ed less and less
fruits of victory, until the European War of 1914-1918 revealed the
historically startling fact that was has become disastrous to victor and
vanquished alike.(40)

Baha'u'llah bade the rulers likewise to act as trustees of those under
their control, making political authority a means to true general welfare.
The progress toward social legislation has been unprecedented.

He commanded limitation of the extremes of wealth and poverty, and ever
since, legislation for the establishment of minimum subsistence levels and
for graduated taxation of wealth by income and inheritance taxes has been
a constant concern. He commanded the abolition of both chattel and
economic slavery, and ever since, the progress toward emancipation has
been a ferment in all parts of the world.

Baha'u'llah declared the equality of men and women, expressed through
equal responsibilities and equal rights and privileges, and since that
declaration, the bonds by which women have been bound for ages have been
breaking, and woman has rapidly been securing her rightful place as the
equal and partner of man.

He declared the fundamental oneness of religions, and the succeeding
interval has witnessed the most determined efforts of sincere souls in all
parts of the world to achieve a new degree of tolerance, of mutual
understanding and of cooperation for universal ends. The sectarian
attitude has everywhere been undermined, and its historical position has
become more and more untenable. The basis of exclusiveness in religion has
been destroyed by the same forces making nationalism of the self-contained
type incapable of survival.

He commanded universal education, and made the independent investigation
of truth a proof of spiritual vitality. Modern civilization has been
stirred to its depths by this new leaven. Compulsory education for
children, and the extension of educational facilities for adults, have
become a primary policy of government. Nations which deliberately seek to
restrict that very policy have aroused revolution within and suspicion and
fear outside their boundaries.

Baha'u'llah commanded the adoption of a universal auxiliary language, and
Dr. Zamenhof and others obeyed His call by devoting their lives and genius
to this great task and opportunity.

Above all, Baha'u'llah imbued humanity with a new spirit, arousing new
longings in minds and hearts and new ideals for society. Nothing in all
history is so dramatic and im