In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, on 14 March
1927, to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Istanbul, it is pointed out
how, in the past, it was certain individuals who "accounted themselves as
superior in knowledge and elevated in position" who caused division, and
that it was those "who pretended to be the most distinguished of all"
who "always proved themselves to be the source of contention."
"But praise be to God" he continued, "that the Pen of Glory has
done away with the unyielding and dictatorial views of the learned and the
wise, dismissed the assertions of individuals as an authoritative criterion,
even though they were recognized as the most accomplished and learned among men
and ordained that all matters be referred to authorized centres and specified
assemblies. Even so, no assembly has been invested with the absolute authority
to deal with such general matters as affect the interests of nations. Nay,
rather, He has brought all the assemblies together under the shadow of the one
House of Justice, one divinely-appointed Centre, so that there would be only
one Centre and all the rest integrated into a single body, revolving around one
expressly-designated Pivot, thus making them all proof against schism and
division."
(From a letter dated June 3, 1997, written on behalf of the
Universal House of Justice to an individual believer)
