ce is often called for in the place of harsh measures, this does
not mean that a National Spiritual Assembly can under any circumstances
tolerate disgraceful conduct, flagrantly contrary to our Teachings, on the
part of any of its members, whoever they may be and from wherever they may
come. You should vigilantly watch over and protect the interests of the
Baha'i Community, and the moment you see that any of the Persian residents
in Germany, or, for that matter, German Baha'is themselves, are acting in
a way to bring disgrace upon the name of the Faith, warn them, and, if
necessary, deprive them immediately of their voting rights if they refuse
to change their ways. Only in this way can the purity of the Faith be
preserved. Compromise and weak measures will obscure the vision of its
followers, sap its strength, lower it in the eyes of the public and
prevent it from making any progress.

The National Assembly is the guardian of the welfare of the Faith, a most
sacred and heavy responsibility and one which is inescapable. They must be
ever vigilant, ever on the lookout, ever ready to take action, and, on all
matters of fundamental principle, refuse to compromise for an instant.
Only in this way can the body of the Faith be free of disease.

He feels that you should investigate the situation in ..., find out who is
and who is not a Baha'i, and insist that its affairs be conducted in a
Baha'i manner by registered Baha'is, and that those who have not yet
gotten credentials from Persia should be placed in a different category,
entirely, from those who are registered by your Assembly as voting
members, and accepted as believers. The Persian Baha'is in many cases, who
have either gone to Germany to study or to assist in the work of the Faith
with a pure motive, have rendered the German Community inestimable
services, and everyone should be duly grateful to them for both their
spirit and their example. However, we should not confuse the true
believers with those who are not quickened with the spirit of faith, have
some ulterior motive, or are indifferent to the reputation they have
personally, and the damage they may do the Cause in the eyes of the
public. There is all the difference in the world between these two
categories, and your Assembly must be ever watchful and ready to take
action when necessary.

It is not a normal condition for one-quarter of a community to be composed
of a foreign, and therefore floating, element. I