of civilization requires that society so organize its affairs
as to give full expression to this fact. The earth's resources are the
property of all humanity, not of any one people. Different contributions
to the common economic welfare deserve and should receive different
measures of reward and recognition, but the extremes of wealth and poverty
which afflict most nations on earth, regardless of the socio-economic
philosophies they profess, must be abolished.

ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE KINGS

The writings which have been quoted in the foregoing were revealed, for
the most part, in conditions of renewed persecution. Soon after the
exiles' arrival in Constantinople, it became apparent that the honors
showered upon Baha'u'llah during His journey from Baghdad had represented
only a brief interlude. The Ottoman authorities' decision to move the
"Babi" leader and His companions to the capital of the empire rather than
to some remote province deepened the alarm among the representatives of
the Persian government.(68) Fearing that the developments in Baghdad would
be repeated, and might attract this time not only the sympathy but perhaps
even the allegiance of influential figures in the Turkish government, the
Persian ambassador pressed insistently for the dispatch of the exiles to
some more distant part of the empire. His argument was that the spread of
a new religious message in the capital could produce political as well as
religious repercussions.

Initially, the Ottoman government strongly resisted. The chief minister,
'Ali Pa_sh_a, had indicated to Western diplomats his belief that
Baha'u'llah was "a man of great distinction, exemplary conduct, great
moderation, and a most dignified figure." His teachings were, in the
minister's opinion, "worthy of high esteem" because they counteracted the
religious animosities dividing the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim subjects
of the empire.(69)

Gradually, however, a degree of resentment and suspicion developed. In the
Ottoman capital, political and economic power was in the hands of court
functionaries who, with but few exceptions, were persons of little or no
competence. Venality was the oil on which the machinery of government
operated, and the capital was a magnet for a horde of people who flocked
there from every part of the empire and beyond, seeking favors and
influence. It was expected that any prominent figure from another country
or from one of the tribute territorie