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 PERSIAN-AMERICAN BULLETIN 
 
 
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FOREWORD. 
 
 Through Baha'o'llah, his precursor the Bab and 
 Abdul-Baha, a universal religion has been given to 
 the world. In their teachings the basic principles 
 of all religions are demonstrated to be the same in 
 kind and spirit, faith in tne teacmngs of the past is 
 strengthened and confirmed, and humanity finds the 
 fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man practi- 
 cally realized. 
 
 Many people are inquiring what new principles and 
 teachings the Bahai Movement offers which are not 
 already contained in the religions and philosophies 
 of the past. Therefore it has seemed advisable to 
 publish the accompanying compilation of excerpts 
 from the writings of Baha'o'llah and Abdul-Baha in 
 order to bring to the notice of the public some of 
 the practical reforms and institutions for which their 
 teaching stands. Like all the world's leaders of 
 thought and morals the Bahai teachers have been far 
 ahead of their time. A universal religion, inter- 
 national arbitration, universal peace, a universal 
 language, universal suffrage and all of these reforms 
 which compose a universal civilization, were un- 
 thought of by the world when, over half a century ; 
 ago, these principles were first taught by the BahaisJ 
 
 Those who wish to make a study of the Bahai 
 Movement will find in its literature ample treatises 
 through Avhich the subject may also be approached 
 from the spiritual and religious as well as philosophic 
 and prophetic viewpoints. — Feraiaii American BulU 
 tin 
 
 394147 
 
SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF 
 BAHA'O'LLAH. 
 
 Purpose of the Bahai Movement. 
 
 "It has been our aim to uplift men through exalted 
 Words unto the Supreme Horizon and prepare them 
 to hearken unto that which conduces to the santify- 
 ing and purifying of the people of the world from the 
 strife and discord resulting from differences in re- 
 ligions or sects. 
 
 "O friends! In this day the Door of Heaven is 
 opened by the key of the Grodly Name, the Ocean of 
 Generosity is manifested and is rolling before your 
 faces, and the Sun of Providence is shining and 
 gleaming; do not be exclusive, nor'^estroy your most 
 precious time through the speech of this or that 
 person. Gird up the loins of endeavor and do your 
 best in training the people of the world. Do not 
 imagine that the Cause of God is a cause of oppo- 
 sition, hatred and wrath. The Tongue of Greatness 
 hath said that which is revealed from the Heaven of 
 \viii in this Supreme Manifestation, is to unite the 
 people with love and friendship toward all. The 
 people of Baha who have drunk of the pure Wine of 
 Reality must associate with all the world with the 
 perfect spirit of joy and fragrance, and remind them 
 of that which is for the benefit of all. This is the 
 commandment of the Wronged One to His saints 
 and sincere ones. 
 
 "O people of the earth! Make not the religion of 
 God a cause for variance among you. Verily, of a 
 truth, it was revealed for the purpose of unifying 
 the whole world. Blessed is he who loves the world 
 simply for the sake of the Face of his Generous Lord." 
 
 "We did not come except for the purpose of uniting 
 whosoever is upon the earth and bringing them into 
 perfect harmony and agreement," 
 
The Aim of the People of Baha. 
 
 "With perfect ccmDassron and mercy have we 
 guided and directed the people of the world to that 
 whereby their souls shall be profited. I declare by 
 the Sun of Truth which hath shone forth from the 
 highest horizons of the world that the people of 
 Baha had not and have not any aim save the pros- 
 ,,^. Aperity and reformation of the world and th'e purify- 
 jing of the nations. With all men they have been in 
 sincerity and charity." 
 
 The Knowledge of Self. 
 
 "Man should know his own self, and know those 
 things which lead to loftiness or to baseness, to 
 shame or to honor, to affluence or to poverty." 
 
 Western Sciences and Arts Commended. 
 
 "In this Day the san of arts and crafts is mani- 
 fest from the horizon of the heaven of the Occident, 
 and the river of skill is flowing from the sea of that 
 region. One must speak with justice and recognize 
 the wortn of benefits. By the Lire of God, the word 
 Justice is shining and luminous like unto the sun." 
 
 The Acquirement of Sciences and Arts Is Incumbent 
 upon all. 
 
 "Knowledge is like unto wings for the being (of 
 man), and is as a ladder for ascending. To acquire 
 knowledge is incumbent on all, but of those sciences 
 which may profit the people of the earth, and not 
 such sciences as begin in mere words and end in 
 mere words. The possessors of sciences and arts 
 have a great right among the people of the world. 
 Whereunto testifies the Mother of invine Utterance 
 in the Day of Return. J07 unto those who hearj 
 
Indeed the real treasury of man is his knowledge. 
 Knowledge is the means of honor, prosperity, joy, 
 gladness, happiness and exultation." 
 
 Work Identical with Prayer. 
 
 **It is made incumbent on every one of you to 
 engage in some one occupation, such as arts, trades, 
 and the like. We have made this — your occupation 
 — identical with the worship of God, the True One. 
 Reflect, O people, upon the mercy of God and upon 
 His favors, then thank Him in mornings and even- 
 ings." 
 
 Idleness Condemned. 
 
 "Waste not your time in idleness and slothfulness, 
 but occupy yourself with that whereby you will profit 
 yourselves and others." 
 
 Begging Prohibited. 
 
 "The most despised of men before God is he who 
 sits and begs. Cling unto the rope of means, relying 
 upon God, the Causer of Causes. Every soul who oc- 
 cupies himself in an art or trade — this will be 
 accounted an act oi vvorship before God. Verily this 
 is from no other than His great and abundant favor V" 
 
 Compassion and Kindness. 
 
 "Blessed are they who hold fast to the Rope of 
 Compassion and Kindness and are detached from 
 animosity and hatred." 
 
 The Language of Love. 
 
 "The language of Love is the lodestone of 
 
8 
 
 hearts and the food of the soul; it stands in the 
 relation of ideas to words and is an horizon for the 
 snining of the Sun of Wisdom and Knowledge." 
 
 Forbearance and Benevolence. 
 
 "This Oppressed One exhorts the people of the 
 world to Forbearance and Benevolence (or well- 
 doing) . These are as two lights for the darkness of 
 the world and as two teachers to lead nations to 
 Knowledge. Blessed are those who attain thereto, 
 and woe unto those who are heedless." 
 
 Good Character. 
 
 "Grood character is, verily the best mantle for men 
 on the part of Grod; by this God adorns the temples 
 of His friends. By My Life the light of good char- 
 acter surpasses the light of the sun and its effulgence. 
 He who attains thereto is accounted as the essence 
 of men. Upon this the honor and glory of the world 
 are based and are dependent. Good character is the 
 means of guiding men to the Right Path and the 
 Great Message." 
 
 Trustworth i ness. 
 
 "Trustworthiness is the door of tranquility to all 
 in the world, and the sign of glory from the pres- 
 ence of the Merciful One. Whosoever attains thereto 
 has attained to treasuries of wealth and aflaiuence. 
 Trustworthiness is the greatest door to the security 
 and tranquility of mankind. The stability of every 
 affair always depends on it, and the worlds of 
 honor, glory and affluence are illuminated by its 
 light." 
 
 S'rncerity and Faithfulness. 
 
 "O friends of Gk>d, verily the Pen of Sincerity en- 
 
9 
 
 joineth on you the greatest faithfulness. By the 
 Life of God, its light is more evident than the light 
 of the sun! In its light and its brightness and its 
 radiance every light is eclipsed. We desire of God 
 that He will not withhold from His cities and lands 
 the radiant effulgence of the sun of Faithfulness." 
 
 Search after Knowledge. 
 
 "Knowledge is one of the greatest benefits of God. 
 To acquire knowledge is incumbent on all. These 
 visible arts and present implements aie from the 
 results of His Knowledge and Wisdom, which have 
 been revealed from the Supreme Pen. In this Day 
 the mysteries of this earth are unfolded and have 
 become visible before the eyes." 
 
 Reverence. 
 
 "O people of God! I exhort you to Reverence. 
 Reverence is, in the primary station, the lord of all 
 virtues. Blessed is he who is illumined with the 
 light of Reverence,and is adorned with the mantle 
 of Uprightness! He who is endowed with Reverence 
 is endowed with a great station." 
 
 Causes of Human Greatness and Downfall. 
 
 "Verily man becomes lofty through his trustworthl-l 
 neas, chastity, judgment and virtues, and fallethj 
 through treachery, falsehood, folly and hypocrisy." 1 
 
 Man Must Show Fruits. 
 
 "Man must show forth fruits. A fruitless man, in 
 the words of His Holiness the Spirit (i. e., Christ), is 
 like unto a fruitless tree, and a fruitless tree is 
 fit for fire." 
 
10 
 
 The Qualities of a Merciful Man. 
 
 "O son of Man! If thou lookest toward Mercy, 
 regard not that which benefits thee, and hold to that 
 vvhich will benefit the servants (mankind) : If thou 
 lookest toward Justice, choose thou for others what 
 thou choosest for thyself. Verily, through mercy 
 man is elevated to the heaven of power; and again, 
 pride degrades him to the lowest station of humilia- 
 tion and abasement." 
 
 Charity. 
 
 "Charity is beloved and acceptable before God, 
 and is accounted the chief among all good deeds. 
 Consider, and then remember that which the Merciful 
 One has revealed in the Koran: 'But (they) prefer 
 them (the poor) before themselves, although there be 
 indigence among them. He who is preserved from 
 the covetousness of his own soul, such shall surely 
 prosper.' Indeed, this blessed Word is, in this con- 
 nection, a sun among words: Blessed is he who 
 prefers his brother before himself; such an one is 
 of the people of Baha!" 
 
 Cursing and Execration Condemned. 
 
 "O people of Baha! Ye are dawning-places of the 
 Lrove and day-springs of the Favor of Grod. Defile 
 not the tongues with cursing and execrating anyone 
 and guard your eyes from that which is not worthy. 
 Show forth that which ye possess (Truth, etc.) if 
 it is accepted, the aim is attained; if not, interference 
 is not allowable." 
 
 Fulfillment of Promise. 
 
 r. 
 
 Fulfill the promise thou givest, and in all matters 
 be just and equitable. Be silent among multitudes 
 of men, and upright in giving decisions. Be humble 
 
11 
 
 toward men, be a lamp in darkness, a comforter in 
 troubles, a sea to the thirsty, a refuge to the afflicted, 
 a helper, assistant and succor to the oppressed." J 
 
 Bahai Admonitions. _^ 
 
 "In actions and deeds be virtuous and pious. Be a'i 
 home to the stranger, a healing to the sick, a strong 
 hold to him who asks for help, a sight to the blind, 
 a path to him who goeth astray. Be thou the beauty 
 of the face of truth, an adornment to the temple of 
 faithfulness, a throne to the house of character, a 
 spirit to the body of the world, a banner to the hosts 
 of justice and a light to the horizon of goodness. 
 
 Be thou a dew to the fertile and rich ground, an 
 ark to the sea of science, a star in the heaven of gen- 
 erosity, a diadem to the head of wisdom, a white 
 spot on the forehead of time, and a fruit of the tree 
 of humbleness," 
 
 Be patient in misfortunes and contented in all as- 
 pects. In truth be firm and unwavering; be quick 
 in doing good deeds; be assiduous toward God; be 
 a veiler of people's faults; be an avoider of lust. 
 Be a runner after the truth; a cloud of bounty to 
 the servants of God; be kindly to thy debtors; be 
 a forgiver to the transgressors; be a fulfiller of the 
 Covenant and steadfast in the Cause." 
 
 Victory Over One's Own Heart. 
 
 "Every one who desireth victory must first subdue 
 the city of his own heart with the sword of spiritual 
 truth and of the Word, and must protect it from 
 remembering aught besides God; afterwards let him 
 turn his regards towards the cities of (others) hearts. 
 This is what is meant by 'victory!'" 
 
 Intoxicants Forbidden. 
 
 "It is forbidden to drink that which will destroy the 
 mind. Every rational being should do that which b<^- 
 
li 
 
 fitteth a man, and not that which is practiced by the 
 careleas and heedless." 
 
 Morals and Manners. 
 
 "Well is it with him who is adorned with the 
 decoration of manners and morals; verily he is of 
 those who help their Lord with clear perspicuous 
 action." 
 
 Gambling and the Use of Opium Forbidden. 
 
 "Gambling and the use of opium are strictly pro- 
 hibited. Beware not to practice that which will en- 
 feeble your temples and harm your bodies." 
 
 True Liberty. 
 
 "Among the people are those who glory in a desire 
 for liberty. Know that the animal is the symbol of 
 liberty and manifestation thereof, hence it be- 
 hooveth man to put himself under laws which will 
 protect him against the ignorance of himself, and the 
 injury of the deceitful. Liberty is confined to com- 
 pliance with the Commandments of God. If ye adopt 
 that which He hath revealed for you from the 
 Heaven of Inspiration, ye will find yourselves in per- 
 fect and pure freedom. The liberty which profits 
 you is that which is confined to your servitude to 
 God, the Truth. He who tastes its sweetness will 
 never exchange it for the possessions of the realms 
 of the heavens and earths." 
 
 Universal Tolerance. 
 
 "Consort with (the people of) religions with joy 
 and fragrance. The followers of Sincerity and Faith- 
 fulness must consort with all the people of the world 
 
18 
 
 with joy and fragrance; for association (intercoursey 
 is always conducive to union and harmony, and 
 union and harmony are the cause of the order of the 
 world and the life of nations." 
 
 The Fire of Love is the Cause of Union. 
 
 "The Fire of Love will assemble all the different 
 people in one court; but the fire of animosity is the 
 cause of disunion and conflict." 
 
 international Intercourse. 
 
 "It is sanctioned that all the nations of the world 
 consort with each other with joy and fragrance. Con- 
 sort ye, O people, with (the people of) all religions 
 with joy and fragrance. We have said — and our say- 
 ing is truth — Consort with all the (people of) religions 
 with joy and fragrance. Through this Utterance 
 whatever was the cause of foreignness, discord and 
 disunion has been removed." 
 
 Unity and Love. 
 
 "All must adhere to the means which is conducive 
 to Love and Unity." 
 
 The Light of Agreement. 
 
 "O people of the world, ye are all the fruit of one 
 tree and the leaves of one branch. Walk with perfect 
 charity, concord, affection and agreement. I declare 
 by the Sun of Truth, the light of agreement shall 
 brighten and illumine all the horizons." 
 
 Freedom of the World from Bondage. 
 "Tou must show forth that which will be conducive 
 
14 
 
 to the welfare and tranquility of the helpless ones of 
 the world. Gird up the loins of effort; perchance the 
 slaves may be emancipated from bondage and find 
 freedom." 
 
 Be not Occupied with Yourselves. 
 
 "It is revealed in one of the Tablets: *0 people 
 of Grod! Be not occupied with yourselves. Be intent 
 on the betterment of the world and the training of 
 nations.' The betterment of the world can be ac- 
 complished through pure and excellent deeds and 
 well-approved and agreeable conduct. The helper 
 of the Cause is Deeds and its assistant is Good 
 Character." 
 
 Teaching the Truth through Deeds. 
 
 'Tt behooveth the people of Baha to assist the 
 Lord through their utterance and to preach unto the 
 ^ world through their deeds and good morals,. The 
 effect of deeds is greater than the effect of words." 
 
 World Patriotism. 
 
 "In former ages it has been said: *To love one's 
 native land is Faith.' But the tongue of Grandeur 
 hath said in the Day of this Manifestation: 'Glory 
 is not his who loves his native land; but glory is his 
 who loves his kind.' By these exalted Words He 
 taught the birds of souls a new flight and effaced re- 
 striction and blind imitation from the Book." 
 
 Universal Patriotism. 
 
 "The most splendid fruit of the Tree of Knowledge 
 is this exalted Word: Ye are all fruits of one tree and 
 loaves of one branch." 
 
15 
 
 Be Generous when in Affluence. 
 
 *'Be generous when in affluence and grateful when 
 thou art poor. Be faithful to the rights of others. 
 Let thy face be bright and open and be a treasure 
 to the poor and needy. Be an admonisher to the 
 rich, and an answerer to those who call on thee." 
 
 What The Rich Men Should Do. 
 
 *'0 children of dust, let the rich learn the midnight 
 sighing of the poor, lest negligence destroy them 
 and they be deprived of their portion of the tree of 
 wealth. O ye who are wealthy on earth, the poor 
 among ye are my trust, therefore guard my trust, and 
 be npt wholly occupied with your own ease." 
 
 Advice to Rich People. 
 
 '*0 ye rich people! When ye see a poor man do 
 not grow proud and haughty and despise him, but 
 think from what ye were created. 
 
 ''Do ye imagine that ye will be prcrfited by what 
 ye have? It will be possessed by some one in your 
 stead, and ye shall return to the dust without find- 
 ing any one to succor or help. Of what use is a life 
 that is ruled by death, or a duration which vanisheth, 
 or a grace that changeth?" 
 
 Adherence to That Which is Conducive to Progress. 
 
 ''In this Day, it is incumbent and obligator uDon | 
 all to adhere to that which is conducive to the pro- \ 
 gress and elevation of the just government and ; 
 people." ^-^ 
 
 Respect and Love for True Philosophers and 
 Scientists. 
 
 "This Oppressed One hath loved and loves the 
 
16 
 
 philosophers, that is — those whose philosophy hath 
 not been mere words, but who have produced last- 
 in? results and fruits in the world. To respect these 
 blessed souls is incumbent on all. Blessed are those 
 who practice." 
 
 Advices to The Wise Men of Nations. 
 
 **0 ye wise men among nations! Turn your eyes 
 away from foreignness and gaze unto Oneness, and 
 hold fast unto the means which conduce to the tran- 
 quility and security of the people of the whole world. 
 This span-wide world is but one native land and one 
 locality. Abandon that glory which is the cause of 
 discord and turn unto that which promotes harmony. 
 To the people of Baha glory is in knowledge, good 
 deeds, good morals and wisdom, not in native land 
 or station. O people of the earth; appreciate the 
 worth of this Heavenly Word, for it is like unto a 
 ship for the sea of Knowledge, and is as the sun to 
 the universe of Perception." 
 
 Obedience to tiie Laws of Government. 
 
 "In every country or government where any of this 
 community reside, they must behave tx>ward that 
 government with faithfulness, trustfulness and truth- 
 iculness." 
 
 U.. 
 
 Asceticism and IVIonkiiood Discouraged. 
 
 "O people of the Earth! A solitary life and severe 
 discipline do not meet God's approval. The pos- 
 sessors of perception and knowledge should look unto 
 the means which are conducive to joy and fragrance. 
 Such practices come forth and proceed from the loins 
 of superstition and the womb of fancy, and are not 
 worthy the people of knowledge. Some of the people 
 of the past and of later times dwelt in mountain and 
 
17 
 
 caves, and others frequented the tombs during the 
 night. Hearken to the advice of this Oppressed One. 
 Abandon that which ye hold, and adhere unto what 
 the Trustworthy Counsellor commands. Deprive not 
 yourselves of that which is created for you." 
 
 Confession of Sins. 
 
 "The sinner, when in a state wherein he finds him- 
 self free and severed from all else save God, must 
 beg for God's forgiveness and pardon. At the same 
 time such confession before the creatures (men) leads 
 to one's humiliation and abasement and God — Exalted 
 in His Glory! — does not wish for the humiliation of 
 his servants. Verily He is Compassionate and Bene- 
 ficent i 
 
 A sinner must privately, between himself and 
 God, beg for mercy from the Sea of Mercy and ask 
 forgiveness from the Heaven of Beneficence." 
 
 Celibacy. 
 
 "The pious practices of the monks and priests 
 among the people of His Holiness the Spirit (Christ) 
 — upon Him Is the Peace of God and His (ilory! — 
 are remembered before God; but, in this day they 
 must abandon solitude for open places (i e., the 
 society of men), and engage in that which may profit 
 both themselves and other men. . We have conferred 
 permission on them all to engage in matrimony, so 
 that there may appear from them those who (i. e., 
 children) may celebrate the praise of God, the Lord 
 of the Seen and Unseen and the Lord of the Lofty 
 Throne." 
 
 Justice: 
 
 "Gaze toward the horizon of Justice and Equity 
 under all circumstances. This exalted Utterance has 
 
18 
 
 been revealed, from the Pen of Abha in the Hidden 
 Words. 
 
 'O Son of Spirit! 
 
 'The best of all to Me is Justice. Desire thou not 
 to cast it away if thou desirest Me, and neglect it 
 not, that thou may'st be faithful to Me, for by it 
 thou wilt attain to see the things with thine own 
 eyes and not by the eyes of the creatures and know 
 them by thine own knowledge and not by the know- 
 ledge of any in the world. Meditate on this — how 
 thou oughtest to be. Justice is one of My Gifts to 
 thee and one of My Cares over thee, therefore put 
 it before thine eyes continually.' 
 
 "The possessors of Justice and Equity occupy the 
 highest station and loftiest rank; the lights of Right- 
 eousness and Piety radiate and shine from such souls. 
 It is hoped that nations and countries may not be de- 
 prived of the lights of these two orbs." 
 
 "The light of men is Justice; quench it not with 
 the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The 
 purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among 
 people. In this exalted Word, the sea of God's wis- 
 dom is moving. All the books of the world are not 
 sufficient to contain its interpretation." 
 
 House of Justice. 
 
 "God has imposed on every town the erection of 
 a House of Justice where men are to assemble ac- 
 cording to the number of Baha (if they surpass this 
 number it matters little). They should figure to 
 themselves that they are in God's presence, and see 
 what is invisible. They should be divine agents in 
 the casual world, the representatives of God for those 
 who are on earth, and defend for love of God the 
 interests of His servants as they would defend their 
 own. 
 
 "The Men of the House of Justice of God must, 
 night and day, gaze toward that which hath been re- 
 vealed from the horizon of the Heaven of the 
 Supreme Pen for the training of the servants 
 
19 
 
 (people) , for the upbuilding of countries, for the pro- 
 tection of men and for the preservation of (human) 
 honor.'* 
 
 The Duties of the Members of the House of Justice. 
 
 "We exhort the men (members) of the House of 
 Justice, and command them to guard and protect 
 the servants, maidservants and children." 
 
 Universal Parliament of Man. 
 
 "The affairs of the people are in charge of the men 
 of the House of Justice. They are the trustees of 
 God among His servants and the sources of command 
 in his countries." 
 
 Universal Education. 
 
 "It is decreed that every father must educate his 
 sons and daughters in learning and in writing and 
 also in that which hath been ordained in the Tablet. 
 He who neglects that which hath been commanded 
 (in this matter), if he is rich, it is incumbent on the 
 trustees (of the House of Justice) to recover from 
 him the amount required for the education of the 
 children; otherwise (i.e., if the parent is not capable) 
 the matter shall devolve on the House of Justice. 
 Verily We have made it (the House of Justice) an 
 asylum for the poor and needy. 
 
 "He who educates his son, or any other's children, 
 it is as though he hath educated one of My children. 
 Upon such an one be My Baha, My Providence and 
 My Mercy, which hath embraced all in the world!" 
 
 School Funds. 
 "Men and women must place a part of what they 
 
L 
 
 20 
 
 earn by trade, agriculture, or other business, in 
 charge of a trustworthy person, to be spent in the 
 education and instruction of the children. That 
 deposit must be invested in the education of the 
 children, under the advice of the Trustees (or mem- 
 bers) of the House of Justice.'* 
 
 Proclamation of Universal Peace. 
 
 "We desire but the good of the world and the hap- 
 piness of the nations. That all nations should become 
 one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds 
 of affection and unity between the sons of men should 
 be strengthened; that diversity of religion should 
 cease, and differences of race be annulled — what harm 
 is there in this? Yet so it shall be; these fruitless 
 strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass away, and the 
 'Most Great _ Peace' shall come. Do not you in 
 Europe need this also? Is not this that which Christ 
 foretold? Yet do we see your kings and rulers lav- 
 ishing their treasures more freely on means for the 
 destruction of the human race than on that which 
 would conduce to the happiness of mankind. These 
 strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease, 
 and all men be as one kindred and one family. Let 
 not a man glory in this, that he loves his country; 
 let him rather glory in this, that he loves his kind." 
 
 The Burden of Military Expenditures. 
 
 "We ask God that He will help the Kings to be at 
 peace; verily He is able to do what He willeth. 
 O assembly of Kings! Verily we see you increasing 
 your expenditure every year, and placing the burden 
 (thereof) on your subjects; this is nought but mani- 
 fest injustice. Fear ye the sighs of the oppressed 
 and his tears, and do not burden your subjects above 
 that which they can bear, neither ruin them to build 
 up your palaces. Choose for them that which ye 
 Choose for yourselves; thus do we expound unto you 
 
21 
 
 that which will profit you, if ye are of those who 
 enquire." 
 
 Universal Peace. 
 
 "The Ministers (Counsellors, i. e., members) of the 
 House of Justice must promote the Most Great Peace, 
 in order that the world may be free from onerous 
 expenditures. This matter is obligatory and indis- 
 pensable; for warfare and conflict are the founda- 
 tion of trouble and distress." 
 
 The Most Great Peace. 
 
 "We have commanded the Most Great Peace, which 
 is the greatest means for the protection of mankind. 
 The rulers of the world must, in one accord, adhere 
 to this Command, which is the main cause for the 
 security and tranquility of the world. We beg of 
 God to assist them in that which is conducive to 
 the peace of the people." 
 
 International Parliament for the Purpose of Choos- 
 ing an International Tongue. 
 
 "The Third Glad Tidings is the study of various; 
 languages. This command hath formerly flowed from 
 the Supreme Pen. Their Majesties, the Kings — may 
 God assist them — or the Counsellors of the earth . 
 must consult together, and appoint one of the exist- 
 ing languages or a new language, and instruct the 
 children therein, in all the schools of the world; and 
 the same must be done in respect to writing also. 
 In such case the earth will be considered as one." 
 
 Universal Language is Followed by Universal Union 
 and Harmony. | 
 
 "The Sixth Ishrak is concerning union and har- 
 
22 
 
 mony among servants (mankind). Through union 
 the regions of the world have been illuminated with 
 the light of the Cause. The greatest means (for this 
 end) is that the peoples should be familar with each 
 other's writing and language." 
 
 Respect for Religion. 
 
 **At this moment the Supreme Pen exhorts the day- 
 springs of power and dawning-places of authority, to- 
 wit: kings, rulers, chiefs, princes, learned men (of 
 religion) and mystics and commands them to hold fast 
 to Religion. Religion is the greatest instrument for 
 the order of the world and the tranquility of all ex- 
 istent beings. The weakness of the pillars of Religion 
 has encouraged the ignorant and rendered them 
 audacious and arrogant. Truly, I say, whatever 
 lowers the lofty station of religion will increase 
 heedlessness in the wicked, and finally result in 
 anarchy. Hear, O ye (who are) endowed with sight!" 
 
 Religion. 
 
 "The people of wealth and men of honor and power 
 must have the best possible regard and respect for 
 Religion. Religion is a manifest light and a strong 
 fortress for the protection and tranquility of the 
 people of the world. For the fear of God commands 
 people to do that which is just and forbids them that 
 which is evil. If the lamp of Religion remain con- 
 cealed agitation and anarchy would prevail, and the 
 orb of Justice and Equity and the sun of Peace and 
 Tranquility would be withheld from giving light." 
 
 Religion the Cause of Union and Harmony. 
 
 "The religion of God and the Creed of God hath 
 been revealed and made manifest from the heaven 
 of the Will of the King of Pre-existence for the 
 
23 
 
 sake of union and harmony among the people of 
 the world; make it not a means for disagreement 
 and discord." 
 
 Religipus Warfare Abolished. 
 
 "The First Glad Tidings which is conferred in this 
 Most Great Manifestation on all the people of the 
 world from the 'Mother Book/ is the abolishing of 
 the decree of religious warfare from the Book." 
 
 Working for the Removal of Religious Prejudice.^ 
 
 *'0 unitarians, make firm the girdle of endeavor, 
 that perchance religious strife and conflict may be 
 removed from amongst the people of the world and 
 be annulled. For love of God and His servants en- 
 gage in this great and mighty matter. Religious 
 hatred and rancor is a world-consuming fire, and the 
 quenching thereof most arduous, unless the hand of 
 Divine Might give men deliverance from this un- 
 fruitful calamity. Consider a war which happeneth 
 between two states: both sides have foregone wealth 
 and life; how many villages were beheld as though 
 they were not! This precept is in the position of 
 the light in the lamp of utterance." 
 
 Characteristics of Rulers. 
 
 "O people of God! — Exalted in His Glory! — Ask 
 God to guard the sources of power and authority 
 (rulers, etal) against the evil of egotism and lust 
 and to illumine them with the lights of justice and 
 guidance." 
 
 The Qualities of a Noble King. 
 
 "A king whom the pride of authority and indepen- 
 dence does not withhold from being just, and whom 
 
24 
 
 benefits, opulence, glory, hosts and legions do not 
 deprive of the splendors of the Orb of Equity — such 
 a king shall possess a lofty station and an exalted 
 rank in the Supreme Concourse; it is incumbent on 
 all to assist and love such a blessed being. Blessed 
 is the ruler who controls the reins of the ego, and 
 overcomes his wrath; who prefers justice to oppres- 
 sion and equity to tyranny!*' 
 
 Rulers and Leaders Should Assist in the Disappear- 
 ance of Discord. 
 
 "We ask the manifestation of Power, that is, kings 
 and leaders, to endeavor, perchance discord may van- 
 ish and the world be illumined with the light of 
 accord." 
 
 Execution of the Penal Laws. 
 
 ''The Third Ishrak commands the executing of the 
 penal laws, for this is the primary means for the 
 maintenance of the world. The heaven of Divine 
 Wisdom is illumined and shining with two orbs — 
 Consultation and Kindness. And the tent of the 
 order of the world is hoisted and established on two 
 pillars. Reward and Retribution." 
 
 The Government should Appoint Officials According 
 to their Merits. 
 
 "Governments must be acquainted with the con- 
 ditions, (or deserts) of the officials and must confer 
 upon them dignity and positions in accord with 
 (men*s) due measure and merit. To have regard 
 for this matter is obligatory and incumbent on every 
 chief and ruler. Thus, perchance, traitors shall not 
 usurp the place of trustworthy men, or spoilers oc- 
 cupy the seat of guardians." 
 
25 
 
 Study of Agriculture. 
 
 "Complete^ regard should be had to the matter ot 
 agriculture. This matter is in reality endowed with 
 the first station." 
 
 The Abolition of Four Laws which were Practiced by 
 Some of the Nations and Religions. 
 
 "The deniers and contradictors hold to four words: 
 
 First: Destroying men's lives. 
 Second: Burning the books. 
 Third: Shunning other nations. 
 Fourth: Exterminating other nations. 
 
 Now, by the Grace and Authority of the Word of 
 God, these four great barriers have been demolished. 
 These four manifest decrees have been effaced from 
 the Book, and God hath changed brutal manners into 
 spiritual qualities." 
 
 Causes of Difference Abolished. 
 
 *'0 ye people of the world! The virtue of this 
 Most Great Manifestation is that We have effaced 
 from the Book whatever was the cause of difference, 
 corruption and discord, and recorded therein that 
 which leads to Unity, Harmony and Accord." 
 
 Strife and Contest. 
 
 "Strife and contest were and are seemly in the 
 beasts of prey, but laudable actions are seemly in 
 man." 
 
 Newspapers. 
 "The pages of swiftly appearing newspapers are 
 
26 
 
 indeed the mirror of the world; they display the do- 
 ings and actions of the different nations; they both 
 Illustrate them and cause them to be heard. News- 
 papers are as a mirror which is endowed with heal- 
 ing, sight and speech; they are a wonderful 
 phenomenon and a great matter. But it behooveth 
 the writers (editors, et al) thereof to be sanctified 
 from the prejudice of egotism and desire and to be 
 adorned with the ornament of Equity and Justice; 
 they must inquire into matters as much as possible 
 in order that they may be informed of the real facts 
 and commit the same to writing." 
 
 Mashrak El Azkar. 
 
 "Proclaim: Verily the Mashrak El Azkar will be a 
 House built in my name in every country and city. 
 Verily we have called it by that name, were you of 
 those who know." 
 
27 
 
 SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ABDUL 
 BAH A. 
 
 The Qualities of a Bahai. 
 
 **I am ever anticipating joyous news from America, '■ 
 hoping that all the newspapers and journals might 
 write of the Bahais in the following terms: 
 
 "These people are distinguished in all qualities; , 
 they have pure intentions; they are truthful to all 
 humanity; they are trustworthy; they exercise kind- 
 ness toward all mankind; and with heart and soul 
 and life they are engaged in service; they depend 
 upon God; they are severed from the attachments of 
 this world; albeit they are all engaged in some pro- 
 fession or work; they serve real civilization; *in 
 reality they are civilized people; they fear nothing 
 whatever; night and day their thoughtful attention 
 is devoted to philanthropic deeds; they wish no harm 
 to any one; they do not annoy anybody; they put 
 forth efforts in general philanthropy; their greatest 
 and highest desire is that bias may be removed from 
 among the nations and sects of the world; that all 
 mankind may be united with each other; that all 
 wars and battles may be abolished from among the 
 nations and powers of the world; that the standard 
 of universal peace or the Most Great Peace shall be 
 raised; that estrangement may cease entirely; that 
 no religious fanaticism, racial or patriotic bias shall 
 exist, for all are the creatures of God, and all are 
 the signs of the Power of God." — ' 
 
 The Duties of the Bahais. 
 
 "In short, we hope that the beloved of God may 
 raise the standard of the solidarity of mankind in 
 the center of the world; that all nations will unite 
 and agree, gather together under the Blessed Banner, 
 attaining to the happiness of the world and the King- 
 dom." 
 
28 
 
 The Attributes of a Bahai. 
 
 "Through the Protection and Help of the Blessed 
 Perfection, you must conduct and deport yourselves 
 in such a manner that you may stand out among 
 other souls distinguished hy a brilliancy like unto 
 the Sun. If any one of you enters a city he must 
 become the center of attraction because of the 
 Sincerity, Faithfulness, Love, Honesty, Fidelity, 
 Truthfulness and Loving Kindness of his disposition 
 and nature toward all the inhabitants of the world. 
 That the people of the city may all cry out: 'This 
 person is unquestionably a Bahai. For his manners, 
 his behavior, his conduct, his morals, his nature and 
 his disposition are of the attributes of the Bahais.' 
 Until you do attain to this Station, you have not ful- 
 filled the Covenant and the Testament of God." 
 
 B'ihai Admonitions. 
 
 'The Blessed Perfection has freed the necks from 
 the bonds and fetters and released all from racial 
 attachments by proclaiming — *Ye are all the fruits 
 of one tree, and the leaves of one branch/ Be ye 
 kind to the human world, and be ye compassionate 
 to the race of man. Deal with the strangers as you 
 deal with the friends. Be ye gentle toward the out- 
 siders as you are toward the beloved ones. Know 
 the enemy as the friend, look upon the Satan as upon 
 the Angel, receive the unjust with the utmost love 
 like unto a faithful one, and diffuse far and wide the 
 fragrances of the Musk of the gazelles of Kheta and 
 Khotan to the nostrils of the ravenous wolves. 
 
 Become ye a shelter and asylum to the fearful ones. 
 Be ye a cause of tranquility and ease to the souls 
 and hearts of the agitated ones. Impart ye strength 
 to the helpless ones. Become ye a treasury of wealth 
 to the indigent ones. Be ye a remedy and antidote 
 to the afflicted ones; and a physician and nurse to 
 the sick ones. Serve ye for the promotion of Peace 
 and Concord, and establish in this transitory world 
 the foundation of Friendship, Fidelity, Reconciliation 
 and Truthfulness." 
 
29 
 Counsels to the Friends. 
 
 "O ye friends of God! Be kind to all peoples and 
 nations; have love for all of them; exert yourselves 
 to purify the hearts as much as you can; and bestow 
 abundant effort in rejoicing the souls. Be ye a 
 sprinkling of rain to every meadow and the water of 
 life to every tree. Be ye as fragrant musk to every 
 nostril and a soul-refreshing breeze to every invalid. 
 Be ye a spring to every thirsty one, a wise guide to 
 every one led astray, an affectionate father or moiiier 
 to every orphan, and in the utmost joy and fragrance, 
 a son or daughter to every one bent with age. Be ye 
 a rich treasure to every indigent one; consider love 
 and union as a delectable paradise, and count annoy- 
 ance and hostility as the torment of hell-fire. Exert 
 with your soul; seek no rest in body; supplicate and' 
 beseech with your heart and search for Divine As- 
 sistance and Favor; in order that ye may make this 
 world the Paradise of Abha and this terrestrial globe 
 the Arena of the Supreme Kingdom. If ye make an 
 effort, it is certain that these lights shall shine, this 
 cloud of mercy shall rain, this soul-nourishing breeze 
 shall waft, and the scent of this most fragrant musk 
 be diffused. 
 
 Shine ye like unto the Sun and roar and move like 
 unto the Sea; impart life to mountain and desert 
 like unto clouds; and, similar to the vernal breeze, 
 bestow freshness, grace and elegance to the trees 
 of human temples." 
 
 The Bahai Movement and its Objects. 
 
 "Praise be to God that the divine cause in mis 
 Bahai dispensation is one of absolute love and of 
 pure spirituality. It is not of this kingdom the 
 earth, for it is not war and distress, nor the oppres- 
 sion of one people by another. Its army is the love 
 of God, its victory is the ecstacy of the knowledge 
 of God; its battle is that of Truth, the exposition of 
 the Word; its warfare is against selfishness; its 
 patience is its reserve; its entire meekness is its 
 
30 
 
 conquering -power, and its love for all is a glory for- 
 evermore . In a word it is a spirit and it is love. 
 
 "It is tor us to consiaer how we may educate men 
 that the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness may 
 disappear and that the radiance of the kingdom may 
 encompass the world; that the nations of men may 
 be delivered from selfish ambition and strife, and be 
 revivified by the fragrance of God; that animosity 
 and hatred may be dispersed and wholly disappear, 
 while the attracting power of the love of God so 
 completely unites the hearts of men, that all hearts 
 beat as a single heart; that the arteries of all man- 
 kind may pulsate with the love of God; that conten- 
 tion and war may utterly pass away, while peace 
 and reconciliation lift their standard in the midst of 
 the earth and men become enamoured of one an- 
 other; that the joys of spirituality may prevail over 
 material pleasure; that East and West may delight 
 in one another as lovers, and North and South em- 
 brace each other in closest affection; that the visible 
 world may be the mirror of the world of the King- 
 dom; that the image of the Supreme Concourse may 
 be refiected in all gatherings of men; that the earth 
 may be changed into the paradise of the uiorious 
 One, and the Divine Jerusalem embrace the terrestial 
 giODe." 
 
 Beware of Differences. 
 
 "Beware! Beware! of differences! By differences 
 the Temple of God is razed to its very foundation; 
 and by the blowing of the winds of disagreement the 
 Blessed Tree is prevented from producing any fruit. 
 By the intense cold of the diversity of opinions the 
 rose garden of Unity is withered and the fire of the 
 Love of God is extinguished." 
 
 What is the Quintessence of Truth? 
 
 "The quintessence of Truth is this: We must all 
 become united and harmonized in order to illumine 
 
31 
 
 this gloomy world; to abolish the foundations of 
 hostility and animosity from among mankind; to 
 perfume the inhabitants of the universe with the 
 Holy Fragrance of the nature and disposition of the 
 Beauty of Abha; to enlighten the people of the East 
 and West with the light of Guidance; to hoist the 
 tent of the Love of God and suffer each and all to 
 enter under its Protection; to bestow comfort and 
 tranquillity to every one under the shade of the 
 Divine Tree; to astonish the enemy by the mani- 
 festation of the utmost love; to make the ravenous 
 and blood-thirsty wolves to be the gazelles of the 
 meadow of the Love of God; to administer the taste 
 of nonresistance to the tyrant; to teach the long- 
 suffering and resignation of the martyrs to the mur- 
 derer; to spread the traces of Oneness, to chant the 
 praises and glorifications of the Glorious Lord; to 
 raise the voice of Ya Baha-el Abha to the Supreme 
 Apex and to reach the ears of the inhabitants of the 
 Kingdom with the outcry *Verily the earth is 
 illumined by the Lights of its Lord.' This is Reality! 
 This is Guidance! This is Service! This is the con- 
 summation of the perfection of the realm of 
 humanity." 
 
 Baha'o'llah's Teachings. 
 
 "Baha'o'llah made the utmost efforts to educate 
 (his people) and incite them to morality, the ^ac- 
 quisition of the sciences and arts of all countries, 
 kindly dealing with all the nations of the earth, 
 desire for the welfare of all peoples, sociability, con- 
 cord, obedience, courtesy, instruction of (their) 
 children, production of what is needful for the human 
 race, and inauguration of true happiness for man- 
 kind." 
 
 Happiness and Joy. 
 
 "We were made to be happy and not sad; for joy, 
 not for sorrow. Happiness is life; sadness is death; 
 spiritual happiness is eternal life. It is a light that 
 
32 
 
 the night does not extinguish; it is an honor that 
 shame does not follow, an existence which is not 
 resolved into annihilation! For happiness the worlds 
 and contingent beings have been created." 
 
 Purify the Hearts. 
 
 "The hearts should be purified and cleansed from 
 every trace of hatred and rancor and enabled to en- 
 gage in truthfulness, conciliation, uprightness and 
 love toward the world of humanity; so that the East 
 and the West may embrace each other like unto two 
 lovers, enmity and animosity may vanish from the 
 human world, and the Universal Peace be es- 
 tablished." 
 
 What Constitutes the Happiness of IVIan. 
 
 **The glory, happiness, honor and peace of man do 
 not consist in personal wealth, but on the contrary, 
 in sublimity of soul, nobility of resolution, extension 
 of education and in the solution of the problem of 
 life." 
 
 Man Should be a Source of Weil Being. 
 
 "A man should be a constant source of well-being 
 and contentment, and a ready help to prosperity for 
 multitudes of people." 
 
 Qualities of the People of Faith. 
 
 "The sacred qualities of the people of Faith 
 are justice, judgment, long-suffering, patience, kind- 
 liness, faithfulness, sincerity, fidelity, love, benevo- 
 lence, zeal, the protection of others, and humanity." 
 
33 
 
 The True Criterion of Knowledge. 
 
 "Knowledge and wisdom, purity and faithfulness 
 and freedom of the soul, have not been and are not 
 judged by outward appearance and dress." 
 
 Carnal Desire. 
 
 "Carnal desire is like a fire which has con- 
 sumed a hundred thousand edifices built up by 
 thoughtful sages; and even the sea of their sciences 
 and arts has not been able to put out this blazing 
 conflagration." 
 
 Central Aims of Morals. 
 
 "There is this condition that the central aims 
 of morals should be wisdom and knowledge, and its 
 controlling idea should be true moderation." 
 
 To Discover the Reality of Things. 
 
 "Discover for yourselves the reality of things, and 
 strive to assimilate the methods by which the means 
 of life, of well-being, of noble mindedness and glory 
 are attained among the nations and people of the 
 world." 
 
 Characteristics of Progress. 
 
 "The other characteristics of progress are, the fear 
 of God, the love of God in the love of mankind in 
 general, long suffering, steadfastness, truth, com- 
 passion, generosity, bravery, boldness, perseverance, 
 activity, purity, cheerfulness, modesty, zeal, resolu- 
 tion, highmindedness, the cherishing of righteous- 
 ness and T'isdom, intellect, sobriety, true piety, and, 
 above all, the fear of God within the heart." 
 
34 
 Need of Study and Thought. 
 
 "There is urgent need of widespread thought and 
 study; and much wisdom and discrimination are re- 
 quired. Alas! my heart swells within me and is full 
 .of grief, because it cannot see that the people are 
 devoting their care and energy to what today is 
 worthy of both." 
 
 Avoiding the People. 
 
 "Even as avoiding and shunning the 'company of 
 people and being harsh with them are the sure means 
 of filling them with fear, so are love, kindliness, 
 humility and gentleness the truest method of binding 
 people's souls and attracting their hearts." 
 
 Study Useful Arts and Sciences. 
 
 "The first thing to be considered in every art before 
 studying it, is to know what benefit comes from that 
 art, and what fruit and result can be obtained. If 
 a universal profit accrues to the majority of mankind 
 from useful sciences surely a man should exert him- 
 self to study them. with his whole soul. If the sole 
 result of his study is to consist in useless reasonings, 
 following after the imaginations of others, and be- 
 coming a center of quarrel and dispute out of which 
 no one can derive any advantage — what is the sense 
 of it, why should a man spend his life in empty dis- 
 cussion and argument?" 
 
 Idleness. 
 
 "He who remaineth idle and indifferent, and con- 
 tinueth in his egoism, indulging constantly his carnal 
 appetites, descendeth to the lowest abyss of deg- 
 radation and ignorance. Lower is he than the most 
 dangerous of savage beasts. For it is written: 
 'These indeed are worse than brutes; and meaner 
 than cattle in the sight of God.' " 
 
35 
 
 Slothfulness and Negligence Condemned. 
 
 "Exalt your ambition on high, and make your 
 purposes excelling! How long will ye endure in 
 slotn? How long in negligence? You can find 
 nothing to be gained by idleness, except despair in 
 this world and the next, and you can gain nothing 
 except degradation and subjection by indulging in 
 ignorance and superstition, and listening to the words 
 of the thoughtless." 
 
 Causes of Human Comfort. 
 
 "Therefore must we gird up the vesture of ambition 
 round the loins of enthusiasm, and earnestly strive 
 to seize the just causes of comfort, peace, happiness, 
 knowledge, culture, art, honor, glory, for the benefit 
 of all." 
 
 God is no Respecter of Perso-ns. 
 
 "All are servants of the One God — and God reigns 
 over all and has pleasure in all alike. All men are of 
 one family, the crown of humanity rests on the head 
 of each man. In the eyes of the Creator all are equal. 
 He is kind to all, He does not favor this nation or that 
 nation, all are his creatures. If this is so, why should 
 w^e divide one race from another, creating super- 
 stitions, differences hetween one people and an- 
 other?" 
 
 Absolute Equality Amongst Men is Impossible. 
 
 "Absolute equality amongst men; this would be im- 
 possible. There is needed some organization which 
 will bring about an order in this disorder. Absolute 
 equality is a mere dream, and impracticable. If abso- 
 lute equality existed the whole order of the world 
 would be destroyed. In mankind there is always a 
 
36 
 
 difference in degree. Since Creation men have never 
 been the same. Some have superior intelligence, 
 others are more ordinary and some are devoid of in- 
 tellect. How can there ever exist equality between 
 those who are clever and those who are not? Hu 
 manity is like an army. An army must have a gen- 
 eral, captains and soldiers, each with their appointed 
 duties, it cannot consist of generals only, or captains, 
 or soldiers only; there must be degrees in the 
 orga(nization." 
 
 Equality of Sexes. 
 
 "If women were educated with the same cud vantages 
 as men, their capacity is the same and the result 
 would be the same; in fact womdn have a superior 
 disposition to men, they are more receptive, more 
 sensitive, their intuition is more intense. The ouly 
 reason of their present backwardness in some direc- 
 tions is because they have not had the same educa- 
 tional advantages as men. 
 
 If a mother is well educated^ her children will also be 
 well taught. If the mother is wise, the children will 
 be wise; if the mother is religious, the children wil' 
 also be religious. If the mother is a good woman, 
 then the children will also be good. The future gen- 
 eration depends then on the mothers of today. Is not 
 this a vital position of responsibility for women? 
 
 Surely God does not wish such an important instru- 
 ment as woman to be less perfect than she is able to 
 become! Divine Justice demands that men and 
 : women should have equal rights, there is no differ- 
 ence between them, neither sex is superior to tl.e 
 other in the Sight of God." 
 
 The World is Like a Man. 
 
 "The world is like the body of man — it has become 
 sick, feeble and infirm. Its eye is devoid of s«ghl, its 
 ear has become destitute of hearing and its faculties 
 
37 
 
 of sense are entirely dissolved. The friends of Goi 
 must become as wise physicians and care for and heal 
 this sick person, in accord with the Divine Teachings, 
 in order that it may perchance gain health, find eter- 
 nal healing and that its lost powers may be restored; 
 and that the person of the world may find such 
 health, freshness and purity that it will appear in the 
 utmost beauty and charm." 
 
 The Station of Wise iVlen. 
 
 "Wise men are as guiding lamps to the people. 
 They are the stars of felicity in the horizon of tribes 
 and nations; they are the Salsabil of life for the souls 
 dead in ignorance and folly; and for those who wan- 
 der and thirst in the wilderness of want they are a 
 fresh spring of cooling water. They, indeed, have the 
 truths of God's glorious Books, and are a living proof 
 of the Unity of the Divine Spirit; to the diseased body 
 of the world, they are skillful physicians, and are a 
 true antidote to the poisoned soul of mankind. They 
 are as an impregnable fortress protecting the world 
 of humanity, and a sure refuge for those disturbed 
 and disquieted by the forces of darkness and ignor- 
 ance." 
 
 Religious Ministers. 
 
 "Those great ministers who placed God's will be- 
 fore their own have been burning lamps of science 
 among men of learning; they employ their wisdom 
 for the general good of their countrymen. They 
 prove themselves worthy examples of honest and vir- 
 tuous endeavour, and with small hope of reward give 
 their lives to the increase of public good. In their 
 wisdom they deliver just ordinances to the people, 
 setting the palm of peace among the nations; thus 
 they attain the highest pinnacle of the mountain of 
 glory and honor. Likewise the learned and famous 
 Ministers, the repository of sound doctrine, and the 
 
38 
 
 wielders of the strong handle of piety and of the fear 
 of God, place their trust in Him, and hold fast to the 
 garment of salvation; and the mirror of their 
 thoughts is adorned with the signs of sublime 
 realities, and reflect the sun of universal knowledge. 
 So they are diligently engaged, both night and day, in 
 acquiring useful sciences and teaching and educating 
 their chosen pupils." 
 
 The Golden Rule of Justice. 
 
 "Friends of Grod, set forth the example of Justice? 
 Justice i6 a Universal Quality. From the highest 
 to the lowest. Justice should be sacred; from the sov- 
 ereign to the merchant, the Minister of State to the 
 artisan, all must be just. Be just, respect the rights 
 of each man, *do unto others what you would have 
 them do unto you.' A workman who commits an in- 
 justice is as much to blame as a tyrant. Each one 
 of us can choose between justice and injustica 
 
 I hope you will be just in your relations with 
 others, that you will never harm your fellows, that 
 you will respect the rights of all men, and above all, 
 consider the rights of others before your own." 
 
 Enactment of Laws by the House of Justice. 
 
 "The Universal Principles which are the founda- 
 dation of the Religion of God are laid down, but 
 the making of specific laws which are the sub- 
 divisions and ramifications is apportioned to the 
 House of Justice. The wisdom of this is that this 
 world never moves for a long period in one form. 
 The House of Justice will make laws applicable to 
 the exigencies and requirements of the time. Its 
 members will' not form institutions according to 
 their own opinion and thought. The Most Great 
 House of Justice enacts laws and statutes by the 
 power of inspiration and confirmation of the Holy 
 Spirit and is under the protection of God." 
 
30 
 
 Wisdom and Justice. 
 
 "There are two great Banners which overshadow 
 the crown of every sovereign; the first is that of 
 Wisdom, the second that of Justice, which iron moun- 
 tains cannot resist and which the 'Wall of Alex- 
 ander' will be powerless to stand against. With 
 perfect ease will they penetrate into the states, the 
 pillars of the world." 
 
 Public Weal. 
 
 "How noble and excellent is man, if he only attains 
 to that state for which he was designed. And how 
 mean and contemptible, if he close his eyes to the 
 public weal, and spend his precious capacities on per- 
 sonal and selfish ends. The greatest happiness lies 
 in the happiness of others." 
 
 General Prosperity. 
 
 "There can be no true satisfaction or contentment 
 apart from the general prosperity." 
 
 Tlie Highest Deeds are to Work in the Pubfic In- 
 terests. 
 
 "We ask what deeds in the world could be greater 
 than working in the public interests? Can any 
 higher career be imagined than this, that a man 
 should devote himself to the cause of the education, 
 progress, glory and prosperity of the servants of 
 God? No, in God's name! It is the greatest of pious 
 deeds that the blessed souls should take hold of 
 them that are powerless by the hands, and deliver 
 them from ignorance, degradation and poverty, and 
 filled with sincere purpose for the sake of God, 
 should gird up the loins of their ambition in the 
 service of all people, forgetting their own worldly 
 advantage and striving for the common good. As 
 
40 
 
 it is written: "And prefer others over thyself, even 
 though there be poverty amongst them; the best of 
 men are those who do good to their fellows, and the 
 worst are those who do harm to them." 
 
 Blessed is the Man Who Forgets His Own Self- 
 interest. 
 
 "Blessed is the man who forgets his own self- 
 interest, like the Beloved Ones of the Threshold of 
 God, and throws the ball of resolution onto the race 
 ground of the common interest! Thus by the divine 
 bounty and heavenly assistance, he will cause the 
 glorious nation again to attain the Zenith of its for- 
 mer Grandeur, and these desolate regions to become 
 refreshed by new life! So that, as the Nature-renew- 
 ing Spring, he will give to the trees of Human souls 
 the Holy blessings of spiritual leaves, flowers and 
 fruits!" 
 
 The Causes of Disunion. 
 
 "The differences in languages cause disunion be- 
 tween nations. There must be one universal auxiliary 
 language. The diversity of Faiths is also a cause of 
 separation. The true foundations of all faiths must 
 be established, the outer differences abolished. 
 There must be a Oneness of Faith, i^m end all these 
 differences is a very hard task." 
 
 ^•^^^ 
 
 Differences Between Nations to Disappear. 
 
 "It is God's will that the differences between 
 nations should disappear. Those who help the 
 cause of Unity, are doing God's work. Unity is the 
 Divine Bounty of this brilliant century. Praise 
 be to God there are many Societies and many meet- 
 ings held for Unity. Hatred is not so much the 
 
41 
 
 cause of separation now as it used to be; the cause 
 of disunion now is mostly prejudice." 
 
 Unity of Mankind. 
 
 ''When one family is well united, great results are 
 obtained. If this circle of unity be widened so as 
 to include and control the interests of an entire vil- 
 lage to the extent that all the members of its pop- 
 ulation are fully united and in perfect accord, the 
 results will be proportionately greater; the fruits 
 thereof will be accordingly. 
 
 "Now widen the circle again! Let a city be united 
 and the results will be still greater. Widen the 
 circle yet more and have the people of a country 
 united; then, indeed, important results shall be forth- 
 coming. And if a Continent is fully united and will 
 unite all the other Continents, then is the time when 
 the greatest result shall be obtained. 
 
 "Now consider, if Spiritual Unity be accomplished, 
 what results will be forthcoming! If souls who are 
 sons of the Kingdom be united, great shall be the 
 results. Then the Divine Confirmations will become 
 fully established, and their hearts and spirits will 
 attain a remarkable illumination." 
 
 Different Uniting Powers. 
 
 "The existent world needs a uniting power to con,- 
 nect nations. There are various uniting powers in 
 the world. One is patriotism, as in America, 
 where people from different countries have united 
 and made a nation. Another means of union is war, 
 as when two nations unite to make war upon a third. 
 A third uniting power is self-benefit, as is seen in 
 trade and commerce. A fourth means of union is 
 that furnished by ideals, different nations or differ- 
 ent peoples having one aim or intention unite. All 
 these uniting powers are ineffective and perishable; 
 
42 
 
 the only uniting power which can connect all hearts 
 and last forever is faith in God and love for him. 
 This is the only enduring power, the one that never 
 perishes." 
 
 Universal Unity. 
 
 "It is plain and manifest that the surest means 
 towards the well-being and prosperity of men, and 
 towards the highest object of civilization, the liberty 
 of the citizen, are love and friendsnip and tne most 
 intimate union between all individuals of the human 
 race. Nothing in the world can be imagined or ren- 
 dered easy without union and agreement; ana tue 
 true divine religion is the most perfect cause of 
 friendship and union in the worla." 
 
 Peace the IVIost Important Problem of the Age. 
 
 "Today in the world of existence there is no more 
 important and greater cause than this Peace Move- 
 ment, for it is conducive to the promotion of happi- 
 ness in the commonwealth of humanity and is the 
 cause of tranquility of all the nations and countries 
 and the prosperity of the individuals of the human 
 world. What cause is greater than this? It is evi- 
 dent that it has the utmost importance, nay, rather, 
 it will be the cause of the illumination of the East 
 and the West and the reason for the manifestation 
 of the Countenance and the Face of God in the world 
 of humanity and the appearance of infinite affections." 
 
 International Peace Taught by Baha'o'llah Sixty 
 Years Ago. 
 
 "The matter of international peace was instituted 
 by His Highness, Baha'o'llah, sixty years ago in 
 Persia in the year 1851, A. D. From that time in- 
 numerable epistles and tablets were spread first in 
 
43 
 
 Persia and then in other parts of the world, until 
 about fifty years ago He clearly stated this matter 
 of universal peace in the Book of Akdas and has 
 commanded all the Bahais to serve faithfully with 
 heart and soul in this great cause, give up their 
 possessions and wealth for it and sacrifice their 
 lives in case of necessity. He has taught them to 
 spread the unity of nations and religions and pro- 
 claim in all the regions of the world the oneness 
 of the kingdom of humanity." 
 
 Internationa! Arbitration. 
 
 "About fifty years ago in the Book of Akdas, Baha- 
 'o'-llah commanded the people to establish the Uni- 
 versal Peace and summoned all the nations to the 
 Divine Banquet of International Arbitration so that 
 the questions of boundaries, of national honor and 
 property and of vital interests between nations might 
 be decided by an arbitral court of justice; and that no 
 nation dare to refuse to abide by their decisions. If 
 any quarrel arise between two nations it must be 
 adjudicated by this international court and be arbi- 
 trated and decided upon like the judgment rendered 
 by the judge between individuals. If at any time 
 any nation dares to break such a treaty all the other 
 nations must arise to put down this rebellion." 
 
 The Pursuit of the Art of Peace Instead of War. 
 
 "How many thousands of men there are, who, in- 
 stead of devoting themselves to the useful arts of 
 peace, are daily employing their keenness and indus- 
 try to the invention of new deadly instruments .of 
 war, which are to be the means of shedding the blood 
 of their fellow-creatures with greater facility and 
 profusion! Every day some such new and deadly 
 weapon is being invented and, as the old ones can- 
 not compete with the new, the European govern- 
 
44 
 
 ments are constantly being obliged to abandon the 
 older fashioned armaments and to make ready new 
 ones." 
 
 Establishment of the Court of Arbitration. 
 
 "Yea, the true civilization will raise its banner in 
 the center of the world, when some noble kings of 
 high ambitions, the bright Suns of the world of 
 humanitarian enthusiasm, shall, for the good ana 
 happiness of all the human race, step forth with 
 firm resolution and keen strength of mind and hold 
 a conference on the question of universal peace; 
 when keeping fast hold of the means of enforcing 
 their views they shall establish a union of the states 
 of the world, and conclude a definite treaty and strict 
 alliance between them upon conditions not to be 
 evaded. When the whole human race had been con- 
 sulted through their representatives and invited to 
 corroborate this treaty which verily would be ac- 
 counted sacred by all the peoples of the earth, it 
 would be the duty of the united powers of the world 
 to see that this great treaty should be strengthened 
 and should endure." 
 
 Establishing Universal Treaties between Nations. 
 
 "In such a universal treaty the limits of the bor- 
 ders and boundaries of every state should be fixed, 
 and the customs and laws of every government; all 
 the agreements and the affairs of state and the ar- 
 rangements between the various governments should 
 be propounded and settled in due form; the size of 
 the armaments for each government should like- 
 wise be definitely agreed upon, because if in the 
 case of any state there were to be an increase iv 
 the preparation for war, it would be a cause of alarni 
 to the other states. At any rate the basis of this 
 powerful alliance should be so fixed that, if one of 
 
45 
 
 the states afterwards broke any of the articles of 
 it, the rest of the nations of the world would rise 
 up and destroy it. Yea, the whole human race 
 would band its forces together to exterminate it." 
 
 International Police. 
 
 "If so great a remedy should be applied to the 
 sick body of the world, it would certainly be the 
 means of continually and permanently healing its 
 illness by the inculcation of universal moderation. 
 Reflect that, under such conditions of life, no 
 Government or Kingdom would need to prepare 
 and accumulate war materials, or would need to 
 pay heed to the invention of new weapons of offense 
 for the vexation and hurt of mankind. On the con- 
 trary, they would only require a few soldiers, as 
 a means of assuring the safety of the state and pun- 
 ishing the wicked and rebellious and preventing the 
 growth of civil sedition. Not more than these few 
 would be needed." 
 
 Man to Devote His Time to Useful Arts and Crafts 
 Instead of War. 
 
 "In the first place, therefore, the servants of God — 
 that is to say, all the inhabitants of a state — would 
 be freed from bearing the burden of the tremendous 
 expense of an army: in the second, the many persons 
 who now devote their lives to the invention of 
 fresh instruments of war would no longer waste 
 their time upon such work, which but encourages 
 ferocity and bloodthirstiness, and is repugnant to 
 the universal ideal of humanity — on the contrary, 
 they would then employ their natural gifts in the 
 cause of the general well-being and would contribute 
 towards the peace and salvation of mankind. All the 
 rulers of the world will then be settled on peaceful 
 thrones amid the glory of a perfect civilization, and 
 
46 
 
 all the nations and peoples will rest in the cradle of 
 peace and comfort." 
 
 Some Persons Think the Realization of Universal 
 Peace is Impossible. 
 
 "Some persons who are ignorant of the world of 
 true humanity and its high ambitions for the general 
 good, reckon such a glorious condition of life to be 
 very difficult, nay rather imposible to compass. But 
 it is not so. Far from it. For by the grace of God, 
 and by the testimony of the Beloved, those near the 
 threshold of the Creator, and by the incomparably » 
 high ambitions of the souls that are perfect, 
 and the thoughts and opinions of the wisest men of 
 the age, there never has been and is not now any- 
 thing improbable and impossible in existence. What 
 are required are the most resolved determination and 
 the most ardent enthusiasm. How many things 
 which in ancient times were regarded as impossibili- 
 ties, of such a kind that the intellect could hardly 
 conceive them, we now perceive to have become 
 quite simple and easy! Why then should this great 
 and important matter of universal peace, which is 
 verily the sun amongst the lights of civilization, the 
 cause of honor, freedom and salvation for all, be con- 
 sidered as something improbable of realization?" 
 
 Causes of the Honor and the Greatness of Man. 
 
 "It is evident that the honor and greatness of man 
 have not arisen through bloodthirstiness, the des- 
 truction of cities and kingdoms, the ruining and 
 murdering of armies and peoples. On the contrary 
 the cause of highmindednes and prosperity is based 
 upon the cherishing of justice and the sympathy of 
 one's fellow-citizens, from the highest to the lowest, 
 upon building up the kingdom, the cities and villages, 
 the suburbs and the country, and upon the freedom 
 
47 
 
 and quiet of the servants of God in laying down the 
 foundations of the principles of progress and in the 
 extension of the common weal, the increase of wealth 
 'and general prosperity." 
 
 Some Wars in the Past have Been the Foundation of 
 Peace. 
 
 "Yea, the expansion of the world and the subduing 
 thereof is praised; yea, even war is sometimes 
 the great foundation of peace, and destroying is the 
 cause of rebuilding. If, for example, a great sovereign 
 should wage war against a threatening foe, or for the 
 unification of the v/hole body of people and divided 
 kingdom he may urge the steed of resolution into the 
 race course of bravery and courage; in short, this war 
 may be essentially attuned to the melodies of peace; 
 and then verily this fury is kindness itself and this 
 opposition is the essence of justice itself and this war 
 is the source of reconciliation. Today, the true duty 
 of a powerful king is to establish a universal peace; 
 for verily it signifies the freedom of all the people of 
 the world." 
 
 Capital and Labor. 
 
 ''Some are too rich, some are too poor, some have 
 millions and some have nothing. An organization is 
 necessary to control this state of affairs. It is neces- 
 sary to limit riches and it is necessary to limit 
 poverty. Either extreme is wrong. There should be 
 a medium state. If it is right for a capitalist to 
 possess a great fortune, then it is also just that a 
 laborer should have jueans of existance. If poverty 
 is allowed to reach a condition of starvation it proves 
 that there is a tyranny. Men must see that this does 
 not happen in any case. There must be special laws. 
 The rich must give of their plenty. If they have 
 more than they need they must think of those who 
 are in want." 
 
48 
 Economic Laws are Needed. 
 
 "The Government of a Country should make laws 
 which conform to the Divine Law. The Law of God 
 exacts that there should be neither excessive wealth 
 nor excessive poverty/' 
 
 Interference with the Religious Beliefs of the People 
 Not Allowed. 
 
 "Interference with the religion and faith in every 
 country causes manifest detriment, while justice and 
 equal dealing towards all peoples on the face of the 
 earth are the means whereby progress is effected." 
 
 The Conscience of Man is Sacred. 
 
 "The conscience of man is sacred and to be re- 
 spected; and liberty thereof produces widening 
 of ideas, amendment of morals, improvement of con- 
 duct, disclosure of the secrets of creation, and mani- 
 festation of the hidden verities of the contingent 
 world." 
 
 Religion and Science. 
 
 "Religion is the basis of the happiness of the 
 world of humanity. Merciful attributes are the best 
 adornments for man. Science holds the next position 
 to Religion. Science is conducive to the happiness of 
 the world of humanity next in degree to Religion. 
 If a nation be well qualified with education and yet 
 dispossessed of good morals, it will not attain happi- 
 ness. If that same nation be dispossessed of educa- 
 tion, but possessed of moral training, it will be 
 capable of accomplishing philanthrophic deeds. When 
 Religion and Science go hand in hand, then will it be 
 light upon light" 
 
49 
 
 The Need of the Political Realm. 
 
 *'Two things are most necessary to the political 
 realm: 
 
 I. The Legislative Power. 
 
 II. The Executive Power. 
 
 "The center of the executive power is the govern- 
 ment, and the legislative power lies in the hands of 
 thoughtful and wise men. On the other hand, if these 
 strong pillars and firm foundations aire not complete 
 and comprehensive, how can it be supposed thart: there 
 will be safety and salvation for the nation? Thus it 
 is of the utmost importance to establish an assembly 
 of learned men, who, being proficient in the different 
 sciences and capable of dealing with all the present 
 and future requirements will settle the questions in 
 ajccordance with forbearance and firmness." 
 
 Observance of Justice. 
 
 "The characteristic of progress and self -perfecting 
 consists in the observance of justice and righteous- 
 ness." 
 
 Public Education. 
 
 "Another characteristic of progress consists in 
 the earnest and sincere development of public educa- 
 tion, in the teaching of all the useful sciences and in 
 encouraging the people to adopt the modern inven- 
 tions, in extending the spheres of the arts and com- 
 merce, and endeavoring to induce them to adopt 
 the methods by which the country may be enriched." 
 
 How Wealth Should be Used. 
 
 ^*Yea v©rily, wealth and riches are worthy of 
 
50 
 
 praise if they be justly partitioned amongst the na- 
 tion, but if some few be possesed of great riches, and 
 many be reduced to poverty, then is the rich man's 
 gold deprived of all its worth. But if great wealth 
 be employed in the propagation of science, in the 
 establishment of schools and colleges, in the nurture 
 of arts, and in the education of orphans and the care 
 of the needy, in brief, for the public benefit, then 
 shall its possessor be accounted great, both in the 
 sight of God and man." 
 
 Earning of Wealth. 
 
 N 
 
 "Riches are earned by personal effort with Divine 
 assistance, in various trades, agriculture and the 
 arts, and, rightly administered, are justly deserving 
 of praise, forasmuch as if a wise and discerning 
 man acquire them, they become a ready means of 
 benefit to the state." 
 
 Public Instruction. 
 
 "It is most clear and manifest that national affairs 
 wjll never revolve around their proper axis until the 
 whole people have received instruction, and public 
 thought has been directed to a single end." 
 
 Promotion of Education. 
 
 "The most important of all the matters in question, 
 and that with which it is most specially necessary 
 to deal effectively, is. the promotion of education." 
 
 Education the Cause of Freedom. 
 
 "No freedom or salvation could be imagined in 
 the case of any nation which had not progressed 
 in this greatest and most important point; just as 
 
51 
 
 the greatest cause of degradation and decadency of 
 every nation is bigotry and ignorance." 
 
 Compulsory Education. 
 
 "If necessary, make this even compulsory, for not 
 until the veins and tendons of the nation stir with life, 
 will any study and adoption of improvements be of 
 any avail, because the nation is like unto the body, 
 zeal and resolution are like unto the soul, so that the 
 soulless body cannot move." 
 
 National Academy. 
 
 "Certainly, if it were possible to gather together 
 the vigorous intellects and the far-seeing talents of 
 the most eminent men in the country, as well as the 
 perseverance and enthusiasm of the most prominent 
 statesmen and the persuasive strength of the most 
 intelligent and competent persons, who have knowl- 
 edge of the great laws governing political affairs; 
 and if with united endeavor and steadfastness they 
 were to consider and discuss both the highest gen- 
 eral principles and the smallest details; then per- 
 haps, as the result of fruitful and righteous delibera- 
 tion, there might be a general improvement in some 
 of the national concerns. But the counsellors would. 
 in most instances, be obliged to learn from other 
 countries, because, during several centuries, millions 
 of people lived and died, before the elements of 
 modern progress came into existence." 
 
 It is Right to Learn From Other Nations. 
 
 "It is as clear as noonday that it is lawful to ac- 
 nuire knowledge and the art of right government 
 from foreign nations, so the public attention may be 
 directed to these important questions and that these 
 
52 
 methods of reform may be made publicly known, and 
 that, in a short period, by God's help, the prudent 
 nation may become, chief amongst peoples." 
 
 Principles of True Civilization. 
 
 "No one must wonder at these statements, for the 
 chief, nay, the universal purpose of establishing by 
 great laws the principles and foundations of all kinds 
 of civilization, is the happiness of human beings; and 
 human happiness lies in being near to the 'Thres- 
 hold of the Almighty God,' and in the well-being of 
 all persons, whether of high or low station. And 
 the perfecting of the morals of humanity is the 
 chief means towards those ends. The outward trap- 
 pings of civilization, without inward moral advance- 
 ment, may be likened unto confused dreams which 
 cannot be interpreted; and sensual enjoyment, apart 
 from spiritual perfection, is like unto the mirage 
 which he that is athirst believes to be water. For, 
 the fulfilling of the will and pleasure of God, and 
 the advancement of the peace and well-being of the 
 people cannot be perfectly achieved by external civ- 
 ilization alone." 
 
 The Press to Advocate Ail-Embracing Good. 
 
 "A man begins with a little selfish view of Good 
 limited to himself; after a time, he learns more wis- 
 dom and his view of Good enlarges to his own house- 
 hold. Then, with more wisdom comes the realiza- 
 tion that Good must include his family, no matter 
 how large. Again more wisdom, and his family be- 
 comes his village, his village his city, and in turn, 
 his city his country. But this is not enough; as his 
 wisdom grows, his country becomes his continent, 
 and his continent the world; his family has become 
 mankind. It is the duty of the Press to teach this 
 wisdom to mankind, for it is the wisdom of God. It 
 Is the work of a tru« Press to teach this wisdom of 
 God." 
 
S3 
 
 Good and Bad Newspapers* 
 
 "Those newspapers which strive to sp^ak onlf that 
 which is truth, which hold the mirror up to truth, 
 are like the sun, they light the world everywhere 
 with truth and their work is imperishable. Those 
 who play for their own little selfish ends give no 
 true light to the world and perish of their own futility. 
 How were people to know the truth if it was veiled 
 from them in their journals?" 
 
 Attributes of the Members of Legislative Bodies. 
 
 "Firstly: The elected members must be God- 
 fearing, high-minded and followers of the law. 
 
 "Secondly: They should have an accurate know!* 
 edge of the Divine Commandments, of the most im- 
 portant fundamental matters and of the rules of the 
 loosing and binding of domestic affairs and foreign 
 relations; they should possess a knowledge of the 
 sciences and arts, necessary to civilization, and finally 
 be contented with the income derived from their 
 personal property." 
 
 Disastrous Results in Case the Members of Legis- 
 lative Bodies are Ignorant. 
 
 "But if, on the contrary, the members are mean, 
 ignorant, having no knowledge of political economy, 
 wanting in ambition, lacking in zeal, foolish, sloth- 
 ful, and seeking their personal or private advantages, 
 then no good can possibly result from Assemblies 
 so formed. Whereas, in former times, a poor man 
 had to give a gratuity to one individual in order to 
 obtain his rights, he might now be obliged to satisfy 
 the demands of the entire body." 
 
 The Establishment of National Parliament. 
 
 "It is clearly shown that establishment of such 
 
54 
 
 assemblies will lead to justice and piety. Of this 
 there can be no doubt. But what can bring the pur- 
 poses of the Ministers and elected members to light? 
 If they be men of sincere intention, good results and 
 unexpected improvements should certainly follow, 
 as a natural consequence; but if, on the other hand, 
 they are unworthy of their trust, evil results must 
 ensue." 
 
 Election of the Members of Legislative Bodies. 
 
 ''It seems to me, right, that the election of tem- 
 porary members of the assemblies of the kingdom 
 should depend upon the choice and satisfaction of the 
 public, for members elected by the people are pledged 
 to carry out their will, and to follow out their in- 
 structions." 
 
 Qualifications of the Officers of State. 
 
 "The ministers, and even the lowest officers of 
 state, must be completely purified from all suspicion, 
 and must assume the garment of chastity, and of 
 pure life. And the improved condition we so earn- 
 estly desire will not have been attained until the 
 regulation of public and private manners reach such 
 a degree of perfection that it becomes impossible for 
 any man to swerve one hair's breadth from the right 
 path, even should he endeavor to do so; so that all 
 government may be administered according to the 
 laws of equity and justice, and that the responsible 
 ministers find it impossible to swerve to the right 
 or to the left, and of necessity pursue the way of 
 righteousness." 
 
 The Relations Between the People and Their Rulers. 
 
good are capable of gross abuse; and depend upon 
 the opinion, capability, piety, truthfulness, benevo- 
 lence and the extent of zeal of the governed and 
 their rulers." 
 
 Perversion of Justice. 
 
 "All partiality and perversion of justice by bribery, 
 for personal liking or hatred, must be abolished, and 
 both sides should be heard without favor; neither 
 saould the wicked be justified, nor the innocent con- 
 demned." 
 
 The Value of Knowledge. 
 
 **The hidden treasures of kings cannot be com- 
 pared with a drop of the water of science; not with 
 the smallest cup of their learning; and the heaped-up 
 talents of gold and silver cannot be equal to the 
 solution of the least abstruse of their problems." 
 
 What Just Rulers Will Do. 
 
 "They will not seek wealth or self-advancement. 
 Those kings and rulers whose fame for just govern- 
 ment and greatness filled the world did not occupy 
 themselves alone with their personal ambition and 
 the acquirement of riches, but accounted the public 
 weal and the increase of the inhabitants of their 
 countries and the general treasury as their greatest 
 care. Their glory was not bought with gold or 
 s.xver, but was purchased by the soundness of their 
 principles and the nobility of their aspirations. Such 
 are those rulers who are benevolent and wise, whose 
 dignity and real happiness lie in the well being of 
 the public, whose ambition consists in diligently 
 searching after such things as will justify them and 
 their wealth and will bring happiness and peace upon 
 the people." 
 
56 
 
 The Qualities of the Learned iVIen. 
 
 "The learned men consider the pleasures of 
 nations as the playthings of children, and account 
 riches and worldly pomp the fit reward of the mean 
 and ignorant. Like the birds, they are content with 
 a few grains for their sustenance, but the melody of 
 their wisdom and their knowledge will excite the 
 astonishment of the intelligent and discerning among 
 the sages of the world." 
 
 Religion. 
 
 *'The brightness of life hangs on Religion; and the 
 progress, renown and happiness of people consist in 
 keeping the commandments of G-od's Holy Books. 
 To one who considers life as a whole, it is manifest 
 that in this world, regarded both materially and 
 spiritually, Religion embodies the chief, infrangible 
 foundation of things, and the highest, most righteous 
 and impregnable principles attainable in creation; it 
 embodies the whole of the ideal and formal perfec- 
 tions, and it is the controller of the civilization and 
 the prosperity of all mankind." 
 
 Religion the Foundation of the Society. 
 
 "Is religion the real fundamental principle of 
 humanity and civilization? or is it — as Voltaire and 
 such as he have thought it to be — the destroyer of 
 the essentials of the success, peace and well-being 
 of mankind?" 
 
 Sincerity the Basis of True Religion. 
 
 "At the bottom of religion is sincerity; to be more 
 explicit, the religious man must be free from all 
 personal hatred and should exert himself for the 
 good of the community. Only by the agency of true 
 
 *./%lio'4rkTi la if nnaaihiA fc\r mATi tjO r.lfkSA t.hftir at as to 
 
their own personal advantages and to sacrifice their 
 own personal benefit for the general well-being. For 
 self-love is inherent in the disposition of man, and 
 it is impossible for him to neglect his own casual 
 temporal advantages unless he has the hope of a 
 great proportionate reward in the next world." 
 
 Benefits of Mankind Through Religion. 
 
 "In brief, every benefit to mankind is obtained by 
 the graces of the Divine Religion, because it leads 
 the truly religious souls to sincere purposes, high 
 ambitions, spotless chastity and honor, kindliness 
 and mercy, fidelity to promise, freedom of rights 
 and liberality; justice to all classes and conditions 
 of men, manliness, generosity, courage, resolute en- 
 deavor and striving for the good of all the servants 
 of God. Furthermore, it induces the various pleas- 
 ing customs of humanity which are the bright candle 
 of civilization." 
 
 Religion the Cause of all Human Progress. 
 
 "Can it be said that the principles of the Divine 
 Religion are opposed to the giving of encouragement 
 and stimulation for the study of useful sciences and 
 the spreading of general education, a knowledge of 
 the practical advantages of natural philosophy, the 
 extension of the domain of handicrafts and the in- 
 crease of the materials of commerce and national 
 wealth? Or are the disposition of the military 
 forces in the cities, the planning of suburbs and 
 villages, the repairing of roads and bridges and the 
 construction of railways in order to facilitate the 
 means of transport and the traveling of the inhabi- 
 tants of a country — are these opposed and repugnant 
 to the Threshold of Unity? Or are the discovering 
 of abandoned mines which are a great source of 
 wealth to a state and nation, and the founding of 
 works and factories, which ape a means of well-being, 
 peace, and riches for a whole nation, the encourage- 
 
ment of the originating of new handicrafts, and the 
 advancement of the progress of home trade — are 
 these adverse to the commandments of the Lord of 
 Creation?" 
 
 MASHRAK-EL-AZKAR. 
 
 The Bahai Temple of Worship and its Accessories. 
 
 ''The accessories of the Mashrak-el-Azkar are 
 numerous; Among them are the School for Orphans, 
 the great College for the Higher Arts, Hospital, 
 Home for the Cripples, and Hospice. The doors of 
 these places are to be opened to all nations and 
 religions." 
 
 Bahai Temple of Worship is not only a Place of 
 Prayer. 
 
 "Although the Temple is the place of worship, with 
 it is connected the Hospital, Pharmacy, Hospice, 
 School for Orphans and University for the Study of 
 Higher Sciences." 
 
 The Bahai Temple Requires a Very Large Piece of 
 Ground. 
 
 "It requires a very large piece of ground so that 
 Hospitals, Colleges, Hospice, School for Orphans and 
 the Mashrak-El-Azkar for worship can be built. These 
 buildings must be on one piece of ground but 
 separated from each other by meadows and gardens." 
 
59 
 
 Mashrak-EI-Azkar's Design. 
 
 "The Mashrak-El-Azkar must have nine sides, doors, 
 fountains, paths, gateways, columns and gar'dens, 
 with the ground floor, galleries and dome and in 
 design and construction must be most beautiful and 
 artistic." 
 
 Mashrak-EI-Azkar is a Source for Dispensing the 
 Spiritual and Material Needs of Man. 
 
 "The most important point is that from the 
 Mashrak-El-Azkar must go forth not only spiritually 
 necessities, but also the material needs, such as 
 hospitals, schools, orphanages, hospices, etc." 
 
 The Accessories of the Mashrak-Ei-Azk'ar are the 
 Basic Foundations. 
 
 "The Mashrak-El-Azkar has important accessories 
 which are accounted as the basic foundations. 
 These are: School for Orphans, Hospital and Dis- 
 pensary for the Poor, Home for the Crippled, College 
 for the higher scientific education. In every place — 
 
 First, a Mashrak-El-Azkar must be formed. 
 
 Then a School for the Education of Orphans and 
 Poor. 
 
 Then a Hospital and Medical Dispensary must be 
 established. 
 
 Then a Home for the Crippled. 
 
 Then a College for Higher Scientific Education. 
 The Material Effect cfr the Mashrak-El-Azkar Upon 
 Civilization. 
 
 "The arrangement of the Mashrak-El-Azkar is such 
 that it will exert the greatest influence upon the 
 civilized world on account of its manv accessories. 
 Among them are the following: School for Orphans, 
 College for Higher Scientific Education, Hospital, 
 Home for the Cripples, and Hospice. When the 
 Mashrak-El-Azkar, with its accessories, is founded in 
 the world, aside from the religious and spiritual 
 influence, it will have a tremendous effect upon 
 civilization." 
 
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