itutions in a manner consonant with the needs of an ever-changing
world. It can conflict with no legitimate allegiances, nor can it
undermine essential loyalties. Its purpose is neither to stifle the flame
of a sane and intelligent patriotism in men's hearts, nor to abolish the
system of national autonomy so essential if the evils of excessive
centralization are to be avoided. It does not ignore, nor does it attempt
to suppress, the diversity of ethnical origins, of climate, of history, of
language and tradition, of thought and habit, that differentiate the
peoples and nations of the world. It calls for a wider loyalty, for a
larger aspiration than any that has animated the human race. It insists
upon the subordination of national impulses and interests to the
imperative claims of a unified world. It repudiates excessive
centralization on one hand, and disclaims all attempts at uniformity on
the other. Its watchword is unity in diversity such as 'Abdu'l-Baha
Himself has explained:

"Consider the flowers of a garden. Though differing in kind, color, form
and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one
spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one
sun, this diversity increaseth their charm and addeth unto their beauty.
How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and
blossoms, the fruit, the branches and the trees of that garden were all of
the same shape and color! Diversity of hues, form and shape enricheth and
adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like manner,
when divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are brought
together under the power and influence of one central agency, the beauty
and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Naught
but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and
transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the
divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas and convictions of the children of
men."

The call of Baha'u'llah is primarily directed against all forms of
provincialism, all insularities and prejudices. If long-cherished ideals
and time-honored institutions, if certain social assumptions and religious
formulae have ceased to promote the welfare of the generality of mankind,
if they no longer minister to the needs of a continually evolving
humanity, let them be swept away and relegated to the limbo of obsolescent
and forgotten doctrine