which its immediate destinies are inseparably linked, and to which it has
voluntarily and enthusiastically pledged its combined resources, the tasks
now confronting it demand a degree of concentration, dedication,
co-ordination, resourcefulness and perseverance hitherto unequalled in any
period of its career.
The prizes won in recent months, since the launching of the Ten Year Plan
to which it stands committed, through the strenuous exertions and the
shining example of its pioneers in the islands situated to the North, the
West and the South of its homeland, as well as in the far away territories
lying in the heart of the African Continent and situated on both its
eastern and western shores, must, however great the sacrifices involved,
be preserved. The acquisition of the national Haziratu'l-Quds in a
centrally located area in a city that ranks as the chief metropolis of a
vast Empire is yet another task of the utmost urgency and of the highest
significance, the consummation of which should be considered as the chief
objective and pre-eminent duty of this community's elected national
representatives, and one which is bound to exert, in the days immediately
ahead, a far-reaching and pervasive influence on the growth and unfoldment
of the Faith which it is their privilege to serve and promote.
Of no less importance is the responsibility to reinforce the structure of
the Administrative Order throughout the British Isles, and particularly in
the newly opened territories of Scotland, Wales, Eire and Northern
Ireland, through a rapid and unprecedented increase in the number of the
avowed supporters of the Faith, and a multiplication of isolated centres,
groups and assemblies that constitute the warp and woof of the fabric of
its evolving Order.
A no less urgent task, which will directly reinforce this fabric, and
heighten the prestige of the Faith itself, and pave the way for the
establishment of Baha'i local endowments, is the prompt incorporation of
firmly established local assemblies, a process which, as soon as it is
initiated, must gather steady momentum throughout the length and breadth
of the British Isles, and be ultimately reinforced by the incorporation of
all local assemblies destined to be established in the virgin territories
recently opened in the neighbourhood of the British Isles and in the
African territories allotted to your Assembly under the provisions of the
Ten Year Plan.
Special attention should, moreover, be paid to the no less vital duty of
completing the translation, the publication and the dissemination of
Baha'i literature in the languages assigned to your Assembly, in
accordance with that same Plan, an achievement which will greatly
stimulate the work to be undertaken in the course of the future phases of
this world spiritual Crusade as it unfolds itself in the African
Continent.
Whilst these highly meritorious enterprises are being assiduously carried
on, the inescapable and sacred duty of consolidating the nine African
territories and the two additional ones in Europe and Asia must be
adequately discharged, in order to enable the British Baha'i community to
bring to full fruition the noble mission entrusted so confidently to its
care.
The tasks facing this community in the course of this second and future
phases of a world-encircling Crusade are admittedly vast, complex and
challenging. The resources at the disposal of its doggedly persevering,
wholly dedicated members are, alas, circumscribed and inadequate. The
Mission, however, to which its Founder is calling it, is unspeakably
glorious. Many and divers will, no doubt, be the tests, the setbacks and
trials which teachers and administrators alike within the ranks of its
members, must necessarily experience. The times, during which the opening
phase of its Mission overseas is to yield its fairest fruit, are fraught
with great peril. Both at home and in distant outposts of the Empire, the
opposition which those responsible for its development and consolidation
will encounter from those in authority, whether civil or ecclesiastic,
will progressively hamper their efforts. The competition from its own
sister communities, in various regions of the globe and in the course of
the systematic prosecution of the same world-embracing task will, in the
meantime, grow keener.
Every ounce of energy its members can muster must unhesitatingly be
expended to further the supreme end for which so sacred, so formidable and
so momentous a Plan has been devised. With every sacrifice that is made,
with every forward step that is taken along the toilsome and long road
they are destined to tread, with every victory dearly and laboriously won
by the champions, the representatives, the vanguard, the spokesmen, as
well as the rank and file of this community, a measure of blessing from on
high will undoubtedly be vouchsafed, in order to reinforce the exertions,
cheer the hearts, and stimulate the march of all those enlisted in the
service of so glorious a Cause.
The hour is propitious for a concerted effort which in its scope and
intensity will surpass any united action of which the British followers of
the Faith of Baha'u'llah have proved themselves capable in the past.
That they may ascend from height to height, go forward from victory to
victory, is the fervent prayer of one who has invariably followed the
course of their exploits with undiminished confidence and admiration, who
has cherished the brightest hopes for the ultimate attainment of their
Mission, and whose love and esteem for them has correspondingly increased
with every revelation of the capacities and energies with which they have
discharged, and are constantly discharging, their Mission.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 21 June 1954
21 June 1954
APPROVE AS_GH_ARZADEH AND OTHER PIONEERS ISLANDS ATTEND SUMMER SCHOOL....
SHOGHI
Letter of 23 June 1954
23 June 1954
Dear John:
Thank you for your letter of June 15th, with regard to Dar-es-Salaam.
The Guardian attaches very great importance to the "incorporation" and
"exemption" of any Assembly; likewise the acquirement of any endowments.
Therefore, if you have not already sent directly to the Guardian a
photostatic copy of the Exemption granted the Dar-es-Salaam Assembly, I
would like to suggest that one be sent to him through me.
Likewise if anything constructive develops with regard to the burial
ground at Dar-es-Salaam, please let me know as soon as possible....
Letter of 22 July 1954
22 July 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends,
...The Guardian has instructed me to write your Assembly, calling
attention to the manner in which questions of teaching activities in new
areas and consolidation areas assigned to any Assembly, are carried out.
The National Spiritual Assembly is the Body which is charged with the
administrative responsibility of the tasks of the Ten Year Crusade.
Neither the Hands of the Cause nor their Boards have administrative
responsibilities in connection with this work.
The members of the Boards are to report to the Hands of the Cause in the
area regarding all situations, and of course in detail concerning any
problem, so that the National Assembly may take appropriate action.
The Hands of the Cause themselves will correspond with the National
Spiritual Assembly involved, calling their attention to the problem, so
that the National Assembly may take appropriate action.
The Guardian has instructed that the Hands of the Cause are not to
correspond with the committees of the National Spiritual Assemblies, but
directly with the National Spiritual Assemblies themselves.
The beloved Guardian greatly values the outstanding work which your
Assembly is doing. He will pray for your continued success. He sends you
his loving greetings....
Letter of 29 July 1954 (Summer School Committee)
29 July 1954 (Summer School Committee)
DELIGHTED ASSURE ATTENDANTS LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 29 August 1954
29 August 1954
SUBSTITUTE FON FOR POPO COMMITTEES SHOULD NOT CORRESPOND HANDS WITHOUT
EXCEPTION.
SHOGHI
Letter of 16 October 1954
16 October 1954(79)
DELIGHTED HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT.
SHOGHI
Letter of 27 October 1954
27 October 1954(80)
FOLLOW AMERICAN POLICY REGARDING ASSEMBLY STATUS. USE PROCEEDS SALE HOUSE
FOR HAZIRA.
SHOGHI
Letter of 28 October 1954
28 October 1954
Dear Baha'i Brother:
The content of your letter of October 15th was given to the beloved
Guardian.
He sincerely hopes the problems surrounding Mr. ... have now been solved,
as you seemed to think they have.
He advises that Baha'i pioneers should not become public charges under any
circumstances; and the Assemblies concerned should see that this does not
occur in the case of Mr. ....
The beloved Guardian assures all the members of the National Assembly of
his appreciation of their devoted services. He assures them of his prayers
in their behalf, and sends them his loving greetings....
Letter of 11 November 1954
11 November 1954(81)
DISAPPROVE MEMBERSHIP FREEMASONRY.
Letter of 16 December 1954
16 December 1954
GRIEVE PASSING STAUNCH CONSECRATED PROMOTER FAITH LANGDON-DAVIES HER
SERVICES UNFORGETTABLE REWARD GREAT ABHA KINGDOM.
SHOGHI
Letter of 22 December 1954
22 December 1954
PUBLISHING TRUST SHOULD NOT HAVE SEPARATE LEGAL STATUS. ANY BAHA'I
DETERMINED RETAIN MEMBERSHIP FREEMASONRY LOSES VOTING RIGHTS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 17 January 1955
17 January 1955(82)
SHARE JOY FRIENDS SUPPLICATING UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 20 February 1955
20 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Co-workers:
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to inquire of your Assembly what
the situation is surrounding the translation and publication of Baha'i
literature into the following languages:
Erso
Gaelic
These are not languages of the Ten Year Crusade, but languages which have
been translated prior to the opening of the Ten Year Crusade. He is very
anxious to know what the status is of these translations and publications.
If no work has been done on them, he would urge that you have the work
undertaken at an early date....
Letter of 8 March 1955
8 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure as quickly as possible data
concerning the Haziratu'l-Quds which have been acquired in connection with
the goals of the Ten Year Crusade. To this end, he would very greatly
appreciate your sending me by return air mail the information concerning
the Haziratu'l-Quds in London.
He would like to know the area of land involved, the size of the building,
so far as number of rooms is concerned, the original purchase price of the
Haziratu'l-Quds, the expenses of the transaction, and then the total cost.
The Guardian asks that this be sent to me by return airmail....
Letter of 29 March 1955
29 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
On April 21st we will enter the last year of the second phase of the Ten
Year Crusade. As you know, one of the objectives of this second phase was
the rapid multiplication of Assemblies, Groups and Centres throughout the
world.
During the past year, a great deal has been accomplished by the friends in
their efforts to disperse from the large centres of population in order to
build up the goal cities and establish new centres. However, we have not
accomplished a great deal in the way of increasing the number of Baha'is,
nor the number of Spiritual Assemblies.
The beloved Guardian sincerely hopes you will make it a point of major
study and consideration on the part of your Assembly, so that the entire
community may lend itself to the accomplishment of this great goal during
the coming year. Foundations must be laid for many more Assemblies. The
friends must disperse from the large centres of population. Our teaching
work must become so sanctified and penetrating that many, many souls will
be confirmed. The friends should go forward on this great task in a very
determined manner in order to establish as many new Assemblies during the
coming year as are possible.
In letters which have come to the beloved Guardian, he has noted the
friends feel there is no need to establish new Assemblies until 1963.
The Ten Year Crusade ends in 1963; but as many of the goals should be won
as quickly as possible. It should certainly be clear to all of the friends
that we cannot hold off on winning the various goals of our tasks until
the last year of the Crusade. They should be won just as quickly as
possible. Furthermore, there are many tasks of the Crusade which the
Guardian is not launching until preliminary goals have been won. For
instance, it would be impossible to establish National Assemblies in all
of the areas proposed until there are more Baha'is, more Groups and more
Assemblies in those countries. On the home front, further tasks are
dependent upon the winning of victories now. The Guardian hopes the
keynote of the teaching work on the home front during the current year
will be the dispersion of the friends on an unprecedented scale, and the
winning of as many Assemblies as is possible....
Letter of 9 April 1955
9 April 1955
URGENTLY APPEAL HIGH MINDED DEVOTED BELIEVERS BRITISH ISLES EXERT SUPREME
EFFORT FILL GAPS ASSEMBLIES DEMONSTRATE ABILITY MAINTAIN STANDARD HISTORIC
ACHIEVEMENTS FERVENTLY PRAYING SUCCESS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 20 April 1955
20 April 1955
Dear John:
In order not to keep the Assembly waiting for an answer, the beloved
Guardian has instructed me to write you this letter in reply to yours of
April 15th.
The principle is wherever the Baha'i laws at the present time conflict
with the civil law of the country, the believers living in it must obey
the civil law.
The Baha'is in England, as regards divorce will consequently have to
follow British law, and in conjunction with this, as far as possible,
uphold the Baha'i law of divorce as well. The way the details of this are
to be worked out is left entirely to the discretion of your National
Assembly....
Letter of 21 April 1955
21 April 1955(83)
DELIGHTED LOVING APPRECIATION. REGRET FORMATION NICOSIA ASSEMBLY
IMPOSSIBLE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 24 April 1955
24 April 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has been greatly enthused the last few days with the
reports that have been received of new Assemblies established in virgin
areas. Of great importance and significance is the word that Spiritual
Assemblies have been established in Mogadiscio, in Italian Somaliland and
Djibouti in French Somaliland. This leaves the only Somaliland without an
Assembly as British Somaliland. The beloved Guardian would appreciate your
Assembly giving consideration to this matter, to see if there is any way
that a pioneer could go from England to British Somaliland, to firmly
establish the Faith there. He understands fully the problems involved.
A copy of this letter is being sent to Mr. Banani, Hand of the Cause, so
that he might give consideration to the possibility of having some native
Baha'is from Uganda move to British Somaliland, and either teach or settle
there.
The beloved Guardian assures your Assembly of his prayers on your behalf.
He sends you his loving greetings....
Letter of 25 April 1955 (Convention)
25 April 1955 (Convention)
DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION MESSAGE. APPEAL DELEGATES URGE ALL
COMMUNITIES BRITISH ISLES CONCENTRATE ATTENTION ENERGIES INTENSIFICATION
TEACHING ACTIVITIES MULTIPLICATION CENTRES STRENGTHENING ALLOTTED
NEWLY-OPENED TERRITORIES INCORPORATION ASSEMBLIES ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL
ENDOWMENT PRAYING FERVENTLY ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES COURSE SECOND LAST YEAR
SECOND PHASE TEN YEAR PLAN.
SHOGHI
Letter of 28 April 1955
28 April 1955
REJOICE SPLENDID INITIATIVE ASSEMBLED REPRESENTATIVES VALIANT BRITISH
BAHA'I COMMUNITY ARDENTLY PRAYING FULFILMENT FONDEST HOPES.
SHOGHI
Letter of 22 May 1955
22 May 1955
CONSIDER CARDIFF MAINTAINED.
SHOGHI
Letter of 2 June 1955
2 June 1955
APPROVE PUBLICISING WORLD PROTEST DO NOT ATTACK GOVERNMENT APPROVE APPEAL
AFRICAN COMMUNITIES.
SHOGHI
Letter of 10 July 1955
10 July 1955
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to inform you that he feels the
time has come for the British N.S.A. to follow the procedure laid down by
him as a general rule, namely that Spiritual Assemblies should adhere to
the civil limits of their respective towns. All other National Assemblies
are following this procedure and he feels yours should too.
The events in Persia have, naturally, distressed him greatly, particularly
anxiety for the safety of the Holy House in _Sh_iraz. However, the
publicity will do the Faith a great deal of good....
Letter of 26 July 1955
26 July 1955
Dear John:
Just a line to inform you, and naturally through you the National
Assembly, that the Beloved Guardian has instructed Varga to send you five
hundred pounds for your National Fund, to be expended as the Assembly
thinks best.
Regarding ... legacy he wishes your Assembly to hold this sum in trust for
him until he gives directions for its use.
The beloved Guardian is most anxious that the representations to be made
to UNO regarding the bitter and cruel persecutions in Persia at present
should meet with success. I do hope all goes well....
Letter of 5 August 1955
5 August 1955
Dear Baha'i Brother,
Your letters of July 7, 13 and 15, August 19, 20 (three) and 31, September
17 (two) and 27, October 13, 16 (two) and 26, November 4, 15, 16 and 20,
and December 8 (four) and 18, 1954, and January 6 (two), 10 and 25,
February 7, 11, 14, 21 and 28, March 11 (two), 16 and 23, April 4, 7, 15,
19, 22 and 27, May 9, 12 and 27, June 8 and 9, July 5 (four), 11 and 14,
1955, with enclosures, also the material sent separately, have been
received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.
The matters taken up by cable I will not go into again here in detail.
It has been a great source of satisfaction to him to receive here last
winter two members of the National Body, Mr. and Mrs. John Ferraby, as
well as more than one believer from England. The contact with the British
Baha'is always pleases him greatly. As you know, he admires many of the
staunch British qualities very much, and is proud of the accomplishments
of this community during recent years.
He has been pleased over the progress made in the teaching field abroad
and at home; in the publication of Baha'i literature in African languages;
and, above all, by the purchase of the National Headquarters in London,
and the formal dedication of the building, recently held. He feels sure
that, now that the National Assembly has a befitting seat for its national
affairs--a building which at the same time will solve the problem of the
London Spiritual Assembly, through giving them a meeting-place--the work in
both London and throughout the country will receive a new impetus. With
every important step forward there is a new release of spiritual energy;
and the founding of the National Haziratu'l-Quds is certainly a most
important milestone in the progress of the Cause in the British Isles.
As regards various questions raised in your correspondence with him, he
sees no reason why the Publishing Trust should have a separate legal
status, as long as it is not essential for it to do so.
He approves of returning to Ronga as one of the languages into which
Baha'i literature should be translated, according to the provisions of the
Ten Year Plan, and giving up Shangaan.
He would like very much to receive photostats of the actual Certificates
of Incorporation issued to the London and Manchester and Liverpool
Assemblies, to be placed in the Mansion of Baha'u'llah.
He does not think your Assembly need take any action about removing
archives or other material from London. If, at a future date, the world
situation reaches the point where it is obvious that things in London are
in great danger, then your Assembly should consider the matter.
Fortunately, that is not the case at present.
Any monies received from the sale of the property bequeathed by Mrs. B ...
can be used by your Assembly as it sees fit.
As he already pointed out to the Secretary, when he was in Haifa, a
National Endowment is at the present time to be considered more in the
nature of a token endowment. It need not be in the capital, and can
represent a very small investment; indeed as little as one thousand
dollars, if a suitable piece of property for that price should be found,
would be acceptable.
He was very sorry to hear of the tragic death of Mrs. Langdon-Davies. She
was a capable, staunch and devoted member of the community and of the
National Assembly as well; and her services will be missed by her
co-workers, and particularly the friends in Oxford. He prays for the
progress of her soul in the Abha kingdom, and that she may be rewarded for
her labours in this world, performed with so much zeal and steadfastness.
He hopes that Mr. John Mitchell's condition has improved. He was very
sorry indeed to hear that he had been forced to leave Malta. Please assure
him of the Guardian's loving and fervent prayers on his behalf.
As regards the question of Baha'is belonging to churches, synagogues,
Freemasonry, etc., the friends must realise that now that the Faith is
over a hundred years old, and its own institutions arising, so to speak,
rapidly above-ground, the distinctions are becoming ever sharper, and the
necessity for them to support whole-heartedly their own institutions and
cut themselves off entirely from those of the past, is now clearer than
ever before. The eyes of the people of the world are beginning to be
focussed on us; and, as humanity's plight goes from bad to worse, we will
be watched ever more intently by non-Baha'is, to see whether we do uphold
our own institutions whole-heartedly; whether we are the people of the new
creation or not; whether we live up to our beliefs, principles and laws in
deed as well as word. We cannot be too careful. We cannot be too
exemplary.
There is another aspect to this question which the friends should
seriously ponder, and that is that, whereas organisations such as
Freemasonry may have been in the past entirely free from any political
taint, in the state of flux the world is in at present, and the
extraordinary way in which things become corrupted and tainted by
political thought and influences, there is no guarantee that such an
association might not gradually or suddenly become a political instrument.
The less Baha'is have to do, therefore, with such things, the better.
He wishes you to thank ... on his behalf for the spirit of devotion to the
Faith which he has shown in connection with this matter. He feels sure
that he will see the necessity to sever himself from his previous
association with Freemasonry. The older Baha'is, through their example in
such matters, form rallying points around which the younger Baha'is, not
so steady yet on their spiritual legs, so to speak, can cluster.
If you send him five copies of everything published in the British Isles,
it will be sufficient for the libraries here at the World Centre....
The Africa Committee should carefully consider such problems as that of
the Negro pioneers being too long apart from their wives; and, if no other
solution is feasible, the pioneer will have to return to his family. In
the case of some of the very distinguished servants of the Faith who have
arisen and gone forth from Uganda to pioneer, this would indeed be a loss
to the work. If their wives could go and join them, it would naturally be
preferable. This is a matter for the committee in consultation with your
Assembly and the Hand of the Cause, Musa Banani, to decide.