In the afternoon we were all invited to the Master's house
for tea. We waited a few moments downstairs, and as soon as we heard his
footsteps everybody arose. He sat on a chair in front of the window and spoke
feelingly.
He ['Abdu'l-Baha] stated that the majority of the inhabitants of Persia are
yet asleep, although God has demonstrated His Cause to them in so many ways. .
. If this Cause had appeared in Europe or America, those regions would by this
time have become illumined and countless souls awakened. So many were martyred
in Persia, so much blood has been spilt! If one of these events had
transpired in another country, the effect would have been marvelous!
Nevertheless there were many people in Persia who became illumined and
celestial, and cried out in order to awaken their fellow men!. . . An infinite
number of these believers of God have been examples of severance, incarnations
of devotion, and flaming candles; they have embodied in the world of humanity
the Teachings of God, and have become demonstrations, showing how man could be
pure, sanctified, attracted, enkindled and honest! The evidences of God they
wrote with their own blood upon the earth.
(Ahmad Sohrab, July 1, 1913 entry in Sohrab’s diary, Port
Said, Egypt: ’Abdu’l-Baha in Egypt’)
