yourselves betoken this advancement and all these confirmations, and
become focal centres of God’s blessings, daysprings of the light of His
unity, promoters of the gifts and graces of civilized life. Be ye in that
land vanguards of the perfections of humankind; carry forward the various
branches of knowledge, be active and progressive in the field of
inventions and the arts. Endeavour to rectify the conduct of men, and seek
to excel the whole world in moral character. While the children are yet in
their infancy feed them from the breast of heavenly grace, foster them in
the cradle of all excellence, rear them in the embrace of bounty. Give
them the advantage of every useful kind of knowledge. Let them share in
every new and rare and wondrous craft and art. Bring them up to work and
strive, and accustom them to hardship. Teach them to dedicate their lives
to matters of great import, and inspire them to undertake studies that
will benefit mankind.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 102, pp. 128–29)
[54]
“55: The education and training of children is among the most meritorious
acts...”
The education and training of children is among the most meritorious acts
of humankind and draweth down the grace and favour of the All-Merciful,
for education is the indispensable foundation of all human excellence and
alloweth man to work his way to the heights of abiding glory. If a child
be trained from his infancy, he will, through the loving care of the Holy
Gardener, drink in the crystal waters of the spirit and of knowledge, like
a young tree amid the rilling brooks. And certainly he will gather to
himself the bright rays of the Sun of Truth, and through its light and
heat will grow ever fresh and fair in the garden of life.
Therefore must the mentor be a doctor as well: that is, he must, in
instructing the child, remedy its faults; must give him learning, and at
the same time rear him to have a spiritual nature. Let the teacher be a
doctor to the character of the child, thus will he heal the spiritual
ailments of the children of men.
If, in this momentous task, a mighty effort be exerted, the world of
humanity will shine out with other adornings, and shed the fairest light.
Then will this darksome place grow luminous, and this abode of earth turn
into Heaven. The very demons will change to angels then, and wolves to
shepherds of the flock, and the wild-dog pack to gazelles that pasture on
the plains of oneness, and ravening beasts to peaceful herds; and birds of
prey, with talons sharp as knives, to songsters warbling their sweet
native notes.
For the inner reality of man is a demarcation line between the shadow and
the light, a place where the two seas meet;(12) is the lowest point on the
arc of descent,(13) therefore is it capable of gaining all the grades
above. With education it can achieve all excellence; devoid of education
it will stay on, at the lowest point of imperfection.
Every child is potentially the light of the world—and at the same time its
triple darkness; wherefore must the question of education be accounted as
of primary importance. From his infancy, the child must be nursed at the
breast of God’s love, and nurtured in the embrace of His knowledge, that
he may radiate light, grow in spirituality, be filled with wisdom and
learning, and take on the characteristics of the angelic host.
Since ye have been assigned to this holy task, ye must therefore exert
every effort to make that school famed in all respects throughout the
world; to make it the cause of exalting the Word of the Lord.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 103, pp. 129–31)
[55]
“56: Among the greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered by
man to...”
Among the greatest of all services that can possibly be rendered by man to
Almighty God is the education and training of children, young plants of
the Abhá Paradise, so that these children, fostered by grace in the way of
salvation, growing like pearls of divine bounty in the shell of education,
will one day bejewel the crown of abiding glory.
It is, however, very difficult to undertake this service, even harder to
succeed in it. I hope that thou wilt acquit thyself well in this most
important of tasks, and successfully carry the day, and become an ensign
of God’s abounding grace; that these children, reared one and all in the
holy Teachings, will develop natures like unto the sweet airs that blow
across the gardens of the All-Glorious, and will waft their fragrance
around the world.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 106, pp.133–34) [56]
“57: Blessed art thou, since thou art engaged in rendering a service which
will...”
Blessed art thou, since thou art engaged in rendering a service which will
make thy face to shine in the Abhá Kingdom, and that is the education and
training of children. If one should, in the right way, teach and train the
children, he will be performing a service than which none is greater at
the sacred Threshold. According to what we have heard, you are succeeding
in this. You must, however, struggle unceasingly to perfect yourself and
win ever higher achievements.
At all times, I implore Almighty God to make you the means of illuminating
the minds of those children, of bringing their hearts to life and
sanctifying their souls.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [57]
“58: It is the hope of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that those youthful souls in the...”
It is the hope of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that those youthful souls in the schoolroom
of the deeper knowledge will be tended by one who traineth them to love.
May they all, throughout the reaches of the spirit, learn well of the
hidden mysteries; so well that in the Kingdom of All-Glorious, each one of
them, even as a nightingale endowed with speech, will cry out the secrets
of the Heavenly Realm, and like unto a longing lover pour forth his sore
need and utter want of the Beloved.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 107, p. 134) [58]
“59: O thou handmaid of God!...”
O thou handmaid of God!
Do thou establish a heavenly school and be thou a teacher in that house of
learning. Educate the children in the things of God; and, even as pearls,
rear them in the heart of the shell of divine guidance.
Strive thou with heart and soul; see to it that the children are raised up
to embody the highest perfections of humankind, to such a degree that
every one of them will be trained in the use of the mind, in acquiring
knowledge, in humility and lowliness, in dignity, in ardour and love.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [59]
“60: Make ye inquiries as to a woman teacher. She must be extremely
modest,...”
Make ye inquiries as to a woman teacher. She must be extremely modest,
even-tempered, forbearing, and well bred, and she must be expert in the
English language.
(From a Tablet—translated from the persian) [60]
“61: In thy school, instruct thou God’s children in the customs of the
Kingdom....”
In thy school, instruct thou God’s children in the customs of the Kingdom.
Be thou a teacher of love, in a school of unity. Train thou the children
of the friends of the Merciful in the rules and ways of His
loving-kindness. Tend the young trees of the Abhá Paradise with the
welling waters of His grace and peace and joy. Make them to flourish under
the downpour of His bounty. Strive with all thy powers that the children
may stand out and grow fresh, delicate, and sweet, like the ideal trees in
the gardens of Heaven.
All these gifts and bounties depend upon love for the Beauty of the
All-Glorious, and on the blessings in the teachings of the Most High, and
the spiritual instructions of the Supreme Concourse, and on ecstasy and
ardour and diligent pursuit of whatsoever will redound to the eternal
honour of the community of man.
From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [61]
“62: Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and
strain...”
Make every effort to acquire the advanced knowledge of the day, and strain
every nerve to carry forward the divine civilization. Establish schools
that are well organized, and promote the fundamentals of instruction in
the various branches of knowledge through teachers who are pure and
sanctified, distinguished for their high standards of conduct and general
excellence, and strong in faith; scholars and educators with a thorough
knowledge of sciences and arts.
It is incumbent upon the exalted body of the Hands of the Cause of God to
watch over and protect these schools in every way, and see to their
requirements, so that all the means of progress will continually be at
hand, and the lights of learning will illumine the whole world.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [62]
“63: O thou steadfast in the Covenant!...”
O thou steadfast in the Covenant!
In reply to thy letter, I am obliged to be brief: Praise thou God that
thou hast succeeded in becoming a teacher of young Bahá’ís, young trees of
the Abhá Paradise, and at the same time art able to benefit the other
children as well.
According to the explicit divine Text, teaching the children is
indispensable and obligatory. It followeth that teachers are servants of
the Lord God, since they have arisen to perform this task, which is the
same as worship. You must therefore offer praise with every breath, for
you are educating your spiritual children.
The spiritual father is greater than the physical one, for the latter
bestoweth but this world’s life, whereas the former endoweth his child
with life everlasting. This is why, in the Law of God, teachers are listed
among the heirs.
Now you in reality have acquired all these spiritual children free and
gratis, and that is better than having physical children; for such
children are not grateful to their fathers, since they feel that the
father serveth them because he must—and therefore no matter what he doeth
for them, they pay it no mind. Spiritual children, however, are always
appreciative of their father’s loving kindness. This verily is out of the
grace of thy Lord, the Beneficent.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [63]
“64: O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant!...”
O thou who art steadfast in the Covenant!
Thou hast exerted strenuous efforts for the education of children and I
have been, and am, infinitely pleased with thee. Praise God, thou hast
been enabled to serve in this field, and it is certain that the
confirmations of the Abhá Kingdom will encompass thee, and thou shalt
achieve prosperity and success.
Today the training and education of the believers’ children is the
pre-eminent goal of the chosen. It is the same as servitude to the Sacred
Threshold and waiting upon the Blessed Beauty. Joyously, therefore, canst
thou pride thyself on this.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [64]
“65: O thou teacher of the children of the Kingdom!...”
O thou teacher of the children of the Kingdom!
Thou hast arisen to perform a service which would justly entitle thee to
vaunt thyself over all the teachers on earth. For the teachers of this
world make use of human education to develop the powers, whether spiritual
or material, of humankind, whilst thou art training these young plants in
the gardens of God according to the education of Heaven, and art giving
them the lessons of the Kingdom.
The result of this kind of teaching will be that it will attract the
blessings of God, and make manifest the perfections of man.
Hold thou fast to this kind of teaching, for the fruits of it will be very
great. The children must, from their infancy, be raised to be spiritual
and godly Bahá’ís. If such be their training, they will remain safe from
every test.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [65]
“66: O ye recipients of the favours of God!...”
O ye recipients of the favours of God!
In this new and wondrous Age, the unshakeable foundation is the teaching
of sciences and arts. According to explicit Holy Texts, every child must
be taught crafts and arts, to the degree that is needful. Wherefore, in
every city and village, schools must be established and every child in
that city or village is to engage in study to the necessary degree.
It followeth that whatever soul shall offer his aid to bring this about
will assuredly be accepted at the Heavenly Threshold, and extolled by the
Company on High.
Since ye have striven hard toward this all important end, it is my hope
that ye will reap your reward from the Lord of clear tokens and signs, and
that the glances of heavenly grace will turn your way.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 109, pp. 134–35)
[66]
“67: O ye of high resolve and noble aims!...”
O ye of high resolve and noble aims!
Your letter was eloquent, its contents original and sensitively expressed,
and it betokened your great and praiseworthy efforts to educate the
children, both girls and boys. This is among the most important of all
human endeavours. Every possible means of education must be made available
to Bahá’í children, tender plants of the divine garden, for in this
consisteth the illumination of humankind.
Praised be God, the friends in I_sh_qábád have laid a solid foundation, an
unassailable base. It was in the City of Love that the first Bahá’í House
of Worship was erected; and today in this city the means for the education
of children are also being developed, inasmuch as even during the war
years this duty was not neglected, and indeed deficiencies were made up
for. Now must ye widen the scope of your endeavours and draw up plans to
establish schools for higher education, so that the City of Love will
become the Bahá’í focal centre for science and the arts. Thanks to the
bountiful assistance of the Blessed Beauty, means for this will be
provided.
Devote ye particular attention to the school for girls, for the greatness
of this wondrous Age will be manifested as a result of progress in the
world of women. This is why ye observe that in every land the world of
women is on the march, and this is due to the impact of the Most Great
Manifestation, and the power of the teachings of God.
Instruction in the schools must begin with instruction in religion.
Following religious training, and the binding of the child’s heart to the
love of God, proceed with his education in the other branches of
knowledge.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [67]
“68: One of the friends hath sent us a letter regarding the school at...”
One of the friends hath sent us a letter regarding the school at
I_sh_qábád, to the effect that, praised be God, the friends there are now
working hard to get the school in order, and have appointed teachers well
qualified for their task, and that from this time forward the greatest
care will be devoted to the supervision and management of the school.
It is likewise my hope that the favours and bestowals of God, the
bountiful King, will encompass you, so that the friends may come to excel
the others in all things.
One of the most important of undertakings is the education of children,
for success and prosperity depend upon service to and worship of God, the
Holy, the All-Glorified.
Among the greatest of all great services is the education of children, and
promotion of the various sciences, crafts and arts. Praised be God, ye are
now exerting strenuous efforts toward this end. The more ye persevere in
this most important task, the more will ye witness the confirmations of
God, to such a degree that ye yourselves will be astonished.
This verily is a matter beyond all doubt, a pledge that shall certainly be
redeemed.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [68]
“69: The services ye are rendering in support of the Ta’yíd School merit
the...”
The services ye are rendering in support of the Ta’yíd School merit the
highest praise. It is certain that God in His bounty will send down His
manifold, heavenly blessings upon you.
The believers are in duty bound to establish schools where children can
acquire knowledge, and since these friends have pledged themselves to make
sacrifices in this connection, and are contributing to the support of the
Ta’yíd School, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in all lowliness and submission offereth
thanks and praise to the Kingdom of Mysteries. He asketh that bounties
will be sent down unto you, and peace of mind, so that ye may succeed in
rendering this most laudable service with ease and joy.
O Thou Provider! These souls are doing good. Make them dear to both
worlds, make them the recipients of measureless grace. Thou art the
Powerful, Thou art the Able, Thou art the Giver, the Bestower, the
Incomparable Lord.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [69]
“70: What thou hadst written as to the school is a cause for great
rejoicing,...”
What thou hadst written as to the school is a cause for great rejoicing,
and delighteth the heart. The friends one and all were cheered and
refreshed by this news.
This school is one of the vital and essential institutions which indeed
support and bulwark the edifice of humankind. God willing, it will develop
and be perfected along every line. Once this school hath, in every
respect, been perfected, once it hath been made to flourish and to surpass
all other schools, then, each following the other, more and more schools
must be established.
Our meaning is that the friends must direct their attention toward the
education and training of all the children of Persia, so that all of them,
having, in the school of true learning, achieved the power of
understanding and come to know the inner realities of the universe, will
go on to uncover the signs and mysteries of God, and will find themselves
illumined by the lights of the knowledge of the Lord, and by His love.
This truly is the very best way to educate all peoples.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [70]
“71: Make ye every effort to improve the Tarbíyat School and to develop
order...”
Make ye every effort to improve the Tarbíyat School and to develop order
and discipline in this institution. Utilize every means to make this
School a garden of the All-Merciful, from which the lights of learning
will cast their beams, and wherein the children, whether Bahá’í or other,
will be educated to such a degree as to become God’s gifts to man, and the
pride of the human race. Let them make the greatest progress in the
shortest span of time, let them open wide their eyes and uncover the inner
realities of all things, become proficient in every art and skill, and
learn to comprehend the secrets of all things even as they are—this
faculty being one of the clearly evident effects of servitude to the Holy
Threshold.
It is certain that ye will make every effort to bring this about, will
also draw up plans for the opening of a number of schools. These schools
for academic studies must at the same time be training centres in
behaviour and conduct, and they must favour character and conduct above
the sciences and arts. Good behaviour and high moral character must come
first, for unless the character be trained, acquiring knowledge will only
prove injurious. Knowledge is praiseworthy when it is coupled with ethical
conduct and virtuous character; otherwise it is a deadly poison, a
frightful danger. A physician of evil character, and who betrayeth his
trust, can bring on death, and become the source of numerous infirmities
and diseases.
Devote ye the utmost attention to this matter, for the basic, the
foundation-principle of a school is first and foremost moral training,
character and the rectification of conduct.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [71]
“72: The All-Merciful hath created humankind for the adornment of this...”
The All-Merciful hath created humankind for the adornment of this
contingent world, so that men may array the earth with the manifold
blessings of Heaven; that the inner reality of the human being may, like
unto a lamp of the spirit, cause the community of man to become as a
mirror for the assemblage on high.
It is clear that learning is the greatest bestowal of God; that knowledge
and the acquirement thereof is a blessing from Heaven. Thus is it
incumbent upon the friends of God to exert such an effort and strive with
such eagerness to promote divine knowledge, culture and the sciences, that
erelong those who are schoolchildren today will become the most erudite of
all the fraternity of the wise. This is a service rendered unto God
Himself, and it is one of His inescapable commandments.
Wherefore, O loving friends, strive with heart and soul and strength to
make the Tarbíyat School a center of enlightenment, and a well-spring of
truth, that the children of God may shine with the rays of boundless
learning, and that these tender plants of the divine garden may grow and
flourish in the grace that showereth down from the clouds of knowledge and
true understanding, and advance to such a degree as to astonish the
company of those who know.
I swear by the bounty of God’s wisdom that if they win this great prize,
the members of the Tarbíyat School will be admitted to the assemblage of
God, and that unto them, beyond a peradventure, the portals of His grace
will open wide.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [72]
“73: God be praised that ye have succeeded in establishing a school in...”
God be praised that ye have succeeded in establishing a school in
Mihdíábád and are, with great energy and enthusiasm, engaged in educating
the children.
In this new and wondrous Cause, the advancement of all branches of
knowledge is a fixed and vital principle, and the friends, one and all,
are obligated to make every effort toward this end, so that the Cause of
the Manifest Light may be spread abroad, and that every child, according
to his need, will receive his share of the sciences and arts—until not
even a single peasant’s child will be found who is completely devoid of
schooling.
It is essential that the fundamentals of knowledge be taught; essential
that all should be able to read and write. Wherefore is this new
institution most worthy of praise, and its programme to be encouraged. The
hope is that other villages will take you for a model, and that in every
village where there is a certain number of believers, a school will be
founded where the children can study reading, writing, and basic
knowledge.
This is what bringeth joy to the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, cheer and peace to
His soul.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [73]
“74: The method of instruction which ye have established, beginning with
proofs...”
The method of instruction which ye have established, beginning with proofs
of the existence of God and the oneness of God, the mission of the
Prophets and Messengers and Their teachings, and the wonders of the
universe, is highly suitable. Keep on with this. It is certain that the
confirmations of God will attend you. It is also highly praiseworthy to
memorize the Tablets, divine verses and sacred traditions.
Ye will surely exert every effort in teaching, and in furthering
understanding.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [74]
“75: As to the children: From the age of five their formal education
must...”
As to the children: From the age of five their formal education must
begin. That is, during the daytime they should be looked after in a place
where there are teachers, and should learn good conduct.
Here they should be taught, in play, some letters and words and a little
reading—as it is done in certain countries where they fashion letters and
words out of sweets and give them to the child. For example, they make an
“a” out of candy and say its name is “a”, or make a candy “b” and call it
“b”, and so on with the rest of the alphabet, giving these to the young
child. In this way, children will soon learn their letters...
When the children are ready for bed, let the mother read or sing them the
Odes of the Blessed Beauty, so that from their earliest years they will be
educated by these verses of guidance.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [75]
“76: Thou didst ask as to the education of children. Those children
who,...”
Thou didst ask as to the education of children. Those children who,
sheltered by the Blessed Tree, have set foot upon the world, those who are
cradled in the Faith and are nurtured at the breast of grace—such must
from the beginning receive spiritual training directly from their mothers.
That is, the mother must continually call God to mind and make mention of
Him, and tell of His greatness, and instill the fear of Him in the child,
and rear the child gently, in the way of tenderness, and in extreme
cleanliness. Thus from the very beginning of life every child will be
refreshed by the gentle wafting of the love of God and will tremble with
joy at the sweet scent of heavenly guidance. In this lieth the beginning
of the process; it is the essential basis of all the rest.