Last year a number of the unfaithful, both from within and
from without, both known to us and strangers, took before the Sultán of Turkey
slanderous charges against these homeless exiles, bringing against us grave
accusations with no basis in fact. The Government, conformably with prudence,
determined to look into these charges, and dispatched a Commission of
Investigation to this city. It is obvious what an opportunity this afforded our
ill-wishers, and what a storm they unleashed, all this beyond description by
tongue or pen. Only one who witnessed it could know what a turmoil they created
and what an earthquake of anguish was the result. And notwithstanding this, the
response was to depend utterly upon God, and to remain composed, confident,
long-suffering, undisturbed, to such a degree that a person knowing nothing of
the situation would have thought us easy of heart and mind, perfectly happy,
thriving and at peace.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha,
‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
