Part 18 (1/2)

181: SPIRITUALITY (THE TROUBLES OF THIS WORLD Pa.s.s)

”As we suffer these misfortunes we must remember that the Prophets of G.o.d Themselves were not immune from these things which men suffer. They knew sorrow, illness and pain too. They rose above these things through Their spirits, and that is what we must try and do too, when afflicted. The troubles of this world pa.s.s, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look--to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to G.o.d, no matter what our human minds and bodies go through.”

182: SUMMER SCHOOLS (THE BAHa'i)

”Definite courses should be given along the different phases of the Baha'i Faith and in a manner that will stimulate the students to proceed in their studies privately once they return home, for the period of a few days is not sufficient to learn everything. They have to be taught the habit of studying the Cause constantly, for the more we read the Words the more will the truth they contain be revealed to us.”

183: SUMMER SCHOOLS (BAHa'i ATMOSPHERE IN)

”He (the Guardian) thinks the less time spent on such topics as 'Current Events in the light of the Baha'i Faith', and 'The Baha'i Faith and Modern Science' the better. There is no harm in having an evening lecture by a qualified speaker once on each of these subjects, but he certainly does not feel that much time should be spent on them, for the very simple reason that there is so little that can be said on the subject.”

”The Baha'is must realize that they belong to a world-wide Order, and not an American civilization. They must try and introduce the Baha'i atmosphere of life and thought into their Summer Schools, rather than making the Summer School an episode and a pleasant vacation period, during which they learn a little more about the Faith.”

184: SUPREME TRIBUNAL

”The Supreme Tribunal is an aspect of a world Superstate; the exact nature of its relations.h.i.+p to that state we cannot at present foresee. Supreme Tribunal is the correct translation; it will be a contributing factor in establis.h.i.+ng the Lesser Peace. There is no statement in the teachings indicating that the Lesser Peace will definitely be established by 1957 or 1963.”

185: TABLETS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHa

”The work of collecting and publis.h.i.+ng the Tablets is one of the most important tasks that this generation has to undertake for upon it depends our true understanding of the Cause and its principles. Only Tablets with the Master's signature and in the original tongue should be recognised.

Any translation or copies of them fail having real authority. This shows the importance of collecting the original Tablets that bear the Master's signature.”

186: TEACHERS (UNQUALIFIED LOYALTY)

”In connection with the problems facing the friends in their teaching work; these, the Guardian is well aware, are by no means easy to overcome, specially in view of the limited number and resources of the believers.

But in the field of Baha'i service, as the history of the Cause abundantly demonstrates, there is no obstacle that can be said to be unsurmountable.