In his scriptural lesson this morning the revered doctor
read a verse from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, “For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.”
The light of truth has heretofore been seen dimly through
variegated glasses, but now the splendors of Divinity shall be visible through
the translucent mirrors of pure hearts and spirits. The light of truth is the
divine teaching, heavenly instruction, merciful principles and spiritual
civilization. Since my arrival in this country I find that material
civilization has progressed greatly, that commerce has attained the utmost
degree of expansion; arts, agriculture and all details of material civilization
have reached the highest stage of perfection, but spiritual civilization has
been left behind. Material civilization is like unto the lamp, while spiritual
civilization is the light in that lamp. If the material and spiritual
civilization become united, then we will have the light and the lamp together,
and the outcome will be perfect. For material civilization is like unto a
beautiful body, and spiritual civilization is like unto the spirit of life. If
that wondrous spirit of life enters this beautiful body, the body will become a
channel for the distribution and development of the perfections of humanity. (‘Abdu’l-Baha,
from a talk, 14 April, 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks
Delivered by Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in
1912’)
