A Traveler's Narrative
page 35
hope of His kindred and the unique one of His family and
race, nay, their refuge and shelter.
However, in spite of these conditions and circumstances, as
He wore a kuláh on His head and locks flowing over His
shoulder, no one imagined that He would become the source
of such matters, or that the waves of His flood would reach the
zenith of this firmament.
When the question of the Báb was noised abroad signs of
partiality appeared in Him. At the first He apprised His relatives
and connections, and the children and dependents of His
own circle; subsequently He occupied His energies by day and
night in inviting friends and strangers [to embrace the new
faith]. He arose with mighty resolution, engaged with the
utmost constancy in systematizing the principles and consolidating
the ethical canons of that society in every way, and
strove by all means to protect and guard these people.
When He had [thus] established the foundations in Tihrán
He hastened to Mazindarán, where He displayed in assemblies,
meetings, conferences, inns, mosques, and colleges a
mighty power of utterance and exposition. Whoever beheld
His open brow or heard His vivid eulogies perceived Him with
the eye of actual vision to be a patent demonstration, a latent
magnetic force, and a pervading influence. A great number
both of rich and poor and of erudite doctors were attracted by
His preaching and washed their hands of heart and life, being
so enkindled that they laid down their lives under the sword
dancing [with joy].
Thus, amongst many instances, one day four learned and
accomplished scholars of the divines of Núr were present in
His company, and in such wise did He expound that all four
were involuntarily constrained to entreat Him to accept them
for His service. For by dint of His eloquence, which was like
"evident sorcery," He satisfied these eminent doctors that they
were in reality children engaged in the rudiments of study and
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