ree visits may be most productive of future
results. May you all become signs of unity; may each one be a standard of
Baha'u'llah, each one shine as a star, each one become precious and worthy
in the Kingdom of God. May you attain such a condition of spirituality
that the people will be astounded, saying, "Verily, these souls are proofs
in themselves of the validity of Baha'u'llah, for through His training
they have been completely regenerated. These souls are peerless; they are
truly the people of the Kingdom; they are distinguished above the people
about them. This is in reality a proof of Baha'u'llah. Behold how educated
and illumined they have become."

When this Cause appeared in the Orient, the friends and followers were
self-sacrificing to the utmost, forfeiting everything. It is a significant
and wonderful fact that, although the most precious thing on earth is
life, yet twenty thousand people offered themselves willingly in the
pathway of martyrdom. Recently, in Yazd two hundred of the Baha'i friends
were cruelly slain. They went to the place of martyrdom in the utmost
ecstasy of attraction, smiling with joy and gratitude upon their
persecutors. Some of them offered sweetmeats to their executioners,
saying, "Taste of this in order that with sweetness and enjoyment you may
bestow upon us the blessed cup of martyrdom." Among these beloved and
glorified ones were a number of women who were subjected to the most cruel
manner of execution. Some were cut to pieces; and their executioners, not
content with such butchery, set others on fire, and their bodies were
consumed. Throughout these terrible ordeals not a single soul among the
Baha'i friends objected or recanted. They offered no resistance, although
the Baha'is in that city were most courageous and strong. In physical
strength and fortitude one of these Baha'is could have withstood many of
their enemies, but they accepted martyrdom in the spirit of complete
resignation and nonresistance. Many of them died, crying out, "O Lord!
Forgive them; they know not what they do. If they knew, they would not
commit this wrong." In the throes of martyrdom they willingly offered all
they possessed in this life.

It is stated in certain prophecies that when the standard of God appears
in the East, its signs will become evident in the West. This is truly good
news and glad tidings for you. I hope that this promise may be fulfilled
in you and that all may be able to testify to t