Among the institutes of the Holy Books is that of the foundation of places
of worship. That is to say, an edifice or temple is to be built in order
that humanity might find a place of meeting, and this is to be conducive
to unity and fellowship among them. The real temple is the very Word of
God; for to it all humanity must turn, and it is the center of unity for
all mankind. It is the collective center, the cause of accord and
communion of hearts, the sign of the solidarity of the human race, the
source of eternal life. Temples are the symbols of the divine uniting
force so that when the people gather there in the House of God they may
recall the fact that the law has been revealed for them and that the law
is to unite them. They will realize that just as this temple was founded
for the unification of mankind, the law preceding and creating it came
forth in the manifest Word. Jesus Christ, addressing Peter, said, "Thou
art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." This utterance was
indicative of the faith of Peter, signifying: This faith of thine, O
Peter, is the very cause and message of unity to the nations; it shall be
the bond of union between the hearts of men and the foundation of the
oneness of the world of humanity. In brief, the original purpose of
temples and houses of worship is simply that of unity--places of meeting
where various peoples, different races and souls of every capacity may
come together in order that love and agreement should be manifest between
them. That is why Baha'u'llah has commanded that a place of worship be
built for all the religionists of the world; that all religions, races and
sects may come together within its universal shelter; that the
proclamation of the oneness of mankind shall go forth from its open courts
of holiness--the announcement that humanity is the servant of God and that
all are submerged in the ocean of His mercy. It is the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar. The world of existence may be likened to this
temple and place of worship. For just as the external world is a place
where the people of all races and colors, varying faiths, denominations
and conditions come together--just as they are submerged in the same sea of
divine favors--so, likewise, all may meet under the dome of the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar and adore the one God in the same spirit of truth;
for the ages of darkness have passed away, and the century of light has
come. Ignorant prejudices are being dispelled, and the light of unity is
shining. The differences existing between nations and peoples will soon be
annulled, and the fundamentals of the divine religions, which are no other
than the oneness and solidarity of the human race, are being established.
For thousands of years the human race has been at war. It is enough. Now
let mankind, for a time at least, consort in amity and peace. Enmity and
hatred have ruled. Let the world, for a period, exercise love. For
thousands of years the nations have denied each other, considering each
other as infidel and inferior. It is sufficient. We must now realize that
we are the servants of one God, that we turn to one beneficent Father,
live under one divine law, seek one reality and have one desire. Thus may
we live in the utmost friendship and love, and in return the favors and
bounties of God shall surround us; the world of humanity will be reformed;
mankind, enjoy a new life; eternal light will illumine, and heavenly
moralities become manifest.
Then divine policy shall govern the world, for the divine policy is the
oneness of humanity. God is just and kind to all. He considers all as His
servants. He excludes none, and His judgments are correct and true. No
matter how complete human policy and foresight may appear, they are
imperfect. If we do not seek the counsel of God or if we refuse to follow
His dictates, it is presumptive evidence that we are knowing and wise,
whereas God is ignorant; that we are sagacious and God is not. God forbid!
We seek shelter in His mercy for this suggestion! No matter how far the
human intelligence may advance, it is still but a drop, while divine
omniscience is the ocean. Shall we say that a drop is imbued or endowed
with qualities of which the ocean is devoid? Shall we believe that the
policy and plan of this atom of a human soul are superior to the wisdom of
the Omniscient? There is no greater ignorance than this. Briefly, some are
mere children; with the utmost love we must educate them to make them
wise. Others are sick and ailing; we must tenderly treat them until they
recover. Some have unworthy morals; we must train them toward the standard
of true morality. Other than this we are all the servants of one God and
under the providence and protection of one Father.
These are the institutions of God and the foundations of His temple, the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar. The outer edifice is a symbol of the inner. May the
people be admonished thereby.
I pray in your behalf that your hearts may be enlightened with the light
of the love of God; that your minds may develop daily; that your spirits
may become aglow with the fire and illumination of His glad tidings, until
these divine foundations may become established throughout the human
world. The first of these institutions and foundations is the oneness of
humanity and love among mankind. The second is the Most Great Peace.
Praise be to God! This American democracy manifests capacity, showing
forth readiness to become the standard-bearer of the Most Great Peace. May
its hosts be the hosts of the oneness of humanity. May they serve the
threshold of God and spread the message of the good pleasure of God.
O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are
radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the
message of Thy glad tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become
glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees,
and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to
upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most
Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all
the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy
favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee
through Thy bounty and bestowal.
30 April 1912
Talk at Hull House
Chicago, Illinois