You are all exceedingly welcome. Do you realize how much you should thank
God for His blessings? If you should thank Him a thousand times with each
breath, it would not be sufficient because God has created and trained
you. He has protected you from every affliction and prepared every gift
and bestowal. Consider what a kind Father He is. He bestows His gift
before you ask. We were not in the world of existence, but as soon as we
were born, we found everything prepared for our needs and comfort without
question on our part. He has given us a kind father and compassionate
mother, provided for us two springs of salubrious milk, pure atmosphere,
refreshing water, gentle breezes and the sun shining above our heads. In
brief, He has supplied all the necessities of life although we did not ask
for any of these great gifts. With pure mercy and bounty He has prepared
this great table. It is a mercy which precedes asking. There is another
kind of mercy, which is realized after questioning and supplication. He
has bestowed both upon us--without asking and with supplication. He has
created us in this radiant century, a century longed for and expected by
all the sanctified souls in past periods. It is a blessed century; it is a
blessed day. The philosophers of history have agreed that this century is
equal to one hundred past centuries. This is true from every standpoint.
This is the century of science, inventions, discoveries and universal
laws. This is the century of the revelation of the mysteries of God. This
is the century of the effulgence of the rays of the Sun of Truth.
Therefore, you must render thanks and glorification to God that you were
born in this age. Furthermore, you have listened to the call of
Baha'u'llah. Your nostrils are perfumed with the breezes of the paradise
of Abha. You have caught glimpses of the light from the horizon of the
Orient. You were asleep; you are awakened. Your ears are attentive; your
hearts are informed. You have acquired the love of God. You have attained
to the knowledge of God. This is the most great bestowal of God. This is
the breath of the Holy Spirit, and this consists of faith and assurance.
This eternal life is the second birth; this is the baptism of the Holy
Spirit. God has destined this station for you all. He has prepared this
for you. You must appreciate the value of this bounty and engage your time
in mentioning and thanking the True One. You must live in the utmost
happiness. If any trouble or vicissitude comes into your lives, if your
heart is depressed on account of health, livelihood or vocation, let not
these things affect you. They should not cause unhappiness, for
Baha'u'llah has brought you divine happiness. He has prepared heavenly
food for you; He has destined eternal bounty for you; He has bestowed
everlasting glory upon you. Therefore, these glad tidings should cause you
to soar in the atmosphere of joy forever and ever. Render continual thanks
unto God so that the confirmations of God may encircle you all.
15 June 1912
Talk at 309 West Seventy-eighth Street, New York