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Bahá'í Administration
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Pages 78-81
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Letter of January 29th, 1925.
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To the esteemed members of the American National Spiritual Assembly.
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My well-beloved and precious fellow-workers:
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I have perused your recent communication, dated December
29th, and signed on your behalf by your vigilant and capable secretary,
with an interest and attention worthy of the paramount importance
of the issues it raises.
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The matter of the revision of the English version of the Hidden
Words, in view of the rapidity of the sale of the copies recently
printed, is of urgent importance. I shall as soon as my multitudinous
preoccupations permit avail myself of the opportunity of Dr.
Esslemont's happy sojourn in the Holy Land to collaborate with him
in any necessary alterations of the text. I strongly hope, except
in the event of unforeseen circumstances, to undertake this task in
the course of this coming month.
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In connection with the fundamental questions of general policy
referred to in your letter, I feel that the basic principles, laid down
but briefly stated in my past letters, which must guide the administration
of the affairs of the Bahá'í Movement, pending the definite
formation of the first authoritative Universal House of Justice,
must be further affirmed, elucidated, and explained in greater detail,
for the complete knowledge of all the individual members of the
vast and growing community of the believers in America.
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Hitherto the National Convention has been primarily called together
for the consideration of the various circumstances attending
the election of the National Spiritual Assembly. I feel, however,
that in view of the expansion and the growing importance of the
administrative sphere of the Cause, the general sentiments and tendencies
prevailing among the friends, and the signs of increasing
interdependence among the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout
the world, the assembled accredited representatives of the
American believers should exercise not only the vital and responsible
right of electing the National Assembly, but should also fulfill the
functions of an enlightened, consultative and cooperative body that
will enrich the experience, enhance the prestige, support the authority,
and assist the deliberations of the National Spiritual Assembly.
It is my firm conviction that it is the bounden duty, in the interest
of the Cause we all love and serve, of the members of the incoming
National Assembly, once elected by the delegates at Convention
time, to seek and have the utmost regard, individually as well as
collectively, for the advice, the considered opinion and the true
sentiments of the assembled delegates. Banishing every vestige of
secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial aloofness, from their
midst, they should radiantly and abundantly unfold to the eyes of
the delegates, by whom they are elected, their plans, their hopes,
and their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the
various matters that will have to be considered in the current year,
and calmly and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and
judgments of the delegates. The newly elected National Assembly,
during the few days when the Convention is in session and after
the dispersal of the delegates, should seek ways and means to
cultivate understanding, facilitate and maintain the exchange of
views, deepen confidence, and vindicate by every tangible evidence
their one desire to serve and advance the common weal. Not infrequently,
nay oftentimes, the most lowly, untutored and inexperienced
among the friends will, by the sheer inspiring force of selfless
and ardent devotion, contribute a distinct and memorable share to a
highly involved discussion in any given Assembly. Great must be
the regard paid by those whom the delegates call upon to serve in
high position to this all-important though inconspicuous manifestation
of the revealing power of sincere and earnest devotion.
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The National Spiritual Assembly, however, in view of the unavoidable
limitations imposed upon the convening of frequent and
long-standing sessions of the Convention, will have to retain in its
hands the final decision on all matters that affect the interests of the
Cause in America, such as the right to decide whether any local
Assembly is functioning in accordance with the principles laid down
for the conduct and the advancement of the Cause. It is my earnest
prayer that they will utilize their highly responsible position, not
only for the wise and efficient conduct of the affairs of the Cause,
but also for the extension and deepening of the spirit of cordiality
and wholehearted and mutual support in their cooperation with
the body of their co-workers throughout the land. The seating of
delegates to the Convention, i.e., the right to decide upon the validity
of the credentials of the delegates at a given Convention, is vested
in the outgoing National Assembly, and the right to decide who
has the voting privilege is also ultimately placed in the hands of the
National Spiritual Assembly, either when a local Spiritual Assembly
is for the first time being formed in a given locality, or when differences
arise between a new applicant and an already established local
Assembly. While the Convention is in session and the accredited
delegates have already elected from among the believers throughout
the country the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for the
current year, it is of infinite value and a supreme necessity that as
far as possible all matters requiring immediate decision should be
fully and publicly considered, and an endeavor be made to obtain
after mature deliberation, unanimity in vital decisions. Indeed, it
has ever been the cherished desire of our Master, `Abdu'l-Bahá, that
the friends in their councils, local as well as national, should by their
candor, their honesty of purpose, their singleness of mind, and the
thoroughness of their discussions, achieve unanimity in all things.
Should this in certain cases prove impracticable the verdict of the
majority should prevail, to which decision the minority must under
all circumstances, gladly, spontaneously and continually, submit.
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Nothing short of the all-encompassing, all-pervading power of
His Guidance and Love can enable this newly-enfolded order to
gather strength and flourish amid the storm and stress of a turbulent
age, and in the fulness of time vindicate its high claim to be universally
recognized as the one Haven of abiding felicity and
peace.
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Regarding the pamphlet entitled "The Passing of `Abdu'l-Bahá,"
I believe some additional material, consisting mainly of a few
selections from leading American newspapers, would increase its
value and extend its scope. I shall be glad to receive a copy of the
reprinted edition, and I wish you success in this endeavor.
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My dearly-beloved friend and fellow-worker, Mr. Mountfort
Mills, is now with me in Haifa, and will ere long join you in the
discharge of your manifold and arduous duties. I greatly value his
assistance in the difficult task and the complex and often urgent
problems that are before me, and I trust that his return to America
will lend a fresh impetus to the glorious work of service you are
rendering to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.
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I wish you success from all my heart.
Your brother and fellow-worker,
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SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine,
January 29th, 1925.
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