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10/26/16

Message from the National Spiritual Assembly

--Issue No. 6 July-August, 1925:

Dear Baha’i Friends:

We are all greatly indebted to Mr. Louis Gregory for the detailed report of the Convention appearing in this issue of the News Letter. For those unable to attend, Mr. Gregory’s faithful description will, in part at least, recreate a succession of truly significant days in the history of the Baha’i Cause in America. Those who were present will appreciate the fidelity with which a trained observer recorded the essential features of the sessions, enriching our personal memory and enlarging our individual observation of the moving scene.

Surely, every delegate and visitor will agree that it was not merely by what the delegates accomplished but even more by the underlying spirit not to be expressed wholly in word or deed, the Convention at Green Acre measured a distinct advance over any similar occasion held in past years.

For the first time, the delegates became a truly consultative body deliberating in turn upon every phase of the activities, with the result that the work of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly can more faithfully than ever reflect the unified wisdom and experience of all the friends. The new responsibility placed upon the delegates by Shoghi Effendi should, in fact, continue undiminished until the next Convention, contributing vital strength to the National Assembly and linking its members more closely to the hearts of the believers throughout Canada and the United States.

The fact that sufficient funds were pledged to meet all outstanding obligations of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar can surely be taken as a symbol that the Cause in America has emerged from doubts and uncertainties of the past and stands prepared, inwardly and outwardly unified, to demonstrate the power of the universal religion inspiring the new age. $25,000 were devoted to Temple expenses during the past year -- much more than half the entire receipts of the National Fund. To Baha’is throughout the world this service to the Temple will bring a thrill of exultant joy and renewed expectation that ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s blessed promises can at last be fulfilled.

Between the American believers and those in other lands the Convention forged stronger links of brotherly love by the messages sent by the delegates to the National Spiritual Assemblies of England, Germany, Caucasus, Iraq, Egypt, Persia, and India and Burma. The recent election held by the friends in Egypt brings the number of National Baha’i organizations to nine. When we feel poignant regret at the seeming slowness with which the Cause develops, let us remember, first, that to become a Baha’i compels readjustment of the whole being, and not merely of a few mental or material habits, and second, that the acceleration will become unbelievably rapid as soon as a certain decisive point of world unity has been passed.

One aspect of the Convention deserves special comment: the fact that its sessions were held in a community dedicated for many years to Baha’i ideals and affording to every delegate a demonstration of those ideals in operation. Understanding of and sympathy with the work of Green Acre on the part of the body of the believers throughout the land, and active cooperation from those in a position to participate in this work, will produce a Baha’i center of influence able in time to contribute uniquely to the realization of our mutual hopes.

The members of the newly elected National Spiritual Assembly appreciate deeply their opportunities of service during the coming year. We urge the local Spiritual Assemblies, Baha’i groups and isolated believers to share their problems and achievements, report regularly on their activities and suggest better methods of spreading the Cause. Be assured that your elected representatives will, for their part, maintain communication with the body of the Cause, publish all facts of consequence, and make it the constant object of our thought to promote the success of each active worker, committee and Spiritual Assembly serving the will of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

Essential as the element of organization is in this universal Cause, however, we must remember that living the life from day to day and under all circumstances is our supreme privilege and sacred responsibility, and it is only by the reinforcement of the Holy Spirit that any believer can be of true usefulness to the Kingdom. Every Baha’i election or appointment must ever be secondary to this inward spiritual trust borne equally by us all. With the noble message which Shoghi Effendi addressed to the Convention inspiring our hearts, let us strive to double the number of confirmed believers in North America this year!

Yours in service to ‘Abdu’l-Baha,
National Spiritual Assembly
By: Horace Holley,
Secretary.