The friends must, at all times, bear in mind that they are,
in a way, like soldiers under attack. The world is at present in an exceedingly
dark condition spiritually; hatred and prejudice, of every sort, are literally
tearing it to pieces. We, on the other hand, are the custodians of the opposite
forces, the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration, and we must
constantly be on our guard, whether as individuals or as an Assembly or
Community, lest through us these destructive, negative forces enter into our
midst. In other words we must beware lest the darkness of society become
reflected in our acts and attitudes, perhaps all unconsciously. Love for each
other, the deep sense that we are a new organism, the dawn-breakers of a New
World Order, must constantly animate our Bahá'í lives, and we must pray to be
protected from the contamination of society which is so diseased with
prejudice.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 5
February 1947 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Local Spiritual
Assembly of Atlanta, Georgia; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Living
the Life)
