(75) O ye esteemed ones who are pioneers among the well-wishers of the
world of humanity!
The letters which ye sent during the war were not received, but a letter
dated February 11th, 1916, has just come to hand, and immediately an
answer is being written. Your intention deserves a thousand praises,
because you are serving the world of humanity, and this is conducive to
the happiness and welfare of all. This recent war has proved to the world
and the people that war is destruction while universal peace is
construction; war is death while peace is life; war is rapacity and
bloodthirstiness while peace is beneficence and humaneness; war is an
appurtenance of the world of nature while peace is of the foundation of
the religion of God; war is darkness upon darkness while peace is heavenly
light; war is the destroyer of the edifice of mankind while peace is the
everlasting life of the world of humanity; war is like a devouring wolf
while peace is like the angels of heaven; war is the struggle for
existence while peace is mutual aid and co-operation among the peoples of
the world and the cause of the good-pleasure of the True One in the
heavenly realm.
There is not one soul whose conscience does not testify that in this day
there is no more important matter in the world than that of universal
peace. Every just one bears witness to this and adores that esteemed
Assembly because its aim is that this darkness may be changed into light,
this bloodthirstiness into kindness, this torment into bliss, this
hardship into ease and this enmity and hatred into fellowship and love.
Therefore, the effort of those esteemed souls is worthy of praise and
commendation.
But the wise souls who are aware of the essential relationships emanating
from the realities of things consider that one single matter cannot, by
itself, influence the human reality as it ought and should, for until the
minds of men become united, no important matter can be accomplished. At
present universal peace is a matter of great importance, but unity of
conscience is essential, so that the foundation of this matter may become
secure, its establishment firm and its edifice strong.
Therefore Baha'u'llah, fifty years ago, expounded this question of
universal peace at a time when He was confined in the fortress of Akka and
was wronged and imprisoned. He wrote about this important matter of
universal peace to all the great sovereigns of the world, and established
it among His friends in the orient. The horizon of the east was in utter
darkness, nations displayed the utmost hatred and enmity towards each
other, religions thirsted for each other's blood, and it was darkness upon
darkness. At such a time Baha'u'llah shone forth like the sun from the
horizon of the east and illumined Persia with the lights of these
teachings.
Among His teachings was the declaration of universal peace. People of
different nations, religions and sects who followed Him came together to
such an extent that remarkable gatherings were instituted consisting of
the various nations and religions of the east. Every soul who entered
these gatherings saw but one nation, one teaching, one pathway, one order,
for the teachings of Baha'u'llah were not limited to the establishment of
universal peace. They embraced many teachings which supplemented and
supported that of universal peace.
Among these teachings was the independent investigation of reality so that
the world of humanity may be saved from the darkness of imitation and
attain to the truth; may tear off and cast away this ragged and outgrown
garment of a thousand years ago and may put on the robe woven in the
utmost purity and holiness in the loom of reality. As reality is one and
cannot admit of multiplicity, therefore different opinions must ultimately
become fused into one.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the oneness of the world of
humanity; that all human beings are the sheep of God and He is the kind
Shepherd. This Shepherd is kind to all the sheep, because He created them
all, trained them, provided for them and protected them. There is no doubt
that the Shepherd is kind to all the sheep and should there be among these
sheep ignorant ones, they must be educated; if there be children, they
must be trained until they reach maturity; if there be sick ones, they
must be cured. There must be no hatred and enmity, for as by a kind
physician these ignorant, sick ones should be treated.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that religion must be the cause
of fellowship and love. If it becomes the cause of estrangement then it is
not needed, for religion is like a remedy; if it aggravates the disease
then it becomes unnecessary.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that religion must be in
conformity with science and reason, so that it may influence the hearts of
men. The foundation must be solid and must not consist of imitations.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that religious, racial,
political, economic and patriotic prejudices destroy the edifice of
humanity. As long as these prejudices prevail, the world of humanity will
not have rest. For a period of 6,000 years history informs us about the
world of humanity. During these 6,000 years the world of humanity has not
been free from war, strife, murder and bloodthirstiness. In every period
war has been waged in one country or another and that war was due to
either religious prejudice, racial prejudice, political prejudice or
patriotic prejudice. It has therefore been ascertained and proved that all
prejudices are destructive of the human edifice. As long as these
prejudices persist, the struggle for existence must remain dominant, and
bloodthirstiness and rapacity continue. Therefore, even as was the case in
the past, the world of humanity cannot be saved from the darkness of
nature and cannot attain illumination except through the abandonment of
prejudices and the acquisition of the morals of the Kingdom.
If this prejudice and enmity are on account of religion consider that
religion should be the cause of fellowship, otherwise it is fruitless. And
if this prejudice be the prejudice of nationality consider that all
mankind are of one nation; all have sprung from the tree of Adam, and Adam
is the root of the tree. That tree is one and all these nations are like
branches, while the individuals of humanity are like leaves, blossoms and
fruits thereof. Then the establishment of various nations and the
consequent shedding of blood and destruction of the edifice of humanity
result from human ignorance and selfish motives.
As to the patriotic prejudice, this is also due to absolute ignorance, for
the surface of the earth is one native land. Every one can live in any
spot on the terrestrial globe. Therefore all the world is man's
birthplace. These boundaries and outlets have been devised by man. In the
creation, such boundaries and outlets were not assigned. Europe is one
continent, Asia is one continent, Africa is one continent, Australia is
one continent, but some of the souls, from personal motives and selfish
interests, have divided each one of these continents and considered a
certain part as their own country. God has set up no frontier between
France and Germany; they are continuous. Yea, in the first centuries,
selfish souls, for the promotion of their own interests, have assigned
boundaries and outlets and have, day by day, attached more importance to
these, until this led to intense enmity, bloodshed and rapacity in
subsequent centuries. In the same way this will continue indefinitely, and
if this conception of patriotism remains limited within a certain circle,
it will be the primary cause of the world's destruction. No wise and just
person will acknowledge these imaginary distinctions. Every limited area
which we call our native country we regard as our motherland, whereas the
terrestrial globe is the motherland of all, and not any restricted area.
In short, for a few days we live on this earth and eventually we are
buried in it, it is our eternal tomb. Is it worth while that we should
engage in bloodshed and tear one another to pieces for this eternal tomb?
Nay, far from it, neither is God pleased with such conduct nor would any
sane man approve of it.
Consider! The blessed animals engage in no patriotic quarrels. They are in
the utmost fellowship with one another and live together in harmony. For
example, if a dove from the east and a dove from the west, a dove from the
north and a dove from the south chance to arrive, at the same time, in one
spot, they immediately associate in harmony. So is it with all the blessed
animals and birds. But the ferocious animals, as soon as they meet, attack
and fight with each other, tear each other to pieces and it is impossible
for them to live peaceably together in one spot. They are all unsociable
and fierce, savage and combative fighters.
Regarding the economic prejudice, it is apparent that whenever the ties
between nations become strengthened and the exchange of commodities
accelerated, and any economic principle is established in one country, it
will ultimately affect the other countries and universal benefits will
result. Then why this prejudice?
As to the political prejudice, the policy of God must be followed and it
is indisputable that the policy of God is greater than human policy. We
must follow the Divine policy and that applies alike to all individuals.
He treats all individuals alike: no distinction is made, and that is the
foundation of the Divine Religions.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the origination of one language
that may be spread universally among the people. This teaching was
revealed from the pen of Baha'u'llah in order that this universal language
may eliminate misunderstandings from among mankind.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the equality of women and men.
The world of humanity has two wings--one is women and the other men. Not
until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing
remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes
equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections,
can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is voluntary sharing of one's
property with others among mankind. This voluntary sharing is greater than
equality, and consists in this, that man should not prefer himself to
others, but rather should sacrifice his life and property for others. But
this should not be introduced by coercion so that it becomes a law and man
is compelled to follow it. Nay, rather, man should voluntarily and of his
own choice sacrifice his property and life for others, and spend willingly
for the poor, just as is done in Persia among the Baha'is.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is man's freedom, that through the
ideal Power he should be free and emancipated from the captivity of the
world of nature; for as long as man is captive to nature he is a ferocious
animal, as the struggle for existence is one of the exigencies of the
world of nature. This matter of the struggle for existence is the
fountain-head of all calamities and is the supreme affliction.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that religion is a mighty
bulwark. If the edifice of religion shakes and totters, commotion and
chaos will ensue and the order of things will be utterly upset, for in the
world of mankind there are two safeguards that protect man from
wrongdoing. One is the law which punishes the criminal; but the law
prevents only the manifest crime and not the concealed sin; whereas the
ideal safeguard, namely, the religion of God, prevents both the manifest
and the concealed crime, trains man, educates morals, compels the adoption
of virtues and is the all-inclusive power which guarantees the felicity of
the world of mankind. But by religion is meant that which is ascertained
by investigation and not that which is based on mere imitation, the
foundations of Divine Religions and not human imitations.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is that although material
civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind,
yet until it becomes combined with Divine civilization, the desired
result, which is the felicity of mankind, will not be attained. Consider!
These battleships that reduce a city to ruins within the space of an hour
are the result of material civilization; likewise the Krupp guns, the
Mauser rifles, dynamite, submarines, torpedo boats, armed aircraft and
bombers--all these weapons of war are the malignant fruits of material
civilization. Had material civilization been combined with Divine
civilization, these fiery weapons would never have been invented. Nay,
rather, human energy would have been wholly devoted to useful inventions
and would have been concentrated on praiseworthy discoveries. Material
civilization is like a lamp-glass. Divine civilization is the lamp itself
and the glass without the light is dark. Material civilization is like the
body. No matter how infinitely graceful, elegant and beautiful it may be,
it is dead. Divine civilization is like the spirit, and the body gets its
life from the spirit, otherwise it becomes a corpse. It has thus been made
evident that the world of mankind is in need of the breaths of the Holy
Spirit. Without the spirit the world of mankind is lifeless, and without
this light the world of mankind is in utter darkness. For the world of
nature is an animal world. Until man is born again from the world of
nature, that is to say, becomes detached from the world of nature, he is
essentially an animal, and it is the teachings of God which convert this
animal into a human soul.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah is the promotion of education.
Every child must be instructed in sciences as much as is necessary. If the
parents are able to provide the expenses of this education, it is well,
otherwise the community must provide the means for the teaching of that
child.
And among the teachings of Baha'u'llah are justice and right. Until these
are realized on the plane of existence, all things shall be in disorder
and remain imperfect. The world of mankind is a world of oppression and
cruelty, and a realm of aggression and error.
In fine, such teachings are numerous. These manifold principles, which
constitute the greatest basis for the felicity of mankind and are of the
bounties of the Merciful, must be added to the matter of universal peace
and combined with it, so that results may accrue. Otherwise the
realization of universal peace by itself in the world of mankind is
difficult. As the teachings of Baha'u'llah are combined with universal
peace, they are like a table provided with every kind of fresh and
delicious food. Every soul can find, at that table of infinite bounty,
that which he desires. If the question is restricted to universal peace
alone, the remarkable results which are expected and desired will not be
attained. The scope of universal peace must be such that all the
communities and religions may find their highest wish realized in it. The
teachings of Baha'u'llah are such that all the communities of the world,
whether religious, political or ethical, ancient or modern, find in them
the expression of their highest wish.
For example, the people of religions find, in the teachings of
Baha'u'llah, the establishment of Universal Religion--a religion that
perfectly conforms with present conditions, which in reality effects the
immediate cure of the incurable disease, which relieves every pain, and
bestows the infallible antidote for every deadly poison. For if we wish to
arrange and organize the world of mankind in accordance with the present
religious imitations and thereby to establish the felicity of the world of
mankind, it is impossible and impracticable--for example, the enforcement
of the laws of the Torah and also of the other religions in accordance
with present imitations. But the essential basis of all the Divine
Religions which pertains to the virtues of the world of mankind and is the
foundation of the welfare of the world of man, is found in the teachings
of Baha'u'llah in the most perfect presentation.
Similarly, with regard to the peoples who clamour for freedom: the
moderate freedom which guarantees the welfare of the world of mankind and
maintains and preserves the universal relationships, is found in its
fullest power and extension in the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
So with regard to political parties: that which is the greatest policy
directing the world of mankind, nay, rather, the Divine policy, is found
in the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
Likewise with regard to the party of 'equality' which seeks the solution
of the economic problems: until now all proposed solutions have proved
impracticable except the economic proposals in the teachings of
Baha'u'llah which are practicable and cause no distress to society.
So with the other parties: when ye look deeply into this matter, ye will
discover that the highest aims of those parties are found in the teachings
of Baha'u'llah. These teachings constitute the all-inclusive power among
all men and are practicable. But there are some teachings of the past,
such as those of the Torah, which cannot be carried out at the present
day. It is the same with the other religions and the tenets of the various
sects and the different parties.
For example, the question of universal peace, about which Baha'u'llah says
that the Supreme Tribunal must be established: although the League of
Nations has been brought into existence, yet it is incapable of
establishing universal peace. But the Supreme Tribunal which Baha'u'llah
has described will fulfil this sacred task with the utmost might and
power. And His plan is this: that the national assemblies of each country
and nation--that is to say parliaments--should elect two or three persons
who are the choicest men of that nation, and are well informed concerning
international laws and the relations between governments and aware of the
essential needs of the world of humanity in this day. The number of these
representatives should be in proportion to the number of inhabitants of
that country. The election of these souls who are chosen by the national
assembly, that is, the parliament, must be confirmed by the upper house,
the congress and the cabinet and also by the president or monarch so these
persons may be the elected ones of all the nation and the government. From
among these people the members of the Supreme Tribunal will be elected,
and all mankind will thus have a share therein, for every one of these
delegates is fully representative of his nation. When the Supreme Tribunal
gives a ruling on any international question, either unanimously or by
majority rule, there will no longer be any pretext for the plaintiff or
ground of objection for the defendant. In case any of the governments or
nations, in the execution of the irrefutable decision of the Supreme
Tribunal, be negligent or dilatory, the rest of the nations will rise up
against it, because all the governments and nations of the world are the
supporters of this Supreme Tribunal. Consider what a firm foundation this
is! But by a limited and restricted League the purpose will not be
realized as it ought and should. This is the truth about the situation,
which has been stated....