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Preface to 1937 Edition
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Page 1
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Preface to 1937 Edition
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1 |
With the publication of "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era" more
than ten years ago, the Bahá'í Faith was given its first well-conceived,
thorough exposition by a student of the teachings.
Recognizing its value as the most satisfactory introduction to
the Cause, Bahá'ís in both East and West have found Dr.
Esslemont's book so helpful that it has been translated into
some thirty different languages.
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As Dr. Esslemont himself recognized, the Faith entered a
new phase of its history after the ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá.
The result is that the author's views, some of them written
prior to 1921, no longer, on certain aspects of the subject, correspond
to the evolutionary character of the Faith. His treatment
of events and social conditions then existing, moreover,
no longer appears fully relevant. Unavoidably, a few errors of
fact had entered his text, while his explanation of the stations
of the Báb and of `Abdu'l-Bahá have been replaced in the
minds of Bahá'ís by the authoritative interpretations since
made by the first Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi.
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The present edition therefore represents a revision made by
the American National Spiritual Assembly, acting under the
advice and approval of Shoghi Effendi.
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4 |
These revisions in no respect alter the original plan of Dr.
Esselmont's book, nor affect the major portion of his text.
Their purpose has been to amplify the author's discussion in a
few passages by the addition of material representing the fuller
knowledge available since his lamented death, and newer translations
of his quotations from Bahá'í Sacred Writings.
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Bahá'í Publishing Committee
January, 1937
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