Bahai Administration Part 15

Voting Rights of National a.s.sembly Members

Concerning the election of alternate members to the National Spiritual a.s.sembly, I feel that only the nine original members of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly are ent.i.tled to vote, whereas such alternate members as may be elected should be asked to fill vacancies only in a consultative capacity and not be ent.i.tled to vote. They should not be regarded as part of the quorum (i.e., five out of the nine original members) which is necessary for the transaction of the business of the National a.s.sembly.

All secondary matters that do not affect the principle outlined are left to the discretion of the National Spiritual a.s.semblies who will decide according to the exigencies of their respective circ.u.mstances.

a.s.suring you of my deep appreciation of your continued efforts, and of my unceasing prayers on your behalf,

I am your grateful brother, SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, November 6, 1925.

Letter of November 30, 1925.

To the beloved of G.o.d and the handmaids of the Merciful in the East and in the West.

Dear fellow-workers:

It is with feelings of overwhelming sorrow that I communicate to you the news of yet another loss which the Almighty, in His inscrutable wisdom, has chosen to inflict upon our beloved Cause. On the 22nd of November, 1925, that memorable and sacred day in which the Baha'is of the Orient celebrated the twin Festivals of the Declaration of the Bab and the birthday of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Dr. John E. Esslemont pa.s.sed on to the Abha Kingdom. His end was as swift as it was unexpected. Suffering from the effects of a chronic and insidious disease, he fell at last a victim to the inevitable complications that ensued, the fatal course of which neither the efforts of vigilant physicians nor the devoted cares of his many friends could possibly deflect.

He bore his sufferings with admirable fort.i.tude, with calm resignation and courage. Though convinced that his ailment would never henceforth forsake him, yet many a time he revealed a burning desire that the friends residing in the Holy Land should, while visiting the Shrines, implore the All-merciful to prolong his days that he may bring to a fuller completion his humble share of service to the Threshold of Baha'u'llah. To this n.o.ble request all hearts warmly responded. But this was not to be. His close a.s.sociation with my work in Haifa, in which I had placed the fondest hopes, was suddenly cut short. His book,(12) however-an abiding monument to his pure intention-will, alone, inspire generations yet unborn to tread the path of truth and service as steadfastly and as unostentatiously as was trodden by its beloved author. The Cause he loved so well, he served even unto his last day with exemplary faith and unstinted devotion. His tenacity of faith, his high integrity, his self-effacement, his industry and painstaking labors were traits of a character the n.o.ble qualities of which will live and live forever after him. To me personally he was the warmest of friends, a trusted counsellor, an indefatigable collaborator, a lovable companion.

With tearful eyes I supplicate at the Threshold of Baha'u'llah-and request you all to join-in my ardent prayers, for the fuller unfolding in the realms beyond of a soul that has already achieved so high a spiritual standing in this world. For by the beauty of his character, by his knowledge of the Cause, by the conspicuous achievements of his book, he has immortalized his name, and by sheer merit deserved to rank as one of the Hands of the Cause of G.o.d.

He has been laid to rest in the heart of that beautifully situated Baha'i burial ground at the foot of Carmel, close to the mortal remains of that venerable soul, ?aji Mirza Vakilu'd-Dawlih, the ill.u.s.trious cousin of the Bab and chief builder of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of I_sh_qabad. Pilgrims visiting his grave from far and near will, with pride and grat.i.tude, do honor to a name that adorned the annals of an Immortal Cause.

May he eternally rest in peace.

SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, November 30, 1925.

Letter of January 10, 1926.

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

Dearly-beloved fellow-workers in the Vineyard of G.o.d!

Your letter dated Nov. 9, 1925, has been received and read with feelings of deep satisfaction and grat.i.tude. It is most unfortunate that, owing to unavoidable circ.u.mstances, I have been prevented from communicating more fully and frequently with the distinguished representatives of those dear fellow-workers of mine, the progress of whose accomplishments I am continually following with the liveliest expectations, loving sympathy and cheerful hope.

The multiplicity of vital and pressing issues, arising out of the steady expansion of the Movement in various parts of the world; the pain and sorrow so keenly felt at the sudden pa.s.sing of distinguished and dearly-beloved servants of the Cause; grave and unexpected developments in the Holy Land and elsewhere-have all in rapid succession greatly added to the already oppressive burden of responsibility and care which it is my lot and privilege to shoulder in the interests of the Cause. And yet in the midst of my unceasing toil, my afflictions and perplexities, I have found fresh sustenance and comfort in the striking manner in which the pioneers of the Cause in that promising continent are proving themselves worthy of the spiritual heritage bequeathed to them by their departed Master. Refreshed and fortified by their inspiring example, I feel I can pursue the th.o.r.n.y path of my arduous duties with serene confidence, cheerful contentment and undiminished grat.i.tude.

I rejoice to learn of the marvelous effect which your resourcefulness, efficiency and unrelenting efforts are producing upon your admiring brethren of the East. I am fully alive to the eminent share you are contributing to the emanc.i.p.ation of those heroic sufferers in distracted Persia. I am deeply conscious of the part you play in consolidating the position of the Cause in the eyes of both the exalted and lowly, and in hastening the advent of that promised day of universal recognition and triumph for our beloved Cause.

Shrine of Baghdad

We can but dimly discern the signs of that day of priceless victory-the day when the mission of this sublime and holy Faith will have been unfolded in all its power and glory to the eyes of an unbelieving world.

We have only to refer to the utterances of Baha'u'llah in order to realize for ourselves G.o.d's invincible power to turn every fleeting abas.e.m.e.nt, every transient sorrow, into abiding joy and glory. For amid the gloom of humiliation that has now beset Baha'u'llah's holy habitation in Ba_gh_dad, these prophetic words of His regarding His house s.h.i.+ne forth resplendent in their a.s.surance of a future victory: "In truth, I declare, it shall be so abased in the days to come as to cause tears to flow from every discerning eye.... And in the fulness of time, shall the Lord by the power of truth exalt it in the eyes of all the world, cause it to become the mighty standard of His domination, the shrine round which shall circle the concourse of the faithful." How startling in His prediction, how rea.s.suring His promise!

The thoroughness of your methods in handling this grave and highly delicate situation, the promptness of your response, the spirit of unabated confidence, of unrelaxing determination and admirable courage which you have abundantly displayed have, I am certain, endeared you to us all, justified our hopes in you, and enn.o.bled the already lofty position you deservedly occupy among the staunch supporters of G.o.d's immortal Cause. Whatever the outcome of your memorable endeavors, the immediate consequences of your strenuous efforts cannot but be a growing realization on the part of those placed in authority that the Cause of Baha'u'llah, despite the calumny and slander showered upon it in the past, has linked the East with the West as no other human agency can possibly link and is capable of demonstrating the reality of that celestial potency which no man can today safely belittle or ignore.

Furthermore, the spontaneous and generous response of the American believers in connection with the land situation on Mount Carmel has, in conjunction with the donations of the friends in other parts of the world, safeguarded such lands as lie in close proximity to the holy Shrines. This highly meritorious effort, blest and sanctified by the bountiful grace of Baha'u'llah, has in like manner served to reveal to every discerning eye the friends' unquenchable enthusiasm and unrivalled devotion-the dominant characteristic of a Faith that is still in its stage of tender growth, and now standing on the threshold of undreamt-of achievements.

Judgment of Egyptian Religious Court

Among the disturbing factors that have intensified the difficulties of the present situation is the extraordinary judgment recently pa.s.sed by the Supreme Religious Court of Egypt, declaring the Baha'is of that land adherents of a Faith heretical in character, and at variance with the accepted doctrines of Islam, and hence utterly outside the sphere of its jurisdiction. What exactly the implication of this verdict will be, the effect its practical application will have on the relations of the Baha'is with the followers of the Muslim Faith, what measure of publicity it will receive, what impression it will create in Muslim lands and particularly in hostile Persia, the future only can disclose. So far it has failed to perturb public sentiment or give rise to any official or public demonstration of a nature that would justify or necessitate any action on the part of the American Baha'is, who are powerfully demonstrating today their readiness to champion the cause of truth and justice. I will not delay in informing you of the exact measures that I feel will be necessary to take should the occasion arise in future. It is clear and evident that Western influence, the loosening of the bonds of religion, and the consequent waning vitality of the once powerful Muhammadan stronghold of Egypt are in a great measure to account for the indifference and apathy that now seem to characterize the att.i.tude of the ma.s.ses towards this important and vital issue. This decision, however locally embarra.s.sing, in the present stage of our development, may be regarded as an initial step taken by our very opponents in the path of the eventual universal acceptance of the Baha'i Faith, as one of the independent recognized religious systems of the world.

National Fund

In connection with the inst.i.tution of the National Fund and the budgetary system set forth in the minutes of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly, I feel urged to remind you of the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardinal principle that all contributions to the Fund are to be purely and strictly voluntary in character. It should be made clear and evident to every one that any form of compulsion, however slight and indirect, strikes at the very root of the principle underlying the formation of the Fund ever since its inception. While appeals of a general character, carefully worded and moving and dignified in tone are welcome under all circ.u.mstances, it should be left entirely to the discretion of every conscientious believer to decide upon the nature, the amount, and purpose of his or her contribution for the propagation of the Cause.

a.s.sociation with Orientals

Regarding a.s.sociation with Oriental travelers and residents in the United States and Canada, I desire to emphasize afresh the vital necessity for the exercise in these days of the greatest vigilance and reserve, prudence and caution, on the part of the American believers in their dealings with them, either in an official or private capacity, whether in business transactions or for purely religious purposes. As the Movement grows in prestige, fame and influence, as the ambitions, malice and ill-will of strangers and enemies correspondingly wax greater, it becomes increasingly important for every individual and Spiritual a.s.sembly to be on their guard lest they fall innocent victims of the evil designs of the malevolent, the self-seeking and greedy.

Touching the publication of articles and pamphlets bearing on the controversial and political issues of the day, I desire to remind my dearly-beloved fellow-workers that at the present stage when the Cause is still in its infancy, any minute and detailed a.n.a.lysis by the friends of subjects that are in the forefront of general discussion would often be misconstrued in certain quarters and give rise to suspicions and misunderstandings that would react unfavorably on the Cause. They would tend to create a misconception of the real object, the true mission, and the fundamental character of the Baha'i Faith. We should, while endeavoring to uphold loyally and expound conscientiously our social and moral principles in all their essence and purity, in all their bearings upon the divers phases of human society, insure that no direct reference or particular criticism in our exposition of the fundamentals of the Faith would tend to antagonize any existing inst.i.tution, or help to identify a purely spiritual movement with the base clamorings and contentions of warring sects, factions and nations. We should strive in all our utterances to combine the discretion and n.o.ble reticence of the wise with the frankness and pa.s.sionate loyalty of the ardent advocate of an inspiring Faith. While refusing to utter the word that would needlessly alienate or estrange any individual, government or people, we should fearlessly and unhesitatingly uphold and a.s.sert in their entirety such truths the knowledge of which we believe is vitally and urgently needed for the good and betterment of mankind.

The copy of the minutes of the 1925 Baha'i Convention has been received and, despite the pressure of work, read with deep pleasure and keen interest.

Purpose of Baha'i Administration