have been further reduced.

Baha'u'llah further arranged that an International House of Justice,
representative of all Baha'is throughout the world, should be elected to
take charge of the affairs of the Cause, control and coordinate all its
activities, prevent divisions and schisms, elucidate obscure matters, and
preserve the teachings from corruption and misrepresentation. The fact
that this supreme administrative body can not only initiate legislation on
all matters not defined in the Teachings, but also annul its own
enactments when new conditions require different measures, enables the
Faith to expand and adapt itself, like a living organism, to the needs and
requirements of a changing society.

Moreover, Baha'u'llah expressly forbade interpretation of the teachings by
anyone but the authorized interpreter. In His Will and Testament
'Abdu'l-Baha appointed Shoghi Effendi to be the Guardian of the Faith
after Him and to be empowered to interpret the Writings.

In a thousand or more years another Manifestation will appear, under the
shadow of Baha'u'llah, with clear proofs of His mission, but until then
the words of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha and the Guardian and the decisions
of the International House of Justice constitute the authorities to which
all believers must turn for guidance. No Baha'i may found a school or sect
based on any particular interpretation of the teachings or any supposed
divine revelation. Anyone contravening these injunctions is considered a
"Covenant-breaker."(25)

'Abdu'l-Baha says:--

One of the enemies of the Cause is he who endeavors to interpret
the words of Baha'u'llah and thereby colors the meaning according
to his capacity, and collects around him a following, forming a
different sect, promoting his own station, and making a division
in the Cause.

In another Tablet He writes:--

These people (promoters of schism) are like the froth that gathers
on the surface of the sea; a wave will surge from the ocean of the
Covenant and through the power of the Abha Kingdom will cast this
foam ashore.... These corrupt thoughts that emanate from personal
and evil intentions will all vanish, whereas the Covenant of God
shall remain stable and secure.

There is nothing to keep men from forsaking religion if they wish to do
so. 'Abdu'l-Baha says: "God Himself does not compel the soul to become
spiritual. The exercise of the free human will is