Bahá'í Administration
INDEX
'Abdu'l-Bahá Absence fr. Holy Land; admin Cause by Greatest Holy Leaf, 192 Amer. Bahá'ís, 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 Bahá'u'lláh: His Station, sent NSA, 48 Tablet to Bahá'ís of Khurásán, 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 Bahá'ís only, 74 'Abdu'l-Husayn Avarih Covenant-breaker, Persian, 137-139 Abhá 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-Bahá pours thru, 24 Adrianople: Greatest Holy Leaf's trials in, 189 Ágáy-i-Kálim: paternal uncle of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, loyal to Covenant, 191 'Akká: Greatest Holy Leaf confined in, 189 America Material prosperity of, needed by Cause, 53 Pregnant with seeds 'Abdu'l-Bahá scattered, 26 "promising continent"; S.E., 99 Spiritual lethargy; prejudice undermining, 131-132 American Bahá'í 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-Bahá, 16-17 Mashriqu'l-Adkár, vital opportunity of, 153 Standard bearers of emancipation, triumph of Bahá'í 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 Báb Exalted One, target for woe, 4 Manifestation Unity of God; Forerunner Ancient Beauty, 11 Bagdadi, Dr., Temple services, 54 Baghdád Greatest Holy Leaf's services in, 188 Baghdád House American aid in securing, unites East and West, 100 Bahá'ís appeal to British Administration of Iraq, 94-95 Bahá'u'lláh'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 Bahá'í Centers LSA jurisdiction of; no two in the same city, 96 Bahá'í Faith America (see American Bahá'í Community) Attacks against, worldwide, foretold by Bahá'u'lláh, 123 Beauteous vision . . . unfolded in Bahá'u'lláh'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 Bahá'u'lláh, 3 "Whatsoever comes to pass in Cause of God ... is fraught with infinite Wisdom," 27 Bahá'í News Letter First issue, signed by secty NSA, 77 Scope to be enlarged: local, foreign, 82 Bahá'í World First volume published '28, 74, 92, 156 Bahá'ís Administrative activities, must support, 109 Character of, "inner life, private char.," secure triumph of Cause, 66 Character, purity of, manifests Bahá'í 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 Bahá'u'lláh Baghdad House (see Baghdad House) Banishments, Iráq to 'Akká, 4 Covenant & Testament, written by His Pen, 3 Daughter, Greatest Holy Leaf, ranks with Abdu'l-Bahá, 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 Bahá, 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 Bahá's faithless relatives, 191 Discord, sedition, stirred, 5 Expulsion from Faith, by Hands, 8 Greatest Holy Leaf faced storm of, after ascension Bahá, 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 Bahá'í 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 Bahá'ís 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 Bahá'í 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 Bahá'í 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 Iráq Baghdád 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 Jináb-i-Fadil U. S. teaching campaign, 31-32, 49, 54 Justice True Bahá'í reconciles with mercy, 64 Kitáb-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, Bahá'í spirit, 68 Show all peoples, friends, strangers, 9 Solvent of difficulties, 62 Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom Development of, encouraged, 38 Magazines, Bahá'í 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-Adkhár, Ishqábád Expropriated by Soviet Gov., 161-163 Mashriqu'l-Adkhár, Wilmette 'Abdu'l-Bahá'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 Bahá'ís, 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 Bahá, 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 Baghdád House, 180 Mírzá Yahyá In Baghdád, 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-'Alí, Arch-breaker Covenant of Bahá, 191 Munírih Khánum 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-Adhkár, 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 Bahá'ís of U.S. and Canada, 83 Voting rights, alternates, 96 National Teaching Committee Members '22, 29 Nationalism, repudiates super-state, 146 Navváb, Mother A.B., loyal to Covenant, 188-191 New World Order (see also Bahá'í Faith) Divine Plan, different from standards of men, 62-63 "One Haven of abiding felicity and peace", 80 Organizations, non-Bahá'í 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-Bahá'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, Ádhirbáyján, 132-134 Persecutions; call for NSA intervene, 93 Persecutions: Jahrum, 106-108 Persecutions; may be blessing in disguise, 105 Persecutions: Nayríz 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 Tarbíyat School in Tihrán, 118-119 Personalities Subordinated, 197 Pioneering, disperse . . . bestirred, without rest, 69 Plan of Unified Action Encouraged by S.E., 117 Mashriqu'l-Adkhár support, 108, 154-5 Politics Meddle with, forbidden, 10-11 No criticism; uphold Bahá'í principles, 102 Non-Participation, 197 Submission to just monarch, 10 Prayer Book Preparation underway, 73 Protection of Faith, by Covenant, 3 Publications, Bahá'í Bahá'í 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 Sulaymáníyyih, Bahá's retirement to, 188 Sultán 'Abdu'l Hamíd, trials, investigations of Cause, 191 Summer Schools, model of Bahá'í ideals, 131-132 Supreme Tribunal, members from governments and peoples, 9 Teachers Bahá 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 Bahá'í Terms, 43 True, Mrs., Temple services, 54 Turkey Bahá'í 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 Bahá, 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-Bahá Báb, Exalted One, target darts of woe, 4 Báb, station, 11 Bahá'u'lláh 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 Abhá 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 Bahá'u'lláh Foundation: unity, service, 67 Full significance awaits UHJ, 62


INTRODUCTION


      The passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on November 28, 1921, created a problem of religious administration unparalleled in the history of the world. Since the declaration of the Báb in 1844 there had come into being a community of faith containing representatives of every race, creed and class–hundreds of thousands of believers–united successively in devotion to the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá 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 Bahá'í 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 belief–of continuing their spiritual community unimpaired through the obvious dangers of moral and physical disruption surrounding it on every side–exemplified, though on a comparatively small scale, the problem of unifying humanity itself.
      It is significant of the completeness of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh 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 Bahá'í Faith had in fact already been successfully met during the days which followed the ascension of Bahá'u'lláh in 1892. By the appointment of 'Abdu'l-Bahá as the Center of His Covenant, Bahá'u'lláh 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-Bahá, according to the text of this appointment,


have the authority conferred by Bahá'u'lláh upon His Interpreter and Exemplar.
      Thus, during the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh 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-Bahá's public addresses and Tablets, many of which were directed to the administrative side of Bahá'í 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 Bahá'í community could not have survived the shock of 'Abdu'l-Bahá'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-Bahá's Will and Testament, excerpts from which form the first portion of this volume. By the appointment of a Guardian of the Bahá'í Cause, 'Abdu'l-Bahá created an executive head and center possessing unquestioned consecration and capacity for the tremendous task of inspiring the worldwide Bahá'í community to develop along the path of human service marked out for it in the Religion of Bahá'u'lláh. 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 Bahá'ís of eight countries, and the election of an International Spiritual Assembly * will follow in due time.
      The administrative aspect of the Bahá'í Cause is in reality no mere set of external regulations but the very fruit of its universal spirit. Bahá'í 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 action–unifying the whole being of each believer through his unity with his spiritual brothers. Its unbreakable foundation is the principle of consultation, which 'Abdu'l-Bahá declared to be the fulfilment of individual conscience in this new age.
      Bahá'í administration, indeed, proceeds from the text of Bahá'u'lláh; the contribution made by 'Abdu'l-Bahá was to define and expound the principles established by Bahá'u'lláh, as the contribution of the Guardian of the Cause is to apply them to the Bahá'í 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 Bahá'í 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 Bahá'ís, it is more than possible that acquaintance with the principles of Bahá'í administration will also have a special interest for many non-Bahá'ís 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 Bahá'í 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 Bahá'ís, however, that this plan is unworkable without the requisite spiritual basis–the 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 Bahá'ís 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 Bahá'í Faith, was elected in April, 1963 by the 56 National Assemblies existing at that time, in accordance with provisions in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh. The National Spiritual Assembly of Canada which was joined with that of the United States at the time these Messages defining the principles of Bahá'í administration were written, became an independent national body in 1948.