The answer to these charges by Mirza Abul Fazl in his "Brilliant Proof"[561] is, that we should hear both sides, and that it is not right to accept the witness of enemies against the Bahais, which is as that of Protestants against the Catholics and _vice-versa_. Our reply is, that both sides have been heard, and examined, and that some of the most damaging testimony is from Bahais themselves. It should be noted that the testimony is altogether from the followers of the Bab, of various kinds and not from Moslem writers. Mr. Phelps, like many Bahai writers, would ignore the charges. He says,[562] "I do not think that it would be time well employed to advert to them in detail." He pronounces them "incredible" and "flatly in contradiction to the spirit, lives and teachings of Baha Ullah and his successor," and destined "quickly to fade away and be forgotten, if left to themselves." No indeed! Lovers of truth will not overlook and forget such a record. They will judge Bahais by their deeds, not by their professions. The conclusions of Professor Browne, who was undoubtedly a favourably-inclined judge, who investigated impartially and heard the testimony on both sides, has the greatest weight in determining the judgment of the world.[563] In the "Traveller's Narrative," his first volume on Babism and Bahaism, he states that it is only with great reluctance and solely in the interest of truth, that he sets down these grave accusations against the Bahais, and adds,[564] "If they are true, of what use are the noblest and most humane utterances, if they are associated with such deeds? If they are false, further investigation will, without doubt, conclusively prove their falsity." In the "New History," which was published two years later, after further investigation and calm deliberation, he wrote,[565] "At first not a few prominent Babis,[566] including even several 'Letters of the Living' and personal friends of the Bab, adhered faithfully to Subh-i-Azal. One by one these disappeared, most of them as, I fear, _cannot be doubted, by foul play on the part of too zealous Bahais_." FOOTNOTES: [494] "Bahai Proofs," p. 12. [495] "The Modern Social Religion," p. 167. [496] Phelps, pp. 19-20. [497] Pages 178-181. [498] "Trav.'s Narr.," pp. 356-358. [499] "Bahai Proofs," p. 51. [500] Manuscript "Life of Beha Ullah," p. 20. [501] Professor Browne, afterwards in Persia, found the attitude of the Bahais towards the Azalis "unjust and intolerant" and reprimanded them for "their violence and unfairness." They cursed and reviled in the presence of Professor Browne ("A Year Among the Persians," pp. 525-530). [502] "New Hist.," p. 200, Note 4. [503] _Jour. Roy. As. Soc._, 1892, p. 296, by Professor Browne. Also "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 359. [504] "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 369. [505] Phelps, "Life of Abbas Effendi," pp. 40-44. [506] "Brilliant Proof," p. 11. [507] Chicago Edition, pp. 20-23; and "Trav.'s Narr.," pp. 368, 369. [508] Phelps, _Ibid._, p. 40.