presence, and endeavor to inhale the fragrance of the
incorruptible Flower, to breathe the sweet savors of holiness, and to
obtain a portion of this perfume of celestial glory. Whoso followeth this
counsel will break his chains asunder, will taste the abandonment of
enraptured love, will attain unto his heart's desire, and will surrender
his soul into the hands of his Beloved. Bursting through his cage, he
will, even as the bird of the spirit, wing his flight to his holy and
everlasting nest.

Night hath succeeded day, and day hath succeeded night, and the hours and
moments of your lives have come and gone, and yet none of you hath, for
one instant, consented to detach himself from that which perisheth. Bestir
yourselves, that the brief moments that are still yours may not be
dissipated and lost. Even as the swiftness of lightning your days shall
pass, and your bodies shall be laid to rest beneath a canopy of dust. What
can ye then achieve? How can ye atone for your past failure?

The everlasting Candle shineth in its naked glory. Behold how it hath
consumed every mortal veil. O ye moth-like lovers of His light! Brave
every danger, and consecrate your souls to its consuming flame. O ye that
thirst after Him! Strip yourselves of every earthly affection, and hasten
to embrace your Beloved. With a zest that none can equal make haste to
attain unto Him. The Flower, thus far hidden from the sight of men, is
unveiled to your eyes. In the open radiance of His glory He standeth
before you. His voice summoneth all the holy and sanctified beings to come
and be united with Him. Happy is he that turneth thereunto; well is it
with him that hath attained, and gazed on the light of so wondrous a
countenance.

CLII: THINE EYE IS MY TRUST, SUFFER NOT THE DUST...

Thine eye is My trust, suffer not the dust of vain desires to becloud its
luster. Thine ear is a sign of My bounty, let not the tumult of unseemly
motives turn it away from My Word that encompasseth all creation. Thine
heart is My treasury, allow not the treacherous hand of self to rob thee
of the pearls which I have treasured therein. Thine hand is a symbol of My
loving-kindness, hinder it not from holding fast unto My guarded and
hidden Tablets.... Unasked, I have showered upon thee My grace.
Unpetitioned, I have fulfilled thy wish. In spite of thy undeserving, I
have singled thee out for My richest, My incalculable favors.... O My
servants! Be as resigned and su