and Testament the breath of
everlasting life.

Convey thou the greetings of Abha to each one of the Afnan, branched from
the Holy Tree. The glory rest upon thee and upon all the Afnan who remain
faithful and true to the Covenant.

196: O THOU WHO ART STEADFAST IN THE COVENANT! THY ...

O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! Thy letter of 9 September 1909
hath been received. Be thou neither grieved nor despondent over what hath
come to pass. This trouble overtook thee as thou didst walk the path of
God, wherefore it should bring thee joy. We addressed the friends in
writing ere this, and made a verbal statement as well, to the effect that
the friends in the West will unquestionably have their share of the
calamities befalling the friends in the East. It is inevitable that,
walking the pathway of Baha'u'llah, they too will become targets for
persecution by the oppressors.

Consider how at the beginning of the Christian era the Apostles were
afflicted, and what torments they endured in the pathway of Christ. Every
day of their lives they were targets for the Pharisees' darts of mockery,
vilification and abuse. They bore great hardship; they saw prison; and
most of them carried to their lips the sweet cup of martyrdom.

Now ye, as well, must certainly become my partners to some slight degree,
and accept your share of tests and sorrows. But these episodes shall pass
away, while that abiding glory and eternal life shall remain unchanged
forever. Moreover, these afflictions shall be the cause of great
advancement.

I ask of God that thou, His husbandman, shalt plough the hard and stony
ground, and water it, and scatter seeds therein--for this will show how
skilful is the farmer, while any man can sow and till where the ground is
soft, and clear of brambles and thorns.

197: O THOU SERVANT OF GOD! DO NOT GRIEVE AT THE ...

O thou servant of God! Do not grieve at the afflictions and calamities
that have befallen thee. All calamities and afflictions have been created
for man so that he may spurn this mortal world--a world to which he is much
attached. When he experienceth severe trials and hardships, then his
nature will recoil and he will desire the eternal realm--a realm which is
sanctified from all afflictions and calamities. Such is the case with the
man who is wise. He shall never drink from a cup which is at the end
distasteful, but, on the contrary, he will seek the cup of pure and limpid
wa