Abdul Baha, recognizing the objections that will be made to the political functions of the Bahai justices, and foreseeing difficulty with Governments, has, for the time being, directed that in America and Europe the name "House of Spirituality" or "House of Consultation" be used.[309] But change of name does not alter the reality or change the "revelation" of Baha. The House of Justice (central) is to be set up when Abdul Baha dies, and it will assume its functions gradually as opportunity and expediency demand. Already orders have gone forth prohibiting the interpretation of the words of Baha or personal expositions of them.[310] Already the fiat has interdicted the publication, by a Bahai, of a tract, book, or translation on the Bahai religion without submitting it to the censor at Acca.[311] The effect of the working of the Bahai system may be realized by imagining it as set up in Persia. Suppose, for example, that the small minority of Bahais now in Persia should become a majority, with a Bahai Shah, Bahaism would become the established religion. "Houses of Justice" would come into operation. What of those who remain Moslems and Christians? Fortunately Baha has abolished the law of the Bab that required their expulsion from the chief provinces of Persia and the confiscation of their property. But either the other religions must be judged by Bahai courts, or separate courts must be set up for them. This would perpetuate the double system of courts, the _urfi_ or civil and the _shari_ or religio-civil courts. The latter would be entirely Bahai and either lording it over or in conflict with the civil administration. This would be a continuation of the present confusion of Persian conditions, only with the Bahais in control. What might the minority expect? The oppressions and anathemas received by the old Bahais from the followers of Abdul Baha Abbas give the answer.[312] Fortunately for the world, the universal reign of Bahaism is not to be realized, neither is the prophecy of Abdul Baha to be fulfilled which says[313] "that the flag of Baha Ullah will overcome every other flag and all rulers will do homage to it." FOOTNOTES: [265] "New Hist.," p. 362. [266] _Ibid._, p. xvi. [267] "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 287. [268] "Bayan," VI, 4. [269] "Beyan Persan," Vol. IV, p. 118. [270] Browne, "New Hist.," p. vii. [271] Browne, "New Hist.," p. vii. [272] _Ibid._, p. 316. [273] "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 65. [274] "Bahai Proofs," pp. 51, 63, 77. [275] _Ibid._, p. 38. [276] "New Hist.," pp. 172, 180. [277] "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 189. [278] See "Surat-ul-Muluk," and _S. W._, Sept. 27, 1913, pp. 9, 10. See Chap. VIII, p. 186, 191. [279] "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 156. [280] _Ibid._, p. 160. [281] "Words of Paradise." [282] "Trav.'s Narr.," p. 166. [283] Browne, "A Year Among the Persians," p. 101. M. A. Ford in "The Oriental Rose," p. 74, says, "For many years before the death of Baha Ullah, there was no persecution of the friends."