d example, exercised so potent an
influence on so large a number of the heterogeneous inhabitants of their
city.

Leaving for the last time, amidst weeping and lamentation, His "Most Holy
Habitation," out of which had "gone forth the breath of the All-Glorious,"
and from which had poured forth, in "ceaseless strains," the "melody of
the All-Merciful," and dispensing on His way with a lavish hand a last
alms to the poor He had so faithfully befriended, and uttering words of
comfort to the disconsolate who besought Him on every side, He, at length,
reached the banks of the river, and was ferried across, accompanied by His
sons and amanuensis, to the Najibiyyih Garden, situated on the opposite
shore. "O My companions," He thus addressed the faithful band that
surrounded Him before He embarked, "I entrust to your keeping this city of
Ba_gh_dad, in the state ye now behold it, when from the eyes of friends
and strangers alike, crowding its housetops, its streets and markets,
tears like the rain of spring are flowing down, and I depart. With you it
now rests to watch lest your deeds and conduct dim the flame of love that
gloweth within the breasts of its inhabitants."

The muezzin had just raised the afternoon call to prayer when Baha'u'llah
entered the Najibiyyih Garden, where He tarried twelve days before His
final departure from the city. There His friends and companions, arriving
in successive waves, attained His presence and bade Him, with feelings of
profound sorrow, their last farewell. Outstanding among them was the
renowned Alusi, the Mufti of Ba_gh_dad, who, with eyes dimmed with tears,
execrated the name of Nasiri'd-Din _Sh_ah, whom he deemed to be primarily
responsible for so unmerited a banishment. "I have ceased to regard him,"
he openly asserted, "as Nasiri'd-Din (the helper of the Faith), but
consider him rather to be its wrecker." Another distinguished visitor was
the governor himself, Namiq Pa_sh_a, who, after expressing in the most
respectful terms his regret at the developments which had precipitated
Baha'u'llah's departure, and assuring Him of his readiness to aid Him in
any way he could, handed to the officer appointed to accompany Him a
written order, commanding the governors of the provinces through which the
exiles would be passing to extend to them the utmost consideration.
"Whatever you require," he, after profuse apologies, informed Baha'u'llah,
"you have but to command. We are ready to carry it out