nmates of the
fire, though they considered themselves as dwellers in Paradise.

Likewise behold this Revelation. The essences of the people have, through
divinely-conceived designs, been set in motion and until the present day
three hundred and thirteen disciples have been chosen. In the land of Sad
[Isfahan], which to outward seeming is a great city, in every corner of
whose seminaries are vast numbers of people regarded as divines and
doctors, yet when the time came for inmost essences to be drawn forth,
only its sifter of wheat donned the robe of discipleship. This is the
mystery of what was uttered by the kindred of the Prophet Muhammad--upon
them be the peace of God--concerning this Revelation, saying that the
abased shall be exalted and the exalted shall be abased.

Likewise is the Revelation of Him Whom God shall make manifest. Among
those to whom it will never occur that they might merit the displeasure of
God, and whose pious deeds will be exemplary unto everyone, there will be
many who will become the personification of the nethermost fire itself,
when they fail to embrace His Cause; while among the lowly servants whom
no one would imagine to be of any merit, how great the number who will be
honoured with true faith and on whom the Fountainhead of generosity will
bestow the robe of authority. For whatever is created in the Faith of God
is created through the potency of His Word. VIII, 14.

"In the manifestation of the Apostle of God all were eagerly ..."

In the manifestation of the Apostle of God all were eagerly awaiting Him,
yet thou hast heard how He was treated at the time of His appearance, in
spite of the fact that if ever they beheld Him in their dreams they would
take pride in them.

Likewise in the manifestation of the Point of the Bayan, the people stood
up at the mention of His Name and fervently implored His advent night and
day, and if they dreamt of Him they gloried in their dreams; yet now that
He hath revealed Himself, invested with the mightiest testimony, whereby
their own religion is vindicated, and despite the incalculable number of
people who yearningly anticipate His coming, they are resting comfortably
in their homes, after having hearkened to His verses; while He at this
moment is confined in the mountain of Maku, lonely and forsaken.

Take good heed of yourselves, O people of the Bayan, lest ye perform such
deeds as to weep sore for His sake night and day, to stand up at t