ritory of each other, especially in the earlier periods of savagery and
barbarism where whole races and peoples were carried away captive by their
conquerors. Who shall measure or estimate the tremendous destruction of
human life resulting from this hostility and strife? What human powers and
forces have been employed in the prosecution of war and applied to inhuman
purposes of battle and bloodshed? In this most radiant century it has
become necessary to divert these energies and utilize them in other
directions, to seek the new path of fellowship and unity, to unlearn the
science of war and devote supreme human forces to the blessed arts of
peace. After long trial and experience we are convinced of the harmful and
satanic outcomes of dissension; now we must seek after means by which the
benefits of agreement and concord may be enjoyed. When such means are
found, we must give them a trial.

Consider the harmful effect of discord and dissension in a family; then
reflect upon the favors and blessings which descend upon that family when
unity exists among its various members. What incalculable benefits and
blessings would descend upon the great human family if unity and
brotherhood were established! In this century when the beneficent results
of unity and the ill effects of discord are so clearly apparent, the means
for the attainment and accomplishment of human fellowship have appeared in
the world. Baha'u'llah has proclaimed and provided the way by which
hostility and dissension may be removed from the human world. He has left
no ground or possibility for strife and disagreement.

First, He has proclaimed the oneness of mankind and specialized religious
teachings for existing human conditions. The first form of dissension
arises from religious differences. Baha'u'llah has given full teachings to
the world which are conducive to fellowship and unity in religion.
Throughout past centuries each system of religious belief has boasted of
its own superiority and excellence, abasing and scorning the validity of
all others. Each has proclaimed its own belief as the light and all others
as darkness. Religionists have considered the world of humanity as two
trees: one divine and merciful, the other satanic; they themselves the
branches, leaves and fruit of the divine tree and all others who differ
from them in belief the product of the tree which is satanic. Therefore,
sedition and warfare, bloodshed and strife have been continuous