that grace and blessing may become apparent.
The waveless sea hath no sound, and the cloud without thunder raineth no
rain." By such speech, then, was that unfortunate man entrapped into his
course of action, and led to utter vain words which caused the disturbance
of [men's] thoughts. Little by little those who were wont to incite and
encourage began without exception to utter violent denunciations in every
nook and corner, nay in the court itself, saying, "The Babis say thus, and
expound in this wise: [their] behavior is such, and [their] speech
so-and-so." Such mischief-making and plots caused matters to become
misapprehended, and furthermore certain schemes got afloat which were
regarded as necessary measures of self-protection; the expediency of
banishing the Babis came under consideration; and all of a sudden an order
came, and Baha'u'llah was removed from Roumelia; nor was it known for what
purpose or whither they would bear Him away. Diverse accounts were current
in [men's] mouths, and many exaggerations were heard [to the effect] that
there was no hope of deliverance.
Now all those persons who were with Him with one accord entreated and
insisted that they should [be permitted to] accompany Him, and, how much
soever the government admonished and forbade them, it was fruitless.
Finally one Haji Ja'far by name was moved to lamentation, and with his own
hand cut his throat. When the government beheld it thus, it gave
permission to all of them to accompany Him, conveyed them from Adrianople
to the seashore, and thence transported them to Akka. Mirza Yahya they
sent in like manner to Famagusta.
During the latter days [passed] in Adrianople Baha'u'llah composed a
detailed epistle setting forth all matters clearly and minutely. He
unfolded and expounded the main principles of the sect, and made clear and
plain its ethics, manners, course, and mode of conduct: He treated certain
political questions in detail, and adduced sundry proofs of His
truthfulness: He declared the good intent, loyalty, and sincerity of the
sect, and wrote some fragments of prayers, some in Persian, but the
greater part in Arabic. He then placed it in a packet and adorned its
address with the royal name of His Majesty the King of Persia, and wrote
[on it] that some person pure of heart and pure of life, dedicated to God,
and prepared for martyr-sacrifice, must, with perfect resignation and
willingness, convey this epistle into the presence of t
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