When the question of the Báb was noised abroad signs of
partiality appeared in Him [Baha’u’llah]. At the first He apprised His
relatives and connections, and the children and dependents of His own circle;
subsequently He occupied His energies by day and night in inviting friends and
strangers [to embrace the new faith]. He arose with mighty resolution, engaged
with the utmost constancy in systematizing the principles and consolidating the
ethical canons of that society in every way, and strove by all means to protect
and guard these people.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, ‘A Traveler’s Narrative’)
