Having in His earlier years of hardship shown how to glorify
God in a state of poverty and ignominy, Bahá’u’lláh in His
later years at Bahjí showed how to glorify God in a state of
honor and affluence. The offering of hundreds of thousands
of devoted followers placed at His disposal large funds which
He was called upon to administer. Although His life at Bahjí
has been described as truly regal, in the highest sense of the
word, yet it must not be imagined that it was characterized by
material splendor or extravagance. The Blessed Perfection and
His family lived in very simple and modest fashion, and expenditure
on selfish luxury was a think unknown in that household.
Near His home the believers prepared a beautiful garden
called Ridván, in which He often spent many consecutive days
or even weeks, sleeping at night in a little cottage in the garden.
Occasionally He went further afield. He made several visits
to ‘Akká and Haifa, and on more than one occasion pitched
His tent on Mount Carmel, as He had predicted when imprisoned
in the barracks at ‘Akká. The time of Bahá’u’lláh was
spent for the most part in prayer and meditation, in writing
the Sacred Books, revealing Tablets, and in spiritual education
of the friends. In order to give Him entire freedom for
this great work, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá undertook the arrangement of
all other affairs, even meeting the Mullás, poets, and members
of the Government. All of these were delighted and happy
through meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and entirely satisfied with His
explanation and talks, and although they had not met Bahá’u’lláh
Himself, they became full of friendly feeling towards Him,
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through their acquaintanceship with His son, for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
attitude caused them to understand the station of His father.
