The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New
Zealand,
Mr. James Heggie, sec.
Haifa, May 11th, 1948.
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Dec. 11th, 1947, has been
received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
The devotion and perseverance of the believers in seeking to meet the
requirements of their Plan pleases and touches him immensely, and although
he fully realizes that the fewness of their numbers and the great
distances involved in such a vast country as Australia, form serious
handicaps in the progress of their teaching work, he, nevertheless, feels
confidant that they can achieve their goals in time, and raise their heads
proudly in the galaxy of their fellow-pioneers the world over.
We can truly say that this Cause is a cause that enables people to achieve
the impossible! For the Baha'is, everywhere, for the most part, are people
with no great distinguishments of either wealth or fame, and yet once they
make the effort and go forth in the name of Baha'u'llah to spread His
Faith, they become, each one, as efficacious as a host! Witness what
Mustafa Raumie accomplished in Burma, and a handful of pioneers achieved,
in a decade, in Latin America! It is the quality of devotion and
self-sacrifice that brings rewards in the service of this Faith rather
than means, ability or financial backing.
This has again, during the last few years, been demonstrated even more
remarkably by the British Baha'is, who have not only had to contend with
very limited means and a small community to draw from, but have also had
infinite restrictions and privations to put up with--and, in spite of this,
they are steadily gaining on the requirements of the Plan they have set
for themselves, and, indeed, are startling and inspiring their
fellow-Baha'is everywhere by their spirit and achievements!
He hopes that now, from "down under", news will begin to flow out to the
Baha'i World of the remarkable accomplishments of the Australians and New
Zealanders!
Regarding the question you asked him about the Baha'i sacred writings:
these should be regarded as the writings of the Bab, Baha'u'llah and
'Abdu'l-Baha and only these should be read during the purely devotional
part of the Feast.
He wishes to assure you, and all the other members of the N.S.A., of his
most loving and ardent prayers for the success of your various
undertakings and above all, for the success of your teaching Plan.
With warmest greetings,
R. Rabbani.
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The Plan launched by the small yet highly promising community of devoted
believers in Australia and New Zealand constitutes a landmark of unusual
significance in the history of the evolution of the Faith in that far-off
continent. It opens a new chapter, rich in promise, momentous in the
events which it must record, and destined to be regarded as a prelude to
still more glorious chapters in the annals of the Faith in the Antipodes.
The limited resources at the disposal of the prosecutors of the Plan, the
vastness of the territory in which it must operate, the fewness of the
numbers of those participating in its execution, offer a mighty challenge
which no loyal follower of the Faith of Baha'u'llah can either ignore or
minimize. Indeed the greater the challenge, the more bountiful the
blessings which will be vouchsafed from on high, and the richer the reward
to be won by its triumphant executors.
The successful termination of this Plan, the first fruit of the newly
established and properly functioning Administrative Order in those distant
lands, will pave the way for the launching of still greater enterprises,
destined to carry the message of Baha'u'llah to the Islands of the Pacific
in the vicinity of that continent. For the mission entrusted to the care
of the adherents of the Faith in Australia and New Zealand is by no means
confined to the mainland of Australia and the islands of New Zealand, but
should embrace, as it unfolds, in the years to come, the islands of the
Antipodes, where the banner of the Faith still remains to be unfurled and
its Message is as yet undelivered.
It is not for them, however, at the present stage of their evolution, to
probe into the future, and seek to evaluate the range of their future
achievements. They must concentrate every ounce of their energy, and focus
their entire attention, on the tasks immediately ahead, resolved to work
unremittingly and unflinchingly until the goals of the present Plan are
achieved.
Whatever the situation that may develop in the years to come, however
great the obstacles by which a nascent community may yet be faced, no
matter how arduous the task now confronting its members, it must persevere
until the historic work is accomplished.
I will, from the depths of my heart, supplicate the Beloved to reinforce
the noble exertions of this community, guide its steps, clarify its
vision, deepen its understanding of the requirements of the present hour,
and aid it to extend continually the scope of its meritorious
achievements.
My heart longs to receive the news of the progress of this first
collective enterprise on which the community has embarked, and I feel
confident that its stalwart members will not allow the hopes that animate
me to be frustrated.
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi.