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).
He is God!
O thou who art attracted by the sweet savors of God! The treatise thou didst compose hath been received. Blessed be thy heart for what hath inspired it, and blessed be thy pen for having written those eloquent and perspicuous words so pregnant with meaning. I declare unto thee in truth that this treatise is a gift bestowed upon thee from thy Lord and a bounty conferred by Him. Erelong shall the renown thereof reverberate throughout the world and its fame be noised abroad amongst the illumined ones. This is due to the grace of thy Lord.
As to our delay in replying until now: the remainder of thine address in Arabic hath not come to hand, else would we have answered thee. God willing, upon thy return, the rest of the address will reach us, whereupon shall we peruse it in its entirety and send it back to thee. At that time wilt thou publish it in French and English only, and it shall be circulated in America. I beseech God that this address may exert a mighty influence upon the people; He, verily, is the All-Powerful, the All-Glorious.
As to the new work thou hast undertaken: Once completed, send it to us through Aḥmad Effendí with one of the believers coming from Port Sa‘íd whenever convenient.
As to thy presence here: The best course is that thou shouldst go to Beirut and tarry there for a number of days, then proceed to Haifa and likewise remain there several days, then come directly to ‘Akká to join thy kindred and keep company with them while also visiting me from time to time. This, if thy being here is essential; otherwise, thou art closer to me than any near one, and we shall correspond with thee regarding all necessary matters while thou remainest in Egypt, occupied with thy work and interests. I implore God to aid and assist thee, and to protect all who are related to thee.
Postscript:
O my friend! Set thyself to kindling the fire of the love of God in the hearts of His servants and handmaids in Paris, that they may gather together and unite, and be attracted and gladdened, rejoicing in that God hath opened before their faces the gates to His mighty Kingdom.
A typescript of the original Arabic text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).
Adib Masumian 