A Compilation on Bahai Education Part 15

(From a letter dated 28 November 1926 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [107]

"108: In philanthropic enterprises and acts of charity, in promotion of the..."

In philanthropic enterprises and acts of charity, in promotion of the general welfare and furtherance of the public good including that of every group without any exceptions whatever, let the beloved of G.o.d attract the favourable attention of all, and lead all the rest.

Let them, freely and without charge, open the doors of their schools and their higher inst.i.tutions for the study of sciences and the liberal arts, to non-Baha'i children and youth who are poor and in need. ...and next is the propagation of learning and the promulgation of Baha'i rules of conduct, practices and laws. At this time, when the nation has awakened out of its sleep of negligence, and the Government has begun to consider the promotion and expansion of its educational establishment, let the Baha'i representatives in that country arise in such a manner that as a result of their high endeavours in every hamlet, village and town, of every province and district, preliminary measures will be taken for the setting up of inst.i.tutions for the study of sciences, the liberal arts and religion. Let Baha'i children without any exceptions learn the fundamentals of reading and writing and familiarize themselves with the rules of conduct, the customs, practices and laws as set forth in the Book of G.o.d; and let them, in the new branches of knowledge, in the arts and technology of the day, in pure and praiseworthy characteristics-Baha'i conduct, the Baha'i way of life-become so distinguished above the rest that all other communities, whether Islamic, Zoroastrian, Christian, Judaic or materialist, will of their own volition and most gladly enter their children in such advanced Baha'i inst.i.tutions of learning and entrust them to the care of Baha'i instructors.

So too is the promotion and execution of the laws set forth in the Book of G.o.d.

(From a letter dated January 1929 written by Shoghi Effendi to the believers of the East-translated from the Persian) [108]

"109: Your short but impressive letter addressed to Shoghi Effendi was received...."

Your short but impressive letter addressed to Shoghi Effendi was received.

He perused it with deep interest and charged me to thank you on his behalf and to express his fondest hopes that you will pursue with an abiding zeal your academic studies. Being a Baha'i you are certainly aware of the fact that Baha'u'llah considered education as one of the most fundamental factors of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects. This should be the programme of the Baha'i youth all over the world.

(From a letter dated 9 July 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [109]

"110: We hope that before long the Baha'is will even afford to have schools that...."

We hope that before long the Baha'is will even afford to have schools that would provide the children the intellectual and spiritual education as prescribed in the writings of Baha'u'llah and the Master.

(From a letter dated 25 December 1931 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual a.s.sembly of New York City) [110]

"111: He is very glad to know that you attach importance to the training of the..."

He is very glad to know that you attach importance to the training of the children, for whatever they learn in that early stage of their development will leave its traces upon their whole life. It becomes part of their nature.

There is no especial book which the Guardian can recommend. It is for the older friends to attempt a compilation that would suit that purpose, and after many attempts a good one will ultimately be produced.

The Master used to attach much importance to the learning by heart of Tablets of Baha'u'llah and the Bab. During His days it was a usual work of the children of the household to learn Tablets by heart; now, however, those children are grown up and do not have time for such a thing. But the practice is most useful to implant the ideas and spirit those words contain into the mind of the children.

With "The Dawn-Breakers" in your possession you could also arrange interesting stories about the early days of the Movement which the children would like to hear. There are also stories about the life of Christ, Mu?ammad and the other prophets which if told to the children will break down any religious prejudice they may have learned from older people of little understanding.

Such stories regarding the life of different prophets together with their sayings will also be useful to better understand the literature of the Cause for there is constant reference to them. It is however the work of experienced people to bring together such materials and make of them interesting text books for the children.

The Cause will gradually produce people who would answer these needs. It is only a question of time. What we should strive to do is to stimulate different individuals who have the talent to attempt the task.

(From a letter dated 19 October 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Local Spiritual a.s.sembly and a State Teaching Committee) [111]

"112: He was deeply gratified to hear that the friends are attaching such a..."

He was deeply gratified to hear that the friends are attaching such a great importance to the teaching and training of Baha'i children. The education of the youth is, undoubtedly, of paramount importance as it serves to deepen their understanding of the Cause and to ca.n.a.lize their energies along the most profitable lines. Inasmuch, however, as the national expenses of the Cause in America are daily increasing, the members of your Committee should be very careful not to extend beyond their financial resources the sphere of their activities. The plans your Committee has made should not develop to such an extent as to hamper the progress of the Temple work.

(From a letter dated 20 April, 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the members of the Committee on the Teaching and Training of Children, published in "Baha'i News" 77 (September 1933), p.2) [112]

"113: Shoghi Effendi wishes you particularly to give all your attention to the..."

Shoghi Effendi wishes you particularly to give all your attention to the education of your boys so that they may become sincere, loyal and active Baha'is. It is to the youth that we should look for help, and it is, therefore, the sacred obligation of the parents to provide their children with a thorough Baha'i training.

(From a letter dated 31 May 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [113]

"114: The Baha'i Faith ... advocates compulsory education..."

The Baha'i Faith ... advocates compulsory education...

(From a letter dated June 1933 written by Shoghi Effendi to the High Commissioner for Palestine) [114]

"115: He was deeply gratified to learn that your material conditions are improving..."

He was deeply gratified to learn that your material conditions are improving and he sincerely hopes that they will give you an opportunity to give to ... and ... the best educational training, so that they may become, in a not distant future, devoted servants and champions of the Cause.

Your responsibility as a mother, and especially as a Baha'i mother, whose sacred obligation is to look after the training of the children along Baha'i lines, is indeed immense. It is hoped that through G.o.d's help and guidance you will be enabled to fully discharge your duties.

(From a letter dated 22 July 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer) [115]