Attributes of God; “the Reality of the Symbols and the mystic meanings of the Holy Books”

circa 27 December 1912

London, England

God, the Almighty, is the Creator. His Highness, the Divine God, has certain attributes. In thinking of God, one presupposes certain virtues and perfections. If one could for one moment imagine the cessation of the outpouring of these virtues, then would the Divinity cease. His Highness, the Almighty, is unknowable. All we human beings can know of Him, is the manifestation of His virtues: all the children of humanity can comprehend is through the showing forth of His attributes to the world.

To illustrate this point — the sun continues to be the sun only as long as it floods the world with its heat and with its rays. Therefore, we cannot think of the sun without its attributes of light and heat. If you could imagine the sun as a dark, sad body, it would no longer be the sun. It would, in fact, be impossible to imagine such a thing. If we could imagine such a thing, the reality of the sun would be accidental, not eternal. Could any one imagine a time when the sun was without rays, or without heat or light?

We attribute to the Reality of God certain virtues, or qualities, which are as follows: Knowledge, Omnipotence, Creative Power; He is the Provider, the Life-giver, the Perfecter. And if we could even imagine a time when God was not adorned with these attributes, then He were no longer God. We can only think of the Reality of God as an infinite and unlimited Being. If we could imagine the cessation of these virtues, the Divine World would exist no longer.

In thinking of the Divine Perfecter, one presupposes the existence of sentient beings. Knowledge presupposes the existence of certain beings who are possessed of intellect. Were it not for this power of understanding, how could we have any idea at all of God? The term Creator presupposes the existence of created beings. Were it not that we were created, how could we conceive of the Creator? In thinking of the Provider, one presupposes certain beings who are provided for, and One Who provides. In speaking of the Life-giver, one thinks of life. Were it not for the living ones, how could there be any thoughts about the Life-giver? The idea Giver supposes the idea of recipients. Were it not for the Divine Giver, how could we think of the One Who was to give?

This is a very abstruse question — attend to it. It is impossible to imagine the cessation of certain attributes and virtues which are co-existent with God. If we could imagine for a moment an interruption in the onward flow of the bounties of God, it would be to suggest that God was a finite being. We cannot imagine such a thing. This proves, therefore, that God has always been the Creator, the Provider, the Generous, the Life-giver, the Omniscient, the Omnipotent: and in the outpouring of His virtues there is no cessation at all. Think and ponder upon this very deeply, because this is a very subtle point in Divine Science.

We cannot state that there could ever be a time, either in the past or in the future, when the bounties of God did not flow down upon the world of humanity. How can we limit the Divine Virtues to any special period of history? The virtues of God are as drops falling unrestrainedly from a mighty ocean — how are we to hold them back? How can we limited beings know anything of the Unlimited God? Or we finite beings of the Infinite God? How shall man dare to settle a point when the Divine Virtues shall cease? An ignorant man, who was devoid of any insight, might imagine such a cessation. How could he comprehend the Reality, the Unsearchable? Man receives the bounty of God all his life: the bounties of God are the source of life. The bestowals of the Almighty are infinite; a wise man will never try to limit them. Limitation is the property of the mind of man.

That which is contained in the Holy Books is full of mystery, full of meaning. Those who do not understand, take it in a literal way: I hope that you will investigate the reality of the meanings and understand. For example, Christ said: “I am the bread which came down from Heaven; whoever partakes, will receive Everlasting Life.” By the Bread of Heaven Christ meant the Heavenly Benediction. He who realises the Divine Virtues, and takes for himself a goodly portion of the Heavenly Benediction, shall have eternal life. The Jews did not understand this: so they said, “How can we eat the flesh of this man? Can we become cannibals? How can he claim to have come down from Heaven? We know he was born in Nazareth.” Therefore the Jews arose in opposition to Christ. Then again, the Vision of St. John in the Revelation is symbolic. Likewise the description of the bride and bridegroom in the writings of Solomon. In short, I hope and pray that each of you may discover the Reality of the Symbols and the mystic meanings of the Holy Books. If the Jews had understood, they would at once have believed in Christ; but they only saw the literal sense, and therefore they denied Him, and arose to oppose His teachings. They said: “Christ come down from Heaven! We know that he was born of Mary; he has not a sword, not even a stick! He does not establish the throne of David. He comes in a desert: he has no home, and no food: he is a wanderer in the land. He has not even a mat.” They could not see the real meanings of the Holy Books. His Spirit came from Heaven, but His body was earthly. His sword was His thoughts, with which He shepherded His flock. With it He divided the right from the wrong, the truthful from the untruthful. The power of His sword was not like that of Buonaparte [sic]; but it was an eternal unchangeable power. This the Jews could not understand.

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Talk on circa 27 December 1912, London, England; included in ‘A Supplement to ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Europe 1912-1913’ by Adib Masumian; Baha’i Library Online)

Oneness of Humanity: Baha’u’llah has removed causes of discord and division among humanity

July 14, 1912

New York City

Today I wish to speak to you upon the subject of the "Oneness of Humanity," for in this great century the most important of all subjects is the oneness of the world of humankind. Although in past centuries and bygone ages this great subject received some measure of mention and consideration, it was little compared to its attainment and importance in this day. In past ages and centuries history shows that the various peoples, tribes, nations and sects fought and warred against each other in enmity and hatred. But—Praise be to God!—in this century of illumination hearts are inclined toward amity and fellowship and minds are thoughtful upon the question of the unification of mankind. There is an emanation of the universal consciousness today which clearly indicates the dawn of a great unity.

In investigation of a subject the right method of approach is to carefully examine its premises. Therefore in the examination of this subject of Human Solidarity let us go back to the foundation upon which it rests, namely: that all mankind belong to one family,—that all are one progeny of Adam,—all are servants of the one God,—all have been created by one God,—God is the provider for all,—God nurtures all,—all are submerged in the Sea of the Mercy and Grace of God,—and God is kind to all.

All humankind share in common the intellectual and spiritual faculties of a created endowment. All are equally subject to the various exigencies of human life, and are similarly employed in acquiring the means of earthly livelihood. In every respect from the viewpoint of creation all stand upon the same footing,—all have the same requirements,—all are seeking the happiness and comfort of earthly conditions; that is to say, the things they share in common are numerous and manifest. This very sharing or partnership in matters intellectual and spiritual is a valid basis for the unification of mankind.

The creation of man in this world and his preparation for the life after; Things he will be need in the life after; Means through which he can acquire such things in this life; subjects the believers must “think, strive and investigate” “day and night”

July 6, 1912

New York City

Man in the world of existence has traversed certain degrees until he has arrived at the world of manhood. In every degree he has attained the capacity for advancement to the next degree. While in the mineral kingdom he was attaining the capacity for promotion into the vegetable kingdom. In the vegetable kingdom he has received preparation and capacity for the animal kingdom. He has come from the vegetable kingdom to the animal and then on to the human kingdom.

In the beginning of his life man was in the matrix world. In the world of the matrix he obtained capacity and preparation for this world. The forces and powers necessary for this world he attained there. In this world he needed eyes; he received them potentially, in the other. He needed ears; therefore he obtained them in the world of the matrix. All the powers he needed in this world he attained potentially in the world of the matrix. In the world of the matrix therefore he was prepared for this world; so that when he came to this world he found that all the necessary forces were ready—all his needs for material sustenance were provided.

Therefore in this world also he must prepare himself and get ready for the life hereafter. That of which he is in need in the world of the kingdom he must obtain here. Just as he prepared himself by acquiring the forces necessary in this world in the world of the matrix, so likewise it is necessary that all needful in the Kingdom, all the forces of the Kingdom—must be acquired in this world.

What is he in need of in the Kingdom after he is transferred from this world to the other world? That world is a world of sanctity, therefore it is necessary that he acquire sanctity in this world. In that world there is need of radiance, therefore radiance must be acquired in this world. In that world there is need of spirituality. In this world he must acquire spirituality. In that world faith and assurance, the knowledge of God, the love of God, are needed. These he must acquire in this world so that after he ascends from this mortal to that immortal world he shall find all that is needful in that life eternal is ready for him.

Glad tidings in various holy Books about Bahá’u’lláh’s Dispensation; Religious imitations obscure the Light of Reality; Bahá’u’lláh’s epistles to various kings and God’s punishment; ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s release from Turkish prison

July 5, 1912

New York City

You are very welcome,—very welcome, all of you! In the Divine Holy Books there are unmistakable prophecies giving the Glad tidings of a certain Day in which the Promised One of all the Books would appear, a radiant Dispensation be established, the banner of the Most Great Peace and conciliation be hoisted, and the oneness of the world of humanity proclaimed. Among the various nations and peoples of the world no enmity or hatred should remain. All hearts were to be connected one with another. These things are recorded in the Torah or Old Testament, in the Gospel, in the Koran, in the Zend Avesta, in the Books of Buddha and in the Book of Confucius. In brief, all the Holy Books contain these Glad-tidings.

In all of them it is announced that after the world is surrounded by darkness, radiance shall appear. For just as the night, when it becomes excessively dark, precedes the dawn of a new day, so likewise when the darkness of religious apathy and heedlessness overtakes the world, when human souls become negligent of God,—when materialistic ideas overshadow idealism and spirituality,—when nations become submerged in the world of matter and forget God,—at such a time as this shall the Divine Sun shine forth and the Radiant Morn appear.

Consider to what a remarkable extent the spirituality of people has been overcome by materialism, so that spiritual susceptibility seems to have vanished, Divine civilization does not exist, and guidance and knowledge of God no longer remain. All are submerged in the sea of materialism. Although some attend churches and temples for worship and devotion, it is in accordance with the traditions and imitations of their fathers and not for the investigation of Reality. For it is evident they have not found the Reality and are not engaged in Its adoration. They are holding to certain imitations which have descended to them from their fathers and ancestors. They have become accustomed to passing a certain length of time in temple worship and conforming to imitations and ceremonies. The proof of this is that the son of every Jewish father becomes a Jew and not a Christian; the son of every Muhammadan becomes a follower of Islam; the son of every Christian proves to be a Christian; the son of every Zoroastrian is a Zoroastrian, etc., etc. Therefore religious faith and belief is merely a remnant of blind imitations which have descended through fathers and ancestors. Because this man's father was a Jew, he considers himself a Jew; not that he has investigated the Reality and proved satisfactorily to himself that Judaism is right; nay, rather he is aware that his forefathers have followed this course, therefore he has held to it himself.

“The Sun of Truth arises in the Orient and shines from the East to the West. Then civilization and education appear in the Occident and spread from West to East.”

Although the day is cold for me to go out, yet I have come to see you. For the lover there are no difficulties; all is easy. For love I have journeyed to London. I see that all present are in harmony and love and with longing turning their faces towards God. All are attracted to the Kingdom. I give thanks that they are looking towards God, their only desire being to seek the world of the Kingdom, to see the Light of God and to partake of the Heavenly bounty.

The East and the West are becoming one and showing the signs of Unity and Love. The hopes of Baha’u’llah are that there be no more separation or discord, for ye are all the waves of one sea, the birds in one heaven and mirrors of the same Bounty. Your civilization has grown under the banner of Jesus Christ, you have the light of reason, and just government has been established in the West.

The Sun of Truth arises in the Orient and shines from the East to the West. Then civilization and education appear in the Occident and spread from West to East; but the Light of the Kingdom shines from East to West. This is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the spring time of heaven, when the heavenly civilization is being bestowed upon the people.

It has come now when they were not shining with this Light, nor caring for it. I hope that the Western people will now receive this New Light and become illuminated by it, and that the East may have improved civilization from the West. 

– ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Discourses given by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, London, September 22, 1911; Star of the West, vol. 2, no. 12, October 6, 1911)

“The world of creation…is likened unto the earth. The Divine Power might well be likened to the sun”; to polish “the mirrors of our hearts that perchance we may become reflective of that light”; “We must emulate the bounties of God”

I have come from distant lands in order to visit the assemblies and meetings of this clime.

I am greatly pleased with what I see of the assemblies here, for I find in every meeting people gathered loving each other. The bond of union among them is evidenced in this assembly which the Power of God has brought together in faith, unity and concord, engaging in the development of the human world.

Just as here we have a large assemblage of people, men and women of all kinds gathered here collectively, likewise it is my hope that the whole world may be united in one gathering of love. Unity, the gathering of accord and union, is indicative of the loving power of God, for the Reality of Divinity is expressed. It is resplendent through the various bestowals of light upon humanity in this day.

That Divine Power is effulgent in endless images and pictures. The world of creation, or of humanity, is likened unto the earth. The Divine Power might well be likened to the sun. This sun has shone upon all humanity. In these endless images His will is reflected. Consider how all created beings are the recipients of the bounty of the same sun. At most the difference is that of degree, but the effulgence is one effulgence. It is the one light which is emanating from the sun.

All that exists in the world is being enlightened, so that all created objects are the recipients of the bounty of this sun. That expresses the oneness of the world of humanity.

There is no created being which is deprived of the bounty of the Divine Sun. The body politic, or the social unity of the world may be likened to an endless ocean and each member, each individual, is likened to a wave. These waves belong to the same ocean.

Glad tidings in various holy Books about Bahá’u’lláh’s Dispensation; Religious imitations prevent obscure the Light of Reality; Bahá’u’lláh’s epistles to various kings and God’s punishment; ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s release from Turkish prison

New York City, July 5, 1912

You are very welcome,—very welcome, all of you! In the Divine Holy Books there are unmistakable prophecies giving the Glad tidings of a certain Day in which the Promised One of all the Books would appear, a radiant Dispensation be established, the banner of the Most Great Peace and conciliation be hoisted, and the oneness of the world of humanity proclaimed. Among the various nations and peoples of the world no enmity or hatred should remain. All hearts were to be connected one with another. These things are recorded in the Torah or Old Testament, in the Gospel, in the Koran, in the Zend Avesta, in the Books of Buddha and in the Book of Confucius. In brief, all the Holy Books contain these Glad-tidings.

In all of them it is announced that after the world is surrounded by darkness, radiance shall appear. For just as the night, when it becomes excessively dark, precedes the dawn of a new day, so likewise when the darkness of religious apathy and heedlessness overtakes the world, when human souls become negligent of God,—when materialistic ideas overshadow idealism and spirituality,—when nations become submerged in the world of matter and forget God,—at such a time as this shall the Divine Sun shine forth and the Radiant Morn appear.

Consider to what a remarkable extent the spirituality of people has been overcome by materialism, so that spiritual susceptibility seems to have vanished, Divine civilization does not exist, and guidance and knowledge of God no longer remain. All are submerged in the sea of materialism. Although some attend churches and temples for worship and devotion, it is in accordance with the traditions and imitations of their fathers and not for the investigation of Reality. For it is evident they have not found the Reality and are not engaged in Its adoration. They are holding to certain imitations which have descended to them from their fathers and ancestors. They have become accustomed to passing a certain length of time in temple worship and conforming to imitations and ceremonies. The proof of this is that the son of every Jewish father becomes a Jew and not a Christian; the son of every Muhammadan becomes a follower of Islam; the son of every Christian proves to be a Christian; the son of every Zoroastrian is a Zoroastrian, etc., etc. Therefore religious faith and belief is merely a remnant of blind imitations which have descended through fathers and ancestors. Because this man's father was a Jew, he considers himself a Jew; not that he has investigated the Reality and proved satisfactorily to himself that Judaism is right; nay, rather he is aware that his forefathers have followed this course, therefore he has held to it himself.

“The spirit of man is the meeting between man and God. The spirit of man is the animus of human life and the collective center of all human virtues.”

24 July 1912

Boston, Massachusetts

Talk to Theosophical Society

In the world of existence there is nothing so important as spirit, nothing so essential as the spirit of man. The spirit of man is the most noble of phenomena. The spirit of man is the meeting between man and God. The spirit of man is the animus of human life and the collective center of all human virtues. The spirit of man is the cause of the illumination of this world. The world may be likened to the body; man is the spirit of the body, because the light of the world is the human spirit. Man is the life of the world, and the life of man is the spirit. The happiness of the world depends upon man, and the happiness of man is dependent upon the spirit. The world may be likened to the lamp chimney, whereas man is the light. Man himself may be likened to the lamp; his spirit is the light within the lamp. Therefore, we will speak of this spirit.

The philosophers of the world are divided into two classes: materialists, who deny the spirit and its immortality, and the divine philosophers, the wise men of God, the true illuminati who believe in the spirit and its continuance hereafter. The ancient philosophers taught that man consists simply of the material elements which compose his cellular structure and that when this composition is disintegrated the life of man becomes extinct. They reasoned that man is body only, and from this elemental composition the organs and their functions, the senses, powers and attributes which characterize man have proceeded, and that these disappear completely with the physical body. This is practically the statement of all the materialists.

The divine philosophers proclaim that the spirit of man is ever-living and eternal, and because of the objections of the materialists, these wise men of God have advanced rational proofs to support the validity of their statement. Inasmuch as the materialistic philosophers deny the Books of God, scriptural demonstration is not evidence to them, and materialistic proofs are necessary. Answering them, the men of divine knowledge have said that all existing phenomena may be resolved into grades or kingdoms, classified progressively as mineral, vegetable, animal and human, each of which possesses its degree of function and intelligence. When we consider the mineral, we find that it exists and is possessed of the power of affinity or combination. The vegetable possesses the qualities of the mineral plus the augmentative virtue or power of growth. It is, therefore, evident that the vegetable kingdom is superior to the mineral. The animal kingdom in turn possesses the qualities of the mineral and vegetable plus the five senses of perception whereof the kingdoms below it are lacking. Likewise, the power of memory inherent in the animal does not exist in the lower kingdoms.

“Divine Education is the sum total of all development. It is the safeguard of humanity.”

If a child is left to its own natural proclivities, without education, it will embody all human defects. Education makes of man a man. Religion is Divine Education. There are two pathways which have been pointed out by the Heavenly Educators. The first is Divine Guidance and reliance upon the Manifestations of God. The other is the road of Materialism and reliance upon the senses. These roads lead in opposite directions. The first leads to the world of the Kingdom; the other ends in the world of human vices, and is contrary to the cause of Divine Guidance. For example, consider a babe at the mother's breast, observe its natural aggressiveness, its instinctive antagonism. It claws and bites the mother, even attacks the fountain of life itself.

A barbarous and savage country is a country which has been deprived of education, where men are utter materialists like animals. Such a nation embodies all human defects and vices. They even kill and eat each other.

Divine Education is the sum total of all development. It is the safeguard of humanity. The world of nature is a world of defects and incompleteness. The world of the Kingdom is reached by the highway of Religion and is the Heaven of all Divine Virtues. 

(Words of Abdul-Baha delivered during his sojourn in America; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 6, June 1913)

“man has descended from the Divine Spirit”

Material scientists endeavor to show the evolution of the species man from the monkey. The Prophets of God have been occupied in explaining that man has descended from the Divine Spirit. The professors and learned scientists of materialism glory in the evidences that the ape is the progenitor of humanity and make exhaustive efforts to discover proof of it. If we should ask the ape, he would say "Unquestionably we are all one,—of this I am certain without the aid of scientific inquiry, ethnological proof, biological deductions or geological findings; I believe what I see"—for the ape is a real, a true materialist. 

(Words of Abdul-Baha delivered during his sojourn in America; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 6, June 1913)

“Baha’u’llah has said two steps are necessary for human development;—Material and Divine Education.”

The heart of man is a garden. The real garden is in order, well planted, watered and cultivated. This is not so with the jungle. The jungle gives no evidence of cultivation. Where there is no gardener disorder prevails. Wild growth produces nothing. Human education is of great importance. It is especially necessary to educate the children. They are the young tender trees of God's planting. But the supreme education is Divine Teaching. Through it the most ignorant become wise and the lowest are elevated to the loftiest heights. This transformation in man is made by the Manifestations of God. Through them the wicked become righteous, the weak firm, the barren fruitful. One day's education under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is better than ten years material training in the universities of the world. Baha’u’llah has said two steps are necessary for human development;—Material and Divine Education. In the world of humanity, we see some seeking upward, some downward. 

(Words of Abdul-Baha delivered during his sojourn in America; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 6, June 1913)

“You must become impervious to criticism, unconscious of attack and abuse…”

You must become impervious to criticism, unconscious of attack and abuse, nay, rather welcoming persecution, hostility and bitterness as the means of testing and increasing your supreme faith in God; even as His Holiness Christ instructed His disciples "Bless them that curse you; pray for them that despitefully use you." Be therefore as spiritual adamant against these darts, arrows and swords of infliction.

We will help each other to bear them. First by love and increased zeal in the Heavenly Cause. For by exercise the spirit grows stronger, more capable of withstanding, just as the muscle of the outer body increases its fiber through continual action. You must help me and I will help you to increase our service in the Cause of Baha’u’llah. Secondly, we will help each other grow more and more accustomed to punishment and persecution.

Years ago in Baghdad the usual punishment for offenders and lawbreakers was the bastinado. The governor noticed that a certain band of men came repeatedly before him for trial. They were regularly found guilty of breaking the law, sentenced and whipped upon the feet. While the bastinado was being inflicted they appeared quite comfortable and evidently unconscious of pain. In a few days these same offenders would be back again, going through the same process. The governor made careful inquiry about them. It was learned that they lived together in a house and that every day it was their custom to bastinado each other until the skin upon their feet had become so hardened to the whip that the legal bastinado gave them no inconvenience whatever.

Now we, as offenders against the opinions of our friends and enemies, must assist each other to become impervious to their criticism, unconscious of attack, welcoming their whips. You must beat me and I will beat you with the whips of love. The more we beat each other the more capable of withstanding we will become. When the enemies find they are increasing our love, enkindlement and service in the pathway of Baha’u’llah, they will wonder and say, "How is this? Our words have no effect upon them except to make them love us more and give thanks to God for our scourging."

The Blessed Beauty Baha’u’llah won the hearts of His jailers and tormentors. No one could withstand Him. The intense flame of His love melted the hardest stone of hearts. The more chains of iron they put upon His body, the more He imprisoned them in chains of love. They looked upon Him in wonder; they became His followers. 

(Words of Abdul-Baha delivered during his sojourn in America; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 6, June 1913)

Walk “in the Pathway of God”

I wish to train you until you have no other thought, no other motive, no other wish than service in the Cause of Baha’u’llah.

The Divine Educators who have brought the Light of Guidance to this world found neither rest nor comfort by day or night. Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Baha’u’llah - all the Heavenly Messengers suffered the utmost privation and underwent extreme hardships in the Pathway of God. They were exiled from their native land, imprisoned, driven from city to city; they were homeless, hungry and found no rest; they lived in the fields and hid in caves among the mountains; the sky was their canopy, the hard earth their bed. But all these difficulties and hardships served only to increase their power and accomplishment. Through these privations and persecutions they were severed from the world. Although they walked upon the earth, they lived in Heaven. Deprived of material food they partook of the eternal fruits of Paradise. Homeless and forsaken in this world, they rested upon the Divine Couch of Nearness. Day and night they were unceasingly proclaiming the Call of the Kingdom and establishing the foundations of the Most Great Peace.

It was so likewise with their disciples and followers. All of them walked in the Pathway of God and drank the cup of martyrdom with thanksgiving. They sought no rest but service and hastened to the Supreme Concourse in the utmost joy and ecstasy.

“Thankfulness is of three kinds”

July 15, 1912

New York City, Home of Mrs. Florian Krug

I am greatly pleased to see you. Your hearts are illumined by the Lights of Baha. This meeting is in reality a divine, celestial assembly under the favor of God. All of us have no other purpose than praising and meeting God. The prayer you have just offered is a prayer of thankfulness; — a prayer of thankfulness did ye offer.

Thankfulness is of three kinds: First—verbal thanksgiving which is confined to a mere utterance of gratitude. This is of no importance because perchance the tongue may give thanks while the heart is unaware of it. Many who offer thanks to God are of this type, —their spirits and hearts unaware of thanksgiving. This is mere usage, just as when we meet, receive a gift and say "thank you," — speaking the words without significance. One may say "thank you" a thousand times, but the heart remain thankless, even sorry. Therefore mere verbal thanksgiving is without effect. But real thankfulness is a cordial thanksgiving from the heart. When man, in response to the favors of God, manifests susceptibilities of conscience, the heart is happy, the spirit is exhilarated. These spiritual susceptibilities are ideal thanksgiving.

But there is a cordial thanksgiving which comprises the deeds of man when he feels a heart gratitude which expresses itself in actions. For example, God has conferred upon man the gift of guidance and in thankfulness for this great gift certain deeds must emanate from man. To portray his gratitude for the favors of God, man must show forth deeds and actions. In response to these bestowals he must render good deeds, be self- sacrificing, kind to all the servants of God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the creatures. He must be severed from the world, attracted to the Kingdom of Abha, the face radiant, the tongue eloquent, the ear attentive, day and night striving to attain the good pleasure of God. Whatsoever he wishes to do must correspond with the good pleasure of God. He must observe and see what is God's good pleasure and act accordingly. There can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of God.

“The Bahai Grand Army consists of the invisible angels of the Supreme Concourse.”

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)

“The world of humanity is in the dark. Our aim is to illumine mankind.”

April 3, 1913

Stuttgart, Germany

I came from a distant land. I have travelled twenty thousand miles until I came to you in Stuttgart. Forty years I was a prisoner. I was young when I was put into prison and my hair was white when the prison doors opened. After all these long years of the sufferings of prison life I willingly took upon myself all the hardships of a long journey. Now I am here in order to be united with you, in order to meet you. My purpose is that perchance you may illumine the world of humanity; that all men may unite in perfect love and friendship; that religious prejudices, national prejudices, race distinctions, all may be completely abandoned. The religions of today consist of dogmas. Because these dogmas differ from each other, discord and even hatred is manifest. Religion must be the basis of all good fellowship. Think of the turmoil that today exists in the Balkans; how much blood is shed; how many thousands of mothers have lost their sons, how many children have become orphans, and how many buildings, villages, and cities have been destroyed! The Balkan states have become a volcano. All this ruin originates from the prejudices created by the different dogmas, called forth by superstitions and race prejudices.

The essence of the religion of God is love, and the Holy Books bear testimony to that, for the essence of the religion of God is the light of the world of humanity; but mankind today has forgotten what constitutes true religion. Each nation and each people today hold to some definite dogma.

“We must, like a candle, shine with the light of Baha’u’llah”: “Be loving to all mankind. Consort with all religions in amity and fragrance. You must be the cause of the education of the world of humanity.”

April 1st, 1913

Stuttgart, Germany

Praise be to God! that I have come to Stuttgart, that I could meet with you. Praise be to God! because your faces are radiant with the light of the Glory of God; your hearts are attracted to the Kingdom of Abha. Thank God that you have heard the call of God. You are living in the day of the Lord. You are living in the days of the radiances of the Sun of Reality. The rays of this Sun have poured into your hearts and souls. Your hearts are illuminated, your inner vision clear. Your spirit rejoiced in the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God. Thank God that you are the elect of God. He has elected you because of His own love. The mercies of God have surrounded you. You must live in accordance with the teachings of Baha’u’llah. Be loving to all mankind. Consort with all religions in amity and fragrance. You must be the cause of the education of the world of humanity. At present the world is still very dark. From one side there threatens the darkness of ignorance; from another side black enmity is visible; from the other side we hear of war and rumors of war. We must, like a candle, shine with the light of Baha’u’llah, in order that through your efforts this darkness may be dispelled. The light of the love of God can illumine the East and the West. It can change hatred and enmity into love and friendship. The clouds which veil the rays of the Sun of Reality must be dispelled and made to disappear. The world must be rejuvenated. Eternal life must be made possible. The rays of the Kingdom must shine forth. The breath of the Holy Spirit can quicken the dead. I shall always pray for you and I shall supplicate for divine confirmations for each one of you, in order that ye may become more enkindled day by day, more attracted, so that each one of you will become a herald of the Kingdom. This is the eternal glory. This is the eternal life. This is the entrance into the Kingdom of God, the dominion which will last forever.

I am very glad to be here. It is my hope that through the bounty of God you may become givers of life at this time. May God bless you all! May the blessings pour down upon you!

(Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 4, May 17, 1913)

“Oneness of the world of humanity insures the glorification of man. International Peace is the assurance of the welfare of all humankind.”

May 30, 1912

Address to theosophist of New York City

I am most pleased with these expressions of kindly feeling and evidences of spiritual susceptibility. Tonight I am very happy in the realization that our aims and purposes are one, our desires and longings are one. This is a reflection and evidence of the oneness of the world of humanity; intention toward accomplishment of the "Most Great Peace." Therefore we are united in intention and desire. In the world of existence there are no greater questions than these. Oneness of the world of humanity insures the glorification of man. International Peace is the assurance of the welfare of all humankind. There are no greater motives and purposes in the human soul. As we are agreed upon them the certainty of unity and concord between Baha’is and Theosophists is most hopeful. Their purposes are one, their desires one, and spiritual susceptibilities are common to both. Their attention is devoted to the Divine Kingdom; they partake alike of Its bounty.

Today the human world is in need of a great power by which these glorious principles and purposes may be executed. The Cause of Peace is a very great Cause; it is the Cause of God, and all the forces of the world are opposed to it. Governments, for instance, consider militarism as the step to human progress, that division among men and nations is the cause of patriotism and honor, that if one nation attack and conquer another, gaining wealth, territory and glory thereby, this warfare and conquest, this bloodshed and cruelty, is the cause of that victorious nation's advancement and prosperity. This is an utter mistake. Compare the nations of the world to the members of a family. A family is a nation in miniature. Simply enlarge the circle of the household and you have the nation. Enlarge the circle of nations and you have all humanity. The conditions surrounding the family surround the nation. The happenings in the family are the happenings in the life of the nation. Would it add to the progress and advancement of a family if dissensions should arise among its members, fighting, pillaging each other, jealous and revengeful of injury—seeking selfish advantage one over another? Nay, this would be the cause of the effacement of progress and advancement. So it is in the great family of nations, for nations are but an aggregate of families. Therefore as strife and dissension destroy a family and prevent its progress, so nations are destroyed and advancement hindered.

The surprising welcome that ‘Abdu’l-Baha received from clergy and religious societies of the West

One of the Bahai friends said to Abdu'l Baha: “What we expected in connection with your visit to America has not happened and what we did not expect to happen has indeed come to pass. We expected an attitude of hostility toward you by the clergy and theologians. Instead of this they have welcomed you in the spirit of fairness and sincerity. We did not expect the churches and religious societies would open their doors, but they have done so and most of your important public addresses have been delivered from pulpits of various denominations."

‘Abdu'l-Baha replied: 

"According to the record of three Gospels, His Holiness Jesus Christ went into the Temple of Jerusalem, rebuked the Jews for the degeneracy of their worship into materialistic forms and delivered the Message of Divine Glad tidings. For nineteen hundred years this has been pointed out by Christians as a most wonderful event that His Holiness without opposition from the Jews was permitted to enter their most sacred place of worship and proclaim the Word of God. Consider what has happened in this century. During the past year we have been welcomed in churches and pulpits of Europe and America by different denominations, upraising the Divine Standard of Unity, summoning mankind to the Glad Tidings of the Most Great Peace, proclaiming the Reality of the Kingdom of Abha. And this has been accomplished not only without opposition but by invitation, and in a spirit of the utmost love and fragrance. Consider therefore the wonderful influence and importance of this in the future." 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha recorded by Howard MacNutt; ‘Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 1, March 21, 1913)