Bahá’í World/Volume 12/Documentation of the Bahá’í Administrative Order

←Previous

The Bahá’í World Volume 12

Next→

[Page 391]

2. DOCUMENTATION OF THE BAHA’I

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

“And now as I look into the future, I hope to see the friends at all times, in every land, and of every shade of thought and character, voluntarily and joyously rallying round their local and in particular their national centers of activity, upholding and promoting their interests with complete unanimity and contentment, with perfect understanding, genuine enthusiasm, and sustained vigor. This indeed is the one joy and yearning of my life, for it is the fountainhead from which all future blessings will flow, the broad foundation upon which the security of the Divine Edifice must ultimately rest.”—SHOGHI EFFENDI.1

F OREWORD

THE 1926-27 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada completed a task which, while pertaining to the outer and more material aspects of the Cause, nevertheless has a special significance for its spirit and inward sacred purpose. This task consisted in creating a legal form which gives proper substance and substantial character to the administrative processes embodied in the Bahá’í Teachings. The form adopted was that known as a Voluntary Trust, a species of corporation recognized under the common law and possessing a long and interesting history. The famous Covenant adopted by the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower, the first legal document in American history, is of the same nature as the Declaration of Trust voted by the National Spiritual Assembly. This Declaration of Trust, with its attendant By-Laws, is published for the information of the Bahá’ís of the world. Careful examination of the Declaration and its By-Laws will reveal the fact that this document contains no arbitrary elements nor features new to the Bahá’í Cause. On the contrary, it represents a most conscientious effort to reflect those very administrative principles and elements already set forth in the letters of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, and already determining the methods and relationships of Bahá’í collective association. The provision both in the Declaration and in the By-Laws for amendments in the future will permit the National Spiritual Assembly to adapt this document to such new administrative elements or principles as the Guardian may at any time give forth. The Declaration, in fact, is nothing more or less than a legal parallel of those moral and spiritual laws of unity inherent in the fullness of the Bahá’í Revelation and making it the fulfillment of the ideal of Religion in the social as well as spiritual realm. Because, in the Bahá’í Faith this perfect correspondence exists between spiritual and social laws, the Bahá’ís believe that administrative success is identical with moral success; and that nothing less than the true Bahá’í spirit of devotion and sacrifice can inspire with effective power the world-wide body of unity, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore it has seemed fitting and proper to accompany the Declaration of Trust with excerpts from the letters of Shoghi Effendi which furnished the source whence the provisions of the Declaration were drawn, and which furthermore give due emphasis to that essential spirit without which any and every social or religious form is but a dead and soulless body. (See pages 284-294, 321-327.)

HORACE HOLLEY

1 Bahá’í Administration (1945 ed.), p. 67.

391

[Page 392]392 THE BAHA’I WORLD

Certificate of Declaration of Trust of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

[Page 393]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 393

DECLARATION OF TRUST

By the NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA IS OF THE UNITED STATES

V- VE, Allen B. McDaniel of Washington, DC, Horace Holley of New York City, N.Y., Carl Schefiier of Evanston, 11]., Roy C. Wilhelm of West Englewood, N.J., Florence Morton of Worcester, Mass., Amelia Collins of Princeton, Mass, Ali-Kuli Khan of New York City, N.Y., Mountfort Mills of New York City, N.Y., and Siegfried Schopflocher of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, duly chosen by the representatives of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada at the Annual Meeting held at San Francisco, Calif., on April 29, April 30, May 1, and May 2, 1926, to be the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, with full power to establish a Trust as hereinafter set forth, hereby declare that from this date the powers, responsibilities, rights, privileges and obligations reposed in said National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada by Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, its Interpreter and Exemplar, and by Shoghi Effendi, its Guardian, shall be exercised, administered and carried on by the above-named National Spiritual Assembly and their duly qualified successors under this Declaration of Trust.

The National Spiritual Assembly in adopting this form of association, union and fellowship, and in selecting for itself the designation of Trustees of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, does so as the administrative body of a religious community which has had continuous existence and responsibility for over eighteen years. In consequence of these activities the National Spiritual Assembly is called upon to administer such ever-increasing diversity and volume of affairs and properties for the Bahá’ís Of the United States and Canada, that we, its members, now feel it both desirable and necessary to give our collective functions more definite legal form. This action is taken in complete unanimity and with full recognition of the sacred relationship thereby created. We acknowledge in behalf of ourselves and our successors in this Trust the exalted religious standard established by Bahá’u’lláh for Bahá’í administrative bodies in the utterance: “Be ye Trustees of the Merciful One among men”; and seek the help of God and His guidance in order to fulfill that exhortation.

April 4, 1927.

RESOLUTION BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES

WHEREAS the first Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada, on April 24, 1948 duly elected the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada; and

WHEREAS the fortieth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States on April 30, 1948 duly elected the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Of the United States; and

WHEREAS said Conventions were duly authorized by the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith and empowered by the Bahá’í administrative principles to elect their respective National Spiritual Assemblies; and

WHEREAS in consequence of the foregoing it is now necessary to amend the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws hereinafter described;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States that from the date of its election, April 30, 1948, said Assembly shall henceforth exercise within the United States, its territories and dependencies, all the functions and powers formerly vested in the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, as successor body thereto, and hold title to and pos [Page 394]394 THE BAHA’I WORLD

session of all funds, properties and trusts of national Bahá’í character existing within the United States, its territories and dependencies on and after April 30, 1948; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Declaration of Trust by the National Spirit ual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada as adopted at New York, N.Y., on April 4, 1927, other than the Preamble thereto, and its By-Laws as from time to time amended be and the same hereby are amended by substituting the name “National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States" for the name “National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada” wherever the same appears therein, and by deleting the words “and Canada” wherever such words now appear in said Declaration of Trust and By-Laws; that said By-Laws be further amended by deleting the word “Provinces” and the word “Province” wherever the same appear and by substituting for the word “Province” in Section 2 of Article VIII the words “Territory or Federal District”; so that said Declaration of Trust and By-Laws shall henceforth be the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

DOROTHY K. BAKER, Chairman

PAUL E. HANEY, Vice-Chairman

HORACE HOLLEY, Secretary

EDNA M. TRUE, Recording Secretary

PHILIP G. SPRAGUE, Treasurer

ELSIE AUSTIN

WM. KENNETH CHRISTIAN

AMELIA E. COLLINS

LEROY IOAS

ARTICLE I

The name of said Trust shall be the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U nited S tates.

ARTICLE II

Sharing the ideals and assisting the efforts of our fellow Bahá’ís to establish, uphold and promote the spiritual, educational and humanitarian teachings of human brotherhood, radiant faith, exalted character and selfless love revealed in the lives and utterances of all the Prophets and Messengers of God, Founders of the world’s revealed religionsand given renewed creative energy and universal application to the conditions of this age in the life and utterances of Bahá’u’lláh—we declare the purposes and objects of this Trust to be to administer the affairs of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh for the benefit of the Bahá’ís of the United States according to the principles of Bahá’í affiliation and administration created and established by Bahá’u’lláh, defined and explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and amplified and applied by Shoghi Effendi and his duly constituted successor and successors under the provisions of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

These purposes are to be realized by means of devotional meetings; by public meetings and conferences of an educational, humanitarian and spiritual character; by the publication of books, magazines and newspapers; by the construction of temples of universal worship and of other institutions and edifices for humanitarian service; by supervising, unifying, promoting and generally administering the activities of the Bahá’ís of the United States in the fulfillment of their religious offices, duties and ideals; and by any other means appropriate to these ends, or any of them.

Other purposes and objects of this Trust are:

a. The right to enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every sort and kind for the furtherance of the objects of this Trust with any person, firm, association, corporation, private, public or municipal or body politic, or any state, territory or colony thereof, or any foreign government; and in this connection, and in all transactions under the terms of this Trust, to do any and all things which a copartnership or natural person could do or exercise, and which now or hereafter may be authorized by law.

[Page 395]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 395

b. To hold and be named as beneficiary under any trust established by law or otherwise or under any will or other testamentary instrument in connection with any gift, devise, or bequest in which a trust or trusts is or are established in any part of the world as well as in the United States; to receive gifts, devises or bequests of money or other property.

0. All and whatsoever the several purposes and objects set forth in the written utterances of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, under which certain jurisdiction, powers and rights are granted to National Spiritual Assemblies.

d. Generally to do all things and acts which in the judgment of said Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, are necessary, proper and advantageous to promote the complete and successful administration of this Trust.

ARTICLE 111

SECTION 1. All persons, firms, corporations and associations extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, and the members thereof, of any character whatsoever, whether legal or equitable and whether arising out of contract or tort, shall look solely to the funds of the Trust and to the property of the Trust estate for payment or indemnity, or for the payment of any debt, damage, judgment or decree or any money that may otherwise become due or payable from the Trustees, so that neither the Trustees nor any of them, nor any of their officers or agents appointed by them hereunder, nor any beneficiary or beneficiaries herein named shall be personally liable therefor.

SECTION 2. Every note, bond, proposal, obligation or contract in writing or other agreement or instrument made or given under this Trust shall be explicitly executed by the National Spiritual Assembly, as Trustees by their duly authorized officers or agents.

ARTICLE IV

The Trustees; i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, shall adopt for the conduct of the affairs entrusted to them under this Declaration of Trust, such by-laws, rules of procedure or regulations as are required to define and carry on its own administrative functions and those of the several local and other elements composing the body of the Bahá’ís of the United States, not inconsistent with the terms of this instrument and all in accordance with the explicit instructions given us to date by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, which instructions are already known to the Bahá’ís of the United States and accepted by them in the government and practice of their religious aflairs.

ARTICLE V

The central office of this Trust shall be located in the Village of Wilmette, State of Illinois, United States of America, the site of the Bahá’í House of Worship.

ARTICLE VI

The seal of this Trust shall be circular in form, bearing the following description:

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Declaration of Trust, 1927.

ARTICLE VII

This Declaration of Trust may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States at any special meeting duly called for that purpose, provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.

[Page 396]396 THE BAHA’I WORLD

BY—LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE I

THE National Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfillment of its sacred duties under this Trust, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs Of the Bahá’í Cause throughout the United States, including paramount authority in the administration of this Trust. It shall endeavor to stimulate, unify and coordinate the manifold activities of the local Spiritual Assemblies (hereinafter defined) and of individual Bahá’ís in the United States and by all possible means assist them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall be charged with the recognition of such local Assemblies, the scrutiny of all membership rolls, the calling of the Annual Meeting or special meetings and the seating of delegates to the Annual Meeting and their apportionment among the various electoral districts. It shall appoint all national Bahá’í committees and shall supervise the publication and distribution of Bahá’í literature, the reviewing of all writings pertaining to the Bahá’í Cause, the construction and administration of the Mashriqu’1A(fllkér and its accessory activities, and the collection and disbursement of all funds for the carrying on of this Trust. It shall decide whether any matter lies within its own jurisdiction or within the jurisdiction of any local Spiritual Assembly. It shall, in such cases as it considers suitable and necessary, entertain appeals from the decisions of local Spiritual Assemblies and shall have the right of final decision in all cases where the qualification of an individual or group for continued voting rights and membership in the Bahá’í body is in question. It shall furthermore represent the Bahá’ís of the United States in all their cooperative and spiritual activities with the Bahá’ís of other lands, and shall constitute the sole electoral body of the United States in the formation of the Universal House of Justice provided for in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Cause. Above all, the National Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek to attain that station of unity in devotion to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh which will attract the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and enable the Assembly to serve the founding of the Most Great Peace. In all its deliberation and action the National Assembly shall have constantly before it as Divine guide and standard the utterance of Bahá’u’lláh2 “It behooveth them (i.e., Spiritual Assemblies) to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to consider themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly.”

ARTICLE II

The Bahá’ís of the United States, for whose benefit this Trust is maintained, shall consist of all persons resident in the several States, Territories or Federal Districts of the United States who are accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly as fulfilling the requirements of membership in the Bahá’í Community under the following qualifications set forth by the Guardian of the Faith:

a. Full recognition of the station of the Báb as Forerunner, of Bahá’u’lláh as Author and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as True Exemplar of the Bahá’í religion; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Bahá’í Administration throughout the world.

b. Attainment of the age of 21 years.

0. Declaration of faith to, and enrollment by, the local Spiritual Assembly if resident in the area of jurisdiction of any local Assembly recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly.

d. Declaration of faith to the National Spiritual Assembly on the membership form provided for those residing outside any such area of local Bahá’í jurisdiction.

[Page 397]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 397

ARTICLE III The National Assembly shall consist of nine members chosen from among the Bahá’ís of the United States, who shall be elected by the said Bahá’ís in manner hereinafter provided, and who shall continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.

ARTICLE IV

The officers of the National Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, ViceChairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the Assembly taken by secret ballot.

ARTICLE V

The first meeting of a newly—elected National Assembly shall be called by the member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the ViceChairman, or of any three members of the Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by a majority vote of the Assembly, as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE VI

Five members of the National Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the National Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall supply copies of the minutes to the Assembly members after each meeting, and preserve the minutes in the official records of the Assembly.

ARTICLE VII

Whenever in any locality of the United States, be it municipality, township or county, the number of Bahá’ís resident therein recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these may on April 21st of any year convene and elect by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of that community. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive 21st day of April. The members shall hold office for the term of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified.

When, however, the number of Bahá’ís in any authorized civil area is exactly nine, these may on April let of any year, or in successive years, constitute themselves the local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration. Upon the recording of such declaration by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, said body of nine shall become established with the rights, privileges and duties of a local Spiritual Assembly as set forth in this instrument.

SECTION 1. Each newly-elected local Spiritual Assembly shall at once proceed in the manner indicated in Articles IV and V of these By-Laws to the election of its officers, who shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other ofl‘icers as the Assembly finds necessary for the conduct of its business and the fulfillment of its spiritual duties. Immediately thereafter the Secretary chosen shall transmit to the Secretary of the National Assembly the names of the members of the newlyelected Assembly and a list of its officers.

[Page 398]398 THE BAHA’I WORLD

SECTION 2. The general powers and duties of a local Spiritual Assembly shall be as set forth in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi.

SECTION 3. Among its more specific duties, a local Spiritual Assembly shall have full jurisdiction of all Bahá’í activities and affairs within the local community, subject, however, to the exclusive and paramount authority of the National Spiritual Assembly as de fined herein.

SECTION 4. Vacancies in the membership of a local Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local Bahá’í community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the local Assembly impossible, the election shall be held under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly.

SECTION 5. The business of the local Assembly shall be conducted in like manner as provided for the deliberations of the National Assembly in Article VI above.

SECTION 6. The lccal Assembly shall pass upon and approve the qualifications of each member of the Bahá’í community before such members shall be admitted to voting membership; but where an individual is dissatisfied with the ruling of the local Spiritual Assembly upon his Bahá’í qualifications, such individual may appeal from the ruling to the National Assembly, which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of and finally decide the case.

SECTION 7. On or before the lst day of November of each year the Secretary of each local Assembly shall send to the Secretary of the National Assembly a duly certified list of the voting members of the local Bahá’í community for the information and approval of the National Assembly.

SECTION 8. All matters arising within a local Bahá’í community which are of purely local interest and do not affect the national interests of the Cause shall be under the primary jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of that locality; but decision whether a particular matter involves the interest and welfare of the national Bahá’í body shall rest with the National Spiritual Assembly.

SECTION 9. Any member of a local Bahá’í community may appeal from a decision of his Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly, which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it to the local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. In the event that the National Assembly assumes jurisdiction of the matter, its findings shall be final.

SECTION 10. Where any dissension exists within a local Bahá’í community of such character that it cannot be remedied by the efforts of the local Spiritual Assembly, this condition shall be referred by the Spiritual Assembly for consideration to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose action in the matter shall be final.

SECTION 11. All questions arising between two or more local Spiritual Assemblies, or between members of different Bahá’í communities, shall be submitted in the first instance to the National Assembly, which shall have original and final jurisdiction in all

such matters.

SECTION 12. The sphere of jurisdiction of a local Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential qualification of membership, and voting rights of a believer in any Bahá’í community, shall be the locality included within the civil limits of the municipality, township or county.

All differences of opinion concerning the sphere of jurisdiction of any local Spiritual Assembly or concerning the affiliation of any Bahá’í or group of Bahá’ís in the United States shall be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly, whose decision in the matter shall be final.

ARTICLE VIII The members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be elected at an annual meet ing to be known as the National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States. This Convention shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by the National Assembly. The

[Page 399]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 399

National Convention shall be composed jointly of representatives chosen by the Bahá’ís of each State, Territory or Federal District under the principle of proportionate representation, and the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by the National Assembly sixty days in advance in the Convention Call which sets forth the number of delegates assigned to the various electoral units in proportion to the number of Baha’ 1s resident 1n each such unit, to a total number of one hundred seventy— one delegates for the Bahá’ís of the United States.

SECTION 1. A11 delegates to the Convention shall be elected by plurality vote. Bahá’ís who for illness or other unavoidable reasons are unable to be present at the election in person shall have the right to transmit their ballots to the meeting by mail. The meeting held in each State, Territory or Federal District for the election of delegates shall be called by the National Spiritual Assembly and conducted by the Bahá’ís present under whatever procedure may be uniformly laid down by said body. Immediately after the meeting a certified report of the election containing the name and address of each dele gate shall be transmitted to the National Spiritual Assembly.

SECTION 2. All delegates to be seated at the Convention must be recognized Bahá’ís and residents of the State, Territory or Federal District represented by them.

SECTION 3. The rights and privileges of a delegate may not be assigned nor may they be exercised by proxy.

SECTION 4. The recognition and seating of delegates to the National Convention shall be vested in the National Spiritual Assembly.

SECTION 5. Delegates unable to be present in person at the Convention shall have the right to transmit their ballots for election of the members of the National Assembly under whatever procedure 15 adopted by the National body.

SECTION 6. If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to assemble together the delegates to the National Convention, the said Assembly shall provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the Convention may be conducted by mail.

SECTION 7. The presiding officer of the National Spiritual Assembly present at the Convention shall call together the delegates, who after roll call shall proceed to the permanent organization of the meeting, electing by ballot a chairman, a secretary and such other ofl‘icers as are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Convention.

SECTION 8. The principal business of the annual meeting shall be consultation on Bahá’í activities, plans and policies, and the election of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Members of the National Assembly, whether or not elected delegates, may take a full part in the consultation and discussion but only delegates may participate in the election of Convention officers or in the annual election of the members of the national body. All action by the delegates, other than the organization of the Convention, the transmission of messages to the Guardian and the election of the National Assembly, shall constitute advice and recommendation for consideration by the said Assembly, final decision on all matters concerning the affairs of the Bah”i Faith 1n the United States being vested solely 1n that body.

SECTION 9. The general order of business to be taken up at the Annual Convention shall be prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly in the form of an agenda, but any matter pertaining to the Bahá’í Faith introduced by any of the delegates may upon motion and vote be taken up as part of the Convention deliberations.

SECTION 10. The election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote of the delegates recognized by the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, i.e., the members elected shall be the nine persons receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot cast by delegates present at the Convention and delegates whose ballot has been transmitted to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly by mail. In case, by reason of a tie vote or votes, the full membership is not determined

[Page 400]400 THE BAHA’I WORLD

on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all nine members are elected.

SECTION 11. All official business transacted at the National Convention shall be recorded and preserved in the records of the National Assembly.

SECTION 12. Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a plurality vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by correspondence or in any other manner decided upon by the National Spiritual Assembly.

ARTICLE IX

Where the National Spiritual Assembly has been given in these By-Laws exclusive and final jurisdiction, and paramount executive authority, in all matters pertaining to the activities and affairs of the Bahá’í Cause in the United States, it is understood that any decision made or action taken upon such matters shall be subject in every instance to ultimate review and approval by the Guardian of the Cause or the Universal House of Justice.

ARTICLE X

Whatever functions and powers are not specifically attributed to local Spiritual Assemblies in these By-Laws shall be considered vested in the National Spiritual Assembly, which body is authorized to delegate such discretionary functions and powers as it deems necessary and advisable to the local Spiritual Assemblies within its jurisdiction.

ARTICLE XI

In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Bahá’í elections, the practice of nominations or any other electoral method detrimental to a silent and prayerful election shall not prevail, so that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold.

Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate, direct and coordinate the affairs of the Cause as members of local or national Spiritual Assemblies are: To win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their privilege to serve; to investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self-contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word and deed that may savor of partiality, self—centeredness and prejudice; and while retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice, and foster the sense of inter-dependence and co—partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Bahá’ís.

ARTICLE XII

These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.

Note: The foregoing By-Laws include all amendments adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly to July 16. 1949.

[Page 401]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH

. .. 04” LgL/é’w WW, b 02179943?» v1»: 5&9.

. bi/I/l’JLDCG 0:3,; @00‘ du’J/ab» JJ/v/ J L‘U’u' ‘4qu 0,:5’J: 0‘;ka U’Fru'; d»: U aw ‘H d’fifl/ud’ ,’ M.‘Lgt./JJU,,,/‘x’7» dk’aquVguJ)5/J 't'frfé’w’k / ,1? :Qgfiéfiflu}; Jkajjd’nf/g; 09w u'VJJvuf—“(P—v’é’é‘? 314'; 99.70 ’WJ’W L/fb-"rk? dch/y‘fi’») Léqa? /M;;.'«LL_—/u 0/1 (24/3,; ’L’H’JWI’

5}’a7/.JI, aqudlo'; J/Lu/ngdl .mgjcam LI.,/;//a’//Jd":/fll_ a’JMmd/

an—J/MI/‘JWUUU1,//J,J,/‘j,/,/J,VJJWUJ #495503" M .22“ Laba'wfi: 2:070“ ‘Idebuyqbflylfw :Mén‘éd’r wkwvwws/ Ji’gfé'uw'law UZ‘V’ dJ/hu/m‘faw/Juwfluflu/ Jhi/‘j/dwm v»u/‘J/'U"‘6’/’/7"’/ “cw" QJéJ/j’OG/Juiij/b .jlflfi)/:Wd’f,:pyuL/ucf¢,, I&dffl/fl’f ’T/Z’WWVWV/ {/4120} d ‘f'xrd‘t'é/w. ?,luuyfléwwypw ‘0."2’. £#€&1Of£¥é?1”;{w&l’ifb "a (figural EIIJ/JQJ} 24W} dk’uwaJbIUJ" .Z/JJF/- Jflgfl ’VJ’UV"”J“”#‘“5’~W W ??I/M-v'me w/l - {:3 a n L?“ ”w,” "’O‘d‘JWVJ‘w/d/é/J‘U‘Dcv‘buugUM,”

,1/ ,U)J/./’,JV/ldd/UJW riV ,f’HLlr‘h IlffI/bead/u/Jlé” ”’1,”pr

1:,Lafu/f- 0, :JJ/y/(v/EM 2 lb/y/z’

[1'

j .J/J/':/ 9,715 ”JII’UI’I'J‘IVJ/Up‘; "'45/‘4/9/0'“..bs'J,-/’,I,’_'/"/U’”£/§’A,7W £1.

/nJ//d A

22/76!» mrfitr’l? Jkdtwc/fl //uLu/e,J/J,;, 44., Wbé/J/uaw’

. vff/ U’J/I/‘j- Id L9,: QHV‘JILV; I/IU’I/

JV/“‘a”é;9p9’l}/JV §xdu- :39“?! u‘vat/ifio Q’Jggi-o/mzw JV/w.‘/:J/,J§3¢L./,,._}me

WJ'J " 1 I / ”“4”" “0;: J’Vu’fugw #46321” :gJ/I/uk'uH/fiMQJJLgwfl;

'VUL-A/;;Vé—’é‘ dU‘I/A/ dW—f/l 'I/IU’ll/j WJ/l UV;

Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia.

401

[Page 402]’ . ' . . ._ .. - -- - - - :(l,iifififl’f/V/y'f‘nfji’lfl(Inl'fq'KTI/Kf’fi"40'1fl'/’fi¢rmififrILft/flfiqrélflpn?)

15,“ IT 'r‘tf’m’fi” ‘73’f”5“4f’a {““m’bffmfl' "1”," "””’-‘"'fl’-%Z”’fg”’/h7 mm 77:0“: flfbfw 0740 {Zorn ”75/1, 41/, {7' fi,r'?n£;?4'f{frfffffl‘fifl;fl7”4'45‘24 ‘1'. '{flflkfiqfi'rmah . 7f: . .. .. 1%2’.”51"'-'7’.7'"/7”75”/’fr-’7n‘"Pfflf’m” I’fiffl’f’df’y/flfi’fl?’ 75° , , * WWW 'WMRW/i. 2:0“??9601'40» *"rfWW—A'“ r: 7531'!— {W'fi’fi’fié’l’rm/ffiW/T' <r:ar7.;rjw¢n"cwhv~r rIZ’Hv-F'cv3fim‘wéfi-W "7""""’I”""i’-‘L°/P% 1,3:er rpfarrfrpwfl": i‘ilr‘f‘cff’rrx’u'5037’f-T. 2‘1”?" ??mp’l’r'ifli‘f/‘l‘ r/fi’r'ré’: m Mfi'fl'fifléb’m ’fir-‘I'I’I’i" “?Qfi” ”'74“? '73:"! mI’WI/i 1:0 ‘ . . - .. . ' 7i" 4 r/ , ,gflmpf’mvm 7156‘qu "_ ,4‘5039317 fiw Iri’g/rP-fmk¢¢i .1174!fo ‘f/fwr‘a’fr' f’ I”..’3"’.’,’K"-7T"~ 4""‘7/1‘10'?” ' gmf/ - qupfaanlzn/garw <13? .M'K’ 'fi’0"'l*r‘flm':/‘3fr;W/;n' r," (rfréy/ «w: M; )4 ‘37P fififlW/Z’Q‘fiéb/r fl’r’iaf’flflflfl/a’rém 17,-: 551%": {Ayfiqp’lfif’ ayLMngré/r irfaw 3537/; 1' yfifif’jn.’ k.- 151190,}, x7 riyfécfi’figr’nmy 7.4:» f’t‘vaffl ‘fiiflfimr: ”I'd/I'W‘ "fif-k‘fiflimlné ‘rlm fiafiaatizx’?‘??’Z'*W'”fr’r'f’xwrhfimWWW“, 15,“ "J ’ I b

m

w - 'WIWVI’Iy/fi'y’k'f’ef’wffihfim‘cwwrfiw’wthr:m/r/nwu rrwmrmgnw '2':

”-2 — Infifiqwer'érfimfe’m'g @‘rfifl’ ‘fé‘ff’lfl'f’v’r” J: 00:1? 157%ng rI/Ir’gfp Vrz’r’u‘rff-‘c'.’ V mffi’arffimm'cwb?fctwé‘f401fif/“”W"””"-’W’5‘M’¢ ,-. — {érmmr'wVniwflwafl‘ian/‘Wfi’V/fif ”/ 3"” Win WV." ..,-~ - -':"".<‘ z’ rmnmr/W/r/MW ”f. - {??fi‘ny4fl77fifl’rfi W112}??? irfin;$/rn ’I’fl ??fiiy’iv’fiy’fm‘lflflvmmi’.’

(I'IHOAA I‘YHV‘H HHl

2017

[Page 403]€017

rm ”9"” ’1 "{7"""W 574;, a/‘f'h u/(fl’mrwfr’m/Cn /f/f4n fl [/{W"I{If‘7'¥1’;l( V’F’ififi/alflf’vflqmi,wfl mfifl1;n:l’{f:fl

'/ b)(flj' (,rpfflrnf’finmr/rry ,rq'I/yqufi’lfl,;v( :rth/fi/flf’l A(f’lff ’fi/f/V ”749; r, f",rlln/l(r1 fF-flFI/ry 1f}: // —‘ Wr/fF/qu/f,” nflmrfflr/luflgnyl/MP/filj

vmalnmr‘ 'r/{rMfi'nr‘avr'J-J'lm?‘ .1. ,1 ‘.' .‘ . , 1' .~ . . '

)7

(0,4)— ,mpp/-,::r{4"/_-;;'p'rm;m -, - , 2—K . , . 7" ”p "f -' / fl " ’ Ww/(rca Manny,I’hf‘ipfl/ .7’ ”fin?!" M/n/nnmrgfl Jrf‘n/lf’nznlmawr’G-nfl ”4‘D1P’77¢(‘/f‘r/

f4

Hl’f"/M/’/"¢f’/i/’m//flf1I74?‘MJ/A’fl/ffifmpI/il/flqt/qnffl 7

/ 7 — frP/rfipif’flfiQ/n1fl(n/{fl‘fr‘ff’rrqflfi/qxnrdquflp(pMI/rfl/rp ,-_ - zf‘klyc‘fiir ,9

W“ ' 3”/i°*7/"*‘<’4<"<’“dVJ"':K‘."23mv"ff”r,'rflé-'zflm‘¢ Ibfi‘l’l’flfl'flfl ’I‘fi’ 5465 rfiff’h me1h3fikfl’g7prl/ p/M/h prgnfiqk/flf inf, 10 (5/ 1751017. tyinhm’" Zfll‘t’:¢?9fl,’?m¢)/,‘c /’)n3’/’/¢'/'m/_-7,~flmf}, fI/LJtfl/I,1V,flxrdy/,H'I,C?zn fr?7.:é"r““v’?fif""f 1 W/"f/WWWT’IW ?’"rmmp hmzwwfie/wag M114? 95/“ “’n/Amc rfi'p/fi'rrhci: rm [blimfrva/{afnrrraflmfiflh ., , . . , _ . a , ._ , 1 ?”W'M”? "-“'/""’./‘~‘W-”*"? WW”? 7/ 17‘7”"hfifim '{cz/r 2: "Wm? '7?7,”’~"'¢”7”‘~”~‘”’/<’"’V7:’W‘ wroa/Mm

’I

hP/’9’?3¢47”"’U°.’°Pl/W/: an'fir'r/yrrni'mr'tifijflnfim $61604 pkfinfiv , . . , . , ‘ g , .fi , 4 / )4

.ff'fjifrrlykéyrfipfrmrrwé‘fl 5,4 {3f}? (7,7nf/Mmm,}pmrflqu&}

Af’ ":1 rlrlc'{clayv'wié4¢m0 5W‘<¢”"m?”fl"9’~(mama,«w:n: , . .. . nav/mki/Ie'fg‘mI/ik- I/I’MJMJXIMMMWP' , IKI7'I‘anz/zv‘54’7v/Mmki/ . ." f, _ - -. . n I w . - I ' ,, . . :' ,flnwfr’gkrwnmmflmmMV/mmz'jmfl“irrimy’v'nh:rafifirr'gm. _ n . . .' . .. -- .- ,4 . ." ' . .,

{nyiin/fl" «fl‘hfimm (5".64M“,~.‘%:‘¢bn> ?af’ygv’I/jr/‘f’rn Wm

HY'I’I‘H‘YHVH :IO HEIGHO (1180M EIHJ.

[Page 404]QV/‘J‘ nldfl'rrgnn/mMp09/n/Ifmzqn'1m7/Pf’flfl‘7’1"9"r'1"‘"fi,v¢pr Jv-V/n' Kdrflfr’f’fii’qm‘v’f‘rn’af’f’lnr’q” Lvmv/— ’V'flnflpffl’lf/H’P'fl'IflP/’f"¢nl"/'4/H47'I’/-pr(;flnrfi foi’r6"/n?f‘wn" r ?laf/fvf/fl/fiwé’j‘hf’fif’y 17'7”, l’nt’v'xl"?ppi”’1}’f’r‘{’7 ,J’Pvfiefi'r ,, , ’ fo’ifl’v'WK‘i’tnz’IW’ng’fl. 71mafiV/«Mrzrwmpflr/vrnrnc/n '77” w Ii'mfi/Wfiwmafl/ 1/ / ma’wf‘

{Mr r7:¢n'<.-' m: {’f’ué/(« [I(f‘ff/Klr/F/"l’"’Iflfl/V'M/ffl’fif’i'w’Iil'M' rrmyffif’y/f?‘ M 4:97”) ' ‘Vjipf”/”’Mfap4f’" °fl4pfl1’fl’9’f’fi/flo’fla/y’rfim wrpffll'qf’fl/f’, ,7’ 40.1,“ ‘ (0.4”.

270 -— :{év'rgvror'fiflrm ?fryflMh/nfir:upwn/r‘w'jmgm (54/3/31, {er/ — 'flf’n’lf‘ffifnfopflflfl/‘jfl’W/f‘f'l’f’I’flflrfi’vfi/f’ GPA?" ,, E"’r3’7’:”"’5"£p""9f”"mi’"".’-“ /

1. 11:!”4471'07’yfi‘fi'eVWv/W'r"~fm 'nr/firwnv‘f’fi-ftlf'rlrhfia,

7,7» , v, . rzpw'w,fl.{2* We'd? 1:331"? ”.4107?!” ”2/? «7/ 1"? /’r,;-.,Z,, pr,4{{,-,p/p,r,, ppqqu-m7r4’f’r‘nn‘3-P’s, P,Pl/Vfi/fl’v‘r/w ,, mV/‘ff’ljfll'fl’fl1"’W’r’firfif’N’ffi'JT/‘nlpflml’flmpm’p’fl7'0'0' r-fir‘m [firf’rfiwfimhm rpgmmagf_ mrr/‘y-y mgmrwpévmnu r‘}, xxJ-{m’r I/at’M/flr"”.’/_’f‘4"{’flflfiK’fizf’ffff’l‘t'f' ’Wfiffi’f’fif: 351710,; 54f: ('0‘ WM”‘?,‘P°"£’I’-’p4"'}}1”/’f.’:‘<’7"’9°?Kflflév/bw'mm'fifimf 157a?! - “:zr/crrvfio/pflrf’ef’w «4“?» ?f‘y/k'vfifi’rtf’i’"?7"zm. ((314 pfqizfiflzr-yrzz'pp: r/Igm‘fmyrgrgtmhr VKfl'J/rfggff’fém: W’fiflw’fflzf’flf’fl"1”’<"”’7."/"‘f',”‘°’"" kmmzflrtwm 7 ff ' , —— A&M'm 1/077.” M ryflflfyi/J fy/frrwkyivmxflx'ic' iffiflrr: ( {.«fgnqmm 572-; m.gfltym?ficrréfi%?fm¢' ’7'

(112mm LVHVH 8H1

7017

[Page 405]$017

ff,IWIC/‘l-Wafilylflflfiftrflcfi‘gflg/lrflf/;/'V‘yqfc . - fl ,- i'.,nr(4 ,thlr}; . ' /'/.,w,' ‘_-' ' .. «:2 {wwefflfl e. , {?.m' 21mm”? ,4 p.197 )ijgr/(qflflflfaflZ/fiy-r V(?"uk’fi'fifl? ifihm/éanVm/y ,. # .,,__,. in , - v": cfirflfifflflrwwWwex’ar'avmris’me: a ‘ ' _ . .. . -.. . ~ ~ - u - ,n ?’{J' rfifc’lffj W'Zf’f’fi1’fflrf'élgpfi’ffl '7)?! ‘7’Ii’lf’l‘mkfl'4 Pfflkfiflfia, (WW ’ {ralp‘nayo ?&‘(qufiy‘ «fame? lcgnfn-(mnm‘. ' 51”"? -‘ ’9?'r'.‘lr<‘{"/‘1’. ”I'm": gw'jfifgr’m r5" ,‘o’figrmn'v I Lny— [pyg’gx’f’flafl‘nmmw(7,:9‘1fn/idggrk-‘1, {~17 {'3’)/"'¢>rgofii¢~ 7M7 W21“ i/Irrarn'r 7r. 4:?-mf’wmqf’xfl"“?;"2476/4’1«lr/fir-fé’rryiawrw mwwi" =’”'€!?<’?b'é”r'sfif’ffié’fiWP-WfiWWW???mG . \- . . ~ . v I . . - . a . - I MWfl't'l'fl’.4.’/3M4fl flflwnfrrypwympy "'fl{/’f;<7<‘4fl;fl?’f' 1:17; W3 (:0, ,. 'Iré‘rr'hfifimfl’ "rf’fln? 0PM! “’3 mm WW" “/2 aMfJ‘WGrn/‘n‘,’ - -/ z. a -_ mm x -. mm; xfmmmwmm'rawaflw 10%?”er mWM’IMfi?f-’¢”¢"h”7‘¢ .-~-. .-.-l-I .',- '~-‘ . ' .n 1;. .. ’ @‘24532/flaf’f/awgf’pvjfi’gfffEvyf'zf’mfin‘M/A'S‘rjl’c'agm '5 a ' - I.’ ' r4: riq'mfingmrm'j (1205‘: Immm Wfigpgw . ffi'flflflflf’ffm (/9179-Iqfligflfrp?yfaffflfl7;fffw5’1???” ,‘P'rfi‘f'fr ’fl”3,5?‘E’W/z'firflbflfirf'gf’a’fiflf'fiQ”3Of; Mfré’mhj’gr’rmmqnh mn/V— 41"f-‘W4raf‘7f7’? V’fiQ/‘W‘T’W" 1" WWWT‘ffif’kfiMi? M4017“ uj/rO/p‘wfilgy pI/r - ' kigcJ— {wwehf’hl't’rfi‘rkgnmflk rihlbhn'm/fififlfi/fiwrar’fcflp” ’ l . - J . DI. .' P ?,fl/nr' 17'7” 453“ flxf’f’fi’fl'?“ Lvy-J— /5£aylbhlfi,¢,fh{/pfiI/fim¢f' ?wfixflflqf’f/p/u #5:“an dfifinvn" lMflf‘fffiQfl/nrrw - '

ny— gaggéaa-h¢a.«:>wrnw.l‘ef’fi'/ffi¢m Wf’k’lfp'c‘vt’xfi'lfv’wyr

{4-51.}; (pgfflW/yplifhfifimyfphrffiputfif‘fflnf’i’fi/f HYFI'I‘ILYHVH 2:10 HEIGHO G’IHOAA HHL

[Page 406]406

.. v, ,, - ,u', .,-: :o‘. , ', .‘ , JWJ'VJ‘I'éJWJ/J'r‘fi":J'J‘é’z-fl/Isé/HQIJJUIIM/wmddmmfith- F4,

THE BAHA’I WORLD

'

(iiid b’OZQVé'bL'g’fflnr’; ?:?,IJ, ka‘jL/U’z’l Ufidj/féf/‘P’J: J/HJ q,£J{/,/..;L_J,/,

”‘33ij“”"JLI/"W’W’UVI’JW’V: 1/1’2JJ5’11/WJ/iflddm/u/.d.;uuc.25y fv/eigx/uJJ/u 9’2: m_‘é- W: 1 #:43J‘3 W034, (515 JJmé‘xi/ow 096M — ff»; '3' 1’;”;M%’%?¢‘QJIUTZZ%I (2’ ??wl/é’qéétL-‘L'AJQt/dey/QU/gu,,,7_~_,%,_./4 Jgu,,dzm_/§. _ M”? ($53)." '.'r,,,zdfi_;¢‘g JMM’b/ng’gzé’flW/é 9J)5’-{(;"a:’z"w(4k 1115);}? géQkI/‘j‘az’id’J/{Jugs vi}; 1,5095};'&u}:;dt3‘;i}/ JJUQJJM, gflféfi’bxg‘JW )l/M-/Jdul’J//U/bu’)‘ l/deL/quflfl,» V1 _;/I/U - F’fi‘” ‘fu’l’d/UI/Jd‘lulf/JLUI’ I—‘r/Mfc JtJdeyudx, Mfl/b-{EJJ’ / ”fH’“? 9 v’r’ 5w: tigéJJ uuy/u/JJyyg (#574, mu. ”Mom“, :10;

d' - ’3', _-,. . “-1.” ch, V&EUx'uLUA-‘f/JVTE/ydlggu $5M dwuw’xflu‘flpw‘xbflw ”M, )L ":“VW/é"JW'wabJJw buiwée/wl/Zz/ 2.42MB», mm, ’46} J/ (JAJ'Jfli .3913. Wflfigy ‘4‘!“ “MM/LLJ’J“’IJV’9W'q9’k/r’111’r"!?Ju_>u;b.;,¢;:;,¢,r_/;5;; wall; 540*; 4% w‘jwiwwlufimw cg," Jab ”,4;sz ,;3.;'/Jau,,y .uW'UK/f/du-dlam ¢;/¢/wfH ’“fgdL/V‘W’dW/v‘L/W/wx—fitg)L “WU"! 9'" W-Oégn“J’i-‘fl/wd’lu‘mdszvM/jwfifg , ”1,,” _-_/,, W: ,0, 4’21}? M/OIIfi-umqliwwjdfi fjwugfgé/glfi,;_jdwfl ”/(u, 464.», M’M’I’ gé-w-‘J‘édb/d? »'»,w?.>.-,é74/,zatye. 4’15/50’14‘};

ujfilfl’bJI/‘M w ~"d fidjlilé/Hflflfiiéu 1;;122'I/JI:}.~1:/LJ/7J:VIIHA

MJU-I/wfian/dl meC/u 1,0,1) ’Jfi/lub/LJM}; ”aww ZIJ’IJ),:/:'L'1. JV'V"'}q‘.‘»0'fI/L5flopl Jusf', 0,6:qu “gag wr_:4$:?-'4¢MJ¢JJ;,57;};43‘1'5 '-;u/‘;;5u,u ¢le «14,110 (5‘7? M)”; L

WWW“; 547'” 927/0 M e um: dwyéugpygipfy

[Page 407]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 407

TREUHANDSCHAFTSERKLARUNG DES NATIONALEN GEISTIGEN RATES DER Bahá’í IN DEUTSCHLAND UND OSTERREICH e. V.

DECLARATION AND BY-LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE Bahá’ís OF GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

V VIR, Marta Blanche Brauns-Forel, Karlsruhe i. B.; Paul Ferdinand Gollmer, Stuttgart; Max Greeven, Bremen; Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Neckargemijnd; Edith Elisabeth Anna Horn, Stuttgart; Anna Maria K&Sstlin, Esslingen a. N.; Dr. Adelbert Friedrich Alexander Marinus Mühlschlegel, Stuttgart; Dr. Karl Eugen Schmidt, Stuttgart; Alice Corinna Gabriele Emma Amelia (Táhirih) Schwarz-Solivo, Stuttgart, erkl'ziren hiermit als der durch die Abgeordneten der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich anl'ésslich der Jahrestagung in Stuttgart am 22. April 1934 ordnungsm'zissig gew'eihlte und mit allen Vollmachten zur Errichtung der nachfolgenden Treuhandschaft ausgestattete Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich, dass vom heutigen Tage an die diesem Rate durch Bahá’u’lláh, den Begriinder des Bahá’í-Glaubens, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, den Ausleger und das Vorbild, und Shoghi Effendi, den Hiiter desselben, 'Libertragenen Befugnisse, Verantwortlichkeiten, Rechte, Vorrechte und Pflichten von dem vorgenannten Nationalen Geistigen Rat und seinen ordnungsm'zissig bestellten Nachfolgern gem'ziss dieser Treuhandschaftserkl'zirung ausgeiibt, verwaltet und fortgefiihrt werden sollen. Die Annahme dieser Form des Zusammenschlusses, der Vereinigung und Gemeinschaft und die Zulegung der Bezeichnung als Treuh'émder der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich erfolgt durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat als dem seit mehr als dreiundzwanzig J ahren bestehenden und verantwortlichen Verwaltungskérper einer Religionsgemeinschaft. Infolge dieser Titigkeit erw'aichst dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat die Pflicht zur Verwaltung der st'aindig mannigfacher und umfangreicher werdenden Angelegenheiten und Vermfigenswerte der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich, weshalb wir als dessen Mitglieder es ffir wiinschenswert und notwendig erachten, unserer gemeinsamen T'eitigkeit eine fester umrissene, gesetzméissige Form zu geben. Wir tun dies in Vblliger Einmfitigkeit und in voller Erkenntnis der damit geschafienen heiligen Bindung. Wir anerkennen fiir uns und unsere Nachfolger in dieser Treuhandschaft die erhabene religiése Richtschnur, die ffir Bahá’í-Verwaltungskérperschaften in dem Worte Bahá’u’lláh’s zum Ausdruck kommt: ,,Seid Treuhéinder des Barmherzigen unter den Menschen“ und suchen den Beistand Gottes und Seine Fiihrung, damit wir dieser Ermahnung folgen

kénnen. 10. Februar 1935

ENTSCHLIESSUNG DES NATIONALEN GEISTIGEN RATES

Der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich e. V. musste sich zufolge einer staatspolizeilichen Anordnung vom 7. Juni 1937 auflb’sen. Am 7. April 1946 hat sich der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich gem'ziss der bis 1937 angewandten Treuhandschaftserkl'airung und Satzung von neuem konstituiert. ’

Da die Treuhandschaftserklérung und Satzung des Nationalen Geistigen Rates der Bahá’í der Vereinigten Staaten schon bisher filr die administrative Ordnung der deutschen Bahá’í-Gemeinde als Vorbild diente, hat der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich e. V., der am 18. Juni 1949 gew'zihlt wurde und sich am 20. Juni 1949 konstituierte, am 8. Oktober 1949 beschlossen, seine Treuhandschaftserkl'airung und Satzung der neuen Fassung des Nationalen Geistigen Rates der Bahá’í in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika, einschliesslich aller Erg'zinzungen und Anderungen bis

[Page 408]408 THE BAHA’I WORLD

16. Juli 1949, sinngem'eiss anzugleichen. Vorliegende Fassung wurde vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat am 1. April 1950 verabschiedet. Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Vorsitzender; Paul Gollmer, stellvertretender Vorsitzender; Ruprecht Krfiger, Sekretiir; Albrecht Nagel, Rechner; Anna Grossmann; Julius Henseler; Giinther Heyd; Dr. Adelheid J Eiger; Adolf Spieth.

ARTIKEL I

Die genannte Treuhandgemeinschaft fiihrt die Bezeichnung ,,Der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Gsterreich e. V.“

ARTIKEL II

Wir teilen die Ideale unserer Mit-Bahá’í und arbeiten mit ihnen an der Aufrichtung, Erhaltung und Férderung der geistigen, erziehlichen und menschenfreundlichen Lehren menschlicher Bruderschaft, strahlenden Glaubens, erhabenen Charakters und selbstloser Liebe, wie sie im Leben und in den Ausserungen aller Propheten und Botschafter Gottes, der Begriinder der Offenbarungsreligionen in der Welt, geofienbart und mit erneuter Kraft und allumfassender Geltung fiir die Gegebenheiten dieses Zeitalters durch das Leben und die Worte Bahá’u’lláh’s verkiindet worden sind. Wir erkl’ziren als Zweck und Gegenstand dieser Treuhandgemeinschaft die Verwaltung der Angelegenheiten der Sache Bahá’u’lláh’s zum Besten der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich gem’aiss den von Bahá’u’lláh geschaffenen und eingefiihrten, von ‘Abdu’l-Bahá niiher bestimmten und erl’ciuterten und von Shoghi Effendi und dessen nach dem Willen und Testament ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ordnungsm‘cissig eingesetzten Nachfolger und Nachfolgern erweiterten und angeWandten Grunds'aitzen ffir die Bahá’í—Zugehérigkeit und —Verwaltung.

Der Erfiillung dieses Zweckes sollen Andachtszusarnmenkfinfte, éflentliche Versammlungen und Zusammenkiinfte erziehlichen, menschenfreundlichen und geistigen Charakters, die Verétfentlichung von Bfichem, Zeitschriften und Zeitungen, die Erricbtung von Tempeln allgemeiner Anbetung und anderer Einrichtungen und Bauten fiir menschenfreundliche Dienste, die Uberwachung, Vereinheitlichung, Férderung und allgemeine Verwaltung der Angelegenheiten der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich in Erfiillung ihrer religifisen Dienste, Pflichten und Ideale sowie jedes sonstige diesen Zielen oder einem von ihnen férderliche Mittel dienen.

Weiterer Zweck und Gegenstand dieser Treuhandgemeinschaft ist:

a) das Recht, mit irgendwelchen Personen, Unternehmungen, Vereinigungen, privaten, éflentlichen oder gemeindlichen Kérperschaften, dem Staat oder irgendwelchen seiner L'zinder, Gebiete oder mit irgendwelchen fremden Regierungen in jeder Art und Weise Vertr'eige abzuschliessen, zu vollziehen und zu erfiillen, die zur Férderung der Ziele dieser Treuhandschaft dienen, und im Zusammenhang damit und bei allen Verrichtungen, die im Rahmen dieser Treuhandschaft erfolgen, alles und jedes tun, was eine Gesellschaft oder natijrliche Person zu tun oder auszuiiben vermag und was gegenwéirtig oder kiinftig vom Gesetz zugelassen ist,

b) bei allen durch Gesetz oder anderswie errichteten Verbéinden oder Nachliissen und sonstigen letztwilligen Verffigungen in Verbindung mit Schenkungen, Vermfichtnissen oder Auflassungen jeder Art, in welchen ein oder mehrere Treuh‘cinder in irgend einem Teil der Welt sowohl, als auch in Deutschland und Osterreich bestellt werden, aufzutreten und als empfangsberechtigt zu gelten und Schenkungen, Verm'échtnisse oder Auflassungen in Geld oder sonstigen Vermégenswerten anzunehmen,

c) alles und was immer in den schriftlichen Ausserungen Bahá’u’lláh’s, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s, Shoghi Effendi’s und seiner ordnungsm'eissigen Nachfolger, durch die den Nationalen Geistigen R'ziten gewisse Spruchrechte, Befugnisse und Gerechtsame gew'aihrt sind, an verschiedenen Zwecken und Zielen niedergelegt ist und

d) gemeinhin alles zu tun und zu bewirken, was nach Ansicht der benannten Treu )5!

h‘zinder, d. h. des Nationalen Geistigen Rates der Baha 1 in Deutschland und Oster [Page 409]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 409

reich zur Ffirderung der vollst'aindigen und erfolgreichen Verwaltung dieser Treuhandgemeinschaft erforderlich, geeignet und von Vorteil ist.

ARTIKEL III

1. Abschnitt. Allen Personen, Unternehmungen, K&Srperschaften und Vereinigungen gegenfiber, die den Treuh’cindern, d. h. dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat und seinen Mitgliedern in ihrer Eigenschaft als solche Kredit gewéhren, Vertr‘aige mit ihnen schliessen oder irgendwelche Anspriiche gegen sie, gleichviel welcher Art, ob rechtlich oder billig, zu Recht oder zu Unrecht, haben, gilt lediglich das Treuhandvermfigen und der Treuhandbesitz als Masse ffir Zahlung oder Sicherstellung bezw. ffir die Begleichung irgendwelcher Schulden, Ersatzansprfiche, Auflagen und Bescheide oder irgendwelcher Betrége, die in sonstiger Weise seitens der Treuhiinder geschuldet oder zahlbar werden k6nnten, so dass weder die Treuhiinder, noch irgendeiner von ihnen, noch irgendeiner ihrer kraft dieses ernannten Beauftragten oder Vertreters, noch irgendwelche hierin genannte Berechtigte, sei es einzeln gemeinsam, persiinlich daffir haften.

2. Abschnitt. Alle Bescheinigungen, Schuldanerkenntnisse, Antr'eige, schriftlichen Verpflichtungen und Vertriige oder sonstigen Vereinbamngen und Urkunden, die im Rahmen dieser Treuhandschaft getroffen oder gegeben werden, werden ausdrficklich vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat als Treuh’cinder durch dessen ordnungsmfissig ermiichtigte Beauftragte und Vertreter vollzogen.

ARTIKEL IV

Die Treuhiinder, d. h. der Nationale Geistige Rat, nehmen fiir die Durchfiihrung der ihm in dieser Treuhandschaftserklirung anvertrauten Obliegenheiten die zur Festlegung und Erledigung der eigenen Verwaltungsaufgaben wie auch derjenigen der verschiedenen 6rtlichen und sonstigen Gliederungen, die die Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich verk6rpern, erforderlichen Satzungen, Bestimmungen und Dienstvorschriften gem‘ciss den Zwecken dieser Einrichtung und in Ubereinstimmung mit den seitherigen ausdriicklichen, den Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich bereits bekannten und von ihnen in der Fiihrung und Handhabung ihrer religiésen Angelegenheiten fibernommenen Weisungen Shoghi Effendi’s, des Hiiters des Bahá’í-Glaubens, an.

ARTIKEL V

Die Hauptgeschfiftsstelle dieser Treuhandgemeinschaft befindet sich an demjenigen Ort, der durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat von Zeit zu Zeit bestimmt wird.

ARTIKEL VI

Das Siegel dieser Treuhandgemeinschaft besitzt runde Form und zeigt folgende Inschrift:

Der Nationale Geistige Rat der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich e. V. Treuhandschaftserkl’cirung 1935.

ARTIKEL VII

Diese Treuhandschaftserkl'airung kann durch absoluten Mehrheitsbeschluss des Nationalen Geistigen Rates der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich in jeder besonderen Versammlung, die zu diesem Zwecke ordnungsm'eissig einberufen worden ist, ergiinzt werden, vorausgesetzt, dass mindestens dreissig Tage vor dem fiir die Versammlung festgesetzten Zeitpunkt eine Abschrift der vorgeschlagenen Erg’énzung oder Erg'zinzungen an jedes Ratsmitglied dutch den Sekret'air mittels eingeschriebenen Briefes versandt wird.

[Page 410]410 THE BAHA’I WORLD

SATZUNG DES NATIONALEN GEISTIGEN RATES

ARTIKEL I

Der Nationale Geistige Rat soll in Erffillung seiner geheiligten Pflichten im Rahmen dieses Treuhandverhiiltnisses ausschliessliches Spruch- und Hoheitsrecht fiber jede T'aitigkeit und alle Angelegenheiten der Bahá’í-Sache in Deutschland und Osterreich unter Einschluss der Oberhoheit in bezug auf die Verwaltung dieser Treuhandschaft haben. Er soll darnach streben, die (nachstehend erléuterte) Vielgestaltige T'aitigkeit der b'rtlichen Geistigen R‘aite sowie diejenigen der einzelnen Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich anzuspornen, zu vereinigen und gleichzuordnen, und sie in jeder nur méglichen Weise in der Fb'rderung der Einheit der Menschheit unterstiitzen. Ihm obliegt die Anerkennung derartiger 6rtlicher Rate, die Priifung der 6rt1ichen Mitgliederrollen, die Einberufung der Jahrestagung oder besonderer Versammlungen und die Einsetzung der Abgeordneten zur Jahrestagung und ihre zifiemm'éssige Verteilung unter den verschiedenen Wahlbezirken. Er soll simtliche nationalen Bahá’í-Ausschiisse ernennen und die Veréffentlichung und Verteilung von Bahá’í—Schrifttum, die Uberpriifung aller die Bahá’í-Sache betrefienden Schriften, den Bau und die Verwaltung des Mashriqu’l-Adllkér’s und seiner Nebeneinrichtungen und die Erhebung und Verwendung aller Gelder zur Fortffihrung dieser Treuhandschaft fiberwachen. Er soll entscheiden, ob irgendwelche Angelegenheiten dem Bereiche seines eigenen Spruchrechtes oder demjenigen eines 6rtlichen Geistigen Rates angehéren. Er 3011 in Fallen, die ihm geeignet und notwendig erscheinen, Berufungen aus Entscheidungen 6rt1icher Geistiger Rite annehmen und soll das Recht zur endgijltigen Entscheidung in allen Fallen haben, in denen die Beféihigung eines einzelnen oder einer Gruppe, stindig das Wahlrecht auszufiben oder Mitglied der Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft zu sein, in Frage steht. Er soll ferner die Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich fiberall vertreten, wo es sich um die Zusammenarbeit und geistige Bet‘citigung mit den Bahá’í anderer Liinder handelt, und soll das alleinige Wahlorgan der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Ostérreich bei Bildung des in den Heiligen Schriften der Sache vorgesehenen Universalen Hauses der Gerechtigkeit sein.

Vor allem aber soll der Nationale Geistige Rat stets jene Stufe der Einheit in Ergebenheit gegeniiber der Offenbarung Bahá’u’lláh’s erstreben, die die Best'eitigung des Heiligen Geistes anzieht und den Rat zum Dienste an der Begrfindung des Grfissten Friedens f'zihig machen wird. Bei allen seinen Beratungen und Handlungen soll der Nationale Geistige Rat als géttlichen Ffihrer und Massstab st'aindig die Ausserung Bahá’u’lláh’s vor Augen haben:

,,Es geziemt ihnen (d. h. den Geistigen Rfiten) , die Vertrauten des Barmherzigen unter den Menschen zu sein und sich ffir Gottes auserw'éhlte Hiiter von allem, was auf Erden ist, zu halten. Es obliegt ihnen, miteinander zu beraten und auf die Belange der Diener Gottes acht zu haben, um Seiner Selbst willen, wie sie auf die eigenen Belange achten, und das zu wfihlen, was geziemend ist und schicklich.“

ARTIKEL 11

Die Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich, zu deren Gunsten diese Treuhandschaft errichtet ist, soll aus allen in Deutschland und Osterreich in den verschiedenen L'aindern und Verwaltungsgebieten wohnhaften Personen bestehen, die vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat als den Erfordernissen ffir die Mitgliedschaft in der Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft geméiss den folgenden, durch den Hfiter des Glaubens festgelegten F'zihigkeiten anerkannt sind:

a) volle Anerkennung der Stufe des Báb als Vorléiufer, von Bahá’u’lláh als Begrfinder und von ‘Abdu’l-Bahá als wahres Vorbild der Bahá’í-Religion; vorbehaltlose Annahme von allem und Unterordnung unter alles, was dutch ihre Feder geoflenbart worden ist; treues und standhaftes Festhalten an allen Teilen des geheiligten Willens ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s und enge Verbindung sowohl mit dem Geiste als auch mit der Form der Bahá’í-Verwaltung in der ganzen Welt.

[Page 411]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 411

b) Vollendung des 21. Lebensjahres.

c) Glaubenserkl'érung gegen'L‘Iber dem vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat anerkannten 6rtlichen Geistigen Rat, in dessen Rechtsbereich er wohnhaft ist, sowie Eintragung bei diesem.

d) Glaubenserkl'zirung gegenfiber dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat, in der f'Lir die Mitgliedschaft vorgesehenen Form fiir ausserhalb eines solchen 6rtlichen Rechtsbereiches wohnhafte Personen.

ARTIKEL III

Der Nationale GeistigeRat soll aus neun aus dem Kreise der Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich gew'zihlten Mitgliedern bestehen, die von den genannten Bahá’í in der weiter unten beschriebenen Weise gew'aihlt werden und f'Lir die Dauer eines Jahres oder bis zur Wahl ihrer Nachfolger im Amte bleiben sollen.

ARTIKEL IV

Die geschéftsfijhrenden Mitglieder des Nationalen Geistigen Rates sollen aus einem Vorsitzenden, stellvertretenden Vorsitzenden, Sekret'air und Rechner und anderen Beauftragten bestehen, die sonst noch ffir die geeignete F'Lihrung seiner Gesch'aifte fiir nbtig erachtet werden mbgen. Die gesch'eiftsfiihrenden Mitglieder sollen mit absoluter Stimmenmehrheit des Rates in geheimer Abstimmung gew'aihlt werden.

ARTIKEL V

Die erste Versammlung eines neugew'eihlten Nationalen Geistigen Rates soll durch dasjenige Mitglied einberufen werden, das bei der Wahl die héchste Stimmenzahl erhalten hat, oder, soweit zwei oder mehr Mitglieder die gleiche héchste Stimmenzahl aufweisen, durch das unter diesen ausgeloste Mitglied. Dieses Mitglied soll den Vorsitz bis zur Wahl des st'aindigen Vorsitzenden ffihren. Alle folgenden Sitzungen sollen durch den Sekret'alr des Rates auf Ersuchen des Vorsitzenden oder, bei dessen Abwesenheit oder Verhinderung, des stellvertretenden Vorsitzenden oder dreier beliebiger Ratsmitglieder einberufen werden, wobei jedoch die Jahrestagung des Rates, wie weiterhin festgelegt, in bezug auf Zeitpunkt und Ort von dem Rat durch absoluten Mehrheitsbeschluss festzulegen ist.

ARTIKEL VI

Der Nationale Geistige Rat soll beschlussf'aihig sein, sobald ffinf Mitglieder desselben in einer Sitzung anwesend sind, und die durch diese gefassten, absoluten Mehrheitsbeschlfisse sollen gelten, soweit diese Satzung nichts anderes bestimmt, in gebiihrendem Hinblick auf den in der Einrichtung eines Geistigen Rates enthaltenen Grundsatz der Einheit und aufrichtigen Gemeinschaft als ausreichend zur Ffihrung der Geschéfte. Die Verhandlungen und Entscheidungen des Nationalen Geistigen Rates sind bei jeder Sitzung durch den Sekretiir zu protokollieren, der den Ratsmitgliedern nach jeder Sitzung Abschriften der Protokolle zustellen und die Protokolle unter den offiziellen Urkunden des Rates aufbewahren soll.

ARTIKEL VII

Wo immer in Deutschland und Osterreich, in einer Stadt oder einer I'aindlichen Gemeinde, die Zahl der darin wohnenden, vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat anerkannten Bahá’í neun fibersteigt, kfinnen diese am 21. April eines Jahres zusammenkommen und mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit eine 6rtliche Verwaltungskiirperschaft von neun Personen als Geistigen Rat der betreffenden Gemeinde wfihlen. Jeder solche Geistige Rat sol]

[Page 412]412 THE BAHA’I WORLD

darauf alljihrlich an jedem folgenden 21. Tag des April gewfihlt werden. Die Mitglieder sollen fiir die Dauer eines Jahres und bis zur Wahl und Anerkennung ihrer Nachfolger im Amte bleiben.

Soweit dagegen die Zahl der Bahá’í im Bereich eines bestiitigten Verwaltungsgebietes genau neun betr‘aigt, kénnen sich diese am 21. April eines J ahres oder in den nachfolgenden Jahren durch gemeinsame Erklfirung zu einem értlichen Geistigen Rat konstituieren. Durch Beurkundung einer solchen Erkl'airung seitens des Sekretiirs des Nationalen Geistigen Rates 5011 der besagte Neunerrat als mit allen Rechten, Vorrechten und Pflichten eines 6rtlichen Geistigen Rates, wie sic in dieser Satzung festgelegt sind, eingesetzt gelten.

1. Abschnitt. Jeder neugewiihlte értliche Geistige Rat soll sofort gem'aiss den in den Artikeln IV and V dieser Satzung enthaltenen Anweisungen fiber die Wahl seiner gesch'ziftsffihrenden Mitglieder verfahren, die aus einem Vorsitzenden, stellvertretenden Vorsitzenden, Sekretér und Rechner und was der Rat sonst fiir die Fi'lhrung seiner Gesch'éfte und die Erffillung seiner geistigen Pflichten an Beauftragten ffir n'dtig erachten mag, bestehen. Unmittelbar darnach soll der gew'aihlte Sekret'alr dem Sekret‘air des Nationalen Geistigen Rates die Namen der Mitglieder des neugewihlten Rates und eine Liste seiner geschfiftsfiihrenden Mitglieder fibermitteln.

2. Abschnitt. Die allgemeinen Befugnisse und Pflichten eines firtlichen Geistigen Rates sollen so sein, wie sie sich aus den Schriften Bahá’u’lláh’s, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s und Shoghi Effendi’s ergeben.

3. Abschnitt. Unter die weiteren besonderen Pflichten eines artlichen Geistigen Rates $011 das volle Spruchrecht fiber alle Bahá’í-Veranstaltungen und -Angelegenheiten innerhalb der 6rtlichen Gemeinde, unbeschadet der hierin erkl'zirten ausschliesslichen Oberhoheit des Nationalen Geistigen Rates fallen.

4. Abschnitt. Ausfallende Mitglieder eines brtlichen Geistigen Rates sollen auf einer zu diesem Zwecke durch den Rat ordnungsm'aissig einberufenen, besonderen Gemeindcversammlung durch Wahl erg'ainzt werden. Falls die Zahl der ausfallenden Mitglieder h6her als vier ist. so dass die Beschlussf'aihigkeit des 6rtlichen Rates unmiiglich ist, soll die Wahl unter der Oberaufsicht des Nationalen Geistigen Rates vorgenommen werden.

5. Abschnitt. Die Geschiifte des 6rtlichen Rates sollen in gleicher Weise gefiihrt werden, wie oben in Artikel VI ffir die Beratungen des Nationalen Geistigen Rates festgelegt ist.

6. Abschnitt. Der 6rt1iche Rat soll die Eignung jedes Mitgliedes der Bahá’í-Gemeinde vor dessen Zulassung als wahlberechtigtes Mitglied fiberprfifen und gutheissen, doch kann jeder, der mit der Entscheidung des firtlichen Geistigen Rates fiber seine Bahá’íF'aihigkeiten unzufrieden ist, gegen die Entscheidung beim Nationalen Geistigen Rat Berufung einlegen, der den Fall aufgreifen und endgiiltig dariiber entscheiden sell.

7. Abschnitt. Am oder vor dem ersten Tag im November jedes Jahres soll der Sekretéir jedes firtlichen Rates dem Sekretér des Nationalen Geistigcn Rates eine 0rdnungsm‘zissig beglaubigte Liste der stimmberechtigten Mitglieder der 6rt1ichen Bahá’íGemeinde zur Unterrichtung und Gutheissung durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat einsenden.

8. Abschnitt. Alle sich innerhalb einer 6rt1ichen Bahá’í—Gemeinde ergebenden Angelegenheiten von rein 6rtlichem Interesse, die nicht die nationalen Belange der Sache beriihren, sollen in erster Instanz dem Spruchrecht des betreffenden 6rtlichen Geistigen Rates unterstehen, doch liegt die Entscheidung darfiber, ob in einem besonderen Fall durch die Angelegenheit die Belange und die Wohlfahrt der nationalen Bahá’í-Gemeinschaft berfihrt werden, beim Nationalen Geistigen Rat.

9. Abschnitt. Jedem Mitglied einer Bahá’í-Gemeinde steht es frei, gegen eine Entscheidung seifles Geistigen Rates beim Nationalen Geistigen Rat Berufung einzulegen,

[Page 413]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U'LLAH 413

der darfiber befinden soll, ob er die Sache zur Entscheidung aufgreifen oder sie beim 6rtlichen Geistigen Rat zur nochmaligen Erw'eigung belassen will. Greift der Nationale Geistige Rat die Sache zur Entscheidung auf, so soll seine Findung endgiiltig sein.

10. Abschnitt. Bestehen innerhalb einer Bahá’í-Gemeinde Meinungsverschiedenheiten, die nicht durch die Bemfihungen des 5rtlichen Geistigen Rates beigelegt werden kénnen, so ist die Angelegenheit durch den Geistigen Rat dem Nationalen Geistigen Rate zur Erwiigung zu fiberweisen, dessen Vorgehen in der Sache dann endg'Liltig sein 5011.

11. Abschnitt. Alle Streitfragen zwischen zwei oder mehreren 6rtlichen Geistigen Réiten oder zwischen Mitgliedern verschiedener Bahá’í-Gemeinden sollen in erster Instanz dem Nationalen Geistigen Rate unterbreitet werden, der bei allen derartigen Angelegenheiten das erste und letzte Spruchrecht haben 5011.

12. Abschnitt. Der Rechtsbereich eines 6rtlichen Geistigen Rates in bezug auf die 6rtliche Zustblndigkeit der Mitgliedschaft und Wahlberechtigung eines Gléubigen in einer Bahá’í—Gemeinde soll der durch die verwaltungsrechtlichen Grenzen einer Stadt oder einer landlichen Gemeinde bestimmten Gebiete entsprechen.

Alle Auffassungsverschiedenheiten in bezug auf das Rechtsgebiet eines 6rtlichen Geistigen Rates oder beziiglich der Angliederung irgend eines Bahá’í oder einer Gruppe von Bahá’í in Deutschland und Osterreich sind dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat zu unterbreiten, dessen Entscheidung in der Sache endgiiltig sein soll.

ARTIKEL VIII

Die Mitglieder des Nationalen Geistigen Rates sollen in einer Jahresversammlung gew'zihlt werden, die als die Nationaltagung der Bahá’í von Deutschland und Osterreich bezeichnet wird.

Zeitpunkt und Ort f'Lir die Abháltung dieser Tagung ist durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat zu bestimmen. Die Nationaltagung soll sich gemeinschaftlich zusammensetzen aus den Vertretern, die nach dem Verh‘ciltniswahlrecht von den Glfiubigen der einzelnen Lander, Kreise oder Bezirke gew‘éhlt sind sowie aus den Mitgliedern des Nationalen Geistigen Rates.

Der Nationale Geistige Rat gibt den Zeitpunkt der Jahreszusammenkunft 60 Tage im voraus bekannt, und zwar in der

Einberufung der National-Tagung,

die die Zahl der Abgeordneten bekannt gibt, wie sie den verschiedenen Wahlbezirken im Verhéiltnis zu der Anzahl der in diesen wohnhaften Bahá’í zugeteilt ist, bei einer Gesamtzahl von 38 Abgeordneten ffir die Bahá’í von Deutschland und Osterreich.

1. Abschnitt. Alle Tagungsabgeordneten sollen mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit gew'zihlt werden. Bahá’í, die durch Krankheit oder andere unvermeidliche Griinde verhindert sind, an der Wahl persénlich teilzunehmen, sollen das Recht haben, ihren Stimmzettel durch die Post der Versammlung zu fibermitteln. Die Zusammenkunft, die in jedem Land, Verwaltungs- oder Wahlbezirk abgehalten wird, sol] dutch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat einberufen und durch die Bahá’í durchgefijhrt werden, die gem'éss einem Verfahren daran teilnehmen, das einheitlich durch die erwiihnte Kérperschaft niedergelegt sein kann. Unmittelbar nach der Zusammenkunft soll ein beglaubigter Wahlbericht, der

Name und Anschrift jedes Abgeordneten enth'ailt, dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat fibermittelt werden.

2. Abschnitt. Alle ffir die Tagung gew'aihlten Abgeordneten mfissen anerkannte Bahá’í und Bewohner des von ihnen vertretenen Landes, Verwaltungs— oder Wahlbezirkes sein.

3. Abschnitt. Die Rechte und Vorrechte eines Abgeordneten kénnen weder fibertragen noch durch einen Stellvertreter ausgeijbt werden.

4. Abschnitt. Die Anerkennung und Einsetzung der Abgeordneten zur Nationaltagung sol] vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat vollzogen werden.

[Page 414]414 THE BAHA’I WORLD

5. Abschnitt. Soweit Abgeordnete nicht persbnlich an der Tagung teilnehmen kénnen, sollen sie das Recht haben, ihre Stimmzettel zur Wahl der Mitglieder des Nationalen Geistigen Rates zu den vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat festzusetzenden Bedingungen zu fibermitteln.

6. Abschnitt. Halt der Nationale Geistige Rat in irgendeinem J ahre das Zusammenrufen der Abgeordneten zur Nationaltagung ffir undurchfiihrbar oder nicht geraten, so setzt der Nationale Geistige Rat die postalischen Mittel und Wege ffir die jfihrliche Wahl und Durchfiihrung anderer wesentlicher Gesch'zifte der Nationaltagung fest.

7. Abschnitt. Das auf der Nationaltagung anwesende vorsitzende, geschiiftsffihrende Mitglied des Nationalen Geistigen Rates soll die Abgeordneten zusammenrufen, die zur endgfiltigen Konstituierung der Versammlung schreiten, einen Vorsitzenden, einen Sekretiir und was weiter an Beauftragten ffir die geeignete Fiihrung der Gesch'zifte der Tagung erforderlich ist, durch geheime Abstimmung w'aihlen sollen.

8. Abschnitt. Die Hauptarbeit der Jahresversammlung soll die Beratung fiber die Bahá’í—T'zitigkeit, die Pl'zine und Arbeitsweise sowie die Wahl der neun Mitglieder des Nationalen Geistigen Rates sein. Mitglieder des Nationalen Geistigen Rates, ob als Abgeordnete gew'eihlt oder nicht, kbnnen an der Beratung und Diskussion vollen Anteil nehmen, jedoch dfirfen nur Abgeordnete an der Wahl der Tagungsbeauftragten oder an der j’aihrlichen Wahl der Mitglieder der Nationalen K&Srperschaft teilnehmen. Alle Handlungen durch die Abgeordneten, mit Ausnahme der Konstituierung der Tagung, der Ubermittlung von Botschaften an den Hfiter und der Wahl des Nationalen Geistigen Rates, sollen Ratschl'zige und Empfehlungen zur Erw‘cigung durch den besagten Rat sein, da endgfiltige Entscheidung fiber alle Angelegenheiten, die im Bereich der Bahá’í-Religion in Deutschland und Osterreich liegen, allein in jener Kbrperschaft getroffen werden.

9. Abschnitt. Die auf der Nationaltagung anzunehmende Gesch‘éftsordnung soll durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat vorbereitet werden, doch kbnnen alle auf die Sache bezfiglichen Angelegenheiten, die von irgendeinem Abgeordneten vorgebracht werden, auf Antrag, fiber den abzustimmen ist, als Punkt der Tagungsberatungen aufgenommen werden.

10. Abschnitt. Die Wahl der Mitglieder des Nationalen Geistigen Rates soll mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit durch die vom ausscheidenden Nationalen Geistigen Rat anerkannten Abgeordneten erfolgen, d. h. als gew'zihlt gelten diejenigen neun Personen, die im ersten Wahlgang der bei der Tagung anwesenden Abgeordneten sowie derjenigen Abgeordneten, deren Stimme dem Sekret‘alr des Nationalen Geistigen Rates postalisch fibermittelt worden ist, die grbsste Anzahl Stimmen erhalten haben. Falls infolge Stimmengleichheit die volle Mitgliederzahl nicht im ersten Wahlgang erreicht wird, finden e'm oder mehrere weitere Wahlg'ainge ffir die Personen, welche gleiche Stimmenzahl erhalten haben, statt, bis s‘cimtliche neun Mitglieder gew‘éhlt sind.

11. Abschnitt. Alle bei der Nationaltagung offiziell behandelten Angelegenheiten sollen unter die Protokolle des Nationalen Geistigen Rates aufgenommen und mit diesen verwahrt werden.

12. Abschnitt. Freigewordene Mitgliedssitze des Nationalen Geistigen Rates sollen mit relativer Stimmenmehrheit seitens der Abgeordneten der Nationaltagung, die den Rat gewfihlt haben, neu besetzt werden, wobei die Wahl in brieflicher oder irgend sonstiger durch den Nationalen Geistigen Rat bestimmter Form zu erfolgen hat.

ARTIKEL IX

Soweit dem Nationalen Geistigen Rat durch diese Satzung in irgendwelchen, die T5tigkeit und die Angelegenheiten der Bahá’í-Sache in Deutschland und Osterreich betreffenden Fragen ausschliessliches und hfichstrichterliches Spruchrecht sowie vollziehende Oberhoheit fibertragen ist, gilt dies mit der Weisung, dass alle beziiglich solcher Fragen getroffenen Entscheidungen oder erfolgten Massnahmen in jedem Falle dem Hfiter der

[Page 415]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 415

Sache oder dem Universalen Hause der Gerechtigkeit zur endgfiltigen Prfifung und Billigung zu unterbreiten sind.

ARTIKEL X

Soweit Aufgaben und Befugnisse durch diese Satzung nicht ausdrficklich den 6rtlichen Geistigen R'eiten fibertragen sind, gelten sie als dem Nationalen Geistigen Rate verliehen, wobei dieser Kérperschaft das Recht zur Ubertragung solcher beliebiger Verrichtungen und Befugnisse zusteht, die sie innerhalb ihres Spruchrechtes als fiir 6rtliche Geistige R'aite erforderlich und ratsam erachtet.

ARTIKEL XI

Zur Wahrung des geistigen Charakters und Zweckes der Bahá’í—Wahlen soll weder der Brauch der Wahlvorschliige noch irgendein sonstiges, eine stille und von Gebeten getragene Wahl beeintréchtigendes Wahlverfahren aufkommen, so dass jeder Wéhler ffir niemanden stimmen soll, als wen ihm Gebet und Uberlegung eingegeben haben.

Zu den hervorragendsten und geheiligtsten Pflichten derer, die berufen werden, die Angelegenheiten der Sache als Mitglieder 6rtlicher oder nationaler Geistiger R‘cite aufzugreifen, zu fiihren und gleichzuordnen, gehért:

auf jede nur m'dgliche Weise das Vertrauen und die Zuneigung derer zu gewinnen,

denen zu dienen sie das Vorrecht haben; die Meinungen, vorherrschenden Empfindun gen und die perséinliche Uberzeugung derjenigen, deren Wohlergehen zu féirdern ihre feierliche Pflicht ist, zu erforschen und sich mit ihnen vertraut zu machen; ihre Erwigungen und die allgemeine Ffihrung ihrer Angelegenheiten von verschlossener

Teilnahmslosigkeit, dem Anschein der Heimlichkeit, dem erstickenden Dunstkreis

diktatorischer Bestimmungen und von allen Worten und Handlungen zu reinigen, die

den Eindruck von Parteilichkeit, Selbstsucht und Vorurteilen erwecken kbnnen, und unter Vorbehalt des geheiligten Rechtes endgfiltiger Entscheidung zur Besprechung einzuladen, Beschwerden nachzugehen, Ratschliige zu begrfissen und das Gefijhl der gegenseitigen Abh‘cingigkeit und Mitbeteiligung, des Verst'zindnisses und wechselseitigen Vertrauens unter sich und allen iibrigen Bahá’í zu pflegen.

ARTIKEL XII

Diese Satzung kann vom Nationalen Geistigen Rat in jeder regelm'aissigen oder besonderen Sitzung mit absoluter Stimmenmehrheit erg'einzt werden, vorausgesetzt, dass mindestens vierzehn Tage vor dem ffir die betrefiende Versammlung festgesetzten Zeitpunkt eine Abschrift der vorgeschlagenen Ergl’inzung oder Erg‘énzungen an jedes Ratsmitglied vom Sekret'air durch die Post gesandt wird.

In allen Fiillen, in denen fiber den durch den Wortlaut ausgedrfickten Sinn dieser Treuhandschaftserkliirung und Satzung Unklarheit auftfeten sollte, ist der englische

Wortlaut der Declaration of Trust and By Laws der Bahá’í der Vereinigten Staaten1 zu Rate zu ziehen.

1 Ausgabe von 1949.

[Page 416]416 THE BAHA’I WORLD

”)I’l'w/ Q11: 2 I!

I w 1Q; “429% Urbwtéhfi} 1322/11?

L191)“ dj‘Mfibfl 122/17; 5J3“ £1551 g1. fguu‘

1 . WWEQAQ' QM) «M11155» (oi?) 0:311? K1CQ/JVU-LLQL: “4317/1'bfl \°\\'\L..¢L.xywa wudrfi q 23311210]..qu #151»; @1me1.“ 11121.1; ‘1 “1"?“ N09: 1314,3119de ] 49919 ?%‘JLL JJL UBLA’V; 1.. j1 Mafiw ww/fiaww .1 mum m fU'UJqfijJa flkfidnyyJ Jubva‘vawJ éfiv“. ‘JV'JJMJLBJ

M1: +3) 41ij 21$Y5 ”4115A; :51Aéfib1gprj Wflffi “qufw Qi‘u,«.$aj1‘a.-w1x1af19 233114;}v11 ‘ 11W1~2~ D’VbifldLJU-fiévs ; ‘wwLf»‘1‘L_',“a’f/\LJ”J wwwe‘byfi‘fl J‘JJ‘J q/dekeJUJVUJf 1.3: 1:»; MbflLbJfiv&%fiwdf‘Jfi 14.24 1.36%: LL13. "1) JNUJJ “M 1:31.411} 4141.119 DJAJDWJyJJ Md], (EKM/J? 1.9;) dyUULQJ d3}; -wmgflwwju 1‘ H

'fi’JM 11 “29/4113) 1153‘“;er

«#JWLMJJLJJJJL 113W 155‘ «911331.11

Mwbwwmpwmwww 11.1.1111 “1».991311‘ gm. 1.wa 1119‘: Qflyuifiww‘ 312311191 Uwpw «1.1111213! 0M1LJ59 wayu2Afi-MMMUJJJ’DLAQ1JLGéj' ‘15], kazww‘JJ/J 131-5:ny fJJv-‘J/Lf'v “”be 3-411 52533 W‘WLHVJ‘J “wa‘w w1y19V4=~f1uy 95‘ re," J'PJ’UJ ch/Dw; QL-u muV’UWM/fl‘ 5:151} Jfgga" J ~L91Mopkagfjc~ ‘93-: bJOWW'

Declaration of Trust and By- -Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís ‘Iráq.

[Page 417]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 417

“"3343“. .2}ng C9.) 4:: “\wa ‘0 fdai ‘94)) J 9413“ J6 J1.) 4-» “Nu“ JJJ ?QLJWIM W‘MVJJJJJMHJL‘J‘J bU‘uLnuujjw firbbjfwarb1deUfl‘beww‘ ‘uéi’Jb‘bb‘J g» M}: J‘WJVVW. " L‘WJ‘W‘JJU W' J/ 3Y1LLA2‘ML?‘ WM} 9%} J‘owaéggwf awcwawwwww ”JWWMJQJW jflubmydd L199»- B&Lbbkafi: JUUM‘fJ-FJJUJJ bL‘aJ’ W W‘Ju‘cg J ‘53-’43 J JLWYSJU-UQL)‘ ‘3: Ln} fiuJ’W‘w ufkbéjmy&flxf; ffijfl J! wwL/ijJ‘JJL ‘MMJM‘W J1 141:; U Luv 12,23“ well My )6.»ij J J J‘ uwy-«Uqu/JJJ U13 JOU‘JQLL'N h” 3 WM 4);“ WJMWJ 4» Me» “4’52 Léffw mebffyf

L-f’ 4L- }‘bLjJWJJv-JJWV W‘QLG’LQJLLQ‘.’

9 ‘E-ve/ “M; 0233' WW%)&L4RJAA‘%f~>f‘e€f/fl&1

~A4UJ‘ W 3J‘a‘ C$J (U‘J quMJ ‘U‘L’W‘U JJ‘ -« ELLEN; L11 _..$1;\»\.ZJ‘ LAr-‘cjujbhu‘ nyai‘ vLaJ-Ju‘gbwkgycz A

LfoJUJ‘WL-Jw‘gu’ u jldd _JJ‘/LOJ(J‘ LLAqu/Slbloy'

ngswa‘wfi‘ ‘ JJJUJWWEW ”W J/ ?%Ldfigé-w J’v/‘LUJ’JJ’J' JLppvJ quQJfWan WW deN (growl JéJ‘Y J91) gm Ldajz/ ka’ JnngafiJj-‘WKUU'

JMJ’ jbwLJ‘EjfflwL JJJ’LJuJ’WJ‘MfM €663»?be Aggy 4M} La’fwwflbbgfi 4L3,» @4912». ALL“ @13-1‘ u ‘ y 3L“ wyw LJ mwwgsu W mjw Quflbé‘lilzwyb mfiU/a Lo )1 Aifimhw" mam L_JuwflJ Mfli taut?» www

5.4 [Page 418]418 THE BAHA’I WORLD

omwf+figgygw uuwofi atimgmw we: ‘vwawawmgww wayw- Wk} wuwy'swéfibéw ,g/ ‘ _ . _ w . .. t . ~ .— bu1sgu1 J “Uvgfiéf'fl‘yfdfiU-ébkm‘WLOX .. t . ' w _ .. ”BU u‘ggu‘ -:\Jffi‘fik,fikxd§mwwfioj ; d 9 m" Mww uwuwwaflbwfiv fduywéngflmgrQ‘uguaw'g—awm ~22» ,4 Fqfi‘&¢‘%fflw Cow’s Mwwqw . gum MA- Luw‘a ogywfix 0-) W. J .. \ijw\ H. w“ .. ' '\ m I U \fiquWq/fi‘qu \ \ " "“1 _ _ J ._ (V&mu ULJ-wv‘WWJ-b wwmsww ipsuuuwlflbwufi‘

3WWWWWW‘4W aé‘asmuww (WWW?) wwwujuwyxm MKJ‘WU}; w'w‘ B&Wbijy» ug‘fwwpwwgww w,

1. 3592“? Wvfiwfi 9km: a~> £2.11} wywafis [new

Wfiwww‘w , 3w.» wbxu‘m 1,3508 www; "91.9w Arm'wvwvwww JAM: w J.“.‘J‘=‘v‘~4“"fv>°{ttdg~t ¥§WOLflgk¢LAb hp; " d‘jflbbjf‘al‘ Wowwwwwuwuwcw.&W¢W a; J}?! w‘tLQyw‘»uJJ\ u‘ués‘ybwkgbULJb Km wynwmww qmyngwtatjawww wsywwu ww‘EL'JU 93‘?) 9M W‘way ,, . vbwyy¢£wu*meI-4;w Wm . . ,, _. . ~13: . CLAW) berfi‘f»fié}éjflbqé W%Wafléflba

[Page 419]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 419

“J“LJ'U‘LGLJJ a1 llJMJ‘waEA-‘EJU de’b’LUaSYQ -‘JLQ‘ufiaJ 4:541 W.) WMUJHUlewb JJL‘CJ‘QL‘UJ‘rar-J MbJJufldfi/AJLVMQLJ‘U .441.) :0 5-49.43.) AJBI‘JJJJQJ‘CJVJVUUL’UXL 439nm»; VW" 0%" ‘2’)“fléfl'fldj W4: fwfia‘; ‘stJJfLJJaL mg-“JJJJbJ L&EPJV/LUL‘LS'NSJJ UK‘VMW‘LLXJ u‘ -4..Le)‘ ( QU‘JBL‘ J:L$Jr‘f:_r.‘_30»- 4.13? LU” U‘ TJWw'JBVZfJJM1W rzbv’ufl‘mb JU‘ 1QfLéijfi @2494?ng wdeyyfi 4:444 .~ £33 ‘ k—M «JD «4 QWJLfi’fiy 1443' “v , WWfEwa/Leufd‘Ur/UUU‘ 44.9.10 A&Jbbdju‘ U) MflJ‘WZuLJ‘ “.43.: wydldwoqugy _.z‘}9\>4.1 15f JAAJMJJJAJJJQ*Q§1J\> 9‘ "UJJJG ojg‘m:

, , BYE} J‘Wéyé JJJJJ “beLAJL/fl‘ Jfol-L- wnggye Lafgmkwuag ?"w(..U‘)34.4 Diva“ . 0451);, bjwl 4.43.1‘ LymfwboaLéLJL-befii ' Y"- 'répJ J‘L’Ug

(‘U‘o‘u UUJ 4.14m; 293434. f | L MD 34L“) .

‘J 444443 44-»:qu ‘UQQLQM jqa’ W‘b—Jdfiygg

. (A_befi'fva.) jvo‘JM-a »%£J1444114¢' 3:. mm

wj/Cuaf’ Ju‘vu‘w’JRyLe-Uéflbb Jaggd‘U‘A‘é-U‘“ £144.5W43443w flygwfiau. Why Jew? _;,_ (4:45" U): .

L345 Lnfjbju J1 J5.) ] ' ijUDUJWVMJ/gabfiy J“ EM ijfigw WuLijfifiwfw {y‘éLfcfidh‘erk/f‘

V” .2 4.1.9343” JEJJA'JA‘WAJWJ 2f“ "_,%2} wyjflzfjtwdwgfl Jwix’g *J'AJ‘WM“ 'JmJJJy ' ‘W‘fir—‘JQJ'LU’ “ykufifw‘

2.2. D‘asw). .. , JLéé H V Y n Y é ' L‘fi4...?'~a ‘WJQ Wfi 30'? ?fozj‘ $31335 >3th .3 QWJB- ,3. JLaJ“J».4 DJ", {14:}!

[Page 420]420 THE BAHA’I WORLD

J&Lfiwrg flfrifll-“JW’tfiA‘WAbX—“Mu LeiM'JM: UU ("UUOIIU1) E&‘WH J1§LJ1iw).g,kL13 WU; °’

U1» ‘1 MUJLULQ1W: 1.: yfllr-wabcotg‘mwfJQLWéJJj/gjgdfiquflgufiyfix ?U'x‘b 412224264” ,. 4» 11 ‘ouwJul-Jawukfl r aquwf

WW) V‘Ef‘pb J’J‘abka L&VW‘UZQ" JRWWL)‘ Wflqu'b 2461):) H)»j1flUUJL‘OJ)y~fi-JD(J ”LMULNWWUJVW' wJ-JJ Jjbuyfi1 39193 wjaJJWNJc’i JWLuJa JJ’UJ .JLuLMM )1

’CUWJQLABI L») D%WVLL‘JN ‘ ”15K E&‘U’WWLJ 9231‘ Efiufflwu‘fi: “1“02UJ'WMJUJ/Euw J‘dbuébfl U1 3" ”Ma 5“ “UWJJMWJJ Ju’—-1 J a ‘1,ch “EU: WBJJ32U‘UJJ m' J1 “ ?fl‘fié mp‘f’aiégfi AQLJJ'AL'LL', - W4 Us “bnb «bald " ' dbfif-gffl W/wig \ng Ltdfubbgktéjdwwyfiym wu‘wwbymeflwwww Y LequwaLv) "W12; ‘j “2.12“!“ “ 2232722222 / 1 1 \ 1 1d 1%)1?‘ U JJ .1511 J

éuunui $114 $5 MILM1WJUWL (0)

mm J11, 11W 1:910:22} "1 J&Wd; L1) 2;): 1222.» 22222231“ 2 Jam: aw» — ‘xfibigwuwé J.) JWJW “2233ch .1 +21: . 2.2;ng 93%;); xfiwéu - (22231.»me mmfflaé ~chan 2_ JquJ 222122122631 Wme W1‘WQ‘JG‘UJWU g Jéjhy 'n- M99“? /3 \‘g/(JJJJ '2) 21 Jud‘WJJJUw-J 1‘51 Ujfl LA L&btyjd’iu U1 Wu‘t‘fflb‘é‘nw “13d 1‘2‘192úofi» yuewfl 112L°A11t3JM WJW 1.31.52 )JJJEUHWLQFMC fig: J 4.2M M121; 1 «flywwwmwuffiwwwwwuwW 9&3} c5311 M.) “LIME" JJVJ 654,1, ,1; Lou J 'J m) 2.; WWW 32‘2“ wwfmflf? fixed}:

w L Lbyyawybux kajflj}: MW 50.; b” w1hfibgWMqumjybbJ—U‘5? Eti‘zté‘; 11:19: (W (5J4) JOJ‘JJ-A"

_

[Page 421]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 421

MU‘OEU‘ , Wuwgwflswwmw,» dév“; w W“ Mb K15.» )JMLAstfl/j M) d1 “ W)LWWJJ# J3; W'kgbk ‘WjMLLAM JAJLo-‘LQ “quffiJ‘dejmeM‘Wbbg/yb‘wjbbjflc RfiJWJM JJJ'M‘WNAJL;BMJLQZ‘ 41%“ wmmw ways» LOWMflfJQAA-Afl ‘Jfiv‘fiflb‘wh U2)” 1‘1WJWWLQ1W’JL‘J' 31119—09UerWLJ‘bJ‘vfw’bLyJUM Yul}? \ffébfiJ-‘LEWWU'i/w J". . _, 1‘ V&f1w JpJgJL‘iCH L“ @Uflww‘ww wngfiu CJ‘JéJ‘cU) J‘JJ~%’\eL-L;‘ fl}; What»: 5.10“)??? U) ‘w .290 ,4 J U555 jb.a(i) WbefiJ-é‘ Wudfifwfiwfiri—Efi fig)

uvbj‘LLUg J! ‘ LebK-‘PQ 1-42,:‘56‘ ‘ (Bahá’í {/LWUU‘Ufi/JWZ/J‘WMDWJL. ‘wjpt 3514‘»; ) - w wafid wwam/mw

ffi'b/‘DM UWM‘J-‘Jyjflbw ‘ UJJMJLMJM (y) WWWUfifJfi JL—yftli'f ‘1‘» UV Uu—Awanbw‘ JUU-‘N uuwm m,» J“; m3 JM‘iisMLW m. (A

fl‘wflfié‘ LAB NEJJLLLJ'JJS- W‘ASUyajWLf L’Jéiifi't I

Jillleirfiu LU' qufibtflo DWJWWJ’W’LU‘ W flank H’wW‘cff/CQL ’ ‘WB‘LiFUjJJLmfl w; 163‘de uw? .‘J'CU’ JMJLJLUAQLLMIJ fig

I

Juwuuflvmcai “CW fig: .-. u)

Lb” Jo‘deJ 1141,1945 97/ 415’...» b-WZZU‘ JakJJJq 'IJQLy‘kJG\MULJJ-§' whit? (3-) UMLJJw uUQuuymjwwgwu' wbmmum»; #1.: u. \u‘ggymfivflfiwflw’u mpbwwmg M1WM‘W5 dea‘éfiffi

[Page 422]422 THE BAHA’I WORLD

L» M“ w WJWJJCVJ \efifla‘w‘w 'wb

aijn—fi.m LL»; asbflwe\J>’Er 9%wa 3» dvfiLcéQ‘) wa—ayVWWWuU mam xwlr $99wa n - af‘jfi‘ 953%} lav‘JCSU AU Mi; ‘éx‘

L (M45915 :U‘) 63*» “W‘M‘ww } L MU} L22” K, 41 3 U‘J’L?) ybjMflLb- ‘EbngL’ u/JU kyJEELe-l'fliga "‘jLJ \UL ‘Mm‘u JLWJ_;:\£ JUJOA)

(3w U1; 31L; _)

f" nJA‘dlaL UaQ/LoowJ—jwm N; w AEQY/UQULD ”11/ 8:): wLw—‘y‘uw 4..»ij w} J“- qu‘djuflgy/ML‘C‘ y : (Maugu1o;U) JJJéJ JEJ'LNW%L_J:L5« 3903A‘5‘1W §WLW¢YQ<JGA~ SJ??? w‘bfibflb WJ’ UWULw‘JwaLRJJ kwgg'jJU-ayib fiJé’J 4U” MJ‘LLLOJJVWWU‘” _\G\>._.\:, uy‘Iy-‘QWWWJ {:fi‘fl.‘ VLJJLJJJJWuVJJVgfihM)J‘ Mfl‘WLb‘ U u’uJ

_. Jew. Jiw‘ La.) thf/QJ (”023‘ thf'f‘l’awdwbé” % :fiwffijj‘bfii’fiu

t. wfibgyufigw JW‘Uqu mu 9mm wuw yc y.» 9’40; $15521,» ,w Jaw QbeLZJ u, LURE L451 ffiUV’WJ“ LwdvijJJLL-dy/u f’é) Ma 30;; wk”) JbsL—Iwfibjf‘f}‘ flabby” 1L4 JWWJ‘LNQWWUQJM‘w £10be “‘12“ J y)»; 3x343?» .WJ) 6164 bush» ob VJ‘J’WU tug; iw ELLLI‘IUJ‘J {’wa

3‘1: CW LU” U1 ) L w‘ J' JAJ:LJ‘L»Q5JJ) 45 J9 y’Lfl-‘JU \ f‘u“ Méb’u’w ad»! éLy,wYu}Jg' Lag»; MquM‘JUw-‘JJAFJ {J‘J’J’ Hbjfbfi n) WU LJ'

[Page 423]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 423

CONSTITUCION DE LA

ASAMBLEA ESPIRITUAL NACIONAL DE LOS BAHA’IS DE SUD-AMERICA

PREAM BU LO

LA ASAMBLEA Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América fué establecida por la Primera Convencién Anual Bahá’í celebrada en Lima, Perfi, e1 23 y 24 de Abril de 1951, compuesta de veintisiete delegados, representantes de 10s Bahá’ís de las comunidades locales existentes en los paises de Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perfi, Uruguay y Venezuela.

La primera Convencién Anual Bahá’í de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América, actuando con la autoridad concedida a ella por Shoghi Effendi, Guardién de la Fe Bahá’í y su Cabeza Internacional, Ilevé a cabo una eleccién el 24 de Abril de 1951, en la que resultaron nombrados:

Margot Worley, de Bahia, Brasil; Rangvald Taetz, de Montevideo, Uruguay; Manuel Vera, de Lima, Perfi; Gayle Woolson, de Cali, Colombia; Alejandro Reid, de Punta Arenas, Chile; Eve Nicklin, de Callao, Perli; Mercedes Sénchez, de Lima, Perfi; Edmund Miessler, de Sao Paulo, Brasil; y Esteban Canales, de Asuncién, Paraguay; quedando establecida 1a Institucién y constituida por éstos miembros esta Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional ha sido reconocida y aprobada por el Guardién de la Fe. Esté facultada con los poderes, autoridad, responsabilidades y deberes concedidos por las escrituras administrativas Bahá’ís a todas las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales. La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, actuando bajo su autoridad general como el cuerpo supremo administrativo de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América, ha adoptado una Constitucién que establece sus varios poderes y deberes y los de las Asambleas Espirituales locales, y ha publicado el texto para la informacién y guia de 10s Bahá’ís que residen en el érea de su jurisdiccién.

CAPITULO I. DEFINICION, PROPOSITOS, DURACION Y CAPITAL DE LA INSTITUCION

Articulo 1.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América es una institucién de la Fe Bahá’í establecida en el texto de las Escrituras de Bahá’u’lláh, e1 Fundador, descrita en las Escrituras de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, e1 Intérprete de la religién de Bahá’u’lláh, y autorizada por Shoghi Effendi, e1 Guardién de la Fe Bahá’í, quien fué nombrado en la Voluntad y Testamento de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. La Asamblea Nacional es un cuerpo religioso de carécter internacional, que actfia en obediencia a las leyes y autoridades civiles de los paises bajo su jurisdiccién.

Articulo 2.—Los propésitos de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional son:

a) Promover los ideales espirituales, éticos y humanitarios de la hermandad y cooperacién humanas establecidos en las Escrituras Sagradas Bahá’ís.

b) Administrar los asuntos de la Fé Bahá’í para bien de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América, de acuerdo con los principios de gfiliacién y administracién creados y establecidos por Bahá’u’lláh, definidos y explicados por ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, y ampliados y aplicados por Shoghi Effendi, y su sucesor y sucesores debidamente constituidos bajo las disposiciones de la Voluntad y Testamento de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Articulo 3.—E1 término de duracién de esta Institucién es perpetuo.

Articulo 4.—E1 capital de la Institucién estaré formado por las contribuciones voluntarias de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América.

[Page 424]424 THE BAHA’I WORLD

CAPITULO II. DIRECCION

Articulo 5.—-—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional se constituye con nueve miembros elegidos entre los Bahá’ís de Sud-América en la forma dispuesta més adelante y continuarén en el ejercicio de sus funciones por el periodo de un afio, o hasta que sus sucesores sean elegidos.

Articulo 6.—Los oficiales de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional serén e1 Presidente, e1 Vice-Presidente, e1 Secretario y el Tesorero, y cualesquier otros que la Asamblea estime necesarios designar para el buen desempefio de sus funciones. Los oficiales serén elegidos por mayoria de votos, de todos los miembros de la Asamblea, en votacién secreta.

Articulo 7.—La autoridad de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional emana del mayor ru’Jmero de votos de sus miembros, y esta autoridad, bajo ninguna circumstancia, podré surgir solamente de alguno de sus miembros, a menos que, por mayoria de votos de la Asamblea, se le haya otorgado autoridad especial.

CAPITULO III. REUNIONES

Articulo 8.—La primera reunién de la nuevamente elegida Asamblea Espiritual Nacional seré convocada por el miembro que resulté electo con el mayor nfimero de votos, y en caso de que dos o més miembros hubiesen recibido el mismo nfimero de votos, entonces seré e1 miembro seleccionado entre ellos. Este miembro presidiré 1a reunién hasta que se elija e1 Presidente. Todas las siguientes reuniones serén convocadas por el Secretario de la Asamblea mediante autorizacién del Presidente 0, en su ausencia o imposibilidad, por el Vice—Presidente, o por cualesquiera otros tres miembros restantes de la Asamblea; siempre que, sin embargo, la reunién anual de la Asamblea se efectuare en el tiempo y lugar fijados por la mayoria de votos de la Asamblea, segl’m Io dispuesto més adelante.

Articulo 9.—Habré quorum para las reuniones con la concurrencia de cinco (5) miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional. La mayoria de votos de los presentes y que constituyan quorum serén sufficientes para diligenciar 105 asuntos, salvo por disposicién contraria expuesta en esta Constitucién, y debida consideracién a1 principio de unidad y cordial fraternidad que entrafia 1a Institucién de la Asamblea Espiritual. Las transacciones y decisiones de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional serén registradas en cada reunién por el Secretario, quien suministraré copias de las actas a los miembros de la Asamblea después de cada reunién, y preservaré. las actas en los archivos oficiales de la Asamblea.

CAPITULO IV. MEDIOS PARA REALIZAR LOS PROPOSITOS

Articulo 10.—Los Propésitos de la Institucién se realizarén por medio de reuniones devocionales; por reuniones y conferencias pfiblicas de carécter educacional, humanitario y espiritual; por la publicacién de libros, revistas y periédicos; por la construccién de Casas de Adoracién y otras instituciones y edificios de servicio humanitario; por la direccién, unificacién, fomento y administracién en general de las actividades Bahá’ís en Sud-América en el desempefio de sus funciones, deberes e ideales religiosos; y por cualquer otro medio apropiado conducente a éstos fines, o a cualquiera de ellos.

CAPITULO V. DEBERES, PODERES Y FUNCIONES

Articulo 11.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, en el cumplimiento de sus deberes sagrados, bajo esta Constitucién, tendré jurisdiccién y autoridad exclusivas sobre todas

[Page 425]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 425

las actividades y asuntos de la Fé Bahá’í a través de Sud-América, y la autoridad suprema en la administracién de esta Constitucién.

Articulo 12. —Tendra el deber de estimular, unificar y coordinar las ml’iltiples actividades de las Asambleas Espirituales locales (definidas mas adelante) y de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América, y por todos los medics posibles, ayudarles a promover 1a unidad del género

humano.

Articulo 13.—Tendré. a su cargo e1 reconocimiento de las Asambleas Espirituales locales; el estudio de sus listas de miembros; la convocatoria de la Convencién Anual a reuniones especiales; e1 reconocimiento de los delegados a la Convencién Anual ya la decisién del numero de delegados a que tienen derecho las Comunidades Bahá’ís.

Articulo 14.—Nombrara todos los comités Baha’ 1s nacionales y dirigira la publicacién y distribucién de la literatura Bahá’í; 1a revisién de todos los escritos que conciemen a la Fe Bahá’í; la construccién y administracién de Casas Bahá’ís de Adoracién y sus actividades accesorias, y la colecta y gastos de todos 103 fondos de la Institucién.

Articulo 15.—Decidiré si un asunto dado esté dentro de su propia jurisdiccién o dentro de la jurisdiccién de una Asamblea Espiritual local.

Articulo 16.——En los casos en que la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional lo considere conveniente y necesario, ella estudiaré las apelaciones de las decisiones de las Asambleas Espirituales locales, y tendré e1 derecho de dictar 1a decisién final en todos los casos en que esté en duda la condicién de un individuo o grupo de continua: con su derecho a1 vote 0 a su calidad de miembro de la Comunidad Bah”i.

Articulo 17.—Representara a los Baha 1s de Sud-América en todas las actividades cooperativas y espirituales con los Bahá’ís de otros paises.

Articulo 18.—Seré e1 finico cuerpo electoral de los Bahá’ís, dentro de su jurisdiccién, en la formacién de la Casa Universal de Justicia estipulada en las Escrituras Sagradas de la Fe Bahá’í.

Articulo 19.——Sobretodo, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional se esforzaré, siempre, por lograr un estado de unidad en la devocién a la Revelacién de Bahá’u’lláh que atraeré las confirmaciones del Espiritu Santo y capacidad para servir en el establecimiento de la Méxima Paz.

Articulo 20.—Entre Ios deberes mzis sobresalientes y sagrados que incumbe a aquellos que han sido llamados a iniciar, dirigir y coordinar los asuntos de la Fe como miembros de Asambleas Espirituales son:

1. Ganar por todos los medics a su alcance, 1a confianza y afecto de aquellos a

quienes tienen e1 privilegio de servir.

2. Investigar y familiarizarse con los puntos de vista, los sentimientos prevalecientes y convicciones personales de aquellos cuyo bienestar es su solemne obligacién fomentar.

3. Purificar sus deliberaciones y el desempefio general de sus asuntos de toda actitud de alejamiento egoista; de secreto; de una atmésfera sofocante de imposicién diciatoiial y de toda palabra y hecho que demuestre parcialidad, egocentrismo y pre]u1c1os.

4. Aunque retienen en sus manos e1 derecho sagrado de la decisién final, deberén invitar a la discusién; a ventilar las quejas, recibir consejos y fomentar e1 sentido de inter-dependencia y de fraternidad, de comprensién y de confianza mutua entre ellos y los demés Bahá’ís.

Articulo 21 .—En todas las deliberaciones y acciones, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tendra constantemente ante ella como guia y norma Divinas 1a siguiente expresién de Baha’ u’llah: —“Les corresponde ser los fideicomisarios del Misericordioso entre los hombres y considerarse como los guardianes nombrados por Dios para todos los que moran en la tierra. Les incumbe deliberar juntos y tomar en consideracién los intereses de los siervos de Dios, por El, como si fueran sus propios intereses, y escoger lo que sea conveniente y correcto. ”

[Page 426]426 THE BAHA’I WORLD

Articulo 22.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tendré e1 poder de ejecutar todos o cualquiera de los varios propésitos y objetivos establecidos en las Escrituras de Bahá’íu’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi, que otorgan a las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales alguna jurisdiccién, poderes y derechos.

Articulo 23.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tendré e1 poder de hacer, en general, todas las cosas y acciones que, a su juicio, sean necesarias, apropiadas y benéficas para promover 1a administracién completa y exitosa de esta Constitucién.

CAPITULO VI. FACULTAD CORPORATIVA PARA CONTRATAR

Articulo 24.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tendré Ia facultad de celebrar contratos de toda indole en procura de los propésitos de esta Constitucién con cualquier persona, firma, asociacién, corporacién, privadas, pfiblicas o municipales, 0 con cualquier estado, territorio o colonia, o cualquier gobierno extranjero; y haré cualquiera o todas las cosas que una persona natural 0 juridica pueda hacer o ejercer, y que estén autorizadas por la ley.

Articulo 25.—Podré ser nombrada beneficiaria de cualquier fideicomiso establecido por la ley 0 de otro mode, 0 en testamento 0 en instrumento pfiblico o privado; aceptar donaciones, legados; recibir dinero u otras propiedades, sean muebles o inmuebles, en cualquier parte del mundo, y de Sud-América en particular.

Articulo 26.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tiene e1 poder para autorizar a cualquiera Asamblea Espiritual local existente dentro de su érea de jurisdiccién para adquirir y mantener propiedades como agentes de esta Asamblea y para actuar en su nombre bajo cualesquiera condiciones sefialadas a la Asamblea Espiritual local por esta Institucién por escrito.

Articulo 27.—Todas las personas, firmas, corporaciones y asociaciones que concedan crédito, hagan contratos o tengan algfin reclamo contra 1a Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, de cualquier carécter que sea, originado en un contrato o cuasi-contrato, presentaré su reclamo a la Institucién para el pago o indemnizacién, pues, ni los miembros de la Institucién, ni sus oficiales o agentes nombrados por ellos, ni ningfin beneficiario o beneficiaries nombrados en este documento, serén personalmente deudores.

Articulo 28.——Todo vale, bono, propuesta, obligacién o contrato por escrito u otro acuerdo o instrumento hecho 0 dado bajo esta Constitucién, seré. ejecutado estrictamente por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, por medio de sus oficiales 0 agentes debidamente autorizados, en nombre de la Asamblea.

CAPITULO VII. CALIDAD DE MIEMBRO EN LA COMUNIDAD Bahá’í

Articulo 29.—Los Bahá’ís de Sud-América, para cuyo beneficio se ha establecido esta Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, serén todas las personas residentes en Sud-América que hayan cumplido, a satisfaccién de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, los requisitos exigidos para tener la calidad de miembros en la Comunidad Bahá’í de acuerdo con las siguientes normas expuestas por el Guardién de 13. Fe Bahá’í:

a) Pleno reconocimiento de la posicién del Báb como Precursor; de Bahá’u’lláh como Autor y de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá como el Verdadero Ejemplar de la Religién Bahá’í; aceptacién sin reservas y conformidad con todo lo que ha sido escrito por ellos; adherencia fiel y firme a cada una de las cléusulas de la sagrada Voluntad y Testamento de ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; y asociacién estrecha con el espiritu, tanto como con la forma, de la Administracién Bahá’í a través del mundo.

b) Haber cumplido 21 afios.

c) Haber hecho una declaracién de fe a la Asamblea local, y haber sido inscrito por ella, si es residente en la érea de jurisdiccién de cualquier Asamblea local reconocida por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

d) Haber hecho una declaracién de fe a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional bajo cualesquiera condiciones determinadas por ella, por aquellos que residen fuera de la érea de iurisdiccién de una Asamblea local.

[Page 427]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 427

CAPITULO VIII. ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES LOCALES

Articulo 30.—Cuando en una localidad de Sud-América, sea ciudad, pueblo o aldea, e1 nfimero de Bahá’ís residentes reconocidos por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional exceda de nueve, éstos eligirén el dia 21 de Abril, por mayoria de votos, un cuerpo administrative local de nueve personas, conocido como la Asamblea Espiritual local de los Bahá’ís de esa comunidad. Cada Asamblea Espiritual local seré elegida anualmente en lo sucesivo, el 21 de Abril. Los miembros durarén en sus puestos por un afio, o hasta 1a eleccién de sus sucesores.

Articulo 31.——Cuando e1 nfimero de Bahá’ís en cualquier érea civil autorizada sea exactamente de nueve, éstos el dia 21 de Abril, se constituirén en Asamblea Espiritual local por declaracién mancomunada. A1 registrar esta declaracién e1 Secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, dicho cuerpo de nuevo quedaré establecida con los derechos, privilegios y deberes de una Asamblea Espiritual local, segx’m lo expuesto en esta Constitucién.

Articulo 32.—Tanto las Asambleas Espirituales locales como los grupos Bahá’ís y creyentes aislados en Sud-América estén bajo la jurisdiccién administrativa de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

Articulo 33.—-Los derechos, privilegios y deberes de una Asamblea Espiritual local son:

Seccién 1.—Cada Asamblea Espiritual local nuevamente elegida procederé inmediatamente en la manera indicada en los Articulos 6 y 8 de esta Constitucién a elegir sus oficiales, 0 sea, un Presidente, un Vice-Presidente, un Secretario y un Tesorero, y cualesquier otros oficiales que la Asamblea estime necesarios para el ejercicio de sus funciones y el cumplimiento de sus deberes espirituales. Inmediatamente después, e1 Secretario elegido transmitiré a1 Secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional los nombres de los miembros de la nuevamente elegida Asamblea local y una lista de sus oficiales.

Seccién 2.—Los poderes y deberes en general de una Asamblea Espiritual local serén segl’ln lo establecido en las Escrituras de Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi.

Seccién 3.—Entre sus deberes especificos, una Asamblea Espiritual Local tendré jurisdiccién plena sobre todas las actividades y asuntos Bahá’ís dentro de la Comunidad local, sujeta, sin embargo, a la autoridad superior de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, segfin lo expuesto en esta Constitucién.

Seccién 4.—Las vacantes en una Asamblea Espiritual local se llenarén por eleccién en una reunién especial de la Comunidad Bahá’í local debidamente convocada por la Asamblea para este propésito, pero en el evento de que el nfimero de vacantes excede de cuatro, haciendo imposible e1 quorum de la Asamblea Local, la eleccién se efectuaré bajo 1a direccién de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

Seccién 5.—Los asuntos de la Asamblea Espiritual local se efectuarén en la misma forma dispuesta para las deliberaciones de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional en el Articulo 9.

Seccién 6.—La Asamblea local estudiaré y aprobaré las condiciones de cada persona antes de admitirla como miembro votante; pero en los casos en que un aspirante esté insatisfecho con la decisién de la Asamblea Espiritual local sobre sus condiciones de miembro Bahá’í, aquél podré apelar de la decisién a la Asamblea Nacional, 1a cual tomaré jurisdiccién en el caso y daré la decisién final.

Seccién 7.—El 1 ° de Noviembre de cada afio, o antes de esta fecha, e1 Secretario de cada Asamblea local enviaré a1 Secretario de la Asamblea Nacional una lista debidamente certificada de los miembros votantes de la Comunidad Bahá’í local para informacién y aprobacién de la Asamblea Nacional.

Seccién 8.—Todos los asuntos que se presenten dentro de una Comunidad Bahá’í local, que sean puramente de interés local y no afecten los intereses nacionales de la Fe, estarén bajo 1a jurisdiccién principal de la Asamblea Espiritual local de esa localidad; pero 1a decisién de si un asunto particular concieme a1 interés y bienestar del cuerpo Bahá’í nacional 0 n6, la haré 1a Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

[Page 428]428 THE BAHA’I WORLD

Seccién 9.—Cualquier miembro de una Comunidad Bahá’í local puede apelar de una decisién de su Asamblea local a la Asamblea Nacional, la cual determinaré si toma la jurisdiccién del asunto o lo deja para reconsideracién de la Asamblea local. En el caso de que la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional asuma jurisdiccién sobre el asunto, su determinacién seré definitiva.

Seccién 10.—Cuando ocurra alguna disencién dentro de una Comunidad local Bahá’í de carécter tal, que no puede ser remediada por los esfuerzos de la Asamblea Espiritual local, ésta presentaré 1a situacién a la consideracién de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, cuya accién en el asunto seré definitiva.

Seccién 11.——Todos los asuntos que se presenten entre dos o més Asambleas Espirituales locales, o entre miembros de diferentes Comunidades Bahá’ís, serén sometidos, desde el principio, a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, la cual tendré jurisdiccién original y final en todos los asuntos de esta indole.

Seccién 12.—La esfera de jurisdiccién de una Asamblea Espiritual local, con respecto a los requisites de residencia y derecho al voto de un miembro en cualquier Comunidad Bahá’í seré e1 territorio incluido dentro de los limites civiles de la ciudad, pueblo o aldea.

Cualquier diferencia de opinién respecto a la esfera de jurisdiccién de cualquier Asamblea Espiritual local o que concierne 1a afiliacién de cualquier Bahá’í o grupo de Bahá’ís en Sud-América, seré sometida a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, cuya decisién sobre el asunto es definitiva.

Articulo 34.—Las funciones y deberes no atribuidos especificamente a las Asambleas Espirituales locales en esta Constitucién, se considerarén de competencia de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, la cual esté autorizada para delegar tales funciones, y, los poderes que estime necesarios y aconsejables, a las Asambleas Espirituales locales dentro de su jurisdiccic’m.

CAPITULO IX. LA CONVENCION ANUAL

Articulo 35.—Los miembros de la Asamblea. Espiritual Nacional serén elegidos en una reunién anual que se llamaré 1a Convencién de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América. Esta Convencién se llevaré. a cabo en la fecha y lugar determinados por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional. La Convencién seré compuesta de los delegados elegidos por los Bahá’ís de las unidades electorales que serén definidas por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, de acuerdo con el principio de representacién proporcional, y de los miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

Articulo 36.——La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional notificaré a los miembros de la Comunidad Bahá’í de la Convencién con debida anticipacién y les informaré. del nfimero de delegados asignados a las distintas unidades electorales.

Seccién 1.—Todos los delegados a la Convencién serén elegidos por mayoria de votos. Los delegados quienes, por enfermedad u otros motivos inevitables, no pudieran asistir personalmente a la eleccién, tendrén e1 derecho de transmitir sus balotas por correo. La reunién celebrada por cada unidad electoral para elegir los delegados seré convocada por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional y dirigida por los Bahá’ís presentes, de acuerdo con cualquier procedimiento uniforme que dicho cuerpo haya establecido. Inmediatamente después de la reunién, se transmitiré a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional un informe certificado de la eleccién avisando el nombre y direccién de cada delegado.

Seccién 2,—Todos los delegados reconocidos en la Convencién tendrén que ser Bahá’ís reconocidos y residentes de la érea de jurisdiccién de las unidades electorales que representan.

Seccién 3.——Los derechos y privilegios de un delegado no podrén ser asignados a otra persona ni podrén ser ejercidos mediante apoderado.

Seccién 4.—E1 reconocimiento de los delegados a la Convencién Anual estaré a cargo de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

[Page 429]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 429

Seccién 5.—Si en un afio cualquiera, 1a Asamblea Espiritual Nacional considera impracticable o inconveniente reunir 1a Convencién, dicha Asamblea dispondré entonces la manera de efectuar 1a eleccién y los otros asuntos esenciales de la Convencién, por correspondencia.

Seccién 6.—El oficial que preside 1a Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, presente en la Convencién, abriré 1a sesién, y después de que se haya pasado lista de los delegados, éstos procederén a efectuar 1a organizacién permanente de la reunion, eligiendo un Presidente, un Secretario y cualquier otro oficial que se estime necesario para el adecuado desempefio de las deliberaciones de la Convencién.

Seccién 7.—La funcién principal de la reunién anual seré la consulta sobre actividades, planes y métodos Bahá’ís, y la eleccién de los nueve miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional. Los miembros de la Asamblea Nacional, sean 0 n6 delegados elegidos, podrén participar, plenarnente, en la consulta y discusién, pero solamente los delegados podrén votar en la eleccién para los oficiales de la Convencién y para los miembros de la Asamblea Nacional. Toda accién de los delegados que no sea la organizacién de la Convencién, e1 envio de Mensajes a1 Guardién y la eleccién de la Asamblea Nacional, constituirén meramente consejos y recomendaciones para la consideracién de dicha Asamblea en cuyo poder esté la decision final de todos los asuntOS que se relacionan con los asuntos de la Fe Bahá’í en Sud-América.

Seccién 8.—La orden del dia general de los asuntos que se tratarén en la Convencién seré preparada por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, en forma de una agenda, pero cualquier asunto relacionado con la Fe Bahá’í que introduzca un delegado, puede formar parte de las deliberaciones de la Convencién, a1 ser debidamente propuesto.

Seccién 9.—La eleccién de los miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional seré por la mayoria de votos de los delegados reconocidos por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional saliente, 0 sea, que los miembros elegidos serén las nueve personas que reciban e1 mayor nfimero de votos en la primera votacién efectuada por los delegados presentes en la Convencién y los que transmitieron sus votos a1 Secretario de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional por correo. En caso de que, por razones de empate, de voto o votos, 61 total de miembros no hubiere quedado determinado en la primera votacién, entonces los delegados presentes elegirén entre los empatados hasta completar los nueve miembros.

Seccién 10.—Todas las deliberaciones oficiales de la Convencién serén registradas y guardadas en los archivos de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

Seccién 11.—Las vacantes en la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional se llenarén por la mayoria de votos de los delegados que constituyeron la Convencién y eligieron la Asamblea. La votacién se efectuaré por correspondencia 0 de cualquier otra manera que decida 1a Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.

Articulo 37,—Con e1 fin de defender e1 carécter y propésitos espirituales de las elecciones Bahá’ís, no se permitiré la préctica de proponer candidates ni cualquier otro método electoral distinto a una eleccién silenciosa y teverencial, para que cada elector pueda votar $610 per aquellos que le han inspirado 1a oracién y la reflexién.

Articulo 38.—Se podrén establecer otras Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales en las distintas Repfiblicas de Sud-América, de acuerdo con las instrucciones del- Guardién de la Fe Bahá’í, y en este caso, cualquier nueva Asamblea Espiritual Nacional que se forme tendré, en lugar de esta Asamblea, 1a plena autoridad y jurisdiccién sobre las actividades Bahá’ís de la Repfiblica correspondiente. Esta Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, a1 ser autorizada por el Guardién de la Fe Bahá’í, convocaré una Convencién de los Bahá’ís del pais de Sud-América que sea, para la eleccién de la primera Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de ese pais.

Articulo 39.—En los casos en que esta Constitucién otorga a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional 1a jurisdiccién exclusiva y final, y suprema autoridad ejecutiva en todo lo que se relaciona con las actividades y asuntos de la Fe Bahá’í en Sud-América, se entiende que cualquier decisién o accién que se tome por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional

[Page 430]430 THE BAHA’I WORLD

sobre tales asuntos quedarén sujetas en todo caso, a la revisién filtima y aprobacién del Guardién de la Fe Bahá’í 0 de la Casa Universal de Justicia.

Articulo 40.—Las disposiciones de esta Constitucién rigen para todos los Bahá’ís de Sud-América, excepto en el caso, que en forma temporal o permanente, contravengan alguna disposicién legal de cualquiera de los paises de Sud-América. En case (16 conflicto, las disposiciones que se opongan a las leyes del pais no rigen para los Bahá’ís dentro de dicha nacién.

Articulo 41.—La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional podré modificar los estatutos de esta Constitucién por mayoria de votes de sus miembros en cualquier reunién ordinaria o extraordinaria, siempre que una copia de la enmienda propuesta haya sido enviada por

el Secretario a todos los miembros de la Asamblea por lo menos 30 dias antes de dicha reunién.

AVISO DE LA ADOPCION DE LA CONSTITUCION

Se hace constar que la anterior Constitucién fué debidamente adoptada por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá’ís de Sud-América en una reunién celebrada en Buenos Aires, Argentina, el dia 25 de Abril de 1952, y lo certifican las firmas de todos los nueve miembros.

..................................................................

Margot Worley Eve Nicklin . . . . . . . . . . fiénévaidfaetlz ................... Melgcédés .S.g;1{c}1.e.z ......... . . . . . . . . . . . .Mémuel. v6.1.5 ..................... 'Géyléwoollson .......... AlejandroReld .................... Ii dmund M18851” .........

Esteban Canales

[Page 431]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 431

Nacional deg lea 3ah§ ’13 d9 Sud Jwrica, A a a ,, S . _ \ numero um el que ‘corre £1 £0315 gchytggiggg;

SGuImmCEi‘ WM—u—fi---“--v-‘.’--I‘~\ %

.mfi #3....

3} Am Gog“;

, Sun cifimtfififx” 1’

“cionde la 35amb‘éa Espiritual Nacional de 105 Babe. ia~ée

4...... domww d ’1 g. $3 P m C! H v? 3 G u ‘6 KB; 3

1

“7“; u‘ i: 5 £3"

3

m m ’12,} §

• 3

51‘ § {7'

finieriea debiaamnté facultadoa hat: alevuda @915.

pfiblim los Sebastmgos tie eats

xaociaciox; aprobadas 9;: 18 Ii

” 'blei» de Junta General de feche. centre ée éiciembm 62% 1111‘

nwaciantos aincussntmaa,’ can asmtenflu de 6&1

',f§r‘me a los cuulea la mencianhda nsocianion tienre par fina-n

«r promovér 103 idealss espiri wlaes ee‘amos 1, 11mm:

rims (fie 12. hermanéad S coopeia

en la: ’escritm‘as Sagraaoa Rana;

ms :ie 12: Fé Babe 3 1s biems d’e' loss Balm; 13 6e

(32 acuerd‘o cm 105 principioa {Be £f111gcién 1 administra

cion weados 1 establecic‘os por BSha, unah ”31 taming d A antacién deesta *nstitzucién ea perpetnawhl 965211.31 ea 13 3'

Stibucién estara formado por las concvibuciones volunthri

Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America (continued next page).

[Page 432]432 THE BAHA’I WORLD

[Page 433]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 433

m )fimgx-mwvxmmwmn 0:26am sxm'rxvo mcxcmu..— unusm‘xo :51; 003mg ,3 no ans'rmxan RESOLUCION N2 678. PANAMA, Julia 16 do 1952.- ELL};

u», Icemmofiarmofiio Miranda. en representacibn fit: 18: sefiora Raquel Jean ‘ us; 1; walt‘ds, l9; Bahá’ís d6 Centm Américn". ha solicitndo a1 Urgent; E3a_

w gggfigmpgg‘ gonfiucto clel Ministeriro ac Gabiemo y Justicia, qua moo;

Franmis d9 Coastskx ta, Cogrdinadorrz de la "Asmblea Nat; zonal 'Espiri‘

xs‘iwnezcams‘zzgoneria juridica a cliche Asociucibn.- con su salicitud ha prg m'wggggado‘ ;,9$,‘§1auientes documentos: - a} mm (‘10. mndaoiénw '0)~ Coma

go ,Zdawpa estatutos qua risen diam Asociaoibnn Estes documentoa damneg

2: ~trzm qm loss fines persaguidoa son de carficter raligiosos y culturales, 22: a;nwénimo do lucro, y como éstos no pugnrm con la moral, n1 la Cons t1_ 3;; tquén y loyes vigentu, S I R R 8 U K I. V m- Raconocar come Parso_ fig,“ Juridioa a 123 8061 ended .danomimda “W NACIOKAL ESPIRINAL m: 25 L05 BAHA'IS DE CENTRO AMERICA”. con aeda en la Giudad dc Panamé, y &_

rm.

~23 339:9“ ans estatutos con base an 01. articulo 64 dcl Cédigo Civil.— To_ ‘21:: daflmmirioacién posterior do aams nstamtos nooaaitaré la aprobacién H2313!).wggganvqwxjggutito‘g Esta Resoluai 6n tandré ereotoa civiles tan pron ' gw_gno sea geglatradaw comma UESE Y wauwm.- (mo. ) MISIBIADES

5:6 flWafiLHmnistro dc Gobierw y Jnatiaia ,.,Lxdo. )MRadl dc Raun

Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central America (continued next page).

[Page 434]434 THE BAHA’I WORLD

- 2; {fl "ii 4.14.1...m..." ae..(.’.:,<2:flfr,,<i gm... 1313.1?- mm mm $Mo113h/f 24“.,1333313 ,...;:;..,3

ft;

m”. m 4am attenuate

[Page 435]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 435

BY-LAWS OF A LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

ARTICLE I

THE Trustees, i.e., the Spiritual Assembly, recognize that this action has been taken in full unanimity and agreement. They acknowledge for themselves and on behalf of their successors the sacred meaning and universal purpose of the Bahá’í Faith, the teachings and principles of which fulfill the divine promise of all former revealed religions.

ARTICLE II

In administering the affairs of the Bahá’í Religion under this Corporation for the benefit of the Bahá’ís of . . . in accordance with the religious teachings and administrative principles of this Faith, the Spiritual Assembly shall act in conformity with the functions of a local Spiritual Assembly as defined in the By-Laws adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly and published by that body for the information and guidance of Bahá’ís throughout the United States.

ARTICLE III

The Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfillment of its obligations and responsibilities under this Corporation, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the local activities and affairs of the Bahá’í community of . . . , including paramount authority in the administration of this Corporation. It shall be responsible for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all Bahá’í teaching, whether written or oral, undertaken throughout the local community. It shall make available the published literature of the Faith. It shall represent the community in its relations to the National Spiritual Assembly, in its relation to the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, to other local Bahá’í communities, and to the general public in . . . It shall be charged with the recognition of all applicants requesting membership in the local Bahá’í community. It shall pass upon the right of any and all members of the community whose membership is in question to retain their status as voting members of the community. It shall call the meetings of the community, including the Bahá’í Anniversaries and Feasts, the Meetings of consultation, and the annual meeting at which the members of the Assembly are elected. It shall appoint and supervise all committees of the Bahá’í community. It shall collect and disburse all funds intended for the maintenance of this Corporation. It shall have full and complete custody of the headquarters or meeting place of the Bahá’í community. It shall have exclusive authority to conduct Bahá’í marriage ceremonies and issue Bahá’í marriage certificates within the area of its jurisdiction. It shall report to the National Spiritual Assembly annually, or when requested, the membership roll of the Bahá’í community, for the information and approval of the national Bahá’í body. The Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize the authority and right of the National Spiritual Assembly to declare at any time what activities and affairs of the Bahá’í community of . . . are national in scope and hence subject to the jurisdiction of the National Bahá’í body. It shall likewise recognize the right of any member of the community to appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly for review and decision of any matter in which the previous decision of the local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the member to be contrary to the explicit teachings of the Bahá’í Faith or opposed to its best interests. It shall, on the other hand, have the authority and right to appeal from the decision of the National Assembly to the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith for review and final decision of any matter related to the Faith in . . .

[Page 436]436 THE BAHA’I WORLD

ARTICLE IV

The Spiritual Assembly, in administering this Corporation, shall ever bear in mind the ideals upheld in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Faith respecting the relationships of a Spiritual Assembly to its Bahá’í community, respecting the relations of Bahá’ís to one another in the community, and the relationships of Bahá’ís to all non-Bahá’ís, without prejudice of race, creed, or nationality. The Assembly shall therefore above all recognize its sacred duty to maintain full and complete unity throughout the Bahá’í community, to relieve and comfort the sick and distressed, to assist the poor and destitute, to protect the orphans, the crippled and the aged, to educate the children of Bahá’ís according to the highest religious and intellectual standards, to compose differences and disagreements among members of the community, to promulgate the principles of Divine Civilization revealed by Baha’u’llah, and to promote in every way possible the Bahá’í aim of theoneness of mankind. It shall faithfully and devotedly uphold the general Bahá’í activities and affairs initiated and sustained by the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall cooperate wholeheartedly with other local Spiritual Assemblies throughout the United States in all matters declared by the National Spiritual Assembly to be of general Bahá’í importance and concern. It shall rigorously abstain from any action or influence direct or indirect, that savors of intervention on the part of a Bahá’í body in matters of public politics and civil jurisdiction. It shall encourage intercourse between the Bahá’í community of . . . and other recognized Bahá’í communities, issuing letters of introduction to Bahá’ís traveling from . . . and passing upon letters of introduction issued by other Bahá’í Assemblies. It shall regard its authority as a means of rendering service to Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís and not as a source of arbitrary power. While retaining the sacred right of final decision in all matters pertaining to the Bahá’í community, the Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek the advice and consultation of all members of the community, keep the community informed of all its affairs, and invite full and free discussion on the part of the community of all matters affecting the Faith.

ARTICLE V The Bahá’ís of . . . , for whose benefit this Corporation has been established, shall consist of all persons resident in . . . who are recognized by the Spiritual Assem 1,;

bly as having fulfilled the requirements of voting membership in this local Baha1 community. To become a voting member of this Bahá’í community a person shall

a. Be a resident of . . . as defined by the area of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, as provided hereinafter in this instrument.

b. Have attained the age of 21 years.

c. Have established to the satisfaction of the Spiritual Assembly, subject to the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly, that he (or she) possesses the qualifications of Bahá’í Faith and practice required under the following standard: Full recognition of the Station of the Fore—runner (the Báb), the Author (Bahá’u’lláh), and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the Exemplar Of the Bahá’í religion; unreserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by Them; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sacred Will and Testament; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Bahá’í administration throughout the world.

ARTICLE VI

The Spiritual Assembly shall consist of nine Trustees chosen from among the Bahá’ís of . . . , who shall be elected by these Bahá’ís in a manner hereinafter provided and who shall continue in office for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.

[Page 437]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 437

ARTICLE VII

The officers of the Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Assembly taken by secret ballot.

ARTICLE VIII

The first meeting of a newly-elected Assembly shall be called by the member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the ViceChairman, or of any three members of the Assembly; provided however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held on April 21, in accordance with the administrative principles recognized by all Bahá’í Assemblies.

SECTION 1. Five members of the Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and with due regard to the principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, who shall have the minutes adopted and approved by the Assembly, and preserve them in the official records of the Assembly.

SECTION 2. Vacancies in the membership of the Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local Bahá’í community duly called for that purpose by the Assembly. In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Spiritual Assembly impossible, the election shall be under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly.

ARTICLE IX

The sphere of jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly, with respect to residential qualification of membership, and voting rights of a believer in the Bahá’í community, shall be the locality included within the civil limits of . . .

ARTICLE X

SECTION 1. In the event that any decision of the Assembly is unacceptable to any member or members of the community, the Assembly shall after endeavoring to compose the difference of opinion invite the said member or members to make appeal to the national Bahá’í body and notify that body of the condition of the matter and the readiness of the Assembly to become party to the appeal.

SECTION 2. In the same manner, if any difierence arises between the Assembly and another local Assembly, or Assemblies, in the United States, the Assembly shall report the matter to the national Bahá’í body and inform that body of its readiness to make joint appeal together with the other Assembly or Assemblies.

SECTION 3. If, however, the result of such appeal is unsatisfactory to the Spiritual Assembly, or the Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of the National Spiritual Assembly are affecting adversely the welfare and unity of the Bahá’í community of . . . , it shall, after seeking to compose its difierence of opinion with the national body in direct consultation, have the right to make appeal to the Guardian of the Faith.

SECTION 4. The Assembly shall likewise have the right to make complaint to the National Spiritual Assembly in the event that matters of local Bahá’í concern and influence are referred to the national body by a member or members of the local community without previous opportunity for action by the local Assembly.

[Page 438]438 THE BAHA’I WORLD

ARTICLE XI

The Annual Meeting of the Corporation at which its Trustees shall be elected shall be held on April 21, at an hour and place to be fixed by the Assembly, which shall give not less than fifteen days’ notice of the meeting to all members of the local Bahá’í community.

SECTION 1. The Assembly shall accept those votes transmitted to the Assembly before the election by members who by reason of sickness or other unavoidable reason are unable to be present at the election in person.

SECTION 2. The election of members to the Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote.

SECTION 3. All voting members of the local Bahá’í community are eligible for election as members of the Spiritual Assembly.

SECTION 4. The Assembly shall prepare an agenda for the Annual Meeting in which shall be included reports of the activities of the Assembly since its election, a financial statement showing all income and expenditure of its fund, reports of its committees and presentation of any other matters pertaining to the affairs of the Bahá’í community. The Assembly, both preceding and following the annual election, shall invite discussion and welcome suggestions from the community, in order that its plans may reflect the community mind and heart.

SECTION 5. The result of the election shall be reported by the Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly.

ARTICLE XII

In addition to the Annual Meeting, the Assembly shall arrange for regular meetings of the Bahá’í community throughout the year at intervals of nineteen days, in accordance with the calendar incorporated in the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith.

ARTICLE XIII

The seal of the Corporation shall be circular in form, bearing the following description: The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of . . . , Corporate Seal.

ARTICLE XIV

These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.

With amendments adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly to July 16, 1949.

[Page 439]

' 2 . . 3'3" .9 jgi‘* . :\\:\\M\\w@ ”)1 GE“

51:

M I . i 11 _ '1 2 ‘ _ " ‘ ¢ertificatz‘ ct magistration of Socktizs. L

3 . '/

3? ACT XX! 01': 1860. Q i}! . ......1 ”f ' , ,1 i! . ii Nowtgot‘mér- 194:. ‘ Iii (“£1 11(1)]? ‘4‘sz I hereby certify xnaJA/QQMW

f

2, 9:5 ( 2 2.. a ‘23,.» “j .

fi Ex

411/ 2 . 2 2 i

iii! / 410A Hub 3cm, 6am». WNW}? mm?“ ”a 80W; 13

‘ . 3.1 - y: i , ii; Motmficn am; am 4.360. m ,5: ‘ = 1 g g . a gwm ma?“ 1mg, Wat , ‘ ‘ Z , 11 . » emf—W , 1 *, 2 ' . ii 9m “1- Gama «we humom " ' 2 \i W .. 2. W S .1» ./ , , C 'TJI‘ . ,M r ‘

flyidm of gut; flock? mpmmbW'

Q: ., ‘. :V’flfi’

“a .2 -, 3;... - . $0; /

3 s. c 86. m—muc—auuhmm

.. .42.“. $.17}

Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ 15 of India, Pakistan and Burma Delhi, India.

[Page 440]

Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pékistén and Burma Rangoon, Burma.

[Page 441]

Certificate of Registration of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pékistén and Burma Lahore, Pfikistén.

[Page 442]442 THE BAHA’I WORLD

‘Mwfim

Ms; ,

Hr

Certificate of Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand.

[Page 443]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 443

[Page 444]THE BAHA’I WORLD

444

255%

/

[Page 445]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 445

1. t or “Mon, znxasms m w mums) ‘

WWW )

{u}

’ I, W 3mm, #0 salami! um: um fit the M WSW at K fit 311w: Wit: 9: W. 1111mm, hale in Wad. 300% Min 1131211111. tit M2 fifi 2M1, ti» fawning mum“: «m 11.31.11

seem Y. Much Livia m , Berni“ mum

’1» Mg 11: w1mx Menu: of the mum of mmod, mm”, mmm to I ,w m» m W! of she 1m mu Mnxnmmm. racoggmoa w: W > w Wumm mums. hum; at 13: mm. a: :1: mm 3m... 111:: mu 7 m to 1mm . eorporuiwasgfiflter gfaoéfi inn : lanky mun ‘ M m» 11m Wu m wars, mmmwlfixn. r311“. pttnlw M mag ‘ 11am mm: 1‘1 21:. 391nm menu: 1: m'u'u'a, l’omflar of 1» mm. b Um’ym. {1. ktupntur um hemp)”, w m minus. 1:: mam.

15: 11a 31mm 59mm ”mm: gr 1% mm ’01»: Mum“ 91mg. 11: am:

A} 1‘: fi'wq “(1 their duly mum mum» And...“ ma looting mm sinus»: mm a: tin mm a: mod 0.de u u: corpouh m. mgsm hmbly «9f 1» mm o: lhmad.‘ m .1 ma mass: m- 93$?“

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Maywood, Illinois (continued next page).

[Page 446]446 THE BAHA’I WORLD

fixmm¢ mam awn orm’ontamg . m, {an n" mum, smcx 3 10‘ >3?

amass ton .;-  : m0 1:; ' '03 sxxsmms ’0 Yuri. .,

”m . puma m»: g \ 5 10.00 . mmtg‘mx TAX g m

Mm: m Ti}: Mme or

szcamm or s‘rm‘. , A

[Page 447]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 447

.wrnuvtu AM) ma‘: 1:. 1m, ‘1'le \HR|'IAI’.\ ‘l-Hx

1 ' ~ ww;s?fixam10~ ' mm m. m a! m_ym:

m n. 3a..“ 3. Guy. 3.1»: v. poun, $2., and mum” uno'n, .11 cma.n0'! Iju‘rla County. Tam. under sud by virtue at the 1mm of tuidtate. do hush: I Voluntnrny uaooiato cursor". togocher for the purpose of forming a privats non-proflt corporation undo): the: tm and conditions hareiurtsr not out. a tone“:

1. The name at thin aorporauon 13 Thu Syfiriml humbly of the Bahá’í: of in: City of Eouaton. Texas.

2. The purpose for which it is found is the‘ostabushumt and maintenance of religious tarahtp and spiritual activities in nucordanoe with tho principles of the Bahá’í Faith. 33 establish” by Ma'u'llah. ha rounder, by 'Abdu'l Balm. Mn Interpreter and Exemplar, by Show Effendi. 1t: mardian. am} by the National. Spirigual Mammy at the Bahá’í: of the United Stanton and Canaan its du‘ly qcmatitutod. puma: and Qntrul administrative murmur”); 1n and for Earth America, 3nd the doing or an things Megan; am incidental thereto.

3. Tha plaza whore‘ the ~business of tho corparntion 13' to be tnxnsacted is at 3&09 Rt. Vernon Avenue, Houston. Harris County.- Texas.

2;. The term for which 1t_ is to exist is fifty (50) years.

5. There 13 no capital stock. and there are at present .no assets.

6. ‘l'ao number at dircctora shall be nine (9) and their W_ and pout offica addresses are as follows:

(1) fits. Inez micorflold. 3&09 Nt.’Varuon Avenue. Itouston, Texas (2) firs. Bar? Bea). mson, 20 Brier liollow Lane. H‘maton. 70121:; ) Bra. Ann; 5. Dotson. 23205 ihtcmm street. :ioastan. Texns ) 21:3, main Reynolgis. 3109 (obster utraet. flauntoa. ?exes ) Mum D. Gray. 32m Rust 31am Street. Houston. ‘l‘o’xaa 6) 3m: 3. Raynolda. 3n. 2109 Jobs!» Street. Houston. ?ms (7) flurry Raynalca. 35.32 Attucks Jtmt. South“. Texas

(a) 2.1m 9. Penn. Sm. 3616 thp Street. W“ L-m. Tun: ('2’) Jack furry. Texas 5mm”; University. mesh: 3%.. 'doutan. ‘fams'

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Houston, Texas (left, and next two pages).

[Page 448]448 THE BAHA’I WORLD

g‘the Musimad an horny, an int; day wszmauy wpearod mam D. K emu. 3m. 2m: firs. my Edam. tam :0 m to be tbs pmam whens / f ma nu “mm to tha foregoing. immzment. and unruly nmwhdgad to m me: my «mud the am far she purpom and consideration therein 9x92135396.

szwwsx }. j‘n' fl“ A’ 1“" ”My white. fifth County. ?exu ‘ “ . 1 ~ g , (1 V

.‘xl Z '

[Page 449]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 449

/ 631:2 9m: nf filming ' smug at m, "

r, Wm“. WM... Sacra ofState at the State of Texas. do herehypmuy : thutthefmxoingisamewdmrreetcopyotw . , Q , msmmmmormnm'mormcmormsmx,mm

with the endorsement thereon, as the same now appears of record in the Department.

Dated, signed, and sealed at Austin, Texas, this

zammy of W..“.A!&§§,‘LW‘., A. D. 1953:.

3&ka M State

Bv341~$6b 10m

[Page 450]gm. nf Main? _ fl

‘ Certifitale of Organization of a Corporation, under Chapter Fifty of the ‘ Revised Statutes, and Amendments thereto.

Tin: undersigned, officers of {l mrpumtinn duly organized at the» residence of 31113! 5. P8313311 n: 33:4» mm: of , £1101; , State of Maine, 031 the first

M). 1951

(lax nl Novamber \

. hereby certify :15 inflow»:

m. name u? said Ctlz‘pvratiwn i Spiritual Assembly cf the Bahá’ís of Eliot

The purgx‘lacs of mid L‘orlmmtiml :ch To establish a religims corporatién; to uphold and pm-ota ma sfiiriwal, educational and hummituian fieachingn at human brotherhood according to the principles of_the Hahn “orld Faith, and to enjoy all other rights, powers and privileges granted to corporations

‘ organized pursuant. to “hapter 50 of tho Revised Statutes 01’ the State of Raine Said rurlmmlinu L»: lmmvd in the mum of Knot.

(tour: Ky 01' York $1419 of Maine.

TIN" number of ufiircrs is thirteen _ ,aud their names are as follows:

madman, mu.s.,reanu1..

’ WW Quimmx , mugjhmm. .3, Secretary or (.Tlerk,., H ..W WMCMGW www, WWW. 'l‘rcusurer. ._

- hfenbers or the Assembly, 1mm x .

mus. mum. magmawfihxgm Irene eaxmum, meg 1.. mm, m A._Ilarlm,,.D0m§m._.m:h”$1195.5mw W”. _Mc¢omb;.mi maian 8. '1‘ch fl"

“1mm Your hands this ‘

. Inst . .. ”day of. .iéoxnhar W ,,,._.A.D.19.53.... £3117 srmm “nfifiém‘wz‘

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Eliot, Maine (continued next two pages).

[Page 451]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 451

Mm OF MAINE.

Icrk &. .xflqvember 1; Mug 51 Then:mmmully appeared 111:: within named flail: S. Pearaall, Dudley fl. Blakely, L158 L. Elakely, Irene G. Wuiti, Aymd Louise wfiombpnary‘a. llama“, fiellie E. Shack,

30th c, Cress, Lucien S. Icemb Jr.

and wwrgally made mth to me {mowing tertificme by them siwcd, that ihe same is (me.

Before me,

Mar 3% mm

justice (2! the Peace

STATE OF MAINE. >

\

a'mRNEY GENERAL‘S 0mm: , November 5 AD. 1051

k hereby c:crl'xfy that 1 have exmnhml the foregoing pertificme. and the sgafia is moperb' lléawfl mid aigned,

.aml i5 mnfnrmubk: t9 the constitution and iaws of the State.

John S. S. Feasendeu Deputy AT'I‘ORNEY GENERAL

[Page 452]452 THE BAHA’I WORLD

COPY

(Name of Corporals’on) th‘xsmmofmmis 0.1m“

mtonx 55.

NOV"? 1551 Receivedwwww _l_9_ fi at 9 h. 10 m. A. M.

Registry of Deeds ’

Recorded in Vol. 19 Page 347

Attest :

. JohnG.Sm1th .I.Register

A true copy 6f record.

..,....,...........Register

01770: of Secretary of S e.

,.

A&gusta, . xi." ... . ..,19

/

STATE OF M AIN 3 Received and fil‘edgeghigfléay. Gffice Of &jr9tary of State Attest: /"'/

/.

3 W a Z {2-23 5:. , .. u , R“ i 3 “ “ "“1 tn‘: {1an x/ * basretan'of State

‘w’lfléflfl‘gk WM---m--——Saéiétari"3f"suti ‘ ?%mrtfied m w // ?ags A575

P {*ftrré‘a‘

i

[Page 453]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH

I, FRANK M. IORDAN. S(cffl‘u‘fl u! Stair Hf {be Shift? Of

' California, luv’vb} :‘rr/l'f}:

T/Jm‘ iln’ mmvu‘d {mzm‘npi 171m (3:)sz (umpzzrml 1111‘}; {/30 RECORD ()1: filv i2: 111} ofiiw, of 11171111: if purflnrl‘x {a be“ 13 min, (121d f/mi 1136

. mm? )5 fall, frm' mnt' mrrc’e‘f.

Is; \anms WNHKOF, I be'rrzmiu 5M my [wand and affix {131’ Gn‘m’ 5114i of [by 3111/6 Of Cahfumia, m‘ .egf‘ . ”3,1

Sm‘mmvum, Hm ‘17, ,

WOW

,Sn'rr/ar) 01314::

8)

. mm” $176”! a] S!

453

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Fresno, California (continued next five pages).

[Page 454]454 THE BAHA’I WORLD

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

or E N590 9 S E D , ~ i t. 3 "mm SPIRITUAL msmsw OF THE BAEA'IS . «5m. 01“ FRESNO, CALIFORNIA. ‘ r .. 1375: 271378 -. ~ M

KEOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That we, the members of the Spiritual Assembly 0; the Bahá’ís of Fresno, Stata of California, an unineorporated association, being duly authorized and empowered by a resolution passed and adépted by the Bahá’í community of Fresno, State of California, at the Feast of Will, hal¢ September 26th, 1952, have this day associated ouraalvoa together, for the purpose of forming a religious corporation under the provisions of the Laws cf the State 0! California; and, ‘

WE DO HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

(1) That the ngme of this corporation is and shall be "THE SPIRITUAL ASSEKBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF FRESH), CALIFORNIA”, and that the name 01' the existing unincorporated asgooittion which is beipg incorporatefi is "The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Fresno, California“: ‘

(2) That this corporation dues not noiteuplata the distribuéion of any pecuniary gain, profits or ?iviaends to the members, officers or incorporators thereof in any way or manner unatsoover: I '

(3) The speaific and primary purpose; for which 1b.;s formed are:

‘ (a) The establiahnent and maintenance or religious worship and spiritual activ£tiea 1n the City 0: Fresno, State

-1u I_,

[Page 455]THE WORLD ORDER(H:BAHAWTLLAH M5

0: California, in accordance with the teachings and principles at the Bahá’í Faith, as set forth by Bahá’u’lláh, ita Fbunder; Abdu’laBaha, its Interpreter and Exemplar; Shoghi Efrenai, its Guardian and the National Spiritual Assembly a: the Bahá’ís 5f the Uhited States, the duly constituted administrative authority in and for the united States or North lmerica:

(b) These purposes are to he realized by means or devotional meetings, public meetings, lectures and conferences of an educational, humanitarian and spiritual character; by the construction of a temple 0r temples of universal worship and edifices for humanitarian servioé;

- by unifying, supervising, promoting and ggnerally administering the activities of the Bahá’ís of tge.61ty of Fresno, State of California, in the fulfilment of their religious offices, duties and ideals:

(&) That the corporation is organized pursuant to Part 1, of Division 2 of Title 1, of thy Corporation Cade at the State or California; said corporation shall oonfiuue to exiat perpatually, and for the purpose of attaining or furthering any of the foregoing objects and purposes, to do any an& all acts and things, and to axarcise any and all powers, which now or hezsafter may b? Authorized by law, it being hereby expressly provided that the forggoing enumeration of specifie_powers shall not be construea or hgld to limit or restrict in any manner or form the general bowera conferred upon such corporations by the Laws of the

'.State a: Caliiérnig; 0} any act or acts authorized and

- g [Page 456]456 THE BAHA’I WORLD

porniuiblo undo: tho status gonna; thi- nnrporntion. (5) Thu the 'prinoipu 011160 for flu timgution of the business of this eorjaoration 1: to h. 100th! in the City of Fresno, State of Canton”... I (6) Thu: there shall to aim (9) uncura; um tho nun nnd midran- ot the yoraons who shall 301: u dinners

and officers until the oleotgon of tho” luaouaors m :3

follows:

1mm: OFFICERS ADDRESSES KEMETH B. sum Chagrin a. Diroetor Fresno, California GLADYS 30mm Yiea—Ghuxlm 33" , ‘ ' DELIA l. Baum! Sonntm a " V " 1.1131311! ammo!» haunt“ & " fi t m Eran Boa. Saoy. & " fl V DOROTHY Slum Librarian & " " "' BURKICI BROPHY Director I ' ESTELLE ll. WAGLSKR Director I '1 ELVIH R. WEBER Director " '

( 1) These Articles of Incorporation may be amend“. tron time to time in tho manner provided. by Law.

II nmss WHEREOF, the Spiritnsl Assembly 91' the B&t'iti of Fresno, State or California, heretofore existing 0.: m uh: incorporatad association has caused. them Articles of Income ration to be duly signed by its lumbar: this 23rd. day of

Ja nuarg 1953. '

in“ Kennethzg. 831; th : W

my 11th

a a . .rm 1: ‘ Burnt” grspé

??%fiu £63323 Eaton. l. V&uscr

t

V - 0r

[Page 457]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 457

AFFIDAVIT 0F OHICERS.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA, I

~ ss . comm or msno: )

mum B. SXI'I'H, GLADYS BOMB, DELIA l. BRAND”, and LILLIMS RWD, each being duly sworn on oath, deposca and says: that they urn respectively the Chairnn, Viae-Chairmnn, Secretary and Trensuror of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í: of Fresno, Californn, an unincorporated. association 1.060.th 1n the City 01' Fresno, State or California that at a regular "Feast Xeoting", of tho Bahá’í community or Fresno, designated as the "Yeast of Will", bola September 26th, 1952, by a. resolution unanimously passed am! adopted, authorized the incorporation of the Bahá’í Assolbly an a. religious corporation under the Imus at ‘tho State of Calitarnisg that pursuant to 1:16. authority attunts ma thair associates duly Issoablod on ma 18th any of October, 1952, to organize said. ooyporation, at uhiah meeting Article: or Incorporation were prepared and axeoutod; ’ thxt therod’ur, following consultution with and consideration by the Nation}. Spiritual Assembly, said uticlu of Incorpornion ware muted and approved in the present fun} hereto tnnoxod and duly executed thin 3:22;. day of Januarz 1953; further, tun: sayeth not. Subscribed am). Scorn to

Before no this 251‘d-dty of Januar '

~ ho County 3: Fresno, STATE OF CALIFORIIL. re:suror lly Gomuion Expiru 5e ’5. 23:16. 95 [Page 458]458 THE BAHA’I WORLD

sum: or CALIFORKIA, )

COUNTY OF' FRESNO: ) On this 2am. day of Januarz 1953, bafore In C. K. Barton . a NOTARY PUBLIC, 1n and.

for the County of Fresno, State 6! California, roaming _therein, duly commissioned and sworn, personally appeared MET}! B. SHITH, GLADYS BODIER, DELIA l. BRAEDII, LILLIAB' BIEILAKD, m ETGEH, DORO’ITIY SXITH, BURHICE BROPHY, ESTELLE ll. WACASER and KELVIN R.-WILDER, known to me to be the persons who executed the within instrument, and whose names are subscribea thereto; and severally acknowledgea to me that they oxeouteé the same.

IN WITHSS WHEREOF, I have

hereunto set my hand and

affixed my Official Seal 111

the County of Fresno, the day and your in this «rtiticate

a county 0:: Promo, STATE OF CALIFORHIA. [y Genital“ Expiras Sept. 22na.1954

r

[Page 459]mucrfzs or Incoamauml

ND ~ 0! i”; IPSREE I ““03“ LE’ D

THE SPIRITUAL ASSEHBLY 0? THE BAHA 13 “m“‘fi-m 0 MN “fr”

0? SAN DIEGO, currmn. Mm Mag WM Wig?» 953

v w war ’3' C. 09411 W 3(3105 M413 “’3' 0!

Know ALI. KEN BY Tam}: PRESENTS: mwvwmfiib

rhah we, ths members of the Sp4r1tual Asewnbly or the Bahá’ís of San Diego, State of California, an unincorporabek association, being duly authorized and émpowered by a resolution passed and adopted by the Bahá’í Community or San Diegé, State of California, at a ragular "Feast fleeting", designate; as the "Feast of Baha”, held March 20th, 1958, at which a magority of the members were present, have this day asaooiatad ourselves together, for the purpose of forming a religious corporation under the provisions of the laws of the State of California; and,

2m DO HEREBY CERTIFY as FOLLCMS; > (1) That the name of this corporation is and shall be "THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BLEA'IS OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA", and that the name of the existing unincorporated association which is being incorporated is "THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF DAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA":

(2) That this ccrporation does not contemylate the distribution of any pacuniary gain, profits or dividends to the members, officers or incorporators thereof in any way or manner whatsoever: ’

(3) The specific and yrimary purposes for which it is formeé are:

(a) The establishment and maintenaxce of religious worship and spiritual activities in the City of San Diego, State

of California, in accordance with the teachings and prineiples

- 1 _ Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of San Diego, California (continued next three pages).

[Page 460]460

THE BAHA’I WORLD

1

of the Bahá’í Faith, as set forth by Bahá’u’lláh, its Founder; Abdu'l—Baha, its Interpreter and Exemplar; Shoghi Erfeudi,

its Guardian and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís or the United Statea, the truly constituted authority in and for the United States of North America:

(b) Thase purposes are to be realized by means of devotional meetings, public meatinga, leoturas and conferences' of an aducational, humanitarian and spiritual character; by the ocnstruction of a temple or temples of unversal worship and edificea for humanitarian service; by unifying, super“ vising, promoting and generally administering the activities of the Bahá’ís of the City of San Diego, State of California, in the fulfilment Of their religigua officas, auties and ideals:

(4) That the corporation is organized pursuant to Part 1,

of Division 2 of Title 1, of the Coryoration Code of tha State

of Califarnia; $aid corperation shall continua to exist per petually, and for the purpose of attaining or furthering any of the foregoing obéects and purposes, to do any and all acts and things, and to exercise any and all poweré, whiah nsw or hereafter may be authorized by law, it being hereby expressly proiided that the foregoing enmeration of specific powers shall not be eenstrued or held t6 limit or restrict in any manner or form the general powers conferred upon such corpbrations by the laws of the State of California, or any act or acts authorized and permigsible under she statute governing this incorporation.

(5} That the principal office for the transaction of the business at thia corporation is to be located in the Gity of San Diege, State af California, County of San Diego..

- 2 [Page 461]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 461

(,6) ’l‘hét: there shall 1128 nine (9) fiireetors, who are also members of the Spiritual Assembly; that the names and addresses or the persana who shall act as directors and officers until

the elschion 0: their sucoassors are as follows:

RAKES OFFICERS ADDRESSES John Straessler Chairman ck Inmate): San Diago, Calif. Hrs. Sue Fonts V10e—Chairman " ” " " Mrs. ”Vale: Carlaon Corr. Seoy. " " " " Mrs. Bernice Strnassler Rea. Seey. “ " " " Mrs. Gladys Latvian Treasurar 5c " “ " " Dr. G. V. Gregory Director ” “’ " Era. Amelia. Faitaira Director " " 1" Krs. Alice Hendershot Director " " " R N N

firs. Arne. Mamie Director

(7) These Articles of Incorporation may he amssnded from ‘ time to time in the manner provided. by law. 114 WITIX‘ESS ?IiiEéiEOF, aha Spiri tual Assembly of the Bahá’ís

of San Diega, atate of California, heratafom existing; an; an

unincorporatea aasaciation has caufied‘theaa Araicles Of Izmarpm ration to be auxy signed by its members this {’1 dag of April,“‘ 1953. '

gvgk X‘léLQ-ld‘JJK Mm~q§w§¢ Lawn «ginuaé

x, rm'istvmméfiom.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

gm?" ymr (me IIUMKMG nim- lmmtrco' aw! . 1 .22 ILL Xnikxfifi ., 7:1 l'é- cw m m a Namiyl’ufilicinund {mix “ 1 ” 0 0 .,Sum 12f cm;;(zrn:a,

”.52.. 37/

befor: m r...

L wmly of “‘5

"Mme therein. duty mmmkn‘ourd and man», ptrxamlly ”year;d-..9 0 f m). 9w. .94. .3..th16 2;: Mimi” ‘fiancL. mmchiar, hre.313ei;guouiion 3.1!. 3%: ' Liv “Amelia l‘aifcira

“ 1‘ u 'kg‘olwnm (a m! 1:535; (2)? ig$ggji 35,33 gyrfi§3§~é§4ub4 2312 ?b the mllu'n imlmmznr.

and adWldgzd 10 m than}; 52.32 455:!!26 :51; mm: I V WITNESS WHEREOF I haw hcnunm 3:! my [rand mu! «fixed my 0502:! an!

2a :ht....___._.. ..... "County of... bipfiflgw NV...“ --. the day M ymr MM meq/fl Romy Me 64: w: m MMWWW q aL. ”.me

8m 6! Cdsfimm. ’ I v WI For. No. WWW W) (C. (2 3“. us?) Mr Wham am . miffijfl.

1,

[Page 462]462 THE BAHA’I WORLD AFFIDAVIT or onxcias.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ) SS. COUNTY OF SAX DIEGO: )

JOHN STRGESSLER, Mrs. SUE FOUTS, :fi and Mf&.G?/M MS4L¢

1!!! Mrs. BERRICE STROKSSLIqugach being a y sworn 0Q oath, deposes and says: that they are respectively the Chairman, Vice—Chairman, Recording Secretary and Treasurer, of the Spiritual Assembly 0: the Bahá’ía of San Diego, delirorma, an unincorporated association located in the City of San Diego, State of.California; that at a regular “Faaat Meating”,i of the Bahá’í Community of San Diego, designated as the "Feast of Rana", held March 20th, 1953, a resolution was unanimously passed and adopted, authorizing the incorporation of thé Bahá’í Assembly as a religious corporation under the provisions of the laws of the State of California; .that pursuant to said authority affiants and their associates duly asSembled on’ ’fhe _j_j_ day of April, 1953, to organize said corporaticn; that the annexed Articles of Incorporation havo_ Ibeen prepared and executed by them under and by virtue of

such authority; further they sayeth not.

W QM %)m‘ M §®<§sfi

Subscribed and Swor?t ’ before me this 5: day Wm. %%M

of Apr l,1953.>fl

NOTARY PUBLIC, NP. a In and for the County of San Diego STATE OF CALIFO 'IA. ’ SEALI. My Commission Expires .7é I?57

/

[Page 463]~mifi 1ng 2m: 2»! ?%‘32

ammggw : 33ml?“ mama“; ‘

+ wing; w :3 ti Wfiizeé gnaw

, afia’aa‘ga’ix’fivé'fig 4:213 awa‘g

1k, ‘mz‘mse cf: fammg; a re

zlmmm aim“ we Law. 311’“ ma 3%“ a,

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Sacramento, California (continued next three pages) .

[Page 464]THE BAHA’I WORLD

464

[Page 465]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 465

find. officers uh’cil [the alnétia'n‘ o’f vtheirf succesaérs' are as follows:

muss onmms ; ~ \

‘ ADDRESSES

Maerea Ghindshl Chairman 3: Direetor " Sacrmento Calif. Frames Kuphal Vicé—Chairmah 6; Director '< “ ' Henry Kup‘ahl ~ Treasurer & Director ’ ' ' listen: Bourget Secretary 8: Director " " Josephine Graham Director “ “ ‘ Vernal“: Kellogg Dzmc’cor ’ “ 0 " 'Kildred Owens Director ' ” Margaret Sprirzger Director ' “ Imus Baum“ Director " '

I?) These Articles of Incoi‘pbmfiiw‘p may be amended from (time ta tinie gm the manner providedjby Law.

m’wxmas mEmr, the Spiritual'gésembly of the Bahá’ís of sacramento, State or California, hereinfore exisiing as an V unincorporated nssooiation‘haa‘ caused these Articl'ea of In corporation to be duly signed this 2 day of 5% ~ “22 , 195;»; l‘ /

STATE OF GALIFOWIA, ; > as _ 30!!!!” OF SACEMKSEX'TO: I xx x ‘ / :f ‘5 , ' . I 3‘ 3‘ ‘ i ' \ 7 ,, 4 9.“ this _Z__ day a“: M, £59; % ’ :' ' before me, v” v 9, {JOTARY PURLYJ. s s i i,

in and for $136 Gaunty of Summarize, : me or California, residm; therein; fiu‘g/ comisaianw am“, sworn, aeriamlw Annenz‘afi memo Chménhl 1mg: aozaglc 502:1}th know to me x ' éw: ~ fie 119 am aeraanav'mo eiec'utéti‘ the: within matrmem; ‘

and VX6525 (mugs 3m: suhamfii’oed. ihereto, and severany ._ y ‘

'aCkfiawletMexi ta; me whatfigsy gnuutefi‘ the awe; L‘

Iii WKTSESS WIISQWF, I gave horaumo set my hand and aft mace» my offing]. 59a}. in the‘Coumy 02’ Sacrmmw,

f the 223;! am: ’98! m Ems Semificnfie first above written. ,

NMARY PEEL“:

1 for the County or Bammé’

' mm; o? cam“ 6mm x

m1 m3; :xss’ire‘a on , ’ H» mm,” M”

[Page 466]466 THE BAHA’I WORLD

urimm

sum: cit cAmronnn ) County of Sacramentq ) 83:

Or: this g 9 day of 3% 19 v};

, a Notmv Public

boron mo, in and for th said county and State, residing therein,

duly ommiaeicrsed and sworn, bersonany ammred Kaer'en mung anti gazelle Boaz‘get, who, being; sworn, each for himself, (1990883 and says: That m: and flaw Chinfll is the Chairman am; that the said ziozeue 59111159: 13 the Secretary of”'!'he Sniritual Assembly of Bahá’ís 01‘ Sacramento, Califomia", an unincomoraceu association,

and that said association has duly. authorized its incuroomtion. {That ggerea (3211568le and )‘ozelle 5:2 :r:et

have executed these m‘ticlea of incormmtian in men" afficial

capacity and by aucmm‘ny m“ such 5mmcizmion.

CR? 112219 n

Subscribed and sworn t0 izef-are ’39 this 2 5;.2: 3:“

. ‘ "3:2?

(Seal)

[Page 467]AnTlULag or Imagozumun ND 0 R 5 E. D a NF t L E D

mwmdm l‘um, .221 21mm. AS )2‘MBLY 0? TH: Bun'xa"..i.‘§1owcww

05’ 01.23qu, cummau, APR 2 91954

........... WM Mn 0‘ SH! \ m“ “MM. SEW” ' ~1§38thg 5? SIASPE‘YAW

Khofi ALL H Xi BY 2.5.935 NES‘QITS:

Ian m, m: unborn of the Spiritual Assembly of tin Liaua’u of me city a: Glenda... auto at Californts, an unincorporated association, bung duly authorized and. unpontod by a resoluu on passed and adopted. by me éua'i. community 0! Glendale, state at Cuitornu, arms Feast of lust. (Might) uold the evening of ueptumbor 1th, 195.5, navo min day 3330outed ourselves togamor, tor tn. purpose 6! forming 3 religious corporation under the provision of the Laws of mu state at California; and,

’82." 1’20 mig.,£8Y 3mm?! Ac: ?ouwas:

(1) Inst ml name of this corporation in and shall bu "T112. Ji’121lr'utlh‘ Aawmfibi J1“ Lu: BA..A'IG OF GL£H;A;.;~‘Z, CALIFOAEIA”, and mat the nam of tho existing minoorporafiod aauoointion whim: 13 being incorporaua 1- "Tii»: SPIanLiAL A5.$Ek§3LY 01" Till BmiA'IS 0F GL‘ZRJALL‘, CALIFOJEIANx .

(2) That. this corporation does not contemplate the distribution of my pnouniu‘y gun, profits or dividends to the newborn, armour! or incorporauora thereof in any manner or form wnatsbcvor; ‘

(.5) Tue 39001110 and primary purposes for which it 18 formed art:

(:3 I’m estabnammt and mmnananoo o: raliglous worsnip mad spiritual activities: in the City 0! Glendale, State or California, in aoaardanoo with the teachings arm prinoiplw or tn. Bahá’í mun, as set. ram: n5, Bma'u'naxz, its Founder; Abau‘l-Baha, its lnterproter mm .xemplar; Shoghi :atromu,

-1 Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Glendale, California (continued next four pages).

[Page 468]468 THE BAHA’I WORLD

18: Guardian and th. National Spiritual Assembly of tin Bahá’ís of the mum States, the duly constituted wninlatratlvo authonty 1n "ad for the Unit“ states of Earth Amulet:

(4) run the corporation 1: organiud pureuut to Part 1, of Division 2 of mm 1. of tho Corpontion Code or the state or Cantomu; um corporation shall continue w 3113: porpnuuly, Ind for tho pupal. at tzfiazning or mrtboring any at tho foragoins obJeotu um purposn. to do any and all acts and. thin;- ufi to enrol“ guy and an powora which now or noruttor my ho tamarind by 1“. 1: being nenby expressly providod that tho {ongoing onmration or specific pour: shall not be confirmed or hold to limit or reatriot in any manner a: turn the gourd. power. conferred. upon such oorporu tions by the Lama ot the State of Canton)“, or any act or an: Autumn“ and puntulblo under nu stunt. governing this incorportnon :

' (b) That m0 principal amo- tor the trunnion of mu business or thin corporation 1: to to Look“. in the City a! Glendon, Sta“ 0: Canton“; in the County of Los Angeles.

(6) Tm: than 311-11 he an: (9) dinners: that the nun.” and nausea" of chi pu‘nm who shall go: a: dxnetort and attic.”

until the oloouon or tmlr wconaorl are as rollovl:

EAIES. OFFICERS. LfiDEESSES. R119!) Sohul, Charm 5: Dinner, cunmo. Canton“. Grab“ P. Conroy Vioo-Cmrun a; " n Garnet“ wmunom. Soontu-y a " n w Mar 1: ’r‘ihuohouu. Koo. morotuy'x " n w 01: a Atkinson, Trouurcr d: " w n 2.01m. Colfluh, Director. n w Virgin“. Fay, Linotor. n n algim X. Link, Amour, I v Chalet" Somn. bxnoior, w n

[Page 469]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 469

(7) Thou Arneieu or Incorporatlon my 1» mended from

£1!» to sin in the sauna provided by law.

IR ‘GITRESS 113 $019, the Spiritual Aammbly of tho Bahá’ís o: m. mu 0: Glenda”, State 01’ California, heretofore ulating :8 an unincorvontod nsaoolnuan has owned those Article: of Incorporation to be duly aimed by its members this 15th an at kpfll, 19M.

RALPH SCHALL GLADYS ATKINSON

GRAHAM P. CONROY ZELMA CALFLESii W VIRGINIA m

MARGARET WHITEHOUSE :{EGINA M. LINK

CHARLOTTE SC HALL

STATS OP CALIFOAKIA, ) COW’IY 0? L08 2117621435: )

SS.

On this 13th 6‘. or April, 1934, baton m Genevieve Sultenfuss a my guano, 1n and for tho laid Counfi of mm 0? CLLIFO‘ANIA, r051 Mug tncrun, duly conuuoma and uorn, personal: Appeared - :ulph Sohall. 0mm 1‘. Gonzo: 0min. Ehttuflem, mew” ‘iu‘hiuhcuso, Glad” Atkinson. 20m 01:19-11. Virginia. Fay, main: ll. Link and Caution. Sohan, know to an to be tn. ptrsonl anonbod 1n and whose mm: are mbsaribod to tho utm instrument" and :oknovladgod. to a um; thoy axons“ tho nan. 1a wlwass hiiEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand ana arrixod my officiu nail. in said County of Lou Angelou, tho dug and you in this oertttiuto first Above written.

A4

NP.

8 EA LJ) GENEVIEVE SULTENFUSS

1102;ch ?UELIC, In and. for tho County at La: Angola arm; or CALIPOAHIA.‘

nay Comission expires W

[Page 470]470 THE BAHA’I WORLD

I, FRANK M. IORDAN, Scc'rcfary of Slate of 1/16 Statz' Caf California, hereby certify:

Tim! ibe mmrxed transcript 134$ éwm compared with {be RECORD 0): file in my éflic‘c, of which it [zurparts 1‘0 be 4 copy, and IBM [Liv

same is full, frué’ and correct

IN WITNESS WHEREO’F, I ’bercunto 59! my band and aflix‘ tbs Gym! Sui of [be State of California, a? 29th dz" of April. 1954

Sacrammio, 119i:

WM

Sl'rrewry of Stale

[Page 471]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 471

AS?! DkVIT OF OFFICERS.

sun: or cmyomn, J 85. COUNTY 0? L03 AEGEL‘fi: )

.mu SGML, GARBS’M‘E KEITXFIELLD Ind cum ATKIHSOI, nah being duly mom on oath, dopcun And “3:: nut they us manoeuvre]; tho Charm, Soorotary and funny“ of TM spiritual Amenity of th. Bmt'u of Guam” Cultural” an unincorporaud nlooxnlon loutod 1n the City or 01.2mm, sun or California; mat at n 1-03qu "Font flouting“ of en. Bans“: oomunity or Glenda]... dnlgmtca u the "hut or Iltlt {Mightfi hold on tho tuning of Soptonho: 1th, 1953, by c rnoluuon unmiuoualy pnud ma adopted, suthorlud tho tnoorapomtion of tho Bahá’í Anaemia: u s ”115100 corporation undo: the bus or flu State 01' Canton“; tint puamt to ma unworthy “tint: and thou- usoaxun duly nsu-blcd on tho _1_'.5_t_13.__ m or Aprtl, 195;, to organize laid. corporation, at whloh muting um uu-bly In duly organised u u. corpora. unit and tn: mom Arno]... or Incorpomuon tor. duly onoutod.

RALPH 3g mm.

W

GLADYS ATKINSON

ubuortbmgnd Sworn to .

atom 39 1. munch: of April, 1954. NP.

GENEVIEVE SULTENFU’SS ‘ 3 EA LJ,‘

norm! P233140, In and for tho County or L0- Angelo... sun 0? cmnomu.

, u: 00min“): 0:31:08 am an mag,

[Page 472]472 THE BAHA’I‘WORLD

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

of .

n. wmmaugmugéwamm,m.

The undersigped, being three or mare natural persons of lawful age, at least a majority nf‘whom are citizens of the Umtect States, do hereby adopt the fafluwing Articles of Incorporation, representmg beforehand go ighe Secretary of State of the State of‘Indiana and a}! persons whom it may cpmgm, that a megbersth hst arr lists of the above named eorporatiqm for which certificate of incorporatxon Is hereby applwd

far. have heremfore been waned in accordan with l w and that at least three (8) persons have aimed such membership list. fie a

Be it further remembered that the fonowing Articles of Iacorporatirm and ail matters heretogure done or hereafter to be done are in accordance with “An Act concerning domestic and fotgaigu cameraman)»; 50* tor PNflL Providing fm- fees, providing penalties for the violatien thereof, and repealing certain laws, approved March 7, 1935, and all acts amendstury thereof and supplemental thereto.

1. The name of this corporation shall mmmmaumsua -..~.. m$¥u§ WW:$W" m- one 9! a:- W ms.)

2. The purpose or purposes for which itisformedmasfollowmgo W N mawmtamnmwwkawm’u w“! qmmuwufiwm Wank WK“

’23. The perm daritxg which it is to continue as a corporation ismm .................... ; ....... y ears. x34; km Mofliée address (xi‘its principal office is ............................ 51?“ 3M1 ................... Street,

”MW (City) mm (County) W ............ (State) ’ Hg, Themafia mmmmmmqmm, ............................................................. ' ( 331w miom mm af its resident mm mm”? Street, W ‘ i {Cxty} ...‘.m...x.g....§.....mm”.(Cannty) Mm ................... (State)

321316 mWipbgm m be divided into classea the designations of the different classes, and 3 SK maze fights, preferences, limitations and restrictions of each class, together with a mans nghts at any such clam: m m Mo

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Fort Wayne, Indiana (continued next two pages).

[Page 473]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH

-33...

E

473

The number of direeturs of this corpomtien she” be ..... mg m .......... .................. (Thij; mastbe as exact number and wrist be stated' in the alternative ) ' \

$3. The names anal addresms of the first board of flirtation: am as tonnws:

Name

Nam

m, m [m M,

Rum

sum Cit!

23?; mm 321,. m m ”mo ‘mflm 1“,...

sum cm ‘ Camil- u

gm 812‘ 5w mm» 3‘? kw,e,..§%§m

Nun:

mm,mfiyzmm

Nmne

We‘k‘hm‘fi".

2am

W:W«3§m"

Nina

‘; W‘w. M l. Nam! 133$.

296$ 63%, :99 shu, m. mtsm

Sh M ??$an

3mg; ' . cm ' ’

ExQJJS ¢ng;

W‘fimufi 62%;, ........ M.W

mu

.,W.MMAma..flx..§m,,m. mm; Gilt WI:

Gaunt:

W fig“. gm Mn 1:; mg. mum

Shut

Whigamnm u.)"wigs;.w....mmmwwuflhwww.unm«mmm .u.§;;£m.. m ..A....mc.é;.m....,.mm munyaw m m... mmmmu

.4...

1‘ 1n kmtotme pmfiy andmeptixmtuattbuvalm Mmtimhemuwbywcw

,nflaatte‘ruwnm

Wu WM mats“ omHam-fia

“M hm

‘ w,wmmnmumm

' mvisiom, W1: mm m w» of this mu, m: the mkfimanii Worm rating; «mmmmmifin goremg thepéwagwtthhm \ §(smemlumormyeimor 2:;

[Page 474]474 THE BAHA’I WORLD

?%‘m? ‘2’”; i:

and WWW the execution of them

.;........ \ Mr: m n'aWWuwnnaM-sm V,

Wet”... ”M?.‘Wtomm"

[Page 475]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 475

{34444444444444.4244 4444444444 4444342444444 (44444 4444444,:

BE IT KNOWN THAT“ m SPIRITUAL K553118151 OF THE BAHA‘IS OF THEM W CITY OF TUCSON, ARIZONA. {WWW

HAVING SUBMiTTED TO THE ARIZONA CORPORATION CUMMESSiQN EVIDENCE OF COMPLIANCE

WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE 0F ARIZONA GOVERNQNG THE iNCORPORATf ON OF COMPAN! 63,)

IS BY VIRTUE OF THE POWER VEETED [N THE COMMISSE ECN UNDER THE CONSTiTUTmN AND THE LAWS OF THE STATE ”F ARIZONA réEREB‘r‘ GRANTED THIS

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

AUTHORIZING 5ND COMPANY TO EXERCiSE THE rU \ICI 441345 4,24: A CGRPOQATION, UNDER THE LAWS NOW IN EFFECT IN THE STATE (“F ARIEONA N ND SUB) ECT TO EUCH LAWS AS MA‘a’WiERE‘ AFTER fiE ENACTED FOR A PERIOD (3F TWENTY FWE W? 5343 {‘394‘44 T4444: DATE HEREQF, UNLESS SOONER REVOKED BY AUTHORITY OF LAW BY ORDER OF THE AMZONA CORPSKAT 403$ CCMNHSSICN

In Wltness Whereof, 4 4». 1441444 smasww 4444 {4444444444442 444444442 4444444444440 54:4 4443 HAND mo 4 ' 0444554344 444: 34454 444 25/44 04 4442 ARI 2044A CORPORA“44034 c0444444s434044 40 4343 4444sz4243 AT 7444-: CAMTOL 444 THE Ci‘TY OF PHOENIX, THIS W let W

DAYOF 9"; January A4945. 3* 19514 “3.3%

3 cmmmn.

1“ ,

AWEST: .

Acting saCnflAaY.‘ ,. 440. {41423}. ~ ”W Assnsuwr azcns‘mn?

0‘58 9490.: «a an

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tucson, Arizona.

DY

[Page 476]476 THE BAHA’I WORLD

Euafltnmlgmnfigmywsmtsflgnwmflmm:

“mag, ,f. 14/11/15 1/ 71111114111114.1111 1111/y 1)17;11/1/ 11/11/ 111194141/ 1/, ,

SPIRITUAL ASSEMJBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF OAK PAnK .1 //{ii‘r 1’51101/éw/1” M17//1‘1 7/51 1/1111/1ú/ 1f/r//1//1 1w (/1: M 1/1/ 1/ February “/f / /’) SQ (I}//11111/11/// #1 GENERAL N01

FOR PROFIT CORPORATION ACT / 11/111113, 11//11111:11/ 11/} IX 11%? 111/1111 V711111111‘111g [.(X‘f/ [0)”.

V1711“ mrcfarc 7CHAR£ES F (49115911151 14111111111 1/ “1/1- 1/7111 9711/19/1/ 77111113 {21 1911/1”) 1/1713/1111ú 1,) [’15 1/11/11» //11 /./ 4111/: 1/1 11 10/7 1})‘1/1 //1) /1///r11599/ 1/1/11 1/11 111111 11 11/11/ 11//111/ //1 11 /1 1/ 11/ 1/ 1 ’ [/11 14/11/11} 1/ 1/111111/111111/1111 1/171 1% 11).)1111/1111/111111/11/11

3h: Erminmng lllhcn‘of. » 75111111111111 111111111111/11111111 111 115 11,1/ú11/ 1x11331111. 1111/ 1/711; 7/11/11 1/, "/111‘ $1111.; 011/11’11/(41 {113/ 9/://I‘1/11fié1;/1//X1J 16th 1/1151 1/ ; Fe bruarz 11/) fl&_ 1.11111/ 9/1/1419 1 (4112(13/111111/ú111 9/ 11(117/1171’51147131/m //1’11 11111) .4111 111/111/11/11/ 73 th 1

m

V11. .1 . *gv .omn-l

st: nmm or‘fnr

[Page 477]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 477 x.» 5 ~ > ‘ MWQFWGORNRATION GENERAL ROI“ FOR PROFIT mRPORATION ACT mmmmmmmmmwm "" (no Not van in Tim smmy _ mural ~'é~5" ‘ mmgog, /‘

‘1‘» W i" CARPENTIER, an Swot Springfield, Illinois. A _ Clark . aw i ‘vw—W

@323 f X

wgmmw. (Munnmm Mn Addrm thet _... Sm: City sum ?3 Alberta alum 116 B. nmwaoa Illinois , 61ml}. Kalrlbae 1026 n. Harvey om: Park Illinois " WMW Km'nimmu m V 708 Gundarson on: Park 1111:1015 ’ ‘ s ' Forest Oak fir): 111mm:

0» s.

8105'fiirflero lean Ullriob 219 Mort Oak Palm 111mmWMMW «ear

. o

Nu m m af the m o! twmtym year: or more and citizens o! the United Sums, to: the W 01 forming u mam under W‘W N0: MM Corporation Ad" 0! the State of Illinm‘a. do bemby adopt :11: {Mg Article- of 1W:

1. Thwofm r . i... Spiritutl hnombly fifths Bahá’ís o! Ouk Park M

1. The period of am of m mmm 15-..- -fiarpqt.%i

Im"m" «an mbsta yum s. m m cf it: haw Wed once in the Sum of Illinois “kawm k. t_hn 5761?! d 30“. f‘l‘k : \County (1! Cook mm ' How

an mm of it: W W Man: a nu “ma n- Risa Marjorie Ion; 1111 rich '

4. mmmmmmenmw.mwmmwmmutmz “9(th

Name Address Number Surat City Sun:

( The above mentioned names)

& n. ‘ “Vun- , ‘ ‘ ' ‘0» This ocrporution is organism! for rsligious purposes in accordance with the principles of tha local Bahá’í adminiatration roeogniud and: affirmed by the National Spiriul Assembly of the Enha' ii of Unitad States, with full power to establish a corporation as hereinafter sot .forth, and from this data the powers, naponsibilitiea. rights, privileges and obligation: vested 1n thin flyifitzml mm1y by m’u'll‘hn. 3’0er or tu‘a Bam‘1 Faith,* by ’Abdu’lwnam, its Interpreter 3nd Exemplar, by Shcghi Effendi, its prosant Guardian, and by the Button“ Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í. of the United States, 1?.- duly uonatituted paramount and central adminSstrativ- tutharity in ma for North America, shall be exercised and “intuined by tho sbovo-nmd Spiritual Macmbly and their duly qualifiga mcaeuor- unaer this corpora“ Agrumom.

\ (OVER) .

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oak Park. Illinois (left and next page).

[Page 478]478 THE BAHA’I WORLD

,Wfifimmmufifimmwkmmwmmmmflhw ma.gnaummmmuMWmm 1

nmmmummmqy mmmflma. \ " ' ’maba 2; ¢% ‘ ,

” Nomm “WW \ Z A ‘ .m. ~ W... -wflg‘gwume‘W MMWW..."

W“ m.

mIBc W m Filed (HW—Iflfl—T-S‘}

§

”hue Article; M Dupfluu)

Hm Fee $10..

FEB 16 1954

F I L ED @964.

NOTICE TO CORPORATIONS

Every 'not for profit" wrpomuon is required to execute and file in the Office of the Secretary of State between the 15th day of january and the last day of February of each year, after the year of iks incorporation. an annual report, and severe penalties are inflicted for failure to do so.

Corporafiom arc also required to file all amendmentx to their nriicles of incorporation before such amendments become effective.

The certificate of inmrpoudon and a“ amendments thereto must be recorded in the office of the County Recotdcr of the County in which the mgistcrcd office of the corporafion is located within 15 days from me

Issgnnce thereof. 1 5835758 sum as 'u me: a, ~10 ”M mama M u 1 ZS F0? "tLURD

»f¢"

935$ FES 37 PM I2 33 836142366 M '70 fluxjux) 3 $7“

REWRQER OF {JESUS

dwlfimj

Office of me;

Certificate of Imorporation of

u.

[Page 479]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 479

J: (g. Eh h 3H may 1/ £513“ rflWfl W 13m aé/// April 1?“ w W%% VOLUME 049

W

3:: afraiimonywmrwf,¢f$fiflimwa%éy§%§ , ‘ WMflfix/{éflww %%zwrxfflzjar /J%a:/L%K¢f ‘ szfg/“Z’fe 7%é,M¢Wa%/ééff magi? «Mlgfiizewzfyfl%/%M/

/ Nw/Mf / ¥ 5/43 “Lf

Apri} /‘/1fi . 7/j55’4 ,

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nashville, Tennessee (continued next three pages).

[Page 480]480 THE BAHA’I WORLD

OlNIRhL WILVAII

STATE OF TENNESSEE

C harter of I ncorpomtion

Be It Known, That yrs. Maude Bnmes, Winston G. Evans, Ema Hayden, Susie Langfqrd, Georgia Miller,- Nellie J. Roche, Mrs. Elizabeth Walker.

C. H. Walton, Mary Roche Watkins, are

and hereby constituted a hotly politic and corpmatc, by the name of and style of” LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF BAHAIS 0F RASHVILLE, TEEhESSEE

for the purpose otfl promoting thq Bah“ F:_aith

The general powers of said corpma’cion shall be; {1) To sue and be sued by the corporate name. (2) To ham and use a common seal. which it may altar at pleasure: if no common seal then the signature of the name of the corporation by any duly authorized officer, shall be legal and binding. (3) Any corporation chartered under the laws of Tennessee for refigsious, charitabie. educational, mission; ary, or other eleemosynary purposes, and not far profit, shall have the power to receive property. real. personal or mixed, by purchase, gift, devise. or bequst, 8911 the same and apply the proceeds toward the promotion of the objects for which it is created, or hold any such property and apply the income and profits towards such objects. (4) Any corporation heretofore chartered for any of the foregoing purposes, desiring to avail itself of these powers. shall submit the question to its directors or trustees at any regular meeting, or special meeting, called for the purpose, or to any regular or special meeting of its executive committee, and if a majority of said dxrectors, trustees, or executive committee vote in fav 01 of applying for theamendment, 1!: may then plowed m usual course to file an amendment to its charter‘ , (5) To establish bylaws. and make all rules and regulations net inconsistent with the laws and constitutian, deemed expedient far the management of carporute affairs. (‘6) To appoint such subordinate officers and agents, in addition to a presifient and secretary, or treasurer, as the business of the corporation may require. (7) To designate the name cf the office. and fix the compensation of the afloat. (8) Ta borrow money to be used in payment of property bought by it, and for erect.ing buildings, making improvements, and for other purposes germane to the objects of its creation, and secure the repayment of the money thus borrowed by mortgage, pledge, or deed of trust, 11an such property, real, personal or mixed as may be owned by it; and it may, in like manner, secure by mortgage, pledge, or deed of trust. any existing indebtedness which it may have lawfnliy contracted.

. The‘said five or more corporators shall, Within a convenient time after the registration of this charter, elect from their number a president, secretary, and Mum, or the last two officers may ,1.“ combised intor'gnqsaid aflicersrand the other cormtom to aqmfltute the first board of dim, '

[Page 481]

=.enmaxyazxmmaxmkxnxmnmmmgxxmmmxixxmmmnuxnmxmmamafixxaxmimxxaxxmxxxmuxxflx EMWWQWMWWWflWWW 13'! xii Llortinm mush member to he entitléei to mm wie W :1) person W and flu: remit m be tietmrmimiyhva amfljmitv vi the mm» mm“ Due notice of any eieflinn must be given by mlwriibement ._ in :2 mrsmpapcr} pursmm! name to the member‘s. m“ a day Maicd on the minutes of the bug“! {me man”; 4 summing the 01 . The term s'xf officers may be fixed by the hydawe, the mid tmm mt, huwever, {u cxwwi MyE; 5X31 :1 firm; m holfi nfiiw until their nucmxmm are duly elected mlfl 111183565

Thi‘ m‘livml welfare of mcieiy. nut indiviflual pmf'xi, 3:4 the abject fm‘ which ihia charter )3 grantw, and the nwmhers are 13M; Mockhoklerr: in the 3mm} $13115» of the Lm‘m, mu! m) dividends or nmfits aha}; ' he dividxzd amongkzkc memtame

123.1 Asaambl ' ’1‘!) gm ahnll kgcp a regard m“ 2:}! their proceedings, whim shall be :11 ah timea sum ivct t0 the inmwttinn nf‘ any mend: or The cm mmficm may wmhiiah bramzheas in any other county in

Us; r’iéxikfi.

The ’mvmlww mm, at am}! time. wmnmmy dismive the cormmtiun, by a conveyance ef sts assets um} pmpwty to mt}: uthm’ mrswcmztimx holding; a charter fmm the 3mm far purposes not of individual 12mm. Eirat providing! fur teammate dam. A vialatinn (if any of the px‘oviaions of the {:harfier mm 311’!just {£39 mrg'sm‘utfxm 1:) diagoluaim} at the metzmm Of the stair;

The) {‘hm‘im’ is suhjent is; mmiification and mnmdmmt; and in cam :32de nmdificzxtim 0r amendmeat is; nut zmnrpivd. mr'mmm i.guzainexs‘ iv: to (39:15am and the awake mid property, after payment of dam, am to 1m t'mn’uyed, as afarméxid. to men: other (’urpomiiun holding a charter far purposes net mmmcwd wiih imiividual pmfit. Avt‘wiescenm in any modifitatiun, thus fieclzu‘cd, $113}! b9 (Ietemfineci ‘ in a meciingz nf thxx members mpewially railed for that purmse, mmmmmmmm

EWMWWW

The mozzm, msetx, inmmc‘ m ather pmpm‘ty Of the corporation shall mt be empioyed, directiy o‘r indMCUy, S’m‘ any other purpose whatever than to accummish the legitimate objects Of its creation, and 1:5" m: implimiion $112131 it engage in any kind at‘ trading operatitm, nor hold {my more ma! estate than Ea newmary for its legitimate purmses. ,

Wy mmmmmxnmmmmmmmm and there shail be nu indivirlual liability against the members for corporate debts, but the entire corporate property shall be liable for the clainm of creditsww

We. the Lmdm‘signmk the imm'poratorx above mentinned, hereby apply to the State of Tennessee for a charter of incm‘pomtinn for the purposes: decmred in the foregoing instrument.

Witncxs our hands this, the 3d“ _ «day of.-. A 3'11. , u 19% 5”? W4

SUBSCYRIBING WITNESS:

.; kw

STATE OF TENNESSEE, COUNTY OF ”widson , :9 MWHV, mm"...

Personally appeared before me P. _____ L . 3111181‘3 w -w M--Vfi-,w.__._

(Wfim Notary Publin), the Mthin named incorporators, 31.3.3303 3.3m,

Mary ficche Watkins

with whnm I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that they executed the within application far a Charter of Inccmoration for the purposes therein contained and expressed.

Witness my hand 3:36 official sea! at office in _, _.-,E§§hV_i},l6 W, Tenneszsee,

day of _Ap}ril_ {__ .1951}: Q /, , « $13“ a w e‘ 5 . 2.0 f M ‘ 3“

(Signature cf , b 7:.

kNomyPubflg; :A‘, \, {$5

. :33 {”5“ ’ 4 *‘ 3

(If Notary Pubiie) My commission expires,, gathiay of “-APF11HW-.W , 19 m" 3,1 ‘ § 1 ‘gfi; 2"

(Official Title)w_p 0:515:31

“MM” ,.£J‘/»an//,w¢W4/~7" w

[Page 482]

(NEW'YORK, COUNTY op- - . _ 5 ' ally appeared before ’ MM 1 a , > .9,“ c for the State and County aforesaid, tkfi within’ namad 1n: ‘ AzficAgz .. ‘ , rfrs. Maude Barnes with whom I am personally acquainted, and {.‘jhc-g vleagea E51313 559 executed within application for a Charter of In—é

‘cHx’fiépfiion for the purposes therein contained and expressed. . my hand and official sea]. at office In Raw York, Raw York,

‘fl 11131953 this ,5 583‘] 01' Aprilmh‘film" mm

Navy Pubfig Sun cl Now York ALSlGJlOO

No My commission expires- mum in Qum ., Wflgé l

(Certificate of Probate for Subscribing Witness if not acknowledged by all of the Incorquatoré) "

‘ ‘.STATE OF TENNESSEE, COUNTY OF, H ,-... - MW m_wmr' 4 ‘w (: Personally urmeared before me . . , ,. V -...____..,..,.__._

of said County, the within named, . V , H ,. ........... _ WW Charter Of Incorporation the subscribing witness and incorporator. with whom I am persnnally acquainted, and who acknowl- Of

edged that he executed the within application for a Charter of Incorporation fm- the purposes therein LOCAL 3

contained and expressed; and the said , ,_ , . wmmmw, ,, , subscribing BAHglnggiizz‘ffffgsLy OF witness to the signatures subscribed to the within application, being first duly sworn. deposed and said TENNESSEE

that he is persmmlly acquainted with the within named incorporatoz‘s, m, -MMM,,-_WWW

and they did in his presence acknowledge that they executed the within application for a Charter of

Incorporation for the purposes therein contained and expressed. Witness my hand and official seal at office in_ M , Tennessee, this ~~«w-... day of » W. ,_ , , 19W.

(Signaturé of WCuxinty—aourt Char}; or Notary Public)

(1f Notary Public) My commission expims » day of 4 19%.”,

(Official Title) V .W, ., W

Z817

0180M I‘YHVH EIHl

[Page 483]umshx i.

32 i1 human, That we. the subscribers, do hereby associate ourselves a a body politic and earl porate, pursuant to the atatnbe laws of the State of Connecticut regulating the formation and organ ization of corporations without capital stock, and the following are our srticles of Mama:zs ,i Ax'ncm: 1. The name of said corporation shall be Thé ;....8£;.r..;..t.2§;..mgsmh.1x..a£ ..............

.............. theBahá’íeofGreqnwim.Comathcut. Incorporated. ARTICLE 2. The purposes for which said corporation is formed arc the following, to wit : The purpose and objects for which the corporation is formed ai'e to administer the affairs of the Bahá’í Religion for the bmefit of the Baha'ia of the town of Greenwich in accordance with the religious

teachings and administrative principles of this Faith.

4 ~ ‘ARTICQE‘ 3: mass“ coxporation is located in the town of ..fixmuish.,...€oungcmm ......... and its principal office at m ..§xgmdch..11.ane .................................................. SM find the agent upon whom process against it may be served is ....... flzs...bouisa»§‘..finl.d ......................................

Dated at ....Gx.aanwich,..§amanxxcnt ................ this Subscn‘bers

TATE OF CONNECTICUT , . ......... (.3! {ewfiich . M 20 3" . OUNTY or (MW uuuu SS . .l? ...................

Then and there personally appeared 0313533...QMIMQG..&~..¥alsb.....§2xwimfia.;hm.$31511..." ......FE:"35.9%.Efiéez..¥f§9.%..!99519:...9!£§s.,,£29m...ngrzgn.....!r§.y..Mme;£££££sz

.,,...m...Jute...uazy..Caz-.tan,..ira-..Iuay..xz...smn.,...andlzs Lani u (a 9mm signers of the foregoing instrument beforeme. ‘

...............

md ackhowledged the “Wt ‘

,‘pprovedfi Api‘"‘2‘2“194¥ . .. ......... W vlharle . Keats, Secretary of State Cammissiomr of she Superior COM:

ly F. . Hotter J .

Sharter Fee, $115.00

bagel Apr 22 1951+ $15}? 3. Rodgers, for thaSecretary 0381:3119

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Greenwich, Connecticut (continued next page).

[Page 484]484 THE BAHA’I WORLD

State nf annm’rfimt .5 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

The foregoing is a true copy of a certificate filed in this office and of the endorsement of approval thereon.

IN TESTIMONY anor, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford, this 23rd ....................... day of .............. Anni; .................... A. 1)., 19.5%..

flfl/M/é/ fl (Kiwi

Secretary of State

[Page 485]deoofiuuw"

0| 05 N N M N N ?O- N N N N H H H H H H H H H H P O 0 (b \‘l 0 OI l) O! M H O '0 O) ‘7 O! 0' fi 0| N H O

32

L O H I I I F I Y ”mun awn couunLcn AV um nun, nxvam

THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 485

tho mud shin, w mums: or m “It. 01' Ion“. W G. foal I "mutton man: u tho provision- of Min- 3‘. mm. or 19%. u m. a bra” uh. nu. uni «W m urn

twat. u 311m:

m: no mm. an object: tn which m «mm 1;; rommum-mmmormmu Whit!“ mntotm mm o: m any arm name. «am ' nudm W and umuatnun mum“ of ms huh. SI Who: nhnhnamunmnyuurthu-n plum: Md “MI “11 W into m1:- pound.“ u M m m tumultu- at uni «mum. unflin- dun. M4 or «nus. uneely or Minn); to ”.14 Wu», .1- to any porn: or portom m nil nmnuu's my my nu ml b. nod, nu not!ma mm ‘11 m mm, W. mu nu pummu, .11 W. of M1), 5min yuan, halls. hapluls. or am balm, I11 tho unto: In! 1W: belonging to mix «mutual ca! ‘7 but. mu an! 1% tho nu, «not :11 noun n mm mt’ m umm to um out th- objuu n: m “mutt“. u! pom

11 «tin band a: than by w "mum. mu, or flaunt» or

M'muuon. helm flu port?” a: lump Mun. :11 Ma. haunts. nu hams”. an hum Man; or u: Mr b0 W): W i: 1071“, gift. grunt, mm“, o:- mum". to m menu or ‘h'utua a hut roi- 119 m or 1n n“ ”mails: Ind lull Meant, Ila w W, 13 meI wanna: to. .84 mm. M mu by 1t] “5‘ MW! LI wt for “1‘ ”mutant.

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís

of Reno, Nevada (continued next two pages).

[Page 486]486

mwommw

‘Dm‘l

10 ll 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1920 21 22 23 24

26 2‘7 28 29 50 3 3.

32

THE BAHA’I WORLD

w: The mm at tho corporation 1.: ea be “m snazwu. AW! 0? m BAEA‘IS 01‘ film cu; at Reno”.

w: m tomtory in Which 1t: activiuu m princiytlly to be pmduafioa 1: ch; City 0’: Rum.

m: '1‘!» principu place of worship 1: 156 be learnt! in the city of Roan. County or flush“, stain of 110nm...

.3123: The number of Trustees 3.: #0 be 1111!».

m: Th3 mama and places a! residence or the ponaax 1519 b. Trustees until the first annual muting are as follow”: I

M amass John W. KcAllastor 762 H931: Sixth Stmot, Rom Etna u. Nunutu 762 west Sixth sews, Rom Catherine M. Pm - 503 Modem, cho Margery Dixon 350 West Liberty 8mg. Ram Sallie Roberts 350 West Liberty Stroct, Reno Banmtt Dem 835 North smut, Rem Jun Kondry 631 thlrornin. Annual, Reno Moe Jeanne Waltan P. 0. Bax 25M, Cor. Harri: Loin Caziar uogmhfinfigéhaggut, Reno

SEW! 3313 time for holding it! annual mating is to he on the 2131: day of April-in uch year.

m first mating was held on the 21.: am of April. 1953, at 350 West Liberty Street, Reno. Ienda.

IE RIMES WY, m: ham my. :1.de and tcknowlad‘gad shill certifies!» in triplicate em: 224.... dry at April, 1951+.

Chaimnan

awry

«2‘

[Page 487]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 487

1 311m: or mm; )

‘ com omumox 0:: cm: Am_ thy a: April, 195k, bet». u, m Mamma,

I Notary P519110, 1!: am -v /- . 580$. at M“,

88.

8 duly unwindgod to no me they 9:0er the un- mo}; and ”1&9 turn: l!!! for tn. use: and puma“ fistula national.

10 I! mms WHEREOF, 1 hr” harem lot w hint! and W4

11 my official 30:1 the any and your in thin certificate tint m

12 writtam

134': w , ,/ V . ,' , I .‘ p 'TT'.“ 7 31'4". I I ‘14 3211; r Huh”, saw Iona. -' H1 nominal expires: ‘ emf}: ' 17 18

STATE OF NEVADA, COM? 0! wwaou.

I. H. K. BROWN, County Clerk and ex-oflicio Clerk of the Secpnd Judicial District Court. of the State of Nevada, 1n and for Washoe County, said court bemg a court of men}, ' having a common law jurisdiction, and a clerk and a seal, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of the Original, CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

THE SPIRITUAL assmam OF THE BAHA‘IS OF THE: CITY OF mo, sun: or

NEVADA}. No. 15853, Drawer 89.

which now 9:!1’,'.‘In file and of record in my office at Reno, in said County.

" ' IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court, at Reno, 2 this day of _......Am .7.-_"..... A. D‘ 1954:.

[Page 488]488 THE BAHA‘I WORLD

(ECCLESIAS’I‘ICAL CORPORATION)

ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

We the undersigned, desiring to become incorporated under the provisions of Act No 3211’. A. 1931, as amended, do hereby make execute and adapt the following mticles of association, to-wit:

First, The name amnmed by this coxporntinn and by which it “hall be known 11: law is A ha. .‘lllriml

(Plum type or prlnt corponte mine)

Second, The location of said church or society shall‘be in the Cit}. of.....w,~3r.hmi “laid! .., ’ (City or Vlllnn) (Nam 01 City or Villas) county of ..... KQ‘W, and state of Michigan. Mailing addresa of registered office 414 0.19.11”. 3:31, . urtudkulm, Michigw. mo.) (Ema )

Third, The time for which said corporation shall be created shall be... porpotml (The un- my be porwud)

Fourth, The members of said chhrch or society shall warship and labor together accordixgg to thy discipline, rules and usage of the N’tIOMI 31312‘1m1 L3 59137917 01. “W L‘m’75thureh in the United

States of America (or other jurisdiction as the case may be), as from time to time authorized and declared by

meuntgggnlwfinixgsyalugggsnglegxmshemfighglkgngzfir$11!&52;.Jllinainn_na

(Ben Insert the name o! the rune: mluuulul body or bodlol. Lt my, nmm to datum“ me): question)

Fifth, (here insert any desired additional provisions authorized by the Act).

_T§e purocse Ind cbjeou for which :92: a cowgwation 1: {'0er man t_o_ gqmuhtor the Itl‘utrl of tho hoha'iffiauimn for tho bandit of tho B‘M'u of tho Guy at Grand Rapids 1:: accordnnoo ..

with Lba "1151mm touching. OM adminntra #111 origggplggjg vthir roith.

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Grand Rapids, Michigan (continued next page).

[Page 489]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 489

In witness whereof, «s e, the parties hereby macmtmg for the fiurpose of giving legal effect to these artiolu, hereunto sign our names and places of residence:

Done at the....§.i.§l ....... of“ ..§.I‘.§.Y).Si.. $395411, connty 0L--..K....1’>:§.IL§ ................... and state of > (City or value) (1km of me) or Yuk") . Michigan, mi: 14th day of April , 1951'... (Signatures) (Residenaes)

, 6%, r, mo.) (Strut) mm mm) Mc/7f 340 Union AveMSJEJT graggl“ Raging, Mich‘ ___

.. . {*y9:.q/;

‘ /'”’ Ad;

\w JC/ «1/4123» 1m N133” Wxazmmamaa. 141% M"mm W 14.4 Glanoxflgfigr.-.-.£LI'§I}Q.-Bapi§1§;£32111--.“

STATE OF MICHIGAN

County of" 116...“.13-.._ ... ._.-.-,-___. On this 14“ h day of Anri 1 J , 195...4., before me persona: sppured‘ __.,,___.”_.~......-..--....Mlax.mm.om_,-.fiazal“aneJnd..Ylnl&L.flhman gw_é...“ 2' a (1.4.1 ............ ,2 . ' go 11%1kgvn tfie th rsons described in and who exec ; > vfilmy ted m: an ' fi ‘0 0’ é N (:5 SECURITIES COMMISSION L 2 g 3" N c: A - z ,_;1 ..:.c- ‘ E Q < 1 E < APR 2 2 1954 mm Public £01.”.._._.;.Kfint ...... County, n: dJJJ <1 52 24% g”. Stateoflfichignn. , _ 'An $$th sbou‘lpwu‘ below the Noun. My oommiuion uWfiflZfl

8 "'3' $59 U) 552% if? .2m .2 3 ~ .2 E 3 EV h

03‘

“T1112

SAN

RPORA’BON AND 1

Wm ooluussmu

Wmmman

2;? 6114..

gab ‘ APR 22 1954 “'1‘.” MM” "cémmo

00mm!on

mm Al

F I $51111.” “him . ms}.

1

WW‘W

(m hunk mpued by Michigan Corponflm ma

mums W)

mm mm 5mm 1x410 Amman .

WMMM.MbMo£mLu-nmdod

$111: SPIRITUAL ASSLI'BLY 01 j 51:, F ‘ RAPIDS‘WA‘N ”W“? M)

[Page 490]490

Q

l\

THE Bahá’í WORLD

Cerhficafe of Regnsirahon of Socnehes.

ACT XXI OF 1860. No.3!“ “.0119 --19 .

I mm «mm Ihei'Th. Spézitml £833le of the City of Surat" vh1c_h mm was _chnngod on

24th. yen 1951 t_o_ "Tho Spitifim1 Lasenfbly of the Bahá’ís of tho City QgMSurat V H fit was on 16th. July 1950 W regisferea’ under {/12 (?oa'ez‘z’es c??egzlsfmz‘zbn get, 3327 of 7860.

given under my Izaiza’ 02‘, w __Bon_bay -- m__

tlzis,. Ivggtzzigmth .a’éy of .. .Erch . A__W

Regzktmr of Wéompam‘és. Bombay.

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Surat, India.

@J\/@m§§§

[Page 491]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 491

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Jalna in Hyderabad (Deccan), India.

[Page 492]492 THE BAHA’I WORLD

- 22 W ‘ sf ‘* i i 2 3 i

‘m

(/1? Q

‘8 Cerhficafe Of Registration of Socmixes. 2 z: 3 ACT XX! OF 1360 / '

No /?§-Of 19632-1951.

I I2¢re1112 certitv 2222 a 1.

,' 2222.2 2222 dd? 222222 c??egdsfmfz‘an 22%;! 33257 £12292: under 222? ham! «1%; 15:), 155W ,.

1 s c 35. ' 2 m1» 12222211222221. .1 2121322 12 222 A22; 222mm

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kamarhati, India.

[Page 493]

.x "'0'.“

.- nun"

uuunnw nun...Nunflunuun ..a............‘..« u" "N,

, , Fegg’iyfiidignwsmt §2£fifl33§zmkummpw ....,:...........,..m...... .... . ...............‘........

Bangélq 1th Téénfixnfifithlay of.§ai:.t.:;zb.zr.y,_...

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Mysore, India.

[Page 494]494

THE BAHA’I WORLD

Itch mfomnce to arm a , the ”8912113133. Assam}: c ,, ,, “'unfier tam 80c1311u=0r31nance {Chapter £17) . 2?:me to 131me you that 11 ha. been approve

31: 9336 um! as rdg1atr‘at1m fee ma um cmplete . V.

\flmmfignhip rails: in bed); form ahoung the names, sdfiresus, weupationa and orricu1 9031119113 in the Asgembly.

\ 3 x. : , v I have the honour to be, " ~ ‘ V ~ ‘ Sir, . , ‘ - ,g I ' _ ~ 4 ‘ ‘ 33mm obgdiw'; ssrvapt

w-{Registraz‘ ‘ 01‘ 8.368311%?“ 1

• Singapora. - ‘

fionorary Secretary, * mum: 133313ny 31‘ zfln ’ h" 1 1‘3 3113:3110”; - ‘ ' 552~1 finishing Eater»! R 3‘1:

(cm 217) , Normcxnon UNDER SECFIOR 4 (3').

It IS hereby notified that m compliance with an Order .3? the Registrar of Societies, f‘The Spiritual Assembly Of the‘. Baha’ 13 of Singapore” has been registered within

the Colony of Singapore, with effect from 28th July. 11952 miNo 118/52]

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Singapore.

[Page 495]

IK.R.I..

“VAN "Ur

ATENTO a quo 81108 no oontienen disposioién film gun contrarfe nuaetra legislaoio’n poaitiva.-con‘ 01 ufinr

Aseaor Ldo. do Gobierno de 1' Tumo.-EL 23331131118.DE LA REPUBLIOA:-RESUELVE:~1'AIROBAR los aatatnton do 1; ASAMBIEA BAKA‘ I DE MONTEVIIEO. con sedo on oat; Capital :1 oonoedarlo 1a personeria Juridios que,;a011cite a 103 tines deteminndoa per 01 Art. 21 dol.06-. disc Civil, con agjaaidn n todaa 138 diapoaioiono. legalas y reglamsntarias vigontaa y qua en 10 auoeaivo '88 dioten.-2')EX?ID;CISE 108 testimonies qua soliciton publiquese, inse’rfiesa en 81 Rogietro roapoctivo prevm liquidauidn par la Diroooidn Oral. do Impuestoa Directos <10 papal aellado y timbrea auya reposiaién procada y arohiveae.-Mart1noz Truoba..xfiuardo Blanca A09V8d0.- ‘ ’ COHCUERDA:—con 811 original y a podido do parts intoresada BB expida 61 presents an Montevideo a 108 mm tro dime» (191 mm de marzo «16 mil noveaigntoax inauen-.

ta 3 dos.

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Montevideo, Uruguav.

[Page 496]496

mm

THE BAHA’I WORLD

'7x

Han, m g. ammo“ mg

ANGURG DEL mmnnm BIL K8330“

amummmm DEL smog non GALO PLAZA, Presidents: Canstéfucianai dc to Repfibiico

Am 1V ~— Q1313) mm 4 m ”WEE 9! ‘65!

w

meu 3%; meant;

ow Mb. CW mm It N‘ mas

Tam W; W um

E. W WILL DE 3 “WA g grunts ugmwmm w IflYERiQV d(fimv‘kitlab‘mhmdvhfimguomfim 3 “’w m rm» on: gun La Annals!” W l” BAN due (31» y xmndn m 1 mm »] die M m.“ mmifie Ma r . Protunkduri-K “MI 9" Wirdquhfimw Madam)”. Mfi‘ Md: 5&Mhtmafimw‘

xvfiulol fideliadnzwdx-thmm‘QMwa

» MHHHMHW. w “3‘ W m; SVRQSSG WW bccdwmidad rm ton h MIC“ ue‘ AR. 533 66 (7645!......d W ynnvdauv q: Mkatién In 1‘ “Ruin“:

‘ESTATUW m: LA ummuswn 13?.

L08 mmmms QUIZ m +1;me (A W W”! DE WHO“ Q

' M fl}; 1

Pi ?«hd nxm WW 1! m a Mo 3“;

'0"

xmdm Manta “MW «dimfiwduwmmm ‘1 “my mthW‘fig WAWJM «MU‘

W» at m (G Ntfiudmt‘ldfiem

!’

W a. 2m

?nr-nswfiswma. «mac.» 9., ‘ OLA F 053m harm» (f)

2’ WE! “mum dc 0:38 mu,

Mixh- ‘

WWRO 960%

dis 1. 3:an fl} Roxana £331me x, , ‘

~*de - 29.5mm a Rxmfibiu A n

, , f" 3.5““ III W4: la Ammbie. 3v 2. Tim B! CIM- y m Aw iOK—me mm 4: 3n gammmén: Mgk: tianhtiom‘ mm M n a u tum; & ‘Mdmm hawmciom wlmuu dc mus Wbru 1x» Mamas mo muatbfu a in. mwbruqm ukui wt whit 4:3 mm» imam» dfi m abjtswm; y m KWIB}. mic spam your n’mm (gm mgr“: x gu‘ wit .

A21 1 ”ml; Cowanméo main cl damp m y aduunimm thmda Wain can in dwwuaw :3 ' ‘ 1: _’1, a: ct limm xxxm {it w mm iurtémm

Tiwk {V [T 3 3 G I

An "“h-del 9:055:80 g t Gomorr min 2%: part» m M» poiitic” 3: rent)! W‘U- WY ms mmm PW umm « w madmwhr “\ Each» ca 2m den am. pm,

\n U «wan cam: de 620» swam dz 3: Car pramritka xm 1; new a rim u mdoe can at ayundmfi II 4M” m WT dv uni persona d: warm”, d; in ma»: ham: wk 1: mm ~154iw¥ Bibi s wmva a 3 mm

11w» x3

WW.“

An N’wmlg Wt. W 4" nonhdag 1m pwm £31m» mm 5; man u cum“ #3 «0: km KWY. Mam:

• W“ “' m“% “m“ M'fi'mw

« mfimm‘i! Wm a» h pm; sumac?!» imdxa 61¢ La cm ;

Quito «2n; mmfikan. , -3 amfiwe (5}mmwastké

warm mmiul‘ :Mm m Ink m m‘ . W”: “i” a in at am: “g; Etudor kink» lgip. m;3g‘m§: ”mm“ m” (k t: mgwunsmamnmm z,“ i. Mh&»19,m92tfié§ ’3?“ mm .1 W ”W m m s man. a. w mwfim m fuflu ndamudfiuy wnmrmo.ofii§fiwd‘h CW y W m;

Qum: nfldgmflfwg 83W m3)m

Certificate of Incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the

Bahá’ís of Quito, Ecuador.

[Page 497]IRE is God! 0 peerless Lordt In Thine Almighty

wisdom Thou hast enjoined marriage upon the peoples, that the generations of men may succeed one another in this contingent world, and that ever. so long as the world shall last, they may busy themselves at the Threshold of Thy oneness with servitude and worship, with salutation. adoration and praise: "I have not cxeated spirits and men, but that they should wmship me." Wherefore, wed Thou in the heaven of Thy mercy these two birds of the nest of Thy love, and make them the means of attracting perpetual grace; that from the union of these two seas oflove a wave of tenderness may surge and cast the pearls of pure and goodly issue on the shore of life. "Hi: hath let loose the two seas, that they meet each other: Between them is a barrier which they overpass not. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will ye deny? From each He hringeth

up greater and lesser pear ."

O Thou Kind Lord! Make Thou this marriage to bring forth coral and pearls. Thou art verily the AllPewcrful, the Most Great, the Ever—Forgiving.

—‘ABDU'L-BAHR

HE IS THE BESTOWER, THE BOUNTEOUSI

V?

RAISE be to God, the Ancient, the Ever-Abiding, the Changeless, the Eternal! He Who hath testified in His Own Being that verily He is the One, the Single, the Untrammelled, the Exalted. We bear witness that verily there is no God but Him, acknowledging His oneness, confessing His singleness. He hath ever dwelt in unapproachable heights, in the summits of His Ioftincss, sanctified from the mention of aught save Himself, free from the description of aught but Him.

And when He desired to manifest grace and beneficenee to men, and to set the world in order, He revealed observances and created laws; among them He established the law of marriage, made it as a fortress {0: well-being and salvation, and enjoined it upon us in that which was sent down but of the heaven ofsanctity in His Most Holy Book. He saith. great is His glory: "Marry, O people, that from you may appear he who will remember Me amongst My servants; this is oneot' My commandments unto you; obey

it as an assistance to yourselves."

—BAHA’U’LLXH

(gm/m / a 93W? :fllMMflé é

ISSUED uv THE SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’I'S OF

DULY Aurnouzsn T0 CommuLEGAL MARRIAGE SERVICES.

9% WWW

U'n‘ERED av me BRIDEGROOM AND THE BRIDE IN THE pneseucs or Bahá’í WITNESSES:

“We will all, verily, abide by the W [ll of God.”

smNIn-unz or memme

"We will all, uzn'ly, abide by the W [ll (3/ God."

SIGNATURE or Bill):

We, duly authorized Officers and Representatives of the

n‘- IA u r 4““

Certify am Mr. and Mrs. have on thi Day of in been united in Marriage according to the Order of Service recorded in the Bahá’í Sacred Writings.

slmluunz 0P ASSEMBLY knuzszm‘nwz SIGNATURE 0r ASSEMBLY wrmrss

Smununs or Assmau wnsts

Bahá’í Marriage Certificate adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America.

[Page 498]498 THE BAHA’I WORLD

Ixxjstrwmi “ ‘Z ‘ z * ; ( A , STAmwmfifiio , mm m M 23773

Cum or ..m., W mm litmus

xuaw nu, MEN BY Tim cmTzrlmmz "Tm m Warm mm a: the Gospek «mm by the um and

W at tru- €11ch or dwamim of Chasm, mm a! widow body of mm}: M may be a miner ar my Juana mimic“: a! mva‘ mm: mem this my come, hanatknwimcfmy kawful imveéimnutham khanbywthoflwdmd ' emmm m Mama“ the rites o! Msmmony Wm:

GRGOM and «mm A 312an gram Frank 36mm Erfurth 0.2mm Jayne: “0‘! Walker x mm 23 3,52 fig gazing m m 522 9%", ha (in 204» camam W *M 3 ' §§sz n. An 173Amum 1,: mm X n mmm-a I, Exahpl-x. C11: “Enaachee , Bun Washington 1‘. NJ“. NmeMan

H. mm my {3 era km And to certify the mm: to md partial, 0: either 0% 11mm mum his band and 203}. 6&5 ministerial

ar oficia! capacity, and thereupon ha 1: required w defim this wpy to {his panics an mmimk

zsmx.) IN TKE’I‘IMONY WHERE»? I have hemnm 331; my hand and mixed my Nficial goal. at. Boise . Md Countv, Mam, this 29m day 0! May . All 1950; ( . Otnc F. Pateragxa Rotardm Hazel FL. Hansm. Dewm

marriage {flemfimtr

I. 911324. Ault Chairman of {he Spiri ualasaembiy (2f the Bahá’í;: t?§$§?§}§f1dahu du me’

residing at am: e ,, in the county 0 that, in swordame with the wthar’rty an ms: mntmd by the above [imam ?g’é an this 22M days! Eta 3y in :86 war A I) $9 50 a1 BM 52a in the mm}; 91‘ Ada ,(n the Sims 05‘ Idzdm, solmnim the n‘tea at maltimony betwm Frank Ronald Erf‘urm 01 8M so in the murky of Ada es! the sum 0! Idaha . and Ja rm Loy Walker 6‘ 39 £53 ,in the county nf Ma cf the same Iii Kin the {Amend H Jane Pace and J, E, 229m: ’ . WITNE$$ My hand at the mnhy 8;in this 22nd ”‘ day at gay , 9113‘ 19 5.13 ‘ 121 um pmsencts vi: 8. Jane Pace, Sec . am! J. B. ?febb 2 Lina M. Ann, {Ehgilman 6:? {ha finititua? mu “aim by Wkly of me Bahalggnfiwfig} r39: Goumy Recorder : mu szm Remedy: Book . 95B : 5mg Ewan!” Recorded at requested (ma )6. 1101?; 2333 ‘ minutes past 33 o’clmk p , M. this 23 W 4, dayd’l s 15* :«0 . 3‘ ”Afir Fees, $33.25 MM”

Marriage Certificate issued by the State of Idaho, U.S.A.

[Page 499]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 499

Malamute“

marriage Imus: 2 WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN

To any penal! legally authorized to solemnizg making: in the State of Michigan,

MMK qu: 0, 740 a???" 41:13”? micA/

' Greeting: Marriage may I» solomntxod within 30 days of do” of tun. In tho Stat. of Michigan bonus: SAHIEL H . C . CLARK m GRACE JUNE HcFADDEN III: Mn. d .0. nu an a sum22 hit 0 22 Whit 0 Al. u lat M 0030! At. u nu ma: Coin 2925 BMck 1.51.1. Willi“ W N6. m BMW Na. lam Detroit; , Michigan Dearbom, flichigun W um No. me. Ion. lo. Inn fionver, “olorado 0131:3011, Hichigan WM” m m mflhfluo—dv u! «m Service lanagcr Clark Mum. WWI George N. clark Jane, 0. mpgmdm nw- full um kw. tn.“ nun Elisaboth Crictandon Lucy I . Pothcrick Komar‘n nun“ “no lemar‘l mid» um Iona ‘ lone Ninbcr I)! dun Mal: named Number of ma nnvhul: mm

adv).

Hulda nun. (I! I ma")

ptruflornlrflau'ueonmgmunlbemnm atmnodmnuoteuhmenymhubmfiludlnwomun Imdnit hum And in mm. a. provided by Public Act No.128 Lam 0t 1387. u mdod. by which 1: um

um Md momma uvtruo. In what“ M, x mm signed tad um m... M

nu. 9th Any. of NOVOfliol‘ A. D. 1.50 ‘1

{A m ‘ \V Wynn County Gert

U Lu U} “kiw Downy Oahu Goth

This marriage license V0") 30 days after date oi Issue.

«Zettiticate at marriage

3mm. a. c. CLARK . GRACE JUNE McFADDxi Bum m ms! 1‘

'MY “a Elgagrdmuthmnbonnanu‘mpumhorohmuonuwerojomodm mm by an. a mu 0% 1110316“

09,0:- / 0 6.an 77W [A.D. 19m Jhy/mfiu:

”06:20 "<19 5'CCa/(W “un“‘££3e¢a<a%

Bord” 1:"!

”Mm "hum " 92/)3

Marriage Certificate issued by the State of Michigan, USA.

[Page 500]500 THE BAHA’I WORLD

ARK HUM! I) R ‘1 \1‘ \ (mmmmi flu am: hm! ll» mum HI

\(IT \.-‘\I ll) L \‘ RAIN I) >1,“ [‘\

O O 0 THIS MARRIAGE CAN BE PERFORMED. IN NEW YORK STATE ONLY

BRIDE AND CROOM MUST BOTH BE 31 Y E AR: OF AGE OR OLDER TO BE MARRIED BY THE CITY LLERK. (Subdivuioll 5. o! Scuba ll 0! due Denali: Wont LIV.) 1h: wrimn conscnl ol the Parents, Gu-rdiann or Perm undu whoa are me memmuu the Minn! or Minn" mly be hu bun 5194' m [he 13:, Clerk) 0m“ m "n: Horowh ol Mmhuun n W by Section [5, of Ankle J o! the Domenic Rehlion: sz4 MILO! CERTIFICATE 1’0 GHGYIEN AND JlAGISTRATES

mmmmmmmumadmauanbwummvh.m1hnmsumnyn'uuheninmharizcdmllhnmnmdbyHmulkoflmdflnlowudvdckwbhmdhmfimGudmwmdh. the date oluuoolamhiu o! (hamrrhn Mei- Amhari-rd and lay Rhona: perm Ibo M wilfully 3:141 a mismhmmwhhht Mhelbawmquimdlhdlhdumd ninja IUMWMWMM hepunkhd Mnfinednotbtmmy-fin dollarsornaulhn filly dollar: lot nth Ind every oluue. (‘Dwunc Raina" Luv.

Sm! 16)

Wlmchhumdmwhnhhmdmrrlkzurkc-MMMo-hhuw

unmdndv.hh¢denu-QJMWJ dWS‘mdbflhdMY-fi mthWCo-I dthfltydfluY-kwhnH'cJ-W'IG-ndmkdw

n a u. own. tau... u.) “hairmn of the Spiritual Anon“;

“w 18:54, 22 November 2018 (PST)~ A . ...ot.”m_8ahnLi mm:(PI-lll-l \Iiflodwfllwlfl-h‘m) n.3,, .. m hmmn P1."

_____ ......... Jammuuot... .....Jlu .Im-k. ......ndsuzo!Nn‘lorhbhuebywtityduudidnth'u Jul.” a_lusan__4.. 4...- ..h u: 1:13 A. n. 19.15MB.“ ¢Jm.mh. 3%. h wmaIJXQrkw_J-u Smut nu Vat,“- animal m um4_4._._____.. Mlilmllzlm «...—31%.; Ih'm u .....M sun of

Irin- (“All' Y orfifiwgn the M cl_ww Shoe Qt ualyfififi

.__ WWW M l WWII“) 4_ ‘ mm) 1 /

umummmmnwm

low hr“: m inst

mum

mmmflg. «II yum o! /4_ p61. L u_

Marriage Certificate issued by the State of New York, USA.

[Page 501]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 501

ml mac»? or mum "a wanton or mm u. wmu or HEALIH 57mm V

CEITIFIGATE OF MIIIAGE

Uccmc No.9m_.

T.H.fihNOQ L

II. M Named m b. m Nut. 9. IAN“. z. 0:» a! Birth (flunk. D97, me JOB mm mm

mqu-uua: 9.051wa hMuhulc-Ccunta 1188 loamy 1'. 8.

3- Mlllflb: a. Chyu-van MMWYMCvnnV-v Dinah, Cnutornin

7. w. L Pam... b. haw Connuynfnlrth Mora Albert mm Gnlitol‘nh

l. W: L Iditl Hon. 5. Mwmmdkirfl:

_ Rhoda Steam: linen“

5‘. Hr” Named Bra. b. 599nm! NAM r. 1.." N... m. D”: o! Blah (Imam. D“. Yuri mm Al! BEG! Doc . 28, 1932

H. W W: a. Cityme h. Make: Pmn country 11 Em 3§§0 But 56th St... knead n r- “-4“

ll. Plan. a! BM)- ! -. CR1 a Tun ‘ 8. sun or Fwdnu Country M. Occuution Loo Anguish Canton!“ Clark

15. Fuflofl: n. m Km '3. law of Own"! 0! 3hr“: 6. Rate I. Living! Rtlph lddo Bock Hinaurt Cuucasim You

16. um: x. mm Hm I). mated- Coumrr of Birth 9. Bu! LLiviul?

_ Edith Cartwri 5m Calm 1m

17. W a! law: :. Judlek! mum h, Goumr cs. Dan 9! lune (Manda. Day. Yuri

Honolulu mm“

u. I hrreby certily than. 391‘ moth ham am

District. Counly of....§9991,‘.’1.u..-.m

9 and lamb Am; 599]:

.._.. -..

Dru? " “were joined m marriage by me in accordance with the taws of the Territory of Hawaii in (be. B°"‘.‘.’..1.‘}..1}5.. Judicial

....... on thin..2?.ffiélay of.

Man 0! Wkwaif Q ?amvtké

P “Cam”?

N -(3(‘-/( 1!. Lhrauzl

— u Slunuureofmdmmnr :é

21 Dlte Ffld 'hh thr

IEPR -1 1853

TammmrmrrmmmAMUEAim 0mm GOFYGFTHE (aroma. moan OX run 18 TH! BUREAU (I mm; STATISTICS,

manna! IQ HAHAII DEPARTMEM‘ 02’ ML???

DATE

3‘, ‘r;.

,;

CHARIES G. 5am Registrar General

Marriage Certificate issued by the Territory of Hawaii, USA.

[Page 502]502

Mm m

Ila: ‘ w OIIGINAL

hh hm

TD 38 Hum) OUT AT TIME LICENSE IS 18905!)

THE BAHA’I WORLD

Alaska Lkpumm ”I 1mm. , , s ,; BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS * . ‘ '

n. 8. Wm No; ., 2&288 m.

. 'cERTiFHaATE OF MARgIAGE ”

THIS CERTIF'IES THAT: ‘ Leslie W mvgellamfim . #ble 00’0“? and of ,._,Spenard: Alaska... .. o! Spemm: 518a!“ (Ressd ce) . (Residence)

were united by me in ‘ ‘ HOLY MATRIMONY

on the, ??:3? .......... day orJ‘me 19.53. at... 510'smrd (City or Town) Precinct (Recording msmm oz Anchorage ................................... Alaska, AND wmun may days

the original Certificate 0: Marriage will be max: by me tor record with the Unlced States Commissioner for the said Precinct.

._..flatr&y._399kar.... Flam .1... stunt. _

wsmesses; Chalrmfiwwflfibirimal _ _____ Catherine Chfljggn Assembly of the Bahá’ís of i ' Anchoraggmcm T1119) Alaska IDENTIFYING INFORMATION W ,GROOM , BRIDE Name ‘ . Name m_jfialiam W. MagLellan, Jr. MM_M. Hable Cotter Residence magma _ . Segmgggfiflléska , W H_ ‘ Spenard, Alaska" 3‘35. . Color of Kate ' Age color or Race w :28; 2 . White 32 White . WEEK? ' ”W “ ”E?mplace ‘ Gomcticub . “ ‘mchigm Omupalion , TWWH" Occupauon v ‘ Surveyor ' - Bookkeeper ‘ Walter of Prwmus Mumdges Numfir of Previous flamages Hone ' I ‘ _ ~ One . , Mansageucense' Date Iasued By . Precinct ot' No.20“, _ Rose Walsh (Seal) ‘ Anchqrage '

(2mm: .8592 . “___

Anchorage

Marriage Certificate issued by the Territory of Alaska, USA.

[Page 503]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 503

“é“: _ COUNTY OF 31‘ V ,1: BERNALILLO

» 5 mm m am»: 2 msgmm,” M": w 53

xwaw;w , {gun (Méflxm m

35;" i. mx- 1

rmgimvi u; L

i

isfjfl‘ulfiimmm 'V

‘ §?cmi5 m y umhw; mama ‘1 m firslzgwifigldjfi m:

4n

sued by the State of

Marriage Certificate is New Mexico, USA.

[Page 504]504 THE BAHA’I WORLD

inmuunmw

”MSW ’ “n , WWW mtmmm .0” .W I - MIVW ‘ wmma mmm" Mummy“ .

39mm: 25, 1952

FQ

Mr. Reba“: 0. Bart, Chum 2mm: Assembly at Prime George's County

' ammmm, had

Dau- Kr. Hut:

The Board or Education has asked an to acknmledgo the nquuat which you nude on Dutcher 15 to muse rm 3611001 children a! your faith on the holy days or the church, manly, October 20, Mater 12, Pants 21, April 21, April 29, my 2, May 23, Hly 29, and July 9'.

»\ , mmmumtnnkmtmwimor 5’? mandomnnontha humumiihuuiw. Wm, wadfiummttmmucydmm'o!

» mafia: u to exam peopll 51%» We fix. bring Mn . ‘ tron hon fitting tint tin mm fat flair thaw: 1: m to

J m- x’standmu upon thnir “1mm M1”. 3% cm art 2» the. mum palm in school; they M be me m, M“ iwam u Mo tron ham 1: required. mu am pnliby 1s wplud : 3h

’ to poopla martian or their ruin: or denomination.

v

A ‘ Sincmly mu ,

Will 8. Sohaidb County Superint-ndent

W88 18

Letter from the Board of Education of Prince George‘s Cognty, Maryland, excusing Bahá’í children from school attendance on Bahá’í Holy Days.

[Page 505]3 . ‘e sf

WILMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS ‘NHAMNGTON,OELAWARh

4perntendem May 15’ 1952

1,}

‘

Mrs. Melvin M. Hope, Jr., Secretary

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís af Wilmington

hOO West 219% Street

Wilmington, Delaware

Dear Mrs. Hope:

This is to advise that we shall notify our principals of the holidays observed by members of the Bahá’í faith and will report that they treat absencea of children on these

"days in the manner similar to that folloWed

with those of other faiths.

The plan is that the children will be excused but they will be expected to make up the work that is missed.

If I can be of further service, please let me know. V

Sincerely yours,

Q}%/Ofi\93 79! M

Ward I. Miller Superintendent of Schools

W1M3w

Letter from Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington,)?elaware, excusing Bahá’í children from school attendance on Baha 1 Holy Days.

[Page 506]r,~ ;, , ”5.1 unecamzler l?53

.m— M

Dear Mr, Fogter & Miss Wilson;.r ‘. - ’-<1~ ~With reference to your request éf’chember 17, 1953, I have received a reply from the Acting Secretary of Publié instruction stafiing that your‘ request is an unusual one, becausé the figpartfibnth of Publié Instruction only register Miaaianaries 4 .1 j?

whose works are of an educational nature.

You are hereby given authority to establish

« Wwé'wwq—g 1; WM

dom of religion and worship in tht followiné“ibr§s.,

" All men have ganaturslwaadwan fiaalienlhfiv"right tv‘uorship od'acéordfng co the dictatqs "of their own conscienées, without dbstruntion "or molestation from others: all persons de-, "meaning theusblvea paaceably And not abstruca“ting others in their religtoua worship; Are: ‘ ”entitled to the proteecidh or law Sn thé free "exercise of‘theif 6Hn religion, and ad acct ct "christians shall have exclusive priviIfigu '

Eroference over any other sect but all shall

0 alike tolerated, and no religious ttgt

”whatever shall be required as a qualifieati .

fzrhcivil office, or the exercise of any civil

\ r g b." i

Gabriel ““1me MSECRE'EARY OF STATE

Communications between the Government of Liberia and the Baha” 1 pioneers, authorizing the teaching of the Faith in the Republic of Liberia, and exempting goods consigned to the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Monrovia from Customs fees (continued next page).

[Page 507]-; 3551M. g Novemfig‘r 25", ”1935‘: L, .

Bear- Fliss 1w’ilsmn é; Mp. Foster:

I wish ta acknowledge the receipt

of your appli cation of 17m dumber, 1953,. g; 4

«MM. W requesting WW _, . “WC 5 Le IRE '

of the Bar (World‘Taith in L

1.155 Valerie i . uilscn 8: ilr. hilliam R. roster, MDLRL will..

DIYISIOS 01‘ mm

i,qua 54.. . . January 2?, :95‘21:. G tact“ or custom. Bart xfimrovia. / Q 81:; . V . Muwmtmcmamu.m

3.1.,mwprmdmamm ~ nanblqozchanamruetmwm’

0W year in haying; with Roman and (I , 'dated Jamar: 20. 1954- 113335 find listed. below ' ‘2

.‘:av. Sillian R. ?oagor $1135. Valgrie 2,1. Film

Very truly yours,/ I a

é/ 3.4”"

L..:;e. am Eris.:mor- .nmmgs amazon 0 awrg. ‘L

‘5‘

.2c: 222:. '12. 1.1.8131 2%. Easter « . « w L, 3!. ‘

[Page 508]THE BAHA‘I WORLD

508

y of Kenya,

é’i Communit

ed to the Bah ding publ

t ith emergency laws regar

tration gran

lS

' from Reg'

[OD

ificate of Exempt

Cert

ing

t

10 mee

ion w

111 connect

[Page 509]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 509

~ 5533;?)‘(1153 m2. 5RIGINAL 3N§TRUMENT . -~ .‘S DUL amI'v'eru."

"., NF“ “0' \‘H KALEGI ‘ ”’u.

7813 mm} wide m.

thouxand ulna hundred and fl

BOL_____T____OR o: Synnoy 1n thm muopmotor ;

and mum 6mm: 130mm his vita (hereinafter called

nus Donors) or the one part AND mmomx. SPIRINuL ASSflstY or m: E&Hfi'IS or ixUS’I‘RALfA AND Rm mum) balmy 8 Religious

Truaz Beard incorporated in the Dominion of Now Lealand under the provisions or an Act or Parliament of me said Dominion

intituleg The Religious. Charitable and Jancutional

Mt. 1908 155m! having its resistant! attics at 12 u Road 111 the ‘Boi'ough or Mount album. nsar the c I 1:: ch: Dminioxi (hereinafter calledjhe Aasambl a other part JHKRJZ the said Donors are the R6518 > Proprietors undor the provisions or the R681 Prop” 1900 of an estate in fee simple as John; tenants or the land let out in thojirat schedule harem («ND HHEREAS the sum

3mm RILLIAI BOLTOR 13 the registered prapriator under

tha protialona or the Real Property Act; 1900 or an eatvto in (fee ainple and the land set out in the second schedule baroto MED “Ens thn mid Donors are deniraua or transferring to the said Assembly the said laqd and heraditmancs upon the tom and conditions hereinafter appearing NOW THIS DEED WITNESS“ that. in pursuance of en: said desiro and in considgraflon of the sum of ten shillinxa (10 ’—d) paid by

an. acid Mummy to the said Donors (the receipt. uhareor

is hereby acknowledged) the said Donors do and each 0: than doth comma: :9 transfer to the said «seemny all their

right this and interest; in the lands set out. in the first , and aooond nohaduloa heron: subject to tho rollouzng conditions and ruarmtlone» .

1: ‘ma Dentin shall ban the right to raids on any 01' ‘11. 8314;131:3143 or any ptrt thoroor and to accupy tho pramiaou

or any of $.11- oruttfl on um said lands t_rac or any rant}:

[Page 510]510 THE BAHA’I WORLD

1 -4SICK??? 388 “81.32) mm EELIVEHED by the Said STL‘LNLEY L‘L‘ILLIMJE 801301»! in the

)

)

) a ) .

) .

w ,’ . ‘ a; I’m/ -' )/§dde€fj,fflé/émk

\

pres em: a of:

$IGEED SEALED “mo DELIVERED by the

said M&IETTE (338W 1h”? , L JI'I‘ON in

vvvwv

the presence of:

The Seal of the EATIONAL spxnzTufiL AfiaEfiBLY 9? THE BABA'IS 0F nUSThALIA

} ) ) ) AND HER LEuIAND was hereunto set and; }

affixed 1n the pres: mm or:

(96": M Che i me n ..

- data iecretary. «bx;/w \ Treasurer . ‘“S;h;;,,,//””“‘\

Deed of Transfer of the Bolton Property at Yerrinbool, N.S.W., Australia, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand, for a Summer School (preceding page and here).

(Two pages containing “conditions and reservations” numbers 2 through 8 omitted owing to space limitation.)

[Page 511]m3. mung”;

Certificate of Transfer of Title to the Hyde Dunn Bahá’í School Property in Auckland, New Zealand, to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand.

[Page 512]512 THE BAHA’I WORLD

• firm nffifldinc

Certificate of Organization of a Corboration, under Chapter Fifty of the Revised Statutes, and Amendments thereto.

The undeisigned, ofiioers of a corporation duly organized an..athe...0££1na...9£..Enanc13..£‘.....Neal ......

in the town ofKittery State of Maine, 0n the ................... 5 1.2.31: ............................... day of MarchAD 19.5], ........ , hereby certify as foam: The name of said corporation mGreenAqreBm‘iInatLtune

imepunmaxofmnduupmnmn3mmtpmnqnducfimeducafiiqnalmiac111§1§§;mknclgfixng ..... classes, public lectures and resarch, for the exposition of spiritual truths, prigciples and religious prbcepts based upon the extant and available sacred literature of all revzaled faiths, with particular referencé to the Bahá’í teachings on grogressive revelation, réligious unity, and the oneness of mankind; to build and maintain and operabé such build;ngs, museums, dormitories, libraries and facilities as mafi

be necessary to carry out the educational, religious, charitable and benevolent purposes of the corporation; to purchase, acquire, hold

and own such real and personal property as may be necessary to carry ou; the purposes herein stated; and to acquire by gift, purchase, devise or bequest, both real and personal property, which may be offered to the corporation, to field and to use for the purposes for which the corporation is organized; and t6 do any and all things neaesaary to carry out the educational, religious, charitable and bénevolent purposes of the corporation.

In the conduct of its educational program and the operation of its prfiperties for tne aforesaid purposes, tfie dorponation shéll castorm to: the administrfitive gn‘incigles and spiritual authority duly establishéd' in the Bahá’í teachinzs as upheld by the elective natiohal 8aha§1 body

" Mgwg as the Rational; Spiritua; Assembly of the Bahá’í; 91' the :3me

States. Certificate of Incorporation of the Bahá’í School in Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, under the name “Green Acre Bahá’í Institute” entitled to hold property (continued next two pages) .

[Page 513]THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 513

Said mutation is located in the town of.....,,.(..Elintt.w.m..,,.4....‘....‘.County of,..,‘.,...,...AXonk ....... State of Main. ‘

The number of oflieers us Wand their names aie as follows:

.

.. Pmmdentlrenefi.mn1utti che—Pmdene

Semtaryprclerk ...... Luelen§.rfiaCon}b,Jr.

 Tmaaumrparathyc.0z’ess .

Direcwm or Tmstwe."m”....llifinfi,..§...‘L§inint.ti.;w.Doraiihynfl.,...Cness.;...WLucienvs‘um

.......McQombg.‘..a}fxt..,..;n.Ayned...L.,,.MCComb; ...... Emily--~iB.--‘»‘Peers&l~l~;~-E133~v-L'"3131‘915“? “g.“ziesALM.

Witness our hands this

_ (Tiiis (‘ertifimta (must br‘ film! in tho «mm of thv fivun'tary of Sta“? wimin fiU day~ 0! «Into z‘gf‘jngmigm

.

[Page 514]514 THE BAHA’I WORLD

STATE OF MAINE

Comtyaflorkss n .. archl,AD 1905.1...

Then personally appearedthe within uaméd Lucien s. L-lcComb, Jr. ; Ayned L; McCombgy Emily T. Pearsall; Irene G. jiiniutti; Elsa L. ulakely;

Dorothy C. Cress; fiellie' s ahook

and severally made oath to the foregoing certificate by them signed. lthnt. the 5mm: i» (rue.

.1 "awn! “1M”... w a (y. a, ‘. k‘v ‘ Before. me, ' C ‘2'! g‘ ‘9

0

STATE OF MAINE

...__._ ' ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE M 5' AJ). 1957 I I fiémby certify that I have exiaminrd the {ongoing conificate, and the same is propqriy drawn and signeé,

and is oonformabfe m the cunstitulion and laws of the State. % J/W/ W .fk'l‘TUI‘Djl-ZY czéxamu.

”Bow: wig

",an

WA “'5 P9937031}:

m. .. WV

¢ ngmgpm' 1 HNIVNgQ-mms

(mama 1° mm

6":

w y“ 5/ 'tIYf/ 2‘:

‘""'Vfl‘h‘fi‘m‘WI"‘TE"¢®§“‘93’$'O‘"WWI§"

WWflmwwmmwav

”mg, .

W ’ 919. 0M