A king can bring under his
rule and authority the bodies of his subjects throughout a whole country.
In former centuries kings and rulers have absolutely dominated millions of
men and have been thereby enabled to carry out whatsoever they desire. If
they willed to bestow happiness and peace, they could do so; and if they
determined to inflict suffering and discomfort, they were equally capable.
If they desired to send men to the field of battle, none could oppose
their authority; and if they decreed their kingdoms should enjoy the bliss
and serenity of immunity from war, this condition prevailed. In a word,
kings and rulers have been able to control millions of human beings and
have exercised that dominion with the utmost despotism and tyranny.

The point is this: that to gain control over physical bodies is an
extremely easy matter, but to bring spirits within the bonds of serenity
is a most arduous undertaking. This is not the work of everybody. It
necessitates a divine and holy potency, the potency of inspiration, the
power of the Holy Spirit. For example, Christ was capable of leading
spirits into that abode of serenity. He was capable of guiding hearts into
that haven of rest. From the day of His manifestation to the present time
He has been resuscitating hearts and quickening spirits. He has exercised
that vivifying influence in the realm of hearts and spirits; therefore,
His resuscitating is everlasting.

In this century of the latter times Baha'u'llah has appeared and so
resuscitated spirits that they have manifested powers more than human.
Thousands of His followers have given their lives; and while under the
sword, shedding their blood, they have proclaimed, "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha!"
Such resuscitation is impossible except through a heavenly potency, a
supernatural power, the divine power of the Holy Spirit. Through a natural
and mere human power this is impossible. Therefore, the question arises:
How is this resuscitation to be accomplished?

There are certain means for its accomplishment by which mankind is
regenerated and quickened with a new birth. This is the second birth
mentioned in the heavenly Books. Its accomplishment is through the baptism
of the Holy Spirit. The resuscitation or rebirth of the spirit of man is
through the science of the love of God. It is through the efficacy of the
water of life. This life and quickening is the regeneration of the
phenomenal world. After the coming of the spiritual sp