An Impressions by Dr. David David Starr Jordan

Renewer of Religion

Source: John David Bosch: In the Vanguard of Heroes, Martyrs, and Saints | The Promulgation of Universal Peace Notes by Bijou Straun, 8 October 1912

David Starr Jordan was the founding president of Stanford University after he had been an ichthyologist during his research tenure and then president of Indiana University.

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Introducing ‘Abdu’l-Baha at Stanford University, David Starr Jordan said, “It is our privilege to have with us, through the kindness and courtesy of our Persian friends, one of the great religious teachers of the world, one of the natural successors of the old Hebrew prophets. He is said sometimes to be the founder of a new religion. He has upward of three millions of people following along the lines in which he leads. It is not exactly a new religion, however. The religion of brotherhood, of goodwill, of friendship between men and nations is as old as good thinking and good living may be. It may be said in some sense to be the oldest of religions.”

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Afterward, ‘Abdu’l-Baha began His talk, “The greatest attainment in the world of humanity has ever been scientific in nature. It is the discovery of the realities of things. Inasmuch as I find myself in the home of science—for this is one of the great universities of the country and well known abroad—I feel a keen sense of joy.

The highest praise is due to men who devote their energies to science, and the noblest center is a center wherein the sciences and arts are taught and studied. Science ever tends to the illumination of the world of humanity. It is the cause of eternal honor to man…

Concluding His talk, “It is my hope that you who are students in this university may never be called upon to fight for the dust of earth which is the tomb and sepulcher of all mankind, but that during the days of your life you may enjoy the most perfect companionship one with another, even as one family—as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers—associating together in peace and true fellowship.”

Read complete talk here: www.bahai.org/r/716360447