n that country, but later it will
become very easy, for the inhabitants of Japan are intelligent, sagacious
and have the power of rapid assimilation.

For the present, a perfect youth like thee is favored by the bounty of the
Kingdom and hath attained to the knowledge of the Lord of the Kingdom.
Show thou forth an effort that thou mayest finish that which is necessary
in the acquisition and study of science and art; then travel thou toward
the countries of Japan, so that thou mayest hoist the Ensign of Truth
waving from the apex of the Supreme Concourse. Look thou not upon thine
own capability; the invisible divine confirmations are great and the
protection and providence of the Beauty of Abha is the helper and the
assistant. When a drop draws help from the ocean, it is an ocean in
itself, and a little seed, through the outpouring of rain, the favor of
the sun and the soul-refreshing breeze, will become a tree with the utmost
freshness, full of leaves, blossoms and fruits. Therefore, do not consider
thy capacity and merit, but rely upon the infinite bounty and trust to His
Highness the Almighty. Do not delay. Undertake soon that which thou art
intending.

There are prophecies concerning this Manifestation in the Buddhistic
books, but they are in symbols and metaphors, and some spiritual
conditions are mentioned therein, but the leaders of religion do not
understand. They think these prophecies are material things; yet those
signs are foreshadowing spiritual occurances.

"Announce greeting on my behalf to the two young..."

(262) Announce greeting on my behalf to the two young Japanese(263) and
say:

"His Imperial Majesty, the Mikado, became the cause of the material
progress of Japan. I hope that you may become the cause of her spiritual
development. This is the principle of progress.

"Unless man maketh spiritual progress in the world of spirit, intellect
and heart, he cannot gather universal results from material advancements.
Now you must gird up the loins of endeavor and reflect duly, so that you
may quicken the people of Japan through the spirit of God."

"O ye spiritual friends of Abdul-Baha!..."

(264) O ye spiritual friends of Abdul-Baha!

"Perfume Thou the East! Illumine Thou the West! Bestow Thou light to the
North! Grant Thou life to the South!"

This verse hath been revealed from the lips of the Center of the Covenant
one year after the departure(265) of Baha'o'llah. But the nakaze