Haifa, March 19th, 1943.
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letters, written on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, and
dated April 21st, 1942 and Nov. 18th, 1942, reached the Guardian, together
with their enclosures, and he has instructed me to answer them on his
behalf.
He regrets the delay in replying to them, but he has been, and still is,
engaged on a work which requires a tremendous amount of his time, and his
correspondence has, of necessity, suffered from it.
The Guardian would prefer sending all cables and moneys etc., to you
direct, but the war regulations, as enforced in this country, prohibit the
use of a postal address in cables or telegrams, and as he does not have
your street address, he has had to do it this way. Please forward your own
address, or the one you care to have used, and it will simplify matters in
the future.
He is delighted to hear that the friends will be able to hold a Convention
in April, and he hopes that, through its deliberations, and the meetings
of the N.S.A. members, far reaching teaching plans will be set afoot and
the Cause in New Zealand and Australia obtain a new impetus. You already
have the nuclei of a number of Spiritual Assemblies in places where there
are a group of believers, and he hopes that through following the methods,
so successful in such countries as India and the United States, of having
both travelling teachers and pioneers or settlers go out you will have a
number of new Spiritual Assemblies by 1944.
He was very pleased to see the increased interest among the friends in
their various Baha'i Summer and Winter Schools, and hopes that these will
increasingly attract students of the Faith, anxious to deepen their
knowledge of its wonderful teachings.
The Australian and New Zealand friends, now feeling the full weight of the
war, its dangers and sorrows, are very often in his prayers. He feels
confident that they will emerge from these dark years stronger in spirit,
more united and consecrated than ever before. They have a great and
precious mission before them of rearing, albeit in miniature the pattern
of a New World Order, divine in origin, in the midst of their countrymen,
who someday are sure to turn to that pattern as the solution to their
problems and the harbinger of their happiness.
He assures you and all the members of the N.S.A. of his continued, loving
prayers, that you may be guided and aided in all your services to our
beloved Faith.
With Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani.
P.S. The Guardian replied to Mr. Heggie's letter, and he is very pleased
to hear of the fine work he is doing. He is also pleased to hear that the
work will now go on in connection with Father Dunn's Memorial.
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The constancy, the zeal, the unity and devotion which characterize the
activities of the dearly-beloved community of Australia and New Zealand
Baha'is evoke my heartfelt admiration, and demonstrate the power of
Baha'u'llah and His unfailing guidance. I will pray for them all, will
supplicate for them His richest blessings, and feel confident that if they
persevere in their noble task their mission will be crowned with glorious
success.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi.