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In such a state, no matter what may befall him in his love for God-- harassment, reproach, vilification, curses, beatings, imprisonment, death-- he will never be cast down, and his passion for the Divine Beauty will but gain in strength. This was what I meant. (240:4) Otherwise, woe and misery to the soul that seeketh after comforts, riches, and earthly delights while neglecting to call God to mind! Because calamities encountered in God's pathway are, to Abdu'l- Baha, but favour and grace, and in one of His Tablets the all- glorious Beauty hath declared: `I never passed a tree but Mine heart addressed it saying: "O would that thou wert cut down in My name, and My body crucified upon thee!"' These were the words of the Most Great Name. This is His path. This is the way to His Realm of Might. (240:5) 199. O ye sincere ones, ye longing ones, ye who are drawn as if magnetized, ye who have risen up to serve the Cause of God, to exalt His Word and scatter His sweet savours far and wide! I have read your excellent letter, beautiful as to style, eloquent as to words, profound as to meaning, and I praised God and thanked Him for having come to your aid and enabled you to serve Him in His widespreading vineyard.
(240:6)
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