ers of Baha'u'llah so convincing and His wisdom so amazing, although
evidently not acquired by study, that he was obliged to confess that in
knowledge and understanding Baha'u'llah was peerless. In order, however,
that the Mullas who had sent him should be satisfied as to the reality of
Baha'u'llah's Prophethood, he asked that some miracle should be produced
as proof. Baha'u'llah expressed His willingness to accept the suggestion
on certain conditions, declaring that if the Mullas would agree regarding
some miracle to be performed, and would sign and seal a document to the
effect that on performance of this miracle they would confess the validity
of His mission and cease to oppose Him, He would furnish the desired proof
or else stand convicted of imposture. Had the aim of the Mullas been to
get at the truth, surely here was their opportunity; but their intention
was far otherwise. Rightly or wrongly, they meant to secure a decision in
their own favor. They feared the truth and fled from the daring challenge.
This discomfiture, however, only spurred them on to devise fresh plots for
the eradication of the oppressed sect. The Consul General of Persia in
Ba_gh_dad came to their assistance and sent repeated messages to the
_Sh_ah to the effect that Baha'u'llah was injuring the Muhammadan religion
more than ever, still exerting a malign influence on Persia, and that He
ought therefore to be banished to some more distant place.

It was characteristic of Baha'u'llah that, at this crisis, when at the
instigation of the Muhammadan Mullas the Persian and Turkish Governments
were combining their efforts to eradicate the Movement, He remained calm
and serene, encouraging and inspiring His followers and writing
imperishable words of consolation and guidance. 'Abdu'l-Baha relates how
the Hidden Words were written at this time. Baha'u'llah would often go for
a walk along the bank of the Tigris. He would come back looking very happy
and write down those lyric gems of wise counsel which have brought help
and healing to thousands of aching and troubled hearts. For years, only a
few manuscript copies of the Hidden Words were in existence, and these had
to be carefully concealed lest they should fall into the hands of the
enemies that abounded, but now this little volume is probably the best
known of all Baha'u'llah's works, and is read in every quarter of the
globe. The Book of Iqan is another well-known work of Baha'u'llah's
written about