There are, no doubt, always grounds for criticism. The
Bahá’ís are not perfect, and are not able, at present at least, to put into
practice all the things they stand for. However, he feels that if you compare
them to the people of the world in general, you will find a high average of
sincerity and dedication to a great ideal, and a tangible effort being made on
their part to live up to that which they preach. As time goes by, and there are
larger communities of Bahá’ís believing in the same things, it will obviously
become easier for them to put them into community practice. Perhaps sometime
you will feel moved to help them. Your collaboration would be most welcome.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 29 November 1952, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to
an individual believer; ‘Messages to Canada’)
