t we fear Him because He is just, and, if we do
wrong and deserve to be punished, then in His justice He may see fit to
punish us. We must both love God and fear Him.

(From a letter dated 15 February 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to some individual believers) [143]

"144: Individual Baha'is may press for getting religion taught in the
public..."

Individual Baha'is may press for getting religion taught in the public
schools, but this should not be done officially, as we don't yet carry
enough weight.

(From a letter dated 15 August 1957 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
an individual believer) [144]

SUPPLEMENT: EXTRACTS FROM THE TALKS OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA:

"145: Among these children many blessed souls will arise, if they be
trained..."

Among these children many blessed souls will arise, if they be trained
according to the Baha'i Teachings. If a plant is carefully nurtured by a
gardener, it will become good, and produce better fruit. These children
must be given a good training from their earliest childhood. They must be
given a systematic training which will further their development from day
to day, in order that they may receive greater insight, so that their
spiritual receptivity be broadened. Beginning in childhood they must
receive instruction. They cannot be taught through books. Many elementary
sciences must be made clear to them in the nursery; they must learn them
in play, in amusement. Most ideas must be taught them through speech, not
by book learning. One child must question the other concerning these
things, and the other child must give the answer. In this way, they will
make great progress. For example, mathematical problems must also be
taught in the form of questions and answers. One of the children asks a
question and the other must give the answer. Later on, the children will
of their own accord speak with each other concerning these same subjects.
The children who are at the head of the class must receive premiums. They
must be encouraged and when any one of them shows good advancement, for
the further development they must be praised and encouraged therein. Even
so in Godlike affairs. Oral questions must be asked and the answers must
be given orally. They must discuss with each other in this manner.

("The Baha'i World", Vol. 9 (1940-1944) (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing
Committee, 1945), p. 543) [145]

"146: Educate the children in their infancy in such