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16 April 1912 |
Souls from the East and West have been brought together here
through the power of the Holy Spirit. Such a gathering as this
would be impossible through material means. A meeting of this
kind has never been established in New York, for here tonight we
find people from remote regions of the earth, associated with the
people of America in the utmost love and spiritual unity. This is
only possible through the power of God. Christ appeared in this
world nineteen hundred years ago to establish ties of unity and
bonds of love between the various nations and different communities.
He cemented together the sciences of Rome and the
splendors of the civilization of Greece. He also accomplished
affiliation between the Assyrian kingdom and the power of Egypt.
The blending of these nations in unity, love and agreement had
been impossible, but Christ through divine power established this
condition among the children of men.
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A much greater difficulty confronts us today when we endeavor
to establish unity between the Orient and the Occident. Bahá’u’lláh
through the power of heaven has brought the East and
the West together. Erelong we shall know that they have been
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cemented by the power of God. The oneness of the kingdom of
humanity will supplant the banner of conquest, and all communities
of the earth will gather under its protection. No nation
with separate and restricted boundaries—such as Persia, for instance—will exist. The United States of America will be known
only as a name. Germany, France, England, Turkey, Arabia—all
these various nations will be welded together in unity. When the
people of the future are asked, “To which nationality do you belong?”
the answer will be, “To the nationality of humanity. I am
living under the shadow of Bahá’u’lláh. I am the servant of
Bahá’u’lláh. I belong to the army of the Most Great Peace.” The
people of the future will not say, “I belong to the nation of England,
France or Persia”; for all of them will be citizens of a universal
nationality—the one family, the one country, the one world of
humanity—and then these wars, hatreds and strifes will pass
away.
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Bahá’u’lláh appeared in a country which was the center of prejudice.
In that country were many different communities, religions,
sects and denominations. All the animosities of past centuries
existed among them. They were ready to kill each other. They considered
the killing of others who did not agree with them in religious
belief an act of worship. Bahá’u’lláh established such unity
and agreement between these various communities that the
greatest love and amity are now witnessed among them.
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The body of the human world is sick. Its remedy and healing
will be the oneness of the kingdom of humanity. Its life is the Most
Great Peace. Its illumination and quickening is love. Its happiness
is the attainment of spiritual perfections. It is my wish and hope
that in the bounties and favors of the Blessed Perfection we may
find a new life, acquire a new power and attain to a wonderful and
supreme source of energy so that the Most Great Peace of divine
intention shall be established upon the foundations of the unity of
the world of men with God. May the love of God be spread from
this city, from this meeting to all the surrounding countries. Nay,
may America become the distributing center of spiritual enlightenment,
and all the world receive this heavenly blessing! For
America has developed powers and capacities greater and more
wonderful than other nations. While it is true that its people have
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attained a marvelous material civilization, I hope that spiritual
forces may animate this great body and a corresponding spiritual
civilization be established. May the inhabitants of this country become
like angels of heaven with faces turned continually toward
God. May all of them become the servants of the Omnipotent One.
May they rise from present material attainments to such a height
that heavenly illumination may stream from this center to all the
peoples of the world.
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The divine Jerusalem has come down from heaven. The bride of
Zion has appeared. The voice of the Kingdom of God has been
raised. May you attain supreme capacity and magnetic attraction in
this realm of might and power—manifesting new energy and wonderful
accomplishment, for God is your Assister and Helper. The
breath of the Holy Spirit is your comforter, and the angels of
heaven surround you. I desire this power for you. Rest assured that
these bounties now overshadow you.
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