dingly limited. But the intellectual
faculty of man is unlimited in its sphere of action. The eye views details
perhaps a mile, but the intellect can perceive the far East and West. The
ear may hear tone modulations at one thousand feet, but the mind of man
can detect the harmonies of the heavenly spheres as they swing in their
courses. Mind makes geological discoveries in subterranean depths and
determines the processes of creation in the earth's lowest strata. The
sciences and arts, all inventions, crafts, trades and their products have
come forth from the intellect of man. It is evident that within the human
organism the intellect occupies the supreme station. Therefore, if
religious belief, principle or creed is not in accordance with the
intellect and the power of reason, it is surely superstition.

At another time I shall speak further of the principles revealed in the
teachings of Baha'u'llah.

TALKS 'ABDU'L-BAHA DELIVERED IN CHICAGO, WILMETTE, AND EVANSTON

30 April 1912
Talk at Public Meeting Concluding Convention of Baha'i Temple Unity
Drill Hall, Masonic Temple, Chicago, Illinois

Notes by Joseph H. Hannen

Among the institutes of the Holy Books is that of the foundation of places
of worship. That is to say, an edifice or temple is to be built in order
that humanity might find a place of meeting, and this is to be conducive
to unity and fellowship among them. The real temple is the very Word of
God; for to it all humanity must turn, and it is the center of unity for
all mankind. It is the collective center, the cause of accord and
communion of hearts, the sign of the solidarity of the human race, the
source of eternal life. Temples are the symbols of the divine uniting
force so that when the people gather there in the House of God they may
recall the fact that the law has been revealed for them and that the law
is to unite them. They will realize that just as this temple was founded
for the unification of mankind, the law preceding and creating it came
forth in the manifest Word. Jesus Christ, addressing Peter, said, "Thou
art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." This utterance was
indicative of the faith of Peter, signifying: This faith of thine, O
Peter, is the very cause and message of unity to the nations; it shall be
the bond of union between the hearts of men and the foundation of the
oneness of the world of humanity. In brief, the original purpose of
temples and house