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  • The Twinning of Material Civilization with Spiritual Civilization
    Over and over, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke about the necessity of combining the material needs in life with the spiritual needs of the human being. We have already seen this in His talk with ‘Abbás Al-‘Aqqad. It is a subject He detailed in other talks and in His correspondence and writings. One of these talks was delivered on April 14, 1912 in the Church of the Ascension in New York. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived the morning of that day shortly before the morning sermon:

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The Bahá'í Faith

The Twinning of Material Civilization with Spiritual Civilization

                                           The Shrine of the Báb

Over and over, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke about the necess- ity of combining the material needs in life with the spiritual needs of the human being. We have already seen this in His talk with ‘Abbás Al-‘Aqqad.1 It is a subject He de- tailed in other talks and in His correspondence and writings. One of these talks was delivered on April 14, 1912 in the Church of the Ascension in New York. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived the morning of that day shortly before the morning sermon:

“He entered the church from a special side door opening into a room in the church and rested for a while. The clergymen came in and expressed their warm gratitude for His presence. After prayers, the Master went to the podium from the upper door. At the insistence of the minister, the Master sat on the tall chair especially reserved for the Viceroy of Christ. After more prayers, the minister spoke about the history and teachings of the Cause [the Bahá’í Faith] and, with great courtesy and respect, introduced the Master. The believers attending the services were elated. The Master rose from His seat and gave a comprehensive talk on the meaning of divine civilization.”2

These are His opening words:

“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.’”

(Here is the full verse from 1 Corinthians 13 with the two preceding verses:

“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”3)

After His opening words, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said:

“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.”


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