2.3 Expansion and Consolidation of the Bahá’í Community
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
30: “Pure souls, such as Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory of God,...”
Pure souls, such as Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl, upon him be the Glory of God, spend their nights and days in demonstrating the truth of the Revelation, by adducing conclusive and brilliant proofs and expanding the verities of the Faith, by lifting the veils, promoting the religion of God and spreading His fragrances.
(From a Tablet, translated from the Persian) [30]
From Letters Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi
31: “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 Bahá’í 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.
(28 November 1926 to an individual believer) [31]
32: “The university training which you are receiving at present will be of immense...”
The university training which you are receiving at present will be of immense help to you in your efforts to present the Message in intellectual circles. In these days when people are so sceptical about religion and look with so much contempt towards religious organizations and movements, there seems to be more need than ever for our young Bahá’ís to be well equipped intellectually, so that they may be in a position to present the Message in a befitting way, and in a manner that would convince every unbiased observer of the effectiveness and power of the Teachings.
(5 May 1934 to an individual believer) [32]
33: “Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its...”
Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its teachings, so that they can teach in a way that will convince people that all the problems facing them have a remedy. They must grasp the Administration, so that they can wisely and efficiently administer the ever-growing affairs of the Cause; and they must exemplify the Bahá’í way of living. All this is not easy—but the Guardian is always encouraged to see the spirit animating such young believers as yourself. He has high hopes of what your generation will accomplish.
(12 May 1944 to an individual believer) [33]
34: “If the Bahá’ís want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need to...”
If the Bahá’ís want to be really effective in teaching the Cause they need to be much better informed and able to discuss intelligently, intellectually, the present condition of the world and its problems. We need Bahá’í scholars, not only people far, far more deeply aware of what our teachings really are, but also well-read and well-educated people, capable of correlating our teachings to the current thoughts of the leaders of society.
We Bahá’ís should, in other words, arm our minds with knowledge in order to better demonstrate to, especially, the educated classes, the truths enshrined in our Faith.
(5 July 1949 to an individual believer) [34]
From a Letter Written on Behalf of the Universal House of Justice
35: “The Universal House of Justice ... regards Bahá’í scholarship as of...”
The Universal House of Justice ... regards Bahá’í scholarship as of great potential importance for the development and consolidation of the Bahá’í community as it emerges from obscurity....
(3 January 1979 to participants in an academic seminar) [35]