ome firm and steadfast and draweth Divine increase upon
them. It is to be offered through the Guardian of the Cause of God, that
it may be expended for the diffusion of the Fragrances of God and the
exaltation of His Word, for benevolent pursuits and for the common weal.

O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon you to be submissive to all
monarchs that are just and to show your fidelity to every righteous king.
Serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty.
Show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers. Without their leave
and permission do not meddle with political affairs, for disloyalty to the
just sovereign is disloyalty to God Himself.

This is my counsel and the commandment of God unto you. Well is it with
them that act accordingly.

* * * * *

(This written paper hath for a long time been preserved under
ground, damp having affected it. When brought forth to the light
it was observed that certain parts of it were injured by the damp,
and the Holy Land being sorely agitated it was left untouched.)

PART TWO

He Is God

O My Lord, my heart's Desire, Thou Whom I ever invoke, Thou Who art my
Aider and my Shelter, my Helper and my Refuge! Thou seest me submerged in
an ocean of calamities that overwhelm the soul, of afflictions that
oppress the heart, of woes that disperse Thy gathering, of ills and pains
that scatter Thy flock. Sore trials have compassed me round and perils
have from all sides beset me. Thou seest me immersed in a sea of
unsurpassed tribulation, sunk into a fathomless abyss, afflicted by mine
enemies and consumed with the flame of their hate, enkindled by my kinsmen
with whom Thou didst make Thy strong Covenant and Thy firm Testament,
wherein Thou biddest them turn their hearts to this wronged one, to keep
away from me the foolish, the unjust, and refer unto this lonely one all
that about which they differ in Thy Holy Book, so that the Truth may be
revealed unto them, their doubts may be dispelled and Thy manifest Signs
be spread abroad.

Yet now Thou seest them, O Lord, my God! with Thine eye that sleepeth not,
how that they have broken Thy Covenant and turned their backs thereon, how
with hate and rebelliousness they have erred from Thy Testament and have
arisen intent upon malice.

Adversities have waxed still more severe as they rose with unbearable
cruelty to overpower and crush me, as th