An Aid to the Study of the Administrative Order/Text

An Aid to the Study of the Administrative Order

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[Page i] AN AID TO THE STUDY OF

THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER OF THE FAITH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

By Study Aids Committee

Approved by Bahá’í Reviewing Committee Revised 1948

"Without the study and application of the Administration the teaching of the Cause becomes not only meaningless, but loses in effectiveness and scope." -- Letter from the Guardian, published in Bahá’í News, No. 105, p. 1.

Bahá’í Publishing Committee 110 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. [Page 1]

REFERENCE BOOKS for study of the Administrative Order

1. Bahá’í Administration. (Pages given are for the 1928 edition. Correlation with pages in the 1945 edition is appended.) 2. World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (WOB) Letters of Shoghi Effendi. 3. Bahá’í Community, extracts from Letters of Shoghi Effendi and decisions of the N.S.A. 4. Bahá’í Procedure (1942 edition). 5. Bahá’í World Faith (BWF), selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. 6. Advent of Divine Justice (ADJ), by Shoghi Effendi. 7. God Passes By (GPB), by Shoghi Effendi. 8. Messages to America 1932-1936 (MA), Communications from Shoghi Effendi. 9. Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National and Local Spiritual Assemblies, 1945 edition.

The first three books are necessary to follow the study. The entire list is desirable.

Excerpts from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are included in pages 3-12 of Bahá’í Administration. The remainder of this book is composed of letters from Shoghi Effendi, written 1922-1927 (1922-1932 in the 1945 edition), in which he is guiding and encouraging the establishment of the Administrative Order.

Letters from the Guardian (written 1929-1936) compose the volume entitled World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (referred to as WOB). One of these letters, dated February 8, 1934, has been given the title "The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh" and is published separately in a paper cover. The section on the Administrative Order in this letter is required reading for the study of this subject. With the thought that everyone in a class will wish to have a copy of the "Dispensation" for intensive study, it is mentioned specifically wherever reference to it is made. The pages are the same as in WOB, from which it is reprinted. (If you have the original reprint, renumber pages, making page 5, page 97; page 6, page 98, etc.)

Bahá’í Procedure is a book compiled by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada from letters from the Guardian published in Bahá’í Administration and from other letters received from him, together with passages from decisions of the National Spiritual Assembly (N.S.A.) published in issues of Bahá’í News from time to time. Bahá’í Procedure also contains the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National and Local Spiritual Assemblies, a revised (1945) edition of which has been published separately.

Advent of Divine Justice (ADJ) is a letter from the Guardian dated December 25, 1938. It contains many quotations from hitherto untranslated Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as many from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

God Passes By (GPB) is the Guardian’s history of the Bahá’í Faith covering the first century of the Bahá’í Era (1844-1944).

All these books are available from the Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. Printed in U.S.A.

[Page 2]

Correlation of pages

BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATION - 1928 and 1945 editions

(All pages given are inclusive)

1928	1945	1928	1945	1928	1945
3-12	same	70	79-80	118	127-128
15-26	same	71	80-81	119	128-129
--	27-29	72	81-82	120	129-130
27-28	30-31	73	82-83	121	130-131
--	31-33	74	83-84	122	131-132
28	33	75	84-85	123	132-133
29	34	76	85-86	124	134
30	35	77	86-87	125	135
31	36	78	87-88	126	136
32	37	79	88-89	127	137
33	38	80	89-90	128	138
34	39	81	90-91	129	139
35	40	82	91-92	130	140
36	41	83	92-93	131	141
37	42	84	93-94	132	142
38	43	85	94-95	133	143-144
--	43-44	86	95-96	134	144
39	45	87	96-97	135	145
40	46	88	97-98	136	146
41	47	89	98-99	137	147
--	48	90	99-100	--	147-196 (end)
42	48-49	91	100-101
43	50	92	101-102
44	50-51	93	102-103
45	51-52	94	103-104
46	52-53	95	104-105
47	53-54	96	105-106
48	54-55	97	106-107
49	55-56	98	107-108
50	56-57	99	108-109
--	57-60	100	109-110
51	60-61	101	110-111
52	61-62	102	111-112
53	62-63	103	112-113
54	63-64	104	113-114
55	64-65	105	114
56	65-66	105	118-119
57	66-67	106	119-120
58	67-68	107	120
59	68-69	107	115
60	69-70	108	115-116
61	70-71	109	116-117
62	71-72	110	117-118
63	72-73	111	120-121
64	73-74	112	121-122
65	74-75	113	122-123
66	75-76	114	123-124
67	76-77	115	124-125
68	77-78	116	125-126
69	78-79	117	126-127

Printed in the U. S. A. [Page 3] "It should be remembered by every follower of the Cause that the system of Bahá’í administration is not an innovation imposed arbitrarily upon the Bahá’ís of the world. since the Master's passing, but derives its authority from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is specifically prescribed in unnumbered Tablets, and rests in some of its essential features upon the explicit provisions of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. It thus unifies and correlates the principles separately laid down by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and is indissolubly bound with the essential verities of the Faith."--Shoghi Effendi (WOB 5).

A. PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH:

Preparatory period -the "twin resplendent lights" Shaykh Ahmad and Siyyid Kázim taught many learned and sincere souls of the coming of the Promised One, and prepared them for "His Cause" (see Dawn-Breakers, Part I, "Pre-Revelation Days; GPB 97).

Periods outlined by the Guardian in "The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh" and in God Passes By (xiii-xv, 324-5):

1. The Heroic, Primitive and Apostolic Age:

First Century of Bahá’í Era divided into four periods:

1st period 1844-53 -- period of Revelation of the Báb -- from Declaration of His Mission, 1844, to imprisonment of Bahá’u’lláh in the dungeon in Tihran.

2nd period 1853-92 22 period of Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh from release of Bahá’u’lláh from the dungeon, 1853, where He had received the first intimation of His Mission, to His Ascension in 1892.

These two periods constitute the "Period of Divine Revelation" "almost fifty years of continuous and progressive Revelation" (Disp. 143).

3rd period 1892-1921 period of Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

2. The Formative, Transitional and Iron Age:

4th period 1921-44 "The inception of this fourth, the last period of the first Bahá’í century synchronizes with the birth of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Era, with the founding of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh system which is at once the harbinger, the nucleus and pattern of His World Order" (GPB xv).

- (From the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921, with the release of His Will and Testament and the establishment of the Guardianship, to the end of the 1st Century.) [Page 4] 3. The Golden Age -- "the age in which the face of the earth, from pole to pole, will mirror the ineffable splendors of the Abhá Paradise" (WOB 206).

The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is "the perpetual, the indissoluble link which the mind of Him Who is the Mystery of God has conceived in order to insure the continuity of the three ages that constitute the component parts of the Bahá’í Dispensation" (Disp. 143-4).

B. DEFINITION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER:

1. "To be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fullness of time the whole of mankind" (Disp. 144).

2. "The framework of the Will itself" (Disp. 144).

3. The sole framework of the Bahá’í Commonwealth of the future (Disp. 152).

4. The "hall-mark of this second and formative age of the Bahá’í era" (Disp. 156). (Hall-mark: "The official mark stamped on an article to attest its purity" (Webster Dictionary).)

5. "The chief agency empowered to usher in the concluding phase, the consummation of this glorious Dispensation" (Disp. 156).

C. SOURCE AND AUTHORITY -- in the written, revealed Word (WOB 5):

1. Bahá’u’lláh - "The bedrock on which this Administrative Order is founded is God’s immutable Purpose for mankind in this day. The Source from which it derives its inspiration is no one less than Bahá’u’lláh Himself" (Disp. 156). -- Kitáb-i-Aqdas (WOB 3-4, 5, 19, 21-2; Disp. 146-7). -- Kitáb-i-’Ahd (The Book of the Covenant, BWF 207), in which Bahá’u’lláh invests ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with the Station of the Center of His Covenant, hence giving authority to

2. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, BWF 204-5, 209-10; Disp. 133-5, 144-5) -- Will and Testament, the "Charter of the New World Order" (Disp. 144; GPB 325, 328). Its provisions are the "axis" round which the institutions of the Administrative Order revolve (Disp. 156). Read excerpts in Bahá’í Administration, pp. 7,10,11.

3. Referred to by the Báb in His Persian Bayán (Disp. 146-7; GPB 25-6, 325).

E. CHARACTERISTIC UNIQUE:

The Administrative Order is based on written directions having Divine Authority (Disp. 145-6). [Page 5] (This passage in Dispensation is fundamental to the understanding of the Administrative Order and the role it is destined to play)

F. DEVELOPMENT:

Will be through its Institutions. (The Institutions are to be distinguished from the Ordinances of the Faith of ‎Baha’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh‎. The Ordinances are (as given in the Aqdas) Prayer, Fasting, observance of the Anniversaries.)

G. CAUTION:

"The administration of the Cause is to be conceived as an instrument and not a substitute for the Faith of ‎Baha’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh‎" (WOB 9). This is very important. (See also B. Admin. 93.)

II. INSTITUTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

A. THE TWIN PILLARS (that support the Administrative Structure):

1. THE GUARDIANSHIP

(Note: The Guardianship is an Institution of the Administrative Order; the Guardian is a person.)

• a. Source and Authority:
  • i. Foreshadowed in the Aqdas (Disp. 147).
  • ii. Will and Testament (B. Admin. 3, 6-7, 12).
  • iii. Divine in origin (Disp. 148).
  • iv. "Head cornerstone of the Administrative Order of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh" (MA 8).

• b. Purpose and Function:
  • i. Interpretation of the Word (Disp. 150) --not legislation; is therefore not an autocratic principle (Disp. 153).
  • ii. Provides the hereditary principle "invariably upheld by the Law of God" (B. Admin. 8, Disp. 148-9).
  • iii. Complements the Universal House of Justice (Disp. 148, WOB 8, 21-2) --The Guardian is its permanent head (Disp. 150).

• c. Station of the Guardian -- Shoghi Effendi, the First Guardian, has explained (Disp. 151) that the Guardian:
  • i. Is not the perfect exemplar (as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is) but is essentially human.
  • ii. Shares with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the right and obligations to interpret the revealed Word.
  • iii. Is protected and inspired by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh (Disp. 149).
  • iv. We are not to pray to him or to celebrate his birthday. (Disp. 151).

[Page 6]

2. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

a. Source and Authority:

i. Aqdas (Disp. 149) and Will and Testament (B. Admin. 10).

ii. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh:

Ishráqát, 125, 128,130,136,etc. (Bahá’í World Faith 197, 199,200);

Glad Tidings, 89 (BWF 195).

Words of Paradise, 53-4, 55 (BWF 182-3; Disp. 149).

World, 28-9, 33 (BWF 176,179).

b. Purpose and Function:

i. To legislate on matters not expressly provided for in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh (B.Admin. 11; Disp. 149) and

ii. To abrogate its own laws as necessary for progress (WOB 23, Disp. 149, B. Procedure 3-4). "This it can do because these laws form no part of the divine explicit text" (Disp. 149).

iii. Acts in ‎conjuction conjunction‎ with the Guardianship--

"to insure the continuity of that divinely-appointed authority which flows from the Source of our Faith, to safeguard the unity of its followers and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its teachings" (Disp. 148).

c. Establishment:

i. When the local and national Assemblies "function vigorously and harmoniously" (B. Admin. 54; 36).

ii. Not dependent on adoption of the Bahá’í Faith by the masses (WOB 7).

iii. Pending its establishment, local and national bodies are called local and national "Spiritual Assemblies" (B. Admin. 73; WOB 6).

d. Election of members:

i. From "the mass of the faithful" (i.e., the body of all Bahá’ís) (Disp. 154, B.Admin. 11) -- therefore not aristocratic.

ii. Directly, by the "secondary Houses of Justice" (National Spiritual Assemblies) (B.Admin. 10, 34, 36, 75; WOB 7). (Note: The National Spiritual Assemblies are elected indirectly, i.e., through delegates to the Annual Convention.)

iii. Members elected to the Universal House of Justice are responsible to God, not to those who elect them or to those whom they represent--hence not purely democratic (Disp. 153).

iv. Expulsion by Guardian of a member who commits a sin injurious to commonwealth (B.Admin. 10).

e. Station:

i. Whatsoever they decide is of God (Disp. 149)--i.e., the Guardian and the House of Justice together.

ii. Both are under the protection and guidance of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh (Disp. 149).

Comment: As we understand and assist in the functioning of our local Spiritual Assemblies, we speed the establishment of the Universal House of Justice; as we do not, we delay its establishment (WOB 6-7). [Page 7]

3. INSTITUTIONS OF THE GUARDIANSHIP AND THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Each has its separate Institutions (Disp. 148):

a. Institutions of the Guardianship:

i. The Hands of the Cause:

Appointed by the Guardian (B. Admin. 8).

Duties and functions (B. Admin. 8-9).

Special body of nine, elected from their own number, to serve the Guardian (B. Admin. 8).

(Note: Hands of the Cause were first appointed by Bahá’u’lláh (WOB 147, 110; GPB 195, 328, 329).)

ii. Huqúq -- a fund mentioned by ‘Abdu’l-‎Baha Bahá‎ in the Will and Testament and in many Tablets (GPB, 328), but not yet called into action by the Guardian.

iii. International Secretariat at Haifa (B. Admin. 108).

b. Institutions of the Universal House of Justice (insofar as we know, we cannot really study these yet because they are not in effect):

i. Bahá’í Fund--spoken of in the Aqdas.

B. THE "SECONDARY HOUSES OF JUSTICE" (THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES)

1. Source and Authority:

Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (B. Admin. 10; B. Admin. 34; WOB 5-6).

2. Establishment (B. Admin. 34). (Name "National Spiritual Assembly" is temporary (B. Admin. 73).)

3. Function-- an "intermediary body" (WOB 5):

a. To elect directly the members of the Universal House of Justice (B. Admin. 34).

b. To correlate and administer all national activities, through consultations and committees (B. Admin. 34, 131-2; B.Com. 46-51,53-55).

In this capacity the NSA is executive as well as legislative and judicial in character (B. Com. 65).

c. To win the confidence and loyalty of the believers; aim is unity (B. Admin. 22, 55, 57-8, 39, 118, 133).

d. To represent the Bahá’ís under its national jurisdiction in their relationship and activities with Bahá’ís of other lands (By-Laws, Art. I).

e. To hear appeals for reconsideration of action taken by National or Local Spiritual Assemblies (By-Laws, Arts. I, VII, Sect. 6 and 9). (See also B.News, No. 71, Feb. 1933, pp. 6-8).

f. To uphold and protect the spirit and interests of the Faith (B. Admin. 37).

g. To represent the believers and local assemblies in relation to the Guardian, and the Guardian in relation to them (B. Proc. 65).

See also Declaration of Trust, and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly, 1945 Revision. [Page 8]

B. THE "SECONDARY HOUSES OF JUSTICE" (cont.)

4. Election of Members:

a. Indirect, i.e., by delegates to the Convention (B. Admin. 34-5, 74-5, 81-2; Revised National By-Laws 1945, Article VIII).

i. Convention, National (B. Admin. 81-2);

Purpose is twofold (B. Com. 59-63):

1. Election of members of National Spiritual Assembly by delegates (B. Admin. 78-9).

2. Consultation (B. Admin. 69-70, 77-8; B. Com. 60-62, 64).

Delegates are elected by Bahá’ís voting in specified Districts (N.S.A. By-Laws 1945 Revision, Art. VIII, Sec. 1-2; B. Com. 55-58).

Have definite responsibilities (B. Admin. 82).

Function is purely advisory (B. Com. 60, 65).

Status of members of N.S.A. (B. Com. 62, 64).

1. Participation in discussion at Convention.

2. Voting privilege only if elected delegate.

b. Eligible for election to N.S.A.: "all the friends in that country" (B. Admin. 35).

c. Qualifications and requisites (B. Admin. 21-2, 78-9).

d. Spirit of Bahá’í elections:

i. "Rarefied atmosphere" (B. Admin. 55-6).

ii. "Silent and prayerful" (B. Admin. 126).

This means no nominations (B. Admin. 126) and no electioneering (B. Proc. 48). If any electioneering is attempted, it should be rebuked at once, as it is the negative and passive attitude which would allow such infringement of the Bahá’í spirit that harms the Cause (Bahá’í News, insert, July, 1938).

5. Station and Responsibility:

a. "The supreme body in that land" (B. Admin. 39; B. Com. 59, 65; B. Admin. 70-71).

b. "Assemblies and not individuals constitute the bedrock on which the ‎Administraticn Administration‎ is built. Everything else must be subordinated to, and be made to serve and advance the best interests of these elected custodians and promoters of the Laws of Bahá’u’lláh" (Letter from the Guardian, B. News, No. 80, p. 6, col. 1). (See also B. Admin. 54).

c. Allegiance to the Assembly is the highest responsibility of every member (B. Proc. 67).

6. Incorporation and By-Laws (B. Admin. 124-5, 132-3, See 1945 Revision, Declaration of Trust and By-Laws).

7. Institutions of the National body:

a. The National Bahá’í Fund (B. Admin. 36-7, 47, 67; B. Com. 52-3; WOB 6)--contributions voluntary in character (B. Admin. 92).

"Each and every believer, undaunted by the uncertainties, the ‎periis perils‎ and the financial stringency afflicting the nation, must arise and insure, to the full measure of his or her capacity, that continuous and abundant flow of funds into the national

[Page 9]

B. THE "SECONDARY HOUSES OF JUSTICE" (cont.)

Treasury, on which the successful prosecution of the Plan must chiefly depend...

"He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with the necessity of maintaining the flow of their contributions to the Temple, and also to stress the importance of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund which, in these early days of the admin- istrative development of the Faith, is the indispensable medium for the growth and expansion of the Movement. Contributions to this fund constitute, in addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion and attachment to the Cause...

"We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being re- filled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good--this is the secret of right living." (Letters from Shoghi Effendi, B. Proc. 8-9.)

b. The Haziratu'l-Quds--the national teaching, administrative and social center (B. Proc. 70-1; GPB 339). (National Secretariat, MA 23-24.)

8. Palestine Branch of North American N.S.A. (B. Proc.. 64).

C. THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

1. Source and Authority:

a. Kitáb-i-Aqdas, quoted in B. Admin. 21.

b. Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (B. Admin. 20-21; GPB 332).

c. Letters from Shoghi Effendi (B. Admin. 32).

2. Establishment:

In any locality where the number of adult declared Bahá’ís reaches nine (B. Com. 35-37).

3. Function -- is threefold (executive, legislative, judicial) within its local limits (B. Admin. 23; B. Com. 22), in accordance with By- Laws of the N.S.A. (Art. VII) and of the L.S.A. These are based on letters from the Guardian published in Bahá’í Administration.

a. Two conditions on which function is dependent (B. Admin. 22):

i. Unity of members.

ii. Prayer

b. To consolidate teaching and other activities (B. Admin. 32).

c. To protect the Cause (B. Admin. 33).

d. To promote amity and concord among the friends (B. Admin. 33; B. Proc. 19-20, 43, 23-25).

e. To help the poor and sick, the orphan, the widow (B. Admin. 33).

f. To educate the children and youth (B. Admin. 33).

g. To stimulate contact and correspondence with other communities (B. Admin. 33), remembering that the central body for reporting such activities is the N.S.A. (B. News, No. 175, p. 6). [Page 10]

C. THE LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES (cont.)

h. To arrange meetings, Feasts, anniversaries and special gatherings (B. Admin. 33). (See also under item 9b.)

i. To supervise all Bahá’í publications and translations and their distribution (B. Admin. 33).

These functions (a-i) are to be referred to special committees elected by the Local Spiritual Assembly and responsible to it (B. Admin. 34).

j. To receive contributions to the Bahá’í Fund (see item 9a).

k. To receive recommendations from the Feasts through its consultation period (see 9b), and if they are approved by the Local Assembly and are for the N.S.A., to transmit them to the N.S.A.

l. To receive applications of qualified persons for new membership in the Bahá’í Community and to insure that the applicant understands and accepts the Guardian’s "fundamental and primary considerations" for membership (B. Admin. 81; also in B. Com. 40-1).

i. Full recognition of station of Forerunner (The Báb), Author (Bahá’u’lláh) and True Exemplar (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) of the Cause as set forth in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament (see B. Admin. 11). These are fully explained by the Guardian in "Dispensation" (WOB 100-139). (See also B. Com. 1-5.)

ii. "Unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen."

iii. "Loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause" of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament.

iv. "Close association with the spirit as well as the form of the present day Bahá’í administration throughout the world."

--The admission of new believers is a function of the Assembly itself and not of a committee. The duties of the Local Assembly are "faithfully to stand as witness that the spirit of the person seeking membership has turned to Bahá’u’lláh and become quickened for life in His Cause" (N.S.A. in B. News, No. 65, Aug. 1932, p. 4). (Read also MA 11, bottom.)

The National Spiritual Assembly therefore has recommended that "Local Assemblies shall read to applicants the qualifications of voting membership as defined in the By-Laws, and record in their minutes the full and complete acceptance by each applicant" (B. News, Aug. 1932).

The believer in this Day has "twin duties": Recognition and action (read BWF 126; B. Proc. 18).

"Allegiance to the Faith cannot be partial and half-hearted. Either we should accept the Cause without any qualification whatever, or cease calling ourselves ‎Baha'is Bahá’ís‎. The new believers should be made to realize that it is not sufficient for them to accept some aspects of the teachings and reject those which cannot suit their mentality in order to become fully recognized and active followers of the Faith. In this way all sorts of misunderstandings will vanish and the organic unity of the Cause will be preserved." (Letter from Shoghi Effendi, B. Proc. 18.)

m. To arrange proper transfers of membership when a Bahá’í moves (B. Com. 44-5). [Page 11]

LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES (cont.)

n. To recommend removal of members from voting list under certain circumstances (B. Proc. 50-1); e.g., in case of continued action not in conformity with the Bahá’í Teachings (as being in politics; disobedience; etc.), subject to approval of N.S.A.

o. To give consultation to individual Bahá’ís whenever requested (B. Proc. 43).

"Regarding consultation: Any person can refer a matter to the Assembly for consultation whether the other person wishes to or not. In matters which affect the Cause the Assembly should, if it deems it necessary, to intervene even if both sides don't want it to, because the whole purpose of the Assemblies is to protect the Faith, the Communities and the individual Bahá’ís as well." (Letter from Shoghi Effendi, B. News, No. 177, Nov. 1945, p. 2.)

p. To incorporate and thus receive legal status (see item 6).

q. In incorporated Local Assemblies, chairman and secretary may perform Bahá’í marriage (B. Proc. 52; B. Com. 16).

"All over the world the Guardian is constantly encouraging and enjoining the believers to learn to function according to Bahá’í laws and principles; members of Spiritual Assemblies must learn to face their responsibilities; individuals must learn to turn to them and abide by their decisions. When we realize that all marriages, divorces, disposal of inheritance, etc., are now handled in Egypt and Persia solely through the Assemblies and that the believers abide by their decisions, we see that in Western Countries the friends still have a long way to go--the sooner they start the better for themselves and for the Faith." (Letter from Shoghi Effendi, B. News, No. 178, Dec. 1945, p. 1.)

Election of Members

a. "Prime requisites" of members (B. Admin. 21-2).

b. By direct election by the friends (B. Admin. 34; B. Proc. 48) at Annual Meeting (see item 9c). (By plurality vote; B. Admin. 126).

c. Obligation to vote -- "sacred duty" (B. Admin. 34, 36).

d. Spirit of Bahá’í elections (B. Admin. 55-6; 126) --see also under National Spiritual Assemblies (items 4c and 4d; 5b and 5c).

e. Election of officers (B. Com. 37, paragraph 9) by "majority vote" (i.e. over half, or 5 or more), of the entire membership of the Assembly, taken by secret ballot (By-Laws of L.S.A., Art. VII). (For carrying out this provision, see B. News, No. 197, July 1947, P. 4.)

f. Obligation to serve (B. Com. 39, paragraph 3).

Meetings

a. Prayerful and united spirit (B. Admin. 20; Promulg. UP 178):

"Bahá’u’lláh has given the promise that in every Assembly where unity and harmony prevail, there His glorious spirit will not only be present, but will animate, sustain and guide all the friends in all their deliberations. It is to unity that the Guardian has" [Page 12]

C. LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES (cont.)

been continually calling the friends. For where a united will exists, nothing can effectively oppose and hamper the forces of constructive development." (Letter from Shoghi Effendi, B. News, No. 190, Dec. 1946, p. 1.)

Prayer which may be used for opening the meeting (B.Admin. 20).

Prayer which may be used for closing the meeting (Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, vol. I, p. 16)

b. Consultation the basis--is "the keynote of the Cause of God" (B.Admin. 54, 21, 131).

"Consultation is the guiding light that giveth enlightenment and leadeth unto the Way" (Tablet of Bahá’u’llah translated by the Guardian, Star of West, 14: 323, Feb. 1924).

"Not to dictate but to consult" (B. Admin. 55).

Members "must take counsel together" (B. Admin. 21: 22).

c. After consultation, decision--arrived at by majority vote or preferably by unanimous vote (B. Admin. 55; B. Proc. 66). (The aim is unity. A majority vote may be found to be in error; unity will rectify the error.)

d. Obedience to decisions (B. Admin. 21-2, 22, 55; B. Com. 24-6).

We show our faith by obedience (B. Admin. 53).

e. Trustworthiness (BWF 169):

Only by holding in strict confidence the matters of Assembly consultation can justice and unity be established (B. Admin. 22).

f. "Personalities should be subordinated under all conditions and however great their merits to the properly constituted Assemblies" (MA 2).

6. Meetings should be attended by all members; continued absence should be recognized as a vacancy and a new member elected (B. Com. 26-7).

h. Criterion of spirituality "is the extent its members feel themselves responsible for the welfare of the group" (B. Proc. 50).

1. Procedure for calling of Meetings and Order of Business is given in B. Com. 22-6.

j. Permanent records are to be kept (B. Com. 27).

6. Incorporation of Assemblies is requested by the Guardian (B. Admin. 125; B. Proc. 45-7). See Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, 1945 edition. Purpose is to provide "the constitutional basis" and "preliminary framework of that complete system of world administration implicit in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh" (B. Admin. 125). (Incorporation provides the legal basis for making contracts.)

7. Station and Responsibility (B. Admin. 23; WOB 6-7)

"Will evolve into the local House of Justice, and at present provide the firm foundation on which the structure of the Master's Will is to be reared in future" (B. Admin. 32).

8. Dissolution under certain conditions (B. Com. 38-40). [Page 13]

C. LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES (cont.)

9. Institutions of the Local Spiritual Assembly: a. The Local Bahá’í Fund: i. Established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Disp. 147; WOB 6). ii. A "test of faith" (B. Proc. 9), to maintain flow to National Bahá’í Fund. (See under N.S.A., item B. 7a.) iii. Voluntary contributions a "sacred obligation" (B.Admin. 36-7).

b. The Nineteen Day Feast--"the foundation of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh" (B. Com. 28).

C.

i. Authority: Established by the Bab and commanded by Bahá’u’lláh (Tablets ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, II-468; B. News, July 1929 (B. Proc. 39) ii. Purpose is unity through spiritual nourishment fellowship and consultation (B. Com. 27-29). Provides the channel through which individual Bahá’ís can offer suggestions to the Local and the National Spiritual Assembly (B. Com. 30). iii. Attitude in attending Feasts: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: "You must free yourselves from everything that is in your hearts, before you enter." (B. Proc. 42.) iv. Conducted in three parts (B. Com. 28): (1) Spiritual--devoted to readings from Bahá’í Sacred Writings (Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá). (2) Consultation period--see B. Com. 29-32: Report from Local Assembly concerning activities: Messages from the Guardian and letters from N.S.A.; local committee reports, etc. General discussion and suggestions. Motions adopted by majority vote of Community on recommendations to Local Assembly, to be considered by L.S.A. at its next meeting and decision reported back to later Feast. Motions adopted by majority vote of community on suggestions for National Spiritual Assembly, to be recommended to that body, if so decided, by L.S.A. Only matters concerning the Cause to be brought up for consultation at Feast. Matters of personal nature should be brought to the Assembly. Opportunity for contributions to local, national and international Bahá’í Funds. (3) Material feast and social meeting of the friends. v. Every member of the Bahá’í community should take part, in attendance and in consultation, who is a voting believer, "unless ill or absent from the city" (B. Com. 29). Bahá’í Youth, and interested youth may attend if they make declaration on reaching 15 years of their intention to become voting members when they become 21 years of age (B. Com. 29). Children of Bahá’ís, under 15 years of age, may attend (B. Proc. 11). Visiting Bahá’ís from other communities may attend (B.Com. 29).

The Annual Meeting on April 21 (B. Admin. 36; B. Com. 32): 1. Purpose: (1) Election of Local Spiritual Assembly by members of the Community. (2) Presentation of annual reports. ii. Presiding officer is chairman of outgoing Assembly. [Page 14]

D. THE BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY

1. Basis is JUSTICE (S.A.Q. 308-310). What is the Bahá’í meaning of Justice?

a. Definition of Justice (Bahá’u’lláh): "The essence of all that We have revealed for thee is Justice, is for man to free himself from idle fancies and imitation, discern with the eye of oneness His glorious handiwork, and look into all things with a searching eye." (BWF 142; also p.140).

"The light of men is justice; quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men. (Words of Paradise, ADJ 23).

"No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it." (Son of the Wolf 28.)

"What this oppressed One requires of all is justice and equity. Let them not satisfy themselves with mere hearing, but reflect upon that which hath proceeded from this oppressed One....The benefit of the utterance of the merciful One goes to those who practice. (Tablet of Ishráqat, BWF 202.)

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá): "The canopy of existence resteth upon the pole of justice, and not of forgiveness, and the life of mankind dependeth on justice and not on forgiveness." (ADJ 24.)

b. Purpose of justice is "the appearance of unity among men." (ADJ 23).

c. What makes man just? "...the fear of God commands people to do that which is just and forbids them that which is evil. (BWF 198, Tablet of Ishraqát, 1st Ishráq; read also the Guardian's translation of the 4th Ishraq in Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p.26.)

d. Bahá’í laws are founded on Justice: e.g., the Law of Unity (BWF 411, 2nd paragraph). the Law of Consultation (B. Admin. 21-22).

e. Application of Justice (BWF 138, "Moderation"; 412, 195 (13th Glad Tidings; WOB 40; BWF 181; ADJ 22-24).

2. Characteristics of the Bahá’í Community:

a. Must be "distinguished" (ADJ 6, 13-14).

b. Prerequisites of "success" (ADJ 18-22; B. Admin. 57, 59-60).

c. Time of trials (WOB 16-17, 201-2; B. Admin. 113).

d. The Community of the Most Great Name (WOB 194-6)--"O people of Bahá!" (ADJ 63-72).

e. A World Commonwealth--"World unity is the goal" (WOB 202-6). [Page 15]

E. THE INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER

1. Within himself: a. Inner realization of "the unfailing efficacy of the Message he bears" (B. Admin. 30, 57, 102, 120; Disp. 100, 1st paragraph). b. Wholehearted allegiance (See under L.S.A., C. 3k). c. Standards of faith: fulfillment of obligations (B. Com. 10-11): The two sustaining pillars: i. Obligatory prayer (B. Com. 11-12) ii. Fasting (B. Com. 12-15) d. Steadfastness in persecution (B. Admin., 1945 edition, p. 162).

2. In relation to the Community as a whole: a. Membership in the Bahá’í Community carries responsibility in action, not in words alone (HW Persian #76,69; BWF 126; B. Admin. 30-2, 59, 99-100). b. Participation in activities: i. Nineteen Day Feasts (see under C. 9b). ii. Voting at Annual Meeting "a sacred responsibility" (MA 3-4). iii. Contribute to Fund (B. Admin. 36-7). c. "Chief duty" is to teach, in cooperation with the Local Spiritual Assembly (B. Admin. 6, 37-8, 59-60, 79). d. Relationship to Bahá’í Community is the most important—not affiliation with other religious organizations or social movements (association, not affiliation)- (B. Com. 67-8; MA 4-5). e. Aloofness from politics (B. Com. 69; WOB 197-9, 63-7; MA 2,15-16). f. Responsibility to protect welfare of the Faith: 1. Travelers should have proper credentials to present to other communities (B. Com. 45). ii. No association with Orientals unless they present proper written credentials (B. Proc. 21; B. Admin. 92). "No excuse whatever is acceptable" (Letter of Shoghi Effendi, B. Proc. 21)

3. In relation to the Local Spiritual Assembly: a. Individual believer as such or as member of the Spiritual Assembly has no status other than that of a member of the Community (B. Proc. 9; MA 2). b. Consultation with the Local Spiritual Assembly on individual as well as on community problems is the duty and right of every individual member of the Community (B. Proc. 19-20; B. Admin. 19; B. News, No. 177, p. 2, col. 3). c. Obedience to decisions of the Spiritual Assembly (B. Admin. 21, 22, 53, 55; B. Com. 26). d. Right of individual believer to make appeal to N.S.A. (B. Proc. 54-7; B. News, No. 71, pp. 6-8). (See under N.S.A., B. 3c.) e. Obligation to serve, if elected or appointed (B. Proc. 8). [Page 16] 4. In relation to other members of the Bahá’í Community: a. "Equal co-sharers," "living witnesses" (B. Admin. 120-1). b. Express love for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in love for fellow believers and all mankind (B. Admin. 30-31, 52-53). ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s three conditions for membership in "the heavenly armies" (BWF 423-427). c. Prayer from the Will and Testament (B. Admin. 5).

III. SUMMARY AND REVIEW as given by the Guardian in God Passes By:

A. Rise of the Administrative Order in the "Formative Period"--323-9. B. Source and Authority -- 324-5. C. Its uniqueness 326. D. Its imperviousness to attack -- 327-8. E. Establishment of the Local Spiritual Assemblies the "broad and solid base" 330-2. F. Establishment of the National Spiritual Assemblies 332-3; 1. The Bahá’í National Constitution (Declaration of Trust)--334-5. 2. Local Constitutions and incorporation--335-7. 3. National endowments and assets--337-9. 4. The institution of the Haziratu’l-Quds (the "sacred fold") and its complementary institutions--339. 5. The Mashriqu’1-Adhkar--339-40, 348-53. 6. The summer schools 340-1. -- 7. Bahá’í youth organization 341-2. G. International contacts and institutions: 1. International contacts 342-5. 2. International institutions 345-8. 3. Eventual establishment of the Universal House of Justice 411 to end.