praise of Western values; culture
Editorial introduction
Admiration, when it is honest, is a demanding thing. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá praised the Europeans for one trait above all: that after investigation they accept the truth even when it overturns what they believed, and he praised the Americans for open minds, listening ears and a dissatisfaction with mere material success that keeps them reaching for the better and the best. He commended philanthropy that remembers the poor, courts where the law is the same for rich and for pauper, schools where women teach and learn, and a British justice that sheltered the oppressed. Yet every such tribute bends toward a purpose beyond itself: the solidarity of the human race, the banner of universal peace, a civilization that is spiritual as well as technical. Mill’s argument that a suppressed opinion costs us either a truth or a sharper grasp of it offers a philosophical measure for the openness so admired [1]. To read these tributes fairly is to hold them beside the equally searching critique of Western values, to see East and West as partners who each lack what the other has, and to ask what the changing station of women and the growth of constitutional government ask of those who enjoy them.
One thing that has enabled the Europeans to advance so considerably is their aptitude to accept the truth. After investigation and research, even if it is against their previously held notions, they do not reject the truth and testify to its veracity.
Their philanthropic endeavors are an evidence of their desire to serve others and to benefit the body politic. They are thoughtful of the poor; they are interested in the questions of education, capital punishment, and the alleviation of suffering. They are occupied with activities relative to the betterment of their kind. Their endeavors are exceedingly praiseworthy, and I am hopeful that through their united efforts war and the making of infernal instruments may be abolished.
In the olden time, it was not possible for women to sit at table in equality with the men, but in this Day it is different, and the change has been largely brought about by the position given to women in free America.
The American women as a whole are better educated, more well-informed on classical as well as current subjects and the spreaders of the right ideals of education. The[y] are endowed with a most wonderful power of assimilation and comprehend quickly the subtleties of philosophy and religion. A woman Principal in any of the high schools of the United States is more intelligent than the President of the University of El-Azhar in Cairo!
The American people have had sound judicial training and the fundamental principles of their political institutions are based on the equality of opportunities for all mankind. Their national and state system of government has been always a good and beneficial example for the framers of the Constitution of the international Court of Arbitration.
There is a great spiritual light in London. The effort made for justice is real and in this country the law is the same for the poor as for the rich.
"There is a great spiritual light in London, and the ideal of justice is strong in the hearts of the people.
… "The news of this incident, being noised abroad, did much to show the Eastern people that British justice is in reality the same for the rich and for the poor, and therefore worthy of all respect."
In the blessed Tablets the justice and the administrative sagacity of the Imperial government of England have been repeatedly dwelt upon, and now it has become clear that, in reality, the inhabitants of this country, after untold sufferings, have attained to composure and security.
These Judges from the Court of the last Appeal and all the inter-state disputes and supposed unconstitutional legislations are presented to them for final decision. Their power and influence are tremendous and their judgment absolutely binding upon the nation. They are learned in law and legality. They are loved and respected by the people.
Baha'u'llah states in the Tablet of the World: "At present, that which the nation of England adheres to in terms of law appears good outwardly, but that which in reality causes preservation and prevention has been the fear of God."
This supreme grace was bestowed upon the glorious government, which has surpassed the kings of the world in assisting the oppressed. We beseech God to strengthen it, preserve it, and ordain for it what He willeth. Verily, He is the Powerful, the Mighty, and worthy to answer prayers.
Your civilization has grown under the banner of Jesus Christ, you have the light of reason, and just government has been established in the West.
Praise be to God, that your churches are free from prejudices. They are not so creed-bound as not to be able to breathe. Many Christian churches in Europe are yet extremely dogmatic. But I have already spoken in churches belonging to your denomination.
During the past year we have been welcomed in churches and pulpits of Europe and America by different denominations, - upraising the Divine Standard of Unity, summoning mankind to the Glad Tidings of the Most Great Peace, proclaiming the Reality of the Kingdom of ABHA. And this has been accomplished not only without opposition but by invitation, and in a spirit of the utmost love and fragrance.
But today through the assistance of the Abha Beauty the Cause of God is proclaimed with the utmost openness in the churches and assemblies of the West.
In all temples, gatherings, assemblies of the West Abdul-Baha has spread these teachings most forcibly. Not a single person could oppose him, nobody raised an objection. Everyone listened, and with great applause and in the utmost respect manifested their approval.
In all Western newspapers and journals, from all religions and nations, testimony to the greatness of the Cause exists, with clear acknowledgment that the Blessed Beauty is the renowned Personage of the horizons and the supreme Educator of the human world.
Had He appeared in Europe, its people would have seized their opportunity and His Cause, by virtue of the freedom of thought, would by this time have encompassed the earth.
Therefore, this wanderer has seen no choice but to turn to the Western world and raise his call there, for their vision is open to such a degree, and they are intimate companions with reason and culture.
An Englishman who is an Arabic professor in London, came with his wife to see 'Abdul-Baha, who spoke to him in Arabic about America: "The American people investigate everything. Their minds are open, their ears are listening. … They listen to every discussion with dignity, urbanity and politeness. If it is in accord with reason they will accept, if they do not understand they ask questions.
Changing the subject, he said: "The underlying thought in the mind of every American is to investigate Reality. Although many of them do not do it, yet this is a sub-conscious longing of every man, and may assume its normal activity by only pricking the surface.
In America it is different, people are more spiritual, they seek the knowledge of God, they hail the truth no matter from what quarter it comes. If they learn that there is a house in China [the] architecture of which is a marvel, they like to know all about it. In brief, they are a nation of independent investigators.
The English people are sincere, truth-loving, determined and seekers of reality. They are thirsty for knowledge. They explore the furthest ends of the earth in order to throw light upon puzzling problems. They are a determined, persevering nation. They are enterprising and investigators of reality.
In America people are religious, they are attracted, they are investigating, they are open-minded. They praise God. You find there many spiritual people.
He said:-
"The true, liberal, religious spirit is more witnessed in America than in Europe. From an ethical standpoint they are far ahead of European nations. The American people as a whole are a religious people. They investigate the reality and are free from the fetters of prejudices. The Europeans are not deeply religious but they have their prejudices. The Americans are an inventive nation. In the light of their manifold inventions their services to the world of humanity are considered as incalculable..."
The Americans on a whole [are] very magnanimous and hospitable and their prosperity and success in material affairs proverbial. In the domain of spirituality and ethics there is also great awakening. One can speak more intelligently and reason more easily a plain American citizen than hundred supposed learned men of Acca. The ground of Palestine is holy but its inhabitants are mercenary. Avaunt with the people here! They have no life, no vivacity nor animation; but in America it is all so different; the people are brisk, frolicsome, sprightly, full of liveliness and jocund.
He spoke much of the pleasure he had felt in the atmosphere of England. He said there was a strength of purpose in the English people and a firmness which he liked and admired, There was honesty and uprightness. They were slow in starting a new idea, but, when they did, it was only because their minds and common-sense had told them that the idea was sound.
The English as a nation had pleased him greatly.
Praise be to God, that I have seen the luminous faces and the heavenly hearts of the friends in London. People are turning their faces toward God. They are seeking the Divine Bounty.
'Abdu'l-Baha: "Germans were very kind to us. I am well-pleased with Germans. The spiritual future of Germany is very glorious.
The German people on the whole are religious. They are very noble and progressive.
A letter had arrived from Mr. Herrigel. It was translated in their presence, and in connection with it, they mentioned the German believers, saying how good they were since no unsavory rumors had blown there, and God willing, great souls would appear there.
Yet, the inhabitants of Paris do not share the spirituality and zeal of the Americans, who are truly something else.
"I hope that, as this century is a radiant century and this age a merciful age, the human world will become united and the standard of the solidarity of the human race will be hoisted in Paris; for Paris is a center of refined civilization and has advanced marvelously along the path of science.
… "I hope that the soul of Paris will arise from the city of obscurity and progress steadily forward to the new civilization."
Indeed, He found a prosperous country and a people full of vitality, enthusiasm and fervor, with a just and kind government. That people has the capacity to acquire every virtue, for they are thirsting after truth and have a vast field for progress.
The Master answered:- They are very progressive and well-established in modern civilization. They are the investigators of Reality and are thirsty for every salubrious water. They have a vast and unlimited continent capable of undreamed development. They are ever pushing forward. One must move and push and be alert and active in America, otherwise it is not his place."
The American people are not satisfied with their present day civilization. It is true that they have built a marvellous civilization of their own through giant-like forces and energy which in many respects is superior to the European civilization, yet they are striving for higher things, nobler ideals and universal principles.
… They may be proud of their civilization, because they have made the desert blossom like unto the rose, but they are not satisfied with it, they are seeking after new solutions of old and modern problems, they are thirsty for salubrious water, they are hungry for the bread of life, they are investigating the reality of everything. Their hearts are open, their minds receptive and in discussion never overbearing.
The American civilization has done much toward the progress and the upbuilding of the world. God has turned His special Glance toward America and has encircled that continent with His particular favor. Day by day it is progressing. Truly I say it is worthy of this Blessed Cause. Indeed it merits to be the herald of this Glad-tiding.
The Western nations for the last five centuries have been steadily going forward and with a superhuman energy pushing further and further the frontiers of ignorance and illiteracy they have attained to their present unassailable position.
We must be just: The American College at Beirut is carrying on a sacred mission of education and enlightenment and every lover of higher culture and civilization must wish it a great success.
In the West most of the men and women believers are engaged in teaching and learning, even writing - so far more than fifty apologetic works proving the Cause of God have been written by the leaves, published and circulated.
In America it is different. Mighty thoughts of philanthropy and illumined ideals of humanitarianism are set in motion and you find their reflections in the faces, because they are lodged in the hearts. one woman told me she is working day and night to abolish the law of capital punishment; another person told me she desires to have a uniform inter-state divorce law; a third was devoting his time to the betterment of the conditions of criminals in the penitentiaries; another one was trying to introduce a new system of education etc etc.
I found these noble ideals have permeated throughout all the classes of America.
Only in America such brilliant ideas are born. This will be a most effective token of America's attitude in the matter of brotherhood and the rising generations of the several countries will not forget this unique lesson of charity and solidarity. America is big and their ideas are also big and all-inclusive.
Europeans act properly. As soon as one of them is ill, he is taken to the hospital where visiting is essentially forbidden. Once every so often the family goes and inquires about the condition of the loved one from a receptionist or attendant.
As for the American government and people, they are truly well-wishers and have no purpose except the benefit of all - meaning that if they undertake any work, or promote any matter in Iran, or establish a bank, or open commercial relations, or give a loan to the government, their ultimate hope and desire is mutual benefit, not restricted to America alone.
The Englishman has an unshakable sense of statesmanship, which is entirely entwined with his business sense; therefore he is the born conqueror and colonizer. The German in his true nature is the opposite, his natural predisposition to be a boundless world citizen stands in the way of his business efficiency.
The Western people think differently, argue differently, and reach at the truth from a different standpoint. They are always looking for results. It seems that the very convolutions and cells of their brains direct their powers in those channels of arts, industries and inventions which alleviate the sufferings of mankind and bring about better conditions.
Though we are people of the West, yet in intelligence, knowledge, freedom and wisdom we are leaders over the people of the East.
The divers branches of learning wherewith the wearers of the turban pride themselves are such as have led them, in the cities and provinces of Íran, to ascend the pulpits and revile Him Who is the Desire of the world---God forbid! May God preserve us and thee from their vain imaginings, their doubts, and their insinuations. One craft, of the crafts of the peoples of the West and of the East, which in this day is of service to mankind, and which ministereth to their comfort and tranquillity, is, in the sight of God, more excellent than all that these heedless souls have borne about in their minds and proclaim from the pulpits. Know thou, with firm and manifest assurance, that the effulgence of this Most Great Revelation hath encompassed the whole world; and ere long such means and such arts shall appear in the realm as shall be witnessed to confound the minds of men of understanding, who will be found powerless to fathom their secret.
Praise be to God, thou hast attained unto true knowledge. Now recognition and acceptance are needed, that all servants may be adorned with the ornament of recognition and illumined by the lights of acceptance. From this recognition and acceptance shall appear that which no eye hath ever beheld. Reflect upon Christ and the outward crafts. Verily thy Lord is the Expositor, the All-Knowing, and He is the Wise Craftsman. The most great cause and supreme reason for whatsoever was seen before or shall be seen hereafter, or hath appeared or shall appear, hath been and is the Divine verses and the Will and Purpose of the Lord. The ladder of knowledge is high, and the feet of the servants are afflicted with paralysis. The horizon is radiant, but vision is weak. In any case, I beseech the Self-Sufficient, the Exalted to show generosity, to bestow bounty, to grant healing in His Name, the Healer. He is the Powerful, the Mighty.
By contrast, the people of the West--the Europeans--are very receptive.
The philosophers of Europe and America have transcended their subtle and abstruse thoughts and raised love's battle cry and the intoxicated shout, "Glory be to God! The West is awake while the East remains captive to the sleep of heedlessness.
O my friend! The birds of the meadow have struck up such a melody that they have raised an uproar throughout all regions and created a commotion in the world of existence. Despite this song, the obstinate people are still in slumber. Wonder upon wonder and regret upon regret that the West has become alert while some in the East are still unaware of this melody and song.
In these days, in the western land, with utmost joy, the Star of the East has granted a new confirmation.
They strove with heart and soul and endured various hardships and difficulties until they traversed the path of faithfulness and sacrificed their lives and spirits for that Unique Light.
You had praised the friends of Ishqabad, Merv, Baku, Samarkand and other parts of Turkestan - men, women and children. Indeed this is exactly true. Those blessed souls have the utmost desire for attraction to the divine fragrances, detachment from all else save God, exaltation of the Word of God, and service to the Cause of God.
The people of the West prostrate themselves at the mention of the East, while the highest aspiration of the people of the East is to take a step in the way of the West and follow them that they might progress, that their dormant country might become prosperous, that their worn-out nation might find renewal and existence.
For thought and discussion