The State officials, considering the secret progress of the
Extended Cord have, from every direction, incited and aided Mine adversaries.
In the Great City (Constantinople) they have roused a considerable number of
people to oppose this Wronged One. Things have come to such a pass that the
officials in that city have acted in a manner which hath brought shame to both
the government and the people. A distinguished siyyid, whose well-known
integrity, acceptable conduct, and commercial reputation, were recognized by
the majority of fair-minded men, and who was regarded by all as a highly
honored merchant, once visited Beirut. In view of his friendship for this
Wronged One they telegraphed the Persian Dragoman informing him that this
siyyid, assisted by his servant, had stolen a sum of money and other things and
gone to Akká. Their design in this matter was to dishonor this Wronged One. And
yet, far be it from the people of this country to allow themselves to be
deflected, by these unseemly tales, from the straight path of uprightness and
truth. Briefly, they have assaulted Me from every side, and are reinforcing
Mine adversaries.
- Baha’u’llah (‘Epistle to the Son of
the Wolf’)