a great teacher, a most
powerful soul, a very great man. Some who could find no other pretext have
said, "These teachings are not new; they are old and familiar; we have
heard them before." Therefore, I will speak to you upon the distinctive
characteristics of the manifestation of Baha'u'llah and prove that from
every standpoint His Cause is distinguished from all others. It is
distinguished by its didactic character and method of exposition, by its
practical effects and application to present world conditions, but
especially distinguished from the standpoint of its spread and progress.

When Baha'u'llah appeared in Persia, all the contemporaneous religious
sects and systems rose against Him. His enemies were kings. The enemies of
Christ were the Jews, the Pharisees; but the enemies of Baha'u'llah were
rulers who could command armies and bring hundreds of thousands of
soldiers into the arena of operation. These kings represented some fifty
million people, all of whom under their influence and domination were
opposed to Baha'u'llah. Therefore, in effect Baha'u'llah, singly and
alone, virtually withstood fifty million enemies. Yet these great numbers,
instead of being able to dominate Him, could not withstand His wonderful
personality and the power and influence of His heavenly Cause. Although
they were determined upon extinguishing the light in that most brilliant
lantern, they were ultimately defeated and overthrown, and day by day His
splendor became more radiant. They made every effort to lessen His
greatness, but His prestige and renown grew in proportion to their
endeavors to diminish it. Surrounded by enemies who were seeking His life,
He never sought to conceal Himself, did nothing to protect Himself; on the
contrary, in His spiritual might and power He was at all times visible
before the faces of men, easy of access, serenely withstanding the
multitudes who were opposing Him. At last His banner was upraised.

If we study historical record and review the pages of Holy Writ, we will
find that none of the Prophets of the past ever spread His teachings or
promulgated His Cause from a prison. But Baha'u'llah upheld the banner of
the Cause of God while He was in a dungeon, addressing the kings of the
earth from His prison cell, severely arraigning them for their oppression
of their subjects and their misuse of power. The letter He sent to the
_Sh_ah of Persia under such conditions may now be read by anyone. His
Epistle