n duty day and night. During the
journey from Ba_gh_dad to Constantinople, from there to Adrianople, and
from there to the Most Great Prison, he was always at hand to serve. He
married the handmaid of God, Habibih, who also served at the Threshold,
and his daughter Badi'ih became the helpmeet of the late Husayn-Aqa
Qahvih-_ch_i.

Thus the Amir was steadfast in service throughout his life; but after the
ascension of Baha'u'llah his health steadily declined, and at last he left
this world of dust behind him and hastened away to the unsullied world
above. May God illumine the place where he rests with rays from the
all-highest Realm. Unto him be salutations and praise. His bright shrine
is in Akka.

MIRZA MIHDIY-I-KASHANI

This honored man, Mirza Mihdi, was from Ka_sh_an. In early youth, under
his father's tutelage, he had studied sciences and arts, and had become
skilled in composing both prose and verse, as well as in producing
calligraphy in the style known as _sh_ikastih.(54) He was singled out from
his fellows, head and shoulders above the rest. When still a child, he
learned of the Lord's Advent, caught fire with love, and became one of
those who "gave their all to purchase Joseph." He was chief of the
yearning seekers, lord of lovers; eloquently, he began to teach the Faith,
and to prove the validity of the Manifestation.

He made converts; and because he yearned after God, he became a
laughingstock in Ka_sh_an, disparaged by friend and stranger alike,
exposed to the taunts of his faithless companions. One of them said: "He
has lost his mind." And another: "He is a public disgrace. Fortune has
turned against him. He is done for." The bullies mocked him, and spared
him nothing. When life became untenable, and open war broke out, he left
his homeland and journeyed to 'Iraq, the focal center of the new Light,
where he gained the presence of all mankind's Beloved.

He spent some time here, in the friends' company, composing verses that
sang the praises of Baha'u'llah. Later he was given leave to return home,
and went back to live for a while in Ka_sh_an. But again, he was plagued
by yearning love, and could bear the separation no more. He returned,
therefore, to Ba_gh_dad, bringing with him his respected sister, the third
consort(55) .

Here he remained, under the bountiful protection of Baha'u'llah, until the
convoy left 'Iraq for Constantinople, at which time Mirza Mihdi was
directed to remain behind