You are all welcome. This is a goodly assemblage. Praise be to God! The
hearts are directed to the Kingdom of Abha, and souls are rejoiced by the
glad tidings of God.
I will speak to you concerning the special teachings of Baha'u'llah. All
the divine principles announced by the tongue of the Prophets of the past
are to be found in the words of Baha'u'llah; but in addition to these He
has revealed certain new teachings which are not found in any of the
sacred Books of former times. I shall mention some of them; the others,
which are many in number, may be found in the Books, Tablets and Epistles
written by Baha'u'llah--such as the Hidden Words, the Glad Tidings, the
Words of Paradise, Tajalliyat, Tarazat and others. Likewise, in the
Kitab-i-Aqdas there are new teachings which cannot be found in any of the
past Books or Epistles of the Prophets.
A fundamental teaching of Baha'u'llah is the oneness of the world of
humanity. Addressing mankind, He says, "Ye are all leaves of one tree and
the fruits of one branch." By this it is meant that the world of humanity
is like a tree, the nations or peoples are the different limbs or branches
of that tree, and the individual human creatures are as the fruits and
blossoms thereof. In this way Baha'u'llah expressed the oneness of
humankind, whereas in all religious teachings of the past the human world
has been represented as divided into two parts: one known as the people of
the Book of God, or the pure tree, and the other the people of infidelity
and error, or the evil tree. The former were considered as belonging to
the faithful, and the others to the hosts of the irreligious and
infidel--one part of humanity the recipients of divine mercy, and the other
the object of the wrath of their Creator. Baha'u'llah removed this by
proclaiming the oneness of the world of humanity, and this principle is
specialized in His teachings, for He has submerged all mankind in the sea
of divine generosity. Some are asleep; they need to be awakened. Some are
ailing; they need to be healed. Some are immature as children; they need
to be trained. But all are recipients of the bounty and bestowals of God.
Another new principle revealed by Baha'u'llah is the injunction to
investigate truth--that is to say, no man should blindly follow his
ancestors and forefathers. Nay, each must see with his own eyes, hear with
his own ears and investigate the truth himself in order that he may follow
the truth instead of blind acquiescence and imitation of ancestral
beliefs.
Baha'u'llah has announced that the foundation of all the religions of God
is one, that oneness is truth and truth is oneness which does not admit of
plurality. This teaching is new and specialized to this Manifestation.
He sets forth a new principle for this day in the announcement that
religion must be the cause of unity, harmony and agreement among mankind.
If it is the cause of discord and hostility, if it leads to separation and
creates conflict, the absence of religion would be preferable in the
world.
Furthermore, He proclaims that religion must be in harmony with science
and reason. If it does not conform to science and reconcile with reason,
it is superstition. Down to the present day it has been customary for man
to accept a religious teaching, even though it was not in accord with
human reason and judgment. The harmony of religious belief with reason is
a new vista which Baha'u'llah has opened for the soul of man.
He establishes the equality of man and woman. This is peculiar to the
teachings of Baha'u'llah, for all other religions have placed man above
woman.
A new religious principle is that prejudice and fanaticism--whether
sectarian, denominational, patriotic or political--are destructive to the
foundation of human solidarity; therefore, man should release himself from
such bonds in order that the oneness of the world of humanity may become
manifest.
Universal peace is assured by Baha'u'llah as a fundamental accomplishment
of the religion of God--that peace shall prevail among nations, governments
and peoples, among religions, races and all conditions of mankind. This is
one of the special characteristics of the Word of God revealed in this
Manifestation.
Baha'u'llah declares that all mankind should attain knowledge and acquire
an education. This is a necessary principle of religious belief and
observance, characteristically new in this dispensation.
He has set forth the solution and provided the remedy for the economic
question. No religious Books of the past Prophets speak of this important
human problem.
He has ordained and established the House of Justice, which is endowed
with a political as well as a religious function, the consummate union and
blending of church and state. This institution is under the protecting
power of Baha'u'llah Himself. A universal, or international, House of
Justice shall also be organized. Its rulings shall be in accordance with
the commands and teachings of Baha'u'llah, and that which the Universal
House of Justice ordains shall be obeyed by all mankind. This
international House of Justice shall be appointed and organized from the
Houses of Justice of the whole world, and all the world shall come under
its administration.
As to the most great characteristic of the revelation of Baha'u'llah, a
specific teaching not given by any of the Prophets of the past: It is the
ordination and appointment of the Center of the Covenant. By this
appointment and provision He has safeguarded and protected the religion of
God against differences and schisms, making it impossible for anyone to
create a new sect or faction of belief. To ensure unity and agreement He
has entered into a Covenant with all the people of the world, including
the interpreter and explainer of His teachings, so that no one may
interpret or explain the religion of God according to his own view or
opinion and thus create a sect founded upon his individual understanding
of the divine Words. The Book of the Covenant or Testament of Baha'u'llah
is the means of preventing such a possibility, for whosoever shall speak
from the authority of himself alone shall be degraded. Be ye informed and
cognizant of this. Beware lest anyone shall secretly question or deny this
to you. There are some people of self-will and desire who do not
communicate their intentions to you in clear language. They envelop their
meanings in secret statements and insinuations. For instance, they praise
a certain individual, saying he is wise and learned, that he was glorified
in the presence of Baha'u'llah, conveying this to you in an insidious way
or by innuendos. Be ye aware of this! Be awakened and enlightened! For
Christ has said that no one hides the lamp under a bushel. The purport of
my admonition is that certain people will endeavor to influence you in the
direction of their own personal views and opinions. Therefore, be upon
your guard in order that none may assail the oneness and integrity of
Baha'u'llah's Cause. Praise be to God! Baha'u'llah left nothing unsaid. He
explained everything. He left no room for anything further to be said. Yet
there are some who for the sake of personal interest and prestige will
attempt to sow the seeds of sedition and disloyalty among you. To protect
and safeguard the religion of God from this and all other attack, the
Center of the Covenant has been named and appointed by Baha'u'llah.
Therefore, if anyone should set forth a statement in praise or recognition
of another than this appointed Center, you must ask him to produce a
written proof of the authority he follows. Let him show you a trace from
the pen of the Center of the Covenant Himself, substantiating his praise
and support of any other than the rightful one. Inform him that you are
not permitted to accept the words of everyone. Say to him, "It is possible
to love and praise a person today, to accept and follow another tomorrow
and still another next day. Therefore, we cannot afford to listen to this
or that individual. Where are your proofs and writings? Where is your
authority from the pen of the Center of the Covenant?"
My purpose is to explain to you that it is your duty to guard the religion
of God so that none shall be able to assail it outwardly or inwardly. If
you find harmful teachings are being set forth by some individual, no
matter who that individual be, even though he should be my own son, know,
verily, that I am completely severed from him. If anyone speaks against
the Covenant, even though he should be my son, know that I am opposed to
him. Those who speak falsehoods, who covet worldly things and seek to
accumulate the riches of this earth are not of me. But when you find a
person living up to the teachings of Baha'u'llah, following the precepts
of the Hidden Words, know that he belongs to Baha'u'llah; and, verily, I
proclaim that he is of me. If, on the other hand, you see anyone whose
deeds and conduct are contrary to and not in conformity with the good
pleasure of the Blessed Perfection and against the spirit of the Hidden
Words, let that be your standard and criterion of judgment against him,
for know that I am altogether severed from him no matter who he may be.
This is the truth.
The teachings of Baha'u'llah are boundless and illimitable. You have asked
me what new principles have been revealed by Him. I have mentioned a few
only. There are many others, but time does not permit their mention
tonight. I, therefore, pray to God that you may be strengthened in good
deeds. I pray that God may confirm you in order that you may live
according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
Upon ye be Baha'u'l-Abha!
3 December 1912
Talk at Home of Dr. and Mrs. Florian Krug
830 Park Avenue, New York
You have assembled here this afternoon in the utmost love, engaged in the
commemoration of God. It is my hope that this gathering may increase in
number day by day; that you may become more and more attracted, more
spiritual, more illumined, acquire knowledge of the teachings of
Baha'u'llah from each other and be able to spread the message of truth.
May your hearts become so attracted that the instant a question is asked,
you will be able to give the right answer and that the truth of the Holy
Spirit may speak through your tongues. Be ye helpful through the
providence and favor of the Blessed Perfection, for His favors change a
drop into an ocean, cause a seed to become a tree and make an atom as
glorious as the sun. His graces are boundless. The treasure houses of God
are filled with bounties. God, Who hath shown favors unto others, will
certainly bestow favors upon you. I offer supplication to the Kingdom of
Abha and seek extraordinary blessings and confirmations in your behalf in
order that your tongues may become fluent, your hearts like clear mirrors
flooded with the rays of the Sun of Truth, your thoughts expanded, your
comprehension more vivid and that you may progress in the plane of human
perfections.
Until man acquires perfections himself, he will not be able to teach
perfections to others. Unless man attains life himself, he cannot convey
life to others. Unless he finds light, he cannot reflect light. We must,
therefore, endeavor ourselves to attain to the perfections of the world of
humanity, lay hold of everlasting life and seek the divine spirit in order
that we may thereby be enabled to confer life upon others, be enabled to
breathe life into others.
You must offer supplications unto the Kingdom of Abha and seek eternal
bounties from Him. You must pray that your hearts may become filled with
glorious lights, even as a purified mirror; then will the lights of the
Sun of Truth shine therein. You must supplicate and pray to God every
night and every day, seeking His assistance and help, saying:
O Lord! We are weak; strengthen us. O God! We are ignorant; make us
knowing. O Lord! We are poor; make us wealthy. O God! We are dead; quicken
us. O Lord! We are humiliation itself; glorify us in Thy Kingdom. If Thou
dost assist us, O Lord, we shall become as scintillating stars. If Thou
dost not assist us, we shall become lower than the earth. O Lord!
Strengthen us. O God! Confer victory upon us. O God! Enable us to conquer
self and overcome desire. O Lord! Deliver us from the bondage of the
material world. O Lord! Quicken us through the breath of the Holy Spirit
in order that we may arise to serve Thee, engage in worshiping Thee and
exert ourselves in Thy Kingdom with the utmost sincerity. O Lord, Thou art
powerful. O God, Thou art forgiving. O Lord, Thou art compassionate.
3 December 1912
Talk to Mr. Kinney's Bible Class
780 West End Avenue, New York