When Bahá'u'lláh was twenty-two years old, His father died,
and the Government wished Him to succeed to His father's position in the
Ministry, as was customary in Persia, but Bahá'u'lláh did not accept the offer.
Then the Prime Minister said ‘Leave him to himself. Such a position is unworthy
of him. He has some higher aim in view. I cannot understand him, but I am
convinced that he is destined for some lofty career. His thoughts are not like
ours. Let him alone.’
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Quoted by Esslemont in ‘Bahá'u'lláh and New
Era’)
