e for one member of a family to be subjected to the utmost
misery and to abject poverty and for the rest of the family to be
comfortable? It is impossible unless those members of the family be
senseless, atrophied, inhospitable, unkind. Then they would say, "Though
these members do belong to our family--let them alone. Let us look after
ourselves. Let them die. So long as I am comfortable, I am honored, I am
happy--this my brother--let him die. If he be in misery let him remain in
misery, so long as I am comfortable. If he is hungry let him remain so; I
am satisfied. If he is without clothes, so long as I am clothed, let him
remain as he is. If he is shelterless, homeless, so long as I have a home,
let him remain in the wilderness."

Such utter indifference in the human family is due to lack of control, to
lack of a working law, to lack of kindness in its midst. If kindness had
been shown to the members of this family surely all the members thereof
would have enjoyed comfort and happiness.

His Holiness Baha'u'llah has given instructions regarding every one of the
questions confronting humanity. He has given teachings and instructions
with regard to every one of the problems with which man struggles. Among
them are (the teachings) concerning the question of economics that all the
members of the body politic may enjoy through the working out of this
solution the greatest happiness, welfare and comfort without any harm or
injury attacking the general order of things. Thereby no difference or
dissension will occur. No sedition or contention will take place. This
solution is this:

First and foremost is the principle that to all the members of the body
politic shall be given the greatest achievements of the world of humanity.
Each one shall have the utmost welfare and well-being. To solve this
problem we must begin with the farmer; there will we lay a foundation for
system and order because the peasant class and the agricultural class
exceed other classes in the importance of their service. In every village
there must be established a general storehouse which will have a number of
revenues.

The first revenue will be that of the tenth or tithes.

The second revenue (will be derived) from the animals. The third revenue,
from the minerals, that is to say, every mine prospected or discovered, a
third thereof will go to this vast storehouse.

The fourth is this: whosoever dies without leaving any heirs all his
heritage wi