The Guardian was very pleased to learn of the progress done by the Indian
N.S.A. in its efforts to consolidate, widen and maintain the scope of its
national activities. The difficulties in your way are tremendous. The
differences of language and of social and intellectual background do,
undoubtedly, render the work somewhat difficult to carry out and may
temporarily check the efficient and smooth working of the national
administrative machinery of the Faith. They, nevertheless, impart to the
deliberations of the National Assembly a universality which they would be
otherwise lacking, and give to its members a breadth of view which is
their duty to cultivate and foster. It is not uniformity which we should
seek in the formation of any national or local assembly. For the bedrock
of the Baha'i administrative order is the principle of unity in diversity,
which has been so strongly and so repeatedly emphasized in the writings of
the Cause. Differences which are not fundamental and contrary to the basic
teachings of the Cause should be maintained, while the underlying unity of
the administrative order should be at any cost preserved and insured.
Unity, both of purpose and of means is, indeed, indispensable to the safe
and speedy working of every Assembly, whether local or national.
Another factor which, in the Guardian's opinion, is essential to the
development of your N.S.A. is the holding of frequent meetings. Although
the members are stationed at great distances from one another, yet they
can communicate through correspondence. It is not necessary that all the
members should be present in all the sessions. Those who for some reason
or another are unable to attend in person the meetings of the N.S.A., can
express their views in a written form and send them to the Assembly. The
main point is that your national activities should not be let to suffer in
any way, and its work be retarded and postponed because of such
necessarily unimportant and secondary considerations.
[From the Guardian:]
I wish to assure you in person of my prayers for the removal of the
difficulties, domestic and otherwise, that beset your path in these days.
I will supplicate the Almighty to guide you in your manifold and valuable
activities in the service of His Faith, to cheer your heart, and to deepen
your understanding of the fundamentals of His Faith. You should
concentrate your efforts at the present time on whatever will, in your
opinion reinforce the basis and extend the influence, of the
administrative institutions and the teaching activities of the Faith. The
Cause will, no doubt, surmount the obstacles that now hinder its growth
and will establish its ascendency in the fulness of time and at the
appointed hour. We should persevere and never feel disheartened.