Mr. Vail said in part: “After nineteen hundred years we are beginning to realize Christ’s vision of brotherhood and to deal with the race problem as something that lies at the heart of religion and not as something to be handed over to the police. Every modern science confirms the principle of unity.” This he illustrated by references to the astronomer, the physiologist, the biologist and by intelligence tests made with white and colored children, proving their equal capacity under similar conditions. “Step by step, therefore, we climb upward to the spiritual view, that the only superior man is he who loves most and serves best.”

The representative of the colored race* who appeared, in concluding his address quoted these very stirring words from the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “O ye teachers of the Cause of the Supreme Lord! Travel ye, teach ye! Destroy ye the foundation of hatred, malice and contention from among the children of men and lay ye the basis of the palace of love and universal peace! The lights of the oneness of the world of humanity are scintilating like unto precious jewels; scatter their rays to all parts! Upraise ye the banner of unity, fraternity, co-operation and reciprocity among all the people; so that there may not be left from prejudice aught save a name and from ignorance not even a shadow; that the religion of God may pitch its tent over the East and the West, the Lights of the Kingdom may illumine all hearts, perfect agreement and association may be realized between races, religions and nativities, and the world of creation may find composure and tranquillity.”

The nation’s capital, Washington, D. C., held its second convention for amity April 8, 9 and 10, 1927. Its printed program contained qnotations from the Words of Moses, Jesus, the Buddha, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, demonstrating the oneness of mankind and the oneness of religion. It also announced the arrangement of this convention for amity between the white and colored races by the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, expressing the hope that its spirit, spreading through America, would bring the peace that is a solace to all mankind.

The band of Bahá’í workers obtained the aid of liberal clubs and organizations. Dr. Moses R. Lovell, of the Mt. Pleasant Congregational Church, gave the use of his beautiful and well-appointed structure for two of the sessions, the third being held in the popular auditorium known as the Playhouse. The progressive white people of the Southern States were represented by Dr. Samuel C. Mitchell, professor of history in Richmond University, Virginia, one of the distinguished educators who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the Lake Mohonk Peace Conference in 1912. In the course of his address, the subject of which was “Faith in Friendliness,” he referred to the wonderful address of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the unity of God and the unity of man, which he had thrice repeated.

Two of the other speakers were drawn from the colored race, one of whom, Dr. Pezavia O'Connell, is dean of Morgan College, Baltimore. His subject was, “Thou Shalt Love.” Another friend of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Rabbi Abram Simon, chairman of the Synagogue Council of America, made a very eloquent address on “The Higher Unity.” Other attractive speakers were Albert Vail on “New Proofs of the Oneness of Humanity,” and Mountfort Mills on “The Foundation of Unity.” Messrs. Horace Holley, Allen McDaniel and Albert Vail as chairman of the various sessions, very happily stated the ideals and principles of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.