May God assist him!
He is God!
O thou great and respected personage!
The details of the Conference of Peace and Arbitration which
is organized under your presidency has been read in the papers of the East and
the West and the utmost joy and fragrance was produced; that, praise be to God,
in the continent of America, under the presidency of a glorious personage, the
Conference of International Peace is convened. Today in the world of existence
there is no more important and greater cause than this for it is conducive to
the promotion of happiness in the commonwealth of humanity and is the cause of
tranquility of all the nations and countries and the prosperity of the
individuals of the human world. What cause is greater than this! It is evident
that it has the utmost importance nay, rather, it will be the cause of the
illumination of the East and the West and the reason for the manifestation of
the Countenance and the Face of God in the world of humanity and the appearance
of infinite affections. Therefore, although this longing one has no
acquaintance with your honor, but this great cause and this eminent effort of
yours became the cause of my having infinite love for you while absent.
Consequently I am engaged in writing you this epistle.
The matter of international peace was instituted by His
Highness Baha’u’llah, sixty years ago in Persia in the year of 1851 A.D. From
That time innumerable epistles and tablets were spread first in Persia and then
in other parts of the world, until about fifty years ago He clearly stated this
matter of universal peace in the Book of Aqdas and has commanded all the
Baha’is to serve faithfully with heart and soul in this great cause, give up
their possessions and wealth for it and sacrifice their lives in case of
necessity. He has taught them to spread the unity of nations and religions and
proclaim in all the regions of the world the oneness of the kingdom of
humanity.
There are different religions in Persia, such as
Mohammedans, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and different sects. Through the
power of Baha’u’llah such affection and love is produced among these various
religions that now they are associating with each other with the utmost unity
and concord like unto fathers, sons, brothers, mothers and daughters. Whenever
they gather in a meeting if a stranger enters in that gathering he is astonished
by the love and affection that they manifest. There is not the slightest sign
of difference and separation.
Some of the tablets of Baha’u’llah concerning this matter
are translated in America. Seek, perchance you may find them, then you shall realize
what a permanent signature Baha’u’llah has raised in this world of existence,
the result of which will be the oneness of all humanity.
Likewise, innumerable tablets have been written with the pen
of this longing one. Ask for them, too; perhaps you may find their translations
in America.
To be brief, as His Highness Baha’u’llah in this period of
man has planted a fruitful tree in the garden of the oneness of the human race,
and as your honor is engaged in reality to irrigate this garden, therefore I
found it necessary to express my gratitude and happiness to you, so that your
good name may be spread not only in Persia but throughout all Oriental
countries and the people of the East may remember your name with great respect.
I hope that the principles of international peace and
universal reconciliation may be established firmly among the individual members
of humanity and its fragrance may be spread throughout all the regions.
I beg of you to accept the expressions of my highest
consideration.
(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas
(Star of the West, vol.2, no. 15, December 12, 1911)
