O people of the world! [Revealed during World War I]

The dawn of the Sun of Reality is assuredly for the illumination of the world and for the manifestation of mercy. In the assemblage of the family of Adam results and fruits are praiseworthy, and the holy bestowals of every bounty are abundant. It is an absolute mercy and a complete bounty, the illumination of the world, fellowship and harmony, love and union; nay, rather, mercifulness and oneness, the elimination of discord and the unity of whomsoever are on the earth in the utmost of freedom and dignity. The Blessed Beauty [Baha’u’llah] said; “All are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch". He likened the world of existence to one tree and all the souls to leaves, blossoms and fruits. Therefore all the branches, leaves, blossoms and fruits must be in the utmost of freshness, and the bringing about of this delicacy and sweetness depends upon union and fellowship. Therefore they must assist each other with all their power and seek everlasting life. Thus the friends of God must manifest the mercy of the Compassionate Lord in the world of existence and must show forth the bounty of the visible and invisible King.

They must purify their sight, and look upon mankind as the leaves, blossoms and fruits of the tree of creation, and must always be thinking of doing good to someone, of love, consideration, affection and assistance to somebody. They must see no enemy and count no one as an ill-wisher. They must consider everyone on the earth as a friend; regard the stranger as an intimate, and the alien as a companion. They must not be bound by any tie, nay, rather, they should be free from every bond. In this day the one who is favored in the threshold of grandeur is the one who offers the cup of faithfulness and bestows the pearl of gift to the enemies, even to the fallen oppressor, lends a helping hand, and considers every bitter foe as an affectionate friend.

To the maid servant of God, Miss Beatrice Irwin, London

O thou beloved daughter!

Thy letter was received and I have written for thy sake this Message. This article, in answer to thy question, is very important. Display ye the utmost effort in its publication.

After the declaration of the constitutional regime in Turkey in 1908, by the members of the Committee of the Union and Progress, this prisoner of forty years, travelled and journeyed for three years from 1910 to 1913 throughout the countries of Europe and the vast continent of America. Notwithstanding advancement in age with its natural consequences, with a resonant voice I delivered detailed addresses before large conventions and in historical churches. I enumerated all those principles contained in the Tablets and Teachings of Baha/u’llah concerning War and Peace.

About fifty years ago, His Holiness Baha’u’llah proclaimed certain Teachings and raised the Song of Universal Peace. In numerous Tablets and sundry Epistles He foretold, in the most explicit language, the present cataclysmal events stating that the world of humanity was facing the most portentous danger and asserting categorically that the realization of Universal War was unfortunately inevitable and unavoidable. For these combustible materials which were stored in the infernal arsenals of Europe would explode by contact with one spark.

Among other things, "the Balkans will become a volcano and the map of Europe will be changed." For these and similar reasons He (Baha’u’llah) invited the world of humanity to Universal Peace. He wrote a number of Epistles to the kings and rulers and in those epistles He explained the destructive evils of war and dwelt on the solid benefits and nobler influences of Universal Peace.

To the beloved of God and the maid servants of the Merciful, London

Upon them be Baha’u’l-Abha!

O firm ones in the Covenant!

Your letter was received and its contents became known. A Tablet (lit. letter) was written to Tehran fifteen months ago and it was published and spread in all parts of Persia and now is in the hands of all (the friends) The exact text of that Tablet is this:

“O servant of the Blessed Threshold!

Thou didst complain of the decline of trade. This year calamities, unfortunate decline and corruption have encompassed the world. Now the proof is apparent to all. ‘Abdu'l-Baha in churches (lit, synagogues) and meetings in many of the cities of Europe and America loudly proclaimed the Cause of His Holiness Baha’u’llah and called (people) to the Kingdom of Abha. And he (‘Abdu'l-Baha) brought forth luminous proofs and stated clear conclusions and manifest arguments. There remained no excuse for any soul whatsoever, because most of the talks were published in newspapers and spread in the world. Notwithstanding this, still the people are captives in the sleep of negligence and are prisoners of nature and inattentive to Reality. Still the people desire material luxury to such a degree that Sur-i-Israfil (i.e. the trumpet of Israfil [an angel] summoning mankind to resurrection) does not awaken them. Of course this negligence, unthankfulness and unmindfulness are the causes of regret, distress, war and dispute and produce devastation and misfortune. If the people of the world do not turn to the Greatest Name, great misery will follow. But for the sake of the believers it is my hope that traces of the favors of God may be apparent and their affairs become exceptional.

Upon thee be Baha’u’l-Abha!

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas”

This (above) Tablet was written fifteen months ago and the distressed happenings of today were mentioned in it. Notwithstanding this we pray with the utmost supplication and lamentation at the Threshold of God that He may purify and free the horizon of the world of humanity from this dark cloud.

Upon ye be Baha’u’l-Abha!

(Signed) ‘Abdu’l-Baha Abbas

(Star of the West, vol. 5, no. 15, December 12, 1914)