evidences prove conclusively that man is possessed of two realities,
as it were: a reality connected with the senses which is shared in common
with the animal, and another reality which is conscious and ideal in
character. This latter is the collective reality and the discoverer of
mysteries. That which discovers the realities of things undoubtedly is not
of the elemental substances. It is distinct from them. For mortality and
disintegration are the properties inherent in compositions and are
referable to things which are subject to sense perceptions, but the
collective reality in man, not being so subject, is the discoverer of
things. Therefore, it is real, eternal and does not have to undergo
changes and transformations.

There are many other proofs concerning this vital subject, but I shall
conclude with the words of Jesus Christ: "That which is born of the Spirit
is spirit" and is acceptable in the Kingdom of God. This means that just
as in the first birth the fetus comes forth from the matrix of the mother
into the conditions of the human kingdom, even so the spirit of man must
be born out of the matrix of naturalism, out of the baser nature, in order
that he may comprehend the great things of the Kingdom of God. He must be
born out of mother earth to find the everlasting life. And this collective
reality, or spirit, of man, being born out of the world of nature,
possessing the attributes of God, will continue to live forever in the
eternal realm.

9 November 1912
Talk at Baha'i Banquet
Rauscher's Hall, Washington, D. C.

Notes by Joseph H. Hannen

I feel a keen sense of joy in being present at this banquet this evening,
for--praise be to God!--before me are radiant faces, ears attuned to the
melodies of the Supreme Concourse, hearts aglow with the fire of the love
of God, spirits exhilarated through the glad tidings of God, souls
sheltered beneath the overshadowing power of the Kingdom of Abha. I see
before me an assemblage of souls who are of the chosen and not of the many
called. And it is my hope that through the favors of Baha'u'llah He may
continue to attract you to His Kingdom and render you victorious and
triumphant in your service to the oneness and solidarity of mankind. May
He assist all who are firm in establishing the unity of the inhabitants of
this earth. May all of you thereby become my partners and coadjutors in
servitude.

O Lord! Confirm and aid this assemblage. Confirm these souls