It is primarily upon the elected members of the National Spiritual
Assemblies throughout the Baha'i world that this highly important duty
devolves, as in their hands the direction and management of all spiritual
Baha'i activities have been placed and centralized, and as they constitute
in the eyes of the people of their country the supreme body in that land
that officially represents, promotes and safeguards the various interests
of the Cause, it is my fervent prayer and my most cherished desire, that
the unfailing guidance of Baha'u'llah and the blessings of our beloved
Master will enable them to set a high and true example to all other Baha'i
institutions and local Assemblies, and will show them what absolute
harmony, mature deliberation and whole-hearted cooperation can achieve.
Should such a representative and responsible body fail to realize this
fundamental requisite for all successful achievement, the whole structure
is sure to crumble, and the Great Plan of the Future, as unfolded by the
Master's Will and Testament, will be rudely disturbed and grievously
delayed.
Regarding the management of the Star of the West, as I have already
intimated, this Baha'i organ as well as other similar publications, far
from being regarded as the special organ of a certain group or particular
locality, should fall under the exclusive control of the National
Spiritual Assembly, which, aided by a special committee, shall minutely
guide and judiciously scrutinize all the information it gives, the
character of the articles and translations it publishes, and the tone and
language it assumes in all its issues....