the afflictions will leave a
greater imprint upon me. But if the fragrance of love and unity among the
believers is wafted to my nostrils, every trial will become a mercy, every
unhappiness a joy, every difficulty an expansion, every misery a treasure
and every hardship a felicity.

THIS MEETING IS BLESSED

Praise be to God! that ye are gathered in one assembly like unto the stars
of the Pleiades, are illumined with the light of the knowledge of God and
through the outpouring of the cloud of the love of God, ye are the fresh
flowers of the meadow and plain; ye are intimate and familiar with
infinite unity and love.

Therefore, this meeting is blessed. But if it is firmly established and
become constant, it will bring forth great results and most weighty
developments will be attained. Consequently, persevere ye in renewing your
meetings and display utmost magnanimity in firmness and steadfastness.
When the root of the tree of the garden is well established and its
protection is safeguarded, it will bring forth luscious fruits.

Likewise, when the regiment of an army and the individuals of a cohort are
united and related with ease, untold triumphs will be acquired. But if
they come together one day and disperse another day, no fruits will be
produced.

Therefore, as ye have prepared an army of heaven and become the host of
life, ye must continue to hold meetings, have spiritual communications, be
firm in resolution, steadfast in purpose and be constant and persevering
so that ye may win celestial conquests.

THE SPIRITUAL ELECTION

The blessed letter indicating the election of the Spiritual Meeting was
received and proved a source of joy. Thank God, the beloved of that city,
in perfect unity, love and oneness, held the new election and were
confirmed and strengthened to elect such holy souls as are near the divine
Threshold and known by the republic of the beloved to be firm and
steadfast in the Covenant.

Now they (the members) must, in perfect spirit and fragrance, in sincerity
of heart, in attraction by the fragrances of God and by the confirmations
of the Holy Spirit, engage in service; in the promotion of the Word of
God; the diffusion of the fragrances of God; the training of souls; the
promulgation of the Most Great Peace. They must raise the Banner of
Guidance and become the host of the Supreme Concourse.

Indeed, blessed souls have been elected. When I read their names,
spiritual joy wa