O people! Bahá'u'lláh laid the foundation of universal peace
fifty years ago. He even addressed Epistles to the kings wherein He declared
that war could destroy the foundation of the world of humanity, that peace is
conducive to everlasting life and that dire peril awaited mankind. Also three
years before the outbreak of the world war 'Abdu'l-Bahá travelled to America
and most of Europe, where he raised His voice before all gatherings, societies
and churches, appealing: O ye assemblage of men! The continent of Europe hath
virtually become an arsenal filled with explosives. There are vast stores of
destructive material hidden underground, liable to burst forth at a single
spark, causing the whole earth to quake. O ye men of understanding! Bestir
yourselves that perchance this accumulation of volatile material may not
explode. But the appeal went unheeded and consequently this murderous war broke
out.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a Tablet, The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II,
Peace)
