and fight to the death. Their ferocity
is instinctive. There is a creative reason for it. Birds of prey, like
eagles and hawks, live solitary and build their nests apart, but doves fly
in flocks and nest in the same branches. When an eagle meets another
eagle, there is a furious battle. The meeting of two doves is a peace
meeting. Therefore, it is evident that these blessed characteristics as
well as the reverse are found among the creatures of a lower kingdom.

The great mass of humanity does not exercise real love and fellowship. The
elect of humanity are those who live together in love and unity. They are
preferable before God because the divine attributes are already manifest
in them. The supreme love and unity is witnessed in the divine
Manifestations. Among Them unity is indissoluble, changeless, eternal and
everlasting. Each One is expressive and representative of all. If we deny
One of the Manifestations of God, we deny all. To inflict persecution upon
One is to persecute the Others. In all degrees of existence each One
praises and sanctifies the Others. Each of Them holds to the solidarity of
mankind and promotes the unity of human hearts. Next to the divine
Manifestations come the believers whose characteristics are agreement,
fellowship and love. The Baha'i friends in Persia attained such a
brotherhood and love that it really became a hindrance in the conduct of
material affairs. Each one into whatever house of the friends he went
considered himself the owner of the house, so to speak. There was no
duality but complete mutuality of interests and love. The visiting friend
would have no hesitation in opening the provision box and taking out
enough food for his needs. They wore each other's clothes as their own
when necessary. If in need of a hat or cloak, they would take and use it.
The owner of the clothing would be thankful and grateful that the garment
had gone. When he returned home, he would perhaps be told, "So and so was
here and took away your coat." He would reply, "Praise be to God! I am so
grateful to him. Praise be to God! I am so thankful I have been given this
opportunity of showing my love for him." To such an extreme degree this
love and fellowship expressed itself that Baha'u'llah commanded that no
one should take possession of another's belongings unless presented with
them. The intention is to show to what an extent unity and love prevailed
among the Baha'i friends in the East.

I hope that t