According to the statement of philosophers the difference in degree of
humankind from lowest to highest is due to education. The proofs they
advance are these. The civilization of Europe and America is an evidence
and outcome of education, whereas the semicivilized and barbarous peoples
of Africa bear witness in their condition that they have been deprived of
its advantages. Education makes the ignorant wise, the tyrant just,
promotes happiness, strengthens the mind, develops the will and makes
fruitless trees of humanity fruitful. Therefore, in the human world some
have attained lofty degrees, while others grope in the abyss of despair.
Nevertheless, the highest attainment is possible for every member of the
human race even to the station of the Prophets. This is the statement and
reasoning of the philosophers.
The Prophets of God are the first Educators. They bestow universal
education upon man and cause him to rise from the lowest levels of
savagery to the highest pinnacles of spiritual development. The
philosophers, too, are educators along lines of intellectual training. At
most, they have only been able to educate themselves and a limited number
about them, to improve their own morals and, so to speak, civilize
themselves; but they have been incapable of universal education. They have
failed to cause an advancement for any given nation from savagery to
civilization.
It is evident that although education improves the morals of mankind,
confers the advantages of civilization and elevates man from lowest
degrees to the station of sublimity, there is, nevertheless, a difference
in the intrinsic or natal capacity of individuals. Ten children of the
same age, with equal station of birth, taught in the same school,
partaking of the same food, in all respects subject to the same
environment, their interests equal and in common, will evidence separate
and distinct degrees of capability and advancement; some will be
exceedingly intelligent and progressive, some of mediocre ability, others
limited and incapable. One may become a learned professor, while another
under the same course of education proves dull and stupid. From all
standpoints the opportunities have been equal, but the results and
outcomes vary from the highest to lowest degree of advancement. It is
evident, therefore, that mankind differs in natal capacity and intrinsic
intellectual endowment. Nevertheless, although capacities are not the
same, every member of the human race is capable of education.
Jesus Christ was an Educator of humanity. His teachings were altruistic;
His bestowal, universal. He taught mankind by the power of the Holy Spirit
and not through human agency, for the human power is limited, whereas the
divine power is illimitable and infinite. The influence and accomplishment
of Christ will attest this. Galen, the Greek physician and philosopher who
lived in the second century A.D., wrote a treatise upon the civilization
of nations. He was not a Christian, but he bore testimony that religious
beliefs exercise an extraordinary effect upon the problems of
civilization. In substance he said, "There are certain people among us,
followers of Jesus, the Nazarene, who was killed in Jerusalem. These
people are truly imbued with moral principles which are the envy of
philosophers. They believe in God and fear Him. They have hopes in His
favors; therefore, they shun all unworthy deeds and actions and incline to
praiseworthy ethics and morals. Day and night they strive that their deeds
may be commendable and that they may contribute to the welfare of
humanity; therefore, each one of them is virtually a philosopher, for
these people have attained unto that which is the essence and purport of
philosophy. These people have praiseworthy morals, even though they may be
illiterate."
The purpose of this is to show that the holy Manifestations of God, the
divine Prophets, are the first Teachers of the human race. They are
universal Educators, and the fundamental principles they have laid down
are the causes and factors of the advancement of nations. Forms and
imitations which creep in afterward are not conducive to that progress. On
the contrary, these are destroyers of human foundations established by the
heavenly Educators. These are clouds which obscure the Sun of Reality. If
you reflect upon the essential teachings of Jesus, you will realize that
they are the light of the world. Nobody can question their truth. They are
the very source of life and the cause of happiness to the human race. The
forms and superstitions which appeared and obscured the light did not
affect the reality of Christ. For example, Jesus Christ said, "Put up thy
sword into the sheath." The meaning is that warfare is forbidden and
abrogated; but consider the Christian wars which took place afterward.
Christian hostility and inquisition spared not even the learned; he who
proclaimed the revolution of the earth was imprisoned; he who announced
the new astronomical system was persecuted as a heretic; scholars and
scientists became objects of fanatical hatred, and many were killed and
tortured. How do these actions conform with the teachings of Jesus Christ,
and what relation do they bear to His own example? For Christ declared,
"Love your enemies, ... and pray for them which ... persecute you; that
you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust." How can hatred, hostility and persecution be
reconciled with Christ and His teachings?
Therefore, there is need of turning back to the original foundation. The
fundamental principles of the Prophets are correct and true. The
imitations and superstitions which have crept in are at wide variance with
the original precepts and commands. Baha'u'llah has revoiced and
reestablished the quintessence of the teachings of all the Prophets,
setting aside the accessories and purifying religion from human
interpretation. He has written a book entitled the Hidden Words. The
preface announces that it contains the essences of the words of the
Prophets of the past, clothed in the garment of brevity, for the teaching
and spiritual guidance of the people of the world. Read it that you may
understand the true foundations of religion and reflect upon the
inspiration of the Messengers of God. It is light upon light.
We must not look for truth in the deeds and actions of nations; we must
investigate truth at its divine source and summon all mankind to unity in
reality itself.
4 May 1912
Talk to Theosophical Society
Northwestern University Hall, Evanston, Illinois