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Among the institutes of the Holy Books is that of the foundation of
places of worship. That is to say, an edifice or temple is to be built
in order that humanity might find a place of meeting, and this is to
be conducive to unity and fellowship among them. The real temple
is the very Word of God; for to it all humanity must turn, and it is
the center of unity for all mankind. It is the collective center, the
cause of accord and communion of hearts, the sign of the solidarity
of the human race, the source of eternal life. Temples are the
symbols of the divine uniting force so that when the people gather
there in the House of God they may recall the fact that the law
has been revealed for them and that the law is to unite them. They
will realize that just as this temple was founded for the unification
of mankind, the law preceding and creating it came forth in the
manifest Word. Jesus Christ, addressing Peter, said, "Thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." This utterance
was indicative of the faith of Peter, signifying: This faith of thine,
O Peter, is the very cause and message of unity to the nations; it
shall be the bond of union between the hearts of men and the
foundation of the oneness of the world of humanity. In brief, the
original purpose of temples and houses of worship is simply that
of unity--places of meeting where various peoples, different
races and souls of every capacity may come together in order that
love and agreement should be manifest between them. That is why
Bahá'u'lláh has commanded that a place of worship be built for all
the religionists of the world; that all religions, races and sects may
come together within its universal shelter; that the proclamation of
the oneness of mankind shall go forth from its open courts of
holiness--the announcement that humanity is the servant of God
and that all are submerged in the ocean of His mercy. It is the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkár. The world of existence may be likened to this
temple and place of worship. For just as the external world is a place
where the people of all races and colors, varying faiths, denominations
and conditions come together--just as they are submerged in
the same sea of divine favors--so, likewise, all may meet under the
dome of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár and adore the one God in the same
spirit of truth; for the ages of darkness have passed away, and the
century of light has come. Ignorant prejudices are being dispelled,
and the light of unity is shining. The differences existing between
nations and peoples will soon be annulled, and the fundamentals of
the divine religions, which are no other than the oneness and solidarity
of the human race, are being established. For thousands of
years the human race has been at war. It is enough. Now let mankind,
for a time at least, consort in amity and peace. Enmity and
hatred have ruled. Let the world, for a period, exercise love. For
thousands of years the nations have denied each other, considering
each other as infidel and inferior. It is sufficient. We must now
realize that we are the servants of one God, that we turn to one
beneficent Father, live under one divine law, seek one reality and
have one desire. Thus may we live in the utmost friendship and
love, and in return the favors and bounties of God shall surround
us; the world of humanity will be reformed; mankind, enjoy a new
life; eternal light will illumine, and heavenly moralities become
manifest.
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Then divine policy shall govern the world, for the divine policy
is the oneness of humanity. God is just and kind to all. He considers
all as His servants. He excludes none, and His judgments are
correct and true. No matter how complete human policy and
foresight may appear, they are imperfect. If we do not seek the
counsel of God or if we refuse to follow His dictates, it is presumptive
evidence that we are knowing and wise, whereas God is ignorant;
that we are sagacious and God is not. God forbid! We seek
shelter in His mercy for this suggestion! No matter how far the
human intelligence may advance, it is still but a drop, while divine
omniscience is the ocean. Shall we say that a drop is imbued or
endowed with qualities of which the ocean is devoid? Shall we believe
that the policy and plan of this atom of a human soul are
superior to the wisdom of the Omniscient? There is no greater ignorance
than this. Briefly, some are mere children; with the utmost
love we must educate them to make them wise. Others are sick and
ailing; we must tenderly treat them until they recover. Some have
unworthy morals; we must train them toward the standard of true
morality. Other than this we are all the servants of one God and
under the providence and protection of one Father.
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