important one. Complete
answer to it would require a long time. I will reply to it briefly. The
only true Explainer of the Book of God is the Holy Spirit, for no two
minds are alike, no two can comprehend alike, no two can speak alike. That
is to say, from the mere human standpoint of interpretation there could be
neither truth nor agreement.

Question: Do you approve of the new thought in which the control of mind
over matter is the central principle?

'Abdu'l-Baha: Philosophy develops the mind. Christ and the Word of God are
revealed through the Spirit. Plato says, "The mental conclusions are so
and so." Christ says, "Be led of the Spirit."

Question: Should children be allowed to read the higher criticism?

'Abdu'l-Baha: They should first be taught the reality of religion as a
foundation. For instance, in the Catholic Church the child is taught that
through some act of the priest the bread and wine of the sacrament become
the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. The mind cannot accept this. The
child must be taught that this transformation is symbolical of the truth
that Christ is the food from heaven, the eating of which produces eternal
life. The Jews had memorized the Bible but failed to grasp its meanings.
If they had understood the spiritual significances of the scriptures, they
would have been the first believers in Christ. You are among the first
believers in this country. You are the children of the Kingdom.
Baha'u'llah has taught you the reality of religion. There are many of the
Baha'i friends in Persia whom we do not know, but we know you here in
America. Turn your faces to the Sun of Reality. That Sun has always risen
in the East. Find the answer to your questions in your heart. Be as little
children. Until the soil is prepared, it cannot receive the benefit of
planting.

29 June 1912
Talk at Unity Feast, Outdoors
West Englewood, New Jersey

Notes by Esther Foster

This is a delightful gathering; you have come here with sincere
intentions, and the purpose of all present is the attainment of the
virtues of God. The motive is attraction to the divine Kingdom. Since the
desire of all is unity and agreement, it is certain that this meeting will
be productive of great results. It will be the cause of attracting a new
bounty, for we are turning to the Kingdom of Abha, seeking the infinite
bestowals of the Lord. This is a new Day, and this hour is a new Hour in
which we have come together. Surely t