Part 14 (1/2)
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