The Babi and Baha'i Religion — Page 40
THE B Ā B Ī AND BAH Ā ’ Ī RELIGION 40 think there is any one in this world who could bear to hear. " 49 As to what were his thoughts during these sleep- less hours in the prison cell, Bah a ’ull a h himself has told us "Day and night in prison I used to review the actions of the B a b i s and the conditions under which they were living and felt greatly pained by the fact that in spite of the lofty position in view of their mission, and their high intelligence and thorough grasp, they were guilty of such an act as daringly to make an attempt on the life of the king. One result of this contemplation was that on being released from prison I would make the utmost effort to educate and civilize the followers of the movement. One night I heard the following voice in a vision, and the same voice and words seemed to be coming from all sides: "Indeed we shall help thee with thy pen. Do not be afraid" 50. In view of this it would not be very far wrong to conclude that following the execution’ of the B a b, the thoughts of Mirz a H usain ‘Al i were full of the urgent need for some man of calibre to assume leadership of the movement, and that in his own mind he felt convinced that he himself was the man for the task. 49 Lau h i ibni Dha’ib Urdu, page 17. 50 ibid page 16.