reality of His own mission
would become apparent. In His writings He stated that in the ninth year
this expected One would be known; in the ninth year they would attain to
all glory and felicity; in the ninth year they would advance rapidly.
Between Baha'u'llah and the Bab there was communication privately. The Bab
wrote a letter containing three hundred and sixty derivatives of the root
Baha. The Bab was martyred in Tabriz; and Baha'u'llah, exiled into 'Iraq
in 1852, announced Himself in Ba_gh_dad. For the Persian government had
decided that as long as He remained in Persia the peace of the country
would be disturbed; therefore, He was exiled in the expectation that
Persia would become quiet. His banishment, however, produced the opposite
effect. New tumult arose, and the mention of His greatness and influence
spread everywhere throughout the country. The proclamation of His
manifestation and mission was made in Ba_gh_dad. He called His friends
together there and spoke to them of God.

At one point He left the city and went alone into the mountains of
Kurdistan, where He made His abode in caves and grottoes. A part of this
time He lived in the city of Sulaymaniyyih. Two years passed during which
neither His friends nor family knew just where He was.

Although Baha'u'llah was solitary, secluded and unknown in His retirement,
the report spread throughout Kurdistan that this was a most remarkable and
learned Personage, gifted with a wonderful power of attraction. In a short
time Kurdistan was magnetized with His love. During this period
Baha'u'llah lived in poverty. His garments were those of the poor and
needy. His food was that of the indigent and lowly. An atmosphere of
majesty haloed Him as the sun at midday. Everywhere He was greatly revered
and beloved.

After two years He returned to Ba_gh_dad. Friends He had known in
Sulaymaniyyih came to visit Him. They found Him in His accustomed
environment of ease and affluence and were astonished at the appointments
of One Who had lived in seclusion under such frugal conditions in
Kurdistan.

The Persian government believed the banishment of the Blessed Perfection
from Persia would be the extermination of His Cause in that country. These
rulers now realized that it spread more rapidly. His prestige increased;
His teachings became more widely circulated. The chiefs of Persia then
used their influence to have Baha'u'llah exiled from Ba_gh_dad. He was
summoned to Constantin