What follows is my provisional translation (in other words, not official or authorized; see here for more) of a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The original text has not been published; a typescript of it was shared with me by Marc Soudon, who received it from the National Bahá’í Archives of France.
This Tablet was addressed 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).
Egypt
To the honorable Jibrán Effendí Ṣáṣí [Gabriel Sacy], upon him be the Glory of God
He is God!
O thou who art attracted by the fragrances of God! I have read thy recent letter and become informed of what thou didst say in thy meeting with that great man. Henceforth, whensoever thou shouldst encounter either him or his son-in-law, thou must offer commendation and praise in moderation. Purge thy sight from man-made limitations and avert not thy gaze from the Most Sublime Vision. And should he inquire of me, say: “He is a servant content with God’s decree, entrusting all affairs to God, asking naught of any matter.”
O my friend! I am joyous, gladdened, and filled with delight in whatever tribulation I am experiencing, for this is in the path of God. I pray for the government and its trusted ones, supplicating divine confirmation and assistance at all times. Verily, thy Lord is compassionate unto His servants, singling out whom He willeth through His mercy, and God is the Possessor of great bounty. The restriction imposed on me is of absolutely no significance; rather, this bondage is the very essence of freedom, and this decree a gift from God, Who administereth in His dominion as He pleaseth. However, it behoveth the men of the East to ponder the consequences of Western politics and its astounding results, and to reflect upon the treatment of emergent ills, the preservation of the future, and the safeguarding of independence. Otherwise, the people of nobility and justice shall weep tears of blood over their heedlessness concerning these vital matters. The land of Egypt is a lesson for those endued with insight. We can only say that all this is from the irrevocable decrees of destiny. Let those possessed of high resolve contemplate a power that can resist the Western assault upon the East and repel the forces attacking the realm of Asia. Such is what beseemeth the great ones. Upon thee be greetings and praise.
Postscript:
O thou who art vivified by the outpourings of the Holy Spirit! I implore the Kingdom of Holiness, my heart throbbing with the love of God, to confirm and assist thee under all conditions and circumstances. Thy personal affairs must not prevent thee from serving the Cause of God. Persist therein with the utmost endeavor, zeal, and steadfastness. I have corrected thy treatise, and although the scribe made these corrections in Arabic, this is of no importance since the matter was urgent.
Regarding thy journey to America: There is no need for it, as thy teacher, the esteemed Abu’l-Faḍl, hath been delayed in his departure.[1]
As for thine honorable self: Thou must meet the well-assured handmaiden of God, Miss Bolles,[2] in Paris. Exhort both her and every other believer, man and woman alike, to become enkindled with the fire of the love of God. Enclosed is a letter for thy noble wife; deliver it to her. Upon thee be greetings and praise.
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[1] To clarify: Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl, who taught Gabriel Sacy the Bahá’í Faith in Egypt, was already educating the nascent Bahá’í community in America at this time (at the behest of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá), so there was no need for Sacy to travel there.
[2] May Maxwell, the mother of Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
A typescript of the original Arabic text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).
Adib Masumian 