A compilation on social action, which is drawn from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Writings and Utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the writings and letters of Shoghi Effendi, and the messages of the Universal House of Justice and letters written on its behalf. The compilation, prepared by the Research Department at the request of the House of Justice, contains 253 extracts, thematically arranged, several of which appear in English translation for the first time. It is the hope of the House of Justice that this new compilation will enhance the friends' understanding of the distinctive Bahá'í approach to this important field of endeavor.