I have spoken in the various Christian churches and in the synagogues, and
in no assemblage has there been a dissenting voice. All have listened, and
all have conceded that the teachings of Baha'u'llah are superlative in
character, acknowledging that they constitute the very essence or spirit
of this new age and that there is no better pathway to the attainment of
its ideals. Not a single voice has been raised in objection. At most there
have been some who have refused to acknowledge the mission of Baha'u'llah,
although even these have admitted that He was a great teacher, a most
powerful soul, a very great man. Some who could find no other pretext have
said, "These teachings are not new; they are old and familiar; we have
heard them before." Therefore, I will speak to you upon the distinctive
characteristics of the manifestation of Baha'u'llah and prove that from
every standpoint His Cause is distinguished from all others. It is
distinguished by its didactic character and method of exposition, by its
practical effects and application to present world conditions, but
especially distinguished from the standpoint of its spread and progress.
When Baha'u'llah appeared in Persia, all the contemporaneous religious
sects and systems rose against Him. His enemies were kings. The enemies of
Christ were the Jews, the Pharisees; but the enemies of Baha'u'llah were
rulers who could command armies and bring hundreds of thousands of
soldiers into the arena of operation. These kings represented some fifty
million people, all of whom under their influence and domination were
opposed to Baha'u'llah. Therefore, in effect Baha'u'llah, singly and
alone, virtually withstood fifty million enemies. Yet these great numbers,
instead of being able to dominate Him, could not withstand His wonderful
personality and the power and influence of His heavenly Cause. Although
they were determined upon extinguishing the light in that most brilliant
lantern, they were ultimately defeated and overthrown, and day by day His
splendor became more radiant. They made every effort to lessen His
greatness, but His prestige and renown grew in proportion to their
endeavors to diminish it. Surrounded by enemies who were seeking His life,
He never sought to conceal Himself, did nothing to protect Himself; on the
contrary, in His spiritual might and power He was at all times visible
before the faces of men, easy of access, serenely withstanding the
multitudes who were opposing Him. At last His banner was upraised.
If we study historical record and review the pages of Holy Writ, we will
find that none of the Prophets of the past ever spread His teachings or
promulgated His Cause from a prison. But Baha'u'llah upheld the banner of
the Cause of God while He was in a dungeon, addressing the kings of the
earth from His prison cell, severely arraigning them for their oppression
of their subjects and their misuse of power. The letter He sent to the
_Sh_ah of Persia under such conditions may now be read by anyone. His
Epistles to the Sultan of Turkey, Napoleon III, Emperor of France, and to
the other rulers of the world including the President of the United States
are, likewise, current and available. The book containing these Epistles
to the kings was published in India about thirty years ago and is known as
the Suratu'l-Haykal ("Discourse of the Temple"). Whatever is recorded in
these Epistles has happened. Some of the prophecies contained in them came
to pass after two years; others were fulfilled after five, ten and twenty
years. The most important prophecies relative to events transpiring in the
Balkans are being fulfilled at the present time though written long ago.
For instance, in the Epistle which Baha'u'llah addressed to the Sultan of
Turkey, the war and the occurrences of the present day were foretold by
Him. These events were also prophesied in the Tablet He addressed to the
city of Constantinople, even to the details of happenings now being
witnessed in that city.
While addressing these powerful kings and rulers He was a prisoner in a
Turkish dungeon. Consider how marvelous it was for a prisoner under the
eye and control of the Turks to arraign so boldly and severely the very
king who was responsible for His imprisonment. What power this is! What
greatness! Nowhere in history can the record of such a happening be found.
In spite of the iron rule and absolute dominion of these kings, His
function was to withstand them; and so constant and firm was He that He
caused their banners to come down and His own standard to be upraised. For
today the flags of both the Persian and the Ottoman Empires are trailing
in the dust, whereas the ensign of Baha'u'llah is being held aloft in the
world both in the East and in the West. Consider what a mighty power this
is! What a decisive argument! Although a prisoner in a fortress, He paid
no heed to these kings, regarded not their power of life and death, but,
on the contrary, addressed them in plain and fearless language, announcing
explicitly that the time would come when their sovereignty would be
brought low and His own dominion be established.
He said in substance, "Erelong you will find yourselves in manifest loss.
Your sovereignties will be laid waste; your empires will become a
wilderness and a heap of ruins; hosts from without will invade and subdue
your lands; lamentation and mourning will rise from your homes. There will
be no throne; there will be no crown; there will be no palace; there will
be no armies. Nay, rather, all these will be brought low; but the standard
of the Cause of God will be held aloft. Then will you see that hosts and
hosts will enter the Cause of God and that this mighty revelation will be
spread throughout the world." Read the prophecies contained in the
Suratu'l-Haykal and ponder carefully over them.
This is one of the characteristics of Baha'u'llah's message and teachings.
Can you find events and happenings of this kind in any other prophetic
dispensation? If so, in what cycle have similar things taken place? Do you
find such specific prophecies and explicit statements concerning the
future in the Holy Books of the past? We will now compare the teachings of
Baha'u'llah with the Holy Words which have descended in the former cycles.
First among the great principles revealed by Him is that of the
investigation of reality. The meaning is that every individual member of
humankind is exhorted and commanded to set aside superstitious beliefs,
traditions and blind imitation of ancestral forms in religion and
investigate reality for himself. Inasmuch as the fundamental reality is
one, all religions and nations of the world will become one through
investigation of reality. The announcement of this principle is not found
in any of the sacred Books of the past.
A second characteristic principle of the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that
which commands recognition of the oneness of the world of humanity.
Addressing all mankind, He says, "Ye are all the leaves of one tree."
There are no differences or distinctions of race among you in the sight of
God. Nay, rather, all are the servants of God, and all are submerged in
the ocean of His oneness. Not a single soul is bereft. On the contrary,
all are the recipients of the bounties of God. Every human creature has a
portion of His bestowals and a share of the effulgence of His reality. God
is kind to all. Mankind are His sheep, and He is their real Shepherd. No
other scriptures contain such breadth and universality of statement; no
other teachings proclaim this unequivocal principle of the solidarity of
humanity. As regards any possible distinctions, the utmost that
Baha'u'llah says is that conditions among men vary, that some, for
instance, are defective. Therefore, such souls must be educated in order
that they may be brought to the degree of perfection. Some are sick and
ailing; they must be treated and cared for until they are healed. Some are
asleep; they need to be awakened. Some are immature as children; they
should be helped to attain maturity. But all must be loved and cherished.
The child must not be disliked simply because it is a child. Nay, rather,
it should be patiently educated. The sick one must not be avoided nor
slighted merely because he is ailing. Nay, rather, he must be regarded
with sympathy and affection and treated until he is healed. The soul that
is asleep must not be looked upon with contempt but awakened and led into
the light.
Baha'u'llah teaches that religion must be in conformity with science and
reason. If belief and teaching are opposed to the analysis of reason and
principles of science, they are not worthy of acceptance. This principle
has not been revealed in any of the former Books of divine teaching.
Another fundamental announcement made by Baha'u'llah is that religion must
be the source of unity and fellowship in the world. If it is productive of
enmity, hatred and bigotry, the absence of religion would be preferable.
This is a new principle of revelation found only in the utterances of
Baha'u'llah.
Again, Baha'u'llah declares that all forms of prejudice among mankind must
be abandoned and that until existing prejudices are entirely removed, the
world of humanity will not and cannot attain peace, prosperity and
composure. This principle cannot be found in any other sacred volume than
the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
Another teaching is that there shall be perfect equality between men and
women. Why should man create a distinction which God does not recognize?
In the kingdoms below man sex exists, but the distinction between male and
female is neither repressive nor restrictive. The mare, for instance, is
as strong and often more speedy than the horse. Throughout the animal and
vegetable kingdoms there is perfect equality between the sexes. In the
kingdom of mankind this equality must likewise exist, and the one whose
heart is purest, whose life and character are highest and nearest to the
divine standard is most worthy and excellent in the sight of God. This is
the only true and real distinction, be that one man or woman.
Baha'u'llah has announced the necessity for a universal language which
shall serve as a means of international communication and thus remove
misunderstandings and difficulties. This teaching is set forth in the
Kitab-i-Aqdas ("Most Holy Book") published fifty years ago.
He has also proclaimed the principle that all mankind shall be educated
and that no illiteracy be allowed to remain. This practical remedy for the
need of the world cannot be found in the text of any other sacred Books.
He teaches that it is incumbent upon all mankind to become fitted for some
useful trade, craft or profession by which subsistence may be assured, and
this efficiency is to be considered as an act of worship.
The teachings of Baha'u'llah are boundless and without end in their
far-reaching benefit to mankind. The point and purpose of our statement
today is that they are new and that they are not found in any of the
religious Books of the past. This is in answer to the question, "What has
Baha'u'llah brought that we have not heard before?" Therefore, it is
conclusive and evident that the Manifestation of God in this day is
distinguished from all former appearances and revelations by His majesty,
His power and the efficacy and application of His Word.
All the Prophets of God were scorned and persecuted. Consider Moses. The
people called Him a murderer. They said, "You killed a man and fled from
punishment and retribution. Is it possible after your former deeds that
you could become a Prophet?"
Many similar experiences are recorded concerning the holy, divine
Messengers. How bitter and severe was the persecution to which They were
subjected! Consider how they endeavored to efface and belittle Christ.
They placed upon His head a crown of thorns and paraded Him through the
streets and bazaars in mockery crying, "Peace be upon thee, thou king of
the Jews!" Some would bow to Him backward, saying in scornful tones, "Thou
king of the Jews!" or "Lord of lords, peace be upon thee!" Still others
would spit upon His blessed countenance. In brief, the persecutions which
Christ suffered during the time of His manifestation are mentioned in the
books of the old cycle, Jewish, Roman or Greek. No praises were bestowed
upon Him. The only recognition and acceptance offered Him was from His
believers and followers. Peter, for instance, was one who praised Him; and
the other disciples spoke in His behalf. Numerous books were written
against Him. In the history of the Church you will find record of the
hatred and antagonism manifested by the Roman, Greek and Egyptian
philosophers, attributing calumnies and ascribing imperfection to Him.
But during the manifestation of Baha'u'llah, from the day of His
appearance to the time of His departure, the people of all nations
acknowledged His greatness, and even those who were His most bitter
enemies have said of Him, "This man was truly great; his influence was
mighty and wonderful. This personage was glorious; his power was
tremendous, his speech most eloquent; but, alas, he was a misleader of the
people." This was the essence of their praise, eulogy and denial. It is
evident that the authors of such statements, although His enemies, were
profoundly impressed by His greatness and majesty. Some of His enemies
have even written poems about Him, which though intended for satire and
sarcastic allusion, have in reality been praise. For instance, a certain
poet opposed to His Cause has said, "Beware! Beware! lest ye approach this
person, for he is possessed of such power and of such an eloquent tongue
that he is a sorcerer. He charms men, he drugs them; he is a hypnotizer.
Beware! Beware! lest you read his book follow his example and associate
with his companions because they are the possessors of tremendous power
and they are misleaders." That is to say, this poet used such
characterizations, believing them to be terms of belittlement and
disparagement, unaware that they were in reality praises, because a wise
man, after reading such a warning, would say, "The power of this man must
unquestionably be very great if even his enemies acknowledge it.
Undoubtedly, such a power is heavenly in its nature." This was one of the
reasons why so many were moved to investigate. The more His enemies wrote
against Him, the more the people were attracted and the greater the number
who came to inquire about the truth. They would say, "This is remarkable.
This is a great man, and we must investigate. We must look into this cause
to find out what it all means, to discover its purpose, examine its proofs
and learn for ourselves what it signifies." In this way the malign and
sinister statements of His enemies caused the people to become friendly
and approach the Cause. In Persia the mullas went so far as to proclaim
from the pulpits against the Cause of Baha'u'llah casting their turbans
upon the ground--a sign of great agitation--and crying out, "O people! This
Baha'u'llah is a sorcerer who is seeking to mesmerize you; he is
alienating you from your own religion and making you his own followers.
Beware! lest you read his book. Beware! lest you associate with his
friends."
Baha'u'llah, speaking of these very ones who were attacking and decrying
Him, said, "They are My heralds; they are the ones who are proclaiming My
message and spreading My Word. Pray that they may be multiplied, pray that
their number may increase and that they may cry out more loudly. The more
they abuse Me by their words and the greater their agitation, the more
potent and mighty will be the efficacy of the Cause of God, the more
luminous the light of the Word and the greater the radiance of the divine
Sun. And eventually the gloomy darkness of the outer world will disappear,
and the light of reality will shine until the whole earth will be
effulgent with its glory."
16 November 1912
Talk at 309 West Seventy-eighth Street, New York