Of the Báb’s writings many remained in men’s hands. Some of
these were commentaries on, and interpretations of the verses of the Qur’án;
some were prayers, homilies, and hints of [the true significance of certain]
passages; others were exhortations, admonitions, dissertations on the different
branches of the doctrine of the Divine Unity, demonstrations of the special
prophetic mission of the Lord of existing things [Muhammad], and (as it hath
been understood) encouragements to amendment of character, severance from
worldly states, and dependence on the inspirations of God. But the essence and
purport of His compositions were the praises and descriptions of that Reality
soon to appear which was His only object and aim, His darling, and His desire.
For He regarded His own appearance as that of a harbinger of good tidings, and
considered His own real nature merely as a means for the manifestation of the
greater perfections of that One. And indeed He ceased not from celebrating Him
by night or day for a single instant, but used to signify to all His followers
that they should expect His arising: in such wise that He declares in His
writings, “I am a letter out of that most mighty book and a dewdrop from that
limitless ocean…
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A traveler’s Narrative’)
