ty freed from that cancerous growth of
racial prejudice, which is eating into the vitals of an already
debilitated society--these are the ideals which the American believers
must, from now on, individually and through concerted action, strive to
promote, in both their private and public lives, ideals which are the
chief propelling forces that can most effectively accelerate the march of
their institutions, plans, and enterprises, that can guard the honor and
integrity of their Faith, and subdue any obstacles that may confront it in
the future.

This rectitude of conduct, with its implications of justice, equity,
truthfulness, honesty, fair-mindedness, reliability, and trustworthiness,
must distinguish every phase of the life of the Baha'i community. "The
companions of God," Baha'u'llah Himself has declared, "are, in this day,
the lump that must leaven the peoples of the world. They must show forth
such trustworthiness, such truthfulness and perseverance, such deeds and
character that all mankind may profit by their example." "I swear by Him
Who is the Most Great Ocean!" He again affirms, "Within the very breath of
such souls as are pure and sanctified far-reaching potentialities are
hidden. So great are these potentialities that they exercise their
influence upon all created things." "He is the true servant of God," He,
in another passage has written, "who, in this day, were he to pass through
cities of silver and gold, would not deign to look upon them, and whose
heart would remain pure and undefiled from whatever things can be seen in
this world, be they its goods or its treasures. I swear by the Sun of
Truth! The breath of such a man is endowed with potency, and his words
with attraction." "By Him Who shineth above the Dayspring of sanctity!"
He, still more emphatically, has revealed, "If the whole earth were to be
converted into silver and gold, no man who can be said to have truly
ascended into the heaven of faith and certitude would deign to regard it,
much less to seize and keep it.... They who dwell within the Tabernacle of
God, and are established upon the seats of everlasting glory, will refuse,
though they be dying of hunger, to stretch their hands, and seize
unlawfully the property of their neighbor, however vile and worthless he
may be. The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to
summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and
trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness