P.S. On another page(6) is given the list of the best known and most
current Baha'i terms, and other Oriental names and expressions, all
properly and accurately transliterated, the faithful spelling of which by
all the Western friends will avoid confusion in future, and insure in this
matter a uniformity which is greatly needed at present in all Baha'i
literature. The full code will be duly communicated to the various
National Assemblies, and the transliteration of the Oriental terms
mentioned in the English letters sent out by the Haifa Spiritual Assembly
will provide a correct and reliable supplement to the above-mentioned
list. I feel confident that all the friends will from now on follow this
system and adhere scrupulously and at all times to this code in all their
writings.
Letter of April 8th, 1923.
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful, the
accredited delegates to the Annual Convention of America, Chicago,
Illinois.
Dearly beloved brothers and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Baha:
On this auspicious occasion, when the elected representatives of the
Baha'i Community throughout the continent of America, gathered for the
first time within the Foundation Hall of the stately edifice of the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, are assembled to take counsel together regarding
those vital issues that confront the Cause of Baha'u'llah in that land,
may I, as one of your humble fellow-workers in the field of service, offer
you from the very depths of my heart my brotherly love and sincere
greetings, and assure you of my fervent prayers for the success of your
deliberations and the attainments of your hearts' desire.
You stand at this challenging hour in the history of the Cause at the
threshold of a new era; the functions you are called upon to discharge are
fraught with immense possibilities; the responsibilities you shoulder are
grave and momentous; and the eyes of many peoples are turned, at this
hour, towards you, expectant to behold the dawning of a Day that shall
witness the fulfilment of His divine Promise.
Forgetful of the past and its vicissitudes, conscious of the need for
renewed and combined effort, freed from all earthly limitations and
motives, with every lingering trace of ill-feeling forever banished from
our hearts, freshly united and determined, let us join in deep and silent
communion with the ever-watchful Spirit of our beloved 'Abdu'l-Baha, and
with humility and earnestness supplicate for the guidance that will enable
us to fulfil the task which is now committed to our charge. May this
year's Convention, by the range of its activities, by the character of its
proceedings, by its faithful adherence to the divine Instructions of our
loving Master, and above all by its radiant spirit of enthusiasm and true
fellowship, prove itself one of the greatest landmarks in the history of
the Cause in America.
May the all-pervading Spirit of Baha'u'llah so permeate the souls of its
members as to cause it to mirror forth the glories and the splendors of
the Celestial Concourse.
Your devoted brother,
SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine.
April 8, 1923.
Letter of April 9th, 1923.
To the members of the American National Spiritual Assembly.
Dearest friends:
I have lately received your long-awaited reports on the present situation
of the Movement in that land, and have read them all, together with their
enclosures, with the utmost care and deepest interest.
I am much impressed and feel deeply gratified to learn of your devoted and
unremitting labors, individually and collectively in the field of service
to the Cause; of your constant vigilance and watchful care in upholding
its fundamental principles and guarding its essential interests; of the
efficiency, faithfulness and vigor with which you are conducting the
administration of its affairs throughout that land.
Many and grave may be the obstacles, whether from within or from without,
which we shall have to encounter in the days to come, but we feel sure
that if we but maintain consistently before our eyes a broad and noble
vision of its significance and vital necessity in these days, and above
all of its universality and all-conquering power, we shall be enabled to
surmount them, one and all, and by the Power of Faith, carry the Ark of
the Covenant to its Haven of Safety and Triumph.
It is, I firmly believe, of the utmost urgent importance that, with unity
of purpose and action firmly established in our midst, and with every
trace of the animosity and mistrust of the past banished from our hearts,
we should form one united front and combat, wisely and tactfully, every
force that might darken the spirit of the Movement, cause division in its
ranks, and narrow it by dogmatic and sectarian belief.