….the assembled accredited representatives of the American
believers should exercise not only the vital and responsible right of electing
the National Assembly, but should also fulfill the functions of an enlightened,
consultative and cooperative body that will enrich the experience, enhance the
prestige, support the authority, and assist the deliberations of the National
Spiritual Assembly. It is my firm conviction that it is the bounden duty, in
the interest of the Cause we all love and serve, of the members of the incoming
National Assembly, once elected by the delegates at Convention time, to seek
and have the utmost regard, individually as well as collectively, for the
advice, the considered opinion and the true sentiments of the assembled
delegates. Banishing every vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, of
dictatorial aloofness, from their midst; they should radiantly and abundantly
unfold to the eyes of the delegates, by whom they are elected, their plans,
their hopes, and their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the
various matters that will have to be considered in the current year, and calmly
and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgments of the
delegates. The newly elected National Assembly during the few days when the
Convention is in session and after the dispersal of the delegates, should seek
ways and means to cultivate understanding, facilitate and maintain the exchange
of views, deepen confidence, and vindicate by every tangible evidence their one
desire to serve and advance the common weal. Not infrequently, nay oftentimes,
the most lowly, untutored and inexperienced among the friends will, by the
sheer inspiring force of selfless and ardent devotion, contribute a distinct
and memorable share to a highly involved discussion in any given Assembly.
Great must be the regard paid by those whom the delegates call upon to serve in
high position to this all-important though inconspicuous manifestation of the
revealing power of sincere and earnest devotion.
The National Spiritual Assembly, however, in view of the
unavoidable limitations imposed upon the convening of frequent and
long-standing sessions of the Convention, will have to retain in its hands the
final decision on all matters that affect the interests of the Cause in
America, such as the right to decide whether any local Assembly is functioning
in accordance with the principles laid down for the conduct and the advancement
of the Cause. It is my earnest prayer that they will utilize their highly
responsible position, not only for the wise and efficient conduct of the
affairs of the Cause, but also for the extension and deepening of the spirit of
cordiality and wholehearted and mutual support in their cooperation with the
body of their co-workers throughout the land. The seating of delegates to the
Convention, i.e., the right to decide upon the validity of the credentials of
the delegates at a given Convention is vested in the out-going National
Assembly, and the right to decide who has the voting privilege is also
ultimately placed in the hands of the National Spiritual Assembly, either when
a local Spiritual Assembly is for the first time being formed in a given
locality, or when differences arise between a new applicant and an already established
local Assembly. While the Convention is in session and the accredited delegates
have already elected from among the believers throughout the country the
members of the National Spiritual Assembly for the current year, it is of
infinite value and a supreme necessity that as far as possible all matters
requiring immediate decision should be fully and publicly considered, and an
endeavor be made to obtain after mature deliberation, unanimity in vital
decisions. Indeed it has ever been the cherished desire of our Master, Abdu’l
Baha, that the friends in their councils, local as well as national, should by
their candor, their honesty of purpose, their singleness of mind, and the
thoroughness of their discussions, achieve unanimity in all things. Should this
in certain cases prove impracticable the verdict of the majority should
prevail, to which decision the minority must under all circumstances, gladly,
spontaneously and continually, submit.
Nothing short of the all-encompassing, all-pervading power
of His Guidance and Love can enable this newly-enfolded order to gather
strength and flourish amid the storm and stress of a turbulent age, and in the
fulness of time vindicate its high claim to be universally recognized as the
one Haven of abiding felicity and peace.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated
January 29th, 1925, “To the esteemed members of the American National Spiritual
Assembly”, Baha’i News, no. 5, May-June 1925; also published in ‘Baha’i
Administration’)
