universally
elected and established, are both under the care and protection of
the Abha Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His
Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them
both). Whatsoever they decide is of God....

O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the Guardian of the
Cause of God to appoint in his own lifetime 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 of the work 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. This assent must be given in
such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be
distinguished (i.e., secret ballot).

Hands of the Cause of God

During His own lifetime Baha'u'llah appointed a few tried and trusted
friends to assist in directing and promoting the work of the Movement, and
gave them the title of Ayadiyi-Amru'llah (lit. "Hands of the Cause of
God"). 'Abdu'l-Baha makes provision in His Will for the establishment of a
permanent body of workers to serve the Cause and help the Guardian of the
Cause. He writes:--

O friends! The Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and
appointed by the Guardian of the Cause 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