[The first of two Tablets known by this name. It was revealed in 1897 in response to a letter that ‘Abdu’l-Baha received from Mirza Abu’l-Fadl]
He is the All-Glorious!
O thou who have devoted your life to the exaltation of the Word of God!
What you have written has been perused, and in accordance with your urging, its contents were noted with the utmost attention. It was read time and time again, until the taste buds were utterly sweetened with its purport, like tasting twice-refined sugar, because it was written with the best of intentions.
You had written, ‘All confess belief in the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Kitab-i-‘Ahd and there are no deniers. What are these differences, and from where do they come?’
It is evident unto your honoured self that ‘They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts.’ [1] Moreover, steadfastness is necessary; mere words are not sufficient. ‘In the case of those who say, “Our Lord is God,” and further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them.’ [2] For those who acknowledge and swear allegiance to the Kitab-i-Aqdas and the Kitab-i-‘Ahd, opposition is unseemly, whatever the circumstances. For example, some of the friends in the Holy Land affirm their firmness and loyalty to the Covenant and Testament with fine words and elegant phrases yet, despite the strictest admonitions of this servant that, in accordance with divine wisdom, no one should write abroad without my knowledge, they secretly and continuously send letters in every direction, so that by every means possible they may cast doubt in the hearts. Their affirmations are far removed from such persistence in instilling doubt. This is one example of the clear discrepancies; there are many more like it.
Concerned lest anyone from this direction should write something that would have contrary fragrances, this servant, despite his endless duties, has taken upon himself the toil of reading all communications and erasing anything that by implication or allusion is inappropriate. By your dear life! For four years now every day – in blotting out certain statements – I would imbibe a measure of ink, in the hope that the matter might remain confidential, so far as possible. [3]
Then suddenly I noticed that from all directions bundles of surreptitious letters were being returned [to me]. When their contents were observed, it was evident that all these letters were replete with attempts to cast doubts. Now reflect on the sorrows of this servant. I am immersed in a sea of calamities, all the enemies are on the attack from every side, difficulties are endless and troubles and hardships are limitless; under these conditions, I am nevertheless engaged day and night in exalting the Word of God. I am single, alone and powerless among the [diverse] factions of the world.
