Ellice Islands, the remarkable progress of the Faith there has been a
source of great satisfaction. It shows that a spiritual receptivity, a
purity of heart and uprightness of character exists potentially amongst
many of the peoples of the Pacific Isles to an extent equal to that of the
tribesmen of Africa. It is indeed an encouraging and awe-inspiring sight
to witness the spread of our beloved Faith amongst those whom civilised
nations misguidedly term "savages", "primitive peoples" and "uncivilised
nations". He hopes that your Assembly will do all in its power to ensure
that Mrs. ... remains in the Islands. Although for some period at least
this may entail separation from her husband, he believes that these two
dedicated and exemplary pioneers will be willing to accept this sacrifice
in view of the extraordinary work they have accomplished and are
accomplishing. The community there must not be abandoned, particularly by
its "mother", so to speak. It must be well and profoundly grounded in the
Faith before such a risky step can be taken. He hopes that you will deal
most wisely and co-operatively with the Colonial Office officials in this
matter and any others that may arise. Their esteem, their good-will, and
their co-operation are practically indispensable for the future work in
many islands throughout the Pacific area, and nothing but the frustration
of our objectives can be gained through alienating them in any way. This
should be impressed upon the pioneers and the local Baha'is as well.
The beloved Guardian regrets very much the entire situation in which the
dear Hand of the Cause, Mr. Townshend, finds himself. He is much loved,
and his services have been of a unique nature in providing the Faith with
so many excellent books, the latest of which the Guardian hopes will soon
be ready for publication....
The persecution of the Faith last year in Persia, although no doubt a
great trial to the Persian believers, can be regarded in no other light
than as a triumph. The designs of the traditional enemies of the Faith,
the mullahs, have been entirely frustrated. The Government has been forced
to take action for the first time in its history to officially protect the
Baha'is and their institutions and the Cause of God has received a
publicity all over the world--entirely free of charge--which an expenditure
of many thousands of pounds could not have secured for it.
In spite of the great anxiety and pain which the crisis of last summer
caused the Guardian, he could not help being highly gratified that, for
practically the first time, publicity of a weighty nature was given to the
Faith in such papers as the "Spectator", the "Observer", "The Times" and
the "Manchester Guardian", and that the voices of two such distinguished
scholars as Professor Gilbert Murray and Professor Arnold Toynbee were
raised in defence of the believers of Baha'u'llah and His Faith. This has
opened the door on a new phase of the unfoldment of the Faith in the
British Isles. However slow the process may seem, the first inklings of
its emergence as a public force can now be discerned....
The loss of some of the Spiritual Assemblies in England this year need not
be viewed as an unduly horrible experience. It was inevitable that the
British Baha'i community would have to get itself, once and for all,
grounded on the same basis as all other Baha'i communities, namely, that
of having Spiritual Assemblies function within defined civil limits.
Although this seems to have dealt a set-back to the work, it is purely
temporary. The localities have perforce been increased, which is a step in
the right direction, and which cannot but widen the foundation of the
Administrative Order. In those islands more members of the community will
be given the opportunity to serve on local Assemblies and their
committees; and above all, the new crisis which developed because of this
change-over once more demonstrated the truly extraordinary and exemplary
steadfastness of the British Baha'is which had led them, over and over
again, at great cost to themselves, to throw themselves into the breach.
Although this is a well-known national characteristic, it provides
nevertheless a great example to their fellow-Baha'is all over the world.
The Guardian knows of no community, east or west, which so valiantly and
so consistently, one might almost say ferociously, has arisen to defend
its Home Front. He has the greatest admiration for the spirit which
animates them and for their achievements.
He was sorry to refuse the request of the National Assembly to, under
certain circumstances, permit the localities that would achieve Assembly
status by next Ridvan, to have a delegate at the National Convention. He
feels that, although this would no doubt have provided a great stimulus to
the friends, it was an unjustifiable breach of the general administrative
procedure. If there are too many exceptions, the rule has a tendency to
lose its clearly defined character, not to mention encouraging other
communities to want to be exceptions too, under various circumstances!
The Guardian hopes that during the coming year there will be more
Assemblies incorporated, as he attaches great importance to this process.
He was delighted that the Irish translation had been completed, and also
very happy to hear that the National Endowment for the British National
Spiritual Assembly had been purchased. All these signs of life and
vitality are greatly to be admired, and prove the intense virility and
youthfulness of the British Baha'i community.
He was sorry to have to disappoint Mr. ... who was so enthusiastic about
his own design for the Temple. However, there was no possible question of
accepting something as extreme as this. The Guardian feels very strongly
that, regardless of what the opinion of the latest school of architecture
may be on the subject, the styles represented at present all over the
world in architecture are not only very ugly, but completely lack the
dignity and grace which must be at least partially present in a Baha'i
House of Worship. One must always bear in mind that the vast majority of
human beings are neither very modern nor very extreme in their tastes, and
that what the advanced school may think is marvellous is often very
distasteful indeed to just plain, simple people.
The Hand of the Cause, Mr. Remey, has now completed a design for the
Kampala Temple which meets with the Guardian's approval. It will shortly
be ready to be forwarded to the Central and East Africa National Assembly.
It was a great pleasure for Shoghi Effendi to have a number of pilgrims
from the British Isles as his guests this winter. They brought with them
the spirit of perseverance and devotion so clearly evinced by the British
believers; and he feels sure that, upon their return, they carried back
much of inspiration and encouragement to the friends at home.
Not the least of the landmarks reached on the international Baha'i scene
this year has been the formation of the three new National Bodies in
Africa. Your Assembly and the community you represent have every reason to
look with pride and affection upon the development of the Cause in the
African continent, and upon the many spiritual children and grandchildren,
and perhaps great-grandchildren you have over there. The record has been
truly astonishing, and such as to gladden the heart of 'Abdu'l-Baha Who so
ardently longed, Himself, to go forth "on foot" and carry the Message to
yet another of the far corners of the world.
No doubt although the Central and East Africa Assembly is a strong one, it
will still welcome and need at least a large measure of moral support from
its parent; and he feels sure that you will always be ready and willing to
help in any way you can with advice and suggestions, and perhaps teachers
and pioneers and other support as opportunity affords. (As he informed you
when you were here, he does not feel the British National Spiritual
Assembly can support financially its Central and East Africa one. However,
a token contribution would be a kind and appropriate gesture.) In any
case, you should keep in close touch with the work there, a work dear, not
only to the Guardian's heart, but to all of yours as well.
As regards certain questions raised in your letters: There is no objection
for the time being in going on including in Prayer Books the Prayer of the
Bab: "In the Name of God, the Victor of the Most Victorious", etc.
As regards the question raised in Africa about divorce connected with
adultery, these are matters for the future. No action of any new kind
should be taken at present.
As regards strikes, the Guardian feels that your own understanding of the
matter as expressed in your letter is quite correct, and he does not see
the necessity of adding anything to it. We should avoid becoming rigid and
laying down any more rules and regulations of conduct.
Regarding taking oaths, there is nothing in the Teachings on this subject.
As a Baha'i is enjoined by Baha'u'llah to be truthful, he would express
his truthfulness, no matter what the formality of the law in any local
place required of him. There can be no objection to Baha'is conforming to
the requirements of the law court whatever they may be in such matters, as
in no case would they constitute in any way a denial of their own beliefs
as Baha'is.
Concerning the short obligatory Prayer: the Guardian does not wish to
define these things at present; the time will come for it in future. The
friends need not be too strict about it at present. The Greatest Name is
Allah-u-Abha.
He remembers you and all the N.S.A. members in his prayers most lovingly,
and supplicates for your success and that strength may be given you to
discharge your many important duties.
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers,
The emergence of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Central
and East Africa, under such auspicious circumstances, and after the lapse
of such a short period of time since the inception of the Ten Year Plan,
marks a milestone of far-reaching significance in the unfoldment of the
great historic Mission entrusted to the British Baha'i community in the
vast and far-flung territories beyond the confines of its motherland. It
is, moreover, a striking evidence of the exemplary and whole-hearted
devotion of its members to that Mission, and of the vigour, the vigilance,
the resourcefulness, the tenacity and the courage with which they have
conducted this vast and magnificent enterprise launched in the heart of
that continent, in the face of various obstacles and with such limited
resources at their disposal. The entire community, now standing on the
threshold of still greater and nobler enterprises in other parts of the
world, and particularly its national elected representatives, who have so
splendidly discharged their responsibilities overseas, and assumed with
characteristic resolution, fearlessness and consecration the direction of
the manifold activities of so dynamic an enterprise, must be heartily
congratulated on so conspicuous a victory, won in such a distant field,
within so brief an interval, at the cost of so much sacrifice, by so
limited a number of pioneers, labouring amidst a people so divergent in
language, customs and manners.
Its sister communities in both the East and the West, and particularly its
daughter communities, now blossoming into new life, and marching forth,
unitedly and resolutely, along the path traced for them in the Ten Year
Plan, cannot but feel proud of the tremendous work first initiated in the
heart of Africa by British Baha'i pioneers, and of the organising ability,
the sound judgement, the unquestioning fidelity, and the dogged
determination that have characterised every stage in the rise, the
development and fruition of the first collective enterprise embarked upon
beyond the confines of the British Isles by the British adherents of the
Faith of Baha'u'llah.
Though much of the responsibility hitherto discharged by your Assembly, in
both the heart of the continent and the territories situated on its
Eastern and Western shores, will now devolve on the newly established
Regional Spiritual Assemblies, the particular Mission you have been called
upon, through the dispensation of Providence to fulfil, is by no means
concluded. Every assistance within your power, particularly in matters
requiring the aid, support and intervention of the authorities at the
Colonial Office, and in connection with the translation of Baha'i
literature into African languages, their publication and dissemination, as
well as with any publicity that can be given in the British press to the
marvellous achievements of the numerous Baha'i communities recently raised
up in Africa, and now energetically discharging their manifold and sacred
duties all over that continent--such assistance should be constantly and
unstintingly extended to these newly fledged communities which the power
of the Most Great Name has called into being at so crucial a period in
human history, and at so auspicious a stage in the mysterious unfoldment
of God's Plan for all mankind.
While this beneficent, slowly maturing, irresistibly advancing enterprise
develops and gains momentum, through the concerted and tireless efforts of
its original organisers in the British Isles and those in charge of its
immediate destinies in Africa itself, a corresponding endeavour, no less
consecrated, persistent and enthusiastic, should be exerted in the Islands
of the Mediterranean and the Far East, where similar exploits must needs
be achieved by those who have performed such unforgettable feats among the
Negroes of the African continent.
Parallel with this highly vital and urgently needed exertion in foreign
fields, a further intensification of effort is required on the homefront,
and particularly throughout the newly opened islands bordering the
homeland itself, now standing in such dire need of a flow of pioneers and
a concentration of material resources unexampled in British Baha'i
history. There is no reason to doubt that the phenomenal progress achieved
within the span of a few years, amidst an alien people, and in such
distant and backward territories, will be duplicated, nay surpassed, among
people of the same race, speaking the same language, of the same
background, and living in such close proximity to the Administrative
Centre in the British Isles, provided that a determination no less
unyielding, and a dedication no less whole-hearted and complete, will be
displayed by those who have already won such memorable victories in such
far-off and inhospitable regions of the globe. He Who in recent years
infallibly guided from His realms above the steps of the little band of
pioneers and administrators under such difficult and challenging
circumstances, Who galvanised their souls, blessed their handiwork, raised
their status, and noised abroad their fame, can well enable them, if they
but arise to the occasion now presenting itself, to conquer with no less
rapidity and even greater effectiveness, the citadels of men's hearts, to
tear down the barriers which now confront them, and ignite a fire in the
hearts of their own countrymen as consuming as the one that has set
ablaze, in so conspicuous a fashion, the souls of the African races over
the length and breadth of an entire continent.
The rapid increase in the number of the avowed supporters of the Faith,
the multiplication of groups, isolated centres and assemblies within the
limits of the homeland and its neighbouring islands, must be accompanied
by a marked acceleration in the process of internal consolidation, such as
the incorporation of firmly established local Assemblies, expansion in the
publication and dissemination of Baha'i literature, and the adoption of
carefully considered measures aimed at giving a still wider publicity,
among circles hitherto unapproached, or as yet inadequately informed of
the tenets, the aims and purposes, as well as the world-wide achievements
of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in both the teaching and administrative
spheres of its activities.
The highly gratifying and truly praiseworthy success which has attended,
so unexpectedly, the energetic efforts exerted by your Assembly in
connection with the campaign of publicity initiated for the purpose of
safeguarding the rights of our oppressed brethren in Persia must be
regarded as a most encouraging sign, and should constitute a prelude and a
stepping-stone to a still wider undertaking, aimed at a more systematic
presentation of the ideals animating our beloved Cause and of its
fundamental verities, and an adequate proclamation of its God-given
mission to this distracted, sadly erring, and increasingly tormented
generation.
The annals of the British Baha'i community, small in numbers, yet
unconquerable in spirit, tenacious in belief, undeviating in purpose,
alert and vigilant in the discharge of its manifold duties and
responsibilities, have in consequence of its epoch-making achievements
been vastly enriched. The process set in motion and greatly accelerated
through the successive formulation of the Six Year Plan, the Two Year Plan
and the Ten Year Plan, must continue unabated and unimpaired. Nay with
every passing day it must gather momentum. Every individual believer must,
henceforth, encouraged and inspired by all that has already been achieved,
contribute to its future and speedy unfoldment. That the entire community
may befittingly respond to the call of the present hour and bring to a
final consummation the Mission with which it has been entrusted is the
deepest yearning of my heart and the object of my unceasing prayers.
Shoghi
Letter of 4 November 1956
4 November 1956
Northern Ireland Regional Teaching Committee
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your letter of 16 Ma_sh_iyyat 113, with enclosures, has been received by
the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his
behalf.
He is most hopeful that the second week-end school will prove as
successful and fruitful as the one held in February apparently was.
The Guardian is delighted over the progress being made in Northern
Ireland. He greatly admires the tenacity and spirit of dedication of the
believers living in the British Isles, and is confident the friends in
your region will unitedly bend all their energies toward the fulfilment of
the goals they have set their hearts on attaining by next Ridvan.
Rest assured of his loving prayers for you all....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless your efforts and those of your dear co-workers, and
aid you to extend the range of your valued activities, and enable you to
win memorable victories in the service of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 8 December 1956
8 December 1956
REGARDING CHILDREN FOLLOW AMERICAN PROCEDURE. APPROVE SUGGESTED METHOD
INCORPORATION MAURITIUS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 14 December 1956
14 December 1956
Dear Baha'i Brother:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly, with
regard to the Tristan da Cunha Island.
Earlier in the Ten Year Crusade, one of the English Baha'is offered to
settle in this Island, in order to establish the Faith there. At that
time, the Guardian felt we must concentrate on the goals of the Crusade
only. Now, however, the Friends have won so many victories, and the goals
of the Crusade are being gained currently, early in the Crusade, he feels
supplementary areas may be settled--and for that matter, supplementary
activities engaged in.
Thus, if this friend still wishes to settle in the Island of Tristan da
Cunha, he would welcome it being done.
If only the home front would surge ahead, then the Crusade would surely be
moving ahead of the schedule. Let us pray those at home will arise with
the same dedication, and consecration as the valiant pioneers, causing a
new life to be manifest on all home fronts.
The Guardian sends the members of your Assembly his loving greetings....
Letter of 27 December 1956
27 December 1956
AS NATIONAL AND FEW LOCAL HAZIRAS NOT YET RETURNED LETTER THANKS
INADVISABLE.(89)
SHOGHI
Letter of 12 January 1957
12 January 1957
Mr. Arthur Norton
Dear Baha'i Brother,
Your loving letters concerning contributions to the Shrine of the Bab
Fund, and the International Fund, have been received by the Beloved
Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge them on his behalf. These
contributions from the Friends in England, and the Friends in the
Seychelles, are greatly appreciated by the Guardian. Receipt is enclosed.
Will you please, on behalf of the Guardian express his appreciation to Mr.
&Mrs. ... and the devoted friends in the Seychelles.
The Guardian has been deeply touched by the continuing victories being won
by the friends in the Seychelles.
The Beloved Guardian also wishes the dear Friends in England to know of
his deep appreciation of their consecration, and their sacrifices for the
Faith. This noble spirit cannot do other than attract the blessings of the
Holy Spirit, which will assure victory. He assures you of his prayers in
your behalf, and for the success of your many labours.
He sends you his loving Greetings....
Letter of 12 January 1957
12 January 1957
To the Baha'is who were present at the Birmingham Teaching Conference,
January 5th 1957.
Dear Baha'i Friends,
The beloved Guardian has received your letter of greeting, and was very
happy to hear that the Birmingham Teaching Conference had been such an
outstanding success.
Undoubtedly the Faith in the British Isles is making steady and sound
progress, and he hopes that during the coming months many of the Spiritual
Assemblies which have been placed in jeopardy will be consolidated in time
for the elections. He feels sure that the British Baha'is, who have done
more pioneering per capita than any other Baha'i community in the world,
will do all in their power to safeguard the precious goals they have won
at the cost of so much sacrifice and valiant endeavour.
He assures you one and all of his loving prayers for your success, and
that he will remember you in his visits to the Holy Shrines....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah sustain you in your highly meritorious
labours, guide every step you take in the path of service to His Faith,
and enable you to lend a great impetus, in the days to come, to the onward
march of our beloved Cause throughout the British Isles and to the
consolidation of its divinely appointed institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 26 February 1957
26 February 1957
Dear Baha'i Brother:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly with regard to
showing interior views of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah in slides.
The Guardian read in some minutes, or in a report of one of the Summer
Schools, that slides were shown of the Holy Land, and among them one of
the interior of the Shrine. He would like to know whether this is the
interior Garden, or the Inner Shrine itself, and whose slides they are.
He feels that the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and the Bab are so sacred, it is
improper for any slides to be shown of the Interiors. Thus, the slide
which was shown at the Summer School should be destroyed, and if it forms
a part of any sets of views of the Holy Land, this slide be removed from
the set.
He sends you his loving Greetings....
Letter of 27 February 1957
27 February 1957
GREATLY DEPLORE LOSS MUCH LOVED JOHN MITCHELL STAUNCH CONSECRATED PROMOTER
FAITH. REWARD HIS ADMINISTRATIVE PIONEER SERVICES GREAT ABHA KINGDOM
FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING PROGRESS HIS SOUL.
SHOGHI
Letter of 9 March 1957
9 March 1957
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your loving letter of March 4th, with regard to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah,
interior view, slide; which was shown or to be shown at your Summer
School.
The Guardian wishes me to see that all these slides are destroyed, and all
informed that they should not be used. Therefore, can you send me the name
of the person in America who sent the slide to the Baha'i in England.
This will permit me to stop the exodus of these slides at the source....
Letter of 14 March 1957
14 March 1957