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).
18 September 1902
Paris
To the honorable Jibrán Effendí Ṣáṣí [Gabriel Sacy], care of [Ḥájí] Áqá Muḥammad, upon him be the Glory of God
He is God!
O summoner to the Kingdom of God! I have perused thy luminous and eloquently penned missive, which betokeneth thine ardent love for God, thy supreme devotion to the Most Exalted Horizon, and the intensity of thy delight in diffusing the fragrances of God. Its contents have moved my heart to rejoice, inasmuch as ʻAbdu’l-Bahá hath no joy or happiness save in the sweet-scented breezes that waft from the rose-gardens of the hearts of God’s loved ones.
O my friend! The loved ones of God in that place must gather together before thy departure from Paris. At that time, recite for them the treatise which thou hast composed through the power of divine confirmation, and exhort them to be enkindled with the fire of the love of God; to be detached from the world; and to be attracted to the Abhá Kingdom, that they may assemble in gatherings of intimate fellowship and discuss the teachings of the Holy Spirit, making mention of God with hearts overflowing with His love, summoning souls to the wellspring of His knowledge, and heralding the advent of His Kingdom. Then shall they witness how the hosts of existence will [succor them];[1] how the angels of the Kingdom will render them victorious; and how the verses of inspiration will descend upon them through the bounty of their Lord, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
O my friend! Thy treatise is not in need of correction; it consisteth wholly of proofs and evidences of the appearance of the Lord of Hosts with armies of His favored ones. Translate it into English, print it, and disseminate it throughout America.
O my friend! When the monks became heedless of the remembrance of the All-Merciful and clung to vain imaginings, God caused these ones[2] to gain ascendancy over them, that the monks might be roused and awakened from their slumber and rest assured that the harvest of old, though it be of consummate perfection, is of no avail after the time of reaping. Rather must there be a new harvest, and a precious seed be sown in the plantations, regions, and fields of people’s minds and thoughts. Then must it be watered with a fresh outpouring of grace, that this seed may put forth its shoots, grow strong, and stand firm upon its stalks, delighting the farmers. These monks were awaiting the appearance of the Merciful Lord, yet when He came they were heedless of Him, preoccupied with their own concerns, and reckless in their rebellion. Naught remaineth for them but abasement and disappointment so long as they remain immersed in slumber.
O my friend! There is no harm if thou shouldst deliver thine address to pure souls whom thou findest to be prepared for entry into the Kingdom of God. Upon thee be greetings and praise.
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[1] The original word is in brackets.
[2] Presumably meaning the Baháʼís.
A typescript of the original Arabic text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).
Adib Masumian 