his same degree and intensity of love may become manifest and
apparent here; that the spirit of God shall so penetrate your hearts that
each one of the beloved of God shall be considered as all; that each one
may become a cause of unity and center of accord and all mankind be bound
together in real fellowship and love.

TALKS 'ABDU'L-BAHA DELIVERED IN MONTCLAIR AND WEST ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY

23 June 1912
Talk at Montclair, New Jersey

Notes by Frank E. Osborne

'Abdu'l-Baha: You are always smiling.

Mr. Osborne: Surely our faces should reflect happiness in this presence.

'Abdu'l-Baha: Yes! This is the day of Baha'u'llah, the age of the Blessed
Perfection, the cycle of the Greatest Name. If you do not smile now, for
what time will you await and what greater happiness could you expect? This
is the springtime of manifestation. The vernal shower has descended from
the cloud of divine mercy; the life-giving breeze of the Holy Spirit is
wafting the perfume of blossoms. From field and meadow rises a fragrant
breath of thanksgiving like pure incense ascending to the throne of God.
The world has become a new world; souls are quickened, spirits renewed,
refreshed. Truly it is a time for happiness.

(To people coming in) Welcome! Welcome! You are very welcome! (The church
bells begin to ring)

I was not feeling very well this morning, or I would have gone to church.
Everywhere we hear the call of the spiritual world; in everything we
behold the works of God. The church bells are pealing in memory of Jesus
Christ although more than nineteen hundred years have passed since He
lived upon the earth. This is through the power of the spirit. No material
power could do this. Yet people in their blindness deny Christ, seeking to
perpetuate their names in worldly deeds. Everyone wishes to be remembered.
Through earthly and material accomplishments one will hardly be remembered
nine years, while the memory and glory of Christ continue after nineteen
hundred have passed. For His name is eternal and His glory everlasting.
Therefore, man should hear with attentive ear the call of the spiritual
world, seeking first the Kingdom of God and its perfections. This is
eternal life; this is everlasting remembrance.

How great the difference between the glory of Christ and the glory of an
earthly conqueror! It is related by historians that Napoleon Bonaparte I
embarked secretly by night from Egypt. His destination was France.