The Bahá’í World
Volume 1 : 1925-1926
ple of Bahá! Gird up the loins of endeavor, haply sectarian contention and strife may be removed, nay utterly banished from the face of the earth. Arise in the love of God and of His servants for the triumph of this mighty Cause. Religious enmity and hate are a world-consuming fire the flames whereof are hard to quench. What but the Hand of Divine power can save the peoples of the world from this devastating calamity?. . . Beware lest ye be shedders of blood; unsheath the sword of your tongue from the scabbard of utterance for therewith ye shall conquer the citadels of men’s hearts. We have annulled the command to slay men for unbelief; verily His mercy hath encompassed all created things could ye but perceive. . . . Kindle not discord on earth, shed not the blood of any soul, consume not the substance of your neighbor and be not the follower of every command and clamorous seducer . . . . As the pillars of religion have tottered so hath the power of the foolish, their temerity and arrogance waxed great. Whatsoever doth lower the exalted station of Religion will surely increase the heedlessness of the ungodly, and this in the end can lead but to confusion and chaos. Give ear, O discerning ones; and ye that perceive, take heed. . . . Hold fast unto chastity, cling ye to trustworthiness and faith. Show the utmost regard to the true interests of humanity, and seek not to gratify your personal desire. O ye who follow Him whom the world hath wronged! Ye are the shepherds of mankind; protect the fold from the wolves of evil and selfish desires and adorn it with the fear of God. . . . By the righteousness of the Lord, the Sword of Virtue and goodly behaviour is keener than blades of steel. (Epistle to the son of Shaykh Báqir: Bahá’u’lláh.)
The sovereigns of the world (may the Lord assist them with His grace) must with one accord hold fast unto the Most Great Peace-the greatest of all means for the protection of mankind. Our hope is that they will arise to promote that which is conducive to the tranquillity of all peoples. It is incumbent upon them to convene a universal assembly, to attend it in person or delegate their ministers, to enforce such measures as will secure the establishment of unity and concord, and to turn from destructive armaments to the betterment of mankind. Should one sovereign rise against another, let all the rest arise to withstand him. In this manner will armies and instruments of war be rendered unnecessary save in such measure as is needful for national security. If the sovereigns of the world attain unto this most great boon, the peoples of every nation will joyfully and in peace engage in the pursuit of their own affairs and the lamentations and wailing of the many will thereby cease. We beseech God that He may graciously assist them to do that which is His Will and Pleasure, and He verily is the Lord of the throne above and of the dust beneath, the King of this world and the next. It is better and preferrable that the honoured sovereigns attend this assembly in person and lay down such measures as are necessary. Whoever among them doth arise to fulfill this command, he verily is the Prince of sovereigns in the sight of God. Happy and blessed is he. (Epistle to the son of Shaykh Báqir: Bahá’u’lláh.)
O peoples of the world! Verily, verily I declare: This wronged One hath not sought neither doth He seek leadership. His one purpose hath ever been to banish that which causeth difference among the kindreds of the earth and leadeth to the separa-
