slow and toilsome march towards the acceptance of God's holy Faith, let us
turn for a moment our gaze to the Western Hemisphere, and particularly to
the American continent, and attempt to visualise the possibilities of the
future spread of the Cause, and to estimate afresh those golden yet
swiftly passing opportunities which Baha'u'llah in those far-away lands
has accorded to His chosen people. I feel thoroughly convinced, and am
moved to share this firm conviction within me with that great company of
western believers, that in the speedy resumption of the sorely-neglected
construction of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar at Wilmette lies our undoubted
privilege, our primary obligation, our most vital opportunity to lend an
unprecedented impetus to the advancement of the Cause, not only throughout
the West but in every country of the world. I would not stress at this
moment the prestige and good name of the Cause, much as they are involved
in this most pressing issue, I would not dwell upon the eager expectancy
with which the unnumbered followers of the Faith as well as the vast
number of the non-believers in almost every section of society throughout
the East are awaiting to behold that noble structure rear its head in the
heart of that far-western continent; nor would I expatiate on the
ineffable beauty of this holy Edifice, its towering glory, its artistic
design, its unique character, or its functions in the organic life of the
Baha'i community of the future. But I would with all the strength of my
conviction emphasise the immeasurable spiritual significance of an
Edifice, so beauteous, so holy, erected solely by the concerted efforts,
strained to the utmost degree of self-sacrifice, of the entire body of the
believers who are fully conscious of the significance of the Revelation of
Baha'u'llah. In this vast endeavour, unparalleled in modern times, its
world-wide range, its spontaneity, its heroic and holy character, the
American believers, on the soil of whose country Baha'u'llah's first
universal House of Worship is to be built, must, if they be faithful to
their trust, claim and fulfil a pre-eminent share in the collective
contributions offered by the Baha'is of the world.
For this reason do I feel impelled to direct my incessant plea in
particular to the followers of the Faith in the United States and Canada
to arise and play their part, while there is yet time, and not to allow
their earnest strivings to be swamped and superseded by the
self-sacrificing heroism of the multitude of their brethren in Persia.
Again I feel the urge to remind you one and all of the necessity of
keeping ever in mind this fundamental verity that the efficacy of the
spiritual forces centering in, and radiating from, the first
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar in the West will in a great measure depend upon the
extent to which we, the pioneer workers in that land will with clear
vision, unquenchable faith, and inflexible determination, resolve to
voluntarily abnegate temporal advantages in our support of so meritorious
an endeavour. The higher the degree of our renunciation and
self-sacrifice, the wider the range of the contributing believers, the
more apparent will become the vitalising forces that are to emanate from
this unique and sacred Edifice; and the greater, in consequence, the
stimulating effect it will exert upon the propagation of the Faith in the
days to come. Not by the abundance of our donations, not even by the
spontaneity of our efforts, but rather by the degree of self-abnegation
which our contributions will entail, can we effectively promote the speedy
realisation of 'Abdu'l-Baha's cherished desire. How great our
responsibility, how immense our task, how priceless the advantages that we
can reap!
I cannot refrain, however, from giving expression to my gratification and
appreciation of the substantial and continued support already accorded,
and in particular during the past year by the believers in the United
States and Canada, under the wise and judicious direction of their elected
national representatives, to the Plan of Unified Action, whose declared
purpose is to insure, ere the present Baha'i year comes to a close, the
raising of the funds required for the building of the first Unit of the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar. The vigilance and fidelity with which the National
Assembly of the United States and Canada has observed its pledge in
connection with the limitation of the current administrative expenses of
the Cause, and the zeal and ready response manifested by local Assemblies
and individual believers to curtail their local and personal expenditures
in order to concentrate on the Temple Fund, are worthy of the highest
praise, and will deservedly attract the manifold blessings of a loving and
bountiful Master. Much indeed has been accomplished during this past year
of concentrated and consecrated self-sacrifice for so glorious a purpose.
Much more still remains unachieved if we are to vindicate, in the eyes of
an expectant world, the honourable name, the inexhaustible and miraculous
vitality of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah.
In the mid-watches of the night, commemorating the passing of Him Who with
His own hands laid the head-cornerstone of His Father's House of Worship
in that land, seated within the hallowed precincts of His shrine, and
keeping vigil in the company of His closest companions, I have more than
once in the midst of my devotions prayerfully remembered those chosen ones
of God on whose shoulders has fallen so weighty a responsibility, whose
destiny is to bring to full fruition so excellent a heritage. I have
recalled on that peaceful and moonlit night, with much emotion and
gratitude, the inestimable bounties He lavished while on earth upon you. I
have revived in my memory the glowing promises that His unfailing guidance
and gracious assistance would continue from His station on high to be
showered upon you. I have pictured in my mind that beauteous vision of a
Cause unfolded in all its glory which in His immortal writings He has
revealed unto you. And with my head upon His threshold, I have prayed and
prayed again that we may all prove ourselves worthy disciples of so
gracious a Master, that we may, when called unto Him, transmit,
undiminished and unimpaired, our share of the immeasurably precious
heritage bequeathed by Him to us all.
And in closing, dearly-beloved friends, what more appropriate thought with
which to conclude my fervent plea than these pregnant words fallen from
the lips of Baha'u'llah: "O My friends! I bear witness that the Divine
Bounty has been vouchsafed unto you, His Argument has been made manifest,
His Proof has been revealed and His Guidance has shone forth upon you. Let
it now be seen what your endeavours in the path of renunciation can
reveal."
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 6 December 1928
6 December 1928(20)
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the East and West. Dear fellow-workers,
I desire to convey to you in a few words my impressions of the recently
published "Baha'i World", copies of which I understand, have already,
thanks to the assiduous care and indefatigable efforts displayed by the
Publishing Committee of the American National Spiritual Assembly, been
widely distributed among the Baha'i countries of East and West.
This unique record of world-wide Baha'i activity attempts to present to
the general public, as well as to the student and scholar, those
historical facts and fundamental principles that constitute the
distinguishing features of the Message of Baha'u'llah to this age. I have
ever since its inception taken a keen and sustained interest in its
development, have personally participated in the collection of its
material, the arrangement of its contents, and the close scrutiny of
whatever data it contains.
I confidently and emphatically recommend it to every thoughtful and eager
follower of the Faith, whether in the East or in the West, whose desire is
to place in the hands of the critical and intelligent inquirer, of
whatever class, creed or colour, a work that can truly witness to the high
purpose, the moving history, the enduring achievements, the resistless
march and infinite prospects of the Revelation of Baha'u'llah. Eminently
readable and attractive in its features, reliable and authoritative in the
material it contains, up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate in the mass
of information it gives, concise and persuasive in its treatment of the
fundamental aspects of the Cause, thoroughly representative in the
illustrations and photographs it reveals--it stands unexcelled and
unapproached by any publication of its kind in the varied literature of
our beloved Cause. It will, without the slightest doubt, if generously and
vigorously supported, arouse unprecedented interest among all classes of
civilised society.
I earnestly request you, dearly-beloved friends, to exert the utmost
effort for the prompt and widespread circulation of a book that so
faithfully and vividly portrays, in all its essential features, its
far-reaching ramifications and most arresting aspects, the
all-encompassing Faith of Baha'u'llah. Whatever assistance, financial or
moral, extended by Baha'i Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers,
to those who have been responsible for such a highly valuable and
representative production will, it should be remembered, be directly
utilised to advance the interests and reinforce the funds that are being
raised in behalf of the Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar, and will indirectly serve
to exert a most powerful stimulus in removing the malicious
misrepresentations and unfortunate misunderstandings that have so long and
so grievously clouded the luminous Faith of Baha'u'llah.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 21 December 1928
21 December 1928(21)
To the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout
the West.
Dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in 'Abdu'l-Baha!
With feelings of profound sorrow I am moved to address you these few lines
mourning the loss which the Cause has undoubtedly sustained by the passing
of one who, for many years and in circumstances of exceptional
significance, rendered the sacred Threshold distinctive and inestimable
services. The hand of Divine Decree has removed, by the death of our
talented and dearly-beloved friend, Mr. Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney, yet
another outstanding figure in the Cause of Baha'u'llah, who, by his
brilliant gifts of mind and heart as well as by the divers achievements of
his life, has truly enriched the annals of God's immortal Faith.
A pioneer of the Cause of Baha'u'llah ever since its celestial light first
warmed and illuminated the West, he has, by his close association with the
person of 'Abdu'l-Baha, by his contact with all sections of society, by
his scholarly presentation of the history and fundamentals of the Faith,
and lastly by his unforgettable share in the settlement of the complex and
pressing issues that called for expert assistance in the days following
'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, achieved a standing which few have as yet
attained.
The days of his spiritual communion with 'Abdu'l-Baha and His household
within the walls of the prison-city of Akka, wherein he imbibed the
principles which he later so ably expounded to the peoples of the West;
his pre-eminent role on his return to Paris in kindling the torch which is
destined to shed eternal illumination upon his native land and its people;
the links of abiding fellowship which he forged with our Persian brethren
in the course of the historic mission entrusted to his charge by our
Beloved; the seeds which he scattered far and wide during his subsequent
travels to the heart of Asia, throughout India, beyond the remotest
villages of Burma and as far as the eastern confines of Indo-China; the
able support he lent in its initial and intermediary stages to the case of
Baha'u'llah's house in Ba_gh_dad; his unhesitating intervention with State
officials in paving the way for the ultimate emancipation of our Egyptian
brethren from the yoke of orthodox Islam; the stimulating encouragement
his visit caused to the Baha'i community of Tunis on the northern shores
of Africa; and last but not least the ability and diligence with which he
applied himself to the solution of the delicate and vexing problems of the
Holy Land in the critical years following 'Abdu'l-Baha's ascension--all
stand out as memorable landmarks in a life that was as varied in its
international aspects as it was rich in its spiritual experience.
His gifts of unfailing sympathy and penetrating insight, his wide
knowledge and mature experience, all of which he utilised for the glory
and propagation of the Message of Baha'u'llah, will be gratefully
remembered by future generations who, as the days go by, will better
estimate the abiding value of the responsibilities he shouldered for the
introduction and consolidation of the Baha'i Faith in the Western world.
Suffering as he did in his last days from the effects of a slow and
painful illness, he bore heroically his share of the afflictions of the
world, and is now in the realms of blissful deliverance partaking his full
share of the goodly reward which he certainly deserved. To me, and
particularly amid the storm and stress that have agitated my life after
'Abdu'l-Baha's passing, he was a sustaining and comforting companion, a
most valued counsellor, an intimate and trusted friend.
With much emotion and the deepest sense of gratitude I supplicate at the
holy Threshold--and request you to join with me in my prayers--for the
spiritual advancement in the realms above of a soul who by the sheer merit
of the signal services he rendered already deserves to rank highly among
the departed faithful.
May he forever rest in peace. Shoghi
Letter of 31 December 1928
31 December 1928
Not until harmony and concord are firmly established among the friends of
London and Manchester will the Cause advance along sound and progressive
lines.
May they be guided and inspired to do His Will and achieve His Purpose.
Shoghi
Letter of 29 August 1929
29 August 1929
My dear Mr. Simpson,
I write on behalf of the Guardian with reference to a subject that has
lately been raised by the N.S.A. of America, and referred to him--the
publication of a revised edition of the "Hidden Words" in England.
Shoghi Effendi has asked me to write to America that in view of the
alterations that were lately introduced through the assistance of Miss
Rosenberg and Canon Townshend, a new edition of the "Hidden Words" is
fully justified and he approves of it. However he does advise that such a
publication should not be taken up privately but wholly undertaken by the
English N.S.A. and in view of the large stock which the American N.S.A.
now holds of the present edition, he would urge that the new edition
should be deferred until the American N.S.A. has sold off the bulk of its
present stock. In general he would greatly desire and keenly advise better
co-operation and co-ordination in the work of the American and English
N.S.A. with regard to publication. London, despite its small group has
done great work in Baha'i publications but they must never forget that
their market lies unfortunately mainly across the Atlantic....
...I hope you have been able to go to Geneva with Mr. Mills. Yours will be
an Englishman's sober and matter of fact talk....
Letter of 27 September 1929
27 September 1929(22)
GUARDIAN WIRES DEEPLY REGRETS INABILITY PARTICIPATE PERSONALLY DEDICATION
GATHERING OVERJOYED BRIGHT PROSPECTS LOVING GOOD WISHES, SHOGHI.
BAHA'IYYIH (taken from National Spiritual Assembly Minutes of 16
November.)
Letter of 29 November 1929
29 November 1929
My dear Mr. Simpson,
Thank you so much for your letter of Sept. 19th and for the copy of the
"Hidden Words" you sent me later.
Evidently enough I kept them until our Guardian's arrival and I now hasten
to reply.
While he is well pleased with the booklet as it is now produced, Shoghi
Effendi wishes me to express his regret that by appearing so soon, it has
rendered the sale of a few thousand copies now in the hands of the
American Publications Committee, extremely difficult, if not impossible.
Of course the Guardian appreciates your efforts and understands perfectly
your desire to have a more correct and a better printed copy of the work
on hand. It is with that view that he is sending enclosed a cheque to the
value of L19 for which kindly send him leather bound copies exactly like
the specimen you sent.
Shoghi Effendi has returned much refreshed and has again taken up his work
with renewed strength. He is much hopeful of your new centre in Regent
Street or thereabouts, and he trusts that it will mark a turning point in
the history of the Cause in England--from happy tea-parties at individual
homes, into a group of less personal but eager, active and thoughtful
workers co-operating in a common service. It is a basis upon which healthy
progress is possible....
Letter of 26 December 1929
26 December 1929
EARNESTLY APPEAL ENGLISH FRIENDS REINFORCE HEROIC EXERTIONS AMERICAN
BRETHREN IN BEHALF MA_SH_RIQU'L-A_DH_KAR.
SHOGHI January 1930 (Circa) Through Mrs. Coles:--
"...I am delighted with your new centre, and will pray at the Holy Shrines
from the depths of my heart for its progress. Kindly assure my dear
English friends of my heartfelt appreciation of their staunchness, their
renewed activity, their self-sacrificing endeavours. I will continue to
pray for their individual, as well as their collective efforts, from the
bottom of my heart."
Shoghi Through Miss Challis:--
"I rejoice to hear of the new centre in London. I will pray for its
extension and growth and for the success of your manifold activities...."
Shoghi Through his Secretary to Sister Challis:--
"Now that the London centre has been transferred to a better locality we
hope it will attract more attention and add to the number of attendants at
the meetings. We should however, bear in mind that no matter how important
the hall may be--the talks given and the unity manifested are of far
greater significance."
"Shoghi Effendi has a special affection for the English friends, for he
has been in their midst and knows most of them personally. He therefore
wishes and prays fervently that their number may increase, and that they
may render distinguished services to the Cause. Please assure them all of
his prayers and extend to them his loving greetings." (Taken from National
Spiritual Assembly Minutes of 8 January 1930)
Letter of 31 January 1930
31 January 1930
With regard to change in the official title of the N.S.A. he is pleased
that the matter has been definitely decided. (i.e.--"National Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'is of the British Isles.")
In connection with the important question of collating and editing the
Master's Tablets to the friends in the British Isles ... Shoghi Effendi
has already wired his reply. (i.e.--Cablegram Haifa February 3 1930--
"WELCOME TOWNSHEND'S SPLENDID SUGGESTION REGARDING COLLECTION TABLETS,
ADVISE SEND ORIGINALS TO HIM FOR PRESENT.")
Shoghi Effendi wants me to express his pleasure over such an undertaking,
and he sincerely trusts that it will result into a splendid achievement
for posterity--a mine of endless knowledge, illumination, and insight into
Baha'i teachings and outlook.
He wishes me to add that whereas he welcomes the work on the Tablets the
friends have received from the Master he does not wish anything done on
notes taken or personal accounts of visits.
The reason for this is the fear that a set of conflicting accounts of the
same topic may crop up in various parts of the world from friends who have
drawn largely from their memory, or have based their understanding of the
Master's opinion or words, upon the imperfect, not to say faulty,
renderings of the interpreters of those days.
Such accounts are not only impossible to verify but may lead to much
perplexity and constitute a set of traditions that may not prove
healthy....
Letter of 29 April 1930
29 April 1930
CONVEY CONVENTION DELEGATES AND FRIENDS ASSEMBLED FEAST OF RIDVAN LOVING
APPRECIATION REMEMBRANCE HOLY SHRINES.
SHOGHI
Letter of 20 September 1930
20 September 1930
The work of collecting and publishing the Tablets is one of the most
important tasks that this generation has undertaken, for upon it depends
our true understanding of the Cause and its principles. The more we put it
off, the more we are apt to lose some of the original writings. Yet
important as this task may be, it is fraught with difficulties. The early
translations are far from being accurate, no matter who the translator may
be. Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that only Tablets with the Master's
signature and in the original tongue should be recognised. Any
translations or copies of them fail from having real authority. This shows
the importance of collecting the original Tablets that bear the Master's
signature. November 1930 (on the death of Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg, 17
November 1930)
DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING ROSENBERG ENGLAND'S OUTSTANDING BAHA'I PIONEER
WORKER. MEMORY HER GLORIOUS SERVICE WILL NEVER DIE 'ABDU'L-BAHA'S FAMILY
JOIN ME IN EXPRESSING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES HER BROTHER RELATIVES URGE
FRIENDS HOLD BEFITTING MEMORIAL SERVICE.
SHOGHI Editor's Note:
From the end of 1930 until early 1934 there are no records of cables or
letters from the Guardian. Indeed there are very few references to the
Guardian in the scanty Minutes of the National Assembly of that period.
These brief Minutes indicate that only five or six short meetings were
held each year.
At the meeting of the National Assembly on 12 June, 1932 it was reported
that a reply had been received from Shoghi Effendi in answer to a request
from a Mr Wren for some confirmation of the Lambeth Resolution on Peace.
Another letter from the Guardian was read during the September 11 meeting
and it was recorded that the Assembly endorsed Resolution 26 of the
Lambeth Conference, 1930 "with the full sanction of Shoghi Effendi".
Letter of 24 January 1934
24 January 1934(23)
Dear Baha'i Friend,
At the request of the Guardian I am sending you enclosed the programme of
"The New Commonwealth", a society for the promotion of international law
and order, having its headquarters in London, and which seems to have a
wide and well selected membership. The Guardian wishes the British N.S.A.
to consider the possibility of their joining this organisation, and to
carefully investigate whether any affiliation with that body involves any
political allegiance or may indirectly and eventually lead to
participation in any form of political activity. In the contrary case, he
strongly advises the N.S.A. to join that organisation, as he feels that in
this way the friends can give a wide and effective publicity to the
teachings of the Cause. Membership in non-political organisations of this
type is, indeed, the best method of teaching indirectly the Message by
making useful and frequent contacts with well-known and influential
persons who, if not completely won to the Faith, can at least become of
some effective use to it.
Trusting that you are in the best of health, and with the assurance of
Shoghi Effendi's ardent prayers on your behalf and on behalf of all the
friends in London.
Yours in His Service,
Letter of 11 February 1934
11 February 1934
Dear Baha'i Friend,
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your
letters dated Jan. 20th and Feb. 2nd, 1934, all of which he read with deep
interest. He has also received the text of the High Commissioner's reply
to your petition.
With regard to the "New Commonwealth" society he would advise the N.S.A.
to join it as soon as possible after having carefully ascertained that
affiliation with such a body does not involve any political allegiance to
any doctrine or group. As you have already stated this organisation is run
on non-party lines. It would be, however, advisable that you should find
out the real aims and objectives of the society and specially the methods
it advocates for the carrying out of its ideals before definitely joining
it.
The Guardian hopes that this will give the friends a further opportunity
to make new contacts, and to draw more competent and sincere people to the
Cause. He is fully alive to the difficulties facing the friends at the
present time. But he would urge each and all to work harder than ever, and
to persevere in order that the Faith may be better appreciated and
understood by the public.
He will continue to supplicate on behalf of you all at the Holy Shrines,
so that Baha'u'llah may sustain you in your efforts to spread His message.
With best wishes for Mr. Slade and yourself,
Yours in His Service,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless richly your continued and self-sacrificing
endeavours, restore your health, cheer your heart, and enable you to
promote effectively the vital interests of our beloved Faith.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 5 May 1934
5 May 1934
Dear Baha'i Friend,
I wish to thank you in the name of the Guardian for your deeply
appreciated letter of April 24th, as well as for the article on Jerusalem
which appeared in "Time and Tide", all of which he greatly enjoyed
reading.