Bahai Administration Part 5

They must encourage and stimulate by every means at their command, through subscription, reports and articles, the development of the various Baha'i magazines, such as the "Star of the West" and the "Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom" in the United States of America, the "Baha'i News" of India, the "Sun of the East" (Khurs.h.i.+d-i Khavar) in Turkestan, the "Star of the East" in j.a.pan, the "Sun of Truth" in Germany.

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.

They must supervise in these days when the Cause is still in its infancy all Baha'i publications and translations, and provide in general for a dignified and accurate presentation of all Baha'i literature and its distribution to the general public.

These rank among the most outstanding obligations of the members of every Spiritual a.s.sembly. 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 a.s.sembly, elected by it from among the friends in that locality, and upon whose work the a.s.sembly will have to exercise constant and general supervision.

These local Spiritual a.s.semblies will have to be elected directly by the friends, and every declared believer of 21 years and above, far from standing aloof and a.s.suming an indifferent or independent att.i.tude, 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 a.s.sembly.

National a.s.semblies

Regarding the establishment of "National a.s.semblies," 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 a.s.sembly" be immediately established, representative of the friends throughout that country.

Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify and coordinate by frequent personal consultations, the manifold activities of the friends as well as the local a.s.semblies; 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.

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-Baha'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 a.s.semblies throughout the Baha'i 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.

It is expressly recorded in 'Abdu'l-Baha's Writings that these National a.s.semblies 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 a.s.sembly. 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 a.s.signed 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 a.s.sembly.

This National Spiritual a.s.sembly, which, pending the establishment of the Universal House of Justice, will have to be re-elected once a year, obviously a.s.sumes grave responsibilities, for it has to exercise full authority over all the local a.s.semblies in its province, and will have to direct the activities of the friends, guard vigilantly the Cause of G.o.d, and control and supervise the affairs of the Movement in general.

Vital issues, affecting the interests of the Cause in that country such as the matter of translation and publication, the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, the Teaching Work, and other similar matters that stand distinct from strictly local affairs, must be under the full jurisdiction of the National a.s.sembly.

It will have to refer each of these questions, even as the local a.s.semblies, to a special Committee, to be elected by the members of the National Spiritual a.s.sembly, 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 a.s.semblies.

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 a.s.sembly, 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 a.s.sembly will also decide upon such matters which in its opinion should be referred to the Holy Land for consultation and decision.

With these a.s.semblies, local as well as national, harmoniously, vigorously, and efficiently functioning throughout the Baha'i 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.

Annual Election of a.s.semblies

Pending its establishment, and to insure uniformity throughout the East and throughout the West, all local a.s.semblies will have to be re-elected once a year, during the first day of Ridvan, and the result of polling, if possible, be declared on that day.

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 a.s.semblies, 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 a.s.semblies, 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 Baha'i Community and promote the common weal.

The Baha'i Fund

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 a.s.semblies, a Baha'i Fund be established, to be placed under the exclusive control of the Spiritual a.s.sembly. All donations and contributions should be offered to the Treasurer of the a.s.sembly, 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 Baha'u'llah who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund. The members of the Spiritual a.s.sembly will at their own discretion expend it to promote the Teaching Campaign, to help the needy, to establish educational Baha'i inst.i.tutions, 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.

The need for the centralization of authority in the National Spiritual a.s.sembly, and the concentration of power in the various local a.s.semblies, is made manifest when we reflect that the Cause of Baha'u'llah 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.

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.

The Most Essential Obligation

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.

To His valiant combatants on earth, who at times may feel disheartened, our ever-victorious Commander, 'Abdu'l-Baha, gives us the following a.s.surance:

"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 a.s.sist and a.s.sure 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...."

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.

SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, March 12, 1923.

Transliteration of Baha'i Terms

P.S. On another page(6) is given the list of the best known and most current Baha'i 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 Baha'i literature. The full code will be duly communicated to the various National a.s.semblies, and the transliteration of the Oriental terms mentioned in the English letters sent out by the Haifa Spiritual a.s.sembly 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.

Letter of April 8th, 1923.

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful, the accredited delegates to the Annual Convention of America, Chicago, Illinois.

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Baha:

On this auspicious occasion, when the elected representatives of the Baha'i Community throughout the continent of America, gathered for the first time within the Foundation Hall of the stately edifice of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, are a.s.sembled to take counsel together regarding those vital issues that confront the Cause of Baha'u'llah in that land, may I, as one of your humble fellow-workers in the field of service, offer you from the very depths of my heart my brotherly love and sincere greetings, and a.s.sure you of my fervent prayers for the success of your deliberations and the attainments of your hearts' desire.

You stand at this challenging hour in the history of the Cause at the threshold of a new era; the functions you are called upon to discharge are fraught with immense possibilities; the responsibilities you shoulder are grave and momentous; and the eyes of many peoples are turned, at this hour, towards you, expectant to behold the dawning of a Day that shall witness the fulfilment of His divine Promise.

Forgetful of the past and its vicissitudes, conscious of the need for renewed and combined effort, freed from all earthly limitations and motives, with every lingering trace of ill-feeling forever banished from our hearts, freshly united and determined, let us join in deep and silent communion with the ever-watchful Spirit of our beloved 'Abdu'l-Baha, and with humility and earnestness supplicate for the guidance that will enable us to fulfil the task which is now committed to our charge. May this year's Convention, by the range of its activities, by the character of its proceedings, by its faithful adherence to the divine Instructions of our loving Master, and above all by its radiant spirit of enthusiasm and true fellows.h.i.+p, prove itself one of the greatest landmarks in the history of the Cause in America.