,bah' ,administration by ,shoghi ,effendi ,edition #a1 7,september #bjjf7 ,,baha',i ,,terms ,,of ,,use ,you have permission to freely make and use copies of the text and any other information 7,content7 available on this ,site including printing1 emailing1 posting1 distributing1 copying1 downloading1 uploading1 transmitting1 displaying the ,content in whole or in part subject to the following3 #a4 ,our copyright notice and the source reference must be attached to the ,content2 #b4 ,the ,content may not be modified or altered in any way except to change the font or appearance2 #c4 ,the ,content must be used solely for a non-commercial purpose4 ,although this blanket permission to reproduce the ,content is given freely such that no special permission is required1 the ,bah' ,international ,community retains full copyright protection for all ,content included at this ,site under all applicable national and international laws4 ,for permission to publish1 transmit1 display or otherwise use the ,content for any commercial purpose1 please contact us 7http3_/_/reference4bahai4org_/en_/conta ct4html74 ,,contents ,baha'i ,terms of ,use ,,part ,,one3 ,excerpts from the ,will and ,testament of #8,abdu'l-,bah 8,all-praise to ,him ,who1 by the ,shield of ,his ,covenant1 hath4440 8,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the greatest of all things is the4440 8,according to the direct and sacred command of ,god we are4440 8,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,thou seest this wronged servant of ,thine14440 8,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,shield ,thy trusted servants from the evils of4440 8,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,it is incumbent upon you to be submissive4440 8,by the ,ancient ,beauty6 ,this wronged one hath in no wise4440 8,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,strive with all your heart to shield4440 8,whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to4440 ,,part ,,two3 ,letters from ,shoghi ,effendi ,guardian of the ,bah' ,cause ,january #ba1 #aibb-;,july #ag1 #aicb ,letter of ,january #bast1 #aibb4 ,letter of ,march #e1 #aibb4 ,the ,mission of the ,cause ,local and ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies ,committees of the ,national ,assembly ,letter of ,circa ,may1 #aibb 7undated74 ,our ,common ,servitude ,letter of ,december #af1 #aibb ,letter of ,december #bcrd1 #aibb ,letter of ,january #ab1 #aibc ,star of the ,west ,letter of ,january #af1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,january #agth1 #aibc ,letter of ,february #ac1 #aibc ,letter of ,march #ab1 #aibc ,condition of the ,world ,responsibility of ,bah's ,election of ,local ,assemblies ,duties of ,spiritual ,assemblies ,national ,assemblies ,annual ,election of ,assemblies ,the ,bah' ,fund ,the ,most ,essential ,obligation ,transliteration of ,bah' ,terms ,letter of ,april #hth1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,april #ith1 #aibc4 ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies ,reports of ,activities ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,letter of ,april #bgth1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,may #fth1 #aibc ,central ,fund ,letter of ,november #ad1 #aibc4 ,the ,cause of ,human ,suffering ,letter of ,november #bf1 #aibc4 ,the ,annual ,convention ,the ,bah' ,fund ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,green ,acre ,committees of the ,national ,assembly ,letter of ,january #dth1 #aibd4 ,letter of ,february #bc1 #aibd4 ,divine ,destiny and ,human ,frailty ,the ,plight of ,mankind ,the ,new ,world ,order ,the ,foundation of the ,house of ,justice ,duties of ,elected ,representatives ,election of ,delegates ,letter of ,september #bd1 #aibd4 ,our ,inner ,life ,dawn of a ,brighter ,day ,letter of ,november #bdth1 #aibd4 ,menace of ,social ,chaos ,paramount ,duty of ,every ,bah' ,letter of ,november #bg1 #aibd4 ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,bah' ,magazine ,bah' ,year ,book ,letter of ,january #af1 #aibe4 ,history of the ,cause ,bah' ,periodicals ,news ,letter ,temple ,meetings ,letter of ,january #bith1 #aibe4 ,the ,national ,convention ,national ,spiritual ,assembly ,letter of ,april #ajth1 #aibe4 ,news ,letter ,title of ,assemblies ,representation at ,convention ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,letter of ,may #ab1 #aibe4 ,election of ,national ,assembly ,membership ,roll ,letter of ,june #crd1 #aibe4 ,purpose of ,convention ,national ,spiritual ,assembly ,the ,cornerstone of ,service ,letter of ,october #bdth1 #aibe4 ,qualifications of a ,believer ,national ,convention ,bah' ,year ,book ,persecution of ,persian ,bah's ,letter of ,november #f1 #aibe4 ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,international ,bah' ,shrine ,green ,acre ,jurisdiction of a ,local ,assembly ,voting ,rights of ,national ,assembly ,members ,letter of ,november #cj1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,january #aj1 #aibf4 ,shrine of ,baghdd ,judgment of ,egyptian ,religious ,court ,national ,fund ,association with ,orientals ,purpose of ,bah' ,administration ,letter of ,april #bbnd1 #aibf4 ,bah' ,martyrdoms in ,persia ,letter of ,may #aath1 #aibf4 ,persecutions in ,jahrum ,plan of ,unified ,action ,guiding ,principles of ,bah' ,administration ,letter of ,october #gth1 #aibf4 ,response of ,queen ,marie ,the ,regenerating ,power ,letter of ,october #bi1 #aibf4 ,shrine at ,baghdd ,letter of ,october #ca1 #aibf4 ,international ,secretariat ,plan of ,unified ,action ,world ,unity ,conferences ,appeal to the ,shh of ,persia ,letter of ,november #ad1 #aibf4 ,american ,teachers in ihrn ,letter of ,february #ab1 #aibg4 ,decision of ,egyptian ,tribunal ,bah' ,cause ,recognized as ,independent ,religion ,worldwide ,attacks ,foretold ,letter of ,february #bj1 #aibg4 ,twofold ,teaching ,method ,the ,spirit of ,enterprise ,letter of ,april #ab1 #aibg4 ,inter-racial ,amity ,green ,acre--a ,testing ,ground ,letter of ,april #bg1 #aibg4 ,assassination of ,persian ,believer ,letter of ,may #bg1 #aibg4 ,declaration of ,trust and ,by-,laws ,spirit and ,method of ,bah' ,elections ,letter of ,october #ag1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,october #ah1 #aibg4 ,concentration of ,resources ,relations of ,committees to ,assembly ,by-,laws of ,national ,assembly ,first ,national ,convention of ,persian ,bah's ,the ,trend of ,world ,events ,letter of ,december #f1 #aibh4 ,the ,promises of ,our ,departed ,master ,regeneration of ,persia ,bah' ,faith ,vindicated in ,turkey ,our ,most ,vital ,opportunity #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,cherished ,desire ,plan of ,unified ,action ,letter of ,december #f1 #aibh4 ,the ,bah' ,world ,letter of ,december #ba1 #aibh4 ,mr4 ,hippolyte ,dreyfus-,barney ,letter of ,january #a1 #aibi4 ,persecutions in ,russia ,guiding ,principle of ,conduct ,bah'u'llh's ,house at ,baghdd ,letter of ,february #ab1 #aibi4 ,trial of ,turkish ,believers ,decline of ,islm ,progress in ,persia ,letter of ,march #bj1 #aibi4 ,decision of ,league of ,nations ,letter of ,october #be1 #aibi4 ,gift from ,tomb of ,bah'u'llh ,purpose of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,letter of ,july #ag1 #aicb4 ,,part ,,one3 ,,excerpts ,,from ,,the ,,will ,,and ,,testament ,,of #8,,abdu',l-,,bah 8,all-praise to ,him ,who1 by the ,shield of ,his ,covenant1 hath4440 ,all-praise to ,him ,who1 by the ,shield of ,his ,covenant1 hath guarded the ,temple of ,his ,cause from the darts of doubtfulness1 ,who by the ,hosts of ,his ,testament hath preserved the ,sanctuary of ,his ,most ,beneficent ,law and protected ,his ,straight and ,luminous ,path1 staying thereby the onslaught of the company of ,covenant-breakers1 that have threatened to subvert ,his ,divine ,edifice2 ,who hath watched over ,his ,mighty ,stronghold and ,all-glorious ,faith1 through the aid of men whom the slander of the slanderer affects not1 whom no earthly calling1 glory and power can turn aside from the ,covenant of ,god and ,his ,testament1 established firmly by ,his clear and manifest words1 writ and revealed by ,his ,all-glorious ,pen and recorded in the ,preserved ,tablet4 ,salutation and praise1 blessing and glory rest upon that primal branch of the ,divine and ,sacred ,lote-,tree1 grown out1 blest1 tender1 verdant and flourishing from the ,twin ,holy ,trees2 the most wondrous1 unique and priceless pearl that doth gleam from out the twin surging seas2 upon the offshoots of the ,tree of ,holiness1 the twigs of the ,celestial ,tree1 they that in the ,day of the ,great ,dividing have stood fast and firm in the ,covenant2 upon the ,hands 7pillars7 of the ,cause of ,god that have diffused widely the ,divine ,fragrances1 declared ,his ,proofs1 proclaimed ,his ,faith1 published abroad ,his ,law1 detached themselves from all things but ,him1 stood for righteousness in this world1 and kindled the ,fire of the ,love of ,god in the very hearts and souls of ,his servants2 upon them that have believed1 rested assured1 stood steadfast in ,his ,covenant and followed the ,light that after my passing shineth from the ,dayspring of ,divine ,guidance--for behold6 he is the blest and sacred bough that hath branched out from the ,twin ,holy ,trees4 ,well is it with him that seeketh the shelter of his shade that shadoweth all mankind4 8,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the greatest of all things is the4440 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,the greatest of all things is the protection of the ,true ,faith of ,god1 the preservation of ,his ,law1 the safeguarding of ,his ,cause and service unto ,his ,word4 ,ten thousand souls have shed streams of their sacred blood in this path1 their precious lives they offered in sacrifice unto ,him1 hastened wrapt in holy ecstasy unto the glorious field of martyrdom1 upraised the ,standard of ,god's ,faith and writ with their life-blood upon the ,tablet of the world the verses of ,his ,divine ,unity4 ,the sacred breast of ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one1 7may my life be a sacrifice unto ,him7 was made a target to many a dart of woe1 and in ,mazandarn1 the ,blessed feet of the ,abh ,beauty 7may my life be offered up for ,his loved ones7 were so grievously scourged as to bleed and be sore wounded4 ,his neck also was put into captive chains and ,his feet made fast in the stocks4 ,in every hour1 for a period of fifty years1 a new trial and calamity befell ,him and fresh afflictions and cares beset ,him4 ,one of them3 after having suffered intense vicissitudes1 ,he was made homeless and a wanderer and fell a victim to still new vexations and troubles4 ,in #8,irq1 the ,day-,star of the world was so exposed to the wiles of the people of malice as to be eclipsed in splendor4 ,later on ,he was sent an exile to the ,great ,city 7,constantinople7 and thence to the ,land of ,mystery 7,adrianople71 whence1 grievously wronged1 ,he was eventually transferred to the ,most ,great ,prison 7,akk74 ,he ,whom the world hath wronged 7may my life be offered for ,his loved ones7 was four times banished from city to city1 till at last condemned to perpetual confinement1 ,he was incarcerated in this ,prison1 the prison of highway robbers1 of brigands and of manslayers4 ,all this is but one of the trials that have afflicted the ,blessed ,beauty1 the rest being even as grievous as this4 8,according to the direct and sacred command of ,god we are4440 ,according to the direct and sacred command of ,god we are forbidden to utter slander1 are commanded to show forth peace and amity1 are exhorted to rectitude of conduct1 straightforwardness and harmony with all the kindreds and peoples of the world4 ,we must obey and be the well-wishers of the governments of the land1 regard disloyalty unto a just king as disloyalty to ,god ,himself and wishing evil to the government a transgression of the ,cause of ,god4 8,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,thou seest this wronged servant of ,thine14440 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,thou seest this wronged servant of ,thine1 held fast in the talons of ferocious lions1 of ravening wolves1 of bloodthirsty beasts4 ,graciously assist me1 through my love for ,thee1 that ,i may drink deep of the chalice that brimmeth over with faithfulness to ,thee and is filled with ,thy bountiful ,grace2 so that1 fallen upon the dust1 ,i may sink prostrate and senseless whilst my vesture is dyed crimson with my blood4 ,this is my wish1 my heart's desire1 my hope1 my pride1 my glory4 ,grant1 ,o ,lord my ,god1 and my ,refuge1 that in my last hour1 my end1 may even as musk shed its fragrance of glory6 ,is there a bounty greater than this8 ,nay1 by ,thy ,glory6 ,i call ,thee to witness that no day passeth but that ,i quaff my fill from this cup1 so grievous are the misdeeds wrought by them that have broken the ,covenant1 kindled discord1 showed their malice1 stirred sedition in the land and dishonored ,thee amidst ,thy servants4 ,lord6 ,shield ,thou from these ,covenant-breakers the mighty ,stronghold of ,thy ,faith and protect ,thy secret ,sanctuary from the onslaught of the ungodly4 ,thou art in truth the ,mighty1 the ,powerful1 the ,gracious1 the ,strong4 8,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,shield ,thy trusted servants from the evils of4440 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,shield ,thy trusted servants from the evils of self and passion1 protect them with the watchful eye of ,thy loving kindness from all rancour1 hate and envy1 shelter them in the impregnable stronghold of ,thy ,cause and1 safe from the darts of doubtfulness1 make them the manifestations of ,thy glorious ,signs1 illumine their faces with the effulgent rays shed from the ,dayspring of ,thy ,divine ,unity1 gladden their hearts with the verses revealed from ,thy ,holy ,kingdom1 strengthen their loins by ,thy all-swaying power that cometh from ,thy ,realm of ,glory4 ,thou art the ,all-bountiful1 the ,protector1 the ,almighty1 the ,gracious6 ,o ye that stand fast in the ,covenant6 ,when the hour cometh that this wronged and broken winged bird will have taken its flight unto the celestial concourse1 when it will have hastened to the ,realm of the ,unseen and its mortal frame will have been either lost or hidden neath the dust1 it is incumbent upon the ,afnn1 that are steadfast in the ,covenant of ,god1 and have branched from the ,tree of ,holiness2 the ,hands1 7pillars7 of the ,cause of ,god1 7the glory of the ,lord rest upon them71 and all the friends and loved ones1 one and all to bestir themselves and arise with heart and soul and in one accord1 to diffuse the sweet savors of ,god1 to teach ,his ,cause and to promote ,his ,faith4 ,it behooveth them not to rest for a moment1 neither to seek repose4 ,they must disperse themselves in every land1 pass by every clime and travel throughout all regions4 ,bestirred1 without rest and steadfast to the end they must raise in every land the triumphal cry 8,o ,thou the ,glory of ,glories60 7,y-,bah'u'l-,abh71 must achieve renown in the world wherever they go1 must burn brightly even as a candle in every meeting and must kindle the flame of ,divine love in every assembly2 that the light of truth may rise resplendent in the midmost heart of the world1 that throughout the ,east and throughout the ,west a vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the ,word of ,god1 that the sweet savors of holiness may be diffused1 that faces may shine radiantly1 hearts be filled with the ,divine spirit and souls be made heavenly4 ,in these days1 the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world4 ,teaching the ,cause is of utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself4 ,this wronged servant has spent his days and night in promoting the ,cause and urging the peoples to service4 ,he rested not a moment1 till the fame of the ,cause of ,god was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains from the ,abh ,kingdom roused the ,east and the ,west4 ,the beloved of ,god must also follow the same example4 ,this is the secret of faithfulness1 this is the requirement of servitude to the ,threshold of ,bah6 ,the disciples of ,christ forgot themselves and all earthly things1 forsook all their cares and belongings1 purged themselves of self and passion and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the ,divine ,guidance1 till at last they made the world another world1 illumined the surface of the earth and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that ,beloved ,one of ,god4 ,finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom4 ,let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps6 ,o my loving friends6 ,after the passing away of this wronged one1 it is incumbent upon the ,aghsn 7,branches71 the ,afnn 7,twigs7 of the ,sacred ,lote-,tree1 the ,hands 7pillars7 of the ,cause of ,god and the loved ones of the ,abh ,beauty to turn unto ,shoghi ,effendi--the youthful branch branched from the two hallowed and sacred ,lote-,trees and the fruit grown from the union of the two offshoots of the ,tree of ,holiness1--as he is the sign of ,god1 the chosen branch1 the guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 he unto whom all the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn1 the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god and ,his loved ones must turn4 ,he is the expounder of the words of ,god and after him will succeed the first-born of his lineal descendants4 ,the sacred and youthful branch1 the guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 as well as the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 to be universally elected and established1 are both under the care and protection of the ,abh ,beauty1 under the shelter and unerring guidance of ,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one 7may my life be offered up for them both74 ,whatsoever they decide is of ,god4 ,whoso obeyeth him not1 neither obeyeth them1 hath not obeyed ,god2 whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against ,god2 whoso opposeth him hath opposed ,god2 whoso contendeth with them hath contended with ,god2 whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with ,god2 whoso denieth him hath denied ,god2 whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in ,god2 whoso deviateth1 separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath in truth deviated1 separated himself and turned aside from ,god4 ,may the wrath1 the fierce indignation1 the vengeance of ,god rest upon him6 ,the mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,it is incumbent upon the members of the ,house of ,justice1 upon all the ,aghsn1 the ,afnn1 the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god to show their obedience1 submissiveness and subordination unto the guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 to turn unto him and be lowly before him4 ,he that opposeth him hath opposed the ,true ,one1 will make a breach in the ,cause of ,god1 will subvert ,his word and will become a manifestation of the ,center of ,sedition4 ,beware1 beware1 lest the days after the ascension 7of ,bah'u'llh7 be repeated when the ,center of ,sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with ,divine ,unity for his excuse deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others4 ,no doubt every vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not openly declare his evil purposes1 nay rather1 even as impure gold1 would he seize upon divers measures and various pretexts that he may separate the gathering of the people of ,bah4 ,my object is to show that the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god must be ever watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the guardian of the ,cause of ,god cast him out from the congregation of the people of ,bah and in no wise accept any excuse from him4 ,how often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth1 that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men6 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,it is incumbent upon the guardian of the ,cause of ,god to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor1 that differences may not arise after his passing4 ,he that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things1 must be the essence of purity1 must show in himself the fear of ,god1 knowledge1 wisdom and learning4 ,thus1 should the first-born of the guardian of the ,cause of ,god not manifest in himself the truth of the words3--8,the child is the secret essence of its sire10 that is1 should he not inherit of the spiritual within him 7the guardian of the ,cause of ,god7 and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character1 then must he 7the guardian of the ,cause of ,god71 choose another branch to succeed him4 ,the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the work of the guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,the election of these nine must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god and these1 whether unanimously or by a majority vote1 must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the guardian of the ,cause of ,god hath chosen as his successor4 ,this assent must be given in such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished4 7secret ballot7 ,o friends6 ,the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god must be nominated and appointed by the guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,all must be under his shadow and obey his command4 ,should any1 within or without the company of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god disobey and seek division1 the wrath of ,god and ,his vengeance will be upon him1 for he will have caused a breach in the true ,faith of ,god4 ,the obligations of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god are to diffuse the ,divine ,fragrances1 to edify the souls of men1 to promote learning1 to improve the character of all men and to be1 at all times and under all conditions1 sanctified and detached from earthly things4 ,they must manifest the fear of ,god by their conduct1 their manners1 their deeds and their words4 ,this body of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god is under the direction of the guardian of the ,cause of ,god4 ,he must continually urge them to strive and endeavor to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of ,god1 and to guide all the peoples of the world1 for it is the light of ,divine ,guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined4 ,to disregard1 though it be for a moment1 this absolute command which is binding upon everyone1 is in no wise permitted1 that the existent world may become even as the ,abh ,paradise1 that the surface of the earth may become heavenly1 that contention and conflict amidst peoples1 kindreds1 nations and governments may disappear1 that all the dwellers on earth may become one people and one race1 that the world may become even as one home4 ,should differences arise they shall be amicably and conclusively settled by the ,supreme ,tribunal1 that shall include members from all the governments and peoples of the world4 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,in this sacred ,dispensation1 conflict and contention are in no wise permitted4 ,every aggressor deprives himself of ,god's grace4 ,it is incumbent upon everyone to show the utmost love1 rectitude of conduct1 straightforwardness and sincere kindliness unto all the peoples and kindreds of the world1 be they friends or strangers4 ,so intense must be the spirit of love and loving-kindness1 that the stranger may find himself a friend1 the enemy a true brother1 no difference whatsoever existing between them4 ,for universality is of ,god and all limitations earthly4 ,thus man must strive that his reality may manifest virtues and perfections1 the light whereof may shine upon everyone4 ,the light of the sun shineth upon all the world and the merciful showers of ,divine ,providence fall upon all peoples4 ,the vivifying breeze reviveth every living creature and all beings endued with life obtain their share and portion at ,his heavenly board4 ,in like manner1 the affections and loving-kindness of the servants of the ,one ,true ,god must be bountifully and universally extended to all mankind4 ,regarding this1 restrictions and limitations are in no wise permitted4 ,wherefore1 ,o my loving friends6 ,consort with all the peoples1 kindreds and religions of the world with the utmost truthfulness1 uprightness1 faithfulness1 kindliness1 good-will and friendliness2 that all the world of being may be filled with the holy ecstasy of the grace of ,bah1 that ignorance1 enmity1 hate and rancor may vanish from the world and the darkness of estrangement amidst the peoples and kindreds of the world may give way to the ,light of ,unity4 ,should other peoples and nations be unfaithful to you show your fidelity unto them1 should they be unjust toward you show justice towards them1 should they keep aloof from you attract them to yourself1 should they show their enmity be friendly towards them1 should they poison your lives sweeten their souls1 should they inflict a wound upon you be a salve to their sores4 ,such are the attributes of the sincere6 ,such are the attributes of the truthful4 ,and now1 concerning the ,house of ,justice which ,god hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error1 it must be elected by universal suffrage1 that is1 by the believers4 ,its members must be manifestations of the fear of ,god and daysprings of knowledge and understanding1 must be steadfast in ,god's faith and the well-wishers of all mankind4 ,by this ,house is meant the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 that is1 in all countries1 a secondary ,house of ,justice must be instituted1 and these secondary ,houses of ,justice must elect the members of the ,universal one4 ,unto this body all things must be referred4 ,it enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit ,holy ,text4 ,by this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved and the guardian of the ,cause of ,god is its sacred head and the distinguished member for life of that body4 ,should he not attend in person its deliberations1 he must appoint one to represent him4 ,should any of the members commit a sin1 injurious to the common weal1 the guardian of the ,cause of ,god hath at his own discretion the right to expel him1 whereupon the people must elect another one in his stead4 8,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,it is incumbent upon you to be submissive4440 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,it is incumbent upon you to be submissive to all monarchs that are just and show your fidelity to every righteous king4 ,serve ye the sovereigns of the world with utmost truthfulness and loyalty4 ,show obedience unto them and be their well-wishers4 ,without their leave and permission do not meddle with political affairs1 for disloyalty to the just sovereign is disloyalty to ,god himself4 ,this is my counsel and the commandment of ,god unto you4 ,well is it with them that act accordingly4 8,by the ,ancient ,beauty6 ,this wronged one hath in no wise4440 ,by the ,ancient ,beauty6 ,this wronged one hath in no wise borne nor doth he bear a grudge against any one2 towards none doth he entertain any ill-feeling and uttereth no word save for the good of the world4 ,my supreme obligation1 however1 of necessity1 prompteth me to guard and preserve the ,cause of ,god4 ,thus1 with the greatest regret1 ,i counsel you saying3--8,guard ye the ,cause of ,god1 protect ,his law and have the utmost fear of discord4 ,this is the foundation of the belief of the people of ,bah 7may my life be offered up for them74 8,his ,holiness1 the ,exalted ,one1 7the ,bb7 is the ,manifestation of the ,unity and ,oneness of ,god and the ,forerunner of the ,ancient ,beauty4 ,his ,holiness the ,abh ,beauty1 7may my life be a sacrifice for ,his steadfast friends7 is the ,supreme ,manifestation of ,god and the ,dayspring of ,his ,most ,divine ,essence4 ,all others are servants unto ,him and do ,his bidding40 ,unto the ,most ,holy ,book every one must turn and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the ,universal ,house of ,justice4 ,that which this body1 whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry1 that is verily the ,truth and the ,purpose of ,god himself4 ,whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord1 hath shown forth malice and turned away from the ,lord of the ,covenant4 ,by this ,house is meant that ,universal ,house of ,justice which is to be elected from all countries1 that is1 from those parts in the ,east and ,west where the loved ones are to be found1 after the manner of the customary elections in ,western countries such as those of ,england4 8,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,strive with all your heart to shield4440 ,o ye beloved of the ,lord6 ,strive with all your heart to shield the ,cause of ,god from the onslaught of the insincere1 for souls such as these cause the straight to become crooked and all benevolent efforts to produce contrary results4 ,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,i call ,thee1 ,thy ,prophets and ,thy ,messengers1 ,thy ,saints and ,thy ,holy ,ones1 to witness that ,i have declared conclusively ,thy ,proofs unto ,thy loved ones and set forth clearly all things unto them1 that they may watch over ,thy ,faith1 guard ,thy ,straight ,path and protect ,thy ,resplendent ,law4 ,thou art1 verily1 the ,all-knowing1 the ,all-wise6 8,whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to4440 ,whosoever and whatsoever meeting becometh a hindrance to the diffusion of the ,light of ,faith1 let the loved ones give them counsel and say3 8,of all the gifts of ,god the greatest is the gift of ,teaching4 ,it draweth unto us the ,grace of ,god and is our first obligation4 ,of such a gift how can we deprive ourselves8 ,nay1 our lives1 our goods1 our comforts1 our rest1 we offer them all as a sacrifice for the ,abh ,beauty and teach the ,cause of ,god40 ,caution and prudence1 however1 must be observed even as recorded in the ,book4 ,the veil must in no wise be suddenly rent asunder4 ,the ,glory of ,glories rest upon you4 ,o ye the faithful loved ones of #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,it is incumbent upon you to take the greatest care of ,shoghi ,effendi1 the twig that hath branched from the fruit given forth by the two hallowed and ,divine ,lote-,trees1 that no dust of despondency and sorrow may stain his radiant nature1 that day by day he may wax greater in happiness1 in joy and spirituality1 and may grow to become even as a fruitful tree4 ,for he is1 after #8,abdu'l-,bah1 the guardian of the ,cause of ,god1 the ,afnn1 the ,hands 7pillars7 of the ,cause and the beloved of the ,lord must obey him and turn unto him4 ,he that obeyeth him not1 hath not obeyed ,god2 he that turneth away from him1 hath turned away from ,god and he that denieth him1 hath denied the ,true ,one4 ,beware lest anyone falsely interpret these words1 and like unto them that have broken the ,covenant after the ,day of ,ascension 7of ,bah'u'llh7 advance a pretext1 raise the standard of revolt1 wax stubborn and open wide the door of false interpretation4 ,to none is given the right to put forth his own opinion or express his particular convictions4 ,all must seek guidance and turn unto the ,center of the ,cause and the ,house of ,justice4 ,and he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error4 ,the ,glory of ,glories rest upon you6 ,,part ,,two3 ,,letters ,,from ,,shoghi ,,effendi ,,guardian ,,of ,,the ,,bah' ,,cause ,,january #ba1 #aibb-;,,july #ag1 #aicb ,letter of ,january #bast1 #aibb4 ,dearly beloved brethren and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,at this early hour when the morning light is just breaking upon the ,holy ,land1 whilst the gloom of the dear ,master's bereavement is still hanging thick upon the hearts1 ,i feel as if my soul turns in yearning love and full of hope to that great company of ,his loved ones across the seas1 who now share with us all the agonies of ,his separation4 ,it is idle for me to emphasize how much the sorrowful ladies of the ,holy ,household look forward to the work that lies before the friends in the ,american continent1 who in the past have rendered so glorious a service to ,his ,cause and will now1 faithful to ,his special love for them1 carry on their mission still more gloriously than ever before4 ,true1 the shock has been too terrible and sudden for us all to recover from in so short a time1 but whenever we recall ,his ,sayings and read ,his ,writings1 hope springs in our hearts and gives us the peace that no other material comfort can give4 ,how well ,i remember when1 more than two years ago1 the ,beloved ,master turning to a distinguished visitor of ,his1 who was seated by ,him in ,his garden1 suddenly broke the silence and said3--8,my work is now done upon this plane2 it is time for me to pass on to the other world40 ,did ,he not in more than one occasion state clearly and emphatically3--8,were ye to know what will come to pass after me1 surely would ye pray that my end be hastened80 ,in a ,tablet sent to ,persia when the storm raised years ago by that ,committee of ,investigation was fiercely raging around ,him1 when the days of ,his incarceration were at their blackest1 ,he reveals the following3--8,now in this world of being1 the ,hand of ,divine ,power hath firmly laid the foundations of this all-highest ,bounty and this wondrous ,gift4 ,gradually whatsoever is latent in the innermost of this ,holy ,cycle shall appear and be made manifest1 for now is but the beginning of its growth and the dayspring of the revelation of its ,signs4 ,ere the close of this ,century and of this ,age1 it shall be made clear and manifest how wondrous was that ,springtide and how heavenly was that ,gift60 ,with such assuring ,utterances and the unmistakable evidences of ,his sure and clear knowledge that ,his end was nigh1 is there any reason why the followers of ,his ,faith1 the world over1 should be perturbed8 ,are not the prayers ,he revealed for us sufficient source of inspiration to every worker in ,his ,cause8 ,have not ,his instructions paved before us the broad and straight ,path of ,teaching8 ,will not ,his now doubly effective power of ,grace sustain us1 strengthen us and confirm us in our work for ,him8 ,ours is the duty to strive by day and night to fulfill our own obligations and then trust in ,his ,guidance and never failing ,grace4 ,unity amongst the friends1 selflessness in our labors in ,his ,path1 detachment from all worldly things1 the greatest prudence and caution in every step we take1 earnest endeavor to carry out only what is ,his ,holy ,will and ,pleasure1 the constant awareness of ,his ,presence and of the example of ,his ,life1 the absolute shunning of whomsoever we feel to be an enemy of the ,cause 444 these1 and foremost among them is the need for unity1 appear to me as our most vital duties1 should we dedicate our lives for ,his service4 ,should we in this spirit arise to serve ,him1 what surer and greater promise have we than the one ,his ,glorious ,father1 ,bah'u'llh1 gives us in ,his ,most ,holy ,book3--8,verily1 ,we behold you from ,our ,realm of ,effulgent ,glory1 and shall graciously aid whosoever ariseth for the triumph of ,our ,cause with the hosts of the ,celestial ,concourse and a company of ,our chosen angels40 ,how dearly all the ,holy ,leaves7#a7 cherish that memory of the departed ,master1 as ,he commented upon the fresh tidings that poured in from that continent1 admiring the untiring activity of the friends1 the complete subordination of their material interests to those of the ,cause1 the remarkable spread of the ,movement in their midst and their staunch firmness in the ,covenant of ,bah'u'llh4 ,it is these encouraging reflections of the ,master about ,his loved ones in ,america and the tests intellectual rather than physical which ,he said ,he would send to them to purify them and make ever brighter than before--it is these comments and promises of ,his that make of the ,movement in that land such a potential force in the world today4 ,the ,beloved ,master's cable to the friends in that region is a clear indication of the presence of those counteracting forces that may usher in those storms of tests that the ,master ,himself has said will ultimately be for the good of the ,cause in that land4 ,and finally1 the ladies of the ,sacred ,household and we1 the rest of ,his kindred and family1 will pray at ,his ,hallowed ,shrine for every one of you and ,he will surely watch over and enhance in the course of time that noble part of ,his heritage that ,he has bequeathed to ,his friends in the ,far ,west2 friends from whom in return ,he expects so much and whom ,he has loved and still doth love so dearly4 ,your sincere co-worker in ,his ,cause1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,january #bast1 #aibb4 ,letter of ,march #e1 #aibb4 ,dear fellow-workers in the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh3-- ,it is with words of regret and disappointment that ,i desire to open this letter because of my inability1 in view of my manifold and pressing duties1 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 passing from this ,world4 ,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 you1 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 hearts1 and pray for when visiting ,his sacred ,shrine4 ,at this grave and momentous period through which the ,cause of ,god in conformity with the ,divine ,wisdom is passing1 it is the sacred duty of every one of us to endeavor to realize the full significance of this ,hour of ,transition1 and then to make a supreme resolve to arise steadfastly for the fulfilment of our sacred obligations4 ,the ,mission of the ,cause ,great as is the love and paternal care which our beloved ,master is extending to us from on ,high1 and unique as is the ,spirit that animates today ,his servants in the world1 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 ,him4 ,how great is the need at this moment when the promised outpourings of ,his grace are ready to be extended to every soul1 for us all to form a broad vision of the mission of the ,cause to mankind1 and to do all in our power to spread it throughout the world6 ,the eyes of the world1 now that the sublime ,personality of the ,master has been removed from this visible plane1 are turned with eager anticipation to us who are named after ,his name1 and on whom rests primarily the responsibility to keep burning the torch that ,he has lit in this world4 ,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 likings1 our local interests1 to the interests and requirements of the ,cause of ,god6 ,now is the time to set aside1 nay1 to forget altogether1 minor considerations regarding our internal relationships1 and to present a solid united front to the world animated by no other desire but to serve and propagate ,his ,cause4 ,it is my firm conviction which ,i now express with all sincerity and candor1 that the dignity and unity of the ,cause urgently demands--particularly throughout the ,american continent--that the friends should in their words and conduct emphasize and give absolute prominence to the constructive dynamic principles of ,bah'u'llh1 rather than attach undue importance to ,his negative ,teachings4 ,with hearts cleansed from the least trace of suspicion and filled with hope and faith in what the spirit of love can achieve1 we must one and all endeavor at this moment to forget past impressions1 and with absolute good-will and genuine cooperation unite in deepening and diffusing the spirit of love and service that the ,cause has thus far so remarkably shown to the world4 ,to this attitude of good-will1 of forbearance and genuine kindness to all1 must be added1 however1 constant but unprovocative vigilance1 lest unrestricted association with the peoples of the world should enable the very few who have been definitely pronounced by the ,master as injurious to the body of the ,cause1 to make a breach in the ,movement4 ,not until1 however1 an unmistakable evidence should appear1 manifestly revealing the evil motives of a certain individual or group of individuals1 is it advisable to make the matter public2 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 intentions4 ,as the ,master so fully and consistently did throughout ,his lifetime1 we must all make a supreme effort to pour out a genuine spirit of kindness and hopeful love to peoples of various creeds and classes1 and must abstain from all provocative language that may impede the effect of what true and continued kindness can produce4 ,does not #8,abdu'l-,bah wish us1 as ,he looks down upon us with loving expectation from ,his glorious ,station1 to obliterate as much as possible all traces of censure1 of conflicting discussions1 of cooling remarks1 of petty unnecessary observations that impede the onward march of the ,cause1 that damp the zeal of the firm believer and detract from the sublimity of the ,bah' ,cause in the eyes of the inquirer8 ,in order1 however1 to insure fair and quick and vigorous action whenever such an evil activity is revealed and has been carefully ascertained1 the best and only means would appear to be1 for the careful observer1 once he is assured of such an evil action1 and has grown hopeless of the attitude of kindness and forbearance1 to report it quietly to the ,spiritual ,assembly representative of the friends in that locality and submit the case to their earnest and full consideration4 ,should the majority of the members of that ,assembly be conscientiously convinced of the case--and this being a national issue affecting the body of the friends in ,america--it should1 only through the intermediary of that ,assembly1 be cautiously communicated to that greater body representing all the ,assemblies in ,america1 which will in its turn obtain all the available data from the local ,assembly in question1 study carefully the situation and reserve for itself the ultimate decision4 ,it may1 if it decides so1 refer to the ,holy ,land for further consideration and consultation4 ,local and ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies ,this clearly places heavy responsibilities on the local as well as national ,assemblies1 which in the course of time will evolve1 with the ,master's power and guidance1 into the local and national ,houses of ,justice4 ,hence the vital necessity of having a local ,spiritual ,assembly in every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine1 and of making provision for the indirect election of a ,body that shall adequately represent the interests of all the friends and ,assemblies throughout the ,american ,continent4 ,a perusal of some of the words of ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah on the duties and functions of the ,spiritual ,assemblies in every land 7later to be designated as the local ,houses of ,justice71 emphatically reveals the sacredness of their nature1 the wide scope of their activity1 and the grave responsibility which rests upon them4 ,addressing the members of the ,spiritual ,assembly in ,chicago1 the ,master reveals the following3--8,whenever ye enter the council-chamber1 recite this prayer with a heart throbbing with the love of ,god and a tongue purified from all but ,his remembrance1 that the ,all-powerful may graciously aid you to achieve supreme victory3--#8,o ,god1 my ,god6 ,we are servants of ,thine that have turned with devotion to ,thy ,holy ,face1 that have detached ourselves from all beside ,thee in this glorious ,day4 ,we have gathered in this spiritual assembly1 united in our views and thoughts1 with our purposes harmonized to exalt ,thy ,word amidst mankind4 ,o ,lord1 our ,god6 ,make us the signs of ,thy ,divine ,guidance1 the ,standards of ,thy exalted ,faith amongst men1 servants to ,thy mighty ,covenant4 ,o ,thou our ,lord ,most ,high6 ,manifestations of ,thy ,divine ,unity in ,thine ,abh ,kingdom1 and resplendent stars shining upon all regions4 ,lord6 ,aid us to become seas surging with the billows of ,thy wondrous ,grace1 streams flowing from ,thy all-glorious ,heights1 goodly fruits upon the ,tree of ,thy heavenly ,cause1 trees waving through the breezes of ,thy ,bounty in ,thy celestial ,vineyard4 ,o ,god6 ,make our souls dependent upon the ,verses of ,thy ,divine ,unity1 our hearts cheered with the outpourings of ,thy ,grace1 that we may unite even as the waves of one sea and become merged together as the rays of ,thine ,effulgent ,light2 that our thoughts1 our views1 our feelings may become as one reality1 manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world4 ,thou art the ,gracious1 the ,bountiful1 the ,bestower1 the ,almighty1 the ,merciful1 the ,compassionate4'0 ,in the ,most ,holy ,book is revealed3--8,the ,lord hath ordained that in every city a ,house of ,justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of ,bah1 and should it exceed this number it does not matter4 ,it behooveth them to be the trusted ones of the ,merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of ,god for all that dwell on earth4 ,it is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of ,god1 for ,his sake1 even as they regard their own interests1 and to choose that which is meet and seemly4 ,thus hath the ,lord your ,god commanded you4 ,beware lest ye put away that which is clearly revealed in ,his ,tablet4 ,fear ,god1 ,o ye that perceive40 ,furthermore1 #8,abdu'l-,bah reveals the following3--8,it is incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the ,spiritual ,assembly1 and they must assuredly obey with heart and soul its bidding and be submissive unto it1 that things may be properly ordered and well arranged4 ,otherwise every person will act independently and after his own judgment1 will follow his own desire1 and do harm to the ,cause40 8,the prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of motive1 radiance of spirit1 detachment from all else save ,god1 attraction to ,his ,divine ,fragrances1 humility and lowliness amongst ,his loved ones1 patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to ,his exalted ,threshold4 ,should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes1 victory from the unseen ,kingdom of ,bah shall be vouchsafed to them4 ,in this day1 assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a vital necessity4 ,obedience unto them is essential and obligatory4 ,the members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise4 ,this can be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument4 ,should any one oppose1 he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed4 ,the shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions4 ,if after discussion1 a decision be carried unanimously1 well and good2 but if1 the ,lord forbid1 differences of opinion should arise1 a majority of voices must prevail40 ,enumerating the obligations incumbent upon the members of consulting councils1 the ,beloved reveals the following3--8,the first condition is absolute love and harmony amongst the members of the assembly4 ,they must be wholly free from estrangement and must manifest in themselves the ,unity of ,god1 for they are the waves of one sea1 the drops of one river1 the stars of one heaven1 the rays of one sun1 the trees of one orchard1 the flowers of one garden4 ,should harmony of thought and absolute unity be non-existent1 that gathering shall be dispersed and that assembly be brought to naught4 ,the second condition3--,they must when coming together turn their faces to the ,kingdom on ,high and ask aid from the ,realm of ,glory4 ,they must then proceed with the utmost devotion1 courtesy1 dignity1 care and moderation to express their views4 ,they must in every matter search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion1 for stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden4 ,the honored members must with all freedom express their own thoughts1 and it is in no wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another1 nay1 he must with moderation set forth the truth1 and should differences of opinion arise a majority of voices must prevail1 and all must obey and submit to the majority4 ,it is again not permitted that any one of the honored members object to or censure1 whether in or out of the meeting1 any decision arrived at previously1 though that decision be not right1 for such criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced4 ,in short1 whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of motive1 its result is light1 and should the least trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness4444 ,if this be so regarded1 that assembly shall be of ,god1 but otherwise it shall lead to coolness and alienation that proceed from the ,evil ,one4 ,discussions must all be confined to spiritual matters that pertain to the training of souls1 the instruction of children1 the relief of the poor1 the help of the feeble throughout all classes in the world1 kindness to all peoples1 the diffusion of the fragrances of ,god and the exaltation of ,his ,holy ,word4 ,should they endeavor to fulfill these conditions the ,grace of the ,holy ,spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them1 and that assembly shall become the center of the ,divine blessings1 the hosts of ,divine confirmation shall come to their aid1 and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of ,spirit40 ,so great is the importance and so supreme is the authority of these assemblies that once #8,abdu'l-,bah after having himself and in his own handwriting corrected the translation made into ,arabic of the ,ishrqt 7the ,effulgences7 by ,sheikh ,faraj1 a ,kurdish friend from ,cairo1 directed him in a ,tablet to submit the above-named translation to the ,spiritual ,assembly of ,cairo1 that he may seek from them before publication their approval and consent4 ,these are ,his very words in that ,tablet3--8,his honor1 ,sheikh ,faraju'llah1 has here rendered into ,arabic with greatest care the ,ishrqt and yet ,i have told him that he must submit his version to the ,spiritual ,assembly of ,egypt1 and ,i have conditioned its publication upon the approval of the above-named ,assembly4 ,this is so that things may be arranged in an orderly manner1 for should it not be so any one may translate a certain ,tablet and print and circulate it on his own account4 ,even a non-believer might undertake such work1 and thus cause confusion and disorder4 ,if it be conditioned1 however1 upon the approval of the ,spiritual ,assembly1 a translation prepared1 printed and circulated by a non-believer will have no recognition whatever40 ,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 friends1 unless fully considered and approved by the ,spiritual ,assembly in his locality2 and if this 7as is undoubtedly the case7 is a matter that pertains to the general interest of the ,cause in that land1 then it is incumbent upon the ,spiritual ,assembly to submit it to the consideration and approval of the national body representing all the various local assemblies4 ,not only with regard to publication1 but all matters without any exception whatsoever1 regarding the interests of the ,cause in that locality1 individually or collectively1 should be referred exclusively to the ,spiritual ,assembly in that locality1 which shall decide upon it1 unless it be a matter of national interest1 in which case it shall be referred to the national body4 ,with this national body also will rest the decision whether a given question is of local or national interest4 7,by national affairs is not meant matters that are political in their character1 for the friends of ,god the world over are strictly forbidden to meddle with political affairs in any way whatever1 but rather things that affect the spiritual activities of the body of the friends in that land47 ,full harmony1 however1 as well as cooperation among the various local assemblies and the members themselves1 and particularly between each assembly and the national body1 is of the utmost importance1 for upon it depends the unity of the ,cause of ,god1 the solidarity of the friends1 the full1 speedy and efficient working of the spiritual activities of ,his loved ones4 ,committees of the ,national ,assembly ,large issues in such spiritual activities that affect the ,cause in general in that land1 such as the management of the 8,star of the ,west0 and any periodical which the ,national ,body may decide to be a ,bah' organ1 the matter of publication1 or reprinting ,bah' literature and its distribution among the various assemblies1 the means whereby the teaching campaign may be stimulated and maintained1 the work of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 the racial question in relation to the ,cause1 the matter of receiving ,orientals and association with them1 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 voice1 and various other national spiritual activities1 far from being under the exclusive jurisdiction of any local assembly or group of friends1 must each be minutely and fully directed by a special board1 elected by the ,national ,body1 constituted as a committee thereof1 responsible to it and upon which the ,national ,body shall exercise constant and general supervision4 ,the time is indeed ripe for the manifold activities1 wherein the servants and handmaids of ,bah'u'llh are so devoutly and earnestly engaged1 to be harmonized and conducted with unity1 cooperation and efficiency1 that the effect of such a combined and systematized effort1 through which an ,all-powerful ,spirit is steadily pouring1 may transcend every other achievement of the past1 however glorious it has been1 and may stand1 now that1 to the eyes of the outside world the glorious ,person of the ,master is no more1 a convincing testimony of the potency of ,his everliving ,spirit4 ,your brother and co-worker in ,his ,cause1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,march #e1 #aibb4 ,letter of ,circa ,may1 #aibb 7undated74 ,,in ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,god ,this servant1 after that grievous event and great calamity1 the ascension of ,his ,holiness #8,abdu'l-,bah to the ,abh ,kingdom1 has been so stricken with grief and pain and so entangled in the troubles 7created7 by the enemies of the ,cause of ,god1 that ,i consider that my presence here1 at such a time and in such an atmosphere1 is not in accordance with the fulfilment of my important and sacred duties4 ,for this reason1 unable to do otherwise1 ,i have left for a time the affairs of the ,cause both at home and abroad1 under the supervision of the ,holy ,family and the headship of the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf7#b7 until1 by the ,grace of ,god1 having gained health1 strength1 self-confidence and spiritual energy1 and having taken into my hands1 in accordance with my aim and desire1 entirely and regularly the work of service ,i shall attain to my utmost spiritual hope and aspiration4 ,the servant of ,his ,threshold1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,circa ,may1 #aibb 7undated74 ,our ,common ,servitude ,may ,i also express my heartfelt desire that the friends of ,god in every land regard me in no other light but that of a true brother1 united with them in our common servitude to the ,master's ,sacred ,threshold1 and refer to me in their letters and verbal addresses always as ,shoghi ,effendi1 for ,i desire to be known by no other name save the one our ,beloved ,master was wont to utter1 a name which of all other designations is the most conducive to my spiritual growth and advancement4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,circa ,may1 #aibb 7undated74 ,letter of ,december #af1 #aibb ,to the loved ones of #8,abdu'l-,bah throughout the continent of ,america4 ,dear fellow-workers in the ,holy ,vineyard of ,bah6 ,now that my long hours of rest and meditation are happily at an end1 ,i turn my face with renewed hope and vigor to that vast continent the soil of which is pregnant with those seeds that our beloved ,master has so tenderly and so profusely scattered in the past4 ,prolonged though this period has been1 yet ,i have strongly felt ever since the ,new ,day has dawned upon me that such a needed retirement1 despite the temporary dislocations it might entail1 would far outweigh in its results any immediate service ,i could have humbly tendered at the ,threshold of ,bah'u'llh4 ,i am now confident that the energies of my beloved brethren and sisters across the seas1 far from being damped by my sudden disappearance from the field of service1 will henceforth be fully maintained1 nay redoubled in their intensity1 that we may all together carry triumphantly to the uttermost corners of the world the glorious ,standard of ,bah4 ,bereft of all news whatsoever during my hours of restful seclusion1 ,i now feel the more the thrill of the various tidings1 few but indeed promising1 that have been awaiting my return to the ,holy ,land4 ,the work of the noble ,edifice that the mighty hands of the ,all-wise ,master has reared in this world can suffer no delay1 nor can its foundations be made to totter1 whatever the apparent obstacles its enemies in their impotent wrath and despair may throw in its way4 ,we need not wait too long1 for already from various quarters there comes the news that the awful promises of #8,abdu'l-,bah regarding the ,covenant-breakers have been strikingly fulfilled6 ,but it behooves us not to dwell for a moment on these doomed and darkened efforts1 for the shining light of the ,master's unfailing guidance is beckoning us to more constructive service1 to nobler and worthier achievements4 ,we have1 not a long time ago1 with tearful eyes commemorated the world over the passing hour of our beloved ,master4 ,would to ,god it has marked in our lives1 which we all have consecrated to ,his service1 a fresh1 solemn and unswerving resolution of devotion and fidelity to ,his ,cause ,your brother and co-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,december #af1 #aibb4 ,letter of ,december #bcrd1 #aibb ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 the elected representatives of all believers throughout the continent of ,america4 ,esteemed co-workers in the ,vineyard of ,god3 ,to have been unable1 owing to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances1 to correspond with you ever since you entered upon your manifold and arduous duties is to me a cause of deep regret and sad surprise6 ,i am however assured and sustained by the conviction1 never dimmed in my mind1 that whatsoever comes to pass in the ,cause of ,god1 however disquieting in its immediate effects1 is fraught with infinite ,wisdom and tends ultimately to promote its interests in the world4 ,indeed1 our experiences of the distant past1 as well as of recent events1 are too numerous and varied to permit of any misgiving or doubt as to the truth of this basic principle--a principle which throughout the vicissitudes of our sacred mission in this world we must never disregard or forget4 ,i cannot refrain from expressing in this1 my first letter to you my deep gratitude and great pleasure in learning how promptly1 thoroughly and admirably you have conducted the affairs of the ,cause in that land4 ,of the sincerity of your efforts1 of the determination with which you have faced your delicate and difficult task1 ,i have never doubted for a moment1 as ,i knew too well of the ardent spirit of service and fellowship which the sudden passing of our ,beloved had infused in all his followers everywhere4 ,but great was my surprise to know how the ever-present ,hand of the ,master has removed so speedily all the difficulties in our way and how the light of ,his ,divine ,guidance caused the darkness of doubts1 of fears and mistrust to vanish4 ,the efficient manner in which you have carried out my humble suggestions has been a source of great encouragement to me and has revived confidence in my heart4 ,i have read and re-read the reports of your activities1 have studied minutely all the steps you have taken to consolidate the foundations of the ,movement in ,america1 and have learned with a keen sense of satisfaction the plans you contemplate for the further rise and spread of the ,cause in your great country4 ,i very highly approve of the arrangements you have made for centralizing the work in your hands and of distributing it to the various committees1 who each in its own sphere1 have so efficiently and thoroughly undertaken the management of their own affairs4 ,what has given me still greater pleasure is to learn that the members of this ,central ,body which has assumed so grave a responsibility and is facing such delicate and difficult tasks1 command individually and collectively not only the sympathy of their spiritual brethren and sisters but who also can confidently rely on their active and whole-hearted support in the campaign of service to the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,it is indeed as it should be1 for if genuine and sustained cooperation and mutual confidence cease to exist between individual friends and their local and national assemblies1 the all-beneficent work of the ,cause must cease and nothing else can enable it to function harmoniously and effectively in future4 ,true1 the ,cause as every other movement has its own obstacles1 complications and unforeseen difficulties1 but unlike any other human organization it inspires a spirit of ,faith and ,devotion which can never fail to induce us to make sincere and renewed efforts to face these difficulties and smooth any differences that may and must arise4 ,i look forward with fervent hope to hear of these renewed efforts on your part and of the strong determination which you will never suffer to slacken1 to maintain at any cost the unity1 the effectiveness and the dignity of the ,cause4 ,may ,i through you express my heartfelt gratitude to the members of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,building ,committee1 ,mr4 ,alfred ,e4 ,lunt1 ,mrs4 ,corinne ,true1 ,dr4 ,zia ,bagdadi1 ,mr4 ,charles ,mason ,remey1 ,mr4 ,louis ,bourgeois1 ,mr4 ,leo ,perron for their incessant labors in speeding the work of this noble ,edifice which when raised and completed will prove to be the most powerful factor in the promulgation of the ,cause in ,america4 ,will you also extend to the members of the ,publishing and ,reviewing ,committees1 ,mr4 ,william ,h4 ,randall1 ,mr4 ,mountfort ,mills1 ,mr4 ,roy ,c4 ,wilhelm1 ,mr4 ,albert ,r4 ,vail1 ,miss ,edna ,true1 ,mrs4 ,marjory ,morten and ,mr4 ,alfred ,e4 ,lunt1 my high appreciation for the very efficient management of their departments and their devotion to a work which if consistently maintained cannot fail to impress and attract a vast number of the enlightened public4 ,regarding the ,star of the ,west1 ,i wish to congratulate in particular the members of the ,publishing ,committee on the quality of their work4 ,i have perused with particular interest the last numbers of the ,magazine and am glad to note an encouraging improvement in its management1 its style1 its general presentation and the nature and number of its articles4 ,to the members of the ,teaching ,committee1 ,mr4 ,william ,randall1 ,mrs4 ,agnes ,s4 ,parsons1 ,mr4 ,albert ,vail1 ,mr4 ,louis ,g4 ,gregory and ,mrs4 ,mariam ,haney ,i offer my very best wishes and assure them of my constant prayers on their behalf1 that their services to such a vital department in the affairs of the ,cause1 so primary and immediate in its importance1 may be crowned with brilliant success4 ,for the members of the ,children's ,educational ,work ,committee1 ,mrs4 ,grace ,ober1 ,mrs4 ,louise ,boyle1 ,mrs4 ,victoria ,bedikian1 ,mrs4 ,hebe ,struven1 ,mrs4 ,grace ,foster1 ,mr4 ,stanwood ,cobb and ,mr4 ,allen ,mc,daniel1 ,i supplicate ,divine ,assistance1 that ,he may graciously aid them in a work which was so near and dear to the ,master's heart and enable them to assist in the rise of future devoted and efficient servants to the ,cause of ,god4 ,on behalf of all the members of these ,committees1 ,i shall pray at the ,three ,hallowed ,shrines1 that they may become purified channels of ,his ,grace and instruments of ,his ,divine ,plan for this world4 ,for my part1 ,i shall not fail to offer my humble share of help and assistance to every one of them in their respective work and would welcome from each a special report on their present activities and of their plans for the future4 ,awaiting from you all the joyous news of the deepening as well as the spreading of the ,cause for which our beloved ,master has given ,his time1 ,his life1 ,his all1 and remembering your labors of love and service every time ,i lay my head upon the ,sacred ,thresholds1 ,i am1 as ever1 your brother in ,his ,service1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,december #bcrd1 #aibb4 ,p4,s4 ,i would be pleased and gratified if you could inform all the various local spiritual assemblies of my wish and desire to receive as soon as possible from every local assembly a detailed and official report on their spiritual activities1 the character and organization of their respective assemblies1 accounts of their public and private gatherings1 of the actual position of the ,cause in their province1 and of their plans and arrangements for the future4 ,pray convey to all of them my best wishes and the assurance of my hearty assistance in their noble work of service to mankind4 ,,shoghi4 ,letter of ,january #ab1 #aibc ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,beloved co-workers in the ,cause of ,god6 ,in the midst of your unceasing labors for the progress of the ,movement in that country1 ,i am sure you would welcome every now and then such news as shall breathe a fresh spirit into your activities and stimulate you to further effort for the promotion of ,his ,cause4 ,only the other day1 in the course of my study of various ,bah' documents1 ,i came1 as if by mere chance1 across a very important message from our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah1 bearing no date1 and revealing no sign as to exactly where1 how and to whom it was given1 written in the ,master's own handwriting upon a leaflet that seemed ordinary and ill-preserved in appearance but which on close study proved of the profoundest interest to all believers in the ,east as well as in the ,west4 ,as to the authenticity of these remarkable words1 so clearly and forcibly written1 there is no doubt whatsoever1 and the measure of assurance it shall inspire in the loved ones of ,persia and the spirit of hopeful encouragement it shall breathe in the friends of the ,west1 have urged me to communicate it to you1 that subject to your consideration and consent1 it may be published7#c7 amongst the friends and redouble their confidence in the very remarkable share the ,west is destined to contribute to the immediate spread of the ,movement throughout the world4 ,recently1 ,i have rendered it myself into ,english and enclosed is a copy of the full translation4 ,star of the ,west ,may ,i also mention in passing the fact that since my return to the ,holy ,land ,i have directed and emphatically urged in my letters1 the friends in ,persia1 ,turkestan1 ,caucasus1 ,great ,britain1 ,india1 ,egypt and ,syria to subscribe1 through their respective ,assemblies1 to the ,star of the ,west1 report regularly to that paper and through their ,assemblies the news of their activity and contribute every now and then carefully written articles approved and sanctioned by the same ,assemblies4 ,i trust that this measure will react favorably on the ,star of the ,west and will serve to stimulate the members of the ,publishing ,committee to further activity in their sphere of service to the ,cause4 ,awaiting eagerly your letters and wishing you the fullest success in your very arduous duties1 ,i am your devoted brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #ab1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,january #af1 #aibc4 ,the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,our dear friend1 ,jinb-i-,fdil-i-,mzindarn1 accompanied by his family1 has gladly and gratefully responded to the kind invitation of the ,american friends to visit them once more and extend his helping hand to the many friends who are so faithfully laboring throughout that continent for the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,deeply appreciative of the sentiments of warm and abiding affection which his co-workers of that land have abundantly shown him in the past1 fired with the zeal of service which the passing of our ,beloved has kindled in every heart and hopeful of the immediate future of the ,cause in those regions1 he is proceeding to ,america with the sole purpose of promoting far and wide and with greater efficiency and vigor the all-important work of teaching4 ,as to the extent of his sojourn1 the details of his travel1 his plan for visiting the various spiritual centers and all other matters related to his visit1 ,i have left them all to his own discretion1 that he may1 after consultation with the various ,spiritual ,assemblies1 do as he deems best and most serviceable to the interests of the ,cause in that land4 ,that all the friends may realize more fully the urgent and supreme necessity of teaching the ,cause in these days2 that they may arise to inaugurate a more strenuous1 systematized and extensive campaign of service--these are the high aims he has set before himself and which he intends1 with the unfailing help and wholehearted support of every believer in ,america1 to achieve in the immediate future4 ,may his second visit to your shores mark1 in its character and results1 a new and memorable era in the history of the ,cause in that great country6 ,your brother and co-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,january #af1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,january #agth1 #aibc ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,dear friends3 ,it is a great pleasure for me to share with you the translation7#d7 of some of the prayers and ,tablets of our beloved ,master1 the reading of which ,i trust will inspire you and strengthen you in your work of service to ,his ,cause4 ,i trust that in the course of time ,i will be enabled to send you regularly correct and reliable translations of the various prayers and ,tablets of ,bah'u'llh1 and #8,abdu'l-,bah1 which will unfold to your eyes a new vision of ,his ,glorious ,mission on earth and give you an insight into the character and meanings of ,his ,divine ,teachings4 ,i shall await very eagerly any suggestions you would like to give me on this point and on all other matters that pertain to the interests of the ,cause in ,america1 and ,i assure you again of my readiness and wish to be of help and service to those faithful and devoted servants of ,bah'u'llh in that land4 ,your brother and co-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #agth1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,february #ac1 #aibc ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,dearest friends3 ,i have just completed the translation of a number of selections7#e7 from the ,master's soul-stirring ,words to ,his loved ones in ,persia1 revealed some twenty-five years ago1 and during the darkest days of ,his incarceration in the prison city of ,akk4 ,you will realize1 as you read them1 the unshakable confidence of #8,abdu'l-,bah in the inevitable growth of the ,cause1 even in the most perilous days of ,his life4 ,their perusal will enable you all to grasp more fully the significance of this ,movement and its dynamic power1 the urgent need for sustained unity and harmony amongst the friends1 and the glory of the station that awaits in the world to come every faithful servant of ,bah'u'llh4 ,may they contribute their share to the unfolding of the ,spirit of the ,cause in that land1 and may they infuse in all the friends that ardent spirit of service and fellowship that will enable them to fulfill their glorious destiny in this world6 ,your brother and co-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,february #ac1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,march #ab1 #aibc ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout ,america1 ,great ,britain1 ,germany1 ,france1 ,switzerland1 ,italy1 ,japan and ,australasia4 ,fellow-workers in the ,vineyard of ,god6 ,over a year has elapsed since that calamitous ,hour1 when the glorious ,person of #8,abdu'l-,bah was veiled from mortal eyes and ,his ,spirit ascended to the ,kingdom of ,glory2 and ,i feel that the time is now ripe to take those fresh and momentous decisions which will enable us to fulfill1 speedily and faithfully1 the last wishes of our departed ,master4 ,the year has been to the outside world a year of fear and suffering1 of disillusion and turmoil4 ,to us1 however1 the bereaved followers of a gracious and loving ,master1 it has been1 despite the passing cares which ,his sudden departure must necessarily entail1 a period of hope1 of wholesome activity1 marked throughout with a spirit of undiminished confidence in ,his power and of fidelity to ,his ,cause4 ,from the ,east and from the ,west1 from the ,north and from the ,south1 the unnumbered servants of ,bah'u'llh1 disdainful of the evil machinations of the enemies of ,his ,cause1 the breakers of ,his behests1 have rallied to ,his ,standard1 and risen with one accord to carry on the great ,work ,he has entrusted to their charge4 ,all-hail to that undying spirit of fidelity which burns and shall burn unceasingly1 in the breasts of ,his loved ones6 ,great shall be their reward1 and blissful the hour1 when after a toilsome life of service1 they are gathered to the glory of ,bah1 and partake in their ,beloved's ,presence1 of the joy of eternal ,reunion4 ,condition of the ,world ,but great achievements still await us in this world1 and we feel confident that1 by ,his grace and never-failing guidance1 we shall now and ever prove ourselves worthy to fulfill ,his great ,purpose for mankind4 ,and who can fail to realize the sore need of bleeding humanity1 in its present state of uncertainty and peril1 for the regenerating ,spirit of ,god1 manifested this ,day so powerfully in this ,divine ,dispensation8 ,four years of unprecedented warfare and world cataclysms1 followed by another four years of bitter disappointment and suffering1 have stirred deeply the conscience of mankind1 and opened the eyes of an unbelieving world to the ,power of the ,spirit that alone can cure its sicknesses1 heal its wounds1 and establish the long-promised reign of undisturbed prosperity and peace4 ,responsibility of ,bah's ,now surely1 if ever1 is the time for us1 the chosen ones of ,bah'u'llh and the bearers of ,his ,message to the world1 to endeavor by day and by night1 to deepen1 first and foremost1 the ,spirit of ,his ,cause in our own individual lives1 and then labor1 and labor incessantly to exemplify in all our dealings with our fellow-men that noble ,spirit of which ,his beloved ,son #8,abdu'l-,bah has been all the days of ,his life a true and unique exponent4 ,the sayings of our beloved ,master have been noised abroad1 ,his name has filled all regions1 and the eyes of mankind are now turned expectant towards ,his disciples who bear ,his name and profess ,his teachings4 ,shall we not by our daily life vindicate the high claims of ,his teachings1 and prove by our services the influence of ,his undying ,spirit8 ,this surely is our highest privilege1 and our most sacred duty4 ,let us1 with a pure heart1 with humility and earnestness1 turn afresh to ,his counsels and exhortations1 and seek from that ,source of ,celestial ,potency all the guidance1 the spirit1 the power which we shall need for the fulfillment of our mission in this life4 ,behold1 the station to which #8,abdu'l-,bah is now calling ,his loved ones from the ,realm of ,glory3-- 8,it behooveth the loved ones of ,god to be enamored of one another and to sacrifice themselves for their fellow-workers in the ,cause4 ,they should yearn towards one another even as the sore athirst yearneth for the ,water of ,life1 and the lover burneth to meet his heart's desire40 ,such is the sublime1 the glorious position ,he wishes us1 and all the peoples and kindreds on earth1 to attain in this world2 how much more to achieve unity and common understanding among ourselves1 and then arise to herald with one voice the coming of the ,kingdom and the salvation of mankind4 ,with unity of purpose firmly established in our minds1 with every trace of personal animosity banished from our hearts1 and with the spirit of whole-hearted and sustained fellowship kindled in our souls1 can we hope to deliver effectively the ,message of ,bah'u'llh1 and execute faithfully the various provisions of our ,beloved's ,will and ,testament4 ,steadfast in our faith1 firm in our union1 abounding in our hope1 fervent in our spirit1 and selfless in our labors1 let us arise and with prayerful hearts make another and supreme effort to fulfill these last words of our ,beloved1 ,his most cherished desire3 8,o ye that stand fast in the ,covenant6 ,when the hour cometh that this wronged and broken winged bird will have taken its flight unto the ,celestial ,concourse1 when it will have hastened to the ,realm of the ,unseen1 and its mortal frame will have either been lost or hidden neath the dust1 it is incumbent upon the ,afnn that are steadfast in the ,covenant of ,god and have branched from the ,tree of ,holiness1 the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god 7the glory of the ,lord rest upon them71 and all the friends and loved ones1 one and all1 to bestir themselves and arise with heart and soul and in one accord to diffuse the sweet savors of ,god1 to teach ,his ,cause and to promote ,his ,faith4 ,it behooveth them not to rest for a moment1 neither to seek repose4 ,they must disperse themselves in every land1 pass by every clime1 and travel throughout all regions4 ,bestirred1 without rest1 and steadfast to the end1 they must raise in every land the triumphal cry of ,y-,bah'u'l-,abh1 must achieve renown in the world wherever they go1 must burn brightly even as a candle in every meeting1 and must kindle the flame of ,divine ,love in every assembly2 that the ,light of ,truth may rise resplendent in the midmost heart of the world1 that throughout the ,east and throughout the ,west a vast concourse may gather under the shadow of the ,word of ,god1 that the sweet savors of ,holiness may be diffused1 that faces may shine radiantly1 hearts be filled with the ,divine ,spirit and souls be made heavenly4 ,in these days the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and the peoples of the world4 ,teaching the ,cause is of utmost importance1 for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself4 ,this wronged servant has spent his days and nights in promoting the ,cause1 and urging the peoples to service4 ,he rested not a moment1 till the fame of the ,cause of ,god was noised abroad in the world1 and the ,celestial ,strains from the ,abh ,kingdom roused the ,east and the ,west4 ,the beloved of ,god must also follow the same example4 ,this is the secret of faithfulness1 this is the requirement of servitude to the ,threshold of ,bah40 ,we need but glance at the ,words of ,bah'u'llh and the ,epistles of #8,abdu'l-,bah to realize the great privilege of teaching the ,cause1 its vital necessity1 its supreme urgency1 and its wide-reaching effects4 ,these are the very words of #8,abdu'l-,bah3-- 8,in these days1 the ,holy ,ones of the ,realm of ,glory1 dwelling in the all-highest ,paradise1 yearn to return unto this world1 and be of some service to the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh and prove their servitude to the ,threshold of ,abh beauty40 ,what a wondrous vision these words unfold to our eyes6 ,how great our privilege to labor in this ,day in the ,divine ,vineyard6 ,is it not incumbent upon us to arise and teach ,his ,cause with such an ardor which no worldly adversity can quell1 nor any measure of success can satiate8 ,election of ,local ,assemblies ,and1 now that this all-important ,work may suffer no neglect1 but rather function vigorously and continuously in every part of the ,bah' world2 that the unity of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh may remain secure and inviolate1 it is of the utmost importance that in accordance with the explicit text of the ,kitb-i-,aqdas1 the ,most ,holy ,book1 in every locality1 be it city or hamlet1 where the number of adult 7#ba years and above7 declared believers exceeds nine1 a local 8,spiritual ,assembly0 be forthwith established4 ,to it all local matters pertaining to the ,cause must be directly and immediately referred for full consultation and decision4 ,the importance1 nay the absolute necessity of these local ,assemblies is manifest when we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into the local ,houses of ,justice1 and at present provide the firm foundation on which the structure of the ,master's ,will is to be reared in future4 ,duties of ,spiritual ,assemblies ,the matter of ,teaching1 its direction1 its ways and means1 its extension1 its consolidation1 essential as they are to the interests of the ,cause1 constitute by no means the only issue which should receive the full attention of these ,assemblies4 ,a careful study of ,bah'u'llh's and #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,tablets will reveal that other duties1 no less vital to the interests of the ,cause1 devolve upon the elected representatives of the friends in every locality4 ,it is incumbent upon them to be vigilant and cautious1 discreet and watchful1 and protect at all times the ,temple of the ,cause from the dart of the mischief-maker and the onslaught of the enemy4 ,they must endeavor to promote amity and concord amongst the friends1 efface every lingering trace of distrust1 coolness and estrangement from every heart1 and secure in its stead an active and whole-hearted cooperation for the service of the ,cause4 ,they must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the poor1 the sick1 the disabled1 the orphan1 the widow1 irrespective of color1 caste and creed4 ,they must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth1 the means for the education of children1 institute1 whenever possible1 ,bah' educational institutions1 organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their progress and development4 ,they must make an effort to maintain official1 regular1 and frequent correspondence with the various ,bah' centers throughout the world1 report to them their activities1 and share the glad-tidings they receive with all their fellow-workers in the ,cause4 ,they must encourage and stimulate by every means at their command1 through subscription1 reports and articles1 the development of the various ,bah' magazines1 such as the 8,star of the ,west0 and the 8,magazine of the ,children of the ,kingdom0 in the ,united ,states of ,america1 the 8,bah' ,news0 of ,india1 the 8,sun of the ,east0 7,khurshid-i ,khavar7 in ,turkestan1 the 8,star of the ,east0 in ,japan1 the 8,sun of ,truth0 in ,germany4 ,they must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings of the friends1 the feasts and the anniversaries1 as well as the special gatherings designed to serve and promote the social1 intellectual and spiritual interests of their fellow-men4 ,they must supervise in these days when the ,cause is still in its infancy all ,bah' publications and translations1 and provide in general for a dignified and accurate presentation of all ,bah' literature and its distribution to the general public4 ,these rank among the most outstanding obligations of the members of every ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,in whatsoever locality the ,cause has sufficiently expanded1 and in order to insure efficiency and avoid confusion1 each of these manifold functions will have to be referred to a special ,committee1 responsible to that ,assembly1 elected by it from among the friends in that locality1 and upon whose work the ,assembly will have to exercise constant and general supervision4 ,these local ,spiritual ,assemblies will have to be elected directly by the friends1 and every declared believer of #ba years and above1 far from standing aloof and assuming an indifferent or independent attitude1 should regard it his sacred duty to take part conscientiously and diligently1 in the election1 the consolidation and the efficient working of his own local ,assembly4 ,national ,assemblies ,regarding the establishment of 8,national ,assemblies10 it is of vital importance that in every country1 where the conditions are favorable and the number of the friends has grown and reached a considerable size1 such as ,america1 ,great ,britain and ,germany1 that a 8,national ,spiritual ,assembly0 be immediately established1 representative of the friends throughout that country4 ,its immediate purpose is to stimulate1 unify and coordinate by frequent personal consultations1 the manifold activities of the friends as well as the local ,assemblies2 and by keeping in close and constant touch with the ,holy ,land1 initiate measures1 and direct in general the affairs of the ,cause in that country4 ,it serves also another purpose1 no less essential than the first1 as in the course of time it shall evolve into the ,national ,house of ,justice 7referred to in #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,will as the 8secondary ,house of ,justice071 which according to the explicit text of the ,testament will have1 in conjunction with the other ,national ,assemblies throughout the ,bah' world1 to elect directly the members of the ,international ,house of ,justice1 that ,supreme ,council that will guide1 organize and unify the affairs of the ,movement throughout the world4 ,it is expressly recorded in #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,writings that these ,national ,assemblies must be indirectly elected by the friends2 that is1 the friends in every country must elect a certain number of delegates1 who in their turn will elect from among all the friends in that country the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,in such countries1 therefore1 as ,america1 ,great ,britain and ,germany1 a fixed number of secondary electors must first be decided upon 7#ie for ,america1 including the ,pacific ,islands2 #ie for ,germany2 and #ai for ,great ,britain74 ,the friends then in every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine must directly elect its quota of secondary electors assigned to it in direct proportion to its numerical strength4 ,these secondary electors will then1 either through correspondence1 or preferably by gathering together1 and first deliberating upon the affairs of the ,cause throughout their country 7as the delegates to the ,convention71 elect from among all the friends in that country nine who will be the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,this ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 which1 pending the establishment of the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 will have to be re-elected once a year1 obviously assumes grave responsibilities1 for it has to exercise full authority over all the local ,assemblies in its province1 and will have to direct the activities of the friends1 guard vigilantly the ,cause of ,god1 and control and supervise the affairs of the ,movement in general4 ,vital issues1 affecting the interests of the ,cause in that country such as the matter of translation and publication1 the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 the ,teaching ,work1 and other similar matters that stand distinct from strictly local affairs1 must be under the full jurisdiction of the ,national ,assembly4 ,it will have to refer each of these questions1 even as the local ,assemblies1 to a special ,committee1 to be elected by the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 from among all the friends in that country1 which will bear to it the same relation as the local committees bear to their respective local ,assemblies4 ,with it1 too1 rests the decision whether a certain point at issue is strictly local in its nature1 and should be reserved for the consideration and decision of the local ,assembly1 or whether it should fall under its own province and be regarded as a matter which ought to receive its special attention4 ,the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly will also decide upon such matters which in its opinion should be referred to the ,holy ,land for consultation and decision4 ,with these ,assemblies1 local as well as national1 harmoniously1 vigorously1 and efficiently functioning throughout the ,bah' world1 the only means for the establishment of the ,supreme ,house of ,justice will have been secured4 ,and when this ,supreme ,body will have been properly established1 it will have to consider afresh the whole situation1 and lay down the principle which shall direct1 so long as it deems advisable1 the affairs of the ,cause4 ,annual ,election of ,assemblies ,pending its establishment1 and to insure uniformity throughout the ,east and throughout the ,west1 all local ,assemblies will have to be re-elected once a year1 during the first day of ,ridvn1 and the result of polling1 if possible1 be declared on that day4 ,in order to avoid division and disruption1 that the ,cause may not fall a prey to conflicting interpretations1 and lose thereby its purity and pristine vigor1 that its affairs may be conducted with efficiency and promptness1 it is necessary that every one should conscientiously take an active part in the election of these ,assemblies1 abide by their decisions1 enforce their decree1 and cooperate with them wholeheartedly in their task of stimulating the growth of the ,movement throughout all regions4 ,the members of these ,assemblies1 on their part1 must disregard utterly their own likes and dislikes1 their personal interests and inclinations1 and concentrate their minds upon those measures that will conduce to the welfare and happiness of the ,bah' ,community and promote the common weal4 ,the ,bah' ,fund ,and as the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon material means1 it is of absolute necessity that immediately after the establishment of local as well as national ,spiritual ,assemblies1 a ,bah' ,fund be established1 to be placed under the exclusive control of the ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,all donations and contributions should be offered to the ,treasurer of the ,assembly1 for the express purpose of promoting the interests of the ,cause1 throughout that locality or country4 ,it is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of ,bah'u'llh who desires to see ,his ,cause advance1 to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that ,fund4 ,the members of the ,spiritual ,assembly will at their own discretion expend it to promote the ,teaching ,campaign1 to help the needy1 to establish educational ,bah' institutions1 to extend in every way possible their sphere of service4 ,i cherish the hope that all the friends1 realizing the necessity of this measure1 will bestir themselves and contribute1 however modestly at first1 towards the speedy establishment and the increase of that ,fund4 ,the need for the centralization of authority in the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 and the concentration of power in the various local ,assemblies1 is made manifest when we reflect that the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh is still in its age of tender growth and in a stage of transition2 when we remember that the full implications and the exact significance of the ,master's world-wide instructions1 as laid down in ,his ,will1 are as yet not fully grasped1 and the whole ,movement has not sufficiently crystallized in the eyes of the world4 ,it is our primary task to keep the most vigilant eye on the manner and character of its growth1 to combat effectively the forces of separation and of sectarian tendencies1 lest the ,spirit of the ,cause be obscured1 its unity be threatened1 its ,teachings suffer corruption2 lest extreme orthodoxy on one hand1 and irresponsible freedom on the other1 cause it to deviate from that ,straight ,path which alone can lead it to success4 ,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 importance1 and too long a preoccupation with the details of our affairs and activities1 make us neglectful of the most essential1 the most urgent of all our obligations1 namely1 to bury our cares and teach the ,cause1 delivering far and wide this ,message of ,salvation to a sorely-stricken world4 ,to ,his valiant combatants on earth1 who at times may feel disheartened1 our ever-victorious ,commander1 #8,abdu'l-,bah1 gives us the following assurance3 8,o ye servants of the ,sacred ,threshold6 ,the triumphant ,hosts of the ,celestial ,concourse1 arrayed and marshalled in the ,realms above1 stand ready and expectant to assist and assure victory to that valiant horseman who with confidence spurs on his charger into the arena of service4 ,well is it with that fearless warrior1 who armed with the power of true ,knowledge1 hastens unto the field1 disperses the armies of ignorance1 and scatters the hosts of error1 who holds aloft the ,standard of ,divine ,guidance1 and sounds the ,clarion of ,victory4 ,by the righteousness of the ,lord6 ,he hath achieved a glorious triumph and obtained the true victory44440 ,with such inspiring words as these1 are we to remain any longer unmoved and inactive8 ,his trumpet-call resounds on every side1 and summons us to service2 are we to tarry and hesitate8 ,his voice is calling aloud from every land2 let us march on1 unfettered and unafraid1 and fulfill our glorious ,destiny4 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,march #ab1 #aibc4 ,transliteration of ,bah' ,terms ,p4,s4 ,on another page7#f7 is given the list of the best known and most current ,bah' terms1 and other ,oriental names and expressions1 all properly and accurately transliterated1 the faithful spelling of which by all the ,western friends will avoid confusion in future1 and insure in this matter a uniformity which is greatly needed at present in all ,bah' literature4 ,the full code will be duly communicated to the various ,national ,assemblies1 and the transliteration of the ,oriental terms mentioned in the ,english letters sent out by the ,haifa ,spiritual ,assembly will provide a correct and reliable supplement to the above-mentioned list4 ,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 writings4 ,letter of ,april #hth1 #aibc4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful1 the accredited delegates to the ,annual ,convention of ,america1 ,chicago1 ,illinois4 ,dearly beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,on this auspicious occasion1 when the elected representatives of the ,bah' ,community throughout the continent of ,america1 gathered for the first time within the ,foundation ,hall of the stately edifice of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 are assembled to take counsel together regarding those vital issues that confront the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh in that land1 may ,i1 as one of your humble fellow-workers in the field of service1 offer you from the very depths of my heart my brotherly love and sincere greetings1 and assure you of my fervent prayers for the success of your deliberations and the attainments of your hearts' desire4 ,you stand at this challenging hour in the history of the ,cause at the threshold of a new era2 the functions you are called upon to discharge are fraught with immense possibilities2 the responsibilities you shoulder are grave and momentous2 and the eyes of many peoples are turned1 at this hour1 towards you1 expectant to behold the dawning of a ,day that shall witness the fulfilment of ,his divine ,promise4 ,forgetful of the past and its vicissitudes1 conscious of the need for renewed and combined effort1 freed from all earthly limitations and motives1 with every lingering trace of ill-feeling forever banished from our hearts1 freshly united and determined1 let us join in deep and silent communion with the ever-watchful ,spirit of our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah1 and with humility and earnestness supplicate for the guidance that will enable us to fulfil the task which is now committed to our charge4 ,may this year's ,convention1 by the range of its activities1 by the character of its proceedings1 by its faithful adherence to the divine ,instructions of our loving ,master1 and above all by its radiant spirit of enthusiasm and true fellowship1 prove itself one of the greatest landmarks in the history of the ,cause in ,america4 ,may the all-pervading ,spirit of ,bah'u'llh so permeate the souls of its members as to cause it to mirror forth the glories and the splendors of the ,celestial ,concourse4 ,your devoted brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,april #h1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,april #ith1 #aibc4 ,to the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,dearest friends3 ,i have lately received your long-awaited reports on the present situation of the ,movement in that land1 and have read them all1 together with their enclosures1 with the utmost care and deepest interest4 ,i am much impressed and feel deeply gratified to learn of your devoted and unremitting labors1 individually and collectively in the field of service to the ,cause2 of your constant vigilance and watchful care in upholding its fundamental principles and guarding its essential interests2 of the efficiency1 faithfulness and vigor with which you are conducting the administration of its affairs throughout that land4 ,many and grave may be the obstacles1 whether from within or from without1 which we shall have to encounter in the days to come1 but we feel sure that if we but maintain consistently before our eyes a broad and noble vision of its significance and vital necessity in these days1 and above all of its universality and all-conquering power1 we shall be enabled to surmount them1 one and all1 and by the ,power of ,faith1 carry the ,ark of the ,covenant to its ,haven of ,safety and ,triumph4 ,it is1 ,i firmly believe1 of the utmost urgent importance that1 with unity of purpose and action firmly established in our midst1 and with every trace of the animosity and mistrust of the past banished from our hearts1 we should form one united front and combat1 wisely and tactfully1 every force that might darken the spirit of the ,movement1 cause division in its ranks1 and narrow it by dogmatic and sectarian belief4 ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies ,it is primarily upon the elected members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies throughout the ,bah' world that this highly important duty devolves1 as in their hands the direction and management of all spiritual ,bah' activities have been placed and centralized1 and as they constitute in the eyes of the people of their country the supreme body in that land that officially represents1 promotes and safeguards the various interests of the ,cause1 it is my fervent prayer and my most cherished desire1 that the unfailing guidance of ,bah'u'llh and the blessings of our beloved ,master will enable them to set a high and true example to all other ,bah' institutions and local ,assemblies1 and will show them what absolute harmony1 mature deliberation and whole-hearted cooperation can achieve4 ,should such a representative and responsible body fail to realize this fundamental requisite for all successful achievement1 the whole structure is sure to crumble1 and the ,great ,plan of the ,future1 as unfolded by the ,master's ,will and ,testament1 will be rudely disturbed and grievously delayed4 ,regarding the management of the ,star of the ,west1 as ,i have already intimated1 this ,bah' organ as well as other similar publications1 far from being regarded as the special organ of a certain group or particular locality1 should fall under the exclusive control of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 which1 aided by a special committee1 shall minutely guide and judiciously scrutinize all the information it gives1 the character of the articles and translations it publishes1 and the tone and language it assumes in all its issues4444 ,reports of ,activities ,i shall always await from the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 collective1 official and comprehensive reports on their manifold activities1 sent to me at frequent intervals1 and bearing upon the inner and outward currents of the ,movement1 the relations of ,assemblies to one another1 and the general standing and the various aspects of the progress of the ,cause throughout the land4 ,i would welcome more specific reports sent to me by the various committees of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 enclosed in the ,national ,assembly's letter1 and approved by all its members4 ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,i have read with keen interest all the enclosures regarding the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 have shared the up-to-date news they contained with the friends throughout the ,east1 and note with particular pleasure the completion of the ,basement ,section1 with its spacious ,foundation ,hall ready for the holding of meetings and the gatherings of friends4 ,though the prospect of the immediate resumption of building activity does not seem bright at present1 yet ,i hope and pray that these difficulties will soon disappear1 and the work of this unique ,edifice1 stimulated and advanced in time by the zeal and self-sacrifice of the friends the world over1 will soon attain its glorious consummation4 ,i beg to enclose my humble contribution of #ai pounds1 as my share of the numerous donations that have reached the ,temple ,treasury in the past year4 ,pray convey to the members of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,committee the highest sense of my appreciation for their devoted and strenuous labors1 and my constant prayers for the success of the task which they have set themselves to accomplish4 ,with regard to the situation in ,persia1 and the condition of the friends in that land1 ,i have requested the ihrn ,spiritual ,assembly to send me immediately an authoritative and full report of the exact situation1 whereupon ,i shall duly inform you of the exact steps to be taken to insure the well-being and safety of the tried believers in ,persia4444 ,the holding of ,state ,congresses1 ,amity ,conventions1 and other universal associations of the friends in ,america1 will naturally fall within the province of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 which will direct and supervise the work of them all by the aid of special committees1 each constituted for a specific purpose4 ,the matter of receiving ,orientals is left entirely in the hands of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 whose special committee for this purpose will have to investigate all the questions arising in this connection in future4 ,please convey to the members of the newly constituted ,library ,committee my deep appreciation of their labors in this important field of service1 and assure them of my prayers for their success4 ,touching the point raised in the ,secretary's letter regarding the nature and scope of the ,universal ,court of ,arbitration1 this and other similar matters will have to be explained and elucidated by the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 to which1 according to the ,master's explicit instructions1 all important and fundamental questions must be referred4 ,at present the exact implication and full significance of the provisions of the ,master's ,will are as yet imperfectly understood1 and time will serve to reveal the wisdom and the far-reaching effects of ,his words4 ,i am enclosing on a separate sheet the full authoritative code1 widely adopted by contemporary ,orientalists throughout the world1 which will serve as a basis for the transliteration of ,bah' terms and ,oriental names47#g7 ,remembering you all in my hours of visit and prayer at the ,three ,holy ,shrines1 and wishing you success from all my heart1 ,i am your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,april #ith1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,april #bgth1 #aibc4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,beloved fellow-workers in the ,cause3 ,i am not sure whether ,i have sent you before a copy of this glorious ,tablet revealed by ,bah'u'llh for ,his beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah1 written in ,his own blessed handwriting1 and which we found among his papers and documents soon after the ,master's ,ascension4 ,it reveals in terms of touching tenderness the unique station of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 and constitutes an unchallengeable evidence of ,his supreme authority4 ,i am also enclosing my rendering of various passages of the ,kitb-i-,aqdas7#h7 which you may feel at liberty to circulate amongst the friends4 ,wishing you all success in your work1 ,i am your devoted brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,april #bgth1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,may #fth1 #aibc ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my friends and fellow-workers in the ,cause of ,god6 ,your most welcome message1 imparting the glad news of a successful ,convention1 has rejoiced my heart and fortified my hope in this year of active service1 that has just unfolded itself before you4 ,i am certain that1 as the newly elected representatives of the ,bah' ,community throughout ,america1 you are1 one and all1 well aware of your mighty responsibilities1 and fully realize the tremendous need for a full understanding amongst the friends1 and their active and sustained cooperation in spreading far and wide the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh throughout that vast continent4 ,i fervently hope that in collaboration with our wise1 able and devoted brother1 ,jinb-i-,fdil1 you will inaugurate a brilliant and vigorous campaign of ,teaching1 that shall by its very splendor banish the darkness of differences and contention that so impede the majestic and onward march of the ,cause in every land4 ,central ,fund ,that you may reinforce this ,teaching ,campaign--so vitally needed in these days--and conduct1 properly and efficiently1 the rest of your manifold activities1 spiritual as well as humanitarian1 it is urgently necessary to establish that ,central ,fund1 which if generously supported and upheld by individual friends and local ,assemblies1 will soon enable you to execute your plans with promptness and vigor4 ,it is my earnest prayer1 in the day-time and in the night season1 that the ever-guiding ,hand of our loved and departed ,master may graciously aid you to surmount every obstacle1 and will lead1 through you1--,his chosen ones in that land1--the ,ark of ,his ,cause1 to its promised haven of glory and triumph4 ,with heartfelt congratulations and best wishes1 ,i am your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,may #fth1 #aibc4 ,p4,s4 ,i enclose a copy of my translation7#i7 of ,bah'u'llh's ,words of ,wisdom1 which you will feel at liberty to circulate amongst the friends4 ,letter of ,november #ad1 #aibc4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout ,america1 care of the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,fellow-laborers in the ,divine ,vineyard3 ,upon my return1 after a forced and prolonged absence1 to the ,holy ,land1 it is my first and most ardent wish to renew and strengthen those ties of brotherly love and fellowship that bind our hearts together in our common servitude to ,his sacred ,threshold4 ,the two years that have elapsed since the passing of our beloved ,master have been for the ,cause1 as well as for mankind1 years of deep anxiety and pain4 ,the momentous changes that are taking place in the history of both have proved so swift and far-reaching as to arouse in certain hearts a strange misgiving as to their stability and future4 ,on one hand the remarkable revelations of the ,beloved's ,will and ,testament1 so amazing in all its aspects1 so emphatic in its injunctions1 have challenged and perplexed the keenest minds1 whilst the ever-increasing confusion of the world1 threatened as never before with disruptive forces1 fierce rivalries1 fresh commotions and grave disorder1 has well-nigh overwhelmed the heart and damped the zeal of even the most enthusiastic believer in the destiny of mankind4 ,and yet1 how often we seem to forget the clear and repeated warnings of our beloved ,master1 who1 in particular during the concluding years of ,his mission on earth1 laid stress on the 8severe mental tests0 that would inevitably sweep over ,his loved ones of the ,west--tests that would purge1 purify and prepare them for their noble mission in life4 ,the ,cause of ,human ,suffering ,and as to the world's evil plight1 we need but recall the writings and sayings of ,bah'u'llh1 who1 more than fifty years ago1 declared in terms prophetic the prime cause of the ills and sufferings of mankind1 and set forth their true and divine remedy4 8,should the ,lamp of ,religion be hidden10 ,he declares1 8,chaos and confusion will ensue40 ,how admirably fitting and applicable are these words to the present state of mankind6 ,ours is then the duty and privilege to labor1 by day and by night1 amidst the storm and stress of these troublous days1 that we may quicken the zeal of our fellow-men1 rekindle their hopes1 stimulate their interest1 open their eyes to the true ,faith of ,god and enlist their active support in the carrying out of our common task for the peace and regeneration of the world4 ,let us take heart and be thankful to our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah1 as we remember ,his manifold blessings and unfailing care and protection1 ever since the hour of ,his departure from our midst4 ,the flames of sedition1 so maliciously kindled in the past by those who have dared to flout ,his will1 are gone out for ever1 and the fondest hopes of these evil plotters are now abandoned1 doomed never to revive4 ,he has indeed redeemed ,his promise6 ,it seemed not a long time ago that their agitation1 so violently renewed immediately after the passing of our ,beloved1 would for a time confuse the ,divine ,message of ,bah'u'llh1 obscure ,his ,covenant1 retard the progress of ,his ,cause1 and shatter its unity2 and yet how well we see them all today1 not through our efforts1 but by their own folly1 and above all1 by the intervention of the hidden hand of ,god1 reduced to the vilest and most humiliating position4 ,and now1 with the ,cause purified and inwardly victorious1 its principles vindicated1 its enemies silenced and sunk in unspeakable misery1 may we not1 henceforth1 direct all our efforts to collective action and constructive achievement1 and1 in utter disregard of the flickerings of their fast-fading light1 arise to carry out those urgent measures that will secure the outward and complete triumph of the ,cause4 ,i1 for my part1 as ,i look back to the unfortunate circumstances of ill-health and physical exhaustion that have attended the opening years of my career of service to the ,cause1 feel hardly gratified1 and would be truly despondent but for the sustaining memory and inspiring example of the diligent and ceaseless efforts which my fellow-workers the world over have displayed during these two trying years in the service of the ,cause4 ,i cherish the hope that1 from now on1 the ,beloved may bestow upon me all the strength and vigor that will enable me to pursue over a long and unbroken period of strenuous labor the supreme task of achieving1 in collaboration with the friends in every land1 the speedy triumph of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,this is the prayer ,i earnestly request all my fellow-brethren and sisters in the ,faith to offer on my behalf4 ,let us pray to ,god that in these days of world-encircling gloom1 when the dark forces of nature1 of hate1 rebellion1 anarchy and reaction are threatening the very stability of human society1 when the most precious fruits of civilization are undergoing severe and unparalleled tests1 we may all realize1 more profoundly than ever1 that though but a mere handful amidst the seething masses of the world1 we are in this day the chosen instruments of ,god's grace1 that our mission is most urgent and vital to the fate of humanity1 and1 fortified by these sentiments1 arise to achieve ,god's holy purpose for mankind4 ,your brother in ,his ,service1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,november #ad1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,november #bf1 #aibc4 ,to the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,friends and fellow-workers in the ,vineyard of ,god6 ,after a long and unbroken silence1 it gives me the greatest joy to be enabled to correspond again with my dearly-beloved co-workers of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,your three letters1 dated ,june #hth1 ,july #ajth and ,october #abth1 have been safely received1 and to each ,i have given my earnest and fullest attention4 ,their perusal which reflects only a certain amount of your activities together with the study of the enclosed communications and circulars and of the detailed and admirable report of the proceedings of the ,annual ,convention have all served to heighten my admiration for the thoroughness1 the ability1 and the devotion with which you are conducting the affairs of the ,cause of ,god in that land4 ,how often ,i have wished and yearned to be nearer to the field of your activities and thus be able to keep in a more constant and closer touch with every detail of the manifold and all-important services you render4 ,i cherish the hope that erelong the facilities in the means of communication and transport will serve to draw us still nearer to one another1 and fulfill1 though partially1 this long-desired wish4 ,the ,annual ,convention ,i have been made happy and grateful to learn from your first letter that 8throughout the sessions 7of the last ,convention7 the atmosphere was one of great detachment and spirituality combined with practical vision and purpose40 ,i am deeply convinced that if the ,annual ,convention of the friends in ,america1 as well as the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 desire to become potent instruments for the speedy realization of the ,beloved's fondest hopes for the future of that country1 they should endeavor1 first and foremost1 to exemplify1 in an increasing degree1 to all ,bah's and to the world at large the high ideals of fellowship and service which ,bah'u'llh and the beloved ,master repeatedly set before them4 ,they can claim the admiration1 the support and eventually the allegiance of their fellow-countrymen only by their strict regard for the dignity1 the welfare1 and the unity of the ,cause of ,god1 by their zeal1 their disinterestedness1 and constancy in the service of mankind1 and by demonstrating1 through their words and deeds1 the need and practicability of the lofty principles which the ,movement has proclaimed to the world4 ,the efforts you have displayed1 and the considerable success you have achieved in consolidating the forces of the ,movement in the ,united ,states and ,canada have been a source of inspiration to every one of us1 and1 ,i am certain1 will spur the friends throughout the ,east to combined and sympathetic activity for the promotion of the ,cause4 ,my fervent prayer at the three ,holy ,shrines is that the bountiful ,lord may bless ,his ,american friends who constitute the vanguard of ,his host in the ,western world1 and prosper them in their material affairs and pursuits1 that the ,cause which stands today in sore need of material help and assistance may advance1 rapidly and unhindered1 towards the fulfillment of its destiny4 ,the ,bah' ,fund ,with regard to the ,bah' ,fund1 recently established amongst the friends1 ,i trust that the matter now stands clear to every one throughout the country4 ,as ,i have previously intimated1 although individual friends and local ,assemblies are absolutely free to specify the object and purpose of their donations to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 yet1 in my opinion1 ,i regard it of the utmost vital importance that individuals1 as well as local ,assemblies1 throughout the land should1 in view of the paramount importance of ,national ,teaching and as an evidence of their absolute confidence in their national representatives1 endeavor1 however small at first1 to contribute freely towards the upkeep and the increase of the ,national ,bah' ,fund1 so that the members of the ,national ,assembly may at their full discretion expend it for whatever they deem urgent and necessary4 ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,concerning the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 ,i shall always recall with pride and gratitude the self-sacrifice of the ,american friends and1 in particular the devoted services of our dear ,bah' sister1 ,mrs4 ,true1 and our beloved brethren1 ,dr4 ,bagdadi1 ,mr4 ,remey and ,mr4 ,bourgeois1 whose persistent efforts and devoted services are in the eyes of all friends highly praiseworthy4 ,i would feel indeed disheartened were the friends to think for a moment1 that its work should fall into abeyance1 nay1 rather they should do all in their power 7and ,i trust their fellow-brethren and sisters throughout the ,east may share in their stupendous efforts7 to provide for the steady and uninterrupted progress of the work1 until the day may come when this sublime ,edifice1 raised in its majestic splendor in the very heart of the continent1 may be yet another evidence of the triumph and vitality of the ,cause4 ,your reference to the friends in ,akron1 ,ohio1 and their harmonious participation in the proceedings of the ,convention have rejoiced my heart1 for it has removed another obstacle in the way of the rapid and vigorous development of the ,cause in those regions4 ,the beneficent services and unremitting labors of that selfless and able teacher of the ,cause of ,god1 ,jinb-i-,fdil-i-,mazandarn1 the details of whose travels and activities ,i have followed with deep interest1 have been to me a constant source of hope and real encouragement1 and my hope is that the seeds he has so wisely sown may with your support yield in the not distant future an abundant harvest4 ,green ,acre ,i was delighted to hear of the progressive activities of that dearly-beloved spot1 ,green ,acre1 upon which the ,master has bestowed ,his tender care and loving-kindness1 and of which we are all hopeful that it may become1 while the work of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr is in progress1 the focal center of the devotional1 humanitarian1 social and spiritual activities of the ,cause4 ,the sacrifice of the time1 energy and money made by our dearly beloved friends1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,randall1 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,schopflocher1 and those who have helped them in their task1 ,i shall never forget1 and will fervently pray on their behalf that our ,beloved may fulfill their heart's desire4 ,i feel that no interference with its present organization should be attempted1 as it enjoys in its present condition unique opportunities for the diffusion of the ,bah' spirit and the promotion of the ,word of ,god4 ,i am glad to report that the situation of the houses in ,baghdd is free from immediate danger1 though the issue has not yet been definitely determined4 ,i wish in this respect to express my high admiration and deep gratitude for the promptness1 caution1 and care with which you1 and particularly ,mrs4 ,parsons and ,mr4 ,mills1 have approached and handled this delicate question4 ,i shall inform you of any future developments in this matter4 ,with regard to the ,star of the ,west1 ,i have been impressed by the beauty and force of the various articles contributed to the ,journal by ,mr4 ,horace ,holley and ,mr4 ,stanwood ,cobb1 and would indeed welcome with genuine satisfaction an even more active participation on their part in the editorial section of the ,bah' ,magazine4 ,i have addressed a few days ago a cable to the secretary of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 requesting the friends to exercise restraint and caution in the use and distribution of the record of the ,master's voice4 ,in my view1 it should be used only on special occasions and be listened to with the utmost reverence4 ,the dignity of the ,cause1 ,i am sure1 would suffer from too wide and indiscriminate use of one of the most precious relics of our departed ,master4 ,regarding the short film of the ,master1 for which1 as well as for the record of ,his voice1 ,i am deeply indebted to the selfless efforts and services of my dear brother1 ,mr4 ,roy ,c4 ,wilhelm1 it would be undoubtedly better to combine it with other films representing various scenes in the history of the ,cause1 taken in countries visited by the ,bb and ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,as this would take considerable time and preparation and would entail much expense ,i wonder whether it would be an expense and burden to you to forward only to the ,holy ,land one copy of the actual film1 as it would impart untold happiness and consolation to the bereaved ladies of the ,holy ,household4 ,i am gratified to peruse the able and masterly work of my dear fellow-worker1 ,mr4 ,horace ,holley1 a work7#aj7 which ,i have no doubt will by virtue of its subject matter1 its comprehensiveness and uniqueness arouse widespread and genuine interest in the ,movement4 ,i am looking forward eagerly to similar productions by the pen of such able and gifted servants of ,bah'u'llh4 ,i am enclosing for all the friends recent translations of those highly significant utterances of ,bah'u'llh1 revealed some fifty years ago1 and pregnant with ,his divine wisdom4 ,his ringing call to humanity in its hour of peril sounds prophetic in these days of utter gloom4 ,i am forwarding also a copy of the transliterated ,oriental terms with few corrections of minor type errors4 ,i am confident that the friends will not feel their energy and patience taxed by a scrupulous adherence to what is an authoritative and universal1 though arbitrary code for the spelling of ,oriental terms4 ,committees of the ,national ,assembly ,the diligent efforts exerted by the various committees of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 those for ,national ,teaching1 for the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 the ,star of the ,west1 the ,national ,library1 for the reviewing and publication of ,bah' literature1 for education1 for the ,national ,archives and the ,race ,amity ,conventions1 have cheered and heartened me in the discharge of my manifold duties1 and constitute in themselves a convincing evidence and inspiring example to the ,bah' world of the efficient spiritual administration of the affairs of the ,bah' world4 ,as to the spiritual activities of the 8,children of the ,kingdom0 in ,america1 my hope and prayer is that they may grow to become efficient servants of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,their devotion and self-sacrifice1 their readiness to help the cause of the ,bah' ,temple1 their activity in connection with the ,bah' ,magazine are all unmistakable signs of the glorious future of the ,cause in that land4 ,may the care and loving-kindness of the ,heavenly ,father guide them1 protect them and aid them in their future mission in life4 ,the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 the ,holy ,mother1 and the other ladies of the ,holy ,household wish to join me1 one and all1 in expressing to every one of you their deep thankfulness and their highest appreciation for the efficient and admirable manner with which you are coordinating the dynamic forces of the ,cause1 and conducting its affairs throughout ,america4 ,the sum of #ajj ,english pounds which you have offered to the ,cause through me1 ,i must acknowledge with deep appreciation and gratitude1 and wish to inform you that a part of it has been directly expended for the furthering of the interests of the ,cause throughout the world1 and the rest for the embellishment of the ,well-,beloved's ,shrine on ,mount ,carmel4 ,with deep gratitude1 and hoping to hear from you1 singly and collectively1 ,i am your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,november #bf1 #aibc4 ,letter of ,january #dth1 #aibd4 ,to the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my dearest friends3 ,on ,november #bhth ,i received the following communication from the ,president of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of ,great ,britain3 8,i have now to bring to your notice1 though possibly you are already aware of it1 a matter which is of the first importance in the opinion of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly as you will see from one of the paragraphs of the enclosed minutes of its first meeting1 which was held on ,october #acth4 ,so far the programme of the conference on the #8,living ,religions within the ,british ,empire' is in a somewhat nebulous condition1 but ,i have ascertained from ,miss ,sharples1 the honorary secretary of the committee of organization1 that the conference has been approved by the authorities of the ,british ,empire ,exhibition #aibd and will last for ten days1 covering the last week of the month of ,september and the first three days of ,october4 ,it is proposed that all religions taught and practiced throughout the ,british ,empire shall be represented at the conference1 including the ,christians1 ,muhammadans1 ,buddhists1 ,brahma ,somaj1 ,theosophists and others1 and that each one in turn shall have at its disposal a day or part of a day for a meeting to expound its principles and deal with its organization and objects40 ,in their last letter1 the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of ,great ,britain further informed me that the idea of the above-mentioned conference has originated with the ,theosophical ,society1 but these having later dropped its management1 the organization of the conference passed into the hands of the ,school of ,oriental ,studies and the ,sociological ,society4 ,you will also note from the enclosed copy of a letter addressed by the same ,miss ,sharples to the ,president of the ,british ,national ,spiritual ,assembly that the time offered to the ,bah' representatives will be very limited1 and that most probably the allotted time will be just sufficient to read their papers or deliver their address and engage in the discussion that might arise after their formal presentation of the ,cause4 ,as the ,british ,empire ,exhibition1 of which this conference forms a part1 is itself a semi-official undertaking1 and receives actually the generous support and active participation of the government authorities throughout the ,british ,empire1 ,i feel that the opportunities now offered to the ,bah' world should not be missed1 as this chance1 if properly utilized1 might arouse and stimulate interest among the enlightened public4 ,as so much will depend upon the nature and general presentation of the theme1 rather than upon the personality of the reader or speaker1 ,i feel that1 first and foremost1 our attention should be concentrated on the choice and thorough preparation of the subject matter as well as on the proper drafting and the form of the paper itself1 which might possibly have to be submitted afterwards to the authorities of the conference4 ,i feel the necessity of entrusting this highly important and delicate task to a special committee1 to be appointed most carefully by the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of ,america1 and consisting of those who by their knowledge of the ,cause1 their experience in matters of publicity1 and particularly by their power of expression and beauty of style will be qualified to produce a befitting statement on the unique history of the ,movement as well as its lofty principles4 ,i am enclosing an article on the ,bah' ,movement which ,i trust might serve as a basis and example of the paper in question4 ,an account of the most salient features of the history of the ,cause1 a brief but impressive reference to its many heroes and martyrs1 a convincing and comprehensive presentation of its basic principles1 and a characteristic survey of the ,master's life1 as well as a short but graphic description of the present position and influence of the ,movement both in the ,east and the ,west1 should1 in my opinion1 be included and combined into one conclusive argument4 ,its length should not surpass that of the enclosed article1 and its general tone1 expression and language should be at once dignified1 sober and forceful4 ,the greatest care and caution must be exercised in choosing those who can best provide and fulfill the above mentioned requisites and conditions4 ,i shall be most pleased to offer my views and suggestions once the paper has assumed its final shape1 and wish you to obtain the assistance and advice of those whom you think able to judge amongst the friends in ,england and elsewhere4 ,mr4 ,simpson1 the ,president of the ,british ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 writes that ,miss ,grand from ,canada has suggested the names of ,dr4 ,watson and ,mr4 ,j4 ,o4 ,mc,carthy of ,toronto to represent the ,canadian ,bah's4 ,i would be pleased to receive your views as to who should represent ,canada at the ,conference4 ,india is the only other country within the ,british ,empire that can send a native ,bah' representative to the conference1 and it is rather unfortunate that the ,united ,states of ,america should have to be excluded1 as the speakers at the conference must necessarily be subjects of the ,british ,empire4 ,i am enclosing recent translations7#aa7 of the prophetic and most remarkable words of ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah which ,i trust you will all find of great value and interest in the great work you are doing for the ,cause4 ,may this great project yield an abundant harvest for the ,cause1 and your efforts be richly blessed by the guiding ,spirit of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,your fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #dth1 #aibd4 ,letter of ,february #bc1 #aibd4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout ,america4 ,my dear fellow-workers3 ,i gather from various sources that the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh1 in the course of its sure yet toilsome march towards the salvation of the world1 has encountered of late further obstacles1 which in the eyes of some appear to retard its progress and hinder its growth4 ,i have learned with feelings of sadness and surprise that some vague sense of apprehension1 a strange misconception of its immediate purpose and methods1 is slowly gaining ground1 steadily affecting its wholesome growth and vigorous development throughout the continent4 ,though such signs should appear from time to time1 and however unrepresentative they be of the vast and growing mass of its convinced and zealous supporters1 the world over1 what1 ,i wonder1 could have caused this uneasiness of mind8 ,are such misgivings possible1 though on the part of but a few1 in the face of the remarkable manifestations of so remarkable a movement8 ,to what extent do they form a part of those mental tests and trials destined at various times by the ,almighty to stir and reinvigorate the body of ,his ,cause1 and how far are they traceable to our imperfect state of understanding1 to our weaknesses and failings8 ,divine ,destiny and ,human ,frailty ,that the ,cause of ,god should1 in the days to come1 witness many a challenging hour and pass through critical stages in preparation for the glories of its promised ascendancy in the new world has been1 time and again1 undeniably affirmed by our departed ,master1 and is abundantly proved to us all by its heroic past and turbulent history4 ,and yet1 if it is the lot of the chosen ones of ,god1 the people of ,bah1 to face adversity and suffer tribulation before achieving ultimate victory1 are we to believe that whatever befalls us is divinely ordained1 and in no wise the result of our faint-heartedness and negligence8 ,surely now1 if ever1 is the time to turn our eyes inwardly1 to bestir ourselves1 to invoke the ,most ,great ,name1 and standing together1 summon to our aid and support all the faith1 the strength1 and the courage that we shall need to meet our pressing obligations and discharge our trust4 ,the ,plight of ,mankind ,the plight of mankind1 the condition and circumstances under which we live and labor are truly disheartening1 and the darkness of prejudice and ill-will enough to chill the stoutest heart4 ,disillusion and dismay are invading the hearts of peoples and nations1 and the hope and vision of a united and regenerated humanity is growing dimmer and dimmer every day4 ,time-honored institutions1 cherished ideals1 and sacred traditions are suffering in these days of bewildering change1 from the effects of the gravest onslaught1 and the precious fruit of centuries of patient and earnest labor is faced with peril4 ,passions1 supposed to have been curbed and subdued1 are now burning fiercer than ever before1 and the voice of peace and good-will seems drowned amid unceasing convulsions and turmoil4 ,what1 let us ask ourselves1 should be our attitude as we stand under the all-seeing eye of our vigilant ,master1 gazing at a sad spectacle so utterly remote from the spirit which ,he breathed into the world8 ,are we to follow in the wake of the wayward and the despairing8 ,are we to allow our vision of so unique1 so enduring1 so precious a ,cause to be clouded by the stain and dust of worldly happenings1 which1 no matter how glittering and far-reaching in their immediate effects1 are but the fleeting shadows of an imperfect world8 ,are we to be carried away by the flood of hollow and conflicting ideas1 or are we to stand1 unsubdued and unblemished1 upon the everlasting rock of ,god's ,divine ,instructions8 ,shall we not equip ourselves with a clear and full understanding of their purpose and implications for the age we live in1 and with an unconquerable resolve arise to utilize them1 intelligently and with scrupulous fidelity1 for the enlightenment and the promotion of the good of all mankind8 ,humanity1 torn with dissension and burning with hate1 is crying at this hour for a fuller measure of that love which is born of ,god1 that love which in the last resort will prove the one solvent of its incalculable difficulties and problems4 ,is it not incumbent upon us1 whose hearts are aglow with love for ,him1 to make still greater effort1 to manifest that love in all its purity and power in our dealings with our fellow-men8 ,may our love of our beloved ,master1 so ardent1 so disinterested in all its aspects1 find its true expression in love for our fellow-brethren and sisters in the faith as well as for all mankind4 ,i assure you1 dear friends1 that progress in such matters as these is limitless and infinite1 and that upon the extent of our achievements along this line will ultimately depend the success of our mission in life4 ,the ,new ,world ,order ,and as we make an effort to demonstrate that love to the world may we also clear our minds of any lingering trace of unhappy misunderstandings that might obscure our clear conception of the exact purpose and methods of this new world order1 so challenging and complex1 yet so consummate and wise4 ,we are called upon by our beloved ,master in ,his ,will and ,testament not only to adopt it unreservedly1 but to unveil its merit to all the world4 ,to attempt to estimate its full value1 and grasp its exact significance after so short a time since its inception would be premature and presumptuous on our part4 ,we must trust to time1 and the guidance of ,god's ,universal ,house of ,justice1 to obtain a clearer and fuller understanding of its provisions and implications4 ,but one word of warning must be uttered in this connection4 ,let us be on our guard lest we measure too strictly the ,divine ,plan with the standard of men4 ,i am not prepared to state that it agrees in principle or in method with the prevailing notions now uppermost in men's minds1 nor that it should conform with those imperfect1 precarious1 and expedient measures feverishly resorted to by agitated humanity4 ,are we to doubt that the ways of ,god are not necessarily the ways of man8 ,is not faith but another word for implicit obedience1 whole-hearted allegiance1 uncompromising adherence to that which we believe is the revealed and express will of ,god1 however perplexing it might first appear1 however at variance with the shadowy views1 the impotent doctrines1 the crude theories1 the idle imaginings1 the fashionable conceptions of a transient and troublous age8 ,if we are to falter or hesitate1 if our love for ,him should fail to direct us and keep us within ,his path1 if we desert ,divine and emphatic principles1 what hope can we any more cherish for healing the ills and sicknesses of this world8 ,pending the establishment of the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 whose function it is to lay more definitely the broad lines that must guide the future activities and administration of the ,movement1 it is clearly our duty to strive to obtain as clear a view as possible of the manner in which to conduct the affairs of the ,cause1 and then arise with single-mindedness and determination to adopt and maintain it in all our activities and labors4 ,the ,foundation of the ,house of ,justice ,the various ,assemblies1 local and national1 constitute today the bedrock upon the strength of which the ,universal ,house is in future to be firmly established and raised4 ,not until these function vigorously and harmoniously can the hope for the termination of this period of transition be realized4 ,it devolves upon us whose dearest wish is to see the ,cause enter upon that promised era of universal recognition and world achievements1 to do all in our power to consolidate the foundations of these ,assemblies1 promoting at the same time a fuller understanding of their purpose and more harmonious cooperation for their maintenance and success4 ,let us also remember that at the very root of the ,cause lies the principle of the undoubted right of the individual to self-expression1 his freedom to declare his conscience and set forth his views4 ,if certain instructions of the ,master are today particularly emphasized and scrupulously adhered to1 let us be sure that they are but provisional measures designed to guard and protect the ,cause in its present state of infancy and growth until the day when this tender and precious plant shall have sufficiently grown to be able to withstand the unwisdom of its friends and the attacks of its enemies4 ,let us also bear in mind that the keynote of the ,cause of ,god is not dictatorial authority but humble fellowship1 not arbitrary power1 but the spirit of frank and loving consultation4 ,nothing short of the spirit of a true ,bah' can hope to reconcile the principles of mercy and justice1 of freedom and submission1 of the sanctity of the right of the individual and of self-surrender1 of vigilance1 discretion and prudence on the one hand1 and fellowship1 candor1 and courage on the other4 ,duties of ,elected ,representatives ,the duties of those whom the friends have freely and conscientiously elected as their representatives are no less vital and binding than the obligations of those who have chosen them4 ,their function is not to dictate1 but to consult1 and consult not only among themselves1 but as much as possible with the friends whom they represent4 ,they must regard themselves in no other light but that of chosen instruments for a more efficient and dignified presentation of the ,cause of ,god4 ,they should never be led to suppose that they are the central ornaments of the body of the ,cause1 intrinsically superior to others in capacity or merit1 and sole promoters of its teachings and principles4 ,they should approach their task with extreme humility1 and endeavor1 by their open-mindedness1 their high sense of justice and duty1 their candor1 their modesty1 their entire devotion to the welfare and interests of the friends1 the ,cause1 and humanity1 to win1 not only the confidence and the genuine support and respect of those whom they serve1 but also their esteem and real affection4 ,they must1 at all times1 avoid the spirit of exclusiveness1 the atmosphere of secrecy1 free themselves from a domineering attitude1 and banish all forms of prejudice and passion from their deliberations4 ,they should1 within the limits of wise discretion1 take the friends into their confidence1 acquaint them with their plans1 share with them their problems and anxieties1 and seek their advice and counsel4 ,and1 when they are called upon to arrive at a certain decision1 they should1 after dispassionate1 anxious and cordial consultation1 turn to ,god in prayer1 and with earnestness and conviction and courage record their vote and abide by the voice of the majority1 which we are told by our ,master to be the voice of truth1 never to be challenged1 and always to be whole-heartedly enforced4 ,to this voice the friends must heartily respond1 and regard it as the only means that can insure the protection and advancement of the ,cause4 ,election of ,delegates ,again ,i earnestly appeal to every one of you1 and renew my only request with all the ardor of my conviction1 to make1 before and during the coming ,convention1 yet another effort1 this time more spontaneous and selfless than before1 and endeavor to approach your task--the election of your delegates1 as well as your national and local representatives--with that purity of spirit that can alone obtain our ,beloved's most cherished desire4 ,let us recall ,his explicit and often-repeated assurances that every ,assembly elected in that rarefied atmosphere of selflessness and detachment is1 in truth1 appointed of ,god1 that its verdict is truly inspired1 that one and all should submit to its decision unreservedly and with cheerfulness4 ,let us first strive to fulfill these conditions1 difficult yet essential1 in our lives1 so that1 contented and assured1 we may make of this new year of activity a year of abundant blessings1 of unprecedented achievements4 ,may this dearest wish be fulfilled6 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,february #bc1 #aibd4 ,letter of ,september #bd1 #aibd4 ,the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,continent of ,america3 ,dear friends3 ,i return to the ,holy ,land with an overpowering sense of the gravity of the spiritual state of the ,cause in the world4 ,much as ,i deplore the disturbing effect of my forced and repeated withdrawals from the field of service1 ,i can unhesitatingly assure you that my last and momentous step was taken with extreme reluctance and only after mature and anxious reflection as to the best way to safeguard the interests of a precious ,cause4 ,my prolonged absence1 my utter inaction should not1 however1 be solely attributed to certain external manifestations of unharmony1 of discontent and disloyalty--however paralysing their effect has been upon the continuance of my work--but also to my own unworthiness and to my imperfections and frailties4 ,i venture to request you to join me in yet another prayer1 this time more ardent and universal than before1 supplicating with one voice the gracious ,master to overlook our weaknesses and failings1 to make us worthier and braver children of ,his own4 ,our ,inner ,life ,humanity1 through suffering and turmoil1 is swiftly moving on towards its destiny2 if we be loiterers1 if we fail to play our part surely others will be called upon to take up our task as ministers to the crying needs of this afflicted world4 ,not by the force of numbers1 not by the mere exposition of a set of new and noble principles1 not by an organized campaign of teaching--no matter how worldwide and elaborate in its character--not even by the staunchness of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm1 can we ultimately hope to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim of the ,abh ,revelation4 ,one thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred ,cause1 namely1 the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by ,bah'u'llh4 ,looking back upon those sullen days of my retirement1 bitter with feelings of anxiety and gloom1 ,i can recall with appreciation and gratitude those unmistakable evidences of your affection and steadfast zeal which ,i have received from time to time1 and which have served to relieve in no small measure the burden that weighed so heavily upon my heart4 ,i can well imagine the degree of uneasiness1 nay of affliction1 that must have agitated the mind and soul of every loving and loyal servant of the ,beloved during these long months of suspense and distressing silence4 ,but ,i assure you such remarkable solicitude as you have shown for the protection of ,his ,cause1 such tenacity of faith and unceasing activity as you have displayed for its promotion1 cannot but in the end be abundantly rewarded by #8,abdu'l-,bah1 who from ,his station above is the sure witness of all that you have endured and suffered for ,him4 ,dawn of a ,brighter ,day ,and now as ,i look into the future1 ,i hope to see the friends at all times1 in every land1 and of every shade of thought and character1 voluntarily and joyously rallying round their local and in particular their national centers of activity1 upholding and promoting their interests with complete unanimity and contentment1 with perfect understanding1 genuine enthusiasm1 and sustained vigor4 ,this indeed is the one joy and yearning of my life1 for it is the fountainhead from which all future blessings will flow1 the broad foundation upon which the security of the ,divine ,edifice must ultimately rest4 ,may we not hope that now at last the dawn of a brighter day is breaking upon our beloved ,cause8 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,september #bd1 #aibd4 ,letter of ,november #bdth1 #aibd4 ,to my dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 care of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,dearest friends3 ,the day is drawing near when1 for the third time1 we shall commemorate the world over the passing of our well-beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,may we not pause for a moment1 and gather our thoughts8 ,how has it fared with us1 ,his little band of followers1 since that day8 ,whither are we now marching8 ,what has been our achievement8 ,menace of ,social ,chaos ,we have but to turn our eyes to the world without to realize the fierceness and the magnitude of the forces of darkness that are struggling with the dawning light of the ,abh ,revelation4 ,nations1 though exhausted and disillusioned1 have seemingly begun to cherish anew the spirit of revenge1 of domination1 and strife4 ,peoples1 convulsed by economic upheavals1 are slowly drifting into two great opposing camps with all their menace of social chaos1 class hatreds1 and worldwide ruin4 ,races1 alienated more than ever before1 are filled with mistrust1 humiliation and fear1 and seem to prepare themselves for a fresh and fateful encounter4 ,creeds and religions1 caught in this whirlpool of conflict and passion1 appear to gaze with impotence and despair at this spectacle of unceasing turmoil4 ,such is the plight of mankind three years after the passing of ,him from whose lips fell unceasingly the sure message of a fast-approaching ,divine salvation4 ,are we by our thoughts1 our words1 our deeds1 whether individually or collectively1 preparing the way8 ,are we hastening the advent of the ,day ,he so often foretold8 ,none can deny that the flame of faith and love which ,his mighty hand kindled in many hearts has1 despite our bereavement1 continued to burn as brightly and steadily as ever before4 ,who can question that ,his loved ones1 both in the ,east and the ,west1 notwithstanding the insidious strivings of the enemies of the ,cause1 have displayed a spirit of unshakable loyalty worthy of the highest praise8 ,what greater perseverance and fortitude than that which ,his tried and trusted friends have shown in the face of untold calamities1 intolerable oppression1 and incredible restrictions8 ,but such staunchness of faith1 such an unsullied love1 such magnificent loyalty1 such heroic constancy1 such noble courage1 however unprecedented and laudable in themselves1 cannot alone lead us to the final and complete triumph of such a great ,cause4 ,not until the dynamic love we cherish for ,him is sufficiently reflected in its power and purity in all our dealings with our fellow-men1 however remotely connected and humble in origin1 can we hope to exalt in the eyes of a self-seeking world the genuineness of the all-conquering love of ,god4 ,not until we live ourselves the life of a true ,bah' can we hope to demonstrate the creative and transforming potency of the ,faith we profess4 ,nothing but the abundance of our actions1 nothing but the purity of our lives and the integrity of our characters1 can in the last resort establish our claim that the ,bah' spirit is in this day the sole agency that can translate a long-cherished ideal into an enduring achievement4 ,paramount ,duty of ,every ,bah' ,with this vision clearly set before us1 and fortified by the knowledge of the gracious aid of ,bah'u'llh and the repeated assurances of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 let us first strive to live the life and then arise with one heart1 one mind1 one voice1 to reinforce our numbers and achieve our end4 ,let us recall1 and seek on this sad occasion the comfort of1 the last wishes of our departed yet ever-watchful ,master3-- 8,it behooveth them not to rest for a moment1 neither to seek repose4 ,they must disperse themselves in every land1 pass by every clime1 and travel throughout all regions4 ,bestirred1 without rest1 and steadfast to the end1 they must raise in every land the triumphal cry #8,ya ,bah'u'l-,abh6' 7,o ,thou the ,glory of ,glories74444 ,the disciples of ,christ forgot themselves and all earthly things1 forsook all their cares and belongings1 purged themselves of self and passion1 and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine guidance2 till at last they made the world another world1 illumined the surface of the earth1 and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved ,one of ,god4 ,finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom4 ,let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps60 ,having grasped the significance of these words1 having obtained a clear understanding of the true character of our mission1 the methods to adopt1 the course to pursue1 and having attained sufficiently the individual regeneration--the essential requisite of teaching--let us arise to teach ,his ,cause with righteousness1 conviction1 understanding and vigor4 ,let this be the paramount and most urgent duty of every ,bah'4 ,let us make it the dominating passion of our life4 ,let us scatter to the uttermost corners of the earth2 sacrifice our personal interests1 comforts1 tastes and pleasures2 mingle with the divers kindreds and peoples of the world2 familiarize ourselves with their manners1 traditions1 thoughts and customs2 arouse1 stimulate and maintain universal interest in the ,movement1 and at the same time endeavor by all the means in our power1 by concentrated and persistent attention1 to enlist the unreserved allegiance and the active support of the more hopeful and receptive among our hearers4 ,let us too bear in mind the example which our beloved ,master has clearly set before us4 ,wise and tactful in ,his approach1 wakeful and attentive in ,his early intercourse1 broad and liberal in all ,his public utterances1 cautious and gradual in the unfolding of the essential verities of the ,cause1 passionate in ,his appeal yet sober in argument1 confident in tone1 unswerving in conviction1 dignified in ,his manners--such were the distinguishing features of our ,beloved's noble presentation of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,if we all choose to tread faithfully ,his path1 surely the day is not far distant when our beloved ,cause will have emerged from the inevitable obscurity of a young and struggling ,faith into the broad daylight of universal recognition4 ,this is our duty1 our first obligation4 ,therein lies the secret of the success of the ,cause we love so well4 ,therein lies the hope1 the salvation of mankind4 ,are we fully conscious of our responsibilities8 ,do we realize the urgency1 the sacredness1 the immensity1 the glory of our task8 ,i entreat you1 dear friends1 to continue1 nay1 to redouble your efforts1 to keep your vision clear1 your hopes undimmed1 your determination unshaken1 so that the power of ,god within us may fill the world with all its glory4 ,in this fervent plea joins me the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf4 ,though chagrined in the evening of her life at the sorrowful tales of repression in ,persia1 she still turns with the deepest longings of her heart to your land where freedom reigns1 eager and expectant to behold1 ere she is called away1 the signs of the universal triumph of the ,cause she loves so dearly4 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,november #bdth1 #aibd4 ,letter of ,november #bg1 #aibd4 ,to my dear friends and fellow-workers1 the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my friends and fellow-workers3-- ,the letters which our able and devoted friend1 ,mr4 ,horace ,holley1 has addressed in your behalf to the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf and myself have all been received1 and1 together with their enclosures1 read with the closest attention4 ,it is indeed highly gratifying to observe that notwithstanding the strain and stress of the critical period through which our beloved ,cause is passing1 the elected representatives of the friends in ,america have1 with unflinching faith1 undaunted courage1 and conspicuous ability1 persevered in their task and fulfilled their arduous duties4 ,the splendid contribution you have made to the efforts of your fellow-workers in ,england in connection with the ,conference on the ,living ,religions within the ,british ,empire1 we all heartily appreciate and regard as a fresh evidence of the growing power and solidarity of the ,cause of ,god4 ,both in the admirable paper which you arranged to be drafted and prepared1 and in the person of your devout1 trusted and talented ,president1 who performed his duty with absolute fidelity and high distinction1 you have rendered the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh a fresh and distinguished service4 ,may the results achieved lend a fresh impetus to the onward march of the ,cause in the ,west4 ,the recent measures you have adopted in view of the necessity of promoting fuller confidence and a greater measure of understanding and cooperation between the body of the believers and the local and ,national ,assemblies1 will1 ,i am confident1 be of the greatest value1 and indicate clearly that you are fully aware of the true position1 the privileges and responsibilities of every ,bah' ,assembly4 ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,we all long to hasten by wise and effective measures the completion of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 and we fervently supplicate the ,all-,bountiful to bless richly our teaching work that our numbers may be reinforced in time by men who with sufficient means at their disposal may voluntarily and abundantly support this vast and noble endeavor4 ,i trust that you will encounter no further obstacles in receiving the necessary support to meet the immediate needs of this ,universal ,house of ,worship as decided at your recent general gathering in ,chicago4 ,bah' ,magazine ,the ,star of the ,west1 the latest issues of which ,i have read with genuine satisfaction1 has admittedly made a notable advance towards the ideal which the ,master has set before it4 ,articles on broad humanitarian lines1 well-conceived1 adequately treated1 and powerfully presented1 should have their proper place in every issue together with such accounts of the history and the teachings of the ,cause as will portray to the ,bah' and non-,bah' alike the unique beauty as well as the compelling power of the ,bah' spirit4 ,matters political and partisan in character should be carefully avoided as they would eventually lead to entanglements that would be not only futile but positively harmful4 ,as regards the ,persian ,section3 ,i feel that in view of the severe restrictions imposed on the friends in ,persia its temporary suspension would be well-advised1 particularly as it makes such a disproportionate demand on the meagre resources of the friends in ,america4 ,the increasing efforts displayed by my beloved brothers and sisters in ,america1 both individually and collectively1 and the action taken by you in constituting regional ,teaching ,committees are of vital importance to the spread of the ,cause in the present stage of our work4 ,i feel that we should all collaborate in widening its scope1 intensifying its influence1 assuring its continuity1 and endeavoring to subordinate every other activity to this most urgent and vital task4 ,it is our bounden duty to do all in our power to give the ,cause from day to day a fuller publicity1 to maintain and stimulate the interest aroused1 and to concentrate at the same time our attention on a chosen few1 endeavoring tactfully and persistently to make of them earnest and unreserved supporters of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,i am deeply conscious of the manifold and unavoidable difficulties that confront you in your labors for the administration of the affairs of the ,cause4 ,vast distances2 personal professional preoccupations2 insufficient number of capable and experienced teachers1 unhampered by the necessity of earning their means of livelihood2 the inadequacy of the means at your disposal1 financial and otherwise2 the prevailing tendencies in the general thought1 sentiment1 and manners of the people in whose midst you work--all these1 though insuperable obstacles at present1 will1 if we stand steadfast and faithful1 be one by one removed1 and pave the way for the ultimate ascendency of the ,cause and the fruition and triumph of our labors4 ,as to the projected prayer-book1 ,i feel the need for a specially prepared compilation of the prayers of ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah designed for the general public which would both prove of value for devotional purposes and act as a fresh incentive to eager and inspiring minds4 ,i am enclosing copies of prayers which you may have not yet received and trust to send you more in future4 ,i should be glad to receive any particulars you might wish me to consider in this connection4 ,our untiring and devoted sister1 ,dr4 ,moody 7the handmaid of the ,most ,high71 has had to her profound regret to discontinue for a time the invaluable and unique services she has been rendering to the ,cause in ,persia4 ,she is proceeding to ,america1 and will familiarize you with the deplorable state of affairs in that unhappy country4 ,you will get first-hand information from her regarding the present condition and activities of our long-suffering friends in ,persia1 and she will take counsel with you as to the best way to meet the needs and serve the ,cause of ,education in ihrn4 ,i hope and pray that as soon as circumstances permit1 the friends in ,america may enable ,dr4 ,moody to take back with her to ,persia suitable1 capable and ardent collaborators who will contribute their distinct share towards the uplift and the advancement of their brethren and sisters in that land4 ,concerning the magazine 444 ,i feel we must make it unmistakably plain to those in charge of it that the ,bah's would gladly and gratefully respond to the invitation to cooperate with those that are responsible for it immediately they are fully satisfied that nothing is or will be published by them1 whether in the magazine or elsewhere1 that would1 however indirectly1 prejudice or reflect upon their conception of what the ,bah' ,movement is or stands for4 ,should this be refused1 and unfriendly and harmful matters be published against them1 the attitude of all of us should be a definite refusal to help and absolute non-interference1 as well as the absence of any form of retaliation which will instead of achieving our end defeat our purpose4 ,we should leave him in the hands of ,god4 ,as to the suggestion of the ,annual ,convention being held next summer at ,green ,acre1 ,i believe it to be both wise and helpful1 and trust that it will forge another link between the ,bah's as a body and its founders and trustees1 and will serve to draw them closer and closer to the outward form as well as to the spirit of the activities of the friends in ,america4 ,the financial help extended recently by the friends in ,america to their fellow-workers of the ,faith in ,qadiyn1 ,punjab1 has given us all intense satisfaction and made us deeply grateful4 ,their contribution has immediately been forwarded to them through the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of ,india and ,burma1 and will1 ,i am certain1 enhance the prestige and the influence of the ,cause4 ,i feel that the conditions are now favorable for the circulation of the ,will and ,testament of #8,abdu'l-,bah only in manuscript form and among recognized believers in ,america4 ,every such believer should be trusted with a single copy with the express understanding that no duplicate copies or extracts of it be made or published anywhere4 ,bah' ,year ,book ,the suggestion made by my dear and able friend1 ,mr4 ,horace ,holley1 as to the compilation of an annual 8,bah' ,year ,book0 is extremely valuable and timely4 ,i am much impressed by it1 and feel that an immediate start should be made4 ,i believe it can best be now undertaken under the direction and supervision of your ,assembly until the time should come for the friends in the ,east and particularly ,persia to participate effectually in its development4 ,i trust you will send me a copy of the skeleton of the material you propose to include1 and ,i shall here attempt to fill up any gap and render any assistance ,i can to make it as comprehensive1 as attractive1 and as authoritative as possible4 ,i am sending through my dear brother1 ,mr4 ,m4 ,mills1 various relics and ,tablets of our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah1 the only and priceless treasures of the devoted gardener of ,bah'u'llh's ,shrine1 ,ustad ,abu'l-,qasim ,khurasani1 who has offered them to be preserved in his behalf in the ,archives of the friends in ,america4 ,i am hoping to be able to send you in future precious additions to what the ,archives ,committee has already collected1 and may ,i in this connection express to those who have conceived so admirable a plan my profound admiration and heartfelt gratitude4 ,i wish to assure you in conclusion of my readiness and genuine desire to help you and serve you to the utmost of my ability4 ,i fully realize the enormous burden that weighs on your shoulders1 and am constantly mindful of the distinct and eminent share you are contributing to the advancement of the ,cause4 ,i wish you from the depths of my heart entire satisfaction in your glorious work4 ,our beloved ,master is surely watching from the ,realm ,beyond over ,his children whom ,he nurtured and loved so well1 and will certainly guide you in every step you take1 and crown your patient efforts with signal success4 ,your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,november #bg1 #aibd4 ,letter of ,january #af1 #aibe4 ,to my dearly-beloved friends1 the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my dear and precious fellow-workers3 ,the three communications dated ,november #ai1 ,november #bb and ,december #bb1 which ,i have recently received from that indefatigable servant of ,bah'u'llh1 my esteemed spiritual brother1 ,mr4 ,holley1 have given me great satisfaction and have cheered and sustained me in my work4 ,i have read most carefully the minutes of your ,december meeting and am particularly pleased to note in many respects the notable advance you have made in establishing the ,cause upon a wider and surer foundation4 ,history of the ,cause ,with reference to the need1 so often expressed1 for an authentic and comprehensive history of the ,cause1 ,i am glad to inform you of the action contemplated by the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of ,persia in instructing and urging the local ,assemblies throughout the country to take immediate steps for the formation in every locality of a special committee which will seek the assistance and the testimony of the remnants of the earliest believers and pioneers of the ,cause in ,persia in collecting most carefully all available evidence and data for the compilation of a comprehensive1 reliable and representative history of the ,movement from its earliest dawn to the present day4 ,i have communicated with the ,national ,assembly of ,persia1 regarding this urgent and vital necessity1 and ,i feel the time is not far distant when a free rendering into ,english of this stirring narrative as well as an abridged form of it will be made available for both the ,bah's and the general public in the ,west4 ,the efforts recently displayed by the ,publishing ,committee so clearly reflected in the minutes of their meeting of ,november #b1 #aibd1 a copy of which ,i have read with the closest attention1 indicate the efficiency1 the zeal and the determination with which they are conducting this vital branch of ,bah' activity4 ,the scope of their effective work is expanding rapidly1 and ,i wish to assure them one and all of my prayers for the fruition of their labors and the further development and consolidation of their work4 ,there have been of late no fresh developments in the situation of the ,house of ,baghdd4 ,the case1 which is now before the court of ,first ,instance1 has been postponed for some time and we still await anxiously the decision of the court4 ,any hope of an immediate and final solution of this intricate problem seems for the present remote4 ,in the event of our success the case may still be referred by our powerful opponents to the ,court of ,appeal--the highest in the land--and should its decision be in our favor the government may at any time--as it does not seem unlikely--decide1 by retaining the keys in its custody1 to postpone indefinitely the execution of such a verdict in order to allay the fierce hostility of the clerical element as well as the ,shi'ite population of #8,irq4 ,should a crisis occur1 ,i will immediately inform you and endeavor to define more clearly any measure that ,i feel should be taken by the ,american ,assemblies to insure the security of the ,house of ,bah'u'llh4 ,bah' ,periodicals ,regarding the publication of ,bah' periodicals in ,america1 there is no doubt whatsoever that every individual ,bah' is free to inaugurate and conduct any magazine of his own provided that nothing is published therein which in the estimation of the ,national ,assembly tends in the least to become detrimental or injurious to the highest interests of the ,cause4 ,within these limits1 and these limits only1 private initiative should in no wise be discouraged and is indeed highly praiseworthy4 ,it is for the ,national ,assembly1 however1 to exercise its judgment as to what extent the resources at their disposal enable them to aid financially the individual undertakings of the friends4 ,should the response of the friends and ,assemblies to the appeals made on behalf of the ,national ,fund be prompt1 sustained and generous1 the ,national ,assembly will1 ,i am certain1 justify its sympathy1 good-will and genuine cooperation with every individual ,bah' enterprise4 ,i would1 however1 at this early state of our work1 strongly urge1 nay entreat1 the friends not to dissipate their efforts1 but to seek1 after frank1 mature and continuous deliberation1 to arrive at a common conclusion as to the most urgent requirements and needs of the hour1 and having unified their views to strive to uphold and enforce them with promptitude1 wholeheartedness and understanding4 ,news ,letter ,the first printed issue of the ,national ,assembly's ,news ,letter prepared and signed on behalf of the ,assembly by its able secretary1 stands as a bright and eloquent testimony of his thoroughness1 his industry1 his conspicuous ability1 his undoubted self-sacrifice4 ,the ,cause is entering upon a new era of renewed and concerted activity4 ,its method of presentation has unmistakably improved1 and this general advancement in standard is in no small measure attributable to the distinctive capacity of your ,assembly4 ,my constant prayer is that ,he who watches over and inspires your manifold activities may bless more richly than ever before your noble endeavors4 ,temple ,meetings ,with reference to the matter of meeting in the ,foundation ,hall of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 ,i feel that the ,foundation ,hall should serve the purpose both of devotional gatherings where the revealed ,word of ,god is read and chanted1 and meetings at which subjects strictly ,bah' in character are presented1 propounded and discussed4 ,i have no doubt that every conscientious and thoughtful ,bah' will scrupulously and at all times observe the commandment of ,bah'u'llh and the instructions of #8,abdu'l-,bah relative to the maintenance of the sacredness1 the dignity1 and the universality of an edifice that will in time become ,god's universal ,house of ,worship4 ,may the blessings of our ,almighty ,master rest upon your deliberations4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #af1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,january #bith1 #aibe4 ,to the esteemed members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my well-beloved and precious fellow-workers3 ,i have perused your recent communication1 dated ,december #bith1 and signed on your behalf by your vigilant and capable secretary1 with an interest and attention worthy of the paramount importance of the issues it raises4 ,the matter of the revision of the ,english version of the ,hidden ,words1 in view of the rapidity of the sale of the copies recently printed1 is of urgent importance4 ,i shall as soon as my multitudinous preoccupations permit avail myself of the opportunity of ,dr4 ,esslemont's happy sojourn in the ,holy ,land to collaborate with him in any necessary alterations of the text4 ,i strongly hope1 except in the event of unforeseen circumstances1 to undertake this task in the course of this coming month4 ,in connection with the fundamental questions of general policy referred to in your letter1 ,i feel that the basic principles1 laid down but briefly stated in my past letters1 which must guide the administration of the affairs of the ,bah' ,movement1 pending the definite formation of the first authoritative ,universal ,house of ,justice1 must be further affirmed1 elucidated1 and explained in greater detail1 for the complete knowledge of all the individual members of the vast and growing community of the believers in ,america4 ,the ,national ,convention ,hitherto the ,national ,convention has been primarily called together for the consideration of the various circumstances attending the election of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,i feel1 however1 that in view of the expansion and the growing importance of the administrative sphere of the ,cause1 the general sentiments and tendencies prevailing among the friends1 and the signs of increasing interdependence among the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies throughout the world1 the assembled accredited representatives of the ,american believers should exercise not only the vital and responsible right of electing the ,national ,assembly1 but should also fulfill the functions of an enlightened1 consultative and cooperative body that will enrich the experience1 enhance the prestige1 support the authority1 and assist the deliberations of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,it is my firm conviction that it is the bounden duty1 in the interest of the ,cause we all love and serve1 of the members of the incoming ,national ,assembly1 once elected by the delegates at ,convention time1 to seek and have the utmost regard1 individually as well as collectively1 for the advice1 the considered opinion and the true sentiments of the assembled delegates4 ,banishing every vestige of secrecy1 of undue reticence1 of dictatorial aloofness1 from their midst1 they should radiantly and abundantly unfold to the eyes of the delegates1 by whom they are elected1 their plans1 their hopes1 and their cares4 ,they should familiarize the delegates with the various matters that will have to be considered in the current year1 and calmly and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgments of the delegates4 ,the newly elected ,national ,assembly1 during the few days when the ,convention is in session and after the dispersal of the delegates1 should seek ways and means to cultivate understanding1 facilitate and maintain the exchange of views1 deepen confidence1 and vindicate by every tangible evidence their one desire to serve and advance the common weal4 ,not infrequently1 nay oftentimes1 the most lowly1 untutored and inexperienced among the friends will1 by the sheer inspiring force of selfless and ardent devotion1 contribute a distinct and memorable share to a highly involved discussion in any given ,assembly4 ,great must be the regard paid by those whom the delegates call upon to serve in high position to this all-important though inconspicuous manifestation of the revealing power of sincere and earnest devotion4 ,national ,spiritual ,assembly ,the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 however1 in view of the unavoidable limitations imposed upon the convening of frequent and long-standing sessions of the ,convention1 will have to retain in its hands the final decision on all matters that affect the interests of the ,cause in ,america1 such as the right to decide whether any local ,assembly is functioning in accordance with the principles laid down for the conduct and the advancement of the ,cause4 ,it is my earnest prayer that they will utilize their highly responsible position1 not only for the wise and efficient conduct of the affairs of the ,cause1 but also for the extension and deepening of the spirit of cordiality and wholehearted and mutual support in their cooperation with the body of their co-workers throughout the land4 ,the seating of delegates to the ,convention1 i4e41 the right to decide upon the validity of the credentials of the delegates at a given ,convention1 is vested in the outgoing ,national ,assembly1 and the right to decide who has the voting privilege is also ultimately placed in the hands of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 either when a local ,spiritual ,assembly is for the first time being formed in a given locality1 or when differences arise between a new applicant and an already established local ,assembly4 ,while the ,convention is in session and the accredited delegates have already elected from among the believers throughout the country the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly for the current year1 it is of infinite value and a supreme necessity that as far as possible all matters requiring immediate decision should be fully and publicly considered1 and an endeavor be made to obtain after mature deliberation1 unanimity in vital decisions4 ,indeed1 it has ever been the cherished desire of our ,master1 #8,abdu'l-,bah1 that the friends in their councils1 local as well as national1 should by their candor1 their honesty of purpose1 their singleness of mind1 and the thoroughness of their discussions1 achieve unanimity in all things4 ,should this in certain cases prove impracticable the verdict of the majority should prevail1 to which decision the minority must under all circumstances1 gladly1 spontaneously and continually1 submit4 ,nothing short of the all-encompassing1 all-pervading power of ,his ,guidance and ,love can enable this newly-enfolded order to gather strength and flourish amid the storm and stress of a turbulent age1 and in the fulness of time vindicate its high claim to be universally recognized as the one ,haven of abiding felicity and peace4 ,regarding the pamphlet entitled 8,the ,passing of #8,abdu'l-,bah10 ,i believe some additional material1 consisting mainly of a few selections from leading ,american newspapers1 would increase its value and extend its scope4 ,i shall be glad to receive a copy of the reprinted edition1 and ,i wish you success in this endeavor4 ,my dearly-beloved friend and fellow-worker1 ,mr4 ,mountfort ,mills1 is now with me in ,haifa1 and will ere long join you in the discharge of your manifold and arduous duties4 ,i greatly value his assistance in the difficult task and the complex and often urgent problems that are before me1 and ,i trust that his return to ,america will lend a fresh impetus to the glorious work of service you are rendering to the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,i wish you success from all my heart4 ,your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #bith1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,april #ajth1 #aibe4 ,to the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my dearly-beloved fellow-workers3 ,the communications lately received from your distinguished secretary1 dated ,january #hth1 ,february #fth and #acth1 and ,march #agth1 together with the enclosed minutes1 reports and letters1 have been read with profound interest and genuine satisfaction4 ,the methods you pursue1 the new measures for publicity which you have adopted1 the increasing confidence you have achieved1 and the degree of support1 both moral and financial1 which you have deservedly earned from the body of the believers are all encouraging signs that testify to the growing solidarity of a ,cause destined to confer inestimable benefits upon mankind4 ,great as is the promise of the ,movement for the future1 it has already revealed in a remarkable manner to every unprejudiced observer its indomitable spirit of loving sacrifice and true fellowship burning with undiminished ardor in the breasts of its followers both in the land of its birth and in the great ,republic of the ,west4 ,the heroism and fortitude lately displayed by its sorely-tried adherents in ,persia1 and the prompt and generous contributions of the ,american believers who have spontaneously responded to the call of their needy brethren of the ,east have served to kindle the flame of enthusiasm in many a heart1 and forged fresh bonds of fellowship which will prove of the highest value for the advancement of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,i would specially request you to convey to all the friends in the name of the oppressed ,bah's of ,persia1 and particularly the homeless sufferers of ,nayrz1 the expression of their deepest gratitude and highest appreciation4 ,may ,america's noble donations draw even as a magnet the blessings of the ,almighty ,giver upon the task it has set itself to achieve6 ,i am delighted to learn of the evidences of growing interest1 of the sympathetic understanding1 and brotherly cooperation on the part of two capable and steadfast servants of the ,one ,true ,god1 ,dr4 ,h4 ,randall and ,dr4 ,guthrie1 whose participation in our work ,i hope and pray will widen the scope of our activities1 enrich our opportunities1 and lend a fresh impetus to our endeavors4 ,i wish them happiness and success from all my heart4 ,news ,letter ,the ,news ,letter which you have lately initiated fulfills a very vital function and has been started admirably well4 ,i would urge you to enlarge its scope1 as much as your resources permit1 that in time it may devote a special section to every phase of your activities1 administrative1 devotional1 humanitarian1 financial1 educational and otherwise4 ,that it may attain its object it must combine the essential qualities of accuracy1 reliability1 thoroughness1 dignity and wisdom4 ,it should become a great factor in promoting understanding1 providing information on ,bah' activity1 both local and foreign1 in stimulating interest1 in combating evil influences1 and in upholding and safeguarding the institutions of the ,cause4 ,it should be made as representative as possible1 should be replete with news1 up-to-date in its information1 and should arouse the keenest interest among believers and admirers alike in every corner of the globe4 ,i cherish great hopes for its immediate future1 and ,i trust you will devote your special attention to its development1 and by devising well-conceived and worldwide measures transform this ,news ,letter into what ,i hope will become the foremost ,bah' ,journal of the world4 ,title of ,assemblies ,as to the title to be adopted for letterheads1 ,i would suggest1 pending the formation of the ,universal ,house of ,justice1 the phrase 8,the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada10 retaining the word 8spiritual0 and restricting the meaning of the term 8assembly0 to be applied only to the body of nine elected by the friends whether for local or national purposes4 ,representation at ,convention ,i have already replied to your cable in connection with the representation of groups of less than nine adult believers at the annual ,convention and the matter of proxy1 the latter being left to the discretion of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,should the conditions be altered1 and the number of ,bah' localities multiply1 the situation will have to be considered afresh and a new basis for representation adopted4 ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,regarding the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 ,i would again most emphatically urge the believers in ,america1 and ask you to do the utmost you can to devise every possible means for the removal of every outstanding financial liability incurred in this connection4 ,i would remind you of the supreme and urgent necessity of raising the full sum decided upon by the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly at its meeting in ,chicago in order to meet the immediate needs of this great future ,house of ,worship4 ,i would welcome a full1 authorized and up-to-date statement on its present situation1 its assets and liabilities and an estimate of the cost for its completion4 ,in conclusion ,i wish to renew the assurance of my ardent prayers for you and for those whom you represent in safeguarding and promoting the sacred interests of so precious a ,cause4 ,i am fully alive to the vastness and delicacy of your task1 ,i heartily appreciate your indefatigable efforts and unflinching determination1 ,i am continually reminded of our ,master's assurances of a dazzling future before you4 ,may ,his love enfold you1 ,his ,spirit guide you1 and ,his power enable you to achieve signal victory4 ,your brother in the ,master's service1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,april #ajth1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,may #ab1 #aibe4 ,to the members of the ,american ,national ,assembly4 ,dearly-beloved fellow-workers3 ,i have read with deep interest your two recent communications dated ,april #dth and #ahth1 and am gratified to learn of the steady expansion of your manifold activities4 ,election of ,national ,assembly ,regarding the method to be adopted for the election of the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies1 it is clear that the text of the ,beloved's ,testament gives us no indication as to the manner in which these ,assemblies are to be elected4 ,in one of ,his earliest ,tablets1 however1 addressed to a friend in ,persia1 the following is expressly recorded3-- 8,at whatever time all the beloved of ,god in each country appoint their delegates1 and these in turn elect their representatives1 and these representatives elect a body1 that body shall be regarded as the ,supreme ,baytu'l-',adl 7,universal ,house of ,justice740 ,these words clearly indicate that a three-stage election has been provided by #8,abdu'l-,bah for the formation of the ,international ,house of ,justice1 and as it is explicitly provided in ,his ,will and ,testament that the 8,secondary ,house of ,justice 7i4e41 ,national ,assemblies7 must elect the members of the ,universal ,one10 it is obvious that the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies will have to be indirectly elected by the body of the believers in their respective provinces4 ,in view of these complementary instructions the principle1 set forth in my letter of ,march #abth1 #aibc1 has been established requiring the believers 7the beloved of ,god7 in every country to elect a certain number of delegates who1 in turn1 will elect their national representatives 7,secondary ,house of ,justice or ,national ,spiritual ,assembly7 whose sacred obligation and privilege will be to elect in time ,god's ,universal ,house of ,justice4 ,should the appointing of the delegates be made a part of the functions of local ,spiritual ,assemblies1 who are already elected bodies1 the principle of a four-stage election would be introduced which would be at variance with the provisions explicitly laid down in the ,master's ,tablet4 ,on the other hand1 were the local ,spiritual ,assemblies1 the number of whose members is strictly confined to nine1 to elect directly the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly--thus maintaining the principle of a three-stage election--all ,bah' localities1 which must necessarily differ in numerical strength1 would then have to share equally in the election of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly--a practice which would be contrary to fairness and justice4 ,moreover1 the central principle guiding for the present the administration of the ,cause has been to make the ,bah' ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies as independent as possible in the conduct of such affairs as fall within their province1 and to lessen the hampering influence of any institution within their jurisdiction that might1 whether directly or indirectly1 impair their authority and prestige4 ,membership ,roll ,i would also strongly urge the members of every incoming ,national ,spiritual ,assembly to take all necessary steps to insure that every local ,assembly throughout ,america1 without any exception whatsoever1 should immediately after its election send the complete list of its members together with the full address of its secretary to the ,national ,secretary1 who in turn will forward them to me directly1 enclosing his own address as well as the list of the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,it would also be extremely helpful1 should actual circumstances permit1 to devise with the wholehearted assistance of every local ,assembly ways and means for the compilation of an authoritative1 up-to-date1 and exhaustive list of recognized believers in ,america1 supplemented by the full address of each believer's permanent residence--this list to be continually revised according to every change affecting the residence and number of such believers4 ,this would be particularly advisable in view of the permanent residence of isolated believers in various parts of the country1 as well as of those who form parts of groups as yet numerically too small for the formation of a local ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,however desirable these steps may be1 it is evident that they are secondary in their importance and urgency to the pressing and ever-increasing issues that vitally affect the spread and the consolidation of the work which you are called upon to perform1 and which it is my privilege to assist in and serve4 ,i am enclosing a preliminary list of ,bah' centers throughout the world1 exclusive of ,persia1 which1 though inadequate1 may still1 ,i trust1 be of some help to you4 ,i would welcome any additions or corrections you might be able to make and hope it will evolve into a valuable section of the contemplated ,bah' ,year ,book4 ,i wish to assure you1 in conclusion1 of my heartfelt appreciation of your devoted labors in the ,divine ,vineyard4 ,your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,may #ab1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,june #crd1 #aibe4 ,to the beloved of ,god and the handmaids of the ,merciful1 the delegates and visitors to the ,bah' ,convention1 ,green ,acre1 ,maine1 ,u4,s4,a4 ,fellow-laborers in the ,vineyard of ,god3 ,once again the hand of divine power has gathered together the chosen representatives of the ,american believers1 assembled this time amid the pleasant surroundings of a blest and beloved spot1 to deliberate upon the most effective measures that will insure the advancement of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,i feel it a pleasure and privilege to offer you these few thoughts as my humble contribution to the proceedings of your annual ,convention4 ,may ,i at the outset reaffirm my feelings of gratitude and keen appreciation for the eminent share which the friends in ,america1 individually as well as by their collective efforts1 have contributed to ease the burden of responsibility and care that has so often oppressed my heart4 ,your steadfastness1 your unsparing devotion2 your self-sacrifice in upholding and fostering the institutions of the ,cause2 the notable advance you have achieved in the coordination of your activities2 the remarkable solicitude you have shown1 and the magnificent response you have made on behalf of the oppressed and needy among your brethren2 the measures you have initiated1 the hindrances you have removed and the means and methods you have perfected--these and others beside have established you in the confidence1 the esteem and the admiration of all the ,bah' world4 ,i personally appreciate and am thankful for your unfailing supplications and special prayers on my behalf4 ,i am deeply touched by your expressions of unwavering faith1 of loyalty and affection1 and fully reciprocate your brotherly sentiments and your keen desire and readiness to collaborate with me more closely and effectively than ever before4 ,purpose of ,convention ,and now regarding this forthcoming ,convention1 ,i feel that the dominating purpose inspiring the assembled friends1 delegates and visitors alike1 should be a two-fold one4 ,the first is a challenge to the individual1 the second a collective responsibility4 ,the one seeks to reinforce the motive power of our spiritual activities1 the second aims at raising the standard of administrative efficiency so vitally needed at this advanced stage of our work4 ,we should first and foremost endeavor by every conceivable means to revitalize our precious ,cause1 rudely shaken by the constant vicissitudes attending the outward departure of a vigilant and gracious ,master4 ,our next object should be to seek to approach1 through more intimate association1 fuller and more frequent consultations1 and a closer familiarity with the character1 the mission and the teachings of the ,cause1 that standard of excellence which should characterize the cooperative efforts of ,bah' ,communities in every land4 ,high aims and pure motives1 however laudable in themselves1 will surely not suffice if unsupported by measures that are practicable and methods that are sound4 ,wealth of sentiment1 abundance of good-will and effort1 will prove of little avail if we should fail to exercise discrimination and restraint and neglect to direct their flow along the most profitable channels4 ,the unfettered freedom of the individual should be tempered with mutual consultation and sacrifice1 and the spirit of initiative and enterprise should be reinforced by a deeper realization of the supreme necessity for concerted action and a fuller devotion to the common weal4 ,national ,spiritual ,assembly ,it would be impossible at this stage to ignore the indispensability or to overestimate the unique significance of the institution of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly--the pivot round which revolve the activities of the believers throughout the ,american continent4 ,supreme is their position1 grave their responsibilities1 manifold and arduous their duties4 ,how great the privilege1 how delicate the task of the assembled delegates whose function it is to elect such national representatives as would by their record of service ennoble and enrich the annals of the ,cause6 ,if we but turn our gaze to the high qualifications of the members of ,bah' ,assemblies1 as enumerated in #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,tablets1 we are filled with feelings of unworthiness and dismay1 and would feel truly disheartened but for the comforting thought that if we rise to play nobly our part every deficiency in our lives will be more than compensated by the all-conquering spirit of ,his grace and power4 ,hence it is incumbent upon the chosen delegates to consider without the least trace of passion and prejudice1 and irrespective of any material consideration1 the names of only those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty1 of selfless devotion1 of a well-trained mind1 of recognized ability and mature experience4 ,may the incoming ,national ,spiritual ,assembly--the privileged and chosen servants of the ,cause--immortalize their term of stewardship by deeds of loving service1 deeds that will redound to the honor1 the glory and the power of the ,most ,great ,name4 ,the ,cornerstone of ,service ,i would also earnestly entreat all the delegates at this coming ,convention1 and through them ,i appeal to the larger body of believers whom they represent1 to ever bear in mind the supreme injunction of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 to teach unceasingly until the 8head cornerstone of the foundation0 of the ,cause of ,god is firmly established in every heart4 ,let those whose time1 resources and means allow1 travel throughout the length and breadth of that vast continent1 let them scatter to the most distant regions of the earth and1 fired with enthusiasm and detachment1 hand on the torch of ,god's undying flame to the waiting multitudes of a sadly-stricken world4 ,one word more in conclusion4 ,let the ,west1 and particularly the ,great ,republic of the ,new ,world1 where a quarter of a century ago ,bah'u'llh's ,banner was firmly implanted1 realize that upon it now rests the responsibility of achieving the universal recognition of the ,bah' ,faith1 of fulfilling #8,abdu'l-,bah's fondest hopes4 ,persia1 the cradle of an unfolding world civilization1 is still bereft of her freedom1 sunk in ignorance1 a prey to contending policies and factions1 beset on one hand by the powers of orthodoxy and sectarian fanaticism and assailed on the other by the forces of materialism and unbelief4 ,in her evil plight she is radiantly confident that the ,flame she had kindled in the world will1 in the fullness of time1 blaze forth in the heart of the mighty ,west and shed redeeming illumination upon the silent sufferers of a distracted country4 ,will it be ,america1 will it be one of the nations of ,europe1 that will seize the torch of ,divine ,guidance from ,persia's fettered hands and with it set the western world aflame8 ,may your ,convention1 by its spirit1 its resolutions and its accomplishments1 give to that country's urgent call a noble and decisive answer4 ,your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,june #crd1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,october #bdth1 #aibe4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,my well-beloved friends3 ,the numerous communications which your distinguished ,secretary has lately addressed on your behalf to the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf and myself1 have been eagerly perused and their contents carefully noted4 ,the news they imparted and the spirit they revealed have caused us both genuine satisfaction1 and have served to intensify the feelings of joyous confidence1 of pride and gratitude with which we have greeted the inauguration of your term of service4 ,the notable advance achieved by this year's memorable ,convention is1 ,i am certain1 attributable in no small measure to the energy1 the thoroughness1 the insight and the loving-kindness that have characterized in an unprecedented degree the activities of the outgoing ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,i am confident that the work of ,america's newly elected representatives1 so splendidly and auspiciously begun1 will further consolidate the labors of the past1 will resolve to a great extent the problems and perplexities of the present1 and open up fresh fields of future achievements and service4 ,i rejoice to learn that ways and means have been found to enable the ,national ,secretary1 who discharges in such an exemplary manner the manifold and exacting duties of a highly responsible position1 to devote all his time to the pursuit of so meritorious a task4 ,i am fully conscious of the privations and sacrifice which the choice of this arduous work must involve for him1 as well as for his devoted and selfless companion2 ,i cannot but admire and extol their heroic efforts2 and wish to assure them both of my continued prayers for the speedy fruition of their earnest endeavors4 ,qualifications of a ,believer ,regarding the very delicate and complex question of ascertaining the qualifications of a true believer1 ,i cannot in this connection emphasize too strongly the supreme necessity for the exercise of the utmost discretion1 caution and tact1 whether it be in deciding for ourselves as to who may be regarded a true believer or in disclosing to the outside world such considerations as may serve as a basis for such a decision4 ,i would only venture to state very briefly and as adequately as present circumstances permit the principal factors that must be taken into consideration before deciding whether a person may be regarded a true believer or not4 ,full recognition of the station of the ,forerunner1 the ,author1 and the ,true ,exemplar of the ,bah' ,cause1 as set forth in #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,testament2 unreserved acceptance of1 and submission to1 whatsoever has been revealed by their ,pen2 loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of our ,beloved's sacred ,will2 and close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present day ,bah' administration throughout the world--these ,i conceive to be the fundamental and primary considerations that must be fairly1 discreetly and thoughtfully ascertained before reaching such a vital decision4 ,any attempt at further analysis and elucidation will1 ,i fear1 land us in barren discussions and even grave controversies that would prove not only futile but even detrimental to the best interests of a growing ,cause4 ,i would therefore strongly urge those who are called upon to make such a decision to approach this highly involved and ever-recurring problem with the spirit of humble prayer1 and earnest consultation1 and to refrain from drawing rigidly the line of demarcation except on such occasions when the interests of the ,cause absolutely demand it4 ,national ,convention ,in connection with the annual holding of the ,bah' ,convention and ,congress1 ,i feel that although such a representative body need not be convened necessarily every year1 yet it is highly desirable1 in view of the unique functions it fulfills in promoting harmony and good-will1 in removing misunderstandings and in enhancing the prestige of the ,cause1 that the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly should exert itself to gather together annually the elected representatives of the ,american believers4 ,it would in some ways be obviously convenient and eminently desirable though not absolutely essential1 if the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly could arrange that the holding of such a ,congress should synchronize with the time at which the national elections are renewed1 and that both events should take place1 if not on the first of ,ridvn1 at least during the twelve joyous days of what may be justly regarded as the foremost ,bah' ,festival4 ,apart from the local elections1 which universally are to be renewed on the #bast day of ,april1 it is entirely left to the discretion of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly to decide1 after having given due consideration to the above mentioned observations1 on whatever time and place the ,bah' ,convention as well as the annual elections are to be held4 ,were the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly to decide1 after mature deliberations1 to omit the holding of the ,bah' ,convention and ,congress in a given year1 then they could1 only in such a case1 devise ways and means to insure that the annual election of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly should be held by mail1 provided it can be conducted with sufficient thoroughness1 efficiency and dispatch4 ,it would also appear to me unobjectionable to enable and even to require in the last resort such delegates as cannot possibly undertake the journey to the seat of the ,bah' ,convention to send their votes1 for the election of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly only1 by mail to the ,national ,secretary1 as in my view the advantages of such a procedure outweigh the considerations referred to in your letter4 ,it should1 however1 be made clear to every elected delegate--who should be continually reminded--that it is a sacred responsibility and admittedly preferable to attend if possible in person the sessions of the ,convention1 to take an active part in all its proceedings1 and to acquaint his fellow-workers on his return with the accomplishments1 the decisions and the aspirations of the assembled representatives of the ,american believers4 ,bah' ,year ,book ,i am eagerly looking forward to your sending me in manuscript form the projected ,bah' ,year ,book1 that ,i may be enabled to contribute my share in rendering it as comprehensive1 as attractive1 and as authoritative as possible4 ,i strongly advise you to combine in a judicious manner the two methods outlined in this connection in your letter of ,september #b1 #aibe4 ,a short1 concise and forceful account of the primary objects1 as well as of the principles underlying the worldwide administration of the ,cause1 together with a brief description of various features of the present day administration of its activities1 supplemented with a not-too-detailed survey of the actual accomplishments and plans evolved in the current year1 would serve to acquaint the outsider with the purpose and the achievements of the ,cause1 and provide sufficient material that would be edifying and helpful to the active believers whether in the ,east or in the ,west4444 ,the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf desires me to convey in her name to the esteemed members of the ,green ,acre ,fellowship the expression of her cordial thanks and sincere appreciation in having been made a life member of the said ,fellowship4 ,she assures them of her prayers for the success of this noble institution as well as for the spiritual advancement of its individual members4 ,recent developments in the ,holy ,land have led various organizations in the ,jewish world to contemplate seriously the early possibility of transferring to ,palestine's sacred soil the mortal remains of certain prominent founders and leaders of ,jewish thought1 and ,mount ,carmel1 which next to ,akk's ,most ,holy ,shrine is the most cherished object of ,bah' veneration1 has been cited on various occasions as a permanent and most befitting burial ground for their illustrious dead4 ,surely the ,bah's of the world1 ever on the alert and with an eye to the future1 will1 no matter how pressed by financial obligations1 arise while there is yet time to contribute each his share in securing for posterity such land as lies in close proximity to the ,holy ,shrine--an area the acquisition of which in time will prove indispensable if the sublime vision of #8,abdu'l-,bah is to be realized4 ,i appeal to you1 and through you to every earnest and conscientious believer1 to safeguard in particular the land extending southward from these ,shrines which now1 alas6 is gravely exposed to the assaults of covetous and speculating interests4 ,i am loth to press further claims on friends who have displayed so magnificent a spirit of self-sacrifice on several occasions in the past1 but ,i feel the urge of a sacred and impelling responsibility to call your attention to what ,i conceive to be one of the worldwide issues of the greatest moment requiring a prompt1 generous and collective response4 ,i may add that whatever land is purchased will be registered in the name of the contributor1 and ,i would therefore request every contributing believer to forward together with his donation such power of attorney as will legally empower me to transact in his name and on his behalf the purchase of the plot he desires to acquire4 ,it would be desirable to forward small contributions to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 who will then decide upon the manner in which the transaction should be conducted4 ,persecution of ,persian ,bah's ,the compilation of newspaper clippings with regard to recent persecutions in ,persia which has been sent by our dear brother1 ,mr4 ,h4 ,holley1 to the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf has been forwarded to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of ,persia1 that they may witness for themselves and share with the rank and file of the ,persian believers the results of the extensive and vigorous campaign so promptly undertaken on their behalf by their sympathetic brethren in the ,west4 ,it grieves me to inform you that this sad tale of barbarism and unrestrained aggression on the property1 the lives and the honor of the heroic sufferers in that land is still continuing to reach our ears1 and the campaign of obstruction1 of intimidation and plunder is1 but for short periods of comparative lull1 being systematically pursued with unabated vigor4 ,i am certain that the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 fully alive to the uncertainty1 the confusion and the seriousness of the present situation1 will seize the first opportunity to redress as much as it lies in their power the interminable grievances that are being inflicted upon harassed yet law-abiding citizens4 ,wishing you success from all my heart1 and assuring you of my continued prayers for the steady expansion and consolidation of your work1 ,i am1 your brother and fellow-worker1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,october #bdth1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,november #f1 #aibe4 ,to the members of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,my dear fellow-workers3 ,two recent communications of your able secretary1 dated ,oct4 #adth and #aeth1 have been received and read with deep gratitude and pleasure4 ,the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,i rejoice to learn of the prompt and well-considered measures you have undertaken to evolve1 in conjunction with all local ,assemblies and groups1 a wise and effective plan for the contribution of ,america's befitting share in response to the appeal lately addressed to the ,american believers regarding the work of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,surely the great company of eager and sympathizing believers throughout the ,east will1 as they increasingly witness the evidences of a revival of activity along this line1 arise to lend a helping hand to this vast endeavor4 ,they will not fail to extend their support in alleviating the burden that is now borne so joyously and gratefully by their younger brethren in ,north ,america4 ,i shall myself do all in my power to hasten the fruition of your self-sacrificing labors4 ,international ,bah' ,shrine ,the sad and sudden crisis that has arisen in connection with the ownership of ,bah'u'llh's sacred house in ,baghdd has sent a thrill of indignation and dismay throughout the whole of the ,bah' world4 ,houses that have been occupied by ,bah'u'llh for well nigh the whole period of ,his exile in #8,irq2 ordained by ,him as the chosen and sanctified object of ,bah' pilgrimage in future2 magnified and extolled in countless ,tablets and ,epistles as the sacred center 8round which shall circle all peoples and kindreds of the earth0--lie now1 due to fierce intrigue and ceaseless fanatical opposition1 at the mercy of the declared enemies of the ,cause4 ,i have instantly communicated with every ,bah' center in both ,east and ,west1 and urgently requested the faithful followers of the ,faith in every land to protest vehemently against this glaring perversion of justice1 to assert firmly and courteously the spiritual rights of the ,bah' ,community to the ownership of this venerated house1 to plead for ,british fairness and justice1 and to pledge their unswerving determination to insure the security of this hallowed spot4 ,conscious of the fact that this property has been occupied by ,bah' authorized representatives for an uninterrupted period of not less than thirty years1 and having successfully won their case at the ,justice of ,peace and the ,court of ,first ,instance1 the ,bah's the world over cannot believe that the high sense of honor and fairness which inspires the ,british ,administration of #8,irq will ever tolerate such grave miscarriage of justice4 ,they confidently appeal to the public opinion of the world for the defense and protection of their legitimate rights now sorely trampled under the feet of relentless enemies4 ,widespread and effective publicity along these lines1 in well-conceived and carefully worded terms1 is strongly recommended for it will undoubtedly serve to facilitate the solution of this delicate and perplexing problem4 ,having exerted ourselves to the utmost of our ability let us rest assured in the power of the ,lord1 who keepeth watch over ,his house1 and who will1 no matter how dark present prospects appear1 assure for generations yet unborn ,his cherished and holy edifice4 ,i shall acquaint you with every development of the case1 and will advise you as to the measures that should be taken whether we decide to institute fresh proceedings or to appeal to higher legal authorities in ,london4 ,green ,acre ,in connection with the important step that has been taken for the eventual inclusion of ,green ,acre ,fellowship within the orbit of the activities of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 ,i hope and pray that this new privilege and added responsibility will prove highly beneficial in its results1 both to ,green ,acre itself and the general interests of the ,cause in ,america4 ,in a separate communication addressed to the ,chairman of the said ,fellowship1 our dearly-beloved and self-sacrificing brother1 ,mr4 ,w4 ,randall1 ,i will express my warm approval of this constructive step1 and my ardent hopes for the quicker unfolding and fuller expansion under the fostering care of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 of ,green ,acre's unique and sublime mission in life4 ,i shall follow in this connection with the keenest interest the course of your activities in accordance with the policy outlined in your letter of ,october #adth1 and feel that the greatest stress must be laid upon the necessity of exemplifying in a most liberal and practical manner the driving power hidden in this ,divine ,revelation1 rather than upon the idle reiteration of a set of principles1 however exalted and unique in their character4 ,may the ,national ,fund so flourish as to enable its ,trustees to undertake such measures as will eloquently testify to a sorely stricken humanity the healing power of ,god's ,faith4 ,jurisdiction of a ,local ,assembly ,may ,i remind you regarding the situation in ,san ,francisco that no two independent ,bah' centers can possibly be recognized in the same city1 and that the center which bears my name should act in all matters only with the full consent and approval of the ,san ,francisco ,spiritual ,assembly4 ,voting ,rights of ,national ,assembly ,members ,concerning the election of alternate members to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 ,i feel that only the nine original members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly are entitled to vote1 whereas such alternate members as may be elected should be asked to fill vacancies only in a consultative capacity and not be entitled to vote4 ,they should not be regarded as part of the quorum 7i4e41 five out of the nine original members7 which is necessary for the transaction of the business of the ,national ,assembly4 ,all secondary matters that do not affect the principle outlined are left to the discretion of the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies who will decide according to the exigencies of their respective circumstances4 ,assuring you of my deep appreciation of your continued efforts1 and of my unceasing prayers on your behalf1 ,i am your grateful brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,november #f1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,november #cj1 #aibe4 ,to the beloved of ,god and the handmaids of the ,merciful in the ,east and in the ,west4 ,dear fellow-workers3 ,it is with feelings of overwhelming sorrow that ,i communicate to you the news of yet another loss which the ,almighty1 in ,his inscrutable wisdom1 has chosen to inflict upon our beloved ,cause4 ,on the #bbnd of ,november1 #aibe1 that memorable and sacred day in which the ,bah's of the ,orient celebrated the twin ,festivals of the ,declaration of the ,bb and the birthday of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 ,dr4 ,john ,e4 ,esslemont passed on to the ,abh ,kingdom4 ,his end was as swift as it was unexpected4 ,suffering from the effects of a chronic and insidious disease1 he fell at last a victim to the inevitable complications that ensued1 the fatal course of which neither the efforts of vigilant physicians nor the devoted cares of his many friends could possibly deflect4 ,he bore his sufferings with admirable fortitude1 with calm resignation and courage4 ,though convinced that his ailment would never henceforth forsake him1 yet many a time he revealed a burning desire that the friends residing in the ,holy ,land should1 while visiting the ,shrines1 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 ,bah'u'llh4 ,to this noble request all hearts warmly responded4 ,but this was not to be4 ,his close association with my work in ,haifa1 in which ,i had placed the fondest hopes1 was suddenly cut short4 ,his book17#ab7 however--an abiding monument to his pure intention--will1 alone1 inspire generations yet unborn to tread the path of truth and service as steadfastly and as unostentatiously as was trodden by its beloved author4 ,the ,cause he loved so well1 he served even unto his last day with exemplary faith and unstinted devotion4 ,his tenacity of faith1 his high integrity1 his self-effacement1 his industry and painstaking labors were traits of a character the noble qualities of which will live and live forever after him4 ,to me personally he was the warmest of friends1 a trusted counsellor1 an indefatigable collaborator1 a lovable companion4 ,with tearful eyes ,i supplicate at the ,threshold of ,bah'u'llh--and request you all to join--in my ardent prayers1 for the fuller unfolding in the realms beyond of a soul that has already achieved so high a spiritual standing in this world4 ,for by the beauty of his character1 by his knowledge of the ,cause1 by the conspicuous achievements of his book1 he has immortalized his name1 and by sheer merit deserved to rank as one of the ,hands of the ,cause of ,god4 ,he has been laid to rest in the heart of that beautifully situated ,bah' burial ground at the foot of ,carmel1 close to the mortal remains of that venerable soul1 j ,mrz ,vakilu'd-,dawlih1 the illustrious cousin of the ,bb and chief builder of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr of ,ishqbd4 ,pilgrims visiting his grave from far and near will1 with pride and gratitude1 do honor to a name that adorned the annals of an ,immortal ,cause4 ,may he eternally rest in peace4 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,november #cj1 #aibe4 ,letter of ,january #aj1 #aibf4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,dearly-beloved fellow-workers in the ,vineyard of ,god6 ,your letter dated ,nov4 #i1 #aibe1 has been received and read with feelings of deep satisfaction and gratitude4 ,it is most unfortunate that1 owing to unavoidable circumstances1 ,i have been prevented from communicating more fully and frequently with the distinguished representatives of those dear fellow-workers of mine1 the progress of whose accomplishments ,i am continually following with the liveliest expectations1 loving sympathy and cheerful hope4 ,the multiplicity of vital and pressing issues1 arising out of the steady expansion of the ,movement in various parts of the world2 the pain and sorrow so keenly felt at the sudden passing of distinguished and dearly-beloved servants of the ,cause2 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 ,cause4 ,and yet in the midst of my unceasing toil1 my afflictions and perplexities1 ,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 ,master4 ,refreshed and fortified by their inspiring example1 ,i feel ,i can pursue the thorny path of my arduous duties with serene confidence1 cheerful contentment and undiminished gratitude4 ,i rejoice to learn of the marvelous effect which your resourcefulness1 efficiency and unrelenting efforts are producing upon your admiring brethren of the ,east4 ,i am fully alive to the eminent share you are contributing to the emancipation of those heroic sufferers in distracted ,persia4 ,i am deeply conscious of the part you play in consolidating the position of the ,cause in the eyes of both the exalted and lowly1 and in hastening the advent of that promised day of universal recognition and triumph for our beloved ,cause4 ,shrine of ,baghdd ,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 world4 ,we have only to refer to the utterances of ,bah'u'llh in order to realize for ourselves ,god's invincible power to turn every fleeting abasement1 every transient sorrow1 into abiding joy and glory4 ,for amid the gloom of humiliation that has now beset ,bah'u'llh's holy habitation in ,baghdd1 these prophetic words of ,his regarding ,his house shine forth resplendent in their assurance of a future victory3 8,in truth1 ,i declare1 it shall be so abased in the days to come as to cause tears to flow from every discerning eye4444 ,and in the fulness of time1 shall the ,lord by the power of truth exalt it in the eyes of all the world1 cause it to become the mighty standard of ,his domination1 the shrine round which shall circle the concourse of the faithful40 ,how startling in ,his prediction1 how reassuring ,his promise6 ,the thoroughness of your methods in handling this grave and highly delicate situation1 the promptness of your response1 the spirit of unabated confidence1 of unrelaxing determination and admirable courage which you have abundantly displayed have1 ,i am certain1 endeared you to us all1 justified our hopes in you1 and ennobled the already lofty position you deservedly occupy among the staunch supporters of ,god's immortal ,cause4 ,whatever the outcome of your memorable endeavors1 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 ,bah'u'llh1 despite the calumny and slander showered upon it in the past1 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 ignore4 ,furthermore1 the spontaneous and generous response of the ,american believers in connection with the land situation on ,mount ,carmel has1 in conjunction with the donations of the friends in other parts of the world1 safeguarded such lands as lie in close proximity to the holy ,shrines4 ,this highly meritorious effort1 blest and sanctified by the bountiful grace of ,bah'u'llh1 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 growth1 and now standing on the threshold of undreamt-of achievements4 ,judgment of ,egyptian ,religious ,court ,among the disturbing factors that have intensified the difficulties of the present situation is the extraordinary judgment recently passed by the ,supreme ,religious ,court of ,egypt1 declaring the ,bah's of that land adherents of a ,faith heretical in character1 and at variance with the accepted doctrines of ,islm1 and hence utterly outside the sphere of its jurisdiction4 ,what exactly the implication of this verdict will be1 the effect its practical application will have on the relations of the ,bah's with the followers of the ,muslim ,faith1 what measure of publicity it will receive1 what impression it will create in ,muslim lands and particularly in hostile ,persia1 the future only can disclose4 ,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 ,bah's1 who are powerfully demonstrating today their readiness to champion the cause of truth and justice4 ,i will not delay in informing you of the exact measures that ,i feel will be necessary to take should the occasion arise in future4 ,it is clear and evident that ,western influence1 the loosening of the bonds of religion1 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 attitude of the masses towards this important and vital issue4 ,this decision1 however locally embarrassing1 in the present stage of our development1 may be regarded as an initial step taken by our very opponents in the path of the eventual universal acceptance of the ,bah' ,faith1 as one of the independent recognized religious systems of the world4 ,national ,fund ,in connection with the institution of the ,national ,fund and the budgetary system set forth in the minutes of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 ,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 character4 ,it should be made clear and evident to every one that any form of compulsion1 however slight and indirect1 strikes at the very root of the principle underlying the formation of the ,fund ever since its inception4 ,while appeals of a general character1 carefully worded and moving and dignified in tone are welcome under all circumstances1 it should be left entirely to the discretion of every conscientious believer to decide upon the nature1 the amount1 and purpose of his or her contribution for the propagation of the ,cause4 ,association with ,orientals ,regarding association with ,oriental travelers and residents in the ,united ,states and ,canada1 ,i desire to emphasize afresh the vital necessity for the exercise in these days of the greatest vigilance and reserve1 prudence and caution1 on the part of the ,american believers in their dealings with them1 either in an official or private capacity1 whether in business transactions or for purely religious purposes4 ,as the ,movement grows in prestige1 fame and influence1 as the ambitions1 malice and ill-will of strangers and enemies correspondingly wax greater1 it becomes increasingly important for every individual and ,spiritual ,assembly to be on their guard lest they fall innocent victims of the evil designs of the malevolent1 the self-seeking and greedy4 ,touching the publication of articles and pamphlets bearing on the controversial and political issues of the day1 ,i desire to remind my dearly-beloved fellow-workers that at the present stage when the ,cause is still in its infancy1 any minute and detailed analysis 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 ,cause4 ,they would tend to create a misconception of the real object1 the true mission1 and the fundamental character of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,we should1 while endeavoring to uphold loyally and expound conscientiously our social and moral principles in all their essence and purity1 in all their bearings upon the divers phases of human society1 insure that no direct reference or particular criticism in our exposition of the fundamentals of the ,faith would tend to antagonize any existing institution1 or help to identify a purely spiritual movement with the base clamorings and contentions of warring sects1 factions and nations4 ,we should strive in all our utterances to combine the discretion and noble reticence of the wise with the frankness and passionate loyalty of the ardent advocate of an inspiring ,faith4 ,while refusing to utter the word that would needlessly alienate or estrange any individual1 government or people1 we should fearlessly and unhesitatingly uphold and assert in their entirety such truths the knowledge of which we believe is vitally and urgently needed for the good and betterment of mankind4 ,the copy of the minutes of the #aibe ,bah' ,convention has been received and1 despite the pressure of work1 read with deep pleasure and keen interest4 ,purpose of ,bah' ,administration ,as the administrative work of the ,cause steadily expands1 as its various branches grow in importance and number1 it is absolutely necessary that we bear in mind this fundamental fact that all these administrative activities1 however harmoniously and efficiently conducted1 are but means to an end1 and should be regarded as direct instruments for the propagation of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,let us take heed lest in our great concern for the perfection of the administrative machinery of the ,cause1 we lose sight of the ,divine ,purpose for which it has been created4 ,let us be on our guard lest the growing demand for specialization in the administrative functions of the ,cause detain us from joining the ranks of those who in the forefront of battle are gloriously engaged in summoning the multitude to this ,new ,day of ,god4 ,this indeed should be our primary concern2 this is our sacred obligation1 our vital and urgent need4 ,let this cardinal principle be ever borne in mind1 for it is the mainspring of all future activities1 the remover of every embarrassing obstacle1 the fulfillment of our ,master's dearest wish4 ,may the year that has just dawned upon us witness in such a glorious field many a signal victory4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #aj1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,april #bbnd1 #aibf4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful through the ,west4 ,fellow-laborers in the ,divine ,vineyard3 ,in the midst of the many vicissitudes which the creative ,word of ,god is destined to encounter in the course of its onward march towards the redemption of the world1 there breaks upon us the news of still another loss1 more bewildering in its character1 yet more inspiring in its challenge1 than any of the gravest happenings of recent times4 ,once again the woeful tale of unabated persecution1 involving this time the martyrdom of twelve of our long-suffering brethren in ,jahrum1 southern ,persia1 has reached our ears1 and filled us with a gloom which all the joys and ennobling memories of ,ridvn have failed to dispel4 ,bah' ,martyrdoms in ,persia ,from the meagre reports which have thus far been received from that distracted country it appears that this shameful and atrocious act1 though the outcome of a number of obscure and complex causes1 has been chiefly instigated by that ever-present factor of fierce and relentless impulse of religious hostility4 ,persia--long neglected and sorely tried--continues1 despite the revival of recent hopes1 to be the down-trodden victim of unscrupulous personal rivalries and factious intrigue1 of tribal revolt1 political dissensions and religious animosities--all of which have in times past brought in their wake the shedding of the blood of so many of its innocent and choicest sons4 ,fully alive to the gravity of the occasion1 and realizing the urgency of my sacred duty1 ,i have1 upon the receipt of the news1 transmitted telegraphically through the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of ,persia a special message addressed in the name of the ,bah's of every land to the supreme authority in the ,state1 expressing our profound horror at this outrageous act as well as our earnest entreaty to inflict immediate punishment on the perpetrators of so abominable a crime4 ,and as this sad event involved chiefly the welfare and security of the ,bah' residents in ,persia1 ,i have specially requested all local ,assemblies in that land to address a similar message to the highest authorities concerned appealing for full protection and justice4 ,should future developments necessitate direct and foreign intervention1 ,i shall acquaint the national ,bah' representatives in every land to take in cooperation with all local ,assemblies such measures as will effectually conduce to a fuller recognition of the dynamic force latent in the ,bah' ,faith and insure the betterment of the lot of the heroic supporters of our ,cause4 ,pending the opening of official communication with recognized authorities whether in ,persia or elsewhere1 ,i strongly feel that the time has assuredly come when it is incumbent upon every conscientious promoter of the ,cause to bestir himself and undertake in consultation with the friends in his locality such measures of publicity as will lead to the gradual awakening of the conscience of the civilized world to what is admittedly an ignominious manifestation of a decadent age4 ,i would specially request all ,national ,assemblies to give their anxious and immediate consideration to this grave matter1 and to devise ways and means that will secure the fullest publicity for our grievances4 ,i would remind them that whatever is published should be couched in terms that are at once correct1 forceful and inoffensive4 ,i would particularly stress the importance of making every effort to secure the sympathy and hospitality of the leading journals and periodicals of the ,western world1 and of sending to the ,holy ,land any such references in papers that will arise to champion the cause of righteousness and justice4 ,i greatly deplore the fact that owing to the remoteness and the unstable conditions in ,persia1 details and particulars regarding this ugly incident are not as yet available1 but will be duly communicated to the various centers immediately upon their receipt4 ,i would1 however1 ask the believers throughout the ,west to arise without any further delay and supplement the publication of the news conveyed in this message with an account of previous happenings of a similar character1 combined with an adequate survey of the aim1 the principles and history of the ,bah' ,cause4 ,it is to you1 dearly beloved friends of the ,west1 who are the standard-bearers of the emancipation and triumph of the ,bah' ,faith1 that our afflicted brethren of the ,east have turned their expectant eyes1 confident that the day cannot be far-distant when1 in accordance with #8,abdu'l-,bah's explicit utterance1 the ,west will 8seize the ,cause0 from ,persia's fettered hands and lead it to glorious victory4 ,though grief-stricken and horrified at this cruel blow1 let us be on our guard lest we give way to despair1 lest we forget that in the ,almighty's inscrutable wisdom this sudden calamity may prove to be but a blessing in disguise4 ,for what else can it do but to stir the inmost depths of our souls1 set our faith ablaze1 galvanize our efforts1 dissolve our differences1 and provide one of the chief instruments which the unhampered promoters of the ,faith can utilize to attract the attention1 enlist the sympathy1 and eventually win the allegiance of all mankind8 ,ours is this supreme opportunity2 may we fulfill our trust4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,april #bbnd1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,may #aath1 #aibf4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,fellow-laborers in the ,vineyard of ,god3 ,various happenings of recent months1 highly disquieting in their suddenness1 their complexity and consequences1 have time and again1 to my regret1 compelled me to defer correspondence with you1 my highly valued co-workers1 who are destined to share no small a part of the burden that now weighs so heavily upon me4 ,the prolonged and delicate negotiations arising out of the critical situation of ,bah'u'llh's house in ,baghdd2 the shameful recrudescence of unrestrained barbarism in stricken ,persia2 the unexpected reverse recently sustained in our legal transactions for the deliverance of ,bah'u'llh's mansion at ,bahj from the hands of the enemy2 the unprecedented increase in the volume of work resulting from the rise and expansion of the ,movement in various parts of the world--these and other issues1 no less pressing in their demand upon my time and energy1 have gradually affected my health and impaired the efficiency required in the discharge of my arduous duties4 ,but1 though body and mind be sorely strained by cares and perplexities which a ,movement such as ours just emerging from obscurity must needs encounter1 yet the spirit continues to draw fresh inspiration from the manner in which the chosen deliverers of the ,faith in the ,western world1 and particularly in the ,american continent1 are proving themselves increasingly worthy of such a stupendous yet so noble a task4 ,persecutions in ,jahrum ,grave and manifold as are the problems confronting the struggling ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 none appear more significant1 nor seem more compelling in their urgency1 than the incredible sufferings borne so heroically by our down-trodden brethren of the ,east4 ,recent reports confirming the news which ,i have lately communicated to you have all emphasized the barbarous severity practiced on the innocent followers of our ,cause4 ,they reveal the possibility of the extension of this agitation1 partly instigated for political purposes and selfish motives1 to neighboring towns and provinces1 and dwell upon the traditional slackness of the local authorities to inflict prompt and severe punishment upon all the perpetrators of such abominable crimes4 ,it has been ascertained that in the town of ,jahrum women have suffered martyrdom in a most atrocious manner1 that the knife of the criminal has mercilessly cut to pieces the body of a child1 that a number have been severely beaten and injured1 their bodies mutilated1 their homes pillaged1 their property confiscated1 and the homeless remnants of their family abandoned to the mercy of a shameless and tyrannical people4 ,in other parts of ,persia1 and particularly in the province of dhirbayjn in the town of ,marghih1 the friends have been pitilessly denied the civic rights and privileges extended to every citizen of the land4 ,they have been refused the use of the public bath1 and been denied access to such shops as provide the necessities of life4 ,they have been declared deprived of the benefit and protection of the law1 and all association and dealing with them denounced as a direct violation of the precepts and principles of ,islm4 ,it has even been authoritatively stated that the decencies of public interment have been refused to their dead1 and that in a particular case every effort to induce the ,muslim undertaker to provide the wood for the construction of the coffin1 failed to secure the official support of the authorities concerned4 ,every appeal made by these ,bah's on behalf of their brethren1 whether living or dead1 has been met with cold indifference1 with vague promises1 and1 not infrequently1 with severe rebuke and undeserved chastisement4 ,the tale of such outrageous conduct1 such widespread suffering and loss1 if properly expressed and broadcast1 cannot fail in the end to arouse the conscience of civilized mankind1 and thereby secure the much-needed relief for a long-suffering people4 ,i would1 therefore1 renew my plea1 and request you most earnestly to redouble your efforts in the wide field of publicity1 to devise every possible means that will alleviate the fears and sorrows of the silent sufferers in that distracted country4 ,surely these vile wrong-doers cannot long remain unpunished for their ferocious atrocities1 and the day may not be far distant when we shall witness1 as we have observed elsewhere1 the promised signs of ,divine ,retribution avenging the blood of the slaughtered servants of ,bah'u'llh4 ,plan of ,unified ,action ,in connection with the ,plan of ,unified ,action1 enclosed in your letter of ,january #aith1 ,i feel that the friends must be constantly reminded of the vital necessity for a continuous and whole-hearted support of the scheme1 the success or failure of which will to a marked extent affect the course of the progress of the ,cause not only in ,northern ,america but throughout the ,bah' world4 ,let the friends recall and ever bear in mind the repeated exhortations and glowing promises of our beloved ,master with reference to the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 the crowning institution in every ,bah' community4 ,let them arise with determination and confidence to lend a helping hand to the ,plan which you have so admirably devised for its speedy and practical realization4 ,theirs is a splendid opportunity2 let their response to your call be prompt1 whole-hearted and decisive4 ,i have specially requested that indefatigable pioneer of the ,cause of ,god1 our well-beloved ,bah' sister1 ,mrs4 ,victoria ,bedekian1 to concentrate for the present all the resources of her mind and heart upon this vast and vital undertaking4 ,i have urged her to direct her energies to this lofty purpose1 and by the aid of her most valuable letters arouse both the ,east and the ,west to a fresh consciousness of the significance and urgency of the object you have set yourselves to achieve4 ,regarding the series of ,world ,unity meetings which some of the thoughtful1 capable and devoted servants of the ,cause have carefully organized and successfully conducted1 and to which you have referred in your letter of ,march #hth1 ,i wish to express my keen appreciation of such a splendid conception1 my deep gratitude for the efforts they have exerted1 and my gratification in view of the success they have achieved4 ,guiding ,principles of ,bah' ,administration ,the administrative machinery of the ,cause having now sufficiently evolved1 its aim and object fairly well grasped and understood1 and its method and working made more familiar to every believer1 ,i feel the time is ripe when it should be fully and consciously utilized to further the purpose for which it has been created4 ,it should1 ,i strongly feel1 be made to serve a twofold purpose4 ,on one hand1 it should aim at a steady and gradual expansion of the ,movement along lines that are at once broad1 sound and universal2 and on the other it should insure the internal consolidation of the work already achieved4 ,it should both provide the impulse whereby the dynamic forces latent in the ,faith can unfold1 crystallize1 and shape the lives and conduct of men1 and serve as a medium for the interchange of thought and the coordination of activities among the divers elements that constitute the ,bah' community4 ,whether it be by an open and bold assertion of the fundamental verities of the ,cause1 or the adoption of a less direct and more cautious method of teaching2 whether by the dissemination of our literature or the example of our conduct1 our one aim and sole object should be to help in the eventual recognition by all mankind of the indispensability1 the uniqueness and the supreme station of the ,bah' ,revelation4 ,whatever method he adopts1 and however indirect the course he chooses to pursue1 every true believer should regard such a recognition as the supreme goal of his endeavor4 ,whilst consciously laboring towards the attainment of this end1 he should1 by supporting every branch of the administrative activities of his national and local assembly1 seek and obtain the fullest information on the character and extent of the worldwide progress of the ,cause1 and strive to contribute his share towards the strengthening of the spirit of solidarity among the component parts of the ,bah' world4 ,such in their broad outline are the guiding principles which those who have been placed in charge of the administration of the affairs of the ,cause should at present endeavor to promote1 explain and securely establish4 ,nothing short of the spirit of unwavering faith1 of continuous vigilance and patient endeavor can hope to secure eventually the realization of this our cherished desire4 ,may ,america's national representatives arise with clear vision1 with unswerving determination and renewed vigor to carry out in its entirety the sacred task they have purposed to perform4 ,assuring you of my continued and earnest prayers for the success of your efforts1 ,i am your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,may #aath1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,october #gth1 #aibf4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,in the course of the few months that have elapsed since my last communication to you regarding the appalling circumstances that have culminated in the martyrdom of our ,persian brethren in ,jahrum1 events of the highest importance to the future welfare of our beloved ,cause have transpired1 and with startling suddenness conferred abiding solace upon those who still have to face the pains and terrors of unmitigated and shameless tyranny4 ,response of ,queen ,marie ,you have1 most of you1 ,i presume1 read with thrilling joy in one of the recent issues of the ,star of the ,west that illuminating account given by our beloved sister1 ,miss ,martha ,root1 wherein she tells with her characteristic directness and modesty the story of her moving interview with ,her ,majesty ,queen ,marie of ,roumania and of the cordial and ready response which her gentle yet persuasive presentation of the principles of the ,bah' ,faith has evoked in the heart of that honored queen4 ,one of the visible and potent effects which this historic interview proved capable of achieving was the remarkable appeal in the form of an open letter which ,her ,majesty freely and spontaneously caused to be published to the world at large testifying in a language of exquisite beauty to the power and sublimity of the ,message of ,bah'u'llh4 ,it was indeed a never-to-be-forgotten occasion when1 on the eve of the day commemorating the passing of ,bah'u'llh1 a handful of us1 ,his sorrowing servants1 had gathered round ,his beloved ,shrine supplicating relief and deliverance for the down-trodden in ,persia1 to receive in the midst of the silence of that distressing hour the glad-tidings of this notable triumph which the unbending energy and indomitable spirit of our beloved ,martha has achieved for our sacred ,cause4 ,with bowed heads and grateful hearts we recognize in this glowing tribute which royalty has thus paid to the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh an epoch-making pronouncement destined to herald those stirring events which1 as #8,abdu'l-,bah has prophesied1 shall in the fulness of time signalize the triumph of ,god's holy ,faith4 ,for who can doubt but that the deeds of those valiant pioneers of the ,faith1 unexampled though they have been in the abundance of their number and unexcelled in their sublime heroism1 are but a faint glimmer of what1 according to the divine promise1 its steadfast followers are destined to perform8 ,those heroic exploits that have immortalized the names of its primitive adherents will continue to adorn and illuminate the pages of its blood-stained history2 yet we cannot forget that the period of its full fruition with all its promise of world felicity and undreamt-of achievements is yet to be realized1 its golden age yet to unfold4 ,indeed1 how chastening to our pride1 how challenging to our enthusiasm1 if we but pause for a moment amidst the world's many distractions and ponder in our hearts the vastness1 the compelling urgency1 the ineffable glory of what still remains unachieved4 ,the ,regenerating ,power ,but let us all remember1 in this connection1 that prior to every conceivable measure destined to raise the efficiency of our administrative activities1 more vital than any scheme which the most resourceful amongst us can devise1 far above the most elaborate structure which the concerted efforts of organized ,assemblies can hope to raise1 is the realization down in the innermost heart of every true believer of the regenerating power1 the supreme necessity1 the unfailing efficacy of the ,message he bears4 ,i assure you1 dear friends1 that nothing short of such an immovable conviction could have in days past enabled our beloved ,cause to weather the blackest storms in its history4 ,naught else can today vitalize the manifold activities in which unnumbered disciples of the ,faith are engaged2 naught else can provide that driving force and sustaining power that are both so essential to the success of vast and enduring achievements4 ,it is this spirit that above all else we should sedulously guard1 and strive with all our might to fortify and exemplify in all our undertakings4 ,moved by an irresistible impulse1 ,i have addressed to ,her ,majesty in the name of the ,bah's of both the ,east and the ,west a written expression of our joyous admiration and gratitude for the queenly tribute which ,her ,majesty has paid to the beauty and nobility of the ,bah' ,teachings4 ,i have1 moreover1 assured ,her ,majesty of the far-reaching effect which her superb testimony will inevitably produce1 and of the welcome consolation it has already brought to the silent sufferers in that distracted country4 ,to my message of appreciation and gratitude there has come lately a written response1 penned by ,her ,majesty1 profoundly touching1 singularly outspoken1 and highly significant in the testimony it bears4 ,from this queenly tribute to a divine ideal ,i quote these penetrating words3 8,indeed a great light came to me with the ,message of ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,it came as all great messages come at an hour of dire grief and inner conflict and distress1 so the seed sank deeply4444 ,we pass on the ,message from mouth to mouth and all those we give it to see a light suddenly lighting before them and much that was obscure and perplexing becomes simple1 luminous and full of hope as never before4 ,that my open letter was balm to those suffering for the ,cause is indeed a great happiness to me1 and ,i take it as a sign that ,god accepted my humble tribute4444 ,with bowed head ,i recognize that ,i too am but an instrument in greater ,hands and rejoice in the knowledge44440 ,dear friends1 with feelings of profound emotion we recall the glowing promises that have so often fallen from the lips of our departed ,master1 and with throbbing hearts rejoice in the gradual realization of ,his most cherished desire4 ,and as we call to mind the circumstances that have led to such a notable advance1 we are filled with admiration for that unique and great-hearted apostle of ,bah'u'llh1 our dearly-beloved ,martha ,root1 who under trying circumstances and almost single-handed in her efforts1 has so wonderfully paved the way for the universal recognition of the ,cause of ,god4 ,in her case we have verily witnessed in an unmistakable manner what the power of dauntless faith1 when coupled with sublimity of character1 can achieve1 what forces it can release1 to what heights it can rise4 ,let such remarkable revelations of the reality and continuity of the divine purpose1 made manifest from time to time to us ,his feeble children1 serve to fortify our faith in ,him1 to warm the chill which fleeting misfortunes may leave behind1 and fill us with that celestial potency which alone can enable us to withstand the storm and stress that lives dedicated to ,his service must needs encounter4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,october #gth1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,october #bi1 #aibf4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dear fellow-workers in the ,divine ,vineyard3 ,it will gladden and rejoice every one of you to learn that from various quarters there has of late reached the ,holy ,land tidings of fresh developments that are a clear indication of those hidden and transforming influences which1 from the source of ,bah'u'llh's mystic strength1 continue to flow with ever-increasing vitality into the heart of this troubled world4 ,both in the wider field of its spiritual conquests1 where its indomitable spirit is forging ahead1 capturing the heights1 pervading the multitude2 as well as in the gradual consolidation of the administrative structure which its avowed followers the world over are laboring to raise and fortify1 the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 we can increasingly discern1 bids fair to become that force which1 though not as yet universally recognized1 none can afford to belittle or ignore4 ,in the bold and repeated testimonies which ,her ,majesty1 ,queen ,marie of ,roumania1 has chosen to give to the world1--a copy of whose latest pronouncement ,i enclose17#ac7--we truly recognize evidences of the irresistible power1 the increasing vitality1 the strange working of a ,faith destined to regenerate the world4 ,her ,majesty's striking tribute paid to the illuminative power of the ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah is bound to effect an entire transformation in the attitude of many to a ,faith the tenets of which have often been misunderstood and sorely neglected4 ,it will serve as a fresh stimulus to the enlightened and cultured to investigate with an open mind the verities of its message1 the source of its life-giving principles4 ,shrine at ,baghdd ,from ,baghdd1 moreover1 where the sacred habitation of ,bah'u'llh has been violated by a relentless enemy and converted into a rallying center for the corrupt1 the perverse1 and the fanatical1 there comes the news1 highly reassuring to us all1 of the satisfactory progress of the negotiations which1 we are informed on high authority1 will soon lead to the expropriation of the property by the ,state1 culminating in the fullness of time in its occupation by the triumphant followers of ,god's holy ,faith4 ,the case of the houses1 so ably presented1 so persistently pursued1 above all reinforced by the vigilant and protecting power of our departed ,master1 will eventually triumph1 and by its repercussions in ,persia as in the world at large1 will lend a powerful impetus to the liberation of those forces which will carry the ,cause to its ultimate destiny4 ,i will1 when the occasion presents itself1 inform the believers through their respective ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies to address messages of appreciation and gratitude to the authorities concerned in view of their unrelaxing efforts for the triumph of right and justice4 ,for the present1 we cannot but rejoice and feel profoundly thankful as we witness in so many directions the welcome signs of the gradual emancipation of the struggling ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 of the increasing recognition on the part of both the high and lowly of its universal principles--all so rich in their promise of ultimate victory4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,october #bi1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,october #ca1 #aibf4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,dearly-beloved fellow-workers3 ,i have on two recent occasions given expression to the profound sense of inspiring confidence and joyous gratitude which recent happenings in the ,cause--evident manifestations of the steady evolution of a living ,faith--must needs evoke in the heart of every thoughtful and observing believer4 ,and as ,i contemplate the far-reaching possibilities involved in a careful handling of those forces which ,bah'u'llh's almighty arm has now released1 ,i cannot help reflecting upon the dominant share which the ,american friends1 at home as well as in distant lands1 have contributed to this rejuvenation of the ,cause of ,god1 and the decisive part it is theirs to play in its eventual victory4 ,your letters1 dated ,june #ag1 ,july #aa1 ,july #bj1 ,august #c and #af1 and ,october #b1 #aibf1 all of which have been forwarded during my days of retirement and rest1 have proved an added source of thankfulness1 of joy and strength to me4 ,they have clearly revealed by their spirit1 as well as by the nature and variety of their contents1 the sustained devotion1 the unabated confidence1 and the increasing vigor and efficiency with which you are initiating1 coordinating1 and consolidating the manifold activities of the ,cause in ,north ,america4 ,international ,secretariat ,the range and character of the problems confronting you1 as revealed by the careful perusal of the minutes of your meetings1 the steady increase in the number and effectiveness of vigorously functioning ,centers in ,central and ,northern ,europe1 and the growing significance and complexity of the work that has to be necessarily conducted from the ,holy ,land1 have all served to strengthen the feeling of absolute necessity for the formation in ,haifa of some sort of an ,international ,bah' ,secretariat1 which both in an advisory and executive capacity will have to aid and assist me in my vast and exacting labors4 ,i have anxiously considered this important matter in all its bearings during the past few months1 and have accordingly requested three well-informed1 capable representatives from ,america1 ,europe and the ,east to visit the ,holy ,land this fall1 that we may lay down the foundation of this vitally needed institution4 ,we shall take counsel together and decide1 not only upon the measures that have to be promptly undertaken to meet the pressing demands of the present hour1 but upon the wider issues that on one hand will strengthen the ties that should bind the ,international ,center of the ,cause with the world at large1 and on the other provide for the preliminary steps that will eventually lead to the proper establishment of the ,first ,international ,house of ,justice4 ,it is my earnest hope and prayer that this exchange of thought and close cooperation in the work that has henceforth to be internationally and vigorously conducted1 will enable me to participate more minutely and effectively in the labors of the various administrative departments of your ,assembly1 and thus reinforce the splendid efforts you are exerting for the extension of its influence and the widening of its scope4 ,plan of ,unified ,action ,from the report of the ,national ,treasurer1 setting forth the account of the progress of the contributions of the ,american believers for the support of the ,plan of ,unified ,action1 up to ,june #cj1 #aibf1 ,i gather that the result has by no means exceeded our expectations1 nay has considerably fallen below what ,i confidently expected it to achieve4 ,i earnestly renew my plea and appeal to you1 and through you to every true and faithful lover of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 to realize1 while there is yet time1 the far-reaching possibilities with which the present situation is fraught4 ,i am firmly convinced that this ,plan combines1 embodies1 and serves the twofold purpose of the present-day ,bah' administration in the ,united ,states and ,canada1 namely the promotion of the vitally needed teaching work1 and the provision for the gradual completion of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 both wishes so near and dear to our beloved ,master's heart4 ,it is the only effective1 feasible1 and practical instrument placed in our hands for the speedy accomplishment of our ends4 ,so much that is vital to the future welfare1 the effectiveness1 and the fair name of our beloved ,cause depends1 ,i assure you1 upon the success or failure of this nobly-conceived1 this sound and befitting enterprise4 ,the eyes of all ,bah's and of many sympathizers throughout the world are turned towards you1 eager to reinforce your accomplishments in this field1 expectant to witness what measure of success you are capable of achieving4 ,world ,unity ,conferences ,in connection with the series of ,world ,unity ,conferences which you have initiated and so laboriously organized1 ,i feel that in order to reap the fullest advantage and benefit from this laudable effort1 it is absolutely essential to follow up with the aid of enlightened1 experienced and capable teachers the interest which has been aroused4 ,such a group of teachers should judiciously select those few among the many interested1 and endeavor with patience and sympathy and by constant intimate personal intercourse1 to prepare them gradually for the entire and unreserved acceptance of the fundamentals of the ,bah' ,revelation4 ,if the results be meagre1 if the attendance be small1 let us not despair1 nor relax in our efforts4 ,let us remember that this sound method will eventually triumph1 if we only consistently support it1 and persevere in undertaking those subsequent steps that can alone produce full and permanent benefit4 ,appeal to the ,shh of ,persia ,i have already expressed my grateful appreciation of the prompt and wise measures you have taken in behalf of our oppressed and down-trodden brethren in ,persia4 ,the noble appeal which you were moved to address to ,his ,majesty the ,shh1 so illuminating1 so courteous1 so powerful1 and the wide range of publicity you have undertaken1 were truly providential in character1 and will undoubtedly prove an inspiration and solace to those who still continue to be trampled under the heel of an odious and inveterate enemy4 ,i have had your appeal translated into ,persian and sent to all ,centers throughout the ,orient that the suffering in ,persia may learn of your bold and courageous intervention1 and witness the signs of their promised redemption which1 as foretold by #8,abdu'l-,bah1 must first be made manifest through the efforts of their brethren in that great freedom-loving ,republic of the ,west4 ,it is sad and distressing to reflect that1 notwithstanding the repeated appeals addressed to the authorities concerned1 and so powerfully reinforced by the spontaneous action of some of the leading ,governments of the ,west1 ,persia1 still heedless and unaware of the spiritual forces that are at work1 continues to treat with indifference and contempt the most loyal1 innocent and law-abiding subjects of its realm4 ,the chronic instability of its affairs1 the changing fortunes of factions and shadowy personalities that sap its vitality and tarnish its name1 the acute and widespread economic depression that is now prevailing1 and the grave discontent of the masses of the people1 all tend to aggravate a situation already highly threatening to the security of its sorely tried children4 ,what else can we do but pray most fervently that the almighty power of ,bah'u'llh may soon triumph over this petty strife1 this age-long tyranny1 and make1 as ,he prophesied1 of the land of ,his birth1 8the most honored of all governments1 the pride1 the admiration and the envy of the peoples of the world40 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,october #ca1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,november #ad1 #aibf4 ,the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,dearly-beloved friends3 ,the progress of various events1 both within and outside the ,bah' world1 as well as the perusal of the able and illuminating report recently submitted by the ,committee of the ,persian ,national ,spiritual ,assembly in charge of the ,tarbyat ,school in ihrn1 have served to reinforce a gradually growing idea as to the desirability of arranging for the settlement in the capital of that country of one or two ,american believers who1 having the means1 the freedom and the capacity1 can adequately meet the pressing requirements of a responsible position4 ,judging from their report1 the situation in ihrn though much confused and perplexing1 is fraught with rich possibilities for the future of the ,cause1 both as affecting the national fortunes of ,persia1 as well as its influence upon the international development of the ,cause4 ,american ,teachers in ihrn ,the situation as ,i see it calls for the devoted efforts of one or two capable workers who1 untrammelled and with independent means1 can quietly1 tenaciously and tactfully1 pursue over a considerable length of time the meritorious work of fostering the cause of ,bah' education1 for both boys and girls1 in the swiftly changing capital of a promising country4 ,it should be their primary duty to extend the scope and enhance the prestige of these twin ,bah' educational institutions1 and to initiate by sound and well-considered methods such measures as will consolidate the work already achieved4 ,it would be highly gratifying if they could also endeavor1 by keeping in close and constant touch with the ,persian and ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies1 to fortify those vital bonds that spiritually unite the cradle of the ,bah' ,faith with the great ,american ,republic--the foremost standard-bearer of the ,cause in the ,western field4 ,such efforts will extremely facilitate cooperation between these two countries1 whose common destiny is to provide1 each in its own typical manner1 the essential elements in the foundation of the world order ushered in by ,bah'u'llh4 ,the gradual expansion of foreign as well as officially subsidized educational schools in ihrn1 the prolonged absence of competent teachers and organizers that can revive the declining influence of a hitherto renowned ,bah' educational institution1 and the critical and vigilant attitude which the growing influence of the ,cause has induced in its malignant and envious enemies1 are today subjects of gravest concern to the elected representatives of our suffering brethren and sisters in ,persia4 ,i would therefore request those who feel the urge and have the means to undertake this task to communicate with the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly who1 after mature deliberation1 will select one or two who1 in their judgment1 can best render this service1 and decide upon the exact time and manner which would be most suitable for its execution4 ,i would strongly urge the friends to consult most earnestly with that devoted1 experienced and indefatigable handmaid of ,bah'u'llh1 ,dr4 ,moody1 whose past services have ennobled the record of collaboration of ,east and ,west for the furtherance of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,it would be highly satisfactory and immensely helpful if our beloved sister could find it possible and convenient to accompany such a carefully-chosen person on the way to ihrn1 and1 by her unrivaled experience and loving-kindness1 assist personally in the fulfillment of this pressing need4 ,whoever steps into this field will find1 as he settles down to his work1 that the environment is extremely disheartening1 that restrictions are oppressive1 that the amenities of social life are lacking1 that the forces of opposition are determined and organized4 ,but let him realize also that1 however tedious and exacting his labors1 however precarious and thankless his task1 the pioneer services it is his unique privilege to render in this time of stress will forever live in the annals of ,god's living ,faith1 and will prove a source of inspiration to the countless workers who1 in happier times and with better means at their disposal1 will consummate the spiritual regeneration and material rehabilitation of ,bah'u'llh's native land4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,november #ad1 #aibf4 ,letter of ,february #ab1 #aibg4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,the trend of various events1 affecting directly and indirectly the interests of the ,bah' ,cause1 have of late served to bring into further prominence the character as well as the significance of a ,faith destined to regenerate the world4 ,decision of ,egyptian ,tribunal ,of all the diverse issues which today are gradually tending to consolidate and extend the bounds of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh1 the decision of ,egypt's religious ,tribunal regarding the ,bah's under its jurisdiction appears at the present moment to be the most powerful in its challenge1 the most startling in its character1 and the most perplexing in the consequences it may entail4 ,i have already alluded in my letter of ,january #aj1 #aibf1 addressed to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada1 to a particular feature of this momentous verdict1 which after mature deliberation has obtained the sanction of ,egypt's highest ecclesiastical authorities1 has been communicated and printed1 and is regarded as final and binding4 ,i have stressed in my last reference to this far-reaching pronouncement the negative aspect of this document which condemns in most unequivocal and emphatic language the followers of ,bah'u'llh as the believers in heresy1 offensive and injurious to ,islm1 and wholly incompatible with the accepted doctrines and practice of its orthodox adherents4 ,bah' ,cause ,recognized as ,independent ,religion ,a closer study of the text of the decision will1 however1 reveal the fact that coupled with this strong denunciation is the positive assertion of a truth which the recognized opponents of the ,bah' ,faith in other ,muhammadan countries have up to the present time either sedulously ignored or maliciously endeavored to disprove4 ,not content with this harsh and unjustifiable repudiation of the so-called menacing and heretical doctrines of the adherents of the ,bah' ,faith1 they proceed in a formal manner to declare in the text of that very decision their belief1 that the ,bah' ,faith is a 8new religion10 8entirely independent0 and1 by reason of the magnitude of its claim and the character of its 8laws1 principles and beliefs10 worthy to be reckoned as one of the established religious systems of the world4 ,quoting various passages judiciously gleaned from a number of ,bah' sacred ,books as an evidence to their splendid testimony1 they proceed in a notable statement to deduce the fact that henceforth it shall be regarded as impossible for the followers of such a ,faith to be designated as ,muslim1 just as it would be incorrect and erroneous to call a ,muhammadan either ,christian or ,jew4 ,it cannot be denied that in the course of the inevitable developments of this present situation the resident ,bah's of ,egypt1 originally belonging to the ,muslim ,faith1 will be placed in a most humiliating and embarrassing position4 ,they1 however1 cannot but rejoice in the knowledge that whereas in various ,muhammadan countries and particularly in ,persia the overwhelming majority of the leaders of ,islm are utterly opposed to any form of declaration that would facilitate the universal recognition of the ,cause1 the authorized heads of their co-religionists in one of the most advanced communities in the ,muhammadan world have1 of their own initiative1 published to the world a document that may justly be termed as the first chapter of liberty emancipating the ,bah' ,faith from the fetters of orthodox ,islm4 ,and in order to insure the complete rupture of ,bah' official relations with ,muslim ,courts they lay down in unmistakable terms the condition that under no circumstances can the marriage of those ,bah's who have been required to divorce their ,muslim wives be renewed by the ,muslim ,court unless and until the husbands formally recant their faith by solemnly declaring that the ,qur'n is the 8last0 ,book of ,god revealed to man1 that no law can abrogate the ,prophet's ,law1 no faith can succeed ,his ,faith1 no revelation can claim to fulfill ,his ,revelation4 ,while unwavering in their belief in the ,divine station of the ,author of the ,qur'n and profoundly convinced of the necessity and worldwide influence of ,his ,divine mission1 ,bah's in every land stand undeterred and unabashed in the face of the strong condemnation pronounced against their brethren in ,egypt4 ,indeed1 they together with their fellow-workers in all ,muslim countries welcome with gladness and pride every opportunity for further emancipation that they may set forth in a truer light the sublime mission of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in the face of such an outspoken and challenging declaration1 the ,bah' of the ,west cannot but feel the deepest sympathy with their ,egyptian brethren who1 for the sake of our beloved ,cause and its deliverance1 have to face all the embarrassments and vexations which the severance of old-established ties must necessarily entail4 ,they will1 however1 most certainly expect every staunch and loyal believer in the ,faith who resides in that land to refrain in view of the grave warning uttered expressly by our opponents1 from any practice that would in any manner constitute in the eyes of a critical and vigilant enemy a repudiation of the fundamental beliefs of the people of ,bah4 ,they will most assuredly1 whenever the moment is opportune1 step forth with eager hearts to offer every support in their power to their fellow-workers who1 with stout hearts and irreproachable loyalty1 will continue to hold aloft the standard of ,god's struggling ,faith4 ,they will not fail to come to the rescue of those who with joyous confidence will endure to the very end such vicissitudes as this ,new ,day of ,god1 now in its birth-throes1 must needs suffer and surmount4 ,worldwide ,attacks ,foretold ,we cannot believe that as the ,movement grows in strength1 in authority and in influence1 the perplexities and the sufferings it has had to contend with in the past will correspondingly decrease and vanish4 ,nay1 as it grows from strength to strength1 the fanatical defendants of the strongholds of orthodoxy1 whatever be their denomination1 realizing the penetrating influence of this growing ,faith1 will arise and strain every nerve to extinguish its light and discredit its name4 ,for has not our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah sent forth ,his glowing prophecy from behind the prison walls of the citadel of ,akk--words so significant in their forecast of the coming world turmoil1 yet so rich in their promise of eventual victory3-- 8,how great1 how very great is the ,cause2 how very fierce the onslaught of all the peoples and kindreds of the earth6 ,erelong shall the clamor of the multitude throughout ,africa1 throughout ,america1 the cry of the ,european and of the ,turk1 the groaning of ,india and ,china be heard from far and near4 ,one and all they shall arise with all their power to resist ,his ,cause4 ,then shall the ,knights of the ,lord1 assisted by grace from on high1 strengthened by faith1 aided by the power of understanding and reinforced by the legions of the ,covenant1 arise and make manifest the truth of the verse3 #8,behold the confusion that hath befallen the tribes of the defeated6'0 ,dearly beloved friends1 upon us devolves the supreme obligation to stand by ,his side1 to fight ,his battles and to win ,his victory4 ,may we prove ourselves worthy of this trust4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,february #ab1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,february #bj1 #aibg4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,dear and precious fellow-workers in the ,vineyard of ,god3-- ,the communications addressed to me by your indefatigable and distinguished secretary1 dated ,october #bh1 ,november #h1 #aa1 #ah1 ,december #d1 #af and ,january #bgth1 have been received1 and together with their enclosures read and carefully noted4 ,i cannot but admire the spirit of unrelaxing resolve and harmonious cooperation with which you are conducting the ever-expanding activities of the ,cause in a land upon which our ,beloved has lavished ,his richest blessings1 and for the spiritual potentialities of which ,he cherished the brightest hopes4 ,the vigorous efforts you are exerting to consolidate the forces which the ,almighty has placed in your hands2 the resourcefulness you display by the measures you have initiated for the furtherance of the ,cause2 the magnificent response with which you have met the piteous call of your suffering brethren of the ,east--all proclaim your worthiness of the unexampled efforts which1 in your country more than in any other land1 #8,abdu'l-,bah has exerted for the spread of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,twofold ,teaching ,method ,in connection with the ,world ,unity ,conferences1 which you have organized1 ,i desire to assure you of my heartfelt appreciation of such a splendid conception4 ,i am profoundly impressed by the generous assistance spontaneously offered by those who1 faithful to their other obligations1 have risen to insure the financial success of such a noble ,plan4 ,i am grateful to those local ,assemblies and individuals who have given it their whole-hearted support in their respective fields4 ,as to the policy that should be adopted with regard to these ,conferences and other ,bah' activities in general1 it appears increasingly evident that as the ,movement grows in strength and power the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies should be encouraged1 if circumstances permit and the means at their disposal justify1 to resort to the twofold method of directly and indirectly winning the enlightened public to the unqualified acceptance of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,the one method would assume an open1 decisive and challenging tone4 ,the other1 without implying in any manner the slightest departure from strict loyalty to the ,cause of ,god1 would be progressive and cautious4 ,experience will reveal the fact that each of the methods in its own special way might suit a particular temperament and class of people1 and that each in the present state of a constantly fluctuating society1 should be judiciously attempted and utilized4 ,it is1 ,i feel1 for the ,national representatives of the believers in every land to utilize and combine both methods1 the outspoken as well as the gradual1 in such a manner as to secure the greatest benefits and the fullest advantage for this steadily-growing ,cause4 ,every staunch and high-minded believer is thoroughly convinced of the unfailing efficacy of every humanitarian undertaking which boldly and unreservedly proclaims the source of its motive power to be the consciousness of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,yet1 if we but call to mind the practice generally adopted by #8,abdu'l-,bah1 we cannot fail to perceive the wisdom1 nay the necessity1 of gradually and cautiously disclosing to the eyes of an unbelieving world the implications of a ,truth which1 by its own challenging nature1 it is so difficult for it to comprehend and embrace4 ,it was ,he1 our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah1 our true and shining ,exemplar1 who with infinite tact and patience1 whether in ,his public utterances or in private converse1 adapted the presentation of the fundamentals of the ,cause to the varying capacities and the spiritual receptiveness of ,his hearers4 ,he never hesitated1 however1 to tear the veil asunder and reveal to the spiritually ripened those challenging verities that set forth in its true light the relationship of this ,supreme ,revelation with the ,dispensations of the past4 ,unashamed and unafraid when challenged to assert in its entirety the stupendous claim of ,bah'u'llh1 ,bah's1 whether laboring as individuals or functioning as an organized community1 feel certain that in the face of the apathy1 the gross materialism1 and the superficiality of society today1 a progressive disclosure of the magnitude of the claim of ,bah'u'llh would constitute the most effective means for the attainment of the end so greatly desired by even the staunchest and most zealous advocate of the ,faith4 ,fully aware of the repeated statements of #8,abdu'l-,bah that universality is of ,god1 ,bah's in every land are ready1 nay anxious1 to associate themselves by word and deed with any association of men which1 after careful scrutiny1 they feel satisfied is free from every tinge of partisanship and politics and is wholly devoted to the interests of all mankind4 ,in their collaboration with such associations they would extend any moral and material assistance they can afford1 after having fulfilled their share of support to those institutions that affect directly the interests of the ,cause4 ,they should always bear in mind1 however1 the dominating purpose of such a collaboration which is to secure in time the recognition by those with whom they are associated of the paramount necessity and the true significance of the ,bah' ,revelation in this day4 ,as the ,movement extends the bounds of its influence and its opportunities for fuller recognition multiply1 the twofold character of the obligations imposed on its ,national elected representatives should1 ,i feel1 be increasingly emphasized4 ,whilst chiefly engaged in the pursuit of their major task1 consisting chiefly in the formation and the consolidation of ,bah' administrative institutions1 they should endeavor to participate1 within recognized limits1 in the work of institutions which though unaware of the claim of the ,bah' ,cause are prompted by a sincere desire to promote the spirit that animates the ,faith4 ,in the pursuit of their major task their function is to preserve the identity of the ,cause and the purity of the mission of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in their minor undertaking their purpose should be to imbue with the spirit of power and strength such movements as in their restricted scope are endeavoring to achieve what is near and dear to the heart of every true ,bah'4 ,it would even appear at times to be advisable and helpful as a supplement to their work for the ,bah's to initiate any undertaking1 not specifically designated as ,bah'1 provided they have ascertained that such an undertaking would constitute the best way of approach to those whose minds and hearts are as yet unprepared for a full acceptance of the claim of ,bah'u'llh4 ,these twofold obligations devolving upon organized ,bah' communities1 far from neutralizing the effects of one another or of appearing antagonistic in their aims1 should be regarded as complementary and fulfilling1 each in its way1 a vital and necessary function4 ,it is for the ,national representatives of the ,bah' ,cause to observe the conditions under which they labor1 to estimate the forces that are at work in their own surroundings1 to weigh carefully and prayerfully the merits of either procedure1 and to form a correct judgment as to the degree of emphasis that should be placed upon these twofold methods4 ,then and only then will they be enabled to protect and stimulate on one hand the independent growth of the ,bah' ,faith1 and on the other vindicate the claim of its universal principles to the doubtful and unbelieving4 ,i have already considered these delicate and complex issues with the ,bah' representatives whom ,i have requested to gather in the ,holy ,land in the hope of arriving at the best possible solution of the pressing and intricate problems that confront the development of the ,bah' ,cause4 ,i have asked our dearly-beloved brother1 ,mr4 ,mountfort ,mills1 whose services to the ,cause only future generations can estimate1 to acquaint you with these and other considerations1 the delicacy and scope of which only a verbal explanation can adequately reveal4 ,he will fully and authoritatively inform you regarding the policy that should govern the conduct of the ,star of the ,west1 the character and the range of the ,bah' ,bibliography to be inserted in the next edition of the ,bah' ,year ,book1 the present position of ,bah'u'llh's ,house in ,baghdd1 the hopes and desires ,i cherish for the successful conclusion of the ,plan of ,unified ,action1 and the consequences and possibilities involved in the decision of ,egypt's religious ,tribunal regarding the ,muslim ,bah's in that land4 ,the splendid record of the action taken by the national and local representatives of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada1 embodied in the compilation of newspaper cuttings which you have recently sent me1 will be forwarded to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of ,persia4 ,i will request them to pass it on from hand to hand1 that the rank and file of the sufferers in that distracted country may obtain the strength and solace which the perusal of such a noble record of service is bound to produce4 ,regarding the publicity campaign1 recently launched1 with your consent and under your general supervision1 by a group of devoted friends1 ,i desire to express my earnest hope that it may be richly blessed by our ,beloved and yield abundant fruit4 ,i am gratified to learn that those who have conceived such a comprehensive plan and have generously supported it by every means in their power have refrained from any action that would involve the imposing of a fresh burden upon those who have incurred the financial obligations connected with the ,budget ,plan4 ,i earnestly hope that those who have undertaken to finance this project with such spontaneous generosity have already fulfilled their sacred obligations in connection with the ,plan1 and will not allow any pledges they have made for publicity to interfere with their regular contributions to the ,national ,fund1 the paramount importance of which has already been emphasized4 ,the ,spirit of ,enterprise ,it is the duty and privilege of the ,national and ,local ,assemblies if they find that the pressing requirements of their local and national budgets have been adequately met1 to encourage individuals and groups to initiate and conduct1 with their knowledge and consent1 any undertaking that would serve to enhance the work which they have set themselves to achieve4 ,not content with appeals addressed to each and every believer to offer any constructive suggestions or plan that would remedy an existing grievance1 they should1 by every means in their power1 stimulate the spirit of enterprise among the believers in order to further the teaching as well as the administrative work of the ,cause4 ,they should endeavor by personal contact and written appeals1 to imbue the body of the faithful with a deep sense of personal responsibility1 and urge every believer1 whether high or low1 poor or wealthy1 to conceive1 formulate and execute such measures and projects as would redound1 in the eyes of their representatives1 to the power and the fair name of this sacred ,cause4 ,in my hours of prayer at the holy ,shrines1 ,i will supplicate that the light of ,divine ,guidance may illumine your path1 and enable you to utilize in the most effective manner that spirit of individual enterprise which1 once kindled in the breasts of each and every believer and directed by the discipline of the majestic ,law of ,bah'u'llh1 imposed upon us1 will carry our beloved ,cause forward to achieve its glorious destiny4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,february #bj1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,april #ab1 #aibg4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada3 ,dearly-beloved friends3 ,your recent communications1 dated ,february #ag and ,march #b1 #ag and #ba1 have been received1 and their perusal has served to heighten my admiration for the unflinching determination which characterizes the concerted efforts which you are exerting for the spread and consolidation of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,inter-racial ,amity ,i have also received and read with the keenest interest and appreciation a copy of that splendid document formulated by the ,national ,committee on inter-racial amity and addressed to all the ,spiritual ,assemblies throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,this moving appeal1 so admirable in its conception1 so sound and sober in its language1 has struck a responsive chord in my heart4 ,sent forth at a highly opportune moment in the evolution of our sacred ,faith1 it has served as a potent reminder of these challenging issues which still confront in a peculiar manner the ,american believers4 ,as this problem1 in the inevitable course of events1 grows in acuteness and complexity1 and as the number of the faithful from both races multiplies1 it will become increasingly evident that the future growth and prestige of the ,cause are bound to be influenced to a very considerable degree by the manner in which the adherents of the ,bah' ,faith carry out1 first among themselves and in their relations with their fellow-men1 those high standards of inter-racial amity so widely proclaimed and so fearlessly exemplified to the ,american people by our ,master #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,i direct my appeal with all the earnestness and urgency that this pressing problem calls for to every conscientious upholder of the universal principles of ,bah'u'llh to face this extremely delicate situation with the boldness1 the decisiveness and wisdom it demands4 ,i cannot believe that those whose hearts have been touched by the regenerating influence of ,god's creative ,faith in ,his day will find it difficult to cleanse their souls from every lingering trace of racial animosity so subversive of the ,faith they profess4 ,how can hearts that throb with the love of ,god fail to respond to all the implications of this supreme injunction of ,bah'u'llh1 the unreserved acceptance of which1 under the circumstances now prevailing in ,america1 constitutes the hall-mark of a true ,bah' character8 ,let every believer1 desirous to witness the swift and healthy progress of the ,cause of ,god1 realize the twofold nature of his task4 ,let him first turn his eyes inwardly and search his own heart and satisfy himself that in his relations with his fellow-believers1 irrespective of color and class1 he is proving himself increasingly loyal to the spirit of his beloved ,faith4 ,assured and content that he is exerting his utmost in a conscious effort to approach nearer every day the lofty station to which his gracious ,master summons him1 let him turn to his second task1 and1 with befitting confidence and vigor1 assail the devastating power of those forces which in his own heart he has already succeeded in subduing4 ,fully alive to the unfailing efficacy of the power of ,bah'u'llh1 and armed with the essential weapons of wise restraint and inflexible resolve1 let him wage a constant fight against the inherited tendencies1 the corruptive instincts1 the fluctuating fashions1 the false pretences of the society in which he lives and moves4 ,in their relations amongst themselves as fellow-believers1 let them not be content with the mere exchange of cold and empty formalities often connected with the organizing of banquets1 receptions1 consultative assemblies1 and lecture-halls4 ,let them rather1 as equal co-sharers in the spiritual benefits conferred upon them by ,bah'u'llh1 arise and1 with the aid and counsel of their local and national representatives1 supplement these official functions with those opportunities which only a close and intimate social intercourse can adequately provide4 ,in their homes1 in their hours of relaxation and leisure1 in the daily contact of business transactions1 in the association of their children1 whether in their study-classes1 their playgrounds1 and club-rooms1 in short under all possible circumstances1 however insignificant they appear1 the community of the followers of ,bah'u'llh should satisfy themselves that in the eyes of the world at large and in the sight of their vigilant ,master they are the living witnesses of those truths which ,he fondly cherished and tirelessly championed to the very end of ,his days4 ,if we relax in our purpose1 if we falter in our faith1 if we neglect the varied opportunities given us from time to time by an all-wise and gracious ,master1 we are not merely failing in what is our most vital and conspicuous obligation1 but are thereby insensibly retarding the flow of those quickening energies which can alone insure the vigorous and speedy development of ,god's struggling ,faith4 ,i would particularly address my appeal to you1 as the ,trustees of ,god's sacred ,faith1 to reaffirm by word and deed the spirit and character of the insistent admonitions of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 so solemnly and so explicitly uttered in the course of ,his journeys through your land--a trust which it is your privilege and function to preserve and fortify4 ,may the varied opportunities presented by the forthcoming assembly of the friends at ,green ,acre this summer--a place so admirably suited to the realization of such a noble ideal--be fully utilized to further this noble end4 ,may it1 on one hand1 serve to banish once and for all every misgiving and mistrust as to the attitude that should characterize the conduct of the members of the ,bah' family1 and1 on the other1 serve to familiarize the invited public with that aspect of our ,faith which1 owing to the pressure of circumstances1 a few have inclined to belittle or ignore4 ,green ,acre--a ,testing ,ground ,it is my earnest hope and prayer that the forthcoming gathering at ,green ,acre1 the program for which has been so carefully and judiciously prepared1 may serve as a testing ground for the application of those ideals and standards that are the distinguishing features of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,may the assembled believers--now but a tiny nucleus of the ,bah' ,commonwealth of the future--so exemplify that spirit of universal love and fellowship as to evoke in the minds of their associates the vision of that future ,city of ,god which the almighty arm of ,bah'u'llh can alone establish4 ,not by merely imitating the excesses and laxity of the extravagant age they live in2 not by the idle neglect of the sacred responsibilities it is their privilege to shoulder2 not by the silent compromise of the principles dearly cherished by #8,abdu'l-,bah2 not by their fear or unpopularity or their dread of censure can they hope to rouse society from its spiritual lethargy1 and serve as a model to a civilization the foundations of which the corrosion of prejudice has well-nigh undermined4 ,by the sublimity of their principles1 the warmth of their love1 the spotless purity of their character1 and the depth of their devoutness and piety1 let them demonstrate to their fellow-countrymen the ennobling reality of a power that shall weld a disrupted world4 ,we can prove ourselves worthy of our ,cause only if in our individual conduct and corporate life we sedulously imitate the example of our beloved ,master1 ,whom the terrors of tyranny1 the storms of incessant abuse1 the oppressiveness of humiliation1 never caused to deviate a hair's breadth from the revealed ,law of ,bah'u'llh4 ,such is the path of servitude1 such is the way of holiness ,he chose to tread to the very end of ,his life4 ,nothing short of the strictest adherence to ,his glorious example can safely steer our course amid the pitfalls of this perilous age1 and lead us on to fulfill our high destiny4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,april #ab1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,april #bg1 #aibg4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,dearly-beloved friends3 ,with feelings of horror and indignation ,i communicate to you the tale of yet another tragedy involving the shedding of the blood of a martyr of the ,faith on ,persia's sacred soil4 ,i have before me1 as ,i pen these lines1 the report of the local ,spiritual ,assembly of ,ardibil1 a town on the north-east confines of the province of dhirbayjn1 not far distant from those hallowed spots where the ,bb suffered ,his last confinement and martyrdom4 ,addressed to the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of ,persia1 this report recounts in simple but moving language the circumstances that have led to the cowardly crime committed in the darkness of the night at the instigation of the fanatical clergy--the deadliest opponents of the ,faith in that town4 ,assassination of ,persian ,believer ,our martyred brother1 ,aminu'l-',ulama' by name1 had for some time past become notorious in the eyes of the ,muslim inhabitants of ,ardibil for his tenacity of faith by openly refusing at every instance to vilify and renounce his most cherished convictions4 ,in the latter part of ,ramadn--the month associated with prayer1 pious deeds and fasting--his use of the public bath 7that long-established institution the amenities and privileges of which are as a rule accorded only to the adherents of the ,muslim ,faith7 had served to inflame the mob1 and to provide a scheming instigator with a pretext to terminate his life4 ,in the market place he was ridiculed and condemned as an apostate of the ,faith of ,islm1 who1 by boldly rejecting the repeated entreaties showered upon him to execrate the ,bah' name1 had lawfully incurred the penalty of immediate death at the hands of every pious upholder of the ,muslim tradition4 ,in spite of the close surveillance exercised by a body of guards stationed around his house1 in response to the intercession of his friends with the local authorities1 the treacherous criminal found his way into his home1 and on the night of the #bbnd of ,ramadn1 corresponding with the #bfth of ,march1 #aibg1 assailed him in a most atrocious and dastardly manner4 ,concealing within the folds of his garment his unsheathed dagger1 he approached his victim and claiming the need of whispering a confidential message in his ears1 plunged the weapon hilt-deep into his vitals1 cutting across his ribs and mutilating his body4 ,every attempt to secure immediate medical assistance seems to have been foiled by malicious devices on the part of the associates of this merciless criminal1 and the helpless victim after a few hours of agonizing pain surrendered his soul to his ,beloved4 ,his friends and fellow-believers1 alarmed at the prospect of a fresh outbreak that would inevitably result were his mortal remains to be accorded the ordinary privileges of a decent burial1 decided to inter his body in one of the two rooms that served as his own dwelling1 seeking thereby to appease the fury of an unrelenting foe4 ,he leaves behind in desperate poverty a family of minors with no support but their mother1 expectant to bring forth her child1 and with no hope of relief from their non-,bah' relatives in whose eyes they deserve to be treated only with the meanest contempt4 ,it appears from the above-mentioned report that the merciless assailant has been arrested1 waiting1 however1 as has been the case with similar incidents in southern ,persia1 to be sooner or later released under the pressure of bribery and intimidation sedulously exercised by an impenitent enemy4 ,dearest friends6 ,any measure of publicity the concerted efforts of the ,bah' ,spiritual ,assemblies of the ,west1 on whom almighty ,providence has conferred the inestimable benefits of religious toleration and freedom1 can accord to this latest manifestation of unbridled barbarism in ,persia will be most opportune and valuable4 ,it will1 ,i am certain1 confer abiding solace to those disconsolate sufferers who with sublime heroism continue to uphold the traditions of their beloved ,faith4 ,our one weapon lies in our prayerful efforts1 intelligently and persistently pursued1 to arouse by every means at our disposal the conscience of unheeding humanity1 and to direct the attention of men of vision and authority to these incredibly odious acts which in their ferocity and frequency cannot but constitute in the eyes of every fair-minded observer the gravest challenge to all that is sacred and precious in our present-day civilization4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,april #bg1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,may #bg1 #aibg4 ,to the members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada3 ,dearly-beloved co-workers3 ,your communications dated ,april #aeth and ,may #fth and #ith have been received1 with their enclosures1 and carefully perused4 ,declaration of ,trust and ,by-,laws ,the ,declaration of ,trust1 the provisions of which you have so splendidly conceived1 and formulated with such assiduous care1 marks yet another milestone on the road of progress along which you are patiently and determinedly advancing4 ,clear and concise in its wording1 sound in principle1 and complete in its affirmations of the fundamentals of ,bah' administration1 it stands in its final form as a worthy and faithful exposition of the constitutional basis of ,bah' communities in every land1 foreshadowing the final emergence of the world ,bah' ,commonwealth of the future4 ,this document1 when correlated and combined with the set of by-laws which ,i trust are soon forthcoming1 will serve as a pattern to every ,national ,bah' ,assembly1 be it in the ,east or in the ,west1 which aspires to conform1 pending the formation of the ,first ,universal ,house of ,justice1 with the spirit and letter of the world-order ushered in by ,bah'u'llh4 ,i eagerly await the receipt of the complete set of the contemplated by-laws1 the purpose of which should be to supplement the provisions1 clarify the purpose1 and explain more fully the working of the principle underlying the above-mentioned ,declaration4 ,i shall1 after having given it my close and personal consideration1 transmit it to you1 in order that you may submit it to the local ,spiritual ,assemblies1 who in turn will endeavor to secure its final ratification by the body of the recognized believers throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,i would urge you to insert the ,text of the ,declaration1 the complete set of the by-laws1 and the accompanying ,indenture of ,trust1 all combined1 in the next issue of the ,bah' ,year ,book1 that sympathizers and believers alike in every land may obtain a clear and correct vision of the preliminary framework of that complete system of world administration implicit in the ,teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,spirit and ,method of ,bah' ,elections ,in connection with the best and most practical methods of procedure to be adopted for the election of ,bah' ,spiritual ,assemblies1 ,i feel that in view of the fact that definite and detailed regulations defining the manner and character of ,bah' elections have neither been expressly revealed by ,bah'u'llh nor laid down in the ,will and ,testament of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 it devolves upon the members of the ,universal ,house of ,justice to formulate and apply such system of laws as would be in conformity with the essentials and requisites expressly provided by the ,author and ,interpreter of the ,faith for the conduct of ,bah' administration4 ,i have consequently refrained from establishing a settled and uniform procedure for the election of the ,assemblies of the ,east and the ,west1 leaving them free to pursue their own methods of procedure which in most cases had been instituted and practiced during the last two decades of the life of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,the general practice prevailing throughout the ,east is the one based upon the principle of plurality rather than absolute majority1 whereby those candidates that have obtained the highest number of votes1 irrespective of the fact whether they command an absolute majority of the votes cast or not1 are automatically and definitely elected4 ,it has been felt1 with no little justification1 that this method1 admittedly disadvantageous in its disregard of the principle that requires that each elected member must secure a majority of the votes cast1 does away on the other hand with the more serious disadvantage of restricting the freedom of the elector who1 unhampered and unconstrained by electoral necessities1 is called upon to vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold4 ,moreover1 the practice of nomination1 so detrimental to the atmosphere of a silent and prayerful election1 is viewed with mistrust inasmuch as it gives the right to the majority of a body that1 in itself under the present circumstances1 often constitutes a minority of all the elected delegates1 to deny that ,god-given right of every elector to vote only in favor of those who he is conscientiously convinced are the most worthy candidates4 ,should this simple system be provisionally adopted1 it would safeguard the spiritual principle of the unfettered freedom of the voter1 who will thus preserve intact the sanctity of the choice he first made4 ,it would avoid the inconvenience of securing advance nominations from absent delegates1 and the impracticality of associating them with the assembled electors in the subsequent ballots that are often required to meet the exigencies of majority vote4 ,i would recommend these observations to your earnest consideration1 and whatever decision you arrive at1 all local ,assemblies and individual believers1 ,i am certain1 will uphold1 for their spiritual obligation and privilege is not only to consult freely and frequently with the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 but to uphold as well with confidence and cheerfulness whatever is the considered verdict of their national representatives4 ,wishing you success from all my heart1 ,i am1 your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,may #bg1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,october #ag1 #aibg4 ,to the ,honored ,members of the ,bah' ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies throughout the ,west4 ,my dear fellow-workers3 ,with feelings of burning indignation ,i find myself impelled to acquaint you with various events that have recently transpired in ,persia4 ,though in their immediate effect these happenings may prove gravely disquieting to the followers of the ,faith in ,persia and elsewhere1 yet they cannot but eventually contribute to the strengthening and purification of the ,cause we steadfastly love and serve4 ,i refer to the treacherous conduct of a professed adherent of the teaching of ,bah'u'llh1 by the name of #8,abdu'l-usayn ,avarih1 hitherto regarded as a respected teacher of the ,cause1 and not unknown by a few of its followers in ,europe4 ,of a nature and character whom those who have learned to know him well have never ceased to despise1 even in the brightest days of his public career in the ,cause1 he has of late been driven by the force of circumstances which his shortsightedness has gravely miscalculated to throw off the mask which for so many years hid his hideous self4 ,the sudden removal of the commanding personality of our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah2 the confused consternation that seized ,his followers in the years immediately succeeding ,his passing2 the reputation which to superficial eyes he had acquired by his travels in ,europe2 the success attending his voluminous compilation of the history of the ,cause--these and other circumstances emboldened him to launch a campaign of insinuation and fraud aiming at the eventual overthrow of the institutions expressly provided by ,bah'u'llh4 ,he saw clearly his chance in the complete disruption of the ,cause to capture the allegiance if not of the whole world-wide ,bah' community of at least a considerable section of its followers in the ,east4 ,no sooner had his evil whisperings reached the ears of the loyal and vigilant followers of ,bah'u'llh1 than they arose with overwhelming force and unhesitating determination to denounce him as a dangerous enemy seeking to undermine the faith and sap the loyalty of the adherents of the ,cause of ,god4 ,shunned by the entire body of the believers1 abandoned by his life-long and most intimate friends1 deserted by his wife1 separated from his only child1 refused admittance into even his own home1 denied of the profit he hoped to derive from the sale and circulation of his book1 he found to his utter amazement and remorse his best hopes irretrievably shattered4 ,forsaken and bankrupt1 and in desperate rage1 he now with startling audacity sought to expose to friend and foe1 the futility and hollowness which he attributed to the ,cause1 thereby revealing the depths of his own degradation and folly4 ,he has with bitter hatred conspired with the fanatical clergy and the orthodox members of foreign ,missions in ihrn1 allied himself with every hostile element in the ,capital1 directed with fiendish subtlety his appeal to the highest dignitaries of the ,state and sought by every method to secure financial assistance for the furtherance of his aim4 ,not content with an infamous denunciation of the originality and efficacy of the teachings and principles of the ,cause1 not satisfied with a rejection of the authenticity of the ,will and ,testament of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 he has dared to attack the exalted person of the ,author and ,founder of the ,faith1 and to impute to its ,forerunner and true ,exemplar the vilest motives and most incredible intentions4 ,he has most malignantly striven to revive the not unfamiliar accusation of representing the true lovers of ,persia as the sworn enemies of every form of established authority in that land1 the unrelenting disturbers of its peace1 the chief obstacles to its unity and the determined wreckers of the venerated faith of ,islm4 ,by every artifice which a sordid and treacherous mind can devise he has sought in the pages of his book to strike terror in the heart of the confident believer1 to sow the seeds of doubt in the mind of the well-disposed and friendly1 to poison the thoughts of the indifferent and to reinforce the power of the assaulting weapon of the adversary4 ,but1 alas6 he has labored in vain1 oblivious of the fact that all the pomp and powers of royalty1 all the concerted efforts of the mightiest potentates of ,islm1 all the ingenious devices to which the cruelest torture-mongers of a cruel race have for well-nigh a century resorted1 have proved one and all impotent to stem the tide of the beloved ,faith or to extinguish its flame4 ,surely1 if we read the history of this ,cause aright1 we cannot fail to observe that the ,east has already witnessed not a few of its sons1 of wider experience1 of a higher standing1 of a greater influence1 apostatize their faith1 find themselves to their utter consternation lose whatsoever talent they possessed1 recede swiftly into the shadows of oblivion and be heard of no more4 ,should ever his book secure widespread circulation in the ,west1 should it ever confuse the mind of the misinformed and stranger1 ,i have no doubt that the various ,bah' ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies1 throughout the ,western world1 will with the wholehearted and sustained support of local ,assemblies and individual believers arise with heart and soul for the defence of the impregnable stronghold of the ,cause of ,god1 for the vindication of the sacredness and sublimity of the ,bah' ,teachings1 and for the condemnation1 in the eyes of those who are in authority1 of one who has so basely dared to assail1 not only the tenets1 but the holy person of the recognized ,founder of an established and world-wide ,faith4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine2 ,october #ag1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,october #ah1 #aibg4 ,to the ,members of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,dearly-beloved co-workers3 ,i have already expressed indirectly my views with regard to various secondary issues raised in your latest communications to me dated ,may #bc1 ,june #aj1 #ba1 ,july #aa1 #ad1 #ae and #be1 ,august #g and ,september #bh2 and ,i wish in this letter to deal more particularly with such matters of primary importance as affect the conduct and the growth of ,bah' administration4 ,the perusal of these communications replete with the news of steadily multiplying activities and newly conceived plans1 all of which ,i as heretofore appreciate and welcome1 has made me feel however that the time seems now opportune to utter a word of caution and warning to those who with unceasing zest labor to give befitting embodiment to those latent energies released by the ,message of ,bah'u'llh4 ,concentration of ,resources ,much as ,i rejoice in witnessing the abundant signs of unfaltering energy that characterize in various fields and distant lands the mission of the valiant warriors of the ,cause1 ,i cannot help observing that1 driven by their impetuous eagerness to establish the undisputed reign of ,bah'u'llh on this earth1 they may by an undue multiplication of their activities1 and the consequent dissipation of their forces1 defeat the very purpose which animates them in the pursuit of their glorious task4 ,particularly do ,i feel that this necessity for a careful estimation of the present resources at our disposal and of cautious restraint in handling them applies in a peculiar manner to the swiftly expanding activities of the ,american believers1 whose mission increasingly appears to be to give the lead and set the example to their brethren across the seas in laying a secure foundation for the permanent institutions of the ,bah' ,faith4 ,that ,i feel is chiefly the reason why such stress has been laid in the past upon the necessity for consultation on the part of individual believers with their elected national representatives in the matter of initiating plans of action above and beyond the plans which the deliberations of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly have already evolved4 ,in the matter of affiliation with bodies and organizations that advocate ideals and principles that are in sympathy with the ,bah' ,revelation2 in establishing magazines beyond those that already are designed to advance openly and indirectly the interests of the ,bah' ,teachings2 in the financial support we may sooner or later be called upon to extend to philanthropic institutions and the like2 in advancing the cause of any particular activity to which we may feel sentimentally inclined2--these1 as well as all similar undertakings1 we should only approach after having definitely ascertained1 through careful deliberation with those who are in a responsible position1 that the institutions representing the paramount interests of the ,cause are already assured of adequate and continuous assistance4 ,nothing short of the spirit of earnest and sustained consultation with those whom we have prayerfully and of our own accord placed in the forefront of those who are the custodians of the priceless heritage bequeathed by ,bah'u'llh2 nothing less than persistent and strenuous warfare against our own instincts and natural inclinations1 and heroic self-sacrifice in subordinating our own likings to the imperative requirements of the ,cause of ,god1 can insure our undivided loyalty to so sacred a principle--a principle that will for all time safeguard our beloved ,cause from the allurements and the trivialities of the world without1 and of the pitfalls of the self within4 ,i entreat you1 well-beloved brethren1 to resolve as you never have resolved before to pledge undying loyalty and sleepless vigilance in upholding so essential a principle in the course of your manifold activities1 that yours may be the abiding satisfaction of having done nothing that may tend in the least to impede the flow or obscure the radiance of the rejuvenating spirit of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,relations of ,committees to ,assembly ,touching the recent decision of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly to place as much as possible of the current details of the work in the hands of its national committees1 ,i feel ,i should point out that this raises a fundamental issue of paramount importance1 as it involves a unique principle in the administration of the ,cause1 governing the relations that should be maintained between the central administrative body and its assisting organs of executive and legislative action4 ,as it has been observed already1 the role of these committees set up by the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 the renewal1 the membership and functions of which should be reconsidered separately each year by the incoming ,national ,assembly1 is chiefly to make thorough and expert study of the issue entrusted to their charge1 advise by their reports1 and assist in the execution of the decisions which in vital matters are to be exclusively and directly rendered by the ,national ,assembly4 ,the utmost vigilance1 the most strenuous exertion is required by them if they wish to fulfill as befits their high and responsible calling1 the functions which it is theirs to discharge4 ,they should1 within the limits imposed upon them by present-day circumstances1 endeavor to maintain the balance in such a manner that the evils of over-centralization which clog1 confuse and in the long run depreciate the value of the ,bah' services rendered shall on one hand be entirely avoided1 and on the other the perils of utter decentralization with the consequent lapse of governing authority from the hands of the national representatives of the believers definitely averted4 ,the absorption of the petty details of ,bah' administration by the personnel of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly is manifestly injurious to efficiency and an expert discharge of ,bah' duties1 whilst the granting of undue discretion to bodies that should be regarded in no other light than that of expert advisers and executive assistants would jeopardize the very vital and pervading powers that are the sacred prerogatives of bodies that in time will evolve into ,bah' ,national ,houses of ,justice4 ,i am fully aware of the strain and sacrifice which a loyal adherence to such an essential principle of ,bah' administration--a principle that will at once ennoble and distinguish the ,bah' method of administration from the prevailing systems of the world--demands from the national representatives of the believers at this early stage of our evolution4 ,yet ,i feel ,i cannot refrain from stressing the broad lines along which the affairs of the ,cause should be increasingly conducted1 the knowledge of which is so essential at this formative period of ,bah' administrative institutions4 ,by-,laws of ,national ,assembly ,as already intimated1 ,i have read and re-read most carefully the final draft of the ,by-,laws drawn up by that highly-talented1 much-loved servant of ,bah'u'llh1 ,mountfort ,mills1 and feel ,i have nothing substantial to add to this first and very creditable attempt at codifying the principles of general ,bah' administration4 ,i heartily and unhesitatingly commend it to the earnest perusal of1 and its loyal adoption by1 every ,national ,bah' ,spiritual ,assembly1 whether constituted in the ,east or in the ,west4 ,i would ask you particularly to send copies of the text of this document of fundamental importance accompanied by copies of the ,declaration of ,trust and the text of the ,indenture of ,trust1 to every existing ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 with my insistent request to study the provisions1 comprehend its implications1 and endeavor to incorporate it1 to the extent that their own circumstances permit1 within the framework of their own national activities4 ,you can but faintly imagine how comforting a stimulant and how helpful a guide its publication and circulation will be to those patient and toiling workers in ,eastern lands1 and particularly ,persia1 who in the midst of uncertainties and almost insuperable obstacles are straining every nerve in order to establish the world order ushered in by ,bah'u'llh4 ,you can hardly realize how substantially it will contribute to pave the way for the elaboration of the beginnings of the constitution of the worldwide ,bah' ,community that will form the permanent basis upon which the blest and sanctified edifice of the first ,international ,house of ,justice will securely rest and flourish4 ,i would specifically remind you that in the text of the said ,by-,laws which to the outside world represents the expression of the aspirations1 the motives and objects that animate the collective responsibilities of ,bah' ,fellowship1 due emphasis should not be placed only on the concentrated authority1 the rights1 the privileges and prerogatives enjoyed by the elected national representatives of the believers1 but that special stress be laid also on their responsibilities as willing ministers1 faithful stewards and loyal trustees to those who have chosen them4 ,let it be made clear to every inquiring reader that among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate1 direct and coordinate the affairs of the ,cause1 are those that require them to win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their privilege to serve4 ,theirs is the duty to investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views1 the prevailing sentiments1 the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote4 ,theirs is the duty to purge once for all their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs from that air of self-contained aloofness1 from the suspicion of secrecy1 the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness1 in short1 from every word and deed that might savor of partiality1 self-centeredness and prejudice4 ,theirs is the duty1 while retaining the sacred and exclusive right of final decision in their hands1 to invite discussion1 provide information1 ventilate grievances1 welcome advice from even the most humble and insignificant members of the ,bah' family1 expose their motives1 set forth their plans1 justify their actions1 revise if necessary their verdict1 foster the spirit of individual initiative and enterprise1 and fortify the sense of interdependence and co-partnership1 of understanding and mutual confidence between them on one hand and all local ,assemblies and individual believers on the other4 ,first ,national ,convention of ,persian ,bah's ,as to the state of affairs in ,persia1 where the circumstances related in a previous circular letter have had their share in intensifying the chronic state of instability and insecurity that prevail1 grave concern has been felt lest the support1 both moral and financial1 anticipated from the bigoted elements of foreign ,missions in the ,capital should lead to an extension of its circulation in the ,west1 and thus inflict1 however slight1 a damage on the prestige and fair name of our beloved ,cause4 ,these internal agitations1 however1 coinciding as they have done with outbursts of sectarian fanaticism from without1 accompanied by isolated cases of fresh persecution in ,kirmn and elsewhere1 have failed to exasperate and exhaust the heroic patience of the steadfast lovers of the ,cause4 ,they have even failed to becloud the serenity of their faith in the inevitable approach of the breaking of a brighter dawn for their afflicted country4 ,undeterred and undismayed1 they have replied to the defiance of the traitor within1 and the assaults of the enemy without by a striking re-affirmation of their unbroken solidarity and inflexible resolve to build with infinite patience and toil on the sure foundations laid for them by ,bah'u'llh4 ,with their traditional fidelity and characteristic vigor1 notwithstanding the unimaginable hindrances they have to face1 they have convened their first historic representative conference of various delegates from the nine leading provinces of ,persia1 have evolved plans for holding every year as fully representative a convention of ,bah' delegates in ,persia as circumstances permit1 and modelled after the method pursued by their brethren in the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,they have reconstituted and defined the limits of the hitherto confused ,bah' administrative divisions throughout the length and breadth of their land4 ,they have adopted various resolutions of vital importance1 the chief ones among them aiming at the reorganization of the institution of the ,national ,fund1 the consolidation and extension of their national campaign of ,teaching1 the strengthening of the bonds that unite them with the local and national ,assemblies at home and abroad1 the establishment of ,bah' primary educational institutions in towns and villages1 the raising of the social and educational standards of women1 irrespective of sect and caste1 and the reinforcement of those forces that tend to raise the moral1 cultural and material standard of their fellow-countrymen4 ,surely1 to an unbiased observer of the present state of affairs in ,persia1 these resolutions1 backed by the creative energy inherent in the power of the ,word of ,god1 mark not only a milestone on the road of the progress of the ,persian believers1 but constitute as well a notable landmark in the checkered history of their own country4 ,the warm hospitality accorded by the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly and the ,american believers to my dear cousin and collaborator1 ,ruhi ,effendi1 has deeply touched me1 particularly as ,i realize from the appreciative reports ,i have recently received that by his radiant and earnest spirit of service he has deserved well of his dear fellow-workers in that continent1 and contributed substantially to their better appreciation of the ,teachings of the ,cause4 ,much as ,i desire him to work by my side here in the ,holy ,land1 ,i very gladly concur with your wish to further extend his sojourn with you1 trusting that he will prove of great assistance to you all in the discharge of your noble task4 ,the ,trend of ,world ,events ,and now in conclusion1 may ,i be permitted to direct your attention to the lesson which the trend of world events brings home to us1 the little band of ,his chosen workers who1 according to the intelligent efforts we exert1 can prove ourselves the determining factor in the immediate fortunes of the society we live in8 ,as we witness on all sides the growing restlessness of a restless age1 we are filled with mixed feelings of fear and hope--fear1 at the prospect of yet another deadly encounter1 the inevitability of which is alas6 becoming increasingly manifest2 hope1 in the serene assurance that whatever cataclysm may yet visit humanity1 it cannot but hasten the approaching era of universal and lasting peace so emphatically proclaimed by the ,pen of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in the political domain1 where we have lately witnessed1 in the council of the leading nations of the world1 the surrender of humanity's noblest conception to what may be regarded only as a transient phase in the life of peoples and nations2 in the industrial world1 where the representatives of the wage-earning classes1 either through violence or persuasion1 are capturing the seats of authority and wielding the scepter of power3 in the field of religion1 where we have lately witnessed widespread and organized attempts to broaden and simplify the basis of man's faith1 to achieve unity in ,christendom and restore the regenerating vigor of ,islm2 in the heart of society itself1 where the ominous signs of increasing extravagance and profligacy are but lending fresh impetus to the forces of revolt and reaction that are growing more distinct every day--in these as in many others we have much cause for alarm1 but much to be hopeful and thankful for also4 ,to take but one instance more fully3 ,observe the fierce and as yet unsilenced dispute which the proposal for the introduction of a binding and universal pact of non-aggression among the nations of ,europe has aroused among the avowed supporters of the ,league of ,nations--a ,league so auspiciously welcomed for the ideal that prompted its birth1 yet now so utterly inadequate in the actual principles that underlie its present-day structure and working4 ,and yet1 in the great outcry raised by post-war nationalism in blindly defending and upholding the unfettered supremacy of its own sovereignty1 and in repudiating unreservedly the conception of a world super-state1 can we not discern the re-enactment only on a larger scale of the dramatic struggles that heralded the birth of the reconstructed and unified nations of the ,west8 ,has not authentic history clearly revealed in the case of these nations the painful yet inevitable merging of rival1 particularistic and independent cities and principalities into one unified national entity1 the evolving of a crude and narrow creed into a nobler and wider conception8 ,is not a parallel struggle being now manifested on the world stage of ever-advancing humanity8 ,can it lead to any other result than that which shall reaffirm the truth of humanity's onward march towards an ever-widening conception1 and the ever-brightening glory of its destiny8 ,reverses and setbacks1 such as we have already witnessed1 no doubt will retard the ripening of the choicest fruit on the tree of human development4 ,yet the fierceness of controversy1 the weight of argument advanced in its disfavor1 cannot but contribute to the broadening of the basis and the consolidation of the foundations upon which the stately edifice of unified mankind must ultimately rest4 ,let us take heart therefore1 and labor with renewed vigor and deepened understanding to contribute our share to those forces which1 whether or not cognizant of the regenerating ,faith of ,bah'u'llh in this age1 are operating1 each in its respective sphere and under ,his all-encompassing guidance1 for the uplift and the salvation of humanity4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,october #ah1 #aibg4 ,letter of ,december #f1 #aibh4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,events1 of a startling character and of the utmost significance to the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 have recently transpired throughout the ,near and ,middle ,east in such rapid succession1 that ,i feel moved to write about them to those who1 in distant lands and with eager hearts1 are waiting to witness the fulfillment of the prophecies of ,bah'u'llh4 ,you will1 ,i am certain1 rejoice with me to learn that the quickening forces of internal reform are swiftly awakening from their age-long slumber of negligence those lands which1 trodden by the feet of ,bah'u'llh and wherein are enshrined the memorable scenes of ,his birth1 ,his ministry1 ,his exiles1 ,his banishments1 ,his suffering and ,his ascension1 are destined in the fulness of time to play a pre-eminent role in the regeneration of the ,east--nay of all mankind4 ,the ,promises of ,our ,departed ,master ,from ,persia1 the cradle of our ,faith and the object of our tenderest affections1 there breaks upon us the news of the first stirrings of that social and political ,reformation which1 as we firmly believe1 is but the direct and unavoidable consequence of that great spiritual ,revival ushered in by the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,these social and political forces now released by the ,source of such a tremendous ,revival are bound in their turn to demolish one by one the barriers that have so long impeded its flow1 sapped its vitality and obscured its radiance4 ,from a communication addressed to me recently by the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of ,persia1 as well as from reliable reports submitted by the local representatives of the ,persian believers1 and confirmed by the vivid narrative of visiting pilgrims1 it is becoming increasingly manifest that the glowing promises so many times uttered by our departed ,master are1 with extraordinary exactitude and remarkable swiftness1 being successively fulfilled4 ,reforms of a revolutionary character are1 without bloodshed and with negligible resistance1 gradually transforming the very basis and structure of ,persia's primitive society4 ,the essentials of public security and order are being energetically provided throughout the length and breadth of the ,shh's domain1 and are hailed with particular gratification by that much harassed section of the population--our long-suffering brethren of that land4 ,the rapidity1 the incredible ease1 with which the enlightened proposals of its government1 in matters of education1 trade and finance1 means of transportation and travel1 and the development of the country's internal resources1 are receiving the unqualified sanction of a hitherto reactionary ,legislature1 and are overcoming the resistance and apathy of the masses1 have undoubtedly tended to hasten the emancipation of our ,persian brethren from the remaining fetters of a once despotic and blood-stained regime4 ,the severely repressive and humiliating measures undertaken on the initiative of progressive provincial ,governors1 and with the connivance of ,state officials in the ,capital1 aiming at the scattering and ultimate extinction of a rapidly waning clergy1 such as degradation1 detainment1 deportation and in some cases pitiless execution1 are paving the way for the entire removal of the shackles imposed by an ignorant and fanatical priesthood upon the administration of ,state affairs4 ,in matters of dress2 in the obligatory enforcement of a uniform style of national head-gear2 in the strict limitation of the number1 the rights and the prerogatives of high ecclesiastical officials2 in the growing unpopularity of the veil among almost every section of society2 in the marked distinction which unofficially and in various phases of public life is being made by an enlightened and pressing minority between the tottering forms of a discredited ,ecclesiasticism and the civil rights and duties of civilized society2 in the general laxity in religious observances and ceremonies2 in the slow and hidden process of secularization invading many a government department under the courageous guidance of the ,governors of outlying provinces--in all of these a discerning eye can easily discover the symptoms that augur well for a future that is sure to witness the formal and complete separation of ,church and ,state4 ,regeneration of ,persia ,to this uplifting movement1 various external factors are being added that are tending to hasten and stimulate this process of internal regeneration so significant in the life of renascent ,persia4 ,the multiplicity and increasing facilities in the means of transportation and travel2 the ,state visit of energetic and enlightened reformers to ,persia's capital2 the forthcoming and widely-advertised journey of the ,shh himself to the progressive capitals of ,western ,europe2 the repercussion of ,turkey's astounding reforms among an essentially sensitive and receptive people2 the loud and persistent clamor of a revolting order in ,russia against the evil domination and dark plottings of all forms of religious sectarianism2 the relentless vigor with which ,afghanistan's ambitious ,ruler1 reinforced by the example of his gracious ,consort1 is pursuing his campaign of repression against a similar order of a corrupted clergy at home--all tend to lend their force in fostering and fashioning that public opinion which can alone provide an enduring basis for the reform ,movement destined to usher in that golden ,era craved for by the followers of the ,faith in ,bah'u'llh's native land4 ,as a direct consequence of the birth of this new consciousness in the life of the nation1 as evidenced by these early stirrings in the minds of the people1 both high and low1 meetings of an elaborate character1 unprecedented in the number of their attendants1 in the tone of the public addresses1 in the undisturbed atmosphere of their proceedings1 and the general impressiveness of their organization1 have been publicly held in ihrn1 under the auspices of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of ,persia4 ,particularly significant and impressive were those that were held in the ,hazratu'l-,quds1 the administrative and spiritual center of the ,faith in the ,capital1 on the occasion of the twin ,festivals commemorating the declaration of the ,bb and the birth of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 at the chief of which no less than two thousand representative ,bah's and non-,bah's1 leaders of public opinion1 ,state officials and foreign representatives were officially invited4 ,the addresses stressing the universality of the ,teachings of the ,cause1 the formal and ordered character of the proceedings so unusual a feature to a gathering of such proportions1 the mingling of the ,bah's with the recognized representatives of progressive thought in the ,capital who1 by virtue of their high office and stately appearance1 lent color and weight to the concourse of attending believers1 have all contributed to enhance the brilliance and spiritual significance of that gathering on that memorable occasion4 ,moreover1 reports of a highly encouraging nature1 are being continually received from local ,assemblies and individual believers1 giving the names and stating the number of influential ,persians who1 hitherto reluctant to declare openly their faith in ,bah'u'llh1 are as a result of this reassuring and promising state of affairs emerging from the obscurity of their concealment and enlisting under the erected banner of ,bah'u'llh4 ,this has served to embolden the followers of the ,faith to take the necessary steps1 under the direction of their local ,assemblies1 for the institution of ,bah' schools1 for the holding of public gatherings1 for the establishment of ,bah' hostels1 libraries and public baths1 for the construction of official headquarters for their administrative work1 and for the gradual execution among themselves1 within the limits imposed upon them by the ,state1 of the laws and ordinances revealed in the ,kitb-i-,aqdas4 ,words fail me to describe the feelings of those patiently suffering brethren of ours in that land who1 with eyes dim with tears and hearts overflowing with thanksgiving and praise1 are witnessing on every side and with increasing force the unfoldment of a ,faith which they have served so well and love so dearly4 ,accounts pathetic and inspiring in their tone are being received from that steadfast and cheerful band of exultant believers1 and are being shared with the resident friends in the ,holy ,land who1 having had the privilege of close and continued association with the person of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 cannot but marvel at the range1 the potency and accuracy of the prophecies of their departed ,master4 ,bah' ,faith ,vindicated in ,turkey ,from ,turkey1 on whose soil1 for well nigh three score years and ten1 were enacted some of the sublimest and most tragic scenes in the annals of the ,cause2 ,turkey1 under whose rule ,bah'u'llh twice proclaimed ,himself1 was thrice exiled and banished1 and finally ascended to the ,abh ,kingdom1 and where #8,abdu'l-,bah spent more than fifty years of ,his ,life1 in incarceration and suffering2 has of late been rudely awakened to a ,call which it has so long obstinately despised and ignored4 ,following on the overthrow of that effete theocracy1 resting on the twin institutions of the ,caliphate and ,sultanate--those two sinister forces that have combined to inflict the deadliest blows to our beloved ,faith in the earliest stages of its infancy and growth--an uncompromising policy aiming at the secularization of the ,state and the disestablishment of ,islm was initiated and carried out with exemplary vigor4 ,religious institutions and monastic orders which under the guise of religious propaganda were converted into hot-beds of political intrigue and sedition were peremptorily closed1 their adherents scattered and banished1 their funds confiscated1 their privileges and prerogatives abolished4 ,none1 save the little band of ,bah'u'llh's devoted followers1 escaped the trenchant ax of the pitiless reformer2 all1 without fear or favor1 had to submit to his searching investigations1 his dictatorial edicts1 his severe and irrevocable judgment4 ,lately1 however1 the ,turkish ,government1 faithful to its policy of ceaseless vigilance1 and fearful of the growing activities of the ,bah's under its rule1 decided to order the ,police in the town of ,smyrna to conduct a close investigation into the purpose1 the character and the effects of ,bah' activity in that town4 ,no sooner were the representative ,bah's in that locality arrested and conducted to the ,law ,courts for purposes of investigation1 than the ,president of the ,bah' ,spiritual ,assembly of ,constantinople who1 having read in the morning papers the report of the ,smyrna incident1 had resolved unsummoned to offer the necessary explanations to the authorities concerned1 was in his turn arrested and taken to the ,police ,headquarters where he soon afterwards was joined by the other members of the ,assembly4 ,the official searching of their homes1 the seizure of whatever ,bah' literature they had in their possession1 their twenty-four hours detention at the ,police station1 the searching severity of the cross-examination to which they were subjected--all proved powerless to alarm and shake the faith of those intrepid champions of the ,cause1 or to evince anything detrimental to the best interests of the ,state4 ,on the contrary1 they served to deeply impress upon the minds and hearts of the officials concerned the sublimity1 the innocence1 and the dynamic force of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,so much so that their books were returned1 a genuine desire to deepen their knowledge of the ,cause was expressed by their examiners1 and widespread publicity1 as reflected in the articles of about a dozen leading newspapers of ,turkey1 was accorded by the ,government1 proclaiming the innocence of the ,cause and lifting up the ban that now so oppressively weighs upon religious institutions in ,turkey4 ,from ,constantinople in ,european ,turkey to the eastern confines of ,anatolia1 on the banks of the river ,euphrates1 where a small and flourishing ,bah' ,community has been recently established1 a wave of public interest1 criticism and inquiry has been sweeping over the surface of the land1 as witnessed by the character and number of the leading articles1 the illustrations and caricatures that have appeared in the most prominent newspapers of the capital and the provincial towns of ,asiatic ,turkey4 ,not only ,turkey1 but its neighboring countries of the ,east and the ,west1 have lifted up their voice in the vindication of the ,bah' truth4 ,from information thus far gathered we learn that in ,hungary1 in #8,irq1 ,egypt and ,syria1 and as far west as ,france and ,england1 newspapers have1 of their own accord1 with varying degree of accuracy1 and in more or less detail1 reported this incident in their columns1 and have given1 unasked and unaware1 such publicity to our beloved ,faith which no campaign of teaching1 however elaborately organized by the believers themselves1 could ever hope to achieve at the present time4 ,surely the invincible arm of ,bah'u'llh1 working through strange and mysterious ways1 will continue to guard and uphold1 to steer the course1 to consolidate1 and eventually to achieve the world-wide recognition and triumph of ,his holy ,faith4 ,our ,most ,vital ,opportunity ,and while the ,east1 through suffering and turmoil1 is moving on in its slow and toilsome march towards the acceptance of ,god's holy ,faith1 let us turn for a moment our gaze to the ,western ,hemisphere1 and particularly to the ,american continent1 and attempt to visualize the possibilities of the future spread of the ,cause1 and to estimate afresh those golden yet swiftly passing opportunities which ,bah'u'llh in those far-away lands has accorded to ,his chosen people4 ,i feel thoroughly convinced1 and am moved to share this firm conviction within me with that great company of western believers1 that in the speedy resumption of the sorely-neglected construction of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr at ,wilmette lies our undoubted privilege1 our primary obligation1 our most vital opportunity to lend an unprecedented impetus to the advancement of the ,cause1 not only throughout the ,west but in every country of the world4 ,i would not stress at this moment the prestige and good name of the ,cause1 much as they are involved in this most pressing issue1 ,i would not dwell upon the eager expectancy with which the unnumbered followers of the ,faith as well as the vast number of the non-believers in almost every section of society throughout the ,east are awaiting to behold that noble structure rear its head in the heart of that far-western continent2 nor would ,i expatiate on the ineffable beauty of this holy ,edifice1 its towering glory1 its artistic design1 its unique character1 or its functions in the organic life of the ,bah' community of the future4 ,but ,i would with all the strength of my conviction emphasize the immeasurable spiritual significance of an ,edifice1 so beauteous1 so holy1 erected solely by the concerted efforts1 strained to the utmost degree of self-sacrifice1 of the entire body of the believers who are fully conscious of the significance of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in this vast endeavor1 unparalleled in modern times1 its world-wide range1 its spontaneity1 its heroic and holy character1 the ,american believers1 on the soil of whose country ,bah'u'llh's first universal ,house of ,worship is to be built1 must1 if they be faithful to their trust1 claim and fulfill a pre-eminent share in the collective contributions offered by the ,bah's of the world4 #8,abdu'l-,bah's ,cherished ,desire ,for this reason do ,i feel impelled to direct by incessant plea in particular to the followers of the ,faith in the ,united ,states and ,canada to arise and play their part1 while there is yet time1 and not to allow their earnest strivings to be swamped and superseded by the self-sacrificing heroism of the multitude of their brethren in ,persia4 ,again ,i feel the urge to remind you one and all of the necessity of keeping ever in mind this fundamental verity that the efficacy of the spiritual forces centering in1 and radiating from1 the first ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr in the ,west will in a great measure depend upon the extent to which we1 the pioneer workers in that land will1 with clear vision1 unquenchable faith1 and inflexible determination1 resolve to voluntarily abnegate temporal advantages in our support of so meritorious an endeavor4 ,the higher the degree of our renunciation and self-sacrifice1 the wider the range of the contributing believers1 the more apparent will become the vitalizing forces that are to emanate from this unique and sacred ,edifice2 and the greater1 in consequence1 the stimulating effect it will exert upon the propagation of the ,faith in the days to come4 ,not by the abundance of our donations1 not even by the spontaneity of our efforts1 but rather by the degree of self-abnegation which our contributions will entail1 can we effectively promote the speedy realization of #8,abdu'l-,bah's cherished desire4 ,how great our responsibility1 how immense our task1 how priceless the advantages that we can reap6 ,plan of ,unified ,action ,i cannot refrain1 however1 from giving expression to my gratification and appreciation of the substantial and continued support already accorded1 and in particular during the past year by the believers in the ,united ,states and ,canada1 under the wise and judicious direction of their elected national representatives1 to the ,plan of ,unified ,action1 whose declared purpose is to insure1 ere the present ,bah' year comes to a close1 the raising of the funds required for the building of the first ,unit of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,the vigilance and fidelity with which the ,national ,assembly of the ,united ,states and ,canada has observed its pledge in connection with the limitation of the current administrative expenses of the ,cause1 and the zeal and ready response manifested by local ,assemblies and individual believers to curtail their local and personal expenditures in order to concentrate on the ,temple ,fund1 are worthy of the highest praise1 and will deservedly attract the manifold blessings of a loving and bountiful ,master4 ,much indeed has been accomplished during this past year of concentrated and consecrated self-sacrifice for so glorious a purpose4 ,much more still remains unachieved if we are to vindicate1 in the eyes of an expectant world1 the honorable name1 the inexhaustible and miraculous vitality of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in the mid-watches of the night1 commemorating the passing of ,him ,who with ,his own hands laid the head-cornerstone of ,his ,father's ,house of ,worship in that land1 seated within the hallowed precincts of ,his shrine1 and keeping vigil in the company of ,his closest companions1 ,i have more than once in the midst of my devotions prayerfully remembered those chosen ones of ,god on whose shoulders has fallen so weighty a responsibility1 whose destiny is to bring to full fruition so excellent a heritage4 ,i have recalled on that peaceful and moonlit night1 with much emotion and gratitude1 the inestimable bounties ,he lavished while on earth upon you4 ,i have revived in my memory the glowing promises that ,his unfailing guidance and gracious assistance would continue from ,his station on high to be showered upon you4 ,i have pictured in my mind that beauteous vision of a ,cause unfolded in all its glory which in ,his immortal writings ,he has revealed unto you4 ,and with my head upon ,his threshold1 ,i have prayed and prayed again that we may all prove ourselves worthy disciples of so gracious a ,master1 that we may1 when called unto ,him1 transmit1 undiminished and unimpaired1 our share of the immeasurably precious heritage bequeathed by ,him to us all4 ,and in closing1 dearly-beloved friends1 what more appropriate thought with which to conclude my fervent plea than these pregnant words fallen from the lips of ,bah'u'llh3 8,o ,my friends6 ,i bear witness that the ,divine ,bounty has been vouchsafed unto you1 ,his ,argument has been made manifest1 ,his ,proof has been revealed1 and ,his ,guidance has shone forth upon you4 ,let it now be seen what your endeavors in the path of renunciation can reveal40 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,december #f1 #aibh4 ,letter of ,december #f1 #aibh4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,east and ,west4 ,dear fellow-workers3 ,i desire to convey to you in a few words my impressions of the recently published 8,bah' ,world10 copies of which1 ,i understand1 have already1 thanks to the assiduous care and indefatigable efforts displayed by the ,publishing ,committee of the ,american ,national ,spiritual ,assembly1 been widely distributed among the ,bah' countries of ,east and ,west4 ,the ,bah' ,world ,this unique record of world-wide ,bah' activity attempts to present to the general public1 as well as to the student and scholar1 those historical facts and fundamental principles that constitute the distinguishing features of the ,message of ,bah'u'llh to this age4 ,i have ever since its inception taken a keen and sustained interest in its development1 have personally participated in the collection of its material1 the arrangement of its contents1 and the close scrutiny of whatever data it contains4 ,i confidently and emphatically recommend it to every thoughtful and eager follower of the ,faith1 whether in the ,east or in the ,west1 whose desire is to place in the hands of the critical and intelligent inquirer1 of whatever class1 creed or color1 a work that can truly witness to the high purpose1 the moving history1 the enduring achievements1 the resistless march and infinite prospects of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,eminently readable and attractive in its features1 reliable and authoritative in the material it contains1 up-to-date1 comprehensive and accurate in the mass of information it gives1 concise and persuasive in its treatment of the fundamental aspects of the ,cause1 thoroughly representative in the illustrations and photographs it reveals3--it stands unexcelled and unapproached by any publication of its kind in the varied literature of our beloved ,cause4 ,it will1 without the slightest doubt1 if generously and vigorously supported1 arouse unprecedented interest among all classes of civilized society4 ,i earnestly request you1 dearly-beloved friends1 to exert the utmost effort for the prompt and widespread circulation of a book that so faithfully and vividly portrays1 in all its essential features1 its far-reaching ramifications and most arresting aspects1 the all-encompassing ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,whatever assistance1 financial or moral1 extended by ,bah' ,spiritual ,assemblies and individual believers1 to those who have been responsible for such a highly valuable and representative production will1 it should be remembered1 be directly utilized to advance the interests and reinforce the funds that are being raised in behalf of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 and will indirectly serve to exert a most powerful stimulus in removing the malicious misrepresentations and unfortunate misunderstandings that have so long and so grievously clouded the luminous ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,december #f1 #aibh4 ,letter of ,december #ba1 #aibh4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah6 ,with feelings of profound sorrow ,i am moved to address you these few lines mourning the loss which the ,cause has undoubtedly sustained by the passing of one who1 for many years and in circumstances of exceptional significance1 rendered the sacred ,threshold distinctive and inestimable services4 ,the hand of ,divine ,decree has removed1 by the death of our talented and dearly-beloved friend1 ,mr4 ,hippolyte ,dreyfus-,barney1 yet another outstanding figure in the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh1 who1 by his brilliant gifts of mind and heart as well as by the divers achievements of his life1 has truly enriched the annals of ,god's immortal ,faith4 ,mr4 ,hippolyte ,dreyfus-,barney ,a pioneer of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh ever since its celestial light first warmed and illuminated the ,west1 he has1 by his close association with the person of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 by his contact with all sections of society1 by his scholarly presentation of the history and fundamentals of the ,faith1 and lastly by his unforgettable share in the settlement of the complex and pressing issues that called for expert assistance in the days following #8,abdu'l-,bah's passing1 achieved a standing which few have as yet attained4 ,the days of his spiritual communion with #8,abdu'l-,bah and ,his household within the walls of the prison-city of ,akk1 wherein he imbibed the principles which he later so ably expounded to the peoples of the ,west2 his pre-eminent role on his return to ,paris in kindling the torch which is destined to shed eternal illumination upon his native land and its people2 the links of abiding fellowship which he forged with our ,persian brethren in the course of the historic mission entrusted to his charge by our ,beloved2 the seeds which he scattered far and wide during his subsequent travels to the heart of ,asia1 throughout ,india1 beyond the remotest villages of ,burma and as far as the eastern confines of ,indo-,china2 the able support he lent in its initial and intermediary stages to the case of ,bah'u'llh's house in ,baghdd2 his unhesitating intervention with ,state officials in paving the way for the ultimate emancipation of our ,egyptian brethren from the yoke of orthodox ,islm2 the stimulating encouragement his visit caused to the ,bah' community of ,tunis on the northern shores of ,africa2 and last but not least the ability and diligence with which he applied himself to the solution of the delicate and vexing problems of the ,holy ,land in the critical years following #8,abdu'l-,bah's ascension--all stand out as memorable landmarks in a life that was as varied in its international aspects as it was rich in its spiritual experience4 ,his gifts of unfailing sympathy and penetrating insight1 his wide knowledge and mature experience1 all of which he utilized for the glory and propagation of the ,message of ,bah'u'llh1 will be gratefully remembered by future generations who1 as the days go by1 will better estimate the abiding value of the responsibilities he shouldered for the introduction and consolidation of the ,bah' ,faith in the ,western world4 ,suffering as he did in his last days from the effects of a slow and painful illness1 he bore heroically his share of the afflictions of the world1 and is now in the realms of blissful deliverance partaking his full share of the goodly reward which he certainly deserved4 ,to me1 and particularly amid the storm and stress that have agitated my life after #8,abdu'l-,bah's passing1 he was a sustaining and comforting companion1 a most valued counsellor1 an intimate and trusted friend4 ,with much emotion and the deepest sense of gratitude ,i supplicate at the holy ,threshold--and request you to join with me in my prayers--for the spiritual advancement in the realms above of a soul who by the sheer merit of the signal services he rendered already deserves to rank highly among the departed faithful4 ,may he forever rest in peace4 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,december #ba1 #aibh4 ,letter of ,january #a1 #aibi4 ,the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dearly-beloved co-workers3 ,whilst the ,bah's of ,persia1 constituting the overwhelming majority of the adherents of the ,bah' ,faith in eastern lands1 are tasting the first-fruits of their long-dreamed emancipation1 a not inconsiderable section of ,bah'u'llh's following in the ,east1 inhabiting the provinces of ,caucasus and ,turkistan1 are being subjected to trials and tribulations not very dissimilar1 though inferior in intensity1 to the afflictions borne so long and so heroically by their ,persian brethren4 ,in my last communication to you ,i have attempted to depict the nature and swiftness of those liberating forces which today are being released in ,persia by an enlightened regime determined to shake off with unconcealed contempt the odious fetters of a long standing tyranny4 ,and ,i feel that a description of the very perplexing situation with which our brethren in ,russia find themselves confronted at present will serve to complete the picture which responsible believers in the ,west must bear in mind of the critical and swiftly moving changes that are transforming the face of the ,east4 ,persecutions in ,russia ,ever since the counter-revolution that proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of ,czarist ,russia the dictatorship of the ,proletariat1 and the subsequent incorporation of the semi-independent territories of ,caucasus and ,turkistan within the orbit of ,soviet rule1 the varied and numerous ,bah' institutions established in the past by heroic pioneers of the ,faith have been brought into direct and sudden contact with the internal convulsions necessitated by the establishment and maintenance of an order so fundamentally at variance with ,russia's previous regime4 ,the avowed purpose and action of the responsible heads of the ,union of ,soviet ,socialist ,republics who1 within their recognized and legitimate rights1 have emphatically proclaimed and vigorously pursued their policy of uncompromising opposition to all forms of organized religious propaganda1 have by their very nature created for those whose primary obligation is to labor unremittingly for the spread of the ,bah' ,faith a state of affairs that is highly unfortunate and perplexing4 ,for ten years1 however1 ever since the promulgation of that policy1 by some miraculous interposition of ,providence1 the ,bah's of ,soviet ,russia have been spared the strict application to their institutions of the central principle that directs and animates the policy of the ,soviet state4 ,although subjected1 as all ,russian citizens have been1 even since the outbreak of the ,revolution1 to the unfortunate consequences of civil strife and external war1 and particularly to the internal commotions that must necessarily accompany far-reaching changes in the structure of society1 such as partial expropriation of private property1 excessive taxation and the curtailment of the right of personal initiative and enterprise2 yet in matters of worship and in the conduct of their administrative and purely non-political activities they have1 thanks to the benevolent attitude of their rulers1 enjoyed an almost unrestricted freedom in the exercise of their public duties4 ,lately1 however1 due to circumstances wholly beyond their control and without being in the least implicated in political or subversive activity1 our ,bah' brethren in those provinces have had to endure the rigid application of the principles already enunciated by the state authorities and universally enforced with regard to all other religious communities under their sway4 ,faithful to their policy of expropriating in the interests of the ,state all edifices and monuments of a religious character1 they have a few months ago approached the ,bah' representatives in ,turkistan1 and after protracted negotiations with them1 decided to claim and enforce their right of ownership and control of that most cherished and universally prized ,bah' possession1 the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr of ,ishqbd4 ,the insistent and repeated representations made by the ,bah's1 dutifully submitted and stressed by their local and national representatives1 and duly reinforced by the action of the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of ,persia1 emphasizing the international character and spiritual significance of the ,edifice and its close material as well as spiritual connection with the divers ,bah' communities throughout the ,east and ,west1 have alas6 proved of no avail4 ,the beloved ,temple which had been seized and expropriated and for three months closed under the seal of the ,municipal authorities was reopened and meetings were allowed to be conducted within its walls only after the acceptance and signature by the ,bah' ,spiritual ,assembly of ,ishqbd of an elaborate contract drawn by the ,soviet authorities and recognizing the right of undisputed ownership by the ,state of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr and its dependencies4 ,according to this contract1 the ,temple is rented by the ,state for a period of five years to the local ,bah' community of that town1 and in it are stipulated a number of obligations1 financial and otherwise1 expressly providing for fines and penalties in the event of the evasion or infringement of its provisions4 ,to these measures which the ,state1 in the free exercise of its legitimate rights1 has chosen to enforce1 and with which the ,bah's1 as befits their position as loyal and law-abiding citizens1 have complied1 others have followed which though of a different character are none the less grievously affecting our beloved ,cause4 ,in ,baku1 the seat of the ,soviet ,republic of ,caucasus1 as well as in ,ganjih and other neighboring towns1 state orders1 orally and in writing1 have been officially communicated to the ,bah' ,assemblies and individual believers1 suspending all meetings1 commemoration gatherings and festivals1 suppressing the committees of all ,bah' local and national ,spiritual ,assemblies1 prohibiting the raising of funds and the transmission of financial contributions to any center within or without ,soviet jurisdiction1 requiring the right of full and frequent inspection of the deliberations1 decisions1 plans and action of the ,bah' ,assemblies1 dissolving young men's clubs and children's organizations1 imposing a strict censorship on all correspondence to and from ,bah' ,assemblies1 directing a minute investigation of ,assemblies' papers and documents1 suspending all ,bah' periodicals1 bulletins and magazines1 and requiring the deportation of leading personalities in the ,cause whether as public teachers and speakers or officers of ,bah' ,assemblies4 ,guiding ,principle of ,conduct ,to all these the followers of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh have with feelings of burning agony and heroic fortitude unanimously and unreservedly submitted1 ever mindful of the guiding principles of ,bah' conduct that in connection with their administrative activities1 no matter how grievously interference with them might affect the course of the extension of the ,movement1 and the suspension of which does not constitute in itself a departure from the principle of loyalty to their ,faith1 the considered judgment and authoritative decrees issued by their responsible rulers must1 if they be faithful to ,bah'u'llh's and #8,abdu'l-,bah's express injunctions1 be thoroughly respected and loyally obeyed4 ,in matters1 however1 that vitally affect the integrity and honor of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 and are tantamount to a recantation of their faith and repudiation of their innermost belief1 they are convinced1 and are unhesitatingly prepared to vindicate by their life-blood the sincerity of their conviction1 that no power on earth1 neither the arts of the most insidious adversary nor the bloody weapons of the most tyrannical oppressor1 can ever succeed in extorting from them a word or deed that might tend to stifle the voice of their conscience or tarnish the purity of their faith4 ,clinging with immovable resolution to the inviolable verities of their cherished ,faith1 our sorely-tried brethren in ,caucasus and ,turkistan have none the less1 as befits law-abiding ,bah' citizens resolved1 after having exhausted every legitimate means for the alleviation of the restrictions imposed upon them1 to definitely uphold and conscientiously carry out the considered judgment of their recognized government4 ,they have with a hope that no earthly power can dim1 and a resignation that is truly sublime1 committed the interests of their ,cause to the keeping of that vigilant1 that all-powerful ,divine ,deliverer1 who1 they feel confident1 will in time lift the veil that now obscures the vision of their rulers1 and reveal the nobility of aim1 the innocence of purpose1 the rectitude of conduct1 and the humanitarian ideals that characterize the as yet small yet potentially powerful ,bah' communities in every land and under any government4 ,should the present restrictions increase in number and stringency1 should a situation arise that would so endanger the position of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr in ,ishqbd as to necessitate the intervention of the ,bah' world1 ,i will call upon the ,national and ,local ,bah' ,spiritual ,assemblies in the ,east and the ,west to arise with one accord and lend their moral support to those of their brethren whose particular mission and privilege is to keep watch over that consecrated ground on which already has been erected the central ,structure of ,bah'u'llh's ,first ,universal ,house of ,worship4 ,i will urge them to take whatever action is deemed advisable in order to demonstrate the solidarity of the followers of ,bah'u'llh1 to dispel whatever doubts and apprehensions may yet linger in the minds of the ,state officials in that land1 and to restore their suspected brethren to the esteem and confidence of their governors4 ,i will specially request them to proclaim in their written representations to the authorities concerned their absolute repudiation of whatever ulterior motive or political design may be imputed to them by their malignant adversaries1 and to reaffirm in unmistakable terms the purely humanitarian and spiritual nature of the work in which ,bah's in every land and of every race are unitedly engaged4 ,i will moreover ask them to assert the international character of the ,bah' ,edifice in ,ishqbd and to stress the close bonds of material interest and spiritual fellowship that bind ,bah' communities the world over to an ,edifice that can rightly claim the distinction of being ,bah'u'llh's ,first ,universal ,house of ,worship1 of being conceived in its design by #8,abdu'l-,bah ,himself1 constructed and completed in ,his days and under ,his direction1 and supported by the collective contributions of the believers throughout the world4 ,the hour for such a world-wide and concentrated appeal is not yet come1 but it behooves us1 while expectantly watching from a distance the moving spectacle of the struggling ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 to seek abiding solace and strength from the reflection that whatever befalls this ,cause1 however grievous and humiliating the visitations that from time to time may seem to afflict the organic life or interfere with the functions of the administrative machinery of the ,bah' ,faith1 such calamities cannot but each eventually prove to be a blessing in disguise designed1 by a ,wisdom inscrutable to us all1 to establish and consolidate the sovereignty of ,bah'u'llh on this earth4 ,bah'u'llh's ,house at ,baghdd ,what we have already witnessed in connection with the latest developments regarding the case of ,bah'u'llh's ,house in ,baghdd affords abundant evidence of the truth of the observation that has just been made4 ,in its initial stages appearing to the superficial observer as a petty dispute submitted to an obscure and antiquated ,shiite court1 the case has gradually evolved into a paramount issue engaging the attention of the highest tribunal of #8,irq4 ,in its latest stages1 it has gathered such strength1 secured such publicity1 and received such support from the chancelleries of ,europe1 as to become a subject fit for the consideration not only of the specific international ,commission ultimately responsible for the administration of ,mandated ,territories but of the leading ,signatories of the ,covenant of the ,league of ,nations that are represented in the ,council of the ,league itself4 ,few if any among those closely associated with the case did at first imagine or expect that dwellings which to outward seeming appeared only as a cluster of humble and decrepit buildings lost amid the obscure and tortuous lanes of old ,baghdd could ever obtain such prominence as to become the object of the deliberations of the highest international ,tribunal that the hand of man has thus far reared for the amicable settlement of his affairs4 ,whatever the decision of the world's highest ,tribunal regarding the petition submitted to it by the ,bah's of #8,irq--and none can deny that should its verdict be in our favor1 a triumph unparalleled in its magnitude will have been achieved for our beloved ,faith--the work already accomplished is in itself an abundant proof of the sustaining confirmations that are being showered upon the upholders of the case from the realm on high4 ,i cannot refrain from giving expression in this connection to my feelings of profound appreciation of the ceaseless vigilance and marked distinction with which our precious brother and fellow-worker1 ,mr4 ,mountfort ,mills1 has undertaken and is still shouldering this sacred and historic mission committed to his charge4 ,his unremitting labors1 despite ill-health and domestic anxieties and cares1 are worthy of the highest praise and will be gratefully recorded in the annals of an immortal ,cause4 ,surely1 if we read the history of this case aright1 we cannot but discern the direction which the forces1 released by these prophetic utterances of ,bah'u'llh sixty years ago1 are destined to take in the eventual solution of this mighty issue3-- 8,in truth ,i declare1 it shall be so abased in the days to come as to cause tears to flow from every discerning eye4444 ,and in the fullness of time shall the ,lord1 by the power of truth1 exalt it in the eyes of all the world1 cause it to become the mighty standard of ,his ,dominion1 the ,shrine round which shall circle the concourse of the faithful40 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,january #a1 #aibi4 ,letter of ,february #ab1 #aibi4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,fellow-laborers in the ,divine ,vineyard3 ,i feel impelled by the force of various circumstances to share with you the news of recent happenings in those countries of the ,near and ,middle ,east which1 by the ruling of ,providence1 are in these days undergoing a transformation which is as startling in its features as it is significant in its bearings upon the interests of our beloved ,faith4 ,i have already in my previous communication briefly referred to the nature and effects of that momentous ,revolution which has1 with surprising swiftness1 substituted a westernized and rejuvenated ,turkey for the primitive and decrepit ,ottoman ,empire4 ,i have also attempted to describe the first stages of that recent and moving episode which has served in a manner that is truly providential to thrust the ,bah' community in ,turkey out of the obscurity of oppressive neglect into the broad daylight of official and public attention4 ,recently1 however1 from the reports that have been received from the elected representatives of the believers in different parts of ,turkey1 it appears that the investigations conducted by the ,police authorities in the capital and provinces of that land have proved but a preliminary to a more official and detailed inquiry into the ,bah' position with respect to the laws recently promulgated by the ,republican government4 ,for no sooner were the followers of ,bah'u'llh released from detention at the ,police headquarters and given the assurance that their ,faith was in no way associated with any political design or motive1 than an official communication was delivered to their representatives summoning them to appear before the ,state's criminal ,tribunal on the charge of infraction of the law of the ,republic requiring the registration and authorization of all public gatherings and associations within the jurisdiction of the ,state4 ,to this summons our brethren yielded immediate and implicit obedience4 ,they indeed welcomed this further opportunity to assert not only the innocence of their ,faith but to vindicate as well the sublimity of the teachings of ,bah'u'llh4 ,realizing that with this fresh development their case has assumed a solemn and juridical character1 the undaunted champions of the ,cause resolved to seek the assistance of an expert and sympathetic advocate1 who would reinforce from a purely legal standpoint the spiritual argument which they reserved for themselves to propound4 ,for a period ranging from a week to eighteen days the attention of the officers of the ,court1 of the elected representatives of the believers1 of their officially appointed advocates1 and of the visiting public was focused upon the deliberations of a ,court that closely scrutinized not only the conduct and motives of the ,bah' followers but the laws and principles1 the past history and the present position of the ,faith itself4 ,trial of ,turkish ,believers ,fortified by the reflection that never before in ,bah' history have the followers of ,bah'u'llh been called upon by the officials of a ,state1 responsible for the administration of ,justice1 to unfold the history and principles of their ,faith1 our brethren in ,turkey decided to assert in their entirety those distinguishing laws and ordinances of the ,bah' ,revelation which the terrors of a suspicious autocracy had so long compelled them to dissimulate and ignore4 ,i cannot do better than quote in this connection a few passages from the text of the official defense which in a moving language was pronounced by the ,president of the ,constantinople ,bah' ,spiritual ,assembly at a plenary session of the ,court on that historic occasion3 8,la ,beh'isme est une religion universelle1 moderne et absolument independante4 ,si l'on dsir une dsignation plus moderne encore3 c'est une institution de ,clmence1 de bonne entente et d'amour1 en d'autres termes1 de progrs moral et spirituel4 ,il n'est ni une secte1 ni une branche des autres religions et doctrines diverses4 ,il est cependant leur aboutissement naturel1 logique et pour ainsi dire scientifique4 ,c'est la raison pour laquelle l'on trouve parmi ses adhrents des personnes1 venant de toutes les religions et doctrines existantes dans le monde1 et qui se comptent aujourd'hui par millions4 444,ces explications ne sauraient toutefois dvoiler le suffire 787 mystre qui est au fond des sacrifices1 consentis dans ce sicle en ,orient1 par plus de vingt mille martyrs du ,beh'isme1 parmi lesquels se trouve ,qurratu'l-#8,ayn ,thirih 7la joie des yeux1 la pure71 cette jeune femme turque1 dpeint ainsi par notre illustre crivain ,suleyman ,nasif1 et dont le martyre sans precdent est cit aujourd'hui par le monde entier comme l'epope sans pareille de la cause humaine4 ,je ne sais si ces explications peuvent elucider les raisons pour lesquelles il se trouve cette doctrine petri galement par le sang turc des amis parmi des hommes de race turque1 cette race qui dans tout procs du genre humain et de ses nobles aspirations1 n'a pas hesit jusqu'ici verser son sang4444 ,toutefois1 les ,beh's n'ont point dissimul leur prsence en ,turquie1 surtout depuis le rgime de la ,rpublique4 ,c'est ainsi qu'ils se sont fait inscrire comme ,beh's sur les feuilles du dernier recensement ,constantinople4 ,d'autre part est-il admissible que le ,gouvernement ignore leur prsence dans cette ville8 ,cela tant1 il ne saurait etre imagin que les ,beh's soient sous le rgime de la ,rpublique1 poursuivis comme tels1 surtout aprs avoir acquis leur libert sous le rgime de la ,constitution qui a suivi celui de la tyrannie durant lequel ils taient persecuts4444 ,mais avant de terminer1 je ne puis m'empecher de dire avec une entire assurance1 que les adeptes en ,turquie de cette doctrine1 sont surs de la ,justice d'un pays rgi par la premire vritable ,rpublique pleine de lumire dont s'honore adjourd'hui tout l',orient4444 ,ces dclarations d'une part1 et la conduite suivie par les ,beh's1 a l'occasion de cet incident qui a commenc par l'interrogatoire auquel ils ont t soumis par la ,police1 de l'autre1 sont la preuve convainquante de la sincerit et de la bonne foie avec lesquelles nous nous comportons tant vis vis de la ,justice que de celui du ,gouvernement4 ,ainsi1 nous aurions pu soustraire certaines pices qui constituent les seuls documents pouvant servi nous assimiler des societs4 ,ne nous voyant pas en contravention avec la loi1 nous n'avons rien voulu dissimuler1 comme personellement je ne cherche qu'a tout dire ici4 ,ce n'est l d'ailleurs qu'une necessit dict par le ,beh'isme et la conformation une recommendation de ,bah'u'llh4 ,lui nous dit3 8,devant la ,justice1 dites la ,verit et ne craignez rien40 ,to these hotly contested debates two circumstances of unexpected character lent color and force1 and must have contributed in no small measure to the successful conclusion of the issue4 ,the participation of a noted ,turkish publicist and author whose expressed sympathy for the ,cause had identified him with the group of the suspected believers1 and the association of the name of the ,dowager ,queen of ,rumania with the ,bah' ,faith as a result of the discovery among the seized documents of the ,constantinople ,bah' ,assembly of her public pronouncements on the ,cause and her personal message to the friends in that city1 both served to reinforce the position of the ,bah's and greatly encouraged them in their task4 ,i am assured by a letter addressed to me by the ,president of the ,constantinople ,assembly that the sessions of the ,court were dignified in their proceedings1 sublime in the presentation of the ideals of the ,cause1 and representative in the character of their attendants4 ,he writes3 8,ce fut une dclaration de la ,cause dans toute sa grandeur1 et jamais l',orient n'a vu retentir le nom de ,bah dans une pareille formule4444 ,j'ai prefre laisser l'avocat qui n'est pas ,beh' en parler4 ,en effet cela a eu plus d'effet d'entendre l'avocat1 emport par je ne sais quelle mystrieuse pousse1 crier1 aprs avoir cit les principes ainsi3 #8,monsieur le ,juge6 n'est-ce pas l en somme l'idal vers lequel marche actuellement notre pays avec en tte notre ,grand ,gazi8'0 ,the extravagant language of the newspapers in reporting the details of this official inquiry served in turn to accentuate the publicity already achieved1 and induced the officials of the ,court to exercise scrupulous impartiality in the consideration and judgment of the case4 ,as to the verdict that has been pronounced on ,december #ac1 it is stated clearly that although the followers of ,bah'u'llh1 in their innocent conception of the spiritual character of their ,faith1 found it unnecessary to apply for leave for the conduct of their administrative activities and have thus been made liable to the payment of a fine1 yet they have1 to the satisfaction of the legal representatives of the ,state1 not only established the inculpability of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh1 but have also worthily acquitted themselves in the task of vindicating its independence1 its ,divine origin1 and its suitability to the circumstances and requirements of the present age4 ,it will be admitted that this recognition on the part of the authorities would have never been so speedily secured had the representatives of the believers proceeded through the ordinary and official channels to obtain such a recognition from their government4 ,decline of ,islm ,surely every unprejudiced observer1 reviewing on one hand the turbulent history of the ,cause in ,turkey and recalling on the other the series of internal convulsions that have seized that country1 cannot but marvel at the contrast between the swift decline of an all-powerful theocracy and the gradual consolidation of a persecuted ,faith4 ,he will appreciate the significance of the circumstances that have caused on one hand the dismemberment of what was the most powerful institution of ,islm1 and contributed on the other to the emergence upon its ruins of the very ,faith it has vainly labored to suppress4 ,should he look further into the past and consult the annals of ,christendom during the first century of the ,christian era1 he cannot fail to observe the striking parallel between the cataclysmic visitation of ,providence that has afflicted the most sacred institutions of the ,jews in the ,holy ,land and the utter collapse in this1 the first century of the ,bah' era1 of the ,sultanate and the ,caliphate1 the highest institutions of orthodox ,islm4 ,he will recall the severities which the hand of ,titus inflicted upon the ,jews1 the harassing siege of ,jerusalem1 the destruction of the ,holy ,city1 the profanation of the ,temple1 the desecration of the ,holy of ,holies1 the transfer of its priceless treasures to the imperial city of ,rome1 the erection on the site of ,zion of the pagan colony of ,oelia ,capitolina1 the massacre of the ,jews1 and the exile and dispersion of most of the survivors4 ,in like manner1 he will observe that almost in the corresponding decade of the first century of the era of ,bah'u'llh1 not at the hand of the infidel1 but by a recognized ruler professing the faith of ,islm1 a blow1 unprecedented in its magnitude1 has been dealt to the highest seats of authority in the ,islmic world4 ,he will call to mind the recent disestablishment of the state religion of ,turkey1 the overthrow of the dynasty of the ,house of ,uthmn1 the loss of the unity of the vast majority of the adherents of the ,muhammadan ,faith1 the humiliation inflicted upon the whole hierarchy of its ecclesiastical exponents in that land1 the abolition of religious courts1 the annulment of the provisions of the ,qur'n1 the promulgation of a universal western code of civil law1 the suppression of its ,orders and the closing of most of its seminaries and establishments4 ,such a close correspondence between these historic retributions which the ,almighty's avenging arm has chosen to inflict upon the persecutors of ,christ and ,bah'u'llh cannot but fortify the confidence of every ,bah' believer in the future glories of this ,divine ,dispensation4 ,particularly will he feel strengthened when he recalls the triumphs that have signalized the advance of ,christianity after the humiliation of its enemies4 ,and as he ponders upon the circumstances that have given such startling publicity to the ,cause1 not only throughout ,turkey but in the adjoining countries as well1 he cannot fail to recognize1 in this strange episode1 following so closely upon the fall of the mighty stronghold of ,bah' opposition1 a prelude to a higher recognition and fuller unfoldment of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,progress in ,persia ,in ,persia1 where1 unlike its ill-fated sister nation ,afghnistn1 the pace of reform has been wisely regulated1 the salutary effects of the progressive regime established by its enlightened ruler are not only reacting upon the social and economic structure of its society1 but are being increasingly felt by the mass of the followers of ,bah'u'llh in that land4 ,the welter of controversy into which the drastic reforms of a determined government1 aiming at the gradual secularization of the ,state1 has plunged a revolting clergy1 has afforded our ,persian brethren their long-desired opportunity to pursue untrammelled the course of their spiritual and humanitarian activities4 ,the deportation of a considerable number of ,muslim ecclesiastical officials1 amongst them the heir of that notorious and bloodthirsty ,mujtahid of ,ifhn1 8the ,son of the ,wolf10 has served to clear the ground for the extension and consolidation of ,bah' institutions4 ,already1 as reported from an outlying center in the province of ,yazd1 a leading but fair-minded ,mullh has1 upon the discovery of the specific prophecy of #8,abdu'l-,bah regarding the forced abandonment of the traditional headdress of ,muslim clericals1 acknowledged the ,divine origin of the ,bah' ,faith1 embraced its truth1 and openly enlisted as an active supporter of its institutions4 ,moreover1 it is stated that in various quarters1 and among responsible sections of the community the matter of the codification and introduction of a western civil code1 and its universal application to all the different communities is being freely discussed1 and its desirability increasingly emphasized4 ,as a preliminary measure1 however1 to the introduction of such a far-reaching reform1 certain changes of policy have been lately initiated1 not in the form of hastily conceived dictatorial edicts1 but as a result of the mature deliberations and with the sanction of the national representatives of the people4 ,the systematization of the laws of marriage and contract2 the establishment of a ,land ,registry wholly independent of ecclesiastical control2 the distribution of birth certificates of a purely undenominational character2 the increasing prominence accorded to the social rights of womanhood2 the close attention paid by ,state authorities to the education of ,persian youth in the ,universities of ,europe2 the banning of all ,muslim ,passion ,plays throughout the territory of the ,shh3 the bold and various schemes that have been launched for the embellishment of the ,persian ,capital--all are welcome signs of the approaching era which is to witness the spiritual and material ascendency of ,persia among the people and nations of the world4 ,in this ever-improving environment and witnessing on every side the downfall of those institutions that have crippled their struggling ,faith1 the believers in ,persia are joyously seizing every opportunity to demonstrate the redeeming power of the ,cause of ,bah'u'llh4 ,an illuminating report1 submitted by one of the most capable and trusted itinerant teachers of the ,cause in ,persia1 has lately reached the ,holy ,land4 ,in it the writer sets forth in graphic and accurate language the many evidences of the increasing vitality displayed by the ,faith in different parts of ,persia4 ,summoned by the ,persian ,national ,spiritual ,assembly to interrupt his travels in the vicinity of the town of ,mashhad in order to devote immediate attention to a situation that had unexpectedly arisen in ,ifhn1 our indefatigable teacher and brother was surprised upon his arrival in that province to note in the various towns and villages he visited a ten-fold increase in the number of the adherents of the ,faith since his last visit to those regions4 ,he was moreover startled at the hospitality which he received at the hands of those persons who six years ago had been instrumental in expelling him from their localities1 and who now had freely enlisted under the banner of ,bah'u'llh4 ,he was furthermore highly elated to learn that the prestige1 the integrity and ability of the local ,bah' ,assemblies in that province had of late stood so high that non-,bah's1 exasperated by the corruption and incompetence of their own judges1 had more than once freely submitted cases of dispute to the judgment of the elected representatives of the ,bah' community in their locality4 ,only a close and unbiased observer of the manner and habits of the ,persian people1 already familiar with the prevailing tendencies of different sections of the population1 such as their apathy and indolence1 the absence of a sense of public duty and of loyalty to principle1 the lack of concerted effort and constancy in action1 the habit of secrecy and blind surrender to the capricious will of an ignorant and fanatical clergy1 can truly estimate the immensity of the task that faces every conscientious believer in that land4 ,he will moreover readily testify to the high standard already attained by the ,bah's of ,persia in their efforts to inculcate in the minds of their fellow-countrymen the principles of the ,divine ,civilization ushered in by ,bah'u'llh4 ,we have only to glance at the soul-stirring written assurances of #8,abdu'l-,bah in order to realize the magnitude and exalted character of the mission entrusted by ,him to the adherents of the ,faith in ,bah'u'llh's native land4 ,by the faithful application of the spiritual principles which their present administration is endeavoring to propagate2 by the character of those indissoluble bonds of ,bah' fellowship that cement the union of the mass of the believers with their elected councillors2 by the distinctiveness of their future contributions in the domain of art1 of science and of trade1 of education and of industry--by these and by still other convincing manifestations of the quickening vitality of their ,faith1 our ,persian brethren are destined to demonstrate to the ruling powers on earth the majesty1 the enduring stability and the unfailing efficacy of the ,government of ,bah'u'llh4 ,the following passage from the ,tablet of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 revealed more than thirty years ago1 while incarcerated within the walls of the prison-city of ,akk1 and addressed to the ,bah's of ,khursn1 will undoubtedly stimulate those energetic friends of the ,west who long to contribute by every means in their power to the rehabilitation of their ,master's native land3-- 8,erelong will your brethren from ,europe and ,america journey to ,persia4 ,there they will promote to an unprecedented degree the interests of art and industry4 ,there they will rear the institutions of true civilization1 promote the development of husbandry and trade1 and assist in the spread of education4444 ,assuredly they will come2 assuredly they will contribute in making of the land of rn the envy and the admiration of the peoples and nations of the world40 ,and as we ponder these words of #8,abdu'l-,bah in our hearts1 let us also remember the prophetic utterances of ,bah'u'llh1 which reveal not only the merciless cruelty of the ecclesiastical leaders of ,islm but also the measure of ,divine retribution which now afflicts the oppressors of ,god's holy ,faith3-- 8,o people of the ,qur'n6 ,verily the prophet of ,god1 ,muammad1 sheddeth tears at the sight of your cruelty4 ,ye have assuredly followed your evil and corrupt desires and turned away your face from the light of guidance4 ,erelong will ye witness the result of your deeds2 for the ,lord ,my ,god lieth in wait and is watchful of your behavior4444 ,erelong ,he will raise in every city the standard of ,his sovereignty1 and will wipe away the traces of them that have denied ,him on the day of ,his return4444 ,o concourse of ,muslim divines6 ,by your deeds the exalted station of the nation hath been abased1 the standard of ,islm hath been reversed and its mighty throne hath fallen4 ,whenever the ,divine ,reformer has sought to ennoble the rank of the people1 ye have tumultuously risen against ,him and prevented ,him from executing ,his purpose1 wherefore the realm hath remained in grievous loss40 ,and in conclusion1 ,i wish1 in a few words1 to pay a tribute1 however inadequate1 to the magnificent services rendered by that exemplary and indefatigable teacher of the ,cause1 our dearly-beloved sister1 ,miss ,martha ,root4 ,her international travels on behalf of the ,bah' ,faith1 so wide in their range1 so extensive in their duration1 so inspiring in their results1 will adorn and enrich the annals of ,god's immortal ,faith4 ,her earliest journeys to the southernmost limits of the ,american continent1 to ,india and to ,south ,africa1 to the eastern confines of ,asia1 to the islands of the ,southern ,seas and the ,scandinavian countries of the ,north2 her more recent contact with the rulers and crowned heads of ,europe and the impression which her undaunted spirit created in royal circles in the ,balkan countries2 her close affiliation with international organizations1 peace societies1 humanitarian movements and ,esperantist circles2 and her latest victories in the university circles of ,germany--all constitute a compelling evidence of what the power of ,bah'u'llh can achieve4 ,these historic labors1 pursued single-handed and in circumstances of financial stringency and ill-health1 have been characterized throughout by a spirit of fidelity1 of self-effacement1 of thoroughness and vigor that none has excelled4 ,i appeal to individual believers and ,bah' ,assemblies alike to reinforce by every possible means the earnest strivings of such a precious soul1 to respond speedily and entirely to every request that from time to time she feels moved to address to her fellow-workers in every land1 to strive to attain the high standard of stewardship that she has set1 and to pray from the very depths of their hearts for the uninterrupted continuance of her noble endeavors4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,february #ab1 #aibi4 ,letter of ,march #bj1 #aibi4 ,to the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,west4 ,dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in #8,abdu'l-,bah3 ,with a heart overflowing with thankfulness and joy ,i take my pen to share with you tidings that eloquently testify to the triumphant majesty and unconquerable spirit of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,from ,geneva1 the seat of the ,league of ,nations1 there comes the news that the fervent plea addressed by the ,bah's of #8,irq to the world's supreme ,tribunal regarding an issue that for a time has stirred the ,bah' world to its foundation has at last met with a noble and most gratifying response4 ,you will recall the references made in my previous communications1 dated ,november #f1 #aibe1 ,october #bi1 #aibf1 and ,january #a1 #aibi1 to the forcible seizure of ,bah'u'llh's sacred house by the ,sh'ah of ,baghdd1 to the appeals which from almost every quarter of the globe have showered upon the authorities of #8,irq for its restitution1 to the long and unsuccessful legal proceedings to which the representatives of the ,faith in that land have resorted1 and lastly to the petition which they have addressed to the ,league's ,permanent ,mandates ,commission setting forth the history of the case and appealing for the intervention of the ,council in their behalf4 ,i am now informed that after mature deliberation the conclusion arrived at by the ,mandates ,commission1 urging that prompt action be taken to redress the wrong suffered by the ,bah's1 has been duly communicated to1 and adopted by1 the ,council of the ,league1 which in turn will formally communicate the recommendations of its ,commission to the ,mandatory ,power4 ,decision of ,league of ,nations ,from the official text of the minutes of the meeting of the ,mandates ,commission1 as well as from its authorized report to the ,council1 both of which have been made public1 it is clear and evident that the terms of the conclusion arrived at are neither vague nor evasive1 but set forth in unmistakable language the legitimate aspirations of an oppressed and struggling ,faith4 ,the decision neither implies compensation to the ,bah' ,community for the loss of the sacred buildings1 nor does it expressly provide for the expropriation of the property by the ,state4 ,to quote from the text of the official document1 the ,commission has resolved 8to recommend the ,council to ask the ,british ,government to call upon the ,government of #8,irq to redress without delay the denial of justice from which the petitioners have suffered40 ,a glance at the minutes of the ,commission's meeting will suffice to reveal that in the course of the lengthy discussions conducted by the members of the ,commission the following important facts have been stressed and recognized4 ,the ,british accredited representative1 present at the sessions of the ,commission1 has declared that 8it was a fact that the ,mandatory ,power had recognized that the ,bah's had suffered an injustice and1 ever since the award made by the ,high ,court1 the ,high ,commissioner had been considering what means could be found to remove1 either by an executive act or otherwise1 the unjust effects of that decision40 ,moreover1 it has been acknowledged by the accredited representative that the ,bah's had been in bonafide occupancy of the property1 that they had expended on it sums that exceeded the value of the site itself1 and were thus1 in accordance with the provision in the still operative ,turkish ,law1 entitled to purchase the site4 ,allusion has also been made in the course of the deliberations of the members of the ,commission to the fact that the action of the ,sh'ah community with respect to ,bah'u'llh's sacred house constituted a breach of the ,constitution and the ,organic ,law of #8,irq which1 according to the testimony of the ,british accredited representative1 expressly provided for the unfettered freedom of conscience4 ,a question from one of the members had even elicited from the representative of the ,british ,government the reply assuring the ,commission that the ,mandatory ,power actually possessed means of exercising pressure on the authorities in order1 if necessary1 to insure that so fundamental an article in the ,constitution would be respected4 ,furthermore1 the opinion has been strongly expressed that the matter had assumed an 8importance which exceeded that of the individual case of the ,bah's10 inasmuch as 8the judgment of the ,high ,court was suspected of having been inspired by political prejudice10 with the consequent impression on the ,commission that 8from a moral point of view1 conditions in #8,irq were not improving2 that religious passions still ran high and that peace had not yet been brought about between the various religious communities40 ,it has even been proposed to supplement the report submitted to the ,council with the observation that1 in the opinion of the ,commission1 8a country in which the ,sovereign and the highest law courts are capable of so flagrant a denial of justice would probably not be considered to be eligible to become a ,member of the ,league of ,nations40 ,the minutes of the ,commission's meeting further indicate that the contents of the letter addressed by the ,prime ,minister of #8,irq to the ,british representative in ,baghdd and which accompanied the text of the petition of the ,bah's do not in the opinion of the ,commission 8meet any of the allegations of the petitioners0 and are confined to a mere assertion that the judgment of the ,court of ,appeal was pronounced in accordance with the laws of the land4 ,as to the memorandum submitted by the ,mandatory ,power in connection with the ,bah' petition1 and to which the minutes briefly refer1 it is expressly stated that ,his ,britannic ,majesty's ,government considers the ejectment of the ,bah's while the case was still undecided to have been an illegal action1 that the reasons adduced to justify such action were hardly admissible1 and that the final verdict of the ,court of ,appeal is unsustainable1 contrary to the law1 and tainted by political considerations4 ,the minutes further declare that although any petition presented to the ,commission appealing from a decision given by a ,court of ,law is to be considered as not being in order1 yet as the petition submitted by the ,bah's reveals such a state of partiality1 servility and sectarianism it has been found desirable to depart from the general rule and to regard the petition in question as receivable by the ,commission4 ,and among the concluding observations in the minutes of the ,commission's meeting regarding the ,bah' petition is this significant passage3 8,the revelations made in connection with this petition show the present position in #8,irq in an unfavorable light4 ,in a country where the conduct of the highest authorities has led the ,mandatory ,power to pass such severe criticisms1 where the ,supreme ,court of ,justice is under legitimate suspicion1 and where religious fanaticism pursues minorities and controls power1 a state of affairs prevails which is not calculated to insure the development and well-being of the inhabitants4 ,the petitioners have suffered a serious denial of justice the direct responsibility for which rests on the authorities of #8,irq4 ,the fact that this denial of justice could not be prevented or immediately made good was due to the weakening of the ,mandatory ,power's control in #8,irq4 ,the ,mandatory attempted1 but in vain1 to redress the injury done to the petitioners by using the means of influence at its disposal under the rgime set up by the #aibb ,treaty vis--vis ,king ,feisal and the #8,irq ,government4 ,these efforts would not appear to correspond fully to the engagements resulting from the ,british ,government's declaration1 which was approved by the ,council on ,september #bg1 #aibd1 and renewed by the ,british ,government in #aibf1 whereby the ,treaty of ,alliance between the ,british ,government and #8,irq #8was to insure the complete observance and execution in #8,irq of the principles which the acceptance of the mandate was intended to secure4'0 ,this grave censure pronounced by the ,mandates ,commission of the ,league of ,nations on the administration of justice and the general conduct of affairs in #8,irq1 as well as the association of the humiliation afflicting ,bah'u'llh's sacred dwelling-place with the obligations implied in the ,treaty of ,alliance binding the ,governments of ,great ,britain and #8,irq1 not only proclaim to the world the enhanced prestige of that hallowed and consecrated spot1 but testify as well to the high sense of integrity that animates the members of the ,league's honored ,commission in the discharge of their public duties4 ,in their formal reply to the ,bah' petitioners1 the members of the ,permanent ,mandates ,commission have1 with the sanction of the ,council of the ,league of ,nations1 issued this most satisfactory declamation3 8,the ,permanent ,mandates ,commission1 recognizing the justice of the complaint made by the ,bah' ,spiritual ,assembly of ,baghdd1 has recommended to the ,council of the ,league such action as it thinks proper to redress the wrong suffered by the petitioners40 ,a similar passage inserted in the report of the ,finnish ,representative to the ,council of the ,league runs as follows3 8,the ,commission has also considered a petition from the ,national ,spiritual ,assembly of the ,bah's of #8,irq1 a community which has been dispossessed of its property by another community and has been unable to recover it by legal means4 ,the ,commission is convinced that this situation1 which is described as an injustice1 must be attributed solely to religious passion1 and it asks that the petitioner's wrongs should be redressed4 ,i venture to suggest that the ,council should accept the ,mandate ,commission's conclusions on this case1 which is an example of the difficulties to be met with in the development of a young country40 ,this report1 together with the joint observations and conclusions of the ,commission1 have been duly considered and approved by the ,council of the ,league1 which has in turn instructed the ,secretary-,general to bring to the notice of the ,mandatory ,power1 as well as the petitioners concerned1 the conclusions arrived at by the ,mandates ,commission4 ,dearly-beloved co-workers6 ,much has been achieved thus far in the course of the progress of this complicated1 delicate and highly significant issue4 ,the ,bah' world is eagerly expectant1 and fervently prays1 that the ,almighty may graciously assist the ,government chiefly responsible for the well-being of #8,irq to take 8without delay0 such steps as will insure the execution of the considered judgment of the representatives of the ,sovereign ,states1 members of the ,council1 and signatories of the ,covenant1 of the ,league of ,nations4 ,i will1 if deemed proper and advisable1 inform you of the manner in which the admiration and the gratitude of the ,national ,spiritual ,assemblies1 representative of the divers communities in the ,bah' world1 should be expressed and tendered to the authorities of the ,league of ,nations who have been chiefly responsible for this noble1 this epoch-making decision4 ,for none can doubt that the published verdict pronounced by the ,mandate ,commission sets the seal of international sanction on the triumph of ,god's persecuted ,faith over the ecclesiastical and civil powers of hostile ,islm4 ,within the ranks of the orthodox ,sunns and of the bitter and fanatical ,sh'ah1 the chief sects of the ,muslim ,faith and constituting respectively the bulk of the ruling class and the population of #8,irq1 a feeling of consternation must necessarily prevail4 ,for however obscured their vision they still can recognize in this historic judgment the herald of that complete victory which is destined to establish the ascendancy of what1 in the words of the members of the ,commission1 is but 8a small minority1 drawn from a lower social grade1 and possessing neither political nor social influence10 over the combined forces of the ,islmic population of #8,irq4 ,i must not fail in conclusion to refer once again to the decisive role played by that distinguished and international champion of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 our dearly-beloved ,mountfort ,mills1 in the negotiations that have paved the way for the signal success already achieved4 ,the text of the ,bah' petition1 which he conceived and drafted1 has been recognized by the members of the ,mandates ,commission as 8a document well-drafted1 clear in its argument and moderate in tone40 ,he has truly acquitted himself in this most sacred task with exemplary distinction and proved himself worthy of so noble a mission4 ,i request you to join with me in my prayers for him1 that the ,spirit of ,bah'u'llh may continue to guide and sustain him in the final settlement of this most mighty issue4 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,march #bj1 #aibi4 ,letter of ,october #be1 #aibi4 ,the beloved of the ,lord and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,my well-beloved friends3 ,ever since that remarkable manifestation of ,bah' solidarity and self-sacrifice which has signalized the proceedings of last year's memorable ,convention1 ,i have been expectantly awaiting the news of a steady and continuous support of the ,plan which can alone insure1 ere the present year draws to its close1 the resumption of building operations on our beloved ,temple4 ,gift from ,tomb of ,bah'u'llh ,moved by an impulse that ,i could not resist1 ,i have felt impelled to forego what may be regarded as the most valuable and sacred possession in the ,holy ,land for the furthering of that noble enterprise which you have set your hearts to achieve4 ,with the hearty concurrence of our dear ,bah' brother1 ,zoullh ,asgarzadeh1 who years ago donated it to the ,most ,holy ,shrine1 this precious ornament of the ,tomb of ,bah'u'llh has been already shipped to your shores1 with our fondest hope that the proceeds from its sale may at once ennoble and reinforce the unnumbered offerings of the ,american believers already accumulated on the altar of ,bah' sacrifice4 ,i have longed ever since to witness such evidences of spontaneous and generous response on your part as would tend to fortify within me a confidence that has never wavered in the inexhaustible vitality of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh in that land4 ,i need not stress at this moment the high hopes which so startling a display of unsparing devotion to our sacred ,temple has already aroused in the breasts of the multitude of our brethren throughout the ,east4 ,nor is it ,i feel necessary to impress upon those who are primarily concerned with its erection the gradual change of outlook which the early prospect of the construction of the far-famed ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr in ,america has unmistakably occasioned in high places among the hitherto sceptical and indifferent towards the merits and the practicability of the ,faith proclaimed by ,bah'u'llh4 ,neither do ,i need to expatiate upon the hopes and fears of the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 now in the evening of her life1 with deepening shadows caused by failing eye-sight and declining strength swiftly gathering about her1 yearning to hear as the one remaining solace in her swiftly ebbing life the news of the resumption of work on an ,edifice1 the glories of which she has1 from the lips of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 ,himself1 learned to admire4 ,i cannot surely overrate at the present juncture in the progress of our task the challenging character of these remaining months of the year as a swiftly passing opportunity which it is in our power to seize and utilize1 ere it is too late1 for the edification of our expectant brethren throughout the ,east1 for the vindication in the eyes of the world at large of the realities of our ,faith1 and last but not least for the realization of what is the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf's fondest desire4 ,as ,i have already intimated in the course of my conversations with visiting pilgrims1 so vast and significant an enterprise as the construction of the first ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr of the ,west should be supported1 not by the munificence of a few but by the joint contributions of the entire mass of the convinced followers of the ,faith4 ,it cannot be denied that the emanations of spiritual power and inspiration destined to radiate from the central ,edifice of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr will to a very large extent depend upon the range and variety of the contributing believers1 as well as upon the nature and degree of self-abnegation which their unsolicited offerings will entail4 ,moreover1 we should1 ,i feel1 regard it as an axiom and guiding principle of ,bah' administration that in the conduct of every specific ,bah' activity1 as different from undertakings of a humanitarian1 philanthropic or charitable character1 which may in future be conducted under ,bah' auspices1 only those who have already identified themselves with the ,faith and are regarded as its avowed and unreserved supporters should be invited to join and collaborate4 ,for apart from the consideration of embarrassing complications which the association of non-believers in the financing of institutions of a strictly ,bah' character may conceivably engender in the administration of the ,bah' community of the future1 it should be remembered that these specific ,bah' institutions1 which should be viewed in the light of ,bah'u'llh's gifts bestowed upon the world1 can best function and most powerfully exert their influence in the world only if reared and maintained solely by the support of those who are fully conscious of1 and are unreservedly submissive to1 the claims inherent in the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh4 ,in cases1 however1 when a friend or sympathizer of the ,faith eagerly insists on a monetary contribution for the promotion of the ,faith1 such gifts should be accepted and duly acknowledged by the elected representatives of the believers with the express understanding that they would be utilized by them only to reinforce that section of the ,bah' ,fund exclusively devoted to philanthropic or charitable purposes4 ,for1 as the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh extends in scope and in influence1 and the resources of ,bah' communities correspondingly multiply1 it will become increasingly desirable to differentiate between such departments of the ,bah' treasury as minister to the needs of the world at large1 and those that are specifically designed to promote the direct interests of the ,faith itself4 ,from this apparent divorce between ,bah' and humanitarian activities it must not1 however1 be inferred that the animating purpose of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh stands at variance with the aims and objects of the humanitarian and philanthropic institutions of the day4 ,nay1 it should be realized by every judicious promoter of the ,faith that at such an early stage in the evolution and crystallization of the ,cause such discriminating and precautionary measures are inevitable and even necessary if the nascent institutions of the ,faith are to emerge triumphant and unimpaired from the present welter of confused and often conflicting interests with which they are surrounded4 ,this note of warning may not be thought inappropriate at a time when1 inflamed by a consuming passion to witness the early completion of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 we may not only be apt to acquiesce in the desire of those who1 as yet uninitiated into the ,cause1 are willing to lend financial assistance to its institutions1 but may even feel inclined to solicit from them such aid as it is in their power to render4 ,ours surely is the paramount duty so to acquit ourselves in the discharge of our most sacred task that in the days to come neither the tongue of the slanderer nor the pen of the malevolent may dare to insinuate that so beauteous1 so significant an ,edifice has been reared by anything short of the unanimous1 the exclusive1 and the self-sacrificing strivings of the small yet determined body of the convinced supporters of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh4 ,how delicate our task1 how pressing the responsibility that weighs upon us1 who are called upon on one hand to preserve inviolate the integrity and the identity of the regenerating ,faith of ,bah'u'llh1 and to vindicate on the other its broad1 its humanitarian1 its all-embracing principles6 ,true1 we cannot fail to realize at the present stage of our work the extremely limited number of contributors qualified to lend financial support to such a vast1 such an elaborate and costly enterprise4 ,we are fully aware of the many issues and varied ,bah' activities that are unavoidably held in abeyance pending the successful conclusion of the ,plan of ,unified ,action4 ,we are only too conscious of the pressing need of some sort of befitting and concrete embodiment of the spirit animating the ,cause that would stand in the heart of the ,american ,continent both as a witness and as a rallying center to the manifold activities of a fast growing ,faith4 ,but spurred by those reflections may we not bestir ourselves and resolve as we have never resolved before to hasten by every means in our power the consummation of this all-absorbing yet so meritorious a task8 ,i beseech you1 dear friends1 not to allow considerations of numbers1 or the consciousness of the limitations of our resources1 or even the experience of inevitable setbacks which every mighty undertaking is bound to encounter1 to blur your vision1 to dim your hopes1 or to paralyze your efforts in the prosecution of your divinely appointed task4 ,neither1 do ,i entreat you1 to suffer the least deviation into the paths of expediency and compromise to obstruct those channels of vivifying grace that can alone provide the inspiration and strength vital not only to the successful conduct of its material construction1 but to the fulfilment of its high destiny4 ,and while we bend our efforts and strain our nerves in a feverish pursuit to provide the necessary means for the speedy construction of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 may we not pause for a moment to examine those statements which set forth the purpose as well as the functions of this symbolical yet so spiritually potent ,edifice8 ,it will be readily admitted that at a time when the tenets of a ,faith1 not yet fully emerged from the fires of repression1 are as yet improperly defined and imperfectly understood1 the utmost caution should be exercised in revealing the true nature of those institutions which are indissolubly associated with its name4 ,purpose of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr ,without attempting an exhaustive survey of the distinguishing features and purpose of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 ,i should feel content at the present time to draw your attention to what ,i regard certain misleading statements that have found currency in various quarters1 and which may lead gradually to a grave misapprehension of the true purpose and essential character of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,it should be borne in mind that the central ,edifice of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 round which in the fulness of time shall cluster such institutions of social service as shall afford relief to the suffering1 sustenance to the poor1 shelter to the wayfarer1 solace to the bereaved1 and education to the ignorant1 should be regarded apart from these ,dependencies1 as a ,house solely designed and entirely dedicated to the worship of ,god in accordance with the few yet definitely prescribed principles established by ,bah'u'llh in the ,kitb-i-,aqdas4 ,it should not be inferred1 however1 from this general statement that the interior of the central ,edifice itself will be converted into a conglomeration of religious services conducted along lines associated with the traditional procedure obtaining in churches1 mosques1 synagogues1 and other temples of worship4 ,its various avenues of approach1 all converging towards the central ,hall beneath its dome1 will not serve as admittance to those sectarian adherents of rigid formulae and man-made creeds1 each bent1 according to his way1 to observe his rites1 recite his prayers1 perform his ablutions1 and display the particular symbols of his faith1 within separately defined sections of ,bah'u'llh's ,universal ,house of ,worship4 ,far from the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr offering such a spectacle of incoherent and confused sectarian observances and rites1 a condition wholly incompatible with the provisions of the ,aqdas and irreconcilable with the spirit it inculcates1 the central ,house of ,bah' worship1 enshrined within the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 will gather within its chastened walls1 in a serenely spiritual atmosphere1 only those who1 discarding forever the trappings of elaborate and ostentatious ceremony1 are willing worshipers of the one true ,god1 as manifested in this age in the ,person of ,bah'u'llh4 ,to them will the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr symbolize the fundamental verity underlying the ,bah' ,faith1 that religious truth is not absolute but relative1 that ,divine ,revelation is not final but progressive4 ,theirs will be the conviction that an all-loving and ever-watchful ,father ,who1 in the past1 and at various stages in the evolution of mankind1 has sent forth ,his ,prophets as the ,bearers of ,his ,message and the ,manifestations of ,his ,light to mankind1 cannot at this critical period of their civilization withhold from ,his children the ,guidance which they sorely need amid the darkness which has beset them1 and which neither the light of science nor that of human intellect and wisdom can succeed in dissipating4 ,and thus having recognized in ,bah'u'llh the source whence this celestial light proceeds1 they will irresistibly feel attracted to seek the shelter of ,his ,house1 and congregate therein1 unhampered by ceremonials and unfettered by creed1 to render homage to the one true ,god1 the ,essence and ,orb of eternal ,truth1 and to exalt and magnify the name of ,his ,messengers and ,prophets ,who1 from time immemorial even unto our day1 have1 under divers circumstances and in varying measure1 mirrored forth to a dark and wayward world the light of heavenly ,guidance4 ,but however inspiring the conception of ,bah' worship1 as witnessed in the central ,edifice of this exalted ,temple1 it cannot be regarded as the sole1 nor even the essential1 factor in the part which the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 as designed by ,bah'u'llh1 is destined to play in the organic life of the ,bah' community4 ,divorced from the social1 humanitarian1 educational and scientific pursuits centering around the ,dependencies of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 ,bah' worship1 however exalted in its conception1 however passionate in fervor1 can never hope to achieve beyond the meagre and often transitory results produced by the contemplations of the ascetic or the communion of the passive worshiper4 ,it cannot afford lasting satisfaction and benefit to the worshiper himself1 much less to humanity in general1 unless and until translated and transfused into that dynamic and disinterested service to the cause of humanity which it is the supreme privilege of the ,dependencies of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr to facilitate and promote4 ,nor will the exertions1 no matter how disinterested and strenuous1 of those who within the precincts of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr will be engaged in administering the affairs of the future ,bah' ,commonwealth1 fructify and prosper unless they are brought into close and daily communion with those spiritual agencies centering in and radiating from the central ,shrine of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr4 ,nothing short of direct and constant interaction between the spiritual forces emanating from this ,house of ,worship centering in the heart of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr1 and the energies consciously displayed by those who administer its affairs in their service to humanity can possibly provide the necessary agency capable of removing the ills that have so long and so grievously afflicted humanity4 ,for it is assuredly upon the consciousness of the efficacy of the ,revelation of ,bah'u'llh1 reinforced on one hand by spiritual communion with ,his ,spirit1 and on the other by the intelligent application and the faithful execution of the principles and laws ,he revealed1 that the salvation of a world in travail must ultimately depend4 ,and of all the institutions that stand associated with ,his ,holy ,name1 surely none save the institution of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr can most adequately provide the essentials of ,bah' worship and service1 both so vital to the regeneration of the world4 ,therein lies the secret of the loftiness1 of the potency1 of the unique position of the ,mashriqu'l-,adhkr as one of the outstanding institutions conceived by ,bah'u'llh4 ,dearly-beloved friends6 ,may we not as the trustees of so priceless a heritage1 arise to fulfill our high destiny8 ,your true brother1 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine1 ,october #be1 #aibi4 ,letter of ,july #ag1 #aicb4 ,the beloved of ,god and the handmaids of the ,merciful throughout the ,united ,states and ,canada4 ,brethren and fellow-mourners in the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh3 ,a sorrow1 reminiscent in its poignancy1 of the devastating grief caused by #8,abdu'l-,bah's sudden removal from our midst1 has stirred the ,bah' world to its foundations4 ,the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 the well-beloved and treasured ,remnant of ,bah'u'llh entrusted to our frail and unworthy hands by our departed ,master1 has passed to the ,great ,beyond1 leaving a legacy that time can never dim4 ,the community of the ,most ,great ,name1 in its entirety and to its very core1 feels the sting of this cruel loss4 ,inevitable though this calamitous event appeared to us all1 however acute our apprehensions of its steady approach1 the consciousness of its final consummation at this terrible hour leaves us1 we whose souls have been impregnated by the energizing influence of her love1 prostrated and disconsolate4 ,how can my lonely pen1 so utterly inadequate to glorify so exalted a station1 so impotent to portray the experiences of so sublime a life1 so disqualified to recount the blessings she showered upon me since my earliest childhood--how can such a pen repay the great debt of gratitude and love that ,i owe her whom ,i regarded as my chief sustainer1 my most affectionate comforter1 the joy and inspiration of my life8 ,my grief is too immense1 my remorse too profound1 to be able to give full vent at this moment to the feelings that surge within me4 ,only future generations and pens abler than mine can1 and will1 pay a worthy tribute to the towering grandeur of her spiritual life1 to the unique part she played throughout the tumultuous stages of ,bah' history1 to the expressions of unqualified praise that have streamed from the pen of both ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah1 the ,center of ,his covenant1 though unrecorded1 and in the main unsuspected by the mass of her passionate admirers in ,east and ,west1 the share she has had in influencing the course of some of the chief events in the annals of the ,faith1 the sufferings she bore1 the sacrifices she made1 the rare gifts of unfailing sympathy she so strikingly displayed--these1 and many others stand so inextricably interwoven with the fabric of the ,cause itself that no future historian of the ,faith of ,bah'u'llh can afford to ignore or minimize4 ,as far back as the concluding stages of the heroic age of the ,cause1 which witnessed the imprisonment of ,bah'u'llh in the ,syh-,chl of ihrn1 the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 then still in her infancy1 was privileged to taste of the cup of woe which the first believers of that apostolic age had quaffed4 ,how well ,i remember her recall1 at a time when her faculties were still unimpaired1 the gnawing suspense that ate into the hearts of those who watched by her side1 at the threshold of her pillaged house1 expectant to hear at any moment the news of ,bah'u'llh's imminent execution6 ,in those sinister hours1 she often recounted1 her parents had so suddenly lost their earthly possessions that within the space of a single day from being the privileged member of one of the wealthiest families of ihrn she had sunk to the state of a sufferer from unconcealed poverty4 ,deprived of the means of subsistence1 her illustrious mother1 the famed ,navvb1 was constrained to place in the palm of her daughter's hand a handful of flour and to induce her to accept it as a substitute for her daily bread4 ,and when at a later time this revered and precious member of the ,holy ,family1 then in her teens1 came to be entrusted by the guiding hand of her ,father with missions that no girl of her age could1 or would be willing to1 perform1 with what spontaneous joy she seized her opportunity and acquitted herself of the task with which she had been entrusted6 ,the delicacy and extreme gravity of such functions as she1 from time to time1 was called upon to fulfill1 when the city of ,baghdd was swept by the hurricane which the heedlessness and perversity of ,mrz ,yay had unchained1 as well as the tender solicitude which1 at so early an age1 she evinced during the period of ,bah'u'llh's enforced retirement to the mountains of ,sulaymnyyih1 marked her as one who was both capable of sharing the burden1 and willing to make the sacrifice1 which her high birth demanded4 ,how staunch was her faith1 how calm her demeanor1 how forgiving her attitude1 how severe her trials1 at a time when the forces of schism had rent asunder the ties that united the little band of exiles which had settled in ,adrianople and whose fortunes seemed then to have sunk to their lowest ebb6 ,it was in this period of extreme anxiety1 when the rigors of a winter of exceptional severity1 coupled with the privations entailed by unhealthy housing accommodations and dire financial distress1 undermined once for all her health and sapped the vitality which she had hitherto so thoroughly enjoyed4 ,the stress and storm of that period made an abiding impression upon her mind1 and she retained till the time of her death on her beauteous and angelic face evidences of its intense hardships4 ,not until1 however1 she had been confined in the company of ,bah'u'llh within the walls of the prison-city of ,akk did she display1 in the plenitude of her power and in the full abundance of her love for ,him1 more gifts that single her out1 next to #8,abdu'l-,bah1 among the members of the ,holy ,family1 as the brightest embodiment of that love which is born of ,god and of that human sympathy which few mortals are capable of evincing4 ,banishing from her mind and heart every earthly attachment1 renouncing the very idea of matrimony1 she1 standing resolutely by the side of a ,brother whom she was to aid and serve so well1 arose to dedicate her life to the service of her ,father's glorious ,cause4 ,whether in the management of the affairs of ,his ,household in which she excelled1 or in the social relationships which she so assiduously cultivated in order to shield both ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah1 whether in the unfailing attention she paid to the every day needs of her ,father1 or in the traits of generosity1 of affability and kindness1 which she manifested1 the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf had by that time abundantly demonstrated her worthiness to rank as one of the noblest figures intimately associated with the life-long work of ,bah'u'llh4 ,how grievous was the ingratitude1 how blind the fanaticism1 how persistent the malignity of the officials1 their wives1 and their subordinates1 in return for the manifold bounties which she1 in close association with her ,brother1 so profusely conferred upon them6 ,her patience1 her magnanimity1 her indiscriminating benevolence1 far from disarming the hostility of that perverse generation1 served only to inflame their rancour1 to excite their jealousy1 to intensify their fears4 ,the gloom that had settled upon that little band of imprisoned believers1 who languished in the ,fortress of ,akk1 contrasted with the spirit of confident hope1 of deep-rooted optimism that beamed upon her serene countenance4 ,no calamity1 however intense1 could obscure the brightness of her saintly face1 and no agitation1 no matter how severe1 could disturb the composure of her gracious and dignified behaviour4 ,that her sensitive heart instantaneously reacted to the slightest injury that befell the least significant of creatures1 whether friend or foe1 no one who knew her well could doubt4 ,and yet such was the restraining power of her will--a will which her spirit of self-renunciation so often prompted her to suppress--that a superficial observer might well be led to question the intensity of her emotions or to belittle the range of her sympathies4 ,in the school of adversity she1 already endowed by ,providence with the virtues of meekness and fortitude1 learned through the example and exhortations of the ,great ,sufferer1 who was her ,father1 the lesson she was destined to teach the great mass of ,his followers for so long after ,him4 ,armed with the powers with which an intimate and long-standing companionship with ,bah'u'llh had already equipped her1 and benefiting by the magnificent example which the steadily widening range of #8,abdu'l-,bah's activities afforded her1 she was prepared to face the storm which the treacherous conduct of the ,covenant-breakers had aroused and to withstand its most damaging onslaughts4 ,great as had been her sufferings ever since her infancy1 the anguish of mind and heart which the ,ascension of ,bah'u'llh occasioned1 nerved her1 as never before1 to a resolve which no upheaval could bend and which her frail constitution belied4 ,amidst the dust and heat of the commotion which that faithless and rebellious company engendered she found herself constrained to dissolve ties of family relationship1 to sever long-standing and intimate friendships1 to discard lesser loyalties for the sake of her supreme allegiance to a ,cause she had loved so dearly and had served so well4 ,the disruption that ensued found her ranged by the side of ,him ,whom her departed ,father had appointed as the ,center of ,his ,covenant and the authorized ,expounder of ,his ,word4 ,her venerated mother1 as well as her distinguished paternal uncle1 qy-i-,kalm--the twin pillars who1 all throughout the various stages of ,bah'u'llh's exile from the ,land of ,his ,birth to the final place of ,his confinement1 had demonstrated1 unlike most of the members of ,his ,family1 the tenacity of their loyalty--had already passed behind the ,veil4 ,death1 in the most tragic circumstances1 had also robbed her of the ,purest ,branch1 her only brother besides #8,abdu'l-,bah1 while still in the prime of youth4 ,she alone of the family of ,bah'u'llh remained to cheer the heart and reinforce the efforts of the ,most ,great ,branch1 against whom were solidly arrayed the almost entire company of ,his faithless relatives4 ,in her arduous task she was seconded by the diligent efforts of ,munrih ,khnum1 the ,holy ,mother1 and those of her daughters whose age allowed them to assist in the accomplishment of that stupendous achievement with which the name of #8,abdu'l-,bah will forever remain associated4 ,with the passing of ,bah'u'llh and the fierce onslaught of the forces of disruption that followed in its wake1 the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 now in the hey-day of her life1 rose to the height of her great opportunity and acquitted herself worthily of her task4 ,it would take me beyond the compass of the tribute ,i am moved to pay to her memory were ,i to dwell upon the incessant machinations to which ,muammad-#8,al1 the arch-breaker of the ,covenant of ,bah'u'llh1 and his despicable supporters basely resorted1 upon the agitation which their cleverly-directed campaign of misrepresentation and calumny produced in quarters directly connected with ,suln #8,abdu'l-amd and his advisers1 upon the trials and investigations to which it gave rise1 upon the rigidity of the incarceration it reimposed1 and upon the perils it revived4 ,suffice it to say that but for her sleepless vigilance1 her tact1 her courtesy1 her extreme patience and heroic fortitude1 grave complications might have ensued and the load of #8,abdu'l-,bah's anxious care would have been considerably increased4 ,and when the storm-cloud that had darkened the horizon of the ,holy ,land had been finally dissipated and the call raised by our beloved #8,abdu'l-,bah had stirred to a new life certain cities of the ,american and ,european continents1 the ,most ,exalted ,leaf became the recipient of the unbounded affection and blessings of ,one ,who could best estimate her virtues and appreciate her merits4 ,the decline of her precious life had by that time set in1 and the burden of advancing age was beginning to becloud the radiance of her countenance4 ,forgetful of her own self1 disdaining rest and comfort1 and undeterred by the obstacles that still stood in her path1 she1 acting as the honoured hostess to a steadily increasing number of pilgrims who thronged #8,abdu'l-,bah's residence from both the ,east and the ,west1 continued to display those same attributes that had won her1 in the preceding phases of her career1 so great a measure of admiration and love4 ,and when1 in pursuance of ,god's inscrutable ,wisdom1 the ban on #8,abdu'l-,bah's confinement was lifted and the ,plan which ,he1 in the darkest hours of ,his confinement1 had conceived materialized1 ,he with unhesitating confidence1 invested ,his trusted and honoured sister with the responsibility of attending to the multitudinous details arising out of ,his protracted absence from the ,holy ,land4 ,no sooner had #8,abdu'l-,bah stepped upon the shores of the ,european and ,american continents than our beloved ,khnum found herself well-nigh overwhelmed with thrilling messages1 each betokening the irresistible advance of the ,cause in a manner which1 not withstanding the vast range of her experience1 seemed to her almost incredible4 ,the years in which she basked in the sunshine of #8,abdu'l-,bah's spiritual victories were1 perhaps1 among the brightest and happiest of her life4 ,little did she dream when1 as a little girl1 she was running about1 in the courtyard of her ,father's house in ihrn1 in the company of ,him ,whose destiny was to be one day the chosen ,center of ,god's indestructible ,covenant1 that such a ,brother would be capable of achieving1 in realms so distant1 and among races so utterly remote1 so great and memorable a victory4 ,the enthusiasm and joy which swelled in her breast as she greeted #8,abdu'l-,bah on ,his triumphant return from the ,west1 ,i will not venture to describe4 ,she was astounded at the vitality of which ,he had1 despite ,his unimaginable sufferings1 proved ,himself capable4 ,she was lost in admiration at the magnitude of the forces which ,his utterances had released4 ,she was filled with thankfulness to ,bah'u'llh for having enabled her to witness the evidences of such brilliant victory for ,his ,cause no less than for ,his ,son4 ,the outbreak of the ,great ,war gave her yet another opportunity to reveal the true worth of her character and to release the latent energies of her heart4 ,the residence of #8,abdu'l-,bah in ,haifa was besieged1 all throughout that dreary conflict1 by a concourse of famished men1 women and children whom the maladministration1 the cruelty and neglect of the officials of the ,ottoman ,government had driven to seek an alleviation to their woes4 ,from the hand of the ,greatest ,holy ,leaf1 and out of the abundance of her heart1 these hapless victims of a contemptible tyranny1 received day after day unforgettable evidences of a love they had learned to envy and admire4 ,her words of cheer and comfort1 the food1 the money1 the clothing she freely dispensed1 the remedies which1 by a process of her own1 she herself prepared and diligently applied--all these had their share in comforting the disconsolate1 in restoring sight to the blind1 in sheltering the orphan1 in healing the sick1 and in succoring the homeless and the wanderer4 ,she had reached1 amidst the darkness of the war days1 the high water-mark of her spiritual attainments4 ,few1 if any1 among the unnumbered benefactors of society whose privilege has been to allay1 in various measures1 the hardships and sufferings entailed by that ,fierce ,conflict1 gave as freely and as disinterestedly as she did2 few exercised that undefinable influence upon the beneficiaries of their gifts4 ,age seemed to have accentuated the tenderness of her loving heart1 and to have widened still further the range of her sympathies4 ,the sight of appalling suffering around her steeled her energies and revealed such potentialities that her most intimate associates had failed to suspect4 ,the ascension of #8,abdu'l-,bah1 so tragic in its suddenness1 was to her a terrific blow1 from the effects of which she never completely recovered4 ,to her ,he1 whom she called 8q10 had been a refuge in times of adversity4 ,on ,him she had been led to place her sole reliance4 ,in ,him she had found ample compensation for the bereavements she had suffered1 the desertions she had witnessed1 the ingratitude she had been shown by friends and kindreds4 ,no one could ever dream that a woman of her age1 so frail in body1 so sensitive of heart1 so loaded with the cares of almost eighty years of incessant tribulation1 could so long survive so shattering a blow4 ,and yet history1 no less than the annals of our immortal ,faith1 shall record for her a share in the advancement and consolidation of the world-wide community which the hand of #8,abdu'l-,bah had helped to fashion1 which no one among the remnants of ,his ,family can rival4 ,which of the blessings am ,i to recount1 which in her unfailing solicitude she showered upon me1 in the most critical and agitated hours of my life8 ,to me1 standing in so dire a need of the vitalizing grace of ,god1 she was the living symbol of many an attribute ,i had learned to admire in #8,abdu'l-,bah4 ,she was to me a continual reminder of ,his inspiring personality1 of ,his calm resignation1 of ,his munificence and magnanimity4 ,to me she was an incarnation of ,his winsome graciousness1 of ,his all-encompassing tenderness and love4 ,it would take me too long to make even a brief allusion to those incidents of her life1 each of which eloquently proclaims her as a daughter1 worthy to inherit that priceless heritage bequeathed to her by ,bah'u'llh4 ,a purity of life that reflected itself in even the minutest details of her daily occupations and activities2 a tenderness of heart that obliterated every distinction of creed1 class and color2 a resignation and serenity that evoked to the mind the calm and heroic fortitude of the ,bb2 a natural fondness of flowers and children that was so characteristic of ,bah'u'llh2 an unaffected simplicity of manners2 an extreme sociability which made her accessible to all2 a generosity1 a love1 at once disinterested and indiscriminating1 that reflected so clearly the attributes of #8,abdu'l-,bah's character2 a sweetness of temper2 a cheerfulness that no amount of sorrow could becloud2 a quiet and unassuming disposition that served to enhance a thousandfold the prestige of her exalted rank2 a forgiving nature that instantly disarmed the most unyielding enemy--these rank among the outstanding attributes of a saintly life which history will acknowledge as having been endowed with a celestial potency that few of the heroes of the past possessed4 ,no wonder that in ,tablets1 which stand as eternal testimonies to the beauty of her character1 ,bah'u'llh and #8,abdu'l-,bah have paid touching tributes to those things that testify to her exalted position among the members of their ,family1 that proclaim her as an example to their followers1 and as an object worthy of the admiration of all mankind4 ,i need only1 at this juncture1 quote the following passage from a ,tablet addressed by #8,abdu'l-,bah to the ,holy ,mother1 the tone of which reveals unmistakably the character of those ties that bound ,him to so precious1 so devoted a sister3 8,to my honored and distinguished sister do thou convey the expression of my heartfelt1 my intense longing4 ,day and night she liveth in my remembrance4 ,i dare make no mention of the feelings which separation from her has aroused in my heart1 for whatever ,i should attempt to express in writing will assuredly be effaced by the tears which such sentiments must bring to my eyes40 ,dearly-beloved ,greatest ,holy ,leaf6 ,through the mist of tears that fill my eyes ,i can clearly see1 as ,i pen these lines1 thy noble figure before me1 and can recognize the serenity of thy kindly face4 ,i can still gaze1 though the shadow of the grave separate us1 into thy blue1 love-deep eyes1 and can feel1 in its calm intensity1 the immense love thou didst bear for the ,cause of thine ,almighty ,father1 the attachment that bound thee to the most lowly and insignificant among its followers1 the warm affection thou didst cherish for me in thine heart4 ,the memory of the ineffable beauty of thy smile shall ever continue to cheer and hearten me in the thorny path ,i am destined to pursue4 ,the remembrance of the touch of thine hand shall spur me on to follow steadfastly in thy way4 ,the sweet magic of thy voice shall remind me1 when the hour of adversity is at its darkest1 to hold fast to the rope thou didst seize so firmly all the days of thy life4 ,bear thou this my message to #8,abdu'l-,bah1 thine exalted and divinely-appointed ,brother3 ,if the ,cause for which ,bah'u'llh toiled and labored1 for which ,thou didst suffer years of agonizing sorrow1 for the sake of which streams of sacred blood have flowed1 should1 in the days to come1 encounter storms more severe than those it has already weathered1 do ,thou continue to overshadow1 with ,thine all-encompassing care and wisdom1 ,thy frail1 ,thy unworthy appointed child4 ,intercede1 ,o noble and well-favoured scion of a heavenly ,father1 for me no less than for the toiling masses of ,thy ardent lovers1 who have sworn undying allegiance to ,thy memory1 whose souls have been nourished by the energies of ,thy love1 whose conduct has been moulded by the inspiring example of ,thy life1 and whose imaginations are fired by the imperishable evidences of ,thy lively faith1 ,thy unshakable constancy1 ,thy invincible heroism1 ,thy great renunciation4 ,whatever betide us1 however distressing the vicissitudes which the nascent ,faith of ,god may yet experience1 we pledge ourselves1 before the mercy-seat of thy glorious ,father1 to hand on1 unimpaired and undivided1 to generations yet unborn1 the glory of that tradition of which thou hast been its most brilliant exemplar4 ,in the innermost recesses of our hearts1 ,o thou exalted ,leaf of the ,abh ,paradise1 we have reared for thee a shining mansion that the hand of time can never undermine1 a shrine which shall frame eternally the matchless beauty of thy countenance1 an altar whereon the fire of thy consuming love shall burn forever4 ,,shoghi4 ,haifa1 ,palestine4 ,july #ag1 #aicb4 ,editorial ,note3 ,messages on the following pages1 added to the #aifh edition of ,bah' ,administration1 are also contained in ,messages to ,america1 #aicb-aidf4 ,,footnotes #a ,descendants 7feminine7 of ,bah'u'llh4 #b ,bahyyih1 sister of #8,abdu'l-,bah4 #c ,published in the booklet 8,prayer of ,bah'u'llh3 ,prayers and ,tablets of #8,abdu'l-,bah40 #d ,these translations1 with others received later1 were published as a pamphlet by the ,n4,s4,a4 #e ,published in the booklet 8,prayer of ,bah'u'llh3 ,prayers and ,tablets of #8,abdu'l-,bah40 #f ,the complete list of terms is to be found in ,bah' ,world1 volume ,,vii4 #g ,see previous footnote on transliterations4 #h ,published in 8,the ,star of the ,west0 during the year #aibc4 #i ,published in the ,bah' ,magazine1 ,star of the ,west4 #aj ,bah' ,scriptures1 ,new ,york1 #aibc2 replaced by ,bah' ,world ,faith1 #aidc4 #aa ,published in 8,the ,star of the ,west40 #ab ,bah'u'llh and the ,new ,era1 by ,j4 ,e4 ,esslemont1 ,london1 #aibb2 ,bah' ,publishing ,committee1 ,new ,york1 #aibg4 #ac ,this enclosure consisted of a copy of an article by ,queen ,marie in her newspaper syndicated series entitled 8,queen's ,counsel40 ,since the queen's first public reference to the ,cause in this series1 two additional references have appeared1 one on ,september #bf and one on ,september #bg1 #aibf4