d intellectual training that would enable her, at a
later age, to fully appreciate the spirit of the Cause. While it should be
your constant endeavour to bring her up in a thoroughly religious
atmosphere, you should also be careful in keeping her away from all such
influences that would tend to breed in her the spirit of religious
bigotry, and thus narrow down the horizon of her spiritual understanding.

(From a letter dated 12 December 1939 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to two believers) [124]

"125: With reference to the question of the training of children: given
the..."

With reference to the question of the training of children: given the
emphasis placed by Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha on the necessity for the
parents to train their children while still in their tender age, it would
seem preferable that they should receive their first training at home at
the hand of their mother, rather than be sent to a nursery. Should
circumstances, however, compel a Baha'i mother to adopt the latter course
there can be no objection.

(From a letter dated 13 November 1940 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to an individual believer) [125]

"126: The question of the training and education of children in case one
of the..."

The question of the training and education of children in case one of the
parents is a non-Baha'i is one which solely concerns the parents
themselves, who should decide about it the way they find best and most
conducive to the maintenance of the unity of their family, and to the
future welfare of their children. Once the child comes of age, however, he
should be given full freedom to choose his religion, irrespective of the
wishes and desires of his parents.

(From a letter dated 14 December 1940 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma) [126]

"127: The Guardian was delighted to hear of your youth group. The children
who..."

The Guardian was delighted to hear of your youth group. The children who
are trained in the world-embracing teachings of Baha'u'llah cannot but
grow up to be a truly new race of men. He hopes these young people will
prepare themselves for the great task which will face them in the future,
that of helping to rebuild the world with the aid and inspiration of the
Baha'i teachings.

(From a letter dated 25 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to the Baha'is of Hobart, Australia) [127]