31: "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 Baha'i 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.
(28 November 1926 to an individual believer) [31]
32: "The university training which you are receiving at present will be of
immense..."
The university training which you are receiving at present will be of
immense help to you in your efforts to present the Message in intellectual
circles. In these days when people are so sceptical about religion and
look with so much contempt towards religious organizations and movements,
there seems to be more need than ever for our young Baha'is to be well
equipped intellectually, so that they may be in a position to present the
Message in a befitting way, and in a manner that would convince every
unbiased observer of the effectiveness and power of the Teachings.
(5 May 1934 to an individual believer) [32]
33: "Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars
of its..."
Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of
its teachings, so that they can teach in a way that will convince people
that all the problems facing them have a remedy. They must grasp the
Administration, so that they can wisely and efficiently administer the
ever-growing affairs of the Cause; and they must exemplify the Baha'i way
of living. All this is not easy--but the Guardian is always encouraged to
see the spirit animating such young believers as yourself. He has high
hopes of what your generation will accomplish.
(12 May 1944 to an individual believer) [33]
34: "If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they
need to..."
If the Baha'is want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need
to be much better informed and able to discuss intelligently,
intellectually, the present condition of the world and its problems. We
need Baha'i scholars, not only people far, far more deeply aware of what
our teachings really are, but also well-read and well-educated people,
capable of correlating our teachings to the current thoughts of the
leaders of society.
We Baha'is should, in other words, arm our minds with knowledge in order
to better demonstrate to, especially, the educated classes, the truths
enshrined in our Faith.
(5 July 1949 to an individual believer) [34]