st part--fully visualize the greatness, the glory, the power and the
protection which have been conferred on this Faith through the
Institutions provided for in the Master's Will.

In going over the correspondence and documents forwarded by your Assembly
(which he appreciated receiving as it gave him a clearer picture of the
entire situation) he was struck by the actions and statements, of both
individuals and assemblies, showing a complete lack of knowledge of how to
function administratively. In view of this it may, if the friends make an
effort and sincerely seek to unite and progress, prove providential that
this whole thing has occurred. He was impressed, in this connection, with
the wisdom and tolerance of the remarks of Mr. Oskar Schmitt in his letter
to your Assembly, and he hopes that all of the believers will take this
kindly and tolerant view, for the friends, in their desire to do the right
thing, and undoubtedly out of their genuine devotion to the Cause, seem to
have gone to every extreme in their reactions. In doing this they have
paradoxically demonstrated both their devotion to the Cause and their
complete lack of a profound understanding of the administration.

Quite frankly, the Guardian feels that the circular letter of your
Assembly was unfortunate. You were entirely within your right, as the
National Body, to issue such a letter and the violent reactions of the
secretaries of various assemblies, and some of the assemblies themselves,
and many individual believers as well, showed a complete lack of
understanding of administrative procedure. The friends should realize that
the National Body has authority over the local assemblies and the
believers in administrative matters. One of the fundamentals involved in
our administrative order, which we must remember will become the pattern
for our World Order, is that even if an assembly makes an ill-advised
decision it must be upheld in order to preserve the unity of the
community. Appeal can be made from the Local Assembly's decision to the
National Assembly, and from the National Assembly's decision to the
Guardian. But the principle of authority invested in our elected bodies
must be upheld. This is not something which can be learned without trial
and test. The Baha'is in other countries often have their difficulties in
learning to live as believers in an orderly community, governed by the
administrative principles laid down by the Master. But, having been