jectures. The magazines
of the "Herald of the South" should be devoted to the study and
presentation of those subjects that reflect the spirit of the Teachings,
and which as such are worthy of consideration by the believers. As the
national organ of the Australian and New-Zealand friends its main function
is to assist in disseminating the knowledge of the Cause, and thus develop
into an effective teaching medium. This is the goal which the editors
should have constantly in mind, and which they should endeavour to attain
through the best possible means they can devise at present....

(Extract, ibid., pp. 25, 26, dated March 30th, 1938)

PHILOSOPHERS (80)

We must not take many of 'Abdu'l-Baha's statements as dogmatic finalities,
for there are other points which when added to them round out the picture.
For instance, when He calls Aristotle and Plato Philosophers of the East,
He is obviously placing them in that category because He believes they
belong more correctly to Eastern culture than to Central European and the
New World cultures of the West. When He calls the philosophers of the West
materialistic this does not for a moment mean He includes all Western
philosophers for, as you truly point out, many of them have been very
spiritual in their concepts....

Historians cannot be sure Socrates did not visit the Holy Land. But
believing as we do that 'Abdu'l-Baha had an intuitive knowledge quite
different from our own, we accept His authority on this matter....

The Guardian hopes this will better enable you to understand our wonderful
Faith--for a living religion it is, and not merely a philosophy!

(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, June 7th, 1946)

SCOUTING (81)

As to the Scout movement, they afford a great disciplinary lesson to the
young boys and girls provided they are not prepared directly for the army.
In some towns here we have in some of the schools Scout troops who are
also students of the Colleges and it has proved to be a great educational
scheme for helping the development of the children but they are never
taught to carry arms or even the use of firearms. And furthermore they are
often taught the evils of war rather than encourage them to become in
future active soldiers with imperialistic designs. This of course is my
own personal view.

(Extract, letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, December 30th, 1925)

SOUL, MIND AND SPIRIT (82)

When study