|
Paris Talks
|
Pages 163-168
|
|
THE ELEVENTH PRINCIPLE--THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4 Avenue de Camöens, Paris,
November 18th
| |
1 |
In the teaching of Bahá'u'lláh, it is written: `By the
Power of the Holy Spirit alone is man able to
progress, for the power of man is limited and the
Divine Power is boundless.' The reading of history
brings us to the conclusion that all truly great men, the
benefactors of the human race, those who have moved
men to love the right and hate the wrong and who
have caused real progress, all these have been inspired
by the force of the Holy Spirit.
| |
2 |
The Prophets of God have not all graduated in the
schools of learned philosophy; indeed they were often
men of humble birth, to all appearance ignorant, unknown
men of no importance in the eyes of the world;
sometimes even lacking the knowledge of reading and
writing.
| |
3 |
That which raised these great ones above men, and
by which they were able to become Teachers of the
truth, was the power of the Holy Spirit. Their influence
on humanity, by virtue of this mighty inspiration,
was great and penetrating.
| |
4 |
The influence of the wisest philosophers, without this
Spirit Divine, has been comparatively unimportant,
however extensive their learning and deep their
scholarship.
| |
5 |
The unusual intellects, for instance, of Plato, Aristotle,
Pliny and Socrates, have not influenced men so
greatly that they have been anxious to sacrifice their
lives for their teachings; whilst some of those simple
men so moved humanity that thousands of men have
become willing martyrs to uphold their words; for
these words were inspired by the Divine Spirit of God!
The prophets of Judah and Israel, Elijah, Jeremiah,
Isaiah and Ezekiel, were humble men, as were also
the apostles of Jesus Christ.
| |
6 |
Peter, the chief of the apostles, used to divide the
proceeds of his fishing into seven parts, and when,
having taken one part for each day's use, he arrived
at the seventh portion, he knew it was the Sabbath day.
Consider this! and then think of his future position;
to what glory he attained because the Holy Spirit
wrought great works through him.
| |
7 |
We understand that the Holy Spirit is the energizing
factor in the life of man. Whosoever receives this
power is able to influence all with whom he comes into
contact.
| |
8 |
The greatest philosophers without this Spirit are
powerless, their souls lifeless, their hearts dead! Unless
the Holy Spirit breathes into their souls, they can do no
good work. No system of philosophy has ever been
able to change the manners and customs of a people
for the better. Learned philosophers, unenlightened by
the Divine Spirit, have often been men of inferior
morality; they have not proclaimed in their actions
the reality of their beautiful phrases.
| |
9 |
The difference between spiritual philosophers and
others is shown by their lives. The Spiritual Teacher
shows His belief in His own teaching, by Himself being
what He recommends to others.
| |
10 |
An humble man without learning, but filled with
the Holy Spirit, is more powerful than the most nobly-born
profound scholar without that inspiration. He
who is educated by the Divine Spirit can, in his time,
lead others to receive the same Spirit.
| |
11 |
I pray for you that you may be informed by the life
of the Divine Spirit, so that you may be the means of
educating others. The life and morals of a spiritual
man are, in themselves, an education to those who
know him.
| |
12 |
Think not of your own limitations, dwell only on
the welfare of the Kingdom of Glory. Consider the
influence of Jesus Christ on His apostles, then think of
their effect upon the world. These simple men were
enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the
glad tidings!
| |
13 |
So may you all receive Divine assistance! No capacity
is limited when led by the Spirit of God!
| |
14 |
The earth of itself has no properties of life, it is
barren and dry, until fertilized by the sun and the rain;
still the earth need not bewail its own limitations.
| |
15 |
May you be given life! May the rain of the Divine
Mercy and the warmth of the Sun of Truth make your
gardens fruitful, so that many beautiful flowers of exquisite
fragrance and love may blossom in abundance.
Turn your faces away from the contemplation of your
own finite selves and fix your eyes upon the Everlasting
Radiance; then will your souls receive in full measure
the Divine Power of the Spirit and the Blessings of the
Infinite Bounty.
| |
16 |
If you thus keep yourselves in readiness, you will
become to the world of humanity a burning flame, a
star of guidance, and a fruitful tree, changing all its
darkness and woe into light and joy by the shining
of the Sun of Mercy and the infinite blessings of the
Glad Tidings.
| |
17 |
This is the meaning of the power of the Holy Spirit,
which I pray may be bountifully showered upon you.
4 Avenue de Camöens, Paris,
November 28th
| |
18 |
In these gatherings where we have met and spoken
together you have all become acquainted with the
principles of this dispensation, and with the reality of
facts. Unto you it has been given to know these things,
but there are many still unenlightened and submerged
in superstition. They have heard but little of this great
and glorious Cause, and the knowledge they have is
for the most part based only on hearsay. Alas, poor
souls, the knowledge they have is not based on truth,
the foundation of their belief is not the teaching of
Bahá'u'lláh! There is, assuredly, a certain amount
of truth in what they have been told, but for the most
part their information has been inaccurate.
| |
19 |
The true principles of the blessed Cause of God are
the eleven rules which I have given you, and I have
carefully explained these, one by one.
| |
20 |
You must endeavour always to live and act in direct
obedience to the teachings and laws of Bahá'u'lláh,
so that every individual may see in all the acts of your
life that in word and in deed you are followers of the
Blessed Perfection.
| |
21 |
Exert yourselves so that this glorious teaching may
encircle the globe, and that spirituality may be infused
into the hearts of men.
| |
22 |
The breath of the Holy Spirit shall confirm you, and
although many will arise against you, they shall not
prevail!
| |
23 |
When the Lord Christ was crowned with thorns,
He knew that all the diadems of the world were at His
feet. All earthly crowns, however brilliant, powerful
and resplendent, bowed in adoration before the crown
of thorns! It was from this sure and certain knowledge
He spoke, when He said: `All power is given unto
Me, in Heaven and in earth'.
[1]
| |
24 |
Now I say unto you, bear this on your hearts and in
your minds. Verily your light shall illumine the whole
world, your spirituality shall affect the heart of things.
You shall in truth become the lighted torches of the
globe. Fear not, neither be dismayed, for your light
shall penetrate the densest darkness. This is the Promise
of God, which I give unto you. Rise! and serve the
Power of God!
| |
|
Notes
1. [Matthew xviii, 18.]
|
|