s that day and night
they endeavor and strive, and that they have no aim except the exaltation
of the word of God, the education of men, the improvement of the masses,
spiritual progress, the promulgation of universal peace, goodwill to all
mankind, and kindness toward all nations. Sacrificing themselves for the
good of humanity, they are detached from material advantages, and labor to
give virtues to mankind.

But let us return to our subject. For example, in the Old Testament it is
said in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 48, verse 12: "Hearken unto Me, O
Jacob and Israel, My called; I am He; I am the first, I also am the last."
It is evident that it does not mean Jacob who was Israel, but the people
of Israel. Also in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 1, it is said:
"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that
formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called
thee by thy name; thou art Mine."

Furthermore, in Numbers, chapter 20, verse 23: "And the Lord spake unto
Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the
land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled
against My word at the water of Meribah";(133) and in verse 13: "This is
the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the Lord,
and He was sanctified in them."

Observe: the people of Israel rebelled, but apparently the reproach was
for Moses and Aaron. As it is said in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 3,
verse 26: "But the Lord was wroth with Me for your sakes, and would not
hear Me: and the Lord said unto Me, Let it suffice Thee; speak no more
unto Me of this matter."

Now this discourse and reproach really refer to the children of Israel,
who, for having rebelled against the command of God, were held captive a
long time in the arid desert, on the other side of Jordan, until the time
of Joshua--upon him be salutations. This address and reproach appeared to
be for Moses and Aaron, but in reality they were for the people of Israel.

In the same way in the Qur'an it is said to Muhammad: "We have granted
Thee a manifest victory, so that God may forgive Thee Thy preceding and
subsequent sin."(134) This address, although apparently directed to
Muhammad, was in reality for all the people. This mode of address, as
before said, was used by the perfect wisdom of God, so that the hea