God and invite people to enter in the religion of
God, and when he uttereth those argumments and advanceth consummate proofs
concerning the appearance of the great Kingdom, then intense love shall
become manifest in his heart. This love causeth the development of this
spirit by the grace of the beneficent Lord. Consider, O maid-servant of
God, the bearer who brought the garment of Joseph to Jacob. That messenger
was the bearer of the garment, but he could not inhale the fragrance of
Joseph. But Jacob, whose nostrils were pure, inhaled the fragrances of
Joseph from a long distance.

It may be that man can guide a blessed, holy soul into the Kingdom of God
while he, himself, is deprived therof. Consider Judas Iscariot: He invited
others, while he, himself, was deprived of the Kingdom of God. But in
spiritual training (or development) it is impossible for an imperfect one
to perfect another or train another unless he first conquers his own self
and desire and becomes purified from selfish impurities in order to become
capable of merciful slendors. When he acquires divine bounties, then he is
able to train another. An ignorant man hath no power to teach a seeker (of
knowledge) and a poor man hath no power to succor a needy one.
Consequently, be thou assured that, verily, man needs to wish for eternal
life and then confer the same upon another. These human perfections and
merciful bounties are that peace which was promised and spoken of by
Christ.

Then know thou that, verily, the people of Baha' must need be
distinguished from others in all respects, until they become the lamps of
the True One among the creatures and the stars of guidance shining from
the Supreme Concourse.

Then know thou, verily, that Luminous Man, the lights of whose Face dazzle
the eyes and before whom thou knelt down when thou sawest His light, is
the Greatest Name, the Ancient Light, the Honorable Temple!

"O thou sincere servant of Baha'o'llah!..."

O thou sincere servant of Baha'o'llah!

Thy letter was received and its content was the cause of infinite
happiness, for it was an indication of thy firmness in the faith and thy
steadfastness in the Covenant and Testament. Today, the greatest of all
titles and praises are firmness and steadfastness, for the tests and
trials are of the utmost intensity. I ask God that day by day thou mayest
increase in steadfastness, so like unto a solid rock thou mayest withstand
the tempestuous sea of tes