people are for the most part unaware." The true Faith hath laid fast
hold, in this day, on the hem of Our bounty, and circleth about Our
Person.

O _Sh_ay_kh_! Enter thou My presence, that thou mayest behold what the eye
of the universe hath never beheld, and hear that which the ear of the
whole creation hath never heard, that haply thou mayest free thyself from
the mire of vague fancies, and set thy face towards the Most Sublime
Station, wherein this Wronged One calleth aloud: "The Kingdom is God's,
the Almighty, the All-Praised!" We fain would hope that through thine
exertions the wings of men may be sanctified from the mire of self and
desire, and be made worthy to soar in the atmosphere of God's love. Wings
that are besmirched with mire can never soar. Unto this testify they who
are the exponents of justice and equity, and yet the people are in evident
doubt.

O _Sh_ay_kh_! Protests have been voiced against Us from every
side--protests such as Our pen craveth pardon for setting down.
Nevertheless, by reason of Our great mercy, We have replied unto them, in
accordance with the understanding of men, that haply they may be delivered
from the fire of negation and denial, and become illumined with the light
of affirmation and acceptance. Equity is rarely to be found, and justice
hath ceased to exist.

Among others, these perspicuous verses have, in answer to certain
individuals, been sent down from the Kingdom of Divine knowledge: "O thou
who hast set thy face towards the splendors of My Countenance! Vague
fancies have encompassed the dwellers of the earth and debarred them from
turning towards the Horizon of Certitude, and its brightness, and its
manifestations and its lights. Vain imaginings have withheld them from Him
Who is the Self-Subsisting. They speak as prompted by their own caprices,
and understand not. Among them are those who have said: 'Have the verses
been sent down?' Say: 'Yea, by Him Who is the Lord of the heavens!' 'Hath
the Hour come?' 'Nay, more; it hath passed, by Him Who is the Revealer of
clear tokens! Verily, the Inevitable is come, and He, the True One, hath
appeared with proof and testimony. The Plain is disclosed, and mankind is
sore vexed and fearful. Earthquakes have broken loose, and the tribes have
lamented, for fear of God, the Lord of Strength, the All-Compelling.' Say:
'The stunning trumpet blast hath been loudly raised, and the Day is God's,
the One, the Unconstrained.' 'Hath the Catas