ant of this. Beware lest anyone shall secretly question or deny this
to you. There are some people of self-will and desire who do not
communicate their intentions to you in clear language. They envelop their
meanings in secret statements and insinuations. For instance, they praise
a certain individual, saying he is wise and learned, that he was glorified
in the presence of Baha'u'llah, conveying this to you in an insidious way
or by innuendos. Be ye aware of this! Be awakened and enlightened! For
Christ has said that no one hides the lamp under a bushel. The purport of
my admonition is that certain people will endeavor to influence you in the
direction of their own personal views and opinions. Therefore, be upon
your guard in order that none may assail the oneness and integrity of
Baha'u'llah's Cause. Praise be to God! Baha'u'llah left nothing unsaid. He
explained everything. He left no room for anything further to be said. Yet
there are some who for the sake of personal interest and prestige will
attempt to sow the seeds of sedition and disloyalty among you. To protect
and safeguard the religion of God from this and all other attack, the
Center of the Covenant has been named and appointed by Baha'u'llah.
Therefore, if anyone should set forth a statement in praise or recognition
of another than this appointed Center, you must ask him to produce a
written proof of the authority he follows. Let him show you a trace from
the pen of the Center of the Covenant Himself, substantiating his praise
and support of any other than the rightful one. Inform him that you are
not permitted to accept the words of everyone. Say to him, "It is possible
to love and praise a person today, to accept and follow another tomorrow
and still another next day. Therefore, we cannot afford to listen to this
or that individual. Where are your proofs and writings? Where is your
authority from the pen of the Center of the Covenant?"

My purpose is to explain to you that it is your duty to guard the religion
of God so that none shall be able to assail it outwardly or inwardly. If
you find harmful teachings are being set forth by some individual, no
matter who that individual be, even though he should be my own son, know,
verily, that I am completely severed from him. If anyone speaks against
the Covenant, even though he should be my son, know that I am opposed to
him. Those who speak falsehoods, who covet worldly things and seek to
accumulate the riches o