We must first touch the heart to awaken it; if it
opens and responds we must sow the priceless seed .... Prepare the soil with
the warmth of your love just as the sun prepares the soil in the spring or the
seed would not grow. Remove the stones and weeds ... that is to say, in a kind
way try to remove prejudices.... Uproot narrow superstitions by suggesting
broader, deeper ideas. Never oppose people's ideas and statements, but give
them a little nobler way of seeing life. Such words and thoughts will take
effect because they come from a Baha'i whose life flows from the Source of all
life on earth today. . . . My great and wise teacher, Mirza 'Abu'l-Fadl, laid
down these divine principles of teaching in my soul... and they have changed
all my attitude. He showed me that it is the Spirit of God that is doing the
work; we must wait upon the Spirit and do Its bidding only.
- May Maxwell (From a letter dated 1915 quoted in the 'In-Memoriam' section of ‘The Baha’i
World 1938-1940’)
