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24 April 1912 |
A meeting such as this seems like a beautiful cluster of precious
jewels—pearls, rubies, diamonds, sapphires. It is a source of joy
and delight. Whatever is conducive to the unity of the world of
mankind is most acceptable and praiseworthy; whatever is the
cause of discord and disunion is saddening and deplorable. Consider
the significance of unity and harmony.
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This evening I will speak to you upon the subject of existence
and nonexistence, life and death. Existence is the expression and
outcome of composition and combination. Nonexistence is the expression
and outcome of division and disintegration. If we study
the forms of existence in the material universe, we find that all
created things are the result of composition. Material elements
have grouped together in infinite variety and endless forms. Each
organism is a compound; each object is an expression of elemental
affinity. We find the complex human organism simply an aggregation
of cellular structure; the tree is a composite of plant cells; the
animal, a combination and grouping of cellular atoms or units, and
so on. Existence or the expression of being is, therefore, composition;
and nonexistence is decomposition, division, disintegration.
When elements have been brought together in a certain plan
of combination, the result is the human organism; when these elements
separate and disperse, the outcome is death and nonexistence.
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Life is, therefore, the product of composition; and death
signifies decomposition.
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Likewise, in the world of minds and souls, fellowship, which is
an expression of composition, is conducive to life, whereas discord,
which is an expression of decomposition, is the equivalent of
death. Without cohesion among the individual elements which
compose the body politic, disintegration and decay must inevitably
follow and life be extinguished. Ferocious animals have no fellowship.
The vultures and tigers are solitary, whereas domestic animals
live together in complete harmony. The sheep, black and
white, associate without discord. Birds of various species and colors
wing their flight and feed together without a trace of enmity or
disagreement. Therefore, in the world of humanity it is wise and
seemly that all the individual members should manifest unity and
affinity. In the clustered jewels of the races may the blacks be as
sapphires and rubies and the whites as diamonds and pearls. The
composite beauty of humanity will be witnessed in their unity and
blending. How glorious the spectacle of real unity among mankind!
How conducive to peace, confidence and happiness if races
and nations were united in fellowship and accord! The Prophets of
God were sent into the world upon this mission of unity and agreement:
that these long-separated sheep might flock together. When
the sheep separate, they are exposed to danger, but in a flock and
under protection of the shepherd they are safe from the attack of all
ferocious enemies.
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When the racial elements of the American nation unite in actual
fellowship and accord, the lights of the oneness of humanity will
shine, the day of eternal glory and bliss will dawn, the spirit of
God encompass, and the divine favors descend. Under the leadership
and training of God, the real Shepherd, all will be protected
and preserved. He will lead them in green pastures of happiness
and sustenance, and they will attain to the real goal of existence.
This is the blessing and benefit of unity; this is the outcome of love.
This is the sign of the Most Great Peace; this is the star of the oneness
of the human world. Consider how blessed this condition will
be. I pray for you and ask the confirmation and assistance of God
in your behalf.
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