The word of God which the Supreme Pen hath recorded on the

ninth leaf

of the Most Exalted Paradise is this:  In all matters moderation is desirable.  If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.  Consider the civilization of the West, how it hath agitated and alarmed the peoples of the world.  An infernal engine hath been devised, and hath proved so cruel a weapon of destruction that its like none hath ever witnessed or heard.  The purging of such deeply-rooted and overwhelming corruptions cannot be effected unless the peoples of the world unite in pursuit of one common aim and embrace one universal faith.  Incline your ears unto the Call of this Wronged One and adhere firmly to the Lesser Peace.

Strange and astonishing things exist in the earth but they are hidden from the minds and the understanding of men.  These things are capable of changing the whole atmosphere of the earth and their contamination would prove lethal.  Great God!  We have observed an amazing thing.  Lightning or a force similar to it is controlled by an operator and moveth at his command.  Immeasurably exalted is the Lord of Power Who hath laid bare that which He purposed through the potency of His weighty and invincible command.

O people of Baha!  Each one of the ordinances We have revealed is a mighty stronghold for the preservation of the world of being.  Verily, this Wronged One desireth naught but your security and elevation.

We exhort the men of the House of Justice and command them to ensure the protection and safeguarding of men, women and children.  It is incumbent upon them to have the utmost regard for the interests of the people at all times and under all conditions.  Blessed is the ruler who succoureth the captive, and the rich one who careth for the poor, and the just one who secureth from the wrong doer the rights of the downtrodden, and happy the trustee who observeth that which the Ordainer, the Ancient of Days hath prescribed unto him.

O Haydar-’Ali!  Upon thee be My glory and My praise.  My counsels and admonitions have compassed the world.  Yet, instead of imparting joy and gladness they have caused grief, because some of those who claim to love Me have waxed haughty and have inflicted upon Me such tribulations as neither the followers of former religions nor the divines of Persia did ever inflict.

We have said:  ’My imprisonment doeth Me no harm, nor do the things that have befallen Me at the hands of My enemies.  That which harmeth Me is the conduct of my loved ones who, though they bear My name, yet commit that which maketh My heart and My pen to lament.’  Such utterances as these have again and again been revealed, yet the heedless have failed to profit thereby, since they are captive to their own evil passions and corrupt desires.  Beseech thou the One true God that He may enable everyone to repent and return unto Him.  So long as one’s nature yieldeth unto evil passions, crime and transgression will prevail.  We cherish the hope that the hand of divine power and the outpouring of heavenly blessings may sustain all men, may attire them with the vesture of forgiveness and bounty and guard them against that which would harm His Cause among His servants.  He is, in truth, the Potent, the All-Powerful, and He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Merciful.