e to the affrighted one.
Thus, through the favor and assistance of God may the standard of the
happiness of humanity be held aloft in the center of the world and the
ensign of universal agreement be unfurled.

10 November 1912
Talk at Home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Hannen
1252 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, D. C.

Notes by Joseph H. Hannen

This is a beautiful assembly. I am very happy that white and black are
together. This is the cause of my happiness, for you all are the servants
of one God and, therefore, brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers. In the
sight of God there is no distinction between whites and blacks; all are as
one. Anyone whose heart is pure is dear to God--whether white or black, red
or yellow. Among the animals colors exist. The doves are white, black,
red, blue; but notwithstanding this diversity of color they flock together
in unity, happiness and fellowship, making no distinction among
themselves, for they are all doves. Man is intelligent and thoughtful,
endowed with powers of mind. Why, then, should he be influenced by
distinction of color or race, since all belong to one human family? There
is no sheep which shuns another as if saying, "I am white, and you are
black." They graze together in complete unity, live together in fellowship
and happiness. How then can man be limited and influenced by racial
colors? The important thing is to realize that all are human, all are one
progeny of Adam. Inasmuch as they are all one family, why should they be
separated?

I had a servant who was black; his name was Isfandiyar. If a perfect man
could be found in the world, that man was Isfandiyar. He was the essence
of love, radiant with sanctity and perfection, luminous with light.
Whenever I think of Isfandiyar, I am moved to tears, although he passed
away fifty years ago. He was the faithful servant of Baha'u'llah and was
entrusted with His secrets. For this reason the _Sh_ah of Persia wanted
him and inquired continually as to his whereabouts. Baha'u'llah was in
prison, but the _Sh_ah had commanded many persons to find Isfandiyar.
Perhaps more than one hundred officers were appointed to search for him.
If they had succeeded in catching him, they would not have killed him at
once. They would have cut his flesh into pieces to force him to tell them
the secrets of Baha'u'llah. But Isfandiyar with the utmost dignity used to
walk in the streets and bazaars. One day he came to us. My mother, my
siste