as a fresh and tender branch in the
winds of the love of God! I have read thy letter, which telleth of thine
abundant love, thine intense devotion, and of thy being occupied with the
remembrance of thy Lord.

Depend thou upon God. Forsake thine own will and cling to His, set aside
thine own desires and lay hold of His, that thou mayest become an example,
holy, spiritual, and of the Kingdom, unto His handmaids.

Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Baha, women are accounted the
same as men, and God hath created all humankind in His own image, and
after His own likeness. That is, men and women alike are the revealers of
His names and attributes, and from the spiritual viewpoint there is no
difference between them. Whosoever draweth nearer to God, that one is the
most favoured, whether man or woman. How many a handmaid, ardent and
devoted, hath, within the sheltering shade of Baha, proved superior to the
men, and surpassed the famous of the earth.

The House of Justice, however, according to the explicit text of the Law
of God, is confined to men; this for a wisdom of the Lord God's, which
will erelong be made manifest as clearly as the sun at high noon.

As to you, O ye other handmaids who are enamoured of the heavenly
fragrances, arrange ye holy gatherings, and found ye Spiritual Assemblies,
for these are the basis for spreading the sweet savours of God, exalting
His Word, uplifting the lamp of His grace, promulgating His religion and
promoting His Teachings, and what bounty is there greater than this? These
Spiritual Assemblies are aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is
'Abdu'l-Baha. Over them He spreadeth His wings. What bounty is there
greater than this? These Spiritual Assemblies are shining lamps and
heavenly gardens, from which the fragrances of holiness are diffused over
all regions, and the lights of knowledge are shed abroad over all created
things. From them the spirit of life streameth in every direction. They,
indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and
under all conditions. What bounty is there greater than this?

39: O HANDMAID OF GOD! THY LETTER HATH BEEN RECEIVED, ...

O handmaid of God! Thy letter hath been received, bringing its news that
an Assembly hath been established in that city.

Look ye not upon the fewness of thy numbers, rather, seek ye out hearts
that are pure. One consecrated soul is preferable to a thousand other
souls. If a small n