of the contingent world and protecteth Baha'i unity.

The Baha'is are commanded to establish the oneness of mankind; if they
cannot unite around one point how will they be able to bring about the
unity of mankind?

The purpose of the Blessed Beauty in entering into this Covenant and
Testament was to gather all existent beings around one point so that the
thoughtless souls, who in every cycle and generation have been the cause
of dissension, may not undermine the Cause. He hath, therefore, commanded
that whatever emanateth from the Centre of the Covenant is right and is
under His protection and favour, while all else is error.

Praise be to God, thou art firm in the Covenant and the Testament.

184: O YE BLESSED SOULS! ALTHOUGH YE ARE UNDERGOING ...

O ye blessed souls! Although ye are undergoing crucial tests in view of
the repeated and assiduous attempts of some people to shake the faith of
the friends in Los Angeles, yet ye are under the guarding eye of the
bounty of Baha'u'llah and are assisted by legions of angels.

Walk, therefore, with a sure step and engage with the utmost assurance and
confidence in the promulgation of the divine fragrances, the glorification
of the Word of God and firmness in the Covenant. Rest ye assured that if a
soul ariseth in the utmost perseverance and raiseth the Call of the
Kingdom and resolutely promulgateth the Covenant, be he an insignificant
ant he shall be enabled to drive away the formidable elephant from the
arena, and if he be a feeble moth he shall cut to pieces the plumage of
the rapacious vulture.

Endeavour, therefore, that ye may scatter and disperse the army of doubt
and of error with the power of the holy utterances. This is my exhortation
and this is my counsel. Do not quarrel with anybody, and shun every form
of dispute. Utter the Word of God. If he accepteth it the desired purpose
is attained, and if he turneth away leave him to himself and trust to God.

Such is the attribute of those who are firm in the Covenant.

185: O YE FRIENDS AND MAIDSERVANTS OF THE MERCIFUL! ...

O ye friends and maidservants of the Merciful! From the Spiritual Assembly
of Los Angeles a letter hath been received. It was indicative of the fact
that the blessed souls in California, like unto an immovable mountain, are
withstanding the gale of violation, have, like unto blessed trees, been
planted in the soil of the Covenant and are most firm and steadfast. The
hope i