iends oppose (the Cause of
God) with sword and one remain (firm), he will be the proclaimer of God, a
divine herald, and will stand before all upon the earth.

In sooth, you must not mind the events in the Radiant Spot. The Holy Land
is ever in danger and the flood of ordeal comes from every side, for the
call hath become world-wide and the summons hath spread throughout the
earth, and enemies, both the unfamiliar and the familiar, are engaged in
their plans, their stratagems and schemes to calumniate; and it is evident
that such a place is in danger, for against calumny there is no defence,
nay rather, some wandering oppressed souls are imprisoned in a fortress,
having no helper, assistant nor shelter from the sword of accusation and
the teeth of calumny, save God!

Ye must think of this: How many dear friends have hastened to the divine
altar; how many blessed souls have sacrificed life; what holy blood was
shed; what pure hearts were drowned in blood; how many breasts were
offered as targets for the arrows of malice, and how many sanctified
bodies were cut to pieces. What is our duty? To be thinking of our own
life and to dissimulate and associate with enemies and friends, or should
we also follow the righteous and walk in the footprints of those who are
great?

The numbered days (of life) will vanish away, and the present existence
disappear. The garden of being will lose its freshness and fragrance, the
orchard of mirth will miss its joy and beauty. The spring of life will
change into the autumn of death, the joy of happiness of the palaces will
change into the gloomy darkness of the grave. Therefore, it is not worth
attachment and the wise person will not set his heart thereon. The wise
and great man seeketh heavenly glory and divine might, desireth eternal
life and seeketh nearness to the Threshold of God.

For in the tavern of the mortal world the bile of the man of God is not
removed. He will not rest a moment here and will not stain himself with
the attachments of the world. Nay, rather, the friends are the stars of
the summit of Providence and the planets of the firmament of Guidance.
with perfect strength do they dispel darkness and destroy the foundation
of envy and enmity. They wish for the world and its denizens unity and
peace; they destroy the basis of war and strife; they seek integrity,
faithfulness and friendliness, and are well-wishes even of the
evil-disposed enemy. Thus they make this prison of