Let not, however, the invincible army of Bahá'u'lláh, who in
the West, and at one of its potential storm-centres is to fight, in His name
and for His sake, one of its fiercest and most glorious battles, be afraid of
any criticism that might be directed against it. Let it not be deterred by any
condemnation with which the tongue of the slanderer may seek to debase its
motives. Let it not recoil before the threatening advance of the forces of
fanaticism, of orthodoxy, of corruption, and of prejudice that may be leagued
against it. The voice of criticism is a voice that indirectly reinforces the
proclamation of its Cause. Unpopularity but serves to throw into greater relief
the contrast between it and its adversaries, while ostracism is itself the
magnetic power that must eventually win over to its camp the most vociferous
and inveterate amongst its foes....
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 25 December 1938 to
the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, published in "The Advent of
Divine Justice"; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Opposition)
