ber of localities where
Baha'is reside throughout the Provinces, the constitution of a group in
Newfoundland and the formation of a nucleus of the Faith in the Territory
of Greenland, singled out for special mention by the Author of the Divine
Plan, and the participation of Eskimos and Red Indians in membership to
share administrative privileges in local institutions of the Faith in
Canada. I fondly hope and ardently pray that the celebration of the first
centenary of the Birth of Baha'u'llah's prophetic mission will witness the
triumphant consummation of the first historic Plan launched by the
Canadian Baha'i Community in a land whose future greatness and glory, both
materially and spiritually, the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant twice
emphatically proclaimed in His immortal Tablets.(2)

SHOGHI.

Letter of November 4, 1948

November 4, 1948.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada.

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated October 6th, has been received,
and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

AVOID BLANKET RULINGS

Our teachings, as outlined in the Advent of Divine Justice, on the subject
of living a chaste life, should be emphasized, but certainly no ruling
what-so-ever should be laid down in this matter. The Baha'is have
certainly not yet reached that stage of moral perfection where they are in
a position to too harshly scrutinize the private lives of other souls, and
each individual should be accepted on the basis of his faith, and sincere
willingness to try to live up to the Divine Standards; further than this
we cannot go at present.

Now that your Assembly is formed, and is embarking on its independent
existence as a National Body, he wishes to emphasize a point which he is
constantly stressing to other National Bodies: you must avoid issuing
rules and regulations. The fundamentals laid down in the Baha'i
Administration must, of course, be adhered to, but there is a tendency for
Assemblies to constantly issue detailed procedures and rules to the
friends, and he considers this hampers the work of the Cause, and is
entirely premature. As far as is possible cases which come up should be
dealt with and settled as they arise, and not a blanket ruling be laid
down to cover all possible similar cases. This preserves the elasticity of
the Administrative Order and prevents red tape from developing and
hampering the work of the Cause. You must likewise bear in mind that y