“A careful study of Bahá'u'lláh's's and `Abdu'l-Bahá's's Tablets will reveal that other duties, no less vital to the interests of the Cause, devolve upon the elected representatives of the friends in every locality . . . They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespective of color, caste and creed.” Baha’i Administration, pp. 37-38.

Despite this fleeting mention, I am not aware that there has been any similar strong
stress put on charity work in the U.S. administrative tradition. But I
wonder whether similar letters were sent to the U.S. NSA and never
published. (Apparently the vast majority of Shoghi Effendi's letters to
the US are still in the archives).

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Shoghi Effendi/LSA of Tehran, 19 December 1923

"In addition, you must endeavor to found, ensure the continuation of, and
widen the scope of a charitable fund (sandúq-i khayriyyih). It is
necessary that such charities be founded in every spot. Both members [of the
local assemblies] and non-members must, to the extent they are able,
contribute to this charitable fund voluntarily rather than being obliged to
do so. Whatever is contributed should be given into the care of the local
assembly's treasurer, so that it may be disbursed as considered right by the
members of the spiritual assembly, on philanthropic causes and spreading the
cause of God. Helping the poor, needy, orphans, widows, aged and indigent
among non-Baha'is is most necessary and absolutely obligatory. For by this
means the most great reality of the teachings of the divine Cause, which is
service to the world of humanity, shall be vindicated and made manifested."


-------------------------------------

Shoghi Effendi/National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, 1305 s./ August 1926

With regard to helping the friends via the charity fund, it has previously been clearly emphasized that as soon as a spiritual assembly has been founded and formed, without the least delay a Charity Fund must also be founded and announced. The members of the assembly must at every moment, generally and in writing, call upon and encourage the divine friends to contribute to it. Whatever sums are collected for this charity fund must in their entirety be completely, absolutely and forever under the administration of the members of the spiritual assembly. No one has any right to intervene or interfere. Whatever the members of the consultative assembly unanimously decide, and whatever sum they dedicate to this purpose, must be disbursed by the treasurer without anything being added or subtracted. If unanimity of views cannot be achieved, whatever the majority decides must be implemented. No one has the right, as an independent individual, to intervene in the receipts of the spiritual assemblies. The assembly must, after consultation, examination and investigation into the requirements of the cause and the needs of individuals, and in accordance with its own capabilities, apportion its resources. Thus will the poor, the weak, and the needy from all classes receive help as the days pass, and thus will both public benefits and the interests of the cause also rapidly be realized.


In the same way, the formation, continuation and expansion of a central
Charity Fund at the national level for Iran must be considered the most
urgent of necessities, and as a basic issue has not till this moment been
enabled in the way it must be. The divine friends and the handmaids of the
All-Merciful throughout the nation of Iran must be guided with respect to
this important matter. Aiding the national Charity Fund is even more
important than donating to the local Charity Fund. For it is an important
factor, or rather is absolutely pivotal for the progress, institutions and
foundations of the Cause. It is better and more fitting that the
generality of persons throughout Iran and the spiritual assemblies in
Baha'i regions should jointly donate on a continual basis to the national
Charity Fund. Thus will the means to promulgate this mighty Cause in the
center and in all regions be brought together as is necessary and
appropriate. The receipts of the national Charity Fund are in their
entirety under the absolute authority and administration of the members of
the National Spiritual Assembly.


--------------------------------


Shoghi Effendi/National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, 30 December 1926

. . . They must respect, honor, praise, and follow those with special
expertise in arts and technology, must respect and venerate those possessing
knowledge and erudition, must stand for freedom of conscience, must refain
from criticizing or opposing the beliefs, rituals and practices of
individuals and peoples and religions--these are binding and fundamental
obligations upon the trustees of the all-merciful, the representatives of the
Baha'is, the members of the spiritual assemblies. Self-sacrificing friends!
The most beloved of hopes will never show her face in these lands until
charitable trusts are founded, their continuation is assured, and their scope
widened, as mentioned and underlined before in the letters of this servant.
Note how emphatic and explicit is the pen of the [Center of] the Covenant in
this regard:

"Charitable foundations are among the institutions of the Lord
of humankind. For they raise orphans, provide comfort to the poor and old
and indigent, educate children, and teach the cause of the All-merciful. You
must give the charitable foundation the utmost attention, [in addition], so
that teachers of the faith can be appointed and promulgate the word
throughout all regions, reciting the verses and spreading fragrances and
chanting the words. Every soul who contributes to a charitable foundation
will be the recipient at all times of divine aid and confirmations, such that
all his or her faults will be made into perfections, and it will become a
cause for the eternal glory of such a soul. Beloved of God, this
incontrovertible decree is incumbent upon you! . . ."

By charitable foundation is meant the Charity Fund, which with the passage of time, as it grows, will be overseen with great care and trustworthiness by the members of the assembly, who will constitute as its principal the contributions of the friends. All the proceeds and benefits of this charitable foundation will be spent on the advancement and progress of the Cause of God and on extending public benefits.






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