Huge stores of water lie under the surface of the earth. Our stay on it can be likened to a small boat floating on the surface of the sea. Just as a sailor’s life is all too often at the mercy of the waves, so does the life of land dwellers depend, to a very great extent on subsoil water. One such abuse of nature has recently come to light, in the gradual sinking of Mexico City. The Mexican capital, gigantic and overcrowded and situated 2,000 meters above sea level, is sinking by 9.5 cm per year.

This was detected in 1925, when engineer Robert Gayol, building the flood gates which regulate the city sewage, observed that his work was sinking.

His conclusion broadened: not only were his gates sinking but so was the whole city. The phenomenon had begun long before, probably in the middle of the last century.

The main reason for the sinking is a hitherto unsuspected factor: the over-exploitation of the water layer of Mexico City’s subsoil something which is also damaging the whole Mexican valley.

Blissfully unaware of the extent of his dependence, man frequently squanders natural resources to the point of abuse.

How dependent is man’s existence on nature, and yet, how reckless he is in his neglect of it! □

Recantation at the time of Death

About fifty years ago when European nations dominated the whole world a Christian missionary in Cairo, a Mr. Watson, was asked, “for how long have you been working in this field.” “For fifty years,” he replied, “How many Muslims have converted so far?, he was asked again. The priest replied, “About one hundred and fifty,” he further said, “However, one had to be on guard.” The questioner was taken aback. “What do you mean by that.” he said. Then the priest replied in these words:

“They are apt to become Christians for material motives. Then at their death they recant.”

Stanwood Cobb, Security for a Failing World, Bahai Publishing Trust

New Delhi, 1971, p. 91.