nment leaders, pillars of the country, the city's
'ulamas, leading mystics and intellectuals came out to the Mansion. The
Blessed Beauty paid them no attention whatever. They were not admitted to
His presence, nor did He inquire after any of them. I sat down with them
and kept them company for some hours, after which they returned whence
they had come. Although the royal farman specifically decreed that
Baha'u'llah was to be held in solitary confinement within the Akka
fortress, in a cell, under perpetual guard; that He was never to set foot
outside; that He was never even to see any of the
believers--notwithstanding such a farman, such a drastic order, His tent
was raised in majesty on the heights of Mount Carmel. What greater display
of power could there be than this, that from the very prison, the banner
of the Lord was raised aloft, and rippled out for all the world to see!
Praised be the Possessor of such majesty and might; praised be He,
weaponed with the power and the glory; praised be He, Who defeated His
foes when He lay captive in the Akka prison!

To resume: 'Abdu's-Salih lived under a fortunate star, for he regularly
came into the presence of Baha'u'llah. He enjoyed the distinction of
serving as gardener for many years, and he was at all times loyal, true,
and strong in faith. He was humble in the presence of every one of the
believers; in all that time he never hurt nor offended any one. And at the
last he left his garden and hastened to the encompassing mercy of God.

The Ancient Beauty was well pleased with 'Abdu's-Salih, and after his
ascension revealed a Visitation Tablet in his honor, also delivering an
address concerning him, which was taken down and published together with
other Scriptures.

Upon him be the glory of the All-Glorious! Upon him be God's gentleness
and favor in the Exalted Realm.

USTAD ISMA'IL

Yet another from amongst that blessed company was Ustad Isma'il, the
builder. He was the construction overseer of Farru_kh_ _Kh_an
(Aminu'd-Dawlih) in Tihran, living happily and prosperously, a man of high
standing, well regarded by all. But he lost his heart to the Faith, and
was enraptured by it, till his holy passion consumed every intervening
veil. Then he cast caution aside, and became known throughout Tihran as a
pillar of the Baha'is.

Farru_kh_ _Kh_an ably defended him at first. But as time went on, he
summoned him and said, "Ustad, you are very dear to me and I have give