In the Bayan the Bab says that every religion of the past
was fit to become universal. The only reason why they fail to attain that mark
was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite
promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of “Him whom God
would make manifest,” that it will become universal and include all the people
of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed. But could we not
through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to concentrate
our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that ideal. And
what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible before
God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that wars
would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a
letter dated 20 February 1932 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an
individual believer; Baha’i News, no. 61, April 1932)
