after power or glory? Have they ever yearned for riches? Have they
cherished any desire except the good-pleasure of God? If these companions,
with all their marvellous testimonies and wondrous works, be false, who
then is worthy to claim for himself the truth? I swear by God! Their very
deeds are a sufficient testimony, and an irrefutable proof unto all the
peoples of the earth, were men to ponder in their hearts the mysteries of
divine Revelation. "And they who act unjustly shall soon know what lot
awaiteth them!"(174)

Furthermore, the sign of truth and falsehood is designated and appointed
in the Book. By this divinely-appointed touchstone, the claims and
pretensions of all men must needs be assayed, so that the truthful may be
known and distinguished from the imposter. This touchstone is no other
than this verse: "Wish for death, if ye are men of truth."(175) Consider
these martyrs of unquestionable sincerity, to whose truthfulness
testifieth the explicit text of the Book, and all of whom, as thou hast
witnessed, have sacrificed their life, their substance, their wives, their
children, their all, and ascended unto the loftiest chambers of Paradise.
Is it fair to reject the testimony of these detached and exalted beings to
the truth of this pre-eminent and glorious Revelation and to regard as
acceptable the denunciations which have been uttered against this
resplendent Light by this faithless people, who for gold have forsaken
their faith, and who for the sake of leadership have repudiated Him Who is
the First Leader of all mankind? This, although their character is now
revealed unto all people who have recognized them as those who will in no
wise relinquish one jot or one tittle of their temporal authority for the
sake of God's holy Faith, how much less their life, their substance, and
the like.

Behold how the divine Touchstone hath, according to the explicit text of
the Book, separated and distinguished the true from the false.
Notwithstanding, they are still oblivious of this truth, and in the sleep
of heedlessness, are pursuing the vanities of the world, and are occupied
with thoughts of vain and earthly leadership.

"O Son of Man! Many a day hath passed over thee whilst thou hast busied
thyself with thy fancies and idle imaginings. How long art thou to slumber
on thy bed? Lift up thine head from slumber, for the Sun hath risen to the
zenith; haply it may shine upon thee with the light of beauty."

Let it b