ral
sublimity and intellectual perfection, while the other turneth to bestial
degradation and carnal imperfections. If ye travel the countries of the
globe ye shall observe on one side the remains of ruin and destruction,
while on the other ye shall see the signs of civilization and development.
Such desolation and ruin are the result of war, strife and quarrelling,
while all development and progress are fruits of the lights of virtue,
co-operation and concord.

If one were to travel through the deserts of Central Asia he would observe
how many cities, once great and prosperous like Paris and London, are now
demolished and razed to the ground. From the Caspian Sea to the River Oxus
there stretch wild and desolate plains, deserts, wildernesses and valleys.
For two days and two nights the Russian railway traverseth the ruined
cities and uninhabited villages of that wasteland. Formerly that plain
bore the fruit of the finest civilizations of the past. Tokens of
development and refinement were apparent all around, arts and sciences
were well protected and promoted, professions and industries flourished,
commerce and agriculture had reached a high stage of efficiency, and the
foundations of government and statesmanship were laid on a strong and
solid basis. Today that vast stretch of land hath become mostly the
shelter and asylum of Turkoman tribes, and an arena for the ferocious
display of wild beasts. The ancient cities of that plain, such as Gurgan,
Nissa, Abivard and _Sh_ahristan, famous throughout the world for their
arts, sciences, culture, industry, and well known for their wealth,
greatness, prosperity and distinction, have given way to a wilderness
wherein no voice is heard save the roaring of wild beasts and where
bloodthirsty wolves roam at will. This destruction and desolation was
brought about by war and strife, dissension and discord between the
Persians and the Turks, who differed in their religion and customs. So
rigid was the spirit of religious prejudice that the faithless leaders
sanctioned the shedding of innocent blood, the ruin of property and the
desecration of family honour. This is to cite only one illustration.

Consequently, when thou traversest the regions of the world, thou shalt
conclude that all progress is the result of association and co-operation,
while ruin is the outcome of animosity and hatred. Notwithstanding this,
the world of humanity doth not take warning, nor doth it awake from the