of one central agency, the beauty and glory of human perfection will be revealed and made manifest. Nought but the celestial potency of the Word of God, which ruleth and transcendeth the realities of all things, is capable of harmonizing the divergent thoughts, sentiments, ideas and convictions of the children of men.
. . . Education can never transform the nature of the individual, yet its influence is unquestionably profound and far-reaching. Its pervading power unfoldeth such capacities and potentialities as are inherent in the reality of man. Though human minds differ in their essence and nature, yet the part played by education is highly significant, and its power admittedly effective. Hence the Divine injunction, recorded in the sacred writings of this wondrous Dispensation, making the cause of education, hitherto regarded as optional, binding upon all peoples. Education, irrespective of sex, has been enjoined upon all. If this matter be observed with care and detachment, it will be made evident that the education of the girl is of greater importance than that of the boy, inasmuch as the daughters of the present will become the mothers of the future, upon whom will devolve the primary education of their children, whose future life and character are shaped in accordance with the early training derived from maternal care and love.
(Epistles of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)
We exhort mankind in these days when the countenance of Justice is soiled with dust, when the flames of unbelief are burning high and the robe of wisdom rent asunder, when tranquillity and faithfulness have ebbed away and trials and tribulations waxed severe, when covenants are broken and ties are severed, when no man knoweth how to discern light and darkness or to distinguish guidance from error:
O peoples of the world! Forsake all evil, hold fast that which is good. Strive to be shining examples unto all mankind, and true reminders of the virtues of God amidst men. He that riseth to serve My Cause should manifest My wisdom, and bend every effort to banish ignorance from the earth. Be united in counsel, be one in thought. Let each morn be better than its eve, each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man’s merit lies in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches. Take heed that your words be purged from idle fancies and worldly desires and your deeds be cleansed from craftiness and suspicion. Dissipate not the wealth of your precious lives in the pursuit of evil and corrupt affection, nor let your endeavors be spent in promoting your personal interest. Bestow in your days of plenty, be patient in the hour of loss. Adversity is followed by success, and rejoicings follow woe. Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low. Beware lest ye sow tares of dissension among men or plant the thorns of doubt in pure and radiant hearts.
O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream of love or destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship. By the righteousness of the Lord! ye were created to show love one to another and not perversity and rancor. Take pride not in love for yourselves but in love for your fellow-creatures. Glory not in love for your country but in love for all mankind . . . . Let your eye be chaste, your hand trustworthy, your tongue sincere and your heart heedful. . . . Set your reliance on the army of justice, put on the armor of wisdom, let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy. . . . Regard not the children of the world and all their doings but fix your gaze upon God and His never-ending dominion. . . . Endeavor to the uttermost of your powers to establish the word of truth with eloquence and wisdom and to dispel falsehood from the face of the earth. . . .
( Bahá’u’lláh: Lawḥ-i-Hikmat )
