What a wondrous vision these words unfold to our eyes! How great our
privilege to labor in this Day in the Divine Vineyard! Is it not incumbent
upon us to arise and teach His Cause with such an ardor which no worldly
adversity can quell, nor any measure of success can satiate?
Election of Local Assemblies
And, now that this all-important Work may suffer no neglect, but rather
function vigorously and continuously in every part of the Bahá’í world;
that the unity of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh may remain secure and
inviolate, it is of the utmost importance that in accordance with the
explicit text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, in every locality,
be it city or hamlet, where the number of adult (21 years and above)
declared believers exceeds nine, a local “Spiritual Assembly” be forthwith
established. To it all local matters pertaining to the Cause must be
directly and immediately referred for full consultation and decision. The
importance, nay the absolute necessity of these local Assemblies is
manifest when we realize that in the days to come they will evolve into
the local Houses of Justice, and at present provide the firm foundation on
which the structure of the Master’s Will is to be reared in future.
Duties of Spiritual Assemblies
The matter of Teaching, its direction, its ways and means, its extension,
its consolidation, essential as they are to the interests of the Cause,
constitute by no means the only issue which should receive the full
attention of these Assemblies. A careful study of Bahá’u’lláh’s and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets will reveal that other duties, no less vital to the
interests of the Cause, devolve upon the elected representatives of the
friends in every locality.
It is incumbent upon them to be vigilant and cautious, discreet and
watchful, and protect at all times the Temple of the Cause from the dart
of the mischief-maker and the onslaught of the enemy.
They must endeavor to promote amity and concord amongst the friends,
efface every lingering trace of distrust, coolness and estrangement from
every heart, and secure in its stead an active and whole-hearted
cooperation for the service of the Cause.
They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the
poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespective of
color, caste and creed.
They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as
the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of
children, institute, whenever possible, Bahá’í educational institutions,
organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their
progress and development.
They must make an effort to maintain official, regular, and frequent
correspondence with the various Bahá’í centers throughout the world,
report to them their activities, and share the glad-tidings they receive
with all their fellow-workers in the Cause.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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