LETTERS TO BAHA'I INSTITUTIONS.
These letters are presented chronologically and show the development of
the institutions--Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Auckland, the
National Spiritual Assembly, the Regional Teaching Committee.
(42) March 31st, 1926
Dear Spiritual Sister:
Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated
Feb. 18th 1926. He well appreciates the whole-hearted contributions the
friends, the world over, have made to safeguard the neighbourhood of the
shrines. We all hope that this spirit of quick response and action will
permeate all the different activities of the Cause.
Shoghi Effendi as well as the other members of the family send you, and
through you, the Australian and New Zealand friends their best love and
greetings. They all await the good news of the progress of the Movement in
Australasia.
With loving greetings I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
Ruhi Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
_My dear fellow-worker,_
_I fully appreciate the self-sacrificing efforts of the New-Zealand
Baha'is and am glad to inform them that the surroundings of the Shrines on
Mt Carmel are secure. May the Beloved reward them a hundredfold! Convey my
love and gratitude to them all._
_Your true brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(43) May 14th, 1926
My dear Baha'i sister,
I thank you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi for your letter of Mar. 8th and
for the second copy of the draft that you had sent enclosed.
He has already received and cashed the first draft and has sent you the
receipt for it.
He appreciates very much indeed the help of the New Zealand friends and I
am sure they would all be very glad to know that the surroundings of the
holy Shrines on Mt Carmel have already been safeguarded. This is such a
relief to Shoghi Effendi and all the friends who feared lest the
approaches should fall into the hands of speculators and interested men.
With heartfelt greetings to the friends in New Zealand. I am
Yours ever in His Service,
Soheil Afnan
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear fellow-worker:_
_I wish to reassure you in person of my continued prayers for you as well
as for those friends who in the distant city of Auckland are labouring for
the advancement of the Cause in New Zealand. Please convey to them my
brotherly greetings and very best wishes. I can never forget them and they
are ever near to me._
_Your true brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(44) January 7th, 1935
Dear Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian has duly received your beautiful message of 2nd of December,
and he wishes me to thank you for it, as well as for the enclosed copy of
the Auckland Assembly's circular letter which he has delivered to the
spiritual assembly of Haifa for their perusal.
He also wishes me to ask you to kindly inform Mrs Blundell of the receipt
of the twenty five copies of the Maori pamphlet which she had lately
mailed to him. These, together with those she had sent previously, have
all been placed in his own library, and a few copies have also been placed
in the Mansion of Baha'u'llah at Bahji for the information of the general
public.
In closing the Guardian wishes me to renew to you the expressions of his
abiding and genuine appreciation of your labours for the Cause in
Auckland, and particularly in connection with your duties as secretary of
the local assembly. He is praying from the very depths of his heart for
your progress and success in this important field of Baha'i service.
With heartiest greetings to you and all the friends.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
_Dearly beloved co-worker:_
_I wish to assure you of my deepest appreciation of your constant and
manifold services to the Faith, and particularly of the share you have had
in consolidating its administrative institutions in both Australia and New
Zealand, whether local or national. My prayers will continue to be offered
from the bottom of my heart for you and for your dear co-workers.
Persevere and never feel disheartened._
_Your true brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(45) September 26th, 1935
Beloved Baha'i co-worker,
...In connection with the N.S.A.'s(8) decision regarding the appointment
of Mrs. Axford and Mr. Inman to keep records of Australian and New-Zealand
activities for the "Baha'i World"; the Guardian wishes you to assure your
fellow-members in the assembly that he fully endorses their choice. He
also wishes you to impress the newly-appointed correspondents with the
vital importance of their task, and to urge them to acquit themselves of
it with thoroughness, efficiency and vigour....
(Extract from "Letters from the Guardian to Australia and New
Zealand 1923-1957". p. 10. Published by The National Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia Incorporated, 1970.)
(46) April 26th, 1936
Beloved Baha'i Sister,
I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your letter of the 30th
March informing him of the date of Miss Kitty Carpenter's arrival in
Port-Said. You can be sure that the friends will be most delighted to meet
her, and to render her journey to Haifa as safe and comfortable as
possible.
The Guardian himself is eagerly looking forward to the pleasure of meeting
her, and cherishes the hope that through this pilgrimage she may receive a
renewed stimulus to better work for the promotion of the Faith upon her
return home....
(Extract, ibid., p. 13)
(47) June 10th, 1936
Dear Baha'i Sister,
...The Guardian would also advise that the local assemblies take a similar
step, and obtain official recognition from the authorities. In case the
Auckland assembly has been registered in the government, will you be so
kind as to send him photostatic reproductions of any registration papers
or documents that the Auckland friends may have obtained from the
authorities, as he wishes to have them published in the next "Baha'i
World"....
(Extract, ibid., p. 14)
(48) November 17th, 1936
Dear Baha'i Sister,
On behalf of the Guardian I acknowledge with deepest thanks the receipt of
your letter of the 17th October, and wish also to thank your Assembly for
forwarding to him the photostatic reproduction of the registration
certificate of the Assembly of Auckland....
(Extract, ibid., p. 18)
(49) January 31st, 1938
Dear Baha'i Sister,
The Guardian wishes me to express his loving thanks for your letter of the
third instant, enclosing the half-yearly reports of the Perth and Auckland
Spiritual Assemblies, all of which he has been delighted to read.
He wishes you to write the Auckland Assembly assuring them of his approval
of the request they have made on behalf of Miss Kitty Carpenter for
permission to visit Haifa. He has every hope that through this pilgrimage
she will be greatly refreshed and strengthened spiritually, and will upon
her return home impart to the friends in New-Zealand some measure of the
inspiration she will gain through close contact with the Holy Shrines....
(Extract, ibid., p. 24)
(50) November 2nd, 1938
Dear Baha'i Sister,
...The Guardian wishes me to express his gratification at the news of the
enrolment of three new members in the Sydney Baha'i group, and of two
others in the Auckland community. He will pray that these new believers
may continue deepening in their faith, and in their understanding of the
Teachings, and that each of them may arise and lend every assistance in
his power to the further expansion and firmer consolidation of the Faith
in that far-off continent....
(Extract, ibid., p. 28)
(51) March 22nd, 1939
Dear Baha'i Brothers and Sisters,
The Guardian wishes me to gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your card
conveying to him your Assembly's greetings for Naw-Ruz, and to assure you
how deeply he feels appreciative of the renewed expressions of love which
you had felt prompted to transmit to him on such a happy and blessed
occasion.
He immeasurably values indeed your sentiments, and wishes me to take this
opportunity of assuring your Assembly, and all the members of the Auckland
Baha'i Community, of his ardent prayers for the further extension of the
Faith, and its firmer consolidation in your centre, and for the spiritual
advancement and welfare of each and every member of your group. May this
new Baha'i Year we have just entered witness a fresh intensification of
the spirit of service in the heart of each one of you, and lead you to
scale still nobler heights of service and sacrifice in your stewardship to
the Cause.
Reciprocating your kind greetings and with all good wishes for a happy
Naw-Ruz.
Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbani
(52) April 19th, 1941
Dear Baha'i friends,
...He was very sorry to learn that Miss Stevenson has passed on. He will
pray for her joy and advancement in the Worlds beyond. She had the great
honour and blessing of being the first New-Zealand believer and her reward
must be great....
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear and valued co-workers:_
_...The passing of yet another staunch and indefatigable worker, Miss
Stevenson, constitutes yet another loss to the believers in that
continent. The work which that exemplary pioneer has achieved however is
imperishable. Kindly assure her relatives of my deepfelt sympathy._
_Sh._
(Extract, ibid., pp. 38, 39)
(53) April 25th, 1941
Dear Baha'i friends:
Shoghi Effendi has instructed me to answer your Naw-Ruz greetings of the
year 98.
He deeply appreciated your thought in sending him a message at such a
time. The loving remembrance of the friends is dear to his heart in these
heavy and sad times.
He assures you that the friends of Australia and New Zealand are often in
his thoughts and prayers, and he is so pleased with the continued
evidences of their devotion and services to the Cause of God.
With Baha'i greetings,
Yours in His Service,
R. Rabbani
(54) April 18th, 1942
Dear Baha'i Sister:
...He was delighted to learn that the New Zealand members were able to
make the trip to Australia, and that such a highly satisfactory N.S.A.
meeting was held, in such a spirit of love and harmony. No doubt this
experience will prove of great value, not only to the National Assembly,
but also to the work of the Cause in the days to come....
(Extract, ibid., p. 45)
(55) May 12th, 1944
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letters dated March 1st, 25th and March 21st--Baha'i Naw-Ruz
greeting--have been received, and the Guardian has instructed me to answer
them on his behalf.
He was very pleased indeed to hear that the Cause in New Zealand is not
only steadily progressing but that it is winning such good friends as Rev.
Chandler. Also the preparations you are making for the Centenary should
serve to not only publicise the Faith, but bring the believers closer to
liberal-minded fellow-citizens.
He himself is at present frightfully busy with local preparations for the
Centenary and with cables and correspondence--but he wishes you all to
know that his thoughts will be with you on this glorious day of the 100th
anniversary of the Bab's declaration, and he will pray for all the New
Zealand Baha'is in the Holy Shrines.
With most loving greetings and best wishes from the Guardian for the
success of all your plans.
Yours with Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani
P.S. He appreciated very much your sending Naw-Ruz greetings.
[From the Guardian:]
_May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide your steps, sustain you in your
devoted endeavours, and enable you to promote effectively the best
interests of His Faith._
_Your true and grateful brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(56) December 18th, 1949
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Auckland, N.Z.
Dear Baha'i friends:
Your letter of October 25th was received and our Guardian was delighted to
hear the details of this property you have purchased, and which he trusts
will grow to be a very important Baha'i endowment. He will be pleased to
receive the pictures of it.
He felt that no name could be more befitting than that of dear father
Dunn. May the spirit this wonderful soul exemplified stream forth from
your school and quicken those Islands.
With Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
P.S. Since writing this letter yours of Nov. 29 has been received. He will
certainly pray for the success of your Summer School sessions so soon to
begin and for the speedy development of the new school property you have
just purchased.
[From the Guardian:]
_May the Almighty bless bountifully your meritorious labours, guide and
sustain you, at all times and under all circumstances, aid you to overcome
every obstacle that confronts you and enable you to lend a tremendous
impetus, in the days to come, to the progress of your historic work in
that promising and far-away Island._
_Your true and grateful brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(57) June 28th, 1950
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New
Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Friends:
...As Mrs Axford requested Mrs Thomas to write about her Baha'i life there
is every reason to respect her wishes. This in no way precludes the New
Zealand Community from writing about her services and life and keeping
this record in the National archives. The Guardian feels the Auckland
Assembly should be consulted, as her, (Mrs Axford's), home community, by
Mrs Thomas. He hopes this In Memoriam article, about so dear and tireless
a servant of the Faith, will produce a spirit of love and co-operation
amongst all concerned....
The acquisition of the site for the New Zealand Summer School was a great
step forward in the progress of the Faith there, and he was very pleased
about it. He was also delighted to hear of the formation of the Devonport
Assembly, and he hopes next year there will be still more....
(Extract, ibid., p. 83)
(58) November 1st, 1950
Secretary,
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Auckland, New Zealand
Dear Baha'i Brother,
Your letter on behalf of the Assembly, (as well as your personal note)
dated July 6, have been received, but due to the pressure of work piled up
during the long and serious illness of Mr Maxwell the Guardian's
correspondence has piled up unanswered for some time.
He is very pleased to hear the Cause is making progress in New Zealand and
the friends unitedly serving, which is the most important thing of all.
He was also pleased to hear the Summer School property will be gradually
developed and serve the friends and the Community at large in other ways.
He thanks you for the plan of it sent under separate cover.
He sends his loving greetings to all the members of the Assembly, and also
would like to wish you success with your book.
With Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
_May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, remove all obstacles from
your path, and enable you to win great victories for His Faith and its
God-given institutions,_
_Your true and grateful brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(59) March 1st, 1951
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Friends:
...I would like to add that the Guardian does not consider that it is
advisable for New Zealand to be separated in the near future from
Australia, and come under the jurisdiction of an independent National
Assembly. He considers that the present arrangement is the best one until
such time as there are more assemblies flourishing in New Zealand, and he
would consider the basis for a National Assembly strong enough there to
support such an institution....
(Extract, ibid., p. 91)
(60) June 16th, 1954
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New
Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Brother:
...He was very happy to see that Mrs Dunn was able to attend the New
Zealand Baha'i Summer School. For a woman of her age, this was surely a
remarkable achievement, and must have been a great inspiration to the New
Zealand friends, coming as she did so freshly from the last
Intercontinental Teaching Conference held in New Delhi....
He attaches great importance to teaching the aboriginal Australians, and
also in converting more Maoris to the Faith, and hopes that the Baha'is
will devote some attention to contacting both of these minority groups....
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear and valued co-workers:_
_...The multiplication of Baha'i isolated centres, groups and local
assemblies, in both Australia and New Zealand--a process that has been
steadily and rapidly developing since the inauguration of the Ten-Year
Plan, is likewise of paramount importance in the years immediately ahead.
The development of these institutions, particularly in New Zealand, will
no doubt hasten the emergence of an independent National Spiritual
Assembly in that territory, and will lend a tremendous impetus to the
onward march of the Faith in those regions...._
_The purchase of a building in Auckland destined to serve as the National
Haziratu'l-Quds of the Baha'is of New Zealand, is yet another objective on
which attention should be immediately focused--in anticipation of the
erection of yet another pillar of the future House of Justice in that
remote part of the world...._
(Extract, ibid., pp. 118, 119, 121, 122)
(61) July 24, 1955
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New
Zealand
Dear Baha'i Brother:
...The news of the purchase of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Auckland was most
welcome. The acquisition of this building is really one of the
pre-requisites for the formation of the National Assembly of New Zealand;
he hopes that the impetus this has given to the work of the Faith there,
combined with the devotion of the Baha'is will speed the formation of
local Assemblies, which alone constitute the necessary firm foundation for
the National Body, a Body which will be one of the direct pillars
supporting the International House of Justice. He urges, therefore, your
Assembly to give all the teaching help it can to New Zealand; and to
encourage the believers there to do their utmost to achieve their
goals....
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear and valued co-workers:_
_...The purchase of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Auckland, as the future
headquarters of the New Zealand National Spiritual Assembly, is another
accomplishment that merits the highest praise...._
_...The establishment of Baha'i endowments in the Dominion of New Zealand
is yet another responsibility devolving upon their elected national
representatives, a responsibility which should be discharged prior to the
emergence of an independent national assembly in that distant and
promising island._
_Whilst these immediate goals are being steadily and resolutely pursued,
attention should, likewise, be particularly directed to the vital need for
the constant multiplication of isolated centres, groups and local
assemblies, as well as to the necessity of increasing, to an unprecedented
degree, the number of the avowed adherents of the Faith who can directly
and effectively contribute to the broadening of its foundations and the
expansion of its nascent institutions. Particularly in the Dominion of New
Zealand, where a pillar of the future Universal House of Justice will soon
be erected, must a fresh impetus be lent to this vital process which can
alone reinforce the foundations on which this projected institution must
ultimately rest...._
(Extract, ibid., pp. 123, 125, 126, 127)
(62) June 13th, 1956
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and New
Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Brother:
...As regards the question the Auckland Assembly has asked about
vivisection, there is nothing on this subject in the Baha'i teachings. At
a future date such matters will no doubt be taken up by the International
House of Justice....
He is delighted to hear that the New Zealand friends are so eagerly
carrying on their work in preparation for their National Assembly next
year. Their coming of age, so to speak, will be a source of pride to all
their fellow National Assemblies, and they will form a welcome addition to
the pillars which must ultimately sustain the International House of
Justice....
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear and valued co-workers:_
_...Particular attention should be devoted to the urgent needs of the New
Zealand Baha'i community, through the formulation of a plan which will
enable it to swell the number of its administrative institutions,
enlarging and reinforcing thereby the foundations on which its forthcoming
National Assembly must ultimately rest...._
(Extract, ibid., pp. 130, 131, 133)
(63) September 5th, 1956
Secretary, Regional Teaching Committee for New Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your letter of August 3rd with enclosure has been received by the beloved
Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was happy to see this report of the activities of the Baha'is in New
Zealand, and will be pleased to receive a copy of your News Letter
regularly.
The Guardian wishes your Committee and the believers there to know that he
has high hopes for their future achievements in that far-off land, where
they are now on the threshold of that historic event, the election of
their own National Spiritual Assembly. He deeply values their devotion,
and the eager and fervent character of their services.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
_Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and spiritual
advancement,_
_Your true brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(64) April 4th, 1957
Message from the Guardian at the inception of the New Zealand National
Spiritual Assembly.
I share with the assembled delegates, gathered to elect, on this historic
occasion, the second National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the
Antipodes, the feelings of profound satisfaction and gratitude to
Baha'u'llah evoked by this epoch-making event in the evolution of His
Faith in that far off region of the globe. I am deeply conscious of the
decisive share which the Australian Baha'i Community, labouring during
more than three decades, for the spread of the light of this glorious
revelation among the highly progressive people of that distant continent,
has had in the laying of the foundations of the Administrative Order and
the erection of yet another pillar of the future Universal House of
Justice in this remote Dominion.
The emergence of this independent Baha'i Community, no matter how limited
its numerical strength and modest its resources, must be regarded as a
highly significant development in the rise and establishment of the Baha'i
Faith in the Pacific Area, and should synchronise with the formulation, on
the part of the National Spiritual Assembly now being elected in that
Island, of a subsidiary Six-Year-Plan, designed to reinforce substantially
the numerical strength of the Community; to multiply its Centres, as well
as its Local Spiritual Assemblies; to incorporate the solidly grounded
amongst them; to inaugurate a National Fund; to obtain recognition for
both the Baha'i marriage certificate and the Baha'i Holy Days; to lend an
unprecedented impetus to the conversion of the Maoris, and to ensure their
active participation in the conduct of Baha'i Administrative Institutions;
to extend the scope of the work already initiated in the South Island; to
incorporate the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly, and to select
and acquire a site for the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of that Dominion.
I call upon the members of the Australian National Spiritual Assembly, as
well as the members of the Australian Baha'i Community, to continue to
lend their valued support to this newly pledged sister Community, and to
enable it, through the extension of material assistance as well as the
dispatch of visiting teachers and pioneers, to contribute, in an ever
increasing measure, to the furtherance of the magnificent and colossal
campaign now being so vigorously conducted in the North, in the South, and
in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.
May the outpourings of the Holy Spirit continue to energise this small yet
resolute forward marching, dedicated community, and may the outcome of the
collective efforts of its members contribute decisively to the triumphant
consummation of the World Crusade on which the entire body of the
followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah have so confidently embarked.
Shoghi
(65) May 20th, 1957
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Our beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you on his behalf and
inform you that the Hand of the Cause, Mr Varqa, will shortly be
forwarding to your assembly the equivalent of five hundred English pounds,
as the Guardian's contribution to your newly established National Fund.
He hopes that in the formulation of your plans, particular attention will
be given to the all-important teaching work, the foundation of all the
activities of the Faith and the most urgent task facing the friends in
this critical period the world is passing through.
You may be sure he will pray for your success, With Baha'i greetings, R.
Rabbani
(66) June 27th, 1957
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Sister:
I am instructed by our beloved Guardian to write you on his behalf and
assure you he was most happy to receive your letter dated May 4.
He rejoices with the New Zealand Baha'is in the formation of their
historic National Assembly. They are now firmly launched on the course of
their own destiny, and undoubtedly the Faith will go forward very much
faster. They have an advantage not shared by many of their fellow National
Assemblies, of exclusively administering the affairs of the Faith in a
small area, which means that they can function much more efficiently. When
one remembers the many years that the New Zealand and Australian believers
toiled to carry on the work in those two countries, with the sea in
between, and inadequate funds to provide transportation, which
necessitated so much of the National Assembly's work being carried on by
correspondence, one can appreciate the advantages you now enjoy.
The formation of a new National Body in any case is an organic thing, and
a new and lively flow of life will go out into all the members of the
Community from this Assembly.
As regards the question you asked him about the site for the Temple, this
need not be a large piece of land at this time--three or four acres would
be sufficient for the site if you find suitable land is expensive. If the
worst comes to the worst, when the time comes to build the Temple, the
site can be changed. In Uganda some years ago, they purchased a Temple
site, and later, a large piece of land for their endowment. With the
Guardian's permission, they exchanged the two as the Endowment's position
was better for the Temple. So you see, it need not be too rigid. The point
is to get a Temple site as soon as possible. He feels it should be in the
outskirts of Auckland, within easy motoring distance, so that the friends
can attend services there. Naturally the closer to the city, the better.
As you formulate your plans and carry them out for the work entrusted to
you during the next six years, he wishes you to particularly bear in mind
the need of teaching the Maoris. These original discoverers of New Zealand
are of a very fine race, and they are a people long admired for their
noble qualities; and special effort should be made, not only to contact
the Maoris in the cities and draw them into the Faith, but to go to their
towns and live amongst them and establish Assemblies in which at least the
majority of the believers will be Maoris, if not all. This would be indeed
a worthy achievement.
The beloved Guardian assures you all of his prayers for the success of the
historic work you are now undertaking, and he feels sure you will achieve
your goals.
With warmest Baha'i greetings,
Ruhiyyih
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear and valued co-workers:_
_The emergence of the New Zealand National Spiritual Assembly, as a result
of the convocation of the first Baha'i historic Convention held in that
far-away and promising Dominion, will be hailed by posterity as an event
of the greatest significance, marking the erection of another pillar
designed to support, in the South Pacific area, the future Universal House
of Justice. My heart overflows with happiness and is filled with gratitude
as I contemplate the splendid progress achieved, in recent years, in that
far-off island, and note the loyalty and devotion with which the members
of this valiant community, now standing on the threshold of unprecedented
achievements, have discharged their manifold and sacred responsibilities._
_The six brief years that now lie ahead must witness a swift expansion in
the scope of Baha'i activities throughout the length and breadth of that
Dominion, as well as a steady consolidation of the foundations of the
institutions that have been so painstakingly laid. The Six-Year Plan upon
which the New Zealand believers have now so auspiciously embarked must be
diligently prosecuted and brought to a triumphant conclusion. All must
participate, whether young or old, veterans as well as newly enrolled
believers, all must contribute their share to the ultimate success of this
mighty collective enterprise, however limited their means, however modest
their abilities, however restricted the range of their previous
experiences._
_The increase in the number of the avowed adherents of the Faith; the
multiplication of isolated centres, groups, and local assemblies; the
incorporation of the newly formed National Spiritual Assembly as well as
all firmly grounded local assemblies; the recognition of the Baha'i
marriage certificate by the civil authorities, and of the Baha'i Holy Days
by the Superintendent of schools in that island; the rapid conversion of
the Maoris and their close association with the white believers in the
administration of the affairs of the community; the consolidation of the
work energetically initiated in the South Island; the selection and
purchase of the site for the Mother Temple of New Zealand--these stand out
as the foremost objectives of the Plan now demanding of its high minded
determined prosecutors, the utmost consecration, unrelaxing vigilance and
the noblest self-sacrifice._
_The tasks, challenging the spirit and resources of this community, whose
numerical strength is as yet so limited, whose material resources are so
circumscribed, whose past experiences have, in many respects, been
confined to a narrow range, are truly formidable. The alloted time, during
which so stupendous an undertaking is to be consummated, is short. The
obstacles confronting its members are varied and manifold. Yet the
sustaining grace promised to all those who will arise, with
single-mindedness, courage, dedication and high resolve to aid in the
attainment of these noble objectives, is of such potency that no earthly
power can resist the ultimate fulfilment of so glorious a task, or even
delay its eventual fruition._
_I appeal most earnestly to all those who, in both the teaching and
administrative fields, are committed to carry out so magnificent an
enterprise, as well as to those who, in an unofficial capacity, are called
upon to further, by every means in their power, the interests of this
epoch-making Plan, to dedicate themselves, at this hour to the arduous,
yet infinitely precious task they have shouldered, and to devote, in the
days and years that lie ahead, every ounce of their energy to the
systematic prosecution of a Plan, on which the immediate destinies of the
entire New Zealand Baha'i community directly depend; and which can alone
provide the stepping-stone to the still more brilliant achievements
destined to ennoble the annals of the Faith in that remote island of the
globe._
_Shoghi_
(67) July 19th, 1957
Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia.
Dear Baha'i Brother:
...As regards the "Herald of the South" magazine, in view of the important
work lying ahead of your Assembly, and the fact that this magazine is a
drain on the limited resources of the Community, he thinks it would be
quite all right to suspend publication until a future date when the
financial situation permits such expenditures to be made with relative
ease. He leaves, however, the final decision to your Assembly.
The Committee responsible for the publication of this magazine has
certainly laboured valiantly throughout the years, and the publication
will be missed by its readers. However, it is some years since the
American Baha'i Magazine was abandoned for similar reasons, and the
Guardian feels that you can do so in Australia, and the funds be used to
better advantage, at this time. However, now that you have found a printer
in Sydney and appointed a new committee, he thinks you should continue it
and give the new Plan a try....
The successful culmination of the long standing partnership of the
Australian and New Zealand believers thru the emergence of the New Zealand
N. S. A. is a source of great satisfaction to the Guardian, and no doubt
to all the members of both communities. He feels sure this will mark a
turning point in the work in the Antipodes and the neighbouring islands
and give a new lease of life to the teaching work throughout that area.
Both your Assembly and that of New Zealand have now emerged into your
permanent form as pillars of the future International House of Justice.
The bones of the skeleton of the World Order are growing strong, but only
the teaching work can clothe them with flesh....
[From the Guardian:]
_Dear and valued co-workers:_
_...Particularly commendable, and indeed exemplary, has been the share of
the Australian believers in enabling the New-Zealand Baha'i Community to
make such rapid strides, in recent years, strides that have prepared it
for the assumption of its sacred and vital function as an independent
community, and which culminated in the formation of a body qualified to
take its place, and assume the weighty responsibilities incumbent on it,
as a distinct and separate member of the world-wide family of Baha'i
national and regional Spiritual Assemblies...._
(Extract, ibid., pp. 135, 137, 138)
(68) August 30th, 1957
Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City of Auckland.
Dear Baha'i Friends:
This is just a brief note, on behalf of the beloved Guardian, to
acknowledge your letter of July 5th (8th Rahmat, 114) and tell you he
appreciates your action in sending the cable to Iran, and assure you of
his loving prayers for the rapid progress of the Faith in Auckland.
With warm Baha'i greetings,
R. Rabbani
[From the Guardian:]
_May the Almighty sustain you in your constant and meritorious endeavours,
guide every step you take, and bless every effort you exert, for the
promotion of the interests of His Faith,_
_Your true brother, _
_ Shoghi_
(69) September 9th, 1957
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand.
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The Beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure information as to the
native tribes which have been contacted by any of the Believers in your
area; and of course if there are any Believers from these Tribes, that
would be even more interesting.
Can you prepare a list showing the number of Tribes that have been
contacted, and of these Tribes, the number who have become Believers. This
would be very interesting information.
Can you secure it at an early date and send it on to the Beloved Guardian.
With loving Baha'i Greetings, I am Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas