[This Ode “To the Center of the Covenant" was composed by Thornton Chase a few weeks before his death. It was read in the holy presence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha]
Thou David of the Promised Kingdom of God!
Thou Princely Leader of all Humanity!
Thou Warrior against the Tribes of Infidelity!
Thou Conqueror of Darkness and Radiator of Light!
Thou Bearer of the Banner of Divine Peace and Prosperity to
the Nations!
Thou First Born in the Kingdom of Baha! Beloved of God and
Men!
Thou First Citizen of the Royal and Holy City!
Thou Branch of the LORD, Beautiful and Glorious!
Thou Greatest Branch from the Ancient Root!
Thou Fruit-bearing Branch of the Divine Tree!
Thou Host of the Divine Table!
Thou Cup-Bearer of the Divine Knowledge!
Thou Diffuser of the Holy Fragrances!
Thou Interpreter of the Revealed Word!
Thou Liver of the Baha’i Law!
Thou Heart of the World, sending the Blood of Truth through
the arteries of Humanity!
Thou Physician of Souls, raising the dead to Life by the Elixir of the Word!
Thou Possessor of the Philosopher’s Stone!
Thou Master of Transmutation!
Thou Kindler of Love and Life in the Heart of Humanity!
Thou Ambassador of Heaven and the Manifestation of
Righteousness!
Thou King of Servitude and Defender of the Faith!
Thou Temple of the Divine Testimony!
Thou Witness and Aim of THE COVENANT!
Thou Prince of Peace and Ensign of United Humanity!
Thou Guide of mortals to Immortality!
Thou Pathfinder of the Right Way, and Conductor of man from
Earth to Heaven!
Thou Lover of God and Man; Exemplar of the New Humanity!
Thou Shepherd of the Sheep, and Shelter of the Birds of the
Air!
Thou Keeper of the Vineyard, and Trainer of the Children of
God!
Thou Servant of the Highest, declared by Isaiah!
Thou Right Arm of the Mighty, proclaimed by Israel!
Thou Holy One in the Hand of God!
Thou Lord of the Sabbath of Ages!
Thou Unique One of the Millennial Age!
Thou Lion of the Tribe of Judah!
Thou Lamb of the Sacrificial Love!
Thou Baptizer of Evanescence!
Thou Sum of Spiritual and Human Perfections!
Thou Mystery of God!
(Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 11, September 27, 1913)
