West.

Consider the wonderful effect of spiritual education and training. By it
the fisherman Peter was transformed into the greatest of teachers.
Spiritual education made the disciples radiant lamps in the darkness of
the world and caused the Christians of the first and second centuries to
become renowned everywhere for their virtues. Even philosophers bore
testimony to this. Among them was Galen, the physician, who wrote a book
upon the subject of the progress of the nations. He was a celebrated
philosopher of the Greeks, although not a Christian. In his book he stated
that religious beliefs exercise a tremendous influence upon civilization
and that the world is in need of such belief. In proof of this, he said,
in substance, "In our time there is a certain people called Christians,
who, though neither philosophers nor scholastically trained, are superior
to all others as regards their morality. They are perfect in morals. Each
one of them is like a great philosopher in morals, ethics and turning
toward the Kingdom of God." This is evidence from the testimony of an
intelligent outside observer that spiritual education is the light of the
world of humanity and that its absence in the world is darkness itself.

Baha'u'llah appeared in Persia at a time when the darkness of ignorance
enveloped the East, and there was no trace of human love and fellowship.
Through divine education and the power of the breaths of the Holy Spirit
He so refined the souls of the Persians who followed Him that they
attained a station of highest intelligence and reflected the attributes of
perfection to the world. Whereas formerly they were ignorant, they became
knowing; they were weak, they became mighty; they were without integrity,
they became conscientious; they were hostile toward all men, they
developed love for humanity; they were spiritually negligent, they became
mindful and attentive; they were sleeping, they became awakened; they
disagreed among themselves, they united in love and are now striving to
render service to the world of humankind. Service to God and mankind is
their sole intention; they have neither wish nor desire save that which is
in accordance with the good pleasure of God. The good pleasure of God is
love for His creatures. The will and plan of God is that each individual
member of humankind shall become illumined like unto a lamp, radiant with
all the destined virtues of humanity, leading his fellow creatures out of
n