men and women in equal
measure. "Verily the most honoured in the sight of God is the most
virtuous amongst you"(5) is applicable to both men and women, to servants
and handmaidens. All are under the shadow of the Word of God and all
derive their strength from the bounties of the Lord. Therefore, do not
consider thyself to be insignificant by doubting what a handmaiden living
behind the veil can do....

With a firm heart, a steadfast step and an eloquent tongue arise to spread
the Word of God and say: "O God, although I am sitting concealed behind
the screen of chastity and am restricted by the veil and exigencies of
modesty, my cherished hope is to raise the banner of service and to become
a maidservant at Thy Holy Threshold; to ride on a charger and penetrate
the army of the ignorant, defeat the mighty regiments and subvert the
foundations of error and violation. Thou art the Helper of the weak, Thou
art the Sustainer of the poor, Thou art the Succourer of the handmaidens.
Verily, Thou art the Almighty and All-Powerful."

(From a Tablet - translated from the Persian) [97]

98: Confirmations from the kingdom of God will assuredly be received,
enabling...

Confirmations from the kingdom of God will assuredly be received, enabling
some radiant leaves to appear resplendent in the assemblage of this world
with clear proofs and convincing reasons, which will adorn the cause of
womanhood. They will prove that in this cycle women are equal to men, nay,
in certain respects they will excel. Ponder ye: in this wonderful Cause
numerous were the men who scaled the heights of knowledge; they had a
brilliant utterance, a convincing proof, an eloquent tongue and
magnificent speech, but the blessed leaf, Jinab-i-Tahirih, because she was
a woman, emerged with immense splendour and dumbfounded all the people. If
she were a man, this would not have been so at all. Therefore, ye should
know that the greatness of the Cause hath penetrated the nerves and veins
of the world in such wise that if one of the leaves is attracted and gains
mastery in demonstrating reasons and proofs and in uttering convincing
evidences, she will shine resplendently. O radiant leaves, I swear by the
Beauty of the Desired One and the Mystery of Existence that if ye work
actively in this realm, the outpourings of the Blessed Beauty will reflect
as the sun in the mirrors of the hearts. Your progress will astonish all.

The attracted leaves should not, when