. The divine civilization is good because it cultivates
morals. Consider what the Prophets of God have contributed to human
morality. Jesus Christ summoned all to the Most Great Peace through the
acquisition of pure morals. If the moral precepts and foundations of
divine civilization become united with the material advancement of man,
there is no doubt that the happiness of the human world will be attained
and that from every direction the glad tidings of peace upon earth will be
announced. Then humankind will achieve extraordinary progress, the sphere
of human intelligence will be immeasurably enlarged, wonderful inventions
will appear, and the spirit of God will reveal itself; all men will
consort in joy and fragrance, and eternal life will be conferred upon the
children of the Kingdom. Then will the power of the divine make itself
effective and the breath of the Holy Spirit penetrate the essence of all
things. Therefore, the material and the divine, or merciful, civilizations
must progress together until the highest aspirations and desires of
humanity shall become realized.

These are a few of the teachings and principles of Baha'u'llah, briefly
presented so that you may be informed of their significance and purpose
and find them a stimulus to your knowledge and actions. I ask God to
assist this prosperous and progressive nation and to bestow His blessings
upon this just government and wonderful continent of the West.

TALKS 'ABDU'L-BAHA DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, MONTCLAIR, AND JERSEY CITY

11 May 1912
Talk at 227 Riverside Drive, New York

Notes by John G. Grundy

It is only three weeks that we have been away from the New York friends,
yet so great has been the longing to see you that it seems like three
months. We have had no rest by day or night since we left you--either
traveling, moving about or speaking--yet it was all so pleasantly done, and
we have been most happy. Praise be to God! Everywhere and all the time it
has been harakat, harakat, harakat ("motion, motion, motion").

The friends in America are very good. All the people we have met here are
kind and pleasant. They are polite and not antagonistic, although somewhat
inquisitive. A small minority of them seem prejudiced, yet even these have
their good points. The American people have a real love for advancement.
They are not content to stand still. They are most energetic and
progressive. When you see a tree growing and developing, be h