The third period (1892–1921) revolves around the vibrant
personality of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá,
mysterious in His essence, unique in His station, astoundingly potent in both
the charm and strength of His character. It commences with the announcement of
the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, a document without parallel in the history of any
earlier Dispensation, attains its climax in the emphatic assertion by the
Center of that Covenant, in the City of the Covenant, of the unique character
and far-reaching implications of that Document, and closes with His passing and
the interment of His remains on Mt. Carmel. It will go down in history as a
period of almost thirty years’ duration, in which tragedies and triumphs have
been so intertwined as to eclipse at one time the Orb of the Covenant, and at
another time to pour forth its light over the continent of Europe, and as far
as Australasia, the Far East and the North American continent.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘Preface to God Passes By’)