The Star of the West, the latest issues of which I have read with genuine
satisfaction, has admittedly made a notable advance towards the ideal
which the Master has set before it. Articles on broad humanitarian lines,
well-conceived, adequately treated, and powerfully presented, should have
their proper place in every issue together with such accounts of the
history and the teachings of the Cause as will portray to the Baha'i and
non-Baha'i alike the unique beauty as well as the compelling power of the
Baha'i spirit. Matters political and partisan in character should be
carefully avoided as they would eventually lead to entanglements that
would be not only futile but positively harmful. As regards the Persian
Section: I feel that in view of the severe restrictions imposed on the
friends in Persia its temporary suspension would be well-advised,
particularly as it makes such a disproportionate demand on the meagre
resources of the friends in America.
The increasing efforts displayed by my beloved brothers and sisters in
America, both individually and collectively, and the action taken by you
in constituting regional Teaching Committees are of vital importance to
the spread of the Cause in the present stage of our work. I feel that we
should all collaborate in widening its scope, intensifying its influence,
assuring its continuity, and endeavoring to subordinate every other
activity to this most urgent and vital task. It is our bounden duty to do
all in our power to give the Cause from day to day a fuller publicity, to
maintain and stimulate the interest aroused, and to concentrate at the
same time our attention on a chosen few, endeavoring tactfully and
persistently to make of them earnest and unreserved supporters of the
Baha'i Faith.
I am deeply conscious of the manifold and unavoidable difficulties that
confront you in your labors for the administration of the affairs of the
Cause. Vast distances; personal professional preoccupations; insufficient
number of capable and experienced teachers, unhampered by the necessity of
earning their means of livelihood; the inadequacy of the means at your
disposal, financial and otherwise; the prevailing tendencies in the
general thought, sentiment, and manners of the people in whose midst you
work--all these, though insuperable obstacles at present, will, if we stand
steadfast and faithful, be one by one removed, and pave the way for the
ultimate ascendency of the Cause and the fruition and triumph of our
labors.
As to the projected prayer-book, I feel the need for a specially prepared
compilation of the prayers of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha designed for
the general public which would both prove of value for devotional purposes
and act as a fresh incentive to eager and inspiring minds. I am enclosing
copies of prayers which you may have not yet received and trust to send
you more in future. I should be glad to receive any particulars you might
wish me to consider in this connection.
Our untiring and devoted sister, Dr. Moody (the handmaid of the Most
High), has had to her profound regret to discontinue for a time the
invaluable and unique services she has been rendering to the Cause in
Persia. She is proceeding to America, and will familiarize you with the
deplorable state of affairs in that unhappy country. You will get
first-hand information from her regarding the present condition and
activities of our long-suffering friends in Persia, and she will take
counsel with you as to the best way to meet the needs and serve the Cause
of Education in Tihran. I hope and pray that as soon as circumstances
permit, the friends in America may enable Dr. Moody to take back with her
to Persia suitable, capable and ardent collaborators who will contribute
their distinct share towards the uplift and the advancement of their
brethren and sisters in that land.
Concerning the magazine ... I feel we must make it unmistakably plain to
those in charge of it that the Baha'is would gladly and gratefully respond
to the invitation to cooperate with those that are responsible for it
immediately they are fully satisfied that nothing is or will be published
by them, whether in the magazine or elsewhere, that would, however
indirectly, prejudice or reflect upon their conception of what the Baha'i
Movement is or stands for. Should this be refused, and unfriendly and
harmful matters be published against them, the attitude of all of us
should be a definite refusal to help and absolute non-interference, as
well as the absence of any form of retaliation which will instead of
achieving our end defeat our purpose. We should leave him in the hands of
God.
As to the suggestion of the Annual Convention being held next summer at
Green Acre, I believe it to be both wise and helpful, and trust that it
will forge another link between the Baha'is as a body and its founders and
trustees, and will serve to draw them closer and closer to the outward
form as well as to the spirit of the activities of the friends in America.
The financial help extended recently by the friends in America to their
fellow-workers of the Faith in Qadiyan, Punjab, has given us all intense
satisfaction and made us deeply grateful. Their contribution has
immediately been forwarded to them through the National Spiritual Assembly
of India and Burma, and will, I am certain, enhance the prestige and the
influence of the Cause.
I feel that the conditions are now favorable for the circulation of the
Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha only in manuscript form and among
recognized believers in America. Every such believer should be trusted
with a single copy with the express understanding that no duplicate copies
or extracts of it be made or published anywhere.