The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 1

Unfolding Destiny.

by Shoghi Effendi.

THE MESSAGES FROM THE GUARDIAN OF THE BAHa'i FAITH TO THE BAHa'i COMMUNITY OF THE BRITISH ISLES

[Frontispiece]

"...this community can do no better than to gird up afresh its loins, turn its back upon the clamour of the age, its fears, confusion and strife, step resolutely forward on its chosen path, unshakably confident that with every step it takes, should it remain undeflected in its purpose and undimmed in its vision, a fresh outpouring of Divine grace will reinforce and guide its march on the highroad of its destiny."

Shoghi

"...The annals of the British Baha'i community, small in numbers, yet unconquerable in spirit, tenacious in belief, undeviating in purpose, alert and vigilant in the discharge of its manifold duties and responsibilities, have in consequence of its epoch-making achievements been vastly enriched.

"The process set in motion and greatly accelerated through the successive formulation of the Six Year Plan, the Two Year Plan and the Ten Year Plan, must continue unabated and unimpaired. Nay with every pa.s.sing day it must gather momentum. Every individual believer must, henceforth, encouraged and inspired by all that has already been achieved, contribute to its future and speedy unfoldment.

"That the entire community may befittingly respond to the call of the present hour and bring to a final consummation the Mission with which it has been entrusted is the deepest yearning of my heart and the object of my unceasing prayers."

Shoghi

THE SEEDS ARE TENDED 19221944

Letter of 5 March 1922

5 March 1922(1)

Dear Fellow-workers in the Cause of Baha'u'llah,

It is with words of regret and disappointment that I desire to open this letter because of my inability, in view of my manifold and pressing duties, to respond individually and in writing to the many messages of love and sympathy and of hope that you have so affectionately sent me since our Beloved's pa.s.sing from this World. I am sure I am voicing the sentiments of the bereaved ladies of the Household when I say that however desirous we may be to correspond separately with every one of you, the grave responsibilities and manifold duties now devolved upon us make it regrettably impossible to express in written messages to every friend what we constantly feel in our hearts, and pray for when visiting His sacred Shrine.

At this grave and momentous period through which the Cause of G.o.d in conformity with the Divine Wisdom is pa.s.sing, it is the sacred duty of every one of us to endeavour to realise the full significance of this Hour of Transition, and then to make a supreme resolve to arise steadfastly for the fulfilment of our sacred obligations.

Great as is the love and paternal care which our beloved Master is extending to us from on High, and unique as is the Spirit that animates today His servants in the world, yet a great deal will depend upon the character and efforts of His loved ones on whom now rests the responsibility of carrying on His work gloriously after Him. How great is the need at this moment when the promised outpourings of His grace are ready to be extended to every soul, for us all to form a broad vision of the mission of the Cause to mankind, and to do all in our power to spread it throughout the world. The eyes of the world, now that the sublime Personality of the Master has been removed from this visible plane, are turned with eager antic.i.p.ation to us who are named after His name, and on whom rests primarily the responsibility to keep burning the torch that He has lit in this world. How keenly I feel at this challenging hour in the history of the Cause the need for a firm and definite determination to subordinate all our personal likings, our local interests, to the interests and requirements of the Cause of G.o.d! Now is the time to set aside, nay, to forget altogether, minor considerations regarding our internal relations.h.i.+ps, and to present a solid united front to the world animated by no other desire but to serve and propagate His Cause.

It is my firm conviction which I now express with all sincerity and candour, that the dignity and unity of the Cause urgently demands-particularly throughout the American continent-that the friends should in their words and conduct emphasise and give absolute prominence to the constructive dynamic principles of Baha'u'llah, rather than attach undue importance to His negative Teachings. With hearts cleansed from the least trace of suspicion and filled with hope and faith in what the spirit of love can achieve, we must one and all endeavour at this moment to forget past impressions, and with absolute goodwill and genuine co-operation unite in deepening and diffusing the spirit of love and service that the Cause has thus far so remarkably shown to the world. To this att.i.tude of goodwill, of forebearance and genuine kindness to all, must be added, however, constant but unprovocative vigilance, lest unrestricted a.s.sociation with the peoples of the world should enable the very few who have been definitely p.r.o.nounced by the Master as injurious to the body of the Cause, to make a breach in the Movement. Not until, however, an unmistakable evidence should appear, manifestly revealing the evil motives of a certain individual or groups of individuals, is it advisable to make the matter public; for an untimely declaration that shall give rise to open differences among the friends is far more detrimental than forbearing still further with those who are suspected of evil intentions. As the Master so fully and consistently did throughout His lifetime, we must all make a supreme effort to pour out a genuine spirit of kindness and hopeful love to peoples of various creeds and cla.s.ses, and must abstain from all provocative language that may impede the effect of what true and continued kindness can produce.

Does not 'Abdu'l-Baha wish us, as He looks down upon us with loving expectation from His glorious Station, to obliterate as much as possible all traces of censure, of conflicting discussions, of cooling remarks, of petty unnecessary observations that impede the onward march of the Cause, that damp the zeal of the firm believer and detract from the sublimity of the Baha'i Cause in the eyes of the inquirer? In order, however, to insure fair and quick and vigorous action whenever such an evil activity is revealed and has been carefully ascertained, the best and only means would appear to be, for the careful observer, once he is a.s.sured of such an evil action, and has grown hopeless of the att.i.tude of kindness and forbearance, to report it quietly to the Spiritual a.s.sembly representative of the friends in that locality and submit the case to their earnest and full consideration. Should the majority of the members of that a.s.sembly be conscientiously convinced of the case-and this being a national issue affecting the body of the friends in America-it should, only through the intermediary of that a.s.sembly, be cautiously communicated to that greater body representing all the a.s.semblies in America, which will in its turn obtain all the available data from the local a.s.sembly in question, study carefully the situation and reserve for itself the ultimate decision. It may, if it decides so, refer to the Holy Land for further consideration and consultation.

This clearly places heavy responsibilities on the local as well as national a.s.semblies, which in the course of time will evolve, with the Master's power and guidance, into the local and national Houses of Justice. Hence the vital necessity of having a local Spiritual a.s.sembly in every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine, and of making provision for the indirect election of a Body that shall adequately represent the interests of all the friends and a.s.semblies throughout the American Continent.

A perusal of some of the words of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha on the duties and functions of the Spiritual a.s.semblies in every land (later to be designated as the local Houses of Justice), emphatically reveals the sacredness of their nature, the wide scope of their activity, and the grave responsibility which rests upon them.

Addressing the members of the Spiritual a.s.sembly in Chicago, the Master reveals the following:-"Whenever ye enter the council-chamber, recite this prayer with a heart throbbing with the love of G.o.d and a tongue purified from all but His remembrance, that the All-powerful may graciously aid you to achieve supreme victory:-'O G.o.d, my G.o.d! We are servants of Thine that have turned with devotion to Thy Holy Face, that have detached ourselves from all beside Thee in this glorious Day. We have gathered in this spiritual a.s.sembly, united in our views and thoughts, with our purposes harmonised to exalt Thy Word amidst mankind. O Lord, our G.o.d! Make us the signs of Thy Divine Guidance, the Standards of Thy exalted Faith amongst men, servants to Thy mighty Covenant. O Thou our Lord Most High!

Manifestations of Thy Divine Unity in Thine Abha Kingdom, and resplendent stars s.h.i.+ning upon all regions. Lord! Aid us to become seas surging with the billows of Thy wondrous Grace, streams flowing from Thy all-glorious Heights, goodly fruits upon the Tree of Thy heavenly Cause, trees waving through the breezes of Thy Bounty in Thy celestial Vineyard. O G.o.d! Make our souls dependent upon the Verses of Thy Divine Unity, our hearts cheered with the outpourings of Thy Grace, that we may unite even as the waves of one sea and become merged together as the rays of Thine effulgent Light; that our thoughts, our views, our feelings may become as one reality, manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world. Thou art the Gracious, the Bountiful, the Bestower, the Almighty, the Merciful, the Compa.s.sionate.'"

In the Most Holy Book is revealed:-"The Lord hath ordained that in every city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha, and should it exceed this number it does not matter.

It behoveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of G.o.d for all that dwell on earth. It is inc.u.mbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of G.o.d, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath the Lord your G.o.d commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear G.o.d, O ye that perceive."

Furthermore, 'Abdu'l-Baha reveals the following:-"It is inc.u.mbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the Spiritual a.s.sembly, and they must a.s.suredly obey with heart and soul its bidding and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly ordered and well arranged.

Otherwise every person will act independently and after his own judgment, will follow his own desire, and do harm to the Cause."

"The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save G.o.d, attraction to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes, victory from the unseen Kingdom of Baha shall be vouchsafed to them. In this day, a.s.semblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a vital necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and obligatory. The members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The s.h.i.+ning spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail."

Enumerating the obligations inc.u.mbent upon the members of consulting councils, the Beloved reveals the following:-"The first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the members of the a.s.sembly. They must be wholly free from estrangement and must manifest in themselves the Unity of G.o.d, for they are the waves of one sea, the drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, the flowers of one garden. Should harmony of thought and absolute unity be non-existent, that gathering shall be dispersed and that a.s.sembly be brought to naught. The second condition:-They must when coming together turn their faces to the Kingdom on High and ask aid from the Realm of Glory. They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The honoured members must with all freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in no wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another, nay, he must with moderation set forth the truth, and should differences of opinion arise a majority of voices must prevail, and all must obey and submit to the majority. It is again not permitted that any one of the honoured members object to or censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any decision arrived at previously, though that decision be not right, for such criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced. In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of motive, its result is light, and should the least trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness.... If this be so regarded, that a.s.sembly shall be of G.o.d, but otherwise it shall lead to coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One. Discussions must all be confined to spiritual matters that pertain to the training of souls, the instruction of children, the relief of the poor, the help of the feeble throughout all cla.s.ses in the world, kindness to all peoples, the diffusion of the fragrances of G.o.d and the exaltation of His Holy Word. Should they endeavour to fulfil these conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them, and that a.s.sembly shall become the centre of the Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall come to their aid, and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of Spirit."

So great is the importance and so supreme is the authority of these a.s.semblies that once 'Abdu'l-Baha after having Himself and in His own handwriting corrected the translation made into Arabic of the I_sh_raqat (the Effulgences) by _Sh_ay_kh_ Faraj, a Kurdish friend from Cairo, directed him in a Tablet to submit the above-named translation to the Spiritual a.s.sembly of Cairo, that he may seek from them before publication their approval and consent. These are His very words in that Tablet:-"His honour, _Sh_ay_kh_ Faraju'llah, has here rendered into Arabic with greatest care the I_sh_raqat and yet I have told him that he must submit his version to the Spiritual a.s.sembly of Egypt, and I have conditioned its publication upon the approval of the above-named a.s.sembly. This is so that things may be arranged in an orderly manner, for should it not be so any one may translate a certain Tablet and print and circulate it on his own account. Even a non-believer might undertake such work, and thus cause confusion and disorder. If it be conditioned, however, upon the approval of the Spiritual a.s.sembly, a translation prepared, printed and circulated by a non-believer will have no recognition whatever."

This is indeed a clear indication of the Master's express desire that nothing whatever should be given to the public by any individual among the friends, unless fully considered and approved by the Spiritual a.s.sembly in his locality; and if this (as is undoubtedly the case) is a matter that pertains to the general interest of the Cause in that land, then it is inc.u.mbent upon the Spiritual a.s.sembly to submit it to the consideration and approval of the national body representing all the various local a.s.semblies. Not only with regard to publication, but all matters without any exception whatsoever, regarding the interests of the Cause in that locality, individually or collectively, should be referred exclusively to the Spiritual a.s.sembly in that locality, which shall decide upon it, unless it be a matter of national interest, in which case it shall be referred to the national body. With this national body also will rest the decision whether a given question is of local or national interest. (By national affairs is not meant matters that are political in their character, for the friends of G.o.d the world over are strictly forbidden to meddle with political affairs in any way whatever, but rather things that affect the spiritual activities of the body of the friends in that land).

Full harmony, however, as well as co-operation among the various local a.s.semblies and the members themselves, and particularly between each a.s.sembly and the national body, is of the utmost importance, for upon it depends the unity of the Cause of G.o.d, the solidarity of the friends, the full, speedy and efficient working of the spiritual activities of His loved ones.

Large issues in such spiritual activities that affect the Cause in general in that land, such as the management of the "Star of the West" and any periodical which the National Body may decide to be a Baha'i organ, the matter of publication, or reprinting Baha'i literature and its distribution among the various a.s.semblies, the means whereby the teaching campaign may be stimulated and maintained, the work of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, the racial question in relation to the Cause, the matter of receiving Orientals and a.s.sociating with them, the care and maintenance of the precious film exhibiting a phase of the Master's sojourn in the United States of America as well as the original matrix and the records of His voice, and various other national spiritual activities, far from being under the exclusive jurisdiction of any local a.s.sembly or group of friends, must each be minutely and fully directed by a special board, elected by the National Body, const.i.tuted as a committee thereof, responsible to it and upon which the National Body shall exercise constant and general supervision.

The time is indeed ripe for the manifold activities, wherein the servants and handmaidens of Baha'u'llah are so devoutly and earnestly engaged, to be harmonised and conducted with unity, co-operation and efficiency, that the effect of such a combined and systematised effort, through which an All-powerful Spirit is steadily pouring, may transcend every other achievement of the past, however glorious it has been, and may stand, now that, to the eyes of the outside world the glorious Person of the Master is no more, a convincing testimony of the potency of His everliving Spirit.

Your brother and co-worker in His Cause, Shoghi

Letter of 16 December 1922

16 December 1922

To my spiritual brethren and sisters in Great Britain.

Care of the members of the Spiritual Council.(2)

My dearest brethren and sisters in the faith of G.o.d!

May I at the very outset of this, my very first letter to you, convey to your hearts in words, however inadequate but a.s.suredly deeply felt and sincere, a measure of my burning impatience, during my days of retirement, to return speedily and join hands with you in the great work of consolidation that awaits every earnest believer in the Cause of Baha'u'llah.

Now that happily I feel myself restored to a position where I can take up with continuity and vigour the threads of my manifold duties, the bitterness of every disappointment felt, time and again, in the course of the past weary months at my feeling of unpreparedness, have been merged in the sweetness of the present hour, when I realise that spiritually and bodily I am better equipped to shoulder the responsibilities of the Cause.

The thought, so often comforting and sustaining, that in the counsels of my British co-workers of that land, I shall find spontaneous and undiminished support as well as wise and experienced a.s.sistance, is surely one of those forces which will hearten me in the midst of my future labours for the Cause.

That in every one of you our departed Master reposed His future and truest hopes for an able and convincing presentation of the Cause to the outside world, is abundantly revealed in His spoken and written words to you, as well as in His general references to the spirit of sincerity, of tenacity and devotion that animates His friends of that land.

The fierce tests that have raged over that island in the past; the calm and determination with which they have been so bravely faced and surmounted; the seeds of loving fellows.h.i.+p that the Beloved in person has more than once scattered in its soil; the rise, as its result, of a few but indeed capable, reliable, devoted and experienced followers and admirers of the Cause; the splendid and in many instances unique opportunities that are yours-these indeed are cherished thoughts for a land that illumines its past and should cheer its future.

I need hardly tell you how grateful and gratified I felt when I heard the news of the actual formation of a National Council whose main object is to guide, co-ordinate and harmonise the various activities of the friends, and when I learned of its satisfactory composition, its harmonious procedure and the splendid work it is achieving.