“O thou friend of old and O thou incomparable companion!...”
O thou friend of old and O thou incomparable companion!
Many letters have so far been received from thee and lengthy answers have been written to them, but it is strange that they have not reached thee. I was grieved when Mr. ....... said thou hadst not received them. Therefore, I write this epistle immediately so that it may be a cause of comfort to thee.
O dear friend! Thou art more deserving than others; thou art worthy of every favor and attention. Is it possible then that I should answer others and leave thee disappointed? God forbid! Thou art an old and true believer; in faith thou hast attained precedence; thou art constantly engaged in servitude; with an eloquent tongue thou art teaching the Cause of God; thou hast become the cause of faith in others; whenever thou findest an opportunity thou dost travel and visit the believers, disseminating the fragrances of God; thou hast a soul full of glad-tidings and hast an enlightened and clear heart. I have a great attachment for thee; how is it possible then that I should disappoint thee?
I pray and supplicate God and ask for favor and help for thee. I am very desirous to behold thy face.
Convey to all the beloved of God the utmost longing on the part of Abdul-Baha.
The truthful servant, Mr. ........, abandoned home, left his native land and crossed the great ocean until he reached the shore of the Holy Land and arrived at the Blessed Spot. He laid his head upon the threshold of the sacred dust; he implored and supplicated the Gateway of Unity and sought confirmation and strength.
Now he is returning to his native clime to serve and to spread the fragrances of the Holy Spirit.
O Lord! Confirm him, aid and strengthen him through the hosts of the Kingdom, so that he may become the cause of the spread of the Word of God, the cause of joy and happiness to the friends and the means of awakening the negligent. Thou art the Mighty and Powerful and Thou art the Precious, the Almighty, the Wise!
O thou truthful servant of the Beauty of Abha! With a power of the Kingdom, a divine attraction and a spiritual breath, return thou to that land; fill to overflowing the lives and hearts with the wine of the love of God; be the cause of joy to all and the means of unity and agreement to all; because through unity and agreement do the beloved of God hoist the standard, shine with the light of the love of God and are tender to one another.