t the people of the Merciful and does not wish to be in union except
with the heavenly ones.

O thou chosen maid-servant of God! It is time for thee to cry aloud and
fervently, day and night, not to sit still a moment, not to rest for an
instant, but to be always engaged in the commemoration of God and invite
the people with the utmost longing and ecstasy unto the Kingdom of God.

Raise thou such melodies and harmony in Green Acre that may reach unto the
Kingdom of Abha and cause joy and exaltation in the angels of heaven! This
matter needs a great enthusiasm (heat or exertion) and a sanctity and
purity like unto a manifest light. Thou knowest what secrets doeth the
spirit of Abdul-Baha communicate with thee and what glad-tidings he giveth
unto thee! Show forth thy capacity and merit, for without capacity the
Gift doth not become manifest.

"O thou dear maid-servant of God!..."

O thou dear maid-servant of God!

Thy letter was excellent and its contents were perfect and complete. Happy
is thy condition for that thou hast not forgotten the time of thy
visit(127), nay, at every instant thou hast grown in this thought and art
remembering the exhortations of Abdul-Baha and wishing in thy soul to put
them thoroughly into practice. Praise be to God that thou hast kept
steadfast with all firmness under the millstone of tests like unto a grain
of diamond. Be not grieved; tests lead to the development of holy souls
and the ardor of the flame of fire causeth the pure gold to shine and the
violence of winds is conducive to the growth and thriving of a firm and
well rooted tree.

If the earthen house and mortal dwelling-place was burned,(128) yet I hope
that thou mayest build thy nest and abode, like unto the birds of
holiness, in the Tree of Life in the Divine Kingdom.***

All the members of the household, especially the Exalted Leaf(129), send
most wonderful Abha greetings. The maid-servant of God, ........, is
present here longing for you with the utmost joy and happiness.

As to the catalogue of the book of which thou has written, convey (the
following) to the author of that book:

"Although thou hast exerted the utmost endeavors in compiling this book
and hast written the life of His Kingdom Christ and His blessed
sayings--and this service and labor deserve favor--yet these are events of
former times and all that is past is of a different effect. If thou art a
hero of the field and a melodious bird in the gard