eliever from the town of Qa'in, who was surnamed Nabil-i-Akbar
(see Memorials of the Faithful pages 1-5). Another distinguished
believer of Qa'in, Mulla Muhammad-'Ali, was known as
Nabil-i-Qa'ini (see Memorials of the Faithful pages 49-54). In the
abjad notation the name 'Muhammad' has the same numerical value as
'Nabil'._

THIS is an Epistle which the All-Merciful hath sent down from the Kingdom
of Utterance. It is truly a breath of life unto those who dwell in the
realm of creation. Glorified be the Lord of all worlds! In this Epistle
mention is made of him who magnifieth the Name of God, his Lord, and who
is named Nabil in a weighty Tablet.

O Muhammad! Hearken unto the Voice proceeding out of the Realm of Glory,
calling aloud from the celestial Tree which hath risen above the land of
Za'faran(51): Verily, no God is there but Me, the Omniscient, the Wise. Be
thou as the breezes of the All-Merciful for the trees of the realm of
existence and foster their growth through the potency of the Name of thy
Lord, the Just, the All-Informed. We desire to acquaint thee with that
which will serve as a reminder unto the people, that they may put away the
things current amongst them and set their faces towards God, the Lord of
the sincere.

We exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled
with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of
wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away
and trials and tribulations have waxed severe, when covenants are broken
and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and
darkness or to distinguish guidance from error.

O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good.
Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the
virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should
manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the
earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better
than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth
in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take
heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and
your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the
wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt
affection, nor let your endeavours be spent in promoting your perso