dawn-breakers

Decades earlier, in 1889, a distinguished Western commentator on the heroism of the dawn-breakers of the Faith had prophetically written of the sufferings of the early believers:

Century of Light

Now if ever is the time to tread the path which the dawn-breakers of a previous age have so magnificently trodden.

Citadel of Faith 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

His Faith and the world at large, to the vast body of the descendants of the dawn-breakers of the Apostolic Age of that same Faith in the land of its birth.

Citadel of Faith 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

It was to the members of this community, the spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers of the Heroic Age of our Faith, that He, whilst sojourning in the City of the Covenant, chose to reveal the implications of that Covenant.

Citadel of Faith 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

May this community — the spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers of the

Citadel of Faith 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

Magnificent as has been this record, reminiscent as it is, in some of its aspects, of the exploits with which the dawn-breakers of an heroic Age have proclaimed the birth of the Faith itself, the task associated with the name of this privileged community is, far from approaching its climax, only beginning to unfold.

The Advent of Divine Justice 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

And finally, to the members of this community, the spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers of the Heroic Age of the

God Passes By 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

Alaska to Mexico; noteworthy in the rapid accumulation and wise expenditure of material resources, often involving a self-abnegation reminiscent of the self-sacrifice of the dawn-breakers of the Apostolic

Citadel of Faith 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

It was caused by the unconcealed determination of the dawn-breakers of a new Age to proclaim, fearlessly and befittingly, its advent, and by a no less unyielding resolve, should persuasion prove a failure, to resist and defend themselves against the onslaughts of malicious and unreasoning assailants.

God Passes By 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927

Divine Plan, is unavoidably approaching a testing period, crucial, prolonged, potent, purifying, clearly envisaged by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, different from but recalling in its severity the ordeals which afflicted the dawn-breakers in a former Age.

Citadel of Faith 1897-1957 Shoghi Effendi 1927