The people need to hear the word "Bahá'í" so that
they can, if receptive, respond and seek the Cause out. The primary duty of the
friends everywhere in the world is to let the people know such a Revelation is
in existence; their next duty is to teach it. 
Buddha also established a new religion... The beliefs and
rites of the Buddhists… have not continued in accordance with their fundamental
teachings. The founder of Buddhism was a wonderful soul. He established the
Oneness of God, but later the original principles of His doctrines gradually
disappeared, and ignorant customs and ceremonials arose and increased until
they finally ended in the worship of statues and images. So it is with
religions; through the passing of time they change from their original
foundation, the truth of the Religion of God entirely departs, and the spirit
of it does not stay; heresies appear, and it becomes a body without a soul.
That is why it is renewed. The meaning is that the Buddhists… and now worship
images and statues. They are entirely heedless of the Oneness of God and
believe in imaginary gods like the ancient Greeks. But in the beginning it was
not so; there were different principles and other ordinances.
The teaching work is broad in scope, encompassing personal
efforts as well as collective projects, selected neighborhoods as well as
sundry localities, chosen populations as well as chance acquaintances,
firesides as well as core activities.”
Know thou that all the powers combined have not the power to
establish universal peace, nor to withstand the overmastering dominion, at
every time and season, of these endless wars. Ere long, however, shall the
power of heaven, the dominion of the Holy Spirit, hoist on the high summits the
banners of love and peace, and there above the castles of majesty and might
shall those banners wave in the rushing winds that blow out of the tender mercy
of God.
…when any souls grow to be true believers, they will attain
a spiritual relationship with one another, and show forth a tenderness which is
not of this world. They will, all of them, become elated from a draught of
divine love, and that union of theirs, that connection, will also abide
forever. Souls, that is, who will consign their own selves to oblivion, strip
from themselves the defects of humankind, and unchain themselves from human
bondage, will beyond any doubt be illumined with the heavenly splendours of
oneness, and will all attain unto real union in the world that dieth not.
Among the people of Baha... marriage must be a union
of the body and of the spirit as well, for here both husband and wife are aglow
with the same wine, both are enamoured of the same matchless Face, both live
and move through the same spirit, both are illumined by the same glory. This
connection between them is a spiritual one, hence it is a bond that will abide
forever. Likewise do they enjoy strong and lasting ties in the physical world
as well, for if the marriage is based both on the spirit and the body, that
union is a true one, hence it will endure. If, however, the bond is physical
and nothing more, it is sure to be only temporary, and must inexorably end in
separation.
Every person must have an occupation, a trade or a craft, so
that he may carry other people's burdens, and not himself be a burden to
others.
O ye two believers in God! The Lord, peerless is He, hath
made woman and man to abide with each other in the closest companionship, and
to be even as a single soul. They are two helpmates, two intimate friends, who
should be concerned about the welfare of each other.
Keith’s [Keith Ransom-Kehler] precious life offered up in
sacrifice to beloved Cause in Baha’u’llah’s native land. [passed away in
Isfahan on 23 October 1933] On Persian soil, for Persia’s sake, she
encountered, challenged and fought the forces of darkness with high
distinction, indomitable will, unswerving, exemplary loyalty. The mass of her
helpless Persian brethren mourns the sudden loss of their valiant emancipator.
American believers grateful and proud of the memory of their first and
distinguished martyr. Sorrow stricken, I lament my earthly separation from an
invaluable collaborator, an unfailing counselor, an esteemed and faithful
friend. I urge the Local Assemblies befittingly to organize memorial gatherings
in memory of one whose international services entitled her an eminent rank
among the Hands of the Cause of Baha’u’llah.
The principle of consultation, which constitutes one of the
basic laws of the Administration, should be applied to all Baha’i activities
which affect the collective interests of the Faith, for it is through
cooperation and continued exchange of thoughts and views that the Cause can
best safeguard and foster its interests. Individual initiative, personal
ability and resourcefulness, though indispensable are, unless supported and
enriched by the collective experiences and wisdom of the group, utterly
incapable of achieving such a tremendous task.
The Guardian wishes me to draw the attention of the friends
through you that they should be very careful in their public utterance not to
mention any political figures -- either side with them or denounce them. This
is the first thing to bear in mind. Otherwise they will involve the friends in
political matters, which is infinitely dangerous for the Cause.
The first word which the Abhá Pen hath revealed and
inscribed on the first leaf of Paradise is this: “Verily I say: The fear of God
hath ever been a sure defence and a safe stronghold for all the peoples of the
world. It is the chief cause of the protection of mankind, and the supreme
instrument for its preservation. Indeed, there existeth in man a faculty which
deterreth him from, and guardeth him against, whatever is unworthy and
unseemly, and which is known as his sense of shame. This, however, is confined
to but a few; all have not possessed, and do not possess, it. It is incumbent
upon the kings and the spiritual leaders of the world to lay fast hold on
religion, inasmuch as through it the fear of God is instilled in all else but
Him.”
The qualities by which the individual can achieve the
personal discipline necessary to successful consultation find their full
expression in what Shoghi Effendi regarded as the "spirit of a true
Bahá'í". Ponder, for instance, the appealing remark addressed to your own
community in one of his earliest letters: "Nothing short of the spirit of
a true Bahá'í can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice, of
freedom and submission, of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of
self-surrender, of vigilance, discretion and prudence on the one hand, and
fellowship, candour, and courage on the other." This was an appeal to the
maturity and the distinction towards which he repeatedly directed their
thoughts.
The friends of God should, through the instrumentality of
their business, lead the people to God's path, and make them so astonished as
to exclaim: "How great is their truthfulness, how high their
trustworthiness, and how true their good-will."
Every day has certain needs. In those early days the Cause
needed Martyrs, and people who would stand all sorts of torture and persecution
in expressing their faith and spreading the message sent by God. Those days
are, however, gone. The Cause at present does not need martyrs who would die
for their faith, but servants who desire to teach and establish the Cause
throughout the world. To live to teach in the present day is like being
martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, not
the act through which that spirit expresses itself; and that spirit is to serve
the Cause of God with our heart and soul.
As regards the statement of our own views and explanations
of the teachings: Shoghi Effendi believes that we should not restrict the
liberty of the individual to express his own views so long as he makes it clear
that these views are his own. In fact, such explanations are often helpful and
are conducive to a better understanding of the teachings. God has given man a
rational power to be used and not killed.
It is also very important to hold study classes and go deep
in the Teachings. A great harm is done by starting to teach without being
firmly grounded in the literature. ‘Little knowledge is dangerous’ fully
applies to the teaching work. The friends should read the Writings and be able
to quote from the Tablets when discussing subjects pertaining to the Faith.
Shoghi Effendi undertook the translation of The
Dawn-Breakers only after being convinced that its publication will arouse the
friends to greater self-sacrifice and a more determined way of teaching.
Otherwise he would not have devoted so much time to it. Reading about the life
and activities of those heroic souls is bound to influence our mode of living
and the importance we attach to our services in the Cause. Shoghi Effendi
therefore hopes that the friends will read, nay rather, study that book, and
encourage their young people to do that as well.
You have asked specifically about reading prayers on the
radio. Of course this is permissible, but will be cautious concerning the
setting of the prayers, i.e. what kind of materials may be presented before and
after the prayers, so that they are assured of that dignity and reverence which
they deserve. There may also be considerations of timing (the hours of the day
best chosen, Sunday as the customary day of religious observance, etc.), in
relation to the customs of the station, of the area, or other. Such recorded
disc programs as 'Words for the World' include prayers, of course.
In His Tablets Bahá'u'lláh says that were we able to
comprehend the felicities that await us in the world to come, death would lose
its sting; nay rather we would welcome it as a gate-way to a realm immeasurably
higher and nobler than this home of suffering we call our earth. You should
therefore think of their blessings and comfort yourself for your momentary
separation. In time all of us will join our departed ones and share their joys.
On the subject of Confession the Guardian's secretary wrote
on his behalf to an individual believer: 'We are forbidden to confess to any
person, as do the Catholics to their priests, our sins and shortcomings, or to
do so in public, as some religious sects do. However, if we spontaneously
desire to acknowledge we have been wrong in something, or that we have some
fault of character, and ask another person's forgiveness or pardon, we are
quite free to do so. The Guardian wants to point out, however, that we are not
obliged to do so. It rests entirely with the individual'.
…in the first book which He wrote in explanation of the
Surih of Joseph, He [the Báb] addressed Himself in all passages to that Person
unseen from Whom He received help and grace, sought for aid in the arrangement
of His preliminaries, and craved the sacrifice of life in the way of His love.
Praise be to God, thy heart is engaged in the commemoration
of God, thy soul is gladdened by the glad tidings of God and thou art absorbed
in prayer. The state of prayer is the best of conditions, for man is then
associating with God. Prayer verily bestoweth life, particularly when offered
in private and at times, such as midnight, when freed from daily cares.
How often the beloved Master was heard to say. Should each
one of the friends take upon himself to carry out, in all its integrity and
implications, only one of the teachings of the Faith, with devotion,
detachment, constancy and perseverance and exemplify it in all his deeds and
pursuits of life, the world would become another world and the face of the
earth would mirror forth the splendours of the Abha Paradise.
O handmaid of God! In this wondrous dispensation in which
the Ancient Beauty and the Manifest Light -- may my spirit be sacrificed for
His loved ones -- hath risen from the horizon of age-old hopes, women have
assumed the attributes of men in showing forth steadfastness in the Cause of
God, and revealing the heroism and might of fearless men. They invaded the
arena of mystic knowledge and hoisted aloft the banner on the heights of
certitude. Thou, too, must make a mighty effort and show forth supreme courage.
Exert thyself and taste of the sweetness of a heavenly draught, for the sweet
taste of the love of God will linger on to the end that hath no end.
We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually
emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an
invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows
undeterred by fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source
of all wealth and all good — this is the secret of right living.
Wherefore, O ye illumined youth, strive by night and by day
to unravel the mysteries of the mind and spirit, and to grasp the secrets of
the Day of God. Inform yourselves of the evidences that the Most Great Name
hath dawned. Open your lips in praise. Adduce convincing arguments and proofs.
Lead those who thirst to the fountain of life; grant ye true health to the
ailing. Be ye apprentices of God; be ye physicians directed by God, and heal ye
the sick among humankind. Bring those who have been excluded into the circle of
intimate friends. Make the despairing to be filled with hope. Waken them that slumber;
make the heedless mindful.
The child must, from the day of his birth, be provided with
whatever is conducive to his health; and know ye this: so far as possible, the
mother's milk is best for, more agreeable and better suited to the child,
unless she should fall ill or her milk should run entirely dry....
Know verily that Knowledge is of two kinds: Divine and
Satanic. The one welleth out from the fountain of divine inspiration; the other
is but a reflection of vain and obscure thoughts. The source of the former is
God Himself; the motive-force of the latter the whisperings of selfish desire.
The one is guided by the principle: “Fear ye God; God will teach you;” [Qur’án
2:282] the other is but a confirmation of the truth: “Knowledge is the most
grievous veil between man and his Creator.” The former bringeth forth the fruit
of patience, of longing desire, of true understanding, and love; whilst the
latter can yield naught but arrogance, vainglory and conceit.
…the gentle, the youthful and irresistible person of the
Báb, matchless in His meekness, imperturbable in His serenity, magnetic in His
utterance, unrivaled in the dramatic episodes of His swift and tragic ministry.
We should memorize the Hidden Words, follow the exhortations
of the Incomparable Lord, and conduct ourselves in a manner which befitteth our
servitude at the threshold of the One True God.