Because of material civilization, industry has progressed
and sciences and arts have burgeoned but at the same time weapons of war and
bloodshed designed for the destruction of the edifice of humanity have
multiplied and political problems have vastly increased. Hence, this material
civilization cannot become the means of comfort and ease for all until it
acquires spiritual power and the attributes of a divine civilization. Rather, the
difficulties will increase and the troubles will multiply…
The government of the United States of America has recently
provided fifteen million dollars toward the cost of building new battleships.
Before international peace is established, a great war will in all certainty
take place.
(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, September 2, 1912, Montreal, Canada;
Mahmud’s Diary’)
