terests is a collective center; political alliance
is a collective center; the union of ideals is a collective center, and
the prosperity of the world of humanity is dependent upon the organization
and promotion of the collective centers. Nevertheless, all the above
institutions are, in reality, the matter and not the substance, accidental
and not eternal--temporary and not everlasting. With the appearance of
great revolutions and upheavals, all these collective centers are swept
away. But the Collective Center of the Kingdom, embodying the institutions
and divine teachings, is the eternal Collective Center. It establishes
relationship between the East and the West, organizes the oneness of the
world of humanity, and destroys the foundation of differences. It
overcomes and includes all the other collective centers. Like unto the ray
of the sun, it dispels entirely the darkness encompassing all the regions,
bestows ideal life, and causes the effulgence of divine illumination.
Through the breaths of the Holy Spirit it performs miracles; the Orient
and the Occident embrace each other, the North and South become intimates
and associates, conflicting and contending opinions disappear,
antagonistic aims are brushed aside, the law of the struggle for existence
is abrogated, and the canopy of the oneness of the world of humanity is
raised on the apex of the globe, casting its shade over all the races of
men. Consequently, the real Collective Center is the body of the divine
teachings, which include all the degrees and embrace all the universal
relations and necessary laws of humanity.

4 Consider! The people of the East and the West were in the utmost
strangeness. Now to what a high degree they are acquainted with each other
and united together! How far are the inhabitants of Persia from the
remotest countries of America! And now observe how great has been the
influence of the heavenly power, for the distance of thousands of miles
has become identical with one step! How various nations that have had no
relations or similarity with each other are now united and agreed through
this divine potency! Indeed to God belongs power in the past and in the
future! And verily God is powerful over all things!

5 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 diversi