Bah‡'’ Administration
INDEX
'Abdu'l-Bah‡
Absence fr. Holy Land; admin Cause by Greatest Holy Leaf, 192
Amer. Bah‡'’s, admired for activity, firmness, 16-17
Cause made manifest "ere close of this century," 15-16
Cause, worldwide attacks foretold by: quote, 123
Death, imminent: "My work is now done . ."; "would ye pray . . . my end be hastened." 15
Death, Nov. 28, 1921; grief in Holy Land, 15, 17
Grace sustains believers, 16
Holy Will and Pleasure, believers must carry out, 16
LSA: "first condition is absolute love, harmony," 22
LSA: "obey with heart, soul," 21
LSA; "prime requisites for them that take counsel together," 21
Love: "be enamored of one another . . . ," 35
Love, kindness, enjoined, upon all believers, peoples, 19
Martyrdom prayed for, 5
Movie film in U.S.; record voice; under NSA supervision, 24
Movie film, sent Holy Land, 56
Prayer for LSA (of Chicago), 20-21
Prayer: "Shield thy trusted servants," 5
Prayers, instructions, source of inspiration after death, 16
Publications, all under authority of LSA, 23
Record of voice, to be used only on special occasions, 55
Tablet of Bah‡'u'll‡h: His Station, sent NSA, 48
Tablet to Bah‡'’s of Khur‡s‡n, 173
Tablet to a friend in Persia, re UHJ election, 84
Tablet to Holy Mother, re Greatest Holy Leaf, 195
Tablet to Persia, 15
Tablets sent to NSA, by S.E. Jan. '23, 32-33
Tablets to Persia (1898) published, 33
Teaching: "disperse ... in every land . . bestirred, without rest . . . ," 69
Teaching: exhorts believers to, 6
Teaching: "Holy Ones . . . yearn to return unto this world", 37
Teaching: "Host of Celestial Concourse . . . stand ready ... to assist . . .", 42-43
Teaching method, 69
Teaching, utmost importance, 36
War years (W.W. I) in Haifa, 193
Will & Testament, 3-12 (see W&T) Mss. form, circulate to Bah‡'’s only, 74
'Abdu'l-Husayn Avarih
Covenant-breaker, Persian, 137-139
Abh‡ Paradise: earth become even as, by light Divine Guidance, 9
Administrative Order (see also Guardian, LSA, NSA, UHJ)
"One Haven of abiding felicity and peace"; S.E.
Principles of; consultation, 21, 63, 109
Purpose: means to end: teaching, 103
Purpose: 2-fold: expansion, consolidation, 109
Spirit of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ pours thru, 24
Adrianople: Greatest Holy Leaf's trials in, 189
çg‡y-i-K‡lim: paternal uncle of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡, loyal to Covenant, 191
'Akk‡: Greatest Holy Leaf confined in, 189
America
Material prosperity of, needed by Cause, 53
Pregnant with seeds 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ scattered, 26
"promising continent"; S.E., 99
Spiritual lethargy; prejudice undermining, 131-132
American Bah‡'’ community
"dominant share . . . rejuvenation C . . . decisive part . . . victory", 115
Efforts, resourcefulness praised, 124
Example to world, urged to become, 53
Loved, admired, by 'Abdu'l-Bah‡, 16-17
Mashriqu'l-Adk‡r, vital opportunity of, 153
Standard bearers of emancipation, triumph of Bah‡'’ Faith, 105
Responsibility of universal recognition of the Faith, 88
Tests, intellectual, will purify, 17, 50
Assemblies (see also Local, National Spiritual)
Consolidation, 63
Consultation, principles of, 63
Election of, purity of spirit, 65
Foundation of, 64
Members, character of, qualifications, 21, 64, 88
Members, duties: not dictate but consult, 64
Members, obedience to, insures protection, 64-65
Universal House of Justice, bedrock of, 63
Voting: majority, voice of truth, 64
B‡b
Exalted One, target for woe, 4
Manifestation Unity of God; Forerunner Ancient Beauty, 11
Bagdadi, Dr., Temple services, 54
Baghd‡d
Greatest Holy Leaf's services in, 188
Baghd‡d House
American aid in securing, unites East and West, 100
Bah‡'’s appeal to British Administration of Iraq, 94-95
Bah‡'u'll‡h's prophesy: exaltation as Shrine, 99-100, 165
Court case to obtain, postponed, 76
League of Nations appeal, 164-165
League of Nations decision, 175-180
NSA, Mrs. Parsons, Mr. Mills handle problem well, 55
Negotiations, progress of, 114
Bah‡'’ Centers
LSA jurisdiction of; no two in the same city, 96
Bah‡'’ Faith
America (see American Bah‡'’ Community)
Attacks against, worldwide, foretold by Bah‡'u'll‡h, 123
Beauteous vision . . . unfolded in Bah‡'u'll‡h's Writings, 155
Beginning of its growth; A.B., 16
Destiny: regenerate the world, 120
Divine Wisdom guides; also even its set-backs, 27
Egypt recognizes as independent religion; 1st step in emancipation from Islam, 122
Egypt religious court judgement, 100
God's guidance to mankind at this critical time, 185
Growth encouraging, 81
Healing for ills of the world, 63
History, Persia NSA compiling, 75-76
Infancy, present state, guarded by instructions of A.B., 63
Keynote: humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, 63
Manifest in 20th century: A.B., 15-16
Obstacles will be removed, 72
Peace, humanity needs, to establish, 34
Persia, destiny very great, 173
Persia, unfoldment of, 144, 149-150
Persia (see also Persia)
Propagation depends on character, unity of believers, 18-19
Protected by Covenant, 3
Protection of, from enemy, 38
Protection of, greatest duty, 4
Redemption of the world, 103
Russia, persecutions, 160-164
Tender, precious plant, 63
Shields from insincere, 11
Tests stir, reinvigorate, 60
Turkey, vindicates Faith publicly, 167-169
Understanding of, yet incomplete, 62
Unity must be preserved, 42
Unity of believers, 18-19
Unwisdom its friends, attacks enemies, grown to be able to withstand, 63
Vision of, must remain unstained by world, 61
Watched over by Bah‡'u'll‡h, 3
"Whatsoever comes to pass in Cause of God ... is fraught with infinite Wisdom," 27
Bah‡'’ News Letter
First issue, signed by secty NSA, 77
Scope to be enlarged: local, foreign, 82
Bah‡'’ World
First volume published '28, 74, 92, 156
Bah‡'’s
Administrative activities, must support, 109
Character of, "inner life, private char.," secure triumph of Cause, 66
Character, purity of, manifests Bah‡'’ spirit, 66-68
Chosen instruments of God's grace, 52
Conduct, follow A.B.'s example, 131-132
Conduct, rectitude of, 9
Conduct, at summer schools, 131-132
Deepen, teach; A.B., 35-37
Detachment, sacrifice, 69
Disciples, become worthy, 155
Duties: unity, obedience to A.B., 16-17
Fail to play part, others will take up task, 66
Freedom and submission, 64
Government, obedience to just monarch, 10, 162
Guard Cause of God, 11
Individual rights, 64
Living the life will establish F., 68
LSA obey; consult before action, 21
Love each other, sacrifice, 35
Love of God, must manifest, 68
Love, success of mission depends, 62
Loyalty, fortitude, in oppression, 68
Politics (see Politics)
Recantation, 162
Religions, consort with all, 10
Renunciation, enjoined, 156
Shoghi Effendi commends, encourages, promises divine rewards, 34
Teaching, paramount duty, 69-70
Teaching, utmost importance; A.B., 36
United service, love, show world, 18-19
Virtues, Greatest Holy Leaf's example follow, 190
Virtues, perfections, manifest, 9
World turmoil, attitude toward, 61-62
Bah‡'u'll‡h
Baghdad House (see Baghdad House)
Banishments, Ir‡q to 'Akk‡, 4
Covenant & Testament, written by His Pen, 3
Daughter, Greatest Holy Leaf, ranks with Abdu'l-Bah‡, 189
"Divine Bounty vouchsafed you . . see what . . renunciation can reveal," 156
Islam, Muhammad sheds tears at cruelty (quote), 173-174
LSAs (House of Justice) "The Lord hath ordained in every city . . . ," 21
Preserved Tablet records Covenant, 3
Promise: "We . . aid whosoever ariseth," 16
Scourged, 4
Supreme Manifestation of God, 11
Tablets translated by S.E., 56
Teachers, company of angels will aid, 16
Bedekian, Victoria
Devotion, House of Worship, 108
Believer: qualifications of, 90
Bourgeois, Louis: Temple design, 54
British Empire Exhibition '24
Living religions conference, 57-59
America's contribution to, 71
Calamity
Cataclysm, whatever may visit humanity, hasten lasting peace, 145
Cause of God (see Baha'l Faith; Administrative Order)
Charity
Encouraged, 38
LSA, obligation of, 22
Children
Teaching of, obligation of LSA, 22
Children of the Kingdom, activities, 57
Children's Educational Work Committee Members '22, 29
Christianity
Advanced after destruction Jerusalem, 170
Cobb, Stanwood
Star of West, contributions to, 55
Committee of Investigation
Storm raised by, about A.B., 15
Committees
Assembly, relation to: 141-142
Assembly, relation to: exercises
Assembly, "constant and general supervision" over, 24
NSA, named '23, commended, 56
Consultation
Frank and loving, 63
Right of individual to self-expression, 63
Shining spark of truth . . . clash differing opinions, 21
Court of Arbitration, Universal
A.B.'s reference to, (W. & T.) imperfectly understood, 47
Covenant
Center of: S.E. named by A.B., 3, 6-7, 12
Established by Bah‡, in His Testament; preserves Divine Law, 3
Guards Cause from doubts, 3
Covenant-breakers (see also Enemies)
A.B. predicted; efforts doomed, 26
'Abdu'l-Husayn Avarih, Persian, 137-139
Bah‡'s faithless relatives, 191
Discord, sedition, stirred, 5
Expulsion from Faith, by Hands, 8
Greatest Holy Leaf faced storm of, after ascension Bah‡, 190
Onslaught stayed by Covenant, 3
Prophesies of A.B. fulfilled, 26
Revolt, false interpretation, forbidden, 12
Silenced, after A.B.'s passing; Cause purified, 51
Divine Guidance: standard of, hold aloft; A.B., 43
Divine Plan: different from prevailing notions, 62
Dreyfus-Barney, Hippolyte
Death Dec. '28; spiritual biography, 157
Eastern Nations
Awakening to reforms, 147-152
Education
Institutions, promote, 38
Egypt
Religious Court declared Bah‡'’ Faith heretical to Islam, 100-101
Religious Tribunal recog. B.F. as independent religion, 121-122
Elections
LSA, method, 135-136
LSA, sacred duty every believer, 37, 39
NSA, method, 20, 40
Enemies of Cause
Attacks of, unwisdom of friends, 63
Report to LSA; show patience, 19
Shun absolutely, 16
Esselmont, Dr. John E.
Passing, Nov. 22, '25, Haifa, 97-98
Faith
Fortifies for misfortune, 113
Obedience to Will of God, 62-63
Faithfulness
Secret of, teaching, 6
Forgiveness
Of enemies, commanded by A.B., 10
Foundation Hall
Meetings held in, sacred, 77
Fund
Bah‡'’s only may contribute, 182-184
Contributions
necessary for teaching, 49;
sacred duty, 42
Establish, immediately after election Spiritual Assembly, 41
Non-believers can contribute for charitable purposes, 182
Voluntary, 101
Fund, National
Established 1923; S.E. urges support, 54
Life-blood of institutions, 198
Government
Loyalty to, commanded by A.B., 4
Submission to just monarch; A.B., 10
Greatest Holy Leaf
Administrative activities in A.B.'s absence from Holy Land, 192
Admin. activ. in S.E.'s absence, 25
America, heart turns to, 70
Death '32; biog; tribute to, 187-196
Green Acre
Center social, spiritual activ., 55
NSA property, 95-96
Testing ground application Bah‡'’ ideals, 131-132
Groups
Membership rolls to be sent to NSA, 85
Guardian (see also Shoghi Effendi)
First Guardian appointed; W&T of A.B., 6-7
Guidance from, all must seek; A.B., 12
Succession: Hands give assent to, 8
Succession: laws of; W&T of A.B., 8
U.H.J, member who sins, expells, 10
U.H.J. Sacred Head of, 10
Guthrie, Dr.
Capable steadfast servant, 82
Hands of the Cause
Appointed by Guardian; obedience to, 8
Guardian, relation to; serve, obey, 7-8
Obligations, diffuse Fragrances, 8-9
Obligations, protect, teach Faith, 5-6
Hidden Words
English version; revised, 78
Holley, Horace
Bah‡'’ News Letter, 1st issue, written by, 77
Star of West, contributions to, 55
Houses of Justice
Secondary (NSA) instituted in W&T of A.B., 10
Spiritual Assemblies will evolve into, 20, 39, 63-64
Humanity (see also Mankind)
Destiny, moving towards, 66
Revolt and reaction, 146
Individual
Right to self-expression, 63
Sanctity of right of, 64
International Secretariat
Haifa; preliminary step to UHJ, 115-116
Interpretation, personal
Forbidden by A.B., 12
Ir‡q
Baghd‡d House, League of Nations decision, 175-180
Islam
Muhammad sheds tears at cruelty of, 173-I74
Persian clergy's power waning, 148
Turkey, decline in, 169-170
Isolated believers
Address, send to NSA, 85
Israel
Land on Mt. Carmel to be purchased, 92-93
Jews
Dispersion, after destruction of Jerusalem, 170
Jin‡b-i-Fadil
U. S. teaching campaign, 31-32, 49, 54
Justice
True Bah‡'’ reconciles with mercy, 64
Kit‡b-i-Aqdas
Passages sent to NSA, 48
League of Nations
Baghdad House decision, 179
Inadequate, 146
Library Committee
S.E. commends, 47
Living Religions within British Empire
Conference, Brit. Empire Exhib. 1924, 57-59
Living the Life, 66-68
Local Spiritual Assembly
Authority supreme; A.B., 23
Centers under jurisdiction of, 96
Committees, 141-142
Consultation, spirit of; majority vote, 21-22
Decisions not to be criticized; obeyed, 22
Discord forbidden, 21
Discussion confined to spiritual matters, 22
Dispersed if unity be absent, 22
Duties, consultation with NSA, individuals, 143-44; teaching, 37-38
Duties, functions: quotes A.B., Baha., 20-24
Election, 20, 37, 41, 135-136
Established in Aqdas, 21, 37
House of Justice, will evolve into, 20
Members, qualifications, 21, 88
Membership rolls, send to NSA at once, 85
NSA, cooperation, harmony with, 24
Obedience to obligatory, 21
Prayer for; A.B. to Chicago, 20-21
"Prime requisites" for, 21-23
Reports from, S.E. requests, 30
Supervision all activities of community, 23
Trusted ones of Merciful, 21
Lote-Tree
Primal Branch of, 3
Love
All peoples; A.B., 9-10, 19
Be enamored of one another; A.B., 35
Divine, must be kindled; A.B., 6
Heals ills of world, 63
Manifests God, Bah‡'’ spirit, 68
Show all peoples, friends, strangers, 9
Solvent of difficulties, 62
Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom
Development of, encouraged, 38
Magazines, Bah‡'’
Development of, encouraged, 38
Privately published, under NSA supervision, encouraged, 76
Mankind
Destiny threatened, 50
Dissension and hate, 62
Doctrines impotent, 63
Plight of, dark, perilous, 61
Religion hidden, chaos, confusion, 50
Sickness healed by Divine laws, 63
Social chaos, 67
War weary, needs Faith, 34-35
Marie of Roumania, Queen
Letter to world published; to S.E., 110, 112-113
S.E.'s letter to; reply (excerpt), 112
Martyrs, shed sacred blood, 4
Mashriqu'l-Adkh‡r, Ishq‡b‡d
Expropriated by Soviet Gov., 161-163
Mashriqu'l-Adkh‡r, Wilmette
'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s cherished desire, 154
Building committee members '22, 28
Building must not be delayed, 26
Completion urged, 71
Financial liabilities to be removed, 83
Financing to be shared by East & West, 94
Fund for, supported only by Bah‡'’s, 181-184
NSA supervision building of, 24
Plan of Unified Action, support of, 108
Purpose of: interaction of worship and service to humanity, 184-187
Rug from Tomb of Bah‡, gift to, 181
S.E. commends Mrs. True, Dr. Bagdadi, Mr. Remey, Mr. Bourgeois, 54
S.E. sends 19 pounds, 47
Spiritual significance of, 153
McCarthy, J. O., Canadian believer, 59
Mercy, and justice, reconcile, 64
Middle East, Publicity for Faith, vindication by Turkey, 147
Mills, Montfort
Haifa, returning to USA, 81, 127
League of Nations negotiations re Baghd‡d House, 180
M’rz‡ Yahy‡
In Baghd‡d, 188
Moody, Dr.
Persia, returning to USA, 73
Persia, urged to go to as teacher, 119-120
Mt. Carmel
Land near shrines, be secured, 92-93
Land secure, 100
Muhammad-'Al’, Arch-breaker Covenant of Bah‡, 191
Mun’rih Kh‡num
Holy Mother, wife A.B., service to Cause, 191
National Convention
Delegates, Election of, 65
Delegates, sacred duty attend Conv.
Delegates, may mail vote, 91
Delegates, seating, voting rights,
Delegates, passed on by outgoing NSA, 80
(1st) '23; S.E.'s Message, 43-44
'25; Green Acre; Message from S. E., 86-89
Purpose of, 89
NSA consult with delegates freely, 79
Time, place, conditions of, discretion of NSA, 91
National Spiritual Assembly (see also Assemblies)
A.B. instituted (Secondary House of Justice), 10
Authority, final decisions over LSAs, 80
By-laws of, text send all NSAs world, 142-144; Declar. of Trust & By-laws, 134-135
Committees, 141-142
Committees, functions, "constant, general supervision" by NSA, 24
Cooperation, harmony, mature deliberation, 45
Decisions, national and local matters; may refer to Holy Land, 40-41
Duties, 143-144, 40
Election of, by state delegates, 1 yr., 40, 84
Establishment of, vital importance, 39
Failure to function. Divine Plan delayed, 46
Gift to, from Holy Land, 100 pounds '23, 57
Mashriqu'l-Adhk‡r, responsible for building of, 24
Members, qualifications, 88
House of Justice, will evolve into, 20, 39
Reports to S.E., request for, 46
Teaching campaigns, responsible for, 24
Title: NSA of Bah‡'’s of U.S. and Canada, 83
Voting rights, alternates, 96
National Teaching Committee
Members '22, 29
Nationalism, repudiates super-state, 146
Navv‡b, Mother A.B., loyal to Covenant, 188-191
New World Order (see also Bah‡'’ Faith)
Divine Plan, different from standards of men, 62-63
"One Haven of abiding felicity and peace", 80
Organizations, non-Bah‡'’
Association with, 140, 141
Association with, purpose, 124-126
Orientals
Association with, caution in U.S., 101-102
In U.S., jurisdiction NSA, 47, 24
Peace, hope for, even in reverses, 146
Persecutions, principles of conduct in, 162
Persia
'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s Tablet to, 15
'Abdu'l-Husayn Avarih, covenant-breaker, activities, 137-139
American aid, in emancipation of, 99
American cooperation of great value, 81
Believers in danger, 47
Cradle of world civilization, 88-89
Destiny, great future; prophesies, 3
Envy of world, will become, 173
History of Cause, NSA compiling, 75-76
National convention (1st) '27, 144-145
Persecutions: Ardibil, çdhirb‡yj‡n, 132-134
Persecutions; call for NSA intervene, 93
Persecutions: Jahrum, 106-108
Persecutions; may be blessing in disguise, 105
Persecutions: Nayr’z believers oppressed, 82
Persecutions; unabated, 117-118
Priests losing power, 148
Progress of state, 171-173
Reformation, regeneration signs; prophesies, 147-150
Reformation; Assemblies teach openly, 149-150
Tarb’yat School in Tihr‡n, 118-119
Personalities Subordinated, 197
Pioneering, disperse . . . bestirred, without rest, 69
Plan of Unified Action
Encouraged by S.E., 117
Mashriqu'l-Adkh‡r support, 108, 154-5
Politics
Meddle with, forbidden, 10-11
No criticism; uphold Bah‡'’ principles, 102
Non-Participation, 197
Submission to just monarch, 10
Prayer Book
Preparation underway, 73
Protection of Faith, by Covenant, 3
Publications, Bah‡'’
Bah‡'’ Scriptures, N.Y. '23, ed. H. Holley, 56
Supervision by LSA, NSA, 23-24, 38
Words of Wisdom, '23, 49
Publicity, campaign, finances, 127-128
Publishing & Reviewing Committee
Members '22, 29
Scope expanding, 76
Purest Branch, death of, 191
Race Question
Challenging issue, meet boldly, 129-132
NSA supervision, relation to Cause, 24
Randall, Dr. H.
Capable, steadfast servant, 82
Green Acre services, 55
Religion
Conflict, turmoil, 68
Persia: church & state separation approaching, 149
Persia: Islam clergy losing power, 148
Unity, various attempts at, 146
Remey, Mason
Temple services of, 54
Root, Martha
Confirmed Queen Maria of Roumania, 110, 112, 113;
tribute to, 174
Russia, persecutions, 160-164
School of Oriental Studies & Sociological Soc., Living Religions within Brit. Emp., '24, 58
Schopflocher, Mr. & Mrs. Fred
Green Acre services commended, 55
Shoghi Effendi
A.B. appoints Guardian, 7, 12
Name, "S.E.", to be used by all, 25
Obedience to, obeys God, 7
Prayer for, "I cherish the hope . . . ," 51
Primal Branch Divine Lote-Tree, 3
Retirement for rest, prayer, 25, 65-66
Sign of God, Chosen Branch, 7
Succession: first born, 7
Turn to, by all believers, 6, 12
UHJ must obey, 7
UHJ sacred head of, 10
Sincerity, attributes of, 10
Slander, forbidden, 4
Star of the West
Development of, encouraged, 38, 29
Horace Holley, Stanwood Cobb contributors, 55
Foreign news, report to, 31
Politics, avoid, 72
State Conventions, 39-40
Steadfastness, slander affects not, 3
Sulaym‡n’yyih, Bah‡'s retirement to, 188
Sult‡n 'Abdu'l Ham’d, trials, investigations of Cause, 191
Summer Schools, model of Bah‡'’ ideals, 131-132
Supreme Tribunal, members from governments and peoples, 9
Teachers
Bah‡ will aid with chosen angels, 16
Divine assistance promised by A.B., 42-43
Faith most vital, 111
Individual enterprise encouraged, 128
"Inner life and private character" most vital, 66
Prerequisites; personal regeneration, 69
Teaching
A.B. exhorts, after His passing, 5-6, 36
A.B.'s method, 69
Caution and prudence, 12
Duty, first, urgent, sacred, 42, 69-70
Gift of God, greatest, 12
Importance, utmost, 6
LSA obligation, 22
Methods, 36, 109, 124-127
Race amity, by social contacts, 129-132
Travel, teach sadly-stricken world, 88
Teaching committees, regional
Established; widen scope, 72
Temple (see Mashriqu'l-Adhkar)
Tests, 60-61
Theosophical Society, 58
Transliteration of Bah‡'’ Terms, 43
True, Mrs., Temple services, 54
Turkey
Bah‡'’ Faith vindicated publicly, 151-152, 167-169
Islam disestablished as state religion, 170
Unanimity, to be sought, 80
Unity,
Duty, most vital, 16
Foundations of, 146-147
NSA purpose and action, 45
Primary task to preserve, 42
Spiritual Assemblies must promote, 24
World, how to attain, 10
Universal House of Justice
Assemblies establish bedrock of, 63
Election, by universal suffrage; A.B., 7, 10-11
Election depends on vigorous functioning NSAs, 41
Election method; A.B., 84
Functions: enact ordinances not found in Holy Text, 10-11
Functions: guide future of Faith, 63
Guardian, obedience, subordination to, 7
Guardian, sacred head of, 10
Guidance from, all must seek, 12
Legislation of, purpose of God Himself, 11
Members, qualities, 10
Members, who sin, expelled by Guardian, 10
Protection by Bah‡, 7
Reconsider affairs of Cause, when elected, 41
"Source of all good, freed from all error" W&T of A.B., 10
Universality, of God, 9
Voting Right, 198
War
Disappear, by light of Divine Guidance, 9
Supreme Tribunal will settle disputes, 9
Will & Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡
B‡b, Exalted One, target darts of woe, 4
B‡b, station, 11
Bah‡'u'll‡h
Station of, 11
Trials and calamities, 4
Christ's disciples, martyrdom of, 6
Conflict, contention not permitted, 9
Covenant guards Cause, 3
Covenant, impregnable, obedience to Guardian, 7
Covenant-breakers, Hands must expell, 8
Covenant-breakers, kindled discord; prayer for protection from, 5
Covenant-breakers, stayed by Covenant, 3
Covenant-breakers, the insincere, shield Cause from, 11
Covenant-breakers, vainglorious one, 7
Day of Great Dividing, 3
Discord, have fear of, 11
Faithfulness, secret of: teaching, 6
Government, submissive to just, 10
Government, be well-wishers of, 4
Guardian appoint successor (branch) own lifetime, 8
Guardian, head of UHJ for life, 10
Guardian, succeeded by first-born lineal descendents, 7
Guardianship, Hands give assent to one appointed by Guardian, 8
Guidance, seek from Center of Cov. and House of Justice, 12
Hands, appointed by Guardian, 8
Hands, diffuse Divine Fragrances, 3
Hands, elect 9, give assent to successor of Guardian, 8
Hands, obligations, 8-9
Interpretation, personal, forbidden, 12
Love, rectitude conduct ... to all peoples, 9-10
Martyrdom prayed for by A.B., 5
Martyrs, 10,000 shed sacred blood, 4
Politics, do not meddle with, 10-11
Prayer: "Shield Thy trusted servants," 5
Religions, consort with all," 9-10
Secondary House of Justice, instituted, 10
Servants, shield from self, passion, 5
Shoghi Effendi, all must turn to, 6
Shoghi Effendi, expounder Word, 7
Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of Cause, 12
Shoghi Effendi, Primal Branch, 3
Shoghi Effendi, Sign of God, 7
Shoghi Effendi, Take greatest care of, 12
Shoghi Effendi, Youthful Branch, 6-7
Shoghi Effendi & UHJ, obedience to as to God, 7
Shoghi Effendi & UHJ, under protection Abh‡ Beauty, 7
Sincere ones, attributes of, 10
Slander, forbidden by God, 4
Teaching, greatest gift, first obligation, 12
Teaching, utmost importance, 6, 36
Unity, Light of, replace darkness of world, 10
Universal House of Justice, election of; duties, 10-11
Universal House, source of all good, freed fr. all error, 10
Universality is of God, 9
Word of God, redemption of world, 103
World Conditions
Civilization undergoing severe tests, 52
Confusion, disruption, 50
Distressing yet hopeful, 145-147
Perilous, war-weary, 35
Social chaos, 67
World Court (see Supreme Tribunal)
World Order of Bah‡'u'll‡h
Foundation: unity, service, 67
Full significance awaits UHJ, 62
INTRODUCTION
The passing of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ on November 28, 1921, created a
problem of religious administration unparalleled in the history of
the world. Since the declaration of the B‡b in 1844 there had come
into being a community of faith containing representatives of every
race, creed and classÐhundreds of thousands of believersÐunited
successively in devotion to the B‡b, Bah‡'u'll‡h and 'Abdu'l-Bah‡
and now suddenly bereft of that spiritual leadership and inspiration
which had so long served as the foundation of their unity, the unbreakable
bond welding them into a new faith.
This Bah‡'’ community, in fact, presented so complex a variety
of types, conditions, races, nationalities, languages, classes and religious
traditions that it might have been taken as a true cross
section of humanity. The problem of maintaining these souls in
unity of action as well as unity of beliefÐof continuing their
spiritual community unimpaired through the obvious dangers of
moral and physical disruption surrounding it on every sideÐexemplified,
though on a comparatively small scale, the problem of
unifying humanity itself.
It is significant of the completeness of the Revelation of Bah‡'u'll‡h
that the text of His book provided for this as for every other
emergency confronting human souls in this age. The supreme test
of the Bah‡'’ Faith had in fact already been successfully met during
the days which followed the ascension of Bah‡'u'll‡h in 1892. By
the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ as the Center of His Covenant,
Bah‡'u'll‡h prolonged His own ministry for well-nigh thirty years,
a period coinciding with an entire generation and therefore sufficient
to withstand the onslaughts of those ambitious persons who arose
to overthrow or pervert the Faith from within and without its ranks.
For the words of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡, according to the text of this appointment,
have the authority conferred by Bah‡'u'll‡h upon His Interpreter
and Exemplar.
Thus, during the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡, the Cause of Bah‡'u'll‡h
was not only safeguarded from confusion and division, it was
vastly extended into Europe, America and the Far East, and the
fundamental literature of the Faith was amplified by 'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s
public addresses and Tablets, many of which were directed to the
administrative side of Bah‡'’ service. By 1921, the outer form of
this community had been fairly defined in many localities and impressed
upon the habits as well as thoughts of the believers.
Despite this fact, it is more than doubtful, it is positively certain,
that the worldwide Bah‡'’ community could not have survived
the shock of 'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s passing, and perpetuated its complex
unity into the future, had He not made definite provision for a
point of unity acceptable to all the believers and a continuance of
that administrative authority which is the body of the soul of faith.
These provisions were made in 'Abdu'l-Bah‡'s Will and Testament,
excerpts from which form the first portion of this volume.
By the appointment of a Guardian of the Bah‡'’ Cause, 'Abdu'l-Bah‡
created an executive head and center possessing unquestioned
consecration and capacity for the tremendous task of inspiring the
worldwide Bah‡'’ community to develop along the path of human
service marked out for it in the Religion of Bah‡'u'll‡h. The six
years which have passed since 1921 have in fact been signalized by
steady progress along both the spiritual and administrative lines
characteristic of this Faith. At the present time National Spiritual
Assemblies exist among the Bah‡'’s of eight countries, and the
election of an International Spiritual Assembly * will follow in due
time.
The administrative aspect of the Bah‡'’ Cause is in reality no
mere set of external regulations but the very fruit of its universal
spirit. Bah‡'’ administration is nothing less than a worldwide
ethics, the special characteristic of which is to transform subjective
* The first Universal House of Justice was elected in 1963 and resides in Haifa,
Israel.
faith into positive cooperative actionÐunifying the whole being
of each believer through his unity with his spiritual brothers. Its
unbreakable foundation is the principle of consultation, which
'Abdu'l-Bah‡ declared to be the fulfilment of individual conscience
in this new age.
Bah‡'’ administration, indeed, proceeds from the text of Bah‡'u'll‡h;
the contribution made by 'Abdu'l-Bah‡ was to define and expound
the principles established by Bah‡'u'll‡h, as the contribution
of the Guardian of the Cause is to apply them to the Bah‡'’ community
throughout the world. This latter fact is made clear not
only by the contents of the letters of Shoghi Effendi which constitute
the body of this volume, but also by the circumstances under
which the successive letters were issued. . . .
Only those letters written by the Guardian of the Bah‡'’ Cause to
the National Spiritual Assembly in America, or to the believers in
that country as a whole, have been included in this book. The
volume has been prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly as a
necessary service to the members of the Faith in this country, that
the faith and action of each may be based upon direct knowledge
of the sources of their collective administrative activities. . . . The
form of the book has been approved by the Guardian of the
Cause.
While a work of this nature is primarily intended as a reference
book for the use of Bah‡'’s, it is more than possible that acquaintance
with the principles of Bah‡'’ administration will also have a
special interest for many non-Bah‡'’s who are confronting the general
problem existing among the older religious bodies at this time;
how to evolve an inter-religious contact capable of allaying traditional
suspicion and strife, overcoming historical differences, and
creating the means of mutual cooperation and fellowship for world
peace and other spiritual ends. The method of Bah‡'’ administration,
with its provision for local, national and international units,
is the most perfect plan of worldwide spiritual unity ever evolved.
It is the confident faith of the Bah‡'’s, however, that this plan is
unworkable without the requisite spiritual basisÐthe sincere desire
for true, organic unity raised above personal or group ambitions
such as obtains only in a Cause possessing divine authority and
evoking self-sacrifice among its adherents.
The National Spiritual Assembly
of the Bah‡'’s of the
United States and Canada.
By: Horace Holley,
Secretary.
New York City,
November 30, 1927.
Editorial Note: The Universal House of Justice, the supreme administrative
body of the Bah‡'’ Faith, was elected in April, 1963 by
the 56 National Assemblies existing at that time, in accordance with
provisions in the Writings of Bah‡'u'll‡h. The National Spiritual
Assembly of Canada which was joined with that of the United States
at the time these Messages defining the principles of Bah‡'’ administration
were written, became an independent national body in 1948.