r
wise to translate and promulgate them. You can orally translate them for
any of the believers anxious to know exactly what they are. The National
Assemblies (or Houses of Justice) will elect directly the International
House of Justice, but just what form this election will take must be
decided in the future when the proper time comes. Neither the Master nor
the Guardian have made any pronouncements about punishments stipulated in
the Aqdas.

Letter of 25 July 1949

25 July 1949

There are no quotations from the Qur'an to support the Master's statement
that European thinkers acknowledge the influence of Islam in shaping the
thought of Europe. In the "Gleanings", page 95 (third printing Jan. 1943)
Baha'u'llah says:--"Of old it has been revealed: Love of one's country is
an element of the Faith of God!" Here Baha'u'llah is quoting not the
Qur'an but an Islamic tradition, and it is this statement which the
Guardian has used as the basis of his argument in the "Promised Day" that
nationhood grew out of the direct influence of Mu?ammad's teachings, and
was one of the great contributions to mankind's evolution of Islam. The
building up of nations came after Mu?ammad, and was a step forward in the
direction of a unified world which the teachings of Baha'u'llah has
provided for.

Letter of 22 October 1949

22 October 1949

We must not only be patient with others, infinitely patient!, but also
with our own poor selves, remembering that even the Prophets of God
sometimes got tired and cried out in despair!

The end of the Plan is in view, and a long last push will, he sincerely
hopes and believes, bring success and a breathing space.

Regarding your questions: it is not the City State, but the National State
which Mu?ammad's teachings fostered. Christ had nothing to do with the
City State concept in any direct manner.

The 100 years respite is only the phrase used by the Guardian to convey
the idea that for a 100 years or so the Cause had not been recognised. It
draws no parallel between this century and the last one, nor does it imply
a repetition of events.

The Hidden Words have no sequence. They are jewel-like thoughts sent out
of the mind of the Manifestation of God to admonish and counsel men.
Unfortunately Baha'u'llah was never asked, and never, as far as we know,
stated, what the force was mentioned by Him in the "Epistle". There is
nothing in the "Mysterious Forces of Civilization" implying