panionship and familiarity with the violators of the people of Bayan.

Supplication! O Lord of the Covenant! O luminous Star of the world! The
persecuted 'Abdu'l-Baha has fallen into the hands of persons who appear as
sheep and in reality are ferocious wolves; they exercise every sort of
oppression, endeavor to destroy the foundation of the Covenant,--and claim
to be Baha'is. They strike at the root of the Tree of the Covenant--and
count themselves persecuted--just as did the people of Bayan who broke the
Covenant of His Holiness, the Bab, and from six directions shot arrows of
reproach and calumny at Thy Blessed Body. Notwithstanding this great
oppression, they call themselves oppressed. Now this Servant of Thy
Threshold has also fallen into the hands of oppressors. Every hour they
contrive new intrigues and fraud, and bring forth new calumny.

Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! Protect the Stronghold of Thy Cause from these thieves,
and safeguard the lamps of the Kingdom from these malevolent winds!

Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! 'Abdu'l-Baha did not rest a moment until He had raised
Thy Cause and the Standard of the Kingdom of Abha waved over the world.
Now some people have arisen with intrigues and evil aspirations to trample
this flag in America, but My hope is in Thy confirmations. Leave Me not
single, alone and oppressed! As Thou didst promise, verbally and in
writing, that Thou wouldst protect this deer of the pasture of Thy love
from the attacks of the hounds of hatred and animosity, and that Thou
wouldst safeguard this persecuted sheep from the claws and teeth of the
ferocious wolves,--now do I await the appearance of Thy bounties and the
realization of Thy definite promise. Thou art the true Protector, and Thou
art the Lord of the Covenant! Therefore, protect this Lamp which Thou hast
lighted, from the severe winds.

Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! I have forsaken the world and its people, am heartbroken
because of the unfaithful, and am weary. In the cage of this world I
flutter like a frightened bird and long for the flight to Thy Kingdom.

Ya-Baha'u'l-Abha! Make me to drink the cup of sacrifice, and free Me!
Relieve Me from these difficulties, hardships, afflictions and troubles!
Thou art the assister, the helper, the protector and the supporter!

Now some of the writings, prayers and verses of the Blessed Beauty will be
mentioned in which association with the violators is forbidden. In the
Iranian Commune, He says:

"Protect this Servant from