ance of eternity, the divine
spirituality, the effulgence of God and the bounty of the Kingdom. We must
investigate the divine source of these heavenly bestowals and adhere unto
them steadfastly. For if we remain fettered and restricted by human
inventions and dogmas, day by day the world of mankind will be degraded,
day by day warfare and strife will increase and satanic forces converge
toward the destruction of the human race.

If love and agreement are manifest in a single family, that family will
advance, become illumined and spiritual; but if enmity and hatred exist
within it, destruction and dispersion are inevitable. This is, likewise,
true of a city. If those who dwell within it manifest a spirit of accord
and fellowship, it will progress steadily and human conditions become
brighter, whereas through enmity and strife it will be degraded and its
inhabitants scattered. In the same way, the people of a nation develop and
advance toward civilization and enlightenment through love and accord and
are disintegrated by war and strife. Finally, this is true of humanity
itself in the aggregate. When love is realized and the ideal spiritual
bonds unite the hearts of men, the whole human race will be uplifted, the
world will continually grow more spiritual and radiant and the happiness
and tranquillity of mankind be immeasurably increased. Warfare and strife
will be uprooted, disagreement and dissension pass away and universal
peace unite the nations and peoples of the world. All mankind will dwell
together as one family, blend as the waves of one sea, shine as stars of
one firmament and appear as fruits of the same tree. This is the happiness
and felicity of humankind. This is the illumination of man, the eternal
glory and everlasting life; this is the divine bestowal. I desire this
station for you, and I pray God that the people of America may achieve
this great end in order that the virtue of this democracy may be ensured
and their names be glorified eternally. May the confirmations of God
uphold them in all things and their memories become revered throughout the
East and the West. May they become the servants of the Most High God, near
and dear to Him in the oneness of the heavenly Kingdom.

Baha'u'llah endured ordeals and hardships sixty years. There was no
persecution, vicissitude or suffering He did not experience at the hand of
His enemies and oppressors. All the days of His life were passed in
difficulty and tribu