Bahai Administration Part 13

Letter of May 12, 1925.

To the members of the American National a.s.sembly.

Dearly-beloved fellow-workers:

I have read with deep interest your two recent communications dated April 4th and 18th, and am gratified to learn of the steady expansion of your manifold activities.

Election of National a.s.sembly

Regarding the method to be adopted for the election of the National Spiritual a.s.semblies, it is clear that the text of the Beloved's Testament gives us no indication as to the manner in which these a.s.semblies are to be elected. In one of His earliest Tablets, however, addressed to a friend in Persia, the following is expressly recorded:-

"At whatever time all the beloved of G.o.d in each country appoint their delegates, and these in turn elect their representatives, and these representatives elect a body, that body shall be regarded as the Supreme Baytu'l-'Adl (Universal House of Justice)."

These words clearly indicate that a three-stage election has been provided by 'Abdu'l-Baha for the formation of the International House of Justice, and as it is explicitly provided in His Will and Testament that the "Secondary House of Justice (i.e., National a.s.semblies) must elect the members of the Universal One," it is obvious that the members of the National Spiritual a.s.semblies will have to be indirectly elected by the body of the believers in their respective provinces. In view of these complementary instructions the principle, set forth in my letter of March 12th, 1923, has been established requiring the believers (the beloved of G.o.d) in every country to elect a certain number of delegates who, in turn, will elect their national representatives (Secondary House of Justice or National Spiritual a.s.sembly) whose sacred obligation and privilege will be to elect in time G.o.d's Universal House of Justice.

Should the appointing of the delegates be made a part of the functions of local Spiritual a.s.semblies, who are already elected bodies, the principle of a four-stage election would be introduced which would be at variance with the provisions explicitly laid down in the Master's Tablet. On the other hand, were the local Spiritual a.s.semblies, the number of whose members is strictly confined to nine, to elect directly the members of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly-thus maintaining the principle of a three-stage election-all Baha'i localities, which must necessarily differ in numerical strength, would then have to share equally in the election of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly-a practice which would be contrary to fairness and justice. Moreover, the central principle guiding for the present the administration of the Cause has been to make the Baha'i National Spiritual a.s.semblies as independent as possible in the conduct of such affairs as fall within their province, and to lessen the hampering influence of any inst.i.tution within their jurisdiction that might, whether directly or indirectly, impair their authority and prestige.

Members.h.i.+p Roll

I would also strongly urge the members of every incoming National Spiritual a.s.sembly to take all necessary steps to insure that every local a.s.sembly throughout America, without any exception whatsoever, should immediately after its election send the complete list of its members together with the full address of its secretary to the National Secretary, who in turn will forward them to me directly, enclosing his own address as well as the list of the members of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly. It would also be extremely helpful, should actual circ.u.mstances permit, to devise with the wholehearted a.s.sistance of every local a.s.sembly ways and means for the compilation of an authoritative, up-to-date, and exhaustive list of recognized believers in America, supplemented by the full address of each believer's permanent residence-this list to be continually revised according to every change affecting the residence and number of such believers. This would be particularly advisable in view of the permanent residence of isolated believers in various parts of the country, as well as of those who form parts of groups as yet numerically too small for the formation of a local Spiritual a.s.sembly.

However desirable these steps may be, it is evident that they are secondary in their importance and urgency to the pressing and ever-increasing issues that vitally affect the spread and the consolidation of the work which you are called upon to perform, and which it is my privilege to a.s.sist in and serve. I am enclosing a preliminary list of Baha'i centers throughout the world, exclusive of Persia, which, though inadequate, may still, I trust, be of some help to you. I would welcome any additions or corrections you might be able to make and hope it will evolve into a valuable section of the contemplated Baha'i Year Book.

I wish to a.s.sure you, in conclusion, of my heartfelt appreciation of your devoted labors in the Divine Vineyard.

Your brother and fellow-worker, SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, May 12, 1925.

Letter of June 3rd, 1925.

To the beloved of G.o.d and the handmaids of the Merciful, the delegates and visitors to the Baha'i Convention, Green Acre, Maine, U.S.A.

Fellow-laborers in the Vineyard of G.o.d:

Once again the hand of divine power has gathered together the chosen representatives of the American believers, a.s.sembled this time amid the pleasant surroundings of a blest and beloved spot, to deliberate upon the most effective measures that will insure the advancement of the Cause of Baha'u'llah. I feel it a pleasure and privilege to offer you these few thoughts as my humble contribution to the proceedings of your annual Convention.

May I at the outset reaffirm my feelings of grat.i.tude and keen appreciation for the eminent share which the friends in America, individually as well as by their collective efforts, have contributed to ease the burden of responsibility and care that has so often oppressed my heart. Your steadfastness, your unsparing devotion; your self-sacrifice in upholding and fostering the inst.i.tutions of the Cause; the notable advance you have achieved in the coordination of your activities; the remarkable solicitude you have shown, and the magnificent response you have made on behalf of the oppressed and needy among your brethren; the measures you have initiated, the hindrances you have removed and the means and methods you have perfected-these and others beside have established you in the confidence, the esteem and the admiration of all the Baha'i world. I personally appreciate and am thankful for your unfailing supplications and special prayers on my behalf. I am deeply touched by your expressions of unwavering faith, of loyalty and affection, and fully reciprocate your brotherly sentiments and your keen desire and readiness to collaborate with me more closely and effectively than ever before.

Purpose of Convention

And now regarding this forthcoming Convention, I feel that the dominating purpose inspiring the a.s.sembled friends, delegates and visitors alike, should be a two-fold one. The first is a challenge to the individual, the second a collective responsibility. The one seeks to reinforce the motive power of our spiritual activities, the second aims at raising the standard of administrative efficiency so vitally needed at this advanced stage of our work. We should first and foremost endeavor by every conceivable means to revitalize our precious Cause, rudely shaken by the constant vicissitudes attending the outward departure of a vigilant and gracious Master. Our next object should be to seek to approach, through more intimate a.s.sociation, fuller and more frequent consultations, and a closer familiarity with the character, the mission and the teachings of the Cause, that standard of excellence which should characterize the cooperative efforts of Baha'i Communities in every land.

High aims and pure motives, however laudable in themselves, will surely not suffice if unsupported by measures that are practicable and methods that are sound. Wealth of sentiment, abundance of good-will and effort, will prove of little avail if we should fail to exercise discrimination and restraint and neglect to direct their flow along the most profitable channels. The unfettered freedom of the individual should be tempered with mutual consultation and sacrifice, and the spirit of initiative and enterprise should be reinforced by a deeper realization of the supreme necessity for concerted action and a fuller devotion to the common weal.

National Spiritual a.s.sembly

It would be impossible at this stage to ignore the indispensability or to overestimate the unique significance of the inst.i.tution of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly-the pivot round which revolve the activities of the believers throughout the American continent. Supreme is their position, grave their responsibilities, manifold and arduous their duties. How great the privilege, how delicate the task of the a.s.sembled delegates whose function it is to elect such national representatives as would by their record of service enn.o.ble and enrich the annals of the Cause! If we but turn our gaze to the high qualifications of the members of Baha'i a.s.semblies, as enumerated in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Tablets, we are filled with feelings of unworthiness and dismay, and would feel truly disheartened but for the comforting thought that if we rise to play n.o.bly our part every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of His grace and power. Hence it is inc.u.mbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of pa.s.sion and prejudice, and irrespective of any material consideration, the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience. May the incoming National Spiritual a.s.sembly-the privileged and chosen servants of the Cause-immortalize their term of stewards.h.i.+p by deeds of loving service, deeds that will redound to the honor, the glory and the power of the Most Great Name.

The Cornerstone of Service

I would also earnestly entreat all the delegates at this coming Convention, and through them I appeal to the larger body of believers whom they represent, to ever bear in mind the supreme injunction of 'Abdu'l-Baha, to teach unceasingly until the "head cornerstone of the foundation" of the Cause of G.o.d is firmly established in every heart. Let those whose time, resources and means allow, travel throughout the length and breadth of that vast continent, let them scatter to the most distant regions of the earth and, fired with enthusiasm and detachment, hand on the torch of G.o.d's undying flame to the waiting mult.i.tudes of a sadly-stricken world.

One word more in conclusion. Let the West, and particularly the Great Republic of the New World, where a quarter of a century ago Baha'u'llah's Banner was firmly implanted, realize that upon it now rests the responsibility of achieving the universal recognition of the Baha'i Faith, of fulfilling 'Abdu'l-Baha's fondest hopes.

Persia, the cradle of an unfolding world civilization, is still bereft of her freedom, sunk in ignorance, a prey to contending policies and factions, beset on one hand by the powers of orthodoxy and sectarian fanaticism and a.s.sailed on the other by the forces of materialism and unbelief. In her evil plight she is radiantly confident that the Flame she had kindled in the world will, in the fullness of time, blaze forth in the heart of the mighty West and shed redeeming illumination upon the silent sufferers of a distracted country. Will it be America, will it be one of the nations of Europe, that will seize the torch of Divine Guidance from Persia's fettered hands and with it set the western world aflame? May your Convention, by its spirit, its resolutions and its accomplishments, give to that country's urgent call a n.o.ble and decisive answer.

Your brother and fellow-worker, SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, June 3rd, 1925.

Letter of October 24th, 1925.

To the members of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly of the Baha'is of the United States and Canada.

My well-beloved friends:

The numerous communications which your distinguished Secretary has lately addressed on your behalf to the Greatest Holy Leaf and myself, have been eagerly perused and their contents carefully noted. The news they imparted and the spirit they revealed have caused us both genuine satisfaction, and have served to intensify the feelings of joyous confidence, of pride and grat.i.tude with which we have greeted the inauguration of your term of service.