O thou lady of the Kingdom! Thy letter sent from New York
hath been received. Its contents imparted joy and gladness for they indicated
that with a firm resolve and a pure intention thou hast determined to travel to
Paris, that thou mayest in that silent city enkindle the fire of the love of
God and in the midst of that darkness of nature shine like unto a resplendent
candle. This journey is highly praiseworthy and suitable. When thou reachest
Paris, thou must strive, no matter how small the number of the friends may be,
to institute the assembly of the Covenant and to vivify the souls through the
power of the Covenant.
Paris is exceedingly dispirited and is in a state of torpor
and so far it hath not burst into flames although the French nation is an active
and lively one. But the world of nature hath fully stretched its pavilion over
Paris and hath done away with religious sentiments. But this power of the
Covenant shall heat every freezing soul, shall bestow light upon
everything that is dark and shall secure for the captive in the hand of nature
the true freedom of the Kingdom.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
