When teaching among the masses, the friends should be
careful not to emphasize the charitable and humanitarian aspects of the Faith
as a means to win recruits. Experience has shown that when facilities such as
schools, dispensaries, hospitals, or even clothes and food are offered to the
people being taught, many complications arise. The prime motive should always
be the response of man to God's message, and the recognition of His Messenger.
Those who declare themselves as Baha'is should become enchanted with the beauty
of the Teachings; and touched by the love of Baha'u'llah. The declarants need
not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the
process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of
faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as
well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must
obey. - The Universal House of Justice (From a message dated 13 July 1964;
‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986’)
