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 Baha'i 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 Nayriz, 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 Nayriz 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 Baha'i world and more is
expected. What an admirable and convincing testimony of the reality of the
Baha'i 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
IRAQ'S SUPREME COURT UNEXPECTEDLY PRONOUNCED VERDICT AGAINST US IN
BA_GH_DAD CASE STRONGLY ADVISE NATIONAL AND EVERY LOCAL ASSEMBLY
COMMUNICATE BY CABLE AND LETTER WITH 'IRAQ HIGH COMMISSIONER APPEALING
ARDENTLY FOR ACTION TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF BAHA'U'LLAH'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 Baha'u'llah's sacred house in Ba_gh_dad has sent a thrill of
indignation and dismay throughout the whole of the Baha'i world. Houses
that have been occupied by Baha'u'llah for well nigh the whole period of
His exile in 'Iraq, ordained by Him as the chosen and sanctified object of
Baha'i 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 Baha'i 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 Baha'i 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 Baha'i
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 Baha'is the world over cannot
believe that the high sense of honour and fairness which inspired the
British Administration of 'Iraq 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 Baha'u'llah in
Ba_gh_dad.
2. Circular letter concerning the purchase of land around the Holy Shrines
in Haifa.
3. The system of transliteration to be used in all Baha'i 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 Baha'is as your distinguished assembly deems fit and
advisable....
Letter of 12 November 1925
12 November 1925
Dear Baha'i 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_dad House.
He is highly pleased with what you have done. In other Baha'i 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 Baha'i 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 Baha'i doctors Yunis _Kh_an and Mirza
Arastu, 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 Baha'i 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 Baha'i. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Baha'i
burial ground at the foot of Carmel, close to the mortal remains of that
venerable soul, ?aji 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
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_dad have been highly satisfactory and I
trust will yield the long-desired fruit. Regarding the position of ...,
Azizu'llah _Kh_an Bahadur 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 'IRAQ
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_dad have
been given to the _Sh_i'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 Baha'i 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 Baha'i
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 Baha'is 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 Bab 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_dad
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_dad 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 Akka 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: