That the forces of irreligion, of a purely materialistic
philosophy, of unconcealed paganism have been unloosed, are now spreading, and,
by consolidating themselves, are beginning to invade some of the most powerful
Christian institutions of the western world, no unbiased observer can fail to
admit. That these institutions are becoming increasingly restive, that a few
among them are already dimly aware of the pervasive influence of the Cause of
Bahá'u'lláh, that they will, as their inherent strength deteriorates and their
discipline relaxes, regard with deepening dismay the rise of His New World
Order, and will gradually determine to assail it, that such an opposition will
in turn accelerate their decline, few, if any, among those who are attentively
watching the progress of His Faith would be inclined to question. - Shoghi
Effendi (From a letter dated 11 March 1936 to the Bahá'ís of the West,
published in "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh: Selected Letters"; The
Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Opposition)
