rd of liberty and my
fetters were removed. They exhibited great kindness and love toward me. I
was made free and thereby enabled to come to this country. Were it not for
the action of this Committee, I should not be with you here tonight.
Therefore, you must all ask assistance and confirmation in behalf of this
Committee through which the liberty of Turkey was proclaimed.

Briefly, I have traveled this long distance, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to
this western continent in the desire and hope that the strongest bond of
unity may be established between America and Persia. I know this to be
your wish and purpose also and am sure of your cooperation. We shall,
therefore, offer supplication in the divine threshold that a great love
may take possession of the hearts of men and unite the nations of the
world. We will pray that the ensign of international peace may be uplifted
and that the oneness of the world of humanity may be realized and
accomplished. All this is made possible and practicable through your
efforts. May this American democracy be the first nation to establish the
foundation of international agreement. May it be the first nation to
proclaim the universality of mankind. May it be the first to upraise the
standard of the Most Great Peace, and through this nation of democracy may
these philanthropic intentions and institutions be spread broadcast
throughout the world. Truly, this is a great and revered nation. Here
liberty has reached its highest degree. The intentions of its people are
most praiseworthy. They are, indeed, worthy of being the first to build
the Tabernacle of the Most Great Peace and proclaim the oneness of
mankind. I will supplicate God for assistance and confirmation in your
behalf.

21 April 1912
Talk at Studio Hall
1219 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Notes by Joseph H. Hannen

I have come here to visit you. With the greatest longing I have wished to
see you. Realizing it was only with great difficulty that you could come
to me and that very few could make the trip, I decided to come to you so
that all might have the pleasure of meeting. Praise be to God! I am here,
and I am looking into your faces--faces radiant with inner beauty, hearts
attracted to the Kingdom of Abha, spirits exhilarated through the glad
tidings of God. Therefore, I have experienced the greatest possible
happiness. And surely this happiness must be mutual, for the hearts are
connected with each other and