ality for that which
perisheth, who gave up the Kawthar of the divine Presence for salty
springs, and whose one aim in life is to usurp the property of others?
Even as thou dost witness how all of them have busied themselves with the
vanities of the world, and have strayed far from Him Who is the Lord, the
Most High.

Be fair: Is the testimony of those acceptable and worthy of attention
whose deeds agree with their words, whose outward behaviour conforms with
their inner life? The mind is bewildered at their deeds, and the soul
marvelleth at their fortitude and bodily endurance. Or is the testimony of
these faithless souls who breathe naught but the breath of selfish desire,
and who lie imprisoned in the cage of their idle fancies, acceptable? Like
the bats of darkness, they lift not their heads from their couch except to
pursue the transient things of the world, and find no rest by night except
as they labour to advance the aims of their sordid life. Immersed in their
selfish schemes, they are oblivious of the divine Decree. In the day-time
they strive with all their soul after worldly benefits, and in the
night-season their sole occupation is to gratify their carnal desires. By
what law or standard could men be justified in cleaving to the denials of
such petty-minded souls, and in ignoring the faith of them that have
renounced, for the sake of the good-pleasure of God, their life, and
substance, their fame and renown, their reputation and honour?

Were not the happenings of the life of the "Prince of Martyrs"(173)
regarded as the greatest of all events, as the supreme evidence of his
truth? Did not the people of old declare those happenings to be
unprecedented? Did they not maintain that no manifestation of truth hath
ever evinced such constancy, such conspicuous glory? And yet, that episode
of his life, commencing as it did in the morning, was brought to a close
by the middle of the same day, whereas, these holy lights have, for
eighteen years, heroically endured the showers of afflictions which, from
every side, have rained upon them. With what love, what devotion, what
exultation and holy rapture, they sacrificed their lives in the path of
the All-Glorious! To the truth of this all witness. And yet, how can they
belittle this Revelation? Hath any age witnessed such momentous
happenings? If these companions be not the true strivers after God, who
else could be called by this name? Have these companions been seekers