Bahai Faith; Peace -- Religious aspects -- Bahai Faith
The revered minister read from the words of the Gospel, “I have yet many
things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the
Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” The century
has dawned when the Spirit of Truth can reveal these verities to mankind,
proclaim that very Word, establish the real foundations of Christianity
and deliver the nations and peoples from the bondage of forms and
imitations. The cause of discord, prejudice and animosity will be removed,
the basis of love and amity be established. Therefore, all of you must
strive with heart and soul in order that enmity may disappear entirely and
that strife and hatred pass away absolutely from the midst of the human
world. You must listen to the admonition of this Spirit of Truth. You must
follow the example and footprints of Jesus Christ. Read the Gospels. Jesus
Christ was mercy itself, was love itself. He even prayed in behalf of His
executioners—for those who crucified Him—saying, “Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do.” If they knew what they were doing, they
would not have done it. Consider how kind Jesus Christ was, that even upon
the cross He prayed for His oppressors. We must follow His example. We
must emulate the Prophets of God. We must follow Jesus Christ. We must
free ourselves from all these imitations which are the source of darkness
in the world.
I shall ask you a question: Did God create us for love or for enmity? Did
He create us for peace or discord? Surely He has created us for love;
therefore, we should live in accordance with His will. Do not listen to
anything that is prejudiced, for self-interest prompts men to be
prejudiced. They are thoughtful only of their own will and purposes. They
live and move in darkness. Consider how many different nations and
divergent religious beliefs existed when Christ appeared. Enmity and
strife prevailed among them—Romans, Greeks, Assyrians, Egyptians—all
warring and hostile toward each other. Christ, through the breaths of the
Holy Spirit, united them, established fellowship among them so that no
trace of strife remained. Under His standard they became united and lived
in peace through His teachings. Which is preferable and more commendable?
To follow the example of Jesus Christ or to manifest the satanic instinct?
Let us strive with all our powers to unite the East and West so that the
nations of the world may be advanced and that all may live according to
the one foundation of the religions of God. The essentials of the divine
religion are one reality, indivisible and not multiple. It is one. And
when through investigation we find it to be single, we have a basis for
the oneness of the world of humanity. I will pray for you, asking
confirmation and assistance in your behalf.
22 April 1912
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Parsons
1700 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Notes by Joseph H. Hannen
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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