February 27. On this date in 1922, Shoghi Effendi wrote to Auguste Forel, the Swiss scientist and eugenicist. Forel International School, a Bahá'í-inspired school located in Bratislava, Slovakia, was named after him.

February 27. On this date in 1922, Shoghi Effendi wrote to Auguste Forel, the Swiss scientist and eugenicist. Forel International School, a Bahá'í-inspired school located in Bratislava, Slovakia, was named after him.

27 February (1922) [to Professor Auguste Forel]
Honoured Sir:
It is with regret and sorrow that I enclose at last the long-protracted translations of `Abdu'l-Bahá's answer to your letter. His sudden passing to the Great Beyond has plunged us all in profound grief and added heavily to our preoccupations and responsibilities. Happily, however, the full answer to your epistle, had been written, and signed by him many days before his passing and were it not for the desire to have it adequately rendered into English and French, it would have reached you far sooner than now. As I am not certain of your address at the present moment, I am enclosing a copy of the original text which bears his signature, hoping to forward the text as soon as I am assured of your true address.
I am sending, too, a copy of the English version to Mr. A. Isfáhání, a Bahá'í friend of ours who, I understand, has had the pleasure and privilege of meeting you on more than one occasion, and who I am sure will submit it to you, should this letter fail to reach its destination.
The Bahá'ís the world over will be delighted to have copies of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's answer to your letter circulated amongst them, as it is unique in many respects and much appreciated in its nature and comprehensiveness. I have refrained from giving them copies until I hear of your desire to do so.
Being a personal letter I thought it incumbent upon me to inform you and request you on this point.
My very best wishes and kind regards and hoping to hear from you soon,
I am yours very sincerely
Shoghi Rabbani
(grandson of 'Abdu'l-Bahá)

On September 10, 1931, Shoghi Effendi wrote the daughter of Auguste Forel, who had died a few months previous.

10 September 1931[to Mrs. Marta Brauns-Forel]
In regard to your father's spiritual testament, which betrays on the part of the author an inadequate knowledge of the Bahá'í Faith, the Guardian feels that you should make it clear to all the inquirers that the late Dr. Forel, as many other persons who have embraced the Cause, did not have a complete understanding of the fundamentals of the Bahá'í religion. He was particularly interested in the social aspect of the Movement and owing to some psychological reasons he did not lay much emphasis on its doctrinal side. This can be explained by the fact that our lamented doctor being advanced in age at the time of his acquaintance with the Bahá'í teachings was not able to devote all his time to a deep study of the tenets of the Faith.
Shoghi Effendi, however, in his letter addressed personally to your father explained to him that the Bahá'ís should firmly believe in the existence of God and in the immortality of the soul and in many other fundamental teachings which the Bahá'ís share with the adherents of many other religions. Our lamented doctor may have most probably considered it unwise to declare openly that he had rejected all his previous conceptions in regard to the existence of God and such similar ideas and preferred to express in an indirect way the many changes which the knowledge of the Faith had brought in his mind by declaring that he had become a Bahá'í.
At any rate there is no doubt whatever that the well-known Tablet revealed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá for him had brought a tremendous change in his monistic theories and induced him to accept the Message openly.
However great the contradictions in Dr. Forel's testament in regard to his attitude towards the Cause we cannot fail but to recognize him as a Bahá'í who had but a partial glimpse of the Bahá'í Revelation. No one can claim that his knowledge of this Revelation is adequate, especially at this time when the Bahá'í Faith is still in the embryonic stage of its development. Dr. Forel was sincere in his convictions but like every human being his comprehension was limited and this was not in his power to change.
These are the ideas which came to Shoghi Effendi's mind when he read a `&resume' of Dr. Forel's testament in one of the well-known Swiss journals and he wishes you to share them with all those who are interested to know of the Doctor's attitude towards this Movement....
In the Guardian's own handwriting:
Dear and valued co-worker:
The passing of your distinguished father has indeed grieved me profoundly and I wish to assure you of my heartfelt sympathy in your irreparable loss. I would deeply appreciate a written account of his eventful life and of the meritorious services he rendered humanity, either from your pen or any other friend in Germany, for publication in the next issue of the Bahá'í World. I feel that his reference to the Cause in the codicil of this testament indicates the perceptible change in his mental outlook since he penned the earlier passages of his will, for he must have known from the Tablet he received as well as from the letters I wrote him and from many other Bahá'í publications the fundamental and distinguishing features of the Cause. That is why I feel that with your consent and approval, the publication of his references to the Cause in his testament could very well be published in the Bahá'í World. With my best wishes and deepest sympathy,
Shoghi

February 27. On this date in 1929, Shoghi Effendi wrote a lengthy letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, later published in "World Order of Bahá'u'lláh," wherein he stated "Not only will the present day Spiritual Assemblies be styled differently in future, but they will be enabled also to add to their present functions those powers, duties, and prerogatives necessitated by the recognition of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh, not merely as one of the recognized religious systems of the world, but as the State Religion of an independent and Sovereign Power. And as the Bahá'í Faith permeates the masses of the peoples of East and West, and its truth is embraced by the majority of the peoples of a number of the Sovereign States of the world, will the Universal House of Justice attain the plenitude of its power, and exercise, as the supreme organ of the Bahá'í Commonwealth, all the rights, the duties, and responsibilities incumbent upon the world's future superstate."

February 27. On this date in 1929, Shoghi Effendi wrote a lengthy letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States and Canada, later published in World Order of Bahá'u'lláh.

It should be carefully borne in mind that the local as well as the international Houses of Justice have been expressly enjoined by the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; that the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly, as an intermediary body, and referred to in the Master’s Will as the “Secondary House of Justice,” has the express sanction of 'Abdu’l-Bahá; and that the method to be pursued for the election of the International and National Houses of Justice has been set forth by Him in His Will, as well as in a number of His Tablets. Moreover, the institutions of the local and national Funds, that are now the necessary adjuncts to all local and national spiritual assemblies, have not only been established by 'Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets He revealed to the Bahá’ís of the Orient, but their importance and necessity have been repeatedly emphasized by Him in His utterances and writings. The concentration of authority in the hands of the elected representatives of the believers; the necessity of the submission of every adherent of the Faith to the considered judgment of Bahá’í Assemblies; His preference for unanimity in decision; the decisive character of the majority vote; and even the desirability for the exercise of close supervision over all Bahá’í publications, have been sedulously instilled by 'Abdu’l-Bahá, as evidenced by His authenticated and widely-scattered Tablets. To accept His broad and humanitarian Teachings on one hand, and to reject and dismiss with neglectful indifference His more challenging and distinguishing precepts, would be an act of manifest disloyalty to that which He has cherished most in His life.
That the Spiritual Assemblies of today will be replaced in time by the Houses of Justice, and are to all intents and purposes identical and not separate bodies, is abundantly confirmed by 'Abdu’l-Bahá Himself. He has in fact in a Tablet addressed to the members of the first Chicago Spiritual Assembly, the first elected Bahá’í body instituted in the United States, referred to them as the members of the “House of Justice” for that city, and has thus with His own pen established beyond any doubt the identity of the present Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies with the Houses of Justice referred to by Bahá’u’lláh. For reasons which are not difficult to discover, it has been found advisable to bestow upon the elected representatives of Bahá’í communities throughout the world the temporary appellation of Spiritual Assemblies, a term which, as the position and aims of the Bahá’í Faith are better understood and more fully recognized, will gradually be superseded by the permanent and more appropriate designation of House of Justice. Not only will the present-day Spiritual Assemblies be styled differently in future, but they will be enabled also to add to their present functions those powers, duties, and prerogatives necessitated by the recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, not merely as one of the recognized religious systems of the world, but as the State Religion of an independent and Sovereign Power. And as the Bahá’í Faith permeates the masses of the peoples of East and West, and its truth is embraced by the majority of the peoples of a number of the Sovereign States of the world, will the Universal House of Justice attain the plenitude of its power, and exercise, as the supreme organ of the Bahá’í Commonwealth, all the rights, the duties, and responsibilities incumbent upon the world’s future super-state. It must be pointed out, however, in this connection that, contrary to what has been confidently asserted, the establishment of the Supreme House of Justice is in no way dependent upon the adoption of the Bahá’í Faith by the mass of the peoples of the world, nor does it presuppose its acceptance by the majority of the inhabitants of any one country. In fact, 'Abdu’l-Bahá, Himself, in one of His earliest Tablets, contemplated the possibility of the formation of the Universal House of Justice in His own lifetime, and but for the unfavorable circumstances prevailing under the Turkish régime, would have, in all probability, taken the preliminary steps for its establishment. It will be evident, therefore, that given favorable circumstances, under which the Bahá’ís of Persia and of the adjoining countries under Soviet rule, may be enabled to elect their national representatives, in accordance with the guiding principles laid down in 'Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings, the only remaining obstacle in the way of the definite formation of the International House of Justice will have been removed. For upon the National Houses of Justice of the East and the West devolves the task, in conformity with the explicit provisions of the Will, of electing directly the members of the International House of Justice. Not until they are themselves fully representative of the rank and file of the believers in their respective countries, not until they have acquired the weight and the experience that will enable them to function vigorously in the organic life of the Cause, can they approach their sacred task, and provide the spiritual basis for the constitution of so august a body in the Bahá’í world.

February 26. On this date in 1953, Marguerite Sears, wife of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, arrived in Haifa for her Bahá'í Pilgrimage, during which she recorded Shoghi Effendi as making a number of historical, political, and theological observations as well as his making predictions for the the immediate future.

February 26. On this date in 1953, Marguerite Sears, wife of Hand of the Cause of God William Sears, arrived in Haifa for her Bahá'í Pilgrimage, during which she recorded Shoghi Effendi as making a number of historical, political, and theological observations as well as his making predictions for the the immediate future.

Pilgrims Notes

by Marguerite R. Sears

1953

Whatever affects the policy of the nation in relation to other nations is controversial and should not be considered in any way by Bahá'ís. Take no sides, keep away from party politics and all inter-governmental policies. We are no party; we promote the policy of no government. We are God's party. We promote God's policy which is above human politics. The Cause is supra-national and because it is Divine in origin - not political and not partisan. We must not be ashamed or afraid to state this. Bahá'ís must always be ready to clarify their position. To know and to teach. The more confused the state of the world, the more we must clarify our position. This is the only way to protect ourselves and the Faith. It is more important than giving the teachings to give our world views and the Administrative world Policy of God's Cause.

Communism is a political issue but we must be careful not to denounce it. Abdu'l-Bahá denounced communism in a way so as not to hurt. We denounce both Communism and Capitalism in principle. Communism, racialism, materialism, capitalism as we see them today in their extreme forms. They stress unduly the welfare of mankind.

Anything carried to the extreme is detrimental.

Anything that affects the policy of the nation in its relation to other nations is political. Anything that affects the policy of the nation, issues that are the cause of controversy between nations we must avoid such issues. Express no views. Bahá'ís may express views about the United Nations because it is not related to the policy of one government against another, but anything that is related to a number of nations, two or more, Bahá'ís must not take sides; must not blame, must not criticize, must not give advice, suggest anything to any government or any representative of any government but must be loyal. The Marshall Plan and the Point Four program are political issues. Bahá'ís must keep away. Bahá'ís must keep away from anything controversial between nations. In the first place they cannot influence and they are not strong enough to help. Secondly they will endanger other Bahá'ís by their actions. Third, they will alienate other governments; they will please their own but will alienate other governments. Fourth, we are only too anxious to serve administratively. Not only willing but anxious to receive such posts but we must be on our guard. Some posts are outwardly administrative but inwardly political. Politics are much too corrupt. Bahá'ís by their participation will get corrupted themselves if they participate. It is too strong a current to withstand.

In matters intergovermental of inter-state take no sides, belong to no party. We are God's party and promote God's policy which is above human politics. Not opposed but above. We must proclaim this to the world. It is the only way to safe-guard the Faith. It is much more important to safe-guard the unity of the Faith than to propagate it. We do not identify ourselves with any system because all systems contain elements that irreconcilable with our teachings. The sooner the Americans know this the better.

We require the goodwill of the authorities in every country in which we work. Say nothing against or for Communism or Democracy. The British say "State First" EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY. Bahá'ís must not think of the principle itself. In all countries they sacrifice principle in order to safe-guard the interests of the state. Our conduct is fundamentally different. With Bahá'ís principle is first.

In the U.N. if each thought of principle they would all agree but they all think of country first. Their idea is to let the world suffer if "our" nation is safe. This is fundamentally different, and un-Bahá'í. Bahá'ís say if necessary let our own country suffer for the sake of the condition of the world. Like a doctor he does not think of limbs of the body. Proof of this, if an organ, hand or foot affects the body the surgeon amputates it. He thinks of the body first whereas politicians each think of one of the organs. They prefer that the whole body should suffer and that the particular part should remain.

Bahá'ís should have the concern of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh as a whole. If necessary the local or national community should be sacrificed in order to safe-guard the Faith. Bahá'ís will sacrifice their own country for the sake of the world. We believe that truth, honesty, justice must always be our watchword in everything that we do whether in promoting the interests of the faith or the interests of the country. We can disassociate a particular country from these principles but we cannot disassociate the Faith from these principles. For the sake of argument, if possible, sacrifice the Faith and maintain principle. The Cause is the servant of Justice, truth - BAHA'U'LLAH HAS COME TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE, NOT TO ESTABLISH HIS CAUSE. These principles are the purpose of the Revelation of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. Missionaries are different; will lie, depart from moral principles, ethical principles, if necessary, in order to gain converts. We must not that. IT IS BETTER FOR THE CAUSE not to progress rather than for us to depart from these principles because the Cause is for these principles. We must make our position quite clear to ruling authorities so there can be no misunderstanding. If they ask questions we must give clear answers that will not be misinterpreted. We will obey the State provided it does not require us to depart from our principles. Our principles are more precious than obedience to state. We must be loyal to every established form of government. If it is in a revolutionary form then we must wait until it is established.

We need scholars in the Faith. I need to condense so much due to lack of time and so much to say. Every Bahá'í should have picked out the seven points ("Advent of Divine Justice" p. 12) of the progress of the Faith and know them. We need to pray, meditate, study and act more. The seven stages which we should know are:

1) Obscurity - ignoring of the Faith as in Italy, in the goal countries of Europe. The Cause is passing through various stages in different countries. In Europe it is mostly in obscurity.

2) Repression - persecution. Persia, of course, has been in that stage over 100 years. Regarding marriage in Spain they have to do as in Egypt. Get married according to the Bahá'í ceremony. The marriage is not recognized by the State and their children are considered illegitimate but the Bahá'ís do not mind. They have been obedient.

3) Emancipation - Egypt has reached this stage in part in that they are free from fetters of the religious leaders. The clergy has recognized them as an independent religion but the State has not.

4) Recognition - This stage has been attained, not by Persia, not by the ten goal countries, but by America and Israel.

5) Establishment - No community has reached this stage. In the strict sense it means one Faith. Not only equal status to other religions but to become the state religion of a country as Islam in Persia; and the Anglican Church in England. We are bound to reach that stage when any one country gives the Faith the same status as other religions. Persia may jump to 5 because of its number.

6) Sovereignty or Bahá'í government when all political matters will be referred to the House of Justice. When the Faith will reign, not only be established, but reign, when the Bahá'í State is established. When the Faith will cease to be a religion of the State but will become itself the State. The State Church not the Church State. This will be when the Government proclaims the religion to be the Bahá'í Faith - not that only, but the institutions of the Cause will assume functions of Government.

7) World Commonwealth - When a number of governments will join together and form a super Bahá'í Government - a commonwealth. The National Spiritual Assemblies will become the National Federal Governments. We must refer only to the first four points in the stages of development when we speak publicly for the time being and use wisdom in discussing these stages among non-Bahá'ís.

In the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, the Holy Mariner means Bahá'u'lláh through allusion. The Ark of the Faith itself. The Tablet predicts problems and difficulties which happened at Adrianople and Acca. The burning meteor is a symbol of God's avenging wrath.

In the Tablet of Carmel (Gleanings p 14, 15, 16, & 17) the "Ark" referred to is not the Ark of the Faith, it is the Ark of the laws of the Faith. It refers to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice. The "People" of Bahá'í are the members of the Universal House of Justice. The House of Justice directs the Ark; the Ark of the laws of God will sail on Mount Carmel.

A Hand is one who serves the Cause in an outstanding manner. The American Hands were appointed: Leroy for services rendered during the first seven year plan, Dorothy for her teaching ability, Millie and Fred for their great financial contributions during times of greatest need. They upheld the Faith. Roy was a saint, Sutherland for the Shrine of the Bab, Horace for his services in the Administration, Mrs. True for her Temple Service, Mason for continued service over a long time and for visiting all countries for the Faith.

In the future outstanding scientists, writers, leaders in their fields, will immediately become Hands as soon as they become Bahá'ís. It does not necessarily mean that they are greater spiritually, but they must become so.

We must teach laws as well as principles. All people appreciate the principles but the laws are challenging. Alcohol abstinence, and monogamy will be difficult for Africans to accept at first. Monogamy is the rule. Bahá'u'lláh said monogamy was recommended, Abdul-Baha said there must be justice and made monogamy the rule. In Africa of a polygamist becomes a Bahá'í he must not divorce all but one wife, but after becoming a Bahá'í he must not take another wife. If he takes another, this one will be the reason for his breaking the law and this one must be divorced. All must be acquainted with the laws but if they are broken the offender must be 1. admonished, 2. warned, 3.warned, 4. warned, 5. then his voting rights taken away. We must be certain in the first place that he is acquainted with the laws.

We must first attract, then educate in the principles and the laws.

We have principles, laws and institutions. The Christians have principles but no laws. The Moslems have principles and laws but no institutions. The Bahá'í Faith has all three. We have a definite statement regarding successions, this is unique.

Bahá'u'lláh insists on Justice. Justice must be administered by Assemblies. The Most Great Peace will be the result of the Most Great Justice. This will safeguard the unity of mankind. Bahá'ís should be guided by Justice not by mercy, love or forgiveness in Assembly work. Bahá'u'lláh said, "I personally would be inclined to forgive my enemies, but I am restrained by the law of God. Individuals may forgive, Assemblies must be very strict regarding justice.

The House of Justice, or Assembly, must administer justice. This is the beginning of the State Church. We must start now to act as such - to be prepared for the future.

There are many differences between the Pope and the Guardian. The Hands will be somewhat similar to the House of Cardinals. The Pope has legislative and interpretive authority. The Guardian has no legislative but interpretive. The legislation is by elected bodies in the Faith. The Interpretive and legislative are separate in the Faith. This is unique and one of the distinguishing features of the Faith. Teachers must teach this. This Faith is for the maturity of mankind.

We must develop local, regional and sectional NSAs. Each country in Africa will have an NSA eventually. There will be 60 NSA's in Africa.

Pioneers must deepen, widen activities, and scatter. They must teach the natives of the countries so thoroughly that they may administer for themselves and then go to a new place. Pioneers must safeguard the Faith by teaching thoroughly, increasing the numbers, multiplying the centers and keeping in touch with their National Assemblies and committees. The Administration of the Faith applied in Africa will be an object lesson to the British authorities. It will open their eyes, attract them and then alarm them.

We must become scholars of the Faith like the Germans. They are the scholars. It is not enough to read the writings or to study at the Summer Schools. We must study daily so as not to have just a superficial knowledge of the Faith. The Summer Schools should have lectures and discussions but they must have studied to be able to discuss. We need scholars of the Faith. The German people should be our example. Bahá'ís should, for instance, be able to differentiate between Dispensation, Era, Epoch and Cycle. Bahá'ís who know these things and can discuss them intelligently.

Peter was the true head of Christianity not Paul Christians have to come to this understanding. Ali was the true head of the Moslem Faith and the First Imam, not the Caliphs. The Caliphs put Ali fourth but He was the first Imam. Shiah Islam is the closet to the truth not Sunni. The Sunni Muhammadens have to become Shiah to become Bahá'í just as the Protestants have to accept Peter as the true head of Christianity before knowing the truth of Christianity.

The year 9 should be stressed this year, stressed and stressed. We should be meditating and thinking of the fate of Bahá'u'lláh in the Siyah-Chal. We have to know about it to think about it. We should study about it in "God Passes By", "The Epistle," Nabil's narrative, "Some Answered Questions" and the "Iqan".

We must know our basic books thoroughly, not superficially, reading them and considering them studied. Everyone should know thoroughly the New Era, Some Answered Questions, Iqan, Epistle and Gleanings.

We should know the significance of the year 9. The prophecy in the Bible of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Woes. Bahá'u'lláh kept His mission a secret for ten years. During that time He wrote poetry alluding to His mission. There are many odes in Persian and Arabic which have not yet been translated. Nabil refers to the Odes. "The Sweet Scented Streams", was revealed in Kurdistan.

The Luminous Maiden (p. 101 "God Passes By") the symbol of Religion in the highest form, to Moses it was the burning bush, Christ the Dove and the Angel Gabriel to Muhammad.

Shoghi Effendi referred to the cable sent to America which appeared in the Bahá'í News where he likened the "Tree" to an "Olive Tree". He said the tree of 6000 years started with Adam, the last of Many Adams, it grew in Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. The tree, like an olive tree, yielded its fruit in the Bab, in His martyrdom it was crushed by the mill of adversity. The oil from this crushed fruit made the light which appeared 10 years later in the Siyah-Chal. It ignited in a flicker in the darkest dungeon, it was clouded over for 10 years and when it reached the land of mystery, Adrianople, it became more radiant, it became a crystal. For 40 years it only showed its light in ten countries. After that it spread to the west. (See Chapter on Birth of the Bahá'í Revelation in "God Passes By").

The growth of the Cause was by diffusion, Machinery and will be suffusion. This, he said, must be taught in the summer Schools. The Machinery will continue throughout the formative years after the 10-year crusade.

This began with Adam and ends with the Golden Age. There will be great reaction in favor of the Faith and great destruction but we are not concerned with the catastrophe but only with the 10-year crusade. He emphasized the necessity of teaching about the Birth and Growth of the Faith now and understanding and teaching of the significance of the year 9. He told us that when Ruhiyyih Khanum read this at the Dedication of the Temple it would be the most solemn moment of the entire time. We are celebrating the birth of the Light of God. We are not only to charm the Bahá'ís by speaking of this, but to convince the non-Bahá'ís with the explanation of the year 9.

The Spirit of the Cause is not enough, we need the institutions. The institutions are the embodiments of the spirit of the Cause, the channel through which the spirit of the Cause flows. Any idea, any work, of education, religion, social life, will never be effective in the world unless it is translated into an institution. For example, education; it will never have its influence felt on society unless the idea of education is incarnated in an institution or college. So with everything else. An ideal must be translated into an institution, and the Bahá'í Faith which is primarily a powerful spirit in the world must be embodied in an institution, incorporate itself in an institution if it is to exert its power in the world. We must recognize the station of the Bab, Bahá'u'lláh and the Master and at the same time recognize the necessity of institutions through which the spirit of these three central figures is flowing - guiding, preserving, promoting.

These institutions have not been established by us, they have been established by the Founder of the Faith Himself. That is why they are essentially different from the Christian Church, because we have institutions and they have institutions - we call it "Spiritual Assembly", they call it "Church". If they say you are doing the same thing we are doing, you say, "yours was man made - ours was Divinely appointed". Not established, by the Master in the will nor appointed by the Bab, but provided for and established by Bahá'u'lláh in the Most Holy Book - the Book of Laws. This is the fundamental difference between our institutions and the institutions belonging to all other religions, not only Christians. Thy are essentially man made, ours are divinely appointed.

But always remember, these institutions are a means to an end. We have to utilize these institutions for a purpose. Our purpose is to carry out the Divine Plan of the Master - we had to wait ever since the Master revealed these Tablets, 1915, 16, 17 (20 years) until the administrative order was sufficiently established and beginning to function in order to utilize them for this purpose. The Master gave instructions to the American believers to establish the Cause throughout the world, the Divine Plan, a few years before He passed away. In those days we didn't have the means. A few individuals were working. Martha Root started her travels. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn went from California to Australia. Emogene went to Italy, but all on an individual basis, not organized, not systematic, not continuous, more or less spasmodic. It was not directed toward a definite plan and target. In other words, they didn't formulate a plan. So unlike plans of each NSA now which are specific.

When the Master passed away, the first thing we did was establish the administrative order according to the blueprint the Master gave us. He told us how to establish the this Administrative Order, Nationally and locally. He told us how the House of Justice would be established eventually. Then we started the long laborious task of raising the structure of the Administrative Order. It took us two decades - 20 years - to do this. As the work progressed, some of the Bahá'ís began to wonder whether that was going to be the sole concern of the Bahá'ís, to establish these institutions. Some began to doubt, to criticize. Ahmad entirely misunderstood our purpose for the simple reason that I asked the Bahá'ís to think of nothing else but building these institutions that were to be the means in our hands to achieve a purpose later on. It took us 20 years to establish two stages of this administrative order, local and national Assemblies. When the local and National Assemblies were established and beginning to function, then I directed the attention of the Bahá'ís to the purpose for which these institutions had been created and were being perfected. The first part of the plan America's, then Latin and South America, Canada. Then the 2nd stage in Europe - now we have started in Africa - That is why the Cause is progressing so rapidly.

In England it took 50 years to establish 2 Assemblies, in 6 years 19 Assemblies were established, not only in England but Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Love of the Master is not enough. We must have a deep Faith. Three things we must remember, 1. Faith, 2. the Covenant, 3. the Administration. The Covenant is the child of the Faith. The Administrative Order is the child of the Covenant.

Abdu'l-Bahá, the "Mystery of God" - we must never hope to unravel that mystery. He is not a Prophet - He is unique in spiritual history of mankind. He stands between the Prophet and the Guardians, but in addition we have something in Him which other religions do not possess, the institution of the Center of the Covenant. He is a mystery because He shares not in the nature of the Manifestation, but the quality of the Manifestation - perfect but not Divine, that is why He is a mystery. Abdu'l-Bahá, all knowing, but not a Prophet of God.

The Unity of Mankind is absolutely new, there is nothing like it in the teachings of previous religions.

First we must lay the foundation. Then we can start to build. The foundation must be strong - firm. Every community must do three things: 1. Promote teaching work in the community, increase the number of believers, multiply the groups and scatter. 2, Consolidate institutions already established. Consolidate and expansion at home. 3. Initiate activities outside of community and country. The teaching committees should be primarily concerned with increasing the number of believers, extending the range of the Faith. Consolidation of the community mainly concerned with institutions already established. To see that local Assemblies are maintained, groups converted to Assembly status, etc.

Regarding America, the possibility is that it become directly involved in the coming conflict. Time bombs etc, will poison the earth.

The British NSA is watchful, careful and successful. I have a great admiration for it. The United States is chief custodian of the Divine plan. All other countries are auxilliaries - they will assist the chief custodians who are the believers in the United States. The U.S. has an ally in the Canadian Believers because some of the Tablets of the Divine Plan were addressed to them both.

Dr. Esslemont was the 1st Hand appointed during the formative age.

America will suffer probably more than any other nation in this coming conflict. The U.S. is the home of Materialistic civilization. It will all come about in a gradual, mysterious and unexpected manner.

Ques: If the House of Justice is under the guidance of God would it make a wrong decision? Ans: It is the Guardian's responsibility to tell them whether they should legislate on such a matter, or not - whether it is within their province. They would not make wrong decisions, but there is this safeguard of the guardian to ask them to reconsider the matter.

In regard to personal matters - Assemblies were established for two purposes. 1. To safeguard the interests of the Faith; 2. to help individuals when in crisis.

Ques: What about floods etc. in a country when Bahá'ís are asked to help in relief. Ans: Assemblies must ---------- [this word omitted on all editions -R.S.], the Bahá'ís privately should associate themselves with whatever measures are taken by the general public or government in order to prove universality of the Faith - that it promotes the interests of the entire community. They must watch, wherever there is such an opportunity, they must help - even a token contribution, nationally, locally and individually.

When the House of Justice makes statements about a certain law which has not been clearly stated in the teaching they are guided. They are not only to be obeyed, they are infallible. The NSA's have to be obeyed but are not infallible.

The inter-continental conferences will be a prelude to a world conference - preferably at the World Center of the Faith.

In the plan for the next ten years there is a two-fold internal aspect: One relating to the institutions, the other relating to teaching. The Wilmette Conference will consider first and foremost the opening up of the remaining territories to the Faith in the Continent of America and the Islands, second, to consolidate the Cause in the territories already open to the Faith. That in itself will be institutional, and the other teaching. The internal aspect in the U.S. and particularly the Temple and Dependencies.

There are three aspects of the Faith, Devotional, Administrative and Teaching. We have great need for more teaching. We must pray, meditate and then act. Teach.

Financial contributions to the Faith must be systematic, continuous, methodical. In order to promote the interests of the world center of the Faith here, at Haifa, appropriations have to be made from each NSA. It is my duty to impress upon them the importance of this phase of the work As to the sum I leave it to their discretion to allocate the sum.

Individuals have three-fold obligation, to support local institutions, National and inter- national. Resources will be acquired from three different sources. Stress is being made on the International development of the Faith. From the World Center of the Faith go contributions to all parts of the world. It is not only for the Bab's Shrine. In the last year some of the money has gone for the Hazira in Africa, the land in Constantinople, the site of Bahá'u'lláh's house, to Germany and to England.

The International Interests of the Faith have precedence over National interests.

The Huquq will come when the Hands of the Cause will begin to assume their primary function.

A great change will sweep over the world. A wave of the most great oppression which will prepare and lead the way for the Most Great Peace.

There will be oppression - justice - peace.

Persia, the Holy Land and America are in the greatest danger because of materialism.

The Character of the coming upheaval will be different from the world War. The atom bomb may exercise an influence on the whole world. There are two plans operating in the world. 1. The Major plan or God's plan. It is mysterious and we have nothing to do with it. 2. The Minor plan or the World Crusade of the next ten years, about which we have everything to do. God's plan involves disturbances. People must be shaken, aroused, their eyes opened in order to acquire the capacity to accept the Faith.

America was given the privilege of being the Chief executors of the Divine plan. America now stands 5th in rank in service to the Faith. The English are the best organizers in the Bahá'í world, the Americans, the best Administrators. The only value U.N. work is that we can add our prestige through it. We must not think that the U.N. is going to form the world state of the future.

The Americans and the Persians are too emotional. They are both alike in this respect. They are not impersonal enough, not objective in their thinking. They think of themselves or people first and the Cause second or last. The Cause must come first, individuals later and no personality. Americans spend too much money on luxuries, the Persians spend too much money on hospitality.

Bahá'ís should not spend all their time in doing these things that in themselves are good and not teach the Cause. We must 1st be Missionaries and then humanitarians.

Devotion to the Cause is different from being lovers of mankind. We must all be lovers of mankind. The Master said, the trouble is that we disassociate God from Man. We think of God in the Abstract sense. If we love God, we must love His creatures. We must love God so much as to become the lovers of His Creation. We must love people because we love God. You can truly love everybody if you truly love God and connect these creatures with God, that is why the love of God is so essential. When you love a person you love the people connected with that person. Recognizing God is different from loving Him. Being awed by God is different from loving Him, and the degree to which you love God must sooner or later reflect itself in your love for mankind or the lack of it.

There will always be people who do not believe in Bahá'u'lláh. It does not mean that everybody will become Bahá'í, or that evil will cease to exist even in the Golden Age. There will always be the element of perversity, but it will be negligible. (To Roy) In our dealings we must cultivate and communicate with Presidents and Prime Ministers and not 4th class officials. This is the way things should be done. We must first establish contact, attain a certain degree of acquaintance if not friendship and then bring issues to their attention.

The Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh is the most Holy Shrine in the world.

The Iqan and the Kitab-i-Aqdas are the two foremost books of all the religions of the world. The Aqdas was revealed in 1870.

It requires purity of heart and extreme concentration to communicate with the next world. The Bahá'í who turns to God - he not only can achieve miraculous things, but can exercise a great influence on others.

There is no cessation of work at the International Center except on the nine Holy Days.

The Master had great admiration for Mary Magdalene.

The early Babis believed in reincarnation. Mulla Husayn in Fort Tabarsi was longing to be martyred and then return.

One of the signs of maturity of the world will be when Kingship will remain with none to bear its weight. The few remaining thrones are trembling with the repercussions of the fall of their fellows. Kingship will be restored.

Do you think if I had started to think about the condition of Europe seven years ago, when it was almost, prostrate, I would have had courage to ask Bahá'ís of America to start opening the campaign and sending pioneers? God works in His own ways along the same lines but in a different manner.

The 54th Chapter of Isaiah refers to the Mother of Abdu'l-Bahá (Navab)

Speaking of an elevator or escalator at the Temple. The Guardian seemed to prefer an elevator. He described it as efficient, quiet, dignified and quick. He said the friends should aim at these things in anything they do.

Vigilance and thoroughness are qualities that the Guardian admires in the British.

All the nations of the world have suffered, why not America: It is corrupt and it is flabby. Russia can do anything to America. America escaped before but this time it will not escape. The streets of New York will run with blood. Politics and individuals are corrupt. America is an atomic base - a target for Russia. England has become the aircraft carrier for atom bombs. The worst danger is that which faces New York. Skyscrapers will fall - there will be burning of the cities as prophesied in the bible.

The Guardian asked the question: "In the writings it states that we can only affect another spiritually to the depth that we ourselves are affected spiritually, is that the reason for the lack of progress in America"? The Guardian spoke for almost two hours on this question.

The Guardian pointed out that in 1950 he had given the inestimable privilege to America alone of going to pioneer in Africa. This, he said, he did in a general letter. Not one American responded.

In 1951 he sent a cable giving the American Negro a special blessing and opportunity and only one soul responded out of the entire country. Bill Foster of Chicago.

At the Kampala Conference only Liberia was represented by American pioneers. There should have been a far larger number of Bahá'ís from America at the Conference. America has failed in this respect. There were only nine Americans at the Conference where there should have been at least 20 or 30.

Americans are too concerned with their homes, trivialities, business. These things keep them back like a dead weight, they put these things first and Africa and the Faith last. Africa should have been the first concern of every American believer. The distinguished American Bahá'ís should have immediately arisen - regardless of anything else - spontaneously. America didn't arise at all so God inspired the Persians and the British.

Marion Jack typifies the true spirit the pioneer should have. We must follow her example. Marion Jack went from Canada to Bulgaria, where she is yet. When the war broke out I wrote to her urging her to go to Switzerland or to come to Haifa. She begged to stay where she was. She stayed under the utmost difficulties. The Master appreciated her very much. Not her ability, her spirit and detachment. The Canadians must be very proud of her. Even the Oriental believers have not risen to this height of detachment. She stayed in Bulgaria during the war. The Americans took the first boat home. The Americans must become detached. Race prejudice and materialism are the greatest evils in America. Africa should be first in everyone's mind. Americans are too attached to material comforts - this is the tragedy of America.

The Administrators and the distinguished should have and should arise. The Administrators feel that if they leave everything will be lost. God will take care of the administration at home, all they have to do is arise.

We must become as light as the spirit, as swift as the wind, as ablaze as fire, as resigned as the earth. (Bahá'u'lláh)

Americans must give up all their encumberances - give up everything - they must forsake their homes, give up everything and they won't need money it will come.

The Collison's are admirable.

Each American Bahá'í would make 200 Bahá'ís in Africa if they would demonstrate the spirit of Bahá'u'lláh demands of the pioneer. When Bahá'ís demonstrate the true spirit of the Faith this alone will bring results.

Leaving ones home and settling as a pioneer is not enough. The spirit must be right. We must get close to the spirit Bahá'u'lláh wants the pioneer to attain. This is purely individual, a struggle with one's own nature.

The hosts of the Supreme Concourse are suspended between earth and Heaven waiting to assist, but we must be like a magnet to attract this spirit. This spirit has accumulated because it has not been drawn upon. There have been no magnets to attract it. We must arise with spirit and spontaneity. This call should have appealed to the American negro more than anyone else, but they didn't arise because they are too bogged down with the same materialism.

The tests today are the same as in the day of Muhammad, He wrote in the Quran that the tests are: Death, children, wealth and hunger.

New York and Chicago are the most dangerous places in the world. The skyscrapers of which Americans are so proud will fall like houses of cards.

The American believers are mediocre. They are superior to non-Bahá'ís, but compared to Bahá'í standards they are very mediocre. We have a large number of mediocre Bahá'ís in the world. There are only a few distinguished ones. All Bahá'ís must measure themselves according to the standard of the teachings only.

It is easy to establish the administrative order but it is hard to make converts. Abdu'l-Bahá was very disappointed in America. He wrote and spoke there of the dangers of materialism and He went unheeded, and they are still unheeding.

Not until we approach the standard set down in the teachings will we have great victories. Americans can render great service in Administrative fields, but cannot teach without the right spirit, and will not attract and confirm new Believers.

We require another quality. Quantity is not enough, we require a high degree of quality. It is easy to administrate but difficult to make converts. In the administration field we can succeed with quantity and mediocrity. We are too organized - too material. The Cause requires much more than administration.

Consolidation is related to teaching. We are called upon to increase the numbers of Bahá'ís - we cannot do it without the spirit. The ten-year crusade has nothing to do with administration.

Persian believers have the right spirit.

All civilization is sinking, sinking. No one knows this better than the Russians, they are very observant.

America's most vaunted civilization is falling - materialism is like a cancer eating into the body of the nation.

Africa is the safest place in the world today. God is very merciful to the Americans, giving them the opportunity to go to Africa.

We need the crusading spirit in America.

America had relative security and it was sweet, now they are beginning to taste the bitterness of it. The leaders realize this more than the masses. The American skyscrapers are built on shifting sands - when the atom bomb drops they will see. Americans are tasting the bitter fruit, they are caught in a trap and it is God's trap.

The so-called backward people are living in the safest environments, while the most civilized are living in the dangerous.

Civilization is turning upon itself. Moderation is necessary even in this. This is not prophecy, Abdul-Baha told us all this. America is a young nation that is going astray. The leaders have this knowledge of what's coming in their hearts, but they will not tell the people. Look at Korea, blood, blood, blood, when will it stop? Abdu'l-Bahá denounced materialism in America in His speeches. He realized that Europe was a village, America a city. The skyscrapers built on shifting sands will collapse like a house of cards. The greatest point of danger is New York and then Chicago. If London hadn't been destroyed by fire I wouldn't have said these things. I am only calling attention to what has already begun. Compare Hamburg to New York and Stuttgardt to Chicago. Materialism and racism are their greatest tragedy - their chance is gone.

There is no getting out of it now. Now war will devastate the last remaining stronghold - America. American's must suffer, be chastised, be purified, and then they will be victorious. Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed this, Abdu'l-Bahá warned of this while in America but it was unheeded, I have tried and tried until it has become a waste of cables, there is no response. Americans could lead the world --if they had taken the lead in Africa the victories would have been even greater than they are now.

Europe has spent its force, there is not much hope left there. America is young but it is going astray with tremendous rapidity. It has to be stopped. Americans are generally nationalistic but fear makes them that way when they think they might lose their homes. America has to be chastened and purified to establish the Peace foretold.

The immediate future is very dark but the distant future is very bright, but we are not concerned with the coming catastrophe, only with the development of the ten year Crusade.

The immediate future of the Cause is dark also because it is linked with the destinies of the people, but the distant future if very bright. There may be a cutting off from the World Center for a time such as occurred in Germany.

America will taste the sweetness of true and abiding civilization, not materialism, not European, not American but world civilization.

It is most essential that we use prayer and meditation. Life is a constant struggle with ones own instincts. We must struggle, be active and persevere, then we will reap the fruit of victory.

(After this the Guardian arose from the table and said, "Give my love to the Friends wherever you go". Then he left, but as he reached the doorway he turned, looked at me and said, "Don't discourage them."

After this Ruhiyyih Khanum said, "Are the Americans jelly spined? They have to face facts, they have to grow up. The Guardian is trying to talk to them as adults now, they can't be coddled as children."

February 26. On this date in 2011, James Nelson, a judge who served in the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States from 1977 to 1999, died.

February 26. On this date in 2011, James Nelson, a judge who served in the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States from 1977 to 1999, died.

James Nelson was born in Los Angeles on May 19, 1927. He joined the Navy in 1945 before graduating High School, attending the graduation in his Navy uniform. He attended Stanford University for officer training but after meeting Dorothy at a YMCA camp he transferred to UCLA in 1946 so he could attend the same school as her. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1950 and married Dorothy, then served in the Navy Reserve.
In 1953 James completed a law degree at Loyola University. He became a Bahá'í in 1954 and the same year he began work as deputy district attorney of Los Angeles County. He served in the position until 1957 when he entered private practice. In 1965 he began working as a Juvenile Court Referee. Also in 1965 he chaired a Bahá'í meeting for the public in Temple City, California, at which the Bahá'í view on human rights was discussed, and he and Dorothy showed slides of the World Center at Big Bear Lake Summer School. In 1967 he began working as Judge Pro Tempore for the Los Angeles Superior Court. Ronald Reagan appointed him as a Judge on the Los Angeles Municipal Court in 1968.
In 1972 James chaired a public meeting held by the Bahá'ís of Los Angeles County to commemorate Human Rights Day at which awards were given to individuals in the County who had been of service to mankind. In 1974 James and Dorothy spoke at the International Bahá'í Youth Conference in Hawaii on A New Era in Justice. In 1975 James opened a Bahá'í Family Life Conference held in San Francisco. In 1975 the Nelsons represented the Faith at a World Peace Through Law Conference. In 1977 James was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly.
By 1980 James was Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and in 1980 he served as Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Municipal Court. In 1982 he participated in the Seventh Bahá'í Studies Conference with Dorothy, delivering a joint talk on the Bahá'í perspective on law, language, and ethics. In 1985 the Nelsons were apart of a Bahá'í delegation to an International Conference on Religious Liberty co-sponsored by the U.S. State Department. In December 1985 James acted as spokesperson at a ceremony at which President Ronald Reagan was presented with The Promise of World Peace, the Universal House of Justice's peace statement.
In 1989 Judge Nelson retired from the Los Angeles Municipal Court, although he occasionally worked as a Superior Court judge up until 1993. By 1990 James was serving as Vice-Chair of the National Assembly. He served on the body until 1999.
James died in the presence of family in 2011 following a family party. He had suffered a stroke a few years earlier.
James' wife Dorothy also had a successful legal career, serving on the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and as Dean of the School of Law at the University of Southern California, and was also a long-serving member of the National Assembly, serving on the body from 1969 to 2009.
They had a daughter, Lorna, and son, Frank.

February 26. On this date in 1986, a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States explained the stipulations for wedding ceremonies "when a Bahá'í is marrying a non-Bahá'í."

February 26. On this date in 1986, a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States explained the stipulations for wedding ceremonies "when a Bahá'í is marrying a non-Bahá'í."

1295. When a Bahá'í Marries a Non-Bahá'í Both Ceremonies Can Be Held in the Place of Worship of Another Religion, if Requested, and Provided that...
"In response to your email of 6 February 1986 we have been instructed by the Universal House of Justice to send you the following clarifications:
--- When two Bahá'ís are marrying, the wedding ceremony should not be held in the place of worship of another religion, nor should the forms of the marriage of other religions be added to the simple Bahá'í ceremony.
--- When a Bahá'í is marrying a non-Bahá'í, and the religious wedding ceremony of the non-Bahá'í partner is to be held in addition to the Bahá'í ceremony, both ceremonies may, if requested, be held in the place of worship of the other religion provided that:
--- Equal respect is accorded to both ceremonies. In other words, the Bahá'í ceremony, which is basically so simple, should not be regarded as a mere formal adjunct to the ceremony of the other religion.
--- The two ceremonies are clearly distinct. In other words, they should not be commingled into one combined ceremony."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, February 26, 1986)

February 26. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi wrote the Australian NSA "What is important now, is for the Temple to be built. Your Assembly should study what the Master said about the influence of the Temple in America. Just exactly the same influence will be manifest in Australia."

February 26. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi wrote the Australian NSA "What is important now, is for the Temple to be built. Your Assembly should study what the Master said about the influence of the Temple in America. Just exactly the same influence will be manifest in Australia."

26 February 1957
Mr. James Heggie: [National Spiritual Assembly]
Dear Bahá'í Brother:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly with regard to the Temple design which has been received, and the proposed cost.
The Guardian is greatly pleased with the design as now prepared, and feels it is entirely satisfactory to proceed with it. The Dome is an improvement, and the ornamental treatment of the top of the pylons of the main floor a marked improvement.
The cost proposed in Mr. Brogan's letter of February 7th, is however, quite too high, for our present finances. The Guardian feels it must be built for a total of 120,000 Stirling Pounds. I take it this is somewhat more than 120,000 Australian Pounds.
The reduced cost may necessitate your reducing the size of the Building, but if that is done, it must be on exactly the same proportions as the design which you have sent, and which he now fully approves.
In Mr. Brogan's letter he mentions an external treatment of white aggregate cement, and the internal walls in colored cement. This may indicate he intends to apply a veneer on the outside of the reinforced concrete building, and a veneer also on the inside. This is what was done with the Temple in Wilmette, and is very expensive.
What is important now, is for the Temple to be built. Your Assembly should study what the Master said about the influence of the Temple in America. Just exactly the same influence will be manifest in Australia, when the Temple is built.
Thus you will see, it is not the size, nor the beauty of the Temple which is important; rather what is important is the Temple itself.
If you find Mr. Brogan did have in mind veneer treatment of the inside and outside; then you will also find a substantial saving, if you can construct the building, so the original reinforced concrete of the building, can be treated on the outside and given the color you wish, and on the inside by plastering on the cement. This is just a suggestion from my experience with the Temple in America, of which I was a Trustee for some 19 years.
The Guardian asks that you study the matter and then let him know, or let me know for him, what adjustments are necessary to bring the cost down to 120,000 Sterling Pounds.
Also perhaps for the beginning, you are planning on too much money, for the Gardening, paths, etc. Mr. Brogan speaks of a drive. Just what is this? The immediate approaches of the Temple should not have a drive up to the building.
The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf. He sends his loving Greetings,
Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas
P.S. If the size can be maintained, or nearly so, by a simpler treatment inside and out, that may be a good way to approach your cost studies.

February 26. On this date in 1955, Shoghi Effendi "said the Guardian was not only infallible from the standpoint of interpretation of the Writings but he was infallible in whatever he declared himself to be infallible - that was the very nature of infallibility - that he knew when he was infallible. He knew when he was receiving Divine Guidance. Even the designs of the gardens and their development he did not know ahead of time, but each step was revealed to him as he went along. And many other things were the same way - whenever guidance was necessary it was there because he is under the unerring guidance of the Blessed Perfection and "unto him all must turn". Since hearing him speak on this subject one reads the Will and Testament with new eyes and new understanding."

February 26. On this date in 1955, Shoghi Effendi "said the Guardian was not only infallible from the standpoint of interpretation of the Writings but he was infallible in whatever he declared himself to be infallible - that was the very nature of infallibility - that he knew when he was infallible. He knew when he was receiving Divine Guidance. Even the designs of the gardens and their development he did not know ahead of time, but each step was revealed to him as he went along. And many other things were the same way - whenever guidance was necessary it was there because he is under the unerring guidance of the Blessed Perfection and "unto him all must turn". Since hearing him speak on this subject one reads the Will and Testament with new eyes and new understanding."

"........One evening he (the Guardian) came to dinner with the Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh and a newspaper, the London times, Dec. 16th issue. After dinner he began to speak about the article in the London Times and later gave it to us to copy .....article entitled: "Dangers of Atomic Explosions, Assessing the Risk"....."Mr. Wyatt asked the Prime Minister whether he could state with greater exactness the number of atomic and nuclear explosions that he was advised would make lethal the atmosphere over substantial areas of the world; and whether he had now studied the evidence that he (Mr. Wyatt) had submitted to him?"
The article stated Mr. Churchill had no further comment but the Guardian was quite excited about it. He recalled the prophecy in the Tablets about there being a strange and wonderful instrument in the world that had the power to infect the atmosphere of the whole earth. This is not a direct quote but he commented that neither "wonderful" nor "instrument" were correct translations.....the word that should be used in the place of "wonderful" was "astonsihing" and perhaps "material" could be used in place of "instrument"..... Anyway he said this prophecy referred to the atom or hydrogen bobmb. There were three stage in the development of the bobmb. The first stage was the explosion at Hiroshima or Nagasaki - just the immediate vicinity. The second was the development they were speaking about in the London Times - where a "substantial" area of the earth's atmosphere could be infected or contaminated. the third was the one prophesied by Bahá'u'lláh where the atmosphere could be contaminated or infected. He said now is the time to call attention to this prophecy of Bahá'u'lláh's in our teaching work and to quote the article in the London Times.....Perhaps someone at table that night has already sent this word to you, as he wished the Americans to use this in their teaching.
Another thing he said of great importance was his emphatic explanation of the infallibility of the Guardian. He said the Guardian was not only infallible from the standpoint of interpretation of the Writings but he was infallible in whatever he declared himself to be infallible - that was the very nature of infallibility - that he knew when he was infallible. He knew when he was receiving Divine Guidance. Even the designs of the gardens and their development he did not know ahead of time, but each step was revealed to him as he went along. And many other things were the same way - whenever guidance was necessary it was there because he is under the unerring guidance of the Blessed Perfection and "unto him all must turn". Since hearing him speak on this subject one reads the Will and Testament with new eyes and new understanding.