"As regards the activities of the economic committee of the National
Assembly; Shoghi Effendi fully sympathizes with the desire of some of the
members to see the Committee find ways and means to put into practice the
economic teachings of the Cause, as explained in some of the recorded
Writings and Sayings of Baha'u'llah and the Master. But he believes that
the time is not yet ripe for such activities. First we have to study the
economic teachings in the light of modern problems more thoroughly so that
we may advocate what the Founders of the Faith say and not what we
conjecture from Their Writings. There is great difference between sounding
a great general principle and finding its application to actual prevailing
conditions. Secondly, the Cause is not financially in a position to launch
itself in such undertakings at present. Such plans need great financial
backing to be worked out in a permanent form. In time, Shoghi Effendi
hopes all these things will come to pass. For the present we have to
consolidate our basic institutions and spread the teachings and spirit of
the Faith among the public."