BELIEVERS SHARING JOYFUL NEWS NOBLE PERSEVERANCE WITH PILGRIMS ARRIVING IN
INCREASING NUMBERS FROM NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST ALL PRAYING CONTINUED SAFETY
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES SORE TRIED EXEMPLARY SERVANTS FAITH BAHA'U'LLAH
THROUGHOUT BRITISH ISLES URGE PERSISTENT EFFORTS UTILISE UTMOST LIMIT
PRICELESS SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIES PRESENT HOUR.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 30 April 1941 (Convention)
30 April 1941 (Convention)
EXHILARATED RESOLUTION INTENSIFY TEACHING ADMIRATION HEIGHTENED PRAYING
REDOUBLED FERVOUR.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 30 April 1941
30 April 1941(30)
Dear Baha'i Friends,
Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your letter to him of December
9th, 1940.
He was greatly relieved to hear from your letter and cables that all the
dear friends in the British Isles are well and safe, as his thoughts have
been so constantly with them during these dangerous and tragic days.
The extreme devotion to the Faith of Baha'u'llah which the English friends
are evincing at such a time of trial and suffering not only sets a truly
heroic example to their fellow Baha'is the world over, but greatly cheers
and encourages the Guardian himself, at a time when he has every reason to
long to see the Baha'is stand out as luminous examples to their
fellow-men--thus leading them out of the valley of spiritual death into the
glorious plains of the future World Order of Mankind.
The recently received news of the Convention's resolve to teach the Faith
as never before in those islands, and to achieve new victories in this
all-important field, meets not only with Shoghi Effendi's whole-hearted
approval, but also evokes his profound gratitude and admiration. His
ardent and loving prayers continually surround you all and all the sorely
tried Baha'is, who with you are toiling for the triumph of our Faith.
He was deeply touched at the spirit which impelled Lord Lamington to wish
to place in the hands of the Guardian that ring which he had for so long
treasured as a gift of the beloved Master. He feels that it is only
befitting that this historic relic should be the property of the British
Baha'is and wishes it to be kept in your National Archives. If you could
send a copy of Lady Lamington's letter the Guardian would very much like
to have it. Assuring you of the Guardian's ardent love and prayers....
[From the Guardian:]
Dearly beloved co-workers,
The message I have recently received, with the assurance it gives me and
the spirit it conveys, merits indeed the highest praise. The English
believers in these days of increasing peril and stress, are manifesting
those qualities which only those who have deeply imbibed the transforming
spirit and the ennobling principles of the Cause of God are able to
reveal. They are by their very acts, their sufferings and exertions, and
above all by the superb staunchness of their faith, laying a magnificent
foundation for the spiritual edifice their hands are destined to raise in
their native land. My prayers for them all will surround them wherever
they labour and in every sphere of their meritorious activities.
Gratefully and affectionately,
Shoghi
Letter of 15 May 1941
15 May 1941(31)
INFORMING MOTHER PRAYING HIS SOUL FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING PROTECTION
DEVOTED MUCH LOVED ENGLISH BELIEVERS.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 22 May 1941
22 May 1941
Dear Baha'i Friends,
Shoghi Effendi instructs me to answer your letter to him of March 10th,
1941 together with the minutes of your meeting held March 1st, 2nd and
3rd, and your Feb. "Baha'i Journal" and the "World Congress of Faiths"
programme, all of which he was very pleased indeed to receive.
I cannot adequately express to you all the warm love and profound
admiration for the Baha'is of those islands which Shoghi Effendi feels. At
such a time of personal danger and anguish the spirit of pure love and
devotion to the Faith and Order of Baha'u'llah which they manifest, and
which is so typified by the zeal and wisdom with which your National
Spiritual Assembly is handling the affairs of the Cause in that country,
is a source of great comfort to the Guardian himself.
Indeed he feels that the N.S.A. members are bearing their load of
responsibility in a manner which lifts partially the weight of cares from
his own shoulders, and sets a noble example to all Baha'i administrative
bodies.
In reference to your question contained in minute 208(32) of the recent
N.S.A. meeting: Shoghi Effendi feels that while all Baha'is should be
encouraged to turn to their Assembly for the solution of their various
problems, thus enabling the Spiritual Assembly to fulfil one of its most
important functions, yet they are quite free to write to him if they feel
the urge to do so....
He was also very pleased to note the teaching plans undertaken by your
body at this time, particularly in respect to Manchester. He hopes the
believers there are all well and safe, and will pray for the confirmations
of Baha'u'llah in their contemplated teaching campaign.
Indeed, dear friends, his thoughts and prayers are constantly with you and
the beloved flock of English believers over whom you are so faithfully
watching through these dark days.
He wishes you at all times to turn to him for any advice or help you may
need.
With assurances of his abiding love...
[From the Guardian:]
Dearly beloved co-workers,
As the dangers confronting the believers in the British Isles increase in
number and gravity, my admiration, as well as the admiration of the
Baha'is in East and West, for the spirit that animates those who face
them, grows deeper and acquires added intensity and fervour. Though their
numbers be small, and their activities restricted, and their trials and
anxieties manifold and oppressive, yet their spiritual contribution
through their fortitude, valour and self-sacrifice, to the progressive
unfoldment of the Faith's latent potentialities in the Western World is
both notable and constantly increasing. As the clouds of war dissipate,
and the horrors of this universal carnage fade away, it will become
increasingly evident, to both the friends and foes of the Faith, how solid
has been the foundation which their indomitable spirit has laid, and how
rich the harvest which their incessant labours have yielded.
With a heart brimful with love and gratitude, I will, when visiting the
Holy Shrines, recall their signal acts, and supplicate increasing
blessings on the historic work, which, in their hour of trial, they are so
magnificently achieving, for the glory, for the honour, the extension and
the establishment of the invincible Faith of Baha'u'llah.
Shoghi
Letter of 30 May 1941
30 May 1941
PRAYING FERVENTLY GUIDANCE ASSEMBLY'S DELIBERATIONS PROTECTION BELIEVERS
SUCCESS ACTIVITIES FAITH LOVING APPRECIATION.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 9 July 1941
9 July 1941
ASSURE JOSEPHS APPROVAL PROFOUND APPRECIATION BUILDING SCHEME. THESE
FURTHER EVIDENCES GROWING VITALITY CONTINUALLY AFFLICTED BELIEVERS BRITISH
ISLES ENHANCE PRESTIGE CAUSE BAHA'U'LLAH HEIGHTEN ADMIRATION INCREASE DEBT
GRATITUDE HIS FOLLOWERS OWE VALIANT BRITISH COMMUNITY PRAYING CONTINUALLY
SAFETY INCREASING SUCCESS.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 18 July 1941
18 July 1941
Dear Baha'i co-worker,
The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letter to him of May 6th,
and to acknowledge the receipt of the minutes of the N.S.A. meetings held
on April 25th and 27th.
He was very happy to receive your letter, and his heart rejoiced at the
good news which it conveyed. The holding of a successful Baha'i Convention
during days of such stress and strain as the English believers are passing
through, he considers as a triumph of the spirit of their faith in
Baha'u'llah. They are increasingly demonstrating their right to be called
champions of the Cause of God, and manifesting their ability to follow in
the footsteps of the early heroes of their religion. The Guardian feels
truly proud of them.
In accordance with the request you made in connection with the generous
proposal of ..., Shoghi Effendi cabled your Assembly his approval of their
plan for establishing a building fund for a future Baha'i property to be
built in.... He feels that this demonstrates a most notable donation to
the Cause of God on their parts, and wishes you to convey to them both the
expression of his profound gratitude for this service they are rendering
the Faith in England.
These evidences of growth, in spite of the universal destruction that is
holding the planet in its grip at the present time, should greatly hearten
the believers. They bear witness to the future harvests which their
increasing labours are sure to reap, and demonstrate the great and
God-given strength which flows and will flow ever more abundantly from the
springs which Baha'u'llah has unsealed in these days.
Shoghi Effendi assures you all of his unceasing prayers on your behalf,
that God may strengthen, bless, and guide you in your great work for His
Faith.
He wishes you to please convey his love to all the British believers and
to assure them of his prayers for their protection and for the triumph of
their labours....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and prized co-workers,
I am thrilled by the recent evidences of the noble determination of the
English believers to extend the range of their activities in these days of
grave danger and widespread and ever deepening anxiety and stress. The
report of your Convention sessions, of your teaching activities and of
your Baha'i publications, and other administrative undertakings, enhances
my admiration and deepens my gratitude for the historic work you are
achieving in these days. This feeling is shared by all those of your
co-workers, both in the East and the West, who follow the progress of your
work despite the formidable obstacles in your path. We all pray for your
safety, for the realisation of all your hopes, and the fulfilment of the
plans you have so boldly conceived and are so energetically carrying out.
Your true brother,
Shoghi 1941 (Summer School) OVERJOYED SUCCESS ATTENDING EVER EXPANDING
INSTITUTIONS FAITH. CONTINUALLY SUPPLICATING UNFAILING PROTECTION
EVER-INCREASING BLESSINGS ETERNAL GRATITUDE.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 20 August 1941
20 August 1941
Dear Baha'i Friend,
The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters to him dated June
6th and 30th respectively, also the minutes of the N.S.A. meetings of May
24th and 25th and June 14th were safely received.
He is happy to see that, in spite of the great physical and nervous strain
which the believers of England are at present being subjected
to--especially in centres like London--they yet persevere with the work of
the Cause and the attraction of new souls.
The Guardian does not feel that the friends should for a moment feel
discouraged if they do not succeed in having large meetings or the public
do not regularly attend, this is easily understandable in view of the
severe ordeal which their present sufferings subject them to. However, the
importance of broadcasting the seeds of the Cause far and wide can never
be sufficiently stressed. It is the right and privilege of organised
humanity to hear of the Faith and the Plan of Baha'u'llah in these days,
and in this holy duty to their fellow men the Baha'is must not fail
whatever may be the sadness of their personal plight, for they alone can
truly see the future in the tragic present, and possess hope and strength
to go on with the spiritual battle for the victory of the New Day.
Regarding the question you have put to the Guardian concerning minute No.
259, whatever is not laid down in "Baha'i Administration" is left to the
judgement of the National Spiritual Assembly to decide. These are purely
secondary details and as the Guardian wishes to avoid introducing into the
administration a labyrinth of rules and regulations he leaves the friends
in authority to decide such matters as they arise.
He hopes the Summer School will be a success. In all your undertakings you
may rest assured of his constant and most loving prayers, not only for the
National Assembly members, but for each and every member of the flock they
are watching over and guiding....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers,
The report of your continued activities, conducted amid the turmoil that
oppresses and afflicts the English believers, is a source of continual joy
and inspiration to me, as well as those who, in distant parts of the
Baha'i world are made to realise the unwavering constancy with which you
are all upholding the vital interests of the Faith of God. That the
teaching work is speedily expanding, that the institutions of the Faith
are functioning with vigour and in accordance with the principles of the
Administrative Order, testify to the solidity of the foundations that have
been established. On this foundation you will as the present hindrances
are removed, and the tremendous reactions of this conflict are made
apparent, rear an edifice worthy of the name, and attesting the glory of
the Faith, of Baha'u'llah. Persevere in your present labours and be ever
confident.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 3 November 1941
3 November 1941
RUHI AFNAN'S SISTER MARRIED SECRETLY COVENANT BREAKER HER MOTHER AND
BROTHERS ALL CONCURRED ALL MANNER COMMUNICATION WITH THEM ACCORDING
MASTER'S WILL FORBIDDEN.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 29 December 1941
29 December 1941
SISTER MEHRANGIS FOLLOWED EXAMPLE RUHI'S SISTER JUSTICE DEMANDS ANNOUNCE
BELIEVERS HER EXPULSION.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 28 February 1942
28 February 1942
Dear Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters dated June 30th,
Aug. 20th, Sept. 5th, Oct. 20th and 28th (duplicates of both received) and
December 23rd and to acknowledge the receipt of the various minutes,
programmes, etc., which they enclosed.
Regarding ..., Shoghi Effendi is writing him direct, advising him to sever
his membership in the Synagogue, but to continue to maintain friendly
association with the members of its community.
The Guardian was very happy indeed to hear of the success of the Summer
School and the enthusiasm that prevailed. He has received news of it from
some of the friends, as well as the N.S.A., and feels that the English
Baha'is have every reason to feel encouraged and proud of the way their
tireless efforts are being rewarded.
The good news of the increase in Baha'i membership is yet another evidence
of the vitality of the community and the activity of the friends, in spite
of the gloom of the times, which increasingly prevails. Indeed as material
affairs go from bad to worse in the world, the confidence, optimism, love
and hope of the believers will, by force of contrast, shine out as an ever
brighter beacon, leading the people to the Path of Truth, the way laid
down by God, which alone can guide them to the promise of the future.
Now that the British Isles have a respite from intense aerial warfare, no
doubt the friends, especially in London and other cities, find themselves
more refreshed and consequently better able to carry on the work of the
Cause. They should not lose any time in consolidating the teaching work,
reinforcing new centres, and enlarging their numbers.
The Guardian is urging the American friends, also, to redouble their
efforts and not lose their precious opportunities. The value of work
accomplished at present is inestimable, and opportunities lost are in a
way quite irretrievable, as the agony of mankind moves forward to a
climax....
The many activities undertaken by the English friends, their determined
efforts to bring the Cause before a wider public and reach people of
outstanding importance, their new centres and study groups, are all signs
which should greatly encourage them and demonstrate to them that the Holy
Spirit is ever ready to sustain and reinforce the believers in all work
for the good of our precious Faith.
The Guardian assures the members of the National Assembly of his most
loving prayers on their behalf and his deep and abiding appreciation of
their tireless services. They are helping the friends to build an edifice
which neither time nor tide shall undermine and which needs must become
the sole refuge for their sorely tried countrymen....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers,
I wish to assure you again of my feelings of profound gratitude for the
manner in which you are performing your sacred task and discharging,
individually and collectively, your pressing and manifold
responsibilities. I rejoice and am deeply thankful to learn that the
trials and tribulations that so fiercely assailed you in the past have
lessened and have failed to interfere with the progress of your
activities. Baha'u'llah will no doubt continue to guide, sustain and
protect you in the days to come and is well pleased with the marvellous
evidences of your perseverance, unity, loyalty and devotion. I will
continue to supplicate His abundant blessing for you all, that your
numbers may steadily increase, your community life be continually
enriched, your institutions flourish and multiply, and the foundation of
your individual spiritual lives be strengthened. Persevere in your high
labours.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 27 April 1942 (Convention)
27 April 1942 (Convention)
MAGNIFICENT SPIRIT ENGLISH BELIEVERS CHEERS STRENGTHENS ME ARDUOUS TASK
THANKFUL THEIR MESSAGE ADMIRE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS PRAYING THEIR PROTECTION
CHERISH GREAT HOPES TRIUMPHANT ATTAINMENT THEIR GOAL.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 20 June 1942
20 June 1942
Dear Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters written on behalf of
the National Assembly, and dated Feb. 6th, March 17th and April 6th, and
to acknowledge the receipt of the minutes of the Jan. and March meetings
of your Assembly together with other enclosures.
In pursuance of your request the Guardian wrote to Mr. and Mrs. Hill about
the tragic and unexpected passing of their daughter. He also felt moved to
cable them his condolences and the assurance of his prayers. This must
have been for them a very grievous blow; but he feels sure the deep
assurances concerning the future life, which have been given us by
Baha'u'llah, have comforted and sustained them throughout.
He was pleased to read the sympathetic letter you received from
ex-President Benes of Czechoslovakia, as well as that of Sir Ronald
Storrs. Many men in high positions are aware now of the existence and aims
of our Faith, but they do not yet reckon it to be a movement worthy of
more profound interest on their part. As time goes by, however, we may
rest assured their interest will grow.
That is perhaps what is most glorious about our present activities all
over the world, that we, a band not large in numbers, not possessing
financial backing or the prestige of great names, should, in the name of
our beloved Faith, be forging ahead at such a pace, and demonstrating to
future and present generations that it is the God-given qualities of our
religion that are raising it up and not the transient support of worldly
fame and power. All that will come later, when it has been made clear
beyond the shadow of a doubt that what raised aloft the banner of
Baha'u'llah was the love, sacrifice and devotion of His humble followers
and the change that His teachings wrought in their hearts and lives.
It is just such exemplary devotion and perseverance that the British
Baha'is are showing at present, and their reward cannot but be great and
lasting. The laying of the foundation is a slow process, but the most
important one in the erection of any structure. The Guardian feels that
your Assembly, as well as the friends in England, have every reason to
feel proud of, and encouraged by, the way the work is progressing there.
He hopes that your Summer School this year will be even more successful
than last year, in spite of being held in two parts. You may be sure he
will pray for its success.
He fully realises the difficulties you are undergoing enhanced by the war
and its hardships, yet he sees, perhaps even more clearly than you
yourselves can, that these very difficulties and the surmounting of them
are deepening and strengthening the ties that bind you all to our beloved
Faith, and enabling you to do a work which only future generations of your
countrymen will be able to properly appreciate and assess.
Please convey to all the dear friends the assurances of his love and his
prayers for their service in these days, and his high hopes for the future
that awaits them in the days to come, when the Cause of God begins to
emerge above the waves of the old order and shines forth in all its
strength and beauty.
Assuring you and all your fellow-members of his deep appreciation of your
tireless work and his ardent prayers for your guidance and strength....
[From the Guardian:]
Dearly beloved co-worker,
The steady progress and extension of Baha'i activities in the British
Isles is, no doubt, the direct consequence of the unswerving loyalty, the
high courage, the incorruptible spirit and the exemplary devotion and
steadfastness of the British believers, who have, simply and strikingly,
demonstrated the quality of their faith and the soundness of their
institutions in these days of unprecedented commotion, stress and peril. I
feel proud of their record of service and of the evidence of their noble
faith. The Beloved watches over them from the Abha Kingdom. The Concourse
on High extols their achievements and will reinforce their endeavours.
They should confidently, gratefully, joyously and unitedly redouble their
efforts, extend the range of their activities, rededicate themselves to
their historic task and anticipate a renewed outpouring of Baha'u'llah's
promised blessings and favours.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 28 July 1942
28 July 1942
MAGNIFICENT SPIRIT ANIMATING STEADFAST ENGLISH BELIEVERS NOTABLE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TEACHING FIELD PROMPT ME CONTRIBUTE TWO HUNDRED POUNDS
FURTHERANCE THEIR HISTORIC TEACHING ACTIVITIES URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS
PRAYING SIGNAL VICTORIES LOVING GRATITUDE.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 8 August 1942 (Summer School)
8 August 1942 (Summer School)
DELIGHTED SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL APPRECIATE SPIRIT BELIEVERS ASSURE ALL
CONTINUED PRAYERS.
SHOGHI RABBANI
Letter of 8 August 1942
8 August 1942
Dear Baha'i Sister,
Your letters of May 14th and June 10th together with their enclosures
reached the Guardian safely, and he has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf.
He has been very gratified to hear of the successful Summer School
sessions, news of the Buxton one having just recently reached him in your
latest cable. He feels that you must all be very encouraged that this new
way of holding them in different places, which circumstances made
imperative, has proved so successful in the end. It presages the day when
the friends in England will see the institutions of their Faith rising
from various flourishing centres.
Regarding minute No. 507, the Guardian feels that it would be better for
either the mothers of Baha'i children--or some committee your Assembly
might delegate the task to--to choose excerpts from the Sacred Words to be
used by the child rather than just something made up. Of course prayer can
be purely spontaneous, but many of the sentences and thoughts combined in
Baha'i writings of a devotional nature are easy to grasp, and the revealed
Word is endowed with a power of its own....
Shoghi Effendi fully realises the strain which those who are so actively
bearing the weight of Baha'i responsibility are subjected to in these
days, when already, as private individuals, the events of the world are
affecting their lives and drawing on their strength. It makes the quality
of Baha'i service so much finer, that it should entail on the part of all
definite self-sacrifice.
Though the friends may not be fully aware of it, their staunch
perseverance in carrying out their Baha'i activities in the face of war
conditions, is really in itself of historic importance. Convention, Summer
Schools, meetings, all are not only demonstrating the calibre of their
faith, but also evincing marked progress, all of which greatly cheers and
delights the Guardian.