Page 172 of  412

In His message to the kings of the earth, Baha'u'llah, in the Suriy- i- Muluk, discloses the character of His Mission; exhorts them to embrace His Message; affirms the validity of the Bab's Revelation; reproves them for their indifference to His Cause; enjoins them to be just and vigilant, to compose their differences and reduce their armaments; expatiates on His afflictions; commends the poor to their care; warns them that "Divine chastisement" will "assail" them "from every direction, " if they refuse to heed His counsels, and prophesies His "triumph upon earth" though no king be found who would turn his face towards Him (172:1)

The kings of Christendom, more specifically, Baha'u'llah, in that same Tablet, censures for having failed to "welcome" and "draw nigh" unto Him Who is the "Spirit of Truth, " and for having persisted in "disporting" themselves with their "pastimes and fancies, " and declares to them that they "shall be called to account" for their doings, "in the presence of Him Who shall gather together the entire creation." (172:2)

He bids Sultan Abdu'l- 'Aziz "hearken to the speech ... of Him Who unerringly treadeth the Straight Path"; exhorts him to direct in person the affairs of his people, and not to repose confidence in unworthy ministers; admonishes him not to rely on his treasures, nor to "overstep the bounds of moderation" but to deal with his subjects with "undeviating justice"; and acquaints him with the overwhelming burden of His own tribulations. In that same Tablet He asserts His innocence and His loyalty to the Sultan and his ministers; describes the circumstances of His banishment from the capital; and assures him of His prayers to God on his behalf (172:3)

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