Beloved, he yieldeth up his soul.

Until a being setteth his foot in the plane of sacrifice, he is bereft of
every favour and grace; and this plane of sacrifice is the realm of dying
to the self, that the radiance of the living God may then shine forth. The
martyr's field is the place of detachment from self, that the anthems of
eternity may be upraised. Do all ye can to become wholly weary of self,
and bind yourselves to that Countenance of Splendours; and once ye have
reached such heights of servitude, ye will find, gathered within your
shadow, all created things. This is boundless grace; this is the highest
sovereignty; this is the life that dieth not. All else save this is at the
last but manifest perdition and great loss.

Praise be to God, the gate of boundless grace is opened wide, the heavenly
table is set, the servants of the Merciful and His handmaids are present
at the feast. Strive ye to receive your share of this eternal food, so
that ye shall be loved and cherished in this world and the next.

37: O YE DEAR FRIENDS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA! A BLESSED LETTER ...

O ye dear friends of 'Abdu'l-Baha! A blessed letter hath been received
from you, telling of the election of a Spiritual Assembly. It hath
rejoiced my heart to know that, God be praised, the friends in that area,
with absolute unity, fellowship and love, have held this new election and
were successful in voting for souls who are sanctified, are favoured at
the Holy Threshold and are well known amongst the friends to be staunch
and firm in the Covenant.

Now must those elected representatives arise to serve with spirituality
and joy, with purity of intent, with strong attraction to the fragrances
of the Almighty, and well supported by the Holy Spirit. Let them raise up
the banner of guidance, and as soldiers of the Company on high, let them
exalt God's Word, spread abroad His sweet savours, educate the souls of
men, and promote the Most Great Peace.

Truly, blessed souls have been elected. The moment I read their names, I
felt a thrill of spiritual joy to know that, praised be God, persons have
been raised up in that country who are servants of the Kingdom, and ready
to lay down their lives for Him Who hath neither likeness nor peer.

O ye dear friends of mine! Light up this Assembly with the splendour of
God's love. Make it ring out with the joyous music of the hallowed
spheres, make it thrive on those foods that are served at the Lord's
Sup