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`Abdu'l-Bahá in London
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Pages 26-30
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Discourse of `Abdu'l-Bahá given at the Theosophical Head Quarters. September 30th, 1911.
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O RESPECTED Assembly! O friends of
Truth! The inherent nature of fire is to
burn, the inherent nature of electricity
is to give light, the inherent nature of
the sun is to shine, and the inherent nature of the
organic earth is the power of growth.
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There is no separation between a thing and its
inherent qualities.
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It is the inherent nature of things on this earth
to change, thus we see around us the change of
the seasons. Every spring is followed by a summer
and every autumn brings a winter--every day a
night and every evening a morning. There is a
sequence in all things.
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Thus when hatred and animosity, fighting,
slaughtering, and great coldness of heart were
governing this world, and darkness had overcome
the nations, Bahá'u'lláh, like a bright star, rose
from the horizon of Persia and shone with the
great Light of Guidance, giving heavenly
radiance and establishing the new Teaching.
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He declared the most human virtues; He
manifested the Spiritual powers, and put them
into practice in the world around Him.
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Firstly: He lays stress on the search for Truth.
This is most important, because the people are
too easily led by tradition. It is because of this
that they are often antagonistic to each other, and
dispute with one another.
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But the manifesting of Truth discovers the
darkness and becomes the cause of Oneness of
faith and belief: because Truth cannot be two!
That is not possible.
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Secondly: Bahá'u'lláh taught the Oneness of
humanity; that is to say, all the children of men
are under the mercy of the Great God. They are
the sons of one God; they are trained by God. He
has placed the crown of humanity on the head of
every one of the servants of God. Therefore all
nations and peoples must consider themselves
brethren. They are all descendants from Adam.
They are the branches, leaves, flowers and fruits
of One Tree. They are pearls from one shell. But
the children of men are in need of education and
civilization, and they require to be polished, till
they become bright and shining.
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Man and woman both should be educated
equally and equally regarded.
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It is racial, patriotic, religious and class
prejudice, that has been the cause of the
destruction of Humanity.
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Thirdly: Bahá'u'lláh taught, that Religion is the
chief foundation of Love and Unity and the cause
of Oneness. If a religion become the cause of
hatred and disharmony, it would be better that it
should not exist. To be without such a religion is
better than to be with it.
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Fourthly: Religion and Science are inter-twined
with each other and cannot be separated. These
are the two wings with which humanity must fly.
One wing is not enough. Every religion which
does not concern itself with Science is mere
tradition, and that is not the essential. Therefore
science, education and civilization are most
important necessities for the full religious life.
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Fifthly: The Reality of the divine Religions is
one, because the Reality is one and cannot be two.
All the prophets are united in their message, and
unshaken. They are like the sun; in different
seasons they ascend from different rising points
on the horizon. Therefore every ancient prophet
gave the glad tidings of the future, and every
future has accepted the past.
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Sixthly: Equality and Brotherhood must be
established among all members of mankind. This
is according to Justice. The general rights of
mankind must be guarded and preserved.
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All men must be treated equally. This is
inherent in the very nature of humanity.
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Seventhly: The arrangements of the circumstances
of the people must be such that poverty
shall disappear, and that every one as far as
possible, according to his position and rank, shall
be comfortable. Whilst the nobles and others in
high rank are in easy circumstances, the poor also
should be able to get their daily food and not be
brought to the extremities of hunger.
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Eighthly: Bahá'u'lláh declared the coming of
the Most Great Peace. All the nations and peoples
will come under the shadow of the Tent of the
Great Peace and Harmony--that is to say, by
general election a Great Board of Arbitration
shall be established, to settle all differences and
quarrels between the Powers; so that disputes
shall not end in war.
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Ninthly: Bahá'u'lláh taught that hearts must
receive the Bounty of the Holy Spirit, so that
Spiritual civilization may be established. For
material civilization is not adequate for the needs
of mankind and cannot be the cause of its
happiness. Material civilization is like the body
and spiritual civilization is like the soul. Body
without soul cannot live.
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This is a short summary of the Teachings of
Bahá'u'lláh. To establish this Bahá'u'lláh underwent
great difficulties and hardships. He was in
constant confinement and He suffered great
persecution. But in the fortress (Akká) He reared
a spiritual palace and from the darkness of His
prison He sent out a great light to the world.
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It is the ardent desire of the Bahá'ís to put these
teachings into common practice: and they will
strive with soul and heart to give up their lives for
this purpose, until the heavenly light brightens
the whole world of humanity.
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I am very happy that I have been able to talk
with you in this gathering: and hope that this
deep consciousness of mine is acceptable to you.
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I pray for you, that you may succeed in your
aspirations and that the bounties of the Kingdom
may be yours.
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