the waves of one sea, the
drops of one river, the stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the
trees of one orchard, the flowers of one garden. Should harmony of thought
and absolute unity be nonexistent, that gathering shall be dispersed and
that assembly be brought to naught. The second condition is that the
members of the assembly should unitedly elect a chairman and lay down
guide-lines and by-laws for their meetings and discussions. The chairman
should have charge of such rules and regulations and protect and enforce
them; the other members should be submissive, and refrain from conversing
on superfluous and extraneous matters. They must, when coming together,
turn their faces to the Kingdom on high and ask aid from the Realm of
Glory. They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity,
care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter
search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for
stubbornness and persistence in one's views will lead ultimately to
discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The honoured
members must with all freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in no
wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another, nay, he must
with moderation set forth the truth, and should differences of opinion
arise a majority of voices must prevail, and all must obey and submit to
the majority. It is again not permitted that any one of the honoured
members object to or censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any
decision arrived at previously, though that decision be not right, for
such criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced. In short,
whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of
motive, its result is light, and should the least trace of estrangement
prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness.... If this be so
regarded, that assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it shall lead to
coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One.... Should they
endeavour to fulfil these conditions the Grace of the Holy Spirit shall be
vouchsafed unto them, and that assembly shall become the centre of the
Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall come to their
aid, and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of Spirit.

46: O YE WHO ARE FIRM IN THE COVENANT! 'ABDU'L-BAHA ...

O ye who are firm in the Covenant! 'Abdu'l-Baha is constantly engaged in
ideal communication with