The wisdom of all these tribulations that poured successively upon thee was this, that thou shouldst be prepared and made ready for this Cause, that thou mightiest expect the attainment to the greatest guidance, for all these trials were but a preparation for thine entrance into the Most Exalted Paradise and the beginning of obtaining this most great benefit.
Unless the season of winter appear, thunder roll, lightening flash, snow and rain fall, hail and frost descend and the intensity of cold execute its command, the season of the soul-refreshing spring would not come, the fragrant breeze would not waft, the moderation of temperature would not be realized, the roses and hyacinths would not grow, the surface of the heart would not become a delectable paradise, the trees would not bloom, neither would they bring forth fruits and leaves. That was the beginning of the manifestation of these roses, hyacinths, buds, blossoms and fruits.
Therefore, be not distressed on account of those adversities which fell upon thee; nay, rather, arise and render thanks that the ultimate goal is the attainment to this eminent bounty and the enjoyment of this highest gift of the almighty God. Consequently gird up the loins of thine endeavor, that thereby some results might be produced, some fruits gathered, the lamp of everlasting life ignited and the gifts of the Lord of the Kingdom be manifest, so that thou mayest accomplish again, with great yearning and exaltation, the worship of the Lord of Hosts.
“O thou who art firm in the Covenant!...”
O thou who art firm in the Covenant!
Thy last letter, sent by Mirza ........., hath arrived. It is not a very long time since I wrote thee a letter in which I said how contented I was with thee and I explained to thee the importance of thy visit to India and showed thee the results and the fruits of that visit.
At this moment hath arrived a letter in which thou hast praised the believers of Rangoon, especially Seyed ........., Mirza ........., Mirza ......... and Khai Khosroe[295] who sacrificed his life for thine; ea, this is the truth! Consider what a difference exists between his country and thine and what a great effect this Bahai spirit hath manifested that an oriental sacrificed his life for an Occidental! What attraction, what love, what relationship is this! Blessed are those who are able to arrive at an understanding of the reality of the power of this love!
Concerning Mr. ........., one of the Hindus of whom thou hast written: Say to him, “To me thou art not a stranger, but a friend; thou art not unknown, but known.”