understanding of the teachings--however, for the sake of his sincere
services to the Faith, he will answer them here:
(1) Christ received the kiss of Judas, in fact He said one of His
disciples would betray Him. It is not a question of these Holy Souls
seeing the future, but of what, in Their wisdom, They deem it necessary to
accept in the Path of sacrifice. If we are going to question the wisdom of
the Prophets we can question God's Wisdom too, and the advisability of the
whole system we live in.
(2) Nabil's suicide was not insanity but love. He loved Baha'u'llah too
much to go on in a world that no longer held Him.
(3) The "sacrifice" of goats has nothing to do with the Faith. Baha'u'llah
was surrounded by Muslim admirers and friends, and they merely followed
the custom of their people on such an occasion, when many hundreds
gathered to console His bereaved family.
(4) We cannot, not knowing the factors Baha'u'llah weighed in His own
mind, judge of the wisdom of His withdrawal to Kurdistan. But, studying
His life and teachings, we should see in it an act of wisdom, and not
superficially measure Him by our standards.
(5) Love is certainly the attribute we associate par excellence with our
Maker. But has He no justice and does not justice fall on the back of the
evil doer as a scourge?
(6) This question seems to imply a lack of understanding of love. There is
very little Divine love in the world to-day, but a great deal of
intellectual reasoning, which is an entirely different thing, and springs
from the mind and not the heart. The Martyrs--most of them died because of
their love for the Bab, for Baha'u'llah, and through Them for God. The
veil between the inner and outer world was very thin, and to tear it, and
be free to be near the Beloved, was very sweet. But it takes love, not
reason to understand these things. We must also remember the Martyrs were
called upon to deny their faith or die, as men of principle they preferred
to die.
(7) Baha'u'llah's claims are much greater because humanity is more mature
and can afford to hear them. But He draws on the same Source that was
accessible to all the Prophets, it is we who can now receive more.
(8) The Guardian feels ... should study more deeply the teachings, and
meditate on what he studies. We liken God to the Sun, which gives us all
our life. So the Spirit of God reaches us through the Souls of the
Manifestations. We must learn to commune with Their Souls, and this is
what the Martyrs seemed to have done, and what brought them such ecstacy
of joy that life became nothing. This is the true mysticism, and the
secret, inner meaning of life which humanity has at present, drifted so
far from.
The Guardian will pray that this dear friend may deepen his understanding
and arise and become a wonderful teacher of the Faith.
He will also pray for the progress of the work in Manchester and the
success of your devoted labours.
With Baha'i love,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide and sustain you in your
activities, and enable you to promote effectively the best interests of
His Faith.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 19 January 1950
19 January 1950
Northampton Baha'i Community
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Our beloved Guardian thanks you not only for the good news you conveyed to
him in your letter of January 6th, but for the spirit which prompted you
to share it with him.
He admires greatly the services of your community and the unity amongst
you, which no doubt is largely responsible for your success.
He will join his prayers to yours for the success of the labours of your
two latest pioneering members.
With Baha'i love,
[From the Guardian:]
Dear co-workers,
I feel truly proud of your notable services, and I wish to assure you of
my profound appreciation of your labours, of my loving prayers for the
progress of your meritorious activities, and the realisation of every hope
you cherish in the service of our beloved Faith and of its nascent
institutions.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 30 September 1949
30 September 1949
The Baha'is of Norwich
Dear Baha'i Friends,
Your letter of August 2nd has been received and our beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very pleased to see that you are girding up your loins to do your
utmost for the Plan in the critical months that lie ahead.
Nothing will further your ends more quickly than the greatest love, unity
and co-operation amongst yourselves. These are the very soul of the order
Baha'u'llah has come to establish in the world and when the people see
these qualities and characteristics actively demonstrated in our midst,
those who are receptive will hasten to join our ranks. Likewise when they
see the lack of these virtues they will hesitate to embrace the Faith
however much they may admire its teachings.
He will certainly pray that your Assembly may be maintained, your numbers
increase, and your devotion be rewarded.
With Baha'i love,
[From the Guardian:]
Dear co-workers,
I was pleased to hear from you and receive the assurance of your love,
your devotion to the interests of our beloved Faith and your determination
to serve its best interests.
I will pray from the depths of my heart on your behalf, that the Almighty
may bless and sustain you and enable you to win memorable victories for
His Faith.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 16 September 1956
16 September 1956
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Norwich
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your letter of July 29th with enclosures has been received, and the
beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was most happy to receive the July Jarrold Magazine and to see the
article on the Faith; and also to learn from the copy of your News Letter
of the activities of the believers in that locality.
The Guardian greatly appreciates the spirit animating the friends there in
the service of the Cause. He sends you all his loving greetings, and
assures you of his prayers for the success of your devoted labours.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my abiding admiration of your devoted and constant
endeavours for the promotion of our beloved Faith, and of my fervent
prayers for the realisation of every hope you cherish for its promotion,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 8 April 1947
8 April 1947
The Baha'is of Nottingham
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter, dated February 16th, was received and read by our beloved
Guardian with great joy, and he has instructed me to answer it on his
behalf.
The news of your group having reached Assembly status was a source of deep
satisfaction to him, and demonstrates what the friends can do, once they
put their shoulder to the wheel!
You have every reason to feel proud of your achievement, and he hopes you
will, through your correspondence and contacts with your fellow believers,
encourage them to follow your example and forge ahead, in spite of every
obstacle, with determination, confident that once we do our part, God is
never failing in His.
He hopes your numbers will steadily increase and that many young people
will be attracted to the Faith, as the part they have to play is very
great and, also, their need of the Faith very great.
You may be sure his loving prayers will be offered for you, and for the
success of your labours, in the Holy Shrines.
With Baha'i love,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless your efforts in the service of our beloved Faith,
and you to deepen your knowledge of the essentials of His World Order, to
increase your numbers, to extend the scope of your activities, and to
fulfil every desire you cherish for its promotion and consolidation.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 30 May 1949
30 May 1949
The Baha'is of Nottingham
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated May 4, has been received, and
he deeply appreciates your message of devotion and affection.
His burden is indeed a heavy one, and after so many years of continuous
responsibility he often feels very tired. But when he sees the loyalty of
the friends and their steadfast perseverance in their tasks his heart is
lightened and he feels greatly encouraged.
It is much easier to work when you see results being obtained under your
very eyes, and, although in many ways his service to the Faith has been
lonelier and more complicated than that of the beloved Master, yet he has
had the great blessing of seeing the Cause spread out all over the world
and greatly expand in many countries--such as England, India, the United
State, etc.--as it never did in the days of 'Abdu'l-Baha, Who worked so
unremittingly towards this end, and Who planted what we now reap.
He feels the British believers can and will--indeed must--succeed in their
Plan, and his thoughts and prayers are with them very often.
With Baha'i love,
[From the Guardian:]
Dear co-workers:
Your message cheered my heart, and I wish to assure you that I greatly
value your noble sentiments, and will supplicate the Beloved to bless your
efforts, guide every step you take in the path of service, enable you to
extend continually the range of your activities, and consolidate the work
you have so splendidly inaugurated, and are so devotedly prosecuting in
the service of this glorious Faith,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 27 October 1950
27 October 1950
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of September 14 with enclosure was received, and the beloved
Guardian thanks you for it.
He was pleased to see the enterprising spirit shown by Mr. Semple, and
hopes his classes will produce many new contacts.
The progress made in Oxford is heartening, and he trusts still greater
progress lies ahead.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty abundantly reward you for your patient and splendid
labours, sustain and guide you at all times and under all circumstances,
enable you to extend the range of your meritorious activities, and aid you
to consolidate your notable and indeed historic achievements,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 25 December 1951
25 December 1951
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Friends:
Your letter of December 14th has been received; and the beloved Guardian
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very pleased to hear of the progress being made; and that it has
been possible to give the Message to some of the "undergrads". It is most
important that the Faith should be conveyed with a sense of dignity at so
important a university as Oxford; and better that the work should go
forward slowly than that any mistakes should be made.
He assures you all that he deeply appreciates your devoted labours; and he
hopes that you will fulfill your objective of increasing the number of
believers there.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved, whose Cause you are serving with such fidelity, ability
and devotion, reward you abundantly for your meritorious labours, guide
every step you take, and enable you to lay a firm and unassailable
foundation for the future institutions of His Faith in that historic and
promising City.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 25 December 1952
25 December 1952
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of December 10th has been received by the beloved Guardian,
and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very happy to see that you have held another meeting in Manchester
College, and hopes that the attracted ones who attended may become real
students of the Faith, and eventually join its ranks.
The poem by Miss Masefield was much appreciated by the Guardian. Please
assure Miss Masefield that he liked it very much, and will consider using
it for a future volume of "Baha'i World". The only thing that he saw that
seemed to need correction was that the word "Abha", was spelled "Abba"
instead of "Abha".
He hopes that Miss Masefield, through the friendship and wise association
of the members of your Group with her, will feel moved to declare herself
an active member of the Faith. He will pray that this may come about.
The Guardian will also pray for the success of the devoted labours of the
believers in Oxford.
With warm Baha'i love,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty guide and sustain you always, remove all obstacles from
your path, and enable you to win great and memorable victories in the
service of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 1 February 1954
1 February 1954
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of January 16th with enclosure has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He thanks you very much for the expression of your sympathy, and for the
newspaper clipping you enclosed.
It has indeed been a great loss to the work of the Faith, to lose such a
valiant, constant and distinguished Hand as dear Dorothy Baker. It will
leave a gap in the pioneer field, as well. No doubt her noble spirit will
be able to assist and inspire from on high, and this must be the
consolation of all her friends and admirers.
He trusts the work in Oxford is progressing steadily; and he assures you
all of his loving prayers in your behalf.
With warmest Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, guide and sustain you in
your activities, and enable you to win great victories in the service of
His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 23 April 1954
23 April 1954
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of April 9th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
Mrs. Winsten invited the Guardian if possible to view in person her
portrait of 'Abdu'l-Baha. Needless to say, he thanked her for her kind
invitation, but informed her this would be quite out of the question.
He is very pleased to hear that she has consented to forwarding a
photograph through acquaintances of hers, and he will be very interested
to see it. He will let you know if he considers the likeness sufficiently
good to warrant any of the Baha'is purchasing it. It is a pity to own
portraits of 'Abdu'l-Baha which do not in any way resemble Him.
Some time ago you asked him to send you a copy of the description which
Miss Campbell brought to Haifa of how the artist made this drawing of
'Abdu'l-Baha. Unfortunately this has been mislaid, and it is not possible
for the Guardian to send you a copy. However, the original you may be sure
is safe in his papers.
He is very happy to hear of the progress of the Cause in Oxford, such a
very important centre from every standpoint. He assures you all of his
loving prayers for the progress of your activities, and for each and all
of you.
With warmest Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving prayers for you all, and for the success of your
efforts for the promotion of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 7 December 1954
7 December 1954
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letter of November 30th with enclosure has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
The news of the opening of the Oxford Baha'is' first Centre rejoiced his
heart. He was particularly happy to know that this project was consummated
and the Centre furnished and made ready for use almost entirely through
the united efforts and devotion of the believers themselves.
As you know, the Guardian attaches great importance to Oxford. Now that
the friends have a Centre, which in itself will be a means of attracting
seeking souls to them to learn of the Faith; and also the Baha'is have
made for themselves a teaching plan, he feels confident that the work will
go forward there with great strides, and that your community will grow in
numbers and in strength.
He will remember you all in his loving prayers in the Holy Shrines.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless continually your highly meritorious efforts, and
enable you to win great and memorable victories in the service of His
Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 28 February 1955
28 February 1955
The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letter of February 13th with enclosures has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is hoping that the fact that the believers now have their own Centre in
Oxford will greatly stimulate the work there, and cause the more rapid
expansion of the Faith in this difficult town.
The work done among the University students should be steadily pursued.
Perhaps before long some among their number may determine to accept the
Faith and arise whole-heartedly to serve it.
The Guardian assures you all of his loving prayers, and sends his
greetings.
With warm Baha'i love,
P.S. It is not necessary to send a detailed account of the funeral of Mrs.
Langdon-Davies. A short biographical account of her life should be sent by
the N.S.A. for "Baha'i World".
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and enable you to achieve
memorable victories in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 21 March 1955
21 March 1955
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oxford
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letter of February 27th with enclosure has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He appreciates your thoughtfulness in sending to him the photostatic copy
of Canon Cheyne's letter to John Craven, in which he declared himself a
Baha'i, and is happy to have it.
He wishes you all a very happy New Year, and great success in your
teaching activities during the coming year.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving, my continued and fervent prayers for your
success in the service of our beloved Faith and of its nascent
institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
CABLES TO THE OXFORD ASSEMBLY
Letter of 25 November 1949
25 November 1949
HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS HISTORIC VICTORY ARDENT LOVING PRAYERS
SURROUNDING YOUR NOBLE MISSION.
SHOGHI
Letter of 22 April 1950
22 April 1950
APPRECIATE MESSAGE LOVING REMEMBRANCE SHRINES SUPPLICATING MANIFOLD
BLESSINGS.
SHOGHI
Letter of 26 October 1950
26 October 1950
OVERJOYED NOTABLE INITIAL VICTORY INTRODUCTION FAITH UNIVERSITY
UNDERGRADUATE CIRCLES ASSURE YOUNGEST PROMISING BELIEVER ARDENT PRAYERS
CONCENTRATE CONSOLIDATION ACHIEVEMENT.
SHOGHI
Letter of 21 April 1954
21 April 1954
ASSEMBLY FRIENDS LOVINGLY REMEMBERED SHRINES.
SHOGHI
Letter of 26 September 1957
26 September 1957
The Baha'is of Portsmouth
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of August 23rd has been received by the beloved Guardian, and
he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was happy to learn of the spirit of active service which animates the
friends in that city, and of the practical way you are approaching the
teaching work.
Through love and unity among the believers, and the wise and persistent
efforts of all the Baha'is, great results should be forthcoming.
He will certainly pray for the progress of the Faith there, and for the
enrollment of a number of newly-declared believers by next Ridvan.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved of our hearts, guide, bless and sustain you, remove every
obstacle from your path, and graciously assist you to extend the range of
your highly valued activities and consolidate your historic achievements,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
Letter of 14 May 1957
14 May 1957
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Reading
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter of May 8th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was delighted to receive the news of your activities, and feels that
Reading can be cited as a truly exemplary community in every way. He hopes
you will maintain this enviable position as the years go by.
He will certainly pray that your teaching efforts may be richly blessed,
and that you may not only continue to make Baha'is, but to export them, as
you have done in the case of Edinburgh.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your highly valued activities, guide every step you
take, remove every obstacle from your path, and graciously assist you to
win great victories in the service of His Faith in the days to come,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
EXCERPTS FROM LETTERS TO INDIVIDUALS
Over three hundred letters to individuals residing in the British Isles
have been studied and passages selected which are of permanent value.
These excerpts were taken from the letters of no more than twenty
believers of whom only seven corresponded regularly with the Guardian.
They have been arranged chronologically; for details of the subject matter
the reader must turn to the Index.
Almost all these passages are answers given by the Guardian to questions
asked in personal letters to him. It is possible therefore to catch a
glimpse of the changing problems facing the Baha'i community and these
frequently reflected conditions in the country as a whole. This is
particularly significant in the years immediately following the Second
World War for as the Guardian, in a letter written on his behalf by his
secretary, wrote of the British believers,
"... he feels the greatest sympathy for them, and considers that when
their present achievements are assessed in the future, people will give
them a double measure of praise for having done so much when they were
least fit to do it."
Letter of 28 September 1925
28 September 1925
[From the Guardian]
...I wish you, my dearest friend, to make once again a supreme effort to
come to a full understanding with the friends outside.... Extend to them
your generous and helping hand, approach them with a spirit of
selflessness and cordiality and the result, I am confident will be indeed
marvellous. My heart rejoices at the news of the growth of harmony among
the friends and I feel paralysed in my work when I hear to the contrary. I
am impressing on the friends in ... the absolute necessity of cultivating
understanding and friendliness and consolidating the foundation of the
National Assembly. For upon these National Assemblies will the Edifice of
the Universal House of Justice be raised.
Letter of 28 October 1925
28 October 1925
Shoghi Effendi is much interested to hear of your literary work. He fully
agrees with you that different people must be approached in different ways
and that valuable work for the Baha'i Cause can be done within the
Christian Churches by promoting the "Christianity of Christ". 'Abdu'l-Baha
said that when people become true Christians, they will find themselves
Baha'is. One or two of the best Baha'is I know were very earnest, sincere,
devoted Christians and accepted the Baha'i teachings with very little
difficulty and without any intervening period of religious scepticism, as
an amplification and fulfilment of the teachings and prophesyings of
Christ and the prophets.
Letter of 28 December 1925
28 December 1925