O true companions! All humankind are as children in a school, and the
Dawning-Points of Light, the Sources of divine revelation, are the
teachers, wondrous and without peer. In the school of realities they
educate these sons and daughters, according to teachings from God, and
foster them in the bosom of grace, so that they may develop along every
line, show forth the excellent gifts and blessings of the Lord, and
combine human perfections; that they may advance in all aspects of human
endeavour, whether outward or inward, hidden or visible, material or
spiritual, until they make of this mortal world a widespread mirror, to
reflect that other world which dieth not.
O ye friends of God! Because, in this most momentous of ages, the Sun of
Truth hath risen at the highest point of the spring equinox, and cast its
rays on every clime, it shall kindle such tremulous excitement, it shall
release such vibrations in the world of being, it shall stimulate such
growth and development, it shall stream out with such a glory of light,
and clouds of grace shall pour down such plentiful waters, and fields and
plains shall teem with such a galaxy of sweet-smelling plants and blooms,
that this lowly earth will become the Abha Kingdom, and this nether world
the world above. Then will this fleck of dust be as the vast circle of the
skies, this human place the palace-court of God, this spot of clay the
dayspring of the endless favours of the Lord of Lords.
Wherefore, O loved ones of God! Make ye a mighty effort till you
yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations, and
become focal centres of God's blessings, daysprings of the light of His
unity, promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life. Be ye in that
land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various
branches of knowledge, be active and progressive in the field of
inventions and the arts. Endeavour to rectify the conduct of men, and seek
to excel the whole world in moral character. While the children are yet in
their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace, foster them in
the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give
them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in
every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and
strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives
to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that
will benefit mankind.