The following is a Discourse of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
given at the Theosophical Head Quarters. September 30th, 1911.

"O RESPECTED Assembly! O friends of Truth! The inherent nature of fire is to burn,
the inherent nature of electricity is to give light,
the inherent nature of the sun is to shine, and the inherent nature
of the organic earth is the power of growth.

There is no separation between a thing and its inherent qualities.

It is the inherent nature of things on this earth to change,
thus we see around us the change of the seasons. Every spring is followed by a summer
and every autumn brings a winter -- every day a night and every evening a morning.
There is a sequence in all things.

Thus when hatred and animosity, fighting, slaughtering, and great coldness of heart
were governing this world, and darkness had overcome the nations, Bahá'u'lláh, like
a bright star, rose from the horizon of Persia and shone with the great Light
of Guidance, giving heavenly radiance and establishing the new Teaching.

He declared the most human virtues; He manifested the Spiritual powers,
and put them into practice in the world around Him.

Firstly: He lays stress on the search for Truth. This is most important,
because the people are too easily led by tradition. It is because of this
that they are often antagonistic to each other, and dispute with one another.

But the manifesting of Truth discovers the darkness and becomes the cause
of Oneness of faith and belief: because Truth cannot be two! That is not possible.

Secondly: Bahá'u'lláh taught the Oneness of humanity; that is to say,
all the children of men are under the mercy of the Great God.
They are the sons of one God; they are trained by God. He has placed the crown
of humanity on the head of every one of the servants of God.
Therefore all nations and peoples must consider themselves brethren.
They are all descendants from Adam. They are the branches, leaves, flowers
and fruits of One Tree. They are pearls from one shell. But the children of men
are in need of education and civilization, and they require to be polished,
till they become bright and shining.

Man and woman both should be educated equally and equally regarded.

It is racial, patriotic, religious and class prejudice,
that has been the cause of the destruction of Humanity.

Thirdly: Bahá'u'lláh taught, that Religion is the chief foundation of Love
and Unity and the cause of Oneness. If a religion become the cause of hatred
and disharmony, it would be better that it should not exist.
To be without such a religion is better than to be with it.

Fourthly: Religion and Science are inter-twined with each other and
cannot be separated. These are the two wings with which humanity must fly.
One wing is not enough. Every religion which does not concern itself with Science
is mere tradition, and that is not the essential. Therefore science, education
and civilization are most important necessities for the full religious life.

Fifthly: The Reality of the divine Religions is one, because the Reality is
one and cannot be two. All the prophets are united in their message, and unshaken.
They are like the sun; in different seasons they ascend from different rising
points on the horizon. Therefore every ancient prophet gave the glad tidings of the
future, and every future has accepted the past.

Sixthly: Equality and Brotherhood must be established among all members of mankind.
This is according to Justice. The general rights of mankind must be guarded and preserved.

All men must be treated equally. This is inherent in the very nature of humanity.

Seventhly: The arrangements of the circumstances of the people must be such that
poverty shall disappear, and that every one as far as possible, according to his
position and rank, shall be comfortable. Whilst the nobles and others in high rank
are in easy circumstances, the poor also should be able to get their daily food
and not be brought to the extremities of hunger.

Eighthly: Bahá'u'lláh declared the coming of the Most Great Peace.
All the nations and peoples will come under the shadow of the Tent of the
Great Peace and Harmony -- that is to say, by general election a Great Board of
Arbitration shall be established, to settle all differences and quarrels between
the Powers; so that disputes shall not end in war.

Ninthly: Bahá'u'lláh taught that hearts must receive the Bounty of the Holy Spirit,
so that Spiritual civilization may be established. For material civilization is not
adequate for the needs of mankind and cannot be the cause of its happiness.
Material civilization is like the body and spiritual civilization is like the soul.
Body without soul cannot live.

This is a short summary of the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh.
To establish this Bahá'u'lláh underwent great difficulties and hardships.
He was in constant confinement and He suffered great persecution.
But in the fortress (Akká) He reared a spiritual palace and from the
darkness of His prison He sent out a great light to the world."

(Abdu'l-Baha in London, page 29)