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Progress of the Cause
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Pages 252-254
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Progress of the Cause
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Unfortunately it is impossible, within the space at our disposal,
to describe in detail the progress of the Bahá'í Faith
throughout the world. Many chapters might be devoted to this
fascinating subject, and many thrilling stories related about
the pioneers and martyrs of the Cause, but a very brief summary
must surface.
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In Persia the early believers in this revelation met with the
utmost opposition, persecution and cruelty at the hands of
their fellow countrymen, but they faced all calamities and ordeals
with sublime heroism, firmness and patience. Their baptism
was in their own blood, for many thousands of them
perished as martyrs; while thousands more were beaten, imprisoned,
stripped of their possessions, driven from their
homes or otherwise ill-treated. For sixty years or more anyone
in Persia who dared to own allegiance to the Báb or
Bahá'u'lláh did so at the risk of his property, his freedom and
even his life. Yet this determined and ferocious opposition
could not more check the progress of the Movement than a
cloud of dust could keep the sun from rising.
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From one end of Persia
[1]
to the other Bahá'ís are now to be
found in almost every city and town, and even amongst the
nomad tribes. In some villages the whole population is Bahá'í
and in other places a large proportion of the inhabitants are
believers. Recruited from many and diverse sects, which were
bitterly hostile to each other, they now form a great fellowship
of friends who acknowledge brotherhood, not only with each
other, but with all men everywhere, who are working for the
unification and upliftment of humanity, for the removal of all
prejudices and conflict, and for the establishment of the Kingdom
of God in the world.
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What miracle could be greater than this? Only one, and that
the accomplishment throughout the entire world of the task to
which these men have set themselves. And signs are not lacking
that this greater miracle, too, is in progress. The Faith is
showing an astonishing vitality, and is spreading, like leaven,
through the lump of humanity, transforming people and society
as its spreads.
[2]
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The relatively small number of Bahá'ís may still seem insignificant
in comparison with the followers of the ancient religions,
but they are confident that a divine Power has blessed
them with the high privilege of serving a new order into which
will throng the multitudes of East and West at no distant day.
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While, therefore, it remains true that the Holy Spirit has reflected
from pure hearts in all countries still unconscious of the
Source, and the growth of the Faith can be witnessed in the
many efforts outside the Bahá'í community to promote one or
another of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, nevertheless the lack of any
enduring foundation in the old order is convincing proof that
the ideals of the Kingdom can only become fruitful within the
framework of the Bahá'í community.
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Notes
1. [Lord Curzon, in his book, Persia and the Persian Question, published in 1892, the year of Bahá'u'lláh's death, writes: -- "The lowest estimate places the present number of Babis in Persia at half a million. I am disposed to think, from conversations with persons well qualified to judge, that the total is nearer one million. They are to be found in every walk of life, from the ministers and nobles of the Court to the scavenger or the groom, not the least arena of their activity being the Mussulman priesthood itself. ... "If Babism continues to grow at its present rate of progression, a time may conceivably come when it will oust Mohammedanism from the field in Persia. This, I think, it would be unlikely to do, did it appear upon the ground under the flag of a hostile faith. But since its recruits are won from the best soldiers of the garrison whom it is attacking, there is greater reason to believe that it may ultimately prevail." (Vol. i, pp. 449-502). ]
2. [The number of Bahá'ís is increasing every year and by 1979 the number of localities throughout the world where Bahá'ís reside has risen to over 103,000. (See Epilogue).]
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