As already intimated, I have read and re-read most carefully the final
draft of the By-Laws drawn up by that highly-talented, much-loved servant
of Baha'u'llah, Mountfort Mills, and feel I have nothing substantial to
add to this first and very creditable attempt at codifying the principles
of general Baha'i administration. I heartily and unhesitatingly commend it
to the earnest perusal of, and its loyal adoption by, every National
Baha'i Spiritual Assembly, whether constituted in the East or in the West.
I would ask you particularly to send copies of the text of this document
of fundamental importance accompanied by copies of the Declaration of
Trust and the text of the Indenture of Trust, to every existing National
Spiritual Assembly, with my insistent request to study the provisions,
comprehend its implications, and endeavor to incorporate it, to the extent
that their own circumstances permit, within the framework of their own
national activities. You can but faintly imagine how comforting a
stimulant and how helpful a guide its publication and circulation will be
to those patient and toiling workers in Eastern lands, and particularly
Persia, who in the midst of uncertainties and almost insuperable obstacles
are straining every nerve in order to establish the world order ushered in
by Baha'u'llah. You can hardly realize how substantially it will
contribute to pave the way for the elaboration of the beginnings of the
constitution of the worldwide Baha'i Community that will form the
permanent basis upon which the blest and sanctified edifice of the first
International House of Justice will securely rest and flourish.
I would specifically remind you that in the text of the said By-Laws which
to the outside world represents the expression of the aspirations, the
motives and objects that animate the collective responsibilities of Baha'i
Fellowship, due emphasis should not be placed only on the concentrated
authority, the rights, the privileges and prerogatives enjoyed by the
elected national representatives of the believers, but that special stress
be laid also on their responsibilities as willing ministers, faithful
stewards and loyal trustees to those who have chosen them. Let it be made
clear to every inquiring reader that among the most outstanding and sacred
duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate, direct
and coordinate the affairs of the Cause, are those that require them to
win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those
whom it is their privilege to serve. Theirs is the duty to investigate and
acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments,
the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn
obligation to promote. Theirs is the duty to purge once for all their
deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs from that air of
self-contained aloofness, from the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling
atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness, in short, from every word and
deed that might savor of partiality, self-centeredness and prejudice.
Theirs is the duty, while retaining the sacred and exclusive right of
final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, provide information,
ventilate grievances, welcome advice from even the most humble and
insignificant members of the Baha'i family, expose their motives, set
forth their plans, justify their actions, revise if necessary their
verdict, foster the spirit of individual initiative and enterprise, and
fortify the sense of interdependence and co-partnership, of understanding
and mutual confidence between them on one hand and all local Assemblies
and individual believers on the other.