at which time the
first Universal House of Justice was elected by the members of fifty-six
National Spiritual Assemblies convened at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa
by the Hands of the Cause.

Immediately following this historic election, Baha'is from all parts of
the globe gathered in London at the first World Congress of the Faith to
celebrate the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah and to rejoice
in the worldwide spread of His Faith.

The supreme institution of the Faith today is the Universal House of
Justice, created by Baha'u'llah in His Most Holy Book, invested with
authority to legislate on all matters not covered in the Baha'i Writings,
and assured divine guidance in the Sacred Text itself. 'Abdu'l-Baha, in
His Will and testament, lays down the method of election of the Universal
House of Justice, define sits station and duties more clearly, and asserts
that it is under the direct guidance of the Bab and Baha'u'llah and is the
body to which all must turn.

The unique and distinguishing feature of the Baha'i Faith is the Covenant
of Baha'u'llah, the bedrock upon which the Faith raises all its structures
and bases its development. Its uniqueness is that for the first time in
religious history the Manifestation of God, in clear and unambiguous
language, provides for the authorized interpretation of His Word, and
ensures the continuity of the divinely appointed authority which flows
from the Source of the Faith.

Interpretation of Scripture has always in earlier religions been a most
fertile source of schism. Baha'u'llah, in the Book of His Covenant, vested
in His eldest son, 'Abdu'l-Baha, full powers for the interpretation of His
Writings and for the direction of His Cause. 'Abdu'l-Baha, in His Will and
Testament, appointed His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the
Faith and sole interpreter of the Writings. There is no priesthood within
the Faith and no individual may claim special station or guidance;
authority is vested in institutions created within the Baha'i Scriptures.

By virtue of these unique provisions, the Faith of Baha'u'llah has been
preserved from schism, from the depredations of unauthorized leadership,
and above all from the infiltration of man-made doctrines and theories,
which in the past have shattered the unity of religions. Pure and
inviolate, the revealed Word of Baha'u'llah, with its authorized
interpretation, remains throughout the Dispensation the uncorrupted and