Souls from the East and West have been brought together here through the
power of the Holy Spirit. Such a gathering as this would be impossible
through material means. A meeting of this kind has never been established
in New York, for here tonight we find people from remote regions of the
earth, associated with the people of America in the utmost love and
spiritual unity. This is only possible through the power of God. Christ
appeared in this world nineteen hundred years ago to establish ties of
unity and bonds of love between the various nations and different
communities. He cemented together the sciences of Rome and the splendors
of the civilization of Greece. He also accomplished affiliation between
the Assyrian kingdom and the power of Egypt. The blending of these nations
in unity, love and agreement had been impossible, but Christ through
divine power established this condition among the children of men.
A much greater difficulty confronts us today when we endeavor to establish
unity between the Orient and the Occident. Baha'u'llah through the power
of heaven has brought the East and the West together. Erelong we shall
know that they have been cemented by the power of God. The oneness of the
kingdom of humanity will supplant the banner of conquest, and all
communities of the earth will gather under its protection. No nation with
separate and restricted boundaries--such as Persia, for instance--will
exist. The United States of America will be known only as a name. Germany,
France, England, Turkey, Arabia--all these various nations will be welded
together in unity. When the people of the future are asked, "To which
nationality do you belong?" the answer will be, "To the nationality of
humanity. I am living under the shadow of Baha'u'llah. I am the servant of
Baha'u'llah. I belong to the army of the Most Great Peace." The people of
the future will not say, "I belong to the nation of England, France or
Persia"; for all of them will be citizens of a universal nationality--the
one family, the one country, the one world of humanity--and then these
wars, hatreds and strifes will pass away.
Baha'u'llah appeared in a country which was the center of prejudice. In
that country were many different communities, religions, sects and
denominations. All the animosities of past centuries existed among them.
They were ready to kill each other. They considered the killing of others
who did not agree with them in religious belief an act of worship.
Baha'u'llah established such unity and agreement between these various
communities that the greatest love and amity are now witnessed among them.
Today the Baha'is of the East are longing with deep desire to see you face
to face. Their highest hope and fondest wish is that the day may come when
they will be gathered together in an assembly with you. Consider well the
power that accomplished this wonderful transformation.
The body of the human world is sick. Its remedy and healing will be the
oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Its life is the Most Great Peace. Its
illumination and quickening is love. Its happiness is the attainment of
spiritual perfections. It is my wish and hope that in the bounties and
favors of the Blessed Perfection we may find a new life, acquire a new
power and attain to a wonderful and supreme source of energy so that the
Most Great Peace of divine intention shall be established upon the
foundations of the unity of the world of men with God. May the love of God
be spread from this city, from this meeting to all the surrounding
countries. Nay, may America become the distributing center of spiritual
enlightenment, and all the world receive this heavenly blessing! For
America has developed powers and capacities greater and more wonderful
than other nations. While it is true that its people have attained a
marvelous material civilization, I hope that spiritual forces may animate
this great body and a corresponding spiritual civilization be established.
May the inhabitants of this country become like angels of heaven with
faces turned continually toward God. May all of them become the servants
of the Omnipotent One. May they rise from present material attainments to
such a height that heavenly illumination may stream from this center to
all the peoples of the world.
The divine Jerusalem has come down from heaven. The bride of Zion has
appeared. The voice of the Kingdom of God has been raised. May you attain
supreme capacity and magnetic attraction in this realm of might and
power--manifesting new energy and wonderful accomplishment, for God is your
Assister and Helper. The breath of the Holy Spirit is your comforter, and
the angels of heaven surround you. I desire this power for you. Rest
assured that these bounties now overshadow you.
17 April 1912
Talk at Hotel Ansonia
Broadway and Seventy-third Street, New York