oveth the whole world. The earth is but one country, and
mankind its citizens." And again, "That one indeed is a man who today
dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race." "Through the
power released by these exalted words," He explains, "He hath lent a fresh
impulse, and set a new direction, to the birds of men's hearts, and hath
obliterated every trace of restriction and limitation from God's Holy
Book."

Their Faith, Baha'is firmly believe, is moreover undenominational,
non-sectarian, and wholly divorced from every ecclesiastical system,
whatever its form, origin, or activities. No ecclesiastical organization,
with its creeds, its traditions, its limitations, and exclusive outlook,
can be said (as is the case with all existing political factions, parties,
systems and programs) to conform, in all its aspects, to the cardinal
tenets of Baha'i belief. To some of the principles and ideals animating
political and ecclesiastical institutions every conscientious follower of
the Faith of Baha'u'llah can, no doubt, readily subscribe. With none of
these institutions, however, can he identify himself, nor can he
unreservedly endorse the creeds, the principles and programs on which they
are based.

How can a Faith, it should moreover be borne in mind, whose
divinely-ordained institutions have been established within the
jurisdiction of no less than forty different countries, the policies and
interests of whose governments are continually clashing and growing more
complex and confused every day--how can such a Faith, by allowing its
adherents, whether individually or through its organized councils, to
meddle in political activities, succeed in preserving the integrity of its
teachings and in safeguarding the unity of its followers? How can it
insure the vigorous, the uninterrupted and peaceful development of its
expanding institutions? How can a Faith, whose ramifications have brought
it into contact with mutually incompatible religious systems, sects and
confessions, be in a position, if it permits its adherents to subscribe to
obsolescent observances and doctrines, to claim the unconditional
allegiance of those whom it is striving to incorporate into its
divinely-appointed system? How can it avoid the constant friction, the
misunderstandings and controversies which formal affiliation, as distinct
from association, must inevitably engender?

These directing and regulating principles of Baha'i belief the upholde