the...”
...O dear one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá! Be the son of thy father and be the fruit
of that tree. Be a son that hath been born of his soul and heart and not
only of the water and clay. A real son is such an one as hath branched
from the spiritual part of a man. I ask God that thou mayest be at all
times confirmed and strengthened.
(“Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Vol. II, p. 342) [92]
“93: O ye dear children!...”
O ye dear children!
Your father is compassionate, clement and merciful unto you and desireth
for you success, prosperity and eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon you, dear children, to seek his good
pleasure, to be guided by his guidance, to be drawn by the magnet of the
love of God and be brought up in the lap of the love of God; that ye may
become beautiful branches in the Gardens of EL-ABHÁ, verdant and watered
by the abundance of the gift of God.
(“Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Vol. III, p. 622) [93]
“94: It is incumbent upon the youth to walk in the footsteps of Hakím...”
It is incumbent upon the youth to walk in the footsteps of Hakím(19) to be
trained in his ways, for such important souls as he and his like have now
ascended to the Kingdom of Abhá. The youth must grow and develop and take
the place of their fathers, that this abundant grace, in the posterity of
each one of the loved ones of God who bore great agonies, may day by day
increase, until in the end it shall yield its fruit on earth and in
Heaven.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [94]
“95: The Sunday school for the children in which the Tablets and Teachings
of...”
The Sunday school for the children in which the Tablets and Teachings of
Bahá’u’lláh are read, and the Word of God is recited for the children is
indeed a blessed thing. Thou must certainly continue this organized
activity without cessation, and attach importance to it, so that day by
day it may grow and be quickened with the breaths of the Holy Spirit. If
this activity is well organized, rest thou assured that it will yield
great results. Firmness and steadfastness, however, are necessary,
otherwise it will continue for some time, but later be gradually
forgotten. Perseverance is an essential condition. In every project
firmness and steadfastness will undoubtedly lead to good results;
otherwise it will exist for some days, and then be discontinued.
(“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, Sec. 124, pp. 143–44)
[95]
“96: O ye children of the the Kingdom:...”
O ye children of the the Kingdom:
Your letters with your photographs have been received. From the perusal of
the letters the utmost heartfelt emotions were experienced and at the
sight of the portraits a spiritual joy and gladness was felt. Praise be to
God the letters were indicative of the turning of the faces toward the
Kingdom and from those faces it was evident that the light of the love of
God is manifest and resplendent upon the brows.
I pray to God that in this school on Sundays ye may acquire heavenly
knowledge, ye may secure a training of merciful characteristics and that
ye may advance from day to day so that each of you may become a peerless
shrub in the Divine Rose-garden and may be adorned with full foliage, and
fruits.
(From a Tablet to the children of the Bahá’í school, Urbana, Illinois,
published in “The Magazine of The Children of the Kingdom” Vol. I, No. 2
(March, 1920), p. 2) [96]
“97: O young trees and plants, matchless and tender, that grow in the
meadows...”
O young trees and plants, matchless and tender, that grow in the meadows
of guidance! O ye newcomers to the Fraternity of Truth!
Although now ye be learners, the hope is that through showerings from the
clouds of grace, ye will become teachers; that ye will flourish even as
flowers and fragrant herbs in the garden of that knowledge which is both
of the mind and of the heart; that each one of you will grow as a tree
rich in yield, fair, fresh and strong, heavy with sweet fruit.
May the hidden confirmations of God make each one of you to become a
well-spring of knowledge. May your hearts ever receive inspiration from
the Denizens of the Concourse on high. May the drop become as the great
sea; may the mote dazzle as the shining sun.
His Holiness the Báb hath said: “Should a tiny ant desire in this day to
be possessed of such power as to be able to unravel the abstrusest and
most bewildering passages of the Qur’án, its wish will no doubt be
fulfilled, inasmuch as the mystery of eternal might vibrates within the
innermost being of all created things.”(20) If so helpless a creature can
be endowed with so subtle a capacity, how much more efficacious must be
the power released through the liberal effusions of the grace of
Bahá’u’lláh! What confirmations will be garnered, what influxes of the
heart!
Wherefore, O ye illumined youth, strive by night and by day to unravel the
mysteries of the mind and spirit, and to grasp the secrets of the Day of
God. Inform yourselves of the evidences that the Most Great Name hath
dawned. Open your lips in praise. Adduce convincing arguments and proofs.
Lead those who thirst to the fountain of life; grant ye true health to the
ailing. Be ye apprentices of God; be ye physicians directed by God, and
heal ye the sick among humankind. Bring those who have been excluded into
the circle of intimate friends. Make the despairing to be filled with
hope. Waken them that slumber; make the heedless mindful.
Such are the fruits of this earthly life. Such is the station of
resplendent glory.
(From a Tablet—translated from the Persian) [97]
FROM THE WRITINGS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND LETTERS WRITTEN ON HIS BEHALF:
“98: For the members of the Children’s Educational Work Committee ...
I...”
For the members of the Children’s Educational Work Committee ... I
supplicate Divine Assistance, that He may graciously aid them in a work
which was so near and dear to the Master’s heart and enable them to assist
in the rise of future devoted and efficient servants to the Cause of God.
(From a letter dated 23 December 1922 written by Shoghi Effendi to the
National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in
“Bahá’í Administration: Selected Messages 1922–1932” [rev. ed.],
(Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1980), p. 29) [98]
“99: They must promote by every means in their power the material as well
as...”
They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as
the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of
children, institute, whenever possible, Bahá’í educational institutions,
organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their
progress and development.
(From a letter dated 12 March 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the
Bahá’ís of America, Australasia, France, Germany, British Isles, Italy,
Japan and Switzerland, published in “Bahá’í Administration: Selected
Messages 1922–1932”, p. 38) [99]
“100: As to the spiritual activities of the “Children of the Kingdom”
in...”
As to the spiritual activities of the “Children of the Kingdom” in
America, my hope and prayer is that they may grow to become efficient
servants of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Their devotion and self-sacrifice,
their readiness to help the cause of the Bahá’í Temple, their activity in
connection with the “Bahá’í Magazine” are all unmistakable signs of the
glorious future of the Cause in that land. May the care and
loving-kindness of the Heavenly Father guide them, protect them and aid
them in their future mission in life.
(From a letter dated 26 November 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the
National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada) [100]
“101: A basic and vital requirement of these days is the matter of
educating the...”
A basic and vital requirement of these days is the matter of educating the
boys and girls. One of the duties devolving upon the members of Spiritual
Assemblies is that, with the support of the friends, they should exert all
their powers to establish schools for the instruction of boys and girls in
the things of the spirit, the fundamentals of teaching the Faith, reading
the Sacred Writings, learning the history of the Faith, the secular
branches of knowledge, the various arts and skills, and the different
languages—so that Bahá’í methods of instruction will become so widely
known that children from every level of society will seek to acquire
divine teachings as well as secular knowledge in Bahá’í schools, and
thereby means for the promotion of the Cause of God will be provided.
(From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the
Local Spiritual Assembly of Ṭihrán, Iran—translated from the Persian)
[101]
“102: The “Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom”, the latest issue of
which I...”
The “Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom”, the latest issue of which I
have just received from that indefatigable pioneer of your cause, ... has
kindled in me such fresh hopes that I feel moved to send you this message
of love and confidence in the great part you are destined to play for the
future of the Cause.
I feel it is urgent and important that this first and only organ of the
Bahá’í youth throughout the world should, in whatever it publishes, instil
in its readers, and particularly in every Bahá’í child, the sense of his
unique opportunities and future responsibilities in the great task that
awaits him in future.
Its duty is to initiate, promote and mirror forth the various activities
of the rising generation throughout the Bahá’í world, to establish and
strengthen a bond of true fellowship amongst all the children of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá whether in the East or in the West, and to unfold to their
eyes the vision of a golden future before them. It should impress upon
their hearts the vital necessity of establishing, now, whilst in their
tender age, a firm foundation for their mission in life.
The cause of the Children of the Kingdom, whom the Master so loved, and on
whom He showered many a blessing and infinite loving-kindness, is, I
assure you, still dear and close to our hearts. In you, the descendants of
the heroic pioneers of a world Movement, rests the hope of achieving the
task which they have so nobly begun—their task for the service and
salvation of all mankind.
As to my humble share of service and support, I can but pray on your
behalf, and supplicate during my hours of prayer at the three Holy
Shrines, the guidance, the blessings, and the assistance of Bahá’u’lláh,
beseeching Him most fervently to enable you, in the happy days to come, to
establish His Kingdom and fulfil His Word.
May your Magazine inspire you to achieve this end.
(From a Letter dated 30 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the
Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom, Boston, U.S.A) [102]
“103: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has always attached very great importance to the
education of...”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá has always attached very great importance to the education of
children and we take this opportunity to congratulate you on your signal
success in this field of service. We hope some day your work will extend
into the East extensively where it is so badly needed.
(From a letter dated 9 April 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
an individual believer) [103]
“104: In connection with the question that you had asked as to whether
you...”
In connection with the question that you had asked as to whether you
should take a trip to the Holy Land or keep the sum to defray the expense
of a young man you are educating. Shoghi Effendi wishes me to write you
that although it means profound pleasure to him and to the members of the
holy family, to welcome you in the home of our beloved Master and to share
with you the eternal outpourings of His Grace in and around His blessed
Shrine, he deems it of greater importance for you to keep up helping the
young boy whom you have undertaken to educate. This he would advise you
with a deep realization of Bahá’u’lláh’s most pregnant utterance that he
who educates his child or another’s it is just as though he is educating a
child of Bahá’u’lláh Himself.
(From a letter dated 29 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer) [104]
“105: Among the sacred obligations devolving upon the Spiritual Assemblies
is...”
Among the sacred obligations devolving upon the Spiritual Assemblies is
the promotion of learning, the establishing of schools and creation of the
necessary academic equipment and facilities for every boy and girl.
Every child, without exception, must from his earliest years make a
thorough study of the art of reading and writing, and according to his own
tastes and inclinations and the degree of his capacity and powers, devote
extreme diligence to the acquisition of learning beneficial arts and
skills, various languages, speech, and contemporary technology.
To assist the children of the poor in the attainment of these
accomplishments, and particularly in learning the basic subjects, is
incumbent upon the members of the Spiritual Assemblies, and is accounted
as one of the obligations laid upon the conscience of the trustees of God
in every land.
“He that bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as though he
hath brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My Glory, My Loving-Kindness,
My Mercy, that have compassed the world.”(21)
(From a letter dated 8 June 1925 written by Shoghi Effendi to the National
Spiritual Assembly of Persia) [105]
“106: Shoghi Effendi was very interested to hear of the plans you are
making for...”
Shoghi Effendi was very interested to hear of the plans you are making for
the education of your children. He hopes that they will all grow to be
ardent adherents of the Bahá’í Cause, able servants of the Blessed
Threshold, and eloquent speakers on religious and social subjects. He
desires to be remembered to them as well as to their dear father.
(From a letter dated 24 December 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to an individual believer) [106]
“107: We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your
children had...”
We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your children had
grown to speak about the Cause in public. Shoghi Effendi’s hope is that
they will, the three of them, become able and devoted speakers on the
Cause and subjects akin to it. To do this properly they will need a firm
foundation of scientific and literary training which fortunately they are
obtaining. It is just as important for the Bahá’í young boys and girls to
become properly educated in colleges of high standing as it is to be
spiritually developed. The mental as well as the spiritual side of the
youth has to be developed before he can serve the Cause efficiently. From
Shoghi Effendi’s postscript:
... I will specially pray for your dear children, that they, too,
firmly-grounded through a well-guided plan of sound education, may in days
to come serve efficiently and effectively the Cause of God. They are
richly endowed with gifts, and my prayer is that a proper training may
enable them to utilize those gifts for the propagation of God’s Faith.
(From a letter dated 28 November 1926 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to an individual believer) [107]
“108: In philanthropic enterprises and acts of charity, in promotion of
the...”
In philanthropic enterprises and acts of charity, in promotion of the
general welfare and furtherance of the public good including that of every
group without any exceptions whatever, let the beloved of God attract the
favourable attention of all, and lead all the rest.
Let them, freely and without charge, open the doors of their schools and
their higher institutions for the study of sciences and the liberal arts,
to non-Bahá’í children and youth who are poor and in need. ...and next is
the propagation of learning and the promulgation of Bahá’í rules of
conduct, practices and laws. At this time, when the nation has awakened
out of its sleep of negligence, and the Government has begun to consider
the promotion and expansion of its educational establishment, let the
Bahá’í representatives in that country arise in such a manner that as a
result of their high endeavours in every hamlet, village and town, of
every province and district, preliminary measures will be taken for the
setting up of institutions for the study of sciences, the liberal arts and
religion. Let Bahá’í children without any exceptions learn the
fundamentals of reading and writing and familiarize themselves with the
rules of conduct, the customs, practices and laws as set forth in the Book
of God; and let them, in the new branches of knowledge, in the arts and
technology of the day, in pure and praiseworthy characteristics—Bahá’í
conduct, the Bahá’í way of life—become so distinguished above the rest
that all other communities, whether Islamic, Zoroastrian, Christian,
Judaic or materialist, will of their own volition and most gladly enter
their children in such advanced Bahá’í institutions of learning and
entrust them to the care of Bahá’í instructors.
So too is the promotion and execution of the laws set forth in the Book of
God.
(From a letter dated January 1929 written by Shoghi Effendi to the
believers of the East—translated from the Persian) [108]
“109: Your short but impressive letter addressed to Shoghi Effendi was
received....”
Your short but impressive letter addressed to Shoghi Effendi was received.
He perused it with deep interest and charged me to thank you on his behalf
and to express his fondest hopes that you will pursue with an abiding zeal
your academic studies. Being a Bahá’í you are certainly aware of the fact
that Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental
factors of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be
adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take
into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man
but also his spiritual and ethical aspects. This should be the programme
of the Bahá’í youth all over the world.
(From a letter dated 9 July 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer) [109]
“110: We hope that before long the Bahá’ís will even afford to have
schools that....”
We hope that before long the Bahá’ís will even afford to have schools that
would provide the children the intellectual and spiritual education as
prescribed in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master.
(From a letter dated 25 December 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to the Local Spiritual Assembly of New York City) [110]
“111: He is very glad to know that you attach importance to the training
of the...”
He is very glad to know that you attach importance to the training of the
children, for whatever they learn in that early stage of their development
will leave its traces upon their whole life. It becomes part of their
nature.
There is no especial book which the Guardian can recommend. It is for the
older friends to attempt a compilation that would suit that purpose, and
after many attempts a good one will ultimately be produced.
The Master used to attach much importance to the learning by heart of
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb. During His days it was a usual work of
the children of the household to learn Tablets by heart; now, however,
those children are grown up and do not have time for such a thing. But the
practice is most useful to implant the ideas and spirit those words
contain into the mind of the children.
With “The Dawn-Breakers” in your possession you could also arrange
interesting stories about the early days of the Movement which the
children would like to hear. There are also stories about the life of
Christ, Muḥammad and the other prophets which if told to the children will
break down any religious prejudice they may have learned from older people
of little understanding.
Such stories regarding the life of different prophets together with their
sayings will also be useful to better understand the literature of the
Cause for there is constant reference to them. It is however the work of
experienced people to bring together such materials and make of them
interesting text books for the children.
The Cause will gradually produce people who would answer these needs. It
is only a question of time. What we should strive to do is to stimulate
different individuals who have the talent to attempt the task.
(From a letter dated 19 October 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to a Local Spiritual Assembly and a State Teaching Committee) [111]
“112: He was deeply gratified to hear that the friends are attaching such
a...”
He was deeply gratified to hear that the friends are attaching such a
great importance to the teaching and training of Bahá’í children. The
education of the youth is, undoubtedly, of paramount importance as it
serves to deepen their understanding of the Cause and to canalize their
energies along the most profitable lines. Inasmuch, however, as the
national expenses of the Cause in America are daily increasing, the
members of your Committee should be very careful not to extend beyond
their financial resources the sphere of their activities. The plans your
Committee has made should not develop to such an extent as to hamper the
progress of the Temple work.
(From a letter dated 20 April, 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
the members of the Committee on the Teaching and Training of Children,
published in “Bahá’í News” 77 (September 1933), p.2) [112]
“113: Shoghi Effendi wishes you particularly to give all your attention to
the...”
Shoghi Effendi wishes you particularly to give all your attention to the
education of your boys so that they may become sincere, loyal and active
Bahá’ís. It is to the youth that we should look for help, and it is,
therefore, the sacred obligation of the parents to provide their children
with a thorough Bahá’í training.
(From a letter dated 31 May 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer) [113]
“114: The Bahá’í Faith ... advocates compulsory education...”
The Bahá’í Faith ... advocates compulsory education...
(From a letter dated June 1933 written by Shoghi Effendi to the High
Commissioner for Palestine) [114]
“115: He was deeply gratified to learn that your material conditions are
improving...”
He was deeply gratified to learn that your material conditions are
improving and he sincerely hopes that they will give you an opportunity to
give to ... and ... the best educational training, so that they may
become, in a not distant future, devoted servants and champions of the
Cause.
Your responsibility as a mother, and especially as a Bahá’í mother, whose
sacred obligation is to look after the training of the children along
Bahá’í lines, is indeed immense. It is hoped that through God’s help and
guidance you will be enabled to fully discharge your duties.
(From a letter dated 22 July 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
an individual believer) [115]
“116: Shoghi Effendi was deeply saddened to learn from your letter... of
the...”
Shoghi Effendi was deeply saddened to learn from your letter... of the
rather serious situation which your daughter’s conduct and her general
attitude towards the Cause have created...
Although he highly deplores this fact, and is fully aware of the bad
repercussions which it may have on the Cause, yet he feels that nothing
short of your motherly care and love and of the counsels which you and the
friends can give her, can effectively remedy this situation. Above all,
you should be patient, and confident that your efforts to that end are
being sustained and guided through the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh. He is
surely hearing your prayers, and will no doubt accept them, and thus
hasten the gradual and complete materialization of your hopes and
expectations for your daughter and for the Cause.
The Guardian would advise you, therefore, not to take any drastic action
with regard to your daughter’s attendance at the meetings... For in this
way there is much greater chance to reform her character than through
force or any other drastic method. Love and kindness have far greater
influence than punishment upon the improvement of human character.