I am about to leave the city for a few days rest at Montclair. When I
return, it is my wish to give a large feast of unity. A place for it has
not yet been found. It must be outdoors under the trees, in some location
away from city noise--like a Persian garden. The food will be Persian food.
When the place is arranged, all will be informed, and we will have a
general meeting in which hearts will be bound together, spirits blended
and a new foundation for unity established. All the friends will come.
They will be my guests. They will be as the parts and members of one body.
The spirit of life manifest in that body will be one spirit. The
foundation of that temple of unity will be one foundation. Each will be a
stone in that foundation, solid and interdependent. Each will be as a
leaf, blossom or fruit upon one tree. For the sake of fellowship and unity
I desire this feast and spiritual gathering.
Whatsoever is conducive to unity is merciful and from the divine bounty
itself. Every universal affair is divine. Everything which conduces to
separation and estrangement is satanic because it emanates from the
purposes of self. Consider how clearly it is shown in creation that the
cause of existence is unity and cohesion and the cause of nonexistence is
separation and dissension. By a divine power of creation the elements
assemble together in affinity, and the result is a composite being.
Certain of these elements have united, and man has come into existence.
Certain other combinations produce plants and animals. Therefore, this
affinity of the inanimate elements is the cause of life and being. Through
their commingling, therefore, human affinity, love and fellowship are made
possible. If the elements were not assembled together in affinity to
produce the body of man, the higher intelligent forces could not be
manifest in the body. But when these elements separate, when their
affinity and cohesion are overcome, death and dissolution of the body they
have built inevitably follow. Therefore, affinity and unity among even
these material elements mean life in the body of man, and their discord
and disagreement mean death. Throughout all creation, in all the kingdoms,
this law is written: that love and affinity are the cause of life, and
discord and separation are the cause of death.
Consider the bodies of all the natural organisms. Certain elements have
gathered and combine in chemical affinity. The tree, the man, the fish are
due to this attraction and cohesion which have brought the elements
together. A composition or composite being has resulted. The outcome of
certain atomic grouping, for instance, is a mirror, table or clock because
a cohesive power has magnetized and bound these atoms together. When that
attracting power is withdrawn, dissolution and disintegration follow; no
mirror, table or clock remain--no trace, no existence. Therefore,
commingling of the atoms brings forth a reality, while dispersion or
dissemination of them is equivalent to nonexistence.
Study the law of affinity among the domestic animals. They manifest
fellowship, they live in flocks and herds; the love of association is
evident among them. Among birds we see evidences of instinctive fellowship
and love. But the ferocious animals and birds of prey are just the reverse
of the domestic. Sheep, cows and horses graze together in concord and
agreement, but ferocious animals are never seen associating in love and
fellowship. Each lives solitary and alone or with a single mate. When they
see each other, they manifest the utmost ferocity. Dogs pounce upon dogs;
wolves, tigers, lions rage, snarl and fight to the death. Their ferocity
is instinctive. There is a creative reason for it. Birds of prey, like
eagles and hawks, live solitary and build their nests apart, but doves fly
in flocks and nest in the same branches. When an eagle meets another
eagle, there is a furious battle. The meeting of two doves is a peace
meeting. Therefore, it is evident that these blessed characteristics as
well as the reverse are found among the creatures of a lower kingdom.
The great mass of humanity does not exercise real love and fellowship. The
elect of humanity are those who live together in love and unity. They are
preferable before God because the divine attributes are already manifest
in them. The supreme love and unity is witnessed in the divine
Manifestations. Among Them unity is indissoluble, changeless, eternal and
everlasting. Each One is expressive and representative of all. If we deny
One of the Manifestations of God, we deny all. To inflict persecution upon
One is to persecute the Others. In all degrees of existence each One
praises and sanctifies the Others. Each of Them holds to the solidarity of
mankind and promotes the unity of human hearts. Next to the divine
Manifestations come the believers whose characteristics are agreement,
fellowship and love. The Baha'i friends in Persia attained such a
brotherhood and love that it really became a hindrance in the conduct of
material affairs. Each one into whatever house of the friends he went
considered himself the owner of the house, so to speak. There was no
duality but complete mutuality of interests and love. The visiting friend
would have no hesitation in opening the provision box and taking out
enough food for his needs. They wore each other's clothes as their own
when necessary. If in need of a hat or cloak, they would take and use it.
The owner of the clothing would be thankful and grateful that the garment
had gone. When he returned home, he would perhaps be told, "So and so was
here and took away your coat." He would reply, "Praise be to God! I am so
grateful to him. Praise be to God! I am so thankful I have been given this
opportunity of showing my love for him." To such an extreme degree this
love and fellowship expressed itself that Baha'u'llah commanded that no
one should take possession of another's belongings unless presented with
them. The intention is to show to what an extent unity and love prevailed
among the Baha'i friends in the East.
I hope that this same degree and intensity of love may become manifest and
apparent here; that the spirit of God shall so penetrate your hearts that
each one of the beloved of God shall be considered as all; that each one
may become a cause of unity and center of accord and all mankind be bound
together in real fellowship and love.