“On one occasion,” writes Dr. J. E. Esslemont,
“‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, 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
to Him. When He was only thirteen or fourteen years old He became renowned for
His learning.... When Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 career. His thoughts are not
like ours. Let him alone.”’” (“Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era,” pp. 29–30.)
(Footnotes to Chapter 2, provided by Shoghi Effendi)
