... If between
the friends true love - based on the love of God - could become manifest, the
Cause would spread very rapidly. Love is the standard which must govern the
conduct of one believer towards another. The administrative order does not
change this, but unfortunately sometimes the friends confuse the two, and try
to be a whole spiritual assembly, - with the discipline and justice and
impartiality that body must show, - to each other, instead of being forgiving,
loving and patient to each other as individuals.
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, March 18, 1950; compilation: ‘Lights of Guidance’)
