four sessions were being held in the summer. This school is a rallying
point for the German believers, and greatly stimulates their unity and
their enthusiasm.
The world outlook is so dark and over-clouded that the believers must
labour day and night to give the people the message of Baha'u'llah, and
instill in them some hope for the future. We can see more and more of the
predictions of the beloved Master being fulfilled, as humanity persists in
its waywardness and spiritual blindness. There is no other remedy except
this Cause.
He assures you all of his most loving prayers, and he deeply appreciates
your devoted services....
P.S. I am sending through you the Guardian's answer to the Esslingen
Summer School attendants, as their envelope had no address on it. Please
share it with the friends.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved of our hearts guide and sustain you, reward you abundantly
for your valiant deeds, aid you to extend the range of your beneficent
services, and enable you to contribute, continually and effectively, to
the multiplication and consolidation of the institutions of our glorious
Faith,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1948
14 September 1948
COMMUNICATE GERMAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THE FOLLOWING INFORM ENTIRE GERMAN
BAHAI COMMUNITY DISOBEDIENCE MISCONDUCT FAITHLESS BROTHER HUSSAYN
NECESSITATED HIS EXPULSION. OWING HIS POSSIBLE VISIT GERMANY AND HIS
PERSISTENT ASSOCIATION WITH COVENANT BREAKERS WARN BELIEVERS ANY
COMMUNICATION WITH HIM CONSTITUTES DISLOYALTY TO COVENANT ABDUL-BAHA.
SHOGHI RABBANI
LETTER OF 21 DECEMBER 1948
21 December 1948
CONVEY FOR JAEGER STUTTGART DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR TRANSLATION OF GOD
PASSES BY.
SHOGHI RABBANI
LETTER OF 5 JANUARY 1949 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
5 January 1949 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian from the 8th Summer
School of Esslingen, was received, and he has instructed me to answer you
on his behalf.
He was very glad to see dear Mr. Remey had been present at that occasion,
as he is a faithful and devoted old believer, and has been serving the
Cause since its earliest inception in the West.
He urges you all to concentrate your efforts on the all-important work of
teaching the Cause and spreading it to new centers.
You may be sure he will pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and for the
success of your labours....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, guide and sustain you in
your valued activities, enable you to deepen continually your knowledge of
the fundamentals of His Faith, and lend a tremendous impetus to the
advancement of its new-born institutions,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 24 FEBRUARY 1949 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
24 February 1949 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter to our beloved Guardian was for some time held up in reaching
him. But he was most happy to see so many of the dear friends had gathered
at Esslingen school for the 3rd session.
It is most encouraging to see the way this important institution has grown
since the end of the war and became a focus for Baha'i students. He hopes
it is the foreshadowing of a true Baha'i University which some day must
form part of the activities of our glorious Faith.
The Guardian urges you, one and all, to work together, in the utmost unity
and love, to spread the Message throughout Germany, and particularly to
teach the Youth and enlist them in the ranks of the Faith.
He will pray for you all in the Holy Shrines....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah guide and sustain you in your labours,
enable you to extend continually the range of your valued activities,
deepen your knowledge and understanding of the essential verities of His
Faith, and aid you to lend a great impetus to the multiplication and
consolidation of its divinely-appointed institutions,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 28 MARCH 1949
28 March 1949
INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY OWING LOSS INVOLVED PRESENT EXCHANGE ADVISED
TEHERAN FORWARD FIVE HUNDRED POUND.
LETTER OF 30 MARCH 1949
30 March 1949
TRANSMIT FOLLOWING GERMAN ASSEMBLY DEEPLY GRIEVED SPIRITUAL POSITION
GERMAN BAHAI COMMUNITY STEADILY DETERIORATING. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST
ARISE LOYALLY VIGILANTLY ENERGETICALLY SAFEGUARD FAITH AND CONFIRM
BELIEVERS IN COVENANTS BAHAULLAH ABDULBAHA. GRANDDAUGHTER SUBHIAZAL MUST
BE SHUNNED ENTIRELY. HISTORY SOCIETY ACTIVITIES COMPLETELY DISASSOCIATED
FROM FAITH. ANY MISCHIEFMAKING ORIENTALS MUST BE GUARDED AGAINST.
SYMPATHIZERS OF MRS WHITE OR SOHRAB OR DISLOYAL MEMBERS ABDULBAHAS FAMILY
INCLUDING MY BROTHER HUSSEIN WHO MAY VISIT GERMANY THIS SUMMER MUST BE
WATCHED AND WARNED AND IF NECESSARY EXPELLED. COMPROMISE INDECISION
PROCRASTINATION WILL CAUSE CRISIS AS SERIOUS AS HERRIGELS. IF APPEAL
UNHEEDED GREAT SUFFERING AND LOSS COMMUNITY WILL ENSUE THOUGH FAITH WILL
EVENTUALLY TRIUMPH.
SHOGHI RABBANI
LETTER OF 20 APRIL 1949
20 April 1949
INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY HOLDING CONVENTION ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ALSO
ELECTION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. PRAYING UNITY WELFARE DEAR GERMAN BELIEVERS.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 27 MAY 1949
27 May 1949
TRANSMIT GERMAN ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING ELECTION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST NOT BE
DELAYED PRAYING HARMONY UNITY COMMUNITY.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 30 JUNE 1949
30 June 1949
TRANSMIT GERMAN ASSEMBLY GREATLY APPRECIATE RESPONSE ARDENTLY PRAYING
RESTORATION FULL HARMONY COOPERATION ASSEMBLIES AND INDIVIDUAL WITH
ELECTED NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ENERGETICALLY.
LETTER OF 30 JUNE 1949
30 June 1949
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated Oct. 17, 22, Dec. 19--two of
this date--Nov. 21, 23, 1948 and Jan. 9, 23, Feb. 28 and May 4, 15, of
1949, as well as their numerous enclosures, have all been received and I
am instructed on his behalf to answer them. He regrets the long delay in
replying to you, but he is very busy, and he was also anxious to receive
as complete a picture of the situation as possible in order to better
advise you on the difficult situation which has arisen.
Before going into this matter he wishes to assure you that he was
delighted with the 5 Year Plan your assembly has formulated, to which he
attaches great importance.
Likewise, he was very pleased that the annual convention, though not a
very happy one, unfortunately, was held in Frankfurt.
He was, likewise, very happy to learn that the N.S.A. is now in full
accord with ... about the work on the National Hazira in Frankfurt, and to
hear that the transfer of funds from Tihran via Switzerland to your
assembly had been worked out in the way most advantageous for you.
The good news that the much needed Esslemont books are now in Germany, and
the "Hidden Words" being printed there, was also very welcome. He cabled
you in answer to your letter about the "Hidden Words". But wishes to make
it quite clear that the "Anmerkungen" is not correct. The genuflections
and washing of hands and face (as clearly put down in "Prayers and
Meditations of Baha'u'llah", which he himself translated,) associated with
the two longer daily prayers (obligatory prayers) are laws of Baha'u'llah,
applicable to any Baha'i whether of Muslim background, Christian
background, or otherwise. It is blasphemy to suggest otherwise. However,
the Baha'is have been left free by Baha'u'llah to choose one of the 3
obligatory prayers, and those who prefer not to perform these acts can say
the very short one. He would like to add, however, that he deeply
appreciates the work done on this translation by ... and other of the
friends, and is delighted it has been published.
He very deeply appreciates your assembly's assurance of its abiding
loyalty to him and to the Master's Will and Testament. As you can well
imagine this disaffection of the Master's Family has been a very sad and
heavy blow to him; but, although for many years he shielded them with his
silence, in the end he was forced to speak out in order to protect the
Faith. For a hundred years our beloved Cause has suffered from these
internal afflictions, and the way the believers, generation after
generation, have met this test with steadfast faith, loyalty and devotion,
is one of the signs that this is the Cause of God, divinely protected
through the Covenants of Baha'u'llah and the Master.
Regarding the crisis which has arisen among the believers because of the
charges made by ... and others, the circular letter issued by your body,
etc, etc.
The Guardian feels that although there is no doubt this has produced a
very grave situation, threatening the stability and the unity of the
entire community, it can be successfully overcome and lead to a new stage
of unity and progress in the Faith in Germany. We Baha'is can always, with
the aid of Baha'u'llah, Who is ever ready to strengthen and assist us,
turn our stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and utilize the often
violent forces released by sincere but perhaps misguided friends, as a
positive stream of power by turning them into productive channels instead
of destructive ones.
Fundamentally he feels that the cause of this present crisis arises from
the fact that the German community so long suppressed, disorganized,
deprived of literature, and the visits of friends from countries where the
believers have always been free to be Baha'is and have, consequently,
evolved their administration of the Faith's affairs to a higher point of
efficiency,--has had no opportunity to develop the administration of its
Baha'i affairs, and also, no opportunity of maturing as Baha'is living
within a smoothly-working Administrative Order. Consequently the troubles
experienced at present may be said to be largely caused by immaturity in
their understanding of the administration.
Linked with this is the fact, which he mentioned in his cable, that the
Baha'is need to be deepened in their knowledge and understanding of the
Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha. They should study this, and the
Dispensation of Baha'u'llah, for it is obvious that they do not--for the
most part--fully visualize the greatness, the glory, the power and the
protection which have been conferred on this Faith through the
Institutions provided for in the Master's Will.
In going over the correspondence and documents forwarded by your Assembly
(which he appreciated receiving as it gave him a clearer picture of the
entire situation) he was struck by the actions and statements, of both
individuals and assemblies, showing a complete lack of knowledge of how to
function administratively. In view of this it may, if the friends make an
effort and sincerely seek to unite and progress, prove providential that
this whole thing has occurred. He was impressed, in this connection, with
the wisdom and tolerance of the remarks of Mr. Oskar Schmitt in his letter
to your Assembly, and he hopes that all of the believers will take this
kindly and tolerant view, for the friends, in their desire to do the right
thing, and undoubtedly out of their genuine devotion to the Cause, seem to
have gone to every extreme in their reactions. In doing this they have
paradoxically demonstrated both their devotion to the Cause and their
complete lack of a profound understanding of the administration.
Quite frankly, the Guardian feels that the circular letter of your
Assembly was unfortunate. You were entirely within your right, as the
National Body, to issue such a letter and the violent reactions of the
secretaries of various assemblies, and some of the assemblies themselves,
and many individual believers as well, showed a complete lack of
understanding of administrative procedure. The friends should realize that
the National Body has authority over the local assemblies and the
believers in administrative matters. One of the fundamentals involved in
our administrative order, which we must remember will become the pattern
for our World Order, is that even if an assembly makes an ill-advised
decision it must be upheld in order to preserve the unity of the
community. Appeal can be made from the Local Assembly's decision to the
National Assembly, and from the National Assembly's decision to the
Guardian. But the principle of authority invested in our elected bodies
must be upheld. This is not something which can be learned without trial
and test. The Baha'is in other countries often have their difficulties in
learning to live as believers in an orderly community, governed by the
administrative principles laid down by the Master. But, having been free,
they have, for the most part, reached a more mature understanding than
their German brothers and sisters have up until the present time. He hopes
this whole episode will stimulate the German assemblies and believers to
really study the Baha'i administration.
He wrote the ... Assembly urging upon them the necessity of cooperating
with the National Assembly. He also pointed out to them that the attitude
of "all for one and one for all" was very incorrect. An assembly
constitutes within its area of jurisdiction the Trustees of the Faith. Its
members must at all times put the interests of the Faith above personality
and impartially go into any matter brought to its attention. Theoretically
it is always possible for a member of an assembly to be unworthy or
insincere. To take the attitude that any blame cast upon or any charge
made against an assembly member is a charge against the body itself is
very wrong. An assembly must protect the Faith and neither blindly accuse
nor blindly defend one of its members. The ... Assembly has taken the
attitude that the remarks referring to ... are an insult to the entire
Assembly; at the same time it accuses the National Body of being dominated
by one individual, an accusation which because of its own attitude could
equally well be aimed at itself! The Guardian feels that all this is only
evidence of the immaturity of the friends in relation to their
Administrative Order.
The Baha'is must learn to forget personalities and to overcome the
desire--so natural in people--to take sides and fight about it. They must
also learn to really make use of the great principle of consultation.
There is a time set aside at the 19 Day Feasts for the Community to
express its views and make suggestions to its Assembly; the Assembly and
the believers should look forward to this happy period of discussion, and
neither fear it nor suppress it. Likewise the Assembly members should
fully consult, and in their decisions put the interests of the Cause first
and not personalities, the will of the majority prevailing.
Over and over, in going through the correspondence he received from your
Assembly, he was struck by the fact that the friends acted so
unadministratively. Instead of taking up their accusations and problems
and unhappy feelings with their local Assembly, or the National Assembly,
they referred to individuals or individual members of the Assembly, or
they refused to meet with the Assembly. The first thing a believer should
do is to turn to an Assembly--That is why we have assemblies! He feels this
trouble would never have arisen if the Baha'is utilized their assemblies
as they should. One of the healing remedies Baha'u'llah has given to a
sick world is the Assembly (which in future will become a House of
Justice); its members have very sacred and heavy responsibilities, its
power to steer the Community, to protect and assist its members is
likewise very great.
..., a most loyal and devoted believer has assured the Guardian she will
fully support and cooperate with the N.S.A. He hopes you will give her
every assistance in this resolve and, indeed, encourage her to stimulate
the believers in their support of their administrative bodies and teach
them to turn to them and make better use of them.
In this connection he would like to point out that any Baha'i can write to
him directly. This is the privilege of everyone.
He feels that ..., a most loyal and devoted servant of the Cause,
communicated with ... in her ardent, and very wise desire, to promote
closer unity among the German friends. He feels your Assembly should
over-look this, as the motive was undoubtedly a very noble one.
He was very glad to receive the letter of ... and he feels sure he will do
all in his power do dispel the impression of his attitude towards the
Covenant, which has been spread about among some of the friends....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The course of recent developments in the life of the German Baha'i
community has given rise to considerable anxiety and caused me grave
concern, in view of the eminent position which the collective achievements
of its members have enabled it to obtain on the morrow of the severest
crisis which it has experienced in its history.
The spiritual vitality which the individual lives of its members have so
abundantly demonstrated, the resilience of which it has, as an organized
body, shown itself to be capable, the soundness of the foundation on which
its collective life has been built in the years preceding the great ordeal
which it has survived; the remarkable rapidity with which it has
rehabilitated its fortunes since the cessation of hostilities, have evoked
in every Baha'i heart feelings of profound affection and admiration for
both the representatives of that community and the mass of believers
constituting the body of the faithful in that land.
The hopes that have been raised must never be allowed by those who
actively participate in the life of so virile a community to be
disappointed. The structure now being reared so laboriously on so solid a
foundation must, under no circumstances, be jeopardized through neglect,
dissension or deviation from established principles whether spiritual or
administrative in character. The process that has been set in motion,
after so long a period of forced inactivity, which is lending so great an
impetus to the multiplication of the institutions of the Faith and their
consolidation, must, in no wise be arrested or even retarded through any
misunderstanding, insubordination or contention between the voting members
of the community and its elected representatives whether local or
national.
A strict and undeviating adherence to the spiritual laws and
administrative principles constituting the bedrock of the Faith; a
constant and complete awareness of the nature, the sacredness and vital
importance of the Covenants established successively by Baha'u'llah and
'Abdu'l-Baha; an immediate cessation of every controversy agitating the
life of that community in the present and critical stage in its
development; close cooperation, complete harmony and continued
understanding between the various agencies, whether assemblies or
communities participating in its evolution; concentration on the immediate
measures required to ensure the total success of the newly launched Five
Year Plan, on the part of all its members and their elected
representatives; constant vigilance on the part of each and every one of
the adherents of the Faith to avoid any act, word or association that
would violate its integrity, break its laws, subvert its administrative
order, or retard its progress and consolidation--these stand out as the
urgent, the sacred and inescapable obligations and responsibilities facing
its promoters at this fateful hour in their history.
The immediate past, with all its confused issues and unpleasant memories
must be entirely forgotten, if the task that lies ahead is to be
efficiently prosecuted. Personal animosities, suspicions, accusations,
wounded pride, controversial issues must all be laid aside. Members of
assemblies, national and local, must be the first to set a worthy example
to their fellow-believers. All thought and discussion must henceforth
centre around the measures required to stimulate the growth of the Faith,
to deepen and enrich the spiritual life of its members, to familiarize
them more intimately with the character and workings of the Administrative
Order, and enable them to participate more actively in the prosecution of
the Plan to which they are committed.
I appeal to them, with all my heart, to close their ranks, purge their
hearts, broaden their vision, renew their determination, rededicate
themselves to their glorious task, march resolutely forward along the road
traced for them by 'Abdu'l-Baha, beat down every barrier obstructing their
path, and press on, confidently, unitedly and uncompromisingly, until
their goal is attained, and the first stage in the evolution of their
collective task is brought to a victorious conclusion.
May the Beloved Who loved them so dearly, Who participated personally in
the initial stage of their evolution, Who cherished such bright hopes for
their future and uttered such noble prophecies concerning the greatness of
that future, guide their steps, bless their endeavours and fulfil their
dearest hopes.
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 3 JULY 1949 (FIRST PIONEER SCHOOL)
3 July 1949 (First Pioneer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your message, sent from your school session to our beloved Guardian,
reached him, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf, and to
assure you he was delighted to see that such a school for pioneering had
been held.
He was also very glad to see that the believers are studying the Covenant
of the Master. For in the Master's Will and Testament are enshrined the
principles underlying the World Order, and unless the believers fully
grasp the greatness, functions, and purpose of the institutions outlined
in that Testament (and elaborated by the Guardian in his book "The
Dispensation of Baha'u'llah") they will not be able to properly function
as Baha'is individually or collectively. The German friends need to
acquire a profound understanding of the Baha'i Administrative Order to
enable them to function as a Community, according to Baha'i laws, and to
protect them from tests and the attacks of the enemies of the Faith....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear co-workers:
I was so pleased and encouraged to receive your message and to learn of
the activity you have initiated. I will pray for its success and extension
from the depths of my heart. Persevere in your labours, and rest assured
that you will be guided, sustained and fully rewarded for your meritorious
and timely accomplishments,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 4 SEPTEMBER 1949 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
4 September 1949 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your letter reached our beloved Guardian, and he was delighted to see so
many believers and friends were present at the July session of the School,
and also to note the excellent courses you were given by the teachers and
visitors present at the School.
He was also very pleased to see the program for the Youth Week being held
in the Schwarzwald, and the emphasis which is being placed on teaching the
Covenant in both Esslingen and this Youth week he considers very
important.
The German Baha'is, like all the believers everywhere, will be strong,
united and protected to the degree to which they are firm in the Covenants
of both Baha'u'llah and the Master.
He hopes the teaching work in Germany will make great progress, and he
urges you all to devote yourselves to this mighty task, and to promoting
love and unity amongst the Baha'is and a better understanding of the
administrative order of our Faith....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear co-workers:
Your joint message brought joy and gladness to my heart and was a powerful
reminder of the staunchness of the faith of the dearly-beloved German
believers, their constancy and determination, their thoroughness and
diligency in the study of the Faith and of its teachings, and their
devotion to the interests of its institutions. I will supplicate the
Beloved on your behalf to enable you to acquire a still deeper
understanding of the essentials of His Revelation, and to promote, with
increasing effectiveness, the best interests of His Cause,
Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 23 DECEMBER 1949
23 December 1949
CONVEY GERMAN YOUTH COMMITTEE ASSURANCE PRAYERS LOVING APPRECIATION.
SHOGHI RABBANI
LETTER OF 6 MARCH 1950