He feels that, although your desire to partake actively of
the dangers and miseries afflicting so many millions of people today, is
natural, and a noble impulse, there can be no comparison between the value of
Bahá'í work and any other form of service to humanity.
If the Bahá'ís could evaluate their work properly they would
see that, whereas other forms of relief work are superficial in character,
alleviating the sufferings and ills of men for a short time at best, the work
they are doing is to lay the foundation of a new spiritual Order in the world
founded on the Word of God, operating according to the Laws He has laid down
for this age. No one else can do this work except those who have fully realized
the meaning of the Message of Bahá'u'lláh, whereas almost any courageous,
sincere person can engage in relief work, etc.
The believers are building a refuge for mankind. This is
their supreme, sacred task, and they should devote every moment they can to
this task.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual
believer, ‘Principles of Bahai Administration’)
