e sums were seized, yet no account of
these matters was ever made in the court of thy presence.

236 The reason for which all these things have come to pass is that their
persecutors, finding these unfortunate ones without protection, have
forgone more weighty matters and occupied themselves instead with
harassing this afflicted people. Numerous confessions and divers creeds
abide peacefully beneath the shadow of thy sovereignty. Let this people be
also numbered with them. Nay, those who serve the King should be animated
by such lofty aims and sublime intentions as to continually strive to
bring all religions beneath the shelter of his shadow, and to rule over
them with perfect justice.

237 To enforce the laws of God is naught but justice, and is the source of
universal content. Nay more, the divine statutes have always been, and
will ever remain, the cause and instrument of the preservation of mankind,
as witnessed by His exalted words: "In punishment will ye find life, O men
of insight!"(39) It would, however, ill beseem the justice of thy Majesty
that for the trespass of a single soul a whole group of people should be
subjected to the scourge of thy wrath. The one true God--glorified be His
Name!--hath said: "None shall bear the burden of another."(40) It is clear
and evident that in every community there have been, and will ever be, the
learned and the ignorant, the wise and the heedless, the profligate and
the pious. That a wise and reflecting soul should commit a heinous deed is
most improbable, inasmuch as such a person either seeketh after this world
or hath forsaken it: if he be of the latter, he would assuredly have no
regard for aught else besides God, and moreover the fear of God would
deter him from unlawful and reprehensible actions; and if he be of the
former, he would just as assuredly avoid such deeds as would alienate and
alarm the people, and act in such a manner as to earn their confidence and
trust. It is therefore evident that reprehensible actions have always
emanated, and will ever emanate, from ignorant and foolish souls. We
implore God to guard His servants from turning to anyone save Him, and to
draw them nigh unto His presence. His might, in truth, is equal to all
things.

238 Praise be unto Thee, O Lord My God! Thou hearest the voice of My
lamentation, and beholdest My condition, My distress and affliction! Thou
knowest all that is in Me. If the call I have raised be wholly for Thy
sake,