What a firm foundation of excellent character was laid down
in those days [during Emperor Constantine’s reign], thanks to the training of
holy souls who arose to promote the teachings of the Gospel. How many primary
schools, colleges, hospitals, were established, and institutions where
fatherless and indigent children received their education. How many were the
individuals who sacrificed their own personal advantages and “out of desire to
please the Lord” [From Qur’án 4:114; 2:207] devoted the days of their lives to
teaching the masses.
When, however, the time approached for the effulgent beauty of Muhammad to dawn upon the world, the control of
Christian affairs passed into the hands of ignorant priests. Those heavenly
breezes, soft-flowing from the regions of Divine grace, died away, and the laws
of the great Evangel, the rock-foundation on which the civilization of the
world was based, turned barren of results, this out of misuse and because of
the conduct of persons who, seemingly fair, were yet inwardly foul.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (‘The Secret of Divine Civilization’)
