A Compilation on Bahai Education Part 14

(From a letter dated 12 March 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Baha'is of America, Australasia, France, Germany, British Isles, Italy, j.a.pan and Switzerland, published in "Baha'i Administration: Selected Messages 19221932", p. 38) [99]

"100: As to the spiritual activities of the "Children of the Kingdom"

in..."

As to the spiritual activities of the "Children of the Kingdom" in America, my hope and prayer is that they may grow to become efficient servants of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. Their devotion and self-sacrifice, their readiness to help the cause of the Baha'i Temple, their activity in connection with the "Baha'i Magazine" are all unmistakable signs of the glorious future of the Cause in that land. May the care and loving-kindness of the Heavenly Father guide them, protect them and aid them in their future mission in life.

(From a letter dated 26 November 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the United States and Canada) [100]

"101: A basic and vital requirement of these days is the matter of educating the..."

A basic and vital requirement of these days is the matter of educating the boys and girls. One of the duties devolving upon the members of Spiritual a.s.semblies is that, with the support of the friends, they should exert all their powers to establish schools for the instruction of boys and girls in the things of the spirit, the fundamentals of teaching the Faith, reading the Sacred Writings, learning the history of the Faith, the secular branches of knowledge, the various arts and skills, and the different languages-so that Baha'i methods of instruction will become so widely known that children from every level of society will seek to acquire divine teachings as well as secular knowledge in Baha'i schools, and thereby means for the promotion of the Cause of G.o.d will be provided.

(From a letter dated 19 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual a.s.sembly of ?ihran, Iran-translated from the Persian) [101]

"102: The "Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom", the latest issue of which I..."

The "Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom", the latest issue of which I have just received from that indefatigable pioneer of your cause, ... has kindled in me such fresh hopes that I feel moved to send you this message of love and confidence in the great part you are destined to play for the future of the Cause.

I feel it is urgent and important that this first and only organ of the Baha'i youth throughout the world should, in whatever it publishes, instil in its readers, and particularly in every Baha'i child, the sense of his unique opportunities and future responsibilities in the great task that awaits him in future.

Its duty is to initiate, promote and mirror forth the various activities of the rising generation throughout the Baha'i world, to establish and strengthen a bond of true fellows.h.i.+p amongst all the children of 'Abdu'l-Baha whether in the East or in the West, and to unfold to their eyes the vision of a golden future before them. It should impress upon their hearts the vital necessity of establis.h.i.+ng, now, whilst in their tender age, a firm foundation for their mission in life.

The cause of the Children of the Kingdom, whom the Master so loved, and on whom He showered many a blessing and infinite loving-kindness, is, I a.s.sure you, still dear and close to our hearts. In you, the descendants of the heroic pioneers of a world Movement, rests the hope of achieving the task which they have so n.o.bly begun-their task for the service and salvation of all mankind.

As to my humble share of service and support, I can but pray on your behalf, and supplicate during my hours of prayer at the three Holy Shrines, the guidance, the blessings, and the a.s.sistance of Baha'u'llah, beseeching Him most fervently to enable you, in the happy days to come, to establish His Kingdom and fulfil His Word.

May your Magazine inspire you to achieve this end.

(From a Letter dated 30 December 1923 written by Shoghi Effendi to the Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom, Boston, U.S.A) [102]

"103: 'Abdu'l-Baha has always attached very great importance to the education of..."

'Abdu'l-Baha has always attached very great importance to the education of children and we take this opportunity to congratulate you on your signal success in this field of service. We hope some day your work will extend into the East extensively where it is so badly needed.

(From a letter dated 9 April 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [103]

"104: In connection with the question that you had asked as to whether you..."

In connection with the question that you had asked as to whether you should take a trip to the Holy Land or keep the sum to defray the expense of a young man you are educating. Shoghi Effendi wishes me to write you that although it means profound pleasure to him and to the members of the holy family, to welcome you in the home of our beloved Master and to share with you the eternal outpourings of His Grace in and around His blessed Shrine, he deems it of greater importance for you to keep up helping the young boy whom you have undertaken to educate. This he would advise you with a deep realization of Baha'u'llah's most pregnant utterance that he who educates his child or another's it is just as though he is educating a child of Baha'u'llah Himself.

(From a letter dated 29 May 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [104]

"105: Among the sacred obligations devolving upon the Spiritual a.s.semblies is..."

Among the sacred obligations devolving upon the Spiritual a.s.semblies is the promotion of learning, the establis.h.i.+ng of schools and creation of the necessary academic equipment and facilities for every boy and girl.

Every child, without exception, must from his earliest years make a thorough study of the art of reading and writing, and according to his own tastes and inclinations and the degree of his capacity and powers, devote extreme diligence to the acquisition of learning beneficial arts and skills, various languages, speech, and contemporary technology.

To a.s.sist the children of the poor in the attainment of these accomplishments, and particularly in learning the basic subjects, is inc.u.mbent upon the members of the Spiritual a.s.semblies, and is accounted as one of the obligations laid upon the conscience of the trustees of G.o.d in every land.

"He that bringeth up his son or the son of another, it is as though he hath brought up a son of Mine; upon him rest My Glory, My Loving-Kindness, My Mercy, that have compa.s.sed the world."(21)

(From a letter dated 8 June 1925 written by Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of Persia) [105]

"106: Shoghi Effendi was very interested to hear of the plans you are making for..."

Shoghi Effendi was very interested to hear of the plans you are making for the education of your children. He hopes that they will all grow to be ardent adherents of the Baha'i Cause, able servants of the Blessed Threshold, and eloquent speakers on religious and social subjects. He desires to be remembered to them as well as to their dear father.

(From a letter dated 24 December 1925 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [106]

"107: We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your children had..."

We had heard through various channels the wonderful way your children had grown to speak about the Cause in public. Shoghi Effendi's hope is that they will, the three of them, become able and devoted speakers on the Cause and subjects akin to it. To do this properly they will need a firm foundation of scientific and literary training which fortunately they are obtaining. It is just as important for the Baha'i young boys and girls to become properly educated in colleges of high standing as it is to be spiritually developed. The mental as well as the spiritual side of the youth has to be developed before he can serve the Cause efficiently. From Shoghi Effendi's postscript:

... I will specially pray for your dear children, that they, too, firmly-grounded through a well-guided plan of sound education, may in days to come serve efficiently and effectively the Cause of G.o.d. They are richly endowed with gifts, and my prayer is that a proper training may enable them to utilize those gifts for the propagation of G.o.d's Faith.