3. Part One — 2
1Ponder a little as to why these servants contradicted and shunned Him during this time and did not attain nor become honored with the robes of Affirmation by abandoning the garment of Negation; also why the Divine promises became "bada," causing some of those who had followed Him to turn back. Much reflection is necessary that ye may become cognizant of the mysteries of invisible things, inhale a sweet odor from the fragrance of the ideal rose-garden, and acknowledge that the tests of God have been and ever will be upon His servants. Thus light may be known and distinguished from darkness, truth from falsehood, guidance from error, happiness from despair, and roses from thorns. It is written, "Do men imagine that it shall be sufficient for them to say 'We believe,' while they be not proved (or tested)" (K. S. 29)?
2After Noah, the beauty of Hud shone forth from the Day-spring of Creation. For seven hundred years or more, according to different statements, He summoned the people to the Rizwan of Nearness of the Lord of Glory. Like copious rain, calamities fell upon Him. The greater His zeal in summoning, the more obstinate their denial. The more strenuous His effort, the more pronounced their disdain. "And their unbelief shall only increase the perdition of the unbelievers" (K. S. 35).
3Then the Temple of Saleh stepped forth from the Invisible Rizwan of Reality and called the servants to the river of Eternal Nearness. During one hundred years or more, He commanded them to obey the precepts of God and shun prohibited things. Nothing resulted and no effect was produced. Several times He secluded Himself. All this, notwithstanding that Eternal Beauty was summoning the people to no other than the City of Unity. It is said, "And unto the tribe of Thamud we sent their brother Saleh. He said unto them, O my people, worship God; ye have no God besides Him. . .They answered, O Saleh, Thou art a person on whom we placed our hopes before this. Dost thou forbid us to worship that which our fathers worshipped? But we are certainly in doubt concerning the religion to which thou dost invite us, as justly to be expected" (K. S. 7). All this proved fruitless and finally a terrible noise caused them to die (Koran).
4Afterward the beauty of the "Friend" (Abraham) was unveiled and the standard of Guidance was hoisted. He invited the people of the earth unto the light of righteousness. Although He diligently admonished them, no fruit but jealousy and heedlessness resulted. But those who were entirely devoted to God soared with the wings of Assurance unto the station which God hath exalted beyond all comprehension. It is well known from the history of His Holiness (Abraham) how He was surrounded by enemies, until the fire of jealousy and contradiction was kindled. After the story of the "fire" (Koran), they expelled that Divine Lamp from the city, as is recorded in all the books and epistles.
5Then His time passed and the turn of Moses came. His Holiness appeared with the Rod of Command and with the White Hand of Knowledge from the Paran of Divine Love. He came with the Serpent of Power and Eternal Majesty out of the Sinai of Light into the court of Manifestation, summoning all in the world to the Kingdom of Life and to the fruits of the Tree of Faithfulness. The oppositions made by Pharaoh and his people have been heard of. Many stones of suspicion were cast upon that pure Tree by unbelieving souls. Finally Pharaoh and his people exerted themselves to extinguish that fire of the Divine Tree with the water of denial and opposition; heedless that the fire of the Divine Wisdom is never quenched by material water nor the lamp of Supreme Power extinguished by contrary winds. Nay rather, in such a case water produces conflagration and the wind insures preservation, were ye to perceive with discerning sight and walk in the Good Pleasure of God.
6What a beautiful explanation was that given by a believer of the family of Pharaoh, the story of which the Lord of Might hath related to His beloved ones: "A man who was a true believer of the family of Pharaoh, and concealed his faith, said, Will ye put a man to death, because he saith, God is my Lord? Seeing he is come unto you with evident signs from your Lord? If he be a liar, on him will the punishment of falsehood alight; but if he speaketh the truth, some of those judgments with which he threateneth you will fall upon you; verily God doth not guide him who is a transgressor or liar" (K. S. 40).
7At length the matter reached such an extreme that they martyred this same believer with the severest torture. "Shall not the curse of God fall upon the unjust?"
8Now reflect a little upon these things, and as to the cause of such differences: that when a true Manifestation appeared in the world from the Horizon of the Placeless, such corruption, confusion, oppression and revolution would arise in all parts of the world. All the Prophets during their appearance, announced to the people the coming of another Prophet and recorded a sign for the subsequent Manifestation, as stated in the Books. Why, then, notwithstanding the search and expectation of the people for the Holy Manifestation and the mention of signs in the Books, should such things occur in the world as oppressing, antagonizing and persecuting the Prophets and Chosen Ones during every age and cycle? As it is written, "Whenever a Messenger cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, ye proudly reject him; accusing some of imposture and slaying others" (K. S. 2).