“To the beloved of God in Persia!...”
To the beloved of God in Persia!
O ye dear friends of Abdul-Baha! It is some time since any heart-thrilling melody hath reached the ear of life from certain countries, and life and conscience have not found happiness and joy. Howbeit all are remembered at all times and are indeed present before the sight. For, verily, the chalice of the heart is overflowing with the wine of the love of the friends; and their attachment and the desire to see them flow and circulate in the veins and arteries, even as the spirit.
In this condition it is evident how sad and grieved the heart is. In this storm of ordeal, whose wave hath reached the Supreme Apogee, and the arrow of hate hath come in succession from the six points; with every breath there is bewildering news and every day astonishing signs in the Blessed Spot.
The center of violation[161] supposed that through mere pride the foundation of the Covenant and Testament could be destroyed and that the righteous ones would shun and disobey the ordinances of God. Therefore, he spread writings of suspicion to all parts and busied himself with secret plans.
At one time he cried that “The Divine Foundation is overthrown, the law of God is abrogated, therefore the Covenant and Testament of God are annulled!” Again, he moaned and grieved that “We are exiles and captives, hungry and thirsty, night and day!” One day he effected disturbance and commotion, saying, “The Oneness of God is abolished, and the Manifestation, before the lapse of a thousand years, hath appeared!”[162]
Upon finding that these fictions were not successful, he gradually planned corruptions and caused commotion. He grasped every garment (means); he calumniated to the government and he became acquainted with some of the unfriendly, associated and became confidential with them. Together they compiled a report and presented it to the center of the government, which disturbed the members of the cabinet.
Among their fictitious reports was this: That this oppressed one[163] has hoisted the banner of independence; upon that banner he has inscribed “Ya Baha El-Abha!” and circulated it in all this country,[164] in the cities and hamlets, even among the tribes in the desert, and that he has summoned them all to assemble under the banner.