Humanity, through suffering and turmoil, is swiftly moving
on towards its destiny; if we be loiterers, if we fail to play our part surely
others will be called upon to take up our task as ministers to the crying needs
of this afflicted world.
Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a
set of new and noble principles, not by an organized campaign of teaching—no
matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character—not even by the staunchness
of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope to
vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim of the
Abhá Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure
the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own
inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the
splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.
- Shoghi
Effendi (From a letter dated 24 September 1924; ‘Baha’i Administration’)
