luminated both the East and the
West! In order that glorification and thanks may be shown for these
bounties, the words and actions must be in accordance with the advices and
behests of His Highness Baha'o'llah. Thanks does not depend upon words but
upon deeds!"

"O ye beloved of God and His sincere friends!..."

O ye(145) beloved of God and His sincere friends!

By the life of God! The hearts are cheered whenever you are mentioned, the
souls are comforted in your love, the holy spirits are captivated by your
fragrance, the eyes are expecting to see you and the hearts are longing to
meet you, owing to the fact that your hearts were kindled with the fire of
the love of God, your ears were charmed by hearing the Word of God and
your souls were rested in the appearance of the mysteries of God.

Blessed are ye, O children of the Kingdom of God! Glad-tidings to ye, O
friends of God! as He hath made your destiny great and your share victory
and happiness, your lamps lighted and your spring to yield supply!

Ye are the most brilliant stars! Ye are the most dazzling lamps! Ye are
the green branches! Ye are the ripe fruits! Ye are the beautiful gardens!
Ye are the overflowing bowls!

God is merciful and compassionate! His bounty is great and great! He
appropriateth by His mercy those whom He liketh and chooseth for His love
those of whom He approveth. This is in accordance with what Christ said:
"Many are called, but few chosen."

God maketh your endeavor praiseworthy, your reward great and your days in
El-Baha feasts and pleasures, because of your casting away the imaginary
god and accepting the Knowable, for [your] discarding every evil spirit,
craving for the witnessed Light and for turning your faces to the Exalted
Position.

God will show forth your endeavor, increase your spirit and fragrance,
perfume the different directions with your perfume, enlighten the horizon
with your light and quicken the hearts with that which is treasured within
you; will cheer the souls with what you have accomplished and cause the
verses of thankfulness to be recited in all places; the banner in
remembrance of you to wave through all the ages; your fame and praise to
encircle the horizon and the tongues to speak of your virtues and good
endeavors.

By the living Truth! That bounty is great and great and the Lord is
supreme in majesty! The confirmation is successive and success is
continuous, and the kindness of your God, the