November 19. On this date in 1945, Shoghi Effendi wrote "The Most Great Covenant is different from the Everlasting Covenant."
"As regards the meaning of the Bahá'í Covenant: The Guardian considers the existence of two forms of Covenant both of which are explicitly mentioned in the literature of the Cause. First is the covenant that every Prophet makes with humanity or, more definitely, with His people that they will accept and follow the coming Manifestation Who will be the reappearance of His reality. The second form of covenant is such as the one Bahá'u'lláh made with His people that they should accept the Master. This is merely to establish and strengthen the succession of the series of Lights that appear after every Manifestation. Under the same category falls the covenant the Master made with the Bahá'ís that they should accept His administration after Him..."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual, October 21, 1921)
"The Most Great Covenant is different from the Everlasting Covenant."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, November 19, 1945: Bahá'í News, No. 210, August 1948 p. 3)
On October 21, 1921, Shoghi Effendi wrote (also here) an individual about "the meaning of the Bahá'í Covenant," noting "that they should accept the Master...Under the same category falls the covenant the Master made with the Bahá'ís that they should accept His administration after Him."
To an individual believer
Dear Mr. . . . :
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated September 12th, 1932. He was very glad to know that the teaching work was progressing fairly rapidly and that there is all reason to hope that good results will be obtained. In his moments of prayer at the Shrines he will think of you as well as of the other members of the committee and ask for you all divine guidance and confirmation in the very important work you are directing.
As regards the meaning of the Bahá'í Covenant: The Guardian considers the existence of two forms of Covenant both of which are explicitly mentioned in the literature of the Cause. First is the covenant that every prophet makes with humanity or more definitely with His people that they will accept and follow the coming Manifestation Who will be the reappearance of His reality. The second form of covenant is such as the one Bahá'u'lláh made with His people that they should accept the Master. This is merely to establish and strengthen the succession of the series of Lights that appear after every Manifestation. Under the same category falls the covenant the Master has made with the Bahá'ís that they should accept His administration after Him.
The Guardian has on various occasions made it clear that the friends should abstain from voting for any political posts unless this abstinence would be considered as civil disobedience and punishable by law which I believe does not exist anywhere.[8]
To divide the inheritance as it is prescribed by Bahá'u'lláh we have to divide it into 2520 shares. But we can also divide it into 42 shares (not 40 as you mention in your letter). Then every one of the beneficiaries will take so many of these shares. These numbers form like a highest denominator for the different fractions which represent the shares of the different individuals that will benefit in case of intestacy. In case of the non-existence of one class of inheritors the Aqdas mentions how it should be divided. As a general rule a part goes to the House of Justice, a part to the children.
As to your fourth question, Shoghi Effendi believes that it is preferable not to confuse the methods explained by the Master with present systems. They may have many resemblances but also many points of difference. Moreover these general statements we have in the teachings have to be explained and applied by the House of Justice before we can really appreciate their significance.
Assuring you of Shoghi Effendi's prayers and best wishes I remain,
Yours ever sincerely,
May the Beloved bless richly your efforts, deepen your understanding of the essentials and distinguishing features of the Faith and enable you to promote its interests far and wide,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
8 The Universal House of Justice has provided clarification on this issue: "It is clear from further elucidations given by Shoghi Effendi that Bahá'ís may vote for political posts only when they can do so upon a non-party line, without affiliating themselves with any political party or organization." (Letter dated 13 September 1998 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada)
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