ion,
'They would be Divine agents in the world of action, the representatives
of God for those who are on earth, and they would defend, for the love of
God, the interests of His servants as they would defend their own'. If a
governor realizes his responsibility, and fears to defy the Divine Law,
his judgments will be just. Above all, if he believes that the
consequences of his actions will follow him beyond his earthly life, and
that 'as he sows so must he reap', such a man will surely avoid injustice
and tyranny.

Should an official, on the contrary, think that all responsibility for his
actions must end with his earthly life, knowing and believing nothing of
Divine favours and a spiritual kingdom of joy, he will lack the incentive
to just dealing, and the inspiration to destroy oppression and
unrighteousness.

When a ruler knows that his judgments will be weighed in a balance by the
Divine Judge, and that if he be not found wanting he will come into the
Celestial Kingdom and that the light of the Heavenly Bounty will shine
upon him, then will he surely act with justice and equity. Behold how
important it is that Ministers of State should be enlightened by religion!

With political questions the clergy, however, have nothing to do!
Religious matters should not be confused with politics in the present
state of the world (for their interests are not identical).

Religion concerns matters of the heart, of the spirit, and of morals.

Politics are occupied with the material things of life. Religious teachers
should not invade the realm of politics; they should concern themselves
with the spiritual education of the people; they should ever give good
counsel to men, trying to serve God and human kind; they should endeavour
to awaken spiritual aspiration, and strive to enlarge the understanding
and knowledge of humanity, to improve morals, and to increase the love for
justice.

This is in accordance with the Teaching of Baha'u'llah. In the Gospel also
it is written, 'Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto
God the things which are God's'.

In Persia there are some amongst the important Ministers of State who are
religious, who are exemplary, who worship God, and who fear to disobey His
Laws, who judge justly and rule their people with Equity. Other Governors
there are in this land who have no fear of God before their eyes, who
think not of the consequences of their actions, working for their own
desi