at 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 it is 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.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec. 95, pp. 124-25) [38]

39: ...it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children
both in...

...it is incumbent upon the father and mother to train their children both
in good conduct and the study of books; study, that is, to the degree
required, so that no child, whether girl or boy, will remain
illiterate....

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", sec 101, p. 127) [39]

40: 'Abdu'l-Baha's supreme joy is in observing that a number of leaves
from among...

'Abdu'l-Baha's supreme joy is in observing that a number of leaves from
among the handmaidens of the Blessed Beauty have been educated, that they
are the essence of detachment, and are well-informed of the mysteries of
the world of being; that they raise such a call in their glorification and
praise of the Greatest Name as to cause the inmates of the Fanes of the
Kingdom to become attracted and overjoyed, and that they recite prayers in
prose and poetry, and melodiously chant the