e doctrines of
the Divine Beauty and the counsels of 'Abdu'l-Baha. It is certain that ere
long the light of these Teachings will illumine the earth and gladden the
hearts of the people of Baha.

40: All the virtues of humankind are summed ...

(163) All the virtues of humankind are summed up in the one word
'steadfastness', if we but act according to its laws. It draws to us as by
a magnet the blessings and bestowals of Heaven, if we but rise up
according to the obligations it implies.

God be praised, the house of the heart is lit by the light of unswerving
constancy, and the soul's lodging is bedecked with the ornament of
faithfulness.

Steadfastness is a treasure that makes a man so rich as to have no need of
the world or any person or any thing that is therein. Constancy is a
special joy, that leads us mortals on to lofty heights, great progress,
and the winning of the perfections of Heaven. All praise be to the
Beloved's holy court, for granting this most wondrous grace to His
faithful people, and to His favoured ones, this best of gifts.

41: It is clear how that most dire of calamities, ...

(164) It is clear how that most dire of calamities, that most great
disaster which was the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha, may our souls be
sacrificed for His meekness, has set our hearts on fire and dissolved our
very limbs and members in grief. Darkness settled on our souls, of blood
were our tears. Even the essences of sanctity cried out in fear, and the
gems of holiness moaned and lamented, while our own inner selves fell to
ashes, and there was no peace left in the soul, no patience in the heart.

No more does the ardent nightingale carol its joyous songs, and the sweet
and holy melodies of the immortal dove are hushed. That gleaming Moon is
hidden now behind the clouds of everlasting life, that Orb of the high
heavens sank down at the setting point of glory and rose into the skies of
the world that we see not, and above the realm of the placeless He is
casting forth His rays.

With His departure, these afflicted ones were plunged into a sea of pain,
and beaten and blown about in a whirlwind of anguish more violent than the
spoken or the written word can tell. Our days wear away in tears, our
nights in sighing, and it is this storm of grief and regret and yearning
that has kept us from writing before now, even to send you our love.

It is certain that the people of Baha, who are the dwellers of the Cr