In his scriptural lesson this morning the revered doctor read a verse from
the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, "For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face."
The light of truth has heretofore been seen dimly through variegated
glasses, but now the splendors of Divinity shall be visible through the
translucent mirrors of pure hearts and spirits. The light of truth is the
divine teaching, heavenly instruction, merciful principles and spiritual
civilization. Since my arrival in this country I find that material
civilization has progressed greatly, that commerce has attained the utmost
degree of expansion; arts, agriculture and all details of material
civilization have reached the highest stage of perfection, but spiritual
civilization has been left behind. Material civilization is like unto the
lamp, while spiritual civilization is the light in that lamp. If the
material and spiritual civilization become united, then we will have the
light and the lamp together, and the outcome will be perfect. For material
civilization is like unto a beautiful body, and spiritual civilization is
like unto the spirit of life. If that wondrous spirit of life enters this
beautiful body, the body will become a channel for the distribution and
development of the perfections of humanity.
Jesus Christ came to teach the people of the world this heavenly
civilization and not material civilization. He breathed the breath of the
Holy Spirit into the body of the world and established an illumined
civilization. Among the principles of divine civilization He came to
proclaim is the Most Great Peace of mankind. Among His principles of
spiritual civilization is the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Among
the principles of heavenly civilization He brought is the virtue of the
human world. Among the principles of celestial civilization He announced
is the improvement and betterment of human morals.
Today the world of humanity is in need of international unity and
conciliation. To establish these great fundamental principles a propelling
power is needed. It is self-evident that the unity of the human world and
the Most Great Peace cannot be accomplished through material means. They
cannot be established through political power, for the political interests
of nations are various and the policies of peoples are divergent and
conflicting. They cannot be founded through racial or patriotic power, for
these are human powers, selfish and weak. The very nature of racial
differences and patriotic prejudices prevents the realization of this
unity and agreement. Therefore, it is evidenced that the promotion of the
oneness of the kingdom of humanity, which is the essence of the teachings
of all the Manifestations of God, is impossible except through the divine
power and breaths of the Holy Spirit. Other powers are too weak and are
incapable of accomplishing this.
For man two wings are necessary. One wing is physical power and material
civilization; the other is spiritual power and divine civilization. With
one wing only, flight is impossible. Two wings are essential. Therefore,
no matter how much material civilization advances, it cannot attain to
perfection except through the uplift of spiritual civilization.
All the Prophets have come to promote divine bestowals, to found the
spiritual civilization and teach the principles of morality. Therefore, we
must strive with all our powers so that spiritual influences may gain the
victory. For material forces have attacked mankind. The world of humanity
is submerged in a sea of materialism. The rays of the Sun of Reality are
seen but dimly and darkly through opaque glasses. The penetrative power of
the divine bounty is not fully manifest.
In Persia among the various religions and sects there were intense
differences. Baha'u'llah appeared in that country and founded the
spiritual civilization. He established affiliation among the various
peoples, promoted the oneness of the human world and unfurled the banner
of the Most Great Peace. He wrote special Epistles covering these facts to
all the kings and rulers of nations. Sixty years ago He conveyed His
message to the leaders of the political world and to high dignitaries of
the spiritual world. Therefore, spiritual civilization is progressing in
the Orient, and oneness of humanity and peace among the nations is being
accomplished step by step. Now I find a strong movement for universal
peace emanating from America. It is my hope that this standard of the
oneness of the world of humanity may be upraised with the utmost solidity
so that the Orient and Occident may become perfectly reconciled and attain
complete intercommunication, the hearts of the East and West become united
and attracted, real union become unveiled, the light of guidance shine,
divine effulgences be seen day by day so that the world of humanity may
find complete tranquillity, the eternal happiness of man become evident
and the hearts of the people of the world be as mirrors in which the rays
of the Sun of Reality may be reflected. Consequently, it is my request
that you should strive so that the light of reality may shine and the
everlasting felicity of the world of man become apparent.
I will pray for you so you may attain this everlasting happiness. When I
arrived in this city, I was made very happy, for I perceived that the
people here have capacity for divine bestowals and have worthiness for the
civilization of heaven. I pray that you may attain to all merciful
bounties.
O Almighty! O God! O Thou compassionate One! This servant of Thine has
hastened to the regions of the West from the uttermost parts of the East
that, perchance, these nostrils may be perfumed by the fragrances of Thy
bestowals; that the breeze of the rose garden of guidance may blow over
these cities; that the people may attain to the capacity of receiving Thy
favors; that the hearts may be rejoiced through Thy glad tidings; that the
eyes may behold the light of reality; that the ears may hearken to the
call of the Kingdom. O Almighty! Illumine the hearts. O kind God! Make the
souls the envy of the rose garden and the meadow. O incomparable Beloved!
Waft the fragrance of Thy bounty. Radiate the lights of compassion so that
the hearts may be cleansed and purified and that they may take a share and
portion from Thy confirmations. Verily, this congregation is seeking Thy
path, searching for Thy mystery, beholding Thy face and desiring to be
characterized with Thine attributes.
O Almighty! Confer Thou infinite bounties. Bestow Thine inexhaustible
treasury so that these impotent ones may become powerful.
Verily, Thou art the Kind. Thou art the Generous. Thou art the Omniscient,
the Omnipotent.
14 April 1912
Talk at Union Meeting of Advanced Thought Centers
Carnegie Lyceum
West Fifty-seventh Street, New York