Such a rectitude of conduct must manifest itself, with
ever-increasing potency,
- in every
verdict which the elected representatives of the Bahá'í community, in whatever
capacity they may find themselves, may be called upon to pronounce.
- It must
be constantly reflected in the business dealings of all its members,
- in their
domestic lives,
- in all
manner of employment, and
- in any
service they may, in the future, render their government or people.
- It must
be exemplified in the conduct of all Bahá'í electors, when exercising their
sacred rights and functions.
- It must
characterize the attitude of every loyal believer towards
- nonacceptance
of political posts,
- nonidentification
with political parties,
- nonparticipation
in political controversies, and
- nonmembership
in political organizations and ecclesiastical institutions.
- It must
reveal itself in the uncompromising adherence of all, whether young or old,
- to the
clearly enunciated and fundamental principles laid down by `Abdu'l-Bahá in His
addresses, and
- to the
laws and ordinances revealed by Bahá'u'lláh in His Most Holy Book.
- It must
be demonstrated in the impartiality of every defender of the Faith against its
enemies,
- in his
fair-mindedness
- in
recognizing any merits that enemy may possess, and
- in his
honesty in discharging any obligations he may have towards him.
- It must
constitute the brightest ornament of the life, the pursuits, the exertions, and
the utterances of every Bahá'í teacher,
- whether
laboring at home or abroad,
- whether
in the front ranks of the teaching force, or
- occupying
a less active and responsible position.
- It must
be made the hallmark of that numerically small, yet intensely dynamic and
highly responsible body of the elected national representatives of every Bahá'í
community, which constitutes the sustaining pillar, and the sole instrument for
the election, in every community, of that Universal House whose very name and
title, as ordained by Bahá'u'lláh, symbolizes that rectitude of conduct which
is its highest mission to safeguard and enforce.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 25 December 1938 to the
Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, published in ‘The Advent of Divine
Justice’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. I, Excellence in All Things)
