The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-10-15
Beauty and Harmony
s In Diversity

towards which everything in nature
ysarns. This conception was elm
bodied In the words of Christ whel
he'said, II am the alpha and omega
the beginning and the end" Man /!
the sum OF creation, and the perfect
nan is the expression of the com
plSte thought of the Creator the
word Of God.
2 EConsider the world of created be
tngs, how varied and diverse they are
inlSpecies, yet with one sole origin
All the differences that appear are
thpse of outward form and color
Tits diversity of type is apparent
thSuout the whole of nature.
tlPehold beautiful garden full OF
flowers shrubs and trees. Each flower
has a different charm, peculiar
beauty, its own delicious perfume and
beautiful color. The trees, too, how
varied are they In size, in growth, In
foliage and what different fruits
they bear! Yet all these flowers,
SHRUBS and trees spring from the self
same earth, the same sun shines upon
them and the same clouds give them
rain!
IN So 1t Is with humanity. 1t Is made
+! Up Of many races, and its people are
pSf1 different color white, black, yell
low, red and brown-but they all
ieotne from the same God, and all are
servants to Him. This diversity
among the children of men has un-
happily not the same effect as 1t has
among the vegetable creation, where
thespirit is more harmonious. Among
men exists the diversity of animos-
lily, and it is this that causes war and
hstred among the different nations Of
the world.
Differences which are only those OF
blOOd also. causes them to destroy and
XIII one. another. Alas! that this
should be So Let us look rather at
tiis beauty in diversity, the beauty
0fsharmony, and learn lesson from
the vegetable creation. II you be-
held garden where all the plants
were the same as to form, color and
pe5fume, 1t would not seem beautiful
tosyou at all, but rather monotonous
ind dull. The garden which is pleas
ing to the eye and which makes the
heart glad Is the garden in which are
growing side by side flowers Of every
hue, form and purfume, and the joy
Gus contrast Of color is what makes
for charm and beauty; each flower,
6esAdes: being beautiful in itself,
brings out by contrast the qualities
81 the others, and shows to advantage
thsispecial loneliness of each and all,
THUS should it be among the children
of fnsn! The diversity in the human
race should be the cause of love and
harmony, as it is in music, where
many different notes blend together
In the making of perfect chord.
III you meet those of different
race and color to yourself do not mis-
trust them and withdraw yourself in
to your shell of conyentlonallty, but
rather be glad and show them kind
ness. Think OF them as different
colored roses growing in the beauti-
ful garden of humanity, and rejoice
to be among them. Likewise, when
you.meet those whose opinions differ
from your own, do not turn away
your face from them. All are seek
ing truth, and there are many roads
leadAng thereto Truth has many as
poets, but 1t remains always and for
NVeE one.
AsD0 not allow difference Of opinion
pidayersity OF thought to separate
Sbu from your fellow men, or to be
tie cause of dispute, hatred and strife
Id your hearts. Rather, search dill
gently for the truth and make all
Hten your friends.
Every editice is made of many diff
ttrent stones, yet each depends on
the other to such an extent that il
che were displaced the whole building
would suffer; If one is faulty the
structure is imperfect.
Bahia % 'llah has drawn the circle
Of unity; he has made design fol
Uniting all the peoples, and for gath
ching them all under the shelter Of
the tent of universal unity. Leave
al thought of self, and strive only tc
b obedient and submissive to the
viii of God In this way only shall
We become citizens of the kingdom
Of God, and attain unto life everlast
ihg.