d eternal. If thou art
at present restrained within the limits of a temporary prison, be not
grieved at this; my hope is that thou mayest be emancipated from the
prison of nature and may attain unto the court of everlasting life. Pray
to God day and night and beg forgiveness and pardon. The omnipotence of
God shall solve every difficulty.'

83: CONVEY ON BEHALF OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA TO THY RESPECTED ...

Convey on behalf of 'Abdu'l-Baha to thy respected wife my Abha greetings,
and say: 'Kindness, training and education extended to prisoners is
exceedingly important. Therefore as thou hast exerted an effort in this,
hast awakened some of them, and hast been the cause of the turning of
their faces to the divine Kingdom, this praiseworthy deed is highly
acceptable. Assuredly persevere. Convey on my behalf to the two prisoners
in San Quentin the utmost kindness, and tell them: 'That prison in the
sight of wise souls is a school of training and development. Ye must
strive with heart and soul that ye may become renowned in character and
knowledge.'

84: O THOU DEAR HANDMAID OF GOD! THY LETTER HATH ...

O thou dear handmaid of God! Thy letter hath been received, and its
contents were noted.

Marriage, among the mass of the people, is a physical bond, and this union
can only be temporary, since it is foredoomed to a physical separation at
the close.

Among the people of Baha, however, marriage must be a union of the body
and of the spirit as well, for here both husband and wife are aglow with
the same wine, both are enamoured of the same matchless Face, both live
and move through the same spirit, both are illumined by the same glory.
This connection between them is a spiritual one, hence it is a bond that
will abide forever. Likewise do they enjoy strong and lasting ties in the
physical world as well, for if the marriage is based both on the spirit
and the body, that union is a true one, hence it will endure. If, however,
the bond is physical and nothing more, it is sure to be only temporary,
and must inexorably end in separation.

When, therefore, the people of Baha undertake to marry, the union must be
a true relationship, a spiritual coming together as well as a physical
one, so that throughout every phase of life, and in all the worlds of God,
their union will endure; for this real oneness is a gleaming out of the
love of God.

In the same way, when any souls grow to be true believers, they will
atta