, returning nigh unto sundown. He knows and is conscious
that he should not speak contrary to the truth. If one enter his presence
let him repeat these words before him on behalf of the Oppressed One: 'O
Prince! I ask justice and fairness from your Highness concerning that
which hath befallen this poor Victim.' Well is it for that soul whom the
doubts of the perverse withhold not from the display of justice, and
deprive not of the lights of the luminary of equity. O saints of God! at
the end of Our discourse We enjoin on you once again chastity,
faithfulness, godliness, sincerity, and purity. Lay aside the evil and
adopt the good. This is that whereunto ye are commanded in the Book of
God, the Knowing, the Wise. Well is it with those who practice [this
injunction]. At this moment the pen crieth out, saying, 'O saints of God,
regard the horizon of uprightness, and be quit, severed, and free from
what is beside this. There is no strength and no power save in God.'"

In short, formerly in all provinces in Persia accounts and stories
concerning this sect diverse and discordant, yea, incompatible with the
character of the human race and opposed to the divine endowment, passed on
the tongues and in the mouths of men and obtained notoriety. But when
their principles acquired fixity and stability and their conduct and
behavior were known and appreciated, the veil of doubt and suspicion fell,
the true character of this sect became clear and evident, and it reached
the degree of certainty that their principles were unlike men's fancies,
and that their foundation differed from [the popular] opinion and
estimate. In their conduct, action, morality, and demeanor was no place
for objection; the objection in Persia is to certain of the ideas and
tenets of this sect. And from the indications of various circumstances it
hath been observed that the people have acquired belief and confidence in
the trustworthiness, faithfulness, and godliness of this sect in all
transactions.

Let us return to our original topic. During the period of their sojourn in
'Iraq these persons became notorious throughout the world. For exile
resulted in fame, in such wise that a great number of other parties sought
alliance and union, and devised means of [acquiring] intimacy [with them].
But the Chief of this sect, discovering the aims of each faction, acted
with the utmost consistency, circumspection, and firmness. Reposing
confidence in none, He applied Himse