t a few among
them have, as its Administrative Order gained in stature and spread its
ramifications over Christian countries, arisen to check its progress, to
belittle its influence, and obscure its purpose.

HIS MESSAGES TO CHRISTIAN LEADERS

A glance at the writings of the Author of the Baha'i Revelation will
reveal the important and significant fact that He Who addressed
collectively an immortal message to all the kings of the earth, Who
revealed a Tablet to each of the outstanding crowned heads of Europe and
Asia, Who issued His call to the sacerdotal leaders of Islam, both Sunni
and _Sh_i'ih, Who did not exclude from His purview the Jews and the
Zoroastrians, has, apart from His numerous and repeated exhortations and
warnings to the entire Christian world, directed particular messages, some
general, others precise and challenging, to the heads, as well as to the
rank and file, of the ecclesiastical orders of Christendom--its pope, its
kings, its patriarchs, its archbishops, its bishops, its priests, and its
monks. We have already, in connection with the messages of Baha'u'llah to
the crowned heads of the world, considered certain features of the Tablet
to the Roman Pontiff, as well as the words written to the kings of
Christendom. Let us now turn our attention to those passages in which the
aristocracy of the church and its ordained servants are singled out for
exhortation and admonition by the Pen of Baha'u'llah:

"Say: O concourse of patriarchs! He Whom ye were promised in the Tablets
is come. Fear God, and follow not the vain imaginings of the
superstitious. Lay aside the things ye possess, and take fast hold of the
Tablet of God by His sovereign power. Better is this for you than all your
possessions. Unto this testifieth every understanding heart, and every man
of insight. Pride ye yourselves on My Name, and yet shut yourselves out as
by a veil from Me? This indeed is a strange thing!"

"Say: O concourse of archbishops! He Who is the Lord of all men hath
appeared. In the plain of guidance He calleth mankind, whilst ye are
numbered with the dead! Great is the blessedness of him who is stirred by
the Breeze of God, and hath arisen from amongst the dead in this
perspicuous Name."

"Say: O concourse of bishops! Trembling hath seized all the kindreds of
the earth, and He Who is the Everlasting Father calleth aloud between
earth and heaven. Blessed the ear that hath heard, and the eye that hath
seen,