Now that your Assembly is formed, and is embarking on its
independent existence as a National Body, he wishes to emphasize a point which
he is constantly stressing to other National Bodies: you must avoid issuing
rules and regulations. The fundamentals laid down in the Bahá’í Administration
must, of course, be adhered to, but there is a tendency for Assemblies to
constantly issue detailed procedures and rules to the friends, and he considers
this hampers the work of the Cause, and is entirely premature. As far as is
possible cases which come up should be dealt with and settled as they arise,
and not a blanket ruling be laid down to cover all possible similar cases. This
preserves the elasticity of the Administrative Order and prevents red tape from
developing and hampering the work of the Cause.
- Shoghi Effendi
(From a letter dated 4 November 1948 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
to the NSA of Canada; ‘Messages to Canada’)
