er business, in charge of a trustworthy person,
to be spent in the education and instruction of the children. That
deposit must be invested in the education of the children, under
the advice of the trustees (or members) of the House of
Justice.--Tablet of the World.

Innate Differences of Nature

In the Baha'i view the child's nature is not like so much wax that can be
molded indifferently to any shape according to the will of the teacher.
Nay, each from the first has his own God-given character and individuality
which can develop to the best advantage only in a particular way; and that
way in each case is unique. No two people have exactly the same
capabilities and talents, and the true educator will never attempt to
force two natures into the same mold. In fact, he will never attempt to
force any nature into any mold. Rather he will reverently tend the
developing powers of the young nature, encourage and protect them, and
supply the nourishment and assistance which they need. His work is like
that of a gardener tending different plants. One plant likes the bright
sunshine, another the cool shade; one loves the water's edge and another
the dry knoll; one thrives best on sandy soil and another on rich loam.
Each must have its needs appropriately supplied, else its perfections can
never be fully revealed. 'Abdu'l-Baha says:--

The Prophets acknowledge that education hath a great effect upon
the human race, but They declare that minds and comprehensions are
originally different. We see that certain children of the same
age, nativity and race, nay, from the same household, under the
tutorship of the same teacher, differ in minds and comprehensions.
No matter how the shell is educated (or polished) it can never
become the radiant pearl. The black stone will not become the
world-illuminating gem. The thorny cactus can never by training
and development become the blessed tree. That is to say, training
doth not change the essential nature of the human gem, but it
produceth a marvelous effect. By this effective power all that is
latent, of virtues and capacities in the human reality, will be
revealed.

Character Training

The thing of paramount importance in education is character training. With
regard to this, example is more effective than precept, and the lives and
characters of the child's parents, teachers and habitual associates are