Baha’s Challenging Epistles to Rulers of the Earth

Germany

 

7.  Germany
In a passage in the Aqdas the king of Berlin is thus apostrophised:
(Aqdas, E.T, pp. 48-49):
“Say: O king of Berlin, hear the call from this conspicuous temple, ‘there is no god besides me, the continuing, the unique, the eternal one.’ Beware lest conceit keep thee from the rising-place of Manifestation and passion screen you from the possessor of the throne and the Earth. In like manner the Most High pen counsels you. Indeed, He is the Generous, the Gracious giver. Remember the one [Napoleon III, see France] who was greater than thee in dignity and more exalted in position! Where is he and his possessions?

Awake! Be not of those who sleep. He flung the Tablets of god behind him when we informed him of what the hosts of evil-doers had brought on us. Therefore humiliation took hold on him from every side until he returned with great loss to the dust.”

“O king, think of him and others like thee who subdued the lands and ruled over creatures. The Merciful brought them down from palaces to graves. Consider and be one of those who remember.”

“O banks of the river Rhine, we have seen thee covered with blood, because the swords of retribution have been drawn against thee. Thou hast another chance. We hear the moaning of Berlin even though today it is in evident might.”

The occasion of this outburst, according to Roemer’s Die BÁBi Bahai (Postdam, 1911), P. 108, was the omission of then Crown Prince of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm to pay his respect to Baha when he visited the Holy land in 1869.
In god passes by, P.205-209 and P. 226, Shoghi Effendi brands the king of Berlin as “Wilhelm I, king of Prussia and the pride-intoxicated most acclaimed conqueror of Napoleon III.”
Baha’ address remains buried in the Aqdas.


Please select one of the following:
to view the next section on this topic,
to view the previous section on this topic,
to return to the main page, or
to close this window.