Concerning the election of alternate members to the National Spiritual
Assembly, I feel that only the nine original members of the National
Spiritual Assembly are entitled to vote, whereas such alternate members as
may be elected should be asked to fill vacancies only in a consultative
capacity and not be entitled to vote. They should not be regarded as part
of the quorum (i.e., five out of the nine original members) which is
necessary for the transaction of the business of the National Assembly.
All secondary matters that do not affect the principle outlined are left
to the discretion of the National Spiritual Assemblies who will decide
according to the exigencies of their respective circumstances.
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of your continued efforts, and of my
unceasing prayers on your behalf,
I am your grateful brother,
SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine,
November 6, 1925.
Letter of November 30, 1925.
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 Baha'is of the Orient
celebrated the twin Festivals of the Declaration of the Bab and the
birthday of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Dr. John E. Esslemont passed on to the Abha
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 cares of his
many friends could possibly deflect.
He bore his sufferings with admirable fortitude, with calm resignation and
courage. Though convinced that his ailment 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 Baha'u'llah. 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 the fondest
hopes, was suddenly cut short. His book,(12) 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 labors 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 Baha'u'llah--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 immortalized 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 Baha'i
burial ground at the foot of Carmel, close to the mortal remains of that
venerable soul, Haji Mirza Vakilu'd-Dawlih, the illustrious cousin of the
Bab and chief builder of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of I_sh_qabad. Pilgrims
visiting his grave from far and near will, with pride and gratitude, do
honor to a name that adorned the annals of an Immortal Cause.
May he eternally rest in peace.