Merciful must show forth such character and conduct among His creatures,
that the fragrance of their holiness may be shed upon the whole world, and
may quicken the dead, inasmuch as the purpose of the Manifestation of God
and the dawning of the limitless lights of the Invisible is to educate the
souls of men, and refine the character of every living man...."
"Truthfulness," He asserts, "is the foundation of all human virtues.
Without truthfulness progress and success, in all the worlds of God, are
impossible for any soul. When this holy attribute is established in man,
all the divine qualities will also be acquired."

Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with ever-increasing
potency, in every verdict which the elected representatives of the Baha'i
community, in whatever capacity they may find themselves, may be called
upon to pronounce. It must be constantly reflected in the business
dealings of all its members, in their domestic lives, in all manner of
employment, and in any service they may, in the future, render their
government or people. It must be exemplified in the conduct of all Baha'i
electors, when exercising their sacred rights and functions. It must
characterize the attitude of every loyal believer towards nonacceptance of
political posts, nonidentification with political parties,
nonparticipation in political controversies, and nonmembership in
political organizations and ecclesiastical institutions. It must reveal
itself in the uncompromising adherence of all, whether young or old, to
the clearly enunciated and fundamental principles laid down by
'Abdu'l-Baha in His addresses, and to the laws and ordinances revealed by
Baha'u'llah in His Most Holy Book. It must be demonstrated in the
impartiality of every defender of the Faith against its enemies, in his
fair-mindedness in recognizing any merits that enemy may possess, and in
his honesty in discharging any obligations he may have towards him. It
must constitute the brightest ornament of the life, the pursuits, the
exertions, and the utterances of every Baha'i teacher, whether laboring at
home or abroad, whether in the front ranks of the teaching force, or
occupying a less active and responsible position. It must be made the
hallmark of that numerically small, yet intensely dynamic and highly
responsible body of the elected national representatives of every Baha'i
community, which constitutes the sustaining pillar, and the sole
instrument for th