e known, however, that none of these doctors and divines to whom
we have referred was invested with the rank and dignity of leadership. For
well-known and influential leaders of religion, who occupy the seats of
authority and exercise the functions of leadership, can in no wise bear
allegiance to the Revealer of truth, except whomsoever thy Lord willeth.
But for a few, such things have never come to pass. "And few of My
servants are the thankful."(176) Even as in this Dispensation, not one
amongst the renowned divines, in the grasp of whose authority were held
the reins of the people, hath embraced the Faith. Nay, they have striven
against it with such animosity and determination that no ear hath heard
and no eye hath seen the like.

The Bab, the Lord, the most exalted--may the life of all be a sacrifice
unto Him,--hath specifically revealed an Epistle unto the divines of every
city, wherein He hath fully set forth the character of the denial and
repudiation of each of them. "Wherefore, take ye good heed ye who are men
of insight!"(177) By His references to their opposition He intended to
invalidate the objections which the people of the Bayan might raise in the
day of the manifestation of "Mustaghath,"(178) the day of the Latter
Resurrection, claiming that, whereas in the Dispensation of the Bayan a
number of divines have embraced the Faith, in this latter Revelation none
of these hath recognized His claim. His purpose was to warn the people
lest, God forbid, they cling to such foolish thoughts and deprive
themselves of the divine Beauty. Yea, these divines to whom We have
referred, were mostly unrenowned, and, by the grace of God they were all
purged of earthly vanities and free from the trappings of leadership.
"Such is the bounty of God; to whom He will He giveth it."

Another proof and evidence of the truth of this Revelation, which amongst
all other proofs shineth as the sun, is the constancy of the eternal
Beauty in proclaiming the Faith of God. Though young and tender of age,
and though the Cause He revealed was contrary to the desire of all the
peoples of earth, both high and low, rich and poor, exalted and abased,
king and subject, yet He arose and steadfastly proclaimed it. All have
known and heard this. He was afraid of no one; He was regardless of
consequences. Could such a thing be made manifest except through the power
of a divine Revelation, and the potency of God's invincible Will? By the
righteousness