For those who want to rebuild moral and ethical values

Kaiser William I in Berlin, Sultan 'Abdu'l-Aziz in Constantinople, Alexander II Nicolaevitch, Czar of Russia and Nasiri'd-Din Shah, King of Persia all received letters from a prisoner urging them to change their ways. As these letters went unheeded; these ruling monarchs and their thrones were swept away in a titanic upheaval that engulfed 20 kingdoms in half a century. The link binding them was a prisoner in a Turkish fortress on the coast of Palestine - a person none would ever consider a challenge to the rulers of the world. Foretelling the collapse of each dynasty with frightening precision, the prisoner tried to awaken the rulers to their social and spiritual responsibilities; to unite in a world-wide effort for social justice and peace; and to protect the down trodden and under privileged.

In 1844 a man called the Bab started a spiritual revolution in Persia which was crushed by clergy and courtiers fearful of loss of privilege. He was executed in 1850 with his followers tortured and massacred. One supporter was not killed because of his position in the Persian court but he was a marked man and his oppressors found an excuse to throw him into a dungeon. It was in that pestilential prison full of rats and disease that the mission of Baha'u'llah began, a mission that was to fulfill the promises of all religions. In 1890 the Prisoner told Professor Edward Granville Browne of Cambridge University that he sought only the good of the world and the happiness of all nations; that all men should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection between people should be strengthened; that the diversity of religion should cease and differences of race annulled. Browne wrote "The face of Him on Whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it ... no need to ask in Whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before One Who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain."

Napoleon III, the most powerful monarch of the day, had written a treatise on the elimination of poverty and appeared to be in tune with Baha'u'llah's teachings but when he turned away from social and humanitarian ideals he received a letter from Baha'u'llah which forecast "Thy Empire shall pass from thy hands, as a punishment for that which thou has wrought." Kaiser William I was warned of the same fate if he did not devote himself to the service of unity and justice but he agitated differences between neighbors, increased armaments and dreamed of war and bloodshed. Alexander II failed to take leadership in raising moral and ethical standards and the House of Romanov fell after 300 years. That the Empire of the Hapsburgs, an empire as old as Europe itself, could disintegrate and fall overnight because the ruler rejected the spiritual message of God was unthinkable. But that is what happened. There was only one monarch, Queen Maria of Rumania, who became a devoted follower writing: "If ever the name of Baha'u'llah comes to your attention, do not put His writings from you. Let their glorious, peace-bringing, love-creating words and lessons sink into your heart" and "It is Christ's message taken up anew, in the same words almost, but adapted to the years that lie between year one and today."

Baha'u'llah's writings kept secretaries busy day and night transcribing the Revelation that grew to 100 volumes dealing with the problems facing man and his society. He emphasized that the struggle was not between himself and those in authority but between those who loved the things of God and those who loved the things of men; between physical and moral forces; between the material and spiritual; between inequity and justice. All the tragedies engulfing the world are because mankind has turned away from God for materialistic concerns. Baha'u'llah called upon the leaders of the world to help Him in rescuing mankind from the threatening disaster; He challenged leaders, ministers and priests to examine the Bahai teachings with an open mind.

Baha'u'llah died in 1892 having laid the foundations of a world-wide community which would provide the pattern for a new world order in human relations, having appointed 'Abdu'l Baha as the interpreter of His teachings. Suggestions that the roots of the disorder of society are spiritual were treated with impatience and ridicule but this message is not only for rulers but for each individual; not only for then but also for now. The real purpose of life is the development of a praiseworthy character; the building of moral and ethical virtues is the true basis of life both for men and nations. The world today has lost most virtues such as kindness, generosity, compassion, tenderness, love, justice, fairness, gentleness, and consideration, preferring materialism. Something must reverse the current and that is why God sent his most recent messenger. Every Bahai is commanded to conduct himself in such a manner that he will stand out because of his moral qualities. In large measure it is young people who have laid down their lives in the fight against corruption, hypocrisy and injustice. Over 20,000 followers were killed in Persia because the creed awoke a rare and beautiful spirit of self-sacrifice. Nevertheless Bahais are firmly obedient and loyal to the governments of the nations in which they reside while not involving themselves in politics or diplomatic pursuits. Until we have a new world conscience we cannot have a new world society and it seems that youth understands that mankind's urgent need is for moral and spiritual regeneration.

If you believe that we have become over materialistic and need to rebuild moral and ethical values if mankind is to progress, this is an excellent book to read.

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