"The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are, in a way,
like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly dark
condition spiritually; hatred and prejudice of every sort are literally
tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the
opposite forces, the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration,
and we must continually be on our guard, whether as individuals or as an
Assembly or Community, lest through us these destructive, negative forces
enter into our midst. In other words, we must beware lest the darkness of
society become reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all
unconsciously. Love for each other, the deep sense that we are a new
organism, the dawn-breakers of a new World Order, must constantly animate
our Baha'i lives, and we must pray to be protected from the contamination
of society which is so diseased with prejudice."