Address given by Abdul Baha at the City Temple. [edit]
O NOBLE friends, seekers after God!
Praise be to God! To-day the light of
Truth is shining upon the world in its abundance;
the breezes of the heavenly garden are
blowing throughout all regions; the call of
the Kingdom is heard in all lands, and the
breath of the Holy Spirit is felt in all hearts
that are faithful. The Spirit of God is giving
eternal life. In this wonderful age the East
is enlightened, the West is fragrant, and
everywhere the soul inhales the holy perfume.
The sea of the unity of mankind is lifting up
its waves with joy, for there is real communication
between the hearts and minds of men.
The banner of the Holy Spirit is uplifted,
and men see it, and are assured with the
knowledge that this is a new day.
This is a new cycle of human power. All
the horizons of the world are luminous, and
the world will become indeed as a garden and[Page 4]
a paradise. It is the hour of unity of the sons
of men and of the drawing together of all races
and all classes. You are loosed from ancient
superstitions which have kept men ignorant,
destroying the foundations of true humanity.
The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion. War shall cease between nations, and by the will of God the Most Great Peace shall come; the world will be seen as a new world, and all men will live as brothers.
In the days of old an instinct for warfare was developed in the struggle with wild animals; this is no longer necessary; nay, rather, co-operation and mutual understanding are seen to produce the greatest welfare of mankind. Enmity is now the result of prejudice only.
In the “Hidden Words” Baha’u’llah says,
“Justice is to be loved above all.” Praise be
to God, in this country the standard of justice
has been raised; a great effort is being made
to give all souls an equal and a true place.
This is the desire of all noble natures; this
is to-day the teaching for the East and for the
West; therefore the East and the West will
understand each other and reverence each
[Page 5]
other, and embrace like long-parted lovers
who have found each other.
There is one God; mankind is one; the foundations of religion are one. Let us worship Him, and give praise for all His great Prophets and Messengers who have manifested His brightness and glory.
The blessing of the Eternal One be with you in all its richness, that each soul according to his measure may take freely of Him. Amen.
This Address is printed by kind permission, from the Christian Commonwealth of September 13th, 1911. Spoken by Abdul Baha in Persian from the City Temple pulpit, the above translation was then read to the congregation by Mr. W. Tudor-Pole.
