eachings were, in
the minister's opinion "worthy of high esteem".(131) The latter, whose
machinations had been principally responsible for poisoning the minds of
'Ali Pa_sh_a and his colleagues, frankly admitted, in later years, the
great contrast between the moral and intellectual stature of his Enemy and
the harm done to Persian-Turkish relations by the reputation for greed and
dishonesty that characterized most of his other countrymen resident in
Constantinople.

From the beginning, 'Abdu'l-Baha took keen interest in efforts to bring
into existence a new international order. It is significant, for example,
that His early public references in North America to the purpose of His
visit there placed particular emphasis on the invitation of the organizing
committee of the Lake Mohonk Peace Conference for Him to address this
international gathering. He had also been generous in His encouragement of
the Central Organization for a Durable Peace at The Hague. He was,
however, entirely candid in the counsel He provided. Letters which the
Executive Committee of The Hague organization had written to Him during
the course of the war provided the opportunity for a response that drew
the organizers' attention to Baha'u'llah's enunciation of spiritual truths
which alone can provide a foundation for the realization of their aims:

O ye esteemed ones who are pioneers among the well-wishers of the world of
humanity!... At present Universal Peace is a matter of great importance,
but unity of conscience is essential, so that the foundation of this
matter may become secure, its establishment firm and its edifice
strong.... Today nothing but the power of the Word of God which
encompasses the realities of things can bring the thoughts, the minds, the
hearts and the spirits under the shade of one Tree. He is the potent in
all things, the vivifier of souls, the preserver and the controller of the
world of mankind.(132)

Beyond this, the list of influential persons with whom the Master spent
patient hours in both North America and Europe--particularly individuals
struggling to promote the goal of world peace and humanitarianism--reflects
His awareness of the responsibility the Cause has to humanity at large. As
the extraordinary response evoked by His passing testifies, He pursued
this course to the end of His life.

Shoghi Effendi took up this legacy almost immediately upon beginning his
ministry. As early as 1925, he encouraged the intere