Consider the past, so that thou mayest become informed of
the mysteries which shall be disclosed in the future. When the disciples were
calling in the name of Christ, the Jews scoffed, scorned and laughed at them.
They were saying, “They (i.e., the disciples) are taken with madness, and
madness is made an art.” They even beat them with whips, threw stones at them,
prevented the people from approaching them, and were saying, “This man (Christ)
is naught but a sorcerer, blasphemeth God and is possess of a devil.” Then
observe how that persecution and scorn were changed to glory, honor and
reverence.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, vol. 1’)
