issensions as these and prevent any
person from creating a division or sect the Blessed Perfection,
Baha'u'llah, appointed a central authoritative Personage, declaring Him to
be the expounder of the Book. This implies that the people in general do
not understand the meanings of the Book, but this appointed One does
understand. Therefore, Baha'u'llah said, "He is the explainer of My Book
and the Center of My Testament." In the last verses of the Book
instructions are revealed, declaring that, "After Me," you must turn
toward a special Personage and "whatsoever He says is correct." In the
Book of the Covenant Baha'u'llah declares that by these two verses this
Personage is meant. In all His Books and Tablets He has praised those who
are firm in the Covenant and rebuked those who are not. He said, "Verily,
shun those who are shaken in the Covenant. Verily, God is the Confirmer of
the firm ones." In His prayers He has said, "O God! Render those who are
firm in the Covenant blessed, and degrade those who are not. O God! Be the
Protector of him who protecteth Him, and confirm him who confirms the
Center of the Covenant." Many utterances are directed against the
violators of the Covenant, the purpose being that no dissension should
arise in the blessed Cause; that no one should say, "My opinion is this";
and that all may know Who is the authoritative expounder and whatsoever He
says is correct. Baha'u'llah has not left any possible room for
dissension. Naturally, there are some who are antagonistic, some who are
followers of self-desire, others who hold to their own ideas and still
others who wish to create dissension in the Cause. For example, Judas
Iscariot was one of the disciples, yet he betrayed Christ. Such a thing
has happened in the past, but in this day the Blessed Perfection has
declared, "This person is the expounder of My Book and all must turn to
Him." The purpose is to ward off dissension and differences among His
followers. Notwithstanding this safeguard and provision against
disagreement, there are certain souls here in America and a few in Akka
who have violated this explicit command. For twenty years these violators
have accomplished nothing. Have they accomplished anything in Chicago? The
friends here must be like the friends in San Francisco. Whenever they
sense the least violation from anyone, they should say, "Begone! You shall
not associate with us."

1 November 1912
Talk at Home of Mrs. Corinne Tru