Spiritual Assemblies:
Before 'Abdu'l-Baha completed His earthly mission, He had laid a basis for the development of the administrative order established in Baha'u'llah's Writings. To show the high importance to be attributed to the institution of the Spiritual Assembly, 'Abdu'l-Baha in a tablet declared that a certain translation must be approved by the Spiritual Assembly of Cairo before publication, even though He Himself had reviewed and corrected the text. (116:1)

By Spiritual Assembly is meant the administrative body of nine persons, elected annually by each local Baha'i community, in which is vested the authority of decision on all matters of mutual action on the part of the community. This designation is temporary, since in future the Spiritual Assemblies will be termed Houses of Justice. (116:2)

Unlike the organization of churches, these Baha'i bodies are social rather than ecclesiastical institutions. That is, they apply the law of consultation to all questions and difficulties arising between Baha'is, who are called upon no to carry them to the civil court, and seek to promote unity as well as justice throughout the community. The Spiritual Assembly is in no wise equivalent to the priest or clergy, but is responsible for upholding the teachings, stimulating active service, conducting meetings, maintaining unity, holding Baha'i property in trust for the community, and representing it in its relations to the public and to other Baha'i communities. (116:3)

The nature of the Spiritual Assembly, local and national, is described more fully in the section devoted to the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha in the final chapter, but its general functions have been defined by Shoghi Effendi as follows: (116:4)

The matter of Teaching, its direction, its ways and means, its extension, its consolidation, essential as they are to the interests of the Cause, constitute by no means the only issue which should receive the full attention of these Assemblies. A careful study of Baha'u'llah's and 'Abdu'l-Baha's Tablets will reveal that other duties, no less vital to the interests of the Cause, devolve upon the elected representatives of the friends in every locality (116:5)

It is incumbent upon them to be vigilant and cautious, discreet and watchful, and protect at all times the Temple of the Cause from the dart of the mischief-maker and the onslaught of the enemy. (116:6)

They must endeavor to promote amity and concord amongst the friends, efface every lingering trace of distrust, coolness and estrangement from every heart, and secure in its stead an active and whole-hearted cooperation for the service of the Cause (116:7)

They must do their utmost to extend at all times the helping hand to the poor, the sick, the disabled, the orphan, the widow, irrespective of color, caste and creed (117:1)

They must promote by every means in their power the material as well as the spiritual enlightenment of youth, the means for the education of children, institute, whenever possible, Baha'i educational institutions, organize and supervise their work and provide the best means for their progress and development.. (117:2)

They must undertake the arrangement of the regular meetings of the friends, the feasts and the anniversaries, as well as the special gatherings designed to serve and promote the social, intellectual and spiritual interests of their fellow-men (117:3)

They must supervise in these days when the Cause is still in its infancy all Baha'i publications and translations, and provide in general for a dignified and accurate presentation of all Baha'i literature and its distribution to the general public. (117:4)

The possibilities inherent in Baha'i institutions can only be estimated when one realizes how rapidly modern civilization is disintegrating for lack of that spiritual power which can alone supply the necessary attitude of responsibility and humility to the leaders and the requisite loyalty to the individual members of society. (117:5)

Baha'i Feasts, Anniversaries, and Days of Fasting (117:6)

Feast of Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year), March 21 (117:7)

Feast of Ridvan (Declaration of Baha'u'llah), April 21-May 2 (117:8)

Declaration of the Bab, May 23. (117:9)

Ascension of Baha'u'llah, May 29 (117:10)

Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9 (117:11)

Birth of the Bab, October 20 (117:12)

Birth of Baha'u'llah, November 12 (117:13)

Day of the Covenant, November 26 (117:14)

Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha, November 28 (117:15)

Period of the Fast, nineteen days beginning March 2. (117:16)

Feasts
The essential joyousness of the Baha'i religion finds expression in numerous feasts and holidays throughout the year. (117:17)

In a talk on the Feast of Naw-Ruz, in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1912, 'Abdu'l-Baha said: (117:18)

In the sacred laws of God, in every cycle and dispensation there are blessed feasts, holidays and workless days. On such days all kinds of occupations, commerce, industry, agriculture, etc., should be suspended (117:19)

All should rejoice together, hold general meetings, become as one assembly, so that the national oneness, unity and harmony may be demonstrated in the eyes of all (118:1)

As it is a blessed day it should not be neglected, nor deprived of results by making it a day devoted to the pursuit of mere pleasure (118:2)

During such days institutions should be founded that may be of permanent benefit and value to the people.. (118:3)

Today there is no result or fruit greater than guiding the people. Undoubtedly the friends of God, upon such a day, must leave tangible philanthropic or ideal traces that should reach all mankind and not pertain only to the Baha'is. In this wonderful dispensation, philanthropic affairs are for all humanity without exception, because it is the manifestation of the mercifulness of God. Therefore, my hope is that the friends of God, every one of them, may become as the mercy of God to all mankind. (118:4)

The Feasts of Naw-Ruz (New Year) and Ridvan, the Anniversaries of the Birth of the Bab and Baha'u'llah, and of the Bab's Declaration (which is also the birthday of 'Abdu'l-Baha) are the great joy-days of the year for Baha'is. In Persia they are celebrated by picnics or festal gatherings at which music, the chanting of verses and tablets, and short addresses suitable to the occasion are contributed by those present. The intercalary days between the eighteenth and nineteenth months (that is, February 26 to March 1 inclusive) are specially devoted to hospitality to friends, the giving of presents, ministering to the poor and sick, et cetera. (118:5)

The anniversaries of the martyrdom of the Bab and the departure of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha are celebrated with solemnity by appropriate meetings and discourses, the chanting of prayers and Tablets. (118:6)

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