,compilation on ,peace by ,research ,department of the ,universal ,house of ,justice ,edition #a1 7,september #bjjf7 ,,baha',i ,,terms ,,of ,,use ,you have permission to freely make and use copies of the text and any other information 7,content7 available on this ,site including printing1 emailing1 posting1 distributing1 copying1 downloading1 uploading1 transmitting1 displaying the ,content in whole or in part subject to the following3 #a4 ,our copyright notice and the source reference must be attached to the ,content2 #b4 ,the ,content may not be modified or altered in any way except to change the font or appearance2 #c4 ,the ,content must be used solely for a non-commercial purpose4 ,although this blanket permission to reproduce the ,content is given freely such that no special permission is required1 the ,bah' ,international ,community retains full copyright protection for all ,content included at this ,site under all applicable national and international laws4 ,for permission to publish1 transmit1 display or otherwise use the ,content for any commercial purpose1 please contact us 7http3_/_/reference4bahai4org_/en_/conta ct4html74 ,,contents ,baha'i ,terms of ,use ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,writings ,,of ,,bah',u',,ll,h #a3 ,this is the ,day in which ,god's most excellent favours have been poured444 #b3 ,god's purpose in sending ,his ,prophets unto men is twofold4 ,the first is to444 #c3 ,o ye that dwell on earth6 ,the distinguishing feature that marketh the444 #d3 ,the ,great ,being1 wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and444 #e3 ,o ye rulers of the earth6 ,wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of the444 #f3 ,the well-being of mankind1 its peace and security1 are unattainable unless444 #g3 ,we pray ,god--exalted be ,his glory--and cherish the hope that ,he may444 #h3 ,the sixth ,glad-,tidings is the establishment of the ,lesser ,peace1 details444 #i3 444 ,in all matters moderation is desirable4 ,if a thing is carried to444 #aj3 ,first3 ,it is incumbent upon the ministers of the ,house of ,justice to444 #aa3 ,in the abundance of ,our grace and loving-kindness ,we have revealed specially444 #ab3 444 ,they that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority and444 #ac3 ,we have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the ,most ,great ,peace--the444 #ad3 ,the purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of ,god's holy ,will is444 #ae3 ,our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will444 #af3 ,take ye counsel together1 and let your concern be only for that which444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,utterances ,,of ,,bah',u',,ll,h #ag3 444 ,praise be to ,god that thou hast attained6444 ,thou hast come to see a444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,writings ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah #ah3 ,know thou that all the powers combined have not the power to establish444 #ai3 ,rest thou assured that in this era of the spirit1 the ,kingdom of ,peace will444 #bj3 ,so long as these prejudices religious1 racial1 national1 political survive1444 #ba3 ,at present universal peace is a matter of great importance1 but unity of444 #bb3 ,true civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost heart of the world444 #bc3 ,in cycles gone by1 though harmony was established1 yet1 owing to the444 #bd3 444every great ,cause in this world of existence findeth visible expression444 #be3 ,as far as possible1 rest thou not for a moment1 travel to the ,north and444 #bf3 ,chaos and confusion are daily increasing in the world4 ,they will attain444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,utterances ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah #bg3 ,today the world of humanity is in need of international unity and444 #bh3 ,we will pray that the ensign of international peace may be uplifted and that444 #bi3 ,today the greatest need of the world of humanity is discontinuance of the444 #cj3 444because ,i find the ,american nation so capable of achievement and this444 #ca3 ,in past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been444 #cb3 ,all of us know that international peace is good1 that it is conducive to human444 #cc3 ,this has come to pass4 ,the powers of earth cannot withstand the444 #cd3 ,the most momentous question of this day is international peace and444 #ce3 ,now the glorious and brilliant twentieth century has dawned1 and the divine444 #cf3 ,he promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and444 #cg3 ,the world is in greatest need of international peace4 ,until it is444 #ch3 ,i find these two great ,american nations the ,united ,states and ,canada highly444 #ci3 ,the world of humanity is possessed of two wings3 the male and the female4444 #dj3 ,a ,supreme ,tribunal shall be elected by the peoples and governments of444 #da3 ,a ,supreme ,tribunal shall be established by the peoples and ,governments of444 #db3 ,as to the question of disarmament1 all nations must disarm at the same444 #dc3 ,once the ,parliament of ,man is established and its constituent parts444 #dd3 ,every century holds the solution of one predominating problem4 ,although444 #df3 ,by what process1 continued the questioner1 will this peace on earth be444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,writings ,,of ,,shoghi ,,effendi #dg3 ,dearly-beloved friends6 ,humanity1 whether viewed in the light of man's444 #dh3 ,no machinery falling short of the standard inculcated by the ,bah'444 #di3 ,the world-shaking ordeal which ,bah'u'llh1 as quoted in the foregoing pages1444 #ej3 ,the world is1 in truth1 moving on towards its destiny4 ,the444 #ea3 ,the principle of collective security ,he ,bah'u'llh unreservedly urges2444 #eb3 ,during this ,formative ,age of the ,faith1 and in the course of the present444 #ec3 ,the raising of this ,edifice will in turn herald the construction1 in the444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,letters ,,written ,,on ,,behalf ,,of ,,shoghi ,,effendi #ed3 ,the world is in great turmoil1 and what is most pathetic is that it has learned444 #ee3 ,shoghi ,effendi wrote his last general letter to the western friends444 #ef3 ,shoghi ,effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated444 #eg3 ,the different nations of the world will never attain peace except after444 #eh3 ,the ,guardian has also read with deep interest all the enclosed papers4 ,he444 #ei3 ,whatever our shortcomings may be1 and however formidable the forces of darkness444 #fj3 ,as regards the ,international ,executive referred to by the ,guardian in his444 #fa3 ,in connection with your teaching work3 what the ,guardian wishes you to444 #fb3 ,with reference to your question concerning #8,abdu'l-,bah's reference to444 #fc3 ,as regards your teaching work3 the ,guardian has already advised you to444 #fd3 ,with reference to the question you have asked concerning the time and444 #fe3 ,though it is premature to try and endeavour to foresee on what basis444 #ff3 ,what #8,abdu'l-,bah meant about the women arising for peace is that this is a444 #fg3 ,the ,seven ,lights of ,unity will not necessarily appear in the order given4444 #fh3 ,the teachings of ,bah'u'llh will establish a new way of life for444 #fi3 ,world government will come1 but we do not know the date4444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,letters ,,of ,,the ,,universal ,,house ,,of ,,justice #gj3 ,when ,bah'u'llh proclaimed ,his ,message to the world in the nineteenth444 #ga3 ,it is true that #8,abdu'l-,bah made statements linking the establishment of444 ,,extracts ,,from ,,letters ,,written ,,on ,,behalf ,,of ,,the ,,universal ,,house ,,of ,,justice #gb3 444the ,bah' ,faith aims to eliminate all war1 including nuclear4 ,the fundamental444 #gc3 ,at the present time1 the subject of nuclear disarmament has become very444 #gd3 ,concerning the transition from the present system of national sovereignty444 #ge3 ,it is true that ,bah's are not pacifists since we uphold the use of force in444 #gf3 ,bah'u'llh's principal mission in appearing at this time in human history ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,writings ,,of ,,bah',u',,ll,h #a3 ,this is the ,day in which ,god's most excellent favours have been poured444 ,this is the ,day in which ,god's most excellent favours have been poured out upon men1 the ,day in which ,his most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things4 ,it is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences1 and1 with perfect unity and peace1 abide beneath the shadow of the ,tree of ,his care and loving-kindness4 ,it behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will1 in this ,day1 be conducive to the exaltation of their stations1 and to the promotion of their best interests4444 78,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh01 rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihc71 p4 #f7 #a #b3 ,god's purpose in sending ,his ,prophets unto men is twofold4 ,the first is to444 ,god's purpose in sending ,his ,prophets unto men is twofold4 ,the first is to liberate the children of men from the darkness of ignorance1 and guide them to the light of true understanding4 ,the second is to ensure the peace and tranquillity of mankind1 and provide all the means by which they can be established4 78,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh01 pp4 #gi-hj7 #b #c3 ,o ye that dwell on earth6 ,the distinguishing feature that marketh the444 ,o ye that dwell on earth6 ,the distinguishing feature that marketh the preeminent character of this ,supreme ,revelation consisteth in that ,we have 444 laid down the essential prerequisites of concord1 of understanding1 of complete and enduring unity4 ,well is it with them that keep ,my statutes4 78,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh01 p4 #ig7 #c #d3 ,the ,great ,being1 wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and444 ,the ,great ,being1 wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquillity of the world and the advancement of its peoples1 hath written3 ,the time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast1 an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized4 ,the rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it1 and1 participating in its deliberations1 must consider such ways and means as will lay the foundations of the world's ,great ,peace amongst men4 ,such a peace demandeth that the ,great ,powers should resolve1 for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth1 to be fully reconciled among themselves4 ,should any king take up arms against another1 all should unitedly arise and prevent him4 ,if this be done1 the nations of the world will no longer require any armaments1 except for the purpose of preserving the security of their realms and of maintaining internal order within their territories4 ,this will ensure the peace and composure of every people1 government and nation4 ,we fain would hope that the kings and rulers of the earth1 the mirrors of the gracious and almighty name of ,god1 may attain unto this station1 and shield mankind from the onslaught of tyranny4 444,the day is approaching when all the peoples of the world will have adopted one universal language and one common script4 ,when this is achieved1 to whatsoever city a man may journey1 it shall be as if he were entering his own home4 ,these things are obligatory and absolutely essential4 ,it is incumbent upon every man of insight and understanding to strive to translate that which hath been written into reality and action4444 ,that one indeed is a man who1 today1 dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race4 ,the ,great ,being saith3 ,blessed and happy is he that ariseth to promote the best interests of the peoples and kindreds of the earth4 ,in another passage ,he hath proclaimed3 ,it is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country1 but rather for him who loveth the whole world4 ,the earth is but one country1 and mankind its citizens4 78,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh01 pp4 #bdi-bej7 #d #e3 ,o ye rulers of the earth6 ,wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of the444 ,o ye rulers of the earth6 ,wherefore have ye clouded the radiance of the ,sun1 and caused it to cease from shining8 ,hearken unto the counsel given you by the ,pen of the ,most ,high1 that haply both ye and the poor may attain unto tranquillity and peace4 ,we beseech ,god to assist the kings of the earth to establish peace on earth4 ,he1 verily1 doth what ,he willeth4 ,o kings of the earth6 ,we see you increasing every year your expenditures1 and laying the burden thereof on your subjects4 ,this1 verily1 is wholly and grossly unjust4 ,fear the sighs and tears of this ,wronged ,one1 and lay not excessive burdens on your peoples4 ,do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves2 nay rather choose for them that which ye choose for yourselves4 ,thus ,we unfold to your eyes that which profiteth you1 if ye but perceive4 ,your people are your treasures4 ,beware lest your rule violate the commandments of ,god1 and ye deliver your wards to the hands of the robber4 ,by them ye rule1 by their means ye subsist1 by their aid ye conquer4 ,yet1 how disdainfull ye look y upon them6 ,how strange1 how very strange6 ,now that ye have refused the ,most ,great ,peace1 hold ye fast unto this1 the ,lesser ,peace1 that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependents4 ,o rulers of the earth6 ,be reconciled among yourselves1 that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and dominions4 ,beware lest ye disregard the counsel of the ,all-,knowing1 the ,faithful4 ,be united1 ,o kings of the earth1 for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you1 and your peoples find rest1 if ye be of them that comprehend4 ,should any one among you take up arms against another1 rise ye all against him1 for this is naught but manifest justice4 78,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh01 pp4 #bec-bed7 #e #f3 ,the well-being of mankind1 its peace and security1 are unattainable unless444 ,the well-being of mankind1 its peace and security1 are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established4 ,this unity can never be achieved so long as the counsels which the ,pen of the ,most ,high hath revealed are suffered to pass unheeded4 78,gleanings from the ,writings of ,bah'u'llh01 p4 #bhf7 #f #g3 ,we pray ,god--exalted be ,his glory--and cherish the hope that ,he may444 ,we pray ,god--exalted be ,his glory--and cherish the hope that ,he may graciously assist the manifestations of affluence and power and the daysprings of sovereignty and glory1 the kings of the earth--may ,god aid them through ,his strengthening grace--to establish the ,lesser ,peace4 ,this1 indeed1 is the greatest means for ensuring the tranquillity of the nations4 ,it is incumbent upon the ,sovereigns of the world--may ,god assist them--unitedly to hold fast unto this ,peace1 which is the chief instrument for the protection of all mankind4 ,it is ,our hope that they will arise to achieve what will be conducive to the well-being of man4 ,it is their duty to convene an all-inclusive assembly1 which either they themselves or their ministers will attend1 and to enforce whatever measures are required to establish unity and concord amongst men4 ,they must put away the weapons of war1 and turn to the instruments of universal reconstruction4 ,should one king rise up against another1 all the other kings must arise to deter him4 ,arms and armaments will1 then1 be no more needed beyond that which is necessary to ensure the internal security of their respective countries4 ,if they attain unto this all-surpassing blessing1 the people of each nation will pursue1 with tranquillity and contentment1 their own occupations1 and the groanings and lamentations of most men would be silenced4 ,we beseech ,god to aid them to do ,his will and pleasure4 ,he1 verily1 is the ,lord of the throne on high and of earth below1 and the ,lord of this world and of the world to come4 ,it would be preferable and more fitting that the highly-honoured kings themselves should attend such an assembly1 and proclaim their edicts4 ,any king who will arise and carry out this task1 he1 verily will1 in the sight of ,god1 become the cynosure of all kings4 ,happy is he1 and great is his blessedness6 78,epistle to the ,son of the ,wolf01 rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihh71 pp4 #cj-ca7 #g #h3 ,the sixth ,glad-,tidings is the establishment of the ,lesser ,peace1 details444 ,the sixth ,glad-,tidings is the establishment of the ,lesser ,peace1 details of which have formerly been revealed from ,our ,most ,exalted ,pen4 ,great is the blessedness of him who upholdeth it and observeth whatsoever hath been ordained by ,god1 the ,all-,knowing1 the ,all-,wise4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh ,revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihh71 p4#bc7 #h #i3 444 ,in all matters moderation is desirable4 ,if a thing is carried to444 444 ,in all matters moderation is desirable4 ,if a thing is carried to excess1 it will prove a source of evil4 ,consider the civilization of the ,west1 how it hath agitated and alarmed the peoples of the world4 ,an infernal engine hath been devised1 and hath proved so cruel a weapon of destruction that its like none hath ever witnessed or heard4 ,the purging of such deeply-rooted and overwhelming corruptions cannot be effected unless the peoples of the world unite in pursuit of one common aim and embrace one universal faith4 ,incline your ears unto the ,call of this ,wronged ,one and adhere firmly to the ,lesser ,peace4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 p4 #fi7 #i #aj3 ,first3 ,it is incumbent upon the ministers of the ,house of ,justice to444 ,first3 ,it is incumbent upon the ministers of the ,house of ,justice to promote the ,lesser ,peace so that the people of the earth may be relieved from the burden of exorbitant expenditures4 ,this matter is imperative and absolutely essential1 inasmuch as hostilities and conflict lie at the root of affliction and calamity4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 p4 #hi7 #aj #aa3 ,in the abundance of ,our grace and loving-kindness ,we have revealed specially444 ,in the abundance of ,our grace and loving-kindness ,we have revealed specially for the rulers and ministers of the world that which is conducive to safety and protection1 tranquillity and peace2 haply the children of men may rest secure from the evils of oppression4 ,he1 verily1 is the ,protector1 the ,helper1 the ,giver of victory4 ,it is incumbent upon the men of ,god's ,house of ,justice to fix their gaze by day and by night upon that which hath shone forth from the ,pen of ,glory for the training of peoples1 the upbuilding of nations1 the protection of man and the safeguarding of his honour4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 p4 #abe7 #aa #ab3 444 ,they that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority and444 444 ,they that are possessed of wealth and invested with authority and power must show the profoundest regard for religion4 ,in truth1 religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world1 for the fear of ,god impelleth man to hold fast to that which is good1 and shun all evil4 ,should the lamp of religion be obscured1 chaos and confusion will ensue1 and the lights of fairness and justice1 of tranquillity and peace cease to shine4 ,unto this will bear witness every man of true understanding4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 p4 #abe7 #ab #ac3 ,we have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the ,most ,great ,peace--the444 ,we have enjoined upon all mankind to establish the ,most ,great ,peace--the surest of all means for the protection of humanity4 ,the sovereigns of the world should1 with one accord1 hold fast thereunto1 for this is the supreme instrument that can ensure the security and welfare of all peoples and nations4 ,they1 verily1 are the manifestations of the power of ,god and the daysprings of ,his authority4 ,we beseech the ,almighty that ,he may graciously assist them in that which is conducive to the well-being of their subjects4 ,a full explanation regarding this matter hath been previously set forth by the ,pen of ,glory2 well is it with them that act accordingly4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 p4 #abf7 #ac #ad3 ,the purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of ,god's holy ,will is444 ,the purpose of religion as revealed from the heaven of ,god's holy ,will is to establish unity and concord amongst the peoples of the world2 make it not the cause of dissension and strife4 ,the religion of ,god and ,his divine law are the most potent instruments and the surest of all means for the dawning of the light of unity amongst men4 ,the progress of the world1 the development of nations1 the tranquillity of peoples1 and the peace of all who dwell on earth are among the principles and ordinances of ,god4 ,religion bestoweth upon man the most precious of all gifts1 offereth the cup of prosperity1 imparteth eternal life1 and showereth imperishable benefits upon mankind4 ,it behoveth the chiefs and rulers of the world1 and in particular the ,trustees of ,god's ,house of ,justice1 to endeavour to the utmost of their power to safeguard its position1 promote its interests and exalt its station in the eyes of the world4 ,in like manner it is incumbent upon them to enquire into the conditions of their subjects and to acquaint themselves with the affairs and activities of the divers communities in their dominions4 ,we call upon the manifestations of the power of ,god--the sovereigns and rulers on earth--to bestir themselves and do all in their power that haply they may banish discord from this world and illumine it with the light of concord4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 pp4 #abi-acj7 #ad #ae3 ,our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will444 ,our hope is that the world's religious leaders and the rulers thereof will unitedly arise for the reformation of this age and the rehabilitation of its fortunes4 ,let them1 after meditating on its needs1 take counsel together and1 through anxious and full deliberation1 administer to a diseased and sorely- afflicted world the remedy it requireth4 ,the ,great ,being saith3 ,the heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion4 ,take ye counsel together in all matters1 inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way1 and is the bestower of understanding4 78,tablets of ,bah'u'llh revealed after the ,kitb-i-,aqdas01 p4 #afh7 #ae #af3 ,take ye counsel together1 and let your concern be only for that which444 ,take ye counsel together1 and let your concern be only for that which profiteth mankind and bettereth the condition thereof4444 ,regard the world as the human body which1 though created whole and perfect1 has been afflicted1 through divers causes1 with grave ills and maladies4 ,not for one day did it rest1 nay its sicknesses waxed more severe1 as it fell under the treatment of unskilled physicians who have spurred on the steed of their worldly desires and have erred grievously4 ,and if at one time1 through the care of an able physician1 a member of that body was healed1 the rest remained afflicted as before4 ,thus informeth you the ,all-,knowing1 the ,all-,wise4444 ,that which the ,lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal ,cause1 one common ,faith4 ,this can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled1 an all-powerful and inspired ,physician4 ,this verily is the truth1 and all else naught but error4 444 ,consider these days in which the ,ancient ,beauty1 ,he ,who is the ,most ,great ,name1 hath been sent down to regenerate and unify mankind4 ,behold how with drawn swords they rose against ,him1 and committed that which caused the ,faithful ,spirit to tremble4 ,and whenever ,we said unto them3 #8,lo1 the ,world ,reformer is come1' they made reply3 #8,he1 in truth1 is one of the stirrers of mischief'4444 7,extracts from the ,tablet to ,queen ,victoria1 cited in ,shoghi ,effendi1 8,the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh3 ,selected ,letters01 rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihb71 pp4 #ci-dj2 p4 #afc7 #af ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,utterances ,,of ,,bah',u',,ll,h #ag3 444 ,praise be to ,god that thou hast attained6444 ,thou hast come to see a444 444 ,praise be to ,god that thou hast attained6444 ,thou hast come to see a prisoner and an exile4444 ,we desire but the good of the world and happiness of the nations2 yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment4444 ,that all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers2 that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened2 that diversity of religion should cease1 and differences of race be annulled--what harm is there in this8444 ,yet so it shall be2 these fruitless strifes1 these ruinous wars shall pass away1 and the 8,most ,great ,peace0 shall come4444 ,do not you in ,europe need this also8 ,is not this that which ,christ foretold8444 ,yet do we see your kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness of mankind4444 ,these strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease1 and all men be as one kindred and one family4444 ,let not a man glory in this1 that he loves his country2 let him rather glory in this1 that he loves his kind4444 7,words spoken to ,e4 ,g4 ,browne1 from his pen portrait of ,bah'u'llh1 ,j4 ,e4 ,esslemont1 8,bah'u'llh and the ,new ,era01 #eth rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihg71 pp4 #ci-dj7 #ag ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,writings ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah #ah3 ,know thou that all the powers combined have not the power to establish444 ,know thou that all the powers combined have not the power to establish universal peace1 nor to withstand the overmastering dominion1 at every time and season1 of these endless wars4 ,ere long1 however1 shall the power of heaven1 the dominion of the ,holy ,spirit1 hoist on the high summits the banners of love and peace1 and there above the castles of majesty and might shall those banners wave in the rushing winds that blow out of the tender mercy of ,god4 78,selections from the ,writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah01 rev4 ed4 7,haifa3 ,bah' ,world ,centre1 #aihb71 p4 #agd7 #ah #ai3 ,rest thou assured that in this era of the spirit1 the ,kingdom of ,peace will444 ,rest thou assured that in this era of the spirit1 the ,kingdom of ,peace will raise up its tabernacle on the summits of the world1 and the commandments of the ,prince of ,peace will so dominate the arteries and nerves of every people as to draw into ,his sheltering shade all the nations on earth4 ,from springs of love and truth and unity will the true ,shepherd give ,his sheep to drink4 ,o handmaid of ,god1 peace must first be established among individuals1 until it leadeth in the end to peace among nations4 ,wherefore1 ,o ye ,bah's1 strive ye with all your might to create1 through the power of the ,word of ,god1 genuine love1 spiritual communion and durable bonds among individuals4 ,this is your task4 78,selections from the ,writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah01 p4 #bdf7 #ai #bj3 ,so long as these prejudices religious1 racial1 national1 political survive1444 ,so long as these prejudices religious1 racial1 national1 political survive1 there will be continuous and fearsome wars4 ,to remedy this condition there must be universal peace4 ,to bring this about1 a ,supreme ,tribunal must be established1 representative of all governments and peoples2 questions both national and international must be referred thereto1 and all must carry out the decrees of this ,tribunal4 ,should any government or people disobey1 let the whole world arise against that government or people4 78,selections from the ,writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah01 p4 #bdi7 #bj #ba3 ,at present universal peace is a matter of great importance1 but unity of444 ,at present universal peace is a matter of great importance1 but unity of conscience is essential1 so that the foundation of this matter may become secure1 its establishment firm and its edifice strong4 ,therefore ,bah'u'llh1 fifty years ago1 expounded this question of universal peace at a time when ,he was confined in the fortress of ,akk and was wronged and imprisoned4444 ,among ,his teachings was the declaration of universal peace4 444the teachings of ,bah'u'llh were not limited to the establishment of universal peace4 ,they embraced many teachings which supplemented and supported that of universal peace4 444 ,in fine1 such teachings are numerous4 ,these manifold principles1 which constitute the greatest basis for the felicity of mankind and are of the bounties of the ,merciful1 must be added to the matter of universal peace and combined with it1 so that results may accrue4 ,otherwise the realization of universal peace by itself in the world of mankind is difficult4 ,as the teachings of ,bah'u'llh are combined with universal peace1 they are like a table provided with every kind of fresh and delicious food4 ,every soul can find1 at that table of infinite bounty1 that which he desires4 ,if the question is restricted to universal peace alone1 the remarkable results which are expected and desired will not be attained4 ,the scope of universal peace must be such that all the communities and religions may find their highest wish realized in it4 ,the teachings of ,bah'u'llh are such that all the communities of the world1 whether religious1 political or ethical1 ancient or modern1 find in them the expression of their highest wish4 444 ,for example1 the question of universal peace1 about which ,bah'u'llh says that the ,supreme ,tribunal must be established3 although the ,league of ,nations has been brought into existence1 yet it is incapable of establishing universal peace4 ,but the ,supreme ,tribunal which ,bah'u'llh has described will fulfil this sacred task with the utmost might and power4 ,and ,his plan is this3 that the national assemblies of each country and nation--that is to say parliaments--should elect two or three persons who are the choicest of that nation1 and are well informed concerning international laws and the relations between governments and aware of the essential needs of the world of humanity in this day4 ,the number of these representatives should be in proportion to the number of inhabitants of that country4 ,the election of these souls who are chosen by the national assembly1 that is1 the parliament1 must be confirmed by the upper house1 the congress and the cabinet and also by the president or monarch so these persons may be the elected ones of all the nation and the government4 ,the ,supreme ,tribunal will be composed of these people1 and all mankind will thus have a share therein1 for every one of these delegates is fully representative of his nation47#a7 ,when the ,supreme ,tribunal gives a ruling on any international question1 either unanimously or by majority rule1 there will no longer be any pretext for the plaintiff or ground of objection for the defendant4 ,in case any of the governments or nations1 in the execution of the irrefutable decision of the ,supreme ,tribunal1 be negligent or dilatory1 the rest of the nations will rise up against it1 because all the governments and nations of the world are the supporters of this ,supreme ,tribunal4 ,consider what a firm foundation this is6 ,but by a limited and restricted ,league the purpose will not be realized as it ought and should4 ,this is the truth about the situation1 which has been stated4444 78,selections from the ,writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah01 pp4 #big-bih1 p4 #cjd1 pp4 #cjf-cjg7 #ba #bb3 ,true civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost heart of the world444 ,true civilization will unfurl its banner in the midmost heart of the world whenever a certain number of its distinguished and high-minded sovereigns--the shining exemplars of devotion and determination--shall1 for the good and happiness of all mankind1 arise1 with firm resolve and clear vision1 to establish the ,cause of ,universal ,peace4 ,they must make the ,cause of ,peace the object of general consultation1 and seek by every means in their power to establish a ,union of the nations of the world4 ,they must conclude a binding treaty and establish a covenant1 the provisions of which shall be sound1 inviolable and definite4 ,they must proclaim it to all the world and obtain for it the sanction of all the human race4 ,this supreme and noble undertaking--the real source of the peace and well-being of all the world--should be regarded as sacred by all that dwell on earth4 ,all the forces of humanity must be mobilized to ensure the stability and permanence of this ,most ,great ,covenant4 ,in this all-embracing ,pact the limits and frontiers of each and every nation should be clearly fixed1 the principles underlying the relations of governments towards one another definitely laid down1 and all international agreements and obligations ascertained4 ,in like manner1 the size of the armaments of every government should be strictly limited1 for if the preparations for war and the military forces of any nation should be allowed to increase1 they will arouse the suspicion of others4 ,the fundamental principle underlying this solemn ,pact should be so fixed that if any government later violate any one of its provisions1 all the governments on earth should arise to reduce it to utter submission1 nay the human race as a whole should resolve1 with every power at its disposal1 to destroy that government4 ,should this greatest of all remedies be applied to the sick body of the world1 it will assuredly recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe and secure4 ,observe that if such a happy situation be forthcoming1 no government would need continually to pile up the weapons of war1 nor feel itself obliged to produce ever new military weapons with which to conquer the human race4 ,a small force for the purposes of internal security1 the correction of criminal and disorderly elements and the prevention of local disturbances1 would be required--no more4 ,in this way the entire population would1 first of all1 be relieved of the crushing burden of expenditure currently imposed for military purposes1 and secondly1 great numbers of people would cease to devote their time to the continual devising of new weapons of destruction--those testimonials of greed and bloodthirstiness1 so inconsistent with the gift of life--and would instead bend their efforts to the production of whatever will foster human existence and peace and well-being1 and would become the cause of universal development and prosperity4 ,then every nation on earth will reign in honour1 and every people will be cradled in tranquillity and content4 ,a few1 unaware of the power latent in human endeavour1 consider this matter as highly impracticable1 nay even beyond the scope of man's utmost efforts4 ,such is not the case1 however4 ,on the contrary1 thanks to the unfailing grace of ,god1 the loving-kindness of ,his favoured ones1 the unrivaled endeavours of wise and capable souls1 and the thoughts and ideas of the peerless leaders of this age1 nothing whatsoever can be regarded as unattainable4 ,endeavour1 ceaseless endeavour1 is required4 ,nothing short of an indomitable determination can possibly achieve it4 ,many a cause which past ages have regarded as purely visionary1 yet in this day has become most easy and practicable4 ,why should this most great and lofty ,cause--the day-star of the firmament of true civilization and the cause of the glory1 the advancement1 the well-being and the success of all humanity--be regarded as impossible of achievement8 ,surely the day will come when its beauteous light shall shed illumination upon the assemblage of man4 ,the apparatus of conflict will1 as preparations go on at their present rate1 reach the point where war will become something intolerable to mankind4 ,it is clear from what has already been said that man's glory and greatness do not consist in his being avid for blood and sharp of claw1 in tearing down cities and spreading havoc1 in butchering armed forces and civilians4 ,what would mean a bright future for him would be his reputation for justice1 his kindness to the entire population whether high or low1 his building up countries and cities1 villages and districts1 his making life easy1 peaceful and happy for his fellow beings1 his laying down fundamental principles for progress1 his raising the standards and increasing the wealth of the entire population4 444 ,no power on earth can prevail against the armies of justice1 and every citadel must fall before them2 for men willingly go down under the triumphant strokes of this decisive blade1 and desolate places bloom and flourish under the tramplings of this host4 ,there are two mighty banners which1 when they cast their shadow across the crown of any king1 will cause the influence of his government quickly and easily to penetrate the whole earth1 even as if it were the light of the sun3 the first of these two banners is wisdom2 the second is justice4 ,against these two most potent forces1 the iron hills cannot prevail1 and ,alexander's wall will break before them4 ,it is clear that life in this fast-fading world is as fleeting and inconstant as the morning wind1 and this being so1 how fortunate are the great who leave a good name behind them1 and the memory of a lifetime spent in the pathway of the good pleasure of ,god4 444 ,a conquest can be a praiseworthy thing1 and there are times when war becomes the powerful basis of peace1 and ruin the very means of reconstruction4 ,if1 for example1 a high-minded sovereign marshals his troops to block the onset of the insurgent and the aggressor1 or again1 if he takes the field and distinguishes himself in a struggle to unify a divided state and people1 if1 in brief1 he is waging war for a righteous purpose1 then this seeming wrath is mercy itself1 and this apparent tyranny the very substance of justice and this warfare the cornerstone of peace4 ,today1 the task befitting great rulers is to establish universal peace1 for in this lies the freedom of all peoples4 78,the ,secret of ,divine ,civilization01 #bnd ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihc71 pp4 #fd-fg1 #gj-ga7 #bb #bc3 ,in cycles gone by1 though harmony was established1 yet1 owing to the444 ,in cycles gone by1 though harmony was established1 yet1 owing to the absence of means1 the unity of all mankind could not have been achieved4 ,continents remained widely divided1 nay even among the peoples of one and the same continent association and interchange of thought were well nigh impossible4 ,consequently intercourse1 understanding and unity amongst all the peoples and kindreds of the earth were unattainable4 ,in this day1 however1 means of communication have multiplied1 and the five continents of the earth have virtually merged into one4444 ,in like manner all the members of the human family1 whether peoples or governments1 cities or villages1 have become increasingly interdependent4 ,for none is self-sufficiency any longer possible1 inasmuch as political ties unite all peoples and nations1 and the bonds of trade and industry1 of agriculture and education1 are being strengthened every day4 ,hence the unity of all mankind can in this day be achieved4 ,verily this is none other but one of the wonders of this wondrous age1 this glorious century4 ,of this past ages have been deprived1 for this century--the century of light--has been endowed with unique and unprecedented glory1 power and illumination4 ,hence the miraculous unfolding of a fresh marvel every day4 ,eventually it will be seen how bright its candles will burn in the assemblage of man4 ,behold how its light is now dawning upon the world's darkened horizon4 ,the first candle is unity in the political realm1 the early glimmerings of which can now be discerned4 ,the second candle is unity of thought in world undertakings1 the consummation of which will ere long be witnessed4 ,the third candle is unity in freedom which will surely come to pass4 ,the fourth candle is unity in religion which is the corner-stone of the foundation itself1 and which1 by the power of ,god1 will be revealed in all its splendour4 ,the fifth candle is the unity of nations--a unity which in this century will be securely established1 causing all the peoples of the world to regard themselves as citizens of one common fatherland4 ,the sixth candle is unity of races1 making of all that dwell on earth peoples and kindreds of one race4 ,the seventh candle is unity of language1 i4e41 the choice of a universal tongue in which all peoples will be instructed and converse4 ,each and every one of these will inevitably come to pass1 inasmuch as the power of the ,kingdom of ,god will aid and assist in their realization4 7,cited in ,shoghi ,effendi1 8,the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh01 pp4 #ch-ci1 and 8,the ,promised ,day ,is ,come01 rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihj71 pp4 #abj-aba7 #bc #bd3 444every great ,cause in this world of existence findeth visible expression444 444every great ,cause in this world of existence findeth visible expression through three means3 first1 intention2 second1 confirmation2 third1 action4 ,today on this earth there are many souls who are promoters of peace and reconciliation and are longing for the realization of the oneness and unity of the world of humanity2 but this intention needeth a dynamic power1 so that it may become manifest in the world of being4 ,in this day the divine instructions and lordly exhortations promulgate this most great aim1 and the confirmations of the ,kingdom also support and aid the realization of this intention4 ,therefore1 although the combined forces and thoughts of the nations of the world cannot by themselves achieve this exalted purpose1 the power of the ,word of ,god penetrateth all things and the assistance of the divine ,kingdom is continuous4 ,erelong it will become evident and clear that the ensign of the ,most ,great ,peace is the teachings of ,bah'u'llh1 and the tent of union and harmony among nations is the ,tabernacle of the divine ,kingdom1 for therein the intention1 the power and the action1 all three1 are brought together4 ,the realization of everything in the world of being dependeth upon these three elements4 7,from a ,tablet - translated from ,persian7 #bd #be3 ,as far as possible1 rest thou not for a moment1 travel to the ,north and444 ,as far as possible1 rest thou not for a moment1 travel to the ,north and ,south of the country and summon all men to the oneness of the world of humanity and to universal peace1 saying3 ,o people6 ,bah'u'llh laid the foundation of universal peace fifty years ago4 ,he even addressed ,epistles to the kings wherein ,he declared that war could destroy the foundation of the world of humanity1 that peace is conducive to everlasting life and that dire peril awaited mankind4 ,also three years before the outbreak of the world war #8,abdu'l-,bah travelled to ,america and most of ,europe1 where he raised ,his voice before all gatherings1 societies and churches1 appealing3 ,o ye assemblage of men6 ,the continent of ,europe hath virtually become an arsenal filled with explosives4 ,there are vast stores of destructive material hidden underground1 liable to burst forth at a single spark1 causing the whole earth to quake4 ,o ye men of understanding6 ,bestir yourselves that perchance this accumulation of volatile material may not explode4 ,but the appeal went unheeded and consequently this murderous war broke out4 ,the bulk of humanity now realiseth what a great calamity war is and how war turneth man into a ferocious animal1 causing prosperous cities and villages to be reduced to ruins and the foundations of the human edifice to crumble4 ,now1 since all men have been awakened and their ears are attentive1 it is time for the promulgation of universal peace--a peace based on righteousness and justice--that mankind may not be exposed to further dangers in the future4 ,now is the dawn of universal peace1 and the first streaks of its light are beginning to appear4 ,we earnestly hope that its effulgent orb may shine forth and flood the ,east and the ,west with its radiance4 ,the establishment of universal peace is not possible save through the power of the ,word of ,god444 7,from a ,tablet - translated from the ,persian7 #be #bf3 ,chaos and confusion are daily increasing in the world4 ,they will attain444 ,chaos and confusion are daily increasing in the world4 ,they will attain such intensity as to render the frame of mankind unable to bear them4 ,then will men be awakened and become aware that religion is the impregnable stronghold and the manifest light of the world1 and its laws1 exhortations and teachings the source of life on earth4 7,from a ,tablet - translated from the ,persian7 #bf ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,utterances ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah #bg3 ,today the world of humanity is in need of international unity and444 ,today the world of humanity is in need of international unity and conciliation4 ,to establish these great fundamental principles a propelling power is needed4 ,it is self-evident that the unity of the human world and the ,most ,great ,peace cannot be accomplished through material means4 ,they cannot be established through political power1 for the political interests of nations are various and the policies of peoples are divergent and conflicting4 ,they cannot be founded through racial or patriotic power1 for these are human powers1 selfish and weak4 ,the very nature of racial differences and patriotic prejudices prevents the realization of this unity and agreement4 ,therefore1 it is evidenced that the promotion of the oneness of the kingdom of humanity1 which is the essence of the teachings of all the ,manifestations of ,god1 is impossible except through the divine power and breaths of the ,holy ,spirit4 ,other powers are too weak and are incapable of accomplishing this4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 #bnd4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihb71 pp4 #aa-ab7 #bg #bh3 ,we will pray that the ensign of international peace may be uplifted and that444 ,we will pray that the ensign of international peace may be uplifted and that the oneness of the world of humanity may be realized and accomplished4 ,all this is made possible and practicable through your efforts4 ,may this ,american democracy be the first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement4 ,may it be the first nation to proclaim the universality of mankind4 ,may it be the first to upraise the standard of the ,most ,great ,peace1 and through this nation of democracy may these philanthropic intentions and institutions be spread broadcast throughout the world4 ,truly1 this is a great and revered nation4 ,here liberty has reached its highest degree4 ,the intentions of its people are most praiseworthy4 ,they are1 indeed1 worthy of being the first to build the ,tabernacle of the ,most ,great ,peace and proclaim the oneness of mankind4 ,i will supplicate ,god for assistance and confirmation in your behalf4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 pp4 #cf-cg7 #bh #bi3 ,today the greatest need of the world of humanity is discontinuance of the444 ,today the greatest need of the world of humanity is discontinuance of the existing misunderstandings among nations4 ,this can be accomplished through the unity of language4 ,unless the unity of languages is realized1 the ,most ,great ,peace and the oneness of the human world cannot be effectively organized and established because the function of language is to portray the mysteries and secrets of human hearts4 ,the heart is like a box1 and language is the key4 ,only by using the key can we open the box and observe the gems it contains4 ,therefore1 the question of an auxiliary international tongue has the utmost importance4444 ,it is my hope that it may be perfected through the bounties of ,god and that intelligent men may be selected from the various countries of the world to organize an international congress whose chief aim will be the promotion of this universal medium of speech4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 pp4 #fj-fa7 #bi #cj3 444because ,i find the ,american nation so capable of achievement and this444 444because ,i find the ,american nation so capable of achievement and this government the fairest of western governments1 its institutions superior to others1 my wish and hope is that the banner of international reconciliation may first be raised on this continent and the standard of the ,most ,great ,peace be unfurled here4 ,may the ,american people and their government unite in their efforts in order that this light may dawn from this point and spread to all regions1 for this is one of the greatest bestowals of ,god4 ,in order that ,america may avail herself of this opportunity1 ,i beg that you strive and pray with heart and soul1 devoting all your energies to this end3 that the banner of international peace may be upraised here and that this democracy may be the cause of the cessation of warfare in all other countries4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 pp4 #hc-hd7 #cj #ca3 ,in past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been444 ,in past ages humanity has been defective and inefficient because it has been incomplete4 ,war and its ravages have blighted the world2 the education of woman will be a mighty step toward its abolition and ending1 for she will use her whole influence against war4 ,woman rears the child and educates the youth to maturity4 ,she will refuse to give her sons for sacrifice upon the field of battle4 ,in truth1 she will be the greatest factor in establishing universal peace and international arbitration4 ,assuredly1 woman will abolish warfare among mankind4444 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #ajh7 #ca #cb3 ,all of us know that international peace is good1 that it is conducive to human444 ,all of us know that international peace is good1 that it is conducive to human welfare and the glory of man1 but volition and action are necessary before it can be established4 ,action is essential4 ,inasmuch as this century is a century of light1 capacity for action is assured to mankind4 ,necessarily the divine principles will be spread among men until the time of action arrives4 ,surely this has been so1 and truly the time and conditions are ripe for action now4444 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #aba7 #cb #cc3 ,this has come to pass4 ,the powers of earth cannot withstand the444 ,this has come to pass4 ,the powers of earth cannot withstand the privileges and bestowals which ,god has ordained for this great and glorious century4 ,it is a need and exigency of the time4444 ,let this century be the sun of previous centuries1 the effulgences of which shall last forever1 so that in times to come they shall glorify the twentieth century1 saying the twentieth century was the century of lights1 the twentieth century was the century of life1 the twentieth century was the century of international peace1 the twentieth century was the century of divine bestowals1 and the twentieth century has left traces which shall last forever4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 pp4 #abe-bf7 #cc #cd3 ,the most momentous question of this day is international peace and444 ,the most momentous question of this day is international peace and arbitration1 and universal peace is impossible without universal suffrage4 ,children are educated by the women4 ,the mother bears the troubles and anxieties of rearing the child1 undergoes the ordeal of its birth and training4 ,therefore1 it is most difficult for mothers to send to the battlefield those upon whom they have lavished such love and care4 ,consider a son reared and trained twenty years by a devoted mother4 ,what sleepless nights and restless1 anxious days she has spent6 ,having brought him through dangers and difficulties to the age of maturity1 how agonizing then to sacrifice him upon the battlefield6 ,therefore1 the mothers will not sanction war nor be satisfied with it4 ,so it will come to pass that when women participate fully and equally in the affairs of the world1 when they enter confidently and capably the great arena of laws and politics1 war will cease2 for woman will be the obstacle and hindrance to it4 ,this is true and without doubt4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 pp4 #acd-ce7 #cd #ce3 ,now the glorious and brilliant twentieth century has dawned1 and the divine444 ,now the glorious and brilliant twentieth century has dawned1 and the divine bounty is radiating universally4444 ,truly1 this can be called the miracle of centuries1 for it is replete with manifestations of the miraculous4 ,the time has come when all mankind shall be united1 when all races shall be loyal to one fatherland1 all religions become one religion1 and racial and religious bias pass away4 ,it is a day in which the oneness of humankind shall uplift its standard and international peace1 like the true morning1 flood the world with its light4444 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #aec7 #ce #cf3 ,he promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and444 ,he promulgated the adoption of the same course of education for man and woman4 ,daughters and sons must follow the same curriculum of study1 thereby promoting unity of the sexes4 ,when all mankind shall receive the same opportunity of education and the equality of men and women be realized1 the foundations of war will be utterly destroyed4 ,without equality this will be impossible because all differences and distinction are conducive to discord and strife4 ,equality between men and women is conducive to the abolition of warfare for the reason that women will never be willing to sanction it4 ,mothers will not give their sons as sacrifices upon the battlefield after twenty years of anxiety and loving devotion in rearing them from infancy1 no matter what cause they are called upon to defend4 ,there is no doubt that when women obtain equality of rights1 war will entirely cease among mankind4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #age7 #cf #cg3 ,the world is in greatest need of international peace4 ,until it is444 ,the world is in greatest need of international peace4 ,until it is established1 mankind will not attain composure and tranquillity4 ,it is necessary that the nations and governments organize an international tribunal to which all their disputes and differences shall be referred4 ,the decision of that tribunal shall be final4 ,individual controversy will be adjudged by a local tribunal4 ,international questions will come before the universal tribunal1 and so the cause of warfare will be taken away4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #cja7 #cg #ch3 ,i find these two great ,american nations the ,united ,states and ,canada highly444 ,i find these two great ,american nations the ,united ,states and ,canada highly capable and advanced 444 it is my hope that these revered nations may become prominent factors in the establishment of international peace and the oneness of the world of humanity444 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #cah7 #ch #ci3 ,the world of humanity is possessed of two wings3 the male and the female4444 ,the world of humanity is possessed of two wings3 the male and the female4 ,so long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength1 the bird will not fly4 ,until womankind reaches the same degree as man1 until she enjoys the same arena of activity1 extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized2 humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment4 ,when the two wings or parts become equivalent in strength1 enjoying the same prerogatives1 the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary4 ,therefore1 woman must receive the same education as man and all inequality be adjusted4 ,thus1 imbued with the same virtues as man1 rising through all the degrees of human attainment1 women will become the peers of men1 and until this equality is established1 true progress and attainment for the human race will not be facilitated4 ,the evident reasons underlying this are as follows3 ,woman by nature is opposed to war2 she is an advocate of peace4 ,children are reared and brought up by the mothers who give them the first principles of education and labour assiduously in their behalf4 ,consider1 for instance1 a mother who has tenderly reared a son for twenty years to the age of maturity4 ,surely she will not consent to having that son torn asunder and killed in the field of battle4 ,therefore1 as woman advances toward the degree of man in power and privilege1 with the right of vote and control in human government1 most assuredly war will cease2 for woman is naturally the most devoted and staunch advocate of international peace4 78,the ,promulgation of ,universal ,peace3 ,talks ,delivered by #8,abdu'l-,bah during ,his ,visit to the ,united ,states and ,canada in #aiab01 p4 #cge7 #ci #dj3 ,a ,supreme ,tribunal shall be elected by the peoples and governments of444 ,a ,supreme ,tribunal shall be elected by the peoples and governments of every nation1 where members from each country and government shall assemble in unity4 ,all disputes shall be brought before this ,court1 its mission being to prevent war4 78,paris ,talks3 ,addresses given by #8,abdu'l-,bah in ,paris in #aiaa-aiab01 #aath ed4 7,london3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aigi71 p4 #acb7 #dj #da3 ,a ,supreme ,tribunal shall be established by the peoples and ,governments of444 ,a ,supreme ,tribunal shall be established by the peoples and ,governments of every nation1 composed of members elected from each country and ,government4 ,the members of this ,great ,council shall assemble in unity4 ,all disputes of an international character shall be submitted to this ,court1 its work being to arrange by arbitration everything which otherwise would be a cause of war4 ,the mission of this ,tribunal would be to prevent war4 78,paris ,talks3 ,addresses given by #8,abdu'l-,bah in ,paris in #aiaa-aiab01 p4 #aee7 #da #db3 ,as to the question of disarmament1 all nations must disarm at the same444 ,as to the question of disarmament1 all nations must disarm at the same time4 ,it will not do at all1 and it is not proposed1 that some nations shall lay down their arms while others1 their neighbours1 remain armed4 ,the peace of the world must be brought about by international agreement4 ,all nations must agree to disarm simultaneously444 ,no nation can follow a peace policy while its neighbour remains warlike4 ,there is no justice in that4 ,nobody would dream of suggesting that the peace of the world could be brought about by any such line of action4 ,it is to be brought about by a general and comprehensive international agreement1 and in no other way444 ,simultaneous action1 he went on1 is necessary in any scheme of disarmament4 ,all the governments of the world must transform their battleships and warcraft into merchant vessels4 ,but no one nation can by itself start in upon such a policy and it would be folly should one power attempt to do so 444 it would simply invite destruction4444 444 ,are there any signs that the permanent peace of the world will be established in anything like a reasonable period8 #8,abdu'l-,bah was asked4 ,it will be established in this century1 he answered4 ,it will be universal in the twentieth century4 ,all nations will be forced into it4 444 ,economic pressure will tell8 ,yes3 the nations will be forced to come to peace and to agree to the abolition of war4 ,the awful burdens of taxation for war purposes will get beyond human endurance444 ,no1 said #8,abdu'l-,bah in conclusion1 ,i repeat1 no nation can disarm under these circumstances4 ,disarmament is surely coming1 but it must come1 and it will come1 by the universal consent of the civilized nations of the earth4 ,by international agreement they will lay down their arms and the great era of peace will be ushered in4 ,in this and no other way can peace be established upon the earth4 7,extracts from interview with newspaper reporter1 quoted in 8#8,abdu'l-,bah in ,canada0 7,thornhill3 ,bah' ,canada ,publications1 #aihg71 pp4 #cd-ce7 #db #dc3 ,once the ,parliament of ,man is established and its constituent parts444 ,once the ,parliament of ,man is established and its constituent parts organized1 the governments of the world having entered into a covenant of eternal friendship will have no need of keeping large standing armies and navies4 ,a few battalions to preserve internal order1 and an ,international ,police to keep the highways of the seas clear1 are all that will be necessary4 ,then these huge sums will be diverted to other more useful channels1 pauperism will disappear1 knowledge will increase1 the victories of ,peace will be sung by poets and bards1 knowledge will improve the conditions and mankind will be rocked in the cradle of felicity and bliss4 ,then1 whether a government is constitutional or republican1 hereditary monarchy or democratic1 the rulers will devote their time to the prosperity of their nations1 the legislation of just and sane laws and the fostering of closer and more amicable relations with their neighbours--thus will the world of humanity become a mirror reflecting the virtues and attributes of the ,kingdom of ,god4 ,by a general agreement all the governments of the world must disarm simultaneously444 ,it will not do if one lays down the arms and the other refuses to do so4 ,the nations of the world must concur with each other concerning this supremely important subject1 thus they may abandon together the deadly weapons of human slaughter4 ,as long as one nation increases her military and naval budget1 another nation will be forced into this crazed competition through her natural and supposed interests4444 444 ,now the question of disarmament must be put into practice by all the nations and not only by one or two4 ,consequently the advocates of ,peace must strive day and night1 so that the individuals of every country may become peace-loving1 public opinion may gain a strong and permanent footing1 and day by day the army of ,international ,peace be increased1 complete disarmament be realized and the ,flag of ,universal ,conciliation be waving on the summit of the mountains of the earth4 444 ,the ideals of ,peace must be nurtured and spread among the inhabitants of the world2 they must be instructed in the school of ,peace and the evils of war4 ,first3 ,the financiers and bankers must desist from lending money to any government contemplating to wage an unjust war upon an innocent nation4 ,second3 ,the presidents and managers of the railroads and steamship companies must refrain from transporting war ammunition1 infernal engines1 guns1 cannons and powder from one country into another4 ,third3 ,the soldiers must petition1 through their representatives1 the ,ministers of ,war1 the politicians1 the ,congressmen and the generals to put forth in a clear1 intelligible language the reasons and the causes which have brought them to the brink of such a national calamity4 ,the soldiers must demand this as one of the prerogatives4 ,demonstrate to us01 they must say1 8that this is a just war1 and we will then enter into the battlefield otherwise we will not take one step4444 ,come forth from your hiding-places1 enter into the battlefield if you like to attack each other and tear each other to pieces if you desire to air your so-called contentions4 ,the discord and feud are between you2 why do you make us1 innocent people1 a party to it8 ,if fighting and bloodshed are good things1 then lead us into the fray by your presence60 ,in short1 every means that produces war must be checked and the causes that prevent the occurrence of war be advanced2--so that physical conflict may become an impossibility4 ,on the other hand1 every country must be properly delimited1 its exact frontiers marked1 its national integrity secured1 its permanent independence protected1 and its vital interests honoured by the family of nations4 ,these services ought to be rendered by an impartial1 international ,commission4 ,in this manner all causes of friction and differences will be removed4 ,and in case there should arise some disputes between them1 they could arbitrate before the ,parliament of ,man1 the representatives of which should be chosen from among the wisest and most judicious men of all the nations of the world4 78,star of the ,west01 vol4 #e1 no4 #h 7,august #aiad71 pp4 #aae-aag7 #dc #dd3 ,every century holds the solution of one predominating problem4 ,although444 ,every century holds the solution of one predominating problem4 ,although there may be many problems1 yet one of the innumerable problems will loom large and become the most important of all4 444in this luminous century the greatest bestowal of the world of humanity is ,universal ,peace1 which must be founded1 so that the realm of creation may obtain composure1 the ,east and the ,west1 which include in their arms the five continents of the globe1 may embrace each other1 mankind may rest beneath the tent of oneness of the world of humanity1 and the flag of universal peace may wave over all the regions4444 444 ,today the true duty of a powerful king is to establish a universal peace2 for verily it signifies the freedom of all the people of the world4 ,some persons who are ignorant of the world of true humanity and its high ambitions for the general good1 reckon such a glorious condition of life to be very difficult1 nay rather impossible to compass4 ,but it is not so1 far from it4 78,star of the ,west04 vol4 #g1 no4 #ad 7,november #aiaf71 p4 #acf7 #dd ,o ye individuals of humanity1 find ye means for the stoppage of this wholesale murder and bloodshed4 ,now is the appointed time6 ,now is the opportune time6 ,arise ye1 show ye an effort1 put ye forward an extraordinary force1 and unfurl ye the ,flag of ,universal ,peace and dam the irresistible fury of this raging torrent which is wreaking havoc and ruin everywhere4 78,star of the ,west01 vol4 #ah1 no4 #aa 7,february #aibh71 p4 #cde7 #de #df3 ,by what process1 continued the questioner1 will this peace on earth be444 ,by what process1 continued the questioner1 will this peace on earth be established8 ,will it come at once after a universal declaration of the ,truth8 ,no1 it will come about gradually1 said #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,a plant that grows too quickly lasts but a short time4 ,you are my family1 and he looked about with a smile1 my new children6 if a family lives in unison1 great results are obtained4 ,widen the circle2 when a city lives in intimate accord greater results will follow1 and a continent that is fully united will likewise unite all other continents4 ,then will be the time of the greatest results1 for all the inhabitants of the earth belong to one native land4 78#8,abdu'l-,bah in ,london3 ,addresses1 and ,notes of ,conversations01 ,commemorative ed4 7,london3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihg71 p4 #ajf7 #df ,,extracts ,,from ,,the ,,writings ,,of ,,shoghi ,,effendi #dg3 ,dearly-beloved friends6 ,humanity1 whether viewed in the light of man's444 ,dearly-beloved friends6 ,humanity1 whether viewed in the light of man's individual conduct or in the existing relationships between organized communities and nations1 has1 alas1 strayed too far and suffered too great a decline to be redeemed through the unaided efforts of the best among its recognized rulers and statesmen--however disinterested their motives1 however concerted their action1 however unsparing in their zeal and devotion to its cause4 ,no scheme which the calculations of the highest statesmanship may yet devise1 no doctrine which the most distinguished exponents of economic theory may hope to advance1 no principle which the most ardent of moralists may strive to inculcate1 can provide1 in the last resort1 adequate foundations upon which the future of a distracted world can be built4 ,no appeal for mutual tolerance which the worldly-wise might raise1 however compelling and insistent1 can calm its passions or help restore its vigour4 ,nor would any general scheme of mere organized international co-operation1 in whatever sphere of human activity1 however ingenious in conception or extensive in scope1 succeed in removing the root cause of the evil that has so rudely upset the equilibrium of present day society4 ,not even1 ,i venture to assert1 would the very act of devising the machinery required for the political and economic unification of the world--a principle that has been increasingly advocated in recent times--provide in itself the antidote against the poison that is steadily undermining the vigour of organized peoples and nations4 ,what else1 might we not confidently affirm1 but the unreserved acceptance of the ,divine ,programme enunciated1 with such simplicity and force as far back as sixty years ago1 by ,bah'u'llh1 embodying in its essentials ,god's divinely-appointed scheme for the unification of mankind in this age1 coupled with an indomitable conviction in the unfailing efficacy of each and all of its provisions1 is eventually capable of withstanding the forces of internal disintegration which1 if unchecked1 must needs continue to eat into the vitals of a despairing society4 ,it is towards this goal--the goal of a new ,world ,order1 ,divine in origin1 all-embracing in scope1 equitable in principle1 challenging in its features--that a harassed humanity must strive4 ,to claim to have grasped all the implications of ,bah'u'llh's prodigious scheme for world-wide human solidarity1 or to have fathomed its import1 would be presumptuous on the part of even the declared supporters of ,his ,faith4 ,to attempt to visualize it in all its possibilities1 to estimate its future benefits1 to picture its glory1 would be premature at even so advanced a stage in the evolution of mankind4 ,all we can reasonably venture to attempt is to strive to obtain a glimpse of the first streaks of the promised ,dawn that must1 in the fullness of time1 chase away the gloom that has encircled humanity4 ,all we can do is to point out1 in their broadest outline1 to what appear to us to be the guiding principles underlying the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh1 as amplified and enunciated by #8,abdu'l-,bah1 the ,centre of ,his ,covenant with all mankind and the appointed ,interpreter and ,expounder of ,his ,word4 ,that the unrest and suffering afflicting the mass of mankind are in no small measure the direct consequences of the ,world ,war and are attributable to the unwisdom and short-sightedness of the ,framers of the ,peace ,treaties only a biased mind can refuse to admit4444 ,it would be idle however to contend that the war1 with all the losses it involved1 the passions it aroused and the grievances it left behind1 has solely been responsible for the unprecedented confusion into which almost every section of the civilized world is plunged at present4 ,is it not a fact--and this is the central idea ,i desire to emphasize--that the fundamental cause of this world unrest is attributable1 not so much to the consequences of what must sooner or later come to be regarded as a transitory dislocation in the affairs of a continually changing world1 but rather to the failure of those into whose hands the immediate destinies of peoples and nations have been committed1 to adjust their systems of economic and political institutions to the imperative needs of a fast evolving age8 ,are not these intermittent crises that convulse present-day society due primarily to the lamentable inability of the world's recognized leaders to read aright the signs of the times1 to rid themselves once for all of their preconceived ideas and fettering creeds1 and to reshape the machinery of their respective governments according to those standards that are implicit in ,bah'u'llh's supreme declaration of the ,oneness of ,mankind--the chief and distinguishing feature of the ,faith ,he proclaimed84444 ,how pathetic indeed are the efforts of those leaders of human institutions who1 in utter disregard of the spirit of the age1 are striving to adjust national processes1 suited to the ancient days of self-contained nations to an age which must either achieve the unity of the world1 as adumbrated by ,bah'u'llh1 or perish4 ,at so critical an hour in the history of civilization it behoves the leaders of all the nations of the world1 great and small1 whether in the ,east or in the ,west1 whether victors or vanquished1 to give heed to the clarion call of ,bah'u'llh and1 thoroughly imbued with a sense of world solidarity1 the sine qua non of loyalty to ,his ,cause1 arise manfully to carry out in its entirety the one remedial scheme ,he1 the ,divine ,physician1 has prescribed for an ailing humanity4 ,let them discard1 once for all1 every preconceived idea1 every national prejudice1 and give heed to the sublime counsel of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 the authorized ,expounder of ,his teachings4 ,you can best serve your country1 was #8,abdu'l-,bah's rejoinder to a high official in the service of the federal government of the ,united ,states of ,america1 who had questioned ,him as to the best manner in which he could promote the interests of his government and people1 if you strive1 in your capacity as a citizen of the world1 to assist in the eventual application of the principle of federalism underlying the government of your own country to the relationships now existing between the peoples and nations of the world4 444 ,some form of a world super-state must needs be evolved1 in whose favour all the nations of the world will have willingly ceded every claim to make war1 certain rights to impose taxation and all rights to maintain armaments1 except for purposes of maintaining internal order within their respective dominions4 ,such a state will have to include within its orbit an international executive adequate to enforce supreme and unchallengeable authority on every recalcitrant member of the commonwealth2 a world parliament whose members shall be elected by the people in their respective countries and whose election shall be confirmed by their respective governments2 and a supreme tribunal whose judgement will have a binding effect even in such cases where the parties concerned did not voluntarily agree to submit their case to its consideration4 ,a world community in which all economic barriers will have been permanently demolished and the interdependence of ,capital and ,labour definitely recognized2 in which the clamour of religious fanaticism and strife will have been for ever stilled2 in which the flame of racial animosity will have been finally extinguished2 in which a single code of international law--the product of the considered judgement of the world's federated representatives--shall have as its sanction the instant and coercive intervention of the combined forces of the federated units2 and finally a world community in which the fury of a capricious and militant nationalism will have been transmuted into an abiding consciousness of world citizenship--such indeed1 appears1 in its broadest outline1 the ,order anticipated by ,bah'u'llh1 an ,order that shall come to be regarded as the fairest fruit of a slowly maturing age4 444 ,let there be no misgivings as to the animating purpose of the world-wide ,law of ,bah'u'llh4 ,far from aiming at the subversion of the existing foundations of society1 it seeks to broaden its basis1 to remould its institutions in a manner consonant with the needs of an ever-changing world4 ,it can conflict with no legitimate allegiances1 nor can it undermine essential loyalties4 ,its purpose is neither to stifle the flame of a sane and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts1 nor to abolish the system of national autonomy so essential if the evils of excessive centralization are to be avoided4 ,it does not ignore1 nor does it attempt to suppress the diversity of ethnical origins1 of climate1 of history1 of language and tradition1 of thought and habit1 that differentiate the peoples and nations of the world4 ,it calls for a wider loyalty1 for a larger aspiration than any that has animated the human race4 ,it insists upon the subordination of national impulses and interests to the imperative claims of a unified world4 ,it repudiates excessive centralization on one hand1 and disclaims all attempts at uniformity on the other4 ,its watchword is unity in diversity such as #8,abdu'l-,bah ,himself has explained4 444 ,its the principle of the ,oneness of ,mankind implications are deeper1 its claims greater than any which the ,prophets of old were allowed to advance4 ,its message is applicable not only to the individual1 but concerns itself primarily with the nature of those essential relationships that must bind all the states and nations as members of one human family4 ,it does not constitute merely the enunciation of an ideal1 but stands inseparably associated with an institution adequate to embody its truth1 demonstrate its validity1 and perpetuate its influence4 ,it implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society1 a change such as the world has not yet experienced4 ,it constitutes a challenge1 at once bold and universal1 to outworn shibboleths of national creeds--creeds that have had their day and which must1 in the ordinary course of events as shaped and controlled by ,providence1 give way to a new gospel1 fundamentally different from1 and infinitely superior to1 what the world has already conceived4 ,it calls for no less that the reconstruction and the demilitarization of the whole civilized world--a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life1 its political machinery1 its spiritual aspiration1 its trade and finance1 its script and language1 and yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units4 ,it represents the consummation of human evolution--an evolution that has had its earliest beginnings in the birth of family life1 its subsequent development in the achievement of tribal solidarity1 leading in turn to the constitution of the city-state1 and expanding later into the institution of independent and sovereign nations4 444 ,to take but one instance4 ,how confident were the assertions made in the days preceding the unification of the states of the ,north ,american continent regarding the insuperable barriers that stood in the way of their ultimate federation6 ,was it not widely and emphatically declared that the conflicting interests1 the mutual distrust1 the differences of government and habit that divided the states were such as no force1 whether spiritual or temporal1 could ever hope to harmonize or control8 ,and yet how different were the conditions prevailing a hundred and fifty years ago from those that characterize present-day society6 ,it would indeed be no exaggeration to say that the absence of those facilities which modern scientific progress has placed at the service of humanity in our time made of the problem of welding the ,american states into a single federation1 similar though they were in certain traditions1 a task infinitely more complex than that which confronts a divided humanity in its efforts to achieve the unification of all mankind4 ,who knows that for so exalted a conception to take shape a suffering more intense that any it has yet experienced will have to be inflicted upon humanity8 ,could anything less than the fire of a civil war with all its violence and vicissitudes--a war that nearly rent the great ,american ,republic--have welded the states1 not only into a ,union of independent units1 but into a ,nation1 in spite of all the ethnic differences that characterized its component parts8 ,that so fundamental a revolution1 involving such far-reaching changes in the structure of society1 can be achieved through the ordinary processes of diplomacy and education seems highly improbable4 ,we have but to turn our gaze to humanity's blood-stained history to realize that nothing short of intense mental as well as physical agony has been able to precipitate those epoch-making changes that constitute the greatest landmarks in the history of human civilization4 ,great and far-reaching as have been those changes in the past1 they cannot but appear1 when viewed in their proper perspective1 except as subsidiary adjustments preluding that transformation of unparalleled majesty and scope which humanity is in this age bound to undergo4 ,that the forces of a world catastrophe can alone precipitate such a new phase of human thought is1 alas1 becoming increasingly apparent4 ,that nothing short of the fire of a severe ordeal1 unparalleled in its intensity1 can fuse and weld the discordant entities1 that constitute the elements of present-day civilization1 into the integral components of the world ,commonwealth of the future is a truth which future events will increasingly demonstrate4 ,the prophetic voice of ,bah'u'llh warning1 in the concluding passages of the 8,hidden ,words01 8the peoples of the world0 that 8an unforeseen calamity is following them and that grievous retribution awaiteth them0 throws indeed a lurid light upon the immediate fortunes of sorrowing humanity4 ,nothing but a fiery ordeal1 out of which humanity will emerge1 chastened and prepared1 can succeed in implanting that sense of responsibility which the leaders of a new-born age must arise to shoulder4 ,i would again direct your attention to those ominous words of ,bah'u'llh which ,i have already quoted3 8,and when the appointed hour is come1 there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake40 ,has not #8,abdu'l-,bah ,himself asserted in unequivocal language that 8another war1 fiercer than the last1 will assuredly break out08 ,upon the consummation of this colossal1 this unspeakably glorious enterprise--an enterprise that baffled the resources of ,roman statesmanship and which ,napoleon's desperate efforts failed to achieve--will depend the ultimate realization of that millenium of which poets of all ages have sung and seers have long dreamed4 ,upon it will depend the fulfilment of the prophecies uttered by the ,prophets of old when swords shall be beaten into ploughshares and the lion and the lamb lie down together4 ,it alone can usher in the ,kingdom of the ,heavenly ,father as anticipated by the ,faith of ,jesus ,christ4 ,it alone can lay the foundation for the ,new ,world ,order visualized by ,bah'u'llh--a ,world ,order that shall reflect1 however dimly1 upon this earthly plane1 the ineffable splendours of the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,one word more in conclusion4 ,the proclamation of the ,oneness of ,mankind--the head corner-stone of ,bah'u'llh's all-embracing dominion--can under no circumstances be compared with such expressions of pious hope as have been uttered in the past4 ,his is not merely a call which ,he raised1 alone and unaided1 in the face of the relentless and combined opposition of two of the most powerful ,oriental potentates of ,his day--while ,himself an exile and prisoner in their hands4 ,it implies at once a warning and a promise--a warning that in it lies the sole means for the salvation of a greatly suffering world1 a promise that its realization is at hand4 ,uttered at a time when its possibility had not yet been seriously envisaged in any part of the world1 it has1 by virtue of that celestial potency which the ,spirit of ,bah'u'llh has breathed into it1 come at last to be regarded1 by an increasing number of thoughtful men1 not only as an approaching possibility1 but as the necessary outcome of the forces now operating in the world4 ,surely the world1 contracted and transformed into a single highly complex organism by the marvellous progress achieved in the realm of physical science1 by the world-wide expansion of commerce and industry1 and struggling1 under the pressure of world economic forces1 amidst the pitfalls of a materialistic civilization1 stands in dire need of a restatement of the ,truth underlying all the ,revelation1 of the past in a language suited to its essential requirements4 ,and what voice other than that of ,bah'u'llh--the ,mouthpiece of ,god for this age--is capable of effecting a transformation of society as radical as that which ,he has already accomplished in the hearts of those men and women1 so diversified and seemingly irreconcilable1 who constitute the body of ,his declared followers throughout the world8 ,that such a mighty conception is fast budding out in the minds of men1 that voices are being raised in its support1 that its salient features must fast crystallize in the consciousness of those who are in authority1 few indeed can doubt4 ,that its modest beginnings have already taken shape in the world-wide ,administration with which the adherents of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh stand associated only those whose hearts are tainted by prejudice can fail to perceive4 7#bh ,november #aica to the ,bah's of the ,west1 published in 8,the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh3 ,selected ,letters01 pp4 #cc-cg1 #dj-dc1 #de-dh7 #dg #dh3 ,no machinery falling short of the standard inculcated by the ,bah'444 ,no machinery falling short of the standard inculcated by the ,bah' ,revelation1 and at variance with the sublime pattern ordained in ,his teachings1 which the collective efforts of mankind may yet devise can ever hope to achieve anything above or beyond that 8,lesser ,peace0 to which the ,author of our ,faith has ,himself alluded in ,his writings4 8,now that ye have refused the ,most ,great ,peace10 ,he1 admonishing the kings and rulers of the earth1 has written1 8hold ye fast unto this the ,lesser ,peace1 that haply ye may in some degree better your own condition and that of your dependents40 ,expatiating on this ,lesser ,peace1 ,he thus addresses in that same ,tablet the rulers of the earth3 8,be reconciled among yourselves1 that ye may need no more armaments save in a measure to safeguard your territories and dominions444 ,be united1 ,o kings of the earth1 for thereby will the tempest of discord be stilled amongst you1 and your peoples find rest1 if ye be of them that comprehend4 ,should any one among you take up arms against another1 rise ye all against him1 for this is naught but manifest justice40 ,the ,most ,great ,peace1 on the other hand1 as conceived by ,bah'u'llh--a peace that must inevitably follow as the practical consequence of the spiritualization of the world and the fusion of all its races1 creeds1 classes and nations--can rest on no other basis1 and can be preserved through no other agency1 except the divinely appointed ordinances that are implicit in the ,world ,order that stands associated with ,his ,holy ,name4444 444 ,the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh1 whose supreme mission is none other but the achievement of this organic and spiritual unity of the whole body of nations1 should1 if we be faithful to its implications1 be regarded as signalizing through its advent the coming of age of the entire human race4 ,it should be viewed not merely as yet another spiritual revival in the ever-changing fortunes of mankind1 not only as a further stage in a chain of progressive ,revelations1 nor even as the culmination of one of a series of recurrent prophetic cycles1 but rather as marking the last and highest stage in the stupendous evolution of man's collective life on this planet4 ,the emergence of a world community1 the consciousness of world citizenship1 the founding of a world civilization and culture--all of which must synchronize with the initial stages in the unfoldment of the ,golden ,age of the ,bah' ,era--should1 by their very nature1 be regarded1 as far as this planetary life is concerned1 as the furthermost limits in the organization of human society1 though man1 as an individual1 will1 nay must indeed as a result of such a consummation1 continue indefinitely to progress and develop4 444 ,the whole of mankind is groaning1 is dying to be led to unity1 and to terminate its age-long martyrdom4 ,and yet it stubbornly refuses to embrace the light and acknowledge the sovereign authority of the one ,power that can extricate it from its entanglements1 and avert the woeful calamity that threatens to engulf it4 ,ominous indeed is the voice of ,bah'u'llh that rings through these prophetic words3 8,o ye peoples of the world6 ,know1 verily1 that an unforeseen calamity followeth you1 and grievous retribution awaiteth you4 ,think not that which ye have committed hath been effaced in ,my sight40 ,and again3 8,we have a fixed time for you1 ,o peoples4 ,if ye fail1 at the appointed hour1 to turn towards ,god1 ,he1 verily1 will lay violent hold on you1 and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction4 ,how severe1 indeed1 is the chastisement with which your ,lord will then chastise you60 ,must humanity1 tormented as she now is1 be afflicted with still severer tribulations ere their purifying influence can prepare her to enter the heavenly ,kingdom destined to be established upon earth8 ,must the inauguration of so vast1 so unique1 so illumined an era in human history be ushered in by so great a catastrophe in human affairs as to recall1 nay surpass1 the appalling collapse of ,roman civilization in the first centuries of the ,christian ,era8 ,must a series of profound convulsions stir and rock the human race ere ,bah'u'llh can be enthroned in the hearts and consciences of the masses1 ere ,his undisputed ascendancy is universally recognized1 and the noble edifice of ,his ,world ,order is reared and established8 ,the long ages of infancy and childhood1 through which the human race had to pass1 have receded into the background4 ,humanity is now experiencing the commotions invariably associated with the most turbulent stage of its evolution1 the stage of adolescence1 when the impetuosity of youth and its vehemence reach their climax1 and must gradually be superseded by the calmness1 the wisdom1 and the maturity that characterize the stage of manhood4 ,then will the human race reach that stature of ripeness which will enable it to acquire all the powers and capacities upon which its ultimate development must depend4 444 ,unification of the whole of mankind is the hall mark of the stage which human society is now approaching4 ,unity of family1 of tribe1 of city-state1 and nation have been successively attempted and fully established4 ,world unity is the goal towards which a harassed humanity is striving4 ,nation-building has come to an end4 ,the anarchy inherent in state sovereignty is moving towards a climax4 ,a world1 growing to maturity1 must abandon this fetish1 recognize the oneness and wholeness of human relationships1 and establish once for all the machinery that can best incarnate this fundamental principle of its life4 444 ,the unity of the human race1 as envisaged by ,bah'u'llh1 implies the establishment of a world commonwealth in which all nations1 races1 creeds and classes are closely and permanently united1 and in which the autonomy of its state members and the personal freedom and initiative of the individuals that compose them are definitely and completely safeguarded4 ,this commonwealth must1 as far as we can visualize it1 consist of a world legislature1 whose members will1 as the trustees of the whole of mankind1 ultimately control the entire resources of all the component nations1 and will enact such laws as shall be required to regulate the life1 satisfy the needs and adjust the relationships of all races and peoples4 ,a world executive1 backed by an international ,force1 will carry out the decisions arrived at1 and apply the laws enacted by1 this world legislature1 and will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth4 ,a world tribunal will adjudicate and deliver its compulsory and final verdict in all and any disputes that may arise between the various elements constituting this universal system4 ,a mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised1 embracing the whole planet1 freed from national hindrances and restrictions1 and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity4 ,a world metropolis will act as the nerve centre of a world civilization1 the focus towards which the unifying forces of life will converge and from which its energizing influences will radiate4 ,a world language will either be invented or chosen from among the existing languages and will be taught in the schools of all the federated nations as an auxiliary to their mother tongue4 ,a world script1 a world literature1 a uniform and universal system of currency1 of weights and measures1 will simplify and facilitate intercourse and understanding among the nations and races of mankind4 ,in such a world society1 science and religion1 the two most potent forces in human life1 will be reconciled1 will co-operate1 and will harmoniously develop4 ,the press will1 under such a system1 while giving full scope to the expression of the diversified views and convictions of mankind1 cease to be mischievously manipulated by vested interests1 whether private or public1 and will be liberated from the influence of contending governments and peoples4 ,the economic resources of the world will be organized1 its sources of raw materials will be tapped and fully utilized1 its markets will be co-ordinated and developed1 and the distribution of its products will be equitably regulated4 ,national rivalries1 hatreds1 and intrigues will cease1 and racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity1 understanding and co-operation4 ,the causes of religious strife will be permanently removed1 economic barriers and restrictions will be completely abolished1 and the inordinate distinction between classes will be obliterated4 ,destitution on the one hand1 and gross accumulation of ownership on the other1 will disappear4 ,the enormous energy dissipated and wasted on war1 whether economic or political1 will be consecrated to such ends as will extend the range of human inventions and technical development1 to the increase of the productivity of mankind1 to the extermination of disease1 to the extension of scientific research1 to the raising of the standard of physical health1 to the sharpening and refinement of the human brain1 to the exploitation of the unused and unsuspected resources of the planet1 to the prolongation of human life1 and to the furtherance of any other agency that can stimulate the intellectual1 the moral1 and spiritual life of the entire human race4 ,a world federal system1 ruling the whole earth and exercising unchallengeable authority over its unimaginably vast resources1 blending and embodying the ideals of both the ,east and the ,west1 liberated from the curse of war and its miseries1 and bent on the exploitation of all the available sources of energy on the surface of the planet1 a system in which ,force is made the servant of ,justice1 whose life is sustained by its universal recognition of one ,god and by its allegiance to one common ,revelation--such is the goal towards which humanity1 impelled by the unifying forces of life1 is moving4 7#aa ,march #aicf1 published in 8,the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh3 ,selected ,letters01 pp4 #afb-fc1 #bja-d7 #dh #di3 ,the world-shaking ordeal which ,bah'u'llh1 as quoted in the foregoing pages1444 ,the world-shaking ordeal which ,bah'u'llh1 as quoted in the foregoing pages1 has so graphically prophesied1 may find it the ,american nation swept1 to an unprecedented degree1 into its vortex4 ,out of it it will probably emerge1 unlike its reactions to the last world conflict1 consciously determined to seize its opportunity1 to bring the full weight of its influence to bear upon the gigantic problems that such an ordeal must leave in its wake1 and to exorcise forever1 in conjunction with its sister nations of both the ,east and the ,west1 the greatest curse which1 from time immemorial1 has afflicted and degraded the human race4 ,then1 and only then1 will the ,american nation1 moulded and purified in the crucible of a common war1 inured to its rigours1 and disciplined by its lessons1 be in a position to raise its voice in the councils of the nations1 itself lay the corner-stone of a universal and enduring peace1 proclaim the solidarity1 the unity1 and maturity of mankind1 and assist in the establishment of the promised reign of righteousness on earth4 ,then1 and only then1 will the ,american nation1 while the community of the ,american believers within its heart is consummating its divinely appointed mission1 be able to fulfill the unspeakably glorious destiny ordained for it by the ,almighty1 and immortally enshrined in the writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,then1 and only then1 will the ,american nation accomplish 8that which will adorn the pages of history10 8become the envy of the world and be blest in both the ,east and the ,west40 7#be ,december #aich1 published in 8,the ,advent of ,divine ,justice0 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihd71 pp4 #ij-ia7 #di #ej3 ,the world is1 in truth1 moving on towards its destiny4 ,the444 ,the world is1 in truth1 moving on towards its destiny4 ,the interdependence of the peoples and nations of the earth1 whatever the leaders of the divisive forces of the world may say or do1 is already an accomplished fact4 ,its unity in the economic sphere is now understood and recognized4 ,the welfare of the part means the welfare of the whole1 and the distress of the part brings distress to the whole4 ,the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh has1 in ,his own words1 8lent a fresh impulse and set a new direction0 to this vast process now operating in the world4 ,the fires lit by this great ordeal are the consequences of men's failure to recognize it4 ,they are1 moreover1 hastening its consummation4 ,adversity1 prolonged1 world wide1 afflictive1 allied to chaos and universal destruction1 must needs convulse the nations1 stir the conscience of the world1 disillusion the masses1 precipitate a radical change in the very conception of society1 and coalesce ultimately the disjointed1 the bleeding limbs of mankind into one body1 single1 organically united1 and indivisible4 444 ,to the general character1 the implications and features of this world commonwealth1 destined to emerge1 sooner or later1 out of the carnage1 agony1 and havoc of this great world convulsion1 ,i have already referred in my previous communications4 ,suffice it to say that this consummation will1 by its very nature1 be a gradual process1 and must1 as ,bah'u'llh has ,himself anticipated1 lead at first to the establishment of that ,lesser ,peace which the nations of the earth1 as yet unconscious of ,his ,revelation and yet unwittingly enforcing the general principles which ,he has enunciated1 will themselves establish4 ,this momentous and historic step1 involving the reconstruction of mankind1 as the result of the universal recognition of its oneness and wholeness1 will bring in its wake the spiritualization of the masses1 consequent to the recognition of the character1 and the acknowledgement of the claims1 of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh--the essential condition to that ultimate fusion of all races1 creeds1 classes1 and nations which must signalize the emergence of ,his ,new ,world ,order4 ,then will the coming of age of the entire human race be proclaimed and celebrated by all the peoples and nations of the earth4 ,then will the banner of the ,most ,great ,peace be hoisted4 ,then will the world wide sovereignty of ,bah'u'llh--the ,establisher of the ,kingdom of the ,father foretold by the ,son1 and anticipated by the ,prophets of ,god before ,him and after ,him--be recognized1 acclaimed1 and firmly established4 ,then will a world civilization be born1 flourish1 and perpetuate itself1 a civilization with a fullness of life such as the world has never seen nor can as yet conceive4 ,then will the ,everlasting ,covenant be fulfilled in its completeness4 ,then will the promise enshrined in all the ,books of ,god be redeemed1 and all the prophecies uttered by the ,prophets of old come to pass1 and the vision of seers and poets be realized4 ,then will the planet1 galvanized through the universal belief of its dwellers in one ,god1 and their allegiance to one common ,revelation1 mirror1 within the limitations imposed upon it1 the effulgent glories of the sovereignty of ,bah'u'llh1 shining in the plenitude of its splendour in the ,abh ,paradise1 and be made the footstool of ,his ,throne on high1 and acclaimed as the earthly heaven1 capable of fulfilling that ineffable destiny fixed for it1 from time immemorial1 by the love and wisdom of its ,creator4 7#bh ,march #aida1 published in 8,the ,promised ,day ,is ,come01 pp4 #abb-abd7 #ej #ea3 ,the principle of collective security ,he ,bah'u'llh unreservedly urges2444 ,the principle of collective security ,he ,bah'u'llh unreservedly urges2 recommends the reduction in national armaments2 and proclaims as necessary and inevitable the convening of a world gathering at which the kings and rulers of the world will deliberate for the establishment of peace among the nations4 78,god ,passes ,by01 rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihg71 pp4 #bag-bah7 #ea #eb3 ,during this ,formative ,age of the ,faith1 and in the course of the present444 ,during this ,formative ,age of the ,faith1 and in the course of the present and succeeding epochs1 the last and crowning stage in the erection of the framework of the ,administrative ,order of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh--the election of the ,universal ,house of ,justice--will have been completed1 the 8,kitb-i-,aqdas01 the ,mother-,book of ,his ,revelation1 will have been codified and its laws promulgated1 the ,lesser ,peace will have been established1 the unity of mankind will have been achieved and its maturity attained1 the ,plan conceived by #8,abdu'l-,bah will have been executed1 the emancipation of the ,faith from the fetters of religious orthodoxy will have been effected1 and its independent religious status will have been universally recognized444 444 444we cannot fail to perceive the workings of two simultaneous processes1 generated as far back as the concluding years of the ,heroic ,age of our ,faith1 each clearly defined1 each distinctly separate1 yet closely related and destined to culminate1 in the fullness of time1 in a single glorious consummation4 ,one of these processes is associated with the mission of the ,american ,bah' community1 the other with the destiny of the ,american nation4 ,the one serves directly the interests of the ,administrative ,order of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh444 ,the other process dates back to the outbreak of the ,first ,world ,war that threw the ,great ,republic of the ,west into the vortex of the first stage of a world upheaval4 ,it received its initial impetus through the formulation of ,president ,wilson's ,fourteen ,points1 closely associating for the first time that ,republic with the fortunes of the ,old ,world4 ,it suffered its first set-back through the dissociation of that ,republic from the newly-born ,league of ,nations which that ,president had laboured to create4 ,it acquired added momentum through the outbreak of the ,second ,world ,war1 inflicting unprecedented suffering on that ,republic1 and involving it still further in the affairs of all the continents of the globe4 ,it was further reinforced through the declaration embodied in the ,atlantic ,charter1 as voiced by one of its chief progenitors1 ,franklin ,d4 ,roosevelt4 ,it assumed a definite outline through the birth of the ,united ,nations at the ,san ,francisco ,conference4 ,it acquired added significance through the choice of the ,city of the ,covenant itself as the seat of the newly-born organization1 through the declaration recently made by the ,american ,president related to his country's commitments in ,greece and ,turkey1 as well as through the submission to the ,general ,assembly of the ,united ,nations of the thorny and challenging problem of the ,holy ,land1 the spiritual as well as the administrative centre of the ,world ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,it must1 however long and tortuous the way1 lead1 through a series of victories and reverses1 to the political unification of the ,eastern and ,western ,hemispheres1 to the emergence of a world government1 and the establishment of the ,lesser ,peace1 as foretold by ,bah'u'llh and foreshadowed by the ,prophet ,isaiah4 ,it must1 in the end1 culminate in the unfurling of the banner of the ,most ,great ,peace1 in the ,golden ,age of the ,dispensation of ,bah'u'llh4 7#e ,june #aidg to the ,bah's of ,west1 published in 8,citadel of ,faith3 ,messages to ,america #aidg-aieg0 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aihj71 p4 #f1 pp4 #cb-cc7 #eb #ec3 ,the raising of this ,edifice will in turn herald the construction1 in the444 ,the raising of this ,edifice will in turn herald the construction1 in the course of successive epochs of the ,formative ,age of the ,faith1 of several other structures1 which will serve as the administrative seats of such divinely appointed institutions as the ,guardianship1 the ,hands of the ,cause1 and the ,universal ,house of ,justice4 ,these ,edifices will1 in the shape of a far-flung arc1 and following a harmonizing style of architecture1 surround the resting-places of the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 ranking as foremost among the members of her sex in the ,bah' ,dispensation1 of her ,brother1 offered up as a ransom by ,bah'u'llh for the quickening of the world and its unification1 and of their ,mother1 proclaimed by ,him to be ,his chosen 8consort in all the worlds of ,god04 ,the ultimate completion of this stupendous undertaking will mark the culmination of the development of a world-wide divinely-appointed ,administrative ,order whose beginnings may be traced as far back as the concluding years of the ,heroic ,age of the ,faith4 ,this vast and irresistible process1 unexampled in the spiritual history of mankind1 and which will synchronize with two no less significant developments--the establishment of the ,lesser ,peace and the evolution of ,bah' national and local institutions--the one outside and the other within the ,bah' world--will attain its final consummation1 in the ,golden ,age of the ,faith1 through the raising of the standard of the ,most ,great ,peace1 and the emergence1 in the plenitude of its power and glory1 of the focal ,centre of the agencies constituting the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh4 ,the final establishment of this seat of the future ,bah' ,world ,commonwealth will signalize at once the proclamation of the sovereignty of the ,founder of our ,faith and the advent of the ,kingdom of the ,father repeatedly lauded and promised by ,jesus ,christ4 ,this ,world ,order will1 in turn1 in the course of successive ,dispensations of the ,bah' ,cycle1 yield its fairest fruit through the birth and flowering of a civilization1 divinely inspired1 unique in its features1 world-embracing in its scope1 and fundamentally spiritual in its character--a civilization destined as it unfolds to derive its initial impulse from the spirit animating the very institutions which1 in their embryonic state1 are now stirring in the womb of the present ,formative ,age of the ,faith4 7#bg ,november #aied to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,united ,states1 published in 8,messages to the ,bah' ,world1 #aiej-aieg0 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aiga71 pp4 #gd-ge7 #ec ,,extracts ,,from ,,letters ,,written ,,on ,,behalf ,,of ,,shoghi ,,effendi #ed3 ,the world is in great turmoil1 and what is most pathetic is that it has learned444 ,the world is in great turmoil1 and what is most pathetic is that it has learned to keep away from ,god1 ,who alone can save it and alleviate its sufferings4 ,it is our duty1 we who have been trusted with the task of applying the divine remedy given by ,bah'u'llh1 to concentrate our attention upon the consummation of this task1 and not rest until the peace foretold by the ,prophets of ,god is permanently established4444 7#i ,december #aica to the ,bah's of ,tokyo7 #ed #ee3 ,shoghi ,effendi wrote his last general letter to the western friends444 ,shoghi ,effendi wrote his last general letter to the western friends because he felt that the public should be made to understand the attitude the ,bah' ,faith maintains towards the prevailing economic and political problems4 ,we should let the world know what the real aim of ,bah'u'llh was4 ,up to the present ,unity of ,mankind was only of an academic importance4 ,now it is becoming more and more a subject for international statesmen to think of4 ,it is coming to the field of practical politics4 ,it is therefore a wonderful chance for us to come to the front and expound the teaching which is the goal and aim of the social precepts of ,bah'u'llh4 ,shoghi ,effendi hopes that the friends will re-echo this call to an organic unity of mankind until it forms part of the conscious faith of every living man in the world4 ,great judgement should be however practised lest we be misunderstood and our ,faith be classed among radical movements4 7#bh ,january #aicb to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,united ,states and ,canada7 #ee #ef3 ,shoghi ,effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated444 ,shoghi ,effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated ,january #bfth #aicb which accompanied a printed copy of his last general letter4 ,he thanks you both for this as well as for the one hundred copies you are shipping to him4 ,he is deeply gratified to learn that the friends find it interesting and worthwhile enough as to make its subject-matter the topic of their teaching campaign4 ,he sincerely hopes that this will also awaken some of the friends to the importance of this teaching of the ,cause and stimulate them to make a thorough and deep study of it4 ,for it undoubtedly forms the goal of the social precepts of the ,faith4 ,there is no reason why the ,bah's should not take the lead in advocating such a federation of the world1 towards which the world is driven by forces it cannot control4444 7#af ,february #aicb to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,united ,states and ,canada7 #ef #eg3 ,the different nations of the world will never attain peace except after444 ,the different nations of the world will never attain peace except after recognizing the significance of the teachings and whole-heartedly upholding them for through those precepts all international problems will be solved and every man will secure the spiritual environment in which his soul can evolve and produce its highest fruits4 7#ae ,january #aicc to an individual believer7 #eg #eh3 ,the ,guardian has also read with deep interest all the enclosed papers4 ,he444 ,the ,guardian has also read with deep interest all the enclosed papers4 ,he is firmly convinced that through perseverance and concerted action the cause of ,peace will eventually triumph over all the dark forces which threaten the welfare and progress of the world today4 ,but such purely human attempts are undoubtedly ineffective unless inspired and guided by the power of faith4 ,without the assistance of ,god1 as given through the message of ,bah'u'llh1 peace can never be safely and adequately established4 ,to disregard the ,bah' solution for world peace is to build on foundations of sand4 ,to accept and apply it is to make peace not a mere dream1 or an ideal1 but a living reality4 ,this is the point which the ,guardian wishes you to develop1 to emphasize again and again1 and to support by convincing arguments4 ,the ,bah' peace programme is1 indeed1 not only one way of attaining that goal4 ,it is not even relatively the best4 ,it is1 in the last resort1 the sole effective instrument for the establishment of the reign of peace in this world4 ,this attitude does not involve any total repudiation of other solutions offered by various philanthropists4 ,it merely shows their inadequacy compared to the ,divine ,plan for the unification of the world4 ,we cannot escape the truth that nothing mundane can in the last resort be enduring1 unless supported and sustained through the power of ,god4 7#be ,september #aicc to an individual believer7 #eh #ei3 ,whatever our shortcomings may be1 and however formidable the forces of darkness444 ,whatever our shortcomings may be1 and however formidable the forces of darkness which besiege us today1 the unification of mankind as outlined and ensured by the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh will in the fullness of time be firmly and permanently established4 ,this is ,bah'u'llh's promise1 and no power on earth can in the long run prevent or even retard its adequate realization4 ,the friends should1 therefore1 not lose hope1 but fully conscious of their power and their rle they should persevere in their mighty efforts for the extension and the consolidation of ,bah'u'llh's universal dominion on earth4 7#f ,november #aicc to an individual believer7 #ei #fj3 ,as regards the ,international ,executive referred to by the ,guardian in his444 ,as regards the ,international ,executive referred to by the ,guardian in his 8,goal of a ,new ,world ,order01 it should be noted that this statement refers by no means to the ,bah' ,commonwealth of the future1 but simply to that world government which will herald the advent and lead to the final establishment of the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh4 ,the formation of this ,international ,executive1 which corresponds to the executive head or board in present-day national governments1 is but a step leading to the ,bah' world government of the future1 and hence should not be identified with either the institution of the ,guardianship or that of the ,international ,house of ,justice4 7#ag ,march #aicd to two believers7 #fj #fa3 ,in connection with your teaching work3 what the ,guardian wishes you to444 ,in connection with your teaching work3 what the ,guardian wishes you to particularly emphasize in all your talks is the supreme necessity for all individuals and nations in this day to adopt in its entirety the social programme given by ,bah'u'llh for the reconstruction of the religious1 economic and political life of mankind4 ,he wishes you to explain and analyze the elements that help in raising this ,divine ,world ,order in the light of the present-day events and conditions in the world4 ,special stress1 he feels1 should be laid on the impending necessity of establishing a supranational and sovereign world state1 as the one described by ,bah'u'llh4 ,with the world becoming increasingly subject to tumults and convulsions never experienced before1 the realization of such a necessity is entering into the consciousness of not only the wise and learned1 but of the common people as well4 ,the believers should1 therefore1 seize this opportunity and make a supreme effort to present1 in a convincing and eloquent language1 those social and humanitarian teachings of the ,faith which we believe to constitute the sole panacea for the innumerable ills afflicting our present-day world4 7#ae ,november #aice to two believers7 #fa #fb3 ,with reference to your question concerning #8,abdu'l-,bah's reference to444 ,with reference to your question concerning #8,abdu'l-,bah's reference to 8unity in the political realm03 this unity should be clearly distinguished from the 8unity of nations04 ,the first is a unity which politically independent and sovereign states achieve among themselves2 while the second is one which is brought about between nations1 the difference between a state and a nation being that the former1 as you know1 is a political entity without necessarily being homogeneous in race1 whereas the second implies national as well as political homogeneity4 7#bf ,july #aicf to an individual believer7 #fb #fc3 ,as regards your teaching work3 the ,guardian has already advised you to444 ,as regards your teaching work3 the ,guardian has already advised you to stress in your talks the idea of a world superstate1 and the concept of the ,oneness of ,mankind underlying it4 ,in addition1 he wishes you also to emphasize the fact that humanity1 taken as a whole1 has entered the most critical and momentous stage of its evolution1 the stage of maturity4 ,this idea of the coming of age of mankind constitutes the central core of the ,bah' ,teachings1 and is the most distinguishing feature of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,a proper understanding of this concept gives the key to an adequate appreciation of the tremendous claim made by the ,author of the ,faith1 both with regard to ,his own station1 and to the incomparable greatness of ,his ,dispensation4 7#ab ,october #aicf to an individual believer7 #fc #fd3 ,with reference to the question you have asked concerning the time and444 ,with reference to the question you have asked concerning the time and means through which the ,lesser and ,most ,great ,peace1 referred to by ,bah'u'llh1 will be established1 following the coming ,world ,war3 ,your view that the ,lesser ,peace will come about through the political efforts of the states and nations of the world1 and independently of any direct ,bah' plan or effort1 and the ,most ,great ,peace be established through the instrumentality of the believers1 and by the direct operation of the laws and principles revealed by ,bah'u'llh and the functioning of the ,universal ,house of ,justice as the supreme organ of the ,bah' superstate--your view on this subject is quite correct and in full accord with the pronouncements of the ,guardian as embodied in 8,the ,unfoldment of ,world ,civilization04 7#ad ,march #aici to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,united ,states and ,canada1 and to an individual believer7 #fd #fe3 ,though it is premature to try and endeavour to foresee on what basis444 ,though it is premature to try and endeavour to foresee on what basis various nations would be represented on any international council1 or in any international form of government1 it is clear that from the ,bah' standpoint it could only be carried out on a basis of true justice2 and justice does not imply one race having a preponderating vote over some other race's representatives1 and thus being in a position to dominate them4 7#ab ,april #aidb to an individual believer7 #fe #ff3 ,what #8,abdu'l-,bah meant about the women arising for peace is that this is a444 ,what #8,abdu'l-,bah meant about the women arising for peace is that this is a matter which vitally affects women1 and when they form a conscious and overwhelming mass of public opinion against war there can be no war4 ,the ,bah' women are already organized through being members of the ,faith and the ,administrative ,order4 ,no further organization is needed4 ,but they should1 through teaching and through the active moral support they give to every movement directed towards peace1 seek to exert a strong influence on other women's minds in regard to this essential matter4 7#bd ,march #aide to two believers7 #ff #fg3 ,the ,seven ,lights of ,unity will not necessarily appear in the order given4444 ,the ,seven ,lights of ,unity will not necessarily appear in the order given4 ,a product of the second may well be universal culture4 7#ai ,november #aide to an individual believer7 #fg #fh3 ,the teachings of ,bah'u'llh will establish a new way of life for444 ,the teachings of ,bah'u'llh will establish a new way of life for humanity4 ,those who are ,bah's must endeavour to establish this way of life just as rapidly as possible4 ,now that the hour has arrived when the ,bah' ,faith is gaining prominence1 and is being reviewed by so many peoples1 it is necessary that the adherents of the ,faith should live up to the high ideals of the ,faith in every way4 ,in this way they can demonstrate that the ,bah' ,faith does create a new way of life1 which brings to the individual a complete association with the ,will of ,god1 and thus the establishment of a peaceful and universal society4 ,divisional attachments are of men1 while universal service is of ,god4 ,the ,guardian is now anxious that all the friends achieve a universal consciousness and universal way of life4 7#bj ,november #aiee to an individual believer7 #fh #fi3 ,world government will come1 but we do not know the date4444 ,world government will come1 but we do not know the date4 7#ae ,august #aieg to an individual believer7 #fi ,,extracts ,,from ,,letters ,,of ,,the ,,universal ,,house ,,of ,,justice #gj3 ,when ,bah'u'llh proclaimed ,his ,message to the world in the nineteenth444 ,when ,bah'u'llh proclaimed ,his ,message to the world in the nineteenth century ,he made it abundantly clear that the first step essential for the peace and progress of mankind was its unification4 ,as ,he says1 8,the well-being of mankind1 its peace and security are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established40 78,the ,world ,order of ,bah'u'llh01 p4 #bjc7 ,to this day1 however1 you will find most people take the opposite point of view3 they look upon unity as an ultimate1 almost unattainable goal and concentrate first on remedying all the other ills of mankind4 ,if they did but know it1 these other ills are but various symptoms and side effects of the basic disease--disunity4 ,bah'u'llh has1 furthermore1 stated that the revivification of mankind and the curing of all its ills can be achieved only through the instrumentality of ,his ,faith4444 444 ,we are told by ,shoghi ,effendi that two great processes are at work in the world3 the great ,plan of ,god1 tumultuous in its progress1 working through mankind as a whole1 tearing down barriers to world unity and forging humankind into a unified body in the fires of suffering and experience4 ,this process will produce1 in ,god's due time1 the ,lesser ,peace1 the political unification of the world4 ,mankind at that time can be likened to a body that is unified but without life4 ,the second process1 the task of breathing life into this unified body--of creating true unity and spirituality culminating in the ,most ,great ,peace--is that of the ,bah's1 who are labouring consciously1 with detailed instructions and continuing ,divine guidance1 to erect the fabric of the ,kingdom of ,god on earth1 into which they call their fellow men1 thus conferring upon them eternal life4 7#h ,december #aifg1 published in 8,wellspring of ,guidance3 ,messages #aifc-aifh01 #ast rev4 ed4 7,wilmette3 ,bah' ,publishing ,trust1 #aigf71 pp4 #aca-cd7 #gj #ga3 ,it is true that #8,abdu'l-,bah made statements linking the establishment of444 ,it is true that #8,abdu'l-,bah made statements linking the establishment of the unity of nations to the twentieth century4 ,for example3 8,the fifth candle is the unity of nations--a unity which1 in this century1 will be securely established1 causing all the peoples of the world to regard themselves as citizens of one common fatherland40 ,and1 in ,the 8,promised ,day ,is ,come01 following a similar statement quoted from 8,some ,answered ,questions01 ,shoghi ,effendi makes this comment3 8,this is the stage which the world is now approaching1 the stage of world unity1 which1 as #8,abdu'l-,bah assures us1 will1 in this century1 be securely established40 ,there is also this statement from a letter written in #aidf to an individual believer on behalf of the beloved ,guardian by his secretary3 ,all we know is that the ,lesser and the ,most ,great ,peace will come--their exact dates we do not know4 ,the same is true as regards the possibility of a future war2 we cannot state dogmatically it will or will not take place--all we know is that mankind must suffer and be punished sufficiently to make it turn to ,god4 7#bi ,july #aigd7 #ga ,,extracts ,,from ,,letters ,,written ,,on ,,behalf ,,of ,,the ,,universal ,,house ,,of ,,justice #gb3 444the ,bah' ,faith aims to eliminate all war1 including nuclear4 ,the fundamental444 444the ,bah' ,faith aims to eliminate all war1 including nuclear4 ,the fundamental purpose of our ,faith is unity and the establishment of peace4 ,this goal1 which is the longing of people throughout an increasingly insecure world1 can only be achieved through the ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,since it is only the ,bah's who can give these ,teachings to mankind1 the friends must weigh carefully how they will spend their time and energy and guard against associating with activities which unduly distract them from their primary responsibility of sharing the ,message of ,bah'u'llh4 7#d ,july #aihb to an individual believer7 #gb #gc3 ,at the present time1 the subject of nuclear disarmament has become very444 ,at the present time1 the subject of nuclear disarmament has become very much a political issue1 with demonstrations taking place not only in the ,united ,states but also in ,england and some western ,european countries4 ,to single out nuclear disarmament falls short of the ,bah' position and would involve the ,faith in the current disputes between nations4 ,it is very clear that ,bah's believe disarmament1 not only of nuclear weapons but of biological1 chemical and all other forms1 is essential444 7#ab ,january #aihc to an individual believer7 #gc #gd3 ,concerning the transition from the present system of national sovereignty444 ,concerning the transition from the present system of national sovereignty to a system of world government1 the ,house of ,justice fully agrees with your view that the ,bah's must now do all in their power to promote this transition4 ,this requires several related activities1 all of which are goals of the present ,seven ,year ,plan4 ,one is the establishment as rapidly as possible of firmly grounded efficiently functioning ,local ,spiritual ,assemblies in every part of the world1 so that seekers everywhere will have a point of reference to which they can turn for guidance and for the ,teachings of the ,faith4 ,a second is the deepening of the believers1 of all ages1 in their understanding of and obedience to the ,teachings4 ,a third is the proclamation of the ,faith to all strata of society1 and in particular to those in authority and to leaders of thought so that those who hold the direction of peoples in their hands will learn accurately about the nature and tenets of the ,faith and will grow to respect it and implement its principles4 ,a fourth is the promotion of ,bah' scholarship1 so that an increasing number of believers will be able to analyse the problems of mankind in every field and to show how the ,teachings solve them4 ,a fifth is the development of relations between the ,bah' ,international ,community and the ,united ,nations both directly with the highest ,,un institutions and at a grass-roots level in areas of rural development1 education1 etc4 ,as you are no doubt aware1 the ,guardian indicated that the development of mankind from its present chaotic condition to the stage of the ,bah' ,world ,commonwealth would be a long and gradual one4 ,the coming into existence of a ,world ,authority and the initiation of the ,lesser ,peace1 is one major transformation in this process1 and will be followed by other stages of the development of the ,faith as outlined by ,shoghi ,effendi in his writings4 ,undoubtedly1 as these developments are taking place1 the counsel the institutions of the ,faith can give to governments1 the pattern of world administration offered by the ,bah' community and the great humanitarian projects which will be launched under the aegis of the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 will exercise a great influence on the course of progress4 7#ai ,january #aihc to an individual believer7 #gd #ge3 ,it is true that ,bah's are not pacifists since we uphold the use of force in444 ,it is true that ,bah's are not pacifists since we uphold the use of force in the service of justice and upholding law4 ,but we do not believe that war is ever necessary and its abolition is one of the essential purposes and brightest promises of ,bah'u'llh's revelation4 ,his specific command to the kings of the earth is3 8,should any one among you take up arms against another1 rise ye all against him1 for this is naught but manifest justice40 7,tablet to ,queen ,victoria1 8,the ,proclamation of ,bah'u'llh01 p4 #ac7 ,the beloved ,guardian has explained that the unity of mankind implies the establishment of a world commonwealth1 a world federal system1 8444liberated from the curse of war and its miseries in which ,force is made the servant of ,justice4440 whose world executive 8backed by an international ,force1444will safeguard the organic unity of the whole commonwealth40 ,this is obviously not war but the maintenance of law and order on a world scale4 ,warfare is the ultimate tragedy of disunity among nations where no international authority exists powerful enough to restrain them from pursuing their own limited interests4 ,bah's therefore ask to serve their countries in non-combatant ways during such fighting2 they will doubtless serve in such an international ,force as ,bah'u'llh envisions1 whenever it comes into being4 7#aa ,september #aihd to an individual believer7 #ge #gf3 ,bah'u'llh's principal mission in appearing at this time in human history ,bah'u'llh's principal mission in appearing at this time in human history is the realization of the oneness of mankind and the establishment of peace among the nations2 therefore1 all the forces which are focused on accomplishing these ends are influenced by ,his ,revelation4 ,we know1 however1 that peace will come in stages4 ,first1 there will come the ,lesser ,peace1 when the unity of nations will be achieved1 then gradually the ,most ,great ,peace--the spiritual as well as social and political unity of mankind1 when the ,bah' ,world ,commonwealth1 operating in strict accordance with the laws and ordinances of the ,most ,holy ,book of the ,bah' ,revelation1 will have been established through the efforts of the ,bah's4 ,as to the ,lesser ,peace1 ,shoghi ,effendi has explained that this will initially be a political unity arrived at by decision of the governments of various nations2 it will not be established by direct action of the ,bah' community4 ,this does not mean1 however1 that the ,bah's are standing aside and waiting for the ,lesser ,peace to come before they do something about the peace of mankind4 ,indeed1 by promoting the principles of the ,faith1 which are indispensable to the maintenance of peace1 and by fashioning the instruments of the ,bah' ,administrative ,order1 which we are told by the beloved ,guardian is the pattern for future society1 the ,bah's are constantly engaged in laying the groundwork for a permanent peace1 the ,most ,great ,peace being their ultimate goal4 ,the ,lesser ,peace itself will pass through stages2 at the initial stage the governments will act entirely on their own without the conscious involvement of the ,faith2 later on1 in ,god's good time1 the ,faith will have a direct influence on it in ways indicated by ,shoghi ,effendi in his 8,the ,goal of a ,new ,world ,order04 ,in connection with the steps that will lead to this latter stage1 the ,universal ,house of ,justice will certainly determine what has to be done1 in accordance with the guidance in the ,writings1 such as the passage you quoted from 8,tablets of ,bah'u'llh01 page #hi4 ,in the meantime1 the ,bah's will undoubtedly continue to do all in their power to promote the establishment of peace4 7#ca ,january #aihe to an individual believer7 #gf ,revised ,september #aiij ,,footnotes #a ,the translation of this sentence has been revised since the publication of 8,selections from the ,writings of #8,abdu'l-,bah04