Efforts that prevented the splitting of the American Bahá'í community into sects

'Abdu'l-Bahá warned against association with Covenant-breakers, gave examples of communities that were politely avoiding them effectively, and noted that communities with enduring connections to them tended to be stagnant. He warned specific Bahá'ís about their connections with Covenant-breakers and, in 1913, even temporarily expelled Howard MacNutt from the community for his failure to understand and obey. His efforts prevented the splitting of the American Bahá'í community into sects and kept it united in its vision.

(Robert H. Stockman, The Bahá’í Faith in America: Origins, 1892–1900, Volume 1)