In these days truthfulness and sincerity are sorely afflicted in the clutches of falsehood, and justice is tormented by the scourge of injustice.  The smoke of corruption hath enveloped the whole world in such wise that naught can be seen in any direction save regiments of soldiers and nothing is heard from any land but the clashing of swords.  We beseech God, the True One, to strengthen the wielders of His power in that which will rehabilitate the world and bring tranquillity to the nations.

The sixth Taraz

Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God.  It is incumbent upon everyone to acquire it.  Such arts and material means as are now manifest have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been revealed in Epistles and Tablets through His Most Exalted Pen—­a Pen out of whose treasury pearls of wisdom and utterance and the arts and crafts of the world are brought to light.

In this Day the secrets of the earth are laid bare before the eyes of men.  The pages of swiftly-appearing newspapers are indeed the mirror of the world.  They reflect the deeds and the pursuits of divers peoples and kindreds.  They both reflect them and make them known.  They are a mirror endowed with hearing, sight and speech.  This is an amazing and potent phenomenon.  However, it behoveth the writers thereof to be purged from the promptings of evil passions and desires and to be attired with the raiment of justice and equity.  They should enquire into situations as much as possible and ascertain the facts, then set them down in writing.

Concerning this Wronged One, most of the things reported in the newspapers are devoid of truth.  Fair speech and truthfulness, by reason of their lofty rank and position, are regarded as a sun shining above the horizon of knowledge.  The waves rising from this Ocean are apparent before the eyes of the peoples of the world and the effusions of the Pen of wisdom and utterance are manifest everywhere.

It is reported in the press that this Servant hath fled from the land of Ta (Tihran) and gone to ’Iraq.  Gracious God!  Not even for a single moment hath this Wronged One ever concealed Himself.  Rather hath He at all times remained steadfast and conspicuous before the eyes of all men.  Never have We retreated, nor shall We ever seek flight.  In truth it is the foolish people who flee from Our presence.  We left Our home country accompanied by two mounted escorts, representing the two honoured governments of Persia and Russia until We arrived in ’Iraq in the plenitude of glory and power.  Praise be to God!  The Cause whereof this Wronged One is the Bearer standeth as high as heaven and shineth resplendent as the sun.  Concealment hath no access unto this station, nor is there any occasion for fear or silence.

The mysteries of Resurrection and the events of the Last Hour are openly manifest, but the people are sunk in heedlessness and have suffered themselves to be wrapt in veils.  ’And when the seas shall boil...  And when the Scriptures shall be unrolled.’(5) By the righteousness of God!  The Dawn hath truly brightened and the light hath shone forth and the night hath receded.  Happy are they that comprehend.  Happy are they that have attained thereunto.