153: The education of each child is compulsory.... In addition to this
wide-spread..."

The education of each child is compulsory.... In addition to this
wide-spread education each child must be taught a profession, art, or
trade, so that every member of the community will be enabled to earn his
own livelihood. Work done in the spirit of service is the highest form of
worship....

("'Abdu'l-Baha on Divine Philosophy", p. 83) [153]

(Compiled for inclusion with a letter dated 31 August 1976 written by the
Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies)

Revised July 1990

FOOTNOTES

1 Regarding this passage, an extract from a letter dated 5 January
1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer
states: "Unfortunately it would seem that the knowledge 'which could
largely eliminate fear' has not been disclosed or identified by
Baha'u'llah; so we do not know what it is". This extract is also
published in Baha'i News 210 (August 1948), p. 3.

2 Qur'an 3:67.

3 Cf Gen. 56:62.

4 Cf Gen. 1:26.

5 Cf Gen. 1:26.

6 Qur'an 17:22.

7 Baha'u'llah

8 Cf. Genesis. 9:25.

9 i.e. therefore people cannot be blamed for their character.

10 The Zaqqum, Qur'an 37:60, 44:43.

11 Cf. "Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha" [rev. ed.]
(Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1982), Sec. 97, p. 126.

12 Qur'an 25:55, 35:13, 55:19-25. See also Marriage Prayer revealed by
'Abdu'l-Baha beginning "He is God! O Peerless Lord! In Thine
almighty wisdom Thou hast enjoined marriage..."

13 See "Some Answered Questions, pp. 328-29 for 'Abdu'l-Baha's comments
on the arc of descent and ascent.

14 Qur'an 24:35.

15 Qur'an 39:12.

16 Cf. "Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha" [rev. ed.]
(Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1982), Sec. 114, p. 139.

17 "Consolation of thine eye"--idiomatic Persian expression meaning
"child"

18 In Questions and Answers, an appendix to the Kitab-i-Aqdas,
Baha'u'llah lays upon children the obligation of serving their
parents and categorically states that after the recognition of the
oneness of God, the most important of all duties for children is to
have due regard for the rights of their parents.

19 One of the distinguished believers of Qazvin

20 Cf. "The World Order of Baha'u'llah: Selec