Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the human plane, for
science is the discoverer of realities. It is of two kinds: material and
spiritual. Material science is the investigation of natural phenomena;
divine science is the discovery and realization of spiritual verities. The
world of humanity must acquire both. A bird has two wings; it cannot fly
with one. Material and spiritual science are the two wings of human uplift
and attainment. Both are necessary--one the natural, the other
supernatural; one material, the other divine. By the divine we mean the
discovery of the mysteries of God, the comprehension of spiritual
realities, the wisdom of God, inner significances of the heavenly
religions and foundation of the law.
This is 23 May, the anniversary of the message and Declaration of the Bab.
It is a blessed day and the dawn of manifestation, for the appearance of
the Bab was the early light of the true morn, whereas the manifestation of
the Blessed Beauty, Baha'u'llah, was the shining forth of the sun.
Therefore, it is a blessed day, the inception of the heavenly bounty, the
beginning of the divine effulgence. On this day in 1844 the Bab was sent
forth heralding and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, announcing the glad
tidings of the coming of Baha'u'llah and withstanding the opposition of
the whole Persian nation. Some of the Persians followed Him. For this they
suffered the most grievous difficulties and severe ordeals. They withstood
the tests with wonderful power and sublime heroism. Thousands were cast
into prison, punished, persecuted and martyred. Their homes were pillaged
and destroyed, their possessions confiscated. They sacrificed their lives
most willingly and remained unshaken in their faith to the very end. Those
wonderful souls are the lamps of God, the stars of sanctity shining
gloriously from the eternal horizon of the will of God.
The Bab was subjected to bitter persecution in _Sh_iraz, where He first
proclaimed His mission and message. A period of famine afflicted that
region, and the Bab journeyed to Isfahan. There the learned men rose
against Him in great hostility. He was arrested and sent to Tabriz. From
thence He was transferred to Maku and finally imprisoned in the strong
castle of _Ch_ihriq. Afterward He was martyred in Tabriz.
This is merely an outline of the history of the Bab. He withstood all
persecutions and bore every suffering and ordeal with unflinching
strength. The more His enemies endeavored to extinguish that flame, the
brighter it became. Day by day His Cause spread and strengthened. During
the time when He was among the people He was constantly heralding the
coming of Baha'u'llah. In all His Books and Tablets He mentioned
Baha'u'llah and announced the glad tidings of His manifestation,
prophesying that He would reveal Himself in the ninth year. He said that
in the ninth year "you will attain to all happiness"; in the ninth year
"you will be blessed with the meeting of the Promised One of Whom I have
spoken." He mentioned the Blessed Perfection, Baha'u'llah, by the title
"Him Whom God shall make manifest." In brief, that blessed Soul offered
His very life in the pathway of Baha'u'llah, even as it is recorded in
historical writings and records. In His first Book, the Best of Stories,
He says, "O Remnant of God! I am wholly sacrificed to Thee; I am content
with curses in Thy path; I crave nought but to be slain in Thy love; and
God, the Supreme, sufficeth as an eternal protection."
Consider how the Bab endured difficulties and tribulations; how He gave
His life in the Cause of God; how He was attracted to the love of the
Blessed Beauty, Baha'u'llah; and how He announced the glad tidings of His
manifestation. We must follow His heavenly example; we must be
self-sacrificing and aglow with the fire of the love of God. We must
partake of the bounty and grace of the Lord, for the Bab has admonished us
to arise in service to the Cause of God, to be absolutely severed from all
else save God during the day of the Blessed Perfection, Baha'u'llah, to be
completely attracted by the love of Baha'u'llah, to love all humanity for
His sake, to be lenient and merciful to all for Him and to upbuild the
oneness of the world of humanity. Therefore, this day, 23 May, is the
anniversary of a blessed event.
24 May 1912
Talk at Free Religious Association, or Unitarian Conference
Boston, Massachusetts