Our teachings, as outlined in the Advent of Divine Justice, on the subject
of living a chaste life, should be emphasized, but certainly no ruling
what-so-ever should be laid down in this matter. The Baha'is have
certainly not yet reached that stage of moral perfection where they are in
a position to too harshly scrutinize the private lives of other souls, and
each individual should be accepted on the basis of his faith, and sincere
willingness to try to live up to the Divine Standards; further than this
we cannot go at present.
Now that your Assembly is formed, and is embarking on its independent
existence as a National Body, he wishes to emphasize a point which he is
constantly stressing to other National Bodies: you must avoid issuing
rules and regulations. The fundamentals laid down in the Baha'i
Administration must, of course, be adhered to, but there is a tendency for
Assemblies to constantly issue detailed procedures and rules to the
friends, and he considers this hampers the work of the Cause, and is
entirely premature. As far as is possible cases which come up should be
dealt with and settled as they arise, and not a blanket ruling be laid
down to cover all possible similar cases. This preserves the elasticity of
the Administrative Order and prevents red tape from developing and
hampering the work of the Cause. You must likewise bear in mind that you
are now a wholly independent National Body, and must consider the
administration of the affairs of the Faith within your jurisdiction as
your separate problem. There is no more need for you to follow every
single rule laid down by the American N.S.A., than there is for the
British or the Australian and New Zealand N.S.A.s to do this. Uniformity
in fundamentals is essential, but not in every detail. On the contrary,
diversity, the solving of the local situation in the right way, is
important.
He will be very happy to receive reports of the measures you are taking to
carry out your important Five Year Plan. You have the unique distinction
of being the first National Body, yet formed, to be born with a Plan in
its mouth! and you may be sure your fellow Baha'is, East and West, are
watching your progress with keen interest, not unmixed with curiosity, to
see how well you fare in your historic work and your newly created
independence.
The Guardian has high hopes for the achievements of the Canadian Baha'is.
Their national character, which so fortuitously combines the
progressiveness and initiative of the Americans, and the stability and
tenacity of the British, fits them to make great contributions to the
progress of the Faith, both in Canada and throughout the world.
He urges you to keep in close touch with him, and assures you that you,
and your labours, are very dear to his heart, and he is ardently praying
for your success in every field of your manifold activities.
With warm Baha'i love,
R. RABBANI.
Dear and Valued Co-workers:
I hail with a joyous heart and confident spirit the truly compelling and
almost simultaneous evidences of the creative, the irresistible power of
the Faith of Baha'u'llah as witnessed by the formation of the first
Canadian National Baha'i Assembly and the inauguration of the Five Year
Plan, designed to orient its members toward and canalize the energies of
the entire Canadian Baha'i Community in support of the immediate tasks
lying before them. So auspicious a beginning, in the life of a community
attaining adulthood under the influence of the processes set in motion as
the result of the progressive unfoldment of the Divine Plan, in a
territory of such vast dimensions, blessed through both the mighty
utterances, and the personal visit of the One Who fostered it from the
hour of its birth, and Whose Plan enabled it to reach maturity, may well
be regarded as one of the most momentous happenings immortalizing the
opening years of the second Baha'i century.