The Bahá’í Movement is now well known throughout the world,
and the time has come when Nabíl’s unique narrative of its beginnings in
darkest Persia will interest many readers. The record which he sets down with
such devoted care is in many respects extraordinary. It has its thrilling
passages, and the splendour of the central theme gives to the chronicle not
only great historical value but high moral power. Its lights are strong; and
this effect is more intense because they seem like a sunburst at midnight. The
tale is one of struggle and martyrdom; its poignant scenes, its tragic
incidents are many. Corruption, fanaticisms and cruelty gather against the
cause of reformation to destroy it, and the present volume closes at the point
where a riot of hate seems to have accomplished its purpose and to have driven
into exile or put to death every man, woman, and child in Persia who dared to
profess a leaning towards the teaching of the Báb.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘Introduction to ‘The Dawn-Breakers’)
