help. Probably indeed the initial realization of the divinity of the
universe (including man) is due to an increased acquaintance with the
East and especially with Persia and India.

And I venture to think that Catholic Christians have conferred a boon
on their Protestant brethren by emphasizing the truth of the feminine
element (see pp. 31, 37) in the manifestation of the Deity, just as
the Chinese and Japanese Buddhists have done for China and Japan, and
the modern reformers of Indian religion have done for India. This too
is a 'gem of purest ray.'



PART II

BIOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL


SEYYID 'ALI MUHAMMAD (THE BAB)

Seyyid 'Ali Muhammad was born at Hafiz' city. It was not his lot,
however, to rival that great lyric poet; God had far other designs for
him. Like St. Francis, he had a merchant for his father, but this too
was widely apart from 'AH Muhammad's destiny, which was neither more
nor less than to be a manifestation of the Most High. His birthday was
on the 1st Muharrem, A.H. 1236 (March 26, A.D. 1821). His maternal
uncle, [Footnote: This relative of the Bab is mentioned in
Baha-'ullah's _Book of Ighan_, among the men of culture who
visited Baha-'ullah at Baghdad and laid their difficulties before
him. His name was Seyyid 'Ali Muhammad (the same name as the