xi, 4-6.
Let us now see what evidence there is to show whether the words of Baha'u'llah have this creative power which is distinctive of the word of God.
Baha'u'llah commanded the rulers to establish universal peace, and their prolongation of the policy of war since 1869-1870 has overthrown many ancient dynasties, while each successive war has produced less and less fruits of victory, until the European War of 1914-1918 revealed the historically startling fact that was has become disastrous to victor and vanquished alike.( 40) Baha'u'llah bade the rulers likewise to act as trustees of those under their control, making political authority a means to true general welfare.
The progress toward social legislation has been unprecedented.
He commanded limitation of the extremes of wealth and poverty, and ever since, legislation for the establishment of minimum subsistence levels and for graduated taxation of wealth by income and inheritance taxes has been a constant concern.

He commanded the abolition of both chattel and economic slavery, and ever since, the progress toward emancipation has been a ferment in all parts of the world.
Baha'u'llah declared the equality of men and women, expressed through equal responsibilities and equal rights and privileges, and since that declaration, the bonds by which women have been bound for ages have been breaking, and woman has rapidly been securing her rightful place as the equal and partner of man.
He declared the fundamental oneness of religions, and the succeeding interval has witnessed the most determined efforts of sincere souls in all parts of the world to achieve a new degree of tolerance, of mutual understanding and of cooperation for universal ends.

The sectarian attitude has everywhere been undermined, and its historical position has become more and more untenable.

The basis of exclusiveness in religion has been destroyed by the same forces making nationalism of the self-contained type incapable of survival.
He commanded universal education, and made the independent investigation of truth a proof of spiritual vitality.

Modern civilization has been stirred to its depths by this new leaven.