Although to outward seeming the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is a
material structure, yet it hath a spiritual effect. It forgeth bonds of unity
from heart to heart; it is a collective centre for men’s souls. Every city in
which, during the days of the Manifestation, a temple was raised up, hath
created security and constancy and peace, for such buildings were given over to
the perpetual glorification of God, and only in the remembrance of God can the
heart find rest. Gracious God! The edifice of the House of Worship hath a
powerful influence on every phase of life. Experience hath, in the east,
clearly shown this to be a fact. Even if, in some small village, a house was
designated as the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, it produced a marked effect; how much
greater would be the impact of one especially raised up.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Baha)
