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Bahá'í Administration
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Pages 33-43
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Letter of March 12, 1923
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To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful
throughout America, Great Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland,
Italy, Japan and Australasia.
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Fellow-workers in the Vineyard of God!
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3 |
Over a year has elapsed since that calamitous Hour, when the
glorious Person of `Abdu'l-Bahá was veiled from mortal eyes and
His Spirit ascended to the Kingdom of Glory; and I feel that the
time is now ripe to take those fresh and momentous decisions which
will enable us to fulfill, speedily and faithfully, the last wishes of our
departed Master.
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The year has been to the outside world a year of fear and suffering,
of disillusion and turmoil. To us, however, the bereaved
followers of a gracious and loving Master, it has been, despite the
passing cares which His sudden departure must necessarily entail,
a period of hope, of wholesome activity, marked throughout with
a spirit of undiminished confidence in His power and of fidelity to
His Cause.
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From the East and from the West, from the North and from
the South, the unnumbered servants of Bahá'u'lláh, disdainful of
the evil machinations of the enemies of His Cause, the breakers of
His behests, have rallied to His Standard, and risen with one accord
to carry on the great Work He has entrusted to their charge. All-hail
to that undying spirit of fidelity which burns and shall burn
unceasingly, in the breasts of His loved ones! Great shall be their
reward, and blissful the hour, when after a toilsome life of service,
they are gathered to the glory of Bahá, and partake in their Beloved's
Presence, of the joy of eternal Reunion.
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But great achievements still await us in this world, and we feel
confident that, by His grace and never-failing guidance, we shall
now and ever prove ourselves worthy to fulfill His great Purpose
for mankind. And who can fail to realize the sore need of bleeding
humanity, in its present state of uncertainty and peril, for the regenerating
Spirit of God, manifested this Day so powerfully in
this Divine Dispensation? Four years of unprecedented warfare
and world cataclysms, followed by another four years of bitter
disappointment and suffering, have stirred deeply the conscience
of mankind, and opened the eyes of an unbelieving world to the
Power of the Spirit that alone can cure its sicknesses, heal its
wounds, and establish the long-promised reign of undisturbed prosperity
and peace.
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Now surely, if ever, is the time for us, the chosen ones of
Bahá'u'lláh and the bearers of His Message to the world, to endeavor
by day and by night, to deepen, first and foremost, the Spirit
of His Cause in our own individual lives, and then labor, and
labor incessantly to exemplify in all our dealings with our fellow-men
that noble Spirit of which His beloved Son `Abdu'l-Bahá has
been all the days of His life a true and unique exponent. The
sayings of our beloved Master have been noised abroad, His name
has filled all regions, and the eyes of mankind are now turned expectant
towards His disciples who bear His name and profess His
teachings. Shall we not by our daily life vindicate the high claims
of His teachings, and prove by our services the influence of His
undying Spirit? This surely is our highest privilege, and our most
sacred duty.
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Let us, with a pure heart, with humility and earnestness, turn
afresh to His counsels and exhortations, and seek from that Source
of Celestial Potency all the guidance, the spirit, the power which
we shall need for the fulfillment of our mission in this life.
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Behold, the station to which `Abdu'l-Bahá is now calling His
loved ones from the Realm of Glory:--
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"It behooveth the loved ones of God to be enamored of one
another and to sacrifice themselves for their fellow-workers in the
Cause. They should yearn towards one another even as the sore
athirst yearneth for the Water of Life, and the lover burneth to
meet his heart's desire."
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Such is the sublime, the glorious position He wishes us, and
all the peoples and kindreds on earth, to attain in this world; how
much more to achieve unity and common understanding among
ourselves, and then arise to herald with one voice the coming of the
Kingdom and the salvation of mankind.
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With unity of purpose firmly established in our minds, with
every trace of personal animosity banished from our hearts, and
with the spirit of whole-hearted and sustained fellowship kindled
in our souls, can we hope to deliver effectively the Message of
Bahá'u'lláh, and execute faithfully the various provisions of our
Beloved's Will and Testament.
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Steadfast in our faith, firm in our union, abounding in our hope,
fervent in our spirit, and selfless in our labors, let us arise and with
prayerful hearts make another and supreme effort to fulfill these
last words of our Beloved, His most cherished desire:
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"O ye that stand fast in the Covenant! When the hour cometh
that this wronged and broken winged bird will have taken its flight
unto the Celestial Concourse, when it will have hastened to the
Realm of the Unseen, and its mortal frame will have either been
lost or hidden neath the dust, it is incumbent upon the Afnán that
are steadfast in the Covenant of God and have branched from the
Tree of Holiness, the Hands of the Cause of God (the glory of
the Lord rest upon them), and all the friends and loved ones, one
and all, to bestir themselves and arise with heart and soul and in
one accord to diffuse the sweet savors of God, to teach His Cause
and to promote His Faith. It behooveth them not to rest for a
moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in
every land, pass by every clime, and travel throughout all regions.
Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to the end, they must raise in
every land the triumphal cry of Yá-Bahá'u'l-Abhá, must achieve
renown in the world wherever they go, must burn brightly even as
a candle in every meeting, and must kindle the flame of Divine Love
in every assembly; that the Light of Truth may rise resplendent
in the midmost heart of the world, that throughout the East and
throughout the West a vast concourse may gather under the shadow
of the Word of God, that the sweet savors of Holiness may be
diffused, that faces may shine radiantly, hearts be filled with the
Divine Spirit and souls be made heavenly. In these days the most
important of all things is the guidance of the nations and the peoples
of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance, for it
is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself. This wronged
servant has spent his days and nights in promoting the Cause, and
urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment, till the fame
of the Cause of God was noised abroad in the world, and the Celestial
Strains from the Abhá Kingdom roused the East and the West.
The beloved of God must also follow the same example. This is the
secret of faithfulness, this is the requirement of servitude to the
Threshold of Bahá."
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We need but glance at the Words of Bahá'u'lláh and the Epistles
of `Abdu'l-Bahá to realize the great privilege of teaching the Cause,
its vital necessity, its supreme urgency, and its wide-reaching effects.
These are the very words of `Abdu'l-Bahá:--
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"In these days, the Holy Ones of the Realm of Glory, dwelling
in the all-highest Paradise, yearn to return unto this world, and be
of some service to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh and prove their servitude
to the Threshold of Abhá beauty."
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What a wondrous vision these words unfold to our eyes! How
great our privilege to labor in this Day in the Divine Vineyard!
Is it not incumbent upon us to arise and teach His Cause with such
an ardor which no worldly adversity can quell, nor any measure of
success can satiate?
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And, now that this all-important Work may suffer no neglect,
but rather function vigorously and continuously in every part of
the Bahá'í world; that the unity of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh may
remain secure and inviolate, it is of the utmost importance that in
accordance with the explicit text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most
Holy Book, in every locality, be it city or hamlet, where the number
of adult (21 years and above) declared believers exceeds nine, a
local "Spiritual Assembly" be forthwith established. To it all local
matters pertaining to the Cause must be directly and immediately
referred for full consultation and decision. The importance, nay
the absolute necessity of these local Assemblies is manifest when
we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into the local
Houses of Justice, and at present provide the firm foundation on
which the structure of the Master's Will is to be reared in future.
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The matter of Teaching, its direction, its ways and means, its
extension, its consolidation, essential as they are to the interests of
the Cause, constitute by no means the only issue which should
receive the full attention of these Assemblies. A careful study of
Bahá'u'lláh's and `Abdu'l-Bahá's Tablets will reveal that other duties,
no less vital to the interests of the Cause, devolve upon the elected
representatives of the friends in every locality.
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It is incumbent upon them to be vigilant and cautious, discreet
and watchful, and protect at all times the Temple of the Cause from
the dart of the mischief-maker and the onslaught of the enemy.
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They must endeavor to promote amity and concord amongst the
friends, efface every lingering trace of distrust, coolness and
estrangement from every heart, and secure in its stead an active
and whole-hearted cooperation for the service of the Cause.
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They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping
hand to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow,
irrespective of color, caste and creed.
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They must promote by every means in their power the material
as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the
education of children, institute, whenever possible, Bahá'í educational
institutions, organize and supervise their work and provide
the best means for their progress and development.
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They must make an effort to maintain official, regular, and frequent
correspondence with the various Bahá'í centers throughout
the world, report to them their activities, and share the glad-tidings
they receive with all their fellow-workers in the Cause.
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They must encourage and stimulate by every means at their
command, through subscription, reports and articles, the development
of the various Bahá'í magazines, such as the "Star of the
West" and the "Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom" in the
United States of America, the "Bahá'í News" of India, the "Sun
of the East" (Khurshid-i Khavar) in Turkestan, the "Star of the
East" in Japan, the "Sun of Truth" in Germany.
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They must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings
of the friends, the feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the special
gatherings designed to serve and promote the social, intellectual and
spiritual interests of their fellow-men.
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They must supervise in these days when the Cause is still in its
infancy all Bahá'í publications and translations, and provide in general
for a dignified and accurate presentation of all Bahá'í literature
and its distribution to the general public.
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These rank among the most outstanding obligations of the
members of every Spiritual Assembly. In whatsoever locality the
Cause has sufficiently expanded, and in order to insure efficiency
and avoid confusion, each of these manifold functions will have
to be referred to a special Committee, responsible to that Assembly,
elected by it from among the friends in that locality, and upon whose
work the Assembly will have to exercise constant and general
supervision.
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These local Spiritual Assemblies will have to be elected directly
by the friends, and every declared believer of 21 years and above,
far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent
attitude, should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously
and diligently, in the election, the consolidation and the efficient
working of his own local Assembly.
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Regarding the establishment of "National Assemblies," it is of
vital importance that in every country, where the conditions are
favorable and the number of the friends has grown and reached a
considerable size, such as America, Great Britain and Germany,
that a "National Spiritual Assembly" be immediately established,
representative of the friends throughout that country.
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Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify and coordinate by
frequent personal consultations, the manifold activities of the friends
as well as the local Assemblies; and by keeping in close and constant
touch with the Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct in general
the affairs of the Cause in that country.
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It serves also another purpose, no less essential than the first,
as in the course of time it shall evolve into the National House of
Justice (referred to in `Abdu'l-Bahá's Will as the "secondary House
of Justice"), which according to the explicit text of the Testament
will have, in conjunction with the other National Assemblies
throughout the Bahá'í world, to elect directly the members of the
International House of Justice, that Supreme Council that will
guide, organize and unify the affairs of the Movement throughout
the world.
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It is expressly recorded in `Abdu'l-Bahá's Writings that these
National Assemblies must be indirectly elected by the friends; that
is, the friends in every country must elect a certain number of
delegates, who in their turn will elect from among all the friends
in that country the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.
In such countries, therefore, as America, Great Britain and Germany,
a fixed number of secondary electors must first be decided
upon (95 for America, including the Pacific Islands; 95 for Germany;
and 19 for Great Britain). The friends then in every
locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine
must directly elect its quota of secondary electors assigned to it in
direct proportion to its numerical strength. These secondary electors
will then, either through correspondence, or preferably by
gathering together, and first deliberating upon the affairs of the
Cause throughout their country (as the delegates to the Convention),
elect from among all the friends in that country nine who will
be the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.
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This National Spiritual Assembly, which, pending the establishment
of the Universal House of Justice, will have to be re-elected
once a year, obviously assumes grave responsibilities, for it has to
exercise full authority over all the local Assemblies in its province,
and will have to direct the activities of the friends, guard vigilantly
the Cause of God, and control and supervise the affairs of the
Movement in general.
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Vital issues, affecting the interests of the Cause in that country
such as the matter of translation and publication, the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár,
the Teaching Work, and other similar matters that stand
distinct from strictly local affairs, must be under the full jurisdiction
of the National Assembly.
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It will have to refer each of these questions, even as the local
Assemblies, to a special Committee, to be elected by the members
of the National Spiritual Assembly, from among all the friends in
that country, which will bear to it the same relation as the local
committees bear to their respective local Assemblies.
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With it, too, rests the decision whether a certain point at issue
is strictly local in its nature, and should be reserved for the consideration
and decision of the local Assembly, or whether it should
fall under its own province and be regarded as a matter which
ought to receive its special attention. The National Spiritual
Assembly will also decide upon such matters which in its opinion
should be referred to the Holy Land for consultation and decision.
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With these Assemblies, local as well as national, harmoniously,
vigorously, and efficiently functioning throughout the Bahá'í world,
the only means for the establishment of the Supreme House of
Justice will have been secured. And when this Supreme Body will
have been properly established, it will have to consider afresh the
whole situation, and lay down the principle which shall direct, so
long as it deems advisable, the affairs of the Cause.
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Pending its establishment, and to insure uniformity throughout
the East and throughout the West, all local Assemblies will have to
be re-elected once a year, during the first day of Ridván, and the
result of polling, if possible, be declared on that day.
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In order to avoid division and disruption, that the Cause may
not fall a prey to conflicting interpretations, and lose thereby its
purity and pristine vigor, that its affairs may be conducted with
efficiency and promptness, it is necessary that every one should
conscientiously take an active part in the election of these Assemblies,
abide by their decisions, enforce their decree, and cooperate
with them wholeheartedly in their task of stimulating the growth of
the Movement throughout all regions. The members of these
Assemblies, on their part, must disregard utterly their own likes and
dislikes, their personal interests and inclinations, and concentrate
their minds upon those measures that will conduce to the welfare
and happiness of the Bahá'í Community and promote the common
weal.
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And as the progress and execution of spiritual activities is
dependent and conditioned upon material means, it is of absolute
necessity that immediately after the establishment of local as well
as national Spiritual Assemblies, a Bahá'í Fund be established, to
be placed under the exclusive control of the Spiritual Assembly.
All donations and contributions should be offered to the Treasurer
of the Assembly, for the express purpose of promoting the interests
of the Cause, throughout that locality or country. It is the sacred
obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá'u'lláh
who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and
generously for the increase of that Fund. The members of the
Spiritual Assembly will at their own discretion expend it to promote
the Teaching Campaign, to help the needy, to establish educational
Bahá'í institutions, to extend in every way possible their sphere of
service. I cherish the hope that all the friends, realizing the necessity
of this measure, will bestir themselves and contribute, however
modestly at first, towards the speedy establishment and the increase
of that Fund.
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The need for the centralization of authority in the National
Spiritual Assembly, and the concentration of power in the various
local Assemblies, is made manifest when we reflect that the Cause
of Bahá'u'lláh is still in its age of tender growth and in a stage of
transition; when we remember that the full implications and the
exact significance of the Master's world-wide instructions, as laid
down in His Will, are as yet not fully grasped, and the whole Movement
has not sufficiently crystallized in the eyes of the world.
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It is our primary task to keep the most vigilant eye on the
manner and character of its growth, to combat effectively the forces
of separation and of sectarian tendencies, lest the Spirit of the
Cause be obscured, its unity be threatened, its Teachings suffer
corruption; lest extreme orthodoxy on one hand, and irresponsible
freedom on the other, cause it to deviate from that Straight Path
which alone can lead it to success.
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But let us be on our guard--so the Master continually reminds
us from His Station on high--lest too much concern in that which
is secondary in importance, and too long a preoccupation with the
details of our affairs and activities, make us neglectful of the most
essential, the most urgent of all our obligations, namely, to bury
our cares and teach the Cause, delivering far and wide this Message
of Salvation to a sorely-stricken world.
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To His valiant combatants on earth, who at times may feel
disheartened, our ever-victorious Commander, `Abdu'l-Bahá, gives
us the following assurance:
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"O ye servants of the Sacred Threshold! The triumphant Hosts
of the Celestial Concourse, arrayed and marshalled in the Realms
above, stand ready and expectant to assist and assure victory to
that valiant horseman who with confidence spurs on his charger into
the arena of service. Well is it with that fearless warrior, who
armed with the power of true Knowledge, hastens unto the field,
disperses the armies of ignorance, and scatters the hosts of error,
who holds aloft the Standard of Divine Guidance, and sounds the
Clarion of Victory. By the righteousness of the Lord! He hath
achieved a glorious triumph and obtained the true victory...."
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With such inspiring words as these, are we to remain any longer
unmoved and inactive? His trumpet-call resounds on every side,
and summons us to service; are we to tarry and hesitate? His voice
is calling aloud from every land; let us march on, unfettered and
unafraid, and fulfill our glorious Destiny.
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SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine,
March 12, 1923.
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P.S. On another page
[1]
is given the list of the best known and
most current Bahá'í terms, and other Oriental names and expressions,
all properly and accurately transliterated, the faithful spelling
of which by all the Western friends will avoid confusion in future,
and insure in this matter a uniformity which is greatly needed at
present in all Bahá'í literature. The full code will be duly communicated
to the various National Assemblies, and the transliteration
of the Oriental terms mentioned in the English letters sent out
by the Haifa Spiritual Assembly will provide a correct and reliable
supplement to the above-mentioned list. I feel confident that all the
friends will from now on follow this system and adhere scrupulously
and at all times to this code in all their writings.
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Notes
1. [The complete list of terms is to be found in Bahá'í World, volume VII.]
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