There “can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance.”

From: Teachings of the Baha’i Faith

One of Bahá'u'lláh's teachings is the adjustment of means of livelihood in human society. Under this adjustment there can be no extremes in human conditions as regards wealth and sustenance. For the community needs financier, farmer, merchant and laborer just as an army must be composed of commander, officers and privates. All cannot be commanders; all cannot be officers or privates. Each in his station in the social fabric must be competent -- each in his function according to ability but with justness of opportunity for all. 

- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (From a talk, ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)

Mashriqu’l-Adhkar - The Greatest Divine Institute

From: Baha’i Points of Interest

The Mashriqu'l-Adhkar [Baha’i temple] is the most important matter and the greatest divine institute. Consider how the first institute of his holiness Moses, after his exodus from Egypt was the 'Tent of Martyrdom' which he raised and which was the traveling temple. It was a tent which they pitched in the desert wherever they abode, and worshipped in it. Likewise, after his holiness Christ-May the spirit of the world be a sacrifice to Him-the first institute by the disciples was a temple. They planned a church in every country. Consider the Gospel, (i. e., read it), and the importance of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar will become evident. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Quoted in Baha’i Year Book 1925-1926)

The “darkness of error” vs. “the light of Divine Guidance”

From: Daily Spiritual Food for Thought

...The darkness of error that has enveloped the East and West is, in this most great cycle, battling with the light of Divine Guidance. Its swords and its spears are very sharp and pointed; its army keenly bloodthirsty. 

- ‘Abdu’l-Baha  (Cited in Shoghi Effendi, ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’, p. 6; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, Opposition)

Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper (d.1938) - the first Baha'i in England

From: Baha’is to Remember

Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper was the first Baha'i in England and one of the first Western people to recognize the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. She received the name "Maryam Khanum" from 'Abdu'l-Baha. She put her car at the Master's disposal during His visits to London. Her tall, graceful figure with her serene angel face shining beneath a crown of silver hair, her blue eyes, and the soft blend of blues and purples in her dress, gracious to all, and ready to be of constant service to her exalted Guest.

In a letter to Lady Blomfield, now published in The Chosen Highway, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper tells how she became aware of the new Revelation. "Early in 1900 I received a letter from Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, my life long friend from California, telling me of a wonderful new religious teaching she had contacted. She said that she felt it would be of great interest to me, and that when she came to London, she would tell me all about it. A short time later I was searching in the encyclopedia for some information about King David, about whom I had had an argument. In turning over the pages, my eye was caught by a name "Báb." . . . There was something so moving in this story of a martyr for His faith, that so moved me that I went to the British Museum to search for further information regarding Him and His teaching."

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