he Spiritual
Assembly is in no wise equivalent to the priest or clergy, but is
responsible for upholding the teachings, stimulating active service,
conducting meetings, maintaining unity, holding Baha'i property in trust
for the community, and representing it in its relations to the public and
to other Baha'i communities.

The nature of the Spiritual Assembly, local and national, is described
more fully in the section devoted to the Will and Testament of
'Abdu'l-Baha in the final chapter, but its general functions have been
defined by Shoghi Effendi as follows:--

The matter of Teaching, its direction, its ways and means, its
extension, its consolidation, essential as they are to the
interests of the Cause, constitute by no means the only issue
which should receive the full attention of these Assemblies. A
careful study of Baha'u'llah's and 'Abdu'l-Baha's Tablets will
reveal that other duties, no less vital to the interests of the
Cause, devolve upon the elected representatives of the friends in
every locality.

It is incumbent upon them to be vigilant and cautious, discreet
and watchful, and protect at all times the Temple of the Cause
from the dart of the mischief-maker and the onslaught of the
enemy.

They must endeavor to promote amity and concord amongst the
friends, efface every lingering trace of distrust, coolness and
estrangement from every heart, and secure in its stead an active
and whole-hearted cooperation for the service of the Cause.

They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand
to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow,
irrespective of color, caste and creed.

They must promote by every means in their power the material as
well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the
education of children, institute, whenever possible, Baha'i
educational institutions, organize and supervise their work and
provide the best means for their progress and development....

They must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings of the
friends, the feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the special
gatherings designed to serve and promote the social, intellectual
and spiritual interests of their fellow-men.

They must supervise in these days when the Cause is still in its
infancy all Baha'i publications and translations, and