What follows is my provisional translation (in other words, not official or authorized; see here for more) of a Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the original text of which appears in INBA 17:218–19.
This Tablet makes reference to Gabriel Sacy (20 November 1858 – 21 March 1903), an Egyptian Catholic and Martinist who seems to have become a Baháʼí around the turn of the twentieth century, apparently under the guidance of Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl Gulpáygání, who was also living in Egypt at the time. Sacy spoke seven languages, studied at the Syrian Protestant College (now the American University of Beirut), and worked as the head of the personnel office at the Ministry of Finance in Cairo. E.G. Browne writes that Sacy “had become a fervent Baháʼí with a very remarkable faculty for interpreting the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, especially those of the Book of Daniel and Revelation, in support of the Bábí and Bahá’í claims” (Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion, pp. 185–86).
Port Said
To Áqá Siyyid Asadu’lláh [Qumí],[1] upon him be the glory of God
He is God
O servant of the Sacred Threshold! Thy letter hath arrived. Thou didst write that, little by little, thou wouldst grow accustomed to the work.[2] This is certain and sure to happen, but in the meantime, delay not in thy correspondence. Upon receiving letters from this place bound for whatever destination, pen thou a few lines, brief though they may be, and dispatch the letters with the utmost speed. Do not allow any delay to intervene at all, for swiftness in correspondence hath a wondrous effect.
As to the matter of buying land to serve as the burial-place of Jináb-i-Manshádí,[3] a definite arrangement hath been made with Áqá Aḥmad[4] that he must purchase the land, in order that the grave of that one who hath ascended unto God may be constructed and adorned as it ought to be. Likewise did this servant, during this sojourn in Egypt, purchase a plot of land in Cairo for the late Jibrán Ṣáṣí [Gabriel Sacy], and with great difficulty bring out the coffin of that departed soul from among the deceased Christians—who were all buried in one corridor—whereafter I interred it in that most refined and immaculate plot. Áqá Aḥmad hath promised that, upon his return, he will accomplish this task.
The letter of Jináb-i-Qá’im-Maqámí[5] hath been perused. A receipt for three roubles hath been written and sealed; it hath been sent unto thee. Upon thee be the glory of the Most Glorious.
[Postscript:]
Inasmuch as I am considering a journey to Europe with the aim of staying there for two months, I am eager to see thee. Come thou to Alexandria for a few days so we may meet.
========
[1] An Iranian Bahá’í who accepted the Faith during the ministry of Bahá’u’lláh and went many places to teach the Cause. He accompanied ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on His journey to America and subsequent travels in Europe, serving primarily as His cook.
[2] The content of this Tablet suggests that Siyyid Asadu’lláh Qumí had recently begun to distribute mail for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá following the death of Siyyid Muḥammad-Taqí Manshádí, who had previously served in this capacity. (See the next endnote.)
[3] Siyyid Muḥammad-Taqí Manshádí, an Iranian Bahá’í who lived in Egypt, acted as the distributor of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s mail, and served the Faith in other ways. For a eulogy given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in his honor, see Memorials of the Faithful, chapter 18.
[4] Áqá Aḥmad Effendí Yazdí, an Iranian Bahá’í who served as the Persian consul in Port Said. He became ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s son-in-law through his marriage to Munavvar Khánum.
[5] Mírzá Áqá Khán Qá’im-Maqámí, a wealthy and eminent Iranian Bahá’í. For a biography of him, see here.
A typescript of the original Persian text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).
Adib Masumian 