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 has not been published; a typescript of it was shared with me by Marc Soudon, who received it from the Bahá’í World Center.
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).
Paris
To [Hippolyte] Dreyfus, upon him be the glory of God, the All-Glorious
He is God
O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant! The family of the late Jibrán Effendi Ṣáṣí [Gabriel Sacy] are in Paris, and I have heard that some amongst them are sick and feeble, afflicted as they are with consumption.[1] It is known that, during the days of his life, that departed soul exerted the utmost endeavor in showing love to the friends. A true believer was he, and firm in his certitude; staunch was he, and steadfast. When he ascended, he left behind a wife and children as a trust and memento. Now that they have fallen into distress, it behooveth every one of the friends and the handmaids of the Merciful[2] to strive, as much as possible, to render them aid. As for myself, since in these days I am occupied with assisting those who have survived the martyrs of Yazd, the remnants of those slain in Nayríz, and the homeless ones who have set out for Sarvistán, I am unable to help personally. In spite of this fact, twenty-five pounds have been secured and prepared for them. These funds will be sent; do thou deliver them.
Write thou concerning the circumstances of that maidservant of Bahá, Miss [Laura] Barney. It appeareth that she hath gone to America. Perchance if she had been in Paris, she would have rendered some aid to the family of the late Jibrán [Gabriel].
Upon thee be the glory of the All-Glorious.
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[1] An older term for tuberculosis.
[2] “The friends” and “the handmaids of the Merciful” meaning the male and female Bahá’ís, respectively.
A typescript of the original Persian text of this Tablet appears below (all punctuation and short vowel marks mine).
Adib Masumian 