With reference to the matter of meeting in the Foundation Hall of the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, I feel that the Foundation Hall should serve the
purpose both of devotional gatherings where the revealed Word of God is
read and chanted, and meetings at which subjects strictly Baha'i in
character are presented, propounded and discussed. I have no doubt that
every conscientious and thoughtful Baha'i will scrupulously and at all
times observe the commandment of Baha'u'llah and the instructions of
'Abdu'l-Baha relative to the maintenance of the sacredness, the dignity,
and the universality of an edifice that will in time become God's
universal House of Worship.
May the blessings of our Almighty Master rest upon your deliberations.
Your true brother,
SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine,
January 16, 1925.
Letter of January 29th, 1925.
To the esteemed members of the American National Spiritual Assembly.
My well-beloved and precious fellow-workers:
I have perused your recent communication, dated December 29th, and signed
on your behalf by your vigilant and capable secretary, with an interest
and attention worthy of the paramount importance of the issues it raises.
The matter of the revision of the English version of the Hidden Words, in
view of the rapidity of the sale of the copies recently printed, is of
urgent importance. I shall as soon as my multitudinous preoccupations
permit avail myself of the opportunity of Dr. Esslemont's happy sojourn in
the Holy Land to collaborate with him in any necessary alterations of the
text. I strongly hope, except in the event of unforeseen circumstances, to
undertake this task in the course of this coming month.
In connection with the fundamental questions of general policy referred to
in your letter, I feel that the basic principles, laid down but briefly
stated in my past letters, which must guide the administration of the
affairs of the Baha'i Movement, pending the definite formation of the
first authoritative Universal House of Justice, must be further affirmed,
elucidated, and explained in greater detail, for the complete knowledge of
all the individual members of the vast and growing community of the
believers in America.