True believers: faith made visible

O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! Thou didst trace a design for a Baha'i emblem. It is wondrously well done! Yet the badge of the Baha'is must be such conduct, deeds, and manners as are in conformity with the teachings of Baha'u'llah.

He would tell of a man who appeared among the townspeople and announced that he had just returned from a garden of roses. There was no smell of roses about him, however, and the people were not convinced. Then another man came to them, with a rose in his hand, and its fragrance all about him, and the people needed no words to tell them he had been in the garden.

O thou who art firm and steadfast! Faith pertains to the heart and soul, and this is a hidden and concealed matter. However, its proof lies in deeds and conduct. If one's way and behavior demonstrate sincerity, then it is established and confirmed.

Regard faith as a tree: its fruits and leaves, its branches and boughs are, and ever have been, truthfulness, trustworthiness, rectitude of conduct, and forbearance.

Indeed, it is this charity that educates the world of humanity; it is this charity that turns nature green and beautiful. I wish that you, the people of Baha, may attain this great blessing, so that from the bounteous outpourings of each one of you this world of nature may be transformed into the most glorious paradise.

They must seek knowledge and learning, and pursue understanding and insight. They must deal with all upon earth without exception with truthfulness, trustworthiness, generosity, religiosity, love, harmony, uprightness, friendship, and pleasant words and deeds. They must never prefer themselves over anyone else and must be truly kind to all humanity. The emanations of divine mercy must be manifest and evident in all their conditions and movements. This is the meaning of being a Baha'i, otherwise the task is very difficult.

How blessed art thou, being such a counselor who takes counsel and a speaker who acts, commanding others to goodness but beginning with their own selves. This indeed is the quality of the righteous and the mark of the chosen ones.

A Baha'i must be a symposium of all the highest and noblest aspirations of divine civilization. He must be godlike and celestial. He must ever think of the improvement of the defects of his nature; he must live a pure life and inspire others to do the same. His morning must be better than his evening and his evening better his morning [sic].

O son of Rustam! Today bravery and manliness, courage and valor and wisdom are trustworthiness. Trustworthiness is religiosity. Religiosity is truthfulness. Truthfulness is steadfastness. Steadfastness.

But God willing, may you be confirmed and assisted to mix with people in sanctification, detachment, guidance and piety, so that every companion may inhale the fragrance of paradise and every associate may witness the signs of a mighty character, and all peoples may testify that the Baha'is are the lamps of the horizons and know the Baha'is by their attributes not their names, by their character not their bodies - meaning when they find someone whose words are signs of unity, whose conduct is the essence of detachment, and whose deeds are the reality of sanctification, they will cry out "This is a Baha'i!"

Very welcome! Very welcome! Are you all well? Very Welcome!Very welcome. Very, very.I am very glad to see you all, exceedingly glad to see you.

Praise be to God Baha'u'llah has such friends in this city, such radiant friends; such shining faces, such pure hearts is He possessed of. I am thankful, I am very, very glad to see you indeed, and I hope that in this city you may prove to be the standard of guidance; that you may be the cause of the uplift of the Cause; that you may be the means of promoting the Word of God; thus may the people declare that, indeed you are Baha's, real Baha's; that your attributes are glorious that your conduct is glorious as Baha's; that your attributes are Baha's; that your works are Baha.

The purpose of being a Baha is this, that man should be adorned with all the virtues of humanity. Baha means a School, and we are the children in that School; we are the pupils in that School. And when we graduate from that School, we must have a certificate showing that we have acquired virtues; and when we are capable of graduating from that School, when we leave this world, when we hasten to the Kingdom of God, what is our certificate? It consists of good deeds -- consists of attractions of the heart, it consists of philanthropies we have achieved. It is Faith, It is Knowledge, It is the love of God. It is Unity and Agreement; It is the fellowship of the hearts. This is the certificate we should carry to the Kingdom showing that in the School we have become imbued with these characteristics, and from the endless bounties of God we have been blessed.

I hope that our certificate will be full and valid, and that it may show full well our achievements; that we may be enrolled on the Wonderful Scroll; in short, I hope that this visit of mine to this city shall be productive of results, and that these results may be that all humanity may enjoy the fragrances which shall emanate from your regions, that news reaching any part shall be the cause of joy to the hearts, shall be the means of dilating the breasts. Thus may all the friends thank God saying: "Praise be to God, in Los Angeles there have appeared certain Baha'is who are truly the radiant candles of humanity; are blessed souls; They are the means of admonishing the people, they are progressive amongst mankind; they are very ethical people; they are the cause of the shining forth of the Sun of Reality. May they all thank God; may they all desire and long to become like you.

This is My Hope; and the foundation of this is firmness in the Covenant. If you are firm in the Covenant, you may rest assured that the aid and confirmation of Baha'Ullah will reach you. Consider how it is in Persia. The friends of God, notwithstanding their many enemies, in their hearts are firm in God's Covenant. Day by day they are growing brighter; day by day they are becoming uplifted; day by day becoming dearer; day by day their hearts are more attentive. This is the fundamental; because firmness in the Covenant insures Baha'i oneness.

If there is no firmness in the Covenant, this Baha'i oneness will be dissipated and the Baha'i world will be like other worlds, like other religions, and will be subjected to various sects and creeds; and there is no greater injury to the Cause of God than this -- that the Baha'i Cause should be composed of various sects and denominations. The Blessed Perfection has uprooted the cause of this, and unless some souls outwardly stand against Baha'Ullah, should go contrary to His commands saying, Baha'Ullah did not know, that Baha'Ullah made a mistake, that He did not understand, why did He do this?

But if you prove firm in the Covenant, the confirmation of the Kingdom of Abha will reach you successively and assist you and will be your helper, your assistor and your confirmer, thus will these confirmations of yours under all conditions, even as it is in Persia. In Persia you have a specimen of this. See what it has done; and this was due to their firmness in the Covenant. If they had not remained firm in the Covenant now they would have been scattered entirely, there would have been no mention of it, there would have been no trace. Now you read in the papers what they are doing, what progress, what attractions are accomplished. Of what power are they possessed, what minds! That is why I speak of this, and I know that you are firm. You do not listen to the nonsense of the people for this sort of thing has always been. Read the history of Christ; read the history of the Church; consider what things have happened. They were a mighty people, but the people you have here, they are not important at all. You must be steadfast -- you must be firm.

The divine friends must arise to fulfill the counsels and exhortations of the Light of Truth, the Ancient Beauty--may my spirit be a sacrifice for His Threshold--and put each one into practice. They must not merely read them and leave them deposited in tablets and pages. The spiritual and physical commandments of the Most Great Name--may my spirit be a sacrifice for His dust--must be manifested in the realm of being and become embodied in the conditions and conduct of the divine friends. Otherwise, what fruit and what effect would there be?

But Baha'is must not be thus; they must rise above this condition. Actions must be more to them than words. By their actions they must be merciful and not merely by their words. They must on all occasions confirm by their actions what they proclaim in words. Their deeds must prove their fidelity, and their actions must show forth Divine light.

He whose deeds do not accord with his words is not a true Baha'i.

Our actions reveal what we are, no matter what the tongue speaks.

Today, the sign and proof of every true Baha'i are deeds and actions that conform to the divine teachings.

A true Baha'i is one who acts in accordance with the blessed teachings.

If there is one soul in Paris practicing the commands of God, he is better than hundreds who never act nor do His Will, but are believers only in Name. One single Pearl is better than a thousand pebbles.

In short, I hope that thou mayst live in such wise in Aleppo that all the inhabitants may exclaim: "This man is not a Bahai in a normal way, but in a real manner; he is a Bahai in deed and not in words alone.'

Thus the Baha'is must live such a perfect life among men, that even those who will not see this Truth or believe in it, would not fail to be impressed by the noble life they live as Baha'is.

Move amongst men with godly qualities, that all people may inhale His fragrances from your deeds, acts and words, and turn towards the Friend. Every tree must yield befitting and worthy fruit, for if a tree beareth no fruit, it is fit only for the fire, and so shall it ever be. Therefore must the trees of human souls in this divine springtime bring forth wondrous fruits. The fruit of these trees hath ever been and shall ever be the knowledge of God and goodly deeds that are pleasing unto Him.

Christ addressed His loved ones, saying: "Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted?" The meaning is that the standard is the conduct and behavior of the friends.

A person whose tree of life produces such fruits is a Baha'i: otherwise he is of the earth earthly, self-occupied and following the dictates of his own desire and is 'man' only by name.

Therefore, when you see a person illumined by celestial virtues, attracted to the sanctified breath, detached from all besides God, making the mention of the Lord, heedless of this nether world, his thoughts heavenly, his talk spiritual, and his speech sweetened by divine exhortations, then know that this person is a manifestation of the Merciful and a teacher unto the nations. This is the station of man and the cause of people's happiness.

By these things you know the faithful servant of God. How do we know the light? By its rays. So when you see these qualities, you will know that the servant of God has received the regeneration--you must be born once again.

"It makes no difference whether you have ever heard of Baha'u'llah or not," was the answer, "the man who lives the life according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah is already a Baha'i. On the other hand a man may call himself a Baha'i for fifty years and if he does not live the life he is not a Baha'i.

I consider him [Tolstoy] a Baha'i, a real Baha'i, because he lived and acted in accord with the good-pleasure of Baha'u'llah, because he divided all his estate between himself and his farmers.

Tell him, no one in this world can claim any relationship to Me except those who, in all their deeds and in their conduct, follow My example, in such wise that all the peoples of the earth would be powerless to prevent them from doing and saying that which is meet and seemly.

But the friends must acquire the characteristics of the Daystar of the horizons and promote and teach more through deeds than words.

Indeed, it is as you had written that today the good conduct, sanctity and detachment of the friends are the cause of the exaltation of the Word of God, and God forbid that misconduct should cause the destruction of the edifice of the Lord. Therefore, one must always give effective counsels so that the believing souls may succeed in deeds, words and conduct that are today the light of the world of humanity.

Today the people of Baha must attract through righteous deeds and guide to the highest horizon. We have previously said: "My affliction is not My imprisonment, nor that which hath come upon Me from Mine enemies, but rather the deeds of My loved ones who associate themselves with Me yet commit that which causeth My heart and My pen to lament."

O Samandar! Time and again hath this exalted Word flowed from the Most Exalted Pen: We have said and continue to say that the hosts which today assist the Truth have ever been and shall ever be goodly character and deeds that are well-pleasing. The comfort, glory and wealth of the people of God have been and shall be under the shadow of the banner of these hosts, and the commander, leader and sovereign of these hosts is the fear of God.

Today the hosts of Truth and His helpers have been and are goodly deeds and pure, holy, pleasing character. It is not and was never permissible to oppose anyone. Hold fast unto righteousness and cleave unto that which God hath ordained.

The hosts of God this day are goodly deeds and praiseworthy character traits, and the commander of these hosts is the fear of God. Blessed is the handmaiden who hath held fast to the cord of godliness and acted according to what she was bidden in the Book of God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

O people of God! The victorious hosts today are praiseworthy character and deeds. We have enjoined upon Our loved ones goodly conduct and the fear of God, the Lord of all worlds.

Aid the Cause of God through the hosts of goodly character and refined conduct.

Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, that from your behaviour and conduct they may be enabled to recognize the signs and commandments of God.

The disinterested actions and freehearted deeds of a person proclaim with the sound of a trumpet his loyalty and sincerity in the Cause. He is in no need of self-justification. He lives above and beyond the criticism of petty and dwarfed assailers of his integrity and purity of motives. Their censure does not touch him. The innate nobility of his soul is not tarnished, the glories of his work are not beclouded.

When a person's life is purely moral, when his daily actions are propelled by ethical forces he will influence tremendously the lives of those who come in touch with him. The insincere man learns from him the lessons of sincerity, the faithless becomes faithful, the ignorant wise, and the cowardly, courageous.

They should witness such perfections among the loved ones of God, observe such conduct and behavior, that they are compelled to submission and humility.

The friends of God must be, among the people, a living proof and testimony of the truth, so that all people may bear witness to their nobility - that this people has lit the lamp of guidance and consumed all attachment to aught else, and in the school of divine love, they have learned from the Teacher of Love the lesson of sacrificing their lives. They are detached from all save God and illumined by the rays of the Sun of Truth.

Let the world profit by your teachings and learn from your examples!

O Baha'i! How precious you are, for in name and fame, in the hidden and manifest, you are associated with the Beloved! You are renowned throughout all regions and enamored with the countenance of the Luminary of the horizons.

Thus those who claim attachment to the Truth must surely manifest signs of sanctity in their deeds and the radiance of joy must be witnessed in their countenances.

Today the people of Baha are souls who should become renowned throughout all regions for possessing the character, conduct and behavior of the Supreme Concourse, for He explicitly states in numerous passages that in this wondrous Dispensation a Baha'i is one who, like a candle, illumines and casts the light of sanctity and detachment upon East and West.

We counsel all to perform pure and holy deeds. Some among the Babis have grown exceedingly indolent. They must hold fast unto the Law of God.

You must manifest the most sincere love for all. Your hearts must burn with love for all. Let the people see that you are filled with universal love. If you meet a Persian, talk with him without ceremony, ask where he lives and try to help him. Likewise speak to all strangers who seem lonely and give them your willing service. Be loving to them, Turks, Arabs, Indians, Chinese, Americans, Japanese--all.

In order to be accounted as a Baha'i, he must live in accord with the Teachings of Baha'u'llah; he must become a center of Merciful emotions; the rays of the sun of perfections must emanate from him; he must be kind to all the inhabitants of the earth; he must strive to become a cause of general welfare; he must consider his enemies as his friends; he must return justice for injustice; he must look upon all humanity - the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, the high and the low, the aristocrat and the democrat, the employer and the employee, those who live in Mansions and those dwell in dark, cold, wretched tenement-houses, those who are well-fed and those who have no bread to eat, - as members of his own family; he must know and believe that the whole earth is his native land, he must be sympathetic with all the people.

To cheer up and sympathise with those who are in sorrow and carry laughter and the sunbeams of happiness in the hearts of all the children of humanity. To the sick he must become a nurse. For the oppressed, he must be a shelter. To the extent of his ability he must assist and take care of the poor ones in the community. He must give a share and a portion to those who are deprived. He must be a balm of healing to every wounded one and a breath of spirit to every dead one. In short he must demonstrate his love for all the people through every loving means.

He said, Tell them a Baha'i is a person who is free from all prejudices—racial prejudices, religious prejudices, political prejudices, social prejudices, economic prejudices. A Baha'i is one in whom the human perfections are active.

They should be kind to all people and prefer the welfare of others to their own.

… Do not think that he or she is weak or without fame; consider his characteristics, his sincerity, truthfulness, willingness to serve, trustworthiness, etc., not his position in society.

Strive to be quickened with the characteristics and attributes of the one true God. Be kind and gentle with all the people of the world and serve and assist everyone with the utmost love. This is the essence of the characteristics of the people of Baha.

Those souls who are of the Kingdom eagerly wish to be of service to the poor, to sympathize with them, to show kindness to the miserable and to make their lives fruitful.

The duty of the believers of God is to be the servants to each other and attend to each otheris wants. I am the Servant of the friends of God.

For those souls who have been nurtured under divine education are manifestations of the Lord's mercy, are purely good, and are even well-wishers to their enemies. Free from thoughts of stranger or kin, they gaze toward the Most Sublime Vision and are heedless of the selfish purposes of the human world. They are an ocean of patience and tranquility, and while they taste poison from the hands of the world's peoples, they give honey in return. They respond to the wounds of arrows and spears with generosity and kindness.

Now you must conduct yourselves with utmost sanctity and purity, and follow the counsels and exhortations of the Blessed Beauty in your manner and behavior, so that enemies may become friends, the fearful may find peace, the sleeping may awaken, and the heedless may become mindful.

Despite this, the friends of God are kind to all groups and are truthful and well-wishers, desiring comfort and tranquility in this world and eternal glory in the next world for all. They do not attack or object to anyone. If they utter a word of truth and the hearer does not accept it, they leave it to God - they do not object or argue.

With every group, even if it be an oppressive party, they must act with the utmost trustworthiness, religiosity and kindness. This is the path of the Baha'is, this is the way of the spiritual ones.

As far as thou art able, show kindness unto all people, manifest love, and follow the path of friendship, truthfulness and reconciliation, that thou mayest become the very soul of the friends.

O servant of the one true God! Be thou like the grace of God and become the cause of tranquility in the world. Be thou loving, good natured and fragrant in thy fellowship. Be radiant, cheerful and full of sympathy towards the peoples of the earth that thou thyself may attain the infinite bestowals of God and mayest become an ornament in the world of creation.

Be good-natured and cheerful, sweet-scented and attractive, truthful in speech - these are the requirements of kindness.

Be as a son to the elderly, a father to the youth, and a brother to your peers.

O Kazim! Forbearance in the face of anger is among the characteristics of the righteous and the qualities of the noble.

You must in every case show patience and forbearance and, considering the divine counsels, demonstrate tolerance and good conduct.

On another occasion, He spoke of the need for loving patience in the face of aggravating behavior on the part of others. "One might say, 'Well, I will endure such-and-such a person so long as he is endurable.' But Baha'is must endure people even when they are unendurable.

To be silent concerning the faults of others, to pray for them, and to help them--through kindness--to correct their faults.

To look always at the good and not at the bad. If a man has ten good qualities and one bad one, to look at the ten and forget the one; and if a man has ten bad qualities and one good one, to look at the one and forget the ten.

To never to allow ourselves to speak one unkind word about another, even though that other be our enemy.

If any one comes to you and endeavors to belittle the station of another in your presence or speaks in any terms against another, you must not listen; nay, rather, excuse yourself by saying that you are a Bahai and that you cannot hear anything but the praise of your brother.

Be ye always the bearers of good tidings and spread such news quickly, and become the means through which the hearts are made cheerful and vigilant.

On the other hand, if ye have a bad message or news for a certain person, show ye no haste in conveying it, and trouble not the heart of the concerned individual.

The best man is that person who cheers and gladdens the broken-hearted ones and the worst man is that soul who causes suffering and pain to one's heart. Consequently strive as much s you are able to rejoice the hearts and uplifts the spirits.

Thus you know neither opposition, dislike, nor hatred, for every living creature is dear to you and the good of each is sought.

These are perfect human sentiments and virtues.

Ah, me! Each one must be a sign of love, a sea of love, a center of love, a sun of love, a star of love, a haven of love, a pearl of love, a palace of love, a mountain of love, a world of love, a universe of love. Hast thou love? Then thy power is irresistible. Hast thou sympathy? Then all the stars will sing thy praise!

In short a Baha'i is a remedy for every ailment, a balm for every wound and a consolation for every despondent heart.

Live in such a way that when people observe your manners, morals and conduct they may exclaim, 'These are not men and women, but angels of the Lord.' Be ye kind to all mankind. Let mercy be the motive power in your dealings with people. Do not look at their shortcomings. Win the hearts through love and charity; set them aglow with the fire of the love of God.

Conduct yourselves in such a way that whoever sees will say with certainty that this person is a Baha'i. The loved ones of God must each sacrifice himself for others, his heart must be filled with love.

Through all their deeds and actions, the believers of God must be distinguished from the rest of the world. One of these deeds is Love. The people must be astonished when they observe how the friends are loving toward each other, how they are attracted to one another.

Therefore, as thou art a lion of these meadows and a servant at this Threshold, strive thou to be the cause of life and not of death, to be the means of salvation and not of destruction, to be a luminous lamp and not a world-consuming fire, to become a brilliant star and not a dominant demon.

He commits no violence; if he is struck he does not return the blow. He calls nothing bad, following the example of the Lord Baha'u'llah.

Should they find pure and blessed soil, they impart the Word unto all peoples with spirit and joy; if not, they desist. Contention, strife, warfare and the shedding of blood have never been and are not the way of the people of truth.

Praise be to God, it has been proven and established among all peoples and nations that the people of Baha are people of peace and reconciliation, free from war and weapons, well-wishers of the world and lovers of all humanity, sacrificing their lives for the ease and comfort of all people and spending heart and soul in the path of truth.

The followers of the Blessed Perfection are the invincible army of Peace and are showing by their deeds and words that they are the peace-makers.

Give ear to the voice of the Ancient Beauty calling you aloud from this most great Prison; Forsake oppression and cruelty, cling to the fear of God. Purge yourselves from satanic deeds, be adorned with the virtues of God. Verily, strife and sedition beseem not the people of God.

We command you only with the truth from God - this is certain truth. These are they who strive in God's Faith, and these are the sincere ones. These are they who make peace among men and show mercy to the weak among them, and who desire not for anyone save what they desire for themselves. And when they hear a new mention from among the people like My previous mention, they follow the truth and they believe.

Today all must turn in unity and accord, and should any unacceptable matter arise, they must hasten with utmost speed to resolve it. They must arise for God's sake and occupy themselves with service for His sake. Today any word that causeth discord is not and hath never been acceptable in God's sight.

...Strive ye as much as ye can;- so that love and amity may increase day and by day amongst the believers of God; All of you may help each other and be ever ready to sacrifice your lives for each other. This is the quality of the people of Baha.

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We counsel thee to love thy brother and preserve thy station through the Name of God, the Most Glorious. Glory be upon him and upon thee and upon those women from whom the Supreme Concourse perceived the fragrance of steadfastness in this Most Great Announcement.

But the loved ones must adopt a manner and conduct that attracts hearts, not causes souls to flee. They must be gentle and forbearing, patient and tolerant, and deal with all souls - whether righteous or wicked - with kindness and courtesy.

The believers must be firmly founded in the principles of morality and honesty.

First--Truthfulness; no one should ever tell a lie!

Second--Honesty in all their transactions.

Third--Forbearance is necessary.

Fourth--They must observe the utmost kindness, so that all may consider themselves servants of each other, and be truthful and honest to all mankind.

Fifth--They must not disappoint anyone, but constantly endeavor to become more spiritual.

Do thou continue to be honest in thy dealings for one month. Thou wilt see in the end that thou art honored and respected by all thy customers, and not considering thy spiritual welfare, thy material prosperity will be secured.

In the early days after our arrival in Acca, we acted in such a manner and all the Persians lived such a life of righteousness that after two years and a half all the inhabitants began to trust them in all their business transactions.

… Such was the great confidence the people had in the Baha'is in those days ...

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The Russian Consul at that time, Mr. Urens, was a relative of the owner of the house. He was a honorary interpreter in the government service. (In former times certain people, for the sake of the honor, used to work for the government without salary.) He said to the owner of the house, 'You do not know these people. They are not highway robbers and they have not been guilty of any treachery to the nation.

And if any of the friends attains a position and becomes the recipient of His Imperial Majesty's gracious attention and is appointed to a post, they must strive with utmost honesty, purity, truthfulness, chastity and steadfastness in carrying out their assigned duties. … This is the way and conduct of the Baha'is, and whoever transgresses this will ultimately fall into manifest loss.

Thus shall all know that the Baha'is are the embodiments of probity, and the very essence of spotless virtue. If they accept office, their motive is to render service to the whole of humanity, not to seek their own self-interest; and their object is to vindicate the cause of truth, not to give themselves over to self-indulgence and base ingratitude.

Second, they must deal with all the peoples of the world with the utmost kindliness, goodwill, sincere intention and perfect love. They must be signs of divine mercy to mankind and the cause of blessing and harmony among humanity. In times of tribulation, they must respond to cruelty with faithfulness and deal with love and unity. They must be well-wishers to those who wish them ill and soul friends to their enemies.

My boundless hope from the Abha Kingdom is that through goodly conduct and sincerity toward rulers and kings, and through kindness and well-wishing to all peoples of the earth, both sovereign and subject, that land may become a supreme paradise and that region a garden of delight.

In this way the Baha'is will become known to all as people who are dependable and honest, virtuous and enlightened, pure and refined; who are industrious and high-principled, liberal-minded and promoters of freedom; whose concern is to serve the common good, not to advance their own interests, and whose aim is to further the welfare and prosperity of the people, not to foster their own well-being....

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Praise be to God that it has become established to all the nations and all the peoples that the Baha'is are the essence of sanctity, the advocates of universal Peace, the upholders of the unity of the religions and the standard-bearers of the sacredness of human life; that they are upright and righteous, patient and forbearing, long-suffering and humble. They are as guides to the misguided, as the beacon-lights to the wanderers, as dressing to every wound and as honey of love to the poison of hatred. If the people curse them, they ask God to bless their enemies.

O Rustam-i-Dastan! The Covenant Partnership is a manifestation of the favors of the All-Merciful and the recipient of endless bounties. It is hoped that, as befitting and proper, you may become the dawning-place of great signs and become renowned throughout all regions for your excellence in business dealings, religious devotion and trustworthiness. I pray for you and beseech for you a share and portion from His endless bounties. And upon you be the Most Glorious Glory.

His Excellency the Naqib rose up with determination and recovered the House from the usurpers and handed it over to the caretakers. Now they are busy with establishing, repairing and renovating it.

Therefore my intention is that he should know that the Baha'is are faithful and appreciative.

There are so many people who let the opportunity slip and of their hands on account of the slowness of their minds and bodies. Train yourselves to be always [on] time no matter where you are. Be punctual.

Say: O My loved ones! Be ye dawning-places of faithfulness amidst the concourse of creation and daysprings of trustworthiness among the servants.

We counsel thee and My loved ones to trustworthiness and truthfulness and purity, and to that whereby the station of man is made manifest among the peoples.

God willing, the friends of Truth must appear among the servants with perfect trustworthiness, truthfulness and praiseworthy character. They are as lamps amid the darkness of the age.

We counsel them as We counseled them before, to show forth the Greater Steadfastness, and to be characterized by trustworthiness, religiosity, truthfulness and fidelity. By the life of God! Goodly deeds and praiseworthy attributes have been and are the hosts of God, and the conquest of the citadels of hearts depends upon these hosts.

O people of God! We counsel you to be trustworthy, religious, chaste and faithful, and to that whereby the Cause of God, the Lord of all that was and shall be, may be exalted.

O My loved ones! Adorn your tongues with truthfulness, and your hands with generosity, and your bodies with dignity, and your souls with courtesy, and your hearts with My love and then with My exalted remembrance.

We have adorned the heaven of man with the stars of steadfastness, trustworthiness, truthfulness and faithfulness.

Among the divine teachings are trustworthiness, detachment and sanctity. So if you should see a man coveting property and evincing greed toward the wealth of others, know that he is not of the people of Baha. The people of Baha are they who, should they happen to come upon a valley of gold and silver, would pass by it like lightning in utter disregard.

Say: Those who commit indecency and cling to the world are not of the people of Baha. The latter are souls who, should they pass through a valley of gold, would pass it by as passing clouds, never turning toward it. They are indeed of Me - the Concourse on High would surely find from their garments the fragrance of sanctity. Thy Lord beareth witness to this, as do those endowed with knowledge of the Book. Were the most beautiful women to appear before them in their finest adornment, their eyes would not turn toward them with desire. These are they who were created from piety.

Those who commit indecent acts, steal the property of others, and backbite My servants - their deeds shall be rendered vain in this futile life and they are among those who have gone astray and been misguided.

O people of God! You must manifest yourselves in such wise that no opportunity remains for the barking ones - that is, their hopes may be transformed into despair.

I am ever anticipating joyous news from America, wishing that all the newspapers and journals might write of the Bahais in the following terms:

"These people are distinguished in all qualities; they have pure intentions; they are truthful to all humanity; they are trustworthy; they exercise kindness towards all mankind; and with heart and soul and life they are engaged in service; they depend upon GOD; they are severed from the attachments of this world, albeit they are all engaged in some profession or work; they serve real civilization ; in reality they are civilized people; they fear nothing whatever; night and day their thoughtful attention is devoted to philanthropic deeds; they wish no harm to any one; they do not annoy anybody; they put forth efforts in general philanthropy; their greatest and highest desire is that bias may be removed from among the nations and sects of the world; that all mankind maybe united with each other; that all wars and battles may be abolished from among the nations and powers of the world; that the standard of universal peace or the Most Great Peace shall be raised; that estrangement may cease entirely; that no religious fanaticism, racial or patriotic bias shall exist, for all are the creatures of GOD, and all are the signs of the Power of GOD."

If one asks any person concerning the Baha'i students, he will answer: "In reality they are intelligent, sober, industrious, diligent, displaying good manners and behavior and concentrating all their attention on their acquirement of knowledge. They do not spend their time in frivolous amusements and distracting recreations." Even the enemies testify to your spotless character.

They work, practice their crafts, and engage in earning their livelihood with utmost effort, yet their hearts are turned toward God, their spirits are gladdened by the glad-tidings of God, and their character has greatly progressed. No blameworthy traits remain among them. They are kind to all the peoples of the world, they love all humanity, and they regard all as their kith and kin. They see the human world as a single tree, and consider all human beings as its leaves, blossoms and fruits. Their supreme desire is universal peace, and their conviction is the oneness of humankind.

But there is one thing in this Cause. Some people may become greater than the rest not through appointment but through the purity of their hearts, their unselfish deeds, their heroic sacrifices and their knowledge of God. Such illumined souls like unto the kind fathers or teachers will guide and teach those less fortunate. They are the elder brothers of the members of the community. They do not arrogate unto themselves any title or any position. You will know them by their humility, sincerity, deeds, severance, knowledge, spirituality and attraction.

If a man considers himself humble and lowly in the Cause of God, he becomes glorified in all eyes. On the other hand, the moment he aspires to personal greatness, he falls into disgrace and oblivion.

Today, the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty are with the soul who utterly forgets himself, constantly investigates his own faults and defects, loosens his tongue in mentioning the good qualities and sublime susceptibilities of others, does not see or hear or speak evil.

This is why the loved ones of God make no claims with their tongues. They are humble and submissive and obedient and averse to name and fame, and in action they are self-sacrificing and give their lives for humankind and for respect of homeland and protection of the oppressed.

Abandon the concerns of mankind and be naturalized with the attributes of the angels of the Supreme Concourse, because these angels humble themselves to the lowest thing of the things despite their honor, glory, the loftiness of station and the greatness of their might.

Day and night I gird up the loins of service and seek to bear fruit from the tree of existence. A frame that does not bend in service to the friends is but a prop of wood, and a stature that does not bow under the burden of companions' trials is like the hollow trunk of a fallen palm.

It is not permissible for a lover to show forth claims of existence and self in the presence of the Beloved. If he should take one step beyond this path, he would no longer be counted among the lovers. Never doth true love accept a living soul, nor doth the hawk take a dead mouse as prey.

This Cause is in need of loyal servants, souls who would sacrifice every thing for the sake of the Beloved; souls who would throw to the winds all their personal ambitions. Then they will shine like glorious suns and become the cause of the illumination of others. They will shine themselves and in turn enlighten others.

One must be pure and free from all carnal desires. All feelings must be heavenly. One must become a mercy from the Lord to humanity and a bright candle in this dark world. This is true Baha'i - otherwise it is a name without substance and a word without meaning.

Through the bounty of the Ancient Beauty, I hope that God's loved ones will associate with people with divine attributes, that the lights of detachment, sanctity, humility, submissiveness, severance, and attraction will be manifest in their countenances. May they associate with people with utmost courtesy, dignity, serenity, composure, love for the righteous, and service to the free, manifesting virtues and qualities that astonish all humanity. Such souls are worthy of association with the Most Glorious Beauty. A Baha'i means one who possesses all human perfections.

Strive then to the best of thine ability to let these children know that a Baha'i is one who embodieth all the perfections, that he must shine out like a lighted taper -- not be darkness upon darkness and yet bear the name "Baha'i".

Therefore, train the children in Baha'i schools in divine characteristics and guide them to purity and holiness, so that each one may develop an angelic nature and be adorned with the attributes and character of a true Baha'i.

The friends of God must be educated in such wise that, just as the vegetable transcendeth the mineral, the animal surpasseth the vegetable, and man excelleth the animal in the perfections of existence, so too must the friends of God be distinguished from all other peoples and tribes in divine virtues and spiritual perfections. Until this is achieved, the resplendent light will not shine forth from their countenance.

Man is the only creature who can receive reward, because he has the power of choice--whether he will show forth love or withhold it. He has the power to choose immortal life or to reject it, while the animals have no qualities that are immortal.

6. To be so faithful and sincere in all your actions that every member may be known as embodying the qualities of honesty, love, faith, kindness, generosity, and courage. To be detached from all that is not God, attracted by the Heavenly Breath---a divine soul; so that the world may know that a Baha'i is a perfect being.

The sign of the Bahai is to be sincere. He is trustful, detached from the world, attracted to the Holy Spirit, is contented, is kind to all the people, and in the service of the Cause is a devoted one. He is well assured, steadfast, and endures every calamity and difficulty. In the world of humanity such a man is in fact a Bahai. Otherwise he bears the name--nothing more.

If a soul is not severed, if he is not pure and holy, if he is not thoughtful of others, if he is not radiant, if he is not divine, if he is not god-like and celestial, -- no one can say he is a Baha'i.

For example if he takes one step forward or one step backward, he must first think whether this will be according to the good-pleasure of Baha'u'llah or whether such a step will be considered as a service or not. If he sees that his forward step will not contribute something to the promotion of the Cause, it will be better for him to stand still.

Though this world is but mere dust, and He is the Lord of Lords; and though we are but worthless drops, yet were we to make the slightest movement, we would come to resemble the motion of the Most Great Ocean and its waves and its raging tempests. A lamp, should it shine forth with all its might, will become like unto a sun and a sign of Him who is the light of the world.

The people of Baha must be manifestations of the greatest chastity and supreme virtue. … The meaning is that purity and sanctity are among the greatest characteristics of the people of Baha.

The people of God have not at all any dependence in this world; they neither get displeased with the bitterness of the cup, nor are they happy with its sweetness.

The people of God are like the birds, who satisfy themselves with a few crumbs, and sit the whole time on the branches of the trees and sing the praises of God.

I pray at the Threshold of Almighty to make you more illumined day unto day, more attracted day unto day, more detached day unto day, more holy and pure day unto day. Know ye of a certainty that this Cause is like unto a sea. The sea does not accept the dead body. It will throw it out by all means. Therefore you must be severed, attracted, enkindled, godlike, righteous, upright, evanescent, humble and at all time turning your faces toward the Kingdom of Abha. I hope that each one of you may reach to this lofty and divine station.

It is my hope that this dear friend of mine may make such progress in the stations of human perfection that thou shalt indeed shine like a brilliant lamp. It is my prayer that thou mayest so evolve in the acquisition of goodly qualities that thou shalt gleam like a radiant star on the horizon of destiny and certitude in such wise that the souls who are united may commune with each other in joy and may be inspired to utter the same speech and the same melody.

We beseech the confirmations of that luminous Beauty that He may assist you to achieve such deeds, such conduct and behavior that the reality of this servitude may become manifest in your countenance with its brilliant lights, so that all who dwell on earth may cry out: "This is not a mortal! This is none other than a noble angel!"

But the gems of this crown and the jewels of this diadem must be radiant and effulgent so they may shine throughout centuries and ages.

The brilliance and radiance of these precious jewels consist in sincerity, detachment, enkindlement, attraction, spirituality and divine inspirations.

But those who are steadfast are like trees that have strong roots and foundations. Storms cannot shake them; rather, they add to their freshness.

The loved ones of God must conduct themselves with such steadfastness and composure that all beings will be astonished at what constancy and firmness, what dignity and composure this is.

They have proved beyond doubt that they are true Baha'is, sincere friends, and souls resolute in the religion of God.

O would that all the friends were like this, evincing such patience, calm, and imperturbability! Praise be to God that ye have carried off the ball of victory and success in this arena, and made manifest the power of faith and certitude.

The hope from the bounty of the Glorious Lord is such that the divine friends in these severe days will, with perfect wisdom, manifest such strength of heart that all the people of the world will be astonished.

So tell the friends of God not to be sorrowful and grieved by impacts and difficulties, but rather to be joyous and grateful, and at all times to associate with each other in perfect fellowship and love. Likewise they should show utmost kindness to all other peoples. They should never look at others' shortcomings, but rather turn to the forgiving Lord and treat everyone accordingly.

Despite all knowing that the friends are the oppressed ones of the horizons and well-wishers of all parties - they tread the path of truth and seek love and friendship with all, are detached from self and intoxicated with the cup of the Lord's love, are truthful and steadfast, radiant and brilliant, eloquent and skilled, helpers of every weak one and shelter to every seeker of refuge, haven for the poor and sanctuary for the fearful, remedy for every suffering one and balm for the wounds of every needy soul, seeking the Most Great Peace with all aggressive and warlike peoples, remaining quiet and silent and loving with all opposing parties - yet you should not be saddened or grieved by the aggressions of enemies.

But the rest of us, who were over fifteen in number and yet were obliged to live in one single room, were nevertheless filled with joy and composure; for we were blessed with exile for the sake of the Cause of God.

Notwithstanding his early training he forebore the cheerless discomfort of exile with happy resignation and joyful submission and served the friends with a sunny face. From Bagdad to Samson he walked on foot in front of the palanquin of Baha'u'llah which was carried on the back of mules. Now and then we urged him to ride at least for a few miles but never did he accept it.

on August 5th 1868 A.D. we were exiled from Adrianople to Acca.

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O blessedness!" One exclaimed "Is there any who beholds me?", another proclaimed "No harm - we are returning to our Lord!" One raised the cry of "O Glory of the Most Glorious!", another said "Praise be to Thee for granting me the supreme martyrdom!"

They show no concern for cruelty and before strangers they play with their own blood, while showing kindness to friend and stranger alike. They are intoxicated with remembrance of the Friend and hold the cup of joy while making mention of the Truth. They explain realities and meanings and unveil divine mysteries.

The loved ones of Nayriz are intoxicated with the choice wine of faithfulness from an elegant cup of steadfastness and loyalty.

Therefore praise God that you shone brightly in the fire of tribulations, turned your gaze away from this world, and learned the ways of sacrifice in the path of the Beloved. You showed no weakness, committed no failure, and feared not those in their graves.

Verily, I say unto you: none will be saved but the believers, and from the believers only the sincere, and even those are in great danger, especially in such a time.

The disciples of Christ lived the life of Christ; the trees of their lives yielded good fruit; upon them was "great power" and "great grace" encircled them; they did not receive any stipends but sold everything they had and went out to preach the Gospel of the Lord.

Where are they who were not deterred by the tales of the world nor the vain imaginings of the nations, who were not frightened by the might of kings nor the clamor of subjects? And where are they whom the croaking [of the ravens] did not sadden and who remained faithful to the Covenant? Where are they who appear like firm mountains in the Cause of God, the Revealer of verses?

O what servants were they, whom neither the circumstances of tyrants nor the might of pharaohs deterred! They arose to serve the Cause and strove with utmost striving until they conquered lands in the name of their Creator, the Lord of creation. Through them God's commandments were spread among His servants and His laws among His creation, and through them the Faith appeared, though the ungodly were averse.

For the opposition of the world did not hinder them, nor did the might of rulers weaken them. They appear with complete power. Upon them be the glory of God and the lights of His mighty throne.

Despite this, they remained firm in Thy manifest religion, drank from the spring of certitude, partook of the truth of certitude, and were not deterred by the blame of the blameworthy among the oppressors, nor did they fear the might of any transgressing sinner.

These are the companions of the Crimson Ark. By the life of God! All divine Books and Scriptures bear witness to the greatness of this Cause and to the excellence and nobility of these companions.

Baha calleth out: "Where are the people of fidelity whose faces reflect the radiance of God, the Lord of Names? These are servants by whom the horizon of certitude hath shone forth. The All-Merciful sendeth blessings upon them at all times. They are among the bearers of the Throne amidst all worlds.

I magnify and give peace unto those whose feet have not slipped because of the intimations of the learned, whose hearts have not been troubled by the veils of the mystics, whose eyes have not been prevented from beholding the Most Glorious Horizon, and whose ears have not been kept from hearkening unto the Call of God which hath been raised betwixt earth and heaven. I testify that these are the true believers, these are the sincere ones, these are the near ones, these are the successful ones, these are the mindful ones, and these are they who have held fast unto the Crimson Ark.

Blessed are the party of God, the people of Baha, who are like unto the surging ocean and like unto the sun, radiant and luminous. The darkness of the people of the Bayan does not hold them back from the light, nor do the doubts of the people of allusions deprive them of the horizon of the All-Merciful. Their hearts are sanctified from rancor and hatred. They hold fast to the cord of grace and cling to the hem of justice.

Today the people of Baha are souls whom tales have not debarred from the holy Kingdom of God. They behold His signs with their own eyes and hearken with their own ears unto His verses.

The companions of the Crimson Ark must distinguish themselves among the people of the world in such wise that all may testify to their detachment and holiness.

Praise be to God, he is adorned with the ornament of love and crowned with the diadem of steadfastness. We bear witness to his recognition, love and precedence.

O illumined and pure leaf! Show such steadfastness in firmness in the Covenant and constancy in the Testament that you become the wonder of men and the envy of heroes. With the light of the Covenant, shine like a candle in the gathering of the handmaidens of God so that you may become a night-illumining star and a world-consuming fire of love.

Thou, too, must make a mighty effort and show forth supreme courage. Exert thyself and taste of the sweetness of a heavenly draught, for the sweet taste of the love of God will linger on to the end that hath no end.

Now that household is related to that kind friend - they must follow his way so that like flowers and fragrant herbs they may be nurtured by the showers of grace. They must not be hurt by the reproach of enemies but occupy themselves day and night with praising the loved ones, so that the Lord of Creation may confirm them and the doors of trials may be closed.

It behoves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory.

The very members of your body must bear witness to the loftiness of your purpose, the integrity of your life, the reality of your faith, and the exalted character of your devotion.

It is my desire that Baha'u'llah shall be pleased with you, that you may follow His precepts and become worthy of His confirmations. The requirements are that your minds must be illumined, your souls must be rejoiced with the glad tidings of God, you must become imbued with spiritual moralities, your daily life must evidence faith and assurance, your hearts must be sanctified and pure, reflecting a high degree of love and attraction toward the Kingdom of Abha.

The friends of God must, through His boundless grace and favor, arise with such spirit and detachment that they may become the brilliant candles of the assemblage of humanity. They must manifest divine virtues and become the dawning-places of heavenly conscience. In truthfulness and sincerity, they must become the greatest signs, and in faithfulness and loyalty, the mightiest standards. They must be the cause of tranquility and ease in the world of creation, and the reason for the development and prosperity of every land and region.

Now amidst all the peoples of the world must the beloved arise, with a heart even as the day-star, a strong inward urge, a shining brow, a musk-scented breath, a tongue speaking ever of God, an exposition crystal-clear, a high resolve, a power born of heaven, a spiritual character, a confirmation nothing short of the divine.

Be ye symbols of guidance and lights of godliness, severed from the world, clinging to the handhold that is sure and strong, spreading abroad the spirit of life, riding the Ark of salvation. Be ye daysprings of generosity, dawning-points of the mysteries of existence, sites where inspiration alighteth, rising-places of splendours, souls that are sustained by the Holy Spirit, enamoured of the Lord, detached from all save Him, holy above the characteristics of humankind, clothed in the attributes of the angels of heaven, that ye may win for yourselves the highest bestowal of all, in this new time, this wondrous age.

However, in this day it is beloved that the loved ones of God should appear among His servants with spiritual qualities, that from every soul the sweet fragrances of the dwellers of all worlds might be inhaled.

O My loved ones! Be horizons of guidance amidst all creation and lights of bounty unto all who are in the heavens and on earth, that people may perceive from you the fragrance of the Intended One and behold in your faces the radiance of paradise.

O thou who supplicatest unto God! Those souls who have entered beneath the Covenant of the Most Great Luminary of the horizons, who have grasped the Most Firm Handle of the Testament, and who are firm and steadfast in the Divine Cause, are like unto the stars of guidance. They are as missiles hurled from the Supreme Concourse, they are standards of guidance, they are waves of the ocean of knowledge, and they are hosts assailing the self and passion. They are flowing springs and flowing rivers, the cause of rest and tranquility, and they strive for the good and welfare of the world of creation.

Thine esteemed personage shouldst of a certainty, and with pure and sanctified words, continuously remind the loved ones of God that they should, in all places, be enkindled and luminous with the light of sanctity and piety, and be signs of spiritual perfections and temples of purity, sanctity and holiness amongst the peoples of the world - for this is the sign of the detached and the quality of those that have drawn nigh unto God.

O thou who hast clung to the hem of grandeur!

Blessed is the soul that hath inhaled the musk of faithfulness wafting from the garden of grandeur, that hath become illumined by the light which illumineth earth and heaven, who hath become the target of arrows, become as dust in the path of his Lord, the Most High, glorified the all-glorious Beauty, tasted the sweetness of remembrance of God at every morn and eventide, occupied himself wholly with God, paid no heed to the comforts and ease of this world, and chosen the other world over this first life.

You are the manifestations of the signs of unity and the dawning-places of the lights of the favors of the Glorious Lord. These manifestations and dawning-places must be in the utmost brilliance and radiance.

The divine friends must offer their lives in gratitude for this heavenly victory and associate with people with spiritual qualities, divine conduct and behavior, detachment and attraction, sanctity and holiness, so that each may become a luminous candle in the spiritual gathering and raise the eternal banner in this transient world.

O thou who art attracted by the fragrances of holiness!

When the Daystar of Truth shone forth above the horizon of sanctity, an attractive force was exerted. The supreme Magnet of the pole of contingent existence appeared and was made manifest. The noble metals were attracted, while stones and clods of earth remained deprived.

This is true beauty and grace, "In their faces shalt thou see the brightness of bliss." As long as the dust of servitude at the Sacred Threshold adorns face and hair, the radiance of beauty emanates brilliantly from human features.

All the believers of God and the maid servants of the Merciful must summon the people to the Kingdom and be the cause of guidance of the inhabitants of the world. They must live and conduct themselves in such manner that in sanctity, prayerfulness and devotion they may become distinguished from the rest of mankind.

You must feel very happy because you are here with me and we are associating together with the utmost Kindness. In reality, our stay here is like unto worship, for praise be to God we are occupied with His mention and have no other aim save His good-pleasure. It is my hope that the important results will be the issue of our gathering in this place.

All the people are sleep but you are awake. They are all engaged with the affairs of this world but ye are occupied with the thoughts of God. This is a most important Bestowal! It is not made possible for every soul. In this connection Christ says:- Many are called bur few are chosen.

The importance of this fact is not made evident in this day but it will become known in the future. The believers in Christ gathered together in those early days but no one thought their meetings were important. Later it became manifest and its importance unfolded. Similarly our gathering together at this time may not have any outward importance but its richness and superiority will become known afterward.

The aim of the long journey that I undertook to America, thus necessitating to cover a long distance was to teach those who had not heard of this Cause, that the fame of the Cause of God might reach every ear, the believers of God might be trained, that they might be vested with spiritual characteristics, might become illumined, merciful and the lights of the Kingdom might shine in their hearts. Thus in all the degrees of creation they might become distinguished from the rest of the world; in the refinement of ethics they might become distinguished from every one else; in sincerity they might become distinguished from all the people and they might be characterized and qualified with the virtues of opposition against the sinister forces of ego and self. Thus their highest desire might become the Good-pleasure of the Lord and might attain to the station of self-renunciation, thereby they might obtain Eternal Life and might become real Baha'is. This was my object and for this reason I accepted willingly the hardships of this long trip.

Some souls are like unto the glass-chimneys. They are pure and transparent but an outside light must come in and illumine them; still there are others who are illumined but they do not confer 'illumination', again there are some people who are illumined themselves and they also illumine others. These are the blessed souls.

Praise be to the eternal Beloved Who has, from time immemorial and forevermore, reserved the cup of nearness and reunion for His sincere friends - those souls who have had and have no will or desire of their own, whose only purpose has been the good-pleasure of the Friend, and whose heart's beloved is that which proceeds from Him. Tribulations have not prevented them from the Most Great Source, nor have ordeals veiled them from beholding the lights of Beauty. In all conditions they gaze upon the Friend and are detached from all else.

Every soul that hath today drunk from the living waters and turned toward the Most Exalted Horizon must needs walk among the servants in such wise that all will testify to his sanctity and detachment.

The friends of God must, God willing, manifest such deeds and character that all may inhale from them the fragrance of the love of God.

Praise be to God that souls are gathered today beneath the shadow of the Covenant who are as magnets attracting the aid and grace of the Forgiving Lord, and are centers of abundant protection and preservation. The signs of divine bestowal are evident upon their radiant foreheads, and from the light of certitude their countenance is as the supreme paradise.

Therefore, the firm ones in the Covenant must arise according to the teachings in the Tablets and manifest such qualities and virtues as to astonish minds and amaze souls. It is necessary and obligatory that it be firmly established throughout the world that the people of God are well-wishers of all and pure lovers of humanity, striving with heart and soul to render service to the human world and show love to mankind, that they are truthful and steadfast, striving and struggling with good intent and perfect love, pure nature and sanctification.

Their faces are radiant and their hearts are gardens of the flowers of knowledge. Their eyes are open to the Kingdom of mystery and their souls are intimate and harmonious with each other.

O divine friends and companions of the All-Merciful! In this mighty Dispensation and enduring Paradise, wherein the divine outpourings and merciful effulgences have encompassed the East and West, the invisible realms and visible horizons, to such degree that every spark has become a piercing flame and every atom a lofty mountain, the lamps of wisdom have become torches and the stars have achieved the brilliance of suns, droplets have become surging seas, the oppressed have become leaders and inheritors, simple forms have donned the garment of knowledge and heads have raised high the banner of learning, the poor have discovered an endless treasure - the friends of God must surge like the ocean and roar like the clouds, sing like nightingales in the gardens of sanctity with the melody of the Beloved, and shine like the stars of guidance from the dawning-place of divine attributes and most beautiful names. They must become fruitful trees and fragrant, delicate flowers, become pearls in the shell of divine knowledge, and channels of the living waters of certitude - drink from the Salsabil of grace and give others to drink, taste the choice wine of bounty and give others to taste. And this most glorious, noble and exalted station cannot be attained except through ardor and joy, attraction and taste, passion and enkindlement, occupation and steadfastness and firmness in the Covenant and Testament of the Lord of Lords. And upon you be glory.

The fragrance of the love of God wafts from the gardens of their hearts to all regions, and the lights of recognition shine forth from their faces through the seven layers of existence. They are the manifestations of steadfastness and the dawning-places of bounty, the stars in the heaven of guidance and the flowers in the rose-garden of favor.

Today it befits the spiritual friends that each one become a perfect sign of the manifestation of the Most Great Name (may my spirit be a sacrifice for His loved ones) among the nations. That is, they should be adorned with all perfections that are the ornament of human reality, be a great bounty for the people of the world, and show love and kindness to humankind to the extent possible.

O ye blessed souls,

The most blessed souls are those who have freed themselves from the material world and have turned their faces towards God. Such souls though apparently earthy yet in reality they are heavenly; their body is of the phenomenal world and yet their spirit (emanated) from the world of God.

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So if the believers wish for my happiness, they must adorn themselves with heavenly character and conduct.

Do not content yourselves with words only but act according to the commandments of God.

Hold weekly meetings and give feasts. Put forth your efforts to acquire spiritual perfections and to spread the knowledge of God.

These are the attributes of the Baha'is. Otherwise, what use is there in being a Baha'i in word alone.

These are servants who speak not of their own accord, nor move according to their own desires; rather, the winds of God's Will move them as they please, and God's Purpose causes them to speak as He desires. By God's life! They speak that which hath been revealed in the Book and pursue that which they have been commanded in the Tablets. They transgress not their bounds and stations, and confine their affairs to the remembrance of God and the service of His Cause.

These are the souls whose mention was revealed aforetime in the Perspicuous Book - His exalted Word: "honored servants who speak not until He hath spoken, and who do as they are bidden."

Praise be to God that through the grace and bounty of the Most Glorious Beauty, may my spirit be sacrificed for Him, the faithful loved ones are goodly words, speaking goodly words, with goodly words manifest in their speech and deeds.

May you associate day and night with holy fragrances and become intimate companions in the mention of the Friend.

Adopt such conduct and behavior that all your movements and stillness may spread the fragrance of holiness, and may each of you shine bright like a candle in this rose garden.

O my beloved! Follow thou the course before which kings have bowed down, remove doubts, and illumine the horizon of hearts with brilliant lights from the Kingdom of the King of Kings, that the seekers may take thee as a model of guidance and thou mayest be for them a goodly example in the fear of God and righteousness.

I supplicate God to make His beloved ones in Cincinnati (O.) glow with the fire of Sinai, imploring unto the Kingdom of El-ABHA, meek and lowly for the sake of God among His beloved, denying self and passion, grasping the robe of piety, so that they may be lamps of guidance in those regions.

I ask God that the spiritual assembly of Philadelphia may become the gathering-place of the Merciful One, and the believers become the embodiment of the qualities of heavenly angels.

In character, manner and conditions may they become the essence of sanctification, and in aspects of the love of God become a kindling flame. In remembrance and utterance may they become an endless ocean, and in the essence of expression may they open an eloquent and fluent tongue.

And may salutations, greetings and glory rest upon those souls who have acquired these lights and rent asunder the veils and become aware of the mysteries and witnessed the signs and were gathered in the company of the righteous and arose to serve their chosen Lord and diffused the fragrances and chanted the manifest verses and were gladdened by the glad-tidings and turned to the allusions and hearkened to the striking of the Trump from the Supreme Concourse.

O Surush! Follow the path of the righteous ones, that thou mayest be nurtured beneath the shade of God. Embrace the One Beloved, that thou mayest attain endless life. Become angelic and be steeped in the honey of love and faithfulness.

O thou who art intoxicated with the Beauty of the Most Glorious! Praise be to God that thou art a sign of bowing down and prostration, at rest beneath an outstretched shade, gathered beneath the raised standard.

Thou art in mind and manifest from the horizon of the love of God, triumphant over self and desire, patient in the face of trials.

To-day the souls who are illumined with these lights and informed of these traces, have opened eyes, attentive ears and eloquent tongues. These are the souls who have assembled under the Protection of the Beauty of ABHA, and who have been ushered into the Kingdom of GOD. All the nations and sects are in slumber, while these souls are wakeful. All are entangled with desire and passion, while these souls are attracted to GOD. All are travelling in darkness, while these souls are in the Realm of Lights.

Even so should you reflect the beauties of Baha'u'llah in such manner that it may be said of you that verily the Bahais are possessed of the virtues of Baha'u'llah; they are illumined with the light of the sun of reality; verily they are the mirrors of Baha'u'llah and if people desire to know the virtues and attributes of Baha'u'llah they should look at the Bahais, for in them are personified his attributes, aims and achievements; consider how well they have been educated by Baha'u'llah, what a great bestowal He has given them, what lights and virtues he has caused to become revealed through them; verily the Bahais are distinguished among them; they are the proof of Baha'u'llah.

The beloved of God must strive to be servants of the Blessed Beauty that they may be pointed to with fingers of acclaim, and they must not attach importance to worldly affairs, for these shall pass away.

The loved ones of God must be such that from them the fragrance of musk is diffused, not the foul odor of ungodliness.

The teachings of the Blessed Beauty have made the divine friends distinct from all who are on earth. It is through the blessings of the counsels and teachings of the Blessed Beauty that they associate with all people with utmost love and kindness, they harbor no ill will toward anyone. They do not interfere in matters of corruption, they are well-wishers of all. They are the same with everyone.

O Abu-Talib! The Wronged One remembereth thee in His station and counseleth thee with such virtues that all who possess the sense of smell shall find from them the fragrance of My morals, and with such deeds that all who possess sight shall behold from them My shining and luminous light.

These are servants who speak not except by His leave, who move not except by His command, whom the affairs of men sadden not, and whom the clamor of those who have disbelieved in the Lord of destiny frighteneth not.

Today, that which is befitting and worthy for those who have turned to God is to adorn themselves with the ornament of divine commandments and to appear among the servants with goodly and pleasing character. This is the cause of the exaltation of God's Cause.

Blessed art thou and blessed are they who have cast away what they possessed, holding fast unto that which is with God, the Lord of all worlds.

… Blessed are those souls who have attained unto this most great station and have regarded all else save God as non-existent and null.

We counsel thee and the people of God to perform such deeds as will cause the exaltation of the Cause, to utter such words as will lead to the assurance of souls, and to manifest such character as will guide the servants.

These are the manifestations of detachment and the dawning-places of the fear of God. Upon them rest God's peace, His grace and His favor.

Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a centre of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world, so that the people of that city may cry out and say: 'This man is unquestionably a Baha'i, for his manners, his behaviour, his conduct, his morals, his nature, and disposition reflect the attributes of the Baha'is.'

The beloved of the Lord, with their musk-scented breath, burn like bright candles in every clime, and the friends of the All-Merciful, even as unfolding flowers, can be found in all regions. Not for a moment do they rest; they breathe not but in remembrance of Thee, and crave naught but to serve Thy Cause. … Manifestations of celestial grace are they, and daysprings of the light of divine assistance.

O divine friends and handmaids of the All-Merciful! Jinab-i-Amin offers the utmost praise, commendation and description, that -- praise be to God -- in all regions, cities and villages the friends are manifestations of divine favors and dawning-places of justice and fairness. They are hearing and obeying, they are upright and steadfast, occupied with the recitation of verses and accustomed to the promotion of evidences.

They are occupied with themselves and familiar with treading the path of divine good-pleasure. They reform morals and encourage praiseworthy human qualities, engaging in purification of hearts and refinement of souls, for they seek influence and penetration in the world of heart and spirit, and are detached from the contingent world and the affairs of self and passion.

They speak the truth and are steadfast in their Covenant, arise in service, are engaged in guiding others, are familiar with holy fragrances and intimate with the remembrance of God. They are kind to friend and stranger alike and are loving toward both acquaintance and foreigner with heart and soul. Such are the characteristics of the Baha'is, such are the attributes of the spiritual ones, such is the inexhaustible treasure, and such is the divine spirit in the body of contingent being.

O kind friend! At this moment I thought of you and became very happy, for your character and disposition and the radiance of your countenance became embodied before 'Abdu'l-Baha.

His honor Aqa Mirza Muhammad-Baqir Khan is truly firm in the Covenant and a helper of the oppressed and a succorer of the helpless. In whatever he can do he shows no shortcoming.

The servants of the Blessed Beauty must be thus - from their countenance a manifest light radiates, and from their conduct and speech the signs of nobility are evident and apparent.

He is a servant of the Cause and very efficient. He is favored at the Threshold of the Most Glorious King. His heart and soul are vivified through the Breaths of the Merciful. His eyes are turned toward the horizon of His Highness, the Unconstrained. His tongue is fluent with divine proofs and evidences and his nostril is perfumed with the sweet Fragrance of the Clement One.

O faithful ones! The sign of faithfulness to Baha'u'llah is that precious souls arise with sacred breaths to serve at the Holy Threshold.

When I speak of their character and relatives, I find my nostrils perfumed, and when I become occupied with their remembrance and mention, I find the expansiveness of a rose garden and see the vastness of flower beds and meadows.

O true friend of 'Abdu'l-Baha! Through your efforts, service, goodly conduct, steadfastness and wise policy, you have proven and demonstrated that you are a true friend of 'Abdu'l-Baha and are a partner and sharer in servitude at the Sacred Threshold, and with utmost firmness and establishment you seek position and rank solely to serve at the Divine Threshold, and you pursue honor and leadership only for the purpose of arising in servitude and protecting and safeguarding the people.

Be a lamp, the light of which may dispel the darkness, and a real standard which may remove the doubts of the veiled people.

You must associate with the handmaidens of God in perfect joy and fragrance, chastity and purity, certitude and detachment.

Praise be to God, this is not due to lethargy, for the Afnans of this blessed Tree must, God willing, yield such fruits as to become the manifestation of "By their fruits ye shall know them."

O patient one, O near one, O assured one! Indeed, thou hast shown a white hand in service to that one near to the Court of the All-Glorious, and thou hast become infinitely precious in the Court of the Divine Unity.

It behooveth the handmaidens of the Merciful to be the essence of fidelity and the mirror of purity.

In truth, Barzu is pure in heart and captivated by the love of that Kind Friend. You too should follow in his footsteps and seek his qualities so that you may find joy in the divine world and attain to success.

The real sons of the Kingdom are those souls who act according to the instruction and teachings of Baha'u'llah, the Blessed Perfection. They are drunken with the cup of providence, and are illuminated by the divine light. They are honored by all their perfections and virtues of humanity, and are characterized with attributes which embellish the essence of man in such a manner that all people, even the enemies, testify of their good actions, attractions, separation from the world, purity, sanctity, knowledge and belief.

His honor Muhammad (Darbaghi), upon him be the grace of God, His mercy, His loving-kindness and His generosity, hath attained unto that which hath no likeness or equal. Night and day he speaketh in remembrance of the Lord of all mankind and holdeth fast to the promotion of His Cause. Blessed be his tongue, his hand, his heart, his hearing and his sight. He is among those who have entrusted their affairs unto their Lord and have placed their reliance in Him under all conditions, who have caused their will to be extinguished in His will and have chosen for themselves what God hath chosen for them.

As to your mention of him who is in truth the solace of the eyes, Aqa Mirza Mihdi - upon him be God's peace - the servant beareth witness that he is among the triumphant ones. … His letter was received and from it wafted the fragrance of love, affection, sincerity and devotion. In truth, his entire letter appeared to this evanescent one as a single word: "Verily I am for God alone."

In any case, the point is that the divine friends, through the merciful bounty, are like the Day of Resurrection - in joy and delight at every moment, and through God's infinite grace, they are confident and happy. Day and night they strive with heart and soul to raise high the banner of guidance and to recite the verses of the power of the Blessed Beauty, and to associate with people with divine qualities, heavenly words, merciful behavior and celestial deeds.

'Abdu'l-Baha's joy lies in that group of friends who are in that farm rising up with such conduct, behavior and speech that distinguish and set apart that farm from all other villages, making it clear and evident that this zeal, this trustworthiness, this religiosity, this enthusiasm, this order, these morals, this love and this fellowship are unique to the Baha'is.

Throughout their lives they have walked the path of salvation, and for a long time they have been devoted servants of the Lord of Verses and Clear Signs. They are always engaged in diffusing the divine fragrances, and are wandering, enraptured and enthralled by the Desired One. They have rent asunder the veils and kindled the fire of love and burned away the veils of idle fancies. Like fierce lions they have roared, like the ocean they have surged, and like whales of love they have cried out. At every breath they have sacrificed a hundred thousand lives and have not rested for a moment upon the pillow of comfort.

O ye friends of 'Abdu'l-Baha! It is some time that outwardly no flame hath reached the Sacred Threshold from those faithful friends and no sweet-scented breeze of attraction hath wafted to the nostrils, although the true friends should be ever more ardent in their longing and more advanced in their conduct, for from the beginning they were people of longing and enthusiasm, and afterwards became attracted to the lights of the Forgiving Lord. They rent asunder the veil of idle fancies, ran in the path of truth, reached the desired goal, tasted the honey of the love of God, and drank the wine of mystic knowledge from the hand of the Cup-bearer [of the age]. Like the morning star they shone from the luminous East.

Despite these gifts, they must not rest or repose for a moment, nor take ease for a breath. They must adorn spiritual gatherings, chant songs and strike up melodies and anthems to bring the listeners into a state of joy and ecstasy, that they may hear the praise of the Concourse on High and witness the glorification of the people of the Most Glorious Kingdom, and hear the divine melody from the horizon of grandeur, becoming wonderstruck and transported, and dancing and leaping with the utmost joy and gladness, sacrificing their lives.

They must show kindness to all people, even to enemies and ill-wishers, serve the throne faithfully, and obey the authorities with perfect good will, that they may become the cause of the ancient glory of that realm and the means of fame and renown for the people of Iran. They must seek purity, nobility, humility and radiance, and shine like stars in both East and West.

O friends! This prisoner is grateful and pleased with the manner and conduct of those divine friends, the Persian loved ones, and is joyful day and night remembering them and familiar with their mention.

Ye must shine with such a delicacy, such tenderness, and such a noble magnanimity that ye shall verily become the highest ornaments in this divine garden, the crowning glory of the true meadow of heaven.

Their faces radiated with the light of bounties and their tongues delighted in the mention of the Lord of great bestowals. They spoke with praise; were illumined with the light of guidance and became ignited with the blazing fire of the Tree of Sinai.

You had given glad tidings of the spirit and fragrance of the friends, which became a cause of spiritual joy, for praise be to God, the friends of Khuy possess spiritual character and nature, and radiant faces and merciful hearts.

In truth he was zealous and patient and chaste and thankful. Although Jinab-i-Haji was in the prime of youth in the utmost joy and pleasure, yet in the age of weakness he was in extreme need and destitution. Despite this he endured imprisonment and bore harm and humiliation, and with utmost thankfulness and servitude to the One God, completed the days of life.

He had glad tidings that the friends are companions of the Divine Spirit and are engaged in spiritual conduct with heavenly fervor. Their character and condition are celestial. They constantly yearn for divine bounties and long for the outpouring of the rain of the All-Merciful. In deeds they are like heavenly angels and in speech they are like melodious nightingales in the rose garden.

A servant of the Blessed Beauty - may my spirit be sacrificed for His loved ones - is one who breathes the breath of the All-Merciful, serves the world of humanity, becomes the cause of the spread of lights, and through deeds, behavior and words gives news of the Kingdom of Mysteries.

They are self-sacrificing in the path of God, crying out in remembrance of God, teaching and confirming others, and associate with the people with divine characteristics - for they regard strangers as friends and consider foreigners as familiar ones. They counter evil with good and overlook the intensity of the transgressors' rebellion. They are zealous yet patient, forbearing yet grateful. They intercede for the transgressors and show mercy to the oppressors, let alone to the faithful and the innocent among humankind.

That one person has formed such a family is the pure grace of the living God and result of the favour the Self-Subsisting. This is the bounty of God; this is the mercy of the Lord!

May ye pass your days in spiritual happiness, in divine joy and with a clear conscience.

O servants and handmaidens of God! His honor Furughi has written a letter and has highly praised the worship and devotion of those loving friends, saying that these pure souls are radiant lamps and heavenly stars, signs of guidance and standards of the Concourse on High.

Therefore, O friends, strive with utmost endeavor so that you may attract the ancient Parsees through deeds and conduct and speech and goodly character and refined manners.

As for the friends in Kirman, they are full of spirit and joy, and are self-sacrificing in service to the Threshold, especially His Honor Haji Muhammad Khan.

Surely like him you will arise with such conduct and behavior as will be the cause of eternal glory and everlasting life, so that pure soul may become joyous and glad in the luminous realm.

The testimony of Amin is heart-warming, for he hath no thoughts of self, is self-effacing in the Cause, possesseth a pure heart and a radiant soul.

I found your faces glowing with the light of the love of God and each one of you bearing the tokens of His infinite grace. By my life, the glory of the All-Merciful shineth in your illumined faces and the signs of His guidance are manifest as though adorned with diadems of faithfulness. I am thrilled at an image so unique of a splendid group whose members have set their faces towards the Kingdom of the glorious Lord.

Perchance, God willing, ye may be helped and confirmed to arise and serve in a befitting and worthy manner, and be assisted to do that which is required; and associate with the people with sanctity, purity, virtue and holiness, so that every one who is near may inhale the fragrance of the delectable Paradise, every intimate one may behold the traits of the most wonderful creation, and all people testify that the Baha'is are the shining lamps of the regions and the rays of the dawning-place of effulgence; recognizing a Baha'i through the quality and not the name, knowing him through the amiable nature and not the physical body.

O servant of Baha! You are a kindly friend to the friends, not like the old hyena who is a burden on the mind. … But you, like the morning breeze, are light in spirit, and like the gentle air, are the cause of joy and gladness.

Thou harbourest no ill-will or animosity toward anyone. With all thou art pleasant, sincere, loving and kind.

Though days were spent in the West, the friends of the East were ever present in my thoughts, for they are the exemplars of "the foremost ones are the foremost ones - these are they who are brought nigh." They are tested believers who, like pure gold, have shone forth in the fire of tests, have burned with heart and soul in the fire of the love of God, and have sacrificed their lives in the path of the Beloved. Therefore they are foremost, near, respected, and proven.

O friends of 'Abdu'l-Baha! His Honor Avarah in his letter has given the highest praise of the firmness and steadfastness of those blessed souls, that these free spirits are enraptured and enchanted, luminous and merciful, they have kindled a fire and become consumed moths, they have rent asunder the veils of idle fancies and heard the call of the Concourse on High, they have witnessed the Most Great Standards and chanted verses of praise and glorification, they are self-sacrificing and devoted, high-minded and enraptured, day and night they have no thought save the remembrance of God and no attention except toward the Abha Kingdom.

O friends of 'Abdu'l-Baha and handmaidens of the Most Glorious Beauty! Jinab-i-Amin has expressed the utmost joy and delight at the enkindlement and attraction of the friends and handmaidens in 'Ishqabad, that praise be to God, the servants of the All-Merciful are united, attracted, enkindled and mindful, and likewise the spiritual leaves, the handmaidens of the Divine Unity, are in the utmost love and remembrance and devotion and supplication and prayer.

These blessed souls are the friends of the Beloved of the horizons and are self-sacrificing in the path of that Kind Friend. Therefore they are deserving of every bounty and are manifestations of love, steadfastness, firmness and faithfulness.

Abdul-Baha referred to the good material food we were eating, and said it had been prepared by some of the beautiful pilgrims from Russia, and added:

"The believers of Ishkabad are very sincere. They are steadfast. They are attentive, mindful, diligent, striving. If they know of a thing to be of service to the Cause and it necessitated their being drowned, they would cast themselves in the sea. They have no consideration for themselves. Most of them are thus."

He was a warm person, full of enthusiasm, never cold or indifferent. He went through much trouble for the friends. … Steadfast, firm, believing, assured - what else is the fruit of human life but this?

My hope is that every one of the believers may become a brilliant jewel of the mine of guidance and a shining star of the heaven of virtue.

Truly I say each one of the believers of God has been the embodiment of severance, the incarnation of devotion, an ignited candle, he visualized in the world of humanity the Teachings of God, and he was an example and a lesson to mankind of how to be pure, sanctified, attracted, enkindled and honest.

Of a surety, there is no greater pride and glory for a woman than to be a handmaid in God's Court of Grandeur; and the qualities that shall merit her this station are an alert and wakeful heart; a firm conviction of the unity of God, the Peerless; a heartfelt love for all His maidservants; spotless purity and chastity; obedience to and consideration for her husband; attention to the education and nurturing of her children; composure, calmness, dignity and self-possession; diligence in praising God, and worshipping Him both night and day; constancy and firmness in His holy Covenant; and the utmost ardour, enthusiasm, and attachment to His Cause.

The handmaidens of God and the bondsmaids in His divine Court should reveal such attributes and attitudes amongst the women of the world as would cause them to stand out and achieve renown in the circles of women.

That is, they should associate with them with supreme chastity and steadfast decency, with unshakeable faith, articulate speech, an eloquent tongue, irrefutable testimony and high resolve.

Soon from amongst these women many will appear as the men of the field, who will shine forth resplendent in the world of humanity with an eloquent tongue, a detached heart, a perfect utterance, a radiant proof and they will show forth supreme chastity and great decency.

Let them distinguish themselves through the illumination of their hearts, their unsullied spirituality, and their continual remembrance of His Name and their genuine virtue. Let them shine among the women of the world as a result of their goodly disposition, their eloquent speech, and pleasant behaviour.

And the glory be upon thee and upon the handmaidens of God who are steadfast in the Cause, pure from defilement, preserved from uncleanliness, and have attained unto the command of God, the Almighty, the Most High, the Supreme.

If children reflect the inner essence of heart and soul of their parents, that is if noble blood is joined with a goodly character, meaning if the son walks in the steps of the father, then the relationship of sonship is real - "the child is the secret essence of its sire."

O Lord! She was a word of Thy love and a sign of Thy remembrance. She believed in Thee and Thy verses, was drawn to Thy beauty, spoke Thy praise, acknowledged Thy oneness, and occupied herself with Thy writings night and day. She communed with Thee evening and morning and sought refuge in Thy forgiveness at dawn and dusk, until she lamented and cried out and yearned for the Kingdom and wailed until she returned to the threshold of Thy oneness with a heart hoping for Thy pardon and forgiveness.

It behooveth each one of the handmaidens of the All-Merciful, to rise, in this day, with the utmost power of faith and certitude, and to be invested, amongst the women of the earth, with such conduct, such manners, such character and so blissful a rapture that the warmth of their souls may kindle a fire in the goodly trees and burn away the foundations of self-conceit and the roots of godlessness.

You too must manifest, through your manner, words and deeds, such characteristics that that pure spirit in the Abha Kingdom will open his tongue in praise, become gladdened by your firmness and steadfastness, and find joy and delight.

Thank the Lord that thou art born of a father who is pure and a mother who is chaste and that thou hast been raised in the cradle of belief and certitude beneath the loving guidance of the Blessed Beauty, may my life be a sacrifice to His friends.

Likewise the heaven of the station of the handmaidens of God hath been and shall ever be illumined by one luminary, and that is chastity.

He was set ablaze with the fire of Your love among humanity and called others to Your remembrance with a radiant countenance and a heart drawn to Your Most Exalted Beauty, until his spirit overflowed into the Kingdom of Forgiveness and soared to the center of grace and beneficence.

Therefore, I say unto you that, verily, the angels of the Kingdom pray for the maid-servants of the Merciful; the possessors of brilliant hearts, spiritual susceptibilities, godlike feelings, heavenly attributes, holy characteristics, confident souls, perfection of humanity and sanctified and pure souls who are striving to spread the spirit of harmony--holy above qualities (pertaining to) nature and passion--spreaders of the fragrances of God severed from all else save God, banners of union and peace--signs of love and accord!

The more thou showest humility before these brilliant stars and shining orbs, the more will thy power of fatherhood increase and thy paternal authority grow.

The handmaidens who are mentioned in His presence are those who burn like true candles, who are constantly in motion like the mighty ocean, who are stirred up like the surging breeze and are the signs of attraction to the Abha Kingdom, the banners of desire lifted high in the sky. They are the ones who shed tears of joy for the love of Baha'u'llah, like the clouds in springtime; they are the ones whose faces are wreathed with smiles like a flash of lightening.

O handmaid of the Lord! If thou desirest everlasting glory, arise to fulfill the conditions of servitude, for the handmaids of the Blessed Beauty must each one be a sign of guidance and a manifestation of the Most Great Bounty. They must arise to follow such a course of conduct and behavior, such manners and customs, and loose their tongues with such proofs of the appearance of the Kingdom of the All-Merciful, that the people of the earth will be amazed. This is what distinguishes a cherished handmaid of the Blessed Beauty from others.

Know thou the value of this designation and conduct thyself accordingly in this arena, for a handmaiden of the Blessed Beauty must, in all matters, skills, and in the madness of love, be distinguished from others.

Assuredly thou wilt become thus, so that thy passion, enthusiasm and rapture may spread throughout all regions.

That is, seek a way and path, strive for a character and disposition, and choose manners and conduct that are as sweet as honey and sugar, so that the secluded women of Iran may follow your example and attain such chastity, virtue, purity, sanctity, freedom, nobility, knowledge and wisdom as to become the cause of the eternal glory of all the women of the world.

She was one of the best teachers of the Cause. An eloquent tongue, a severed soul, a detached heart were hers.

I hope that this blessed Name may be reflect its inner meanings and that thou mayest teach many such qualities as these and cause others also to adhere to trustworthiness, to integrity, to righteousness and the worship of truth.

They see for themselves no mention, praise, utterance, deed or end save through Thy power, bounty and grace. The ornaments of the world are gathered unto them solely that they might spend them in Thy path, and they love naught of all things save for the exaltation of Thy Word and the promotion of Thy Cause. These are Thy chosen ones amidst Thy creation and Thy trusted ones throughout Thy lands. They sit not but through Thy name, they rise not but in Thy remembrance, and they eat not save it be mingled with thanksgiving and praise unto Thee.

The friends of God must shine and glow like bright candles in the assemblage of the world, and like the morning star must bestow light. They must become renowned throughout the horizons for all praiseworthy human virtues and qualities, and become the brilliant full moon of the people of concord.

I declare by Baha'u'llah his face was wrapped in a sea of white light, his eyes soft with the warmth of divine love and compassion, that it is my fondest hope to see each one of the believers of God shining like unto this star.

O son of Nur! Today He Who conversed on Sinai is seated upon the throne of Revelation and hath mentioned and continueth to mention His loved ones, saying: "O people of Baha! Hearken unto My call. It behooveth you to counsel the servants through your deeds and character. Verily He is with you, seeing and hearing, and He is the Mighty, the All-Seeing."

O servant at the Threshold of the One God! The Ancient Beauty and the Most Great Name spent His lifetime enduring the most grievous tribulations and bore the utmost hardships, so that friends might be raised up who would be as firm and steadfast as immovable mountains in their constancy and steadfastness, and like the spirit of life itself in their character and deeds.

Associate with the people of the world according to the way and conduct and forbearance and character of the Ancient Beauty, that thou mayest witness the gathering and resurrection and drink from cups whose mixture is of camphor.

Some people go to cities like passing travelers, like a corpse being carried past. But others, wherever they arrive, sow seeds and create verdant fields and bring the dead to life. You are among those souls.

Be distinguished among the servants from all others, such that thy countenance shineth amidst all faces, and be among those whose faces are illumined by the lights of the Countenance.

O people of certitude! Soar in the atmosphere of the love of the All-Merciful. Strive that ye may be distinguished from others, in such wise that all creation may witness in you the lights of the Kingdom and the signs of the denizens of the Realm of Might.

Each one of you must be even as the morning star, radiant, that souls who have strayed in the darkness of idle fancies and selfish desires may thereby be guided and find the path of deliverance.

We love to behold you as horizons of light unto the inhabitants of all lands and as daysprings of mercy unto all created things.

In short, may you ever be confirmed and assisted. May you ever be illumined; may you ever be the means of the guidance of the people; may you ever breathe the breath of life in the hearts; may you be the signs of mercy to all mankind may you be the shining lamps of severance and detachment in this dark world

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When finally we hasten from this world to the next, we should do so with a candle in our hand, a brightness in our countenance, and a spirit in our heart.

Distinguish yourselves one and all among mankind by the radiance of your countenance, the sincerity of your speech, the purity of your heart, the steadfastness of your purpose, the trustworthiness of your conduct, the sanctity of your soul, the blamelessness of your life.