A schoolchild today can work out truths that Aristotle never reached, and a child of the telegraph age handles the instrument more easily than its inventor did; yet, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá insists, the merit still belongs to the founders who opened the way. That double movement, confidence in the growth of knowledge joined to gratitude for those who came before, sets the temper for thinking about where discovery is heading. Bahá’u’lláh promises sciences and crafts that no heart has yet conceived, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks of flight, of instant communication, of machines that could give leisure to every worker. He also watched the inventions of his own day turned into engines of slaughter, and prayed that one still-hidden force not be found until spiritual civilization had caught up with material power. Bacon’s imagined research house, whose members deliberate over which findings to publish and pray that their work be put to good use, raises the same question of who judges benefit [1]. The path leads on toward the coming of age of the human race, the ceaseless ascent of material civilization, the mind’s own power of discovery, and religion as the spring from which knowledge flows.
In mathematics, school children can now exceed Aristotle in their comprehension of truths. Consider how great is this century, and how magnificent is this era.
Those [earlier] individuals, however, were the founders of sciences and crafts, and as such they should be regarded as superior and be given preference. For example, a child in the telecommunication era is more skilled in handling a telegraph than the inventor himself was; as the inventor could not have transmitted messages with the same ease. The merit nevertheless goes to the preceding and early founders.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Oct-16, to Arastu Hakim -- AB02372)
02
For instance, great discoveries and announcements of former centuries are continually upset and discarded by the wise men of today. Mathematicians, astronomers, chemical scientists continually disprove and reject the conclusions of the ancients; nothing is fixed, nothing final; everything is continually changing because human reason is progressing along new roads of investigation and arriving at new conclusions every day. In the future much that is announced and accepted as true now will be rejected and disproved. And so it will continue ad infinitum.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Hotel Ansonia on 1912-Apr-17 -- ABU0300)
03
Speaking of religion and science, the two great wings with which the bird of human kind is able to soar, He said: "Scientific discoveries have increased material civilization. There is in existence a stupendous force, as yet, happily, undiscovered by man. Let us supplicate God, the Beloved, that this force be not discovered by science until spiritual civilization shall dominate the human mind. In the hands of men of lower material nature, this power would be able to destroy the whole earth."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Viscount Arawaka spoken around Nov. 1911(?) -- ABU2879)
04
"All these recent inventions have become the cause of evil and loss. During this war all these inventions have become the cause of the destruction of mankind. For instance, the telegraph, aeroplane, railway, steamer, wireless, telephone, all of these. Our hope was that these would serve the world of humanity and that they would become the means of the progress of mankind, and the means of the reconstruction of the world. But what a great pity that they have been used for destruction.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Latimer, Esslemont, Randall et al, spoken on 1919-Nov-23 -- ABU0210)
05
Those who have provided the means for transporting arms and ammunition and the instruments of war and massacre on earth will do so from the air. There will come to exist such instruments as to cause all the means of destruction in the past to be looked upon as the playthings of children.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the friends, spoken on board the SS Cedric at sea, 1912-Apr-01 -- ABU3287)
06
Science has made war expensive; so expensive it don't pay to fight.
In ancient times when nation fought against nation, probably one thousand would be killed in battle, the expense would not be great, the outcome of victory decisive and final; but in modern times the science of war has reached such a stage of perfection that in twenty-four hours one-hundred-thousand could be sacrificed, great navies sent to the bottom of the sea, great cities destroyed in a few hours.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Interview with Hudson Maxim, New York, 1912-Apr-15 -- ABU0125)
07
If the moral precepts and foundations of divine civilization become united with the material advancement of man, there is no doubt that the happiness of the human world will be attained and that from every direction the glad tidings of peace upon earth will be announced. … Then will the power of the divine make itself effective and the breath of the Holy Spirit penetrate the essence of all things.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Hotel Schenley on 1912-May-07 -- ABU0051)
08
Unveiled and unconcealed, this Wronged One hath, at all times, proclaimed before the face of all the peoples of the world that which will serve as the key for unlocking the doors of sciences, of arts, of knowledge, of well-being, of prosperity and wealth.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Lawh-i-Dunya (Tablet of the World), 1308 ? [1890-1891], to Mirza Siyyid Muhammad Afnan (known as Aqa Mirza Aqa Nurud-Din) -- BH00238)
09
Erelong shall We bring into being through thee exponents of new and wondrous sciences, of potent and effective crafts, and shall make manifest through them that which the heart of none of Our servants hath yet conceived.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Suriy-i-Haykal (Surih of the Temple) -- BH00007)
10
When the sun of His name, the Creator, dawneth from the horizon of His mouth, through it are made manifest the arts throughout all ages - this is an indubitable truth. This name riseth upon all things that exist, and through it are revealed the arts through the agencies of the kingdom, were ye of them that are assured. All the wondrous and novel manifestations of craftsmanship that ye behold have appeared from this Name, and there shall appear hereafter that which ye have never heard before.
In our times scientists are discovering in the strata of rocks secrets that their predecessors could not discover in perspicuous tablets of light. That is because in this most great manifestation, without investigation or deduction the gates of revelation and discovery have been thrown wide open.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Lawh-i-Aflakiyyih (Tablet of the Celestial Spheres), 1876-08 ca. -- AB00023)
12
Strange and astonishing things exist in the earth but they are hidden from the minds and the understanding of men. These things are capable of changing the whole atmosphere of the earth and their contamination would prove lethal. Great God! We have observed an amazing thing. Lightning or a force similar to it is controlled by an operator and moveth at his command.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Kalimat-i-Firdawsiyyih (Words of Paradise), 1306-11-26 [1889-Jul-24], to Haji Mirza Haydar Ali Isfahani -- BH00111)
13
In the Words of Paradise page 54, these words appear: "A strange and wonderful instrument exists in the earth, but it is concealed from minds and souls. It is an instrument which has the power to change the atmosphere of the whole earth, and its infection causes destruction."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Helen Goodall and Ella Cooper spoken in Jan. 1908 -- ABU1809)
14
The edifice of the Most Exalted Shrine shall be expanded. In the future, a form of electricity shall be discovered whereby, within the stone itself and without connection to any power plant, electric lights shall be illuminated.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Nuru'd-Din Mumtazi et al in May 1920 -- ABU2847)
15
Concerning what thou didst ask about the earth and what the wise have said about it: in truth these matters have not yet been fully discovered. This is the truth, and beyond it is naught but error. However, the philosophers of this age, having received a portion of the light of this Manifestation, are more knowledgeable than those who came before. They have not yet fully discovered the number of planets; soon it shall be revealed and added to the previous count.
(Bahá’u’lláh, 1301 ? [1883-1884], to Ali Akbar -- BH00722)
16
It would now be fitting to prepare the means of travel to other planets!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1913-Feb-19 in Paris -- ABU3758)
17
Were it possible to build a heavenly railway; were it possible to invent an aeroplane to establish communication between the various planets many marvelous discoveries would have been achieved.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue St. Didier 30 in Paris, 1913-Feb-16 -- ABU2615)
18
Today I wanted to come here and at the door I saw an airplane rising. It was a very beautiful sight. Truly it is a strange invention. It demonstrates human power, that God has given such power to man that he can fly to heights beyond the capacity of birds.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1911-Nov-27 in Paris -- ABU0518)
19
The science of aviation will make great progress in the immediate future and people will travel at ease from one city to another city without any danger. It will become as popular as automobiles.
Just as now every well to do person has an automobile, then they will have an aeroplane.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Rue Lauriston 97 in Paris, 1913-Mar-28 -- ABU2998)
20
For instance, we observe that humans can imprison electrical force in glass, confine free sound, set the atmosphere in motion through waves and communicate thereby, propel ships across deserts, transform dry land into sea, make the East intimate with the West, and join South and North in embrace. They reveal nature's hidden secrets and bring them from the realm of the invisible into the visible world.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Clark University on 1912-May-23 -- ABU0121)
21
Through the ingenuity and inventions of man it is possible to cross the wide oceans, fly through the air and travel in submarine depths. At any moment the Orient and Occident can communicate with each other. Trains speed across the continents. The human voice has been arrested and reproduced, and now man can speak at long distances from any point.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Euclid Hotel on 1912-May-06 -- ABU0192)
22
Communication is so easy that in a single moment the East can communicate with the West. A hundred days can be passed in a single day. Ships, in other Manifestations, could only sail near the shore, and if sometimes they did go far they would be missed and could not be traced. Now they cross the ocean.
In the days of the Prophets, Christ and Mohammed, there were many plains and deserts on which no one had traveled, now the trains can go directly and pass over them easily, and the land and sea are so connected with each other that the globe can be traversed in one month.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ida Finch and Fanny and Alma Knobloch, spoken on 1908-Nov-10 -- ABU0838)
23
The labor saving machines were given to create leisure for all mankind...
… You cannot understand now, how the labor saving machines can produce leisure for mankind because at present they are all in the hands of the financiers and are used only to increase profits, but that will not continue. The workers will come into their due benefit from the machine that is the divine intention, and one cannot continue to violate the law of God.
The available source contains an omission or incomplete wording; sentence boundaries need review.
24
The Tablets of Baha'u'llah are many. The precepts and teachings they contain are universal, covering every subject. He has revealed scientific explanations ranging throughout all the realms of human inquiry and investigation -- astronomy, biology, medical science, etc. … His teachings are universal and the standard for human action. They are not merely theoretical and intended to remain in books. They are the principles of action. Results follow action. Mere theory is fruitless. Of what use is a book upon medicine if it is never taken from the library shelf? When practical activity has been manifested, the teachings of God have borne fruit.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Kinney home on 1912-May-29 -- ABU0385)
25
Fifty years ago whoever mentioned universal peace was mocked. Now praise be to God it has reached such a degree that everyone acknowledges this matter of universal peace is the spirit of this age and the light of this century.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Jul-07, to Christian Commonwealth, The et al -- AB00357)
26
The happy and healthy children of a new order of public opinion are being born, the ethical laws of the world are in the process of a radical reformation and an entirely new code of statutes will be legislated for the international relations and the final consolidation of the modern and ancient nations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to some friends, spoken on 1915-May-21 -- ABU2497)
27
If this esteemed congress will, as it should and must, promote these beneficent purposes and eliminate these traditions in the possession of religions which are contrary to the divine foundation, the world will become another world, the earthly realm shall become a heavenly realm, the human world shall become the dawning-place of reality, and the rays of the Sun of the celestial realm shall shine upon it. East and West shall be illumined, South and North shall embrace one another, all religions shall seek and speak the truth, and everlasting foundations shall be laid in the world of humanity, and the edifice of the unity of the human race shall rise day by day.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Jul-06, to Sec'y of sixth Int'l Congress for Freedom of Religion -- AB00279)
28
I wish this blessing to appear and become manifest in the faces and characteristics of the believers, so that they, too, may become a new people, and having found new life and been baptized with fire and spirit, may make the world a new world, to the end that the old earth may disappear and the new earth appear; old ideas depart and new thoughts come; old garments be cast aside and new garments put on; ancient politics whose foundation is war be discarded and modern politics founded on peace raise the standard of victory; the new star shine and gleam and the new sun illumine and radiate; new flowers bloom, the new spring become known; the new breeze blow; the new bounty descend; the new tree give forth new fruit; the new voice become raised and this new sound reach the ears, that the new will follow the new, and all the old furnishings and adornments be cast aside and new decorations put in their places.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1906, to Baha'is of the United States -- AB02184)
29
After this war new plans, new thoughts and new sound theories are essential. Old thoughts will be good for the scrapbasket. A new table must be spread, new dishes must be cooked and new appetite must be cultivated. The seeds of new flowers must be sown, new saplings must be planted, new roads must be constructed, a new code of ethics must be discovered, new conventions for the amicable settlement of international disputes must be evolved, new lamps must be lighted, new truths must be laid here, new capability and ability must be trained, new modes of expression must be found, new worlds must be conquered, new relations must be established and new standards of life must be upraised.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Ahmad Sohrab, spoken on 1915-Apr-22 -- ABU2265)
30
We are laying the foundation of that Palace and ere long its turrets shall reach to the sky."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Master's entourage, spoken at Baltimore Hotel on 1913-May-06 -- ABU1060)
31
If you succeed in service and servitude at the Divine Threshold as is befitting, you will observe how this world becomes illumined in a brief time.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1905 ca., to Shirin Kayqubad (Wife of Nush Gushtasb) et al -- AB01723)
32
He must likewise lay the foundations of human education, that is, he must so educate human minds and thoughts that they may become capable of substantive progress; that science and knowledge may expand; that the realities of things, the mysteries of the universe and the properties of all that exists may be revealed; that learning, discoveries and major undertakings may day by day increase; and that matters of the intellect may be deduced from and conveyed through the sensible.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 3, The Need for an Educator, 1904-Jun ca. -- AB00081)
33
In like manner, when the holy Manifestation of God, Who is the Sun of the world of creation, casts His splendour upon the world of hearts, minds, and spirits, a spiritual springtime is ushered in and a new life is unveiled. The power of the matchless springtide appears and its marvellous gifts are beheld. Thus you observe that, with the advent of each of the Manifestations of God, astonishing progress was attained in the realm of human minds, thoughts, and spirits. Consider, for example, the progress that has been achieved in this divine age in the world of minds and thoughts---and this is only the beginning of the dawn!
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 42, The Power and Perfections of the Divine Manifestations, 1904 ca. -- AB00921)
34
The Prophets of God have founded the laws of divine civilization. They have been the root and fundamental source of all knowledge.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken at Unitarian conference in Boston, 1912-May-22 -- ABU0161)
35
It was in such a land and amidst such barbarous tribes that an illiterate Man brought forth a Book in which the attributes and perfections of God, the prophethood of His Messengers, the precepts of His religion, and certain fields of knowledge and questions of human learning have been expounded in a most perfect and eloquent manner.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 7, Muhammad, 1904-Jun ca. -- AB00035)
36
"People have a superstitious respect for certain doctrines which are against science and the wise men of the country have thought that religion is opposed to science. Know thou that the great ethical foundation of knowledge is divine revelation and the basis of religion is reality itself.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken ca. 1913-Mar-29 in Paris -- ABU0873)
37
Now, in this glorious age, which is the century of Baha'u'llah, consider how far knowledge and learning have progressed, how fully the mysteries of creation have been unveiled, and how many great undertakings have been embarked upon and are multiplying day by day! Soon will material knowledge and learning, as well as spiritual knowledge, make such progress and display such wonders as to dazzle every eye and to disclose the full meaning of the verse of Isaiah: "for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 12, Commentary on the Eleventh Chapter of Isaiah, 1904-Jul ca. -- AB00091)
38
If these schools of progress lead to the university of heaven, then branches of knowledge will be developed whereby humanity will look upon the tablet of existence as a scroll endlessly unfolding; and all created things will be seen upon that scroll as letters and words. Then will the different planes of meaning be learned, and then within every atom of the universe will be witnessed the signs of the oneness of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1907-Mar-06, to E E Wrestling Brewster -- AB00276)
39
Rather, the meaning is that whatever human virtues appeared in the early centuries and were manifested in the realm of existence - of sciences, arts, inventions, discoveries, institutions, mysteries of creation and realities of beings - all of these are equivalent to two letters. However, what will appear after the manifestation of the Qa'im regarding the mysteries of the world of being, realities of things, arts and wonders, human knowledge, hidden secrets and guarded mysteries, is equivalent to twenty-five letters.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1913-Oct-26, to Mirza Aqa Khan son of Muhammad Taqi -- AB03186)
40
The intention of His Holiness the Truthful One (Imam Sadiq), peace be upon him, is that the sciences and arts that appeared among people up until the previous dispensation were equivalent to two letters, but in the blessed dispensation of the Blessed Beauty, sciences and arts equivalent to the remaining letters - that is, many times over - will appear and emerge.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Mirza Husayn Mishkin Qalam -- AB11731)
41
Abdul Baha: Those are the letters of Abjad. There is a tradition which says that when the Gha'im appears all the civilization and sciences which have been existing before will be as one letter, but after the Promised One comes, it becomes twenty-seven. That is, so many discoveries will be made that all these (new) sciences, arts, and discoveries are twenty-seven.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Fugeta, et al, spoken on 1919-Dec-29 -- ABU0379)
42
Aside from the true meaning of this passage which pertains to the power and might of the Cause of God, to the revelation of verses and signs, to the solution of divine problems, to the disclosure of the mysteries of the Holy Book and to the spread of knowledge - each of which is a hundred times greater in this mighty revelation than in any previous one - materially, too, all the learned men of this age agree that the advancements in knowledge, the arts, industries and inventions of this century are equal to those of the last fifty centuries, indeed, even greater than that.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to the Baha'is, spoken at 309 W 78th St on 1912-Jun-13 -- ABU2329)
43
The New Testament contains no answers to questions of science. But all knowledge has been revealed by the Blessed Perfection in books which if gathered together would make many volumes. He has revealed demonstrations in sciences, and He is the epitome of all previous Revelations.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Julia Grundy spoken around Jan. 1905 -- ABU0466)
44
Science is the governor of nature and its mysteries, the one agency by which man explores the institutions of material creation. All created things are captives of nature and subject to its laws. … But man through the exercise of his scientific, intellectual power can rise out of this condition, can modify, change and control nature according to his own wishes and uses. Science, so to speak, is the breaker of the laws of nature.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Columbia University on 1912-Apr-19 -- ABU0145)
45
Observe how greatly the sphere of intellects and the sphere of thoughts have expanded, how numerous the new discoveries have become, how many magnificent institutions have appeared, how brilliantly novel industries have manifested, how widely beneficial sciences have spread.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words spoken on 1912-Jul-12 in Brooklyn -- ABU0264)
46
This century is very great. Many of the mysteries of existence will become manifest. Great inventions will appear and great discoveries will be made."
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Latimer, Esslemont, Randall et al, spoken on 1919-Nov-18 -- ABU0071)
47
In this wondrous cycle the realities of things and the mysteries of creation will become manifest and evident.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1903 ca., to Muhammad-Ali -- AB06401)
48
Now the new age is here and creation is reborn. Humanity hath taken on new life. The autumn hath gone by, and the reviving spring is here. All things are now made new. Arts and industries have been reborn, there are new discoveries in science, and there are new inventions; even the details of human affairs, such as dress and personal effects -- even weapons -- all these have likewise been renewed. The laws and procedures of every government have been revised. Renewal is the order of the day.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1920-Mar-27, to Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles -- AB02117)
49
See how, in this day, the scope of sciences and arts hath widened out, and what wondrous technical advances have been made, and to what a high degree the mind's powers have increased, and what stupendous inventions have appeared.
This age is indeed as a hundred other ages: should ye gather the yield of a hundred ages, and set that against the accumulated product of our times, the yield of this one era will prove greater than that of a hundred gone before.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1919-Jul-26, to Elizabeth Herrick -- AB00948)
50
In the estimation of historians this radiant century is equivalent to one hundred centuries of the past. If comparison be made with the sum total of all former human achievements, it will be found that the discoveries, scientific advancement and material civilization of this present century have equaled, yea far exceeded the progress and outcome of one hundred former centuries. The production of books and compilations of literature alone bears witness that the output of the human mind in this century has been greater and more enlightening than all the past centuries together.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Public address given at Huntington Chambers on 1912-May-25 -- ABU0188)
51
This is not only the golden age but the age of Diamond. This is the Century of Lights! This is the cycle of Love. This is the glorious Dawn of the Sun of Reality.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to a stranger, spoken on 1914-May-09 -- ABU3503)
52
From the standpoints of both material and spiritual civilization extraordinary progress and development will be witnessed.
In this present cycle there will be an evolution in civilization unparalleled in the history of the world. The world of humanity has, heretofore, been in the stage of infancy; now it is approaching maturity.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Address to the Baha'is at Studio Hall in Washington, 1912-Apr-21 -- ABU0373)
53
The progress of civilizations to a certain degree has reached an exalted station in France specially, and in Europe generally, but from now on there will be a monumental upward march of advancement all over the United States. That country has just started on the path of progress and her future development will be just as marvelous as her activities will be manifold in all the departments of life, physical and spiritual.
(Bahá’u’lláh, Words of Baha'u'llah to Haji [Mirza Haydar?] Ali, as related to Ahmad Sohrab on January 1, 1914 -- BHU0013)
54
Do you see this Garden? Do you see all these stones? All will be destroyed. But the time will come when these will be renewed, and then they will be fixed for all time. But the people will not be satisfied, but will bring marble. Even this will not satisfy them. They will bring one brick of silver and one brick of gold.
(Bahá’u’lláh, to words to Abu'l-Qasim the gardener -- BHU0014)
55
It is certain that in this wonderful new age the development of medical science will lead to the doctors' healing their patients with foods.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1908-Dec or <, to William Jay Moore -- AB00162)
56
Now we will speak of material healing. The science of medicine is still in its infancy and has not yet reached maturity. But when it reaches that stage, treatments will be administered with things that are not repulsive to the senses of taste and smell, that is, through foods, fruits, and plants that have an agreeable taste and a pleasant smell.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Chapter 73, Healing by Material Means, 1904-Oct ca. -- AB00646)
57
The time will come when meat will no longer be eaten. Medical science is only in its infancy, yet it has shown that our natural diet is that which grows out of the ground.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Words to Julia Grundy spoken around Jan. 1905 -- ABU3261)
58
Thus is it incumbent upon the friends of God to exert such an effort and strive with such eagerness to promote divine knowledge, culture and the sciences, that erelong those who are schoolchildren today will become the most erudite of all the fraternity of the wise. This is a service rendered unto God Himself, and it is one of His inescapable commandments.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to Members of Tarbiyat School -- AB03799)
59
Today some children are called prodigies, but the inheritors of this cause will attain to a degree that the others, even though educated in the best schools and with every advantage, know nothing of.
O My Letters! Verily I say, immensely exalted is this Day above the days of the Apostles of old. Nay, immeasurable is the difference! You are the witnesses of the Dawn of the promised Day of God. You are the partakers of the mystic chalice of His Revelation.
… The secret of the Day that is to come is now concealed. It can neither be divulged nor estimated. The newly born babe of that Day excels the wisest and most venerable men of this time, and the lowliest and most unlearned of that period shall surpass in understanding the most erudite and accomplished divines of this age.
(The Báb, Farewell address to the Letters of the Living, 1260-08 ca. -- BBU0001)
Further quotations · supplied wording and references
61
With the appearance of every Revelation a new insight is created in man and this in turn expresses itself in the growth of science. This has happened in past dispensations and we find its earliest fruits in our present day. What we see however is only the beginning. With the spiritual awakening of man this force will develop and marvelous results will become manifest.
LG#972 (14 Jan. 1932 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
62
As these teachings illuminate the minds of the believers working in the many fields of science, industry and sociology, they will be enabled gradually to work out and apply methods that are in accordance with the divine principles and will thus confer untold blessings upon their fellow men.
(25 Dec. 1977 on behalf of the Universal House of Justice)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
63
We don't believe man has always had the form of man, but rather that from the outset he was going to evolve into the human form and species and not be a haphazard branch of the ape family. You see our whole approach to each matter is based on the belief that God sends us divinely inspired Educators. What they tell us is fundamentally true; what science tells us today is true, tomorrow may be entirely changed to better explain a new set of facts.
(7 Jun. 1946 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, in Arohanui, p. 85)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
64
The bud, the flower, the fruit are only symbols to convey to us the sense of the progress being made by man in receiving ever fuller Revelations from God. In spite of the vast spiritual significance of what Baha'u'llah has brought to the world we humans have infinite progress to make in the future. Future Prophets will bring us new laws suitable to our state of development and continue to educate us on this planet, but they will be under the shadow of Baha'u'llah for five thousand centuries.
HE.071 (9 Oct. 1947 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
65
We have to wait only a few years to see how the spirit breathed by Baha'u'llah will find expression in the work of the artists. What you and some other Baha'is are attempting are only faint rays that precede the effulgent light of a glorious morn. We cannot yet value the part the Cause is destined to play in the life of society. We have to give it time. The material this spirit has to mould is too crude and unworthy, but it will at last give way and the Cause of Baha'u'llah will reveal itself in its full splendour.
LG#338, COC#26 (10 Oct. 1932 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified
66
He sincerely hopes that as the Cause grows and talented persons come under its banner, they will begin to produce in art the divine spirit that animates their soul. Every religion has brought with it some form of art -- let us see what wonders this Cause is going to bring along. Such a glorious spirit should also give vent to a glorious art. The Temple with all its beauty is only the first ray of an early dawn; even more wondrous things are to be achieved in the future.
COC#25 (11 Dec. 1931 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)
Supplied quotation · catalogue passage not verified