|
At present it is certain that temporary peace is established but it is not lasting. All governments and nations have become tired of war, of the difficulties of travel, of huge expenditures, of the loss of life, of the affliction of women, of the great number of orphans, and they are driven by force to peace. But this peace is not permanent, it is temporary. (296:1) We hope that the power of the Word of God will establish a peace that shall eternally remain effective and secure. (296:2) 227.[1] O ye esteemed ones who are pioneers among the well- wishers of the world of humanity! [1=This is the first part of Abdu'l- Baha's reply to a letter addressed to Him by the Executive Committee of the Central Organization for a Durable Peace. The Tablet, described by Shoghi Effendi in God Passes By as of `far reaching importance', and dated December 17, 1919, was despatched to the Committee at The Hague by the hands of a special delegation.] (296:3) The letters which ye sent during the war were not received, but a letter dated February 11th, 1916, has just come to hand, and immediately an answer is being written. Your intention deserves a thousand praises, because you are serving the world of humanity, and this is conducive to the happiness and welfare of all. This recent war has proved to the world and the people that war is destruction while universal peace is construction; war is death while peace is life; war is rapacity and bloodthirstiness while peace is beneficence and humaneness; war is an appurtenance of the world of nature while peace is of the foundation of the religion of God; war is darkness upon darkness while peace is heavenly light; war is the destroyer of the edifice of mankind while peace is the everlasting life of the world of humanity; war is like a devouring wolf while peace is like the angels of heaven; war is the struggle for existence while peace is mutual aid and co- operation among the peoples of the world and the cause of the good- pleasure of the True One in the heavenly realm.
(296:4)
|