of humanity, and the unity of the world of man....

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The Covenant of God in this Day of Manifestation is a Lifeboat, an Ark of Salvation. All true followers of the Blessed Perfection are sheltered and protected in this Ark. Whoever leaves it, trusting in his own will and strength, will drown and be destroyed.

If I were to hesitate or change direction at the sight of every danger, the Ark of the Cause of God would surely fail to reach its destination.

Monday, December 2---Supper. This world is likened unto the ocean; the law and teachings of God is the ship; the mate is the covenant; the Captain is God; and the seashore is the kingdom of Abha.

O thou who art ablaze with the fire of the Love of God!

As to thy vision thou wert traveling to Acca in a ship with the maid-servant of God ...: This ship is the ship of the Covenant, which is surrounded by the winds of discord for the people of hypocrisy.

… Know thou, verily, the winds of confirmation shall surely surround the Ark of Deliverance, the sails of the Covenant shall be unfurled, and it shall reach the shore of the Kingdom of God.

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And that bridge is the path of the Covenant and the span of the Testament which is the means of salvation, moving by the will of the Lord of Verses.

This remedy is the medicine of the Covenant and Testament, and the distinguishing elixir of the Merciful's Covenant, which provides instantaneous healing to the sick body of contingent being and is the great prepared balm for the severe wound of the world.

O Trusted One among physicians! Divine medicine has pitched its tents in this plane of existence, and has driven its stakes in its expansive plains and heights.

Beneath its supported pavilion sits its All-Merciful Christ and its conscientious Luqman, who have diagnosed the illness of the temple of the human world and have administered the greatest divine antidote - namely, the Ancient Covenant and the Mighty Testament and the Manifest Light - the sole remedy for the sickness of the world and the ills of nations and peoples.

For the divine Covenant is like a pure spring - "this is cool to drink and to bathe in" - and is a healing draught like that of Job: when one immerses oneself therein, one is cleansed and purified of all ailments and afflictions, attaining perfect health. The face blooms like a rose, the heart becomes a jewel from the Badakhshan mine, the soul becomes the companion of Gabriel, the breast becomes Sinai, and the field of consciousness becomes a flower garden of divine grace.

I swear by the Educator of the seen and the unseen that such a fragrant and perfumed breeze is blowing and ascending that with a single passing it could perfume the world and transform the realms of existence into a rose garden of crimson flowers. But what benefit is there when the sense of smell is impaired and beings are afflicted?

The complete remedy lies in remaining firm in the Covenant and Testament.

Behold, it is the Covenant! Behold, it is the remedy! Behold, it is the dawning light!

Know this for a certainty: that today the penetrative power in the arteries and the nerves of the world of humanity is the Power of the Covenant. The body of the world will not move with any other power except through the Power of the Covenant. There is no other power similar unto this.

Today the stirring power that exhibits itself throughout all regions is the power of the Covenant which, like unto the artery, beats and pulsates in the body of the world. He who is firmer in the Covenant is more assisted, just as ye are manifestly witnessing how firm souls are enkindled, attracted and confirmed.

Strive, therefore, day and night that ye may cause the hearts to become firm and resolute.

In brief, today the greatest power of the world of existence is the power of the Covenant which imparts life and motion to the heart of the universe and is pulsating in the body of the contingent being like unto the pulsation of the artery. The hosts of the Kingdom of Abha are assisting the Covenant and the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse are helping the people of the Testament.

The power of the Covenant is like unto the heat of the sun which vivified all earthly beings and caused them to grow and to thrive. Likewise the Light of the Covenant trains and uplifts the world of minds, of souls, of hearts and of spirits.

But this power of the Covenant shall heat every freezing soul, shall bestow light upon everything that is dark and shall secure for the captive in the hand of nature the true freedom of the Kingdom.

O handmaiden of God! It is the flame of the Covenant that, through the warmth of servitude to the Abha Beauty, has influenced the very heart of the horizons.

Even the firmness and steadfastness of hills and mountains depend on the power of attraction that exists at the center of the earth. Therefore, firmness in the Covenant requires the attractive force of heart and soul.

Let them grow and develop in the Garden of Thy Covenant, and bestow freshness and beauty through the outpourings of the clouds of the Abha Kingdom.

O thou who art attracted by the first fragrance that wafted from the gardens of the Covenant!

The Tree of Man hath been set ablaze by the fire that was kindled on the holy Mount Sinai of the Covenant in the wilderness of Paran. Draw thou nigh unto this fire and seek the light of guidance from this fire that hath been kindled at the center of creation. By God the True One! It is a light unto the steadfast and a fire unto those who waver and wander in the wilderness of doubts and the desert of abasement and shame.

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O thou who hast acquired the fire of love from the Divine Lote-Tree! The Tree of the Covenant hath been planted in the midst of Paradise, and the holy birds have taken refuge therein. It hath cast its shadow over all humanity, hath blossomed, put forth leaves, borne fruit, and become verdant and flourishing. The sincere ones have been stirred by the fragrance of its flowers, and the minds of the observers have been amazed at beholding it.

But the Blessed Tree, despite the onslaught of enemies and the blows of sword and axe from all directions, continues day by day to grow and flourish, as He says: "Verily We have sent down the Reminder, and We shall surely preserve it."

O fruit of the tree of mystical knowledge of the Beauty of the All-Merciful and produce of the garden of the Paradise of certitude! What you had written was read in the divine gathering and observed with illumined eyes. From its meanings wafted the sweet fragrance of the love of God, and from its contents blazed the fire kindled from the Sinai Tree. Blessed art thou, O pure, delightful and gentle fruit upon the tree of paradise in the garden of Paradise, in that thou hast remained firm in God's Covenant and Testament, hast grown through the outpourings of the cloud of God's mercy and bounty, hast fulfilled thy pledge and stood fast in thy faith after the pillars of the people of possibility were shaken by the ascension of the Luminary of the heaven of the All-Merciful and the setting of the Sun of Glory and Its rising from the horizons of His other realms, and the feet of the weak among men slipped, and they imagined the pillars of God's Cause would be shaken and the fire of the love of God would be extinguished and the lamp of the knowledge of God would be put out - but evil is that which they imagine.

Soon every disappointed and lost one will observe that after the ascension of the Blessed Beauty the divine lamp grew brighter and the Sun of Truth more resplendent, the waves of the Most Great Sea grew stronger and the melody from the divine gardens more widespread. The fame of God's Cause was raised throughout the horizons of the world and the might of divine power set the pillars of nations in motion. Say: O heedless ones! Soon you will witness the surge and roar of the divine sea and will hear with attentive ears the effects of the call of the invisible Herald.

Consider the Manifestations of Unity who came before - did the ascension of the Spirit of God (Christ) cause the extinction of the fire of the love of God, or did it cause it to blaze more intensely? Did the departure of the Messenger (Muhammad) to other realms cause the decline of God's religion, or did it lead to the exaltation of the Word of God? And likewise with the other Manifestations of Unity. The obstinate Jews were in eager anticipation of the ascension of the Word of God (Christ), and the idolatrous tribes of the Hijaz were dancing with joy at the setting of the Sun of Yathrib (Muhammad). They imagined that the breezes from the gardens of divine unity would cease and the brilliant rays from the Sun of Truth would become dark and veiled. Afterwards they observed that the waves of this sea reached the highest heaven and the radiance of this sun reached the horizons of earth and sky - and false was that which they had imagined.

The lamp of the Covenant is like the morning star - it shall never be extinguished.

O you to whom my heart speaks! Know that the Covenant is a star that gleams and shines upon the horizons, and its lights will dispel the darkness, and its sea will cast the accumulated foam of doubts upon the shore of extinction. No force in existence can resist the power of the Kingdom - if all humanity gathered together, could they prevent the sun from its rays, or the winds from their blowing, or the clouds from their rains, or the mountains from their firmness, or the stars from their radiance?

Although the Sun of Truth may outwardly be veiled by the clouds of concealment, were one to look with a perceiving eye, listen with a hearing ear, and ponder with an awakened heart, it would become evident that the splendours of the Most Great Light have grown stronger and the rays of the lamp of God waxed brighter, that the waves of His most mighty Ocean have surged higher and the outpourings of the heaven of His bounty have become more abundant and manifest.

O spiritual friends and companions! The lamp is lit and the Beauty of the Covenant is present in every gathering. The brilliant morn of the Testament has dawned and the rays of the Sun of the Covenant are shining forth.

The true and radiant morn is the dawn of the Covenant, and the first light of the Testament of the Day-Star of the world.

By its aid; the pillars of the Religion of God are raised, the edifice of the Law of God is made firm, the light of the love of God shineth forth, the signs of the bestowals of God appear, the sweet fragrance of the breeze of the love of God are wafted, and His Word is exalted."

The Sun of the Covenant hath shed its radiance from the Horizon of the Supreme Pen upon all regions. It illumined the East and conquered the West. It raised its pavilion at the apex of the horizons and accomplished its work with both friend and stranger.

The manifest standard is waving in all the world and the brilliant morn is dawning upon the entire universe. The brilliant star of God's Cause is radiant and the light of His beauty is shining. This is the promised victory mentioned in the Books, Psalms and Tablets. Despite this, bat-like souls with blind eyes cry out "Where is the light?" Say: This victory is the light, and this is the abundant grace, this is the pure water, this is the surging ocean, this is the cup whose mixture is of camphor.

Then He passed round the cup of the Covenant and caused the lovers to surge and cry out. He raised a clamor throughout all regions and caused the foundations of the people of discord to quake.

Now a few deprived ones have cooked up a vain fancy that they might remove this life-giving intoxication from the minds of those inebriated at the feast of the Covenant.

I swear by the Ancient Beauty that the waves of the Sea of the Covenant have no likeness in all the seas of the world, and the surging of that mighty deep has no parallel even in the Most Great Ocean.

O thou who hast believed in God and accepted His words! The standard of the Covenant is raised high at the center of the world, and its banner is billowing and surging from the winds of confirmation from the Kingdom. The peoples of all regions are entering beneath its shade, and the hosts of the Concourse on High follow one after another in its support.

That firm Handle and sure Cord is the Divine Covenant and Testament of the All-Merciful. Hold fast to it with heart and soul until you attain to the station of attraction and find your way to the holy court of the Lord of Lords.

O teacher in the school of the love of God! Today heavenly education is a sign of the Covenant and the meanings of the inscribed Tablet and the unfurled Scroll are the mysteries of the Testament and Pledge. Therefore, as much as thou art able, promote in the school this lesson and instruction so that this teaching may influence the seven climes. And glory be upon the people of glory.

The radiance of this Sun (the Covenant) has been felt from here to America, and notwithstanding all this, the violators desire to quench the light of the Covenant of God. They wish to extinguish this light, but they do not know that the light of God's Covenant is kindled and comes from the presence of God, and though it were surrounded by all the winds of the earth, they could not prevail to blow it out.

The foundation of the Covenant is firm and mighty, and the light of the Testament is clear and evident. The pride and heedlessness of the vainglorious shall vanish and pass away like the darkness of night. This Charter is the effect of the Pen of the Lord of Resurrection, and this Preserved Tablet is the result of the Supreme Pen of the King of Manifestation.

Today the world of existence is moved through the Call of the Covenant, and the disjoined members of this earth have found mutual communication. Consider ye that the confusion produced thereby cannot be cleared and the forces cannot be brought together save through the Power of the Testament, and the darkness of the East and the West can only be dispelled through the Sun of the Covenant. The Divine Covenant is like unto the spiritual Springtime, which encircles all creation.

O servant of the Abha Beauty! If the cup of the Covenant does not intoxicate a soul, how can the wine from the tavern of the horizons affect it? And if the light of the Sun of Truth does not illumine a heart, how can the rays of a lamp dispel the darkness? How can those who are not awakened by the melody of the Book of the Covenant be roused from their pillow of pride by the fragrance of flowers and the morning breeze?

The radiance of servitude shining from the Candle of the Testament has illumined all horizons in spite of the people of discord, and the renown of the grandeur of the Blessed Perfection hath caused such an outcry throughout the world that it hath made the limbs of all nations quiver.

Consider that today in all parts of the world the firm ones in the Covenant are shining like unto the candles in every assembly.

Today the greatest divine gift is to hold fast to the Covenant and Testament and to grasp the firm handle of the All-Merciful, for the pavilion of God's Cause is upheld by this pillar, and the impregnable fortress of God's religion is preserved and protected by this foundation, and the blessed Tree doth grow and develop through this sweet and flowing water. Were any weakness, God forbid, to occur in this firm foundation, this divine edifice would be completely demolished and this mighty castle would be utterly destroyed.

A person deprived of the spirit of the Covenant is sentenced as dead. The dead surely disintegrate. Therefore, breathe the spirit of the Covenant and the Testament as much as ye can in the hearts, so that the souls may progress day unto day and obtain a new exhilaration.

Whosoever is touched by that light has become firm and his feet are planted firmly upon the Covenant of God, and whosoever is not touched by it has slipped and fallen into the well of abandonment and the pit of humiliation.

The Ocean of the Covenant is the Most Great Sea - when the firm and steadfast immerse themselves in this Sea of Mercy, they become purified and sanctified from the stain of sins.

Therefore, thou who art named after Jam, take hold of this cup that thou mayest become the Jamshid of these days and make a whole world intoxicated with the wine of the Covenant. Drink and give to drink, become intoxicated and make others drunk.

O thou who art firm in the verses of God!

It is related in tradition that on the Day of Resurrection, the Banner of Praise shall be raised aloft, and its glorious standard shall wave and flutter in the highest heaven. Whosoever entereth beneath that standard shall attain salvation, and upon whomsoever the shadow of that banner falleth shall find eternal life.

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Verily, I say unto thee, the Covenant of God and His Alliance is a Lamp diffusing lights from the Supreme Concourse unto the horizons of the earth and heaven. Whosoever hath this Divine Lamp before his face, his forehead shall glisten with manifest light and his speech shall take effect in all minds and spirits, and God shall assist him by the power which penetrateth the essences of things.

O tailor! The True Tailor has fashioned and clothed the symmetrical form of the horizons with a robe of divine silk and celestial brocade, whose warp and weft were the effulgences of the lights of the Covenant, and it appeared upon the temple of existence with utmost grace.

The tests of every dispensation are in direct proportion to the greatness of the Cause, and as heretofore such a manifest Covenant, written by the Supreme Pen, hath not been entered upon, the tests are proportionately more severe. These trials cause the feeble souls to waver while those who are firm are not affected. These agitations of the violators are no more than the foam of the ocean, which is one of its inseparable features; but the ocean of the Covenant shall surge and shall cast ashore the bodies of the dead, for it cannot retain them.

His Honor Samandar, the kindled fire of the Covenant, praise be to God, vanquished and disgraced that party of hypocrisy in Rasht and made manifest the meaning of "Truth has come and falsehood has perished, indeed falsehood is ever bound to perish."

Until these severe tests arise and the cry of the weak reaches heaven and the wavering ones appear, the banner of the Covenant will not be raised at the pole of the horizons and the fragrances of the garden of the Testament will not perfume the hearts and souls. Until wavering appears, the lofty station of the steadfast will not become clear and evident.

Praise be to God, the grace and favor of the Blessed Beauty has granted His servants such a station and position that they are in an impregnable fortress, protected and preserved amongst all peoples. If all who are on earth should rise up and strive and attack with arrows and spears, they can do no harm, for these souls are encompassed by such favors that their abasement is the essence of glory, their tribulation is the greatest gift, their cursing and execration is praise in every gathering, their imprisonment is freedom, their sorrow is joy, their death is life and their passing is existence.

Praise be to God that in these years of war, the friends, wherever they were, remained protected. We do not say that in the next world things will become good for you, that Paradise will be given to you. Rather, we say that your affairs here, whenever you enter beneath the shadow of the Covenant, will become good and your worldly affairs will become orderly and well-arranged.

You wrote about the chaos and upheaval of the Bolsheviks. The sacred texts were fulfilled that irreligion would cause chaos and disorder and completely disrupt the order of affairs. Refer to Ishraqat. Praise be to God that the city of 'Ishq was preserved and protected from the assault of this group and the dominion of this detested party.

The friends of God must observe that in this mighty tempest and severe turmoil that has afflicted all peoples of the world with utmost trials and tribulations - millions from noble houses and honored families became targets of bullets and swords, lives were lost, mighty edifices fell, young men rolled in dust and blood while loving fathers wept and dear mothers rent their garments and innocent children became helpless orphans, villages were leveled flat, cries and laments arose from all directions, losses and damages brought down the wealthy - despite all this turmoil and upheaval, the friends of God in every place remained safe and protected. This protection and preservation was the result of the teachings of the Blessed Beauty, otherwise in other matters they were equal with all other peoples, indeed ahead of them in wisdom. Thus it is clear and evident that all remained guarded and protected in the sheltering protection of the counsels and admonitions of the Incomparable Lord. Therefore we must hold fast to those teachings and act according to them, not deviate a hair's breadth, not pass beyond true moderation, and not pursue the path of oppression. For some in Iran deviated slightly and the evil results became clear and evident.

Convey yearning greetings from 'Abdu'l-Baha to all the friends of God, especially the sincere ones. And upon thee be the Most Glorious Glory.

Praise be to God that in these years of upheaval and the most great war, the Ship of the Cause of the Luminary of the horizons reached the shore of safety through the winds of the Covenant.

Our shelter is strong; our protector is a Mighty One. He protected us last year when the enemies made such false representations which might have resulted in our destruction.

Praise be to God, in the very midst of great persecution and troubles, the Cause of God was in progress in Persia. But I did not mention this lest it might create an uproar! Thus it is clear that had this not been the Cause of Truth, such events and obstacles would have already extinguished it. But, as this is the Cause of God, it grows in spite of obstacles, and torrents of opposition but intensify its fire.

Consider how this oppressed community was in the grip of oppressors in every land, and in times of peace, tranquility and universal comfort, without helper or aid, was captive to every tyrant and afflicted by every calamity.

Now, through the assistance and favor of the Ancient Beauty, such a mighty miracle has become manifest and evident - namely that in years when all the peoples of the world were in utmost torment and distress, and ultimate disorder, subjugated, condemned, deprived and unconscious, this oppressed community, through the power of divine teachings and heavenly confirmations, was in perfect rest and tranquility in all inhabited regions.

Praise be unto God that presently the situation has come to a point where we gather with spirituality and love, under the shadow of the Blessed Beauty, on Mount Carmel and in the Shrine of the Bab, with utmost fellowship and affection, engaged in singing the praise of God, with no fear, no danger, no difficulty, no harassment, no opposition, no persecution. This is the power of God. All the monarchs and the nations of the world were our enemies, but now with utmost spirituality and radiance, we are assembled beneath the bounties of Baha'u'llah.

Today the Lord of Hosts is the protector of the Covenant, the powers of the Kingdom guard the Covenant, heavenly souls serve the Covenant, and celestial angels promote the Covenant. Indeed, if observed with insight, all the powers of the world ultimately serve the Covenant, but this will become apparent in the future.

Do not consider that I am alone and single, for I alone resist all the nations and governments of the world. Soon these dark clouds will disperse and the Sun of Truth will shine with perfect grandeur and brilliance.

Say: O Sheikh, this Covenant is the light of the horizons and this Testament of the Lord of Lords is not a plaything of children. Say: Soon you shall find yourselves in manifest loss, and your loss shall become evident and clear, and ere long total loss shall utterly destroy the foundation.

Far, far from it! The hand of discord shall never bring low the banner of the Covenant, and the dust of dissension shall never reach the heights of the light of the horizons. The lowly fly cannot resist the majestic eagle, and the dust of doubts cannot veil the light of the Covenant.

As for the matter of certain persons expressing a desire to know about the Covenant, it is not permissible to utter a word, even in code, in this region or those regions, due to a profound wisdom from the Mighty, the All-Forgiving. You will soon learn of it. You must maintain silence and quietude, and commune with the Divine Realm until the breezes of the Kingdom waft over you. Upon you be greetings and praise.

Verily thy Lord is the Mighty, the All-Knowing. Grieve not because of them that have dealt unjustly and denied: soon shall the peoples of the earth glory in your names. Thus hath the matter been decreed by the Pen that ruleth over all pens.

Thou didst write about the events of these days. These waves arrive successively and pass away, but the ocean of God's Cause remaineth and will endure without end.

Now some people imagine that the Cause of God depends upon my existence; and that by destroying me they could destroy the Cause! Verily, this is far from reality. Nay, when I go, the Cause will make great progress after me.

It will continue to blow. I hope it brings the utmost strength in the Covenant. No matter how severe the storms, you must be firm. The Covenant is most important - nothing is as important - because it is the magnet of confirmations. Baha'u'llah mentions it in many of His writings ... In one he says. "O GOD, confirm him who is firm in the Covenant."

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Ye have been mentioned in the name of Truth and have been afflicted with great tribulations and mighty calamities in His path. Though outwardly despised, yet inwardly ye have been and will remain beloved.

May necks be deprived that have not been placed in chains of retribution in the paths of Thy good-pleasure, and may hearts perish that have not tasted the wine of afflictions in the desert of Thy love and favor, after Thou didst promise us all this in Thy inviolable Book, saying - and Thy word is the truth: "We shall surely test you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth, lives, and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient - those who, when affliction strikes them, say: 'Verily, we belong to God and to Him do we return.'

Leave doubts to those veiled and concealed behind the veils of the learned ignorant ones. By God's life, they wander bewildered in the depths of vain imaginings. Leave them to their idle sport. Sufficient for them is what has appeared from the Most Exalted Pen to refute them and expose as false their groundless fancies.

You had written about the firmness and steadfastness of the loved ones of God - this brought joy and gladness, for today all peoples and nations from all directions are attacking the Cause of God. Only through steadfastness can resistance be shown. The least wavering will result in the domination of the arrogant ones.

Today the Guardian of the Covenant is none other than the Blessed Person of the Most Great Name, Who from His Most Glorious invisible Kingdom crushes those who waver through His unseen hosts. Day by day every waverer will be cast down to the lowest hell, while every steadfast one will be assisted by the company of the angels of the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting.

Take care that they do not create a breach in the Covenant and Testament. … This matter requires great attention, for they secretly make people weak in the Covenant and Testament.

Whosoever holdeth fast to God's Covenant and cleaveth to the hem of the Testament shall remain safe and protected from all tests, for firmness and steadfastness are an impregnable fortress, and obedience to the command of the Blessed Beauty is a manifest protection.

Say that the Blessed Beauty established this Covenant so that all would be oriented toward a single point. If it were not so, by now a thousand sects would have formed among the Baha'is.

We have nothing against anyone - we want to preserve the mighty fortress of the Cause of God.

The matter that concerneth you is steadfastness in the love of God and the Dawning-Place of His Revelation. God willing, ye must needs remain steadfast in this matter with the utmost power and strength. This point being established, all circle round this station, and in its own time there shall appear whatsoever hath been and shall be meet and fitting.

Convey greetings to H.S.L.T. Say: God hath promised to protect thee in His presence. His decree hath ever been and shall ever be enforced. He, verily, is the True One, the Trustworthy. In His grasp is glory and in His hand is protection.

Henceforth be not grieved. The Cause hath been and shall ever be in God's hands. If He willeth, He bestoweth the reward of attainment unto His presence. Verily He is the Ruler over whatsoever He willeth.

In any case, counsel him that all the powers of the world cannot resist 'Abdu'l-Baha. Christ had eleven people at His ascension - then observe what happened. The Roman and Greek emperors could not resist. 'Abdu'l-Baha, praise be to God, through the assistance and favor of Baha'u'llah, has pure, self-sacrificing lovers throughout the East and West.

In the Koran it is mentioned: "As to the foam, it is quickly gone; and as to what is useful to man, it remaineth on the earth." These corrupt thoughts that emanate from personal and evil intension will all vanish, whereas the Covenant of God shall remain stable and secure....

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But weak are both the seeker and the sought - this edifice is made of steel from the precious mines of the Kingdom. The greatest forces of creation are powerless to damage it, though some weak ones may fall away.

Look not to your own power and capability, but rather look to the power of the Abha Kingdom. This power can make a straw into a mountain, deliver souls from the depths of the pit and raise them to the zenith of the moon, cause a mighty tree to grow from a weak seed. The divine Farmer sows a single seed and forms many harvests - this is from the power of divine bounty.

The Blessed Beauty (may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones) for a very long time stood in that city with utmost power and grandeur against all nations and two mighty governments. The Word of God was being exalted to all horizons - that is, Iraq was the center of the Sun of the horizons and the Dawning-place of effulgence.

The Ancient Beauty - may my spirit be sacrificed for His steadfast loved ones - praise be to God, has trained souls who, like a mighty structure and a wall of steel, protect the religion of God and sacrifice themselves in service to God's Covenant.

The meaning of that clear Book is this: O ye divine friends! Although the fire of tests hath reached to heaven's reins and the whirlwind of trials hath uprooted weak trees from their very foundations, praise be to God that souls have been nurtured in the shade of the education of the Blessed Beauty who, like the trees of the Garden of Paradise, have grown and developed in this divine garden and have spread such roots in the soil of existence that a hundred thousand tempests and storms, nay even violent ages of trials, shall never cause them to waver.

Today the Ship of God's Cause is surrounded by the hurricanes and tempests of doubts. Only through the holy breezes of the Covenant and the power of the Testament can it be preserved and reach the haven of salvation and the shore of life.

Be not grieved by the weakness of souls, nor disheartened by the frailty of the covenant of the people of Mahd:

"Weary am I of these weak-natured folk;

I long for God's Lion and Rustam the bold!"

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For this impregnable stronghold protects the souls of men and this all-encompassing shelter is the means for the tranquillity of spirit, the redemptive life, and the true salvation of the people.

O thou who art firm in the Covenant!

The lofty station and impregnable shelter is the Covenant, wherein the dwellers of that edifice abide today beneath the protection of the All-Merciful Lord. How elevated it is, that the birds of idle fancies cannot soar to its heights! And how exalted it is, that the demons of vain imaginings and surmises know not the way thereto!

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O servant of the Truth! In this time and age, if you seek honey, it is found in the contents of the Covenant. If you desire sugar, it lies in the sweetness of the Testament. Glory be to God! This Covenant, which is sweeter than nectar, has become to certain souls more bitter than poison and more unpalatable than venom. Glory be to God! Glory be to God!

But my confidence and trust was in him, because during the days of his life he explicitly promised me that he will assist me always. I heard this promise from his own lips. Therefore I knew that under all circumstances I will be confirmed and all the enemies will be defeated.

They should be occupied with service to the Cause, detached from all else. The sayings of people will not harm them. This evanescent servant beseecheth God, exalted be His glory, for their success - such success that its fragrance may be diffused throughout the world.

This is a mighty day; one must regard time as precious.

How many among the people of the Bayan, when they saw that the Cause had been exalted, laid claim to that which caused the Cause to be lost in the lands. When the breezes of tests blew, they veiled their faces in fear for themselves, and when the winds of assurance passed, they came forth and opposed God, the Lord of creation.

The more affliction increased, the more He increased in remembrance and utterance until He filled the horizons. Can anything prevent Him from the remembrance of His Lord? Nay, by Him Who controlleth the winds! Can the vicissitudes of time sadden Him? Nay, by His Most Great Appearance!

Be thou steadfast in the Cause and grieve not over anything, for soon that which shall gladden the hearts of the believers shall be made manifest.

The denizens of My heaven have lamented at what hath befallen My loved ones who remember God at morn and eventide and who desire naught but the betterment of the nations of the world.

O handmaiden of God! The Wronged One of the horizons counsels thee and other handmaidens to observe the Covenant. By My life! This is indeed a mighty matter.

That which is necessary today is and shall be the service of the Cause. Most people are heedless. All must be educated in such wise that they will not be prevented from the straight path and the clear way by the croaking of the crows. All that was mentioned in the Tablets of the past and future hath ended in this most wondrous and most holy Revelation, and the time of all hath expired, even as the allusions of previous Books have been sent down in the glorious Tablets from the Divine Pen.

You have no purpose except the good-pleasure of God and you have dedicated all your time to service to the Kingdom of God. For this reason I have the utmost love for you.

Indeed, in these days, in a single day four contributions for the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar arrived and were forwarded from Rangoon in India, Bombay, Jahrum in Shiraz, and Khayru'l-Qura in Khurasan. In truth, the friends of God have shown remarkable generosity regarding contributions for the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar. They have exerted every effort, to the extent that some even sold their own clothes. This is naught but the power of God's Covenant, and never before has it occurred that the East and Asia should contribute to the construction of a Temple in the West and America. Verily in this is a lesson for the fair-minded.

As for what thou didst mention regarding consultation and movement, whatsoever the Most Great Branch hath approved is approved.

O teacher! God willing, thou mayest strive with all thy heart and soul to render service to the Cause of God, to become a scholar of able pen and eloquent tongue in the school of the Covenant.

Many persons in the blessed days (i.e., in the time of the Blessed Perfection) were recipients of favors and had numerous long Tablets, but in this day wavered in such a manner that they did not hearken to or obey the divine commandments, and overlooked even the commands revealed in their own Tablets. Yet there are some other souls who have in this day not been addressed in the Day of the Blessed Perfection. This is from the Bounty of God; He grants to whomsoever He willeth.

The Ancient Beauty (may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones) educated us in all degrees and bestowed heavenly teachings. The sacred Tablets have encompassed the world, and the conduct, behavior, movement and rest of that holy Being constitute the greatest teachings in the world of contingent existence.

Yet they are heedless and oblivious that this dust and these clouds cannot conceal the Sun of the Covenant, that these devices cannot hide the splendor of destiny, that these barriers cannot stay the waves of this ocean, nor can these whirlwinds uproot this Tree of Fellowship from its foundation and root. Ere long shall souls arise, quickened by the bounties of the Kingdom of Abha, who shall gird upon the frame of the world the sharp sword of the Covenant, cause the light of the ancient Testament to dawn from the horizon of the brow, and uplift the banner of the Pact at the pole of existence.

Many glad-tidings have arrived from all directions, but they cannot be revealed, for the unfaithful friends would immediately try to extinguish them and attempt to disperse that gathering. Therefore, briefly, the glad-tidings are given that the Cause has become most glorious and its greatness has become evident. Soon it will create a wondrous ferment.

It is the power of the Covenant that has stirred the horizons, for in the body of creation it is the pulsing artery that contracts and expands and sustains all affairs and regulates the affairs of the people and is the connecting force among all.

For today any wise and far-sighted person who awakens and becomes aware of future mysteries will realize that nothing but the power of the Covenant can move the hearts of the world, just as the Old and New Testaments spread the Cause of Christ throughout the world and were the pulsating force in the body of the world. A tree that has roots will bear fruit, while a rootless tree, even if tall and thick, will wither and ultimately become like wood fit for the fire. The divine Covenant is like the Most Great Ocean - one wave will cast all accumulated foam upon the shore.

There is a power in this Cause, a mysterious power, far, far away from the ken of men and angels. That invisible power is the cause of all these outward activities. It moves the hearts. It rends the mountains. It administers the complicated affairs of the Cause. It inspires the friends. It dashes into a thousand pieces all the forces of opposition. It creates new spiritual worlds. This is a mystery of the Kingdom of Abha.

Did the heedless souls but know the mysteries of martyrdom, never would they commit such deeds. But God hath set a seal upon their mouths, their eyes, their minds, and their understanding, inasmuch as they accounted the mighty gain as loss, and, with their own hands, rendered assistance unto the Cause, though they perceive it not. Verily, He aideth His Cause at one time through His enemies, and at another through His friends.

In any case, you and all the friends must encourage souls to hold fast to the Covenant and Testament, for the power of the Covenant gathers and unites the friends. Otherwise, any capricious person will arise to cause division and gather a few souls around himself.

The fame of the Covenant has caused a great commotion throughout all regions.

… The power of Truth is triumphant over creation, the divine Will prevails over human realities. Though they arose to extinguish the kindled fire, its flame grew higher, and though they strove to put out the divine lamp, its radiance became more brilliant, until now the world has been stirred into motion and creation has found its adornment.

Neither give ear to commendation and praise, nor be saddened or heartbroken by censure and humiliation. Arise amidst the peoples of the world and, wholly detached and sanctified from all save God and stirred by His Covenant and Testament, strive to awaken the heedless; for, in this day, most people are unaware and oblivious of the power of God's Covenant and Testament.

I swear by the Ancient Beauty, may my spirit be a sacrifice for His loved ones, that today in the shelter of the Covenant a gnat becomes the greatest eagle of the horizons and a soaring vulture in the heaven of radiance.

For this firmness constitutes a fountain of living waters, an ark of salvation and an impregnable stronghold of faith among the souls; it is a perspicuous light, the most great Instrument, the Supreme Intermediary between the believers and their Lord. This sign symbolises the Divine Mercy and the banner of God's bestowals among men. It is the Mighty Charter and the Shelter of everlasting security in the world.

Since thou hast attained this great bounty as befitteth it, be confident and assured that thou wilt be assisted in all things. Yet be discerning and perceptive, be sagacious and vigilant, that thou mayest comprehend the hints, allusions, innuendos, signs, metaphors and ambiguities of the heedless multitude and protect the Cause of God from all trials, tribulations, calamities and afflictions.

O my friends! This is the Call of the Covenant. This is the Dispensation of the Well-Beloved of all mankind. This is the gift that the Day-Star of the world hath graciously given. This is the revelation of His incorruptible grace, the manifestation of His perpetual assistance, the evidence of the power that is born of God and the potency of the bestowals proffered by the All-Merciful.

As to thee--O thou who art confessing the Oneness of God!--rise with all thy power to keep firm in the Testament of God, and firmly believe that, verily, all troops are defeated save those of the Testament and all banners are reversed, save that of the Covenant of God, which will wave over all horizons and will overshadow the hosts of spirit, love and peace, while agitated by the breeze of the favor of God.

O respected personage! Thy second letter dated 19 December 1918 was received. It was the cause of great joy and gladness, for it showed thy firmness and steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament and thy yearning to raise the call of the Kingdom of God.

Glory be to God! That pure heart in the city of Love and these hearts in the prison fortress - what a mighty connection exists between them and what an ancient fellowship is manifest and evident!

For the pure spirits who are firm in the Covenant are today the hosts arrayed in the Abha Kingdom. They are one type of life-giving army and one rank of the hosts of salvation.

And today the most important of all matters is awakening to firmness and steadfastness and holding fast to God's Covenant and Testament, and explaining the power and greatness of this Covenant and Testament and faith.

O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! The letter thou hadst written to Mashhadi Isma'il hath been received. The traces of the pen of that loving friend have brought joy to my heart and mind, for their inner meanings are spiritual impressions and heartfelt sentiments derived from the reality of the soul; they are sufficient testimony to firmness and constancy, and to servitude to the all-sufficing Lord.

O thou who believest in the verses of God! Today the greatest of hopes and the most noble of deeds, which acts as a magnet drawing the bounties of the Abha Kingdom, is steadfastness and firmness in God's Covenant and Testament. For this is the ark of salvation, this is the cause of life, this is the firm handhold, this is the supreme means, this is the greatest sign, this is the extended cord between earth and heaven, this is the ladder of ascent to the highest companion, this is the praiseworthy station in the heaven of might.

I have brought thee with myself so that I may educate thee according to my own standard. As soon as I observe that thou hast attained to that standard I shall send thee away. Daily thou must prepare thyself for the services of the Cause before thee.

No progress is possible except through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Cause of God. Each of the Manifestations of God appeared amongst a nation and in a country which outwardly had no means of salvation or progress. But no sooner had those nations come under the shelter of the Cause of God than they excelled all the civilized countries of the world.

We love meetings of fidelity and not picturesque scenes. We must first be faithful to God, to His ordinances and Covenant and to His servants, if we wish to see places of interest and picturesque scenes, we do so when we go visiting or when we pass through such places and scenes.

This (Covenant) is the Ark of Noah, its moving power is the fire of the love of God.

For four years, I have concealed this matter so that the beloved of God may not learn of your unfaithfulness to the Covenant. It is now beyond My power to hide it any longer. You have announced it yourselves to the believers.'"

Verily thy Lord hath sent down in His Book the decree of creation, yet none remember the signs of thy Lord save those who bear His covenant upon their necks. They who pledge allegiance to the mention of thy Lord's Name do but pledge allegiance unto God - the hand of God is above their hands.

O friends and handmaidens of the Merciful! Although the Sun of Truth has set from the horizon of the world, Its radiant beams, brilliant light, perfect bounty and all-encompassing grace remain established and firm. Every moment a new ray dawns from the unseen realm and in every breath powerful confirmations arrive from the world of mysteries.

Certainly the grandeur of God's Cause must be made evident to the people of Iran through its manifestation outside Iran, so it may become apparent that if this hidden pearl and treasured gem finds no value or worth in Iran, when it falls into the hands of jewelers abroad it becomes precious and souls are sacrificed for it.

Despite this, you observe that the East is illumined and the West perfumed. The call is raised and the divine fire is ablaze. If the means were available, consider how the Word of God would create commotion throughout the horizons. In this too there is a penetrating wisdom and a hidden mystery concealed and veiled, so that the power of divine confirmation may become evident and the victory of the hosts of the Abha Kingdom may be made manifest.

O respected branch! Today strive with all your powers that the friends of God may achieve the utmost unity and harmony, for this is among the most important obligations, since winds of tests have surrounded the Tree of the Covenant. The slightest discord among the friends is like deadly poison.

I swear by the Educator of the seen and unseen and the Lord of all existence that should a soul arise holding firm to Covenant and Testament of God as is appropriate to this great matter, the company of the angels nigh unto God and the hosts of the All-Loving Lord will confirm him and the power of divine assistance will encompass him.

Therefore, whoever calls to the divine Covenant will surely be assisted, as has been proven a thousand times. And whoever shows the slightest wavering in the Covenant and Testament will immediately fall, becoming frustrated and disappointed even in this mortal world.

As for the Spiritual Assembly of Shiraz, my hope is that it will surpass all other assemblies, for this assembly was established in the birthplace of the Blessed Tree. The Exalted One (may my spirit be sacrificed for Him) confirms it, and the Ancient Beauty (may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones) grants success.

Strive thou, as much as thou art able, to encourage the leaves, that the herald of the Abha horizon may confirm thee. And the Glory be upon thee and upon every leaf who is firm in the Covenant.

The prerequisites for both are unwavering constancy and steadfastness in the mighty and ancient Covenant and Testament of God. If one doth not cling and hold fast unto it, a harvest of knowledge and certitude is not worth a grain of mustard seed.

O Herald of the Covenant! Proclaim my servitude to the Sacred Threshold throughout all regions and cry out my evanescence, my lowliness, my brokenness, my submissiveness and my humility at the Sacred and Lofty Threshold which reaches to the Most Glorious Kingdom.

If we have Him with us we are invulnerable; but if we have Him not and though the whole world is on our side we have nothing. In Him and through Him we will be confirmed to do His Will and to bring mankind nigh unto His Eternal Canopy.

My Covenant with you is now accomplished. Gird up the loins of endeavour, and arise to diffuse My Cause. Be not dismayed at the sight of the degeneracy and perversity of this generation, for the Lord of the Covenant shall assuredly assist you. Verily, He shall surround you with His loving protection, and shall lead you from victory to victory.

Those souls who are known today for their support of this Cause, whose mention has been revealed in the Tablets - respect for these souls is incumbent upon all, so long as they remain firm and steadfast in the love of God and His Cause. This is the word of truth which falsehood does not follow, if you but understand.

Every steadfast one is growing, and every steadfast one is supported by the angels drawn nigh. "Verily those who say 'Our Lord is God' and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them."

O thou who art firm in the Covenant! Praise be to God that for a time thou didst arise to serve the Covenant and Testament in Mazandaran, and wert confirmed in diffusing the divine fragrances throughout those regions. Now thou art headed toward Khorasan, that thou mayest open the gates of the paradise of the divine breeze in that clime and guide souls to the straight path.

The Blessed Beauty is thy support and shelter - what worry remaineth? And the Greatest Name is thy helper and confirmer - what concern remaineth?

Therefore, in gratitude for these divine gifts, strive now to make souls firm and steadfast in God's Covenant and Testament, for today this mighty Cause is the means of preserving and protecting the sublime Cause of the Glorious Lord.

Therefore, O ye friends, arise with great resolve and render mighty service. Sow a seed, plant a sapling, lay a foundation, light a lamp, burn away the veils, manifest strength and show forth power. Under the shadow of the Standard of the Covenant, which is waving over all regions, sacrifice your lives.

O steadfast leaf! Strive to promote the Covenant and guide the handmaidens of the All-Merciful to the shade of the blessed Tree. Recite the verses of the Covenant and clearly explain the evidences of the Testament.

O Asadu'llah! Consider the grace and bounty of the Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name, that while a hundred thousand mujtahids and monks and countless scholars and learned ones of the world remain deprived, thou art admitted to the intimate mysteries of the Kingdom.

Nushirvan the Just spread the fame of his justice to every land and left his name immortal. Thou hast a sweet spirit and art a Nushirvan. Take up the cup of sweetness from the ancient world, prepare the feast of the Covenant, and raise the call of "drink ye!" in the gathering of those intoxicated with the wine of God's love, that every mind may be awakened and every awakened one become intoxicated with the chalice of the Covenant of the Lord.

Now that thou hast attained this station it behoveth thee to take up the cup of Covenant in thy hand and enter the Assemblage of humankind singing the song: "In one hand the cup!

You have been and are always in my thoughts. We hope from divine grace that you may become so enkindled with the burning fire of the Covenant and Testament that you may ignite every wavering and dispirited soul.

This is brought about through the favors of the Blessed Perfection. This is through the bounty of Baha'u'llah. We witness how he has brought about this spiritual connection among the hearts and how he has attracted these hearts together.

By God, besides Whom there is no other God! If the friends were to act according to the counsels of the Blessed Beauty, kings would bow down in submission. If the divine friends were to conduct themselves in accordance with the counsels and commandments of the Blessed Beauty, by God besides Whom there is no other God, the necks of kings would bow in submission.

After His Holiness Christ His apostles did not rest for one moment and devoted all their energies to the promotion of the Gospel of Salvation. With what greater enthusiasm and sincerity should we serve at the Threshold of Baha'u'llah. If the Apostles did not manifest that Superhuman steadfastness the Cause of Christ would have been disappeared entirely from the face of the earth in its beginning.

On this blessed day the friends of God must be adorned with the crown of detachment and the luminous raiment of steadfastness, and must remain attentive and hold fast to this blessed Supreme Word, which is a penetrating sword for the opposers and an enduring bounty for those who have turned to Him.

These are the people of My ark and the companions of the pavilions of My grandeur. Upon them be My mercy and My loving-kindness and the light of My Cause whereby the heavens and earth were illumined.

Blessed is he who seeketh shelter beneath the shade of the Branch of God, his Lord and the Lord of the Throne and the Lord of all the worlds.

By the Truth itself, were the loved ones to comprehend this station as it deserveth to be comprehended, all would arise to serve the Cause with complete joy - an arising that no sitting down would overtake nor follow after.

We enjoin Our brothers and their sons to love My Branches and to render them services. We have nurtured them and protected them and guided those among them who were guided to My straight path. O My kinsmen and sons of My brothers! Fear God and dispute not about My verses and My Branches. This is what We counseled you before and in this perspicuous Tablet.

Though they be poor, yet they are wise; though they be weak, yet they are strong, for Thou art their Support, Thou art their Kind Helper.

O my God! This is a Branch that hath branched out from the Tree of Thy Singleness and the Lote-Tree of Thy Oneness.

And do Thou ordain for me that which Thou hast ordained for Thy trusted ones, them that have quaffed the wine of divine inspiration from the chalice of Thy bounty and hastened to do Thy pleasure and observe Thy Covenant and Testament.

If the Holy Spirit itself were to be embodied and were to hesitate in the slightest degree, I swear by the Ancient Beauty (may my spirit be a sacrifice for His loved ones) that its body would be paralyzed and its form rendered inert. For the foundation of God's religion, the exaltation of God's Word, and the elevation of God's Cause depend upon this.

Ye have plighted your troth to the Ancient of Days, ye have drunk deep from the chalice of loyalty. Ye have guarded and defended the Cause of God; ye have not been a cause of dividing up His Word; ye have not brought His Faith low, but have striven to glorify His Holy Name; ye have not allowed the Blessed Cause to be exposed to the derision of the people.

Bring them together again, O Lord, by the Power of Thy Covenant, and gather their dispersion by the Might of Thy Promise, and unite their hearts by the dominion of Thy Love!

Though we are submerged in an ocean of trials and tribulations, yet we have an Ark of Salvation. Though we are caught in the darkness of calamities and afflictions, yet we have a radiant Moon. We have a refuge like unto the Abha Kingdom, and a shelter like unto the strongholds of the Supreme Concourse. What anxiety remaineth then, what anguish, when thou art beneath the shelter of the Covenant?

Can it be possible that after the dawning of the sun of Thy Testament above the horizon of Thy Most Great Tablet, the feet of any one shall slip in Thy Straight Path?"

Make him a sign of Thy most glorious Kingdom, that he may confirm the weak in Thy Covenant and Testament, O Lord of the mighty sovereignty, and inspire the listless to arise to serve Thy Cause, O Thou Who hast conquering power over all things.

I beseech Thee by the rays shining forth from the Lamp of the Covenant to assist me to serve Thy Cause and Thy Covenant amongst the peoples of the world, and to grant me to acquire from the light of dawn, until eyes are dazzled by the light of the lights and the radiance of mysteries shining forth in all regions.

His favor hath reached such a degree that He maketh mention of His loved ones in the Most Great Prison. Have ye witnessed any bounty greater than this? Nay, by His Self! Have ye found any lord more merciful than He? Nay, by His Beauty! Have ye known any beloved more compassionate than He? Nay, by His Command which hath subdued the worlds!

O my God, Supporter of the sincere ones and those steadfast in Thy Covenant and confident in Thy promise! Aid these, Thy servants, to serve at the threshold of Thy holiness, and make them signs of guidance and stars of piety, shining from the supreme horizon and gleaming from the highest zenith. Make firm their feet that they slip not through the doubts of the people of passion and desire. Verily, Thou dost protect whomsoever Thou willest through Thy power that prevaileth over all things.

Their hearts have rejoiced from perusal of the inviolable [Book of the] Covenant, and their lives have adorned the pages of the Perspicuous Book--the Book which recounteth the tokens of steadfastness and firmness, of cleaving unto the indestructible, Sure Handle, and of clinging unto the hem of the Robe of Grandeur.

This beseemeth one who hath quaffed the wine of life from this cup that hath been unsealed by the finger of thy Lord's will, the Almighty, the Supreme, the Self-Subsisting. Beware lest thou transgress the bounds of wisdom among creatures. Thus have We commanded Our servants in various tablets. Verily thy Lord doeth what He willeth through His word "Be" and it is.

His expressions of affection and devotion towards thee and thy household have caused joy and gladness. We ask God to aid and sustain him; verily He is the Most Bountiful, the Most Generous. In truth, the honoured Amin is steadfast and upright, and hath arisen to serve. Blessed are the souls who are adorned with the ornament of love for the two Martyrs, for him, and for those related to them.

O leaf! I counsel thee and all handmaidens to show forth the Most Great Steadfastness, for false souls have appeared and will continue to appear. Beseech ye God that He may enable you to act according to that which He hath commanded and which hath been inscribed in the Book by the Most Exalted Pen.

When thou hast drunk the choice wine of understanding from the words of thy Lord, the Lord of all religions, say: "Praise be unto Thee, O Thou Who called unto me through the tongue of the Manifestation of Thy Cause when He was in the hands of the oppressors."

O Lord! When the pavilions of Thy great glory were raised up and the tabernacle of Thy ancient might was spread, Thou didst gather all Thy servants beneath its ample shade and didst raise the exalted banner of Thy Covenant and the ancient standard of Thy Testament, causing it to wave over the flagpoles of existence and the towers of kings and subjects, that all might gather beneath the shadow of Thy oneness, unite in exalting the banner of Thy singleness, and strive to spread the sweet savors of Thy divine unity, and that Thy lights might shine forth in the eastern and western parts of Thy lands.

Yet praise be to Thee, O my God, for having preserved Thy Covenant, protected Thy Testament, completed Thy radiance and, O my Beloved, proclaimed Thy Word, diffused Thy fragrances, established Thy proof and manifested Thy evidence. Thou hast safeguarded Thy sincere servants and righteous loved ones, making them as walls of steel that withstand Gog of discord and Magog of hypocrisy, restraining the people of negligence and protecting Thy scrolls from the distortion of the perverters and alteration of the violators.

All-Glorious, Most Holy is the Lord of the hidden Kingdom, of the preserved Seat and the exalted Throne! Loose thy tongue in servitude to this human being in the world of existence. Set aside every title, attribute, description, praise, quality, similitude and name, and cry out in all the highest assemblies and gatherings with the loudest call: "O 'Abdu'l-Baha! O bondservant of Baha!" until the pillars of earth and heaven are shaken by thy call. For with this iron pen have I built the pillars of the lofty palace, and in this do I glory among the Concourse on high in the Most Glorious Kingdom.

My God, my God! These are servants who have held fast to the cord of the Covenant, have abandoned discord, were not pleased with division, and have turned their faces purely toward Thee, O Lord of the Covenant!

Suffer us to be signs of guidance, standards of Thy Manifest Religion throughout the world, servants of Thy Great Covenant-O our Exalted Lord!-appearances of Thy Oneness in Thy Kingdom, the El-Abha, and stars which dawn forth unto all regions.

Thy cry and lamentation before the threshold of the peerless Lord was heard and reached the ears of the dwellers of the Supreme Concourse, and all raised their voices in supplication to the Court of Divine Oneness that the loved ones in that land might abide beneath the shade of the Tree of Companionship mentioned in the Hidden Words in Persian, holding fast to that divine Covenant. And from the Abha Kingdom thou art beseeched to engage in praise of the Incomparable Lord, for thou hast found repose in the shade of the Tree of the Covenant and hast attained the ultimate hope of the people of God, and hast been accepted in His most holy court.

Both in the administrative provisions of the Baha'i Dispensation, and in the matter of succession, as embodied in the twin institutions of the House of Justice and of the Guardianship, the followers of Baha'u'llah can summon to their aid such irrefutable evidences of Divine Guidance that none can resist, that none can belittle or ignore. Therein lies the distinguishing feature of the Baha'i Revelation....

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For nowhere in the books pertaining to any of the world's religious systems, not even among the writings of the Author of the Babi Revelation, do we find any single document establishing a Covenant endowed with an authority comparable to the Covenant which Baha'u'llah had Himself instituted.

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"So firm and mighty is this Covenant," He Who is its appointed Center has affirmed, "that from the beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath produced its like." "It is indubitably clear," He, furthermore, has stated, "that the pivot of the oneness of mankind is nothing else but the power of the Covenant." … And finally: "The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things on earth. The light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the educator of the minds, the spirits, the hearts and souls of men."

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He was also very glad to see that the believers are studying the Covenant of the Master. For in the Master's Will and Testament are enshrined the principles underlying the World Order, and unless the believers fully grasp the greatness, functions, and purpose of the institutions outlined in that Testament (and elaborated by the Guardian in his book "The Dispensation of Baha'u'llah") they will not be able to properly function as Baha'is individually or collectively.

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Although in the body of the universe there are innumerable nerves, yet the main artery, which pulsates, energizes, and invigorates all beings, is the power of the Covenant. All else is secondary to this. Nobody is assisted and confirmed save that soul who is firm. Consider it well that every soul who is firm in the Covenant is luminous, like unto a candle which emanates its light on those around it. While every wavering soul is an utter failure, frozen, lifeless, dead yet moving. This one proof is sufficient.

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The Greater Covenant into which, as affirmed in His writings, God had, from time immemorial, entered, through the Prophets of all ages, with the whole of mankind, regarding the newborn Revelation, had already been fulfilled. It had now to be supplemented by a Lesser Covenant which He felt bound to make with the entire body of His followers concerning the One Whose advent He characterized as the fruit and ultimate purpose of His Dispensation.

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There is, for example, the Greater Covenant which every Manifestation of God makes with His followers, promising that in the fulness of time a new Manifestation will be sent, and taking from them the undertaking to accept Him when this occurs. There is also the Lesser Covenant that a Manifestation of God makes with His followers that they will accept His appointed successor after Him. If they do so, the Faith can remain united and pure. If not, the Faith becomes divided and its force spent.

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Although, as is seen, the ending of the line of Aghsan at some stage was provided for, we must never underestimate the grievous loss that the Faith has suffered. God's purpose for mankind remains unchanged, however, and the mighty Covenant of Baha'u'llah remains impregnable.

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The Covenant of Baha'u'llah is unbroken, its all-encompassing power inviolate. The two unique features which distinguish it from all religious covenants of the past are unchanged and operative. The revealed Word, in its original purity, amplified by the divinely guided interpretations of 'Abdu'l-Baha and Shoghi Effendi, remains immutable, unadulterated by any man-made creeds or dogmas, unwarrantable inferences or unauthorized interpretations. The channel of divine guidance, providing flexibility in all the affairs of mankind, remains open through that Institution which was founded by Baha'u'llah and endowed by Him with supreme authority and unfailing guidance, and of which the Master wrote: "Unto this body all things must be referred."

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