It is evident that the Letter is a member of the Word, and
this membership in the Word signifieth that the Letter is dependent for its
value on the Word, that is, it deriveth its grace from the Word; it has a
spiritual kinship with the Word, and is accounted an integral part of the Word.
The Apostles were even as Letters, and Christ was the essence of the Word
Itself; and the meaning of the Word, which is grace everlasting, cast a
splendour on those Letters. Again, since the Letter is a member of the Word, it
therefore, in its inner meaning, is consonant with the Word.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha,
‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
