land of Polischer Berg, with the assurance that there would be no
complications in connection with the erection of the Temple.
Your letter later spoke of the Temple Land near Kriftel, and I cabled to
ascertain if this is the same land as referred to at Polischer Berg. I
take it, it is.
The Guardian now hopes all matters are clarified, and that your Assembly
is in a position to purchase this land, and thus start the construction of
the Temple. Your early advice and confirmation will be appreciated by
him....
LETTER OF 19 JANUARY 1957
19 January 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Miss Bertha Matthiessen, one of the dear Baha'is of Southern California,
who has spent some time in Germany, and is no doubt, well known to you; is
returning to Germany from the United States in March 1957.
She has written the Guardian that after a rest at Bad Nauheim, she will
get in touch with your Assembly, or the Teaching Committee, to assist in
the teaching work. The Guardian has written her, expressing his
appreciation of this offer on her part to assist in the important work in
Germany and Austria, and suggested that if she could settle in one of the
goal cities in Austria, after consultation with your Assembly or Teaching
Committee, it would be highly meritorious.
This note is sent to you, so you may understand, when she gets in touch
with you this spring....
LETTER OF 24 JANAURY 1957 (WINTER SCHOOL)
24 Janaury 1957 (Winter School)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your message dated January 5th has reached the beloved Guardian, and he
was very happy to see that the friends had been able to meet and deepen
their understanding of the Faith.
He hopes that the German Baha'is, especially the Youth, will do all they
can to consolidate the foundations of the work already so painstakingly
laid in Germany during a period of almost half a century; and that each
Baha'i will consider it his privilege and duty to support the teaching
work, either through pioneering to new Centers, or strengthening weak
Assemblies, or assisting the Groups to become Assemblies.
He assures you all of his loving prayers for your success....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Almighty bless your efforts, guide and sustain you, and enable you
to extend the scope of your valued activities, acquire a fuller
understanding of the distinguishing features of His Faith, and lend an
impetus to the progress and consolidation of its divinely appointed
institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 26 JANUARY 1957
26 January 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Yesterday, a Jewish Seaman called, to present Greetings from Mrs. Santa
Felbermann, connected with the British Legation in Budapest.
This gentlemen, who gave the name of Alexander Goldhammer, advised he had
been in Budapest a short time ago, and Mrs. Felbermann, asked him to give
her Greetings to the Friends here.
It occurs to me you may wish to enter into correspondence with her, if
correspondence to Hungary is possible now from West Germany. You may have
information from the Baha'is who left Hungary recently, and who, no doubt,
were in touch with you.
I am also sending a copy of this letter to Mrs. Anne Lynch, so she may
write to Mrs. Felbermann, if correspondence from Switzerland is now
possible....
LETTER OF 30 JANUARY 1957
30 January 1957
APPROVE OFFENBACH URGE IMMEDIATE PURCHASE
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 17 FEBRUARY 1957
17 February 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has suggested that your Assembly arrange for a
telegraphic address in Frankfurt, which will simplify telegraphing to your
honorable body.
Some of the National Assemblies have used the designation "Baha'i". Thus
for instance, when we cable to the American NSA, we simply address the
cable "Baha'i, Wilmette". Australia uses "Natbahai". As soon as you have
arranged with the cable Company for your telegraphic address, please let
me know for the Guardian....
LETTER OF 17 FEBRUARY 1957
17 February 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write to your Assembly, concerning
the settlement of Persian Baha'is in Germany and Austria.
He has discussed the matter in some detail with ... when they were here,
and asked them to review the matter with your Assembly.
It is artificial to build up communities or Assemblies with Persians, or
for that matter, any Baha'is from other countries. The Communities and
Assemblies should be made up of local people. Thus in any of the Centers
where a large number of Persian Baha'is have settled, your Assembly should
discuss the subject with them, and urge them to move to goal cities, where
there are no Baha'is, or groups, in order to assist in the teaching work.
Thus, the artificial Assemblies will necessarily have to be constituted of
local Baha'is, and many new centers will be opened. Thus the Persian
Baha'is will become pioneers and greatly aid the teaching work. At the
same time, it will mean that the German Baha'is will have to redouble
their efforts and win many converts to the Faith, in the cities from which
the Persians move, and which are now artificial.
The Guardian hopes this action will stimulate the teaching work throughout
Germany.
He sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 10 MARCH 1957
10 March 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Beloved Guardian is anxious to have an up to date record of the number
of Baha'is in the Goal countries of the Ten Year Crusade, as of April 1,
1957.
To this end I have prepared letters to each country or island. Some of the
current addresses etc. I do not have, and I am taking the liberty of
enclosing letters for the Frisian Islands, and Crete.
May I ask if you will send them directly to the proper persons, by air
mail.
Please acknowledge and advise if you will arrange to do this for me....
LETTER OF 12 MARCH 1957 (REGIONAL CONVENTION)
12 March 1957 (Regional Convention)
Dear Baha'i Friends:
Your note of greeting has been received, and our beloved Guardian was very
happy to see that so many of the believers had gathered together, old ones
and new ones, and he hopes that as a result of your studies and
consultation a new impetus will be given to the teaching work in Germany.
You may be sure he will pray for your success in the holy Shrines; and he
urges you one and all to concentrate on the requirements of the Ten Year
Plan as it affects the work in Germany....
[From the Guardian:]
May the Beloved bless your highly meritorious efforts, aid you to extend
continually the scope of your valued activities, surmount every obstacle,
and lend a tremendous impetus to the onward march of our beloved Faith and
the development and consolidation of its administrative institutions,
Your true brother,
Shoghi
LETTER OF 13 MARCH 1957
13 March 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Beloved Guardian is very anxious to have an up to date record of the
total number of Baha'i Centers in Germany and Austria,
separately;--excluding, of course, the goal areas of the Ten Year Crusade,
such as the Frisian Islands, etc.
May I ask if you will send me a cable on receipt of this giving just the
totals for each country, as for instance "Germany 100, Austria 25". There
is no need for any breakdown of Assemblies, Groups or Isolated Centers....
LETTER OF 14 MARCH 1957
14 March 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has been greatly impressed by the large number of
Teaching Conferences held during the past year.
I have an incomplete record of a conference held in Austria. Can you cable
me if this conference was held, the dates, and place....
P.S. Please send the cable immediately on receipt of this letter.
LETTER OF 17 MARCH 1957
17 March 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
...So far as ... Mr. and Mrs. ... and children are concerned, the Guardian
wishes to know if they are residents of Germany, or Persians traveling in
Germany, or there only for a short time. When did they arrive, and what
are their plans.
The purpose of this information is that if they actually are Persian
residents, traveling in Europe, then they will have to go on the Persian
list, and come when their turn comes there. If they are permanently
residing in Germany, then the situation is different....
P.S. Also please advise what their background is!
LETTER OF 29 MARCH 1957
29 March 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
As requested in your letter of March 23rd, I informed the Beloved Guardian
of the passing of Mr. Lehne, in Berlin, on March 20th.
The Beloved Guardian asked me to advise you, and the wife of Mr. Lehne,
that he will pray for the progress of Mr. Lehne's soul in the realms
beyond.
He rendered outstanding services to the Faith, holding the ideals of the
Faith during the difficult days of the war....
Will you please inform Mrs. Lehne.
LETTER OF 3 APRIL 1957
3 April 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your loving letter of March 22nd, was duly received, and its contents
presented to the Beloved Guardian.
He will be happy to welcome ... on their pilgrimage, when their turn
comes. It is not feasible just now for them to come when ... return from
Haifa. The Guardian will let ... know when the time comes for their
pilgrimage.
There are so many wishing to make the pilgrimage, that the Guardian must
receive them in the order of their application. Thus, when the time comes
for ..., the Guardian will let them know....
LETTER OF 9 APRIL 1957
9 April 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Your loving letter of April 2nd, has been received by the Beloved
Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge it on his behalf.
He is happy to receive word of the progress which you are making in
connection with the purchase of the Temple Land, and the securing of
necessary building permits. He hopes you will encounter no serious
difficulties in connection with the building permit, so that work on this
most important project, may start at an early date.
He will pray for your Assembly, that you may be able to overcome all
hindrances, and that the path may be smoothed for an early conclusion of
this troublesome matter.
So far as the land in Offenbach is concerned, and the plan of the city
that we finance road work is concerned--this is entirely impossible. The
cost is too high, and furthermore we should not become involved in local
civic projects.
He sends you his loving greetings....
LETTER OF 12 APRIL 1957
12 April 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
Enclosed is the beloved Guardian's Convention Message, which you will be
so kind as to deliver to the Chairman of the National Convention to be
read to and shared with the friends.
This letter, in order to save time is being mailed by a returning pilgrim,
from Rome....
P.S.--Will you please acknowledge receipt of this letter by cable to the
Guardian.
LETTER OF 18 APRIL 1957
18 April 1957
UNNECESSARY INADVISABLE ROCHOLL VISIT HAIFA SUGGEST HE SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS
GROSSMANNS FOR DISCUSSION WHILE HERE...
LETTER OF 19 APRIL 1957
19 April 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The Beloved Guardian has been very deeply impressed with the latest book
of our dear departed co-worker, Hand of the Cause, George Townshend,
"Christ and Baha'u'llah". If you have not received copies, you should send
to England for them, so that the Friends may be familiar with its
contents.
This book outlines clearly the relationship of Christ and Baha'u'llah, and
presents the manner in which the Baha'i Faith is setting up the Kingdom of
God, which the Christians are praying for.
The Guardian feels that your Assembly should make very wide use of this
book. You should secure publicity regarding it in the Newspapers, book
reviews, where possible. Copies should be sent to the Religious leaders,
particularly to the Lutheran high Dignitaries.
This book is a challenge to religious leaders, and of course, should be
sent, also to those who opposed the Temple Land sale. It may bring some
opposition and criticism, but in the long run, it will produce excellent
results for the Faith.
The Guardian sends you his loving Greetings....
LETTER OF 19 APRIL 1957
19 April 1957
Dear Baha'i Sister:
When His Excellency Mr. Ollenhauer was in Israel, in accordance with the
suggestion of your Assembly, effort was made to contact him, and invite
him to visit the Shrine and Gardens on Mt. Carmel.
Unfortunately actual contact was not made. Mr. Ioas spent a day in
Jerusalem trying to meet him, but he was so tied up with Government
Officials it was impossible. Mr. Ioas, however, left a note for him, in
his hotel, welcoming him to Israel, and inviting him to visit Haifa, and
our Shrines and Gardens. We gave him also, the Greetings of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany, whose headquarters are in
Frankfurt.
Attached is letter received from one of his party presumably his
Secretary, thanking us for the Greeting, and saying he had seen the Shrine
and Gardens in company with the Mayor of Haifa, when he was in the City.
The Beloved Guardian thought you would wish to have his letter, and know
of the action taken here to effect a meeting....
You may retain his letter in your files.
LETTER OF 28 APRIL 1957
28 April 1957
DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE WELCOME NOBLE DETERMINATION DELEGATES
SUPPLICATING FERVENTLY SIGNAL VICTORIES URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS ATTAINMENT
GOALS EXPEDITE COMMENCEMENT CONSTRUCTION TEMPLE DEEPEST LOVE
SHOGHI
LETTER OF 14 AUGUST 1957
14 August 1957
Dear Baha'i Brother:
Your Assembly's communications with their enclosures and material sent
under separate cover have all arrived safely, and the beloved Guardian has
instructed me to answer you on his behalf, and to acknowledge receipt of
the letters dated as follows: June 14, August 8 and 28, September 2,
October 27, November 19 and 22 and December 4 and 26, 1956; and January 1
and 15, February 4, March 1, 2 and 9, April 2, 16 and 25, June 14, 19
(two) and July 3, 8 and 19.
As a number of questions raised in your letters have been answered by
cable, or through the Secretary, I will not go into them again here.
He thanks your Assembly for the trouble you took in sending him the
samples of tiles in connection with the Archives floor. A rubber tile has
now been ordered from England, which he considers will be satisfactory.
As a member of your National Assembly has so recently visited Haifa,
namely, dear Mrs. Anna Grossmann, and many of the points concerning the
Temple land were discussed with her, she has no doubt by now conveyed to
you the Guardian's views.
He feels that the German National Assembly must be extremely practical in
handling this matter and expedite the purchase of a site for the Temple as
soon as possible, and without strings attached, such as the necessity to
build a road at our expense, or to raise loans from other National Bodies,
which is extremely impracticable and very unwise. The German friends have
money for their land and the beginning of their Temple on hand, and should
conserve this money for the purpose stipulated, and neither ask other
National Bodies for loans, nor become involved with municipal or state
authorities, who want to get as much out of the Baha'is as possible,
while, at the same time, it would seem, giving them as little help as
possible.
He also discussed with Mrs. Grossmann certain matters she brought up as
regards the Temple design and size. She has no doubt reported his views to
your Assembly.
He was shocked and indignant to hear of the conduct of certain of the
Persian Baha'i students in Germany which had been so criminal as to lead
to their imprisonment. He feels that your Assembly must keep before its
eyes the balance specified by Baha'u'llah, Himself, in other words,
justice, reward and retribution. Although the Cause is still young and
tender, and many of the believers inexperienced, and therefore loving
forbearance is often called for in the place of harsh measures, this does
not mean that a National Spiritual Assembly can under any circumstances
tolerate disgraceful conduct, flagrantly contrary to our Teachings, on the
part of any of its members, whoever they may be and from wherever they may
come. You should vigilantly watch over and protect the interests of the
Baha'i Community, and the moment you see that any of the Persian residents
in Germany, or, for that matter, German Baha'is themselves, are acting in
a way to bring disgrace upon the name of the Faith, warn them, and, if
necessary, deprive them immediately of their voting rights if they refuse
to change their ways. Only in this way can the purity of the Faith be
preserved. Compromise and weak measures will obscure the vision of its
followers, sap its strength, lower it in the eyes of the public and
prevent it from making any progress.
The National Assembly is the guardian of the welfare of the Faith, a most
sacred and heavy responsibility and one which is inescapable. They must be
ever vigilant, ever on the lookout, ever ready to take action, and, on all
matters of fundamental principle, refuse to compromise for an instant.
Only in this way can the body of the Faith be free of disease.
He feels that you should investigate the situation in ..., find out who is
and who is not a Baha'i, and insist that its affairs be conducted in a
Baha'i manner by registered Baha'is, and that those who have not yet
gotten credentials from Persia should be placed in a different category,
entirely, from those who are registered by your Assembly as voting
members, and accepted as believers. The Persian Baha'is in many cases, who
have either gone to Germany to study or to assist in the work of the Faith
with a pure motive, have rendered the German Community inestimable
services, and everyone should be duly grateful to them for both their
spirit and their example. However, we should not confuse the true
believers with those who are not quickened with the spirit of faith, have
some ulterior motive, or are indifferent to the reputation they have
personally, and the damage they may do the Cause in the eyes of the
public. There is all the difference in the world between these two
categories, and your Assembly must be ever watchful and ready to take
action when necessary.
It is not a normal condition for one-quarter of a community to be composed
of a foreign, and therefore floating, element. In spite of the fact that
in such countries as England and Germany, in particular, the Persian
friends have been of great help in maintaining, and indeed in
establishing, new Assemblies and Centres, the National Body must bear in
mind that this is not a normal state of affairs. It is the German people
in Germany, and the English people in England, who must be the back-bone
and the vast majority of the Community. Otherwise, if for some reason the
foreign element returns to its home or is forced to leave the country, the
Communities dependent on it disintegrate for lack of numbers.
Every effort should be made to encourage the German Baha'is, who are so
numerous in some of the cities in Germany, particularly in Stuttgart, to
go out and take part in the establishment of new Spiritual Assemblies in
their own country. This is both their duty and their privilege. The
Guardian has pointed out, over and over again, that it is sufficient for
fifteen active believers to remain in any one city, even such cities as
New York, Chicago and San Francisco. This also applies to Germany, and the
Baha'is should be encouraged to pioneer on their Home Front, and establish
new Spiritual Assemblies, new Groups and new isolated centres. In this way
the affairs of the Faith will attract the blessings of Baha'u'llah and the
believers will be rewarded by Him for doing their duty and accepting the
challenge of the present hour. If and when another upheaval takes place in
Europe, it will be the big cities that are the danger points. Why then do
the Baha'is cling to them so tenaciously, when they would be much safer,
and serving the interests of the Faith, if they moved away to smaller
places?
He does not want the friends to be fearful, or to dwell upon the
unpleasant possibilities of the future. They must have the attitude that,
if they do their part, which is to accomplish the goals of the Ten Year
Plan, they can be sure that God will do His part and watch over them....
He has been very happy over the formation of the first historic Spiritual
Assembly in Athens, an achievement made possible this year through the
direct efforts of German pioneers. He greatly appreciates their spirit,
and he hopes that, in spite of the departure of some of the American
pioneers, the Community will grow in numbers, and the Assembly be
preserved next April. Your Assembly should devote particular attention to
this matter.
He hopes also that reinforcements can be sent to Crete, as well as to
Frisian Islands, where the first results of the devoted labours of the
pioneer are beginning to be shown through the enrollment of some natives
of those islands....
He has also been greatly encouraged to see the progress made in Austria
during the past year. The formation of four Assemblies marks a tremendous
step forward in the work in that country, which has too long lagged behind
the progress made in Germany. At last, Austria is beginning to bear fruit,
and he hopes, through the activities of the Austrian believers and the
pioneers who have rallied to their support, as well as through the wise
guidance of your Assembly, that the centres will be increased very rapidly
and the Spiritual Assemblies multiplied to such a point that he can fix a
date for Austria to have her independent National Body. The achievement of
this goal rests entirely upon the teaching work and is dependent on the
creation of more Assemblies.
He was glad to see that there is great need in Germany for more
publications, for more of the literature to be made available in German.
Naturally these things are dependent on financial means. However, he was
happy to know that a News Letter had been consistently published in
Frankfurt, and had been of help to the friends, especially in connection
with their Nineteen Day Feasts. Such activities should be stimulated and
encouraged by your Assembly. The Baha'is are widely spread over the whole
country, many of them far from well-to-do, and, however humble the
instrument that reaches them, it nevertheless fulfils a great purpose in
stimulating and encouraging them. Travelling teachers should be sent out
more regularly to visit the different centres, as the two Hands of the
Cause in Germany are so overburdened as to make it impossible for them to
travel as much as they would like to or should do in the interests of the
Faith. Therefore your Assembly should encourage itinerant teachers or
teaching trips by any of the friends who are able to offer a certain
amount of time to such activities.
He has also been very pleased during the past year to see from the press
clipping book he received, how much publicity the Faith has received free
of charge, not only in the press but generally in some of Germany's
best-known newspapers. Were it not for the violent opposition met with in
connection with the purchase of the Temple land, this would not have been
possible, and the friends can clearly see that our activities, when we
carry them on persistently and energetically, arouse opposition, which has
an extremely salutary effect. In fact, some of the reports in the German
newspapers about the opposition the Baha'is were meeting with in
connection with their Temple site were published in leading French
newspapers. The friends should be very encouraged by these evidences of
the rising fame of the Faith. They should welcome opposition, and stand
firm on all questions of principle. By doing so, they will attract new
people to the Faith and encourage the skeptical to embrace our Teachings.
He appreciated receiving the photo of the new N.S.A. and hopes it will
accomplish great things during the coming months.
It is not necessary for anyone who wishes to make the pilgrimage to Haifa
to ask through your Assembly; they may ask the Guardian direct. The reason
this was done in Persia is because the number of the friends is so great
that the work involved is too much of a demand on the Guardian's time, and
so is handled by the Persian N.S.A. who refer long lists of names to him.