'ABDU'L-BAHA

August 28th, 1913

O Thou my beloved daughter!

Thine eloquent and fluent letter was perused in a garden, under the cool
shade of a tree, while the gentle breeze was wafting. The means of
physical enjoyment was spread before the eyes and thy letter became the
cause of spiritual enjoyment. Truly, I say, it was not a letter but a
rose-garden adorned with hyacinths and flowers.

It contained the sweet fragrance of paradise and the zephyr of Divine Love
blew from its roseate words.

As I have not ample time at my disposal, I will give herein a brief,
conclusive and comprehensive answer. It is as follows:

In this Revelation of Baha'u'llah, the women go neck and neck with the
men. In no movement will they be left behind. Their rights with men are
equal in degree. They will enter all the administrative branches of
politics. They will attain in all such a degree as will be considered the
very highest station of the world of humanity and will take part in all
affairs. Rest ye assured. Do ye not look upon the present conditions; in
the not far distant future the world of women will become all-refulgent
and all-glorious, For His Holiness Baha'u'llah Hath Willed It so! At the
time of elections the right to vote is the inalienable right of women, and
the entrance of women into all human departments is an irrefutable and
incontrovertible question. No soul can retard or prevent it.

But there are certain matters, the participation in which is not worthy of
women. For example, at the time when the community is taking up vigorous
defensive measures against the attack of foes, the women are exempt from
military engagements. It may so happen that at a given time warlike and
savage tribes may furiously attack the body politic with the intention of
carrying on a wholesale slaughter of its members; under such a
circumstance defence is necessary, but it is the duty of men to organize
and execute such defensive measures and not the women--because their hearts
are tender and they cannot endure the sight of the horror of carnage, even
if it is for the sake of defence. From such and similar undertakings the
women are exempt.

As regards the constitution of the House of Justice, Baha'u'llah addresses
the men. He says: 'O ye men of the House of Justice!'

But when its members are to be elected, the right which belongs to women,
so far as their voting and their voice is concerned, is indisputable. When
the women attain to