Directives From The Guardian Part 14

give this as the reason the Temple has nine sides. This may have been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea, which can be mentioned in pa.s.sing, but the Temple has 9 sides because of the a.s.sociation of 9 with perfection, unity and 'Baha."

142: ORIENTALS

"As regards those Persian or Oriental non-believers who become genuinely interested in the Cause in America, they can be admitted to study cla.s.ses, but every care should be taken by the a.s.semblies to fully test their sincerity and the genuineness of their desire to join the Community before they are given the necessary facilities that will enable them eventually to be regarded as voting members of the Faith."

143: ORIENTALS (a.s.sOCIATION WITH)

"In this connection, the Guardian wishes to draw once more your attention to the all-importance of his instructions to the Western believers regarding a.s.sociation with Orientals. The friends in the West must be wide awake, and be extremely cautious when dealing with Easterners, particularly with those who in the name of the Cause desire to satisfy their own desires and ambitions. The first step which they should take in protecting themselves against such mischief-makers is to insist that they should obtain proper credentials from the a.s.sembly of the locality in which they live. This measure, he feels, is absolutely essential and there can be no exception whatever to it."

144: PACIFISM (BAHa'i VIEW OF)

"With reference to the absolute pacifists, or conscientious objectors to war; their att.i.tude, judged from the Baha'i standpoint is quite anti-social and due to its exaltation of the individual conscience leads inevitably to disorder and chaos in society. Extreme pacifists are thus very close to the anarchists, in the sense that both of these groups lay an undue emphasis on the rights and merits of the individual. The Baha'i conception of social life is essentially based on the subordination of the individual will to that of society. It neither suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point of making him an anti-social creature, a menace to society. As in everything, it follows the 'golden mean'. The only way that society can function is for the minority to follow the will of the majority.

"The other main objection to the conscientious objectors is that their method of establis.h.i.+ng peace is too negative. Non-cooperation is too pa.s.sive a philosophy to become an effective way for social reconstruction.

Their refusal to bear arms can never establish peace. There should first be a spiritual revitalization which nothing, except the Cause of G.o.d, can effectively bring to every man's heart."

145: PEACE

"...I might add that he does not believe any radiations of thought or healing, from any group, is going to bring peace. Prayer, no doubt, will help the world, but what it needs is to accept Baha'u'llah's system so as to build up the World Order on a new foundation, a divine foundation!"

146: PHOTOGRAPHS

"It is quite important that the Greatest Name or a picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha be placed in a dignified position. They should not be placed on the floor nor, on the other hand, should they be held above the heads of the people in the photograph. It would seem that the proper position would be for them to be held about chest height."

147: PILGRIM'S NOTES

"Regarding the notes taken by pilgrims at Haifa. The Guardian has stated that he is unwilling to sign the notes of any pilgrim, in order that the literature consulted by the believers shall not be unduly extended... This means that the notes of pilgrims do not carry the authority resident in the Guardian's letters written over his own signature. On the other hand, each pilgrim brings back information and suggestions of a most precious character, and it is the privilege of all the friends to share in the spiritual results of these visits."

148: PIONEERING

"...Sometimes people strive all their lives to render outstanding service.

Here is the time and opportunity to render historic services; in fact the most unique in history, aiding in the fulfillment of Daniel's Prophecies of the Last Day, and the 1335 days, when men are to be blessed by the Glory of the Lord, covering the entire globe--which is the real goal of the Ten Year Crusade.

"In other words, when we fulfill the Ten Year Crusade we will have brought into fulfillment Daniel's great prophecy of 'Blessed is he who waits and comes to the 1335 days.' What could be more wonderful than taking part in the fulfillment of religious prophecy of over 3,000 years!"

"The pioneers themselves must realize that not only are they fulfilling the wishes of Baha'u'llah, and doing that which the Master Himself said He longed to do; namely, to go, if necessary on foot, and carry His Father's Message to all the regions of the earth; but they are enhancing the prestige of the Faith to a remarkable degree in the eyes of the public, and specially in the eyes of the officials. There is no doubt that the rapid forward march of the Faith recently has attracted a far greater measure of attention on the part of the thoughtful people, and people of position in society and in educational fields, than has been the case for almost one hundred years.

"Therefore, each pioneer must feel his responsibility very heavily, and understand that his calling is far above the average service; and his duty to remain at his post a very pressing one indeed."

149: POLITICAL FIGURES (NON-POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE BAHa'i FAITH)

"The Guardian wishes me to draw the attention of the friends through you that they should be very careful in their public utterance not to mention any political figures ... either side with them or denounce them. This is the first thing to bear in mind. Otherwise they will involve the friends in political matters, which is definitely dangerous for the Cause."

150: POLITICS (LOYALTY TO WORLD ORDER OF BAHa'U'LLaH)

"Loyalty (to the) World Order of Baha'u'llah, security of its basic inst.i.tutions, both imperatively demand all its avowed supporters ... in these days when sinister uncontrollable forces are deepening (the) cleavage sundering peoples, nations, creeds (and) cla.s.ses, (to) resolve, despite (the) pressure (of) fast crystallizing public opinion, (to) abstain individually and collectively, in word (and) action, informally as well as in all official utterances and publications, from a.s.signing blame, taking sides, however indirectly, in recurring political crises now agitating (and) ultimately engulfing human society. Grave apprehension lest c.u.mulative effect (of) such compromises (should) disintegrate (the) fabric, clog (the) channel of grace that sustains (the) system of G.o.d's essentially supranational, supernatural order so laboriously evolved, so recently established."

151: POLITICS (NON-INTERFERENCE IN)