Haifa, December 26th, 1941.
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters dated Sep. 23rd. and
Oct. 1st, and to acknowledge the receipt of the manuscript you sent for
"Baha'i World" vol. IX, also the photographs of Father Dunn's home and his
own picture.
Regarding the questions you asked in your letter:
No. 1. Confucius was not a Prophet. It is quite correct to say he is the
founder of a moral system and a great reformer.
No. 2. The Buddha was a Manifestation of God, like Christ, but his
followers do not possess his authentic writings.
No. 3. Zoroaster was not Abraham; the Muslims, some of them, contend that
they were the same, but we believe they were two distinct Prophets. There
is a misunderstanding in the reference in "Baha'i Proofs" to this matter.
No. 4. There are no Prophets, so far, in the same category as Baha'u'llah,
as He culminates a great cycle begun with Adam.
No. 5. The Greatest Name is the Name of Baha'u'llah. "Ya Baha'u'l-Abha" is
an invocation meaning: "O Thou Glory of Glories"! "Allah-u-Abha" is a
greeting which means: "God the All-Glorious". Both refer to Baha'u'llah.
By Greatest Name is meant that Baha'u'llah has appeared in God's Greatest
Name, in other words, that He is the Supreme Manifestation of God.
No. 6. Revelations 3.12, refers to the Revelation of Baha'u'llah.
No. 7. References in the Bible to "Mt. Paran" and "Paraclete" refer to
Muhammad's Revelation. Deuteronomy 33.2; Genesis 21.21.; Numbers 12.16;
Numbers 13.3.; Genesis 17.20 refers to the twelve Imams and in the
Revelation of St. John, Chap. 11.; where it mentions two witnesses, it
refers to Muhammad and 'Ali.
No. 8. The statement in the "Gleanings", p. 64-65, "who out of utter
nothingness.." etc., should be taken in a symbolic and not literal sense.
It is only to demonstrate the power and greatness of God.
No. 9. The Guardian considers that the gist of what Mrs. Hanford Ford
reported can be considered quite correct.
No. 10. The figures 1290 date from the declaration of Muhammad, ten years
before His flight to Medina.
No. 11. The intercalary days are specially set aside for hospitality, the
giving of gifts, etc. Baha'u'llah Himself specified that they be used this
way, but gave no explanation for it.
No. 12. The Baha'i Summer-Schools were originated in America to meet the
requirements of the friends. They have been adopted by other Baha'i
communities the world-over, but there is no reason why they should be
called "Summer Schools". There is nothing rigid about the term, it is
purely descriptive. The Guardian feels that although you can have the
immediate affairs of your Summer-Schools managed by a convenient local
assembly, they should remain under the direct supervision of the National
Spiritual Assembly as they are national in character and not purely local.
A few days ago Mr. Jim Heggie came to see the Guardian. He was able to
visit all the shrines and archives as well. Shoghi Effendi was delighted
with him, he found him devoted, full of faith and zeal, and very well read
in the teachings. He feels that if this is a sample of the Baha'i youth of
Australia, there is, indeed, a wonderful future ahead of that country!
He will be very pleased to receive the picture of Father Dunn's grave as
soon as it is available.
The Guardian assures you and the members of the National Spiritual
Assembly that his prayers are constantly being offered on your behalf. He
is so very pleased with the good news he receives of your activities and
the spread of the Cause in those distant lands.
Only yesterday he was reading a most heartening and enthusiastic report of
the work in Tasmania, which greatly cheered him.
Dark as these days are he feels confident that the Australian and
New-Zealand Baha'is will continue with unabated devotion to carry on their
excellent and exemplary services to the Faith.
His prayers are with them all, and his loving gratitude goes out to you
who lead and co-ordinate their activities.