The Power of the Covenant/Text

[Page 3]INTRODUCTION

In this brief, compact compilation of Bahá’ís have access to the most vitalizing forces of the Revelation of Baha”ullah released by God Himself for the regeneration of souls and the ordering of the world of humanity.

These forces are universal and directed to all mankind, but they operate only within those souls who have accepted His Revelation, in this, the Day of God, and turn in complete devotion to Him.

What are these sacred truths, and how do they possess power to bestow eternal life, illumine the mind and produce actions which establish the Kingdom on earth?

First, the Bahá’í interpretation of the Eternal Covenant which the Creator has made with humanity through His successive Manifestations—the clue to our destiny, the motive of man’s historic development, the proof of the oneness of the Prophets, and the mystery revealed in this Day of God.

Second, the unique Covenant which Bahá’u’lláh made with His people in the mission of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as Center of this Covenant, Interpreter of the Book, Exemplar of the Bahá’í life, Ensign of Universal Peace, and Head of the Bahá’í world community from the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh to His own passing in 1921.

Third, the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá establishing the Guardianship and thereby extending throughout the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh the grace of Divine Guidance.

Fourth, the nature and scope of the duty to be fulfilled by the Bahá’ís as party to Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant in establishing His Faith and His Order throughout the world.

From God Himself, the Creator, the All-Wise, the All-Powerful, emanates the spiritual force and energy required for the renewal of souls and the ordering of the world. This force penetrates the universe and enters the innermost being of every true Bahá’í.

May each Bahá’í make this message the very fiber of his being. Discuss and study it with fellow—believers in the group or community. Use it in firesides. Teach these sublime truths to inquirers. Let its potency flow through every believer to quicken others and knit firm the ties of. Bahá’í unity and affectionate cooperation. Then will we really respond to the needs of the home front campaignthe enrollment of more believers in every community and the pioneer mission inviting participation in any one of the many goal cities.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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[Page 4]THE ETERNAL COVENANT OF GOD

Contemplate with thine inward eye the chain of successive Revelations that hath linked the Manifestation of Adam with that of the Báb. I testify before God that each of these Manifestations hath been sent down through the operation of the Divine Will and Purpose, that each hath been entrusted with a divinely-revealed Book and hath been commissioned to unravel the mysteries of a

mighty Tablet. —Bahá’u’lláh, GL, p. 74

Every one of Them is a mirror of God, reflecting naught else but His Self, His Beauty, His Might and Glory, if ye will understand. . . . These Mirrors will everlastingly succeed each other, and will

continue to reflect the light of the Ancient of Days. -Bahá’u’lláh, GL, p. 74

Through the Teachings of this Day-Star of Truth every man will advance and develop until 'he attaineth the station at which he can manifest all .the potential forces with which his inmost true self hath been endowed. It is for this very purpose that in every age and dispensation the Prophets of God and His chosen Ones have appeared amongst men, and have evinced such power ‘as is

born of God and such might as only the Eternal can reveal. —Bahá’u’lláh, GL, p. 68

Every Prophet Whom the Almighty and Peerless Creator hath purposed to send to the peoples of the earth hath been entrusted with a Message, and charged to act in a manner that would best

meet the requirements of the age in which He appeared. —Bahá’u’lláh, GL, 1). 79

The divine Prophets are conjoined in the perfect state of love. Each one has given the glad-tidings of His successor’s coming and each successor has sanctioned the one who preceded Him. They

were in the utmost unity but their followers are in strife. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, P.U.P., p. 217

His Holiness Abraham, on Him be peace, made a covenant concerning His Holiness Moses and gave the glad-tidings of His coming. His Holiness Moses made a covenant concerning the Promised One, i.e. His Holiness Christ, and announced the good news of His

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[Page 5]Manifestation to the world. His Holiness Christ made -a covenant concerning the Paraclete and gave the tidings of His coming. His Holiness the Prophet Muhammad made a covenant concerning His Holiness the Báb and the Báb was the One promised by Muhammad, for Muhammad gave the tidings of His coming. The Báb made a Covenant concerning the Blessed Beauty of Bahá’u’lláh and gave the glad-tidings of His coming for the Blessed Beauty was the One promised by His Holiness the Báb. Bahá’u’lláh made a covenant concerning a promised One who will become manifest after one thousand or thousands of years. He likewise, with His Supreme Pen, entered into a great Covenant and Testament with all the Bahá’ís whereby they were all commanded to follow the Center of the Covenant after His departure, and turn not away

even to a hair’s breadth from obeying Him. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, B.W.F., p. 358

The time fore-ordained unto the peoples and kindreds of the earth is come. The promises of God, as recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled. Out of Zion hath gone forth the Law of God, and Jerusalem, and the hills and land thereof, are filled with the glory of His Revelation. Happy is the man that pondereth in his heart that which hath been revealed in the Books of God, the Help in Peril, the Self—Subsisting. Meditate upon this, O ye beloved of God, and let your ears be attentive unto His Word, so that ye may, by His grace and mercy, drink your fill from the crystal waters of constancy, and become as steadfast and immov able as the mountain in His Cause. —-Bahá’u’lláh, GL, pp. 12-13

The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day-Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and Whoso is deprived thereof hath gone astray, although he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. . . .

They whom God hath endued with insight will readily recognize that the precepts laid down by God constitute the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its

peoples. —Bahá’u’lláh, GL, pp. 330-331

Address yourselves to the promotion of the well-being and tranquility of the children of men. Bend your minds and wills to the

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[Page 6]education of the peoples and kindreds of the earth, that haply the dissensions that divide it may, through the power of the Most Great Name, be blotted out from its face, and all mankind become the upholders of one Order and the inhabitants of one City. Illumine and hallow your hearts; let them not be profaned by the thorns of hate or the thistles of malice. Ye dwell in one world, and have been created through the operation of one Will. Blessed is he who

mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love. —Bahá’u’lláh, GL, pp. 333-334

God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of teaching His Cause. Whoever ariseth to discharge this duty, must needs, ere he proclaimeth His Message, adorn himself with the ornament of an upright and praiseworthy character, so that his words may attract the hearts of such as are receptive to his call. Without it, he can never hope to influence his hearers.

—Baha’u’lleh, GL, p. 335

To direct and canaIize these forces let loose by this Heaven-sent process, and to insure their harmonious and continuous operation after His ascension, an instrument divinely ordained, invested With indisputable authority, organically linked With the Author of the Revelation Himself, was clearly indispensable. That instrument Bahá’u’lláh had expressly provided through the institution of the

Covenant. . . . ——Shoghi Effendi, G.P.B., pp. 237-238

Bahá’u’lláh’S COVENANT WITH THE BAHA’IS

When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath

purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root. —Bahá’u’lláh, W.0.B., p. 134

It is incumbent upon the Aghsén, the Afnán, and My kindred to turn one and all, their faces towards the Most Mighty Branch. Consider that which We have revealed in Our Most Holy Book: When the ocean of My presence hath ebbed and the Book of My Revelation is ended, turn your faces toward Him Whom God hath purposed, Who hath branched from this Ancient Root. The object

—6[Page 7]of this sacred verse is none other except the Most Mighty Branch (‘Abdu’l-Bahá). Thus have we graciously revealed unto you our

potent Will, and I am verily the Gracious, the All-Powerful. -—Bahá’u’lláh, W.O.B., p. 134

In accordance with the explicit text of the Kitáb—i—Aqdas Bahá’u’lláh hath made the Center of the Covenant the Interpreter of His word—a Covenant so firm and mighty that from the beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath

produced its like. —-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, w.o.B., p. 136

In the Book of Aqdas, He [Bahá’u’lláh] has given positive command in two clear instances and has explicitly appointed the Interpreter of the Book. Also in all the Divine Tablets, especially in the Chapter of The Branch—all the meanings of Which mean the Servitude of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—all that was needed to explain the Center of the Covenant and the Interpreter of the Book has been revealed from the Supreme Pen. Now ‘as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is the Interpreter of the Book He says that the ‘Tablet of The Branch’ means ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that is, the Servitude of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and none other.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, B.W.F., pp. 358-9

/ To insure unity and agreement He has entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world including the Interpreter and Explainer of His teachings so that no one may interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual understanding of the divine words. The Book of the Covenant or Testament of Bahá’u’lláh is the means of preventing such a possibility. . . . Be ye informed and cognizant of this.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, P.U.P., p. 451

He is 'the expounder of My Book and He is informed of My purpose. All must turn to Him. Whatsoever He says is correct, for verily He knoweth the texts of My Book. Other than He, no one doth know My Book. The purpose of this statement is that there should never be discord and divergence among the Bahá’ís but that they should always be unified and agreed. . . . Therefore whosoever obeys the Center of the Covenant appointd by Ba'hé’u’lláh has obeyed Bahá’u’lláh, and whosoever disobeys Him has disobeyed Bahá’u’lláh. Beware! Beware! lest any one should speak from the authority of his own thoughts or create a new thing out of himself. . . . His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh shuns such souls.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, P.U.P., p. 317

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[Page 8]We have made Thee a shelter for all mankind, a shield unto all who are in heaven and on earth, a stronghold for whosoever hath believed in God, the Incomparable; the All-Knowing. God grant that through Thee He may protect them, may enrich and sustain them, that He may inspire Thee with that which shall‘be a wellspring of wealth unto all created things, an ocean of bounty unto

all men, and the dayspring of mercy unto all peoples. —Bahá’u’lláh, w.0.B., pp. 135-136

In former cycles no distinct Covenant was made in writing by the Supreme Pen; no distinct personage was appointed to be the Standard differentiating falsehood from truth, so that whatsoever he said was to stand as truth and that which he repudiated was to be known as falsehood. At most, His Holiness Jesus Christ gave only an intimation, a symbol, and that was but an indication of the solidity of Peter’s faith. When he mentioned his faith, His Holiness said, “Thou art Peter”—which means rock—“and upon this rock will I build My church.” This was a sanction of Peter’s faith; it was not indicative of his [Peter] being the expounder of the Book, but was a confirmation of Peter’s faith.

But in this Dispensation of the Blessed Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh) among its distinctions is that He did not leave people in perplexity. He entered into a Covenant and Testament with the people. He appointed a Center of the Covenant. He wrote with His own pen and revealed it in the Kitáb-i—Aqdas, the Book of Laws, and Kitábi—’Ahd, the Book of the Covenant, appointing Him (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) the Expounder of the Book. You must ask Him (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) regarding the meanings of the texts of the verses. Whatsoever He says is correct. Outside of this, in numerous Tablets He (Baha’ u’lláh) has explicitly recorded it, with clear, sufficient, valid and forceful statements. In the Tablet of the Branch He explicitly states: Whatsoever The Branch says is right, or correct; and every person must obey The Branch with his life, with his heart, with his tongue. Without His will, not a word shall anyone utter. This is an explicit text of the Blessed Beauty. So there is no excuse left for anybody. No soul shall, of himself, speak anything. Whatsoever His (‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s) tongue utters, whatsoever His pen records, that is correct; according to the explicit text of Bahá’u’lláh in the Tablet

of the Branch. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of West, Vol. m, No. 14, p. 9

As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh —a specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past ——it is the ordination and appointment of the Center of the Cov enant. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, P.U.P., p. 451

[Page 9]He is, and should for all time be regarded, first and foremost, as the Center and Pivot of Bahá’u’lláh’s peerless and all-enfolding Covenant, His most exalted handiwork, the stainless Mirror of His light, the perfect Exemplar of His teachings, the unerring Interpreter of His Word, the embodiment of every Bahá’í ideal, the incarnation of every Bahá’í virtue, the Most Mighty Branch sprung from the Ancient Root, the Limb of the Law of God, the Being ‘round Whom all names revolve,’ the Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity, the Ensign of the Most Great Peace, the Moon of the Central Orb of this most holy Dispensation—styles and titles that are implicit and find their truest, their highest and fairest expression in the magic name ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He is, above and beyond these appellations, the ‘Mystery of God’-——an expression by which Bahá’u’lláh Himself has chosen to designate Him, and Which, while it does not by any means justify us to assign to Him the station of Prophethood, indicates how in the person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the incompatible characteristics of -a human nature and superhuman knowledge and perfection have been blended and are com pletely harmonized. ——Shoghi Effendi, w.o.B., p. 134

The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things on earth. The light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the educator

of the minds, the spirits, the hearts and souls of men. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, G.P.B., p. 239

So firm and mighty is this Covenant that from the beginning of time until the present day no religious Dispensation hath produced its like. . . . It is indubitably clear, that the pivot of the oneness of mankind is nothing else but the power of the Covenant. . . . The lamp of the Covenant is the light of the world, and the words traced by the Pen of the Most High a limitless ocean. . . . The power of the Covenant is as the heat of the sun which quickeneth and promoteth the development of all created things on earth. The light of the Covenant, in like manner, is the educator of the minds,

the spirits, the hearts and souls of men. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, G.P.B., pp. 238-239

For firmness in the Covenant will preserve the unity of the religion of God and the foundation of the religion of God will not be

shaken. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of West, Vol. VIII, p. 223

O ye friends of God! ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is day and night thinking of you and mentioning you, for the friends of God are dear to Him.

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[Page 10]Every morning at dawn I supplicate the Kingdom of God and ask that you may be filled with the breath of the Holy Spirit, so that you may become brilliant candles, shine with the light of guidance and dispel the darkness of error. Rest assured that the confirmations of the Abhá Kingdom will continuously reach you.

Through the power of the divine springtime, the downpour of the celestial clouds and the heat of the Sun of Reality, the Tree of Life is just beginning to grow. Before long it will produce buds, bring forth leaves and fruits and cast its shade over the East and

the West. This Tree of Life is the Book of the Covenant. -—-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, B.W.F., p. 429

ABDU’L-BAHA’S WILL AND TESTAMENT

Salutation and praise, blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the Divine and Sacred Lote—Tree, grown out, blest, tender, verdant and flourishing from the Twin Holy Trees; the most wondrous, unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the Twin surging seas . . . for behold! he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the Twin Holy Trees. Well is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind.

O my loving friends! After the passing away of this wronged one, it is incumbent upon the Aghsén (Branches), the Afnán (Twigs) of the Sacred Lote—Tree, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God and the loved ones of the Abhá Beauty to turn unto Shoghi Effendi —-—the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred Lote-Trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the Tree of Holiness,—as he is the sign of God, the chosen branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, he unto whom all the Aghsén, the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God and His loved ones must turn. He is the expounder of the words of God and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendents.

O ye the faithful loved ones of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá! It is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of Shoghi Effendi, the twig that hath branched from and the fruit given forth by the two hallowed and Divine Lote-Trees, that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature, that day by day he may wax greater in happiness, in joy and spirituality, and may grow to become even as a fruitful tree.

For he is, after ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the guardian of the Cause of God, the Afnán, the Hands (pillars) of the Cause and the beloved of the

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1' [Page 11]Lord must obey him and turn unto him. He that obeyeth him not, hath not obeyed God; he that turneth away from him, hath turned away from God and he that denieth him, hath denied the True One. Beware lest anyone falsedy interpret these words, and like unto them that have broken the Covenant after the Day of Ascension (of Bahá’u’lláh) advance a pretext, raise the standard of revolt, wax stubborn and open wide the door of false interpretation. To none is given the right to put forth his own opinion or express his particular convictions. A11 must seek guidance and turn unto the Center of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error. The Glory of Glories rest upon you!

The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of God.

THE BAHA’iS — PARTY TO THE COVENANT

0 party of the Covenant! Verily, the Beauty of El-Abhá hath promised the most great assistance to the beloved who are firm in the Covenant and to confirm them through the mightest power.. .. Adhere to the hem of the robe of the Lofty One and do your best to spread the Covenant of God.

—-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets, Vol. I, p. 1

. . . according to the irrefutable texts, He has taken from us a firm covenant that we may live and act in accord with the divine exhortations, commands and lordly teachings.

It is known and clear that today the unseen divine assistance encompasseth those who deliver the Message. And if the work of delivering the Message be neglected, the assistance shall be entirely cut off, for it is impossible that the friends of God could receive

assistance unless they be engaged in delivering the Message. ——‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets, Vol. II, pp. 390-391

O ye beloved of God, know that steadfastness and firmness in this new and wonderful Covenant is indeed the spirit that quickeneth the hearts which are overflowing with the love of the Glorious Lord; verily, it is the power which penetrates into the hearts of the

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[Page 12]people of the world! Your lord hath assuredly promised His servants who are firm and steadfast to render them victorious at all times, to exalt their word, propagate their power, diffuse their lights, strengthen their hearts, elevate their banners, assist their hosts, brighten their stars, increase the abundance of the showers of mercy upon them, and enable the brave lions (or teachers) to conquer.

Hasten, hasten, O ye firm believers! Hasten, hasten, O ye steadfast! Abandon the heedless, set aside every ignorant, take hold of the strong rope, be firm in this Great Cause, draw light from this Evident Light, be patient and be steadfast in this wise Religion! Ye shall see the hosts of inspiration descending successively from the Supreme World, the procession of attraction falling incessantly from the heights of heaven, the abundance of the Kingdom of ElAbhá outpouring continually and the teachings of God penetrating with the utmost power, While the heedless are indeed in evident

loss. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets, Vol. II, pp. 442-443

The first condition is firmness in the Covenant of God. For the power of the Covenant Will protect the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh from the doubts of the people of error. It is the fortified fortress of the Cause of God and the firm pillar of the religion of God. Today no power can conserve the oneness of the Bahá’í world save the Covenant of God; otherwise differences like unto a most great tempest will encompass the Bahá’í world. It is evident that the axis of the oneness of the world of humanity is the power of the Covenant and nothing else. . . . Therefore, in the beginning one must make his steps firm in the Covenant—so that the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh may encircle from all sides, the cohorts of the Supreme Concourse may become the supporters and the helpers, and the exhortations and advices of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, like unto the pictures engraved on stone, may remain permanent and ineffaceable in the

tablets of the hearts. -—-‘Abdu’l-Bahá, B.W.F., pp. 425—426

The second condition: Fellowship and love amongst the believers. The divine friends must be attracted to and enamored of each other and ever be ready and Willing to sacrifice their own lives for each other. . . . This is the wisdom for the appearance of the Holy Manifestations! When the most great bestowal reveals itself in the hearts of the believers, the world of nature will be transformed, the darkness of the contingent being will vanish and heavenly illumination will be obtained. Then the whole world Will become the Paradise of Abhá, every one of the believers of God will become a

blessed tree, producing wonderful fruits. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, B.W.F., p. 426

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[Page 13]Rest ye assured that if a soul arises in the utmost perseverance and raises the Call of the Kingdom and resolutely promulgates the Covenant—be he an insignificant ant—he shall be enabled to drive away the formidable elephant from the arena, and if he be a feeble

moth he shall cut to pieces the plumage of the rapacious vulture. ——‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of West, Vol. X, p. 265

Be ye assured with the greatest assurance that, verily, God will help those who are firm in His Covenant in every matter, through His confirmation and favor, the lights of which will shine unto the east of the earth, as well as the west thereof. He will make them the signs of guidance among the creation and as shining and glitter ing stars from all horizons. ~—‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Tablets, Vol. I, p. 83

O ye that stand fast in the Covenant! When the hour cometh that this wronged and broken-winged bird will have taken its flight unto the celestial concourse, when it will have hastened to the Realm of the Unseen and its mortal frame will have been either lost or hidden neath the dust, it is incumbent upon the Afnán, that are steadfast in the Covenant of God, and have branched from the Tree of Holiness; the Hands (pillars) of the Cause of God, (the glory of the Lord rest upon them), and all the friends and loved ones, one and all to bestir themselves and arise with heart and soul and in one accord, to diffuse the sweet savors of God, to teach His Cause and to promote His Faith. It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in very land, pass by every clime and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, without rest and steadfast to the end they must raise in every land the triumphal cry ‘O Thou the Glory of Glories!’ (YéBahá’u’l—Abhá), must achieve renown in the world wherever they go, must burn brightly even as a candle in every meeting and must kindle the flame of Divine love in every assembly; that the light of truth may rise respendent in the midmost heart of the world, that throughout the East and throughout the West a vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the Word of God, that the sweet savors of holiness may be diffused, that faces may shine radiantly, hearts be filled with the Divine spirit and souls be made heavenly.

In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head corner—stone of. the foundation

itself. . . . —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Will and testament

And now, one of the greatest and most fundamental principles of the Cause of God is to shun and avoid entirely the Covenant _13_.

[Page 14]breakers, for they will utterly destroy the Cause of God, exterminate His Law and render of no account all efforts exerted in the past. O friends! It behooveth you to call to mind with tenderness the trials of His Holiness, the Exalted One, and show your fidelity to the Ever-Blest Beauty. The utmost endeavor must be exerted lest all these woes, trials and afflictions, all this pure and sacred blood that hath been shed so profusely in the Path of God, may

prove to be in vain. ~‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Will and testament

That the Cause associated with the name of Bahá’u’lláh feeds itself upon those hidden springs of celestial strength which no force of human personality, whatever its glamour, can replace; that its reliance is solely upon that mystic Source with which no worldly advantage, be it wealth, fame, or learning, can compare; that it propagates itself by ways mysteriously and utterly at variance with the standards accepted by the generality of mankind, will . . . become increasingly manifest as it forges ahead towards fresh con quests in its struggle for the spiritual regeneration of mankind. —Shoghi Effendi, W.O.B., p. 51

Bring them together again, 0 Lord, by the power of Thy Covenant, and gather their dispersion by the might of Thy Promise, and unite their hearts by the dominion of Thy Love; and make them love each other so that they may sacrifice their spirits, expend their money, and scatter themselves for the love of one another. 0 Lord, cause to descend upon them quietness and tranquility! Shower upon them the Clouds of Thy Mercy in great abundance, and make them to characterize themselves with the characteristics of the Spiritual! O Lord, make us firm in Thy noble command, and bestow upon us Thy Gifts through Thy Bounty, Grace and Munificence.

Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Merciful, and Benevolent. —‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Star of West, Vol. IV, 1:. 240

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