civilization will be protected by the pure, cold spring of life of the Seriat. We must imitate the Japanese in acquiring civilization, for in taking only the virtues of civilization from Europe they preserved their national customs, which arc the leaven of every nation's continuance. Since our national customs grew up within Islam, they should be clung on to in two respects."
By contrasting conditions under the old and new regimes, Bediuzzaman goes on to describe five indestructible truths on which Freedom will be established. They are as follows: the First Truth is unity, the Second, science, learning, and civilization. The Third Truth is a new generation of able and enlightened men to lead and administer the nation. Bediuzzaman describes how with "the rain of Freedom", the abilities and potentialities of everyone, even common villagers, will develop and be expanded so that "the vigorous field of Asia and Rumelia well produce the crops" of the brilliant and superior men so badly needed. "And the East will be to the West what dawn is to sunset. If, that is, they do not wither up through the languor of idleness and poison of malice."
The Fourth Truth is the Seriat. Bediuzzaman explains: "Since the Illustrious Seriat has come from the Pre-Eternal Word of God, it will go to PostEternity." For it is dynamic. The Seriat adapts and expands in relation to man's development. It comprises equality, justice, and true freedom with all its relations and requirements. The initial period of Islam is proof of this. Therefore, Bediuzzaman says, their present unfortunate condition results from four causes: failure to observe the Seriat, arbitrary and erroneous interpretations of it, bigotry on the part of certain "ignorant externalist scholars", and fourthly, "abandoning through ill-fortune and bad choice, the virtues of Europe, which are difficult to acquire, and imitating like parrots or children the sins and evils of civilization, which are agreeable to man's base appetites."
The Fifth Truth is the Parliament, and the Islamic principle of mutual consultation. In this complex modem age, it is only through a constituent assembly, consultation, and freedom of thought that the state can be upheld, administered, and guided.
Bediuzzaman completes the Address with three "warnings". Firstly state officials who are prepared to adapt to the new regime must be treated with respect and their experience must be benefited