Concerning the course of study you may follow:.... The Cause is such that
we can serve it no matter what our profession may be. The only necessity
is that we be spiritually minded and not be guided by purely material
considerations. We should also not let our studies detain us from
deepening our knowledge of the literature of the Cause.
(9 November 1931 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
[72]
In their efforts to achieve this purpose they must study for themselves,
conscientiously and painstakingly, the literature of their Faith, delve
into its teachings, assimilate its laws and principles, ponder its
admonitions, tenets and purposes, commit to memory certain of its
exhortations and prayers, master the essentials of its administration, and
keep abreast of its current affairs and latest developments. They must
strive to obtain, from sources that are authoritative and unbiased, a
sound knowledge of the history and tenets of Islam--the source and
background of their Faith--and approach reverently and with a mind purged
from preconceived ideas the study of the Qur'an which, apart from the
sacred scriptures of the Babi and Baha'i Revelations, constitutes the only
Book which can be regarded as an absolutely authenticated Repository of
the Word of God. They must devote special attention to the investigation
of those institutions and circumstances that are directly connected with
the origin and birth of their Faith, with the station claimed by its
Forerunner, and with the laws revealed by its Author.
(25 December 1938 by Shoghi Effendi to the Baha'is of the West, published
in "The Advent of Divine Justice" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust,
1990), p. 49) [73]
73: "The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including
religious..."
The Guardian feels that a sound knowledge of history, including religious
history, and also of social and economic subjects, is of great help in
teaching the Cause to intelligent people; as to what subjects within the
Faith you should concentrate on he feels that the young Baha'is should
gain a mastery of such books as the "Gleanings", "The Dawn-Breakers", "God
Passes By", the "Iqan", "Some Answered Questions" and the more important
Tablets. All aspects of the Faith should be deeply studied--and ... they
need to know more about the Administration.
(4 May 1946 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [74]
75: "It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated
Baha'i..."
It seems what we need now is a more profound and co-ordinated Baha'i
scholarship in order to attract such men as you are contacting. The world
has--at least the thinking world--caught up by now with all the great and
universal principles enunciated by Baha'u'llah over 70 years ago, and so
of course it does not sound "new" to them. But we know that the deeper
teachings, the capacity of His projected World Order to re-create society,
are new and dynamic. It is these we must learn to present intelligently
and enticingly to such men!
(3 July 1949 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [75]
76: "He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause;
this..."
He was very pleased to hear you do a lot of lecturing for the Cause; this
is a very important field of service and one you should devote as much
time to as possible. The public must hear of the Faith, and new ways and
means must be devised to bring it to their attention. He also urges you to
study the teachings themselves more deeply. Baha'i scholarship is needed
really more than worldly scholarship, for one is spiritual, the other more
or less transient. There is a real lack in the Cause of people who know
the teachings thoroughly, especially their deeper truths, and who can
consequently teach the souls properly and lay a permanent foundation, one
that tests and trials will not shake down.
(27 August 1951 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)
[76]