you....
LETTER OF 12 SEPTEMBER 1953 (YOUTH SUMMER SESSION)
12 September 1953 (Youth Summer Session)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received the letter which you have sent him, and
has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
Now that the World Crusade has been launched, and is very actively
operating, as you have no doubt been informed by those believers who were
privileged to attend the third Intercontinental Teaching Conference
recently held in Stockholm, the Guardian is confident that you are fully
conscious of the tremendous responsibilities placed on the shoulders of
the German and Austrian Communities during the opening phase of this
Ten-Year Crusade; and that you are, one and all, arising to fulfill those
tasks in a befitting manner.
He will pray for you....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you in your devoted endeavours,
and enable you to win great victories in the service of His Faith,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 26 SEPTEMBER 1953 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
26 September 1953 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has received the loving letter you sent him, which
was signed by all those who attended the Summer School this year; and has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf.
He was very happy to learn of the inspiration and the spiritual impulse
given to that gathering by those revered Hands of the Cause of God from
different countries who were there on that occasion.
Now that you are all familiar with the goals the Guardian has set before
the believers in the German and Austrian Communities, and particularly
those requiring consideration first, he is confident that you will arise
with one accord to accomplish these tasks in a befitting manner.
His loving prayers will surround you, as you proceed with your historic
labours....
P.S.--The Guardian appreciates the copy of the Program and the publicity
which you enclosed.
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty sustain and guide you in your highly valued activities,
enable you to extend the range of your services, and win great and
memorable victories in the days to come,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 15 OCTOBER 1953
15 October 1953
Dear Baha'i Friends:
It is impossible for me to convey to you the great happiness of the
Guardian over the results achieved since the auspicious opening of the
Ten-Year Crusade.
The Guardian's final cable to the Conference in New Delhi shared with the
friends the information that fifty of the virgin areas have been settled
as of October 14th, and fifty-four more have been assigned to pioneers.
The Guardian is urging every National Spiritual Assembly to get out its
pledged pioneers to the still unsettled virgin areas as fast as possible.
I attach hereto copy of a letter which has been sent to all pioneers,
asking for their complete names, and if possible a permanent address. Will
you please arrange for this information to be sent to me as additional
pioneers go into the field? What the Guardian wants is the complete name
of each pioneer with accurate spelling.
The Guardian sends you all his loving greetings, and assures you of his
prayers for the success of your arduous labours....
LETTER OF 26 NOVEMBER 1953
26 November 1953
Dear Baha'i Friend:
Your loving letter of November 9th reached me on my return from a short
visit in Switzerland and France.
I did have the pleasure of meeting the Lehnes in Zurich, and was more than
delighted to have this contact with two of the sincere and
self-sacrificing German Baha'is, who are now winning so many victories for
the Faith.
I spoke to our beloved Guardian with regard to the Frisian Islands. He
said that regardless of the fact that a number of the islands are Dutch
and others German, that the administrative work in all the Frisian Islands
should be under the German N.S.A., as assigned in the outline of the
Ten-Year Crusade. The Guardian stated that he had likewise informed the
American N.S.A. to this effect.
The beloved Guardian is very happy over the reports that are being
received of the progress of the Ten-Year Crusade. All but one of the
countries, outside of the iron curtain, have now been settled or assigned
to pioneers. The total number of areas which have been settled under the
Ten-Year Crusade, during this period of a little over 6 months since its
launching, now totals 71. It is surely remarkable, and one of the great
victories of the Faith.
The Guardian sends his loving greetings to you. He prays for your guidance
and confirmation....
LETTER OF 14 FEBRUARY 1954
14 February 1954
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your comprehensive letter of February 5th, replacing your letter of
February 3rd; also your letter of February 7th, dealing with the question
of site for the Baha'i Temple in Frankfurt, has been received by the
beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge them on his behalf.
The Guardian was very much impressed with the clear and concise outline of
the investigations which you have made, giving him the best possible
opportunity to understand the situation fully.
The beloved Guardian feels that site "C", Steinbacher-Hohe, appears to be
the most suitable for the Baha'i Temple and future developments. He feels
therefore that your Assembly should immediately arrange for the prompt
purchase of some of the land.
While it would be desirable of course to buy an extensive piece of
property, the finances of the German National Assembly, and the financial
obligations all over the Baha'i world, make it impossible to buy a large
piece at this time; and therefore he feels you should purchase
approximately 10,000 square meters, which it is his understanding would
cost approximately $10,000. Should there be available more than the
$8,000. in the bank to your Assembly, the Guardian would see no serious
objection to purchasing a little additional land, so that the entire
expense would not be over $12,000.
It is noted in your communication you state you have $8,000. in the bank
in Zurich; but that pledges made at Stockholm bring the total amount up to
about $12,000. At the Guardian's direction, I am endeavoring to correlate
all contributions and funds, so we may know the total amount available.
In order to help clarify this matter, will you please send me a statement
of the funds which are available in Zurich, and in Germany, if any, giving
a list of the contributions which have been received. If there have been a
number of small contributions, the Guardian does not require that
information, but simply information as to how much money was contributed
at Stockholm, for instance, how much has been received from large donors,
how much from the friends in Germany itself, etc.
At the same time, I am writing out to other areas, to see if any money is
being held for the account of your Assembly for the purchase of land, in
any other areas.
The important thing now is to procure the land. The Guardian states it is
not necessary for you to refer back to him any specific details regarding
the land; inasmuch as it has now been decided to purchase land in
Steinbacher-Hohe. He leaves it to your Assembly to pick out the best piece
of land in the area for the Temple itself. Later on, when financial
conditions in Germany, and in the Faith generally, are better,
consideration can be given to additional land for Temple accessories, etc.
The Guardian states it is satisfactory to secure designs etc. from
architects, both Baha'i and non-Baha'i, from Germany and also from other
countries. In other words, you are free to handle this matter actively,
submitting designs to the Guardian as they are received by you. The
Guardian of course wishes the Baha'i architects to have an opportunity to
submit their views concerning this sacred edifice.
In connection with your question of how you should proceed, if it is
suitable to ask for designs by architects outside of Germany; this of
course is left for you to handle in your own way. Of course it is suitable
for you to correspond with the Spiritual Assemblies in the countries
involved, asking them to be of assistance in this important matter.
The Guardian is very hopeful that you may be able to conclude the purchase
of the land, by the middle of April. It will be a great victory for the
Faith, if it can be accomplished within the first year of the Ten-Year
Crusade.
The Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, that every
obstacle may be removed from your path, and your actions be both guided
and confirmed....
P.S. In your letter of February 3rd; the maps attached; and your letter of
February 7th, you refer to Steinbacher Hohe as No. C. while in your letter
of February 5th, you refer to it as No. B. So that all documents may have
the same reference, I have changed your letter of February 5th, to show
Steinbacher Hohe, as No. C.; and Forsthausstrasse as No. B.
LETTER OF 3 APRIL 1954
3 April 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian is very anxious to have full information concerning
the pioneers in the virgin areas of the Ten-Year Crusade. In order to
complete the records which I have been compiling for him, can you give me
the following information:
Frisian Islands: Please let me have the address of Miss Gertrude
Ankersmidt, in the Frisian Isles....
LETTER OF 17 APRIL 1954
17 April 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
At the instruction of our beloved Guardian, I am forwarding you herewith
his Convention Message. He wishes you to have it read aloud to the
assembled delegates, and then published and circulated among the
believers....
LETTER OF 21 APRIL 1954
21 April 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
I am forwarding you herewith a copy of the Guardian's Convention Message
which was mailed you a short time ago. As there is a pilgrim leaving, he
is taking the precaution of having this mailed in Europe.
I hope it reaches you in time for the Convention....
LETTER OF 30 APRIL 1954
30 April 1954
INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY 11400 SQUARE METERS SUFFICIENT TEMPLE SITE.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 2 MAY 1954
2 May 1954
WELCOME REDEDICATION DELEGATES URGE INTENSIFICATION EFFORTS ATTAINMENT
GOALS LOVING REMEMBRANCES SHRINES.
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 28 MAY 1954
28 May 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to write you concerning an action
recently taken by your National Assembly, as published in your
January-February Baha'i News, that non-Baha'is may attend 19-Day Feasts if
"the earnestness of their interest in the Faith" is vouched for by a
declared believer.
The Guardian wishes me to direct your attention to the fact that none of
the institutions of the Faith nor its cardinal principles may be changed
under any circumstances.
The 19-Day Feast is an institution of the Cause, first established by the
Bab, later confirmed by Baha'u'llah, and now made a prominent part of the
administrative order of the Faith. These 19-Day Feasts are for the
Baha'is, and the Baha'is exclusively, and no variation from this principle
is permitted.
Thus the Guardian feels you should rescind the action taken by your
Assembly in opening the Feasts to "near Baha'is", as it is not consistent
with the spirit of the administrative order for non-Baha'is or near
Baha'is to attend the 19-Day Feasts, particularly the administrative
portion of the Feast.
The Guardian realizes the spirit which animated you in making the
suggested proposal, in order that the teaching work might go forward more
aggressively; but he feels in the long run it would be detrimental to the
Faith, and therefore should be rescinded as indicated above.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 8 JUNE 1954
8 June 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian has been greatly pleased with the achievements of the
friends throughout the world during the first year of the Ten-Year
Crusade. Victories were won in all parts of the world, and on many fronts.
The Faith was established in 101 countries of the world, bringing the
light of guidance to 229 countries and islands.
We now enter the second phase of the Ten-Year Crusade.
The Guardian's message to the Convention has outlined the goals to be
achieved during this second phase.
One of the important items was the purchase of Haziratu'l-Quds for future
National Spiritual Assemblies. The Guardian feels that immediate steps
should be taken to fulfil a part of this project. In all, there are 49
Haziratu'l-Quds to be purchased--4 already are owned. He feels that during
the second year of the Crusade, 17 additional Haziratu'l-Quds should be
purchased. These should not be elaborate structures, but modest houses,
which can serve at the present time, as local Haziratu'l-Quds, but which
will be converted into National Haziratu'l-Quds as soon as the National
Assemblies are formed.
The Guardian feels that steps should be taken immediately to purchase the
Haziratu'l-Quds in Vienna. A fund should be started so that the friends
may contribute to this important project when they wish.
The Guardian has been informed that a small property has been procured in
Vienna, to serve as a Headquarters. He is anxious to know if this property
has been purchased, or is being rented. If it has been purchased, and is
an independent property, it of course can serve temporarily as a Hazira
for the local Assembly, and then later be made the National Hazira. If, on
the other hand, the building is being rented, and it is satisfactory,
efforts should be made to purchase it. If it cannot be purchased, then
some other small property should be bought. The Guardian wishes it clearly
understood that a Hazira must be a piece of land owned by the Baha'is, and
not a rented piece of property.
The Guardian will appreciate advice from you as quickly as possible of the
steps being taken to fulfill this important task of the second phase of
the Ten-Year Plan. He feels this property should be purchased during the
current year....
P.S.--The Guardian requests that you inform all the friends that their most
important duty at the present time is the fulfillment of the tasks of the
Ten-Year Crusade. This calls for the sacrifice of local activities in
order that the national and international development of the Faith may go
forward uninterruptedly. No local institutions should be started. The
National Assembly should see that money is not spent on local centers at
this time, and the friends should be encouraged to concentrate on the
national and international activities of the Faith.
LETTER OF 25 JUNE 1954
25 June 1954
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The letters of your Assembly dated June 18, August 11, September 2 (4),
13, October 14, November 9 and 24, 1953, and January 16 (2), February 3, 5
(2), 7, 11, March 7, April 19, May 12 and June 19, 1954, with their
enclosures, as well as the material forwarded under separate cover, have
all been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to
answer you on his behalf.
He is sorry that pressure of work prevented him from writing more
frequently to the National Spiritual Assemblies, including your own.
Indeed, he is beginning to wonder how much longer he can go on attending
to the multiplying affairs of the Cause of today, and keeping up
correspondence as well.
He is very pleased to see that the work in Germany is really going forward
at a visibly more rapid rate. The German friends, one of the oldest
Communities in Europe, so devoted and loyal, and who have suffered so much
during two wars, are beginning at last to see the institutions of their
Faith emerging in their native land in a more concrete form than the realm
of hope and dreams.
The national Haziratu'l-Quds, which was purchased so shortly after the end
of the last world conflagration, has now been followed by the plan for the
first Baha'i Temple on European soil, a truly noble and inspiring
undertaking.
In this connection he wishes to say that he is very sorry he could not
agree to the proposals you sent him so far. As your Assembly is aware, the
Baha'is all over the world are building up national institutions and
purchasing, in various areas, Temple sites, etc. It is only natural that
each Assembly should feel justified in making an initial suitable
investment for its Temple site or its national Haziratu'l-Quds. However,
the Guardian, to whom all the news comes from all over the world, is
forced to face the fact that if your Assembly, the Canadian Assembly, the
British Community, the Italian-Swiss Assembly etc. etc. each pays as heavy
sums for its Baha'i Temple site or national headquarters as they propose
to in these reports, which they send him, the Baha'i world would never be
able to get out of debt. Desirable as each place is, when considered from
a local standpoint, it becomes on an international scale, a program that
is financially impossible. That is why he urged your Assembly to
drastically curtail the area and the price. He has done the same thing in
many other parts of the world. He hopes that you will shortly be able to
purchase the land required.
There now remains the important consideration of a design for the
Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar. It does not matter whether it is executed by a
Baha'i or a non-Baha'i architect, but the essential thing is that it must
be beautiful and dignified. There must be none of this hideous,
exaggerated, bizarre style, which one sees in many modern buildings. It is
not befitting for our House of Worship. He thinks that you should impress
this on any architects wishing to submit drawings. The essentials of the
design, as stipulated by 'Abdu'l-Baha are that the building should be
nine-sided, and circular in shape. Aside from this, the architect is not
restricted in any way in choosing his style of design.
Whenever you have a sufficient collection of drawings, he would be pleased
to receive them, and give you his advice.
A very large building at this time is not necessary, as the expense would
overtax our resources too heavily; and the Persian Baha'is, who are so
much more numerous, will have to, during the coming nine years, build a
much larger and more pretentious structure in Tihran, and consequently a
more expensive one.
Regarding the matter of ...: individual Baha'is are always encouraged to
travel and teach, and no doubt he has been of much assistance in Germany.
The Guardian, however, feels your Assembly was quite right in considering
that your limited financial resources should be spent supporting pioneers,
rather than a travelling teacher in Germany.
The eagerness of the friends to serve, often carries them away, and they
forget that a sound sense of business management is also much needed, if
we are to harbour our resources and accomplish all our goals.
He was delighted to see that so many of the Baha'is from Germany were
present at the Stockholm Conference, and that they were able to meet with
their colleagues from Austria. He hopes that your teaching work in Austria
will make marked progress during the present year. The Cause there has
been too long neglected, and undoubtedly there is a very fertile field,
waiting only to be cultivated, in order to yield a rich harvest.
It has indeed been a great blessing to the German Community to receive the
visits of so many Hands of the Cause of God from abroad during the past
year.
He hopes that the auxiliary Board for Europe recently established, will be
of great help in the work to be carried out by the administrative bodies
throughout Europe.
The most important thing is to keep the pioneer territories which have
been settled open. There must be no lapse. The friends must be urged to
remain at their posts at all costs. They must remember the glorious
example of Marion Jack, who recently passed away in Bulgaria, after almost
30 years of devoting her life to teaching the Faith in that country of her
choice. As many of you who knew her personally will recall, her health was
very bad, as far back as 1935, when she attended the Esslingen Summer
School. It certainly never improved. She was bombed, evacuated, she slept
in some drafty, cold room in a school in the country, was often, we have
reason to believe, almost hungry, and insufficiently clad after the war,
due to difficulties in getting money through to her in an Soviet-dominated
territory. She never mastered the language, and was without friends of her
own country; and yet, she persevered, and, in spite of even the Guardian's
pleas that she leave the country during the worst years of the war,
remained at her post, and won for herself imperishable fame, her
resting-place becoming a shrine in Bulgaria, which the people of that
country will increasingly honour and cherish.
It is to this glorious soul that the present generation of pioneers must
look for inspiration and example.
He is very happy that the German Baha'is have been able to settle in Crete
and the Frisian Islands, a great step forward, when one realizes how much
their activities have been circumscribed, during the past thirty years, by
circumstances over which they had no control.
He thanks you for sending him ten copies of each of your new publications,
and would like you to continue doing so, as any new literature comes out.
So far he has not received any copies of "God Passes By" in German, but is
hoping to do so.
He appreciates very much the sentiments you expressed to him in connection
with the loss of our dear Hands of the Cause, Mr. Schopflocher and Mrs.
Baker. The friends everywhere must try and make up for the work these
devoted and consecrated souls would have done, had they not passed to the
Abha Kingdom. In this way they can best express their admiration and
gratitude.
He is very happy to see that your National Convention has been so
successful, and that the influence of the future Temple is already being
felt, and attracting the hearts of the believers, including many
previously inactive. It shows what these Baha'i institutions are going to
do as they develop.
You may be sure that he remembers all the members of your Assembly in his
loving prayers in the holy Shrines, and supplicates that the German and
Austrian Baha'i Communities may exceed all their past records of
achievement during this present Baha'i year....
[From the Guardian:]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The achievements of the German and Austrian Baha'i communities, since the
launching of the Ten-Year Global Crusade, embarked upon by the followers
of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, mark a notable advancement in the progress
and consolidation of the Faith in the heart of the European continent. The
weighty and historic task so valiantly shouldered by both of these
communities has been splendidly initiated, and must, as the Plan unfolds,
be prosecuted with increasing vigilance, unswerving resolve, whole-hearted
consecration, complete unity, and exemplary steadfastness.
The greatest, most pressing and sacred enterprise, challenging the spirit
and resources of all the members of both of these communities--the purchase
of the land, for the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of Europe and the prompt
initiation of measures for its construction--demands, during this present
phase of the Crusade, the utmost concentration of effort, and the most
sublime sacrifice on the part of the German and Austrian believers--an
effort and sacrifice in which their brethren, in both the East, and the
West, will gladly participate, as a token of their appreciation of the
historic significance of this mighty institution destined to be firmly
established and radiate its beneficent influence in the very heart of that
continent.
The purchase of the site must be expedited, the selection of a befitting
design for so glorious an edifice must be made with as little delay as
possible, and the preliminary steps for the excavation of the foundations
must be undertaken with care, promptitude and determination.