o overleap the bounds of moderation, bring great evil upon
men.... If carried to excess, civilization will prove as prolific a source
of evil as it had been of goodness when kept within the restraints of
moderation." "He hath chosen out of the whole world the hearts of His
servants," He explains, "and made them each a seat for the revelation of
His glory. Wherefore, sanctify them from every defilement, that the things
for which they were created may be engraven upon them. This indeed is a
token of God's bountiful favor." "Say," He proclaims, "He is not to be
numbered with the people of Baha who followeth his mundane desires, or
fixeth his heart on things of the earth. He is My true follower who, if he
come to a valley of pure gold will pass straight through it aloof as a
cloud, and will neither turn back, nor pause. Such a man is assuredly of
Me. From his garment the Concourse on high can inhale the fragrance of
sanctity.... And if he met the fairest and most comely of women, he would
not feel his heart seduced by the least shadow of desire for her beauty.
Such an one indeed is the creation of spotless chastity. Thus instructeth
you the Pen of the Ancient of Days, as bidden by your Lord, the Almighty,
the All-Bountiful." "They that follow their lusts and corrupt
inclinations," is yet another warning, "have erred and dissipated their
efforts. They indeed are of the lost." "It behooveth the people of Baha,"
He also has written, "to die to the world and all that is therein, to be
so detached from all earthly things that the inmates of Paradise may
inhale from their garment the sweet smelling savor of sanctity.... They
that have tarnished the fair name of the Cause of God by following the
things of the flesh--these are in palpable error!" "Purity and chastity,"
He particularly admonishes, "have been, and still are, the most great
ornaments for the handmaidens of God. God is My Witness! The brightness of
the light of chastity sheddeth its illumination upon the worlds of the
spirit, and its fragrance is wafted even unto the Most Exalted Paradise."
"God," He again affirms, "hath verily made chastity to be a crown for the
heads of His handmaidens. Great is the blessedness of that handmaiden that
hath attained unto this great station." "We, verily, have decreed in Our
Book," is His assurance, "a goodly and bountiful reward to whosoever will
turn away from wickedness, and lead a chaste and godly life. He, in truth,
is the Great Give