orld of humanity. His second announcement was
the investigation of reality; the third was the oneness of the foundations
of the divine religions. Through spiritual education He led the people out
of darkness and ignorance into the clear light of truth, illuminated their
hearts with the splendor of knowledge, laid a true and universal basis for
religious teachings, cultivated the virtues of humanity, conferred
spiritual susceptibilities, awakened inner perceptions and changed the
dishonor of prejudiced souls to the highest degree of honor and capacity.
Today in Persia and the Orient you will find the followers of Baha'u'llah
united in the closest ties of fellowship and love. They have abandoned
religious prejudices and have become as one family. When you enter their
meetings, you will find Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Jews
and representatives of other beliefs present, all conjoined in a wonderful
unity without a trace of bigotry or fanaticism, and the light of the
oneness of the world of humanity reflected in their faces. Day by day they
are advancing, manifesting greater and still greater love for each other.
Their faith is fixed upon the unification of mankind, and their highest
purpose is the oneness of religious belief. They proclaim to all humanity
the sheltering mercy and infinite grace of God. They teach the
reconciliation of religion with science and reason. They show forth in
words and deeds the reality of love for all mankind as the servants of one
God and the recipients of His universal bounty. These are their thoughts,
their beliefs, their guiding principles, their religion. No trace of
religious, racial, patriotic or political prejudice can be found among
them, for they are real servants of God and obedient to His will and
command.

My highest hope and desire is that the strongest and most indissoluble
bond shall be established between the American nation and the people of
the Orient. This is my prayer to God. May the day come when through divine
and spiritual activity in the human world the religions shall be
reconciled and all races of mankind come together in unity and love. Fifty
years ago Baha'u'llah proclaimed the peace of the nations and oneness of
the divine religions, addressing His words to all the kings and rulers of
the world in specific Tablets. Therefore, my supreme desire is the unity
of the East and West, universal peace and the oneness of the world of
humanity.

TAL