Overture to Universal Peace: An exposition based on the talk by `Abdu’l-Bahá, New York City, December 4, 1912

Abstract

A century ago the Bahá'í Faith "lit up the western sky" with a fresh new way of presenting spiritual proofs as articulated by `Abdu'l-Bahá that began when He set forth upon the shores of the North American Continent. At the conclusion of His epic journey to America in 1912, He presented an address that touched on a series of subjects which clarified the challenges facing the new western believers in their efforts to acquire a deeper understanding of the verities set forth by the Founder of the Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. At the same time He coupled certain truths that would enable them to express more effectively the concepts and principles when teaching the new faith to an energetic, self willed, materialistic society. This would set the stage for the Tablets of the Divine Plan that would follow in a few short years which, in turn, would embrace completely, the American Bahá'ís under the tutelage of Shoghi Effendi as they fulfilled their destiny to help bring about universal peace on earth. Such a peace has perhaps been the most elusive among the great challenges facing the march of civilization since the dawn of human history. But, critical to this process would be the western believer's immersion in the study of Bahá'í tenants. Thus, the essential need of `Abdu'l-Bahá's visit becomes apparent. What's more, the study of His talks given at that time provides us with a primary step toward that peace with all of its ramifications. This paper will focus on elements of the talk given on the day before His return to Europe that seems to summarize the essence of the nine golden months that `Abdu'l-Bahá was with us crossing the face of America. It deals with [1] the uninformed; [2] purpose versus chance; [3] the fallacy of accidental divinity; [4] inner and outer reality; [5] the dependence of human divine aspects upon the Son of Truth and; [6] a conclusion that confirms the inevitability of universal peace.