… I feel urged to
remind you of the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardinal principle that
all contributions to the Fund are to be purely and strictly voluntary in
character. It should be made clear and evident to every one that any form of
compulsion, however slight and indirect, strikes at the very root of the
principle underlying the formation of the Fund ever since its inception. While
appeals of a general character, carefully-worded and moving and dignified in
tone are welcome under all circumstances, it should be left entirely to the
discretion of every conscientious believer to decide upon the nature, the
amount, and purpose of his or her contribution for the propagation of the
Cause.
- Shoghi Effendi (from a letter dated 10 January 1926 to the National
Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, published in "Bahá'í
Administration"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Baha’i Funds and
Contributions)
