Directives From The Guardian Part 20

"Baha'i scholars and writers will, no doubt, gradually appear, and will as promised by Baha'u'llah lend a unique support to the Faith. But in the meantime, we should not tarry, or slacken in our efforts."

202: TEACHING (STUDY EARLY HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF THE FAITH)

"I wish to urge the necessity of concentrating at your next summer session, on the systematic study of the early history and principles of the Faith, on public speaking, and on a thorough discussion, both formally and informally, of various aspects of the Cause. These I regard as essential preliminaries to a future intensive campaign of teaching in which the rising generation must engage, if the spread of the Cause is to be a.s.sured in that land."

203: TEACHING (THE UTMOST EFFORT)

"I cannot refrain from adding a few words to renew and reaffirm my fervent plea to you, and through you to every individual member of the American Baha'i Community, to exert the utmost effort in order to further the Cause of Teaching throughout the American Continent. Every possible a.s.sistance, whether moral, financial, or administrative, should be continuously, generously, and systematically extended to this most urgent, this sacred and meritorious Cause. My heart yearns to learn of any speedy and effective action which the valiant members of that community may determine, whether collectively or severally, to undertake. The invisible hosts of the Abha Kingdom are arrayed and ready to rush forth and ensure the triumph of every stout-hearted and persevering herald of the Faith of Baha'u'llah.

204: TEACHING (IN SOUTH)

"Regarding the whole manner of teaching the Faith in the South; the Guardian feels that, although the greatest consideration should be shown the feelings of white people in the South whom we are teaching, under no circ.u.mstances should we discriminate in their favour, consider them more valuable to the Cause than their Negro fellow-southerners, or single them out to be taught the Message first. To pursue such a policy, however necessary and even desirable it may superficially seem, would be to compromise the true spirit of our Faith, which permits us to make no such distinctions in offering its tenets to the world. The Negro and white races should be offered, simultaneously, on a basis of equality, the Message of Baha'u'llah. Rich or poor, known or unknown, should be permitted to hear of this Holy Faith in this, humanity's greatest hour of need.

"This does not mean that we should go against the laws of the State, pursue a radical course which will stir up trouble, and cause misunderstanding... Even in places where the two races can meet together in the South, he feels it would be, in certain cases, preferable to teach them separately until they are fully confirmed and then bring them together..."

205: TEACHING METHODS

"The same thing is true of teaching methods; no system, for teachers to practice, exists. But obviously the more people know about the teachings and the Cause, the better they will be to present the subject. If some people find that prayer and placing all their trust in G.o.d, releases in them a flood of inspiration, they should be left free to pursue this method if it is productive of results.

"The inspiration received through meditation is of a nature that one cannot measure or determine. G.o.d can inspire into our minds things that we had no previous knowledge of, if He desires to do so.

"We cannot clearly distinguish between personal desire and guidance, but if the way opens, when we have sought guidance, then we may presume G.o.d is helping us."

206: TEMPLE, CHANTING IN THE

"As regard the chanting of Tablets in the Temple, Shoghi Effendi wishes in this connection to urge the friends to avoid all forms of rigidity and uniformity in matters of wors.h.i.+p. There is no objection to the recital or chanting of prayers in the Oriental language, but there is also no obligation whatsoever of adopting such a form of prayer at any devotional service in the auditorium of the Temple. It should neither be required nor prohibited. The important thing that should always be borne in mind is that with the exception of certain specific obligatory prayers, Baha'u'llah has given us no strict or special rulings in matters of wors.h.i.+p, whether in the Temple or elsewhere. Prayer is essentially a communion between man and G.o.d, and as such transcends all ritualistic forms and formulae."

207: TESTS AND PROBLEMS

"Ultimately all the battle of life is within the individual. No amount of organization can solve the inner problems or produce or prevent, as the case may be, victory or failure at a crucial moment. In such times as these particularly, individuals are torn by great forces at large in the world and, we see some weak ones strong, and strong ones fail--we can only try, through loving advice, as your Committee has done, to bring about the act on the part of the believer which will be for the highest good of the Cause. Because obviously something bad for the Cause cannot be the highest good of the individual Baha'i."

208: THEOCRACY

"What the Guardian was referring to was the Theocratic systems, such as the Catholic Church and the Caliphate, which are not divinely given as systems, but man-made and yet, having partly derived from the teachings of Christ and Muhammad are, in a sense, theocracies. The Baha'i theocracy, on the contrary, is both divinely ordained as a system and, of course, based on the teachings of the Prophet Himself... Theophany is used in the sense of Dispensation..."

209: TOMBSTONE, BAHa'i SYMBOL ON

"In regard to your question regarding the use of the Greatest Name on tombstones of Baha'is, the Guardian considers this too sacred to be placed in such a position in general use, and the friends should not use it on their tombstones. They can use quotations from the Teachings, if they wish to, but not the Greatest Name. Naturally, if anyone has already used it, it does not matter."

NINE-POINTED STAR FOR HEADSTONE

"Approve star for graves." Cable of October 22, 1954.

210: TRANSLITERATION OF BAHa'i TERMS

"...the faithful spelling of which by all the Western friends will avoid confusion in future, and insure in this matter a uniformity which is greatly needed at present in all Baha'i literature... I feel confident that all the friends will from now on follow this system and adhere scrupulously and at all times to this code in all their writings.

"The preparation of Baha'i articles, committee reports, etc., should therefore employ the system of transliteration which the Guardian has supplied."

211: UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE, MEMBERs.h.i.+P