The basic principle
that should always be remembered is that the N.S.A. cannot be required to
reveal to any outsider all the details concerning its work. It may choose to do
so if it wishes, but nobody has the right to enforce upon it any such action:
This is, of course the purely legal side of the question. But a purely
legalistic attitude in matters affecting the Cause, particularly now that the
Faith is still in a state of infancy, is not only inadequate but fraught with
unforeseen dangers and difficulties. The individuals and assemblies must learn
to cooperate and to cooperate intelligently, if they desire to adequately
discharge their duties and obligations towards the Faith. And no such
cooperation is possible without mutual confidence and trust.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter
dated 19 June 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National
Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand)
