How to be a friend to many people

"One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. If, however, we look at people from the standpoint of their faults, then being a friend to them is a formidable task." (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 169)

We should close our eyes to “the deficiencies of other souls”

       
"Let your thoughts dwell on your own spiritual development, and close your eyes to the deficiencies of other souls. Act ye in such wise, showing forth pure and goodly deeds, and modesty and humility, that ye will cause others to be awakened." (Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 203)

Persecution in the West

      
". . . the friends in the West will unquestionably have their share of the calamities befalling the friends in the East. It is inevitable that, walking the pathway of Baha’u’llah, they too will become targets for persecution by the oppressors.” ('AbdullBaha , Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu'l-Baha, p. 238)

"It was not mere physical torture that the friends in Persia had to endure but also moral persecution for they were cursed and vilified by all the people, especially when they ceased to defend themselves.. . the Master used to say sometimes that the western friends will be severely persecuted but theirs will be primarily moral. . .” (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, October 22, 1 930; Unfolding Destiny, p. 425)

Stamp with a Picture of Baha'i Temple in Western Samoa

First Day Cover of a commemorative stamp issued by the Government of Western Samoa for Christmas 1988. There are four stamps in this series, the $2.00 stamp having the picture of the House of Worship in Apia (The Baha'i World 1986-1992)

The Master Defines Attributes of the Sincere and the Truthful

        
Wherefore, O my loving friends! Consort with all the peoples, kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness, uprightness, faithfulness, kindliness, good-will and friendliness; that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of Baha, that ignorance, enmity, hate and rancor may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the Light of Unity. Should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them, should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them, should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourself, should they show their enmity be friendly towards them, should they poison your lives sweeten their souls, should they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores. Such are the attributes of the sincere! Such are the attributes of the truthful. (Abdu'l-Baha, The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, p. 14)

Advise from ‘Abdu’l-Baha how a Baha’i should view other Baha’is

        
… you must be united among yourselves and you must not be irritated by one another. Your eyes must be turned always to the kingdom of God and not to the world of man. You must love His creation for His sake and not for your own. When you love one another for the sake of God you shall never be perturbed. No human being is perfect, every person has some flaw. If you look to your fellowman you will always be upset; but if you look to God it shall not be so, because the world of God is a world of perfection and endless mercy; therefore, you will love and show kindness to all for His sake. You must not look to the faults of others; you must look with the eye of forgiveness and pardon. The eye that regards faults sees nothing but faults and the eye that overlooks faults is fixed on the Creator of the souls. It is He Who has created all, has nurtured all, has endowed all with life and spirit and has given to all eyes and ears. Thus all are the signs of His power and for His sake we must love all, and show kindness to all, assist the poor, render help to the weak, heal the sick and educate the ignorant. (An excerpt from an address by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in a gathering of Baha’is in Chicago, May 5th, 1912; Mahmud’s Diary, p. 81)

Consultation is no easy skill to learn

         
Consultation is no easy skill to learn, requiring as it does the subjugation of all egotism and unruly passions, the cultivation of frankness and freedom of thought as well as courtesy, openness of mind, and wholehearted acquiescence in a majority decision. (The Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guidance, p.97)

Prayer for Employment?

O God! O God! Cause me to drink from the cup of Thy bestowal. Illumine my face with the light of guidance. Make me firm in faithfulness and steadfastness in Thine Ancient Covenant. Suffer me to become one of Thy sincere servants. Open before my face the doors of prosperity. Prepare for me the means of livelihood. Give me my bread through channels over which I have no control, Thy heavenly treasures. Grant me the power to turn my face toward Thy merciful Countenance, to be faithful to Thy Cause.

O Thou Clement and Compassionate One! Verily, Thou art gracious to those who are firm and steadfast in Thy strong and impregnable Covenant. Praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds!
- 'Abdu'l-Baha (Star of the West, vol. 14, no. 6, Sept. 1923)