this time..."

[LETTER TO SELECTED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES]

10 February 1995

To selected National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Baha'i Friends,

We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to send you the
enclosed copy of a compilation on scholarship prepared recently at its
request by the Research Department at the Baha'i World Centre.

It is the hope of the House of Justice that a study of this compilation
will serve as a stimulus and a guide in the further development of Baha'i
scholarship, and that the unique features of this vital aspect of Baha'i
activity will be clarified through a perusal of its contents.

The House of Justice calls upon the members of the community of the
Greatest Name, young and old, men and women alike, to strive to develop
and offer to humanity a new model of scholarly activity along the lines
set out in this compilation, animated by the spirit of inquiry into the
limitless meaning of the Divine Teachings. This scholarly endeavour should
be characterized by the welcome it offers to all who wish to be involved
in it, each in his or her own way, by mutual encouragement and cooperation
among its participants, and by the respect accorded to distinguished
accomplishment and outstanding achievement. The spirit and approach should
be far removed from the arrogance, contention, and exclusiveness which
have too often sullied the name of scholarship in the wider society, and
which have created barriers to the sound development of this worthy
pursuit.

It is left to your discretion to determine the use you should make of the
enclosed material.

With loving Baha'i greetings,
For Department of the Secretariat

Enclosure

cc: The Hands of the Cause of God
International Teaching Centre
Counsellors

EXTRACTS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHA'U'LLAH AND 'ABDU'L-BAHA AND FROM THE
LETTERS OF SHOGHI EFFENDI AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE ON
SCHOLARSHIP

Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice
February 1995

1. THE STATION OF SCHOLARSHIP

1.1 Importance of Knowledge and Learning

From the Writings of Baha'u'llah

1: "Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent
upon..."

Knowledge is one of the wondrous gifts of God. It is incumbent upon
everyone to acquire it. Such arts and material means as are now manifest
have been achieved by virtue of His knowledge and wisdom which have been
re