Extract from a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá
Were not the mighty stronghold of the Cause of God to remain protected by the power of the Covenant, there would arise in a single day a thousand different sects among the Bahá’ís, even as was the case in former Dispensations. But in this holy Dispensation, to ensure the preservation of the Cause of God and to avoid dissension amongst His people, the Blessed Beauty—may my soul be a sacrifice unto Him—hath, through the agency of His supreme pen, established a Covenant and Testament and appointed a Centre, who is the expounder of the Book and the dispeller of discord. Whatsoever this Centre doth write or say is conformable to the truth and free from error under the protection of the Blessed Beauty. The very purpose of this Covenant and Testament is to dispel discord throughout the world.
God be praised, the believers in America are steadfast, but the more steadfast they are, the better, that none might intrude and introduce conflicts, for conflict destroys the very foundation of the Divine Edifice.