es that
were to prove the precursors of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the
Baha'i world; or to the establishment of new outposts of the Faith in
far-off Samarqand and Bu_kh_ara, in the heart of the Asiatic continent, in
consequence of the discourses and writings of the erudite Fadil-i-Qa'ini
and the learned apologist Mirza Abu'l-Fadl; or to the publication in India
of five volumes of the writings of the Author of the Faith, including His
"Most Holy Book"--publications which were to herald the vast multiplication
of its literature, in various scripts and languages, and its
dissemination, in later decades, throughout both the East and the West.

"Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz," Baha'u'llah is reported by one of His
fellow-exiles to have stated, "banished Us to this country in the greatest
abasement, and since his object was to destroy Us and humble Us, whenever
the means of glory and ease presented themselves, We did not reject them."
"Now, praise be to God," He, moreover, as reported by Nabil in his
narrative, once remarked, "it has reached the point when all the people of
these regions are manifesting their submissiveness unto Us." And again, as
recorded in that same narrative: "The Ottoman Sultan, without any
justification, or reason, arose to oppress Us, and sent Us to the fortress
of Akka. His imperial farman decreed that none should associate with Us,
and that We should become the object of the hatred of every one. The Hand
of Divine power, therefore, swiftly avenged Us. It first loosed the winds
of destruction upon his two irreplaceable ministers and confidants, 'Ali
and Fu'ad, after which that Hand was stretched out to roll up the panoply
of Aziz himself, and to seize him, as He only can seize, Who is the
Mighty, the Strong."

"His enemies," 'Abdu'l-Baha, referring to this same theme, has written,
"intended that His imprisonment should completely destroy and annihilate
the blessed Cause, but this prison was, in reality, of the greatest
assistance, and became the means of its development." "...This illustrious
Being," He, moreover has affirmed, "uplifted His Cause in the Most Great
Prison. From this Prison His light was shed abroad; His fame conquered the
world, and the proclamation of His glory reached the East and the West."
"His light at first had been a star; now it became a mighty sun." "Until
our time," He, moreover has affirmed, "no such thing has ever occurred."

Little wonder that, in view of so remarkable a r