old. He was a servant to all the friends, working day and
night. A quiet man, sparing of speech, in all things relying entirely upon
God. He continued to serve in Adrianople until the banishment to Akka was
brought about and he too was made a prisoner. He was grateful for this,
continually offering thanks, and saying, "Praise be to God! I am in the
fully-laden Ark!"(93)

The Prison was a garden of roses to him, and his narrow cell a wide and
fragrant place. At the time when we were in the barracks he fell
dangerously ill and was confined to his bed. He suffered many
complications, until finally the doctor gave him up and would visit him no
more. Then the sick man breathed his last. Mirza Aqa Jan ran to
Baha'u'llah, with word of the death. Not only had the patient ceased to
breathe, but his body was already going limp. His family were gathered
about him, mourning him, shedding bitter tears. The Blessed Beauty said,
"Go; chant the prayer of Ya _Sh_afi--O Thou, the Healer--and Mirza Ja'far
will come alive. Very rapidly, he will be as well as ever." I reached his
bedside. His body was cold and all the signs of death were present.
Slowly, he began to stir; soon he could move his limbs, and before an hour
had passed he lifted his head, sat up, and proceeded to laugh and tell
jokes.

He lived for a long time after that, occupied as ever with serving the
friends. This giving service was a point of pride with him: to all, he was
a servant. He was always modest and humble, calling God to mind, and to
the highest degree full of hope and faith. Finally, while in the Most
Great Prison, he abandoned this earthly life and winged his way to the
life beyond.

Greetings and praise be unto him; upon him be the glory of the
All-Glorious, and the favoring glances of the Lord. His luminous grave is
in Akka.

HUSAYN-AQAY-I-TABRIZI

This man who was close to the Divine Threshold was the respected son of
'Ali-'Askar-i-Tabrizi. Full of yearning love, he came with his father from
Tabriz to Adrianople, and by his own wish, went on with joy and hope to
the Most Great Prison. From the day of his arrival at the fortress of Akka
he took over the coffee service, and waited upon the friends. This
accomplished man was so patient, so docile, that over a forty-year period,
despite extreme difficulties (for day and night, friend and stranger alike
thronged the doors), he attended upon each and every one who came,
faithfully helping them all.