We stand indeed too close to so monumental a document [Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Baha] to
claim for ourselves a complete understanding of all its implications, or to
presume to have grasped the manifold mysteries it undoubtedly contains. Only
future generations can comprehend the value and the significance attached to
this Divine Masterpiece, which the hand of the Master-builder of the world has
designed for the unification and the triumph of the world-wide Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh. Only those who come after us will be in a position to realize the
value of the surprisingly strong emphasis that has been placed on the
institution of the House of Justice and of the Guardianship. They only will
appreciate the significance of the vigorous language employed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
with reference to the band of Covenant-breakers that has opposed Him in His
days. To them alone will be revealed the suitability of the institutions
initiated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the character of the future society which is to
emerge out of the chaos and confusion of the present age.
- Shoghi Effendi (From
a letter dated February 27, 1929, published in ‘The World Order of
Baha’u’llah’)
