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 (ASSOCIATION 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 association 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 Assembly 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 attitude, 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 establishing peace is too negative. Non-cooperation is too
passive 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 God, 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