is not far distant when ye shall readily
realize that your glory lieth in your belief in these holy verses. Today,
however, when only belief in this Faith truly profiteth you, ye have
debarred yourselves therefrom by reason of the things which are
disadvantageous unto you and will inflict harm upon you, whereas He Who is
the Manifestation of My Self hath been and shall ever remain immune from
any harm whatever, and any loss that hath appeared or will appear shall
eventually revert unto yourselves. II, 1.

"How vast the number of people who are well versed in ..."

How vast the number of people who are well versed in every science, yet it
is their adherence to the holy Word of God which will determine their
faith, inasmuch as the fruit of every science is none other than the
knowledge of divine precepts and submission unto His good-pleasure. II, 1.

"No created thing shall ever attain its paradise unless it ..."

No created thing shall ever attain its paradise unless it appeareth in its
highest prescribed degree of perfection. For instance, this crystal
representeth the paradise of the stone whereof its substance is composed.
Likewise there are various stages in the paradise for the crystal
itself... So long as it was stone it was worthless, but if it attaineth
the excellence of ruby--a potentiality which is latent in it--how much a
carat will it be worth? Consider likewise every created thing.

Man's highest station, however, is attained through faith in God in every
Dispensation and by acceptance of what hath been revealed by Him, and not
through learning; inasmuch as in every nation there are learned men who
are versed in divers sciences. Nor is it attainable through wealth; for it
is similarly evident that among the various classes in every nation there
are those possessed of riches. Likewise are other transitory things.

True knowledge, therefore, is the knowledge of God, and this is none other
than the recognition of His Manifestation in each Dispensation. Nor is
there any wealth save in poverty in all save God and sanctity from aught
else but Him--a state that can be realized only when demonstrated towards
Him Who is the Dayspring of His Revelation. This doth not mean, however,
that one ought not to yield praise unto former Revelations. On no account
is this acceptable, inasmuch as it behooveth man, upon reaching the age of
nineteen, to render thanksgiving for the day of his conception as an
e