Ponder the words of Jesus addressed to His disciples, as He
sent them forth to propagate the Cause of God. In words such as these, He bade
them arise and fulfil their mission: 'Ye are even as the fire which in the
darkness of the night has been kindled upon the mountain-top. Let your light
shine before the eyes of men. Such must be the purity of your character and the
degree of your renunciation, that the people of the earth may through you
recognize and be drawn closer to the heavenly Father who is the Source of
purity and grace. For none has seen the Father who is in heaven. You who are
His spiritual children must by your deeds exemplify His virtues, and witness to
His glory. You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? Such must be the degree of your detachment, that
into whatever city you enter to proclaim and teach the Cause of God, you should
in no wise expect either meat or reward from its people. Nay, when you depart
out of that city, you should shake the dust from off your feet. As you have
entered it pure and undefiled, so must you depart from that city. For verily I
say, the heavenly Father is ever with you and keeps watch over you. If you be
faithful to Him, He will assuredly deliver into your hands all the treasures of
the earth, and will exalt you above all the rulers and kings of the world.'
- The
Báb (Quoted by Nabil in ‘The Dawn-Breakers’, translated and edited by Shoghi
Effendi)
