dy and action; supported by local funds
to which all believers voluntarily contribute; these Assemblies, the
representatives and custodians of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, numbering, at
the present time, several hundred, and whose membership is drawn from the
diversified races, creeds and classes constituting the world-wide Baha'i
community, have, in the course of the last two decades, abundantly
demonstrated, by virtue of their achievements, their right to be regarded
as the chief sinews of Baha'i society, as well as the ultimate foundation
of its administrative structure.

"The Lord hath ordained," is Baha'u'llah's injunction in His
Kitab-i-Aqdas, "that in every city a House of Justice be established,
wherein shall gather counsellors to the number of Baha (9), and should it
exceed this number, it doth not matter. It behoveth them to be the trusted
ones of the Merciful among men, and to regard themselves as the guardians
appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to
take counsel together, and to have regard for the interests of the
servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests,
and to choose that which is meet and seemly." "These Spiritual
Assemblies," is 'Abdu'l-Baha's testimony, in a Tablet addressed to an
American believer, "are aided by the Spirit of God. Their defender is
'Abdu'l-Baha. Over them He spreadeth His Wings. What bounty is there
greater than this?" "These Spiritual Assemblies," He, in that same Tablet
has declared, "are shining lamps and heavenly gardens, from which the
fragrances of holiness are diffused over all regions, and the lights of
knowledge are shed abroad over all created things. From them the spirit of
life streameth in every direction. They, indeed, are the potent sources of
the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions." Establishing
beyond any doubt their God-given authority, He has written: "It is
incumbent upon every one not to take any step without consulting the
Spiritual Assembly, and all must assuredly obey with heart and soul its
bidding, and be submissive unto it, that things may be properly ordered
and well arranged." "If after discussion," He, furthermore has written, "a
decision be carried unanimously, well and good; but if, the Lord forbid,
differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail."

Having established the structure of their local Assemblies--the base of the
edifice which the Architec