the breast of the knowledge of God and His love. Thus shall
they grow and flourish, and be taught righteousness and the dignity of
humankind, resolution and the will to strive and to endure. Thus shall
they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance, high
mindedness and high resolve, chastity and purity of life. Thus shall they
be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they undertake.

Let the mothers consider that whatever concerneth the education of
children is of the first importance. Let them put forth every effort in
this regard, for when the bough is green and tender it will grow in
whatever way ye train it. Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to
rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let
them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith
and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and
all good qualities and traits. Whensoever a mother seeth that her child
hath done well, let her praise and applaud him and cheer his heart; and if
the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel
the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight
verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however,
permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child's character
will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.

96: O HANDMAIDS OF THE MERCIFUL! RENDER YE THANKS ...

O handmaids of the Merciful! Render ye thanks unto the Ancient Beauty that
ye have been raised up and gathered together in this mightiest of
centuries, this most illumined of ages. As befitting thanks for such a
bounty, stand ye staunch and strong in the Covenant and, following the
precepts of God and the holy Law, suckle your children from their infancy
with the milk of a universal education, and rear them so that from their
earliest days, within their inmost heart, their very nature, a way of life
will be firmly established that will conform to the divine Teachings in
all things.

For mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is
the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the
courteous ways and learning and judgement, the understanding and the faith
of their little ones.

97: THERE ARE CERTAIN PILLARS WHICH HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED ...

There are certain pillars which have been established as the unshakeable
supp