is that warfare is forbidden and
abrogated; but consider the Christian wars which took place afterward.
Christian hostility and inquisition spared not even the learned; he who
proclaimed the revolution of the earth was imprisoned; he who announced
the new astronomical system was persecuted as a heretic; scholars and
scientists became objects of fanatical hatred, and many were killed and
tortured. How do these actions conform with the teachings of Jesus Christ,
and what relation do they bear to His own example? For Christ declared,
"Love your enemies, ... and pray for them which ... persecute you; that
you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh
his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just
and on the unjust." How can hatred, hostility and persecution be
reconciled with Christ and His teachings?

Therefore, there is need of turning back to the original foundation. The
fundamental principles of the Prophets are correct and true. The
imitations and superstitions which have crept in are at wide variance with
the original precepts and commands. Baha'u'llah has revoiced and
reestablished the quintessence of the teachings of all the Prophets,
setting aside the accessories and purifying religion from human
interpretation. He has written a book entitled the Hidden Words. The
preface announces that it contains the essences of the words of the
Prophets of the past, clothed in the garment of brevity, for the teaching
and spiritual guidance of the people of the world. Read it that you may
understand the true foundations of religion and reflect upon the
inspiration of the Messengers of God. It is light upon light.

We must not look for truth in the deeds and actions of nations; we must
investigate truth at its divine source and summon all mankind to unity in
reality itself.

4 May 1912
Talk to Theosophical Society
Northwestern University Hall, Evanston, Illinois

Notes by Marzieh Moss

I am very happy in being present at this meeting. Praise be to God! I see
before me the faces of those who are endowed with capacity to know and who
desire to investigate truth. This is conducive to the greatest joy.

According to divine philosophy there are two important and universal
conditions in the world of material phenomena: one which concerns life,
the other concerning death; one relative to existence, the other
nonexistence; one manifest in composition, the other in decom