Letter from a father to his child

The greatest benefit which we have to confer on you is: Guidance to God.

When God chose us to be your parents He commanded us to offer you this guidance.
Therefore, it is by His will that we give you His Holy Teaching.
We speak to you of Him and of His prophets, we surround you continually with thoughts of Faith and worship, and we never cease to pray for you.
We cannot compel you to learn the lessons which we teach; we would not compel you if we could, for God intends our wills to be free.
You must choose for yourself. Your mother and I are trying - as best we may - to follow the leading of that Guidance, and it is our hope and prayer that you will travel with us.
We should be very lonely if we had to take one step without you.
For this teaching which God has given us to pass on to you is the most precious thing we have to give you: more precious far than food, or clothes or schooling, or even life itself -
for this knowledge is ETERNAL life.

~ Hand of the Cause of God, George Townshend
Mission of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 147