# Pilgrim Notes

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-18 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Emeric Sala, Pilgrim Notes, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> Pilgrim Notes
> 
> Emeric Sala
> 
> 1938?
> 
> The object of my visit to the Holy Land was to meet Shoghi Effendi. I did not
> meet him. I met instead the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith. Shoghi Effendi,
> the man, sacrificed himself long ago for this Faith which is to unite all
> humanity. There is perhaps no man living who has given so much of self. He
> has given everything to God. He has no will of his own. Yet whatever he wills
> becomes an accomplished fact. He has no desire of his own. Yet as soon as he
> expresses a wish, the followers of this Faith voluntarily strive to fulfill.
> He is the first Guardian of the Baha'i Faith and establishes the precedent
> for a new type of leadership. He commands the unconditional, spontaneous
> obedience of a world-wide community without need of coercion. His guidance is
> based on the same Faith upon which our loyalty rests. His authority and our
> obedience guarantee the unity of the World Order of Baha'u'llah.
> 
> For five evenings I had the Guardian's undivided attention. To hear him speak,
> to watch his method, to follow his answers and to feel his power is one of the
> most unique experiences of our time. One feels that his faith is the Faith of
> God and that his will is the Will of God. There is nothing personal about him.
> He expects us also to forget ourselves.
> 
> As my notes are not the exact words of the Guardian, they cannot be quoted as
> such. I will only try to express his views as far as I can understand them.
> They are approximations, and should not be taken as authoritative.
> 
> My first few questions related to the Guardianship. His chief function is to
> guard the unity of the Baha'i Faith. Interpretation of the writings is
> vested in him as a means to that end. The Guardian has the sole right to
> determine what is subject to interpretation and what is subject to legislation.
> He can change his own verdict should he find it necessary. Future Guardians
> will re-interpret the writings as at present interpreted in the writings of
> Shoghi Effendi, even the Dispensation will be re-written. Each Guardian is
> guided as to the exigencies of the time and circumstances. In that sense their
> interpretation is limited to the understanding of the people he is speaking to.
> The Guardian is not all-knowing or perfect, yet we know he receives sufficient
> guidance to interpret what is required. Translation of the writings is also
> interpretation.
> 
> The Administrative Order of the Baha'i Cause rests upon two pillars: the
> Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice. Upon both are conferred
> unerring guidance. The local and National houses are not infallible although
> they command the same authority within their respective jurisdiction.
> 
> The years 1957 and 1963 referred to in the teachings indicate the beginning of
> the lesser peace, or the political unity of the nations of the world. The Most
> Great Peace with the universal recognition of Baha'u'llah will not occur in
> this century - 20th century.
> 
> Abdu'l-Baha's statement regarding voluntary sharing of wealth, quoting 1/3
> and in another instance 2/5 is only indicative of the future trend. Similarly
> every reference to profit-sharing should be taken only as examples. The
> International House of Justice will legislate on all these matters. There is
> no system of Baha'i economics. We have only general principles. The system
> will be developed as the need arises.
> 
> We cannot compare, much less identify the Baha'i Commonwealth of the future
> with any of the existing or known systems of government. The assumption that
> the Baha'i plan is reformed capitalism is incorrect even though we do uphold
> private property. For so do the socialists and to a lesser degree the
> communists. The difference between socialism and capitalism does not rest upon
> the issue of property, but on the question of the ownership and control of
> the means of production. Baha'u'llah does not answer this directly therefore
> it will be settled by the International House of Justice. In the meantime we
> cannot and should not lean to the right or to the left.
> 
> My observation of a tendency towards stereotyped thinking amongst the American
> Baha'is was confirmed by the Guardian. This however is temporary. Free and
> original thinking should be encouraged. Each Baha'i group should develop its
> own peculiar distinctions and through this diversity of characteristics, the
> whole Baha'i world will be enriched. The present censorship of Baha'i
> writers is also a temporary measure. Freedom of speech and thought will be
> maintained in the Baha'i World Order. Freedom does not mean license however.
> 
> We may pray to God direct, if we have the right conception of God. We may pray
> to Baha'u'llah, Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, or any other person in the
> other world, or in this world who is close to us if our conception is the right
> one. Praying is like asking. If we ask long enough, earnestly for the right
> thing, we will get an answer.
> 
> Dr. Esselmont's book has been translated into 33 languages, Hidden Words into
> 14, the Book of Assurance into 12 and Some Answered Questions into 4 languages.
> Question: If individuals withdraw, the Cause remains. What if groups do?
> 
> Answer: In the future whole National Assemblies might withdraw, but the
> unity of the Cause will remain unimpaired.
> 
> Question: Were there Manifestations before the Ice Age?
> 
> Answer: If there were men, there were Manifestations. Future scientists
> will determine.
> 
> Question: Can we pray to God direct?
> " " " " Baha'u'llah direct?
> " " " " Abdu'l-Baha "
> " " " " Shoghi Effendi "
> " " " " anyone "?
> 
> Answer: Yes, if we have the right conception of each of these. We may pray
> to anyone in this world or in the next if we have the right
> conception.
> 
> Question: The Baha'i system is a political institution?
> 
> Answer: Yes but we do not stress this at present.
> 
> Question: Is the fear of God a good thing to believe in?
> 
> Answer: Yes. The fear and love of God are the same: we should fear His
> Justice, love His Mercy. Fear alone is not enough.
> 
> Question: There is a tendency with the friends to curtail free thought. Any
> subject not touched upon or developed by the Guardian is thought of
> quite often as non-essential or even contrary to the teachings.
> Should not free thinking be encouraged?
> 
> Answer: Yes. Free and original thinking should be encouraged.
> 
> Question: Other Baha'is might be inspired to think of something before the
> Guardian thought of it?
> 
> Answer: Yes. (The Guardian will receive inspiration according to the needs
> of the Baha'i World.)
> Question: You are the Guardian of the Cause. I am the guardian of my own
> life.
> 
> Answer: Yes.
> 
> Question: Do you always see the wisdom of your own decisions?
> 
> Answer: Not necessarily - he does not always see the wisdom of his own
> decisions. Even Abdu'l-Baha's interpretations appeared contrary
> his reason (Shoghi Effendi's) sometimes.
> 
> Question: Your interpretation is not every aspect of the truth?
> 
> Answer: No it is not.
> 
> Question: What you say is only relatively true?
> 
> Answer: Yes but we must accept the aspect given for the time.
> 
> Question: Is it better to have guidance than inspiration?
> 
> Answer: Yes. Inspiration may come from the ego while guidance comes only to
> those who are free from self.
> 
> The Baha'i Faith was founded on two orders and two Prophets.
> 
> 1- Baha'u'llah, a Prophet.
> 
> 2- Bab, a Prophet.
> 
> 3- Abdu'l-Baha, an order.
> 
> 4- Administrative Order, which has two pillars: these two are
> absolutely indispensable to each other.
> 
> Regarding Abdu'l-Baha's statements. He was not a lawyer. He did not speak
> as one. His writings need to be codified and classified. Form of the writings
> need not be perfect but the substance must be. The Master's form was not
> perfect.
> 
> To have faith and to retain it one must nourish it constantly as the sap
> nourishes the tree in order that it will not dry out - by prayer, meditation,
> study, observation and conscious activity (service).
> 
> Greenland will become green, the climate will change.
> The Administration is sufficiently perfected for the present. We in the West
> are tempted to continue making laws and regulations. We must restrain this and
> concentrate on teaching. Teaching is now the most important thing.
> 
> Outside ornamentation of the Temple is a necessity: interior is a luxury. The
> latter should be left for the next Baha'i century for completion.
> 
> Centenial gatherings may be held in the Temple. Reading of prayers and
> meditations revealed by the other great Prophets should be encouraged in the
> Temple.
> 
> Most striking difference between the Papacy and the Guardianship is that the
> former has both the power of interpretation and legislation while the latter
> has only the power of interpretation.
> 
> Muhammadan Dispensation brought Patriotism.
> 
> There is nothing in the teachings about the control of the means of production.
> The future will decide.
> 
> Threefold unity upheld by the Baha'i Cause:
> 
> unity of the Prophets,
> 
> unity of mankind,
> 
> unity of God.
> 
> Regarding immaculate conception: the Master and Baha'u'llah both confirmed
> this. It is true but do not stress it.
> 
> Regarding kissing Abdu'l-Baha's clothing, dress of the greatest Holy Leaf,
> do not encourage but do not forbid. Leave to the individual.
> 
> Horace Holley in Green Acre referred to words attributed to the Master
> "Communism should have been stamped out the moment it appeared." It does not
> seem to be authentic - Shoghi Effendi said he did not know exactly.
> 
> Question: In spirit are all the Guardians the same?
> 
> Answer: Yes, all are under the same power of unerring guidance.
> 
> Question: Is revelation interpretation?
> 
> Answer: Yes: Guardians' differ from the Prophets' interpretation. The
> latter receive Theirs from God direct, the former derive
> theirs through the Prophets.
> Question: Is perfect justice impossible?
> 
> Answer: Yes.
> 
> Question: Does this mean that the International House of Justice will not give
> perfect justice?
> 
> Answer: They will have the unerring guidance of God.
> 
> Question: Between the two camps of right and left which will win?
> 
> Answer: Neither.
> 
> Question: Did you ever say or write anything in the capacity of Guardian,
> realizing afterwards that it was a mistake?
> 
> Answer: Not in the interpretation of the teachings.
> 
> Question: Does infallibility mean perfection?
> 
> Answer: No. (At a later date Shoghi Effendi said the future Guardians may
> not all be saints but that that will not deter them from receiving
> the unerring guidance of God. I did not mean that Shoghi Effendi
> implied that he was a saint.)
> 
> Baha'u'llah stated that drinking should be forbidden for 800 years. (It may
> be longer than that number of years.) He was very definite in His statements
> regarding this.
> 
> When or if the Guardian comes to America, he does not know. It depends upon
> the friends. If he feels the urge from them.
> 
> To teach Faith, a story, an episode, an act may be sufficient.
> 
> Canadians should be proud of Miss Marion Jack. Her work should be increasingly
> appreciated.
> 
> A child should be restrained, a youth curbed, the old supported.
> 
> Question: Faith without reason is superstition?
> 
> Answer: Yes, but the faith which supercedes reason is not superstition.
> 
> Non-attendance at Unity Feasts does not disqualify voting rights or memberships
> in the Baha'i community.
> 
> In essentials unity, in non-essentials diversity. It is the right of the
> Guardian or the Universal House of Justice to decide which is which.
> 
> The period of engagement is 90 days. If marriage does not take place within
> that time, the engagement must be annulled. This law is enforced in the East
> only.
> 
> Faith should make us obey spontaneously.
> 
> There is nothing in the writings about birth control.
> 
> There is nothing about lotteries in the teachings, though gambling is
> forbidden. (While Emeric was in Haifa a letter was received by the Guardian
> from a Persian Baha'i regarding lotteries. The Guardian did not seem to
> regard it as gambling for as far as Emeric remembers the Guardian said that it
> was not mentioned in the writings. He said the Universal House of Justice
> would determine that question.)
> 
> The Guardian does not wait for inspiration. He works and while working it
> comes in a continuous flow.
> 
> He does not know at present when or where the War will come. (The Guardian
> does not speculate about the future. He has no curiosity.)
> 
> Guardians will always be chosen from the family of Baha'u'llah. The Afnans
> will have no special privileges.
> 
> The Guardian confirmed these thoughts of Emeric's.
> 
> "Moses brought the law; Christ brought love; Baha'u'llah brought justice the
> combination of those two forces. Justice can only be expressed by groups and
> Baha'u'llah has created such groups."
> 
> 19 equals unity, 19 years make a cycle, 19 cycles make 361 years, a great
> cycle.
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views502 views since posted 2026-02-22; last edit 2026-02-23 01:52 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../sala_pilgrim_notes
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> Citation: ris/7257
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> — *Pilgrim Notes (Used by permission of the curator)*