respect to their particular names and designations, that they differ, that
again is true. For though they are the same, yet one doth recognize in
each a separate designation, a specific attribute, a particular character.
Conceive accordingly the distinction, variation, and unity characteristic
of the various Manifestations of holiness, that thou mayest comprehend the
allusions made by the creator of all names and attributes to the mysteries
of distinction and unity, and discover the answer to thy question as to
why that everlasting Beauty should have, at sundry times, called Himself
by different names and titles.

Afterwards, the companions and disciples of Jesus asked Him concerning
those signs that must needs signalize the return of His manifestation.
When, they asked, shall these things be? Several times they questioned
that peerless Beauty, and, every time He made reply, He set forth a
special sign that should herald the advent of the promised Dispensation.
To this testify the records of the four Gospels.

This wronged One will cite but one of these instances, thus conferring
upon mankind, for the sake of God, such bounties as are yet concealed
within the treasury of the hidden and sacred Tree, that haply mortal men
may not remain deprived of their share of the immortal fruit, and attain
to a dewdrop of the waters of everlasting life which, from Baghdád, the
“Abode of Peace,” are being vouchsafed unto all mankind. We ask for
neither meed nor reward. “We nourish your souls for the sake of God; we
seek from you neither recompense nor thanks.”(16) This is the food that
conferreth everlasting life upon the pure in heart and the illumined in
spirit. This is the bread of which it is said: “Lord, send down upon us
Thy bread from heaven.”(17) This bread shall never be withheld from them
that deserve it, nor can it ever be exhausted. It groweth everlastingly
from the tree of grace; it descendeth at all seasons from the heavens of