as yet in the embryonic stage of its development, amidst the confusion,
the anxieties, the rivalries and the recurrent crises that mark the
decline of a moribund civilization, will, no doubt, lend a tremendous
impetus to the onward march of the Faith in all the continents of the
Globe, and will, more than any other single act, direct the attention of
the spiritually impoverished, the economically afflicted, the socially
disturbed, and the morally disoriented masses of a sorely tried continent
to its nascent institutions.
Parallel with these measures, destined to contribute so effectively to the
rise and establishment of the Administrative Order of the Faith in both
Germany and Austria, a systematic effort must be exerted by the national
elected representatives of the Baha'i communities in these two countries
to multiply, as speedily as possible, the assemblies, groups and isolated
centres, through a wider dispersal on the part of the believers, and the
launching of an intensive campaign of teaching designed to increase,
swiftly and steadily the number of the active supporters of the Faith.
The pioneers who have so valiantly settled in the virgin areas assigned to
the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany and Austria,
must, however great the sacrifice, safeguard the prizes so laboriously
won, and strive, by every means in their power, to consolidate, through
extensive teaching work, their splendid and unforgettable achievements.
While this double process of multiplication of Baha'i centres, and
development of the newly opened areas, is being assiduously carried out, a
no less notable progress must be made in the consolidation of these two
communities, through the initiation of local incorporations which will
pave the way for the establishment of local Baha'i endowments, and will
serve to reinforce the foundations of all local Baha'i communities.
The establishment of a national Haziratu'l-Quds in the capital city of
Austria, as well as of national endowments in that country--measures that
will herald the formation of an independent National Spiritual Assembly,
and the erection of yet another pillar of the Universal House of Justice,
in the heart of the European continent--should be regarded as the paramount
objectives of this second phase of the Ten-Year Crusade which we are now
entering.
No less vital and urgent is the task of establishing, in the course of
this second stage in the unfoldment of this world spiritual Crusade, of a
Baha'i Publishing Trust, similar, in its essentials, to the one already
functioning in the British Isles, and of lending a fresh impetus to the
translation, the publication and dissemination of Baha'i literature in the
German language--a task which will greatly accelerate the all-important
teaching work, and enhance the prestige of the Faith, and promote the
vital interests of its institutions.
The Community of the German and Austrian believers, the recipient of such
signal honours from the Center of Baha'u'llah's Covenant in the past; born
and nurtured in its infancy under His fostering care in the course of the
concluding decades of the Apostolic Age of the Faith; eminently successful
in laying the foundations of its Administrative Order in the years
immediately following His Ascension; emerging, purified and strengthened,
from the fire of a severe and prolonged ordeal after the conclusion of the
second world war; demonstrating its capacity and resilience through the
initiation and prosecution of a carefully designed Plan, despite the
exhaustion of a terrible and harrowing conflict that endangered its life
and shook it to its foundations,--such a community has now risen to assume
its rightful place in the world-encompassing Crusade launched by the
followers of Baha'u'llah; has splendidly initiated its Ten-Year Plan
through the inauguration of its glorious Mission in foreign fields, and is
now forging ahead, with magnificent courage, resolution, thoroughness, and
fidelity, in its endeavour to win fresh laurels in the course of this
second and newly opened stage in the unfoldment of the Plan to which it
stands committed.
May the vision of its members remain undimmed, their resolution never
flag, their steps never falter. May they, as the years go by, demonstrate
afresh the solidity of their faith, the nobility of their motives, the
sublimity of their devotion, the tenacity of their resolution, in the
service of a Faith they have served so devotedly in the past and which
they will, undoubtedly, promote with unabated zeal, in the future,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 28 JUNE 1954
28 June 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your loving letter of June 9th has come to hand, telling of the activities
of the friends in connection with the development of the teaching work in
Germany and Austria, as well as in the pioneering fields.
So far as the questions you ask are concerned, the following will answer
question Number 1, as this is a matter which the Guardian has elucidated.
The direction of the pioneers is entirely in the hands of the National
Assemblies under whom they are serving. The Guardian simply enunciates the
principle, and then it is up to the National Assemblies to apply that
principle. The principle is that pioneers entering the pioneer field
should realize that they are going there to represent the Cause, in fact,
to be the Cause.
Their minds and their hearts should be centered in their new tasks and in
their new environment. They should not be thinking of when they can return
home, or when they can go somewhere else. Only when the Faith is firmly
established should they give any thought to moving, and then, only in
consultation with the National Assembly.
So far as pioneers taking a holiday is concerned, that is entirely in the
hands of the National Assembly. You can appreciate that all of this
depends upon location, and to a certain extent, funds. If a person feels
they need a little change for a week or two, that of course is something
which should be handled in each case.
The Guardian does not wish to make any hard and fast rules on any of these
matters.
I will write you again in response to the other questions when the
Guardian has given his advice....
LETTER OF 23 JULY 1954
23 July 1954
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Will you please refer to your letter of June 9th and my acknowledgment of
June 28th, in which you raise certain questions. The beloved Guardian has
directed me to give you the answers as follows:
Number 2: He feels your plan of giving individuals, who became Baha'is in
France, but who have not yet given up their church affiliation, one year
in which to do so, is satisfactory.
Number 3: Up to the age of 15 years, children are under the direction of
their parents. At the age of 15, they may declare their Faith as a
conviction, and be registered as Baha'i youth, whether the parents are
Baha'is or not. Children under the age of 15, of Baha'i parents, who wish
to attend meetings and associate with the friends as Baha'is may do so. If
non-Baha'i parents permit a child of less than 15 to attend Baha'i
meetings, and in fact, to be a Baha'i, this is likewise permissible.
Number 4: The beloved Guardian instructs that whenever an Assembly loses
some members between the Ridvan periods, bringing the membership to less
than 9, the Assembly reverts immediately to Group status. However, when
they get a sufficient number of new members to reach 9, then they
immediately become an Assembly again.
The beloved Guardian greatly values your devoted services to the Faith,
and the manner in which you are undertaking the heavy responsibilities of
propagating the Faith, as well as consolidating its institutions.
He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving
greetings....
LETTER OF 27 SEPTEMBER 1954 (SUMMER SCHOOL)
27 September 1954 (Summer School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The note of loving greeting, which was signed by all those present at the
Summer School, has been received by the beloved Guardian, and this is just
a brief note of acknowledgment on his behalf.
He was very happy to see that it was possible for so many of the friends
to be present, and that you had the bounty of having the favored Hand of
the Cause, Dr. Muehlschlegel, with you. He feels sure such a gathering must
have released new strength and zeal; and that each one will now determine
to double or even treble his past efforts during the second year of this
historic Ten-Year Crusade.
He sends you all his loving greetings....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, aid you to promote, at all times, the
vital interests of His Faith, and contribute continually to the
multiplication and consolidation of its nascent and divinely appointed
institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 18 NOVEMBER 1954
18 November 1954
Dear Baha'i Sister:
This will acknowledge receipt of your kind letter of November 9th,
advising that you have received the gift of Three Thousand Dollars, which
the beloved Guardian has sent for your Temple fund.
I will inform the Guardian of your deep appreciation of his gift.
So far as the establishment of the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual
Assembly of Germany and Austria is concerned, there is nothing for you to
do in connection therewith at this time. This matter will be handled here
in the Holy Land. When it is consummated, it may be necessary and
advisable for your National Assembly to pass certain resolutions in
connection with it, but I will inform you about this in due course.
At the moment it does not seem propitious for the establishment of further
Israel Branches at this time; and the Guardian has therefore instructed
that this matter be delayed a little longer. You may be sure however it
will be taken care of in due course.
With loving greetings to you and all the members of the National
Assembly....
LETTER OF 12 DECEMBER 1954
12 December 1954
Dear Baha'i 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 Baha'u'llah, and their desire to serve His Cause.
He hopes that in the near future the Vienna Community will have its
Haziratu'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 10 FEBRUARY 1955
10 February 1955
Dear Mrs. Grossmann:
Your loving letter of December 27th is here on my return from Europe.
I am under the impression you asked me when in Germany whether the message
of our Beloved Guardian of November 27th, should be shared with the
Friends. In any event, the Guardian surely does wish this important
message shared with all the Friends. While the wording of the last
paragraph might seem a little obscure, yet the Guardian's intention was
that all National Assemblies should be sent a copy, and they in turn
release it to the Friends.
We have corrected the records to show that the number of declared
Adherents to the Faith in Iraklion, Crete is one, and not two....
LETTER OF 10 FEBRUARY 1955
10 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The Beloved Guardian has directed that I write you in connection with the
Temple project for Germany.
He is anxious to receive the latest word with regard to the purchase of
the site for the Temple, hoping all the problems have now cleared up, or
will soon be cleared up and ownership be vested with your body.
He also feels that you should proceed with the preparation of designs for
the Temple, which he understands you will arrange by means of a
competition of architects. He feels you should proceed with this phase of
the Temple regardless of the question of land ownership. Time is moving
along rapidly, and he hopes it will not be too long before the design is
chosen.
In passing, there is one point to be mentioned; and that is that the
Temple in Wilmette does not constitute a pattern for other Temples, nor
does it represent a new type of Baha'i architecture. Therefore it is not
necessary for your architects to endeavour to follow that pattern. What
should be done is to follow the Master's instructions as to the Temple,
and then create something that will be desirable and appropriate for your
area....
LETTER OF 23 FEBRUARY 1955
23 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian is very closely watching the development of the Ten
Year Crusade on all fronts. One of the goals of the second phase of the
Ten Year Crusade is the incorporation of local and national assemblies.
The Guardian is hoping that your National Assembly may take this important
matter in hand, so that during the coming Baha'i year, as many as possible
of your local assemblies will become incorporated. He feels this is a very
important activity, and one which you should follow up just as closely as
possible.
Will you please send me a report for the Guardian of any activities along
this line which are underway; and if not, what can be done to set such a
program in motion.
It is needless for me to comment of course on the fact that another one of
the major objectives of the second phase of the Ten Year Crusade is the
multiplication of Baha'i centers, and particularly the development of
Baha'i groups into assemblies. The way in which this can be best
accomplished is by the Baha'is in the larger centers dispersing to weak
areas or to entirely new centers.
The Guardian sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 23 FEBRUARY 1955
23 February 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Please refer to copy of my letter of April 20th to Dr. Giachery, with a
copy to you, with regard to specifications for Baha'i Temples.
The Beloved Guardian has asked me to write to you, explaining that while
the question of a Dome for a Baha'i Temple, is not specified in the
Teachings, yet he feels that for the Temple in Germany, you should plan a
building with a central Dome. He thinks it would enhance the beauty of the
structure now being planned for Frankfurt....
LETTER OF 8 MARCH 1955
8 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian is very anxious to secure, as quickly as possible,
data concerning the Haziratu'l-Quds which have been acquired in connection
with the goals of the Ten Year Crusade. To this end, he would very greatly
appreciate your sending me by return air mail the information concerning
the Haziratu'l-Quds in Vienna.
He would like to know the area of land involved, the size of the building,
so far as number of rooms is concerned, the original purchase price of the
Haziratu'l-Quds, the expenses of the transaction, and then the total cost.
The Guardian asks that this be sent to me by return air mail....
LETTER OF 11 MARCH 1955
11 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your loving letter of February 25th has just come to hand.
It was a great pleasure for me to have been able to visit the friends in
Frankfurt and Stuttgart; and we will long remember the loving hospitality
which was extended to us by all the friends.
I do not know what more can be done in behalf of... Certain members if the
American N.S.A. are in close touch with the authorities in Washington; and
if they have written you that nothing more can be done, I think that is
the last word; at least I have nothing more which I can suggest.
Please give my deep love to all the members of the National Assembly....
LETTER OF 29 MARCH 1955
29 March 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
On April 21st we will enter the last year of the second phase of the Ten
Year Crusade. As you know, one of the objectives of this second phase is
the rapid multiplication of Assemblies, Groups and Centres throughout the
world.
During the past year, a great deal has been accomplished by the friends in
their efforts to disperse from the large centres of population in order to
build up the goal cities and establish new centres. However we have not
accomplished a great deal in the way of increasing the number of Baha'is,
nor the number of Spiritual Assemblies.
The beloved Guardian sincerely hopes you will make it a point of major
study and consideration on the part of your Assembly, so that the entire
Community may lend itself to the accomplishment of this great goal during
the coming year. Foundations must be laid for many more Assemblies. The
friends must disperse from the large centres of population. Our teaching
work must become so sanctified and penetrating that many, many souls will
be confirmed. The friends should go forward on this great task in a very
determined manner in order to establish as many new Assemblies during the
coming year as are possible.
In letters which have come to the beloved Guardian, he has noted the
friends feel there is no need to establish new Assemblies until 1963.
The Ten Year Crusade ends in 1963; but as many of the goals should be won
as quickly as is possible. It should certainly be clear to all of the
friends that we cannot hold off on winning the various goals of our tasks
until the last year of the Crusade. They should be won just as quickly as
possible. Furthermore, there are many tasks of the Crusade which the
Guardian is not launching until preliminary goals have been won. For
instance, it would be impossible to establish National Assemblies in all
of the areas proposed until there are more Baha'is, more Groups and more
Assemblies in those countries.
On the home front, further tasks are dependent upon the winning of
victories now. The Guardian hopes the keynote of the teaching work on the
home front during the current year will be the dispersion of the friends
on an unprecedented scale, and the winning of as many Assemblies as is
possible....
LETTER OF 20 APRIL 1955
20 April 1955
Dear Ugo:
I have your favor of April 10th, telling of your visit with the German
Architect, Prof. Dr. Bartning, and his explanation to you of the elements
to be incorporated in the new Temple for Germany.
The Beloved Guardian explains that there is no requirement for one window
to be oriented toward the East. In fact, he feels this should not be done;
otherwise it will take on a practice of the Moslems with regard to their
prayer niche, etc. I am sending a copy of this note to the German NSA, so
they will understand.
The Guardian has also indicated that there is nothing in the teaching
requiring one dome for the building, in fact, any dome. It is of course
more beautiful, generally to have a dome, or even domes, but that is not a
necessary requirement of the Temple.
Likewise the Guardian indicates, it is not essential that there be nine
doors.
The real requisite is that the building should be circular in shape,
having nine sides; that there should be nine gardens, walks, etc....
LETTER OF 1 MAY 1955 (CONVENTION)
1 May 1955 (Convention)
DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE. URGE DELEGATES ROUSE ALL COMMUNITIES EXERT
SUPREME EFFORT COURSE LAST YEAR SECOND PHASE CRUSADE MULTIPLICATION
CENTERS ASSEMBLIES CONSOLIDATION ALLOTED NEWLY OPENED TERRITORIES
INTENSIFICATION TEACHING ACTIVITIES INCORPORATION ASSEMBLIES ESTABLISHMENT
ENDOWMENTS PUBLISHING TRUST. URGE CONCENTRATION EXTENSION WORK AUSTRIA
EXPEDITE PRELIMINARIES CONSTRUCTION TEMPLE SUPPLICATING ABUNDANT BLESSINGS
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 1 JULY 1955
1 July 1955
Dear Baha'i Friends:
The beloved Guardian was very happy indeed to learn of the confirmation of
an additional Baha'i in the Island of Crete.
The Guardian is very anxious to know the racial background of the new
Baha'is in these new areas. I am wondering therefore if you could let me
know what the nationality is of the first new Baha'i in Crete, as well as
this second Baha'i.
The Guardian is anxious to know if either one of these two are pure Greek
stock....
LETTER OF 2 AUGUST 1955
2 August 1955
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your letters of June 11, July 16 and 22, August 30, October 12 and 17,
November 2 and 17 and December 10, 1954; and January 31 and February 19,
April 28 and May 21, 1955, with their various enclosures, have all been
recived by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on
his behalf.
As the work of the Ten-Year Crusade steadily grows, he finds it more and
more difficult to correspond with the National Assemblies frequently; and
indeed is wondering what will be the situation in a few years' time, when
we have so many additional National Bodies. This explains why you have not
heard from him before.
He was very happy to hear that the Vienna Haziratu'l-Quds has been
purchased, as this eliminates one of the important goals assigned to your
Assembly under the Ten-Year Plan. He will be pleased to see photographs of
the building.
He feels that your action in advising the Crete pioneers to be very
discreet in all respects, and your decision to correspond with them for
the time being through their parents, were very wise.
The friends who have gone forth to new lands cannot be too careful. Unless
they can stay long enough to convert at least a small group of people, who
will be firmly grounded in the Faith, and continue to work if they are
forced to leave, a great deal of time and money will have been wasted, and
the progress of the Plan suffer a serious setback.
He will certainly pray for the pioneers there, for their protection and
their guidance. They should by all means persevere and act discreetly.
He was very satisfied to hear of the progress made at the Teaching
Conference held in Frankfurt under the aegis of the European Hands. He
feels sure that this helped to stimulate and coordinate the work.
Association and consultation, as 'Abdu'l-Baha so repeatedly emphasized,
have a great effect on the friends, and enable them to see the work of the
Cause as a whole, rather than as a small local enterprise in which their
personalities and other people's personalities often conflict; and
challenge them to arise and go forth into new fields, in order to spread
the Faith far and wide.
The Guardian attaches the greatest importance to the Temple enterprise. He
feels that if, for any reason, you do not win the case and get permission
to build the Temple on the land you have already chosen, a new piece of
land must be speedily bought. He is hoping that the case will be
satisfactorily settled, and that there will be no necessity for you to
look further.
The preparation of designs for the Temple he feels, however, should not
wait upon the conclusion of the court case. It is going to take some time
to receive designs, to forward them to him for his advice, and to
incorporate any possible changes that may be deemed necessary, if one of
the designs is found satisfactory. He therefore advises you to open the
competition as soon as you can, and not lose any more time.
He wishes at this juncture to stress to your Assembly the need for
economy. The Temple must naturally be a dignified and worthy edifice. He
does not consider that any of these modernistic experiments in
architecture are at all suitable for a building of this nature, lacking as
they so often do, beauty and dignity.
He also considers that the building should be a relatively small one, both
because of the size of the Community in Germany, and the financial
resources of the Faith at present. The most important thing of all is to
build this first Temple on European soil.
In the days when 'Abdu'l-Baha was urging the American Baha'is to build the
first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the western world, He repeatedly emphasized
that it could be a modest building, and that the important thing was the
spiritual element that this House of Worship in the name of Baha'u'llah
should be raised in the heart of America. The same thing applies now to
your Temple in Germany. Size and pretentiousness are not important. The
important thing is that the building should be speedily erected, and be a
financial possibility, not placing, as the American Temple, a terrible
strain on the friends for years to come.