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ANNEX 1

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF FRANCE

11 Rue de la Pompe - Paris (16th )

Paris, the 1st of May 1960

To all the Baha’is of France,

Dearly beloved friends,

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France, in an extraordinary meeting of the 30th of April and the 1st of May, were made aware of the Proclamation of Mason Remey, herewith attached. After prayers and study of the Holy Texts, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France has recognized Mason Remey as the second Guardian of the Bahá’í World Faith.

Consequently, it recommends that all Bahá’ís within the community consider the importance of this decision, to remain firm in the Faith, the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Covenant and that each one, on his own, investigate the truth contained within this Proclamation, as the members of the National Spiritual Assembly have done..

It suggests that you study, in particular, the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh by Shoghi Effendi (the last chapter "The Administrative Order", p. 55) as well as the enclosed extracts.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France asks that you communicate directly with it regarding any communication that you wish to make.

Renewing our entire devotion to our dearly-beloved Faith, be rest assured of our fraternal wishes – in Bahá’u’ lláh.

For the National Spiritual Assembly

of the Bahá’ís of France.

In His service,

The Secretary

(signed)

B.Fillon.

 

 

 

 

ANNEX 1 (cont.)

"... the embryo possesses from the first all perfections, such as the spirit, the mind, the sight, the smell, the taste– in one word all the powers — but they are not visible, and become so only by degrees."

‘ Abdu’ l-Bahá

Bahá’ í World Faith, p. 313

(Extracts from Shoghi Effendi’s cablegram of, 9 January 1951–his one and only Proclamation)

Proclaim National Assemblies (of) East (and) West weighty epoch-making decision (of) formation (of) first International Bahá’í Council, forerunner (of) supreme administrative institution destined (to) emerge (in) fullness (of) time within precincts beneath shadow (of) World Spiritual Centers (of) Faith already established (in) twin cities (of) ‘Akká (and) Haifa.

. . . [the present adequate maturity of nine vigorously functioning national administrative institutions throughout the Bahá’í World combine to] induce me (to) arrive (at) this historic decision marking most significant milestone (in) evolution (of) Administrative Order (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh (in) course (of) last thirty years.

. . . to these [functions] will be added further functions (in) course (of) evolution (of) this first embryonic International Institution, marking its development into officially recognized Bahá’í Court, its transformation into duly elected body, its efflorescence into Universal House (of) Justice, (and) its final fruition through erection (of) manifold auxiliary institutions constituting (the) World Administrative Center destined (to) arise (and) function (and) remain permanently established (in) close neighborhood (of) Twin Holy Shrines. Hail (with) thankful, joyous heart (at) long last (the) constitution (of) International Council which history will acclaim as the greatest event shedding lustre (upon) second epoch (of) Formative Age (of) Bahá’í Dispensation potentially unsurpassed (by) any enterprise undertaken since inception (of) Administrative Order (of) Faith on morrow of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Ascension, ranking second only (to) glorious immortal events associated with Ministries of the Three Central Figures (of) Faith (in) course (of) First Age of most glorious Dispensation of the five thousand century Bahá’í Cycle. Advise public announcement through Public Relations Committee.

–SHOGHI.

HAIFA, ISRAEL, January 9, 1951.

 

 

ANNEX 1 (end)

EXTRACTS OF THE WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ‘ ABDU’ L-BAHÁ

It is incumbent upon the guardian of the Cause of God to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor, that differences may not arise after his passing. He that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things, must be the essence of purity, must show in himself the fear of God, knowledge, wisdom and learning. Thus, should the first born of the guardian of the Cause of God not manifest in himself the truth of the words:–"The child is the secret essence of its sire," that is, should He not inherit of the spiritual within him (the guardian of the Cause of God) and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must he, (the guardian of the Cause of God) choose another branch to succeed him.

[The Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their own number nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the world of the guardian of the Cause of God]. The election of these nine must be carried either unanimously or by majority from the company of the Hands of the Cause of God and these, whether unanimously or by a majority vote, must give their assent to the choice of the one whom the guardian of the Cause of God hath chosen as his successor.....

... The Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and appointed by the guardian of the Cause of God. All must be under his shadow and obey his command. Should any, within or without the company of the Hands of the Cause of God disobey and seek division, the wrath of God and His vengeance will be upon him, for he will have caused a breach in the true Faith of God.

The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of God are to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and to be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear of God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.

This body of the Hands of the Cause of God is under the direction of the guardian of the Cause of God.

.... concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in God’ s faith and the well-wishers of all mankind.

.... Unto this body all things must be referred. It enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit Holy Text. By this body all the difficult problems are to be resolved and the guardian of the Cause of God is its sacred head and the distinguished member for life of that body