ly inclined
towards evil. He should be trained, his natural inclinations harmonized,
adjusted and controlled, and if necessary suppressed or regulated, so as
to ensure his healthy physical and moral development. Baha'i parents
cannot simply adopt an attitude of non-resistance towards their children,
particularly those who are unruly and violent by nature. It is not even
sufficient that they should pray on their behalf. Rather they should
endeavour to inculcate, gently and patiently, into their youthful minds
such principles of moral conduct and initiate them into the principles and
teachings of the Cause with such tactful and loving care as would enable
them to become "true sons of God" and develop into loyal and intelligent
citizens of His Kingdom. This is the high purpose which Baha'u'llah
Himself has clearly defined as the chief goal of every education.

(From a letter dated 9 July 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer) [122]

"123: The task of bringing up a Baha'i child, as emphasized time and again
in..."

The task of bringing up a Baha'i child, as emphasized time and again in
Baha'i writings, is the chief responsibility of the mother, whose unique
privilege is indeed to create in her home such conditions as would be most
conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare and advancement. The
training which a child first receives through his mother constitutes the
strongest foundation for his future development, and it should therefore
be the paramount concern of your wife...to endeavour from now imparting to
her new-born son such spiritual training as would enable him later on to
fully assume and adequately discharge all the responsibilities and duties
of Baha'i life.

(From a letter dated 16 November 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to an individual believer) [123]

"124: With regard to your little daughter ...; he is truly rejoiced
and..."

With regard to your little daughter ...; he is truly rejoiced and
encouraged to realize how eager you both are to provide her with a
thoroughly Baha'i training, and is confident that under your wise and
devoted care, and through the unfailing protection and guidance of
Baha'u'llah she will in time develop into a devoted and loyal servant of
the Faith.

With this in mind, the Guardian thinks it would be preferable not to place
the child in a purely Catholic institution, and to give her instead a
broad spiritual an