se
thou God that He hath directed thee to the light of truth and hath invited
thee to enter the Kingdom of Abha. Thy sight hath been illumined and thy
heart hath been turned into a rose garden. I pray for thee that thou
mayest ever grow in faith and assurance, shine like unto a torch in the
assemblies and bestow upon them the light of guidance.

Whenever an illumined assembly of the friends of God is gathered,
'Abdu'l-Baha, although bodily absent, is yet present in spirit and in
soul. I am always a traveller to America and am assuredly associating with
spiritual and illumined friends. Distance is annihilated and prevents not
the close and intimate association of two souls that are closely attached
in heart even though they may be in two different countries. I am
therefore thy close companion, attuned and in harmony with thy soul.

67: O THOU LADY OF THE KINGDOM! THY LETTER SENT FROM ...

O thou lady of the Kingdom! Thy letter sent from New York hath been
received. Its contents imparted joy and gladness for they indicated that
with a firm resolve and a pure intention thou hast determined to travel to
Paris, that thou mayest in that silent city enkindle the fire of the love
of God and in the midst of that darkness of nature shine like unto a
resplendent candle. This journey is highly praiseworthy and suitable. When
thou reachest Paris, thou must strive, no matter how small the number of
the friends may be, to institute the assembly of the Covenant and to
vivify the souls through the power of the Covenant.

Paris is exceedingly dispirited and is in a state of torpor and so far it
hath not burst into flames although the French nation is an active and
lively one. But the world of nature hath fully stretched its pavilion over
Paris and hath done away with religious sentiments. But this power of the
Covenant shall heat every freezing soul, shall bestow light upon
everything that is dark and shall secure for the captive in the hand of
nature the true freedom of the Kingdom.

Arise thou at present in Paris with the power of the Kingdom, with a
divine confirmation, with a genuine zeal and ardour and with a flame of
the love of God. Roar like unto a lion and exhibit such ecstasy and love
among these few souls that praise and glorification may continuously reach
thee from the divine Kingdom and mighty confirmations may descend upon
thee. Rest thou assured. If thou dost act accordingly and hoist the
standard of the Cov