the meaning is
that although the people possess external eyes, yet the insight, or
perception, of the soul is blind; although the outer ear hears, the
spiritual hearing is deaf; although they possess conscious hearts, they
are without illumination; and the bounties of Christ save souls from these
conditions. It is evident, then, that the manifestation of the Messiah was
synonymous with universal mercy. His providence was universal, and His
teachings were for all. His lights were not restricted to a few. Every
Christ came to the world of mankind. Therefore, we must investigate the
foundation of divine religion, discover its reality, reestablish it and
spread its message throughout the world so that it may become the source
of illumination and enlightenment to mankind, the spiritually dead become
alive, the spiritually blind receive sight and those who are inattentive
to God become awakened.

The teachings and ordinances of the divine religions are of two kinds. The
first are spiritual and essential in nature--such as faith in God, faith in
Christ, faith in Moses, faith in Abraham, faith in Muhammad, the love of
God and the oneness of the world of humanity. These divine principles
shall be spread throughout the world. Strife and enmity shall disappear,
ignorance, hatred and hostility cease and all the human race be bound
together. The second kind of ordinances and teachings concern the outer
conditions and transactions of the world of mankind. They are the
nonessential, accidental or temporary laws of human affairs which are
subject to change and transformation according to the exigencies of time
and place. For instance, during the time of Moses divorce was permitted,
but in the time of Christ it was made unlawful. In the Torah there are ten
commandments concerning retribution for murder, which would not be
possible to enforce at the present time and under existing conditions of
the world. Therefore, these nonessential, temporary laws are superseded
and abrogated to suit the exigencies and requirements of successive
periods.

But the followers of the divine religions have turned away from the
principles and ordinances which are essential and unchanging in the Word
of God, forsaking those fundamental realities which have to do with the
life of the human world, the eternal life--such as the love of God, faith
in God, philanthropy, knowledge, spiritual perception, divine
guidance--holding these to be contingent and nonesse