posed
of two most erudite Persians and two learned Americans, all of them having
the utmost proficiency in both languages and possessing a certain
knowledge of sciences and arts. Then others from among the scholars and
thinkers must assist. At that time Tablets will be translated correctly
and published. What ye have in your hands and what is already printed will
impart a certain degree of information. Whatever matter the spiritual
Boards of Council in New York, Chicago, Washington and Kenosha unanimously
deem advisable to print and publish, ye may print and publish; and have
the utmost union and oneness with each other.

Regarding the Tablets of Abdul-Baha: Each of them is important. Print ye
those which are in detail.

As to the question of annihilation and destruction of the Spirits(3) : Mr.
Phelps hath not not fully understood the matter or else the translator
hath made some mistake. It was not intended to convey the idea that the
unbelieving souls are absolutely annihilated. Nay, rather, it was meant
that the existence of the evil spirits in comparison to the existence of
the sanctified souls was like unto annihilation. As you clearly behold,
the existence of mineral in comparison with the existence of man is like
unto non-being. When the body of man is destroyed and disintegrated, it
returneth to the mineral.

Concerning the income of the printing and publishing society, as ye write,
it must be expended for charitable purposes.

O ye believers of God! I am pleased with you and seek for your assistance
and confirmation. I hope that ye may, day by day, add to your love,
steadfastness, purity of intention and service to the Cause of God.

Upon ye be greeting and praise!

Abdul-Baha Abbas.

"These Tablets were originally written in Persian and all..."

These Tablets were originally written in Persian and all bear the caption,
"He is God!"(4) and close with expressions of good will, such as, "Upon ye
be greetings and praise!" These expressions have been omitted from this
compilation; also such portions as are clearly of a personal nature, as
well as names of persons, as instructed by Abdul-Baha.

Omission of names of persons has been designated by the sign, thus
........; omission of purely personal portions of the text have been
designated by the sign, thus ***. The translator's interpolations are
enclosed in parentheses, thus ( ); editor's interpolations are enclosed in
brackets, thus [ ]. For messa