Out of the pangs of anguish which His bereaved followers
have suffered, amid the heat and dust which the attacks launched by a sleepless
enemy had precipitated, the Administration of Bahá'u'lláh's invincible Faith
was born. The potent energies released through the ascension of the Center of
His Covenant crystallized into this supreme, this infallible Organ for the
accomplishment of a Divine Purpose. The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
unveiled its character, reaffirmed its basis, supplemented its principles,
asserted its indispensability, and enumerated its chief institutions....
- Shoghi Effendi (‘America and the Most
Great Peace, 21 April 1933, "The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh: Selected
Letters’; The Compilation of Compilations, vol. II, The Significance of the
Formative Age of Our Faith)
