1913
Stuttgart,
Germany
While ‘Abdu’l-Baha was one day looking out of his hotel window he observed a regiment of soldiers passing by in great array, and He said:
"They are ready to fight for their fatherland. How barbarous it seems to send men, who do not even know each other, to the battlefield in order to shoot each other down.
"The Bahai Grand Army consists of the invisible angels of the Supreme Concourse. Our swords are the Words of Light. Our armament is the armament of heaven. We are fighting against the forces of darkness.
"O, my soldiers! My beloved soldiers! Forward! Forward! Have no fear of defeat—do not have failing hearts. Our Supreme Commander is Baha’u’llah. From the heights of Glory He is directing this dramatic engagement. He commands us! Rush forward! Rush Forward! Show the strength of your arms. Ye shall scatter the forces of ignorance!
"Your war confers Life; their war brings death. Your war is the cause of the illumination of all mankind; their war means the breaking and darkness of hearts. Your war means victory upon victory; their war is defeat upon defeat. Your war is the means of construction; their war is the origin of destruction.
"There are no dangers before you. Push forward! Push forward! Attack the enemy! Your efforts shall be crowned with the diadem of Eternal Peace and Brotherhood.
"His Holiness the Christ was fighting even upon the Cross, and His triumphant work continued through ages and cycles."
(Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 4, May 17, 1913)