od. There must the girls be taught spiritual ethics and holy ways.

A child is as a young plant: it will grow in whatever way you train it. If
you rear it to be truthful, and kind, and righteous, it will grow
straight, it will be fresh and tender, and will flourish. But if not, then
from faulty training it will grow bent, and stand awry, and there will be
no hope of changing it.

Certainly, the women teachers from Europe give instruction in language and
scripts, and housekeeping, and embroidery and sewing; but their pupils'
character is completely altered, to such a point that the girls no longer
care for their mothers, their disposition is spoiled, they misbehave, they
become self-satisfied and proud.

Rather, girls ought to be trained in such a manner that from day to day
they will become more self-effacing, more humble, and will defer to and
obey their parents and forebears, and be a comfort and a solace to all.

(From a Tablet--translated from the Persian) [85]

"86: Consider that if the mother is a believer, the children will
become..."

Consider that if the mother is a believer, the children will become
believers too, even if the father denieth the Faith; while, if the mother
is not a believer, the children are deprived of faith, even if the father
be a believer convinced and firm. Such is the usual outcome, except in
rare cases.

For this reason both fathers and mothers must carefully watch over their
little daughters and have them thoroughly taught in the schools by highly
qualified women teachers, so that they may familiarize themselves with all
the sciences and arts and become acquainted with and reared in all that is
necessary for human living, and will provide a family with comfort and
joy.

It is therefore incumbent upon the Spiritual Assembly of I_sh_qabad to
take the lead in this most urgent matter, so that by the grace and favour
of God they may establish an institution which will be a source of
security and happiness forever and ever.

(From a Tablet--translated from the Persian) [86]

"87: O handmaids of the beauty of Abha! Your letter hath come, and its
perusal..."

O handmaids of the beauty of Abha! Your letter hath come, and its perusal
brought great joy. Praised be God, the women believers have organized
meetings where they will learn how to teach the Faith, will spread the
sweet savours of the Teachings and make plans for training the children.

This gathering must be