According to the statement of philosophers the difference in degree of
humankind from lowest to highest is due to education. The proofs they
advance are these: The civilization of Europe and America is an evidence
and outcome of education whereas the semi-civilized and barbarous peoples
of Africa bear witness in their condition that they have been deprived of
its advantages. Education makes the ignorant wise, the tyrant just,
promotes happiness, strengthens the mind, develops the will and makes
fruitless trees of humanity fruitful. Therefore in the human world some
have attained lofty degrees while others grope in the abyss of despair.
Nevertheless the highest attainment is possible for every member of the
human race even to the station of the prophets. This is the statement and
reasoning of the philosophers.
The prophets of God are the first educators. They bestow universal
education upon man and cause him to rise from lowest levels of savagery to
the highest pinnacles of spiritual development. The philosophers too are
educators along lines of intellectual training. At most they have only
been able to educate themselves and a limited number about them, to
improve their own morals and, so to speak, civilize themselves; but they
have been incapable of universal education. They have failed to cause an
advancement for any given nation from savagery to civilization.
It is evident that although education improves the morals of mankind,
confers the advantages of civilization and elevates man from lowest
degrees to the station of sublimity, there is nevertheless a difference in
the intrinsic or natal capacity of individuals. Ten children of the same
age, with equal station of birth, taught in the same school, partaking of
the same food, in all respects subject to the same environment, their
interests equal and in common, will evidence separate and distinct degrees
of capability and advancement; some exceedingly intelligent and
progressive, some of mediocre ability, others limited and incapable. One
may become a learned professor while another under the same course of
education proves dull and stupid. From all standpoints the opportunities
have been equal but the results and outcomes vary from the highest to
lowest degree of advancement. It is evident therefore that mankind differs
in natal capacity and intrinsic intellectual endowment. Nevertheless,
although capacities are not the same, every member of the human race is
capable of education.
His Holiness Jesus Christ was an educator of humanity. His teachings were
altruistic; His bestowal universal. He taught mankind by the power of the
Holy Spirit and not through human agency, for the human power is limited
whereas the divine power is illimitable and infinite. The influence and
accomplishment of Christ will attest this. Galen the Greek physician and
philosopher who lived in the second century A.D., wrote a treatise upon
the civilization of nations. He was not a Christian but he has borne
testimony that religious beliefs exercise an extraordinary effect upon the
problems of civilization. In substance he says: "There are certain people
among us, followers of Jesus the Nazarene who was killed in Jerusalem.
These people are truly imbued with moral principles which are the envy of
philosophers. They believe in God and fear Him. They have hopes in His
favors, therefore they shun all unworthy deeds and actions and incline to
praiseworthy ethics and morals. Day and night they strive that their deeds
may be commendable and that they may contribute to the welfare of
humanity; therefore each one of them is virtually a philosopher, for these
people have attained unto that which is the essence and purport of
philosophy. These people have praiseworthy morals even though they may be
illiterate."
The purpose of this is to show that the holy Manifestations of God, the
divine prophets, are the first teachers of the human race. They are
universal educators and the fundamental principles they have laid down are
the causes and factors of the advancement of nations. Forms and imitations
which creep in afterward are not conducive to that progress. On the
contrary these are destroyers of human foundations established by the
heavenly educators. These are clouds which obscure the Sun of Reality. If
you reflect upon the essential teachings of Jesus you will realize that
they are the light of the world. Nobody can question their truth. They are
the very source of life and the cause of happiness to the human race. The
forms and superstitions which appeared and obscured the light did not
affect the reality of Christ. For example, His Holiness Jesus Christ said:
"Put up the sword into the sheath." The meaning is that warfare is
forbidden and abrogated; but consider the Christian wars which took place
afterward. Christian hostility and inquisition spared not even the
learned; he who proclaimed the revolution of the earth was imprisoned; he
who announced the new astronomical system was persecuted as a heretic;
scholars and scientists became objects of fanatical hatred and many were
killed and tortured. How do these actions conform with the teachings of
Jesus Christ and what relation do they bear to his own example? For Christ
declared: "Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you that
you may be sons of your Father which is in Heaven; for He maketh His sun
to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the
unjust." How can hatred, hostility and persecution be reconciled with
Christ and His teachings?
Therefore there is need of turning back to the original foundation. The
fundamental principles of the prophets are correct and true. The
imitations and superstitions which have crept in are at wide variance with
the original precepts and commands. His Holiness Baha'u'llah has revoiced
and re-established the quintessence of the teachings of all the prophets,
setting aside the accessories and purifying religion from human
interpretation. He has written a book entitled Hidden Words. The preface
announces that it contains the essences of the words of the prophets of
the past clothed in the garment of brevity for the teaching and spiritual
guidance of the people of the world. Read it that you may understand the
true foundations of religion and reflect upon the inspiration of the
messengers of God. It is light upon light.
We must not look for truth in the deeds and actions of nations; we must
investigate truth at its divine source and summon all mankind to unity in
the reality itself.