I pray in behalf of these children and beg confirmation and
assistance for them from the Kingdom of Abhá so that each one may be trained
under the shadow of the protection of God, each may become like a lighted
candle in the world of humanity, a tender and growing plant in the rose garden
of Abhá; that these children may be so trained and educated that they shall
give life to the world of humanity; that they may receive insight; that they
may bestow hearing upon the people of the world; that they may sow the seeds of
eternal life and be accepted in the threshold of God; that they may become
characterized with such virtues, perfections and qualities that their mothers,
fathers and relatives will be thankful to God, well pleased and hopeful. This
is my wish and prayer.
('Abdu'l-Baha, from a talk, 24 April 1912, Washington,
D.C: ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace’)
