Humanity, through suffering and turmoil, is swiftly moving on towards its
destiny; if we be loiterers, if we fail to play our part surely others
will be called upon to take up our task as ministers to the crying needs
of this afflicted world.
Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of new
and noble principles, not by an organized campaign of teaching--no matter
how worldwide and elaborate in its character--not even by the staunchness
of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope
to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim
of the Abha Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and
alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the
extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in
their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed
by Baha'u'llah.
Looking back upon those sullen days of my retirement, bitter with feelings
of anxiety and gloom, I can recall with appreciation and gratitude those
unmistakable evidences of your affection and steadfast zeal which I have
received from time to time, and which have served to relieve in no small
measure the burden that weighed so heavily upon my heart.
I can well imagine the degree of uneasiness, nay of affliction, that must
have agitated the mind and soul of every loving and loyal servant of the
Beloved during these long months of suspense and distressing silence. But
I assure you such remarkable solicitude as you have shown for the
protection of His Cause, such tenacity of faith and unceasing activity as
you have displayed for its promotion, cannot but in the end be abundantly
rewarded by 'Abdu'l-Baha, who from His station above is the sure witness
of all that you have endured and suffered for Him.