Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era

"Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era" by J.E. Esslemont is a comprehensive account of the Bahá'í Faith written in the early 20th century. The work serves as an introduction to the teachings, history, and significance of Bahá'u'lláh, its founder, and addresses the impact of his teachings on humanity, emphasizing themes of unity, peace, and the spiritual evolution of mankind. The book is particularly relevant for readers interested in religious studies, interfaith dialogue, and the historical context of the Bahá'í movement. At the start of the text, Esslemont introduces the concept of a new spiritual awakening brought about by Bahá'u'lláh, who he posits as the promised educator for all humanity. The opening portion delves into the tumultuous period leading to the emergence of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings, highlighting societal changes, the anticipation of a world teacher, and the struggles faced by Bahá'u'lláh and his followers, particularly amidst a backdrop of persecution and misunderstanding. The narrative sets the tone for exploring the depth and breadth of Bahá'u'lláh's mission, inviting readers to reflect on its implications for contemporary issues of divisiveness and spiritual awakening. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Ebenezer Esslemont M.B., Ch.B., from Scotland, was a prominent British adherent of the Baháʼí Faith. Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baháʼí Faith, posthumously named Esslemont a Hand of the Cause of God, one of the Disciples of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, and one of the United Kingdom's three luminaries of the Baháʼí Faith. He was the author of one of the foremost introductory texts on the Baháʼí Faith and worked as a translator of Baháʼí texts near the end of his life. In addition to his work for the Baháʼí Faith, Esslemont was an accomplished physician, as well as a linguist, proficient in English, French, Spanish, German, Esperanto, and later Persian and Arabic. Dr. Esslemont died of tuberculosis in Palestine in 1925.