In the Holy Books it is recorded that when the Sun of Truth dawns, it will
appear in the East, and its light will be reflected in the West. Already
its dawning has taken place in the East, and its signs are appearing in
the West. Its illumination shall spread rapidly and widely in the
Occident. The Sun of Truth has risen in Persia, and its effulgence is now
manifest here in America. This is the greatest proof of its appearance in
the horizon of the world, as recorded in the heavenly Books. Praise be to
God! That which is prophesied in the Holy Books has been fulfilled.
On Sunday last at Carnegie Hall the revered soul who introduced
'Abdu'l-Baha gave voice to the statement that according to tradition
demons would appear from the land of the sunrise, but now we find angels
appearing instead. At the time this statement was made a reply was not
possible, but today we will speak of it. The great spiritual lights have
always appeared in the East. The Blessed Perfection, Baha'u'llah, appeared
in the East. Jesus Christ dawned upon the horizon of the East. Moses,
Aaron, Joseph and all the Israelitish prophets such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Isaiah and others appeared from the Orient. The lights of Muhammad and the
Bab shone from the East. The eastern horizon has been flooded with the
effulgence of these great lights, and only from the East have they risen
to shine upon the West. Now--praise be to God!--you are living in the dawn
of a cycle when the Sun of Truth is again shining forth from the East,
illumining all regions.
The world has become a new world. The darkness of night which has
enveloped humanity is passing. A new day has dawned. Divine
susceptibilities and heavenly capacities are developing in human souls
under the training of the Sun of Truth. The capacities of souls are
different. Their conditions are various. For example, certain minerals
come from the stony regions of the earth. All are minerals, all are
produced by the same sun, but one remains a stone while another develops
the capacity of a glittering gem or jewel. From one plot of land tulips
and hyacinths grow; from another, thorns and thistles. Each plot receives
the bounty of the sunshine, but the capacity to receive it is not the
same. Therefore, it is requisite that we must develop capacity and divine
susceptibility in order that the merciful bounty of the Sun of Truth
intended for this age and time in which we are living may reflect from us
as light from pure crystals.
The bounties of the Blessed Perfection are infinite. We must endeavor to
increase our capacity daily, to strengthen and enlarge our capabilities
for receiving them, to become as perfect mirrors. The more polished and
clean the mirror, the more effulgent is its reflection of the lights of
the Sun of Truth. Be like a well-cultivated garden wherein the roses and
variegated flowers of heaven are growing in fragrance and beauty. It is my
hope that your hearts may become as ready ground, carefully tilled and
prepared, upon which the divine showers of the bounties of the Blessed
Perfection may descend and the zephyrs of this divine springtime may blow
with quickening breath. Then will the garden of your hearts bring forth
its flowers of delightful fragrance to refresh the nostril of the heavenly
Gardener. Let your hearts reflect the glories of the Sun of Truth in their
many colors to gladden the eye of the divine Cultivator Who has nourished
them. Day by day become more closely attracted in order that the love of
God may illumine all those with whom you come in contact. Be as one
spirit, one soul, leaves of one tree, flowers of one garden, waves of one
ocean.
As difference in degree of capacity exists among human souls, as
difference in capability is found, therefore, individualities will differ
one from another. But in reality this is a reason for unity and not for
discord and enmity. If the flowers of a garden were all of one color, the
effect would be monotonous to the eye; but if the colors are variegated,
it is most pleasing and wonderful. The difference in adornment of color
and capacity of reflection among the flowers gives the garden its beauty
and charm. Therefore, although we are of different individualities,
different in ideas and of various fragrances, let us strive like flowers
of the same divine garden to live together in harmony. Even though each
soul has its own individual perfume and color, all are reflecting the same
light, all contributing fragrance to the same breeze which blows through
the garden, all continuing to grow in complete harmony and accord. Become
as waves of one sea, trees of one forest, growing in the utmost love,
agreement and unity.
If you attain to such a capacity of love and unity, the Blessed Perfection
will shower infinite graces of the spiritual Kingdom upon you, guide,
protect and preserve you under the shadow of His Word, increase your
happiness in this world and uphold you through all difficulties.
Therefore, it is my hope that day by day you will become more and more
effulgent in the horizon of heaven, advance nearer and nearer toward the
Kingdom of Abha, attain greater and greater bounties of the Blessed
Perfection. I am joyful, for I perceive the evidences of great love among
you. I go to Chicago, and when I return I hope that love will have become
infinite. Then will it be an eternal joy to me and the friends in the
Orient.
18 April 1912
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall L. Emery
273 West Ninetieth Street, New York