Spiritual Assembly during the coming year. However, you might ask your
fellow-members not to elect you as Chairman or as an officer of the
Spiritual Assembly, if you are reelected to that body. This will lighten
your work, and enable you, if you do not feel well enough, to omit
attending some of the meetings; but your presence on the Assembly, if
elected to it, the Guardian feels is important, because of your long
experience in the Faith and your loyalty and tact....
Your long and devoted services to the Faith are very deeply valued; and he
feels you have every reason to be happy as you look about you and see the
great progress made in Germany, and the fact that the believers there are
more loyal, more active and more numerous than ever before.
LETTER OF 5 APRIL 1951
5 April 1951
To the Believers who were present on World Youth Day held at Heidelberg.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your message of March 25th has been received by our beloved Guardian; and
he was most happy to know that so many of the Bahá’ís were present on this
occasion.
He urges you all to concentrate your time and energies on spreading the
Cause, and not to become distracted by the extremely confused condition of
the world and the acuteness of the problems facing humanity.
There is only one answer to these problems, and that is the Message of
Bahá’u’lláh; and we, His followers, are the ones who alone can carry this
Message to our fellow-men before it is too late.
You may be sure he will remember you all in his prayers in the Holy
Shrines, and supplicate for the rapid expansion of the Cause in Germany
and the consolidation of its administrative institutions....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you always, remove every
obstacle from your path, and enable you to promote, at all times, the
vital interests of its nascent institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 22 APRIL 1951
22 April 1951
Bahá’í Youth Committee of Germany and Austria
He hopes that the German youth, in spite of the fact that they now have
Persian co-workers in their midst, will consider that the work in Germany
is their responsibility, primarily, and not the responsibility of foreign
students, whether they be Persians, Americans, or from any other nation.
Each country must create its own active corps of servants; and it is only
right and proper that the German youth should do the lion’s share of their
work, and not permit other people to do it for them. He feels that the
German Bahá’í young people have made great progress during the last few
years, and prays that they may continue to do so; and he urges you all to
concentrate your efforts on this important branch of Bahá’í activity;
namely, consolidating and strengthening the activities of the young men
and women enrolled in the Cause of God in that country.
LETTER OF 31 MAY 1951
31 May 1951
He sees no objection to ... going to Persia for a visit. It would be a
happy experience for him to meet with the believers there. However, he
feels you should bear in mind that administrative experience and practice
is not the strong point in the East; on the contrary, the Bahá’í
Administration has, as far as being grasped by the average Bahá’í goes,
made far greater progress in the West, particularly America.
What can be learned from our Oriental brethren is reverence,
self-sacrifice, unquestioning obedience and complete devotion to the
Cause. These are wonderful traits, and ones which the West must emulate.
In exchange we can offer them our sense of principle and efficiency and
capacity for action.
LETTER OF 19 SEPTEMBER 1951
19 September 1951
To the Bahá’ís who were gathered at Dilsberg, August 22, 1951
The beloved Guardian was very happy to see so many of the young friends
had gathered to study the Faith, and associate with each other in Bahá’í
fellowship.
He feels sure these experiences are building up among you a greater sense
of dedication and uniting your hearts in the service of Bahá’u’lláh.
He urges you all to exemplify in your personal lives the teachings, as
well as to study them, and to also learn well the principles of the
Administrative Order.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved of our hearts guide and bless you, remove every obstacle
from your path, and aid you to contribute increasingly to the
consolidation of the institutions of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 30 OCTOBER 1951
30 October 1951
Through the National Assembly the beloved Guardian heard of your serious
illness and your sufferings, and he wishes me to assure you of his loving
sympathy and of his ardent prayers for your relief.
Life afflicts us with very severe trials sometimes, but we must always
remember that when we accept patiently the will of God He compensates us
in other ways. With faith and love we must be patient, and He will surely
reward us.
The Guardian is also praying for your children, that they may grow up to
rejoice your heart and be wonderful Bahá’ís.
LETTER OF 6 DECEMBER 1951
6 December 1951
To the Bahá’í Youth Who were gathered at Maulbronn October 28, 1951.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian appreciated receiving your message, and was happy to
see that so many of you had met to consult together about ways and means
of spreading the Divine Message in Germany.
He assures you he will pray that your efforts will be blessed; and he
urges you, as far as possible, to disperse to centers in Germany where
there are either no Bahá’ís, or there is a weak group and your presence
would strengthen it to establish a new center.
LETTER OF 20 JANUARY 1952
20 January 1952
To the Bahá’ís who were present at the Winter Youth Meeting December 28,
1951.
He was very happy to see that it was possible for so many to attend this
Youth Meeting; and he trusts that the study of the Teachings together, and
the spiritual interchange of thought among you on that occasion will cause
you to devote your lives even more single-mindedly to the Faith of
Bahá’u’lláh and its requirements; and that you will each inspire the
friends in your homes to further study, a closer unity and increased
activity.
LETTER OF 14 MARCH 1952
14 March 1952
...he urges you to devote as much of your time as possible to the actual
teaching work rather than writing on technical or theoretical subjects,
especially in relation to the Faith, because the Bahá’í attitude in detail
regarding such questions as sociology and economics must be formulated in
the course of time and cannot possibly be elaborated on at this point. To
do so would be premature. This does not mean that you should not make the
best possible use of the manuscript you sent him, but he would not advise
you to devote much time to a similar work in the immediate future.
LETTER OF 12 APRIL 1952
12 April 1952
To the Bahá’í Youth of Germany Who were present on Annual World Youth Day.
He hopes that each one who was present carried away with him a new
strength and resolve to do all in his power to teach, and attract new
souls to the Cause of God.
LETTER OF 7 MAY 1952
7 May 1952
The Bahá’í Community of Heidelberg.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letter of April 26th reached the beloved Guardian, and he appreciated
very much the kind sentiments you expressed. I also appreciated them very
deeply.
He will pray in the Holy Shrines that your work in Heidelberg may be
blessed, and that you will be able to promulgate the Faith in that area,
especially amongst the student body....
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my deep appreciation of the sentiments you expressed, and
of my loving prayers for your success in the service of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 23 MAY 1952
23 May 1952
To the Bahá’ís gathered in Frankfurt for Ridván, 1952
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received your loving greeting of April 27th,
which he deeply appreciates, and which he has instructed me to acknowledge
on his behalf.
He trusts that from this Convention the friends have carried back to their
homes a renewed spirit of dedication, in order to enable them to carry
forward the teaching work, now in their own land, and later on, beyond its
borders.
In the Intercontinental Teaching Conference to be held in Stockholm in the
summer of 1953, the German believers will have their part to play, and
will have their goal allotted to them for the ten-year period beginning in
1953. Therefore, they must endeavor to realize the great importance of
this Conference, and bend every effort towards its most complete
success....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless abundantly your noble endeavours, guide and sustain
you always, remove every obstacle from your path, and enable you to win
great and memorable victories in the service of His glorious Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 25 MAY 1952
25 May 1952
He is happy to hear you are in Ṭihrán, and determined to help the friends
directly with their teaching work, as this is the most important field of
all.
You should follow their advice, and consult with them in all matters, as
the situation there is very precarious, and any indiscretion could have
serious repercussions on the affairs of the friends.
LETTER OF 30 AUGUST 1952
30 August 1952
To the Bahá’í Youth who attended the first and second week of the Annual
Youth Summer School at Heppenheim.
He was happy to see you are so active, because very great things lie ahead
of the Bahá’í Youth, in particular during the next ten years; when you see
what the task of Germany must be, (the details of which he will be
revealing at the time of the Stockholm Conference), you will understand
how great is the need for your services during the next decade.
The future has always belonged to youth, and now more than ever before, in
order to ensure the fulfilment of Bahá’u’lláh’s plans for this planet, the
youth must labour and pioneer.
Now is the time, therefore, to consecrate yourselves and prepare
yourselves for the work that lies ahead of you, and of all the young
Bahá’ís the world-over. You must study both the teaching and the
Administration, in order to be ready and qualified—qualified with both
knowledge and shining personal characters...
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty guide your steps, aid and sustain you always, and enable
you to contribute effectively to the progress of our beloved Faith and the
consolidation of its nascent institutions.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 29 NOVEMBER 1952
29 November 1952
To the Bahá’í Youth gathered at Heilbronn-Neckar, on October 26th.
The Guardian is made very happy by the spirit of the friends in Germany,
as this spirit will attract to you the help of Bahá’u’lláh, as you go
forward together to accomplish the tremendous goals set for Germany in
your own country and in other lands, during the coming World Crusade.
LETTER OF 13 MARCH 1953
13 March 1953
...this will be just a brief note to thank you for your loving message to
him of March 6th, which was received through the kindness of dear Ben
Levy.
He assures the Esslingen friends of his prayers in the holy Shrine, for
the abundant success of their teaching efforts, and particularly for the
anniversary of the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Esslingen.
The Guardian feels sure Ben will inspire you all with the account of his
pilgrimage, on his return.
LETTER OF 13 MAY 1953
13 May 1953
The Bahá’í Youth of Germany who were gathered in Titisee, January 1, for
Winterschool Session.
He urges each one of you, when the details covering the Ten Year Crusade
are released, to give this subject careful study, so that you may, during
the entire period of this World Crusade, serve the Cause efficiently and
devotedly in the place and in the manner in which you are best fitted to
do so.
LETTER OF 16 MARCH 1953(38)
16 March 1953
Mr. Ben Levy has safely delivered the Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which you
forwarded to the Holy Land, and the Guardian has read them, and will place
them in the International Archives. It is indeed a miracle that you were
able to protect these precious things during the long and dangerous years
of the war, and the German Bahá’ís must be very grateful to you for doing
so. The Guardian was happy to hear that photographs have been made of them
and kept in Germany.
He also remembers your visit to Haifa; and your long and faithful services
to our beloved Cause are most deeply appreciated. He feels sure that you
and your family will continue to assist in spreading the Message in
Germany, and in consolidating the foundations of the Faith, and will pray
for the success of your efforts.
LETTER OF 16 MARCH 1953(39)
16 March 1953
The Guardian does not feel that now is the time for the Hands to give up
their normal sphere of activity, and prepare themselves to be free to
travel and teach all the time. In most cases, this would be quite
impossible financially, especially for people who, like yourself, have the
responsibility of families to look after. No doubt, as the Cause grows in
numbers, and has greater resources, it will be possible to assist the
Hands to carry out definite teaching missions; but for the present, we
must stretch our limited resources, and accomplish the most essential
tasks first. He was very pleased to hear that you will be present at the
Stockholm Conference.
The tasks of the Auxiliary Boards will be under the direction of the Hands
in their area, and in cooperation with the administrative bodies existing,
to strengthen the teaching work. They will not have administrative
functions, but will no doubt be able to help stimulate weak centers,
groups and assemblies through their visits.
A Covenant-breaker, as you know, is one who disobeys and turns away from
the Center of the Covenant. Until such time as they repent of this
sincerely, and express their willingness to work under the Center of the
Covenant, their status must be considered the same. However, such matters
should be discussed and decided upon within the National Spiritual
Assembly itself.
LETTER OF 19 APRIL 1953
19 April 1953
Regarding your question, on Page 40 of “Prayers and Meditations”, where it
says: “Methinks He”, this “He” refers to the Báb. The last paragraph on
Page 40 and the continuation of it on Page 41 right down to the end of the
quotation marks on Page 42, is all the Spirit of the Báb addressing
Bahá’u’lláh; therefore, the words: “Thou art, in very truth, the
Self-Subsisting” refers to Bahá’u’lláh, and is addressed by the Báb’s
Spirit to Him in the mystical sense of this prayer.
Regarding the words on Page 39 beginning with: “He it is, O my Lord,” up
to: “Thou didst weep continually”, these are addressed by Bahá’u’lláh to
the Báb.
LETTER OF 7 MAY 1953
7 May 1953
Bahá’ís of Esslingen.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your loving letter of April 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian,
and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf.
He is delighted to learn of the activity of the friends in Esslingen, and
of their unity and devotion.
The visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Esslingen on April 4, 1913, was a historic
occasion, and the friends certainly are correct in holding a memorial
meeting each year.
Now that the Ten-Year World Crusade has been launched, the Guardian
sincerely hopes that all of the friends in Germany will treble their
efforts, and arise to accomplish the great goals which the German Bahá’ís
have set themselves to achieve.
You may be sure the Guardian will pray for you at the holy Shrines. He
sends his warm love to each and every one of you....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and aid you to promote the
vital interests of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 16 MAY 1953
16 May 1953
To the believers in Frankfurt.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The beloved Guardian greatly appreciated your Ridván Greetings, which were
sent on the post card showing the Hazíratu’l-Quds in Frankfurt.
This has been an especially wonderful Ridván, marking as it does the
ninetieth anniversary of the announcement of Bahá’u’lláh, and also the
launching of the great World Crusade in addition to the 100th anniversary
of the Intimation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Prophetic Mission—in the Síyáh-_Ch_ál.
The Guardian speaks frequently of the German Bahá’ís, and of the great
role they will have to play in the development of the Faith from now on.
He will pray that divine confirmations may reach you at all times, and
that your efforts will be guided and confirmed.
LETTER OF 1 NOVEMBER 1953(40)
1 November 1953
Dear Bahá’í Sister:
I am writing you this little note on behalf of our beloved Guardian to
reassure you, as he has heard from one of the friends that sometimes you
feel you have failed in your services to our glorious Faith.
He considers that you have no justification for ever having such dark
thoughts. You have served the Cause of God unstintingly, and with complete
loyalty and dedication year after year; and he feels confident that the
Master has reserved a rich reward for you in the next world.
Your loving devotion, and the harmony that you are able to produce amongst
the friends, is very essential for the work in such an important Center as
Frankfurt, which will soon, in addition to its being the administrative
center of the Faith in Germany, possess the first Bahá’í Temple in Europe.
The Guardian, therefore, urges you to continue your work there amongst the
friends with a cheerful and peaceful heart; and you may be sure he
remembers you in his prayers in the Holy Shrine.
LETTER OF 8 FEBRUARY 1954(41)
8 February 1954
The sudden passing of dear Dorothy Baker is indeed a great loss to the
Faith, and leaves a sad gap in the ranks of the Hands of the Cause. She
was exemplary in so many ways, and her services can ill be spared at this
important period in Bahá’í history.
No doubt there is a wisdom in such calamities; and through her death
others may feel moved to become more consecrated to the service of the
Faith. Surely such a soul’s influence will continue to be felt in this
world.
Your own constant and devoted labours for the promotion of the Cause of
God, as well as those of your dear family, are very deeply appreciated by
him, and you are often remembered in his prayers. He hopes that you are in
good health; and urges you, while serving the Cause, not to neglect
yourself. Old and experienced Bahá’ís, especially the Hands, are needed to
strengthen the foundations of the Faith; and for the sake of the Cause,
they must protect themselves.
LETTER OF 11 MAY 1954(42)
11 May 1954
As regards the question you asked in your letter about a concealed group
of masters in the Himalayas or anywhere else, there is no foundation
whatsoever for this in the Bahá’í Writings. We as Bahá’ís must not believe
in the divine origin of any such things which have not been mentioned in
our own Sacred Scriptures by either the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh or the Master.
There is nothing whatsoever to lead us to believe that there is any
foundation or truth in these mystical stories of beings that are “behind
the scenes” so to speak. We must avoid such thoughts and teachings, and
try to wean others away from them as we give them the Message....
He hopes that, now that a Board has been appointed by you and your
fellow-Hands in Europe, the teaching work in the goal countries as well as
in France and England will go forward much more rapidly; and also that the
pioneers opening up the many new territories and islands in the
Mediterranean and in the North Sea areas will likewise benefit greatly
from the assistance this Board can give them ever increasingly.
LETTER OF 2 JUNE 1954
2 June 1954
Bahá’í Group of Munich.
This is just a brief note to acknowledge, on behalf of the beloved
Guardian, your letter of greeting, dated May 9th.
He was very happy to learn that such a study group now exists, and he
hopes that each one of you will make a deep study of the Faith, so that
you will be well prepared to take it to other friends there. The Guardian
attaches the greatest importance to Munich, and he hopes others will be
enkindled and confirmed, so that, within a short time, a Spiritual
Assembly may be established in your city....
[From the Guardian:]
Assuring you of my loving prayers for the success of your efforts for the
promotion of our beloved Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 5 SEPTEMBER 1954(43)
5 September 1954
There can be no doubt that the opposition of the churches to the erection
of the Bahá’í Temple is a marked step forward in the progress of the Faith
in Germany. He hopes, however, that the situation will never reach a point
where the National Spiritual Assembly has to go to the Federal
Constitutional Court or to UNO. This would be unwise and doubtful as to
results. We are not yet ready for the publicity such a case would bring
us—not to mention the increase in opposition it would lead to, and which
would inevitably affect our work in the more backward countries where
pioneers are so devotedly labouring to establish the Faith.
He is praying that a solution will be forthcoming in the near future and
all complications avoided.
The German Bahá’ís must be very careful not to be involved in any way if
this Temple issue gets into the hands of politicians. Nothing could be
more dangerous for us!
He deeply appreciates the constant and devoted services you are rendering
the Cause of God, in which you are so whole-heartedly supported by your
dear family.
He sends you all his loving greetings, and prays for your health and the
success of your labours to promote and to protect the Faith....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty, Whose Cause you have served so long, and are still
serving with such devotion, distinction and courage, bless continually
your high endeavours, guide and sustain you in your deeply appreciated
labours, and enable you to enrich the record of your fine and
unforgettable accomplishments.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 4 OCTOBER 1954
4 October 1954
Bahá’í Youth Summer School, Überlingen/Bodensee.
The beloved Guardian has received your note of August 28th, signed by all
those present at the Summer School.
He is happy to know that you have had such a happy and profitable time
together; and he hopes that now you will promise yourselves to spend these
days of your youth in the accomplishment of the goals set by the Guardian
for your various countries for this particular period of the great World
Crusade....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and enable you to promote
the vital interests of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 12 DECEMBER 1954
12 December 1954
The Bahá’ís of Vienna.
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Your letter of November 26th was received by the beloved Guardian, and he
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He is very happy to see the spirit of love and unity animating you,
because without this, no work can go forward in the Cause of God. Personal
differences of opinion, of character etc. must melt away in the love of
the friends for Bahá’u’lláh, and their desire to serve His Cause.
He hopes that in the near future the Vienna Community will have its
Hazíratu’l-Quds, to which he attaches the greatest importance, as it will
be the visible sign of the firm foundation on which that Community stands.
He will pray for you all, and for the rapid spread of the Faith through
your efforts....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, reward you abundantly for
your valued and constant services, and enable you to achieve great and
memorable victories in the days to come,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1955(44)
30 September 1955
He assures you he very deeply appreciates the loving attention and care
you have been giving to Valíyu’lláh Varqá and his family.
This precious Hand of the Cause of God was always an honoured and favored
servant of the Faith during the days of the Master, and very close to His
heart; and has always been a completely trusted and truly dedicated helper
of the Guardian, who loves him very deeply.
To know of his present condition does grieve the heart, and distresses and
saddens the Guardian greatly. He feels confident, though, that this
distinguished soul, who is so dear to the hearts in so many lands, in
being where he is, is now surrounded with infinite love and tenderness;
and for this he is most grateful....
[From the Guardian:]