--Issue No. 4 April 1925:
To the Assemblies of the United States and Canada.
To the Assemblies of the United States and Canada.
Dear Baha’i friends:
On April 21st, according to the instructions sent us by
Shoghi Effendi two years ago, the friends will gather in their local meeting
places for the purpose of electing the Spiritual Assembly of nine for the
coming year. Both from the clearer understanding that has come to us concerning
the importance of this institution, and from the fact that this year the local
elections do not so closely coincide with the National Convention that some of
the most active workers need be absent, it is in our power to make this unique
occasion an event of far-reaching importance.
Previous to the balloting, it would be well for the retiring
Spiritual Assembly to report concerning the work of the past year, laying
before all the members full details as to the various activities which have
been under their supervision, such as teaching, Temple, correspondence, the
sale and distribution of Baha’i literature, the relieving of distress among the
friends, and also receipts and expenditures of the local Baha’i Fund. With this
report might well be included such recommendations as the Spiritual Assembly
deem most advisable to be undertaken during the coming year.
The question has been asked on many occasions as to what
constitutes the qualification, or qualifications, of a voter in these Assembly
elections.
Until specific instructions concerning this point have been
received from Shoghi Effendi, it appears best to leave the selection of the
local voting list entirely in the hands of the Spiritual Assembly by whom the
meeting has been called. As between such lack of method as would permit even
inactive persons to vote, although not attending other meetings during the
year, and any over-strict basis of selection, such as whether one contributes
regularly to the Baha’i Fund or is willing to sign some formal pledge of
adherence, the truly Baha’i principle is unquestionably that the out-going
Spiritual Assembly should consult together and draw up a voting list based upon
perfect consultation, and invitations to the meeting be sent only to those on
this list.
Before participating in the local election this year, let us
endeavor to form a clearer conception of the real significance of this Baha’i
institution.
If we look for its importance to numbers alone, or to any
other worldly standard, these little gatherings might well appear to be without
special meaning or importance. But if we consider how for lack of unity the
most important affairs of mankind have always been made a prey to jealousy, to
partisanship and to self-seeking, then indeed can we realize that as a model
for the organization and execution of the world’s myriad activities, the Baha’i
method offers the sole solution of the many overwhelming problems by which
older civilizations were destroyed, and the present one is seriously
threatened.
If each believer will take part in his local election with
the consciousness that he is contributing vitally to the spiritualization of
all the affairs of daily life, and by his scrupulous adherence to the methods
and principles given us by Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha is truly hastening the
day of the Most Great Peace, then indeed we may be sure that the Cause is
beginning to fulfill its divine mission.
Following the election of the Spiritual Assembly, the nine
members, as soon as possible, will organize themselves for the proper carrying
out of the several phases of our common activities, so clearly described in the
various letters of Shoghi Effendi. Each Spiritual Assembly should elect from
its own members a chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and a librarian, and
immediately after this has been done the new secretary should report to the
secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the names of the members of the
local Spiritual Assembly, and the addresses of its officers, together with such
details of the work as might assist the National Spiritual Assembly in its own
deliberations. Each local Spiritual Assembly should also communicate with
Shoghi Effendi and with other local Assemblies at frequent intervals. The
retiring secretary and other officers will of course turn over to the new
Spiritual Assembly all records and correspondence from previous years.
Correspondence received during the year should be read to
all the members of the Assembly regularly, and placed at their disposal in the
leather binder which can be secured from the Publishing Committee, or in some
other convenient form. The treasurer should also report regularly to the entire
Assembly concerning the receipts and expenditures of the Baha’i Fund. Local
Spiritual Assemblies cannot be too scrupulous in their observance of these essential
details.
In communities where the number of believers is less than
nine, and the election of a Spiritual Assembly is impossible, nevertheless the
significance of the institution should be no less fully realized, and at least
a secretary elected in order to maintain contact with the National Assembly and
other local Assemblies.
The nature of the Baha’i Fund is by this time known to all
believers. It might be emphasized once again, however, that the National Fund
can only contribute to the International Fund in the custody of Shoghi Effendi,
to the degree that regular and generous contributions are received from all
local Assemblies. In the up-building of the Cause as a worldwide spiritual
body, nothing approaches in importance our appreciation of the need to maintain
affairs at Haifa with a dignity and power in keeping with the position of Haifa
as the heart of the Cause. Up to now, none of us can be satisfied with the part
taken by the American believers in contributing to the many responsibilities carried
by the Guardian of the Cause.
At the time of the election, the chairman might well read
the letters of Shoghi Effendi referring to the work of local Assemblies, and in
addition to the officers already mentioned each local Assembly should as far as
possible appoint working committees to carry on the several activities Shoghi
Effendi has described. Far from attempting to center all the activities in
their own body, each local Spiritual Assembly must make certain that every
confirmed believer is given some portion of responsibility and work.
By meeting the opportunity afforded by this election in a
spirit of absolute faith, unity and determination, the body of the Cause on
this continent can this year attract confirmations hastening the universal
recognition of the Divine Message. In voting, let us give recognition to
qualities, not to personalities or conditions. After voting, let us give
whole-hearted support to those who must assume responsibility for the integrity
and vigorous prosecution of local Baha’i work during the year to come. Never
should we forget that wherever a Spiritual Assembly deliberates in true unity
and love, the results of its consultation will be confirmed by the power of
Baha’u’llah.
After each local Assembly has carried out the details of its
own organization, a special meeting of the entire Assembly should be called for
the purpose of electing a delegate to the National Convention which will be
held at Green Acre, Maine, on July 6th, 7th and 8th. The selection of this
delegate is one of the most important matters undertaken by local Assemblies
throughout the entire year. Important new details concerning the character of
the National Baha’i Convention will be found in the letter from Shoghi Effendi
which will accompany the next News Letter.
An inquiry addressed to the Guardian of the Cause by the
National Assembly has just brought this cabled reply: “Less than nine no
representation” -- referring to our question as to whether local groups of less
than nine believers might continue to send a delegate to the National
Convention.
Such groups, as well as isolated individuals, will be
represented through their regional Teaching Committee.
Distribution of the Will and Testament is now being made to
all whose names and addresses have already been received by the National
secretary from secretaries of local Assemblies. Assemblies which have not yet
sent in their list of confirmed believers should do so as soon as possible,
giving names and addresses in each case.
Yours sincerely, in love of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
National Spiritual Assembly
By: Horace Holley,
Secretary.