CHAPTER 3:- BAHA'U'LLAH: THE GLORY OF GOD.

    "O thou who art waiting, tarry (await) no longer, for He is come. Behold His Tabernacle (earthly dwelling place of God) and His Glory dwelling therein. It is the Ancient Glory, with a new Manifestation." - BAHA'U'LLAH. 

A taj of Baha'u'llah displayed in His room at Bahji.

         BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE.

     Mirza Husayn 'Ali, who afterwards assumed the title of Baha'u'llah (i.e. Glory of God), was the eldest son of Mirza 'Abbas of Nur, a Vazir or Minister of State. His family was wealthy and distinguished, many of its members having occupied important positions in the Government and in the Civil and Military Services of Persia. He was born in Tihran (Teheran), the capital city of Persia, between dawn and sunrise on the 12th of November, 1817. He never attended school or college, and what little teaching He received was given at home. Nevertheless, even as a child He showed wonderful wisdom and knowledge. While He was still a youth His father died, leaving Him responsible for the care of His younger brothers and sisters, and for the management of the extensive family estates.

     On one occasion 'Abdu'l-Baha, the eldest son of Baha'u'llah, related to the writer the following particulars about His Father's early days:-

     "From childhood he was extremely kind and generous. He was a great lover of outdoor life, most of His time being spent in the garden or the fields. He had an extraordinary power of attraction, which was felt by all. People always crowded around Him, Ministers and people of the Court would surround Him, and the children also were devoted (faithful) to Him. When He was only thirteen or fourteen years old He became renowned (famous) for His learning. He would converse (speak) on any subject and solve any problem presented to Him. In large gatherings He would discuss matters with the 'Ulama (leading mullas) and would explain intricate (complex) religious questions. All of them used to listen to Him with the greatest interest. 

     When Baha'u'llah was twenty-two years old, His father died, and the Government wished Him to succeed to His father's position in the Ministry, as was customary in Persia, but Baha'u'llah did not accept the offer. Then the Prime Minister said: 'Leave him to himself. Such a position is unworthy of him. He has some higher aim in view. I cannot understand him, but I am convinced that he is destined for some lofty (noble) career. His thoughts are not like ours. Let him alone.' "