present time, is to increase its membership. It has performed miracles
during the past ten years, through shifting around devoted volunteers from
one centre to another, in order to maintain or to create Spiritual
Assemblies; but, efficacious as this has been in the past, it is certainly
not a permanent solution to the problem. The only solution is to bring in
more Baha'is. This requires patient, prayerful, ceaseless efforts on the
part of, not only the Baha'i teachers and pioneers, but every single
member of the community. The British people are traditionally slow to
move. Fortunately, once they do move, it's almost impossible to stop them;
but to overcome the inertia requires great effort. In bringing new people
into the Faith, the friends always come up against this problem. He urges
all the Baha'is, however, not to become discouraged, but to persevere and
redouble their efforts, knowing that they can and must succeed in the end.
He, on his part, will reinforce their efforts with his prayers in the Holy
Shrines....
As regards your question about depleted Assemblies, as there is nothing in
the constitution of the National Spiritual Assembly covering these
matters, every National Body is free to make its own decision as to what
the status of an Assembly is from one annual election to the next, if they
fall below nine for any reason.
As regards certain matters raised in your recent letters:
Your Assembly is free to choose the place for the endowment for the East
and Central N.S.A. if you feel Uganda inadvisable.
The delegates reaching the Conventions in Africa is a matter for each
N.S.A., from whose area of jurisdiction they are elected, to arrange and
provide financial help if needed.
A prisoner, showing sincere faith in the Cause, may be accepted as a
Baha'i on the same basis of investigating his qualifications as to belief
as any other individual outside prison. Each case should be carefully
considered on its own merits. Naturally, a person in confinement cannot be
active in any community and administrative work. When he gets out, he
becomes part of the community in which he resides. No new ruling is
required in this matter. All other details in relation to prisoners can be
decided by the N.S.A. concerned as they arise.
The Guardian feels that, though it is naturally preferable, it is not
essential for consolidation territories to have a group by Ridvan,
1956....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers,
The contribution made, since the inception of the world-wide Baha'i
Crusade, severally as well as collectively, by the assiduously striving,
clear-visioned, inflexibly resolved, and unswervingly faithful members of
the British Baha'i community to the progress and development of the Ten
Year Plan, inaugurated on the morrow of the centenary celebration of the
birth of Baha'u'llah's Mission, has been such as to excite the heartfelt
admiration of their fellow-workers in every continent of the globe. The
prestige of this valiant community has soared rapidly, its annals have
been notably enriched, the foundations on which its fortunes now rest have
been considerably reinforced, whilst the variety and solidity of its
administrative achievements have won the unstinted praise of its sister
communities in both the East and the West. My own feelings of unqualified
admiration for the tenacity of the faith of its members, for their
unrelaxing vigilance, their unfailing sense of responsibility and their
willingness to sacrifice in order to meet any challenges that confront
them, have deepened with every advance they have made, and every victory
they have won along the path leading them towards the fulfilment of their
destiny.
The historic triumph achieved as a result of the successful prosecution of
the Six Year Plan, spontaneously embarked upon by this numerically small
yet richly endowed, spiritually resourceful community, on the morrow of
the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Faith of Baha'u'llah,
followed immediately by the initiation of a Two Year Plan which marked the
inauguration of this community's Mission beyond the confines of its
homeland, culminated in the formal association of its members with their
brethren in every continent of the globe for the launching and prosecution
of a decade-long world-embracing crusade, destined to carry that same
community through yet another stage, of the utmost significance, in the
fulfilment of its world-wide and glorious mission among the widely
scattered territories of the British Crown in no less than three
continents of the globe.
The extension and consolidation, in the course of more than a decade, of
the administrative base established so painstakingly for the prosecution
of this community's far-flung mission, through the formation and
multiplication of isolated centres, groups and local assemblies throughout
the length and breadth of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and
Eire; the opening of the virgin islands lying in the neighbourhood of
these territories and forming a part of the British Isles, constituting a
most welcome and much needed reinforcement of the Administrative Structure
raised so valiantly and patiently by its members in their island home; the
magnificent success surpassing, in its quality and scope, the fondest
expectations of the elected representatives of this community, which
attended the spiritual conquest of a number of African territories,
situated along the Western and Eastern shores of that continent and its
very heart; the settlement of pioneers in two Mediterranean islands; the
selection and purchase of a befitting national administrative headquarters
situated close to the heart of the capital city of the British Empire; the
acquisition of a plot in the outskirts of the capital city of Uganda,
situated in the heart of the African continent, to serve as the site for a
future Baha'i House of Worship; the rapid advancement in the translation
and publication of Baha'i literature in the thirty-one African languages,
allotted, under the Ten Year Plan to the elected national representatives
of this same community; the steady progress made more recently in the
incorporation of firmly established local assemblies; the formation of the
Israel Branch of the British National Assembly at the world centre of the
Faith in Israel--these stand out as the most prominent and significant
evidences of the uninterrupted development of the Faith of Baha'u'llah
under the wise leadership, and through the assiduous and incessant
exertions, of the elected national representatives of this virile
community.
The year that has recently opened, constituting the second and last year
of the second phase of a Ten-Year global crusade, must witness a
development and consolidation of the activities already initiated, in both
the teaching and administrative spheres of Baha'i endeavour, as swift and
as notable as the progress already achieved in recent years. Time is
indeed short. The responsibilities shouldered by the members of this
community are manifold, pressing, sacred and inescapable. The eyes of the
entire Baha'i world are upon them, eager and expectant to witness feats as
superb as those that have marked the birth and establishment of the
Administrative Order of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in the British Isles, and
exploits as meritorious and significant as those that have accompanied the
inception and progress of the mission entrusted to His British followers,
on the morrow of the emergence of that Administrative Order in their
homeland.
The process aiming at the rapid increase in the number of the avowed and
active supporters of the Faith must continue unabated in the months
immediately ahead. A simultaneous multiplication in the number of isolated
centres, groups and local assemblies must be ensured in order to reinforce
the agencies on which the rising administrative structure of the Faith
must ultimately rest. The process of incorporation must likewise be
strenuously stimulated for the purpose of strengthening legally, and
enhancing the prestige of, these rising institutions. The newly opened
territories forming part of the British Isles, situated in the
Mediterranean, in the Atlantic Ocean, along the western and eastern coasts
of Africa, and in its very heart, must be continually reinforced, and the
prizes won in those distant fields safeguarded, however great the
sacrifice involved. The establishment of national Baha'i endowments in the
British Isles is yet another task which, ere the termination of the
current year, must be accomplished, as a prelude to the establishment of a
similar endowment in the continent of Africa following the emergence of
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Central and East Africa.
Above all, the most careful consideration should be given to the measures
required to ensure the emergence of the afore-mentioned National Assembly
in the heart of the African continent, marking the culmination of the
efforts so diligently exerted, and the fruition of the enterprises so
painstakingly inaugurated, since the formation of the Two Year Plan by the
British Baha'i community.
The emergence of this institution, signalising the erection of yet another
pillar of the Universal House of Justice in the African continent, and
constituting the first fruit, yielded on foreign soil, of the Mission
entrusted to the British followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, and which
may be hailed as a worthy counterpart of the central Administrative
Institution established, on the morrow of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Passing, in the
heart of the British Isles, will be acclaimed by posterity as a milestone
of far-reaching significance in British Baha'i history. It will proclaim
to the entire Baha'i world the maturity of the swiftly rising, highly
promising, steadily consolidating British Baha'i community. Every British
follower of the Faith, whether in his home islands or overseas, must feel
proud and deeply grateful for the impending consummation of so superb and
momentous a victory. Every energy must be lent to ensure a befitting
celebration of such an enduring and magnificent achievement.
The efforts of the members of this community must indeed be redoubled, nay
trebled, as they view with afflicted hearts the tragic trend of events
transpiring with such dramatic and sudden swiftness in Baha'u'llah's
native land. The tribulations suffered, over so wide a field, by so many
of their co-religionists, under circumstances so appalling and harrowing
in their nature, at the hands of redoubtable, pitiless, barbarous
adversaries, should spur them on to still greater endeavours in a land
blessed with freedom of religion and tolerance, and occupying so
conspicuous a position among its sister nations.
Theirs is an opportunity which they must instantly grasp. Theirs is a
responsibility which they cannot escape. Theirs is the duty to offset, by
the quality of their achievements, the dire losses which are now being
sustained in the cradle of the Faith. That they may in every field and at
all times discharge their heavy responsibilities is my constant prayer and
dearest hope.
Shoghi
Letter of 22 August 1955
22 August 1955
Dear John,
I am writing you this at the instruction of the beloved Guardian.
As you will have no doubt seen by his recent cable, he has come to the
historic decision to build a Temple in Africa, in Kampala. He has been in
communication with Mr. Banani about this, and from reports received it
appears there will be no objections. The land must be surveyed (this is
being done), and design of the building submitted so as to meet health and
building requirements.
The Guardian wishes your Assembly to please get busy at once and have a
design, or designs, made for the building; it is not necessary to try in
any way to copy the Wilmette Temple: the things that are essential are the
following:
1. A nine-sided building.
2. A dome, in proportion to the building.
3. A seating capacity between 300 and 500; you could count floor space at
300 or 400 and provide a balcony around the auditorium for expansion in
seating capacity.
4. No "chapels" or small rooms should be added; this was a misapprehension
held in the old days.
As to materials your Assembly and architect can go into that, but brick or
cement would be all right. Stone would seem to be out of the question.
It should not be too expensive or pretentious, but dignified and worthy.
There is no reason why the architect should be a Baha'i--in fact your use
of someone there would get it done faster, probably. The imperative thing
is to send preliminary drawings to the Guardian within two months, if
possible.
The terrible situation in Persia makes him most anxious to have this
project go forward speedily. He feels funds will not be too much of a
problem if great costs are not involved.
He sends you and all N.S.A. members his loving greetings....
Letter of 30 August 1955
30 August 1955
The beloved Guardian has received the clippings from English newspapers
and read them with keen interest; he attached much importance to such
publicity in journals of such high standing....
Regarding your questions--
It is permissible to use selections from the "Promulgation of Universal
Peace" in compilations.
Better omit the prayer of the Bab you mentioned.
The Guardian does not feel the present status of London, regarding its
assembly, should be changed. Other cities should have their assemblies
based, as usual, and already adopted in other countries, on the civil
limits of the city in question....
Letter of 6 September 1955
6 September 1955
KINDLY EXPEDITE PREPARATION PLANS KAMPALA TEMPLE IMPORTANT.
SHOGHI
Letter of 6 September 1955 (Summer School)
6 September 1955 (Summer School)
DELIGHTED GREAT SUCCESS. DEEPLY APPRECIATE RESOLVE LOVING PRAYERS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 20 September 1955
20 September 1955
Dear John:
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write and inform your Assembly
of the following:
The National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa should be
elected by 76 delegates, which is four times nineteen. This number should
be apportioned amongst the spiritual assemblies within the countries the
future N.S.A. will represent. He leaves an equitable distribution of the
number of delegates to the Assemblies, to your Assembly to decide.
The British N.S.A. certainly has its work cut out for it in the near
future, what with this historic convention in the offing and a Temple to
be built!...
Letter of 4 October 1955
4 October 1955
LEAVE MATTERS REGARDING ASSEMBLIES LETTER SEPTEMBER 23 DISCRETION YOUR
ASSEMBLY.
SHOGHI
Letter of 28 October 1955
28 October 1955
CABLE WHETHER TRANSLATION ERSE GAELIC STARTED.
SHOGHI
Letter of 4 November 1955
4 November 1955
DISAPPROVE CHANGE TEMPLE SITE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 11 November 1955
11 November 1955
APPROVE APPROACH JANNER EMPHASISE OCCUPATION ?IHRAN HAZIRA BY MILITARY.
SHOGHI
Letter of 18 November 1955
18 November 1955
The drawings for the Temple in Kampala have reached the beloved Guardian,
and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf regarding their
suitability.
Frankly, he was very discouraged by these drawings, as he feels that such
an ultra-modern style is wholly unsuitable for a Baha'i Temple.... It
seems to him that the modern influence is now so strong and widespread
that it is out of the question to get a discreet and dignified building
designed for our purposes.
...He is sorry to disappoint your Assembly, and regrets the time, trouble
and expense which has been involved in finding a design.
As he cabled your Assembly he also feels that to seek a new Temple site is
unwise; from descriptions received at the time of its purchase it seems
satisfactory, and there is enough land around it for possible expansion in
the future....
He feels therefore that until your hear from him you (had) better take no
further steps as regards a design for Kampala.
Letter of 8 December 1955
8 December 1955(84)
CABLE NUMBER LOCALITIES BRITISH ISLES WHERE BAHA'IS RESIDE AIRMAIL LIST.
SHOGHI
Letter of 13 December 1955
13 December 1955
Dear John:
This is just a note on behalf of the beloved Guardian to answer the point
raised in one of your recent letters.
You say that in Irish, the word "Bab" is not appropriate to be used; and
as the word "Gate" is not as nice in translation in any language, he
suggests that in place of the word "Bab", you use "Herald"....
P.S. The Guardian approves your sending "Advice to Baha'is in British
Colonies" to other N.S.A.'s, but feels it is not necessary to send a copy
to the Colonial Office itself. He feels teaching work in Uganda should now
be concentrated on consolidation, primarily.
The Guardian's decision regard Mr. ... design is final; it is too extreme
for any modification to render it possible as a temple....
Letter of 14 December 1955
14 December 1955
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your loving letter of December 1st has been received.
The Guardian attaches the utmost importance to the development of the
Faith in the Pacific Islands. Wherever an opportunity opens for expansion
of the work in one of the Islands, he feels that opportunity should be
seized and exploited to the fullest extent. Thus, if it is possible for
anyone to proceed to the Solomon Islands to assist the Blums there, it
would be very, very helpful.
As the Guardian understands the situation, the Blums have not left the
Solomon Islands, but are expanding their business and service. Thus the
work which Mr. Blum previously engaged in, of driving a taxi, is now open
to someone else; and therefore the pioneer to go to the Solomons would
find a position waiting for him.
The Guardian understands that the Blums are very well thought of and
respected throughout the Solomon Islands.
I am sending a copy of this correspondence to the Persian N.S.A., and
encouraging them to send pioneers to the Solomon Islands. You may wish to
also correspond with them....
Letter of 15 December 1955
15 December 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the
translation of Baha'i literature into languages as called for by the Ten
Year Crusade.
31 languages have been assigned to your Assembly; and of these, 24
translations have been made or are under way. The Guardian feels this is a
very fine record, and one of which you may be proud.
At the same time he feels special effort should be made to complete the
translations. He has no record of translations of 7 languages. Will you
please send me a letter for him, indicating what the status of each of
these languages is....
Letter of 16 December 1955
16 December 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has directed me to write you in connection with the
purchase of an endowment for East Africa.
As you know, a contribution has been made by the Hand of the Cause, Mrs.
Amelia E. Collins, of One Thousand Dollars for the purchase of the
endowment for Kampala. The Guardian feels a small piece of property which
can be bought for this One Thousand Dollars should be procured at once, so
that this goal of the Ten Year Crusade can be concluded. He feels that you
should at once buy a small plot of land in Uganda, at a cost of
approximately One Thousand Dollars. The American N.S.A. will remit the
funds as you direct.
Will you please let me know just what can be done in connection with this
project?
The Guardian sends the members of the National Assembly his loving
greetings, and assures them of his prayers in their behalf....
Letter of 1 January 1956
1 January 1956(85)
GRIEVED NEWS ASSURE JOHN DEAREST LOVE FERVENT PRAYERS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 4 January 1956
4 January 1956
DISREGARD PERSIAN STATEMENT REGARDING DIVORCE. ASSEMBLY'S UNDERSTANDING
REGARDING STRIKES CORRECT.
SHOGHI
Letter of 18 January 1956
18 January 1956
DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE CONFERENCE WELCOME NEW DETERMINATION BEFITTINGLY
RESPOND FRESH CHALLENGE PRAYING MIGHTY VICTORIES.
SHOGHI
Letter of 26 March 1956
26 March 1956
APPEAL HIGHMINDED VIGILANT STAUNCH UPHOLDERS FAITH BAHA'U'LLAH SCATTERED
HUNDRED CENTRES BRITISH ISLES ARISE THIS CRUCIAL HOUR EXERT SUPREME EFFORT
CONCLUDING MONTH SECOND PHASE WORLD CRUSADE MEET URGENT NEEDS HOMEFRONT
VALIANTLY DEFEND HARD WON PRIZES ENSURE PRESERVATION PIVOTAL CENTRE.
CONFIDENT HIS DEARLY BELOVED HIGHLY ADMIRED BRITISH FOLLOWERS WILL REFUSE
ALLOW ANY SETBACK CONSOLIDATION WORK THEIR HOMELAND TARNISH SPLENDID
RECORD PIONEER SERVICES ACHIEVED TERRITORIES AFRICAN CONTINENT PRAYING
WHOLE HEARTED UNIVERSAL IMMEDIATE RESPONSE PLEDGING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS
MERITORIOUS PURPOSE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 5 April 1956
5 April 1956
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Attached is a copy of a dispatch issued by Reuters in December, giving the
conclusions of the persecutions in Persia.
The Guardian considers this a very fine statement, and urges you to have
it given as widespread publicity as possible.
Dorothy Wigington will have a copy, and she should be given the
opportunity to read this at the British National Convention.
The Guardian would appreciate your sending copies of any publicity
received on this important statement....
Letter of 6 April 1956
6 April 1956
Dear John:
Enclosed please find the Guardian's long message to all the Conventions,
to be shared with the friends and delegates at the National Convention
soon to be held.
He hopes that it will be stimulating to the pioneer work at home and
abroad....
Letter of 10 April 1956
10 April 1956
BALYUZI'S PRESENCE ESSENTIAL(86) UTMOST EFFORT NECESSARY IF ABSOLUTELY
IMPOSSIBLE SUBSTITUTE JOHN.
SHOGHI
Letter of 27 April 1956
27 April 1956(87)
GRIEVED PASSING CONSECRATED PIONEER FAITH LONG RECORD SERVICES HIGHLY
MERITORIOUS UNFORGETTABLE PRAYING PROGRESS SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.
SHOGHI
Letter of 29 April 1956
29 April 1956
ASSURE FERVENT PRAYERS HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS GREAT VICTORIES AFRICA
URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS HOME FRONT DEEPEST LOVE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 2 May 1956
2 May 1956
WELCOME RESOLVE MEET CHALLENGES LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS OFFERED SUCCESS
DEARLY LOVED VALIANT COMMUNITY.
SHOGHI
Letter of 10 May 1956
10 May 1956
SUGGESTED DISPENSATION LETTER MAY FOURTH NOT POSSIBLE.(88)
SHOGHI
Letter of 26 June 1956
26 June 1956
REGIONAL ASSEMBLY RESPONSIBLE FOR TEMPLE.
SHOGHI
Letter of 11 July 1956
11 July 1956
Dear John,
As a number of questions raised in your communications addressed to the
beloved Guardian have been answered by cable or through the Assistant
Secretary, I will not go into these matters here, but merely acknowledge
on his behalf receipt of the letters from your National Body, together
with their enclosures and material sent under separate cover which were
dated as follows: July 22, August 8, 9, 11 (two), 12 (two), and 18,
September 7, 9, 10, 23 (three), 26 and 28, October 7 (two), 13 (two), 25,
26, 28 (two), and 29, November 3, 4, 9, 21 (two), 24 and 30, December 1,
2, 9 (three), 19 and 29 (two), 1955, and January 6, 10, 17, 23, 27, and 30
(two), February 10, 16, and 27, March 8, 9, 19, and 29, April 2, 10, 13,
16, 17, and 26, May 4, 14, 16, 31, and June 13, 19, 22, and 29, 1956.
He appreciated receiving copies of the Diary which your Assembly forwarded
to him, and which is invariably gotten out efficiently and in a pleasing
manner. He thinks the five copies you sent will be sufficient.
The generous spirit in which the British Baha'is, hard-pressed as they are
to meet the requirements of the work in Great Britain, responded to the
needs of their persecuted brethren in Persia, deeply touched him. These
evidences of Baha'i sacrifice and solidarity cannot but nourish the very
roots of the Faith and strengthen its institutions.
As he advised you by cable, he felt it unwise to seek to clarify the
relationship of the Baha'is to the advertised holding of Ahmad Sohrab's
conference in Jerusalem. Having a very shrewd eye to his own advantage, it
has become obvious that one of the means by which he hopes to promote
interest in his conference is to arouse active opposition from the Baha'is
and create a source of discussion in the press. In view of this, the
Guardian has been very careful to have the friends avoid rising to this
bait. They should, in their personal contacts with people, and in a quiet
manner, point out when occasion arises that the Caravan activities have
nothing whatsoever to do with the Baha'i Faith and are indeed unfriendly
to it. Whatever he does cannot but end in failure, because he has cut
himself off entirely from the living tree of the Faith and is wholly
insincere in his motives.