- A clandestine opposition, whose aim was to nullify every effort exerted, and frustrate every design conceived, by Bahá’u’lláh for the rehabilitation of a distracted community, could now be clearly discerned.
- Insinuations, whose purpose was to sow the seeds of doubt and suspicion and to represent Him as a usurper, as the subverter of the laws instituted by the Báb, and the wrecker of His Cause, were being incessantly circulated.
- His Epistles, interpretations, invocations and commentaries were being covertly and indirectly criticized, challenged and misrepresented.
- An attempt to injure His person was even set afoot but failed to materialize.
- Shoghi Effendi (‘God Passes By’, chapter 7)