The sovereignty of Napoleon ceased as soon as he died but
the Kingdom of Christ is eternal. The former established his mortal kingdom
with bloodshed and the sword while Christ established the Kingdom of God with
the life-giving breaths of the Holy Spirit. Napoleon established his kingdom
through the power of oppression while Christ established His through the power
of the love of God. A hundred thousand Napoleons may be effaced but the Kingdom
of Christ will remain forever. Such is the Kingdom of God.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from
a conversation with Fujita, September 12, 1912, Chicago; ‘Mahmud’s Diary’)
