A Traveler's Narrative
page 91
![[Previous Page]](../../images/prev.gif)
![[Next Page]](../../images/next.gif)
was the time of the fall of the Roman Empire, and the end the
capture of Constantinople at the hands of [the followers of]
Islám, fierce intolerance and molestation of far and near arose
in [all] the countries of Europe by reason of the paramount
influence of religious leaders. The matter came to such a pass
that the edifice of humanity seemed tottering to its fall, and the
peace and comfort of chief and vassal, king and subject,
became hidden behind the veil of annihilation. Night and day
all parties were slaves to apprehension and disquietude: civilization
was utterly destroyed: the control and order of countries
was neglected: the principles and essentials of the happiness of
the human race were in abeyance: the supports of kingly
authority were shaken: but the influence and power of the
heads of religion and of the monks were in all parts complete.
But when they removed these differences, persecution, and
bigotries out of their midst, and proclaimed the equal rights of
all subjects and the liberty of men's consciences, the lights of
glory and power arose and shone from the horizons of that
kingdom in such wise that those countries made progress in
every direction; and whereas the mightiest monarchy of
Europe had been servile to and abased before the smallest
government of Asia, now the great states of Asia are unable to
oppose the small states of Europe. These are effectual and
sufficient proofs that the conscience of man is sacred and to be
respected; and that liberty thereof produces widening of ideas,
amendment of morals, improvement of conduct, disclosure of
the secrets of creation, and manifestation of the hidden verities
of the contingent world. Moreover, if interrogation of conscience,
which is one of the private possessions of the heart and
the soul, take place in this world, what further recompense
remains for man in the court of divine justice at the day of
general resurrection? Convictions and ideas are within the
scope of the comprehension of the King of kings, not of kings;
and soul and conscience are between the fingers of control of
the Lord of hearts, not of [His] servants. So in the world of
[Previous Page] [NextPage] [Jump to a Page] [Whole Text]
[Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá] [Bahá'í Writings] [Notes on Writings]