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.
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.
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.
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.
I pray for you, that you may succeed in your aspirations and that the
bounties of the Kingdom may be yours.
FAREWELL RECEPTION: INTRODUCTION
On the evening of St. Michael’s day, a large farewell reception was given
to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the hall of the Passmore Edwards’ Settlement, which was
filled to its utmost capacity with representative people of every
profession, some coming from great distances.
On the platform surrounding ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were men of different shades of
thought, met to express their sympathy with the work and mission of their
great visitor. Professor Michael E. Sadler was in the chair.
The meeting began with the Lord’s Prayer spoken by the entire assembly;
this was followed by the prayer for Unity of Bahá’u’lláh and a prayer of
the fifth Century, ascribed to Pope Gelasius. Professor Sadler then spoke
in words that will never be forgotten by those who heard them; and in his
address used a quotation from a Universal Prayer, which had been submitted
by an earnest Bahá’í to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the year before in Egypt and which
had been completed by him and commended as one that could be used by
peoples of all faiths in the East and West.
The Chairman was followed by Sir Richard Stapley, Mr. Eric Hammond, Mr.
Claude Montefiore, Mrs. Stannard from Egypt, and others. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
left the hall, the poor people of the neighbourhood, crowded on the
pavement to see him and an eager-faced little lame girl on crutches was
specially brought to him.
MEETING OF FAREWELL TO ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ.
September 29th, 1911.
Reprinted by kind permission, from the Christian Commonwealth of
Oct. 4th.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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