Summary of the congress message
Review of the past century:
Covenant calls for reflection and review
Purpose of the covenant is to unite races and nations
1) Dramatic history and
amazing progress of the past:
Fall of dynasty
Rise and fall of ideologies
Two world wars
Advances in science, technology and social organizations
Emergence of global neighborhood
Awakening of dormant masses
Spread of the Faith from 15 countries to the whole planet
Covenant has given birth to the administrative order
Through administrative order the community is
consolidated and united
2) Problems: Nations
are at odds
Economic
upheavals
Races
feel alienation, mistrust, humiliation & fear
Internal
disorders of religious and political institutions
Moral
emptiness
Feeling
of personal futility
Fall of
cultures
Disappearance
of values
3) Conclusion: We are at the end of our wisdom
we need
Divine wisdom
But we
do not know it
4) Solution: Understand the purpose of God for
us:
God
loves us
Justice
is indispensable
Principles
must be adhered to
Carry
forward an ever advancing civilization
Acquire
virtues: forbearance, mercy, compassion, loving-kindness
Rise and
fall are part of God's plan
Leads to
unity and Peace.
5) Crux of all Problems is
Disunity: is everywhere
is within Religions also
rubs religion of its healing
influence
6) Effects of the lack of
religion: Human nature is perverted
Human conduct is degraded
Human institutions become corrupt
and dissolve
Character is debased
Confidence is shaken
Nerves of discipline are relaxed
Voice of conscience is stilled
Sense of decency and shame is
obscured
Conceptions of duty, solidarity,
reciprocity & loyalty are obscured
Chaos & confusion will ensue
Lights of fairness, justice,
tranquillity, & peace will cease to shine
7) Solution: Unifying force of the Covenant
We must
face the forces of disunity in the world
Review of the covenant:
1) God is sovereign and unknowable
Baha'u'llah is His Messenger in His Day
We accept and obey by our own choice
2) Covenant is
the instrument to translate belief in
God into constructive deeds
3) Covenant is the spirit,
instrument and method to achieve the goal
of oneness.
4) Baha'u'llah gave us the world order and Abd'ul-baha.
5) Abd'ul-baha is: Interpreter, Expounder of the Word.
Center of the covenant,
Incorruptible agent for applying the Word.
Exemplar, Enduring model to emulate.
6) Attacks from within (i.e. covenant breakers) and without
(i.e. persecution) have failed and
will continue to fail.
7) Covenant will lead us
to the promised Kingdom of God on earth.
Let others: Accept Baha'u'llah
Since
"...the storms battering at the foundations of society will not be stilled..."
Let us: Redouble
our efforts
Teach
with patience and humility
Show
that diversity of culture etc. is good
Have
wider loyalties than patriotism
Demonstrate
unity in diversity
500 years since Columbus,
raised issues which will be solved in the Faith
Abd'ul-baha in the west, city
of the covenant, seat of U.N.
Our efforts: Words and deeds proclaim three
onenesses
Daring
and persistent