attitude. This
Wronged One held His peace under all conditions. However, Our late brother
Mirza Muhammad-Hasan's daughter--upon him be the glory of God and His peace
and His mercy--who had been betrothed to the Most Great Branch
('Abdu'l-Baha) was taken by the sister of this Wronged One from Nur to her
own house, and from there sent unto another place. Some of Our companions
and friends in various places complained against this, as it was a very
grievous act, and was disapproved by all the loved ones of God. How
strange that Our sister should have taken her to her own house, and then
arranged for her to be sent elsewhere! In spite of this, this Wronged One
remained, and still remaineth, calm and silent. A word, however, was said
in order to tranquilize Our loved ones. God testifieth and beareth Me
witness that whatever hath been said was the truth, and was spoken with
sincerity. None of Our loved ones, whether in these regions or in that
country, could believe Our sister capable of an act so contrary to
decency, affection and friendship. After such a thing had occurred, they,
recognizing that the way had been barred, conducted themselves in a manner
well-known unto thyself and others. It must be evident, therefore, how
intense was the grief which this act inflicted upon this Wronged One.
Later on, she threw in her lot with Mirza Yahya. Conflicting reports
concerning her are now reaching Us, nor is it clear what she is saying or
doing. We beseech God--blessed and glorified be He--to cause her to turn
unto Him, and aid her to repent before the door of His grace. He, verily,
is the Mighty, the Forgiving; and He is, in truth, the All-Powerful, the
Pardoner.

In another connection He, likewise, saith: "Were He to appear this very
moment, I would be the first to adore Him, and the first to bow down
before Him." Be fair, O people! The purpose of the Most Exalted One (the
Bab) was to insure that the proximity of the Revelation should not
withhold men from the Divine and everlasting Law, even as the companions
of John (the Baptist) were prevented from acknowledging Him Who is the
Spirit (Jesus). Time and again He hath said: "Suffer not the Bayan and all
that hath been revealed therein to withhold you from that Essence of Being
and Lord of the visible and invisible." Should any one, considering this
binding injunction, cling unto the Bayan, such a one hath, verily, passed
out of the shadow of the blessed and exalted Tree. Be fair,