seek with diligent endeavour the knowledge and attainment of all that lies within the power of this wonderful bestowal. (“The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912” (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 50) [5] From a Letter Written on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 6: “...Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors...” ...Bahá’u’lláh considered education as one of the most fundamental factors of a true civilization. This education, however, in order to be adequate and fruitful, should be comprehensive in nature and should take into consideration not only the physical and the intellectual side of man but also his spiritual and ethical aspects. (9 July 1931 to an individual believer) [6] 1.2 Characteristics of the “truly learned” From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 7: “Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Bahá. By the Lord! Ye are...” Happy are ye, O ye the learned ones in Bahá. By the Lord! Ye are the billows of the Most Mighty Ocean, the stars of the firmament of Glory, the standards of triumph waving betwixt earth and heaven. Ye are the manifestations of steadfastness amidst men and the daysprings of Divine Utterance to all that dwell on earth. (The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, paragraph 173) [7] 8: “The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage...” The Great Being saith: The man of consummate learning and the sage endowed with penetrating wisdom are the two eyes to the body of mankind. God willing, the earth shall never be deprived of these two greatest gifts. (“Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”, p. 171) [8] 9: “Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and...” Know thou that he is truly learned who hath acknowledged My Revelation, and drunk from the Ocean of My knowledge, and soared in the atmosphere of My love, and cast away all else besides Me, and taken firm hold on that which hath been sent down from the Kingdom of My wondrous utterance. He, verily, is even as an eye unto mankind, and as the spirit of life unto the body of all creation. Glorified be the All-Merciful Who hath enlightened him, and caused him to arise and serve His great and mighty Cause. Verily, such a man is blessed by the Concourse on high, and by them who dwell within the Tabernacle of Grandeur, who have quaffed My sealed Wine in My name, the Omnipotent, the All-Powerful. (“Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh Revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas”, pp. 207–208) [9] 10: “Consider, how can he that faileth in the day of God’s Revelation...”