s entertained, therefore, that through the blessings of the Sun of
Truth they may daily increase in their firmness and steadfastness. The
tests of every dispensation are in direct proportion to the greatness of
the Cause, and as heretofore such a manifest Covenant, written by the
Supreme Pen, hath not been entered upon, the tests are proportionately
more severe. These trials cause the feeble souls to waver while those who
are firm are not affected. These agitations of the violators are no more
than the foam of the ocean, which is one of its inseparable features; but
the ocean of the Covenant shall surge and shall cast ashore the bodies of
the dead, for it cannot retain them. Thus it is seen that the ocean of the
Covenant hath surged and surged until it hath thrown out the dead
bodies--souls that are deprived of the Spirit of God and are lost in
passion and self and are seeking leadership. This foam of the ocean shall
not endure and shall soon disperse and vanish, while the ocean of the
Covenant shall eternally surge and roar....

From the early days of creation down to the present time, throughout all
the divine dispensations, such a firm and explicit Covenant hath not been
entered upon. In view of this fact is it possible for this foam to remain
on the surface of the ocean of the Covenant? No, by God! The violators are
trampling upon their own dignity, are uprooting their own foundations and
are proud at being upheld by flatterers who exert a great effort to shake
the faith of feeble souls. But this action of theirs is of no consequence;
it is a mirage and not water, foam and not the sea, mist and not a cloud,
illusion and not reality. All this ye shall soon see.

Praise be to God, ye are firm and steadfast; be ye thankful that like unto
blessed trees ye are firmly planted in the soil of the Covenant. It is
sure that every firm one will grow, will yield new fruits and will
increase daily in freshness and grace. Reflect upon all the writings of
Baha'u'llah, whether epistles or prayers, and ye shall surely come across
a thousand passages wherein Baha'u'llah prays: 'O God! Bring to naught the
violators of the Covenant and defeat the oppressors of the Testament.' 'He
who denieth the Covenant and the Testament is rejected by God, and he who
remaineth firm and steadfast therein is favoured at the Threshold of
Oneness.' Such sayings and prayers abound, refer to them and ye shall
know.

Never be depressed. The more ye are sti