O handmaids of the Lord! The spiritual assemblage that ye established in
that illumined city is most propitious. Ye have made great strides; ye
have surpassed the others, have arisen to serve the Holy Threshold, and
have won heavenly bestowals. Now with all spiritual zeal must ye gather in
that enlightened assemblage and recite the Holy Writings and engage in
remembering the Lord. Set ye forth His arguments and proofs. Work ye for
the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young girls and the
children, so that the mothers may educate their little ones from their
earliest days, thoroughly train them, rear them to have a goodly character
and good morals, guide them to all the virtues of humankind, prevent the
development of any behaviour that would be worthy of blame, and foster
them in the embrace of Baha'i education. Thus shall these tender infants
be nurtured at the breast of the knowledge of God and His love. Thus shall
they grow and flourish, and be taught righteousness and the dignity of
humankind, resolution and the will to strive and to endure. Thus shall
they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance, high
mindedness and high resolve, chastity and purity of life. Thus shall they
be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they undertake.
Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of
children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in
this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in
whatever way ye train it. Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to
rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let
them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith
and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and
all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child
hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if
the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel
the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight
verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however,
permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character
will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.