Preface to 1970 Edition
Since 1937 no revision has been made to the text of Dr. Esslemont's book, although in 1950 some minor corrections were introduced. On the other hand, the diffusion and development of the Baha'i Faith since that time have been tremendous, and there has been added to Baha'i bibliography a rich legacy of incomparable expositions, translations and historical accounts from the pen of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Faith and the appointed interpreter of its Sacred Writings (4:1)

It has therefore been deemed necessary to bring the book up to date in order to maintain its usefulness for modern readers. This has been done with a minimum of alteration to the text, and chiefly by the use of footnotes and of an epilogue giving the current statistics and new developments in the organic unfoldment of the Baha'i Faith (4:2)

Dr. Esslemont's book continues to be one of the most widely used introductory books on the Baha'i Faith, as evidenced by the fact that since 1937 the number of its translations has increased from thirty to fifty- eight. - Baha'i Publishing Trust (4:3)

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