This principle hath operated in each of the previous
Dispensations and been abundantly demonstrated.... It is for this reason that,
in every age, when a new Manifestation hath appeared and a fresh revelation of
God's transcendent power was vouchsafed unto men, they that misbelieved in Him,
deluded by the appearance of the peerless and everlasting Beauty in the garb of
mortal men, have failed to recognize Him. They have erred from His path and
eschewed His company -- the company of Him Who is the Symbol of nearness to
God. They have even arisen to decimate the ranks of the faithful and to
exterminate such as believed in Him.
- Baha'u'llah (‘Gleanings from the Writings
of Baha'u'llah’)
