of the Unseen. It does not matter, therefore, if some of the pages are indistinct. The parts that are clear will suffice us for now. The parts that are less legible should be made up separately; the wielders of the diamond pens can each correct one or two copies.

Whenever the railway arrived in a country, the carters used to be dismayed and they supposed that their trade was finished. But because activity increased with its arrival, the need for carriages and carts increased twofold. God willing, the writers-out of the Risale-i Nur will not halt their activity, but will record greater numbers of good works in their books of good deeds with increased writing. ∗∗∗

► (128) ◄

In the face of all the the politicians' torments, I have decided to say: "For us God suffices and He is the best disposer of affairs" (Q 3:173), and to abide in patience. In the past I had some relations with Kâzım Karabekir. I wonder if he still preserves the manly stance which was the cause of our relations. You may convey my greetings to him if he does so, and would cause no harm to the Risale-i Nur and be of possible benefit, and if he is friendly. But since the politicians do not condescend to apply to the Risale-i Nur for everlasting life, I don't condescend to apply to them for this fleeting life, which is worth practically nothing in comparison, neither do I forward any complaint or petition for my own well-being. ∗∗∗

► (129) ◄

I have received the two large and truly fine Nur gifts of Küçük Ali, who is fully the heir of the elder Ali and works on his system, and is the veritable equivalent and successor of Abdurrahman, and the heroic champion of the blessed people. However, the piece from the Hizb-i Nûriye was not written at the end of Zülfikar; let him write it with that wondrous pen of his, and send it to me. ∗∗∗

► (130) ◄

In my native region, when one of the medrese students finished a book or began one, it was the custom to give them a sweet or some such thing, called a muftihane and mahtumane. I observed this very same rule in the scribe Kâtib Osman. At just the time I had finished the corrections of The Staff of Moses he had written, these grapes arrived as mahtumane, which was a sweet and subtle event and a pleasant reminder of medrese life.