ns and thoughts are contrary to one
another, and how, therefore, is it possible for real unity to be revealed
and perfect accord among human souls to exist?

In answer we say that differences are of two kinds. One is the cause of
annihilation and is like the antipathy existing among warring nations and
conflicting tribes who seek each other's destruction, uprooting one
another's families, depriving one another of rest and comfort and
unleashing carnage. The other kind which is a token of diversity is the
essence of perfection and the cause of the appearance of the bestowals of
the Most Glorious Lord.

Consider the flowers of a garden: though differing in kind, colour, form
and shape, yet, inasmuch as they are refreshed by the waters of one
spring, revived by the breath of one wind, invigorated by the rays of one
sun, this diversity increaseth their charm, and addeth unto their beauty.
Thus when that unifying force, the penetrating influence of the Word of
God, taketh effect, the difference of customs, manners, habits, ideas,
opinions and dispositions embellisheth the world of humanity. This
diversity, this difference is like the naturally created dissimilarity and
variety of the limbs and organs of the human body, for each one
contributeth to the beauty, efficiency and perfection of the whole. When
these different limbs and organs come under the influence of man's
sovereign soul, and the soul's power pervadeth the limbs and members,
veins and arteries of the body, then difference reinforceth harmony,
diversity strengtheneth love, and multiplicity is the greatest factor for
co-ordination.

How unpleasing to the eye if all the flowers and plants, the leaves and
blossoms, the fruits, the branches and the trees of that garden were all
of the same shape and colour! Diversity of hues, form and shape, enricheth
and adorneth the garden, and heighteneth the effect thereof. In like
manner, when divers shades of thought, temperament and character, are
brought together under the power and influence of one central agency, the
beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest.
Naught but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and
transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the
divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas, and convictions of the children of
men. Verily, it is the penetrating power in all things, the mover of souls
and the binder and regulator in the world of hum