What a wonderful meeting this is! These are the children of
the Kingdom. The song we have just listened to was very beautiful in melody and
words. The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and
spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted. It
has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are
pure, and melodies have great influence in them. The latent talents with which
the hearts of these children are endowed will find expression through the
medium of music. Therefore, you must exert yourselves to make them proficient;
teach them to sing with excellence and effect. It is incumbent upon each child
to know something of music, for without knowledge of this art the melodies of
instrument and voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. Likewise, it is necessary that
the schools teach it in order that the souls and hearts of the pupils may
become vivified and exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment.
(‘Abdu’l-Baha, from a talk at Children’s Reception Studio Hall in Washington,
D.C., 24 April, 1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by
Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
