In the "Bayan" the Báb says that every religion of
the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they failed to attain
that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a
definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of "Him
Whom God would make manifest", that it will become universal and include
all the people of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed. But
could we not, through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to
concentrate our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that
ideal? And what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible
before God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that
wars would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer. - Shoghi Effendi (From
a letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living the Life)
