to him the field of martyrdom equalled, nay
outrivalled, the haunts of earthly delights. Ponder upon the conduct of
'Aba-Basir and Siyyid A_sh_raf-i-Zanjani. They sent for the mother of
A_sh_raf to dissuade her son from his purpose. But she spurred him on
until he suffered a most glorious martyrdom.

O _Sh_ay_kh_! This people have passed beyond the narrow straits of names,
and pitched their tents upon the shores of the sea of renunciation. They
would willingly lay down a myriad lives, rather than breathe the word
desired by their enemies. They have clung to that which pleaseth God, and
are wholly detached and freed from the things which pertain unto men. They
have preferred to have their heads cut off rather than utter one unseemly
word. Ponder this in thine heart. Methinks they have quaffed their fill of
the ocean of renunciation. The life of the present world hath failed to
withhold them from suffering martyrdom in the path of God.

In Mazindaran a vast number of the servants of God were exterminated. The
Governor, under the influence of calumniators, robbed a great many of all
that they possessed. Among the charges he laid against them was that they
had been laying up arms, whereas upon investigation it was found out that
they had nothing but an unloaded rifle! Gracious God! This people need no
weapons of destruction, inasmuch as they have girded themselves to
reconstruct the world. Their hosts are the hosts of goodly deeds, and
their arms the arms of upright conduct, and their commander the fear of
God. Blessed that one that judgeth with fairness. By the righteousness of
God! Such hath been the patience, the calm, the resignation and
contentment of this people that they have become the exponents of justice,
and so great hath been their forbearance, that they have suffered
themselves to be killed rather than kill, and this notwithstanding that
these whom the world hath wronged have endured tribulations the like of
which the history of the world hath never recorded, nor the eyes of any
nation witnessed. What is it that could have induced them to reconcile
themselves to these grievous trials, and to refuse to put forth a hand to
repel them? What could have caused such resignation and serenity? The true
cause is to be found in the ban which the Pen of Glory hath, day and
night, chosen to impose, and in Our assumption of the reins of authority,
through the power and might of Him Who is the Lord of all mankind.

Remembe