In Los Angeles and San Francisco great interest was manifested in the
teachings of Baha'u'llah by the newspapers, universities and churches. Our
addresses were lengthy, the message of the Cause was proclaimed and
arguments and evidences advanced. There was no dissent. All heard the glad
tidings with complete acquiescence, and praise was unanimous, even
including the ministers.
The friends in Los Angeles and San Francisco are very firm in the
Covenant. If they sense the least violation on the part of anyone, they
shun him entirely; for they know that such a person is engaged in
extinguishing the lamps of faith ignited by the light of the Covenant,
thereby producing weakness and indifference in the divine Cause. For
instance, the firm ones teach a person. Then the violators go to him and
instill suspicion until he becomes lukewarm. There have been violators
here in Chicago for twenty years. What have they done? Nothing. Have they
been able to teach anybody? Have they been able to speak in churches or
address audiences elsewhere? Have they been able to make anybody firm in
the Cause? They are doing nothing except extinguishing the lamps we
ignite. The friends in San Francisco are exceedingly firm. They do not
receive violators in their homes. Recently a violator went to that city.
The Baha'i friends turned him away, saying, "You are not with us; why do
you try to come among us?" Today the most important principle of faith is
firmness in the Covenant, because firmness in the Covenant wards off
differences. Therefore, you must be firm as mountains.
After the departure of Christ many appeared who were instrumental in
creating factions, schisms and discussions. It became difficult to know
which one was following the right path. One of these disturbers was
Nestorius, a Syrian, who proclaimed that Christ was not a Prophet of God.
This created a division and sect called the Nestorians. The Catholics
declared Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, even pronouncing Him to be
Deity itself. The Protestants announced the doctrine that Christ embodied
two elements: the human and the divine. In brief, divisions were created
in the religion of God, and it was not known which was pursuing the right
pathway because there was no appointed center to whom Christ referred
everyone, no successor whose word was a gateway to the truth. If Christ
had revealed a Covenant with some soul, commanding all to cling to his
word and interpretation as correct, it would have been evident which
belief and statement was valid and true.
Inasmuch as there was no appointed explainer of the Book of Christ,
everyone made the claim to authority, saying, "This is the true pathway
and others are not." To ward off such dissensions as these and prevent any
person from creating a division or sect the Blessed Perfection,
Baha'u'llah, appointed a central authoritative Personage, declaring Him to
be the expounder of the Book. This implies that the people in general do
not understand the meanings of the Book, but this appointed One does
understand. Therefore, Baha'u'llah said, "He is the explainer of My Book
and the Center of My Testament." In the last verses of the Book
instructions are revealed, declaring that, "After Me," you must turn
toward a special Personage and "whatsoever He says is correct." In the
Book of the Covenant Baha'u'llah declares that by these two verses this
Personage is meant. In all His Books and Tablets He has praised those who
are firm in the Covenant and rebuked those who are not. He said, "Verily,
shun those who are shaken in the Covenant. Verily, God is the Confirmer of
the firm ones." In His prayers He has said, "O God! Render those who are
firm in the Covenant blessed, and degrade those who are not. O God! Be the
Protector of him who protecteth Him, and confirm him who confirms the
Center of the Covenant." Many utterances are directed against the
violators of the Covenant, the purpose being that no dissension should
arise in the blessed Cause; that no one should say, "My opinion is this";
and that all may know Who is the authoritative expounder and whatsoever He
says is correct. Baha'u'llah has not left any possible room for
dissension. Naturally, there are some who are antagonistic, some who are
followers of self-desire, others who hold to their own ideas and still
others who wish to create dissension in the Cause. For example, Judas
Iscariot was one of the disciples, yet he betrayed Christ. Such a thing
has happened in the past, but in this day the Blessed Perfection has
declared, "This person is the expounder of My Book and all must turn to
Him." The purpose is to ward off dissension and differences among His
followers. Notwithstanding this safeguard and provision against
disagreement, there are certain souls here in America and a few in Akka
who have violated this explicit command. For twenty years these violators
have accomplished nothing. Have they accomplished anything in Chicago? The
friends here must be like the friends in San Francisco. Whenever they
sense the least violation from anyone, they should say, "Begone! You shall
not associate with us."
1 November 1912
Talk at Home of Mrs. Corinne True
5338 Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, Illinois