II. THE ROLE OF EDUCATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN Extracts From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh: 36: It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in... It is the bounden duty of parents to rear their children to be staunch in faith ... For every praiseworthy deed is born out of the light of religion, and lacking this supreme bestowal the child will not turn away from any evil, nor will he draw nigh unto any good. (From a Tablet - translated from Persian, published in “Bahá’í Education, a compilation”, 1976 World Centre edition, p. 6) [36] Extracts From the Writings and Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: 37: Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they will... Praised be God, the women believers have organized meetings where they will learn how to teach the Faith, will spread the sweet savours of the Teachings and make plans for training the children. ...those present should concern themselves with every means of training the girl children; with teaching the various branches of knowledge, good behaviour, a proper way of life, the cultivation of a good character, chastity and constancy, perseverance, strength, determination, firmness of purpose; with household management, the education of children, and whatever especially applieth to the needs of girls—to the end that these girls, reared in the stronghold of all perfections, and with the protection of a goodly character, will, when they themselves become mothers, bring up their children from earliest infancy to have a good character and conduct themselves well. Let them also study whatever will nurture the health of the body and its physical soundness, and how to guard their children from disease. (“Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, sec. 94, pp. 123–24) [37] 38: Work ye for the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young girls and... Work ye for the guidance of the women in that land, teach the young girls and the children, so that the mothers may educate their little ones from their earliest days, thoroughly train them, rear them to have a goodly character and good morals, guide them to all the virtues of humankind, prevent the development of any behaviour that would be worthy of blame, and foster them in the embrace of Bahá’í education. Thus shall these tender infants be nurtured at the breast of the knowledge of God and His love. Thus shall they grow and flourish, and be taught righteousness and the dignity of humankind, resolution and the will to strive and to endure. Thus shall they learn perseverance in all things, the will to advance, high mindedness and high resolve, chastity and purity of life. Thus shall they be enabled to carry to a successful conclusion whatsoever they undertake.