Unfolding Destiny

By Author	[ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z \| Other Symbols ]
By Title	[ A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z \| Other Symbols ]
By Language

Download this book: [ ASCII | HTML | PDF ]

Look for this book on Amazon

We have new books nearly every day.
If you would like a news letter once a week or once a month fill out this form and we will give you a summary of the books for that week or month by email.

Title: Unfolding Destiny
Author: Shoghi Effendi, 1897-1957
Language: English
As this book started as an ASCII text book there are no pictures available.

*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Unfolding Destiny" ***

Unfolding Destiny

by Shoghi Effendi

Edition 1, (September 2006)

BAHA’I TERMS OF USE

You have permission to freely make and use copies of the text and any
other information ("Content") available on this Site including printing,
emailing, posting, distributing, copying, downloading, uploading,
transmitting, displaying the Content in whole or in part subject to the
following:

1. Our copyright notice and the source reference must be attached to the
Content;

2. The Content may not be modified or altered in any way except to change
the font or appearance;

3. The Content must be used solely for a non-commercial purpose.

Although this blanket permission to reproduce the Content is given freely
such that no special permission is required, the Bahá’í International
Community retains full copyright protection for all Content included at
this Site under all applicable national and international laws.

For permission to publish, transmit, display or otherwise use the Content
for any commercial purpose, please contact us
(http://reference.bahai.org/en/contact.html).

CONTENTS

Baha’i Terms of Use
The Messages from the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith to the Bahá’í Community
of the British Isles
[Frontispiece]
THE SEEDS ARE TENDED
1922–1944
Letter of 5 March 1922
Letter of 16 December 1922
Letter of 23 December 1922
Letter of 17 February 1923
Letter of 24 February 1923
Letter of 29 November 1923
Letter of 9 December 1923
Letter of 6 January 1924
Letter of 4 January 1924 (Enclosure)
Letter of 18 January 1924
Letter of 6 February 1924
Letter of 11 June 1924
Letter of 16 July 1924
Letter of 23 September 1924
Letter of 24 September 1924
Letter of 10 October 1924
Letter of 10 October 1924
Letter of 25 October 1924
Letter of 4 November 1924
Letter of 22 November 1924
Letter of 24 November 1924
Letter of 13 February 1925
Letter of 26 March 1925
Letter of 2 November 1925
Letter of 6 November 1925
Letter of 11 November 1925
Letter of 12 November 1925
Letter of 23 November 1925
Letter of 27 November 1925
Letter of 30 November 1925
Letter of 5 December 1925
Letter of 9 December 1925
Letter of 14 December 1925
Letter of 23 January 1926
Letter of 1 April 1926
Letter of 11 April 1926
Letter of 11 April 1926
Letter of 22 April 1926
Letter of 11 May 1926
Letter of 20 May 1926
Letter of 28 June 1926
Letter of 16 July 1926
Letter of 17 October 1926
Letter of 23 October 1926
Letter of 29 October 1926
Letter of 29 November 1926
Letter of 29 January 1927
Letter of 12 February 1927
Letter of 26 February 1927
Letter of 22 March 1927
Letter of 27 April 1927
Letter of 29 April 1927
Letter of 13 May 1927
Letter of 22 May 1927
Letter of 25 May 1927
Letters of 8 October 1927 and 17 October 1927
Letter of 15 November 1927
Letter of 28 November 1927
Letter of 5 January 1928
Letter of 16 January 1928
Letter of 8 February 1928
Letter of 22 March 1928
Letter of 15 April 1928
Letter of 24 April 1928
Letter of 24 May 1928
Letter of 13 November 1928
Letter of 29 November 1928
Letter of 6 December 1928
Letter of 6 December 1928
Letter of 21 December 1928
Letter of 31 December 1928
Letter of 29 August 1929
Letter of 27 September 1929
Letter of 29 November 1929
Letter of 26 December 1929
Letter of 31 January 1930
Letter of 29 April 1930
Letter of 20 September 1930
Letter of 24 January 1934
Letter of 11 February 1934
Letter of 5 May 1934
Letter of 15 May 1934
Letter of 2 July 1934
Letter of 11 July 1934
Letter of 2 September 1934
Letter of 30 September 1934
Letter of 22 November 1934
Letter of 17 December 1934
Letter of 27 December 1934
Letter of 15 February 1935
Letter of 7 April 1935
Letter of 9 December 1935
Letter of 26 December 1935
Letter of 13 March 1936
Letter of 16 March 1936
Letter of April 1936
Letter of 27 April 1936 (Convention)
Letter of 3 May 1936
Letter of 9 May 1936
Letter of 3 September 1936
Letter of 17 October 1936
Letter of 2 December 1936
Letter of 10 January 1937
Letter of 24 February 1937
Letter of 5 March 1937
Letter of 25 March 1937
Letter of 2 April 1937
Letter of 1 May 1937
Letter of 3 May 1937 (Convention)
Letter of 10 July 1937
Letter of 7 September 1937
Letter of 16 November 1937
Letter of 22 April 1938 (Convention)
Letter of 24 April 1938 (Convention)
Letter of 28 April 1938
Letter of 17 May 1938
Letter of 30 June 1938
Letter of 24 October 1938
Letter of 27 November 1938
Letter of 29 November 1938
Letter of 15 January 1939
Letter of 10 February 1939
Letter of 22 March 1939
Letter of March 1939
Letter of 30 April 1939 (Convention)
Letter of 31 May 1939
Letter of 4 June 1939
Letter of 26 June 1939
Letter of 2 July 1939
Letter of 26 July 1939 (Summer School)
Letter of 7 August 1939
Letter of 6 November 1939
Letter of 20 November 1939
Letter of 5 December 1939
Letter of 7 December 1939
Letter of 29 December 1939
Letter of 1 January 1940
Letter of 2 January 1940 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 18 February 1940
Letter of 27 March 1940
Letter of 12 May 1940 (Convention)
Letter of 14 August 1940
Letter of 10 October 1940
Letter of 19 October 1940
Letter of 22 November 1940
Letter of 27 December 1940
Letter of 24 February 1941
Letter of 19 April 1941
Letter of 30 April 1941 (Convention)
Letter of 30 April 1941
Letter of 15 May 1941
Letter of 22 May 1941
Letter of 30 May 1941
Letter of 9 July 1941
Letter of 18 July 1941
Letter of 20 August 1941
Letter of 3 November 1941
Letter of 29 December 1941
Letter of 28 February 1942
Letter of 27 April 1942 (Convention)
Letter of 20 June 1942
Letter of 28 July 1942
Letter of 8 August 1942 (Summer School)
Letter of 8 August 1942
Letter of 12 November 1942
Letter of 13 January 1943
Letter of 20 January 1943
Letter of 9 March 1943
Letter of 21 April 1943 (Convention)
Letter of 26 April 1943
Letter of 12 May 1943
Letter of 17 June 1943
Letter of 17 June 1943
Letter of 4 August 1943
Letter of 10 August 1943 (Summer School)
Letter of 25 October 1943
Letter of 2 November 1943
Letter of 5 January 1944
Letter of 13 March 1944
Letter of 22 April 1944
Letter of 1 May 1944
Letter of 3 May 1944
Letter of 22 May 1944
Letter of 23 May 1944
“Their first collective enterprise”—THE SIX YEAR PLAN
1944–1950
Letter of 25 May 1944
Letter of 26 May 1944
Letter of 8 July 1944
Letter of 11 August 1944
Letter of 12 August 1944
Letter of 14 August 1944
Letter of 5 January 1945
Letter of 27 January 1945
Letter of 27 March 1945
Letter of 11 April 1945
Letter of 25 April 1945
Letter of 1 May 1945
Letter of 3 May 1945
Letter of 9 May 1945
Letter of 10 May 1945
Letter of 9 August 1945
Letter of 18 December 1945
Letter of 21 February 1946
Letter of 5 March 1946
Letter of 12 March 1946
Letter of 22 March 1946
Letter of 24 April 1946
Letter of 24 April 1946
Letter of 26 April 1946
Letter of 30 April 1946 (Convention)
Letter of 8 May 1946
Letter of 10 May 1946
Letter of 22 May 1946
Letter of 29 May 1946
Letter of 7 June 1946
Letter of 18 June 1946
Letter of 6 July 1946
Letter of 2 August 1946 (Summer School)
Letter of 25 August 1946
Letter of 12 October 1946
Letter of 15 November 1946
Letter of 21 November 1946
Letter of 26 December 1946
Letter of 30 December 1946
Letter of 1 January 1947
Letter of 12 January 1947 (To Teaching Conference)
Letter of 20 January 1947
Letter of 29 January 1947
Letter of 8 February 1947
Letter of 26 February 1947
Letter of 20 March 1947 (To First Regional Youth Conference)
Letter of 21 March 1947
Letter of 28 March 1947
Letter of 7 April 1947
Letter of 16 April 1947
Letter of 29 April 1947
Letter of 8 May 1947
Letter of 14 May 1947
Letter of 24 May 1947
Letter of 18 June 1947
Letter of 28 June 1947
Letter of 19 July 1947
Letter of 20 August 1947
Letter of 12 September 1947
Letter of 25 September 1947
Letter of 9 October 1947
Letter of 9 October 1947
Letter of 10 October 1947
Letter of 16 October 1947
Letter of 24 October 1947
Letter of 10 December 1947
Letter of 7 January 1948
Letter of 20 January 1948
Letter of 6 February 1948
Letter of 25 February 1948
Letter of 3 March 1948
Letter of 4 April 1948
Letter of 4 April 1948
Letter of 25 April 1948
Letter of 29 April 1948
Letter of 2 May 1948
Letter of 5 May 1948
Letter of 9 May 1948
Letter of 13 May 1948
Letter of 10 June 1948
Letter of 7 July 1948
Letter of 7 September 1948 (Summer School)
Letter of 2 October 1948
Letter of 27 October 1948
Letter of 29 October 1948
Letter of 5 November 1948
Letter of 5 November 1948
Letter of 25 November 1948
Letter of 22 December 1948
Letter of 2 January 1949
Letter of 12 January 1949
Letter of 19 January 1949
Letter of 20 February 1949
Letter of 1 April 1949
Letter of 9 April 1949
Letter of 15 April 1949
Letter of 18 April 1949
Letter of 19 April 1949
Letter of 27 April 1949
Letter of 8 July 1949
Letter of 9 July 1949
Letter of 19 July 1949
Letter of 24 July 1949
Letter of 6 September 1949
Letter of 29 September 1949
Letter of 29 September 1949
Letter of 5 November 1949
Letter of 25 November 1949
Letter of 4 December 1949
Letter of 12 December 1949
Letter of 21 December 1949
Letter of 23 December 1949
Letter of 27 December 1949
Letter of 29 December 1949 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 4 January 1950
Letter of 19 January 1950
Letter of 31 January 1950
Letter of 25 February 1950
Letter of 20 March 1950—National Teaching Committee
Letter of 28 March 1950
Letter of 30 March 1950
Letter of 4 April 1950
Letter of 11 April 1950
Letter of 19 April 1950
Letter of 21 April 1950
“The threshold of a new and glorious epoch”—THE AFRICA PLAN
1950–1953
Letter of 1 May 1950
Letter of 3 May 1950
Letter of 9 June 1950
Letter of 15 June 1950
Letter of 28 June 1950
Letter of 24 July 1950
Letter of 12 August 1950 (Summer School)
Letter of 6 September 1950
Letter of 11 September 1950
Letter of 15 September 1950
Letter of 2 November 1950
Letter of 14 November 1950
Letter of 14 November 1950
Letter of 22 November 1950
Letter of 22 December 1950
Letter of 10 January 1951 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 16 January 1951
Letter of 17 January 1951
Letter of 25 January 1951
Letter of 25 February 1951
Letter of 23 April 1951
Letter of 25 April 1951 (Convention)
Letter of 2 May 1951
Letter of 4 May 1951
Letter of 5 May 1951
Letter of 22 June 1951
Letter of 22 June 1951
Letter of 4 July 1951
Letter of 15 July 1951
Letter of 20 July 1951
Letter of 21 August 1951
Letter of 26 August 1951
Letter of 2 September 1951
Letter of 19 September 1951
Letter of 16 October 1951
Letter of 28 October 1951
Letter of 11 November 1951
Letter of 23 November 1951
Letter of 6 December 1951
Letter of 19 December 1951
Letter of 30 December 1951
Letter of 8 January 1952 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 16 January 1952
Letter of 13 February 1952
Letter of 20 February 1952
Letter of 29 February 1952
Letter of 4 March 1952
Letter of 8 March 1952
Letter of 12 March 1952
Letter of 18 March 1952
Letter of 16 April 1952
Letter of 22 April 1952
Letter of 29 April 1952
Letter of 4 May 1952
Letter of 3 June 1952
Letter of 3 June 1952
Letter of 4 June 1952
Letter of 12 June 1952
Letter of 15 June 1952
Letter of 29 August 1952
Letter of 15 October 1952
Letter of 20 November 1952
Letter of 28 December 1952
Letter of 8 January 1953 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 15 January 1953 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 28 January 1953
Letter of 1 February 1953
Letter of 13 March 1953
Letter of 25 March 1953
Letter of 3 April 1953
Letter of 8 April 1953
Letter of 18 April 1953
“World wide mission entrusted British Bahá’í Community”—THE BRITISH RÔLE
IN THE TEN YEAR CRUSADE
1953–1957
1953 (Convention)
Letter of 28 April 1953 (Convention)
Letter of 13 May 1953
Letter of 17 May 1953
Letter of 1 June 1953
Letter of 4 June 1953
Letter of 5 June 1953
Letter of 8 June 1953
Letter of 25 June 1953
Letter of 28 June 1953
Letter of 30 June 1953
Letter of 9 July 1953
Letter of 18 July 1953
Letter of 21 July 1953
Letter of 22 July 1953
Letter of 23 July 1953
Letter of 23 August 1953
Letter of 30 August 1953
Letter of 31 August 1953
Letter of 31 August 1953
Letter of 6 September 1953
Letter of 8 September 1953
Letter of 11 September 1953
Letter of 22 September 1953
Letter of 4 October 1953
Letter of 7 October 1953
Letter of 10th October 1953
Letter of 10 October 1953
Letter of 16 October 1953
Letter of 16 October 1953
Letter of 9 November 1953
Letter of 21 November 1953
Letter of 29 November 1953
Letter of 12 January 1954
Letter of 12 January 1954 (Teaching Conference)
Letter of 9 March 1954
Letter of 24 March 1954
Letter of 7 April 1954
Letter of 13 April 1954
Letter of 17 April 1954
Letter of 20 April 1954
Letter of 21 April 1954
Letter of 24 April 1954
Letter of 25 April 1954 (Convention)
Letter of 29 April 1954
Letter of 3 May 1954
Letter of 6 May 1954
Letter of 16 May 1954
Letter of 4 June 1954
Letter of 6 June 1954
Letter of 11 June 1954
Letter of 17 June 1954
Letter of 21 June 1954
Letter of 23 June 1954
Letter of 22 July 1954
Letter of 29 July 1954 (Summer School Committee)
Letter of 29 August 1954
Letter of 16 October 1954
Letter of 27 October 1954
Letter of 28 October 1954
Letter of 11 November 1954
Letter of 16 December 1954
Letter of 22 December 1954
Letter of 17 January 1955
Letter of 20 February 1955
Letter of 8 March 1955
Letter of 29 March 1955
Letter of 9 April 1955
Letter of 20 April 1955
Letter of 21 April 1955
Letter of 24 April 1955
Letter of 25 April 1955 (Convention)
Letter of 28 April 1955
Letter of 22 May 1955
Letter of 2 June 1955
Letter of 10 July 1955
Letter of 26 July 1955
Letter of 5 August 1955
Letter of 22 August 1955
Letter of 30 August 1955
Letter of 6 September 1955
Letter of 6 September 1955 (Summer School)
Letter of 20 September 1955
Letter of 4 October 1955
Letter of 28 October 1955
Letter of 4 November 1955
Letter of 11 November 1955
Letter of 18 November 1955
Letter of 8 December 1955
Letter of 13 December 1955
Letter of 14 December 1955
Letter of 15 December 1955
Letter of 16 December 1955
Letter of 1 January 1956
Letter of 4 January 1956
Letter of 18 January 1956
Letter of 26 March 1956
Letter of 5 April 1956
Letter of 6 April 1956
Letter of 10 April 1956
Letter of 27 April 1956
Letter of 29 April 1956
Letter of 2 May 1956
Letter of 10 May 1956
Letter of 26 June 1956
Letter of 11 July 1956
Letter of 4 November 1956
Letter of 8 December 1956
Letter of 14 December 1956
Letter of 27 December 1956
Letter of 12 January 1957
Letter of 12 January 1957
Letter of 26 February 1957
Letter of 27 February 1957
Letter of 9 March 1957
Letter of 14 March 1957
Letter of 16 March 1957
Letter of 23 March 1957
Letter of 27 March 1957
Letter of 30 March 1957
Letter of 12 April 1957
Letter of 19 April 1957
Letter of 30 April 1957
Letter of 27 May 1957
Letter of 7 June 1957 (Shetland Summer School)
Letter of 14 August 1957
Letter of 30 August 1957
Letter of 7 September 1957
Letter of 14 September 1957
Letter of 2 October 1957
Letter of 11 October 1957
THE GUARDIAN’S MESSAGES
To Local Spiritual Assemblies
Letter of 23 April 1950
Letter of 14 November 1947
Letter of 22 September 1948
Letter of 1 November 1947
Letter of 17 October 1948
Letter of 15 February 1950
Letter of 16 September 1955
Letter of 30 January 1957
Letter of 27 August 1947
Letter of 16 October 1948
Letter of 27 January 1957
Letter of 22 September 1948
Letter of 9 April 1949
Letter of 9 September 1950
Letter of 14 March 1954
Letter of 5 September 1950
Letter of 24 January 1952
Letter of 25 January 1929
Letter of 20 July 1932
Letter of 28 July 1950
Letter of 19 January 1950
Letter of 30 September 1949
Letter of 16 September 1956
Letter of 8 April 1947
Letter of 30 May 1949
Letter of 27 October 1950
Letter of 25 December 1951
Letter of 25 December 1952
Letter of 1 February 1954
Letter of 23 April 1954
Letter of 7 December 1954
Letter of 28 February 1955
Letter of 21 March 1955
Cables to the Oxford Assembly
Letter of 25 November 1949
Letter of 22 April 1950
Letter of 26 October 1950
Letter of 21 April 1954
Letter of 26 September 1957
Letter of 14 May 1957
EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS TO INDIVIDUALS
Letter of 28 September 1925
Letter of 28 October 1925
Letter of 28 December 1925
Letter of 28 March 1926
Letter of 16 October 1926
Letter of 6 April 1928
Letter of 12 December 1929
Letter of 9 February 1930
Letter of 9 June 1930
Letter of 22 October 1930
Letter of 30 November 1930
Letter of 30 April 1931
Letter of 7 November 1931
Letter of 2 January 1932
Letter of 10 January 1932
Letter of 23 February 1932
Letter of 16 May 1932
Letter of 10 August 1932
Letter of 15 March 1933
Letter of 6 May 1933
Letter of 29 May 1933
Letter of 17 October 1933
Letter of 12 November 1933
Letter of 1 December 1933
Letter of 4 June 1934
Letter of 10 November 1934
Letter of 8 February 1935
Letter of 29 May 1935
Letter of 6 April 1936
Letter of 21 November 1936
Letter of 3 February 1937
Letter of 31 March 1938
Letter of 18 April 1940
Letter of 2 June 1941
Letter of 1 August 1941
Letter of 19 October 1941
Letter of 30 October 1941
Letter of 14 March 1942
Letter of 25 September 1942
Letter of 5 May 1943
Letter of 26 May 1943
Letter of 6 August 1943
Letter of 17 October 1944
Letter of 27 November 1944
Letter of 27 January 1945
Letter of 10 May 1945
Letter of 7 July 1945
Letter of 3 March 1946
Letter of 4 March 1946
Letter of 19 March 1946
Letter of 21 May 1946
Letter of 20 November 1946
Letter of 15 February 1947
Letter of 18 February 1947
Letter of 27 September 1947
Letter of 27 September 1947
Letter of 13 October 1947
Letter of 14 October 1947
Letter of 19 October 1947
Letter of 4 March 1948
Letter of 26 March 1948
Letter of 8 April 1948
Letter of 9 June 1948
Letter of 23 June 1948
Letter of 20 September 1948
Letter of 17 October 1948
Letter of 23 December 1948
Letter of 8 January 1949
Letter of 20 March 1949
Letter of 22 July 1949
Letter of 25 July 1949
Letter of 22 October 1949
Letter of 18 February 1950
Letter of 28 March 1950
Letter of 4 October 1950
Letter of 20 October 1950
Letter of 11 January 1951
Letter of 10 February 1951
Letter of 30 August 1951
Letter of 11 November 1951
Letter of 5 October 1952
Letter of 3 March 1955
Letter of 6 March 1955
Letter of 12 January 1957
Letter of 15 August 1957
“THEIR DAILY SUSTENANCE”
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
BIOGRAPHIES
DR. JOHN E. ESSLEMONT, Hand of the Cause of God
EDWARD THEODORE HALL
MRS. THORNBURGH-CROPPER
GEORGE PALGRAVE SIMPSON
MISS ETHEL JENNER ROSENBERG
DÍA’U’LLÁH ASGHARZÁDIH, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
SARA, LADY BLOMFIELD (SITÁRIH KHÁNUM)
GEORGE TOWNSHEND, Hand of the Cause of God
MRS. ISOBEL SLADE
MRS. LOUISE GINMAN
MISS FLORENCE E. PINCHON
MISS CLAUDIA STUART COLES
SISTER GRACE CHALLIS
DAVID HOFMAN
MRS. LILIAN STEVENS
MISS EVELYN BAXTER, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
?ASAN M. BALYUZI, Hand of the Cause of God
FRANK HURST
MRS. MARY BASIL-HALL (PARVINE)
ALBERT AND JEFF JOSEPH
RICHARD ST. BARBE BAKER, O.B.E., LL.D., FOR.D.I.P. (CAMBRIDGE)
MISS JESSICA YOUNG
KATHLEEN BROWN (LADY HORNELL)
URSULA SAMANDARÍ (née NEWMAN), Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
MRS MARION HOFMAN
MISS UNA TOWNSHEND, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
JOSEPH LEE
MRS DOROTHY FERRABY (née Cansdale)
PHILIP HAINSWORTH
WALTER WILKINS
MRS ALMA CYNTHIA GREGORY
ROBERT CHEEK
MRS JOAN GIDDINGS (née BROWNE)
HUGH AND VIOLET MCKINLEY
DR. LUTFU’LLÁH HAKÍM
FRED STAHLER
MRS. PRUDENCE GEORGE
JOHN LUDLOW MARSHALL
MARY OLGA KATHERINE MILLS, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
ALFRED AND EDITH LUCY SUGAR
CHARLES WILLIAM DUNNING, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
MISS CLAIRE GUNG
MRS. LIZZIE FOWLER HAINSWORTH
MISS MARGARET SULLIVAN (later MRS. MARGARET NELSON)
CYRIL AND MARGARET JENKERSON
RICHARD H. BACKWELL
MISS ADA WILLIAMS
MRS CONSTANCE LANGDON-DAVIES
GEORGE K. MARSHALL
MRS MARGUERITE PRESTON (née Wellby)
BERNARD LEACH, C.H., C.B.E.
SAMUEL SCOTT
JOHN FERRABY, Hand of the Cause of God.
MRS FLORENCE “MOTHER” GEORGE
MÚSÁ BANÁNÍ, Hand of the Cause of God.
‘ALÍ NAKHJAVÁNÍ
?ASSÁN AND ISOBEL SABRÍ
ARTHUR NORTON
ERIC MANTON
DR. ABBÁS AND SHOMAIS AFNÁN,
EDMUND (TED) CARDELL, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
DR. JOHN GEORGE MITCHELL, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh
MISS IRENE BENNETT
MISS DOROTHY WIGINGTON
ERNEST WILLIAM GREGORY
DR. ERNEST SPENCER MILLER
IAN SEMPLE
MISS JEAN M. CAMPBELL
JOHN CHARLES CRAVEN
ADDENDUM FOR H. M. BALYUZI

THE MESSAGES FROM THE GUARDIAN OF THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH TO THE BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY
OF THE BRITISH ISLES

[Frontispiece]

“...this community can do no better than to gird up afresh its loins, turn
its back upon the clamour of the age, its fears, confusion and strife,
step resolutely forward on its chosen path, unshakably confident that with
every step it takes, should it remain undeflected in its purpose and
undimmed in its vision, a fresh outpouring of Divine grace will reinforce
and guide its march on the highroad of its destiny.”

Shoghi

“...The annals of the British Bahá’í community, small in numbers, yet
unconquerable in spirit, tenacious in belief, undeviating in purpose,
alert and vigilant in the discharge of its manifold duties and
responsibilities, have in consequence of its epoch-making achievements
been vastly enriched.

“The process set in motion and greatly accelerated through the successive
formulation of the Six Year Plan, the Two Year Plan and the Ten Year Plan,
must continue unabated and unimpaired. Nay with every passing day it must
gather momentum. Every individual believer must, henceforth, encouraged
and inspired by all that has already been achieved, contribute to its
future and speedy unfoldment.

“That the entire community may befittingly respond to the call of the
present hour and bring to a final consummation the Mission with which it
has been entrusted is the deepest yearning of my heart and the object of
my unceasing prayers.”

Shoghi

THE SEEDS ARE TENDED
1922–1944

Letter of 5 March 1922

5 March 1922(1)

Dear Fellow-workers in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh,

It is with words of regret and disappointment that I desire to open this
letter because of my inability, in view of my manifold and pressing
duties, to respond individually and in writing to the many messages of
love and sympathy and of hope that you have so affectionately sent me
since our Beloved’s passing from this World. I am sure I am voicing the
sentiments of the bereaved ladies of the Household when I say that however
desirous we may be to correspond separately with every one of you, the
grave responsibilities and manifold duties now devolved upon us make it
regrettably impossible to express in written messages to every friend what
we constantly feel in our hearts, and pray for when visiting His sacred
Shrine.

At this grave and momentous period through which the Cause of God in
conformity with the Divine Wisdom is passing, it is the sacred duty of
every one of us to endeavour to realise the full significance of this Hour
of Transition, and then to make a supreme resolve to arise steadfastly for
the fulfilment of our sacred obligations.

Great as is the love and paternal care which our beloved Master is
extending to us from on High, and unique as is the Spirit that animates
today His servants in the world, yet a great deal will depend upon the
character and efforts of His loved ones on whom now rests the
responsibility of carrying on His work gloriously after Him. How great is
the need at this moment when the promised outpourings of His grace are
ready to be extended to every soul, for us all to form a broad vision of
the mission of the Cause to mankind, and to do all in our power to spread
it throughout the world. The eyes of the world, now that the sublime
Personality of the Master has been removed from this visible plane, are
turned with eager anticipation to us who are named after His name, and on
whom rests primarily the responsibility to keep burning the torch that He
has lit in this world. How keenly I feel at this challenging hour in the
history of the Cause the need for a firm and definite determination to
subordinate all our personal likings, our local interests, to the
interests and requirements of the Cause of God! Now is the time to set
aside, nay, to forget altogether, minor considerations regarding our
internal relationships, and to present a solid united front to the world
animated by no other desire but to serve and propagate His Cause.

It is my firm conviction which I now express with all sincerity and
candour, that the dignity and unity of the Cause urgently
demands—particularly throughout the American continent—that the friends
should in their words and conduct emphasise and give absolute prominence
to the constructive dynamic principles of Bahá’u’lláh, rather than attach
undue importance to His negative Teachings. With hearts cleansed from the
least trace of suspicion and filled with hope and faith in what the spirit
of love can achieve, we must one and all endeavour at this moment to
forget past impressions, and with absolute goodwill and genuine
co-operation unite in deepening and diffusing the spirit of love and
service that the Cause has thus far so remarkably shown to the world. To
this attitude of goodwill, of forebearance and genuine kindness to all,
must be added, however, constant but unprovocative vigilance, lest
unrestricted association with the peoples of the world should enable the
very few who have been definitely pronounced by the Master as injurious to
the body of the Cause, to make a breach in the Movement. Not until,
however, an unmistakable evidence should appear, manifestly revealing the
evil motives of a certain individual or groups of individuals, is it
advisable to make the matter public; for an untimely declaration that
shall give rise to open differences among the friends is far more
detrimental than forbearing still further with those who are suspected of
evil intentions. As the Master so fully and consistently did throughout
His lifetime, we must all make a supreme effort to pour out a genuine
spirit of kindness and hopeful love to peoples of various creeds and
classes, and must abstain from all provocative language that may impede
the effect of what true and continued kindness can produce.

Does not ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wish us, as He looks down upon us with loving
expectation from His glorious Station, to obliterate as much as possible
all traces of censure, of conflicting discussions, of cooling remarks, of
petty unnecessary observations that impede the onward march of the Cause,
that damp the zeal of the firm believer and detract from the sublimity of
the Bahá’í Cause in the eyes of the inquirer? In order, however, to insure
fair and quick and vigorous action whenever such an evil activity is
revealed and has been carefully ascertained, the best and only means would
appear to be, for the careful observer, once he is assured of such an evil
action, and has grown hopeless of the attitude of kindness and
forbearance, to report it quietly to the Spiritual Assembly representative
of the friends in that locality and submit the case to their earnest and
full consideration. Should the majority of the members of that Assembly be
conscientiously convinced of the case—and this being a national issue
affecting the body of the friends in America—it should, only through the
intermediary of that Assembly, be cautiously communicated to that greater
body representing all the Assemblies in America, which will in its turn
obtain all the available data from the local Assembly in question, study
carefully the situation and reserve for itself the ultimate decision. It
may, if it decides so, refer to the Holy Land for further consideration
and consultation.

This clearly places heavy responsibilities on the local as well as
national Assemblies, which in the course of time will evolve, with the
Master’s power and guidance, into the local and national Houses of
Justice. Hence the vital necessity of having a local Spiritual Assembly in
every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine,
and of making provision for the indirect election of a Body that shall
adequately represent the interests of all the friends and Assemblies
throughout the American Continent.

A perusal of some of the words of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the
duties and functions of the Spiritual Assemblies in every land (later to
be designated as the local Houses of Justice), emphatically reveals the
sacredness of their nature, the wide scope of their activity, and the
grave responsibility which rests upon them.

Addressing the members of the Spiritual Assembly in Chicago, the Master
reveals the following:—“Whenever ye enter the council-chamber, recite this
prayer with a heart throbbing with the love of God and a tongue purified
from all but His remembrance, that the All-powerful may graciously aid you
to achieve supreme victory:—‘O God, my God! We are servants of Thine that
have turned with devotion to Thy Holy Face, that have detached ourselves
from all beside Thee in this glorious Day. We have gathered in this
spiritual assembly, united in our views and thoughts, with our purposes
harmonised to exalt Thy Word amidst mankind. O Lord, our God! Make us the
signs of Thy Divine Guidance, the Standards of Thy exalted Faith amongst
men, servants to Thy mighty Covenant. O Thou our Lord Most High!
Manifestations of Thy Divine Unity in Thine Abhá Kingdom, and resplendent
stars shining upon all regions. Lord! Aid us to become seas surging with
the billows of Thy wondrous Grace, streams flowing from Thy all-glorious
Heights, goodly fruits upon the Tree of Thy heavenly Cause, trees waving
through the breezes of Thy Bounty in Thy celestial Vineyard. O God! Make
our souls dependent upon the Verses of Thy Divine Unity, our hearts
cheered with the outpourings of Thy Grace, that we may unite even as the
waves of one sea and become merged together as the rays of Thine effulgent
Light; that our thoughts, our views, our feelings may become as one
reality, manifesting the spirit of union throughout the world. Thou art
the Gracious, the Bountiful, the Bestower, the Almighty, the Merciful, the
Compassionate.’”

In the Most Holy Book is revealed:—“The Lord hath ordained that in every
city a House of Justice be established wherein shall gather counsellors to
the number of Bahá, and should it exceed this number it does not matter.
It behoveth them to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to
regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on
earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have
regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as
they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and
seemly. Thus hath the Lord your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away
that which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that
perceive.”

Furthermore, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reveals the following:—“It is incumbent upon
every one not to take any step without consulting the Spiritual Assembly,
and they must assuredly obey with heart and soul its bidding and be
submissive unto it, that things may be properly ordered and well arranged.
Otherwise every person will act independently and after his own judgment,
will follow his own desire, and do harm to the Cause.”

“The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are purity of
motive, radiance of spirit, detachment from all else save God, attraction
to His Divine Fragrances, humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones,
patience and long-suffering in difficulties and servitude to His exalted
Threshold. Should they be graciously aided to acquire these attributes,
victory from the unseen Kingdom of Bahá shall be vouchsafed to them. In
this day, assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a
vital necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and obligatory. The
members thereof must take counsel together in such wise that no occasion
for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can be attained when every
member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth
his argument. Should any one oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for
not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The
shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing
opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously well and
good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a
majority of voices must prevail.”

Enumerating the obligations incumbent upon the members of consulting
councils, the Beloved reveals the following:—“The first condition is
absolute love and harmony amongst the members of the assembly. They must
be wholly free from estrangement and must manifest in themselves the Unity
of God, for they are the waves of one sea, the drops of one river, the
stars of one heaven, the rays of one sun, the trees of one orchard, the
flowers of one garden. Should harmony of thought and absolute unity be
non-existent, that gathering shall be dispersed and that assembly be
brought to naught. The second condition:—They must when coming together
turn their faces to the Kingdom on High and ask aid from the Realm of
Glory. They must then proceed with the utmost devotion, courtesy, dignity,
care and moderation to express their views. They must in every matter
search out the truth and not insist upon their own opinion, for
stubbornness and persistence in one’s views will lead ultimately to
discord and wrangling and the truth will remain hidden. The honoured
members must with all freedom express their own thoughts, and it is in no
wise permissible for one to belittle the thought of another, nay, he must
with moderation set forth the truth, and should differences of opinion
arise a majority of voices must prevail, and all must obey and submit to
the majority. It is again not permitted that any one of the honoured
members object to or censure, whether in or out of the meeting, any
decision arrived at previously, though that decision be not right, for
such criticism would prevent any decision from being enforced. In short,
whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of
motive, its result is light, and should the least trace of estrangement
prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness.... If this be so
regarded, that Assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it shall lead to
coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One. Discussions must
all be confined to spiritual matters that pertain to the training of
souls, the instruction of children, the relief of the poor, the help of
the feeble throughout all classes in the world, kindness to all peoples,
the diffusion of the fragrances of God and the exaltation of His Holy
Word. Should they endeavour to fulfil these conditions the Grace of the
Holy Spirit shall be vouchsafed unto them, and that assembly shall become
the centre of the Divine blessings, the hosts of Divine confirmation shall
come to their aid, and they shall day by day receive a new effusion of
Spirit.”

So great is the importance and so supreme is the authority of these
assemblies that once ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after having Himself and in His own
handwriting corrected the translation made into Arabic of the I_sh_ráqát
(the Effulgences) by _Sh_ay_kh_ Faraj, a Kurdish friend from Cairo,
directed him in a Tablet to submit the above-named translation to the
Spiritual Assembly of Cairo, that he may seek from them before publication
their approval and consent. These are His very words in that Tablet:—“His
honour, _Sh_ay_kh_ Faraju’lláh, has here rendered into Arabic with
greatest care the I_sh_ráqát and yet I have told him that he must submit
his version to the Spiritual Assembly of Egypt, and I have conditioned its
publication upon the approval of the above-named Assembly. This is so that
things may be arranged in an orderly manner, for should it not be so any
one may translate a certain Tablet and print and circulate it on his own
account. Even a non-believer might undertake such work, and thus cause
confusion and disorder. If it be conditioned, however, upon the approval
of the Spiritual Assembly, a translation prepared, printed and circulated
by a non-believer will have no recognition whatever.”

This is indeed a clear indication of the Master’s express desire that
nothing whatever should be given to the public by any individual among the
friends, unless fully considered and approved by the Spiritual Assembly in
his locality; and if this (as is undoubtedly the case) is a matter that
pertains to the general interest of the Cause in that land, then it is
incumbent upon the Spiritual Assembly to submit it to the consideration
and approval of the national body representing all the various local
assemblies. Not only with regard to publication, but all matters without
any exception whatsoever, regarding the interests of the Cause in that
locality, individually or collectively, should be referred exclusively to
the Spiritual Assembly in that locality, which shall decide upon it,
unless it be a matter of national interest, in which case it shall be
referred to the national body. With this national body also will rest the
decision whether a given question is of local or national interest. (By
national affairs is not meant matters that are political in their
character, for the friends of God the world over are strictly forbidden to
meddle with political affairs in any way whatever, but rather things that
affect the spiritual activities of the body of the friends in that land).

Full harmony, however, as well as co-operation among the various local
assemblies and the members themselves, and particularly between each
assembly and the national body, is of the utmost importance, for upon it
depends the unity of the Cause of God, the solidarity of the friends, the
full, speedy and efficient working of the spiritual activities of His
loved ones.

Large issues in such spiritual activities that affect the Cause in general
in that land, such as the management of the “Star of the West” and any
periodical which the National Body may decide to be a Bahá’í organ, the
matter of publication, or reprinting Bahá’í literature and its
distribution among the various assemblies, the means whereby the teaching
campaign may be stimulated and maintained, the work of the
Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár, the racial question in relation to the Cause, the
matter of receiving Orientals and associating with them, the care and
maintenance of the precious film exhibiting a phase of the Master’s
sojourn in the United States of America as well as the original matrix and
the records of His voice, and various other national spiritual activities,
far from being under the exclusive jurisdiction of any local assembly or
group of friends, must each be minutely and fully directed by a special
board, elected by the National Body, constituted as a committee thereof,
responsible to it and upon which the National Body shall exercise constant
and general supervision.

The time is indeed ripe for the manifold activities, wherein the servants
and handmaidens of Bahá’u’lláh are so devoutly and earnestly engaged, to
be harmonised and conducted with unity, co-operation and efficiency, that
the effect of such a combined and systematised effort, through which an
All-powerful Spirit is steadily pouring, may transcend every other
achievement of the past, however glorious it has been, and may stand, now
that, to the eyes of the outside world the glorious Person of the Master
is no more, a convincing testimony of the potency of His everliving
Spirit.

Your brother and co-worker in His Cause,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 December 1922

16 December 1922

To my spiritual brethren and sisters in Great Britain.
Care of the members of the Spiritual Council.(2)

My dearest brethren and sisters in the faith of God!

May I at the very outset of this, my very first letter to you, convey to
your hearts in words, however inadequate but assuredly deeply felt and
sincere, a measure of my burning impatience, during my days of retirement,
to return speedily and join hands with you in the great work of
consolidation that awaits every earnest believer in the Cause of
Bahá’u’lláh.

Now that happily I feel myself restored to a position where I can take up
with continuity and vigour the threads of my manifold duties, the
bitterness of every disappointment felt, time and again, in the course of
the past weary months at my feeling of unpreparedness, have been merged in
the sweetness of the present hour, when I realise that spiritually and
bodily I am better equipped to shoulder the responsibilities of the Cause.
The thought, so often comforting and sustaining, that in the counsels of
my British co-workers of that land, I shall find spontaneous and
undiminished support as well as wise and experienced assistance, is surely
one of those forces which will hearten me in the midst of my future
labours for the Cause.

That in every one of you our departed Master reposed His future and truest
hopes for an able and convincing presentation of the Cause to the outside
world, is abundantly revealed in His spoken and written words to you, as
well as in His general references to the spirit of sincerity, of tenacity
and devotion that animates His friends of that land.

The fierce tests that have raged over that island in the past; the calm
and determination with which they have been so bravely faced and
surmounted; the seeds of loving fellowship that the Beloved in person has
more than once scattered in its soil; the rise, as its result, of a few
but indeed capable, reliable, devoted and experienced followers and
admirers of the Cause; the splendid and in many instances unique
opportunities that are yours—these indeed are cherished thoughts for a
land that illumines its past and should cheer its future.

I need hardly tell you how grateful and gratified I felt when I heard the
news of the actual formation of a National Council whose main object is to
guide, co-ordinate and harmonise the various activities of the friends,
and when I learned of its satisfactory composition, its harmonious
procedure and the splendid work it is achieving.

My earnest prayer is that the blessing of the Almighty may rest upon all
its deliberations, that it may be divinely guided, inspired in its work,
may smooth speedily and definitely all differences that may arise, may
promote the all-important work of Teaching, may widen the sphere of its
correspondence and exchange of news with the distant parts of the Bahá’í
world, may secure through its publications a dignified and proper
presentation of the Cause to the enlightened public, and may in every
other respect prove itself capable of distinct and worthy achievements.

With abiding affection and renewed vigour I shall now await the joyful
tidings of the progress of the Cause and the extension of your activities,
and will spare no effort in sharing with the faithful, here and in other
lands, the welcome news of the progressive march of the Cause and the
unceasing labours of our British friends for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Your brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 23 December 1922

23 December 1922

To my beloved brethren and sisters throughout Great Britain.
Care of the members of the Bahá’í Council.

Dearest Friends,

I have during the last few days been waiting eagerly for the first written
messages of my Western friends, sent to me since they have learned of my
return to the Holy Land. How great was the joy when dear Miss Rosenberg’s
letter—the very first that reached me from the West—was handed to me this
evening, bearing the joyful news of the safety, the unity and the
happiness of my British friends across the seas! I read it and re-read it
with particular pleasure and felt a thrill of delight at the welcome news
of the harmonious and efficient functioning of your Spiritual Assembly.

I very sincerely hope that now that I have fully re-entered upon my task,
I may be enabled to offer my humble share of assistance and advice in the
all-important work which is now before you. I fervently pray to God that
the field of your activities may go on expanding, that your zeal and
efforts may never diminish, and that new souls, active, able and sincere,
may soon join with you in bearing aloft the Glorious Standard of the Cause
in that land....

Ere long, an able and experienced teacher recently arrived from Persia
will visit your shores and will, I trust, by his thorough knowledge of the
Cause, his wide experience, his fluency, his ardour and his devotion,
reanimate every drooping spirit and inspire the active worker to make
fresh and determined efforts for the deepening as well as the spreading of
the Movement in those regions. His forthcoming book, which he has
patiently and laboriously written on the history of the Movement and which
has been partly revised by the Pen of our Beloved Master is beyond any
doubt the most graphic, the most reliable and comprehensive of its kind in
all Bahá’í literature. I am sure he will considerably enrich the store of
your knowledge of the various phases and stages of the Bahá’í Movement.
Our beloved Dr. Esslemont will, I trust, be particularly pleased to meet
him, as he is eminently qualified to offer him valuable help in connection
with various aspects of his (Dr. Esslemont’s) book. I am enclosing various
suggestions of Mr. Dreyfus-Barney and of Mr. Roy Wilhelm made by them at
my request, during their last sojourn in the Holy Land. I submit them to
Dr. Esslemont’s consideration as well as to that of the Spiritual
Assembly. I very deeply regret my inability to give the attention I desire
to this admirable work of his, but will assuredly do all in my power to
aid him in the final stages of his work. I am certain however that the
book as it now stands gives the finest and most effective presentation of
the various aspects of the Cause to the mind of the Oriental as well as to
that of the Westerner. May it arouse a genuine and widespread interest in
the Cause throughout the world.

I am now starting correspondence with every Bahá’í local centre throughout
the East and will not fail to instruct and urge the believers everywhere
to send directly through their respective spiritual local Assemblies the
joyful tidings of the progress of the Cause, in the form of regular
detailed reports, to the various assemblies of their spiritual brethren
and sisters in the West. England, I am confident, will regularly and
consistently receive, directly, and indirectly through the “Star of the
West” and the “Bahá’í News” of India, a large share of such tidings from
Persia, Caucasus, Turkestan, India, Turkey and Mesopotamia, North Africa
and Egypt. It would be most gratifying and encouraging to all earnest
workers for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh if every now and then a report on the
spiritual activities of the friends in Great Britain, as well as articles
on spiritual matters, would be submitted for publication to the
above-mentioned periodicals. It would, I feel very strongly, react very
favourably on the Cause in England, and would serve to draw closer the
ties that bind all spiritual centres together at the present time.

I would be pleased and grateful if the members of the Spiritual Assembly
would at any time inform me of their needs, wants and desires, their plans
and activities, that I may through my prayers and brotherly assistance
contribute, however meagrely, to the success of their glorious mission in
this world.

To my extreme regret, I feel unable in view of my manifold and pressing
duties, and owing to the extraordinary extension of the Movement in recent
times, to correspond with the friends individually and express to them in
writing what I always feel in the depth of my heart of brotherly affection
and abiding gratitude for their love and sympathy for me. I shall,
however, await with eager expectation their individual letters and assure
them of my readiness and wish to be of any service to them in their work
for the Cause.

Remembering every one of you in these hallowed surroundings and fervently
praying at the three sacred Thresholds that the blessings of the Lord may
rest upon your individual and collective efforts,

I am as ever your devoted brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 17 February 1923

17 February 1923

The beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
London, Manchester and Bournemouth.
Care of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.(3)

Dearest brethren and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,

The letters that I have recently received from the friends in London and
Manchester have been to me a source of great hope and encouragement, and
have served to strengthen the ties that bind me to my dearly-beloved
friends in that great country.

I am much pleased and gratified to hear of the wonderful progress of the
work of our able and devoted brother, Jináb-i-‘Avárih, and my earnest hope
and prayer is that he may, by his zeal, patience, experience and
knowledge, set ablaze the fire that the Master has kindled in the heart of
that land.

The supreme necessity, and the urgent need of the Cause of God at present,
is the unity of the friends, and their sustained and wholehearted
co-operation in their task of spreading the Divine Teachings throughout
the world. It is the sacred duty of all believers to have implicit
confidence in, and support heartily, every decision passed by their
Spiritual Assemblies, whether local or central; and the members of these
Assemblies must, on their part, set aside their own inclinations, personal
interests, likes and dislikes, and regard only the welfare of the Cause
and the well-being of the friends. This is surely the foundation which
must be firmly laid in the hearts of all believers the world over, for
upon this only can any constructive and permanent service be achieved, and
the edifice of the Beloved’s last instructions, as revealed in His Will
and Testament, be raised and established.

The all-conquering Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh cannot prove effective in this
world of strife and turmoil, and cannot achieve its purpose for mankind,
unless we, who are named after His Name, and who are the recipients of His
Grace, endeavour, by our example, our daily life and our dealings with our
fellow-men, to reveal that noble spirit of love and self-sacrifice of
which the world stands in need at present.

I have been reading lately some of the oldest Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and
am enclosing for your perusal the translation of various selections from
His soul-stirring words, revealed some twenty-five years ago, during the
darkest days of His incarceration in the prison city of Akká. You will
realise as you read them the unshakable confidence of the Master in the
future growth of the Movement, the significance of the Cause in this age,
and the glorious privilege of the friends to labour for its spread in
every land.

I am enclosing also my revised translation of the Hidden Words, both
Persian and Arabic, a copy of which I have sent to the friends in the
United States in response to their cable, requesting me to authorise
circulation of my version among the friends in America.

I have recently received a message from our beloved brethren and sisters
in Germany, who, in the midst of their sufferings and trials, yearn to
receive a word of sympathy and comfort from their fellow-workers in France
and England. I am sure you will gladly respond to their request, and cheer
them with the glad-tidings of the wonderful progress of the Cause in your
land and elsewhere.

I am always looking forward to receiving your letters and hear from you
personally in all matters pertaining to the Cause. It is my earnest prayer
whenever I visit the Sacred Shrines, that the friends in England may be
always protected, guided and blessed in their work of service to the
Cause, and may soon witness the fulfilment of the glorious promises of the
Master regarding the future of that land and the spiritual re-awakening of
its people.

Your brother and fellow-worker,
Shoghi

Letter of 24 February 1923

24 February 1923

Dear Spiritual Brother,

Your letter to Shoghi Effendi has been received and was read by him with
keen delight and satisfaction for it bespoke of the new spirit of ardent
devotion that has enkindled the hearts of the faithful followers of Bahá,
and of their loyal and active endeavours in the path of service. Should
the friends continue in their labours of love and service their activities
will yield glorious results and they shall witness the realisation of the
promises of the Beloved regarding the spiritual achievements of the
friends in that land.

Shoghi Effendi is highly gratified and encouraged to know that the friends
have carried out so efficiently his directions regarding the establishment
of National and local Spiritual Assemblies; and he feels confident that
the co-ordinated and unified efforts of its members, blessed by the
unfailing assistance and guidance of the Beloved Master, will mark the
dawn of a new era of spiritual activity and enlightenment.

He is very pleased to know that you are faithfully working for peace and
harmony amongst the friends; and he prays that you may be blessed in your
endeavours and be inspired and guided to clear all misunderstandings that
may arise; and may help bring about that spirit of unity which is so
essential to the life and growth of the Cause. There is no doubt that
difficulties will always arise; but if met in the spirit of earnest and
selfless devotion and purity of motive all problems will be solved and we
shall emerge from every difficulty spiritually stronger and wiser.

Shoghi Effendi wishes to extend to you his thanks for your giving him the
report of the activities of the friends there. He will soon write a letter
to the Assembly based on their report. He wishes you to rest assured that
his thoughts and prayers are with you wishing you all success in your
labours for the promulgation of the Blessed Cause.

Although unable to write individual letters he will gladly welcome all
letters that you will send him in the future...

Letter of 29 November 1923

29 November 1923

To the members of the English National Spiritual Assembly

My dearly-beloved fellow-workers in the Vineyard of God!

I am in receipt of your letter dated Nov. 17th 1923, and forwarded to me
by our active and devoted brother, Mr. Simpson. I have read it with the
utmost pleasure and satisfaction. I feel happy and encouraged to learn
that those few, yet earnest and promising, servants of Bahá’u’lláh in that
land are, despite the vicissitudes and obstacles that confront the rapid
rise of the Movement, wholeheartedly striving and co-operating for the
fulfilment of His divine Promise.

You, surely, have laid a firm foundation for the future development of the
Cause in those regions, and my hope is that the National Assembly of Great
Britain may, by full, frequent, and anxious consultation, protect the
Cause, maintain and promote harmony amongst the friends, and initiate and
execute ways and means for the diffusion of its spirit and the promotion
of its principles.

I welcome with keen and genuine satisfaction the active participation of
our beloved sister, Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper, in the affairs of the Cause,
and feel confident that her wisdom, her experience, her influence, and her
unparalleled opportunities for the service of the Movement will pave the
way for the wholesome growth of the Cause in that land.

I am sure you all realise the seemingly unsurmountable difficulties in the
way of individual correspondence with the ever-increasing multitude of
Bahá’ís throughout the world, and I need hardly tell you how tremendously
difficult it is, and how reluctant I feel, to discriminate at all between
the many letters of varying importance which I daily receive from almost
every corner of the globe. Realising however that direct and intimate
individual correspondence, in some form or other, is most urgent and vital
to the interests of the Cause, I am, I assure you, giving it these days
again my careful and undivided attention, and pray God that to this
problem may soon be found a satisfactory and feasible solution. In the
meantime, I wish to emphasise the fact that I eagerly await, and would
welcome, and would assuredly have time to peruse, most carefully and in
person, every individual letter you may wish to send me, and my readiness
and wish to attend, in the very best way I can, to every matter raised in
those letters. No written message, however unimportant, will first be
opened and read by any one save myself.

Regarding the proposed conference on “Living Religions within the British
Empire”, I feel that such a great opportunity for the Movement should not
be neglected, and I am glad to know that it has been seized by the members
of the National Assembly, and is being closely examined by them. I would
welcome further particulars as to who has conceived the idea, under whose
auspices it will be conducted, and whether it is being supported by
government authorities, and what conditions are imposed on its
proceedings. I am discussing the matter with some of the Bahá’í
representatives of India and America as to what friends would be most
competent to represent the Cause at this conference. I shall communicate
on this subject with the National Assemblies of India and America, and
will inform you immediately I receive definite information from them.

As to the raising of funds to provide for the expenses of the Bahá’í
representatives, I am sure the friends in England will find in the
National Assemblies of India and America and in myself ready and generous
supporters of a step that will undoubtedly prove of immediate and
universal value for the ultimate recognition of the Cause by the world.

It is my ardent prayer that we may all be inspired to adopt the most
effective measures for the successful achievement of this great
undertaking.

I was much impressed by the charm and force of Major Moore’s article,
published recently in T. P. Cassell’s weekly, and I would much desire to
know whether his action was spontaneous, or whether he was urged or
requested by someone to write it. I strongly urge the friends, and
particularly the members of the National Assembly, to do all in their
power to make of this able and highly-minded admirer of the Cause, a
zealous and true Bahá’í. I am looking forward with keen anticipation to
his spiritual development and his taking a more active part in the affairs
of the Cause.

I am enclosing for the friends recent translations of the wonderful
prophetic utterances of Bahá’u’lláh, and I trust you will find them of
great value in your work of teaching and spreading the Cause.

Awaiting eagerly your letters, individually as well as collectively,

I am your brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 December 1923

9 December 1923

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Your short yet encouraging letter was gladly received by our dear Shoghi
Effendi just yesterday evening. He felt very pleased indeed with that
spirit of hopefulness which your letter conveyed, and he eagerly hopes
that in the days to come nothing will mar the brightness and optimism of
his English brethren and sisters over in the West.

Your references to the commemoration meeting held in London, brought back
with all its painful sadness recollections of that one night. In a calm
and quiet night, brightened by the silvery rays of the moon, gathered
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sorrow-stricken faithful ones, to commemorate the night of
His last farewell. On the cistern by the Tomb sat His fervent servants;
below them flickered the dying lights of Haifa, and above head shown in
full magnificence the star bespangled heavens. It was in the mid-watches
of such a night that with sorrow and fervour the servants turned unto
their dear Master so near and yet so far away; and with a deep feeling of
that bitter loss they supplicated help and guidance from their Lord. A
word or two from Shoghi Effendi made them feel the Master nigh, and made
them realise as never before that it was only in following in His steps,
and in living the life that He had, that we can prove our faithfulness to
our Master’s Cause. It was indeed a night of meditation and prayer and we
missed you all so much.

We are receiving encouraging news from almost everywhere, such as Italy,
Germany, China and Australia; and as you will have them more fully in the
circulars of the Spiritual Assembly, I had hardly need make mention of
them here.

Shoghi Effendi’s earnest hopes in England are very great, and I am sure
that the sincere and true-hearted efforts of his fellow-workers, will
spread the principles of this great Revelation as never before. Hard
though it be to get access to the more intellectual circles in England, he
firmly believes that through persistence, the obstacles will be soon
overcome and they, with their own accord, will welcome you in their midst,
turning a sympathetic ear to all that you have to share with them. May
these high hopes be realised....

[From the Guardian:]

My beloved brother,

My deepest admiration for your indefatigable exertions for the success of
the Cause. I will always remember you in my prayers and await eagerly your
personal letters. I welcome any suggestions and further particulars
regarding the conference on the Living Religions within the British
Empire.

Your brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 6 January 1924

6 January 1924

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letter of Dec. 23rd furnishing necessary information concerning the
Conference on Religions arrived and made our dear Guardian highly pleased
and delighted.

As he has quite recently written to the friends in England, he has
instructed me to answer your letter and inform you that he has written and
directed the National Spiritual Assembly of America to have a
comprehensive article written by the ablest pen among the American
friends—to be excellent both in style and in representation.

After this essay is written, it will be sent to our dear Shoghi Effendi
who will send it to your N.S. Assembly for your perusal and consideration.
You will add your remarks and suggestions and return it to him for final
approval.

Shoghi Effendi is also thinking of selecting someone among the Indian
friends to represent India. This Conference and a worthy and dignified
representation of the Holy Cause therein, are under his serious
consideration. We hope that through his wise instruction and powerful
prayers your activities in this respect will be crowned with glorious
success and that it will be known to the public that the Cause is not a
movement collateral with other movements such as the Brahma Somaj or
A?madí movements.

Here at the Holy Shrine of our Beloved we remember all the dear friends in
England and supplicate humbly for their happiness.

Shoghi Effendi is sending you his love and affection together with his
deep appreciation towards your noble labours and sacrificial efforts in
the service of the Holy Cause...

[From the Guardian:]

My dear friend,

I enclose a copy of my recent letter to the National Spiritual Assembly of
America regarding the Conference as well as copies of my recent
translation of some of the most remarkable and prophetic utterances of
Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which might interest the friends in Great
Britain. Pray convey my love to all of them.

Shoghi

Letter of 4 January 1924 (Enclosure)

4 January 1924 (Enclosure)

To the members of the American National Spiritual Assembly.

My dearest friends!

On Nov. 28th I received the following communication from the President of
the National Spiritual Assembly of Great Britain!

“I have now to bring to your notice, though possibly you are already aware
of it, a matter which is of the first importance in the opinion of the
National Spiritual Assembly as you will see from one of the paragraphs of
the enclosed minutes of its first meeting, which was held on October 13th.
So far the programme of the conference on the ‘Living Religions within the
British Empire’ is in a somewhat nebulous condition, but I have
ascertained from Miss Sharples, the honorary secretary of the committee of
organisation, that the conference has been approved by the authorities of
the British Empire Exhibition, 1924 and will last for ten days, covering
the last week of the month of September and the first three days of
October. It is proposed that all religions taught and practised throughout
the British Empire shall be represented at the conference, including the
Christians, Muhammadans, Buddhists, Brahma Somaj, Theosophists and others,
and that each one in turn shall have at its disposal a day or part of a
day for a meeting to expound its principles and deal with its organisation
and objects.”

In their last letter, the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of
Great Britain further inform me that the idea of the above-mentioned
conference has originated with the Theosophical Society, but these having
later dropped its management the organisation of the conference passed
into the hands of the School of Oriental Studies and the Sociological
Society. You will also note from the enclosed copy of a letter addressed
by the same Miss Sharples to the President of the British National
Spiritual Assembly that the time offered to the Bahá’í representatives
will be very limited, and that most probably the allotted time will be
just sufficient to read their papers or deliver their address and engage
in the discussion that might arise after their formal presentation of the
Cause.

As the British Empire Exhibition, of which this conference forms a part,
is itself a semi-official undertaking, and receives actually the generous
support and active participation of the government authorities throughout
the British Empire, I feel that the opportunities now offered to the
Bahá’í world should not be missed, as this chance, if properly utilised,
might arouse and stimulate widespread interest among the enlightened
public.

As so much will depend upon the nature and general presentation of the
theme, rather than upon the personality of the reader or speaker, I feel
that first and foremost our attention should be concentrated on the choice
and thorough preparation of the subject matter as well as on the proper
drafting and the form of the paper itself, which might possibly have to be
submitted afterwards to the authorities of the conference.

I feel the necessity of entrusting this highly important and delicate task
to a special committee, to be appointed most carefully by the National
Spiritual Assembly of America, and consisting of those who by their
knowledge of the Cause, their experience in matters of publicity, and
particularly by their power of expression and beauty of style will be
qualified to produce a befitting statement on the unique history of the
Movement as well as its lofty principles.

I am enclosing an article on the Bahá’í Movement which I trust might serve
as a basis and example of the paper in question. An account of the most
salient features of the history of the Cause, a brief but impressive
reference to its many heroes and martyrs, a convincing and comprehensive
presentation of the basic principles, and a characteristic survey of the
Master’s life, as well as a short but graphic description of the present
position and influence of the Movement both in the East and the West,
should, in my opinion, be included and combined into one conclusive
argument. Its length should not surpass that of the enclosed article, and
its general tone, expression and language should be at once dignified,
sober and forceful.

The greatest care and caution must be exercised in choosing those who can
best provide and fulfil the above-mentioned requisites and conditions.

I shall be most pleased to offer my views and suggestions once the paper
has assumed its final shape, and wish you to obtain the assistance and
advice of those whom you think able to judge amongst the friends in
England and elsewhere.

Mr. Simpson, the President of the British National Spiritual Assembly,
writes that Miss Grand from Canada has suggested the names of Dr. Watson
and Mr. J. O. McCarthy of Toronto to represent the Canadian Bahá’ís. I
would be pleased to receive your views as to who should represent Canada
at the Conference. India is the only other country within the British
Empire that can send a native Bahá’í representative to the conference, and
it is rather unfortunate that the United States of America should have to
be excluded, as the speakers at the conference must necessarily be
subjects of the British Empire.

I am enclosing recent translations of the prophetic and most remarkable
words of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which I trust you will all find of
great value and interest in the great work you are doing for the Cause.

May this great project yield an abundant harvest for the Cause, and your
efforts be richly blessed by the guiding Spirit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Your fellow-worker,
Shoghi

Letter of 18 January 1924

18 January 1924

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Shoghi Effendi was glad to hear from you again and hopes that the
activities of the friends in England are progressing day after day. There
is really so much to be done in almost every country that the more the
friends accomplish, the larger does the field of service become. As a
matter of fact in many countries we can hardly claim to have fully
represented the Cause and to have declared its strong and sublime
principles to all classes of men. It is with a vision of greater
accomplishments among higher and higher circles of society, that our
Guardian wishes his fellow-workers to feel inspired; and in these dark and
dismal days it is the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh’s great Message for
which the faithful servant must strive with heart and soul.

Concerning the sum which Shoghi Effendi has sent to the National Assembly
as a personal gift; he would like to inform you that in case you feel in
great need of funds for the activities of the Cause in England, you might
take from the sum which he sent you, and at the time of the Exposition
Shoghi Effendi might be able to help you in case you cannot collect the
necessary expense. Shoghi Effendi attaches great hopes to the activities
of the friends in London, and may they some day be realised.

The copies of the “Hidden Words” you had published were received and
Shoghi Effendi thinks that they are quite well printed. He is glad that he
can share these comforting thoughts from Bahá’u’lláh with his brothers and
sisters in the West....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear fellow-worker,

I always look forward with keen anticipation to any news from England
indicating the progress and advancement of the Cause so dear to our
hearts. I pray ardently for every one of you and assure you personally of
my affection, esteem and gratitude,

Your brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 6 February 1924

6 February 1924

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter to our dear Guardian and
assure you that he is always most glad to hear from you in person and to
know still more of the activities of his fellow-workers in that country.
At a time when the whole work and administration of the Cause with all its
overpowering intensity and extent has devolved upon the shoulders of our
youthful Guardian, I am sure you quite well realise what every single
expression of the progress of the Cause he stands for would mean to him as
our leader and captain; and at a time when the varied questions and
problems that the Bahá’í Movement, on its way to the spiritual reconquest
of the world, is confronted with, seem endless in number, I hardly need
mention what effect the personal assurance and the undying enthusiasm of
his fellow-workers would bear upon the tender heart of Shoghi Effendi.

Concerning the passing away of Mr. Hall’s father, he wishes me to ask you
to extend to him a full measure of his grief at the bereavement of such a
radiant brother as Mr. Hall, although he briefly conveyed his sentiments
to him through a short telegram. He was, however, quite pleased with Mr.
Hall’s work and the measure of success which he has met with. He shared
this good news with his friends here with a view to inspire all to action.
You should assure Mr. Hall that the deep sense of love and gratitude that
Shoghi Effendi feels toward him is perhaps too great for me to put into
words, but I feel that the success which he has attained is an ample proof
of Shoghi Effendi’s ardent prayers for him.

[From the Guardian:]

My esteemed brother:—

Just a word of appreciation on my part of your devoted and persistent
efforts in the service of the Cause. Do please convey to our precious Mr.
Hall my condolences and sentiments of undying affection as well as the
assurance of my ardent prayers for the welfare and spiritual happiness of
his dear family and the Manchester Bahá’í Group.

Shoghi

Letter of 11 June 1924

11 June 1924

To Mr. Simpson, President of the Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly of
England.

My dear and revered Bahá’í Brother,

As I do not have your address with me I am writing and forwarding this to
you through our dear brother, Mr. Asgarzadeh. Some time ago I received a
letter addressed to our beloved Guardian from Miss Mabel M. Sharples, the
Hon. Secretary of the Conference on Living Religions within the Empire,
giving him some information concerning the time of the Conference, and
conditions covering the submission of papers to be read at the Conference.
I forwarded this letter to our beloved Shoghi Effendi.

Yesterday I received a letter from him instructing me to answer in his
behalf Miss Sharples’ letter. Yesterday I answered her letter and told her
that Shoghi Effendi hopes to be able to attend the Conference and deliver
an address on the Cause in person and in case circumstances prevent him
from doing so, a paper will be sent to the Conference through Mr. Simpson,
the President of the Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly, to be read on that
occasion. I told her also that we will appreciate any further information
or suggestion she thinks necessary in regard to this matter. This
information or suggestion will be communicated by her to your National
Spiritual Assembly.

This morning a cablegram was communicated by the Greatest Holy Leaf to Mr.
Roy Wilhelm in New York, instructing the committee in charge of the
desired article to hasten its despatch. This article should be handed
towards the end of July. The time is short. If the American friends have
already sent that article, I mean if it is on the way, and we receive it
in time, we shall immediately forward it to our dear Shoghi Effendi for
his approval and then mail it to you. If it, however, arrives late, we
will directly mail it to you so that you may modify it if necessary and
hand it over to the Secretary of the Conference. In the latter case, it is
not necessary to submit it to Shoghi Effendi for his approval, for he
authorises you, the members of the National Spiritual Assembly to make any
correction which you think advisable.

Shoghi Effendi has also instructed me to enclose a cheque for thirty
pounds in this letter as contribution towards the Conference. If the
English friends are to add something to this sum and offer it to the
Conference, it will be highly appreciated by Shoghi Effendi.

The cheque is drawn by the Anglo-Palestine Bank at Haifa on the Jewish
Colonial Trust, London, payable to your order. It is dated June 15th and
No. F077834/34224. Today we received the answer to our cablegram to Mr.
Wilhelm, stating that the article was mailed on the 11th, both to Haifa
and England and that Mr. Mills would gladly act at the Conference.

As we understand Mr. Mountfort Mills may go from America to England at the
time of the Conference. Shoghi Effendi will be very glad, if Mr. Mills
read the Paper. This desire of Shoghi Effendi was also mentioned in
to-day’s cablegram which was communicated to Mr. Wilhelm.

Through the many cablegrams and letters which have arrived from different
centres of the Cause, promising the maintenance of harmony, union and love
among the dear friends, the grief and sorrow of our beloved Guardian has
been greatly lightened and so we have great hope that when the hot season
of the Holy Land is over, we will have the pleasure and joy of his return.

The members of the Holy Family are all sending you and your dear
co-workers their tender love and assure you of their ardent prayers at the
Holy Shrines in your behalf. They are always awaiting heart-refreshing
glad tidings from you. My humble greeting and warm love to yourself and
the dear friends too.

Your humble brother and co-worker in His service,

(Enclosure)

Bahíyyih _Kh_ánum, Haifa

ARTICLE MAILED ELEVENTH BOTH HAIFA LONDON GLADLY ACT CONFERENCE.

MILLS

Letter of 16 July 1924

16 July 1924

My dear Bahá’í Brother,

...I have to write you and inform you that only yesterday I had the
privilege of receiving a letter from our dear Guardian who is still away
from Haifa ... he wishes me to write you, in answer to your letter to him,
that he very much regrets to be unable to be present in London and
represent a Cause to which he has ... dedicated his heart and soul. Were
it at all possible for me to send you his short note, you would see for
yourself with what a spirit he expresses his deep regret.... Although he
realises your disappointment at his inability to go to London, he wishes
me to assure every one of you that his eager prayers for you all is
unfailing and that it is with a glad heart that he cherishes the fondest
hopes in the effort that the proceedings of the religious Conference shall
have on the audience. May I also add that this is a hope in which
everybody shares especially the Greatest Holy Leaf and the members of the
family.

I presume by now you have already received a copy of the address that is
to be read...

You might be interested to know that the news of the progress of the Cause
among the Kadiani sect in India is quite surprising and two of their chief
leaders have not only become Bahá’ís, but have started an admirable little
weekly, I think, through which they hope to bring many of their colleagues
over. By the way, I believe the leader of the sect who is himself a young
man is coming over to London to represent his sect at the Conference.

The confusion and disorder in Persia which had aroused so much
apprehension on the part of the helpless Bahá’ís and had even led in one
case to actual martyrdom, has apparently subsided for the moment.

Here in Haifa everybody is in good health. With heartfelt greetings to all
the friends in London....

Letter of 23 September 1924

23 September 1924

MAY WEMBLEY (sic CONFERENCE) FULFIL YOUR FONDEST HOPES PRAY CONVEY
AUTHORITIES MY SINCERE REGRET AT INABILITY TO BE PRESENT I WISH THEM FULL
SUCCESS IN THEIR NOBLE ENDEAVOURS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 September 1924

24 September 1924(4)

The beloved of the Lord and the hand-maids of the Merciful in Great
Britain.

Care of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Dear Friends,

I return to the Holy Land with an overpowering sense of the gravity of the
spiritual state of the Cause in the world. Much as I deplore the
disturbing effect of my forced and repeated withdrawals from the field of
service, I can unhesitatingly assure you that my last and momentous step
was taken with extreme reluctance and only after mature and anxious
reflection as to the best way to safeguard the interests of a precious
Cause.

My prolonged absence, my utter inaction should not, however, be solely
attributed to certain external manifestations of unharmony, of discontent
and disloyalty—however paralysing their effect has been upon the
continuance of my work—but also to my own unworthiness and to my
imperfections and frailties.

I venture to request you to join me in yet another prayer, this time more
ardent and universal than before, supplicating with one voice the gracious
Master to overlook our weaknesses and failings, to make us worthier and
braver children of His own.

Humanity, through suffering and turmoil, is swiftly moving on towards its
destiny; if we be loiterers, if we fail to play our part surely others
will be called upon to take up our task as ministers to the crying needs
of this afflicted world.

Not by the force of numbers, not by the mere exposition of a set of new
and noble principles, not by an organised campaign of teaching—no matter
how worldwide and elaborate in its character—not even by the staunchness
of our faith or the exaltation of our enthusiasm, can we ultimately hope
to vindicate in the eyes of a critical and sceptical age the supreme claim
of the Abhá Revelation. One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and
alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the
extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in
their manifold aspects the splendour of those eternal principles
proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.

Looking back upon those sullen days of my retirement, bitter with feelings
of anxiety and gloom, I can recall with appreciation and gratitude those
unmistakable evidences of your affection and steadfast zeal which I have
received from time to time, and which have served to relieve in no small
measure the burden that weighed so heavily upon my heart.

I can well imagine the degree of uneasiness, nay of affliction, that must
have agitated the mind and soul of every loving and loyal servant of the
Beloved during these long months of suspense and distressing silence. But
I assure you such remarkable solicitude as you have shown for the
protection of His Cause, such tenacity of faith and unceasing activity as
you have displayed for its promotion, cannot but in the end be abundantly
rewarded by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who from His station above is the sure witness
of all that you have endured and suffered for Him.

And now as I look into the future, I hope to see the friends at all times,
in every land, and of every shade of thought and character, voluntarily
and joyously rallying round their local and in particular their national
centres of activity, upholding and promoting their interests with complete
unanimity and contentment, with perfect understanding, genuine enthusiasm,
and sustained vigour. This indeed is the one joy and yearning of my life,
for it is the fountain-head from which all future blessings will flow, the
broad foundation upon which the security of the Divine Edifice must
ultimately rest. May we not hope that now at last the dawn of a brighter
day is breaking upon our beloved Cause?

Shoghi

Letter of 10 October 1924

10 October 1924

My dear good brother,

Your letter of Sept. 30th written to our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi,
arrived and rejoiced his dear heart with its very interesting contents.

Yesterday he instructed me to translate a great part of it into Persian so
that it may be inserted in the circular of the Haifa Spiritual Assembly
and also to convey to you his great affection for you and the dear English
friends who so splendidly laboured towards the dignified representation of
the Cause of God at the Conference on Religions.

We have already the reports given in “The Times” from the two sessions of
the Conference allotted to the A?madíyyih people and to us. Both are very
interesting indeed....

Shoghi Effendi prays for the success and confirmation of you and all the
dear and noble English friends whose earnestness of efforts towards the
welfare of the Cause of God he highly admires and appreciates with
profound love....

Letter of 10 October 1924

10 October 1924

My dearly-beloved brother,

I am highly gratified with your splendid achievements and deeply
appreciative of your painstaking efforts. More power to your elbow! You
are rendering our precious Cause a splendid service in its hour of need!
Lady Blomfield’s idea of a reception was undoubtedly inspired and was
admirably executed. It has indeed rejoiced my heart. My love and my
gratitude for her wise, patient and fruitful efforts.

Your brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 October 1924

25 October 1924

My dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your very interesting letter of Oct. 15th. written to our beloved Guardian
together with the printed copy of the sermon of Dr. Walsh arrived the day
before yesterday and imparted great joy to his dear heart. He cherishes
great hopes for the bright future of the Cause in England. Of course his
hopes are partly based on the intrinsic mighty power of the Cause of God
and partly on the dignified way the dear friends in England are presenting
the Cause of God to the public.

Yesterday afternoon he instructed me to write this informing you of the
safe arrival of your letter and assure you that he appreciates with great
love your distinguished services to the Cause of God. He prays at the Holy
Shrines that fresh confirmations may reach you from the Abhá Kingdom day
by day so that you may have material comfort and spiritual success. He is
sure that the holy spirit of our beloved Lord, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is watching
over you and guiding your steps in life.

The members of the Holy Family and the friends in Haifa are thinking of
you and the other dear friends in England with love and admiration,
joining all in prayers for your happiness.

[From the Guardian:]

My dearest friend,

I wish to add a few words of assurance and sympathy in view of the heavy
burden of responsibility that rests on your shoulders in these difficult
and trying times. My fervent and increasing prayer is that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
may show you the way that will enable you to continue your splendid
pioneer work effectually, peacefully, free from every earthly care and
anxiety. Dr. Walsh’s sermon is astonishingly good. I wish you would send
me about 50 copies of the same. I pray unceasingly for my friends in
England.

Shoghi

Letter of 4 November 1924

4 November 1924

My dear Mr. Simpson,

It is always a pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letters to our dear
Guardian, and he was deeply interested in the minutes of the last meeting
of the N.S.A. which you were so kind as to enclose.

Your own letter, however, brought up a very interesting and vital question
in regard to the future progress of the Cause in England, especially now
that through the efforts of you all the spread of the Bahá’í Movement has
been well placed on the road to our ultimate victory. Now is the time to
take all necessary measures against a slacking in our pace and it is truly
unfortunate that just when the individual endeavours of every single
member is most needed and necessary, age and earthly cares deprive us of
some of our experienced and able co-workers. It would, I believe, be a
great service if just as few as possible could manage to deny themselves
of the joy and enthusiasm of serving as noble a Cause.

I am sure it would interest you to know that Mr. and Mrs. Mills are now in
Haifa and all that they have to say proves well the energy and efforts of
the London friends. We already have about ten pilgrims and are expecting
some more. I suppose Dr. Esslemont who would have much to tell us and
whose arrival Shoghi Effendi is eagerly awaiting, is among those who will
soon arrive....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear fellow-worker,

I trust that the prolonged visit of Dr. Esslemont will prove to be in
future pregnant with far-reaching possibilities for the service of the
Cause in England. To yourself I send my imperishable love and brotherly
greetings.

Affectionately,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 November 1924

22 November 1924

My dear Mr. Simpson,

The letter you had sent through Dr. Esslemont to Shoghi Effendi has
arrived and it gave him very great pleasure to read it. Although it is
quite beyond me to express to you just what thoughts and sentiments your
frank expressions of loyalty and love aroused in his heart, this I feel I
can assure you that it made him hopeful of the future and added to his
great confidence in you.

The Bahá’í Cause has a great mission to the people of England but the
field of service though immensely vast presents innumerable difficulties,
and it needs the able hand of a staunch and true Bahá’í primarily and the
dexterity of a good supervisor, to overcome every confronting difficulty
and to carry His Message to millions of people. This responsibility has
been entrusted to you by the guided decision of the Bahá’ís in England and
our Guardian finds great pleasure in confiding the same duty in you and in
endorsing the happy decision of the friends there.

In regard to your contemplated withdrawal from the presidency of the
N.S.A. and the London Assembly, it made him very happy to know that even
the thought of it has totally vanished. The hopes that he cherished in you
are far too many to permit you a more quiet part in Bahá’í activities in
England, and the hopeful signs of progress in the past year has made the
prospects of the coming year very bright and it all depends upon the
efforts of the friends in England and the guidance of our Master from on
high just how bright it shall turn out to be.

We still have Mr. Mills with us in Haifa and I assure you, we miss you
very much. The photograph you had sent to Shoghi Effendi has been received
and it shall be framed and placed in the Persian Pilgrim House...

...just of late we had the very sad news of the martyrdom of a Bahá’í
woman expecting to be soon a mother, and although she was related to very
influential officers in the army, nothing could make the criminals, who
sought refuge in the house of one of the Mullas, arrested. Though such
cases of untold carnage prove with much more force than mere words just
what the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh infused into every such Bahá’í has been,
and exactly what it means in Persia to try and become one, the horrors of
such a murder are truly beyond words. All that we have to do is to seek
His Grace and to beg and implore for God’s mercy.

May I also write a further assurance of Shoghi Effendi’s reliance upon you
and with an expression of his heartfelt love for you....

[From the Guardian:]

My most precious fellow-worker,

But for your unremitting labours, your sound and selfless efforts, the
burden that weighs upon me would prove well-nigh unbearable. I am sure
your heart responds to the sentiments that surge in my heart. I have a
profound admiration for the heroic manner in which you are rendering such
pioneer service to the Cause in England. May the Master sustain you,
comfort you and uphold you in your great task. Be assured of my brotherly,
unfailing prayers.

I am your true and affectionate brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 24 November 1924

24 November 1924(5)

To my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Care of the English National Spiritual Assembly.

Dearest friends!

The day is drawing near when for the third time we shall commemorate the
world over the passing of our well-beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. May we not pause
for a moment, and gather our thoughts? How has it fared with us, His
little band of followers, since that day? Whither are we now marching,
what has been our achievement?

We have but to turn our eyes to the world without to realise the
fierceness and the magnitude of the forces of darkness that are struggling
with the dawning light of the Abhá Revelation. Nations, though exhausted
and disillusioned, have seemingly begun to cherish anew the spirit of
revenge, of domination, and strife. Peoples, convulsed by economic
upheavals, are slowly drifting into two great opposing camps with all
their menace of social chaos, class hatreds, and world-wide ruin. Races,
alienated more than ever before, are filled with mistrust, humiliation and
fear, and seem to prepare themselves for a fresh and fateful encounter.
Creeds and religions, caught in this whirlpool of conflict and passion,
appear to gaze with impotence and despair at this spectacle of increasing
turmoil.

Such is the plight of mankind three years after the passing of Him from
Whose lips fell unceasingly the sure message of a fast-approaching Divine
salvation. Are we by our thoughts, our words, our deeds, whether
individually or collectively, preparing the way? Are we hastening the
advent of the Day He so often foretold?

None can deny that the flame of faith and love which His mighty hand
kindled in many hearts has, despite our bereavement, continued to burn as
brightly and steadily as ever before. Who can question that His loved
ones, both in the East and the West, notwithstanding the insidious
strivings of the enemies of the Cause, have displayed a spirit of
unshakable loyalty worthy of the highest praise? What greater perseverance
and fortitude than that which His tried and trusted friends have shown in
the face of untold calamities, intolerable oppression, and incredible
restrictions? Such staunchness of faith, such an unsullied love, such
magnificent loyalty, such heroic constancy, such noble courage, however
unprecedented and laudable in themselves, cannot alone lead us to the
final and complete triumph of such a great Cause. Not until the dynamic
love we cherish for Him is sufficiently reflected in its power and purity
in all our dealings with our fellowmen, however remotely connected and
humble in origin, can we hope to exalt in the eyes of a self-seeking world
the genuineness of the all-conquering love of God. Not until we live
ourselves the life of a true Bahá’í can we hope to demonstrate the
creative and transforming potency of the Faith we profess. Nothing but the
abundance of our actions, nothing but the purity of our lives and the
integrity of our character, can in the last resort establish our claim
that the Bahá’í spirit is in this day the sole agency that can translate a
long cherished ideal into an enduring achievement.

With this vision clearly set before us, and fortified by the knowledge of
the gracious aid of Bahá’u’lláh and the repeated assurances of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, let us first strive to live the life and then arise with one
heart, one mind, one voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve our end.
Let us recall, and seek on this sad occasion the comfort of the last
wishes of our departed yet ever watchful Master:

“It behoveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to seek repose. They
must disperse themselves in every land, pass by every clime, and travel
throughout all regions. Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to the end,
they must raise in every land the triumphal cry, Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá! (O Thou
the Glory of Glories).... The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and
all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged
themselves of self and passion, and with absolute detachment scattered far
and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine
guidance; till at last they made the world another world, illumined the
surface of the earth, and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing
in the pathway of that beloved one of God. Finally in various lands they
suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in
their footsteps!”

Having grasped the significance of these words, having obtained a clear
understanding of the true character of our mission, the methods to adopt,
the course to pursue, and having attained sufficiently that individual
regeneration—the essential requisite of teaching—let us arise to teach His
Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigour. Let this
be the paramount and most urgent duty of every Bahá’í. Let us make it the
dominating passion of our life. Let us scatter to the uttermost corners of
the earth; sacrifice our personal interests, comforts, tastes and
pleasures; mingle with the divers kindreds and peoples of the world;
familiarise ourselves with their manners, traditions, thoughts and
customs; arouse, stimulate and maintain universal interest in the
Movement, and at the same time endeavour by all the means in our power, by
concentrated and persistent attention, to enlist the unreserved allegiance
and the active support of the more hopeful and receptive among our
hearers. Let us too bear in mind the example which our beloved Master has
clearly set before us. Wise and tactful in His approach, wakeful and
attentive in His early intercourse, broad and liberal in all His public
utterances, cautious and gradual in the unfolding of the essential
verities of the Cause, passionate in His appeal yet sober in argument,
confident in tone, unswerving in conviction, dignified in His manners—such
were the distinguishing features of our Beloved’s noble presentation of
the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

If we all choose to tread faithfully His path, surely the day is not far
distant when our beloved Cause will have emerged from the inevitable
obscurity of a young and struggling Faith into the broad daylight of
universal recognition. This is our duty, our first obligation. Therein
lies the secret of the success of the Cause we love so well. Therein lies
the hope, the salvation of mankind. Are we fully conscious of our
responsibilities? Do we realise the urgency, the sacredness, the
immensity, the glory of our task?

I entreat you, dear friends, to continue, nay, to redouble your efforts,
to keep your vision clear, your hopes undimmed, your determination
unshaken, so that the power of God within us may fill the world with all
its glory.

In this fervent plea joins me the Greatest Holy Leaf. Though chagrined in
the evening of her life at the sorrowful tales of repression in Persia,
she still turns with the deepest longings of her heart to your land where
freedom reigns, eager and expectant to behold, ere she is called away, the
signs of the universal triumph of the Cause she loves so dearly.

Shoghi

Letter of 13 February 1925

13 February 1925

“I have read with the deepest pleasure the Minutes of the meeting of your
National Assembly and am deeply gratified to note the constancy, devotion
and thoroughness with which you are conducting your affairs.” (Copied from
National Spiritual Assembly Minutes, 28 February 1925)

Letter of 26 March 1925

26 March 1925

My dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your interesting letter of March 12th written to our beloved Guardian
together with the draft minutes of the 12th meeting of your National
Spiritual Assembly has been received. The draft on Haifa for the sum of
thirty-three pounds sterling which is the joint contribution of the
English friends for the relief of their suffering brothers at Nayríz, and
enclosed in your letter, has also been received. This sum has been added
to contributions received from other centres and will be sent by next mail
to the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia. From Persia they shall
acknowledge the receipt of this sum directly and for the present, our
Guardian acknowledges its receipt gratefully and wishes you to kindly
convey his gratitude to all the dear friends who have so kindly and
generously contributed.

Our dear brother, Dr. Esslemont, was not well for some time, but now I am
glad to tell you that he is better and we are expecting him to come out of
the hospital to-day.

We have nowadays the pleasure of having among us the first group of our
beloved New Zealand and Australian believers. They are of great sincerity
and devotion. From here they are intending to visit England where I am
sure you will enjoy their acquaintance and company very much....

[From the Guardian:]

My precious fellow-worker,

The prompt and generous contribution of the British friends for the relief
of the sufferers in Nayríz is deeply appreciated and I wish to offer
through you to them all in the name of the victims of that great
catastrophe my deep and grateful thanks. May the All-Bountiful reward and
bless them a hundred fold! The sum of approximately 1000 pounds has been
until now collected from various parts of the Bahá’í world and more is
expected. What an admirable and convincing testimony of the reality of the
Bahá’í bond that binds the East with the West. Regarding the historical
compilation suggested by the Persian friends, I think your plan is
suitable and correct. The English N.S.A. will I trust collect all the data
and exercise its discretion and judgment in collating all the material
received from the friends and assemblies throughout Great Britain, and,
after having given it a definite and final shape, will forward it direct
to Persia. I would welcome a copy of it myself. Assuring you of my
gratitude and prayers,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 2 November 1925

2 November 1925

IRÁQ’S SUPREME COURT UNEXPECTEDLY PRONOUNCED VERDICT AGAINST US IN
BA_GH_DÁD CASE STRONGLY ADVISE NATIONAL AND EVERY LOCAL ASSEMBLY
COMMUNICATE BY CABLE AND LETTER WITH ‘IRÁQ HIGH COMMISSIONER APPEALING
ARDENTLY FOR ACTION TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S SACRED HOUSE.

SHOGHI.

Letter of 6 November 1925

6 November 1925(6)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the East and throughout the West.

Dearly-beloved friends:

The sad and sudden crisis that has arisen in connexion with the ownership
of Bahá’u’lláh’s sacred house in Ba_gh_dád has sent a thrill of
indignation and dismay throughout the whole of the Bahá’í world. Houses
that have been occupied by Bahá’u’lláh for well nigh the whole period of
His exile in ‘Iráq, ordained by Him as the chosen and sanctified object of
Bahá’í pilgrimage in future, magnified and extolled in countless Tablets
and Epistles as the sacred centre “round which shall circle all peoples
and kindreds of the earth”—lie now, due to fierce intrigue and ceaseless
fanatical opposition, at the mercy of the declared enemies of the Cause.

I have instantly communicated with every Bahá’í Centre in both East and
West, and urgently requested the faithful followers of the Faith in every
land to protest vehemently against this glaring perversion of justice, to
assert firmly and courteously the spiritual rights of the Bahá’í community
to the ownership of this venerated house, to plead for British fairness
and justice, and to pledge their unswerving determination to ensure the
security of this hallowed spot.

Conscious of the fact that this property has been occupied by Bahá’í
authorised representatives for an uninterrupted period of not less than
thirty years, and having successfully won their case at the Justice of
Peace and the Court of First Instance, the Bahá’ís the world over cannot
believe that the high sense of honour and fairness which inspired the
British Administration of ‘Iráq will ever tolerate such grave miscarriage
of justice. They confidently appeal to the public opinion of the world for
the defence and protection of their legitimate rights now sorely trampled
under the feet of relentless enemies.

Widespread and effective publicity along these lines, in well-conceived
and carefully-worded terms, is strongly recommended for it will
undoubtedly serve to facilitate the solution of this delicate and
perplexing problem.

Having exerted ourselves to the utmost of our ability, let us rest assured
in the power of the Lord, Who keepeth watch over His house, and Who will,
no matter how dark present prospects appear, assure for generations yet
unborn His cherished and holy edifice.

Your brother and fellow-worker,
Shoghi

Letter of 11 November 1925

11 November 1925

Dear Friends,

I have been asked to enclose for your kind attention the following
papers:—

1. Circular letter concerning the residential house of Bahá’u’lláh in
Ba_gh_dád.

2. Circular letter concerning the purchase of land around the Holy Shrines
in Haifa.

3. The system of transliteration to be used in all Bahá’í references.

4. A plan of the immediate neighbourhood of the Shrines in Haifa showing
in approximate proportions the different plots around it.

In view of the extreme importance of the aforementioned papers, Shoghi
Effendi trusts that all necessary measures will be taken to insure their
prompt distribution among all the different assemblies and among all such
recognised Bahá’ís as your distinguished assembly deems fit and
advisable....

Letter of 12 November 1925

12 November 1925

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Our dear Guardian was very glad to receive your letter of Nov. 4th through
which you acquaint him with the steps you have already taken in carrying
out his instruction concerning the Ba_gh_dád House.

He is highly pleased with what you have done. In other Bahá’í Centres also
the friends have in a similar way followed promptly his telegraphic
instruction. Up to this time we have received no further information
regarding the actual situation of the House.

Shoghi Effendi will let you know of any fresh development as soon as he
receives information. He sends you his warm affection and extends to you
his appreciation for your noble services to the Cause of God. He prays for
your health and success in service. He wishes you to kindly convey his
loving greeting to all the dear friends in England....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear self-sacrificing brother,

The wise and prompt measures you have taken have given me the utmost
satisfaction. I trust your devoted endeavours will be crowned with full
success. I have sent you a few days ago various circulars, a list of
transliterated terms and the plan of the surroundings of the Holy Shrine,
copies of all of which I earnestly request you to place in the hands of
every recognised believer.

Your grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 23 November 1925

23 November 1925

BELOVED ESSLEMONT PASSED AWAY, COMMUNICATE FRIENDS AND FAMILY DISTRESSING
NEWS URGE BELIEVERS DEDICATE SPECIAL DAY FOR UNIVERSAL PRAYER AND
REMEMBRANCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 November 1925

27 November 1925

My dear Bahá’í Brother,

I find it very hard to be able to express in adequate words our deep
feelings and sorrow at the loss of our dearly-beloved brother Dr.
Esslemont. Those of us who had known him only since his sojourn in Haifa,
had even in that short period of time, learnt to admire and love him. How
much more so those of you to whom he was an old friend and fellow-worker.

I have been ordered by Shoghi Effendi to relate in as simple words as
possible for the information of his friends in England, the sufferings of
his last days and yet words fail me in that painful task.

The chronic disease from which he had suffered in the past had very much
undermined his weak constitution and his eagerness to serve the Cause he
so dearly loved, despite all advice to the contrary, was a great tax upon
his failing strength. His stay at the Black Forest in Germany all through
the summer had improved his health, but upon his return to Haifa he felt
rather weak and he was frequently in bed for a few days. Not until a
fortnight ago was Dr. Esslemont seriously ill and even then the doctors
thought that in spite of the fact that the trouble from which he had
suffered in the past was now more active there was no reason for great
anxiety. His health was slowly improving and everything was being done to
give him the best medical advice obtainable here in Haifa, when suddenly
and unexpectedly at about midnight of November 21st the doctor had a
severe stroke of “cerebral embolus”. The next day a second stroke followed
and he at last succumbed to the third which he had at about seven o’clock
of the next evening. The attending doctors were both European—one Italian
and the other German. Our two Bahá’í doctors Yúnís _Kh_án and Mírzá
Arastú, whom you must have met in London very gladly put themselves at his
disposal.

Hard as it was for everyone who had known Dr. Esslemont to see him pass
away and to realise what a great loss it means to the friends the world
over, we can find no greater consolation than in the happy thought that he
now lies in peace and his soul where it so loved to be. Beyond all earthly
cares, all pains and sorrows his soul dwells forever.

The funeral service was both simple and touching. His body was washed by
two of the friends, dressed and wrapped in white silk cloth and perfumed
by attar of roses. On his finger Shoghi Effendi placed his own Bahá’í ring
which he had worn for a good many years. Laid in a simple casket of walnut
and placed in the hall of the Pilgrim House, the friends gathered together
and said their funeral prayer over him. The casket was carried for a short
distance by Shoghi Effendi and then placed in the Master’s carriage and
accompanied by the sons-in-law of the Master it slowly wound its way,
followed by eleven other cabs carrying the friends, to the foot of Mt.
Carmel. There it was laid to rest in that beautifully-situated cemetery,
and flowers from the garden of the Master’s home were scattered over his
grave. Simple as he was in his life and character, equally simple was his
funeral service. And yet just as in the simplicity of his character lay
his many virtues, in like manner did the simplicity of that service sink
into every heart and fill every eye with tears.

In case you think it would please them you are perfectly welcome to
communicate to the family of Dr. Esslemont the particulars of his death
and burial. Enclosed you will please find a letter from Shoghi Effendi
addressed to the family and relations of the deceased. You will please
have it read by his wife, who I believe is in London, and then sent over
to his father and sister who are in Aberdeen.

Due to the reason that Shoghi Effendi hopes to build in the near future
the grave of Dr. Esslemont on his behalf and on behalf of all the friends,
our Guardian would like very much to have the design chosen by the family
of the deceased. Of course you would let them know that through certain
considerations it would be best to have the design devoid of any cross as
that in this country would particularise it to the Christian faith. You
would let the family know that the expense would be defrayed by the
friends all over the world and by Shoghi Effendi himself.

Shoghi Effendi would also like you to send the picture of Dr. Esslemont to
the countries where the friends have published magazines with a request to
have it published. They are America, India, Germany and Australia. He
wants you also to write a comprehensive biographical sketch of the life of
Dr. Esslemont for “The Star” in America laying most stress on his life
since he became a Bahá’í. This of course does not necessarily mean that
you should write it yourself but anyone in London. You should also make
mention of him in your circular letter in detail....

Letter of 30 November 1925

30 November 1925(7)

To the beloved of God and the handmaids of the Merciful in the East and in
the West.

Dear fellow-workers,

It is with feelings of overwhelming sorrow that I communicate to you the
news of yet another loss which the Almighty, in His inscrutable wisdom,
has chosen to inflict upon our beloved Cause. On the 22nd of November,
1925—that memorable and sacred day in which the Bahá’ís of the Orient
celebrated the twin Festivals of the Declaration of the Báb and the
Birthday of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—Dr. John E. Esslemont passed on to the Abhá
Kingdom. His end was as swift as it was unexpected. Suffering from the
effects of a chronic and insidious disease, he fell at last a victim to
the inevitable complications that ensued, the fatal course of which
neither the efforts of vigilant physicians nor the devoted care of his
many friends could possibly deflect.

He bore his sufferings with admirable fortitude, with calm resignation and
courage. Though convinced that his ailments would never henceforth forsake
him, yet many a time he revealed a burning desire that the friends
residing in the Holy Land should, while visiting the Shrines, implore the
All-Merciful to prolong his days that he may bring to a fuller completion
his humble share of service to the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh. To this noble
request all hearts warmly responded. But this was not to be. His close
association with my work in Haifa, in which I had placed fondest hopes,
was suddenly cut short. His book, however, an abiding monument to his pure
intention, will, alone, inspire generations yet unborn to tread the path
of truth and service as steadfastly and as unostentatiously as was trodden
by its beloved author. The Cause he loved so well he served even unto his
last day with exemplary faith and unstinted devotion. His tenacity of
faith, his high integrity, his self-effacement, his industry and
painstaking labours were traits of a character the noble qualities of
which will live and live forever after him. To me personally he was the
warmest of friends, a trusted counsellor, an indefatigable collaborator, a
lovable companion.

With tearful eyes I supplicate at the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh—and request
you all to join—in my ardent prayers, for the fuller unfolding in the
realms beyond of a soul that has already achieved so high a spiritual
standing in this world. For by the beauty of his character, by his
knowledge of the Cause, by the conspicuous achievements of his book, he
has immortalised his name, and by sheer merit deserved to rank as one of
the Hands of the Cause of God.

He has been laid to rest in the heart of that beautifully situated Bahá’í
burial ground at the foot of Carmel, close to the mortal remains of that
venerable soul, ?ájí Mírzá Vakílu’d-Dawlih, the illustrious cousin of the
Báb and chief builder of the Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár of I_sh_qábád. Pilgrims
visiting his grave from far and near will, with pride and gratitude, do
honour to a name that adorned the annals of an immortal Cause.

May he eternally rest in peace. Shoghi

Letter of 5 December 1925

5 December 1925

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I write to acknowledge receipt of your two letters of Nov. 25 and 28th to
Shoghi Effendi and to thank you on his behalf for all the trouble you have
taken in communicating to the friends and to his family the sad news of
the passing away of Dr. Esslemont. Shoghi Effendi cannot but appreciate
the many evidences of your devotion and love.

We are very glad to know that Mr. Mills is as successful in his endeavours
and we trust that it should end with a decisive victory on our part. Mr.
Mills has kept us briefly in touch with what he has been doing in London
but we still await more detailed news from him. He is probably too busy to
write.

Shoghi Effendi has already heard from Miss Esslemont.

Everybody is well here. Shoghi Effendi and the family send you their
heartfelt greetings....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear indefatigable co-worker,

Knowing what the urgency and multiplicity of pressing activities mean to a
person who pursues his task almost single-handed, I can well understand,
sympathise, and admire your noble endeavours and the splendid work you are
doing for the Cause of God. I wish to renew the expression of my deep
confidence in, and great appreciation of, the part you play at this
highly-important and difficult stage of our work. Your communications
regarding the houses in Ba_gh_dád have been highly satisfactory and I
trust will yield the long-desired fruit. Regarding the position of ...,
Azízu’lláh _Kh_án Bahádur will immediately after my decision let you know
on my behalf what I feel to be the most suitable way of meeting this
difficult situation. I feel too overwhelmed with work to write more.

Shoghi

Letter of 9 December 1925

9 December 1925

URGE FRIENDS INQUIRE IN COURTEOUS TERMS BY CABLE AND LETTER FROM ‘IRÁQ
HIGH COMMISSIONER RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 14 December 1925

14 December 1925

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I am sending you enclosed a copy of the pamphlet written by Dr. Esselmont.

Last year Dr. Esslemont sent you a similar copy of the pamphlet fully
revised for you to publish. Shoghi Effendi would like very much to have a
copy of his revised edition and is sending the enclosed only as a reminder
of some of the corrections and revisions he had made in the copy he sent
you. In case you have published copies of the revised edition, Shoghi
Effendi would like to have a number of copies sent to him and in case you
have not published it, he would like you to send him a correct copy of the
revised form of the edition as you have it. He could have it published
himself. In any case, however, he wishes you to send back to him the
enclosed copy.

We received last night news that the keys of the houses in Ba_gh_dád have
been given to the _Sh_í’ites and they had made a regular demonstration on
the occasion. We await to see what will be done at last....

Letter of 23 January 1926

23 January 1926

My dear Bahá’í Brother,

I take pleasure in thanking you on behalf of our dear Guardian for your
letters of Dec. 9th and 13th and of Jan. 4th which he was very glad to
receive. He appreciates immensely your many efforts and although so far
away, you are to him, I assure you, a great and indispensable helper. It
is always with confidence in its thoroughness that he refers to you
anything of importance.

He is so glad to learn that the friends in England have in the different
centres held memorial meetings for our departed brother. He was to us all
a great friend and fellow-worker and to the Cause a faithful servant—his
memory will help us to follow an equally righteous path.

The biographical sketch which you have written for the different Bahá’í
magazines and a copy of which you had sent to our Guardian was received
and read. He fully approves of it and feels sure that the different
publications will welcome your article and will be glad to devote some of
their pages to the memory of one whose name and writings were often to be
seen in those same magazines.

With regard to the design of the grave of Dr. Esslemont, a picture of
which you had sent enclosed, Shoghi Effendi wishes to inform you that
although he himself liked the design and would have been glad to follow it
altogether, up till the present the tombs of the Bahá’ís have been very
simply built and the custom has been to have them as beautiful and at the
same time as simple as possible. This general custom holds true even in
the case of the tombs of the Master’s mother and brother. The graves are
built of white marble stones but the designs have in every case been
simple, and he wishes you very much to make the family of Dr. Esslemont
understand that although Shoghi Effendi will not be able to follow the
design strictly he will try to make the tomb as near it as possible, while
keeping within the range of the customary simplicity. Even the tomb of the
cousin of the Báb which is close to that of Dr. Esslemont and which Shoghi
Effendi also intends to build will be very simple.

In connection with the leaflet of Dr. Esslemont, Shoghi Effendi feels that
if you intend to publish a new edition you would do well to keep it until
you are through with it, but if you already have many copies of the last
issue and the Assembly does not intend to bring out a new edition in the
near future, he wants you to send him the leaflet so as to be able to send
it to America where he wants to have it translated into Hebrew and other
languages. At any case he wants you to send him a copy of it or the
original as soon as possible.

Our Guardian has been very glad to receive a wire of late from Ba_gh_dád
telling him that everything was hopeful. As yet we do not have any
particulars but we trust that we can soon regain our rights in the houses.
It is perhaps very fortunate that the High Commissioner himself will be in
Ba_gh_dád and will be able to help us very much....

P.S. With regard to the accent in the letter a in the transliteration of
Persian names and words and the difficulty of the publishers in having a
vertical mark, Shoghi Effendi feels that in case having the regular
vertical mark means too much trouble and expense it would be justified to
replace it by the horizontal dash on the a, but if the trouble and expense
would not be much, for the sake of uniformity throughout transliterations
everywhere, it would be best to have the regular vertical mark.

[From the Guardian:]

My dear fellow-worker,

I am sure you will understand, and explain my motive and reasons to dear
Esslemont’s relatives in connexion with the design of the tomb. Much as I
love and esteem my departed friend, I feel I must pay due consideration to
the general practice prevailing in Haifa and Akká particularly as it is
applied even to the resting places of the Master’s nearest relations. I
will however follow the design as closely as it is consistent with
simplicity, without altering in any way the shape and general outline
presented by the architect. Please assure his relatives of my keen desire
to do everything possible that will enhance and preserve the memory of
such a staunch and precious friend.

Shoghi

Letter of 1 April 1926

1 April 1926

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Many thanks for your letter of Feb. 21, and I am so sorry I could not
answer you earlier.

I am sending you enclosed the plan that you had sent and behind it I have
marked the approximate prices of the plots. You realise that the exact
price cannot be determined because they fluctuate and various causes bring
about this change in price. For this reason I have given two figures one
being the minimum and the other the maximum. There are no probabilities
that under any conditions the maximum and the minimum will change.
However, I have sent you the price for the so called region rather than
the individual plots, the latter being due to many reasons quite
impossible.

Shoghi Effendi is quite well though as usual very busy with an
overwhelmingly vast correspondence. The family are all well and send you
their love and best wishes....

[From the Guardian:]

My esteemed and valued friend:

I understand from your recent cable to me that Miss ... has at last
complied with my request and written the London Assembly acknowledging
their authority. I have immediately cabled you my heartfelt appreciation
of her act. If that is the case I wish to urge you and the London Council
to exercise the utmost care, consideration and vigilance that this new
step taken in the right direction may gradually lead to a definite
solution of this painful problem. I am as usual terribly overwhelmed with
my unceasing work and this cable of yours has been a most welcome relief.
I have received your letter dated Feb. 7. I am returning one of the
leaflets for future publication in London. I wish to remind you of the
necessity of close co-operation on the part of the English National
Spiritual Assembly with ‘La nova Tago’ published in Hamburg.

Shoghi

Letter of 11 April 1926

11 April 1926

My dear Bahá’í Brother,

I thank you very much indeed on behalf of our dear Guardian for your kind
letters of March 29th and 31st.

The news of the reconciliation of ... with the National Assembly has been
the source of immeasurable joy to the heart of Shoghi Effendi and he
appreciates the spirit of both parties in trying to forget all past
misunderstandings and in starting anew with genuine love and goodwill.
This has relieved Shoghi Effendi of a very heavy weight of thought and
distress and this itself gives you as much satisfaction as it does to us
all.

Shoghi Effendi has gladly received the names of the elected body for the
London Assembly and he wishes them all success from the bottom of his
heart. That they may all help to vindicate still more strongly the great
claim of our dear Cause in England, that they may succeed to increase
daily the numbers of earnest Bahá’í workers and that they may mirror forth
the great spirit of our beloved Master, is the fondest hope and the
fervent prayer of our dear Guardian.

As I write you these lines we are all sorely distressed with the ghastly
news of the martyrdom of twelve Bahá’ís in one of the towns of southern
Persia....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and valued friend:

I have received with feelings of deep satisfaction the welcome news of ...
compliance with my request. I wish to impress upon all those who come in
contact with her the necessity of exercising forbearance, kindness and
loving consideration while adhering closely to the established principles
of the Cause. I will inform you if any action is necessary regarding the
martyrdom in Jahrum in Southern Persia—a monstrous crime that has deeply
afflicted us all. Concerning the membership of the Spiritual Assembly, I
have already communicated with America to the effect that the members who
are entitled to vote must be strictly limited to nine. Additional members
may attend only in a consultative capacity. I realise fully the delicacy
and difficulty of your position but it must be made clear to all that nine
and only nine can vote. All other subsidiary matters are left to the
Assemblies.

Lovingly,
Shoghi

Letter of 11 April 1926

11 April 1926(8)

I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the sum of seventeen pounds from
my dear friends the Bahá’ís of England as their much appreciated
contribution for the purchase of land around the Holy Shrines on Mt.
Carmel.

Shoghi

Letter of 22 April 1926

22 April 1926(9)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Fellow-labourers in the Divine Vineyard:

In the midst of the many vicissitudes which the creative Word of God is
destined to encounter in the course of its onward march towards the
redemption of the world, there breaks upon us the news of still another
loss, more bewildering in its character, yet more inspiring in its
challenge, than any of the gravest happenings of recent times. Once again
the woeful tale of unabated persecution, involving this time the martyrdom
of twelve of our long-suffering brethren in Jahrum, southern Persia, has
reached our ears, and filled us with a gloom which all the joys and
ennobling memories of Ridván have failed to dispel.

From the meagre reports which have thus far been received from that
distracted country it appears that this shameful and atrocious act, though
the outcome of a number of obscure and complex causes, has been chiefly
instigated by that ever-present factor of fierce and relentless impulse of
religious hostility. Persia—long-neglected and sorely-tried—continues,
despite the revival of recent hopes, to be the down-trodden victim of
unscrupulous personal rivalries and factious intrigue, of tribal revolt,
political dissensions and religious animosities—all of which have in times
past brought in their wake the shedding of the blood of so many of its
innocent and choicest sons.

Fully alive to the gravity of the occasion, and realising the urgency of
my sacred duty, I have, upon the receipt of the news, transmitted
telegraphically through the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
Persia a special message addressed in the name of the Bahá’ís in every
land to the supreme Authority in the State, expressing our profound horror
at this outrageous act as well as our earnest entreaty to inflict
immediate punishment on the perpetrators of so abominable a crime. And as
this sad event involved chiefly the welfare and security of the Bahá’í
residents in Persia, I have specially requested all local Assemblies in
that land to address a similar message to the highest authorities
concerned appealing for full protection and justice. Should future
developments necessitate direct and foreign intervention, I shall acquaint
the national Bahá’í representatives in every land to take in cooperation
with all local Assemblies such measures as will effectually conduce to a
fuller recognition of the dynamic force latent in the Bahá’í Faith and
ensure the betterment of the lot of the heroic supporters of our Cause.

Pending the opening of official and direct communication with recognised
authorities whether in Persia or elsewhere, I strongly feel that the time
has assuredly come when it is incumbent upon every conscientious promoter
of the Cause to bestir himself and undertake in consultation with the
friends in his locality such measures of publicity as will lead to the
gradual awakening of the conscience of the civilised world to what is
admittedly an ignominious manifestation of a decadent age.

I would specially request all National Assemblies to give their anxious
and immediate consideration to this grave matter, and to devise ways and
means that will secure the fullest publicity to our grievances. I would
remind them that whatever is published should be couched in terms that are
at once correct, forceful and inoffensive. I would particularly stress the
importance of making every effort to secure the sympathy and hospitality
of the leading journals and periodicals of the Western world, and of
sending to the Holy Land any such references in papers that will arise to
champion the cause of Righteousness and Justice. I greatly deplore the
fact that owing to the remoteness and the unstable conditions in Persia,
details and particulars regarding this ugly incident are not as yet
available, but will be duly communicated to the various centres
immediately upon their receipt. I would however ask the believers
throughout the West to arise without any further delay and supplement the
publication of the news conveyed in this message with an account of
previous happenings of a similar character, combined with an adequate
survey of the aim, the principles, and history of the Bahá’í Cause.

It is to you, dearly beloved friends of the West, who are the
standard-bearers of the emancipation and triumph of the Bahá’í Faith, that
our afflicted brethren of the East have turned their expectant eyes,
confident that the day cannot be far-distant when, in accordance with
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s explicit utterance, the West will “seize the Cause” from
Persia’s fettered hands and lead it to glorious victory.

Though grief-stricken and horrified at this cruel blow, let us be on our
guard lest we give way to despair, lest we forget that in the Almighty’s
inscrutable Wisdom this sudden calamity may prove to be but a blessing in
disguise. For what else can it do but to stir the inmost depths of our
souls, set our faith ablaze, galvanise our efforts, dissolve our
differences, and provide one of the chief instruments which the unhampered
promoters of the Faith can utilise to attract the attention, enlist the
sympathy, and eventually win the allegiance of all mankind?

Ours is this supreme opportunity; may we fulfil our trust.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 11 May 1926

11 May 1926(10)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!

Grave and manifold as are the problems confronting the struggling Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh, none appear more significant nor seem more compelling in
their urgency than the incredible sufferings borne so heroically by our
down-trodden brethren of the East. Recent reports confirming the news
which I have lately communicated to you have all emphasised the barbarous
severity practised on the innocent followers of our Cause. They reveal the
possibility of the extension of this agitation, partly instigated for
political purposes and selfish motives, to neighbouring towns and
provinces, and dwell upon the traditional slackness of the local
authorities to inflict prompt and severe punishment upon all the
perpetrators of such abominable crimes. It has been ascertained that in
the town of Jahrum women have suffered martyrdom in a most atrocious
manner, that the knife of the criminal has mercilessly cut to pieces the
body of a child, that a number have been severely beaten and injured,
their bodies mutilated, their homes pillaged, their property confiscated,
and the homeless remnants of their family abandoned to the mercy of a
shameless and tyrannical people. In other parts of Persia, and
particularly in the province of Á_dh_irbayján, in the town of Mará_gh_ih,
the friends have been pitilessly denied the civic rights and privileges
extended to every citizen of the land. They have been refused the use of
the public bath, and been denied access to such shops as provide the
necessities of life. They have been declared deprived of the benefit and
protection of the law, and all association and dealing with them denounced
as a direct violation of the precepts and principles of Islám. It has even
been authoritatively stated that the decencies of public interment have
been refused to their dead, and that in a particular case every effort to
induce the Moslem undertaker to provide the wood for the construction of
the coffin failed to secure the official support of the authorities
concerned. Every appeal made by these harassed Bahá’ís on behalf of their
brethren, whether living or dead, has been met with cold indifference,
with vague promises, and not infrequently with severe rebuke and
undeserved chastisement.

The tale of such outrageous conduct, such widespread suffering and loss,
if properly expressed and broadcast, cannot fail in the end to arouse the
conscience of civilised mankind, and thereby secure the much-needed relief
for a long-suffering people. I would, therefore, renew my plea, and
request you most earnestly to redouble your efforts in the wide field of
publicity, to devise every possible means that will alleviate the fears
and sorrows of the silent sufferers in that distracted country.

Surely these vile wrong-doers cannot long remain unpunished for their
ferocious atrocities, and the day may not be far distant when we shall
witness, as we have observed elsewhere, the promised signs of Divine
Retribution avenging the blood of the slaughtered servants of Bahá’u’lláh.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 20 May 1926

20 May 1926

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I thank you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi for your letter of May 8th.

He was very glad indeed to learn the names of the newly elected London
Spiritual Assembly and he wishes them success from the bottom of his
heart. He earnestly trusts that throughout the coming year they will
succeed to give a fresh impetus to the progress of the Cause in England
and will not be satisfied with only mediocre efforts and endeavours.

With regard to the election of the Assemblies and your desire to have
substitutes in order to ensure a steady and easy-to-obtain quorum for
business, Shoghi Effendi would not like to give you any further special
regulations but would prefer you to communicate with America and follow
the method they have adopted. He has a keen desire that uniformity should
exist in the regulations. I am sure you would gladly communicate with Mr.
Horace Holley on the subject.

He is so gratified that the case of ... is settled permanently and he
hopes that in future no such petty misunderstandings will come in the way
of the steady growth of the Movement, which is of the utmost necessity not
only in England but throughout the world.

Shoghi Effendi is well but as usual very busy. The recent atrocities in
Persia have been a source of deep grief to his heart....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear fellow-worker,

In order to avoid misunderstandings and confusion and ensure uniformity of
method and action I have requested you to conform to the principle adopted
by the American friends and Mr. Holley will inform you of the method they
pursue. I realise the special and peculiar difficulties that prevail in
London and the nature of the obstacles with which they are confronted. I
feel however that an earnest effort should be made to overcome them and
that the members must arrange their affairs in such a way as to ensure
their prompt attendance at 9 meetings which are held in the course of the
year. This surely is not an insurmountable obstacle.

I will remember their needs and difficulties in my prayers at the Holy
Shrines and will continue to supplicate for them Divine guidance and
blessings.

Shoghi

Letter of 28 June 1926

28 June 1926

Dear Mr. Simpson,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
June 22nd, 1926. He is most appreciative of the many and continuous
services you are rendering to the Cause in that land. Your efficiency,
sincerity and untiring zeal are great assets for the friends in
England....

Shoghi Effendi fully approves of your suggestion to put a royalty on the
translations of Dr. Esslemont’s book equal to what he had arranged for the
original. Not only is that a fair thing to do but also it is incumbent
upon us to show our appreciation of Dr. Esslemont’s services to the Cause
by safeguarding the interests of his family, especially as his wife is an
invalid and in need of help. Shoghi Effendi specially wants me to ask you
to show utmost consideration to her interests.

[From the Guardian:]

My dear fellow-worker,

I hope you will assure Mrs. Esslemont on my behalf and express to her my
warm approval of your suggestion which would safeguard her interests and
prove of some assistance to her....

Assuring you of my earnest prayers for your continued and unsparing
efforts for the promotion of the Cause you serve so well,

I am your grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 July 1926

16 July 1926

Dear Mr. Simpson,

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to Shoghi Effendi dated
June 20, 1926. He is very thankful for what you are trying to do for the
friends in Persia. I hope the efforts of the whole western friends
combined will alleviate this great burden which rests upon them, and at
least give them the peace and comfort which they have been for so long
desiring.

As to the translation or rather revision of the translation of the “Hidden
Words”. A year ago, I believe, the American friends wrote to Shoghi
Effendi and asked him to do it. Complying with their wish he revised his
translation and they have published it both in paper and leather bound.
Shoghi Effendi believes that another edition in England will be useless
and perhaps will not find the necessary market. You could buy from America
all the copies you need. Nevertheless, if you want to have a new English
edition you can procure a copy from America. Shoghi Effendi does not
believe it necessary to give it a still other revision....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and able friend,

I am in correspondence with Rev. Townshend in connexion with various
alterations in my rendering of the Hidden Words. I have just received his
second letter containing suggestions which I greatly appreciate and value.
I am hoping to revise it for a third time after my correspondence with Mr.
T. is over. I feel you can postpone it for the present. I hope and pray
you will succeed in giving wide and effective publicity to the atrocities
perpetrated in Persia, in the British Press. It is so necessary and
important. We must at all costs capture the heights and the British
friends have in this connexion a unique and splendid opportunity in their
own country and amid their own people. Difficult though it be we must
persevere and not relax in our efforts. What Martha(11) has achieved is a
great incentive and example. Your own splendid efforts are deeply and
lovingly appreciated by me.

Shoghi

Letter of 17 October 1926

17 October 1926(12)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!

In the course of the few months that have elapsed since my last
communication to you regarding the appalling circumstances that have
culminated in the martyrdom of our Persian brethren in Jahrum, events of
the highest importance to the future welfare of our beloved Cause have
transpired, and with startling suddenness conferred abiding solace upon
those who still have to face the pains and terrors of unmitigated and
shameless tyranny.

You have, most of you I presume, read with thrilling joy in one of the
recent issues of the “Star of the West” that illuminating account given by
our beloved sister, Miss Martha Root, wherein she tells with her
characteristic directness and modesty the story of her moving interview
with Her Majesty Queen Marie of Rumania and of the cordial and ready
response which her gentle yet persuasive presentation of the principles of
the Bahá’í Faith has evoked in the heart of that honoured Queen. One of
the visible and potent effects which this historic interview proved
capable of achieving was the remarkable appeal in the form of an open
letter which Her Majesty freely and spontaneously caused to be published
to the world at large testifying in a language of exquisite beauty to the
power and sublimity of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

It was indeed a never-to-be-forgotten occasion when, on the eve of the day
commemorating the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, a handful of us, His sorrowing
servants, had gathered round His beloved Shrine supplicating relief and
deliverance for the down-trodden in Persia, to receive in the midst of the
silence of that distressing hour the glad-tiding of this notable triumph
which the unbending energy and indomitable spirit of our beloved Martha
has achieved for our sacred Cause.

With bowed heads and grateful hearts we recognise in this glowing tribute
which Royalty has thus paid to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh an epoch-making
pronouncement destined to herald those stirring events which, as
‘Abdu’l-Bahá has prophesied, shall in the fullness of time signalise the
triumph of God’s holy Faith. For who can doubt but that the deeds of those
valiant pioneers of the Faith, unexampled though they have been in the
abundance of their number and unexcelled in their sublime heroism, are but
a faint glimmer of what, according to the Divine Promise, its steadfast
followers are destined to perform? Those heroic exploits that have
immortalised the names of its primitive adherents will continue to adorn
and illuminate the pages of its blood-stained history; yet we cannot
forget that the period of its full fruition with all its promise of world
felicity and undreamt-of-achievements is yet to be realised, its golden
Age yet to unfold. Indeed, how chastening to our pride, how challenging to
our enthusiasm, if we but pause for a moment amidst the world’s many
distractions and ponder in our hearts the vastness, the compelling
urgency, the ineffable glory of what still remains unachieved.

But let us all remember, in this connexion, that prior to every
conceivable measure destined to raise the efficiency of our administrative
activities, more vital than any scheme which the most resourceful amongst
us can devise, far above the most elaborate structure which the concerted
efforts of organised Assemblies can hope to raise, is the realisation down
in the innermost heart of every true believer of the regenerating power,
the supreme necessity, the unfailing efficacy of the Message he bears. I
assure you, dear friends, that nothing short of such an immovable
conviction could have in days past enabled our beloved Cause to weather
the blackest storms in its history. Naught else can today vitalise the
manifold activities in which unnumbered disciples of the Faith are
engaged; naught else can provide that driving force and sustaining power
that are both so essential to the success of vast and enduring
achievements. It is this spirit that above all else we should sedulously
guard, and strive with all our might to fortify and exemplify in all our
undertakings.

Moved by an irresistible impulse, I have addressed to Her Majesty in the
name of the Bahá’ís of both the East and the West a written expression of
our joyous admiration and gratitude for the queenly tribute which Her
Majesty has paid to the beauty and nobility of the Bahá’í Teachings. I
have, moreover, assured Her Majesty of the far-reaching effect which her
superb testimony will inevitably produce, and of the welcome consolation
it has already brought to the silent sufferers in that distracted country.
To my message of appreciation and gratitude there has come lately a
written response, penned by Her Majesty, profoundly touching, singularly
outspoken, and highly significant in the testimony it bears, from this
queenly tribute to a Divine Ideal I quote these penetrating words:

“Indeed a great light came to me with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It came as all great messages come at an hour of dire grief
and inner conflict and distress, so the seed sank deeply.... We pass on
the Message from mouth to mouth and all those we give it to see a light
suddenly lighting before them and much that was obscure and perplexing
becomes simple, luminous and full of hope as never before. That my open
letter was balm to those suffering for the Cause is indeed a great
happiness to me, and I take it as a sign that God accepted my humble
tribute.... With bowed head I recognise that I too am but an instrument in
greater Hands and rejoice in the knowledge....”

Dear friends, with feelings of profound emotion we recall the glowing
promises that have so often fallen from the lips of our departed Master,
and with throbbing hearts rejoice in the gradual realisation of His most
cherished desire.

And as we call to mind the circumstances that have led to such a notable
advance, we are filled with admiration for that unique and great-hearted
apostle of Bahá’u’lláh, our dearly-beloved Martha Root, who under trying
circumstances and almost single-handed in her efforts, has so wonderfully
paved the way for the universal recognition of the Cause of God. In her
case we have verily witnessed in an unmistakable manner what the power of
dauntless faith, when coupled with sublimity of character, can achieve,
what forces it can release, to what heights it can rise.

Let such remarkable revelations of the reality and continuity of the
Divine Purpose, made manifest from time to time to us His feeble children
serve to fortify our faith in Him, to warm the chill which fleeting
misfortunes may leave behind, and fill us with that Celestial potency
which alone can enable us to withstand the storm and stress that lives
dedicated to His service must needs encounter.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 23 October 1926

23 October 1926

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letters dated
October 3rd and 10th, 1926. He wishes me especially to mention how
appreciative he is of your many services so efficiently and devotingly
rendered. He will pray for you and for the other members of the London
Group that through your combined efforts an unprecedented progress be made
there and numerous persons attracted to the precepts of the Cause.

Concerning the attendance of certain individuals at the meeting of the
Assemblies and at the invitation of that body. This, Shoghi Effendi
considers, to be as expert advice which is absolutely necessary for good
administration. The members of the Assembly are not supposed to know
everything on every subject, so they can invite a person, versed in that
question, to attend their meetings and explain his views. But naturally he
will have no right to vote....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and precious co-worker,

I am glad and grateful to feel that the joint efforts of Martha and
Mountfort(13) have given a fresh impetus to the promotion of the Cause in
Great Britain. I trust that the collective and individual efforts of the
members of the British Spiritual Assemblies will serve to consolidate the
work already achieved. I should be pleased to receive if available full
copies of any newspapers in Great Britain that may have published the
appreciations broadcast by the Queen of Rumania. The entire issue of the
papers—not clippings—will be of great significance to the friends in
Persia. Ten copies of each would be sufficient. I wish also to request you
to urge all the friends in Great Britain to subscribe to the “Messager
Bahá’í” published by Mrs. Stannard in Geneva. It is essential and
valuable.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 29 October 1926

29 October 1926(14)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dear fellow-workers in the Divine Vineyard!

It will gladden and rejoice every one of you to learn that from various
quarters there has of late reached the Holy Land tidings of fresh
developments that are a clear indication of those hidden and transforming
influences which, from the source of Bahá’u’lláh’s mystic strength,
continue to flow with ever-increasing vitality into the heart of this
troubled world.

Both in the wider field of its spiritual conquests, where its indomitable
spirit is forging ahead, capturing the heights, pervading the multitude;
as well as in the gradual consolidation of the administrative structure
which its avowed followers the world over are labouring to raise and
fortify, the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, we can increasingly discern, bids fair
to become that force which, though not as yet universally recognised, none
can afford to belittle or ignore.

In the bold and repeated testimonies which Her Majesty, Queen Marie of
Rumania, has chosen to give to the world—a copy of whose latest
pronouncement I enclose—we truly recognise evidences of the irresistible
power, the increasing vitality, the strange working of a Faith destined to
regenerate the world. Her Majesty’s striking tribute paid to the
illuminative power of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is
bound to effect an entire transformation in the attitude of many to a
Faith the tenets of which have often been misunderstood and sorely
neglected. It will serve as a fresh stimulus to the enlightened and
cultured to investigate with an open mind the verities of its message, the
source of its life-giving principles.

From Ba_gh_dád, moreover, where the sacred habitation of Bahá’u’lláh has
been violated by a relentless enemy and converted into a rallying centre
for the corrupt, the perverse, and the fanatical, there comes the news,
highly reassuring to us all, of the satisfactory progress of the
negotiations which, we are informed on high authority, will soon lead to
the expropriation of the property by the State, culminating in the
fullness of time in its occupation by the triumphant followers of God’s
holy Faith. The case of the houses, so ably presented, so persistently
pursued, above all reinforced by the vigilant and protecting power of our
departed Master, will eventually triumph, and by its repercussions in
Persia as in the world at large, will lend a powerful impetus to the
liberation of those forces which will carry the Cause to its ultimate
destiny. I will, when the occasion presents itself, inform the believers
through their respective National Spiritual Assemblies to address messages
of appreciation and gratitude to the Authorities concerned in view of
their unrelaxing efforts for the triumph of Right and Justice.

For the present, we cannot but rejoice and feel profoundly thankful as we
witness in so many directions the welcome signs of the gradual
emancipation of the struggling Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, of the increasing
recognition on the part of both the high and lowly of its universal
principles—all so rich in their promise of ultimate victory.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 29 November 1926

29 November 1926

Dear Mr. Simpson,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
November 14th, 1926, together with the minutes of the 18th meeting of the
National Assembly, held on October 23rd 1926. He has received the 200
copies of the 4th edition of the folder and desires to thank you for them.

The question of incorporating the National Assembly is very important for
though at present there may not be any important business which
necessitates that, one may arise at any time. There is also some advantage
in being ready for any future developments. But naturally such a step
should be taken after consultation with competent lawyers lest some defect
may in the future cause some inconveniences.

What Shoghi Effendi desires to have are clippings of any article written
by the Queen of Rumania on subjects referring to the Cause and published
in England. He has received such declarations or open letters from America
and wishes to know what she is doing along those lines in England which is
her own native home. It is really wonderful how boldly she is advocating
this Cause absolutely regardless of what others may say. This is a very
good lesson for those who being Bahá’ís keep in the dark so as not to be
criticised and perhaps ostracised by so called society people.

We are eagerly awaiting to meet Miss Rosenberg and Mrs. Slade to obtain a
first hand information of the condition of the Cause in England and the
extent to which Mr. Mills and Miss Root have succeeded to improve it.

[From the Guardian:]

My dearly-beloved co-worker:

I am hoping that our deliberations with our English Bahá’í visitors will
assist and aid the work in which you are engaged and prove beneficial to
the Cause in general. I feel that the opportunities now open to the
friends are greater than ever before and I will pray that the measures
they undertake will redound to the glory, the power and effectiveness of
the Cause. The utterances of the Rumanian Queen should be given the
fullest possible publicity and be fully utilised as I feel they are of
great significance and value. More power to your elbow!

Shoghi

Letter of 29 January 1927

29 January 1927

Dear Bahá’í Friend, Mr. Simpson,

Thank you so very much for your clear good letter of Jan. 16th—Shoghi
Effendi bids me say how much pleasure he always derives from the perusal
of your letters—which are always expressed with such admirable clearness,
and to the point. He has just now been discussing with me the various
matters you mention.

He says that in one way we are not quite correct in the way we manage our
elections for the National Assembly—Shoghi Effendi says that the intention
is, that when once the 19 delegates have been elected by the friends of
the respective centres in the proportions you mention, i.e. 12 delegates
from among the London friends, five from the Manchester friends, and two
from the Bournemouth group, that then, these 19 delegates assembled should
choose by secret ballot from the whole body of the believers in Gt.
Britain and Ireland, the nine friends they consider most suitable as
members of the National Assembly. Heretofore, as I understand it, it has
rather been our practice that the 12 London delegates elected six from the
London friends—the Manchester five delegates elected two from Manchester
and the Bournemouth delegates elected one from Bournemouth. But, Shoghi
Effendi says, all the 19 delegates must clearly understand that they must
select from the whole body of the believers in Gt. Britain and Ireland
those 9 whom they consider the most fit and suitable members to constitute
the National Assembly. Therefore it will be necessary to supply each of
the 19 delegates with a complete list of all those believers in Gt.
Britain and Ireland. From that complete list of course must be eliminated
all those who from one cause or another are unable to serve on the
National Assembly. Also—Shoghi Effendi says that those 19 elected
delegates should if possible meet during the Feast of Ridván in London
thus forming as it were a baby Convention! I had not realised before that
the annual Bahá’í Convention in the U.S.A. consists solely of those
delegates who had been chosen by their respective Centres in order that
they may elect the 9 to form the National Assembly of that country. Did
you understand this? I certainly did not. As Shoghi Effendi points out—it
is quite possible that—e.g. in the future—7 members might be elected from
the Manchester friends and only two from London! On the other hand—it is
quite possible that all nine members chosen by the 19 delegates might be
from the London group. Of course, on reflection one sees clearly that the
proceedings must be as now described because in the future there may be 21
or 53 separate local Assemblies in Gt. Britain just as is now the case in
the U.S.A.—and it would obviously be impossible for each of these
Assemblies to elect one of their number to sit as their representative on
the National Assembly. No doubt I ought to have understood this before—but
I must confess I did not!...

It is very grievous that our dear Mrs. Cropper should have been so ill—we
have all been praying for her recovery since we knew of it and I am
thankful to hear she is now making steady progress.

Since writing to you I too have had a bad influenza cold that swept
through our house. But I am now quite recovered I am glad to say.

With all best wishes to yourself.

Your sincere friend in His service,
Ethel Rosenberg

P.S. I have just remembered I have said nothing about the London area that
should be included—Shoghi Effendi thinks it would save trouble if you drew
your circle widely enough to include Mrs. Slade and her daughter! At first
he inclined to agree with you that it would be best to take the middle
one—the Postal Area—and make exceptions in favour of Mrs. Haybittel and
her daughter. (Mrs. Ginman I hear from my brother has moved into town now)
but it seemed to him that you might possibly have other friends residing
or moving out to Surbiton etc., so that it might save you trouble in the
future if you selected the widest area? This is merely a suggestion on his
part—as it will no doubt be decided at the meeting of the London Assembly.
But with regard to the choosing by the 19 delegates of the nine members of
the National Assembly, his instructions are quite definite and must not be
departed from—as these instructions are as laid down by the Master in the
Testament and other Tablets. Shoghi Effendi says you can even now soon
select the day for the 19 delegates to come to London during Ridván. By
the way Ridván begins exactly 31 days after the New Year so it starts
almost always on April 21st and lasts for 12 days. I have recorded my
notes on list enclosed.

Yours ever,
E. Rosenberg

Shoghi(15) Effendi emphatically urges that the 19 friends elected as
delegates should meet together during Ridván—Shoghi Effendi has sent you
three copies of the Bahá’í Year Book, one for London, one for Manchester
and one for Bournemouth.

Read and approved. Shoghi

Editor’s Note:

From December 1926 to April 1927, while the secretary who was then helping
with the English correspondence was away from Haifa, Miss Ethel J.
Rosenberg (addressed in letters by the Guardian as “My dear Rosa”), was on
pilgrimage and kept up a lengthy and repetitive correspondence with George
P. Simpson. In these letters from Miss Rosenberg are many instructions
from the Guardian to the British National Assembly. The letter reproduced
in this compilation, dated January 29th, 1927 is important for many
reasons:

1. It is the only one from Miss Rosenberg which carried the handwriting of
Shoghi Effendi where he “Approved” what had been written.

2. It outlined the principle for the election of the National Spiritual
Assembly by delegates which the British N.S.A. had not then appreciated
from the earlier letters of the Guardian (of 1923, 1294, 1925, later
published in “Bahá’í Administration”).

3. It insisted upon Convention being held in London during Ridván.

4. It clarified the need to have a recognised voting area for London but
left the final decision to the local Spiritual Assembly of London.

As a result of this letter 13 delegates attended Convention and 4 voted by
post; ten members were elected to the National Assembly (Guardian’s letter
of May, 13th, 1927 refers), and the London area was defined as having a
radius of 36 miles.

Letter of 12 February 1927

12 February 1927(16)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

The trend of various events, affecting directly and indirectly the
interests of the Bahá’í Cause, have of late served to bring into further
prominence the character as well as the significance of a Faith destined
to regenerate the world.

Of all the diverse issues which today are gradually tending to consolidate
and extend the bounds of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, the decision of
Egypt’s religious Tribunal regarding the Bahá’ís under its jurisdiction
appears at the present moment to be the most powerful in its challenge,
the most startling in its character, and the most perplexing in the
consequences it may entail. I have already alluded in my letter of January
10, 1926, addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
the United States and Canada, to a particular feature of this momentous
verdict, which after mature deliberation has obtained the sanction of
Egypt’s highest ecclesiastical authorities, has been communicated and
printed, and is regarded as final and binding. I have stressed in my last
reference to this far-reaching pronouncement the negative aspect of this
document which condemns in most unequivocal and emphatic language the
followers of Bahá’u’lláh as the believers in heresy, offensive and
injurious to Islám, and wholly incompatible with the accepted doctrines
and practice of its orthodox adherents.

A closer study of the text of the decision will, however, reveal the fact
that coupled with this strong denunciation is the positive assertion of a
truth which the recognised opponents of the Bahá’í Faith in other
Muhammadan countries have up to the present time either sedulously ignored
or maliciously endeavoured to disprove. Not content with this harsh and
unjustifiable repudiation of the so-called menacing and heretical
doctrines of the adherents of the Bahá’í Faith, they proceed in a formal
manner to declare in the text of that very decision their belief, that the
Bahá’í Faith is a “new religion”, “entirely independent” and, by reason of
the magnitude of its claim and the character of its “laws, principles and
beliefs,” worthy to be reckoned as one of the established religious
systems of the world. Quoting various passages judiciously gleaned from a
number of Bahá’í sacred Books as an evidence to their splendid testimony,
they proceed in a notable statement to deduce the fact that henceforth it
shall be regarded as impossible for the followers of such a Faith to be
designated as Muslim, just as it would be incorrect and erroneous to call
a Muhammadan either Christian or Jew.

It cannot be denied that in the course of the inevitable developments of
this present situation the resident Bahá’ís of Egypt, originally belonging
to the Muslim Faith, will be placed in a most humiliating and embarrassing
position. They, however, cannot but rejoice in the knowledge that whereas
in various Muhammadan countries and particularly in Persia the
overwhelming majority of the leaders of Islám are utterly opposed to any
form of declaration that would facilitate the universal recognition of the
Cause, the authorised heads of their co-religionists in one of the most
advanced communities in the Muhammadan world have, of their own
initiative, published to the world a document that may justly be termed as
the first charter of liberty emancipating the Bahá’í Faith from the
fetters of orthodox Islám. And in order to insure the complete rupture of
Bahá’í official relations with Muslim Courts they lay down in unmistakable
terms the condition that under no circumstances can the marriage of those
Bahá’ís who have been required to divorce their Muslim wives be renewed by
the Muslim Court unless and until the husbands formally recant their faith
by solemnly declaring that the Qur’án is the “last” Book of God revealed
to man, that no law can abrogate the Prophet’s Law, no faith can succeed
His Faith, no revelation can claim to fulfill His Revelation.

While unwavering in their belief in the Divine station of the Author of
the Qur’án and profoundly convinced of the necessity and worldwide
influence of His Divine mission, Bahá’ís in every land stand undeterred
and unabashed in the face of the strong condemnation pronounced against
their brethren in Egypt. Indeed, they together with their fellow-workers
in all Muslim countries welcome with gladness and pride every opportunity
for further emancipation that they may set forth in a truer light the
sublime mission of Bahá’u’lláh.

In the face of such an outspoken and challenging declaration, the Bahá’ís
of the West cannot but feel the deepest sympathy with their Egyptian
brethren who, for the sake of our beloved Cause and its deliverance, have
to face all the embarrassments and vexations which the severance of
old-established ties must necessarily entail. They will, however, most
certainly expect every staunch and loyal believer in the Faith who resides
in that land to refrain in view of the grave warning uttered expressly by
our opponents, from any practice that would in any manner constitute in
the eyes of a critical and vigilant enemy a repudiation of the fundamental
beliefs of the people of Bahá. They will most assuredly, whenever the
moment is opportune, step forth with eager hearts to offer every support
in their power to their fellow-workers who, with stout hearts and
irreproachable loyalty, will continue to hold aloft the standard of God’s
struggling Faith. They will not fail to come to the rescue of those who
with joyous confidence will endure to the very end such vicissitudes as
this New Day of God, now in its birth-throes, must needs suffer and
surmount.

We cannot believe that as the Movement grows in strength, in authority and
influence, the perplexities and the sufferings it has had to contend with
in the past will correspondingly decrease and vanish. Nay, as it grows
from strength to strength, the fanatical defendants of the strongholds of
orthodoxy, whatever be their denomination, realising the penetrating
influence of this growing Faith, will arise and strain every nerve to
extinguish its light and discredit its name. For has not our beloved
‘Abdu’l-Bahá sent forth His glowing prophecy from behind the prison walls
of the citadel of Akká—words so significant in their forecast of the
coming world turmoil, yet so rich in their promise of eventual victory:—

“How great, how very great is the Cause; how very fierce the onslaught of
all the peoples and kindreds of the earth! Erelong shall the clamour of
the multitude throughout Africa, throughout America, the cry of the
European and of the Turk, the groaning of India and China be heard from
far and near. One and all they shall arise with all their power to resist
His Cause. Then shall the Knights of the Lord, assisted by grace from on
high, strengthened by faith, aided by the power of understanding and
reinforced by the legions of the Covenant, arise and make manifest the
truth of the verse: ‘Behold the confusion that hath befallen the tribes of
the defeated!’”

Dearly beloved friends, upon us devolves the supreme obligation to stand
by His side, to fight His battles and to win His victory. May we prove
ourselves worthy of this trust.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 26 February 1927

26 February 1927

...quite in order to utilise the Bahá’í Fund for the payment of at least
half of the travelling expenses of the Friends who come to London from a
distance, “one chief object of the Fund should be to help the Friends in
these difficulties”.

(Quoted in National Spiritual Assembly Minutes)

Letter of 22 March 1927

22 March 1927

LOVING APPRECIATION AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 April 1927

27 April 1927(17)

Dearly-beloved friends:

With feelings of horror and indignation I communicate to you the tale of
yet another tragedy involving the shedding of the blood of a martyr of the
Faith on Persia’s sacred soil. I have before me, as I pen these lines, the
report of the local Spiritual Assembly of Ardibíl, a town on the
north-east confines of the province of Á_dh_irbayján, not far distant from
those hallowed spots where the Báb suffered His last confinement and
martyrdom. Addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
Persia, this report recounts in simple but moving language the
circumstances that have led to the cowardly crime committed in the
darkness of the night at the instigation of the fanatical clergy—the
deadliest opponents of the Faith in that town.

Our martyred brother, Amínu’l-‘Ulamá by name had for some time past become
notorious in the eyes of the Muslim inhabitants of Ardibíl for his
tenacity of faith by openly refusing at every instance to vilify and
renounce his most cherished convictions. In the latter part of Ramadán—the
month associated with prayer, pious deeds and fasting—his use of the
public bath—that long-established institution the amenities and privileges
of which are as a rule accorded only to the adherents of the Muslim
Faith—had served to inflame the mob, and to provide a scheming instigator
with a pretext to terminate his life. In the market-place he was ridiculed
and condemned as an apostate of the Faith of Islám, who, by boldly
rejecting the repeated entreaties showered upon him to execrate the Bahá’í
name, had lawfully incurred the penalty of immediate death at the hands of
every pious upholder of the Muslim tradition.

In spite of the close surveillance exercised by a body of guards stationed
around his house, in response to the intercession of his friends with the
local authorities, the treacherous criminal found his way into his home,
and on the night of the 22nd of Ramadán, corresponding with the 26th of
March 1927, assailed him in a most atrocious and dastardly manner.
Concealing within the folds of his garment his unsheathed dagger, he
approached his victim and claiming the need of whispering a confidential
message in his ears plunged the weapon hilt-deep into his vitals, cutting
across his ribs and mutilating his body. Every attempt to secure immediate
medical assistance seems to have been foiled by malicious devices on the
part of the associates of this merciless criminal, and the helpless victim
after a few hours of agonising pain surrendered his soul to his Beloved.
His friends and fellow-believers, alarmed at the prospect of a fresh
outbreak that would inevitably result were his mortal remains to be
accorded the ordinary privileges of a decent burial, decided to inter his
body in one of the two rooms that served as his own dwelling, seeking
thereby to appease the fury of an unrelenting foe.

He leaves behind in desperate poverty a family of minors with no support
but their mother, expectant to bring forth her child, and with no hope of
relief from their non-Bahá’í relatives in whose eyes they deserve to be
treated only with the meanest contempt.

It appears from the above-mentioned report that the merciless assailant
has been arrested, waiting, however, as has been the case with similar
incidents in southern Persia, to be sooner or later released under the
pressure of bribery and intimidation sedulously exercised by an impenitent
enemy.

Dearest friends! Any measure of publicity the concerted efforts of the
Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies of the West, on whom almighty Providence has
conferred the inestimable benefits of religious toleration and freedom,
can accord to this latest manifestation of unbridled barbarism in Persia
will be most opportune and valuable. It will, I am certain, confer abiding
solace to those disconsolate sufferers who with sublime heroism continue
to uphold the traditions of their beloved Faith. Our one weapon lies in
our prayerful efforts, intelligently and persistently pursued, to arouse
by every means at our disposal the conscience of unheeding humanity, and
to direct the attention of men of vision and authority to these incredibly
odious acts which in their ferocity and frequency cannot but constitute in
the eyes of every fair-minded observer the gravest challenge to all that
is sacred and precious in our present day civilisation.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 29 April 1927

29 April 1927

MAY DELIBERATIONS FIRST BRITISH BAHÁ’Í CONVENTION BE DIVINELY GUIDED AND
BLESSED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 May 1927

13 May 1927

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I thank you on behalf of our dear Guardian for your welcome letter of the
2nd.

It was with unbounded joy and great hopes for the future that we learnt of
the success of your first National Convention. May it prove to be the
beginning of a new era of achievement and expansion in the field of
service. Time was when individually we had to drink deep from the
all-satisfying teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, and although this is far
from being accomplished yet it is time for us to share with many others
what we firmly believe....

Miss Rosenberg left only a few days ago and I suppose she will arrive back
home earlier than this letter.

As she will have plenty of news to give you I hardly need add any....

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and valued co-worker:

Although I rejoice at your appointment as member of the National and local
Assemblies, I fully sympathise with you in your arduous work and
responsibilities, for all of which you are so distinctly equipped and
qualified. I feel that next year, the number of members should be strictly
confined to nine, and a second ballot is quite proper and justified.(18) I
trust that the choice of Rev. Biggs signifies his unreserved acceptance of
the Faith in its entirety—a condition that we must increasingly stress in
the years that come. Please assure the elected members of my love, my best
wishes and of my ardent prayers for them all individually and collectively
that the Beloved may guide them, and reinforce their efforts for the
spread of our beloved Cause.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 May 1927

22 May 1927

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I thank you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi for your short letter of the 8th
giving the name of the occupants of the various offices.

He is glad to see the well chosen members each undertaking his suitable
task with the chairman shining amongst them. However he trusts that the
coming year may be one of renewed activity and greater accomplishment. Let
us not be loiterers in a fast-flying world especially when we know to what
grave and universal ills this Cause is a divine remedy....

[From the Guardian:]

With loving greetings and apologies for inability to write more due to
mental fatigue and strain.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 May 1927

25 May 1927

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AFFECTIONATELY REMEMBERED HOLY SHRINES

SHOGHI

Letters of 8 October 1927 and 17 October 1927

Referred to in Minutes; no text available.

Letter of 15 November 1927

15 November 1927

LOVING APPRECIATION REMEMBRANCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 November 1927

28 November 1927

LOVING APPRECIATION TENDEREST REMEMBRANCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 5 January 1928

5 January 1928

“...Nothing should be attempted that would, in the least and however
indirectly, interfere with the unqualified freedom of local and national
elections....”

(Quoted in National Spiritual Assembly Minutes)

Letter of 16 January 1928

16 January 1928

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I am instructed by our dear Shoghi Effendi to thank you for your letter of
Dec. 31st with enclosures all of which he was very glad and interested to
read.

With regard to Miss Pinchon’s book, Shoghi Effendi feels that if she
herself and the Assembly in London feel that the arrangement with the
London branch of Brentano’s is really to her advantage, he would then be
glad to endorse it. The arguments you had brought were really very
favourable and that might help the success of the book in America.
Moreover, he would wish you to thank Asgarzadeh for his commitment in
helping the Assembly to promise a sum of fifty pounds. Shoghi Effendi has
liked the book immensely and trusts that it may render great services and
fulfil all our hopes.

He has taken notice of your solicitor’s answer with regard to official
recognition by the Board of Trade and thinks your view of the subject
perfectly sound. Will the answer of the Board of Trade prove a stimulus to
the friends in England and help to multiply their numbers and establish
the Faith?...

[From the Guardian:]

My dear and valued co-worker:

I am so glad to have the opportunity of reaffirming in person my deep
affection for, and unshaken confidence in, you as well as my growing
appreciation of your ability and constancy in service. I am delighted at
the prospect of the joint publication of Miss Pinchon’s admirable book in
London and in New York, and I would leave all subsidiary matters in this
connexion to the National Assembly and Miss Pinchon herself. I wish to
order beforehand 50 copies of her book at whatever price the publishers
will fix the rate of its sale, and will gladly send through you the amount
whenever seems to you the most suitable time. Kindly assure the friends of
my continued prayers at the Holy Shrines for their welfare and the success
of their arduous yet noble task.

Affectionately,
Shoghi

Letter of 8 February 1928

8 February 1928

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I am instructed by our dear Guardian to thank you for your letter of Jan.
29th with the minutes of the regular meeting of the English N.S.A.
enclosed.

He has read both your letter and the minutes with interest and pleasure.
He trusts that your next list of electors will show marked progress and
your weekly meetings at Lindsay Hall will attract new and enlightened
people. It is strange that the English Bahá’ís have really contributed a
great deal to the Cause, and in the form of books and publications given
us works of real and permanent value—perhaps proportionately more than
America, and yet it is such a Herculean affair to bring in new
fellow-workers. Perhaps just that difficulty is a sign of their
merit—staunch and unflinching adherence once they believe in something.

In connection with the form in which new electors are to be admitted into
the Cause, our Guardian will personally append his suggestions if any. You
would do well to see what the American system is.

Shoghi Effendi hopes very much that Miss Pinchon’s book will prove a
“good-seller” in England also. Perhaps in being less scholarly it might
prove more popular and widely read....

[From the Guardian:]

My very dear and valued co-worker:

Pressure of cares and anxieties, most of them sudden and unforeseen, has
caused the delay in mailing this letter to you. Although immersed in an
ocean of preoccupations and work, I can always find the time to turn my
heart in prayer at the Holy Shrines and supplicate for you as well as for
your fellow-workers in that land the Beloved’s unfailing Guidance,
sustaining strength and imperishable blessings. May He assist you to
persevere in your task, and enable you to achieve in the various fields of
your activity your heart’s desire.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 March 1928

22 March 1928

LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 15 April 1928

15 April 1928

My dear and valued co-worker:

I am glad to learn of your sustained activity, your undiminished
enthusiasm and vigour in the service of our beloved Cause. I will, on my
part, continue to pray for you from the very depths of my heart, that the
Beloved may guide you in every step you take, help you to remove
misunderstandings and difficulties amongst the friends and grant you
strength and long life to consolidate and extend the bounds of the
splendid pioneer work you are engaged in at present.

Your true brother and well-wisher,
Shoghi

Letter of 24 April 1928

24 April 1928

BROTHERLY GREETING LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 May 1928

24 May 1928

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TENDERLY REMEMBERED HOLY SHRINES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 November 1928

13 November 1928

CONVEY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 November 1928

29 November 1928

LOVING REMEMBRANCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 December 1928

6 December 1928(19)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,

Events of a startling character and of the utmost significance to the
Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, have recently transpired throughout the Near and
Middle East in such rapid succession, that I feel moved to write about
them to those who, in distant lands and with eager hearts, are waiting to
witness the fulfilment of the prophecies of Bahá’u’lláh. You will, I am
certain, rejoice with me to learn that the quickening forces of internal
reform are swiftly awakening from their age-long slumber of negligence
those lands which, trodden by the feet of Bahá’u’lláh and wherein are
enshrined the memorable scenes of His birth, His ministry, His exiles, His
banishments, His suffering and His ascension, are destined in the fullness
of time to play a pre-eminent rôle in the regeneration of the East—nay of
all mankind.

From Persia, the cradle of our Faith and the object of our tenderest
affections, there breaks upon us the news of the first stirrings of that
social and political Reformation which, as we firmly believe, is but the
direct and unavoidable consequence of that great spiritual Revival ushered
in by the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. These social and political forces now
released by the Source of such a tremendous Revival are bound in their
turn to demolish one by one the barriers that have so long impeded its
flow, sapped its vitality and obscured its radiance.

From a communication addressed to me recently by the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia, as well as from reliable reports
submitted by the local representatives of the Persian believers, and
confirmed by the vivid narrative of visiting pilgrims, it is becoming
increasingly manifest that the glowing promises so many times uttered by
our departed Master are, with extraordinary exactitude and remarkable
swiftness, being successively fulfilled. Reforms of a revolutionary
character are, without bloodshed and with negligible resistance, gradually
transforming the very basis and structure of Persia’s primitive society.
The essentials of public security and order are being energetically
provided throughout the length and breadth of the _Sh_áh’s domain, and are
hailed with particular gratification by that much harassed section of the
population—our long-suffering brethren of that land. The rapidity, the
incredible ease, with which the enlightened proposals of its government,
in matters of education, trade and finance, means of transportation and
travel, and the development of the country’s internal resources, are
receiving the unqualified sanction of a hitherto reactionary Legislature,
and are overcoming the resistance and apathy of the masses, have
undoubtedly tended to hasten the emancipation of our Persian brethren from
the remaining fetters of a once despotic and blood-stained regime. The
severely repressive and humiliating measures undertaken on the initiative
of progressive provincial Governors, and with the connivance of State
officials in the Capital, aiming at the scattering and ultimate extinction
of a rapidly waning clergy, such as degradation, detainment, deportation
and in some cases pitiless execution, are paving the way for the entire
removal of the shackles imposed by an ignorant and fanatical priesthood
upon the administration of State affairs. In matters of dress; in the
obligatory enforcement of a uniform style of national head-gear; in the
strict limitation of the number, the rights and the prerogatives of high
ecclesiastical officials; in the growing unpopularity of the veil among
almost every section of society; in the marked distinction which
unofficially and in various phases of public life is being made by an
enlightened and pressing minority between the tottering forms of a
discredited Ecclesiasticism and the civil rights and duties of civilised
society; in the general laxity in religious observances and ceremonies; in
the slow and hidden process of secularisation invading many a Government
department under the courageous guidance of the Governors of outlying
provinces—in all of these a discerning eye can easily discover the
symptoms that augur well for a future that is sure to witness the formal
and complete separation of Church and State.

To this uplifting movement, various external factors are being added that
are tending to hasten and stimulate this process of internal regeneration
so significant in the life of renascent Persia. The multiplicity and
increasing facilities in the means of transportation and travel; the State
visit of energetic and enlightened reformers to Persia’s capital; the
forthcoming and widely-advertised journey of the _Sh_áh himself to the
progressive capitals of Western Europe; the repercussion of Turkey’s
astounding reforms among an essentially sensitive and receptive people;
the loud and persistent clamour of a revolting order in Russia against the
evil domination and dark plottings of all forms of religious sectarianism;
the relentless vigour with which Af_gh_ánistán’s ambitious Ruler,
reinforced by the example of his gracious Consort, is pursuing his
campaign of repression against a similar order of a corrupted clergy at
home—all tend to lend their force in fostering and fashioning that public
opinion which can alone provide an enduring basis for the reform Movement
destined to usher in that golden Era craved for by the followers of the
Faith in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land.

As a direct consequence of the birth of this new consciousness in the life
of the nation, as evidenced by these early stirrings in the minds of the
people, both high and low, meetings of an elaborate character,
unprecedented in the number of their attendants, in the tone of the public
addresses, in the undisturbed atmosphere of their proceedings, and the
general impressiveness of their organisation, have been publicly held in
?ihrán, under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Persia. Particularly significant and impressive were those that
were held in the Hazíratu’l-Quds, the administrative and spiritual centre
of the Faith in the Capital, on the occasion of the twin Festivals
commemorating the declaration of the Báb and the birth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, at
the chief of which no less than two thousand representative Bahá’ís and
non-Bahá’ís, leaders of public opinion, State officials and foreign
representatives were officially invited. The addresses stressing the
universality of the Teachings of the Cause, the formal and ordered
character of the proceedings so unusual a feature to a gathering of such
proportions, the mingling of the Bahá’ís with the recognised
representatives of progressive thought in the Capital who, by virtue of
their high office and stately appearance, lent colour and weight to the
concourse of attending believers, have all contributed to enhance the
brilliance and spiritual significance of that gathering on that memorable
occasion.

Moreover, reports of a highly encouraging nature are being continually
received from local Assemblies and individual believers, giving the names
and stating the numbers of influential Persians who, hitherto reluctant to
declare openly their faith in Bahá’u’lláh, are as a result of this
reassuring and promising state of affairs emerging from the obscurity of
their concealment and enlisting under the erected banner of Bahá’u’lláh.
This has served to embolden the followers of the Faith to take the
necessary steps, under the direction of their local Assemblies, for the
institution of Bahá’í schools, for the holding of public gatherings, for
the establishment of Bahá’í hostels, libraries and public baths, for the
construction of official headquarters for their administrative work, and
for the gradual execution among themselves, within the limits imposed upon
them by the State, of the laws and ordinances revealed in the
Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Words fail me to describe the feelings of those patiently
suffering brethren of ours in that land, who, with eyes dim with tears and
hearts overflowing with thanksgiving and praise, are witnessing on every
side and with increasing force the unfoldment of a Faith which they have
served so well and love so dearly. Accounts pathetic and inspiring in
their tone are being received from that steadfast and cheerful band of
exultant believers, and are being shared with the resident friends in the
Holy Land who, having had the privilege of close and continued association
with the person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, cannot but marvel at the range, the
potency and accuracy of the prophecies of their departed Master.

From Turkey, on whose soil, for well nigh three score years and ten, were
enacted some of the sublimest and most tragic scenes in the annals of the
Cause; Turkey, under whose rule Bahá’u’lláh twice proclaimed Himself, was
thrice exiled and banished, and finally ascended to the Abhá Kingdom, and
where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent more than fifty years of His Life, in
incarceration and suffering; has of late been rudely awakened to a Call
which it has so long obstinately despised and ignored. Following on the
overthrow of that effete theocracy, resting on the twin institutions of
the Caliphate and Sultanate—those two sinister forces that have combined
to inflict the deadliest blows to our beloved Faith in the earliest stages
of its infancy and growth—an uncompromising policy aiming at the
secularisation of the State and the disestablishment of Islám was
initiated and carried out with exemplary vigour. Religious institutions
and monastic orders which under the guise of religious propaganda were
converted into hotbeds of political intrigue and sedition were
peremptorily closed, their adherents scattered and banished, their funds
confiscated, their privileges and prerogatives abolished. None, save the
little band of Bahá’u’lláh’s devoted followers, escaped the trenchant axe
of the pitiless reformer; all, without fear or favour, had to submit to
his searching investigations, his dictatorial edicts, his severe and
irrevocable judgment. Lately, however, the Turkish Government, faithful to
its policy of ceaseless vigilance, and fearful of the growing activities
of the Bahá’ís under its rule, decided to order the Police in the town of
Smyrna to conduct a close investigation into the purpose, the character
and the effects of Bahá’í activity in that town. No sooner were the
representative Bahá’ís in that locality arrested and conducted to the Law
Courts for purposes of investigation, than the President of the Bahá’í
Spiritual Assembly of Constantinople who, having read in the morning
papers the report of the Smyrna incident, had resolved unsummoned to offer
the necessary explanations to the authorities concerned, was in his turn
arrested and taken to the Police Headquarters where he soon afterwards was
joined by the other members of the Assembly. The official searching of
their homes, the seizure of whatever Bahá’í literature they had in their
possession, their twenty-four hours’ detention at the Police station, the
searching severity of the cross-examination to which they were
subjected—all proved powerless to alarm and shake the faith of those
intrepid champions of the Cause, or to evince anything detrimental to the
best interests of the State. On the contrary, they served to deeply
impress upon the minds and hearts of the officials concerned the
sublimity, the innocence, and the dynamic force of the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh. So much so that their books were returned, a genuine desire
to deepen their knowledge of the Cause was expressed by their examiners,
and widespread publicity, as reflected in the articles of about a dozen
leading newspapers of Turkey, was accorded by the Government, proclaiming
the innocence of the Cause and lifting up the ban that now so oppressively
weighs upon religious institutions in Turkey.

From Constantinople in European Turkey to the eastern confines of
Anatolia, on the banks of the river Euphrates, where a small and
flourishing Bahá’í Community has been recently established, a wave of
public interest, criticism and inquiry has been sweeping over the surface
of the land, as witnessed by the character and number of the leading
articles, the illustrations and caricatures that have appeared in the most
prominent newspapers of the capital and the provincial towns of Asiatic
Turkey. Not only Turkey, but its neighbouring countries of the East and
the West, have lifted up their voice in the vindication of the Bahá’í
truth. From information thus far gathered we learn that in Hungary, in
‘Iráq, Egypt and Syria, and as far west as France and England, newspapers
have, of their own accord, with varying degree of accuracy, and in more or
less detail, reported this incident in their columns, and have given,
unasked and unaware, such publicity to our beloved Faith which no campaign
of teaching, however elaborately organised by the believers themselves,
could ever hope to achieve at the present time. Surely the invincible arm
of Bahá’u’lláh, working through strange and mysterious ways, will continue
to guard and uphold, to steer the course, to consolidate, and eventually
to achieve the world-wide recognition and triumph of His holy Faith.

And while the East, through suffering and turmoil, is moving on in its
slow and toilsome march towards the acceptance of God’s holy Faith, let us
turn for a moment our gaze to the Western Hemisphere, and particularly to
the American continent, and attempt to visualise the possibilities of the
future spread of the Cause, and to estimate afresh those golden yet
swiftly passing opportunities which Bahá’u’lláh in those far-away lands
has accorded to His chosen people. I feel thoroughly convinced, and am
moved to share this firm conviction within me with that great company of
western believers, that in the speedy resumption of the sorely-neglected
construction of the Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár at Wilmette lies our undoubted
privilege, our primary obligation, our most vital opportunity to lend an
unprecedented impetus to the advancement of the Cause, not only throughout
the West but in every country of the world. I would not stress at this
moment the prestige and good name of the Cause, much as they are involved
in this most pressing issue, I would not dwell upon the eager expectancy
with which the unnumbered followers of the Faith as well as the vast
number of the non-believers in almost every section of society throughout
the East are awaiting to behold that noble structure rear its head in the
heart of that far-western continent; nor would I expatiate on the
ineffable beauty of this holy Edifice, its towering glory, its artistic
design, its unique character, or its functions in the organic life of the
Bahá’í community of the future. But I would with all the strength of my
conviction emphasise the immeasurable spiritual significance of an
Edifice, so beauteous, so holy, erected solely by the concerted efforts,
strained to the utmost degree of self-sacrifice, of the entire body of the
believers who are fully conscious of the significance of the Revelation of
Bahá’u’lláh. In this vast endeavour, unparalleled in modern times, its
world-wide range, its spontaneity, its heroic and holy character, the
American believers, on the soil of whose country Bahá’u’lláh’s first
universal House of Worship is to be built, must, if they be faithful to
their trust, claim and fulfil a pre-eminent share in the collective
contributions offered by the Bahá’ís of the world.

For this reason do I feel impelled to direct my incessant plea in
particular to the followers of the Faith in the United States and Canada
to arise and play their part, while there is yet time, and not to allow
their earnest strivings to be swamped and superseded by the
self-sacrificing heroism of the multitude of their brethren in Persia.
Again I feel the urge to remind you one and all of the necessity of
keeping ever in mind this fundamental verity that the efficacy of the
spiritual forces centering in, and radiating from, the first
Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár in the West will in a great measure depend upon the
extent to which we, the pioneer workers in that land will with clear
vision, unquenchable faith, and inflexible determination, resolve to
voluntarily abnegate temporal advantages in our support of so meritorious
an endeavour. The higher the degree of our renunciation and
self-sacrifice, the wider the range of the contributing believers, the
more apparent will become the vitalising forces that are to emanate from
this unique and sacred Edifice; and the greater, in consequence, the
stimulating effect it will exert upon the propagation of the Faith in the
days to come. Not by the abundance of our donations, not even by the
spontaneity of our efforts, but rather by the degree of self-abnegation
which our contributions will entail, can we effectively promote the speedy
realisation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s cherished desire. How great our
responsibility, how immense our task, how priceless the advantages that we
can reap!

I cannot refrain, however, from giving expression to my gratification and
appreciation of the substantial and continued support already accorded,
and in particular during the past year by the believers in the United
States and Canada, under the wise and judicious direction of their elected
national representatives, to the Plan of Unified Action, whose declared
purpose is to insure, ere the present Bahá’í year comes to a close, the
raising of the funds required for the building of the first Unit of the
Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár. The vigilance and fidelity with which the National
Assembly of the United States and Canada has observed its pledge in
connection with the limitation of the current administrative expenses of
the Cause, and the zeal and ready response manifested by local Assemblies
and individual believers to curtail their local and personal expenditures
in order to concentrate on the Temple Fund, are worthy of the highest
praise, and will deservedly attract the manifold blessings of a loving and
bountiful Master. Much indeed has been accomplished during this past year
of concentrated and consecrated self-sacrifice for so glorious a purpose.
Much more still remains unachieved if we are to vindicate, in the eyes of
an expectant world, the honourable name, the inexhaustible and miraculous
vitality of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.

In the mid-watches of the night, commemorating the passing of Him Who with
His own hands laid the head-cornerstone of His Father’s House of Worship
in that land, seated within the hallowed precincts of His shrine, and
keeping vigil in the company of His closest companions, I have more than
once in the midst of my devotions prayerfully remembered those chosen ones
of God on whose shoulders has fallen so weighty a responsibility, whose
destiny is to bring to full fruition so excellent a heritage. I have
recalled on that peaceful and moonlit night, with much emotion and
gratitude, the inestimable bounties He lavished while on earth upon you. I
have revived in my memory the glowing promises that His unfailing guidance
and gracious assistance would continue from His station on high to be
showered upon you. I have pictured in my mind that beauteous vision of a
Cause unfolded in all its glory which in His immortal writings He has
revealed unto you. And with my head upon His threshold, I have prayed and
prayed again that we may all prove ourselves worthy disciples of so
gracious a Master, that we may, when called unto Him, transmit,
undiminished and unimpaired, our share of the immeasurably precious
heritage bequeathed by Him to us all.

And in closing, dearly-beloved friends, what more appropriate thought with
which to conclude my fervent plea than these pregnant words fallen from
the lips of Bahá’u’lláh: “O My friends! I bear witness that the Divine
Bounty has been vouchsafed unto you, His Argument has been made manifest,
His Proof has been revealed and His Guidance has shone forth upon you. Let
it now be seen what your endeavours in the path of renunciation can
reveal.”

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 6 December 1928

6 December 1928(20)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the East and West. Dear fellow-workers,

I desire to convey to you in a few words my impressions of the recently
published “Bahá’í World”, copies of which I understand, have already,
thanks to the assiduous care and indefatigable efforts displayed by the
Publishing Committee of the American National Spiritual Assembly, been
widely distributed among the Bahá’í countries of East and West.

This unique record of world-wide Bahá’í activity attempts to present to
the general public, as well as to the student and scholar, those
historical facts and fundamental principles that constitute the
distinguishing features of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to this age. I have
ever since its inception taken a keen and sustained interest in its
development, have personally participated in the collection of its
material, the arrangement of its contents, and the close scrutiny of
whatever data it contains.

I confidently and emphatically recommend it to every thoughtful and eager
follower of the Faith, whether in the East or in the West, whose desire is
to place in the hands of the critical and intelligent inquirer, of
whatever class, creed or colour, a work that can truly witness to the high
purpose, the moving history, the enduring achievements, the resistless
march and infinite prospects of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Eminently
readable and attractive in its features, reliable and authoritative in the
material it contains, up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate in the mass
of information it gives, concise and persuasive in its treatment of the
fundamental aspects of the Cause, thoroughly representative in the
illustrations and photographs it reveals—it stands unexcelled and
unapproached by any publication of its kind in the varied literature of
our beloved Cause. It will, without the slightest doubt, if generously and
vigorously supported, arouse unprecedented interest among all classes of
civilised society.

I earnestly request you, dearly-beloved friends, to exert the utmost
effort for the prompt and widespread circulation of a book that so
faithfully and vividly portrays, in all its essential features, its
far-reaching ramifications and most arresting aspects, the
all-encompassing Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Whatever assistance, financial or
moral, extended by Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers,
to those who have been responsible for such a highly valuable and
representative production will, it should be remembered, be directly
utilised to advance the interests and reinforce the funds that are being
raised in behalf of the Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár, and will indirectly serve
to exert a most powerful stimulus in removing the malicious
misrepresentations and unfortunate misunderstandings that have so long and
so grievously clouded the luminous Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 21 December 1928

21 December 1928(21)

To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.

Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!

With feelings of profound sorrow I am moved to address you these few lines
mourning the loss which the Cause has undoubtedly sustained by the passing
of one who, for many years and in circumstances of exceptional
significance, rendered the sacred Threshold distinctive and inestimable
services. The hand of Divine Decree has removed, by the death of our
talented and dearly-beloved friend, Mr. Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney, yet
another outstanding figure in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, who, by his
brilliant gifts of mind and heart as well as by the divers achievements of
his life, has truly enriched the annals of God’s immortal Faith.

A pioneer of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh ever since its celestial light first
warmed and illuminated the West, he has, by his close association with the
person of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, by his contact with all sections of society, by
his scholarly presentation of the history and fundamentals of the Faith,
and lastly by his unforgettable share in the settlement of the complex and
pressing issues that called for expert assistance in the days following
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing, achieved a standing which few have as yet
attained.

The days of his spiritual communion with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His household
within the walls of the prison-city of Akká, wherein he imbibed the
principles which he later so ably expounded to the peoples of the West;
his pre-eminent role on his return to Paris in kindling the torch which is
destined to shed eternal illumination upon his native land and its people;
the links of abiding fellowship which he forged with our Persian brethren
in the course of the historic mission entrusted to his charge by our
Beloved; the seeds which he scattered far and wide during his subsequent
travels to the heart of Asia, throughout India, beyond the remotest
villages of Burma and as far as the eastern confines of Indo-China; the
able support he lent in its initial and intermediary stages to the case of
Bahá’u’lláh’s house in Ba_gh_dád; his unhesitating intervention with State
officials in paving the way for the ultimate emancipation of our Egyptian
brethren from the yoke of orthodox Islám; the stimulating encouragement
his visit caused to the Bahá’í community of Tunis on the northern shores
of Africa; and last but not least the ability and diligence with which he
applied himself to the solution of the delicate and vexing problems of the
Holy Land in the critical years following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ascension—all
stand out as memorable landmarks in a life that was as varied in its
international aspects as it was rich in its spiritual experience.

His gifts of unfailing sympathy and penetrating insight, his wide
knowledge and mature experience, all of which he utilised for the glory
and propagation of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, will be gratefully
remembered by future generations who, as the days go by, will better
estimate the abiding value of the responsibilities he shouldered for the
introduction and consolidation of the Bahá’í Faith in the Western world.

Suffering as he did in his last days from the effects of a slow and
painful illness, he bore heroically his share of the afflictions of the
world, and is now in the realms of blissful deliverance partaking his full
share of the goodly reward which he certainly deserved. To me, and
particularly amid the storm and stress that have agitated my life after
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing, he was a sustaining and comforting companion, a
most valued counsellor, an intimate and trusted friend.

With much emotion and the deepest sense of gratitude I supplicate at the
holy Threshold—and request you to join with me in my prayers—for the
spiritual advancement in the realms above of a soul who by the sheer merit
of the signal services he rendered already deserves to rank highly among
the departed faithful.

May he forever rest in peace. Shoghi

Letter of 31 December 1928

31 December 1928

Not until harmony and concord are firmly established among the friends of
London and Manchester will the Cause advance along sound and progressive
lines.

May they be guided and inspired to do His Will and achieve His Purpose.

Shoghi

Letter of 29 August 1929

29 August 1929

My dear Mr. Simpson,

I write on behalf of the Guardian with reference to a subject that has
lately been raised by the N.S.A. of America, and referred to him—the
publication of a revised edition of the “Hidden Words” in England.

Shoghi Effendi has asked me to write to America that in view of the
alterations that were lately introduced through the assistance of Miss
Rosenberg and Canon Townshend, a new edition of the “Hidden Words” is
fully justified and he approves of it. However he does advise that such a
publication should not be taken up privately but wholly undertaken by the
English N.S.A. and in view of the large stock which the American N.S.A.
now holds of the present edition, he would urge that the new edition
should be deferred until the American N.S.A. has sold off the bulk of its
present stock. In general he would greatly desire and keenly advise better
co-operation and co-ordination in the work of the American and English
N.S.A. with regard to publication. London, despite its small group has
done great work in Bahá’í publications but they must never forget that
their market lies unfortunately mainly across the Atlantic....

...I hope you have been able to go to Geneva with Mr. Mills. Yours will be
an Englishman’s sober and matter of fact talk....

Letter of 27 September 1929

27 September 1929(22)

GUARDIAN WIRES DEEPLY REGRETS INABILITY PARTICIPATE PERSONALLY DEDICATION
GATHERING OVERJOYED BRIGHT PROSPECTS LOVING GOOD WISHES, SHOGHI.

BAHÁ’ÍYYIH (taken from National Spiritual Assembly Minutes of 16
November.)

Letter of 29 November 1929

29 November 1929

My dear Mr. Simpson,

Thank you so much for your letter of Sept. 19th and for the copy of the
“Hidden Words” you sent me later.

Evidently enough I kept them until our Guardian’s arrival and I now hasten
to reply.

While he is well pleased with the booklet as it is now produced, Shoghi
Effendi wishes me to express his regret that by appearing so soon, it has
rendered the sale of a few thousand copies now in the hands of the
American Publications Committee, extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Of course the Guardian appreciates your efforts and understands perfectly
your desire to have a more correct and a better printed copy of the work
on hand. It is with that view that he is sending enclosed a cheque to the
value of £19 for which kindly send him leather bound copies exactly like
the specimen you sent.

Shoghi Effendi has returned much refreshed and has again taken up his work
with renewed strength. He is much hopeful of your new centre in Regent
Street or thereabouts, and he trusts that it will mark a turning point in
the history of the Cause in England—from happy tea-parties at individual
homes, into a group of less personal but eager, active and thoughtful
workers co-operating in a common service. It is a basis upon which healthy
progress is possible....

Letter of 26 December 1929

26 December 1929

EARNESTLY APPEAL ENGLISH FRIENDS REINFORCE HEROIC EXERTIONS AMERICAN
BRETHREN IN BEHALF MA_SH_RIQU’L-A_DH_KÁR.

SHOGHI January 1930 (Circa) Through Mrs. Coles:—

“...I am delighted with your new centre, and will pray at the Holy Shrines
from the depths of my heart for its progress. Kindly assure my dear
English friends of my heartfelt appreciation of their staunchness, their
renewed activity, their self-sacrificing endeavours. I will continue to
pray for their individual, as well as their collective efforts, from the
bottom of my heart.”

Shoghi Through Miss Challis:—

“I rejoice to hear of the new centre in London. I will pray for its
extension and growth and for the success of your manifold activities....”

Shoghi Through his Secretary to Sister Challis:—

“Now that the London centre has been transferred to a better locality we
hope it will attract more attention and add to the number of attendants at
the meetings. We should however, bear in mind that no matter how important
the hall may be—the talks given and the unity manifested are of far
greater significance.”

“Shoghi Effendi has a special affection for the English friends, for he
has been in their midst and knows most of them personally. He therefore
wishes and prays fervently that their number may increase, and that they
may render distinguished services to the Cause. Please assure them all of
his prayers and extend to them his loving greetings.” (Taken from National
Spiritual Assembly Minutes of 8 January 1930)

Letter of 31 January 1930

31 January 1930

With regard to change in the official title of the N.S.A. he is pleased
that the matter has been definitely decided. (i.e.—“National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles.”)

In connection with the important question of collating and editing the
Master’s Tablets to the friends in the British Isles ... Shoghi Effendi
has already wired his reply. (i.e.—Cablegram Haifa February 3 1930—

“WELCOME TOWNSHEND’S SPLENDID SUGGESTION REGARDING COLLECTION TABLETS,
ADVISE SEND ORIGINALS TO HIM FOR PRESENT.”)

Shoghi Effendi wants me to express his pleasure over such an undertaking,
and he sincerely trusts that it will result into a splendid achievement
for posterity—a mine of endless knowledge, illumination, and insight into
Bahá’í teachings and outlook.

He wishes me to add that whereas he welcomes the work on the Tablets the
friends have received from the Master he does not wish anything done on
notes taken or personal accounts of visits.

The reason for this is the fear that a set of conflicting accounts of the
same topic may crop up in various parts of the world from friends who have
drawn largely from their memory, or have based their understanding of the
Master’s opinion or words, upon the imperfect, not to say faulty,
renderings of the interpreters of those days.

Such accounts are not only impossible to verify but may lead to much
perplexity and constitute a set of traditions that may not prove
healthy....

Letter of 29 April 1930

29 April 1930

CONVEY CONVENTION DELEGATES AND FRIENDS ASSEMBLED FEAST OF RIDVÁN LOVING
APPRECIATION REMEMBRANCE HOLY SHRINES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 September 1930

20 September 1930

The work of collecting and publishing the Tablets is one of the most
important tasks that this generation has undertaken, for upon it depends
our true understanding of the Cause and its principles. The more we put it
off, the more we are apt to lose some of the original writings. Yet
important as this task may be, it is fraught with difficulties. The early
translations are far from being accurate, no matter who the translator may
be. Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that only Tablets with the Master’s
signature and in the original tongue should be recognised. Any
translations or copies of them fail from having real authority. This shows
the importance of collecting the original Tablets that bear the Master’s
signature. November 1930 (on the death of Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg, 17
November 1930)

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING ROSENBERG ENGLAND’S OUTSTANDING BAHÁ’Í PIONEER
WORKER. MEMORY HER GLORIOUS SERVICE WILL NEVER DIE ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S FAMILY
JOIN ME IN EXPRESSING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HER BROTHER RELATIVES URGE
FRIENDS HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL SERVICE.

SHOGHI Editor’s Note:

From the end of 1930 until early 1934 there are no records of cables or
letters from the Guardian. Indeed there are very few references to the
Guardian in the scanty Minutes of the National Assembly of that period.
These brief Minutes indicate that only five or six short meetings were
held each year.

At the meeting of the National Assembly on 12 June, 1932 it was reported
that a reply had been received from Shoghi Effendi in answer to a request
from a Mr Wren for some confirmation of the Lambeth Resolution on Peace.
Another letter from the Guardian was read during the September 11 meeting
and it was recorded that the Assembly endorsed Resolution 26 of the
Lambeth Conference, 1930 “with the full sanction of Shoghi Effendi”.

Letter of 24 January 1934

24 January 1934(23)

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

At the request of the Guardian I am sending you enclosed the programme of
“The New Commonwealth”, a society for the promotion of international law
and order, having its headquarters in London, and which seems to have a
wide and well selected membership. The Guardian wishes the British N.S.A.
to consider the possibility of their joining this organisation, and to
carefully investigate whether any affiliation with that body involves any
political allegiance or may indirectly and eventually lead to
participation in any form of political activity. In the contrary case, he
strongly advises the N.S.A. to join that organisation, as he feels that in
this way the friends can give a wide and effective publicity to the
teachings of the Cause. Membership in non-political organisations of this
type is, indeed, the best method of teaching indirectly the Message by
making useful and frequent contacts with well-known and influential
persons who, if not completely won to the Faith, can at least become of
some effective use to it.

Trusting that you are in the best of health, and with the assurance of
Shoghi Effendi’s ardent prayers on your behalf and on behalf of all the
friends in London.

Yours in His Service,

Letter of 11 February 1934

11 February 1934

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your
letters dated Jan. 20th and Feb. 2nd, 1934, all of which he read with deep
interest. He has also received the text of the High Commissioner’s reply
to your petition.

With regard to the “New Commonwealth” society he would advise the N.S.A.
to join it as soon as possible after having carefully ascertained that
affiliation with such a body does not involve any political allegiance to
any doctrine or group. As you have already stated this organisation is run
on non-party lines. It would be, however, advisable that you should find
out the real aims and objectives of the society and specially the methods
it advocates for the carrying out of its ideals before definitely joining
it.

The Guardian hopes that this will give the friends a further opportunity
to make new contacts, and to draw more competent and sincere people to the
Cause. He is fully alive to the difficulties facing the friends at the
present time. But he would urge each and all to work harder than ever, and
to persevere in order that the Faith may be better appreciated and
understood by the public.

He will continue to supplicate on behalf of you all at the Holy Shrines,
so that Bahá’u’lláh may sustain you in your efforts to spread His message.

With best wishes for Mr. Slade and yourself,
Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless richly your continued and self-sacrificing
endeavours, restore your health, cheer your heart, and enable you to
promote effectively the vital interests of our beloved Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 5 May 1934

5 May 1934

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

I wish to thank you in the name of the Guardian for your deeply
appreciated letter of April 24th, as well as for the article on Jerusalem
which appeared in “Time and Tide”, all of which he greatly enjoyed
reading.

In regard to Mr. Townshend’s book(24) he wishes me to renew his request
that your N.S.A. should seriously consider the ways and means for the
speedy publication of this highly valuable work, the spread of which
cannot but give an unprecedented publicity to the Faith. He values the
efforts that have thus far been exerted to this end and particularly
appreciates the careful attention you have given the matter and hopes that
as a result of these combined efforts something truly substantial will be
achieved.

Shoghi Effendi feels rather surprised that no acknowledgment has thus far
been made of his last general letter, Feb. 8,(25) to the believers of the
West, a copy of which was forwarded to you as secretary of the N.S.A. Will
you please be kind enough to inform him whether the said document has
reached you safely.

With the renewed assurance of his best wishes and of his continued
supplications for the speedy development of the Cause in your country.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

With the assurance of my continued prayers for the extension of the range
of your splendid activities and for the success of your constant and high
endeavours,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 15 May 1934

15 May 1934

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Guardian has received and deeply appreciated your message dated May
7th, and was gratified to learn of the results of your national Bahá’í
elections. He wishes me to convey to you, and to the remaining officers of
the N.S.A. his hearty greetings, and his best wishes for the success and
continued expansion of your Bahá’í activities in this year. He is
fervently praying for your guidance and assistance in all the various and
historic steps you are taking for the spread and the consolidation of the
Movement throughout Great Britain.

What the Guardian would strongly urge your National Assembly to do in the
next few months is a renewed and decisive effort for the speedy
publication of Mr. Townshend’s recent book on the Cause. Through the
reading of such a challenging and scholarly work many will, undoubtedly,
be awakened and stimulated, while others will be infuriated to the extent
of virulently attacking the Faith. The unprecedented publicity which the
Cause will be thus receiving will in itself constitute an important step
towards a wider and fuller recognition of the Movement by distinguished
personalities, in both intellectual and social circles. Mr. Townshend’s
book is, indeed, very timely, and through it the friends and the
non-believers will be given a new vision of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi is
hoping that, as a result of his repeated requests, your N.S.A. will be
stimulated to renew and persevere in their efforts in this vitally
important matter.

With the renewed assurance of his prayers on your behalf and on behalf of
the friends in London.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I will fervently pray that the obstacles that stand in your way and which
hinder the publication of Canon Townshend’s splendid work will be
completely and speedily surmounted. I anticipate an outburst of interest
and an unprecedented revival of activity as a direct result of the
circulation of this notable work—a work which I trust will prove a
landmark in the history of the Faith in your land.

Shoghi

Letter of 2 July 1934

2 July 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,

Shoghi Effendi is pleased to learn, from your letters of June 11th and
16th, of the new possibilities for the publication of Canon Townshend’s
book. Realising the number and force of the difficulties which have thus
far stood in your way, he cannot indeed but feel gratified that you have
at last been able to overcome some of them. He hopes that through your
determination to have this valuable booklet published without any further
delay some valuable and permanent result will be achieved, and that a few
people of capacity and influence will be attracted to the Faith.

In case no publishing firm accepts your offer for the printing of the
booklet, the Guardian approves that the N.S.A. should undertake the
publication.

Hoping to hear very soon some more definite and encouraging news about
this matter, and with the Guardian’s best wishes for you and for your
collaborators in the N.S.A.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

With the renewed assurance of my loving and continued prayers for the
success of your unsparing efforts for the spread of His Faith and the
consolidation of its institutions,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 11 July 1934

11 July 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,

On behalf of the Guardian I wish to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter, and to assure you once more of his deepfelt appreciation of your
highly-valued efforts for the publication of Canon Townshend’s booklet on
the Cause. He hopes that the believers the world over will co-operate with
your N.S.A. for giving the work the widest publicity possible, and by
ordering as many copies as they can for distribution in their own
communities. They will surely appreciate, and draw great benefit from,
this original and beautifully-written essay of Mr. Townshend, and they
will certainly do their best to make it known by the outside world.

Shoghi Effendi wishes you to send him, as soon as the book is published,
150 copies for his library. He will also place some of them in
Bahá’u’lláh’s Mansion at Bahjí for the benefit of the Bahá’í as well as
non-Bahá’í visitors.

With the renewed assurance of his best wishes and of his continued prayers
on your behalf.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your incessant and meritorious endeavours and crown
them with unprecedented success,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 2 September 1934

2 September 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has received and read with much interest your letter of
August 9th. It gives him pleasure to learn that the agreement for the
publication of Canon Townshend’s book has already been signed, and he is
looking forward to see the book out of the press within the next few
weeks. He hopes that your communications with the American N.S.A. for
bringing out an American edition of this same book are proceeding
satisfactorily, as he has every reason to believe that the friends in
America will do their best to secure for that important publication the
widest demand and publicity possible.

Shoghi Effendi would advise that you should also communicate with the
N.S.A. of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand, and with other English
speaking Assemblies, groups and individuals, informing them of this new
publication, and asking for their assistance in creating for it as wide a
demand as possible.

With his renewed greetings and best wishes to you and to all the friends
in London,

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I have read your letter of May 22 and Aug. 9 with joy and thankfulness as
both eloquently testify to your inflexible resolve to promote by every
means in your power the best interests of our beloved Cause. I trust and
pray that the effect of the publication of the “Promise” will be such as
to gladden your heart and reinforce the constant efforts which you have so
devotedly exerted in recent years for the propagation of the Faith. I will
soon send the cheque for the books I have asked you to send me and which I
will distribute as widely as I possibly can.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 30 September 1934

30 September 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has directed me to thank you for your welcome letter dated
September fifth. The news of the passing away of Mr. Simpson has deeply
grieved his heart. He hopes and fervently prays that the Beloved may fully
reward him for all the services which he has rendered the Faith in Great
Britain, and particularly for the active part which he took during the
early days of his association with the Movement, in establishing the Cause
of the Administration in that land. May the Almighty enable his soul to
progress spiritually in the other world, and may the memory of his earlier
services to the Faith sustain and encourage the friends in their labours
for the propagation of the Cause in Great Britain.

The Guardian has already written Mr. ... concerning Mr. ... gift to the
Cause and has expressed his profound appreciation of the suggestion made
by him to have his property registered in the name of your National
Assembly. This step, he is convinced, would be of great help to your
Assembly, in that it would assist in enabling it to obtain full legal
recognition from the authorities and thus become an effective and powerful
organ for the administration of Bahá’í affairs throughout the British
Isles. But, if your Assembly feels that such a step would be premature, he
suggests that you should have the property registered in the name of the
Palestine Branch of the American N.S.A., until such time as your own
Assembly would be in a position to acquire full legal recognition from the
British authorities, and will be entitled to hold property in Palestine.
In the meantime the American N.S.A. can issue a statement testifying that
this property is registered only temporarily in their name, and that as
soon as the incorporation is effected they will have it transferred to the
name of the National Assembly of the British Isles.

Concerning the material which your Assembly has been requested to provide
for the writing of a history of the Cause in England, the Guardian feels
the advisability of making as few references to individuals as possible.
He further suggests that emphasis be placed on two major events, the
Master’s visit to England, and the publication of Dr. Esslemont’s “New
Era” which, indeed, constitutes a real landmark in the history of the
Faith in that country.

There is another point to which the Guardian wishes to draw the attention
of your N.S.A. It is the importance which national Bahá’í summer schools
are acquiring in the development and spread of the Cause. Two of these, as
you know, have already been established and are now regularly functioning,
that of America with its three branches in Green Acre, Lou-Helen Ranch and
Geyserville, and that of Esslingen in Germany which in the last two years
has considerably developed, and has attracted the attention of non-German
believers throughout the Bahá’í world. The Guardian suggests that pending
the establishment of a similar Bahá’í Summer School in England, your
Assembly should take into consideration the most effective way in which it
can co-operate with the German friends in furthering the interests of
their summer school at Esslingen. Meanwhile an effort should be made by
our English believers to take the necessary steps for the formation of a
similar institution in Great Britain. Many Bahá’í travellers in Europe,
mostly American, have had this summer the opportunity of attending
meetings and classes of the friends in Esslingen. Mr. and Mrs. Greven,
Mrs. Collins, Mr. and Mrs. Bishop representing the Bahá’í Bureau at
Geneva. Bahá’ís from Austria and Persia attended. Miss Jack and Mrs.
Gregory came specially from the Balkans, and gave detailed reports on the
conditions of the Cause in the Balkans. In view of this international
importance which the Esslingen summer school is thus acquiring, at least
in Europe, the Guardian feels the advisability of your National Assembly
being represented at these important gatherings.

In closing I wish to ask you to convey the Guardian’s greetings and love
to Mr. As_gh_arzádeh who, as you write, seems to be suffering from
ill-health. Will you kindly assure him of Shoghi Effendi’s prayers for his
complete recovery, and express his appreciation of his continued labours
for the Cause in London.

With warmest greetings to you and to all the friends, Yours in His
Service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker:

The utmost effort, I feel, should be exerted to ensure the incorporation
of the British National Assembly. Should the authorities require a
document setting forth the laws and principles governing the activities of
the community, the text of the Declaration of Trust and By-laws now
operating in America and adopted by the National Assemblies of Egypt,
India and ‘Iráq should be presented to them. The text is published in Vol.
IV of the “Bahá’í World” and constitutes a pattern for all national Bahá’í
constitutions. I would also greatly welcome close collaboration by the
believers in England in the development of the very useful and promising
summer school recently initiated in Esslingen and which has served this
summer as a meeting place of teachers and representatives in Europe.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 November 1934

22 November 1934

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated September 21st and November 16th have been received and
their contents carefully noted by the Guardian.

He has also received the one hundred and fifty copies of “The Promise of
All Ages” and wishes me to thank you for them, and to renew his
appreciation of your painstaking efforts for the publication of this most
timely and singularly penetrating book on the Cause. He hopes and prays
that your labours in this connexion may be abundantly rewarded. He has
already sent Mr. Townshend a cheque of thirty-five pounds on account of
the 150 copies of his book. He hopes the sum will reach him very soon. He
would deeply appreciate if you kindly send him copies of the letters of
acknowledgment which you receive from those to whom the book has been
offered, as in this way he can more or less know of the reaction which the
book has produced on the mind of the intellectual public in London and
elsewhere.

With regard to Mr. Townshend’s suggestion to procure the copyright of the
portraits of the Master taken in Paris, Shoghi Effendi fully approves the
idea, and would advise you to write the Paris Assembly about it and to try
to enlist their co-operation and help in this matter.

The Guardian also wishes to express his whole-hearted approval of the
steps your National Assembly is taking for incorporating their Assembly as
a duly recognised religious body in England and throughout the British
Isles. He would suggest that in case the authorities refuse to recognise
the N.S.A. as a religious society you should insist on having it
temporarily registered as a commercial body or under any other
designation. He requests you to send him copies of the registration
documents as soon as they are ready, as he intends to take the necessary
steps for the establishment of a Palestine Branch of your National
Assembly similar to that which the American N.S.A. now possesses in
Palestine.

With his fervent prayers and loving greetings to you and to all the
friends in London,

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker:

The books you have sent me are being widely distributed and I am sure they
will serve to stimulate genuine interest in the fundamentals of the Faith.
A special and sustained effort, I feel, should be exerted by your National
Assembly in order to ensure that copies of this brilliant production may
reach most, if not all the Bahá’í centres throughout the East and West and
may be made accessible to the most influential leaders and organisations
in every continent of the Globe. The success it can achieve largely
depends upon the publicity which the continued and organised endeavours of
your Assembly can now accord it.

Praying for your success and protection.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 17 December 1934

17 December 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has directed me to thank you for your welcome letter dated
December 8th, and also for the undated one just received.

In regard to his money order for the 150 copies of the “Promise of All
Ages”, he wishes you to offer the remaining sum to your National Assembly
for the purposes of their national fund.

He is pleased to learn that the editor of “The Times’ Literary Supplement”
has accepted to have Canon Townshend’s book reviewed in his paper. He
trusts that the result will be such as to stimulate many people to buy
this volume, and to carefully and seriously study and meditate upon its
contents.

With reference to Mr. ... property on Mt. Carmel, the Guardian specially
requests you to proceed quickly in the matter of your National Assembly’s
incorporation so as to enable him to establish a branch of that Assembly
in Palestine and thus make possible the registration of the land in
question in the name of the British N.S.A. The land is completely
safe-guarded at present.

He would deeply appreciate if you send him photostatic copies of the
registration documents as soon as they will be ready.

In this connection, the Guardian wishes me to draw once more your
attention to the importance of following, in the adoption of your
Assembly’s constitution, complete and exact wording of the text of the
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the American N.S.A., with due
consideration however to all local conditions which may necessitate some
minor departure from the original American copy.

It will interest you to know that the N.S.A. of the Bahá’ís of India and
Burma have carefully followed the constitutions adopted by the American
believers, both in the local and the national sphere, and have succeeded
in registering their National Assembly as a legal body empowered to
administer the affairs of the Cause throughout India and Burma. The
Guardian is now engaged in establishing a branch of the Indian N.S.A. in
Palestine. The National Assemblies of Egypt, ‘Iráq and Persia have
likewise adopted without any alteration whatever the text of the American
constitution as a pattern for their local as well as national regulations
and by-laws.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty enable you to surmount all the obstacles that stand in
your path and accomplish the great project which you are initiating, and
establish your manifold administrative activities on a sound, permanent
and unassailable basis.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 December 1934

27 December 1934

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has directed me to send you enclosed a copy of the
Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of India and Burma.

You will find, after going carefully over the text, that except for
Article VIII which is being amended, it is fully identical with the
constitution adopted by the American N.S.A., and as such is in close
conformity with the principles laid down by the Guardian concerning
national Bahá’í constitutions throughout the world.

He feels it his duty, now that your N.S.A. is taking steps for its formal
registration in the Government, to earnestly request you to adopt, in its
entirety and without any alteration, the full text of the constitution of
the American N.S.A. so as to maintain the necessary uniformity in the
essential principles of the Administrative Order. Whatever is not
specified in the text of this national constitution, the Guardian has
already explained to the National Assemblies of America, India, Egypt,
‘Iráq and Persia, is to be left to the discretion of these Assemblies. He
does not object if there be any differences in these secondary matters,
but he feels that he should insist on uniformity in essentials. Diversity
in unity—which is so vital and basic a principle of the Movement—would
thereby be maintained.

With heartiest greetings to you and to all the friends, Yours in His
Service,

Letter of 15 February 1935

15 February 1935

Dear Mrs. Slade,

I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your letters of the fourth
of January last and of the seventh of this month, all of which he has read
with deepest interest.

He was, however, grieved to learn of the slight indisposition in your
health, and particularly of the serious illness of Miss Elsie Lea. He is
praying for you both at the Holy Shrines that you may be given the
necessary strength to resume your work for the Cause in London.

With regard to the situation in Persia, it is pretty bad indeed.
Conditions have not improved in the slightest degree, and the friends are
still suffering from the intolerable burden of restrictions imposed upon
them by the Authorities. The Guardian does not advise your Assembly to
enter into detailed correspondence with any of the friends there, but sees
no objection if you send them copies of your News Letters....

The friends will no doubt appreciate the possibilities which the admission
of so distinguished a person as ... in their midst will have for the
Cause. This new development should, indeed, encourage and stimulate them
to persevere, nay to redouble their efforts for the extension of their
teaching activities throughout Great Britain. The future of the Cause in
that country is, indeed, bright. But the friends should also exert their
utmost, lest through neglect and apathy its progress be impeded. Now that
such a wonderful opportunity has presented itself to them, it is their
responsibility to take their full chance and to make a renewed attempt to
extend and further consolidate their teaching work in London and
throughout the British Isles.

Shoghi Effendi is fervently praying that through the confirmations and
blessings of Bahá’u’lláh you may all be assisted in effectively attaining
this objective.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am so pleased to learn of the splendid response of ... to the call of
our Faith, and would urge you to make a special effort, in conjunction
with the friends and Assemblies in England, to aid him to deepen his faith
and extend the scope of his valued activities. I will pray for the success
of your efforts and the realisation of your highest hopes.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 7 April 1935

7 April 1935

Dear Mrs. Slade,

Shoghi Effendi has received your letters dated March 8th and April 1st,
and wishes me to thank you for them.

With regard to the incorporation of the British N.S.A., he is sorry,
indeed, that the authorities have definitely refused your application. He
is, nevertheless, confident that your Assembly’s efforts in this
connection will, in due time, bear fruit, and that the officials concerned
will gradually come to alter their views regarding the nature and
significance of the Movement.

In the meantime, the Guardian can have ... property on Mt. Carmel
transferred to the name of the Palestine Branch of the American N.S.A.

With the renewed expression of Shoghi Effendi’s deepfelt appreciation of
your services, and with his loving greetings and best wishes to you and to
the friends in London....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-worker,

I grieve to learn of the refusal of the Board of Trade to incorporate the
National Assembly, but I feel certain that the friends will not allow this
setback to damp their zeal or to weaken their determination to prosecute
the work they have so devotedly undertaken. It may indeed prove a blessing
in disguise, and I would urge the friends to persevere and not to lose
heart and to rest assured that our beloved Faith will ultimately conquer.

With my best wishes for all of you,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 December 1935

9 December 1935

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has just received letters from Sir Herbert Samuel and Sir
Francis Younghusband inviting him to attend and present a paper on the
subject: How to promote the spirit of World Fellowship through religion at
the projected conference of the “World Fellowship Through Religion” to be
held in London this coming July.

As he is unable to be present at this meeting, he has thought best to ask
the British N.S.A. to act as his representatives, and to appoint someone
to read this paper which he is asking Mr. Townshend to prepare for that
occasion. He is specially writing Mr. Townshend about it, and urging him
to have the statement ready by the end of January, when it has to be
handed by your N.S.A. to Sir Francis Younghusband according to his request
from the Guardian.

He also thinks it necessary for your Assembly to communicate as promptly
as you can with Sir F. Younghusband, and to express your readiness and
pleasure to participate in the activities and deliberations of the World
Fellowship conference.

In view of the vital importance of this gathering, at which
representatives of various religious organisations will be present, and
specially as Sir Herbert Samuel has himself expressed the desire that the
Cause should be authoritatively and adequately represented there, Shoghi
Effendi would urge the British N.S.A. to make every effort to fully avail
themselves of this splendid opportunity for giving the Faith in England a
fresh and unprecedented impetus.

Wishing you complete success in your labours in this connection, and
awaiting the news of the progress of the action that you will take in this
matter,

Yours in His Service,

Letter of 26 December 1935

26 December 1935

Dear Mrs. Slade,

This letter is to confirm the one I wrote you nearly two weeks ago at the
direction of the Guardian regarding the projected World Congress of Faiths
to be held in London next summer.

As stated in that letter, the Guardian has whole-heartedly accepted the
Committee’s invitation, as expressed through both Sir Herbert Samuel and
Sir Francis Younghusband, to have the Cause authoritatively represented at
the above-mentioned Congress.

He now wishes to urge again your N.S.A. to speed up the matter of
preparing the address which he has requested Mr. Townshend to prepare for
that occasion. He is also urging Mr. Townshend to have the address ready
for presentation to the Committee towards the end of next January.

The Guardian hopes that the N.S.A. will do its very best to speed up this
matter.

With his renewed thanks to you and to the friends, Yours in His Service,

Letter of 13 March 1936

13 March 1936

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has just sent you a cable asking you to send him, as soon as
you can, two copies of the photograph of the N.S.A. of the British Isles
of the year 1935–36 for publication in Volume Six of the “Bahá’í World”.
He hopes there will be no delay in forwarding to him these photographs.

Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours in His Service,

Letter of 16 March 1936

16 March 1936

Dear Mrs. Slade,

The Guardian has been very pleased to learn, from the report you have
submitted for the next issue of the “Bahá’í World” regarding the
activities of the Cause in England, that the centre in London has been
given by the authorities the status of a place of worship, and that the
Movement has been registered as a definite religious community.

If there are any documents or any letters you have obtained from the
Government in connection with such a registration will you kindly send him
reproductions of them as promptly as you can for publication in the next
issue of the “Bahá’í World” (Vol. VI).

With many thanks and warmest greetings, Yours in His Service,

Letter of April 1936

April 1936

The National Teaching Committee of the N.S.A. of the British Isles.

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Guardian has read with profoundest interest the second number of the
“Teaching Bulletin” issued by the N.S.A. of the Bahá’ís of the British
Isles, and feels highly gratified at the steps your committee is taking
for the inauguration of a new teaching campaign throughout England. This
is surely a clear evidence of the new spirit animating the friends in that
country, and a further revelation of their intense desire to give the
cause of teaching a fresh and unprecedented stimulus. There is undoubtedly
no higher call than that of bringing the Message to a world tormented and
torn on every side by the forces of destructive materialism. It is for us
to realise the full measure of responsibility that has been laid upon our
shoulders in this matter, and having attained full consciousness of our
responsibility to unitedly arise to contribute all that we can towards its
discharge.

It is Shoghi Effendi’s hope that under the guidance and encouragement of
the N.S.A. your committee’s work will steadily progress, and that the
results achieved will be such as to create further confidence and arouse
fresh hopes in your activities among all the friends throughout the
British Isles. He is looking eagerly forward to learn more of your
activities, and to witness further signs of the effectiveness, unity and
power with which you are striving to diffuse the Teachings and principles
of the Cause.

May the Almighty ever bless and sustain you in your labours....

Letter of 27 April 1936 (Convention)

27 April 1936 (Convention)

DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE FERVENTLY PRAYING SUCCESS DELIBERATIONS LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 3 May 1936

3 May 1936

The National Teaching Committee of the N.S.A. of the British Isles.

Dear friends and co-workers,

The Guardian has instructed me to convey to you his deep gratitude for
your welcome message of April 21st. He has been made truly happy by its
perusal and wishes me to express once more his genuine appreciation of the
remarkable work which your committee is accomplishing for the spread of
the Message throughout England. He wishes you full success in your
labours, and is praying to Bahá’u’lláh to guide and assist you in every
step you are taking for the dissemination of His Teachings and the
establishment of His Faith in your country.

His chief advice to you is perseverance without which, he strongly feels,
no success is attainable. The difficulties in your way are undoubtedly
manifold and not always easy to overcome. But provided you persevere, and
face with courage, full faith and confidence such obstacles you can be
sure of attaining the goal you have set yourselves to achieve.

Now is the beginning of your work. And as in the beginning of every task
you are bound to meet all sorts of difficulties. The more you strive to
overcome these, the greater will be your reward, and the nearer you will
get to that glorious success which, as repeatedly promised by Bahá’u’lláh,
must needs crown the efforts of all those who, whole-heartedly and with
pure detachment, strive to work for the spread and establishment of His
Cause.

With cordial greetings and every good wish....

[From the Guardian:]

With the renewed assurance of my loving and constant prayers for the
extension of your meritorious activities and services,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 May 1936

9 May 1936

Dear Mr. Hofman,

The Guardian has duly received your letter of April 29th written at the
direction of the N.S.A. of the British Isles, and he wishes me to thank
you for it.

He has learned with deep satisfaction of the result of your national
elections, and has instructed me to convey to each and every member of
your newly elected assembly his hearty congratulations and sincere good
wishes. He hopes that the officers of the N.S.A. will be fully guided in
the discharge of their manifold and heavy responsibilities, and that
through their collective and sustained efforts the Cause will receive a
fresh and unprecedented impetus throughout England. He is praying from the
very depth of his heart on behalf of you all, entreating Bahá’u’lláh to
ever bless, sustain and guide you in your labours.

The Guardian would deeply appreciate receiving the minutes of the N.S.A.
meetings, and hopes that you will send these to him as regularly as you
can.

With his renewed and most loving greetings, also to the members of the
N.S.A....

[From the Guardian:]

Wishing you the fullest success in your high and deeply appreciated
endeavours,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 3 September 1936

3 September 1936

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

Your welcome letter of August 7th together with the enclosed programme of
the English Bahá’í Summer School and Mrs. Bishop’s notes on the Bahá’í
session of the World Fellowship of Faiths Congress have all duly arrived
and been read with sustained interest and deepest appreciation by our
beloved Guardian.

He has been particularly pleased to read Mrs. Bishop’s report which is
truly illuminating and highly encouraging. The Cause has no doubt been
well represented at the Congress, and the attendants must have surely been
deeply impressed by the manner in which the Message was introduced and
presented by both the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í speakers.

The Guardian feels particularly grateful for the share which your N.S.A.,
as well as your distinguished and able co-workers Mrs. Bishop and Madame
Orlova have contributed towards the success of the Bahá’í meeting. May the
noble efforts which you all have so unitedly and so successfully exerted
in this connection serve to attract, even as a magnet, the blessings of
God and His favours upon the entire community of the believers throughout
the British Isles.

With every good wish and hearty greetings to you, and to your
fellow-members in the N.S.A....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearest co-workers,

I rejoice to learn of the splendid work that has recently been achieved.
Your accomplishments should spur you on to achieve still greater results
in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í service. My
prayers will be offered on your behalf. The work in which you are so
devotedly engaged is near and dear to my heart. Persevere and never feel
disheartened.

Affectionately,
Shoghi

Letter of 17 October 1936

17 October 1936

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I am directed by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge with thanks the
receipt of your letter dated August 25th with the enclosed minutes of the
British N.S.A.’s last meeting. He has read them all with utmost care and
profoundest appreciation.

Regarding your Summer School; he is indeed grateful to your Assembly for
the great success that has attended your efforts for the formation of this
institution, the teaching value of which for England cannot be
overestimated. He wishes, in particular, to offer his most sincere thanks
to the Bahá’í youth group in London for their remarkable share in making
the school such an outstanding success this year. This has been certainly
a bold undertaking, considering the limited number and resources of the
believers in England. But the results obtained are highly encouraging and
augur well for the future of this first English Bahá’í Summer School. The
unity, courage and whole-hearted loyalty of the friends have enabled them
to boldly face and successfully overcome the difficulties and obstacles
which may have first appeared, to many at least, to be quite
unsurmountable. The Guardian would, therefore, urge all the believers to
persevere in their efforts for raising the standard, both intellectual and
spiritual, of their Summer School and to heighten its prestige in the eyes
of the friends, and of the general non-Bahá’í public outside. The
institution of the Summer School constitutes a vital and inseparable part
of any teaching campaign, and as such ought to be given the full
importance it deserves in the teaching plans and activities of the
believers. It should be organised in such a way as to attract the
attention of the non-believers to the Cause and thus become an effective
medium for teaching. Also it should afford the believers themselves an
opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Teachings, through lectures
and discussions and by means of close and intense community life.

As regards the N.S.A.’s request concerning Mrs. Bishop’s teaching services
in England, the Guardian wishes you to assure your fellow-members of his
hearty approval of their suggestion that she should extend her stay in
your country for another year. He is advising her to visit Geneva for a
brief period and then return immediately back to England....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearest co-worker,

I wish to congratulate in person the English believers, and particularly
the members of the youth group, on their splendid achievements. The
activities they have initiated, the perseverance, zeal and fidelity they
have increasingly manifested, the plans they have conceived and the
obstacles they have already overcome, rejoice my heart and arouse fresh
hopes and expectations within me. I will continue to pray for their
success. Rest assured and persevere.

Affectionately,
Shoghi

Letter of 2 December 1936

2 December 1936

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your kind letter of November 22nd with enclosures have been read with deep
interest and profound gratitude by our beloved Guardian, and their
contents have imparted fresh encouragement to his heart. He has also
received your communication of the 28th September with the accompanying
minutes of the British N.S.A. and the report of your Summer School, and is
indeed sorry for the long delay in thanking you for them.

Regarding Mr. Townshend, the Guardian is pleased to hear that he has
written you, and offered a method whereby he could be freed to serve the
Faith. He is confident that your N.S.A. will give this matter their most
careful and sympathetic consideration, and fervently hopes that they will,
as a result, be able to find some way that would relieve Mr. Townshend of
his many domestic cares and troubles which, as you know only too well,
seriously impede the progress and expansion of his activities for the
Faith.

It is a matter of deep regret, indeed, that our dear friend’s material
position is such as to make it quite impossible for him to devote his full
time and energies to the Cause. The friends in Great Britain, who are in
special need of his able assistance in their teaching work, should,
therefore, consider it their responsibility to find some solution to this
urgent problem facing one of their most distinguished and competent
fellow-workers.

Any suggestion which your N.S.A. could offer would certainly be deeply
appreciated by Mr. Townshend, and the Guardian would be only too pleased
to assist your Assembly in insuring the success of any plan you may
propose and decide upon in this matter.

Wishing you full and continued success in your work, and assuring you
again of Shoghi Effendi’s fervent prayers on your behalf and on behalf of
your fellow-members in the N.S.A....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and prized co-worker,

Your splendid collaboration with the English believers is, as I am
gradually and increasingly realising it, infusing a new life and a fresh
determination into individuals and assemblies which will prove of the
utmost benefit to our beloved Cause. Persevere in your remarkable efforts
and historic achievements. With the aid of Mrs. Bishop an unprecedented
and most powerful impetus will I am sure be given to the onward march of
the Cause of God. I am deeply grateful to you.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 10 January 1937

10 January 1937

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

The Guardian has instructed me to inform you of the receipt of your
communications of the 6th and 24th December and of the 1st January, all of
which he has read, together with their enclosures, with sustained
interest. Kindly convey to your fellow-members in the N.S.A. his
appreciation and gratitude for the truly valuable work they are
accomplishing for the promotion of the Faith in Great Britain. He is
continually and fervently praying for the guidance and success of the
plans they have recently initiated for the extension of the teaching work
and for the consolidation of the administrative institutions of the Cause
in their land.

The Guardian is specially praying for the success of your N.S.A.’s project
in connection with Mr. Townshend’s problem. Much as he realises the
financial difficulties involved in such a plan, he is nevertheless
convinced that if every individual believer, no matter how limited his
resources, pledges himself to give it his whole-hearted and continued
support it will eventually, though after considerable effort and
self-sacrifice, become effective and successful. The opportunity has now
come for the friends in Great Britain to demonstrate the measure of their
devotion to the Cause, as well as their capacity to maintain, consolidate
and extend its nascent administrative institutions in that land. The
occasion calls for a tremendous amount of sacrifice, of perseverance and
united labour on the part of the friends, and for the self-same devotion
that characterised the nation-wide efforts of the American believers for
the building up of their beloved Temple at Wilmette. May the friends in
Great Britain, despite their limited numbers and resources, be guided and
assisted to successfully meet this challenge. Their triumph will assuredly
draw upon them the blessings and confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh, and may
prove to be the signal for fresh conquests and unprecedented developments
in the Cause throughout the British Isles.

Regarding the New Commonwealth Society, the Guardian does not wish the
friends, whether individually or collectively, to affiliate themselves
with this and other kindred organisations, in view of the fact that the
aims and ideals upheld by such bodies do not entirely conform to the
Teachings, and hence there is always the possibility of creating
complications for the Cause by accepting membership in them.

However, as the New Commonwealth Society is nearer to the Cause than
perhaps any other organisation of its kind, the Guardian would advise the
friends to participate, occasionally and in an informal manner, in its
activities, to attend some of its meetings, and to contribute articles to
its publications. Association, as you certainly realise, is quite
different from affiliation, and it is the latter which the Guardian wishes
the friends to strictly avoid.

With his warmest greetings and sincere good wishes to you and your
fellow-members in the N.S.A....

[From the Guardian:]

With the renewed assurance of my continued, my loving and ardent prayers
for the expansion and the consolidation of the splendid work which the
English believers are unitedly accomplishing for the furtherance of the
Cause of Bahá’u’lláh,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 24 February 1937

24 February 1937

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your welcome
communications of the 19th January and the enclosed latest number of the
“Bahá’í Journal” issued by the British N.S.A., and to transmit to you, and
through you to your distinguished collaborators in that body, his
admiration and gratitude for the quick action you have been prompted to
take in connection with the formation of a Publishing Company under the
direction of your National Assembly.

The plan you have conceived is certainly bold, knowing how limited are the
number and resources of the believers in England. But it nevertheless
offers great possibilities of development and success, provided your
Assembly gives it full moral and financial support, and succeeds in
stimulating the interest and obtaining the assistance of the believers
outside Great Britain for its immediate and effective prosecution.

In this connection, he wishes you to assure the N.S.A. of his
whole-hearted and full approval of their suggestion to solicit
subscriptions from the Bahá’ís of those countries who normally order
literature from them. He feels it, indeed, to be the duty of every
believer who has the means, and has also the interest of the Cause at
heart, to assist in any capacity, and to any extent he can, in carrying
out the British N.S.A.’s project. Nothing can demonstrate more effectively
the spirit of solidarity and self-sacrifice which should animate the
friends than their response to this call. Aside from the fact that London
is the heart of the British Empire, and as such commands an importance
which few other centres in the world can equal and should consequently be
raised to the status of one of the leading outposts of the Faith, it
should be stated that now that the Administrative Order has at last been
firmly established and is being increasingly consolidated in that centre,
it is the supreme obligation of all the believers, both in Great Britain
and other European countries, to assist by every means in hastening this
internal development and growth. And it is quite evident that the
formation of a Publishing Company along the lines suggested by the British
N.S.A. is the greatest asset to such a development and expansion of the
Cause in London and throughout England as a whole.

It is the Guardian’s hope that the response which the friends will make to
this project will be such as to mark the inauguration of a new era of
expansion of the Cause throughout the British Isles, and the rest of the
far-flung British Empire. He would appeal to every believer to carefully
ponder upon the responsibilities which he is called upon to shoulder in
order to meet this supreme and vital obligation.

Letter of 5 March 1937

5 March 1937(26)

Dear and prized co-worker,

Your subsequent letters dated Jan. 29th enclosing the minutes of the
National Assembly meeting, and February 26th enclosing copy of the Bahá’í
Journal No. 5 have also reached me and have filled my heart with joy and
gratitude for the splendid services of your Assembly and the efforts they
are systematically and vigorously exerting for the initiation, the
expansion and consolidation of Bahá’í administrative activities and
enterprises at this auspicious stage in the evolution of the Faith in your
country. I fully approve the publication in your Journal of the passages
quoted in your letter of February 26th. I am enclosing the sum of £50 as
my contribution towards the Fund which is being raised for the
establishment of the Publishing Company for the success of which I cherish
the brightest hopes. I will especially pray for the removal of every
obstacle that may impede its formation and development, and for the
realisation of your highest hopes in this connection. Persevere in your
great enterprise, and rest assured that the almighty power of Bahá’u’lláh
will, if you remain steadfast in your purpose, enable you to attain your
goal.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 March 1937

25 March 1937

ANNOUNCE ASSEMBLIES CELEBRATION MARRIAGE BELOVED GUARDIAN IMPERISHABLE
HONOUR BESTOWED UPON HANDMAID OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH RÚHÍYYIH _KH_ÁNUM MISS MARY
MAXWELL.

(Sgd. ZÍÁÍYYIH, MOTHER OF THE GUARDIAN)

Letter of 2 April 1937

2 April 1937

GREATLY VALUE MESSAGE ABIDING LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 1 May 1937

1 May 1937

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I am charged by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your
communications of March 21st, 31st and of April 22nd with enclosures.

He has received and read with particular interest the latest issue of the
Journal issued by the British N.S.A. and is indeed happy to realise that
the teaching work, now so ably reinforced by the valuable support extended
to it by dear Mrs. Bishop, is steadily progressing in England. He is most
pleased over the progress of the Devonshire Group, and wishes you to
assure its members, and particularly Mrs. Stevens, of his deep
appreciation of their efforts for the propagation of the Message in that
highly promising centre from which, he hopes, the light of the Cause will
radiate throughout South Western England which has heretofore remained
closed to the Faith. He would urge your N.S.A. to continue giving your
attention to the problem of finding ways and means to further widen the
interest that has been aroused, and is fervently praying that your efforts
in this connection may bear the richest and most satisfactory results.

Concerning the N.S.A.’s Publishing Fund; the Guardian has learned with
satisfaction that the friends are gradually awakening to the realisation
that it constitutes an invaluable support to the extension of the teaching
work throughout the British Isles. He hopes that the flow of contributions
will steadily increase, so as to enable your Assembly to carry out its
important project. He is rejoiced to hear that you have taken the
necessary steps to have the Company legally established—which step, he
hopes, will pave the way for the registration of the N.S.A. as an
independent religious organisation....

[From the Guardian:]

With the assurance of my continued prayers for the realisation of your
highest hopes, and for the uninterrupted progress and consolidation of
your teaching and administrative activities,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 3 May 1937 (Convention)

3 May 1937 (Convention)

ASSURE DELEGATES FRIENDS LOVING APPRECIATION REMEMBRANCE HOLY SHRINES
SUPPLICATING UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS TEACHING FIELD ADMINISTRATIVE
ACTIVITIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 July 1937

10 July 1937

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I am charged by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your
communications of May 3rd and 29th written on behalf of the British N.S.A.

The enclosed copy of the Annual Report, as well as the minutes of the
N.S.A. meeting of the 13th May have also reached him and he has read their
contents with deepest satisfaction.

With regard to your Assembly’s request for permission to publish in the
“Bahá’í Journal” an extract from his letter of April 24th addressed to
Miss Baxter, he wishes you to assure your fellow members of his approval
of their request.

With his loving Bahá’í greetings and with his renewed and abiding
appreciation of your labours for the Cause....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

Your letter of June 24th has also been received. I feel the urge to add
these few words in person in order to assure you afresh of my deep
appreciation of the remarkable spirit of constancy, devotion and loyalty
which you and your fellow workers, in both the teaching and administrative
spheres of Bahá’í service are ably and continually manifesting. My heart
overflows with unspeakable gratitude. I will continue to pray for all of
you from the depths of my heart.

Shoghi

Letter of 7 September 1937

7 September 1937

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

On behalf of our beloved Guardian I acknowledge with thanks the receipt of
your letter of the 17th August enclosing the minutes of the meeting of the
British N.S.A. held at the Summer School on August 8th....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your persistent efforts and enable you to
consolidate still further the manifold interests of the Faith of God.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 November 1937

16 November 1937

Beloved Bahá’í Brother,

I am charged by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your
communications of September 26th and November 6th with enclosures, all of
which he has read with deepest interest and appreciation.

He very much regrets indeed the departure of Mrs. Bishop and Madame Orlova
from England, as the services they rendered all through their stay in that
country have been truly outstanding. The teaching force, in particular,
will feel the loss of these two of its most capable and promising
supporters. Every effort should now be exerted by the N.S.A. however, to
carry on the teaching work through every means possible, and every
believer should be made to realise that he has an added and most grave
responsibility to shoulder in this matter.

The Guardian has also learned with deep regret of ... resignation from the
membership of the N.S.A. and trusts that the new member who will be
elected to replace her will be able to contribute as much as she did to
the growth and further consolidations of the National Assembly.

He will continue to pray for the confirmation and guidance of all the
members, that they may befittingly discharge their manifold and weighty
obligations toward the Faith throughout the British Isles.

With his loving greetings and deepest appreciation of your efforts....

[From the Guardian:]

Wishing you the fullest success in the efforts which you are exerting in
conjunction with the believers for the protection, the promotion, and the
consolidation of the Cause of God.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 April 1938 (Convention)

22 April 1938 (Convention)

DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION FERVENT SUPPLICATION SUCCESS DELIBERATIONS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 April 1938 (Convention)

24 April 1938 (Convention)

DELIGHTED URGE INCOMING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PERSEVERANCE SUBORDINATE ALL
ACTIVITIES TEACHING OBJECTIVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 April 1938

28 April 1938

BAHÁ’Í WORLD MOURNS LOSS HOLY MOTHER MUNIRIH _KH_ÁNUM STOP RIDVÁN
FESTIVITIES SUSPENDED. ADVISE ALL CENTRES HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERINGS
COMMEMORATE HER OUTSTANDING SERVICES RENDERED DURING ONE OF MOST CRITICAL
STAGES IN EVOLUTION BELOVED FAITH.

SHOGHI

Letter of 17 May 1938

17 May 1938

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I am instructed to acknowledge the receipt of your communications
addressed to our beloved Guardian dated December 24th, January 10th,
February 13th and March 22nd together with the enclosed minutes of the
meetings of the British N.S.A., as well as the copies of the “Bahá’í
Journal”, all of which he has read with closest attention and keenest
interest.

He has noted with gratification that the Teaching Conference held in
Manchester during last December was successful, and that the meetings were
all pervaded with a spirit of unity and of fellowship. He has read with
deep satisfaction the report of the above Conference which you had sent,
and indeed trusts that the decision and plans that have been adopted will,
through their faithful application in the course of this year, serve to
greatly accelerate the expansion of the teaching work throughout the
British Isles....

P.S. Shoghi Effendi has just received your letter of May 16th and wishes
your Assembly to make strenuous efforts in connection with the
incorporation of the N.S.A. He would advise you to approach Lady
Blomfield, Major Tudor-Pole and Lord Lamington.

The Guardian wishes me to inform you that you have been appointed by him a
member of the International staff of editors of the “Bahá’í World”. He
wishes you to start from now collecting the necessary material for the
next edition and to send them gradually and directly to Mrs. French.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I greatly welcome the determination of the English believers to
concentrate their energies on the teaching work, and I pray from all my
heart for the success of their high endeavours in this all-important field
of Bahá’í service. Individuals as well as local Assemblies must arise and
co-operate and persevere and refuse to allow any obstacle, however
formidable, to dim their hopes or to deflect them from the course they
have so spontaneously chosen to pursue. Kindly assure them of my constant
prayers for their success.

Shoghi

Letter of 30 June 1938

30 June 1938

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

I am instructed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your
communication dated May 31st, enclosing two copies of the newly published
booklet prepared by the British N.S.A. for teaching purposes, and also the
latest issue of the “Bahá’í Journal”, and the report of the Convention
proceedings for this year.

He has read with keenest interest and with deep gratification the Annual
Report of your Assembly and has been very much impressed indeed by its
comprehensiveness, and by your ability in presenting the facts in such a
lucid and effective language. He has sent the text to Mr. Holley for
reproduction in the next “Bahá’í World”, as an appendix to the
International Survey of activities.

Although the range of Bahá’í activities throughout Great Britain during
this past year has been considerably restricted as a result of the
departure of many travelling and visiting Bahá’í teachers, yet the fact
that the friends were, in spite of that and other handicaps, able to
maintain the course of their activities constitutes a clear evidence that
the English Bahá’í Community is at last able to stand on its own feet, and
has sufficient resources, both moral and material, to enable it to carry
on, without any external help, the heavy task that has been committed to
its charge.

The Guardian wishes you to assure your fellow members on the N.S.A. and
through them the friends throughout Great Britain, of his fervent prayers
that throughout the course of this new year they may evince such a unity,
zeal and renewed consecration to their task as to further demonstrate the
strength of their position as a self-supporting and ever-growing national
Bahá’í community....

[From the Guardian:]

Wishing you and your dear co-workers the utmost success in your high and
meritorious endeavours,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi October 1938 (Third Summer School) ASSURE YOU PRAYERS HEARTILY
RECIPROCATE GREETINGS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 October 1938

24 October 1938

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your communications written on behalf of the British N.S.A. and dated June
23rd, July 8th and September 15th with their enclosures have all been duly
received and their contents noted with interest and satisfaction by our
beloved Guardian.

Regarding the papers you had enclosed in your last letter relating to the
N.S.A.’s application for incorporation, he has read these with the closest
attention, and has already communicated to you his approval by cable, and
wishes me now to urge your Assembly to proceed with this matter without
delay and to make every effort to have the whole thing completed in the
course of the next few months, preferably before the termination of your
Assembly’s term of office next April....

The Guardian has read with considerable interest Mr. Balyuzi’s booklet on
“Bahá’u’lláh”, and hopes that the two companion essays on the Báb and the
Master on which he is working will be soon completed and ready for
distribution, as he feels they can be of a valuable help to the friends in
their teaching work.

With the renewed assurances of his prayers for the confirmation of your
services, and reciprocating your greetings....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-worker,

The energy, loyalty and resourcefulness with which your Assembly is
conducting and extending the manifold activities of the Faith in these
days of stress and trial deserve the highest praise. Your achievements
constitute indeed a landmark in the history of the Faith in that land. I
urge you, with all earnestness and with feelings of abounding gratitude,
to redouble your efforts and to persevere until your highest hopes and
plans in both the spiritual and administrative spheres are realised and
fulfilled. My prayers are always with you.

Shoghi

Letter of 27 November 1938

27 November 1938

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

I am directed by our beloved Guardian to express his thanks for your
letter of the 2nd inst. written on behalf of the N.S.A.

He has noted your Assembly’s request for his advice as to what forms of
national service friends may volunteer for in times of emergency. While
the believers, he feels, should exert every effort to obtain from the
authorities a permit exempting them from active military service in a
combatant capacity, it is their duty at the same time, as loyal and
devoted citizens, to offer their services to their country in any field of
national service which is not specifically aggressive or directly
military. Such forms of national work as air raid precaution service,
ambulance corps, and other humanitarian work or activity of a
non-combatant nature, are the most suitable types of service the friends
can render, and which they should gladly volunteer for, since in addition
to the fact that they do not involve any violation of the spirit or
principle of the Teachings, they constitute a form of social and
humanitarian service which the Cause holds sacred and emphatically
enjoins.

The Guardian has noted with genuine satisfaction what you had written
about your recent visit to ... and his earnest desire to become of
increasing service to the Faith. We will certainly pray that he may fully
avail himself of the manifold opportunities that now lie before him of
spreading the knowledge of the Cause in hitherto closed and conservative
circles, and of thus drawing to it the attention of thoughtful and
responsible people throughout Britain.

With the renewed assurances of his prayers for you and for your dear
fellow members of the N.S.A....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and trusted co-worker,

The marvellous zeal, unity, understanding and devotion exemplified by the
English believers in recent months, individually as well as through their
concentrated efforts, constitute a landmark in the progressive development
of the Faith in that land. They who have risen to the height of their
present opportunities stand at the threshold of unprecedented
achievements. They must labour continually, exercise the utmost vigilance,
proclaim courageously, and cling tenaciously to the principles of their
Faith, spiritual as well as administrative, and resolve to endure every
sacrifice and hardship, however severe, for the vindication, the
consolidation and recognition of the Faith they profess and are now so
admirably serving.

With a heart filled with pride and gratitude I pray continually for their
triumph.

Shoghi

Letter of 29 November 1938

29 November 1938

RAHMATU’LLÁH ‘ALÁ’Í OUTSTANDING PROMOTER FAITH ÍRÁN SOON ARRIVING LONDON
FOR TREATMENT EXTEND CORDIAL WELCOME EVERY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 15 January 1939

15 January 1939

URGE ‘ALÁ’Í FOLLOW WHATEVER TREATMENT PRESCRIBED DOCTOR PRAYING.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 February 1939

10 February 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

At the direction of our beloved Guardian I acknowledge with thanks the
receipt of your communications dated November 28th, December 5th, January
5th and 14th written on behalf of the British N.S.A., all of which he has
read, together with their enclosures, with earnest and fullest attention.

Regarding the matter of the N.S.A.’s incorporation, he has noted with real
satisfaction that in spite of the difficulties raised by the officials in
the Board of Trade in connection with your application, the contacts you
have formed with these officials have been of such a friendly nature as to
give your Assembly an opportunity to further press your case, and also to
impress the authorities concerned with the true nature and significance of
the Faith.

The Guardian would urge your Assembly to strain every nerve to bring this
task to speedy completion, and wishes me to reassure you and your
fellow-members that he will continually and most fervently pray that your
renewed efforts in this connection may be crowned with full success.

He also wishes me to express his feelings of deep satisfaction at the
efforts of your Assembly in connection with the publication of “New World
Order”, which paper, he hopes, will prove of increasing value as a medium
for the spread of the Cause throughout England.

In closing I feel I must also convey his loving thanks to your Assembly
for the very cordial welcome and warm hospitality which you have, in
response to his telegram, kindly extended to our well beloved and highly
esteemed brother Mr. ‘Alá’í. The love and consideration he has been shown
by the friends, and by the members of your Assembly in particular, will,
he feels certain, help to a marked degree in counter-acting the painful
effects of the insidious disease from which he is so severely, yet so
uncomplainingly suffering. The spirit of courage and fortitude which he is
displaying surely cannot but create a profound impression upon all those
friends, doctors and patients who come in contact with him. May his
presence in your midst, however temporary, serve as an opportunity of
further spreading the knowledge of the Faith, and also be the means of
encouragement and inspiration to the believers....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I am delighted with the work which is being so energetically conducted,
and so faithfully extended and consolidated by the English believers, and
particularly by their national elected representatives whose magnificent
efforts, courage and perseverance deserve the highest praise. A splendid
beginning has been made. A firm foundation has been established.
Perseverance is now required to bring these devoted, painstaking and
concerted efforts to full and speedy fruition. The path you are treading
is beset with formidable obstacles, but the invincible power of the Faith
will, if you remain faithful and steadfast, enable you to surmount them.
My prayers will continue to be offered on your behalf. May Bahá’u’lláh
fulfil every hope you cherish in the service of His Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 March 1939

22 March 1939

LOVING APPRECIATION PRAYING UNPRECEDENTED TRIUMPHS.

SHOGHI

Letter of March 1939

March 1939

“...Under no circumstances should any local Assembly be given the right to
criticise and much less oppose, the policy duly adopted and approved by
the N.S.A.”

(Bahá’í Journal 17—cited in an article).

Letter of 30 April 1939 (Convention)

30 April 1939 (Convention)

DELIGHTED NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS,(27) GRATEFUL PRAYING RICHEST BLESSINGS
DELIBERATIONS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 31 May 1939

31 May 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

At our beloved Guardian’s direction I gratefully acknowledge the receipt
of your communications dated February 19th, March 7th and 27th, May 3rd
with enclosures, written on behalf of the British N.S.A.

He has noted with considerable satisfaction the report of the progress
recently achieved in Bradford and Torquay where, he is most delighted to
know, the friends, and particularly the newly enrolled young believers,
are displaying great enthusiasm in their activities and have obtained many
openings of presenting the Cause.

The news of the confirmation of Mr. Frank Hurst is specially gratifying
and should prove of deep encouragement to all the friends who should
indeed avail themselves of the opportunity of his presence in the
community to give intensive publicity to the Faith.

Regarding the new prayer book which the N.S.A. is proposing to publish;
the manuscript has already been returned to your address and the
suggestions and recommendations of the Guardian on the matter duly
conveyed to your Assembly in a recent letter. He would advise that on the
inside cover mention should be made only of the British Reviewing
Committee’s approval, as it is invariably done in the case of all official
Bahá’í publications.

In connection with the problem of Bahá’í refugees, the Guardian feels this
is a matter which concerns the N.S.A., who would be justified in taking
any action they deem appropriate, provided the state of the National Fund
permits it, and only after the particular case of each individual
applicant has been thoroughly investigated, and his status as a believer
duly ascertained.

With reference to your suggestion as to the advisability of your
approaching Mr. Eden, and through him possibly Lord Halifax, with the view
to obtaining from them statements for the “Bahá’í World”, Shoghi Effendi
would approve of your seeing Mr. Eden only, and would leave it to the
N.S.A.’s discretion whether you should approach him as his representative
or as the representative of the British National Assembly.

Concerning Mrs. Basil Hall’s paper which she had prepared for last year’s
Summer School; the N.S.A.’s approval sanctioning its publication would be
sufficient. You need not, therefore, send the manuscript to Haifa. But as
to the passages she had quoted from Myron Phelps’ book, the Guardian does
not advise that these quotations be included in the pamphlet, as Phelps’
book is full of inaccuracies that are misleading, and for this reason
should be ignored by the believers.

The Guardian is inexpressibly delighted at the news of the completion of
the N.S.A.’s incorporation certificate, and would appreciate your sending
him three photostat reproductions of the original, one of which he will
arrange to be placed in the Mansion at Bahjí, and the second he will
include in the next issue of “Bahá’í World”, and the third he will keep in
his own files.

The Guardian wishes me in closing to urge your Assembly to make a special
effort during this year to concentrate on furthering the teaching work in
Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Brighton, Sheffield and Bournemouth, in view
of the teaching opportunities that these centres, as indicated in your
letter, seem to offer at present. He welcomes the recommendation made to
this effect at the last Annual Convention and would urge the newly elected
N.S.A. to give this task its continued and fullest attention. However
stupendous the plan now confronting your Assembly may be, you should
resolutely and relentlessly endeavour to carry it through, ever confident
in the promised assistance and unfailing guidance of Bahá’u’lláh.

To you and your distinguished fellow-members I beg to convey the
assurances of his profound and loving appreciation of your loyal and
affectionate greetings....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The extension, along sound lines and with such memorable swiftness and
harmony, of the activities in which the believers of the United Kingdom
are so earnestly and devotedly engaged, merits the highest praise and is a
source of constant encouragement and satisfaction to me in my arduous
work. They are taking a momentous step forward and are launching
enterprises that will no doubt shed fresh lustre on their beloved Faith
and leave a distinct mark on Bahá’í history. I will continue to pray on
their behalf, and feel certain that if they persevere the Beloved will
richly bless their concentrated and highly meritorious efforts.

Shoghi

Letter of 4 June 1939

4 June 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

I am charged by our beloved Guardian to inform you of the receipt of your
letter of May 9th written on behalf of the British N.S.A. on the subject
of the Bahá’í attitude towards war.

His instructions on this matter, conveyed in a letter addressed to your
Assembly during last November, were not intended for that particular
occasion, but were meant for present conditions, and for any such
emergency as may arise in the immediate future.

It is still his firm conviction that the believers, while expressing their
readiness to unreservedly obey any directions that the authorities may
issue concerning national service in time of war, should also, and while
there is yet no outbreak of hostilities, appeal to the government for
exemption from active military service in a combatant capacity, stressing
the fact that in doing so they are not prompted by any selfish
considerations but by the sole and supreme motive of upholding the
Teachings of their Faith, which make it a moral obligation for them to
desist from any act that would involve them in direct warfare with their
fellow-humans of any other race or nation. The Bahá’í Teachings, indeed,
condemn, emphatically and unequivocally, any form of physical violence,
and warfare in the battlefield is obviously a form, and perhaps the worst
form which such violence can assume.

There are many other avenues through which the believers can assist in
times of war by enlisting in services of a non-combatant nature—services
that do not involve the direct shedding of blood—such as ambulance work,
anti-air raid precaution service, office and administrative works, and it
is for such types of national service that they should volunteer.

It is immaterial whether such activities would still expose them to
dangers, either at home or in the front, since their desire is not to
protect their lives, but to desist from any acts of wilful murder.

The friends should consider it their conscientious duty, as loyal members
of the Faith, to apply for such exemption, even though there may be slight
prospect of their obtaining the consent and approval of the authorities to
their petition. It is most essential that in times of such national
excitement and emergency as those through which so many countries in the
world are now passing that the believers should not allow themselves to be
carried away by the passions agitating the masses, and act in a manner
that would make them deviate from the path of wisdom and moderation, and
lead them to violate, however reluctantly and indirectly, the spirit as
well as the letter of the Teachings.

The N.S.A., in this and similar issues that may arise in future, should
act with firmness and vigilance and with such wisdom and tact as would
make them an example worthy of the confidence and admiration of all the
believers....

[From the Guardian:]

May the beloved bless and guide you in collaboration with your fellow
members, to uphold the integrity, vindicate the truth, demonstrate the
power, and promote the spirit of the exalted teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 26 June 1939

26 June 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

On behalf of our beloved Guardian I beg to acknowledge with grateful
thanks the receipt of your Assembly’s communications of May 26th and June
1st, together with the accompanying copy of the minutes of your meeting
held on May 20th-21st, and the latest issue of the “Bahá’í Journal”
containing your Annual Report and the account of the Convention
proceedings for this year.

He found the Annual Report published in the Journal so encouraging that he
decided to have certain sections of it translated into Persian, and sent
through the Haifa Assembly’s newsletter, to different Bahá’í centres
throughout the East.

In response to your request for one copy of each of the printed
translations of Dr. Esslemont’s book which the N.S.A. wishes to include as
part of the Bahá’í exhibit at the forthcoming “Sunday Times” Book
Exhibition to be held in London during next Autumn, the Guardian has
directed me to mail to your address thirty-one printed translations of
that book, which are the only ones available at present. There are a few
more translations in process of publication, among which, it will surely
interest the friends to know, is the Icelandic version which, it is hoped,
will be off the press sometime in the course of this Summer. The new
revised edition of the German translation, which is being published under
the auspices of the International Bahá’í Bureau in Geneva, will be soon
ready, and you can obtain a copy of that new edition by applying to Mrs.
Lynch.

The Guardian does not want these books to be returned to Haifa after the
closing of the Exhibition, but wishes you to accept them as his gift to
the National Bahá’í Library at the Centre in London, and would suggest
that you keep them for any future Bahá’í exhibit which the N.S.A. may
propose to hold in other parts of England.

He wishes me, in this connection, to express the hope that the exhibition
you have arranged for this coming Autumn will prove highly successful and
a most useful and effective medium of teaching the Cause. The idea of a
Bahá’í display, chiefly of publications, he feels, is indeed excellent,
and he will specially pray therefore that the one you are now preparing
will achieve such results as to encourage and stimulate the N.S.A. to
arrange for similar exhibits in the future.

Regarding the originals of Tablets revealed in honour of the late Miss
Rosenberg, there are only one or two of them, here in Haifa, and these
were sent by Miss Rosenberg herself. The Guardian is keeping them for the
present as they contain important references concerning the practice of
monogamy in the Cause.

To you and your dear fellow-members I seize this opportunity of renewing
the assurances of his abiding and loving gratitude, and of wishing you
continued guidance for the further promotion of the Faith in England....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The determination of the English believers to extend rapidly and
systematically the range of their teaching and administrative activities
is a welcome evidence of the genuineness of their faith, the nobility of
their purpose and the depth of their devotion. That such a determination
may yield the richest fruit is my special and constant prayer. What they
have already achieved fortifies my hopes and confidence in them. They have
laid a firm and unassailable basis for their future work. Perseverance,
co-ordination, fearlessness, vigour and wisdom will enable them to
gradually rear on this basis the majestic structure of Bahá’u’lláh’s
administrative order, which in the fulness of time must yield, on the soil
of their country a harvest unexampled in its abundance and glory. May His
Spirit guide and sustain them to hasten that hour and consummate that
task.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 2 July 1939

2 July 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Enclosed please find a draft for fifteen English pounds issued in your
name which the Guardian has directed me to forward to you with the request
that you send him for that sum copies of Mr. Townshend’s “Heart of the
Gospel”, which he understands will be off the press in the course of this
month.

May I take this opportunity of expressing his hope that this little volume
may fulfil the author’s purpose, namely to attract the attention of the
orthodox Christian element in England to the Cause, and stimulate many
thoughtful and spiritually minded individuals to seriously investigate the
Teachings....

Letter of 26 July 1939 (Summer School)

26 July 1939 (Summer School)

CONGRATULATE ATTENDANTS NOTABLE PROGRESS GRATEFUL PRAYING FRESH ADVANCES
DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 August 1939

7 August 1939

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS OUTSTANDING SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 November 1939

6 November 1939

OVERJOYED THANKFUL PERSEVERANCE ENGLISH BELIEVERS ATTESTED RECENT
COMMUNICATIONS ASSURE THEM SPECIAL PRAYERS ABIDING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ(28)

Letter of 20 November 1939

20 November 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

On behalf of our beloved Guardian I beg to acknowledge with grateful
thanks the receipt of your communications dated July 11th, 20th, August
14th (2 letters) and October 19th with enclosures written on behalf of the
British N.S.A.

He also wishes me to inform you that the photostatic reproductions of the
incorporation papers of your Assembly have safely reached him, and he has
placed one copy in Bahá’u’lláh’s Mansion in Bahjí, and is keeping the
other for inclusion in the next issue of the “Bahá’í World”.

The copies of Mr. Townshend’s latest book, “The Heart of the Gospel”,
which you have forwarded at his request have likewise been received and a
number of volumes distributed among the various Bahá’í libraries
established in the Holy Land. He feels confident the N.S.A. is sparing no
effort to bring this valuable production to the attention of leading
personalities throughout the British Isles, and will pray that the
interest aroused may be such as to lead to the full spiritual awakening
and confirmation of a number of thoughtful individuals in various parts of
the country.

As regards the projected prayer book; he does not know whether the N.S.A.
has been able to proceed with the printing of this work. But in case it is
published, he would like you to mail to him twenty copies, some of which
he needs for distribution among various Bahá’í libraries here.

The Guardian feels most truly delighted to know that the outbreak of war
has, in general, stimulated the friends to greater teaching effort, and
that the newly established communities such as those of Bradford and
Torquay are showing particular enthusiasm in carrying on the teaching work
in their respective centres. He will earnestly supplicate the Almighty
that He may bless and reinforce these steadfast and self-sacrificing
exertions of the English believers, and that He may, in these days of
storm and stress, vouchsafe unto them all an increasing measure of His
unfailing protection and guidance....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I wish to reaffirm clearly and emphatically my deep sense of gratification
and gratitude for the recent and truly remarkable evidences of the
devotion, courage and perseverance of the English Bahá’í community in the
face of the perils that now confront it. Its members have abundantly
demonstrated their profound attachment to their Cause, their unshakable
resolution to uphold its truth and defend its interests, and their
unfailing solicitude for whatever may promote and safeguard its
institutions. However great and sinister the forces with which they may
have to battle in future, I feel confident that they will befittingly
uphold the torch of Divine Guidance that has been entrusted to their hands
and will discharge their responsibilities with still greater tenacity,
fidelity, vigour and devotion.

Shoghi

Letter of 5 December 1939

5 December 1939

REMAINS PUREST BRANCH AND ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S MOTHER PERMANENTLY LAID REST
CLOSE NEIGHBOURHOOD SHRINE GREATEST HOLY LEAF HEARTS REJOICING.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 7 December 1939

7 December 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

The Guardian has just received your letter of the 20th November last, and
feels indeed deeply encouraged at the report of the teaching activities of
our dear English believers. He is unspeakably grateful to you all, and in
particular to the members of your Assembly, for the determination,
resourcefulness and the spirit of absolute consecration with which you are
prosecuting the teaching campaign throughout England, and he will ardently
pray that, in spite of the smallness of your numbers and means, and
notwithstanding the various obstacles you may encounter in the course of
your future activities for the Faith, you may, individually and
collectively, receive such confirmations from Bahá’u’lláh as would enable
you each and all to befittingly and completely acquit yourselves of this
high task you have undertaken to accomplish in service of His Faith.

In connection with your application for exemption from active military
service, the Guardian trusts that the authorities will give careful
consideration to this matter, and will find it possible to relieve the
Bahá’í friends from the necessity of serving in the army in a combatant
capacity. Should they, however, refuse to grant such exemption, the
believers should unhesitatingly assure them of their unqualified obedience
and of their readiness to join and serve in the army in whatever manner
the government deems best.

Renewing to you and to all the friends his warmest good wishes and
greetings....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The various and compelling evidences of the unquenchable enthusiasm, the
unbreakable resolution and the inflexible purpose of the English
believers, in these days of stress, of turmoil and danger, have cheered my
heart and fortified me in the discharge of my arduous and multitudinous
duties and responsibilities. I feel truly proud of them all, and will,
with increasing gratitude and redoubled fervour, supplicate the Beloved
whose Cause they are so valiantly serving, to bless, sustain, guide and
protect them under all circumstances, and aid them to establish firmly the
institutions of His Faith throughout the length and breadth of their
country.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 29 December 1939

29 December 1939

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

I am instructed by our beloved Guardian to acknowledge with thanks the
receipt of your communication of the 19th December, sent through the care
of our very dear brother Dr. ‘Alí, and of the twenty copies of the
newly-published prayer book, as well as the last copy of the “Bahá’í
Journal” and the Christmas number of “New World Order”.

He has also received and read with deep satisfaction the statement on
‘Bahá’ís and War’ recently issued by the N.S.A., together with the
teaching report prepared by your Assembly, both of which he will consider
for incorporation in the next issue of the “Bahá’í World”, the manuscript
of which he hopes to receive in the course of January or February next....

The Guardian welcomes the plan suggested by Mr. Townshend to republish
“The Promise of All Ages” under his own name, and trusts this will serve
to attract wider publicity to the Cause, and in particular to fully awaken
the church officials to the significance of such direct and vigorous
presentation of the Faith by so well-known and long-standing a Christian
divine.

Renewing to you and your dear fellow-members and to all the friends in
London, the assurances of his prayers for your welfare and protection in
these perilous days, and with his warmest greetings to you all....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The news of your persistent activities, your safety and protection, and
above all of your unyielding resolve and undisturbed confidence in the
face of the uncertainties and perils that face and surround you, have
greatly cheered and heartened me in my duties and responsibilities which
are now heavily pressing upon me. You are often in my thoughts and prayers
at this grave hour. I cherish the brightest hopes for you, and will
continue to supplicate the Almighty on your behalf.

Be assured, persevere and be happy, Shoghi

Letter of 1 January 1940

1 January 1940(29)

PROFOUNDLY GRIEVE PASSING DEARLY BELOVED OUTSTANDING CO-WORKER SITÁRIH
_KH_ÁNUM MEMORY HER GLORIOUS SERVICES IMPERISHABLE ADVISE ENGLISH
COMMUNITY HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL GATHERINGS ASSURE RELATIVES MY HEARTFELT
SYMPATHY LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 2 January 1940 (Teaching Conference)

2 January 1940 (Teaching Conference)

WELCOME NOBLE RESOLVE PROSECUTE ENERGETICALLY TEACHING CAMPAIGN PRAYING
ARDENTLY SIGNAL SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 18 February 1940

18 February 1940

Dear Mr. Hofman,

The Guardian wishes me to write and thank you for your welcome
communication of January 29th with its various enclosures, all of which he
was indeed most gratified and encouraged to read.

As you have not mentioned having received his general letter of December
21st written in connection with the transfer of the sacred remains of the
Purest Branch and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s mother to Mt. Carmel, I am taking the
liberty of sending you on his behalf another copy which, I trust, will
reach you safely....

The Guardian welcomes your suggestions to send a memorial of the late Lady
Blomfield for publication in the next issue of the “Bahá’í World”, Vol.
VIII, and wishes you to send him in addition a good photograph of her for
reproduction in the same volume.

Also he would appreciate your sending him a brief account of Mrs.
Thornburgh-Cropper’s Bahá’í life and services together with her photograph
for publication in the same issue of the Biennial.

The passing away of these two long-standing believers has indeed robbed
the Cause in England of two of its most distinguished members, and the
English Bahá’í Community is certainly the poorer now that it has been
deprived of their ready and invaluable support.

The departure of Sitárih _Kh_ánum in particular is to be deeply mourned,
not only by the members of the Faith throughout England, but by so many of
her fellow-believers abroad, and the Guardian himself feels most keenly
the loss of so precious and faithful a co-worker, who, in the early days
following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ascension, had proved of such invaluable
assistance to him in the discharge of his heavy duties and
responsibilities....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers,

I wish to reaffirm my deep sense of gratitude and admiration for the
splendid manner in which the English believers are discharging their
duties and responsibilities in these days of increasing peril, anxiety and
stress. Their tenacity, courage, faith and noble exertions will as a
magnet attract the undoubted and promised blessing of Bahá’u’lláh. They
have, at a time when the basis of ordered society itself is rocking and
trembling, laid an unassailable foundation for the Administrative Order of
their Faith. Upon this basis the rising generation will erect a noble
structure that will excite the admiration of their fellow countrymen. My
prayers for them will continually be offered at the Holy Shrines.

Gratefully,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 March 1940

27 March 1940

Dear Mr. Hofman,

Your letter dated March 13th has safely reached our beloved Guardian
together with the following enclosures:

In Memoriam: Lady Blomfield.

Minutes N.S.A. March 2nd and 3rd.

“Bahá’í Journal” No. 21.

Introduction to “The Chosen Highway”.

Preface to “The Chosen Highway”. He has also received by registered post
the photographs of Lady Blomfield and Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper which you
had kindly sent at his request for reproduction in the “Bahá’í World”....

The Guardian has noted with satisfaction that the arrangements for the
publication of “The Chosen Highway” are complete, and hopes that by the
time you receive this letter it will be well on the way to printing.

Concerning the question you have asked as to whether in elections for
Spiritual Assemblies the electors should cast exactly nine votes, or may
cast less than this number. Inasmuch as Spiritual Assembly membership,
according to the principles of Bahá’í Administration, has been limited for
the present to nine members, it follows that no electoral vote can be
effective unless it is cast for exactly that number. It is, therefore, the
sacred duty of every Bahá’í elector to cast nine votes, neither more nor
less, except under special circumstances, so as to ensure that the results
of the elections for the Spiritual Assembly will be effective and on as
wide a basis of representation as possible....

P.S. The Guardian has noted with surprise in reading over the Minutes of
your N.S.A. that the British Annual Convention is to be held this year on
the 12th May. He wishes you from now on to hold that gathering on any day
during the period of Ridván (21 April-2 May)

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, sustain and protect the English believers, who in
these days of unprecedented turmoil, stress and danger, are holding aloft
so courageously the banner of the Faith, and who will, in the days to
come, contribute, through His grace and power, a notable share to its
establishment and recognition in the West.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 12 May 1940 (Convention)

12 May 1940 (Convention)

GREATLY ADMIRE DEEPLY THANKFUL UNDAUNTED COURAGE INFLEXIBLE RESOLUTION
ENGLISH BELIEVERS REPRESENTED CONVENTION INTENSIFY EFFORTS EXTEND
ACTIVITIES NOTWITHSTANDING GRAVITY HOUR PRAYING ARDENTLY PROTECTION
SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 14 August 1940

14 August 1940

DELIGHTED NEWS SAFETY ENGLISH BELIEVERS PROGRESS TEACHING WORK ASSURE THEM
EACH ALL LOVING CONTINUED PRAYERS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 10 October 1940

10 October 1940

Dear Mr. Hofman,

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 7th addressed to
our beloved Guardian, and of the enclosed memoir of Lady Blomfield which
you have condensed at his request for use in the “Bahá’í World”, Vol.
VIII.

The size of the memoir in question makes it now quite suitable for
reproduction in the Biennial, and it will be forwarded to the U.S.A. for
incorporation in the manuscript, as the latter has been already mailed to
America for printing.

The material regarding the Bahá’í wedding recently held in London has been
also received and noted with interest and appreciation by our beloved
Guardian. He is keeping it for possible use in the forthcoming or future
editions of the “Bahá’í World”.

Renewing to you and your dear co-workers the assurances of his prayers,
and of his deep gratitude for your painstaking and devoted exertions in
service to the Cause in England, and with greetings....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

Our anxiety for the safety of the English believers is deepening every
day, as it is fully realised how dangerous the situation has become in
recent months, and how manifold and pressing are the problems that
confront them in the faithful discharge of their sacred and vital
responsibilities. The perusal of the reports, minutes and periodicals
received lately from that country has served to deepen my sense of
admiration and my feelings of gratitude for the wisdom, the staunchness
and fidelity with which the elected representatives of the English
believers are conducting in these critical times the activities of their
Faith. My fervent and constant prayer is that Bahá’u’lláh may ever keep
them safe and protected under the shadow of His wings and aid them to play
a worthy and memorable part in these tragic days of the Formative Period
of our beloved Cause.

Shoghi

Letter of 19 October 1940

19 October 1940

ANXIOUS WELFARE ENGLISH BELIEVERS PRAYING PROTECTION CABLE ASSURANCE
DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 22 November 1940

22 November 1940

Dear Mr. Hofman,

On behalf of the Guardian I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your
communications dated May 28th, June 20th, July 5th and August 30th with
enclosures, written at the direction of the British N.S.A.

He has noted with satisfaction the results of the elections for the new
N.S.A. and wishes you to convey to your fellow members the assurances of
his prayers for the success of their work during this year.
Notwithstanding the storm and stress raging around them, the friends in
England should more than ever, firmly united behind their National
Assembly, and strengthened by an unshakable conviction in the ultimate
triumph of their Faith, earnestly and resolutely endeavour to foster the
cause of teaching. The trials and tribulations facing them should but
serve to steel their resolve to leave no stone unturned until their goal
has been fully accomplished. The Guardian’s prayers are being ardently
offered that whatever the immediate repercussions of the war may be on the
British Bahá’í Community, its members may, through the Divine aid and
protection of Bahá’u’lláh, receive such guidance and strength as would
enable them to face confidently and courageously the sufferings and
vicissitudes of the present hour, and to arise as one body for the
promulgation and wider establishment of the Faith throughout Great
Britain.

Concerning your Assembly’s request for lantern slides of the Shrines on
Mt. Carmel which you propose to use in your teaching campaign, the
Guardian much regrets that no such slides are at present available here.

As regards the question of what procedure the Bahá’í Assemblies should
adopt when dissatisfied with the services of any of their officers, should
such dissatisfaction involve the loyalty of an Assembly officer to the
Faith, he should, following a majority vote be dismissed. But in case the
dissatisfaction is due to the incompetence of a member, or simply to a
neglect on his part to discharge his duties, this does not constitute
sufficient justification to force his resignation or dismissal from the
Assembly. He should be kept in office until new elections are held.

The Guardian fully approves that, in view of the National Secretary’s key
position in the Cause at the present time, he should apply for complete
exemption. He hopes that the representations the N.S.A. will make will
meet with success.

In closing he wishes me to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of two
copies of Lady Blomfield’s book presented to him by the N.S.A., one of
which he has already placed in the Library of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mansion in
Bahjí....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

I was greatly relieved to learn of the safety of the English believers and
was filled with admiration through the assurance you have given me of
their steadfastness, their unwavering determination to labour for the
spread of our beloved Faith and the defence and protection of its
interests in spite of the unprecedented calamities and confusion that now
afflict their country. Bahá’u’lláh from His station on high is watching
over them, is pleased with them, and will, I feel certain, guide their
steps, cheer their hearts, bless their efforts, protect their lives, and
fulfil the desire of their hearts.

Gratefully and affectionately,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 December 1940

27 December 1940

WIRE SAFETY LONDON MANCHESTER FRIENDS CONSTANTLY PRAYING LOVING
ADMIRATION.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 24 February 1941

24 February 1941

LETTERS JUNE JULY AUGUST ENCLOSING MINUTES ARRIVED ANSWER MAILED NOVEMBER
LETTER DECEMBER NINTH JUST RECEIVED ALSO BLOMFIELD’S BOOKS CABLING HUNDRED
POUNDS MY CONTRIBUTION RELIEF BELIEVERS INCESSANTLY PRAYING DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 19 April 1941

19 April 1941

REJOICE SAFETY ADMIRE DAUNTLESS COURAGE MARVEL UNQUENCHABLE SPIRIT ENGLISH
BELIEVERS SHARING JOYFUL NEWS NOBLE PERSEVERANCE WITH PILGRIMS ARRIVING IN
INCREASING NUMBERS FROM NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST ALL PRAYING CONTINUED SAFETY
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES SORE TRIED EXEMPLARY SERVANTS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
THROUGHOUT BRITISH ISLES URGE PERSISTENT EFFORTS UTILISE UTMOST LIMIT
PRICELESS SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES PRESENT HOUR.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 30 April 1941 (Convention)

30 April 1941 (Convention)

EXHILARATED RESOLUTION INTENSIFY TEACHING ADMIRATION HEIGHTENED PRAYING
REDOUBLED FERVOUR.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 30 April 1941

30 April 1941(30)

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your letter to him of December
9th, 1940.

He was greatly relieved to hear from your letter and cables that all the
dear friends in the British Isles are well and safe, as his thoughts have
been so constantly with them during these dangerous and tragic days.

The extreme devotion to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh which the English friends
are evincing at such a time of trial and suffering not only sets a truly
heroic example to their fellow Bahá’ís the world over, but greatly cheers
and encourages the Guardian himself, at a time when he has every reason to
long to see the Bahá’ís stand out as luminous examples to their
fellow-men—thus leading them out of the valley of spiritual death into the
glorious plains of the future World Order of Mankind.

The recently received news of the Convention’s resolve to teach the Faith
as never before in those islands, and to achieve new victories in this
all-important field, meets not only with Shoghi Effendi’s whole-hearted
approval, but also evokes his profound gratitude and admiration. His
ardent and loving prayers continually surround you all and all the sorely
tried Bahá’ís, who with you are toiling for the triumph of our Faith.

He was deeply touched at the spirit which impelled Lord Lamington to wish
to place in the hands of the Guardian that ring which he had for so long
treasured as a gift of the beloved Master. He feels that it is only
befitting that this historic relic should be the property of the British
Bahá’ís and wishes it to be kept in your National Archives. If you could
send a copy of Lady Lamington’s letter the Guardian would very much like
to have it. Assuring you of the Guardian’s ardent love and prayers....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved co-workers,

The message I have recently received, with the assurance it gives me and
the spirit it conveys, merits indeed the highest praise. The English
believers in these days of increasing peril and stress, are manifesting
those qualities which only those who have deeply imbibed the transforming
spirit and the ennobling principles of the Cause of God are able to
reveal. They are by their very acts, their sufferings and exertions, and
above all by the superb staunchness of their faith, laying a magnificent
foundation for the spiritual edifice their hands are destined to raise in
their native land. My prayers for them all will surround them wherever
they labour and in every sphere of their meritorious activities.

Gratefully and affectionately,
Shoghi

Letter of 15 May 1941

15 May 1941(31)

INFORMING MOTHER PRAYING HIS SOUL FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING PROTECTION
DEVOTED MUCH LOVED ENGLISH BELIEVERS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 22 May 1941

22 May 1941

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Shoghi Effendi instructs me to answer your letter to him of March 10th,
1941 together with the minutes of your meeting held March 1st, 2nd and
3rd, and your Feb. “Bahá’í Journal” and the “World Congress of Faiths”
programme, all of which he was very pleased indeed to receive.

I cannot adequately express to you all the warm love and profound
admiration for the Bahá’ís of those islands which Shoghi Effendi feels. At
such a time of personal danger and anguish the spirit of pure love and
devotion to the Faith and Order of Bahá’u’lláh which they manifest, and
which is so typified by the zeal and wisdom with which your National
Spiritual Assembly is handling the affairs of the Cause in that country,
is a source of great comfort to the Guardian himself.

Indeed he feels that the N.S.A. members are bearing their load of
responsibility in a manner which lifts partially the weight of cares from
his own shoulders, and sets a noble example to all Bahá’í administrative
bodies.

In reference to your question contained in minute 208(32) of the recent
N.S.A. meeting: Shoghi Effendi feels that while all Bahá’ís should be
encouraged to turn to their Assembly for the solution of their various
problems, thus enabling the Spiritual Assembly to fulfil one of its most
important functions, yet they are quite free to write to him if they feel
the urge to do so....

He was also very pleased to note the teaching plans undertaken by your
body at this time, particularly in respect to Manchester. He hopes the
believers there are all well and safe, and will pray for the confirmations
of Bahá’u’lláh in their contemplated teaching campaign.

Indeed, dear friends, his thoughts and prayers are constantly with you and
the beloved flock of English believers over whom you are so faithfully
watching through these dark days.

He wishes you at all times to turn to him for any advice or help you may
need.

With assurances of his abiding love...

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved co-workers,

As the dangers confronting the believers in the British Isles increase in
number and gravity, my admiration, as well as the admiration of the
Bahá’ís in East and West, for the spirit that animates those who face
them, grows deeper and acquires added intensity and fervour. Though their
numbers be small, and their activities restricted, and their trials and
anxieties manifold and oppressive, yet their spiritual contribution
through their fortitude, valour and self-sacrifice, to the progressive
unfoldment of the Faith’s latent potentialities in the Western World is
both notable and constantly increasing. As the clouds of war dissipate,
and the horrors of this universal carnage fade away, it will become
increasingly evident, to both the friends and foes of the Faith, how solid
has been the foundation which their indomitable spirit has laid, and how
rich the harvest which their incessant labours have yielded.

With a heart brimful with love and gratitude, I will, when visiting the
Holy Shrines, recall their signal acts, and supplicate increasing
blessings on the historic work, which, in their hour of trial, they are so
magnificently achieving, for the glory, for the honour, the extension and
the establishment of the invincible Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

Shoghi

Letter of 30 May 1941

30 May 1941

PRAYING FERVENTLY GUIDANCE ASSEMBLY’S DELIBERATIONS PROTECTION BELIEVERS
SUCCESS ACTIVITIES FAITH LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 9 July 1941

9 July 1941

ASSURE JOSEPHS APPROVAL PROFOUND APPRECIATION BUILDING SCHEME. THESE
FURTHER EVIDENCES GROWING VITALITY CONTINUALLY AFFLICTED BELIEVERS BRITISH
ISLES ENHANCE PRESTIGE CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH HEIGHTEN ADMIRATION INCREASE DEBT
GRATITUDE HIS FOLLOWERS OWE VALIANT BRITISH COMMUNITY PRAYING CONTINUALLY
SAFETY INCREASING SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 18 July 1941

18 July 1941

Dear Bahá’í co-worker,

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letter to him of May 6th,
and to acknowledge the receipt of the minutes of the N.S.A. meetings held
on April 25th and 27th.

He was very happy to receive your letter, and his heart rejoiced at the
good news which it conveyed. The holding of a successful Bahá’í Convention
during days of such stress and strain as the English believers are passing
through, he considers as a triumph of the spirit of their faith in
Bahá’u’lláh. They are increasingly demonstrating their right to be called
champions of the Cause of God, and manifesting their ability to follow in
the footsteps of the early heroes of their religion. The Guardian feels
truly proud of them.

In accordance with the request you made in connection with the generous
proposal of ..., Shoghi Effendi cabled your Assembly his approval of their
plan for establishing a building fund for a future Bahá’í property to be
built in.... He feels that this demonstrates a most notable donation to
the Cause of God on their parts, and wishes you to convey to them both the
expression of his profound gratitude for this service they are rendering
the Faith in England.

These evidences of growth, in spite of the universal destruction that is
holding the planet in its grip at the present time, should greatly hearten
the believers. They bear witness to the future harvests which their
increasing labours are sure to reap, and demonstrate the great and
God-given strength which flows and will flow ever more abundantly from the
springs which Bahá’u’lláh has unsealed in these days.

Shoghi Effendi assures you all of his unceasing prayers on your behalf,
that God may strengthen, bless, and guide you in your great work for His
Faith.

He wishes you to please convey his love to all the British believers and
to assure them of his prayers for their protection and for the triumph of
their labours....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and prized co-workers,

I am thrilled by the recent evidences of the noble determination of the
English believers to extend the range of their activities in these days of
grave danger and widespread and ever deepening anxiety and stress. The
report of your Convention sessions, of your teaching activities and of
your Bahá’í publications, and other administrative undertakings, enhances
my admiration and deepens my gratitude for the historic work you are
achieving in these days. This feeling is shared by all those of your
co-workers, both in the East and the West, who follow the progress of your
work despite the formidable obstacles in your path. We all pray for your
safety, for the realisation of all your hopes, and the fulfilment of the
plans you have so boldly conceived and are so energetically carrying out.

Your true brother,
Shoghi 1941 (Summer School) OVERJOYED SUCCESS ATTENDING EVER EXPANDING
INSTITUTIONS FAITH. CONTINUALLY SUPPLICATING UNFAILING PROTECTION
EVER-INCREASING BLESSINGS ETERNAL GRATITUDE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 20 August 1941

20 August 1941

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters to him dated June
6th and 30th respectively, also the minutes of the N.S.A. meetings of May
24th and 25th and June 14th were safely received.

He is happy to see that, in spite of the great physical and nervous strain
which the believers of England are at present being subjected
to—especially in centres like London—they yet persevere with the work of
the Cause and the attraction of new souls.

The Guardian does not feel that the friends should for a moment feel
discouraged if they do not succeed in having large meetings or the public
do not regularly attend, this is easily understandable in view of the
severe ordeal which their present sufferings subject them to. However, the
importance of broadcasting the seeds of the Cause far and wide can never
be sufficiently stressed. It is the right and privilege of organised
humanity to hear of the Faith and the Plan of Bahá’u’lláh in these days,
and in this holy duty to their fellow men the Bahá’ís must not fail
whatever may be the sadness of their personal plight, for they alone can
truly see the future in the tragic present, and possess hope and strength
to go on with the spiritual battle for the victory of the New Day.

Regarding the question you have put to the Guardian concerning minute No.
259, whatever is not laid down in “Bahá’í Administration” is left to the
judgement of the National Spiritual Assembly to decide. These are purely
secondary details and as the Guardian wishes to avoid introducing into the
administration a labyrinth of rules and regulations he leaves the friends
in authority to decide such matters as they arise.

He hopes the Summer School will be a success. In all your undertakings you
may rest assured of his constant and most loving prayers, not only for the
National Assembly members, but for each and every member of the flock they
are watching over and guiding....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The report of your continued activities, conducted amid the turmoil that
oppresses and afflicts the English believers, is a source of continual joy
and inspiration to me, as well as those who, in distant parts of the
Bahá’í world are made to realise the unwavering constancy with which you
are all upholding the vital interests of the Faith of God. That the
teaching work is speedily expanding, that the institutions of the Faith
are functioning with vigour and in accordance with the principles of the
Administrative Order, testify to the solidity of the foundations that have
been established. On this foundation you will as the present hindrances
are removed, and the tremendous reactions of this conflict are made
apparent, rear an edifice worthy of the name, and attesting the glory of
the Faith, of Bahá’u’lláh. Persevere in your present labours and be ever
confident.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 3 November 1941

3 November 1941

RUHI AFNÁN’S SISTER MARRIED SECRETLY COVENANT BREAKER HER MOTHER AND
BROTHERS ALL CONCURRED ALL MANNER COMMUNICATION WITH THEM ACCORDING
MASTER’S WILL FORBIDDEN.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 29 December 1941

29 December 1941

SISTER MEHRANGIS FOLLOWED EXAMPLE RUHI’S SISTER JUSTICE DEMANDS ANNOUNCE
BELIEVERS HER EXPULSION.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 28 February 1942

28 February 1942

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters dated June 30th,
Aug. 20th, Sept. 5th, Oct. 20th and 28th (duplicates of both received) and
December 23rd and to acknowledge the receipt of the various minutes,
programmes, etc., which they enclosed.

Regarding ..., Shoghi Effendi is writing him direct, advising him to sever
his membership in the Synagogue, but to continue to maintain friendly
association with the members of its community.

The Guardian was very happy indeed to hear of the success of the Summer
School and the enthusiasm that prevailed. He has received news of it from
some of the friends, as well as the N.S.A., and feels that the English
Bahá’ís have every reason to feel encouraged and proud of the way their
tireless efforts are being rewarded.

The good news of the increase in Bahá’í membership is yet another evidence
of the vitality of the community and the activity of the friends, in spite
of the gloom of the times, which increasingly prevails. Indeed as material
affairs go from bad to worse in the world, the confidence, optimism, love
and hope of the believers will, by force of contrast, shine out as an ever
brighter beacon, leading the people to the Path of Truth, the way laid
down by God, which alone can guide them to the promise of the future.

Now that the British Isles have a respite from intense aerial warfare, no
doubt the friends, especially in London and other cities, find themselves
more refreshed and consequently better able to carry on the work of the
Cause. They should not lose any time in consolidating the teaching work,
reinforcing new centres, and enlarging their numbers.

The Guardian is urging the American friends, also, to redouble their
efforts and not lose their precious opportunities. The value of work
accomplished at present is inestimable, and opportunities lost are in a
way quite irretrievable, as the agony of mankind moves forward to a
climax....

The many activities undertaken by the English friends, their determined
efforts to bring the Cause before a wider public and reach people of
outstanding importance, their new centres and study groups, are all signs
which should greatly encourage them and demonstrate to them that the Holy
Spirit is ever ready to sustain and reinforce the believers in all work
for the good of our precious Faith.

The Guardian assures the members of the National Assembly of his most
loving prayers on their behalf and his deep and abiding appreciation of
their tireless services. They are helping the friends to build an edifice
which neither time nor tide shall undermine and which needs must become
the sole refuge for their sorely tried countrymen....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I wish to assure you again of my feelings of profound gratitude for the
manner in which you are performing your sacred task and discharging,
individually and collectively, your pressing and manifold
responsibilities. I rejoice and am deeply thankful to learn that the
trials and tribulations that so fiercely assailed you in the past have
lessened and have failed to interfere with the progress of your
activities. Bahá’u’lláh will no doubt continue to guide, sustain and
protect you in the days to come and is well pleased with the marvellous
evidences of your perseverance, unity, loyalty and devotion. I will
continue to supplicate His abundant blessing for you all, that your
numbers may steadily increase, your community life be continually
enriched, your institutions flourish and multiply, and the foundation of
your individual spiritual lives be strengthened. Persevere in your high
labours.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 April 1942 (Convention)

27 April 1942 (Convention)

MAGNIFICENT SPIRIT ENGLISH BELIEVERS CHEERS STRENGTHENS ME ARDUOUS TASK
THANKFUL THEIR MESSAGE ADMIRE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS PRAYING THEIR PROTECTION
CHERISH GREAT HOPES TRIUMPHANT ATTAINMENT THEIR GOAL.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 20 June 1942

20 June 1942

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters written on behalf of
the National Assembly, and dated Feb. 6th, March 17th and April 6th, and
to acknowledge the receipt of the minutes of the Jan. and March meetings
of your Assembly together with other enclosures.

In pursuance of your request the Guardian wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Hill about
the tragic and unexpected passing of their daughter. He also felt moved to
cable them his condolences and the assurance of his prayers. This must
have been for them a very grievous blow; but he feels sure the deep
assurances concerning the future life, which have been given us by
Bahá’u’lláh, have comforted and sustained them throughout.

He was pleased to read the sympathetic letter you received from
ex-President Benes of Czechoslovakia, as well as that of Sir Ronald
Storrs. Many men in high positions are aware now of the existence and aims
of our Faith, but they do not yet reckon it to be a movement worthy of
more profound interest on their part. As time goes by, however, we may
rest assured their interest will grow.

That is perhaps what is most glorious about our present activities all
over the world, that we, a band not large in numbers, not possessing
financial backing or the prestige of great names, should, in the name of
our beloved Faith, be forging ahead at such a pace, and demonstrating to
future and present generations that it is the God-given qualities of our
religion that are raising it up and not the transient support of worldly
fame and power. All that will come later, when it has been made clear
beyond the shadow of a doubt that what raised aloft the banner of
Bahá’u’lláh was the love, sacrifice and devotion of His humble followers
and the change that His teachings wrought in their hearts and lives.

It is just such exemplary devotion and perseverance that the British
Bahá’ís are showing at present, and their reward cannot but be great and
lasting. The laying of the foundation is a slow process, but the most
important one in the erection of any structure. The Guardian feels that
your Assembly, as well as the friends in England, have every reason to
feel proud of, and encouraged by, the way the work is progressing there.

He hopes that your Summer School this year will be even more successful
than last year, in spite of being held in two parts. You may be sure he
will pray for its success.

He fully realises the difficulties you are undergoing enhanced by the war
and its hardships, yet he sees, perhaps even more clearly than you
yourselves can, that these very difficulties and the surmounting of them
are deepening and strengthening the ties that bind you all to our beloved
Faith, and enabling you to do a work which only future generations of your
countrymen will be able to properly appreciate and assess.

Please convey to all the dear friends the assurances of his love and his
prayers for their service in these days, and his high hopes for the future
that awaits them in the days to come, when the Cause of God begins to
emerge above the waves of the old order and shines forth in all its
strength and beauty.

Assuring you and all your fellow-members of his deep appreciation of your
tireless work and his ardent prayers for your guidance and strength....

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved co-worker,

The steady progress and extension of Bahá’í activities in the British
Isles is, no doubt, the direct consequence of the unswerving loyalty, the
high courage, the incorruptible spirit and the exemplary devotion and
steadfastness of the British believers, who have, simply and strikingly,
demonstrated the quality of their faith and the soundness of their
institutions in these days of unprecedented commotion, stress and peril. I
feel proud of their record of service and of the evidence of their noble
faith. The Beloved watches over them from the Abhá Kingdom. The Concourse
on High extols their achievements and will reinforce their endeavours.
They should confidently, gratefully, joyously and unitedly redouble their
efforts, extend the range of their activities, rededicate themselves to
their historic task and anticipate a renewed outpouring of Bahá’u’lláh’s
promised blessings and favours.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 28 July 1942

28 July 1942

MAGNIFICENT SPIRIT ANIMATING STEADFAST ENGLISH BELIEVERS NOTABLE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TEACHING FIELD PROMPT ME CONTRIBUTE TWO HUNDRED POUNDS
FURTHERANCE THEIR HISTORIC TEACHING ACTIVITIES URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS
PRAYING SIGNAL VICTORIES LOVING GRATITUDE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 8 August 1942 (Summer School)

8 August 1942 (Summer School)

DELIGHTED SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL APPRECIATE SPIRIT BELIEVERS ASSURE ALL
CONTINUED PRAYERS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 8 August 1942

8 August 1942

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters of May 14th and June 10th together with their enclosures
reached the Guardian safely, and he has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf.

He has been very gratified to hear of the successful Summer School
sessions, news of the Buxton one having just recently reached him in your
latest cable. He feels that you must all be very encouraged that this new
way of holding them in different places, which circumstances made
imperative, has proved so successful in the end. It presages the day when
the friends in England will see the institutions of their Faith rising
from various flourishing centres.

Regarding minute No. 507, the Guardian feels that it would be better for
either the mothers of Bahá’í children—or some committee your Assembly
might delegate the task to—to choose excerpts from the Sacred Words to be
used by the child rather than just something made up. Of course prayer can
be purely spontaneous, but many of the sentences and thoughts combined in
Bahá’í writings of a devotional nature are easy to grasp, and the revealed
Word is endowed with a power of its own....

Shoghi Effendi fully realises the strain which those who are so actively
bearing the weight of Bahá’í responsibility are subjected to in these
days, when already, as private individuals, the events of the world are
affecting their lives and drawing on their strength. It makes the quality
of Bahá’í service so much finer, that it should entail on the part of all
definite self-sacrifice.

Though the friends may not be fully aware of it, their staunch
perseverance in carrying out their Bahá’í activities in the face of war
conditions, is really in itself of historic importance. Convention, Summer
Schools, meetings, all are not only demonstrating the calibre of their
faith, but also evincing marked progress, all of which greatly cheers and
delights the Guardian.

He assures you and your fellow-members of the National Spiritual Assembly,
of his continued prayers on your behalf, that you may be guided, protected
and sustained in your devoted services to the Faith....

P.S.—Shoghi Effendi is deeply interested in the plans you are developing
to aid and attract more young people to the Faith. He feels this is both
praiseworthy and a valuable method of teaching the Cause.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker,

The work so splendidly initiated by the English believers and so devotedly
and energetically pursued and consolidated in these days of peril,
uncertainty and turmoil, establishes beyond any doubt their right to claim
to be the true upholders and custodians of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. They
have, ever since the outbreak of this world wide conflict, abundantly
demonstrated the high quality of their faith, the soundness of their
institutions, the intensity of their devotion, and their capacity to
defend and promote the interests of their beloved Cause. Impelled by
admiration and gratitude for the work they have already accomplished, I
have contributed a sum which I trust will enable them to extend the range
of their teaching activities throughout the British Isles. May the Beloved
graciously assist them to achieve such victories in this field as shall
truly befit the conclusion of the first century of the Bahá’í Era.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 12 November 1942

12 November 1942

CABLING TWO HUNDRED POUNDS CARE COOKS THANKSGIVING PROTECTION COMMUNITY
BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES AND FURTHERANCE ALL-IMPORTANT TEACHING ACTIVITIES
PRAYING CONTINUALLY EPOCH MAKING VICTORIES.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 13 January 1943

13 January 1943

CONVEY GLAD TIDINGS ENGLISH BELIEVERS COMPLETION EXTERIOR EDIFICE MOTHER
TEMPLE WEST ADVISE CABLE CONGRATULATIONS REPRESENTATIVES AMERICAN BAHÁ’ÍS
SUPERB ACHIEVEMENT AND WIDE PUBLICITY BRITISH PRESS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 20 January 1943

20 January 1943

ASSURE ATTENDANTS CONFERENCE LOVING APPRECIATION PRAYERS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 9 March 1943

9 March 1943

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated July 19th 1942, Aug. 20th 1942, Sept. 15th 1942, and
Dec. 8th 1942 have all reached the Guardian safely, as well as their
enclosures, and he has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

This last year he has been greatly overburdened with work, and that is why
he so frequently has to delay the answering of his many letters.

The good news you conveyed of the marked success of the various Summer
Schools held last year pleased him greatly. When the English friends
remember that it is not many years since they ventured on their first
Summer School and now, during war time, they have managed to hold four
successful ones, they should feel very encouraged and proud! It shows that
when the determination is strong and the faith firm, the friends can work
wonders and surprise even themselves!

He was also delighted to hear of the successful teaching work and public
meetings undertaken in Bradford and Manchester, and that the
advertisements and publicity which you are sponsoring are meeting with a
certain amount of response from the public.

He hopes that some of the friends will find it possible to move, at least
temporarily, to centres where sufficient believers, or interested
enquirers exist to enable a Spiritual Assembly to be formed by 1944. If
such work is feasible it is, indeed, of great importance and well worth
the sacrifices involved. This policy of settlement has been fruitful in
both India and the United States, and as soon as a determined and active
Assembly is started it is, of course, much easier to teach and carry on
the work of the Cause.

The burdens everyone has to bear these days are heavy, and the way often
seems long and hard which we and our fellow-men in general, are called
upon to tread; but we know where it leads and what our work is and what
that work must ultimately mean to not only the Bahá’ís but the whole
world. This knowledge strengthens us and enables us to go on with a faith
and confidence which cannot but help and inspire others. We are
Bahá’u’lláh’s army and we cannot fail, as He leads us on.

The Guardian assures you and all the N.S.A. members of his most loving
prayers. The English friends are increasingly dear to him, and he has
great hopes for their future achievements.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The evidences of renewed activity in the teaching field are most
encouraging and the spirit which animates the English believers in these
days of stress and peril is highly inspiring. As the first Bahá’í century
draws to a close, a supreme effort should be exerted by the believers in
order to consummate befittingly the task they have arisen to achieve. I
will pray with all my heart that the hopes they cherish may be realised,
and their continued labours be crowned with glorious success.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Naw-Rúz, 1943

APPRECIATE MESSAGE RECIPROCATE LOVING GREETINGS THANKFUL DIVINE PROTECTION
PRAYING UNPRECEDENTED VICTORIES LAST YEAR FIRST BAHÁ’Í CENTURY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 21 April 1943 (Convention)

21 April 1943 (Convention)

APPEAL DELEGATES ASSEMBLED CONVENTION DELIBERATE PROMPT EFFECTUAL MEASURES
ENSURE UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION PIONEER TEACHING ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR
CENTURY AND BEFITTING CELEBRATION MAY 1944 CENTENARY FAITH ADVISE PREPARE
SURVEY OUTSTANDING EVENTS FORTY-FIVE YEAR HISTORY FAITH BRITISH ISLES
ASSURE FRIENDS FERVENT CONTINUED PRAYERS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS SUCCESS
TWO-FOLD TASK CABLING THREE HUNDRED POUNDS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS FULFILMENT
PROJECTED UNDERTAKINGS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 26 April 1943

26 April 1943

DELIGHTED RESPONSE HIGH RESOLVE ASSURE ASSEMBLY PRAYERS MAGNIFICENT
VICTORIES.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 12 May 1943

12 May 1943

KINDLY AIR MAIL IMMEDIATELY FULL LIST NAMES ALL LOCALITIES BRITISH ISLES
WHERE ONE OR MORE BELIEVERS RESIDE SPECIFYING THOSE POSSESSING SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLIES.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 17 June 1943

17 June 1943

CABLING TWO HUNDRED POUNDS THROUGH COOKS CONTRIBUTION ASSIST YOUR ASSEMBLY
CELEBRATE BEFITTINGLY CENTENARY BELOVED FAITH WRITING.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 17 June 1943

17 June 1943

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

ASSURE NEWLY DECLARED BELIEVERS WELCOME PRAYERS.

He was very pleased to hear that the publicity you are giving the Faith is
meeting with a wider response than has hitherto been the case, and he
hopes that the N.S.A. and local Assemblies will organise their efforts in
such a way as to enable them to draw enquirers closer to the Cause and, if
possible, meet with them and include them in suitable teaching classes.

Regarding the matter of Fuád Afnán’s grave, the Guardian has no objection
to its being built.

He feels that Bahá’ís who, though still considering themselves believers,
omit attending the 19 Day Feasts for long periods, should not be deprived
of their voting rights; they should, however, be encouraged to attend
these Feasts as often as possible.

In less than a year the Bahá’ís the world over will be celebrating the
100th anniversary of their Faith, and the Guardian is very anxious that
the British believers should commemorate this historic occasion
befittingly. He would, therefore, suggest that your Assembly take up the
following points for deliberation as soon as possible:

1. The holding of a large and representative gathering, attended by the
Bahá’ís and the public alike, in a hired hall in London on the 23rd May
1944. He feels that prominent friends and sympathisers of the Faith should
be invited to speak on this occasion, as well as Bahá’ís, and that every
effort should be made to make the gathering both festive and dignified, as
befits so blessed and solemn an occasion.

2. The publication of a Centenary Pamphlet outlining the important events
of the Faith, and with a special emphasis placed on the rise and
development of the Cause in England, its early history in that country,
the achievements of the friends in spreading the Teachings there and
establishing the administration, the formation of the Publishing Trust,
and so on.

3. He wishes your Assembly to call the annual Bahá’í Convention for days
that will include the 22nd May, so that all the assembled friends may be
present at a special Bahá’í meeting to be held at 2 hours and 11 minutes
after sunset on May 22nd as this is the exact time at which the Báb made
His first historic declaration of His mission to Mullá ?usayn.

In order to aid the dear English believers in their befitting celebration
of so glorious an occasion the Guardian is forwarding to your Assembly the
sum of two hundred pounds sterling to be used for the arrangements you
deem fit to make, and the publication of the above mentioned pamphlet. The
Bahá’í communities all over the world—wherever free to do so—will also be
celebrating this memorable day, each according to its capacity, and he is
very anxious that the British Bahá’ís should, as befits their increasingly
prominent position in the Bahá’í World, demonstrate to the public and to
their fellow believers, the vitality of their community and the marked
advancement it has made of late. He leaves all details to the discretion
of your Assembly.

Mr. Yool of Manchester was recently able to spend his leave in Haifa at
the Western Pilgrim House, and the Guardian was so happy to welcome one of
the English friends here. He hopes that after the war many will be able to
make the pilgrimage. They will be most welcome.

Assuring you and all the members of the N.S.A. of his loving prayers and
his ardent hopes for the success of this great celebration which you will
now be planning....

P.S. The Guardian recently cabled asking you to forward a complete list of
all Spiritual Assemblies in the British Isles and the name of every
locality where one or more believers reside.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I pray that the celebration of the Centenary of our beloved Faith by the
English believers may be a remarkable success. The committee that will
have to be appointed for this purpose must strain every nerve, explore
every avenue, and lose no time in order to ensure the unqualified success
of this undertaking. I will supplicate the Beloved to guide every step you
take, to aid you to surmount all obstacles, and to inspire you to
undertake the measures that are most conducive to the proper discharge of
your noble task. The widest possible publicity should be given to the
Faith by every means at your disposal.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 4 August 1943

4 August 1943

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters, written on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly and
dated May 14th and June 6th have been received, together with the minutes
of the April and May N.S.A. meetings, and the Guardian has instructed me
to answer them on his behalf.

He was very encouraged to see the number of places where there are now one
or two registered Bahá’ís residing, as these are beacons of the
Faith—however lonely and however, as yet, feeble the light they are able
to radiate.

The Guardian feels that it would be an excellent plan if some way could be
found to raise Bournemouth and Torquay to Assembly status; either through
some self-sacrificing souls moving to these places and thus giving them
the required number, or through the efforts of the local and visiting
teachers. With the Centenary of the Faith so rapidly approaching it seems
a great pity that England should be deprived of these two Assemblies, when
each one of them only requires one person to bring it to Assembly status.

Regarding the questions you asked in connection with the following minutes
of the N.S.A. meetings: 753. The Guardian advises you to consult Canon
Townshend, and if he considers it advisable to compile a pamphlet for
distribution to the clergy you could get one out along the lines he might
suggest as suitable. 754. He would not advise any special contact being
made with the Swedenborgians as the Master’s reference is not sufficiently
clear and emphatic to warrant it. 755. The Guardian does not believe you
should ask the Russian Embassy for help in locating Mde. Grinevskaya’s
play about the Báb, as he believes they could be of no help in the matter.
You might ask the American N.S.A. if they have this material available.

The Guardian’s prayers are offered on behalf of the N.S.A. members, that
you, one and all, may be aided and guided in your labours during the
coming months, to prepare the way for a befitting and glorious Centenary
celebration of our beloved Faith during May of 1944.

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved friends,

I was so pleased and encouraged to witness the recent evidences of the
determination of the English believers to arise, as never before, during
this concluding year of the first Bahá’í century, and ensure the extension
of the teaching activities of the Faith, the consolidation of its
interests, and a better understanding and wider recognition of its aims,
its principles, and accomplishments. The efforts they must exert during
these remaining months must be unprecedented in their range and character.
The blessings that will be vouchsafed to them, if they unitedly persevere
and vigorously prosecute their urgent task, will alike be unprecedented.
The preparation for a befitting celebration of the forthcoming Centenary
must likewise be carefully and energetically carried out. May the Almighty
sustain and guide them in their vast and meritorious endeavours.

Shoghi

Letter of 10 August 1943 (Summer School)

10 August 1943 (Summer School)

CONCENTRATION TEACHING AND CENTENARY PREPARATIONS MOST VITAL MATTERS
FERVENTLY PRAY ALL MAY BECOME RADIANTLY ACTIVE GREETINGS DEEPLY
APPRECIATED.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 25 October 1943

25 October 1943

ADVISE CONTACT HERBERT SAMUEL RONALD STORRS TUDOR POLE AND OTHER
SYMPATHISERS WHICH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MAY SUGGEST VIGOROUS ACTION NECESSARY
SAFEGUARD INTERESTS FAITH INSURE SUCCESS CELEBRATION.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 2 November 1943

2 November 1943

CABLING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS TO BE EXPENDED DISCRETION YOUR ASSEMBLY
FURTHERANCE TEACHING ACTIVITIES AND BAHÁ’Í PUBLICATIONS DEEPEST LOVE
ASSURANCE CONTINUED PRAYERS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 5 January 1944

5 January 1944(33)

KINDLY CABLE DATE FORMATION FIRST BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 13 March 1944

13 March 1944

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated July 15th, Aug. 12th, Oct. 3rd, Nov. 1st and 10th and
Dec. 5th together with various enclosures have been received, and the
Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

Regarding the article by Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper, the Guardian does not
place such material in the archives, but it might possibly be either
stored with past documents or have been returned to the “Bahá’í World”
Committee. He regrets his inability to forward it to you in time to be of
any use in preparing the Centenary Pamphlet.

He would like you to assure Mr. St. Barbe Baker that the Bahá’ís would be
happy to avail themselves of his connections in Africa and his assistance
and advice in the future teaching work there. Tremendous tasks lie ahead
of the believers during the opening years of the second Bahá’í century,
and undoubtedly spreading the Faith in Africa will be one of them.

He considered the Diary gotten out by the Publishing Trust to be in
excellent taste, and is very pleased it has proved a medium of spreading
the news of the existence of our beloved Faith and its nature. He
appreciated receiving the copies forwarded to him. He is also very pleased
to hear that the publication of the Centenary Pamphlet is now assured.

He sees no objection to getting out a compilation of Tablets of
Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (as per minute No. 906) providing the source
is authentic and the translations faithful and presentable.

He was very pleased to see that new and better headquarters for the
Assembly and meetings in London have been found, and trusts this
foreshadows the development of a national administrative headquarters
there in England in the not too distant future.

In spite of the burden the Bahá’ís, in common with their countrymen, are
bearing these days, they are showing marked progress in their activities,
and he feels confident that the friends, so loyal and devoted to the
beloved Faith, will arise unitedly, in so important a country as
England—one of the first to receive the Divine Message in the West—and
will ensure that the Centenary is befittingly celebrated in spite of the
many difficulties to be overcome.

Assuring you one and all of his ardent prayers for the success of your
work, for your strength and protection....

P.S. Your letter of Jan. 18th has been received and the Guardian wishes to
state that in connection with the royalties on “Paris Talks” that, as Mrs.
Hall and her sister wish to turn them over to the Cause, the Assembly
should accept and the money in future go to the National Fund there in
England....

Any royalties on the works of the Master, as one of the Central Figures of
our Faith, are naturally the property of the Cause and not of His heirs.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I am delighted to hear of the steps that have been taken by your Assembly
in preparation for the forthcoming celebration of the centenary of our
beloved Faith, and I pray that success may crown your devoted efforts. The
English believers are in every field of Bahá’í activity and service
demonstrating the quality of their faith and the keen sense of
responsibility which animates them in their organised and concerted
endeavours for the promotion of the vital interests of the Faith. I feel
proud of their record of service, and will pray with increasing fervour
for their protection and success.

Shoghi

Naw-Rúz, 1944

APPRECIATE GREETINGS PRAYING GREAT VICTORIES OPENING CENTURY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 22 April 1944

22 April 1944

CABLING ONE THOUSAND POUNDS MY LOVING CONTRIBUTION FURTHER EXTENSION
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES AND INITIATION ADDITIONAL MEASURES ENSURE
BRILLIANT SUCCESS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS PRAYING ARDENTLY SUCCESS BOTH
FIELDS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 1 May 1944

1 May 1944

DELIGHTED PRAYING FERVENTLY SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 3 May 1944

3 May 1944(34)

ADVISE SHARE FOLLOWING FACTS WITH BELIEVERS AT CONVENTION CELEBRATING
HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. BAHÁ’ÍS ESTABLISHED RESIDENCE
SEVENTY EIGHT COUNTRIES FIFTY SIX OF WHICH ARE SOVEREIGN STATES. BAHÁ’Í
LITERATURE TRANSLATED PUBLISHED FORTY ONE LANGUAGES. TRANSLATIONS
UNDERTAKEN TWELVE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES. THIRTY ONE RACES REPRESENTED
BAHÁ’Í WORLD COMMUNITY. FIVE NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES AND SIXTY ONE LOCAL
ASSEMBLIES BELONGING TEN COUNTRIES INCORPORATED LEGALLY EMPOWERED HOLD
PROPERTY. BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL ENDOWMENTS HOLY LAND ESTIMATED HALF MILLION
POUNDS. NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ENDOWMENTS UNITED STATES ESTIMATED ONE MILLION
SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. AREA LAND JORDAN VALLEY DEDICATED BAHÁ’Í
SHRINES OVER FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY ACRES. SITE PURCHASED FUTURE BAHÁ’Í TEMPLE
PERSIA COMPRISES THREE AND HALF MILLION SQUARE METERS. COST STRUCTURE
FIRST BAHÁ’Í TEMPLE WEST ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. IN
EVERY STATE PROVINCE NORTH AMERICA BAHÁ’Í ASSEMBLIES FUNCTIONING. IN
THIRTEEN HUNDRED LOCALITIES UNITED STATES CANADA BAHÁ’ÍS RESIDING. BAHÁ’Í
CENTRES ESTABLISHED EVERY REPUBLIC LATIN AMERICA FIFTEEN OF WHICH POSSESS
SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES. FAITH WESTERN HEMISPHERE NOW STRETCHES FROM
ANCHORAGE ALASKA TO MAGALLANES WORLD’S SOUTHERN-MOST CITY. SIXTY TWO
CENTRES ESTABLISHED INDIA TWENTY SEVEN WITH SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES. AMONG
HISTORIC SITES PURCHASED PERSIA ?IHRÁN HOME BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BÁB’S SHOP
BÚ_SH_IHR BURIAL PLACE QUDDÚS PART VILLAGE _CH_IHRÍQ THREE GARDENS
BADA_SH_T PLACE CONFINEMENT TÁHIRIH. BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE
HEADQUARTERS FOUNDED ?IHRÁN DELHI CAIRO BA_GH_DÁD WILMETTE SYDNEY. BAHÁ’Í
ENDOWMENTS HOLY LAND AND UNITED STATES EXEMPTED TAXES BY CIVIL
AUTHORITIES. CIVIL RECOGNITION EXTENDED BAHÁ’Í ASSEMBLIES IN FIVE STATES
UNITED STATES SOLEMNISE BAHÁ’Í MARRIAGES. SUGGEST UTILISE ABOVE
INFORMATION PUBLICITY PURPOSES WHEREVER ADVISABLE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 22 May 1944

22 May 1944

REJOICE MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS VALIANT LOYAL BELOVED
COMMUNITY ENGLISH BELIEVERS. CONVEY SIR RONALD STORRS LOVING APPRECIATION
HIS NOBLE ACT. ASSURE ALL ATTENDANTS CONVENTION PARTICIPANTS CELEBRATION
LOVING REMEMBRANCE FERVENT PRAYERS SHRINES BÁB ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ. CONFIDENT
UNQUENCHABLE SPIRIT ANIMATING WELL-TRIED STOUT-HEARTED FIRMLY KNIT
FOLLOWERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH ISLES WILL ENABLE THEM SURMOUNT ALL
OBSTACLES SCALE NOBLER HEIGHTS ACHIEVE GREATER VICTORIES OPENING YEARS
SECOND BAHÁ’Í CENTURY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 23 May 1944

23 May 1944

ANNOUNCE FRIENDS JOYFUL TIDINGS HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY DECLARATION MISSION
MARTYRED HERALD FAITH SIGNALISED BY HISTORIC DECISION COMPLETE STRUCTURE
HIS SEPULCHRE ERECTED BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ ON SITE CHOSEN BY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
RECENTLY DESIGNED MODEL DOME UNVEILED PRESENCE ASSEMBLED BELIEVERS.
PRAYING EARLY REMOVAL OBSTACLES CONSUMMATION STUPENDOUS PLAN CONCEIVED BY
FOUNDER FAITH AND HOPES CHERISHED BY CENTRE HIS COVENANT.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

“THEIR FIRST COLLECTIVE ENTERPRISE”—THE SIX YEAR PLAN
1944–1950

Letter of 25 May 1944

25 May 1944(35)

WELCOME SPONTANEOUS DECISION ADVISE FORMATION NINETEEN SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLIES SPREAD OVER ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND AND EIRE
PRAYING SIGNAL VICTORY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 26 May 1944

26 May 1944

OVERJOYED SUCCESS CELEBRATIONS. PRAYING EVER INCREASING FLOW DIVINE
OUTPOURINGS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 8 July 1944

8 July 1944

PREPARE CONDENSED REPORT NOT EXCEEDING THIRTY PAGES REGARDING ACTIVITIES
ACHIEVEMENTS BAHÁ’Í FAITH DURING PAST FOUR YEARS. MAIL ONE COPY AMERICA
ANOTHER HAIFA PROMPT ACTION NECESSARY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 11 August 1944

11 August 1944

APPRECIATE GREETINGS PRAYING BLESSINGS SUMMER SCHOOL AND TEACHING PLAN
LOVE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 12 August 1944

12 August 1944

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated March 3rd and 25th, April 23rd, May 18th and July 6th
together with their enclosures have all been received, and the beloved
Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

He was most deeply gratified over the way the Centenary was conducted in
London and feels that it has adequately demonstrated the vitality of the
faith which animates the British Bahá’í community. They may well look upon
this as their major achievement since the visits to their shores of the
beloved Master. He was also very pleased to hear of the celebrations
successfully held by the Manchester and Torquay Bahá’ís in their
respective communities.

“The Centenary of a World Faith” he found most excellently gotten out and
not only well written but calculated to arouse the interest of the reader
and impress him with the true stature of our World Faith. He has
distributed copies among the friends and placed some in the library of the
Mansion, at Bahjí. He was also pleased with the programme of the London
Meetings—so you can see that the patient efforts and sacrifices of the
members of the N.S.A. and all those who contributed to the marked success
of the Centenary celebrations in England, have met not only with his
approval and admiration but brought happiness to his often heavily
over-burdened heart!

Regarding your question concerning minute No. 1050; this is entirely a
matter of conscience; if the individual feels for some reason justified in
voting for himself, he is free to do so. Regarding your question of the
proper time to celebrate or hold our meetings of commemoration, the time
should be fixed by counting after sunset; the Master passed away one hour
after midnight, which falls a certain number of hours after sunset; so His
passing should be commemorated according to the sun and regardless of
daylight saving time. The same applies to the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh who
passed away about 8 hours after sunset.

The Guardian has already cabled you regarding your Six Year Teaching Plan,
and he hopes that events in the future will be more favourable to carrying
it out than they are at present. He often thinks of and prays for the
English friends during these days of ordeal they are again passing through
and he feels confident Bahá’u’lláh will strengthen their work and bless
their efforts for this Holy Cause....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The Six Year Plan which the national elected representatives of the
English believers have spontaneously launched is a further evidence of
their unquenchable faith and noble and unyielding determination to
prosecute energetically the teaching work in the British Isles and to
exploit to the full the notable advantages derived from the successful
celebrations of the Bahá’í Centenary in London. Attention should be
focussed in the course of the opening year of the second Bahá’í Century on
the needs and requirements of this Plan. The multiplication of Bahá’í
centres and the dissemination of Bahá’í literature should be regarded as
the chief objectives of the prosecutors of the Plan. Every sacrifice
should be made, every effort should be exerted and every avenue should be
explored to ensure the success of the Plan. The English believers stand
identified with this Plan. The immediate destinies of the entire community
depend upon it. I will pray for its success, will watch its progress and
pledge every assistance within my power for its promotion. May the Beloved
bless all those who have embarked upon it and crown their enterprise with
brilliant and total victory.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 14 August 1944

14 August 1944

ANXIOUS SAFETY LONDON BELIEVERS KINDLY CABLE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 5 January 1945

5 January 1945

APPRECIATE VERBATIM REPORTS ADDRESSES DELIVERED OPENING CENTENARY
EXHIBITION AND PUBLIC MEETING DENISON HOUSE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 27 January 1945

27 January 1945

KINDLY CABLE ADDRESS TUDOR-POLE MAIL THREE COPIES EVERY PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN
CENTENARY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 27 March 1945

27 March 1945

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters, written on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, and
dated Aug. 2nd, 21st and 31st (airgraph) and Oct. 9th, Nov. 16th
(airgraph) and Nov. 23rd (duplicate copy also received), Dec. 19th
(duplicate copy also received) all of 1944, and Jan. 25th 1945 (duplicate
copy also received) have arrived safely with any enclosures they
contained, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer them.

He fully realises the many handicaps the English Bahá’ís are labouring
under, and appreciates all the more deeply their perseverance and devotion
shown in such activities as the National Centenary in London and local
exhibitions and meetings held elsewhere, as well as the successful Summer
School, the various printing undertakings and the renewed efforts to
establish new centres and strengthen older ones. In this connection he
would like you to please convey to Miss Young(36) and all other pioneers
the expression of his loving appreciation of this historic service they
have arisen to render the Faith in England.

The tasks facing the believers everywhere are great, for they see only too
clearly that the only permanent remedy for the many afflictions the world
is suffering from, is a change of heart and a new pattern of not only
thought but personal conduct. The impetus that has been given by the
Manifestation of God for this Age is the sole one that can regenerate
humanity, and as we Bahá’ís are the only ones yet aware of this new force
in the world, our obligation towards our fellow men is tremendous and
inescapable! Therefore he hopes that many more of the friends there will
arise to do pioneering work and help achieve the important goals set by
the Six Year Plan. When once a few bold, self-sacrificing individuals have
arisen to serve, their example will no doubt encourage other timid
would-be pioneers to follow in their footsteps. The history of our Faith
is full of records of the remarkable things achieved by really very
simple, insignificant individuals, who became veritable beacons and towers
of strength through having placed their trust in God, having arisen to
proclaim His Message. The stamina and fortitude shown by the people at
large during all these hard and bitter years of war should surely find a
nobler example in the deeds of the Bahá’ís who are connected with the
Divine Source! He urges your Assembly to do all in its power, through
financial and moral assistance, to get more pioneers into the field.

Mr. Hofman has just written him about his meeting with the Paris
believers, and he feels that as most of the friends there are elderly
people and have suffered many privations, the British N.S.A. should keep
in close touch with them and help and inspire them all it can....

Also concerning your question about the prayers and changing the pronouns:
This cannot be done, even in the long Obligatory Prayer or the healing
prayers. Either we must ignore this mere detail or say a prayer that
applies to our sex or number....

You may be sure that you, and your fellow members of the N.S.A., are very
often in his thoughts and prayers. He deeply appreciates your steadfast
and persevering labours and hopes that the believers of England will arise
to fulfil their high duties and discharge the debts they owe their
countrymen through the privilege of being the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in
these dark yet historic days....

P.S. The following is a copy of the cable the Guardian sent you in answer
to your request for his advice as to the Six Year Plan the British
believers resolved to undertake:

“WELCOME SPONTANEOUS DECISION. ADVISE FORMATION NINETEEN BAHÁ’Í SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLIES SPREAD OVER ENGLAND WALES SCOTLAND NORTHERN IRELAND AND EIRE.
PRAYING SIGNAL VICTORY.”

He will, you may be sure, do everything in his power to assist the friends
to achieve this objective.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The Six Year Plan which the English believers have conceived and are now
energetically prosecuting constitutes a landmark in the history of the
Faith in the British Isles. It is the first collective enterprise
undertaken by them for the spread of the Faith and the consolidation of
its divinely appointed institutions. The national elected representatives
of the Bahá’í community in those islands must watch carefully every phase
in its development, provide whatever is required for its systematic and
steady extension, encourage the believers to disperse, to settle, to
persevere, and to appeal more directly and effectively to the masses who
are waiting for this Divine Message, and on whose ultimate response the
triumph of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh must depend. Obstacles, however
formidable, should be surmounted. Setbacks, however discouraging at first,
must not, under any circumstances, cause them to deviate from the path
they are so devotedly and determinedly pursuing. That glorious success may
eventually crown their concerted and historic endeavours is my fervent and
constant prayer at the Holy Shrines. May the Beloved aid them to achieve
their noble end.

Shoghi

Letter of 11 April 1945

11 April 1945

BAHÁ’Í PERSIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY EXPELLED ... FAMILY OWING REPUDIATION
VITAL PROVISIONS MASTER’S WILL AND LONG-STANDING DISOBEDIENCE. POSITION
ANY MEMBER THIS FAMILY IN LONDON SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ASCERTAINED BY YOUR
ASSEMBLY. CABLE RESULTS. UTMOST FIRMNESS VIGILANCE REQUIRED OTHERWISE
CONTACT BREAKERS COVENANT WILL ENDANGER FAITH.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 25 April 1945

25 April 1945

APPRECIATE CABLE RECEIVED FROM.... FEEL HOWEVER OWING DEFECTION HIS ENTIRE
FAMILY NECESSITY FORMAL ASSURANCE BEFORE YOUR ASSEMBLY HIS DETERMINATION
CEASE COMMUNICATION WITH HIS FAMILY AWAITING ASSEMBLY’S REPLY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 1 May 1945

1 May 1945

LOVING APPRECIATION CONVENTION MESSAGE. ENGLISH BELIEVERS LOVINGLY
REMEMBERED SHRINES FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING SUCCESS SIX YEAR PLAN URGE
REDOUBLED EFFORTS CABLING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS MY CONTRIBUTION PLAN.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 3 May 1945

3 May 1945

ASSURE ... APPRECIATE RESPONSE. CONCERNING MEDIUM DO NOT ADVISE ACCEPTANCE
MEMBERSHIP.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 9 May 1945

9 May 1945(37)

FOLLOWERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH THROUGHOUT FIVE CONTINENTS UNANIMOUSLY REJOICE
PARTIAL EMERGENCE WAR TORN HUMANITY FROM TITANIC UPHEAVAL UNERRINGLY
PREDICTED SEVENTY YEARS AGO BY PEN AUTHOR THEIR FAITH. CESSATION
HOSTILITIES EUROPEAN CONTINENT SIGNALISES CLOSING YET ANOTHER CHAPTER
TRAGIC TALE FIERY TRIALS PROVIDENTIALLY DECREED BY INSCRUTABLE WISDOM
DESIGNED ULTIMATELY WELD MUTUALLY ANTAGONISTIC ELEMENTS HUMAN SOCIETY INTO
SINGLE ORGANICALLY UNITED UNSHATTERABLE WORLD COMMONWEALTH. GRATEFULLY
ACCLAIM SIGNAL EVIDENCE INTERPOSITION DIVINE PROVIDENCE WHICH DURING SUCH
PERILOUS YEARS ENABLED WORLD CENTRE FAITH ESCAPE WHAT POSTERITY WILL
RECOGNISE AS ONE OF GRAVEST DANGERS EVER CONFRONTED NERVE CENTRE ITS
INSTITUTIONS. PROFOUNDLY AWARE BOUNTIFUL GRACE VOUCHSAFED BY SAME
PROVIDENCE ENSURING UNLIKE PREVIOUS WORLD CONFLICT UNINTERRUPTED
INTERCOURSE BETWEEN SPIRITUAL CENTRE AND VAST MAJORITY COMMUNITIES
FUNCTIONING WITHIN ORBIT FAR FLUNG FAITH. IMMEASURABLY THANKFUL MIRACULOUS
PRESERVATION INDIAN PERSIAN EGYPTIAN BRITISH IRÁQÍ COMMUNITIES LONG
THREATENED DIRE PERILS OWING PROXIMITY THEATRE MILITARY OPERATIONS. DEEPLY
CONSCIOUS PROGRESS ACHIEVED DESPITE SIX TEMPESTUOUS YEARS IN BOTH EASTERN
WESTERN HEMISPHERES THROUGH COLLECTIVE ENTERPRISES LAUNCHED BY THESE
COMMUNITIES OUTSHINES SUM TOTAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE INCEPTION FORMATIVE
AGE FAITH. SEVEN YEAR PLAN INAUGURATED BY AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY UNDER
LOWERING CLOUDS APPROACHING CONFLICT VICTORIOUSLY COMPLETED EXTERIOR
ORNAMENTATION MOTHER TEMPLE WEST ESTABLISHED STRUCTURAL BASIS FAITH EVERY
STATE PROVINCE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT AND HOISTED ITS BANNER EVERY
REPUBLIC LATIN AMERICA. INDIAN BELIEVERS SIX YEAR PLAN LAUNCHED EVE
HOSTILITIES MORE THAN QUADRUPLED CENTRES FUNCTIONING WITHIN PALE
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER. EDIFICES CONSECRATED ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS EVER
ADVANCING CAUSE INVOLVING EXPENDITURE OVER HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
ERECTED PURCHASED OR COMPLETED CAPITAL CITIES INDIA ‘IRÁQ EGYPT AS WELL AS
SYDNEY AUSTRALIA. ACQUISITION NUMEROUS PROPERTIES BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S NATIVE
LAND MT. CARMEL AND JORDAN VALLEY AS WELL AS PURCHASE SEVERAL IMPORTANT
HISTORIC SITES ASSOCIATED LIVES BOTH HERALD AUTHOR FAITH SWELLED
UNPRECEDENTED DEGREE BAHÁ’Í ENDOWMENTS. PRELIMINARY STEPS COMPLETION BÁB’S
SEPULCHRE AND ESTABLISHMENT WORLD ADMINISTRATIVE CENTRE THROUGH REMOVAL
REMAINS BROTHER MOTHER ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ UNDERTAKEN. TERMINATION FIRST CENTURY
BAHÁ’Í ERA SYNCHRONISING CLIMAX RAGING STORM PUBLICLY BEFITTINGLY
CELEBRATED DESPITE MULTIPLICATION RESTRICTIONS. ABOVE ALL UNITY INTEGRITY
INCORRUPTIBLE WORLD COMMUNITY CONSISTENTLY SAFEGUARDED IN FACE INSIDIOUS
OPPOSITION AVOWED ENEMIES WITHOUT AND COVENANT BREAKERS WITHIN. SUCH
SPLENDID VICTORIES OVER SO VAST FIELD AMIDST SUCH TRIBULATIONS DURING SO
PROLONGED ORDEAL AUGUR WELL COLOSSAL TASK DESTINED BE ACCOMPLISHED COURSE
PEACEFUL YEARS AHEAD BY BUILDERS EMBRYONIC WORLD ORDER BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AMIDST
WRECKAGE DISTRACTED DISRUPTED DISILLUSIONED SOCIETY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 May 1945

10 May 1945

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to forward you the enclosed copy of
his message(38) to the Bahá’ís of East and West on the happy occasion of
the termination of the European war.

He would appreciate your sharing it not only with all the British friends
but with the Paris believers too.

Please inform him of the safe receipt of this message as soon as it
reaches you.

We all send you our loving greetings and are greatly relieved to know your
lives will now assume a more normal course after all these years of
suffering....

Letter of 9 August 1945

9 August 1945

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated March 8th and 12th, April 17th, May 10th and 18th and
July 8th and June 9th have been received, as well as the various
enclosures you mention in them, and the photographs, sent under the
separate cover. The beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer them on
his behalf.

He was very pleased to hear you are now in touch with the French believers
and able to help them morally, and also with some physical assistance too!
It is only right that England, the first country whose Bahá’í community is
in a position to reach out a helping hand to its sister communities in
Europe, should do so, and should have this privilege and honour.

He realises the many difficulties that stand in the way of the British
Bahá’ís in regard to fulfilling the important Six Year Teaching Plan they
have undertaken. But he hopes that now the European war is over, and
conditions are returning to a more normal way of life, that the friends,
conscious of their very great spiritual responsibility, will arise and, in
spite of everything, accomplish the work they have chosen for themselves
and which is of such great spiritual importance to their countrymen.

The more we study the present condition of the world, the more deeply we
become convinced that there just cannot be any way out of its problems
except the way of God, as given by Him, through Bahá’u’lláh. The early
Persian Bahá’ís gave their lives for the Cause; the Western believers have
been spared this necessity, but their comfort, to some extent, they must
sacrifice if they are going to discharge their moral obligation to
tortured humanity, and bring to it the message of the Father. Once the
friends start out to win the goals set in their Plan, they will find the
Divine confirmation sustaining them and hastening its consummation. This
is what happened in the American Seven Year Plan and the Indian Six Year
Plan, and the same spiritual assistance will certainly be vouchsafed the
English believers, once they arise with faith and confidence, to do their
work.

In regard to the question you raise in your letter of June 9th about the
“Paris Talks”, the Guardian does not advise your putting the suggested
footnote, as we cannot be absolutely sure, unless we see the Persian text,
that what you propose is really what the Master means. The present
translation cannot be considered accurate in all its details, obviously,
and as at the moment the Persian text is not available, he suggests you
either put no footnote at all, or one stating that the meaning is obscure
and future re-translation will clear up such passages.

You may be sure that his ardent prayers will be offered on behalf of all
the British Bahá’ís, that Bahá’u’lláh may aid them to fulfil His work and
may open the doors of servitude and guide them on their way. He will also
pray for you and your fellow N.S.A. members, for your strength, protection
and guidance in fulfilling your many important tasks.

P.S. Regarding Mr. ... financial affairs; there is naturally no objection
to his receiving his own money, but he should have no communication with
his family, and should arrange for your N.S.A. to receive his money and
deliver it to him. The Guardian is very pleased that he has taken the
right, courageous, Bahá’í course of action in his life, and will certainly
pray for his happiness and protection.

There is no ambiguity about the Master’s attitude towards psychic forces;
He very strongly warned the believers against using them.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I grieve to learn of the slow progress of the Six Year Plan which the
English believers have so nobly conceived, and which, I pray and hope,
will be triumphantly consummated. The Plan constitutes a direct and grave
challenge to the English Bahá’í community in its entirety. It should be
regarded as the greatest collective enterprise ever launched by the
followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the British Isles. It is thus far
one of the most significant undertakings embarked upon by the members of
Bahá’í National Assemblies during the opening years of the second Bahá’í
century. To it, as already observed, the immediate destinies of the
community of the English believers are linked, and on it must depend the
future orientation and evolution of the institutions which the members of
that community are labouring to erect for the diffusion of the principles
and the establishment of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in their country. It
must not, it cannot, fail. The attention of the entire body of the
believers must be continually focussed upon it. No sacrifice can be deemed
too great for its successful prosecution. All must arise harmoniously,
co-operate and lend their share of assistance. May the spirit of
Bahá’u’lláh enable them to achieve signal success.

Shoghi

Letter of 18 December 1945

18 December 1945

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to acknowledge the receipt of your
two letters dated Aug. 11th and Nov. 9th and to answer them on his behalf.
Their enclosures were also received....

He was very pleased to hear that you have had eight new Bahá’ís since
Convention and hopes that this is only a foretaste of the conversion of
souls in far greater numbers in the years lying ahead of us.

The Six Year Plan is of the utmost importance, and he urges your Assembly
to continually keep reminding the friends of the necessity for sustaining
their efforts through arising personally to serve and through giving
generously that others may serve in their place.

In this connection he hopes you will use the services of Marion Holley,
now Mrs. David Hofman, to the full. She is a gifted speaker and writer,
and has had invaluable experience in America as a member of the National
Teaching Committee, during the Seven Year Plan. Both she and Mr. Hofman
are wholly dedicated to the service of the Cause, and eager to do all in
their power to help accomplish the goals of your Six Year Plan.

He was happy to hear that the Summer School was held successfully. Now
that the war is over, and conditions gradually returning to normal, he
hopes that the British believers will exert their utmost in serving the
Cause and spreading its message. Although from time to time they will
receive the help of outside Bahá’ís, the major responsibility is theirs,
and the lion’s share of the work will naturally fall to them as both their
privilege and their duty.

He assures you one and all that his ardent prayers sustain you in your
labours for the Faith and he feels sure that with sufficient effort on the
part of all, and the Power of God which inevitably sustains
self-sacrificing service in His Path, the goals can be gloriously
achieved....

P.S. He was delighted to hear of the welfare of the German believers.
Reports of a similar nature had already reached him, but no figures had
been given.

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly beloved co-workers,

I am anxiously waiting for the news of the progress of the Six Year Plan,
upon which the future orientation of the collective activities of the
English believers depends, and with which the immediate destinies of their
Faith are interwoven. No sacrifice is too great to ensure its success. The
utmost effort, vigilance, perseverance and self-sacrifice are required to
carry it to a successful conclusion. If the friends, individually and
collectively, play their part and exert their utmost, the abundant
blessings of Bahá’u’lláh will be fully vouchsafed, and the strength of the
Plan will mark a glorious chapter in the history of the Faith. I appeal to
the entire community to dedicate itself to this sacred and urgent task,
the greatest collective enterprise ever undertaken by the followers of
Bahá’u’lláh in the British Isles.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 21 February 1946

21 February 1946

ASSEMBLY SHOULD EXPLAIN TO ... OWING HIS BROTHER’S SECESSION FAITH
ADHERENCE ISLÁM PARTICIPATION POLITICS AND ASSOCIATION WITH HIS OTHER
BROTHERS AND MOTHER WHO HAVE FLAGRANTLY DISOBEYED MASTER’S WILL
COMMUNICATION WITH HIM AND THEM FORBIDDEN. ASSEMBLY SHOULD EXERCISE UTMOST
VIGILANCE THIS VITAL MATTER OTHERWISE AS MASTER REPEATEDLY WARNED
CONTAMINATING INFLUENCE WILL SPREAD AND IMPERIL STRUCTURE FAITH. CABLE HIS
RESPONSE SHOW UTMOST FIRMNESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 5 March 1946

5 March 1946

OVERJOYED RECENT DECISIONS TEACHING CONFERENCE ARDENTLY PRAYING SPEEDY
REALISATION CHERISHED HOPES URGE SUPREME UNITED CONTINUOUS EFFORT CABLING
ONE THOUSAND POUNDS FURTHERANCE NOBLE AIMS SIX YEAR PLAN DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 March 1946

12 March 1946

INFORM ... APPRECIATE HIS ASSURANCE PRAYING STEADFASTNESS BLESSINGS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 March 1946

22 March 1946

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated Sep. 6th and Nov. 6th 1945 and Jan. 2nd, Feb. 8th and
19th 1946, have been received together with their enclosures, and the
beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

He has been delighted to see, through your letter and reports sent by
other Bahá’ís, that the Teaching Conference in Manchester was such a
success, and he feels this marks a turning point in your Six Year Plan.
Now that goal towns have been chosen, the friends must concentrate all
their forces and resources on establishing Assemblies in them as soon as
possible. He feels sure that once the signs of success become evident all
the believers, tired and depressed after so many years of war and
privation, will become vitalised with optimism and enthusiasm and drive
forward unitedly towards the complete victory of their plans.

He was delighted to hear that Miss Townshend and Mr. Lee have arisen as
pioneers, and he wishes you to please assure them of his special prayers
for the success of their devoted labours.

He was also very happy to hear you have found a place to hold your Summer
School; this is such an important Bahá’í activity that even if the
expenses are such as to necessitate its being subsidised by the National
Fund it does not matter.

He advises you to send half of the Russian books in your possession to the
Bahá’í Bureau in Geneva. Mrs. Lynch can distribute them from there, as
required, to other centres.

He feels it would be an excellent means of serving the Cause and enhancing
the prestige of the British Bahá’ís if you can send a delegate to the
Spiritual World Congress to be held in Brussels.

We are sending ... the Haifa News Letter direct from here; thank you for
sending his address. The Guardian suggests if you have not already done
so, that you send the address of the Dutch Bahá’í to Mrs. Lynch, so that
travelling believers can be put in touch with him.

He is eagerly awaiting more good news of the progress of your Six Year
Plan, and assures you all that he will ardently pray for its speedy and
complete success in the Holy Shrines.

Your Assembly’s labours are very deeply appreciated....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The enterprise launched by the English Bahá’í community in the opening
years of the second Bahá’í Century is of tremendous significance, and
will, if successful, mark not only the inception of a glorious chapter in
the history of the Faith in the British Isles, but will constitute a
landmark in the spiritual awakening of its people. The forces which such a
consummation will release none can estimate sufficiently at present. The
task is colossal, but the reinforcing power of Bahá’u’lláh, who is
watching over it and is ready to bless and sustain it if its prosecutors
arise to play their part, is likewise immeasurable. The recent Teaching
Conference is but the initial stage in this mighty, this collective, and
indeed historic undertaking. The goal towns which have been selected
should be regarded as the chief objectives requiring the immediate and
concentrated attention of its zealous promoters. Every consideration
should be subordinated to the paramount need of establishing at any cost
and by every means possible, vigorously functioning assemblies at these
centres. No effort should be wasted, all must arise to lend their
assistance; no sacrifice is too great to ensure the completion of the
first stage of this noble enterprise. Unity, perseverance, self-sacrifice,
will guarantee its success. Obstacles may arise, set-backs will no doubt
occur, but the unconquerable spirit animating the English believers must
ultimately triumph.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 24 April 1946

24 April 1946

ADVISE NOT PURCHASE AT PRESENT. RENT IF POSSIBLE BEFITTING ROOMS CENTRAL
POSITION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 April 1946

24 April 1946

KINDLY AIRMAIL TWO PHOTOGRAPHS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR “BAHÁ’Í WORLD”.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 April 1946

26 April 1946

URGE FOCUS ATTENTION SIX YEAR PLAN SUBORDINATE EVERY ACTIVITY PARAMOUNT
ISSUE TEACHING FACING ENGLISH BELIEVERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 April 1946 (Convention)

30 April 1946 (Convention)

DEARLY BELOVED ENGLISH BELIEVERS REMEMBERED SHRINES PRAYING ARDENTLY
SUCCESS DELIBERATIONS CONVENTION SUPREME CONTINUOUS EFFORT REQUIRED ENSURE
SUCCESS PLAN CONCENTRATION ATTENTION RESOURCES ENTIRE COMMUNITY PROMOTION
PARAMOUNT AIM INDISPENSABLE GREATER SACRIFICES DEMANDED ENSURE ULTIMATE
VICTORY EAGERLY AWAITING NEWS PROGRESS HISTORIC ENTERPRISE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 May 1946

8 May 1946

WHATEVER NOT SPECIFIED ARTICLES ASSOCIATION LEFT DISCRETION NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY.(39)

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 May 1946

10 May 1946

APPRECIATE MAIL HAIFA PHOTOGRAPH ALL MEMBERS LAST YEAR’S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR BAHÁ’Í WORLD.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 May 1946

22 May 1946

APPROVE DROP CARDIFF SUBSTITUTE ANY TOWN DEEMED ADVISABLE PRAYING SPEEDY
SUCCESS URGE PERSEVERANCE LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 May 1946

29 May 1946

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters (and those previously written by Mrs. Ferraby as secretary)
dated March 19th and 21st; April 12th and 23rd; and May 2nd and 11th, as
well as their enclosures, have all been received, and the Guardian has
instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

Regarding the various points which have been raised in these letters.

As he already informed you by cable, he sees no objection to substituting
some other town for Cardiff if that has proved too unpromising....

People who for years have ceased to either attend meetings or show the
slightest interest in the Cause can be dropped from the voting list; but
any who are unable to attend meetings, but still consider themselves to be
Bahá’ís and are desirous of keeping up their contact with the Faith,
should naturally be kept on the voting list.

He feels at the present stage of the Cause’s development in England it is
perhaps wiser not to make any hard and fast rules about the boundaries of
towns for assembly purposes. However, you should bear in mind that in the
future some proper delineation will be necessary.

As to the question of the Publishing Trust about quoting excerpts from
some of the Meditations; there is no objection to this at all.

He hopes you will be able to find some suitable quarters in London for
your Bahá’í Centre; he considers that at the present time, with the heavy
and essential teaching programme you have undertaken, it is out of the
question to purchase headquarters.

The Guardian takes the keenest interest in your Six Year Plan, and he
wishes me to point out to you certain things in this connection: if the
important goals of new Assemblies are to be achieved, he feels you will
have to organise the work on a new basis. England now stands, one might
say, on the brink of a new phase of its Bahá’í life; the long years of war
are over, the friends are not only awakened to a sense of their
responsibilities, but have increased in numbers, in zeal, and in unity;
there is a growing number of people who are anxious to do pioneer work.
What is needed is a planned and consistent form of teaching and
administrative support of the activities your Assembly is inaugurating.

He feels the time has come when the British Bahá’ís’ resources are
sufficient to enable them to embark on their teaching campaign in a manner
similar to that already followed by the American and Indian Bahá’ís. In
other words pioneers who volunteer for work, if they are not able to
support themselves, should be supported by the National Fund until they
either find work or their task is completed.

Likewise travelling teachers should be assisted financially to carry out
the “projects” assigned to them. The friends should not for a moment
confuse this type of support with the creation of a paid clergy. Any
Bahá’í can, at the discretion of the N.S.A., receive this necessary
assistance and it is clearly understood it is temporary and only to carry
out a specific plan. Bahá’u’lláh Himself has not only enjoined on everyone
the duty of teaching His Faith, but stated if you cannot go yourself, to
send someone in your stead. The National Assembly, through and with its
Teaching Committee, should take immediate steps to get pioneers out into
the goal towns and teachers circulating about, to not only support and
inaugurate the new work, but to stimulate the existing Assemblies and
groups, and help them to expand.

He hopes that your Assembly, unitedly and with complete dedication to the
great work that lies ahead of you, will concentrate all your forces on the
teaching work. You may be sure he will pray for your success in the Holy
Shrines, and that all the British Bahá’ís may realise to the full their
historic responsibilities and arise to discharge them....

P.S. Your letter of May 29th has since been received and the extra photos
of N.S.A. members will be forwarded to America.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The activities of the English Bahá’í community in pursuance of the Plan,
which in its scope and potentialities is wholly unprecedented in the
history of the Faith in the British Isles, are now approaching a critical
stage, and will, if not relentlessly expanded and consolidated, fall far
short of their ultimate objective. They have now entered the third year of
their Plan, and the work that still remains unaccomplished is
considerable, but not beyond what their united and sustained endeavours
can accomplish. The utmost support, if the Plan is to yield its promise,
should be continually and increasingly extended to every pioneer, both
moral and financial, who will arise to contribute his or her share to its
success. All the institutions of the Faith so laboriously erected since
the inception of the Formative Age, most of the financial resources of the
community that have been accumulated, the deliberations of the elected
representatives of the entire body of the believers, both local and
national, should henceforth be dedicated to the vital requirements and
noble aims of an enterprise which, if successful, will pave the way, and
provide the necessary agencies, for the proclamation of the Faith to the
masses throughout the British Isles.

The Faith is too circumscribed at present, its resources too limited, its
range too restricted, and the number of its active supporters too few, to
allow a systematic and nation-wide campaign designed to awaken the masses,
to be effectively inaugurated. The present Plan is but a stepping stone
that must lead eventually the English believers to execute so tremendous
and meritorious an undertaking. The duties and responsibilities now facing
them must, however, be fully discharged. No time or effort should be
wasted. All, young and old, must be aroused to a new consciousness of
their collective responsibilities. A greater measure of self-sacrifice, a
greater audacity, a greater reliance on the sustaining grace of
Bahá’u’lláh, are required to lend the necessary impetus to the progressive
unfoldment and ultimate fruition of this dynamic process which the
followers of Bahá’u’lláh, labouring in the heart of a world encircling
empire, have set in motion. May signal success crown their historic
labours.

Shoghi

Letter of 7 June 1946

7 June 1946

National Youth Committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letter dated May 16th and written on behalf of the National Youth
Committee, was received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to
answer it on his behalf.

He is very happy to see that the Bahá’í Youth of the British Isles are now
organised and working with enthusiasm for the spread of the Faith there.
He feels that they have a great and important rôle to play during the next
few years in fulfilling the objectives of the Six Year Plan.

Young people, being, for the most part, freer than the older believers,
are in a position to arise as pioneers and move to new towns as settlers.
A great number of the pioneers in America, who left their native cities,
and often their native land, in order to fulfil the Seven Year Plan, were
young people—some of them so young that the Spiritual Assemblies they
helped to establish they were themselves not yet old enough to be elected
to!

The Guardian has enjoyed very much meeting Capt. Philip Hainsworth, who
had the unique privilege of being in Haifa for over a month, and he feels
sure that upon his return to England he will lend great impetus to both
the Youth and teaching work.

He heartily approves of your “Youth Bulletin” project and urges you to
place special emphasis on articles that are of pertinent interest to young
people, such as those dealing with the economic, social and moral aspects
of society.

Assuring you, and all the members of your Committee, of his loving prayers
for the success of your labours....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your meritorious endeavours, guide every step you
take in the path of service, aid you to extend the range of your
activities, and enable you to promote, by every means in your power, and
in a most effective manner, the vital interests of a Plan with which the
immediate destinies of the members of the English Bahá’í Community, both
young and old, are so inextricably interwoven.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 18 June 1946

18 June 1946

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to send you the following copy of a
cable he sent the N.S.A. on the 7th of this month: “DELIGHTED LATEST
REPORT TEACHING ACTIVITIES. PRESENT YEAR CRUCIAL FORTUNES PLAN.
CONCENTRATE 5 MOST PROMISING GOAL TOWNS, ALSO EXERT UTMOST RE-ESTABLISH
TORQUAY, BOURNEMOUTH ASSEMBLIES. SUCCESS IMMEDIATE PLAN WILL NECESSITATE
INCREASE CONVENTION DELEGATES BRITISH ISLES TO TWICE 19. UPON CONSUMMATION
ENTIRE PLAN FURTHER INCREASE TO THREE TIMES 19 WILL BECOME ESSENTIAL.
CABLING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS FOR TRAVEL SETTLEMENT PIONEERS. PROSPECTS
BRIGHT, REDOUBLED EFFORTS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, EXERTION YOUTH VITAL.
FORTHCOMING GATHERING SUMMER SCHOOL SHOULD DEVOTE SPECIAL ATTENTION
REQUIREMENTS PLAN. ARDENTLY PRAYING TRIUMPHANT SUCCESS FIRST STAGE
COLLECTIVE EFFORT DEARLY BELOVED ENGLISH BELIEVERS”.

In the first draft of this cable sent you a word was left out, namely
“twice” before the “19” in reference to the first increase of the number
of convention delegates. This was corrected the same day by cable.

The Guardian has so far received no acknowledgment of the receipt of this
long cable and he is anxious to know if it reached you safely? Also the
five hundred pounds which was forwarded by cable, through Barclays Bank,
to your name?

Assuring you of his loving prayers on your behalf....

P.S. He was very happy to hear that the N.S.A. is now united, and that
sources of misunderstanding and uneasiness have been entirely cleared up.

Letter of 6 July 1946

6 July 1946

DELIGHTED BRIGHT PROSPECTS ACHIEVEMENT THIS YEAR’S GOAL WILL CONSTITUTE
TURNING POINT FORTUNES PLAN LANDMARK BRITISH BAHÁ’Í HISTORY SUSTAINED
CONCENTRATION ESSENTIAL CONVEY PIONEERS TRAVELLING TEACHERS ASSURANCE
LOVING APPRECIATION ABIDING GRATITUDE NOBLE RESPONSE URGE EXERT
SIMULTANEOUSLY EFFORTS ESTABLISH THIS PIVOTAL YEAR NUCLEUS FUTURE ASSEMBLY
BOTH SCOTLAND IRELAND PRAYING CONTINUALLY INCREASING EVIDENCES NATION-WIDE
EXPANSION PROGRESSIVE CONSOLIDATION DEARLY BELOVED ENGLISH BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 August 1946 (Summer School)

2 August 1946 (Summer School)

OVERJOYED PRAYING EVER INCREASING SUCCESS DEEPEST APPRECIATION HIGH
ENDEAVOURS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 August 1946

25 August 1946

DELIGHTED URGE UTMOST SACRIFICE PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS GOAL TOWNS PRAYING
SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 October 1946

12 October 1946

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters dated June 1st and 26th and July 20th and 25th, together with
their enclosures, have been received, and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

Regarding the various points you raised.

Unless the Russian “New Era” is hopelessly bad, the Guardian advises it
nevertheless be made use of, as it will be some time before the funds of
the Cause can be used for a new edition. If the mistakes are mostly in the
nature of mistranslations of certain important terms it might be possible
for you, in conjunction with Mrs. Lynch, to have printed or mimeographed a
list of errata, and stick it in the book, in this way Russian-speaking
people will not be denied some literature on the Faith, however
inadequate.

The attitude of the friends towards orientals should be one of great
caution, according to the Master’s own often-repeated and explicit
instructions and warnings. Any believer in good standing would not leave
his home community without a letter of credential, and certainly no
Persians, claiming to be Bahá’ís, but lacking credentials, should be
accepted until the Persian N.S.A. has clarified their status. They can,
naturally, attend public meetings, but should not be permitted to come to
the 19- Day Feasts; the friends may associate with them, but should be
very cautious, bearing in mind that many orientals, who scorned or were
even actively against the Cause while living in the East, now find it
convenient to pose as believers or friends of the Faith in a Western
community where they are strangers.

As regards your question about Bahá’í procedure; the present statement can
certainly be amplified to include the United Nations Organisation.

He feels that your Assembly should constantly, through its communications
to the friends and its committees, and in every way possible, stir the
British Bahá’í community to a sense of the great urgency of their pioneer
activities; and the need for more pioneers. They now have a golden
opportunity to arise and fulfil their own cherished plans before it is too
late. In the future we may well look back upon these present days and see
that in them lay our greatest chance to build for the future and to call
people to the Faith while they were still deeply impressed with the
tragedy and futility of war; and before they become too engulfed in post
war problems, or too bitterly disillusioned by the trend of world affairs
to even seek a solution. More believers must arise, and, putting their
trust in Bahá’u’lláh, do their duty to the Faith they believe in and love
so dearly. The youth in particular should be encouraged to enter this
field of service, for the spread of the Cause is their only hope for a
stable world in which to live and establish families of their own.

His loving prayers are with you all in your many services to the Cause of
God, and he is greatly encouraged by the way the work is going forward in
England....(40)

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The evidences of intensified activity and of notable progress on the part
of the English believers in recent months have rejoiced my heart and
deepened my feelings of admiration and gratitude for the manner in which
they are discharging, individually and collectively, their high
responsibilities. I long to hear of the steady progress of their Plan, and
will continue to pray for the removal of every obstacle in their path.
However considerable their recent achievements, they are still in the
initial stage of their great unfolding mission, and are not even capable
as yet of visualising the possibilities or of estimating the consequences
of their present-day labours. The consummation of their present task will
mark the opening of a new era in the development of their community and
will signalise the inauguration of a great epoch in the history of the
Faith in their land—an epoch that must witness the universal recognition
of their Cause and the proclamation of its truths, its claims and tenets,
to the masses of their countrymen throughout the British Isles. The Plan
they are now prosecuting will provide the machinery and establish the
basic structure that will enable them to arouse the people, among all
sections of the population, and aid them, systematically and gradually, to
recognise Bahá’u’lláh, and support the nascent institutions of this World
Order. Now it is their duty to lay an unassailable foundation for the
great work that is to be undertaken in the future. There is no time to
lose. Theirs is a priceless opportunity and a great privilege. They must
neither vacillate nor falter. They must determinedly persevere until their
immediate and distant goals have been attained.

Shoghi

Letter of 15 November 1946

15 November 1946

OVERJOYED MARVEL MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS URGE AFTER ATTAINMENT THIS YEAR’S
GOAL CONCENTRATION IRELAND SCOTLAND WALES LONGING FORMATION NUCLEI THESE
VIRGIN TERRITORIES ARDENTLY PRAYING LOVING ADMIRATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 21 November 1946

21 November 1946(41)

APPROVE LOVING APPRECIATION PRAYING SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 December 1946

26 December 1946

National Youth Committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letter of September 19th was received, and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer it on his behalf, and to congratulate you and the
other members of your committee on the excellent first issue of your
Bahá’í Youth Bulletin.

This is an important new undertaking, and must be established as a firm
innovation on the part of the British Bahá’í community. He hopes it will
gradually become the means of interesting and attracting many new souls to
the Faith.

In fact the Youth work everywhere in the Bahá’í World is dear to his
heart, and he attaches great importance to it. The young people, who will
inevitably grow up to shoulder all the work of the Cause, are really its
hope, and should be one of the most active factors in its propagation.
Through their courageous adherence to the high moral and ethical standards
set out by Bahá’u’lláh, and through gaining a mastery of His many,
diversified, and profound teachings, they can shape, to a great extent,
the development and aid in the rapid expansion of their beloved Faith in
the various countries in which they labour. They should be made to realise
their responsibility is heavy and their privilege very precious.

He wishes to assure you and all the other members of the National Youth
Committee, of his most loving prayers for your progress, and for the
success of the work you have so enthusiastically and devotedly
undertaken....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless abundantly the work which your Committee has so
nobly initiated, remove all obstacles from your path, aid you to realise
every hope you cherish, and carry out every plan you conceive, for the
furtherance of the interests of our beloved Faith and of its God-given
institutions.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 30 December 1946

30 December 1946

PRAYING FERVENTLY REMOVAL ALL OBSTACLES IMPEDING PROGRESS PLAN AND
RECOVERY. SUPPLICATING RICHEST BLESSINGS TEACHING CONFERENCE DEEPEST
LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 1 January 1947

1 January 1947(42)

REJOICE SUCCESS PRAYING RICHEST BLESSINGS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 January 1947 (To Teaching Conference)

12 January 1947 (To Teaching Conference)

PROFOUNDLY MOVED MESSAGE. GREATLY APPRECIATE NOBLE SENTIMENTS PRAYING
DEPTHS GRATEFUL HEART CONTINUED SUCCESS MAGNIFICENT COLLECTIVE EFFORTS
DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 January 1947

20 January 1947

CONSULTATION BETWEEN DELEGATES COMMUNITY ADVISABLE PRESENTATION COMMUNITY
VIEWS TO CONVENTION ADVISABLE MANNER CONSULTATION LEFT DISCRETION N.S.A.
DOUBLING NUMBER DELEGATES CONDITIONED ACHIEVEMENT NINE GOAL TOWNS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 January 1947

29 January 1947

ASSURE JOAN GIDDINGS DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 February 1947

8 February 1947

DELIGHTED PROGRESS NOTTINGHAM BIRMINGHAM RESPONSE MCKINLEYS URGE SUPREME
EFFORT AS CRUCIAL YEAR DRAWS CLOSE ENSURE ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVE LOVING
ARDENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 February 1947

26 February 1947

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your communications dated Sept. 12, Oct. 4th and 17th, Nov. 19th, 18th and
21st and Dec. 29th 1946 have all been received together with their
enclosures and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf....

He was very happy to see the marked success of your Summer School this
past year and also to receive very encouraging reports of the Manchester
Teaching Conference; a great change has come over the work in England
during the past year and one which must certainly rejoice the hearts of
the older Bahá’ís in particular as they compare the present state of the
Cause with the decades that passed when it had two or three spiritual
Assemblies and seemed to be practically standing still! It seems, indeed,
as if an important corner had been turned and that the Faith in the
British Isles is at last showing its true stature and casting a portentous
shadow of future events before it!

He is particularly happy to see the way the Bahá’í young people are
arising and serving in the pioneer field with such courage, determination
and success.

Regarding the question you asked him about the sentence from the “Aqdas”
for the marriage certificate: he feels that the following is a suitable
translation of this passage: “Enter into wedlock, O people, that ye may
bring forth one who will make mention of me.”

The very good news of Nottingham and Birmingham achieving Assembly status
was most welcome and he hopes the friends will redouble their efforts in
connection with the remaining goal towns. Likewise the establishment of
pioneers in both Eire and Scotland is of historic importance and they
should receive every assistance from the National Teaching Committee and
from your Assembly.

Now that the British believers see tangible results of their labours and
perseverance taking shape, they should feel encouraged to make new
sacrifices; a little effort on our part is so richly blessed by
Bahá’u’lláh—we can only wonder what the rewards would be for a great,
concerted, truly inspired effort by all members of the community.

He assures you all of his most loving prayers for your guidance and the
success of your historic enterprises....

P.S. Shoghi Effendi would like your Assembly to make every effort to help
Dr. Lotfullah Hakim to come to England from Persia; he wishes to continue
his study of massage etc. and he could be of great help in the teaching
work as he is a devoted and fine Bahá’í. Shoghi Effendi suggested he might
investigate the possibility of carrying out his studies in Edinburgh or
some other goal town and thus help with the Six Year Plan at the same
time.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The present crucial year, now drawing to a close, may well be regarded as
one of the most memorable in the annals of British Bahá’í history. The
magnificent, spontaneous and collective response of almost the entire
community of the English believers to the imperative call of teaching; the
support lent by individuals, groups and Assemblies to the Plan set in
motion by its national elected representatives; the success attending the
Teaching Conference; the multiplication of Bahá’í centres in England; the
initial steps taken to establish the structure of the Administrative Order
of the Faith, in Ireland, Scotland and Wales—all these have combined to
raise the stature of the community, and to prepare it for the still
greater tasks that must be faced by its members after the successful
prosecution of the present Plan.

The Bahá’ís of the British Isles are now, slowly, laboriously and in
strict accordance with the principles of a steadily expanding, divinely
appointed Administrative Order, building up the essential and primary
institutions which are destined to act as the chief and most powerful
instruments for the proclamation of the Faith to the masses of their
countrymen, at a subsequent stage in the development of the Faith in their
land. As these institutions expand and are consolidated, the community
will find itself equipped, not only to carry the Message of the New Day to
the multitudes throughout the length and breadth of its homeland, but
prepared and fortified to initiate teaching campaigns beyond the shores of
its native land, and in distant territories and various parts of the
Empire of which that land is the heart and centre.

Theirs is the duty, during these coming years, to lay patiently,
assiduously and unitedly the foundation on which the structure of their
future international services to their beloved Faith can be firmly and
unassailably established. Upon the success of the Plan they are now so
diligently and devotedly prosecuting, must depend the scope and
effectiveness of their two-fold task of proclaiming the verities of their
Faith to their fellow countrymen at home, and of implanting its banner
abroad amidst the peoples and races of a far-flung Empire.

That they may carry out, in a befitting manner and by the appointed time,
the preliminary steps so essential for the fulfilment of their high
destiny is my dearest wish and constant prayer.

Shoghi

Letter of 20 March 1947 (To First Regional Youth Conference)

20 March 1947 (To First Regional Youth Conference)

PROFOUNDLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE CONFERENCE URGE CONCENTRATE NEEDS PLAN
PRAYING GREAT VICTORIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 21 March 1947

21 March 1947

OVERJOYED PROSPECTS PRAYING ARDENTLY CONSUMMATION CHERISHED HOPES APPEAL
ENTIRE COMMUNITY EXERT SUPREME EFFORT ENSURE TOTAL SUCCESS MIGHTY
ENTERPRISE DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION ABIDING GRATITUDE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 March 1947

28 March 1947

ADVISE APPORTION DELEGATES COMING CONVENTION IN STRICT ACCORDANCE NUMBER
BELIEVERS ACTUALLY RESIDING IN FOUR COMMUNITIES MENTIONED LETTER FEBRUARY
24TH.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 April 1947

7 April 1947

National Youth Committee

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letters dated August 10th (from the secretary) and December 19th and
March 18th (from the Business Manager of the Editorial Committee) were
received, and as our beloved Guardian is greatly overburdened by his
steadily expanding correspondence, he has instructed me to answer these
communications all in one.

He was very pleased to receive copies of “Youth Bulletin,” which he thinks
is starting out in the right direction; he would like to receive this
publication regularly.

The work you are doing is very important, and the British Bahá’í Youth
should feel very encouraged to see the way some of their members have
arisen and gone forth to pioneer. He hopes others will follow this example
in order to ensure the success of the Six Year Plan.

You may be sure his loving prayers are offered for you all in the Holy
Shrines....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain, bless and guide you in your
notable, meritorious, and deeply appreciated activities, aid you to extend
the range of your services, and lend a great impetus to the progress of
the Plan which the English believers are so devotedly and assiduously
prosecuting.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 April 1947

16 April 1947

OVERJOYED HISTORIC SUCCESS APPROVED MINUTE 590 PRAYING STILL GREATER
VICTORIES HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS ABIDING GRATITUDE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 April 1947

29 April 1947

ACCLAIM PRIDE GRATITUDE VICTORY ACHIEVED REVITALISED TRIUMPHANT DEARLY
BELOVED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY MARVELLOUS CONSUMMATION ARDUOUS TASK
CRUCIAL YEAR HISTORIC PLAN UNPRECEDENTED ANNALS FIFTY YEARS BRITISH BAHÁ’Í
HISTORY SISTER COMMUNITIES EAST WEST NORTH SOUTH HAIL SIGNIFICANT VICTORY
WON NOTWITHSTANDING PROLONGED STRAIN FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES SMALLNESS
NUMBERS DIVERSITY TRIALS CONFIDENT ALL MEMBERS COMMUNITY YOUNG OLD
TEACHERS PIONEERS ADMINISTRATORS WILL RESOLUTELY SAFEGUARD PRIZES WON
FORGE AHEAD UNDIMINISHED ZEAL ATTAIN GOALS WITHIN REACH CABLING ONE
THOUSAND POUNDS PROMOTION GREAT TASKS AHEAD TOKEN MY ABIDING GRATITUDE
SIGNAL SERVICE RENDERED FOLLOWERS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH ISLES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 May 1947

8 May 1947

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters dated Jan. 19th and 23rd; Feb. 16th, 27th and 28th; March 8th
and 25th; and April 4th, 19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd, 1947, have all been
received, together with their enclosures and the material sent under
separate cover, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.

Regarding the various questions you have raised.

He has already informed the American N.S.A. that he feels Mr. Townshend’s
services to the Faith can best be rendered by his writing about it, as he
obviously has an outstanding ability in this direction, combined with
knowledge and zeal, and can render a very valuable service this way; he
also feels that Mr. Townshend, now that his church association seems about
to be broken, could be used as part of the pioneer force in Eire. It is
his own land, he knows his own people, and the need for workers there is
very particularly great this year....

If Mr. Townshend has not as yet been registered as a voting believer he
certainly should be immediately. Everyone knows he has been a most devoted
Bahá’í for many years and his contributions should certainly be considered
those of a voting Bahá’í.

He would appreciate receiving, for the files here in Haifa, a copy of the
revised Articles of Association.

Regarding the prayer translated by Dr. _Kh_án and his daughter: although
he has not taken time to compare it with the original, he assumes it is a
faithful translation. Unfortunately it is not a style which in our
language can convey the richness and power of the original, and he would
not recommend that this version of it be printed. There is no objection,
however, to its circulation among the friends if they want it.

As to certain of your voting members who have long been inactive, and
whose conduct you disapprove of, he suggests you make an effort to find
out if they still believe in the Faith, and if they do, and wish to be
members of it, then they should be helped to mend their ways. If this
patient and loving method does not prove successful and they refuse to
identify themselves with the Faith, they should be removed from the voting
list.

Miss ... should be advised, for the sake of better serving the Cause she
loves so dearly, to take care of her health; also she should be made to
realise that a pessimistic and critical approach (although perhaps fully
justified by the situation) produces no results. We, having the power of
the Faith to draw on, must always be constructive in our efforts, as this
will produce results and attract Divine blessings upon them.

Concerning the membership of ... in the synagogue: as this concerns his
non-Bahá’í Jewish wife and means a great deal to her—even involving the
place of her burial—the Guardian does not feel it is right to request him
to take a step which would deprive her of her own religious rights. On the
other hand, he sees no reason why ... should not write a letter to the
appropriate authority in this synagogue, explaining that he is a
practising Bahá’í but is keeping his synagogue membership for the benefit
of his wife and children. Some similar action should be taken by ..., or
he should give up his synagogue membership.

He realises the difficult position of the London community, but the goals
of the Plan, and its success, justify any temporary weakening of the work
in the capital, which in the end will be greatly strengthened by the
national spread of the Faith. He certainly will specially pray for this
work in London.

The achievement of all goals during this crucial year has been very great,
and brought him a conviction that the Cause in the British Isles is now
operating on an entirely new footing, and that the community of believers
there has thrown off once and for all time a certain lethargy which seemed
to have retarded its progress in the past. Although so much still remains
to be accomplished, the combination of the new zest for work and the
determination of the friends to succeed, and the unfailing assistance of
Bahá’u’lláh, promised to all who arise and put their faith in Him, will
surely mow down all obstacles and carry the British believers through to
victory.

He feels that the way your assembly is working, with its many and active
committees, and the plans you have outlined in your report, are excellent.
Any suggestions he has to make, as the work unfolds, he will communicate
to you.

The Summer School, he feels, is of great importance, and he hopes
gradually believers from the continent will visit it and be helped and
inspired by their contact with the now active and flourishing British
Bahá’í community!

You may be sure in the prayers he offers in the Holy Shrines you and your
assembly’s work are often remembered....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The success that has crowned the strenuous efforts exerted by the entire
British Bahá’í community in the course of this crucial year, has raised
immensely its prestige in the estimation of its sister communities in East
and West, and has demonstrated in a very striking manner, the vitality,
resourcefulness and determination of its members, and merits the praise
and blessings of the concourse on high, and particularly of our beloved
Master, who in the course of two successive visits showered His loving
kindness on the English believers, and chose the capital city of their
country as the scene of His first public appearance before a western
audience. This remarkable exploit, unparelleled since the inception of the
administrative order in that land, and unsurpassed by any achievement
associated with the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the British Isles since
the introduction of His Faith into their country, augurs well for the
successful termination of the Initial Phase of the Plan, and fills me with
hope that total victory will ultimately be achieved, at the appointed
time, by the prosecutors of this bold, this historic and far-reaching
enterprise.

The Plan itself when consummated will signalise the opening of a new epoch
in British Bahá’í history, an epoch which must witness, simultaneously
with the vigorous initiation of subsequent Plans designed to broaden the
basis, and multiply the institutions, of a steadily evolving
administrative order, the inauguration of systematic undertakings, jointly
launched by the English, the Scottish, the Irish and Welsh believers, and
aiming, on the one hand, at the proclamation of the Divine Message to the
masses of their respective countrymen, and, on the other, at the
establishment of the structural basis of a divinely appointed
Administrative Order throughout the far-flung dependencies of the British
Crown.

For the present, however, and as an essential preliminary to the vast and
challenging tasks that await them beyond the shores of their homeland, the
eyes of the prosecutors of the present Plan must be focused on the vital
and urgent requirements in England, and particularly Scotland, Wales and
Ireland, wherein the nuclei that have been recently formed, should, ere
the expiry of the present year, be converted into full-fledged assemblies.
The erection of the administrative institutions of the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh in these virgin territories will no doubt befittingly mark the
termination of the initial phase of the Plan, and proclaim to the entire
Bahá’í world the resolution, as well as the ability, of its valiant
promoters to create the indispensable agencies required for an intensive
propagation of the Faith at home, and the planting of its banner overseas.

Theirs is an unspeakably thrilling task, an awe-inspiring obligation, a
priceless opportunity. Their recent victories inspire a confident hope
that a no less outstanding success will mark their future endeavours.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 14 May 1947

14 May 1947

DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE PLEDGE PRAYING ABUNDANT BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 May 1947

24 May 1947

TOWNSHEND’S RESIGNATION IMPERATIVE. ALLOCATION FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS FROM
NATIONAL FUND EXCESSIVE. ADVISE USE PART RELIEF FUND THIS PURPOSE PRAYING
SOLUTION PROBLEM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 18 June 1947

18 June 1947

OVERJOYED TOWNSHEND’S MEMORABLE DECISION NOBLE EXAMPLE COMMENDABLE
DETERMINATION SETTLE DUBLIN ARDENTLY PRAYING SUCCESS PROTECTION REMOVAL
DIFFICULTIES DELIGHTED STAHLER’S PIONEERING SUPPLICATING ABUNDANT
BLESSINGS CHERISH BRIGHT HOPES FRUITION ASSEMBLY’S HISTORIC TASK DEEPEST
LOVE APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 June 1947

28 June 1947

National Youth committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letter, with enclosures, to our Beloved Guardian, on behalf of the
National Youth Committee, and dated February 26th, was received and he has
instructed me to answer it on his behalf. He did not reply sooner because
he is so very busy and overworked, and feels sure you understand the
reason for the delay.

The services which the Bahá’í young people are rendering the Cause, not
only in England but in Scotland and in Eire, please him greatly, as the
Youth are the ones who perforce, in the near future, will find themselves
carrying on the administrative and teaching work of the Faith, and the
sooner they prepare themselves for this heavy responsibility through
actual experience in the pioneer field, the better.

He is delighted to see the steady progress of your activities and the way
your Bulletin is progressing, and he assures you all of his loving prayers
for the success of all your undertakings....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless continually your meritorious efforts, guide and
sustain you in your activities, and aid you to fulfil your heart’s desire
in the service of His glorious Faith.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 19 July 1947

19 July 1947

ADVISE TOWNSHEND TRANSFER RESIDENCE OUTSIDE IRELAND IF NECESSARY APPROVE
PROVISION COAL AMERICAN BELIEVERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 August 1947

20 August 1947

OVERJOYED MAGNIFICENT PROGRESS SUMMER SCHOOL ASSURE ATTENDANTS LOVING
PRAYERS GRATEFUL ADMIRATION CONGRATULATE ENTIRE BRITISH COMMUNITY
ASTOUNDING ACHIEVEMENTS BAHÁ’ÍS WORLD PROUD UNFORGETTABLE VICTORIES
BRITISH ISLES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 September 1947

12 September 1947

DELIGHTED TOWNSHEND SETTLEMENT MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS SUMMER SCHOOL BELOVED
MASTER ABHÁ KINGDOM WELL PLEASED CONSTRUCTIVE HISTORIC MANIFOLD
ACHIEVEMENTS VIRILE BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY PRAYING INCREASING FERVOUR
DIVINE GUIDANCE SURMOUNT OBSTACLES RESOLVE PROBLEMS WIN STILL GREATER
VICTORIES HEARTFELT GRATITUDE ABIDING LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 September 1947

25 September 1947

The National Bahá’í Youth Committee of the British Isles

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated August 21st, as well as the
note of your Secretary, Miss Howes, dated August 29th, have been received,
together with the copy of your Youth Letter, and I have been instructed to
answer you on his behalf.

He is very happy to hear of the formation of the new Youth Groups you
mention, as this will not only greatly stimulate the Bahá’í Youth and
enable them to attract new young people to the Faith, but will also do the
general work of the Cause in these cities a great deal of good. He urges
your Committee to make every effort to establish youth groups wherever
there are Spiritual Assemblies, and circumstances permit. He would like to
receive five copies of your Youth Letter if this is convenient.

Your services are very deeply valued, and he assures you all of his loving
prayers for the success and expansion of your activities....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The activities initiated and diligently pursued by the members of your
committee deserve the highest praise. The devotion, the perseverance, the
loyalty, the assiduous care with which you are striving to promote the
interests of the Bahá’í Youth throughout the British Isles rejoice my
heart, and will no doubt act as a magnet that will attract the blessings
of the Almighty. Persevere in your historic labours, and rest assured that
the Beloved is well pleased with your splendid accomplishments. I will
continue to pray from the depths of my heart for the extension of your
valued activities.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 October 1947

9 October 1947

Assembly Development Committee Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter to our beloved Guardian dated Aug. 4th, has been received and
he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He is very pleased to see the work your Committee is undertaking and feel
that it is of the greatest importance. The unity, love, harmony and proper
understanding of the administration of the Cause which exists in a
community are the measure of its progress, and on them depend directly the
expansion of the Faith.

He wishes you every success, and assures you of his prayers in support of
your labours....

P.S. He has received your bi-monthly news letter and thinks it is very
well written and excellent in every way.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless continually your valued activities, aid you to
overcome all obstacles in your path, promote effectively the vital
interests of our beloved Faith, and contribute, in a notable manner, to
the multiplication of its nascent institutions.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 October 1947

9 October 1947

Child Education Committee

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 1st, has been received by
him, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He was very pleased to see the enthusiasm and devotion with which you have
entered into this important branch of Bahá’í activity, and he hopes your
labours will be richly rewarded with success.

He would suggest that wherever classes for Bahá’í children are held,
liberal minded parents be invited to send their children too, so that
their minds may receive the broad, basic and tolerant doctrines of our
glorious Faith.

He assures you of his loving prayers for the success of your activities.

With warmest greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh guide and sustain you in your highly
important and vital undertaking, enable you to extend continually the
range of your meritorious activities, and lend a great impetus to the
consolidation of the institutions of our glorious Faith.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 10 October 1947

10 October 1947

HIGHLY APPROVE ARRANGE MARION HOFMAN RESUME SECRETARYSHIP TEACHING
COMMITTEE URGE ENTIRE COMMUNITY PERSEVERE UNITED STRENUOUS EFFORTS ENSURE
TRIUMPHANT TERMINATION PRESENT PHASE PLAN STATUS NEWLY FORMED ASSEMBLIES
MUST BE MAINTAINED AT ALL COSTS ATTENTION SHOULD MOREOVER BE FOCUSED
ESTABLISHMENT FIRM FOUNDATION HISTORIC ASSEMBLIES SCOTLAND WALES EIRE ERE
TERMINATION CURRENT YEAR CABLING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS ASSIST ASSEMBLY
VIGOROUS PROSECUTION MIGHTY ENTERPRISES CONFERRING IMPERISHABLE LUSTRE
DIVINELY SUSTAINED VICTORIOUSLY ADVANCING DEARLY BELOVED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 October 1947

16 October 1947

DELIGHTED EVIDENCES PROGRESS EDINBURGH DUBLIN BLACKPOOL HEARTFELT ABIDING
APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 October 1947

24 October 1947

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated May 18th and 27th; June 4th,
9th and 16th; July 5th, 8th (two of this date), 12th and 14th; August 9th
and September 15th, 20th and 29th; and October 6th and 13th, have all been
received, as well as their enclosures, and he has instructed me to answer
you on his behalf....

He received a letter direct from the World Congress of Faiths, and wrote
them offering full Bahá’í co-operation, and informing them he was ready to
appoint a Bahá’í representative to attend any conference they may hold.

The discovery of the Master’s letter to Andrew Carnegie is very
interesting, in spite of the very poor translation of this Tablet, and he
will be very pleased to receive a photostat of the original, or at least a
faithful copy of the text in Persian.

He would be pleased to continue receiving the reports of the Assembly
Development Committee.

Regarding the question you asked him: he feels that in the case of a
believer who will be 21 years old on April 22nd, there is no objection, at
this time, when the work of the Cause is so urgent and the workers so few,
in permitting him to vote on April 21st.

The conduct of ... is an excellent example of why he, (and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
before him), feels it so necessary to be very strict about the admission
of Orientals into the communities of the Western world. The British
people, being shrewd by nature and having had considerable experience with
Orientals and peoples of all races, are far less vulnerable to the
insidious influence of the insincere than are the more naive and less
experienced Americans. People such as this young man, Bahá’í in name
whenever it suits their convenience to be so, caring really nothing about
the Faith at heart, and ready to abandon it at a moment’s notice if the
pleasures to be gained outweigh the humiliation of ostracism, are a real
menace to the Cause, especially to the faith of young and untried
believers. It is to protect the Cause against such individuals that the
Guardian is at present so strict about not permitting Persians to visit
America at this time.

In regard to your question about qualifications of delegates and assembly
members: the qualifications which he outlined are really applicable to
anyone we elect to a Bahá’í office, whatever its nature. But those are
only an indication, they do not mean people who don’t fulfil them cannot
be elected to office. We must aim as high as we can. He does not feel the
friends should attach so much importance to limitations—such as people
perhaps not being able to attend assembly or convention meetings, because
if they do, then the fundamental concept of everyone being willing to do
Bahá’í service on administrative bodies will be weakened, and the friends
may be tempted to vote for those who, because of independent means or
circumstances in their lives, are freer to come and go but less qualified
to serve.

Regarding “‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London”. Nothing can be considered scripture
for which we do not have an original text. A verbatim record in Persian of
His talks would of course be more reliable than one in English because He
was not always accurately interpreted. However such a book is of value,
and certainly has its place in our literature.

He assures you all of the deep appreciation of your valiant labours and
his loving prayers on your behalf....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The gigantic task, now being so energetically and successfully carried out
by the consecrated and firmly knit British Bahá’í community, constitutes a
glorious landmark in recent Bahá’í history, and will, when viewed in
proper perspective, deserve to be regarded as one of the most outstanding
enterprises launched by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the opening years
of the second Bahá’í century. Alike in its magnitude and significance,
this momentous undertaking is unprecedented in the annals of the Faith in
the British Isles, and deserves to rank as one of the most compelling
evidences of the creative power of its Author, marking the rise and
establishment of His institutions on the European continent. It is yet too
early to assess the potentialities of this present Plan and those destined
to follow it, or estimate their future benefits. The blessings they will
confer, as the forces latent within them are progressively revealed, on
the people dwelling within those Islands, and subsequently, as their
sphere is enlarged and their implications are fully disclosed, on the
diversified peoples and races inhabiting the widely scattered dependencies
of a far-flung empire, in both the East and the West, are unimaginably
glorious.

A staggering responsibility rests on the shoulders of those who have been
called upon to assist in the operation of the initial stages of this
heroic colossal enterprise, and to participate in the privilege of
directing its course, and nursing its infant strength. Setbacks and
reverses are inevitable as this mighty Plan progresses and expands.
Critical stages in its unfoldment must be encountered with unswerving
resolution and confident hope. Whatever hardships and sacrifices its
future prosecution may involve must be borne with courage, pride and
thankfulness. To insure its speedy advancement every issue must be
subordinated to its vital requirements, and every individual effort
co-ordinated with the agencies designed for its execution.

Its present and pressing needs in the virgin territories of Eire, Northern
Ireland, Wales and Scotland must be met with concentrated attention,
continuous, systematic effort and the utmost self-sacrifice. The goals to
be achieved in the capitals and chief cities of these newly opened
territories must be relentlessly pursued, no matter how hard and stony the
path that must be trodden. The prizes already won in other towns in those
islands must at all costs be preserved and subsequently further enriched
by fresh spiritual conquests in neighbouring counties and farther afield.
Indeed the steps preliminary to the formation of a Bahá’í administrative
centre in every county throughout the British Isles, must sooner or later
be taken, as an essential prelude to the effective proclamation of the
Faith to the masses. That the English Bahá’ís, aided and reinforced
gradually by fresh recruits from among their Irish, Welsh and Scottish
countrymen, may hasten the advent of such a glorious day in British Bahá’í
history is the dearest wish of my heart and the object of my constant
supplication at the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh.

Shoghi

Letter of 10 December 1947

10 December 1947

DEEPLY TOUCHED ASSEMBLY’S SOLICITUDE ALL SAFE HEARTFELT APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 January 1948

7 January 1948

FERVENTLY PRAYING SIGNAL SUCCESS TEACHING CONFERENCE URGE CONCENTRATED
UNRELAXING EFFORT ENSURE GLORIOUS TERMINATION INITIAL PHASE HISTORIC PLAN
DELIGHTED SETTLEMENT CARDIFF DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 January 1948

20 January 1948

CHEERED HEARTENED MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS TEACHING CONFERENCE. GREATLY WELCOME
VALUABLE ASSISTANCE EXTENDED DISTINGUISHED TEACHER DOROTHY BAKER. INITIAL
PHASE PLAN DRAWING TRIUMPHANT CLOSE. SIGNAL SERVICES RENDERED SOUND
BLESSED FIRMLY KNIT WIDE AWAKE BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY EVOKING ADMIRATION
SISTER COMMUNITIES EAST WEST SETTING STIRRING EXAMPLE RISING GENERATION
CONFERRING INESTIMABLE BLESSINGS POSTERITY MERITING APPLAUSE CONCOURSE ON
HIGH AUGMENTING MY DEBT GRATITUDE. PRAYING ARDENTLY SUCCESS NEWLY LAUNCHED
CO-ORDINATED TEACHING PLAN SUPPLICATING RICHEST BLESSINGS NEWLY ARISEN
PIONEERS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 February 1948

6 February 1948

DEPLORE LOSS VALIANT SOUL JOHN MARSHALL PRAYING FOR HIM. PRAYING
CONTINUALLY EVER INCREASING SUCCESS GREATLY ADMIRED DEEPLY LOVED HIGH
SPIRITED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 February 1948

25 February 1948

INCREASINGLY ADMIRE DEEPLY THANKFUL PROGRESS HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS BLESSED
COMMUNITY DELIGHTED RESPONSE EDINBURGH ASSURE OLGA MILLS BEST WISHES
LOVING APPRECIATION PRAYING REMOVAL DIFFICULTIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 3 March 1948

3 March 1948

ASSURE YOU PRAYERS SUMMER SCHOOL DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 April 1948

4 April 1948

KINDLY AIR MAIL AFTER APRIL ELECTIONS SEPARATE UP TO DATE ALPHABETICAL
LISTS ASSEMBLIES GROUPS ISOLATED BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 April 1948

4 April 1948(43)

ASSURE DEARLY LOVED ALFRED SUGAR FERVENT PRAYERS RECOVERY HEARTILY WELCOME
NEW BELIEVERS EDINBURGH DUBLIN GREATLY APPRECIATE SUPPORT NEW PIONEERS
ADDRESS LAST MINUTE APPEAL VALIANT BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY INTENSIFY
EFFORT FILL REMAINING GAPS ENSURE TOTAL VICTORY INITIAL PHASE MOMENTOUS
PLAN ARDENTLY PRAYING FULFILMENT DEAREST HOPES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 April 1948

25 April 1948

ACCLAIM TRIUMPHANT CONCLUSION INITIAL STAGE EPOCH MAKING PLAN INITIATED
BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY BRITISH ISLES OPENING YEAR SECOND BAHÁ’Í CENTURY
SUSTAINED PRODIGIOUS EFFORT CULMINATING LAYING STRUCTURAL BASIS RISING
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER LEADING CITIES EIRE SCOTLAND WALES UNPRECEDENTED
BRITISH BAHÁ’Í HISTORY CONSTITUTES LANDMARK ANNALS WORLD BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY
SIGNALISES COMMENCEMENT SIGNIFICANT PHASE SPIRITUAL HISTORY IRISH SCOTTISH
WELSH PEOPLES POTENT SEEDS SOWN ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S TWICE REPEATED VISITS
UNITED KINGDOM LONG LAST GERMINATING CONCOURSE ON HIGH APPLAUDS BRILLIANT
FEAT UNITEDLY ACHIEVED BRITISH FOLLOWERS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SISTER
COMMUNITIES EAST WEST MARVEL VICTORY WON SUCH MAGNITUDE SO SHORT PERIOD BY
COMMUNITY SO SORELY AFFLICTED SO SMALL NUMERICALLY SO CIRCUMSCRIBED IN
RESOURCES YET SO ALIVE SO SOUND SO RESOLUTE PLEAD URGE VALIANT PROMOTERS
SO MOMENTOUS PLAN GUARD AGAINST DISSIPATION RESOURCES RELAXATION EFFORT
DISTRACTION ATTENTION FORFEITURE HARDWON PRIZES APPEAL FURTHER SACRIFICES
NOBLER DEDICATION GREATER INTENSIFICATION LABOURS UNTIL LAST ACT FINAL
PHASE DIVINELY SUSTAINED PLAN GLORIOUSLY CONSUMMATED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 April 1948

29 April 1948

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters to our beloved Guardian, written on behalf of the British
N.S.A., and dated as follows: Oct 20th, 22nd, 24th and 29th, Nov. 10th and
17th, Dec. 1st and 15th of 1947, and Jan. 13th, Feb. 8th, 9th, 13th, and
27th, and March 1st and 4th of 1948 and April 5th, 1948, together with
various enclosures, have been received, and he has instructed me to answer
you on his behalf.

A number of matters referred to in them have been answered by cable, so I
will not go into them again.

He was specially pleased to receive the copies of the Tablet of the Master
to Andrew Carnegie, as this is yet another authentic and interesting
Bahá’í document.

He was, likewise, very pleased to receive the statement of Sir A.
Ramaswami Mudaliar testifying to his appreciation of the Faith, and he
will use it in the appropriate section of “Bahá’í World” in the
forthcoming edition.

The instruction he gave to the effect that committees should elect their
own officers, he feels, is universal in scope and should, therefore, apply
to Great Britain as well....

Regarding the matter of the budget of the N.S.A. he feels that both wisdom
and courage is required in this matter. You should not fix a budget which
is too heavy for the community to meet, even with sacrifice. Both the
pressing needs of the Cause and your Plan, as well as the foreseeable
possibilities of your income should guide you.

He has no objection to extracts from his letters to ... being published.
He feels that in the future it is not necessary to ask his permission to
publish such extracts. As long as the person who has received a letter,
such as he would wish to share with others, from the Guardian, has no
objection to its publication, he has no objection either. Anything
confidential he always specifies as being such.

He feels that the question of Mrs. Hofman giving up the secretaryship of
the National Teaching Committee, and who is to be chairman of it, etc. is
something to be decided there by those responsible for the work.

In one of your letters you mentioned some ... who have visited the London
Centre and their attitude: great patience must be used in dealing with the
child-like members of some of these primitive races. They are innocent in
heart and have certainly had a very bad example, in many Christians, of a
purely mercenary approach to religion, but if their hearts and minds once
become illumined with the Faith they could make very fine believers.

Regarding the matter of believers who have been deprived of their voting
rights: just as no one should ever be deprived of his voting right
lightly, it should likewise be realised that to be deprived of it is a
grave matter, and involves heavy penalties spiritually. People who have
been so deprived should not be permitted to attend any meetings involving
the administration of the Cause, such as an election or a 19 Day Feast.
They can attend the 9 Holy Days, however; they should not be married by
Bahá’í law, no money should be accepted from them, they should not be
given credentials (which imply a member of the community in good standing)
nor should they be used officially as teachers or speakers.

He has no objection to your getting out a book on Bahá’í Procedure similar
to the synopsis you enclosed for his information. He wishes you, however,
to stick to essentials and, as far as possible, avoid—not only in the book
but in your Assembly’s decisions—binding the friends by a lot of procedure
on minor matters which he always urges should be, as much as possible,
dealt with according to each case that comes up. He wishes to keep the
administration of the Cause as flexible as possible and not impede the
work by a codified set of rules.

As to the attitude of the Bahá’ís in the British Isles towards the World
Government Movement: he thinks that as this Movement, so far, seems to be
working for what we believe in, and not for anything we do not subscribe
to, the Bahá’ís should by all means support it, vote for the
representatives to be sent to its constituent Assembly in 1950, and stand
for election if they wish to. However, he feels your Assembly should keep
a careful watch on this Movement, and if it becomes in any way
imperialistic, anti-Russian, or in any other field starts sponsoring
attitudes partizan or political in nature, the believers should be advised
to withdraw their support and help. He does not think your Assembly should
take any initiative in this Movement outside of its jurisdiction, such as
in the Middle East, through asking the friends to send in non-Bahá’í
names, etc.

He does not advise you to try and create more than one Assembly, i.e. the
present one, in the London area.

The work being accomplished in the British Isles is not only a source of
pride to him, but is increasingly being recognised and admired by the
Bahá’í communities throughout the World, and is greatly encouraging them
in their own struggles. For people are prone to thinking that the American
Bahá’ís accomplish so much solely because of the great advantages they
enjoy in their very fortunate country, whereas now the friends, knowing
full well how much England suffered during the war, and is still
suffering, are forced to acknowledge that it is spirit, determination,
faith and devotion which bring victories into being, one after another, in
Britain, and not luxury and leisure. Your achievements are heartening the
friends in many places where their numbers are few, and the obstacles to
be overcome great! In fact the American Bahá’ís who have visited England
feel there is much to be copied at home in your spirit and methods.

He, therefore, urges you all to persevere courageously, knowing what you
are accomplishing is infinitely precious and great. You are witnessing
with your own eyes the fruition of your plans, the nearing of the moment
when your hopes will be fully realised.

He assures you all of his very loving prayers on your behalf, and for the
speedy progress of your work.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The successful conclusion of the Initial Phase of the first collective
enterprise launched by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in the British Isles
during the first year of the second Bahá’í century constitutes a milestone
of the utmost significance on the road leading the British Bahá’í
community to the glorious destiny ordained for them by Divine Providence.
The efforts exerted, the magnitude of the success which has been achieved,
the spirit of consecration that has been demonstrated, the solidarity,
determination and perseverance evinced by individuals, groups and
assemblies during the opening years of this century are indeed
unprecedented in British Bahá’í history, and may be regarded next to
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s twice repeated visit to the British Isles, as the most
potent period in the annals of the British Bahá’í community.

The establishment of the structural basis of the Administrative Order of
the Faith in Scotland, Wales and Eire—an accomplishment of tremendous
spiritual significance in itself—has greatly enhanced the momentous
character of this period, and will lend a mighty impetus to the evolution
of the Faith in the days to come.

The Final Phase of the Plan must now be carried forward with still greater
energy, with still nobler self-sacrifice, with a clearer vision of the
historic import of the work which is to be accomplished, with a mightier
determination to bring it to a successful conclusion. The resources at the
disposal of the community must, as a result of its expansion, be
continually augmented and carefully extended. The prizes so painstakingly
won must, at all costs, be safeguarded and consolidated. The newly
enrolled believers must be constantly encouraged to assume an increasing
share of the responsibilities and of the administrative functions
devolving upon the members of the community. The pioneer activities
undertaken by its members must, however great the sacrifices involved, be
increasingly developed, systematised and accelerated. The needs of the
Faith in the newly opened territories in the west, in the north, and in
the south, must, while the specific goals of the Plan are being pursued,
be given special attention, in order to enrich the life of the entire
community, to increase the diversity of its constituent elements, to
demonstrate the welding and assimilative power of the Faith, and to
stimulate the processes now set in motion for the spiritual regeneration
of all the ethnic elements within the British Isles.

In token of my gratitude for the work already accomplished, as a
recognition of the status achieved by the British Bahá’í community in the
Western Hemisphere, in anticipation of the tasks that still remain to be
undertaken, I feel moved to initiate, as soon as the situation here
permits, measures that will enable me, through the institution of a
Palestine Branch of the British Bahá’í National Assembly, to register in
the name of the body of the elected representatives of the followers of
Bahá’u’lláh throughout the British Isles, a portion of Bahá’í
international endowments dedicated to the Shrine of the Báb on Mount
Carmel. May this step, associating it with its sister national assemblies
in the United States and India in the possession of so sacred a trust,
lend its share to the consolidation and distinction of the central
institution of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the
British Isles.

Shoghi

Letter of 2 May 1948

2 May 1948

HAPPILY TRANSMIT REJOICING NEWS BELOVED GUARDIAN’S SAFETY HAIFA.

BAHABUREAU

Letter of 5 May 1948

5 May 1948

GREATLY WELCOME DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION’S RESPONSE SUCCESSFUL
CONCLUSION INITIAL PHASE PLAN ENCOURAGES ME INITIATE AS SOON AS
CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT MEASURES ESTABLISH HOLY LAND PALESTINE BRANCH BRITISH
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ENABLE IT LEGALLY OWN PORTION BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL
ENDOWMENTS MT. CARMEL TOKEN MY ABIDING GRATITUDE SHINING ACHIEVEMENTS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 9 May 1948

9 May 1948

KINDLY CABLE NUMBER ASSEMBLIES GROUPS ISOLATED BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 May 1948

13 May 1948

LOULIE MATHEWS PROCEEDING SOUTH AFRICA THIS SUMMER ADVISE SEND HER CARE
HORACE HOLLEY ADDRESSES CONTACTS AFRICA ALSO INTRODUCTION FROM BARBE BAKER
PRAYING ARDENTLY SUCCESS NEWLY ELECTED NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TEACHING
COMMITTEE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 June 1948

10 June 1948

ASSURE GRACE CHALLIS ARDENT PRAYERS DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION SERVICES
ALSO PRAYING ... SUCCESS HOFMAN’S VISIT DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 July 1948

7 July 1948

PRAYING REMOVAL DIFFICULTIES URGE STEADFASTNESS INCREASING SELFSACRIFICE
ALSO WISDOM EXPENDITURE PRIZES PAINSTAKINGLY WON MUST AT ALL COSTS BE
SAFEGUARDED WORK INITIATED GOAL TOWNS ENERGETICALLY PURSUED DEEPEST LOVE
APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 September 1948 (Summer School)

7 September 1948 (Summer School)

ASSURE ATTENDANTS SUMMER SCHOOL LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS SUCCESS SESSIONS
DEEPER UNDERSTANDING DISTINGUISHING FEATURES FAITH CLOSER ASSOCIATION
MEMBERS VICTORIOUSLY ADVANCING STEADILY CONSOLIDATING COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 October 1948

2 October 1948(44)

ASSURE THREE NEW SETTLERS FERVENT PRAYERS DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION
DELIGHTED WELSH PUBLICATION EAGERLY AWAITING COPIES SUPPLICATING
ALMIGHTY’S BLESSING FORTHCOMING REGIONAL MEETINGS. CABLE WHETHER FIVE
HUNDRED POUNDS ARRANGE BE SENT YOU FROM ?IHRÁN REACHED YOU.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 27 October 1948

27 October 1948

DR. YÚNIS AFRÚ_KH_TEH STAUNCH DISTINGUISHED SERVANT FAITH PROCEEDING
ENGLAND MEDICAL TREATMENT EXTEND ASSISTANCE ADVISED HIM HELP TEACHING WORK
BRITAIN.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 29 October 1948

29 October 1948

ASSURE MILLS BACKWELL LOVING APPRECIATION GRIEVE PASSING CHALLIS PRAYING
PROGRESS SOUL SERVICES FAITH GRATEFULLY REMEMBERED.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 5 November 1948

5 November 1948

APPROVE TOWNSHEND’S ADMIRABLE STATEMENT CONVEY CONGRATULATIONS PRAYING
SIGNAL SUCCESS APPROVE APPEAL FUNDS OVERSEAS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 5 November 1948

5 November 1948

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated July 14th and of July 20th,
August 6th and 30th and September 11th and October 8th, have been
received, as well as various enclosures forwarded, and he has instructed
me to answer you on his behalf.

...There are always bound to be some human complications cropping up in
the work, but with love and patience these can usually be smoothed out,
and he feels your assembly invariably shows these qualities in helping the
friends to overcome their problems.

He believes that people such as ... have no real idea of what the New
History Society stands for, and can therefore be taught the Faith, and
converted to it, by the right handling. All the friends must do in such
cases is to make quite sure that the person in question is sincere and
grasps the Will and Testament. There are, of course, some individuals in
whom the subversive spirit of Sohrab has taken root, and these should be
carefully guarded against, but they are more the exception than the rule.

He feels that the local Assemblies should be encouraged to realise that
the National Committees are constituted to serve their needs, not to
dictate arbitrarily to them, and to unify the work of the Cause which is
now spreading so rapidly in the British Isles. The committees in question
should be very tactful in dealing with a young assembly which is beginning
to “feel its oats”, as this spirit of independence, if properly handled,
can lead it to be strong and independent rather than weak and always
relying on other bodies to carry it forward. Assemblies, however, should
certainly co-operate with National Committees and not refuse their
assistance.

Dr. Yúnís _Kh_án Afrú_kh_teh is planning to go to England for medical
treatment, and the Guardian would appreciate your Assembly’s giving him
every assistance possible. He has been ill for some time, and Shoghi
Effendi hopes he will recover his health, as he is a wonderful believer,
full of wisdom and devotion, and his services are much needed in the
Cause. He has advised him to assist you in your teaching work as soon as
his health permits this exertion.

He also hopes dear Dr. Lotfulláh Hakím will be of valuable assistance in
your teaching work.

He has recently asked Mr. Varqá, his representative, to transfer to your
Assembly five hundred pounds to assist you in your manifold activities
connected with your Six Year Plan. Unfortunately it is not possible to
send any money out of Palestine at present, even from Persia it is
difficult to transfer funds, but he trusts this sum will be of assistance
to you.

The Guardian feels that the assemblies of Cardiff, Dublin and Edinburgh
must receive sustained support, as they are the three most important
assemblies formed under the Plan, and must be built into strong and
flourishing communities, free from any danger of relapse.

He is very happy about the general progress of the work in the British
Isles, and the remarkable, sustained, and self-sacrificing work the
believers are doing, guided and assisted by the devoted efforts of your
Assembly.

You may be sure you are all remembered in his prayers in the Holy Shrines,
and he eagerly awaits news of fresh victories in the teaching field.

[From the Guardian:]

Dearly-beloved friends and co-workers,

The opening of the Final Phase of the First Collective Enterprise
undertaken in the history of the British Bahá’í community marks the
closing of a stage of tremendous historic significance in the evolution of
that community and, indeed, in the spiritual history of the British Isles.
Well nigh fifty years after the inception of that community, almost a
quarter of a century after the birth of the Administrative Order, and on
the morrow of the world-wide celebrations of the centenary of the Faith, a
Plan, ambitious in its scope and endowed with vast potentialities, was
nobly and spontaneously conceived by the small band of its devoted
adherents in those islands. An effort, extending over a period of no less
than four years, nation-wide in its range, sustained, systematic,
prodigious has been exerted. A victory unparalleled in British Bahá’í
annals has been achieved. Towards its consummation newly won recruits to
the ranks of this growing community, representative of the English, the
Scottish, the Irish and Welsh races have notably contributed. The seeds
sown, with such lavish hands by the Founder of that community in the
course of two successive visits to the United Kingdom, have at last
germinated. The machinery of the Administrative Order, slowly and
laboriously taking shape, on the morrow of His ascension, has, as destined
by Him who delineated its features in His Will and Testament, been put to
the service of this newly conceived Plan, and is now yielding its first
fruits. Born at the turn of the last century, its nucleus formed in the
heart and nerve centre of a far-flung Empire, gestating for over a decade
whilst confined to the narrow limits of the English territory whence it
first sprang, energised, after having lain dormant for no less than ten
years, through the twice repeated journeys of the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s
Covenant to both the English and Scottish capitals, shaped and trained
through the processes of a divinely conceived, slowly evolving
Administrative Order, propelled along the broad highroad of its destiny in
direct consequence of the initial operation of the First Plan set in
operation for its further unfoldment, emerging as a truly representative
and firmly-knit community, at the conclusion of the Initial Phase of that
Plan through the spread of its ramifications among the peoples of
Scotland, Wales and Ireland, the organised band of the followers of the
Faith of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the British Isles, within sight of the
conclusion of the Final Phase of the Six Year Plan, stands on the
threshold of a door which when opened will disclose to the eyes of its
members a vista of vast dimensions, of majestic beauty, of infinite
promise.

Theirs is the unrivalled opportunity, should they bestir themselves, to
carry forward to a triumphant conclusion this first corporate effort to
which they have consecrated themselves and their nascent institutions, to
embark, in the course of subsequent Plans, on enterprises destined to
safeguard and consolidate, in all parts of the motherland, the
achievements so hardly won, to proclaim, unequivocally, systematically and
effectively, to the masses throughout the length and breadth of the
British Isles the verities enshrined in their Faith, to initiate the
establishment of a befitting National Hazíratu’l-Quds in either the
capital of the United Kingdom or further north in the very heart of the
British Isles, to inaugurate national and local endowments, to incorporate
the newly constituted assemblies, to undertake the preliminary measures
for the erection of the first Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár in the British Empire,
and to launch crusades designed to implant the banner of the Faith and lay
the structural basis of its Administrative Order throughout the
diversified, the numerous and widely scattered colonies of the British
Crown.

Not theirs, however, while the present tasks remain as yet unaccomplished,
to dwell upon, or even visualise, however dimly, the course which the
progress of their subsequent labours must assume in a world whose
stability is so lamentably shaken, and whose immediate future is so dark.
Theirs is the duty to derive from this fleeting glimpse of the glories
which their future destiny holds in store for them fresh inspiration and
added stimulus for a befitting performance of the work that lies
immediately ahead.

Two brief years separate them from the hour destined to witness the total
triumph of their first organised, nation-wide collective enterprise. Every
minute of this interval is infinitely precious. The gloom overhanging the
entire planet is deepening ominously every day. The American followers of
the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, through the ever-swelling army of their pioneers
and settlers, on the northern, the western and southern fringes of the
European Continent, as well as the newly resuscitated German and Austrian
Bahá’í communities labouring in its very heart, have nobly arisen, and are
doing their part in paving the way for the spiritual awakening and the
ultimate redemption of the teeming millions of its war-torn, discordant,
fear-stricken and spiritually famished inhabitants.

They who man the North-Western outpost of the Faith in Europe must, whilst
pursuing their chartered course, play a distinctive part in this threefold
crusade launched, almost simultaneously, from three directions, in
conformity with specifically laid out plans, at so critical an hour, in so
vast a field, amidst such diversified and conflicting races and nations of
what may well be regarded as the cradle of a civilisation, and the mother
of a Faith, whose fate now hangs so perilously in the balance.

That the valiant community of the British followers of the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh may assume an ever-increasing share in this gloriously
unfolding, this herculean, this Divinely propelled enterprise is the
dearest wish of my heart and the object of my constant prayers.

Shoghi

Letter of 25 November 1948

25 November 1948

ASSURE ADA WILLIAMS ... DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION DELIGHTED ENROLMENT
NEW BELIEVERS PRAYING REMOVAL DIFFICULTIES NOTTINGHAM DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 22 December 1948

22 December 1948

ASSURE HOFMANS BOB CHEEK LOVING ARDENT PRAYERS SUCCESS MERITORIOUS EFFORTS
SUPPLICATING SATISFACTORY SOLUTION SECRETARIAT PROBLEM DEEPEST LOVING
APPRECIATION ASSEMBLY’S NOBLE EXERTIONS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 2 January 1949

2 January 1949

APPEAL BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY FOCUS ATTENTION CRITICAL STAGE PIONEER
ACTIVITY SO ESSENTIAL STEADY UNFOLDMENT PLAN ATTAINMENT GOALS. PLEAD
PARTICULARLY NUMERICALLY LARGER COMMUNITIES ARISE PLAY DECISIVE RÔLE VITAL
URGENT TASK SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE NUMBER ACTIVE PIONEERS DEDICATED
MERITORIOUS LABOUR AIMED SAFEGUARDING MULTIPLICATION PRIZES WON SO
LABORIOUSLY OVER SO SHORT PERIOD DESPITE FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES BY MEMBERS
SO VALIANT RESOLUTE HIGH SPIRITED COMMUNITY URGE APPROACHING CONFERENCE
DELIBERATE VITAL ISSUE ROUSE PIONEER SPIRIT INDISPENSABLE SUCCESS PLAN
INVOKING ALMIGHTY’S BLESSINGS ANXIOUSLY AWAITING BEFITTING RESPONSE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 12 January 1949

12 January 1949

DELIGHTED IMMEDIATE ACTION INITIAL RESPONSE PIONEERS ARDENTLY PRAYING
TEACHING CONFERENCE MAY LEND POWERFUL DECISIVE IMPETUS PARAMOUNT VITAL
URGENT PIONEER UNDERTAKING CONSTITUTING SUPREME CHALLENGE CONFRONTING
STEADILY CONSOLIDATING IRRESISTIBLY ADVANCING BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 19 January 1949

19 January 1949

APPEAL ALL MEMBERS COMMUNITY RESOLUTELY ARISE ATTAIN GREATER HEIGHTS
HEROISM THROUGH DEMONSTRATION FURTHER MEASURE SELF-SACRIFICE IN SUPPORT
PIONEER FUND URGE NEWLY ENROLLED BELIEVERS PARTICULARLY AS SIGN GRATITUDE
INESTIMABLE BENEFITS NEWLY CONFERRED BAHÁ’Í MEMBERSHIP AND EVIDENCE
SOLIDARITY RAPIDLY EXPANDING COMMUNITY EXTEND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FULLEST
MEASURE POSSIBLE PIONEER ACTIVITIES ON WHICH HINGE FORTUNES PLAN
SUPPLICATING DIVINE OUTPOURINGS MUCH NEEDED MERITORIOUS ENDEAVOURS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 20 February 1949

20 February 1949(45)

APPROVE DRASTIC MEASURES PRAYING ARDENTLY SUCCESS.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 1 April 1949

1 April 1949(46)

ASSURE NEWLY DECLARED BELIEVERS WELCOME PRAYERS. CONVEY NEW PIONEERS
DEEPEST LOVING ADMIRATION PRAYING RICHEST BLESSINGS ASSEMBLY’S STRENUOUS
ENDEAVOURS. APPEAL FURTHER SACRIFICE CONTINUED RESPONSE CALL PIONEERS...
DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 9 April 1949

9 April 1949

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters to our beloved Guardian, with their various enclosures, and
dated October 4, 20; November 2, 7, 17, 18, 27; December 19, 22, 25, 28;
of 1948, and January 4, 19; February 3, 17; and March 1, 1949, have been
received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf....

Please assure Mr. Walter Wilkins that the Guardian was aware of his
pioneer labours through various reports forwarded to him, and that he
deeply appreciates them and is praying for his success.

He considers that Final Phase day must be April 21st, and not in July.

He feels that, although precedence must be given to the new goal
assemblies, this does not mean the older assemblies like Bournemouth can
afford to be neglected. They must be maintained, but the first call on
pioneers must be from the critical goal assemblies who—at least
theoretically—need help more urgently! He has just cabled you about this.

He sees no objection to your printing excerpts from his “Dispensation” and
“God Passes By” in your compilation on the Covenant. Although he strongly
feels that the Master’s writings, the revealed Word of Bahá’u’lláh and the
Báb, and his own writings should, out of respect for the difference in
their relative stations, be published whenever possible in separate
volumes, this must not be fanatically adhered to where an educative
compilation on a certain subject is conceived.

A vacancy can be recognised, under the circumstances you outlined in your
letter of December 22, 1948, and a new assembly member be elected. But of
course this in no way implies the retiring member of the Assembly is not a
full voting believer, and a member of the community in good standing.

He deeply sympathises with the struggles of the British Bahá’ís at present
to perform their task, now reaching the crucial stage, in spite of
financial difficulties and shortage of pioneers. It would seem as if all
our tasks, all over the world, including here at the World Centre, are
becoming increasingly more of a challenge to us. As the time approaches
for the ending of the various Plans, Six Year ones, Seven Year, Five Year,
etc., the obstacles seem to become greater, and the friends are made to
realise that very real, hard, often back-breaking effort and sacrifice is
involved! The The American Bahá’ís here-to-fore so relatively easily
victorious(!), are now feeling a very real squeeze on their resources and
determination. The same is true of India, Persia, and the other countries
with goals to accomplish within a fixed and rapidly diminishing period! He
himself, having undertaken at such a disturbed time to raise at least the
first story or arcade of the new part of the Báb’s Shrine, finds himself
beset with worries, problems and complications which have not only doubled
his work, but exhaust and harass him all the time. So at least, let the
British friends know that when they struggle and feel hard beset, they are
not struggling and worrying alone! Far from it!!

We must expect these things: It is becoming evident that the world is not
yet through with its labour, the New Age not yet fully born, real Peace
not yet right around the corner. We must have no illusions about how much
depends on us and our success or failure. All humanity is disturbed and
suffering and confused; we cannot expect to not be disturbed and not to
suffer—but we don’t have to be confused. On the contrary, confidence and
assurance, hope and optimism are our prerogative. The successful carrying
out of our various Plans is the greatest sign we can give of our faith and
inner assurance, and the best way we can help our fellow-men out of their
confusion and difficulties.

He assures you he feels that the British Bahá’ís have got what it takes
(to be a trifle slangy) to be successful and accomplish their goals. Let
them therefore demonstrate it to the rest of the Bahá’í World....

P.S.—Your letter of April 4th has just been received. The Guardian is too
busy to undertake at present the revision of Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the
Christians, but he has no objection to a committee doing it.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

The British Bahá’í community, now embarked on the final phase of the first
historic collective enterprise undertaken in British Bahá’í history,
stands at the parting of the ways. Only a brief interval separates it from
the fateful date when its first experiment in a collective nation-wide
effort to achieve a definite goal in the path of service to its beloved
Faith will have ended. Five years of stupendous effort, of magnificent
self-sacrifice, of marvellous dedication and of splendid cooperation have
marked the progressive evolution of the Plan to its present stage. What
has been achieved during this short span of years, despite the smallness
of numbers, the paucity of resources and the exhaustion resulting from a
prolonged and severely devastating conflict, has, beyond the shadow of a
doubt, eclipsed the brightest achievements recorded in the course of more
than half a century in the annals of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in that
country.

The Bahá’í world, in its entirety, is struck with amazement at the quality
of the work performed, at the extent and number of the victories achieved
by this community. Its sister-community in the great Republic of the West,
already laden with many and splendid trophies gathered in distant fields
and over a long period of time cannot regard this resurgence of the Bahá’í
spirit, this manifestation of Bahá’í solidarity, these ennobling evidences
of Bahá’í achievement, amidst so conservative a people, within so short a
time, under such trying circumstances, and by so small a band of workers,
except with feelings compounded of envy, of admiration and respect. Its
sister-communities throughout the East, venerable by reason of their age,
and the sacrifices they have made, and fully aware of the long period of
incubation this community has undergone, recall, with feelings of delight,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prediction, forecasting the germination, at their appointed
time, of the potent seeds His loving hands have sown in the course of His
twice-repeated visit to that Island, and marvel at the rapidity with which
its soil is now manifesting the potentialities with which it has been
endowed. He Who blessed it with His footsteps, Who called into being, and
fostered the growth of, the community labouring in that Island, hails,
from His station on high, the exploits which immortalise the small band of
His present-day consecrated and resolute followers, who are carrying on
the torch which He Himself had entrusted to their immediate predecessors.
Bahá’u’lláh Himself lauds the conspicuous victories being won in His Name,
in the dawning years of the Second Bahá’í Century, at the very heart and
centre of the greatest Empire the world has ever seen, whose Sovereign
Monarch He Himself had addressed and whose deeds He, with His Own pen, had
commended.

The one remaining year, ere the present Plan of this blessed, this radiant
and spiritually potent community, is scheduled to draw to a close, cannot,
must not, be allowed to jeopardise the prizes so painstakingly won during
five memorable years of British Bahá’í history. The newly-enrolled
believers, on whom the mantle of the first generation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s
British disciples has now fallen, and are now summoned to participate in a
Plan, whose scope and potency their predecessors could have never
visualised and whose initial success must thrill and rejoice their souls
in the Abhá Kingdom, have a distinct, a sacred, a peculiar and urgent
responsibility to discharge in ensuring the consummation of this mighty
enterprise. Through active and constant participation with their veteran
co-workers, in filling swiftly the still remaining gaps in the pattern of
the Plan, now in its concluding stage; in displaying systematic and
sustained activity in the pioneer field now stretching before them; in
sacrificing, in as great a measure as possible, their resources, to
facilitate the attainment of all its goals, they can best discharge their
immense debt of gratitude to the Cause of the Most Great Name, Who has
singled them out, at so critical an hour, and from among such a vast
multitude of their slumbering countrymen, to serve and glorify His Faith.

I entreat them, and plead as well with their older brethren who have set
so momentous a Plan in motion, to arise as one soul, to exert one more
superhuman effort, to fix steadily their gaze on the pinnacle they are
visibly approaching and to disencumber themselves of any burden impeding
their arduous climb, in a last and determined attempt to scale and conquer
the summit, from which alone they can catch a glimpse of the future glory
of their destiny.

Shoghi

Letter of 15 April 1949

15 April 1949

Bahá’í Public Relations, Mr. Richard Backwell, sec.

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Our Guardian thanks you very kindly for the excellent piece of publicity
you forwarded to him with your letter of March 31. It should bring the
Cause to the attention of many, and is sober, and very encouraging, in
tone.

He hopes your committee will have many more triumphs along this line!...

P.S. Please convey to Mr. George Marshall a cordial welcome into the
service of our beloved Faith from our Guardian.

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving prayers for the success of your constant and
meritorious efforts in the service of our beloved Faith, and for the
realisation of your heart’s desire in its service,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 18 April 1949

18 April 1949

APPROVE ELECTION LOCAL ASSEMBLIES BEFORE APRIL.

SHOGHI

Letter of 19 April 1949

19 April 1949

BE NOT DISTRESSED REDOUBLE EXERTIONS PERSEVERANCE WILL ENABLE PROSECUTORS
PLAN ATTAIN GOAL ARRANGING CONTRIBUTION TERMINATION PLAN APRIL ASSEMBLIES
MAY BE FORMED DURING YEAR ARDENTLY PRAYING REALISATION DEAREST HOPES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 April 1949

27 April 1949

ACCLAIM HISTORIC OCCASION PARTICIPATION DOUBLE NUMBER DELEGATES BRITISH
BAHÁ’Í CONVENTION TESTIFYING RAPID UNPRECEDENTED HIGHLY PROMISING
EXPANSION DEARLY BELOVED COMMUNITY FOLLOWERS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH
ISLES THOUGH IMMEDIATE GOALS UNATTAINED AMOUNT WORK ACHIEVED STANDARD
EFFORT EXERTED RANGE TASK PERFORMED QUALITY SPIRIT DEMONSTRATED SINCE
INCEPTION PLAN HAVE CONTRIBUTED RAISING STATURE ENTIRE COMMUNITY ENHANCING
ITS PRESTIGE PROCLAIMING ITS FAME DEMONSTRATING ITS VIRILITY ESTABLISHING
BEYOND SHADOW DOUBT ITS RIGHT OCCUPY FRONT RANK ONWARD MARCHING ARMY FAITH
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH APPEAL ASSEMBLED DELEGATES AROUSE ENTIRE COMMUNITY EXERT
REMAINING TWELVE MONTHS EFFORT SURPASSING NOBLEST ENDEAVOURS AS YET MADE
SERVICE PLAN VICTORY WITHIN SIGHT INTERVENING PERIOD RAPIDLY SHRINKING
RESPONSIBILITY EVERY SINGLE MEMBER COMMUNITY GROWING GRAVER HOURLY MY
PRAYERS LONGING TOTAL SUCCESS LIKEWISE INCREASING INTENSITY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S
SUSTAINING UNFAILING GRACE MORE EFFICACIOUS READIER BLESS LAST ATTEMPTS
MADE SAVE FORTUNES PLAN SO INEXTRICABLY INTERWOVEN DESTINY BRITISH BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 July 1949

8 July 1949

HIGHLY APPROVE ASSEMBLY’S PROGRAMME ACTION DELIGHTED ENERGETIC HOPEFUL
MEASURES AS CONCLUDING YEAR FINAL PHASE SIX YEAR PLAN RAPIDLY EBBS AWAY
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY ALREADY FULLY AROUSED
ACTION HIGHLY CONSCIOUS GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY UNFLINCHINGLY DETERMINED
ATTAIN GOAL SHOULD BE UNWAVERINGLY FOCUSSED ENERGIES MUSTERED ALL
AVAILABLE RESOURCES MOBILISED ONE LAST FORWARD CHARGE ENABLING THEM ERE
FINAL HOUR STRIKES SEIZE LAURELS VICTORY HANGING WITHIN THEIR REACH
CONCERTED EFFORT SUSTAINED CONSECRATED NATION WIDE SCOPE TRANSCENDING
INTENSITY MIGHTY EFFORTS ALREADY EXERTED PAST FIVE YEARS BY COMMUNITY WILL
UNFAILINGLY ENSURE WORTHY CONSUMMATION INITIAL MEMORABLE STAGE FIRST
HISTORIC CRUSADE LAUNCHED BY BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S SPIRITUAL BATTALIONS LENGTH
BREADTH BRITISH ISLES PLEAD AFRESH DIRECTING PARTICULAR APPEAL FEW
REMAINING INACTIVE PARTICIPANTS WHO THROUGH INEXPERIENCE TIMIDITY OR
OVER-BURDENING CIRCUMSTANCES STILL HESITATE FLING THEMSELVES ARENA WHEREIN
STRUGGLING COMMUNITY BEING CALLED UPON THIS FATEFUL HOUR DISPLAY BEFORE
EYES BAHÁ’Í WORLD ITS PROWESS DEMONSTRATE THE INTRINSIC WORTH ITS
STEWARDSHIP FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH IMPELLED IN RECOGNITION BRILLIANT RECORD
PAST SERVICES AND TOKEN CONFIDENCE INSPIRED LATEST EXPLOITS FIELD SERVICE
PLEDGE THOUSAND POUNDS FURTHERANCE SACRED TASK NOW MOST ACUTE PHASE
STEADILY APPROACHING CULMINATION INTENSE PRAYERS ASCENDING FROM LONGING
HEART THRONE LORD HOSTS SUPPLICATING VICTORY WHICH WILL BEFITTINGLY CROWN
STRENUOUS EXERTIONS WHOLLY UNPARALLELED ANNALS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH
ISLES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 9 July 1949

9 July 1949

CENTENARY MARTYRDOM SHOULD HAVE NO PUBLIC COMMEMORATION NON-BAHÁ’ÍS MAY
PARTICIPATE PUBLICITY PRESS PERMISSIBLE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 19 July 1949

19 July 1949

ADVISE SHOW UTMOST CONSIDERATION TUDOR-POLE INVITE HIM SUMMER SCHOOL
PARTICIPATION OTHER ACTIVITIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 July 1949

24 July 1949

DELIGHTED NEWS OXFORD ASSURE JENKERSON FAMILY LOVING PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 September 1949

6 September 1949

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letters dated April 8, 22, 27; May 13, 17, 24; June 7, 10, 23 (two of
this date), 25, 28; July 19, 22, and 30: and August 10th, together with
various enclosures, have been received by our beloved Guardian, and he has
instructed me to answer them on his behalf.

He has already informed you by cable of his views regarding.... He
realises that, of course, it is very difficult for him to renounce his
plan of educating his son ... in England, and the Guardian hopes that the
boy can find a way, either through doing agricultural work or gaining a
scholarship, or through the help his father might himself obtain from
Persia for him, to go on with his studies. But it is obviously out of the
question for your Assembly to shoulder this financial burden.

He already cabled you about the appropriate manner for commemorating the
Centenary of the Báb’s martyrdom, so I will not go into the subject again
here.

The fine spirit of co-operation shown by ... pleased him immensely. He has
since received from her a letter full of joy and devotion to the Cause,
which pleased him greatly....

Now that the Cause is spreading so rapidly throughout the world, the
National Assemblies must be vigilant, and do all they can to protect and
assert its independent status, and to give assistance to isolated or
repressed Assemblies, when they are turned to for help or advice.

He has recently received enthusiastic letters from Mrs. Preston in Kenya
and informed her that when she needs advice or assistance she should turn
to your Assembly, while, of course, keeping in close contact with him as
well.

He realises that your Assembly, and all the British Bahá’ís, are facing
the most difficult and critical months of your Plan. The friends must be
made to realise that the urgency of the task during these few months which
lie ahead, is not only acute but temporary. Once they make this final
effort, and clamber to the top of their goal, they can rest. The
opportunity for achievement is absolutely unique, for this is their first
Plan, and consequently the most historic one of the many they will, no
doubt, carry out in future decades. To fail, so near to victory, would
indeed be sad, and he cannot but suppose, would be a severe blow to that
stubborn British pride which is so famous for its tenacity of purpose!
However he himself is not thinking in terms of their failure, but rather
believes they can, by one last determined drive, be successful, even if
they feel some exhaustion at the end of their race against time. They
must, likewise, at this crucial hour, remember that failure or success are
never confined to the immediate community concerned, but have wide
repercussions. Their success will not only greatly enhance their prestige
in the Bahá’í World, but will inspire the often flagging efforts of the
believers in the East, who have so many obstacles to overcome, and are by
nature and experience more prone to become disheartened in the execution
of fixed tasks.

It was the success of America’s first Seven Year Plan which so stimulated
the British community that it, in its turn, was determined to have a Plan
and a victory of its own. Now it really cannot lose; it has gone too far,
laboured too brilliantly, shown too much courage and high sacrifice, to
let, at the last minute, the prize fall from its grasp!

His prayers and thoughts are with you all, constantly, and with all the
believers, toiling so devotedly all over the British Isles....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

As the Plan, to which the entire British community has pledged its
support, approaches its end, my heart turns with increasing longing and
expectation, towards those who so spontaneously initiated it, so
enthusiastically set it in motion, so valiantly overthrew the barriers
that confronted them in the initial stage of its unfoldment, who so
unitedly consecrated their efforts to its subsequent development, and who
are now within sight of its final consummation. I cannot believe that a
community which, motivated by so noble an impulse, capable of such
prodigious efforts, dedicated so whole-heartedly to so gigantic a task,
blessed by so many evidences of Divine assistance and guidance, enriched
by the first fruits garnered in the course of the execution of a
splendidly conceived enterprise, will allow, at the very moment when final
victory is, at long last, within sight, through a momentary relaxation of
effort, the magnificent prize of total success, to slip from its grasp,
and the fortunes of such a potentially powerful undertaking to be marred
by any feelings of impotence or exhaustion which might well, at the
eleventh hour, assail those who have for so long and in such a great
measure, expended their energies for the prosecution of so weighty and
far-reaching a Plan.

The required number of pioneers who must arise, while there is yet time,
and stop the dangerous breaches which a fate-laden Plan, now in the last
stages of its development, reveals to the eyes of its prosecutors must,
however costly the sacrifice, be instantly found, and rushed without delay
to the scene of action. The funds, which must enable these last minute
pioneers to adjust their affairs and settle down wherever most needed,
must, under no circumstances, and particularly on the part of the
well-to-do, be withheld, as the present critical situation moves towards
its climax.

Great and overpowering as these sacrifices may now appear, they will, when
viewed in their proper perspective, be adjudged as inconsiderable, and
pale into insignificance when balanced against the inestimable advantages
which must accrue to a community that has achieved total and complete
victory for a Plan so epoch-making in character, and so charged with
undreamt of potentialities. The sacrifices which this fateful hour calls
for, are by their very nature, individual; the loss or inconvenience they
entail are at most transitory in their effect, and might well be fully
compensated for in the days ahead, whereas the blessings that must
irresistibly flow out, as the result of the integral success of a
nation-wide, historically unprecedented Plan, will enrich and ennoble the
life of an entire community, exert an abiding influence on its fortunes,
and empower it to launch still mightier crusades in the course of
subsequent stages in its organic spiritual development. How bountiful,
moreover, will be the rewards which He who watches from on high the
varying fortunes of the Plan and presides over its destinies, must either
in this world or in the next—and it may well be in both—choose to confer
upon those, who, at the hour of the Plan’s greatest need, will fly to its
succour, exhibit the rarest evidences of courage and heroism, and choose
to subordinate their personal interests to the immediate needs and future
glory of the community to which they belong.

The interval during which a decision so momentous, so rich in promise,
must be taken is steadily and inexorably shrinking. The golden opportunity
which such a decision offers will never again recur. The issues hinging on
such a decision can neither be over-estimated nor visualised while the
fate of the First Plan embarked upon by the British Bahá’í community still
hangs in the balance. The invisible hosts of the Kingdom are ready and
eager to rush forth to the assistance of such as will have the courage to
weigh the issues involved and to take the decision commensurate with these
issues. To such as take it, while there is yet time, the present
generation as well as those who will succeed it will be eternally
grateful, for theirs will have been the privilege of sealing on the one
hand, the fate of the First Historic Plan in British Bahá’í annals, and on
the other of paving the way for the initiation of the successive
enterprises that must follow in its wake.

To reach such a decision, to face willingly and cheerfully its
consequences, will, above all, earn the good-pleasure and commendation of
the One Who, well nigh a hundred years ago, so gloriously made the supreme
sacrifice of laying down His life that the Cause for which the present
prosecutors of the Plan have so wholly dedicated themselves might live,
prosper and bear, in the fullness of time, its fairest fruit in both the
East and the West.

Dear friends! As the tale of the woes and trials He endured is called to
mind, during the months preceding the centenary of His martyrdom, and
destined to witness the conclusion of the Six Year Plan sponsored by the
British Bahá’í community, a resolution, born of the love and admiration
which the memory of His heroic life and tragic death must evoke in every
Bahá’í heart, should seize, and galvanise into action, the little band of
His lovers and followers, who, of their own accord, and at the dawn of the
second Bahá’í century, have risen to launch the first collective
enterprise in British Bahá’í history, and chosen to associate its
consummation with the centenary of the death of the martyr Prophet and
co-founder of their Faith. The centenary of the inception of His Mission
has witnessed the initiation of so praiseworthy, so vast and potent an
enterprise, extending its ramifications over the entire territory of the
British Isles. The observances, commemorating the hundredth anniversary of
the last act of His life, must, as pledged by its initiators, synchronise
with the successful termination and glorious triumph of that same
enterprise throughout the length and breadth of that same territory.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 29 September 1949

29 September 1949

DEARLY BELOVED DISTINGUISHED CO-WORKER AMELIA COLLINS ARRIVING LONDON EN
ROUTE POLAND SHOW GREAT CONSIDERATION PRAYING UTMOST BENEFIT VISIT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 September 1949

29 September 1949

OVERJOYED SUCCESS SUMMER SCHOOL ASSURE NEWLY ENROLLED NEWCASTLE LIVERPOOL
LOVING WELCOME PRAYERS SURROUNDING ENTIRE COMMUNITY ACCELERATION MOMENTUM
CARRYING IT ATTAINMENT GOALS APPOINTED TIME.

SHOGHI

Letter of 5 November 1949

5 November 1949

Summer School Committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letter of October 9 was received, and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very glad to hear the School was such a success this year, and
that—a very important factor—it placed no extra burden on the National
Fund at this critical juncture.

Next year your School will be held after the end of your Plan, he hopes
the victorious end! It would be suitable to hold some kind of review of
how the goals were won and to remember the many sacrifices that have been
made, for they have been very real and taxed to the uttermost the strength
of the servants of Bahá’u’lláh in the British Isles.

Also he feels it would be good to have some course on the Covenant, the
force that binds and strengthens the Bahá’í community and holds it
together, when so many man-made institutions are disintegrating and going
on the rocks of discord and lack of faith.

Likewise, discussion of the future needs of the community should be held.
By next Summer you will know better what these are, and can formulate your
points to be taken up and considered.

He will pray that a suitable place may be found for the friends to gather.

Every year your school is more representative and successful than the year
before, and he feels sure this will continue to be so until that happy day
comes when Summer School develops at last into a seat of Bahá’í
learning....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, guide and sustain you in
your activities, enable you to extend continually their range, and
contribute to the consolidation of the newly-born institutions of the
Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 November 1949

25 November 1949

DELIGHTED VICTORY OXFORD ASSURE PIONEERS DEEPEST APPRECIATION MERITORIOUS
ACTION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 December 1949

4 December 1949

National Youth Committee of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The Guardian approves of the policy your committee is pursuing, as
outlined in your letter to him of October 27th, of devoting all the
energies of the British Youth, active in the Cause, to assisting in the
achievement of the goals of the Plan.

He was very happy to hear your part of the programme at Summer School was
more successful than ever before, and that the Bulletin is being
maintained and at the same time costing less.

Your determination, and the work you are doing, are admirable, and he is
very pleased with you all....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless continually your high endeavours, aid you to extend
the range of your meritorious labours, and win great and memorable
victories in this vital sphere of Bahá’í activity in that promising
country.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 12 December 1949

12 December 1949

ADVISE HOLD 1950 CONVENTION DURING RIDVÁN PERIOD.

SHOGHI RABBÁNÍ

Letter of 21 December 1949

21 December 1949

KINDLY MAIL FIFTY COPIES “GLAD TIDINGS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH” WISDOM EAST SERIES.
PRAYING FERVENTLY SUCCESS FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 23 December 1949

23 December 1949

APPROVE SUBSTITUTION(47) .

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 December 1949

27 December 1949

DELIVER SIXTY POUNDS HAINSWORTH FROM NATIONAL FUND FOR PUBLICATION SWAHILI
CHINYANZA LANGUAGES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 December 1949 (Teaching Conference)

29 December 1949 (Teaching Conference)

FEEL MOVED ADDRESS THIS ELEVENTH HOUR MY LAST FERVENT APPEAL ASSEMBLED
REPRESENTATIVES BRITISH COMMUNITY SEIZE OPPORTUNITY TEACHING CONFERENCE
AROUSE ENTIRE BODY FOLLOWERS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH ISLES SAVE FORTUNES
PLAN NOW HANGING BALANCE ENTREAT ONCE AGAIN ALL BELIEVERS ENGLAND WALES
SCOTLAND IRELAND WHETHER YOUNG OLD MEN WOMEN NATIVE-BORN VISITORS OVERSEAS
NEWLY-ENROLLED VETERANS BRACE THEMSELVES AS HOUR CENTENARY BÁB’S NOBLEST
ACT SACRIFICE APPROACHES ONE LAST SUPREME SACRIFICIAL SUSTAINED EFFORT
DESIGNED ENSURE TOTAL VICTORY NOW WITHIN REACH CONSTITUTING BEFITTING
CULMINATION FINAL PHASE SIX YEARS HEROIC ENDEAVOUR AND WORTHY TRIBUTE
COLLECTIVELY PAID BY BRITISH UPHOLDERS CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH IMMORTAL MEMORY
DEARLY BELOVED MARTYR PROPHET THEIR FAITH ARRANGING TRANSMISSION £500
FURTHER CONTRIBUTION CONSUMMATION ENTERPRISE UNPRECEDENTED IN SCOPE
SPIRITUAL POTENTIALITIES HALF CENTURY BRITISH BAHÁ’Í HISTORY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 January 1950

4 January 1950

GREATLY HEARTENED NEWS CONFERENCE PRAYERS CONTINUALLY ASCENDING THRONE
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH TOTAL SUCCESS PLAN.

SHOGHI

Letter of 19 January 1950

19 January 1950

GREATLY HEARTENED ASSURE PIONEERS FERVENT LOVING PRAYERS ACCOMPANYING
THEM. PARVINE HEARTFELT SYMPATHY LOVING PRAYERS CONTINUALLY OFFERED HER
BEHALF.

SHOGHI

Letter of 31 January 1950

31 January 1950(48)

ADVISE DISREGARD PROCEDURE SUGGESTED LETTER JANUARY TWENTIETH....

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 February 1950

25 February 1950

ASSURE PIONEERS HEARTFELT APPRECIATION CONVEY CONGRATULATIONS STOCKPORT
NEWCASTLE PRAYING SOLUTION DIFFICULTIES CENTRE LONDON ENTREAT ENTIRE
COMMUNITY SEIZE FIRMLY PRIZE FINGERTIPS CROWN EVERLASTING GLORY MIGHTIEST
TASK UNDERTAKEN BRITISH FOLLOWERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 March 1950—National Teaching Committee

20 March 1950—National Teaching Committee

PRAYING FERVENTLY SUCCESS FORTHCOMING WEEKEND SCHOOL. DEEPLY APPRECIATE
UNCEASING EFFORTS. RENEW THROUGH YOU IMPASSIONED PLEA ENTIRE COMMUNITY
EXERT FLEETING FATEFUL DAYS AHEAD CONCERTED STRENUOUS UNRELAXING EFFORTS
ENSURE NEEDED NUMBER PIONEERS FILL REMAINING GAPS IN NOBLY CONCEIVED
LABORIOUSLY PROSECUTED HISTORICALLY UNIQUE SPIRITUALLY MOMENTOUS PLAN.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 March 1950

28 March 1950

National Bahá’í Teaching Committee, England

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of January 12th, written by Mr. Hainsworth, was received, as
well as the material enclosed, and our beloved Guardian has instructed me
to answer you on his behalf.

He was glad to learn the Manchester Conference was such a success, and
appreciated the very generous offer of Mr. Leach. If the believers all
over the world were animated by such a spirit, there would scarcely be any
necessity for “Plans”.

These days, as Ridván approaches, his anxious thoughts are with not only
the British community, but other Bahá’í communities in different parts of
the world. He longs to see them fully achieve their goals; for to do
something for God 100 per cent has an attractive power, and brings future
Divine confirmations.

His ardent prayers are with you all, you may be sure....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain and guide you in your historic
labours, aid you to extend the range of your splendid achievements,
consolidate the victories you have won, and lend a still greater impetus
to the progress and expansion of your unforgettable accomplishments.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 30 March 1950

30 March 1950

DEEPLY APPRECIATE PARTICIPATION JOHN ROBARTS SPLENDID ACTION SCOTT AND
OTHER PIONEERS APPEAL FURTHER SACRIFICE GREATER HEROISM FIRMER RESOLVE
NOBLER CONSECRATION ENSURE TOTAL SUCCESS PLAN NOW HANGING BALANCE FOR MY
PART UTMOST CAN DO IS STRETCH PERIOD PLAN TO JULY NINTH DATE COMMEMORATION
MARTYRDOM LAST REMAINING CHANCE OFFERED HARDLY PRESSED YET GLORIOUSLY
STRIVING COMMUNITY SHOULD BE INSTANTLY SEIZED ERE IT IS IRRETRIEVABLY
LOST.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 April 1950

4 April 1950

DELIGHTED NEWS PRAYING ADDED FERVOUR TOTAL SUCCESS DEEPEST LOVING
APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 11 April 1950

11 April 1950(49)

REJOICE EVIDENCES APPROACHING VICTORY PRAYING INCREASING FERVOUR.

SHOGHI

Letter of 19 April 1950

19 April 1950(50)

OVERJOYED DEEPLY GRATEFUL IMMENSELY PROUD SIGNAL VICTORY ACHIEVED BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY BRITISH ISLES SHEDDING LUSTRE OPENING YEARS SECOND BAHÁ’Í
CENTURY AIRMAIL LIST ASSEMBLIES GROUPS ISOLATED BELIEVERS ALSO MAP BRITISH
ISLES SHOWING SAME.

SHOGHI

Letter of 21 April 1950

21 April 1950(51)

SHARE JOY RECIPROCATE NOBLE SENTIMENTS HEARTILY CONGRATULATE NATIONAL
ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TRIUMPHANT COMMUNITY INDEFATIGABLE NATIONAL
TEACHING COMMITTEE ALL SUBSIDIARY AGENCIES PARTICULARLY SELF-SACRIFICING
PIONEERS WHO SO OUTSTANDINGLY CONTRIBUTED SIGNAL VICTORY REVERBERATING
BAHÁ’Í WORLD.

SHOGHI

“THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW AND GLORIOUS EPOCH”—THE AFRICA PLAN
1950–1953

Convention 1950

HEART FLOODED JOY STRIKING EVIDENCE BOUNTIFUL GRACE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH ENABLING
VALOROUS DEARLY LOVED BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY BRITISH ISLES TRIUMPHANTLY CONCLUDE
FIRST HISTORIC PLAN HALF CENTURY BRITISH BAHÁ’Í HISTORY. HERALD AUTHOR
FAITH CENTRE COVENANT CONCOURSE ON HIGH ACCLAIM SUPERB COLLECTIVE
ACHIEVEMENT IMMORTALISING OPENING DECADE SECOND BAHÁ’Í CENTURY
UNPRECEDENTED HISTORY FAITH BRITISH ISLES UNRIVALLED ANNALS ANY BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY EUROPEAN CONTINENT UNPARALLELED PERCENTAGE MEMBERS COMMUNITY
RESPONDING PIONEER CALL THROUGHOUT BAHÁ’Í WORLD SINCE TERMINATION
APOSTOLIC AGE BAHÁ’Í DISPENSATION. HISTORIC PLEDGE BRITISH BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY NOBLY REDEEMED. TRIBUTE MEMORY MARTYR PROPHET FAITH WORTHILY
PAID. SPIRITUAL POTENTIALITIES PROSECUTE SUBSEQUENT STAGE UNFOLDING
MISSION FULLY ACQUIRED. TRIUMPHANT COMMUNITY NOW STANDING THRESHOLD
CATCHING FIRST GLIMPSE STILL DIMLY OUTLINED FUTURE ENTERPRISES OVERSEAS.
HOUR PROPITIOUS GALVANISED FIRMLY KNIT BODY BELIEVERS BRACE ITSELF EMBARK
AFTER ONE YEAR RESPITE YET ANOTHER HISTORIC UNDERTAKING MARKING FORMAL
INAUGURATION TWO YEAR PLAN CONSTITUTING PRELUDE INITIATION SYSTEMATIC
CAMPAIGN DESIGNED CARRY TORCH FAITH TERRITORIES DARK CONTINENT WHOSE
NORTHERN SOUTHERN FRINGES WERE SUCCESSIVELY ILLUMINATED COURSE MINISTRIES
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ. HOUR STRUCK UNDERTAKE PRELIMINARY STEPS IMPLANT
BANNER FAITH AMIDST AFRICAN TRIBES MENTIONED TABLET CENTRE COVENANT
SIGNALISING ASSOCIATION VICTORIOUS BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY WITH SISTER
COMMUNITIES UNITED STATES EGYPT DESIGNED LAY STRUCTURAL BASIS BAHÁ’Í
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER SCALE COMPARABLE FOUNDATION ALREADY ESTABLISHED NORTH
SOUTH AMERICAN EUROPEAN AUSTRALIAN CONTINENTS. PROJECTED PLAN ITSELF
PRELUDE DOUBLE TASK TO BE UNDERTAKEN COURSE FUTURE PLANS DESTINED
SIMULTANEOUSLY BROADEN BASE OPERATIONS HOME FRONT AND PROSECUTE SYSTEMATIC
CAMPAIGN DEPENDENCIES BRITISH ISLES. FIRST OBJECTIVE TWO YEAR PLAN
CONSOLIDATION NINETEEN ASSEMBLIES PAINSTAKINGLY ESTABLISHED ENGLAND
SCOTLAND WALES NORTH IRELAND EIRE. SECOND OBJECTIVE FORMATION NUCLEI THREE
DEPENDENCIES BRITISH CROWN EITHER EAST WEST AFRICA. THIRD OBJECTIVE
TRANSLATION PUBLICATION DISSEMINATION BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE THROUGH PUBLISHING
TRUST THREE AFRICAN LANGUAGES ADDITION THREE ALREADY UNDERTAKEN COURSE
FIRST PLAN. SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION CONTEMPLATED PLAN WILL PAVE WAY LARGE
SCALE OPERATIONS CALCULATED LAY FOUNDATION PROMISED KINGDOM EARTH THROUGH
ESTABLISHMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER INFINITELY MORE GLORIOUS EMPIRE BUILT
RULERS BRITISH ISLES THROUGHOUT THAT CONTINENT AND WILL ENABLE BRITISH
BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY SHARE HONOUR SISTER COMMUNITY ACROSS ATLANTIC PROSECUTING
SUCCESSFULLY TWO SUCCESSIVE PLANS REGISTERING DOUBLE VICTORY LAYING TWICE
REPEATED SACRIFICE ALTAR FAITH ANTICIPATION APPROACHING CELEBRATIONS
COMMEMORATING CENTENARY BIRTH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S PROPHETIC MISSION.
CONTRIBUTING ONE THOUSAND POUNDS FIRST CONTRIBUTION FURTHERANCE NOBLE
PURPOSE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 1 May 1950

1 May 1950

GRIEVE PASSING DEAR DISTINGUISHED PROMOTER FAITH(52) HER SERVICES
UNFORGETTABLE PRAYING PROGRESS SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 3 May 1950

3 May 1950

DELIGHTED SUCCESS SESSIONS PRAYING MIGHTY VICTORIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 9 June 1950

9 June 1950

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

At the instruction of our beloved Guardian I am forwarding you the
enclosed material for possible use in connection with the centenary of the
Báb’s martyrdom.

In America they are going to get out a pamphlet with this and other
material, more complete, which the Guardian has asked them to forward you
copies of as soon as printed.

He regrets the delay in answering your Assembly’s letters. My father has
been desperately ill for over 8 weeks and the worry involved and doctors,
nurses etc. has been so distressing to us all that it has been temporarily
impossible to attend to his mail. However, now he is improving, the
Guardian hopes to shortly be able to get his letters answered....

Letter of 15 June 1950

15 June 1950

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your many communications dated August 20, 26; September 30; October 6, 7,
10, 26; November 7, 9, 14, 23, 25; December 8, 18, 22, 23 (two of this
date), 24, all of 1949, and January 4, 20, 30; February 2, 22; March 1, 6,
18, 29 (two of this date); April 7, 18, 19 (two of this date), 24, 27; and
May 2, 4, 8, 16 (three of this date) of 1950, have been received as well
as their enclosures and other material, and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He regrets very much the long delay in not only answering your Assembly’s
letters but those of other N.S.A.s’ as well. The past winter, owing to the
fact that large excavations had to be carried out behind the Shrine in
order to permit construction to continue, was a particularly busy
gruelling one for him. On top of this, at the beginning of April, Mr.
Maxwell became dangerously ill and the constant worry and preoccupation of
us all with doctors, nurses, etc., forced the Guardian to put aside his
letters entirely for the time being. Thanks to the mercy of God Mr.
Maxwell is now recovering slowly; but the past months were very difficult
ones for everyone.

To now take up the various matters referred to in your letters.

The Guardian does not feel that a quorum of delegates is necessary in any
sense for the convention. Under unusual circumstances National bodies can
be elected by mailed votes of all the delegates; the primary function of
the delegates is to elect the N.S.A. Suggestions from the Convention floor
can be made by a majority of those present.

The Guardian is very pleased to see that Peter Esslemont is growing closer
to the Faith. A friendly contact with him should always be maintained.

Regarding his cable concerning Hussein: he has been very surprised to note
that the terms “low-born Christian girl” and “disgraceful alliance” should
arouse any question: it seems to him that the friends should realise it is
not befitting for the Guardian’s own brother, the grandchild of the
Master, an Afnán and A_gh_sán mentioned in the Will and Testament of the
Master, and of whom so much was expected because of his relation to the
Family of the Prophet, to marry an unknown girl, according to goodness
knows what rite, who is not a believer at all. Surely, every Bahá’í must
realise that the terms low-born and Christian are definitions of a
situation and in no way imply any condemnation of a person’s birth or the
religion they belong to as such. We have no snobbery and no religious
prejudice in our Faith. But the members of the Master’s family have
contracted marriages which cannot be considered in any other light than
disgraceful, in view of what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wished for them.

Recently the Court of First Instance, in Kárkúk, ‘Iráq, has accepted to
register a Bahá’í marriage certificate. This is the first time in the East
(except for the British Mandate authorities and the Israeli Government),
that a Bahá’í marriage has been recognised as being legal. The Guardian
feels that this can form a very important precedent for the other Oriental
countries, and he suggests you inform the Egyptian N.S.A. of his view and
urge them to press for due recognition in Egypt, using this precedent as a
lever.

There is nothing in our teachings about Freud and his method. Psychiatric
treatment in general is no doubt an important contribution to medicine,
but we must believe it is still a growing rather than a perfected science.
As Bahá’u’lláh has urged us to avail ourselves of the help of good
physicians Bahá’ís are certainly not only free to turn to psychiatry for
assistance but should, when available, do so. This does not mean
psychiatrists are always wise or always right, it means we are free to
avail ourselves of the best medicine has to offer us.

The Guardian thanks you and the friends for your eagerness to contribute
to the cost of the Shrine through the special edition of “Prescription for
Living”; also he thanks the friends at Convention for the copy they sent
him.

I need not tell you how immensely relieved, proud and gratified the
beloved Guardian was when he knew the British community had achieved their
Plan so successfully. During the last year he was often anxious as he
shared with your Assembly and the National Teaching Committee the news of
how acute the position was, and how great the obstacles still remaining to
be overcome.

From the beginning, however, he felt confident that this dedicated and
courageous community could and would drive through to victory, and his joy
was very great when it did. He firmly believes this will exert a great
influence on the future of the Bahá’í community there, and indirectly on
the history of that country in the days to come. It is not possible, at
close range, to understand the implications of what we do; but when we see
things in historical perspective, we realise that what seemed small at the
time was really a turning point in destiny.

The Guardian was delighted to receive the Welsh pamphlet, also the map you
sent him. He is planning to have the map published in the next edition of
“Bahá’í World”, and he placed the pamphlet in the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh.

He approves of the Investment Scheme of the Publishing Trust, and he
trusts that the members of the community will respond and thus enable your
Assembly to expand its publishing activities. He leaves the question of
approaching Bahá’ís overseas, should the Trust be in need of further
capital, to your Assembly’s discretion.

The Guardian does not approve of your placing a condition upon recognition
of local assemblies (mentioned in your letter of January 20); and he
wishes in this connection to emphasise the fact that every possible care
should be taken not to add to existing rules and regulations in the form
of statements or otherwise. He has already advised the American and other
National Assemblies to beware of adding more rules and regulations.

The death of Mrs. Hall, such a faithful and devoted servant of the Faith,
is a great loss to the British community. The Guardian appreciated
receiving a copy of her Will, which mirrors her solicitude for the
interests of the Cause in England. He trusts that a Bahá’í Ceremony could
take place at the graveside, which certainly would have been her own wish.

Regarding ..., if the financial response of the friends to the needs of
the Faith there is not sufficient for your Assembly to continue to defray
his expenses as a teacher and pioneer, then it seems inevitable that he
will have to make some other plans. His services have been of real value,
and his intimate knowledge of the teachings and steadfastness in the
Covenant have enabled him to contribute much to the understanding of the
friends.

The Guardian approves your resolution to keep Mr. Ferraby as paid
secretary of the Assembly. He deeply appreciates Mr. Ferraby’s devoted
services.

The Guardian wishes to assure you, one and all, of his prayers for the
success of the new work your Assembly will be undertaking, and for the
consolidation of all the recent goals achieved.

P.S. Also just received are a receipt for the Guardian’s contribution,
dated May 15th and your letter, with enclosure, of May 28th and May 24th.
A photo of the Shrine will be mailed you very soon.

P.P.S. The Guardian will certainly pray for the progress and happiness of
the soul of Mr. Manton. No doubt the selfless services his son has
rendered the Cause of God, in an hour of great need, will be accepted and
enable him to influence the state of his father through his own prayers.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

On the occasion of the victorious consummation of the first historic Plan
undertaken by the British Bahá’í community, I feel moved to reaffirm my
feelings of exultation, joy and gratitude for the superb triumph that
marks such a great turning point in British Bahá’í history. No single
event, in the course of its half-a-century existence, with the exception
of the twice repeated visit of the Centre of the Covenant to the British
Isles, has proved as significant and momentous as this unique collective
achievement, which may, in a sense, be regarded as the first and
long-awaited fruit of that intimate and personal contact, established both
in private and in public, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with its members as well as with
various representatives of the country to which it belongs.

So magnificent an achievement has, no doubt, endowed the entire community,
now representative of the peoples of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland,
with tremendous potentialities, empowering it to launch on the first stage
of its historic overseas mission destined to bring that community into
closer and more concrete association with its sister communities in North
America and Egypt, for the purpose of promoting the Faith in the vast
virgin territories where its banner is still unraised and which constitute
an integral part of the territories of the British Crown beyond the
confines of that community’s homeland.

To the races and tribes inhabiting these territories throughout the vast
African Continent ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when His life was in imminent danger,
specifically referred in a Tablet, addressed by Him to the cousin of the
Báb and chief builder of the first Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár of the Bahá’í
world, in which He predicts, in moving terms, the awakening of the peoples
of that dark continent and the ultimate triumph of His Father’s Faith
among its backward peoples as well as among the great masses inhabiting
China and India.

To the accomplishment of the initial stages of this colossal task,
envisaged by our beloved Master, the Bahá’í community of the British
Isles, now greatly reinforced, resting on a far broader foundation,
galvanised into action, qualified through its initial signal victory in
its homeland—the base of its future operations overseas, is now summoned
to direct its attention and its energies.

While, in the current and two succeeding years which separate us from the
celebration of the centenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic
mission, close and sustained attention should be directed by the elected
representatives, as well as by the rank and file, of that community
towards the safeguarding of the prizes won throughout the length and
breadth of the British Isles, and the consolidation of the newly born
institutions, the preliminary steps, constituting the prelude to this
prodigious systemic labour and soul-thrilling enterprise, destined to
extend its ramifications, in the years that lie ahead, to the fringe and
within the very heart of a vast continent, must be carefully and
prayerfully taken.

Though the members of this community are still restricted in number,
though its resources are as yet meagre, though its recent victories are as
yet unconsolidated, though it has hardly recuperated from its recent
labours, undertaken during a period of great national exhaustion and
severe austerity, the mere act of launching upon so glorious, so fateful
an enterprise, will, of necessity, create at this propitious hour the
receptivity which will enable a swiftly marching, stout-hearted, virile
community, now standing on the threshold of its mission beyond the seas,
to attract a fresh measure of celestial potency adequate to its growing
needs and its ever expanding responsibilities. The miracle its members
have performed over so vast a territory, in so short a time, and under
such adverse circumstances, cannot but augur well for the initial success
of an enterprise infinitely more meritorious, of far greater promise, and
endowed with vastly superior spiritual potentialities.

How great the honour with which the Bahá’í pioneers of the present
generation of the subjects of the British Crown will be invested in the
eyes of posterity within their island home and abroad! How great the debt
of gratitude of those who will labour after them and garner the fruit of
their present day assiduous exertions to those whose privilege is to blaze
the trail and break the soil in the virgin territories destined, as
prophesied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to acclaim the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and
establish the institutions of His embryonic World Order!

This community, laden with the trophies of so recent and splendid a
victory, and summoned to brace itself for another exertion, so fate-laden
in its consequences, stands too near the structure which its hands are now
rearing to visualise the dimensions of its task, appraise its value, and
appreciate its future glory. Alive to its inherent capacity, conscious of
its high responsibility, aware of the sacredness of its mission,
emboldened by its recent exploits, trusting fully in that reinforcing
Power that guided and sustained it unfailingly in the past, this community
can do no better than to gird up afresh its loins, turn its back upon the
clamour of the age, its fears, confusion and strife, step resolutely
forward on its chosen path, unshakably confident that with every step it
takes, should it remain undeflected in its purpose and undimmed in its
vision, a fresh outpouring of Divine grace will reinforce and guide its
march on the highroad of its destiny.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 28 June 1950

28 June 1950

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters dated June 6th and two of June 13th have just reached the
Guardian, with their enclosures, and he wishes you to please regard this
as a sort of postscript to the detailed letter to your Assembly which was
mailed a short time ago. He thanks you for the copies of correspondence
with the Official Solicitor, and trusts this matter is now satisfactorily
settled.

He approves of the advice your Assembly has given.... However, he does not
approve of ... going to Canada or South America. He has been forced, owing
to the very unfortunate influence of certain so-called Bahá’ís from
Persia, to lay down a general rule that no Persians for the present
proceed to North or South America. As many sincere souls have, through
obedience to his instructions, given up trips to those territories, he
feels he cannot permit any exceptions to be made, not even for so
important a purpose as pioneering. This would be a manifest injustice to
those who have obeyed him with an exemplary spirit. He feels sure ... will
understand and accept this. There are a great many places where they can
serve the Faith in the East, in Europe, or in Africa.

Whatever form of co-operation will get the best results your Assembly is
free to decide upon in regard to the Egyptian and American N.S.A.s’
extension teaching in Africa. He feels, however, that simultaneous
activity is more practicable at present.

There are no specific tribes listed in the Master’s Tablets; the
pioneering should be directed at present towards the most feasible
possibilities.

The Guardian feels that Kenya, as it already has a Bahá’í, should be
excluded from your Plan. Uganda and Tanganyika would be much more suitable
in conjunction with any other territory, but not Nigeria, which already
has some Bahá’ís. However, it must not necessarily be these two.

Entirely aside from any additional literature it might be possible to get
out in Hausa and Swahili he feels your objective must be to print at least
a pamphlet in three languages other than those Philip Hainsworth has
tackled. It must be borne in mind that printing in new languages kills two
birds with one stone—not only does it enable the Faith to reach new
elements, but it also enriches our literature and is excellent as a means
of calling the attention of the public to the universality of our Cause
and the extent of our world-wide activities!

He will be delighted to receive the reports regarding the progress of the
British Bahá’ís’ first overseas mission.

P.S. Regarding expenditures: the Guardian feels that the greatest effort
should be made to curtail everything that is not essential; this is the
primary responsibility of the N.S.A. The Guardian will be very pleased to
receive copies of the reports of the Africa and Consolidation Committees
and was pleased to read the first two reports.

Letter of 24 July 1950

24 July 1950

GOLD COAST ELIGIBLE DELIGHTED GRATEFUL PUBLICITY OCCASION CENTENARY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 August 1950 (Summer School)

12 August 1950 (Summer School)

DELIGHTED SUCCESS WELCOME NOBLE RESOLVE ASSURANCE LOYALTY BELIEVERS URGE
CONCENTRATION PERSEVERANCE COMPLETE DEDICATION NEWLY ASSIGNED EPOCH MAKING
TASKS MARKING OPENING NEW CHAPTER WORLD WIDE EXPANSION FAITH SUPPLICATING
BOUNTIFUL BLESSING PRIVILEGED PARTICIPANTS GLORIOUS ENTERPRISE URGING
AMERICAN PERSIAN COMMUNITIES ARISE LEND ASSISTANCE ITS PROSECUTION DEEPEST
LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 September 1950

6 September 1950

WARN BELIEVERS AVOID PERDU OWING HIS CONTACT SOHRAB.

SHOGHI

Letter of 11 September 1950

11 September 1950

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Under separate cover the Guardian is mailing two enlargements of the
Shrine. He would like these to be shown as widely as possible to the
friends and then hung in the London Bahá’í Centre.

He has sent to America the negative of one of these enlargements with
instructions that the friends can order copies for themselves. This
applies to the British friends too, and if copies are desired you can
enquire from the American N.S.A. what they cost etc.

He feels sure all the believers will be happy to see how beautiful the
finished arcade is....

P.S. Please cable when you receive these two photos.

Letter of 15 September 1950

15 September 1950

APPROVE SENDING PIONEERS AFRICA IMMEDIATELY ALSO SEEK ASSISTANCE PERSIA
AMERICA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 November 1950

2 November 1950

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Some time ago I wrote you on behalf of the Guardian giving you the
following information, but as I have heard a letter to Mr. Holley posted
at the same time has not been received, I fear yours too may have been
lost.

The beloved Guardian has sent each of the National Assemblies under
separate cover, a couple of enlarged photos of the finished arcade of the
Báb’s Shrine. These are a little gift from him. He would like as many of
the believers as possible to see them, and for them to then be hung
wherever they would then be seen most, in some countries this would be the
National Hazira.

He has sent two negatives to the American N.S.A., and instructed prints be
made available for sale to the friends desiring copies. You can no doubt
order some if desired.

Please cable the Guardian acknowledging receipt of these photos as soon as
they reach you....

Letter of 14 November 1950

14 November 1950

KINDLY ARRANGE DEPARTURE LUTFU’LLÁH HAKÍM HAIFA FOR NECESSARY SERVICE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 14 November 1950

14 November 1950

GRIEVE PASSING DISTINGUISHED INDEFATIGABLE PROMOTER FAITH(53) ARDENTLY
SUPPLICATING PROGRESS SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM HER NOTABLE MERITORIOUS SERVICES
UNFORGETTABLE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 November 1950

22 November 1950

URGE UTMOST ECONOMY APPEAL ENTIRE COMMUNITY ENDEAVOUR REDUCE DEFICIT FUND
CONTRIBUTING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 December 1950

22 December 1950

ASSURE CLAIRE GUNG FERVENT LOVING PRAYERS SURROUNDING HER MERITORIOUS
HISTORIC JOURNEY SUPPLICATING BLESSINGS FORTHCOMING CONFERENCE DEEPEST
LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 January 1951 (Teaching Conference)

10 January 1951 (Teaching Conference)

ASSURE ATTENDANTS SUPPLICATING ALMIGHTY BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS MAY
CONFERENCE LEND TREMENDOUS IMPETUS PROCESS CONSOLIDATION HOMELAND
INITIATION PIONEER ACTIVITIES AFRICAN CONTINENT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 January 1951

16 January 1951

(Copy of a cable from the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of
the Bahá’ís of the United States dated 16 January 1951, sent also to the
British National Spiritual Assembly.) ASSISTANCE AFRICA PROJECT THROUGH
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION PARTICIPATION PIONEERS WHITE COLOURED CLOSE
CONSULTATION CO-OPERATION BRITISH ASSEMBLY NECESSARY INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGN
NOT INTENDED FERVENTLY PRAYING PARTICIPATION BRITISH AMERICAN PERSIAN
EGYPTIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES UNIQUE EPOCHMAKING ENTERPRISE AFRICAN
CONTINENT MAY PROVE PRELUDE CONVOCATION FIRST AFRICAN TEACHING CONFERENCE
LEADING EVENTUALLY INITIATION UNDERTAKINGS INVOLVING COLLABORATION ALL
NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES BAHÁ’Í WORLD THEREBY PAVING WAY ULTIMATE ORGANIC UNION
THESE ASSEMBLIES THROUGH FORMATION INTERNATIONAL HOUSE JUSTICE DESTINED
LAUNCH ENTERPRISES EMBRACING WHOLE BAHÁ’Í WORLD ACCLAIM SIMULTANEOUS
INAUGURATION CRUSADE LINKING ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY FOUR NATIONAL
ASSEMBLIES EAST WEST WITHIN FOUR CONTINENTS AND BIRTH FIRST INTERNATIONAL
COUNCIL WORLD CENTRE FAITH TWIN COMPELLING EVIDENCES RESISTLESS UNFOLDMENT
EMBRYONIC DIVINELY APPOINTED WORLD ORDER BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.

SHOGHI

Letter of 17 January 1951

17 January 1951

INFORM MÚSÁ BANÁNÍ HIGHLY APPROVE PIONEERING AFRICA WITH NA_KH_JAVÁNÍ
FERVENTLY PRAYING FOR HIS SUCCESS AND ENTIRE FAMILY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 January 1951

25 January 1951(54)

APPRECIATE SENTIMENTS BELOVED FRIENDS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 February 1951

25 February 1951

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters of June 19th, June 22nd, July 18th, July 21st, July 26th,
August 17th, August 29th, August 30th, September 6th, September 8th,
September 27th (2 letters), October 3rd (2 letters), October 5th, October
17th, October 26th, October 30th (2 letters), October 31st, November 13th,
November 24th (2 letters), December 10th, December 22nd, 1950, and January
2nd, January 25th and February 2nd, 20th, 1951, together with enclosures
as well as photographs, have been received, and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf. (A postscript dated March 18th
adds: “Your letters (two) dated March 8th have also been received with
enclosures.”)

He regrets that, due to pressure of work, he is not able to write more
frequently, but feels that the cable communications between himself and
your assembly attend to the essential work in between letters....

Regarding your question about the communication with the King, as
mentioned in Minutes 292 and 344, he feels that both contemplated
approaches should be dropped for the present. By undertaking such action
we call attention to ourselves in a very conspicuous manner, and
investigation of who the senders are of such petitions would only expose
the weakness of our numbers and detract from the prestige which the Cause
is slowly beginning to acquire in the eyes of the world.

He thanks you very much for the map, showing the British Bahá’í community
at the end of the Six Year Plan. He has placed it on a wall of the Mansion
of Bahjí, where visitors and believers can enjoy it. It certainly marks
the scene of one of the most historic victories of the Faith.

In regard to the question of the African campaign, the Guardian is
immensely pleased with the way your assembly and the special committee you
have appointed, have seized this project and are vigorously prosecuting
it. He admires the evidences of careful planning and staunch determination
which all the data regarding this important campaign, which you have
forwarded to him, bear witness to.

He was very happy to receive the Chinyanza pamphlets which you sent to
him, and also likes very much the “Africa News” which the committee is
getting out and which is so alive with plans and news.

He is also delighted to see that the Persian National Assembly is
vigorously co-operating with your Assembly and facilitating settlement of
some devoted Persian pioneer there who no doubt will be of great help to
the work....

He feels that, although it is preferable that the three pioneers to each
virgin country should be in one town or at least as near each other as
possible, it should not be considered the essential point at this
juncture.

The most important thing of all is to get the pioneers out there and
established if possible in some self-supporting work. Once this has been
done, the work within the country itself can be gradually organised and
plans made to consolidate it in a more practical manner.

He used the word “tribes” loosely to mean the peoples of Africa and not
necessarily individuals still living under tribal system.

The Guardian does not feel that it is necessary to specify any particular
prayer to be said for the Africa work. The main thing is that the Bahá’ís
should pray for its success.

He approves of your getting out the edition of the “New Era” which you now
have in the press; but feels very strongly that any future editions should
strictly conform to the 1937 American edition, in order to preserve
uniformity in this very important Bahá’í publication.

Regarding your question about military service, the Guardian sees no
reason why the Bahá’í in question should not bring a test case, and press
the matter. It is now, since he has become a follower of Bahá’u’lláh,
against his conscience to kill his fellow-men; and he should have the
right to explain his position and ask to be exempted from combatant
service. During the hearing of such cases the Bahá’ís should make it
absolutely clear that we do not fear being placed in danger, and are not
asking to be given a safe berth in hours of national crisis—quite the
contrary—any dangerous service the Bahá’ís can render their fellow-men
during the agonies of war, they should be anxious to accept.

The work that the British Bahá’ís are accomplishing is very dear to his
heart; and he wishes your Assembly to constantly encourage the friends (as
of course they are doing) to go on with all phases of their Bahá’í work
and maintain the tempo they achieved during the past few years. They have
distinguished themselves so much that now their fellow Bahá’ís in other
lands expect them to lead the way in new fields, and to continue being the
pace setters for at least the British Empire, if not other countries as
well! Success brings burdens; and the British Bahá’ís who were so
miraculously successful at the last moment of their Six Year Plan, now
find themselves in the sometimes difficult position of being a cynosure
for all eyes.

He assures you, one and all, of his loving prayers for the work you are so
faithfully carrying out on behalf of the believers in the British
Isles....

P.S.—I wish to call your attention to certain things in “Principles of
Bahá’í Administration” which has just reached the Guardian; although the
material is good, he feels that the complete lack of quotation marks is
very misleading. His own words, the words of his various secretaries, even
the Words of Bahá’u’lláh Himself, are all lumped together as one text.
This is not only not reverent in the case of Bahá’u’lláh’s Words, but
misleading. Although the secretaries of the Guardian convey his thoughts
and instructions and these messages are authoritative, their words are in
no sense the same as his, their style certainly not the same, and their
authority less, for they use their own terms and not his exact words in
conveying his messages. He feels that in any future edition this fault
should be remedied, any quotations from Bahá’u’lláh or the Master plainly
attributed to them, and the words of the Guardian clearly differentiated
from those of his secretaries.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The magnificent spirit of devotion and the initiative and resourcefulness
demonstrated in recent months by a triumphant community, in its eagerness
to launch, ahead of the appointed time, the enterprise destined to carry
the fame of its members and establish its outposts as far afield as the
African Continent, merit the highest praise. By their organising ability,
by their zeal in enlisting the collaboration of their sister communities
in the African, the American and Asiatic continents for the effective
prosecution of this epoch-making enterprise; by the tenacity, sagacity and
fidelity which they have displayed in the course of its opening phase; by
their utter consecration and their complete reliance on the One Who
watches over their destiny, they have set an example worthy of emulation
by the members of Bahá’í communities in both the East and the West.

The despatch of the first pioneer to Tanganyika, signalising the
inauguration of the African campaign, following so closely upon the
successful termination of the Six Year Plan, will be recognised by
posterity as the initial move in an undertaking designed to supplement and
enrich the record of signal collective services rendered by the members of
this community within the confines and throughout the length and breadth
of its homeland. On it, however great the support it will receive from its
sister communities in the days to come, will devolve the chief
responsibility of guiding the destinies, of supplying the motive power,
and of contributing to the resources of a crusade which, for the first
time in Bahá’í history, involves the collaboration, and affects the
fortunes, of no less than four National Assemblies, in both Hemispheres
and within four continents of the globe.

On the success of this enterprise, unprecedented in its scope, unique in
its character and immense in its spiritual potentialities, must depend the
initiation, at a later period in the Formative Age of the Faith, of
undertakings embracing within their range all National Assemblies
functioning throughout the Bahá’í World, undertakings constituting in
themselves a prelude to the launching of world-wide enterprises destined
to be embarked upon, in future epochs of that same Age, by the Universal
House of Justice, that will symbolise the unity and coordinate and unify
the activities of these National Assemblies.

Indeed the birth of this African enterprise, in the opening decade of the
second Bahá’í century, coinciding as it does with the formation of the
International Bahá’í Council, should be acclaimed as an event of peculiar
significance in the evolution of our beloved Faith. Both events will, no
doubt, be hailed by posterity as simultaneous and compelling evidences of
the irresistible unfoldment of a divinely appointed Administrative Order
and of the development, on an international scale, of its subsidiary
agencies, heralding the establishment of the Supreme Legislative Body
designed to crown the Administrative Edifice now being laboriously erected
by the privileged builders of a Divine Order, whose features have been
delineated by the Centre of the Covenant in His Will and Testament, whose
fundamental laws have been revealed by the Founder of our Faith in His
Kitáb-i-Aqdas, and Whose advent has been foreshadowed by the Herald of the
Bahá’í Dispensation in the Bayán, His most weighty Book.

To be singled out as the chief agency in the prosecution of a task of such
dimensions, such significance, and the harbinger of events so glorious, is
indeed at once an inestimable blessing and a staggering responsibility
with which the British Bahá’í community, emerging triumphantly and in
rapid succession from the ordeal of a world war and the struggles involved
in the prosecution of an historic Plan, has been honoured at so critical
and challenging an hour in the fortunes of mankind.

To labour assiduously for the despatch, in the coming year marking the
official opening of the Two Year Plan, of pioneers to the chosen
Territories of the African Continent; to ensure that its three sister
National Assemblies will steadily reinforce its work through financial
assistance as well as through the increase in the number of pioneers; to
expedite the translation, publication and dissemination of Bahá’í
literature in the three selected languages throughout these Territories;
to enlarge the scope of the contacts established with representatives of
the African peoples and with institutions designed to foster their
interests; to cultivate cordial relations with, and secure the goodwill
and support of, the civil authorities in the goal countries where the
pioneers will reside; to maintain steady correspondence with, fan the
zeal, seek the counsel and secure the assistance of the budding and
scattered communities in the North, the South and the Heart of that vast,
that promising and slowly awakening continent; to prepare for the eventual
convocation, under its own auspices and following the example set, and the
procedure adopted, by its sister American Assembly on the European
Continent, of the First African Teaching Conference, representative of
both the white and black races, constituting an epoch-making landmark in
the evolution of the Faith among the African races and possibly
synchronising with the centenary celebrations of the birth of
Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission, and adding another victor’s crown to the laurels
already won by the British followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in their
own homeland—these stand out as the paramount and inescapable duties
confronting the British National Spiritual Assembly as it stands on the
threshold of a new and glorious epoch in British Bahá’í history.

Though the prospect of this new venture is indeed enthralling, though it
demands careful planning, the allocation of substantial sums for its
prosecution, and the exertion of strenuous efforts for its systematic
development, the prizes so laboriously won at home must under no
circumstances be jeopardised. The twofold obligation of preserving the
status of the newly-fledged Assemblies in England, Wales, Scotland and
Ireland and of propagating the Faith among the people dwelling in the
British Isles through active teaching and the wide circulation of Bahá’í
literature must be faithfully discharged. The necessary foundation for the
proclamation of the Faith, at a later stage in the development of the
British Bahá’í community, amidst the British people and in the very heart
of the British Empire must be carefully laid. Whatever measures will
facilitate the future recognition of the Faith by the civil authorities in
the localities where its followers reside, and eventually by the central
government in Westminster, must, within the means at their disposal, and
however tentatively, be adopted.

Then and only then will this community, carrying out faithfully the
twofold duty incumbent upon it, both at home and abroad, be vouchsafed by
Bahá’u’lláh the full measure of His grace which will enable it to
traverse, speedily and successfully, the present stage in its evolution,
and acquire still greater potentialities for the revelation of a still
brighter aspect of its mission designed to illuminate with the light of
Divine Guidance and in the course of the Formative and Golden Ages of the
Faith all the Dependencies of the British Crown, and erect the
administrative structure within these Territories, of an Order,
incomparably mightier and more enduring than any which that Crown has ever
established.

Shoghi

Letter of 23 April 1951

23 April 1951

DEEPEST APPRECIATION GREETINGS LOVING REMEMBRANCE SHRINES DELIGHTED
SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 April 1951 (Convention)

25 April 1951 (Convention)

REJOICE THANKFUL PROUD STERLING QUALITIES FIDELITY TENACITY INTREPIDITY
BRITISH FOLLOWERS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH CONSPICUOUSLY DEMONSTRATED COURSE
INTERVAL SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION SIX YEAR FORMAL INAUGURATION TWO YEAR PLAN.
HEARTILY CONGRATULATE DELEGATES ASSEMBLED OCCASION HISTORIC NUMERICALLY
ENLARGED EPOCH MAKING CONVENTION. ONE YEAR RESPITE REGARDED BREATHING
SPELL DESIGNED ENABLE TOILING TRIUMPHANT VALOROUS HIGH MINDED COMMUNITY
RECRUIT FORCES WITNESSED UNEXPECTED DISPLAY VIGOROUS ACTIVITY RESULTING
FIRST VICTORIES AFRICAN FIELD PRESERVATION LABORIOUSLY ESTABLISHED
ASSEMBLIES LENGTH BREADTH BRITISH ISLES. TWO YEAR PLAN NOW OFFICIALLY
LAUNCHED DEMANDS CONTINUOUS UNSTINTED SYSTEMATIC SUPPORT NATIONAL ELECTED
REPRESENTATIVES ALL LOCAL ASSEMBLIES RANK FILE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
AUSPICIOUS RAYS GOD’S DAWNING REVELATION WHICH FIRST STRUCK CORNER VAST
DARK SPIRITUALLY DECADENT CONTINENT COURSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S MINISTRY WHICH
WARMED ILLUMINATED ITS NORTHERN SOUTHERN FRINGES CONCLUDING YEARS HEROIC
AGE FAITH MUST NOW PENETRATE ITS HEART BRIGHTEN ITS JUNGLE FASTNESSES
ENVELOP IT WITH SPLENDOUR THEIR RADIANCE COURSE PRESENT SUCCEEDING EPOCHS
FORMATIVE AGE BAHÁ’Í DISPENSATION. CONFIDENT BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY WILL
ARISE BEFITTINGLY MEET CHALLENGE NOW CONFRONTING IT ACHIEVE THREEFOLD
PURPOSE PLAN. PRAYING ENERGETIC COLLABORATION PROSECUTORS ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S
DIVINE PLAN WITH COMMUNITY BELIEVERS BELONGING NATION WHOSE DESTINY BEEN
LINKED FORTUNES WORLD’S BACKWARD RACES REINFORCED ASSISTANCE SISTER
COMMUNITY CRADLE FAITH NATIONAL ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES LEADING COMMUNITY
AFRICAN CONTINENT MAY ENSURE SUCCESS CRUSADE CONSTITUTING SPIRITUAL
LANDMARK PROCESS AWAKENING AFRICAN PEOPLES MARKING OPENING GLORIOUS
CHAPTER EVOLUTION WORLD FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SIGNALISING INITIAL PHASE
UNFOLDMENT MISSION COMMUNITY HIS FOLLOWERS BRITISH ISLES MIDST DOMINIONS
COLONIES PROTECTORATES BRITISH CROWN. MAY PROJECTED CENTENARY BIRTH
PROPHETIC MISSION BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BEFITTINGLY CELEBRATED CONVOCATION FIRST ALL
AFRICAN TEACHING CONFERENCE REPRESENTATIVE BLACK WHITE RACES EMBRACING
SEVENTEEN AFRICAN TERRITORIES NOW INCLUDED PALE FAITH. ARRANGING
TRANSMISSION ONE THOUSAND POUNDS CONTRIBUTION FURTHERANCE GLORIOUS
OBJECTIVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 May 1951

2 May 1951

DEEPLY APPRECIATE GREETINGS HIGH RESOLVE ATTENDANTS CONVENTION DELIGHTED
SUCCESS SESSIONS PRAYING SIGNAL VICTORIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 May 1951

4 May 1951

OWING RECENT INSTRUCTIONS PERSIAN EGYPTIAN ASSEMBLIES TO DESPATCH PIONEERS
FIVE ADDITIONAL AFRICAN TERRITORIES ADVISE UNDERTAKE TRANSLATION SMALL
PAMPHLETS INTO ACOLI ADANWE EWE FANTA MENDE YORUBA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 5 May 1951

5 May 1951

ADD SOMALI TO LANGUAGES ALREADY CABLED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 June 1951

22 June 1951

NEWLY LAUNCHED HIGHLY MOMENTOUS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN CHIEF AUXILIARY MANIFOLD
AGENCIES OPERATING FURTHERANCE ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S PLAN AMERICAN EUROPEAN
CONTINENTS IRRESISTIBLY UNFOLDING GATHERING MOMENTUM THROUGH ADDED
PARTICIPATION INDIAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY ASSIGNMENT SPECIFIC SUPPLEMENTARY
FUNCTIONS PERSIAN EGYPTIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES CONTEMPLATED TRANSLATION
BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE ADDITIONAL AFRICAN LANGUAGES MULTIPLICATION TERRITORIES
NORTHERN EASTERN WESTERN FRINGES VAST AWAKENING CONTINENT. BRIEF SPAN TWO
YEARS DESTINED WITNESS FIRST FRUITS HISTORIC CONTINENT-WIDE CRUSADE WILL
ERELONG TERMINATE. VALOROUS BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CENTRAL PIVOT
MACHINERY NOW SET MOTION CHIEF AGENCY PROSECUTION MIGHTY DIVINELY
PROPELLED ENTERPRISE MUST AWARE URGENCY TASK ACT SPEEDILY RESOLUTELY
DESPATCH WITHOUT DELAY VOLUNTEERS, SETTLE PIONEERS DISSEMINATE LITERATURE
INITIATE TEACHING ACTIVITIES ESTABLISH FRUITFUL CONTACTS ENSURE STEADY
ENROLMENT FRESH RECRUITS AMONGST TRIBES RACES FARFLUNG VIRGIN TERRITORIES.
TRANSMITTING ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION THOUSAND POUNDS ENSURE VIGOROUS
PROSECUTION COLOSSAL SACRED TASK ENABLING WELL TRIED FOLLOWERS FAITH
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH ISLES WRITE WORTHILY FIRST PAGE HISTORY MEMORABLE
UNDERTAKING CONSTITUTING OPENING PHASE THEIR GLORIOUS SPIRITUAL MISSION
OVERSEAS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 June 1951

22 June 1951(55)

ASSURE DEPARTED PIONEERS FERVENT LOVING PRAYERS SURROUNDING THEM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 July 1951

4 July 1951

WORK NEWLY ASSIGNED EGYPT INDIA PERSIA SUPPLEMENTARY ANY ASSISTANCE
EXTENDED THEM YOUR ASSEMBLY DEEPLY APPRECIATED. TWO FUNDS ESTABLISHED
WORLD CENTRE SETTLEMENT BANÁNÍ NA_KH_JAVÁNÍ LEFT DISCRETION YOUR ASSEMBLY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 15 July 1951

15 July 1951

APPROVE IBO OR DAGBANE INSTEAD OF FANTA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 July 1951

20 July 1951

ASSURE SABRIS LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS ACCOMPANYING THEM. GRIEVE PASSING
PRESTON ASSURE WIFE LOVING PRAYERS APPROVE REINFORCE KENYA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 21 August 1951

21 August 1951(56)

OVERJOYED INITIAL VICTORY LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 August 1951

26 August 1951

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS RIDVÁN. TEACHING CONFERENCE MAY BE HELD ANY TIME
BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH 1953 SUBSTITUTE ANOTHER LANGUAGE FOR SOMALI.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 September 1951

2 September 1951

ASSURE ATTENDANTS SCHOOL ABIDING APPRECIATION NOBLE RESOLVE FERVENT
PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 19 September 1951

19 September 1951(57)

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letter of August 27th has been received, and the beloved Guardian is
sending you herein his receipt for the contribution of the British Bahá’ís
to the Shrine. He noted with interest and appreciation that the Bank
raised no objections to the transfer of this sum for such a purpose, and
feels this indicates the slowly growing recognition of the Faith’s nature
and importance. Your own ever devoted services to the Cause are greatly
appreciated by him, you may be sure....

[From the Guardian:]

I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the sum of three hundred pounds
from the Bahá’ís of the British Isles, to be expended for the construction
of the Shrine of the Báb on Mt. Carmel.

Shoghi

Letter of 16 October 1951

16 October 1951

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters dated March 26th (two); April 4th (three), 11th, 17th, 8th,
7th and 24th; May 1st, 4th, 12th and 24th; June 1st, 4th, 19th (two),
12th, 23rd and 27th; July 4th, 6th, 21st (two), 25th and 31st; August 8th,
9th and 15th; September 15th, 18th and 19th; have all been received, as
well as their enclosures, and the photographs sent and material under
separate cover, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.

It will no doubt make you happy to hear that the Guardian has really had a
little rest this summer, much needed after the tremendous strain of last
year’s worries and burdens. He can now turn to his important N.S.A.
letters somewhat refreshed.

To take up certain matters raised in your letters:

There are two Funds, that of the Shrine of the Báb and the International
Fund; but at present it is more important for the friends to concentrate
on completing the work in progress on the Shrine, which, thanks to the
response of the believers from all over the world, is going forward
uninterruptedly, in spite of the very difficult situation in the Holy Land
which makes all kinds of building work frightfully complicated.

The Guardian would very much like to receive five copies of every
publication brought out in England for the Bahá’í libraries in Haifa and
at Bahjí and in Acre. He thanks you for the diaries you sent....

For your information the Guardian does not want any believers to migrate
at present to this country. It will not meet with his approval under any
circumstances. The local problems, with a small group of Covenant-Breakers
more or less active in stirring up trouble; the efforts, at present
successful, which he is making to establish the most cordial relations
with the Government; the upbuilding of the international institutions of
the Faith; the consolidation of the International Bahá’í Council—all
require that no complications arise and no further strain be added to the
burden of work at the World Centre of the Faith.

Now we come to the part of your activities nearest to his heart at
present—Africa Campaign. By all means any translation at present into
Somali should be given up, as the advice of experts prove it both
unnecessary and very expensive.

The Guardian feels that, in view of the fact that funds for sending out
pioneers are limited, and that a good number of pioneers are available, it
is better to choose those most qualified and not, for the time being at
least, accept every offer, however devoted the spirit behind it.

He fully appreciates the fact that Somaliland is going to be somewhat
difficult. In view of its peculiar status your Assembly should bear in
mind the possibility of sending there a British subject, if this should
prove feasible, and pending a time when the Persians can go there and make
arrangements for someone to represent them.

The Guardian considers that your Assembly is the consultative body for all
African territories, and that the other National Assemblies should keep in
close touch with you. This does not mean, however, that the initiative for
the places allotted to them by the Guardian does not lie in their own
hands. Likewise, the planning of the African Conference should be handled
by you, in close co-operation with the other N.S.A.s. He does not feel it
is feasible for the other N.S.A.s to pool their finances for the African
work and put it in your Fund.

The unfortunate crisis in Persia may hold up, for a time, their services
in Africa, and he hopes you will do all you can to offset this most
unfortunate setback to their work. The Persian believers, have, for over a
hundred years, borne the brunt of persecution and are still doing so,
being the unhappy victims of their country and their race. They merit the
ardent sympathy of their fellow Bahá’ís the world over.

The Guardian is very anxious to know how the work is going in the British
Isles: he feels that the Africa Campaign has been launched in a way far
exceeding his hopes, is being visibly blessed from on high, and, with the
same amount of perseverance shown so far, is assured of great and speedy
victories. But the goals, so hard won and at such cost of sacrifice at
home, must not be lost. He urges all the friends to not allow the dazzling
prospect overseas to take their attention away from the steady work of
consolidation still required at home! The work abroad rests on the
foundation laid so well and so painfully at home; if one suffers, so will
the other.

The British Bahá’ís have distinguished themselves in recent years to a
degree which has given them great prominence in the entire Bahá’í World
and inspired others to follow their example. They cannot and must not lose
this hard-won prominence, but, on the contrary, must demonstrate that it
was not a spurt of speed but the evidence of deep and hardy roots bearing
their first fruits, after years of quiet growth.

He remembers all the members of your Assembly in his prayers, and prays
that the community of believers you serve so devotedly may go on rising to
ever greater heights and shoulder all their tasks with increasing vigour,
faith and devotion....

P.S. Regarding the forthcoming Centenary celebrations: the Guardian feels
both national and local celebrations should be held very much as were
those of the 1944 Centenary, but on a larger scale, with more publicity,
if possible.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The auspicious launching of the first teaching Crusade undertaken by the
British Bahá’í community beyond the borders of its homeland, marks yet
another stage in the evolution of the Bahá’í Administrative Order in the
British Isles, and signalises the opening of an epoch of the utmost
significance in the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation. Though the
operation of the Plan is of short duration, yet it constitutes a prelude
to a series of successive campaigns which a firmly knit, vigorously
functioning, clear visioned, intensely alive national community is
destined to initiate, direct and control from its newly consolidated
administrative headquarters in the heart of the British Isles, not only
throughout the Dependencies of the British Crown within the African
Continent, but eventually in the widely scattered Territories of an Empire
whose ramifications extend into every continent of the globe.

A little over half-a-century ago, this community, now invested with a
mandate of the utmost significance both at home and overseas, was called
into being in the course of the opening years of the third and last epoch
of the Heroic Age of the Faith. A decade later, the Appointed Centre of a
Covenant, through the creative and potent energies of which so important a
member of a steadily rising world community was conceived and nurtured,
chose to infuse into that infant community through the impact of His
personality in the course of a twice repeated visit to the heart and
centre of that Empire, a measure of His own mysterious power, which, as He
Himself prophesied, was destined to unfold its potentialities in the
course of a later age. On the morrow of His passing, the earliest
evidences of the unfailing promise He had made revealed themselves through
the first stirrings of an Administrative Order—the Child of the Covenant,
the Shield of that community and the divinely appointed Agency for the
execution of the mandate with which that community was to be invested in
the second epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation. A little
over two decades later, that community, armed and equipped with the
mighty, divinely conceived agencies of a laboriously erected, unassailably
established Administrative Order, embarked upon a six-year enterprise that
culminated in the erection of the institutions of that Order in the very
heart and capital cities of its island home—the essential prerequisite for
the inauguration of yet another stage in its unfoldment. On the morrow of
the triumphant termination of the first collective enterprise launched by
that community in British Bahá’í history, its jubilant members braced
themselves, during a one-year interval, for the initial onslaught, which
they were preparing to launch, unitedly and determinedly, far beyond the
shores of their homeland amid alien, widely diversified, politically
restless, economically backward, spiritually famished tribes and peoples,
and in the course of one of the most critical periods in human history. On
the morrow of the centenary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Herald of its
Faith, this same community had already formulated its plans, initiated its
programme of publications in various African languages, despatched its
first pioneer to the heart of that continent, forged the necessary links
with its allied sister communities participating in various enterprises in
that same continent, and established its first essential contact with
divers government agencies capable of giving their advice and assistance
in the prosecution of its historic and arduous task.

This community, so young in experience, so richly endowed by the love and
care of a departed all-powerful Master, so firmly entrenched in the
stronghold of its Administrative Order, already so rich in prizes won in
the course of the first collective enterprise undertaken in its history,
so promising in the vigour, the zeal and devotion which it is now
displaying, is faced, at the present hour, with a grave, a sacred and
inescapable responsibility—a responsibility that will increase as the
brief eighteen-month interval separating it from the termination of its
Two Year Plan speeds to a close.

Upon the discharge of this weighty responsibility now resting upon it must
depend the inauguration of yet another Plan, of longer duration, of
greater scope, of a still more challenging character, and of greater
consequence in the effect it must have on that community’s destiny.

Time is running short. The present hour in the fortunes of mankind is
critical. The centenary of the birth of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is
fast approaching. The British Bahá’í community must gird up its loins,
redouble its exertions, undertake further sacrifices, demonstrate greater
solidarity and rise to still greater heights of consecrated devotion.

The flow of pioneers to the African Continent must be noticeably
accelerated. The provision of Bahá’í literature in all the selected
African languages must be speeded up. The ties binding the community with
its cooperating sister communities must be steadily reinforced. The prizes
already garnered as a result of the operation of the Six-Year Plan in
England, Wales, Scotland, Eire and Northern Ireland, must, at all costs,
be safeguarded. The preparations for the forthcoming first African
Teaching Conference must be carefully planned and meticulously carried
out. Above all, the zeal kindled in the breasts of administrators,
pioneers, teachers and supporters, jointly contributing to the success of
this meritorious enterprise, must burn ever more brightly and be reflected
in still more remarkable exploits.

Then, and only then, will this community be enabled to contribute its
share of tribute to the memory of the Founder of its Faith, on the
occasion of the centenary of the birth of His Prophetic Mission, in as
befitting a manner as the share it already contributed, through the
consummation of its first historic Plan, to the world-wide celebrations
which commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the founding of its Faith.
Then, and only then, will it be qualified to embark upon yet another
Crusade, whose scope will transcend the limits of the vast African
Continent, and the culmination of which might well coincide with the Most
Great Jubilee that will commemorate the centenary of the formal assumption
by Bahá’u’lláh of His prophetic office, a jubilee envisaged by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Tablets, and prophesied more than two thousand years
ago, by Daniel in His Book.

So glorious a vision, now unfolded before the eyes of the British
followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, cannot but galvanise them into
action, at once swift, resolute and unrelaxing, and fire their souls with
a spirit so consuming as to melt every obstacle that may intervene between
them and the achievement of their present goal.

May they, one and all, prove themselves, in the crucial months immediately
ahead, worthy of the blessings vouchsafed to them in the past, and of the
high destiny which it lies in their power to achieve in the future.

Shoghi

Letter of 28 October 1951

28 October 1951(58)

ASSURE STEPHENS LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS ACCOMPANYING HER.

SHOGHI

Letter of 11 November 1951

11 November 1951

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

As I just recently sent you a long letter on behalf of the beloved
Guardian to which he appended at some length, he wishes you to consider
this reply to your letters of October 17th (three in number) as a
postscript to the other.

As regards the questions you raised:

The ideal thing would be to have at least one Bahá’í from every territory
in Africa attend the African Conference. This is the goal to be worked
for, and attained if possible, as it will greatly stimulate the work and
especially the inexperienced and isolated believers.

The solar calendar should, by all means, be adhered to in Africa.

He feels that your Assembly is responsible for the time being for the work
in territories not under the charge of other N.S.A.s (Tunis, Sudan and
Ethiopia are under Egyptian care).

You are not directly responsible for any work done in territories which
have been allotted to other N.S.A.s. But you should correspond with them,
and give them any help and advice you can, both the N.S.A.s and their
African Committees. In the case of Eric Manton, though he will be under
Persia’s jurisdiction you can keep him informed of your work, so as to
cheer him up.

Only the five participating National Assemblies are responsible directly
for financing the African work. No invitations should be extended to other
bodies or individuals to contribute. Naturally if any one wants to, they
no doubt will, but it would be, he feels, very inappropriate to broadcast
any appeal. The Africa work is not an international undertaking but an
interassembly one, confined to five national Bodies.

He is very pleased over the way the work is progressing, and sends you all
his loving greetings....

P.S. He thanks you for the Quarterly Report enclosed. He reads with great
interest everything related to the African work.

Letter of 23 November 1951

23 November 1951(59)

CONFERENCE SHOULD BE HELD UGANDA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 December 1951

6 December 1951

Africa Committee

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your letters of November 5th and 22nd (enclosures were also received) have
been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on
his behalf.

He was pleased to hear that Sir Ronald Storrs keeps up a friendly interest
in the Faith.

Regarding ... it is obvious that people like this, who have had in some
cases a smattering of Bahá’í teaching are not fully aware of the
implications of the Faith. However, this does not mean that we should not
help them and hold on to them, in the hope of being able, as time and
circumstances permit, to deepen them and produce from them really fine
believers. This has happened on many occasions in the past, and the
Guardian hopes that, through correspondence with him, your committee—and
perhaps the Groups in Africa—will be able to accomplish this.

In response to his requests for money, you should point out to him that as
we finance entirely our own activities as our gift to mankind, we have to
harbour our resources and concentrate on the most important expenditures.
You will know what these are; and they certainly don’t include a
headquarters in Nigeria. You might also encourage him to make an effort to
attend the Africa Conference.

The Guardian also hopes that you will give ... every encouragement. She is
a fine soul, and no doubt, if she had time devoted to her, would soon
develop into an assured and active believer. You should encourage her also
to make every effort to be present at the Africa Conference, and in the
meantime to correspond with believers abroad, and do her best to teach the
Cause there in spite of her handicaps.

The Guardian feels that the next step in Bahá’í literature might well be
the publication of a more comprehensive work in Luganda and Swahili.
However, he would like the Africa Committee to undertake pamphlets in
other languages as well; let him know what languages the committee
proposes.

He attaches, as you know, the greatest importance to the work of your
committee and is tremendously impressed by the progress being made in
Africa, and by the capacity, tenacity and enthusiasm the British Africa
Committee is showing in handling its share of this extremely important
campaign. His prayers are frequently offered on your behalf.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty whose Cause you serve with such devotion, ability and
faithfulness, reward you abundantly for your labours, guide you and
sustain you and assist you to enrich continually the record of your
meritorious service.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 19 December 1951

19 December 1951(60)

DELIGHTED ASSURE THEM FERVENT PRAYERS HEARTY WELCOME BAHÁ’Í FOLD.

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 December 1951

30 December 1951

APPROVE PLAN CELEBRATION CENTENARY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 January 1952 (Teaching Conference)

8 January 1952 (Teaching Conference)

ASSURE ATTENDANTS TEACHING CONFERENCE DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION
ASSURANCE LOYALTY. APPEAL FERVENTLY ARISE DETERMINEDLY STIMULATE PIONEER
ACTIVITY SAFEGUARD HARD-WON PRIZES CONSOLIDATE HOME FRONT REINFORCE
AGENCIES ADMINISTRATIVE BASE ON WHICH SUCCESS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN
INAUGURATION FUTURE PLANS EMBRACING BRITISH TERRITORIES OTHER CONTINENTS
ULTIMATELY DEPEND SUPPLICATING ABUNDANT BLESSING.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 January 1952

16 January 1952(61)

DELIGHTED APPROVE TALKS HANDS LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 February 1952

13 February 1952

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you the following:

He wishes the British National Assembly to please do all they can to watch
over the two young sons of our dear friends, Mr. and Mrs. ..., in view of
the fact that the youngest boy is little more than a child, he needs
particularly to have his spiritual welfare safeguarded through as much
contact as possible with believers.

The wonderful services this devoted and self-sacrificing father and mother
are rendering the Faith have forced them to be separated from their
children, and hence the Guardian requests your Assembly to please take
special care of the boys.

We are all very happy to have ... here, and they have brought most
heartening reports of the progress of the work in Africa with them....

Letter of 20 February 1952

20 February 1952(62)

GRIEVE TRAGIC LOSS PRAYING FERVENTLY BEHALF DEPARTED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 February 1952

29 February 1952

...ADVISE BUILD UP KENYA. URGE FORMATION ASSEMBLIES KAMPALA DAR-ES-SALAAM.
APPROVE SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR NATIONAL ASSEMBLY REPRESENTATIVES OUTSIDE
CONFERENCE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 March 1952

4 March 1952

Africa Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of the 18th of February, with enclosures, has reached the
beloved Guardian; and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is very pleased over the progress being made, particularly in Uganda;
and the recent pilgrimage of the dear Banánís, he feels sure, will add a
great impetus to the work there.

Regarding the matters of policy you raised in your letter, he sees no
objection to the Persian Bahá’ís,—as long as there are so many of them,
and it is unwise to concentrate too many applicants on one country at one
time as you point out,—going to countries under the jurisdiction of other
National Spiritual Assemblies, such as Egypt and India.

He considers that it is of the greatest importance that pioneers should
have upright characters, as well as some considerable knowledge of the
Teachings. We cannot expect that every pioneer will be a person of
importance; but we must hope that each one will be a person of worth, in
his own character. This should be pointed out to the Indian friends.

India should likewise make an effort to send pioneers primarily to the
territories embraced in its own part of the Plan; but if they can make
available to your committee for British territory, some qualified Indian
Bahá’ís, who for some reason cannot go to one of the Indian National
Assembly’s assignments, then there is no objection.

The Guardian thinks that it is wise not to influence ... by sending him
material which he does not at present wish to receive. He is, judging from
his letter, a sincere but immature believer....

P.S. Your National Assembly is not responsible for Eritrea but you may
encourage any believers there.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your high endeavours, guide and sustain you
continually, and aid you to win great victories in the service of His
Faith.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 8 March 1952

8 March 1952(63)

APPROVE _SH_OMAIS DEPARTURE AFRICA. ABBÁS RETURN PERSIA APPRECIATE DEEPLY
SELF-SACRIFICE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 March 1952

12 March 1952

OWING RAPID PROGRESS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN ADVISE CONCENTRATION CONSOLIDATION
HOME FRONT APPEAL UNITED RENEWED VIGOROUS EFFORT PRAYING FERVENTLY
SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 18 March 1952

18 March 1952

GOAL FULFILLED ANY PART SOMALILAND.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 April 1952

16 April 1952(64)

OVERJOYED PRAYING SUCCESS BLACKPOOL LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 April 1952

22 April 1952(65)

DELIGHTED APPRECIATE SERVICES PIONEERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 April 1952

29 April 1952

DEEPLY TOUCHED PLEDGE BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CONGRATULATE VALIANT
MEMBERS MARVELLOUS PROGRESS AFRICAN CAMPAIGN CONSOLIDATION HOME FRONT
OWING ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES ADVISE CONCENTRATE NAIROBI AIMING
ESTABLISHMENT ASSEMBLY LEADING PROMISING CENTRE BRITISH TERRITORIES HEART
EAST AFRICAN CONTINENT FERVENTLY PRAYING STILL GREATER VICTORIES LOVING
GRATITUDE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 May 1952

4 May 1952

National Bahá’í Youth Committee

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of April 9, 1952, has been received, and the beloved Guardian
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was most happy to see that so many of the Bahá’í youth and their
friends had gathered together for the Youth Conference; and trusts that,
from this consultation, a greater activity amongst the Bahá’í youth of the
British Isles will result.

All over the Bahá’í world, we see that not an inconsiderable proportion of
the most active and devoted pioneers are young people. This is only right
and proper, because they are freer, usually, to migrate to distant lands,
embark on new projects, and withstand the trials and hardships, than older
people, who have built up family ties and professional ties.

He will pray for all of you, for your success and the deepening of your
capacities in the service of Bahá’u’lláh.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless and sustain you in your meritorious activities and
aid you to achieve great victories in the service of His Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 3 June 1952

3 June 1952

I gratefully acknowledge receipt of the sum of £200 Sterling from my dear
Bahá’í co-workers, British Bahá’í community to be expended for the
promotion of the international interests of the Bahá’í Faith.

Shoghi

Letter of 3 June 1952

3 June 1952

I gratefully acknowledge receipt of the sum of £300 Sterling from my dear
Bahá’í co-workers, British Bahá’í community to be expended for the
construction of the Shrine of the Báb.

Shoghi

Letter of 4 June 1952

4 June 1952

Africa Committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letter of May 16th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He has read with great interest the reports which your committee sends him
regularly, because as you know the work in Africa is to him one of the
most important activities going on in the Bahá’í world, and very close to
his heart.

He was very sorry to hear from the recent cable sent him that there is a
question about the Kampala Conference, and whether arrangements can be
made for it to be held there. Undoubtedly there is an increasingly
negative attitude toward our work growing up amongst the officials,
probably due to the lack of racial discrimination they are coming to
realise is one of our fundamental teachings, a teaching carried into
action, and not merely a pious hope.... He wishes you to keep him informed
about this and the progress being made.

Your suggested souvenir booklet sounds interesting, and he urges you to
consider the wisdom of including a photograph of Mr. Gregory, First Negro
Hand of the Cause, in addition to the others.

As regards the latest progress photo of the Shrine Mr. Ted Cardell took a
great many pictures here, which the Guardian told him he could share with
the Bahá’ís anywhere in the world; and it seems as if, exclusive of the
work on the drum, which will begin showing distinctly in about two months’
time, the best possible photograph you can obtain of the Shrine at present
would be one of Ted’s. You should therefore apply to him for one.

The Guardian is very anxious that, during the coming months, the Africa
Committee and the Bahá’ís should concentrate their efforts on establishing
an Assembly in Kenya, and hopes that you will be able to direct pioneers
to Nairobi as soon as possible.

The Guardian considers that it is premature at this time to answer your
question about consultation at the Africa Conference, between people from
territories which will come under the jurisdiction of the East and Central
Africa National Spiritual Assembly. He is so overworked and tired at the
moment that he has not been able to go into the entire question of the
Inter-Continental Conferences, the countries which will come under the
jurisdiction of various future national bodies, etc. He hopes that he will
be able, during the coming months, to do this, and if he feels it wise,
will advise you by cable concerning a consultation such as you suggest, at
the Conference.

He assures all the members of your committee of his deep appreciation of
the work they are doing, and of his loving prayers for their success....

P.S. Your personal letter of May 17th was received, and he assures you not
only of how deeply he admires the spirit you and your husband have, and
the work you accomplish, but of his loving prayers that you may be given
strength to carry out this work.

Mr. ... evidently is very immature and has no real concept of the Faith;
this does not mean, however, that we should abandon him as a contact or
let him become the prey of the New History Society. We should keep in
friendly touch until someone can see him.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty Whose Cause you and your co-workers are serving with such
an exemplary spirit of devotion, fidelity and perseverance, reward you for
your meritorious labours, remove all obstacles from your path and enable
you to win great victories in the days to come,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 12 June 1952

12 June 1952

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The beloved Guardian has received your letters of October 3, October 27
(4), November 5, 9, 22 (2), 24 and 29, December 6, 19 (4) and 21, 1951,
and January 1, 2, 7, 11, 16, 17, 20 and 29 (3), February 1, 16, 20 (3), 27
(2) and February 29, March 5 and 14, April 3, 15 and 24, May 5, 13, 19
(2), 27 and 31, and June 6th, 10th and June 12, 1952, and he has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf. He also has received the
various enclosures which you sent with these letters....

The book you sent from the friends in Bahrein was received, and pleased
the beloved Guardian very much, as the lines are written in the
handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh at the beginning of the book. (This answers
your question in your letter of June 6th.)

It brought great joy to his heart to see that you were able to maintain
all assemblies in spite of the heavy odds against you. It demonstrates to
him once more the tenacity and devotion of the British Bahá’ís, which is
rapidly becoming one of the great assets of the Faith in its process of
international expansion....

The wonderful spirit shown by Dr. Afnán and his wife is certainly an
example to all pioneers. He hopes that Mrs. Afnán will settle herself
successfully in Africa, and soon be able to have her husband join her.

He was very happy to hear that the Teaching Conference has been so
successful. Undoubtedly the dedication of the friends to their tasks at
that time facilitated the achievement of their goals in April....

The Guardian would like to assure your Assembly of his loving prayers for
dear Mr. Sam Scott, who pioneered at such a ripe age, and who is surely
receiving his reward in the Abhá Kingdom.(66)

He considers it advisable that all believers living in Africa, even those
who did so before the beginning of the Plan, should have some form of
credentials....

Your suggestion of inaugurating the Holy Year next Ridván and continuing
on until October, 1953, with celebrations, meets with his approval.

As regards the Africa campaign: this enterprise, so enthusiastically
carried on, has been throughout this past year the greatest source of joy
to the heart of the beloved Guardian. The visits of the dear Banánís and
Ted Cardell, the news they brought and the general progress of the work,
have made Africa seem right next door to Haifa! The formation of the
Dar-es-Salaam and Kampala Assemblies was also a great satisfaction to him.

He urges you to now concentrate on an Assembly for Nairobi by next April.
This should not be too difficult of achievement in view of the devoted
efforts of Mr. Cardell and the pioneers eager to go there.

As regards your question about Somaliland: any one of the three
Somalilands may be chosen as a goal territory.

In this connection, he feels that Persian pioneers should be accepted for
any and all territories; they are arising in large numbers to offer their
services, and it is a great pity that these dedicated and eager friends
are so restricted as regards settlement. Your Assembly should do all in
its power to facilitate placing them.

The Guardian feels that although the Conference planned for Kampala is
primarily a Conference and in no sense a Convention (having no delegates),
there is no objection to the representatives of various N.S.A.s who may
attend meeting in separate sessions for more special and concentrated
consultation. Any Hands of the Cause attending could also be included in
this private discussion.

He feels that now more than ever the British friends have every reason to
feel proud of their accomplishments and happy over the very evident
bestowals from the Throne on High. They have found, after half a century
of development, scope for their abilities, and a field large enough to
distinguish themselves in, and they are certainly taking advantage of it,
much to the delight of the Guardian and their fellow-Bahá’ís.

You may be sure that he remembers you all in his prayers, and also the
body of the faithful believers you serve to such good purpose.

He would like you to please thank, on his behalf, the friends who so
devotedly contribute to the construction of the Holy Shrine....

P.S. As regards Bahá’í divorce as mentioned in your letters of June 12th:
Bahá’ís (whether one party or both are believers) should follow the Bahá’í
law of divorce, i.e. one year of waiting, and not neglect this divinely
given law. Whether they were Bahá’ís when they married or not has nothing
to do with it.

In connection with the budget, mentioned in your letter of June 10th, he
feels, in the future, you should not set a budget which the resources of
the community are unable to meet; however, owing to the crucial Africa
work and the forthcoming Conference, he realises you had at this time no
other choice. He is going to arrange for one thousand pounds to be sent to
your Assembly in order to meet the needs of the Conference and the
literature in African languages still to be published. The remaining
translations should be pressed forward in order to be ready for the
Conference next year.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The Two Year Plan on which the British Bahá’í community has embarked bids
fair, as it approaches its conclusion, to eclipse, however short its
duration, the exploits of that community throughout the length and breadth
of the British Isles, in the course of the prosecution of the first
collective enterprise undertaken in British Bahá’í history. This second
historic undertaking marks the inauguration of the Mission entrusted to
this community for the purpose of diffusing the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and
of implanting its banner through successive stages, and in collaboration
with its sister communities, not only in the territories of the British
Crown in the African Continent, but throughout the dependencies of a
widely scattered Empire in the remaining continents of the globe. It may
well be regarded as a befitting prelude to the official participation of
this community in the Ten Year, world-encircling Crusade, designed to
signalise the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of
Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission, involving the systematic co-operation of no less
than twelve National Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world, and destined
to culminate in the Most Great Jubilee that will, God willing, witness the
introduction of the Faith into all the Sovereign States, the Chief
Dependencies and Islands of the entire planet.

In the conduct of this world-encompassing task, so vast in scope, so
thrilling in its possibilities, so formidable in its potentialities, the
British Bahá’í community will be called upon to play a preponderating
rôle, in conjunction with the American Bahá’í community, acting as the
Chief Custodians of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Master Plan, and seconded by its sister
communities in the British Dominions in both hemispheres, in awakening the
peoples, races and nations comprising the British Commonwealth and Empire
to the redemptive Message of Bahá’u’lláh, and in establishing, on an
unassailable foundation, the structural basis of His World Order.

The diversity of functions which the assumption of this task will involve;
the privileges and bounties it will, of a certainty, confer on its
prosecutors; the degree of dedication, the amount of preparation it will
require for its proper discharge; the severe strain it must necessarily
impose on all those who will shoulder its burdens; the gravity of the
manifold problems it will raise; the severe challenge with which they who
will arise to carry it out will be confronted—as witnessed by the delicate
and complicated situation that has already arisen in the initial stage of
this historic Mission in the heart of Africa, in connection with the
holding of the projected inter-continental conference—all these must be
carefully pondered in preparation for the launching, at its appointed
time, of an undertaking that will constitute, not only a milestone of the
utmost significance in the history of the Faith in the British Isles, but
will also be hailed by posterity as a landmark of peculiar significance in
British history.

Whilst the small band of wholly dedicated, patiently labouring, much
admired, greatly promising followers and supporters of the Faith, in
England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland, contemplate, from their respective
homelands, the grandeur of their future task, dwell on its sacred
character, and meditate on the wide range of its problems, possibilities,
perils and glories, let them devote particular and sustained attention to
the imperative needs, the urgent requirements of their no less important
and vital mission at home, in their boroughs and counties, amidst their
own people, and strain every nerve to reinforce, through a rapid increase
in their numbers, through a steady multiplication of their administrative
institutions, through a systematic consolidation of the structure of the
edifice they are raising within the borders of their native land, their
respective communities, which must be regarded as the base for the future
operations that will be conducted by the members of these communities,
under the guidance of their elected representatives, for the spiritual
conquest and the ultimate redemption of the nations, tribes and races
owing allegiance to the British Crown.

With every forward step taken by this stalwart community in the path of
service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, with every signal victory achieved
for the promulgation of His Faith, a new revelation of the glorious
Mission which this community is privileged to undertake is unfolded before
the eyes of its members and a wider vista of the future range of its
operations, both at home and overseas, opens before it. With every
complication that arises in the course of its unfolding Mission, with even
every seeming reverse it meets with, as its destiny unfolds, a clearer
understanding of the character of its stewardship to the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh is vouchsafed to its members, a greater measure of His
sustaining grace is poured forth from on high, a more compelling evidence
of His all-conquering power is evinced, and a more majestic assertion of
His mysterious purpose is demonstrated.

The potent seeds a loving and vigilant Master sowed with His Own hands, in
the course of a twice repeated visit to the homeland of this community,
are now, after having lain dormant for almost a quarter of a century, at
long last, sprouting throughout the length and breadth of the British
Isles, and are even revealing the potency of their regenerative power,
through the instrumentality of those valiant pioneers, who, faithful to
His Call and dedicated to His service, are leaving the shores of those
islands to settle in the territories of a far-away and backward continent.
Amidst their arduous labours, in their contact with the heterogeneous
tribes and races dwelling in that continent, in their dealings with the
civil authorities of divers countries and states within whose jurisdiction
they will labour, in their struggle with an inhospitable climate, in the
hazards to which they will be inevitably exposed, in the adventures they
may experience, in the reverses they may temporarily suffer, in the
opposition they will meet with, in the tests and trials they will undergo,
His unfailing guidance will be vouchsafed to them in direct proportion to
the degree of their consecration to their task, and the perseverance, the
courage and fidelity they will display as they discharge their duties.

The remarkable success that has attended their high endeavours since the
initiation of their first collective enterprise within the confines of
their native land, the still more notable evidence of God’s sustaining
grace that has accompanied the opening of the first stage of their Mission
overseas, are sufficient proof of the tremendous potency of the forces at
work for the purpose of ensuring the unrestricted expansion of their
future activities within and beyond the frontiers of their island home,
and the ultimate consummation of their magnificent enterprise.

In the months immediately ahead, the strongholds of the Faith erected, in
the form of local assemblies, and already established in Ireland,
Scotland, Wales and England, must be maintained at all costs in their
present strength; the groups and isolated centres already brought into
being must, under no circumstances, be allowed to decrease in number or be
lost to the Faith; the translation and publication of pamphlets in the
languages already selected must be vigorously pushed forward and
completed; the centre in the capital of Kenya must be assiduously
expanded; the preparations for the projected inter-continental Conference
must be carefully carried out; the effective participation of the
representatives of the British Bahá’í community in the Stockholm
inter-continental Conference must be ensured; and all the preparatory
steps, required for the effectual collaboration of the members of this
community in the global crusade, destined to be launched on the morrow of
the world-wide celebrations of the approaching Holy Year, should, to
whatever extent possible, be undertaken.

There is no time to lose. The issues at stake call for immediate action,
demand unrelaxing vigilance, undivided attention, and a consecration
unexampled in the annals of the Faith in the British Isles. Though the
number of those summoned to shoulder so immense a task be dishearteningly
small, though the resources at their disposal be meagre, though the cares
and preoccupations of the peoples amidst whom they live are such as to
often blind them to the Faith and its healing message, yet the position
they occupy and the responsibilities devolving upon them in the heart and
centre of a world-wide empire, the manifold tokens of esteem and
loving-kindness showered upon them during the infancy of this community by
the Centre of God’s Covenant; the inherent qualities of tenacity of
purpose, of exemplary fidelity, of perspicacity that distinguishes the
race to which they belong, must inspire hope and confidence in their
future, and fully entitles them to play a leading role in the future
proclamation of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the multitudes that live
beneath the shadow of the British Crown.

That they may become increasingly conscious of the sublimity of their
task; that they may address themselves to it with their characteristic
zeal, ability, intelligence and fervour; that they may speedily acquire
the spiritual potentialities for the initiation of a still more momentous
stage in the unfoldment of their historic Mission; that they may earn
increasingly, through their superb feats, the unqualified admiration of
their brethren in every continent of the globe and prove themselves worthy
of the bounties already received and those which, we may well believe, are
held in store for them, is my cherished hope and constant prayer.

Shoghi

Letter of 15 June 1952

15 June 1952(67)

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you in his behalf, to
request that information relating to the British Isles and their
activities, contained in the booklet “The Bahá’í Faith” ‘Information
Statistical and Comparative’ be brought up to date as of May 1 1952, and
sent to him here by the first possible air mail post.

One of the features of the Holy Year will be the re-issuance of this
important book; inasmuch as the Holy Year is fast approaching the Guardian
wishes the information as quickly as possible.

Briefly, the information which your N.S.A. is to provide, brought up to
date of May 1, 1952, is as follows:

Incorporated local spiritual assemblies in the British Isles.

Bahá’í Centres in the British Isles, showing, if possible, the division
between local spiritual assemblies, Groups and Isolated Believers.

Any information not immediately available should be handled by telegraph,
but such information as is available should not be delayed for any one or
two delinquents. You can appreciate that if the booklet is to be published
early in the Holy Year, the information should reach the Guardian at a
very early date.

The Guardian sends his loving greetings to the National Assembly and its
devoted members....

Letter of 29 August 1952

29 August 1952(68)

DEEPLY TOUCHED PROFOUNDLY APPRECIATE NOBLE SENTIMENTS PRAYING FULFILMENT
HIGH DESTINY DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 15 October 1952

15 October 1952(69)

PROFOUNDLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE ARDENTLY PRAYING BRITISH COMMUNITY MAY ARISE
BEFITTINGLY DISCHARGE GREAT TASKS AHEAD.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 November 1952

20 November 1952(70)

DELIGHTED LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 December 1952

28 December 1952

MAINTENANCE GROUPS ISOLATED CENTRES ADVISABLE THOUGH NOT ESSENTIAL PART
PLAN.

SHOGHI

To Entire Bahá’í World, 5 January 1953

REJOICE SHARE BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITIES EAST WEST THRILLING REPORTS FEATS
ACHIEVED HEROIC BAND BAHÁ’Í PIONEERS LABOURING DIVERS WIDELY-SCATTERED
AFRICAN TERRITORIES PARTICULARLY UGANDA HEART CONTINENT REMINISCENT ALIKE
EPISODES RELATED BOOK ACTS RAPID DRAMATIC PROPAGATION FAITH
INSTRUMENTALITY DAWN-BREAKERS HEROIC AGE BAHÁ’Í DISPENSATION MARVELLOUS
ACCOMPLISHMENTS SIGNALISING RISE ESTABLISHMENT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER FAITH
LATIN AMERICA ECLIPSED EXPLOITS IMMORTALISING RECENTLY LAUNCHED CRUSADE
EUROPEAN CONTINENT SURPASSED GOAL SEVEN-MONTH PLAN INITIATED KAMPALA
ASSEMBLY AIMING DOUBLING TWELVE ENROLLED BELIEVERS OUT-STRIPPED NUMBER
AFRICANS CONVERTED COURSE LAST FIFTEEN MONTHS RESIDING KAMPALA OUTLYING
DISTRICTS PROTESTANT CATHOLIC PAGAN BACKGROUNDS LETTERED UNLETTERED BOTH
SEXES REPRESENTATIVE NO LESS SIXTEEN TRIBES PASSED TWO HUNDRED MARK.

EFFULGENT RAYS GOD’S TRIUMPHANT CAUSE RADIATING FOCAL CENTRE FAST
AWAKENING CONTINENT PENETRATING ACCELERATING RATE ISOLATED REGIONS
UNFREQUENTED WHITE MEN ENVELOPING THEIR RADIANCE SOULS HITHERTO
INDIFFERENT PERSISTENT HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES CHRISTIAN MISSIONS
CIVILISING INFLUENCE CIVIL AUTHORITIES NO LESS NINE LOCALITIES QUALIFIED
ATTAIN COMING RIDVÁN ASSEMBLY STATUS WITHIN SINGLE TERRITORY
LONG-SLUMBERING CONTINENT.

ZANZIBAR MADAGASCAR FRENCH MOROCCO SOUTH RHODESIA ITALIAN SOMALILAND
ALREADY OR SOON BE OPENED FAITH.

DESIRE PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE STRENUOUS EFFORTS EXERTED ‘ALÍ NA_KH_JAVÁNÍ
SETTING EXAMPLE DEDICATION FREEDOM PREJUDICE FELLOW PIONEERS LABOURING
INHOSPITABLE SURROUNDINGS CONFRONTED MANIFOLD FORMIDABLE OBSTACLES.

PLANNING ENTRUST SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE DELEGATED ATTEND APPROACHING
KAMPALA CONFERENCE PORTRAIT HOLY BÁB REPLICA ONE DEPOSITED BENEATH DOME
MA_SH_RIQU’L-A_DH_KÁR WILMETTE TO BE EXHIBITED ASSEMBLED ATTENDANTS
HISTORIC OCCASION CONFIDENT UNVEILING MAY DRAW NEWLY RECRUITED VANGUARD
EVER-SWELLING HOST BAHÁ’U’LLÁH AS WELL AS ALL PARTICIPATING VISITORS
ITINERANT TEACHERS SETTLERS CLOSER SPIRIT MARTYR-PROPHET FAITH BESTOW
EVERLASTING BENEDICTION ALL GATHERED MEMORABLE SESSIONS EPOCH-MAKING
INTER-CONTINENTAL CONFERENCE DEDICATED PROSECUTION LATEST MOST GLORIOUS
CRUSADE LAUNCHED COURSE ELEVEN DECADES BAHÁ’Í HISTORY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 January 1953 (Teaching Conference)

8 January 1953 (Teaching Conference)

MOVED PLACE RECORD EXPRESSION ABIDING APPRECIATION NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION
BRITISH BAHÁ’Í PIONEERS MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS HISTORIC ENTERPRISE LAUNCHED
AFRICAN CONTINENT COURSE TWO YEAR PLAN FORMULATED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY. GOALS FIRST EPOCH-MAKING STAGE GLORIOUS OVERSEAS MISSION
FOLLOWERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BRITISH ISLES NOBLY ACHIEVED. APPEAL ATTENDANTS
CONFERENCE FOCUS ATTENTION FLEETING MONTHS AHEAD CONSOLIDATION HOMEFRONT
CONSTITUTING NO LESS VITAL PHASE SECOND COLLECTIVE ENTERPRISE BRITISH
BAHÁ’Í HISTORY. URGE PARTICIPANTS RESOLVE UPON RETURN RESPECTIVE
COMMUNITIES EXERT UTMOST FAN FLAME PIONEERING SPIRIT UTILISE EVERY
AVAILABLE MEANS ENSURE ALL ASPECTS TRIUMPHANT CONSUMMATION PLAN. TOTAL
SUCCESS INTERNAL EXTERNAL PHASES PRESENT UNDERTAKING WILL CONSTITUTE
BEFITTING CONTRIBUTION STEADFASTLY LABOURING HIGHLY ESTEEMED TENACIOUSLY
LOYAL BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY WORLD WIDE CELEBRATIONS HOLY YEAR PAVE WAY
EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION ITS MEMBERS IMPENDING TEN YEAR CRUSADE MARKING
OPENING THIRD COLLECTIVE ENTERPRISE INAUGURATED SINCE INCEPTION FAITH
BRITISH ISLES SIGNALISING SECOND MEMORABLE STAGE THEIR UNFOLDING MISSION
FOREIGN FIELDS DESTINED EMBRACE TERRITORIES BRITISH CROWN BOTH AFRICAN
EUROPEAN CONTINENTS. PRAYING FERVENTLY ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES ULTIMATE
ACHIEVEMENT DISTANT GOALS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 15 January 1953 (Teaching Conference)

15 January 1953 (Teaching Conference)

DEEPLY TOUCHED MESSAGE APPRECIATE REDEDICATION PRAYING GLORIOUS SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 January 1953

28 January 1953

ADVISE MODIFY LIST LANGUAGES. KINDLY AIRMAIL IMMEDIATELY EXPLANATION
AMERICAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR MODIFICATION THEIR MANUSCRIPT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 1 February 1953

1 February 1953

ADVISE ASSEMBLY’S REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING KAMPALA CONFERENCE ENSURE NO
ONE PHOTOGRAPHS BÁB’S PORTRAIT DURING DISPLAY. SENDING COLOUR FILM SHRINES
ARRANGE PROVIDE PROJECTOR SIXTEEN MILLIMETRES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 March 1953

13 March 1953

ASSURE YOU LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 25 March 1953

25 March 1953

YOUR ASSEMBLY HENCEFORTH CONSULTATIVE BODY ONLY FOR BRITISH TERRITORIES IN
AFRICA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 3 April 1953

3 April 1953

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Enclosed please find the Guardian’s Convention Message.

As there are a great many African languages enumerated, and the spelling
is very involved, the Guardian has decided to Air Mail you this message,
rather than have it cabled, which was his original intention.

Please cable immediately you receive this letter, acknowledging it, so
that the Guardian will know his Convention Message is in your hands.
Otherwise he will of course have to cable it from here.

He is eagerly awaiting the report of the African Conference, which he has
not received to date....

P.S. Your letter regarding a rug supposedly owned by Bahá’u’lláh coming up
for sale, has just been received, and the Guardian feels that he cannot
possibly authenticate this rug as having belonged at any time to
Bahá’u’lláh. It may of course be quite true that it did. He leaves it to
the discretion of your Assembly to decide whether you wish to purchase it
or not.

Letter of 8 April 1953

8 April 1953

APPEAL ENTIRE COMMUNITY EXERT SUPREME EFFORT ELEVENTH HOUR SEAL SUCCESS
PLAN ASSURE LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 18 April 1953

18 April 1953

HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

“WORLD WIDE MISSION ENTRUSTED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY”—THE BRITISH RÔLE
IN THE TEN YEAR CRUSADE
1953–1957

1953 (Convention)

WARMLY CONGRATULATE ASSEMBLED DELEGATES BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY BRITISH ISLES
CELEBRATING MOST GREAT FESTIVAL HOLY YEAR ON MAGNIFICENT VICTORIES
ACHIEVED AFRICAN CONTINENT EXCEEDING HIGHEST HOPES PLAN FORMULATED TWO
YEARS AGO ORIGINALLY CONCEIVED MERE PRELUDE AFRICAN CAMPAIGN ASSUMED SUCH
PROPORTIONS YIELDED SUCH FRUIT DESERVE BE REGARDED DISTINCT STAGE CAMPAIGN
LAUNCHED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY BEYOND BORDERS HOMELAND SIX YEAR PLAN
FIRST COLLECTIVE UNDERTAKING BRITISH BAHÁ’Í HISTORY LAID BROADENED
FOUNDATIONS ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS DESTINED DIRECT OPERATION FUTURE
OVERSEAS ENTERPRISES BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY TWO YEAR PLAN INAUGURATED
WITHIN AFRICAN CONTINENT GLORIOUS MISSION SAME COMMUNITY CALLED UPON
ACCOMPLISH THROUGHOUT BRITISH DEPENDENCIES EASTERN WESTERN HEMISPHERES
HOUR PROPITIOUS TRIUMPHANT RICHLY BLESSED BRITISH NATIONAL SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLY PARTICIPATE ELEVEN SISTER NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES EAST WEST IMPENDING
WORLD SPIRITUAL CRUSADE THROUGH LAUNCHING TEN YEAR PLAN EMBRACING THREE
CONTINENTS GLOBE CALCULATED CARRY STAGE FURTHER THEIR OWN PARTICULAR
CRUSADE THROUGHOUT NUMEROUS WIDELY SCATTERED HIGHLY DIVERSIFIED COLONIES
PROTECTORATES BRITISH EMPIRE HASTEN DAY BE ABLE ASSUME PREPONDERATING
SHARE SUCH VAST HIGHLY MERITORIOUS PIONEERING ENTERPRISE.

MOMENTOUS PLAN WHICH COURSE COMING DECADE SEPARATING THEM MOST GREAT
JUBILEE WILL DEMAND COMPLETE SUSTAINED CONSECRATION TWOFOLD TASK
CONSOLIDATION FAITH ENGLAND SCOTLAND WALES IRELAND ITS PROPAGATION BEYOND
ISLAND HOME INVOLVES

FIRST OPENING FOLLOWING VIRGIN TERRITORIES: SEVEN EUROPE—CHANNEL ISLANDS,
CYPRUS, FAROE ISLANDS, HEBRIDES ISLANDS, MALTA, ORKNEY ISLANDS, SHETLAND
ISLANDS; FOUR AFRICA—BRITISH CAMEROONS, BRITISH TOGOLAND, MADEIRA, SOUTH
WEST AFRICA.

SECOND CONSOLIDATION FAITH FOLLOWING TERRITORIES: NINE AFRICA—ANGOLA,
BELGIAN CONGO, GOLD COAST, KENYA, NIGERIA, SIERRA LEONE, TANGANYIKA,
UGANDA, ZULULAND; EUROPE—EIRE; ASIA—HONG-KONG.

THIRD ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY BAHÁ’ÍS CENTRAL EAST
AFRICA.

FOURTH PURCHASE LAND ANTICIPATION CONSTRUCTION MA_SH_RIQU’L-A_DH_KÁR
KAMPALA.

FIFTH ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL HAZÍRATU’L-QUDS LONDON.

SIXTH CONVERSION INTO NATIONAL INSTITUTION LOCAL HAZÍRATU’L-QUDS KAMPALA.

SEVENTH INCORPORATION NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY BAHÁ’ÍS CENTRAL EAST
AFRICA.

EIGHTH ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS BRITISH ISLES.

NINTH ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL ENDOWMENTS BY NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
BAHÁ’ÍS CENTRAL EAST AFRICA.

TENTH TRANSLATION BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE THIRTY-ONE AFRICAN LANGUAGES: ACCRA,
AFRIKAANS, ALADIAN, ASHANTI, BANU, BEMBA, BUA, CHUANA, GIO, GU, JIENG,
JOLOF, KUANYAMA, KRONGO, KROO, LIUMBI, MALAGASY, NUBIAN, PEDI, POPO,
RONGA, SENA, SHILHA, SHONA, SOBO, SUTO, WONGO, XOSA, YALUNKA, YAO, ZULU.

ELEVENTH DOUBLING NUMBER SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES LOCALITIES BRITISH ISLES.

TWELFTH INCORPORATION NINETEEN ASSEMBLIES ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, WALES,
IRELAND.

THIRTEENTH ESTABLISHMENT ISRAEL BRANCH NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY BRITISH
ISLES.

FOURTEENTH FORMATION EUROPEAN, ASIAN TEACHING COMMITTEES, DESIGNED
STIMULATE, CO-ORDINATE TEACHING ACTIVITIES PLAN.

ARDENTLY PRAYING DECADE LONG CRUSADE CULMINATING HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY
DECLARATION FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH MAY WITNESS BOTH ADMINISTRATIVE TEACHING
FIELDS HOME FRONT AS WELL AS BEYOND CONFINES BRITISH ISLES FRUITION SEEDS
HAND CENTRE COVENANT SO LOVINGLY PATIENTLY SOWED COURSE TWICE REPEATED
VISIT HEART BRITISH EMPIRE. MAY IT LIKEWISE CARRY TRIUMPHANT CONCLUSION
INITIAL EPOCH UNFOLDMENT WORLD-WIDE MISSION ENTRUSTED BRITISH BAHÁ’Í
COMMUNITY AMIDST PEOPLES RACES DWELLING DEPENDENCIES BRITISH CROWN
SCATTERED THROUGHOUT FIVE CONTINENTS GLOBE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 April 1953 (Convention)

28 April 1953 (Convention)

GREATLY VALUE NOBLE SENTIMENTS HAND CAUSE DELEGATES FRIENDS FERVENTLY
PRAYING SHRINES VALIANT BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY PLAY MEMORABLE PART WORLD
CRUSADE FULFIL HISTORIC MISSION. DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 May 1953

13 May 1953

URGE FULL FLEDGED BAHÁ’Í ASSEMBLIES BRITISH TERRITORIES UGANDA TANGANYIKA
KENYA NOW REGARDED MOST POWERFUL PILLARS SWIFTLY EMERGING STEADILY
CONSOLIDATING HIGHLY PROMISING AFRICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY SET GLORIOUS
EXAMPLE THROUGH PROMPT MEASURES INITIATION EXTENSION WORK THROUGH DESPATCH
SURPLUS MEMBERS LOCAL COMMUNITIES INCLUDING AFRICANS NEIGHBOURING
TERRITORIES FRENCH SOMALILAND RUANDA URUNDI MADAGASCAR FRENCH BELGIAN
CONGO COMORO ISLANDS EVEN ALGERIA MOROCCO ACCELERATING THEREBY PROCESS
FORMATION LOCAL ASSEMBLIES ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY CENTRAL EAST
AFRICA ADDING FRESH LAURELS CROWN ALREADY WON PIONEERING FIELD AFRICAN
CONTINENT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 17 May 1953

17 May 1953

MAIL FIFTY COPIES STATISTICAL PAMPHLET.

SHOGHI

Letter of 1 June 1953

1 June 1953

URGE IMMEDIATE STEPS PUBLICATION PAMPHLETS AFRICAN LANGUAGES. APPROVE
APPROACH NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. MYSELF CONTRIBUTING
THOUSAND POUNDS MERITORIOUS PURPOSE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 June 1953

4 June 1953

Africa Committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letters of June 27, August 4, August 18, September 19, October 9 and
November 27, 1952, with enclosures, have been received, and the beloved
Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

Your letter of May 25th has also been received. He of course meant French
Equatorial Africa, but condensed it for the sake of the cable. The Belgian
Congo is naturally separate.

As many of your questions and reports dealt with pre-Conference
complications, which, thanks to the grace of Bahá’u’lláh, were all
satisfactorily removed, I will not touch upon them in this letter.

The Guardian was immensely pleased and relieved when it became clear that
the Bahá’ís had obtained visas for Uganda, and were attending in large
numbers, and that hotel accommodation was available.

From the report he has received from Mr. Ioas and pilgrims, the Conference
was undoubtedly a tremendous success, and befittingly inaugurated the
round of celebrations during this Holy Year.

It is a great pity that there should have been so much unfavourable
publicity connected with the public meeting associated with the
Conference, and its attendance. One cannot, however, help but feel that
such an attitude was inevitable sooner or later, because there is no doubt
that the missionaries are beginning to feel the keenest resentment and a
certain degree of alarm, due to the success of our teaching methods in
Africa.

Your committee will no doubt face, in the days to come, many grave
problems; but the Guardian feels sure that, whatever happens, and whatever
attacks are made upon the Faith and its pioneers, the net result cannot
but be good for us in the long run, and can only serve to hasten the
spread of the Cause.

He feels that your committee has every right to feel immensely proud, and
grateful to God, for the success of your unremitting labours over such a
long period of time.

He was most happy to hear that Mr. Dudley Smith Kutendele is planning to
go and teach the Faith in Nyasaland, and will pray that his efforts may
meet with success in the end.

Your understanding of the treatment of polygamist converts to the Faith is
quite correct, but of course if anyone who is a Bahá’í wishes to marry
more than one wife, he cannot do so. If they should disobey this law, then
the cases must be handled in the same way as the Persians do, which is
that these persons who become polygamists, break the laws of marriage.

As regards your question about the proper designation for the huts which
will be used by the believers in villages, as Bahá’í Centres, he thinks
that, for the time being, until a more dignified structure can be erected,
they should be called “Bahá’í Centre”, and not Hazíratu’l-Quds—the correct
name is Hazíratu’l-Quds and not Hazírá.

He was immensely pleased over the example shown by Enos Epyeru, in
withdrawing from political affiliation, and feels that some of the African
friends are showing a most exemplary spirit of devotion and loyalty. He
feels that a great potential strength lies in these new African believers.

No doubt your committee will be faced with problems, due to the
inexperience of some of these people in administrative matters, but,
through loving guidance, and the wisdom of those who are associated with
them on the spot, these minor things can be satisfactorily taken care of,
and the main thing, the establishment of assemblies and groups, be carried
out successfully.

The Guardian was indeed delighted over ‘Alí Na_kh_javání’s trip to the
Teso district. The purity of his spirit, the intensity of his devotion,
and the longing in his heart to bring the Faith to his African brothers,
all of which he so clearly showed forth in his actions, were no doubt the
great factors which enkindled the first fires in the hearts of the
believers in that land, and which have spread so swiftly and have been the
cause of such joy to our beloved Guardian.

The Guardian considers that the settling of all the virgin territories all
over the world is the most important of the goals given to any of the
National Assemblies, and that it should be given precedence. Indeed, he is
hoping that the one hundred and thirty territories still unopened may all
be settled by pioneers this year, if possible.

It is not necessary for a National Assembly to confine itself to the
placing of pioneers from its own community in its goal areas—it may draw
on other Bahá’í communities for pioneers for its goal territories, as
well, and vice versa. In other words, pioneers from the British Isles may
be sent to territories under the administrative jurisdiction of other
National Bodies than the British National Assembly, and pioneers may be
accepted for British posts who are not members of the British community.
The important thing is to achieve the goals.

The Guardian is urging the bodies associated with the work in Africa to
disperse their forces, and not endeavour to build up large communities.
Otherwise, there will be a large number of pioneers in one place, while
other goal countries may be left entirely without a pioneer.

As regards the translations for Africa, he has urged the American National
Spiritual Assembly, in connection with the printing of Bahá’í literature
in the languages allotted to that continent, to give you any help it can.

The Guardian feels confident that, by proper concentration of effort and
exchange of information between the committees responsible for getting the
pioneers out to Africa, the ways and means will be forthcoming to achieve
our objectives this year.

You may rest assured that his prayers will continue to be offered for the
work you are performing, and that he most deeply appreciates the
conscientious and tireless devotion of all the members of your committee,
a devotion which has enabled the Conference to take place with such
success.

With loving Bahá’í greetings....

P.S. In reading over this letter, I see that I have not done justice to
the deep feeling of appreciation our beloved Guardian has for the
wonderful spirit shown by Mr. Banání and his wife, as well as by Philip
Hainsworth and Mr. and Mrs. Collison. The services of all of those friends
cannot be overestimated, nor those of the devoted pioneers in Kenya and
Tanganyika.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, sustain and guide you in your highly meritorious
endeavours, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to lend a
great impetus to the historic work being achieved in the African
Continent.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 5 June 1953

5 June 1953

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Our Beloved Guardian has been greatly encouraged by reports reaching him
from all parts of the Bahá’í World, of victories, already gained, and
plans being laid for the prosecution of the Ten Year Crusade. He was
particularly pleased to learn that some 150 people have offered to pioneer
in virgin overseas areas at the American Convention.

These reports have evoked his awe-inspiring and soul-stirring cablegram of
May 28th,(71) calling for the immediate settlement of all the 131 virgin
areas of the Plan, just as quickly as possible. He is convinced the
Friends will arise and translate their enthusiasm into Action, because the
Keynote of the Crusade, must be Action, Action, Action.

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly to amplify
some of the aspects of his dynamic message.

The settlement of these virgin areas is of such an emergency nature, that
he feels pioneering in one of them takes precedence over every other type
of Bahá’í service—whether it be in the teaching or administrative fields
of the Faith. So important is it that the National Assembly may delay
initiation of steps to fulfil other phases of the Plan, until all these
areas are conquered for the Faith. Nothing, absolutely nothing, must be
allowed to interfere with the placing of pioneers in each of the 131 goal
countries.

There are some general observations which the Guardian shares with you,
and then some specific suggestions which are enumerated below:

1. Every individual who has offered to pioneer, must be encouraged in
every way by the National Assembly.

2. The National Assembly should assist each pioneer, so they may be placed
in their post just as quickly as possible.

3. The handling of each application for pioneering service must be
expedited, and not allowed to be bogged down for any reason, or in the
hands of committees.

4. The National Assembly should make it their first order of business to
follow up actively this most important task. They must make it the first
order of business at each Assembly meeting to see that each application is
being progressed rapidly. This does not mean the special committees should
not handle the details, but it does mean the Assembly itself must review
each application at each meeting and see that the pioneer gets into the
field as soon as possible.

5. A large number of pioneers should not be sent to any one country. One,
or even two, will be sufficient for the time being. Later on, if
supplementary assistance is needed, that of course can be taken care of.
The all important thing now is to get at least one pioneer in each of the
131 virgin areas.

6. The National Assembly may exercise its prerogatives and suggest to
applicants where their services are most needed. This, of course, applies
particularly to pioneers who might wish to settle in one area.

7. Because there have been so many applicants in America, the Guardian has
written them that they may place their pioneers in any virgin area in the
world. His objective now is to fill these lands yet unconquered by the
Hosts of Heaven and he feels the initial impact must be made now. Thus,
from whatever sources they come, they should be placed in the field at the
earliest possible moment. Furthermore, as the Chief Executors of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, He expects the Americans to bear the brunt of
the load everywhere. He has instructed the American N.S.A. to communicate
with your Assembly with regard to pioneers to be settled in territories
coming under your assignment, as well as territories not under your
assignment, but where your Assembly can aid them in settling, particularly
in areas of the Commonwealth which are not under your assignment.

The specific suggestions of the Guardian are:

(a) Areas close at hand and easy of settlement should be filled first.
Then the areas more difficult, and finally those which will be quite
difficult.

(b) Whenever a pioneer enters a new territory, a cable should be sent at
once to the Guardian, giving the name, place, and any pertinent
information.

(c) A monthly report of progress is to be sent by your Assembly to the
Secretary-General of the International Bahá’í Council. Special matters of
report nature, for the Guardian, in connection with the plan should be
sent to the Secretary-General of the Council also.

This does not mean that any administrative matters in connection with the
settlement of pioneers, etc., should be handled with the Council. Such
matters should continue to be handled with the Guardian direct. The
Council is simply to co-ordinate reports, consolidate them, keep maps up
to date, etc., for the Guardian, and your reports will enable them to do
this.

(d) The Guardian feels the following areas are not difficult to settle,
and he thinks you should arrange for their settlement at once; and he will
appreciate cable advice of each settlement as they take place.

Channel Islands
Malta
Hebrides Islands
Cyprus
Shetland Islands

(e) The Guardian has cabled you, and at his direction I have written the
Friends in Uganda, Kenya and Tanganyika of the importance of their
spreading out, and if possible sending pioneers into the surrounding areas
in Africa, such as Belgian Congo, Ruanda Urundi, Somaliland, and even
South West Africa. He wishes you to follow up this matter closely. The
Guardian attached great importance to the Ashanti Protectorate, and if any
of the Friends can go there, particularly any Persians you may be
assisting in getting located, he will appreciate it.

As the Guardian’s dramatic cable indicates, an illuminated “Roll of
Honour” on which will be inscribed the names of the “Knights of
Bahá’u’lláh” who first enter these 131 virgin areas, will be placed inside
the entrance door of the Inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh. From
time to time, the Guardian will announce to the Bahá’í World the names of
those Holy Souls who arise under the conditions outlined in his message,
and settle these areas and conquer them for Bahá’u’lláh.

Now is the Hour for the Friends everywhere to demonstrate the spiritual
vitality of the Faith, and of their devotion. There is no time after this
moment, to settle the unconquered areas. The Guardian is sure the Friends
throughout the world, and particularly the staunch Bahá’ís in the British
Isles, will arise as one soul in many bodies, and surging ahead, cover the
face of the Earth with the Glory of the Lord.

The Guardian will pray fervently for the Bahá’ís of the British Isles for
the success of their efforts.

The Guardian will pray for the members of your Assembly, whose sacrificial
efforts he greatly values....

Letter of 8 June 1953

8 June 1953

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The beloved Guardian has asked me to write to you following my letter of
June 5th in connection with the great importance of settling one hundred
and thirty-one virgin areas, during the next few months.

Naturally it will be difficult for the Faith to be established in the new
territories or amongst the new tribes if they do not have at least a
pamphlet for distribution to the new contacts.

He therefore feels that along with the sending of pioneers into the virgin
areas, the translation of literature into the languages assigned to the
British National Assembly should take place. He has cabled you direct
concerning this very important matter, and has informed you in his cable
that he is arranging for a gift of 1,000 Pounds to assist you in this most
important work.

The Guardian feels that one of the existing pamphlets would be
satisfactory, or a new one, which you may feel it desirable to prepare. At
this time, it is not necessary to enter into the question of translation
of Bahá’í books, simply a pamphlet, which can be used for teaching
purposes.

The Guardian wishes you to budget the necessary funds to cover this work
and to see that it is actively pursued, so that the literature will be
available at an early date.

He wishes you to send current reports of activities in connection with
this matter to the Secretary-General of the International Bahá’í Council,
so that the data may be assembled with all the necessary information in
connection with the Ten Year Crusade, for the Guardian.

He sends his loving greetings to you.

Letter of 25 June 1953

25 June 1953

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters of July 8, 12 and 16, August 5 and 13, September 16, 20 and
26, October 13, 14 and 26, December 12 (3) and 17, 1952, and January 4, 6,
13, 15, 20, 27 (2) and 29, February 3 and 6, March 12, 17, 22, 23 and 26,
April 1, 17, 20, 24 and 29, May 5, 11, 14, 15 (2), 28 and 30, 1953, with
their enclosures, have been received by the beloved Guardian, as well as
material sent under separate cover, and he has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.

As you are all aware, the pressure of work is constantly increasing all
over the Bahá’í world, and of course the heaviest load falls upon the
Guardian. That is why he is finding it increasingly difficult to keep up
with his letters, not only to individuals, but also to national bodies,
important as they are. He regrets this delay, but sees no remedy for it.

It was a source of great pride to him that the British Bahá’ís succeeded
with their Plan, in spite of the fact that it was a long, hard struggle,
and in some instances the odds seemed very much against them. He feels
sure that their qualities of tenacity of purpose, fidelity and initiative
will carry them on to even greater distinction during the coming ten
years, as they execute their portion of the Global Crusade, an important
portion.

It was very nice to have dear Dr. Mitchell here; the Guardian hopes that
gradually more British Bahá’ís will be able to make the pilgrimage.

He was very relieved to hear that dear Mr. Townshend has recovered his
health to such an extent that he will be attending the Stockholm
Conference, where his presence will be welcomed by all the other Hands
attending, and the believers as well....

The letters which your Assembly wrote at the request of the ... Bahá’ís to
certain officials there, he thought were excellent. What he did not think
was excellent was the almost insulting reply you received as regards ...
from the authorities in London and signed by.... The letter was a mass of
contradictions, and the excuses transparent, to say the least. It shows
that there is no doubt going to be a stiffening opposition from certain
colonial governments, as the Bahá’í work progresses.

Your Assembly will undoubtedly continue to press the matter as best you
can with the authorities, without causing too much opposition....

The question of impressing upon the Africans who are seeking enrolment the
necessity of not drinking is a delicate one. When enrolling new believers,
we must be wise and gentle, and not place so many obstacles in their way
that they feel it impossible to accept the Faith. On the other hand, once
accorded membership in the community of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, it
must be brought home to them that they are expected to live up to His
teachings, and to show forth the signs of a noble character in conformity
with His laws. This can often be done gradually, after the new believer is
enrolled.

Now that the African work has entered upon an entirely new phase, indeed
the work all over the world, the position your Assembly held as the more
or less co-ordinating body for the work in Africa has been changed.
However, the closest co-operation will be necessary between all the
National Assemblies concerned with the Africa teaching work, if the Plan
is to go ahead swiftly; and exchange of information, especially as regards
pioneer possibilities and posts, is essential, in order to get the
believers out to the goal countries during this year, which is the
Guardian’s ardent hope, and to which he attaches the greatest possible
importance. There is no objection to British pioneers going into the
territories of other Assemblies, or believers under other jurisdiction
being used by your Assembly. The most important thing is to open up the
virgin countries; and of course whoever works in a country under the
jurisdiction of a specific Assembly, no matter where their origin may have
been, would be under the orders of that Assembly.

As he has cabled, he considers that, at this stage in the development of
the Faith in Africa, it is not necessary for so many people to congregate
in one centre, such as Kampala, when there is such a tremendous need in
neighbouring territories for pioneers, whether native or European.

He considers that the formation of a school at this time is premature. It
would involve us in heavy responsibilities which for the sake of public
opinion would have to be discharged efficiently and in an exemplary
manner, and he does not consider that we have the resources or the
facilities at present to embark on such a project. There is no reason why
the subject cannot be reconsidered at a future date.

He considers that the attitude of your Assembly regarding police service
which might be required of the Bahá’ís in Kenya at this time is correct,
and that it is not war, so far. As it seems that ... situation with his
employer, for the present at least, prevented him from having to do police
duty, the subject does not arise for the moment. He does not think that
any general rule can be laid down in such matters. Events must be watched,
and, when situations such as these arise, fresh consultation with him will
be necessary....

As he has already informed you, and the National Spiritual Assembly of
America as well, there is no objection to your receiving co-operation from
them and financial assistance which they might be able to give you in
publishing some of the literature in the African languages.

He thinks your Assembly’s decision regarding spiritual healing being
demonstrated at a Bahá’í meeting was quite sound. We should try not to
have the Faith identified with such things in the eyes of the public,
officially. What the believers do privately, which in no way contravenes
the Teachings, is their own affair.

As regards the Obligatory Prayers, the friends in the West should continue
to use them exactly as they have been doing, and as is set forth in the
remarks in parentheses which accompany the prayers in the book “Prayers
and Meditations”. The Guardian himself will, whenever he sees fit, and
considers the time is ripe, inform the friends in such matters in greater
detail.

Of all the work being undertaken by the believers, East and West, at the
present time, undoubtedly the most urgent is that of getting the pioneers
out to the goal countries during this year, if possible. Not only will
spiritual strength accrue from this settlement of so many new lands, but
the prestige it gives us in the eyes of the non-Bahá’ís is great. He fully
realises heavy burdens have been placed upon the shoulders of all the
Bahá’ís, and particularly upon the members of the twelve N.S.A.s directing
this great crusade. But who else except the believers can do the work of
Bahá’u’lláh? And short of accomplishing His work, where else lies hope for
this confused and sorely-tried world?

In spite of your many problems, he feels confident that you will find
amongst the valiant members of the British Bahá’í community sufficient
volunteers to enable you to fill your virgin territories and islands with
at least one pioneer per place. As he has already pointed out, there can
be exchange; in other words, one Assembly can make use of volunteers for
its goals from amongst believers under the jurisdiction of another N.S.A.
if such are available.

In spite of your financial position and the work that lies ahead, the
Guardian has felt it wise and necessary for you to take steps to purchase
a national headquarters. When we remember that England is one of the
oldest Bahá’í countries, so to speak, in the West, and that in spite of
her distinction she is still without a suitable seat for her national
Bahá’í administration, we see how important it is for her, on the eve of
this great period of expansion, to have a National Centre. France, without
any N.S.A. as yet, now has one, and it is high time England had one too.
You will receive aid from others in this undertaking, as well as from the
Guardian. He was pleased that Mr. Joseph took the first step in enabling
you to fulfil this objective.

His loving thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you, as you
face your great responsibilities and rise to meet your priceless
opportunities....

P.S. The Guardian wishes your Assembly to express to Mr. Albert Joseph his
deep appreciation of the assistance he is giving you in connection with
the purchase of a National Headquarters.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The successive victories won, in recent years, by the British Bahá’í
community, proclaiming, on the one hand, the triumphant conclusion of the
first collective enterprise undertaken in British Bahá’í history on the
morrow of the centenary celebrations of the Founding of the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh, and on the other, the successful termination of the Two Year
Plan, marking the inauguration of the community’s historic Mission beyond
the confines of its homeland, have immensely enhanced its prestige
throughout the entire Bahá’í world, have won for it the abiding gratitude
and profound admiration of all who labour for our beloved Faith, and
entitled it to assume a prominent share in the conduct of the world
spiritual Crusade launched amidst the festivities signalising the climax
of the celebrations of this Holy Year commemorating the centenary of the
birth of the Mission of the Author of the Bahá’í Dispensation.

Much has been achieved in the course of the past nine years, both within
the borders of this community’s island home, and throughout the widely
scattered Dependencies of the British Crown, on the shores as well as
within the heart of the vast and far-off African Continent, to merit the
pride that fills the hearts of its staunch and stalwart members, to
deserve the applause of the Concourse on High, to evoke the fondest hopes
for the steady unfoldment and ultimate consummation of the historic
Mission entrusted to the care of the British followers of the Cause of
Bahá’u’lláh, and to befittingly usher in a new Era in British Bahá’í
history—an Era that will for ever remain associated with the systematic
introduction of God’s triumphant Faith, through the concerted efforts of
the heroic band of Bahá’í pioneers, dwelling within the British Isles,
into the Chief Dependencies of the British Crown scattered throughout the
European and Asiatic continents and the islands and archipelagos of the
Seven Seas.

The entire community, now firmly entrenched within the Administrative
strongholds, recently and so laboriously established in England, Wales,
Scotland and Ireland, must rise as one man to the occasion that now
presents itself. With hearts brimming with the love of Bahá’u’lláh, with
souls entirely dedicated to His Cause, with minds attuned to the laws and
precepts underlying His teachings, steeled with an inflexible
determination to utilise, to the fullest extent, the administrative
agencies which their hands have fashioned since the passing of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and deriving fresh hope and sustenance from the rapid and
remarkable victories won in both the teaching and administrative spheres
of Bahá’í activity, both at home and abroad, the members of this
high-minded, tenacious and spiritually alive community must gird up their
loins, intensify their efforts a hundredfold and, through their combined
and sustained efforts, write yet another chapter in British Bahá’í history
that will illuminate the annals of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and eclipse
the splendour of the feats already accomplished in the past fifty years by
the adherents of His Cause in their native land.

The twofold process, already set in motion, which has been attended by
such conspicuous success, must, in the course of the coming decade, be not
only fully maintained but steadily accelerated. While the structure of the
Administrative Order of the Faith within the British Isles is being
steadily reinforced and enlarged, through the multiplication of the
administrative institutions of the Faith in England, Scotland, Wales and
Ireland and the consolidation of the newly-fledged assemblies already
established, an effort, unprecedented in scope and intensity, must be
continually and determinedly exerted to lay the administrative basis of
this Order not only in the islands bordering the British Isles, but in the
Dependencies of the British Crown in the Mediterranean, and in the African
and Asiatic Continents.

This vital aspect of the Mission committed to the care of the British
Bahá’í community, must, in the course of the Crusade upon which it has
embarked, receive a tremendous impetus, and gather such momentum as to
justify the trust ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so confidently placed in this community and
the distinctive functions with which its members have been invested since
His passing. The development of the institutions of the Faith on the home
front must be supplemented by, and afford a constant stimulus to, the rise
of similar institutions, first in the limited number of territories and
islands assigned to the elected representatives of this community, and
eventually throughout the colonies and protectorates comprising the
British Empire.

The opening phase of the Ten Year Plan so auspiciously inaugurated on the
morrow of the memorable victories already achieved, covering a period of
no less than two years, must be distinguished by the opening, in rapid
succession, of the eleven virgin territories in Europe and Africa and the
laying of a firm foundation for the future erection of a rapidly rising
Administrative Order whose ramifications are destined to encircle within
the coming ten years the entire planet.

The exertions required to consummate the first stage of this Ten Year Plan
are admittedly arduous, and demand the utmost attentiveness, and a degree
of sacrifice and consecration unequalled in the entire course of British
Bahá’í history. In spite of the smallness of their numbers, and the
limited resources at their disposal, the members of the community living
in the British Isles, including administrators and teachers, as well as
the band of self-sacrificing pioneers who have already forsaken their
homes and are labouring in distant fields in the African Continent, must,
at whatever cost, disperse more widely and direct their footsteps to the
virgin territories and islands assigned to their National Assembly,
contributing thereby, directly and effectively, to the speedy and
successful termination of the initial phase of a Crusade on which the
immediate destinies of the entire community so largely depend.

While this supreme effort is being exerted special and immediate attention
must, likewise, be directed to two other objectives which constitute a
vital part of the work now confronting the members of this community. The
selection of the site of the Hazíratu’l-Quds in the city of London, the
heart of the British Empire, and the national administrative seat of the
Bahá’ís of the British Isles, and the adoption of effective measures for
its immediate purchase, as well as the preparation of a suitable pamphlet
and its prompt translation and publication in the thirty-one languages
assigned to the British Bahá’í National Assembly, are matters of such
urgency as to be given precedence, during the coming two years, over all
the other objectives of the Ten Year Plan.

The Plan on which the British Bahá’í community has embarked, unique in its
significance, unprecedented in its scope, so vast in its potentialities,
so meritorious in its objectives, so challenging in its features, will, if
consummated, at the appointed time, open a further vista, before the eyes
of its victorious prosecutors, of such transcendent glory as none of them
can as yet even dimly imagine. The path leading to the discovery of this
brilliant yet at present distant goal, at which a triumphant community
will be enabled to catch a glimpse of its ultimate destiny, revealed in
the plenitude of its splendour, is long, steep and thorny. The prizes to
be won by those who must tread this path, in the years immediately ahead,
are not to be easily secured. The challenge will be prolonged and severe.
The opportunities they now have to scale loftier heights of heroism, and
achieve still mightier victories during the interval separating the Great
and Most Great Jubilees, will if missed never again recur.

He Who, in His infinite love and mercy, called into being this community,
more than fifty years ago, at the time of the inception of His Father’s
Faith in the West, Who tenderly and vigilantly nursed it and guided its
footsteps in the early years of its infancy, Who twice conferred upon it
the inestimable blessings of personal contact with its members, Who
sustained, from His station on high, its development in the course of no
less than two decades, within the framework of a rising Administrative
Order, Who enabled it to expand and consolidate itself within its island
home, Who launched it, subsequently, on its mission overseas, will, if its
members prove themselves worthy of His trust, continue to shower His
manifold blessings upon them, at this hour of their greatest need, and
will enable them to traverse, speedily and successfully, the second and
momentous stage in the progressive unfoldment of that same Mission.

That they may, guided and assisted by the vigilance, the wisdom and
devotion of their elected national representatives, forge ahead with
undiminished vigour, with exemplary fidelity, and with inflexible
determination, along the path of their high destiny, overcome every
obstacle that stands in their way, achieve signal success in the course of
the opening phase of this world-girdling Crusade, and crown eventually
their Ten Year Plan with a victory unexampled in the annals of the Faith
in the British Isles, is my cherished hope for them and my fervent and
constant prayer.

Shoghi

Letter of 28 June 1953

28 June 1953

ADVISE PROMPT MEASURES OUTRIGHT PURCHASE HAZÍRÁ LONDON CONTRIBUTING TWO
THOUSAND POUNDS ENCOURAGING NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 June 1953

30 June 1953

GUARDIAN URGES PROMPT HANDLING VOLUNTEERS KAMPALA NAIROBI DAR-ES-SALAAM
FOR IMMEDIATE SETTLEMENT....

IOAS

Letter of 9 July 1953

9 July 1953(72)

ADVISE FREEHOLD PURCHASE. SHOGHI

Letter of 18 July 1953

18 July 1953(73)

IF LESS EXPENSIVE NOT AVAILABLE APPROVE. SHOGHI

Letter of 21 July 1953

21 July 1953

To the Hands of the Cause, the members of the National Spiritual
Assemblies, the pioneers, the resident believers and visitors attending
the European Intercontinental Teaching Conference in Stockholm, Sweden
(July 21/26, 1953). Well-beloved Friends,

With a glad and grateful heart I welcome the convocation, in the capital
city of Sweden, of the third of a series of Intercontinental Teaching
Conferences associated with the world-wide festivities commemorating the
Centenary of the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh and destined to exert a profound
and lasting influence on the immediate fortunes of His Faith in all
continents of the globe.

I look back with feelings of wonder, thankfulness and joy upon the chain
of memorable circumstances which, a little over a century ago, accompanied
the introduction of the Faith into, and marked the inception of its
nascent institutions within a continent which, in the course of the last
two thousand years, has exercised on the destiny of the human race a
pervasive influence unequalled by that of any other continent of the
globe.

I feel impelled on this historic occasion, when the members of the
American, the British, the German and the newly formed Italo-Swiss
National Spiritual Assemblies, as well as representatives of the Bahá’ís
of the United Kingdom, of Eire, of Germany, of Austria, of the
Scandinavian and Benelux countries, of the Iberian Peninsula, of Italy, of
Switzerland, of France and of Finland are assembled, to pay a warm tribute
to the valiant labours of the early British and French Bahá’í pioneers,
who at the very dawn of the Faith in Europe, strove with such diligence,
consecration and resolution to fan into flame that holy Fire which the
hand of the appointed Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant had kindled in the
north-west extremity of that continent on the morrow of His Father’s
ascension. I recall the slow eastward spread of that infant Light which
led to the gradual emergence of the German and Austrian Bahá’í
communities, during the darkest period of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s incarceration in
the prison-fortress of Akká. I am reminded of His subsequent epoch-making
visit, soon after His providential release from His forty-year confinement
in the Most Great Prison, to these newly-fledged struggling communities,
of His patient seed-sowing destined to yield at a later age its first
fruits, and constituting a landmark of the utmost significance in the rise
and establishment of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in that continent.

I, moreover, call to mind, on this occasion, the successive episodes
which, on the morrow of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ascension, in the course of the
initial Epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation, signalised
the emergence of those administrative institutions, both local and
national, which proclaimed the germination of those potent seeds which had
lain dormant for more than a decade in these newly-opened European
territories, and which culminated in the construction of the framework of
the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and the erection of
the first two pillars destined to sustain in that continent the weight of
the final unit of that Order.

Nor can I fail to acclaim, as a further milestone in the irresistible
evolution of that Faith, the launching, following the creation of the
administrative agencies designed to provide the effectual instruments for
its propagation, of the Six Year Plan of the British Bahá’í community
followed successively by the European Teaching Campaign, inaugurated in
accordance with the provisions of the second Seven Year Plan of the
American Bahá’í community, the Five Year Plan conceived by the German and
Austrian Bahá’í communities and the Two Year Plan later initiated by the
British Bahá’í community—Plans which, within less than a decade, succeeded
in laying the structural basis of the Administrative Order of the Faith in
Wales, in Scotland, in Northern Ireland and in Eire, in multiplying and
consolidating Bahá’í institutions throughout the British Isles, in
broadening and strengthening the foundations of that same Order in Germany
and Austria, in erecting the National Administrative Headquarters of the
Faith in the city of Frankfurt, in establishing Spiritual Assemblies in
the capital cities of no less than ten sovereign states in Europe, in
reinforcing the administrative foundations of that Faith in those
territories, in providing the means for the convocation of four European,
and a series of regional, Teaching Conferences, and above all, in the
convocation of the historic Convention in Florence, culminating in the
emergence of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Italy and
Switzerland, the third in a series of institutions destined to play their
part in the eventual establishment of the Supreme Legislative Body of the
Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

The hour is now ripe for these communities, whether new or old, local or
national, already functioning on the northern, the western and the
southern fringes of that continent, as well as those situated in its very
heart, to initiate befittingly and prosecute energetically the European
Campaign of a global Crusade which will not only contribute, to an
unprecedented degree, to the broadening and the consolidation of the
foundations of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh on the continent of Europe, but
will also diffuse its light over the neighbouring islands, and will, God
willing, carry its radiance to the eastern territories of that continent,
and beyond them as far as the heart of Asia.

The privileged prosecutors of so revolutionising, so gigantic, so sacred
and beneficent a campaign are, on the morrow of its launching, and at such
a crucial hour in the destinies of the European continent, summoned to
undertake: First, the formation, under the aegis of the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, of one National Spiritual
Assembly in each of the Scandinavian and Benelux countries, and those of
the Iberian Peninsula, and one in Finland, as well as the establishment,
in collaboration with the Paris Spiritual Assembly, of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France, the establishment under the
aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and
Austria, of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Austria, and
the establishment, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of
the Bahá’ís of the United States, and in association with the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland, of independent
National Spiritual Assemblies in Italy and Switzerland. Second, the
construction of the first Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kár of Europe in the city of
Frankfurt, the heart of Germany, which occupies such a central position in
the continent of Europe. Third, the purchase of land for the future
construction of two Ma_sh_riqu’l-A_dh_kárs, one in the north in the city
of Stockholm, and one in the south in the city of Rome, the seat and
stronghold of the most powerful Church in Christendom. Fourth, the opening
of the following thirty virgin territories and islands: Albania, Crete,
Estonia, Finno-Karelia, Frisian Islands, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania,
Moldavia, Rumania, White Russia, assigned to the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria; Channel Islands, Cyprus,
Faroe Islands, Hebrides Islands, Malta, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands,
assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British
Isles; Andorra, Azores, Balearic Islands, Lofoten Islands, Spitzbergen,
Ukraine, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the
United States of America; Liechtenstein, Monaco, Rhodes, San Marino,
Sardinia, Sicily, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland. Fifth, the translation and publication
of Bahá’í literature in the following ten languages to be undertaken by
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of
America, through its European Teaching Committee: Basque, Estonian,
Flemish, Lapp, Maltese, Piedmontese, Romani, Romansch, Yiddish, Ziryen.
Sixth, the consolidation of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Holland,
Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, allocated
to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of
America; of Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Russian
S.F.S., Yugoslavia, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria; of Eire, allocated to the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles; of Iceland,
allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada; and
of Corsica, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
Italy and Switzerland. Seventh, the incorporation of the thirteen
above-mentioned National Spiritual Assemblies. Eighth, the establishment
by these same National Spiritual Assemblies of national Bahá’í endowments.
Ninth, the establishment of a national Hazíratu’l-Quds in the capital city
of each of the countries where the National Spiritual Assemblies are to be
established, as well as one in London and one in Paris. Tenth, the
formation of a National Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Frankfurt, Germany.
Eleventh, the formation of Israel Branches of the National Spiritual
Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles and of Germany and Austria,
authorised to hold, on behalf of their parent institutions, property
dedicated to the Holy Shrines at the World Centre of the Faith in the
State of Israel. Twelfth, the conversion to the Faith of representatives
of the Basque and Gypsy races. Thirteenth, the appointment during Ridván
1954, by the Hands of the Cause in Europe, of an auxiliary board of nine
members who will, in conjunction with the four National Spiritual
Assemblies participating in the European campaign, assist, through
periodic and systematic visits to Bahá’í centres, in the efficient and
prompt execution of the Plans formulated for the prosecution of the
teaching campaign in the European continent.

A continent occupying such a central and strategic position on the entire
planet; so rich and eventful in its history; so diversified in its
culture; from whose soil sprang both the Hellenic and Roman civilisations;
the mainspring of a civilisation to some of whose features Bahá’u’lláh
Himself paid tribute; on whose southern shores Christendom first
established its home; along whose eastern marches the mighty forces of the
Cross and the Crescent so frequently clashed; on whose south-western
extremity a fast evolving Islamic culture yielded its fairest fruit; in
whose heart the light of the Reformation shone so brightly, shedding its
rays as far as the outlying regions of the globe; the well-spring of
American culture; whose northern and western fringes were first warmed and
illuminated, less than a century ago, by the dawning light of the
Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh; in whose heart a community, so rich in promise,
was subsequently established; whose soil was later sanctified by the
twice-repeated visit of the appointed Centre of His Covenant; which
witnessed, in consequence of the rise and establishment of the
Administrative Order of His Faith, the erection of two of the foremost
pillars of the future Universal House of Justice; which, in recent years,
sustained the dynamic impact of a series of national Plans preparatory to
the launching of a world spiritual crusade—such a continent has at last at
this critical hour, this great turning-point in its fortunes, entered upon
what may well be regarded as the opening phase of a great spiritual
revival that bids fair to eclipse any period in its spiritual history.

May the elected representatives of the National Bahá’í communities
entrusted with the conduct of this momentous undertaking launched on the
soil of this continent, aided by the Hands of the Cause and their
auxiliary boards, reinforced by the local communities, the groups and
isolated believers sharing in this massive and collective enterprise, and
supported by the subsidiary agencies to be appointed for its efficient
prosecution, be graciously assisted by the Lord of Hosts to contribute, in
the years immediately ahead, through their concerted efforts and
collective achievements, in both the teaching and administrative spheres
of Bahá’í activity, to the success of this glorious Crusade, and lend a
tremendous impetus to the conversion, the reconciliation and the ultimate
unification of the divers and conflicting peoples, races and classes
dwelling within the borders of a travailing, a sorely-agitated and
spiritually-famished continent.

May all the privileged participators, enlisting under the banner of
Bahá’u’lláh for the promotion of so pre-eminent and meritorious a Cause,
be they from the Eastern or Western hemisphere, of either sex, white or
coloured, young or old, neophyte or veteran, whether serving in their
capacity as expounders of the teachings, or administrators, of His Faith,
as settlers or itinerant teachers, distinguish themselves by such deeds of
heroism as will rival, nay outshine, the feats accomplished nineteen
hundred years ago by that little band of God-intoxicated disciples who,
fearlessly preaching the Gospel of a newly-arisen Messiah, contributed so
decisively to the illumination, the regeneration and the advancement of
the entire European continent.

Shoghi

Letter of 22 July 1953

22 July 1953

ADVISE FERRABYS REMAIN ENGLAND MORE MERITORIOUS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 23 July 1953

23 July 1953

APPROVE SUBSTITUTION LINGALA LUBA MBUNDO TONGA FOR BUA WONGO LUIMBI SENA
RESPECTIVELY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 23 August 1953

23 August 1953

ASSURE VAKÍL PRAYERS APPRECIATION. (Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to Cyprus.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 August 1953

30 August 1953

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letter of 5th August has been received by the beloved Guardian, and
he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The contributions made by the British Bahá’í community to the Shrine of
the Báb Fund and to the Bahá’í International Fund are greatly appreciated.
Receipts are enclosed herewith.(74)

The beloved Guardian deeply values the unique and outstanding services of
the Bahá’ís of the British Isles. Through their devotion and sacrifice,
they are setting an example for posterity.

He wishes me to assure you that he prays fervently for the spiritual
confirmation of all of the friends of the British Isles; for their
material and spiritual welfare, and that every obstacle may be removed
from their paths of service, particularly during the Global Crusade.

The Shrine of the Báb is rapidly nearing completion. Its beauty and
splendour are difficult to portray. Certainly the Guardian very aptly
described the octagon, the drum and the dome as the triple crowns on the
Shrine of the Báb. Now that the glory and splendour of the golden dome is
revealed by the removal of all of the scaffolding, it is truly a golden
crown for the Shrine, and each time one looks at it, one becomes more and
more impressed that it is a symbol of the manner in which the Bahá’ís of
the world, led by the beloved Guardian, are crowning the Bahá’í activities
of the past one hundred years by spreading the knowledge of the Glory of
the Lord throughout the world.

The Guardian sends his loving greetings to you all....

Letter of 31 August 1953

31 August 1953

APPROVE RETAIN YAZDIS BENNETT GUNG. FIVE THOUSAND WORD PAMPHLET ADVISABLE
INFORM AMERICA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 31 August 1953

31 August 1953

ASSURE LJUNGBERG DEEPEST APPRECIATION PRAYERS. (Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to
Faroe Islands.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 September 1953

6 September 1953

ASSURE AS_GH_ARZÁDIH LOVING APPRECIATION FERVENT PRAYERS. (Knight of
Bahá’u’lláh to Channel Islands.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 8 September 1953

8 September 1953

ASSURE BAXTER LOVING APPRECIATION. (Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to Channel
Islands.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 11 September 1953

11 September 1953

ASSURE DUNNING DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION. (Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to
Orkney Islands.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 September 1953

22 September 1953

ASSURE HASSELBLATT DEEPEST LOVING APPRECIATION. (Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to
Shetland Islands.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 October 1953

4 October 1953

ADVISE TAKE NO RISK OWING POSSIBILITY HIGHER OUTLAY. URGE SEARCH OTHER
PLACES AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE.(75) APPROVE HAINSWORTH SIX MONTHS LEAVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 October 1953

7 October 1953

ASSURE UNA LOVING PRAYERS. (Una Townshend, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh to
Malta.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 10th October 1953

10th October 1953 ASSURE CRANEY LOVING APPRECIATION. (Knight of
Bahá’u’lláh to Hebrides.)

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 October 1953

10 October 1953

ADVISE ASSIST EGYPT BY PIONEER BRITISH SOMALILAND.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 October 1953

16 October 1953

APPROVE _SH_OMAIS DEPARTURE ETHIOPIA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 October 1953

16 October 1953

ASSURE BATTAH LOVING APPRECIATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 9 November 1953

9 November 1953

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

In your recent News Letter the beloved Guardian noted some quotations from
the pilgrims notes of ..., and he wishes me to tell you that he feels it
is wiser, in such official organs as our News Letters, not to publish such
notes as, unfortunately, they often contain errors. He has recently had
occasion to call the American N.S.A.’s attention to this too....

His loving thoughts and prayers are often with you all.

Letter of 21 November 1953

21 November 1953

APPROVE SUBSTITUTION LANGUAGES REFERRED LETTER DATED NOVEMBER THIRTEEN
SENDING SECOND PIONEER HAS NO GREATER PRIORITY. REGRET OWING INCREASING
EXPENSES UNABLE EXTEND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE EXERCISE STRICT ECONOMY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 November 1953

29 November 1953

DISAPPROVE CIRCULATION STATEMENT MARRIAGE OWING GENERAL PRINCIPLE ALREADY
ESTABLISHED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 January 1954

12 January 1954

TRANSMITTING FIVE HUNDRED NATIONAL FUND SENT THROUGH LANGDON-DAVIES RUG
FROM BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S SHRINE AND PHOTOS FOR NATIONAL HAZÍRÁ LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 January 1954 (Teaching Conference)

12 January 1954 (Teaching Conference)

DEEPLY APPRECIATE NOBLE SENTIMENTS DEDICATION ATTENDANTS CONFERENCE.
ARDENTLY SUPPLICATING FULFILMENT HOPES ACHIEVEMENT UNPRECEDENTED
VICTORIES. DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 9 March 1954

9 March 1954

CABLE NAMES LANGUAGES ALREADY TRANSLATED UNDER TEN YEAR PLAN SPECIFY ALSO
WHICH LANGUAGES PROCESS TRANSLATION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 March 1954

24 March 1954

ADVISE SEND PIONEERS PROMPTLY BRITISH TOGOLAND FRENCH TOGOLAND FRENCH
CAMEROONS. ORME SQUARE TOO EXPENSIVE. ADVISE TOWNSHENDS ABANDON PLAN
MALTA. EXPENDITURE HUNDRED POUNDS SOMALILAND INADVISABLE. PURCHASE SITE
INSIDE KAMPALA OR WITHIN THREE MILES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 7 April 1954

7 April 1954

FOLLOW LAWYER’S ADVICE REGARDING TEMPLE LAND OUTSIDE KAMPALA.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 April 1954

13 April 1954

ASSURE PRAYERS BLACKBURN NOTTINGHAM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 17 April 1954

17 April 1954(76)

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

At the instruction of our beloved Guardian, I am forwarding you herewith
his Convention Message.

He wishes you to have it read aloud to the assembled delegates, and then
published and circulated among the believers....

Letter of 20 April 1954

20 April 1954(77)

HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS GREAT VICTORY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 21 April 1954

21 April 1954(78)

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

I am forwarding you herewith a copy of the Guardian’s Convention Message
which was mailed you a short time ago. As there is a pilgrim leaving, he
is taking the precaution of having this mailed in Europe.

I hope it reaches you in time for the Convention....

Letter of 24 April 1954

24 April 1954

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning the Island of
Malta. He attaches great importance to this Island, and wishes your
Assembly to see that the teaching work there progresses as rapidly and
efficiently as possible.

At the present time, it has again become virgin, according to our records.
Do you know if Miss Townshend intends to return? If not, your Assembly
should undertake to fill the post just as quickly as possible, with
someone else.

As you have become aware through the Guardian’s Convention Message, he is
very happy with the result of the first year of the Ten-Year Crusade. He
is hoping that the second year will witness even more glorious victories,
and this time on the home front, as well as in foreign fields.

He would appreciate a report of the plans for Malta, as soon as possible.
In order to save him work, it is suggested it be sent to me. (Mr. L. Ioas)

The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....

Letter of 25 April 1954 (Convention)

25 April 1954 (Convention)

ASSURE ASSEMBLED DELEGATES ARDENT PRAYERS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS
PROUD RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CHERISH GREAT HOPES
FUTURE HISTORIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 April 1954

29 April 1954

WELCOME PLEDGE DELEGATES PRAYING SUCCESS ATTAINMENT GOALS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 3 May 1954

3 May 1954

European and Asian Committee

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of the 9th of Nur, 110, was received by the beloved Guardian.

As he has been tremendously busy during this Holy Year—and indeed his work
is increasing all the time—and there was nothing urgent that required an
immediate reply—he has delayed in answering you until he had more time.

He hopes that your committee will be able to gradually assist in the work
allotted to the British National Spiritual Assembly during the Plan.

The most important thing of course is to get the believers out into wholly
virgin areas, and keep them there. So far, England has done nobly, and he
is proud of their efforts.

The Pacific area is also of great importance. If there is any possibility
of British subjects going out to territories that are under the
jurisdiction of other National Bodies, but difficult to get into, he feels
that they should be referred to the committees concerned, or the National
Spiritual Assemblies concerned, because of the importance of achieving all
the goals of the Plan, regardless of which Assembly has certain goals
under its immediate jurisdiction.

He assures you he will pray for the success of your devoted labours, in
the Holy Shrine.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your meritorious activities, guide and sustain you
always, and enable you to lend a great impetus to the splendid work now
being accomplished in Europe and in Asia.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 6 May 1954

6 May 1954

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your loving letter of April 30th has just come to hand, calling attention
to the fact that Olga Mills, one of the pioneers in Malta, is serving
there very actively. The beloved Guardian had been informed by someone
that she had left.

However, the intent of the letter of April 24th still remains—that no
pioneer should leave their goal unless for very urgent reasons. In the
case of Malta, this is a country which can only be settled by English
Bahá’ís, and therefore the Guardian feels it of great importance that any
pioneer who goes there should remain. It is hoped that it may be possible
for Una Townshend to return in due course, to carry on her work there.

The Guardian asks that you convey to Olga Mills his loving appreciation of
her devoted services, and assure her of his prayers in her behalf.

If Una Townshend finds it impossible to return to Malta, then the Guardian
hopes you can send some other pioneer to that important post....

Letter of 16 May 1954

16 May 1954

I am enclosing, at the instruction of our beloved Guardian, the original
title-deed of one-quarter of an acre of land recently purchased near the
resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf on Mount Carmel; and registered in
the name of the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of the British Isles.

The cost of this property was six thousand dollars.

He feels sure that the British Bahá’ís will rejoice to know that they now
have a part of the International Bahá’í Endowments in the name of their
own special Israel Branch....

Letter of 4 June 1954

4 June 1954

British Africa Committee

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

The various letters of your committee dated June 8 and 25, July 6, August
13, September 23, October 8, November 25 and December 31, 1953, and
January 27 (3), March 6 and 30 and April 20, 1954, with their enclosures,
have been received by the beloved Guardian and he has instructed me to
answer you on his behalf. As he has been in constant cable communication
with you during the past year, I will not go into many of the matters
which have already been attended to.

Of all the places in the world where the Bahá’í Faith exists and is
spreading, the Guardian is definitely most pleased with Africa, and most
proud of Uganda. He feels that the spirit shown by white and negro
pioneers alike in that continent, presents a challenge to the Bahá’ís
everywhere in the world, and that old and staid communities may well learn
from, and emulate the example of, the believers of Africa, many of them
scarcely a year old in the Cause of God!

He feels that your committee and the British N.S.A. have every reason to
be proud of the work you have accomplished, and grateful for the blessings
you have received from on High.

It has particularly rejoiced his heart to see the way almost every goal
was attained at the last minute, before the end of the first year of the
Ten Year Crusade, many of these goals through the immediate whole-hearted
response of some of these new African Bahá’ís, themselves the spiritual
children of other African Bahá’ís—young in the Faith, but old in their
understanding of it.

The main task, now that the back of the pioneer settlement work has been
broken, so to speak, is the consolidation of these territories and the
maintaining of the pioneers at their posts. He is constantly urging all
National Assemblies to impress upon those who have gone forth to settle
virgin territories, the importance of staying there, and of only
abandoning their posts if they are forced to do so by the Government in
question, and not for some other reason. The friends have had such
difficulty in gaining access to some of these countries,—visas, housing,
expenses have all been such a problem—that once they get there, they
should really move heaven and earth to remain.

He is very happy that two of the Temple sites on the African continent
have been purchased, and feels that this will release a tremendous
spiritual impetus. He hopes that the Egyptian Bahá’ís will soon decide on
a site, and that will complete the chain for the time being.

Concerning the various questions you have raised regarding literature and
translations, he thinks that it is perhaps better to have a proper
introductory pamphlet on the Faith translated into ... and not give any
wide publicity for the time being, than to spend money translating a
lopsided presentation of the Teachings. However, he believes that, with
sufficient effort and good judgment, a pamphlet could be gotten out that
would neither stress too strongly the racial teachings, nor minimise them
too much, and could discreetly be used for teaching purposes in...

He has spoken very strongly to some of the pilgrims here about the
teaching work in that country, and impressed upon them that the whole
object of the pioneers in going forth to Africa, is to teach the coloured
people, and not the white people. This does not mean that they must refuse
to teach the white people, which would be a foolish attitude. It does,
however, mean that they should constantly bear in mind that it is to the
native African that they are now carrying the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, in
his own country, and not to people from abroad who have migrated there
permanently or temporarily and are a minority, and many of them, judging
by their acts, a very unsavoury minority.

He hopes that every effort will be made to get out a pamphlet in each of
the languages chosen, or those that you have substituted for a chosen
language. He fully realises that, in many cases, the people who speak the
language are illiterate, and, strictly speaking, do not require a printed
pamphlet in their own tongue. He considers however the psychological
values of having something translated into their own language, the
compliment implicit in it, so to speak, of great importance, sufficient to
offset the time, effort and expense involved.

He would like your committee to convey to all the pioneers, most
particularly the negro ones, the expression of his deep admiration of the
wonderful spirit that animates them, his feeling of affection for them,
and the assurance of his ardent prayers for their success.

Africa is truly awakening and finding herself, and she undoubtedly has a
great message to give, and a great contribution to make to the advancement
of world civilisation. To the degree to which her peoples accept
Bahá’u’lláh, will they be blessed, strengthened and protected.

He hopes that, whilst concentrating on the consolidation of the work under
your jurisdiction, you will give every assistance within your power to the
other National Assemblies who have difficult places to settle. The
Portuguese and Spanish territories seem to be the hardest of all to gain
access to. Any help your committee can give along this line would
certainly be rendering a great service to the Cause.

He deeply appreciates the work you have done, and your committee
achievements, during the past year, and assures each and all of you of his
loving prayers on your behalf....

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving and constant prayers for the success of the
efforts you are so devotedly exerting for the promotion of our beloved
Faith and its institutions,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 6 June 1954

6 June 1954

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian has been greatly pleased with the reports he has
received of the progress of the teaching work in Oxford. He feels the
friends in that city have undertaken their responsibility diligently and
successfully.

It is his feeling that the Faith should be firmly established in
Cambridge, which is also one of the great centres of learning in the
British Isles. He understands that Cambridge is a goal city of the
Crusade, and he feels that the time has now arrived for the opening of
that city and the expansion of the teaching work there.

He would appreciate a report from you as to the progress of the Faith in
that important city. This report should be addressed to me, and I will
inform him of its contents....

Letter of 11 June 1954

11 June 1954

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the
purchase of the Hazíratu’l-Quds for the city of London. The Guardian is
very hopeful that your Assembly will be able to complete this important
matter in the near future.

In connection with the purchase of Hazíratu’l-Quds, under the Ten Year
Crusade there are a total of 49 to be procured. 4 of them were procured
during the first year of the Crusade.

At the Guardian’s direction, I have written the National Assemblies
involved, calling for the purchase of 17 Hazíratu’l-Quds of the 45, during
this year. One of these 17 Hazíratu’l-Quds is the one in London.

The Guardian attaches the greatest importance to the fulfilment of this
aspect of the Ten Year Crusade; and sincerely hopes your Assembly will
concentrate on the purchase of the Hazíratu’l-Quds for London, so that it
may be consummated as soon as possible....

Letter of 17 June 1954

17 June 1954

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your Assembly’s letters dated June 10 (2), 17, 22 and 26, July 3, 7, 8, 9
(2), 16 and 24, August 17, 19 (2) and 24, September 17, 21, 24 and 25,
October 1, 8, 12, 22 and 28, November 13 (4) and 18 (2), December 10 (2),
12 and 23, 1953, and January 7, 20 (2), 21 and 22, February 17 (3), 19
(3), 21, 23 (2) and 25, March 1, 23, 24 and 25 (3), April 13 and 28, May
12, 21 and 25, June 1 (4) and 15, 1954, with enclosures, have been
received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.

He regrets very much the long delays in answering the National Spiritual
Assemblies, but is finding it increasingly difficult to keep abreast of
his work. He feels sometimes that he will soon be forced to give up
correspondence with individuals, although he is reluctant to do so,
because so many of the new believers brought in during the present
teaching activities in Africa and other far goals are writing to him.
However, he has attended to a great many of your questions by cable, and
the visits of a number of English pilgrims have enabled him to send you
messages and to keep the British community in contact with the work in the
Holy Land.

He greatly appreciated the desire of John and Dorothy Ferraby to go out as
pioneers, but considered that it would weaken the work of the National
Assembly altogether too much. Important as the pioneer field is, if all
the most able workers go out, the campaigns carried on from different
national bases will become absolutely unwieldy for lack of adequate able
management.

The expression of condolences which your Assembly conveyed to him at the
time of the passing of Fred Schopflocher and Dorothy Baker, two dear and
trusted Hands of the Cause who could ill be spared from their work at this
time, touched him very much. Others must now arise, and through their
services seek to fill the gaps which such valuable workers have left in
the vanguard of the Bahá’í host.

He would like you to express to the British pioneers on the home front,
whose names you forwarded to him, his sincere thanks. Their arising to
protect the goals which have been won by other pioneers at a cost of such
sacrifice and effort was noble and highly meritorious.

Speaking of pioneers, he was very pleased to hear recently that Mrs.
_Sh_omais Afnán had succeeded in gaining entry into Ethiopia. Her
perseverance in the face of a great deal of opposition is certainly
exemplary.

As he already cabled you, he did not approve of the statements you had
prepared for circulation amongst the Assemblies regarding Bahá’í marriage.
Some of the remarks were incorrect in the first place, and in the second
place he is strongly against Statements! He wishes the friends to keep as
elastic as possible in administering the affairs of the Faith, while at
the same time adhering to fundamentals. He knows that at times this
inconveniences the National Bodies and makes their work more detailed, but
believes it to be the lesser, so to speak, of two evils.

He was very sorry to learn that dear Mr. Townshend’s health is in such a
precarious state, and necessitated the return of his daughter from Malta.
His devotion is so single-hearted and touching, and his determination to
carry on at all costs is exemplary, and should inspire the young people to
follow in his footsteps.

When compiling the list of African languages into which the Bahá’í Message
should be translated, the Guardian realised that certain changes would
probably be necessary—naturally the fewer the better. In this connection,
if you feel it advisable and not otherwise, he would like you to convey to
Dr. Berry, of the African Department of the School of Oriental and African
studies, his personal thanks for the valuable advice he has given your
Assembly, and his friendly co-operation. You might also, at your
discretion, extend his thanks to any other members of the Staff who have
assisted you.

He is very pleased that the Temple land has been bought in Kampala. Mr.
and Mrs. Elston are visiting here at the present time; and he has told
them he feels that at present the Temple land should merely be held in
trust, and all meetings continue in the Hazíratu’l-Quds building. Should
this eventually prove too small, enlarging one of the rooms to accommodate
more of the people at the meetings might be considered as a possibility;
but any work carried out must be of a very economical nature, and he does
not think it is pressing at present, anyway.

I need not tell you that the work in Africa, and more particularly in
Uganda, is very dear to his heart. The progress made there during the last
year has borne him up and encouraged him greatly when he was often weighed
down with work. He feels that this country and its peoples, in the very
heart of Africa, are a most precious trust. Their receptivity to the
Teachings, their great desire to serve their new Faith, the number of them
who have arisen to go out as pioneers, mark them as a people apart in the
Bahá’í world, at least for the time being. May many others in neighbouring
countries prove as worthy, and follow their example.

In dealing with people who are still backward in relation to our civilised
standards, and in many cases guided by a tribal system which has strong
orders of its own, he feels that you should be both tactful and
forbearing. There is no specific minimum age mentioned in the Bahá’í
teachings at which girls may marry. In the future, this and other
questions unspecified will be dealt with by the International House of
Justice. In the meantime, we must not be too strict in enforcing our
opinions on peoples still living in primitive social orders.

The difficulty of getting a Bahá’í into ... has now been temporarily
solved. The Guardian does not see why Bahá’ís should have to state to any
Government that the reason for their visit to a country is for the
purposes of teaching the Bahá’í Faith. Most of the time, though not
perhaps invariably, this is calculated to arouse suspicion and opposition.
One has to deal with cases as they arise. A blanket rule could never apply
over so wide a field as that in which Bahá’í pioneers are working.

Although the children of Bahá’í parents are considered to be Bahá’ís,
there is no objection at the present time, for purposes of keeping a
correct census, and also ascertaining whether the young people are,
sincerely, believers, and willing to do their share in service to the
Faith, to asking them to make a declaration of their intention at the age
of fifteen or so. Originally, the Guardian understands, this was adopted
in America to enable young Bahá’í men to make certain arrangements in
connection with their application for non-combatant status upon their
attaining the age of military service. There is really nothing about it in
the Teachings or in the Administration. Your Assembly is free to do as it
pleases in this matter.

Regarding the publication of a pamphlet on the Bahá’í Teachings on
Monarchy, funds and circumstances permitting, the Guardian sees no
objection to this whatsoever. It might appeal to a certain type of British
mind very much, though he fears there are other minds to which it may not
appeal! However, considering Bahá’u’lláh has taught these things, there is
no reason why we should not share them with those interested in the
subject.

He is very sorry that it has not been possible to purchase the National
Hazíratu’l-Quds yet. In spite of the fact that he attaches great
importance to this, he does not think that the cost should become
exorbitant merely in order to accomplish a goal before a certain date. The
Bahá’ís, not only in England, but all over the world, have embarked upon a
Plan which will involve over a period of years a very heavy expenditure.
Undoubtedly they will have to help each other; but they will scarcely have
the financial strength to help each other to the tune of extremely
expensive buildings, Temple sites, etc., in different parts of the world.
He has given instructions to Canada, Germany, Rome, etc., to cut down on
the proposals they made to him, because the price of these things in
different parts of the world, when added up, would be well beyond the
means of the Faith to meet at present. He feels sure that, however painful
and toilsome the process may be, you will eventually find a suitable spot
in London, and one that your Assembly, with the help of the British
believers and other possible contributions from outside as well, can
afford.

The remarkable achievements in the pioneer field, a field in which your
own Assembly has been far from backward, are a source of great
encouragement to all the believers as well as to him. The addition of one
hundred countries during one year is certainly history-making.

Now that the back of the foreign pioneering work has been broken, so to
speak, a greater measure of attention must be paid to the home fronts. The
consolidation work, though far less spectacular, constitutes a very
weighty task, and will require a constant measure of sacrificial effort if
the goals are to be fulfilled. He thinks that during the coming year
greater attention should be paid to the home front, while at the same time
maintaining the pioneer posts at their present standard, at least.

The principle is, and it should be impressed on the minds of all pioneers,
to hold their territory at any cost. Just because they have left their
homes, and gone out and carried the Faith to one of these virgin areas,
does not mean that the task is accomplished. On the contrary, nothing
could be sadder than that these newly-won territories should be lost after
a few months’ effort. He hopes that in your correspondence with the
pioneers you will impress this fact upon them and make them realise that
to be a “Knight of Bahá’u’lláh” is not only a very high and pleasant
position, but involves a truly tremendous responsibility. To remain at
one’s post, to undergo sacrifice and hardship, loneliness and, if
necessary, persecution, in order to hold aloft the torch of Bahá’u’lláh,
is the true function of every pioneer.

Let them remember Marion Jack, who for over twenty years, in a country the
language of which she never mastered; during war and bombardment;
evacuation and poverty; and at length, serious illness, stuck to her post,
and has now blessed the soil of the land she had chosen to serve at such
cost with her precious remains, every atom of which was dedicated to
Bahá’u’lláh. Perhaps the friends are not aware that the Guardian, himself,
during the war on more more than one occasion urged her to seek safety in
Switzerland rather than remain behind enemy lines and be entirely cut off.
Lovingly she pleaded that he would not require her to leave her post, and
he acquiesced to her request. Surely the standard of Marion Jack should be
borne in mind by every pioneer!

Regarding your question about including the Tablet of the Virgin in a
compilation of “Bahá’í Scriptures” which you wish to publish—the old
translation is very poor and has many inaccuracies. However, the Guardian
has no time at all to retranslate it or correct it himself.

He leaves it to the discretion of your Assembly as to whether you wish to
include it in a compilation or not.

I am returning to you the list you sent with suggested corrections in
relation to the pamphlet your Assembly published last year—“The Bahá’í
Faith 1844–1952, Information Statistical and Comparative”. The righthand
column marked “Suggested”, he considers quite acceptable. The places where
you have put question marks are correct, with very few exceptions which
the Guardian has corrected, in the column marked “As Listed”, with the
exception of the transliteration of the name _Sh_u‘á’u’lláh, (Number 12)
which the Guardian has corrected.

Assuring you of the Guardian’s loving prayers for the success of your
devoted labours....

P.S. July 28th. Your letter of July 7th has likewise been received.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The achievements of the members of the tenacious, the valiant and
wide-awake British Bahá’í community, within the borders of their homeland
and beyond its confines, in the course of the opening year of the Bahá’í
World Crusade, deserve the highest commendation and have considerably
heightened its prestige and deepened my own admiration for it as well as
that of its sister communities in both Hemispheres.

Called into being through the dispensations of a watchful Providence, in
the middle of the memorable decade that witnessed the introduction of the
Faith of Bahá’u’lláh into the Western world; sharing with its sister
community across the Channel the distinction of being the first to be
quickened by the life-giving influences generated by the newly-established
Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh in the Holy Land; the recipient of untold
blessings showered upon it by the Centre of the Covenant in the days of
its infancy; singled out among the newly-fledged communities in both
Europe and the North American Continent through the twice repeated visits
of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the shores of its homeland; fully equipped with the
agencies of a divinely conceived Administrative Order, patiently and
laboriously erected by its stalwart members in the years immediately
following the setting of the Orb of that same Covenant; enriched by the
experience derived from the successful prosecution of two successive
nationwide Plans formulated by its national elected representatives, this
community finds itself, on the morrow of the termination of the opening
year of the afore-mentioned Crusade, simultaneously firmly rooted within
the soil of its homeland and vigorously branching out on the first stage
of its mission in foreign fields, and exhibiting, both at home and abroad,
evidences of a development that bids fair to eclipse any of its collective
achievements in the past five decades since its inception.

In both the teaching and administrative spheres of its ever-expanding,
swiftly unfolding activities, whether in the heart and capital city of the
Empire to which it belongs, or in the chief cities recently opened by its
pioneering members in the territories comprising its island home, or in
the diversified and far-flung dependencies of the British Crown in the
African Continent, this virile, forward marching, securely established
community has amply demonstrated its capacity to be regarded as one of the
chief strongholds of a divinely conceived Faith and one of the principal
bastions sustaining the fabric of Bahá’u’lláh’s world-encompassing Order.

Standing as it does on the threshold of the second phase of a Crusade with
which its immediate destinies are inseparably linked, and to which it has
voluntarily and enthusiastically pledged its combined resources, the tasks
now confronting it demand a degree of concentration, dedication,
co-ordination, resourcefulness and perseverance hitherto unequalled in any
period of its career.

The prizes won in recent months, since the launching of the Ten Year Plan
to which it stands committed, through the strenuous exertions and the
shining example of its pioneers in the islands situated to the North, the
West and the South of its homeland, as well as in the far away territories
lying in the heart of the African Continent and situated on both its
eastern and western shores, must, however great the sacrifices involved,
be preserved. The acquisition of the national Hazíratu’l-Quds in a
centrally located area in a city that ranks as the chief metropolis of a
vast Empire is yet another task of the utmost urgency and of the highest
significance, the consummation of which should be considered as the chief
objective and pre-eminent duty of this community’s elected national
representatives, and one which is bound to exert, in the days immediately
ahead, a far-reaching and pervasive influence on the growth and unfoldment
of the Faith which it is their privilege to serve and promote.

Of no less importance is the responsibility to reinforce the structure of
the Administrative Order throughout the British Isles, and particularly in
the newly opened territories of Scotland, Wales, Eire and Northern
Ireland, through a rapid and unprecedented increase in the number of the
avowed supporters of the Faith, and a multiplication of isolated centres,
groups and assemblies that constitute the warp and woof of the fabric of
its evolving Order.

A no less urgent task, which will directly reinforce this fabric, and
heighten the prestige of the Faith itself, and pave the way for the
establishment of Bahá’í local endowments, is the prompt incorporation of
firmly established local assemblies, a process which, as soon as it is
initiated, must gather steady momentum throughout the length and breadth
of the British Isles, and be ultimately reinforced by the incorporation of
all local assemblies destined to be established in the virgin territories
recently opened in the neighbourhood of the British Isles and in the
African territories allotted to your Assembly under the provisions of the
Ten Year Plan.

Special attention should, moreover, be paid to the no less vital duty of
completing the translation, the publication and the dissemination of
Bahá’í literature in the languages assigned to your Assembly, in
accordance with that same Plan, an achievement which will greatly
stimulate the work to be undertaken in the course of the future phases of
this world spiritual Crusade as it unfolds itself in the African
Continent.

Whilst these highly meritorious enterprises are being assiduously carried
on, the inescapable and sacred duty of consolidating the nine African
territories and the two additional ones in Europe and Asia must be
adequately discharged, in order to enable the British Bahá’í community to
bring to full fruition the noble mission entrusted so confidently to its
care.

The tasks facing this community in the course of this second and future
phases of a world-encircling Crusade are admittedly vast, complex and
challenging. The resources at the disposal of its doggedly persevering,
wholly dedicated members are, alas, circumscribed and inadequate. The
Mission, however, to which its Founder is calling it, is unspeakably
glorious. Many and divers will, no doubt, be the tests, the setbacks and
trials which teachers and administrators alike within the ranks of its
members, must necessarily experience. The times, during which the opening
phase of its Mission overseas is to yield its fairest fruit, are fraught
with great peril. Both at home and in distant outposts of the Empire, the
opposition which those responsible for its development and consolidation
will encounter from those in authority, whether civil or ecclesiastic,
will progressively hamper their efforts. The competition from its own
sister communities, in various regions of the globe and in the course of
the systematic prosecution of the same world-embracing task will, in the
meantime, grow keener.

Every ounce of energy its members can muster must unhesitatingly be
expended to further the supreme end for which so sacred, so formidable and
so momentous a Plan has been devised. With every sacrifice that is made,
with every forward step that is taken along the toilsome and long road
they are destined to tread, with every victory dearly and laboriously won
by the champions, the representatives, the vanguard, the spokesmen, as
well as the rank and file of this community, a measure of blessing from on
high will undoubtedly be vouchsafed, in order to reinforce the exertions,
cheer the hearts, and stimulate the march of all those enlisted in the
service of so glorious a Cause.

The hour is propitious for a concerted effort which in its scope and
intensity will surpass any united action of which the British followers of
the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh have proved themselves capable in the past.

That they may ascend from height to height, go forward from victory to
victory, is the fervent prayer of one who has invariably followed the
course of their exploits with undiminished confidence and admiration, who
has cherished the brightest hopes for the ultimate attainment of their
Mission, and whose love and esteem for them has correspondingly increased
with every revelation of the capacities and energies with which they have
discharged, and are constantly discharging, their Mission.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 21 June 1954

21 June 1954

APPROVE AS_GH_ARZÁDEH AND OTHER PIONEERS ISLANDS ATTEND SUMMER SCHOOL....

SHOGHI

Letter of 23 June 1954

23 June 1954

Dear John:

Thank you for your letter of June 15th, with regard to Dar-es-Salaam.

The Guardian attaches very great importance to the “incorporation” and
“exemption” of any Assembly; likewise the acquirement of any endowments.

Therefore, if you have not already sent directly to the Guardian a
photostatic copy of the Exemption granted the Dar-es-Salaam Assembly, I
would like to suggest that one be sent to him through me.

Likewise if anything constructive develops with regard to the burial
ground at Dar-es-Salaam, please let me know as soon as possible....

Letter of 22 July 1954

22 July 1954

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

...The Guardian has instructed me to write your Assembly, calling
attention to the manner in which questions of teaching activities in new
areas and consolidation areas assigned to any Assembly, are carried out.

The National Spiritual Assembly is the Body which is charged with the
administrative responsibility of the tasks of the Ten Year Crusade.
Neither the Hands of the Cause nor their Boards have administrative
responsibilities in connection with this work.

The members of the Boards are to report to the Hands of the Cause in the
area regarding all situations, and of course in detail concerning any
problem, so that the National Assembly may take appropriate action.

The Hands of the Cause themselves will correspond with the National
Spiritual Assembly involved, calling their attention to the problem, so
that the National Assembly may take appropriate action.

The Guardian has instructed that the Hands of the Cause are not to
correspond with the committees of the National Spiritual Assemblies, but
directly with the National Spiritual Assemblies themselves.

The beloved Guardian greatly values the outstanding work which your
Assembly is doing. He will pray for your continued success. He sends you
his loving greetings....

Letter of 29 July 1954 (Summer School Committee)

29 July 1954 (Summer School Committee)

DELIGHTED ASSURE ATTENDANTS LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 August 1954

29 August 1954

SUBSTITUTE FON FOR POPO COMMITTEES SHOULD NOT CORRESPOND HANDS WITHOUT
EXCEPTION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 October 1954

16 October 1954(79)

DELIGHTED HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 October 1954

27 October 1954(80)

FOLLOW AMERICAN POLICY REGARDING ASSEMBLY STATUS. USE PROCEEDS SALE HOUSE
FOR HAZÍRÁ.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 October 1954

28 October 1954

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The content of your letter of October 15th was given to the beloved
Guardian.

He sincerely hopes the problems surrounding Mr. ... have now been solved,
as you seemed to think they have.

He advises that Bahá’í pioneers should not become public charges under any
circumstances; and the Assemblies concerned should see that this does not
occur in the case of Mr. ....

The beloved Guardian assures all the members of the National Assembly of
his appreciation of their devoted services. He assures them of his prayers
in their behalf, and sends them his loving greetings....

Letter of 11 November 1954

11 November 1954(81)

DISAPPROVE MEMBERSHIP FREEMASONRY.

Letter of 16 December 1954

16 December 1954

GRIEVE PASSING STAUNCH CONSECRATED PROMOTER FAITH LANGDON-DAVIES HER
SERVICES UNFORGETTABLE REWARD GREAT ABHÁ KINGDOM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 December 1954

22 December 1954

PUBLISHING TRUST SHOULD NOT HAVE SEPARATE LEGAL STATUS. ANY BAHÁ’Í
DETERMINED RETAIN MEMBERSHIP FREEMASONRY LOSES VOTING RIGHTS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 17 January 1955

17 January 1955(82)

SHARE JOY FRIENDS SUPPLICATING UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 February 1955

20 February 1955

Dear Bahá’í Co-workers:

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to inquire of your Assembly what
the situation is surrounding the translation and publication of Bahá’í
literature into the following languages:

Erso
Gaelic

These are not languages of the Ten Year Crusade, but languages which have
been translated prior to the opening of the Ten Year Crusade. He is very
anxious to know what the status is of these translations and publications.
If no work has been done on them, he would urge that you have the work
undertaken at an early date....

Letter of 8 March 1955

8 March 1955

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure as quickly as possible data
concerning the Hazíratu’l-Quds which have been acquired in connection with
the goals of the Ten Year Crusade. To this end, he would very greatly
appreciate your sending me by return air mail the information concerning
the Hazíratu’l-Quds in London.

He would like to know the area of land involved, the size of the building,
so far as number of rooms is concerned, the original purchase price of the
Hazíratu’l-Quds, the expenses of the transaction, and then the total cost.

The Guardian asks that this be sent to me by return airmail....

Letter of 29 March 1955

29 March 1955

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

On April 21st we will enter the last year of the second phase of the Ten
Year Crusade. As you know, one of the objectives of this second phase was
the rapid multiplication of Assemblies, Groups and Centres throughout the
world.

During the past year, a great deal has been accomplished by the friends in
their efforts to disperse from the large centres of population in order to
build up the goal cities and establish new centres. However, we have not
accomplished a great deal in the way of increasing the number of Bahá’ís,
nor the number of Spiritual Assemblies.

The beloved Guardian sincerely hopes you will make it a point of major
study and consideration on the part of your Assembly, so that the entire
community may lend itself to the accomplishment of this great goal during
the coming year. Foundations must be laid for many more Assemblies. The
friends must disperse from the large centres of population. Our teaching
work must become so sanctified and penetrating that many, many souls will
be confirmed. The friends should go forward on this great task in a very
determined manner in order to establish as many new Assemblies during the
coming year as are possible.

In letters which have come to the beloved Guardian, he has noted the
friends feel there is no need to establish new Assemblies until 1963.

The Ten Year Crusade ends in 1963; but as many of the goals should be won
as quickly as possible. It should certainly be clear to all of the friends
that we cannot hold off on winning the various goals of our tasks until
the last year of the Crusade. They should be won just as quickly as
possible. Furthermore, there are many tasks of the Crusade which the
Guardian is not launching until preliminary goals have been won. For
instance, it would be impossible to establish National Assemblies in all
of the areas proposed until there are more Bahá’ís, more Groups and more
Assemblies in those countries. On the home front, further tasks are
dependent upon the winning of victories now. The Guardian hopes the
keynote of the teaching work on the home front during the current year
will be the dispersion of the friends on an unprecedented scale, and the
winning of as many Assemblies as is possible....

Letter of 9 April 1955

9 April 1955

URGENTLY APPEAL HIGH MINDED DEVOTED BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES EXERT SUPREME
EFFORT FILL GAPS ASSEMBLIES DEMONSTRATE ABILITY MAINTAIN STANDARD HISTORIC
ACHIEVEMENTS FERVENTLY PRAYING SUCCESS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 April 1955

20 April 1955

Dear John:

In order not to keep the Assembly waiting for an answer, the beloved
Guardian has instructed me to write you this letter in reply to yours of
April 15th.

The principle is wherever the Bahá’í laws at the present time conflict
with the civil law of the country, the believers living in it must obey
the civil law.

The Bahá’ís in England, as regards divorce will consequently have to
follow British law, and in conjunction with this, as far as possible,
uphold the Bahá’í law of divorce as well. The way the details of this are
to be worked out is left entirely to the discretion of your National
Assembly....

Letter of 21 April 1955

21 April 1955(83)

DELIGHTED LOVING APPRECIATION. REGRET FORMATION NICOSIA ASSEMBLY
IMPOSSIBLE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 24 April 1955

24 April 1955

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian has been greatly enthused the last few days with the
reports that have been received of new Assemblies established in virgin
areas. Of great importance and significance is the word that Spiritual
Assemblies have been established in Mogadiscio, in Italian Somaliland and
Djibouti in French Somaliland. This leaves the only Somaliland without an
Assembly as British Somaliland. The beloved Guardian would appreciate your
Assembly giving consideration to this matter, to see if there is any way
that a pioneer could go from England to British Somaliland, to firmly
establish the Faith there. He understands fully the problems involved.

A copy of this letter is being sent to Mr. Banání, Hand of the Cause, so
that he might give consideration to the possibility of having some native
Bahá’ís from Uganda move to British Somaliland, and either teach or settle
there.

The beloved Guardian assures your Assembly of his prayers on your behalf.
He sends you his loving greetings....

Letter of 25 April 1955 (Convention)

25 April 1955 (Convention)

DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION MESSAGE. APPEAL DELEGATES URGE ALL
COMMUNITIES BRITISH ISLES CONCENTRATE ATTENTION ENERGIES INTENSIFICATION
TEACHING ACTIVITIES MULTIPLICATION CENTRES STRENGTHENING ALLOTTED
NEWLY-OPENED TERRITORIES INCORPORATION ASSEMBLIES ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL
ENDOWMENT PRAYING FERVENTLY ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES COURSE SECOND LAST YEAR
SECOND PHASE TEN YEAR PLAN.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 April 1955

28 April 1955

REJOICE SPLENDID INITIATIVE ASSEMBLED REPRESENTATIVES VALIANT BRITISH
BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY ARDENTLY PRAYING FULFILMENT FONDEST HOPES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 May 1955

22 May 1955

CONSIDER CARDIFF MAINTAINED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 June 1955

2 June 1955

APPROVE PUBLICISING WORLD PROTEST DO NOT ATTACK GOVERNMENT APPROVE APPEAL
AFRICAN COMMUNITIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 July 1955

10 July 1955

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to inform you that he feels the
time has come for the British N.S.A. to follow the procedure laid down by
him as a general rule, namely that Spiritual Assemblies should adhere to
the civil limits of their respective towns. All other National Assemblies
are following this procedure and he feels yours should too.

The events in Persia have, naturally, distressed him greatly, particularly
anxiety for the safety of the Holy House in _Sh_íráz. However, the
publicity will do the Faith a great deal of good....

Letter of 26 July 1955

26 July 1955

Dear John:

Just a line to inform you, and naturally through you the National
Assembly, that the Beloved Guardian has instructed Varga to send you five
hundred pounds for your National Fund, to be expended as the Assembly
thinks best.

Regarding ... legacy he wishes your Assembly to hold this sum in trust for
him until he gives directions for its use.

The beloved Guardian is most anxious that the representations to be made
to UNO regarding the bitter and cruel persecutions in Persia at present
should meet with success. I do hope all goes well....

Letter of 5 August 1955

5 August 1955

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your letters of July 7, 13 and 15, August 19, 20 (three) and 31, September
17 (two) and 27, October 13, 16 (two) and 26, November 4, 15, 16 and 20,
and December 8 (four) and 18, 1954, and January 6 (two), 10 and 25,
February 7, 11, 14, 21 and 28, March 11 (two), 16 and 23, April 4, 7, 15,
19, 22 and 27, May 9, 12 and 27, June 8 and 9, July 5 (four), 11 and 14,
1955, with enclosures, also the material sent separately, have been
received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.

The matters taken up by cable I will not go into again here in detail.

It has been a great source of satisfaction to him to receive here last
winter two members of the National Body, Mr. and Mrs. John Ferraby, as
well as more than one believer from England. The contact with the British
Bahá’ís always pleases him greatly. As you know, he admires many of the
staunch British qualities very much, and is proud of the accomplishments
of this community during recent years.

He has been pleased over the progress made in the teaching field abroad
and at home; in the publication of Bahá’í literature in African languages;
and, above all, by the purchase of the National Headquarters in London,
and the formal dedication of the building, recently held. He feels sure
that, now that the National Assembly has a befitting seat for its national
affairs—a building which at the same time will solve the problem of the
London Spiritual Assembly, through giving them a meeting-place—the work in
both London and throughout the country will receive a new impetus. With
every important step forward there is a new release of spiritual energy;
and the founding of the National Hazíratu’l-Quds is certainly a most
important milestone in the progress of the Cause in the British Isles.

As regards various questions raised in your correspondence with him, he
sees no reason why the Publishing Trust should have a separate legal
status, as long as it is not essential for it to do so.

He approves of returning to Ronga as one of the languages into which
Bahá’í literature should be translated, according to the provisions of the
Ten Year Plan, and giving up Shangaan.

He would like very much to receive photostats of the actual Certificates
of Incorporation issued to the London and Manchester and Liverpool
Assemblies, to be placed in the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh.

He does not think your Assembly need take any action about removing
archives or other material from London. If, at a future date, the world
situation reaches the point where it is obvious that things in London are
in great danger, then your Assembly should consider the matter.
Fortunately, that is not the case at present.

Any monies received from the sale of the property bequeathed by Mrs. B ...
can be used by your Assembly as it sees fit.

As he already pointed out to the Secretary, when he was in Haifa, a
National Endowment is at the present time to be considered more in the
nature of a token endowment. It need not be in the capital, and can
represent a very small investment; indeed as little as one thousand
dollars, if a suitable piece of property for that price should be found,
would be acceptable.

He was very sorry to hear of the tragic death of Mrs. Langdon-Davies. She
was a capable, staunch and devoted member of the community and of the
National Assembly as well; and her services will be missed by her
co-workers, and particularly the friends in Oxford. He prays for the
progress of her soul in the Abhá kingdom, and that she may be rewarded for
her labours in this world, performed with so much zeal and steadfastness.

He hopes that Mr. John Mitchell’s condition has improved. He was very
sorry indeed to hear that he had been forced to leave Malta. Please assure
him of the Guardian’s loving and fervent prayers on his behalf.

As regards the question of Bahá’ís belonging to churches, synagogues,
Freemasonry, etc., the friends must realise that now that the Faith is
over a hundred years old, and its own institutions arising, so to speak,
rapidly above-ground, the distinctions are becoming ever sharper, and the
necessity for them to support whole-heartedly their own institutions and
cut themselves off entirely from those of the past, is now clearer than
ever before. The eyes of the people of the world are beginning to be
focussed on us; and, as humanity’s plight goes from bad to worse, we will
be watched ever more intently by non-Bahá’ís, to see whether we do uphold
our own institutions whole-heartedly; whether we are the people of the new
creation or not; whether we live up to our beliefs, principles and laws in
deed as well as word. We cannot be too careful. We cannot be too
exemplary.

There is another aspect to this question which the friends should
seriously ponder, and that is that, whereas organisations such as
Freemasonry may have been in the past entirely free from any political
taint, in the state of flux the world is in at present, and the
extraordinary way in which things become corrupted and tainted by
political thought and influences, there is no guarantee that such an
association might not gradually or suddenly become a political instrument.
The less Bahá’ís have to do, therefore, with such things, the better.

He wishes you to thank ... on his behalf for the spirit of devotion to the
Faith which he has shown in connection with this matter. He feels sure
that he will see the necessity to sever himself from his previous
association with Freemasonry. The older Bahá’ís, through their example in
such matters, form rallying points around which the younger Bahá’ís, not
so steady yet on their spiritual legs, so to speak, can cluster.

If you send him five copies of everything published in the British Isles,
it will be sufficient for the libraries here at the World Centre....

The Africa Committee should carefully consider such problems as that of
the Negro pioneers being too long apart from their wives; and, if no other
solution is feasible, the pioneer will have to return to his family. In
the case of some of the very distinguished servants of the Faith who have
arisen and gone forth from Uganda to pioneer, this would indeed be a loss
to the work. If their wives could go and join them, it would naturally be
preferable. This is a matter for the committee in consultation with your
Assembly and the Hand of the Cause, Músá Banání, to decide.

Undoubtedly the most important task facing the British community at the
present time, is to increase its membership. It has performed miracles
during the past ten years, through shifting around devoted volunteers from
one centre to another, in order to maintain or to create Spiritual
Assemblies; but, efficacious as this has been in the past, it is certainly
not a permanent solution to the problem. The only solution is to bring in
more Bahá’ís. This requires patient, prayerful, ceaseless efforts on the
part of, not only the Bahá’í teachers and pioneers, but every single
member of the community. The British people are traditionally slow to
move. Fortunately, once they do move, it’s almost impossible to stop them;
but to overcome the inertia requires great effort. In bringing new people
into the Faith, the friends always come up against this problem. He urges
all the Bahá’ís, however, not to become discouraged, but to persevere and
redouble their efforts, knowing that they can and must succeed in the end.
He, on his part, will reinforce their efforts with his prayers in the Holy
Shrines....

As regards your question about depleted Assemblies, as there is nothing in
the constitution of the National Spiritual Assembly covering these
matters, every National Body is free to make its own decision as to what
the status of an Assembly is from one annual election to the next, if they
fall below nine for any reason.

As regards certain matters raised in your recent letters:

Your Assembly is free to choose the place for the endowment for the East
and Central N.S.A. if you feel Uganda inadvisable.

The delegates reaching the Conventions in Africa is a matter for each
N.S.A., from whose area of jurisdiction they are elected, to arrange and
provide financial help if needed.

A prisoner, showing sincere faith in the Cause, may be accepted as a
Bahá’í on the same basis of investigating his qualifications as to belief
as any other individual outside prison. Each case should be carefully
considered on its own merits. Naturally, a person in confinement cannot be
active in any community and administrative work. When he gets out, he
becomes part of the community in which he resides. No new ruling is
required in this matter. All other details in relation to prisoners can be
decided by the N.S.A. concerned as they arise.

The Guardian feels that, though it is naturally preferable, it is not
essential for consolidation territories to have a group by Ridván,
1956....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The contribution made, since the inception of the world-wide Bahá’í
Crusade, severally as well as collectively, by the assiduously striving,
clear-visioned, inflexibly resolved, and unswervingly faithful members of
the British Bahá’í community to the progress and development of the Ten
Year Plan, inaugurated on the morrow of the centenary celebration of the
birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission, has been such as to excite the heartfelt
admiration of their fellow-workers in every continent of the globe. The
prestige of this valiant community has soared rapidly, its annals have
been notably enriched, the foundations on which its fortunes now rest have
been considerably reinforced, whilst the variety and solidity of its
administrative achievements have won the unstinted praise of its sister
communities in both the East and the West. My own feelings of unqualified
admiration for the tenacity of the faith of its members, for their
unrelaxing vigilance, their unfailing sense of responsibility and their
willingness to sacrifice in order to meet any challenges that confront
them, have deepened with every advance they have made, and every victory
they have won along the path leading them towards the fulfilment of their
destiny.

The historic triumph achieved as a result of the successful prosecution of
the Six Year Plan, spontaneously embarked upon by this numerically small
yet richly endowed, spiritually resourceful community, on the morrow of
the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh,
followed immediately by the initiation of a Two Year Plan which marked the
inauguration of this community’s Mission beyond the confines of its
homeland, culminated in the formal association of its members with their
brethren in every continent of the globe for the launching and prosecution
of a decade-long world-embracing crusade, destined to carry that same
community through yet another stage, of the utmost significance, in the
fulfilment of its world-wide and glorious mission among the widely
scattered territories of the British Crown in no less than three
continents of the globe.

The extension and consolidation, in the course of more than a decade, of
the administrative base established so painstakingly for the prosecution
of this community’s far-flung mission, through the formation and
multiplication of isolated centres, groups and local assemblies throughout
the length and breadth of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and
Eire; the opening of the virgin islands lying in the neighbourhood of
these territories and forming a part of the British Isles, constituting a
most welcome and much needed reinforcement of the Administrative Structure
raised so valiantly and patiently by its members in their island home; the
magnificent success surpassing, in its quality and scope, the fondest
expectations of the elected representatives of this community, which
attended the spiritual conquest of a number of African territories,
situated along the Western and Eastern shores of that continent and its
very heart; the settlement of pioneers in two Mediterranean islands; the
selection and purchase of a befitting national administrative headquarters
situated close to the heart of the capital city of the British Empire; the
acquisition of a plot in the outskirts of the capital city of Uganda,
situated in the heart of the African continent, to serve as the site for a
future Bahá’í House of Worship; the rapid advancement in the translation
and publication of Bahá’í literature in the thirty-one African languages,
allotted, under the Ten Year Plan to the elected national representatives
of this same community; the steady progress made more recently in the
incorporation of firmly established local assemblies; the formation of the
Israel Branch of the British National Assembly at the world centre of the
Faith in Israel—these stand out as the most prominent and significant
evidences of the uninterrupted development of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh
under the wise leadership, and through the assiduous and incessant
exertions, of the elected national representatives of this virile
community.

The year that has recently opened, constituting the second and last year
of the second phase of a Ten-Year global crusade, must witness a
development and consolidation of the activities already initiated, in both
the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í endeavour, as swift and
as notable as the progress already achieved in recent years. Time is
indeed short. The responsibilities shouldered by the members of this
community are manifold, pressing, sacred and inescapable. The eyes of the
entire Bahá’í world are upon them, eager and expectant to witness feats as
superb as those that have marked the birth and establishment of the
Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the British Isles, and
exploits as meritorious and significant as those that have accompanied the
inception and progress of the mission entrusted to His British followers,
on the morrow of the emergence of that Administrative Order in their
homeland.

The process aiming at the rapid increase in the number of the avowed and
active supporters of the Faith must continue unabated in the months
immediately ahead. A simultaneous multiplication in the number of isolated
centres, groups and local assemblies must be ensured in order to reinforce
the agencies on which the rising administrative structure of the Faith
must ultimately rest. The process of incorporation must likewise be
strenuously stimulated for the purpose of strengthening legally, and
enhancing the prestige of, these rising institutions. The newly opened
territories forming part of the British Isles, situated in the
Mediterranean, in the Atlantic Ocean, along the western and eastern coasts
of Africa, and in its very heart, must be continually reinforced, and the
prizes won in those distant fields safeguarded, however great the
sacrifice involved. The establishment of national Bahá’í endowments in the
British Isles is yet another task which, ere the termination of the
current year, must be accomplished, as a prelude to the establishment of a
similar endowment in the continent of Africa following the emergence of
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central and East Africa.

Above all, the most careful consideration should be given to the measures
required to ensure the emergence of the afore-mentioned National Assembly
in the heart of the African continent, marking the culmination of the
efforts so diligently exerted, and the fruition of the enterprises so
painstakingly inaugurated, since the formation of the Two Year Plan by the
British Bahá’í community.

The emergence of this institution, signalising the erection of yet another
pillar of the Universal House of Justice in the African continent, and
constituting the first fruit, yielded on foreign soil, of the Mission
entrusted to the British followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and which
may be hailed as a worthy counterpart of the central Administrative
Institution established, on the morrow of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Passing, in the
heart of the British Isles, will be acclaimed by posterity as a milestone
of far-reaching significance in British Bahá’í history. It will proclaim
to the entire Bahá’í world the maturity of the swiftly rising, highly
promising, steadily consolidating British Bahá’í community. Every British
follower of the Faith, whether in his home islands or overseas, must feel
proud and deeply grateful for the impending consummation of so superb and
momentous a victory. Every energy must be lent to ensure a befitting
celebration of such an enduring and magnificent achievement.

The efforts of the members of this community must indeed be redoubled, nay
trebled, as they view with afflicted hearts the tragic trend of events
transpiring with such dramatic and sudden swiftness in Bahá’u’lláh’s
native land. The tribulations suffered, over so wide a field, by so many
of their co-religionists, under circumstances so appalling and harrowing
in their nature, at the hands of redoubtable, pitiless, barbarous
adversaries, should spur them on to still greater endeavours in a land
blessed with freedom of religion and tolerance, and occupying so
conspicuous a position among its sister nations.

Theirs is an opportunity which they must instantly grasp. Theirs is a
responsibility which they cannot escape. Theirs is the duty to offset, by
the quality of their achievements, the dire losses which are now being
sustained in the cradle of the Faith. That they may in every field and at
all times discharge their heavy responsibilities is my constant prayer and
dearest hope.

Shoghi

Letter of 22 August 1955

22 August 1955

Dear John,

I am writing you this at the instruction of the beloved Guardian.

As you will have no doubt seen by his recent cable, he has come to the
historic decision to build a Temple in Africa, in Kampala. He has been in
communication with Mr. Banání about this, and from reports received it
appears there will be no objections. The land must be surveyed (this is
being done), and design of the building submitted so as to meet health and
building requirements.

The Guardian wishes your Assembly to please get busy at once and have a
design, or designs, made for the building; it is not necessary to try in
any way to copy the Wilmette Temple: the things that are essential are the
following:

1. A nine-sided building.

2. A dome, in proportion to the building.

3. A seating capacity between 300 and 500; you could count floor space at
300 or 400 and provide a balcony around the auditorium for expansion in
seating capacity.

4. No “chapels” or small rooms should be added; this was a misapprehension
held in the old days.

As to materials your Assembly and architect can go into that, but brick or
cement would be all right. Stone would seem to be out of the question.

It should not be too expensive or pretentious, but dignified and worthy.

There is no reason why the architect should be a Bahá’í—in fact your use
of someone there would get it done faster, probably. The imperative thing
is to send preliminary drawings to the Guardian within two months, if
possible.

The terrible situation in Persia makes him most anxious to have this
project go forward speedily. He feels funds will not be too much of a
problem if great costs are not involved.

He sends you and all N.S.A. members his loving greetings....

Letter of 30 August 1955

30 August 1955

The beloved Guardian has received the clippings from English newspapers
and read them with keen interest; he attached much importance to such
publicity in journals of such high standing....

Regarding your questions—

It is permissible to use selections from the “Promulgation of Universal
Peace” in compilations.

Better omit the prayer of the Báb you mentioned.

The Guardian does not feel the present status of London, regarding its
assembly, should be changed. Other cities should have their assemblies
based, as usual, and already adopted in other countries, on the civil
limits of the city in question....

Letter of 6 September 1955

6 September 1955

KINDLY EXPEDITE PREPARATION PLANS KAMPALA TEMPLE IMPORTANT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 6 September 1955 (Summer School)

6 September 1955 (Summer School)

DELIGHTED GREAT SUCCESS. DEEPLY APPRECIATE RESOLVE LOVING PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 20 September 1955

20 September 1955

Dear John:

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write and inform your Assembly
of the following:

The National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa should be
elected by 76 delegates, which is four times nineteen. This number should
be apportioned amongst the spiritual assemblies within the countries the
future N.S.A. will represent. He leaves an equitable distribution of the
number of delegates to the Assemblies, to your Assembly to decide.

The British N.S.A. certainly has its work cut out for it in the near
future, what with this historic convention in the offing and a Temple to
be built!...

Letter of 4 October 1955

4 October 1955

LEAVE MATTERS REGARDING ASSEMBLIES LETTER SEPTEMBER 23 DISCRETION YOUR
ASSEMBLY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 28 October 1955

28 October 1955

CABLE WHETHER TRANSLATION ERSE GAELIC STARTED.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 November 1955

4 November 1955

DISAPPROVE CHANGE TEMPLE SITE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 11 November 1955

11 November 1955

APPROVE APPROACH JANNER EMPHASISE OCCUPATION ?IHRÁN HAZÍRÁ BY MILITARY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 18 November 1955

18 November 1955

The drawings for the Temple in Kampala have reached the beloved Guardian,
and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf regarding their
suitability.

Frankly, he was very discouraged by these drawings, as he feels that such
an ultra-modern style is wholly unsuitable for a Bahá’í Temple.... It
seems to him that the modern influence is now so strong and widespread
that it is out of the question to get a discreet and dignified building
designed for our purposes.

...He is sorry to disappoint your Assembly, and regrets the time, trouble
and expense which has been involved in finding a design.

As he cabled your Assembly he also feels that to seek a new Temple site is
unwise; from descriptions received at the time of its purchase it seems
satisfactory, and there is enough land around it for possible expansion in
the future....

He feels therefore that until your hear from him you (had) better take no
further steps as regards a design for Kampala.

Letter of 8 December 1955

8 December 1955(84)

CABLE NUMBER LOCALITIES BRITISH ISLES WHERE BAHÁ’ÍS RESIDE AIRMAIL LIST.

SHOGHI

Letter of 13 December 1955

13 December 1955

Dear John:

This is just a note on behalf of the beloved Guardian to answer the point
raised in one of your recent letters.

You say that in Irish, the word “Báb” is not appropriate to be used; and
as the word “Gate” is not as nice in translation in any language, he
suggests that in place of the word “Báb”, you use “Herald”....

P.S. The Guardian approves your sending “Advice to Bahá’ís in British
Colonies” to other N.S.A.’s, but feels it is not necessary to send a copy
to the Colonial Office itself. He feels teaching work in Uganda should now
be concentrated on consolidation, primarily.

The Guardian’s decision regard Mr. ... design is final; it is too extreme
for any modification to render it possible as a temple....

Letter of 14 December 1955

14 December 1955

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your loving letter of December 1st has been received.

The Guardian attaches the utmost importance to the development of the
Faith in the Pacific Islands. Wherever an opportunity opens for expansion
of the work in one of the Islands, he feels that opportunity should be
seized and exploited to the fullest extent. Thus, if it is possible for
anyone to proceed to the Solomon Islands to assist the Blums there, it
would be very, very helpful.

As the Guardian understands the situation, the Blums have not left the
Solomon Islands, but are expanding their business and service. Thus the
work which Mr. Blum previously engaged in, of driving a taxi, is now open
to someone else; and therefore the pioneer to go to the Solomons would
find a position waiting for him.

The Guardian understands that the Blums are very well thought of and
respected throughout the Solomon Islands.

I am sending a copy of this correspondence to the Persian N.S.A., and
encouraging them to send pioneers to the Solomon Islands. You may wish to
also correspond with them....

Letter of 15 December 1955

15 December 1955

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the
translation of Bahá’í literature into languages as called for by the Ten
Year Crusade.

31 languages have been assigned to your Assembly; and of these, 24
translations have been made or are under way. The Guardian feels this is a
very fine record, and one of which you may be proud.

At the same time he feels special effort should be made to complete the
translations. He has no record of translations of 7 languages. Will you
please send me a letter for him, indicating what the status of each of
these languages is....

Letter of 16 December 1955

16 December 1955

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the
purchase of an endowment for East Africa.

As you know, a contribution has been made by the Hand of the Cause, Mrs.
Amelia E. Collins, of One Thousand Dollars for the purchase of the
endowment for Kampala. The Guardian feels a small piece of property which
can be bought for this One Thousand Dollars should be procured at once, so
that this goal of the Ten Year Crusade can be concluded. He feels that you
should at once buy a small plot of land in Uganda, at a cost of
approximately One Thousand Dollars. The American N.S.A. will remit the
funds as you direct.

Will you please let me know just what can be done in connection with this
project?

The Guardian sends the members of the National Assembly his loving
greetings, and assures them of his prayers in their behalf....

Letter of 1 January 1956

1 January 1956(85)

GRIEVED NEWS ASSURE JOHN DEAREST LOVE FERVENT PRAYERS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 4 January 1956

4 January 1956

DISREGARD PERSIAN STATEMENT REGARDING DIVORCE. ASSEMBLY’S UNDERSTANDING
REGARDING STRIKES CORRECT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 18 January 1956

18 January 1956

DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE CONFERENCE WELCOME NEW DETERMINATION BEFITTINGLY
RESPOND FRESH CHALLENGE PRAYING MIGHTY VICTORIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 March 1956

26 March 1956

APPEAL HIGHMINDED VIGILANT STAUNCH UPHOLDERS FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SCATTERED
HUNDRED CENTRES BRITISH ISLES ARISE THIS CRUCIAL HOUR EXERT SUPREME EFFORT
CONCLUDING MONTH SECOND PHASE WORLD CRUSADE MEET URGENT NEEDS HOMEFRONT
VALIANTLY DEFEND HARD WON PRIZES ENSURE PRESERVATION PIVOTAL CENTRE.
CONFIDENT HIS DEARLY BELOVED HIGHLY ADMIRED BRITISH FOLLOWERS WILL REFUSE
ALLOW ANY SETBACK CONSOLIDATION WORK THEIR HOMELAND TARNISH SPLENDID
RECORD PIONEER SERVICES ACHIEVED TERRITORIES AFRICAN CONTINENT PRAYING
WHOLE HEARTED UNIVERSAL IMMEDIATE RESPONSE PLEDGING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS
MERITORIOUS PURPOSE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 5 April 1956

5 April 1956

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Attached is a copy of a dispatch issued by Reuters in December, giving the
conclusions of the persecutions in Persia.

The Guardian considers this a very fine statement, and urges you to have
it given as widespread publicity as possible.

Dorothy Wigington will have a copy, and she should be given the
opportunity to read this at the British National Convention.

The Guardian would appreciate your sending copies of any publicity
received on this important statement....

Letter of 6 April 1956

6 April 1956

Dear John:

Enclosed please find the Guardian’s long message to all the Conventions,
to be shared with the friends and delegates at the National Convention
soon to be held.

He hopes that it will be stimulating to the pioneer work at home and
abroad....

Letter of 10 April 1956

10 April 1956

BALYUZI’S PRESENCE ESSENTIAL(86) UTMOST EFFORT NECESSARY IF ABSOLUTELY
IMPOSSIBLE SUBSTITUTE JOHN.

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 April 1956

27 April 1956(87)

GRIEVED PASSING CONSECRATED PIONEER FAITH LONG RECORD SERVICES HIGHLY
MERITORIOUS UNFORGETTABLE PRAYING PROGRESS SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 29 April 1956

29 April 1956

ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS GREAT VICTORIES AFRICA
URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS HOME FRONT DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 May 1956

2 May 1956

WELCOME RESOLVE MEET CHALLENGES LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS OFFERED SUCCESS
DEARLY LOVED VALIANT COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

Letter of 10 May 1956

10 May 1956

SUGGESTED DISPENSATION LETTER MAY FOURTH NOT POSSIBLE.(88)

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 June 1956

26 June 1956

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY RESPONSIBLE FOR TEMPLE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 11 July 1956

11 July 1956

Dear John,

As a number of questions raised in your communications addressed to the
beloved Guardian have been answered by cable or through the Assistant
Secretary, I will not go into these matters here, but merely acknowledge
on his behalf receipt of the letters from your National Body, together
with their enclosures and material sent under separate cover which were
dated as follows: July 22, August 8, 9, 11 (two), 12 (two), and 18,
September 7, 9, 10, 23 (three), 26 and 28, October 7 (two), 13 (two), 25,
26, 28 (two), and 29, November 3, 4, 9, 21 (two), 24 and 30, December 1,
2, 9 (three), 19 and 29 (two), 1955, and January 6, 10, 17, 23, 27, and 30
(two), February 10, 16, and 27, March 8, 9, 19, and 29, April 2, 10, 13,
16, 17, and 26, May 4, 14, 16, 31, and June 13, 19, 22, and 29, 1956.

He appreciated receiving copies of the Diary which your Assembly forwarded
to him, and which is invariably gotten out efficiently and in a pleasing
manner. He thinks the five copies you sent will be sufficient.

The generous spirit in which the British Bahá’ís, hard-pressed as they are
to meet the requirements of the work in Great Britain, responded to the
needs of their persecuted brethren in Persia, deeply touched him. These
evidences of Bahá’í sacrifice and solidarity cannot but nourish the very
roots of the Faith and strengthen its institutions.

As he advised you by cable, he felt it unwise to seek to clarify the
relationship of the Bahá’ís to the advertised holding of Ahmad Sohrab’s
conference in Jerusalem. Having a very shrewd eye to his own advantage, it
has become obvious that one of the means by which he hopes to promote
interest in his conference is to arouse active opposition from the Bahá’ís
and create a source of discussion in the press. In view of this, the
Guardian has been very careful to have the friends avoid rising to this
bait. They should, in their personal contacts with people, and in a quiet
manner, point out when occasion arises that the Caravan activities have
nothing whatsoever to do with the Bahá’í Faith and are indeed unfriendly
to it. Whatever he does cannot but end in failure, because he has cut
himself off entirely from the living tree of the Faith and is wholly
insincere in his motives.

In spite of the fact that Mr. ... has been expelled from Gilbert and
Ellice Islands, the remarkable progress of the Faith there has been a
source of great satisfaction. It shows that a spiritual receptivity, a
purity of heart and uprightness of character exists potentially amongst
many of the peoples of the Pacific Isles to an extent equal to that of the
tribesmen of Africa. It is indeed an encouraging and awe-inspiring sight
to witness the spread of our beloved Faith amongst those whom civilised
nations misguidedly term “savages”, “primitive peoples” and “uncivilised
nations”. He hopes that your Assembly will do all in its power to ensure
that Mrs. ... remains in the Islands. Although for some period at least
this may entail separation from her husband, he believes that these two
dedicated and exemplary pioneers will be willing to accept this sacrifice
in view of the extraordinary work they have accomplished and are
accomplishing. The community there must not be abandoned, particularly by
its “mother”, so to speak. It must be well and profoundly grounded in the
Faith before such a risky step can be taken. He hopes that you will deal
most wisely and co-operatively with the Colonial Office officials in this
matter and any others that may arise. Their esteem, their good-will, and
their co-operation are practically indispensable for the future work in
many islands throughout the Pacific area, and nothing but the frustration
of our objectives can be gained through alienating them in any way. This
should be impressed upon the pioneers and the local Bahá’ís as well.

The beloved Guardian regrets very much the entire situation in which the
dear Hand of the Cause, Mr. Townshend, finds himself. He is much loved,
and his services have been of a unique nature in providing the Faith with
so many excellent books, the latest of which the Guardian hopes will soon
be ready for publication....

The persecution of the Faith last year in Persia, although no doubt a
great trial to the Persian believers, can be regarded in no other light
than as a triumph. The designs of the traditional enemies of the Faith,
the mulláhs, have been entirely frustrated. The Government has been forced
to take action for the first time in its history to officially protect the
Bahá’ís and their institutions and the Cause of God has received a
publicity all over the world—entirely free of charge—which an expenditure
of many thousands of pounds could not have secured for it.

In spite of the great anxiety and pain which the crisis of last summer
caused the Guardian, he could not help being highly gratified that, for
practically the first time, publicity of a weighty nature was given to the
Faith in such papers as the “Spectator”, the “Observer”, “The Times” and
the “Manchester Guardian”, and that the voices of two such distinguished
scholars as Professor Gilbert Murray and Professor Arnold Toynbee were
raised in defence of the believers of Bahá’u’lláh and His Faith. This has
opened the door on a new phase of the unfoldment of the Faith in the
British Isles. However slow the process may seem, the first inklings of
its emergence as a public force can now be discerned....

The loss of some of the Spiritual Assemblies in England this year need not
be viewed as an unduly horrible experience. It was inevitable that the
British Bahá’í community would have to get itself, once and for all,
grounded on the same basis as all other Bahá’í communities, namely, that
of having Spiritual Assemblies function within defined civil limits.
Although this seems to have dealt a set-back to the work, it is purely
temporary. The localities have perforce been increased, which is a step in
the right direction, and which cannot but widen the foundation of the
Administrative Order. In those islands more members of the community will
be given the opportunity to serve on local Assemblies and their
committees; and above all, the new crisis which developed because of this
change-over once more demonstrated the truly extraordinary and exemplary
steadfastness of the British Bahá’ís which had led them, over and over
again, at great cost to themselves, to throw themselves into the breach.
Although this is a well-known national characteristic, it provides
nevertheless a great example to their fellow-Bahá’ís all over the world.
The Guardian knows of no community, east or west, which so valiantly and
so consistently, one might almost say ferociously, has arisen to defend
its Home Front. He has the greatest admiration for the spirit which
animates them and for their achievements.

He was sorry to refuse the request of the National Assembly to, under
certain circumstances, permit the localities that would achieve Assembly
status by next Ridván, to have a delegate at the National Convention. He
feels that, although this would no doubt have provided a great stimulus to
the friends, it was an unjustifiable breach of the general administrative
procedure. If there are too many exceptions, the rule has a tendency to
lose its clearly defined character, not to mention encouraging other
communities to want to be exceptions too, under various circumstances!

The Guardian hopes that during the coming year there will be more
Assemblies incorporated, as he attaches great importance to this process.

He was delighted that the Irish translation had been completed, and also
very happy to hear that the National Endowment for the British National
Spiritual Assembly had been purchased. All these signs of life and
vitality are greatly to be admired, and prove the intense virility and
youthfulness of the British Bahá’í community.

He was sorry to have to disappoint Mr. ... who was so enthusiastic about
his own design for the Temple. However, there was no possible question of
accepting something as extreme as this. The Guardian feels very strongly
that, regardless of what the opinion of the latest school of architecture
may be on the subject, the styles represented at present all over the
world in architecture are not only very ugly, but completely lack the
dignity and grace which must be at least partially present in a Bahá’í
House of Worship. One must always bear in mind that the vast majority of
human beings are neither very modern nor very extreme in their tastes, and
that what the advanced school may think is marvellous is often very
distasteful indeed to just plain, simple people.

The Hand of the Cause, Mr. Remey, has now completed a design for the
Kampala Temple which meets with the Guardian’s approval. It will shortly
be ready to be forwarded to the Central and East Africa National Assembly.

It was a great pleasure for Shoghi Effendi to have a number of pilgrims
from the British Isles as his guests this winter. They brought with them
the spirit of perseverance and devotion so clearly evinced by the British
believers; and he feels sure that, upon their return, they carried back
much of inspiration and encouragement to the friends at home.

Not the least of the landmarks reached on the international Bahá’í scene
this year has been the formation of the three new National Bodies in
Africa. Your Assembly and the community you represent have every reason to
look with pride and affection upon the development of the Cause in the
African continent, and upon the many spiritual children and grandchildren,
and perhaps great-grandchildren you have over there. The record has been
truly astonishing, and such as to gladden the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Who so
ardently longed, Himself, to go forth “on foot” and carry the Message to
yet another of the far corners of the world.

No doubt although the Central and East Africa Assembly is a strong one, it
will still welcome and need at least a large measure of moral support from
its parent; and he feels sure that you will always be ready and willing to
help in any way you can with advice and suggestions, and perhaps teachers
and pioneers and other support as opportunity affords. (As he informed you
when you were here, he does not feel the British National Spiritual
Assembly can support financially its Central and East Africa one. However,
a token contribution would be a kind and appropriate gesture.) In any
case, you should keep in close touch with the work there, a work dear, not
only to the Guardian’s heart, but to all of yours as well.

As regards certain questions raised in your letters: There is no objection
for the time being in going on including in Prayer Books the Prayer of the
Báb: “In the Name of God, the Victor of the Most Victorious”, etc.

As regards the question raised in Africa about divorce connected with
adultery, these are matters for the future. No action of any new kind
should be taken at present.

As regards strikes, the Guardian feels that your own understanding of the
matter as expressed in your letter is quite correct, and he does not see
the necessity of adding anything to it. We should avoid becoming rigid and
laying down any more rules and regulations of conduct.

Regarding taking oaths, there is nothing in the Teachings on this subject.
As a Bahá’í is enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh to be truthful, he would express
his truthfulness, no matter what the formality of the law in any local
place required of him. There can be no objection to Bahá’ís conforming to
the requirements of the law court whatever they may be in such matters, as
in no case would they constitute in any way a denial of their own beliefs
as Bahá’ís.

Concerning the short obligatory Prayer: the Guardian does not wish to
define these things at present; the time will come for it in future. The
friends need not be too strict about it at present. The Greatest Name is
Alláh-u-Abhá.

He remembers you and all the N.S.A. members in his prayers most lovingly,
and supplicates for your success and that strength may be given you to
discharge your many important duties.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The emergence of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central
and East Africa, under such auspicious circumstances, and after the lapse
of such a short period of time since the inception of the Ten Year Plan,
marks a milestone of far-reaching significance in the unfoldment of the
great historic Mission entrusted to the British Bahá’í community in the
vast and far-flung territories beyond the confines of its motherland. It
is, moreover, a striking evidence of the exemplary and whole-hearted
devotion of its members to that Mission, and of the vigour, the vigilance,
the resourcefulness, the tenacity and the courage with which they have
conducted this vast and magnificent enterprise launched in the heart of
that continent, in the face of various obstacles and with such limited
resources at their disposal. The entire community, now standing on the
threshold of still greater and nobler enterprises in other parts of the
world, and particularly its national elected representatives, who have so
splendidly discharged their responsibilities overseas, and assumed with
characteristic resolution, fearlessness and consecration the direction of
the manifold activities of so dynamic an enterprise, must be heartily
congratulated on so conspicuous a victory, won in such a distant field,
within so brief an interval, at the cost of so much sacrifice, by so
limited a number of pioneers, labouring amidst a people so divergent in
language, customs and manners.

Its sister communities in both the East and the West, and particularly its
daughter communities, now blossoming into new life, and marching forth,
unitedly and resolutely, along the path traced for them in the Ten Year
Plan, cannot but feel proud of the tremendous work first initiated in the
heart of Africa by British Bahá’í pioneers, and of the organising ability,
the sound judgement, the unquestioning fidelity, and the dogged
determination that have characterised every stage in the rise, the
development and fruition of the first collective enterprise embarked upon
beyond the confines of the British Isles by the British adherents of the
Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

Though much of the responsibility hitherto discharged by your Assembly, in
both the heart of the continent and the territories situated on its
Eastern and Western shores, will now devolve on the newly established
Regional Spiritual Assemblies, the particular Mission you have been called
upon, through the dispensation of Providence to fulfil, is by no means
concluded. Every assistance within your power, particularly in matters
requiring the aid, support and intervention of the authorities at the
Colonial Office, and in connection with the translation of Bahá’í
literature into African languages, their publication and dissemination, as
well as with any publicity that can be given in the British press to the
marvellous achievements of the numerous Bahá’í communities recently raised
up in Africa, and now energetically discharging their manifold and sacred
duties all over that continent—such assistance should be constantly and
unstintingly extended to these newly fledged communities which the power
of the Most Great Name has called into being at so crucial a period in
human history, and at so auspicious a stage in the mysterious unfoldment
of God’s Plan for all mankind.

While this beneficent, slowly maturing, irresistibly advancing enterprise
develops and gains momentum, through the concerted and tireless efforts of
its original organisers in the British Isles and those in charge of its
immediate destinies in Africa itself, a corresponding endeavour, no less
consecrated, persistent and enthusiastic, should be exerted in the Islands
of the Mediterranean and the Far East, where similar exploits must needs
be achieved by those who have performed such unforgettable feats among the
Negroes of the African continent.

Parallel with this highly vital and urgently needed exertion in foreign
fields, a further intensification of effort is required on the homefront,
and particularly throughout the newly opened islands bordering the
homeland itself, now standing in such dire need of a flow of pioneers and
a concentration of material resources unexampled in British Bahá’í
history. There is no reason to doubt that the phenomenal progress achieved
within the span of a few years, amidst an alien people, and in such
distant and backward territories, will be duplicated, nay surpassed, among
people of the same race, speaking the same language, of the same
background, and living in such close proximity to the Administrative
Centre in the British Isles, provided that a determination no less
unyielding, and a dedication no less whole-hearted and complete, will be
displayed by those who have already won such memorable victories in such
far-off and inhospitable regions of the globe. He Who in recent years
infallibly guided from His realms above the steps of the little band of
pioneers and administrators under such difficult and challenging
circumstances, Who galvanised their souls, blessed their handiwork, raised
their status, and noised abroad their fame, can well enable them, if they
but arise to the occasion now presenting itself, to conquer with no less
rapidity and even greater effectiveness, the citadels of men’s hearts, to
tear down the barriers which now confront them, and ignite a fire in the
hearts of their own countrymen as consuming as the one that has set
ablaze, in so conspicuous a fashion, the souls of the African races over
the length and breadth of an entire continent.

The rapid increase in the number of the avowed supporters of the Faith,
the multiplication of groups, isolated centres and assemblies within the
limits of the homeland and its neighbouring islands, must be accompanied
by a marked acceleration in the process of internal consolidation, such as
the incorporation of firmly established local Assemblies, expansion in the
publication and dissemination of Bahá’í literature, and the adoption of
carefully considered measures aimed at giving a still wider publicity,
among circles hitherto unapproached, or as yet inadequately informed of
the tenets, the aims and purposes, as well as the world-wide achievements
of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in both the teaching and administrative
spheres of its activities.

The highly gratifying and truly praiseworthy success which has attended,
so unexpectedly, the energetic efforts exerted by your Assembly in
connection with the campaign of publicity initiated for the purpose of
safeguarding the rights of our oppressed brethren in Persia must be
regarded as a most encouraging sign, and should constitute a prelude and a
stepping-stone to a still wider undertaking, aimed at a more systematic
presentation of the ideals animating our beloved Cause and of its
fundamental verities, and an adequate proclamation of its God-given
mission to this distracted, sadly erring, and increasingly tormented
generation.

The annals of the British Bahá’í community, small in numbers, yet
unconquerable in spirit, tenacious in belief, undeviating in purpose,
alert and vigilant in the discharge of its manifold duties and
responsibilities, have in consequence of its epoch-making achievements
been vastly enriched. The process set in motion and greatly accelerated
through the successive formulation of the Six Year Plan, the Two Year Plan
and the Ten Year Plan, must continue unabated and unimpaired. Nay with
every passing day it must gather momentum. Every individual believer must,
henceforth, encouraged and inspired by all that has already been achieved,
contribute to its future and speedy unfoldment. That the entire community
may befittingly respond to the call of the present hour and bring to a
final consummation the Mission with which it has been entrusted is the
deepest yearning of my heart and the object of my unceasing prayers.

Shoghi

Letter of 4 November 1956

4 November 1956

Northern Ireland Regional Teaching Committee

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your letter of 16 Ma_sh_íyyat 113, with enclosures, has been received by
the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf.

He is most hopeful that the second week-end school will prove as
successful and fruitful as the one held in February apparently was.

The Guardian is delighted over the progress being made in Northern
Ireland. He greatly admires the tenacity and spirit of dedication of the
believers living in the British Isles, and is confident the friends in
your region will unitedly bend all their energies toward the fulfilment of
the goals they have set their hearts on attaining by next Ridván.

Rest assured of his loving prayers for you all....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts and those of your dear co-workers, and
aid you to extend the range of your valued activities, and enable you to
win memorable victories in the service of His Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 8 December 1956

8 December 1956

REGARDING CHILDREN FOLLOW AMERICAN PROCEDURE. APPROVE SUGGESTED METHOD
INCORPORATION MAURITIUS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 14 December 1956

14 December 1956

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly, with
regard to the Tristan da Cunha Island.

Earlier in the Ten Year Crusade, one of the English Bahá’ís offered to
settle in this Island, in order to establish the Faith there. At that
time, the Guardian felt we must concentrate on the goals of the Crusade
only. Now, however, the Friends have won so many victories, and the goals
of the Crusade are being gained currently, early in the Crusade, he feels
supplementary areas may be settled—and for that matter, supplementary
activities engaged in.

Thus, if this friend still wishes to settle in the Island of Tristan da
Cunha, he would welcome it being done.

If only the home front would surge ahead, then the Crusade would surely be
moving ahead of the schedule. Let us pray those at home will arise with
the same dedication, and consecration as the valiant pioneers, causing a
new life to be manifest on all home fronts.

The Guardian sends the members of your Assembly his loving greetings....

Letter of 27 December 1956

27 December 1956

AS NATIONAL AND FEW LOCAL HAZÍRAS NOT YET RETURNED LETTER THANKS
INADVISABLE.(89)

SHOGHI

Letter of 12 January 1957

12 January 1957

Mr. Arthur Norton

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

Your loving letters concerning contributions to the Shrine of the Báb
Fund, and the International Fund, have been received by the Beloved
Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge them on his behalf. These
contributions from the Friends in England, and the Friends in the
Seychelles, are greatly appreciated by the Guardian. Receipt is enclosed.
Will you please, on behalf of the Guardian express his appreciation to Mr.
&Mrs. ... and the devoted friends in the Seychelles.

The Guardian has been deeply touched by the continuing victories being won
by the friends in the Seychelles.

The Beloved Guardian also wishes the dear Friends in England to know of
his deep appreciation of their consecration, and their sacrifices for the
Faith. This noble spirit cannot do other than attract the blessings of the
Holy Spirit, which will assure victory. He assures you of his prayers in
your behalf, and for the success of your many labours.

He sends you his loving Greetings....

Letter of 12 January 1957

12 January 1957

To the Bahá’ís who were present at the Birmingham Teaching Conference,
January 5th 1957.

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The beloved Guardian has received your letter of greeting, and was very
happy to hear that the Birmingham Teaching Conference had been such an
outstanding success.

Undoubtedly the Faith in the British Isles is making steady and sound
progress, and he hopes that during the coming months many of the Spiritual
Assemblies which have been placed in jeopardy will be consolidated in time
for the elections. He feels sure that the British Bahá’ís, who have done
more pioneering per capita than any other Bahá’í community in the world,
will do all in their power to safeguard the precious goals they have won
at the cost of so much sacrifice and valiant endeavour.

He assures you one and all of his loving prayers for your success, and
that he will remember you in his visits to the Holy Shrines....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh sustain you in your highly meritorious
labours, guide every step you take in the path of service to His Faith,
and enable you to lend a great impetus, in the days to come, to the onward
march of our beloved Cause throughout the British Isles and to the
consolidation of its divinely appointed institutions,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 26 February 1957

26 February 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly with regard to
showing interior views of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in slides.

The Guardian read in some minutes, or in a report of one of the Summer
Schools, that slides were shown of the Holy Land, and among them one of
the interior of the Shrine. He would like to know whether this is the
interior Garden, or the Inner Shrine itself, and whose slides they are.

He feels that the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb are so sacred, it is
improper for any slides to be shown of the Interiors. Thus, the slide
which was shown at the Summer School should be destroyed, and if it forms
a part of any sets of views of the Holy Land, this slide be removed from
the set.

He sends you his loving Greetings....

Letter of 27 February 1957

27 February 1957

GREATLY DEPLORE LOSS MUCH LOVED JOHN MITCHELL STAUNCH CONSECRATED PROMOTER
FAITH. REWARD HIS ADMINISTRATIVE PIONEER SERVICES GREAT ABHÁ KINGDOM
FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING PROGRESS HIS SOUL.

SHOGHI

Letter of 9 March 1957

9 March 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your loving letter of March 4th, with regard to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh,
interior view, slide; which was shown or to be shown at your Summer
School.

The Guardian wishes me to see that all these slides are destroyed, and all
informed that they should not be used. Therefore, can you send me the name
of the person in America who sent the slide to the Bahá’í in England.

This will permit me to stop the exodus of these slides at the source....

Letter of 14 March 1957

14 March 1957

APPEAL VALIANT BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY FOCUS ATTENTION URGENT NEEDS
PIVOTAL CENTRES STRENUOUS IMMEDIATE CONCERTED EFFORTS IMPERATIVE SAFEGUARD
OUTSTANDING PRIZES LABORIOUSLY WON FERVENTLY PRAYING SUCCESS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 16 March 1957

16 March 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The Beloved Guardian has been greatly impressed by the number of Teaching
Conferences held during the past year, especially in the virgin areas of
the Ten Year Crusade.

My records are not complete concerning the Teaching Conference of the
Northern Islands. Will you please cable me on receipt of this where this
Conference was held, and the dates....

Letter of 23 March 1957

23 March 1957

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

Your loving letter of February 20th was duly received by the Beloved
Guardian, and on March 20th, the contributions referred to therein.

The Guardian has directed me to acknowledge your letter and the
contributions on his behalf. Receipt is enclosed.

Will you please write the Bahá’ís of ... on behalf of the Guardian, and
thank them for their contribution for the construction of the
International Archives Building. Their sacrifices in that difficult area,
at this time, shows their depth of spiritual consciousness. The Guardian
will pray for them, and for the success of their work.

The Guardian also wishes to assure the Bahá’ís of the British Isles, of
his appreciation of their sacrifice and devotion to the Cause of God. He
is praying for them, for the success of their historic work, and for the
rapid expansion of the Faith. He is sure the Blessings of the Beloved
Master will rest on each and every one.

Please send the Friends in Kuwait the enclosed photo, showing the present
stage of construction of the Archives Building.

He sends his loving Greetings...

Letter of 27 March 1957

27 March 1957

DEEPLY MOURN PASSING DEARLY LOVED MUCH ADMIRED GREATLY GIFTED OUTSTANDING
HAND CAUSE GEORGE TOWNSHEND. HIS DEATH MORROW PUBLICATION HIS CROWNING
ACHIEVEMENT ROBS BRITISH FOLLOWERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH THEIR MOST DISTINGUISHED
COLLABORATOR AND FAITH ITSELF ONE ITS STOUTEST DEFENDERS. HIS STERLING
QUALITIES HIS SCHOLARSHIP HIS CHALLENGING WRITINGS HIS HIGH ECCLESIASTICAL
POSITION UNRIVALLED ANY BAHÁ’Í WESTERN WORLD ENTITLE HIM RANK WITH THOMAS
BREAKWELL DR. ESSLEMONT ONE OF THREE LUMINARIES SHEDDING BRILLIANT LUSTRE
ANNALS IRISH ENGLISH SCOTTISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITIES. HIS FEARLESS
CHAMPIONSHIP CAUSE HE LOVED SO DEARLY SERVED SO VALIANTLY CONSTITUTES
SIGNIFICANT LANDMARK BRITISH BAHÁ’Í HISTORY. SO ENVIABLE POSITION CALLS
FOR NATIONAL TRIBUTE HIS MEMORY BY ASSEMBLED DELEGATES VISITORS
FORTHCOMING BRITISH BAHÁ’Í CONVENTION. ASSURE RELATIVES DEEPEST LOVING
SYMPATHY GRIEVOUS LOSS. CONFIDENT HIS REWARD INESTIMABLE ABHÁ KINGDOM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 March 1957

30 March 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning a list which
he desires, showing the languages into which the scriptures, or parts of
them have been translated.

He has the book entitled “The Gospel in Many Tongues” issued by the
British and Foreign Bible Society, the Bible House, 146 Queen Victoria
Street, London, E.C.4, (in 1948). This shows specimens of 770 languages in
which this Society has published or circulated some portion of the Gospel.

In the preface, they state “If those versions published by other agents
are included, there are now well over a thousand forms of speech
represented in the Library at Bible House”.

The Guardian would like to secure a list of the additional some 300
languages into which the Gospel has been translated, referred to in this
quotation. Could you secure it for him, from the Bible Society, at the
Bible House.

Is it fair to assume this would then be all the languages, from any
source, into which the Bible or parts have been translated? Your early
advice will be appreciated.

For your information, in the list of languages into which Bahá’í
literature has been translated, there are some 20, not included in the
published book of the 770 languages into which Christian Scripture has
been published, as covered by the Book.

The question is, are these 20 included in the supplementary list, which
makes the 1,000 or more into which Christian Scripture has been
translated. Your sending the list will enable us to make the check here.

If you could secure this list and send it promptly, it might enable the
Guardian to include this interesting point in his Convention message....

Letter of 12 April 1957

12 April 1957

Dear John:

Enclosed please find the beloved Guardian’s Message to the annual
convention; it should be delivered to the Chairman to be read to and
shared with the assembled friends....

P.S. In order to gain time this is being mailed through a pilgrim from
Rome.

P.S. No.2. Will you please acknowledge receipt of this letter by cable to
the Guardian.

Letter of 19 April 1957

19 April 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

The Beloved Guardian has been very deeply impressed with the latest book
of our dear departed co-worker, Hand of the Cause, George Townshend.

He feels that this Book should be used as the basis of a very active
campaign of teaching and publicity throughout the British Isles.

Publicity regarding the book should be arranged, book reviews secured, if
possible. Religious leaders should be sent copies, even the highest
Ecclesiastical leaders. Many copies should be mailed to the important
leaders of the Church of England, and other religious denominations of the
British Isles.

This book very finely presents the relationship between Christ and
Bahá’u’lláh, and outlines the manner in which the Bahá’í Faith is setting
up the Kingdom of God, which the Christians are praying for.

The Guardian feels that very beneficial results will be achieved by this
active public programme, with this book, “Christ and Bahá’u’lláh” even if
it stirs up opposition and criticism for the time being.

He will pray for your Assembly, and for the success of your many labours
in the Cause of God....

Letter of 30 April 1957

30 April 1957

DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION MESSAGE REJOICE RECENT VICTORIES GREATLY
VALUE SPIRIT ANIMATING ENTIRE BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CHERISH BRIGHTEST
HOPES FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING RAPID CONSOLIDATION HOME FRONT ESSENTIAL
PRELUDE UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION GLORIOUS MISSION BRITISH FOLLOWERS FAITH
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH FOREIGN FIELDS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 27 May 1957

27 May 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write about the ... situation
raised in one of your recent letters....

It is inconceivable and wholly inadmissible that any Bahá’ís in a
community should be permitted to hold a Feast in their home and refuse
admission to another believer; and your Assembly should write accordingly
in very strong terms to the ... Assembly, pointing out that the Guardian
is not only surprised to learn of this situation, but disapproves of it in
the strongest terms.

Any Bahá’í may attend a Feast, a local Bahá’í, a Bahá’í from out of town,
certainly an isolated Bahá’í from the neighbourhood.

It is the duty of the ... Assembly to take strong measures to remedy this
situation, and to ensure that the Feasts are held in a place and in a
manner that conforms to the Bahá’í spirit....

Letter of 7 June 1957 (Shetland Summer School)

7 June 1957 (Shetland Summer School)

SUPPLICATING ABUNDANT BLESSINGS DEEPEST LOVE.

SHOGHI

Letter of 14 August 1957

14 August 1957

DELIGHTED HISTORIC GATHERING ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS UNPRECEDENTED
EXPANSION ACTIVITIES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 August 1957

30 August 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your communications with their enclosures and material sent under separate
cover have all arrived safely, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me
to answer you on his behalf and to acknowledge receipt of your letters
dated: July 24, 27 and 31, August 24, 27, and 30, September 7, 26, 27, and
28, October 5, 13 (signed by all members), and 15, November 5 (signed by
Dorothy Ferraby), and 28 (three), and December 14, 18, 27, and 28, 1956,
and January 8, 16, 20 (one undated), and 22nd, February 4, 6, 8, 11, 19,
21, 23, and 27, March 7, 8, 13, and 18 (two), May 6, 9, 21, (two), June 3,
11, 14, 19 and 25, July 12, 16, (two), 19, 21, 26, and August 2, and 5
signed by Ernest Gregory.

As a number of questions raised in your letters have been answered by
cable or through the National Assembly Secretary, I will not go into those
again here.

He was interested to see the Tablets which Dr. Moayad located in
Cambridge, and appreciated having copies of them.

It has been a great pleasure to have had so many members of the British
Bahá’í community here last winter and spring as pilgrims.

He is immensely proud of the work which has been accomplished during the
last year, of the remarkable spirit of dedication which animates the
entire community, and which invariably produces, at an hour of crisis, a
strong and healthy reaction on the part of the community to rush
reinforcements to its weak Assemblies, when they are in danger of
dissolution.

He realises that the enforcement of the general rule that an Assembly must
function within civic limits has caused considerable havoc in Britain, as
well as other countries. However, it enables the friends, through
splitting up into smaller communities, to have before their eyes the
appetising prospect of forming yet another Spiritual Assembly, all on
their own, so to speak. It gives more believers the opportunity to serve
on these Administrative Bodies, challenges the teaching activities of them
all, and stimulates them to fresh efforts in the hope of early victory.

The news of the success of your Convention this year; the fact that the
community was able to manoeuvre its finances into a position of
equilibrium, a position, incidentally, which it should make every effort
to maintain; the large number of friends who attended the beautiful
memorial meeting held for the dear Hand of the Cause, George Townshend,
also pleased and encouraged our beloved Guardian.

He was pleased to hear from Rhodesia of the incorporation of the Salisbury
Assembly, which seems to be in the nature of a foundation for the future
incorporation of all Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Rhodesias. This
is yet another valuable service which your Assembly has been instrumental
in rendering the Faith in Africa.

He thanks your Assembly for the coloured photographs of the
Hazíratu’l-Quds and also for the film of the Summer School which you sent
him. He was very pleased also to receive copies of the Irish pamphlets,
and hopes the Gaelic translation will soon be out.

As regards your question about printing in books the approval of the
National Assembly, he thinks that, if in certain circumstances this seems
inadvisable, there is no objection to omitting it. The approval of the
National Body should be sought for all Bahá’í publications, so as to
protect the Faith from unofficially disseminating information which may in
some respects be false or inaccurate. Once this has been done, it is not
so essential for the fact to appear in the book, if it will mitigate the
effects of the book and decrease its sales....

The death of the Hand of the Cause, George Townshend, is a great loss to
the British community as it not only deprives them of their most
distinguished member, their unique Hand, but also of a most inspiring and
faithful co-worker and a distinguished Bahá’í author. His latest book has
been read with great interest by the Guardian, and he hopes your Assembly
is ensuring its wide distribution to various religious leaders in Britain.
If opposition to the Faith can be aroused through this book, it will be
the greatest service that dear George Townshend has ever rendered. It was
always his hope that, through his pen, sparks would fly and begin the
conflagration in whose light the Faith would shine forth in all its
splendour. Let us hope that this last service of his will indeed prove to
be the vital spark setting off this process of opposition which will
inevitably lead to a wide recognition and acceptance of the Faith.

The Guardian hopes that during the present year the home Assemblies will
not only be maintained and groups prepared for assembly status next
Ridván, but that it will be possible to reinforce the work in the islands
off the shores of the British Isles. The sooner a nucleus of local people
is established in these goal places the sooner will the pioneers be able
to move on to new fields and to lend their assistance to the teaching work
either on the Home Front or in the Pacific area.

Please assure the dear pioneers that he greatly admires their
steadfastness of purpose, their self-sacrifice and their exemplary spirit,
and that he particularly prays for them in the Holy Shrines.

As regards the future work in the Pacific: It is entirely premature at
this time for your Assembly to think about the work there. The Home Front
and the work in the neighbouring islands around Great Britain, as well as
those allotted under the Ten Year Plan to your Assembly in the
Mediterranean, must receive the concentrated attention of your Body, its
Committees and the believers. When the time comes to become active in the
Pacific area, you may be sure he will let you know!

He feels that the urgent need now is to get out “Some Answered Questions”,
which is one of the most important books for a proper study of the Faith.
When this has been printed, the next publication of the Master’s Works can
be considered....

As to your question about the words used in the marriage ceremony; the two
versions mean practically the same thing, and either may be used.(90)

It is most regrettable that the Caravan should have gotten hold of ...; if
this situation is stirred up too much it will only enable Ahmad Sohrab to
make a big fuss and get more publicity. In view of this the Guardian feels
your Assembly should be watchful and seek out, if possible, a suitable
person and a suitable opportunity to call to her attention the facts that
the Bahá’í Faith, so widely spread and acknowledged, has nothing to do
with the Caravan which is a purely opportunist organisation and so loosely
knit together as to have almost no power of influencing people one way or
another. To do the wrong thing in a situation such as this would be worse
than to do nothing.

He assures you one and all of his loving prayers for your success in all
you do for the Faith.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The year that has just elapsed, following upon the swift and spectacular
success achieved by the firmly grounded, the progressive and alert British
Bahá’í community in the heart of the African Continent—a success attested
by the triumphant emergence of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the
Bahá’ís of Central and East Africa—has witnessed a progress throughout the
length and breadth of the Homefront, as well as in the northern islands in
the neighbourhood of the British Isles, which, though not spectacular,
nevertheless testifies to the earnestness, the devotion and the exemplary
tenacity with which the members of this community are conducting, in all
its aspects, the noble Mission entrusted to their care, and are grappling
with the manifold problems involved in its prosecution.

This present and crucial year must be signalised in the annals of British
Bahá’í history by a substantial measure of internal administrative
consolidation and a noticeable expansion in the all-important teaching
field, which will enable the members of this community, now standing on
the threshold of a new and brilliant phase in the unfoldment of their
Mission in foreign fields, to reinforce and broaden the base of their
future operations beyond the confines of their native land.

The splendid work achieved, in such a short space of time, in a field so
distant, and amongst a race so alien in its background, outlook and
customs, must, if the significance of that Mission is to be properly
assessed, be regarded as only a prelude to the series of future campaigns
which the privileged members of the British Bahá’í community, residing and
firmly rooted in the heart of a far-flung Commonwealth and Empire, will,
if faithful to such a Mission, launch, in the years ahead, in the islands
of the North Sea and of the Mediterranean, as well as in the remote
territories situated in the Pacific area—campaigns which, in their range
and significance, must throw into shade the feats performed in the African
Continent.

To be enabled to rise to this occasion, to ensure the energetic, the
systematic and uninterrupted conduct of so vast and diversified an
enterprise, amidst peoples and races fully as promising, and even more
remotedly situated, and presenting them with a challenge more severe than
any which has faced them in the past, the small band of the ardent, the
high minded, the resolute followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, charged
by Destiny and by virtue of the enviable position they occupy, with so
glorious a responsibility for the future awakening of the great masses,
living under the shadow of, or whose governments are directly associated
with, the British Crown, must needs in the years immediately ahead,
acquire greater coherence, increase more rapidly in numbers, definitely
emerge from obscurity, plumb greater depths of consecration, enrich its
store of administrative experience, become definitely self-supporting, and
associate itself more closely, through the body of its elected
representatives and its future Hands, with the National and Regional
Spiritual Assemblies on the European mainland and in all the other
continents of the globe, and particularly with the Hands already appointed
in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The sooner these prime requisites, so essential for a further unfoldment
of the mighty potentialities inherent in so splendid a Mission, are
fulfilled, the sooner will the call be raised for the opening of a new
chapter in the history of British Bahá’í achievements overseas.

The rapid multiplication of isolated centres, groups and local assemblies,
particularly in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Eire; the
incorporation of firmly grounded local spiritual assemblies; a greater
measure of publicity; a wider dissemination of Bahá’í literature; a quick
and substantial rehabilitation of the vitally important national Fund; a
firmer grasp of the essential verities of the Faith; a more profound study
of its history and a deeper understanding of the genesis, the
significance, the workings, and the present status and achievements of its
embryonic World Order and of the Covenant to which it owes its birth and
vitality—these remain the rock-bottom requirements which alone can
guarantee the opening and hasten the advent, of that blissful era which
every British Bahá’í heart so eagerly anticipates, and the glories of
which can, at present, be but dimly discerned.

Now, of a certainty, is not the time for the members of this gallant band,
so thinly spread over the length and breadth of its island home, and
reaching out, so laboriously yet so determinedly to the inhospitable
islands fringing its northern and western coasts, to dwell, however
tentatively, on the nature of the tantalising task awaiting them in the
not distant future, or to seek to probe into its mysterious, divinely
guided operation. Theirs is the duty to plod on, however tedious the
nature of the work demanding their immediate attention, however formidable
the obstacles involved in its proper execution, however prolonged the
effort which its success necessitates, until the signs of its ultimate
consummation, heralding the launching of what is sure to be the most
spectacular phase of their Mission, are clearly discerned.

A responsibility, at once colossal, sacred and highly challenging, faces
not only the body of the elected representatives of this community, but
each and every one of its members. As the world spiritual Crusade, to the
successful prosecution of which the British followers of the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh have, singly and collectively, so markedly contributed,
approaches its mid-point, the evidences of this indispensable quickening
of the tempo of Bahá’í activity all over the British Isles and the islands
situated in their neighbourhood and far beyond their confines, must become
more manifest and rapidly multiply. The admiration and esteem in which a
community, relatively small in numbers, strictly limited in resources, yet
capable of such solid and enduring achievements, is held by its sister and
daughter communities in every continent of the globe, far from declining
must be further enhanced. The historic process originated as far back as
the year which witnessed the formulation of the Six Year Plan on the
occasion of the Centenary of the Declaration of the Báb in _Sh_íráz, which
gathered momentum, as a result of the inauguration of the Two Year Plan
which followed the Centenary of the Báb’s Martyrdom in Tabríz, which
received a tremendous impetus, in consequence of the launching of the Ten
Year Crusade, commemorating the centenary celebrations of the birth of
Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission in ?ihrán—such a process must, as the centenary
celebrations designed to commemorate the Declaration of that same Mission
in Ba_gh_dád approaches, be so markedly accelerated, and yield such a
harvest, as will astonish the entire Bahá’í world, and give the signal for
the inauguration, by those who have so spontaneously set this process in
motion, more than a decade ago, of a blissful era designed to carry the
chief builders of Bahá’u’lláh’s embryonic World Order, throughout the
unnumbered, the diversified and widely scattered Dependencies of the
British Crown, to still greater heights of achievements in the service and
for the glory of His Faith.

May they, as they forge ahead along the high road leading to ultimate,
total and complete victory, receive as their daily sustenance, a still
fuller measure of the abounding grace, promised to the believers of an
earlier generation by the Centre of the Covenant, the Author of the Divine
Plan, Himself, on the occasion of His twice-repeated visit to their
shores, and which has been unfailingly vouchsafed to themselves, in the
course of over three decades, since the birth of the Formative Age of the
Faith and the rise of its Administrative Order in their homeland.

Shoghi

Letter of 7 September 1957

7 September 1957

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

On behalf of our beloved Guardian I acknowledge with thanks the receipt of
your letter of 17th August enclosing the minutes of the meeting of the
British N.S.A. held at the Summer School on August 8th....

Letter of 14 September 1957

14 September 1957

WELCOME DETERMINATION ASSEMBLED FRIENDS SUMMER SCHOOL PRAYING FERVENTLY
FRIENDS ATTAIN GOALS SCALE NOBLER HEIGHTS PATH SERVICE CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.

SHOGHI

Letter of 2 October 1957

2 October 1957

Dear John:

In “The Voice of Youth” for July, page ten, there is an article by David
Solomon in which he quotes some very significant passages from the Dead
Sea Scrolls. The Guardian would like to have the exact source of these
passages, and the quotations in the paragraphs in which they occur,
written out in full....

Letter of 11 October 1957

11 October 1957(91)

CONFIDENT BRITISH COMMUNITY RICHLY DESERVES NEW HONOUR.

SHOGHI

THE GUARDIAN’S MESSAGES
TO LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

The Assemblies are listed in alphabetical order but their letters are
chronologically arranged.

Belfast
Bristol
Cardiff
Dublin
Eccles
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Leeds
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Northampton
Norwich
Nottingham
Oxford
Portsmouth
Reading

Letter of 23 April 1950

23 April 1950

To the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Belfast

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of April 12th, conveying such heartening news, was received by
our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf.

He feels your Assembly, a hard-won prize, and occupying an important
position as representative of the Faith in Northern Ireland, is one of the
key assemblies in the British Isles, and he is immensely proud of your
achievement in at last forming it.

You may be sure he will pray for your protection and success in the Holy
Shrines, and that your numbers may increase in Belfast and your ship
weather every storm triumphantly!

With loving greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless sustain and guide you in your meritorious
activities, remove every obstacle from your path and enable you to win
still greater victories in the service of His glorious Faith.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 14 November 1947

14 November 1947

The Bahá’ís of Bristol, England

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your message of Oct. 21st reached our beloved Guardian, and he has
instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

Now that you are six there (judging by your signatures), a mere three is
required to enable you to reach your Goal and have your Assembly next
April.

You may be sure that he will supplicate in the Holy Shrines that these
three may be speedily found and the Assembly safely established in
accordance with the present Plan.

He assures you that your devotion and services are very deeply
appreciated.

With loving greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your high endeavours, reward you abundantly for
your historic accomplishments, guide your steps, and aid you to extend
continually the range of your highly valued activities.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 September 1948

22 September 1948

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bristol

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of April 21st reached our beloved Guardian after a long delay,
and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

The formation of your Assembly, in the face of so many difficulties, was
indeed a noble achievement, and serves to prove that our struggles as
individuals, often handicapped by the sense of our own inadequacy, are
reinforced by the grace of Bahá’u’lláh, Who enables us to achieve the
seemingly impossible!

He urges you all to persevere in maintaining your Assembly, which forms
one of the vital links in the Bahá’í chain, which will soon gird the
British Isles, never to lose heart, and to redouble your teaching labours
so as to ensure a broader foundation next year for your Assembly’s
election and thus guarantee its permanency.

His prayers will be offered for you, one and all, for your success and
guidance.

With Bahá’í Love,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I was so pleased and grateful to receive your message, and I wish to
assure you all of my loving and fervent prayers for the progress of your
historic work, the extension of your activities and the realisation of
every hope you cherish for the promotion of our beloved Faith. May the
Almighty watch over you, sustain you in your valued endeavours, and aid
you to render memorable services to His Faith and its institutions.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 1 November 1947

1 November 1947

The Bahá’ís of Cardiff

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your welcome letter to our beloved Guardian dated Oct. 16th, has been
received, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He is well aware of the very real sacrifices you have made, and are making
to establish the Cause in Wales, and he wants you to know he admires your
courage and determination, and most deeply values the dedicated spirit
which animates you.

The news of your first public meeting was good news indeed, and he feels
sure your perseverance and the strong backing which you are receiving from
the N.S.A. and the Teaching Committee, will crown your efforts with the
success you so richly deserve.

His loving prayers will be offered for the speedy realisation of your
hopes, and he urges you to persevere, conscious of the historical
importance of what you are doing, and of how important your work is to the
progress of the Plan in the British Isles.

With warmest greetings to you all,
Yours in His service,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I wish to add a few words in person and assure every one of you of my deep
admiration of the spirit you manifest, the services you render, and the
determination with which you are initiating the great historic teaching
enterprise in Wales.

You are, I assure you, often in my thoughts and prayers, and I will
supplicate the Beloved to bless continually your high and meritorious
endeavours.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 17 October 1948

17 October 1948

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cardiff, Wales

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter to our beloved Guardian of April 21st was received, after a
long delay, and he was most happy to hear of the formation of your
Assembly.

With an Assembly in Cardiff, in Edinburgh, and Dublin, the representative
character of the Faith in the British Isles is fully established and the
National body greatly re-inforced.

He fully realises the difficulties which have attended your work there,
and which makes your victory all the more praiseworthy and precious. He
urges you to now courageously persevere in your work and ensure that
Cardiff has, by next April, a stable membership from which to call on for
the Spiritual Assembly’s maintenance.

You may be sure that he will assist you with his prayers, and pray that
each and every one of you may be protected and assisted in your devoted
services to the Faith.

With warm greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The formation of the first Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly in Wales is an event
of great historical significance. I congratulate you on this splendid
achievement which, I trust, will be a prelude to still greater victories
in the service of our glorious Faith. I will supplicate on your behalf,
the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh, that your work may prosper, your plans bear
abundant fruit, and your hopes realised for the propagation of the Faith
and the establishment of its nascent institutions.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 15 February 1950

15 February 1950

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cardiff

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of January 20th has been received, and our beloved Guardian
was simply delighted to get the Welsh pamphlet, he wants twenty-five
copies of it sent to him for distribution amongst various Bahá’í libraries
here, and for our surplus stock. This booklet in their own language will
do much to convince sincere Welsh truth-seekers of the respect and
consideration with which we Bahá’ís approach all minorities, also of our
devout desire to share with such a talented race the glory of
Bahá’u’lláh’s message.

He hopes there will be many new Welsh believers in the coming years, and
he assures you all of his loving prayers for the success of your devoted
efforts.

With Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

I was so pleased and grateful to receive your welcome letter, and the
first fruit of your services and high endeavours for the promotion of our
beloved Faith.

I feel proud of the spirit that animates you, and will supplicate the
Beloved to bless, and sustain and guide you, and enable you to extend
continually the range of your achievements. Persevere, and rest assured.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 September 1955

16 September 1955

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cardiff

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letter of July 18th with enclosure has been received by the beloved
Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is delighted with the way the work is progressing in Cardiff, and that
there are now nine believers living there.

He particularly values the instant decision made during the Convention,
and consequent action taken, by Dr. Miller in leaving an excellent medical
practice in Liverpool, to settle in Cardiff, with all it entailed of
sacrifice in being separated from his wife, and in being obliged to accept
a junior post in a hospital at Cardiff. It is qualities such as these,
which the pioneer carries to his new post, which attract a reinforcing
power from on High, and enable him to create in the hearts of those who
meet him a longing to have what he possesses, and ignite in these new
hearts the flame of the love of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Guardian feels sure his non-Bahá’í wife will likewise receive a
blessing for her part in this sacrifice, which helped to make this move
possible.

He is deeply appreciative of the Welsh translation; and is confident it
will prove to be of great assistance in the promotion of the Teachings in
Wales.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh guide you and your fellow-members, and
enable you, in the days to come, to reinforce the foundation that has been
laid, and to extend the range of your highly meritorious exertions and
accomplishments,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 30 January 1957

30 January 1957

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Cardiff

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your letter of December 29th was received, and the beloved Guardian was
very happy indeed to hear that the week-end school had been a success.

He is delighted to see that the Faith is progressing in Wales, and he
feels sure that the Welsh people will not only respond to the Message if
given opportunity, but contribute to the Faith a distinctive share of
their own, when they arise in its service.

He hopes that there will indeed be Welsh Summer Schools in the future.

Assuring you of his loving prayers,
With warmest greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide, and sustain you and your dear co-workers in
your constant and highly meritorious activities, remove every obstacle
from your path, and enable you to enrich the record of your deeply
appreciated services to His Faith and its institutions.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 August 1947

27 August 1947

To the believers who were present in Dublin at the 19 Day Feast of Kamál

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Our beloved Guardian was very happy to receive your message and to see
that the Cause is now gaining a firm footing in Eire.

He is particularly happy to welcome Mrs. Coleman into the Faith as the
first new Bahá’í in Dublin, and he hopes that ere long you will be able to
establish the first historic spiritual Assembly in that city.

The Irish are tenacious in their religious beliefs, and once convinced of
the truth and significance of our glorious Faith should make ardent and
devoted Bahá’ís.

He assures you all of his loving prayers for the success of your devoted
labours.

With warmest greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

Your joint message rejoiced my heart. I cherish great hopes for the future
of the work so splendidly initiated in that historic island. I will pray
from the depths of my heart for the extension and consolidation of your
meritorious activities to which I attach the utmost importance. Persevere
in your glorious task, and rest assured that the Beloved, Who is watching
over you, will bless your high endeavours and fulfil your dearest hopes.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 October 1948

16 October 1948

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Dublin, Eire

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Our beloved Guardian was very delighted to receive your communication of
April 21st, written to him from your newly elected body.

He was particularly pleased to read the signatures of three members of the
Townshend family, as Mr. Townshend and his wife have truly sacrificed in
order to stand forward as declared and active Bahá’ís and assist in the
formation of this historic Assembly.

The task facing you is great, but very exhilarating. Eire lies before you,
your territory, of which you are the Mother Assembly, and however
difficult your conquest may be, it is a challenging and wonderful service
you are called upon to render.

The Irish people, with their deep religious instinct, although they may be
at first difficult to convert, once convinced of the truth, will make
staunch believers and will, he hopes, convey this Faith, with all its
promise and healing power, to other countries in the course of time.

He assures you his prayers are with you, for your progress and your
success in every field of Bahá’í service.

With loving greetings,

P.S. The delay in answering your letter was due to the long time it took
to reach Haifa.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

The work achieved in Dublin during the last few months, culminating in the
formation of the first Spiritual Assembly in Ireland, is indeed highly
praiseworthy. Such a consummation is an event that will adorn the annals
of the Faith, and is in itself a prelude to still greater victories in the
days to come. I truly feel proud of the British and Irish believers who
have collaborated so devotedly and strenuously, and won so conspicuous a
victory. I will fervently supplicate on their behalf, and will await
eagerly the news of the progress of their historic achievements.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 January 1957

27 January 1957

The Bahá’í Group, Eccles

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of January 2nd was received, through the kindness of Mr.
Gregory, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf.

He will certainly pray in the Holy Shrines that you may succeed in
attaining your objective; but, even should you fail to establish a
spiritual assembly by April, you must not feel discouraged, because it is
much more important to have a solid foundation in the beginning than to
meet a date line—welcome as the assembly would be!

He admires very much the spirit animating you, and hopes that a
flourishing community will develop there.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, aid you to extend
the scope of your activities, and win great victories in the service of
His glorious Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 22 September 1948

22 September 1948

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Edinburgh

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Our beloved Guardian was very happy indeed to receive your letter to him
dated April 21st—which has taken a long time to reach him, as you can
see—and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The formation of the first Assembly of the Faith in Scotland is a great
and promising achievement. He has a profound admiration for the
characteristics of the Scots; their deep religious feelings, their frank,
open and friendly nature, their tenacity and abilities will enable them to
greatly enrich the Faith in the British Isles, and, he hopes, later in the
pioneer fields abroad.

He trusts that your Assembly, and especially those members of it who are
natives of Scotland, will soon succeed in attracting many more serious
minded truth-seekers to the Faith there. Now Edinburgh has become the
mother Assembly of Scotland, and must, by its example, set the pace, and
assist in the development of all future Scottish Bahá’í Assemblies.

He assures you all he will pray for your success, for your unity, and that
Bahá’u’lláh may guide you all in administering the affairs of His Cause in
that city.

He was particularly interested to hear that one of the new believers had
met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on His visit to Edinburgh many years ago.

With loving greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers,

Your welcome message brought deep joy to my heart and filled me with
gratitude for this latest evidence of the all-conquering power of
Bahá’u’lláh, as well as for the magnificent efforts exerted by British
believers in that historic and ancient city. I will, I assure you, pray
from the depths of my heart for your success, the increase of your
numbers, the multiplication of your activities, and the consolidation of
your achievements. Persevere in your meritorious endeavours, and rest
assured that the Beloved will watch over you and crown your high
endeavours with signal success.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 April 1949

9 April 1949

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Edinburgh

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

As our beloved Guardian is at present very pressed for time in connection
with the tremendous amount of work the building of the Shrine entails at
this juncture, I am answering your loving Naw-Rúz Message very briefly on
his behalf.

You may be sure the work in Edinburgh is very dear to his heart and he
will continue to pray for its advancement, and for each and every one of
you, in the Holy Shrines.

With warmest greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, continually and abundantly, your high endeavours,
aid you to add to your numbers, deepen your understanding of the
essentials of His Faith, extend the range of your activities, consolidate
your achievements, and win great and memorable victories for its
institutions,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 9 September 1950

9 September 1950

To the Glasgow Bahá’ís

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter dated 5.7.50 has been received, and the beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

The progress being made in spreading the Faith in Scotland pleases him
immensely, and he feels the Cause will find many exemplary and wonderful
servants among the Scotch people. They may be slow to be convinced, but
once they embrace a thing they do so with full conviction and great
determination to serve their belief.

He will pray that your assembly may confirm many new souls, and thus
gradually free the devoted pioneers, who went there to teach, for services
in new and maybe distant fields.

You may be sure he deeply appreciates all you have done. With loving
greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers,

I was so pleased and grateful to receive your most welcome message, and I
profoundly appreciate the noble sentiments you have expressed. I wish to
assure you that I will pray for your success from the depths of my heart,
that the Beloved may guide your steps, bless your high endeavours, and
enable you to lend a tremendous impetus to the spread of the Faith in
Scotland.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 14 March 1954

14 March 1954

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Leeds

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your letter of February 20th has been received by the beloved Guardian,
and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The Guardian was very happy to learn of your coming County Teaching
Conference. He has been very happy over the large number of pioneers who
have arisen in the British Isles and have gone to new territories, both in
the British Isles and in foreign lands, and he considers this a fine
record.

He hopes your deliberations will produce a still greater effort on the
part of all the friends to implant more deeply and scatter more widely the
seeds of the Faith, which are so greatly needed everywhere.

The Guardian assures you of his loving prayers for the abundant success of
your endeavours.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless, guide and sustain you, and enable you to promote
the vital interests of His Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 5 September 1950

5 September 1950

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Liverpool

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter dated May 7 was received, and our beloved Guardian rejoiced
over the news of the formation of your Assembly. He would have answered
you sooner had he not been so overpowered with not only the work connected
with the arcade of the Shrine’s completion, but also anxiety caused by the
long and serious illness of Mr. Maxwell, its architect.

He trusts your Assembly will enlarge its community during this year, and
thus strengthen its foundations and ensure its future activities.

The victory won in the British Isles filled his heart with pride, and
encourages him to believe a brilliant future lies ahead of the community
there.

With warmest greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

Your most welcome message cheered my heart, and I wish to assure you in
person of my sincere and profound admiration for the spirit that animates
you in your activities, as well as of my ardent prayers for you, that the
Beloved may guide and sustain you always, and enable you to win great and
memorable victories for His Faith and its infant institutions.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 24 January 1952

24 January 1952

To the believers who were present at the Feast of Sul?án in London Centre,
January 1952

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The beloved Guardian was very happy to see that so many of you had
gathered together and united in sending your love to him, with the first
believer to come from England since the door of pilgrimage has been open.

He will remember you all in his loving prayers in the Shrines, and urges
you to devote as much of your time individually as possible to the
promotion of the goals of your present Plan.

With warmest Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty guide and sustain you in your high endeavours, bless and
protect you always, aid you to extend the range of your valued activities,
and win memorable victories in the service of His glorious Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 January 1929

25 January 1929

Manchester Spiritual Assembly My Dear Friend,

I am directed by our Guardian to thank you for your welcome letter of
January 11th.

He has been very pleased to learn of the more rapid progress of the Cause
in Manchester and of a greater measure of unity among the friends. He is
glad that Mr. Hall is taking this initiative and he sincerely trusts that
you will all persevere in your endeavours, will keep dear the necessity
for harmony and unity and thus make your group a progressive, enthusiastic
and worthy Bahá’í centre in England. He appreciated your efforts and that
of all friends in Manchester. He wishes you please to convey to them an
expression of his heartfelt love and good wishes.

With best regards, Sincerely in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

My Dear co-worker,

I am delighted with the news you give me. The friends in Manchester occupy
a warm and abiding place in my heart. The fragrant memory of my visit to
them is still fresh and vivid in my mind. I will continue to supplicate at
the Beloved’s Shrine for each one of them the Almighty’s richest
blessings, that they may be guided and strengthened to render in the days
to come inestimable services to the sacred Threshold.

With my best wishes to your dear relatives,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 20 July 1932

20 July 1932

Manchester Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Shoghi Effendi was greatly pleased to receive your kind letter of June
24th, 1932, and he has requested me to address you these few lines
expressing his heartfelt appreciation of the precious and most valuable
steps taken by our Manchester friends towards a greater extension and
consolidation of the Cause.

The Guardian was specially glad to hear that you have established a new
Bahá’í Centre and he fervently hopes that as a result of this new move the
interests of the Faith will be promoted and its teachings will succeed in
confirming some new souls.

The precious efforts so continuously exerted by our Manchester Bahá’ís and
particularly by our beloved Mr. Hall and Mr. Sugar will undoubtedly yield
their fruits in a not very distant future. But the friends should
persevere in their task and not let any obstacle, however great, hinder
their onward march. In these days of sufferings and hardships, patience
and hope are indispensable for the success of any idea or plan.

In closing may I assure you of our Guardian’s best wishes and ask you to
extend to all our Manchester Bahá’ís the expression of his heartfelt
thanks and appreciation.

Yours in His Service,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your high and unsparing efforts, enable you to
extend the scope of your activities, and consolidate the foundations of
the Faith in that great city.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 28 July 1950

28 July 1950

The Manchester Spiritual Assembly

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter has been received, dated June 6th, and our beloved Guardian
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He feels that the questions of ... could be answered by a better
understanding of the teachings—however, for the sake of his sincere
services to the Faith, he will answer them here:

(1) Christ received the kiss of Judas, in fact He said one of His
disciples would betray Him. It is not a question of these Holy Souls
seeing the future, but of what, in Their wisdom, They deem it necessary to
accept in the Path of sacrifice. If we are going to question the wisdom of
the Prophets we can question God’s Wisdom too, and the advisability of the
whole system we live in.

(2) Nabil’s suicide was not insanity but love. He loved Bahá’u’lláh too
much to go on in a world that no longer held Him.

(3) The “sacrifice” of goats has nothing to do with the Faith. Bahá’u’lláh
was surrounded by Muslim admirers and friends, and they merely followed
the custom of their people on such an occasion, when many hundreds
gathered to console His bereaved family.

(4) We cannot, not knowing the factors Bahá’u’lláh weighed in His own
mind, judge of the wisdom of His withdrawal to Kurdistan. But, studying
His life and teachings, we should see in it an act of wisdom, and not
superficially measure Him by our standards.

(5) Love is certainly the attribute we associate par excellence with our
Maker. But has He no justice and does not justice fall on the back of the
evil doer as a scourge?

(6) This question seems to imply a lack of understanding of love. There is
very little Divine love in the world to-day, but a great deal of
intellectual reasoning, which is an entirely different thing, and springs
from the mind and not the heart. The Martyrs—most of them died because of
their love for the Báb, for Bahá’u’lláh, and through Them for God. The
veil between the inner and outer world was very thin, and to tear it, and
be free to be near the Beloved, was very sweet. But it takes love, not
reason to understand these things. We must also remember the Martyrs were
called upon to deny their faith or die, as men of principle they preferred
to die.

(7) Bahá’u’lláh’s claims are much greater because humanity is more mature
and can afford to hear them. But He draws on the same Source that was
accessible to all the Prophets, it is we who can now receive more.

(8) The Guardian feels ... should study more deeply the teachings, and
meditate on what he studies. We liken God to the Sun, which gives us all
our life. So the Spirit of God reaches us through the Souls of the
Manifestations. We must learn to commune with Their Souls, and this is
what the Martyrs seemed to have done, and what brought them such ecstacy
of joy that life became nothing. This is the true mysticism, and the
secret, inner meaning of life which humanity has at present, drifted so
far from.

The Guardian will pray that this dear friend may deepen his understanding
and arise and become a wonderful teacher of the Faith.

He will also pray for the progress of the work in Manchester and the
success of your devoted labours.

With Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide and sustain you in your
activities, and enable you to promote effectively the best interests of
His Faith.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 19 January 1950

19 January 1950

Northampton Bahá’í Community

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Our beloved Guardian thanks you not only for the good news you conveyed to
him in your letter of January 6th, but for the spirit which prompted you
to share it with him.

He admires greatly the services of your community and the unity amongst
you, which no doubt is largely responsible for your success.

He will join his prayers to yours for the success of the labours of your
two latest pioneering members.

With Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers,

I feel truly proud of your notable services, and I wish to assure you of
my profound appreciation of your labours, of my loving prayers for the
progress of your meritorious activities, and the realisation of every hope
you cherish in the service of our beloved Faith and of its nascent
institutions.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 30 September 1949

30 September 1949

The Bahá’ís of Norwich

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

Your letter of August 2nd has been received and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very pleased to see that you are girding up your loins to do your
utmost for the Plan in the critical months that lie ahead.

Nothing will further your ends more quickly than the greatest love, unity
and co-operation amongst yourselves. These are the very soul of the order
Bahá’u’lláh has come to establish in the world and when the people see
these qualities and characteristics actively demonstrated in our midst,
those who are receptive will hasten to join our ranks. Likewise when they
see the lack of these virtues they will hesitate to embrace the Faith
however much they may admire its teachings.

He will certainly pray that your Assembly may be maintained, your numbers
increase, and your devotion be rewarded.

With Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers,

I was pleased to hear from you and receive the assurance of your love,
your devotion to the interests of our beloved Faith and your determination
to serve its best interests.

I will pray from the depths of my heart on your behalf, that the Almighty
may bless and sustain you and enable you to win memorable victories for
His Faith.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 16 September 1956

16 September 1956

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Norwich

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

Your letter of July 29th with enclosures has been received, and the
beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was most happy to receive the July Jarrold Magazine and to see the
article on the Faith; and also to learn from the copy of your News Letter
of the activities of the believers in that locality.

The Guardian greatly appreciates the spirit animating the friends there in
the service of the Cause. He sends you all his loving greetings, and
assures you of his prayers for the success of your devoted labours.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my abiding admiration of your devoted and constant
endeavours for the promotion of our beloved Faith, and of my fervent
prayers for the realisation of every hope you cherish for its promotion,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 8 April 1947

8 April 1947

The Bahá’ís of Nottingham

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter, dated February 16th, was received and read by our beloved
Guardian with great joy, and he has instructed me to answer it on his
behalf.

The news of your group having reached Assembly status was a source of deep
satisfaction to him, and demonstrates what the friends can do, once they
put their shoulder to the wheel!

You have every reason to feel proud of your achievement, and he hopes you
will, through your correspondence and contacts with your fellow believers,
encourage them to follow your example and forge ahead, in spite of every
obstacle, with determination, confident that once we do our part, God is
never failing in His.

He hopes your numbers will steadily increase and that many young people
will be attracted to the Faith, as the part they have to play is very
great and, also, their need of the Faith very great.

You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for you, and for the
success of your labours, in the Holy Shrines.

With Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts in the service of our beloved Faith,
and you to deepen your knowledge of the essentials of His World Order, to
increase your numbers, to extend the scope of your activities, and to
fulfil every desire you cherish for its promotion and consolidation.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 30 May 1949

30 May 1949

The Bahá’ís of Nottingham

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated May 4, has been received, and
he deeply appreciates your message of devotion and affection.

His burden is indeed a heavy one, and after so many years of continuous
responsibility he often feels very tired. But when he sees the loyalty of
the friends and their steadfast perseverance in their tasks his heart is
lightened and he feels greatly encouraged.

It is much easier to work when you see results being obtained under your
very eyes, and, although in many ways his service to the Faith has been
lonelier and more complicated than that of the beloved Master, yet he has
had the great blessing of seeing the Cause spread out all over the world
and greatly expand in many countries—such as England, India, the United
State, etc.—as it never did in the days of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who worked so
unremittingly towards this end, and Who planted what we now reap.

He feels the British believers can and will—indeed must—succeed in their
Plan, and his thoughts and prayers are with them very often.

With Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

Dear co-workers:

Your message cheered my heart, and I wish to assure you that I greatly
value your noble sentiments, and will supplicate the Beloved to bless your
efforts, guide every step you take in the path of service, enable you to
extend continually the range of your activities, and consolidate the work
you have so splendidly inaugurated, and are so devotedly prosecuting in
the service of this glorious Faith,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 27 October 1950

27 October 1950

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of September 14 with enclosure was received, and the beloved
Guardian thanks you for it.

He was pleased to see the enterprising spirit shown by Mr. Semple, and
hopes his classes will produce many new contacts.

The progress made in Oxford is heartening, and he trusts still greater
progress lies ahead.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty abundantly reward you for your patient and splendid
labours, sustain and guide you at all times and under all circumstances,
enable you to extend the range of your meritorious activities, and aid you
to consolidate your notable and indeed historic achievements,

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 December 1951

25 December 1951

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Friends:

Your letter of December 14th has been received; and the beloved Guardian
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very pleased to hear of the progress being made; and that it has
been possible to give the Message to some of the “undergrads”. It is most
important that the Faith should be conveyed with a sense of dignity at so
important a university as Oxford; and better that the work should go
forward slowly than that any mistakes should be made.

He assures you all that he deeply appreciates your devoted labours; and he
hopes that you will fulfill your objective of increasing the number of
believers there.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved, whose Cause you are serving with such fidelity, ability
and devotion, reward you abundantly for your meritorious labours, guide
every step you take, and enable you to lay a firm and unassailable
foundation for the future institutions of His Faith in that historic and
promising City.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 25 December 1952

25 December 1952

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of December 10th has been received by the beloved Guardian,
and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very happy to see that you have held another meeting in Manchester
College, and hopes that the attracted ones who attended may become real
students of the Faith, and eventually join its ranks.

The poem by Miss Masefield was much appreciated by the Guardian. Please
assure Miss Masefield that he liked it very much, and will consider using
it for a future volume of “Bahá’í World”. The only thing that he saw that
seemed to need correction was that the word “Abhá”, was spelled “Abba”
instead of “Abhá”.

He hopes that Miss Masefield, through the friendship and wise association
of the members of your Group with her, will feel moved to declare herself
an active member of the Faith. He will pray that this may come about.

The Guardian will also pray for the success of the devoted labours of the
believers in Oxford.

With warm Bahá’í love,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty guide and sustain you always, remove all obstacles from
your path, and enable you to win great and memorable victories in the
service of His Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 1 February 1954

1 February 1954

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of January 16th with enclosure has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He thanks you very much for the expression of your sympathy, and for the
newspaper clipping you enclosed.

It has indeed been a great loss to the work of the Faith, to lose such a
valiant, constant and distinguished Hand as dear Dorothy Baker. It will
leave a gap in the pioneer field, as well. No doubt her noble spirit will
be able to assist and inspire from on high, and this must be the
consolation of all her friends and admirers.

He trusts the work in Oxford is progressing steadily; and he assures you
all of his loving prayers in your behalf.

With warmest Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, guide and sustain you in
your activities, and enable you to win great victories in the service of
His Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 23 April 1954

23 April 1954

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of April 9th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

Mrs. Winsten invited the Guardian if possible to view in person her
portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Needless to say, he thanked her for her kind
invitation, but informed her this would be quite out of the question.

He is very pleased to hear that she has consented to forwarding a
photograph through acquaintances of hers, and he will be very interested
to see it. He will let you know if he considers the likeness sufficiently
good to warrant any of the Bahá’ís purchasing it. It is a pity to own
portraits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which do not in any way resemble Him.

Some time ago you asked him to send you a copy of the description which
Miss Campbell brought to Haifa of how the artist made this drawing of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Unfortunately this has been mislaid, and it is not possible
for the Guardian to send you a copy. However, the original you may be sure
is safe in his papers.

He is very happy to hear of the progress of the Cause in Oxford, such a
very important centre from every standpoint. He assures you all of his
loving prayers for the progress of your activities, and for each and all
of you.

With warmest Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving prayers for you all, and for the success of your
efforts for the promotion of our beloved Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 7 December 1954

7 December 1954

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letter of November 30th with enclosure has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

The news of the opening of the Oxford Bahá’ís’ first Centre rejoiced his
heart. He was particularly happy to know that this project was consummated
and the Centre furnished and made ready for use almost entirely through
the united efforts and devotion of the believers themselves.

As you know, the Guardian attaches great importance to Oxford. Now that
the friends have a Centre, which in itself will be a means of attracting
seeking souls to them to learn of the Faith; and also the Bahá’ís have
made for themselves a teaching plan, he feels confident that the work will
go forward there with great strides, and that your community will grow in
numbers and in strength.

He will remember you all in his loving prayers in the Holy Shrines.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless continually your highly meritorious efforts, and
enable you to win great and memorable victories in the service of His
Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 28 February 1955

28 February 1955

The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letter of February 13th with enclosures has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is hoping that the fact that the believers now have their own Centre in
Oxford will greatly stimulate the work there, and cause the more rapid
expansion of the Faith in this difficult town.

The work done among the University students should be steadily pursued.
Perhaps before long some among their number may determine to accept the
Faith and arise whole-heartedly to serve it.

The Guardian assures you all of his loving prayers, and sends his
greetings.

With warm Bahá’í love,

P.S. It is not necessary to send a detailed account of the funeral of Mrs.
Langdon-Davies. A short biographical account of her life should be sent by
the N.S.A. for “Bahá’í World”.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and enable you to achieve
memorable victories in the service of our beloved Faith,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 21 March 1955

21 March 1955

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Oxford

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Your letter of February 27th with enclosure has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He appreciates your thoughtfulness in sending to him the photostatic copy
of Canon Cheyne’s letter to John Craven, in which he declared himself a
Bahá’í, and is happy to have it.

He wishes you all a very happy New Year, and great success in your
teaching activities during the coming year.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving, my continued and fervent prayers for your
success in the service of our beloved Faith and of its nascent
institutions,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

CABLES TO THE OXFORD ASSEMBLY

Letter of 25 November 1949

25 November 1949

HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS HISTORIC VICTORY ARDENT LOVING PRAYERS
SURROUNDING YOUR NOBLE MISSION.

SHOGHI

Letter of 22 April 1950

22 April 1950

APPRECIATE MESSAGE LOVING REMEMBRANCE SHRINES SUPPLICATING MANIFOLD
BLESSINGS.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 October 1950

26 October 1950

OVERJOYED NOTABLE INITIAL VICTORY INTRODUCTION FAITH UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE CIRCLES ASSURE YOUNGEST PROMISING BELIEVER ARDENT PRAYERS
CONCENTRATE CONSOLIDATION ACHIEVEMENT.

SHOGHI

Letter of 21 April 1954

21 April 1954

ASSEMBLY FRIENDS LOVINGLY REMEMBERED SHRINES.

SHOGHI

Letter of 26 September 1957

26 September 1957

The Bahá’ís of Portsmouth

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of August 23rd has been received by the beloved Guardian, and
he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was happy to learn of the spirit of active service which animates the
friends in that city, and of the practical way you are approaching the
teaching work.

Through love and unity among the believers, and the wise and persistent
efforts of all the Bahá’ís, great results should be forthcoming.

He will certainly pray for the progress of the Faith there, and for the
enrollment of a number of newly-declared believers by next Ridván.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved of our hearts, guide, bless and sustain you, remove every
obstacle from your path, and graciously assist you to extend the range of
your highly valued activities and consolidate your historic achievements,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

Letter of 14 May 1957

14 May 1957

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Reading

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of May 8th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was delighted to receive the news of your activities, and feels that
Reading can be cited as a truly exemplary community in every way. He hopes
you will maintain this enviable position as the years go by.

He will certainly pray that your teaching efforts may be richly blessed,
and that you may not only continue to make Bahá’ís, but to export them, as
you have done in the case of Edinburgh.

With warm Bahá’í greetings,

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your highly valued activities, guide every step you
take, remove every obstacle from your path, and graciously assist you to
win great victories in the service of His Faith in the days to come,

Your true brother,
Shoghi

EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS TO INDIVIDUALS

Over three hundred letters to individuals residing in the British Isles
have been studied and passages selected which are of permanent value.

These excerpts were taken from the letters of no more than twenty
believers of whom only seven corresponded regularly with the Guardian.

They have been arranged chronologically; for details of the subject matter
the reader must turn to the Index.

Almost all these passages are answers given by the Guardian to questions
asked in personal letters to him. It is possible therefore to catch a
glimpse of the changing problems facing the Bahá’í community and these
frequently reflected conditions in the country as a whole. This is
particularly significant in the years immediately following the Second
World War for as the Guardian, in a letter written on his behalf by his
secretary, wrote of the British believers,

“... he feels the greatest sympathy for them, and considers that when
their present achievements are assessed in the future, people will give
them a double measure of praise for having done so much when they were
least fit to do it.”

Letter of 28 September 1925

28 September 1925

[From the Guardian]

...I wish you, my dearest friend, to make once again a supreme effort to
come to a full understanding with the friends outside.... Extend to them
your generous and helping hand, approach them with a spirit of
selflessness and cordiality and the result, I am confident will be indeed
marvellous. My heart rejoices at the news of the growth of harmony among
the friends and I feel paralysed in my work when I hear to the contrary. I
am impressing on the friends in ... the absolute necessity of cultivating
understanding and friendliness and consolidating the foundation of the
National Assembly. For upon these National Assemblies will the Edifice of
the Universal House of Justice be raised.

Letter of 28 October 1925

28 October 1925

Shoghi Effendi is much interested to hear of your literary work. He fully
agrees with you that different people must be approached in different ways
and that valuable work for the Bahá’í Cause can be done within the
Christian Churches by promoting the “Christianity of Christ”. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
said that when people become true Christians, they will find themselves
Bahá’ís. One or two of the best Bahá’ís I know were very earnest, sincere,
devoted Christians and accepted the Bahá’í teachings with very little
difficulty and without any intervening period of religious scepticism, as
an amplification and fulfilment of the teachings and prophesyings of
Christ and the prophets.

Letter of 28 December 1925

28 December 1925

He is very sorry that such undesirable things are every now and then
cropping up in ... and discouraging you in your work, keeping you from
devoting all your spare time in teaching the Cause and spreading its
principles. He does not wish you, however, to lose heart from such things.
As the Cause grows its difficulties will increase and its problems will
become more numerous. The friends, especially the older ones, should
therefore try and stand unmoved by them. In fact the more their
difficulties will increase the more they have to take courage and try to
solve them. The Master has often said that sorrows are like furrows, the
deeper they go the more productive the land becomes. If this problem of
... should be settled other problems will arise. Are the friends to become
discouraged or are they to follow the footsteps of the Master and consider
them more as chances to show their tenacity of belief and spirit of
sacrifice? In short, Shoghi Effendi wishes you to keep on teaching the
principles of the Cause no matter what problems may arise.

[From the Guardian:]

...Let not anxieties and disappointments overwhelm you or oppress your
generous and sensitive heart. Turn to Him in prayer and remember that I am
joining you in your supplications for guidance and strength. Be patient in
tribulation and never relax in your efforts to promote the Divine
Teachings.

Letter of 28 March 1926

28 March 1926

It must have been very distasteful to you to read some of the off-hand and
ungrammatical translations that more out of necessity than choice won
circulation and were even published. Furthermore, it was always the
expressed wish and desire of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to have proper and adequate
translations that would not only convey the true spirit of the original
but also possess some literary merit. And for this he emphasised the
necessity of a board of translators. Such a board it has unfortunately
been impossible to form as yet.

Meanwhile Shoghi Effendi, realising the urgent necessity of the
translation of some of the important writings, has translated some of the
passages.

Letter of 16 October 1926

16 October 1926

We should, however, be careful, as you mention in your letter, not to make
this system develop into a hard and fast creed or form. The Cause is pure
and free from such things and it ought to be the task of the friends to
keep it broad and progressive. Man is always apt to fall into the habit of
doing a thing in a certain way, and thereby become captive to prescribed
forms. It should therefore be the duty of the assemblies everywhere to see
that, though certain temporary measures are taken to further the Cause,
they do not crystallise into hard and fast creeds.

Letter of 6 April 1928

6 April 1928

[From the Guardian]

I feel that regarding such interpretations (of verses from the Scriptures)
no one has the right to impose his view or opinion and require his
listeners to believe in his particular interpretation of the sacred and
prophetic writings. I have no objection to your interpretations and
inferences so long as they are represented as your own personal
observations and reflections. It would be unnecessary and confusing to
state authoritatively and officially a dogmatic Bahá’í interpretation to
be universally accepted and taught by believers. Such matters I feel
should be left to the personal judgement and insight of individual
teachers....

Letter of 12 December 1929

12 December 1929

Ever since its inception (the “Bahá’í World”) Shoghi Effendi has cherished
the hope of making it a work that would prove interesting and illuminating
to the reader. Destined mainly for the non-Bahá’ís, he has tried to
attract through its pages the attention of educated and enlightened people
and especially leaders in every country, with a view to acquaint them with
the broad and fundamental principles of the Faith and to win their
consideration of the Movement as a growing force for good and for peace
throughout the entire world. It is therefore with lively satisfaction that
he has seen the publication grow yearly in importance and this feeling has
been lately enhanced very much by the words of interest or appreciation
which he has received from many quarters and leading men, among which was
a remarkably encouraging letter from Sir Herbert Samuel. Indeed Shoghi
Effendi has made it a point to send copies to as many leading men as
possible and copies of last year’s issue were presented to the Emperor of
Japan, the _Sh_áh of Persia and Queen Marie of Rumania.

Letter of 9 February 1930

9 February 1930

The subject you had raised with regard to the date of the publication of
the writings of Bahá’u’lláh is interesting as it is important. If I
remember correctly the same issue was raised as an open challenge in India
by some spokesman of the Ahmadiyya sect. The earliest published writings
of Bahá’u’lláh date from the nineties of the last century. Over forty
years ago the Aqdas, a volume of general Tablets including Tarazát,
I_sh_ráqát, and others were published in I_sh_qábád (Russia) and Bombay
respectively and copies of these though rare are still procurable.
Simultaneously with these, if not earlier, some of the writings of
Bahá’u’lláh were published by the Oriental Department of the Imperial
Russian University at St. Petersburgh under the supervision of its
director Baron Rosen (and more particulars about these could be found in
the books of E. G. Browne) and these of course are not undated like some
of those published in Bombay.

The main bulk of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh however are to be found in
manuscript form written by noted scribes after the fashion of orientals.
These scribes did not leave all their manuscripts undated and Jinábí Zain,
a very noted Bahá’í scribe, always dated his copies of the writings of
Bahá’u’lláh at the end of the volume in what E. G. Browne calls
‘colophenes’ and the description of some of these colophenes could be
found in the works of the Cambridge Professor.

The son of the above-mentioned scribe is still living in Haifa and does
very much the same work as his father. He claims that as early as 1868 his
father used to write copies of the Íqán for the Bahá’ís in Persia as a
source of livelihood, and that after 1885 when he went to Akká to join
Bahá’u’lláh’s party his entire work and time was devoted to copying the
sacred writings for sale among Bahá’ís. These copies are to be found all
throughout the East and are almost invariably dated.

Letter of 9 June 1930

9 June 1930

Concerning the accounts of visits to Haifa, published by the friends
during the Master’s life-time, Shoghi Effendi is very reluctant to
attribute to them much authority. Most of these are personal impressions
and are to be valued only as such. Bahá’u’lláh definitely states that only
His actual writings are to be relied upon. Such reports may be interesting
but not authoritative, no matter who the reporter may be...

Letter of 22 October 1930

22 October 1930

...If those heroic deeds have made such an impression upon you, would not
the reading of the narrative arouse the friends to greater sacrifices and
stimulate them to more intensive service? It was not mere physical torture
that the friends in Persia had to endure but also moral persecution for
they were cursed and vilified by all the people, especially when they
ceased to defend themselves ... the Master used to say sometimes that the
western friends will be severely persecuted but theirs will be primarily
moral....

Letter of 30 November 1930

30 November 1930

He (the Guardian) is enclosing extracts from Lord Curzon’s “Persia and the
Persian Question” giving a detailed and faithful description of the state
of Persia in the middle of the 19th century. He thinks that references to
the extracts ... will be of great value in showing to the reader the
contrast between the decadent state of the government and the people at
that time and the heroism and nobility of character displayed by the early
disciples of the Báb... Shoghi Effendi is also sending you ... the
Master’s words concerning the situation which led to the defensive action
which the early disciples of the Báb were compelled to take in Mázindarán,
Nayríz and Zanján. From these words it is evident that a systematic
campaign of plunder and massacre had been initiated by the central
government. Bahá’u’lláh, Who Himself was an active figure in those days
and was regarded one of the leading exponents of the Faith of the Báb,
states clearly His views in the Íqán that His conception of the
sovereignty of the Promised Qá’im was purely a spiritual one, and not a
material or political one... His view of the sovereignty of the Qá’im
confirms the various evidences given in the text of the narrative itself
of the views held by those who actually participated in these events such
as Hujjat, Quddús, Mullá ?usayn. The very fact that these disciples were
ready and willing to emerge from the fort and return to their homes after
receiving the assurance that they would be no more molested is itself an
evidence that they were not contemplating any action against the
authorities.

Shoghi Effendi is also sending you an account of the doctrines of _Sh_í’ah
Islám from which the Movement originally sprang. It will help you to
connect the origin of the Movement with the tenets and beliefs held by the
_Sh_í’ahs of Persia. The Báb declared Himself at the beginning of His
mission to be the “Báb” by which He meant to be the gate or forerunner of
“Him Whom God will make manifest”, that is to say Bahá’u’lláh, Whose
advent the _Sh_í’ahs also expected in the person of “the return of Imám
?usayn”. The Sunnis also believe in a similar twofold manifestation, the
first they call “the Mihdí”, the second “the Return of Christ”. By the
term Báb, the Báb meant to be the forerunner of the second manifestation
rather than, as some have maintained, the gate of the Qá’im. When He
declared Himself to be the Báb, the people understood by the term that He
was an intermediary between the absent Qá’im and His followers, though He
Himself never meant to be such a person. All He claimed to be was that He
was the Qá’im Himself and in addition to this station, that of the Báb,
namely the gate or forerunner of “Him Whom God will make manifest”.

There are many authorised traditions from Mu?ammad stating clearly (as
explained in the Íqán) that the promised Qá’im would bring a new Book and
new Laws. In other words abrogating the law of Islám.

Shoghi Effendi feels that the Unity of the Bahá’í revelation as one
complete whole embracing the Faith of the Báb should be emphasised... The
Faith of the Báb should not be divorced from that of Bahá’u’lláh. Though
the teachings of the Bayán have been abrogated and superseded by the laws
of Aqdas, yet due to the fact that the Báb considered Himself as the
forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh we should regard His dispensation together with
that of Bahá’u’lláh as forming one entity, the former being an
introductory to the advent of the latter. Just as the advent of John the
Baptist—who according to various authorities was Himself the originator of
laws which abrogated the teachings current among the Jews—forms part of
the Christian revelation, the advent of the Báb likewise forms an integral
part of the Bahá’í Faith. That is why Shoghi Effendi feels justified to
call Nabíl’s narrative a narrative of the early days of the Bahá’í
revelation.

Shoghi Effendi feels that it should be explained that forbidding self
defence by Bahá’u’lláh should not be taken too literally. To put it as
bluntly as this, he fears that the question might be misunderstood.
Bahá’u’lláh could surely have not meant that a Bahá’í should not attempt
to defend his life against any irresponsible assailant who might attack
him for any purpose whatever, whether religious or not. Every reasonable
person would feel under such circumstances justified in protecting his
life....

Regarding Nabíl: He was born on the 18th day of the month of Safar of the
year 1247 A. H. in the village of Zarand in Persia. He was thirteen years
old when the Báb declared Himself. Though still young he himself was
preparing to leave for _Sh_ay_kh_ Tabarsí and join the companions of Mullá
?usayn when the news of the treachery and massacre of the besieged
companions reached him. He met Bahá’u’lláh in Kirman_sh_áh and ?ihrán
before the latter’s banishment to ‘Iráq. He was a close companion of the
Báb’s amanuensis Mírzá A?mad. He subsequently met Bahá’u’lláh in
Ba_gh_dád, Adrianople and Akká and was commissioned by Bahá’u’lláh to
journey several times to Persia in order to promote the Cause and
encourage the scattered and persecuted believers. He was present in Akká
when Bahá’u’lláh passed away in 1892 and soon after was so overcome with
grief that he drowned himself in the sea. His body was found along the
shore and was buried in the cemetery of Akká. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is reported to
have been struck with deep sorrow at the manner of his death. He states in
his narration that he met the maternal uncle of the Báb, ?ájí Mírzá Siyyid
‘Alí who had visited his nephew in the Castle of _Ch_ihríq and had
recently returned to ?ihrán. He started writing his narrative in 1305 A.H.
four years before the passing of Bahá’u’lláh. It took him about a year and
half to write it. His chief informants were Mírzá A?mad the amanuensis of
the Báb and Mírzá Músá the brother of Bahá’u’lláh. Parts of his narrative
were read in the presence of Bahá’u’lláh and approved by Him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
also went over sections of his narrative....

Shoghi Effendi has found in the papers of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá a complete set of
the Báb’s Tablets to the 18 Letters of the Living, all written in His own
hand-writing and bearing His seal. In addition to these there are two
other Tablets both written by Himself in exquisite hand-writing, the one
addressed to the 19th Letter who was Himself and the other to “Him whom
God will make manifest”, i.e. Bahá’u’lláh. This last one has three seals
and is written on blue paper....

Regarding the question raised in your letter.... The Bahá’ís in Persia
avoid political posts and positions, abstain from any interference in
matters pertaining to the policy of the state, but fill the more important
administrative posts that have no political character. They feel that in
this manner they can best serve the interest of their country and prove by
their action their integrity and attachment to Persia....

Shoghi Effendi is enclosing an extremely interesting account given by a
certain Dr. Cormick, an English physician long resident in Tabríz of his
meeting with the Báb. He is apparently the only Westerner who has met the
Báb and recorded his impressions... Shoghi Effendi thinks of adding it to
his notes.

Letter of 30 April 1931

30 April 1931

...You could also in a quiet way speak to persons whom you think are ready
for such a message and would appreciate the light when they see it. Try to
form around you a group of Bahá’ís who are well versed in the teachings
and who are ready to assist you in serving the Cause. In short try to form
an assembly of pure and competent souls. Meanwhile you could write, for
the Cause is in great need of first class literature and you are gifted
along that line.

The Cause surely needs sacrifices, in fact it is only through sacrifice
that it can progress, but such determined activity should be coupled with
wisdom and caution if it is not going to be a temporary flare. Intimate
talk and personal contact has proven the surest and quietest way for
establishing a group....

Letter of 7 November 1931

7 November 1931

The present social and economic problems that are facing the British
people are surely occupying their whole attention, but they should also
operate as a reminder and draw them closer to spiritual matters. The
people have to be made conscious of the fact that without a complete
change in our outlook and a total reform of the guiding principles of our
life, such as the Cause advocates, our social and economic problems cannot
be solved nor our conditions ameliorated. Nothing short of the full
message of Bahá’u’lláh can end the sufferings that are befalling humanity.

Letter of 2 January 1932

2 January 1932

It is strange how much suffering man has to put up with while on this
earth. Our consolation should be however that it is part of a divine plan
whose worth we cannot yet fathom....

...Shoghi Effendi wishes ... to encourage those who are talented to give
expression to the wonderful spirit that animates them. We need poets and
writers for the Cause.... Some of the poems are written by very youthful
persons yet they ring so true and give expression to such thoughts that
one should halt and admire. In Persia the Cause has given birth to poets
that even non-Bahá’ís consider them as great. We hope before long we will
have similar persons arise in the West.

Letter of 10 January 1932

10 January 1932

In Persia the Cause gave birth to many poets of national standing. Let us
hope that the west will follow suit and produce similar talents.

Letter of 23 February 1932

23 February 1932

The exact date in which the Hidden Words was written you can find on the
opening page of Mrs. J. E. Stannard’s translation published in Cairo. She
gives a line in the Master’s own handwriting giving the date as 1274 A.H.
(1857–8 A.D.). It is generally believed that the Hidden Words was dictated
by Bahá’u’lláh to His secretary as He strolled on the banks of the river
in Ba_gh_dád—in sections rather than all at one time.

As to the date of the Íqán, I think it can be calculated from the actual
text and I have it in my papers as 1278 A.H., i.e. 1861 A.D. You will find
that in the text itself. It was written in answer to questions put by a
distinguished Bábí.

Letter of 16 May 1932

16 May 1932

Even though outwardly the number of the friends has not been increasing so
rapidly, yet the spirit has not remained idle. The leaven of spirituality
has been working, and when the time will come it will manifest itself in a
sudden awakening. All that we need is a little more courage, perseverance
and patience. There are many important men that are attentively watching
the progress of the Faith but are reluctant to come forward and extend a
helping hand. In time they will, and then we shall see the Cause of God
spread by leaps and bounds....

Letter of 10 August 1932

10 August 1932

Your touching words of condolence and sympathy in connection with the
sudden removal of the Greatest Holy Leaf from our midst have greatly
comforted (the Guardian’s) aching heart and relieved the burden of sorrow
that lies so heavily upon him.

In this great calamity which has seized the entire body of the followers
of the Faith in both East and West our Guardian’s loss is the greatest and
the most cruel. His sole comfort, at this terrible hour, is to see the
friends united and working together for the realisation of our departed
_Kh_ánum’s dearest wishes.

Letter of 15 March 1933

15 March 1933

He deeply appreciates your sincere, well-expressed reference to the
Tribute he has written to the dearly beloved Greatest Holy Leaf.

You cannot imagine to what an extent our dear Guardian has, in this loss,
been deprived for ever of the sustaining influence and kindness that this
Most Exalted Leaf used to shower daily upon him. In this beautiful Tribute
we can trace the life of this beautiful soul, witness with anguish all the
sufferings and deprivations that she has endured. Now we should, all of
us, try in turn to follow her saintly path and direct all our energy to
serve the Cause which has been so dear to her.

Letter of 6 May 1933

6 May 1933

What the Faith needs, even more than teachers, is books that expound the
true significance of its principles in the light of modern thought and
social problems.

Letter of 29 May 1933

29 May 1933

He was deeply touched by the strong attachment of the friends to one who,
besides being the beloved daughter of Bahá’u’lláh, exemplified perhaps
more than any one the true spirit that animates His Teachings. His (the
Guardian’s) sincere hope is that your love for our departed Greatest Holy
Leaf will attain such depth and intensity as to enable you to follow in
her footsteps and to carry out with increasing devotion and vigour all
that she cherished so much during the entire course of her earthly life.
The memory of her saintly life will undoubtedly sustain and feed your
energies and will provide you with that spiritual potency of which we are
all in such a great need.

Letter of 17 October 1933

17 October 1933

How much the Faith is in need of able and devoted souls like you who are
ready to suffer every possible deprivation for its sake. If every believer
was ready to contribute his share, however humble and small, and through
any means, whether intellectual or material, the Faith would have
undoubtedly made a tremendous progress in the world....

Letter of 12 November 1933

12 November 1933

You use the expression “till time ends”. This is misleading, for there is
no end to time. The Guardian suggests that you should either use the term
used in the Íqán “till the end that has no end”, or express it in such a
manner that would give the idea that time has no end....

Jehovah is a title of God, whereas Bahá’u’lláh is the title of the
Manifestation of God.

... you count the period of the Christian Dispensation as having lasted
for 1844 years. As in the Bahá’í teachings Mu?ammad is considered as an
independent prophet of God, you have to consider His Dispensation as
having begun in 622 A.D. The Christian Dispensation must, therefore, end
in 622 A.D. and from that date till 1844 is the era of Mu?ammad. 1260 is
the calculation based on the lunar system. In other words, it is the
Hegira year or A.H. You should either specify this fact, or base your
calculation on the solar year, in which case it will be less than 1260, as
there is a difference of one year in every 33 years.

... you should point out that, only so far as it is recorded in the
Gospel, Jesus gave two material ordinances only. Our knowledge of Jesus’
life and teachings is rather fragmentary and so it would be more correct
if you specify that these ordinances are only those recorded in the
Gospel, and they may not be the only ones. There may be other teachings
and ordinances too, of which no record is left.

...Muhammadanism is not only the last of the world religions, but a fuller
Revelation than any one preceding it. The Qur’án is not only more
authoritative than any previous religious gospel, but it contains also
much more; ordinances, teachings and precepts, which taken together
constitute a fuller Revelation of God’s purpose and law to mankind than
Christianity, Judaism or any other previous Dispensation. This view is in
complete accord with the Bahá’í philosophy of progressive revelation, and
should be thoroughly accepted and taught by every loyal ... Bahá’í.

Letter of 1 December 1933

1 December 1933

One more European is reported to have seen Bahá’u’lláh from a distance,
but Professor Browne was the only Westerner who actually met Him.

Letter of 4 June 1934

4 June 1934

You should, nevertheless, persevere in your efforts until your immediate
objective has been fully attained. God cannot, indeed, withdraw from so
devoted and so capable a Bahá’í like you all the guidance and assistance
you need for the effective discharge of your responsibilities and
obligations to the Cause. Be, therefore, confident in Bahá’u’lláh’s help.
His Spirit will lead you, and will feed your soul with that spiritual
sustenance whereby you will be able to overcome the obstacles which seem
to so hopelessly beset your path.

Letter of 10 November 1934

10 November 1934

When you quote the Báb, or anyone of His disciples you should make it
clear that the words attributed to them are by no means their exact words.
They constitute the substance of their message, and thus are not as
definite as the quoted words of Bahá’u’lláh or the Master. So, the
Guardian suggests that you should either omit the quotation marks, or to
specify that the passages quoted are not the exact words used by the Báb
and His disciples. In the future edition of Nabíl’s Narrative a similar
explanation will have to be inserted in the “Dawn Breakers”.

You state that the Christian Dispensation “was six hundred and twenty-two
years old at the time of the Hegira”. The Guardian suggests that the words
“at the time of the Hegira” be omitted as they may give the impression
that the Revelation of Christ extended beyond the date of the Hegira.

Letter of 8 February 1935

8 February 1935

Religious conservatism, particularly in England, constitutes indeed a
serious obstacle which the friends have to meet when spreading the
Message, and not until such an obstacle has been completely removed can
the Cause effectively spread and establish itself in the West. This
religious conservatism is in many respects far more dangerous and more
difficult to wipe out than the religious apathy which is so rapidly
invading all classes of society.

In view of that, it is, at least for the present, more advantageous to
teach the Message in an indirect way, so as to gradually attract and
confirm those who have the spiritual capacity of appreciating the Cause in
its fullness.

Letter of 29 May 1935

29 May 1935

As to your question concerning the meaning of physical suffering and its
relation to mental and spiritual healing. Physical pain is a necessary
accompaniment of all human existence, and as such is unavoidable. As long
as there will be life on earth, there will be also suffering, in various
forms and degrees. But suffering, although an inescapable reality, can
nevertheless be utilised as a means for the attainment of happiness. This
is the interpretation given to it by all the prophets and saints who, in
the midst of severe tests and trials, felt happy and joyous and
experienced what is best and holiest in life. Suffering is both a reminder
and a guide. It stimulates us better to adapt ourselves to our
environmental conditions, and thus leads the way to self improvement. In
every suffering one can find a meaning and a wisdom. But it is not always
easy to find the secret of that wisdom. It is sometimes only when all our
suffering has passed that we become aware of its usefulness. What man
considers to be evil turns often to be a cause of infinite blessings. And
this is due to his desire to know more than he can. God’s wisdom is,
indeed, inscrutable to us all, and it is no use pushing too far trying to
discover that which shall always remain a mystery to our mind.

In connection with your question relative to the Bahá’í solution of sex
problems. On the question of sex the Bahá’ís are, in most of their
fundamental views, in full agreement with the upholders of traditional
morality. Bahá’u’lláh, like all the other Prophets and Messengers of God,
preaches abstinence, and condemns, in vehement language, all forms of
sexual laxity, unbridled licence and lust. The Bahá’í standard of sex
morality is thus very high, but it is by no means unreasonably rigid.
While free love is condemned, yet marriage is considered as a holy act
which every human being should be encouraged, though not forced, to
perform. Sex instinct, like all other human instincts, is not necessarily
evil. It is a power which, if properly directed, can bring joy and
satisfaction to the individual. If misused or abused it brings, of course,
incalculable harm not only to the individual but also to the society in
which he lives. While the Bahá’ís condemn asceticism and all extreme forms
of self-mortification they at the same time view with disfavour the
current theories of sex ethics which cannot but bring ruin to human
society. In the Bahá’í Cause marriage has been encouraged, but made
somewhat difficult, conditioned as it is upon the consent of the four
parents. Divorce, on the other hand, has been made relatively easy, and
the sociologists are just beginning to realise the importance of this
law....

Letter of 6 April 1936

6 April 1936

He (the Guardian) is of the opinion, however, that while the secondary
aspects of Bahá’í Administration should be left out, a comprehensive
statement as to its origin and significance in the Bahá’í Dispensation is
of vital importance in any work of the Cause, especially if it is written
by a believer. The main thing is to properly present the subject so that
the reader may be able to grasp it.

Letter of 21 November 1936

21 November 1936

With reference to the absolute pacifists, or conscientious objectors to
war; their attitude, judged from the Bahá’í standpoint, is quite
anti-social and due to its exaltation of the individual conscience leads
inevitably to disorder and chaos in society. Extreme pacifists are thus
very close to the anarchists, in the sense that both these groups lay an
undue emphasis on the rights and merits of the individual. The Bahá’í
conception of social life is essentially based on the principle of the
subordination of the individual will to that of society. It neither
suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point of making him
an anti-social creature, a menace to society. As in everything it follows
the ‘golden mean’. The only way that society can function is for the
minority to follow the will of the majority.

The other main objection to the conscientious objectors is that their
method of establishing peace is too negative. Non-co-operation is too
passive a philosophy to become an effective way for social reconstruction.
Their refusal to bear arms can never establish peace. There should be
first a spiritual revitalisation which nothing, except the Cause of God,
can effectively bring to every man’s heart.

Letter of 3 February 1937

3 February 1937

Do not feel discouraged if your labours do not always yield an abundant
fruitage. For a quick and rapidly-won success is not always the best and
the most lasting. The harder you strive to attain your goal, the greater
will be the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh, and the more certain you can
feel to attain success. Be cheerful, therefore, and exert yourself with
full faith and confidence. For Bahá’u’lláh has promised His Divine
assistance to every one who arises with a pure and detached heart to
spread His Holy Word, even though he may be bereft of every human
knowledge and capacity, and notwithstanding the forces of darkness and of
opposition which may be arrayed against him. The goal is clear, the path
safe and certain, and the assurances of Bahá’u’lláh as to the eventual
success of our efforts quite emphatic. Let us keep firm, and
whole-heartedly carry on the great work which He has entrusted into our
hands.

Letter of 31 March 1938

31 March 1938

With reference to your question as to whether individuals can help each
other by accepting to suffer for each other’s sake. Surely such sacrifice
for our fellow humans can have helpful results. This law of sacrifice
operates in our own lives, as well as in the lives of the Divine
Manifestations.

Letter of 18 April 1940

18 April 1940

In these stormy days his thoughts are often with you and our dear English
believers, and his prayers continue to be offered on your behalf, that you
may all be protected and remain safe, so that when this great ordeal of
war which is threatening to engulf the whole world will have passed, you
may all be able to continue serving our beloved Cause, and this time
through more effective means and on a larger scale than ever before.

The immediate future, as clearly predicted by the Master, must necessarily
be very dark for the Cause as well as for the whole world, but the
promises He has repeatedly given us of a glorious future for the Faith and
for mankind as a whole are of such character as should assuredly sustain
and strengthen us amidst the trials and tribulations of the days ahead.

Letter of 2 June 1941

2 June 1941

There can be no doubt that after the present suffering of humanity many
souls, who at present show only a mild interest in the Faith, will turn to
it as the sole road which can lead them out of the valley of blindness and
misery to the “green pastures” promised by their Lord....

Letter of 1 August 1941

1 August 1941

Wherever the Cause is being spread, as it grows in strength, people
increasingly will take sides both for and against it. Therefore he (the
Guardian) is not surprised to learn that you are finding yourself in the
position, sometimes being upheld and sometimes being attacked! It is a
great bounty from God that you have had a training in this world which so
admirably suits you for a champion of His Faith and an exponent of His
doctrines....

Letter of 19 October 1941

19 October 1941

The English Bahá’ís are being tested in both faith and character very
severely, and the Guardian is deeply gratified to see the manner in which
they are responding, a manner that proclaims to all who witness it that
these souls are true Bahá’ís.

The Master longed so to see the believers perfect their faith in living.
Now is the supreme hour of test applied, not only to the whole world, but
to the Bahá’ís too; how they act, to the degree they adhere to the spirit
and the letter of their Faith, will point the way to watching humanity and
demonstrate the worth of being a follower of Bahá’u’lláh ... the good news
you convey of the spirit and devotion of the English friends greatly
pleases Shoghi Effendi.

His hope and prayer is that during these times of danger, stress, and
misery, the Bahá’ís will seek out amidst their fellow-countrymen those
jewel-like souls that belong to Bahá’u’lláh and bring them the blessing
and comfort of His Faith.

Letter of 30 October 1941

30 October 1941

He (the Guardian) feels that the great point is to confirm people of true
capacity and ability—from whatever social stratum they may be, because the
Cause needs now, and will ever increasingly need, souls of great ability
who can bring it before the public at large, administer its ever-growing
affairs, and contribute to its advancement in every field.

As the Guardian’s thoughts are very often with the English friends, and he
feels deeply conscious of both their trials and the wonderful Bahá’í
spirit in which they are meeting them, he feels they have almost a special
right to call on him, and he welcomes their letters and any news of them
he receives. So you must feel free to turn to him whenever you feel the
necessity of doing so....

Letter of 14 March 1942

14 March 1942

He also approves of the idea of advertising the name “Bahá’í” as widely as
possible, as we can never tell at what future date the remembrance of that
word may aid some soul to seek and find the Faith.

At present people are too engulfed in hopes, events, desires, and various
partizanships, to realise that there is no way out for humanity except to
accept the Divine Plan for this Day, and put its healing principles and
laws into practice. But gradually their eyes will be opened, and it is for
this time that the friends must labour to bring the knowledge of the Cause
before as wide a public as possible. September 1942

He (the Guardian) fully realises how much strain you are subjected to, but
he also feels that in so far as is compatible with your health you should
persevere in all your Bahá’í activities, as your services could ill be
spared in any field at this time.

Letter of 25 September 1942

25 September 1942

There is an answer in the teachings for everything; unfortunately the
majority of the Bahá’ís, however intensely devoted and sincere they may
be, lack for the most part the necessary scholarship and wisdom to reply
to and refute the claims and attacks of people with some education and
standing....

It is hard to foresee at present the way in which humanity is going to
become spiritualised. At present it seems, the increased sufferings yet to
be borne, combined with a far wider diffusion of the Divine Message, will
bring about unbelievable changes in the days to come....

Letter of 5 May 1943

5 May 1943

Unless and until the believers really come to realise they are one
spiritual family, knit together by a bond more lasting than mere physical
ties can ever be, they will not be able to create that warm community
atmosphere which alone can attract the hearts of humanity, frozen for lack
of real love and feeling. May 1943

If, however, you find your health affected by keeping the Fast the
Guardian would advise you to consult a physician, and if he tells you you
are unable to fast then of course, you should abstain from doing so.

Letter of 26 May 1943

26 May 1943

He (the Guardian) feels that Bahá’í children like you have a lot of
wonderful work to do for others in the future. But you don’t even have to
wait until you grow up, you can help your dear Mother teach the Cause to
others right now, and also tell your playmates about it. The Guardian is
going to pray that you may grow up to be a shining light in the Cause of
Bahá’u’lláh.

Letter of 6 August 1943

6 August 1943

The Master reflects the qualities of the Manifestations as if He were a
mirror. He reflects not only those of Bahá’u’lláh but also of Christ as He
is the exemplar of the spirit of the Prophet....

...These matters are left to the discretion of the N.S.A. The principle
the Guardian has stated ... the addition of further regulations and
rulings to those already laid down in the bye-laws he strongly
discourages; he feels it is better, as far as possible, to settle problems
as they arise rather than create too much red tape and hem in the spirit
of the Cause into a rigid form.

Letter of 17 October 1944

17 October 1944

There is a difference between character and faith; it is often very hard
to accept this fact and put up with it, but the fact remains that a person
may believe in and love the Cause—even to being ready to die for it—and
yet not have a good personal character, or possess traits at variance with
the teachings. We should try to change, to let the Power of God help
recreate us and make us true Bahá’ís in deed as well as in belief. But
sometimes the process is slow, sometimes it never happens because the
individual does not try hard enough. But these things cause us suffering
and are a test to us in our fellow-believers, most especially if we love
them and have been their teacher!

The Guardian would advise you to leave your friend to himself, to
associate with him, his wife and sister-in-law with love and forbearance
in every way possible, but not to agonise over the past or let it cloud
your Bahá’í life. You have given him the greatest gift in the world: the
Faith. Now he must be responsible for his own soul. Your prayers and
example can no doubt reach and help him.

It is true the Bahá’ís should try and live a normal healthy life. But we
cannot for a moment overlook the abnormal state of the world. If there had
not been believers ready to give their health, comfort,
pleasure—everything, for the Cause in these dark days, the work would not
have gone on. What are these sacrifices compared to keeping a beacon of
the Light of Bahá’u’lláh burning in dark London all these war years?

The Guardian is very glad to hear you are so active, both in teaching and
administrative work, and he will pray that Bahá’u’lláh may bless and guide
you and enable you to serve the Cause in an ever increasing measure. He
will also pray for your personal happiness....

Letter of 27 November 1944

27 November 1944

The work in England has, indeed, progressed slowly from the standpoint of
enlarging the Faith’s membership and establishing new centres and
assemblies. On the other hand, however, the British Bahá’ís have
consolidated the administration and thus prepared the way for intensified
teaching activities when conditions make life easier for the people in
that country. They have also built up a very helpful institution in the
Publishing Trust, one calculated to impress the public and aid greatly in
their own and other countries’ teaching programmes. The Faith there needs
more active, devoted, young believers like yourself.

Letter of 27 January 1945

27 January 1945

He was very happy to hear of the marked progress the Cause has made in ...
and that you have not only a number of new believers but also are actively
conducting fireside classes and hold public meetings. All these are
evidences of progress, and you should feel happy and encouraged about
them.

The believers, as we all know, should endeavour to set such an example in
their personal lives and conduct that others will feel impelled to embrace
a Faith which reforms human character. However, unfortunately, not
everyone achieves easily and rapidly the victory over self. What every
believer, new or old, should realise is that the Cause has the spiritual
power to re-create us if we make the effort to let that power influence
us, and the greatest help in this respect is prayer. We must supplicate
Bahá’u’lláh to assist us to overcome the failings in our own characters,
and also exert our own will-power in mastering ourselves.

He will certainly pray for the work of the beloved Cause there and
especially that new souls may be attracted and embrace the Faith. He will
also pray that the believers may, for the sake of God, draw close to each
other and not permit each other’s short-comings to be a source of disunity
and consequently a means of depriving thirsty souls of this life-giving
Message! The world is full of evil and dark forces and the friends must
not permit these forces to get hold of them by thinking and feeling
negatively towards each other.... Undated

His (the Guardian’s) burden is truly so heavy—no doubt in the future
people will see his life in its proper perspective and be able to
appreciate what he has done, to all intents and purposes entirely alone,
for the Cause.

Letter of 10 May 1945

10 May 1945

Many of the most valuable, enkindled and erudite teachers the Cause has
possessed were formerly members of the clergy, Islámic or Christian.

Letter of 7 July 1945

7 July 1945

What England needs is a higher percentage of people able to meet and
attract the public on a large scale, and he hopes you will, in the course
of giving the Message to every soul that yearns for it, make a special
effort to confirm people who in their turn will be able to arise and
broadcast the teachings.

The efforts of the friends are, of course, needed to accomplish the
objectives of the Six Year Teaching Plan, and they should be encouraged to
do their part, even though they may imagine themselves incapable of
discharging such duties!

The Tablet of Visitation is a compilation of words of Bahá’u’lláh,
revealed at different times for those who were far from Him, made by
Nabíl, at the Master’s instruction, after the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh....

Letter of 3 March 1946

3 March 1946

A city like London needs a really impressive, central and suitable room
which will, on its own merits, create a favourable impression, and he
hopes the friends will bear this in mind, and at the earliest possible
date get quarters that are not in a basement.

As to attracting the youth; there must be a great number of serious-minded
people coming back to civilian life. Of course youth attracts youth, and
if once an active nucleus of young Bahá’ís could be formed, and conduct
their own meetings no doubt they would soon get others interested.

Letter of 4 March 1946

4 March 1946

He (the Guardian) was very sorry to hear that ... has left the Cause, and
suggests that you point out to her, and to any other of the friends who
are confused and upset over this matter, that the Manifestation of God
only gives us teachings and instructions designed for our good and
protection, and that if each person reserves the right to obey his own
conscience, the logical conclusion is we don’t need any spiritual
authority to guide and protect us, the authority of our own consciences is
sufficient!

What ‘Abdu’l-Bahá always pointed out in this matter is that these psychic
powers were not to be used in this world, and that, indeed, it was
dangerous to cultivate them here. They should be left dormant, and not
exploited, even when we do so with the sincere belief we are helping
others. We do not understand their nature and have no way of being sure of
what is true and what is false in such matters.

If children are inclined to be psychic they should not be blamed for it
too harshly, they should not be encouraged to strengthen their powers in
this direction.

People who do not feel they can obey or accept the Teachings on a subject
cannot be considered Bahá’ís, voting or otherwise. If a time comes when
they feel ready to surrender their opinions to One we believe divinely
guided, they should be joyously welcomed back into the Faith.

P.S. These friends you mention are being upset over this question should
realise that if they reserve the right to disregard the Teachings on one
subject, they must give the same right to other Bahá’ís, and obviously
there can be no unity or strength in a Faith composed of individuals who
only believe in part and not all of it. We must never prefer our wills to
the Will of God.

Letter of 19 March 1946

19 March 1946

The Bahá’ís should refrain from signing petitions designed to bring
pressure on the Government which may have any political character
whatsoever. There are so many other people who can carry on progressive
types of activity, but only the Bahá’ís can do the work of Bahá’u’lláh....

Letter of 21 May 1946

21 May 1946

Keeping the Fast is enjoined upon all Bahá’ís, regardless of nationality;
it has a very salutary effect both physically and spiritually, and the
friends should realise Bahá’u’lláh never would have instituted it if it
were detrimental to the health. The Master referred to the Fast in talks
to pilgrims, and some Tablets, but most material on this subject is not
yet translated.

Letter of 20 November 1946

20 November 1946

The Master unceasingly emphasised the importance of unity among the
friends, and, if anything, it is of even greater importance in this
present chaotic state of the world than it was in His days. The people are
longing for an example—proof that harmony and love can actually exist in a
community—and it is one of the primary duties of the Bahá’ís to
demonstrate these great principles in their relations with each other.

Letter of 15 February 1947

15 February 1947

Philosophy, as you will study it and later teach it, is certainly not one
of the sciences that begins and ends in words. Fruitless excursions into
metaphysical hair-splitting is meant, not a sound branch of learning like
philosophy.

We have no historical proof of the truth of the Master’s statement
regarding the Greek philosophers visiting the Holy Land, etc. but such
proof may come to light through research in the future.

As regards your own studies: he would advise you not to devote too much of
your time to the abstract side of philosophy, but rather to approach it
from a more historical angle. As to correlating philosophy with the Bahá’í
teachings; this is a tremendous work which scholars in the future can
undertake. We must remember that not only are all the teachings not yet
translated into English, but they are not even all collected yet. Many
important Tablets may still come to light which are at present owned
privately.

Letter of 18 February 1947

18 February 1947

He (the Guardian) wishes he more often got such glad news in one letter!
It seems that at last the Cause in England is really getting into its
stride, and that the British community of believers are beginning to show
forth the fruits of the many blessings showered on them—for England was
one of the first countries of the West to hear the Divine Message, and was
blessed by two visits from the Centre of the Covenant! Surely the older
Bahá’ís must be astonished to see new centres springing up in a matter of
months after years of an almost static condition! It shows that wherever
and whenever the friends arise to serve, the mysterious power latent in
this Divine Cause rushes in to bless and reinforce their labours far
beyond their fondest hopes.

He is very happy to hear you are established as a pioneer, with a business
of your own, and you may be sure he will pray for your material as well as
spiritual success in this goal town....

Letter of 27 September 1947

27 September 1947

There is no objection to children who are as yet unable to memorise a
whole prayer learning certain sentences only.

He (the Guardian) does not feel that the friends should make a practice of
saying grace or of teaching it to children. This is not part of the Bahá’í
Faith, but a Christian practice, and as the Cause embraces members of all
religions we should be careful not to introduce into it the customs of our
previous beliefs. Bahá’u’lláh has given us the obligatory prayers, also
prayers before sleeping, for travellers, etc., we should not introduce a
new set of prayers He has not specified, when He has given us already so
many for so many occasions....

Letter of 27 September 1947

27 September 1947

He (the Guardian) does not feel you should permit your speech impediment
to give you a sense of inferiority. Moses stammered! And what you are and
what you believe as a Bahá’í give you a tremendous advantage over others.
This does not mean that you should not make every effort to overcome it,
and go to doctors for advice and assistance. He also assures you he will
pray that you may overcome this difficulty entirely, also that wherever
you are the way will open for you to teach and serve the Faith.

Letter of 13 October 1947

13 October 1947

Regarding your own condition: he (the Guardian) strongly urges you not to
dwell on yourself. Each one of us, if we look into our failures, is sure
to feel unworthy and despondent, and this feeling only frustrates our
constructive efforts and wastes time. The thing for us to focus on is the
glory of the Cause and the Power of Bahá’u’lláh which can make of a mere
drop a surging sea! You certainly have no right to feel negative; you have
embraced this glorious Faith and arisen with devotion to serve it, and
your labours are greatly appreciated by both the Guardian and your
fellow-Bahá’ís. With something as positive as the Faith and all it teaches
behind you, you should be a veritable lion of confidence, and he will pray
that you may become so.

There is, unfortunately, no way that one can force his own good upon a
man. The element of free will is there and all we believers—and even the
Manifestation of God Himself—can do is to offer the truth to mankind. If
the people of the world persist, as they seem to be doing, in their blind
materialism, they must bear the consequences in a prolongation of their
present condition, and even a worsening of it. Our duty as Bahá’ís is to
build up such a love and unity within our own ranks that the people will
be attracted by this example to the Cause. We also must teach all we can
and strengthen the Bahá’í community in the Administration. But more we
cannot do to avert the great sufferings which seemingly still lie ahead of
the world in its present evil state.

Letter of 14 October 1947

14 October 1947

Summer School is, indeed, a wonderful experience, for at the present time
it is the only institution that affords the Bahá’ís of England an
opportunity of all living together, for however short a time, as a
community, and this and the spirit it engenders, has a very inspiring
affect.

Letter of 19 October 1947

19 October 1947

He (the Guardian) does not feel that it is desirable to lay down any
conditions for giving to the Bahá’í Fund. This is an entirely personal
matter, and each believer must act according to his own judgment and the
needs of the Faith. In times of crisis, whether in the affairs of the
Cause or in one’s own family, people naturally behave differently from
under normal circumstances. But decisions in these matters must rest with
each individual Bahá’í.

Generally speaking the secretary of an assembly must be careful to convey
exactly what the majority decision or advice of the body was. There can
surely be no objection to his putting it in proper terms and clarifying
the matter according to the decision or instruction of the assembly. But
he should of course not introduce his personal views unless endorsed by
the assembly.

The nature of assembly minutes is a matter for the body itself to decide.
Naturally all important subjects brought up and notes must be recorded,
but how detailed the record must be is for the members themselves to
decide.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá said we must sacrifice the important for the most important.
The most important thing now for the English Bahá’ís is to accomplish
their Plan. The sacrifice of other activities, cultural or otherwise, is
not of very much importance compared to their goal. They can always
return, when they have more time, to such pursuits. To serve any great
Cause or purpose requires sacrifice....

Bahá’u’lláh is not the intermediary between other Manifestations and God.
Each has His own relation to the Primal Source. But in the sense that
Bahá’u’lláh is the greatest Manifestation to yet appear, the One who
consummates the Revelation of Moses, He was the One Moses conversed with
in the Burning Bush. In other words, Bahá’u’lláh identifies the glory of
the God-Head on that occasion with Himself. No distinction can be made
amongst the Prophets in the sense that They all proceed from one Source,
and are of one essence. But Their stations and functions in this world are
different.

Letter of 4 March 1948

4 March 1948

It is not surprising, in view of the gloom overhanging the entire world,
and in conjunction with their run-down, exhausted state due to war
conditions and present circumstances of life in England, that the British
Bahá’ís should sometimes reflect the state of their countrymen! It is a
pity, and they should certainly try, as believers, to be cheerful and
radiant; but he (the Guardian) feels the greatest sympathy for them, and
considers that when their present achievements are assessed in future,
people will give them a double measure of praise for having done so much
when they were least fit to do it. The spirit of determination, and their
perseverance, are truly outstanding.

Just because some people have lost their vision of the Cause, or never had
a proper grasp of its implications before entering it, and leave the fold,
should not cause undue discouragement. There are bound to be such cases,
and although every moral support should be given them, if they still wish
to withdraw, they fall off—as you said—like withered leaves from the Tree
of the Faith, and do it no real harm.

He likes to be provided with facts by the friends, when they ask his
advice, for although his decisions are guided by God, he is not, like the
Prophet, omniscient at will, in spite of the fact that he often senses a
situation or condition without having any detailed knowledge of it....

Letter of 26 March 1948

26 March 1948

One of the greatest problems in the Cause is the relation of the believers
to each other; for their immaturity (shared with the rest of humanity) and
imperfections retard the work, create complications, and discourage each
other. And yet we must put up with these things and try and combat them
through love, patience and forgiveness individually, and proper
administrative action collectively.

Letter of 8 April 1948

8 April 1948

We Bahá’ís firmly believe that it is possible, if we have the right
spirit, to make our stumbling blocks stepping-stones to progress. You have
already, through at last facing yourself and acknowledging that you have
both failed and erred in managing your life so far, set your feet on the
right path. But now this new and spiritual condition in you is going to be
proved—and the proving, the testing, will surely consist of the way you
determine to take your punishment.

Life is based on laws: physical, man-made, and spiritual. As you have
broken the laws of the society in which you live, you will have to stand
up like a man and take your punishment. The spirit in which you do this is
the most important thing, and constitutes a great opportunity for you. He
(the Guardian) advises you to turn your face towards the future, to
realise that when you are set free you have loving and helpful friends to
go to, an upright job awaiting you, and you can also become active in
serving our glorious Faith. So really everything lies before you. But at
present, until your sentence is up, you must live within yourself in a way
not to spoil the new future awaiting you. You must not become bitter—for
after all you are only reaping what you planted. Bahá’u’lláh and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, through no crime of their own, spent the better part of
their lives in exile and imprisoned, but they never became embittered
although they were the victims of injustice. You, on the other hand, are
the victim of injustice which you have inflicted on yourself—therefore you
certainly have no right to be bitter towards the world.

He urges you to grasp firmly the teachings of our Faith, the love of your
family and many Bahá’í friends, to put the past behind entirely, realising
that it can do you no more harm; on the contrary, through changing you and
making you spiritually aware, this very past can be a means of enriching
your life in the future! He will certainly ardently pray for your
happiness, your victory over yourself, and that you may become an
exemplary and active Bahá’í.

Letter of 9 June 1948

9 June 1948

“Reciting” the Greatest Name means to repeat it over and over, silently or
out loud....

The chairman of the local assembly is, if present, the logical and
appropriate person to take charge of the consultation period between the
assembly and the community members at the Nineteen Day Feast.

Letter of 23 June 1948

23 June 1948

He (the Guardian) encouraged him to face manfully the future, accept the
legitimate sanction of society as punishment for his admittedly
anti-social conduct, and realise that his very suffering, humiliation and
punishment can—if he will let it—be the means of freeing him from many of
his past weaknesses and mistakes, and making him a worthy member of
society. He should look to the future, for there is in his power, with
Bahá’u’lláh’s help, to shape into a worthy and constructive way of
life....

The English Bahá’ís did gloriously succeed after all! Hitching one’s wagon
to a star, however impractical it may seem, does bring results, for man,
with God to help him, does possess strengths far beyond the mere
materialist’s ken!

As regards your question about p. 41, Kitáb-i-Íqán; to say that, after 622
A.D., Christendom was Islám in disguise is a little misleading. The Sun of
Truth, after the advent of Mu?ammad, no longer shone from the Christian
horizon. Islám was, from then until the Báb’s advent, the Path of Truth.

We should never insist on teaching those who are not really ready for the
Cause. If a man is not hungry, you cannot make him eat. Among the
Theosophists there are, no doubt, many receptive souls, but those who are
satisfied should be just associated with in a friendly way, but let alone.
Once a seeker comes to accept the concept of progressive religion, and
accepts Bahá’u’lláh as the Manifestation for this day, the reincarnation
concept will fade away in the light of truth; we should try and avoid
controversial issues in the beginning if possible.

Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl was a very excellent and erudite Bahá’í teacher. Although
he did err sometimes, yet in identifying Abraham with Zoroaster, he is not
confusing the Prophet Abraham with the Prophet Zoroaster, as the name of
Zoroaster was supposed to have been “Abram”.

Letter of 20 September 1948

20 September 1948

He (the Guardian) is very happy indeed to see the change in your attitude
and to hear that you are now not only a recognised member of our Faith,
but a prospective Bahá’í pioneer!

It is quite natural for anyone, observing the present state of the world,
to feel very depressed and apprehensive of the future. Any intelligent
person must be wondering what you are wondering. It is indeed hard to see
what lies ahead of us in the near future—but we, as Bahá’ís, unlike most
people, have absolute assurance that the distant future is serene and
bright. We do not know if there will be another Great War; what we do know
is this: that unless people become spiritually awakened in time, great
suffering, maybe in the form of war, will come upon them, for humanity
must be unified, must be redeemed. If men refuse absolutely to take the
easier road of faith, of seeking out God’s Manifestation for this age and
accepting Him, then they will bring upon themselves a fresh crisis in
human affairs and very great affliction. What we, as Bahá’ís, must do is
our duty; we cannot do other people’s duty for them, alas, but we can
fulfil our own sacred responsibilities by serving our fellow-men, living a
Bahá’í life, teaching the Faith, and strengthening its budding world
order.

He urges you, just as you have surmounted the crisis in your own life,
through faith and courage, to now go out and serve the Cause with that
same faith and courage. We must leave to God the final reckoning with His
creatures today—but meantime we must give them His Message.

Letter of 17 October 1948

17 October 1948

The Cause in England seems, in spite of financial handicaps, to be going
forward in Seven League boots. He (the Guardian) is truly proud of the
British believers, and this is more than he could say in the past, when
the work for years seemed to be stagnating! Those days are now passed
forever, he feels sure.

Letter of 23 December 1948

23 December 1948

He (the Guardian) is very glad to see you are now living the life of an
active Bahá’í and keeping in close touch with dear ... who is a fine
friend to have, with his devotion to the Cause and his optimism.

The Guardian urges you not to be discouraged by any setbacks you may have.
Life is a process of trials and testings, and these are—contrary to what
we are prone to thinking—good for us, and give us stamina, and teach us to
rely on God. Knowing He will help us, we can help ourselves more.

He does not know how, in the present very chaotic state of the world, you
could find just the kind of job you want of driving abroad. Positions are
difficult to obtain and travel so complicated. Unless you can migrate out
to Africa or Australia, in some regular government scheme, he would urge
you to persevere in Great Britain and do the best you can. He urges you,
in the next job you have, to pray whenever you feel the conditions at work
are too much for you. You will find you are helped and strengthened and
once you get established in some position you may work yourself up, or go
on with good references to a better employment later on....

Letter of 8 January 1949

8 January 1949

The only people who are truly free of the “dross of self” are the
Prophets, for to be free of one’s ego is a hall-mark of perfection. We
humans are never going to become perfect, for perfection belongs to a
realm we are not destined to enter. However, we must constantly mount
higher, seek to be more perfect.

The ego is the animal in us, the heritage of the flesh which is full of
selfish desires. By obeying the laws of God, seeking to live the life laid
down in our teachings, and prayer and struggle, we can subdue our egos. We
call people “saints” who have achieved the highest degree of mastery over
their egos.

There is no contradiction between Gleanings p. 66 and p. 262. In one place
He says the mirror will never be free from dross, in the other place He
says it will be “so cleared as to be able” etc. It is a relative thing;
perfection will never be reached, but great and ever greater, progress can
be made.

The word “Guardian” in the Seven Valleys has no connection with the Bahá’í
Guardianship.

The Qur’án should be to some extent studied by the Bahá’ís but they
certainly need not seek to acquire a mastery over it, which would take
years, unless they really want to. All Divine Revelation seems to have
been thrown out in flashes. The Prophets never composed treatises. That is
why in the Qur’án and our own Writings different subjects are so often
included in one Tablet. It pulsates, so to speak. That is why it is
“Revelation”.

Life is a constant struggle, not only against forces around us, but above
all against our own ego. We can never afford to rest on our own oars, for
if we do, we soon see ourselves carried down stream again. Many of those
who drift away from the Cause do so for the reason that they had ceased to
go on developing. They became complacent or indifferent, and consequently
ceased to draw the spiritual strength and vitality from the Cause which
they should have. Sometimes, of course, people fail because of a test they
just do not meet, and often our severest tests come from each other.
Certainly the believer should try to avert such things, and if they
happen, remedy them through love. Generally speaking nine-tenths of the
friends’ troubles are because they don’t do the Bahá’í thing, in relation
to each other, to the administrative bodies or in their personal lives.

No doubt to the degree we Bahá’ís the world over strive to spread the
Cause and live up to its teachings, there will be some mitigation of the
suffering of the peoples of the world. But it seems apparent that the
great failure to respond to Bahá’u’lláh’s instructions, appeals and
warnings issued in the 19th century, has now sent the world along a path,
or released forces, which must culminate in a still more violent upheaval
and agony. The thing is out of hand, so to speak, and it is too late to
avert catastrophic trials.

You should never be too depressed about your dissatisfaction concerning
not finding a job you like, a place in the world that fits you. If you
analyse it this general sense of mis-fit is one of the curses of your
generation, one of the products of the world’s disequilibrium and chaos.
It is not confined to your life, it is pretty general.

Letter of 20 March 1949

20 March 1949

He (the Guardian) fully realises that some decisions are very hard to take
in life, and he urges you in this case to do two things: in the first
place, are you quite sure two years voice-training will really carry you
where you hope it will? In other words, he presumes that your teacher’s
opinion has been backed up by the opinion of other professionals? It would
be a great pity to, in any way, sacrifice your service to the Cause for a
career which in the end might not prove a substantial one. And in the
second place he advises you to remain in ... and continue your studies
(once you are quite assured about the outcome), providing the Plan does
not reach such a critical point that it is imperative for you to go as a
pioneer in order to really help save the situation. If this need arises in
such urgency, he certainly feels you should temporarily give up your
singing lessons, for, of course, no sacrifice is too great for the Cause.
What we put into serving it we know serves a useful and worthy purpose,
whereas the outcome of our struggles in life is never assured completely,
and is certainly insignificant compared to the Faith’s importance.

Letter of 22 July 1949

22 July 1949

The work on the Shrine—now beginning to rise visibly at the corners—and
the spread of the Faith which brings many communications from new places,
and many problems too, keeps us all busy as never before, especially the
Guardian. But to see the course going ahead so fast fills our hearts with
gratitude and the work involved seems a small contribution to make to such
a Holy Cause.

As regards to the question you asked me to put to the Guardian about the
Aqdas and the House of Justice elections: as most of the laws of the Aqdas
cannot at present be enforced anywhere he has not deemed it necessary or
wise to translate and promulgate them. You can orally translate them for
any of the believers anxious to know exactly what they are. The National
Assemblies (or Houses of Justice) will elect directly the International
House of Justice, but just what form this election will take must be
decided in the future when the proper time comes. Neither the Master nor
the Guardian have made any pronouncements about punishments stipulated in
the Aqdas.

Letter of 25 July 1949

25 July 1949

There are no quotations from the Qur’án to support the Master’s statement
that European thinkers acknowledge the influence of Islám in shaping the
thought of Europe. In the “Gleanings”, page 95 (third printing Jan. 1943)
Bahá’u’lláh says:—“Of old it has been revealed: Love of one’s country is
an element of the Faith of God!” Here Bahá’u’lláh is quoting not the
Qur’án but an Islámic tradition, and it is this statement which the
Guardian has used as the basis of his argument in the “Promised Day” that
nationhood grew out of the direct influence of Mu?ammad’s teachings, and
was one of the great contributions to mankind’s evolution of Islám. The
building up of nations came after Mu?ammad, and was a step forward in the
direction of a unified world which the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh has
provided for.

Letter of 22 October 1949

22 October 1949

We must not only be patient with others, infinitely patient!, but also
with our own poor selves, remembering that even the Prophets of God
sometimes got tired and cried out in despair!

The end of the Plan is in view, and a long last push will, he sincerely
hopes and believes, bring success and a breathing space.

Regarding your questions: it is not the City State, but the National State
which Mu?ammad’s teachings fostered. Christ had nothing to do with the
City State concept in any direct manner.

The 100 years respite is only the phrase used by the Guardian to convey
the idea that for a 100 years or so the Cause had not been recognised. It
draws no parallel between this century and the last one, nor does it imply
a repetition of events.

The Hidden Words have no sequence. They are jewel-like thoughts sent out
of the mind of the Manifestation of God to admonish and counsel men.
Unfortunately Bahá’u’lláh was never asked, and never, as far as we know,
stated, what the force was mentioned by Him in the “Epistle”. There is
nothing in the “Mysterious Forces of Civilization” implying that these
great conquerors were not blood thirsty.

A healthy social life and Bahá’í work can go hand in hand, but not always
in times of crisis, such as these days the Cause is passing through—and
the world—when great sacrifice can alone meet the demands of the
situation.

He urges you to persevere and add up your accomplishments, rather than to
dwell on the dark side of things. Everyone’s life has both a dark and
bright side. The Master said: turn your back to the darkness and your face
to Me.

Letter of 18 February 1950

18 February 1950

He (the Guardian) feels that if you consider it too much of a strain to
keep the Fast you should not do so. Bahá’u’lláh has exempted people who
are travellers at the time; if you could keep it the days you are not
travelling, and thus partake of its bounty, it would be advisable, but it
is not essential.

Letter of 28 March 1950

28 March 1950

The beloved Guardian, having been in touch with you by cable, and being
more over-worked this year than ever, delayed answering. You know, from
what you saw here, how inefficient—to under-state the matter—his servants
are. The work at the Shrine has vastly increased and of necessity, for as
the first part of the building will soon be finished, the grounds around
it have been entirely remodelled to fit it better and show it off. All
this he has been forced to superintend and plan personally. The attacks
and status of the enemies you know about. So that in all he is very tired.

Letter of 4 October 1950

4 October 1950

We must never take one sentence in the Teachings and isolate it from the
rest: it does not mean we must not love, but we must reach a spiritual
plane where God comes first and great human passions are unable to turn us
away from Him. All the time we see people who either through the force of
hate or the passionate attachment they have to another person, sacrifice
principle or bar themselves from the Path of God.

We know absence of light is darkness, but no one would assert darkness was
not a fact. It exists even though it is only the absence of something
else. So evil exists too, and we cannot close our eyes to it, even though
it is a negative existence. We must seek to supplant it by good, and if we
see an evil person is not influenceable by us, then we should shun his
company for it is unhealthy.

We must love God, and in this state a general love for all men becomes
possible. We cannot love each human being for himself, but our feeling
towards humanity should be motivated by our love for the Father who
created all men.

The Bahá’í Faith teaches man was always potentially man, even when passing
through lower stages of evolution. Because he has more powers, and subtler
powers than the animal, when he turns towards evil he becomes more vicious
than an animal because of these very powers.

Many Theosophists accept Bahá’u’lláh as a Prophet, but we have no special
relation to theosophy. It would seem that the Master had some special
reason for not mentioning Bahá’u’lláh specifically in His talk to the
Theosophists in Budapest. What it was we do not know, but we can assume
His great tact and wisdom impelled Him not to on that occasion.

Letter of 20 October 1950

20 October 1950

He (the Guardian) feels that in as far as possible the African pioneers
should seek to get a job which will take them to one of the countries
chosen and ensure employment for them there. It does not seem wise or
necessary for a Bahá’í to stress the fact he or she is going to teach. A
person’s religion is their own business, and they can talk about it
privately as much as they like without neglecting their employer’s work.

Also, he feels no rules can be laid down about how to teach. Usually one
teaches those receptive souls one finds. The same should apply to the
beginning of the work in Africa. Any direct teaching work with the more
primitive tribes would have to be done after finding out the best and most
tactful way of doing it. The first step is to get to Africa, and, in view
of the cost involved, and the state of the Fund, the pioneers should make
every effort to get sent out there or at least get employment after
arriving, thus relieving the Bahá’í Fund as much as possible. If this
fails, then of course all the expense will have to be paid by the Fund.

Letter of 11 January 1951

11 January 1951

You have voiced the same suffering, the sign of the same mystery, as has
been voiced by almost all those who have been called upon to serve God.
Even the Prophets of God, we know, suffered agony when the Spirit of God
descended on Them and commanded Them to arise and preach. Look at Moses
saying, “I am a stutterer!”. Look at Mu?ammad rolled in His rug in agony!
The Guardian himself suffered terribly when he learned he was the one who
had been made the Guardian.

So you see your sense of inadequacy, your realisation of your own
unworthiness is not unique at all. Many, from the Highest to the humblest
have had it. Now the wisdom of it is this: it is such seemingly weak
instruments that demonstrate that God is the Power achieving the victories
and not men. If you were a wealthy, prominent, strong individual who knew
all about Africa and looked upon going out there as fun, any service you
render, and victories you have, would be laid to your personality, not to
the Cause of God! But because the reverse is true, your services will be a
witness to the Power of Bahá’u’lláh and Truth of His Faith.

Rest assured, dear sister, you will ever-increasingly be sustained, and
you will find joy and strength given to you, and God will reward you. You
will pass through these dark hours triumphant. The first Bahá’í going on
such an historic mission could not but suffer—but the compensation will be
great....

Letter of 10 February 1951

10 February 1951

Whenever you see tremendous personal problems in your private lives, such
as those the parents of ... have been called upon to face, you must
remember that these afflictions are part of human life; and, according to
our teachings one of their wisdoms is to teach us the impermanence of this
world and the permanence of the spiritual bonds that we establish with
God, His Prophet, and those who are alive in the faith of God. You must
always remember that the Manifestations of God, Themselves, were not
immune to suffering of the most human nature; and that from the hands of
their relatives, they drank the bitterest potions, Bahá’u’lláh even being
proffered poison by His half-brother, Mírzá Ya?yá. Beside their
afflictions, our afflictions, however terrible for us, must seem small in
comparison.

Regarding your personal affairs, the Guardian will pray that your
cherished hopes may be fulfilled; and that the way may open, if you both
desire it, for you to serve together the Faith you are so deeply attached
to. Never lose heart, and always remember that the power in this Cause is
of a nature not understood or accessible to those who have not our faith
in Bahá’u’lláh.

Letter of 30 August 1951

30 August 1951

The progress being made in Africa is truly miraculous, as if a special
benediction from on High is being extended to this work... He (the
Guardian) feels sure that the work in Uganda will now go forward rapidly.
The news from Dar is wonderful too... The racial question all over Africa
is very acute, but, while being wise and tactful, believers must realise
that their standard is far from that of the white colonials. They have not
gone there to uphold the white man’s supremacy, but to give the Cause of
God to, primarily, the black man whose home is Africa.

Letter of 11 November 1951

11 November 1951

Many times the young Bahá’ís these days seem to be living the lives of
soldiers, and in a way the pioneers are the soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh, going
out to plant the banner of His dominion in far corners of the earth!

Letter of 5 October 1952

5 October 1952

What the Master meant in the words you quoted is simply that joy gives one
more freedom to create; if the Prophets, the Master Himself, and the
Guardian, had less problems and worries, They could give forth a great
deal more creatively to the Cause. When He said that “grow to be as a
fruitful tree” he meant that, by lifting burdens from the Guardian and
trying as much as possible to do our share of the work of the Faith, we
would help Shoghi Effendi to develop his full powers as Guardian and,
through the Covenant, the Cause would spread its shadow over all men. This
we have seen happen in the last 30 years, but that does not mean we must
not try to our utmost to help him by our lives and our services.

Teaching is an individual matter; one has to sense when it is right to go
further in revealing the Source of our Message; no rules exist, really,
for such things.

Letter of 3 March 1955

3 March 1955

As we almost never attain any spiritual goal without seeing the next goal
we must attain still beyond our reach, he urges you, who have come so far
already on the path of spirituality, not to fret about the distance you
still have to cover! It is an indefinite journey, and, no doubt in the
next world the soul is privileged to draw closer to God than is possible
when bound on this physical plane.

Letter of 6 March 1955

6 March 1955

As regards the questions you have asked, as Bahá’u’lláh says categorically
that God commanded Abraham to offer up Ismá’íl, as far as we are
concerned, it is Ismá’íl who was the intended sacrifice.

In view of the great antiquity of Genesis, it is quite possible that at
some period the names were changed, and the error was propagated.

Whatever happened, we Bahá’ís must follow the words in our own Scriptures
as being the most authentic.

In the Tablet of the Holy Mariner, the Youth means Bahá’u’lláh, Himself.

Letter of 12 January 1957

12 January 1957

In the Bahá’í Teachings it is made quite clear that when one is ill, one
should seek the best available medical advice. This naturally leaves a
person free to choose what they consider good in medical opinion. If you
and ... feel that she is improving under the care of your own doctor, and
... is willing to wait and be patient and see if she goes on making
progress, there can surely be no objection to her doing this. There are a
great many as you know mental diseases and troubles at present, and the
one thing Bahá’ís must not do is take a defeatist attitude toward them.
The power in the Faith is such that it can sustain us on a much higher
level in spite of whatever our ailments might be than other people who are
denied it. This however does not mean that we should ignore medical
opinion and treatment. On the contrary, we should do our best to procure
the opinion of specialists and competent doctors.

Letter of 15 August 1957

15 August 1957

You should not allow the remarks made by the Bahá’ís to hurt or depress
you, but should forget the personalities, and arise to do all you can,
yourself, to teach the Faith.

Bahá’u’lláh enjoins work on all. No one need ever be ashamed of his job.

“THEIR DAILY SUSTENANCE”

In his last message to the British Bahá’í community as a whole the
Guardian wrote:

Shoghi

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

BIOGRAPHIES

These biographies appear strictly in the order the names first appear in
the text of the book. Where a fuller report is published elsewhere, a
summary only is given together with a reference to the other material.

*NAME*
Dr. John E. Esslemont
Edward T. Hall
Mrs. Thornburgh-Cropper
George P. Simpson
Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg
Día’u’lláh As_gh_arzádih
Lady Blomfield
Rev. George Townshend
Mrs. Isobel Slade
Mrs. Louise Ginman
Miss Florence Pinchon
Mrs. Claudia Coles
Sister Grace Challis
David Hofman
Mrs. Lilian Stevens
Miss Evelyn Baxter
?asan M. Balyuzi
Frank Hurst
Mrs. Mary Basil-Hall
Albert and Jeff Joseph
Dr. R. St. Barbe Baker
Miss Jessica Young
Lady Kathleen Hornell
Mrs. Ursula Samandarí
Mrs. Marion Hofman
Miss Una Townshend
Joseph Lee
Mrs. Dorothy Ferraby
Philip Hainsworth
Walter Wilkins
Mrs. Alma C. Gregory
Robert Cheek
Mrs. Joan Giddings
Hugh and Violet McKinley
Dr. Lutfulláh Hakím
Fred Stahler
Mrs. Prudence George
John L. Marshall
Mrs. M. Olga K. Mills
Alfred and Lucy Sugar
Charles N. Dunning
Miss Claire Gung
Mrs. Lizzie F. Hainsworth
Miss Margaret Sullivan
Cyril and Margaret Jenkerson
Richard H. Backwell
Miss Ada Williams
Mrs. Constance Langdon-Davies
George K. Marshall
Mrs. Marguerite Preston
Bernard Leach, CH, OBE
Samuel Scott
John Ferraby
Mrs. Florence “Mother” George
Músá Banání
‘Alí Na_kh_javání
?assan and Isobel Sabrí
Arthur Norton
Eric Manton
Dr. Abbás and _Sh_omais Afnán
Edmund Cardell
Dr. John G. Mitchell
Miss Irene Bennett
Miss Dorothy Wigington
Ernest W. Gregory
Dr. Ernest S. Miller
Ian Semple
Miss Jean Campbell
John Craven

DR. JOHN E. ESSLEMONT, Hand of the Cause of God

Born in 1874 and accepted the Faith in early 1915, Dr. Esslemont was
elevated to the rank of Hand of the Cause of God after his passing on 22
November 1925 and linked by the Guardian with George Townshend and Thomas
Breakwell, on the passing of George Townshend, as “One of three luminaries
shedding brilliant lustre annals Irish, English, Scottish Bahá’í
communities”. He was “Vice-President” of the first National Assembly from
October 1923 until November 1924. For fuller details of his life and works
read “Dr. J. E. Esslemont” by Dr. Moojan Momen. (Bahá’í Publishing Trust,
1975-B130.)

EDWARD THEODORE HALL

First heard of the Faith in 1910 in the Salford, Lancashire area and with
his wife Rebecca, her brother John Charles and his wife Hester Ann Craven,
made contact with Sarah Ann Ridgway, one of the earliest British Bahá’ís,
and later established the second Bahá’í Group in the British Isles. In
1912 Mr. Hall and Mr. Craven went to Liverpool and met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the
boat. Five Tablets from the Master were received. In 1922 the first
Spiritual Assembly was formed in Manchester with E. T. Hall as Secretary.
He also “represented” Manchester on the first National Spiritual Council
in 1922, and was a member of the National Assembly until 1928. He was
entrusted by Shoghi Effendi with part of his early diaries and later
maintained a close correspondence with the Guardian for many years. His
book, “The Bahá’í Dawn; Manchester” paints a vivid picture of the early
days of the Faith in Lancashire. Through Mr. Hall’s correspondence with
the Editor of the ‘John O’Groats Journal’ (Mr. R. J. G. Millar) frequent
reviews and letters were published for nineteen years until the Editor’s
retirement. He passed away on 5 December 1962 aged 82.

MRS. THORNBURGH-CROPPER

One of the first Bahá’ís of the West and possibly the first Bahá’í
resident in England. Her early Bahá’í life is described in “The Chosen
Highway” and in “The Bahá’í World”, Vol. VIII, pp. 649–51. She was a
member of the National Spiritual Assembly for its first two years and it
was in her house in Westminster that the first meeting of the “All-England
Bahá’í Council” was held on 6 June 1922. She passed away on 15 March 1938.

GEORGE PALGRAVE SIMPSON

Was associated with the Administration of the Faith in the British Isles
from its earliest days. Elected as Chairman of the first “Spiritual
Council” and President of the “National Spiritual Assembly” in 1923. He
also served as the Assistant Secretary and the Treasurer for some years.
All the early letters from the Guardian were addressed to him and the file
copies of his letters to the Holy Land, some to the Guardian and others to
the various secretaries, as well as the Minutes in his handwriting, give
us our closest insight into the conditions obtaining in the 1920’s. At one
stage he felt obliged to resign from the National Assembly but was still
called upon to remain as its Treasurer and attend the meetings! He served
the Cause with great distinction until his death on 31 August 1934. (See
letter 30 September 1934.)

MISS ETHEL JENNER ROSENBERG

“One of the pioneers of the Bahá’í Cause in the Western World”. Having
first embraced the Faith in 1899 she soon afterwards went to Akká,
subsequently visiting many times both Akká and Haifa for months at a time,
learning from and assisting the Master in translating and transcribing the
Teachings. Beloved by all the members of the Holy Family, her passing in
November 1930 at the age of 72 evoked a cabled tribute from Shoghi
Effendi, who knew her well in England and welcomed her in Haifa after the
passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. She was the one entrusted to bring the robe of
Bahá’u’lláh to England, and was a member of the National Assembly from
1923–1927. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. IV, p. 263.)

DÍA’U’LLÁH ASGHARZÁDIH, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Born in 1880 into a Bahá’í family which emigrated to I_sh_qábád when he
was fifteen years old, Día’u’lláh was throughout his life an active
Bahá’í. His first pilgrimage was in 1903, his second was seventeen years
later, after which he settled in London, and his third was at the time of
the passing of the Master when Shoghi Effendi gave him the task of making
copies of the Master’s Will from the original. He was a member of the
National Assembly for various periods between 1925 and 1941 and settled in
Jersey as a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh in 1953 at the age of 73. He passed away
in Jersey in April 1956. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XIII, p. 881.)

SARA, LADY BLOMFIELD (SITÁRIH KHÁNUM)

For fuller details of her devoted services to the Cause it is necessary to
refer to “The Chosen Highway” and “The Bahá’í World”, Vol. VIII, pp.
651–6. Born in Ireland of a fearless Protestant mother and a strong Roman
Catholic father, she understood from an early age the tragedy of religious
intolerance which led her to search for Truth until she found the Bahá’í
Revelation. She was held in high esteem in the London society of the late
“nineties” but she herself was always looking for the Promised One. She
was a great friend and admirer of Basil Wilberforce, Archdeacon of
Westminster. Not only did she place her home in Cadogan Gardens at the
disposal of the Master during His London visits but she accompanied Him to
Paris. While He was in America she went to Mount Pelerin, in Switzerland,
to edit the rough notes of “Paris Talks”, had them sent to Him for
correction and had the book published in time for His second visit when He
signed and gave away many copies. She accompanied Shoghi Effendi when he
returned to Haifa after the passing of the Master and wrote the letter
which was later published as “The Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá”. She was a
member of the National Spiritual Assembly for eight of its first eleven
years. She passed away on the last day of 1939 and a remarkably fine
obituary in the magazine “The World’s Children” of March 1940 was headed
“Lady Blomfield—Apostle of World Unity”.

GEORGE TOWNSHEND, Hand of the Cause of God

First corresponded with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about 1918. The Master wrote to him
“It is my hope that thy church will come under the heavenly Jerusalem”.
For very many years he tried to bring to the clergy of the Church of
Ireland and particularly the senior ones, the realisation of Bahá’u’lláh
as Christ returned in the Glory of the Father. In spite of his important
books, “The Heart of the Gospel” and “The Promise of All Ages”, no one in
the church responded and in 1947 the Guardian called upon him to resign
from the church. He complied immediately and moved with his wife and two
children to a small bungalow in Dundrum near Dublin. He was one of the
founder members of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Dublin
and in 1951 was elevated to the rank of Hand of the Cause. For many years
he gave distinguished services to the Guardian, not least of which was the
writing of the introduction to “God Passes By” and his presentation on
behalf of the Guardian of his paper “Bahá’u’lláh’s Ground Plan for World
Fellowship” to the inaugural meeting of the World Congress of Faiths in
1936. The pamphlet he wrote to all Christians under the title “The Old
Churches and the New World Faith” was sent out to 10,000 so-called
“responsible people” in the British Isles on the occasion of his
resignation from the church, and his last book “Christ and Bahá’u’lláh”
was described by the Guardian as “his crowning achievement”. He
participated in the Inter-Continental Conference, Stockholm, Sweden in
July 1953 and passed away in March 1957 at the age of 81. (“Bahá’í World”,
Vol. XIII, p. 841.)

MRS. ISOBEL SLADE

It has not been possible to trace exactly when Mrs. Slade became a Bahá’í
but she did tell the story of how she heard of the Faith from a visiting
American believer and wished to go on pilgrimage to see the Master. Before
her plans were made she heard of His passing and she went in the early
1920s. In the year 1926 there is a record of her being a “substitute”
member of the National Assembly elected to “represent” the London
community. From the following year the delegates elected the National
Assembly from the national electorate and Mrs. Slade served as a member
for fourteen of the following nineteen years. She was, in different years,
Chairman, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary.
She was a “last ditch” pioneer to Edinburgh to form the first Assembly
there in 1948. To the end of her long life she would delight her visitors
with fascinating stories of her experiences in the early days of the Faith
in the British Isles and she passed away in September 1972 at the age of
98. The Universal House of Justice cabled: “PASSING ISOBEL SLADE SEVERS
ONE FEW REMAINING LINKS EARLY CAUSE BRITISH ISLES DEPRIVES COMMUNITY
OUTSTANDING BELIEVER STOP HER UNFLAGGING SUPPORT CAUSE GOD MORE THAN HALF
CENTURY COMPRISING MEMBERSHIP NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY PIONEER VISITING
TEACHER SIX YEAR PLAN CONSTANT DEVOTION DUTY HIGH MORAL STATURE RENDER HER
SHINING EXAMPLE FUTURE GENERATIONS STOP EXPRESS RELATIVES FRIENDS LOVING
SYMPATHY ASSURE PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD AMPLE REWARD PROGRESS SOUL ABHÁ
KINGDOM.”

MRS. LOUISE GINMAN

Also referred to later as “Louise Charlot”. Became a Bahá’í in Burlingame,
California about 1910, and came to England late in 1919. She served on the
London Spiritual Assembly for a period; pioneered to Oxford, and then to
Bristol where she died in February 1963 at the age of 92.

MISS FLORENCE E. PINCHON

Little is known about Miss Pinchon’s early life but she was mentioned as
being active in the Faith with Dr. Esslemont and Major Tudor Pole during
the First World War (See “Bahá’í World” Vol. XIV, pp. 370–2). “Floy” had a
most lucid pen and in addition to contributing to Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í
magazines, wrote “The Coming of the Glory”, and “Life after Death”. She
travelled as a Bahá’í teacher before the Second World War but suffered
from indifferent health for many years before her death in Bournemouth in
March 1966.

MISS CLAUDIA STUART COLES

Having accepted the Bahá’í teachings in Washington, D.C. was one of its
most loyal and enthusiastic adherents. Moved to London, England in 1920
and was for eleven years a member of the community, serving for a period
as secretary of the National Assembly. She died in London on 25 May 1931.
(“Bahá’í World”, Vol. IV, pp. 263–4.)

SISTER GRACE CHALLIS

Sister Challis was a Quaker when she heard of the Faith from Dr. Esslemont
and she accepted it at the gathering of the Bournemouth Bahá’ís called to
hear of the passing of the Master. Always an active teacher of the Faith,
she also served on the National Assembly for fifteen of its first eighteen
years, mainly as its Chairman. She passed away in Bournemouth in October
1948.

DAVID HOFMAN

A member of the Universal House of Justice since its formation in 1963, he
became a Bahá’í in the Maxwell home in Montreal in 1933, when he began
corresponding with the Guardian. Returning to England in 1936, he was
elected to the British National Spiritual Assembly and was the Secretary
during some of its most crucial years. He was the first Manager of its
Publishing Trust and played a vital rôle on the National Teaching and
Africa Committees of the Six and Two Year Plans. He served almost
continuously on the National Assembly until his election to the Universal
House of Justice. David and Marion Hofman pioneered during the Six Year
Plan in Northampton, Birmingham and Oxford and during the Ten Year Crusade
in Cardiff and Watford. Throughout his years of devoted service to the
British community he was always in demand as a most accomplished speaker
and convincing teacher.

MRS. LILIAN STEVENS

Was a founder member of the first Torquay Spiritual Assembly in 1938; was
for many years its secretary and in spite of prolonged illness remained a
great servant of the Faith. She passed away on 1 January 1958.

MISS EVELYN BAXTER, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Born around 1883 of missionary parents, accepted the Faith in 1923 and
served with absolute devotion throughout the remainder of her life. She
was for many years a member of the London Spiritual Assembly and served
for six years on the National Assembly. Throughout her Bahá’í life she
corresponded frequently with the Guardian and responded to his overseas
pioneer call when she became a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for the Channel Isles
in September 1953. She had already pioneered in the Six Year Plan to
Birmingham, Nottingham, Hove, Oxford and Cardiff. She died on 21 August
1969 and the Universal House of Justice cabled: “DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING
KNIGHT OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH EVELYN BAXTER. AMONG FIRST PIONEERS SIX YEAR PLAN
HER LONG FAITHFUL SERVICE BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY PROVIDES EXAMPLE
DEVOTION FORTITUDE”. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XV, pp. 456–7)

?ASAN M. BALYUZI, Hand of the Cause of God

He was first elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
the British Isles in 1933 and served continuously until 1960, when he
retired in order to devote his whole time to the work of the Hands of the
Cause. He served at the World Centre, and travelled to South America and
throughout Canada in 1961. Mr. Balyuzi was Secretary of the first Summer
School Committee in 1936, on the National Teaching Committee in 1940 and
Chairman of the National Assembly almost every year from 1942 until his
retirement. He was elevated to the rank of Hand of the Cause in 1957, and
has made invaluable contributions to the literature of the Faith with his
trilogy, “Bahá’u’lláh”, “‘Abdu’l-Bahá” and “The Báb”; his “Edward
Granville Browne and the Bahá’í Faith”, his pamphlet on “Bahá’í
Administration”, and “Mu?ammad and the Course of Islám”. (See page 490)

FRANK HURST

An early worker in the Trade Union Movement in Britain, Frank was an
outspoken sympathiser of the Faith for over twenty years before actually
accepting it in Bradford in 1939. He died in Leeds in 1949.

MRS. MARY BASIL-HALL (PARVINE)

Daughter of Lady Blomfield, she was active in the Faith from her youth,
particularly during the visit to Britain of the Master Whom she served
with such devotion, and Who bestowed upon her the name “Parvine” on His
first visit in 1911. She served for five years on the National Spiritual
Assembly and for a short time on the National Teaching Committee of the
Six Year Plan. At her passing the National Assembly cabled the Guardian,
“PARVINE GLORIED IN SUCCESS PLAN PASSED TO ABHÁ KINGDOM MORNING 28TH”
(April 1950).

ALBERT AND JEFF JOSEPH

Associated with the Faith from the very beginnings of the Administration
in the British Isles, the Joseph brothers gave long and outstanding
service to the Cause. Jacob (later “Jeff”) was Chairman and Albert (then
Ibrahim) a member of the first “Spiritual Council” of the Bahá’ís of
Manchester. Jacob was a member of the first “All-England Bahá’í Council”
in 1922 and of the first National Spiritual Assembly in 1923. Both were
mentioned in and received some Tablets from the Master and both were
warmly regarded by the Guardian for their services to the Faith. Jeff died
in August 1969 in Manchester and Albert in August 1978.

RICHARD ST. BARBE BAKER, O.B.E., LL.D., FOR.D.I.P. (CAMBRIDGE)

On his return from Kenya in 1924 where he had served as Assistant
Conservator of Forests since 1920, R. St. Barbe Baker was asked to speak
on the faiths of the Kikuyu under the title: “Some African Beliefs” at the
‘Conference of Living Religions within the Empire’, and was approached
afterwards by Claudia Stewart-Coles who exclaimed “You are a Bahá’í”. He
subsequently accepted the Faith and has introduced it to many thousands of
people in all walks of life in many lands, for more than half a century.
The Guardian became the first Life Member of the Men of the Trees in
Palestine in 1929. Later, for twelve consecutive years, he sent an
official message to St. Barbe’s World Forestry Charter Gatherings attended
by Ambassadors from up to sixty-two countries each year. St. Barbe took an
active part on the Committee celebrating the Centenary of the Declaration
of the Báb in 1944. After his first Sahara University Expedition carrying
out an ecological survey of 9,000 miles in 1953, and in response to the
Guardian’s desire, St. Barbe attended the First African Conference in
Kampala. In 1975 St. Barbe was called upon to advise on tree planting of
the site of the ?ihrán House of Worship in consultation with Quinlan
Terry, architect. Afterwards, in collaboration with architect Hossein
Amánat, he recorded his observations for the Universal House of Justice
for the landscaping of their site on Mt. Carmel and for tree-scaping at
Bahjí. St. Barbe attended the Intercontinental Conference Nairobi, in
October 1976 and still (1979) at almost 90 is introducing or teaching the
Faith in many lands and would be content to “lay down his bones in service
to the Faith” in his beloved Africa.

MISS JESSICA YOUNG

Historically was the first British pioneer to arise when she went for a
short time to Bristol.

KATHLEEN BROWN (LADY HORNELL)

Was elected to the National Assembly in 1936 and served until 1945. She
pioneered to Nottingham in 1946 where she later married Sir William
Hornell. Her next pioneer post was in Belfast in 1952, then to Venice
(1960–1965) and later to Sardinia (1965–1968). She returned to London to
live at the home of her son-in-law, Hand of the Cause, H. M. Balyuzi. She
passed away in September 1977 and the Universal House of Justice cabled:
“PASSING LADY HORNELL ROBS BRITISH COMMUNITY ONE OF FEW REMAINING LINKS
EARLY DAYS FAITH. HER UNWAVERING FAITH CONSTANT DEDICATED SERVICES PIONEER
TEACHING ADMINISTRATIVE FIELDS OVER SO MANY YEARS ASSURE HER HIGH STATION
ANNALS CAUSE PROVIDE SHINING EXAMPLE PRESENT FUTURE GENERATIONS. ADVISE
HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL MEETING. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD
PROGRESS HER LOVING SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM.”

URSULA SAMANDARÍ (née NEWMAN), Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

First served on the British National Assembly in 1945 and pioneered to St.
Ives in the same year. Ursula became pioneer member of the first Dublin
Assembly in 1948 and pioneered again, a year later, to Belfast. In Belfast
she became member of the first Local Assembly and worked with pioneer Dr.
Mehdi Samandarí, whom she married. They subsequently pioneered to Nairobi
in 1953 and later to Somalia, where she was a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh and
became a member of the first Spiritual Assembly of Mogadiscio, on which
she served from 1954 until 1971. In addition to these experiences, she
served on the National Assembly for North East Africa (1961–1970) and on
the National Assembly of Cameroon since 1972, where she still serves
(1979).

MRS MARION HOFMAN

Came to Britain in 1945 to be married to David Hofman, after having served
the Faith in America with great distinction as a teacher, writer and
administrator. With her husband she pioneered during the Six Year Plan in
Northampton, Birmingham and Oxford, and during the Ten Year Crusade in
Cardiff and Watford. She served on the National Spiritual Assembly and
National Teaching Committee and as an Auxiliary Board member. Since
David’s election to the Universal House of Justice, Marion was solely
responsible for the family publishing business of George Ronald.

MISS UNA TOWNSHEND, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Was the first of Hand of the Cause George Townshend’s family to embrace
the Faith which her father had espoused many years previously. She was an
active Bahá’í youth and on 16 September 1946 became the first pioneer in
Ireland where she opened the ‘pivotal centre’ of Dublin and was on its
first Spiritual Assembly in 1948. She pioneered to Malta and was the first
Knight of Bahá’u’lláh in that island in October 1953.

JOSEPH LEE

Accepted the Faith in Manchester in 1932 and was active on committees and
in the teaching work for over thirty years. He served on the National
Spiritual Assembly from 1933 to 1940 and pioneered to Brighton, Torquay
and Exeter, sacrificing material prosperity over many years in the
interests of teaching and pioneering. He passed away in May 1966 at the
age of 55 years.

MRS DOROTHY FERRABY (née Cansdale)

Became a Bahá’í and was active in the London Youth group in the early
1930’s. She was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly in 1941 and
served continuously as either Secretary, Treasurer or Recording Secretary
for the next twenty years. She retired when her husband, Hand of the Cause
John Ferraby, left to serve at the World Centre. That the small and
scattered British Bahá’í community was held together in the 1940’s is
generally recognised to have been due to the dedicated work of Dorothy as
Secretary of the National Assembly working indefatigably in war-torn
London. She became an Auxiliary Board Member in 1954 and was appointed to
the European Board of Counsellors in 1968.

PHILIP HAINSWORTH

Accepted the Faith in Bradford in 1938, and at the outbreak of War was the
first British believer to register as a Bahá’í in the Armed Forces. He had
to appeal in Court when seeking exemption from being involved in the
taking of life and, being released from combatant service, was drafted
into the Royal Army Medical Corps. Prior to his release from military
service in 1946, he spent five weeks in Haifa and in the same year
pioneered to Nottingham. He was appointed Chairman of the National Youth
Committee and Secretary of the National Teaching Committee and was elected
to the National Assembly in 1947. He subsequently pioneered to Oxford and
Blackburn. In June 1951 he was one of the party of five pioneers who first
went to Dar-es-Salaam and then on to Kampala, Uganda, where he became
Secretary of the first local Spiritual Assembly in 1952 and of the
Regional National Assembly in Central and East Africa in 1956. He returned
to pioneer in the Leeds area in 1966, was elected to the National Assembly
in 1967 and is still (1979) a member.

WALTER WILKINS

Born in 1883 Walter embraced the Faith when he was about 40 years old. He
was a keen Esperantist through which he learned of the Faith. He served
for many years on the London Spiritual Assembly and was on the National
Assembly for a year in 1934. Responding to the pioneer call of the Six
Year Plan he moved to Birmingham in 1946, to Blackburn in 1947, to Norwich
in 1948, and in 1961 at the age of 78 he pioneered to Canterbury. At the
age of 82 he took a small flat in an old people’s home where for the first
time in his life he was able to entertain the friends and hold Feasts and
even an assembly meeting. He passed away after an accident on 19 March
1973.

MRS ALMA CYNTHIA GREGORY

Although she remembers her mother, Louise Ginman, going from town to town
in the United States trying to find the Master, but reaching the place
shortly after He had left, and speaks with feeling of personal involvement
as a Bahá’í youth, of many early meetings in London at the homes of Lady
Blomfield, Claudia Coles, Ethel Rosenberg, “Mother” George and many others
of that day, she did not formally register as a Bahá’í in the British
Isles until 1942. She pioneered to Northampton in August 1946 and helped
to form its first Assembly, leaving for Liverpool in 1949 for the same
purpose. She subsequently pioneered to Bristol, Exeter and Stornoway; was
the Secretary of the National Youth Committee when it launched its “Bahá’í
Youth Bulletin” from 1946 to 1948; was Secretary of the Assembly
Development Committee for some years and was a member of the National
Assembly for seven years between 1948 and 1956.

ROBERT CHEEK

Became a Bahá’í in London on Naw-Rúz 1945, pioneered to Bournemouth in
September 1946, to Bristol in 1947 to help form the first Assembly there,
and to Norwich in 1948 where he has lived since except for a short special
pioneer project in Blackburn in 1950–1.

MRS JOAN GIDDINGS (née BROWNE)

Accepted the Faith in Bradford in 1938. She pioneered first to Cardiff and
later to York and Canterbury, and was active on Assemblies and on National
Committees throughout her Bahá’í life. She passed away in Canterbury in
1978. (See also note about developments in Bradford under “Cyril and
Margaret Jenkerson”.)

HUGH AND VIOLET MCKINLEY

Hugh McKinley and his mother, Violet McKinley, pioneered from Torquay to
Cardiff in 1947, serving on the first local Spiritual Assembly when formed
there in 1948. Together they pioneered to Nicosia, Cyprus in 1953, moving
to Famagusta in 1958. Violet passed away there in August 1959. In 1966
Hugh pioneered to Syros in the Cyclades Islands (Greece) and returned to
the United Kingdom in October 1977. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XVI, p. 512.)

DR. LUTFU’LLÁH HAKÍM

Was born into a family of distinguished Jewish medical doctors in 1888.
His grandfather was the first Jew to embrace the Cause and Bahá’u’lláh
revealed a Tablet in his honour. Lutfu’lláh came to study physiotherapy in
England in 1910 and he was in constant attendance on the Master during His
visit in 1911. He went to serve in the Holy Land and returned to England
in 1920 when he accompanied Shoghi Effendi. He later served with
distinction in Persia and returned, at the request of the Guardian, to
Britain in October 1948, where he taught and travelled extensively until
called to Haifa by the Guardian on 14 November 1950. He was appointed to
the first International Bahá’í Council. He was elected to the first
Universal House of Justice in 1963 but because of failing health and
advanced age regretfully his resignation was accepted in October 1967
though he consented to serve until the 1968 election. He passed away in
August 1968 and the House cabled the Bahá’í world: “GRIEVE ANNOUNCE
PASSING LUTFU’LLÁH HAKÍM DEDICATED SERVANT CAUSE GOD. SPECIAL MISSIONS
ENTRUSTED HIM, FULL CONFIDENCE REPOSED IN HIM BY MASTER AND GUARDIAN, HIS
CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH EARLY DISTINGUISHED BELIEVERS EAST WEST INCLUDING
HIS COLLABORATION ESSLEMONT, HIS SERVICES PERSIA BRITISH ISLES HOLY LAND,
HIS MEMBERSHIP APPOINTED AND ELECTED INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL, HIS
ELECTION UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IMMORTAL ANNALS
FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.” (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XV, pp. 430–4.)

FRED STAHLER

Arose to pioneer shortly after accepting the Faith in Manchester in 1947.
He pioneered first to Cardiff, then to Bristol, moved for varying periods
to seven other cities and finally settled in Derby in 1965.

MRS. PRUDENCE GEORGE

Born in England in 1896 she moved to Canada in 1928 where she accepted the
Faith in 1941. She first pioneered from St. Lambert to Moncton and then
from Canada to England with her young daughter in 1946 to settle in
Blackburn, Lancs. From there to Norwich and Bournemouth in the Six Year
Plan and then to Edinburgh and Portsmouth. In 1959 she pioneered to
Luxembourg and then in the Nine Year Plan, to Guernsey, to Chelmsford,
Essex and again overseas to the Canary Islands. In 1969 she returned to
England to pioneer in Hereford and St. Austell and then back again to the
Canaries where she was on the first Spiritual Assembly of Arucas. For over
thirty years she served the Cause with utter consecration; carrying out at
least sixteen pioneer projects in three continents. She passed away in
Birmingham, England on 12 July 1974. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XVI, p. 534.)

JOHN LUDLOW MARSHALL

“Johnny” was a Scot, born in 1876, went to work as a tinsmith at the age
of eleven and later, after marriage, settled in Birmingham to pursue his
trade. He was confirmed in the Faith by the Master, Whom he met in 1911
and 1913, when he was, for many years, the only Bahá’í in Birmingham.
Johnny kept excellent records of visits and lectures by some of the early
visitors to Birmingham, including Martha Root, Dr. Esslemont, Mountford
Mills and Helen Bishop. At the age of 71 he retired from work and
pioneered to Edinburgh where he died as a result of an accident in January
1948, only three months before the first Spiritual Assembly was formed
there.

MARY OLGA KATHERINE MILLS, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Born in Germany in 1882 with a German father and English mother she grew
up with an insatiable love for travel. In the United States she married an
Englishman. It is not certain when she accepted the Faith but she was on
pilgrimage in 1930 and stayed for a month as companion to Effie Baker. She
was later a great help to the friends in Berlin and Leipzig and gave much
support to Adam Benke who pioneered to Sofia. After suffering many
privations during the war in Germany she wrote to the Guardian in 1947 and
he encouraged her suggestion to pioneer to England. She arrived in early
1948 and settled in her first pioneer post in Nottingham. Within nine
months she was again on the move in response to pioneer calls. Belfast,
Edinburgh, St. Ives, Brighton, and Bournemouth, making six moves in just
over two years by a lady in her late sixties. In 1953 she responded
immediately and was enrolled as a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Malta where,
after numerous vicissitudes and a small but painful accident which
affected her for many months, she was able, some twenty years later, to
witness the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly in Malta. She passed
away, after twenty-seven years of dedicated pioneering which covered four
territories, in May 1974, when the Universal House of Justice cabled:
“PASSING NOBLE SOUL OLGA MILLS GRIEVOUS LOSS BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY. HER
LONG STEADFAST DEVOTION BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SHEDS LUSTRE ANNALS FAITH THAT
COMMUNITY. ISLAND MALTA HISTORICALLY FAMOUS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ISLAMIC
ERAS RECIPIENT NEW SPIRITUAL POTENTIALITIES THROUGH HEROIC SERVICE KNIGHT
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH DEDICATED BAND PIONEERS. EXPRESS FRIENDS RELATIVES LOVING
SYMPATHY ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS SOUL.” (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XVI,
p. 531.)

ALFRED AND EDITH LUCY SUGAR

After hearing of the Faith from her brother, E. T. Hall, Lucy Sugar
accepted the Faith on 28 November 1921, but Alfred remained agnostic until
about 1925. He became well known for his depth of knowledge of the Faith
and for his cogent argument. He was a teacher of the highest order and was
largely responsible for the development of the Faith around Lancashire and
over the Pennines into Bradford and Leeds. Lucy was a member of the
National Assembly in 1929 and Alfred was a member during eight of the
following thirteen years.

Alfred died in December 1961 at the age of 92 (or 93) and was followed in
March 1966 by Lucy aged 90.

CHARLES WILLIAM DUNNING, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Born in or near Leeds, March 1885. Met and embraced the Faith in 1948 and
within a fortnight offered to pioneer to Belfast. After serious illness
and a period of recuperation in Cardiff, he served in Sheffield until
1953. “Charlie” answered the Guardian’s call to settle in unopened
territories in the Ten Year Crusade and he arrived in Kirkwall, Orkney in
September 1953, opening the way, “essentially ... alone” for the founding
of Kirkwall Spiritual Assembly. After four years, broken by ill health and
persecution, he was, for his own safety, sent back to Cardiff. After a bad
fall in 1967 from which he never fully recovered, he passed away quietly
in his sleep on Christmas Day, 1967 in Cardiff. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XIV,
pp. 305–8.)

MISS CLAIRE GUNG

Born in Germany, became a Bahá’í in Torquay and later joined the small
Bahá’í group in Cheltenham in 1940. She moved to Manchester and later
pioneered to Northampton in November 1946 to become member of the first
Spiritual Assembly there. In 1948 she again pioneered to help form the
first Spiritual Assembly in the “Pivotal Centre” of Cardiff. In 1950,
during the “Year of Respite”, Claire became the first pioneer actually to
move from the British community to settle in Africa. Hailed by the
Guardian as the “Mother of Africa” she worked for some years in Tanganyika
and then moved to Uganda where she established a multi-racial
kindergarten; she is still at her pioneer post at the time of writing
(1979).

MRS. LIZZIE FOWLER HAINSWORTH

Became a Bahá’í in Bradford in 1946 after replying to her younger son
Philip that she had not become a Bahá’í during his absence in the Armed
Forces because “Nobody had asked me to”. She pioneered to Nottingham in
1946, to Oxford in 1949 and, at the age of 72, was the first believer in
the British Isles to offer to pioneer in the Two Year Plan to Africa.
(Convention 1950.) She died in Bradford in September 1951 before she could
join her son Philip in Uganda. The Guardian wrote of her through his
secretary, “She has truly shown an exemplary Bahá’í spirit in every
way.... He wishes more of the Bahá’ís would arise to such heights of
devotion and sacrifice.”

MISS MARGARET SULLIVAN (later MRS. MARGARET NELSON)

Pioneered to Dublin and was on the first Local Assembly there in 1948. She
was Caretaker of the National Hazíratu’l-Quds, London from December 1970
to August 1976, and then became a founder member of the Tameside Assembly,
Lancashire.

CYRIL AND MARGARET JENKERSON

Became Bahá’ís in Bradford in 1940 and pioneered to Oxford to be members
of the first Assembly there in 1949. (It is of interest to note that in
1938 there were only three Spiritual Assemblies in the British Isles—in
London, Manchester and Bournemouth, and a total of about eighty registered
Bahá’ís, yet in Bradford there were, during the course of about two years,
so many new registrations that the first Assembly was elected there in
1939 and by 1949 that Community had sent out ten pioneers from its first
twenty-five believers.) The Jenkersons pioneered to Cyprus in 1978 and are
still there (1979).

RICHARD H. BACKWELL

Became a Bahá’í in Ceylon in 1944 where he was an officer in the Royal Air
Force. Returning to Britain in 1946, he pioneered in Nottingham,
Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds; was a member of the National
Spiritual Assembly from 1947 until January 1955 when he pioneered to
British Guiana, now Guyana. He was for a time part-time manager of the
Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Editor of the Bahá’í Journal. After his return
from Guiana, he settled with his family in Northern Ireland in 1963 and
again served on the National Assembly until 1968 when he was appointed an
Auxiliary Board Member. His valuable contributions to Bahá’í literature
include the compilations with which he was associated—“Pattern of Bahá’í
Life”, “Principles of Bahá’í Administration”, “The Covenant of
Bahá’u’lláh”, “Guidance for Today and Tomorrow”, “A Faith for Everyman”,
and his unique approach to the Christians, “The Christianity of Jesus”. He
passed away on 4 October 1972 at the age of 58 when the Universal House of
Justice included in their cable: “GRIEF PASSING EARLY AGE RICHARD BACKWELL
GREATLY ASSUAGED TERMINATION HIS SUFFERING CONTEMPLATION DISTINGUISHED
RECORD SERVICE SOUTH AMERICA BRITISH ISLES SPIRITUAL RADIANCE EVENING
EARTHLY LIFE...” (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XV, pp. 525–27.)

MISS ADA WILLIAMS

Pioneered to Motherwell in 1948 and then to Blackpool in 1965. She has
travelled widely to teach the Faith at home and overseas, visiting Malta,
South Africa and Canada where her great spirit was most inspiring; she is
still travelling (1979).

MRS CONSTANCE LANGDON-DAVIES

Was one of the early believers in Torquay where she associated with Mark
Tobey, Bernard Leach and other artists and writers at Dartington Hall. She
accepted the Faith in December 1936 and served on the National Assembly
for fifteen of the years from 1938 until her unexpected death in Oxford in
December 1954. She had pioneered to help form the first Assembly there
1949.

GEORGE K. MARSHALL

Became a Bahá’í in 1949 although he had lived most of his life with his
father, one of the early British believers, in Birmingham. (See “John L.
Marshall”.) George pioneered for a short while to Belfast and then in 1950
to Glasgow where he lived for seven years, except for a short pioneering
project to maintain the Assembly in Edinburgh. He died at an early age on
30 March 1958.

MRS MARGUERITE PRESTON (née Wellby)

Became a Bahá’í in 1936, was a member of the National Assembly for three
and a half years during the period 1939 to 1945. She married Terence
Preston, a Kenya tea grower, in August 1945 and settled in Kenya where she
was the only Bahá’í until the pioneers began to settle under the Two Year
Plan. Her husband died unexpectedly in July 1951 leaving her with three
young children and she and her eldest child were killed in an aeroplane
crash when she was returning to Kenya after a short holiday in England, in
February 1952.

BERNARD LEACH, C.H., C.B.E.

It was through Mark Tobey that world famous potter and author Bernard
Leach became a Bahá’í in the early 1930’s. He has through his works, his
books, his press, radio and television interviews introduced the Faith
with love, dedication and dignity to people in many spheres of society in
Britain, Japan and America. He was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen and
made a Companion of Honour. Even at ninety years of age, though blind, he
was serving the Cause with distinction through his writings and
interviews. In March 1977, he opened, with much favourable publicity, an
exhibition of his works at the Victoria and Albert Museum London. In 1919,
when Bernard was about to leave Japan, the late Soetsu Yangi, the
well-known Japanese art critic and philosopher and Bernard’s friend for
over fifty years, paid tribute: “When he leaves us we shall have lost the
one man who knows Japan on its spiritual side... I consider his position
in Japan, and also his mission in his own country to be pregnant with the
deepest meaning. He is trying to knit the East and West together by art,
and it seems likely that he will be remembered as the first to accomplish
as an artist, what for so long mankind has been dreaming of bringing
about....” He passed away in May 1979 and to the National Assembly the
Universal House of Justice cabled: “KINDLY EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY
RELATIVES FRIENDS PASSING DISTINGUISHED VETERAN UPHOLDER FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
BERNARD LEACH. HONOURS CONFERRED UPON HIM RECOGNITION HIS WORLD-WIDE FAME
CRAFTSMAN POTTER PROMOTER CONCORD EAST AND WEST ADD LUSTRE ANNALS BRITISH
BAHÁ’Í HISTORY AND HIS EAGER WILLINGNESS USE HIS RENOWN FOR SERVICE FAITH
EARN ETERNAL GRATITUDE FELLOW BELIEVERS. ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS PROGRESS
HIS SOUL.”

SAMUEL SCOTT

Became a Bahá’í when he was 76 years old and pioneered to Norwich at the
age of 84. He passed away on 31 December 1951, at the age of 86.

JOHN FERRABY, Hand of the Cause of God.

Accepted the Faith in 1941 and was elected to the National Assembly almost
immediately. He was Secretary from 1946 until December 1960 when he took
up duties at the World Centre. He was also for a number of years manager
of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. On his passing in September 1973 the
Universal House of Justice called for memorial meetings “ALL COMMUNITIES
BAHÁ’Í WORLD” and referred to his “VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE
THROUGH HIS BOOK ‘ALL THINGS MADE NEW’”. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XVI, p.
511.)

MRS FLORENCE “MOTHER” GEORGE

Always proud of the designation “Mother” given to her by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when
she was one of the early pilgrims to the Holy Land, it was Mother George
who introduced the Faith to Dr. John Esslemont. For very many years she
conducted Sunday afternoon meetings in her Chelsea home in London and she
passed away on 4 November 1950 at the age of 91. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol.
XII, p. 697.)

MÚSÁ BANÁNÍ, Hand of the Cause of God.

Pioneered with his wife Samíhih to Uganda in 1951 and was elevated to the
rank of Hand of the Cause in February 1952. The beloved Guardian also
described him as the “spiritual conqueror of Africa”. In spite of failing
health he visited most African territories, served for some five years as
the sole Hand of the African Continent, and finally, after many years of
constant suffering, passed away at his pioneering post in Kampala, Uganda,
on 4 September 1971. The Universal House of Justice cabled: “PROFOUNDLY
MOURN PASSING DEARLY LOVED HAND CAUSE MÚSÁ BANÁNÍ RECALL WITH DEEP
AFFECTION HIS SELFLESS UNASSUMING PROLONGED SERVICES CRADLE FAITH HIS
EXEMPLARY PIONEERING UGANDA CULMINATING HIS APPOINTMENT AS HAND CAUSE
AFRICA AND PRAISE BELOVED GUARDIAN AS SPIRITUAL CONQUEROR THAT CONTINENT.
INTERMENT HIS REMAINS AFRICAN SOIL UNDER SHADOW MOTHER TEMPLE ENHANCES
SPIRITUAL LUSTRE THAT BLESSED SPOT. FERVENTLY PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS
NOBLE SOUL. MAY AFRICA NOW ROBBED STAUNCH VENERABLE PROMOTER DEFENDER
FAITH FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE CHEER HIS HEART ABHÁ KINGDOM. CONVEY FAMILY MOST
TENDER SYMPATHIES ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS ALL COMMUNITIES BAHÁ’Í
WORLD BEFITTING GATHERINGS MOTHER TEMPLES”. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XV, pp.
421–3.)

‘ALÍ NAKHJAVÁNÍ

Left Persia in early 1951, after service for the Faith in youth and
teaching activities and as a member of the National Assembly, to join his
wife, Violette and her parents, Músá and Samíhih Banání, in the British
Isles, preparatory to their pioneering to Africa. His teaching activities
in Africa took him to remote African villages, and, later, as assistant to
Mr. Banání when he was appointed Hand of the Cause, to many countries on
the African continent. Elected Chairman of the first Regional National
Assembly of Central and East Africa, then as member of the first elected
International Council and finally as member of the Universal House of
Justice in 1963.

?ASSÁN AND ISOBEL SABRÍ

?assan, a young Egyptian Bahá’í studying in England in 1945 met Isobel
Locke, an American pioneer to England, and they both served with
distinction in the Six Year Plan, ?assan on the National Youth and
National Teaching Committees and the Nottingham, Birmingham, Belfast,
Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol Spiritual Assemblies, and Isobel on the
Assemblies in Edinburgh, Blackpool, Sheffield and Bristol, as well as on
the National Teaching Committee. They married in 1951 and pioneered to
Tanganyika and Uganda, where ?assan was on the first National Spiritual
Assembly of Central and East Africa. Isobel became a Counsellor and ?assan
Secretary of the Continental Pioneer Committee for Africa. They
subsequently pioneered to Kenya where they still serve (1979).

ARTHUR NORTON

Was the Treasurer of the special fund for the Shrine of the Báb when he
received some letters and receipts. He and his wife Marion were founder
members of the Bradford Bahá’í community as well as being the first
pioneers to Sheffield during the Six Year Plan. He served on the National
Assembly for seven and a half years during the period 1938–1946, when he
was obliged to retire due to ill-health in December 1946.

ERIC MANTON

Became a Bahá’í in Northampton in 1946 where he was a member of the first
Spiritual Assembly. He later pioneered to Edinburgh where he was also on
the first Scottish Assembly and to the virgin territory of Northern
Rhodesia in 1951. He was Chairman of the first National Spiritual Assembly
of South Central Africa in 1964 and of the National Assembly of Zambia for
nine years from its formation in 1967. He has remained at his post and
became a Zambian citizen in 1973.

DR. ABBÁS AND SHOMAIS AFNÁN,

Abbás Afnán was a student in Paris and came to England as a pioneer to
Africa for the Two Year Plan. _Sh_omais ‘Alá’í was the second Persian
Bahá’í student to come to Northampton to train as a nurse and arrived in
1948. They married at Summer School, Cottingham, Yorkshire in 1951 and
pioneered soon afterwards—_Sh_omais to Ethiopia and Abbás to Persia. Abbás
joined _Sh_omais in Africa in 1953. They returned to England in 1958 and
opened the town of Burnley where an Assembly was formed in 1961. In 1975
Abbás pioneered to Newfoundland and _Sh_omais joined him in July 1976.
Abbás was a member of the National Assembly from 1964 until his pioneer
move, and _Sh_omais was active in United Nations’ affairs. _Sh_omais
toured Persia in 1971 at the request of the Universal House of Justice,
was one of the representatives of the Bahá’í International Community at
the International Women’s Year Convention in Mexico in 1975 and travelled
extensively in the British Isles in 1978–1979.

EDMUND (TED) CARDELL, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Became a Bahá’í in Canada in 1948 and returned to his father’s farm in
England some time later. He pioneered to Kenya in October 1951 where he
was a founder member of the first local Assembly in Nairobi. He became
Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for South West Africa in 1953 and returned to
England in 1963. He was elected to the National Assembly in 1973 and is
still a member (1979).

DR. JOHN GEORGE MITCHELL, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

Became a Bahá’í in 1950, was member of the National Assembly from 1952 to
1954 from which he pioneered as a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Malta. He had
pioneered for a short while in Blackpool. He passed away on 19 February
1957 at the age of 50. (“Bahá’í World”, Vol. XIII, p. 901.)

MISS IRENE BENNETT

Became a Bahá’í in Kenya in 1953 and has been in pioneering posts since
that time. She has served in Portugal, Switzerland, Scotland, Kenya,
Uganda (where she was an Auxiliary Board Member), Nigeria, and is
presently (1980) in the Central African Republic.

MISS DOROTHY WIGINGTON

Became a Bahá’í at Summer School, Exeter in July 1954 and has been a
staunch member of the Oxford Assembly from January 1955.

ERNEST WILLIAM GREGORY

Responded to an experimental postal card advertisement in Sheffield and
accepted the Faith there in March 1951. He was elected to the National
Assembly in 1954 when John Mitchell pioneered to Malta. He served until
1963 when he became an Auxiliary Board Member. He left in April 1974 to
serve at the World Centre and passed away there in April 1978. The
Universal House of Justice cabled: “ANNOUNCE PASSING TO ABHÁ KINGDOM
MORNING OF FIRST DAY RIDVÁN DISTINGUISHED SERVANT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH ERNEST
GREGORY. HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION GROWTH BRITISH BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY AS
MEMBER MANY YEARS NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND LATER MEMBER AUXILIARY
BOARD ENSURE HIM HIGH PLACE THAT COMMUNITY’S ANNALS. HIS STIRLING
QUALITIES ENDEARED HIM TO ALL AT WORLD CENTRE FAITH WHERE HIS LOSS KEENLY
FELT. ADVISE BRITISH COMMUNITY JOIN PRAYERS THANKSGIVING HIS LIFE PROGRESS
HIS SOUL.”

DR. ERNEST SPENCER MILLER

Became a Bahá’í in September 1951 in Liverpool and at great sacrifice left
his medical practice to pioneer to Cardiff in 1955. For some years prior
to his death in October 1976, he lived partly in Liverpool and partly in
Anglesey, North Wales. The Universal House of Justice cabled: “GRIEVED
LOSS DEVOTED BELIEVER ERNEST MILLER WHO RENDERED DISTINGUISHED SERVICES
BRITISH HOME FRONT ENDEARED HIMSELF FELLOW BELIEVERS. EXTEND SYMPATHY
FRIENDS ASSURE ARDENT PRAYERS SACRED THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS SOUL ABHÁ
KINGDOM.”

IAN SEMPLE

Heard of the Faith at the first public meeting organised by the Oxford
Spiritual Assembly in 1949 and accepted it shortly afterwards. He was
elected to the National Assembly in January 1955 and was a member until
Ridván 1961, serving as Secretary from January 1960 to January 1961. In
1956 he pioneered to Edinburgh for two and a half years, and was appointed
to the Auxiliary Board for the Propagation of the Faith in November 1957.
He was elected to the International Bahá’í Council at Ridván 1961, and to
the Universal House of Justice in 1963.

MISS JEAN M. CAMPBELL

Jean Campbell accepted the Faith in Oxford in 1949 in time to be on the
first Spiritual Assembly there. She served as the Assembly secretary for
some years, pioneered to Aberdeen in 1959 and then to Malta in February
1964 where she is still at her pioneer post (1979).

JOHN CHARLES CRAVEN

Was associated closely with E. T. Hall and Rebecca Hall from the earliest
days of the Faith in Manchester, and remained a dedicated worker until his
death, aged 80 in 1958. “Uncle John” kept up a wide correspondence with
many of the early believers, and it was in a letter to him that Dr. T. K.
Cheyne D.D. made his “Declaration” of belief in Bahá’u’lláh. He received
three Tablets from the Master and was on the National Assembly for six of
the first eight years. His teaching of the Faith was mostly in the
Altrincham area and among his workmates.

ADDENDUM FOR H. M. BALYUZI

His crowning work, “Bahá’u’lláh—the King of Glory” was still at the
binders when he passed away at his home in London on 12 February 1980. The
Universal House of Justice cabled the Bahá’í world, “WITH BROKEN HEARTS
ANNOUNCE PASSING DEARLY LOVED HAND CAUSE ?ASAN BALYUZI. ENTIRE BAHÁ’Í
WORLD ROBBED ONE OF ITS MOST POWERFUL DEFENDERS MOST RESOURCEFUL
HISTORIANS. HIS ILLUSTRIOUS LINEAGE HIS DEVOTED LABOURS DIVINE VINEYARD
HIS OUTSTANDING LITERARY WORKS COMBINED IN IMMORTALISING HIS HONOURED NAME
IN ANNALS BELOVED FAITH. CALL ON FRIENDS EVERYWHERE HOLD MEMORIAL
GATHERINGS. PRAYING SHRINES HIS EXEMPLARY ACHIEVEMENTS STEADFASTNESS
PATIENCE HUMILITY HIS OUTSTANDING SCHOLARLY PURSUITS WILL INSPIRE MANY
DEVOTED WORKERS AMONG RISING GENERATIONS FOLLOW HIS GLORIOUS FOOTSTEPS.”

FOOTNOTES

1 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”. (See para. 3, page xvii.)

2 Dr. Esselmont was elected Chairman.

3 The first meeting of the elected “National Spiritual Assembly” took
place in London on 13 October 1923.

4 Also addressed to America and published in “Bahá’í Administration”.

5 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

6 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

7 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

8 This is the first example of a receipt from the Guardian. A few such
receipts appear in this book as they illustrate his meticulous
attention to detail. They do not, however, represent the total
contributions made by members of the British Bahá’í community during
the thirty-five years covered by the book.

9 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration.”

10 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

11 Martha Root.

12 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

13 Martha Root and Mountfort Mills.

14 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

15 In a different handwriting from Miss Rosenberg’s.

16 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

17 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

18 As there were two believers with an equal number of votes for the
ninth place it had been decided to have all ten on the National
Assembly!

19 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

20 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

21 Printed also in “Bahá’í Administration”.

22 On the occasion of the opening of the new Bahá’í Centre on 19
September, at Walmer House, Regent St., London.

23 Addressed to Mrs. Slade.

24 “Promise of All Ages”

25 Published under the title, “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh”.

26 Added as footnote to letter of February 24th.

27 In reply to the Convention’s cable stating that two new
Assemblies—Bradford and Torquay—were represented, and the
incorporation documents were completed.

28 The Guardian only used his full name in cables when the censorship
regulations during states of emergency made it obligatory.

29 Lady Blomfield passed away 31 December 1939.

30 This was the first letter received by the British N.S.A. in which
the secretarial part was written by, and signed, “R. Rabbání”
(Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih _Kh_ánum).

31 In reply to cable sent to the Guardian 13 May 1941 FU’ÁD AFNÁN FIRST
BAHÁ’Í AIR RAID VICTIM ENGLAND KILLED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING GRATEFUL
IF YOU INFORM MOTHER.

32 This Minute recorded that: “Personal problems should not be referred
to the Guardian without the advice or direction of the National
Spiritual Assembly....”

33 The cabled reply was “First meeting thirteenth October, 1923.”

34 Printed also in “Messages to America (1932–1946)”.

35 In response to cable from Convention announcing adoption of a six
year plan and requesting the Guardian to set the goals.

36 Miss Jessica Young were the first to arise to pioneer in the British
Isles.

37 Printed also in “Messages to America (1932–1946)”.

38 Cable 9 May 1945.

39 In answer to cabled request for guidance about tied vote at
Convention.

40 Although some pioneer settlement had been attempted, at the time
this letter was being written only the first nine pioneers had
actually become established: Ursula Newman (later Samandarí) and
Kathleen Brown (later Lady Hornell) in October 1945; Walter Wilkins
and Una Townshend in September 1946; David Hofman, Marion Hofman and
Philip Hainsworth in October 1946.

41 Approving Teaching Conference to be dedicated to the 25th
Anniversary of the Guardianship.

42 At news of move to new National Bahá’í Centre

43 Pioneers referred to were Charles Dunning, for whom projects were
completed.

44 Walter Wilkins, Cyril Jenkerson, and Zara Warman had settled in
Norwich, Blackpool, and Brighton, respectively.

45 This was in reply to a cable from the N.S.A. which ended “ASSEMBLY
READY CONTINUE PLAN INTENSIVE TEACHING OTHER COMMUNITIES DESIGNED
RELEASE KNOWN WILLING PIONEERS. INVOLVES DRASTIC REDUCTION
ADMINISTRATIVE WORK FREE CAPABLE TEACHERS. SUSPEND UNTIL CONVENTION
A.D.C., YOUTH, PUBLISHING TRUST, REDUCE SUMMER SCHOOL, TOWNSHEND
COMMITTEES, DELAY NUMERICAL INCREASE VIRGIN TERRITORIES NEW
ASSEMBLIES. READY OPERATE DESPERATE MEASURES IMMEDIATELY RECEIPT
YOUR APPROVAL. BEGS PRAYERS GUIDANCE.”

46 Louise Charlot, Constance Langdon-Davies, and Cyril Jenkerson were
pioneering to Oxford.

47 Substitution of Stockport for St. Ives as goal of Plan.

48 Refers to a suggested new procedure for the recognition of Local
Assemblies.

49 In answer to cable of 10 April from N.S.A. “JOYFULLY TRANSMIT
TEACHING COMMITTEE REPORT ARRANGEMENTS MADE COMPLETE PLAN BY RIDVÁN
EARNESTLY ENTREAT PRAYERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH SEAL VICTORY.”

50 In answer to cable of 17 April from National Assembly. “TOTAL
VICTORY ASSURED LOVING GRATITUDE BOUNTIES BELOVED GUARDIAN
ASSISTANCE WHOLE BAHÁ’Í WORLD.”

51 In answer to cable of 19 April from National Assembly. “JOYOUS
RIDVÁN GREETINGS BELOVED GUARDIAN FROM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND
TWENTY-FOUR LOCAL ASSEMBLIES BRITISH ISLES.”

52 Mary Basil-Hall, “Parvine”.

53 Florence “Mother” George.

54 Reply to cable sent on the occasion of the appointment of the
International Bahá’í Council.

55 Músá and Samiyyih Banání, ‘Alí and Violette Na_kh_javání, and Philip
Hainsworth.

56 On receiving news of the first Declaration of the Africa project, in
Tanganyika (Tanzania).

57 To the Treasurer for this special fund—Arthur Norton.

58 When Ethel Stephens flew to the Gold Coast.

59 Regarding the first Intercontinental Conference.

60 On 18 December 1951 the National Assembly reported to the beloved
Guardian the acceptance of two African believers in Kampala.

61 Reply to National Assembly’s enquiry whether Hands of the Cause
could be invited to give talks at the Africa Conference.

62 Death of Marguerite Preston and eldest child killed in air crash
returning to Kenya.

63 Regarding Dr. and Mrs. Abbás Afnán.

64 The National Assembly cabled the Guardian on 14 April 1952: “KAMPALA
DAR-ES-SALAAM NOW NINE ASSEMBLIES ASSURED. BELIEVE MAINTENANCE
ASSURED ALL ASSEMBLIES EXCEPT BLACKPOOL WHERE TWO GAPS REMAIN. BEG
SPECIAL PRAYERS”.

65 On news of maintenance of all Assemblies.

66 From Leeds to Norwich at age 84 and died at age 86.

67 On 9 January 1951 the Guardian announced the formation of the first
International Bahá’í Council, hailing it as “the greatest event
shedding lustre upon second epoch of Formative Age...” and on 8
March 1952 he enlarged it and named its eight members. Hand of the
Cause Leroy Ioas was appointed Secretary General and as such wrote
frequently to the British National Spiritual Assembly. He wrote more
frequently, however, conveying messages from the Guardian,
requesting information, sharing news, etc., signing his letters
“Assistant Secretary”. This was the first letter of this kind. His
letters are now included wherever he indicates that he is writing on
behalf of the Guardian.

68 Reply to Summer School.

69 Reply to greetings of N.S.A. at beginning of Holy Year.

70 On completion of nine African Pamphlets, a goal of the Two Year
Plan.

71 Announcing “Roll of Honour” for “Knights of Bahá’u’lláh” published
in “Messages to the Bahá’í World, 1950–1957”, p. 48.

72 Refers to purchase of Hazíratu’l-Quds, London.

73 Refers to purchase of Hazíratu’l-Quds, London.

74 £600 on this occasion.

75 Refers to purchase of National Hazíratu’l-Quds, London.

76 Joint Convention Message to all National Assemblies. Published
“Bahá’í Journal” No. 114 and “Messages to the Bahá’í World
1950–1957”, p. 60.

77 On report that all overseas territories opened and all home
Assemblies assured.

78 On report that all overseas territories opened and all home
Assemblies assured.

79 On signing of contract for Hazíratu’l-Quds, London.

80 See letter 5 August 1955 for references to status of Assemblies with
fewer than nine members, use of bequests and Freemasonry.

81 See letter 5 August 1955 for references to status of Assemblies with
fewer than nine members, use of bequests and Freemasonry.

82 This was sent in reply to a cable from a meeting at 27 Rutland Gate,
London, S.W.7, jointly to dedicate the new Hazíratu’l-Quds and to
hold Teaching Conference.

83 On report that all Assemblies maintained; Nicosia had eight with
ninth member en route to arrive 7 May.

84 Replied “exactly 100”.

85 Refers to Dr. John Mitchell.

86 As convening Chairman, Kampala Convention.

87 ?íya’u’lláh As_gh_arzádih.

88 For allocation of delegates to Assemblies lapsing after civic limits
rule imposed.

89 Proposed letter of thanks to a Head of State.

90 The two versions are: “We will all, verily, abide by the Will of
God”, and “Verily we are content with the Will of God”.

91 Sent in reply to a cable expressing gratitude for the appointment of
two British Hands of the Cause of God.

*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Unfolding Destiny" ***

Home