is naturally the most
devoted and staunch advocate of international peace.

Baha'u'llah teaches that material civilization is incomplete, insufficient
and that divine civilization must be established. Material civilization
concerns the world of matter or bodies, but divine civilization is the
realm of ethics and moralities. Until the moral degree of the nations is
advanced and human virtues attain a lofty level, happiness for mankind is
impossible. The philosophers have founded material civilization. The
Prophets have founded divine civilization. Christ was the Founder of
heavenly civilization. Mankind receives the bounties of material
civilization as well as divine civilization from the heavenly Prophets.
The capacity for achieving extraordinary and praiseworthy progress is
bestowed by Them through the breaths of the Holy Spirit, and heavenly
civilization is not possible of attainment or accomplishment otherwise.
This evidences the need of humanity for heavenly bestowals, and until
these heavenly bestowals are received, eternal happiness cannot be
realized.

In brief, the purport is this: The teachings of Baha'u'llah are boundless,
innumerable; time will not allow us to mention them in detail. The
foundation of progress and real prosperity in the human world is reality,
for reality is the divine standard and the bestowal of God. Reality is
reasonableness, and reasonableness is ever conducive to the honorable
station of man. Reality is the guidance of God. Reality is the cause of
illumination of mankind. Reality is love, ever working for the welfare of
humanity. Reality is the bond which conjoins hearts. This ever uplifts man
toward higher stages of progress and attainment. Reality is the unity of
mankind, conferring everlasting life. Reality is perfect equality, the
foundation of agreement between the nations, the first step toward
international peace.

26 October 1912
Talk at Assembly Hall, Hotel Sacramento
Sacramento, California

Notes by Bijou Straun

I have visited your Capitol and its gardens. No other Capitol has such
beautiful surroundings. Just as it is imposing and distinguished above all
others, so may the people of California become the most exalted and
perfect altruists of the world. California is, indeed, a blessed country.
The climate is temperate, the sun ever shining, the fruits abundant and
delicious. All outer blessings are evident here. The Californians are a
noble people; therefore,