# Baha'i Procedure *Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.* --- > Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Shoghi Effendi, Baha'i Procedure, New York: Bahá'í Publishing Committee, 1937, bahai-library.com. > ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── > > BAHA'i PROCEDURE > Instructions from Shoghi Effendi, and Procedures and > Rulings Adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly, > Compiled from the Guardian's Letters, Baha'i News, > and Minutes and Records of the National Assembly, for > the Information of American Baha'is. > > Section One > Material Defining the Attitude and Aetion of the Individual Baha'i. > > Section Two > Instructions and Proeedures for the Local Spiritual Assembly. > > Section Three > The Function and Proeedure of the Annual Convention. > > Section Four > Instructions and Procedures for the National Spiritual Assembly. > > ---:-- > > Compiled by the National Spiritual Assembly of the > Baha'is of the United States and Canada, 1936-1937. > > Note: Additions and Revisions Will be Made in these Sheets from Time to Time, > as Conditions Change. Recommendations are Requested from Spiritual Assem- > blies for the Improvement of this Secondary Administrative material. > Copyright 1937 > > I I > BAHA'I PUBLISHING COMMITTEE > P. 0. Box 348, Grand Central Annex, New York > 1937. > Printed in U.S. A. > BAHA'1 PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 1 > QUALIFICATIONS OF A cietyá destined to emerge from the chaotic > conditions that prevail today. When the > BELIEVER Aqdas is published this matter will be fur- > Regarding the very delicate and complex thei: explained and elucidated. What has not > question of ascertaining the qualifications of been formulated in the Aqdas, in addition to > a true believer, I cannot in this connection matters of detail and of secondary import- > emphasize too strongly the supreme neces- ance arising out of the application of the > sity for the exercise of the utmost discretion, laws already formulated by Baha'u'llah, will > caution and tact, whether it be in deciding have to be enacted by the Universal House o:t > for ourselves as to who may be regarded a Justice. This body can supplement but > true believer or in disclosing to the outside never invalidate or modify in the least de- > world such considerations as may serve as gree what has already been formulated by > a basis for such a decision. I would only Baha'u'llah. Nor has the Guardian any > venture to state very briefly and as ade- right whatsoever to lessen the binding effect > quately as present circumstances permit the much less to abrogate the provisions of so > principal factors that must be taken into fundamental and sacred a Book. > consideration before deciding whether a per- Already in Egypt, Persia, India and Iraq, > son may be regarded a true believer or not. Assemblies, both local and national, are > Full recognition of the station of the Fore- availing themselves of the opportunity which > runner, the Author, and the True Exemplar the autonomy granted to Eastern religious > of the Baha'i Cause, as set forth in 'Abdu'l- communities in matters of personal status > Baha's Testament; unreserved acceptance of, has offered them, to press for the recognition > and submission to, whatsoever has been re- by the civil authorities of such Laws of the > vealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast ad- Aqdas which they conscientiously feel they > herence to every clause of our Beloved's must uphold and enforce. They have even, > sacred Will ; and close association with the under certain circumstances, preferred to > spirit as well as the form of the .present day suspend their activities and dissolve their in- > Baha'i administration throughout the world stitutions rather than follow the dictates of > -these I conceive to be the fundamental and those officials who have tried to induce them > primary considerations that must be fairly, to violate what has been expressly ordained > dicreetly and thoughtfully ascertained before by the Author of their Faith. > reaching such a vital decision. Any attempt The Guardian will, when the Aqdas is pub- > at further analysis and elucidation will, I lished, elaborate this fundamental principle > fear, land us in barren discussions and even of our Faith. This brief reference, he feels, > grave controversies that would prove not is adequate for any reference you wish to > only futile but even detrimental to the best make regarding this matter in the News > interests of a growing Cause. I would there- Letter.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > fore strongly urge those who are called upon > to make such a decision to approach this DAILY OBLIGATORY > highly involved and ever-recurring problem PRAYER > with the spirit of humble prayer, and earnest > consultation, and to refrain from drawing The daily obligatory prayers are three in > rigidly the line of demarcation except on such number .. The shortest one consists of a sin- > occasions when the interests of the Cause gle verse which has to be recited once in > absolutely demand it.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. every twenty-four hours and at midday. The > medium (prayer) which begins with the > words : "The Lord is witness that there is > LAWS OF THE AQDAS none other God but He", has to be recited > In view of the importance of such a state- three times a day, in the morning, at noon > ment he feels it his duty to explain that the and in the evening. The long prayer which > Laws revealed by Baha'u'llah in the Aqdas is the most elaborate of the three has to be > are, whenever practicable and not in direct recited once in every twenty-four hours, and > conflict with the Civil Laws of the land, ab- at any time one feels inclined to do so. > solutely binding on every believer or Baha'i The believer is entirely free to choose any > institution whether in the East or in the one of those three prayers, but is under the > West. Certain laws, such as fasting, obli- obligation of reciting either one of them, and > gatory prayers, the consent of the parents in accordance with any specific directions > before marriage, avoidance of alcoholic with which they may be accompanied. > drinks, monogamy, should be regarded by all These daily obligatory prayers, together > believers as universally and vitally applica- with a few other specific ones, such as the > ble at the present time. Others have been Healing Prayer, the Tablet of Ahmad, have > formulated in anticipation of a state of so- been invested by Baha'u'llah with a special > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 2 > potency and significance, and should there- justice unto all creation. Were His law to > fore be accepted as such and be recited by be such as to strike terror into the hearts of > the believers with unquestioned faith and all that are in heaven and on earth, that law > confidence, that through them they may enter is naught but manifest justice. The fears > into a much closer communion with God, and agitation which the revelation of this > and identify themselves more fully with His law provoke in men's hearts should indeed > laws and precepts.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. be likened to the cries of the sucking babe > weaned from his mother's milk, if ye be of > THE ORDINANCE OF them that perceive ... ," > FASTING The fasting period, which lasts nineteen > days starting as a rule from the second of > As regards fasting, it constitutes, togeth- March every year and ending on the twen- > er with the obligatory prayers, the two pil- tieth of the same month, involves complete > lars that sustain the revealed Law of God. abstention from food and drink from sun- > They act as stimulants to the soul, strength- rise till sunset. It is essentially a period of > en, revive and purify it, and thus insure its meditation and prayer, of spiritual recupera- > steady development. tion, during which the believer must strive > The ordinance of fas ting is, as is the case to make the necessary readjustments in his > with these three prayers,* a spiritual and inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate > vital obligation enjoined by Baha'llah upon the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its > every believer who has attained the age of significance and purpose are, therefore, fun- > fifteen. In the Aqdas He thus writes: "We damentally spiritual in character. Fasting is > have commanded you to pray and fast from symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from > the beginning of maturity ; this is ordained selfish and carnal desires.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > by God, your Lord and the Lord of your fore- > fathers. He has exempted from this those THE BAB AND > who are weak from illness or age, as a > bounty from His Presence, and He is the BAHA'U'LLAH IN DRAMAS > Forgiving, the Generous." And in another With reference to your question whether > passage He says: "We have enjoined upon the figures of the Bab and Baha'u'llah should > you fasting during a brief period, and at be made to appear as characters in dramatic > its close have designated for you Naw-Ruz works written by the believers, Shoghi Ef- > as a feast. . . . The traveler, the ailing, fendi's opinion is that such an attempt to > those who are with child or giving suck, are dramatize the Manifestations would be high- > not bound by the fast. . . . Abstain from ly disrespectful, and hence should be avoided > food and drink, from sunrise to sundown, by the friends, even in the case of the Mas- > and beware lest desire deprive you of this ter. Besides it would be practically impos- > grace that is appointedá in the Book." sible to carry out such a -plan faithfully, > Also in the "Questions and Answers" that and in a dignified and befitting manner.- > form an appendix to the Aqdas, Baha'u'llah SH0GHI EFFENDI. > reveals the following: "Verily, I say that > God has appointed a great station for fast- > ing and prayer. But during good health its TRANSLATION OF > benefit is evident, and when one is ill, it is SYMBOL OF THE > not permissible to fulfill them." Concern- > ing the age of maturity, He reveals in the GREATEST NAME > appendix of that same book: "The age of He also wishes me to inform you that > maturity is in the fifteenth year; women and the symbol of the Greatest Name represents > men are alike in this respect." an invocation which can be translated either > Regarding the vital character and im- as "0 Glory of Glories" or "0 Glory of the. > portance of the Divine ordinances and laws, All--Glorious." The word glory used in this > and the necessity of complete obedience to connection is a translation of the Arabic > them by the believers, we thus read in the term "Baba," the name of Baha'u'llah.- > Gleanings, p. 175: "Know verily that the es- SHOGHI EFFENDI. > sence of justice and the source thereof are > both embodied in the ordinance prescribed TRANSLITERATION OF > by Him Who is the Manifestation of the Self > of God amongst men, if ye be of them that PERSIAN BAHA'l TERMS > recognize this truth. He doth verily incar- The friends are reminded of the Guardian's > nate the highest, the infallible standard of wish that in all printed literature of the > Cause, the Persian words and terms be > * The three obligatory daily prayers, any one of > which the believer is free to choose. transliterated according to the correct stand- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 3 > ard observed by the Guardian. This standard tual words of the Master things that were > will be found in The Baha'i World, Vol. IV. not authenticated ibyHim.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > -N.S.A. > > SYMBOL OF THE STORIES ABOUT > GREATEST NAME 'ABDU'L-BAHA > He would also urge you to attach no im- > The friends will be happy to learn that the portance to the stories told about 'Abdu'l- > use of this Symbol is now legally protected Baha or to those attributed to Him by the > for proper Baha'i use under the trade mark friends. These should be regarded in the > registration recently made by the National same light as the notes and impressions of > Spiritual Assembly through the U. S. Patent visiting pilgrims. They need not be sup- > Office. pressed, but they should not also be given > After careful consideration of the signifi- prominence or official recognition.-SH0GHI > cance of this sacred Symbol, the Assemby EFFENDI. > has voted that its use should be confined to > books and pamphlets containing the words > of Baha'u'llah.-N. S. A. CONCERNING LETTERS > FROM HAIFA > DISTINCTION BETWEEN > I wish to add and say that whatever let- > TABLETS AND TALKS ters are sent in my behalf from Haifa are > Shoghi Effendi has laid down a principle all read and approved by me before mailing. > that the Ba:ha'is should not attribute much There is no exception whatever to this rule. > importance to talks, reported to have been -SHOGHI EFFENDI. > given by the Master, if these have not in > one form or other obtained His sanction. THE GUARDIAN'S LET- > Baha'u'llah has made it clear enough that > only those things that have been revealed in TERS TO INDIVIDUALS > the form of Tablets have a binding power As regards Shoghi Effendi's letters to the > over the friends. Hearsays may be matters individual Baha'is, he is always very careful > of interest but can in no way claim author- not to contradict himself. He has also said > ity. This basic teaching of Baha'u'llah was that whenever he has something of import- > to preserve the Faith from being corrupted ance to say, he invariably communicates it > like Islam which attributes binding author- to the National Spiritual Assemlbly or in his > ity to all the reported sayings of Muham- general letters. His personal letters to in- > mad. dividual friends are only for their personal > This being a basic principle of the Faith benefit and even though he does not want to > we should not confuse Tablets that were ac- forbid their ,publication, he does not wish > tually revealed and mere talks attributed to them to be used too much by the Baha'i > the founders of the Cause. The first have News. Only letters with special significance > absolute binding authority while the latter should be published there.-SH0GHI EFFEN- > can in no way claim our obedience. The DI. > highest th~ng this can achieve is to influence > the activities of the one who has heard the > saying in person. THE GUARDIAN'S RELA- > Those talks of the Master that were later TION TO INDIVIDUAL > reviewed by Him and corrected or in some BELIEVERS > other form considered authentic by Himself, > such as the Some Answered Questions, these As to the important issue you have raised > could be considered as Tablets and there- in this connection regarding the nature and > fore be given the necessary binding power. significance of the ties which must unite in- > All the other talks such as are included in dividual Baha'is with their Guardian, it > Ahmad's diary or the other diaries of pil- should be made clear that such a relation- > grims do not fall under this category and ship, ,though it transcends any relationship > could be considered only as interesting ma- to an Assembly, is by no means intended to > terial to be taken for what they are worth, curtail the authority of the administrative > For this reason Shoghi Effendi has not bodies of the Cause, that it rather serves to > been encouraging the publication of reported strengthen and consolidate the unity of the > sayings that were not authenticated by the Administration. Administrative efficiency > Master Himself. Shoghi Effendi is trying to and order should always ábe accompanied by > prevent the friends from considering as ac- an equal degree of love, of devotion and of > BAHA'f PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 4 > spiritual development. Both of them are es- is conditioned upon the full approval of all > sential and to attempt to dissociate one from four parents. Also your statement to the > the other is to deaden the body of the Cause. effect that the principle of the oneness of > In these days, when the Faith is still in its mankind prevents any true Baha'i from re- > infancy, great care must be taken lest mere garding race itself as a bar to union is in > administrative routine stifles the spirit which complete accord with the Teachings of the > must feed the body of the Administration Faith on this point. For both Baha'u'llah > itself. That spirit is its propelling force and 'Abdu'l-Baha never disapproved of the > and the motivating power of its very life. idea of inter-racial marriage, nor discour- > But as already emphasized, both the spirit aged it. The Baha'i Teachings, indeed, by > and the form are essential to the safe and their very nature transcend all limitations > speedy development of the Administration. imposed by race, and as such can and should > To maintain full balance between them is the never be identified with any particular school > main and unique responsibility of the admin- of racial philosophy.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > istrators of the Cause. > It is invariably my purpose and constant BAHA't FUNERAL > effort to uphold and reinforce the adminis- > trative principles of the Faith, and I trust SERVICE > that nothing will be allowed to interfere with Regarding the Baha'i funeral service: it > the proper functioning of these administra- is extremely simple, as it consists only of a > tive bodies.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. congregational prayer to be read before > burial. This prayer will be made available > GUARDIAN REQUESTS to the friends when the Aqdas is translated > BAHA'fS NOT TO OBSERVE and published. In the meantime your N. > S. A. should take great care lest any uniform > HIS BIRTHDAY procedure or ritual in this matter be adopted > I wish to add a few words in person re- or imposed upon the friends. The danger in > garding the commemoration of my birthday this, as in some other cases regarding Baha'i > anniversary. I would earnestly request all worship, is that a definite system of rigid > the believers and Assemblies not to observe, rituals and practices be developed among the > under any circumstances, whether officially believers. The utmost simplicity and flexi- > or privately, my birthday anniversary. I bility should be observed, and a selection > strongly feel that only anniversaries in con- from the Baha'i Sacred Writing would serve > nection with the life of the Bab, Baha'u'llah the puil)<>Seat the present time, provided > and •Abdu'l-Baha should be celebrated by the this selection is not rigidly and uniformly > believers. It will, I am sure, prove conducive adopted on all such occasions.-SHOGHI EF- > to my own spiritual growth and happiness, FENDI. > and would be in the best interests of our > beloved Faith. I trust that you will acquaint > all the believers with this insistent request > THE USE OF RINGSTONES > of mine and I feel sure that they will all AND BURIAL STONES > joyfully respond.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > In regard to the use of ringstones and > CONGREGATIONAL burial stones, the Guardian leaves this mat- > ter at present entirely to the discretion of > PRAYER the believers, and has no objection if your > "Regarding the practice of congregational Assembly provides facilities for their pur- > prayer, the Guardian wishes you to know chase by the friends. When the "Kita'b-i- > that this form of prayer has been enjoined Aqdas" is published the necessary instruc- > by Baha'u'llah only for the dead. In all tions will be given regarding this matter.- > other circumstances there is no obUgation SHOGHI EFFENDI. > whatever imposed upon the believers. When > the Aqdas is published the form of congre- TAXES AND > gational prayer prescribed by Baha'u'llah > will be made clear to all the believers.- SPIRITUAL OFFERINGS > SHOGHI EFFENDI. • > There is a difference betwen taxes and > NATURE OF BAHA'f spiritual offerings. The House of Justice > has certain revenues such as inheritance > MARRIAGE shares, fees and fines. These are the taxes > In regard to your question concerning the which, according to the Aqdas, go directly > nature and character of Baha'i marriage. not to the Guardian but to the House of Jus- > As you have rightly stated, such a marriage tice. According to the Master's Will which > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 5 > complements the Aqdas, the Huquq goes business sessions of the Convention held in > only to the Guardian.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. the Foundation Hall. Shoghi Effendi would > urge that choir singing by men, women and > IMPORTANCE OF children be encouraged in the Auditorium > ARCHIVES and that rigidity in the Baha'i service be > The importance of the institution of scrupulously avoided. Táhe more universal > Baha'i Archives is not due only to the many and informal the character of Baha'i wor- > teaching facilities it procures, but is espe- ship in the Temple the better. Images and > cially to be found in the vast amount of his- pictures, with the exception of the Greatest > torical data and information it offers both Name, should be strictly excluded. Prayers > to the present-day administrators of the revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Master as > Cause, and to the Baha'i historians of the well as the sacred writings of the Prophets > future. The institution of Baha'i Archives should be read or chanted as well as hymns > is indeed a most valuable storehouse of in- based upon Baha'i or non-Baha'i sacred > formation regarding all the aspects of the writings. > Faith, administrative as well as doctrinal. CHANTING IN THE > Future generations of believers will be sure- > ly in a better position than we are to truly TEMPLE > and adequately appreciate the many advan- As regards the chanting of Tablets in the > tages and facilities which the institution of Temple, Shoghi Effendi wishes in this con- > the Archives offers to individual 1believers nection to urge the friends to avoid all forms > and also to the community at large. of rigidity and uniformity in matters of > Now that the Cause is rapidly passing worship. There is no objection to the recital > through so many different phases of its evo- or chanting of prayers in the Oriental lan- > lution, is the time for the friends to exert guage, but there is also no obligation what- > their utmost in order to preserve as much soever of adopting such a form of prayer at > as they can of the sacred relics and various any devotional service in the auditorium of > other precious objects that are associated the Temple. It should neither be required > with the lives of the Founders of the Faith, nor prohibited. The important thing that > and particularJy the Tablets They have re- should always be borne in mind is that with > vealed. the exception of certain specific obligatory > Every believer should realize that he has prayers, Baha'u'llah has given us no strict > a definite responsibility to -shoulder in this or special ruling in mattersá of worship, > matter, and to help, to whatever extent he whether in the Temple or elsewhere. Pray- > can, in rendering successful the valuable er is essentially a communion between man > work! which national and local Baha'i Ar- and God, and as such transcends all ritual- > chives committees are so devotedly accom- istic forms and formulae.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > plishing for the Faith in America.-SH0GHI > EFFENDI. DRAMATIC PERFOR- > PRESERVATION OF MANCES IMPROPER FOR > RELICS FOUNDATION HALL > Regarding the preservation of relics asso- Shoghi Effendi feels it to be inadvisable > ciated with áAbdu'l-Baha, the general prin- that the Temple Foundation Hall be used for > ciple should be that any object used by Him dramatic performances. He believes that > in person should be preserved for posterity, only Baha'i meetings, and business sessions > whether in the local or the national archives. of the Convention, can be held in it until > It is the duty and responsibility of the Ba- such time as the erection of a special edifice > ha'i Assemblies to ascertain carefully wheth- for this purpose has been undertaken by the > er such objects are genuine or not, and to American friends.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > exercise the utmost care and caution in the > matter.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. HOW FUNDS ARE TO BE > TEMPLE MEETINGS CONTRIBUTED > As to the character of the meetings in the You asked concerning some plans whereby > Auditorium of the Temple, he feels that they funds could be gathered for the Temple. > should ,be purely devotional in character, Shoghi Effendi believes that the best and > Baha'i addresses and lectures should be noblest method is to have free donations that > strictly excluded. For the present, he feels are made spontaneously and with the sense > that there would be no objection to having of making some sacrifice in f uthering the > Baha'i meetings including addresses and the . Cause. It is with sacrifice that this Temple > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 6 > is to be built. This is the truly worthy tivities, local, national and international in > method. This principle therefore excludes scope.-N. S. A. > any method whereby the help of non-Baha'is > is included.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. PROPER METHOD OF > TEST OF FAITH CONSULTATION > He wishes you particularly to impress the Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that consul- > • believers with the necessity of maintaining tation must be maintained between the N. > the flow of their contributions to the Temple, S. A. and the entire body of the ábelievers, and > and also to stress the importance of the in- that such consultation, while the Convention > stitution of the National Baha'i Fund which, is not in session, can best be maintained > in these early days of the administrative de- through the agency of the local Assemblies, > velopment of the Faith, is the indispensable one of whose essential functions is to act as > medium for the growth and expansion of the intermediaries between the local communi- > Movement. Contributions to this fund consti- ties and their national representatives. The > tute, in addition, a practical and effective main pur,pose of the Nineteen Day Feasts is > way whereby every believer can test the to enable individual believers to offer any > measure and character of his faith, and to suggestion to the local Assembly which in its > prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion turn will pass it to the N. S. A. The local > and attachment to the Cause.-SH0GHI EF- Assembly is, therefore, the proper medium > FENDI. > through which local Baha'i communities can > communicate with the body of the national > representatives.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > THE NINETEEN DAY > FEAST THE TRUE CHARACTER > This institution, established by Baha'u' - OF CONSULTATION > llah, has been described by the Guardian as After careful consideration, the National > the foundation of the new World Order. The Spiritual Assembly voted to record the view > National Spiritual Assembly understands first, that anonymous communications are > that it is incumbent upon every believer, un- not in conformity either with the svirit or the > less ill or absent from the city, to attend each letter of the Baha'i Teachings, and secondly, > of these Feasts. that the general distribution of any letter, > In a general letter issued to Local Spiri- whether anonymous or otherwise, by an in- > tual Assemblies áseveral years ago, it was dividual believer to members of the Ameri- > pointed out that the Guardian instructs that can Baha'i communities is an improper > the Nineteen Day Feast be held according to method of Baha'i consultation.-N. S. A. > the following program:á the first part, en- > tirely spiritual in character, is devoted to Haifa, May 18, 1934, (Cablegram) "Urge > readings from Baha'i Sacred Writings; the believers strictly adhere (to) National As- > second part consists of general consultation sembly's instructions regarding anonymous > on the affairs of the Cause, at which time the letters." (signed) Shoghi. > Local Spiritual Assembly reports its activi- > ties to the comm.unity, asks for suggestions > and consultation, and also delivers messages BAHA'l ANNIVERSARIES > received from the Guardian and the National AND NINETEEN-DAY > Assembly. The third part is the material FEASTS > feast and social meeting of all the friends. > Only voting believers are invited to attend The question is frequently raised whether > the Nineteen Day Feasts, but young people Nineteen-Day Feasts and Anniversary Cele- > of less than twenty-one years of age, who brations noted on the Baha'i calendar should > are declared believers, especially when mem- be regarded as occasions limited to believers > bers of a Baha'i family, can also be present. or open to non-Baha'i guests. The matter > These meetings may be regarded as the was referred to Shoghi Effendi by the Na- > very heart of our Baha'i community life. tional Assembly before the Convention, to > When properly conducted, and attended by a have the question answered for us all in such > Baha'i com'munity which fully appreciates a way as to reflect truest wisdom and knowl- > their importance, the Nineteen Day Feasts edge. The Guardian's reply placed the de- > serve to renew and deepen our spirit of cision, for the present at least, in the mem- > faith, increase our capacity for united action, bers of the National Assembly. > remove misunderstandings and keep us After consultation, the Assembly record- > fully informed of all imvortant Baha'i ac- ed its view that Baha'i Feasts and Anni- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 7 > versaries should be regarded as opportuni- he will be treated with every courtesy and > ties for spiritual inspiration and fellowship consideration.-N. S. A. > among the believers, and occasions to be > kept sacred for the Cause, but in recording HOW TO PRESENT THE > this attitude did not lay it down as a formal > ruling to bind the American friends. Each MASTER'S WILL TO NEW > local Spiritual Assembly is free to conduct BELIEVERS > these meetings in accordance with its own > conditions and needs. Concerning the best method of presenting > It is evident, of course, that a religious the Master's Will to the newcomers, Shoghi > community needs certain occasions free from Effendi is of the opinion that the N. S. A. > influence by prevailing customs and opinions, should first make some suitable extracts from > when its collective spirit and will may be the Testament, and to send these to all the > confirmed from the one acknowledged source local Assemblies for their use, so that there > of guidance 1:1,nd power. All Baha'is are in may be full unity in circulating the provi- > need of such blessed hours shared with f el- sions of the Will among the new believers. > low believers, for the development of the in- The problem of choosing such excerpts is left > ner life within the community which can sur- entirely to the discretion of the N. S. A. The > vive and serve the Cause only as it becomes main thing, as it appears to the Guardian, is > one in Baha'u'llah. that the full station of the Bab, Baha'u'llah > Appreciating the value of the influence and 'Abdu'l-Baha be clearly explained, and > released upon inquirers permitted to attend that the origin, nature and working of the > such Baha'i gatherings, the National Assem- Administrative Order of the Faith be clearly > bly nevertheless believes that the same effect stated. The full implications of such a recog- > can be gained by occasional meetings of a nition are evidently beyond the comprehen- > combined spiritual and social character, held sion of any new ábeliever. Such a knowledge > in addition to those marked upon the calen- can be acquired gradually, and only when > dar of the Cause.-N. S. A. the essentials of the Faith have been clearly > Concerning the nature of the Nineteen recognized and adequately understood.- > Day Feast. In the Aqdas, Baha'u'llah clearly SH0GHI EFFENDI. > revealed the spiritual and social character of > this institution. Its administrative sig- MEMBERSHIP IN OTHER > nificance, however, has :been stressed by the ORGANIZATIONS > Guardian in direct response .to the growing > needs of the Baha'i community in this form- Formal affiliation with and acceptance of > ative period of the Baha'i era for better membership in organizations whose pro- > training in the principles and practice of grams or policies are not wholly reconcilable > Baha'i administration.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. with the Teachings is of course out of the > question. In the case of the World Fellow- > ship of Faiths, however, Shoghi Effendi sees > THE FEASTS AND no objection if the American National As- > ANNIVERSARIES sembly decides to appoint one or two Baha'i > representatives to address some of the public > The question has been raised whether the meetings held under their auspices. To mere- > statement made in the July, 1930, issue of ly address such •gatherings on one or two oc- > Baha'i News was intended to convey the casions on a subject which is in harmony > fact that the Guardian's instruction to the with the spirit of the Teachings does not > American National Assembly meant that constitute acceptance by the Baha'i speaker > each Local Assembly is free to decide for of the entire program of the Fellowship. We > itself whether non-believers may be áinvited should welcome and seize every opportunity > to the Nineteen-Day Feasts. that presents itself, however modest it may > The answer is that only the Anniversaries, be, to give a wider publicity to the Cause, > not the Nineteen-Day Feasts, have been left to demonstrate its all-inclusiveness and lib- > to the discretion of the believers. If a Local eral attitude, its independence and purity, > Assemjbly feels that the Cause will be served without committing ourselves, whether by > by inviting non-believers to one of the An- word or deed, to programs or policies that > niversary meetings, it is free to do so, even are not in strict conformity with the tenets > though the National Assembly pointed out of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi hopes that this > the ideal in the statement published last ,principle will guide your distinguished As- > July. The Nineteen-Day FeastB, however, sembly in its dealings with various associa- > are for the recognized believers alone. If tions which will increasingly seek, in the > a non-believer be found present, naturally days to come, the support of Baha'i indi- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 8 > viduals and Assemblies for the attainment of of the World Order of Baha'u'llah. > their ends.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. This essential principle is made clear when > we turn to Shoghi Effendi's further refer- > CONTACT WITH SOCIAL ence to the subject as published in Baha'i > News for October, 1935-words written by > MOVEMENTS the Guardi,an's own hand. > It is surely very necessary that the In the light of these words, it seems fully > friends should keep in touch with the mod- evident that the way to approach this in- > ern social movements, but their main objec- struction is in realizing the Faith of Baha'u'l- > tive should be to draw more people to the lah as an ever-growing organism 1 destined to > spirit and teachings of the Cause. They become something new and greater than any > should learn from the experience of others of the revealed religions of the past. Whereas > and not permit themselves to go ( off) at a former Faiths inspired hearts and illumined > tangent, and finally be so absorbed in other souls, they eventuated in formal religions > movements as to forget the Cause of God.- with an ecclesiastical organization, creeds, > SHOGHI EFFENDI. ritua:s and churches, while the Faith of > Baha'u'llah, likewise renewing man's spiri- > tual life, will gradually produce the institu- > CONCERNING MEMBER- tions of an ordered society, fulfilling not > SHIP IN NON-BAHA't RE- merely the function of the churches of the > LIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS past but also the function of the civil state. > By this manifestation of the Divine Will in > The instruction written by Shoghi Effendi a higher degree than in former ages, human- > concerning membership in non-Baha'i re- ity will emerge from that immature civiliza- > ligious organizations, published in the July, tion in which church and state are separate > 1935 number of Baha'i News, has brought and competitive institutions, and partake of > forth some interesting and important com- a true civilization in which spiritual and so- > munications from local Spiritual Assemblies cial principles are at last reconciled as two > and also from individual believers, to all of aspects of one and the same Truth. > which the National Spiritual Assembly has No Baha'i can read the successive World > given careful and sympathetic attention. Order letters sent us by Shoghi Effendi with- > The National Assembly itself, on receiving out perceiving that the Guardian, for many > that instruction, made it the subject of ex- years, has been preparing us to understand > tensive consultation, feeling exceedingly re- and appreciate this fundamental pur,:poseand > sponsible for its own understanding of the mission of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. > Guardian's words and anxious to contribute Even when the Master ascended, we were > to the understanding of the friends. for the most part still considering the Baha'i > In October, 1935, the Assembly sent in re- Faith as though it were only the "return of > ply to some of these communications a gen- Christ" and failing to perceive the entirely > eral letter embodying its thoughts on the sub- new and larger elements latent in the Teach- > ject, and a copy of that letter was forwarded ings of Baha'u'llah. > to Shoghi Effendi for his ,approval and com- Thus, in the very first of the World Order > ment. His references to its contents, made letters, written February 27th, 1929, Shoghi > in letters addressed to the National Spiritual Effendi said: "Who, I may ask, when view- > Assembly on Nevember 29 and December 11, ing the international character of the Cause, > 1935, are appended to this statement. its far-flung ramifications, the increasing > Now that Shoghi Effendi's approval has complexity of its affairs, the diversity of its > been received, the National Assembly feels adherents, and the state of confusion that > it desirable to publish, for the information assails on every side the infant Faith of God, > of all the American ,believers, the substance can for a moment question the necessity of > of the October letter. some sort of administrative machinery that > While so fundamental an instruction is will insure, amid the storm and stress of a > bound to raise different questions corre- struggling civilization, the unity of the > sponding to the different conditions exist- Faith, the preservation of its identity, and > ing throughout the Baha'i community, the the protection of its interests?" > most important consideration is our collec- Although for five years the Guardian had > tive need to grasp the essential principle un- been setting forth the principles of Baha'i > derlying the new instruction, and our ca- Administration in frequent letters, in 1927 > pacity to perceive that the position which he apparently felt it necessary to overcome > the Guardian wishes us to take in regard some doubts here and there as to the valid- > to church membership is a necessary and ity of the institutions the Master bequeathed > inevitable result of the steady development to the Baha'is in His Will and Testament. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 9 > The series of World Order letters, however, diverse elements which the Manifestation of > goes far beyond the .point of def ending and God Himself has declared to be irreconcila- > explaining their validity as an essential ele- ble. > ment in the Faith of Baha'u'llah-the Guar- The principle underlying the Guardian's > dian vastly extended the horizon of our un- instruction about membership in non-Baha'i > derstanding by making it clear that the Ad- religious bodies has already been emphasized > ministrative Order, in its full development, by Shoghi Effendi in another connection- > is to be the social structure of the future the instruction about the non-political char- > civilization. acter of the Faith which he incorporated in > Thus, in that same letter quoted above, he his letter entitled "The Golden Age of the > wrote: "Not only will the present-day Spiri- Cause of Baha'u'llah." For example: "I feel > tual Assemblies be styled differently in fu- it, therefore, incumbent upon me to stress, > ture, but will be enabled also to add to their now that the time is ripe, the importance of > present functions thos•e powers, duties, and an instruction which, at the present stage of > prerogatives necessitated by the recognition the evolution of our Faith, should be increas- > of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, not merely as one ingly emphasized, irrespective of its appli- > of the recognized religious systems of the cation to the East or to the West. And this > world, but as the State Religion of an inde- principle is no other than that which in- > pendent and Sovereign Power. And as the volves the non-participation by the adher- > Baha'i Faith permeates the masses of the ents of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, whether in > peoples of East and West, and its truth is their individual capacities or collectively as > embraced by the majority of the peoples of a local or national Assemblies, in any form of > number of the Sovereign States of the world, activity that might be interpreted, either di- > will the Universal House of Justice attain rectly or indirectly, as an interference in the . > the plentitude of its power, and exercise, as political affairs of any particular govern- > the supreme organ of the Baha'i Common- ment." > wealth, all the rights, the duties, and re- Again, when the question was raised as to > sponsibilities incumbent upon the world's fu- membership in certain non-Baha'i organiza- > ture super-state." tions not directly religious or political in > This passage stands as the keystone in character, the Guardian replied: "Regarding > the noble structure which Shoghi Effendi has association with the World Fellowship of > raised in his function as interpreter of the Faiths and kindred .Societies, Shoghi Effendi > Teachings of Baha'u'llah. The Master de- wishes to reaffirm and elucidate the general > veloped the Cause to the point where this principle that Baha'i elected representatives > social Teaching, always existent in the Tab- as well as individuals should refrain from > lets of Baha'u'llah, could be explained to the any act or word that would imply a depar- > believers and given its due significance as the ture from the principles, whether spiritual, > fulfilment of Baha'i evolution. As the Guar- social or administrative, established by > dian expressed it: "That Divine Civilization, Baha'u'llah. Formal affiliation with and ac- > the establishment of which is the primary ceptance of membership in organizations > mission of the Baha'i Faith." (World Order whose programs or policies are not wholly > of Baha'u'llah, pages 3 and 4). reconcilable with the Teachings is of course > For us these words mean that a Baha'i is out of the question." (Baha'i News, August, > not merely a member of ,a revealed Religion, 1933.) > he is also a citizen in a World Order even Thus, not once but repeatedly the Guar- > though that Order today is still in its infan- dian has upheld the vital principle underly- > cy and still obscured by the shadows thrown ing every type of relationship between > by the institutions, habits and attitudes de- Baha'is and other organizations, namely, > rived from the past. But since the aim and that the Cause of Baha'u'llah is an ever- > end has been made known, our devotion and growing organism, and as we begin to real- > loyalty must surely express itself, not in ize its universality our responsibility is defi- > clinging to views and thoughts emanating nitely established to cherish and def end that > from the past, but in pressing forward in universality from all compromise, all admix- > response to the needs of the new creation. ture with worldly elements, whether emanat- > That true devotion, which consists in con- ing from our own habits rooted in the past > scious knowledge of the "primary mission," or from the deliberate attacks imposed by > and unified action to assist in bringing about enemies from without. > its complete triumph, recognizes that a It will be noted that in the instruction pub- > Baha'i today must have singleness of mind lished in July, 1935, Baha'i News, the Guar- > as of aim, without the division arising when dian made it clear that the principle in- > we stand with one foot in the Cause and one volved is not new and unexpected, but > foot in the world, attempting to reconcile rather an application of an established prin- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 10 > ciple to a new condition. "Concerning mem- divided loyalty the integrity of our Faith > bership in non-Baha'i religious associations, and demonstrate the distinguishing fea- > the Guardian wishes to reemphasize the gen- tures of its divinely appointed institutions." > eral principle already laid down in his com- Nothing could be clearer or more empha- > munications to your Assembly and also to the tic. These words, asserting again the essen- > individual believers that no Baha'i who tial universality of the Cause, likewise re- > wishes to ,be a whole-hearted and sincere up- peat and renew the warning that the organ- > holder of the distinguishing principles of the ized religions, even in America, will become > Cause can accept full membership in any bitterly hostile to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, > non-Baha'i ecclesiastical organization. . . . .denounce and oppose it, and seek its destruc- > For it is only too obvious that in most of its tion in vain effort to maintain their own > fundamental assumptions the Cause of Ba- "outworn creeds" and material power. In- > ha'u'llah is completely at variance with out- formed of this inevitable development, can > worn creeds, ceremonies and institutions .... a Baha'i any longer desire to retain a con- > Iluri:pg the days of the Master the Cause was nection which, however liberal and pleasing > still in a stage that made such an open and it now seems, is a connection with a poten- > sharp dissociation between it and other re- tial foe of the Cause of God? The Guardian's > ligious organizations, and particularly the instruction signifies that the time has come > Muslim Faith, not only inadvisable but prac- when all American believers must become > tically impossible to establish. But since His fully conscious of the implications of such > passing events throughout the Baha'i world, connections, and carry out their loyalty to its > and particularly in Egypt where the Muslim logical conclusion. > religious courts have formally testified to the Shoghi Effendi's latest words are not > independent character of the Faith, have de- merely an approval of the foregoing state- > veloped to a point that have made such an ment, but a most helpful elucidation of some > assertion of the independence of the Cause of the problems which arise when the friends > not only highly desirable but absolutely es- turn to their local Assemblies for specific ad- > sential." vice under various special circumstances. > To turn now to the Guardian's words •pub- "The explanatory statement in connection > lished in October Baha'i News : "The separa- with membership in non-Baha'i religious or- > tion that has set in between the institutions ganizations is admirably conceived, convinc- > of the Baha'i Faith and the Islamic ecclesias- ing and in full conformity with the princi- > tical organizations that oppose it . . . im- ples underlying and implied in the unfolding > poses upon every loyal upholder of the Cause world order of Baha'u'llah." (November 29, > the obligation of refraining from any word 1933.) > or action that might prejudice the position > which our enemies have . . . of their own "The Guardian has carefully read the copy > accord proclaimed and established. This his- of the statement you had recently prepared > toric development, the beginnings of which concerning non-membership in non-Baha'i > could neither be recognized nor even antici- religious organizations, and is pleased to > pated in the years immediately preceding realize that your comments and explanations > 'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, may be said to have are in full conformity with his views on the > signalized the Formative Period of our Faith subject. He hopes that your letter will serve > and to have paved the way for the consoli- to clarify this issue in the minds of all the > dation of its administrative order. . . . believers, and to further convince them of its > Though our Cause unreservedly recognizes vital character and importance in the pres- > the Divine origin of all the religions that ent stage of the evolution of the Cause. > preceded it and upholds the spiritual truths " ... In this case*, as also in that of suffer- > which lie at their very core and are common ing believers, the Assemblies, whether local > to them all, its institutions, whether adminis- or national, should act tactfully, patiently > trative, religious or. humanitarian, must if and in a friendly and kindly spirit. Knowing > their distinctive character is to be main- how painful and dapgerous it is for such be- > tained and recognized, be increasingly di- lievers to repudiate their former allegiances > vorced from the outworn creeds, the mean- and friendships, they should try to grad- > ingless ceremonials and man-made institu- ually persuade them of the wisdom and > tions with which these religions are at pres- necessity of such an action, and instead of > ent identified. Our adversaries in the East thrusting upon them a new principle, to > have initiated the struggle. Our future op- make them accept it inwardly, and out of > ponents in the West will, in their turn, arise pure conviction and desire. Too severe and > and carry it a stage further. Ours is the > duty, in anticipation of this inevitable con- * A special case involving an aged believer, > afflicted with illness, for whom severance of church > test, to uphold unequivocally and with un- relations might have been too great a shock. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 11 > immediate action in such cases is not only tends the divine law of Peace to governments > fruitless but actually harmful. It alienates and rulers, declaring to them that they are > people instead of winning them to the Cause. called upon to establish Peace and Justice > "The other point concerns the advisability upon earth, and uproot forever the dire ca- > of contributing to a church. In this case also lamity of international war. > the friends must realize that contributions Despite His Revelation, a most agonizing > to a church, especially when not regular, do and excruciating conflict raged in Europe > not necessarily entail affiliation. The be- for four years, and since that war many oth- > lievers can make such offerings, occasionally, er wars and revolutions have dyed the earth, > and provided they are certain that while do- while at present the heaven of human hope > ing so they are not connected as members of is black with the approach of a final world- > any church. There should be no confusion shaking catastrophe. > between the terms affiliation and association. What wonder that faithful Baha'is, abhor- > While affiliation with ecclesiastical organiza- ing and detesting war as insane repudiation > tions is not permissible, association with of divine law, as destroyer of life and ruin > them should not only be tolerated but even of civilization, should now, in these fateful > encouraged. There is no better way to dem- days, ponder how they may save their loved > onstrate the universality of the Cause than ones from the calamity of the battlefield, and > this. Baha'u'llah, indeed, urges His follow- how they may contribute their utmost to any > ers to consort with all religions and nations and every effort aimed at the attainment of > with utmost friendliness and love. This con- universal Peace? > stitutes the very spirit of His message to Conscious of these •heart-stirrings, and > mankind." (December 11, 1935.) mindful of its responsibility toward all > The National Spiritual Assembly trusts American believers, and particularly that > that the subject will receive the attention of radiant youth which would first of all be > local Assemblies and communities, and that sacrificed in the event of a declaration of > in the light of the foregoing explanations war by the government, the National Spiri- > the friends will find unity and agreement in tual Assembly wishes to express it.s view > applying the instruction to whatever situa- upon the matter, in the hope that the result > tions may arise. In teaching n~w believers of its study of the Teachings and of the > let us lay a proper foundation so that their Guardian's explanations will assist in bring- > obedience will be voluntary and assured from ing a unity of opinion and a clarification of > the beginning of their enrollment as Baha'is. thought among the friends. > In our attitude toward the older believers Concerning the duty of Baha'is to their > who are affected by the instructioná let us act government, we have these words, written > with the patience and kindliness the Guar- by Shoghi Effendi on January 1, 1929 (see > dian has urged.-N. S. A. "Baha'i Administration," page 152) : "To all > these (i.e., restrictive measures of the Soviet > regime) the followers of the Faith of Ba- > BAHA'iS AND WAR* ha'u'llah . have with feelings of burning > agony and heroic fortitude unanimously and > One of the chief responsibilities of Baha'is unreservedly submitted, ever mindful of the > in this transitional era is to grasp the prin- guiding principle of Baha'i conduct that in > ciple upon which rests their loyalty to the connection with their administrative activi- > Faith of Baha'u'llah in relation to their duty ties, no matter how greviously interference > toward their civil government. This prob- with them might affect the course of the ex- > lem arises in its most difficult form in con- tension of the Movement, and the suspension > nection with our individual and collective at- of which does not constitute in itself a de- > titude toward war. parture from the principle of loyalty to their > Nothing could be more powerful than the Faith, the considered judgment and authori- > Baha'i teachings on the subject of Peace. tative decrees issued by their responsible rul- > Not only does Baha'u'llah confirm the teach- ers must, if they be faithful to Baha'u'llah's > ings of all former Manifestations which up- and 'Abdu'l-Baha's express injunctions, be > hold amity and fellowship between indi- thoroughly respected and loyally obeyed. In > vidual human beings, and the supremacy of matters, however, that vitally affect the in- > love as the end and aim of mutual inter- tegrity and honor of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, > course and association, but He likewise ex- and are tantamount to a recantation of their > faith and repudiation of their innermost be- > * "The Guardian has carefully read the N. S. A.'s lief, they are convinced, and are unhesitat- > statement on the Baha'i attitude toward war, and ing prepared to vindicate by their life-blood > approves of its circulation among the believers.''- > Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, Haifa, Jan- the sincerity of their conviction, that no > uary 10, 1936. power on earth, neither the arts of the most > BAHA'f PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 12 > insidious adversary nor the bloody weapons duly enrolled Baha'is. The only justifiable > of the most tyrannical oppressor, can ever reason for joining this Faith is because one > succeed in extorting fro:m them a word or realizes that it is a divine Cause and is ready > deed that might tend to stifle the voice of and willing to accept whatever may befall > their conscience or tarnish the purity of a believer on the path of devotion. The > their faith." persecutions which have been inflicted upon > In view of the fact that early Christians Baha'is so frequently make it clear that the > were persecuted because they refused to ren- path of devotion is one of sacrifice and not > der military service, the question might be of ease or special privilege. > raised whether the above statement means Another question encountered here and > that the Guardian includes refusal to bear there among believers is what can Baha'i8 do > arms as one of those matters which "vitally to work for Peace? Outside the Cause we > affect the integrity and honor of the Faith see many organizations with peace programs, > ... and are tantamount to a recantation of and believers occasionally feel that it is their > their faith and repudiation of their inner- duty to join such movements and thereby > most belief"-a question the more important work for a vital Baha'i principle. > in that the early Christians preferred perse- It is the view of the National Spiritual > cution to military service. Assembly that activity in and for the Cause > The answer to this question is that the itself is the supreme service to world peace. > Guardian instructs us that the obligation to The Baha'i community of the world is the > render military duty áplaced by governments true example of Peace. The Baha'i princi- > upon their citizens is a form of loyalty to ples are the only ones upon which Peace can > one's government which the Baha'i must ac- be established. Therefore, by striving to > cept, but that the believers can, through their enlarge the number of declared believers, > National Assembly, seek exemption from and broadcasting the Teachings of Baha'u'l- > active army duty provided their government lah, we are doing the utmost to rid human- > recognizes the right of members of religious ity of the scourge of war. Of what use to > bodies making peace a matter of conscience spend time and money upon incomplete hu- > to serve in some non-combatant service rath- man programs when we have the universal > er than as part of the armed force. program of the Manifestation of God? The > The National Spiritual Assembly has in- firm union of the Baha'is in active devotion > vestigated carefully this aspect of the situa- to the advancement of their own Faith~this > tion, and has found that, whereas the gov- is our service to Peace, as it is our service to > ernment of the United States did, in the all other human needs-economic justice, > last war, provide exemption from military race amity, religious unity, etc. Let non- > duty on religious grounds, nevertheless this believers agitate for disarmament and cir- > exemption was part of the Statutes bearing culate petitions for this and that pacifist > directly upon that war, and with the cessa- aim-a Baha'i truly alive in this Faith will > tion of hostilities the exemption lapsed. In surely prefer to base his activities upon the > other words, there is today no basis on which foundation laid by Baha'u'llah, waH~the path > any Baha'i may ,be exempted from military which the Master trod all His days, and heed > duty in a possible future conflict. The Na- the appeals which the Guardian has given > tional Assembly, consequently, cannot at us to initiate a new era in the public teach- > present make any petition for exemption of ing of the Message.-N. S. A. > Baha'is from war service, for such petitions > must be filed with reference to some specific > Act or Statute under which exemption can COLLECTIVE ACTION BY > be granted. The Assembly understands that, LEAGUE OF NATIONS > in the event of war, there will be some kind > of provision for exemption enacted, but as He feels that the followers of Baha'u'llah > far as Baha'is are concerned, no steps can are under the obligation of obeying the > be taken until this government declares it- orders of their respective governments when- > self in a state of war. ever these are acting as participants in any > This explanation, it is hoped, will satisfy collective action directed by the League of > those who for some years have been urging N ations.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. (This instruc- > that protection be secured for American tion came in answer to a letter inquiring > Baha'i youth. whether a Canadian believer should feel a > On the other hand it must be pointed out moral obligation to accept military service > that it is no part of our teaching program in the event that, under its obligation to the > to attract young people to the Cause merely League, his government participated with > in order to take advantage of any exemption other governments in military action initiat- > that may later on be officially obtained for ed by the League). > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 12 > insidious adversary nor the bloody weapons duly enrolled Baha'is. The only justifiable > of the most tyrannical oppressor, can ever reason for joining this Faith is because one > succeed in extorting from them a word or realizes that it is a divine Cause and is ready > deed that might tend to stifle the voice of and willing to accept whatever may befall > their conscience or tarnish the purity of a believer on the path of devotion. The > their faith." persecutions which have been inflicted upon > In view of the fact that early Christians Baha'is so frequently make it clear that the > were persecuted because they refused to ren- path of devotion is one of sacrifice and not > der military service, the question might be of ease or special privilege. > raised whether the above statement means Another question encountered here and > that the Guardian includes refusal to bear there among believers is what can Baha'i~ do > arms as one of those matters which "vitally to work for Peace? Outside the Cause we > affect the integrity and honor of the Faith see many organizations with peace programs, > ... and are tantamount'to a recantation of and believers occasionally feel that it is their > their faith and repudiation of their inner- duty to join such movements and thereby > most belief"-a: question the more important work for a vital Baha'i principle. > in that the early Christians preferred perse- It is the view of the National Spiritual > cution to military service. Assembly that activity in and for the Cause > The answer to this question is that the itself is the supreme service to world peace. > Guardian instructs us that the obligation to The Baha'i community of the world is the > render military duty áplaced by governments true example of Peace. The Baha'i princi- > upon their citizens is a form of loyalty to ples are the only ones upon which Peace can > one's government which the Baha'i must ac- be established. Therefore, by striving to > cept, but that the believers can, through their enlarge the number of declared believers, > National Assembly, seek exemption from and broadcasting the Teachings of Baha'u'l- > active army duty provided their government lah, we are doing the utmost to rid human- > recognizes the right of members of religious ity of the scourge of war. Of what use to > bodies making peace a matter of conscience spend time and money upon incomplete hu- > to serve in some non-combatant service rath- man programs when we have the universal > er than as part of the armed force. program of the Manifestation of God? The > The National Spiritual Assembly has in- firm union of the Baha'is in active devotion > vestigated carefully this aspect of the situa- to the advancement of their own Faith-this > tion, and has found that, whereas the gov- is our service to Peace, as it is our service to > ernment of the United States did, in the all other human needs-economic justice, > last war, provide exemption from military race amity, religious unity, etc. Let non- > duty on religious grounds, nevertheless this believers agitate for disarmament and cir- > exemption was part of the Statutes bearing culate petitions for this and that pacifist > directly upon that war, and with the cessa- aim-a Baha'i truly alive in this Faith will > tion of hostilities the exemption lapsed. In surely prefer to base his activities upon the > other words, there is today no basis on which foundation laid by Baha'u'llah, walk the path > any Baha'i may •be exempted from military which the Master trod all His days, and heed > duty in a possible future conflict. The Na- the appeals which the Guardian has given > tional Assembly, consequently, cannot at us to initiate a new era in the public teach- > present make any petition for exemption of ing of the Message.-N. S. A. > Baha'is from war service, for such petitions > must be filed with reference to some specific > Act or Statute under which exemption can COLLECTIVE ACTION BY > be granted. The Assembly understands that, • LEAGUE OF NATIONS > in the event of war, there will be some kind > of provision for exemption enacted, but as He feels that the followers of Baha'u'llah > far as Baha'is are concerned, no steps can are under the obligation of obeying the > be taken until this government declares it- orders of their respective governments when- > self in a state of war. ever these are acting as participants in any > This explanation, it is hoped, will satisfy collective action directed by the League of > those who for some years have been urging N ations.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. (This instruc- > that protection be secured for American tion came in answer to a letter inquiring > Baha'i youth. whether a Canadian •believer should feel a > On the other hand it must be pointed out moral obligation to accept military service > that it is no part of our teaching program in the event that, under its obligation to the > to attract young people to the Cause merely League, his government participated with > in order to take advantage of any exemption other governments in military action initiat- > that may later on be officially obtained for ed by the League). > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 14 > In a letter dated March 16, 1933, the Guar- PRESERVING THE > dian sent these further details : > "As regards the non-political character of ORGANIC UNITY > the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi feels that The believers, and particularly those who > there is no contradiction whatsoever between have not had sufficient e~perience in teach- > the Tablet (to Thornton Chase, referred to ing, should be very careful in the way they > above) and the reservations to which he has present the teachings of the Cause. Sincer- > referred. The Master surely never desired ity, devotion and faith are not the sole con- > the friends to use their influence towards the ditions of successful teaching. Tactfulness, > realization and promotion of policies con- extreme caution and wisdom are equally im- > trary to any of the principles of the Faith. portant. We should not be in a hurry when > The friends may vote, if they can do it, with- we announce the message to the public and > out identifying themselves with one party or we should be careful to present the teach- > another. To enter the arena of party ápoli- ings in their entirety and not to alter them > tics is surely detrimental to the best inter- for the sake of others. Allegiance to the > ests of the Faith and will harm the Cause. Faith cannot be partial and half-hearted. > It remains for the individuals to so use their Either we should accept the Cause without > right to vote as to keep aloof from party poli- any qualification whatever, or cease calling > tics, and always bear in mind that they are ourselves Baha'is. The new believers should > voting on the merits of the individual, rather be made to realize that it is not sufficient for > than because he belongs to one party or an- them to accept some aspects of the teachings > other. The matter must be made perfectly and reject those which cannot suit their men- > clear to the individuals, who will be left free tality in order to •become fully recognized > to exercise their discretion and judgment. and active followers of the Faith. In this > But if a certain person does enter into party way all sorts of misunderstandings will van- > politics and labors for the ascendency of one ish and the organic unity of the Cause will > party over another, and continues to do it be preserved.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > against the expressed appeals and warnings > of the Assembly, then the Assembly has the THE VOTING RIGHT > right to refuse him the right to vote in > Baha'i elections."-N. S. A. I feel I must reaffirm the vital importance > and necessity of the right of voting-a sacred > ON CORRESPONDENCE responsibility of which no adult recognized > believer should be deprived, un]ess he is as- > WITH INDIVIDUAL sociated with a community that has not as > BELIEVERS yet been in a position to establish a local > At the meeting held on November 12 and Assembly. This distinguishing right which > 13, 1932, the National Spiritual Assembly the believer possesses, however, does not > voted to adopt the policy that general Baha'i carry with it nor does it imply an obligation > matters must first be presented by individual to cast his vote, if he feels that the circum- > believers to their Local Spiritual Assembly, stances under which he lives do not justify > and the National Assembly will respond to or allow him to exercise that right intelli- > all such matters presented to it by a Local gently and with understanding. This is a > Assembly, it being understood that communi- matter which should be left to the individual > cations received from individual believers on to decide himself according to his own con- > personal matters will be answered direct. It science and discretion.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > was the sense of the meeting that this ac- > tion should be brought to the attention of all REGISTRATION OF > believers in Baha'i News. > The purpose of this vote is to discourage ISOLATED BELIEVERS > individual believers from undertaking cor- A general letter has recently been issued > respondence with the National Assembly on to an Baha'is who have been listed as "iso- > matters related to the Cause in general and lated believers." This letter requested all > not confined to the individual's personal af- such believers to fill out and return a regis- > fairs. In the case of matters concerning the tration card; thus permitting such believers > Cause as a whole, if individuals wish to seek to record their adherence to the Baha'i Faith > information or make suggestions, they are and giving the National Assembly a true and > requested to do so through their Local As- correct mailing list. > sembly. In the case of personal affairs, the Copies of Baha'i News and other commu- > National Assembly will be happy to carry nications will in future ibe sent only to those > on correspondence with individual believers isolated believers who register themselves > to the extent of its capacity.-N. S. A. with the National Assembly. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 15 > Any isolated believer who fails to receive FIRST APPROACH THE > a registration card is requested to notify the > National Office.-N. S. A. LOCAL, THEN THE > NATIONAL ASSEMBLY > GROUP CORRESPONDENT To facilitate matters and avoid misunder- > All local groups are requested to elect a standings he prefers to refer you and the > Correspondent once a year, a.nd preferably individual friends to them (the National As- > on April 21. The function of the Corres- sembly). He is sure that you will obtain full > pondent is to receive Baha'i News and other satisfaction by putting the question to them. > general communications intended for all The purpose of the Guardian in this is not > members of the group, and also to serve as to avoid the issue but only to facilitate mat- > link between the group and the Teaching ters and eliminate misunderstandings. In all > Committee, Publishing Committee, etc.- such matters the friends should first ap- > N. S.A. proach the Local, then the National Assem- > bly and only in case they can obtain no sat- > RELATION OF INDIVID- isfaction should they approach the Guardian > on these matters. This way many difficul- > UAL TO COMMUNITY ties will be avoided.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > I fully approve and whole-heartedly and > unreservedly uphold the principle to which > you refer that ,personalities should not be > made centers around which the community TEACHING AND > may revolve but that they should be subordi- ADMINISTRATION > nated under all conditions and however great > their merits to the properly constituted As- Regarding the statement made by the > semblies. You and your co-workers can Guardian in his letter . . . concerning the > never overestimate or overemphasize this fact that believers can serve both as teachers > cardinal principle of Baha'i Administ:r~ation. and administrators. Shoghi Effendi would > -SHOGHI EFFENDI. approve your Assembly making this fact > known to all the friends. For although it is > essential for the believers to maintain always > ASSEMBLIES, NOT INDI- a clear distinction between teaching and ad- > VIDUALS, CONSTITUTE ministrative duties and functions, yet they > should be careful not to be led to think that > THE BEDROCK these two types of Baha'i activity are mu- > Regarding the principle that the .Cause tually exclusive in their nature, and as such > must not be allowed to center around a~y cannot be exercised by one and the same per- > Baha'i personality, the Guardian wishes to son. As a matter of fact, the friends should > make it clear that it was never intended that be encouraged to serve in both the teaching > well qualified individual teachers should not and the administrative fields of Baha'i ser- > receive from local Assemblies every encour- vice. But as there are always some who are > agement and facilities to address the pub- more specially gifted along one of these two > lic. What the Guardian meant was that lines of activity it would seem more desirable > the personality and popularity of such a that they should concentrate their efforts in > speaker should never be allowed to eclipse acquiring the full training for that type of > the authority, or detract from the influence work for which they are best suited by na- > of the body of the elected representatives in ture. Such a specialization has the advan- > every local community. Such an individual tage of saving time, and of leading to. great- > should not only seek the approval, advice and er efficiency, particularly at this early stage > assistance of the body that represents the of our development. The great danger, how- > Cause in his locality, but should strive to ever, lies in that by so doing the friends may > attribute any credit ,he may obtain to the col- tend to develop a sort of class consciousness > lective wisdom and capacity of the Assembly which is fundamentally contrary to ,both the > under whose jurisdiction he performs his spirit and actual teachings of the Faith. . It > services. Assemblies and not individuals is precisely in order to overcome such a dan- > constitute the bedrock on which the Admin- ger that the Guardian thinks it advisable > istration is built. Everything else must be that the friends should be encouraged to > subordinated to, and be made to serve and serve from time to time in both the teaching > advance the best interests of, these elected and the administrative spheres of Baha;i > custodians and promoters of the Laws of work, but only whenever they feel fit to do > Baha'u'llah.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. so.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 16 > STATUS OF TRAVELING ly when it is done spontaneously, can cause > no harm to the Cause. Such an action, pro- > TEACHERS vided it is done with care and only when cir- > Concerning the activities of traveling cumstances make it necessary, constitutes no > teachers, the National Assembly has voted to violation of the principle already referred to. > give new emphasis to the administrative The danger in all activities of this nature is > principle under which a traveling teacher is to give the impression that the teaching of > not only subject to the jurisdiction of the lo- the Cause is an institution, depending on the > cal Assembly in each city, but is e:x;pectedto support of paid teachers. Those who will- > be concerned only with teaching activities ingly and with utmost detachment arise to > and not to intervene in local problems un- promote the Cause should, undoubtedly, be > less specifically requested by the local Assein- helped in every way. But they have no claim > bly to assist in some local situation where whatever on the financial help which some > the believer may render good service, under friends may freely choose to extend to them. > the Assembly's direction.-N. S. A. -SHOGHI EFFENDI. > > FREEDOM OF THE INDI- CONCERNING INDIVID- > VIDUAL TO EXPRESS HIS UAL TEACHING > OWN VIEWS Concerning individual teaching, Shoghi > As regards the statement of our own views Effendi would urge every Baha'i who feels > and explanations of the teachings : Shoghi the urge to exercise his right of teaching un- > Effendi believes that we should not restrict officially the Cause, to keep in close touch > the liberty of the individual to express his with the Local Spiritual Assembly of the lo- > own views so long as he makes it clear that cality in which he is working. The Local > these views are his own. In fact, such ex- Spiritual Assembly, while reserving for it- > planations are often helpful and are condu- self the right to control such activities on > cive to a better understanding of the teach- the part of individual Baha'is, should do its > ings. God has given man a rational power utmost to encourage such teachers and to > to be used and not killed. put at their disposal whatever facilities they > This does not, however, mean that the ab- would need in such circumstances. Should > solute authority does not remain in the re- any differences arise, the National Spiritual > vealed Words. We should try and keep as Assembly would naturally have to intervene > near to the authority as we can and show and adjust matters.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > that we are faithful to it by quoting from > the Words of Baha'u'llah in establishing our TEACHING THROUGH > points. To discard the authority of the re- > vealed Words is heretic and to suppress com- DRAMA AND ART > pletely individual interpretation of those We have to wait only a few years to see > Words is also bad. We should try to strike how the spirit breathed by Baha'u'llah will > a happy medium between these two ex- find expression in the work of the artists. > tremes.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. What you and some other Baha'is are at- > tempting, are only faint rays that precede > CHIEF DUTY OF EVERY the effulgent light of a glorious morn. We > BAHA't cannot yet estimate the part the Cause is > destined to play in the life of society. We > Concerning the abolition of the institu- have to give it time. The material this spirit > tion of paid national teachers, the Guardian ~as ~o mould is too crude and unworthy, but > wishes to reaffirm his former statements on 1t will at last give way and the Cause of > this matter, and to stress once more that Baha'u'llah will reveal itself in its full splen- > great care be taken to avoid the difficulties dor.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > and the misunderstandings which in former > days had caused so much trouble among the > friends. The main point to be emphasized TEACHING MATERIAL TO > in this connection is that of making the BE APPROVED > teachings of the Cause not the work of a > limited group but the chief duty and respon- All literature, charts and other material > sibility of every Baha'i. This is why -no used in Baha'i teaching should be confined > salaried teachers should any longer exist. to that which has been approved by the Re- > But occasionally to defray the expenses of a viewing Committee or has the recorded sanc- > teaching trip of a certain Baha'i, particular- tion of the N. S. A.-N. S. A. > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 17 > CREDENTIALS FOR volving the Cause with officers of the gov- > ernment. In the case of municipal officials, > TRAVELING TEACHERS contact should be made only through the Lo- > Teachers visiting new areas should always cal Assembly.-N. S. A. > have a proper letter of credentials showing > that the teacher has authority to hold Baha'i SETTLEMENT OF CIVIL > meetings.-N. S. A. > DISPUTES > REFERENCE TO The Guardian wishes to emphasize the im- > POLITICAL FIGURES portance of avoiding reference to civil courts > of cases of dispute between believers, even > The Guardian wishes me to draw the at- in non-Baha'i issues. It is the Assembly's > tention of the friends through you that they function to endeavor to settle amicably such > should be very careful in their public ad- disputes, both in order to safeguard the fair > dresses not to mention any political figures- name and prestige of the Cause, and to ac- > either side with them or denounce them. This quire the necessary experience for foe ex- > is the first thing to bear in mind. Otherwise tension of its functions in the future.- > they will involve the friends in political mat- SHOGHI EFFENDI. > ters, which is infinitely dangerous to the > Cause.-SH0GHI EFFENDI > FORM OF BEQáUEST > The following form has been prepared by > PUBLIC CONTACTS the Legal Committee for the use of believers > To approach such well-1rnown and impor- who plan to include a bequest or legacy in > tant persons is always an extremely delicate their Will. It is recommended that believers > matter, since it requires a good deal of wis- consult an attorney in using this form, to be > dom, courage and ability. But those friends assured that it should be adapted to meet > who really feel the urge to do so, and possess the needs and requirements of the laws of > the necessary qualifications, should cultivate the State in whkh they reside. > such friendships which, if properly done, can I hereby give and devise the sum of > be of an immense benefit to the Cause. In $. . . . . . . . . . . . . . to the National Spiritual > any case, however, the assistance and help Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States > of either the local or the National Assembly and Canada, that is to say, to the several > is not only useful but necessary, if important persons who at the time of my death, and > contacts of this sort are to be fruitful and from time to time thereafter, shall consti- > prom1smg. The principle of consultation, tute the National Spiritual Assembly of the > which constitutes one of the basic l,aws of Baha'is of the United States and Canada ac- > the Administration, should be applied to all cording to the government and regulations > Baha'i activities which affect the collective of said Religious Body as existing at the > interests of the Faith, for it is through co- time of my death and from time to time > operation and continued exchange of thereafter amended, to be used in accord- > thoughts and views that the Cause can best ance with the functions vested in said As- > safeguard and foster its interests. Indi- sembly for the furtherance of the Faith of > vidual initiative, personal ability and re- Baha'u'llah.-N. S. A. > sourcefulness, though indispensable are, un- > less supported and enriched by the oollective DISTINCTION BETWEEN > experience and wisdom of the group, utterly > incapable of achieving such a tremendous PUBLIC AND PRIVATE > task.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. TEACHING > To make this comment clearer it should > be explained that the believer who received The National Assembly makes a distinc- > the Guardian's letter had written a personal tion between public and non-public teach- > letter to a well known scientist, enclosing ing activities, attempting no jurisdiction > Baha'i literature. over non-public teaching activities outside > In connection with the Guardian's empha- the jurisdiction of local Assemblies, but in > sis on consultation, it is reported to the the case of public teaching activities, the > American believers that the National Spirit- National Spiritual Assembly lays down the > ual Assembly has voted that Baha'is should controlling regulations that in any area out- > seek to make contact with Federal and State side the jurisdiction of local Assemblies, > officials only through the Na.tional Assem- teachers are not to hold public Baha'i meet- > bly, and refrain from personal activities in- ings involving the name of the Cause with- > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 18 > out the recognition and approval of the Re- made by the Publishing Committee, that > gional Committee, or of the National Teach- when books are financed by a Baha'i author > ing Committee, depending upon the area of with the idea that the Publishing Committee > jurisdiction, and all such public meetings are shall distribute the book, the author is to > to be held under the sponsorship of the turn over to the Publishing Committee the > proper Teaching Committee.-N. S. A. cost of printing the work, so that the Com- > mittee can supervise the printing. This rul- > USE OF THE TERM ing does not mean that a Baha'i author can- > not publish approved Baha'i literature > "BAHA't" through a recognized general publisher. Its > aim is to prevent confusion between authors > Use of the term "Baha'i" as applied to and the Publishing Committee, and enable > music, painting, poetry and other art forms. the Committee to maintain proper standards > At the present time, there exists no stand- of printing and binding, and assure accuravy > ard by which music, painting, poetry and in the text.-N. S. A. > other art forms can be described as "Baha'i", > as distinguished from other forms of art. > Such art forms may deal with Baha'i sub- APPLICATION OF > jects, but their excellence as art can be ECONOMIC TEACHINGS > judged only by existing standards which can > in no sense of the word be described as With regard to your wish for reorganiz- > "Baha'i". It, therefore, at present seems ing your business along Baha'i lines, Shoghi > wise that music, paintings, poetry and other Effendi deeply appreciates the spirit that has > art products should not be described as Ba- permitted you to make such a suggestion. > ha'i music, Baha'i poetry, etc. Hymns, for But he feels nevertheless that the time has > instance, should not he published as "Baha'i not yet come for any believer to bring about > Hymns", but should, perhaps, be described as such a fundamental change in the economic > "Hymns-for use in Baha'i meetings." structure of our society, however restricted > may be the field for such an experiment. The > It is, of course, desirable that any art economic teachings of the Cause, though well > products which deal with Baha'i subjects and known in their main outline, have not as yet > which are published or exhibited to the gen- been sufficiently elaborated and systematized > eral public, shall not be of so low a standard to allow anyone to make an emct and thor- > of artistic merit as to reflect discredit, or ough application of them even on a restrict- > bring ridicule, upon the Baha'i Cause.-N. ed scale.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > S. A. > > TO DISCRIMINATE IN THE GENERAL INTERESTS > USE OF THE TERM TAKE PRECEDENCE > "BAHA't" As to material sacrifices toward the wel- > fare of the Cause, he wishes you to under- > The following ruling has been adopted by stand that the general interests of the Cause > the N. S. A.: That the collective activities of take precedence over the interests of the par- > Baha'is, with which the name Baha'i is asso- ticular individuals. For instance, contribu- > ciated, ought not to be extended to activities tions to the welfare of individuals are second- > of non-Baha'is which cannot be controlled by ary to contributions to the National and Lo- > the believers through their institutions and cal Funds and that of the Temple.-SHOGHI > under the recognized principles of Baha'i ad- EFFENDI. > ministration; and further that the public so- > licitation of funds under Baha'i auspices, ir- THE IMPORTANCE OF > respective of the worthiness of the object, > may give a wrong impression of the nature BAHA't CREDENTIALS > of the Cause. When believers wish to show The N. S. A. regrets to report that one of > a special respect to any non-believer or non- the American believers has been grossly de- > Baha'i organization, they should do so as ceived by a person who represented himself > individuals without involving the name of as having a reference from a Baha'i in an- > the Cause.-N. S. A. other city. > As was pointed out several years ago, such > BOOKS FINANCED BY cases will increase in future, as the Baha'i > THE AUTHOR community grows in strength and resources, > unless the believers uphold the rule that all > Voted to approve the recommendation travelers claiming to be Baha'is must have > BAHA'i PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 19 > proper credentials, in writing, from their ment of debts comes before contributions to > local Assembly. Traveling Baha'is not mem- the Cause) for upon this principle does the > bers of a local community, but recorded as foundation of our economic life rest.- > isolated believers, can obtain ,a letter from SHOGHI EFFENDI. > the N. S. A. > Another principle given. us for our protec- CLASSIFICATION OF MA- > tion is that application for financial assist- > ance made in the name of the Cause by indi- TERIALS FOR PRESERV A- > viduals personally unknown can be referred TION IN NATIONAL ANO > to the Spiritual Assembly for consultation > before the assistance is given.--N. S. A. LOCAL BAHA'i ARCHIVES > Note: This dassification has been made > ASSOCIATION WITH in order to clarify the nature of the material > to be preserved in the Archives, w,ith a suit- > ORIENTALS able distinction between that which should > I wish ,to add a few lines and remind you be sent to the National Archives and that > of the necessity of refusing to admit to your which should enter into the Archives estab- > Assembly, or associate with, any Oriental who lished by a local Spiritual Assembly. > does not have proper credentials from a rec- I. Tablets and relics of Baha'u'llah and > the Bab, whether original Tablets or repro- > ognized Spiritual Assembly. No excuse what- > ductions. This material is essentially Na- > ever is acceptable. I am sure that a few > tional in character. > are trying to cause mischief and bring about > II. Tablets and relics of 'Abdu'l-Baha. The > a split in the ranks of the believers in these > Tablets -should be original, signed Tablets, or > days of stress, and the utmost caution should > authentic reproductions such as photostat > be exercised, lest these mischief-makers suc- > ceed in undermining the foundations of the copies. Tablets should be accompanied by > Cause.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. original translation if possible. All original > Tablets should be preserved in the National > Archives. Photostats of Tablets revealed to > CONSULTATION ON the Spiritual Assembly, or to individual be- > PERSONAL DIFFICULTIES lievers, might well be placed in the local > Archives. As regards ,the nature of relics, > He ( Shogh:i Effendi) was very sorry to the Guardian has given the following ex- > learn that you are passing through difficult planation: "The general principle should be > times, but such seems to be the fate of every that any object used by Him in person should > single person on the surface of the earth at be preserved for posterity, whether ,in the > the present time. When such a crisis sweeps local or National Archives. It is the duty > over the world no person should hope to re- and responsibility of the Baha'i Assemblies > main intact. We belong to an organic unit to ascertain carefully whether such objects > and when one part of the organismá suffers are genuine or not, and to exercise the ut- > all the rest of the body will feel its conse- most care and caution in the matter." > quences. This is in fact the reason why III. Letters of Shoghi Effendi. These are > Baha'u'llah calls our attention to the unity of three different classes-those written to > of mankind. But as Baha'is we should not the N. S. A. and the entire American Baha'i > let such hardshiips weaken our hope in the Community; those written to local Assem- > future. Read the last general letter of blies; and those written to individual believ- > Shoghi Effendi ("The Golden Age of the ers. The National Assembly is preserving > Cause of Bahi'u'llah") and see the descrip- the national letters of the Guardian, particu- > tion of the future which he has tried to put larly as they occasionally contain matters > before our eyes. We may be suffering at confidential to that body. The N. S. A. plans > present but that will soon cease and glorious to photostat all the Guardian's letters, at > days will dawn. which time all originals can be gone over > In all such matters as you mention in with a view .to their preservation in the Na- > your letter, Shoghi Effendi wishes the friends tional Archives. Original letters to local As- > to take the Assemblies into their confidence semblies are for the most part not confiden- > and discuss it with them. Being on the spot tial and can be preserved in the National > they can judge better and take into áconsid- Archives, with photostats in the local Ar- > eration all the different aspects of the prob- chives. Letters to individual believers can > lem. We should always trust the Assemblies be sent to the National Archives and photo- > and go to them for advice. Our debts, how- stats obtained for the recipient and for the > ever, should be considered as sacred and take local Archives. > precedence over any other thing (i. e., pay- IV. National events and activities. Such > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 20 > events as 'Abdu'l-Baha's American journey, the Faith. It is now, when the Cause is > the founding of the Temple, early historical passing through some of the most difficult > records of Star of the West, Baha'i Publish- stages of its development, that the friends > ing Committee, Green Acre, Geyserville and should equip themselves with the necessary > Louhelen Ranch and other activities of more knowledge of the Administration.-SH0GHI > than local importance constitute an impres- EFFENDI. > sive aspect of Baha'i history, and all original > documents and records should be turned over NOT AN ECONOMIC > to the N. S. A., if not already done, for its > examination and subsequent deposit in the SYSTEM > National Archives. There are practically no technical teach- > V. Local records and activities. Records ings on economics in the Cause, such as > and documents pertaining to such activities banking, the price system, and others. The > are of two classes: the Minutes and corre- Cause is not an economic system, nor can its > spondence of the Spiritual Assembly, which founders be considered as having been tech- > are preserved by the As,sembly itself, and nical economists. The contribution of the > non-administrative material of historical in- Faith to this subject is essentially indirect, > terest and importance, such as programs, as it consists of the application of spiritual > newspaper clippings, Historical Record principles to our present-day economic sys- > Cards, etc. It is recommended that each tem. Baha'u'llah has given us a few basic > Spiritual Assembly also provide a bound principles which should guide future Baha'i > book in which its Archives Committee can economists in establishing such institutions > keep a record of enrollments of new believers as will adjust the economic relationships > and also deaths or removals from the com- of the world.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > munity. > VI. Baha'i publications. A complete file TEMPLE MODELS TO BE > of al,l publications, such as books, pamphlets, > magazines, news letters, etc., of official APPROVED > Baha'i character is being developed in the The following rulings have been adopted > National Archives, and the cooperation of by the Temple Trustees, and are here pub- > the friends is requested ,to make this com- lished with the approval of the National > plete. Out of print Baha'i hooks and •pamph- Spiritual Assembly :- > lets will be appreciated. Any model or reproduction of the Temple > VII. Individual records and papers. Fam- must be submitted to the Temple Trustees, > ilies in possession of the papers belonging to and the Trustees will then determine wheth- > such prominent workers as those named in er the model or reproduction is acceptable, > "America and the Most Great Peace" will ap- and also will determine the conditions under > preciate that such records are part of the which it can be sold. Local Assemblies, or > history of the Cause and might well he turned other Baha'i bodies, or individual believers, > over to the Archives and History Committee. are not to purchase or exhibit any Temple > Other personal records might similarly be model except through the Temple Trustees. > turned over to the local Archives Committee. -N.S.A. > -N. S.A. > > PURPOSE OF SUMMER PUBLICATION OF BAHA'I > SCHOOLS COMPILATIONS > The basic purpose of all Baha'i Summer 1. A compilation is subject to review by > Schools, whether in East or West, is to give the Reviewing Committee in the same man- > the believers the opportunity to ,acquaint ner as are other Baha'i works. Every com- > themselves, not only by mere study but pilation must include the latest available > through whole-hearted and active collabora- translation of each excerpt, and the source of > tion in various Baha'i activities, with- the each excerpt must be supplied. If the plan > essentials of the Administration and in this of the booki makes it inconvenient to add the > way enable them to become efficient and able source at the end of each excerpt in the > promoters of the Cause. The teaching of the printed work, the source must be noted in > Administration is, therefore, an indispensa- the manuscript supplied to the Reviewing > ble feature of every Baha'i Summer School Committee. > and its special significance can be better un- 2. The compiler should not conclude any > derstood if we realize the great need of every arrangement with a non-Baha'i publisher > believer today for a more adequate under- until the compilation has been officially ap- > standing of the social principles and laws of proved. If the •compiler intends to print or > BAHA'f PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 21 > publish the compilation outside the Cause, surely, be over-estimated. Untold blessings > the proposed arrangement is to be submitted shall no doubt crown every effort directed to > to the National Spiritual Assembly through that end.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > its Publishing Committee for approval. > 3. In giving its aipproval for such printing BAHA'f YOUTH AT NINE- > or publication, the National Spiritual Assem- > bly, in consultation with its Reviewing and TEEN DAY FEASTS > Publishing Committee, wiLI consider not With respect to the question of the par- > merely the question of accuracy in the text, ticipation of Baha'i young people in Nine- > but ,also the general question of policy in- teen Day Feasts, the following principle has > volved in allowing Baha'i literature to be been adopted: that the children of believers > published outside the established Baha'i fa- á can attend the Nineteen Day Feasts and > cilities. other intimate gatherings and Baha'i meet- > 4. In giving its approval, the National ings, but when they reach the age of sixteen > Spiritual Assembly wiLI in each case here- years, the local Assembly should request > after request the compiler to assign to the from such young people a declaration of their > Baha'i Publishing Committee any copyright interest in the Cause and their intention to > taken out on publication of the book or become voting members when they reach the > pamphlet. Otherwise, the control of Baha'i age of twenty-one; and that other young peo- > literature would pass outside the Cause. ple, not children of Baha'is, can also attend > The purpose of this statement is to assure Nineteen Day Feasts and other Baha'i meet- > proper protection of the interests of the ings after reaching the age of sixteen years > Baha'i Faith, while providing sufficient free- by making a similar declaration to the local > dom of action to individual believers under Assembly.-N. S. A. > all circumstances.-N. S. A. > > COOPERATION WITH THE QUESTION OF > BAHA't AUTHORS HUMANITARIAN RELIEF > When a Baha'i author wishes to obtain It has been pointed out by a believer who > orders from Assemblies and believers for a has studied the teachings with unusual care > book published by a non-Baha'i firm, the au- and insight, that in the Baha'i community > thor is to make arrangements satisfactory to when fully developed the practice of "char- > the Publishing Committee; and the Publish- ity" in the narrower meaning of that word > ing Committee, not the author, is to report will be rendered unnecessary. The House of > the matter to the National Spiritual Assem- Justice, from its resources derived not only > bly. from voluntary contributions but also from > The Publishing Committee will cooperate certain specified taxes, will as one of its func- > with a Baha'i author only when rthe Review- tions come to the assistance of every deserv- > .ing Committee has specifically recommended ing believer in distress. That relief will not > the book and not merely approved it, and be as "charity" but as a normal right arising > when the National Spiritual Assembly has from the very nature of a community based > specifically approved and adopted the Re- upon oneness and able, by the application of > viewing Committee's trecommendation.-N. the teachings of Baha'u'llah, to abolish pov- > S. A. erty at its source. > NATIONAL FUND But that era has not yet been established. > The believers today find themselves in a com- > As the activities of the American Baha'i munity whose spiritual laws are known but > community expand, and its worldwide pres- whose material powers and capacities are > tige correspondingly increases, the institu- limited. The result is that conditions arise > tion of the National Fund, the bedrock on which Spiritual Assemblies find themselves > which all other institutions must necessarily apparently powerless to remedy. They are > rest and be established, acquires added im- grieved as they feel themselves torn between > portance, and should be increasingly support- the claims of true compassion and the need > ed ,by the entire body of the believers, both of concentrating their available means upon > in their individual capacities, and through such vital objects as the Temple. > their collective efforts, whether organized as The National Assembly understands that > groups or as local Assemblies. The supply the Guardian has expressed the view that > of funds, in support of the National Treas- under present conditions a local_ Assembly > ury, constitutes, at the present time, the which has before it a case of urgent distress > life~blood of these nascent institutions you should endeavor, first, to have it relieved by > are laboring to erect. Its importance cannot, members of the believer's own family, and > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION ONE, SHEET 22 > second, to exercise the rights of all citizens of raising Baha'i funds through commercial > to employ all civil instruments of help and activities carried on either in the name of > assistance. In many instances loving consul- the Cause or making use of Baha'i adminis- > tation will serve to remove certain obstacles trative facilities, the Assembly felt it neces- > which, perhaps unconsciously, have been the sary to record in its Minutes the fact that it > cause of the distress. could not recognize nor approve any such > Most difficult and grievous of all are those commercial undertaking. It was felt inad- > cases which concern believers not members visable to sanction commercial aictivities of > of an organized local community. The Na- a nature tending to divert the interest and > tional Spiritual Assembly does not vote from attention of the friends from the vital spirit- > the National Fund any appropriations for ual objects of the Cause, especially in view > personal relief, for its resources are impera- of the Guardian's standard of sacrifice as the > tively demanded for direct Baha'i purposes basis of our collective success in building the > the fulfilment of which brings us all grad- Temple. Another consideration was the fact > ually nearer the blessed day when the Faith that the amounts which might be donated to > of Baha'u'llah shall prevail, and existing the Baha'i Fund from profits of sales made > causes of suffering be removed. Institutions to believers would at best represent only a > described in the teachings will in the future comparatively small fraction of the money > be maintained in all communities for those spent in the transaction. On the other hand, > who need home and care. the National Assembly encourages all possi- > The subject is one which the National As- ble enterprise on the part of individual be- > sembly brings forward at this time in a ten- lievers in increasing their earnings through > tative form, in the hope that suggestions legitimate business and professional activi- > emanating from local consultation will be ties, for the purpose of contributing more to > made. The spirit of the Cause is such that the Fund.-N. S. A. > some way must and will be found to remedy I feel that only such goods as are owned > a general situation which may become even by believers, whether made by Baha'is or > more serious before it is solved by the de- non-Baha'is, may be sold in the interests of > velopment of the World Order of Baha'u'llah. the Temple or any other Baha'i institution, > There may be individual believers in a posi- thus maintaining the general principle that > tion to offer a home to some believer whose non-believers are not, whether directly or > difficulties are known to the National Assem- indirectly, expected to contribute to the sup.. > -bly. Any and all advice and constructive port of institutions that are of a strictly > suggestions will be deeply appreciated.- Baha'i character. As to the manner of the > N. S. A. disposal of Baha'i property for such pur- > poses, and the channel through which the > ásale may be effected, I feel that no rigid rule > ON COMMERCIAL should be imposed. Individual Baha'is are > free to seek the help of private individuals > ARRANGEMENTS FOR or of Spiritual Assemblies to act as inter- > THE CAUSE mediary for such transactions. We should > avoid confusion on one hand and maintain > In view of the fact that the National As- efficiency on the other, and lay no unneces- > sembly had before it several proposals from sary restrictions that would fetter individual > individual believers which involved methods initiative and enterprise.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 1 > THE INSTITUTION OF THE cial, regular, and frequent correspondence > with the various Baha'i centers throughout > LOCAL SPIRITUAL the world, report to them their activities, > ASSEMBLY and share the glad-tidings they receive with > all their fellow-workers in the Cause. > And, now, that this all-important Work They must encourage and stimulate by > may suffer no neglect, but rather function every means at their command, through sub- > vigorously and continuously in every part of scription, reports and articles, the develop- > the Baha'i world; ,that the unity of the Cause ment of the various Baha'i magazines, such > of Baha'u'llah may remain secure and in- as the "Star of the West" and the "Magazine > violate, it is of the utmost importance that of the Children of the Kingdom" in the Unit- > in accordance with the explicit text of the ed States of America, the "Baha'i News" of > Kitab-ul-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, in every India, the "Sun of the East" (Khurshid-i > locality, be it city or hamlet, where the num- Khavar) in Turkestan, the "Star of the East" > ber of adult (21 years and above) declared in Japan, the "Sun of Truth" in Germany. > believers exceeds nine, a local "Spiritual As- They must undertake the arrangement of > sembly'' be forthwith established. To it all the regular meetings of the friends, the > local matters pertaining to the Cause must be feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the > directly and immediately referred for full special gatherings designed to serve and pro- > consultation and decision. The importance, mote the social, intellectual and spiritual in- > nay the absolute necessity of these local As- terests of their fellow-men. > semblies is manifest when we realize that in They must supervise in these days when > the days to come they will evolve into the the Cause is still in its infancy all Baha'i > local House of Justice, and at present pro- publications and translations, and provide in > vide the firm foundation on which the struc- general for a dignified and accurate presen- > ture of the Master's Will is to be reared in tation of all Baha'i literature and its dis- > future. tribution to the general public. > The matter of Teaching, its direction, its These rank among the most outstanding > ways and means, its extension, its consolida- obligations of the members of every Spiritual > tion, essential as they are to the interests of Assembly. In whatsoever locality the Cause > the Cause, constitute by no means the only has sufficiently expanded, and in order to in- > issue which should receive the full attention sure efficiency and avoid confusion, each of > of these Assemblies. A careful study of these manifold functions will have to be re- > Baha'u'llah's and 'Abdu'l-Baha's Tablets will f erred to a special Committee, responsible > reveal that other duties, no less vital to the to that Assembly, elected by it from among > interests of the Cause, devolve upon the the friends in that locality, and upon whose > elected representatives of the friends in ev- work the Assembly will have to exercise con- > ery locality. stant and general supervision. > It is incumbent upon them to be vigilant These local Spiritual Assemblies will have > and cautious, discreet and watchful, and pro- to be elected directly by the friends, and ev- > tect at all times the Temple of the Cause ery declared believer of 21 years ,and above, > from the dart of the mischief-maker and the far from standing aloof and assuming an in- > onslaught of the enemy. different or independent attitude, should re- > They must endeavor to promote amity and gard it his sacred duty to take part conscien- > concord amongst the friends, efface every tiously and diligently, in the election, the con- > lingering trace of distrust, coolness and es- solidation and the efficient' working of his > trangement from every heart, and secure in own local Assembly. > its stead an active and whole-hearted co- Pending its establishment, and to insure > operation for the service of the Cause. uniformity throughout the East and through- > They must do their utmost to extend at all out the West, all local Assemblies will have > times the helping hand to the poor, the sick, to ,be re-elected once a year, during the first > the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespec- day of Ridvan, and the result of polling, if > tive of color, caste and creed. possible, be declared on that day. > They must promote by every means in In order to avoid division and disruption, > their power the material as well as the spirit- that the Cause may not fall a prey to con- > ual enlightenment of youth, the means for flicting interpretations, and lose thereby its > the education of children, institute, when- purity and pristine vigor, that its affairs may > ever possible, Baha'i educational institutions, be conducted with efficiency and promptness, > organize and supervise ,their work and pro- it is necessary that every one should con- > vide the best means for their progress and scientiously take an active part in the elec- > development. tion of these Assemblies, abide by their deci- > They must make an effort to maintain offi- sion, enforce their decree, and cooperate with > BAHA'1 PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 2 > them wholeheartedly in their task of stimu- cient and dignified presentation of the Cause > lating the growth of the Movement through- of God. They should never be led to suppose > out all regions. The members of these As- that they are the central ornaments of the > semblies, on their part, must disregard utter- body of the Cause, intrinsically superior to > ly their own likes and dislikes, their personal others in capacity or merit, and sole pro- > interests and inclinations, and concentrate moters of its teachings and principles. They > their minds upon those measures that will should approach their task with extreme hu- > conduce to the welfare and happiness of the mility, and endeavor, by their open-minded- > Baha'i Community and promote the common ness, their high sense of justice and duty, > weal. their candor, their modesty, their entire de- > The various Assemblies, local and na- votion to the welfare and interests of the > tional, constitute today the bedrock upon the friends, the Cause, and humanity, to win, not > strength of which the Universal House is in only the confidence and the genuine support > future to be firmly established and raised. and respect of those whom they serve, but > Not until these function vigorously áand har- also their esteem and real affection. They > moniously can the hope for the termination must, at all time, avoid the spirit of ex- > of this period of transition be realized. It clusiveness, the atmosphere of secrecy, > devolves upon us whose dearest wish is to free themselves from a domineering atti- > see the Cause enter upon that ,promised era tude, and banish all forms of prejudice > of universal recognition and world achieve- and passion trom their deliberations. They > ments, to do all in our power to consolidate should, within the limits of wise discretion, > the foundations of these Assemblies, promot- take the friends into their confidence, ac- > ing at the same time a fuller understanding quaint them with their plans, share with > of their ,purpose and more harmonious co- them their problems and anxieties, and seek > operation for their maintenance and success. their advice and counsel. And, when they > Let us also remember that at the very root are called upon to arrive at a certain deci- > of the Cause lies the principle of the un- sion, they should, after dispassionate, an- > doubted right of the individual to self-ex- xious and cordial consultation, turn to God > pression, his freedom to declare his con- in prayer, and with earnestness and convic- > science and set forth his views. If certain tion and courage record their vote and abide > instructions of the Master are today par- by the voice of the majority, which we are > ticularly emphasized and scrupulously ad- told by our Master to be the voice of truth, > hered to, let us be sure that they are but never to be challenged, and always to be > provisional measures designed to guard and whole-heartedly enforced. To this voice the > protect the Cause in its present state of in- friends must heartily respond, and regard > fancy and growth until the day when this it as the only means that can insure the pro- > tender and precious ,plant shall have suffi- tection and advancement of the Cause.- > ciently grown to be able to withstand the SHOGHI EFFENDI. > unwisdom of its friends and the attacks of > its enemies. THE BASIS OF THE > Let us also bear in mind that the keynote > of the Cause of God is not dictatorial author- COMMUNITY > ity but humble fellowship, not arbitrary We must speak of things that are possible > power, but the spirit of frank and loving con- of performance in this world. There are > sultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a many theories and high ideas on this subject, > true Baha'i can hope to reconcile the prin- but they are not practicable ; consequently > ciples of mercy and justice, of freedom and we must speak of things that are feasible. > submission, of the sanctity of the right of the For example, if some one oppresses, in- > individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, jures, and wrongs another, and the wronged > discretion •and prudence on the one hand, and man retaliates, this is veng,eance, and is > fellowship, candor, and courage on the censurable. . . . > other. But the community has the right of de- > The duties of those whom the friends have fence and of self-protection; moreover, the > freely and conscientiously elected as their community has no hatred nor animosity for > representatives are no less vital and binding the murderer: it imprisons or punishes him > than the obligations of those who have merely for the protection and security of > chosen them. Their function is not to dic- others. It is not for the purpose of taking > tate, but to consult, •and consult not only vengeance upon the murderer, but for the > among themselves, but as much as possible purpose of inflicting a punishment by which > with the friends whom they represent. They the community will be protected .... > must regard themselves in no other light but As forgiveness is one of the attributes of > that of chosen instruments for a more effi- the Merciful One, so also justice is one of the > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 3 > attributes of the Lord. The tent of existence person will act independently and after his > is upheld upon the pillar of justice, and not own judgment, will follow his own desire, > upon forgiveness. The continuance of man- and do harm to the ácause. > kind depends upon justice and not upon for- "The prime requisites for them that take > giveness. So if, at present, the law of par- counsel together are purity of motive, radi- > don were practised in all countries, in a short ance of spirit, detachment from all else save > time the world would be disordered, and the God, attraction to His Divine Fragrance, hu- > foundations of human life would crumble. mility and lowliness amongst His loved ones, > patience and long-suffering in difficulties and > To recapitulate: the constitution of the servitude to His exalted Threshold. Should > communities depends upon justice, not upon they be graciously aided to acquire these at- > forgiveness. Then what Christ meant by tributes, victory from the unseen Kingdom > forgiveness and pardon is not that, when of Baha shall be vouchsafed to them. In > nations attack you, burn your homes, plunder this day, Assemblies of consultation are of > your goods, assault your wives, children, and the greatest importance and a vital neces- > relatives, and violate your honor, you should sity. Obedience unto them is essential and > be submissive in the presence of these tyran- obligatory. The members thereof must take > nical foes, and •allow them to perform all counsel together in such wise that no occa- > their cruelties ,and oppressions. No, the sion for illfeeling or discord may arise. This > words of Christ refer to the conduct of two can be attained when every member ex- > individuals towards each other: if one per- presseth with absolute freedom his own opin- > son assaults another, the injured one should ion and setteth forth his argument. Should > forgive him. But the communities must pro- any one oppose, he must on no account feel > tect the rights of man.-'ABDU'L-BAHA. hurt for not until matters are fully dis- > cussed can the right way be revealed. The > A PROCEDURE FOR THE shining sparkl of truth cometh forth only > after the clash of differing opinions. If, > CONDUCT OF THE LOCAL after discussion, a decision be carried unani- > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY mously, well and good; hut if, the Lord for- > bid, differences of opinion should arise, a > INTRODUCTION majority of voices must prevail. ... > "A perusal of some of the words of Ba- "The first condition is absolute love and > ha'u'llah and áAbdu'l-Baha on the duties and harmony amongst the members of the As- > functions of the Spiritual Assemblies in ev- sembly. They must be wholly free from es- > ery land (later to be designated as the local trangement and must manifest in themselves > Houses of Justice), emphatically reveals the the Unity of God, for they are the waves of > sacredness of their nature, the wide scope of one sea, the drops of one river, the stars > their activity, and the grave responsibility of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees > which rests upon them."-SHOGHI EFFENDI, of one orchard, the flowers of one garden. > March 5, 1922. Should harmony of thought and absolute > "The Lord hath ordained that in every city unity be non-exi~tent, that gathering shall > a House of Justice be established wherein be dispersed and that Assembly be brought > shall gather counsellors to the number of to naught. The second condition :-They > Baha .... It hehooveth them to be the trusted must when coming together turn their faces > ones of the Merciful among men and to re- to the Kingdom on High and ask aid from > gard themselves as the guardians appointed the Realm of Glory. They must then proceed > of God for all that dwell on earth. It is in- with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity, > cumbent upon them to take counsel together care and moderation to express their views. > and to have regard for the interests of the They must in every matter search out the > servants of God, for His sake, even as they truth and not insist upon their own opinion, > regard their own interests, and to choose for stubbornness and persistence in one's > that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath views will lead ultimately to discord and > the Lord your God commanded you. Beware wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. > lest ye put away that which is clearly re- The honored members must with all freedom > vealed in His Tablet. Fear God, 0 ye that express their own thoughts, and it is in no > perceive."-BAHA'U'LLAH. wise permissible for one to belittle the > "It is incumbent upon every one not to thought of another, nay, he must with mod- > take any step without consulting the Spirit- eration set forth the truth, and should dif- > ual Assembly, and they must assuredly obey ferences of opinion arise a majority of voices > with heart and soul its bidaing •and he sub- must ,prevail, and all must obey áand submit > missive unto it, that things may ibe properly to the majority. It is again not permitted > ordered and well arranged. Otherwise every that any one of the honored members object > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 4 > to or censure, whether in or out of the meet- reservedly and with cheerfulness."-SHOGHI > ing, any decision arrived at previously, EFFENDI,February 23, 1924. > though that decision be not right, for such > criticism would prevent any decision from I. FUNCTIONS OF THE > being enforced. In short, whatsoever thing > is arranged in harmony and with love and LOCAL SPIRITUAL > purity of motive, its result is light, and ASSEMBLY > should the least trace of estrangement ,pre- The various functions of the local Spiritual > vail the result shall be darkness upon dark- Assembly, and its nature as a constitutional > ness .... If this be so regarded, that Assem- body, are duly set forth in Artide VII of the > bly shall be of God, but otherwise it shall lead By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly, > to coolness and alienation that proceed from and are more definitely defined in the By- > the Evil One. Discussions must all be con- Laws of a local Spiritual Assembly approved > fined to spiritual matters that pertain to the by the National Spiritual Assembly and rec- > training of souls, the instruction of children, ommended by the Guardian. Each local > the relief of the poor, the help of the feeble Spiritual Assembly, and all members of the > throughout all classes in the world, kindness local Baha'i community, shall be guided and > to all peoples, the diffusion of the fragrances controlled by the provisions of those By- > of God and the exaltation of His Holy Word. Laws. > Should they endeavor to fulfil these condi- > tions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be II. MEETINGS OF THE > vouchsafed unto them, and that Assembly LOCAL SPIRITUAL > shall become the center of the Divine bless- ASSEMBLY > ings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall > come to their aid and they shall day by day In addition to its observance of the gen- > receive a new effusion of Spirit."-'ABDU'L- eral functions vested in the institution of a > BAHA. Spiritual Assembly, each Spiritual Assembly > has need of a procedure for the conduct of > "The importance, nay the absolute neces- its meetings. The following items represent > sity of these local Assemblies is manifest the outline of the parliamentary rules of pro- > when we realize that in the days to come they cedure which the National Spiritual Assem- > will evolve into the local House of Justice, bly has adopted and recommends to each and > and at present provide the firm foundation every local Spiritual Assembly throughout > on which the structure of the Master's Will the United States and Canada. > is to be reared in future. > "In order to avoid division and disruption, Calling of Meetings > that the Cause may not fall a prey to con- > flicting interpretations, and lose thereby its A meeting of the Spiritual Assembly is > purity and pristine vigor, that its affairs may valid only when it has been duly called, that > ,be conducted with efficiency and promptness, is, when each and every member has ábeen > it is necessary that every one (i. e., every informed of the time and place. The gen- > member of the Baha' community) should eral practice is for the Assembly to decide > conscientiously take an active part in the upon some regular time and place for its > election of these Assemblies, abide by their meetings throughout the Baha'i year, and > decision, enforce their decree, and cooperate this decision when recorded in the Minutes > with them whole-heartedly in their task of is sufficient notice to the members. When > stimulating the growth of the Movement the regular schedule cannot be followed, or > throughout all regions. The members of these the need arises for a special meeting, the > Assemblies, on their part, must disregard secretary, on request by the chairman or > utterly their own likes and dislikes, their any three members of the Spiritual Assem- > personal interests and inclinations, and con- bly, should send due notice to all the mem- > centrate their minds upon those measures bers. > that will conduce to the welfare and happi- Order of Business > ness of the Baha'i community and promote Roll call by the Secretary ( or Recording Sec- > the common weal."-SH0GHI EFFENDI, retary). > March 12, 1923. Prayer. > "Let us recall His explicit and often-re- Reading and approval of Minutes of previous > peated assurance that every Assembly elected meeting. > in that rarified atmosphere of selflessness Report of Secretary (or Corresponding Sec- > and detachment is, in truth, atppointed of retary), including ,presentation of letters > God, that its verdict is truly inspired, that received by the Assembly since its last > one and all should submit to its decision un- meeting, and of any and all recommenda- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 5 > tions duly adopted by the community at members, whether present or absent from > the last Nineteen Day Feast. the meeting at which the action was taken. > Report of Treasurer. Individual views and opinions must be sub- > Report of Committees. ordinated to the will of the Assembly when a > Unfinished business. decision has been made. A Spiritual Assem- > New business, including conferences with bly is an administrative unit, as it is a spir- > members of the community and with ap- itual unit, and therefore no distinction be- > plicants for enrollment as members of the tween "majority" and "minority" groups or > community. • factions can be recognized. Each member > Closing Prayer. must give undivided loyalty to the institu- > tion to which he or she has been elected. > Conduct of Business Any action taken by the Assembly can be > reconsidered at a later meeting, on motion > A Spiritual Assembly, in maintaining its duly made, seconded and carried. This re- > threefold function of a body given (within consideration, according to the result of the > the limits of its jurisdiction) an executive, consultation, may lead to a revision or the > a legislative and a judicial capacity, is annulment of the prior action. If a major- > charged with responsibility for imitating ac- ity is unwilling to reconsider the prior ac- > tion and making decisions. Its meetings, tion, further discussion of the matter by any > therefore, revolve around various definite member is improper. > matters which require deliberation ,and col- The Assembly has a responsibility in fill- > lective decision, and it is incumbent upon ing a vacancy caused by the inability of any > the members, one and all, to address them- member to attend the meetings. "It is only > selves to the subject under discussion and too obvious that unless a member can attend > not engage in general speeches of an irrele- regularly the meetings of his local Assembly, > vant character. it would be impossible for him to discharge > Every subject or problem ,before an As- the duties incumbent upon him, and to fulfil > sembly is most efficiently handled when the his responsibilities as a representative of > following process is observed: first, ascer- the community. Membership in a local Spir- > tainment and agreement upon the facts; itual Assembly carries with it, indeed, the > second, agreement upon the spiritual or ad- obligation and capacity to remain in close > ministrative Teachings which the question touch with local Baha'i activities, and ability > involves; third, full and frank discussion of to attend regularly the sessions of the As- > the matter, leading up to the offering of a sembly."-SHOGHI EFFENDI, January 27, > resolution; and fourth, voting upon the reso- 1935. > lution. The Spiritual Assembly, as a permanent > A resolution, or motion, is not subject to body, is responsible for maintaining all its > discussion or vote until duly made and sec- records, including Minutes of meetings, cor- > onded. It is pref era:ble to have each reso- respondence and financial records, through- > lution clear and complete in itself, but when out its existence as a Baha'i institution. Each > an amendment is duly made and seconded, officer, therefore, on completing his or her > the Chairman shall call for a vote on the term of office, shall turn over to the Assem- > amendment first áand then on the original bly all records pertaining to the business of > motion. An amendment must be relevant the Assembly. > to, and not contravene, the subject matter > of the motion. III. CONSULTATION WITH > The Chairman, or other •presiding officer, > has the same power and responsibility for THE COMMUNITY > discussion and voting upon motions as other A. The institution of the Nineteen Day Feast > members of the Assembly. provides the recognized and regular occa- > Discussion of any matter before the As- sion for general consultation on the part of > sembly may be terminated by a motion duly the community, and for consultation between > made, seconded and voted calling upon the the Spiritual Assembly and the members of > Chairman to put the matter to a vote or to the community. The conduct of the period > proceed to the next matter on the agenda. of consultation at Nineten Day Feasts is a > The purpose of this procedure is to prevent vital function of each Spiritual Assembly. > any member or members from prolonging From Words of •Abdu'l-Baha, "The Nine- > the discussion beyond the point at which full teen Day Feast was inaugurated by the Bab > opportunity has been given all members to and ratified by Baha'u'llah, in His Holy Book, > express their views. the Aqdas, so that people may gather to- > When the Assembly has taken action upon gether and outwardly show fellowship and > any matter, the action is binding upon all love, that the Divine mysteries may be dis- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 6 > closed. The object is concord, that through pected to arrange their personal affairs so > this fellowship hearts may become perfectly as to enable them to observe the Baha'i cal- > united, and reciprocity •and mutual helpful- endar. > ness be established. Because the members > of the world of humanity are unable to ex- Order of Business for the > ist without being banded together, coopera- Consultation Period > tion and helpfulness is the basis of human > society. Without the realization of these The chairman or other appointed repre- > two great principles no great movement is sentative of the Spiritual Assembly presides > pressed forward.'' (London, England, De- during the period of consultation. > cember 29, 1912. Quoted in Baha'i News The Spiritual Assembly reports to the > No. 33.) • community whatever communications have > The Nineteen Day Feast has been de- been received from the Guardian and the > scribed by the Guardian as the foundation of National Spiritual Assembly, and provides > the World Order of Baha'u'llah. It is to be opportunity for general discussion. > conducted according to the following pro- The Assembly likewise reports its own ac- > gram : the first part, entirely spiritual in tivities and plans, including committee ap- > character, is devoted to readings from Baha'i pointments that may have been made since > Sacred Writings; the second part consists of the last Feast, the financial report, arrange- > general consultation on the affairs of the ments made for ,public meetings, and in gen- > Cause. The third part is the material feast eral share with the community all matters > and social meeting of all the believers, and that concern the Faith. These reports are > should maintain the spiritual nature of the to be followed by general consultation. > Feast. , A matter of vital importance at this meet- > Baha'is should regard this Feast as the ing is consideration of national and interna- > very heart of their spiritual activity, their tional :J3aha'i affairs, to strengthen the capac- > participation in the mystery of the Holy Ut- ity of the community to cooperate in promo- > terance, their steadfast unity one with an- tion of the larger Baha'i interests and to > other in a universality raised high above the deepen the understanding of all believers > limitations of race, class, nationality, sect, concerning the relation of the local commu- > and personality, and their privilege of con- nity to the Baha'i World Community. > tributing to the power of the Cause in the Individual Baha'is are to find in the Nine- > realm of collective action. teen Day Feast the channel through which to > make suggestions and recommendations to > Calendar of the Nineteen Day the National Spiritual Assembly. These > recommendations are offered first to the lo- > Feast cal community, and when adopted by the > March 21 July 13 November 23 community come before the local Assembly, > April 9 August 1 December 12 which then may in its discretion forward the > April 28 August 20 December 31 recommendation to the National Spiritual > May 17 September 8 January 19 Assembly accompanied by its own considered > June 5 September 27 February 7 view. > June 24 October 16 March 2 Provision is to be made for reports from > November 4 committees, with discussion of each report. > The Spiritual Assembly is responsible for Finally, the meeting is to be open for sug- > the holding of the Nineteen Day Feast. If gestions and recommendations from indi- > the Baha'i calendar for some adequate rea- vidual believers on any matter affecting the > son cannot be observed, the Assembly may Cause. > arrange to hold a Feast at the nearest pos- The local Baha'i community may adopt > sible date. by majority vote any resolution which it > Only members of the Baha'i community, wishes ácollectively to record as its advice and > and visiting Baha'is from other communities, recommendation to the Spiritual Assembly. > may attend these meetings, but young people Upon each member of the community lies > of less than twenty--0ne years of age, who the obligation to make his or her utmost con- > have studied the Teachings and declared tribution to the consultation, the ideal being > their intention of joining the community on a gathering of Baha'is inspired with one > reaching the age of twenty-one, may also spirit and concentrating upon the one aim to > attend. further the interests of the Faith. > Regular attendance at the Nineteen Day The Secretary of the Assembly records > Feast is incumbent upon every Baha'i, ill- each resolution adopted by the community, > nesás or absence from the city being the only as well as the various suggestions advanced > justification for absence. 'Believers are ex- during the meeting, in order to report these > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 7 > to the Spiritual Assembly for its considera- When confronted with evidences of un- > ation. Whatever action the Assembly takes happiness, whether directed against the As- > is to be reported at a later Nineteen Day sembly or against members of the commu- > Feast. nity, the Spiritual Assembly should realize > Matters of a personal nature should be that its relationship to the believers is not > brought to the Spiritual Assembly and not merely that of a formal constitutional body > to the community at the Nineteen Day Feast. but also that of a spiritual institution called > Concerning the attitude with which believers upon to manifest the attributes of courtesy, > should come to these Feasts, the Master has patience and loving insight. Many condi- > said, "You must free yourselves from every- tions are not to be remedied by the exercise > thing that is in your hearts, before you en- of power and authority but rather by a sym- > ter." (Baha'i News Letter of the N. S. A. of pathetic understanding of the sources of the > Germany and Austria, December, 1934.) difficulty in the hearts of the friends. As > B. The annual Meeting on April 21, called 'Abdu'l-Baha has explained, some of the > for the election of the Spiritual Assembly, people are children and must be trained, > provides the occasion for the presentation of some are ignorant and must be educated, > annual reports by the Assembly and by all some are sick and must be healed. Where, > its Committees. however, the problem is not of this order but > The Chairman of the outgoing Assembly represents flagrant disobedience and disloy- > presides at this meeting. alty to the Cause itself, in that case the As- > The Order of Business includes: Reading sembly should consult with the National > of the call of the meeting, reading of ap- Spiritual Assembly concerning the necessity > propriate Baha'i passages bearing upon the for disciplinary action. > subject of the election, appointment of tel- Members of the Baha'i community, for > lers, distribution of ballots, prayers for the their part, should do their utmost by prayer > spiritual guidance of the voters, the election, and meditation to remain always in a posi- > presentation of annual reports, tellers' re- tive and joyous spiritual condition, bearing > port of the election, approval of the tellers' in mind the Tablets which call upon Baha'is > report. to serve the world of humanity and not waste > their precious energies in negative com- > C. The Annual Meeting for the election of plaints. > Convention delegate (or delegates) is like- > wise presided over by the Assembly Chair- > man, and except for the annual reports the IV. BAHA't ANNIVERSA- > Order of Business is similar to that observed RIES, FESTIVALS AND > at the meeting held each April 21. It is pre- DAYS OF FASTING > ferable for the Spiritual Assembly to arrange > a special meeting for the election of dele- The Spiritual Assembly, among its vari- > gates, and not hold this election during the ous duties and responsibilities, will provide > consultation period of a Nineteen Day Feast. for the general observance by the local com- > D. In addition to these occasions for gen- munity of the following Holy Days: > eral consultation, the Spiritual Assembly is Feast of Ridvan (Declaration of Ba- > to give consultation to individual believers ha'u'llah) April 21-May 2, 1863. > whenever requested. Declaration of the Bab, May 23, 1844. > During such consultation with individual Ascension of Baha'u'llah, May 29, 1892. > believers, the Assembly should observe the Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9, 1850. > following principles: the impartiality of each Birth of the Bab, October 20, 1819. > of its members with respect to all matters Birth of Baha'u'llah, November 12, 1817. > under discussion ; the freedom of the indi- Day of the ,Covenant, November 26. > vidual Baha'i to express his views, feelings Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha, November 28, > and recommendations on any matter affect- 1921. > ing the interests of the Cause, the confiden- Period of the Fast, nineteen days begin- > tial character of this consultation, and the ning March 2. > principle that the Spiritual Assembly does Feast of Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year) > not adopt any resolution, or make any final March 21.-N. 8. A. > decision, until the party or parties have with- > drawn from the meeting. > Appeals from decisions of a local Spiritual > Assembly are provided for in the By-Laws > and the procedure fully described in a state- > ment published in Baha'i News, February, > 1933, and reprinted in this work. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 8 > DUTIES AND OBLIGA- of the Baha'i Faith or opposed to its best > interests. It shall, on the other hand, have > TIONS OF A LOCAL the authority and right to appeal from the > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY decision of the National Assembly to the > Guardian of the Faith for review and final > From By-Laws Approved by decision of any matter related to the Faith > in the City of ........ . > the Guardian > Article III-The Spiritual Assembly, in Article IV-The Spiritual Assembly, in > the fulfilment of its obligations and respon- administering this Corporation, shall ever > sibilities under this Corporation, shall have bear in mind the ideals upheld in the Sacred > exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all Writings of the Baha'i Faith respecting the > the local activities and affairs of the Baha'i relationships of a Spiritual Assembly to its > community of •the City of ......... , includ- Baha'i community, respecting the relations > ing paramount authority in the administra- of Baha'is to one another in the community, > tion of this Corporation. It shall be respon- and the relationships of Baha'is to all non- > sible for maintaining the integrity and ac- Baha'is, without prejudice of race, creed, > curacy of all Baha'i teaching, whether writ- class or nationality. The Assembly shall > ten or oral, undertaken throughout the local therefore rubove all recognize its sacred duty > community. It shall make available the pub- to maintain full and complete unity through- > lished literature of the Faith. It shall rep- out the Baha'i community, to relieve and > resent the community in its relations to the comfort the sick and distressed, to assist the > National Spiritual Assembly, in its relation poor and destitute, to protect the orphans, > to the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, to the crippled and the aged, to educate the chil- > other local Baha'i communities, and to the dren of Baha'is according to the highest re- > general public in the City of ..... ' . . . . It ligious and intellectual standards, to compose > shall be charged with the recognition of all differences and disagreements among mem- > applicants requesting membership in the bers of the community, to promulgate the > local Baha'i community. It shall pass upon principles of Divine Civilization revealed by > the right of any and all members of the com- Baha'u'llah, and to promote in every way pos- > munity whose membership is in question to sible the Baha'i aim of the oneness of man- > retain their status as voting members of the kind. It shall faithfully and devotedly up- > community. It shall call the meetings of the hold the general Baha'i activities and affairs > community, including the Baha'i Anniver- initiated and sustained by the National Spir- > saries and Feasts, the meetings of consulta- itual Assembly. It shall cooperate whole- > tion, the Annual Meeting and the meeting heartedly with other local Spiritual Assem- > for the election of delegates to the Annual blies throughout North America in all mat- > Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly. ters declared by the National Spiritual As- > It shall appoint and supervise all commit- sembly to be of general Baha'i importance > tees of the Baha'i community. It shall col- and concern. It shall rigorously abstain > lect and disburse all funds intended for the from any action or influence, direct or indi- > maintenance of this Corporation. It shall rect, that savors of intervention on the part > have full and complete custody of the head- of a Baha'i body in matters of public poli- > quarters or meeting place of the Baha'i com- tics and civil jurisdiction. It shall encour- > munity. It shall report to the National Spirit- age intercourse between the Baha'i com- > ual Assembly annually, or when requested, munity of the City of . . . . . . . . . . and other > the membership roll of the Baha'i commun- recognized Baha'i communities, issuing let- > ity, for the information and approval of the ters of introduction to Baha'is traveling from > national Baha'i body. The Spiritual Assem- . . . . . . . . . and passing upon letters of intro- > bly, however, shall recognize the authority duction issued by other Baha'i Assemblies. > and right of the National Spiritual Assem- It shall regard its authority as a means of > bly to declare at any time what activities rendering service to Baha'is and non-Baha'is > and affairs of the Baha'i community of the and not as a source of arbitrary power. > City of . . . . . . . . . are national in scope and While retaining the sacred right of final de- > hence subject to the jurisdiction of the na- cision in all matters pertaining to the Ba- > tional Baha'i body. It shall likewise recog- ha'i community, the Spiritual Assembly shall > nize the right of any member of the com- ever seek the advice and consultation of all > munity to appeal to the National Spiritual members of the community, keep the com- > Assembly for review and decision of any munity informed of all its affairs, and invite > matter in which the previous decision of the full and free discussion on the part of the > local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the mem- community of all matters affecting the Faith. > ber to be contrary to the explicit teachings -N.S.A. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 9 > THE INSTITUTION OF THE to believe are possessed of certain qualities : > "unquestioned loyalty, selfless devotion, a > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY well trained mind, recognized ability, ma- > ture experience." 1 The efficiency and in- > For a period of more than ten years, a tegrity of a Spiritual Assembly, therefore, > large portion of our collective effort has been depends upon the degree to which, in every > devoted to the task of developing the insti- Baha'i election, the believers conscientiously > tutions described in the Master's Will and meet the Guardian's standard. > Testament and the subject matter of most of The Declaration of Trust and By-Laws > the general communications issued by the afford a procedure controlling to a certain > Guardian of the Faith. extent the methods which should be carried > At our present state of development there out by members of a Spiritual Assembly in > appears to be a need for a more definite and performing their duties at meetings. It is > widespread understanding of the institution clear, for example, that decisions are made > of a Spiritual Assembly as it affects its ?wn by unanimous vote, but unanimity lacking, > members-as it calls for a new and umque by vote of the majority. 'Abdu'l-Baha re- > loyalty on the part of its nine members to vealed a Tablet, quoted by the Guardian 2 in > the Assembly itself. one of his earliest general letters, emphatical- > The National Spiritual Assembly there- ly commanding every member of an Assem- > fore takes the occasion to offer a few re- bly to abide by its decisions. The teachings_ > marks on this phase of the subject, in the recognize no minority rights whatsoever > hope that they will clarify this important within the body of an Assembly. Every de- > matter and assist the believers to appreciate cision made by a Spiritual Assem:bly is bind- > the firm basis on which every local and Na- ing upon each and all its members alike, > tional Assembly must rest if it is to fulfil whatever their personal views, prior to the > its responsibility to the Cause. final vote, may have been. > It is necessary to bear in mind the fact Two observations should be made in con- > that the Spiritual Assembly is not a body nection with the process of consultation lead- > created by the believers, even though iby their ing up to the decision. First, that during > votes at elections they determine its member- the consultation it is not merely the right > ship. The institution itself was created by but the sacred duty of each member to ex- > Baha'u'llah. Unlike the institutions set up press his or her opinion fully and freely, > ,by a democracy, whose functions and powers for only through a true consensus of opinion > are strictly defined by the people, with a defi- can all aspects of a question be thoroughly > nite reservation of certain rights to the body explored. Secondly, that the termination of > of the citizens-including the right to annul the period of consultation and the taking of > the constitution and adopt an entirely new the vote, is a matter which the majority can > political charter-a Spiritual Assembly rests decide. The right to express one's view fully > upon sanctions higher than that of the vot- and freely does not imply the power to pro- > ing community. Its functions and powers are long the consultation indefinitely and to the > unalterable. The responsibility of its mem- point of stubbornness. The majority can di- > bers is not to the electorate but to the higher rect the chairman to bring the matter to vote > authority resident in the Cause. whenever it is conscientiously felt that all > This general principle has brought into views have been presented and further dis- > being the necessity for a definite loyalty on cussion would be useless repetition or one- > the part of all Assembly members to the in- sided argument. Without this clear right > stitution which collectively they compose. vested in the majority, the capacity of a > They are trustees of its duties, responsibili- Spiritual Assembly to transact the business > ties, rights and powers, and not merely rep- before it would be fatally limited. > resentatives of the community nor of any The opinion is sometimes expressed that > party or faction thereof. In meeting this Spiritual Assemblies are too prone to main- > obligation to the Assembly itself, the mem- tain an attitude of secrecy and aloofness, in > bers can have utmost confidence that they violation of the sacred unity of the Cause. > are rendering the fullest and truest service > to the body of the believers concerned. 1 > See "Baha'i Administration," page 79. > It is important to note that upon the Ba- • "If after discussion, a decision be carried unani- > mously, well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, > ha'i electors themselves there rests a special differences of opinion should arise, a majority of > responsibity in relation to the election. Thus, voices must prevail .... It is again not permitted > that any one of the honored members object to or > in describing the functions of Convention censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any de- > delegates, Shoghi Effendi declared that they cision arrived at previously, though that decision > should cast their ballots for none save those be not right, for such criticism would prevent any > decision from being enforced." See "Baha'i Ad- > whom prayer and meditation inspire them ministration," pages 21, 22, 23. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 10 > This opinion requires clear analysis, if which Assembly business is t.o be reported > Assemblies are to avoid going from one ex- outside the meeting, are obvious requisites to > treme attitude to the other, in each case fail- the proper functioning of the institution. > ing to attain the true balance. Shoghi Effendi has written that the admin- > What is and must he preserved inviolate istrative order of the Faith is still in a con- > from mere gossip and rumor are the per- dition of infancy. > sonal views expressed by the members on This may be fully recognized and admitted, > any matter before the vote is taken. If any but the condition of infancy is not intended > member of an Assembly leaves a meeting to be perpetual. Great blessings will, we are > and expresses criticism of the attitude ex- assured, be released when the Baha'i institu- > pressed by any other member in the period tions develop t.o the point of internal unity > of full and free consultation, this is destruc- and of harmonious relations to the commun- > tive of the spirit of mutual confidence and ity. The privilege of contributing to the > trust which must ,be maintained by every steady evolution of those institutions which > Assembly, and can but lead to disunity and a are the "pattern and nucleus" of the World > weakening of .its capacity for service to the Order of Baha'u'llah is granted to every be- > Cause. So long as a member who had ex- liever, but more especially to those to whom > pressed one opinion is willing to abide by the have been given positions of responsibility > result of unanimous or majority vote, there and trust. If members of Spiritual Assem- > is no ground of criticism in that his opinion, blies will attain trustworthiness, and exhibit > prior to the vote, was different from that an individual and collective attitude showing > established by the vote. forth both knowledge of the Teachings and > A Spiritual Assembly is an institution and scrupulous obedience to them, the long-await- > not merely nine believers who happen to hold ed and long prayed-for renaissance of public > office. The great obligations and duties laid teaching, and vital growth in the Cause, will > upon that institution are superior to any surely follow, as day follows night. > rights assumed by some of its members. The fact that a Spiritual Assembly is an > Within its sphere of jurisdiction, as the institution independent of the will of the > Guardian has said, a Spiritual Assembly has electoral body does not in any way sanction > undivided authority. the spirit of aloofness and separation from > The difference between secrecy and trust- the community. On the contrary, it means > worthiness is again exemplified when we con- that the Assembly is left entirely free to > sider the important subject of conferences seek divine guidance for all its deliberations > held by a Spiritual Assembly with individual and decisions, and has been given a truly > members of the community. If the believers Providential opportunity to serve the com- > find by experience that they cannot bring munity as a whole. An Assembly, it must > personal matters to an Assembly without be repeated again and again, is not the crea- > having rumor and gossip immediately circu- ture or servant of any limited group or fac- > late throughout the community, such a con- tion. Quite irrespective of how the various > dition is a serious charge for which that As- members of the community might have cast > sembly cannot escape responsibility. As the their ballots for members of the Assembly, > Cause develops, each Assembly will increas- the Assembly once elected has an impartial > ingly be called upon to deal with certain mat- relationship of service to the welfare of the > ters of a personal and confidential nature, Cause in its city or nation. No institution > and the time has surely come when a firm in human history has ever rested upon a > f oundatiori of trustworthiness should be laid. foundation so impregnable to the assaults of > Matters of a general nature coming before ambition, pride, self-interest, envy and mal- > a Spiritual Assembly should ibe reported to ice, whether from without or within. > the community at each Nineteen Day Feast. A Spiritual Assembly, raised above per- > It should be readily possible for an Assembly sonal emotion and touched with a vision of > to determine what matters are confidential, divine justice, becomes an indestructible link > and of the nature of a trust, and what mat- in the chain of peace, economic stability and > ters concern the Cause and are of interest progress which the Supreme Manifestation > and importance to the entire Baha'i com- has forged for the protection of mankind. > munity. When a matter is recorded as con- Much has been offered to, much will be re- > fidential each member should scrupulously quired from, all who are elected to member- > preserve it as such. When a matter is re- ship in such an institution.-N. S. A. > corded otherwise, it should be reported in > the form recorded in the minutes and by > whatever officer is designated to make the > "THE SACRED BASIC PRIN- > report. Fran\ki discussion of these points, and CIPLES OF BAHA'U'LLAH" > full agreement as to the conditions under "/ f thou desirest to be confirmed in the > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 11 > service of the Kingdom of God, live in accord others. > with the teachings of Baha'u'llah, and that It is manifest, therefore, that neither one > is: real love for the world of humanity, and of these two great principles is sufficient unto > the utmost kindness for the believers of God. itself but must be comb1ned into an ordered > This real love, like unto the magnetic power, unity, each perfectly supplementary to the > attracts the Divine c.onfirmations."-('AB- other and neither permitted to interpose any > DU'L-BAHA.) rigid barriers to the proper functioning of > We realize the vital im1>0rtance-in these the other. > early days when the concept of the Baha'i In the body of man, which is the true di- > World Order is gradually penetrating into vine example or parallel, the spirit, when in > the thought and knowledge of all types and ideal control of all the lesser parts of the or- > classes of world thinkers-of preserving in- ganism, finds the utmost harmony through- > tact the sacred basic principles of Baha'u'l- out the whole body-each part is in perfect > lah, fortifying them against compromise, and reciprocity with the other parts. The com- > demonstrating to the world that there are mands and impulses of the spirit are obeyed > truly divine remedies for the spiritual and by the body and the body in turn in its ac- > mental diseases of the body politic. Among tions and function identifies and determines > these great principles, two stand out pre- the expression the spiritual impulses shall > eminently at this time as essential to the suc- take. This is divine unity-and this law > cessful establishment of the Baha'i Cause in being universal and found in every created > the West. Each of these two :principles is object in the universe, has full application > supplementary to the other, and the failure to the universal Baha'i organism made up of > or weakening of one can seriously, if not dan- believers everywhere, which has been estab- > gerously, affect the application of the other. lished by the Manifestation of God. > These two principles are like unto the body Therefore, we would emphasize, it be- > and soul itself, neither of which is capable hooves all of us-all Assemblies and all be- > of performing its true function without the lievers generally-if we would render the > ever-present assistance of the other. highest service to the Divine Cause in our > (1) The administrative order (one of the generation, not only to realize but to apply > two principles ref erred to), is the indispensa- in our Baha'i service the most perfect co- > ble instrumentality through which the glor- ordination and unification of these two great > ious spirit of the Baha'i Cause finds expres- principles in every Baha'i contact, whether > sion. This spirit, in turn, is the second prin- in the :processes of consultation or in our mu- > ciple referred to. Should we build up the tual dealings with each other. > administrative world order to a point of ab- (2) áAbdu'l-Baha once said that the > solute perfection but at the same time allow American people because of the system of > it to be hampered or disconnected from the partisan politics developed an individualism > channels within, through which channels the which made it very difficult for them to take > Holy Spirit of the Cause pours forth, we counsel together and abide by the results > would have nothing more than a perfected of that counsel. The interruptions of govern- > body out of touch with and cut off from the mental process through the necessities of > finer promptings of the soul or spirit. If, on elections and destructive criticisms by mem- > the other hand, the influxes and goings forth bers of one party of the other party, had > of the spirit are scattered, diffused and sub- created a condition wherein true consultation > jected wholly to the more or less imperfect was well-nigh unknown. We know that the > guidance and interpretation of individual be- Master's criticism was only too true. > lievers, lacking both the wisdom secured (3) The Baha'i administration is a most > through consultation and also the lights of advanced step forward toward the elimina- > • real unity which shine through cons\lltative tion of this condition. The National Spirit- > action and obedience thereto-a disordered ual Assembly stands squarely behind every > and disorganized activity would be witnessed, essential element of Baha'i administration, > which would but dimly reflect the divine pur- but while no relaxation should be suffered in > pose for this age, which is no less than the the application of the administrative princi- > estaJblishment of the reign of divine love, ples at any time, we deem it to be doubly im- > justice and wisdom in the world, under and portant, in these days when this divine meth- > in conformity to the Divine Law. od of dealing with religious problems is be- > In short, such conditions would create coming rooted in American institutions, that > countless individual interpretations and, in those coordinate elements which have been > the end, multitudinous sects and denomina- so emphasized by our Guardian in connection > tions, such as have been witnessed in the with the administration should be most con- > former religions, each daiming to possess a scientiously applied. We would refer for a > greater truth or guidance than any of the moment to the need of having ever in mind > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 12 > the in--dwelling spirit of the administration, must be maintained, which we referred to > which is the real life and purpose of Ba- in the opening paragraphs of this letter, our > ha'u'llah's revelation, and is, in reality, the Guardian on Page 54 tells us- > effulgence of the Holy Spirit, itself. Without "At the very root of the Cause lies the > this Spirit, reflected in every administrative principle of the undoubted right of the indi- > act, the body of the administration becomes vidual to self-expression, his freed om to de- > rigid, opaque and lifeless, for the Sun of Di- clare his conscience and set forth his views." > vine Love finds no responsive mirror upon And again- > which to reflect its life-giving rays. This "Let us also bear in mind that the keynote > Holy Spirit is the greatest bestowal of God of the Cause of God is not dictatorial author- > in this age, and for this, the Founders of the ity but humble fellowship, not arbitrary > Cause, and the martyred believers, endured power, but the spirit of frank and loving con- > countless afflictions at the hands of a world sultation. Nothing short of the spirit of a > that knew not this holy potency. In every true Baha'i can hope to reconcile the prin- > administrative act, this Spirit should illumine ciples of mercy and justice, of freedom and > and warm the believers who are affected. On submission, of the sanctity of the right of > Page 19 of Baha'i Administration, Shoghi the individual and of self-surrender, of vigil- > Effendi says we are expected "to obliterate ance, discretion and prudence on rthe one > as much as possible all traces of censure, of hand, and fellowship, candor and courage > conflicting discussion, of cooling remarks, of on the other." > petty unnecessary observations that impede And as to the duties of elected representa- > the onward march of the Cause, that damp tives, he says, on Page 55- > the zeal of the firm believer and detract from "They should approach their task with ex- > the sublimity of the Baha'i Cause in the eyes treme humility, and endeavor, by their open- > of the inquirer." On page 22, quoting from mindedness, their high sense of justice and > the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, our Guardian duty, their candor, their modesty, their en- > draws our attention to these words, referring tire devotion to the welfare and interests of > to members of Assemblies- the friends, the Cause, and humanity-to > "They must in every matter search out the win, not only the confidence and the genuine > truth and not insist upon their own opinion, support and respect of those whom they > for stubboo-nness and persistence in one's serve, but also their esteem and real aff ec- > views will lead rultimately to discord and tion. They must, at all times, avoid the spirit > wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. of exclusiveness, the atmosphere of secrecy, > The honored members must with all freedom free themselves from a domineering attitude, > express their own thoughts, and it is in no and banish all forms of prejudice and passion > wise permissible for one to belittle the from their deliberations. They should, with- > thought of another. Should the least trace in the limits of wise discretion, take the > of estrangement prevail, the result shall be friends into their confidence, acquaint them > darkness upon darkness." with their plans, share with them their prob- > Again on Page 30, quoting from 'Abdu'l- lems and anxieties, and seek their advice and > Baha, it is stated- counsel." > "lt behooveth the loved ones of God to be We are quoting these several references > enamored of one another and to sacrifice as a reminder and aid to all established As- > themselves for their fellow-workers in the semblies, since various problems are found > Cause. They should yearn towards one an- to a greater or lesser degree in various cen- > other even as the sore athirst yearneth for ters. These injunctions and their observance > the Water of Life, and the lover burneth to constitute the divine remedy as applied to > meet his heart's desire." the internal affairs •Of our administrative > On Page 33, our Guardian says, in speak- processes, and we are assured that their due > ing of .Spir.itual Assemblies- application will open the paths of harmony, > "They must endeavor to promote amity happiness and the successful advance of the > and concord amongst the friends, efface ev- Cause in the western world. > ery lingering trace of distrust, coolness and ( 4) Our Guardian's letters on adminis- > estrangement from every heart, and secure tration are replete with clear and unmistak- > in its stead an active and wholehearted co- able references to the authority and juris- > operation for the service of the Cause." diction which rests in every local Assembly > On Page 36, he warns us against extreme over the affairs of the Cause in its vicinity. > orthodoxy on one hand, and irresponsible Every believer who is a member of a local > freedom on the other, lest these cause it ("the Baha'i community is under a paramount > Cause") to deviate from the Straight Path spiritual duty to cooperate in his or her Ba- > which alone can lead it to success. ha'i activities with the duly expressed deci,. > As bearing upon this delicate balance that sions of a Spiritual Assembly. The para- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 13 > mount obligation of every individual believer (6) Any failure of either of the two ,prin- > is to maintain unity. It is the obligation of ciples first alluded to, whether firmness in > a believer in a community to •bring any mat- the administration or a lack of the spirit of > ters of complaint or misunderstanding first Baha'i love, fellowship and happiness in > • to his Local Assembly. The believers on carrying out the measures of the administra- > their part will realize that the law of God tion, can only serve to prolong and confuse > is a just law, and that in this day, it has ex- the solution of such a problem as we have > tended its provisions to every important mat- encountered. The true balance between > ter. Thus, not only is every individual be- these two principles must ;be invariably found > liever entitled to the right of electoral fran- before such a ,problem or, for that matter, > chise in the choice of his local Spiritual As- any other problem can be efficiently and > sembly but also in cases where he feels ag- promptly settled. Otherwise, justice finds > grieved at the decision of a body, a right of defeat, and needless suffering results. > appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly is It is certain that this experience has had > provided. Through these means, ultimate its value in a better understanding of all fac- > justice is assured. The whole fabric of Ba- tors which must be considered in dealing > ha'i administration rests upon the acceptance with the greater problems that will confront > by the friends of the considered decisions of the Cause in the future. It is doubtless too > their Local Assemblies, and this is the very much to expect that any Assembly, whether > essence and root of the law of consultation National or Local, in this early dawn of the > which Baha'u'llah has called us to obey. It establishment of the Baha'i World Order, > follows from this that there can be no such with the added factor of the necessity of edu- > thing as non-cooperation with an elected lo- cating and informing the whole body of be- > cal Assembly inasmuch as such a procedure lievers, could hope to solve complex problems > utterly def eats the central purpose of con- with the utmost simplicity and expedition. > sultation. Any cause or causes, which might (7) It is our ardent hope that from this > otherwise tend to create an attitude of non- hour, the bonds of true union, fellowship and > cooperation on the part of a believer, should an ever-increasing harmony and happiness > be at once placed before the Local Assembly, will be consciously realized in our common > in the spirit of Baha'i frankness and trust- problems, and that the National Spiritual As- > meanwhile preserving full cooperation, and sembly, together with all the local represen- > awaiting the just decision of the Assembly. tative bodies in the west and the great body > Grievances when made a matter of appeal to of believers in every section will, in the > the National Assembly, following an adverse words of our Guardian "form one united > decision of a Local Assembly, should have a front and combat wisely and tactfully every > substantial basis, affecting the welfare of force that might darken the spirit of the > the Cause, and should be frankly and definite- Movement, cause division in its ranks and > ly stated in writing, and sent to the Na- narrow it by dogmatic and sectarian belief." > tional Secretary. Let us take home to our hearts, anew, this > (5) These matters ,now being defined, following picture of reality our Guardian > and assuring you that the National Spiritual has given us, which affirms the presence of > Assembly will defend and safeguard to every God in the Kingdom He is establishing-to > necessary extent these vital requisites of Ba- a world that has labored vainly to reduce > ha'i life-we would point out to Assemblies Him to a mere shadow. Our Guardian > our feeling that one of their essential duties says:- > during periods of confusion and unrest, such "Are we to doubt that the ways of God > as the present, is to win the confidence and are not necessarily the ways of man? Is not > loyalty of every declared believer. We would faith but another word for implicit obedi- > urge you this year* especially to make it ence, whole-hearted allegiance, uncompromis- > your paramount obligation, individually and ing adherence to that which we believe is > collectively, to show an attitude of love, com- the revealed and expressed will of God, how- > passion and of happiness and harmony ever áperplexing it might first appear, how- > toward the beloved of God, without excep- ever at variance with the shadowy views, the > tion. We feel that Baha'i administration in impotent doctrines, the crude theories, the > no sense affords any excuse to confuse the idle imaginings, the fashionable conceptions > element of loyalty to the representative bo- of a transient and troublous age? If we are > dies with irritating discourtesies or an over- to falter or hesitate, if our love for Him > bearing disposition, or a negative, cold and should fail to direct us and keep us within > slighting attitude, under any circumstances, His path, if we desert Divine and emphatic > •on the part of the Assembly itself. principles, what hope can we any more cher- > ish for healing the ills and sicknesses of this > * 1930. world?" > BAHA'1 PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 14 > We cannot close this statement without ap- vided by the N. S. A. for that purpose. Those > pealing to all the beloved of God to renew, having more than nine elect the Assembly by > in this critical period of humanity's history, secret ballot, and report the election on the > the altar flame of Divine love in each indi- form issued to all Assemblies prior to April > vidual heart; to cleanse the chamber of the 21.-N. S. A. > soul for His indwelling; to ever remember Regarding the formation of local Assem- > that God is concerned with the redemption blies, the Guardian does not advise any de- > of the wandering and straying sheep, and to parture from the principle that every civil > show forth to all such the wondrous power community should have its own independent > of His Love and Generosity; holding fast Assembly.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > to the divine principles without compromise (In answer to the question whether, in the > or deviation, but making our service a bene- case of a new Assembly, the membership of > diction and a blessing to every inquirer and the community could reside in two or more > needy one, and demonstrating the security adjoining civil communities.) > of our faith by the evidences of happiness, > serenity and the bestowals of the Holy Spir- INCORPORATION OF > it. This is the hour for a new and unprece- > dented delivery of the Great Message. Let. LOCAL ASSEMBLY > us fortify our efforts by now realigning our It is surely very important to give to the > nucleus, rank upon rank, in the bonds of the Local Spiritual Assemblies some legal stand- > Divine Unity, each to each.-N. S. A. ing, for as the Cause progresses and its ad- > herents increase, they will be confronted > OBLIGATION TO FORM A with duties they cannot even imagine at pres- > ent. Not only will they have to make con- > SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY tracts for acquiring halls for their meeting > Shoghi Effendi feels that in any locality place, but also they will be obliged to create > where the number of adult believers reaches new institutions to care for their sick, poor > nine, a Local Assembly should be established. and aged people. We hope that before long > He feels this to be an obligation rather than the Bahais will even (be able to) afford to > a purely voluntary act. Only in exceptional have schools that would provide the children > cases has the National Spiritual Assembly the intellectual and spiritual education as > the right to postpone the formation of an prescribed in the writings of Baha'u'llah and > Assembly if it feels that the situation does the Master. > not warrant such a formation. This right, For such duties that will naturally devolve > however, should be exercised if the situation upon the Local Spiritual Assemblies there > absolutely demands it. As to the principle will be an increasing need for a legal stand- > according to which the area of the jurisdic- ing. They will have to be considered as a > tion of a Local Assembly is to be determined, legal person with the power of making ibind- > he feels this to 1be the function of the Na- ing contracts. > tional Spiritual Assembly; whatever princi- In small centers where the friends are > ple they uphold should be fairly applied to still few, the taking of such steps is rather > all localities without any distinction what- premature and may add to the complexity of > ever.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. Baha'i administration.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > For the future, the election of new Spirit- The National Spiritual Assembly has voted > ual Assemblies by members of local groups to publish in Baha'i News the statement that > which contain nine or more recognized be- local Assemblies are advised to engage ex- > lievers is to be conducted in the light of the pert legal assistance in adapting the local > following procedure adopted by the National By-Laws to the Religious Statutes of their > Spiritual Assembly. particular State; and also that meanwhile > "It was moved, seconded and voted to the National Assembly feels it advisable and > adopt and record the following ruling in necessary for all local Assemblies without > order to prevent confusion on the part of new exception to abide by the set of By-Laws > Baha'i communities, that hereafter applica- approved by the Guardian. > tions from Baha'i groups for election of a Local Assemblies are to submit to the Na- > Spiritual Assembly must be made directly to tional Assembly for final approval their plans > the National Assembly not later than Febru- for local incorporation before the legal action > ary first of any year, in order to allow time is consummated. > for this body to discharge its responsibility The Legal Committee of the National > in preparing the group." Spiritual Assembly, in passing upon the suffi- > Groups having exactly nine declared be- ciency of the incorporation papers of a local > lievers establish a Spiritual Assembly by Spiritual Assembly, desires to impress upon > joint declaration, using a special form pro- all local Assemblies contemplating local in- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 15 > corporation that a copy of the State statute turn to service, the Assembly should recog- > under which the corporation is being set nize the vacancy and arrange a meeting of > up, should be, in all cases, forwarded to the the community to elect a new member.-_ > National Spiritual Assembly with the pro- N. S. A. > posed incorporation papers. He believes that your Assembly was well > Consideration and approval of any local advised in adopting such a ruling. For it > incorporation papers cannot be completed is only too obvious that unless a member can > without such copies of the State law.-N. S. attend regularly the meetings of his local > A. Assembly, it would be impossible for him to > ANNUAL ELECTION discharge the duties incumbent upon him, > Until further notice, the annual meeting and to fulfill his responsibilities, as a repre- > called on April 21 for the election of the sentative of the community. Membership > local Spiritual Assembly is to rbe conducted in a local Spiritual Assembly carries with it, > by the officers of the outgoing Assembly and indeed, an obligation and capacity to remain > not by officers elected by those present at in close touch with local Baha'i activities, > this meeting. and ability to attend regularly the session of > It has also been voted to record the deci- the Assembly.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > sion that in the election of the National and > local Assemblies, when the result of the VOTING LIST > ballot is that eight members are elected but Hereafter the annual voting list furnished > two or more believers are tied for the ninth by local Assemblies to the N. S. A. should be > membership, the second ballot taken to elimi- accompanied by a separate list of all believers > nate the tie vote must be limited to voting transferred to and from each Assembly. > for one of the two or more names who hap- It was moved, seconded and voted to rec- > pen to have received a tie vote for the ninth ord in these Minutes as the consensus of opin- > place. ion of the National Assembly, that the re- > Members of a local community have the moval of voting members by local Assem- > right to the local membership list at local blies should be made conditional upon prior > elections. The list can be prepared alpha- report to and recommendation by this body, > betically, and copies handed out for use only and that the removal of any believer from the > during the period of balloting. voting list does not involve passing upon > When a believer is admitted into member- such person's spiritual status but only af- > ship in a Baha'i community, he thereby re- fects his local relationship to the administra- > ceives all the rights, privileges and duties tive order of the Cause and that in the Guar- > of Baha'i membership, and it is for the Spir- dian alone is vested the right to pass upon > itual Assembly to postpone the admission of an individual's spiritual condition.-N. S. A. > applicants until they have familiarized each > applicant with the members of the commun- > ity. In other words, it is part of the teach- ADMITTANCE OF NEW > ing responsibility of a local Assembly to BELIEVERS > make applicants acquainted with their fellow > believers. Otherwise a new 1believer is un- As regards the admittance of new members > able to use his voting right intelligently.- into the different groups as declared Baha'is, > N. S.A. and the expulsion of any from the commun- > Concerning the institution of new Assem- ity, Shoghi Effendi believes that the Assem- > blies, Shoghi Effendi believes that the pres- blies should not act hurriedly. They should > ent form of the By-laws which considers be wise and most considerate, otherwise they > April 21 as the only date on any year, though can do much harm to the body of the Cause. > it has some disadvantages, yet as a whole is They should see to it that the new-comer is > better than otherwise. One year of experi- truly conversant with the teachings, and > ence will better enable it to participate in when he e~resses his belief in the revelation > the important national (Baha'i) affairs. of Baha'u'llah, knows what he is saying and > Then there will be a sort of uniformity what are the duties he undertakes. > throughout the Baha'i world.-SH0GHI EF- On the other hand when any person is ex- > FENDI. pelled, the Assembly should not act hurried- > ly. There is a great spiritual responsibility > ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO attached to the act. The Assemblies do not > have only rights against the individuals, they > ATTEND MEETINGS have great duties also. They should act like > When a member or officer of a local Spirit- the good shepherd whom Christ mentions in > ual Assembly cannot function for an indefi- His well-known parable. We also have the > nite period, ai:ld there is no certainty of re- example of the Master before us. The indi- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 16 > vidual Baha'is were organic parts of His would only venture to state very briefly and > spiritual being. What befell the least one of as adequately as present circumstances per- > the friends brought deep affliction and sor- mit the principal factors that must be taken > row to him also. If by chance one of them into consideration before deciding whether a > erred he counselled him and increased His person may be regarded as a true believer > love and affection, if the Master saw that or not. Full recognition of the station of the > that friend is still stubbornly refusing to re- Forerunner, the Author, and the True Ex- > form his ways, and that his living among the emplar of the Baha'i Cause, as set forth in > other Baha'is endangered the spiritual life 'Abdu'l-Baha's Testament; unreserved accep- > of the rest, then He would expel him from tance of, and submission to, whatsover has > the group. This should 1bethe attitude of the been revealed by their Pen ; loyal and stead- > Assemblies toward the individuals. 'Thebest fast adherenee to every clause of our Be- > criterion whereby you can measure the spirit- loved's sacred Will; and close association > ual attainment of an Assembly is the extent with the spirit as well as the form of the pre- > its members feel themselves responsible for sent day Baha'i administration throughout > the welfare of the group. And perchance the world-these I conceive to be the funda- > they feel forced to deprive a person from his mental and primary considerations that must > vote it should be only to safeguard the rest be fairly, discreetly and thoughtfully ascer- > and not merely to inflict punishment.- tained before reaching such a vital decision. > SHOGHI EFFENDI. Any attempt at further analysis and elucida- > tion will, I fear, land us in barren discus- > RESIDENTIAL REQUIRE- sions and even grave controversies that > would prove not only futile but even detri- > MENT FOR NEW mental to the best interests of a growing > ASSEMBLIES Cause. I would therefore strongly urge those > who are called upon to make such a decision > When a Spiritual Assembly is dissolved by > to approach this highly involved and ever- > reason of decrease in the membership of the recurring problem with the spirit of humble > community, the same requirements shall prayer, and earnest consultation, and to re- > come into operation before an Assembly can > frain from drawing rigidly the line of de- > again be elected, namely that the community > marcation except on such occasions when > must consist of at least nine members resi- > dent within the civil limits of the city, town the interests of the Cause absolutely demand > or village; that the provision in the By-laws it." > With the adoption of the Declaration of > allowing believers residing in out-lying dis- > Trust, which required some clear definition > tricts to apply for membership in a local Ba- > whereby the National Assembly might estab- > ha'i community pending the formation of an > lish the status of voting members of the local > Assembly in their own locality does not apply > communities, the problem of applying the > at the time when a Baha'i community con- > Guardian's standard became one of the most > venes for the election of a Spiritual Assembly > important duties of a Spiritual Assembly. > for the first time.-N. S. A. That this problem is 1being considered very > seriously is evident from the number of in- > QUALIFICATIONS OF quiries which have come to the National > MEMBERSHIP IN A BAHA't Assembly for specific instructions on method > COMMUNITY and procedure. > It is evident that if the Guardian's stan- > On October 24, 1925, in response to a re- dard is too rigidly applied, a community will > quest for information on how Local Spiritual be choked and stifled, while if it is too > Assemblies should determine the qualifica- loosely applied, the result will be to make > tions of those to be enrolled as voting mem- a Baha'i community lose its distinctive char- > bers of a Baha'i community, the Guardian acter, its spiritual integrity, its very reason > (Baha'i Administration, page 81) gave the for existence. > following explanation : "Regarding the very For some months the members of the Na- > delicate and complex question of ascertaining tional Assembly have given special thought > the qualifications of a true believer, I cannot to this subject, in the hope that it might be > in this connection emphasize too strongly the found possible to lay before all Local As- > supreme necessity for the exercise of the semblies some statement in the form of sug- > utmost discretion, caution and tact, whether gestions and recommendations that will > it ioe in deciding for ourselves as to who may ,prove useful to their members in meeting > be regarded as a true believer or in disclos- what the Guardian has termed a "very deli- > ing to the outside world such considerations cate and complex question." . > as may serve as a basis for such a decision. I •First of all, we feel, should be emphasized > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 17 > the fact that the enrollment of new voting sion of new voting members. In reporting > members is the function of a Spiritual As- new members to the National Assembly, > sembly as a whole. Such a matter cannot Local Assembly Secretaries are requested to > be left to one or more members, or be met swbmit, in each case, an extract from the > by passively accepting the endorsement of minutes proving that this procedure has > a teacher, no matter how well-informed and been followed. > loyal the teacher may be. The essence of the matter sems to be that > > The act of passing upon the qualifications each Assembly is called upon faithfully to > of one who seeks enrollment surely involves stand as witness that the spirit of the person > consultation, the distinctive attribute of a seeking membership has turned to Baha'u'- > Spiritual Assembly, followed by decision llah and become quickened for life in His > representing unanimous or at least majority Cause. Quality, and not numerical quantity, > vote. The members of an Assembly asstHrle must ever determine the power of a Baha'i > no higher responsibility than in determining community. > the character of their community by con- Therefore we are not a board of examin- > trolling its new growth. In admitting a new ers on the one hand nor a mere committee of > voting member, they recognize and affirm welcome on the other. The qualifications do > his or her right to be eligible to every office not imply that the applicant must please us > in the Cause. Since those elected delegates personally, nor satisfy our human ideas as > to the Convention elect the members of the to whom we would like to associate with in > National Assembly, and since later on the Baha'i service. The qualifications have come > National Assembly will be one of the elec- from the Manifestation Himself: to the de- > toral bodies constituting the International gree that we are ourselves true Baha'is, we > House of Justice (see Article I, By-Laws of can determine who else is likewise a true > the National Spiritual Assembly), the degree Baha'i. > of this responsibility is manifest. The National Assembly has been vested > The question has 1beenraised as to whether with the responsibility of passing upon local > a Spiritual Assembly may not most effec- membership rolls, and thus in cases where a > tively meet this responsibility by having the Local Assemofy has clearly been in error in > applicant sign an application blank which enrolling a member, the mistake can be cor- > sets forth the exact qualifications of mem- rected and the matter transferred to a Baha'i > bership. body not affected by exclusively local condi- > The question has also been raised as to tions. > whether it would not be well to lay down a > Being charged with this ultimate respon- > definite period of time-for example, a year sibility, the National Assembly feels great > ___.beforean Assembly can act upon an ap- concern that all the Local Assemblies f unc- > plication after it is received. tion as wisely as possible in carrying out > Both these suggestions are admirable; but their share of the Guardian's instructions. > the National Assembly is not yet prepared to The members of the National Assembly see > adopt any standardized system. The Gau~ no way to establish definite procedures and > is too new and inexperienced to justify such uniform methods for the performance of a > an important step at this time. The chief spiritual task!. It is for each Local Spiritual > requisite is that each Local Assembly shall Assembly to take whatever steps it deems > possess sufficient insight to discriminate be- necessary and advisable in conferring with > tween those who are qualified to serve in the each applicant, ascertaining his or her ac- > Cause and those not qualified to serve. The ceptance of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l- > Master has warned us that the time will Baha, the iprovisions of the Master's Testa- > come when hyprocrites will seek to enter ment, and association with the world-wide > the Cause in order to work destruction, con- Baha'i community. Before the application > sequently it is the capacity of the Spiritual can he made, there exists the prior and > Assembly in each case, and not the operation vitally important problem of how inquirers > of any standardized system of enrollment, are taught. Thus, attempting to follow the > which stands as the safeguard against such sequence of all the steps leading to enroll- > invasion. ment of new members, we realize how urgent > One requirement, however, the National it is for Assemblies to assure themselves > Assembly does lay down at this time: that that those serving as Baha'i teachers make > Local Assemblies shall read to applicants the the focal point of all their efforts the prep- > qualifications of voting membership as de- aration of souls forá service in the Baha'i > fined in the By-Laws, and record in their community. It is not enough to promulgate > minutes the full and complete acceptance by the "principles" of the Cause, most of which > each applicant. This appears to be the irre- have already been adopted by the liberal pub- > ducible minimum of procedure in the admis- lic unconscious of their Source-a teaching > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 18 > program must include classes in which in- sought to accomplish was to remind local > quirers are brought into full acceptance of Assemblies that they could not. leave this > the Faith. matter to any one or more of their members, > We are dealing with matters of deep mys- or to any teacher, no matter how well in- > tery, as one perceives on reading the follow- formed and loyal the teacher might be. It > ing words which Baha'u'llah uttered in the was therefore stated that "The members of > presence of Nabil (The Dawn-Breakers, an Assembly assume no higher responsibility > page 586) - than in determining the character of their > "Be tlwnkful to God for Jwving enabled community by controlling its new growth > you to recognize His Cause. Whoever has re- ... One requirement, however, the National > ceived this blessing must, prior to his ac- Assembly does lay down at this time: that > ceptance, Jwve performed some deed which, Local Assemblies shall read to applicants > though he himself was unaware of its charac- the qualifications of voting membership as > ter, was ordained by Goádas a means where- defined in the By-Laws, and record in their > by he Jws been guided to find and embrace minutes the full and complete acceptance by > the Truth. As to those who Jwve remained each applicant." > deprived of such a blessing, their acts alone During recent months the National Spir- > Jwve hindered them from recognizing the itual Assembly has been receiving requests > truth of this Revelation. We cherish the for further information on one particular > hope tlwt you, who have attained to this phase of this general question : how best to > light, will exert your utmost to banish the prepare new believers for enrollment as vot- > darkness of superstition and unbelief from ing Baha'is. > the midst of the people. May your deeds The suggestion has been made, in fact, > proclaim your faith and enable you to lead that it would be well if the National Assem- > the erring into the paths of Eternal salva- bly could make a ruling that a certain period > tion."-N. S. A. of time must elapse before any newly en- > Concerning the qualifications required for rolled believer may exercise the voting right. > voting, Shoghi Effendi has laid down the es- It has been felt, with considerable justice, > sential conditions already in his letters, no that even though a new believer may be en- > further restrictions should he added to them. tirely qualified as far as loyalty and knowl- > It is for the Local Assembly to dedde in edge of the teachings is concerned, neverthe- > this matter. They should exercise this right less the wise use of the voting right calls for > with extreme tact and caution and avoid rig- another essential qualification, namely, ac- > idity and formalism. There is no distinction quaintance with the local community and > in this respect between new and old believ- complete assimilation into its spirit and ac- > ers, nor should contributions to the national tivities. > or local funds be made a condition for vot- While recognizing the importance of this > ing.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. view, the National Spiritual Assembly must > point out that it has no sanction or authority > PREPARATION OF NEW BE- whatsoever to establish different classifica- > tions of voting membership. There is only > LIEVERS FOR MEMBER- one class or character of membership in the > SHIP IN THE BAHA'I Baha'i community-full and complete mem- > bership, with no distinction between the vot- > COMMUNITY ing rights of a new and an old and more ex- > In the August, 1932 issue of Baha'i News perienced Baha'i. As soon as a believer is > the National Spiritual Assembly published enrolled, he receives this voting right with- > an important statement entitled, "Qualifi- out the slightest qualification or exception. > cations of Membership in a Baha'i Com- To prepare applicants for the right use > munity." The purpose of that statement, pre- of their membership, consequently, the en- > pared in response to many requests for in- rollment must be deferred until acquaintance > formation made by local Assemblies, was to with the community has been gained. This > emphasize the importance of the vital func- question, it is clear, arises more particularly > tion vested in the local Spiritual Assembly, in the case of the few large Baha'i communi- > of enrolling applicants as voting members of ties than in the case of the smaller ones > the community. where personal acquaintance is readily > Reference to that statement will make it gained merely by attendance at study classes > clear that at that time the need was to and public meetings. > deepen the sense of responsibility felt by all For the larger communities-and in time > Assemblies in applying the Guardian's defi- every Baha'i community will have a large > nite qualifications of Baha'i membership. membership in comparison with its present > What the National Spiritual Assembly voting list-the National Spiritual Assembly > BAHA'i PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 19 > now wishes very sincerely and earnestly to sembly, as the National institutions are de- > offer a few constructive suggestions which pendent upon the Guardian and the Univer- > it is hoped each local Assembly will take to sal House of Justice. It is because of this or- > heart for the sake of the highest interests of ganic dependence that the national By-Laws > the beloved Faith. makie enrollment conditional upon final ap- > 1. As years of experience have shown, in- proval by the National Spiritual Assembly. > tellectual acceptance of the formal standards 4. In order to assure the entrance of each > of Baha'i faith alone is not sufficient to con- new •believer into the Baha'i community upon > stitute a true believer. A true believer will, the soundest basis possible, it is recom- > in addition, endeavor whole-heartedly to mended that local Assemblies, wherever con- > abide by the results of Baha'i consultation ditions permit, provide a final step for the > as maintained by the institutions of the preparation of applicants already interested > Ca use. A true believer, furthermore, will by home study classes or some teacher's in- > seek to contribute to the unity of the entire dividual instruction. This final step consists > community, and find his own development in in the holding of a special study class under > the growth of the Cause, and not attempt the Assembly's own direct supervision and > to make the community revolve around his control, where the applicants can be trained > own personality, nor himself revolve around in the Administrative principles and their > the human personality of any one believer. knowledge of the basic teachings carefully > This capacity for spiritual association is not reviewed. By this method, the new believers > an additional qualification for membership will experience the wise and impersonal > -it is the real test of the believer's pro- functioning of the institution, and profit also > foundest spiritual faith. All teachers re- by contact with other teachers. Later on, > sponsible for preparing applicants for mem- when local communities are larger and their > bership will do well to emphasize this vital collective undertakings more proficient, per- > point, for the aim of Baha'u'llah's Revela- haps all applicants, before enrollment, will > tion is to establish oneness of spirit and be able to receive this final, supervised in- > unity of action throughout the world. struction. At present, conditions vary so > 2. An applicant who is enrolled as voting much among the communities that this sug- > member of a local Baha'i community is gestion must be developed in accordance > thereby given association not merely in that with local circumstances. It would 1be well, > community alone, but by his enrollment be- however, for individual members of each > comes a Baha'i world citizen-a member of local Assembly to feel a more positive respon- > the Baha'i Commonwealth maintained by the sibility in following all local teaching activi- > central institutions of the Guardianship and ties, visiting each class or group as frequently > the Universal House of Justice. If he travels, as possible, in order to have direct knowl- > the enrolled •believer is given credentials edge of this vital aspect of Assembly respon- > which will be recognized and honored by sibility. By consultation it would then be > National and local Spiritual Assemblies with- possible for the Assembly to assist each > out distinction, whether in the East or the group or class conducted by individual teach- > West. How important, therefore, in the ers in planning their subjects so as to lead > preparation of applicants for membership, up to the central study class held by the As- > that they be made eonscious of this supreme sembly itself. Success depends upon the > ,privilege, this most vital responsiibility as- unity of the Assembly and the willing co- > sumed by all who voluntarily seek the shade operation of all teachers, old and young, in > of the Divine Tree, who would contribute to striving to enlarge the Baha'i community > the World Order of Baha'u'llah ! This con- year by year. > sideration is likewise a reminder to all of the ' 5. It has been realized by discerning > .present believers, especially those who are Baha'is that one essential aspect of Baha'i > members of local Assemblies, how essential community life, the social aspect, has so far > it is to avoid merely local and personal is- remaining practically undeveloped. As local > sues and situations which might conceal from communities become larger and more experi- > an applicant the true universality of the enced, their Assemblies will be able to ar- > Faith of God. range social meetings and gatherings to sat- > 3. The same consideration likewise gives isfy the innate human need of friendly as- > due emphasis to the fact that no local Spiri- sociation, thus supplementing the Nineteen > tual Assembly is to be regarded as an in- Day Feasts and the Anniversaries which at > dependent, self-sufficient Baha'i institution, present are the only recognizeád Baha'i gath- > but rather as one important link in the series erings. The larger local Assemblies might > of institutions which constitute the World even now arrange occasional feasts, in ad- > Order of Baha'u'llah. Local Assemblies are dition to those in the Baha'i calendar, to > dependent upon the National Spiritual As- provide occasions for •informal association > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 20 > of believers and also to enable applicants to structions concerning letters written to him > become acquainted with the local community. by local Assemblies and National Commit- > So far, such informal gatherings have been tees were that such letters were to be sent > arranged mostly by individual believers in him through the National Spiritual Assem- > their own homes, which tends to make the bly. The National Assembly is convinced > social aspect of the community too onesided that full respect paid to this principle will > and personal, in distinction to the universal- redound to the spirit of unity and confidence > ity of the formal Baha'i meetings. The Na- throughout the Cause in America. Direct > tional Assembly regrets deeply that Baha'is correspondence with the Guardian on the > are still compelled to develop a social life part of local Assemblies, and on the part of > either outside or on a basis of restricted in- Committees appointed by the N. S. A., in- > timacy within the Cause. But through so- troduces an element of duality into our > cial gatherings arranged by the local Spiri- Baha'i activities which ... the Guardian ex- > tual Assembly, the social life of Baha'is will pressly forbids.-N. S. A. > reinforce and strengthen their spiritual and > ethical lives, and moreover such gatherings SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES > will not only bring the applicants and the AND THE RIGHTS OF THE > older believers together but also demonstrate > the vital fact that Baha'u'llah's Faith, in INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER > the Guardian's own words, inculcates a stan- In our collective haste to establish one of > dard which "incline it to neither East nor the fundamental principles of Baha'i admin- > West, neither Jew nor Gentile, neither rich istration, the authority of Spiritual Assem- > nor poor, neither white nor colored." blies, another important principle, the rights > 6. Last but by no means least in impor- of the individual •believer, seems here and > tance is the fact that when new applicants there to be occasionally overlooked. > are enrolled, not merely are they to be ad- To correct this over-emphasis upon auth- > justed to theá Baha'i community, but the ority at the expense of rights, the National > older believers are also to adjust to the new Spiritual Assembly reminds the American > friends. This consideration, in fact, must believers that the Guardian has more than > receive increasing attention as indications once definitely upheld an area of individual > multiply that the era of more rapid growth rights which the authority vested in Spiri- > has ,begun. Courtesy, true Baha'i love and tual Assemblies cannot invade. á While that > the spirit of cooperation are due every new area can not be marked off with finality, > Baha'i, without the slightest tincture of like boundaries on a map, nevertheless by > aloofness, separateness or, on the other hand, careful reflection we can at least grasp the > undue favoritism, from those who have essential principle which must be applied in > longer shared the privilege of adherence to all cases where the exercise of authority > the Faith. upon individual believers is questioned. > The National Spiritual Assembly offers Generally speaking, an Assembly's auth- > these remarks as suggestions deserving of ority extends throughout the realm of col- > thoughtful attention. In no sense are they lective Baha'i activities-the actions under- > put forth as rulings or commands, because taken by the local Baha'i community and > formal legislation can not be carried into those actions which express the Cause in the > the realm of the heart and the conscience. eyes of the public. The question of author- > In essence, this statement is an appeal, an ity can not legitimately be raised in connec- > urgent call for new and higher spiritual at- tion with the holding of Nineteen Day > titudes on the part of all members of the Feasts, public teaching programs, the raising > American Baha'i Community.-N. S. A. of Baha'i Funds, the approval of publicity > The administrative responsibilities of put forth in the name of the Cause, the call- > local Spiritual Assemblies enjoins upon them ing of Baha'i elections and all other similar > to maintain their voting lists in full conf or- matters which concern the local Baha'i body > mity with the qualifications of a voting be- as a whole. Such matters are clearly sub- > liever as defined by the Guardian and this ject to the authority vested in the Spiritual > function does not involve passing upon the Assembly. > spiritual reality of any individual, which There is, however, a realm which is pri- > function is reserved to the Guardian alone. marily personal in character, where the ex- > -N. S. A. ercise of Assemibly authority has sometimes > been exceeded. For example, a .Spiritual As- > CORRESPONDENCE WITH sembly has no authority over any individual > THE GUARDIAN believer's private property, neither his in- > It has been voted that the believers are to come nor his home or business establish- > be reminded that the Guardian's original in- ment. Neither can an Assembly hope to ex- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 21 > ercise any useful authority over the efforts consultation. Nothing short of the spirit of > of individual believers to spread the Teach- a true Baha'i can hope to reconcile the prin- > ings by employing the opportunities which ciples of mercy and justice, of freedom and > arise in the course of daily life. These con- submission, of the sancity of the right of the > siderations lead the National Spiritual As- individual and of self-surrender, of vigilance, > sembly to feel that each and every believer discretion and prudence on the one hand, > is free to arrange informal gatherings in his and fellowship, candor, and courage on the > own home, for the promotion of the Cause, other." -N. S. A. > without formal approval or action by the > Spiritual Assembly. If in such cases a be- THE RESIDENTIAL QUALI- > liever feels it desirable to invite another be- > liever to deliver the Message at a home gath- FICATION OF VOTING > ering, the believer's choice of teachers can MEMBERSHIP IN A BAHA't > clearly not be restricted arbitrarily by the > Assembly, for such restriction would invade > COMMUNITY > the privacy of the home. In Baha'i News, January, 1935, the Na- > As a matter of fact, since the element of tional Spiritual Assembly published a state- > personal initiative is an integral and infi- ment entitled "Interpretation of the By- > nitely precious part of the Faith, the Spiri- Law on Residential Qualification of Voting > tual Assembly itself is in duty bound to up- Believers" in which •was expressed the view > hold and protect the rights of individual be- that the requirement of residence as one of > lievers just as it is in duty bound to uphold the qualifications of a voting believer should > and protect any other organic Baha'i teach- be based upon definite proof of capacity to > ing or principle. associate with the Baha'i community. > This is not to sanction a lesser degree of It appears that this interpretation has led > loyalty to the institution of a Spiritual As- to some confusion in a number of local com- > sembly on the part of any individual believer, munities. The National Spiritual Assembly > nor should these remarks be taken to imply has therefore given the subject further con- > that "authority" and "rights" are mutually sideration and now offers the following sup- > exclusive and incompatible realities. Rather plementary statement in clarification of the > is this statement a plea for more mutual con- January publication. This statement is the > sideration, more encouragement of individ- outcome of consultation withá the Guardian > uals ,by Assemblies, more respect for Assem- and has been submitted to and approved by > blies by individuals. The inter-relationship him. It is based upon what he considers "a > of an Assembly and members of the local fundamental principle" of Baha'i Adminis- > Baha'i community can not be mechanical, tration,-that no adult believer may ibe de- > for it is based upon the fundamental princi- prived of "the sacred right of participating > ple of unity which, if it is to be achieved and in Baha'i elections," unless he reside in a > preserved, bids an Assembly deal with all community not itself qualified for such par- > believers in kindness and forebearance, and ticipation or has permanently withdrawn or > bids every individual Baha'i maintain an at- been removed from further association with > titude of true respect for an institution the activities of the Faith. > created by Baha'u'llah Himself, and as such 1. The enrollment of voting members in > not to be judged iby the personalities of those accordance with the By-Laws of the National > called to administer the institution during Spiritual Assembly is a responsibility vested > these difficult days of its infancy. in the Local Spiritual Assembly, but is made > Just as authority and power can be abused, subject to approval by the National Assem- > so can individuals abuse their God-given bly. Otherwise, the matter of an individual's > rights. Thus, while the holding of home voting right does not come before the latter > meetings is a sacred right, there might be an unless on appeal from a decision made by > instance in which a home meeting could re- a Local Assembly. > sult in the raising of personal issues affect- 2. Previous statements •published in Baha'i > ing the Cause in that Community. As the News have sought to clarify the action of > Guardian has declared, "Let us also remem- Local Assemblies in determining the appli- > ber that at the very root of the Cause lies cant's qualifications for voting membership > the principle of the undoubted right of the in a Baha'i community with respect to his > individual to self-expression, his freedom to faith and his acceptance of the Cause in gen- > declare his conscience and set forth his views eral. The question now under discussion > ... Let us also bear in mind that the keynote deals exclusively with the matter of resi- > of the Cause of God is not dictatorial auth- dence, and how Local Assemblies are to apply > ority but humble fellowship, not arbitrary the residential qualifications as set forth in > power, but the spirit of frank and loving the By-Laws. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 22 > 3. The requirement of residential qualifi- ties he considers to be his place of resi- > cations is recorded in Article II, Section (a) dence, and exercise his voting rights in > of the By-Laws, which reads as follows: that city alone. Naturally, he should > "To become a voting member of a Baha'i take part in all other Baha'i activities > community a person shall in whichever place he may be. > a. Be a resident of the locality defined by D. Where a believer claims residence in > the area of jurisdiction of the Local a particular community for the pur- > Spiritual Assembly, as provided by pose of exercising voting rights but is > Article VII, Section 12, of this instru- actually domiciled elsewhere and makes > ment." only occasional visits to the community, > Article VII, Section 12, ref erred to, pro- insufficient to bring him within the pro- > vides: vision of paragraph A above, a question > "The siphere of jurisdiction of a Local of fact arises which the Local Spiri- > Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residen- tual Assembly may find it difficult to > tial qualification of membership and voting decide. In such cases the Local As- > rights of a believer in any Baha'i community, sembly may take counsel with the Na- > shall ,be the locality included within the civil tional Assembly before making a final > limits of the city, town or village; but Baha'is decision. > who reside in adjacent, outlying or suburban E. A Local Spiritual Assembly confronted > districts and can regularly attend the meet- by any other unusual situation involv- > ings of the local Baha'i community, may be ing the question of residence can at any > enrolled on the membership list of the ad- time seek advice from the National > jacent Spiritual Assembly and enjoy full vot- Spiritual Assembly before making a > ing rights pending the establishment of a final decision. > Local Spiritual Assembly in their commu- 5. In connection with the foregoing inter- > nity." pretations, though not involving the specific > 4. Under these provisions of the By-Laws, question of residence exclusively, the follow- > residential qualification for voting member- ing point has been brought to the attention > ship in a Baha'i community thus becomes a of the National Spiritual Assembly by the > • question of fact. In order to assist Local Guardian. > Spiritual Assemblies in determining whether a. A believer who has ,been absent for some > an applicant for such membership comes time from the community of which he is > within these requirements in any particular a resident, or a new believer not yet > case, the National Spiritual Assembly offers sufficiently well acquainted with the > the following interpretation of certain spe- local community, is not obliged to vote > cific situations which experience has shown in a Baha'i election when conscienti- > are likely to arise. ously feeling incapable of voting intel- > A. Where a ibeliever lives sufficiently near ligently. > a Baha'i community to take an active It is hoped that these supplementary ex- > share in its activities and there is no planations will remove the misunderstand- > organized Spiritual Assembly in his ings which the January statement appears > own community, he should be enrolled to have caused and may be of assistance to > and continued upon the voting list of Local .Spiritual Assemblies in dealing with > that community until a Spiritual As- this important question of residence.-N.S.A. > sembly is established in his own im- The National Spiritual Assembly calls the > mediate neighborhood. attention of the local Assemblies and believ- > B. Where a believer, actually a resident of ers to the Article in the By-Laws which de- > a particular community, is temporarily fines the area of jurisdiction of the local > absent from his community but hon- Spiritual Assembly, which definition provides > estly regards his residence there as con- that believers living in adjacent and outlying > tinuing and fully intends to return to districts can be enrolled as voting members > and resume his activities in that com- of a local Assembly, pending the establish- > munity, he retains his voting rights in ment of a local Assembly in their own city. > the community without interruption. This By-Law clearly makes it impossible for > He may not, however, during his ab- a ,believer living in a city which has a local > sence vote in any other Baha'i com- Spiritual Assembly to hold membership in > munity. any other Baha'i community. In accordance > C. Where a believer spends practically half with this constitutional provision, the Na- > of the year within the jurisdiction of tional Spiritual Assembly requests local As- > one Baha'i community and the other semblies to adjust their voting list at their > half within the jurisdiction of another early convenience. This general instruction > he must choose which of the two locali- does not in any way mean that believers are > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 23 > not free to attend a Baha'i meeting in any dates nor rival platforms and policies. The > city, ,but merely controls their voting rights. sole issue is the spiritual problem consisting > -N.S.A. in the obligation of each believer to uphold > those qualities which the Guardian has > THE CHARACTER OF enumerated in the selected passages quoted > above. If we would meet this obligation faith- > BAHA't ELECTIONS fully, we must eliminate our own personal > "Let us recall His explicit and often-re- likes and dislikes and rise to the station of > peated assurance that every Assembly elected pure and selfless vision. > in that rarified atmosphere of selflessness Such vision, as Shoghi Effendi declares, is > and detachment, is in truth, appointed of inspired by prayer and reflection. The voter's > God, that its verdict is truly inspired, that vision will only be clouded if he permits any > one and all should submit to its decision un- other believer, directly or indirectly, to in- > reservedly and with cheerfulness . . . The fluenáce his choice. If it is contrary to the > elector ... is called upon to vote for none but Baha'i standard for any believer to attempt > those whom prayer and reflection have in- to influence the votes of other believers, it is > spired him to uphold ... Hence it is incum- likewise contrary to that standard for any > bent upon the chosen delegates to consider believer to allow himself to be influenced. > without the least trace of passion and preju- The character of Baha'i elections is such > dice, and irrespective of any material con- that the National Spiritual Assembly feels > sideration, the names of only those who can profoundly that its maintenance depends > best combine the necessary qualities of un- upon the loyal faithfulness of all ,believers in > questioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a the community much more than upon the vig- > well-trained mind, of recognized ability and ilance and authority of the Spiritual Assem- > mature eXiperience ... Nothing short of the bly alone. Methods and practices contrary to > all-encompassing, all-pervading power of His the true Baha'i standard can in any locality > Guidance and Love can enable this newly en- be quickly extirpated if the believer ap- > folded order to gather strength and flourish proached with improper influence and sug- > amid the storm and stress of a turbulent age, gestion will immediately, in every instance, > and in the fulness of time vindicate its high not merely reject such invasion of his spirit- > claim to be universally recognized as the one ual rights and duties but also sternly rebuke > Haven of abiding felicity and peace."- the wrong doer. It is not the few wrong doers > Shoghi Effendi. . here and there who can do injury to the > From time to time the question is placed Cause, but the negative and passive attitude > before the National Spiritual Assembly as to of his or her fellow-believers who fail to as- > what a Local Assembly should do when it has sert the power of the Teachings. > evidence that some believer has attempted A World Order still in its infancy must in- > to exert influence upon other believers in evitably pass through all manner of test and > order to affect their votes in a Baha'i election. eXiperience in order to become mature and > In deliberating upon this important mat- strong, able to detect error and fallacy from > ter, the National Assembly has sought to ar- any and every source and prevent the en- > rive at and define, in the light of the Guar- trance of even the subtlest negative sugges- > dian's instructions, the true Baha'i attitude tion. For this reason the National Spiritual > toward all elections held within the Cause, Assembly believes that whatever evidences > whether they are elections for members of a there may be in any locality at present of un- > Local Spiritual Assemply, of Convention Baha'i electoral practices, the problem in es- > delegates or of members of the National sence is one of educating the believers to un- > Spiritual Assembly. derstand, appreciate and uphold the Guar- > The Guardian's words quoted above, all dian's standard rather than of disciplinary > taken from the volume "Baha'i Administra- action on the part of the Local or National > tion," clearly create the spiritual standard Assembly. > which each and every voting member of a As the Guardian recently advised, it is > Baha'i community must endeavor to attain. only when repeated warnings are unheeded, > Such a standard compels us to leave behind and deliberate disloyalty has become mani- > many practices to which we have become ac- fest, that the extreme measure of expulsion > customed through the influence of the politi- should be undertaken. The test of our collec- > cal society existing throughout the world. tive wisdom now is the capacity to distin- > Thus, the Baha'i Faith contains no parti- guish between deliberate disloyalty and the > san factions corresponding to the political errors that proceed from lack of knowledge, > parties dominating the civil community. The heedlessness or immaturity. > issue before a Baha'i electoral body is never The National Spiritual Assembly will > the obligation to choose between rival candi- never fail to assist with all its power any > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 24 > Local Assembly confronted by conditions "The Qualifications of a Voting Believer," > arising from deliberate disloyalty; but the published a few months ago, the Spiritual > view expressed here is that most misconduct Assembly of the Baha'is of Chicago have re- > surrounding Baha'i elections can be extir- corded in their minutes the acceptance of a > pated entirely by wise action on the part of new believer in such a clear and comprehen- > the believers themselves. sive manner that an excerpt from these min- > The concrete suggestion is however made utes is now published as a model that might > that each Local Spiritual Assembly, immedi- well be followed by other Assemblies. > ately preceding elections, shall remind the "This is to certify that on ... (date), 19 .. , > friends of the Guardian's words concerning the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is > their spiritual character. Indeed, the impor- of ...... met in consultation with .... who > tance of developing the World Order of Ba- had made application for affiliation with the > ha'u'llah is so vital that the question of . . . . . . Baha'is, and in compliance with sug- > whether a Baha'i should or should not vote gestions made by the National Spiritual As- > in political elections is merely secondary.- sembly, the following procedure was carried > N. S.A. out : The Chairman, ............ , read to > the applicant excerpts from Baha'i Adminis- > REPORTS FROM LOCAL tration, the qualifications for voting member- > ASSEMBLIES ship in a Baha'i Community as outlined in > the By-Laws and excerpts from the Will and > The National Spiritual Assembly requests Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and gave a very > each local Assembly hereafter to send it a interesting and complete explanation of > copy of all important notices covering poli- Baha'i organization. > cies, rules or regulations as well as impor- "It was ascertained that Mr .... had care- > tant announcements having to do with elec- fully studied Baha'i Administration and the > tions and organizations under Baha'i admin- Will of 'A.bdu'l-Baha, as well as much other > istration, which the local Assembly may is- Baha'i literature, and following the above > sue to the Baha'i community from time to procedure acknowledged his understanding > time.-N. S. A. and complete acceptance of the tenets of > Baha'i Faith. It is thereupon the unanimous > TRANSFER OF BELIEVERS vote of those present that Mr .... be accepted > The transfer of believers involved in un- as a voting member of the . . . . . . Baha'i > finished matters proceeding under the local Community."-N. S. A. > Assembly's jurisdiction is to be postponed > pending a report of the circumstances to the RELATION OF THE LOCAL > National Assembly and its approval of the > transfer. TO THE NATIONAL > The ,purpose of the above ruling is to make SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY > it possible for a local Spiritual Assembly to > retain jurisdiction of a case until the matter Concerning local Bahai'i news letters, the > is concluded. For example, if an Assembly Guardian strongly feels that they should be > is endeavoring to settle some difference be- primarily devoted to the spread of local news > tween two believers, and knows all the cir- and activities, and should under no circum- > cumstances of the case, but before a decision stances contain any statement implying criti- > is made one of the believers moves to another cism of or even interference with the :policy > city, where the Assembly is naturally unin- of the N. S. A. They may occasionally refer > formed of the ,problem, the believer who to items of a naffonal scope, but this should > moves is not to be given a letter of transfer be done only with the view of assisting and > by his former Assembly until the National not hindering the national body of the Cause > Assembly has opportunity to learn the cir- to carry out effectively its program and de- > cumstances and approve the time when the cisions. There is thus a definite line of de- > transfer can be made-when, in other words, marcation between correspondence initiated > the Assembly in the city where the believer by local and National Assemblies. Local ac- > has taken up his or. her new residence is to tivities should always be subordinated to > exercise jurisdiction over the affairs of that those of a national character and impor- > believer.-N. S. A. •tance. This is intended not to minimize the > role of the local Assembly in the administra- > HOW TO ENROLL NEW tive order, but to establish and insure a sane > relationship between that body and the na- > BELIEVERS tional organism of the Cause.-SH0GHI E~- > Following the outline supplied by the Na- FENDI. > tional Spiritual Assembly in its article on As to the problem which has arisen in con- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 25 > nection with the News Letter published and responsible for the accuracy of the teachings > circulated by the .......... Assembly, the as presented by members of its Community > Guardian has already written about it to or by visiting ,believers. This, in a way, cor- > your N. S. A,, expressing the view that under responds to the function of review. More- > no circumstances should any local Assembly over, a Local Spiritual Assembly alone can > be given the right to criticize and much less pass upon the material furnished to the press > oppose, the policy duly adopted and approved on behalf of its Baha'i Community. > by the N. S. A. It is his hope that henceforth What the National Spiritual Assembly had > the 'problem of the relationship between the in mind in adopting a general policy was the > N. S. A. and the local Assemblies in matters more formal publication represented by > of this nature will, in the light of his instruc- pamphlets and books. The question this pol- > tions, be carefully understood by individuals icy attempted to answer is whether a Local > and Assemblies alike.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. Spiritual Assembly can issue Baha'i litera- > Just as the local Baha'i fund must under ture of a general character on its own re- > all circumstances be subordinated to the na- s,ponsibility. > tional fund, so also, every local circular let- The Guardian's instructions in Balui'i Ad- > ter should be considered as subsidiary to the minigtration make it clear that all Baha'i lit- > national report of Baha'i activities in every erature of a general character, that is, aside > country. Such a coordination between local from programs and bulletins, are to be re- > and national efforts is indispensable, not only viewed by a committee of the National Spir- > because of its economic advantages, but es- itual Assembly. This makes it evident that, > sentially due to the fact that upon the appli- as far as the review function is concerned, > cation of the principle underlying this proc- a Local Spiritual Assembly (apart from > ess must inevitably depend the effective local teaching and publicity work) is sub- > working of the entire administrative ma- ject to the general jurisdiction of the Na- > chinery of the Faith. There is order, coor- tional Spiritual Assembly. > jungle of conflicting interests and of contin- whether a Local Spiritual Assembly can pub- > ually clashing wills.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. lish, as a pamphlet or book, any literature > (such as excerpts from the recognized Writ- > REVIEW AND PUBLICA- ings) already approved by the Reviewing > Committee of the National Spiritual As- > TION OF BAHA't LITERA- sembly. > TURE BY LOCAL Here the policy adopted by the National > Spiritual Assembly makes a distinction be- > ASSEMBLIES tween publishing for sale and publishing as > With the development of the Cause, the free literature. According to this policy, the > increased opportunity for teaching arising publishing of Baha'i literature for sale is > .among local Baha'i Communities will from vested solely in the Publishing Committee > time to time bring up the question of whether appointed by the National Spiritual Assem- > a Local Spiritual Assembly has the right to bly, as otherwise it would be impossible to de- > publish Baha'i literature. This question, in velop one well-organized, responsible and effi- > turn, brings up the parallel question of how cient national publishing activity. > far the jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual As- On the other hand, if it is a matter of a > sembly involves the right of review. Local Spiritual Assembly publishing a > In order to anticipate these and similar pamphlet for free distribution, as part of > c(luestions, the National Spiritual Assembly its teaching activity, the National Spiritual > has noted in its minutes a general policy Assembly feels that this is permitted by > which is now brought to the attention of the Baha'i administrative principles, provid'ed > believers. that the material so published has already > By "publication" several different activi- been approved by the National Reviewing > ties are implied. Many Local Spiri~ual As- Committee. To sum up the attitude of the > semblies already issue printed 'programs and National Spiritual Assembly, Local Spiritual > bulletins which contain excerpts from the Assemblies are requested, for the sake of the > literature. In this case no questions arises as well being and orderly progress of the Cause > to the jurisdiction of the local body. Each in the United States and Canada, to observe > Assembly has not only the right but also the this policy. Aside from evidently local mat- > duty and responsibility of presenting its ac- ters, like programs, a Local Spiritual Assem- > tivities to the .Baha'i Community and to the bly has no right of review or publication of > public in the most dignified and effective Baha'i literature except in the one case that > form. it may issue, as free literature, printed leaf- > Similarly, a Local Spiritual Assembly is lets and pamphlets containing material al- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 26 > ready, in its entirety, approved by the N~ especially when funds were collected for the > tional Reviewing Committee and subse- Temple. He was very glad to learn of the > quently confirmed by action of the National wonderful spirit that prevailed in those > Spiritual Assembly. The members of the Na- gatherings; for it is only through such a > tional Spiritual Assembly sincerely hope that spirit of devotion and sacrifice that the > this policy will be entirely acceptable to all Cause can prosper and its message embrace > Baha'i Communities, as a just and reason- the whole world. It was also wonderful to > able attitude based upon the Guardian's in- see the interest shown by the public in the > structions.-N. S. A. general gatherings that formed part of the > Convention program. > INSTRUCTION IN WILL Shoghi Effendi hopes that as the Temple > is gradually completed this interest will in- > AND TESTAMENT crease and they will try to share in the > Local Assemblies are directed to instruct spirit that motivates the friends and, accept- > new believers in the meaning of this new ing the Faith of Baha'u'llah, arise to serve > compilation (i. e., the Will and Testament in it and dedicate their life to its spread. > the new edition) and furthermore, that local Such gatherings for collections of funds > Assemblies are to be responsible for provid- are permissible if it is done with a true spirit > ing new believers with copies.-N. S. A. of sacrifice, not when the audience is espe- > cially aroused to a frenzy and mob psychol- > ogy is used tc;>induce them to pay. > TO STUDY REPORTS AND Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated that > RECOMMENDATIONS no pressure should be used upon the friends > and psychological pressure falls under that > In transmitting to the National Spiritual category. But there is much difference be- > Assembly reports and recommendations tween such gatherings often used by re- > emanating from the local community, a local ligious bodies, and a true quiet, prayerful > Spiritual Assembly should not be merely a atmosphere when a person is, of his own ac- > passive medium used by believers to bring cord, aroused to make some sacrifice. The > matters to the attention of the N. S. A. but distinction is very delicate, but it is for the > should make its own independent study of Chairman to use his power to see that one > such reports and recommendations and for- desirable form is not corrupted into the > ward them with a statement of its own atti- other. All the activities of the Cause should > tude and comment. Such a procedure will be carried through in a dignified manner. > not only save the National Assembly much Shoghi Effendi is sure that the funds gath- > valuable time, but will also enable local As- ered at the last Convention was not due to > semblies to develop necessary experience and the play of mob psychology but to the prayer- > capacity.-N. S. A. ful attitude of the friends and their desire > to make further sacrifice.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > TO APPROVE RADIO > PROGRAMS CONTACT WITH INTER- > All radio broadcasts of a direct Baha'i ORGANIZATIONAL > character shall be approved by the local As- ACTIVITIES > sembly before delivery.-N. S. A. > A local Assembly may be represented > ANNUAL MEMORIAL through a delegate at an inter-organization > conference, the purpose of which is in full > MEETINGS harmony with the Baha'i teachings and prin- > It has been voted to record the attitude of ciples and the organization of which in no > the N. S. A. that local Assemblies would not way limits the spirit of freedom of the Ba- > be justified in sanctioning annual memorial ha'i delegate or veils the identity of the > meetings to commemorate individual believ- Spiritual Assembly participating.-N. S. A. > ers.-N. S. A. > COLLECTION OF TABLETS > ON COLLECTION OF > Local Spiritual Assemblies are requested > BAHA't FUNDS to announce the following recommendation, > Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge and do their utmost to see that it is carried > the recei,pt of your letter dated May 8th, into effect :-that individual believers (and > 1932, telling him of some incidents that Assemblies themselves) who have in their > tr~nspired during the Convention this year, possession original Tablets of •Abdu'l-Baha, > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 27 > with the necessary original translations, Cause of Baha'u'llah provides spiritual prin- > original letters of Shoghi Effendi, or other ciples and also administrative institutions > sacred records and objects, take steps to have for the preservation of the unity of the be- > them preserved in the Baha'i Archives. The lievers under all conditions. As the mem- > Guardian has said that the collection and bers of the community, one and all, con- > publication of Tablets is one of the most scientiously abide by the Teachings such > important duties of this generation.- disturbances will result in strengthening our > N. S. A. collective capacity and deepening our spirit > of faith, but whenever the Teachings are not > LOCAL ARCHIVES fully applied, ,perisonal grief and perhaps > even injustice may result. > a. Such records as the local Assembly may The members of the Spiritual Assembly > wish to make available bearing upon the lo- feel that it will be helpful to summarize > cal activities, all records of importance in briefly its understanding of the principles > connection with the growth of the Cause lo- which control this important matter of per- > cally. sonal differences between believers. > b. Accurate individual records of all In the first place, the spiritual law of the > members of the local Baha'i community. Cause, which 'Abdu'l-Baha so frequently ex- > c. Relics, photographs, etc., associated plained, is that whenever two Baha'is have > with the experiences of individual Baha'is, any difference, they themselves are in duty > unless gifts of the Master or the Guardian.- bound to try and attain true harmony. The > N. S.A. Master even said that if two believers are > unwilling to be reconciled, both will event- > STATUS OF BAHA'i ually leave the Cause. He did not say that > they would be removed from the Cause by > CENTERS administrative action ; His words meant that > Any public meeting place entirely con- such an offense against divine law would be > trolled by the believers should in its function punished by loss of faith leading eventually > be regarded in the light of a Mashriqu'l- to an abandonment of the Gause by the of- > Adhkar and its accessory activities.-N. f enders. > S. A. The Spiritual Assembly, in the second > place, has a great responsibility in all mat- > PERMANENT LOCAL ters of dispute between believers which are > referred to it for settlement. The Assembly, > ADDRESS. when it receives a complaint from a member > Voted to request local Assemblies which of the community about another believer, > have no permanent headquarters to take a must spare no effort to learn the facts and, > Post Office Box which can be used as a per- when possible, make a decision. It is clear > manent address for Baha'i correspondance, that an Assembly cannot make a decision in > the Box to be made accessible to the duly cases which arise merely from personal an- > elected secretary from year to year.-N. tagonism or unfriendliness, but in such cases > S. A. can only insist that the grief or unhappiness > should not be allowed to become a cause of > CONTACT WITH CIVIL disunity within the community as a whole. > The Assembly also must in these cases point > AUTHORITIES out the Master's interpretation of the spirit- > Individual believers and also local Assem- ual law and urge the two believers concerned > blies can only make contact with Federal and in the dispute to realize the gravity of their > State officials on Baha'i matters through the mutual antagonism. > National Assembly, in accordance with the Some disputes, on the other hand, may > recommendation made by those present on arise from business or other relations be- > September 3, 1933.-N. S. A. tween believers and involve charges of some > definite unfairness or injustice committed by > ON MISUNDERSTANDINGS one believer against another. When such > charges can be proved, it is surely the duty > AND DIFFERENCES BE- of the Assembly to remove the injustice and > TWEEN INDIVIDUAL place the matter upon a proper Baha'i basis. > No doubt all of us still need to be reminded > BELIEVERS of the fact that when a matter has been re- > In every Baha'i community, misunder- f erred to a Spiritual Assembly for decision, > standings and differences between individual the individual believers concerned must await > believers arise from time to time, and the the Assembly's decision and abide by it, un- > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET 28 > less and until that decision is altered on ap- affecting the Cause itself. > peal to the National Spiritual Assembly. But To carry the explanation one step farther: > whether the matter is being handled by the if all the believers concerned in a personal > local or by the National Assembly, none of problem have met with the Assembly, and if > the believers involved in the trouble should the Assembly, after looking into the matter > agitate their case among the friends. Noth- from all sides, makes a decision, the believers > ing so disrupts a Baha'i community as per- are clearly obligated to accept that decision > sonal agitation. The only solution of this and abide by it. An appeal, of course, can > problem is for every faithful believer, when be made to the N. S. A. and eventually to the > approached by another believer with com- Guardian, but whatever the Baha'i authority > plaints and criticisms, to remind that be- which is invoked, a matter ref erred to a > liever of his or her duty to refer the diffi- Baha'i institution for settlement is outside > culty to the Assembly, and not share that be- the realm of personal feeling and individual > liever's personal agitation. conscience. If we do not trust the Baha'i in- > Nine times out of ten, the spirit of calm stitutions created by Baha'u'llah, we do not > and serene faith on the part of other Baha'is have real faith in Baha'u'llah Himself. More- > whom the agitated believer approaches will over, even when an Assembly makes a deci- > allay the feeling of trouble, but when the per- sion in a case of personal dispute, the spirit- > sonal agitation is shared by others, the or- ual law laid upon all Baha'is is still operat- > iginal problem becomes multiplied into an ing, and the believers involved in the prob- > issue which disturbs the whole community. lem should pray for divine compassion and > When a believer brings a problem to the illumination in addition to whatever actions > Assembly, it is not sufficient to make charges they take in relation to administrative pro- > and complaints against another believer,- cedure. We Baha'is live in the spiritual > every charge must be proved before the As- world which Baha'u'llah created in His Reve- > sembly can act. No Spiritual Assembly lation, and we must do our utmost to learn > could possibly allow itself to be a mere pas- and obey its mysterious laws which control > sive instrument for any one believer to use our destiny. > as a weapon against another. The Assembly "Every eye, in this Day, should seek what > has the same duty of justice and considera- will best promote the Cause of God. He, Who > tion toward the one against whom the charg- is the Eternal Truth, beareth me witness! > es are made as toward the one who makes the Nothing whatever can, in this Day, inflict a > charges. greater harm upon this Cause than dissen- > In looking into the problem which has been sion and strife, contention, estrangement and > referred to it, the Assembly must call in for apathy, among the loved ones of God. Flee > consultation all the individual Baha'is who them, through the power of áGod and His > may be involved. However deep the feeling sovereign aid, and strive to knit together the > one believer may have against another, and hearts of men, in His Name, the Unifier, the > no matter what may be the reasons for that All-Knowing, the All-Wise." (Baha'u'llah.)- > feeling, no faithful Baha'i will refuse to meet N. S. A. > with the Spiritual Assembly for such con- > sultation, because it is consultation with the > Assembly itself and not with the believer > ON SLANDER AND > against whom the complaint is made. Should BACKBITING > the one making the complaint refuse to con- One of the most important of all divine > sult with the Assembly, the Assembly in that commandments, specially stressed in the Ba- > case must dismiss the complaint, since one ha'i Teachings, is : "Breathe not the sins of > of the necessary steps leading to eventual others so long as thou art a sinner. Shouldst > justice and unity has been refused by a party thou transgress this command, accursed art > to the dispute ; unless of course the truth of thou and to this I testify." (Hidden Words, > the charges is self-evident. If the Baha'i 27.) Baha'u'llah further warns that: "Back- > who ma:~es the complaint is willing to come biting quencheth the light of the heart and > for consultation, but the other Baha'i-that extinguisheth the life of the soul." (Glean- > is, the one against whom the complaint is ings, p. 265.) In His Will and Testament, > made-refuses the Assembly's invitation, 'Abdu'l-Baha adds: "According to the direct > this refusal would be serious, because on the command of God, we are forbidden to utter > one hand it would create a strong impression slander." The Master further elucidates this > that the believer could not answer the charg- vital subject in a Tablet wherein He states: > es made against him or her, and on the other "How blessed are these aims, especially the > hand it would mean unwillingness to recog- prevention of backbiting. I hope that you > nize the authority of the Assembly to act in may become confirmed therein. Because the > a matter affecting Baha'is and consequently worst human quality and the most great sin > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION TWO, SHEET ~ > is backbiting, more especially when it ema- tertain or listen to any complaint based upon > nates from the tongues of the believers of hearsay or rumor, but should, in all cases, > God. If some means were divine (devised?) insist that the complainant or witness speak > so that the doors of backbiting could be shut only of such matters and present such evi- > eternally and each one of the believers of dence as he or she knows to be true, of his > God unseaied his tongue in the praise of the or her own knowledge. > other, then the teachings of His Holiness Ba- 6. In the event that a local Assembly is > ha'u'llah would be spread, the hearts il- unable to stop or prevent the continued dis- > lumined, the spirits glorified and the human cussion or circulation of criticisms and un- > world would attain to overlasting felicity." founded rumors after it has taken juris- > (Tablet to Dr. M. S. C., Washington, D. C. diction of the matter, it is to report such > Translated August 12, 1913.) cases immediately to the National Spiritual > In order to distinguish between legitimate Assembly. The National Spiritual Assem- > reports to a Baha'i administrative body bly, after careful investigation, will take > which may affect the welfare of a Baha'i vigorous action to remove the misunder- > community or an individual member thereof standings and misrepretations that have > and unwarranted rumors, negative and hear- arisen and render full justice to the indi- > say gossip, slander and backbiting, inten- vidual believer or believers concerned. > tionally or thoughtlessly circulated, the Na- The new World Order is and must be held > tional Spiritual Assembly has adopted the sacred and free from this grave defect in > following rule of action for the guidance of human relationships, which not only often > the Baha'i Assemblies and communities un- inflicts unmerited injury and suffering upon > der its jurisdiction. the individual but, more important, destroys > 1. In no case should the friends speak1 to the solidarity of the Baha'i community. Whis- > their fellow-believers in the community of pering and backbiting is equivalent to sep- > any matter involving personal dilinquencies, aration among the friends of God, and, in > alleged or actual, of another member of the the final analysis, is the will to harm and to > community, nor permit believers to speak to alienate the hearts. > them of such matters. If a complaint is The National Spiritual Assembly feels as- > warranted, it should be brought directly to sured and confident that all the friends will > the local Assembly for consideration. make every effort to realize in their indivi- > 2. A local Assembly should assume juris- dual and community lives a greater love and > diction only when the acts or words of a unity of purpose, and be ever mindful of > member of the Baha'i community are such Baha'u'llah's injunction: "Attribute not. to > as to threaten the integrity of the Cause it- any soul that which thou wouldst not have > self, or to undermine the good name and attributed to thee, and say not that which > reputation of a believer. thou doest not. This is My Command to > 3. This rule of action also applies for the thee, do thou observe it." (Hidden Words, > protection of believers, from any discussion 29.) > of their alleged personal shortcomings in Ba- "0 my servants! Deprive not yourselves > ha'i communities other than that in which of the unfading and resplendent Light that > such believers reside. shineth within the Lamp of Divine Glory. > 4. All such personal matters are strictly Let the flame of the love of God burn bright- > barred from discussion at the Nineteen Day ly within your radiant hearts. Feed it with > Feasts. the oil of Divine guidance, and protect it > 5. In applying the law of Baha'u'llah rela- within the shelter of your constancy. Guard > tive to the bringing of complaints and in- it within the globe of trust and detachment > formation to a local Assembly concerning from all else but God, so that the whisperings > the alleged or actual shortcomings of indi- of the ungodly may not extinguish its light." > vidual believers, the Assembly should not en- (Gleanings, pp. 325-326.)-N. S. A. > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET I > THE NATURE AND AIMS from among all the friends in that country > the nine who will be the members of the > OF THE ANNUAL BAHA'I National Spiritual Assembly. > CONVENTION 3. I am deeply convinced that if the An- > nual Convention of the friends in America, > Compiled from the Guardian's as well as the National Spiritual Assembly, > Letters to Conventions, to the desire to become potent instruments for the > speedy realization of the Beloved's fondest > General Body of Believers arid hopes for the future of that country, they > to the National Spiritual should endeavor, first and foremost to ex- > Assembly emplify in an increasing degree, to all Ba- > ha'is and to the world at large the high ideals > 1. You stand at this challenging hour in of fellowship and service which Baha'u'llah > the history of the Cause at the threshold of and the beloved Master repeatedly set before > a new era; the functions you are called upon them. They can claim the admiration, the > to discharge are fraught with immense pos- support and eventually the allegiance of their > si;bilities; the responsibilities you shoulder fellow-countrymen only by their strict re- > are grave and momentous, and the eyes of gard for the dignity, the welfare, and the > many people are turned, at this hour, to- unity of the Cause of God, by their zeal, their > wards you, expectant to behold the dawning disinterestedness, and constancy in the ser- > of a Day that shall witness the fulfilment of vice of mankind, and by demonstrating, > His Divine Promise. through their words and deeds, the need and > Forgetful of the past and its vicissitudes, practicability of the lofty principles which > conscious of the need for renewed and com- the Movement has proclaimed to the world. > bined effort, freed from all earthly limita- 4. Again I earnestly appeal to every one > tions and motives, with every lingering trace of you, and renew my only request with all > of ill-feeling forever banished from our the ardor of my conviction, to make, before > hearts, freshly united and determined, let us and during the coming Convention, yet an- > join in deep and silent communion with the other effort, this time more spontaneous and > ever-watchful Spirit of our beloved 'Abdu'l- selfless than before, and endeavor to ap- > Baha, and with humility and earnestness sup- proach your task-the election of your dele- > plicate for the guidance that will enable us gates, as well as your national and local > to fulfil the task which is now committed to representatives-with that purity of spirit > our charge. that can alone obtain our Beloved's most > 2. It is expressly recorded in 'Abdu'l- cherished desire. Let us recall His explicit > Baha's Writings that these National Assem- and often-repeated assurance that every As- > blies must be indirectly elected by the sembly elected in that rarified atmosphere > friends; that is, the friends in every country of selflessness and detachment is, in truth, > must elect a certain number of delegates, appointed of God, that its verdict is truly > who in their turn will elect from among all inspired, that one and all should submit to > the friends in that country the members of its decision unreservedly and with cheerful- > the National Spiritual Assembly. In such ness. > countries, therefore, as America, Great Let us first strive to fulfill these conditions, > Britain and Germany, a fixed number of sec- difficult yet essential, in our lives, so that, > ondary electors must first be decided upon contented and assured, we may make of this > (95 for America, including the Pacific Is- new year of activity a year of abundant > lands; 95 for Germany; .and 19 for Great blessings, of unprecedented achievements. > Britain) . The friends then in every locality May this dearest wish be fulfilled ! > where the number of adult declared believers 5. Hitherto the National Convention has > exceeds nine* must directly elect its quota of been primarily called together for the con- > secondary electors assigned to it in direct sideration of the various circumstances at- > proportion to its numerical strength. These tending the election of the National Spiritual > secondary electors will then, either through Assembly. I feel, however, that in view of > correspondence, or preferably by gathering the expansion and the growing importance > together, and first deliberating upon the af- of the administrative sphere of the Cause, > fairs of the Cause throughout their country the general sentiments and tendencies pre- > (as the delegates to the Convention), elect vailing among the friends, and the signs of > * The Guardian's first instruction was that a increasing interdependence among the Na- > Spiritual Assembly shou_ld be elected i~ commun!- tional Spiritual Assemblies throughout the > ties having more than nme declared believers; this > instruction was later modified by the statement that world, the assembled accredited representa- > a group of exactly nine believers may constitute tives of the American believers should exer- > themselves a Spiritual Assembly by joint declara- > tion.-EDITOR. cise not only the vital and responsible right > BAHA'f PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 2 > of electing the National Assembly, but should seating of delegates to the Convention, i. e., > also fulfill the functions of an enlightened the right to decide upon the validity of the > consultative and cooperative body that will crede.ntials of the delegates at a given Con- > enrich the experience, enhance the prestige, vention, is vested in the outgoing National > support the authority and assist the delibera- Assembly, and the right to decide who has > tions of the National Spiritual Assembly. the voting :privilege is also ultimately placed > It is my firm conviction that it is the bounden in the hands of the National Spiritual As- > duty, in the interest of the Cause we all love sembly, either when a local Spiritual Assem- > and serve, of the members of the incoming bly is for the first time being formed in a > National Assembly, once elected by the dele- given locality, or when differences arise be- > gates at Convention time, to seek and have tween a new applicant and an already estab- > the utmost regard, individually as well as lished local Assembly. While the Convention > collectively, for the advice, the considered is in session and the accredited delegates > opinion and the true sentiments of the as- have already elected from among the believ- > sembled delegates. Banishing every vestige ers throughout the country the members of > of secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial the National Spiritual Assembly for the cur- > aloofness, from their midst, they should ra- rent year, it is of infinite value and a su- > diantly unfold to the eyes of the delegates, preme necessity that as far as possible all > by whom they are elected, their plans, their matters requiring immediate decision should > hopes, and their cares. They should famil- ábe fully and publicly considered, and an en- > iarize the delegates with the various matters deavor be made to obtain after mature de- > that will have to :be considered in the current liberation unanimity in vital decisions. In- > year, and calmly and conscientiously study deed, it has ever been the cherished desire > and weigh the opinions and judgments of the of our Master, •Abdu'l-Baha, that the friends > delegates. The newly elected National As- in their councils, local as well as national, > sembly, during the few days when the Con- should by their candor, their honesty of pur- > vention is in session and after the dispersal pose, their singleness of mind, and the thor- > of the delegates, should seek ways and means oughness of their discussions, achieve unan- > to cultivate understanding, facilitate and imity in all things. Should this in certain > maintain the exchange of views, deepen con- cases prove impracticable the verdict of the > fidence, and vindicate by every tangible evi- majority should prevail, to which decision > dence their oneá desire to serve and advance the minority must, under all circumstances, > the common weal. Not infrequently, nay gladly, spontaneously and continually, sub- > oftentimes, the most lowly, untutored and in- mit. > e~erienced among the friends will, by the Nothing short of the all--encompassing, all- > sheer inspiring force of selfless and ardent pervading power of His Guidance and Love > devotion, contribute a distinct and memora- can enable this newly-enfolded order to > ble share to a highly involved discussion in gather strength and flourish amid the storm > any given Assembly. Great must be the re- and stress of a turbulent age, and in the ful- > gard paid by those whom the delegates call ness of time vindicate its high claim to be > upon to serve in high position to this all- universally recognized as the one Haven of > important though inconspicuous manifesta- abiding felicity and peace. > tion of the revealing power of sincere :md 6. Regarding the method to be adopted for > earnest devotion. the election of the National Spiritual Assem- > The National Spiritual Assembly, how- blies, it is clear that the text of the Beloved's > ever, in view of the unavoidable limitations Testament gives us no indication as to the > imposed upon the convening of frequent and manner in which these Assemblies are to > long-standing sessions of the Convention, :be elected. In one of His earliest Tablets, > will have to retain in its hands the final de- however, addressed to a friend in Persia, the > cision on all matters that affect the interests following is expressly recorded :- > of the Cause in America, such as the right "At whatever time all the beloved of God > to decide whether any local Assembly is in each country appoint their delegates, and > functioning in accordance with the principles these in turn elect their representatives, and > laid down for the conduct and the advance- these representatives' elect a body, that body > ment of the Cause. It is my earnest prayer shall be regarded as the Supreme Baytu'l- > that they will utilize their highly responsible Adl (Universal House of Justice)." > position, not only for the wise and efficient These words clearly indicate that a three- > conduct of the affairs of the Cause, but also stage election has been provided by 'Abdu'l- > for the extension and deepening of the spirit Baha for the formation of the International > of cordiality and wholehearted and mutual House of Justice, and as it is explicitly pro- > support in their cooperation with the :body of vided in His Will and Testament that the > their co-workers throughout the land. The "Secondary House of Justice (i. e., National > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 3 > Assemblies) must elect the members of the standard of excellence which should charac- > Universal One," it is obvious that the mem- terize the cooperative efforts of Baha'i Com- > bers of the National Spiritual Assemblies munities in every land. > will have to be indirectly elected ,by the body High aims and pure motives, however > of the believers in their respective provinces. laudable in themselves, will surely not suffice > In view of these complementary instructions if unsupported by measures that are prac- > the principle, set forth in my letter of March ticable and methods that are sound. Wealth > 12., 1923, has been established requiring the of sentiment, abundance of good-will and ef- > believers (the beloved of God) in every coun- fort, will prove of little avail if we should > try to elect a certain number of delegates fail to exercise discrimination and restraint > who, in turn, will elect their national repre- and neglect to direct their flow along the > sentatives (Secondary House of Justice or most profitable channels. The unfettered > National Spiritual Assembly) whose sacred freedom of the individual should be tempered > obligation and privilege will be to elect in with mutual consultation and sacrifice, and > time God's Universal House of Justice. the spirit of initiative and enterprise should > Should the a,ppointing of the delegates be be reinforced by a deeper realization of the > made a part of the functions of local Spir- supreme necessity for concerted action and > itual Assemblies, who are already elected a fuller devotion to the common weal. > bodies, the principle of a four-stage election It would be impossible at this stage to > would be introduced which would be at var- ignore the indispensability or to over-esti- > iance with the provisions explicitly laid down mate the unique significance of the institu- > in the Master's Tablet. On the other hand, tion of the National Spiritual Assembly- > were the local Spiritual Assemblies, the num- the pivot round which revolve the activities > ber of whose members is strictly confined to of the believers throughout the American > nine, to elect directly the members of the continent. Supreme is their position, grave > National Spiritual Assembly-thus main- their responsibility, manifold and arduous > taining the principle of a three-stage elec- their duties. How great the privilege, how > tion-all Baha'i localities, which must neces- delicate the task of the assembled delegates > sarily differ in numerical strength, would whose function it is to elect such national > then have to share equally in the election of representatives as would by their record of > the National Spiritual Assembly-a prac- service ennoble and enrich the annals of the > tice which would be contrary to fairness and Cause! If we but turn our gaze to the high > justice. Moreover, the central principle qualifications of the members of Baha'i As- > guiding for the present the administration of semblies, as enumerated in 'Abdu'l-Baha's > the Cause has been to make the Baha'i Na- Tablets, we are filled with feelings of un- > tional Spiritual Assemblies as independent worthiness and dismay, and would feel truly > as possible in the conduct of such affairs as disheartened but for the comforting thought > fall within their province, and to lessen the that if we rise to play nobly our part every > hampering influence of any institution with- deficiency in our lives will be more than > in their jurisdiction that might, whether di- compensated by the all-conquering spirit of > rectly or indirectly, impair their authority His grace and power. Hence it is incumbent > and prestige. upon the chosen delegates to consider with- > 7. And now regarding this forthcoming out the least trace of passion and prejudice, > Convention, I feel that the dominating pur- and irrespective of any material considera- > pose inspiring the assembled friends, dele- tion, the names of only those who can best > gates and visitors alike, should be a twofold combine the necessary qualities of unques- > one. The first is a challenge to the individual, tioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well- > the second a collective responsibility. The trained mind, of recognized ability and ma- > one seeks to reinforce the motive power of ture experience. > our spiritual activities, the second aims at 8. In connection with the annual holding > raising the standard of administrative effi- of the Baha'i Convention and Congress, I > ciency so vitally needed at this advanced feel that although such a representative body > stage of our work. We should first and fore- need not be convened necessarily every year, > most endeavor by every means to revitalize yet it is highly desirable, in view of the > our precious Cause, rudely shaken by the unique functions it fulfills in promoting har- > constant vicissitudes attending the outward mony and good-will, in removing misunder- > departure of a vigilant and gracious Master. standings and in enhancing the prestige of > Our next object should be to seek to ap- the Cause, that the National Spiritual As- > proach, through more intimate association, sembly should exert itself to gather together > fuller and more frequent consultation, and annually the elected representatives of the > a closer familiarity with the character, the American believers. It would in some ways > mission and the teachings of the Cause, that be obviously convenient and eminently de- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 4 > sirable though not absolutely essential, if the settled and uniform procedure for the elec- > National Spiritual Assembly could arrange tion of the Assemblies of the East and the > that the holding of such a Congress should West, leaving them free to pursue their own > synchronize with the time at which the na- methods of procedure which in most cases > tional elections are renewed, and that both had been instituted and practised during the > events should take place, if not on the first last two decades of the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha. > of Ridvan, at least during the twelve joyous The general practice ,prevailing throughout > days of what may be justly regarded as the the East is the one based upon the principle > foremost Baha'i Festival. Apart from the of plurality rather than absolute majority, > local elections which universally are to be whereby those candidates that have obtained > renewed on the 21st day of April, it is en- the highest number of votes, irrespective of > tirely lef,t to the discretion of the National the fact whether they command an absolute > Spiritual Assembly to decide, after hav- majority of the votes cast or not, are auto- > ing given due consideration to the above matically and definitely elected. It has been > mentioned observations, on whatever time felt, with no little justification, that this me- > and place the Baha'i Convention as well thod, admittedly disadvantageous in its dis- > as the annual elections are to be held. regard of the principle that requires that > Were the National Spiritual Assembly to each elected member must secure a majority > decide, after mature deliberation, to omit of the votes cast, does away on the other > the holding of the Baha'i Convention and hand with the more serious disadvantage of > Congress in a given year, then they could, restricting the freedom of the elector who, > only in such a case, devise ways and means unhampered and unconstrained by electoral > to insure that the annual election of the necessities, is called upon to vote for none but > National Spiritual Assembly should be those whom prayer and reflection have in- > held by mail, provided it can be conducted spired him to uphold. Moreover, the prac- > with sufficient thoroughness, efficiency and tice of nomination, so detrimental to the at- > dispatch. It should, however, be made clear mosphere of a silent and prayerful election, > to evecy elected delegate-who should be is viewed with mistrust inasmuch as it gives > continually reminded-that it is a sacred re- the right to the majority of a body that, in > sponsi,bility and admittedly preferable to at- itself under the present circumstances, often > tend if possible in person the sessions of the constitutes a minority of all the elected dele- > Convention, to take an active part in all its gates, to deny that God-given right of every > proceedings, and to acquaint his fellow- elector to vote only in favor of those who he > workers on his return with the accomplish- is conscientiously convinced are the most > ments, the decisions and the aspirations of worthy candidates. Should this simple sys- > the assembled representatives of the Ameri- tem be provisionally adopted, it would safe- > can believers. It would also appear to me guard the spiritual principle of the imfet- > unobjectionable to enable and even to require tered freedom of the voter, who will thus > in the last resort such delegates as cannot preserve intact the sanctity of the choice he > possibly undertake the journey to the seat first made. It would avoid the inconvenience > of the Baha'i Convention to send their votes, of securing advance nominations from ab- > for the election of the National Spiritual As- sent delegates and the impracticality of as- > sembly only, by mail to the National Secre- sociating them with the assembled electors > tary, as in my view the advantages of such in the subsequent ballots that are often re- > a ,procedure outweigh the considerations re- quired to meet the exigencies of majority > f erred to in your letter. vote. > 9. In connection with the best and most I would recommend these observations to > ,practical methods of procedure to be adopted your earnest consideration, and whatever de- > for the election of Baha'i Spiritual Assem- cision you arrive at, all local Assemblies and > blies, I feel that in view of the fact that defi- individual believers, I am certain, will up- > nite and detailed regulations defining the hold, for their spiritual privilege is not only > manner and character of Baha'i elections to consult. freely and frequently with the > have neither been expressly revealed by National Spiritual Assembly, but to uphold > Baha'u'llah nor laid down in the Will and as well with confidence and cheerfulness > Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha, it devolves upon whatever is the considered verdict of their > the members of the Universal House of Jus- national representatives. > tice to formulate and apply such system of 10. The Guardian wishes the N. S. A. to re- > laws as would be in conformity with the es- mind, and make it quite clear to, the be- > sentials and requisites expressly recorded by lievers in that land that the supreme body > the Author and Interpreter of the Faith for in the United States and Canada, whose priv.,. > the conduct of Baha'i administration. I have ilege and function is to lay down, amend and > consequently refrained from establishing a abrogate the administrative principles of the > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 5 > Faith with the approval of the Guardian, is on a gathering which is primarily intended > not the Convention, however representative for the accredited delegates of the Baha'i > it may be, but the N. S. A. On the other communities. Bearing this restriction in > hand, it is the sacred obligation and the pri- mind, it is the duty of the N. S. A. to devise > mary function of the National Assembly not ways and means which would enable them to > to restrict under any circumstances, the free- obtain valuable suggestions, not only from > dom of the assembled delegates, whose two- the total number of the elected delegates, > fold function is to elect their national repre- but from as large a body of their fellow- > sentatives and to submit to them any recom- workers as is humanly possible. > mendations they may feel inclined to make. Shoghi Effendi has not departed from any > The function of the Convention is purely ad- established Administrative principle. He > visory and though the advice it gives is not feels he has neither ácurtailed the legislative > binding in its effect on those on whom rest authority of the N. S. A. nor invested the > the final decision in purely administrative Convention with undue powers enabling it > matters, yet, the utmost caution and care to rival or supersede those whom it has to > should be exercised álest anything should elect. What the Guardian is aiming at is to > hamper the delegates in the full and free ex- remind the friends, more fully than before, > ercise of their function. In discharging this of the two cardinal principles of Baha'i Ad- > sacred function no influence whatever, no ministration, namely, the supreme and un- > pressure from any quarter, even though it challengable authority of the N. S. A. in na- > be from the National Assembly, should tional affairs working within the limits im- > under any circumstances affect their views posed by the Declaration of Trust and By- > or restrict their freedom. The delegates Laws, and the untrammelled freedom of the > must be wholly independent of any adminis- Convention delegates to advise, deliberate on > trative agency, must approach. their task the actions, and appoint the successors of > with absolute detachment and must concen- their National Assembly. The Guardian is > trate their attention on the most important confident that you will elucidate and give > and pressing issues. the widest publicity to these already estab- > The Guardian believes that the right to lished principles, upon which the progress, > elect the chairman and the secretary of the the unity and welfare of Baha'i administra- > Convention should be vested in the as- tive institutions must ultimately depend. > sembled delegates, lest any objection be The utmost care and vigilance should be > raised that the members of the outgoing Na- exercised lest any fresh misunderstandings > tional Assembly are seeking to direct the arise regarding these fundamental issues. > course of the discussion in a manner that The root principle of Baha'i Administration > would be conducive to their own personal is unreservedly maintained. No departure > interests. The National Assembly, however, from its established tenets is contemplated. > must at all times vigilantly uphold, defend, The undisputed authority of America's su- > justify and enforce the provisions of the Dec- preme Baha'i administrative :body has been > laration of Trust and By-Laws which are reaffirmed, while on the other hand, the un- > binding on the Convention no less than on trammelled freedom of individual believers > themselves. The N. S. A. has the right to lay and delegates to exercise their functions has > down, enforce and interpret the National been once again reaffirmed and strengthened. > Constitution of the Baha'is in that land. It On the continuous and harmonious coopera- > cannot, if it wishes to remain faithful to tion of the two leading Baha'i institutions in > that Constitution, lay down any regulations, America, the growth and success of the ad- > however secondary in character, that would ministration bequeathed by 'Abdu'l-Baha > in the least hamper the unrestricted liberty must ultimately depend. May next year's > of the delegates to advise and elect those Convention witness the triumph of these > whom they feel best combine the necessary basic principles. > qualifications for membership of so exalted 11. Concerning the status, rights and pre- > a body. rogatives of the Annual Baha'i Convention, > Non-delegates, however, according to the the Guardian wishes to make it quite clear > Guardian's considered opinion, should not be to all the believers that this annual meeting > given the right to intervene directly during of the delegates is by no means a continuous > the sessions of the Convention. Only through consultative body all through the year; that > an accredited delegate they should be given its twofold function of electing the body of > indirectly the chance to voice their senti- the National Spiritual Assembly, and of of- > ments and to participate in the deliberations fering any constructive suggestions in re- > of the Convention. Much confusion and com- gard to the general administration of the > plications must inevitably result in the days Cause is limited to a definite period; and that > to come, if such a restriction be not imposed consequently the opinion current among > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 6 > some of the believers that the delegates are preme responsibility and sole prerogative of > to serve as a consultative body throughout the delegates assembled in Convention. > the year is at variance with the fundamental, . Nothing short of close and constant inter- > though as yet unspecified, principles under- action between these various organs of > lying the Administration.. Shoghi Effendi Baha'i administration can enable it to fulfill > firmly believes that consultation must be its high destiny. > maintained between the N. S. A. and the en- 13. Concerning the status of members of > tire body of the believers, and that such con- the N. S. A. at Convention sessions, the > sultation, while the Convention is not in ses- Guardian feels that the members both of the > sion, can best be maintained through the incoming and the outgoing Assemblies > agency of the local Assemblies, one of whose should be given the .full right to participate > essential functions is to act as intermediaries in the Convention discussions. Those mem- > between the local communities and their na- bers of the N. S. A. who have been elected > tional representatives. The main purpose of delegates will, in addition to the right of par- > the Nineteen Day Feasts is to enable indi- ticipation, be entitled to vote. The Guardian > vidual believers to offer any suggestion to wishes thereby to render more effective the > the local Assembly which in its turn will deliberations and the recommendations of > pass it to the N. S. A. The local Assembly is, the national representatives. He feels that • > therefore, the -proper medium through which the exercise of such a right by the members > local Baha'i communities can communicate of the N. S. A. will enable them to consult > with the body of the national representatives. more fully with the assembled delegates, to > The Convention should be regarded as a tem- exchange fully and frankly with them their > porary gathering, having certain specific views, and io consider collectively the inter- > functions to perform, during a limited period ests, needs and requirements of the Cause. > of time. Its status is thus limited in time to This he believes is one of the primary f unc- > the Convention sessions, the function of con- tions of the Convention.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > sultation at all other times being vested in > the entire body of the believers through the THE ANNUAL BAHA'I > local Spiritual Assemblies. CONVENTION > 12. I wish to affirm without the least hesi- > tation or ambiguity, that the annual conven- 1. The Annual Baha'i Convention has two > tion is not to be regarded as a body entitled unique functions to fulfill, discussion of cur- > to exercise functions similar to those which rent Baha'i matters and the election of the > an ordinary parliament possesses under a National Spiritual Assembly. The discussion > democratic form of government. The admin- should be free and untrammeled, the election > istrative order which lies embedded in the carried on in that spirit of prayer and med- > Teaching of Baha'u'llah, and which the itation in which alone every delegate can > American believers have championed and are render obedience to the Guardian's expressed > now esta;blishing, should, under no circum- wish. After the Convention is convened by > stances, be identified with the principles un- the Chairman of the National Spiritual As- > derlying present-day democracies. Nor is it sembly, and after the roll call is read by the > identical with any purely aristocratic or auto- Secretary of the Assembly, the Convention > cratic form of government. The objectionable proceeds to the election of its chairman and > features inherent in each of these ipolitcal secretary by secret ballot and without ad- > systems are entirely avoided. It blends, as no vance nomination, according to the standard > system of human polity has as yet achieved, set for all Baha'i elections. > those salutary truths.and beneficial elements 2. Non-delegates may not participate in > which constitute the valuable contributions Convention discussion. All members of the > which each of these forms of government National Spiritual Assembly may partici- > have made to society in the past. Consulta- pate in the discussion, but only those mem- > tion, frank and unfettered, is the bedrock bers who have been elected delegates may > of this unique order. Authority is concen- vote on any matter brought up for vote dur- > trated in the hands of the elected members ing the proceedings. > of the National Assembly. Power and ini- 3. The outgoing National Spiritual Assem- > tiative are primarily vested in the entire bly is responsible for rendering reports of > body of the believers acting through their its own activities and of those carried on by > local representatives. To generate those its committees during the past year. The an- > forces which must give birth to the body of nual election is to be held at a point midway > their national administrators, and to confer, during the Convention sessions, so that the > freely and fully and at fixed intervals, with incoming Assembly may consult with the > both the incoming and outgoing national As- delegates. > semblies, are the twofold functions, the su- The Convention is free to discuss any > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION .THREE, SHEET 7 > Baha'i matter, in addition to those treated effort to assure the constitutional freedom > in the annual reports. The Convention is re- of the Convention to fulfill its high mission. > sponsible for making its own rules of pro- The path of true freedom lies in knowing and > cedure controlling discussion; for example, obeying the general ,principles given to all > concerning any limitations the delegates may Baha'is for the proper conduct of their col- > find it necessary to impose upon the time al- lective affairs. While the entire world > lotted to or claimed by any one delegate. The plunges forward to destruction, it is the re- > National Assembly will maintain the rights sponsibility of the National Spiritual Assem- > of the delegates to confer freely and fully, bly to uphold that Order on which .peace and > free from any restricted pressure, in the ex- security solely depends.-N. S. A. > ercise of their function. > 5. The Convention as an organic body is Your statement on the Convention is ad- > limited to -the actual Convention period. It mirable. The Guardian fully endorses it and > has no function to discharge after the close wishes you to send as promptly as you can > of the sessions except that of electing a mem- a copy of it to the Persian N. S. A. for their > ber or members to fill any vacancy that instruction and guidance.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > might arise in the membership of the Na- > tional Spiritual Assembly during the year. A PROCEDURE FOR THE > 6. The Convention while in session has no > independent legislative, executive or judicial CONDUCT OF THE AN- > function. Aside from its action in electing NUAL BAHA'i CONVEN- > the National Spiritual Assembly, its discus- > sions do not represent actions but recom- TION > mendations which shall, according to the INTRODUCTION > Guardian's instructions, be given conscienti- > ous consideration by the National Assembly. The Guardian's references to the Annual > 7. The National Spiritual Assembly is the Convention have been compiled and pub- > supreme Baha'i administrative body within lished in two issues of Baha'i News-Nov- > the American Baha'i community, and ,its ember, 1933 and February, 1934. * > jurisdiction continues without interruption > during the Convention period as during the I. THE ANNUAL BAHA'i > remainder of the year, and independently of > the individuals composing its membership. CONVENTION > Any matter requiring action of legislative, A summary of the constitutional basis of > executive or judicial nature, whether arising the Convention has been made by the Na- > during the Convention period or at any other tional Spiritual Assembly and approved by > time, is to be referred to the National Spir- the Guardian. It was published in Baha'i > itual Assembly. The National Assembly is News for April, 1935. Special reference is > responsible for upholding the administrative made to the seven numbered paragraphs in > principles applying to the holding of the An- that summary.** > nual Convention as it is for upholding all > other administrative principles. If, there- II. CONVENTION CALL > fore, a Convention departs from the ,princi- > ples laid down for Conventions by the Guar- The National Spiritual Assembly deter- > dian, and exceeds the limitations of function mines the date, duration and place of the > conferred upon it, in that case, and in that Annual Convention and provides for such > case alone, the National Spiritual Assembly meetings in connection with the Convention > can and must intervene. It is the National as it may feel are desirable. > Spiritual Assembly, and not the Convention, > which is authorized to decide when and why III. CONVENTION > such intervention is required. > 8. The National Spiritual Assembly feels PROCEDURE > that it owes a real duty to the delegates, and The Twenty-sixth Annual Convention, > to the entire body of believers, in presenting held in 1934, voted a recommendation calling > any and all facts that may be required in upon the National Spiritual Assembly to sup- > order to clarify matters discussed at the ply a parliamentary procedure for the con- > Convention. There can be no true Baha'i duct of the Annual Convention, and the pre- > consultation at this important meeting if sent material has been prepared to meet the > any incomplete or erroneous view should pre- need indicated by that recommendation. > vail. > 9. The National Assembly in adopting and * This compilation has likewise been reproduced > in the present work. > issuing this statement, does so in the sincere ** See previous pages in the present work. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 8 > Order of Business order. The parliamentary procedure here > set forth for the Convention is based upon > Prayer and devotional readings, provided the procedure already adopted for meetings > by the outgoing National Spiritual Assem- of local Assemblies and communities. It ac- > bly. cordingly extends to sessions of the Annual > Opening of Convention by Presiding Offi- Convention the same procedure under which > cer of the National Spiritual Assembly. the delegates, in their other Baha'i activi- > Roll call of delegates by the Secretary of ties, are accustomed to conduct discussion > the National Spiritual Assembly. and consultation. > Election by secret ballot of Convention > Chairman and Secretary. The Convention The purpose of consultation at the Annual > Officers are to be elected by the assembled Convention is threefold: to arrive at full > delegates from among the entire number of and complete knowledge of the current con- > delegates who are present at the Convention. ditions, problems and possibilities of the > Annual Report of National Spiritual As- Faith in America; to give to the incoming > sembly. National Assembly the :benefit of the col- > Annual Financial Report of National lective wisdom, águidance and constructive > Spiritual Assembly. suggestions of the assembled delegates; and > Convention message to the Guardian of to contribute to the unity, in spirit and in ac- > the Faith. tion, of the entire American Baha'i com- > Annual Committee Reports: these areá to m unity. > be considered as part of the Report of the The freedom of each and every delegate > National Spiritual Assembly. They are to take part in discussion and to initiate mo- > whenever possible published in Baha'i News tions is untrammeled save as the undue ac- > in advance of the Convention date, for the tivity of one delegate might hamper the > information of the delegates. rights of the other delegates. Any necessary > Subjects for Consultation. Any delegate limitation to be placed upon individual dis- > may, before the Convention convenes, rec- cussion shall be determined by the Chair- > ommend to the National Assembly such top- man in the absence of any specific motion > ics as he deems of sufficient importance to be duly voted by the delegates themselves. > included in the Convention agenda; and the It shall be the duty of the Chairman to > National Spiritual Assembly, from the list encourage general consultation and make > of topics received from delegates, and also possible the active participation of the great- > suggested by its own knowledge and e:x;peri- est possible number of delegates. > ence, is to prepare an agenda or order of The Chairman has the same power and re- > business as its recommendation to the Con- sponsibility for discussion and voting upon > vention. motions as other delegates. Members of the > This agenda may include, as part of the outgoing and incoming National Assembly > National Assembly's Annual Report, the pre- who are not delegates may participate in the > sentation of special subjects by well quali- consultation but not vote. > fied members, committee representatives or > non-Baha'i experts whose exposition is ne- A resolution, or motion, is not subject to > cessary or desirable for the information of discussion or vote until duly made and sec- > the delegates. onded. It is preferable to have each resolu- > On motion duly made, seconded and voted, tion clear and complete in itself, but when an > any such subject may be omitted, and also amendment is duly made and seconded, the > on motion duly made, seconded and voted, Chairman shall call for a vote on the amend- > any other subject may be proposed for spe- ment first and then on the motion. An > cial consultation. amendment must be relevant to, and not con- > Annual election. The election of members travene, the subject matter of the motion. > of the National Spiritual Assembly is to take The Chairman shall call for votes by oral > place approximately midway during the Con- expression of ayes and nays, but where the > vention sessions, so as to enable the dele- result of the vote is doubtful by a show of > gates to consult with both the outgoing and hands or a rising vote. A majority vote de- > incoming Assemblies, in accordance with the termines. > Guardian's expressed desire. Discussion of any matter may be termin- > ated by motion duly made, seconded and > voted, calling upon the Chairman to bring > Conduct of Business the matter to an immediate vote or proceed > Every deliberate body, to fulfill its func- to other business. > tions, must conduct its deliberations in ac- The transactions of the Convention shall > cordance with some established rules of be recorded by the Secretary, and when cer- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION THREE, SHEET 9 > tified by the Convention officers shall ,be IV. THE CONVENTION > given to the National Spiritual Assembly. > RECORD > The permanent record of each successive > Annual Convention shall consist of the fol- > Annual Election lowing:- ( l) Convention Call as issued by > the National Spiritual Assembly, including > The electors in the Annual Election shall list of Participating Baha'i áCommunities; > consist of those delegates included in the (2) list of accredited delegates; (3) Annual > Roll Call prepared by the National Spiritual Reports of the National Spiritual Assembly > Assembly. and of its Committees; ( 4) Messages sent to > Ballots and tellers' report forms shall be and received from the Guardian; (5) Reso- > provided by the National Assembly. lutions and other transactions of the assem- > The election shall be conducted by the Con- bled delegates; (6) The result of the Annual > vention, but delegates unable to attend the Election.-N. S. A. > Convention shall have the right to vote by > mail. > The Chairman shall appoint three tellers, > NO REFERENCE TO > chosen from among the assembled delegates. PERSONALITIES > The electoral method shall be as follows : I feel that reference to personalities be- > 1. The Convention Secretary shall call the fore the election would give rise to misunder- > roll of delegates, whereupon each delegate, standing and differences. What the friends > in turn, shall place his or her ballot in a bal- should do is to get thoroughly acquainted > lot box ; and as the names are called ballots with one another, to exchange views, to mix > received by mail shall be placed in the bal- freely and discuss among themselves the re- > lot box by the Secretary of the National As- quirements and qualifications for such a > sembly. membership without reference or applica- > 2. The ballot ,box shall then be handed to tion, however indirect, to partieular indi- > the tellers, who shall retire from the Con- viduals. We should refrain from influencing > vention Hall to determine the result of the the opinion of others, of canvassing for any > election. particular individual, but should stress the > 3. The result of the election is to be re- necessity of getting fully acquainted with > ported by the tellers, and the tellers' report the qualifications of membership referred to > is to be approved by the Convention. in our Beloved's Tablets and of learning > 4. The ballots, together with the tellers' more a:bout one another through direct, per- > report, certified by all the tellers, are to be sonal experience rather than through the re- > given the National Spiritual Assembly for ports and opinions of our f riends.-SHOGHI > preservation. EFFENDI. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 1 > THE INSTITUTION OF THE sideration and d~ision of the local Assembly, > or whether it should fall under its own prov- > NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ince and be regarded as a matter which > ASSEMBLY ought to receive its special attention. The > National Spiritual Assembly will also decide > Regarding the establishment of "National upon such matters which in its opinion > Assemblies," it is of vital importance that . should be referred to the Holy Land for con- > in every country, where the conditions are sultation and decision. > favorable and the number of friends has With these Assemblies, local as well as > grown and reached a considerable size, such national, harmoniously, vigorously, and effi- > as America, Great Britain and Germany, ciently functioning throughout the Baha'i > that a "National Spiritual Assembly" be im- world, the only means for the establishment > meidately established, representative of the of the Supreme House of Justice will have > friends throughout that country. been secured. And when this Supreme Body > Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, will have been properly established, it will > unify and coordinate by frequent personal have to consider afresh the whole situation, > consultations, the manifold activities of the and lay down the principle which shall di- > friends as well as the local Assemblies; and rect, so long as it deems advisable, the affairs > by keeping in close and constant touch with of the Cause. > the Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct The need for the centralization of auth- > in general the affairs of the Cause in that ority in the National Spiritual Assembly, > Country. and the concentration of power in the vari- > It serves also another purpose, no less es- ous local Assemblies, is made manifest when > sential than the first, as in the course of we reflect that the Cause of Baha'u'llah is > time it shall evolve into the National House still in its age of tender growth and in a > of Justice (referred to in •Abdu'l-Baha's stage of transition ; when we remember that > Will as the "secondary House of Justice"), the full implications and the exact signifi- > which according to the explicit text of the cance of the Master's world-wide instruc- > Testament will have, in conjunction with the tions, as laid down in His Will, are as yet > other National Assemblies throughout the not fully grasped, and the whole Movement > Baha'i world, to elect directly the members has not sufficiently crystallized in the eyes > of the International House of Justice, that of the world. > Supreme Council that will guide, organize It is primarily upon the elected members > and unify the affairs of the Movement of the National Spiritual Asemblies through- > throughout the world. out the Baha'i world that this highly impor- > This National Spiritual Assembly, which, tant duty devolves, as in their hands the di- > pending the establishment of the Universal rection and management of all spiritual > House of Justice, will have to be re-elected Baha'i activities have been placed and cen- > once a year, obviously assumes grave respon- tralized, and as they constitute in the eyes > sibilities, for it has to exercise full authority of the people of their country the supreme > over all the local Assemblies in its province, body in that land that officially represents, > and will have to direct the activities of the promotes and safeguards the various inter- > friends, guard vigilantly the Cause of God, ests of the Cause, it is my fervent prayer > and control and supervise the affairs of the and my most cherished desire, that the un- > Movement in general. failing guidance of Baha'u'llah and the bless- > Vital issues, affecting the interests of the ings of our beloved Master will enable them > Cause in that country such as the matter of to set a high and true example to all other > translation and publication, the Mashriqu'l- Baha'i institutions and local Assemblies, and > Adh~ar, the Teaching Work, and other sim- will show them what absolute harmony, ma- > ilar matters that stand distinct from strictly ture deliberation and whole-hearted coopera- > local affairs, must be under the full jurisdic- tion can achieve. > tion of the National Assembly. Should such a representative and respon- > It will have to refer each of these ques- sible body fail to realize this fundamental > tions, even as the local Assemblies, to a spe- requisite for all successful achievement, the > cial Committee, to be elected by the mem- whole structure is sure to crumble, and the > bers of the National Spiritual Assembly, Great Plan of the Future, as unfolded by the > from among all the friends in that country, Master's Will and Testament, will be rudely > which will bear to it the same relation as the disturbed and grievously delayed. > local committees bear to their respective The Guardian wishes me to again affirm > local Assemblies. his view that the authority of the N. S. A. > With it, too, rests the decision whether a is undivided and unchallengeable in all mat- > certain point at issue is strictly local in its ters pertaining to the administration of the > nature, and should be reserved for the con- Faith throughout the United States and > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 2 > Canada, and that, therefore, the obedience LEGAL CONSTITUTION OF > of individual Baha'is, delegates, groups and > Assemblies to that authority is imperative, NATIONAL AND LOCAL > and should be wholehearted and unqualified. ASSEMBLIES > He is convinced that the unreserved accep- > tance and complete application of this vital In this connection he wishes me to inform > provision of the Administration is essential you that at his repeated directions the Na- > to the maintenance of the highest degree of tional Assemblies of Egypt, 'Iraq and Persia > unity amongst the believers, and is indis- are adopting the exact text of your Assem- > pensable to the effective working of the ad- bly's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as > ministrative machinery of the Faith in every well as the local By-Laws, and are taking the > country. necessary steps for incorporating their As- > I wish to reaffirm in clear and categori- semblies as duly recognized bodies em- > cal language, the principle already enun- powered to administer the national and local > ciated upholding the supreme authority of affairs of the Faith in their respective coun- > the National Assembly in all matters that tries. The Indian N. S. A., as well as the > affect the interests of the Faith in that Bombay Spiritual Asembly, have already set > land. There can be no conflict of author- the example in this respeet, both in the mat- > ity, no duality under any form or circum- ter of incorporation, and in the adoption of > stances in any sphere of Baha'i jurisdic- the text of the constitµtions of the American > tion whether local, national or international. Baha'i Assemblies.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > The National Assembly, however, although > the sole interpreter of its Declaration of CHANGES IN > Trust and By-Laws, is directly and moral- > ly responsible if it allows any body or in- MEMBERSHIP > stitution within its jurisdiction to a;buse Shoghi Effendi has never said that the > its privileges or to decline in the exercise of members of the National Assembly have to > its rights and privileges. It is the trusted be renewed partially every year. The impor- > guardian and the mainspring of the manifold tant thing is that they should be properly > activities and interests of every national elected. It would be nice if there should be > community in the Baha'i world. It consti- new members elected, for new blood always > tutes the sole link that binds these communi- adds to the energy of the group and will keep > ties to the International House of Justice, up their spirit. But this depends entirely > the supreme administrative body in the Dis- upon the will of the delegates as represented > pensation of Baha'u'llah. in the result of their voting.-SHOGHI EF- > Anything whatsoever affecting the inter- FENDI. > ests of the Cause and in which the National > Assembly as a body is involved should, if > regarded as unsatisfactory by local Assem- THE NATIONAL BAHA't > blies and individual believers, be immedi- FUND > ately referred to the National Assembly it- > self. Neither the general body of the believ- And as the progress and extension of > ers, nor any local Assembly, nor even the spiritual activities is dependent and con- > delegates to the Annual áConvention, should ditioned upon material means, it is of abso- > be regarded as having any authority to en- lute necessity that immediately after the es- > tertain appeals against the decision of the tablishment of local as well as national Spir- > National Assembly. Should the matter be re- itual Assemblies, a Baha'i Fund be estab- > ferred to the Guardian it will be his duty to lished, to be placed under the exclusive con- > consider it with the utmost care and to de- trol of the Spiritual Assembly. All donations > cide whether the issues involved justify him and contributions should be offered the > to consider it in person, or to leave it entirely Treasurer of the Assembly, for the express > to the discretion of the National Assembly. purpose of promoting the interests of the > This administrative prindple which the Cause, throughout that locality or country. > Guardian is now restating and emphasizing It is the sacred obligation of every consci- > is so clear, so comprehensive and simple that entious and faithful servant of Baha'u'llah > no misunderstanding as to its application, he who desires to see His Cause advance, to con- > feels, can :possibly arise. There are no excep- tribute freely and generously for the increase > tions whatever to this rule, and the Guardian of that Fund. The members of the Spiritual > would deprecate any attempt to elaborate or Assembly will at their own diseretion ex- > dwell any further upon this fundamental pend it to promote the Teaching Campaign, > and clearly-enunciated principle.-SHOGHI to help the needy, to establish educational > EFFENDI. Baha'i institutions, to extend in every way > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 3 > possible their sphere of service. I cherish stitution of the National Baha'i Fund which, > the hope that all the friends, realizing the in these early days of the administrative de- > necessity of this measure, will bestir them- velopment of the Faith, is the indispensable > selves and contribute, however modestly at medium for the growth and expansion of the > first, towards the speedy establishment and Movement. Contributions to this fund con- > the increase of that Fund.-Baha'i Admin- stitute, in addition, a practical and effective > istration, pp. 36-37. way whereby every believer can test the > We must be like the fountain or spring measure and character of his faith, and to > that is continually emptying itself of all that prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion > it has and is continually being refilled from and attachment to the Cause. -Baha'i News, > an invisible source. To be continually giving November, 1934. > out for the good of our fellows undeterred As the activities of the American Baha'i > by the fear of poverty and reliant on the community e~nd, and its worldwide pres- > unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth tige correspondingly increases, the institu- > and all good-this is the secret of right liv- tion of the National Fund, the bedrock on > ing.-Baha'i News, September, 1926. which all other institutions must necessarily > With regard to the Baha'i Fund, recently rest and be established, acquires added im- > established amongst the friends, I trust that portance, and should be increasingly sup- > the matter now stands clear to everyone ported by the entire body of the believers, > throughout the country. As I have previ- both in their individual capacities, and > ously intimated, although individual friends through their collective efforts, whether or- > and local Assemblies are absolutely free to ganized as groups or as local Assemblies. > specify the object and ,purpose of their dona- The supply of funds, in support of the Na- > tions to the National Spiritual Assembly, tional Treasury, constitutes, at the pi'esent > yet, in my opinion, I regard it of the utmost time, the life-blood of these nascent institu- > vital importance that individuals, as well as tions you are laboring to erect. Its impor- > local Assemblies, throughout the land should, tance cannot, surely, be over-estimated. Un- > in view of the paramount importance of Na- told blessings shall no doubt crown every > tional Teaching and as an evidence of their effort directed to that end.-Baha'i News, > absolute confidence in their national repre- October, 1935.--SHOGHI EFFENDI. > sentatives, endeavor, however small at first, > to contribute freely towards the upkeep and ANONYMOUS CONTRIBU- > the increase of the National Baha'i Fund, TIONS TO THE NATIONAL > so that the members of the National Assem- > bly may at their full discretion expend it for FUND > whatever they deem urgent and necessary. In view of the Guardian's instruction that > -Baha'i Administration, p. 47. contributions are not to be accepted from > In connection with the institution of the non-Baha'is for the Temple and other or- > National Fund and the budgetary system set ganic work of the Cause, but be used for > forth in the Minutes of the National Spir- humanitarian purposes, a difficulty is created > itual Assembly, I feel urged to remind you for the N. S. A. whenever the Treasurer re- > of the necessity of ever ábearing in mind the ceives a contribution from an unknown > cardinal principle that all contributions to source. Unless it knows the actual donor, the > the Fund are to be purely and strictly vol- Assembly is compelled to regard anonymous > untary in character. It should be made clear contributions as coming from a non-Baha'i. > and evident to every one that any form of Such contributions have recently been ap- > compulsion, however slight and indirect, plied to the Publishing Committee for m.ak- > strikes at the very root of the principle un- . ing gift subscriptions of World Order to > derlying the formation of the Fund ever Public Liibraries and institutions of general > since its inception. While appeals of a gen- welfare.-N. S. A. > eral character, carefully worded and moving > and dignified in tone are welcome under all COMMITTEES OF THE > circumstances, it should be left entirely to NATIONAL ASSEMBLY > the discretion of every conscientious believer Large issues in such spiritual activities > to decide upon the nature, the amount, and that affect the Cause in general in that land, > purpose of his or her contribution for the such as the management of the "Star of the > propagation of the Cause.-Baha'i Admin- West" and any periodical which the National > istration, ,p. 92. Body may decide to be a Baha'i organ, the > He wishes you particularly to impress the matter of publication, of reprinting Baha'i > believers with the necessity of maintaining literature and its distribution among the var- > the flow of their contributions to. the Temple, ious Assemblies, the means whereby the > and also to stress the importance of the in- teaching campaign may be stimulated and > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 4 > maintained, the work of the Mashriqu'l- calling, the functions which it is theirs to dis- > Adhkar, the racial question in relation to the charge. They should, within the limits im- > Cause, the matter of receiving Orientals and posed upon them by present-day circum- > association with them, the care and main- stances, endeavor to maintain the balance in > tenance of the precious film exhibiting a such a manner that the evils of over-cen- > phase of the Master's sojourn in the United tralization which clog, confuse and in the > States of America as ,well as the original long run depreciate the value of the Baha'i > matrix and the records of His voice, and services rendered shall on one hand be en- > various other national spiritual activities, tirely avoided, and on the other the perils > far from being under the exclusive juris- of utter decentralization with the consequent > diction of any local Assembly or group of lapse of governing authority from the hands > friends, must each be minutely and fully di- of the national representatives of the believ- > rected by a special board, elected by the Na- ers definitely averted. The absorption of the > tional Body, constituted as a committee petty details of Baha'i administration by the > thereof, responsible to it and upon which the personnel of the National Spiritual Assem- > National Body shall exercise constant and bly is manifestly injurious to efficiency and > general supervision.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. an expert discharge of Baha'i duties, whil_st > the granting of undue discretion to bodies > REPORTS OF ACTIVITIES that should be regarded in no other light > I shall always await from the members of than that of expert advisers and executive > the National Spiritual Assembly, collective, assistants would jeopardize the very vital > official and comprehensive reports on their and pervading powers that are the sacred > manifold activities, sent to me at frequent prerogatives of bodies that in time will evolve > intervals, and bearing upon the inner and into Baha'i National Houses of Justice. I > outward currents of the Movement, the re- am fully aware of the strain and sacrifice > lations of Assemblies to one another, and the which a loyal adherence to such an essential > general standing and the various aspects of principle of Baha'i administration-a prin- > the progress of the Cause throughout the ciple that will at once ennoble and dis- > land. I would welcome more specific reports tinguish the Baha'i methods of administra- > sent to me by the various committees of the tion from the prevailing systems of the > National Spiritual Assembly, enclosed in the world-demands from the national repre- > National Assembly's letter, and approved by sentatives of the believers at this early stage > all its members.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. of our evolution. Yet I feel I cannot refrain > from stressing the broad lines along which > RELATIONS OF COM-á the affairs of the Cause should be increas- > ingly conducted, the knowledge of which is > MITTEES TO ASSEMBLY so essential at this formative period of Baha'i > Touching the recent decision of the Na- administrative institutions.-SH0GHI EF- > tional Spiritual Assembly to place as much FENDI. > as possible of the current details of the work The focal point of effort on the part of the > in the hands of its national committees, I National Spiritual Assembly is to encourage > feel I should point out that this raises a fun- greater initiative and activity among all lo- > damental issue of paramount importance, as cal Baha'i communities. > it involves a unique ,prindple in the adminis- In the ,gradual application of this princi- > tration of the Cause, governing the relations ple, the Assembly has found it desirable to > that should be maintained between the cen- make a distinction between the special ser- > tral administrative body and its assisting vices rendered by each National Committee > organs of executive and legislative action. and the general problem of making these ser- > As it has been observed already, the role of vices available throughout the body of the > these committees set up by the National Spir- Cause. > itual Assembly, the renewal, the membership It has therefore been voted to record the > and functions of which should be reconsid- fact that the function of each Committee is > ered separately each year by the incoming of an advisory rather than of an adminis- > National Assembly, is chiefly to make thor- trative character. The results of Committee > ough and expert study of the issue entrusted consultation are to be referred to the Na- > to their charge, advise by their reports, and tional Spiritual Assembly for approval, and > assist in the execution of the decisions which then (as far as possible) after approval, is- > in vital matters are to be exclusively and sued to the friends in Baha'i News. Thus > directly rendered by the National Assembly. will be established one definite, responsible > The utmost vigilance, the most strenuous channel of communication representing the > exertion is required by them if they wish to National Assembly and its committees as > fulfill as befits their high and responsible one spiritual unit and organism. > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 5 > The National Spiritual Assembly assumes sation of Baha'u'llah." > responsibility for applying Committee rec- "The rise and establishment of this Ad- > ommendations and plans to the conditions of ministrative Order-the shell that shields > local community life, and also for meeting and enshrines so precious a gem--constitutes > any administrative problems that may arise the hall-mark of this second and formative > therefrom. Each Committee is requested to age of the Baha'i era. It will come to be > submit, as far as possible its recommenda- regarded, as it recedes farther and farther > tions and suggestions in a form adapted to from our eyes, as the chief agency empow- > publication in Baha'i News for the inf orma- ered to usher in the concluding phase, the > tion and encouragement of all believers. consummation of this glorious Dispensa- > In explaining this general principle, the tion." > National Assembly is conscious of the fact Here the Guardian makes it clear that the > that the National Committees are entrusted fundamental aim of the Cause at this stage > with different types of activity. For example, is to establish the Order which will (page 52 > the three Summer School Committees not of the same communication) "assert its > only make áprograms but carry them out in claim and demonstrate its capacity to be > classes, while the Publishing Committee regarded not only as the nucleus but the > has its own continuous and direct contact very pattern of the New World Order des- > with communities and individual believers tined to embrace in the fulness of time the > through the sale of the literature. The es- whole of ,mankind." Whiat the Guardian > sential principle, however, is clear, and the feels it necessary for Baha'is to realize and > members of the Assembly believe that as appreciate is that this Faith is a reality in > time goes on the result will be a tremendous no wise merely repeating and duplicating the > concentration of our collective spiritual and Revelations of the past. "It should be noted > material resources for the development of ( page 53) in this connection that this Ad- > the Cause along the lines laid down by the ministrative Order is fundamentally differ- > Guardian.-N. S. A. ent from anything that any Prophet has > previously established, inasmuch as Baha'u'l- > THE UNITY OF THE lah has Himself revealed its principles, es- > tablished its institutions, appointed the per- > BAHA'I COMMUNITY son to interpret His Word and conferred the > As we gather our energies in order to necessary authority on the body designed to > strive for a full measure of success in Tem- supplement and apply His legislative ordi- > ple construction and other national Baha'i nances .... Nowhere in the sacred scriptures > activities, it is highly important to under- of any of the world's religious systems, nor > stand clearly the new attitudes and princi- even in the writings of the Inaugurator of > ples of action which Shoghi Effendi has es- the Ba.bi Dispensation, do we find any pro- > tablished in the communications describing visions establishing a covenant or providing > the World Order of Baha'u'llah. for an administrative order that can com- > Let us begin with these words found on pare in scope and authority with those that > page 12 of "America and the Most Great lie at the very basis of the Baha'i Dispen- > Peace" ;-"The remaining ten years (1923- sation." > 1933) , distinguished throughout by further Thus it is clear that any believer who > internal development, as well as by a notable might seek to understand his relation to the > expansion of the international activities of a Baha'i Faith by reproducing the attitudes > growing community, witnessed the comple- and principles controlling the early and most > tion of the superstructure of the Mashriqu'l- faithful Christians, would fail to base his > Adhkar-the Administration's mighty bul- faith and practice upon the new foundation. > wark, the symbol of its strength and the sign What we have given us today is not only the > of its future glory." spiritual Revelation for the renewal of the > This description of the Temple as the inner life but also the social Revelation for > "bulwark" of the Administrative Order car- the attainment of citizenship in the world > ries a profound significance. It can only community. > mean that it is imperative for us to carry A vivid light is thrown upon the si•gnific- > the construction forward to the first resting ance of the Administrative Order by this > place-the external decoration of the entire reference which the Guardian made on page > dome unit, including the clerestory section- 21 of the "America and the Most Great > in order to create a means of protecting the Peace" :-"In a world writhing with pain > Faith from the dire onslaughts it is destined and declining into chaos this community- > to suffer in these coming years. the vanguard of the liberating fore$ of > With that quotation let us consider an- Baha'u'llah-succeeded in the years follow- > other excerpt from page 64 of "The Dispen- ing 'Abdu'l-Baha's passing in raising high > BAHA'1 PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 6 > above the institutions established by its sis- to bless all workers fully active and con- > ter communities in East and West what may scious of their mission. It is no longer suffi- > well constitute the chief pillar of that fu- cient for any Baha'i to say that he "accepts" > ture House of Justice-a House which pos- the authority of his local Assembly. This > terity will regard as the last refuge of a passive attitude must be transformed into > tottering civilization." a devoted and sincere effort to assist in car- > How different an institution the House of rying out every activity and plan which the > Justice is from any church or other re- local Assembly adopts. The word "author- > ligious organization in the past! It is this ity" perhaps blinds us to the deeper reality, > element of responsibility for the preserva- that the Spiritual Assembly is the instru- > tion and welfare of humanity itself that ment through which the divine blessings flow > makes membership in the Baha'i Faith so to every member of the community from the > much more than the passive acceptance of higher source. There is a world of differ- > any articles of creed or than any subjective ence between mere willingness not to disobey > happiness that might arise from the prac- and a heartfelt and passionate yearning to > tise of personal mysticism. "Alone of all the help with all our force the Spiritual Assem- > Revelations gone before it," the Guardian bly in all its capacity to serve the Cause. > declared on page 54 of "The Dispensation of The Holy Spirit pE;)rmeatesthe universe, but > Baha'u'llah," "this Faith has, through the ex- it blesses ,with its mysterious forces only > plicit directions, the repeated warnings, the those who are inwardly and outwardly part > authenticated safeguards incorporated and of the oneness which Baha'u'llah has created > elaborated in its teachings, succeeded in rais- in this Day. To transmute passive accept- > ing a structure which the bewildered follow- ance into active and dynamic loyalty of ac- > ers of bankrupt and broken creeds might well tion is the supreme issue confronting every > approach and critically examine, and seek, member of the American Baha'i community. > ere it is too late, the invulnerable security Similarly, the local Assembly and its com- > of its world-embracing shelter." munity, to be fully and completely Baha'i, > In the light of these explanations, every must not simply "accept the authority of > devoted believer might well inquire, how can the National Spiritual Assembly" and re- > the individual Baha'i, conscious of his own frain from infringing that authority-the > weaknesses' and limitations, reach out to re- local community must make the general > ceive some portion of that Bounty which the plans and activities of the National Assem- > Supreme Manifestation has brought to the bly its first and most vital concern. Only > world? in so doing does it stand in the station of > An indication of the true answer is given receiving the spiritual reinforcements reach- > in the Will and Testament, in those passages ing humanity through the Guardian. A lo- > which establish the Guardianship and in- cal Baha'i community is not an independent > augurate, under his direction, the House of body chartered to maintain activities en- > Justice established by Baha'u'llah. "They tirely distinct from those in other local com- > (members of the House of Justice), and not munities, but every local community is part > the body of those who either directly or in- of one larger body administered by the Na- > directly elect them, have thus been made the tional Spiritual Assembly, which in turn > recipients of the divine guidance which is at possesses no independence but on the con- > once the lif e~blood and ultimate safeguard trary is engaged in carrying out the Guar- > of this Revelation." (Dispensation, page dian's instructions and advices. > 61). Let us recall Shoghi Effendi's words con- > Just as the power of the Holy Spirit in- cerning the relation of local to National > spired those who endeavored faithfully to Spiritual Assembly reported on page 13 of > carry out the Master's instructions in His Baha'i News, June, 1934: "However, in view > day, and was withdrawn from those who of the principle that local activities should > sought to worship Baha'u'llah without recog- always be subordinated to the national in- > nition of the Center of the Covenant, so now terests, needs and requirements of the Faith > the confirming spirit is with those who cen- ... " etc. And "Just as all local institutions, > ter their lives upon the Guardian's general whether administrative or otherwise, must > instructions, and find it possible to unite a under! all circumstances lbe considered as > spiritual attitude with the outer task of de- subsidiary to national organizations, so also > veloping the World Order already, though local circular letters should be viewed as > so weak and immature, living in the Baha'i secondary in importance compared to the > administrative institutions. national organ of Baha'i activities. This > What is vitally needed at this time is for principle, however, should not be interpreted > us all to receive the new and more potent as being detrimental to the local interests > impetus that pours forth from the Guardian of the Baha'i community, but as an essen- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 7 > tial, nay indispensable means whereby the tracting the confirmation of the Holy Spirit > administrative system of the Cause can work upon the services of every loyal believer, > with efficiency and order." And, "Just as the without distinction of geographical nearness > local Baha'i fund must under all circum- or remoteness from the physical edifice. > stances be subordinated to the national fund. Now we are called upon to complete that > . . . Such a coordination between local and portion of the task which represents the per- > national efforts is indispensable, not only fect crown of the Temple-the external dec- > due to its economic advantages, but essen- oration of the dome unit. This task can only > tially due to the fact that upon the applica- be completed if we become one organic na- > tion of the ,principle underlying this process tional Baha'i community, imbued with one > must inevitably depend the effective working aim and inspired by one spirit. Therefore let > of the entire administrative machinery of us consider afresh the relations of the local > the Faith. There is order, coordination and community to the central national body, that > system in the Cause, and not a jungle of con- the many small lakes may become one great > flicting interests and of continually clashing sea, every drop of which moves under the > wills .... Local activities should always be one same impulse. Such a degree of unity > subordinated to those of a national charac- will overcome our separate weaknesses and > ter and importance. This is intended not to limitations, and the effect will be one of ir- > minimize the role of the local Assembly in resistible, forward-moving power. Many > the administrative order, but to establish and urgent are the demands upon the Na- > and insure a sane relationship between that tional Assembly to contribute to the vrotec- > body and the national organism of the tion of the Faith in other countries, and these > Cause." demands will increase during the years to > Since the Guardian has given emphasis to come. By meeting the Guardian's standard > this matter, we may be certain that it repre- of achievement now, our united capacity for > sents an important step to be taken in our service to Baha'u'llaáh will forge a mighty > collective attitude toward the Faith of Ba- .instrument for the Guardian's use in estab- > ha'u'llah. Therefore the friends are urged lishing World Order. > to study carefully the Guardian's list of the "The National Assembly is the trusted > objectives and aims which the National As- guardian and the mainspring of the mani- > sembly is to adopt at this time, because with- áfold activities and interests of every na- > out a truly united and active national com- tional community in the Baha'i world. It > munity the Assembly can have no power to constitutes the sole link that binds the com- > carry out such important and difficult tasks. munities to the International House of Jus- > It is in the development of the National tice, the supreme administrative body in the > Fund that the local communities can render Dispensation of Baha'u'llah."-N. S. A. > the most direct assistance at this time. For > as we complete the dome unit ,we create the OBLIGATION TO ENFORCE > "mi ghty bulwark" of the administrative or- > > der, and as we develop and safeguard the ad- LAWS OF FAITH > ministrative order we contribute to the With regard to the closing of the Tarbiat > World Order upon which the life of human- Schools: the school authorities have, in en- > ity itself depends. forcing the observance of Baha'i anniver- > There is no intention in this statement to saries, acted on the advice and direction of > minimize the importance of local Baha'i ac- the Guardian. These Schools, being inde- > tivities. The teaching programs now being pendent and official Baha'i institutions, could > carried out by many Spiritual Assemblies not very well ignore, much less violate the > are truly notable and are producing an in- express provisions and laws of the Aqdas. > crease in the active membership of the Faith. Had they any connection with government > The major purpose of the National Spiritual institutions, or had their ownership and con- > Assembly, in fact, consists in reinforcing in trol been shared by non-Baha'is, the situa- > every possible way the capacity of the local tion would have been different. This distinc- > Assemblies to serve the Cause. But the fact tion between institutions that are under full > remains that the twigs cannot prosper if the or partial Baha'i control is of a fundamental > branch upon which they depend is deprived importance. Institutions that are entirely > of any portion of its allotted strength. managed by Baha'is are, for reasons that > Through the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, in its spirit- are only too obvious, under the obligation of > ual mystery and its outward and visible enforcing all the laws and ordinances of the > glory, our combined efforts have in the past Faith, especially those whose observance > few years multipled a hundred fold the pow- constitutes a matter of conscience. There is > er of every teacher to convey the divine Mes- no reason, no justification whatever, that > sage. The Temple has created a magnet at- they should act otherwise, and any restric- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 8 > tion which the ,government may impose upon and not what we conjecture from their writ- > them in this connection would necessarily ings. There is great difference between > constitute a violation of the individual's sounding aá great general principle and find- > right to freedom in matters of religious be- ing its application to actual prevailing con- > lief. The situation is different when an in- ditions. > stitution is run partly by Baha'is, or is com- Secondly, the Cause is not financially in a > pletely owned by the government. In this position to launch itself in such undertakings > case the believers, while anxious to observe at present. Such plans need great financial > all ,prescribed Baha'i Feasts and Anniver- backing to be worked out in a permanent > saries, should also take into consideration form. In time, Shoghi Effendi hopes all these > the rights and interests of their non-Baha'i things will come to pass. For the present > partners and associates, and not to force we have to consolidate our basic institutions > these to stop worlcing when they are under and spread the teachings and spirit of the > no moral or religious obligation to do so.- Faith among the public.-SH0GHI EFFENDI. > SH0GHI EFFENDI. > QUALIFICATIONS OF > FUTURE TEMPLE TEACHERS > CONTRACTS Whenever local Assemblies desire the ser- > He also wishes me to express his approval vices of any Baha'i teacher not under its own > of your suggestion that as soon as the orna- jurisdiction the Assembly shall apply for a > mentation work of the clerestory section of teacher through the National Teaching Com- > the Temple is completed no new contract he mittee, and the National Teaching Com- > signed for the next unit unless the entire sum mittee in providing teachers on such requests > required for the contract has already been is to a,pply the following standard of quali- > collected. Economic conditions, both within fications : Full knowledge of the teachings, > and without the Cause, are nowadays too including the World Order letters of the > unstable to allow us to undertake any exten- Guardian; full loyalty to the administrative > sive scheme before insuring its uninterrupted order of the Cause; sincerity and severance > and successful áprosecution.-SH0GHI EF- from all local situations and problems.- > FENDI. N. S. A. > > FUNCTION OF REVIEWING ATTACKS FROM FORMER > COMMITTEE BELIEVERS > The functions of the Reviewing and Edi- As a principle the Guardian wishes the > torial Committees have been combined in N. S. A. to disregard such futile attacks > one committee, which is to carry out the fol- which those who have dissociated themselves > lowing general áprocedure: - from the Administration feel inclined to di- > 1. Determine whether a manuscript con- rect against it. This is a rule which applies > forms to the Baha'i teachings. not only to a few individuals but to all those > 2. Determine whether the manuscript con- who reject the Administrative Order after > forms to adequate standards of literary style having identified themselves with the Faith. > and taste. -SHOGHI EFFENDI. > 3. Determine whether the manuscript > meets a real need in the Cause.-N. S. A. PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES > 1. The Publishing Committee from this > ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES date is to be regarded as a producer and dis- > As regards the activities of the economic tributor of Baha'i literature on a wholesale > committee of the National Assembly; Shoghi as distinguished from a retail basis ; retail > Effendi fully sympathizes with the desire of sales being more economically handled > some of the members to see the committee throug:h local Baha'i libraries, general book > find ways and means to put into practice sellers and other sales agencies. > the economic teachings of the Cause, as ex- 2. Literature intended for free distribu- > plained in some of the recorded writings and tion shall be, in the first instance, recom- > sayings of Baha'u'llah and the Master. But mended by the Teaching Committee, \and > he believes that the time is not yet ripe for upon approval and appropriation by the > such activities. First we have to study the N. S. A. printed by the Publishing Commit- > economic teachings in the light of modern tee. Appropriations for or apportionments > problems more thoroughly so that we may of free literature from editions of works al- > advocate what the Founders of the Faith say ready in áhand or already authorized to be > BAHA'f PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 9 > printed will be made by the N. S. A. as oc- d. Individual records and relics of any > casion arises. form only when touched by ( directly associ- > 3. On the larger standard books, recom- ated with) the Bab, Baha'u'llah, the Master, > mendations for reprints or new issues of the Guardian, or the N. S. A. > single books may be made by the Publish- The cooperation of local corresponding > ing Committee to the N. S. A. and are sub- secretaries is requested in the collecting and > ject to the approval of that body prior to any forwarding of material which should be pre- > undertaking or contract being made for served in the National Archives. The atten- > printing. tion and active interest of the friends should > 4. The Publishing Committee before print- be encouraged in both local and National > ing any new book or pamphlet, or reprinting Archives through consultation in Spiritual > any existing book or pamphlet, shall obtain Assemblies and at Nineteen-Day Feasts.- > from this body a specific and final resolution N. S.A. > authorizing its publication, which resolution > shall include the record of its adequate and STATUS OF REGIONAL > proper review by the Reviewing Committee > of this body, and after such authorization COMMITTEES > has been obtained, no changes nor modifica- In order to prevent confusion between the > tions shall be made in the text or general functions of the National and Regional Com- > make-up of any book or pamphlet. mittees, it is recorded that each Regional > 5. Whenever the National Assembly orders Committee is to be responsible for all deci- > a ápublication, such as "America's Spiritual sions involving action, and need not consult > Mission" or "The Unfoldment of World Civ- the National Teaching Committee with ref- > ilization" for free distribution to believers, erence to activities within the region. It is > it shall pay the cost in cash; whenever the also recorded that the Regional Committees > National Assembly votes a literature budget have no administrative authority over local > to any Committee, it shall likewise pay the Assemblies but are to assist the local Assem- > Publishing Committee the value of such blies in every possible way and also make > budgets in cash; and whenever the National possible a coordination of Inter-Assembly > Assembly finances a book like "The Baha'i activity.-N. S. A. > World" which the Publishing Committee > cannot at present undertake, each of such > works shall be handled like "The Dawn- YOUTH ACTIVI1''IES > Breakers", namely, as a separate item, with There are two important points which > the cash income from sales either paid back Shoghi Effendi would like you always to em- > to the National Assembly or put into a spe- phasize. In the first place he would strongly > cial fund of the Publishing Committee for urge you to cooperate, heart and soul, with > the financing of future books.-N. S. A. all the various Assemblies, groups and com- > mittees throughout the Baha'i world, to ask > for their assistance and help for the success- > NATIONAL ARCHIVES ful discharge of your duties and obligations, > a. The "Real Baha'i Archives," i. e., the and in this way to try to build up an active > writings of the Founders of the Cause. These and ready mind among the Baha'i youth > would include any original writings of the throughout the world. In other words, you > Bab and Baha'u'llah that may come into the should not confine your áactivities to the na- > possession of the National Archives; also, tional sphere but you should strive to create > photostatic copies and authoritative illumin- under the supervision of your N. S. A. an in- > ated copies of Their original writings. Under ternational body of active young Baha'i men > this heading may also be classed the Tablets and women who, conscious of their manifold > of 'Abdu'l-Baha addressed to American As- and sacred responsibilities, will unanimous- > semblies and believers, and the letters of the ly arise to spread the Holy Word. The sec- > Guardian to National and local Assemblies ond :point which the Guardian wishes you to > and to individual believers. stress •and to keep always in mind is the > b. Such National Spiritual Assembly rec- necessity for every loyal and active member > ords as from time to time may be turned over of your committee to fully concentrate on > by that body, and copies of all National Ba- the thorough study and understanding of the > ha'i publications. spiritual and administrative principles of > c. Records, objects, and iphotographs of the Faith, as a necessary step for active and > particular national interest, as those deal- fruitful teaching. You should first equip > ing with the Temple, the work of national yourself with the necessary amount of > and international teachers, and The Baha'i knowledge about the Cause, and then, and > World. only then, try to teach.-SHOGHI EFFENDI. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 10 > RESPONSIBILITY OF its decisions. It however permits action to > be taken by majority vote when a quorum > NATIONAL SPIRITUAL exists in any duly called meeting. It has re- > ASSEMBLY corded its obligation to obtain the views and > record the ḥOtes of absent members on all > The institution of National Spiritual As- matters of vital importance, in order to have > semblies has been established in the Baha'i final decision in such matters made by a ma- > teachings for the fulfilment of a number of jority of the entire membership and not by a > important functions. These functions are majority of a quorum. > described in the Declaration of Trust and The right of a majority to carry a decision > By-laws which, after approval by the Guar- is derived from Tablets of 'Abdu'l-Baha, and > dian, became the controlling instrument for from the same source is derived the obliga- > the affairs of the Cause in the United States tion of the minority to accept and obey the > and Canada. will of the majority. No distinction between > As set forth in that instrument, the Na- majority and minority votes or views is rec- > tional Spiritual Assembly is a body having ognized after final decision has been made. > a continuous and uninterrupted existence From time to time the Assembly has taken > and possessing paramount authority within cognizance of the fact that this principle has > the physical area of its jurisdiction, the ex- not fully been observed, when informed that > ercise of this authority being expressly sub- some member has expressed dissatisfaction > ject to the higher authority of the Guardian to other believers with actions duly taken at > and also of the Universal House of Justice various meetings. The minutes of the meet- > when that body comes into existence. ing held on November 12 and 13, 1932, for > A summary of the duties and responsibili- example, contain the following statement: > ties of the Assembly reveals how vitally im- "It was the sense of the meeting that mat- > portant it is for its own members to have ters presented at meetings of this body do > full mutual understanding and agreement of not become actions of the Assembly until a > and loyalty to their individual and collective unanimous or majority vote has been cast > rights and obligations as trustees under the after which they are actions of all the mem- > Declaration of Trust. bers and, therefore, it would destroy the > 1. The Assembly has final power over the spiritual ,power of the National Assembly to > voting right and Baha'i membership of discriminate between the individual atti- > every believer in the United States and tudes on any question after the question is > Canada. settled, or to make public any record of at- > 2. The Assembly recognizes the existence titudes held before the vote is takien. In > or non-existence of every local Spirit- order to maintain the true character of the > ual Asembly. institution of the National Spiritual Assem- > 3. The Assembly can take jurisdiction of bly no member is áauthorized to discuss out- > any matter affecting two or more be- side of the meeting the individual opinions > lievers or two or more local Assemblies. of any of the members. There should be no > 4. The Assembly makes final decision on discussion about the activities of the Na- > all plans and suggestions advanced by tional Spiritual Assembly except its actions > individual believers, local communities, as recorded in votes." > local Assemblies and Convention dele- In practice, full liberty has ,been given > gates. each member to express his views and ad- > 5. The Assembly administers the collec- vance his opinion during the period of dis- > tive funds of the Cause in the United cussion preceding the casting of votes, even > States and Canada. , to the extent of encroachment upon the > 6. The Assembly legislates when ,proce- rights of other members. > dures and detailed laws are necessary. The Master, in a Tablet quoted by Shoghi > 7. The Assembly is executive as well as Effendi on ipage 21 of "Baha'i Administra- > legislative and judicial in ácharacter. tion", referred to the subject of Assembly > 8. The Assembly represents the believers decisions as follows: "The members ... must > and local Spiritual Assemblies in re- take counsel together in such wise that no > lation to the Guardian, and the Guar- occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. > dian in relation to the believers and This can be attained when every member ex- > focal Assemblies. presseth with absolute fredom his own opin- > 9. The Assembly is the American electoral ion and setteth forth his argument. Should > body for the election of the Universal any one oppose, he must on no account feel > House of Justice. hurt for not until matte:rs are fully discussed > In discharging these several functions, the can the right way be revealed. The shining > Assembly seeks the ideal of unanimity in all spark of truth cometh forth only after the > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 11 > clash of differing opinions. If after discus- > sion, a decision ibe carried unanimously, well > ASSEMBLY > and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences CONSULTATION > of opinion should arise, a majority of voices It is recorded that the followi;ng statement > must prevail." was drawn up and :presented and unani- > Experience has made it clear that the As- mously adopted : > sembly can not fulfill any of its duties and 1. Consultation as defined by the Master > responsibilities with more than partial suc- in a passage quoted by the Guardian > cess, and above all can not set an example on page 21 of "Baha'i Administration" > of unity to the body of believers, so long as means the discussion and frank expres- > any member expresses dissatisfaction and sion of opinion by Assembly members > objection to its decisions in conversation personally present at a meeting. Con- > with other believers, and so long as any mem- sultation does not mean the exchange of > ber by word or attitude conveys directly or views through correspondence. > indirectly, a spirit of criticism of the As- 2. An Assembly meeting is defined in > sembly or its individual members. The high- Article VI of the By-Laws as follows: > est obligation of every member of the As- "Five members of the National Assem- > sembly is to the institution of the National bly present at a meeting shall consti- > Spiritual Assembly itself. No member can tute a quorum, and a majority vote of > justifiably assert any higher loyalty, whether those present and constituting a quo- > to his local Assembly, his local Community rum shall be sufficient for the conduct of > or to personal friends among the believers. business, except as otherwise provided > It is the understanding of the members now in these By-Laws, and with due regard > in office that the Cause of Baha'u'llah, unlike to the principle of unity and cordial > political democracies, does not make its fellowship involved in the institution of > elected representatives mere agents of their a Spiritual Assembly." > electors, and unlike ápolitical aristocracies 3. Actions taken by the Assembly at a > contains no institutions of special privilege meeting in conformity with the provi- > whose members' personal or class interests sions of this By-Law are equally bind- > are made ends unto themselves, while unlike ing upon all Assembly members, > reHgious heirarchies the Cause of Baha'u'l- whether present or absent from the > lah recognizes no persons or institutions or meeting at which the actions are taken. > offices possessing authority to establish 4. Any member may ask for reconsidera- > dogma, claim spiritual rights over others or tion of any Assembly action by request- > otherwise change and nullify any part of ing the Secretary to add this as one of > His Revelation. The National Spiritual As- the subjects on the Agenda of a later > sembly exists in order to uphold the Cause, meeting. The action questioned, how- > promote its interests and safeguard the unity ever, stands as an Assembly action un- > of the entire American Baha'i community. til changed by vote at a meeting. The > In order to render this service, its attention Master enjoins upon all members of > is directed to the Baha'i teachings and to the Local and National Assemblies the > instructions received from the Guardian, and solemn obligation to abandon personal > its responsibility cannot ábe limited by the views after decisions .have been made. > wishes and views of any believer or group -N.S.A. > of believers. 5. There is no immunity from responsibil- > The National Spiritual Assembly, having ity for any member of the National > attained definite understanding of the na- Assembly at any time from the collec- > ture of the institution, records its conviction tive actions of this body. > that the fundamental principle of unity, 6. Matters presented at meetings of this > manifested in full and complete loyalty on body do not become actions of the As- > the part of its members to the results of de- sembly until a unanimous or majority > cisions made by unanimous or majority vote, vote has been cast, after which they are > must be upheld at all costs by every person actions of all the members and, there- > holding office as member of this Baha'i fore, it would destroy the spiritual > body. power of the National Assembly to dis- > In any case of internal controversy affect- criminate between the individual atti- > ing the membership of the National Assem- tudes on any question after the ques- > bly which cannot be remedied by full and tion is settled, or to make public any > frank consultation of all the members, the record of attitudes held before the vote > matter shall be reported to the Guardian and is taken. In order to maintain the true > his advice sought before final action is taken. character of the institution of the Na:. > -N.S.A. tional Spiritual Assembly no member > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 12 > is authorized to discuss outside of the may be published for the use of the As- > meeting the individual opinions of any sembly, its Committees, and of the > of the members. There should be no Local Spiritual Assemblies. > discussion about the activities of the 7. The first meeting shall also act to di- > National Spiritual Assembly except its rect the Treasurer to secure the Annual > actions as recorded in votes. Financial Reports of the Trustees and > present these Reports to the Assembly > INTERNAL PROCEDURE for its early consideration. > 8. The first meeting shall also take steps > ( Compiled from Minutes) toward the preparation of an Annual > I. International Activities Budget to be adopted for the guidance > of the Assembly in its financial affairs. > This body shall refrain from action on 9. The first meeting shall also direct the > matters having an international Baha'i Secretary to submit as soon as conven- > scope until after consultation with the Guar- ient a full and complete list of all Com- > dian. mittees appointed by the outgoing As- > sembly, with the date or dates of ex- > 2. Publication of Guardian's piration of their respective appoint- > Letters ments, for the information of the As- > sembly in making its committee ap- > All communications from the Guardian in- pointments. > tended for the believers should be issued as 10. The first meeting shall also act to adopt > quickly as possible for general distribution. a National Office for the conduct of af- . > fairs of the Assembly and the mainten- > 3. Calendar of Annual Actions ance of its files and records. > 1. Notice of first meeting. Immediately 11. The date and ,place of the next Annual > following the election, the member re- meeting shall be selected at a meeting > ceiving the nighest number of votes held at such time during the Assembly's > shall give notice of the first meeting to term of office as shall permit the Sec- > the other eight members, by telegraph retary to observe the following sched- > or telephone if necessary. Members un- ule of actions :- > able to attend the meeting shall have > opportunity to cast votes for the election A. Four and one half months prior to > of Officers by telegra:ph or telephone. the Annual Meeting, an Application > In the event that a tie vote makes a sec- for Participation in the Annual Con- > ballot necessary, the vote cast by the vention to be issued to all Local > absent members in the first ballot shall .Spiritual Assemblies, this applica- > be counted by the teller in the second tion to be returned within thirty > ballot. days, to furnish the Assembly with > 2. The principal business to be taken up the data necessary for assigning the > at the ,first meeting following the An- 95 delegates to local Baha'i com- > nual Election shall be the election of m unities by proportionate repre- > officers. sentation. > 3. The first meeting shall also act to B. Notice of the Annual Meeting to be > notify the Trustees of the names of the issued at least sixty days prior to > Trustees who have been elected. the Convention date. This Notice > 4. T.he first meeting shall also act to se- to include the following matters: > cure all Assembly records in the pos- One, time and iplace of the Conven- > session of officers and members of the tion; Two, request that Local As- > outgoing Assembly.á semblies call a meeting for the elec- > 5. The first meeting shall also act to audit tion of delegates: Three, list of Par- > the Annual Financial Report and as ticipating Communities, with num- > soon as convenient to issue copies ber of delegates assigned to each; > thereof to the Guardian and to Local Four, a Certificate of Election to be > Spiritual Assemblies. filled out by each Assembly. > 6. The first meeting shall also act to di- C. As soon as possible after April 1, a > rect the Secretary to secure a full and blank ballot, a copy of the Conven- > complete result of the election of Local tion Agenda, and information about > Spiritual Assemblies held on the pre- voting to be sent each delegate. > vious twenty-firs.t day of April and re- D. Preparation of Annual Report, in- > port that result to the Assembly for its cluding Annual Reports by Commit- > early consideration, that a Directory tees, in time to be published and dis- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 13 > tributed to delegates in advance of made by simply referring to the number of > the Convention. the item in the weekly letters, and these > E. Appointment of Convention Com- weekly -letters are to take the place of the > mittees. agenda hitherto issued before each meeting. > F. Preparation of Convention Agenda, > the principal item of which is the 8. Recording of Votes > election of the National Spiritual > Assembly. Voted that future records of all votes > 12. The Assembly shall direct the Secre- passed by the Assembly, whether majority > tary by April first, to issue to Local or unanimous, should be simply e::,cpressedas > Spiritual Assemblies and groups a Cer- voted, without other qualifications or details > tificate of Election of Local Spiritual of the vote. > Assemblies, with the request that this > Certificate be returned as soon as pos- 9. Acceptance of Declaration > sible after the election. of Trust > 13. Temple, Green Acre, Malden, Wilhelm > and Bosch Trustees to file Certificate of In connection with the approval of new > election with County Clerk. local Assemblies the Secretary was instructed > to submit in each case a blank form to be > filled out by the local community, formally > 4. Distribution of Baha'i News recording their acceptance of the Declara- > The Secretary was directed to make it tion of Trust and By-laws as the legal struc- > clear that the distribution of Baha'i News ture of the Baha'i Cause in the United States > should be confined to declared and recog- and Canada. > nized believers. > 10. Report of Individual > 5. Pilgrims' Notes Attendance > N. S. A. will not in the future áask for the > authentication of any pilgrims' notes nor The question of whether individual atten- > cooperate in their distribution but ref er ex- dance of members of the National Assembly > clusively to the Guardian's general communi- should be reported to the Convention was > cations to this body and the American be- discussed and it was the sense of the meet- > lievers for its source of information and ing that while the National Assembly is re- > guide of action. sponsible for its collective actions, it is not > responsible for making reports of the ac- > tions of its individual members. > 6. Form of Minutes > Each letter, document, or other item com- 11. Correspondence with > ing before the Assembly and requiring > action is to be listed and described in Individuals > weekly reports from the Secretary, and The Secretary requested advice and in- > these items when considered at meetings struction in dealing with letters to this body > are to carry the descriptive number given by individual believers who object to or > them in the weekly reports without other complain about matters of National Baha'i > description or identification. The weekly policy. After consideration it was moved, > reports therefore are to be considered seconded and voted to instruct the Secretary > as part of the Minutes. Any numbered fo these cases to inform such individuals > items listed in the reports but not ref erred that the N. S. A. has adopted the ,policy that > to in the Minutes represent either unfinished these general Baha'i matters must be first > business or subjects not requiring action but d.iscussed with their own local Spiritual As- > merely mentioned in the reports for pur- sembly al!_dthe National Assembly will re- > poses of record. spond to all such matters presented through > the local Assembly; it being understood that > 7. Weekly Reports communications from individual believers on > personal matters are to be answered direct. > Voted to direct the Secretary to issue to > each member a weeldy letter including a ,brief 12. Consultation with Believers > financial statement and a report of current > correspondence and other matters before the Voted to record the following -procedure > Assembly, these weekly letters to refer to in connection with consultation between the > these items in numbered sequence, so that Assembly and Committees and individual be'- > reference to any item in the Minutes can be lievers: the committee representative, or in- > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 14 > dividual believer, is to report as fully as land and buildings. > possible, and the Chairman is to represent Voted to empower and authorize the > the Assembly in aslcing any necessary ques- Treasurer to sell on behalf of the National > tions. Members of the Assembly desiring to Spiritual Assembly for the benefit of the Na- > ask further questions are to ref er them to tional Baha'i Fund any and all such stocks, > the Chairman and not to the group or indi- bonds and other securities as from time to > vidual present for consultation. time are sent him as contributions to said > fund. > 13. Office of Treasurer A monthly report to be embodied in the > Minutes, based upon the Annual Budget and > The Treasurer of this :body shall observe recording all sums paid out under each > the following procedure in making payment budget item. A -list of checks issued by the > of funds from any fund or funds held in the Treasurer during the month. Total contri- > name of the National Spiritual Assembly: butions received since the last meeting and > 1. All appropriations included in the An- from the beginning of the fiscal year. A > nual Budget duly adopted by the Assembly calendar of fixed amounts ,payable during > are payable when due by the Treasurer with- the fiscal year, with due dates, including > out further authority or specific action on sums payable by the Temple and all other > the part of the Assembly. Trustees; insurance premiums, wages, per- > 2. All extra-budget appropriations duly sonal expense accounts, interests on loans > voted by the Assembly are payable when due and mortgages, taxes, etc. Specific request > by the Treasurer without further authority for vote on all appropriations needed during > or specific action on the part of the Assem- the current month not already voted under > bly, unless in voting the appropriation the the Annual Budget. > Assembly specifically made it payable by the In case of any contribution of funds from > Treasurer after approval by some other interested friends who are not members of a > member, committee, agent or representative, local Baha'i community, such contributions > in which case the Treasurer is bound to se- can be accepted with the understanding that > cure the specifiedá approval 1before making they will be used for the purpose of comfort- > any payment on such appropriation. ing and aiding people in distress or for other > 3. After e:,ramining the budget adopted by social welfare work, in accordance with the > this body, the Treasurer may request the As- Guardian's letter of Oct. 25, 1929. > sembly to include provision for approval be- Voted to direct the Treasurer to pay only > fore payment of any item or items in the actual traveling expenses of Assembly mem- > budget which in the Treasurer's judgment bers in connection with their attendance at > cannot efficiently be passed upon by the meetings, and other expenses of Assembly > Treasurer alone. members are only to be paid by special vote > In all business arrangements entered into of the National Assembly. > by the N. S. A., where salary or other form Henceforth if any believer offers to fi- > of financial allowance is involved over an ex- nance an activity which has been approved > tended period of time, the Assembly shall but which cannot be financed directly from > make the agreement in writing and for a the National Fund, the National Assembly > term not exceeding one year, and also that shall accept such an offer without permitting > expense accounts contingent upon the hold- any change in the conditions under which > ing of office come to an end with the e~pir- the activity in question should be carried on > ation of the term of said office. in accordance with the principles and me- > After consideration of the advantage on thods of Baha'i administration; and that the > the one hand of allowing believers to express believer shall turn such a donation over to > their devotion by gifts of jewelry and other the National Fund and not pay the e~enses > merchandise, and of the disadvantage on the direct, so that the responsibility shall rest > other hand of assuming responsibility for upon the National Assembly. > the sale of such articles, for which the Na- All payments under contract and all con- > tional Assembly has no facilities other than tractual relations shall be under the direct > the individual believers who make such dona- control of the N. S. A. and not of any com- > tions, it was moved, seconded and voted to mittee and all contracts incurred by this > direct the Treasurer to accept as contribu- body shall ibe made with forms quoting > tions to the National Fund only donations Article 2, Sections 1 and 2 of the Declaration > made in currency or marketable securities of Trust~ It is understood that this latter > and to ref er to the National Assembly for provision will not apply in cases where this > specific action in each case, all proposals for body had voted a definite appropriation to a > donations to be made in the form of real committee for an itemized budget duly re- > estate, whether land or buildings alone or corded in these Minutes. > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 15 > 14. Holding of Real Estate PALESTINE BRANCH OF > In cases of gifts of land in the future to AMERICAN NATIONAL > the Cause, separate Indentures shall be made ASSEMBLY > in each case. > It would int.erest you to know that the > American National Spiritual Assembly, > 15. Application for Leases Palestine Branch, has been incorporated ac- > Applications from Baha'is for lease of land cording to the law in Palestine, not as a > for building sites on property controlled by foreign corporation or a charitable trust, > Baha'i Trustees will he acted on in the order but as a "religious society" enjoying all the > received. The form of lease to ,be _given will privileges attaching to recognized religious > provide for the following factors: Term of institutions in the Holy Land. Shoghi Ef- > lease, use of site and annual rental; mini- fendi hopes to transfer to the name of your > mum and maximum amounts to be spent for Assembly additional plots of land in the vic- > construction ; provision of wat.er and light; inity of the shrine of Baha'u'llah at Akka > a fee for reservation of sites with a time and of the Bab at-Mount Carmel as soon as > limit; maintenance of Baha'i control over the he obtains the necessary authorization from > ownership and occupancy of homes, with a the authorities, inasmuch as the right of > predetermined method of valuation in the holding real estate by religious institutions > event that a cottage is sold or comes under is strictly limited according to Palestinian > the management of the Trust.ees through a law. This step which he has taken, which has > property owner's repudiation of the Faith. necessitat.ed many months of careful and > delicate negotiations with both the local and > central authorities, our Guardian feels will > 16. Tax Exemption on Donations constitute the prelude to the eventual forma- > tion and recognition, by the Palestine Gov- > A lett.er was presented from the U. S. ernment, of a properly constituted Int.erna- > Treasury Department, dated December first, tional Baha'i Assembly, functioning as an in- > 1927, recognizing the National Assembly as dependent religious body in the Holy Land. > a duly organized religious body qualified to -SHOGHI EFFENDI. > receive donations and ,bequests and granting > the usual tax exemption to donations re- > ceived ,by the Treasurer of this •body. > ON APPEALS FROM LOCAL > 17. Changing Date of Meetings SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES > • When the date of the Meeting has been re- In order to clarify the important subject > corded in the Minutes, no individual mem- of the right of individual members of local > ber shall request, between Meetings, to have Baha'i communities to make appeal to the > the dat.e altered, but every member shall be National Spiritual Assembly for reconsider- > in duty bound to report to the Chairman not ation of actions taken by a Local Spiritual > later than ten days ibefore the Meeting if he Assembly, and to set forth for the informa- > or she is unable to att.end; and in the event tion of the Baha'is of the United States and > that such reports indicat.e that a quorum Canada a definite procedure controlling the > cannot be obtained for the date already fixed, making of appeals to the National Baha'i > the Chairman shall determine the dat.e when body, the members of the National Spiritual > the Meeting is to be called. Assembly have adopted the following state- > ment and incorporat.ed it in the minutes of > the Meeting held on December 27 and 28, > 18. Correspondencein Matters 1932. > Already Clarified 1. The By-Laws of the National Spiritual > Assembly contain the following references > Letters addressed to the National Assem- to the subject of appeals. > bly on matters which the Assembly has al- Article I. "It shall, in such cases as it con- > ready _decided by specific vote or on which siders suitable and necessary, entertain ap- > a clear precedent exists in the Assembly peals from the decisions of Local Spiritual > records, may be answered by the Secretary Assemblies and shall have the right of final > without further Assembly action. In such decision in all cases w,here the qualifications > cases the Secretary is to cite the source in of an individual or group for continued vot- > conveying the Assembly's view on the mat- ing rig:hts and membership in the Baha'i > t.er. body are in question." > BAHA'I PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 16 > Article VII. Section 6. "The Local As- does not mean that a dissatisfied believer is > sembly shall pass upon and approve the to agitate any matter among the members of > qualifications of each member of the Baha'i the local Baha'i community apart from the > community before such members ,shall be Local Spiritual Assembly. The responsi•bil- > admitted to voting membership; but where ity for decisions is clearly placed upon the > an individual is dissatisfied with the ruling Local Spiritual Assemblies and not upon the > of the Local Spiritual Assembly upon his believers of the community. > Baha'i qualifications, such individual may 5. The National Spiritual Assembly can > appeal from the ruling to the National As- rightfully entertain only those appeals which > sembly, which shall thereupon take jurisdic- express dissatisfaction with actions or de- > tion of and finally decide the case." cisions of a Local Assembly-it cannot be > Article VII. Section 9. "All questions expected to deal with appeals which are an > arising between two or more Local Spiritual effort to deny the authority and power of > Assemblies or between members of differ- the Local Assembly in general. The author- > ent Baha'i communities, shall be submitted ity and power duly vested in Local Spiritual > in the first instance to the National Assem- Assemblies will always be upheld and de- > bly, which shall have original •and final jur- f ended by the National Assembly. But > isdiction in all such matters." where a duly elected Local Assembly acts > Note: Article VII. Section 9, properly unjustly toward a believer, or acts in such a > speaking, does not refer to the subject of way as to work some harm upon the Cause, > appeals, since an appeal is from a lower to an appeal to the National Assembly is en- > a hig,her jurisdiction, and the National Spir- tirely justified after consultation with the > itual Assembly is the only Baha'i body hav- Local Assembly has proved fruitless. > ing jurisdiction in cases of an Inter-Assem- > bly character. It is quoted here, however, as 6. The National Spiritual Assembly, in > an instruction to ,be noted by believers in entertaining an appeal, will deal only with > their study of the principles of administra- the believer or believers by whom the appeal > tion. has been made. The National Assembly will > 2. It will be seen from the above quota- not recognize any believer's right to be rep- > tions that the right of individuals to appeal resented by another believer nor by a non- > is subject to the decision of the National Baha'i attorney, advocate or representative. > Spiritual Assembly whether the appeal is In becoming a voting member of the Baha'i > important enough to be considered or of a community, every believer accepts the recog- > trivial nature and therefore not to be enter- :rtized qualifications for membership, which > tained. This brings out the vital principle include full acceptance of the power and au- > that the National Spiritual Assembly is not thority duly vested in Local and National > a -passive body compelled to deal with all Assemblies, including the power to remove > matters brought to its attention, but has any name from the voting list if the recog- > paramount executive and legislative powers nized qualifications for membership are no > in addition to its function as a judicial body. longer observed. The right of every believer > 3. Since with the lapse of time it becomes to be a member of the Baha'i community is > difficult to bring together all evidence bear- conditional upon continued fáaithfulness to > ing upon a situation or matter, the National the Cause, and that right is acquired ,by as- > Assembly has voted that all appeals must be serting one's acceptance of the qualifications > received within sixty days of the date when for membership, and is not in any way a > the action or decision of the Local Spiritual vested rig.ht nor a right that may be perma- > Assembly has been made known to the be- nently claimed without permanence of loy- > liever appealing from that action or deci- alty and faithfulness to the Cause. > sion. The period of sixty days is ample in 7. Appeals must •be made in writing, and > which individual believers can take steps to on receiving an appeal the National Assem- > safeguard their legitimate rights. bly will request the Local Assembly to fur- > 4. The National Spiritual Assembly will nish an attested copy of its Minutes or other > entertain only such appeals as are made records bearing upon the matter in question, > from decisions of a Local Assembly after including a record of the consultation re- > the individual believer who makes the appeal quested by the appellant. The nature of the > has presented his views to the Local Assem- appeal will be made known to the Local As- > bly and endeavored sincerely to solve the sembly, and the Local Assembly be given > problem by local consultation. The members opportunity to furnish a written explanation > of the National Assembly believe that prac- of the matter, before the National Assembly > tically every Baha'i problem can be removed decides whether to entertain the appeal. By > by full and frank consultation on the part of ••attested copy" is meant a copy signed by the > the believers directly concerned. But this Secretary or other Officer of the Local As- > BAHA'l PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 17 > sembly duly chosen by the Local Assembly in matters affecting themselves personally > to furnish the record. but also in larger matters affecting the Cause > 8. The National Assembly will announce in their community. For example, if there > both to the appellant and to the Local As- be real evidence that a Local Assembly has > sembly its decision, which decision is bind- not been properly elected, any Baha'i in that > ing upon the appellant, the Local Assembly community may and in fact should join with > and the local Baha'i community. In enter- other local Baha'is in making the matter > taining an appeal, the National Spiritual known to the National Assembly. In the > Assembly will endeavor to raise the problem same way, if a duly elected Assembly for any > from the realm of personality to the plane reason is unable or unwilling to hold regu- > of the Teachings and Principles of Adminis- lar meetings and function as a Local As- > tration, and seek not merely to announce a sembly, it is incumbent upon the Baha'is > final decision but also to point out wherever of that community to report the matter to > possible the grounds for true understanding the National Assembly. In such case the Na- > and reconciliation on the part of the believ- tional Assembly may order a new election. > ers immediately affected by the problem ap- 12. A Local Assembly which finds itself > pealed. in dispute with another Local Assembly may > 9. Unless the National Spiritual Assembly refer the matter to the National Assembly > is entertaining an appeal of a strictly per- if the matter can not be settled by the two > sonal and private nature, the Local Spiritual Local Assemblies in accordance with the > Assembly should present the decision of the Teachings and Princi,ples of the Cause. > National Assembly to the entire local Baha'i In conclusion, the members of the Nation- > community, for the information and guid- al Spiritual Assembly would emphasize the > ance of the community. vital fact that in the Baha'i Faith, all rights > 10. Local Assemblies are requested to give are hala:hced by the obligation to maintain > individual believers every opportunity for true unity among the followers of Baha'u'l- > full and frank discussion of matters which lah. But "Justice is loved above all," and > seem to cause dissatisfaction, in order to this statement on appeals has been prepared > prevent local problems coming to the point in order to make it possible for every be- > of formal appeal to the National Assembly. liever to obtain the fullest measure of jus- > Local Assemblies should freely receive ap- tice in relation to his Local Assembly and to > peals for reconsideration of its decisions his fellow Baha'is.-N. S. •A. > from members of the local Baha'i com- > munity, and endeavor to turn these into oc- > casions for increasing the spirit of true unity PROCEDURE FOR CON- > between itself and all members of the com- > munity. Believers having a grievance DUCT OF JURIDICAL > against their Local Spiritual Assembly, or SESSIONS > against another ,believer in the community, > have a right to present that grievance pri- WHEREAS, the National Spiritual Assem- > vately to the Local Assembly. If the Local bly, by virtue of its stated powers and re- > Assembly considers a grievance between two sponsibilities, is from time to time required > or more members of the community, and to exercise the jurisdiction of a court in de- > cannot remove that grievance, it should re- termining matters of fact and of Baha'i > f er the matter to the National Assemblyáfor principle arising from actions, misunder- > advice and assistance, after securing the ap- standings áand disputes among the Baha'is > proval of all parties to the grievance that of the United States and Canada, and > the matter be referred to the National body. WHEREAS, the National Spiritual Assem- > Any believer unwilling to have the grievance bly is a Baha'i institution in process of de- > referred to the National Assembly must ac- velopment toward the status of a House of > cept the decision of the Local Assembly in Justice, which status is charged with juris- > regard to the grievi.ance.But when the griev- diction of all manner of personal and com- > ance has been referred to the National As- munity matters under the standard of divine > sembly with the approval of all the individ- Justice established in the teachings of the > ual ábelievers directly affected, all such be- Baha'i Faith, therefore be it > lievers are bound to accept the decision of RESOLVED, that the National Spiritual > the National body. Loeal Assemblies, like Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States > the National Assembly, should deal with be- and Canada, seeking to fulfill its duties and > lievers directly and not through any repre- responsibilities in the promotion of that Jus- > sentative. tice among ábelievers, shall henceforth ob- > 11. Individual believers may justifiably serve the following procedure when exer- > appeal to the National Assembly not merely cising jurisdiction over disputes: > BAHA't PROCEDURE SECTION FOUR, SHEET 18 > 1. Each case requiring judicial action by case, both :before and after determina- > the Assembly shall 1be divided into tion of a final decision, shall be confined > three successive and distinct stages, to such reports and comments as are > viz.; duly agreed upon by the Assembly and > fully recorded in its Minutes. > A. The determination of all relevant 3. In arriving at its final decision, the As- > facts. sembly shall endeavor faithfully to rise > B. The determination of what princi- above a 11 personal considerations, > ple or principles in the Baha'i teach- either of undue love and affection for > ings apply to said facts. or undue prejudice against any of the > C. The determination of a final deci- persons likely to be a~ected by that > sion of the case based upon (1) a final decision ; shall consider dispas- > written record of facts duly ac- sionately the facts and principles at is- > cepted by the Assembly and (2) a sue and not the persons, and shall > written analysis of the fundamental strive in its decision of all disputes to > principles involved, likewise duly manifest the reality of Baha'u'llah's > accepted by the Assembly. teaching that "Justice is loved above > 2. Any and all report or comment on the all."-N. S. A. > BAHA't PROCEDURE INDEX, SHEET 1 > 'Abdu'l-Baha, stories about, I-3; Will and Testa- Assembly, National Spiritual, Continued > ment, I-7; instruction in Will and Testa- unique significance of, III-2 • > ment of, II-26 qu:3-li~cations of members of: III-3; > Anniversaries_., I-6; calendar of, II-6; and Feasts prm~1ple of plurality vote, III-4; > I-7 ' considered verdict to be upheld, III-4; > the supreme body, III-4-5; > Aqdas, Laws of, I-1 must uphold and enforce constitution III-5; > Archives, importance of, I-5; preservation of two cardinal principles, III-5 • ' > relics, I-5; classification of material for I- undisputed authority reaff~ed III-5 • > 19; collection of Tablets, II-26; l~cal consultation with believers thr~ugh Io~al As- > Archives, II-27 semblies, III-.:6; > main purpose of Nineteen Day Feasts, III-6; > Assembly, Spiritual, local, relation to individual > status of members at Convention III-6 • > teacher, I-15; establishment of, IV-1; ' ' > institution of (functions and duties), II-1; purpose of, IV-1; > procedure for conduct of, II-3-4-5-6-7; to be annually re-elected, IV-1; > duties and obligations of, II-8; to exercise full authority, IV-1; > institution of, II-9; to appoint committees, IV-1 • > obligation to establish, II-14; decides what issues are national IV-1 • > incorporation of, II-14; > to evolve into National House of Justic~ IV-1 • > annual election of, II-15; to elect members of International Ho~se of > institution of new Assemblies, II-15; Justice, IV-1; > members to attend meetings, II-15; > centralization of authority in, IV-1; > voting list, II-15; result if requisite is not realized IV-1 • > residential requirements for new Assemblies, > obedience of individual Bahli'is, d~legates, > II-16; groups and Assemblies to, IV-1-2 • > enrollment of believers by, II-16; no conflict of authority, no duality, iV-2; > rights of individual believers, II-20; morally responsible for abuse of power by any > reports from, II-24; body or institution, IV-2; > how to enroll new believers, II-24; > sole link with International House of Justice > relation of to National Spiritual Assembly, II- IV-2; ' > 24; disputes concerning to be referred to National > review and publication by, II-25; > Assembly, IV-2; > instruction in Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l- > no institution can entertain appeals against, > Baha by, II-26; IV-2; > to study reports and recommendations, II-26; changes in membership of, IV-2; > to approve radio programs, II-26; > :esponsibility of, IV-10-11; > not to sanction annual memorial meetings II- mternal procedure, IV-12-13-14-15; > 26; ' > calendar of annual actions, IV-12; > collection of Tablets by, II-26; attendance of individual members not to be re- > representation at inter-organization confer- > ported, IV-13; > ences, II-26; correspondence with individuals, IV-13; > permanent address of, II-27; consultation with believers, IV-13 • > contact with civil authorites, II-27; Palestine Branch of, IV-15; ' > settlement of disputes, II-27; procedure for appeals from decisions of local > prevention of slander, II-29; Assemblies, IV-15-16-17; > agency for consultation with National Assem- > procedure for conduct of juridical sessions, > bly, III-6; IV-17-18. > concentration of power in, IV-1; > legal constitution of, IV-2; Bab, in dramas, 1-2 > obedience of to National Assembly imperative, Baha'i News, distribution of, IV-13 > IV-2; Baha'u'llah, in dramas, 1-2; basic principles of, > to establish a Fund, IV-2 ; II-10; laws to be enforced, IV-7 > national activities not under jurisdiction of Believer, Qualifications of, 1-1; > IV4; ' voting right of, I-14; > consultation, IV-11-12; registration of isolated believer, 1-14; > procedure on appeals from decisions of, IV-15- first approach local, then National Assembly, > 16-17. I-15; > Assembly, National Spiritual, correspondence relation to community, I-15; > with individual believers, I-14; relation to Assembly, 1-15; > contact with civil authorities, I-17; consultation on personal difficulties I-19; > institution of, II-9; admittance of new believer • II-15 á' > relation of local Assembly to, II-24; preparation of, for member~hip, 1i-1s • > election of, IIl-1-2; rights of, II-20; ' > independence of, III-2; transfer of, II-24; > BAHA'l PROCEDURE INDEX, SHEET 2 > Believer, Continued Convention, Continued > contact with civil authorities, II-27; status of National Assembly members at Con- > misunderstandings and differences between, II- vention, lll-6; > 27. summary of Convention functions, 111-6-7; > Bequest, form of, 1-17 procedure for conduct of, 111-7-8-9; > Business, among believers, 1-22 Convention call, IIl-7; > order of business, Ill-8; > By-Laws, of local Spiritual Assembly, II-8 conduct of business, Ill-8-9; > Centers, status of, II-27 annual election, IIl-9; > Civil authority, relations to, voting, 1-13; no al- Convention record, IIl-9; > lusion to political leaders, 1-17; contact with delegates to obey authority of National Assem- > only through N.S.A., 1-17 bly, lV-1-2; > Community, basis of, II-2; consultation with, II- Disputes, settlement of civil, 1-17; between be- > 5; II-7; voting list, 11-15; qualifications of lievers, 11-27; slander and backbiting, II-28 > membership in, II-16; preparation of be- Elections, character of, II-23; 111-9 > lievers for membership in, II-18; residential Fasting, Ordinance of, 1-2 > qualifications of voting membership in, 11-21; > Feasts, 1-7; • > unity of, IV-o-6-7 > Anniversaries, 1-6; > Compilations, publication of, 1-20 calendar of, II-6. > Consultation, proper method of, 1-6; character Fund (local and national), taxes and spiritual > of, 1-6; on personal difficulties, 1-19; Assem- offerings, 1-4; > bly consultation, IV-11-12; Assembly con- how funds are to be contributed, 1-5; > sultation with individuals, IV-13 test of faith, 1-6; IV-3; > Convention, number of delegates fixed, IIl-1; importance of, 1-21; > pJ:'.oportionate assignment of, IIl-1; on collection of, II-26; > delegates to elect National Spiritual Assem- under exclusive control of Assembly, lV-2; > bly, III-1; unlabelled donations to National Fund, lV-3; > Convention and National Spiritual Assembly contributions to be voluntary, IV-3; > to exemplify high ideals, III-1; importance of National Fund, IV-3; > Guardian's appeal to, III-1; anonymous contributions to, lV-3; > rightly elected Assembly appointed of God, donations to National Fund tax exempt, IV-15. > 111-1; Funeral service, Baha'i, 1-4; use of burial stones, > delegates to fulfill functions of consultative and 1-4 > co-operative body, IIl-2; Greatest Name, translation of symbol of, 1-2; > incoming Assembly to seek advice, 111-2; legally protected, 1-3 > National Assembly retains final decision, IIl-2; > consultation on matters requiring immediate Groups, correspondent, 1-15 > decision, IIl-2; Guardian, letters of, 1-3; letters to individuals, > unanimity desired, majority decision prevails, l-3; relation to individual believers, 1-3; > 111-2; birthday not to be observed, 1-4; correspond- > election of delegates, IIl-2; ence with, II-20; publication of letters, lV-12 > central principle of administration, 111-2; Leases, application for, lV-15 > two-fold purpose, IIl-3; Marriage, nature of, 1-4 > privilege and task of delegates, lll-3; Memorial meetings, annual, II-26 > qualifications of Assembly members, 111-3; National Committees, national activities to be re- > to be annual, III-3; ferred to, IV-3-4; reports of, lV-4; relation > to be held during Ridvan period, IIl-4; of to National Assembly, lV-4-5; Reviewing > time and place to be decided by National As- Committee, IV-8; Publishing Committee, IV- > sembly, IIl-4; 8-9; Archives Committee, lV-9; Regional > if necessary Convention can be omitted, Ill-4; committees, lV-9; Youth Committee, IV-9 > duty to attend, 111-4; > absent delegates to vote by mail, Ill-4; Nineteen Day Feast, 1-6; calendar of, II-6; An- > freedom of elector, IIl-4-5; niversaries, 1-7; youth at, 1-21; personal > Convention not the supreme body, Ill-4-5; matters barred from, II-29; main purpose of, > function is advisory, 111-5; 111-6; conduct of, II-5-6-7. > delegates independent, IIl-5; Non-political character, 1-13 > election of Convention officers, 111-5; Organizations (non-Baha'i), membership in, 1-7; > Declaration of Trust and By-Laws binding contact with, 1-8; membership in, religious, > upon Convention, 111-5; 1-8; contact with, 11-26. > non-delegates not to intervene, lll-5; Orientals, association with, 1-19 > two cardinal principles, IIl-5; Pilgrim's notes, not to be given prominence or > not a continuous body, 111-5; official recognition, 1-3; National Assembly > not a body with parliamentary functions, Ill-6; will not have them authenticated nor co- > two-fold function of Convention, IIl-6; operate in their distribution, IV-13. > BAHA'I PROCEDURE INDEX, SHEET 3 > Prayer, Daily Obligatory, I-1; congregational, Teaching, Continued > I-4. status of traveling teacher, I-16; > Publishing, of compilations, I-20; co-operation individual freedom, I-16; > with authors, I-21; review and publication duty of every Baha'i, I-16; > by local Assembly, II-25. individual teaching, I-16; > Radio Programs, II-26 through drama and art, I-16; > Real estate, holding of, IV-15 material to be approved, I-16; > credentials for traveling teacher, I-17; > Relief, question of, I-21 approach to important persons, I-17; > Ringstones, use of, I-4 distinction between public and private, I-17; > Slander and backbiting, see Disputes not an economic system, I-20. > Summer Schools, purpose of, I-20; leases of Temple meetings, I-5; chanting in, I-5; dramatic > property at, IV-15. performances in, I-5; models to be approved, > Tablets, and talks, distinction between, I-3. I-20; future contracts, IV-8. > Tax exemption, on donations to National Fund, Transliteration of Persian terms, I-2 > IV-15. War, Baha'is and, I-11; action by League of Na- > Teaching, care in presenting, I-14; tions, I-12. > Organic Unity, I-14; Youth, activities, IV-9; attendance at Nineteen > and administration, I-15; Day Feast, I-21. > > — *Baha'i Procedure (Used by permission of the curator)*