“A chaste and holy life”: - “the controlling principle in the behavior and conduct”

A chaste and holy life must be made the controlling principle in the behavior and conduct of all Bahá’ís, 

• both in their social relations with the members of their own community, and in their contact with the world at large. 
• It must adorn and reinforce the ceaseless labors and meritorious exertions of those whose enviable position is to propagate the Message, and to administer the affairs, of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. 
• It must be upheld, in all its integrity and implications, in every phase of the life of those who fill the ranks of that Faith, whether in their homes, their travels, their clubs, their societies, their entertainments, their schools, and their universities. 
• It must be accorded special consideration in the conduct of the social activities of every Bahá’í summer school and any other occasions on which Bahá’í community life is organized and fostered. 
• It must be closely and continually identified with the mission of the Bahá’í youth, both as an element in the life of the Bahá’í community, and as a factor in the future progress and orientation of the youth of their own country. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

“to purge the life of their community of every trace of moral laxity”

In the discharge of such an obligation, to which the special circumstances resulting from an excessive and enervating materialism now prevailing in their country lend particular significance, they must play a conspicuous and predominant role. All of them, be they men or women, must, at this threatening hour when the lights of religion are fading out, and its restraints are one by one being abolished, pause to examine themselves, scrutinize their conduct, and with characteristic resolution arise to purge the life of their community of every trace of moral laxity that might stain the name, or impair the integrity, of so holy and precious a Faith. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

The “weakening [of] the moral fiber” caused by “the forces of irreligion” and its effects on “individual morality”

In these days when the forces of irreligion are weakening the moral fiber, and undermining the foundations of individual morality, the obligation of chastity and holiness must claim an increasing share of the attention of the American believers, both in their individual capacities and as the responsible custodians of the interests of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

“a chaste and holy life”: - contributes to “the strengthening and vitalization of the Bahá’í community” and “the success of any Bahá’í plan or enterprise”

As to a chaste and holy life, it should be regarded as no less essential a factor that must contribute its proper share to the strengthening and vitalization of the Bahá’í community, upon which must in turn depend the success of any Bahá’í plan or enterprise. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Bahá’u’lláh chose “to associate the name and title of that House, which is to be the crowning glory of His administrative institutions, not with forgiveness but with justice”

Small wonder, therefore, that the Author of the Bahá’í Revelation should have chosen to associate the name and title of that House, which is to be the crowning glory of His administrative institutions, not with forgiveness but with justice, to have made justice the only basis and the permanent foundation of His Most Great Peace, and to have proclaimed it in His Hidden Words as “the best beloved of all things” in His sight. It is to the American believers, particularly, that I feel urged to direct this fervent plea to ponder in their hearts the implications of this moral rectitude, and to uphold, with heart and soul and uncompromisingly, both individually and collectively, this sublime standard—a standard of which justice is so essential and potent an element. 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

“The sun of justice hath risen above the horizon of Bahá’u’lláh.”

“God be praised!” ‘Abdu’l Bahá, in His turn, exclaims, “The sun of justice hath risen above the horizon of Bahá’u’lláh. For in His Tablets the foundations of such a justice have been laid as no mind hath, from the beginning of creation, conceived.” “The canopy of existence,” He further explains, “resteth upon the pole of justice, and not of forgiveness, and the life of mankind dependeth on justice and not on forgiveness.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Quoting 'Abdu'l-Baha in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Divine justice and its effect on the world: - ”if the daystar of justice…were to shed its light upon men, the face of the earth would be completely transformed.”

“The world,” He again has written, “is in great turmoil, and the minds of its people are in a state of utter confusion. We entreat the Almighty that He may graciously illuminate them with the glory of His Justice, and enable them to discover that which will be profitable unto them at all times and under all conditions.” And again, “There can be no doubt whatever that if the daystar of justice, which the clouds of tyranny have obscured, were to shed its light upon men, the face of the earth would be completely transformed.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Quoting Bahá'u'lláh in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Baháu’lláh's sufferings and the manifestation of “the daystar of justice”

“The shame I was made to bear,” He significantly remarks, “hath uncovered the glory with which the whole of creation had been invested, and through the cruelties I have endured, the daystar of justice hath manifested itself, and shed its splendor upon men.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Quoting Bahá'u'lláh in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

The role of divine justice in human affairs

“The light of men is Justice,” He moreover states, “Quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men.” “No radiance,” He declares, “can compare with that of justice. The organization of the world and the tranquillity of mankind depend upon it.” “O people of God!” He exclaims, “That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world.” “Justice and equity,” is yet another assertion, “are two guardians for the protection of man. They have appeared arrayed in their mighty and sacred names to maintain the world in uprightness and protect the nations.” “Bestir yourselves, O people,” is His emphatic warning, “in anticipation of the days of Divine justice, for the promised hour is now come. Beware lest ye fail to apprehend its import, and be accounted among the erring.” “The day is approaching,” He similarly has written, “when the faithful will behold the daystar of justice shining in its full splendor from the dayspring of glory.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

The “principle of Divine justice”

So great and transcendental is this principle of Divine justice, a principle that must be regarded as the crowning distinction of all Local and National Assemblies, in their capacity as forerunners of the Universal House of Justice, that Bahá’u’lláh Himself subordinates His personal inclination and wish to the all-compelling force of its demands and implications. “God is My witness!” He thus explains, “were it not contrary to the Law of God, I would have kissed the hand of My would-be murderer, and would cause him to inherit My earthly goods. I am restrained, however, by the binding Law laid down in the Book, and am Myself bereft of all worldly possessions.” “Know thou, of a truth,” He significantly affirms, “these great oppressions that have befallen the world are preparing it for the advent of the Most Great Justice.” “Say,” He again asserts, “He hath appeared with that Justice wherewith mankind hath been adorned, and yet the people are, for the most part, asleep.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)

Manifestations of “a rectitude of conduct” “with ever-increasing potency” by each Baha’i

Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with ever-increasing potency, 

• in every verdict which the elected representatives of the Bahá’í community, in whatever capacity they may find themselves, may be called upon to pronounce. 
• It must be constantly reflected in the business dealings of all its members, 
• in their domestic lives, 
• in all manner of employment, and in 
• any service they may, in the future, render their government or people. 
• It must be exemplified in the conduct of all Bahá’í electors, when exercising their sacred rights and functions. 
• It must characterize the attitude of every loyal believer towards 
• nonacceptance of political posts, 
• nonidentification with political parties, 
• nonparticipation in political controversies, and 
• nonmembership in political organizations and ecclesiastical institutions. 
• It must reveal itself in the uncompromising adherence of all, whether young or old, 
• to the clearly enunciated and fundamental principles laid down by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His addresses, and 
• to the laws and ordinances revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in His Most Holy Book. 
• It must be demonstrated 
• in the impartiality of every defender of the Faith against its enemies, 
• in his fair-mindedness in recognizing any merits that enemy may possess, and 
• in his honesty in discharging any obligations he may have towards him.

“Without truthfulness progress and success, in all the worlds of God, are impossible for any soul.”

“Truthfulness,” He asserts, “is the foundation of all human virtues. Without truthfulness progress and success, in all the worlds of God, are impossible for any soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also be acquired.” 

- Shoghi Effendi  (Quoting ‘Abdu’l-Baha in ‘The Advent of Divine Justice’)