A preview of the unpublished book A CIVILIZATION WITHOUT A VISION WILL PERISH: AN INDEPENDENT SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH by David Willis
Dedicated to
Green Acre Bahá’í School
and to
Rabi Musah whose presentation of
One Common Faith
sowed the seeds for this book
In 1912 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent 239 days in America. On 17 August, when giving a talk at Green Acre, He said:
“In the future, God willing, Green Acre shall become a great center, the cause of unity of the world of humanity, the cause of uniting hearts and binding together the East and the West. This is my hope.”
Be as a lamp…
Be a Bahá’í.
Later ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stated:
“These are the days of my farewell to you, for I am sailing on the fifth of the month. Wherever I went in this
country, I returned always to New York City. This is my fourth or fifth visit here, and now I am going away to the Orient. It will be difficult for me to visit this country again except it be the will of God. I must, therefore, give you my instructions and exhortations today, and these are none other than the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind.
Do not exalt yourself above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God.
Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities.
Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction.
Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another.
Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good.
You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable.
You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly.
Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred.
Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him.
Do not complain of others.
Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer.
Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts.
Beware! Beware! Lest ye offend any heart.
Assist the world of humanity as much as possible.
Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one,
care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.
In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity.
Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity.
Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be quickened of God, be a Bahá’í.”