ve him here again. He was at all times my
close companion. He had amazing verve, intense love. He was a compendium
of perfections: believing, confident, serene, detached from the world, a
peerless companion, a wit--and his character like a garden in full bloom.
For the love of God, he left all good things behind; he closed his eyes to
success, he wanted neither comfort nor rest, he sought no wealth, he
wished only to be free from the defilement of the world. He had no ties to
this life, but spent his days and nights supplicating and communing with
God. He was always smiling, effervescing; he was spirit personified, love
embodied. For sincerity and loyalty he had no match, nor for patience and
inner calm. He was selflessness itself, living on the breaths of the
spirit.

If he had not been in love with the Blessed Beauty, if he had not set his
heart on the Realm of Glory, every worldly pleasure could have been his.
Wherever he went, his many calligraphic styles were a substantial capital,
and his great accomplishment brought him attention and respect from rich
and poor alike. But he was hopelessly enamored of man's one true Love, and
thus he was free of all those other bonds, and could float and soar in the
spirit's endless sky.

Finally, when I was absent, he left this darksome, narrow world and
hastened away to the land of lights. There, in the haven of God's
boundless mercy, he found infinite rewards. Unto him be praise and
salutations, and the Supreme Companion's tender grace.

USTAD 'ALI-AKBAR-I-NAJJAR

Ustad 'Ali-Akbar, the Cabinet-Maker,(61) was numbered among the just, a
prince of the righteous. He was one of Persia's earliest believers and a
leading member of that company. From the beginning of the Cause a trusted
confidant, he loosed his tongue to proclaim the Faith. He informed himself
as to its proofs, and went deep into its Scriptures. He was also a gifted
poet, writing odes in eulogy of Baha'u'llah.

Exceptionally skilled in his craft, Ustad produced highly ingenious work,
fashioning carpentry that, for intricacy and precision, resembled mosaic
inlay. He was expert in mathematics as well, solving and explaining
difficult problems.

From Yazd, this revered man traveled to 'Iraq, where he achieved the honor
of entering the presence of Baha'u'llah, and received abundant grace. The
Blessed Beauty showered favors upon Ustad 'Ali, who entered His presence
almost every day. He was one of those who w