Uncompiled Published Letters - 1930s

Shoghi Effendi

Original English

oceanoflights.org/uncompiled-published-letters-1930s-en/

– 255 –

1930-01-01 Mrs. Chanler

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 9

“In none of the Guardian’s letters to Mrs. Chanler has Shoghi Effendi approved of her attitude toward the local and national Assemblies. One of those who was over-zealous about The New History Society wrote Shoghi Effendi that the members of the New York Assembly are gradually becoming milder and perhaps drawn to the History Society. This is to solve the problem in the wrong way. It is not the Assembly that has to be won to the cause of some rebellious person, but that person brought back under the authority of the Assembly.”

– 256 –

1930-01-02 Russia will Become a Delectable Paradise

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #33

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Russia will in the future become a delectable paradise, and the teaching work in that land will be carried out on an unprecedented scale. The House of Worship established in its very heart will shine forth with dazzling splendour, and the call of the Most Great Name will reverberate in its temples, its churches, and its places of worship. We need to show forth patience and forbearance. In these momentous convulsions there lie concealed mighty and consummate mysteries, which will be revealed to men’s eyes in the days to come.

(2 January 1930 to an individual believer — translated from the Persian)

– 257 –

1930-01-26 To Coswell, Teaching Work

Divine Springtime — Louise Caswell Recalls, p9

January 26th,

“He (the Guardian) was much touched by your assurance to devote your endeavors to the progress of His Faith, and in welcoming such spontaneous enthusiasm and sincerity, he wishes me to assure you of his ardent prayer that all your efforts may be successful and that you may render increasing services to the onward march of the Cause in America.

(Signed) Soheil Afnán.”

– 258 –

1930-01-30 Attending History Society Meetings

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 9

The Guardian’s Reply (January 23, 1930)

“Attendance Aḥmad meeting conditioned upon Aḥmad’s unquestioned acceptance to conduct meetings on lines fully sanctioned by National Spiritual Assembly. True unity can only be preserved by maintenance paramount position National Spiritual Assembly.”

response to 4 NYC query — 1930-01-23

“Is it your desire for sake of unity New York that we attend Chanler meeting?”

– 259 –

1930-01-31 Fervent Plea German Bahá’ís for Unity

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

KINDLY TRANSMIT TO BAHÁ’ÍS THROUGHOUT GERMANY MY FERVENT PLEA FOR WATCHFULNESS LOYALTY STEADFASTNESS AND UNITY AT THIS CRITICAL STAGE OF EVOLUTION BAHÁ’Í FAITH. ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ IS PROVING HIS VALIANT CHERISHED FOLLOWERS IN THAT LAND. THOSE TESTS HE PREDICTED FOR THEIR GOOD UPON THEM NOW. MAY GERMANY ARISE TO FULFILL BELOVED’S EXPECTATIONS, EMERGE TRIUMPHANT AND SHED ILLUMINATION AS PREDICTED BY ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ UPON ALL EUROPE.

(31 January 1930)

– 260 –

1930-01-xx Bahá’ís in Holy Land Contribute to Temple Fund

USBN #37 — January 1930 — page 3

“Bahá’ís of Haifa, Acre and Adasiyyih, conscious of America’s glorious self-sacrifice, jointly contributing no less than four thousand dollars, toward Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár. Cabling sum next week. Have addressed appeal to believers throughout East to reinforce noble endeavors (of) their American brethren.”

(signed) SHOGHI.

– 261 –

1930-01-xx Response Temple Fund Status

USBN #37 — January 1930 — page 1

“Much gratified. Urge continued self-sacrifice. Loving appreciation.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

The impressive response made to Shoghi Effendi’s recent general letter concerning the Temple, has brought the Construction Fund almost to the point of completion. If all pledges reported to the Treasurer are paid, only $22,000 must be contributed in order to make the total sum of $400,000 required for resuming construction.

Mr. Scheffler reported the following balance as of January 16, 1930: Temple Construction Fund
Cash …………… $356,000
Pledges …………. $22,000
Total …………… $378,000
National Bahá’í Fund .. $10,000

When these facts were reported to the Guardian by cablegram, the above reply was received.

– 262 –

1930-02-03 To May Maxwell, 19 Distinguished Western Bahá’ís

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p163-4

Shoghi Effendi is in these days busy collecting interesting material for the forthcoming number of the year-book. Among others he is collecting the pictures of some of the old friends who have passed away and who have rendered distinguished services to the Cause. He has already gathered the pictures of nineteen distinguished figures among those who have rendered eminent services to the Cause in the East. He wishes now to gather an equal number from among the old Western Bahá’ís who have passed away and who have done great services to the Cause.

– 263 –

1930-02-15 To Editor of ‘The Palestine Bulletin’

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp165-6

Haifa, Palestine 15 February 1930 To the Editor of ‘The Palestine Bulletin’ P.O.B. 683 Jerusalem

Dear Sir,

This is to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 13th instant in which you express your desire to devote the columns of your ‘Bulletin’ to an account of the rise and progress of the Bahá’í Faith.

I feel that the best I can do is to send you under separate cover a copy of the latest edition of ‘The Bahá’í World’, a production which portrays, fully and faithfully, the manifold activities as well as the essential character and purpose of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

You will find on pages 173-177 the text of the open letters which the Dowager Queen of Romania has felt impelled to pen as a testimony of her faith, in admiration for the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

With kind regards and best wishes, Yours sincerely, Shoghi

This resulted in an article in the Palestine Bulletin on 18 Feb 30

– 264 –

1930-02-15 To Alaine Locke, Translation of Íqán

This letter was first published in “Alain Locke: Bahá’í Philosopher,” p. 48, republished in Alain Locke: Faith and Philosophy, p.

Persian Colony, Haifa 15-11-30 [sic]

Dear Dr. Locke:

Shoghi Effendi has been lately spending his leisure hours translating the Book of Íqán for he considers it to be the key to a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures, & [sic] can easily rank as one of the most, if not the most, important thing that Bahá’u’lláh revealed explaining the basic beliefs of the Cause. He who fully grasps the purport of that Book can claim to have understood the Cause.

Yet, Shoghi Effendi believes that mere translation into English phrases is not sufficient. It is essential to make the idioms & expressions lively English, a thing which he alone cannot possibly achieve. Thinking, therefore, that you will be the best fitted to render him an assistance along that line, he is sending you the part that he has already completed. He would be most appreciative if you go over it carefully, studying every sentence — its structure as well as choice of words — & giving him your criticism as well as constructive suggestions that would make it more lucid, English [sic] & forceful. As it is a Holy Scripture, Shoghi Effendi has tried to put it in the English of the Bible, preferring its ways of expression better than any other. What he sends you now is half of the book, the rest he will mail as it is translated.

The form that it is in at present is far from being the last one. Yet he wishes to have all the possible suggestions before he puts it in its final form.

Shoghi Effendi is fully aware of the many duties you have & how pressing your time is, & had he known of an equally fitting person he would surely have saved you the trouble. Yet he finds himself to be compelled. He hopes, therefore, that you will give this work your close attention.

If the book is completed & rendered into a lucid & forceful language, the service it will render to the Cause will surely repay all your endeavours. In many places you will see the same idea expressed in other words & inserted in paranthesis [sic]. You can chose [sic] any of the two. In case you have any suggestions just mention in what page & line it is. You need not send him back the copy after going over it, for he may desire to refer to them later. He has enough copies here. Though he wishes you to give it all your attention he will be much obliged if you take it up immediately.

With deepest appreciation Yours ever sincerely Rúḥí Afnán

– 265 –

1930-03-01 Response to NYC LSA Cable, Chanler

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 9

The Guardian’s Reply (March 1, 1930)

“Much relieved, gladdened, fervently supplicating dear valued Mrs. Chanler and Assembly may through fire (of) Bahá’í fellowship be welded, unitedly uphold unity of faith and supremacy (of) Bahá’í representative Assemblies.”

response to this cable fm NYC LSA

“Mrs. Chanler’s request (to) continue her classes (in) Bahá’í Center granted, Implore divine confirmation.” [28 Feb 1930]

On receiving the Guardian’s cablegram the New York Assembly courteously invited Mrs. Chanler to meet and consult upon the significance of the Guardian’s message. This invitation was refused.

– 266 –

1930-03-01 To Blomfield Requesting Come to Haifa

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p288

GREATEST HOLY LEAF AND MYSELF APART FROM OUR LONGING MEET YOU FEEL EXTREME DESIRABILITY YOUR PRESENCE IN HAIFA BEFORE MARCH TWENTY-FIRST IN VIEW OF IMPENDING FAR-REACHING DEVELOPMENTS. STRONGLY FEEL YOU ARE ONLY PERSON SUITED TO OCCASION. WIRING EXPLANATION IN PERSIAN TO ASGHARZADEH. STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. KINDLY WIRE. LOVE.

=========

This was written in anticipation of visit of Queen Marie.

– 267 –

1930-03-08 To Queen Marie Invited Her To Pilgrimage

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp169

HER MAJESTY, THE DOWAGER QUEEN MARIE OF ROMANIA, ABOARD MAYFLOWER, ASWAN FAMILY OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ JOIN ME IN RENEWING THE EXPRESSION OF OUR LOVING AND HEARTFELT INVITATION TO YOUR GRACIOUS MAJESTY AND HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ILEANA TO VISIT HIS HOME IN HAIFA. YOUR MAJESTY’S ACCEPTANCE TO VISIT BAHÁ’U’LLÁHS SHRINE AND PRISON-CITY OF ‘AKKÁ WILL APART FROM ITS HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE BE A SOURCE OF IMMEASURABLE STRENGTH, JOY AND HOPE TO THE SILENT SUFFERERS OF THE FAITH THROUGHOUT THE EAST. OUR FONDEST LOVE, PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES FOR YOUR MAJESTY’S HAPPINESS AND WELFARE.

– 268 –

1930-03-26 To Queen Marie Renewing Invitation To Pilgrimage

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp170

HER MAJESTY, QUEEN MARIE OF ROMANIA, HOTEL SEMIRAMIS, CAIRO

FEARING MY FORMER LETTER AND TELEGRAM IN WHICH FAMILY OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ JOINED ME IN EXTENDING INVITATION TO YOUR MAJESTY AND HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ILEANA MAY HAVE MISCARRIED, WE ARE PLEASED TO EXPRESS ANEW THE PLEASURE IT WOULD GIVE US ALL SHOULD YOUR MAJESTY FIND IT FEASIBLE TO VISIT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S AND ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S SHRINES AND THE PRISON-CITY OF ‘AKKÁ. DEEPLY REGRET UNAUTHORIZED PUBLICITY GIVEN BY THE PRESS.

– 269 –

1930-03-29 Thanks for Tablets

I am directed by the Guardian to express his grateful appreciation for your letter … with the volume containing copies of the Tablets revealed to the friends in ___ by the Master and Bahá’u’lláh.

In accomplishing this task you have rendered a most valued and permanent service to the Cause in ___ and posterity will owe you a debt of gratitude very hard to repay.

Furthermore this compilation shall be of indispensable value and use to the Guardian and to all International bodies that may meet in Haifa whether in the distant or near future. You are quite aware, of course, with the fashion in which both Bahá’u’lláh and the Master gave some of their most important teachings as part of their Tablets addressed to far-away friends. Hence the necessity of such compilations throughout the world.

29 March 1930 to an individual believer on behalf of Shoghi Effendi

Writings, Bahá’í: Importance of collecting and safeguarding, compiled by Bahá’í International Archives. Published in Bahá’í Studies Review, 11, pages 100-102

– 270 –

1930-03-xx To Mr Roa for SE re trans BNE into French

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 5 #1-2 September 1985 pp92

I am directed by Shoghi Effendi to acknowledge receipt of two chapters of the French translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book which you had sent him.

He has read them and is well pleased except that he wishes me to remind you and Mrs. Roa not to attempt a too literal rendering because that is bound to affect the language of the French translation unfavourably. He wishes you rather to attempt a faithful rendering of the thought and meaning of the original in as good French as possible without of course deviating too much.

(March 1930)

– 271 –

1930-04-02 To Martha Root Deserves Honors Have Been Ill

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p105

You fully deserved all the honour, the love and the hospitality which the Persian friends have so remarkably shown towards you. I have been so busy after my long and sever illness, that I have felt unable to answer promptly your letters, you have, however, been always in my thoughts, particularly during those hours when I visit the Holy Shrines and place my head on the sacred threshold.

– 272 –

1930-04-02 To Martha re Situation With Queen Marie

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp173-4

I am now writing to you quite confidentially regarding the projected visit of the Queen to Haifa. Unfortunately it did not materialize. The reason, I absolutely ignore. Although I sent her two wires, renewing my invitation to her already expressed in the letter I wrote her when you were here, and deploring the unauthorized publicity given by the Press in Palestine, England and America, I have had no reply from her whatever. All I received was a wire from Cairo on March 28 from the Romanian Minister, Lahovary, who wired as follows: ‘Her Majesty regrets that, not passing through Palestine, she will not be able to visit you’. I do not know whether my letter of December last, which I showed you, and in which I acknowledged receipt of her photograph, as well as my two wires to her after her arrival in Egypt, have been intercepted or miscarried. The two wires I sent her were as follows …‘Deeply regret unauthorized publicity given by the Press.’ I should not be surprised if these communications as well as your letters and the rosaries have not reached her at all. I so much wish to know the real situation, whether any malicious propaganda has not damped her enthusiasm, or whether she is unable to communicate with us. Reporters who called on me, representing the United Press of America, telegraphed to their newspapers just the opposite I told them. They perverted the truth. I wish we could make sure that she would at least know the real situation! But how can we ensure that our letters to her Majesty will henceforth reach her. I feel that you should write to her, explain the whole situation, assure her of my great disappointment. I hope your letter will reach her … I cherish the hope that these unfortunate developments will serve only to intensify the faith and love of the Queen, and will reinforce her determination to arise and spread the Cause. Please, let me know of any news you receive. I thirst for news and find all ways to her barred and blocked.

Be not sad or distressed, dearest Martha. The seeds you have so lovingly, so devotedly and so assiduously sown will surely germinate. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is guiding you and will bless your heroic efforts. Persevere, and never lose heart.

– 273 –

1930-04-23 To May Maxwell re Photos of Early Believers

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p166

I am directed by Shoghi Effendi to thank you so much for your letter of March 15th with the photograph of Mrs. Knobloch and her Tablet enclosed. Also for the photographs you sent him under separate cover which have already reached him and in good time, thanks to your endeavour & enterprise. Of course you know that they are intended for the forthcoming issue of the ‘Bahá’í World’.

My dear and precious co-worker;

The photos you sent me have all reached safely, and I am deeply appreciative of your efforts.

– 274 –

1930-04-xx Financial Questions that Confront the Cause

USBN #40 — April 1930 — page 17

A recent letter from Haifa to the finance chairman — - —

— “The financial questions that confront the Cause are all very pressing and important. They need a judicious administration and a wise policy. We should study the needs of the Cause, find the fields which will give the greatest yield and then appropriate the necessary funds. And such a task is surely most difficult and responsible.”

— “Please convey to the members of the National Assembly Shoghi Effendi’s loving greetings. He is fully conscious of the burdens they have to bear, but he is confident that through their sincerity and wisdom they will guide the Cause through even the greatest storms… .”

– 275 –

1930-04-xx Resumption of Construction of Temple

USBN #40 — April 1930 — page 2

“Nothing will be more conducive to my refreshment and strength than the news of the resumption of the construction of our sorely-neglected Temple. This is the reason why I feel that everything else, however urgent and weighty, should be subordinated to the Temple activity, which must for the present and for some time to come be regarded as the paramount and vital issue facing the American believers.”

— SHOGHI EFFENDI

– 276 –

1930-05-11 To Martha Encouraging to Return to Germany & Balkans

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp176

I feel that on your return to Europe, you should concentrate your efforts on Germany and the Balkans. I hope and pray that in the Balkans you may be enabled to establish Bahá’í centres where the believers may be able to carry on the work which you have so gloriously and devotedly initiated. I feel also that you should make an attempt to meet the Queen, who has already expressed the hope to see you. I will continue to pray for you from the depths of my heart.

– 277 –

1930-05-23 To May Maxwell re Situation with Sohrab Argument for Administration

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p122-3

Every one who has studied the Cause deeply cannot but be certain that Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose in His Mission was not merely to expound certain principles & renew the spirit that the previous prophets brought to the world, but also to establish a definite social fabric that would make those principles of practical value. In a word what Bahá’u’lláh has come to this world for is a World State — the Kingdom of God — the greatest institution that the world has yet seen.

The administrative side of the Cause which is the embryonic stage of that world order, is therefore just as much an intrinsic & indispensable part of the teachings, as the principle of unity of mankind etc. To consider a person a Bahá’í, who does not believe in the administration, is just as if we were to consider him as such when he takes exception to those basic principles …

Shoghi Effendi does not have anything to say against Mrs. Chanler for she is making all that sacrifice for a certain noble ideal of service. He only pities her to be so duped by Aḥmad. All of Shoghi Effendi’s grudge is against Aḥmad who, appearing in the garb of a servant, is doing nothing more than to injure the Cause by sowing the seeds of dissension among the friends, & of securing his own means of livelihood…

Regarding Aḥmad, I feel that if the friends individually & collectively are not watchful, a gradual departure from the spirit & form of the Faith on his part, aided by the resources placed at his disposal by Mrs. Chanler, may soon bring about a state of grave confusion among the believers, & create a split in their ranks. We should be both firm and conciliatory. I look to you as a powerful instrument for the preservation of the unity & of the integrity of our beloved Faith, & will continue to pray for your high endeavour from the depths of my heart.

– 278 –

1930-05-25 Convention Greetings

USBN #41 May 1930 p2

“Convey assembled delegates expression profound gratitude, heartfelt congratulations their heroic achievement. May speedy construction entire edifice usher in era unprecedented triumphs beloved Faith as promised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

“America’s sustained, glorious sacrifice will assuredly endow rising edifice with such spiritual potencies as shall excite wonder, admiration all peoples. Befittingly inaugurate resumption Temple construction. Consecrated carpet need neither be sold nor returned. Dedicated as permanent ornament first Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár of the West. Advise Convention cable National Assemblies news this historic ceremony.

“Martha’s triumphal, unhindered progress through Persia has paved way for delegation representing western Bahá’í’s visit to advance interests of Faith in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land. Deepest love.”

(Signed) Shoghi.

– 279 –

1930-05-30 Instructions re BW Vol III

USBN #48 — February 1931 — page 9-10

To the BW Editorial Secretary

Dear Mr. Windust:

Shoghi Effendi desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of April 6th and March 23rd. The packages of photographs that you sent for “The Bahá’í World” have all reached him. He has selected the most appropriate and has returned the rest to your address in a number of packages. He is deeply grateful to you for the painstaking efforts and the thoroughness and the devotion with which you have collected the material for the forthcoming issue. The entire manuscript has reached him safely. He went over it most carefully, rearranged the whole material, added a few articles, prepared a table of contents which he inserted in the manuscript, arranged the photographs and the captions for each, divided the material into Four Parts and sent them under three separate covers a few days ago to your address.

He is delighted with the illuminated manuscript insert which he has chosen as a frontispiece of the book, and has placed it in its proper place in Part One. We need not insert the translation of the text of the manuscript. He prefers the non-varnished copy. If you think, however, that moisture will affect it, he has no objection to your inserting instead the varnished copy. The photographs for “The Bahá’í World”, he has inserted them all in the manuscript. He would advise the Committee neither to add to, nor to discard, any of the photographs already inserted. He has divided each of the Four Parts into Sections. He has grouped the photographs of each Section and added them to their respective Sections. As to the exact locality of each photograph in these Sections, he has left it to the discretion of the Committee. He would not advise to displace these photographs from one part to another. He would ask you to kindly return to him all the photographs that are within the manuscript after the printing of the book. Among these photographs are two collective ones. On each page of these two collective photographs are nineteen reproductions of outstanding Bahá’ís in the East and in the West. The one is entitled, “Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh”; the other, “Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” He has joined to each a list of the name and title of these Bahá’ís. He would request the Committee to arrange the two collective photographs in a manner that they would face each other in the book. In the back of each he feels the list of their respective names should be inserted. Shoghi Effendi has not yet received Horace’s article on “Survey of Current Bahá’í Activities in the East and West.” He would advise you to insert it immediately if it is finished without awaiting a further word from Shoghi Effendi. He feels that the sooner the book is printed the better. He would advise the utmost care both on the part of the proof reader and the printer. Particularly regarding the transliteration of Oriental terms, he would urge you to exercise the minutest care. He has carefully revised both the list and the articles in this connection. The book should present a distinctive scholarly character and should be free from all manner of type error. The appreciative replies he has received from eminent men to whom he has sent “The Bahá’í World” and to whom he hopes to send Volume III, makes it absolutely imperative to maintain, nay even to improve if possible, the standard already attained. He would particularly request you to insert in the beginning of the book, on a separate page, a statement saying that all the photographs in Volume III are strictly copyrighted and should not, without specific authorization, be reproduced. As to the color of the book, Shoghi Effendi feels that as Volume I has a green cover and Volume II a blue one, that Volume III should be red. He is sending you enclosed the particular shade of red which he feels it advisable to adopt. He would request you to ensure that the cloth cover of Volume III should be exactly in this shade.

Shoghi Effendi is sending enclosed a check for twenty pounds as his promised contribution towards the expense involved in the preparation of the illuminated manuscript. He has already informed the friends in the East and particularly Persia to take the necessary measures for a prompt and substantial order immediately the book is published. The sacred photographs, most of which have never been published before, are of such a nature as to excite the interest of both the Bahá’ís of the East and the West. The graphic and detailed description of the declaration of the Báb in S̱híráz, which Shoghi Effendi has included in Part One is bound to arouse much interest, as the details of that historic meeting are unknown to even the old believers in Persia. That is why he feels that the greatest care should be exercised in the printing of the book.

Shoghi Effendi would wish to have mailed to his name, immediately the book is published, which he hopes will be by the middle of the summer, one hundred (100) copies. He hopes that the friends in every part of the world will cooperate in making the issue of this book a successful financial undertaking. He wishes in conclusion to express his deepest appreciation of your continued and devoted endeavors and wishes me to assure you of his prayers for your success in your many services to the Cause. This letter should not be published in “The Bahá’í World”. It is only for the information of “The Bahá’í World Committee”.

Yours Sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

P.S. — Shoghi Effendi will be pleased to send the price of the hundred copies he has ordered immediately he receives them. R.A.

My Dear and precious co-worker:

I cannot refrain from adding a few words to this already detailed letter, the expression of may deepest admiration for your unsparing efforts in the service of our beloved Faith. Your whole-hearted devotion, conscientious labors, and thoroughness of service are greatly valued and prized by me, and I trust that in the days to come your scope of service may increasingly widen and bear the richest fruit. I have asked Rúḥí to convey my messages and suggestions in my behalf in this letter regarding “The Bahá’í World”, and I am sure that they will be duly considered, as I have great hopes in this publication. I am sending you under separate cover a photo of the London friends which I would suggest to be inserted before or after George Townshend’s “Reflection” on the Hidden Words in Part IV.

Lovingly and gratefully,

SHOGHI.

Haifa,

May 29,

– 280 –

1930-05-30 To Alfred Lund re New History Society & Sohrab

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 2 #1 June 1983 pp73-4

Persian Colony

Haifa, Palestine

30-5-30

Dear Mr. Lunt:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 12th 1930 as well as the enclosed minutes of the N.S.A. He hopes that the changes made in the secretarial work will be for the good, for generally dividing the work between heads brings confusion. After a few years of labour the secretarial work became systematic, and organized. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the present form it has taken will be a step forward. Anyhow you have his earnest prayers and best-wishes.

Concerning the New History Society which seems to have aroused great admiration among some — & great indignation among others, it has really become a problem very difficult to solve. Even though both the Assembly and individuals have written to Shoghi Effendi & asked his opinion none seems daring enough to take a stand. As long as Aḥmad does not want to accept the administration, Shoghi Effendi cannot conscientiously trust him. To accept the Cause without the administration is like to accept the teachings without acknowledging the divine station of Bahá’u’lláh. To be a Bahá’í is to accept the Cause in its entirety. To take exception to one basic principle is to deny the authority & sovereignty of Bahá’u’lláh, & therefore is to deny the Cause. The administration is the social order of Bahá’u’lláh. Without it all the principles of the Cause will remain abortive. To take exception to this, therefore, is to take exception to the fabric that Bahá’u’lláh has prescribed, it is to disobey His law.

In his letters to the Assembly as well as to the individual friends, Shoghi Effendi has made it clear that the friends should in no way associate themselves with the New History Society if these fail to obey the Assemblies. What the friends have been doing is to win over the Assemblies to the New History Society rather than by showing a firm stand make the History Society come to the Assemblies. And this has greatly displeased Shoghi Effendi.

In the May Number of the ‘Psychology’ a copy of which the History Society sent one there is an article on the Bahá’í movement. It definitely states that there are “two sister organizations; one meeting at 110 West 57th Street; the other the New History Society.” It is strange that old and experienced Bahá’ís should acquiesce with such articles that strike at the unity of the Cause, that the Master tried to secure.

It may be that the New History Society has succeeded to attract many souls into the Cause. No one denies that. But there is no reason why such work should not be achieved by the Bahá’ís. The teachings are Bahá’í teachings, only polluted. The only thing they have is that they possess on their staff a person who refuses to accept the social order of Bahá’u’lláh & whose main object is personal ascendancy. That they succeed only shows that the Bahá’ís are failing to do their duty and nothing more.

Excuse me for writing so strongly but it is a candid expression of Shoghi Effendi’s attitude. Notwithstanding this, however, it all rests with the National Assembly to see what is advisable. It is a local problem that they have to solve. Shoghi Effendi only hopes that the members of that spiritual body will be guided in their work and will follow what is to the best interest of the Cause.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that this newly elected assembly will succeed to accomplish a great deal in the field of teaching. We have to add to our numbers & get in new blood if we desire to live and inaugurate the social status that Bahá’u’lláh has brought to the world. With best wishes and loving greetings,

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán

My dear co-workers

The newly established Secretariat as well as the character of the proceedings of this year’s memorable convention have filled my heart with joy and hopefulness. I strongly feel that the teaching work should be regarded henceforth as the paramount issue facing the American believers. Aḥmad Sohrab’s activities should be watched carefully, lest a weak handling of this extremely delicate situation may confuse the minds of the friends & cause a split in the Cause. The Cause has already triumphed over such cases which flare up for a tine & then recede into the shadows of oblivion & are thought of no more. The case of Ḵhayru’lláh, Fareed, Dyar, Mrs. Whyte and others testify to this truth. May the Beloved guide your steps, inspire your hearts & bless your efforts.

Shoghi.

– 281 –

1930-05-30 Watch Sohrab

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 9

“Aḥmad Sohrab’s activities should be watched carefully, lest a weak handling of this extremely delicate situation may confuse the minds of the friends, and cause a split in the Cause. The Cause has already triumphed over such cases which flare up for a time then recede into the shadows of oblivion and are thought of no more. The case of Khyrellah, Fareed, Dyer, Mrs. White and others testify to this truth.”

– 282 –

1930-05-xx To May Maxwell re Choice of Distinguished Early Believers

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p166

I have already cabled my joyous satisfaction and appreciation of your prompt response to my request. I am greatly pleased with your choice and these will in due course appear in the ‘Bahá’í World’.

When published in the BW, Shoghi Effendi designated them as Apostles of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

– 283 –

1930-06-30 re Kitáb-i-Íqán

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 2

To the National Assembly

“As the Íqán is the most important book wherein Bahá’u’lláh explains the basic beliefs of the faith, he thought a proper rendering of it would infinitely enhance the teaching work in the West. He hopes that this new rendering will be an improvement on the previous one, but he fully admits that it is far from perfect, far from the original itself. Shoghi Effendi has given the proper transliteration of the Eastern terms and wants you to abide by them, keeping every dash, point, accent or inverted comma. To help you in this, he has also on a separate sheet written these in their proper form. He wishes you further not to include the introduction that exists in the last edition, for he does not think it worthwhile and enlightening. Drop also the glossary that exists at the end of the last edition and form a glossary using the definitions that he has sent to be put in the forthcoming Bahá’í World. As Shoghi Effendi has been emphasizing the need of submitting all publications to the Reviewing Committee, he wants to be the first to abide by that rule, though he hopes that they will not make unnecessary delay. In Germany they have translated the Íqán from the last translation and they are waiting for Shoghi Effendi’s rendering to make the necessary alterations and publish their own. The proceeds of the sale of the book Shoghi Effendi wishes to go to the American National Assembly in an unlabelled form. This is a gift of his own personal labors that he wishes to present that body and he wishes it to be considered as a token of appreciation for the help they have rendered him in carrying on his arduous task.”

(Signed) RUHI AFNAN.

“Unable to find a good typist, I have had to do the work myself, and I trust that the proofreaders will find it easy to go over and will not mind the type errors which I have tried to correct. I would especially urge you to adhere to the transliteration which I have adopted. The correct title is, I feel, ‘The Kitáb-i-Íqán,’ the sub-title ‘The Book of Certitude.’ May it help the friends to approach a step further, and obtain a clearer idea of the fundamental teachings set forth by Bahá’u’lláh.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

=========

This accompanied the manuscript of his translation of the Íqán.

– 284 –

1930-07-04 To Blomfield re Her Help With His Translating

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p297

You know how appreciative he is for this help and therefore I need not express it…

He hopes you will give to it as much of your time as you can spare … I am sure you will find the task very interesting, because the history as it develops is becoming more and more absorbing …

My deepest thanks for your suggestions in connection with the Íqán which I deeply appreciate. I am sending to your address today a further instalment of Nabíl which I trust you will find interesting. I am soon leaving for my summer rest which I need badly, though I am hoping to devote most of my time to the translation of the narrative. I hope to send you some more as soon as I receive the instalment which I am mailing today.

– 285 –

1930-07-05 To Alaine Locke re Translation of Íqán

First published in “Alain Locke: Bahá’í Philosopher,” p. 49, republished in Alain Locke: Faith and Philosophy, p.

49 Persian Colony

Haifa, Palestine

5-7-30

Dear Prof. Locke:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter as well as the mss. of the Íqán which you had so kindly gone over. Though they were not so many, he found the suggestions you gave most helpful. In translation work the greatest difficulty is to give the thought a lively English expression. This is most difficult for the person who gets absorbed into the original form & is charmed with its beauty. Shoghi Effendi has already incorporated your suggestions & sent his manuscript to the National Assembly for publication. It naturally depends upon that body & the reviewing & publishing committees to decide whether it should come out immediately or not.

The most important service that can now be rendered to the Cause is to put the writings of Bahá’u’lláh in a form that would be presentable to the intellectual minds of the West. Shoghi Effendi’s hope in this work has been to encourage others along this line.

In closing may I express Shoghi Effendi’s best wishes for your health as well as for the services you are rendering to the Cause.

Yours ever sincerely

Rúḥí Afnán

My dear co-worker:

I wish to add a few words expressing my deep appreciation of your valued suggestions in connexion with the translation of the Íqán. I wish also to express the hope that you may be able to lend increasing assistance to the work of the Cause, as I have always greatly admired your exceptional abilities & capacity to render distinguished services to the Faith. I grieve to hear of the weakness of your heart which I trust may through treatment be completely restored. I often remember you in my prayers and ever cherish the hope of welcoming you again in the Master’s home.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 286 –

1930-08-30 For Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly

Unlocking the Power of Action, #27

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The work of the Assembly should be to capitalize the energy and devotion that exists among the friends and guide them along proper channels, whereby good work would be accomplished and no harm be done to the Cause. The first quality for leadership, both among individuals and Assemblies, is the capacity to use the energy and competence that exists in the rank and file of its followers.

– 287 –

1930-08-30 Response to Individual re History Society

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 9

Letter from the Guardian, Through His Secretary, to a Believer of Yonkers, N.Y.

“A year ago, Mrs. Chanler wrote Shoghi Effendi of her plan to work independently of the Assembly. In answer he expressed his disapproval in a most unquestionable term. In the letters and cables that Mrs. Chanler wrote subsequent to that, Shoghi Effendi expressed the same view again. He knew that for a body to defy the Assembly is contrary to the best interests of the Cause; that not only will conflict arise but it will react unfavorably in other parts of the world.

“Some persons in the (United) States feel that the History Society was badly represented to Shoghi Effendi. The source of all our information is the writings of Aḥmad, and the publications of that group. In all his circular letters he harped on the note of freedom, and denounced the red tape that characterizes organizations. Freedom, which Aḥmad reiterates… is not a bad thing if considered in view of the interpretation that Bahá’u’lláh gives in the Aqdas. (See quotation No. 1, above — Editor). The freedom that He commends is a freedom which is a fruit and result of law and proper administration. The other kind of freedom which is in defiance of law He considers to be animal, and far from being of any good to man. He says, ‘True freedom is in obedience to My law.’

“No one wrote to Shoghi Effendi against the History Society; it is Aḥmad’s reports that caused Shoghi Effendi’s mistrust. This literature has not had this effect only on Shoghi Effendi but also on the friends of Australia and New Zealand. In the last two weeks we have had two letters from prominent and firm Bahá’ís of New Zealand and Australia who referred to the History Society and its literature with greatest disapprobation, and with great astonishment that nothing is being done.

“The Cause is an international institution. Every act done in one Center will have some reaction in some other locality. What if the spirit that Aḥmad preaches should be practised in its full? The whole Cause will as a result be destroyed.”

– 288 –

1930-08-30 To Alfred Lunt re Sohrad & New History Society

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 2 #1 June 1983 pp74-5

30-8.30

Dear Kr. Lunt:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated June 20th, July 14th, 17th & 18th, copies of the Bahá’í directory & the minutes of the National Assembly of June 17th to 29th

Concerning Aḥmad’s attitude towards the Assembly & the decision you have taken, Shoghi Effendi has already sent you a cable heartily approving the language as well as the purport of the decision. Since then we have received letters from different parts of the world such as Australia & New Zealand informing us that Aḥmad has been sending them his literature & keeping them informed of his activities. They all expressed indignation at his attitude & were astonished that nothing had been done. Anyhow, Shoghi Effendi is glad that the decision was taken for it would have had a very bad offset upon those countries where the friends are still unexperienced & where the Assemblies cannot stand the flouting of some individuals.

I personally believe that the reason why the New History Society succeeded in attracting new individuals was because that were so many devoted Bahá’ís found there a field for teaching & lend the society their whole-hearted assistance. I think if the Assembly provides a similar field for service & gives them a chance for work such greater work would be achieved. The work of the Assembly should be to capitalize the energy & devotion that exists among the friends and guide them along proper channels, whereby good work would be accomplished & no harm be done to the Cause. The first quality for leadership, both among individuals and Assemblies, is the capacity to use the energy & competence that exists in the rank and file of its followers, otherwise the more competent members of the group will go at a tangent & and try to find elsewhere a field of work & where they could use their energy.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that the Assemblies will do their utmost in planning such teaching activities that every single soul will be kept busy.

In a cable that he sent about ten days ago Shoghi Effendi left the question of the publication of the Íqán in the hands of the Assembly. The help he could render was in translation work, the financial side has to be considered by the Assembly itself. Only a few days after sending the first part he mailed the second. I hope you have received that also.

Please convey to all the friends Shoghi Effendi’s loving greetings, especially to the members of the National Assembly & the blessed angels working at the Evergreen Cabin.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán

PS. Concerning the cornerstone of the Temple which was laid by the Master, Shoghi Effendi says that it has no other special significance than a great honour conferred by the Master upon that building & it should be treated as a cornerstone & nothing more.

Rúḥí.

[Postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

With the assurances of my deep appreciation of your high endeavours & of my prayers for the success of your manifold activities.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 289 –

1930-08-xx Passing of Bourgeois

USBN #45 — October 1930 — page 1

“Grieve passing (of) Bourgeois. May Almighty reward richly his high, unforgettable endeavors. Convey his family heartfelt condolences.”

(Signed)

SHOGHI.

– 290 –

1930-08-xx re New History Society

USBN #44 — September 1930 — page 2

“Approve action regarding History Society. Deeply appreciative loyalty (of) believers.” — (Signed) SHOGHI.

=========

Under these conditions it becomes the obvious responsibility of the National Spiritual Assembly to inform the friends that the activities conducted by Aḥmad Sohrab through the New History Society are to be considered as entirely independent of the Cause, as outside the jurisdiction of the Local and National Assembly, and hence in no wise entitled to the cooperation of Bahá’ís.

[USBN #43 August 1930]

– 291 –

1930-09-19 To Nancy Bowditch Primary Purpose of Assemblies

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p224

Letter to Mrs. Harold Bowditch from Shoghi Effendi via Rúḥí Afnán. Dated 19-9-30. The Persian Colony, Haifa, Palestine.

Dear Bahá’í Sister;

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 18th,15. He hopes that as chairman of the Assembly you will succeed to render many services to the Cause in Boston. Such offices carry with them great responsibilities, but these are blessings for they enable us to serve the Cause so much more. The primary duty of the Assemblies is to take the initiative and find the ways and means for spreading the Cause and strengthening its position.

Teaching in these days is of paramount importance. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the Boston friends will do their best to provide nice meetings where the public is attracted and then encourage personal contact with those who are interested.

The Cause needs new blood, it needs more and more new adepts, new and competent servants. If we do not achieve that we will soon discover ourselves a secluded dying institution. A group can either progress or die, it can never linger idle and survive. Shoghi Effendi will remember the members of the Boston Assembly in his prayers and ask for them divine guidance and help.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Note in Shoghi Effendi’s handwriting:

Assuring you of my fervent prayers for your success and spiritual advancement.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 292 –

1930-09-19 To Nancy Bowditch re Services in Boston

The Artist’s Daughter, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p224

Dear Bahá’í Sister;

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Assuring you of my fervent prayers for your success and spiritual advancement.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 293 –

1930-09-30 To Blomfield re Translation of Dawnbreakers

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p297-8

It brings the story to the banishment of Bahá’u’lláh from Persia, a most logical place to stop, Shoghi Effendi hopes that you have received the previous pages. He has not yet had time to go over the suggestions you have sent him but he is delighted to see that they are numerous …

‘My dear Sitarih Ḵhánum,’ added the Guardian. ‘I am indeed most thankful to you for your painstaking efforts in going over the manuscript and of giving me your valuable suggestions. I trust that you will not be finding it too tedious and exacting a work. I have been working very hard on it, and I trust that it will help advance the interests of the Cause in the West. Again thanking you from the bottom of my heart, Yours affectionately, Shoghi.

– 294 –

1930-10-19 To May Maxwell re Chanler & Sohrab

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p124

The situation in New York is certainly confused & critical. The utmost firmness & vigilance are required at the present moment on the part of the old believers, who have already experienced such crises & know full well that the Cause has eventually surmounted them. Aḥmad is the one who will precipitate this crisis. Mrs. Chanler is his dupe. He will through her do his utmost to bring about a division among the believers. I urge you to endeavour to save Mrs. Chanler from his grasp & to open her eyes to the truth. I will pray that the Beloved may guide your steps, cheer your heart & sustain your devoted efforts. Be not sad nor disheartened, the Cause will eventually triumph.

Shoghi

– 295 –

1930-10-24 Appeal to Believers re Historical Society Situation

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 10

“Appeal American believers, New York believers in particular, (to) recall (during) these days of stress (the) sacredness of their trust (and the) nobility of their calling. Slightest evidence (of) internal division highly detrimental.”

– 296 –

1930-10-24 Re Ruth White

No. 47 — January 1931 — page 1

(Mrs. Ruth) White’s base, preposterous imputations should be entirely ignored. Her machinations can never succeed impede onward march of Cause. Present agitation will assuredly die down. Appeal American Bahá’ís, New York believers in particular, recall these days of stress sacredness of their trust, nobility of their calling. Slightest evidence internal division highly detrimental. Have just completed rough rendering of most detailed authentic narrative early days of Faith trusting its eventual publication may serve heighten enthusiasm deepen faith American believers.

– 297 –

1930-11-04 To Blomfield re Translation and Publication of Dawnbreakers

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p298

‘I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the pains you have taken in going so thoroughly over the manuscript which I am afraid you have found in parts tedious and wearisome,’ wrote Shoghi Effendi. ‘Would you advise its publication? I trust that you are feeling well, and that opportunities to sow the seed and disseminate the knowledge of the Cause are easily forthcoming. I feel rather tired after my strenuous work this summer, and I am now again plunged into an ocean of work on my return to Haifa. Wishing you all success, and assuring you of my prayers at the holy Shrines…’

– 298 –

1930-11-30Participation in the Inter-Religious Congress

USBN #62 — May 1932 — page 11

World’s Fair (1933) Religious Congress Committee

“I feel that every effort should be made to secure from the authorities their approval for the holding of a special Bahá’í session in connection with the Inter-Religious Congress, at which a paper should be read on the Cause, its purpose, teachings and activities. The American believers, and if feasible, believers from Europe, should be adequately and befittingly represented. It would, I am sure, be of great value to the Cause, and if properly organized, would considerably enhance the prestige of the Cause. An international Bahá’í Congress would, on the other hand, due to manifold obstacles in our way, not produce this result. I trust and pray that the Assembly will be divinely assisted and inspired in taking the most effective preliminary measures for such a valuable and far-reaching undertaking.”

SHOGHI.

– 299 –

1930-11-30 Politics of Fellowship of Faiths

USBN #72 — April 1933 — pp. 3

Your letter of November 17 reveals the character of the Fellowship of Faiths and I would urge the Assembly to exercise the utmost possible pressure on any believer no matter how influential he or she may be to withdraw from participation in its political activities.

(signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine,

November 30, 1932

– 300 –

1930-11-xx Greetings to Emperor of Japan via Martha Root

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p105

KINDLY TRANSMIT HIM IMPERIAL MAJESTY EMPEROR OF JAPAN ON BEHALF MYSELF AND BAHÁ’ÍS WORLD OVER EXPRESSION OF OUR DEEPEST LOVE AS WELL AS ASSURANCE OUR HEARTFELT PRAYERS FOR HIS WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY HIS ANCIENT REALM.

– 301 –

1930-12-07 All Letters Approved

USBN #53 — July 1931 — page 5

(From letter to Mrs. Marion Little, New York)

“I wish to add and say that whatever letters are sent in my behalf from Haifa are all read and approved by me before mailing. There is no exception whatever to this rule.”

(Signed) SHOGHI

– 302 –

1930-12-30 To Philip Hainsworth re Teaching in Africa

Looking back in Wonder, Philip Hainsworth, p101-2

Dear Bahá’í Brother;

Your two letters, one undated, and one dated April 19, have been received by our beloved Guardian, as well as the pamphlet — which he was delighted to see.

He would be delighted to see you go as a pioneer to Africa and to later have your mother join you. She seems the true heroic pattern! He feels that in as far as possible the African pioneers should seek to get a job which will take them to one of the countries chosen and ensure employment for them there. It does not seem wise or necessary for a Bahá’í to stress the fact he or she is going there to teach. A people’s religion is their own business, and they can talk about it privately as much as they like without neglecting their employer’s work.

Also, he feels no rules can be laid down about how to teach. Usually one teaches those receptive souls one finds. The same should apply to the beginning of the work in Africa. Any direct teaching work with the more primitive tribes would have to be done after finding out the best and most tactful way of doing it. The first step is to get to Africa, and, in view of the cost involved, and the state of the Fund, the pioneers should make every effort to get sent out there or at least get employment after arriving, thus relieving the Bahá’í Fund as much as possible. If this fails, then of course all the expense will have to be paid by the Fund.

The Guardian is very pleased over the publications in African languages, and greatly appreciates what you have accomplished in this field, as well as your many other services.

He will certainly pray you may settle your affairs satisfactorily at home, and then find a way to go to Africa.

At present no pilgrims are permitted, as you know, but he feels sure some day you will again be a welcome guest in Haifa.

With Bahá’í love, R. Rabbání.

May the Almighty bless your strenuous, constant and high endeavours, and enable you to enrich continually the splendid record of your valuable services to His Faith and its nascent institutions.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.

– 303 –

1930-12-xx Effect of Progress of Temple

USBN #47 Jan 1931 p2

‘The progress of the Temple work is already reacting most favorably on the believers throughout the East, and will through them bring about a great reaction in favor of the Cause. I would appeal to all American Believers for concentrated and sustained effort in the prosecution of this great and holy enterprise. May the Beloved bless their high endeavors and fulfil their hearts’ desire.’

– 304 –

1930-12-xx To Indian Asian Womens Conf re Profound Interest

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p273

CONVEY TO INDIAN ASIAN WOMEN’S CONFERENCE BEHALF GREATEST HOLY LEAF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ’S SISTER AND MYSELF OUR GENUINE PROFOUND INTEREST THEIR DELIBERATIONS. MAY ALMIGHTY GUIDE BLESS THEIR HIGH ENDEAVOURS

– 305 –

1930-xx-xx Concerning the Corner-stone

USBN #46 — November 1930 — page 6

“Concerning the corner-stone of the Temple, which was laid by the Master, Shoghi Effendi says that it has no other special significance than a great honor conferred by the Master upon that building and it should be treated as a corner-stone and nothing more.”

– 306 –

1930-xx-xx The Example of Master in Teaching

USBN #47 — January 1931 — page 6

“Let us bear in mind the example which our beloved Master has clearly set before us. Wise and tactful in His approach, wakeful and attentive in His early intercourse, broad and liberal in all His public utterances, cautious and gradual in the unfolding of the essential verities of the Cause, passionate in His appeal yet sober in argument, confident in tone, unswerving in conviction, dignified in His manners — such were the distinguishing features of our Beloved’s noble presentation of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.”

– 307 –

1930-xx-xx To Tudor Pole re effect of Ruth White Campaign

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p119

The most powerful and determined opponents of the Faith in the East, who have challenged the very basis of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message, … have not even hinted at the possibility of the Will being a forged document. They have vehemently attacked its provisions, but never questioned its authenticity. I feel that the greater the publicity given this vital issue, even if it should involve any government, the better for the Cause …

I feel pity rather than alarm at the efforts Mrs. White is exerting … so great and weighty an issue which she raises, involving as it does the honour of the Cause, is bound sooner or later to be verified … I am convinced that the stir she may create will be not detrimental but advantageous to the Faith.

– 308 –

1930-xx-xx To Unkown re Shoghi Effendi’s Station

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p76

Concerning Shoghi Effendi’s station: he surely has none except what the Master confers upon him in His Will and that Will also states what Shoghi Effendi’s station is. If anyone misinterprets one part of the Will he misinterprets all the Will.

– 309 –

1931-01-08 Necessity of Unity

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

January 8, 1931, Haifa.

“…What is the use of building an edifice to stand for Universal Peace when those who are to occupy it are divided among themselves? The very first consideration of the friends should be to establish the necessary spirit of love and kindliness among themselves and then try to reflect it to the world outside. True unity is of the hearts of men. We have to secure it before we go to building of Temples. Once that is achieved, then the friends should devote their time and energy toward the attraction of new souls.

… Surely the best form of service is when we can pay our own expenses but sometimes we cannot afford it. In such cases the Master permits us to accept the help offered us by others.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 310 –

1931-01-14 Commends BW Vol III

USBN #49 — March 1931 — page 2-3

My dear Mrs. Little:

I am directed by our Guardian to express his grateful thanks for your letter written on behalf of the Publishing Committee and dated December 16,26. He has received the copy of the Bahá’í World Vol. III, with the greatest pleasure and he wishes me to hasten and assure you that he is highly satisfied with the work.

I am also asked to express Shoghi Effendi’s unqualified gratitude to the members of the Publishing Committee and not least yourself for their labors and industry in producing such a noteworthy publication. With his greetings and good wishes to you all,

Sincerely yours,

(Signed) Soheil Afnán.

My dear Co-worker:

I am extremely pleased with the third volume of the Bahá’í World and have already sent a copy to Persia and encouraged the friends throughout the East to order copies directly from New York.

Your true brother,

(Signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine,

January 14,

– 311 –

1931-01-19 To Blomfield re Dawnbreakers

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p299

[The Guardian’s] hope in undertaking this task was to present to the western friends the bare facts of the early days of the Movement, so that the same spirit that animated its early servants may again inspire the friends and arouse them to further exertions and sacrifices.

My dear Ladee,

I wish to thank you most deeply for the painstaking efforts entailed in going so carefully over the entire manuscript. I greatly value your suggestions and will gladly incorporate them in the final copy. I have been revising it very drastically of late … I have been working ten hours a day since I returned home and hope to send it for publication by the end of next month. Again thanking you from all my heart, and with my best wishes to Parvene Ḵhánum, Your true brother, Shoghi. I have added about two hundred pages of notes, all of which I trust will not weary the reader. Shoghi

– 312 –

1931-01-30 re Upcoming Bahá’í World Volume

USBN #48 — February 1931 — page 8-9

to the BW Editorial Secretary

My Dear Mr. Windust:

I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your letter of January 8th with enclosures, all of which he has read with much interest. In view of the importance which, as you are well aware, Shoghi Effendi attaches to “The Bahá’í World” publications, he wishes me to express his grateful and profound appreciation at every available opportunity for the painstaking efforts you lavish upon its publication.

He is already looking forward to a still more instructive and attractive production this year and he patiently awaits the Manuscript next April. You can collect on the other side of the Atlantic all the material you want. He will sift and decide upon them here, after having your recommendation. With the assurance of his affection and prayers for you and your daughters, and with his sincere trust in the materialization of your visit to Haifa,

Sincerely yours,

Sohiel Afnán.

My dear and precious co-worker:

I feel strongly that the forthcoming issue of “The Bahá’í World”, to which you are so devotedly attached, will arouse keen and widespread interest. I eagerly await the Manuscript by the end of April. I would like to urge that the original colors of the Manuscript which has been sent to you for reproduction should be distinctly and faithfully reproduced, inasmuch as the colored reproduction of the Master’s photograph on the frontispiece of Vol. II is slightly different and inferior in shade as compared with the original. May the Beloved guide you, sustain you, and fortify you in your historic task.

Your affectionate brother,

SHOGHI.

Haifa,

January 30,

– 313 –

1931-01-xx Passing of Consul Schwarz

USBN #49 — March 1931 — page 5

“Inexpressibly sad, profoundly deplore passing (of) Germany’s outstanding Bahá’í pioneer worker. The memory (of) his distinguished services (will be) imperishable. (The) Greatest Holy Leaf joins me (in) assurance (of) affectionate prayer (and) heart-felt condolences.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 314 –

1931-02-07 Vigilance Regarding Orientals

USBN #53 — July 1931 — page 5

To New York Spiritual Assembly

“Appeal believers recall Master’s repeated warnings exercise vigilance discrimination reception Orientals otherwise great mischief will result; their credentials, behavior should be critically examined.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 315 –

1931-02-11 Prevailing Distress in America

Mrs. Edris Rice-Wray Carson,

413 Blackhawk Street,

Chicago, Ill.

Persian Colony,

Haifa, Palestine,

11.31

Dear Mrs. Carson:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter. He was very glad to hear of the determination of you and the other young members of the Bahá’í group to arise in serving the Cause.

The prevailing distress in America and Europe should awaken the Youth to the futility of concentrating their whole life on purely material pursuits. They should learn the lesson that spiritual considerations should be the dominating factors of our life, that our guiding purpose should be to enhance our moral life and seek what is eternal and abiding.

Should the different nations continue to go wrong and be guided by the selfish desire of personal aggrandisement, you will be the group that will suffer most. Our present policies bear their fruits only in the future, and it is the Youth of the present that are the men and women of the future.

In his moments of prayer and meditation Shoghi Effendi will remember you all and ask for divine guidance, that you may spread the teachings of the Cause and raise the standard of peace and goodwill throughout the world.

Yours ever sincerely,

(Signed) Rúḥí Afnán.

With the assurance of my loving prayers few your spiritual advancement and success in the service of the Cause,

Your true brother.

(Signed) Shoghi.

– 316 –

1931-02-xx Passing of Francis William Breed

USBN #49 — March 1931 — page 3

“Assure you sympathy, prayers, departed father; love.

SHOGHI.”

=========

[Mr. Breed was father of Florence, wife of ‘Alí Kuli Ḵhán]

– 317 –

1931-03-03 To Martha Root re the Work Dawnbreakers Entailed.

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p217

I have just completed, after eight months of continuous and hard labour, the translation of the history of the early days of the Cause and have sent the manuscript to the American National Assembly. The work comprises about 600 pages and 200 pages of additional notes that I have gleaned during the summer months from different books. I have been so absorbed in this work that I have been forced to delay my correspondence… I am now so tired and exhausted that I can hardly write… The record is an authentic one and deals chiefly with the Báb. Parts of it have been read to Bahá’u’lláh and been revised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá… I am so overcome with fatigue caused by the long and sever strain of the work I have undertaken that I must stop and lie down.

– 318 –

1931-03-09 Association with Orientals

USBN #53 — July 1931 — page 4-5

My dear co-workers: [New York Spiritual Assembly]

I wish to add a few lines and remind you of the necessity of refusing to admit to your assembly, or associate with, any Oriental who does not have proper credentials from a recognized Spiritual Assembly. I am sure that a few are trying to cause mischief and bring about a split in the ranks of the believers in these days of stress, and the utmost caution should be exercised, lest these mischief-makers succeed in undermining the foundations of the Cause.

Your true brother and well wisher,

(Signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine,

March 9,

– 319 –

1931-03-13 Give Faith Due Position

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

March 13, 1931, Haifa.

“… Now that the Temple work is progressing and nearing completion so rapidly, he hopes that the friends will keep pace in their teaching work. When the News Letter arrives, the two most attractive subjects are, the progress of the Temple, and the report of the Teaching Committee.

As far as its organization is considered, the teaching work is made very effective, but that is not sufficient, for we are awaiting results. What we want is persons who give the Cause its due position in their lives and desire to come to our help in furthering its hopes and aspirations.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 320 –

1931-03-15 To Publishing Committee

USBN #51 — April 1931 — page 7

“Much of the progress of the Cause depends upon you, for more people are attracted through reading than by hearing lectures given. The first requisite, however, is that everything that is put before the public should be of the highest type, both literary and artistic. The Cause is in great need of first class publications.”

through Rúḥí Afnán Effendi

– 321–

1931-03-23 To May Maxwell — Ignore Aḥmad Try to Win Back Chanler

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p126-7

My dear and valued co-worker:

Your letter so eloquently testifying to your immovable faith and abiding loyalty to the Cause, has greatly refreshed me. In these days of stress, of suffering and turmoil — out of which the Cause must needs emerge purer, stronger and nobler than ever — I look to you as a shining light, a pillar of faith and a tower of strength overshadowing all who falter and feel disheartened. I strongly feel that the best way to meet the situation is to ignore Aḥmad entirely, neither to openly denounce him nor to financially assist him. Try however to win unreservedly to our beloved Cause that pure and tender hearted Mrs. Chanler, for whom I feel a great love and sympathy. Much love to Mary and her father.

Shoghi

– 322 –

1931-04-02 To USNSA

USBN #55 September 1931 pp1 & 5

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY, APRIL 2, 1931

Read at the Annual Convention

Chicago, May

Dear Mr. Lunt:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge in his behalf the letters that you have written him on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly dated September 27th, December 10th, February 18th, January 20th and March 3rd. all of which he read with the deepest interest, but was unable to answer in view of the pressure of work due to his translation of Nabíl’s history.

Concerning individual teaching, Shoghi Effendi would urge every Bahá’í who feels the urge to exercise his right of teaching unofficially the Cause, to keep in close touch with the Local Spiritual Assembly of the locality in which he is working. The Local Spiritual Assembly while reserving for itself the right to control such activities on the part of individual Bahá’ís, should do its utmost to encourage such teachers and to put at their disposal whatever facilities they would need in such circumstances. Should any differences arise, the National Spiritual Assembly would naturally have to intervene and adjust matters.

Shoghi Effendi feels that in any locality where the number of adult believers reaches nine, a Local Assembly should be established. He fed this to be an obligation rather than a purely voluntary act. Only in exceptional cases has the National Spiritual Assembly the right to postpone the formation of an Assembly if it feels that the situation does not warrant such a formation. This right, however, should be exercised if the situation absolutely demands it. As to the principle according to which the area of the jurisdiction of a Local Assembly is to be determined, he feels this to be the function of the National Spiritual Assembly; whatever principle they uphold should be fairly applied to all localities without any distinction whatever.

As to the character of the meetings in the Auditorium of the Temple, he feels that they should be purely devotional in character, Bahá’í addresses and lectures should be strictly excluded. For the present, he feels that there would be no objection to having Bahá’í meetings including addresses and the business sessions of the Convention held in the Foundation Hall. Shoghi Effendi would urge that choir singing by men, women and children be encouraged in the Auditorium and that rigidity in the Bahá’í service be scrupulously avoided. The more universal and informal the character of Bahá’í worship in the Temple the better. Images and pictures, with the exception of the Greatest Name, should be strictly excluded. Prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and the Master as well as the sacred writings of the Prophets should be read or chanted as well as hymns based upon Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í sacred writings.

Shoghi Effendi would wish you to get in touch with the Egyptian authorities and press for Bahá’í recognition in that land. The petition that you have prepared should be forwarded and the National Spiritual Assembly in Egypt should be pressed to take whatever measure is necessary to insure its success.

The letter you have received from Constantinople is by no means representative of the actual conditions there, and Shoghi Effendi is urging the friends in that city to re-establish their Assembly and resume their relationships with the Bahá’í world.

Concerning the qualifications required for voting, Shoghi Effendi has laid down the essential conditions already in his letters, no further restrictions should be added to them. It is for the Local Assembly to decide in this matter. They should exercise this right with extreme tact and caution and avoid rigidity and formalism. There is no distinction in this respect between new and old believers, nor should contributions to the national or local funds be made a condition for voting.

Shoghi Effendi feels deeply the delicacy and complexity of these problems with which you are constantly being faced, and he will pray for you all that you may be guided in your efforts to extend the scope and consolidate the foundations of God’s Holy Faith.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

My dear co-workers:

I wish to add a few words in person and assure you of my deep sense of appreciation of the wisdom, the energy and the determination With which you are facing and handling the many issues involved in the extension of the Cause, I feel that the Bahá’í world is greatly indebted to you for the splendid manner in which you have arisen to propagate the Faith and to consolidate its basis May the Almighty sustain you in your high endeavors.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

– 323 –

1931-04-02 Various to NSA

USBN #55 — September 1931 — page 1 and 5

To the Members of the National Spiritual Assembly, April 2, 1931

Dear Mr. Lunt:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge in his behalf the letters that you have written him on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly dated September 27th, December 10th, February 18th, January 20th and March 3rd, all of which he read with the deepest interest, but was unable to answer in view of the pressure of work due to his translation of Nabíl’s history.

Shoghi Effendi feels that in any locality where the number of adult believers reaches nine, a Local Assembly should be established. He feels this to be an obligation rather than a purely voluntary act. Only in exceptional cases has the National Spiritual Assembly the right to postpone the formation of an Assembly if it feels that the situation does not warrant such a formation. This right, however, should be exercised if the situation absolutely demands it. As to the principle according to which the area of the jurisdiction of a Local Assembly is to be determined, he feels this to be the function of the National Spiritual Assembly; whatever principle they uphold should be fairly applied to all localities without any distinction whatever.

Concerning the qualifications required for voting, Shoghi Effendi has laid down the essential conditions already in his letters, no further restrictions should be added to them. It is for the Local Assembly to decide in this matter. They should exercise the right with extreme tact and caution and avoid rigidity and formalism. There is no distinction in this respect between new and old believers, nor should contributions to the national or local funds be made a condition for voting.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

My dear co-workers:

I wish to add a few words in person and assure you of my deep sense of appreciation of the wisdom, the energy and the determination with which you are facing and handling the many issues involved in the extension of the Cause. I feel that the Bahá’í world is greatly indebted to you for the splendid manner in which you have arisen to propagate the Faith and to consolidate its basis. May the Almighty sustain you in your high endeavors.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

– 324–

1931-04-xx Riḍván Greetings to Germany

USBN #48 — February 1931 — page 7

“Loving appreciation Riḍván greetings fervently supplicating Beloved continued blessings upon His dearly beloved loyal and valiant followers in that Land. Shoghi.”

– 325 –

1931-04-xx Riḍván Greetings to German NSA

USBN #48 — February 1931 — page 7

A second cable to the Chairman followed with the contents:

“Convey Bahá’í Congress my admiration for their loyalty, noble endeavor praying for harmony your selection Spiritual National Assembly deepest love Riḍván greetings. Shoghi.”

– 326 –

1931-05-01 Greetings to U.S. National Conv

USBN #52 — May 1931 — page 1

“The Greatest Holy Leaf joins me in requesting delegates assembled under Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár’s sacred dome convey all American believers expression our heartfelt congratulations, boundless joy, profound gratitude practical completion superstructure glorious edifice. Fervently appeal all associated this holy enterprise, consummate their achievement by upholding whatever manner national representatives may deem necessary for provision exterior ornamentation. Inestimable blessing shall crown America’s sustained, self-sacrificing endeavor.

SHOGHI.”

– 327–

1931-05-01 Appeal for Exterior Ornamentation Temple

USBN #53 July 1931 p3

“Fervently appeal all associated this holy enterprise, consummate their achievement by upholding whatever measures National representatives may deem necessary for provision exterior ornamentation. Inestimable blessing shall crown America’s sustained self-sacrificing endeavors.” —

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 328 –

1931-05-02 Response to Election of NSA

USBN #52 — May 1931 — page 1

[Upon transmitting news of re-election of entire membership of National Assembly:]

“Welcome your action as befitting tribute to National Assembly’s magnificent record of service. Deeply appreciate. Profoundly moved. Striking evidence Bahá’í solidarity. Continued self-sacrifice.”

“SHOGHI.”

– 329 –

1931-05-31 New Era When Temple Completed

USBN #55 Sept 1931 p4

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 9th,15. He sincerely hopes that now that the Temple is completed it will be filled to the full with pure, seeking souls. It should be different from other houses of worship, where, even if they are filled, their source of attraction is the music heard. Here the spirit should be so powerful as to awaken the heart of every one that enters, to the glory of Bahá’u’lláh and to the importance of the message of peace He has brought to the world. Please God, the Master’s promise will be fulfilled and the construction of the Temple will inaugurate a new era in the history of the Cause in America.”

– 330 –

1931-05-xx Greeting to German Convention

USBN #53 — July 1931 — page 7

Cable-greeting from Shoghi Effendi

“Haifa — Schwarz-Alexanderstrasse — Stuttgart

Convey convention delegates expression profound admiration constancy German believers overjoyed their successful resistance severe trials assure them loving continued prayers.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 331 –

1931-05-xx Passing of Claudia Coles

USBN #53 — July 1931 — page 7

Claudia Coles — funeral May

“Deeply grieved passing such staunch indefatigable Bahá’í worker. Assure her daughter, relatives, friends, heartfelt condolences, fervent prayers.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 332 –

1931-06-04 Re Limited Edition of Nabíls Narrative

No. 55 — September 1931 — page 3

“Shoghi Effendi was delighted with the splendid suggestion of your husband (Mr. Raymond D. Little) regarding the Nabíl Narrative and he is glad that your Publishing Committee has approved it. He has already hastened in cabling ‘yes’ and he wishes me to write in full to assure you that he would be quite ready to autograph the volumes for the de luxe edition. The initial cost of the publication was something that worried him, hence his gratitude for the able suggestion of your husband.”

=========

This is in response to the idea that there be a Limited Edition of the Dawn-Breakers, consisting of 150 copies signed by Shoghi Effendi.

– 333 –

1931-06-20 Teaching and the Temple

USBN #53 — July 1931 — page 3

“Shoghi Effendi believes that the Temple and teaching work should be continued to be regarded as the twin outstanding activities of the Believers in America. Everything else should be subordinated to this urgent need. The work of applying the exterior ornamentation to the completed structure should proceed steadily and as speedily as possible. Shoghi Effendi feels that the full effect and influence of the Temple can be revealed only when the work in its entirety is accomplished. All the beauty and glory of the Temple depends upon the exterior garment of stone with which it is to be adorned, while the consummation of the task will in itself act as a magnet that will draw the promised blessings of the Master. Nothing short of continued self-sacrifice can achieve this end. In fact, the greater the obstacles in our way, the greater will be the reward we are destined to reap. The present financial depression should be regarded both as a challenge and an opportunity to prove the reality and potency of our faith. Shoghi Effendi will continue to pray for the American Believers who are destined to render still more glorious services to the Cause in the future.”

– 334 –

1931-06-xx Exterior Ornamentation of Temple

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 2

Perhaps also it is not too late to recall the Guardian’s message to the 1931 Convention:

“Fervently appeal to all associated with this holy enterprise to consummate their achievement by upholding whatever measures National representatives may deem necessary for provision of exterior ornamentation. Inestimable blessing shall crown America’s sustained, self-sacrificing endeavors.”

– 335 –

1931-07-24 To British Bahá’ís re Rosenburg and Coles

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p299

Although this year has been on the whole very disastrous because of the terrible loss which the English friends have suffered by the passing of Miss Rosenberg and Mrs Claudia Coles, yet the Guardian hopes that the believers far from being discouraged will be enabled to unite their efforts and to carry on a successful campaign of teaching. He wishes the friends to follow the example of our two distinguished Bahá’í sisters who have recently passed away and to never cease to deliver the Holy Message by every means at their disposal.

=========

Weinberg gives as a source a memorandum fm the Research Dept, rather than a copy in an archives. It is also not contained in the “Unfolding Destiny”, which makes it unclear to whom the msg was sent.

– 336 –

1931-07-31 To Latimer Obo SE re Geyserville & Public

Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God, Chapman, p58

The Geyserville Summer School should be considered as one of the best means through which the public can be acquainted with the teachings and the principles of the Faith.

– 337 –

1931-08-03 To Martha re Queen Maries Response

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp180

MARTHA

CARE WILHELMITE NEW YORK

DELIGHTED MARIE’S RESPONSE. KINDLY TRANSMIT PRINCESS ILEANA CONGRATULATIONS BEST WISHES

SHOGHI

=========

“Marie’s response” is a ref to material the material she sent of use in the BW.

Princess Ileana had just gotten married.

– 338 –

1931-08-05 Re Nabíl’s Narrative

USBN #52 May 1931 p4

“Heartily endorse plan to secure co-operation believers publication Nabíl’s Narrative. Mailing October check for hundred copies. — SHOGHI.’’

– 339 –

1931-08-10 To Nancy Bowditch re Appreciation for Named SVCS

The Artist’s Daughter, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p254-5

Dear Mrs. Bowditch:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter written from Dublin. He was pleased to know of the work you and Mrs. Parsons succeeded to do this last summer, and hopes that it is the beginning of a greater work in the future. He trusts that every one of those who were interested will keep on studying the literature until they become well grounded in the tenets of the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi saw your article published in the Star and was so pleased with it that he hopes to include it in the Bahá’í World. Shoghi Effendi does not know of any special Tablet of the Master concerning Dublin. He would however like to see Mrs. Parsons stress the dynamic influence the Master’s personality had upon those who entered His presence, and also state some incidents to confirm that fact.

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear that you are busy working on a portrait of Dr. Esslemont. When completed, he would like to see it hung in the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh in Bahjí, adjoining to His room.

Please extend Shoghi Effendi’s greetings to Mr. Frank Chant; he hopes that you will keep in touch with him, for without a personal touch such persons may gradually be lost to the Cause. Though the seed planted in their heart will never die out completely, yet they will fail to bear fruit and render some service to the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi was also glad to hear that Polly is keeping up her interest and conscientiously studying the literature. Please remember him to her.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi’s prayers and of his appreciation for the services you are rendering to the Cause.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I very much regret the unavoidable delay in answering your most welcome letter. I wish to assure you in person of my keen appreciation of the moving article you have contributed to the Star. It has greatly touched me. I am looking forward to your painting which I trust will ere long adorn the walls of the Mansion at Bahjí. The memory of your visit is still fresh in my mind. I will continue to pray for you that the beloved may inspire your pen and tongue in the service of His Cause.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 340 –

1931-08-10 re Nancy Bowditch Portrait of Esslemont

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p254-5

Letter from The Guardian via Rúḥí Afnán to Nancy Bowditch. Dated 8-10-31, Persian Colony, Haifa, Palestine.

Dear Mrs. Bowditch:

Shoghi Effendi was also glad to hear that Polly is keeping up her interest and conscientiously studying the literature. Please remember him to her.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi’s prayers and of his appreciation for the services you are rendering to the Cause.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Note in Shoghi Effendi’s handwriting:

Dear and valued co-worker:

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 341 –

1931-08-22 To Martha

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp180-1

No words can adequately express my pleasure at the receipt of your letter enclosing the precious appreciation which will constitute a valuable and outstanding contribution to the forthcoming issue of ‘The Bahá’í World’ … I shall retain it until I receive the manuscript of ‘The Bahá’í World’, and will insert it myself in its proper place. You will I am sure express our deepest thanks to her for her response. You will, I presume, acquaint Mrs French with this noteworthy contribution to the work in which she is so devotedly engaged.

I hope that you will be able before you leave the States to send to Mrs French a graphic and illuminating report of your worldwide and unique activities during the past two years. I am certain that next to the Queen’s appreciation, your article will be regarded as the most noteworthy and inspiring contribution to the book.

– 342 –

1931-08-25 NSA Palestine Branch Incorporated

USBN #57 — December 1931 — page 3

“It would interest you to know that the American National Spiritual Assembly, Palestine Branch, has been incorporated according to the law in Palestine, not as a foreign corporation or a charitable trust, but as a “religious society” enjoying all the privileges attaching to recognized religious institutions in the Holy Land. Shoghi Effendi hopes to transfer to the name of your Assembly additional plots of land in the vicinity of the shrine of Bahá’u’lláh in ‘Akká and of the Báb at Mount Carmel as soon as he obtains the necessary authorization from the authorities, inasmuch as the right of holding real estate by religious institutions is strictly limited according to Palestinian law. This step which he has taken, which has necessitated many months of careful and delicate negotiations with both the local and central authorities, our Guardian feels will constitute the prelude to the eventual formation and recognition, by the Palestine Government, of a properly constituted International Bahá’í Assembly, functioning as an independent religious body in the Holy Land.”

– 343 –

1931-08-25 Re True Pilgrim’s Notes of 1931

USBN #57 — December 1931 — page 4

“Regarding the quotation from Mrs. True’s notes, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of both their authenticity and present application. The celebration of November 26th as the Day of the Covenant should be observed by the believers throughout the world.”

=========

see notes at USBN #57 December 1931 p4

– 344 –

1931-08-29 To Corrine True Various

USBN #57 — December 1931 — page 4

Letter to Mrs. Corinne True, dated August 29th, 1931

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

I am charged by Shoghi Effendi to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your kind letter of July 30th, 1931, and to extend to you his loving appreciation of your precious and continued services to our beloved Cause.

He wishes me also to inform you of the receipt of the picture of the first Convention which you had sent for him, and he has placed it in the Mansion at Bahjí.

Regarding the statements which you had made in your recent talk to the Racine Bahá’ís, Shoghi Effendi fully approves their validity and urges all the American believers to abide by them. He wishes you, therefore, to write again and recommend Dr. Morris, whose last letter addressed to you he read with careful attention, to not let himself become involved in the policies of the different new movements that are springing up in the States, and to concentrate all his efforts on activities which are purely Bahá’í in character.

This should not mean that the ideal which these societies are promoting are contrary to those proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh. Most of them present great similarities to the Bahá’í teachings. But the chief difference is that the Bahá’í principles and the Bahá’í institutions are divine in their origin and their character and that they are under the divine protection of Bahá’u’lláh. It is in His Name therefore, that the Bahá’ís should strive. It is to Him that they should look for help, and it is in His Bounty that they should have an unswerving faith.

With the renewed assurance of Shoghi Effendi’s best wishes and of his constant and fervent prayers for your spiritual advancement and success.

Yours in His Service,

(Signed) H. Rabbání.

Written on the above letter by Shoghi Effendi:

“Dear and esteemed co-worker:

I have corroborated, in my recent letter to Mr. Lunt, the statement that you have made regarding my conversations with you in Haifa. They have been accurately and faithfully conveyed. Your staunch, unswerving faith, your boundless devotion and assiduous care to preserve the integrity and extend the bounds of the Cause, are among the most richly valued assets that the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has in that land. Every visit you pay us in Haifa serves to confirm this conviction. I would now urge you to remind, encourage and appeal to all believers you meet, to arise however great the obstacles, to contribute their share to the New Plan of Unified Action recently announced by the National Spiritual Assembly. The Plan has my wholehearted and unqualified approval. May every believer speedily and generously respond.

Your true brother,

“SHOGHI.”

– 345 –

1931-08-31 Re New Plan of Unified Action

USBN #56 — October-November 1931 — page 1

“My dear and esteemed co-workers:

The new Plan of Unified Action conceived, adopted and published by your Assembly is an admirable one. It is at once concise, appealing in tone, dignified in presentation and practical in its conception. It fully and truly deserves the unreserved support of every American believer. I shall be glad to associate myself with this further collective and heroic effort exerted by the friends by contributing to your National Fund, every month for a period of three years, the sum of $81. Your Assembly, faithful to its trust and conscious of its high calling, has sounded the call for a further and final effort on the part of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in that land. It is for them, now if ever, to arise for the speedy consummation of a divinely appointed task.

Shoghi.”

– 346 –

1931-09-05 To Mrs. Victoria Bedikian

No. 55 — September 1931 — page 5

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your letter dated July 15th, 1931, and to assure you of his profound appreciation of your continued and precious services to the Cause.

The Guardian was particularly gratified to receive your enclosed letters addressed to some of the believers encouraging them to endorse the New Plan of Unified Action recently issued by the National Assembly.

He wishes you, however, to persevere in your efforts and to be wholly confident in the promises of the Master concerning the ultimate triumph of the Faith.

We are passing through an age of scepticism and unbelief; but we should not let our faith lose in its strength or be dimmed by the mischief clouds of hesitation and doubt.

With the assurance of Shoghi Effendi’s best wishes and of his ardent prayers for your advancement and success,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

My dear co-worker:

Your unremitting labors are a great encouragement to me and a source of real joy. You should continue, with undivided attention and undiminished energy, your historic work of enlisting world-wide support for the New Plan of Unified Action which I have already heartily endorsed. May the Almighty sustain and bless your exemplary endeavors.

SHOGHI.

– 347 –

1931-09-10 To Willard Hatch

USBN #56 — October-November 1931 — page 3

To Mr. Willard Hatch,

“I hope and pray that you will be able to concentrate your efforts on arousing the believers and urging them to attain to still greater mass-sacrifice and self-abnegation. The new plan must not fall into abeyance, it deserves the sustained and energetic support of every believer in the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Inestimable blessing shall crown America’s high and self-sacrificing endeavors.”

– 348 –

1931-09-xx To USNSA various

USBN #56 — October-November 1931 — page 3

To the National Spiritual Assembly

Mr. Alfred Lunt, Secretary.

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

I am directed by Shoghi Effendi to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your three letters dated July 6th, June 4th and July 9th, together with their enclosures, all of which he has read with careful attention and deep interest.

Our Guardian wishes me to express his lively satisfaction at the efficiency and promptness with which the National Spiritual Assembly have undertaken the publication of “Nabíl’s Narrative”. The plan you have conceived to further the means for its production has met with his unqualified approval, and he hopes that the response of the believers, not only among the English speaking Bahá’ís, but the friends throughout the world, will be such as to repay fully the painstaking efforts which you have exerted to insure its success.

He has already cabled you expressing his desire to associate himself with the effort that you have made, and he will be glad to forward in the month of October a check for the hundred copies of the standard edition which he has requested you to send him. In addition he will mail a sum of three-hundred dollars for nine copies of the special edition which he hopes to send to a few well-known friends of the Cause. Shoghi Effendi would be pleased to hear of the response of the believers to the call for both editions and would be glad to help in any way he possibly can for a wide and prompt distribution of the volume published by your committee…

Shoghi Effendi was rather affected to learn of the meagre response of the believers to the call urging them to maintain the standard of their self-sacrificing endeavors in connection with the Temple. He is fully alive to the critical character of the financial situation throughout the world and is well aware of the extent of sacrifice that the completion of the structure has already entailed. The publication of the “New Plan of Unified Action,” he fervently hopes and prays, will prove the signal for a fresh outburst of self-sacrificing zeal which can alone carry this sacred enterprise to a successful conclusion.

Regarding the report of the Committee on Persian travel, Shoghi Effendi feels that the paramount needs of the Temple should be given first consideration by the believers. Not until the work of the exterior ornamentation on the first unit (superstructure) of the Temple has sufficiently advanced would he advise the American believers to embark on a fresh financial enterprise, however valuable and significant it might be.

Our Guardian trusts that a careful reading of Nabíl’s Narrative will not only serve to familiarize the American believers with the character of the stirring events that have marked the birth of the Cause in that land, but will serve to deepen their realization of the spirit that animated those who have achieved such immortal renown on its soil.

With Shoghi Effendi’s renewed assurance of unqualified admiration for the manner in which you have arisen, in collaboration with the other members of the National Spiritual Assembly, to discharge your sacred and arduous duties.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) H. Rabbání.

My dear and esteemed co-worker:

The “New Plan of Unified Action” conceived, adopted and published by your Assembly is an admirable one. It is at once concise, appealing in tone, dignified in presentation and practical in its conception. It fully and truly deserves the unreserved support of every American believer. I shall be glad to associate myself with this further collective and heroic effort exerted by the friends by contributing to your National Fund every month for a period of three years, the sum of ninety-five dollars. Your Assembly, faithful to its trust and conscious of its high calling, has sounded the call for a further and final effort on the part of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in that land. It is for them, now if ever, to arise for the speedy consummation of a divinely appointed task.

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 349 –

1931-10-08 obo SE to Juanita Storch re Effect of Geyserville

Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God, Chapman, p58

… Those who assemble there, then disperse throughout the Western states with a new spirit and added determination to spread the Cause.

– 350 –

1931-10-19 re Finances

USBN #56 — October-November 1931 — page 3

… the following cablegram just received from Shoghi Effendi —

“Profoundly deplore stringency (the) financial situation. An appeal to individuals and Assemblies alike (to) maintain despite world-wide depression, (their) high standard (of) self-sacrificing efforts (for the) National Fund is imperative. Abundant blessings shall be vouchsafed its staunch supporters. — SHOGHI.”

– 351 –

1931-11-02 Study Nabíl’s Narrative

USBN #56 — October-November 1931 — page 2

Important Cable from Shoghi Effendi dated November 2, 1931

“Urge all English speaking Believers concentrate study Nabíl’s immortal Narrative as essential preliminary to renewed intensive Teaching Campaign necessitated by completion Mastyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">shriqu’l-Astyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">dhkár. Strongly feel widespread use of its varied rich and authentic material constitutes most effective weapon to meet challenge of a critical hour. Unhesitatingly recommend it to every prospective visitor of Bahá’u’lláh’s native land.

— SHOGHI.”

– 352 –

1931-11-09 Prayers for New BLFVS in Bulgaria

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #19

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

In his moments of prayer Shoghi Effendi will think of you and the other new believers of Bulgaria. He sincerely hopes that each of you will become a flaming light and become a centre of radiation throughout that region. The Balkans have for over a century been a hot-bed of political conflicts and war; may they through your spirit and the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh become the fountain-head of peace and goodwill for all that continent. National hatreds and political and economic strife have almost ruined the civilized world; may you help to turn the steps of the people back to love of God and human brotherhood.

(9 November 1931 to an individual believer)

– 353 –

1931-11-11 Bahá’u’lláh’s Promise to Regions Around Adrianople

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #21

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Shortly after His departure from Adrianople where He was exiled for five years, Bahá’u’lláh wrote a Tablet in which He states that under every stone He has laid a seed which will soon germinate.¹ This promise refers to the regions around Adrianople which naturally include Bulgaria. His actual words are very promising and who knows but now is the beginning of the day when those promises are to be fulfilled.

The Balkan people have for long been suffering from war and social and political strife. It is high time that peace may reign, that differences may be set aside, that strife may cease…

(11 November 1931 to the Bahá’ís of Sofia on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

– 354 –

1931-11-11 Thankful for Work in Bulgaria

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #20

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

He feels deeply thankful and gratified for the wonderful work you and Miss Jack have been doing in Bulgaria. He sincerely hopes that as a result of your work a centre will be created there which in turn will spread the Message through the Balkans. Those countries are in great need of the Divine Message because they have been divided into warring factions that have endangered the life of Europe. Through constant war those countries have come to the verge of ruin. They need the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to bring peace and change the prevailing hatred between the factions into a mutual understanding based upon the love of God and human brotherhood.

(11 November 1931 to an individual believer)

– 355 –

1931-11-13 To Illinois Wisconsin Inter-Assembly Meeting

USBN #48 — February 1931 — page 4

“Assure members Illinois-Wisconsin Conference my loving prayers Holy Shrines. Heartily share their joys. Shoghi.”

– 356 –

1931-11-15 Great Duty Towards the Cause and then Society

USBN #71 — February 1933 — pp. 2

“The friends have a great duty, first towards the Cause and then towards society at large. Bahá’u’lláh has come to the world with a divine Message and devoted all His life and withstood all forms of persecution in the hope of establishing it firmly. We are now the trustees of that Mission. It is for us to bring that task begun by Bahá’u’lláh to a final consummation. Should we fail, we have been untrue to our Lord and also remained deaf to the cry of humanity seeking salvation.”

(To Miss Elsa Nordquist, Seattle, Washington, through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, November 15, 1931).

– 357 –

1931-11-15 World is Reaching the Verge of Ruin

No. 69 — December 1932 — page 3

“See how through national hatreds, economic shortsightedness and racial prejudice the world is reaching the verge of ruin. Should we stay our hand and fail to apply the Divine remedy Bahá’u’lláh has prescribed in His Writings, all the people of the civilized world will perish.”

— From a letter written by the Guardian, through his secretary, to Mr. C. G. Nordquist, Seattle, dated Haifa, Palestine, November 15,

– 358 –

1931-11-17 Balkans, A Very Fertile Field

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #22

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

The Balkans, Shoghi Effendi believes, are a very fertile field, their people very ready. They have so long and severely suffered from wars, and their aftermath, that they undoubtedly long to enjoy a reign of permanent peace. But the work is nevertheless not so very easy, and not free from its own stumbling blocks. There is undoubtedly much prejudice to overcome, and much religious antagonism to be faced. But these are the thorns that any new field will have. We should not mind them. We should concentrate upon the promise given by Bahá’u’lláh that the hosts of the Kingdom are ever ready to pour down and assist anyone who would rise with a determined mind and a free heart.

(17 November 1931 to two believers)

– 359 –

1931-11-19 Balkan States in Awful Condition

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p186-7

It is needless to say how deeply he was interested in the news you had to give him, especially in the names of those who have accepted the message and those who show enough interest to study it. He sincerely hopes that you will pursue your work and establish a regular Assembly.

If you already have five believers it is easy to find the rest.

Let every person teach one other soul and immediately you will have the necessary number completed …

The Balkan states are in an awful condition. It has been for the last century a centre of constant strife and hatred, and wars that have sprung up there have invariably brought misery to others also. It is therefore very essential that the message of peace be brought to these lands, that swords may be changed into ploughshares and the love of God be inculcated in the heart of the people. Among them are undoubtedly some ready and receptive souls who are fit to act as a leaven of goodness to those regions. Try to win them over and enlist them in the army of God.

In his moments of prayer and meditation Shoghi Effendi will surely remember you and ask for you divine guidance and help. Look not to your own ability to present the message; look to the promise of Bahá’u’lláh that He would help every soul who would rise to His service.

[In Guardian’s handwriting]

… Your splendid services, rendered with such faith, such humility, such perseverance and devotion, have at last been crowned with success. You have achieved a task that will ever live in, nay adorn and enrich, the annals of Goďs immortal Faith. What is now necessary is to consolidate the work already achieved. I have already cabled you urging a prolongation of your stay which I consider as vital and essential.

[to Marion Jack, 19 Nov 1931]

– 360 –

1931-11-20 Inter-Faith Activities

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

November 20, 1931, Haifa.

“…Concerning your association with the Fellowship of Faiths, Shoghi Effendi has no objection for any friend to work with some group if his real aim is to interest the people in the Cause, and is not at the same time involving himself with political affairs or associating the Cause with any unworthy school of thought, it is for the individual to find out whether the work they are undertaking falls within these limits.

He wishes he had some more in the field who, with determined mind and consecration of their time and means, would arise to the spread of the tenets of the Faith. The Master is, from His place of Glory, beholding our activities, and considering how truly we are keeping our covenant with Him, to serve His Cause. May we help in the realization of His hopes and win His favor and blessings.

Your true brother,

Shoghi”

– 361 –

1931-11-xx Calamity and Suffering

USBN #58 — January 1932 — page 1

Letter from Shoghi Effendi — To a Believer

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated October 14,15. You seem to complain about the calamities, that have befallen humanity. In the spiritual development of man a stage of purgation is indispensable, for it is while passing through it that the over-rated material needs are made to appear in their proper light. Unless society learns to attribute more importance to spiritual matters, it would never be fit to enter the golden era foretold by Bahá’u’lláh. The present calamities are parts of this process of purgation, through them alone will man learn his lesson. They are to teach the nations, that they have to view things internationally, they are to make the individual attribute more importance to his moral, than his material welfare.

In such a process of purgation, when all humanity is in the throes of dire suffering, the Bahá’í should not hope to remain unaffected. Should we consider the beam that is in our own eye, we would immediately find that these sufferings are also meant for ourselves, who claimed to have attained. Such world crisis is necessary to awaken us to the importance of our duty and the carrying on of our task. Suffering will increase our energy in setting before humanity the road to salvation, it will move us from our repose for we are far from doing our best in teaching the Cause and conveying the Message with which we have been entrusted. Shoghi Effendi will pray for you, as well as the other friends, so that you may arise with greater determination in the consummation of this noble work.

Yours very sincerely,

(Signed) Rúḥí Afnán.

Dear and valued co-worker:

This is to assure you in person of my profound sense of loving appreciation of your continued and splendid services to the Cause. I wish you to persevere despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles and to rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered in your behalf. Concentrate on your work for the colored, for this is a work that will attract the mightiest confirmations and blessings of Bahá’u’lláh and will earn you the abiding gratitude of future generations in the Cause.

Your true brother,

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 362 –

1931-12-20 Completion of Temple

USBN #59 February 1932 p3

“I deeply appreciate the continued and self-sacrificing endeavors of the American believers in the face of the grave financial and economic depression into which their country and the whole world is now plunged. That the Temple edifice should arise under such circumstances, that its elaborate and exquisite ornamentation should be carried out, through the efforts of a mere handful of Bahá’í followers despite the gloom, the uncertainty and the dangers which surrounded them is but another evidence of the mysterious, all-compelling power of Bahá’u’lláh whose blessings will be bountifully vouchsafed to all who arise to carry out His purpose. The Cause is entering upon a period of unprecedented achievements. The full measure of its glory and power will be gradually manifested, if we, on our part, execute in their entirety the instructions and bequests bequeathed to us by our beloved Master. The American believers have made a speedy and successful termination a task which they have so nobly initiated and which they alone are destined to accomplish.” December 20,

– 363 –

1931-12-25 Public Speaking & Contacts With Social Movements

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“Public speaking is undoubtedly very important for a person who desires to teach, but this should be learned in schools and classes especially arranged for such training. We should not permit an inferior presentation of the Cause to the public for the sole reason that we desire to learn to do it better in the future. The youth should be encouraged to train themselves in public speaking while they are still pursuing their studies in schools or colleges.

“It is surely very necessary that the friends should keep in touch with the modern social movements, but their main objective should be to draw more people to the spirit and teachings of the Cause. They should learn from the experience of others and not permit themselves to go (off) at a tangent, and finally be so absorbed in other movements as to forget the Cause of God.”

(To Mrs. Harding, Urbana, through Rúḥí Afnán. Received December 25, 1931).

– 364 –

1931-12-25 Approve NYC Declaration of Trust

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 3-4

Shoghi Effendi approves New York Declaration of Trust

The chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly …. of New York City has received from Shoghi Effendi a letter and also a cablegram….

The first portion of the letter was written through his secretary: “It is surely very important to give to the Local Spiritual Assemblies some legal standing, for as the Cause progresses and its adherents increase, they will be confronted with duties they cannot even imagine at present. Not only will they have to make contracts for acquiring halls for their meeting place, but also they will be obliged to create new institutions to care for their sick, pure and aged people. We hope that before long the Bahá’ís will even (be able to) afford to have schools that would provide the children the intellectual and spiritual education as prescribed in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master.

“For such duties that will naturally devolve upon the Local Spiritual Assemblies there will be an increasing need for a legal standing. They will have to be considered as a legal person with the power of making binding contracts.

“In small centers where the friends are still few, the taking of such steps is rather premature and may add to the complexity of Bahá’í administration. Not so, however, with New York which, I suppose, is the largest center in the United States.”

The Guardian added the following words in his own handwriting:

“Kindly convey to the members of your distinguished Assembly and through them to the entire Bahá’í Community in New York, the expression of my heartfelt gratification, admiration and gratitude for the historic step that has been taken by the Bahá’ís of New York, the City of the Covenant, for the consolidation of their local activities. I am entirely in agreement with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, endorse its principles, approve its purpose, and believe it to be eminently practicable, useful and serviceable to the interests of the Cause. It will serve as a pattern for every Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly in America and a model for every local community throughout the Bahá’í world. This document, being the first of its kind, should, I feel, be published, in its final form and in its entirety, in “The Bahá’í World.””

– 365 –

1931-12-28 Request Photos of NYC LSA

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 4

“Urge mail promptly two photographs, one (of) New York Assembly, another (of) entire local community to accompany (the) publication (in) “Bahá’í World” (of) New York’s splendid Declaration of Trust. Heartfelt congratulations.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

=========

see also 1931-12-25 approve NYC Declaration of Trust

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 3-4

– 366 –

1931-12-29 re “Divine Art of Living”

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 8

Letter received by the Publishing Committee

Persian Colony

Haifa, Palestine

12-29-31.

Dear Mrs. Little:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, written
on behalf of the Publishing Committee, regarding the Publication of the “Divine
Art of Living”.

Shoghi Effendi has laid down a principal that the Bahá’ís should not attribute much importance to talks, reported to have been given by the Master, if there have not in one form or another obtained His sanction.

Bahá’u’lláh has made it clear enough that only those things that have been revealed in the form of Tablets have a binding power over the friends. Hearsays may be matters of interest but can in no way claim authority. This basic teaching of Bahá’u’lláh was to preserve the Faith from being corrupted like Islám which attributes binding authority to all the reported sayings of Muḥammad.

This being a basic principle of the Faith we should not confuse Tablets that were actually revealed and mere talks attributed to the founders of the Cause. The first have absolute binding authority while the latter can in no way claim our obedience. The highest thing this can achieve is to influence the activities of the one who has heard the saying in person.

Those talks of the Master that were later reviewed by Him and corrected or in some other form considered authentic by Himself, such as the “Some Answered Questions”, these could be considered as Tablets and therefore be given the necessary binding power. All the other talks such as are included in Aḥmad’s diary or the other diaries of pilgrims, do not fall under this category and could be considered only as interesting material to be taken for what they are worth.

For this reason Shoghi Effendi has not been encouraging the publication of reported sayings that were not authenticated by the Master Himself. Shoghi Effendi is trying to prevent the friends from considering as actual words of the Master things that were not authenticated by Him.

Now in so far as the “Divine Art of Living” is concerned, some of the friends wrote Shoghi Effendi and stated that the book is very much liked, so he did permit its publication in its old form. The question, however, totally changes when the plates no more exist. He would surely not advise you to undertake that expense at this time and bring out a book where authentic and non-authentic material is hopelessly confused. It greatly detracts from the worth of a book to have in it quotations from Tablets which are absolutely binding and reported sayings that have no authority.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi’s prayers and best wishes and assure you of his loving greetings.

Yours ever sincerely

(Signed) Rúḥí Afnán.

– 367 –

1931-xx-xx Introduction To Nabíl’s Narrative

Introduction To Nabíl’s Narrative

The Bahá’í Movement is now well known throughout the world, and the time has come when Nabíl’s unique narrative of its beginnings in darkest Persia will interest many readers. The record which he sets down with such devoted care is in many respects extraordinary. It has its thrilling passages, and the splendour of the central theme gives to the chronicle not only great historical value but high moral power. Its lights are strong; and this effect is more intense because they seem like a sunburst at midnight. The tale is one of struggle and martyrdom; its poignant scenes, its tragic incidents are many. Corruption, fanaticisms and cruelty gather against the cause of reformation to destroy it, and the present volume closes at the point where a riot of hate seems to have accomplished its purpose and to have driven into exile or put to death every man, woman, and child in Persia who dared to profess a leaning towards the teaching of the Báb.

Nabíl, himself a participant in some of the scenes which he recites, took up his lonely pen to recite the truth about men and women so mercilessly persecuted and a movement so grievously traduced.

He writes with ease, and when his emotions are strongly stirred his style becomes vigorous and trenchant. He does not present with any system the claims and teaching of Bahá’u’lláh and His Forerunner. His purpose is the simple one of rehearsing the beginnings of the Bahá’í Revelation and of preserving the remembrance of the deeds of its early champions. He relates a series of incidents, punctiliously quoting his authority for almost every item of information. His work in consequence, if less artistic and philosophic, gains in value as a literal account of what he knew or could from credible witnesses discover about the early history of the Cause.

The main features of the narrative — the saintly heroic figure of the Báb, a leader so mild and so serene, yet eager, resolute, and dominant; the devotion of his followers facing oppression with unbroken courage and often with ecstasy; the rage of a jealous priesthood inflaming for its own purpose the passions of a bloodthirsty populace — these speak a language which all may understand. But it is not easy to follow the narrative in its details, or to appreciate how stupendous was the task undertaken by Bahá’u’lláh and His Forerunner, without some knowledge of the condition of church and state in Persia and of the customs and mental outlook of the people and their masters Nabíl took this knowledge for granted. He had himself travelled little if at all beyond the boundary of the empires of the S̱háh and the Sulṭán, and it did not occur to him to institute comparisons between his own and foreign civilisations. He was not addressing the Western reader. Though he was conscious that the material he had collected was of more than national or Islámic importance and that it would before long spread both eastward and westward until it encircled the globe, yet he was an Oriental writing in an Oriental language for those who used it, and the unique work which he so faithfully accomplished was in itself a great and laborious task.

There exists in English, however, a literature about Persia in the nineteenth century which will give the Western reader ample information on the subject. From Persian writings which have already been translated, or from books of European travellers like Lord Curzon, Sir J. Malcolm, and others not a few, he will find a lifelike and vivid if unlovely picture of the [pg 17] Augean conditions which the Báb had to confront when He inaugurated the Movement in the middle of the nineteenth century.

All observers agree in representing Persia as a feeble and backward nation divided against itself by corrupt practices and ferocious bigotries. Inefficiency and wretchedness, the fruit of moral decay, filled the land. From the highest to the lowest there appeared neither the capacity to carry out methods of reform nor even the will seriously to institute them National conceit preached a grandiose self-content. A pall of immobility lay over all things, and a general paralysis of mind made any development impossible.

To a student of history the degeneracy of a nation once so powerful and so illustrious seems pitiful in the extreme. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who in spite of the cruelties heaped on Bahá’u’lláh, on the Báb, and on Himself, yet loved His country, called their degradation “the tragedy of a people”; and in that work, “The Mysterious Forces of Civilisation,” in which He sought to stir the hearts of His compatriots to undertake radical reforms, He uttered a poignant lament over the present fate of a people who once had extended their conquests east and west and had led the civilisation of mankind. “In former times,” he writes, “Persia was verily the heart of the world and shone among the nations like a lighted taper. Her glory and prosperity broke from the horizon of humanity like the true dawn disseminating the light of knowledge and illumining the nations of the East and West. The fame of her victorious kings reached the ears of the dwellers at the poles of the earth. The majesty of her king of kings humbled the monarchs of Greece and Rome Her governing wisdom filled the sages with awe, and the rulers of the continents fashioned their laws upon her polity. The Persians being distinguished among the nations of the earth as a people of conquerors, and justly admired for their civilisation and learning, their country became the glorious centre of all the sciences and arts, the mine of culture and a fount of virtues. … How is it that this excellent country now, by reason of our sloth, vanity, and indifference, from the lack of knowledge and organisation, from the poverty of the zeal and ambition of her people, has suffered the rays of her prosperity to be darkened and well-nigh extinguished?”

Other writers describe fully those unhappy conditions to which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá refers.

At the time when the Báb declared His Mission, the government of the country was, in Lord Curzon’s phrase, “a Church-State.” Venal, cruel, and immoral as it was, it was formally religious. Muslim orthodoxy was its basis and permeated to the core both it and the social lives of the people. But otherwise there were no laws, statutes, or charters to guide the direction of public affairs. There was no House of Lords nor Privy Council, no synod, no Parliament. The S̱háh was despot, and his arbitrary rule was reflected all down the official scale through every minister and governor to the lowliest clerk or remotest headman. No civil tribunal existed to check or modify the power of the monarch or the authority which he might choose to delegate to his subordinates. If there was a law, it was his word. He could do as he pleased. It was his to appoint or to dismiss all ministers, officials, officers, and judges. He had power of life and death without appeal over all members of his household and of his court, whether civil or military. The right to take life was vested in him alone; and so were all the functions of government, legislative, executive, and judicial. His royal prerogative was limited by no written restraint whatever.

Descendants of the Sháhs were thrust into the most lucrative posts throughout the country, and as the generations went by they filled innumerable minor posts too, far and wide, till the land was burdened with this race of royal drones who owed their position to nothing better [pg 18] than their blood and who gave rise to the Persian saying that “camels, fleas, and princes exist everywhere.”

Even when a S̱háh wished to make a just and wise decision in any case that might be brought before him for judgment, he found it difficult to do so, because he could not rely on the information given him. Critical facts would be withheld, or the facts given would be distorted by the influence of interested witnesses or venal ministers. The system of corruption had been carried so far in Persia that it had become a recognised institution which Lord Curzon describes in the following terms:

“I come now to that which is the cardinal and differentiating feature of Iranian administration. Government, nay, life itself, in that country may be said to consist for the most part of an interchange of presents. Under its social aspects this practice may be supposed to illustrate the generous sentiments of an amiable people; though even here it has a grimly unemotional side, as, for instance, when, congratulating yourself upon being the recipient of a gift, you find that not only must you make a return of equivalent cost to the donor, but must also liberally remunerate the bearer of the gift (to whom your return is very likely the sole recognised means of subsistence) in a ratio proportionate to its pecuniary value. Under its political aspects, the practice of gift-making, though consecrated in the adamantine traditions of the East, is synonymous with the system elsewhere described by less agreeable names. This is the system on which the government of Persia has been conducted for centuries, and the maintenance of which opposes a solid barrier to any real reform. From the S̱háh downwards, there is scarcely an official who is not open to gifts, scarcely a post which is not conferred in return for gifts, scarcely an income which has not been amassed by the receipt of gifts. Every individual, with hardly an exception, in the official hierarchy above mentioned, has only purchased his post by a money present either to the S̱háh, or to a minister, or to the superior governor by whom he has been appointed. If there are several candidates for a post, in all probability the one who makes the best offer will win.

“… The ‘madakhil’ is a cherished national institution in Persia, the exaction of which, in a myriad different forms, whose ingenuity is only equalled by their multiplicity, is the crowning interest and delight of a Persian’s existence. This remarkable word, for which Mr. Watson says there is no precise English equivalent, may be variously translated as commission, perquisite, douceur, consideration, pickings and stealings, profit, according to the immediate context in which it is employed. Roughly speaking, it signifies that balance of personal advantage, usually expressed in money form, which can be squeezed out of any and every transaction. A negotiation, in which two parties are involved as donor and recipient, as superior and subordinate, or even as equal contracting agents, cannot take place in Persia without the party who can be represented as the author of the favour or service claiming and receiving a definite cash return for what he has done or given. It may of course be said that human nature is much the same all the world over; that a similar system exists under a different name in our own or other countries, and that the philosophic critic will welcome in the Persian a man and a brother. To some extent this is true. But in no country that I have ever seen or heard of in the world, is the system so open, so shameless, or so universal as in Persia. So far from being limited to the sphere of domestic economy or to commercial transactions, it permeates every walk and inspires most of the actions of life. By its operation, generosity or gratuitous service may be said to have been erased in Persia from the category of social virtues, and cupidity has been elevated into the guiding principle of human conduct…. Hereby is instituted an arithmetical progression of plunder from the sovereign to the subject, each unit in the descending scale remunerating himself from the unit next in rank below his, and the hapless peasant being the ultimate victim. It is not surprising, under these [pg 19] circumstances, that office is the common avenue to wealth, and that cases are frequent of men who, having started from nothing, are found residing in magnificent houses, surrounded by crowds of retainers and living in princely style. ‘Make what you can while you can’ is the rule that most men set before themselves in entering public life. Nor does popular spirit resent the act; the estimation of any one who, enjoying the opportunity, has failed to line his own pockets, being the reverse of complimentary to his sense. No one turns a thought to the sufferers from whom, in the last resort, the material for these successive ‘madakhils’ has been derived, and from the sweat of whose uncomplaining brow has been wrung the wealth that is dissipated in luxurious country houses, European curiosities and enormous retinues.”

To read the foregoing is to perceive something of the difficulty of the Báb’s mission; to read the following is to understand the dangers he faced, and to be prepared for a story of violence and heinous cruelty.

“Before I quit the subject of the Persian law and its administration, let me add a few words upon the subject of penalties and prisons. Nothing is more shocking to the European reader, in pursuing his way through the crime-stained and bloody pages of Persian history during the last and, in a happily less degree, during the present century, than the record of savage punishments and abominable tortures, testifying alternately to the callousness of the brute and the ingenuity of the fiend. The Persian character has ever been fertile in device and indifferent to suffering; and in the field of judicial executions it has found ample scope for the exercise of both attainments. Up till quite a recent period, well within the borders of the present reign, condemned criminals have been crucified, blown from guns, buried alive, impaled, shod like horses, torn asunder by being bound to the heads of two trees bent together and then allowed to spring back to their natural position, converted into human torches, flayed while living.

“… Under a twofold governing system, such as that of which I have now completed the description — namely, an administration in which every actor is, in different aspects, both the briber and the bribed; and a judicial procedure, without either a law or a law court — it will readily be understood that confidence in the Government is not likely to exist, that there is no personal sense of duty or pride of honour, no mutual trust or co-operation (except in the service of ill-doing), no disgrace in exposure, no credit in virtue, above all no national spirit or patriotism.”

From the beginning the Báb must have divined the reception which would be accorded by His countrymen to His teachings, and the fate which awaited Him at the hands of the mullás. But He did not allow personal misgivings to affect the frank enunciation of His claims nor the open presentation of His Cause. The innovations which He proclaimed, though purely religious, were drastic; the announcement of His own identity startling and tremendous. He made Himself known as the Qá’im, the High Prophet or Messiah so long promised, so eagerly expected by the Muḥammadan world. He added to this the declaration that he was also the Gate (that is, the Báb) through whom a greater Manifestation than Himself was to enter the human realm.

Putting Himself thus in line with the traditions of Islám, and appearing as the fulfilment of prophecy, He came into conflict with those who had fixed and ineradicable ideas (different from His) as to what those prophecies and traditions meant. The two great Persian sects of Islám, the shí’ah and the sunnís, both attached vital importance to the ancient deposit of their faith but did not agree as to its contents or its import. The shí’ah, out of whose doctrines the Bábí Movement rose, held that after the ascension of the High Prophet Muḥammad He was [pg 20] succeeded by a line of twelve Imáms. Each of these, they held, was specially endowed by God with spiritual gifts and powers, and was entitled to the whole-hearted obedience of the faithful. Each owed his appointment not to the popular choice but to his nomination by his predecessor in office. The twelfth and last of these inspired guides was Muḥammad, called by the shí’ah “Imám-Mihdí, Hujjatu’lláh [the Proof of God], Bagíyyatu’lláh [the Remnant of God], and Qá’im-i-‘Alí-Muḥammad [He who shall arise of the family of Muḥammad].” He assumed the functions of the Imám in the year 260 of the Hegira, but at once disappeared from view and communicated with his followers only through a certain chosen intermediary known as a Gate. Four of these Gates followed one another in order, each appointed by his predecessor with the approval of the Imám. But when the fourth, Abu’l-Ḥasan-‘Alí, was asked by the faithful, before he died, to name his successor, he declined to do so. He said that God had another plan. On his death all communication between the Imám and his church therefore ceased. And though, surrounded by a band of followers, he still lives and waits in some mysterious retreat, he will not resume relations with his people until he comes forth in power to establish a millennium throughout the world.

The sunnís, on the other hand, take a less exalted view of the office of those who have succeeded the High Prophet. They regard the vicegerency less as a spiritual than as a practical matter. The Khalíf is, in their eyes, the Defender of the Faith, and he owes his appointment to the choice and approval of the People.

Important as these differences are, both sects agree, however, in expecting a twofold Manifestation. The shí’ahs look for the Qá’im, who is to come in the fulness of time, and also for the return of the Imám Ḥusayn. The sunnís await the appearance of the Mihdí and also “the return of Jesus Christ.” When, at the beginning of his Mission, the Báb, continuing the tradition of the shí’ahs, proclaimed His function under the double title of, first, the Qá’im and, second, the Gate, or Báb, some of the Muḥammadans misunderstood the latter reference. They imagined His meaning to be that He was a fifth Gate In succession to Abu’l-Ḥasan-‘Alí. His true meaning, however, as He himself clearly announced, was very different. He was the Qá’im; but the Qá’im, though a High Prophet, stood in relation to a succeeding and greater Manifestation as did John the Baptist to the Christ. He was the Forerunner of One yet more mighty than Himself. He was to decrease; that Mighty One was to increase. And as John the Baptist had been the Herald or Gate of the Christ, so was the Báb the Herald or Gate of Bahá’u’lláh.

There are many authentic traditions showing that the Qá’im on His appearance would bring new laws with Him and would thus abrogate Islám. But this was not the understanding of the established hierarchy. They confidently expected that the promised Advent would not substitute a new and richer revelation for the old, but would endorse and fortify the system of which they were the functionaries. It would enhance incalculably their personal prestige, would extend their authority far and wide among the nations, and would win for them the reluctant but abject homage of mankind. When the Báb revealed His Bayán, proclaimed a new code of religious law, and by precept and example instituted a profound moral and spiritual reform, the priests immediately scented mortal danger. They saw their monopoly undermined, their ambitions threatened, their own lives and conduct put to shame. They rose against Him in sanctimonious indignation. They declared before the S̱háh and all the people that this upstart was an enemy of sound learning, a subverter of Islám, a traitor to Muḥammad, and a peril not only to the holy church but to the social order and to the State itself.

[pg 21]The cause of the rejection and persecution of the Báb was in its essence the same as that of the rejection and persecution of the Christ. If Jesus had not brought a New Book, if He had not only reiterated the spiritual principles taught by Moses but had continued Moses’ rules and regulations too, He might as a merely moral reformer have escaped the vengeance of the Scribes and Pharisees. But to claim that any part of the Mosaic law, even such material ordinances as those that dealt with divorce and the keeping of the Sabbath, could be altered — and altered by an unordained preacher from the village of Nazareth — this was to threaten the interests of the Scribes and Pharisees themselves, and since they were the representatives of Moses and of God, it was blasphemy against the Most High. As soon as the position of Jesus was understood, His persecution began. As He refused to desist, He was put to death.

For reasons exactly parallel, the Báb was from the beginning opposed by the vested interests of the dominant Church as an uprooter of the Faith. Yet, even in that dark and fanatical country, the mullás (like the Scribes in Palestine eighteen centuries before) did not find it very easy to put forward a plausible pretext for destroying Him whom they thought their enemy.

The only known record of the Báb’s having been seen by a European belongs to the period of His persecution when an English physician resident in Tabríz, Dr. Cormick, was called in by the Persian authorities to pronounce on the Báb’s mental condition. The doctor’s letter, addressed to a fellow practitioner in an American mission in Persia, is given in Professor E. G. Browne’s “Materials for the Study of the Bábí Religion.” “You ask me,” writes the doctor, “for some particulars of my interview with the founder of the sect known as Bábís. Nothing of any importance transpired in this interview, as the Báb was aware of my having been sent with two other Persian doctors to see whether he was of sane mind or merely a madman, to decide the question whether he was to be put to death or not. With this knowledge he was loth to answer any questions put to him. To all enquiries he merely regarded us with a mild look, chanting in a low melodious voice some hymns, I suppose. Two other siyyids, his intimate friends, were also present, who subsequently were put to death with him, besides a couple of government officials. He only deigned to answer me, on my saying that I was not a Musulman and was willing to know something about his religion, as I might perhaps be inclined to adopt it. He regarded me very intently on my saying this, and replied that he had no doubt of all Europeans coming over to his religion. Our report to the S̱háh at that time was of a nature to spare his life. He was put to death some time after by the order of the Amír — Nizám, Mírzá Taqí Ḵhán. On our report he merely got the bastinado, in which operation a farrásh, whether intentionally or not, struck him across the face with the stick destined for his feet, which produced a great wound and swelling of the face. On being asked whether a Persian surgeon should be brought to treat him, he expressed a desire that I should be sent for, and I accordingly treated him for a few days, but in the interviews consequent on this I could never get him to have a confidential chat with me, as some government people were always present, he being a prisoner. He was a very mild and delicate-looking man, rather small in stature and very fair for a Persian, with a melodious soft voice, which struck me much. Being a Siyyid, he was dressed in the habit of that sect, as were also his two companions. In fact his whole look and deportment went far to dispose one in his favour. Of his doctrine I heard nothing from his own lips, although the idea was that there existed in his religion a certain approach to Christianity. He was seen by some Armenian carpenters, who were sent to make some repairs in his prison, reading the Bible, and he took no pains to conceal it, but on the contrary told them of it. Most assuredly the Musulman fanaticism does not exist in his religion, as applied to Christians, nor is there that restraint of females that now exists.”

[pg 22]Such was the impression made by the Báb upon a cultivated Englishman. And as far as the influence of His character and teaching have since spread through the West, no other record is extant of His having been observed or seen by European eyes.

His qualities were so rare in their nobility and beauty, His personality so gentle and yet so forceful, and His natural charm was combined with so much tact and judgment, that after His Declaration He quickly became in Persia a widely popular figure. He would win over almost all with whom He was brought into personal contact, often converting His gaolers to His Faith and turning the ill-disposed into admiring friends.

To silence such a man without incurring some degree of public odium was not very easy even in the Persia of the middle of last century. But with the Báb’s followers it was another matter.

The mullás encountered here no cause for delay and found little need for scheming. The bigotry of the Muḥammadans from the S̱háh downwards could be readily roused against any religious development. The Bábís could be accused of disloyalty to the S̱háh, and dark political motives could be attributed to their activities. Moreover, the Báb’s followers were already numerous; many of them were well-to-do, some were rich, and there were few but had some possessions which covetous neighbours might be instigated to desire. Appealing to the fears of the authorities and to the base national passions of fanaticism and cupidity, the mullás inaugurated a campaign of outrage and spoliation which they maintained with relentless ferocity till they considered that their purpose had been completely achieved.

Many of the incidents of this unhappy story are given by Nabíl in his history, and among these the happenings at Mázindarán, Nayríz, and Zanján stand out by reason of the character of the episodes of the heroism of the Bábís when thus brought to bay. On these three occasions a number of Bábís, driven to desperation, withdrew in concert from their houses to a chosen retreat and, erecting defensive works about them, defied in arms further pursuit. To any impartial witness it was evident that the mullás’ allegations of a political motive were untrue. The Bábís showed themselves always ready — on an assurance that they would be no longer molested for their religious beliefs — to return peacefully to their civil occupations. Nabíl emphasises their care to refrain from aggression. They would fight for their lives with determined skill and strength; but they would not attack. Even in the midst of a fierce conflict they would not drive home an advantage nor strike an unnecessary blow.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá is quoted in the “Traveller’s Narrative,” pp. 34–35, as making the following statement on the moral aspect of their action:

[pg 23]“The minister (Mírzá Taqí Ḵhán), with the utmost arbitrariness, without receiving any instructions or asking permission, sent forth commands in all directions to punish and chastise the Bábís. Governors and magistrates sought a pretext for amassing wealth, and officials a means of acquiring profits; celebrated doctors from the summits of their pulpits incited men to make a general onslaught; the powers of the religious and the civil law linked hands and strove to eradicate and destroy this people. Now this people had not yet acquired such knowledge as was right and needful of the fundamental principles and hidden doctrines of the Báb’s teachings, and did not recognise their duties. Their conceptions and ideas were after the former fashion, and their conduct and behaviour in correspondence with ancient usage. The way of approach to the Báb was, moreover, closed, and the flame of trouble visibly blazing on every side. At the decree of the most celebrated doctors, the government, and indeed the common people, had, with irresistible power, inaugurated rapine and plunder on all sides, and were engaged in punishing and torturing, killing and despoiling, in order that they might quench this fire and wither these poor souls. In towns where there were but a limited number, all of them with bound hands became food for the sword, while in cities where they were numerous, they arose in self-defence in accordance with their former beliefs, since it was impossible for them to make enquiry as to their duty, and all doors were closed.”

Bahá’u’lláh, on proclaiming some years later His Mission, left no room for uncertainty as to the law of His Dispensation in such a predicament when He affirmed: “It is better to be killed than to kill.”

Whatever resistance the Bábís offered, here or elsewhere, proved ineffective. They were overwhelmed by numbers. The Báb Himself was taken from His cell and executed. Of His chief disciples who avowed their belief in Him, not one soul was left alive save Bahá’u’lláh, who with His family and a handful of devoted followers was driven destitute into exile and prison in a foreign land.

But the fire, though smothered, was not quenched. It burned in the hearts of the exiles who carried it from country to country as they travelled. Even in the homeland of Persia it had penetrated too deeply to be extinguished by physical violence, and still smouldered in the people’s hearts, needing only a breath from the spirit to be fanned into an all-consuming conflagration.

The Second and greater Manifestation of God was proclaimed in accordance with the prophecy of the Báb at the date which He had foretold. Nine years after the beginning of the Bábí Dispensation — that is, in 1853 — Bahá’u’lláh, in certain of His odes, alluded to His identity and His Mission, and ten years later, while resident in Bag̱hdád, declared Himself as the Promised One to His companions.

Now the great Movement for which the Báb had prepared the way began to show the full range and magnificence of its power. Though Bahá’u’lláh Himself lived and died an exile and a prisoner and was known to few Europeans, His epistles proclaiming the new Advent were borne to the great rulers of both hemispheres, from the S̱háh of Persia to the Pope and to the President of the United States. After His passing, His son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá carried the tidings in person into Egypt and far through the Western world. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited England, France, Switzerland, Germany, and America, announcing everywhere that once again the heavens had opened and that a new Dispensation had come to bless the sons of men. He died in November, 1921; and to-day the fire that once seemed to have been put out for ever, burns again in every part of Persia, has established itself on the American continent, and has laid hold of every country in the world. Around the sacred writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the authoritative exposition of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá there is growing a large volume of literature in comment or in witness. The humanitarian and spiritual principles enunciated decades ago in the darkest East by Bahá’u’lláh and moulded by Him into a coherent scheme are one after the other being taken by a world unconscious of their source as the marks of progressive civilisation. And the sense that mankind has broken with the past and that the old guidance will not carry it through the emergencies of the present has filled with uncertainty and dismay all thoughtful men save those who have learned to find in the story of Bahá’u’lláh the meaning of all the prodigies and portents of our time.

Nearly three generations have passed since the inception of the Movement. Any of its early adherents who escaped the sword and the stake have long since passed away in the course of nature. The door of contemporary information as to its two great leaders and their heroic disciples is closed for ever. The Chronicle of Nabíl as a careful collection of facts made in the [pg 24] interests of truth and completed in the lifetime of Bahá’u’lláh has now a unique value. The author was thirteen years old when the Báb declared Himself, having been born in the village of Zarand in Persia on the eighteenth day of Safar, 1247 A.H. He was throughout his life closely associated with the leaders of the Cause. Though he was but a boy at the time, he was preparing to leave for style="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">Shaystyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">kh Ṭabarsí and join the party of Mullá Ḥusayn when the news of the treacherous massacre of the Bábís frustrated his design. He states in his narrative that he met, in Ṭihrán, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid ‘Alí, a brother of the Báb’s mother, who had just returned at the time from visiting the Báb in the fortress of Chihríq; and for many years he was a close companion of the Báb’s secretary, Mírzá Aḥmad.

He entered the presence of Bahá’u’lláh in Kirmansháh and Ṭihrán before the date of the exile to ‘Iráq, and afterwards was in attendance upon Him in Bag̱hdád and Adrianople as well as in the prison-city of ‘Akká. He was sent more than once on missions to Persia to promote the Cause and to encourage the scattered and persecuted believers, and he was living in ‘Akká when Bahá’u’lláh passed away in 1892 A.D. The manner of his death was pathetic and lamentable, for he became so dreadfully affected by the death of the Great Beloved that, overmastered by grief, he drowned himself in the sea, and his dead body was found washed ashore near the city of ‘Akká.

His chronicle was begun in 1888, when he had the personal assistance of Mírzá Músá, the brother of Bahá’u’lláh. It was finished in about a year and a half, and parts of the manuscript were reviewed and approved, some by Bahá’u’lláh, and others by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The complete work carries the history of the Movement up to the death of Bahá’u’lláh in

The first half of this narrative, closing with the expulsion of Bahá’u’lláh from Persia, is contained in the present volume. Its importance is evident. It will be read less for the few stirring passages of action which it contains, or even for its many pictures of heroism and unwavering faith, than for the abiding significance of those events of which it gives so unique a record.

– 368 –

1931-xx-xx Greetings to Herbert Hoover via Martha Root

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p104-5

KINDLY CONVEY PRESIDENT HOOVER ON BEHALF FOLLOWERS BAHÁ’U’LLÁH WORLD OVER EXPRESSION THEIR FERVENT PRAYERS FOR SUCCESS HIS UNSPARING EFFORTS IN PROMOTING CAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD AND PEACE — A CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY HAVE STEADFASTLY LABOURED WELL NIGH A CENTURY.

– 369 –

1931-xx-xx Plans for BW Vol IV

USBN #54 August 1931 p5

“In preparation for Vol. IV, which is to cover the period from April 1930 to April 1932 all Local Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and Committees throughout the Bahá’í world are requested to plan with their respective National Spiritual Assemblies the gathering of suitable material for that volume. Photographs and articles of interest may be forwarded at any time. Reports to be incorporated in the “Survey of Current Bahá’í Activities in the East and West,” should be in the hands of the Committee not later than November 1st,87. The contents of Vol. III will suggest the various materials desired for such an important and historic publication as the Bahá’í World. Articles and photographs that show the present progress of the Cause, as well as records of past events, are particularly desired.”

– 370 –

1932-01-04 To Emeric Sala re Montreal Youth Activities

Tending the Garden: A Biography of Emeric and Rosemry Sala, p38

Haifa, Palestine,

1-4-32

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to read and obtain first hand information as to the way the young people in Montreal have succeeded to attract many souls and inspire them with the spirit of service to our beloved Faith. Once the youth learns that this Cause is their Cause, and that through it they can ensure their future social tranquility and spiritual progress, then they will arise and consecrate their life to the promotion of this Faith. And as you clearly state in your report, no one can awaken the youth of the world to a consciousness of this road to salvation except from their own numbers — youths already inspired with the Bahá’í spirit.

– 371 –

1932-01-13 Sufferings Make More Receptive

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

January 13, 1932 Haifa.

“… The sufferings that prevail in the world and the salvation of the spirit and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh promise, should awaken the people from their slumber and make them more open-minded and receptive.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.”

– 372 –

1932-01-14 re Recent General Letter

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 2

Persian Colony

Haifa, Palestine

Jan. 14, 1932

Dear Roy:

… Concerning the general letter he has sent lately to the Western friends, to which you refer in your letter; Shoghi Effendi thinks that the friends should spread the message it conveys to the public. It should undoubtedly be done in a very judicious way lest the people think that we have entered the arena of politics with rather drastic programs of reform. But we should at the same time show the lead that the teachings take towards the realization of the international ideal. The primary importance of the Cause among the existing religions of the world is that, whereas the others have no coherent program upon which they are united, the Movement is rich with the very spirit and teachings of world needs for solving its present international problems. It is wonderful chance for the Cause to absorb the interest of the intelligent elements in the public…

Please convey Shoghi Effendi’s greetings to your Mother as well as to the Members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Yours every sincerely,

(Signed) Rúḥí Afnán.

=========

This is a reference to the World Order letter titled “The Goal Of A New World Order” dated November 28,

– 373 –

1932-01-16 Establishment of the International Bahá́’í Archives

Guidance Regarding Bahá’í Archives

Compiled by Bahá’í International Archives

Finally a reference should be made to the establishment of the international Bahá’í archives on Mount Carmel occupying the two chambers adjoining the Shrine of the Báb. Here have been collected, arranged and preserved the relics, articles of clothing, writings and photographs of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and the Master, as well as a mass of invaluable documents and manuscripts, consisting mostly of unpublished and untranslated and authenticated Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, some of them beautifully illuminated and Guidance Regarding Bahá’í Archives mounted. Some of these have been so arranged that the pilgrims visiting the Holy Land will be able to view these priceless relics. This institution, Shoghi Effendi hopes, will serve as a model and stimulus to the National Spiritual Assemblies in the different parts of the world to establish similar institutions which will serve to collect, arrange and preserve for posterity any documents, sacred or otherwise, connected with the Bahá’í Faith.

From a letter dated 16 January 1932 to a National Spiritual Assembly

– 374 –

1932-01-21 Hope for Assembly in Budapest

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, p8

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear of your trip to Budapest and your lecture together with Prof. R. Vambery on the Bahá’í outlook on peace. He sincerely hopes that before long we will have a group of believers there with a properly constituted Spiritual Assembly. Miss Martha Root hopes to visit there while travelling through Europe. We hope that her activities will enhance that work. Central Europe is in great need of the teachings for it has fully felt the consequences of war and international hatred. The people are seeking a spiritual light that will lead them to salvation.

(21 January 1932 to an individual believer)

– 375 –

1932-01-27 John Bosch re Purpose of Summer Schools

No. 63 — June 1932 — page 3

“Shoghi Effendi feels that the real purpose of these Summer Schools is to deepen the knowledge of the friends. Lectures are very essential for they give a wonderful picture of the subject matter. But it is not sufficient to have a picture; the friends should deepen their knowledge and this can be achieved if, together with the lectures, there are study classes and seminar work carried on by the same lecturer. The world is undoubtedly facing a great crisis and the social, economic and political conditions are becoming daily more complex. Should the friends desire to take the lead in informing the world, they should start by educating themselves and understand what the troubles and problems really are which baffle the minds of men. It is in these Summer Schools that this training should be provided for the friends.”

=========

Date taken from Scholarship (BSB)

– 376 –

1932-01-29 Central & Eastern Europe More Receptive than Western Countries

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #9

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Central and Eastern Europe are much more receptive than any of the western countries. They have felt the evils of war and therefore are more receptive to spiritual matters.

(29 January 1932 to an individual believer)

– 377 –

1932-01-29 Failure of Material Civilization

USBN #61 — April 1932 — page 3

January 29,

My dear Roy [Wilhelm]

Many thanks for your card of Jan. 12th… Shoghi Effendi and the rest of us are delighted as to the work that is being accomplished in America. This failure of material civilization should bring man near to spiritual matters. Working for material comfort and prosperity is becoming so useless and hopeless that we may well turn our attention more to God and the future life. The Temple also seems to be attracting so much attention and arousing so much interest in the teachings. We do hope that the friends are availing themselves of these opportunities and are really active in spreading the Message.

Shoghi Effendi and the rest of the family are well and send you their loving greetings.

Yours ever sincerely,

RUHI AFNAN.

– 378 –

1932-01-31 To Miss Craighead on Declaration

Persian Colony

Haifa, Palestine

31-1-32

Dear Miss Craighead:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Jan 13th 1932 telling him that you have decided to join the Bahá’í group in Pittsburgh. This news gave him great pleasure, both because you have seen and appreciated the source of divine guidance in the present day and have thereby been lead to the Faith of Salvation, and also because in you we can expect a servant as devoted and self-sacrificing as your spiritual Mother Miss Martha Root.

If complete destruction of our civilization is to be averted, if the world is to become a land of peace and good-will where our personality an be enhanced and developed spiritually, souls will have to arise who will first get imbued with the spirit of God revealed in this age through Bahá’u’lláh, and the diffuse it into the consciousness of mankind. Unless this happens the darksome clouds that threaten a terrific storm to an already ravaged society, will not be dissipated, and the era ‘when the lion and the lamb shall lie together’ will never dawn.

Shoghi Effendi will remember you in his prayers and ask God to assist you. He trusts that you will exert all your efforts to deepen your knowledge of the history and teachings of the Faith and then arise to spread, what you have received, throughout the land.

With best wishes

Yours ever sincerely

Rúḥí Afnán

With the assurance of my best wishes and fervent prayers for your spiritual advancement, and the success of your most welcome efforts for the promotion of our beloved Cause.

Your true brother

Shoghi

– 379 –

1932-01-xx Finishing the Temple

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 1

The Guardian has recently sent the following word through one of his secretaries:

“It is very gratifying to see the National Spiritual Assembly and the friends whole-heartedly arise for the completion of this edifice which was so dear to the Master’s heart. If this spirit of co-operation and sacrifice should be sustained it will indirectly affect all the other phases of our activity and usher in a new era in the history of the progress of the Movement in that country.”

– 380 –

1932-01-xx To USNSA re Write Írán to Remove Ban on Literature

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p306

URGE TRANSMIT PROMPTLY THROUGH TEHERAN ASSEMBLY TWO WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS PERSIAN GOVERNMENT AND S̱HÁH EXPRESSING BEHALF AMERICAN BELIEVERS LIVELY APPRECIATION RECENT BENEFICIAL INTERNAL REFORMS, EMPHASIZING SPIRITUAL TIES BINDING TWO COUNTRIES AND EARNESTLY PLEADING REMOVAL BAN ENTRY BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE STRESSING THEIR HIGH MORAL VALUE WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO NABILS AND BAHÁ’Í WORLD.

– 381 –

1932-02-02 Complete Decoration of Dome

USBN #66 September 1932 p1

“I wish to add a few words in person in order to reaffirm the paramount, the urgent necessity of devising ways and means that will ensure the success of the Plan of Unified Action, and compensate for the disadvantage it has, unavoidably and owing to unforeseen circumstances, suffered. I would appeal to every conscientious follower of the Faith in that land not to rest until the means have been made available to ensure the completion of the decoration of the Dome of this imposing and marvelous Edifice before the end of the spring of next year. The Cause will suffer, its prestige will no doubt be affected if the Plan, so admirably conceived, should again fall into abeyance. This we must at all cost prevent.”

February 2,

– 382 –

1932-02-02 To Harlen Ober Various

USBN #60 — March 1932 — page 7

Letter from Shoghi Effendi to Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Ober

Haifa, Palestine.

February 2,

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ober:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated January 22nd,15. You inquired concerning the Ḥuqúq. Shoghi Effendi would much prefer if the friends in America concentrate their financial resources towards the completion of the Temple, rather than dissipate their energy along the channels that do not as yet call for immediate attention. When the time comes that the Cause would need the enforcement of this religious donation Shoghi Effendi would say it and would set forth the amount prescribed. It is only gradually that the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh can be enforced. The time has to become ripe of the desired result is to be obtained.

Concerning the number of Bahá’ís throughout the world, this is a very difficult question to answer. Shoghi Effendi has been trying hard to obtain even an approximate figure but without result. This is true especially in Persia where besides the large number of the friends who are declared believers, there are innumerable souls who for some reason or other prefer to keep their faith a secret.

Orientalists who wrote many years ago gave the figure as two million. Sir Dennison Ross in an article published last year in the “London Times” said that over one-half of the educated people of Persia are Bahá’ís. All these, however, are personal impressions, the best thing is to say that we do not know.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that before long the friends in Persia would send him an approximate figure, but he does not know when that will be, for he has been waiting for this figure ever since he took up the reins of the administration.

In closing may I assure you of Shoghi Effendi’s prayers and best wishes for the services you are rendering the Cause.

Yours very sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Dear and Precious co-workers:

I wish you to urge the friends, far and near, to concentrate their energy, attention and resources on the immediate needs and requirements of the Temple. Everything else, except the Teaching work, must be sub-ordinated to this pressing issue, this high enterprise, this noble ideal. I will continue to pray at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh for the success of your unsparing efforts, and wish to assure you in person of my great love and appreciation of your many past and present services to our beloved Faith.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

– 383 –

1932-02-03 Crisis that Exists in the World

Agriculture and Rural Life

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The crisis that exists in the world is not confined to the farmers. Its effects have reached every means of livelihood. The farmers are in a sense better off because they at least have food to eat. But on the whole the crisis is serving a great purpose. It is broadening the outlook of man, teaching him to think internationally, forcing him to take into consideration the welfare of his neighbours if he wishes to improve his own condition. In short it is forcing humanity to appreciate the significance of and follow the precepts laid by Bahá’u’lláh.

(3 February 1932, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 384 –

1932-02-03 To an Individual Believer re Distinguish btwn Words of Faithful and of Evil Wishers

Scholarship (BSB)

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 1-1, June 1982

Shoghi Effendi was astonished to hear that Dr. _ ___ lost his faith in the Cause because of come statements he heard here in Haifa. A person like him should be able to distinguish between the words of a faithful believer and statements made by an enemy who entertains evil thoughts. This is why the Master so constantly reminded us to be careful of the evil wishers of the Faith. Any how Shoghi Effendi hopes that he will gradually change his attitude and resume his services for the Cause.

– 385 –

1932-02-14 To Martha re Translations

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp182-3

From Geneva I feel you should concentrate your attention on Central Europe and then on the Balkans. Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland are the countries which stand in the greatest need of your valiant support. The utmost effort should be exerted to establish Bahá’í centres in those countries. We already have centres in Bulgaria, Albania and Austria but none in Yugoslavia, Romania, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Greece. I would urge you to take the necessary steps to have Dr. Esslemont’s book translated into the language of any one of these above-mentioned countries. I would be so glad to assist in their translation and printing. You need not wait until a believer can undertake to translate the book. I am enclosing a small sum which I trust will be of help to you in your vast and historic work for the Cause.

– 386 –

1932-02-20 Need for Capable and Enlightened Souls

USBN #61 — April 1932 — page 2-3

Haifa, Palestine.

February 20,

Dear Mr. McDaniel:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated Dec. 8th,15. You mention the need of the Cause for capable and enlightened souls who would arise and help the promotion of our beloved Faith and the carrying through of its divine plans. This has been for long the earnest prayer of Shoghi Effendi but for some reason or other it does not seem to be realized. It may be because we have failed to do our best, in living the life, and promoting the spread of the Message to the best of our ability. We have first to create the material with which we have to work and then hope to succeed. In the Bayán the Báb says that every religion of the past was fit to become universal. The only reason why they fail to attain that mark was the incompetence of their followers. He then proceeds to give a definite promise that this would not be the fate of the revelation of “Him whom God would make manifest,” that it will become universal and include all the people of the world. This shows that we will ultimately succeed. But could we not through our shortcomings, failures to sacrifice and reluctance to concentrate our efforts in spreading the Cause, retard the realization of that ideal. And what would that mean? It shall mean that we will be held responsible before God, that the race will remain longer in its state of waywardness, that wars would not be so soon averted, that human suffering will last longer.

Shoghi Effendi will pray that the friends of God be helped in their task, that the hand of divine mercy lead us on to victory and that we may win the good pleasure of our Lord.

Assuring you of his loving greeting, I remain,

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

– 387 –

1932-02-20 re 2nd Plan of Unified Action

USBN #60 — March 1932 — page 1

I wish to add a few words in person in order to re-affirm the paramount, the urgent necessity for devising ways and means that will ensure the success of the Plan of Unified Action, and compensate for the disadvantages it has, unavoidably and owing to unforseen circumstances, suffered. I would appeal to every conscientious follower of the Faith in that land, not to rest until the means have been made available to insure the completion of the decoration of the Dome of this imposing and marvelous edifice before the end of the spring of next year. The Cause will suffer, its prestige will no doubt be affected if the Plan, so admirably conceived, should again fall into abeyance. This we must at all costs prevent. May the Almighty inspire and sustain you in your arduous task.

SHOGHI.

– 388 –

1932-02-28 Companionship

USBN #60 — March 1932 — page 7

Letter from Shoghi Effendi to Mr. Albert Windust

Haifa, Palestine.

February 28,

Dear Mr. Windust:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated February 7th, 1932, written on your arrival in Chicago.

The account of your trip, of the centers you have visited and the friends you have met, was very interesting. Shoghi Effendi is sure that they have enjoyed seeing you as much as you have obtained from meeting them. There is always a mutual give and take in such visits and commerce of love. How much Shoghi Effendi hopes that other pilgrims would do the same! The service rendered is far beyond what we can estimate at the time.

Shoghi Effendi was especially glad to hear of the nice re-union you had with your relatives in England. He sincerely hopes that this introduction you have given them to the Cause, will awaken their interest and induce them to study the teaching. While visiting the Shrines, Shoghi Effendi will pray for them and ask for them all divine guidance and blessings. The Cause in England is at a standstill. It is only occasionally that someone enters the folds as a confirmed believer. They generally get interested and then drop off. The friends there are constantly writing Shoghi Effendi to ask the Bahá’ís who come to Haifa, to so arrange their plan as to visit England on their way home. They need assistance and the friends in America are in a position to render it.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that by now your business has taken some shape and that you do not find life so very exacting. Please convey his greetings to all the friends, especially to your daughters. Assuring you of his prayers and loving greetings.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Dearly-beloved co-worker:

The days of our companionship under the shadow of the holy shrine, our collaboration, our discussions, and prayers at the sacred threshold, will long linger in my memory. Much as I had heard, and through correspondence learned, of your tenacity of faith, your thoroughness, your passionate devotion to our beloved Cause, the intimate experience of our meeting in this sacred spot has served only to heighten my admiration for the spirit that animates you in the service of the Cause. The sequel of your pilgrimage, your journey to Europe, I regard as an added blessing and invaluable service which I greatly value. The letters I received regarding your visit to the Bahá’í centers testify to the deep impression you have made upon the believers. I will from the depth of my heart supplicate for you and your daughter, the Almighty’s richest blessings.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

– 389 –

1932-02-xx Masters Photo #9

USBN #61 — April 1932 — page 3

Letter from Shoghi Effendi to Mrs. Corinne True

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated January 28, 1932, together with the enclosed photograph of the Master.

Concerning the number nine: the Bahá’ís reverence this for two reasons, first because it is considered by those who are interested in numbers as the sign of perfection. The second consideration, which is the more important one, is that it is the numerical value of the word “Bahá.” (B equals 2, h equals 5, a equals 1, and there is an accent at the end of the word which also equals 1; the “a” after the “B” is not written in Persian so it does not count). In the Semitic languages, both Arabic and Hebrew, every letter of the alphabet has a numerical value, so instead of using figures to denote numbers they used letters and compounds of letters. Thus every letter had both a literal meaning and also a numerical value. This practice is no more in use but during the time of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb it was quite in vogue among the educated classes, and we find it very much used in the Bahan. As the word Bahá also stood for the number nine it could be used interchangeably with it.

Besides these two significances the number nine has no other meaning. It is, however, enough to make the Bahá’ís use it when an arbitrary number is to be chosen.

Rúḥí Afnán.

Dear and precious co-worker:

The news of the splendid results of the completion of the Temple superstructure is a source of great joy and satisfaction and greatly heartens me in my arduous work. I would urge you to do all in your power to arouse the believers, far and near, to continue in their heroic efforts for the completion of their great enterprise. You should regard it as your first and most sacred obligation to stimulate the friends to maintain, nay to raise, if possible, the already high standard of their self-sacrifice. You will thereby be ennobling and enriching the record of your manifold and unforgettable services to the Cause in that land.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

– 390 –

1932-03-09 On Behalf Of To An Ind re Contribs fm Someone on Public Assistance

Stewardship and Development p9

Compiled for the USNSA 2005

“Concerning your question whether a person is to contribute to the Bahá’í Fund when he obtains his means of livelihood through public charity. Practically this is impossible, for a person who is so dependent upon the community cannot be of much help to others. Generally he does not have sufficient even for himself alone. In principle however, this is a secondary issue. Donations to the Cause are free. It is for every person to judge for himself whether he is in a position to contribute and whether he desires to do it; how he has obtained that sum is immaterial. A poor person may be readier than a rich man in sharing with others, and if he does, his sacrifice would be greater. A rich man’s gift may not be a sacrifice, but a poor man’s is sure to be.”

– 391 –

1932-03-09 Roy Wilhelm re Inactive Bahá’ís

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“You mentioned in one of your letters that some of the old believers who for many years had kept away are not coming back and attending the meetings. How wonderful it would be if all such persons, together with all those who met the Master and whose life was changed through His influence would come along and help us in spreading these divine teachings! Perhaps the friends should take the initiative and make their meetings so inspiring and their activities so interesting and far-reaching in importance that they would of their own accord come forward and lend us their help.”

(To Roy C. Wilhelm, West Englewood, through Rúḥí Afnán, March 9, 1932).

– 392 –

1932-03-09 Spiritual Advantages of Convention Consultation

USBN #60 — March 1932 — page 1

Haifa, Palestine, March 9,

Spiritual advantages derived from deliberations of delegates in Convention assembled outweigh financial considerations. Urge eliminate unnecessary expenses.

SHOGHI.

– 393 –

1932-03-13 Present Condition of the World & Youth

No. 68 — November 1932 — page 3

“The present condition of the world — its economic instability, social dissensions, political dissatisfaction and international distrust — should awaken the youth from their slumber and make them inquire what the future is going to bring. It is surely they who will suffer most if some calamity sweep over the world. They should therefore open their eyes to the existing conditions, study the evil forces that are at work and then with a concerted effort arise and bring about the necessary reforms — reforms that shall contain within their scope the spiritual as well as social and political phases of human life.”

(To Mrs. Claude Gaudreaux, Yonkers, New York, through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa. March 13, 1932).

– 394 –

1932-03-14 To Martha re BNE Translation Languages

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp183

MARTHA CARE BAHÁ’Í GENEVA

FEEL STRONGLY NECESSITY PROMPT TRANSLATION ESSLEMONTS INTO CZECH, HUNGARIAN, ROMANIAN, GREEK AS PRELIMINARY INTENSIVE TEACHING CAMPAIGN EUROPE. EAGER ASSIST FINANCIALLY AWAITING ESTIMATES. LOVE.

– 395 –

1932-03-14 Winthrop Lee re Esperanto

No. 63 — June 1932 — page 3

To Mr. Winthrop Lee, one of the officers of Esperanto Informo:

“The Bahá’ís have always considered with deep interest and esteem the wonderful work of the Esperantists are achieving in putting into practise one of the foremost principles of their Faith. Many of their numbers have been encouraged to study that language and participate in promoting its many interests. They would therefore be very willing to cooperate with you in matters that are of mutual interest…. May God hasten the day when your hopes as well as ours will be realized.”

– 396 –

1932-03-14 Appeal Regarding New Plan

USBN #61 — April 1932 — page 1

March 14, 1932

Dear and valued co-workers:

I grieve, beyond words, to learn of the scanty response of the friends to the Plan of Unified Action to which the sacred interests of the Faith are at present so vitally and closely related. I am acutely conscious of the unprecedented character of the depression under which you labor. I am fully aware of the sacrifices you have already made, and realize the urgent need of allaying the burden which weighs so heavily on some of the poor and distressed believers. But I realize also the uniqueness of the opportunity which it is our privilege to seize and utilize. The world is watching the progress of our Faith and the steady expansion of our institutions. The eyes of countless men and women, both high and low, whether in the East or in the West, friendly or critical, are fixed upon the Mastyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">shriqu’l-Astyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">dhkár, eager and expectant to know whether the growing vicissitudes and the successive crises that afflict your country are such as to deflect the American believers from their high purpose or to paralyze their efforts in the prosecution of their sacred task. Ours is the duty to vindicate the vitality and invincible power of our Faith.

SHOGHI.

– 397 –

1932-03-15 Not Sufficient To Have Merely Interested People

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

March 15, 1932, Haifa.

“… You should not let the work drop after you leave. You should try to keep up the interest that has been created by paying them regular visits and helping those who have been interested to definitely join the group and take part in their activities. It is not sufficient to have merely interested people; we need confirmed Bahá’ís ready to stake anything for the progress of the Faith.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 398 –

1932-04-04 Economic World Dislocated

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

April 4, 1932, Haifa.

“… The economic world is, due to international affairs, completely dislocated, and as a result many innocent souls have to suffer, but this shall not continue long. Conditions will change, and better days will soon dawn.

… First try and deepen your knowledge of the teachings and then arise to lend an effective help in spreading them throughout the world. For it is only with the saving grace of God, revealed in this Day through the Bahá’í Faith, that the world can hope to be relieved from its many social and spiritual ills.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 399 –

1932-04-04 Need For People Who Take Responsibilities

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“Every now and then we hear that a new Assembly has been formed and that more people are being attracted to the Cause, but there is still much to be desired. As you mention in your letter the Cause needs some more people who are able to shoulder its responsibilities and extend real help in promoting its many interests, both spiritual and material. These people whom we are so eagerly awaiting to appear will not, however, come of their own accord. They have to be brought in. It is for us to become active and really spread the Message.”

(To Allen B. McDaniel, Washington, D.C., through Rúḥí Afnán, April 4, 1932).

– 400 –

1932-04-06 Deepen Before Acting

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“Shoghi Effendi hopes that you two, who have come to appreciate the light of guidance shed so gloriously by Bahá’u’lláh [Baba’u’llah sic.], will first try and deepen your knowledge of the teachings and then arise to lend an effective help in spreading them throughout the world. For it is only with the saving grace of God, revealed this day through the Bahá’í Faith, that the world can hope to be relieved from its many social and spiritual ills.”

(To Mr. John B. Richardson, Chicago, through Rúḥí Afnán, April 6, 1932).

– 401 –

1932-04-13 Constantly Urged to Study the Literature of the Cause

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“Another essential thing is that those who do embrace the Faith should be constantly urged to study the literature of the Cause. It is not sufficient that our numbers should increase, we want people whose faith stands on a rock no trial can move. We want people who in turn arise and carry the message to other people and guide other souls.

“From every corner of the earth letters come to Shoghi Effendi asking for teachers, but he is far, far from being able to answer all the demands. The only way we can satisfy that need is to have every Bahá’í follow the command of Bahá’u’lláh and become himself a teacher. And that task is not so very impossible; it only needs a thorough knowledge of the teaching and a burning desire to spread the message.”

(To Spiritual Assembly of Fruitport, Mrs. Frazer, Secretary, through Rúḥí Afnán, April 13,14. )

– 402 –

1932-04-14 It Is With Sacrifice That This Temple Is To Be Built

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“A group that does not progress and show signs of life will soon die out and be forgotten. We have to keep virile and remain active if we desire our Cause to prosper and become an active force in shaping the destiny of the world… You asked concerning some plans whereby funds could be gathered for the Temple. Shoghi Effendi believes that the best and noblest method is to have free donations that are made spontaneously and with the sense of making some sacrifice in furthering the Cause. It is with sacrifice that this Temple is to be built. This is the truly worthy method. This principle therefore excludes any method whereby the help of non-Bahá’ís is included.”

(To Kenosha Spiritual Assembly, through Rúḥí Afnán, April 14,10. )

– 403 –

1932-04-14 Passing Through Difficult Times

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“He (Shoghi Effendi) was very sorry to learn that you are passing through difficult times, but such seems to be the fate of every single person on the surface of the earth at the present time. When such a crisis sweeps over the world no person should hope to remain intact. We belong to an organic unit and when one part of the organism suffers all the rest of the body will feel its consequences. This is in fact the reason why Bahá’u’lláh calls our attention to the unity of mankind. But as Bahá’ís we should not let such hardships weaken our hope in the future. Read the last general letter of Shoghi Effendi (“The Golden Age of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh”) and see the description of the future which he has tried to put before our eyes. We may be suffering at present but that will soon cease and glorious days will dawn.

“In all such matters as you mention in your letter, Shoghi Effendi wishes the friends to take the Assemblies into their confidence and discuss it with them. Being on the spot they can judge better and take into consideration all the different aspects of the problem. We should always trust the Assemblies and go to them for advice. Our debts, however, should be considered as sacred and take precedence over any other thing (i.e., payment of debts comes before contributions to the Cause) for upon this principle does the foundation of our economic life rest.”

(To a Bahá’í family of Kenosha, through Rúḥí Afnán, April 14,12. )

– 404 –

1932-04-14 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp17-19

Louise Drake Wright, 14 April 1932

Dear Miss Wright:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to drop you these few lines to acknowledge the receipt of your cable asking his advice concerning your teaching tour. He believes that the most advisable thing is to concentrate upon northern Germany and Holland. He has already asked Miss Jack to stay in Sofia and Mr. Benke [George Adam Benke] is going to join her. Mrs. Gregory and Martha are to devote most of their time to Central Europe especially Hungary, Austria and Poland. This makes Eastern and Central Europe well provided for.

Shoghi Effendi therefore believes that you could render greater services if you visit the centers in Germany especially the northern part and also include Holland.

As far as we can learn through the correspondence we receive, the greatest amount and most lasting work has been achieved by those teachers who instead of covering much ground stay for at least a few weeks in the same city and try to confirm those whom they interest. Mere meeting the people and speaking to them about the general aspects of the Cause does not generally produce a lasting result. So if you chose some of the towns in Northern Germany and Holland and stay at least [a] few weeks in each place you could achieve more. Holland is a totally new country to the Cause so it will be true pioneer service. We do not know how receptive the people are but through the grace of God some real opening could be made.

We have only one Bahá’í there and his name is: Herr G.I. Bertelink [Gerrit Jan Bertelink], Hoogstraat 3, Enschede, Holland. Perhaps you could use his help; otherwise you will have to rely on your own resources and divine help.

Anyhow Shoghi Effendi hopes you will succeed and create a new and prosperous center in Holland. Assuring you of his prayers and best wishes I remain.

Yours ever sincerely, Rúḥí Afnán

– 405 –

1932-04-14 To Louise Wright re svc in Germany and Holland

The Artist’s Daughter, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p228-9

Dear Miss Wright:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to drop you these few lines to acknowledge the receipt of your cable seeking his advice concerning your teaching tour. He believes that the most advisable thing is to concentrate upon Northern Germany and Holland. He has already asked Miss Jack to stay in Sofia and Mr. Benke is going to join her. Mrs. Gregory and Martha are to devote most of their time to Central Europe especially Hungary, Austria and Poland. This makes Eastern and Central Europe well provided for.

Shoghi Effendi therefore believes that you could render greater service if you visit the centers in Germany especially the Northern part and also include Holland.

As far as we can learn through the correspondence we receive, the greatest amount and most lasting work has been achieved by those teachers who instead of covering much ground, stay for at least a few weeks in the same city and try to confirm those whom they interest. Mere meeting the people and speaking to them about the general aspects of the Cause does not generally produce a lasting result. So if you chose some of the towns in Northern Germany and Holland and stay at least for a few weeks in each place, you could achieve more. Holland is a totally new country to the Cause so it will be true pioneer service. We do not know how receptive the people are but through the Grace of God some real opening could be made. We have only one Bahá’í there. His name is: Herr G. I. Bertelinck, Hoogstraat S, Enschede, Holland. Perhaps you could use his help; otherwise you will have to rely on your own resources and divine help.

Anyhow Shoghi Effendi hopes you will succeed and create a new and prosperous center in Holland. Assuring you of his prayers and best wishes I remain,

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

– 406 –

1932-04-14 To May Maxwell re Photo & Reports of Montreal Youth

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p179

Dear and precious co-worker:

Please thank Mr. Maxwell for the splendid photographs of the Montreal Youth Group which I was very pleased to receive. The report of their activities was highly encouraging, & I have forwarded it to Horace for incorporation in the Bahá’í World. I would have so wished to include your article in the forthcoming issue, but in view of my decision to reserve all the material I had received for the future publication, I felt it unfair to discriminate in favour of your splendid account. You will, I am sure, realize the delicacy & difficulty of my position. I trust & pray that you will continue in close collaboration with Mary & her father your inestimable services to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Your true brother & well-wisher,

Shoghi

– 407 –

1932-04-18 To Coswell re Teaching Along With Radio Work

Divine Springtime — Louise Caswell Recalls, p9

April 18, 1932, her work in

“But together with this method (radio) there should be intensive teaching whereby those interested are made to study thoroughly and fully embrace the Faith. The cause wants adherents who are willing to shoulder responsibility and when the occasion arises sacrifice their life and all in its path. Shoghi Effendi trusts that you are doing that as well, as he is fully familiar with the services you have been rendering along that line.”

(Signed) Rúḥí Afnán.

– 408 –

1932-04-21 Effect of Martyrs Blood on Germany

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland #20

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

O spiritual brothers and sisters: Think for a while of the signs of greatness, of supremacy and victory which have appeared in this first century of the Bahá’í Dispensation within the two continents of Europe and America, and indeed across the whole earth. These have come about solely from the powerful effect of the bitter cruelty tasted as if it were purest honey all these long years by those who are overwhelmed in tribulation at the hands of the malevolent in that sorely afflicted land.

It is the shedding of the sacred blood of the martyrs in Persia which has turned the lofty heart of Her Majesty the Queen {Queen Marie of Romania} toward this new-sprung plant of God, and caused her, through her successive and stirring messages, to awaken and alert a whole world.

It is the shedding of the sacred blood of the martyrs in Persia which has enabled the knights of the arena of servitude unto God to win the honour of raising and completing, in the heart of America, the noble and exalted structure of the first Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár in the Western world, so that great multitudes from different races, religions, sects and classes were fascinated by and enamoured of that manifest sign, that safe haven, that entrancing Temple of the Cause of the Lord of the worlds.

It is the shedding of the sacred blood of the martyrs in Persia which has guided and assisted the standard-bearers of this oppressed community in the remotest West, to establish distinguished administrative institutions, to found Bahá’í endowments, to obtain official recognition from the high authorities, to put into effect divine laws and ordinances and to formulate a constitution for National Spiritual Assemblies…

It is the shedding of the sacred blood of the martyrs in Persia which, in Germany, has raised up those who have held fast to the strong handle of faith, with such constancy and firmness that, mountain-solid in face of the bitter blasts of tests and the fiery storms of delirious outcries from the foes — which except in America had never blown so fiercely across the West — they withstood every mischief-maker and their feet never stumbled on the narrow path. Nay rather, their fervour, their boldness, their endurance, their help to one another, only increased, and they toiled more than ever to extend in their country the scope of the Cause of God and the range of Bahá’í publications, and to consolidate the institutions of the Faith.

(21 April 1932 to the Bahá’ís of the East — translated from the Persian)

– 409 –

1932-04-26 Providing Financial Assistance

No. 68 — November 1932 — page 3

“He (Shoghi Effendi) was very glad to see you offer to help Mr. and Mrs. ... … to stay in … … and serve the spread of the movement. They are surely wonderful souls and very competent to deliver the message to others. They are versed in the teachings and have the true Bahá’í spirit, and these are the only capital a real teacher of the Bahá’í Cause needs to be successful in his work. Moreover, it is the duty of the Bahá’ís to help one another in time of difficulty — in times such as these when our economic life is disrupted and as a result innumerable people are left without work and proper means of livelihood.

“But though your offer is most commendable, Shoghi Effendi would prefer to have the local Assembly of … … or the National Assembly decide whether the stay of Mr. and Mrs. … in … …is vital enough for the Cause as to necessitate so much sacrifice on your part.”

(To Mrs. Bessie F. Seker, Pittsburgh, Pa., through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, April 26,14. )

– 410 –

1932-04-27 Marion Jack’s Teaching Style

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p149

Shoghi Effendi is sure therefore that Miss Jack has no desire to rule. It is against her spirit. If she by chance asserts her idea, it is because she consciously believes that it is best for the Cause: for she has no other motive but to serve & no other hope but to carry the message of Bahá’u’lláh to as many Bulgarian houses as she can.

[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to Aleksandar Lepchev, 27 Apr 32]

– 411 –

1932-04-27 Membership of NSA

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“Shoghi Effendi has never said that the members of the National Assembly have to be renewed partially every year. The important thing is that they should be properly elected. It would be nice if there should be new members elected, for new blood always adds to the energy of the group and will keep up their spirit. But this depends entirely upon the will of the delegates as represented in the result of their voting.

“The teachers of the Cause can surely become members of any Assembly or committee. There should be no incapacity attached to them. But Shoghi Effendi would just prefer to see them devote all their time to teaching and leave the administrative functions for those who cannot serve as teachers.”

(To Mr. Willard Hatch, Los Angeles, through Rúḥí Afnán, April 27,12. )

– 412 –

1932-04-xx Teaching Work in Colleges and Universities

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 4

“As to teaching work in colleges and universities, this is very important, for students as a whole are open-minded and little influenced by tradition. They would easily enter the Cause if the subject is properly presented and their intellect and sentiments properly satisfied. This, however, should be attempted only by persons who have had university training and are therefore acquainted with the mind of the intelligent and educated youth.

“The movement surely needs educated and devoted souls who will through their deeds as well as pen promulgate the teachings throughout the world.”

(To Mrs. Mabel Paine and Miss Sylvia Paine, Urbana, through Rúḥí Afnán, received in April,16. )

– 413 –

1932-05-01 Summer Schools

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“How wonderful it would be if all the friends could arrange to spend at least a few days in one of these summer schools and take an active part in their development. These centers could attract many souls if properly arranged and made interesting; those non-Bahá’ís who visit them will then have some time to get into the spirit of the place and make a study of the Cause… We constantly receive letters from people who became Bahá’ís by visiting one of these centers and obtaining the Message there.”

(To Miss Cora Gray, received about May 1, 1932, through Rúḥí Afnán.)

– 414 –

1932-05-03 Completion Dome Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár Crown

USBN #66 September 1932 p2

“May completion dome Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár crown united labors newly elected National Assembly.”

(Cablegram) May 3,

– 415 –

1932-05-03 To Martha re Effect of Her Contacts

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp183-4

Your letters with the wonderful reports of your activities in teaching the Cause and interesting distinguished persons always bring him much joy and pleasure. He wished he had a large number of your type, so devoted to the Faith and so determined to spread its message throughout the world.

Even though the men you contact do not immediately embrace the Cause and whole-heartedly support it, yet the word of God that has penetrated their mind and heart will not remain idle.

They will be bound, once they read something or lend an attentive ear, to unconsciously modify their views, for the message will be gradually working in their subconscious mind and thereby moulding their views and interests. One day the Cause will pass the threshold of their consciousness and they will become completely converted. But even before that day, they will be expressing that spirit in their deliberations and thereby helping the progress of the Cause of peace throughout the world.

=========

Among those whom Martha had made contact with were Queen Marie of Romania, King Zog of Albania, King Boris II of Bulgaria, King Faisal of ‘Iráq, King Haakon of Norway, President Thomas Masaryk of Czechoslovakia, President Herbert Hoover of the United States, Prince Paul and Princess Olga of Yugoslavia and Princess Ileana of Romania.

– 416 –

1932-05-07 “The Dawn-Breakers” Book

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“You may be interested to know that many of the distinguished men to whom Shoghi Effendi sent a copy of “The Dawn-Breakers” as a present, wrote him in answer that it is one of the most beautiful books they have seen for a long time. This proves how successful you have been in that important task.”

(To Mrs. Marion Little, Secretary of the Publishing Committee, New York, through Rúḥí Afnán, May 7,17. )

In the same letter, written by the Guardian:

“I wish to reaffirm in person the cable I was moved to send to your address expressing my keen appreciation of and profound gratitude for the manner you as well as your collaborators have cooperated in producing such a splendid and impressive edition. It is a striking and abiding evidence of the efficiency and exemplary devotion which characterize your work for the Cause.”

– 417 –

1932-05-08 Results of Teaching

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

May 8, 1932, Haifa.

“… How wonderful it would have been if we had a large group to such self-sacrificing and competent teachers who would spread about the world and confirm the seeking souls to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh! In a few years then war would cease, hatreds be changed into love and the Kingdom of God be established amongst men.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 418 –

1932-05-09 “The Dawn Breakers” and Teaching

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“Shoghi Effendi undertook the translation of “The Dawn Breakers” only after being convinced that its publication will arouse the friends to greater self-sacrifice and a more determined way of teaching. Otherwise he would not have devoted so much time to it. Reading about the life and activities of those heroic souls is bound to influence our mode of living and the importance we attach to our services in the Cause. Shoghi Effendi therefore hopes that the friends will read, nay rather, study that book, and encourage their young people to do that as well.

“It is also very important to hold study classes and go deep in the Teachings. A great harm is done by starting to teach without being firmly grounded in the literature. ‘Little knowledge is dangerous’ fully applies to the teaching work. The friends should read the Writings and be able to quote from the Tablets when discussing subjects pertaining to the Faith.”

(To Mrs. Edith Hildebrand, Clearlake Highlands, California, through Rúḥí Afnán, May 9,13. )

– 419 –

1932-05-13 Country People Should Be Much Readier For Message

Agriculture and Rural Life

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear of your work among the ranchers. He sincerely hopes that they will advance in spirituality and become imbued with the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh. Country people should be much readier for the Message, for they are not so completely carried away by material civilization and its blinding influence. They ought to be more receptive and more pure in heart.

(13 May 1932, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 420 –

1932-05-13 re “Country” People

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“Shoghi Effendi was glad to hear of your work among the ranchers. He sincerely hopes that they will advance in spirituality and become imbued with the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh. Country people should be much readier for the Message, for they are not so completely carried away by material civilization and its blinding influence. They ought to be more receptive and more pure in heart.”

(To Mrs. S̱hahnáz Waite, Los Angeles, through Rúḥí Afnán, May 13,12. )

– 421 –

1932-05-22 To Martha re Deluxe Copy of Dawnbreakers for Marie

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp183-4

Europe, especially Central and Eastern Europe, is a wonderful field for work. The great difficulties they have passed through these last years have made the people there peace-seeking and more ready to listen to a spiritual message proclaiming universal brotherhood. They are far more ready than the Latin countries that still possess the arrogance of victory in the last war.

Shoghi Effendi wishes to send a copy of the de luxe edition of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’ to Queen Marie. As he is not sure whether it will reach her if sent directly from here, he is sending it over to you. You could use your own judgement whether to send it to her by mail or wait and take it yourself when you go to see her during your visit to the Balkans. So he is sending it to you under separate cover…

I will mail a copy of the de luxe edition of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’ to your address in a few days, bearing an inscription for Queen Marie. May the Beloved guide you in the manner of its presentation to Her Majesty.

– 422 –

1932-05-28 On Collection of Bahá’í Funds

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 5

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 8th, 1932, telling him of some incidents that transpired during the Convention this year, especially when funds were collected for the Temple. He was very glad to learn of the wonderful spirit that prevailed in those gatherings; for it is only through such a spirit of devotion and sacrifice that the Cause can prosper and its message embrace the whole world. It was also wonderful to see the interest shown by the public in the general gatherings that formed part of the Convention program.

“Shoghi Effendi hopes that as the Temple is gradually completed this interest will increase and they will try to share in the spirit that motivates the friends and accepting the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, arise to serve it and dedicate their life to its spread.

“Such gatherings for collections of funds are permissible if it is done with a true spirit of sacrifice, not when the audience is especially aroused to a frenzy and mob psychology is used to induce them to pay.

“Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated that no pressure should be used upon the friends and psychological pressure falls under that category. But there is much difference between such gatherings often used by religious bodies, and a true quiet, prayerful atmosphere when a person is, of his own accord, aroused to make some sacrifice. The distinction is very delicate, but it is for the Chairman to use his power to see that one desirable form is not corrupted into the other. All the activities of the Cause should be carried through in a dignified manner.

“Shoghi Effendi is sure that the funds gathered at the last Convention was not due to the play of mob psychology but to the prayerful attitude of the friends and their desire to make further sacrifice.”

(to Mrs. Corinne True, Wilmette, through Rúḥí Afnán, May 28,11. )

– 423 –

1932-05-30 On Teaching

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“Administrative work and teaching do not exclude each other. Even though you will find yourself forced to give more time to the former, Shoghi Effendi hopes that you will keep up the latter form of service and continue to draw new souls into the movement.

“Shoghi Effendi read the plan of work you have set for the National Teaching Committee with great care. It surely depends ultimately upon the National Assembly to approve it, or to modify it, but it seems as a whole to be most promising.

“Shoghi Effendi has seen, through the experience of the international teachers that keep him informed regarding their activities, that intensive work is ultimately of a more lasting nature. It has proven to be far better that a teacher should spend a month or two in one center and wait until a group is formed, than to cover a larger area and not stay enough in a center to help the progress of those interested to the stage that they would feel themselves able to embrace the Cause and identify themselves with it.”

(To Mr. Leroy Ioas, San Francisco, through Rúḥí Afnán, May 30,12. )

– 424 –

1932-05-xx Advice to Leroy Ioas On Election to NSA

Leroy Ioas — Hand of the Cause of God, Anita Chapman, pp92-3

[Shoghi Effendi] was very glad to see your name among the members of the National Assembly, because it shows that new blood is entering the administrative work … Your election to the N.S.A. answers fully your desire to have some guidance as to the form of service you ought to render the Cause. Administrative work and teaching do not exclude each other. Even though you will find yourself forced to give more time to the former, Shoghi Effendi hopes you will keep up the latter form of service and continue to draw new souls into the Movement … Even though you are the youngest member of that group he hopes you will be a source of inspiration to them and an example of servitude to the friends.

I wish to add a few words in order to reaffirm my deep sense of satisfaction at your having been elected a member of the National Assembly — a position which, I feel confident, you will fill with ability and distinction. May Bahá’u’lláh guide and sustain you in your responsible task and enable you to lend a fresh impetus, by your advice and executive ability, to the work that the Assembly has arisen to accomplish. Your activities in the teaching field are worthy of the highest praise, and I trust that your administrative services will be no less enduring and remarkable.

– 425 –

1932-06-08 Status of the National Finances

No. 66 — September 1932 — pp. 2

“I am eager to learn of the status of the national finances of the Cause, and of the prospects of an early resumption of the construction of the Temple. I have already appealed to the American believers in this connection and wish to reiterate my plea and reaffirm my conviction that the completion of the dome before the end of the spring of 1933 is vital to the highest interests of the Cause in that land, and is the supreme obligation of every conscientious and loyal believer in the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Great damage will be inflicted on the prestige of the Cause if this glorious plan fails to materialize, while, on the other hand, its fulfilment will confer untold blessings on all branches of the activities of our beloved Faith.”

June 8,

– 426 –

1932-06-08 To NSA re Gold Investments

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 4

“Regarding the hoarding of gold, Shoghi Effendi would not advise that, but have your investments very secure.”

– 427 –

1932-06-10 re Actions Taken By Temple Trustees

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 1

“Assembly’s momentous decision fraught with incalculable consequences, worldwide benefits. Greatest Holy Leaf filled with delight. Both devoutly praying (for) unrelaxing determination (to) consummate heroic enterprise. Abiding gratitude.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, June 10,

– 428 –

1932-06-14 If the Jews Study the Teachings

HOLOCAUST AND THE GREATER PLAN OF GOD (Revised 1998)

A compilation by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

If the Jews study the teachings they will find in them the hopes and aspirations that they have always cherished. Bahá’u’lláh bears a wonderful message to the Jews and many of them have come to appreciate it and are active in carrying it to others of their race. Through Bahá’u’lláh, the Master tells us, they shall regain their ancient glory and become loved by all the people of the whole world.

(14 June 1932 to an individual believer)

– 429 –

1932-06-18 Individual Interpretation

No. 68 — November 1932 — page 3

“As regards the statement of our own views and explanations of the teachings: Shoghi Effendi believes that we should not restrict the liberty of the individual to express his own views so long as he makes it clear that these views are his own. In fact, such explanations are often helpful and are conducive to a better understanding of the teachings. God has given man a rational power to be used and not killed.

“This does not, however, mean that the absolute authority does not remain in the revealed Words. We should try and keep as near to the authority as we can and show that we are faithful to it by quoting from the Words of Bahá’u’lláh in establishing our points. To discard the authority of the revealed Words is heretic and to suppress completely individual interpretation of those Words is also bad. We should try to strike a happy medium between these two extremes.”

(To Dr. E. C. Getsinger, Los Angeles, Calif., through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, June 18,15. )

– 430 –

1932-06-20 re Two Young Architects in Prague

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p255-6

Letter from The Guardian via Rúḥí Afnán to Nancy Bowditch. Dated 20-6-‘32, Persian Colony, Haifa, Palestine.

Dear Mrs. Bowditch:

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 18th,15. He is very glad to know that you have liked the “Dawn-Breakers”, for his greatest reward is to see that this work, which has cost him much labour and anxiety, is helping the friends to understand better and more fully the spirit that animates the movement and the exemplary life of the heroic souls that ushered it into the world.

The Guardian sincerely hopes that by reading this book the friends will be stirred to greater activity and a higher measure of sacrifice, that they will obtain a deeper realization of this Cause whose spread and ultimate victory is entrusted to their care. As some who have read the book have remarked: no one can become familiar with those lives and not be inspired to follow in their way.

It is surely true that the spirit of those heroic souls will stir many artists to produce their best. It is such lives that in the past inspired poets and moved the brush of the painters.

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to impress you with the importance of keeping in touch with those two young architects in Prague. The Cause has not yet been established in that country and Shoghi Effendi is doing his best to start something there. Through correspondence you could help them to be confirmed.

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear of the engagement of Polly. May God help her to establish a family fully representative of the true Bahá’í spirit. The Guardian will pray for both of them and ask God to shower His blessings upon them. Please convey to her as well as to the other members of your family Shoghi Effendi’s loving greetings and best wishes.

With best wishes and loving greetings,

Yours very sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán.

Note in Shoghi Effendi’s handwriting:

Dear and valued co-worker:

I wish to assure you in person of my deep and genuine appreciation of the splendid work you have achieved and the valuable contribution you have made to the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh in Bahjí. The portrait will adorn its walls, and serve as a constant reminder of your last visit to the Shrines, the memory of which is still fresh in my mind. I pray that you may be sustained and guided by the beloved Master to accomplish all that is your heart’s desire in the service of the Cause, and may be enabled to undertake another pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the not distant future.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 431 –

1932-06-20 To Nancy Bowditch re “Dawnbreakers”

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p255-6

Dear Mrs. Bowditch:

It is surely true that the spirit of those heroic souls will stir many artists to produce their best. It is such lives that in the past inspired poets and moved the brush of the painters.

With best wishes and loving greetings,

Yours very sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Dear and valued co-worker:

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 432 –

1932-06-21 Regarding Study of Nabíl’s Narrative

USBN #64 — July 1932 — page 1

“Feel impelled appeal entire body American believers (to) henceforth regard Nabíl’s soul-stirring Narrative as essential adjunct to reconstructed Teaching program, as unchalleangeable (sic) textbook in their Summer Schools, as source of inspiration in all literary (and) artistic pursuits, as an invaluable companion in times of leisure, as indispensable preliminary to future pilgrimage (to) Bahá’u’lláh’s native land, and as unfailing instrument to allay distress and resist attacks of critical, disillusioned humanity.”

(Cablegram signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, June 21,

– 433 –

1932-06-xx To USNSA re Write Letter Introducing Ransom-Kehler as Bahá’í Representative

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p306

URGE ADDRESS PROMPTLY WRITTEN PETITION ON BEHALF AMERICAN BELIEVERS TO S̱HÁH INTRODUCING RANSOM-KEHLER AS CHOSEN REPRESENTATIVE EMPOWERED APPEAL FOR ENTRY BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE PERSIA. STRESS WIDESPREAD APPRECIATION INTERNAL REFORMS AND SPIRITUAL TIES BINDING BOTH COUNTRIES EMPHASIZE HIGH TRIBUTE PAID IN BAHÁ’Í WRITINGS TO ISLÁM AND THEIR MORAL VALUE TO PERSIA. MAIL PETITION PERSIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

– 434 –

1932-07-15 Meditation on Passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department pp23-30

O ye who burn in the flames of bereavement! By the Day — star of the World, my bereaved and longing heart is afire with a grief that is beyond my description. The sudden, the grievous and calamitous news that the Most Exalted, the pure, the holy, the immaculate, the brightly shining Leaf, the Remnant of Bahá, and His trust, the eternal fruit and the one last remembrance of the Holy Tree — may my life be offered for the wrongs she suffered — has ascended, reached me like live coals cast into a frail and afflicted heart. The foundations of my serenity were shattered, and tears of desolation came like a flood that carries all away.

Alas, that I was prevented from being with her at the close of her earthly days, at that moment when she ascended to her Lord, her Master, and when her delicate body was placed in the tomb. Not mine that honour, that high privilege, for I was far away, deprived, bereft, excluded.

O brothers and sisters in the spirit! In this solemn hour, from one direction we can hear the sounds of loud weeping, and cries of mourning and woe, rising out of the throats of the people of Bahá throughout this nether world, because of their separation from that rich mine of faithfulness, that Orb of the heaven of eternal glory — because of her setting below the horizon of this holy Spot. But from another direction can be heard the songs of praise and holy exultation from the Company on High and the undying dwellers in Paradise, and from beyond them all God’s Prophets, coming forth to welcome that fair being, and to place her in the retreats of glory, and to seat her at the right hand of Him Who is the Centre of God’s Mighty Covenant.

The community of Bahá, whether in the East of the world or the West, are lamenting like orphans left destitute; fevered, tormented, unquiet, they are voicing their grief. Out of the depths of their sorrowing hearts, there rises to the Abhá Horizon this continual piercing cry: ‘Where art thou gone, O torch of tender love? Where art thou gone, O source of grace and mercy? Where art thou gone, O symbol of bounty and generosity? Where art thou gone, O day — spring of detachment in this world of being? Where art thou gone, O trust left by Bahá among His people, O remnant left by Him among His servants, O sweet scent of His garment, shed across all created things!’

O ye who loved that luminous face! The oil within that shining lamp was used up in this world and its light was extinguished; and yet, in the lamp — niche of the Kingdom, the fingers of the Lord of the heavenly throne have kindled it so bright, and it has cast such a splendour on the maids of Heaven — dwelling in chambers of red rubies and circling about her — that they all called from out their souls and hearts, ‘O joy upon joy!’ and with shouts of, ‘Well done! Well done! Upon thee be God’s blessings, O Most Exalted Leaf!’ did they welcome that quintessence of love and purity within the towering pavilions of eternity.

At that time, as bidden by the Lord, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting, did the heavenly Crier raise up his voice and cry out: ‘O Most Exalted Leaf! Thou art she who did endure with patience in God’s way from thine earliest childhood and throughout all thy life, and did bear in His pathway what none other hath borne, save only God in His own Self, the Supreme Ruler over all created things, and before Him, His noble Herald, and after Him, His holy Branch, the One, the Inaccessible, the Most High. The people of the Concourse on High seek the fragrance of thy presence, and the dwellers in the retreats of eternity circle about thee. To this bear witness the souls of the cherubim within the tabernacles of majesty and might, and beyond them the tongue of God the One True Lord, the Pure, the Most Wondrous. Blessedness be thine and a goodly abode; glad tidings to thee and a happy ending!’

To one who was reared by the hands of her loving kindness, the burden of this direst of calamities is well nigh unbearable; and yet praised be the God of glory that her fragile frame has escaped from the prison of continual ordeals and afflictions which, with an astonishing forbearance, and for more than eighty years, she accepted and endured. Now is she free; delivered from her chains of care and sorrow; safe from all the suffering and pain, released from the ills of this nether world. She rolled up and packed away the years of longing for her mighty Father, and for Him, her loving and well-favoured Brother, and departed to her abode in the midmost heart of the Heavens.

This heavenly being, during all the turmoil of her days, did not rest for a moment, nor ever did she seek quiet and peace. From the beginning of her life, from her very childhood, she tasted sorrow’s cup; she drank down the afflictions and calamities of the earliest years of the great Cause of God. In the tumult of the Year of Hin, as a result of the sacking and plundering of her glorious Father’s wealth and holdings, she learned the bitterness of destitution and want. Then she shared the imprisonment, the grief, the banishment of the Abhá Beauty, and in the storm which broke out in ‘Iráq — because of the plotting and the treachery of the prime mover of mischief, the focal centre of hate — she bore, with complete resignation and acquiescence, uncounted ordeals. She forgot herself, did without her kin, turned aside from possessions, struck off at one blow the bonds of every worldly concern; and then, like a lovelorn moth, she circled day and night about the flame of the matchless Beauty of her Lord.

In the heaven of severance, she shone like the Morning Star, fair and bright, and through her character and all her ways, she shed upon kin and stranger, upon the learned, and the lowly, the radiance of Bahá’u’lláh’s surpassing perfection. Because of the intense and deep-seated sorrows and the manifold oppressive trials that assailed her — never failing spring of grace that she was, essence of loving-kindness — in the Land of Mystery her lovely form was worn away to a breath, to a shadow; and during the Most Great Convulsion, which in the years of ‘Stress’ made every heart to quake, she stood as a soaring pillar, immovable and fixed; and from the blasts of desolation that rose and blew, that Leaf of the eternal Lote-Tree did not wither.

Rather did she redouble her efforts, urging herself on the more, to servitude and sacrifice. In captivating hearts and winning over souls, in destroying doubts and misgivings, she led the field. With the waters of her countless mercies, she brought thorny hearts to a blossoming of love from the All-Glorious, and with the influence of her pure loving-kindness, transformed the implacable, the unyielding, into impassioned lovers of the celestial Beauty’s peerless Cause.

Yet another wound was inflicted on her injured heart by the aggressions and violations of the evil-doers within the prison-fortress, yet another blow was struck at her afflicted being. And then her anguish was increased by the passing of the Abhá Beauty, and the cruelty of the disloyal added more fuel to the fires of her mourning. In the midst of that storm of violation, the countenance of that rare treasure of the Lord shone all the brighter, and throughout the Bahá’í community, her value and high rank became clearly perceived. By the vehement onslaught of the chief of violators against the sacred beliefs of the followers of the Faith, she was neither frightened nor in despair.

In the days of the Commission of Investigation, she was a staunch and trusted supporter of the peerless Branch of Bahá’u’lláh, and a companion to Him beyond compare. At the time of His absence in the western world, she was His competent deputy, His representative and vicegerent, with none to equal her. In a Tablet from the pen of the Centre of the Covenant, addressed to His consort, are these words referring to His brilliant sister: ‘To my honoured and distinguished sister do thou convey the expression of my heartfelt, my intense longing. Day and night she liveth in my remembrance.

I dare make no mention of the feelings which separation from her has aroused in my heart, for whatever I should attempt to express in writing will assuredly be effaced by the tears which such sentiments must bring to my eyes.’

After the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the realm of the All-Glorious, that Light of the Concourse on High enfolded me, helpless as I was, in the embrace of her love, and with incomparable pity and tenderness, persuaded, guided, and urged me on to the requirements of servitude. The very elements of this frail being were leavened with her love, refreshed by her companionship, sustained by her eternal spirit. Never for a moment will her kindnesses, her favours, pass from my memory, and as the months and the years go by, the effects of them on this mourning heart will never be diminished.

O Liege Lady of the people of Bahá!

Broken is our circle by thy going —

Broken our circle, broken too, our hearts.

That my tongue, my pen could thank thee were a hopeless task, nor can any praise of mine befit thine excellence. Not even a droplet of all thine endless love can I aspire to fathom, nor can I adequately praise and tell of even the most trifling out of all the events of thy precious life. In the courts of the Almighty, for this frail being thy sacred spirit intercedeth, and in this darksome world, the sweet memory of thee is the succourer and friend of this lowly one. Thy comely face is etched for ever on the tablet of my grieving soul, those smiles that refreshed my life are forever and safely imprinted in the innermost recesses of my stricken heart. Let me not be forgotten by thee in the glorious precincts on high; leave me not despairing, nor excluded from the never-ceasing reinforcements that come from the living Lord; and in this world and the Kingdom, help me to reach what thou knowest to be my dearest hope.

O faithful friends! It is right and fitting that out of honour to her most high station, in the gatherings of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, whether of the East or the West, all Bahá’í festivals and celebrations should be completely suspended for a period of nine months, and that in every city and village, memorial meetings should be held, with all solemnity, spirituality, lowliness and consecration — where, in the choicest of language, may be described at length the shining attributes of that most resplendent Leaf, that archetype of the people of Bahá. If it be possible for the individual believers to postpone their personal celebrations for a period of one year, let them unhesitatingly do so thus to express their sorrow at this agonizing misfortune. Let them read this letter, this supplication, in their memorial gatherings, that perchance the Almighty will lighten my burden, and dispel the clouds of my bereavement; that He will answer my prayers, and fulfil my hopes, out of His bounty, His power, His grace.

[To the Bahá’ís of the East, 15 Jul 1932]

– 435 –

1932-07-18 Entreat Sorrow Stricken American Believers

USBN #65 August 1932, p3

ENTREAT SORROW STRICKEN AMERICAN BELIEVERS NEVER ALLOW CONSCIOUSNESS THEIR AGONIZING LOSS PARALYZE DETERMINATION PROSECUTE AN ENTERPRISE ON WHICH ADORED OBJECT OUR MOURNING CENTRED HER BRIGHTEST HOPES.

[1932-07-21]

– 436 –

1932-07-18 Response to Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p45

YOUR MESSAGE ALLEVIATED LOAD MY AGONIZING SORROW. NOTHING LESS INFLEXIBLE RESOLVE CARRY OUT HER DEAREST PARTING WISH HOLD FAST CAUSE HER ALMIGHTY FATHER CAN LIFT ITS CRUSHING BURDEN.

[response to individual condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 18 July 1932]

– 437 –

1932-07-21 To John Bosch re format of Summer Schools Not Just Lectures

Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God, Chapman, p59

Lectures are very important, for they give a wonderful picture of the subject matter. But it is not sufficient to have a picture, the friends should deepen their knowledge and this can be achieved if together with the lectures there are study classes and seminar work carried on by the same lecturer … Should the friends desire to take the lead in informing the world, they should start by educating themselves and understand what the troubles and problems really are which baffle the minds of men.

– 438 –

1932-07-30 Don’t Value Teaching by Number Who Embrace Cause.

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p188

Your sojourn in Sofia seems to have been on the whole quite successful and Shoghi Effendi trusts that if you persevere in your work many new souls will be awakened. You should not, however, measure the value of your teaching services by the number of those who actually embrace the Cause. For conversion is not an easy process. It often takes a long, a very long time. What is essential for you to do is to present the Message in a comprehensive and adequate manner and let time do the rest.

[To Marion Jack, 30 July 1932]

– 439 –

1932-07-30 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp19-20

Louise Drake Wright,
30 July 1932

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

It was with a great sense of appreciation and joy that Shoghi Effendi received your letter of July 3th, 1932 which he read with deep care and interest, and he has directed me to address you these lines expressing his heartfelt thanks for your manifold services to our beloved Faith.

The detailed narrative of your most interesting experiences throughout your visits to the different European countries, the many contacts you made with both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís and especially with some distinguished University professors such as Dr. Fisher of the department of Oriental studies in the University of Leipzig, filled our Guardian’s heart with thanks and joy and confirmed his hopes for the future of your pioneering work in the many countries you visited.

I need not assure you how appreciative the Guardian is of all the precious efforts you are making for the spread of the Bahá’í teachings. He cherishes the brightest hopes for the future of your work. Your literary and intellectual power, your devotion and invincible faith as well as your perseverance and constancy, all these qualities of your heart and mind make you assuredly equal to the noble and most delicate task you have set yourself to achieve.

However meagre the immediate results of your efforts may be, however sceptical nay cynical the attitude of the public may seem to appear, you should always be confident that wherever you may go and to whomsoever you may speak the Hand of Divine Guidance is with you and will always lead you in the right path.

Shoghi Effendi will be always delighted to hear of your news and he wishes you to keep him in touch with your activities. And be assured that he will be always glad to give you any advice or help you may need. In his moments of meditation and prayer he will always remember you and ask the Almighty that He may cheer and comfort you and give you the necessary strength for the fulfilment of your most precious task.

Yours in His Service,
H. Rabbání

Dear and valued co-worker:

Your message of sympathy cabled in connection with the passing of our beloved Ḵhánum has touched me and relieved the burden of grief that weighs so heavily on my heart. Our loss is irreparable, our grief immense. The example of her saintly life will inspire us to follow in her footsteps. Your pioneer services in Holland are highly meritorious in the sight of God and I wish you to persevere in your noble task and not to allow either grief or the apathy of the people to deflect you from your high purpose.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

– 440 –

1932-07-30 Translation of ‘Paris Talk’

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p188

Your delightful and highly encouraging letter was a ray of light amidst the anxieties and cares of my arduous work. I was cheered, strengthened and relieved. I believe that the translation of the ‘Paris Talks’ is an excellent idea. Our Beloved, who watches over your devoted labours from on high, is highly pleased with your perseverance, your efficiency, your high endeavours. Perceive and never, never feel disheartened. The Almighty is guiding you in your great work for so great and sacred a Cause.

. . . . . . .

My dear & precious sister:

Your prolonged stay in Bulgaria, so providential, so timely, has been attended by blessings only future generations can rightly estimate. You should feel thankful & elated. Your work, however, is by no means completed. I am continually praying that the Beloved whom you have served so well may continue to inspire, sustain and guide you. The translation into Bulgarian of Paris Talks is an excellent suggestion & will, I feel, be greatly appreciated. More power to your elbow!

Your grateful brother,

Shoghi.

[letter to Marion Jack 30 July 1932]

– 441 –

1932-08-03 To Live To Teach Today Is Like Being Martyred

No. 68 — November 1932 — page 3

“Every day has certain needs. In those early days the Cause needed Martyrs and people who would stand all sorts of torture and persecution in expressing their faith and spreading the mess-age sent by God. Those days are, however, gone. The Cause at present does not need martyrs who would die for their faith, but servants who desire to teach and establish the Cause throughout the world. To live to teach in the present day is like being martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, not the act through which that spirit expresses itself; and that spirit is to serve the Cause of God with our heart and soul.”

(To Ṭáhirih Mann, Baltimore. Md., through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, August 3,12. )

– 442 –

1932-08-05 To Ioas re Geyserville Emphasis On Both History and Admin

Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God, Chapman, p58-9

… special stress [should] be put on the history of the Movement as well as on the guiding principles of Bahá’í Administration. For on these two points most of the believers are not adequately informed.

– 443 –

1932-08-08 Response to Passing of Greatest Holy Leaf

No. 66 — September 1932 — pp. 2

“Pray assure American believers (on) behalf (of the) Holy Family (and) myself abiding gratitude (for the) numerous evidences (of) their valued sympathy. Our sorrow laden hearts much relieved (and) filled with gratitude. Out of (the) pang of anguish (which) bereaved America experienced in her sudden separation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, (the) administration (of) God’s invincible Faith was born. Might not this present grief at loss (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s precious daughter release such forces as will ensure speedy completion (of) Mastyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">shriqu’l-Astyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">dhkár, (the) administration’s mighty bulwark, (the) symbol of its strength and harbinger (of) its promised glory.”

(Cablegram) August 8,

– 444 –

1932-08-15 Response to Passing Greatest Holy Leaf

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p256-7

Letter from The Guardian via H. Rabbání to Nancy Bowditch, Agnes Parsons, and Mrs. Lucy Wilson. Dated August 15, 1932.

Dear Bahá’í Sisters,

I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge on his behalf and on the behalf of the members of the Holy Family, the receipt of your kind letter of condolence and sympathy, dated July 17th 1932, and to extend to you all the expression of the heartfelt appreciation and thanks.

Your touching words in connection with the sudden removal of the Greatest Holy Leaf from their midst have greatly alleviated the burden of sorrow that weighs so heavily upon their hearts, and have demonstrated that in their great and irreparable loss, the Friends are faithfully sharing their sorrow and grief.

The passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, so tragic in its suddenness, has, indeed, divested the Holy Family from its unique adornment and the Bahá’í world at large from one of its noblest and most precious members. She was to us all not only a true friend, but the real embodiment of those traits and characteristics of that genuine and profound love that are born of God, and that we had learned to admire in the Master. Her life at once so eventful and so glorious, is so closely interwoven with the history of the Faith itself, that I will not attempt to describe. Suffice it to say that the share she has had in shaping some of the chief events in the annals of the Faith, though yet in the main unrecorded and unknown, will be one day revealed and its significance will be deeply realized.

In this great loss that the followers of the Faith both in East and West have come to suffer, our Guardians share is the greatest and perhaps the most cruel. His sole comfort in this calamity, is to see the Friends united by working for the spread of the Cause for which our departed Ḵhánum had given up all of her life, and for the triumph of which she cherished the highest hopes.

The expressions of highest zealous enthusiasm and hope, of genuine self-abnegation and love that the American believers and especially our precious sister Mrs. Agnes Parsons demonstrated in their last Convention meeting have greatly brightened the closing days of her life.²

Shoghi Effendi trusts that her memory will increasingly serve to cheer and hearten the Friends in their ever widening activities.

— Yours in His service,

H. Rabbání.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi

I deeply appreciate your sympathy. My loss is tremendous and my sorrow so profound. I will pray that you, who have felt the power of her spirit at so advanced an age may be enabled to mirror forth its splendour and reveal its beauty to the world. I will continue to pray in your behalf. You are often in my thoughts. Rest assured and persevere in your devoted efforts.

[Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p46-7]

– 445 –

1932-08-15 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp21-22

Louise Drake Wright, 15 August 1932

Dear Bahá’í co-worker,

Your letters dated July 19th and 25th, 1932 addressed to Shoghi Effendi were duly received and read with deep interest. He has directed me to address you these few lines expressing his warmest thanks and his lively appreciation of your kind words of condolence and sympathy in connection with the sudden passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf. Your beautiful and touching words greatly alleviated the burden of his sorrow and comforted his aching heart.

At this terrible hour, when hearts are filled with grief and minds are turned towards God imploring His grace, our Guardians sole comfort is to see you as ever active in the service of the Cause.

In this great calamity which has affected all the friends both in East and West, his loss has been the greatest and the most cruel. But his heart is overflowing with thanks to God for the guidance and help which His blessings confer to all those who, scattered in every part of the globe, are striving to promote and consolidate the interests of the Faith.

He has, already, cabled to you regarding your teaching work in Holland and has urged you to concentrate on those few people who are truly interested in the teachings of the Cause and to make of them sincere Bahá’ís. It is no use delivering the Message to the public in a general way. You should strive to take hold of some persons who have a genuine interest in the Faith and to deepen their knowledge and make them ready for teaching.

Assuring you once more of Shoghi Effendi’s warmest thanks and of his continued prayers on your behalf.

Yours in His service,
H. Rabbání

Dear and precious co-worker:

Your services in Europe, and particularly in Holland, are deeply appreciated. I trust that through your constant efforts a center will be established in that country and will start to function vigorously and prove a prelude to still greater achievements in the future. I am urging Mrs. Greeven in Bremen to hasten the translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book into Dutch, as I feel it to be an essential preliminary to an intensive teaching campaign in that land. May the Beloved assist you to render memorable services and to establish His Faith in the hearts of its inhabitants.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

– 446 –

1932-08-15 To Nancy Bowditch re Passing of Greatest Holy Leaf

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p256-7

Dear Bahá’í Sisters,

In this great loss that the followers of the Faith both in East and West have come to suffer, our Guardian’s share is the greatest and perhaps the most cruel. His sole comfort in this calamity, is to see the Friends united by working for the spread of the Cause for which our departed Kha’num had given up all of her life, and for the triumph of which she cherished the highest hopes.

Shoghi Effendi trusts that her memory will increasingly serve to cheer and hearten the Friends in their ever widening activities.

— Yours in His service,

H. Rabbání.

– 447 –

1932-08-23 Response to Younkers NY LSA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p69

The ascension of the Greatest Holy Leaf is, indeed, an irreparable loss to us all and will continue to be deeply felt for many, many long years. Her presence among us was such a source of blessings and inspiration! She was to every one of us not only a friend but a real mother, through whose maternal care and love we had learned to feel and experience that consuming love which is born of God and which alone can galvanize the souls of men.

Her departure from our midst, though cruel and heart-rending in its immediate results cannot but ultimately serve the very best interests of the Cause. For this invincible Faith of God has, ever since its inception in darkest Persia, grown and flourished amidst all sorts of tribulations and sufferings and has welcomed all these as providential forces destined to ensure its unity, promote its interests and consolidate its work.

Let us, therefore, not remain disconsolate and hopeless and withstand in a heroic way the shock occasioned by the passing of our beloved Ḵhánum. Her ascension is a challenge to us all, a challenge to our faith, to our sincerity and to our love.

May her memory continue to strengthen and deepen our spiritual insight and enable us to render the Faith as many services as we can.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p47

I greatly value your sympathy in my cruel, my irreparable loss. My only comfort is the assurance of her devoted lovers to remain firm and steadfast in the Cause and to strive to follow in her footsteps. The example of her life is our solace, our inspiration and strength. May the Beloved aid you to follow in her way, and to perpetuate her glorious memory.

[response to Younkers NY LSA condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 23 Aug 1932]

– 448 –

1932-08-23 Response to Individual Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p68-9

The passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, so cruel in the feelings of unalterable grief that it has evoked, is, indeed, a tremendous loss to us all and particularly to our Guardian. Her presence among us was such a source of inspiration and joy that we cannot too deeply grieve the immensity of our loss. She was a real mother to every one of us, a comforter in our pains and anxieties, and a friend in our moments of utter loneliness and despair. But alas! [pg 69] We failed to appreciate adequately what her presence among us meant and it is only now, when she has gone for ever, that we come to realize the irreparable character of our loss.

And yet, however deep our consciousness of her unexpected removal from our midst may be, we cannot but feel certain that from her heavenly retreat she is continually showering her blessings upon everyone of us and is interceding on our behalf so that we may recover our energies and unanimously arise and dedicate our lives to the service of her Father’s glorious Cause.

Her memory will, assuredly, continue to inspire us for many, many long years and will prove, when the hour of adversity is at its darkest, to be our best sustainer.

May her glorious spirit inspire us with faith and hope, steel our energies and enable us to make every sacrifice in the path lighted by her saintly and eventful life.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p46-7

[response to individual condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 31 Aug 1932]

– 449 –

1932-08-23 Response to Letter re Passing Holy Leaf

[rcvd by Arden Lee fm Jeanne R Bolles]

August 23, 1932

Beloved Sisters in the Faith —

Your letter of condolence and sympathy of July 24th, 1932 addressed to our beloved guardian brought immense to and satisfaction to his aching heart and greatly relieved the burden of his sorrow.

He has, accordingly directed me to thank you most warmly on his behalf and to convey to you all the expression of his lively appreciation and sincere love. Though overflowing with grief at the unexpected removal of the Greatest Holy Leaf from our midst yet his heart is thankful to God for having given us the privilege of learning through her saintly and eventful life the efficacy of God’s power in moulding our entire existence and making us worthy instruments for the realization of His Divine plan.

The Greatest Holy Leaf’s eventful career of more than eighty years is, indeed, so full of precious incidents, each of which is a living testimony to her devotion, faith, and selfless efforts, that every Bahá’í cannot but feel the necessity of meditating upon its sacredness and of drawing from it the necessary inspiration and hope.

Though gone from our midst yet we feel certain that from her heavenly retreat she is continually showering her blessings upon everyone and is watching expectant to see us arise and dedicate our lives to a cause for the progress of which she toiled so much and for the future of which she cherished the brightest hopes. The expressions of unqualified devotion and self-sacrifice, of enthusiasm and zeal that signalized the proceedings America’s last annual convention greatly cheered and brightened the closing days of her life. May her saintly memory continue to guide our steps, inspire us with faith and hope and keep us ever constant in the faith.

Yours in His Service

H. Rabbání

Ḥusayn Rabbání

[The following is in the same file as the above msg. It is not obvious whether it was attached or a separate msg fm the Guardian. The fact it is not signed suggests it is a typescript copy of some type.]

Dearly-Beloved Co-Workers:

Your message redolent of your great attachment and devotion to Bahá’u’lláh’s unique and exalted daughter, has brought considerable solace to my aching heart. I am greatly comforted to realize that in so promising a center, and through the efforts of so distinguished an assembly, so befitting a tribute has been paid to so exalted a memory. May Her spirit continue to guide, bless, and sustain your deliberations, and enable you to mirror forth the sublimity of Her life.

She will undoubtedly intercede for every one of you before the Throne of Her Almighty Father. Rest assured and perservere in your high endeavors.

Your True Brother

Shoghi

– 450 –

1932-08-23 To Corinne True on Passing of Holy Leaf

Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Nathan Rutstein, p198

Dear and precious sister,

I greatly value your words of sympathy as I am fully aware of the Greatest Holy Leaf’s attachment to you and of her keen and abiding appreciation of all that you have done for the Cause of her Father. May He enable you to mirror forth the sublimity of her life, and to hand on to future generations her noble heritage.

[From a letter written by the Guardian to Corinne True, 23 August13. ]

– 451 –

1932-08-25 Response to Individual Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p70-1

His grief is too immense and his loss too heavy to be adequately expressed in words. But the many letters of condolence he has already received, and especially your message that indicated your profound attachment to our departed Ḵhánum, greatly comforted his sorrow-stricken heart and gave him the assurance that in this calamitous event the friends are amply sharing his grief.

However irreparable and heart-rending our loss may be, we cannot but thank God for having released our beloved Holy Leaf from the oppression and bondage of this world. For more than eighty years this Exalted Leaf bore with a fortitude that bewildered every one who had the privilege of knowing her, sufferings and tribulations that few of our present-day believers did experience. And yet, what a joy and what a saintlike attitude she manifested all through her life. Her angelic face was so calm, so serene in the very midst of sufferings and pains. Not that she lacked tenderness of heart and sympathy. But she could overcome her feelings and this because she had put all her trust in God.

And now that she has gone for ever we should rejoice at the thought that she is still living in our hearts and is animating our soul with a devotion, a courage, and a hope of which we are in such a dire need in these days of sufferings and hardships.

May the memory of her saintly life inspire you with faith and hope, cheer and strengthen your heart and make of you a servant worthy to promote and consolidate the interests of the Faith!

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi, quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p47

Your sweet and touching message imparted strength and solace to my heart. I value the sentiments you express and am deeply grateful. My grief is profound and my only comfort is the thought that her many lovers, East and West, are straining every nerve to promote those very ideals for which she suffered and toiled all the days of her eventful and sacred life. I will continue to pray for your welfare and success from the depths of my heart. Rest assured.

[response to individual condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 25 Aug 1932]

– 452 –

1932-08-30 Response to Berkeley CA LSA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p71-2

The irreparable loss which the Faith has suffered through the passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf is too immense to be adequately expressed in words, and we cannot fully realize its significance at the present stage of the evolution of the Cause. Future generations stand in a better position to appreciate what her significance was during the early days of the Revelation and especially after the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

And now that she has gone for ever and is in direct communion with God we should rejoice at the thought that from the Realm Above she is watching over us all and is sending us her blessings.

May the memory of her saintly life be our comforter in our hours of sadness and despair, and may we learn through her example how to live the true life of the spirit, of self-abnegation and of service.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p48

My great love for the Greatest Holy Leaf and my attachment to each one of you prompt me to add these few words in person and to express to you my gratitude for the expression of your valued sympathy. I greatly value your message, and will pray that the Almighty may bless your efforts in the service of a Cause for the sake of which our loved Ḵhánum sacrificed her precious life.

[response to Berkeley CA LSA condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 30 Aug 1932]

– 453 –

1932-08-30 Response to Racine WI LSA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p72-3

In these days, when we are all mourning the loss of our beloved Greatest Holy Leaf, Shoghi Effendi’s sole comfort is to see the friends as ever devoted and active and striving day and night to promote the teachings of the Cause.

However cruel our separation from Bahíyyih Ḵhánum may be, especially at a time when her presence among us was such a source of inspiration and strength, yet we feel confident that from her Heavenly Retreat she is sending us her blessings and is quickening our weary souls.

Concerning the suspension of festivities for a period of nine months it should be made clear that what is meant by this is that all gatherings, whether outdoor or indoor, which are not of a strictly devotional character should be abolished all through the period of our mourning. However, meetings and services that are wholly spiritual as well as those that are necessary for the carrying on of the administration should continue to be held as usual.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p48

The many evidences of your increasing zeal and activities in the service of our beloved Cause, have to a great measure, relieved my sorrow-laden heart. I will continue to pray for your unsparing efforts, and wish you to persevere, whatever the vicissitudes which this immortal Faith may encounter in future. Rest assured, and never feel disconsolate…

The celebration of Bahá’í festive anniversaries, I feel, should also be suspended during a period of nine months.

[response to Racine WI LSA condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 30 Aug 1932]

– 454 –

1932-08-30 Response to Individual’s Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p72-3

Your message of condolence and sympathy, dated July 22nd, 1932 which so fully conveyed your profound grief at the loss occasioned by the unexpected passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf was received and read with great interest. The Guardian’s sorrow was much relieved and the burden of his agonizing pain immensely alleviated. He sincerely hopes that out of the pangs of this crushing calamity the Faith will strengthen its foundations and extend the sphere of its ever-widening influence.

Our loss is, indeed, immense and even irreparable. But our joy should also be great, for the Greatest Holy Leaf has at least been released from the bondage of this world after more than eighty years of continued suffering. It would take me too long to relate in their fullness those incidents which eloquently proclaim her as one of the greatest sufferers the world has yet seen. And yet, with what a fortitude she bore all these tribulations for she was confident in the grace of God.

Though now gone for ever from our midst we should be hopeful that from her Celestial Realm she will send us her blessings and will extend to us her help. Her memory will continue to cheer and strengthen our souls, deepen our spiritual insight and bring us to a strong determination to serve till [pg 74] the very last breath of our life a Cause for which our departed Ḵhánum gave up her entire existence and for the future of which she cherished the brightest hopes.

[response to individual’s condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 30 Aug 1932]

– 455 –

1932-08-xx Capitalize Talents of All Members of Group

No. 68 — November 1932 — page 3

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 1,15. as well as the enclosed general letter of the Los Angeles Spiritual Assembly. He was deeply interested to read of the activities of the friends in attracting new souls to the teachings of the Cause.

“Of special interest was the fact that the talents of the younger members of the group were also used. The best Assembly is the one that capitalizes the talents of all the members of the group and keeps them busy in some form of active participation in serving the Cause and spreading the message.”

(To Oni A. Finks, Corresponding Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa. August,17. )

– 456 –

1932-08-xx To May Maxwell Response Her Letter re Passing Greatest Holy Leaf

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p174

Your messages of condolence & sympathy dated July 22nd and 28th, 1932 were received and were greatly appreciated by the Guardian. His sorrow-laden heart was much relieved at the thought that you are so kindly sharing his grief, and the news of your unceasing efforts towards a greater spread of the Cause brightened his hopes for the future of your work …

In your last communication you had enclosed a letter to you by Lily Armstrong which indicated how eager this devoted woman is to spread the teachings of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi trusts that through your devotion, care and wisdom she will soon embrace the Cause and will be able to render it as many services as she can. In his moments of meditation & prayer he will always remember her & ask the Almighty to strengthen her faith, deepen her spiritual insight & open before her new fields of service.

Dear & valued sister:

I greatly prize your message as it comes from one whose past, & particularly her present, services have to a great extent served to cheer the heart of Ḵhánum, in the closing days of her earthly life. This thought should alleviate your sorrow & impart fresh strength to your heart in the many services you are so nobly energetically rendering to the Cause of God. I will continue to pray for you that the Beloved may sustain, bless & guide your high endeavours.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

=========

Lily Armstrong Perry Goding was a NYC Bahá’í who had programs on various NYC and NJ radio stations. USBN Feb 1934

May’s first radio experience was on one of her programs.

– 457 –

1932-09-01 Proper Response to Passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p49

The passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf has filled my heart with unutterable sorrow. My comfort is the thought that the measure of success achieved, under your wise and able leadership, by the collective efforts of the American believers has brightened considerably the last days of her precious life. Would to God that the continued endeavours of this little band of her devoted lovers who have brought so great a joy to her blessed heart, may bring further satisfaction to her soul, and realize, at the appointed time, her dearest wish and fondest hopes for the Cause in your land. To complete the Temple, to clothe its naked dome, and terminate its exterior elaborate ornamentation, is the best and most effective way in which the American believers, the recipients of her untold favours, can demonstrate their fidelity to her memory and their gratitude for the inestimable blessings she showered upon them.

[To USNSA 1 Sept 1932]

– 458 –

1932-09-01 Response to Washington D.C. LSA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p74

…The news of the Memorial Service you had held for the Greatest Holy Leaf gave him the assurance that the friends are faithfully sharing his grief and are demonstrating in a befitting manner their profound devotion to one whose very life was an example of faithfulness and sincerity, of self-abnegation and love.

The ascension of the Greatest Holy Leaf is, indeed, both a calamity and a blessing. It is an overwhelming calamity since it has deprived us of the presence in our very midst of the last Remnant of that Heroic age of the Cause that gave birth to so many noble and faithful souls. The mere presence of our beloved Ḵhánum among us was a source of inspiration and blessing. And now that she has gone we cannot too deeply deplore the immensity of our loss.

But thanks to God for having released her, after so many long years of agonizing pain, of the bondage of this world and given her the priceless privilege of being in direct communion with God.

May her everlasting spirit continue to guide our efforts and enable us to serve a Cause, for which she suffered so much, with all our might, our enthusiasm and hope.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p48

Your highly impressive and touching message brought much relief to my weary soul. I thank you from the depths of my heart. I greatly value the sentiments expressed on behalf of a local community, the members of which have, by their services, their devotion and loyalty, contributed, to so great an extent, to the joy and satisfaction of the hearts of both ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Greatest Holy Leaf. My great attachment to each one of you, as well as my immense love for our departed and beloved Ḵhánum, have prompted me to add these few words in person. I will continue to pray for the success of your efforts, as well as for your spiritual advancement.

[response to Washington D.C. LSA condolences on passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum 1 Sept 1932]

– 459 –

1932-09-02 Purchase of Mount Carmel Lot

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 2

On September 2, Shoghi Effendi cabled this important information:

“Prolonged delicate negotiations resulted purchase (for) $5,000 a lot adjoining the precincts of the Báb’s Shrine. The deed has been officially registered (in the name of) American National Assembly, Palestine branch. Mailing documents to national Secretary. Inform all believers who, in response to my appeal, transmitted their donations through the National Assembly.”

=========

This refers to the appeal which the Guardian made in his letter dated October 24, 1925, at which time it had become apparent that certain non-Bahá’í interests were contemplating the purchase of land on Mount Carmel. As the result of that appeal, a number of believers sent contributions to the Guardian, who purchased various pieces of land in the name of the individual donors. Other believers contributed to this special fund through the National Spiritual Assembly, and it is these combined and joint donations which have made possible the latest purchase mentioned in the cablegram.

Within the past few months, the Spiritual Assembly of Honolulu has taken steps to transfer to the National Assembly, Palestine branch, the title to the property on Mount Carmel which they purchased some years ago through the Guardian and had held in the name of one of their members as trustee.

It is for the best interests of the Cause that as many individual believers as possible, who now hold land on Mount Carmel! Follow the example of the Honolulu friends. The Guardian will have the transfer of title made at Haifa, and believers may write him of their intention.

– 460 –

1932-09-05 Consolation on Passing of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p75-6

The letter from that spiritual friend has reached the beloved Guardian, and he is aware of your bitter grieving over the calamitous news that a most glorious fruit of the Holy Tree, the Most Exalted Leaf, the Remnant of Bahá, has passed away.

This disastrous event has had an effect on the Guardian so terrible that no pen can describe it nor paper bear the words; for that bright and surpassingly fair presence, that quintessence of the perfections and attributes of God, was his close companion, and the consolation of his heart, so that his separation from her whom the world wronged, and the ascension of that loved one of the community of love, was unspeakably hard for him to bear.

She was a divine trust, a treasure of the Kingdom, and she spent all the days of her precious life as an exile and a captive, and her every priceless hour was passed under tests and afflictions and ordeals that she endured at the hands of merciless foes. From early childhood she had her share of the sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh, subjected even as He was to hardships and calamities, and she was as well the partner in sorrows and tribulations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

For her there was never a night of peaceful sleep, for her no day when she found rest, and always, like a moth, would her comely person circle about the bright candle of the Faith. The words of her mouth were ever to glorify the Abhá Beauty, her only thought and her high purpose were to proclaim the Cause of God and to protect His Law, while the [pg 76] dearest wish of her glowing heart was to waft far and wide the sweet breathings of the Lord.

Her heavenly ways were a model for the people of Bahá, and those who dwell in the pavilions of devotion and the denizens of the Abhá Paradise found in her celestial attributes their prototype and their guide. Glory be to God, Who created her, fashioned her, called her into being, sent her forth and revealed her, whose like the eye of the world had never seen.

The Guardian sends his message of consolation to your honoured self and all the friends, and he says that it is fitting that the righteous should hold fast to the cord of resignation and acquiescence, and adorn themselves with the ornaments of faithfulness and servitude, and take for their example that priceless treasure of the Kingdom.

Postscript by Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p49

O well-loved friend,

The emotions that have possessed my grieving [pg 50] heart are such that they cannot be put into words, and tongue and pen are helpless to describe them. The one consolation of this servant is the steadfastness and the redoubled services of those dearly-loved ones in Írán, and the good news of energetic efforts being exerted by the friends in that land. This is what dissipates the clouds of my grieving, and dispels the darkness of my anguish, and quiets the flames that consume my very being, and casts a ray of joy across the darkened sky of my agonized and stricken heart.

[To individual 5 Sept 1932, translated fm Persian]

– 461 –

1932-09-09 Effect of Passing of Greatest Holy Leaf

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p78-80

What you had written concerning the memorial gatherings of men and women believers to mourn the Most Exalted Leaf, who was the peerless fruit of the Holy Tree, and to commemorate the ascension of her who was the most glorious trust left on earth by the Lord — may the souls of holy men and women be a sacrifice for her sacred resting-place — has been received by the Guardian.

It cannot be imagined to what a degree this terrible and calamitous event has saddened him, and, more than words can tell, clouded the radiance of his heart. For that holy being, that resplendent person, with all her heart and soul and endless love, had ever fostered and cherished him in the warm embrace of her celestial tenderness. She was his single, dear companion, she was his one and only consolation in the world, and that is why he is so burdened down with the passing of her high and stately presence, and why the departure of that comely spirit is so hard for him to bear.

She who was left in trust by Bahá’u’lláh was the symbol of His infinite compassion, the day star in the heaven of His bounty and grace. That sanctified spirit revealed the loving-kindness of Him who was the Beauty of the All-Glorious, and was the welling spring of the favours and bestowals of Him Who was the Lord, the Most High. She was the comforter of anyone who grieved, the solace of any with a broken heart. She, that Remnant of Bahá, was a loving mother to the orphan, and for the hapless and bewildered it was she who would find a way. Her holy life lit up the world; her heavenly qualities and ways were a standard for people all over the earth. Like a cloud of grace, she showered down gifts, and her bestowals, like the morning winds, refreshed the soul.

Stranger and friend alike were captured by her loving-kindness, her spiritual nature, her unceasing care for them and tender ways; enamoured of her great indulgence toward them, and how she favoured them and cherished them. The mind could only marvel at that subtle and ethereal being, at the majesty and greatness of her, and the heavenly modesty, and the forbearance and long suffering. Even in the thick of the worst ordeals, she would smile like an opening rose, and no matter how dark and calamitous the times, like a bright candle she would shed her light.

The Guardian sends messages of heartfelt condolence to all of you, and asks you to be submissive and acquiescent and patient, and loyally to arise and serve, and take for your model that precious treasure of the Abhá Paradise.

You had asked the Guardian as to the nine months of mourning, during which all Bahá’í festivities are to be suspended. His answer is that this refers to nine solar months. He says further that the blessed and exalted Leaf ascended at one hour after midnight, on the eve of Friday, July

[to an individual, 9 Sept 1932, translated from the Persian]

– 462 –

1932-09-09 re Passing of Greatest Holy Leaf

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p76-8

The letter dated 5 August 1932, from that spiritual friend has been received by the Guardian of the Cause of God, may our lives be sacrificed for him, and he has been informed of your receiving his telegram regarding the ascension of that matchless fruit of the Tree of Glory, the Most Exalted Leaf.

There is no question but that the burden of grief on his sorrowing heart, because of this terrible ordeal, this great calamity, is heavier than minds can conceive, or words can tell. That gem of immortality, that precious and exalted being, was the one consolation, the one companion of the Guardian in his sorrow-filled life; and she, with her sweet encouragement, her gentle words, her never-ceasing, soothing care of him, her smiles that came like fair winds from heavenly gardens, could always gladden and refresh his spirit.

No one has understood the tender, spiritual and celestial bond between the Guardian and her who was the Remnant of Bahá, nor can any mind conceive that plane of being, nor reckon its sublimity.

During her whole life span, that heavenly being was subjected to ordeals and tribulations. She confronted the attacks of the hostile, and she suffered afflictions any one of which could well have shattered a mountain of iron. And yet the sweet and comely face of that spirit-like dove of holiness, was wreathed till her very last hour in life-giving smiles, nor did that patience and endurance, that greatness, that majesty and dignity, ever desert her delicate and fragile person.

She who was the trust left by Bahá’u’lláh had no other aim nor goal but these: to proclaim the Cause of God and exalt His Word; to praise and glorify the Blessed Beauty’s name; to bear ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in mind and serve Him ever; to pity the sorely-troubled and give them endless, loving care; to cherish and comfort them, and bring them joy. There is, then, good reason, that with the passing of this peerless gem, this precious, matchless pearl, we should rend our garments in mourning, and that our eyes should stream with bitter tears.

The Guardian conveys his message of condolence, and says that in this severest of afflictions, it would befit the people of Bahá to hold fast to resignation and acquiescence, and to rise up and loyally serve the Faith, taking for their example that priceless treasure of the Abhá Paradise.

[to an individual, 9 Sept 1932, translated from the Persian]

– 463 –

1932-09-10 Response to Glendale CA LSA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p50

I wish to add a few words in person as a token of my deepfelt appreciation of your loving message of sympathy in the great loss the family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and myself have sustained. My prayer for each one of you is that the Almighty may aid you to perpetuate her glorious memory, to walk in her footsteps and to transmit to future generations the tradition she has bequeathed to us all.

[Response to Glendale CA LSA condolences 10 Sept 1932]

– 464 –

1932-09-10 Development of Local Bahá’í Community Life

No. 68 — November 1932 — page 2

In a letter dated Haifa, September 10, 1932, the Guardian has written the National Spiritual Assembly, through his secretary, as follows:

“The Guardian fully agrees with your idea that the permanent welfare of the Faith demands the steady development of local Bahá’í community life. The policy your Assembly has adopted regarding the publication of Bahá’í News, the signing of a new contract regarding the dome of the Temple, and various measures involving a strict retrenchment of administrative expenditure, have met with the Guardian’s whole-hearted and unqualified approval. He truly admires the spirit which enables you to face the rigors and surmount the obstacles of a crisis unprecedented in its gravity and worldwide in its effects. The constancy, wisdom, courage and loyalty you have so thoroughly displayed are beyond all praise, and are worthy of your high station as the standard-bearers of the Administration of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”

To this letter the Guardian added the following words: “I am moved to add a few words with my own pen, to what has been written on my behalf, renewing my plea to you, and through you, to each member of your beloved community, to prosecute with undiminished vigor, the enterprise which you have so splendidly inaugurated. The Greatest Holy Leaf, from her retreat of Glory, is watching over you, is interceding for every one of you and is expecting you to play your part in the great task with which the prestige of her Father’s glorious Cause is so closely associated. You have, while she lived among us, contributed to a remarkable degree to the brightening of her earthly life. By your persistent, your heroic endeavors, you will, I am sure, bring added joy to her soul, and will vindicate afresh your undying loyalty to her memory.”

– 465 –

1932-09-10 Effect of Bahíyyih’s Passing on SE

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p81

The profound sorrow occasioned by the sudden passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf, as well as the unnumbered messages of sympathy received from friends and believers in East and West, all of which the Guardian acknowledged in person, have caused the unavoidable delay in giving his immediate attention to various matters referred to in your communications to him. He deeply regrets the obstacles which stood in his way and which by their very nature he found them impossible to surmount.

[to the USNSA 10 Sept 1932]

– 466 –

1932-09-10 Plea to Prosecute Temple Project

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p81

Postscript of Shoghi Effendi quoted in Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p50-1

I am moved to add a few words with my own pen, to what has been written on my behalf, renewing my plea to you and through you, to each member of your beloved community, to prosecute, with undiminished vigour the enterprise which you have so splendidly inaugurated. The Greatest Holy Leaf, from her retreat of Glory, is watching over you, is interceding for every one of you, and is expecting you to play your part in the great task, with which the prestige of her Father’s glorious Cause is so closely associated. You have, while she lived amongst us, contributed to a remarkable degree to the brightening of her earthly life. By your persistent, your heroic endeavours you will, I am sure, bring added joy to her soul, and will vindicate afresh your undying loyalty to her memory.

[To USNSA 10 Sept 1932]

– 467 –

1932-09-10 re Bahá’ís of Monroe WA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p80

His loss is too immense to be adequately expressed in words. But his joy is also great. For such calamitous events, though cruel in their immediate effects, nevertheless, serve to stimulate the friends and quicken their souls.

Ours, therefore, is the opportunity to arise and serve the Cause and put all our trust in God. Surely, He will guide our steps and will inspire us with the necessary enthusiasm and strength.

May the immortal spirit of our departed Ḵhánum quicken our energies and give fresh lustre to our endeavours for the greater extension of the Cause.

[to the Bahá’ís of Monroe WA, 10 Sept 1932]

[the Monroe LSA was formed Riḍván 1935 w/ Rosamond Bays as secretary]

– 468 –

1932-09-10 re Jacksonville FL Bahá’ís Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p80

…He is eagerly awaiting to see the friends as ever burning with the desire to serve a Cause for the sake of which our departed Holy Leaf gave up her entire existence.

May her glorious spirit cheer your hearts, strengthen your faith and inspire you with renewed courage and hope.

[to the Bahá’ís of Jacksonville FL, 10 Sept 1932]

– 469 –

1932-09-10 Tnx for Care of Bahíyyih Ḵhánum

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p51

The passing of the beloved Ḵhánum has plunged me in unspeakable sorrow. What a gap she has left behind her! It is terrible to contemplate. Your message, which I greatly value, lessened considerably the burden of my grief as I am fully conscious of the extent to which you have, in so many different ways, contributed to her physical well-being, and to the joy and satisfaction of her soul. We are all indebted to you for the many evidences of your loving and unfailing solicitude for her welfare, and we can only pray at her grave that her spirit may intercede for you before the throne of her glorious Father, and aid you to accomplish still greater things for a Cause, in the path of which she toiled and suffered all the days of her precious life.

[to individual 10 Sept 1932]

– 470 –

1932-09-15 Bahíyyih as Token of Spiritual Attributes

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p82-3

The Guardian’s anguish, because of this tragic occurrence, is such that it can neither be [pg 83] plumbed nor described in words. That sublime and gloried Leaf, that precious jewel of the Kingdom, was the one great solace of his life; she was his glorious companion, and her disappearance, and the separation from her, and her ascending into the heavenly presence and court of her Lord was the direst ordeal to be visited upon the people of Bahá. Alas for any future time that might produce such a calamity, when the world’s eye might see its like.

That sacred treasure, that jewel of Heaven, was the very sign and token of spiritual attributes and qualities and perfections, the very model of high honour and nobility and heavenly ways. The sufferings she bore in the pathway of God were the cruellest ones, the afflictions that assailed her were the severest of all. Fortitude was the rich dress she wore, serenity and tranquil strength were her splendid robe, virtue and detachment, purity and chastity, were all her jewels, and tenderness, care and love for humankind, her beauty’s bright adornings.

The Guardian conveys his message of consolation and comfort, enjoining submission and acquiescence in this calamity, and the need for arising to serve and to be steadfast, and to take for our model that gem of the Abhá Paradise.

[to an individual, translated from the Persian, 15 Sept 1932]

– 471 –

1932-09-15 Greatest Holy Leaf the Trust of Bahá’u’lláh Amongst Us

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p83-4

Indeed, the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Trust of Bahá’u’lláh amongst us, was the emblem of His boundless grace, a luminary shining in the heaven of [pg 84] tender mercy and gracious providence, the embodiment of the manifold favours of the Abhá Beauty, a repository of the bounty and loving-kindness so characteristic of the Báb, the Exalted One. To every disconsolate one she was an affectionate comforter, to every heart-broken and grief-stricken soul, a token of unfailing sympathy, of kindliness, of cheer and comfort. Her blessed life was a source of spiritual illumination for the whole world and her noble traits and heavenly attributes served as a shining example, an object of emulation for all mankind. Like the showers of heavenly grace, her generosity knew no bounds, and as the breeze of celestial blessing and favour, she breathed a new life into every soul. Both friends and strangers were drawn by her sense of spirituality, her tenderness and refinement, her unfailing solicitude, and were attracted by the magic of her unbounded affection and goodwill. That heavenly being displayed throughout her life such evidence of glory and dignity, such manifestations of majesty and greatness, such a degree of patience and resignation as bewildered the minds and souls. In the midst of trials her radiant face bore the likeness of a sweet rose and in moments of sore tribulation she was resplendent as a brilliant candle.

[to S̱híráz LSA, translated from the Persian, 15 Sept 1932]

– 472 –

1932-09-15 Effect of Bahíyyih Passing on SE

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p81-2

The Guardian of the Cause of God has received your letter of 21 July 1932, telling of your and the other friends’ profound distress on receiving word of this calamity, this dire ordeal, that is, the ascension of the Most Exalted Leaf, that brightest fruit of the Eternal Tree.

It is certain that this anguish, this harrowing event, has reached into the very depths of his being, and oppressed and darkened his radiant heart more than words can ever tell. For the subtle and spiritual attachment that the Guardian felt for her, and the heavenly tenderness and affection between that lovely fruit of the divine Lote-Tree and himself, was a bond so strong as to defy description, nor can the mind encompass that exalted state. That secret is a secret well-concealed, a treasured mystery unplumbed, and to a plane such as this, the minds of the believers can never find their way. On this account the Guardian’s anguish at being parted from that bright and comely denizen of Heaven is beyond our conceiving.

She who was a sparkling light of God, she who was so full of grace — that widespread ray of Heaven’s splendour, that sign of God’s mercy — was made to appear with all perfections, all goodly attributes, all blessed ways; and never had the world’s eye gazed upon such a welling spring of tender love, of pity and compassion, and never will it behold again such a gem of loving-kindness, such a fount of God’s munificence.

How many a night did she whom the world wronged spend as a prisoner, worn with care, tormented, banished from her home. How many a day did she live through as an exile and a captive! There was no venom of affliction, at the hands of this Faith’s foes, that was not given her to drink, no arrow of cruelty but struck her holy breast. Yet in spite of the endless tribulations and disasters, she who was a spirit of holiness and a songster of Heaven, would even in the midst of dire ordeals, her face aglow, bloom like a rose.

The Guardian sends messages of consolation to you and all the friends in this bereavement, and he says that in this calamitous time all must bow down their heads and be acquiescent, arise in faithful service to His Cause, and model themselves upon that most exalted, sacred and resplendent presence.

[to an individual, translated from the Persian, 15 Sept 1932]

– 473 –

1932-09-15 Suspension of Religious Festivity

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p84-5

The Guardian trusts that the explanation he has given by wire regarding the suspension for a period of nine months of Bahá’í religious festivity has been made clear. The Nineteen Day Feast being of a quasi-administrative character should continue to be held, but should be conducted with the utmost simplicity and should be devoid of any features associated with feasts and entertainment. The celebration of Naw-Rúz, the anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh and of the Báb should be altogether cancelled as a token of our deep mourning for so distinguished and precious a member of Bahá’u’lláh’s family. The period of nine months should be reckoned from the 15th of July to the 15th of April.

[To USNSA 15 Sept 1932]

– 474 –

1932-09-15 To Martha re Gratitude for Services in Response to Holy Leaf’s Death

Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold, M. R. Garis, p387

I hasten to express in person my keen & abiding sense of appreciation of your stupendous efforts for the spread of our beloved Cause. I have been too overwhelmed with grief to write during the weeks following so terrific a blow. Your words of cheer & sympathy I immeasurably value as they come from one whose share in bringing genuine satisfaction to the heart of the Greatest Holy Leaf stands unrivalled. My heart overflows with love & gratitude for the imperishable example you are setting to the followers of God throughout the world.

– 475 –

1932-10-02 Transferring Holy Land Property

USBN #72 — April 1933 — page 3

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to send you these few lines to enclose a copy of the power of attorney that our lawyer here has framed in case any one of the friends desires to transfer the property he holds around the Shrine to the name of the National Assembly.

“As I told you in my previous letter, by law such lands can only be transferred during one’s lifetime. Otherwise it will go to the heirs according to prescribed shares. The will of the deceased is inoperative in such cases. Shoghi Effendi does not want to bring any form of pressure upon the friends. They are naturally free to keep the property in their name and have it go to their heirs.

“In case they express the desire to make such a transfer and have the property revert to the Cause then they have to sign this power of attorney before a Notary Public and then have it countersigned by the British Consul in that locality.

“The power of attorney is in my name and not in the name of the Guardian because he represents the N.S.A. and will sign for them. He cannot represent both parties to the transfer.

“For the transfer there are some expenses, among them 3 per cent of the value of the land, which is government taxes. They do not, however, amount to very much.

“Please note that besides putting their name and signature they have also to state the number of the deed which is mentioned on the Certificate of Registration which they hold.

Assuring you of Shoghi Effendi’s prayers and best wishes, I remain,

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

Haifa, Palestine,

October 2,3. ”

Power of Attorney

I/we the undersigned …………….. do hereby give power of attorney to Mr. Rúḥí Agnan [sic] of Haifa, authorizing him in my/our place and name to sell, transfer and register in the name of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada — Palestine Branch the property registered in my/our name under deed No. …… situate in Haifa and also to administer the said property, to effect partition, parcellation, correction of area and boundaries, sue in Courts and generally do such things and steps in connection with the said property as my said agent shall think fit, and for that purpose to appear before the Land Registries, Courts and Government Offices, sign applications, deeds and other documents, admit receipt of purchase price, and also to appoint other and others in his place and revoke at pleasure such substitutes.

In Witness Whereof I/We Have Set Hereunto My/Our Hands.

– 476 –

1932-10-04 Bahíyyih Source of Constant Joy and Inspiration

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p85-6

Even though during these last years she was weak and most of the time confined to her room, yet she was a source of constant joy and inspiration to those that met her. The Guardian feels her loss tremendously because the greatest part of his leisure hours he used to spend in her company.

His only comfort is that she has been delivered from the worries and weaknesses of a body that could no more withhold her spirit and help her to express all her desire in meeting the friends and serving them.

At present, in the presence of her Father and Lord we trust she is remembering us and asking for us His divine grace and blessings.

[To the Phoenix AZ LSA, 4 Oct 1932]

– 477 –

1932-10-04 Loss of the Greatest Holy Leaf

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p85

The loss of the Greatest Holy Leaf will be bitterly felt by all those friends who had the pleasure and privilege to meet her. She always kept such a wonderful atmosphere of joy and hope around her that was bound to influence those that were present and help them to go out into the world with added zeal and determination to consecrate all in the path of God.

The only consolation of Shoghi Effendi is in the knowledge that she has been delivered from earthly worries and physical weakness and that she is now in the presence of Bahá’u’lláh, her Father and Lord, enjoying the infinite blessings of His eternal Kingdom.

To Bahá’ís of Australia, 4 Oct 1932

– 478 –

1932-10-05 To May Maxwell re Poss Teaching trip to Nova Scotia

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p182

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 31st, 1932, telling him that you now feel strong enough to start on a teaching trip with Mary.

When visiting the Shrines the Guardian will think of you two & ask God to guide your steps & make your words penetrate to the heart of those that hear you & change them. The spirit of love & service you carry with you & your power of conviction is bound to win for you many victories & make of you a perfect channel for the life-giving spirit of Bahá’u’lláh.

– 479 –

1932-10-06 Bahíyyih A Precious Soul

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p86

The passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf was a loss every Bahá’í will feel deeply if only he stops to think about it. She was such a precious soul and so radiantly happy and hopeful even under most adverse circumstances. Every believer that came in contact with her left her presence with a more determined spirit of service and self-sacrifice. Both Shoghi Effendi and the rest of the Bahá’ís will mourn her loss bitterly. Their only consolation can be her own deliverance from a life of hardship and difficulties, and her entrance into a realm which is naught but eternal bliss and infinite divine grace.

[to an individual 6 Oct 1932]

– 480 –

1932-10-07 Bahíyyih With Us In Spirit

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p86-7

Even though the Greatest Holy Leaf has left us in body she is with us in spirit, inspiring us in our work and beseeching for us God’s loving mercy and fatherly care. She will never forget her loving friends nor leave them in their woes.

Shoghi Effendi was very sad to hear of your difficulties, especially as they have encompassed you at an age when you cannot confront them but must have comfort and peace. You should, however, take courage and resign to the will of God when you see what the Greatest Holy Leaf had to face during her life. All you may suffer is nothing compared to what she had to endure; and yet how joyous and hopeful she used always to be!

This is the way of the world. The greatest among us seems to be the one who has suffered most and withstood best the battles of life.

[to an individual 7 Oct 1932]

– 481 –

1932-10-08 Cause in Central Europe Needs Well Established Centres

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #11

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

The Guardian firmly believes that it is preferable for you to stay in a centre and gradually establish an Assembly rather than cover much ground and leave no appreciable result once you are gone. What the Cause in Central Europe needs are well established centres that could take care of themselves and they in turn become focal points for radiating the light of guidance to the surrounding regions. And this can be achieved only by personal contact and meeting small groups as you are doing at present. With a little experience you will find for yourself how true and efficacious this method is.

(9 October 1932 to an individual believer)

– 482 –

1932-10-08 Loss of Bahíyyih Bitterly Felt

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p87

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated August 25th 1932 and to extend his deep appreciation for your kind words of sympathy. This loss is a thing that will be bitterly felt by every Bahá’í throughout the world, because she used to be a source of inspiration to every one of them. The mere coming into her presence and thinking of the trials and difficulties she had to pass through in her life, was sufficient to create in us new hope and arouse us to stronger determination to promote the Cause she suffered for.

[to Adelaide Australia LSA 8 Oct 1932]

– 483 –

1932-10-10 Bahíyyih — Very Few Such Souls Who Have Suffered So Much

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p87-8

You should be very happy to have had the privilege of meeting her upon this physical plane of existence, for the world has seen only very few such souls who have suffered so much for the sake of God and yet kept their cheer and uttered words of hope and encouragement to those who were around them. What a source of inspiration she was to the pilgrims who came from the four corners of the world to seek spirituality and attain a new birth by visiting the Holy Shrines. They should surely remember those blessed moments they spent in her room or in her presence elsewhere, and remembering her suffering, take courage in confronting the problems of their life. May God help us all to follow her example and like her be a blessing to others.

[to an individual 10 Oct 1932]

– 484 –

1932-10-10 The Arts

USBN #73 — May 1933 — page 7

Mrs. Clara Weir of Hollywood has received a letter from the Guardian…..

[Last spring Mrs. Weir staged a “Pageant of Nations” …. lines …selected by Mrs. Weir from “The Promulgation of Universal Peace”.]

“Shoghi Effendi was very much interested to learn of the success of the ‘Pageant of Nations’ which you produced. He sincerely hopes that all those who attended it were inspired by the same spirit that animated you while arranging it.

“It is through such presentations that we can arouse the interest of the greatest number of people in the spirit of the Cause. That day will the Cause spread like wildfire when its spirit and teachings are presented on the stage or in art and literature as a whole. Art can better awaken such noble sentiments than cold rationalizing, especially among the mass of the people.

“We have to wait only a few years to see how the spirit breathed by Bahá’u’lláh will find expression in the work of the artists. What you and some other Bahá’ís are attempting, are only faint rays that precede the effulgent light of a glorious morn. We cannot yet estimate the part the Cause is destined to play in the life of society. We have to give it time. The material this spirit has to mould is too crude and unworthy, but it will at last give way and the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh will reveal itself in its full splendor.”

– 485 –

1932-10-11 Bahíyyih Undoubtedly Conscious of Our Activities

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p88

Surely there is nothing that will console the Guardian more than the happy news that the Cause for which the Greatest Holy Leaf lived and suffered is gradually spreading and embracing the whole of the people of the world.

She is undoubtedly conscious of our activities, following our work and impatiently awaiting the result of our battles. Let her passing, therefore, be a source of added sacrifice and more energetic striving on the part of her devoted friends and lovers.

[to Bahá’ís of Teaneck NJ 11 Oct 1932]

– 486 –

1932-10-11 Response To Teaneck LSA Condolences

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p51-2

I greatly value the expression of your loving sympathy and am greatly relieved by the sentiments your message conveyed. I will pray that you may be assisted, individually and collectively, to follow her inspiring example, to bring happiness to her soul, and to proclaim far and wide the purity of her life, the immensity of her love, and the supreme nobility of her character.

[response to Teaneck LSA condolences, 11 Oct 1932]

– 487 –

1932-10-11 Unity of Friends

USBN #71 — February 1933 — pp. 2

“What impressed him (Shoghi Effendi) most in the account of your services was the statement that the old and the young Bahá’ís are firmly united and cooperating in bearing the burden of the Faith in that locality. Nothing will attract God’s blessings and grace more than the unity of the friends, and nothing is more destructive of their highest purpose than divisions and misunderstandings. Cling therefore to unity if you desire to succeed and abide by the will of your Lord Bahá’u’lláh; for that is the true objective of His Mission in this world.”

(To the Spiritual Assembly of West Englewood, New Jersey, through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, October 11, 1932).

– 488 –

1932-10-18 9 Months of Mourning for Bahíyyih

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p88-9

These nine months during which the Guardian has asked the friends to discard feast days, are meant to be months of mourning for the passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf. The friends should also use it as a period of redoubled energy in serving the Cause in expression of our deep love for her as well as for the Cause she so much suffered for.

to an individual 18 Oct 1932

– 489 –

1932-10-18 Academic Fashions and Fads

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 5

He sincerely hopes and prays that the literature and letters you are sending to eminent men in the different parts of the country will have their desired effect and that the Word of God will gradually penetrate into their heart and win it. It however takes time. Such men are generally captive in the hands of some cherished ideas and principles which they cannot give up so quickly. The mere fact that a person is learned does not mean that he is free from prejudice.

The academic life also has its fashions and fads, even though they are of different nature from the fads of the man on the street. These fashions are not permanent; they are bound to change. Today the fad is a materialistic view of life and of the world. A day will soon come when it will become deeply religious and spiritual. In fact, we can discern the beginning of such a change in the writings of some of the most eminent souls and liberal minds. When the pendulum will start its full swing, then we shall see all such eminent men turn again to God.

(To Mr. Willard Hatch, October 18,7. )

– 490 –

1932-10-18 Need for Deepening

USBN #71 — February 1933 — pp. 2

“The report of your teaching work in Milwaukee made him (Shoghi Effendi) very happy. He sincerely hopes that every one of those individuals who expressed his desire to join the Movement will gradually become so confirmed that no amount of trials and tribulations will deter him from sharing in the work of spreading the Faith throughout the world.

“Before undertaking such a task, however, it is necessary that they should deepen their knowledge of the Teaching. They should learn to study the words for themselves and both grasp their significance and also become imbued with their spirit. The hope of Shoghi Effendi is not only to increase the number of the friends but also to have true and more understanding Bahá’ís. The task of the teachers is to produce such efficient servants for our beloved Faith… . These nine months, during which the Guardian has asked the friends to discard Feast Days, are meant to be months of mourning for the passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf. The friends should also use them as a period of redoubled energy in serving the Cause, in expression of our deep love for her as well as for the Cause for which she suffered so much.”

(To Mrs. Ruth Moffett, Chicago, Illinois, through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, October 18, 1932).

– 491 –

1932-10-20 Louis Gregory — Maintain the Positive Attitude and Look to Future

“To Move the World”, Morrison, p236-7

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated September 25th15. He deeply sympathises with you in your difficulties and earnestly prays that God will guide you and enable you to take the right step at this cross-road of your life. He is sure that ultimately you will appreciate the wisdom of all this and will not be in the least sorry for what has transpired. What is however essential is that you have faith in the love and guidance of Bahá’u’lláh and be certain that He will not forsake a person like you who has for so many years spread his Cause so devotedly. It may be a period during which He will test your power of endurance and tenacity of faith, but with His help you shall win and see yourself victorious both spiritually and also in managing your material affairs.

Shoghi Effendi knows that you can render inestimable service both if you go to Persia and also if you join Mrs. Gregory in Europe… . but Shoghi Effendi thinks that the place you are needed most is America. The Master asked you to work for the colored and among them and Shoghi Effendi would urge you to do the same. Your own people need you most and you have a duty towards them that you have to fulfil.

Shoghi Effendi wishes you to take a kind of work like the one Mr. [Hyde] Dunn has taken in Australia, that would enable you to travel throughout the U. S. and both win your bread and serve the Cause. The kind of work Miss [Orcella] Rexford has [i.e., paid lecturing] Shoghi Effendi would not advise you for even though there is no harm in it, it may cause misunderstanding. The people may confuse what you say on the subject of the Cause with what you say in your other lectures. Keep also in mind that the Faith cannot spare your services totally. You should take up a work that will give you ample time to teach among the colored.

In his moments of prayer at the Shrine Shoghi Effendi will pray for you and ask God to guide and assist you in this very critical period of your life.

At the bottom of the letter, as was his custom, Shoghi Effendi added a postscript in his own hand:

Dear and precious co-worker:

The spirit which you have demonstrated and which your welcome letter so powerfully reveals is indeed worthy of the praise and admiration of the Supreme Concourse. The place you occupy in my heart and the measure of admiration I cherish for the sublimity of your faith, I cannot describe. … I wish you to concentrate, within the limits which your changed material position imposes, on the teaching work in America and particularly among the colored inhabitants. My prayers will accompany you, wherever you may be. With a heart filled with love and gratitude,

Your true brother,
(Signed) Shoghi

[To Louis Gregory, 20 October 1932]

– 492 –

1932-10-21 The Covenant & Inheritance

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 5

As regards the meaning of the Bahá’í Covenant: The Guardian considers the existence of two forms of Covenant both of which are explicitly mentioned in the literature of the Cause. First is the covenant that every prophet makes with humanity or, more definitely, with His people that they will accept and follow the coming Manifestation who will be the reappearance of His reality. The second form of Covenant is such as the one Bahá’u’lláh made with His people that they should accept the Master. This is merely to establish and strengthen the succession of the series of Lights that appear after every Manifestation. Under the same category falls the Covenant the Master made with the Bahá’ís that they should accept His administration after Him….

To divide the inheritance as it is prescribed by Bahá’í we have to divide it into 2,520 shares. But we can also divide it into 42 shares. Then every one of the beneficiaries will take so many of these shares. These numbers form like a highest denominator for the different individuals that will benefit in case of intestacy. In case of the non-existence of one class of inheritors the Aqdas mentions how it should be divided. As a general rule a part goes to the House of Justice, a part to the children.

(To Mr. Dales S. Cole, October 21,8. )

– 493 –

1932-10-22 re Political Involvement

No. 69 — December 1932 — page 4

“As regards the participation of the friends in general elections, Shoghi Effendi has written about it in his letters explaining his views on the subject. He strongly feels that the friends should abstain from any election that is along party lines. In elections that are not political the friends can enter but not when it is in any way political. The Assembly can judge best as to what is political and what is not.”

The postscript: “The Bahá’í Faith as it forges ahead throughout the western world and particularly in lands where the political machinery is corrupt and political passions and prejudices are dominant among the masses, should increasingly assert and demonstrate the fact that it is non-political in character, that it stands above party, that it is neither apathetic to national interests nor opposed to any party or faction, and that it seeks through administrative channels, rather than through diplomatic and political posts to establish, beyond the shadow of a doubt, the capacity, the sane patriotism, the integrity and high-mindedness of its avowed adherents. This is the general and vital principle; it is for the National representatives to apply it with fidelity and vigor.”

=========

…in the letter published as “The Golden Age of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh,” Shoghi Effendi declared, “I feel it, therefore, incumbent upon me to stress, now that the time is ripe, the importance of an instruction which, at the present stage of the evolution of our Faith, should be increasingly emphasized, irrespective of its application to the East or to the West. And this principle is no other than that which involves the non-participation by the adherents of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, whether in their individual capacities or collectively as local or national Assemblies, in any form of activity that might be interpreted, either directly or indirectly, as an interference in the political affairs of any particular government.”

This instruction raised among American believers the important question whether the act of voting, in the normal pursuance of the function of citizenship, should be construed as a participation in political matters. The question was referred to the Guardian by the National Spiritual Assembly, and the following explicit reply has now been received.

The reply was dated Haifa, Palestine, October 22, 1932, and consisted of a letter written by Shoghi Effendi through his secretary, with a postscript in the Guardian’s own hand.

– 494 –

1932-10-25 Functioning of LSAs

No. 67 — October 1932 — page 2

…a statement which the Guardian wrote on August 25, through his secretary, to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Brown, members of the National Teaching Committee:

“You have rightly realized that there is a great need for the Local Spiritual Assemblies to learn to function, and they have hitherto been rather passive in the hope that the National Assembly can by itself do all the work.”

– 495 –

1932-10-27 United Will and Concerted Action

No. 69 — December 1932 — page 1

Words of Shoghi Effendi to the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly

“I am deeply conscious of the many obstacles that stand in the path of the American believers in their stupendous endeavor to attain their goal — a goal on which our dearly beloved Greatest Holy Leaf had set her fondest hopes. I cannot, however, overlook, much as I sympathize with them in their financial tribulations and anxieties, the mysterious power that resides in the united will and concerted action of all the members of that self-sacrificing community — a community which, since the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, has put an impetus to the advancement of the Cause out of all proportion to its numerical strength, its youthfulness, and experience of the powers latent in this sacred Faith. What an untold wealth of blessings will flow out of a renewed, an irrevocable resolution, representing the combined will of all the steadfast lovers of the Cause of God in that land, to carry out in its entirety during the few remaining months a Plan on which so much that is vital to its world-wide interests depend? The American believers, the stout-hearted supporters of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, have already given too many evidences of their preponderating influence in the direction of its affairs to allow the slightest disappointment to mar the radiance of their past achievements. Their will to succeed must eventually triumph.”

(signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, October 27,

– 496 –

1932-10-27 Membership of Youth Committee

USBN #71 — February 1933 — page 5-6

“Shoghi Effendi believes that the best solution is to have some reasonable age limit for the actual membership of the body of the organization so that only the young people may take part in the different activities and have no older person usurp the floor or deprive themselves and express their ideas. At the same time the National Assembly could appoint on the National Committee that is to supervise their work some older and experienced persons who could cooperate with them and guide them in their activities. The National Committee should be composed both of people within the age limit and also older people.”

– 497 –

1932-10-27 re Shoghi Effendi Tribute to Bahíyyih Ḵhánum

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p52

I wish to express to your distinguished assembly my gratitude for the action they have taken in reproducing in facsimile my humble tribute to the Greatest Holy Leaf. The hundred copies you sent me have been received and are splendid reproductions of the original. The finest and most enduring tribute which can be paid to her memory lies within the grasp, and constitutes the supreme opportunity, of the American believers. Her earthly life, as it drew to a close, was much brightened by the brilliant accomplishments of her devoted lovers in the American continent. May her pure angelic soul in the realms beyond derive added satisfaction from the uninterrupted progress and the eventual completion of an enterprise on which she had centered the one remaining joy of her life.

[to USNSA, 27 Oct 1932]

– 498 –

1932-10-27 re Tribute to Greatest Holy Leaf

USBN #72 — April 1933 — pp. 3

I wish to express to your distinguished Assembly my gratitude for the action they have taken in reproducing in facsimile my humble Tribute to the Greatest Holy Leaf. The hundred copies you sent me have been received and are splendid reproductions of the original. The finest and most enduring tribute which can be paid to her memory lies within the grasp and constitutes the supreme opportunity of the American believers. Her earthly life, as it drew to a close, was much brightened by the brilliant accomplishments of her devoted lovers in the American continent. May her pure, angelic soul in the realms above derive added satisfaction from the uninterrupted progress and the eventual completion of an enterprise on which she centered the one remaining joy of her life.

(signed) SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine, October 27,

– 499 –

1932-10-29 Bahíyyih Services to Mankind

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p89

Surely no matter what we say about her still we have not done justice to the abounding love she had and the services she rendered to Bahá’u’lláh and the Master. Her life was full of events, full of sacrifices in the path of God. Ever since her childhood she had to endure hardships and share the exile and persecution that Bahá’u’lláh had to suffer. In her face one could easily read the history of the Cause from its earliest days to the present moment.

Notwithstanding all this she never grumbled nor lost her faith in the future. She kept cheerful and tried to give cheer to others. She was a real source of inspiration to every person that met her.

The only adequate way to show our love and devotion to her is to arise and serve the Cause for which she so earnestly laboured during all her mortal life. Her deeds and sacrifices should act as examples for us to follow.

to an individual 29 Oct 1932

– 500 –

1932-10-31 Use of BNE in Bulgaria

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #23

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

As the Faith is beginning to expand over the Bulgarian country, it is necessary to bring the people into contact with the Bahá’í literature; indeed this book³ will give them [the opportunity] to obtain extensive knowledge of the teachings and history of the Faith, and will prepare their minds and hearts to accept the claim of Bahá’u’lláh.

(31 October 1932 to an individual believer)

– 501 –

1932-11-02 Systematic Study of Early History and Principles

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 5

I wish to urge the necessity of concentrating at your next summer session, on the systematic study of the early history and principles of the Faith, on public speaking, and on a thorough discussion, both formally and informally, of various aspects of the Cause. These I regard as essential preliminaries to a future intensive campaign of teaching in which the rising generation must engage, if the spread of the Cause is to be assured in that land.

(To Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Eggleston, November 2,10. )

– 502 –

1932-11-06 Self-sacrificing Servants Not Lukewarm Followers

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

November 6, 1932, Haifa.

“He hopes that these receptive souls you have succeeded to attract into the movement will through deep study and living the life become like firm rocks upon which the Cause can build its future spiritual temple — the temple of the hearts. In one of His very beautiful and stirring poems written in the early days of His Mission, Bahá’u’lláh bids us stay away and not become an encumbrance if we desire to live and have our well being. In case, however, we are ready to sacrifice our all in the path of God, then we should hasten to Him and follow His way.

What the Cause needs is such ardent and self-sacrificing servants and not lukewarm followers who are ready to reap the fruit but unwilling to take a part in winning that victory. Shoghi Effendi, therefore, hopes that you will endeavor to make your spiritual children of the type that Bahá’u’lláh sought to have and create not passive admirers, but active servants of the New World Order.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 503 –

1932-11-09 Bahíyyih a Source of Courage and Hope

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p90

He fully appreciates the deep sorrow that you, as well as the other friends, feel for the passing away of the Greatest Holy Leaf. All those who met her cannot feel but an emptiness in their hearts. She was always such a source of courage and hope to those pilgrims that came from all parts of the world and had the pleasure of meeting her, that they left her presence with added hope and greater determination to serve the Cause and sacrifice their all in its path. This was especially true of them after the passing away of the Master when they felt that she was the only worthy remnant of Bahá’u’lláh’s immediate kin.

May her passing stir the friends to greater measures of sacrifice and direct their attention towards the spiritual duties that have been laid upon their shoulders.

to an individual 9 Nov 1932

– 504 –

1932-11-09 Bahíyyih — Follow the Example of Her Saintly Life

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p89-90

Indeed it would have been for you such a joy to meet the Greatest Holy Leaf during her earthly life, but the Guardian does not wish you to feel depressed about it; this beloved soul will from the Heaven of her Almighty Father guide you to serve the Cause which has been so dear to her. Shoghi Effendi values your sincere sympathy in this irreparable loss; he hopes that we all will follow the example of her saintly life.

to an individual 9 Nov 1932

– 505 –

1932-11-11 Politics and Letters to Guardian

USBN #71 — February 1933 — pp. 2

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated October 24, 1932, regarding elections in the United States.

“The Guardian has written the National Assembly in detail and given them the principle upon which he would like to see them act. He has asked them to advise the friends accordingly and also to expound the principle so as to apply to the local conditions in America.

“To facilitate matters and avoid misunderstandings he prefers to refer you and the individual friends to them (the National Assembly). He is sure that you will obtain full satisfaction by putting the question to them. The purpose of the Guardian in this is not to avoid the issue but only to facilitate matters and eliminate misunderstandings. In all such matters the friends should first approach the Local, then the National Assembly and only in case they can obtain no satisfaction should they approach the Guardian on these matters. This way many difficulties will be avoided.”

(To Mrs. Corinne True, Wilmette, Illinois, through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, November 11, 1932).

– 506 –

1932-11-14 Bahá’í Center of West Englewood

USBN #80 — January 1934 — page 5

The growth and development of the Bahá’í center of West Englewood is a source of intense and genuine satisfaction. I particularly welcome their exemplary activity in associating themselves with the social and humanitarian efforts exerted by the local authorities in that center and in demonstrating, in a tangible manner, the universality of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and the vitality of His Faith. May its sister Assemblies follow the example which West Englewood has so nobly set, and by their perseverance and concerted efforts hasten the advent of the golden age of our beloved Faith.

(To Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, November 14,8. )

– 507 –

1932-11-15 Effect of Music

USBN #71 — February 1933 — pp. 2

“The Guardian values your Hymns which you so beautifully composed. They certainly contain the realities of the Faith, and will indeed help you to give the Message to the young people. It is music which assists us to affect the human spirit; it is an important means which helps us to communicate with the soul.”

(To Mrs. S̱hahnáz Waite, Los Angeles, California, through Rúḥí Afnán, Haifa, November 15, 1932).

– 508 –

1932-11-16 World Fellowship of Faiths

USBN #72 — April 1933 — pp. 3

Before you extend any sort of help to, or affiliate yourself with, the World Fellowship of Faiths, Shoghi Effendi feels that the N.S.A. should find out whether its purpose is in any way political, especially now that its leadership is transferred from Rabbi Wise to Mr. Das Gupta. In case it is non-political and its purpose is not a form of Indian propaganda, then the Guardian feels you should take part in their gatherings. The first task is to find out the underlying motive of the Society and then, in case it coincides with the Bahá’í spirit, lend them help and advise the friends to cooperate with them. Otherwise the Guardian believes we will be involved in grievous difficulties.

(signed) Rúḥí Afnán.

Haifa, Palestine, November 16,

=========

For Bahá’í involvement, see “GEORGE TOWNSHEND: Hand of the Cause of God” by David Hofman, p123+

– 509 –

1932-11-16 Letters to Individuals

USBN #71 — February 1933 — pp. 1

“As regards Shoghi Effendi’s letters to the individual Bahá’ís, he is always very careful not to contradict himself. He has also said that whenever he has something of importance to say, he invariably communicates it to the National Spiritual Assembly or in his general letters. His personal letters to individual friends are only for their personal benefit and even though he does not want to forbid their publication, he does not wish them to be used too much by the Bahá’í News. Only letters with special significance should be published there.”

– 510 –

1932-11-16 Publication of “The Bahá’í World”

USBN #72 — April 1933 — pp. 3

The responsibility which the American believers have so generously and spontaneously assumed through their national elected representatives for the preparation and publication of “The Bahá’í World” — an international activity of the utmost importance — is yet another evidence of their preponderating influence and their decisive share in the prosecution of this mighty Cause.

(signed) SHOGHI.[sic]

Haifa, Palestine, November 16,

– 511 –

1932-11-17 To Martha re Marie and Nabíl’s Narrative

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp195-6

The Guardian has already sent you a large bottle of attar of roses. He could not find beautiful small bottles here in which he could pour it. You could there find better ones and divide the quantity as you deem best. As the attar is very volatile you should be very careful in choosing the bottles.

The Guardian fully endorses your plan of having the Queen write a foreword to the Romanian translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book. It will surely have great effect in helping the spread of the book and raise it in the esteem of the public …

The Guardian would very much like to know how the Queen will receive Nabíl’s narrative; so in case she writes you anything to that effect please let Shoghi Effendi know about it. He sincerely hopes that the reading of that book and acquaintance with those heroic lives will deepen her faith and strengthen her bond with the Cause. It is surely impossible for a noble and altruistic soul to read those accounts of self-sacrifice and not become deeply stirred, or find a complete change in his outlook …

I only wish to add a few words in person, immersed as I am in a sea of correspondence, and assure you of my ever-deepening admiration for the spirit and manner in which you are promoting the interests of our beloved Faith. I feel that a prolonged stay of two years in central and south-eastern Europe would be most valuable and I would leave it to your discretion as to the time you should spend in the countries and cities in that part of Europe. May the Beloved bless richly your high endeavours.

– 512 –

1932-11-17 To Martha re Contribution & Translations

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp194

I trust the duplicate cheque of £110 has already reached you and that you have been able to cash it. Do not feel perturbed, and never allow any happening, within or outside the Cause, to becloud the radiance of your manifold activities or to lessen the scope of your eminent and meritorious services. Regarding the translation of the ‘New Era’ into Hungarian, Romanian and Greek, I leave, with absolute confidence, the whole matter to your discretion and judgement, as to the person, the time and place where the work should be undertaken. Persevere, be happy and confident.

– 513 –

1932-11-20 To Keith-Roche re Monument to Bahíyyih Ḵhánum

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p279

May I ask your help in connexion with the marble monument which is to be erected above the grave of Shoghi Effendi’s sister and which was landed safely at Haifa yesterday afternoon. A subordinate official of the Custom’s Department is willing to exempt it from duty if the necessary authorization is granted by higher authorities. I therefore appeal to you and feel confident that you will do all you can to facilitate the entrance into Palestine of a work of art which, in some of its features, may well be regarded as unique in this country. With deepest appreciation and gratitude,

Yours very sincerely

=========

Edward Keith-Roach OBE (Born 1885 Gloucester, England — died 1954). Keith-Roach was the British Colonial administrator during the British mandate on Palestine, who also served as the governor of Jerusalem from 1926 to 1945 (excluding a period in the 1930s when he was governor of the Galilee). He was nicknamed “Pás̱há of Jerusalem”.

He approved exemption from duties and established a policy that was continued by Israel that allowed materials for the BWC to enter duty free, such as the marble for the bldgs on the Arc.

– 514 –

1932-11-22 To Keith-Roche re Exemption fm Duty of Materials for Bahjí

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p279-80

Haifa, Nov. 26, 1932

Dear Mr. Keith-Roach:

I am sure you will be interested to learn that I am taking the necessary preliminary steps for the extension of the terraces, forming an integral part of the Shrine, and leading to the German Colony.

I have approached the Municipal Engineer and found him very sympathetic and favourable. I intend, therefore, to submit to the Town Planning Commission an official statement of the conditions under which we are prepared to open and extend the terraces, at our own expense and following the general design already adopted.

It is my earnest hope that before the end of the year 1933 the wish that you have expressed, and for the realization of which I will heartily endeavour, will be completely realized.

I am sure that the application which I have recently submitted to you regarding the sacredness of the Mansion at Bahjí, which forms an integral part of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, will receive your sympathetic consideration, and that the necessary certificate will be granted for the exemption from custom duty of the articles consigned for that building.

– 515 –

1932-11-22 To Keith-Roche re Monument to Bahíyyih Ḵhánum Delivered

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p279

May I offer you my deepest thanks for your kind and prompt response to my request. The monument has been safely delivered, and I have given the necessary instructions for its immediate erection. Thanking you again and with kind regards and best wishes…

– 516 –

1932-11-30 Bahíyyih a Source of Comfort and Inspiration

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p90-1

He is sure that all the Bahá’ís throughout the world share with him in this sorrow, for she was a source of comfort and inspiration to them all. No one left her presence without being deeply impressed by her spirit. All the sufferings that she had endured during her life and that had left their traces upon her feeble form, had not in the least affected [pg 91] her spirit of joy and hopefulness. She liked to see the people happy, and exerted all her efforts to make it easy for them to realize it.

How badly we need such souls in the world at present when it seems so full of sorrows and discouragements! Every one is suffering and no person to give them courage and brighten their hearts.

Shoghi Effendi hopes that the friends will follow her example and become a source of inspiration to the world at large, giving hope to the depressed and joy to the disconsolate. Moreover, he trusts that her passing will operate as a great impetus in our services to the Cause for which she suffered so long and so hard.

to an individual 30 Nov 1932

– 517 –

1932-11-30 Sacrifice

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 1

“Shoghi Effendi sincerely hopes that through these sacrifices that Edifice will be completed and become a focal center for the spirit and Teachings of the Cause in that land; that from it the light of guidance will spread and bring joy and hope to the heart of this depressed humanity. If you will study the history of Nabíl, you will see how the Faith has been fed by the constant sacrifices of the friends. Under hardships, persecutions and constant worries has the Message of Bahá’u’lláh been established throughout the world.”

(To Miss Rachel Small, Roxbury, Mass., dated Haifa, November 30,11. )

– 518 –

1932-11-30 Work by Earley on Temple

USBN #71 — February 1933 — page 3

“I would infinitely deplore any cessation, or even an interruption, however brief, in the magnificent work which is now being undertaken by Mr. Earley and his associates. It is for the American believers, and particularly those whose financial resources have been relatively less impaired, to assure, through their concerted, their constant and self-sacrificing endeavors, the uninterrupted progress and the successful termination of an enterprise on which so much that is vital to our beloved Faith must depend. Blessings, unimaginable and incomparably more potent than any in the past, will assuredly crown their efforts if they only persevere.”

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, November 30, 1932

– 519 –

1932-11-xx Poona India Contrib to Temple

USBN #72 — April 1933 — page 8

“He (Shoghi Effendi) was very glad and gratified to learn that the friends of Poona have contributed the sum of one thousand rupees towards the construction of the Temple in America. It is a most appropriate and timely contribution because the friends have undertaken to complete the exterior decoration of the dome before the end of spring, that is, before the opening of the World Fair that is to be opened in Chicago about June of next year. And the sum needed for the purpose, due to the existing depression, is not flowing in. Any sum offered by the friends at this time is most welcome and will be deeply appreciated by Shoghi Effendi and the friends in America.

The Guardian is most pleased with the way the friends in Poona are striving to serve the Faith and consecrating their life for its promotion. In his hours of prayer at the blessed Shrines he will think of them and ask God to help them and sustain their noble endeavors. He trusts that, through their persistent efforts and Bahá’u’lláh’s infinite blessings the Cause will be established in that land and thousands of pure souls will be brought under its banner.”

Rúḥí Afnán.

And in our Guardian’s own blessed hand this postscript:

“Dear co-workers:

I am eagerly awaiting the news of the completion of the Urdu, the Hindi, the Gujrati, and the Burmese translations, and eventual publication of Dr. Esslemont’s valued book, for I regard them as essential preliminaries to an intensive campaign of teaching among the unbelieving masses in that great and promising country. May your efforts, in collaboration with the believers of that land hasten the fulfilment of this, my heart’s cherished desire.”

SHOGHI.

– 520 –

1932-12-04 Photograph of Exterior Decoration of Temple Dome

No. 70 — January 1933 — page 2

… by Shoghi Effendi to the National Treasurer on December 4, 1932:

“The photograph of a section of the exterior decoration of the dome has thrilled me. What a great and priceless opportunity lies before the American believers! How great a responsibility rests upon their shoulders! It is in their power by their self-denial, their heroism and concerted efforts, to lend an impetus to the world-wide spread of the Faith, such as no believer has ever yet witnessed ever since the inception of our glorious Cause. Let them ponder the assurances, the promises, the warnings, of our departed Master and, despite the prevailing depression, arise to carry out the last wishes of His beloved sister, the Greatest Holy Leaf.”

– 521 –

1932-12-13 Tribute to Greatest Holy Leaf

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p52-8

O ye who share my anguish and are my comforters in my distress and bereavement! In these past few months, from the day of the passing of that fairest fruit of the Undying Tree, of the setting of that wondrous Star in the heavens of endless glory, and of that bright Ray from the well spring of pre-existent light, [‘Abdu’l-Bahá], the Ancient Beauty, the Most Great Name — may the spirits of the Concourse on High be sacrificed for Him — has witnessed what has come upon me, whom she had surrounded at all times with her loving-kindness, her unceasing favours, and what a wound this loss has inflicted on my suffering heart. This parting from her has left my whole being in turmoil, burning with the fire of my love and longing for her. When, in the morning and the evening, I call her beloved face to mind, and let her smiles, that nourished the spirit, pass again before my eyes, and I think over all her bounty to me, all her unnumbered kindnesses, and remember that astonishing meekness she showed in her sufferings — then the flames of yearning love are kindled yet again, and sighs come out of my heart, and tears flow from my eyes, so that all control is lost and I sink into a sea of anguish without end.

Bearing witness to this, at this very moment, is her own pure and radiant soul, her bright and sacred spirit, that soars in the atmosphere of the invisible realm, and gazes, from beyond the throne of the Most High, upon me and upon those others on earth who are enamoured of her well-beloved name.

O thou Scion of Bahá! I weep over thee in the night season, as do the bereaved; and at break of day I cry out unto thee with the tongue of my heart, my limbs and members, and again and again I repeat thy well-loved name, and I groan over the loss of thee, over thy meekness and ordeals, and how thou didst love me, over the sufferings thou didst bear, and the terrible calamities, and the wretchedness and the griefs, and the abasement, and the rejection — and all this only and solely for the sake of thy Lord and because of thy burning love for those, out of all of creation, who shared in thine ardour.

Whensoever, in sleep, I call to mind and see thy smiling face, whensoever, by day or night, I circumambulate thine honoured tomb, then in the innermost depths of my being are rekindled the fires of yearning, and the cord of my patience is severed, and again the tears come and all the world grows dark before my eyes. And whensoever I remember what blows were rained upon thee at the close of thy days, the discomforts, trials and illnesses — and I picture thy surroundings now, in the Sanctuary on High, in the midmost heart of Heaven, beside the pavilions of grandeur and might; and I behold thy present glory, thy deliverance, the delights, the bounties, the bestowals, the majesty and dominion and power, the joy, thine exultation, and thy triumph — then the burden of my grieving is lightened, the cloud of sorrow is dispelled, the heat of my torment abates. Then is my tongue loosed to praise and thank thee, and thy Lord, Him Who did fashion thee and did prefer thee to all other handmaidens, and did give thee to drink from His sweet-scented lips, Who withdrew the veil of concealment from thy true being and made thee to be a true example for all thy kin to follow, and caused thee to be the fragrance of His garment for all of creation.

And at such times I strengthen my resolve to follow in thy footsteps, and to continue onward in the pathway of thy love; to take thee as my model, and to acquire the qualities, and to make manifest that which thou didst desire for the triumph of this exalted and exacting, this most resplendent, sacred, and wondrous Cause.

Then intercede thou for me before the throne of the Almighty, O thou who, within the Company on High, dost intercede for all of humankind. Deliver me from the throes of my mourning, and confer upon me and those who love thee in this nether world what will remove our afflictions, and bring assurance to our hearts, and quiet the winds of our sorrows, and console our eyes, and fulfil our hopes both in this world and the world to come — O thou whom God hast singled out from amongst all the countenances of the Abhá Paradise, and hast honoured in both His earth and His Kingdom on high, and of whom He has made mention in the Crimson Book, in words which wafted the scent of musk and scattered its fragrance over all the dwellers on earth!

O thou Greatest Holy Leaf! If I cry at every moment out of a hundred mouths, and from each of these mouths I speak with a hundred thousand tongues, yet I could never describe nor celebrate thy heavenly qualities, which are known to none save only the Lord God; nor could I befittingly tell of even the transient foam from out the ocean of thine endless favour and grace.

Except for a very few, whose habitation is in the highest retreats of holiness, and who circle, in the furthermost Sanctuary, by day and by night about the throne of God, and are fed at the hand of the Abhá Beauty on purest milk — except for these, no soul of this nether world has known or recognized thine immaculate, thy most sacred essence, nor has any befittingly perceived that ambergris fragrance of thy noble qualities, which richly anoints thy brow, and which issues from the divine wellspring of mystic musk; nor has any caught its sweetness.

To this bear witness the Company on High, and beyond them God Himself, the Supreme Lord of all the heavens and the earths: that during all thy days, from thine earliest years until the close of thy life, thou didst personify the attributes of thy Father, the Matchless, the Mighty. Thou wert the fruit of His Tree, thou wert the lamp of His love, thou wert the symbol of His serenity, and of His meekness, the pathway of His guidance, the channel of His blessings, the sweet scent of His robe, the refuge of His loved ones and His handmaidens, the mantle of His generosity and grace.

O thou Remnant of the divine light, O thou fruit of the Cause of our All-Compelling Lord! From the hour when thy days did set, on the horizon of this Snow-White, this unique and Sacred Spot, our days have turned to night, our joys to great consternation; our eyes have grown blind with sorrow at thy passing, for it has brought back that supreme affliction yet again, that direst convulsion, the departing of thy compassionate Brother, our Merciful Master. And there is no refuge for us anywhere except for the breathings of thy spirit, the spotless, the excellently bright; no shelter for us anywhere, but through thine intercession, that God may inspire us with His own patience, and ordain for us in the other life the reward of meeting thee again, of attaining thy presence, of gazing on thy countenance, and partaking of thy light.

O thou Maid of Bahá! The best and choicest of praises, and the most excellent and most glorious of salutations, rest upon thee, O thou solace of mine eyes, and beloved of my soul! Thy grace to me was plenteous, it can never be concealed; thy love for me was great, it can never be forgotten. Blessed, a thousand times blessed, is he who loves thee, and partakes of thy splendours, and sings the praises of thy qualities, and extols thy worth, and follows in thy footsteps; who testifies to the wrongs thou didst suffer, and visits thy resting-place, and circles around thine exalted tomb, by day and by night. Woe unto him, retribution be his, who disputes thy rank and station, and denies thine excellence, and turns himself aside from thy clear, thy luminous and straight path.

O ye distracted lovers of that winsome countenance! It is meet and fitting that in the gatherings of the loved ones of God and the handmaids of the Merciful in all the countries and lands of the East, these shining words and clear tokens from the Supreme Pen and His Interpreter’s wonder-working hand-verses which were revealed for that priceless treasure of the Kingdom — should be repeatedly recited, most movingly with devotion and lowliness, and great attention and care, so as to perpetuate her blessed memory, and extol her station, and out of love also for her incomparable beauty.

May the honoured members of the Central Assembly of Írán circulate these Writings, immediately and with great care, to the countries of the East, through their Local Spiritual Assemblies; for this task is a great bounty especially set apart for the trustees of His devoted loved ones in that noble homeland. May God reward them with excellent rewards, in both this world of His, and in His Kingdom.

[to Central Assembly of Írán, 13 Dec 1932, translated fm Persian]

– 522 –

1932-12-27 NSAs and Translations

Reviewing: Practice and Functions of Literature Review #4

Compiled by Universal House of Justice Research Department. 1990-05

(1) When Shoghi Effendi orders someone to translate some book it does not mean that the work could be published without the sanction of the National Spiritual Assembly even though that sanction may be a function of formality, for Shoghi Effendi has submitted for the sanction of the National Spiritual Assembly things that he has himself translated.

(2) The National Assembly should be interested in such translations and help as much as possible for it is, after all, a service to the Cause. That body should therefore be responsible for copyrights and other matters. Their attitude should be that of assistance rather than obstruction.

(3) The National Spiritual Assembly should feel interested and help in such translations.

(4) The National Spiritual Assembly is free to help in its publication or not, according to whether they deem the work worthwhile. Their objective should be the highest good of the Cause and not obstruction of individual initiative.

(27 December 1932 to an individual believer)

– 523 –

1932-19-18 Deepening After Declaration

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

October 18, 1932, Haifa.

“…He sincerely hopes that every one of those individuals who expressed his desire to join the Movement will gradually become so confirmed that no amount of trials end tribulations will deter him from sharing in the work of spreading the Faith throughout the world.

Before undertaking such a task, however, it is accessary that they learn to study the words for themselves, and both grasp their significance and also become imbued with their spirit. The hopes of Shoghi Effendi are not only to increase the number of the friends but also to have true and more understanding Bahá’ís. The task of the teacher is to produce such efficient servants for our beloved Faith.

Concerning the future life, what Bahá’u’lláh says is that the soul will continue to ascend through many worlds. What those worlds are and what their nature is we cannot know. The same way that the child in the matrix cannot know this world, so we cannot know what the other world is going to be.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 524 –

1932-xx-xx Use of Material Resources

USBN #59 — February 1932 — page 3

Shoghi Effendi has directed me to write this in answer to your letter, expressing his appreciation of your aspirations and conveying to you his loving greetings.

As to material sacrifices toward the welfare of the Cause, he wishes you to understand that the general interests of the Cause take precedence over the interests of the particular individuals. For instance, contributions to the welfare of individuals are secondary to contributions to the National and Local Funds and that of the Temple.

This is a general instruction. Of course helping the individuals in case one is able to help, is also desirable and merits appreciation. He is glad to learn that you have been helping …. Surely God will reward you. He prays for you and for … so that you may prosper more day by day and … may also be released from the inconveniences of life.

Your humble brother in His Name,

(Signed) Aziullah S. Bahador.

– 525 –

1933-01-11 Activities of the Economics Committee

USBN #73 — May 1933 — page 7

“As regards the activities of the economic committee of the National Assembly; Shoghi Effendi fully sympathizes with the desire of some of the members to see the committee find ways and means to put into practice the economic teachings of the Cause, as explained in some of the recorded writings and sayings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master. But he believes that the time is not yet ripe for such activities. First we have to study the economic teachings in the light of modern problems more thoroughly so that we may advocate what the founders of the Faith say and not what we conjecture from their writings. There is great difference between sounding a great general principle and finding its application to actual prevailing conditions.

“Secondly, the Cause is not financially in a position to launch itself in such undertakings at present. Such plans need great financial backing to be worked out in a permanent form. In time, Shoghi Effendi hopes all these things will come to pass. For the present we have to consolidate our basic institutions and spread the teachings and spirit of the Faith among the public.

“This is, in short, the attitude of the Guardian; but as you are a committee of the National Assembly he wishes you to follow its directions. In creating your committee the N.S.A. had undoubtedly some definite purpose in mind for which they asked you to labor and it is your task to work for that purpose.

“In his moments of prayer at the Blessed Shrine the Guardian will think of you as well as the members of the Committee and ask God to guide and assist you in the service of His Faith.”

– 526 –

1933-01-11 re Trues Request for Pilgrimage

Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Nathan Rutstein, p198-9

Dear and valued co-worker:

………. Your absence from Chicago, during the Exposition would, I feel certain, leave a gap that few could fill. Your experience, your exemplary devotion to whatever affects the interests of our beloved Faith, your high purpose and tenacity of faith eminently qualify you to introduce the Cause, explain its aim, reveal its spirit, and demonstrate the significance of its institutions, to the countless visitors who will throng that city this summer. Personally I would prefer to have you and your dear daughter entertained by me and the Master’s family in Haifa, but for the sake of the Cause, I feel the urge to address you this request. Your services are engraved upon my heart. I can never forget them or overestimate their value.

[to Corinne True, 11 January6. ]

=========

After the death of the Greatest Holy Leaf, Corinne True was depressed and asked permission to come on pilgrimage, missing the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago.

– 527 –

1933-01-12 Beginning Vol V of “The Bahá’í World”

USBN #72 — April 1933 — pp. 3

From Mrs. French’s letter I gather that steps are being taken to gather the necessary material for Vol. V of “The Bahá’í World”. I am delighted, for it seems to indicate that Vol. IV will soon be published. I earnestly hope that its early publication will be reconsidered by your Assembly, as an indefinite postponement of such a valuable international record will damage the prestige of our beloved Cause.

(signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine, January 12,

– 528 –

1933-01-14 re Passages About Greatest Holy Leaf

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p58-9

Moved by an unalterable devotion to the memory of the Greatest Holy Leaf, I feel prompted to share with you, and through you with the concourse of her steadfast lovers throughout the West, these significant passages which I have gleaned from various Tablets revealed in her honour by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Impregnated with that love after which the soul of a humanity in travail now hungers, these passages disclose, to the extent that our finite minds can comprehend, the nature of that mystic bond which, on one hand, united her with the Spirit of her almighty Father and, on the other, linked her so closely with her glorious Brother, the perfect Exemplar of that Spirit.

The memory of her who was a pattern of goodness, of a pure and holy life, who was the embodiment of such heavenly virtues as only the privileged inmates of the uppermost chambers in the Abhá Paradise can fully appreciate, will long live enshrined in these immortal words — a memory the ennobling influence of which will remain an inspiration and a solace amid the wreckage of a sadly shaken world.

Conscious of the predominating share assumed, in recent years, by the American believers in alleviating the burden which that most exalted Leaf bore so heroically in the evening of her life, I can do no better than entrust into their hands these prized testimonies of the Founder of our Faith and of the Centre of His Covenant. I feel confident that their elected representatives will take whatever measures are required for their prompt and wide circulation among their brethren throughout the West. They will, thereby, be contributing still further to the repayment of the great debt they owe her in the prosecution of a mighty and divinely-appointed task.

[to USNSA 14 Jan 1933, cover letter for passages on the Greatest Holy Leaf included in the compilation Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, Sections I and II]

– 529 –

1933-01-15 Attaining Peace

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 1

“The different nations of the world will never attain peace except after recognizing the significance of the teachings and wholeheartedly upholding them, for through these precepts all international problems will be solved and every man will secure the spiritual environment in which his soul can evolve and produce its highest fruits.”

(To Miss Agnes Alexander, Tokyo, dated Haifa, January 15,10. )

– 530 –

1933-01-18 BNE Being Translated Into Balkan Languages

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings #12

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Martha [Root] is now in the Balkans and Central Europe attempting to start some permanent groups. Shoghi Effendi has arranged that Dr. Esslemont’s book be translated into Greek, Rumanian and various other languages spoken in the Balkans as a preparation for intensive teaching work. When this work will be completed then Martha will be able to do her best, for with the present lack of proper literature she is greatly handicapped.

(18 January 1933 to an individual believer)

– 531 –

1933-01-26 Letter of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Chase in 1907

USBN #72 — April 1933 — page 4

re: Tablet which the Master revealed to Mr. Thornton Chase in

“The Guardian fully recognizes the authenticity and controlling influence of this instruction from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá upon the question. He, however, feels under the responsibility of stating that the attitude taken by the Master implies certain reservations. He, therefore, lays it upon the individual conscience to see that in following the Master’s instructions no Bahá’í vote for an officer (i.e., in a civil election) nor Bahá’í participation in the affairs of the Republic shall involve acceptance by that individual of a program or policy that contravenes any vital principle, spiritual or social, of the Faith.”

“Dear Co-workers:

I feel it incumbent upon me to clarify the above statement, written on my behalf, by stating that no vote cast, nor office undertaken, by a Bahá’í, should necessarily constitute acceptance, by the voter or office-holder, of the entire program of any political party. No Bahá’í can be regarded as either a Republican or Democrat as such. He is, above all else, the supporter of the principles enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh, with which, I am firmly convinced, the program of no political party is completely harmonious.

Your true brother,
SHOGHI.”

– 532 –

1933-01-27 Persia re Bahá’ís Constantinople and Adana

Priceless Pearl pp317-8

Persian National Assembly:

“Urge immediate representations Turkish Ambassador behalf imprisoned Bahá’ís Stamboul and Adana charged political motives”

– 533 –

1933-01-27 re Bahá’ís Constantinople and Adana

USBN #71 — February 1933 — page 4

“Bahá’ís Constantinople and Adana, numbering about forty, imprisoned, charged subversive motives. Urge induce Turkish minister Washington make immediate representations his government release law-abiding followers (of this) non-political Faith. Advise also National Assembly cable authorities (at) Angora and approach State Department.”

SHOGHI.

=========

See Priceless Pearl p317

– 534 –

1933-01-28 Ismat Pás̱há re Bahá’ís Constantinople and Adana

Priceless Pearl pp318

His Excellency Ismat Pás̱há

Ankara

As Head of Bahá’í Faith learned with amazement and grief imprisonment followers of Bahá’u’lláh in Stamboul and Adana. Respectfully appeal your Excellency’s intervention on behalf followers of a Faith pledged loyalty to your government for whose epochal reforms its adherents world over cherish abiding admiration.

=========

Ismat Pás̱há was Prime Minister of Turkey at the time and became president in 1938 on the death of Ataturk.

– 535 –

1933-02-02 Date for National Conv

USBN #71 — February 1933 — page 5

“Advise June 1st. Beseech entire body American believers by love they bear departed Greatest Holf [sic] Leaf not allow slightest interruption progress Temple work, so near her heart, (to) dim (the) splendor (of their) past achievements. Beg them ponder (the) extreme urgency (of my) entreaty.”

SHOGHI

=========

On January 28, 1933, the National Spiritual Assembly cabled Shoghi Effendi as follows:

“Please advise Convention date whether as usual or later for Chicago Fair.”

– 536 –

1933-02-23 Conclusions of Scholars

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 1-2

“As regards what Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl has said concerning the Seven Religions of the past, Shoghi Effendi wishes to emphasize that what is truly authoritative are the words of the Master. In all such cases we should try and find out what He has said and abide by His words, even thought they seem to conflict with the findings of modern scholars. If He does not say anything on the subject, then the individual is free to accept, or refute what scholars such as Abu’l-Faḍl, say. Through the discussion of these (statements by scholars), the truth will ultimately be found, but at no time should their decision be considered as final.”

(To Mrs. S̱hahnáz Waite, Los Angeles, dated Haifa, February 23,11. )

– 537 –

1933-02-25 Cause Will Need More People Really Versed in Branch of Learning

Bahá’í Youth: A Compilation

Prepared By: National Spiritual Assembly Of The Bahá’ís Of The United States (1973)

“He deeply sympathizes with the situation you are facing. But there are undoubtedly millions of young educated people throughout the world facing the same issue, youths who have to continue studying just because, they have no available means of taking up an occupation.

“But these may be called the fortunate ones of their generation, for they have at least a sure means of livelihood and can afford studying in the colleges and developing themselves as preparation for better days. Those must be pitied who have to sit in the parks and public places waiting for a job, and whose spirit is actually killed by inaction.

“Anyhow, Shoghi Effendi feels that you should feel thankful to God for your situation, even as it is. As the Cause develops it will need more and more people who are really versed in their branch of learning and who can interpret the teachings to suit the facts. You will, therefore, be preparing yourself for a higher form of service if you use this forced leisure in going deeper in your branches of study. The Guardian feels it would be wonderful if, after obtaining your Master’s degree, you would continue and work for your doctorate. At the same time you will be in college circles, associated with students and therefore able to spread the teachings among them. It is very important that the movement should enter the colleges and start to acquire the support of student bodies. No one can attempt such a task better than Bahá’í students like you.”

(From letter dated February 25, 1933, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 538 –

1933-02-26 All Spiritual Movements Have Some Spark of Truth

USBN #80 — January 1934 — page 5

All the spiritual and social movements existing in the world, and undoubtedly there are many of them, have some spark of the divine truth. Their very existence shows that they have something to offer to man and fulfil some purpose. But what the world needs, at such a critical moment in its history, is not a mere palliative. It needs a movement that goes deep into its social and spiritual illness and brings about a complete, fundamental change — a change that will include in its scope both the social and spiritual reform of man. But such a movement cannot be inaugurated save by a messenger of God, revealed by Him for that very object. In similar critical moments that have punctuated the history of man in the past, a Zoroaster, a Moses, a Christ and a Muḥammad appeared, and in this day, the Bahá’ís declare, Bahá’u’lláh has been revealed.

Just as in the past the Prophets have been persecuted and their Mission was ridiculed, so has the message of Bahá’u’lláh been scoffed at as a mere impractical idealism. From His earliest youth He was put in chains, expatriated and persecuted. But what do we observe in this day? Less than forty years after His death, the principles He advocated are the only solution for practical politics, the spiritual truths He voiced are the crying needs of man and the very thing he requires for his moral and spiritual development.

He does not ask us to follow Him blindly; as He says in one of His Tablets, God had endowed man with a mind to operate as a torchlight and guide him to truth. Read His words, consider His teachings, and measure their value in the light of contemporary problems and the truth of His mission, as well as the true spirit He creates in whosoever follows His ways.

(To Mrs. Paxton, February 26,6. )

– 539 –

1933-02-27 Obedience to the Assemblies

Criticism:

compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

“At such a time when the political world is chaotic and society seems to be on the verge of death, as a result of the activities of societies that contain only half-truths, the friends of God should be united and act as one single organism. The greater their unity the surer they can be of winning the day. And this unity cannot be achieved save through obedience to the Assemblies. It is true that these are still immature and may at times act unwisely. But supporting them will help more their advance toward an administration that is truly representative of the Cause, than by criticizing them and ignoring their advice. Bahá’u’lláh has not only advocated certain principles, but has also provided a mechanism whereby that ideal can be established and perpetuated. Both of these phases are essential for the realization of His goal of world unity.”

(on behalf of the Guardian to individual believer, February 27, 1933)

– 540 –

1933-03-05 Istanbul Friends Acquitted

Priceless Pearl pp318

“Istanbul friends acquitted 53 still imprisoned Adana urge renew energetically representations immediate release”

– 541 –

1933-03-05 Progress of the Temple Work

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 1-2

“Whenever he receives news of the progress of the Temple work he (Shoghi Effendi) becomes extremely happy, not only because that edifice comes thereby one step nearer completion, but also because it is an added proof to the world that there is a mighty spirit that animates the friends, that there is nothing impossible to them and that they shall attain ultimately their goal, which is the spiritual regeneration of mankind.”

(To Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, National Treasurer, dated Haifa, March 5,12. )

– 542 –

1933-03-07 Istanbul Friends Acquitted

USBN #72 — April 1933 — pp. 4

Istanbul friends acquitted, 53 still imprisoned Adana. Urge renew energetically representations immediate release.

SHOGHI (Received March 7, 1933)

– 543 –

1933-03-07 Ever-increasing Efforts of the American Believers

USBN #73 — May 1933 — page 1

“I am overjoyed at the news of the remarkable impetus which the sustained and ever-increasing efforts of the American believers have lent to the progress of our glorious enterprise. The intensest effort, and a still higher, a more compelling evidence of the vitality of our Faith are required to insure the realization of our fondest hopes.”

Shoghi Effendi. (March 7, 1933).

– 544 –

1933-03-11 Eastern and Northern Europe

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #13

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

In Eastern Europe the Cause is making wonderful headway. We earnestly hope Northern Europe will do the same. They are very enlightened and should appreciate the importance of peace and a spiritual regeneration of man.

(11 March 1933 to an individual believer on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

– 545 –

1933-03-11 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp23-24

Louise Drake Wright, 11 March 1933

Dear Miss Wright:

Shoghi Effendi was very glad to receive your two letters dated September 30th, 1932 and February 19th, 1933 together with the enclosed.

As regards the election of new members on the National Assembly, Shoghi Effendi finds no other practical method that is in conformity with the spirit of the Teachings, except through better acquaintance of the friends during the annual convention and summer schools. It is the duty of the individual friends to come to know one another and find out who are the persons best fitted to become members of that body. This is a slow process but surely the best one and gives the greatest amount of freedom of choice to the electors. It is the duty of the friends individually to become more intelligent voters and vote only after studying the situation conscientiously.

As regards the chart representing creation, we should always remember that no matter how useful such charts may be for beginners, the real authority lies in the Tablets of Bahá’u lláh and the Master. They have to say the last word. It is by them that we should be guided, rather then by charts that help the beginners.

The Guardian was very glad to hear that you are contemplating a second visit to Holland. According to the reports we have received from Mrs. Greeven, Captain Liebau has completed the translation of Dr. Esslemont's book. Should it go immediately to the printers, as Shoghi Effendi hopes it will, it will be a source of great assistance to you.

In Eastern Europe the Cause is making wonderful head-way. We earnestly hope Northern Europe will do the same. They are very enlightened and should appreciate the importance of peace and a spiritual regeneration of man.

In his moments of prayer at the blessed Shrines, the Guardian will think of you and Mrs. Nelson as well as the other friends in Boston and ask for you all divine guidance and help.

Yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

Dear co-worker:

The problems which confront the believers at the present time, whether social, spiritual, economic or administrative will be gradually solved as the number and the resources of the friends multiply and their capacity for service and for the application of Bahá’í principles develops. They should be patient, confident and active in utilizing every possible opportunity that presents itself within the limits now necessarily imposed upon them. May the Almighty aid them to fulfil their highest hopes.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

– 546 –

1933-03-14 Suggest Travel Teach in Adrianople

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p189

Even though Shoghi Effendi would like you to stay in Bulgaria until the group is matured enough to take care of itself, yet he does not mind such short absence. It helps the friends to rely upon their own resources and to learn to become independent of someone to mother them. So there is no harm in prolonging your absence a little more. Shoghi Effendi believes that it would be very nice if you should go with Martha to Belgrade for the Esperanto Congress⁴ and proceed to Adrianople for a stay of about two weeks in that city. There you could make some paintings of the Mosque of Sulṭán Selim that Bahá’u’lláh used to frequent, and also of some of the houses He occupied. It would also be nice to start a group there. In Adrianople you could separate: Martha would go to Greece and you to return to Sofia to your spiritual family.

[postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

Your historic work, so nobly initiated in Sofia and so strenuously followed in that capital and the neighbouring cities of Bulgaria, must, I feel, be further consolidated by the early resumption of your activities in that country. I would like you, however, to stay longer with our dearly-beloved Martha, and to visit with her Serbia and Adrianople. May this tour refresh and strengthen you, and enable you to extend still further the scope of your valued activities and exemplary labours in the Divine Vineyard.

[letter to Marion Jack 14 Mar 1933]

– 547 –

1933-03-15 SE Deprived of Sustaining Influence

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p91

He deeply appreciates your sincere, well-expressed reference, to the tribute he has written to the dearly beloved Greatest Holy Leaf. You cannot imagine to what an extent our dear Guardian has, in this loss, been deprived for ever of the sustaining influence and kindness that this Most Exalted Leaf used to shower daily upon him. In this beautiful Tribute we can trace the life of this beautiful soul, witness with anguish all the sufferings and deprivations that she has endured. Now we should, all of us, try in turn to follow her saintly path and direct all our energy to serve the Cause, which has been so dear to her.

to individual Bahá’ís 15 Mar 1933

– 548 –

1933-03-16 Construction of the Dome

USBN #73 — May 1933 — page 7

“Shoghi Effendi read the admirable report on the construction of the dome … He believes that it is miraculous for the friends to have done so much in such difficult days. It reveals their inflexible determination to serve the Cause and their readiness to sacrifice their all in that path. The Guardian hopes, however, that they will persevere on this road and attain their final goal. Their faith should never fail them, and their vision of the future and its victories must never grow dim. The Master’s spirit will guide them and, through their instrumentality, will perform astounding miracles.”

(A letter to the National Spiritual Assembly from the Guardian, written through Rúḥí Afnán, dated Haifa, March 16,19. )

– 549 –

1933-03-16 re NSA Statement on Politics

USBN #72 — April 1933 — page 4

“Elaborate, emphasize in News Letter excellent explanation paragraph five, page two, February News Letter.

(signed) SHOGHI.”

=========

“The instruction not to take part in political elections leaves us free to vote in any election where the various political parties have combined upon one candidate or one ticket. While Bahá’ís should not run for offices dominated by party politics, they are perfectly free to hold administrative posts based upon personal capacity, as for example the posts within the field of civil service examinations. Local Spiritual Assemblies should surely assume that each believer is entirely loyal to the Guardian’s request, and not take the step of requiring explicit obedience in advance. It is only in the event of deliberate disloyalty, when every effort of local consultation has failed that the question of depriving anyone of his Bahá’í membership is involved.”

– 550 –

1933-03-18 To Martha re BNE Her Services & Bottle of Attar of Roses.

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp203

‘Also he would like you to hasten the completion of the Romanian translation …’

Pressure of voluminous, ever-increasing correspondence constantly interferes with my immediate acknowledgement of your soul-refreshing letters. How much each one of them contributes to the removal of the obstacles, material, mental and spiritual that stand in my way! How much they alleviate my cares and sorrows! How intensely they brighten my vision of the future glory, the present vitality of our beloved Faith! I am mailing to your address a small bottle of attar of rose, and am deeply sorry that such a mistake has been made. Where and how it occurred it is impossible to tell.

The bottle of attar of rose was for Queen Marie. A previous bottle was tampered with in transit.

– 551 –

1933-03-24 To Martha re Followup On Bottle of Attar of Rose for Marie

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp203

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to write you this short note to inform you that he is not going to send you the bottle of attar of roses as he promised to do in his last letter. The mail is unsafe and they may do this time as they did the last time, for it is almost sure that it is in the post office that the bottle was opened and the attar changed into honey. He will wait until some person is found who is likely to meet you, and will give him the bottle to hand it to you personally. This way there will be no risk incurred.

– 552 –

1933-03-25 Direct Attention Towards Europe

1933-03-25

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 1

“The Bahá’í world should direct its attention towards Europe more than to any other land, because it is a hotbed of strife and rancor. The political hatreds that exist there will if not subdued not only consume its inhabitants but will ravage the whole world and bring devastation to the entire surface of the globe.”

(To Mrs. Louise Erickson, Brooklyn, dated Haifa, March 25,10. )

– 553 –

1933-03-27 Role of Green Acre

USBN #73 — May 1933 — page 2

...to Mrs. Ivy Edwards, Secretary of the Eliot Spiritual Assembly: (through his secretary)

“Your group occupies an important position in the Bahá’í world for you are situated in that locality where the Green Acre Summer School is held — the most important institution of its kind in the world. Through your persistent efforts all the people living in that vicinity should learn of the true spirit of the Faith and be drawn to it. They should not only be made to befriend the Cause, but arise for its active service.

“The world is in great turmoil and its problems seem to become daily more acute. We should therefore not sit idle; otherwise we would be failing in carrying out our sacred duty. Bahá’u’lláh has not given us His teachings to treasure them and hide the for our personal delight and pleasure. He gave them to us that we may pass them from mouth to mouth until all the world becomes familiar with them and enjoys their blessings and uplifting influence.

“You inquired regarding the meaning of the sentence, ‘The Mysterious Power that creates new spiritual worlds.’ This, Shoghi Effendi believes, refers to the transcendental Essence of God who is the Creator of this world and the worlds to come; for as Bahá’u’lláh says, God’s worlds are infinite.”

And in the Guardian’s hand:

“May the Almighty bless you and enable you, together with your diligent, able and devoted collaborators in Eliot to hoist the standard of the Faith in that part of your native land, where its institutions are fast developing and where its light will be fully and resplendently revealed.”

– 554 –

1933-03-28 To Inez Greeven

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp24-5

Inez Greeven, 28 March 1933

Dear Mrs. Greeven:

I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated March 20th,

He feels deeply thankful and gratified for your readiness to act promptly and print the book. As Miss Louise Drake Wright of Boston is shortly coming to Holland to resume the teaching work she started there last year, the sooner the book is ready for circulation the more it will help her in her work. The Guardian sincerely hopes that no unnecessary delay will be permitted.

When the book is out of the press please send one hundred copies to Haifa to the address of Shoghi Effendi, fifty to America to the address of the Publishing Committee, fifty to the National Assembly of Germany, fifty to the Bahá’í Bureau in Geneva and the remainder, please keep yourself for future demands. Perhaps, on her coming to Holland, Miss Wright will desire to have some for her work there.

Please extend Shoghi Effendi’s greetings to Mr. Greeven and express his deep appreciation for the services he is so kindly rendering.

Assuring you both of the Guardians prayers and best wishes, I remain,

Yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán.

P. S. The Guardian fully approves of your suggestion to place copies of the book in the bookshops of Rotterdam. We have just heard that Miss Wright has reached Amsterdam. Her address is still unknown. Rúḥí

Dear and precious co-worker:

I wish to assure you again of my genuine and lively appreciation of the prompt response on your part to my request — a response which I know involves self-sacrifice, and will, I am sure, attract the blessings of our beloved Master. Your name will thereby be forever associated with the birth and history of the Cause in Holland, a further evidence of the predominating share which the American believers are assuming in the international spread of the Cause.

Your true and grateful brother,
Shoghi

– 555 –

1933-04-02 Adana Friends Released

Priceless Pearl pp318

“Adana friends released. Advise convey appreciation Turkish Ambassador”.

– 556 –

1933-04-02 To May Maxwell re Poss Shoghi Effendi Trip to America

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p192

I deeply value the sentiments & motive that have prompted you to extend an invitation to me to visit a land on which the Master has bestowed His manifold blessings. Not until, however, I feel the urge to undertake such a journey, will my presence in your midst prove of any value to our beloved Cause or promote those interests that are so near & dear to my heart. Your valued collaboration in so many fields of activity, above all the spirit that prompts you to render such inestimable services, bring immense joy & great relief to my heart. I feel so deeply grateful for them all.

Shoghi

– 557 –

1933-04-04 To Sydney Sprague re Progress on Temple

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p195

Dearest Roy:

The cable I received yesterday from Mrs. Maxwell, informing me of her stupendous efforts in collaboration with Mason and Philip, on behalf of the Temple filled my heart with intense joy, hope and gratitude. It is my earnest hope and constant prayer, that at least a major section of the dome will be completed by the beginning of June, and that the work, which is involving so great a measure of self-sacrifice, will continue unabated until our supreme objective is attained. No words of mine can convey the gratitude and admiration I feel for those who in such times and circumstances, are displaying such magnificent efforts for a cause of such unique and eternal significance.

Shoghi

– 558 –

1933-04-10 Martha Root in Central Europe

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #14

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

In one of your letters you mention Martha [Root]. She is surely doing wonderful work in Central Europe. She has not only interested many competent souls, but also has managed to have Dr. Esslemont’s book translated and published in several languages. And this will render her work much more fruitful and lasting in effect.

(10 April 1933 to an individual believer on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

– 559 –

1933-04-11 Various

USBN #73 — May 1933 — page 5

To the National Spiritual Assembly.

The Guardian is fully familiar with the difficult circumstances facing the Assembly, especially in providing for the financial needs of the Cause and completing the construction of the dome. Yet he is confident in God’s blessings and assistance and the persistence and sacrifice of the friends in fulfilling their sacred pledges. In his moments of prayer at the Blessed Shrines the Guardian will think of you all and ask God to assist you and reinforce your efforts.

As regards the admittance of new members into the different groups as declared Bahá’ís, and the expulsion of any from the community, Shoghi Effendi believes that the Assemblies should not act hurriedly. They should be wise and most considerate, otherwise they can do much harm to the body of the Cause. They should see to it that the new-comer is truly conversant with the teachings, and when he expresses his belief in the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, knows what he is saying and what are the duties he undertakes.

On the other hand when any person is expelled, the Assembly should not act hurriedly. There is a great spiritual responsibility attached to the act. The Assemblies do not have only rights against the individuals, they have great duties also. They should act like the good shepherd whom Christ mentions in His well-known parable. We also have the example of the Master before us. The individual Bahá’ís were organic parts of His spiritual being. What befell the least one of the friends brought deep affliction and sorrow to him also. If by chance one of them erred he counselled him and increased His love and affection, if the Master saw that that friend is still stubbornly refusing to reform his ways, and that his living among the other Bahá’ís endangered the spiritual life of the rest, then He would expell him from the group. This should be the attitude of the Assemblies toward the individuals. The best criterion whereby you can measure the spiritual attainment of an Assembly, is the extent its members feel themselves responsible for the welfare of the group. And perchance they feel forced to deprive a person from his vote it should be only to safeguard the rest and not merely to inflict punishment.

The Guardian was very glad to learn that the work of the fourth volume of “The Bahá’í World” is progressing rapidly. He hopes that it will be soon out for circulation for undoubtedly the public is waiting for it.

Please convey the Guardian’s loving greetings and best wishes to the members of the Assembly. He hopes that through their endeavors the spirit of the Faith will permeate that land and solve the pressing problems of its suffering people.

Yours ever sincerely,

Rúḥí Afnán.

P.S. As regards the Tablet of the Master to Mr. James Morton, Shoghi Effendi would prefer to see the original Persian to decide as to its authenticity.

Rúḥí.

(In the Guardian’s hand-writing.)

“Dear and precious co-workers:

I greatly value the Tablets addressed to Sarah Farmer and I thank you for having sent them to me. Will you kindly send me a few more copies of the Study Guide to Nabíl’s Narrative and the reprint of the Declaration of Trust, copies of both of which I wish to distribute among those who are deeply interested. Your letters of March 31 and 30th, written on behalf of the Assembly, have just reached me. Concerning the removal of believers I feel that such a vitally important matter should be given the most serious consideration and preferably be referred to the National Assembly for further consideration and final decision. We should be slow to accept and reluctant to remove. I fully approve and whole-heartedly and unreservedly uphold the principle to which you refer that personalities should not be made centres around which the community may revolve but that they should be subordinated under all conditions and however great their merits to the properly constituted Assemblies. You and your co-workers can never overestimate or overemphasize this cardinal principle of Bahá’í Administration.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine,

April 11,

– 560 –

1933-04-12 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp25-7

Louise Drake Wright, 12 April 1933

Dear Miss Wright:

Shoghi Effendi was delighted to receive you letter of March 31st, 1933 and obtain the news of your safe arrival to Holland. He sincerely hopes that you will pick up the threads of the work you did there last year and gradually confirm in the teachings those you had interested.

You may be interested to know that Mr. and Mrs. Max Greeven will soon be in Rotterdam, if they are not there already, to attend to the publication of Dr. Esslemont's book into Dutch. As they are expecting to get in touch with Captain Liebau who is now in Holland, you can therefore reach them through him.

There is also a young man by the name of Grosfeld, who is Dutch and has been living in the Dutch East Indies, who is coming back to reside in Holland. He is travelling through the United States to meet the friends there.

With all you people centered in Holland some really lasting and wonderful work should be accomplished. But, naturally, much will depend upon you, who will act as the teacher and will stay in the country for some time. They can be very helpful to create for you new contacts, and introduce you to circles where they are known, and in which you could not otherwise enter, or obtain access to. The introductions that you possess are also very valuable and helpful.

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to assure you of his prayers and best wishes for a successful campaign. He trusts that God will guide you and enable you to create a strong and permanent center in that country. He will be eagerly awaiting the news of your activities and the progress of your work.

With best wishes,
Yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

Dear and precious co-worker:

Your two letters dated April 6th and 7th have just arrived and I am delighted to learn of the splendid start you have made. I wish you could induce Mr. […] to undertake and finish as soon as he can the translation of the Íqán,⁵ which has already been published into four languages, the latest being the Chinese version. The book constitutes an essential preliminary to an intensive and intelligent campaign of teaching in Holland. I wish he could complete the translation before the end of the present year! If he cannot undertake it in person, I trust his collaborators may enable him to complete it. “The New Era” is being translated into fifteen additional languages! May the Beloved bless richly your historic work. Rest assured, I will continue to pray for you.

Your true brother,
Shoghi

– 561 –

1933-04-15 To True re Poss Trip to America

Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Nathan Rutstein, p199

I deeply appreciate the sentiments expressed in your letter and am deeply grateful for the services you are rendering and the spirit which animates you in your work. I must feel the urge to undertake the journey to which you refer, otherwise any service I can render will fail to achieve its purpose. The friends in America should concentrate on their task, their glorious and divinely-appointed task, and never allow considerations of my presence or absence to deflect them from their high purpose.

– 562 –

1933-04-20 Teaching and Training of Bahá’í Children

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 2

“He (Shoghi Effendi) was deeply gratified to hear that the friends are attaching such a great importance to the teaching and training of Bahá’í children. The education of the youth is, undoubtedly of paramount importance as it serves to deepen their understanding of the Cause and to canalize their energies along the most profitable lines. Inasmuch, however, as the national expenses of the Cause in America are daily increasing, the members of your Committee should be very careful not to extend beyond their financial resources the sphere of their activities. The plans your Committee has made should not develop to such an extent as to hamper the progress of the Temple work.”

(To members of Committee on the Teaching and Training of Children, dated Haifa, April 20,16. )

– 563 –

1933-04-22 Wonderful Progress in Germany

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

The Cause is surely making wonderful progress in Germany. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the present changes that have taken place will not divert the interest of the people from spiritual matters and that the number of the friends will steadily increase. Occupying a central position geographically in Europe, it could also become the centre of its spiritual life and radiate the light of Bahá’u’lláh to all the different nations in that continent.

(22 April 1933)

– 564 –

1933-04-24 To Louise Wright re Pub of Íqán in Dutch

The Bábí Question you mentioned …Jelle deVries, p186

Dear and precious co-worker,

Your two letters April 6th and 7th have just arrived and I am delighted to hear of the splendid start you have made. I wish you could induce Mr. Verhulst to undertake and finish as soon as he can the trans, of the Íqán, which has already been published in four languages, the latest being the Chinese version. The book constitutes an essential preliminary to an intensive and intelligent campaign of teaching in Holland. I wish he could complete the translation before the end of the present year! If he cannot undertake it in person. I trust his collaborators may enable him and complete it. “The New Era” is being trans, into fifteen additional languages! May the Beloved bless richly your historic work. Rest assured, I will continue to pray for you.

Your true brother,
Shoghi.

– 565 –

1933-04-30 Reports of Bulgaria and Countries of Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union: A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #15

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Dr. and Mrs… . are now here and give a glowing report of what is being accomplished in Bulgaria and the other countries of Eastern Europe. Shoghi Effendi hopes that these seeds, which these few American ladies are sowing so lovingly, will receive showers of divine blessings and gradually start to germinate. Those countries, more than anywhere else in Europe, should feel the disastrous and ravaging effects of war and conscientiously strive to achieve peace by an orientation of their human interests to what is spiritual and uplifting…

(30 April 1933 to an individual believer)

– 566 –

1933-05-06 Every Book Should Obtain Sanction of NSA

Reviewing: Practice and Functions of Literature Review #5

Compiled by Universal House of Justice Research Department. 1990-05

Shoghi Effendi would, however, like to draw your attention to the fact that every book that a Bahá’í desires to publish, on any phase of the Movement, should obtain the sanction of the National Assembly under whose jurisdiction he lives, or of the country in which he desires to publish the book. In this case it is a mere formality for the Guardian is sure that the National Assembly of the British Isles have known of this book and have been anxiously awaiting its publication. Shoghi Effendi submits even the books he himself writes to such a procedure. It is really to safeguard the teachings from being misinterpreted by friends who have not deepened their knowledge of the teachings.

(6 May 1933 to an individual believer)

– 567 –

1933-05-07 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp27-8

Louise Drake Wright, 7 May 1933

Dear Miss Wright:

The Guardian received your letter which you had left undated, and read it with a sense of deep pleasure and satisfaction. He sincerely hopes that God will reinforce your sacrificial efforts and enable you to sow some good seeds in that country, for it is sure that the land is ready and the people are far more restless to obtain something new, to help them out of their present troubles, than they were a few years ago. The Guardian will surely pray for you, while visiting the Blessed Shrines, and ask God to guide and assist you.

As regards the translation and publication of the Íqán, Shoghi Effendi believes that as long as Mr. […] is going to translate it free of charge we should not let the chance be left to slip away. Encourage him to start that work and complete it as soon as possible. Meanwhile will you obtain some estimate as to how much its publication will cost and inform the Guardian? He is very eager to have this wonderful book translated well, for it is the best means of grounding those who become interested in the fundamental teachings of the Faith. The Íqán and Dr. Esslemont’s book will be sufficient to make any seeker a true believer in the divine nature of the Faith.

The Guardian is eagerly awaiting the news of the progress of your work. He hopes you will keep him informed as to any interesting developments especially regarding the translation of the Íqán.

Assuring you of his prayers and best wishes,

Yours ever sincerely,
Rúḥí Afnán

Dear and precious co-worker:

I wonder whether it would be possible to induce the translator to print the Íqán at his own expense and obtain whatever profit he can make from the sale of the books, with a definite assurance that we would purchase from him a fixed percentage of the books immediately they are published. If this is not acceptable, I would appreciate an estimate of the cost of publication, and trust it will be possible, in the near future, to provide the sum that is required. I trust and pray that the Beloved may guide and sustain you in your arduous, your pioneer and highly meritorious endeavours for the spread of the Cause in Holland.

Shoghi

– 568 –

1933-05-11 Concerning the Mind the Self and the Soul

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

May 11, 1933, Haifa.

“… With all these calamities that are befalling humanity, there should be more receptivity to what is spiritual and divine, hence there should be a larger field for work for the friends, who carry the only spiritual teachings that have any worth in these days.

As regards the mind, the soul, and the spirit: In answering such a question, Bahá’u’lláh says, “You asked concerning the mind, the self and the soul (or spirit). Know that these three, and similar powers attributed to man, are manifestations of that reality which is the ground of his being … the difference between these powers is due to the difference of organs through which that reality is manifested, otherwise that reality is the same … .” This subject is explained thoroughly in the talks of the Master, especially “Some Answered Questions”. There are also many Tablets explaining it.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 569 –

1933-05-15 To Martha re BNE Translations

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp204-5

As regards the translations of Dr Esslemont's book: He has already asked you to send him 50 Hungarian and 20 Czech copies. When the Romanian and Serbian are also published please send him fifty copies of each of those editions.

The Guardian is enclosing a draft on London for £100; this is to cover the translation and publication of the Romanian and Serbian editions. He believes that with all the expenses the Cause has, especially in connection with the Temple, we should be very careful in spending our funds. He wants you therefore to find out whether we cannot publish these books at a lesser cost, for example whether we can arrange with a publisher to publish the book at his own cost and we buy from him only a certain number of copies. The publisher could benefit from any profit made on the sale and we will have the book available to the public. Another advantage in such a method is that the publisher will help the sale and distribution of the books. This is only in case such a method will make us undertake less financial responsibility. The Guardian wishes you to use your own judgement but take this matter also into consideration.

… After attending to the Greek translation in Greece you could go to Albania for a short visit and then return to Bulgaria and visit Romania.

– 570 –

1933-05-16 To Martha re Follow-up to BNE Translations

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp204-5

Yesterday I wrote you a letter on behalf of the Guardian and enclosed in it a draft for £100 to cover the expenses of the translation and publication of Dr Esslemont’s book into Romanian and Serbian. I addressed it care of the American Consul, Belgrade. Please write him a note and ask him to keep it until your arrival. Shoghi Effendi asked me to address the letter to Belgrade thinking you might find some difficulty in taking money out of Budapest with you.

– 571 –

1933-05-18 Persian Brethren Still Maltreated

USBN #75 — July 1933 — page 3

“Persian Brethren still Maltreated”

Cablegram from the Guardian

Recent reports confirm Persian brethren still maltreated. Ban (on) entry Bahá’í literature maintained. Printing (and) circulation within Persia prohibited. Urge Convention delegates earnestly consider grave issues involved. Feel essential National Assembly renew through Keith strong representations Ṭihrán authorities. Appoint also delegation (of) American representatives (to) meet Persian Minister (at) Washington, pressing him intervene remove intolerable burden present disabilities.

(signed) SHOGHI.

Received May 18,

– 572 –

1933-05-18 To Louise Wright re Pub of Íqán

The Bábí Question you mentioned …Jelle deVries, p187

Dear and precious co-worker,

I wonder whether it would be possible to induce the translator to print the Íqán at his own expense to obtain whatever profit he can make from the sale of the books, with a definite assurance that we would purchase from him a fixed percentage of the books immediately they are published. If this is not acceptable I would appreciate an estimate of the cost of publication, and trust it will be possible in the near future, to provide the sum that is required. I trust and pray that the Beloved may guide and sustain you in your arduous, your pioneer and highly meritorious endeavours for the spread of the Cause in Holland.

Shoghi.

[on being informed publisher Carolus Verhulst, Servire publishing, was interested in publishing the Íqán in Dutch.]

– 573 –

1933-05-29 Memory Saintly Life Bahíyyih Will Sustain and Feed

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p91-2

…He was deeply touched by the strong attachment of the friends to one who, besides being the beloved daughter of Bahá’u’lláh, exemplified perhaps more than anyone the true spirit that animates His teachings. His sincere hope is that your love for our departed Greatest Holy Leaf will attain such depth and intensity as to enable you to follow on her footsteps and to carry out with increasing devotion and vigour all that she cherished so much during the entire course of her earthly life. The memory of her saintly life will undoubtedly sustain and feed your energies and will provide you with that spiritual potency of which we are all in such a great need.

to Bahá’ís of Bournemouth England, 29 May 1933

– 574 –

1933-05-29 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp29-30

Louise Drake Wright, 29 May 1933

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Shoghi Effendi has directed me to address you these few lines, informing you of a letter he has recently received from Mr. […] in which he has proposed to translate the Kitáb-i-Íqán into Dutch and to have it published partly on his own account. Mr. […], who is a journalist, seems to be deeply interested in the Bahá’i teachings and, although himself not a Bahá’í, yet his genuine belief is that the Íqán is a highly-important and interesting book that can be of an invaluable help to every thoughtful person with some knowledge of religious literature.

His proposition for the publication of the book is as follows. The cost of the publication of 1000 copies he estimates to be 330 dollars and the price of each copy will not exceed 1,50 dollars. He is willing to translate the book free of any charge and he is ready to bring out the book provided Shoghi Effendi purchases from him 350 copies at a total price of 350 dollars, of which to be paid 175 dollars at once and 175 dollars at the date of publication.

The Guardian is very glad that Mr. […] is ready to facilitate and expedite the publication of the Íqán, and he is ready to contribute his share for the immediate completion of this work.

Inasmuch, however, as he is not sufficiently acquainted with the man he would prefer not sending him the sum directly. He thinks it would be much wiser and safer to have the amount sent directly to you so as to prevent any possible difficulty or misunderstanding.

With the assurance of his best and loving greetings and of his continued prayers for the advancement and success of your work.

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání

P.S. Shoghi Effendi would like you to find out whether Mr. […] s proposition is wholly genuine and in case you confirm it, he is ready to send you half of the sum immediately. H.R.

Dear and valued co-worker;

Your deeply interesting letters of May 12 brought deep joy to my heart. I am so sorry to hear of the delay in the publication of the ‘New Era’. Do please make every effort to expedite the work, and ensure its early publication. The services you are rendering in protecting the Cause, in defending its institutions, in explaining its principles, in diffusing its spirit and circulating its literature are indeed highly praiseworthy, most appropriate and meritorious in the sight of God. Your pioneer work will surely be richly blessed and enrich the annals of our immortal Faith, if you persevere in your high endeavours. Immediately you confirm and approve the proposition of Mr. […] I will send you the sum of $175 as first instalment.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

Shoghi Effendi has postponed answering Mr. […] s letter until he hears from you. Please write to him immediately.

– 575 –

1933-06-01 To U.S. National Convention

USBN #75 — July 1933 page 1

[To National Convention]:

“Entire Bahá’í world stirred with expectation witness results American believers momentous convention. On its proceedings hang issue of incalculable benefit world-wide faith Bahá’u’lláh. To its delegates given great opportunity release forces which will usher in era whose splendor must outshine heroic age our beloved Cause. Supreme Concourse waiting for them to seize it.

SHOGHI.”

– 576 –

1933-06-05 To Incoming National Spiritual Assembly

USBN #75 — July 1933 — page 5

Praying fervently success newly elected Assembly. Love.

(signed) SHOGHI.

– 577 –

1933-06-08 Travel Teaching

USBN #76 — August 1933 — page 3

“The important visits you have made to various Bahá’í centers throughout the United States, together with the enthusiasm you have been able to create among the friends are, indeed, highly praiseworthy. You have set a good example before the friends. It is hoped that every one of them will arise to serve, as devotedly as you did, the beloved Temple and will be ready to suffer for its sake every possible deprivation.”

(From letter to Mr. Philip Sprague, dated Haifa, June 8,11. )

– 578 –

1933-06-09 re Tree of Anisa in HW Persian #19

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

Persian No. 19

This has many spiritual meanings. Among them is that it designates the Tree of life, and at times it refers to the Temple of the Manifestation.

(From a letter dated 9 June 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi — translated from the Persian)

[Response to an inquiry about the meaning of the Tree of Anísá.]

– 579 –

1933-06-12 Take Care in Presentation of Teachings

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 5

The believers, and particularly those who have not had sufficient experience in teaching, should be very careful in the way they present the teachings of the Cause. Sincerity, devotion and faith are not the sole conditions of successful teaching. Tactfulness, extreme caution and wisdom are equally important. We should not be in a hurry when we announce the message to the public and we should be careful to present the teachings in their entirety and not to alter them for the sake of others. Allegiance to the Faith cannot be partial and half-hearted. Either we should accept the Cause without any qualification whatever, or cease calling ourselves Bahá’ís. The new believers should be made to realize that it is not sufficient for them to accept some aspects of the teachings and reject those which cannot suit their mentality in order to become fully recognized and active followers of the Faith. In this way all sorts of misunderstandings will vanish and the organic unity of the Cause will be preserved.

(To Mrs. Shahnáz Waite, June 12,7. )

– 580 –

1933-06-13 To Inez Greeven

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp30-31

Inez Greeven, 13 June 1933

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated Apr. 4th and 14th, 1933 addressed to Shoghi Effendi were received and were read with great care and deepest appreciation.

He wishes me to extend to you his heartfelt thanks for your splendid efforts in connection with the translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book into Dutch. He hopes that through your perseverance and your zeal the whole work will be soon ready for distribution.

The Guardian is fully confident that the circulation of this book will greatly facilitate the teaching efforts of the friends and that through its reading many eager souls will be attracted to the Cause.

In closing may I assure you once more of his loving greetings and of his best wishes for your husband and for yourself. In his hours of meditation and prayer at the Blessed Shrines he will surely remember you and will ask the Lord to sustain your efforts, cheer your heart, and enable you to render His Faith yet more outstanding services.

Yours in His service,

H. Rabbání

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am eagerly awaiting the news of the publication of the book, and I trust that nothing unexpected has happened to delay the work in which you are so devotedly engaged. I wish to reaffirm my deep sense of thankfulness for all that you have done and for the efforts you are still exerting in this connection. The Beloved is, I feel certain, well pleased with your achievements.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi

– 581 –

1933-06-14 Consolidation Activities

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 5-6

Do not lose heart and never relax in your worldwide activities your magnificent endeavors for the consolidation of the Faith of God and the completion of the Temple. Confine your appeals to the Bahá’í Assemblies, familiarize them with the deeds, the sufferings, the ideals and sacrifices of the immortal heroes of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh — heroes the record of whose labors Nabíl has so vividly described. May such familiarity arouse those who receive such letters from you to set a still nobler example of self-abnegation, of courage and sacrifice.

(To Mrs. Victoria Bedekian, received June 14,8. )

– 582 –

1933-06-17 Association with the World Fellowship of Faiths

USBN #76 — August 1933 — page 3

“Regarding association with the World Fellowship of Faiths and kindred Societies, Shoghi Effendi wishes to reaffirm and elucidate the general principle that Bahá’í elected representatives as well as individuals should refrain from any act or word that would imply a departure from the principles, whether spiritual, social or administrative, established by Bahá’u’lláh. Formal affiliation with and acceptance of membership in organizations whose programs or policies are not wholly reconcilable with the Teachings is of course out of the question. In the case of the World Fellowship of Faiths, however, Shoghi Effendi sees no objection if the American National Assembly decides to appoint one or two Bahá’í representatives to address such gatherings on one or two occasions on a subject which is in harmony with the spirit of the Teachings does not constitute acceptance by the Bahá’í speaker of the entire program of the Fellowship. We should welcome and seize every opportunity that presents itself, however modest it may be, to give a wider publicity to the Cause, to demonstrate its all-inclusiveness and liberal attitude, its independence and purity, without committing ourselves, whether by word or by deed, to programs or policies that are not in strict conformity with the tenets of the Faith. Shoghi Effendi hopes that this principle will guide your distinguished Assembly in its dealings with various associations which will increasingly seek, in the days to come, the support of Bahá’í individuals and Assemblies for the attainment of their ends.”

=========

note previous statements about the World Fellowship

– 583 –

1933-06-17 Difference Between Taxes and Spiritual Offerings

USBN #77 — September 1933 — Page 2

“There is a difference between taxes and spiritual offerings. The House of Justice has certain revenues such as inheritance shares, fees and fines. These are the taxes which, according to the Aqdas, go directly not to the Guardian but to the House of Justice. According to the Master’s Will which complements the Aqdas, the Ḥuqúq goes only to the Guardian.”

(To Mr. George O. Latimer, Portland, Oregon, dated Haifa, June 17,12. )

– 584 –

1933-06-17 “Uninterrupted Progress of the Ornamentation Work”

USBN #76 — August 1933 — page 2

And in a letter addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly, dated June 17:

“The thing, however, that is most urgent and of supreme importance is to insure by every means at our disposal the uninterrupted progress of the ornamentation work of the Temple. The cessation of work in connection with so noble and so sacred an edifice at so critical a time would not only create an unfavorable impression in the minds of the millions of visitors who will gather in Chicago this summer but will inflict grave injury on the prestige and the international standing of the Cause throughout the world. That the American believers, who have already on several occasions contributed so strikingly to the strengthening and widening of the basis of Bahá’í institutions will allow them to suffer as a result of their failure to prosecute this glorious enterprise, the Guardian refuses to believe. He will continue to pray, and has sufficient confidence in the vitality of the Faith that animates them to feel assured that the hopes and expectations centered on them by the Bahá’ís of the world will not be disappointed, and that the successful termination of what is only the first stage in this historic enterprise will serve to ennoble the heritage bequeathed to them by a wise and loving Master.”

In the Guardian’s hand:

“I am so eager to hear of the latest developments in connection with an enterprise in which so much that is vital to the immediate future of the Cause is involved. The American believers are deeply and solemnly committed to this stupendous task. It was gloriously conceived and nobly initiated. Its triumphal progress must suffer no setback. Its termination must be hastened with zeal, determination and vigor. Its concluding stages must redound as much to the glory and fair name of our beloved Faith as the initial steps taken for its establishment. I appeal to each of the champion builders of this majestic and unique Structure not to rest until the final section of the external ornamentation of the dome has been cast and set in position.”

– 585 –

1933-06-27 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp31-2

Louise Drake Wright, 27 June 1933

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Your letters dated June 8th and 11th, 1933 were received and read with deep appreciation by the Guardian.

He is very sorry to learn that the publication of the Íqán has to be given up in view of the fact that the publisher is not a very reliable person and that his sympathies are not quite in harmony with the teachings of the Cause. But now that the publication of the Íqán has been temporarily abandoned, you should try to give a fuller publicity to the Dutch translation of Dr. Esslemont’s book and thus pave the way for a further and more intense campaign of teaching.

Shoghi Effendi, however, would not like you to undergo further sacrifices in case you feel that you have to go back to the States for reason of health. He is fully alive to the tremendous difficulties that have for so long stood in your way and he is firmly convinced that if you find that your leaving Holland is imperatively necessary, you should not hesitate to leave your work for some time and take all the rest you need.

In closing may I assure you once more of his best wishes and of his ardent prayers for the further advancement of your work.

Yours in His service,

H. Rabbání

Dear and precious co-worker:

It is sad and regrettable that the plan for the publication of so important a book had to be abandoned. I still cherish the hope that Bahá’u’lláh will guide you in your devoted and persistent efforts to prepare the way for the consummation of this great and notable service to the Cause. Do not, I pray you, lose courage or hope. I will continue to pray for you and for those you have been so devotedly striving to interest and attract to this Divine Revelation.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi

– 586 –

1933-06-xx The World Religion

A summary of Its Aims, Teachings and History

SHOGHI EFFENDI

Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith

(From a letter written by Shoghi Effendi to the High Commissioner for Palestine, June 1933)

THE Revelation proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh, His followers believe, is divine in origin, all-embracing in scope, broad in its outlook, scientific in its method, humanitarian in its principles and dynamic in the influence it exerts on the hearts and minds of men. The mission of the Founder of their Faith, they conceive it to be to proclaim that religious truth is not absolute but relative, that Divine Revelation is continuous and progressive, that the Founders of all past religions, though different in the non-essential aspects of their teachings, “abide in the same Tabernacle, soar in the same heaven, are seated upon the same throne, utter the same speech and proclaim the same Faith.” His Cause, they have already demonstrated, stands identified with, and revolves around, the principle of the organic unity of mankind as representing the consummation of the whole process of human evolution. This final stage in this stupendous evolution, they assert, is not only necessary but inevitable, that it is gradually approaching, and that nothing short of the celestial potency with which a divinely ordained Message can claim to be endowed can succeed in establishing it.

The Bahá’í Faith recognizes the unity of God and of His Prophets, upholds the principle of an unfettered search after truth, condemns all forms of superstition and prejudice, teaches that the fundamental purpose of religion is to promote concord and harmony, that it must go hand-in-hand with science, and that it constitutes the sole and ultimate basis of a peaceful, an ordered and progressive society. It inculcates the principle of equal opportunity, rights and privileges for both sexes, advocates compulsory education, abolishes extremes of poverty and wealth, exalts work performed in the spirit of service to the rank of worship, recommends the adoption of an auxiliary international language, and provides the necessary agencies for the establishment and safeguarding of a permanent and universal peace.

Born about the middle of the nineteenth century in darkest Persia, assailed from its infancy by the forces of religious fanaticism, the Faith has, notwithstanding the martyrdom of its Forerunner, the repeated banishments of its Founder, the almost life-long imprisonment of its chief Promoter and the cruel death of no less than twenty thousand of its devoted followers, succeeded in diffusing quietly and steadily its spirit throughout both the East and the West, has established itself in no fewer than forty countries of the world, and has recently obtained from the ecclesiastical and civil authorities in various lands written affirmations that recognize its independent religious status.

The Forerunner of the Faith was Mírzá ‘Alí-Muḥammad of S̱híráz, known as the Báb (The Gate) Who proclaimed on May 23, 1844, His twofold mission as an independent Manifestation of God and Herald of One greater than Himself, Who would inaugurate a new and unprecedented era in the religious history of mankind. On His early life, His sufferings, the heroism of His disciples, and the circumstances of His tragic martyrdom I need not dwell as the record of His saintly life is minutely set forth in The Dawn-Breakers: Nabíl’s Narrative of the Early Days of the Bahá’í Faith. Suffice it to say that at the early age of thirty-one the Báb was publicly martyred by a military firing squad at Tabriz, Írán, on July 9,126. On the evening of that same day His mangled body was removed from the courtyard of the barracks to the edge of the moat outside the gate of the city whence it was carried by His fervent disciples to Ṭihrán. There it remained concealed until such time as its transfer to the Holy Land was made possible. Faced by almost insuperable difficulties and facing the gravest dangers a band of His disciples, acting under the instructions of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, succeeded in transporting overland the casket containing His remains to Haifa. In 1909, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with his own hands and in the presence of the assembled representatives of various Bahá’í communities deposited those remains within the vault of the Mausoleum he himself had erected for the Báb. Ever since that time countless followers of the Bahá’í Faith have made the pilgrimage to this sacred spot, a spot which ever since 1921 has been further sanctified by the burial of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in an adjoining vault.

The Founder of the Faith was Bahá’u’lláh (Glory of God), Whose advent the Báb had foretold. He declared His mission in 1863 while an exile in Bag̱hdád. He subsequently formulated the principles of that new and divine civilization which by His advent He claimed to have inaugurated. He too was bitterly opposed, was stripped of His property and rights, was exiled to ‘Iráq, to Constantinople and Adrianople, and was eventually incarcerated in the penal colony of ‘Akká where He passed away in 1892 in His seventy-fifth year. His remains are laid to rest in the Shrine at Bahjí, North of ‘Akká.

The authorized Interpreter and Exemplar of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings was His eldest son ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Servant of Bahá) who was appointed by his Father as the Center to whom all Bahá’ís should turn for instruction and guidance. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ever since his childhood was the closest companion of his Father, and shared all His sorrows and sufferings. He remained a prisoner until 1908, when the old regime in Turkey was overthrown and all religious and political prisoners throughout the empire were liberated. After that he continued to make his home in Palestine but undertook extensive teaching tours in Egypt, Europe and America, being ceaselessly engaged in explaining and exemplifying the principles of his Father’s Faith and in inspiring and directing the activities of his friends and followers throughout the world. He passed away in 1921 in Haifa, Palestine, and, as already stated, was buried in a vault contiguous to that of the Báb on Mount Carmel.

According to the provisions of His Will, I, as His eldest grandson, have been appointed as First Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith and Head of the Universal House of Justice which must, in conjunction with me co-ordinate and direct the affairs of the various Bahá’í communities in East and West in accordance with the principles enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh.

The period since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing has been characterized by the formation and consolidation of the Local and National Assemblies, the bedrock on which the edifice of the Universal House of Justice is to be erected. There are, according to the latest reports from Ṭihrán, over five hundred Local Assemblies already constituted in Írán. Organized Bahá’í communities are to be found in every continent of the globe. National Assemblies have already been formed and are functioning in the United States and Canada, in India and Burma, in Great Britain, in Germany and Austria, in Írán, ‘Iráq, Egypt and Australasia. Such Assemblies are in the process of formation in Caucasus, Turkestan, and other countries. Local Assemblies and groups have been already established in France, Switzerland and Italy. In the Scandinavian countries, in the Balkans, in Turkey, Syria, Albania, Abyssinia, China, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. Christians of various denominations, Muslims of both the Sunní and S̱hí‘ah sects of Islám, Jews, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians and Buddhists, have eagerly embraced its truth, have recognized the divine origin and fundamental unity underlying the Teachings of all the Founders of past religions, and have unreservedly identified themselves with both the spirit and form of its evolving institutions. All these centers function as the component parts of a single organism, of an entity the spiritual and administrative center of which lies enshrined in the twin cities of ‘Akká and Haifa.

– 587 –

1933-07-10 To Martha re Marie & Princesses

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp205-6

Shoghi Effendi was delighted to receive your letter of June 15th, 1933 together with the enclosed message addressed to him by Princesses Elizabeth and Marina of Greece and Prince Paul of Yugoslavia.

He was particularly glad to witness how effectively God is guiding your steps and is assisting you with His blessings all through your significant and wellnigh unique contacts with important Court personages and he feels confident that through your zeal, devotion and perseverance some of them will be increasingly confirmed in the Cause. The long and most interesting conversation you have had with their Royal Highnesses at the Royal Palace in Belgrade was fully indicative of their profound interest in the Teachings. They have most probably read the Queen’s eloquent and touching appreciation published in Volume IV of ‘The Bahá’í World’ and must have been inspired by it. It is hoped that their interest will be increasingly deepened and that it will lead them to pay a similar tribute to the beauty, power and uniqueness of the Bahá’í Revelation. You will find enclosed a letter addressed to them by Shoghi Effendi and written in his own handwriting. May Bahá’u’lláh open still further their eyes that they may fully realize the Divine Bounties bequeathed by Him to the world …

I am enclosing a letter to the Princesses which I trust you will find proper and suitable. After reading it you will kindly forward it to their address.

– 588 –

1933-07-25 “Confident Supreme Continuous Effort will be Exerted”

USBN #76 — August 1933 — page 1

“Much relieved, confident supreme continuous effort will be exerted until entire dome completed ere closing (of) Exposition. On early conclusion this mighty enterprise must chiefly depend satisfactory solution (of) grave issues confronting Faith throughout (the) East.”

(signed) SHOGHI.

=========

On July 19 the National Spiritual Assembly sent Shoghi Effendi the following cablegram: “Temple work proceeding full schedule without interruption. June appropriation fifteen thousand, July eighteen thousand. All making supreme effort.”

– 589 –

1933-07-xx “Critical Situation”

USBN #76 — August 1933 — page 2

Sent to America since the Convention:

“Critical situation calling for further sacrifice combined resources. My heart yearns for immediate response.”

(Cablegram to Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher).

– 590 –

1933-07-xx “Completion of the Temple Dome”

USBN #76 — August 1933 — page 2

“The completion of the Temple dome is, indeed, of an imperative necessity, and the Guardian feels that during these five months the believers should persevere more than ever in order to safeguard the prestige of the Cause. Great as has been the measure of their self-sacrifice, yet, unless they redouble their efforts and concentrate all their resources to bring the whole work to a successful completion, their energies will have been spent in vain… I these exceptionally hard days we have to do our best and be confident in God’s unfailing guidance and help. He will surely inspire us with hope and will lead us out of this worldwide and unprecedented chaos.”

(Letter to Mr. Philip Sprague)

– 591 –

1933-08-06 On Behalf of to an Individual Believer Compare Principles to Philosophy & Science

Science and Technology #6

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

It is hoped that all the Bahá’í students will … be led to investigate and analyse the principles of the Faith and to correlate them with the modern aspects of philosophy and science. Every intelligent and thoughtful young Bahá’í should always approach the Cause in this way, for therein lies the very essence of the principle of independent investigation of truth.

– 592 –

1933-08-11 Those Few Parsons Who Are Specially Receptive

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

August 11, 1933, Haifa.

“… Select those few parsons who are specially receptive, and do your utmost to fully confirm them and to make of them active and faithful believers. This, the Guardian believes, is the teaching method which at present seems to be most fruitful, in view of the fact that the masses are, on the whole, not interested in religious problems and are even opposed to any religious program of social reconstruction.

I do not feel it to be in keeping with the spirit of the Cause to impose any limitation upon the freedom of the believers to choose those of any race, nationality, or temperament, who best combine the essential qualifications for the membership of administrative institutions. They should disregard personalities and concentrate their attention on the qualities and requirements of office, without prejudice, passion or partiality. The Assembly should be representative of the choicest and most varied and capable elements of the Bahá’í Community.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 593 –

1933-08-11 Those Few Who Are Specially Receptive

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

August 11, 1933, Haifa.

“... Select those few parsons who are specially receptive, and do your utmost to fully confirm them and to make of them active and faithful believers. This, the Guardian believes, is the teaching method which at present seems to be most fruitful, in view of the fact that the masses are, on the whole, not interested in religious problems and are even opposed to any religious program of social reconstruction.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 594 –

1933-08-12 Lunt re Adminstrative Issues

Mr. Alfred E. Lunt

Boston, Mass.

August 12th, 1933

Dear Bahá’í Brother,

I am directed by the Guardian to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated June 24th, 1933, together with your enclosed communication of the same date addressed to the American National Assembly.

The issues you have raised in your letter are extremely important, as they vitally concern the Administrative principles of the Faith. In his message to the National Assembly Shoghi Effendi will, in an unequivocal language, make it clear that the N.S.A. is the supreme administrative body throughout the United States and Canada. This body alone has the right to lay down, amend and abrogate the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws governing the administration of the Faith in that land, subject to the Guardian’s approval. Frequent interferences with, and modifications of the provisions of the Declaration and By-Laws are, however, inadvisable as they lead to misunderstanding and confusion and require automatically a similar revision of the provisions of National Bahá’í Constitutions in other lands.

The Convention, though not supreme, is vested with definite rights and prerogatives, has special exclusive functions which are defined and safeguarded by the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. It is a fundamental principle of the Administration not to restrict, under any circumstances, the freedom and privilege of the delegates to express freely and fully their ideas, feelings, grievances and recommendations, so long as they do hot encroach upon the established principles of the Administration.

The Guardian feels that non-delegates should be given indirectly the right to express their views through an accredited” delegate, for otherwise it will lead to confusion and make it impracticable if non-delegates are to intervene at the sessions of the Convention. The election of the Chairman of the Convention and of its secretary as well, constitute, however, in the opinion of the Guardian, the sole prerogative of the delegates, whose function and obligation is to express, untrammeled by any previous arrangements limiting their freedom, what they believe to be most conducive to the interests of the Faith. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with the liberty of the assembled delegates in the exercise of their sacred and twofold functions of electing, on the one hand, their national representatives and of submitting, on the other, their considered recommendations to the incoming Assembly.

Regarding the principle that the Cause must not be allowed to center around any Bahá’í personality, the Guardian wishes to make it clear that it was never intended that well-qualified individual teachers should not receive from local Assemblies every encouragement and facilities to address the public. What the Guardian meant was that the personality and the popularity of such a speaker should never be allowed to eclipse the authority, or detract from the influence of the body of the elected representatives in every local community. Such an individual should not only seek the approval, advice and assistance of the body that represents the Cause in his locality, but should strive to attribute any credit he my obtain to the collective wisdom and capacity of the assembly under whose jurisdiction ho performs his services. Assemblies and not individuals constitute the bedrock on which the Administration is built. Everything else must be subordinated to, and be made to serve and advance the best interests of these elected custodians and promoters of the Law of Bahá’u’lláh.

Assuring you of his deepest Bahá’í love and his best wishes for your family and for yourself.

Yours in His Service

H. Rabbání.

Dear and precious Co-worker:

............. I trust that the answers to your questions regarding these fundamental administrative issues will resolve the difficulties and problems which have caused you so much pain and anxiety, and will serve to reestablish the relationships existing between the two leading Bahá’í administrative Institutions in that land on a sound and enduring basis. My prayers for your welfare and success as well as for the members of your family will continue to be offered to Bahá’u’lláh, who I am sure will guide and sustain you in your devoted and exemplary services to His Cause.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 595 –

1933-08-12 Relationship of NSA & National Conv

USBN #79 November 1933 p9010

The Guardian wishes the N.S.A. to remind, and make it quite clear to, the believers in that land that the supreme body in the United States and Canada, whose privilege and function is to lay down, amend and abrogate the administrative principles of the Faith with the approval of the Guardian, is not the Convention, however representative it may be, but the N.S.A. On the other hand, it is the sacred obligation and the primary function of the National Assembly not to restrict under any circumstances, the freedom of the assembled delegates, whose twofold function is to elect their national representatives and to submit to them any recommendations they may feel inclined to make. The function of the Convention is purely advisory and though the advice it gives is not binding in its effect on those on whom rest the final decision in purely administrative matters, yet, the utmost caution and care should be exercised lest anything should hamper the delegates in the full and free exercise of their function. In discharging this sacred function no influence whatever, no pressure from any quarter, even though it be from the National Assembly, should under any circumstances affect their views or restrict their freedom. The delegates must be wholly independent of any administrative agency, must approach their task with absolute detachment and must concentrate their attention on the most important and pressing issues.

The Guardian believes that the right to elect the chairman and the secretary of the Convention should be vested in the assembled delegates, lest any objection be raised that the members of the outgoing National Assembly are seeking to direct the course of the discussion in a manner that would be conductive to their own personal interests. The National Assembly, however, must at all times vigilantly uphold, defend, justify and enforce the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws which are binding on the Convention no less than on themselves. The N.S.A. has the right to lay down, enforce and interpret the National Constitution of the Bahá’ís in that land. It cannot, if it wishes to remain faithful to that Constitution, lay down any regulations, however secondary in character, that would in the least hamper the unrestricted liberty of the delegates to advise and elect those whom they feel best combine the necessary qualifications for membership of so exalted a body.

Non-delegates, however, according to the Guardian’s considered opinion, should not be given the right to intervene directly during the sessions of the Convention. Only through an accredited delegate they should be given indirectly the chance to voice their sentiments and to participate in the deliberations of the Convention. Much confusion and complications must inevitably result in the days to come, if such a restriction be not imposed on a gathering which is primarily intended for the accredited delegates of the Bahá’í communities. Bearing this restriction in mind, it is the duty of the N.S.A. to devise ways and means which would enable them to obtain valuable suggestions, not only from the total number of the elected delegates, but from as large a body of their fellow-workers as is humanly possible.

Shoghi Effendi has not departed from any established Administrative principle. He feels he has neither curtailed the legislative authority of the N.S.A. nor invested the Convention with undue powers enabling it to rival or supersede those whom it has to elect. What the Guardian is aiming at is to remind the friends, more fully than before, of the two cardinal principles of Bahá’í Administration, namely, the supreme and unchalleng[e]able authority of the N.S.A. in national affairs working within the limits imposed by the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, and the untrammelled freedom of the Convention delegates to advise, deliberate on the actions, and appoint the successors of their National Assembly. The Guardian is confident that you will elucidate and give the widest publicity to these already established principles, upon which the progress, the unity and welfare of Bahá’í administrative institutions must ultimately depend. —

The utmost care and vigilance should be exercised lest any fresh misunderstandings arise regarding these fundamental issues. The root principle of Bahá’í Administration is unreservedly maintained. No departure from its established tenets is contemplated. The undisputed authority of America’s supreme Bahá’í administrative body has been reaffirmed, while on the other hand, the untrammelled freedom of individual believers and delegates to exercise their functions has been once again reaffirmed and strengthened. On the continuous and harmonious cooperation of the two leading Bahá’í institutions in America, the growth and success of the administration bequeathed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá must ultimately depend. May next year’s Convention witness the triumph of these basic principles.

(the Guardian’s postscript to the foregoing letter).

– 596 –

1933-08-12 The Cause and Personalities

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 6

Regarding the principle that the Cause must not be allowed to center around any Bahá’í personality, the Guardian wishes to make it clear that it was never intended that well qualified individual teachers should not receive from local Assemblies every encouragement and facilities to address the public. What the Guardian meant was that the personality and popularity of such a speaker should never be allowed to eclipse the authority, or detract from the influence of the body of the elected representatives in every local community. Such an individual should not only seek the approval, advice and assistance of the body that represents the Cause in his locality, but should strive to attribute any credit he may obtain to the collective wisdom and capacity of the Assembly under whose jurisdiction he performs his services. Assemblies and not individuals constitute the bedrock on which the Administration is built. Everything else must be subordinated to, and be made to serve and advance the best interests of these elected custodians and promoters of the Laws of Bahá’u’lláh.

— (To Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, August 12,8. )

– 597 –

1933-08-13 To Caroline Nelson re Service in Holland

The Artist’s Daughter, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p229-30

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated July 14th, 1933 and to thank you most warmly for the interesting news you have given him about the progress of the Cause in your community. He sincerely hopes that the arrival of your devoted and capable sister, Miss Louise Drake Wright, will add further to the wonderful activities of the friends in Brookline and that they will be given a fresh impetus to carry out their sacred obligations to the Cause.

The Guardian has greatly appreciated the glorious work done by your sister in Holland. Despite the most unfavorable circumstances in which she had to work, she has, nevertheless, been able to awaken the interest of important scholars in the teachings of the Faith. Her work if continued and consolidated by souls as able and as devoted as herself, will undoubtedly yield great fruits.

In closing please extend the loving greetings of the Guardian to each and every member of your community.

With his deepest Bahá’í love and best wishes,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

May the Beloved give you the strength and wisdom you need in the prosecution of your task, and assist you to fulfill your heart’s desire in the service of our glorious Cause.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

– 598 –

1933-08-13 To Caroline Nelson re Work of Sister in Holland

“The Artist’s Daughter,” Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p229-30

From Shoghi Effendi (via H. Rabbání) to Mrs. Nelson. Dated August 13,

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

In closing please extend the loving greetings of the Guardian to each and every member of your community.

With his deepest Bahá’í love and best wishes,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

Postscript in Shoghi Effendi’s own handwriting

May the Beloved give you the strength and wisdom you need in the prosecution of your task, and assist you to fulfill your hearts desire in the service of our glorious Cause.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

[“Mrs. Nelson” is Caroline Wright Nelson, sister of Benelux pioneer Louise Drake Wright. She travel taught in Europe w/ her sister.]

– 599 –

1933-08-27 Two lts in HW Persian 77

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

[Persian No. 77]

Concerning your second question, these two letters — the first and the second — refer to the blessed Name of the Ancient Beauty, namely B and H. What is intended by Bahá́’u’lláh is this: that which is latent and enshrined within the inmost reality of these three letters has not been revealed, inasmuch as the world of being still does not possess the capacity and receptiveness to reflect fully the glorious radiance of this divine Revelation. Thus whatever is hidden in the inmost essence of the third letter of His blessed Name will gradually be unfolded before the eyes of all men.

In another sense these letters bear reference to the incalculable sufferings borne by the Blessed Beauty, while the people of the world are acquainted with but a fragment thereof.

(From a letter dated 27 August 1933 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer — translated from the Persian)

– 600 –

1933-08-30 Approaching Well-known and Important Persons

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 3-4

[To an individual]

“To approach such well-known and important persons is always an extremely delicate matter, since it requires a good deal of wisdom, courage and ability. But those friends who really feel the urge to do so, and possess the necessary qualifications, should cultivate such friendships which, if properly done, can be of an immense benefit to the Cause. In any case, however, the assistance and help of either the local or the National Assembly is not only useful but necessary, if important contacts of this sort are to be fruitful and promising. The principle of consultation, which constitutes one of the basic laws of the Administration, should be applied to all Bahá’í activities which affect the collective interests of the Faith, for it is through cooperation and continued exchange of thoughts and views that the Cause can best safeguard and foster its interests. Individual initiative, personal ability and resourcefulness, through indispensable are, unless supported and enriched by the collective experiences and wisdom of the group, utterly incapable of achieving such a tremendous task.”

– 601 –

1933-08-xx Some Incidents at the Recent Convention

USBN #77 — September 1933 — page 3

Recently the National Spiritual Assembly has received a copy of a letter written by the Guardian, through his secretary, to a believer who wrote him frankly to state certain views about some incidents at the recent Convention. “He has, however, grieved to learn that, despite his repeated references on the necessity of unity and concord among the friends, there have appeared some misunderstandings among them. Such negative forces have always hampered the progress of the Cause and have resulted in utter disappointment. The spirit of partisanship which is but the outcome of individual passion and selfishness is fundamentally opposed to the basic teachings of the Faith. It is for cooperation, motivated by self-sacrifice, that the Bahá’ís stand, and nothing short of the adequate realization of this ideal can redeem the world and insure its safe and speedy progress.”

– 602 –

1933-08-xx To Youth Committee Regarding Bahá’í Youth

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 6

“There are two important points which Shoghi Effendi would like you always to emphasize. In the first place he would strongly urge you to cooperate, heart and soul, with all the various Assemblies, groups and committees throughout the Bahá’í world, to ask for their assistance and help for the successful discharge of your duties and obligations, and in this way to try to build up an active and ready mind among the Bahá’í youth throughout the world. In other words, you should not confine your activities to the national sphere but you should strive to create under the supervision of your N.S.A. an international body of active young Bahá’í men and women who, conscious of their manifold and sacred responsibilities, will unanimously arise to spread the Holy Word. The second point which the Guardian wishes you to stress and to keep always in mind is the necessity for every loyal and active member of your committee to fully concentrate on the thorough study and understanding of the spiritual and administrative principles of the Faith, as a necessary step for active and fruitful teaching. You should first equip yourself with the necessary amount of knowledge about the Cause, and then, and only then, try to teach.”

– 603 –

1933-09-06 Congregational Prayer 19 Day Feast

No. 79 — November 1933 — page 3

…the Guardian….in a letter dated September 6, 1933, through his secretary:

“Regarding the practice of congregational prayer, the Guardian wishes you to know that this form of prayer has been enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh only for the dead. In all other circumstances there is no obligation whatever imposed upon the believers. When the Aqdas is published the form of congregational prayer prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh will be made clear to all the believers.”

“Regarding the nature of the Nineteen Day Feasts, the Guardian feels that the excellent statement on their nature, function and purpose published in one of the recent issues of the News Letter is so comprehensive and faithful in its presentation that he does not find it necessary to restate and enlarge upon the matter. He has no objection, however, if you feel the need to elaborate the thought expressed in that statement, stressing particularly the spiritual, administrative and social aspects of this vital Bahá’í institution.”

=========

[The statement referred to by the Guardian appeared in the July 1933 Bahá’í News, p8]

This institution, established by Bahá’u’lláh, has been described by the Guardian as the foundation of the new World Order. The National Spiritual Assembly understands that it is incumbent upon every believer, unless ill or absent from the city, to attend each of these Feasts.

In a general letter issued to Local Spiritual Assemblies several years ago, it was pointed out that the Guardian instructs that the Nineteen Day Feast be held according to the following program: the first part, entirely spi ritual in character, is devoted to readings from Bahá’í Sacred Writings; the second part consists of general consultation on the affairs of the Cause, at which time the Local Spiritual Assembly reports its activities to the community, asks for suggestions and consultation, and also delivers messages received from the Guardian and the National Assembly. The third part is the material feast and social meeting of all the friends. Only voting-believers are invited to attend the Nineteen Day Feasts but young people of less than twenty-one years of age who are declared believers especially when members of a Bahá’í family can also be present.

These meetings may be regarded as the very heart of our Bahá’í comrnunity life. When properly conducted, and attended by a Bahá’í community which fully appreciates their importance, the Nineteen Day Feasts serve to renew and deepen our spirit of faith, increase our capacity for united action, remove misunderstandings and keep us fully informed of all important Bahá’í activities, local, national and international in scope.

– 604 –

1933-09-06 re Contribs to Temple Fund

USBN #78 — October 1933 — page 2

On the subject of the Temple, written to the National Assembly in his own hand: — “The magnificent achievement of the American believers, the stupendous efforts they have exerted in the month of August on behalf of the Temple Fund cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed. A fresh record of service, an unexampled standard of self-sacrifice has been attained and established through their concerted, their persistent and heroic efforts. The entire Bahá’í world cannot but feel thrilled as it contemplates such striking evidences of Bahá’í solidarity, of spiritual fervor, of self-abnegation. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from the realms above, looks down upon those responsible for such deeds with feelings of unmitigated pride, joy and satisfaction. The concluding stages of this stirring episode in the history of the Faith in that land must witness still greater triumphs, must establish a still more excellent standard of Bahá’í stewardship. The remaining months of September and October must set the seal of final and complete victory to an enterprise that stands unparalleled in the annals of the Cause in the West. Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.” (September 6, 1933).

– 605 –

1933-09-10 More re Two Checkoslovakian Brothers

“The Artist’s Daughter,” Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p257-8

Letter from The Guardian via H. Rabbání to Nancy Bowditch. Dated September 10th, 1933.

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your welcome letter dated June 2nd, ‘33, together with the enclosures, all of which he has read with deepest interest and for which he has directed me to thank you most warmly. He was delighted to learn of the keen interest the two Checkoslovakian brothers you have mentioned, take in the Movement, and wishes you to keep in close touch with them so that their interest may wax stronger and may eventually lead them to embrace the Cause. Such opportunities for spreading the Message are, indeed, God-given, and consequently we should be fully alive to the blessings they procure. As the Master has often told us, we should be always watchful and ready. There are always some people who are specially receptive, and it would be, therefore, a pity if we neglect them and fail to announce to them the glad tidings of this New Day.

The Guardian was also gratified to learn of the class held at your home for the study of the “Dawn-Breakers”. I need not tell you of the paramount importance he attaches to such sort of classes. For these do not only serve to intensify the spirit of cooperation among the believers and to create in them a collective consciousness, they give them a great opportunity to acquaint them-selves, through discussion as well as by means of public lectures, with the necessary knowledge of the history of the Cause and thereby prepare them to become active and successful teachers.

With the assurance of his best wishes and of his fervent prayers on behalf of your husband and yourself,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

Note in Shoghi Ejfendi’s handwriting:

Dear and valued co-worker:

I cannot refrain from giving expression in person to my deep sense of gratitude for the manifold services you are rendering to the Cause, and above all of my heartfelt and abiding appreciation of the spirit that animates you in your work for our beloved Faith. I will, I assure you, continue to pray for you from the depths of my heart and trust that your highest hopes for the promotion of the Word of God in your vicinity will be fully and speedily realized. Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

*Note by Nancy Bowditch on the Czechoslovakian architects referred to in Shoghi Effendi's Letters September 10, 1933 and 20 June 1932

It was during our pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center at Haifa, Palestine in 1931, that we met Cestamir and Lubamír Slapéta. As described in the “Mediterranean Diary” (Chapter 8), Lubo and Mírek were twin brothers from Czecho-Slovakia who had been sent to America to study new methods in architecture. We enjoyed many hours together while visiting the various ports of call along the way, and on arriving in Haifa, I told Shoghi Effendi about the brothers. He advised us not to lose contact with them.

When we returned to America, Lubo sent me two designs for a Bahá’í Temple which could be erected in a tropical climate. Through a correspondence spanning 47 years, we have followed their lives — marriages, children, successes, and trials — as Czecho-Slovakia underwent two successive dictatorships! In time we heard from a friend in that country that the brothers had become famous architects, and professors at the University of Prague!

The correspondence continues to this day. They are grandparents, but still are very active and successful in their work. A few years ago, Mírek left his country, becoming a refugee in West Germany Lubo remains in Czechoslovakia. Under the present regime, the Šlapéta brothers cannot meet, but in the future, by the aid of God, Bahá’ís believe that the barriers dividing all people will melt away!

– 606 –

1933-09-10 To Nancy Bowditch re Two Czeck Brothers

The Artist’s Daughter, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p257-8

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

The Guardian was also gratified to learn of the class held at your home for the study of the “Dawn-Breakers”. I need not tell you of the paramount importance he attaches to such sort of classes. For these do not only serve to intensify the spirit of cooperation among the believers and to create in them a collective consciousness, they give them a great opportunity to acquaint themselves, through discussion as well as by means of public lectures, with the necessary knowledge of the history of the Cause and thereby prepare them to become active and successful teachers.

With the assurance of his best wishes and of his fervent prayers on behalf of your husband and yourself,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

Dear and valued co-worker:

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

=========

Cestamir and Lubamir Šlapeta, whom Nancy met in 1931 on pilgrimage and maintained contact w/ her entire life.

– 607 –

1933-09-11 Shining Stars in the Dark and Gloomy Sky of the Balkans

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #24

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Miss Jack and Miss Root will surely highly value your assistance and co-operation and will be only too glad to have you with them. You all three are the shining stars in the dark and gloomy sky of the Balkans. For through the Message you have you are able to heal all those who have been for so long, and under so many different circumstances, victims of the crudest and most deep-seated prejudices.

(17 September 1933 to an individual believer on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

– 608 –

1933-09-25 Bahá’í Summer Schools

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 4

To Mrs. Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Baker, members of the Central States Bahá’í Summer School Committee:

“The basic purpose of all Bahá’í Summer Schools, whether in East or West, is to give the believers the opportunity to acquaint themselves, not only by mere study but through whole-hearted and active collaboration in various Bahá’i activities, with the essentials of the Administration and in this way enable them to become efficient and able promoters of the Cause. The teaching of the Administration is, therefore, an indispensable feature of every Bahá’í Summer School and its special significance can be better understood if we realize the great need of every believer today for a more adequate understanding of the social principles and laws of the Faith. It is now, when the Cause is passing through some of the most difficult stages of its development, that the friends should equip themselves with the necessary knowledge of the Administration. The Guardian wishes you, therefore, to stress again, in all coming summer schools, this vital point, and in this way add to the efficiency and success of your efforts along this line.”

The above letter carried these words in the Guardian’s hand:

“I certainly advice you to concentrate next year on the “Dawn-Breakers” as well as on the needs, the principles and the purpose of Bahá’í Administration. The Cause in your land is still in its formative period. It needs men and women of vision, of capacity and understanding.”

– 609 –

1933-09-29 Teaching Suggestions

Bahá’í World Vol 5, pp126-7

September 29, 1933:

“He was particularly gratified to learn of the suggestions you made for the effective and wide spread of the Menage, and he has directed me to inform you that they all have met with his whole hearted approval.

“Your proposals center around the problem of indirect teaching and such a method of presenting the Message is on the whole more suitable than the direct method in view of the fact chat the masses today are not spiritually minded and resent anything which is presented to them in the name of religion. The tendency today is to disassociate morality from religion, to separate the human from the Divine as if the two were antagonistic and irreconcilable. Social reconstruction and peace are believed to be independent of any help which religion might offer. In other words, religion has been relegated to the background and everything is done in the name of humanity and of goodness.

“It is evident that under such circumstances it is not only difficult, but well nigh impossible, to present and teach the Cause in a direct manner. Religiously minded persons are the exception and not the rule, and it is only with these people that we can speak of the Cause as essentially a religious faith. The masses who are more interested in the social and humanitarian teachings of the Faith should, therefore, be given an opportunity to learn about them and in this way he gradually drawn to study the deeper spiritual principles of the Cause. To start a movement for social peace, like you have suggested is, therefore, very fruitful and may prove of an immense benefit to the Cause. Conversion is not a sudden process. It takes a long time and expresses itself under the pressure of different forces. It is hoped that by following this indirect method of teaching the friends will greatly add to the success. and effectiveness of their efforts.

“Concerning the problem of racial prejudice in the United States and that of class prejudice in England, the Guardian wishes you to know that upon the complete abolition of such prejudices must depend the future success of the Cause. There is nothing more non-Bahá’í than that. The friends should, therefore, exert themselves to the utmost that such evil conceptions may be totally eliminated from the minds of the people.”

[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, to Australia and New Zealand]

– 610 –

1933-09-xx Greetings to Cabin John Maryland

USBN #78 — October 1933 — page 5

“Shoghi Effendi was very pleased to learn that you have formed an Assembly and sincerely trusts that it will gradually develop into an important and active Bahá’í center. You have now gone one step farther in the administration of the Cause. Such a development carries with it both privileges and responsibilities that are immense. ...Shoghi Effendi will always be with you in spirit and will offer his prayers on behalf of each one of you, so that God may confirm your souls, deepen your vision of the Cause and enable you to render His Faith mighty and imperishable services.”

– 611 –

1933-10-05 Extend Your Stay in the Balkans

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #25

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

The German friends have been greatly suffering as a result [of national fanaticism], during the last two years, and their activities have been largely hampered. The countries where the people are relatively more sympathetic to the Teachings are Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Romania. You should do your best, and in case you find it feasible, to extend your stay in the Balkans and try to establish some new centres there…

(5 October 1933 to an individual believer)

– 612 –

1933-10-05 To Martha re Translations of BNE Emphasize Romanian

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp208

Concerning the Roumanian translation of Dr Esslemonťs book, the Guardian wishes me to inform you that it meets with his full approval. He will send you, in the early days of November, the sum of seventy pounds for its immediate publication, and hopes to send you later on an equal sum for the translation and publication of this same book into Greek. But at present he wishes you to concentrate on the Roumanian version …

– 613 –

1933-10-23 Passing Alíce Ives Breed

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 4

Shoghi Effendi on October 23 cabled this beautiful message to Mme. ‘Alí Kuli Khán, daughter of the late Mrs. Alíce Ives Breed, one of the active and influential early believers:

“Heartfelt sympathy your great sorrow. Mrs. Breed’s pioneer services ever gratefully remembered. Assure you fervent prayers. Love.

(signed) SHOGHI.

– 614 –

1933-10-24 Race Amity Activities

USBN #80 — January 1934 — page 7

“Your warm and welcome message of Sept. 11, 1933, together with the enclosed reports and program of the annual conference for racial amity at Green Acre, were all duly received and their perusal greatly cheered and gladdened our Guardian’s heart. His hope is that these annual gatherings will increasingly develop, and will serve to attract well known and important personalities to the Cause. Competent and eloquent speakers are needed who can present the teachings in a scholarly way, and who cannot merely inform, but inspire the attendants to rally themselves under the banner of the Faith. The keen and continued interest which Mr. Vail and yourself have always had in such activities will undoubtedly be of immense help to the cause of Racial Amity and peace throughout the States. You should therefore persevere and be confident in the complete and eventual success of your efforts in this most important field of activity.”

– 615 –

1933-10-25 To S Oglesby re Race

HAIFA,

October 25,

Dear Bahá’í Sister:

The Guardian wishes me to acknowledge on his behalf the receipt of your welcome letter dated Sept. 9, 1933, as well as the enclosed circular letter you have specially written for distribution among the believers. He hopes that the National Spiritual Assembly will approve of its circulation among the friends and will thereby give you the opportunity of impressing them with the paramount importance of the racial problem in the States.

Your letter will, undoubtedly, touch every thoughtful and sincere reader, as it is not only convincing and powerful, but full of inspiration, of hope and of encouragement. The friends must realize that upon the complete abolition of racial prejudice, if not in the entire American Continent, at least among themselves, must depend the success of their efforts for the spread of the Message. Without total unity of consciousness, they can never be able to attain the goal which the Master and our beloved Guardian have so emphatically and so repeatedly summoned them to attain. May your letter awaken them to their manifold obligations and responsibilities to the Cause, and may it serve to create among them that unity of purpose and of means so essential to the safe and speedy development of the Faith.

With the assurance of his best wishes and of his fervent prayers on your behalf and on behalf of Mr. Oglesby,

Yours in His Service,

H — RABBÁNÍ

May the Beloved assist you in your efforts to extend the scope of your activities and enable you to attain your heart’s desire in your devoted and persistent services to the Abba Threshold.

Your true brother

SHOGHI

– 616 –

1933-10-26 Role of Teachers

USBN #154 July 1942 p3

“Perhaps the reason why you have not accomplished so much in the field of teaching is the extent you have looked upon your own weaknesses and inabilities to spread the Message. Bahá’u’lláh and the Master have both urged us repeatedly to disregard our own handicaps and lay our whole reliance upon God. He will come to our aid if we only arise and become an active channel for God’s Grace.

“Do you think it is the teachers who make converts and change human hearts? No, surely not. They are only pure souls who take the first steps and then let the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh move and make use of them. If any one of them should even for a second think, or consider his achievements as due to his own capacities, his work is ended and his fall starts. This is the fact why so many competent souls have, after wonderful services, suddenly found themselves utterly impotent and perhaps thrown aside by the spirit of the Cause as useless souls. The criterion is the extent to which we are ready to have the will of God work through us.”

to Mrs. Marie Hopper on October 26,

– 617 –

1933-10-27 Progress on Temple

No. 80 — January 1934 — pages 4-5

Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm,

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

I need not express his (the Guardian’s) great joy at the news of the continued progress of the Temple work. For you known only too well how much he is eager to see the entire Edifice brought to successful completion. His repeated emphasis of the imperative necessity of insuring, by every means, the speedy termination of this historic enterprise seems to have created a new spirit of self-sacrifice and of initiative in the entire body of the believers throughout the world. It is of the utmost importance that this spirit should be kept alive through continued encouragement. For any slackness in the energy and enthusiasm of the friends, at this critical and most decisive moment, will have severe repercussions on the Cause. The Guardian will fervently pray that during the next few months the ornamentation of the Temple dome may proceed quickly, so as to impress and stimulate the many visitors and strangers who come to attend the Chicago World Fair. He will also offer his special prayers to Bahá’u’lláh on account of all the members of the National Spiritual Assembly that they may be guided and inspired in all their historic endeavors for the consolidation and the progress of the Cause.

Yours in His Service,

(signed) H. Rabbání.

– 618 –

1933-10-28 re Security for a Failing World”

USBN #80 — January 1934 — Page 8

…the Guardian’s view of Dr. Cobb’s book,

“Its comprehensiveness, and its clear and convincing presentation of the outstanding aims and features of the Bahá’í Revelation, will greatly appeal to every thoughtful student of present-day religious and social problems. It thus fills a big gap in the literature of the Movement, and will greatly assist all the believers in their efforts for the spread of the Message. We do not have as yet any better introduction to the Cause. Doctor Esslemont’s most valuable book is much more than an introduction. It is far more detailed, and treats of the Cause from a totally different angle. Your treatise, therefore, does not replace the “New Era,” but will serve as the best introduction to it. It is not a substitute, but an important addition to a work which is in many ways unique in the entire literature of the Movement, which has already acquired the widest possible publicity.”

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

– 619 –

1933-10-31 Temple has Achieved One of its Fundamental Purposes

Compilation on the Mother Temple and the Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The Temple has, indeed, achieved one of its fundamental purposes in the Bahá’í community of today. For although its physical structure still remains to be completed yet, it has drawn to itself the attention of every believer throughout the world, and has become the focal centre of every important Bahá’í activity. In this way it has enabled the Faith to achieve the organic unity of its members, and to cement the bonds of co-operation and love between them. The spiritual significance of the Temple is thus made manifest to every fair-minded observer, and this alone is a sufficient proof of the divine potency with which it is endowed. What institution in our world of today has been able to weld together into one unit so many different communities, and has succeeded in concentrating their entire efforts on so noble and so unique an Edifice? Future historians of the Movement will undoubtedly consider such an event, which today seems to be of such slight significance, as one of the landmarks in the history of the world.

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi 31 October 1933 to an individual believer)

– 620 –

1933-11-01 Appeal re Temple Fund

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 1

On November 2, the following cablegram …

“Appeal hard pressed American believers heed this, my last passionate entreaty, not to suffer slightest interruption in Temple construction to dim the magnificence of their epoch making enterprise. The fair name of our beloved Faith is at stake. Its American stalwart defenders will once again vindicate its triumphant glory. I promise one year’s respite upon successful conclusion first stage of ornamentation of our glorious Temple.”

(signed) Shoghi.

=========

A payment of $18,000 was due and only $6,000 in the National Fund.

– 621 –

1933-11-03 Keith Ransom-Kehlers Passing

USBN #80 — January 1934 — pages 3-4

Mr. Horace Holley

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

The Guardian was extremely pleased to receive the photograph of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly taken in one of the outer sections of the Temple, and showing very clearly the strikingly beautiful ornamentation work which, thanks to the generous and continued efforts of our American believers, is proceeding quickly and without any interruption. In a recent cablegram to your Assembly the Guardian has given the promise of one year’s respite, provided the dome ornamentation is successfully completed. It is for the distinguished National representatives of the American believers to exert their utmost, and to display the same enthusiasm and the same energetic and wise control which have thus far characterized both their national and their international services to the Faith, in order that this mighty Edifice may come nearer to its completion.

… Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler’s passing is, indeed, an irretrievable loss which the Bahá’í world has come to suffer at a time when her presence in their midst was so greatly needed, not only because of her inspiring personality, but due to her intelligent, wise and energetic handling of the many and varied problems confronting the followers of the Faith in Persia. For more than one year she toiled and suffered, undismayed by the forces of darkness which so increasingly challenge the devotion and loyalty, and hamper the progress of the work, of our Persian brethren. Nothing was strong enough to sap the vitality of her faith and neither the opposition of the Government, nor the slackness and inefficiency of those with whom she had to work, could possibly discourage and dishearten her. Her faith was deep, her energy inexhaustible. And she was, indeed, fully repaid for all that she did, whether in connection with the teaching of the Message, or in regard to the consolidation of the nascent administrative institutions of the Cause in the very land of its birth.

The Guardian, fully aware of the noble gifts of her heart and mind, has given her not only the station of a martyr but that of a Hand of the Cause of God. In two telegrams addressed to the Ṭihrán and Iṣfahán Assemblies he has requested our Persian friends to fix her final resting place in the vicinity of Sulṭánu’sh — Shuhada’s grave in Iṣfahán.

He has also, through the following cablegram, informed your National Assembly of his intention to do so: “Instructed Iṣfahán Assembly inter Keith vicinity grave Sulṭánu’sh-Shuhada surnamed by Bahá’u’lláh ‘King of Martyrs.’” His instructions on this point have been immediately carried out by the Iṣfahán Assembly and it is, therefore, very encouraging to learn that our beloved Keith has been accorded such a befitting restingplace. For as you may know, Sulṭánu’sh — Shuhada, to whom Bahá’u’lláh gave the title of the “King of Martyrs” as a result of the glorious martyrdom he suffered for the Cause, was one of the most eminent and ardent followers of the Faith, not only in Iṣfahán but in the whole of Persia. His brother, surnamed by Bahá’u’lláh the “Beloved of Martyrs” was also a very distinguished and devoted Bahá’u’lláh, who gave up his life for the sake of the Cause. So, as you see, the interment of Keith in the vicinity of the grave of such an outstanding Persian believer is very befitting, and will pass down through the ages as the symbol of the unity of the East and West.

In another cablegram to your Assembly dated November 2, 1933, which runs as follows: “Holy Land’s growing and increasingly appreciative inhabitants long witness model, however small, majestic Temple,” he has requested you to send him, without any delay and in case it is not too expensive, a small model of the Temple to be placed either in the International Bahá’í Archives on Mt. Carmel, or in any other place, where the many and increasingly appreciative visitors who come to the Shrines can be given a chance to visualize the glory and grandeur of the Edifice which your untiring hands have so well raised.

In closing please extend our Guardian’s loving greetings and best wishes to all the members of the National Assembly. His prayers on their behalf will be continually offered to Bahá’u’lláh, that He may impart to them the wisdom, guidance and faith they need for the complete discharge of their manifold duties to the Cause.

Yours in His Service,

(signed) H. Rabbání.

Haifa, Palestine

– 622 –

1933-11-03 Deep Interest Which this Glorious Edifice has Created

Compilation on the Mother Temple and the Mas̱hriqu’l-Aḏhkár

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The wide and deep interest which this glorious Edifice has created in all circles is, indeed, the full realization of the promises of our beloved Master concerning the future glory of the Temple. The latter, as a matter of fact, has become the most effective medium through which the friends can spread the Teachings. Its physical beauty, which combines majesty with grace, its slow, though continued and uninterrupted construction, despite the severe and unprecedented economic crisis in which the entire world is deeply plunged, and above all the spirit of fellowship, of goodwill and of co-operation between peoples of various races and cultural backgrounds which it has been able to create, all these combined cannot but impress the masses of visitors who daily throng its doors with the beauty, power and effectiveness of this mighty Cause of God.

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi 7 November 1933 to an individual)

– 623 –

1933-11-03 Interment of Keith Ransom-Kehler

USBN #79 — November 1933 — page 2

“Instructed Iṣfahán Assembly to inter Keith in the vicinity of the grave of Sulṭánushushuada, surnamed by Bahá’u’lláh ‘King of Martyrs.’”

– 624 –

1933-11-03 To Martha re BNE Translations and His Financial Support

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp208

As to the Romanian translation of the same work, he would be very grateful if you let him know when and where you would like him to forward to your address the sum necessary for its publication. He fully approves of your intention to go back to Sofia after your return from Adrianople, and thence to Bucharest, where your presence, besides being very helpful to the cause of teaching, will greatly ensure the speedy publication of the Romanian version of Dr Esslemonťs book …

I trust I will soon be able to forward the sum required in addition to the £70 for the Romanian version.

– 625 –

1933-11-04 Shoghi Effendi Getting Cobb Book

USBN #80 — January 1934 — Page 8

Another letter dated November 4, 1933, was also written Dr. Cobb as follows:

“I am directed by Shoghi Effendi to ask you to be kind enough to inform the Bahá’í Publishing Committee of his wish to have fifty copies of your valuable book on the Cause “Security for a Failing World” as soon as it will be published. He feels that this work, together with a recent book published in Germany by our devoted and gifted friend Dr. Hermann Grossmann, have a special appeal to the youth of our present-day generation, and he hopes that their wide circulation, in all circles, and among all types of readers and writers, will greatly stimulate the spread of the Message, and at the same time encourage the friends to reinforce their efforts for the extension and the consolidation of the Faith. It is hoped that all the individual believers, as well as the Local Assemblies, both in America and abroad, will gladly and wholeheartedly respond to the appeal of the Publishing Committee in connection with the publication of your original and much — needed essay on the Cause.”

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

– 626 –

1933-11-07 For SE to Horace Holley re Faith and Democratic Liberalism

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 5 #1-2 September 1985 pp74-81

Selected Extracts On Philosophy

The Cause stands neither for the democratic liberalism of the West which has proved, particularly since the war, to be a partial failure, nor for the absolutists and authoritarian philosophy of the Idealists of the 19th C., of which Fascism is a direct descendant. The Bahá’í Faith is neither wholly democratic nor solely aristocratic or monarchical. It combines all these elements and has a philosophy of its own which tries to combine various systems of political organisations.

– 627 –

1933-11-08 Period of Systematic Persecution in Írán

No. 80 — January 1934 — pages 4

November 8, 1933

Mr. Allen B. McDaniel

Dear and Prized Co-worker:

The situation in Persia is growing more dangerous, more confused and perplexing every day. Bahá’í literature is banned, confiscated and burned. Bahá’í marriage certificates are denied recognition by the civil authorities and the status of those who are married among the believers is fraught with incalculable difficulties and dangers. The printing of Bahá’í news letters, magazines and calendars is tacitly forbidden and constantly interfered with. Intolerable restrictions are being increasingly imposed on Bahá’í gatherings, celebrations, teaching activities, and inter-assembly communications. With the passing of Keith, that indefatigable, brilliant and whole consecrated international champion of the Cause, the Persian believers may be entering upon a period of systematic persecution reminiscent of the sufferings of a by-gone day. I urge your Assembly to obtain the fullest and up-to-date information from the Ṭihrán Assembly and to exert the utmost pressure on the Persian Minister at Washington.

Your true and grateful brother,

(signed) SHOGHI...

– 628 –

1933-11-09 Liberation of Persecuted Persian Brethren

No. 80 — January 1934 — pages 4

Mr. Horace Holley

Dear Bahá’í Brother:

... . Regarding the situation in Persia, Shoghi Effendi wishes the N.S.A. to renew their representations to the Persian Minister and to persevere in their glorious efforts for the liberation of their persecuted Persian brethren. Now that our precious Keith is no more it is of vital importance to the success of their endeavors that they should work hard and impress the Minister with the urgency and rightfulness of our case. To cease pressing our case at this critical time will give the authorities the impression that our representations were mere formalities and without any solid foundation. To create such a highly unfavorable impression about the Cause is, indeed, an irreparable mistake which may greatly retard the administrative development of the Cause not only in Persia but also in the West. The latest persecutions to which our beloved Faith has been subjected in the very land of its birth are of a distressing nature and are increasing both in number and in intensity. Not only our literature is confiscated at the frontiers but a number of books are reported to have been burnt by Government officials despite the fact that they contain nothing which can be said to be contrary to the laws of the State or to the basic teachings of its official Church. Furthermore, Bahá’ís are not permitted to use their own marriage certificates, but are indirectly compelled to use those belonging to other religious communities such a Moslems, Jews and Zoroastrians. And all this on the ground that their teachings are not in accordance with the prescribed laws of the Moslem clergy, and also because they do not belong to and do not form an essential part of a new religious Dispensation.

Please inform him of the answer which the Persian Minister has given, and if it is a written one, be sure to send him the text of the reply. The Guardian wishes you also to be in close and constant touch with the Ṭihrán Assembly, to obtain from them all the information you need, and to welcome any suggestion they may offer. He hopes that through your continued and di(l)ligent labors much that is vital to the immediate interests of the Faith in Persia will be achieved. He will continue to pray on your behalf that your endeavors may be crowned with success.

Yours in His Service,

(signed) H. Rabbání.

Haifa, Palestine

– 629 –

1933-11-10 To Corinne True re What is True and Authentic

Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Nathan Rutstein, p197

Concerning what Mr. Remey and other believers, whether Americans or otherwise, have told the friends about Melchizedek, and as to their references in regard to the leading religions of the world, and to the symbolism involved in the numerical number of the Temple doors, the Guardian wishes to restate and to reemphasize the general principle that in all such matters of a specific character the friends should be careful not to accept anything as valid and authentic unless it is based on, and corroborated by, a Tablet bearing the signature of the Master. Oral reports and statements cannot be relied upon, since they lead to the same confusions and difficulties into which the followers of former Dispensations have been and are still entangled. It is now, when the Faith is still in its infancy, that extreme caution should be exercised in the apparently unimportant matters. Otherwise, the purity of the Teachings will be beclouded, and the unity of the Cause greatly jeopardized. To protect the Faith from these forms of traditionalism is the duty of the responsible administrators of the Cause, and nothing short of their wisdom, caution and tact in their handling of such delicate matters, can insure the purity and the effectiveness of the Teachings.

[From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, 10 November12. ]

– 630 –

1933-11-13 To Emeric Sala re Travel to Europe

Tending the Garden: A Biography of Emeric and Rosemry Sala, p38

November 13, 1933

… He thoroughly appreciates the opportunity you have been given to visit some of the important Bahá’í centers in Europe and particularly Vienna where the friends are growing both in number and influence.

… He has always advised and even urged the friends to emphasize in their Bahá’í activities the necessity of strengthening, through correspondence and particularly by means of frequent and warm visits, the bonds of cooperation and amity between various Bahá’í centers and groups. This, he feels, is an essential step towards the further extension and consolidation of the New World Order.

♦

I wish to add a few words in person in order to confirm my deep sense of appreciation of what you have done and are still doing in the service of our beloved Faith in Europe. If you could arrange to visit some of the groups in the Balkans, such as Sofia, Tirana, Budapest and Belgrade, there is no doubt that the friends in these centres will feel greatly stimulated and grateful. Miss Root, Miss Jack and Mrs. Gregory are very active in these regions.

– 631–

1933-11-17 Bahá́ulláh Present in Deliberations.

USBN #190 December 1946 p1

“Bahá’u’lláh has given the promise that in every Assembly where unity and harmony prevail, there His glorious spirit will not only be present, but will animate, sustain and guide all the friends in all their deliberations.

“It is to unity that the Guardian has been continually calling the friends. For where a united will exists, nothing can effectively oppose and hamper the forces of constructive development.’’

to the Evanston and Wilmette Assemblies on November 17, 1933

– 632 –

1933-11-17 re Marion Jack Trip to Adrianople

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p193

The Guardian was greatly rejoiced to learn that your historic trip to Adrianople has come to a successful end, and that you are once more back in Sofia and are resuming with the help of Miss Root, your important teaching activities. Your message of Nov. 9th was, indeed, very inspiring and refreshing after a long period of silence during which you were slowly and carefully laying down the foundations for the future development of the Cause in that portion of the Balkans which the Almighty had chosen to be blessed by the presence of Bahá’u’iláh. Your services there will, no doubt bear their fruits in a not distant future, provided you maintain with those few souls you have been able to awaken, continued correspondence. Their interest in the Message, however deep it may have been, cannot last unless it is kept alive by means of direct contact if possible, and if not through writing.

[By Shoghi Effendi]

I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the efforts you have exerted in the course of your splendid and historic visit to Adrianople, ‘The Land of Mystery’. Despite the increasing difficulties which beset you, notwithstanding ill-health and cares and anxieties which such pioneer work in strange surroundings entails, you have nobly persevered, loyally laboured, and splendidly achieved a work of which future generations will be justly proud. I am so glad to know that precious Martha will collaborate with you for one month in Sofia. I will continue to pray for you both.

[To Marion Jack, 17 Nov 1933]

– 633 –

1933-11-17 To Martha re Romanian & Greek Trans BNE

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp209-10

Concerning the Romanian translation, he wishes you to send him fifty copies when the book is published. He wishes you also to take the necessary steps for the publication of the Greek version, which will be the last one. With the completion of these important translations the friends will be in a position to launch a solid and united teaching campaign all over the Balkans …

You will be interested to know that we have already twenty-five printed versions of the “New Era”, and I feel, in no small measure, indebted to you for so great an achievement. I am eager to receive the Romanian and, eventually, the Greek versions. More power to your elbow!

– 634 –

1933-11-18 Response to Contribs to Temple Fund

USBN #80 — January 1934 — page 1

Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi:

Bahá’í Communities East and West acclaim with one voice stupendous accomplishments those responsible for this latest manifestation of America’s superb, sustained self-sacrifice. Supreme Concourse echo praises those whose shining deeds are shedding on Bahá’í name a great, imperishable lustre. My heart swells with admiration (and) gratitude as I contemplate increasing evidences American believers’ well-deserved, steadily-advancing fame. Hour of victory is at hand. America’s invincible heroism must and will achieve it.

— Shoghi.

Haifa, Palestine,

November 18, 1933

– 635 –

1933-11-18 Status Rights and Prerogatives of Convention

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 3

Concerning the status, rights and prerogatives of the Annual Bahá’í Convention, the Guardian wishes to make it quite clear to all the believers that this annual meeting of the delegates is by no means a continuous consultative body all through the year; that its twofold function of electing the body of the National Spiritual Assembly, and of offering any constructive suggestions in regard to the general administration of the Cause is limited to a definite period; and that consequently the opinion current among some of the believers that the delegates are to serve as a consultative body throughout the year is at variance with the fundamental, though as yet unspecified, principles underlying the Administration. Shoghi Effendi firmly believes that consultation must be maintained between the N.S.A. and the entire body of the believers, and that such consultation, while the Convention is not in session, can best be maintained through the agency of the local Assemblies, one of whose essential functions is to act as intermediaries between the local communities and their national representatives. The main purpose of the Nineteen Day Feasts is to enable individual believers to offer any suggestion to the local assembly which in its turn will pass it to the N.S.A. The local Assembly is, therefore, the proper medium through which local Bahá’í communities can communicate with the body of the national representatives. The Convention should be regarded as a temporary gathering, having certain specific functions to perform, during a limited period of time. Its status is thus limited in time to the Convention sessions, the function of consultation at all other times being vested in the entire body of the believers through the local Spiritual Assemblies.

— To the National Spiritual Assembly, November 18,

Dear and precious co-workers:

I wish to affirm without the least hesitation or ambiguity, that the annual convention is not to be regarded as a body entitled to exercise functions similar to those which an ordinary parliament possesses under a democratic form of government. The administrative order which lies embedded in the Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh, and which the American believers have championed and are now establishing, should, under no circumstances, be identified with the principles underlying present-day democracies. Nor is it identical with any purely aristocratic or autocratic form of government. The objectionable features inherent in each of these political systems are entirely avoided. It blends, as no system of human polity has as yet achieved, those salutary truths and beneficial elements which constitute the valuable contributions which each of these forms of government have made to society in the past. Consultation, frank and unfettered, is the bedrock of this unique order. Authority is concentrated in the hands of the elected members of the National Assembly. Power and initiative are primarily vested in the entire body of the believers acting through their local representatives. To generate those forces which must give birth to the body of their national administrators, and to confer, freely and fully and at fixed intervals, with both the incoming and outgoing national Assemblies are the twofold functions, the supreme responsibility and sole prerogative of the delegates assembled in Convention. Nothing short of close and constant interaction between these various organs of Bahá’í administration can enable it to fulfill its high destiny.

— To the National Spiritual Assembly, November 18,

(The Guardian’s postscript to the foregoing letter.)

=========

Response to NSA statement in Nov 1933 USBN

– 636 –

1933-11-24 To May Maxwell re Temple & Sprague Illness

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p197-8

I need not tell you how grateful Shoghi Effendi is to the entire body of our American brethren, and particularly to those who, like yourself, have had such a notable share in maintaining the uninterrupted construction of the Bahá’í Temple at Wilmette. Their spirit of cooperation & of self-sacrifice, and their strong & broad vision of the imperative needs & requirements of this struggling Faith of God in these days of unprecedented confusion in every department of life, have been responsible for the continued progress of the Temple work. Surely, in such a manifestation of exemplary loyalty & devotion to the Cause must inevitably be found the main key to the success which has attended the many & varied activities of our American believers. The laying of the corner-stone of this unique Edifice by the hands of the Master is itself full of significance, as it symbolizes the truth that the friends in America have been invested with that spiritual primacy which the early followers of the Faith in Persia did so fully possess. To faithfully keep this trust and to fully realize its special significance is the duty of every loyal & responsible believer.

Shoghi Effendi was grieved beyond words to learn of the severe illness of our precious Bahá’í co-worker & friend, Mr. Philip Sprague. His prayers on his behalf and on behalf of you all will continue to be offered to Bahá’u’lláh that He may remove all obstacles standing in your path, & that He may impart to you the guidance, help & blessing you need for the development & success of your work for the Cause.

Dearest Co-worker:

I am deeply touched by this further evidence of your continued self-sacrifice for so noble & sacred a cause. I grieve, however, to learn of your ill-health, & wish to reaffirm my request that you take all the rest you require for a full & speedy recovery. I will continue to pray for you from the depths of my heart. Your true & grateful brother,

Shoghi

– 637 –

1933-12-01 Progress of Faith in Sophia

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p191-2

Your messages dated November 16th and 22nd, 1933, have filled our Guardian’s heart with inexpressible joy, and he wishes me to thank each one of your group for the remarkable devotion, zeal and enthusiasm with which you are spreading the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in your country. It is the conviction that nothing short of the spread and the application of the divine and salutary teachings which lie embedded in the Bahá’í Message can effectively rescue your country and the world at large, which should spur you on to investigate and whole-heartedly embrace the truth of this Revelation, and to rally yourselves under its glorious banner. The Bahá’í Faith gives you not only a definite plan of world reconstruction, but provides you at the same time with the necessary impetus and means whereby you can carry it into full and fruitful action. In it you will find a goal which is definite, namely the unification of mankind in all its aspects and forms. It asserts that political and economic unity cannot be established on a sound basis without the necessary and indispensable unification in the field of religion. The blending of hearts is the foundation-stone of the Bahá’í social order. It is at once its stronghold and its inherent motivating force. Through it no obstacle can withstand the triumph of the constructive forces of the world. And by its means national and racial prejudices of all sorts melt away and make, thereby, the establishment of an international order not a dream but a living reality.

It is this fundamental truth, that the basis of world unity is essentially spiritual, that makes the strength of the Bahá’í Faith. And it is because our statesmen and leaders have failed to accept such a truth that they find themselves so helpless in the face of the dark forces that are so vehemently assailing the world.

It is Shoghi Effendi’s hope that through the pioneering efforts of Miss Root and of Miss Jack your group will develop both in number and in spiritual fervour, and that you will not merely content yourselves with the study of the Teachings but will arise to play your part in their quick and effective dissemination throughout your country.

[postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

Dear co-workers:

I was so pleased and gratified to learn that the work in which you are engaged is in full swing and that the prospects are bright and promising. A powerful and efficiently functioning Local Spiritual Assembly, permanently established and truly united, is imperative, and will no doubt act as a magnet that will draw the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh.

[to the Bahá’ís of Sophia, 1 Dec 1933]

– 638 –

1933-12-04 to Martha Sending ₤70 for Romanian trans BNE

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp210

He is sending you enclosed a cheque for 70 pounds for the immediate publication of Dr Esslemonťs book in Romanian. He hopes that this will enable you to start the work without any delay …

P.S. Will you please send the Guardian 20 copies of the Czech translation of the ‘New Era’ and 50 copies of the Romanian as soon as it is published.

– 639 –

1933-12-10 Individual Bahais and the Guardian

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 5

The [Guardian’s] reply is dated December 10,

“As to the important issue you have raised in this connection regarding the nature and significance of the ties which must unite individual Bahá’ís with their Guardian, it should be made clear that such a relationship, though it transcends any relationship to an Assembly, is by no means intended to curtail the authority of the administrative bodies of the Cause, that it rather serves to strengthen and consolidate the unity of the Administration. Administrative efficiency and order should always be accompanied by an equal degree of love, of devotion and of spiritual development. Both of them are essential and to attempt to dissociate one from the other is to deaden the body of the Cause. In these days, when the Faith is still in its infancy, great care must be taken lest mere administrative routine stifles the spirit which must feed the body of the Administration itself. That spirit is its propelling force and the motivating power of its very life.

“But as already emphasized, both the spirit and the form are essential to the safe and speedy development of the Administration. To maintain full balance between them is the main and unique responsibility of administrators of the Cause.”

(Here follows the Guardian’s postscript.)

“It is invariably my purpose and constant effort to uphold and reinforce the administrative principles of the Faith, and I trust that nothing will be allowed to interfere with the proper functioning of these administrative bodies.”

– 640 –

1933-12-14 Three Aims and Five Teachers

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 5

In a letter dated December 14, 1933, the Guardian through his secretary has replied to these two questions as follows:

“As to the three aims which Shoghi Effendi has stated in his “America and the Most Great Peace” t have been the chief objectives of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ministry, it should be pointed out that the first was the establishment of the Cause in America. The erection of the Bahá’í Temple in ‘Istyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">shqábád, and the building on Mt. Carmel of a mausoleum marking the resting-place of the Báb, were the two remaining ones.

“The following is the list of the five teachers whom the Master sent to America in order to spread the Cause. They were not all Persians. As a matter of fact, the first one was a Syrian. Their names are as follows: style="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">Khayru’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Karim, Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥasan, Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Faḍl and Mírzá Asadu’lláh.”

– 641 –

1933-12-15 To Coswell re Travel Teaching Activities

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p9-10

December 15th, 1933 we find:

He (the Guardian) was deeply gratified to learn of the increasing zeal with which you are extending the scope of your teaching activities. The short teaching trip which you, together with some of your young and active believers, have undertaken to Seattle, Monroe and Vancouver will, it is hoped, be abundant and enduring in its results. Such sincere, whole-hearted and united endeavors for the spread of the message cannot but lead eventually to the triumph of the Cause, and to its further penetration into regions and circles where the very name of the movement had for long remained unknown.

Shoghi Effendi wishes you, therefore, to attach the greatest importance to the cause of teaching, and and to endeavor, through every means to insure its development and progress in your locality. His prayers on your behalf will continue to be offered to Bahá’u’lláh that, through His grace and mercy, you may be increasingly imbued with the spirit of the Cause and be enabled to spread its light throughout the world.

(Signed ) H. Rabbání

– 642 –

1933-12-20 re — Bulletin “A New World Order”

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 5-6

“The bulletin entitled “A New World Order,” which the N.S.A. has issued to representative people throughout the States is, in the opinion of the Guardian, an important and unique step your Assembly has taken in the direction of teaching. He does not only approve of your plan in this connection, but wishes to encourage you, and to urge you to persevere in your efforts for the further extension of the Cause in important social circles. Your bulletin can develop into an effective and world-wide organ of teaching provided you do your best in order to heighten its literary as well as its intellectual standard.”

– 643 –

1933-12-25 Status of Members of the N.S.A. at Convention Sessions

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 3

Concerning the status of members of the N.S.A. at Convention sessions, the Guardian feels that the members both of the incoming and the outgoing Assemblies should be given the full right to participate in the Convention discussions. Those members of the N.S.A. who have been elected delegates will, in addition to the right of participation, be entitled to vote. The Guardian wishes thereby to render more effective the deliberations and the recommendations of the national representatives. He feels that the exercise of such a right by the members of the N.S.A. will enable them to consult more fully with the assembled delegates, to exchange fully and frankly with them their views, and to consider collectively the interests, needs and requirements of the Cause. This he believes is one of the primary functions of the Convention.

— To the National Spiritual Assembly.

December 25,

– 644 –

1933-xx-xx Bahá’í Youth Committees

USBN #80 — January 1934 — Page 7-8

The Bahá’í Youth Committee of the American N.S.A….. from the Guardian….

His secretary writes,

“…He would strongly urge you to cooperate, heart and soul, with all the various assemblies, groups and committees throughout the Bahá’í world, to ask for their assistance and help for the successful discharge of your duties and obligations, and in this way to try to build up an active and ready mind among the Bahá’í youth throughout the world. In other words, you should not confine your activities to the national sphere but should strive to create under the supervision of your N.S.A. an international body of active young Bahá’í men and women who, conscious of their manifold and sacred responsibilities, will unanimously arise to spread the Holy Word.”

– 645 –

1933-xx-xx Entertainment Given in Honor of the N.S.A.C.P [sic]

USBN #77 — September 1933 — page 4

Mrs. Louie Mathews, Chairman of the National Amity Committee, received these words from the Guardian, through his secretary:

“The entertainment given in honor of the N.S.A.C.P… . made a dignified effect, interesting and beneficial to the cause of unity between the races. It is hoped that your example will be followed and that in the future meetings of this sort will increase both in number and effectiveness.”

– 646 –

1933-xx-xx Teaching the Maori

Bahá’í World Vol 5, pp127

“It would be wonderful, if the Cause should enter their rank, and give its members a new life and spirit. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is not only for the highly civilized people, even though the benefit these can obtain we cannot truly appreciatee at this early stage of its development. To the backward races the Cause should mean even more, for through it they shall obtain true social and intellectual equality with those who are at present their rulers and superiors-a thing they can obtain with difficulty through ordinary channels of legal enactments and ordinary intellectual training. It is only through the Messge of Bahá’u’llaah that the different races shall come to consider one another as true brethren and co-workers in the Faith of God.

“The Guardian will therefore deeply value any activity the friends may pursue in bringing the Cause to the Maoris.”

[To Australia and New Zealand]

– 647 –

1933-xx-xx To USNSA re Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh to Greatest Holy Leaf

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p140

As regards the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh to the Greatest Holy Leaf, Shoghi Effendi feels it would be rather disrespectful to reproduce the facsimile of the Tablet in the handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh in the proposed pamphlet. He had these reproduced to have them illuminated and sent as gifts to the different National Assemblies to be cherished and kept in their National archives.

– 648 –

1934-01-17 re Proceeding with the Ornamentation

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 2

In a letter to the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, dated January 17, 1934, the Guardian writes through his Secretary H. Rabbání:

“In reply to the N.S.A.’s telegram expressing the hope of the American believers of proceeding with the ornamentation of the clerestory section of the Temple, Shoghi Effendi has sent the following cable and has given his wholehearted approval to this new step which the friends have been prompted to take and which fully testifies to their exemplary resourcefulness and indomitable will in upholding the Cause of the Temple: (Cable as quoted above).

“The Guardian’s motive in giving the believers the promise of one year’s complete respite was to alleviate the financial burden which had for so long been weighing on their shoulders. His intention, however, was by no means to check the free and spontaneous desire of the friends to maintain the contributions to the Temple should they find it possible to do so. And it is really gratifying to witness that the promise instead of retarding, however temporarily, the ornamentation work of the Temple, has on the contrary stimulated the friends to redouble their efforts until the entire construction work on the dome and clerestory have been brought to full completion.”

– 649 –

1934-01-18 To May Maxwell re Princess de Broglies and Mary Article for BW

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p172

The Guardian has directed me to inform you of the receipt of your much-appreciated letter of Dec. 29th, and to express his heartfelt thanks for your painstaking efforts in connection with the translation of Princess de Broglies article on the Cause. Your rendering is, indeed, very faithful and fully expressive of the beauty & power of the original. But Shoghi Effendi feels that the publication of the French text would not only do more justice to the author but would greatly enhance the universality & effectiveness of the ‘Bahá’í World’ itself. At his request one of our German believers is also writing an article, the German text of which will be published in the year book, and thus will give an opportunity to the non-English-speaking Bahá’ís to better acquaint themselves with the contents of the Biennial.

Dear & precious co-worker:

I was delighted to read Marys article for the forthcoming issue of the Bahá’í World — a welcome evidence of her initial international activities & services for which I cherish the brightest hopes. I have not yet answered her letter to me preferring to wait until I receive a copy of her play the perusal of which will no doubt deeply interest me & the early publication of which the Reviewing Committee I trust will sanction. I am praying ardently for the speedy & complete realization of the Master’s hopes in, & promises to you, & wish you to take the utmost care of your precious health. You & your dear family are often in my thoughts & prayers, I assure you.

Your true brother, Shoghi

=========

Princess de Broglies was a celebrated 20th-century society figure, acclaimed beauty, minor novelist and poet, Paris Editor of American Harper’s Bazaar, fashion icon, and an heiress to the Singer sewing machine fortune.

– 650 –

1934-01-23 To Marie re Her “Appreciation” & Enclosing Illuminated Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp220

Haifa, Palestine

23 January 1934

Your Majesty,

I am deeply touched by the splendid appreciation your Majesty has graciously penned for The Bahá’í World, and wish to offer my heartfelt and abiding gratitude for this striking evidence of your Majesty’s sustained interest in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

I was moved to undertake its translation in person, and feel certain that the unnumbered followers of the Faith in both the East and the West will feel greatly stimulated in their unceasing labours for the eventual establishment of the Most Great Peace foretold by Bahá’u’lláh.

I am presenting to your Majesty, through the care of Miss Martha Root, a precious manuscript in the handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh, illuminated by a devoted follower of His Faith in Ṭihrán.

May it serve as a token of my admiration for the spirit that has prompted your Majesty to voice such noble sentiments for a struggling and persecuted Faith.

With the assurance of my prayers at the threshold of Bahá’u’lláh for your Majesty’s welfare and happiness,

I am yours very sincerely,

Shoghi

– 651 –

1934-01-24 To Martha re Maries “Appreciation”

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp220-1

… He was particularly delighted to witness that you have succeeded in obtaining from Her Majesty the Queen such a befitting statement for ‘The Bahá’í World’, and he wishes me to inform you that he is planning to use it, together with the photograph of the grave of the Greatest Holy Leaf, as a frontispiece for volume five of that Biennial. He has himself addressed to the Queen a letter of appreciation, and has forwarded it, together with an illuminated manuscript in the handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh, to your address that you may offer them to Her Majesty in person. He has also requested the American National Spiritual Assembly to address a similar letter of appreciation to the Queen, and to send it to you, that in case you find it advisable, it should be presented through you to her. He hopes that these written expressions of profound gratitude will encourage the Queen in her efforts to serve the Cause, and will convince her of the wide effectiveness of her eloquent tributes to the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi has also read with much interest the copy of the communication addressed to you by the Queen. But as you have only sent the second page of that letter he is sending it back to you that you may ascertain whether the whole text of the letter has been forwarded to him or not. He wishes you also to find out whether the Queen has read the copy of ‘The Dawn — Breakers’ sent to her through your care. He has as yet received no acknowledgement from her. Please let him know also whether she has seen the last volume of ‘The Bahá’í World’? …

I am now concentrating on ‘The Bahá’í World’. I feel so grateful for your unique and magnificent collaboration. You will close the letter to the Queen after reading it and I hope you will be able to deliver it to her in person. I pray and hope that the illuminated mau — script will reach you safely.

– 652 –

1934-01-27 Passing of Agnes Parsons

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 7

“Greatly deplore loss distinguished handmaid of Bahá’u’lláh. Through her manifold pioneer services she has proved herself worthy of implicit confidence reposed in her by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Advise American believers hold befitting memorial gatherings. Assure relatives heartfelt sympathy, prayers.”

(Signed) SHOGHI.

– 653 –

1934-01-27 Response to Temple Plans

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 1

“Heartily welcome proposal. Additional sacrifices entailed clerestory ornamentation will add further laurels to crown already won American believers and hasten fulfillment long cherished expectations.”

=========

About a month ago the National Spiritual Assembly sent a cablegram to the Guardian requesting his instructions relative to proceeding with the ornamentation of the clerestory sections of the Temple, as increasing expressions from believers allover the country had manifested the hope that during this year and the re-opening of the Chicago Exposition this additional section of the dome ornamentation might be finished.

date fm USBN #91 April 1935 p13

– 654 –

1934-01-28 Mrs. Parson Service

USBN #82 — April 1934 — page 4

Mrs Parson’s Career of Service

Your cablegram announcing the sad news of the sudden passing of Mrs. Parsons into the Kingdom has much grieved the Guardian, and has brought added weight to the burden of sorrow which, only a few months ago, Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler’s tragic and unexpected death had placed upon his heart. He greatly deplores this loss which the American believers have once more sustained. But he feels confident that such losses will in the long run deepen in them the spirit of determination to serve the Cause.

Mrs. Parson’s long and varied career of service, particularly in the teaching field, the inestimable gifts of her heart, her devotion, her sincerity, her unshakable faith and her implicit obedience to the counsels and injunctions of the Master greatly endeared her to all the believers, and particularly to ‘Abdu’l — Bahá who placed in her such firm confidence. ... May Bahá’u’lláh abundantly reward her in the next world, and may He fully sanctify and bless her departed soul and enable it to reach a still higher state of true blessedness and perfection.

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

Haifa, Palestine.

January 28,

– 655 –

1934-01-28 Assist New Believers

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

January 28, 1934, Haifa.

“… The new believers should be continually and effectively assisted and guided to deepen their knowledge of the essentials of our Faith, to get in close and direct touch with their local and national representatives, and to participate in the spiritual, the teaching, the administrative, and the humanitarian activities of a constantly evolving Faith. May each one of them grow to become a shining light, of the pillar of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the basis of which is being established in your land.”

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

– 656 –

1934-01-28 New Believers Assisted and Guided to Deepen their Knowledge

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

January 28, 1934, Haifa.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

– 657 –

1934-01-29 re Persian Youth Travelling w/o Credentials

USBN #82 — April 1934 — page 4

“I am directed by Shoghi Effendi to inform you that Mr. Yadullah Mobasser, to whom you have referred in your note dated Jan. 9th, came last February to Haifa and met the Guardian, and shortly after left for Europe. Having no recommendation whatever from any Assembly in Persia, Shoghi Effendi insisted that he should obtain a recommendation if he wished to meet and associate with the friends. He apparently failed to follow the Guardian’s instructions on this point, and had the Paris Assembly or Madame Dreyfus-Barney been informed of that, they would have certainly refused to give him any letter of introduction.

“The Guardian, wishing, therefore, to stress the necessity for every Bahá’í to abide by this important principle of the Administration, requests you to inform the friends not to associate with him in case he comes to the States, unless and until he can produce a recommendation from the Spiritual Assembly of the locality in which he lives.”

Yours in His Service,

(signed) H. Rabbání.

Haifa, Palestine,

January 29,

– 658 –

1934-02-02 Change of National Conv Date

USBN #81 — February 1934 — page 4

DATE OF 1934 CONVENTION

On February first the National Spiritual Assembly cabled Shoghi Effendi:

“On account of reopening of Chicago Fair June first, also continuance Temple construction under new contract, Assembly prefers fix Convention date May thirty-first to June third, subject your approval.”

The Guardian to this inquiry cabled on June second:

“Heartily approve. Deepest loving appreciation.”

– 659 –

1934-02-02 To Keith-Roche re Exemption fm Taxes of Shrine of the Báb and Environs

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p280

Dear Mr. Keith-Roach,

In accordance with your suggestion I am enclosing the formal declaration which I have signed as Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith and which I trust will facilitate the exemption from taxation of the area surrounding the international Bahá’í Shrine on Mt. Carmel.

I should be grateful if you would issue the authorization required to exempt from custom duty the gilded ornamental gate which forms a part of the entrance to the tomb of the Greatest Holy Leaf.

I am enclosing the key to the upper gate of the Shrine, which I hope you will use when passing through the Gardens.

Assuring you of my abiding gratitude and heartfelt appreciation of your assistance and sympathetic consideration of the interests of the Bahá’í Community,

I am yours very sincerely,

– 660 –

1934-02-02 To Keith-Roche re Tnx for Help with Exemption fm Taxes of Shrine of the Báb and Environs

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p280-1

I wish to express to you my deepest appreciation of the action you have taken to exempt from taxation the entire area surrounding and dedicated to the international Bahá’í Shrines on Mt. Carmel.

– 661 –

1934-02-08 To Martha re Delivery of Illuminated Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh to Marie

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp221-2

I have sent by registered mail to your address the illuminated Tablet in the handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh which I trust has by now reached its destination. The letter I wrote to the Queen I have enclosed in my letter to you, and I hope you will be able to present them in person. I am hoping that you will succeed in obtaining from your distinguished friends and acquaintances further appreciations for ‘The Bahá’í World’ and will send them to me before the end of May.

– 662 –

1934-02-09 To Louise Drake Wright

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp32-3

Louise Drake Wright, 9 February 1934

Dear Bahá’í Sister,

Shoghi Effendi has just received your letter of January 30th and he is so happy to learn that you have safely arrived at the Hague, and that you are resuming your teaching activities with the same enthusiasm as that which signalized your first teaching trip to that country.

He is looking forward to the day when as a result of your unceasing labours a group of young, active and zealous Bahá’ís will be established in Holland, and who will arise to carry forward the message of peace and of salvation among their own countrymen.

It will certainly encourage you to learn that Mr. Grosfeld, one of our active and capable Dutch Baháïs who lived formerly in Java is leaving very soon for Holland and is planning to settle there and to teach actively the Cause. He was converted to the Faith a few years ago through the care of one of our Egyptian Bahá’ís. He was on a visit to Cairo when he met that friend, and was so much impressed by the Teachings that he accepted them at once. Ever since he has been living in the East Indies and only a few months ago he left that country for a visit around the world. He has been to China, Japan, and has visited the friends in various parts of the States. He speaks many languages, and is eager to teach the Cause. On his way to Holland, the Guardian has requested him to visit the believers in Syria, Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria and Germany. May his presence and his close cooperation with you pave the way for the effective spread of the Teachings. With the assurance of his prayers on your behalf and on behalf of those to whom you have referred in your letter.

Yours in His service, H. Rabbání

With the assurance of my deepest and abiding appreciation of your continued and notable services to the Faith, and of my prayers for your welfare and spiritual advancement, Your true brother; Shoghi

– 663 –

1934-02-13 New Contract on Temple Signed

USBN #83 — May 1934 — page 1-2

I am overjoyed to hear of the contract that has recently been signed, a fresh and compelling evidence of the indomitable will of the American believers to prosecute, under the inspiring leadership of their able national representatives, their historic enterprise.

(signed) Shoghi.

Haifa, February 13,

– 664 –

1934-02-17 To Whom It May Concern re — Wim Grosfeld

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, p33

‘Mr. Grosfeld, a devoted and capable Bahá’í from Holland is leaving Haifa for his native land, where he is planning to teach the Cause. On his way home he is at my request endeavouring to visit as many friends and centres as possible. I am sure that all the believers will be delighted to meet him and to make his acquaintance, and will facilitate and render pleasant his stay among them. His devotion to the Faith fully entitles him to such a consideration.’

– 665 –

1934-02-19 Local Newsletter San Francisco

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 13

…on February 19, 1934, the Guardian, through his secretary, in acknowledging receipt of a copy of San Francisco BAHÁ’Í NEWS, declared:

“On behalf of the Guardian I wish to thank you for your welcome letter of Jan. 23d, as well as for the enclosed December and January issues of the San Francisco news letter, all of which gave him a clear account of the progress of the Cause in that centre.

“He would greatly appreciate if you send him regularly two copies of your local news letter. He would also advise you to send to each of the Bahá’í National Spiritual Assemblies a copy of that circular which will, undoubtedly, prove of great interest to them.

“However, in view of the principle that local activities should always be subordinated to the national interests, needs and requirements of the Faith, he feels that your Assembly should be careful not to develop their local organ to the extent that would jeopardize the national activities of the Cause in their country. Just as all local institutions, whether administrative or otherwise, must under all circumstances be considered as subsidiary to national organizations, so also local circular letters should be viewed as secondary in importance compared to the national organ of Bahá’í activities. This principle, however, should not be interpreted as being detrimental to the local interests of the Bahá’í community, but as an essential, nay indispensable means, whereby the administrative system of the Cause can work with efficiency and order.”

– 666 –

1934-02-20 Local Newsletters NYC

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 13

On February 20, a similar letter was sent the New York Assembly from which the following excerpt is quoted:

“Just as the local Bahá’í fund must under all circumstances be subordinated to the national fund, so also, every local circular letter should be considered as subsidiary to the national report of Bahá’í activities in every country. Such a coordination between local and national efforts is indispensable, not only because of its economic advantages, but essentially due to the fact that upon the application of the principle underlying this process must inevitably depend the effective working of the entire administrative machinery of the Faith. There is order, coordination and system in the Cause, and not a jungle of conflicting interests and of continually clashing wills.”

– 667 –

1934-03-05 Paid National Teachers

USBN #84 June 1934 p12

Letter to Mr. Ioas, chairman of the Teaching Committee

“Concerning the abolition of the institution of paid national teachers, the Guardian wishes to reaffirm his former statements on this matter, and to stress once more that great care be taken to avoid the difficulties and the misunderstandings which in former days had caused so much trouble among the friends. The main point to be emphasized in this connection is that of making the teachings of the Cause not the work of a limited group but the chief duty and responsibility of every Bahá’í. This is why no salaried teachers should any longer exist. But occasionally to defray the expenses of a teaching trip of a certain Bahá’í, particularly when it is done spontaneously, can cause no harm to the Cause. Such an action, provided it is done with care and only when circumstances make it necessary, constitutes no violation of the principle already referred to. The danger in all activities of this nature is to give the impression that the teaching of the Cause is an institution, depending on the support of paid teachers. Those who willingly and with utmost detachment arise to promote the Cause should, undoubtedly, be helped in every way. But they have no claim. whatever on the financial help which some friends may freely choose to extend to them.”

– 668 –

1934-03-10 To Martha re Queen Maries Letter and Romanian Pamphlet by Princess Ileana

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp227

In one of his last letters Shoghi Effendi requested you to send him the first part of the Queen’s message to you, as you had only sent the page bearing number two. This made him think that there must be a first page to that letter, and which you had probably forgotten to enclose. So, please let him know of that, and in case you have no objection he would prefer to have the original text of the Queen’s communication …

I wish to add a few words in person in order to assure you of my very real and profound appreciation of the success that has attended your efforts in Romania. Greece, I trust and pray, will be as responsive …

Will you kindly send me 200 two hundred copies of the splendid Romanian folder translated by Princess Ileana? I will distribute some of them in Palestine and place a few in the Mansion at Bahjí.

– 669 –

1934-03-13 To Sir Arthur Wauchope High Commissioner re Recent Court Case

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p284-5

…As the case recently referred to Your Excellency concerning the Bahá’í Shrines on Mt. Carmel has vital international importance, I have asked Mr. __ to come to Palestine to confer with me about it. I would greatly appreciate Your Excellency’s kindly according him an interview in order to clarify one or two points which I do not quite understand and upon which my future action in this matter depends.

=========

This was prob the Dumit case bro’t by Haifa real estate interests.

– 670 –

1934-03-15 Germany Destined to Lead Europe Spiritually

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has so often remarked Germany will one day be destined to lead all the nations and peoples of Europe spiritually, that from its very heart the Bahá’ís will spread all over the European continent, proclaiming with one voice the glad-tidings of this New Day.

(on behalf of Guardian, 15 March 1934)

– 671 –

1934-03-17 re Prejudice

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 10

“The question of prejudice is a very important one. We should not expect a new believer to be free from every prejudice. It would be asking too much from him. For even a believer cannot claim to have such a station. The main thing on which much stress must be laid when accepting a new member into the community is sincerity and a willingness to discard as much as possible all forms of prejudice and bigotry. More than that we cannot do.”

=========

to race amity committee?

– 672 –

1934-03-21 To USNSA Various

USBN #83 — May 1934 — page 1-2

Shoghi Effendi feels it to be inadvisable that the Temple Foundation Hall be used for dramatic performances. He believes that only Bahá’í meetings, and business sessions of the Convention, can be held in it until such time as the erection of a special edifice for this purpose has been undertaken by the American friends....

Concerning the best method of presenting the Master’s Will to the newcomers, Shoghi Effendi is of the opinion that the N.S.A. should first make some suitable extracts from the testament, and to send these to all the local Assemblies for their use, so that there may be full unity in circulating the provisions of the Will among the new believers. The problem of choosing such excerpts is left entirely to the discretion of the N.S.A. The main thing, as it appears to the Guardian, is that the full station of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá be clearly explained, and that the origin, nature and working of the Administrative Order of the Faith be clearly stated. The full implications of such a recognition are evidently beyond the comprehension of any new believer. Such a knowledge can be acquired gradually, and only when the essentials of the Faith have been clearly recognized and adequately understood.

In regard to the activities of Aḥmad Sohrab, Shoghi Effendi has already stated that such attacks, however perfidious, do not justify the friends replying or taking any direct action against them. The attitude of the N.S.A. should be to ignore them entirely. For any undue emphasis on attacks made upon the Cause by Aḥmad and his supporters would make them feel that they constitute a real challenge to the Cause and a menace to its institutions. Should these attacks continue and acquire a serious importance the Guardian will surely advise the N.S.A. to take definite and decisive action.

As regards the general conditions of the future in America, Shoghi Effendi feels that the existing distress will not be rapidly alleviated. There is no danger, however, of any great crisis in the immediate future. Conditions are certainly bad, and dissatisfaction is undoubtedly universal, but the hour of universal relief has not yet approached. The friends need not have any grave anxiety as to the immediate developments of the present situation. May I also draw your attention to the fact that the Báb’s photograph which appeared in Nicola’s book “Siyyid ‘Alí Muḥammad di le Báb” many years ago is not authentic, although it presents great similarity to the original drawings of the Báb’s portrait.

In closing I must express the Guardian’s deep sense of admiration for the stupendous sacrifices which the American followers of the Faith have gladly and spontaneously and with such an unremitting zeal consented to undergo in order to carry out the oft-repeated wishes of the Master concerning the erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in America. The early signs of that great spiritual renaissance which the completion of this sacred edifice must inevitably usher in are already manifesting themselves in the growing unity and solidarity with which the new-born Administrative Order of the Cause is functioning and developing in no less than forty countries of the world. Surely the credit for such a truly remarkable development in the administrative field of the Cause must be primarily attributed to the members of the American Bahá’í community and particularly to those who so fittingly represent them in the National Assembly. May Bahá’u’lláh continue to inspire you with His wisdom and guidance, that through your collective endeavors the Cause may progress and its institutions may increase and its unity, both doctrinal and administrative, be effectively safeguarded.

(signed) H. Rabbání.

(Postscript to the foregoing letter.)

The completion of the Done, the mighty emblem of our invincible Faith, marks a notable landmark in the rise and establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The Bahá’í world feels greatly indebted to the American believers for so striking a testimony of the unconquerable spirit of the Cause in these days of unprecedented stress and turmoil. They who by their self-sacrifice have crowned this noble and historic Edifice deserve the praise and are indeed the object of the envy and the admiration of their fellow believers throughout the world. For their imperishable deeds I cannot be feel eternally gratified.

(signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, March 21,

– 673 –

1934-03-24 re — “Five Teachers” in America and the Most Great Peace”

USBN #83 — May 1934 — page 2

Letters from the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly Concerning the list of Bahá’í teachers sent to America by the Master,

I wish to make it clear that the statement I made on that point on behalf of the Guardian in my communication (see article entitled “Explanation of Passages in “America and the Most Great Peace,” published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS February,41. — Editor) is, due to a misunderstanding on my part, incorrect. Khayru’lláh could not have been one of these teachers, since these were sent to the United States in order to remedy the situation which Khayru’lláh himself had created through his treacherous actions against the Master and the Cause. A careful perusal of the paragraph on page 14 in “America and the Most Great Peace” makes that point indubitably clear.

As to the five teachers referred to in that epistle of the Guardian, there must have been a typographical error, and instead of five we should, therefore, read only four.

(signed) H. Rabbání.

(Postscript to the foregoing letter.)

I wish to add a few words in person to assure you and your dear and distinguished fellow-workers in the National Assembly of my fervent prayers for the success of your strenuous endeavors in connection with the ornamentation of the clerestory section of the Temple. May Bahá’u’lláh bless your efforts and crown your magnificent labors with signal success.

(signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, March 24, 1934

=========

This was changed in later editions

– 674 –

1934-03-xx re Proposal to Borrow Money to Make March Payments

USBN #82 — April 1934 — page 1

“Heartily welcome proposal. Additional sacrifices entailed clerestory ornamentation will add further laurels to crown already won (by) American believers and hasten fulfilment long cherished expectations,”

=========

In order to make the payments due in March, the National Spiritual Assembly borrowed the sum of $10,000 from the Northern Trust Company, Chicago, which amount must be repaid at the rate of $35. 500 every three months with the Guardian’s expressed approval, received in the form of the cablegram.

– 675 –

1934-04-14 Americas Contribution to Purchase of Mt. Carmel Land

USBN #83 — May 1934 — page 3

“In this connection I feel I must express Shoghi Effendi’s deep and abiding gratitude to the American Bahá’í community for their truly remarkable response to his request for meeting the emergency which the enemies of the Faith had created through their treacherous and malignant action, and in the very international center of the Cause. Their never-to-be-forgotten assistance in the matter passes, indeed, all admiration and praise, and constitutes an example which the entire Bahá’í world must adopt and follow.”

(signed) H. Rabbání.

(Postscript to the above letter.)

“With the assurance of my continued prayers for the friends who through their unsparing and self-sacrificing efforts are so effectively promoting the national as well as international interests of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”

(signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine.

April 14,

– 676 –

1934-05-01 To Sir Arthur Wauchope re Support in Dumit Case

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p285

I deeply appreciated the kind message of sympathy and support for the projected plan of the Bahá’í Community to beautify the slopes of Mt. Carmel which you sent to me through Mr. __. It greatly encouraged me. Unfortunately there are strong and influential interests that are seeking to obstruct the plan. These are in part merely real estate speculators who, in their short-sightedness, are doing their utmost to develop the northern slope of Mt. Carmel for their immediate benefit. More difficult and dangerous for our plan however are those who definitely seek to frustrate the efforts of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in anything that they may undertake. We believe that these people were back of the case brought against us by the Domets [Dumits], for example, and it was for that reason that we felt justified in our endeavour to have it withdrawn from the jurisdiction of the courts and submitted to Your Excellency’s personal consideration…With kind regards and renewed expression of my warm appreciation of Your Excellency’s sympathy and support…

– 677 –

1934-05-02 Local Newsletters USNSA

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 13

This question is decisively settled in a letter to the National Assembly dated May 10, 1934: “Concerning local Bahá’í news letters, the Guardian strongly feels that they should be primarily devoted to the spread of local news and activities, and should under no circumstances contain any statement implying criticism of or even interference with the policy of the N.S.A. They may occasionally refer to items of a national scope, but this should be done only with the view of assisting and not hindering the national body of the Cause to carry out effectively its program and decisions. There is thus a definite line of demarcation between correspondence initiated by local and National Assemblies. Local activities should always be subordinated to those of a national character and importance. This is intended not to minimize the role of the local Assembly in the administrative order, but to establish and insure a sane relationship between that body and the national organism of the Cause.”

– 678 –

1934-05-02 To Two Believers re Position of Guardianship in Admin Order

Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Studying the Writings of the Guardian, ed. M. Bergsmo

Concerning the institution of the Guardianship and its true position in the Administrative Order of the Cause, the Guardian would urge you to make a careful study of the subject in his last general letter addressed to the West and published under the title of ‘The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh’. In the last part of this important treatise you will find an adequate and authoritative analysis of the origins, nature and function of that institution, and of its unique significance in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. You should also recommend your fellow-believers to better acquaint themselves with the contents of that same letter, so that their vision of the Cause and their understanding of its present-day administration may acquire in strength and in depth.

– 679 –

1934-05-05 University Training Will Be Of Immense Help

Bahá’í Youth: A Compilation

Prepared By: National Spiritual Assembly Of The Bahá’ís Of The United States (1973)

The Guardian … was gratified to learn of the progress of your academic studies, and of your fixture plans for the study and the teaching of the Cause. The spirit which is moving and sustaining you in the service of the Faith is, indeed, remarkable, and through it you will undoubtedly be moved to render great and imperishable services to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. The University training which you are receiving at present will be of immense help to you in your efforts to present the Message in intellectual circles. In these days when people are so skeptical about religion and look with so much contempt towards religious organizations and movements, there seems to be more need than ever for our young Bahá’ís to be well-equipped intellectually, so that they may be in a position to present the Message in a befitting way, and in a manner that would convince every unbiased observer of the effectiveness and power of the Teachings.

“In view of that Shoghi Effendi would urge you to persevere in your studies, and trusts that as a result you will be greatly assisted in your teaching activities.”

(From letter dated May 5, 1934, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 680 –

1934-05-07 Epochmaking Achievement

USBN #82 — April 1934 — page 1

Informed that the ornamentation of the dome unit was completed, he sent this cablegram:

“Overjoyed epochmaking achievement. Intense gratitude. Ardently supplicating still mightier evidences American believers’ exemplary stewardship Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”

– 681 –

1934-05-09 To a National Spiritual Assembly re Inner & Outer Meaning of Admin Order

Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Studying the Writings of the Guardian, ed. M. Bergsmo

The Guardian would strongly urge each and every member of the National Spiritual Assembly to carefully peruse, and to quietly ponder upon the outer meaning and upon the inner spirit as well, of all his communications on the subject of the origin, nature and present-day functioning of the administrative order of the Faith. A compilation of these letters has been lately published in the States under the title ‘Bahá’í Administration’, and a complete knowledge of that book seems to be quite essential to the right handling of the administrative problems facing your National Spiritual Assembly at present.

– 682 –

1934-05-10 To NSA Various

USBN #85 — July 1934 — pages 1-2

Haifa, May 10,

“He also wishes me to express his approval of your suggestion that as soon as the ornamentation work of the clerestory section of the Temple is completed no new contract be signed for the next unit unless the entire sum required for the contract has already been collected. Economic conditions, both within and without the Cause, are nowadays too unstable to allow us to undertake any extensive scheme before insuring its uninterrupted and succesful prosecution. He would urge the friends, however, to continue exerting themselves in order to complete the ornamentation of the clerestory section of the Temple which they have spontaneously undertaken, towards the end of the summer, and if not, at least by the end of the year. Their resourcefulness, courage and self-sacrifice surely offer a sufficient guarantee that they will not fail in bringing their task to a happy and successful completion.

“Concerning local Bahá’í news letters the Guardian strongly feels that they should be primarily devoted to the spread of local news and activities, and should under no circumstances contain any statement implying criticism of or even interference with the policy of the N.S.A. They may occasionally refer to items of a national scope, but this should be done only with the view of assisting and not hindering the national body of the Cause to carry out effectively its program and decisions. There is thus a definite line of demarcation between correspondence initiated by local and National Assemblies. Local activities should always be subordinated to those of a national character and importance. This is intended not to minimize the role of the local Assembly in the administrative order, but to establish and insure a sane relationship between that body and the national organization of the Cause

“The Guardian wishes you to convey to the N.S.A., and through them to the entire body of the American believers the news of the successful negotiations initiated with the Palestine authorities concerning the exemption from taxation of the entire area surrounding and dedicated to the International Sacred Shrines of the Faith on Mt. Carmel.

“After long repeated representations Shoghi Effendi has succeeded in obtaining from the Government an exemption which is tantamount to a recognition by the Palestine Administration of the sacredness of our Shrines, and of the importance and significance of the international center of our Faith. The exempted area has been purchased largely through the contributions sent for that purpose by the American believers. A section of it has already been transferred to the Palestine Branch of the American National Assembly, while a portion of the remaining part is still registered in the name of individual American believers.

“This exemption granted by the Government constituted, indeed, a triumph which the friends will certainly appreciate, and a step forward towards the further establishment and consolidation of the administrative order of the Cause, in both the Holy Land and beyond its confines. The title deeds which testify to the purchase and transfer of various plots to the name of your Assembly will soon be forwarded to your address. Negotiations are still pending in connection with further purchases and transfers which the Guardian is endeavoring to effect on behalf of the Palestine Branch of the American N.S.A.

“In this connection I am directed to extend to you, as well as to the general body of the American believers, Shoghi Effendi’s abiding appreciation of the American Bahá’ís’ splendid cooperation in preventing the area surrounding the Shrines from falling into the hands of non-Bahá’ís. Now that the town of Haifa is developing so rapidly and so many buildings are being erected along the slopes of Mt. Carmel, the friends can realize the full wisdom of their having kept such an extensive area as an open space around the Shrines. This is becoming increasingly manifest to the government officials and also to the increasing number of tourists and visitors who annually flock to the Holy Land and admire the beauty and impressions of so important a center in the Bahá’í world. And the Guardian cannot, indeed, but feel deeply indebted to you and to those who have cooperated with you in taking such a vital and historic step, as a result of which the Faith has seen its prestige heightened and its interests effectively promoted and insured.”

(In the Guardian’s hand) “The American believers have in recent years shouldered tremendous responsibilities and have acquitted themselves magnificently of their task. The erection of the superstructure of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, the completion of the ornamentation of the dome, their spontaneous decision to proceed with the decoration of the clerestory section, the purchase, the safeguarding and eventual recognition of the precincts of the Shrines on Mt. Carmel, the consolidation of the administrative machinery of the Faith in their country, the generous assistance extended by them to the needy, the harassed and suffering among their brethren in many lands and the activity they now display in the teaching field are deeds for which the entire Bahá’í world may well feel grateful.”

– 683 –

1934-05-11 To Sir Arthur Wauchope re Support of Tax Exemption of Bahá’í Properties

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p285-6

Your Excellency,

The gratifying news has just come to me from the District Commissioner at Haifa that the petition for exemption from taxation of the Bahá’í property holdings on Mt. Carmel has been granted by the Government.

I hasten to express to Your Excellency for the World Bahá’í Community and myself our deep appreciation of the sympathetic and effective interest which Your Excellency has taken in the matter and which I know must have contributed in large measure to this outcome. An I venture to hope for the continuation of Your Excellency’s sympathetic support in our plan to gradually beautify this property for the sue and enjoyment of the people of Haifa, for which this action of the Government now opens the way.

– 684 –

1934-05-11 To an Individual Believer re Continue to Study the Dispensation

Studying the Writings of Shoghi Effendi

compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

published in Studying the Writings of the Guardian, ed. M. Bergsmo

Shoghi Effendi was also pleased to learn of the response which his last general communication [‘The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh’ (in ‘The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh’, pp. 97-161)] addressed to the friends in the West has awakened in your community, It is his hope that the believers will, through their careful and continued study of this important communication, acquire a new vision of the Cause, and will be stimulated to redouble their efforts for the expansion and consolidation of their work for the Faith.

– 685 –

1934-05-12 re Anonymous Letters

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 14

“Urge believers strictly adhere (to) National Assembly’s instructions regarding anonymous letters.”

=========

In the spring of 1934, anonymous letters were sent to members of two communities. The NSA published a notice in the May 1934 USBN and in a letter to all LSA’s noting such activity was not in conformity w/ rules of consultation.

– 686 –

1934-05-18 Exemption from Taxation Area Surrounding Shrines

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 14

“Prolonged negotiations (with) Palestine authorities (has) resulted (in) exemption from taxation (of the) entire area surrounding dedicated Shrines (on) Mount Carmel. Mountfort’s notable share in securing implicit recognition (of the) sacredness (of the) Faith’s International Center heightens (the) value (of) his services (to) Bahá’u’lláh’s House in Bastyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">ghdád.”

– 687 –

1934-05-19 Authority of NSA

USBN #85 — July 1934 — pages 1 3

Haifa, May 19,

“As to the problem which has arisen in connection with the News Letter published and circulated by the Boston Assembly, the Guardian has already written about it to your N.S.A., expressing the view that under no circumstances should any local Assembly be given the right to criticize and much less oppose, the policy duly adopted and approved by the N.S.A. It is his hope that henceforth the problem of the relationship between the N.S.A. and the local Assemblies in matters of this nature will, in the light of his instructions, be carefully understood by individuals and Assemblies alike.”

– 688 –

1934-05-31 Bahá’u’lláh as Descendant of Joseph

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

May 31, 1934, Haifa.

“… For Bahá’í Community life implies consciousness of group solidarity strong enough to enable every individual believer to give up what is eventually personal for the sake of the common weal.

In regard to the supposed reference to Bahá’u’lláh in the Book of Mormon, he feels that the Writings of the Founder of the Faith do not contain any passage justifying any believer to uphold the view that Bahá’u’lláh is a descendant of Joseph. Such interpretations, if not confirmed by the Holy Text cannot be considered as authoritative.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 689 –

1934-05-xx To New NSA

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 15

“Prayers, appreciation Assembly’s distinguished record of service. Love.”

(signed) SHOGHI.

– 690 –

1934-06-04 Message to the Convention

USBN #84 — June 1934 — page 1

American believers’ inspired leadership steadily unfolding to Bahá’í world over (the) potentialities (of the) majestic edifice heralding formative period (of the) Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Their unerring vision conceived its matchless design. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s own hands laid its cornerstone. Their dynamic faith reared its structure. Their sustained self-sacrifice crowned it with immortal glory. May (the) flame (of their) unconquerable enthusiasm continue glowing undimmed in their hearts till its naked frame is enveloped in its shining mantle.

(signed) SHOGHI.

(Cablegram received June 4, 1934).

– 691 –

1934-06-04 On Behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an Individual re Suggestions Welcome

Unlocking the Power of Action, #28

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The National Spiritual Assembly, and all the national committees as well, would welcome all suggestions of this sort which individual believers feel prompted to make in order to open new ways and adopt fresh methods for the spread and the consolidation of the Cause.

– 692 –

1934-06-06 Projected Formation of Spiritual Assembly in Sofia

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p193

Your letters of April 2nd, 24th and May 21st have been duly received, and their contents have been given careful consideration by the Guardian. The gratifying news of the projected formation of a spiritual assembly in Sofia pleased him particularly, and he trusts that under your guidance and attention this assembly will function with effectiveness and vigour. In view of this new and historic step you have moved to take, Shoghi Effendi feels that your stay in the capital is indispensable, although he approves of your leaving occasionally that centre for a teaching trip in the near surroundings. He does not think it necessary that you should start studying the language of the country, as this will take too much of your time and energy. You may, however, devote your spare time to that purpose, but never should you do so at the expense of your teaching work.

[Postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

Your patient and strenuous labours in the service of so great a cause and in circumstances that are truly most difficult and trying have endeared you to us all and deserve to rank as high as the great achievements that have signalized the establishment of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’iláh. You should be intensely happy, and profoundly grateful for having rendered such distinguished and never-to-be-forgotten services to the Sacred Threshold.

[To Marion Jack, 6 June 1934]

– 693 –

1934-06-11 Authority of NSA

USBN #85 — July 1934 — pages 2q

“ … The Guardian wishes me to again affirm his view that the authority of the N. S. A. is undivided and unchallengeable in all matters pertaining to the administration of the Faith throughout the United States and Canada, and that, therefore, the obedience of individual Bahá’ís, delegates, groups and Assemblies to that authority is imperative, and should be wholehearted and unqualified. He is convinced that the unreserved acceptance and complete application of this vital provision of the Administration is essential to the maintenance of the highest degree of unity amongst the believers, and is indispensable to the effective working of the administrative machinery of the Faith in every country.”

(In the Guardian’s hand)

“I wish to reaffirm in clear and categorical language, the principle already enunciated upholding the supreme authority of the National Assembly in all matters that affect the interests of the Faith in that land. There can be no conflict of authority, no duality under any form or circumstances in any sphere of Bahá’í jurisdiction whether local, national or international. The National Assembly, however, although the sole interpreter of its Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, is directly and morally responsible if it allows any body or institution within its jurisdiction to abuse its privileges or to decline in the exercise of its rights and privileges. It is the trusted guardian and the mainspring of the manifold activities and interests of every national community in the Bahá’í world. It constitutes the sole link that binds these communities to the International House of Justice, the supreme administrative body in the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

– 694 –

1934-06-xx To Leroy Ioas

Leroy Ioas — Hand of the Cause of God, Anita Chapman, pp93

It gives him much pleasure to realize how effectively you are teaching the Cause and how actively you are engaged in extending and consolidating the basis of its new-born administrative institutions … To vindicate the truth of this Revelation is, indeed, a task which only those who have been truly reborn can claim to achieve. And it is for young, energetic and loyal Bahá’ís like yourself, who are alive to the manifold duties and responsibilities which the Faith has laid upon them, to arise and contribute their share. …

“… as a member of the highest Bahá’í administrative institution in your land you have rendered and are rendering services that are truly notable and praiseworthy.”

– 695 –

1934-07-02 German Believers Destined to Take Leading Part

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland #23

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

I would strongly advise you to include Germany among the countries you wish to visit in Europe as the German believers are destined to take a leading part in the spread and eventual triumph of the Cause of God in that continent. Your past distinguished services I can never forget….

(2 July 1934, appended in the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi to a letter written on his behalf to an individual)

– 696 –

1934-07-06 On Behalf of to an Individual re Authenticity of the Qur’án

Scriptures of Previous Dispensations

Compiled By Research Department Of The Universal House Of Justice.

In regard to your question concerning the authenticity of the Qur’án. I have referred it to the Guardian for his opinion. He thinks that the Qur’án is, notwithstanding the opinion of certain historians, quite authentic, and that consequently it should be considered in its entirety by every faithful and loyal believer as the sacred scriptures of the Muḥammadan Revelation.

– 697 –

1934-07-06 To Martha re Princess Ileanas “Appreciation”

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp229-30

Your telegram addressed from Vienna, and conveying Princess Ileana’s appreciation for the forthcoming issue of ‘The Bahá’í World’ has also been received and deeply appreciated. The Guardian is directing Mr Holley to include it in the manuscript, as the latter has already been forwarded to America for publication.

It is, indeed, very kind of the Princess to pay such a beautiful and warm tribute to the Faith, and for this the Guardian, nay the Bahá’í world at large, is deeply grateful. Shoghi Effendi hopes, as soon as he is back in Haifa, to offer through you to the Princess copies of the íqán and of ‘The Dawn-Breakers,’ which you have suggested would be suitable material for her studies on the Movement…

I am deeply thankful to you for the text of the appreciation which you have wired and will myself arrange for its proper insertion in the manuscript of ‘The Bahá’í World’. What you are achieving is indeed marvellous. Its value can never be over-estimated. You have, more than any individual or Assembly throughout the Bahá’í world, contributed to enrich the material for the forthcoming volume. I heartily congratulate you.

– 698 –

1934-08-08 To May Maxwell re Response to Letter She Sent fm Portland

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p206

He wishes me, in particular, to express his feeling of profound gratification at the news of your recent meeting with Miss Agnes Alexander, during which you had been jointly studying the Will & Testament of the Master in the new light thrown upon it by the ‘Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh’. He is praying that your efforts to better understand, & to more befittingly present the contents of this important pamphlet to the friends & to the non-believers as well, may meet with continued and ever-increasing success.

The Guardian is also praying on behalf of your daughter, that she may be effectively assisted and guided in preparing the lectures which she has been appointed to deliver at the Bahá’í Summer School at Lou Helen Ranch.

Shoghi Effendi added a postscript in his own hand:

Those whom you have mentioned in your last letter to me dated Feb. 19 I have remembered & will continue to remember in my prayers at the holy Shrines. Those to whom you refer in your recent letter & particularly Miss Alexander & Mme Orlova will also be lovingly remembered. Your association & collaboration with Mme Orlova is most welcome & highly satisfactory, as you are eminently qualified to impart to her just those things she most vitally requires in her most promising work of service to our beloved Faith. I am so glad to learn that your precious health is restored & wish you to convey to Mary & to Mr. Maxwell my love & the assurance of my continued & fervent prayers. Your true & grateful brother,

Shoghi

– 699 –

1934-08-10 On Behalf of to an Individual re Indian & Sufi Reincarnation Doctrines

Reincarnation And The Nature And Progress Of The Soul

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

As to your question concerning reincarnation: The Bahá’í view of the life after death can in no way be reconciled with certain Indian and Sufi doctrines which teach that the human soul can pass from one body to another. This doctrine, known as metempsychosis, is not only too materialistic in its view, but is purely imaginary and fatalistic. Bahá’u’lláh teaches that after its separation from the body, the human soul begins to lead a new life, of which we can have no definite knowledge, in the same way as the child in the embryo cannot visualize the type of life it is destined to lead in this world.

– 700 –

1934-08-14 Names of Prophets in Dispensation

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

August 14, 1934, Haifa.

“… Concerning your question relative to the names of the Prophets referred to on page twenty-six of the ‘Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh,’ they are as follows: Abraham, Moses, Joseph, John the Baptist, Jesus the Christ, Imám Ḥusayn, Son of Imám ‘Alí, who was the legitimate heir of Muḥammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

… You will find the exact and authoritative date (of writing Hidden Words) in the preface to the edition of Mdm Stannards translation of Hidden Words printed in Cairo, a copy of which I urge you to obtain from the National Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Egypt. The Master has Himself fixed the date and a facsimile of His testimony is reproduced in that booklet.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 701 –

1934-08-20 re — Alfred Lunt on USNSA

USBN #87 — September 1934 — page 3

Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi

Present controversy agitating American believers if unchecked will through its inevitable worldwide repercussions inflict irreparable injury (upon) Cause (of) Bahá’u’lláh. Nothing short (of the) following measures can avert threatening danger: retension (of) Lunt’s membership, and inflexible resolve by whomsoever directly or remotely concerned (to) refrain from slightest criticism, expressed or implied, that must necessarily impair (the) undivided authority (of the) institution (of the) National Assembly. Even barest reference to issues involved should be instantly dropped (and) forgotten. Concentrate precious energies (upon) uninterrupted prosecution (of) divinely appointed enterprise. Appeal entire community (to) heed (my) passionate entreaty (and) grave warning.

(Signed) SHOGHI.

Haifa, Palestine,

August 20,

=========

See “Some Aspects Of The Development Of The Bahá’í Administrative Order In America, 1922-1936,” By Loni Bramson-Lerche, Studies In Bábí And Bahá’í History, Vol I, Moojan Momen, Ed, p291

– 702 –

1934-09-09 Extending Area Lands Surrounding Shrines

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 1

“The Guardian is still engaged in making further transfers and purchasing new lands in the name of the American National Assembly, and he hopes to send to the National Secretary all the documents as soon as they are available. He feels that during the last few months considerable progress has been achieved in safeguarding and in extending the area of the lands surrounding and dedicated to the Shrines on Mount Carmel. It is his hope that through the generous and self-sacrificing efforts of the believers still further steps will be taken towards the complete safeguard of the entire area surrounding these sacred spots.”

=========

First sentence from USBN #89 January 1935 p10

– 703 –

1934-09-09 To Martha in Appreciation of SVCS

Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold, M. R. Garis, p404

How deeply I appreciate, nay prize, your stupendous efforts in the service of the Cause while in Lithuania, & in the course of your visit to the Balkans, in Central Europe & now in Scandinavia. You are carrying aloft with inspiring courage & exemplary zeal & constancy the standard of Bahá’u’lláh. You are shedding imperishable lustre on His Faith. You are setting an immortal example to His followers. You are rearing for yourself a goodly mansion in His Kingdom. My heart overflows with gratitude for the work you are achieving with such an indomitable faith & in such hard circumstances… . I feel you should concentrate on Scandinavia which stands in such dire need of Bahá’í apostles such as you.

Your true & grateful brother,

Shoghi

[appended]

“[I] wish you henceforth to expend whatever you may obtain from the sale of the ‘New Era’ in different languages on your own dear self & for the purpose of promoting the work in which you are so devotedly engaged.”

– 704 –

1934-09-16 Various

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 1-2

“He feels that during the last few months considerable progress has been achieved in safeguarding and in extending the area of the lands surrounding and dedicated to the Shrines on Mount Carmel. It is his hope that through the generous and self-sacrificing efforts of the believers still further steps will be taken towards the complete safeguard of the entire area surrounding these sacred spots.”

(September 9, 1934, to National Spiritual Assembly.)

“Anything whatsoever affecting the interests of the Cause and in which the National Assembly as a body is involved should, if regarded as unsatisfactory by local Assemblies and individual believers, be immediately referred to the National Assembly itself. Neither the general body of the believers, nor any local Assembly, nor even the delegates to the Annual Convention, should be regards as having any authority to entertain appeals against the decision of the National Assembly. Should the matter be referred to the Guardian it will be his duty to consider it with the utmost care and to decide whether the issues involved justify him to consider it in person, or to leave it entirely to the discretion of the National Assembly.

“This administrative principle which the Guardian is now restating and emphasizing is so clear, so comprehensive and simple that no misunderstanding as to its application, he feels, can possibly arise. There are no exceptions whatever to this rule, and the Guardian would deprecate any attempt to elaborate or dwell any further upon this fundamental and clearly-enunciated principle.

“The problems with which the Faith is now grappling, whether national or international, are so pressing and momentous that no one among its loyal adherents can afford to dissipate his precious energies on details arising from the application of administrative principles, or even on the perfecting of the machinery of the administration itself. Purely secondary matters can be postponed until the primary tasks are performed.

“The situation in Persia which is going from bad to worse, the necessary measures which should be taken to insure the uninterrupted completion of the clerestory section of the Temple, the adoption of such measures as will stimulate the teaching campaign in America, the exercise of the utmost vigilence [sic] lest the authorities in Soviet Russia inflict any injury upon Bahá’í lives and institutions, the extension of any support that may be required to safeguard the interests of the Cause at its most vital and international center to ward off the malicious attacks of enemies from both within and without — these are the outstanding issues which demand the sustained and concentrated attention of every devoted believer...

“Regarding the photograph sent to your Assembly the National Assembly of ‘Iráq, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to confirm his previous request regarding the circulation of his own photograph.

(That is, photographs of the Guardian are not to be circulated. — Editor.)

“With reference to the statement on the Annual Convention which the Guardian had requested you to send to the National Assembly of Persia, he wishes you to send as soon as you possibly can the final draft after having made the following alteration. The Guardian feels that in view of the definite and vital functions of the Annual Convention it would be more proper not to regard its sessions as joint meetings with the National Assembly. The gatherings of the Convention should, the Guardian believes, be given a more distinctive character. As to the rule requiring the National Assembly to present any and all facts that may be required in order to clarify matters discussed at the Convention, he wishes to express his complete approval.

“Shoghi Effendi would be very pleased to receive English translations of the Bahá’í News Letters issued by the National Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria. He wishes you in this connection to convey to Mr. Schopflocher his deepest thanks and appreciation of his invaluable assistance in translating such important communications from so promising an Assembly in the Bahá’í world...

(The Guardian’s postscript to the above letter.)

“I feel urged, in view of the compelling evidence of your exemplary devotion to the interests of our beloved Faith, to renew the expression of my profound and unqualified admiration for the spirit animating you in its service. You have faced a critical situation with marvelous fidelity, high courage and unswerving loyalty. Nothing short of this spirit can enable you to weather the storms and overcome the obstacles that must confront you in the future. His Guidance, you may rest assured, will never fail you in the days to come.”

(Signed) Shoghi.

– 705 –

1934-09-25 Maintaining Flow of Contributions to Temple

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 2

“He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with the necessity of maintaining the flow of their contributions to the Temple, and also to stress the importance of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund which, in these early days of the administrative development of the Faith, is the indispensable medium for the growth and expansion of the Movement. Contributions to this fund constitute, in addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion and attachment to the Cause.”

(September 25, 1934, to Allen B. McDaniel, Chairman, National Spiritual Assembly.)

– 706 –

1934-09-30 International Expenses of the Faith

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 2

(In the Guardian’s hand.)

“The international expenses of the Faith are continually increasing, and the emphasis that has been placed of late on the necessity of intensifying and extending the national institutions of the Cause in Persia, America and elsewhere together with the severe restrictions that are being increasingly imposed by the authorities in Ṭihrán have depleted the resources required for the promotion of the vital interests of the community at its world center. For this reason I have felt impelled to suspend temporarily the contributions which I have been making for the Temple. I will pray that the efforts of the friends the world over and particularly the mighty exertions of the American Bahá’í community for the prosecution of the Temple work may soon be abundantly rewarded.”

(Signed) Shoghi.

(September 30, 1934, to Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer, National Spiritual Assembly.)

– 707 –

1934-10-04 Future Teaching by M Jack in Bulgaria

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p193-4

The Guardian is deeply gratified to learn from your letter of September 5th of the happy news of the successful formation of the Sofia spiritual assembly. He wishes me to hasten in offering to you his heartfelt congratulations and his grateful thanks for this unique and never-to-be-forgotten service which you have been able to render the Faith in Bulgaria. Your pioneering and sustained endeavours for the establishment of the Cause in that country have, undoubtedly, been amply rewarded. You should, therefore, feel happy, and remain assured that the foundations your able hands have so carefully and so patiently laid down will be further consolidated through the united and combined efforts of our Bulgarian friends, and that upon them the edifice of the cause will be gradually raised and firmly established in their country.

As to your return to Sofia, the Guardian leaves it entirely to your discretion. If you feel that the believers in Sofia can conduct their own affairs, and that their assembly is sufficiently strong and united to manage its own work, you need not return, at least for the present, to Bulgaria, and may preferably travel for a few months in Austria where the believers will surely be glad to have you with them, and will, undoubtedly, extend to you every assistance they can for rendering your stay as successful as possible. In any case, the Guardian strongly urges you to keep in close and constant touch with Sofia, and to encourage and guide the believers in spreading the Message, and in extending the scope and in consolidating the foundations of their assembly.

[postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

I leave it entirely to your discretion as to whether you should extend your stay in Bulgaria or initiate a new chapter of your historic work in some other country in Europe. I have the utmost confidence in your judgement, your loyalty and disinterested service to the Cause of God. Wherever you labour, with whosoever you collaborate and whatever the nature of your activity my prayers will ever accompany you and my thoughts will continue to be with you. I feel truly proud of the constancy and courage that distinguish your pioneer service.

– 708 –

1934-10-04 re Continuance Temple Construction

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 1-2

Communications from Shoghi Effendi

On October 1, 1934 the National Spiritual Assembly cabled the Guardian as follows: “Continuance Temple construction assured. Love.” on October [sic] 4 the following reply was received:

“Delighted. Profound gratitude.” (Signed) Shoghi.

– 709 –

1934-10-24 To Persian NSA re Susan Moody

USBN #88 — November 1934 — page 2

“American believers lament death beloved Susan Moody. Convey loving sympathy her co-workers.”

– 710 –

1934-10-31 To Blomfield re Contact with Queen Marie

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p313

It was, indeed, very thoughtful of them to avail themselves of this wonderful opportunity for conveying to her their unbounded appreciation of the great historic services she has been able to render the Faith through her publications.

Shoghi Effendi was also deeply gratified to learn that you have been able to present to the Queen the illuminated Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh. You must have surely been guided and inspired in taking such an action, which must have surely deeply impressed the Queen. The Guardian feels, indeed, very happy and grateful to you for having had the faith, courage and confidence to approach that Lady, and to renew to her the sincere and profound interest and appreciation with which the entire community of the believers throughout the world view her noble efforts for the propagation of the Message.

I wish to add a few words in person to reaffirm my deep sense of indebtedness to you. The volume will be published before the end of this year. I will gladly send you a copy as a token of my great and abiding attachment to you and gratitude for your manifold kindnesses and services to the Cause of God. Wishing you good health and happiness from all my heart…

=========

First paragraph refers to London Bahá’ís giving Queen a floral gift.

The volume referred to in his comments is the Bahá’í World.

– 711 –

1934-10-31 To Martha re Contacts with Marie

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp230-1

The Guardian has just been in receipt of your long-awaited and inspiring message of October 4th, and has taken great pleasure in reading it. He has learned with profound satisfaction and joy of your interview with Queen Marie of Romania, as well as of the floral gift which the London friends have made to her on the occasion of her last visit to that centre. It was, indeed, very thoughtful of them to avail themselves of this wonderful opportunity for conveying to her their unbounded appreciation of the great historic services she has been able to render the Faith through her publications.

Shoghi Effendi was also deeply gratified to learn that you have been able to present to the Queen the illuminated Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh. You must have surely been guided and inspired in taking such an action, which must have surely deeply impressed the Queen. The Guardian feels, indeed, very happy and grateful to you for having had the faith, courage and confidence to approach that Lady, and to renew to her the sincere, profound interest and appreciation with which the entire community of the believers throughout the world view her noble efforts for the propagation of the Message.

You will certainly be interested to know that the Queen has lately written a beautiful appreciation for special publication in ‘The Bahá’í World’. It will be reproduced together with her photograph, in the forthcoming issue of the Biennial.

With the renewed assurance of Shoghi Effendi’s deep-felt appreciation of your precious labours for the Cause, and of his continued prayers on your behalf.

I trust my cable expressing deep-felt appreciation of your outstanding services to our beloved Cause has reached you. I wish to add a few words in person to reaffirm my deep sense of indebtedness to you. I am enclosing a reproduction of the latest tribute paid by the Lady to the Cause and written specially for Volume V of ‘The Bahá’í World’. The volume will be published before the end of this year. I will gladly send you a copy as a token of my great and abiding attachment to you and gratitude for your manifold kindnesses and services to the Cause of God. Wishing you good health and happiness from all my heart.

– 712 –

1934-11-05 Directions Certain Prayers Great Spiritual Help

Notes On Obligatory Prayers And Ablutions

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice in a letter to an individual from the House of Justice 15 April 1987

As Appeared In Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol. 4:3-4 2 January 1991

Concerning the directions given by Bahá’u’lláh for the recital of certain prayers, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to inform you that these regulations — which by the way are very few and simple — are of a great spiritual help to the individual believer, in that they help him to fully concentrate when praying and meditating. Their significance is thus purely spiritual

(5 November 1934)

– 713 –

1934-11-06 Importance Of Bahá’í Summer Schools

USBN #90 — March 1935 — page 4

“He fervently hopes that through the earnest and sustained efforts of your committee these annual gatherings will acquire increasing importance in the eyes of the public, and will constitute an effective medium for the dissemination of the Teachings. He feels that in your next summer meetings continued emphasis should be laid upon the teaching of the Administration, especially in its relation to the outside world, so as to impress the non-Bahá’í attendants at the school with the nature, character and world-significance of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.”

(Letter from the Guardian, through his secretary, to Central States Summer School Committee) .

– 714 –

1934-11-12 To Martha with Books for Ileana

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp234

He has mailed to your address copies of ‘The Dawn-Breakers’ and of the Kitáb-i-Íqán for Princess Ileana … He hopes you will receive them very soon.

– 715 –

1934-12-01 Various

USBN #89 January 1935 p1

[To the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly]

“With reference to the first of the two questions raised by the San Francisco Spiritual Assembly in connection with ‘The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, he wishes me to explain that although ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s station is not that of a Manifestation of God, nevertheless supplications may be addressed to Him. It is essential, however, that every believer should realize that while doing so he is directing his thoughts towards the Master as an intermediary between him and the Manifestation, and not as the Source of Divine Revelation and spiritual guidance. Provided this distinction is clearly established there can be no harm or objection in addressing prayers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

As to the meaning of the quotation, ‘My fears are for Him Who will be sent down unto you after Me’, this refers to the Manifestation Who is to come after a thousand or more years, Who like all previous Messengers of God will be subjected to persecutions, but will eventually triumph over them. For men of ill-will have been and will always continue to be in this world, unless mankind reaches a state of complete and absolute perfection — a condition which is not only improbable but actually impossible to attain. The fundamental difference, however, between this Dispensation and all previous ones is this, that in this Revelation the possibility of permanent schism between the followers of the Prophet has been prevented through the direct and explicit instructions providing for the necessary instruments designed to maintain the organic unity of the body of the faithful.

In regard to the use of ringstones and burial stones, the Guardian leaves this matter at present entirely to the discretion of the believers, and has no objection if your Assembly provides facilities for their purchase by the friends. When the Kitáb-i-Aqdas is published the necessary instructions will be given regarding this matter.

In this connection he wishes me to inform you that at his repeated directions the National Assemblies of Egypt, ‘Iráq and Persia are adopting the exact text of your Assembly’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, as well as the local By-Laws, and are taking the necessary steps for incorporating their Assemblies as duly recognized bodies empowered to administer the national and local affairs of the Faith in their respective countries. The Indian N. S. A., as well as the Bombay Spiritual Assembly, have already set the example in this respect, both in the matter of incorporation, and in the adoption of the text of the constitutions of the American Bahá’í Assemblies.

Concerning the union of the two Magazines (THE BAHÁ’i MAGAZINE and the WORLD UNITY MAGAZINE) the Guardian hopes that the N. S. A. will proceed quickly in this matter. He fully approves the action which you contemplate, and any details in this connection he leaves entirely to your discretion.

In regard to the question submitted to your Assembly by the Bahá’í group at Maui, Hawaii, concerning the passage on page 88 of the book ‘Bahá’í Administration,’ the Guardian wishes me to inform you that the festivals of the Declaration of the Báb and the birthday of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá referred to in that passage as having been celebrated on the twenty-second of November, 1925, by the Bahá’ís of the Orient, are based on the lunar calendar. For this reason the date of the celebration is not fixed, but shifts every year. Eventually, as the Master has explicitly stated, a uniform system will have to be established by the International House of Justice.

Concerning the West Englewood Memorial, Shoghi Effendi’s idea has always been that this memorial should be in the form of a monument and not of a building.

He also wishes me to express his approval of your statement in the November issue of the BAHÁ’i NEWS to the effect of creating within the Assemblies and individual believers a more posItIve and active attitude towards the Administration. The need for positive action seems, indeed, to be one of the most urgent needs of the Cause at present.

In closing may I convey to you and to the American community of the believers as well the Guardian’s abiding appreciation and gratitude for the striking manner in which the American friends, under the leadership of your Assembly, have each and all arisen to meet the emergency which the lack of sufficient funds had created in connection with the work of the Temple. This constitutes, indeed, an added victory in the series of triumphs which the American believers have, ever since the ascension of the Master, been winning in the field of service to the Faith. Their collective, united and sustained labors in this connection are surely bound to hasten the realization of the Master’s promises concerning the ultimate triumph of the Cause throughout the American continent. ~ray this sublime vision disclosed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá intensify their zeal and stimulate their ardor in bringing their sacred and mighty task to a speedy consummation.

The Guardian wishes me also to extend his heart-felt condolences and loving sympathy to you and to all the bereaved members of the community of the American friends for the new loss they have sustained in the passing away of their indefatigable and pioneer fellow-believer Dr. Susan Moody. The work she had so successfully initiated in Persia, particularly in connection with the founding and development of the Tarbíyát School in Ṭihrán is an abiding monument to her memory, and constitutes a fresh and indissoluble link which will unite forever the believers in East and West in their triumphs as well as sufferings in the path of service to our beloved Faith.

Dearly beloved co-workers:

It would be impossible for me to refrain from adding these words in person as a token of my increasing admiration for the recent, the marvelous accomplishments of the American believers. Despite the perils and uncertainties with which their country is now beset, and in the face of the financial reverses they have suffered and the unfortunate controversies that have perplexed and agitated them, they have forged ahead and are fast approaching the termination of the first stage in the ornamentation of their consecrate Edifice. Undaunted by the magnitude of this colossal enterprise, undismayed by the smallness of their numbers, the scantiness of their resources and the scorn of their enemies, they have carried triumphantly the banner of Bahá’u’lláh and brought to a successful issue the first stage in the formative period of His Faith. At this stage of their development they can neither halt nor hesitate. Whatever the future may have in store for them, they will, I feel more than ever confident, allow nothing whatsoever to dim their vision or to deflect them from their high purpose.

SHOGHI.

=========

to USNSA

– 716 –

1934-12-xx To USNSA re Tarbíyat School Closing

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, p309

INFORMATION JUST RECEIVED INDICATES DELIBERATE EFFORTS UNDERMINE ALL BAHÁ’Í INSTITUTIONS IN PERSIA. SCHOOLS IN KASHAN, QAZVÍN, SULTANABAD CLOSED. IN SEVERAL LEADING CENTRES INCLUDING QAZVÍN KIRMÁNSHÁH ORDERS ISSUED SUSPEND TEACHING ACTIVITIES, PROHIBIT GATHERINGS, CLOSE BAHÁ’Í HALL, DENY RIGHT BURIAL IN BAHÁ’Í CEMETERIES. BAHÁ’ÍS OF TEHERAN COMPELLED UNDER PENALTY IMPRISONMENT REGISTER THEMSELVES MOSLEMS IN IDENTITY PAPERS. ELATED CLERGY INCITING POPULATION. NATIONAL TEHERAN ASSEMBLY’S PETITIONS TO SHÁH UNDELIVERED REJECTED. IMPRESS PERSIAN MINISTER GRAVITY INTOLERABLE SITUATION

– 717 –

1935-01-04 Association with Orientals

USBN #94 August 1935 p5

“In this connection, the Guardian wishes to draw once more your attention to the all-importance of his instructions to the Western believers regarding association with Orientals. The friends in the West must be wide awake, and be extremely cautious when dealing with Easterners, particularly with those who in the name of the Cause desire to satisfy their own desires and ambitions. The first step which they should take in protecting themselves against such mischief-makers is to insist that they should obtain proper credentials from the Assembly of the locality in which they live. This measure, he feels, is absolutely essential and there can be no exception whatever to it.” (Haifa, January 4, 1935 to NYC LSA).

=========

reply to a letter reporting that the Assembly had refused to recognize a Persian who presented himself without proper credentials.

– 718 –

1935-01-19 To Blomfield re “Drama of the Kingdom”

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p314-15

I am urging the American National Assembly to order as many copies as they possibly can of “The Drama of the Kingdom.” I am praying from the depths of my heart for your success, your happiness, and the removal of every obstacle that stands in your path. Your past services are engraved upon my heart, and I supplicate the Beloved Master to assist you in your endeavours for the extension and consolidation of your historic work in the service of His Cause.

… . .

The word “son” used in this connection is a kind of collective noun meaning mankind and has, therefore, no connotation of any sex discrimination between man and woman whatever.

=========

The 2nd paragraph is a ref to “Son” in such phrases as “Son of Existence” and “Son of Spirit”.

– 719 –

1935-01-19 To Lady Blomfield re Capital Punishment

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol I #2 September 1982 pp60-1

Dear Lady Blomfield,

Shoghi Effendi has read your letter … . with reference to your question concerning capital punishment, Bahá’u’lláh in the “Kitáb-i-Aqdas” revealed the following (A rough rendering of the passage in question is being given) “If a man purposely kills a man, kill him. Hold to the laws of God with all your strength and forsake the laws of fools. But if you concemn such a man to perpetual imprisonment, this is permitted you according to the Book. Verily God gives judgment in whatever He desires.” Thus, according to the explicit tex of the Aqdas, capital punishment is permitted, but also an alternative has been definitely provided whereby the rigours of such a condemnation can be seriously mitigated. Bahá’u’lláh has given us choice, and has therefore left us free to use our own discretion with certain limitations imposed by his law.

– 720 –

1935-01-22 To USNSA Requesting Purchases of “Drama of the Kingdom”

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p314

‘This, he feels, would be of great encouragement to Lady Blomfield … who, in view of her manifold services to the Cause in England, as evidenced by the important contacts she has lately made with many distinguished people in London and elsewhere, should be accounted as one of the leading and most prominent servants of the Cause, and as such worthy of every praise and assistance.

– 721 –

1935-01-23 To May Maxwell re Proposed Teaching Trip to Belgium & Europe

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p211

With reference to your plan for teaching the Cause in Belgium, the Guardian has already informed you through cablegram that your wish in this matter meets with his complete & whole-hearted approval. There are, indeed, great possibilities for teaching the Message in this country. But so far we have had no one to spread the Cause there. So, the Guardian is fervently praying that your plans in this respect may fully materialize, and in this way give you a chance to enrich your national services by means of an added & glorious triumph in the teaching field.

Your suggestion to teach the Cause in Belgium meets with my whole-hearted approval, & I trust that you will succeed in your efforts in this new & international sphere of Bahá’í activity. The cable I have sent you will I hope stimulate you to undertake this work which I hope & pray will enhance & further ennoble your past & historic services. Wishing you, Mary & Mr. Maxwell happiness & success.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 722 –

1935-01-27 Attending LSA Meetings

USBN #94 August 1935 p8

In comment on the ruling that members of local Spiritual Assemblies must be able to attend meetings:

“He believes that your Assembly was well advised in adopting such a ruling. For it is only too obvious that unless a member can attend regularly the meetings of his local Assembly, it would be impossible for him to discharge the duties incumbent upon him, and to fulfill his responsibilities as a representative of the community. Membership in a local Spiritual Assembly carries with it, indeed, the obligation and capacity to remain in close touch with local Bahá’í activities, and ability to attend regularly the sessions of the Assembly.” (Haifa, January, 27, 1935).

Shoghi Effendi’s view of the ruling concerning the residential qualifications of members of local Assemblies adopted by the N. S. A. and published in BAHA’I NEWS of January.

– 723 –

1935-01-27 Dramas; Inter-racial Marriage

USBN #90 — March 1935 — page 1

“With reference to your question whether the figures of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh should be made to appear as characters in dramatic works written by the believers, Shoghi Effendi’s opinion is that such an· attempt to dramatize the Manifestations would be highly disrespectful, and hence should be avoided by the friends, even in the case of the Master. Besides it would be practically impossible to carry out such a plan faithfully, and in a dignified and befitting manner.

“In regard to your question concerning the nature and character of Bahá’í marriage. As you have rightly stated, such a marriage is conditioned upon the full approval of all four parents. Also your statement to the effect that the principle of the oneness of mankind prevents any true Bahá’í from regarding race itself as a bar to union is in complete accord with the Teachings of the Faith on this point. For both Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá never disapproved of the idea of inter-racial marriage, nor discouraged it. The Bahá’í Teachings, indeed, by their very nature transcend all limitations imposed by race, and as such can and should never be identified with any particular school of racial philosophy.”

– 724 –

1935-03-17 To Martha re Ileanas Response to Shoghi Effendis Gift of Dawnbreakers & Íqán

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp238

The Guardian has just received a message dated March 9th from Archduchess Ileana, and has directed me to communicate it to you for your information, knowing you would be greatly pleased and encouraged by its perusal.

The text of the letter runs as follows: ‘Dear Shoghi Effendi — Thank you so much for your wonderful present; both the beautiful binding and the interesting and elevating contents gave me the greatest pleasure. It was so awfully kind of you to think of giving me such pleasure. Once more please accept my most heartfelt thanks, Archduchess Ileana

– 725 –

1935-03-25 Dumit Contract

USBN #94 August 1935 p13

“The signature of the contract with the Dumits terminates a protracted and highly annoying and often irritating struggle with the forces of fanaticism, ignorance and prejudice. The settlement of this dispute, which has involved the Bahá’í National Assemblies who have petitioned to the High Commissioner for Palestine, constitutes a notable victory, and adds considerably to the material assets of the Faith, at its world center. The area situated between the Shrine and the German colony is now completely and permanently safeguarded.”

[to U.S. National Treasurer]

– 726 –

1935-03-28 To USNSA Request Contrib for Purchase of Dumit Property

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p270

CONTRACT FOR PURCHASE AND TRANSFER TO PALESTINE BRANCH AMERICAN ASSEMBLY DUMITS PROPERTY SITUATED CENTRE AREA DEDICATED TO SHRINES ON MOUNT CARMEL SIGNED. FOUR YEAR LITIGATION INVOLVING BAHÁ’Í WORLD’S PETITIONS PALESTINE HIGH COMMISSIONER ABANDONED. OWNERS REQUIRE FOUR THOUSAND POUNDS. HALF SUM AVAILABLE. WILL AMERICAN BELIEVERS UNITEDLY CONTRIBUTE ONE THOUSAND POUNDS BEFORE END OF MAY AND REMAINING ONE THOUSAND WITHIN NINE MONTHS. AM COMPELLED APPEAL ENTIRE BODY AMERICAN COMMUNITY SUBORDINATE NATIONAL INTERESTS OF FAITH TO ITS URGENT PARAMOUNT REQUIREMENTS AT ITS WORLD CENTRE

=========

On 30 Mar 1935 the USNSA cabled their decision to fulfil the privilege given it.

– 727 –

1935-03-30 Contract for Dumit Property

USBN #94 August 1935 p8

“Contract for purchase and transfer to Palestine Branch American Assembly (of the) Dumit property situated (at the) center (of) area dedicated to Shrines 011 Mt. Carmel (has been) signed. Four year litigation involving Bahá’í world’s petitions (to) Palestine High Commissioner abandoned. Owners require 4,000 pounds. Half (this) sum (is) available. Will American believers unitedly contribute 1,000 pounds before end of May and remaining 1,000 pounds within nine months. Am compelled appeal entire body American community subordinate national interests of Faith to its urgent paramount requirements at its World Center.”

– 728 –

1935-03-31 re I Mary Magdalen

Toward the end of March, the Robert Speller Company, New York, will publish a novel written and illustrated by Juliet Thompson entitled “I, Mary Magdalen.”

Permission has been given by Shoghi Effendi to report in Bahá’í News his reference to this book, written in letters addressed to Miss Thompson.

“In this connection may I express the Guardian’s deep sense of gratification at the news of your projected work about Mary of Magdala. He hopes and prays that through this publication many people of capacity and of true spiritual insight will be attracted to the Message.”

— March 31,

– 729 –

1935-03-xx Immediate Objective to Establish Group of Well-confirmed Believers

“To Move the World”, Morrison, p242

“Your immediate objective, as you rightly state, should be to establish a small group of well-confirmed, devoted and active believers who will be able to carry on the work after your departure. The method of intensive teaching seems to be very effective and promising at present. The masses as a whole do not show much interest in religion. But there are always to be found some competent, sincere and eager souls to whom the Message has a profound appeal. It is for the Bahá’í teacher to look for them, and to try to deepen and sustain their interest and thus enable them eventually to embrace the Cause.”

[quoted in Bahá’í Teaching Committee, Charlotte Linfoot Secy to Louis Gregory, 26 Mar 1935]

– 730 –

1935-04-27 Msg to Convention

USBN #92 June 1935 p2

“Advise delegates visitors hold special devotional gathering Temple auditorium supplicate assistance invisible Host Abhá Kingdom emancipation long suffering brethren in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land. May America’s incessant striving redoubled exertion compensate enforced inactivity so large a section organized body His followers.”

– 731 –

1935-04-28 Day of the Covenant

USBN #93 July 1935 p1

“The Guardian suggests that the Committee in charge of the publication of The Bahá’í World should change the designation of the Bahá’í Anniversary celebration on the 26th of November, known as ‘Fete Day of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ to ‘The Day of the Covenant,’ as the latter is a much more appropriate title.”

(Haifa, April 28,4. )

– 732 –

1935-04-29 Msg to Convention

USBN #92 June 1935 p3

Heartily reciprocate sentiments conveyed (in) your message. Appeal assembled delegates and incoming National Assembly earnestly deliberate measures required (to) stimulate all local communities (and) groups (to) lend immediate, unprecedented impetus (to) teaching activities throughout United States (and) Canada. Sustained concentration (on) this paramount issue can alone reveal potentialities (of) beloved Temple and enable superb self-sacrifice associated with it (to) yield its fairest fruit.

– 733 –

1935-04-xx Devotions in Support of Persian Bahá’ís

USBN #94 August 1935 p5

Advise delegates (and) visitors hold special devotional gathering (in) Temple Auditorium (to) supplicate assistance (of the) invisible Host (of the) Abhá Kingdom (for the) emancipation (of) long-suffering brethren in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land. May America’s incessant strivings (and) redoubled exertion compensate (for) enforced inactivity (of) so large a section (of the) organized body (of) His followers.

SHOGHI.

– 734 –

1935-05-22 To Philip Sprague

Bahá’í News, No. 102, August 1936, p3

“With regard to your wish for reorganizing your business along Bahá’í lines, Shoghi Effendi deeply appreciates the spirit that has permitted you to make such a suggestion. But he feels nevertheless that the time has not yet come for any believer to bring about such a fundamental change in the economic structure of our society, however restricted may be the field for such an experiment. The economic teachings of the Cause, though well known in their main outline, have not as yet been sufficiently elaborated and systematized to allow anyone to make an exact and thorough application of them even on a restricted scale.”

– 735 –

1935-05-26 Title of Mt Carmel Land Transferred to USNSA

USBN #93 July 1935 p3

Dearly beloved co-worker:

I am deeply appreciative of the spirit animating you, your dear mother, and the American believers in making these contributions for the safeguarding and promotion of the interest of the Faith at its world centre. It will, I am sure, be of interest to you and to your co-workers to learn that so far no less than fifty thousand (50,000) square pics of land within the area dedicated to the shrines on Mt. Carmel has been transferred to the Palestine Branch of your Assembly. The Indian National Assembly has also established its Palestine Branch this year and other Assemblies are following their example. The prestige of the Faith, as a result of these accomplishments, has been considerably enhanced.

Your true brother,

SHOGHI

(From letter to the National Treasurer, dated May 26,10. )

– 736 –

1935-05-31 Study and Application of the Administration

USBN #105 February 1937, p1

To Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf, May 31, 1935:

“Without the study and application of the Administration the teaching of the Cause becomes not only meaningless, but loses in effectiveness and scope.”

– 737 –

1935-06-15 Membership in non-Bahá’í Religious Associations

USBN #93 July 1935 p1-2

“Concerning membership in non-Bahá’í religious associations. The Guardian wishes to re-emphasize the general principle already laid down in his communications to your Assembly and also to the individual believers that no Bahá’í who wishes to be a wholehearted and sincere upholder of the distinguishing principles of the Cause can accept full membership in any non-Bahá’í ecclesiastical organization. For such an act would necessarily imply only a partial acceptance of the Teachings and laws of the Faith, and an incomplete recognition of its independent status, and would thus be tantamount to an act of disloyalty to the verities it enshrines. For it is only too obvious that in most of its fundamental assumptions the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh is completely at variance with outworn creeds, ceremonies and institutions. To be a Bahá’í and at the same time accept membership in another religious body is simply an act of contradiction that no sincere and logically-minded person can possibly accept. To follow Bahá’u’lláh does not mean accepting some of His teachings and rejecting the rest. Allegiance to His Cause must be uncompromising and whole-hearted. During the days of the Master the Cause was still in a stage that made such an open and sharp dissociation between it and other religious organizations, and particularly the Muslim Faith, not only inadvisable but practically impossible to establish. But since His passing events throughout the Bahá’í world, and particularly in Egypt where the Muslim religious courts have formally testified to the independent character of the Faith, have developed to a point that have made such an assertion of the independence of the Cause not only highly desirable but absolutely essential.”

There is one more point to which the Guardian wishes to draw again your Assembly’s attention. It is the question of teaching, and its paramount importance in these days of rapid administrative development of the Cause in America. He has already, through Miss Edna True, conveyed this same message to your Assembly, and is gratified to witness the wide and deep response it has awakened among the friends. He hopes and prays that whatever means the N. S. A. in collaboration with the National Teaching Committee may adopt for the furtherance of this most vital objective may meet with complete success.

– 738 –

1935-06-21 To Keith-Roche Requesting Help with Unidentified Court Case

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p281

Any assistance you can find it possible to extend in this respect would, I am sure, be deeply appreciated by me no less than by the various Bahá’í Assemblies whose interests I represent.

– 739–

1935-06-25 Esslingen Summer School & Bahá́í Home

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

The Guardian has read with care and interest your views regarding conditions at the Esslingen Summer School. Miss…has already given him quite a realistic description of the Bahá’í Home. He is surely of the opinion that if the Summer School at Esslingen is to develop into an important and somewhat international Bahá’í centre in Europe it must be kept from reflecting too strongly some of the influences and tendencies that characterize the Germany of today. The atmosphere at the Bahá’í Home must be primarily Bahá’í, though it must retain some of its German character. The Cause does not wish to suppress national characteristics. It abhors too much uniformity, and stands for the principle of unity in diversity, which principle we believe can alone provide a solution for the unification of mankind.

Now with regard to the Bahá’í Home and to the alterations it calls for. The Guardian thinks that any suggestion in this connection should preferably be made by one of the German members of the National Spiritual Assembly so as to avoid giving the impression that there is any national or racial prejudice behind it. The situation, as you rightly suggest, may become serious if not carefully studied and remedied at once. But there is every hope of reaching a solution in this matter.

(25 June 1935)

– 740 –

1935-07-05 Gifts to Your National Archives

Guidance Regarding Bahá’í Archives

Compiled by Bahá’í International Archives

He trusts that his gift, offered to your National Archives through the kind care of Miss ___ will serve to remind the … believers of the importance and sacred character of that institution, and to encourage them to help in contributing their full share towards its further development and expansion. The institution of the National Bahá’í Archives, which all the National Assemblies have already established, is, indeed, highly important, the significance of which will be increasingly realized as years go by. It is now that so many precious sacred relics are still in the possession of individual believers, that steps must be taken in order to ensure their safe preservation in the National Archives. The friends must be encouraged to co-operate with their National Spiritual Assembly for the attainment of this objective.

From a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi dated 5 July 1935 to an individual

– 741 –

1935-07-29 Teachers VS Administrators

USBN #95 October 1935 p2

Regarding the statement made by the Guardian in his letter to Mr. Willard Hatch concerning the fact that believers can serve both as teachers and administrators. Shoghi Effendi would approve your Assembly making this fact known to all the friends. For although it is essential for the believers to maintain always a clear distinction between teaching and administrative duties and functions, yet they should be careful not to be led to think that these two types of Bahá’í activities are mutually exclusive in their nature, and as such cannot be exercised by one and the same person. As a matter of fact. the friends should be encouraged to serve in both the teaching and the administrative fields of Bahá’í service. But as there are always some who are more specially gifted along one of these two lines of activity it would seem more desirable that they should concentrate their efforts in acquiring the full training for that type of work for which they are best suited by nature. Such a specialization has the advantage of saving time, and of leading to greater efficiency, particularly at this early stage of our development. The great danger, however, lies in that by so doing the friends may tend to develop a sort of class consciousness which is fundamentally contrary to both the spirit and actual teaching’s of the Faith. It is precisely in order to overcome such a danger that the Guardian thinks it advisable that the friends should be encouraged to serve from time to time in both the teaching and the administrative spheres of Bahá’í work, but only whenever they feel fit to do so.”

– 742 –

1935-07-31 re I Mary Magdalen

Toward the end of March, the Robert Speller Company, New York, will publish a novel written and illustrated by Juliet Thompson entitled “I, Mary Magdalen.”

Permission has been given by Shoghi Effendi to report in Bahá’í News his reference to this book, written in letters addressed to Miss Thompson.

“Now with regard to your book … Shoghi Effendi is pleased indeed to learn of the possibilities of having this work published very soon. Its importance, as he has already assured you, as an indirect medium for the spread of the Teachings is very great and will surely be appreciated by the believers. It is hoped that with their whole-hearted support and cooperation this little volume will reach many circles and will serve to draw the attention of many distinguished and spiritually-minded people towards the beauty, power and effectiveness of the Message.”

July 31,

– 743 –

1935-08-03 Rest Assured and Persevere

Bahá’í Youth: A Compilation

Prepared By: National Spiritual Assembly Of The Bahá’ís Of The United States (1973)

“Rest assured, and persevere, however great the obstacles which you may have to face in the future or the disappointments which you must necessarily experience. Your work will assuredly triumph.”

Shoghi Effendi

(Postscript to letter dated August 3, 1935, to the Youth Council of 1935, the Central States Summer School, Louhelen Ranch)

– 744 –

1935-08-03 Adoption of Esperanto by Entire World is by No Means Inevitable

The Principle Of An International Auxiliary Language

Compiled by the Research Dept at the direction of the House of Justice, 1 Nov 79(?)

As to your suggestion regarding a more widespread use of Esperanto among the Bahá’ís as a medium of correspondence, Shoghi Effendi, as you know, has been invariably encouraging the believers, both in the East and in the West, to make an intensive study of that language, and to consider it as an important medium for the spread of the Cause in international circles. He has been specially urging the friends to have the Cause well represented in all Esperanto Congresses and associations, and by this means cultivate greater friendship and co-operation between them and the Esperantists.

But in this connection, he feels, he must make it clear that although the Cause views with much sympathy and appreciation the activities which the Esperantists are increasingly initiating for the spread of their language, yet it considers that the adoption of Esperanto by the entire world is by no means an inevitable fact. Neither Bahá’u’lláh, nor even ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ever stated that Esperanto will be the international auxiliary language. The Master simply expressed the hope that it may, provided certain conditions were fulfilled, develop into such a medium.

(3 August 1935 to an individual believer)

– 745 –

1935-08-03 More Widespread Use of Esperanto

The Principle Of An International Auxiliary Language

Compiled by the Research Dept at the direction of the House of Justice, 1 Nov 79(?)

(3 August 1935 to an individual believer)

– 746 –

1935-08-03 Response to Completion of Clerestory Section

USBN #94 August 1935 p1

“Gratefully rejoice closing glorious chapter marking termination first stage Formative Period of our Faith. Appeal entire community concentrate henceforth its attention (,and) resources (upon) activities (in the) teaching field, ensuring thereby (the) means essential for completion remaining units. Praying continually success.” —

(signed) SHOGHI.

– 747 –

1935-08-11 Application of Laws of the Aqdas

USBN #95 October 1935 p2

Already in Egypt, Persia, India and ‘Iráq, Assemblies, both local and national, are availing themselves of the opportunity which the autonomy granted to Eastern religious communities in matters of personal status has offered them, to press for the recognition by the civil authorities of such Laws of the Aqdas which they conscientiously feel they must uphold and enforce. They have even, under certain circumstances, preferred to suspend their activities and dissolve their institutions rather than follow the dictates of those officials who have tried to induce them to violate what has been expressly ordained by the Author of their Faith.

The Guardian will, when the Aqdas is published, elaborate this fundamental principle of our Faith. This brief reference. he feels. is adequate for any reference you wish to make regarding this matter in the News Letter.”

August 11,

– 748 –

1935-08-11 Laws of Aqdas

Bahá’í Procedure p2

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada. Dated from LoG #1145)

In view of the importance of such a statement he feels it his duty to explain that the Laws revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Aqdas are, whenever practicable and not in direct conflict with the Civil Laws of the land, absolutely binding On every believer or Bahá’í institution whether in the East or in the West. Certain laws, such as fasting, obligatory prayers, the consent of parents before marriage, avoidance of alcoholic drinks, monogamy, should be regarded by all believers as universally and vitally applicable at the present time. Others have been formulated in anticipation of a state of society destined to emerge from the chaotic conditions that prevail today. When the Aqdas is published this matter will be further explained and elucidated. What has not been formulated in the Aqdas, in addition to matters of detail and of secondary importance arising out of the application of the laws already formulated by Bahá’u’lláh, will have to be enacted by the Universal House of Justice. This body can supplement but never invalidate or modify in the least degree what has already been formulated by Bahá’u’lláh. Nor has the Guardian any right whatsoever to lessen the binding effect much less to abrogate the provisions of so fundamental and sacred a Book. Already in Egypt, Persia, India and ‘Iráq, Assemblies, both local and national, are availing themselves of the opportunity which the autonomy granted to Eastern religious communities in matters of personal status has offered them, to press for the recognition by the civil authorities of such Laws of the Aqdas which they conscientiously feel they must uphold and enforce. They have even, under certain circumstances, preferred to suspend their activities and dissolve their institutions rather than follow the dictates of those officials who have tried to induce them to violate what has been expressly ordained by the Author of their Faith. The Guardian will, when the Aqdas is published, elaborate this fundamental principle of our Faith. This brief reference, he feels, is adequate for any reference you wish to make regarding this matter in the New Letter.

– 749 –

1935-09-01 Meaning of the Name “Hidden Words”

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

With regard to your question concerning the meaning of the name “Hidden Words”: It is, indeed, one of the most suggestive titles of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. These words are called “hidden” due to the fact that men have had neither the knowledge nor a true sense of appreciation of them before they were revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. It is through Him, Who is the sole Mouthpiece of God in this age, that spiritual realities and truths have been once more reinterpreted and revealed afresh to mankind. Bahá’u’lláh’s message is thus the only key to a true understanding of the mysteries that envelop man’s spiritual life.

(From a letter dated 1 September 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 750 –

1935-09-14 To Coswell re Travel Teaching Activities

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p9-10

September 14, 1935 it was written:

“In closing may I assure you of the Guardian’s deep felt appreciation of your teaching activities in Spokane, Boise, and Vancouver, and of his prayers for the unhindered development and continued success of your work for the Cause.”

(Signed) H. Rabbání,

– 751 –

1935-09-15 Encouragement to Daisy Smythe

“The Artist’s Daughter,” Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p230-1

From Shoghi Effendi (via H. Rabbání) to Daisy Smythe. Dated September 15th, 1935.

Beloved Bahá’í Sister,

The Guardian has just received your letter of August 19th, and has been much comforted and gratified to learn that your husband has been successfully operated, and that he is gradually recovering. Will you kindly extend to him his best wishes for his health which, he trusts, will be speedily and completely restored.

I wish also to assure you of the Guardians best wishes and prayers for the removal of your material difficulties and obstacles. He sincerely hopes that, under the guidance of Bahá’u’lláh and through your patient, wise and sustained efforts, your material conditions will improve very soon, and will thus leave you free to devote more of your time and energy to the service of our beloved Cause.

In closing please kindly extend Shoghi Effendi s hearty greetings to Miss Juliet Thompson and also to Mr. Romeyn Benjamin, both of whom he hopes are keeping well and are as ever active in their labors for the promotion of the Faith.

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání

Postscript in Shoghi Effendi’s handwriting

Dear and valued co-worker:

I wish to assure you again of my deep and abiding appreciation of your constant and manifold services to our beloved Cause. You have displayed such a remarkable spirit of faith, of devotion and loyalty to the Cause and its rising institutions, that future generations will ever remember it with pride and gratitude. Few, if any, have consecrated themselves so whole-heartedly and unreservedly to the interests of the Cause. The Beloved is well pleased, nay proud of the high standard you have already attained. I will pray that you may reach still greater heights of devotion and detachment in the days to come.

Affectionately,

Shoghi.

– 752 –

1935-09-25 Apprehensions Concerning the Coming War

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

September 25, 1955, Haifa,

“… .With regard to your apprehensions concerning the coming war, he thinks that although a great conflagration is inevitable and that it has been predicted, in emphatic terms, by both Bahá’u’lláh and the Master, yet there is at present no danger of an imminent upheaval. The friends, therefore, need not feel alarmed. They should rather concentrate heart and soul on their work, and confidently and patiently exert their efforts for the spread of the Teachings.

The Guardian also feels that the precautionary measures suggested in your letter are, at present, unnecessary. The believers should be confident that no matter how devastating the next war may be, the world order of Bahá’u’lláh is destined to emerge out of it unscathed and triumphant. God is surely watching over His Cause, and will no doubt protect and guide His people and enable them to achieve their destiny.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 753 –

1935-09-25 Great Conflagration is Inevitable

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

September 25, 1955, Haifa,

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 754 –

1935-10-02 Closing of Tarbíyát Schools

USBN #97 January 1936 p1

With regard to the closing of the Tarbíyát Schools: the school authorities have, in enforcing the observance of Bahá’í anniversaries, acted on the advice and direction of the Guardian. These Schools, being independent and official Bahá’í institutions, could not very well ignore, much less violate the express provisions and laws of the Aqdas. Had they any connection with government institutions, or had their ownership and control been shared by non-Bahá’ís, the situation would have been different. This distinction between institutions that are under full or partial Bahá’í control is of a fundamental importance. Institutions that are entirely managed by Bahá’ís are, for reasons that are only too obvious, under the obligation of enforcing all the laws and ordinances of the Faith, especially those whose observance constitutes a matter of conscience. There is no reason, no justification whatever, that they should act other-wise, and any restriction which the government may impose upon them in this connection would necessarily constitute a violation of the individual’s right to freedom in matters of religious belief. The situation is different when an institution is run partly by Bahá’ís, or is completely owned by the government. In this case the believers, while anxious to observe all prescribed Bahá’í Feasts and Anniversaries, should also take into consideration the rights and interests of their non-Bahá’í partners and associates, and not to force these to stop working when they are under no moral or religious obligation to do so.

On the first of Riḍván the believers had for a number of years observed officially the festival by closing their schools on that day. No objection had bees raised by the authorities. The action was precipitated when the Assembly decided, as advised by the Guardian, to observe in the same manner the Anniversary of the Báb’s Martyrdom, the observance of which is, in addition to eight other holidays, explicitly enjoined by ‘Abdu’1-Bahá in one of His Tablets’

The point which should be always remembered is that the issue in question is essentially a matter of conscience, and as such is of a binding effect upon all believers. It has so been considered by the friends in Persia, not because of any specific instruction given to them by the Guardian, but solely in view of the fact that the celebration of the Anniversary of the Báb’s martyrdom has been explicitly enjoined by the Master.”

— Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, in letter to the N. S. A. dated Haifa. October 2,

– 755 –

1935-10-02 Books Refing the Faith

USBN #96 December 1935 p1

I wish also to express his thanks and appreciation for other enclosures and especially for the book ‘Modern Mystics’ by Sir Francis Younghusband, a copy of which you have been most kind in sending him. The author’s account of the early days of the Movement is very thrilling, indeed, and quite authoritative, being based on Nabíl’s Narrative. It is hoped that this work will have great influence in spreading the Message in many circles. and in this way will give wide and effective publicity to the Cause.”

In this connection the Guardian wishes me to draw your attention to a recently published book on ‘Persia’ written by an English lady by the name of Merrit-Hawks, in which she makes a few, though very favorable and significant statements regarding the importance and position of the Cause in that country. The author, who has traveled extensively throughout the land, and has associated with many classes of the population, has been much impressed all through the journey by the comparatively high intellectual, moral and spiritual level which the Bahá’ís occupy among their fellow-countrymen.

– 756 –

1935-10-14 To ind re Birth Control

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol I #4 March 1983 pp82

As to the problem of birth control, neither Bahá’u’lláh nor ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has revealed anything direct or explicit regarding this question. But the Bahá’í Teachings, when carefully studied imply that such current conceptions like birth control, if not necessarily wrong and immoral in principle, have nevertheless to be discarded as constituting a real danger to the very foundations of our social life. For Bahá’u’lláh explicitly reveals in His Book of Laws that the very purpose of marriage is the procreation of children who, when grown up, will be able to know God and to recognize and observe His Commandments and Laws as revealed through His Messengers. Marriage is thus, according to the Bahá’í Teachings, primarily a social and moral act. It has a purpose which transcends the immediate personal needs and interests of the parties. Birth control, except in certain exceptional cases, is therefore not permissible.

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter dated 10/14/35 to individual believer,

– 757 –

1935-10-28 To May Maxwell re Work in Germany

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p217-8

Shoghi Effendi feels very much encouraged & gratified to realize that you are developing great interest in the Cause in Germany. Your visit to Esslingen, Stuttgart & various other Bahá’í centres seems to have left a strong impression upon you. Germany, indeed, stands to-day as the largest, most active & promising Bahá’í community in Europe. And the Guardian cherishes the highest hopes for its future, and feels convinced that, as clearly promised by the Master, it will gradually develop into one, if not the most, of the leading Bahá’í countries throughout the world.

In view of that, he would certainly encourage you to study German & to get in touch with the German believers, so that you may get well prepared for teaching the Cause in Germany in the near future. He would even advise you to make that country the main field of your teaching work in Europe. For although general conditions in Germany are, at present, not very favourable to the expansion of the Movement, yet the future of the Cause there seems to be very bright, & rich in all sorts of possibilities. Now, the main task facing the German friends is the consolidation of the Administration. The era of intensive teaching has not yet dawned upon them. But once their communities are fully organized internally, it will then be easy for them to effectively teach the Cause to the outside public.

Dear & valued co-worker:

I have, in my recent cable addressed to your dear & distinguished mother, expressed my delight in learning of the progress you have made in learning German & of the efforts you are exerting to teach the Cause in Germany. I have also expressed my full approval of the inclination you feel to work for our beloved Faith in that land, & I cannot but feel that your collaboration with the German believers will reinforce the foundation of your future international services & will serve to ennoble the work you are destined to achieve in the days to come. I will be soon writing to your mother, & I trust that the cable, assuring her of my prayers for her brother’s family has reached her & relieved her anxieties.

Shoghi

– 758 –

1935-11-03 To May Maxwell re Health & Report fm Germany

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p216

Dear and distinguished co-worker,

I grieve to learn of the state of your heart, & hasten to urge you to take the utmost care of your dear self, to avoid physical exertions, & to rest assured that the unfailing protection of an ever-watchful Master will ever surround you & shield you in your devoted inter-national labours for His Cause. The reports I received from Germany eloquently testify to the splendid impression which you, Mrs. Bolles & Mary have created in that land. This has impelled me to send you my latest cable. I am praying for the fulfilment of your dearest & highest hopes.

Shoghi

– 759 –

1935-11-05 Your Going to Esslingen

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

The Guardian also hopes that your going to Esslingen will have the advantage of taking you out of the spiritual isolation in which you live for the most part of the year. It is your privilege to live near such a country as Germany where the believers surpass all their fellow-brethren throughout Europe not only in number, but in devotion, zeal and loyalty to the Cause.

(5 November 1935)

– 760 –

1935-11-12 On Trans of Seven Valleys into German

quoted in Hermann Grossman: Hand of the Cause of God, p43

Dear Dr. Grossmann,

… He wishes me to congratulate you most heartily for this great service you have been able to render the Cause, and which no doubt will serve to enrich the record of the manifold contributions you have, during the last few years, so brilliantly made towards the spread of the Faith throughout Germany. He is praying to Bahá’u’lláh that He may continue to guide and inspire you, and assist you in accomplishing still more outstanding works for the Cause in your country.

The Guardian added in his own hand,

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am so eager to learn that your health is fully restored, for I believe your services are a most valuable asset to the Faith you serve in these troublous days. I welcome your efficient and un-relaxing co-operation, in spite of the obstacles which face you, in so many fields of Bahá’í activity. I am confident that as a result of your strenuous endeavours the administrative institutions in your land will be further consolidated and extended and the cause of teaching receive an added impulse.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

[12 Nov 1935 on learning Mr. Grossman had translated “Seven Valleys” into German]

– 761 –

1935-11-14 To Leroy loas

To Leroy loas, November 14, 1935,

Bahá’í News, No. 102, August 1936, pp. 2-3

In connection with the problems facing the friends in their teaching work; these, the Guardian is well aware, are by no means easy to overcome, specially in view of the limited number and resources of the believers. But in the field of Bahá’í service, as the history of the Cause abundantly demonstrates, there is no obstacle that can be said to be unsurmountable. Every difficulty will, in due time, be solved. But continued and collective effort is also needed. The Bahá’í teacher should not get discouraged at the consciousness of the limitations within or without him. He should rather persevere, and be confident, that no matter how numerous and perplexing the difficulties that confront him may appear, he is continually assisted and guided through Divine Confirmations. He should consider himself as a mere instrument in the Hands of God, and should, therefore, cease looking at his own merits. The first and most important qualification of a Bahá’í Teacher is, indeed, unqualified loyalty and attachment to the Cause. Knowledge is, of course essential; but compared to devotion it is secondary in importance.

“What the Cause now requires is not so much a group of highly cultured and intellectual people who can adequately present its Teachings, but a number of devoted, sincere and loyal supporters, who, in utter disregard of their own weaknesses and limitations, and with hearts afire with the love of God, forsake their all for the sake of spreading and establishing His Faith. In other words, what is mostly needed nowadays is a Bahá’í pioneer and not so much a Bahá’í philosopher or scholar. For the Cause is not a system of philosophy; it is essentially a way of life, a religious faith that seeks to unite all people on a common basis of mutual understanding and love, and in a common devotion to God.

Bahá’í scholars and writers will, no doubt, gradually appear, and will as promised by Bahá’u’lláh lend a unique support to the Faith. But in the meantime, we should not tarry, or slacken in our efforts.

“Concerning your question relative to the duration of the Bahá’í Dispensation. There is no contradiction between Bahá’u’lláh’s statement in the Íqán about the renewal of the City of God once every 1000 years, and that of the Guardian in the ‘Dispensation’ to the effect that the Bahá’í cycle will extend over a period of at least 500,000 years. The apparent contradiction is due to the confusion of the terms cycle and dispensation. For while the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh will last for at least one thousand years, His cycle will extend still further to at least 500,000.”

The Bahá’í cycle is, indeed, incomparable in its greatness. It includes not only the Prophets that will appear after Bahá’u’lláh, but all those who have preceded Him ever since Adam. These should, indeed, be viewed as constituting but preliminary stages leading gradually to the appearance of this supreme Manifestation of God.

After Bahá’u’lláh many Prophets will, no doubt, appear but they will be under His Shadow. Although they may abrogate the laws of this Dispensation in accordance with the needs and requirements of the age in which they appear, they nevertheless draw their spiritual force from this mighty Revelation. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh constitutes, indeed, the stage of maturity in the development of mankind. His appearance has released such spiritual forces which will continue to animate, for many long years to come, the world in its development. Whatever progress may be achieved, in later ages, after the unification of the whole human race is achieved, will be but improvement in the machinery of the world. For the machinery itself has been already created by Bahá’u’lláh. The task of continually improving and perfecting this machinery is one which later Prophets will be called upon to achieve. They will thus move and work within the orbit of the Bahá’í Cycle.

– 762 –

1935-11-15 Passage Arabic No. 13 of the Arabic “Hidden Words”

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

As to the passage Arabic No. 13 of the Arabic “Hidden Words”: that which Bahá’u’lláh declares we can find abiding within us is the power of the Divine Spirit, the reflection of the light of His Revelation. This reflection of the Divine Spirit, however, can in no way be compared to the Revelation which God discloses to His Prophets and Messengers. The similarity in the terminology should not confuse this distinction, which is most fundamental.

(From a letter dated 15 November 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believers)

– 763 –

1935-11-15 References to “Párán” and “Zamán”

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

The meaning of the references to “Párán” and “Zamán” in the passage no. 71 of the Persian “Hidden Words” has been explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá́….

(From a letter dated 15 November 1935 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to two believers)

– 764 –

1935-11-15 Various to Moffett

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

November 15, 1935, Haifa.

“… Regarding the holding of a Bahá’í Forum with outside speakers speaking on Bahá’í subjects and a Bahá’í chairman, Shoghi Effendi approves of the idea, but leaves it entirely to the N.S.A. to decide whether the holding of such a meeting is suitable at present or not.

With reference to your question regarding the qualifications of the members of the Spiritual Assembly: There is a distinction of fundamental importance which should be always remembered in this connection, and this is between the spiritual assembly as an institution and the persons who compose it. These are by no means supposed to be perfect, nor can they be considered as being inherently superior to the rest of their fellow-believers. It is precisely because they are subject to the same human limitations that characterize the other members of the community that they have to be selected each year. The existence of elections is a sufficient indication that assembly members, though forming part of an institution that is divine and perfect, are nevertheless themselves imperfect. But this does not necessarily imply that their judgment is imperfect or defective.

For as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has repeatedly emphasized, Bahá’í assemblies are under the guidance and protection of God. The elections, especially when annual, give the community a good opportunity to remedy any defect or imperfection from which the assembly may suffer as the result of the action of its members. Thus a safe method has been established whereby the quality of the membership in Bahá’í assemblies can be continually raised and improved. But, as already stated, the institution of the spiritual assemblies should under no circumstances be identified with or be estimated merely through, the personal qualifications of the members that compose it.

The meaning of the references to “Paran” and “Zamán” in the passage No. 71 of the Persian Hidden Words has been explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and you can find it in the appendix on page 60 of the old edition of Hidden Words, translated by Mdm. J. Stannard and published in Cairo in

As to the passage No. 13 of the Arabic Hidden Words; that which Bahá’u’lláh declares we can find abiding within us is the power of the Divine Spirit, the reflection of the light of His Revelation. This reflection of the Divine Spirit, however, can in no way be compared to the Revelation which God discloses to His Prophets and Messengers. The similarity in the terminology should not confuse this distinction which is most fundamental.

In connection with your teaching work; what the Guardian wishes you to particularly emphasize in all your talks is the supreme necessity for all individuals and nations in this day to adopt in its entirety the social program given by Bahá’u’lláh for the reconstruction of the religious, economic and political life of mankind. Ho wishes you to explain and analyze the elements that help in raising this Divine World Order in the light of the present-day events and conditions in the world. Special stress, he feels, should be laid on the impending necessity of establishing a Super-national and Sovereign World State,as the one described by Bahá’u’lláh, With the world becoming increasingly subject to tumults and convulsions never experienced before, the realisation of such a necessity is entering into the consciousness of not only the wise and learned but of the common people as well. The believers should, therefore, seize this opportunity to mako a supreme effort to present, in convincing and eloquent language, those social and humanitarian teachings of the Faith which we believe to constitute the sole panacea for the innumerable ills afflicting our present-day world.

Concerning the essential qualifications of a Bahá’í teacher; these have been repeatedly stated by the Guardian in both his general and private communications to the friends. Besides many others, there are two most essential qualifications; first is unqualified devotion and loyalty to everything the Cause stands for; next is thorough knowledge and comprehension of the Teachings.

In prayer the believers can turn their consciousness toward the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, provided that in so doing they have a clear and correct understanding of His Station as a Manifestation of God.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 765 –

1935-11-17 To Eve Nicklin on Her Leaving the Methodist Church

Eve Nicklin: She of the Brave Heart, Boris Handal, p37-8

Dear Bahá’í Friend,

The Guardian has deeply enjoyed reading your letter of October sixth and feels greatly appreciative of your immediate whole-hearted response to his instructions regarding non-membership by the believers in religious organizations and groups other than those instituted by the Cause. He particularly values the self-sacrifices you have undergone for the sake of upholding this vital principle the importance of which will be increasingly unveiled to all the friends. He feels certain that Bahá’u’Iláh will fully repay you for all the material losses you have incurred as a result of your dissociation from the Methodist Episcopal Church. For you have, indeed, set a beautiful example of courage, loyalty and devotion which every sincere upholder of the Cause cannot fail to admire. It is hoped that through it those among the believers who are as yet not sufficiently convinced of the necessity of dissociating themselves from their churches will be so deeply distressed as to sever official connection with them, and thus become whole-hearted and unqualified in their allegiance and loyalty to the Cause of Bahá’u’Iláh.

Assuring you again of Shoghi Effendi’s abiding appreciation of your services, and with his prayers and best wishes for you, and all the friends in your center,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání

With the renewed assurance of my loving prayers for your spiritual advancement and for the success of your self-sacrificing efforts in the service of our glorious Cause,

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 766 –

1935-11-24 Carmel Fund

USBN #98 March 1936 p1

“He very much appreciates, indeed, the spirit of self-sacrifice and devotion which the American believers have so remarkably displayed through their contributions to the Mt. Carmel fund. Their splendid efforts during the last few years, and especially in connection with the purchase of the property of the Dumits last year, have now resulted in the safeguarding of an extensive area of land around the Shrines. It is surely a great privilege for the American friends to have had such a preponderating share in securing for the Cause assets that are most valuable, nay, quite indispensable, to the future development and present consolidation of its manifold institutions at its world center.”

(In the Guardian’s hand.) “Will you kindly assure the individual contributors to the sum which you have forwarded of my abiding and lively appreciation of their spontaneous and self-sacrificing assistance and efforts for the protection and promotion of the international interests of the Faith at its world center. I am fully aware of the self-abnegation which such contributions must have involved, and of the spirit of unstinted devotion which has invariably prompted them. I will pray that the Beloved may abundantly bless and reward them both in this world and in the next.”

(signed) SHOGHI.

– 767 –

1935-11-xx Decoration of Dome Unit Finished

USBN #96 December 1935 p1

“Dear and valued co-workers:

Now that the decoration of the dome unit of our beloved Temple has been brought to a successful termination, an unprecedented effort, on the part of both individuals and Assemblies, is required in order to promote, nay to revitalize the teaching work in all its aspects and throughout the length and breadth of the American continent. A special responsibility is thus laid on the elected representatives of the American believers, whose immediate task is to devise such means as will enable every local community and group to play its part and further by every means in its power the campaign of teaching which is to signalize the opening of a new chapter in the history of the Faith in that land.”

(signed) Shoghi.

– 768 –

1935-11-xx Publishing ltrs from the Guardian

USBN #96 December 1935 p1

“With reference to the N. S. A.’s suggestion regarding the publication in BAha’i News of passages from the Guardian’s letters to individual believers, he wishes me to express his approval of the plan conceived by your Assembly in this matter.”

(Note: This plan is that when the National Spiritual Assembly receives a copy of a letter from the Guardian to an individual believer containing statements of general bearing and importance, the Assembly will refer these statements back to the Guardian, and when approved by him will publish them in Bahá’í News. This plan was brought to the Guardian’s attention in the light of his instruction, published a year or two ago, that his letters to individuals were not to be extensively published).

– 769 –

1935-12-08 To Edris Rice-Wray Carson

Bahá’í News, No. 102, August 1936, p3

“The problem with which you are faced is one which concerns and seriously puzzles many of our present-day youth. How to attain spirituality is indeed a question to which every young man and woman must sooner or later try to find a satisfactory answer. It is precisely because no such satisfactory answer has been given or found, that the modern youth finds itself bewildered, and is being consequently carried away by the materialistic forces that are so powerfully undermining the foundations of man’s moral and spiritual life.

“Indeed the chief reason for the evils now rampant in society is the lack of spirituality. The materialistic civilization of our age has so much absorbed the energy and interest of mankind that people in general do no longer feel the necessity of raising themselves above the forces and conditions of their daily material existence. There is not sufficient demand for things that we call spiritual to differentiate them from the needs and requirements of our physical existence.

“The universal crisis affecting mankind is, therefore, essentially spiritual in its causes. The spirit of the age, taken on the whole, is irreligious. Man’s outlook on life is too crude and materialistic to enable him to elevate himself into the higher realms of the spirit.

“It is this condition, so sadly morbid, into which society has fallen, that religion seeks to improve and transform. For the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling which unites Man with God. This state of spiritual communion can be brought about and maintained by means of meditation and prayer. And this is the reason why Bahá’u’lláh has so much stressed the importance of worship. It is not sufficient for a believer merely to accept and observe the teachings. He should, in addition, cultivate the sense of spirituality which he can acquire chiefly by means of prayer. The Bahá’í Faith, like all other Divine Religions, is thus fundamentally mystic in character. Its chief goal is the development of the individual and society, through the acquisition of spiritual virtues and powers. It is the soul of man which has first to be fed. And this spiritual nourishment prayer can best provide.

“Laws and institutions, as viewed by Bahá’u’lláh, can become really effective only when our inner spiritual life has been perfected and transformed. Otherwise religion will degenerate into a mere organization, and becomes a dead thing. The believers, particularly the young ones, should therefore fully realize the necessity of praying. For prayer is absolutely indispensable to their inner spiritual development, and this, as already stated, is the very foundation and purpose of the religion of God.”

– 770 –

1935-12-18 On Death of Howard Carpenter

Cited in Youth in the Vanguard, Marion Yazdí, pp198-9, USBNC archives

Not only the American friends, but also all the believers in the East who had the pleasure of knowing the doctor, mourn this heavy loss, and fully share your afflictions and sorrows. For they had found in him not only a valuable co-worker, but also a dear friend from whose association they could derive continued inspiration and encouragement.

What, indeed, contributed most to endear him to the friends were the remarkable qualities of his heart. He was to them a living example of utter selflessness, devotion and love. He was so gentle, so kind, so lovable, that everyone who met him could not but feel deeply attracted to him.

His attachment to the Cause was even more remarkable. His great, nay supreme consideration was to be of some service to the Faith, in whatever capacity, and no matter in which place or country. The friends in Persia can never forget the services he was able to render them during his stay in that land. Next to the late Mrs. Ransom-Kehler he may, indeed, be well considered as the foremost American believer who has, in the last few years, been assisted in rendering invaluable help to the Persian believers in their efforts for the establishment of the Administration in their country… .

In his own handwriting Shoghi Effendi added:

With a heart overflowing with love, tenderness, and sympathy I share your afflicting sorrows and am overwhelmed by the sense of loss and grief which earthly separation from so beloved a son must necessarily produce. To him I am attached by such ties that death can never sever. I had a profound admiration for the noble qualities which distinguished his Bahá’í life. I will pray for him with the utmost fervor. Feel not disconsolate, for the state in which he is now is such as none can describe.

[to A. Elizabeth Carpenter]

– 771 –

1935-12-26 Various Economic Questions

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

December 26, 1935, Haifa

… Questions Nos. 1, 3 and 5 contain a number of points to which there is no reference in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh or the Master. There are practically no technical teachings on economics in the Cause, such as banking, the price system, and others. The Cause is not an economic system, nor should its founders be considered as having been technical economists. The contribution of the Faith to this subject is essentially indirect, as it consists in the application of spiritual principles to our present-day economic system. Bahá’u’lláh has given us a few basic principles which should guide future Bahá’í economists in establishing such institutions which will adjust the economic relationships of the world,

Question2. The Master has definitely stated that wages should be unequal, simply “because that men are unequal in their ability and hence should receive wages that would correspond to their varying capacities and resources. This view seems to contradict the opinion of some modern economists. But the friends should have full confidence in the words of the Master, and should give preference to His statements over those voiced by our so-called modern thinkers.

Question2. “Profit sharing” should be used, rather than “income sharing”, as the former is the term actually in the Bahá’í Writings.

Question2. Whatever the progress of the machinery may be, man will always have to toil in order to earn his living. Effort is an inseparable part of man’s life. It may take different forms with the changing conditions of the world, but it will always be present as a necessary element in our earthly existence. Life is, after all, a struggle Progress is attained through struggle, and without such a struggle, life ceases to have a meaning; it becomes even extinct. The progress of machinery has not made effort unnecessary. It has given it a new form, a new outlet.

Question2. By the statement, “The economic solution is divine in nature” is meant that religion alone can, in the last resort, bring in man’s nature such a fundamental change as to enable him to adjust the economic forces that threaten to disrupt the foundations of his existence, and thus assert his mastery over the forms of nature

Question2. As already referred to in answer to Question 2, social inequality is the inevitable outcome of the natural inequality of man. Human beings are different in ability and should, therefore, be different in their social and economic standing. Extremes of wealth and poverty should, however, be totally abolished.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 772 –

1935-12-31 Concerning Contributions to Temple fund

USBN #249 November 1951 p3

With regard to your question concerning contributions to the Temple fund: the friends should certainly be encouraged and even urged to support financially this, as well as other national institutions of the Cause. But they should, under no circumstances, be required to do so. As to the idea of “giving what one can afford”: this does by no means put a limit or even exclude the possibility of self-sacrifice. There can be no limit to one’s contributions to the national fund. The more one can give the better it is, especially when such offerings necessitate the sacrifice of other wants and desires on the part of the donor. The harder the sacrifice the more meritorious will it be, of course, in the sight of God. For after all it is not so much the quantity of one’s offerings that matters, but rather the measure of deprivation that such offerings entail. It is the spirit, not the mere fact of contributing, that we should always take into account when we stress the necessity for a universal and whole-hearted support of the various funds of the Cause.

on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 31 December 1935 to Mrs. Ethel Furbush

– 773 –

1935-xx-xx o Keith-Roach District Commissioner re Best Wishes and Invite to Tea

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p278

Many thanks for your letter… I am so glad to hear your health is improving, and I trust you will on your return be able to have tea with me in the newly-extended gardens surrounding the Resting-Place.

– 774 –

1936-01-04 Difficulties that Stand in the Way of Cooperation

Bahá’í Youth: A Compilation

Prepared By: National Spiritual Assembly Of The Bahá’ís Of The United States (1973)

“… the Guardian fully realizes the difficulties that stand in the way of cooperation between the young and old believers. This is a problem that confronts the Cause almost everywhere, specially in those communities where the number of young and old Bahá’ís is nearly the same. The solution, as in all such cases, is to be found through intelligent and mutual compromise. The old believers have to give up something of their old conceptions and ways of working in order to better adapt themselves to the changing social conditions and circumstances. The young too must learn to act with wisdom, tact and moderation, and to take advantage and benefit from the age-long experiences of their older fellow-believers. The old and the young have each something specific to contribute to the progress and welfare of the Bahá’í community. The energy of youth should be tempered and guided by the wisdom of old age.”

(From letter dated January 4, 1936, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 775 –

1936-01-10 Statement on War

USBN #98 March 1936 p4

“The Guardian has carefully read the N. S. A.’s statement on the Bahá’í attitude toward war, and approves of its circulation among the believers.” —

– 776 –

1936-01-10 Instructions that Accompany Prayers

Notes On Obligatory Prayers And Ablutions compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice in a letter to an individual fm the House of Justice 15 April 1987

As Appeared In Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol. 4:3-4 2 January 1991

The instructions that accompany these prayers, such as the washing of hands and face, of bowing down and of raising one’s hands, have been definitely ordained by Bahá’u’lláh, and as such should be entirely and confidently carried out by the believers, and particularly by the Bahá’í youth on whose shoulders has been laid the chief responsibility of vindicating the truth, and preserving the integrity of the laws and ordinances of the Faith.

The daily obligatory prayers are three in number. The shortest one consists of a single verse which has to be recited once every twenty-four hours and at mid-day. The medium which begins with the words “The Lord is witness that there is none other God but He” has to be recited three times a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening. This prayer is accompanied by certain physical acts and gestures. The long prayer, which is the most elaborate of the three, has to be recited only once in every twenty-four hours, and at any time one feels inclined to do so.

The believer is entirely free to choose any one of these three prayers, but is under the obligation of reciting either one of them, and in accordance with any specific directions with which they may be accompanied.

(To a National Spiritual Assembly on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, dated 10 January 1936)

– 777 –

1936-01-10 Obligatory Prayers and Fasting

USBN #98 March 1936 p1

As regards fasting, it constitutes, together with the obligatory prayers, the two pillars that sustain the revealed Law of God. They act as stimulants to the soul, strengthen, revive and purify it, and thus insure its steady development.

The ordinance of fasting is, as is the case with these three prayers, a spiritual and vital obligation enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh upon every believer who has attained the age of fifteen. In the Aqdas He thus writes: “We have commanded you to pray and fast from the beginning of maturity; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers. He has exempted from this those who are weak from illness or age, as a bounty from His Presence, and He is the Forgiving, the Generous.” And in another passage He says: “We have enjoined upon you fasting during a brief period, and at its close have designated for you Naw-Rúz as a feast… . The traveler, the ailing, those who are with child or giving suck, are not bound by the fast … . abstain from food and drink, from sunrise to sundown, and beware lest desire deprive you of this grace that is appointed in the Book.”

Also in the “Questions and Answers” that form an appendix to the Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh reveals the following: “Verily, I say that God has appointed a great station for fasting and prayer. But during good health its benefit is evident, and when one is ill, it is not to fulfill them.” Concerning the age of maturity, He reveals in the appendix of that same book: “The age of maturity is in the fifteenth year; women and men are alike in this respect.”

Regarding the vital character and importance of the Divine ordinances and laws, and the necessity of complete obedience to them by the believers, we thus read in the Gleanings, p. 175: “ Know verily that the essence of justice and the source thereof are both embodied in the ordinances prescribed by Him Who is the Manifestation of the Self of God amongst men, if ye be of them that recognize this truth. He doth verily incarnate the highest, the infallible standard of justice unto all creation. Were His law to be such as to strike terror into the hearts of all that are in heaven and on earth, that law is naught but manifest justice. The fears and agitation which the revelation of this law provokes in men’s hearts should indeed be likened to the cries of the suckling babe weaned from his mother’s milk, if ye be of them that perceive….”

The fasting period, which lasts nineteen days, starting as a rule from the second of March every year and ending on the twentieth of the same month, involves complete abstention from food and drink from sunrise till sunset. It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul. Its significance and purposes are, therefore, fundamentally spiritual in character. Fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires.

=========

Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary

dated from

– 778 –

1936-01-10 Obligatory Prayers

USBN #108 June 1937, p1

“The daily obligatory prayers are three in number. The shortest one consists of a single verse which has to be recited once in every twenty-four hours and at midday. The medium (prayer) which begins with the words: ‘The Lord is witness that there is none other God but He,’ has to be recited three times a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening. The long prayer which is the most elaborate of the three has to be recited once in every twenty-four hours, and at any time one feels inclined to do so.

“The believer is entirely free to choose any one of those three prayers but is under the obligation of reciting one of them, and in accordance with any specific directions with which they may be accompanied.

“These daily obligatory prayers, together with a few other specific ones, such as the Healing Prayer, the Tablet of Aḥmad, have been invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance, and should therefore be accepted as such and be recited by the believers with unquestioned faith and confidence, that through them they may enter into a much closer communion with God, and identify themselves more fully with His Laws and precepts.”

[To USNSA]

– 779 –

1936-01-10 re Obligatory Prayers

The daily obligatory prayers are three in number. The shortest one consists of a single verse which has to be recited once in every twenty-four hours and at midday. The medium (prayer) which begins with the words: “The Lord is witness that there is none other God but He”, has to be recited three times a day, in the morning, at noon and in the evening. The long prayer which is the most elaborate of the three has to be recited once in every twenty-four hours, and at any time one feels inclined to do so.

The believer is entirely free to choose any one of those three prayers, but is under the obligation of reciting either one of them, and in accordance with any specific directions with which they may be accompanied.

These daily obligatory prayers, together with a few other specific ones, such as the Healing Prayer, the Tablet of Aḥmad, have been invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance, and should therefore be accepted as such and be recited by the believers with unquestioned faith and confidence, that through them they may enter into a much closer communion with God, and identify themselves more fully with His laws and precepts.

=========

Compiled and dated from Bahá’í Procedure (1937), sheet 1 & 2

– 780 –

1936-01-10 Regarding Funeral Service

USBN #98 March 1936 p8

Regarding the Bahá’í funeral service: it is extremely simple, as it consists only of a congregational prayer to be read before burial. This prayer will be made available to the friends when the Aqdas is translated and published. In the meantime your N. S. A. should take great care lest any uniform procedure or ritual in this matter be adopted or imposed upon the friends. The danger in this, as in some other cases regarding Bahá’í worship, is that a definite system of rigid rituals and practices be developed among the believers. The utmost simplicity and flexibility should be observed, and a selection from the Bahá’í Sacred Writing would serve the purpose at the present time, provided this selection is not rigidly and uniformly adopted on all such occasions.

– 781 –

1936-01-21 To May Maxwell re Teaching in France & Invite on Pilgrimage

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p252

He is so pleased to learn that you are keeping well, and that your trip to Paris has proved to be highly beneficial to your health, & that you have been accorded such a warm welcome by the friends. He sincerely hopes that your stay with them will have imparted to their hearts a fresh incentive to work for the firmer consolidation of the Cause in that centre.

He also trusts that your journey to Lyon will be quite successful, & that the small group of new believers there will receive through your visit a new vision & inspiration. That group is very promising, indeed, but a competent teacher is needed to better ground them in the Cause, & particularly in the Administration.

Dearly-beloved co-worker:

I wish to assure you in person of a most hearty welcome. Your distinguished services, so loyally, courageously & devotedly rendered, in both the European & American continents, fully entitle you to visit the Holy Shrines & to draw fresh inspiration from the Source of His inexhaustible grace. I am profoundly thankful for what you, Mary & Mrs. Bolles have achieved, & for the spirit which animates you in His service. The Beloved is well-pleased with the many evidences of your exemplary devotion to His Cause & of perseverance in the path of service. Affectionately

Shoghi

– 782 –

1936-01-30 Approval of Plans of Rúḥáni Family to Leave Nayríz

Against Incredible Odds, pp76-8

Nayríz, Jináb-i Áqá Mírzá Muḥammad-Shaff Rúḥáni, the pilgrim from Nayríz, upon him be the glory of God, the Most Glorious.

The letter of that spiritual friend dated 5 Shahru’l-Masail 92 was presented to His Highness, the Guardian of the Cause of God, and its contents attained his blessed glance. The sincerity and luminosity of that spiritual friend made him happy and caused him to express his loving kindness and compassion.

Your high praise of the sincerity, steadfastness, firmness and obedience of the Nayrízi friends in carrying out divine teachings and his own instructions, their frankness in fearlessly stating the truth, their valiance, as well as the integrity of those chargers in the field of understanding and certitude, particularly the Bahá’í youth, and most specially the actions of the Local Spiritual Assembly which have been the source of the glory of the Cause of God and exaltation of His Word, all of these have been hailed by the tongue of grandeur.

The Bahá’ís of Nayríz, ever since the rising of the Luminary of the world, have been self-sacrificing and self-effacing in the path of God, and are remembered for their valiance, bravery and high-mindedness. The activities of those ardent lovers are resplendent and brilliant like the morning star.

Praised be God! The spirit of His love still throbs in the veins and arteries of those believers standing firm in the Covenant and the glad-tidings of the Abhá Kingdom and outpourings of the Concourse on high keep them fresh, joyous and blithe.

The purpose is that Shoghi Effendi has not forgotten and will never forget the friends of that land. His loving glance and tender affections have been and will always be directed towards those true and faithful believers. At every moment he beseeches from the Kingdom of Splendours confirmations and success on their behalf. That spiritual friend has likewise been the recipient of his loving-kindness and favour. He was saddened by the news of the passing of your beloved young son, Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn. He expresses his condolences and sympathy to the survivors of the one who has soared to the Friend of the Most High. He will implore in the sacred Shrines pardon, forgiveness and an exalted station for him.

He acknowledges the contributions made towards the purchase of lands surrounding the Shrine of the Báb in your name and in the names of Amatu’lláh Túbá Ḵhánum Rúḥáni and your mother Nuríján Ḵhánum Rúḥáni which have been received in the holy presence and accepted. He has issued separate receipts in the name of each individual.

You have requested permission to come on pilgrimage. He grants you permission. Your intention to leave Nayríz and settle elsewhere for the purpose of providing for the education and training of your children has met with his approval.

Those mentioned [in your letter], your children Jináb-i Áqá Mírzá Masih and the handmaids of the Merciful Shamsud-Duhá, Nayyirih Ḵhánum, Pourándukht Rúḥáni, your brothers Jináb-i Áqá Mírzá Khalil Jináb-i Áqá Mírzá ‘Alí-Akbar and Jináb-i Áqá Mírzá Jalál Rúḥáni, also your father-in-law Ḥájí Mírzá Aḥmad Vahídí and brother-in-law Jináb-i Áqá Mírzá ‘Abdu’l-Ḥusayn Vahídí and Amatu’lláh Fáṭimih Ḵhánum ‘Irfán, upon them, men and women alike, be Bahá’u’lláhu’l-Abhá, have been mentioned by the tongue of grandeur. From the court of the Most Glorious Lord he beseeches confirmations, success, bounty and favour on behalf of those spiritual friends. Convey his loving greetings to all.

Written in accordance with the instructions of his blessed person.

Núrud-Dín Zayn 13 Shahrus-Sulṭán 92 — 30 January 1936

Postscript in the handwriting of Shoghi Effendi:

It was perused. Signed: The Servant of His Threshold, Shoghi.

=========

Things were difficult for the Rúḥáni family in Nayríz, but due to their position in the community and the difficulty of moving, they lacked the confidence to make such a transition. Shoghi Effendis message gave them the courage and assurance they needed to move ahead with the plans they had in mind.

– 783 –

1936-02-18 To Marie Expressing Appreciation for Her Work

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp263-4

Haifa, Palestine

18 February 1936

Her Majesty Queen Marie of Romania

Bucharest

Your Majesty,

Miss Root has transmitted to me the original copy of the appreciation penned by Your Majesty for the forthcoming issue of ‘The Bahá’í World’. I am deeply touched, and feel truly grateful for this further evidence of Your Majesty’s sustained interest in and admiration for the Bahá’í Teachings.

Bahá’í Communities the world over will ever recall, with feelings of pride and gratitude, these beautiful, impressive and historic testimonies from the pen of Your Majesty — testimonies that will no doubt greatly inspire and hearten them in their continued labours for the spread of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

I am so pleased and encouraged to learn that Your Majesty has derived much benefit from the reading of the ‘Gleanings’, and I feel that my efforts in translating these extracts have been fully rewarded.

I am presenting to Your Majesty through the kindness of Mrs McNeill the latest photograph recently received from America showing the progress in the construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

May the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh ever bless and sustain Your Majesty in the noble support you are extending to His Cause.

With deepest affection and gratitude,

Shoghi

– 784 –

1936-02-20 To Martha re Contacts with Marie & Involvement of Lilian McNeil

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp264

He wishes me specially to express his profound gratification at the success of your last audience with Queen Marie of Romania, and for having obtained such a remarkable appreciation from her for the next issue of ‘The Bahá’í World’. It is highly encouraging indeed to witness how genuine and alive is her interest in the Message. We all, and particularly Shoghi Effendi, feel very proud of you for this historic service you have rendered the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh …

I am delighted and most grateful for your recent magnificent achievements. I have sent a letter of appreciation to the Queen through Mrs McNeill and presented her with a most beautiful photograph of the Temple. I am mailing to you a few copies for your own use. Please convey to the Queen, to Princess Olga and to Princess Ileana, whenever you mee t them, the expression of my best wishes and appreciation of their interest in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

– 785 –

1936-02-xx To Paul Peroff Berlin

[Found in a notebook that had belonged to Amelia Bowman]

Scientists hold the belief that God is the first principle or ultimate cause. We agree with the scientists but go onestep further and believe in a personal God who is conscious of His own creation. Man has self-consciousness so how can we surmise otherwise. Surely the Creator of man must be conscious as man himself, which science denies. In this dispensation we believe in a conception of God as the Unifier of all nations, not only as the Father but as the organizer, Unifier, Director, and Governor … . .

[letter to Paul Peroff, Berlin, Feb 1936]

– 786 –

1936-03-21 To Martha re Naw-Rúz greetings & Sympathy for Queen Marie

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp268

MARTHA ROOT CARE AMERICAN CONSUL VIENNA

KINDLY ASSURE BELOVED QUEEN DEEPEST SYMPATHY. CONVEY FRIENDS NAW-RUZ GREETINGS ASSURE THEM LOVING REMEMBRANCE SHRINES.

The sympathy was for the death of the Queen’s sister.

– 787 –

1936-04-11 To Martha re Copies of BW to Marie and Ileana

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp268

The Guardian also wishes me to inform you that he has presented Queen Marie with a copy of volume five of ‘The Bahá’í World’ which he has specially inscribed. The book was sent her through the courtesy of Mrs McNeill.

Also the Guardian sent directly to Princess Ileana’s address a copy of this last issue of the Biennial which he also inscribed.

– 788 –

1936-04-17 Concerning Study of Esperanto

The Principle Of An International Auxiliary Language

Compiled by the Research Dept at the direction of the House of Justice, 1 Nov 79(?).

Concerning your study of Esperanto: the Guardian does not feel it advisable that you get too busy introducing any changes in that language, as this is not only a type of activity for which you are not qualified, but is also void of any use or advantage as far as your Bahá’í work is concerned, in view of the fact that it is by no means certain that Esperanto will necessarily develop into the world auxiliary language referred to by Bahá’u’lláh in His writings.

(17 April 1936 to an individual believer)

– 789 –

1936-04-26 To Corinne True Gratitutde for Services

Corinne True: Faithful Handmaid of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Nathan Rutstein, p200

Dear and prized co-worker:

My heart is filled with gratitude for the fresh evidences of untiring activity, of exemplary loyalty, of steadfastness and devotion that you have so powerfully manifested in recent months. You are truly a tower of strength in these days of stress and trial, worthy of the unquestioning confidence reposed in you by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Persevere in your meritorious work, and rest assured that my prayers will continue to be offered for you and for your dear daughters.

[to Corrine True, 26 April6. ]

– 790 –

1936-05-01 To Mary Maxwell re Suitable Literature for Cause

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p220

But, as you rightly state, there is great need for suitable literature on the Cause that would appeal to the great public outside, & particularly to the modern youth.

In this connection the Guardian feels he must express his deep gratification & also his grateful thanks & appreciation to you for your efforts for the preparation of an introductory book on the Cause in German …

Dear & valued co-worker:

I am delighted with your accomplishments. My heart is filled with hope & gratitude. I have sent you a cable of appreciation which I trust you have received. Your recent services will never be forgotten. Rest assured & be happy.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 791 –

1936-05-11 Resurrection of Christ

EXTRACTS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

May 11, 1936, Haifa.

“… Regarding the resurrection of Christ, what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written on that subject in the book, “Some Answered Questions”, is quite lucid and wholly authoritative. It is evident from what the Master says, that the resurrection of Christ could not have been a bodily resurrection, but has a deeper spiritual significance. It has a wonderful symbolism, meaning the deliverance of the spirit of Christ and His Cause from the persecutions of His enemies and all other earthly limitations.

There is nothing more explicit, emphatic and convincing that the Guardian can add to the authoritative and clear explanation Of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as recorded in ‘Some Answered Questions’.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 792 –

1936-05-29 To May Maxwell re Postpone Pilgrimage and Europe Teaching

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p255-6

Shoghi Effendi has asked me to thank you for your very kind & assuring message of the 22nd ins. just received. He is indeed glad to realize the wonderful work which you & Miss Maxwell are accomplishing for the Faith in Europe. Mrs. Bolles and her daughter have given him most encouraging reports about your activities & he sincerely hopes that as a result of all these strenuous efforts you have exerted during these months the Cause in Germany, & particularly in France, will make a fresh start. The inspiration which your visit brought to the friends in these countries will no doubt stimulate them to greater & more united effort, & enable them to accomplish more for our beloved Faith.

Regarding your visit to the Holy Land; Shoghi Effendi would have very much liked to have you, & also Mr. Maxwell & Mary, come to Haifa & meet you all before his departure. But as summer is drawing near, & he feels so tired, & almost exhausted, after seven months of uninterrupted & strenuous work, he thinks it necessary to leave for his summer rest, & not to delay his going any longer.

In the meantime he would advise you to stay in Europe & continue your teaching work together with Mary. He thinks it would be better for her to be with you, preferably in Germany where you can be of immense service to the Cause. He hopes that Mr. Maxwell will join you later on, & that you all three will lend all the help you can to the extension of teaching work not only in Germany but also in Central Europe.

The Guardian thinks that the best time for you to undertake the pilgrimage & visit Haifa would be next fall. He hopes that you will arrange your program in such a way as to no longer delay your long-cherished pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Dearest co-worker:

Were it not for the fact that I feel tired & exhausted, as a result of my exceptionally heavy responsibilities, cares and preoccupations in recent months, I would have gladly postponed my departure in order to welcome you & Mary. I am in urgent need of absolute rest, & I am looking forward to the time I can extend to you a hearty welcome in recognition of your many & notable services. I certainly advise you to be with Mary during the summer months & not to separate yourself from her under any circumstances. Affectionately

Shoghi

– 793 –

1936-05-30 Disputes btwn Believers

USBN #102 Aug 1936 p2

“The Guardian wishes to emphasize the importance of avoiding reference to civil courts of cases of dispute between believers, even in non-Bahá’í issues. It is the Assembly’s function to endeavor to settle amicably such disputes, both in order to safeguard the fair name and prestige of the Cause, and to acquire the necessary experience for the extension of its functions in the future” —

To USNSA May 30,

– 794 –

1936-05-30 Various

USBN #108 June 1937, p9-10

From a letter dated May 30, 1936, the following passages are quoted:

“The Guardian hopes that as new centers are established in Central and South America, the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the Presidents of the American Republics may be transmitted to them directly by believers already residing in their respective countries.”

“The Guardian does not advise your Assembly to sell the Malden property, as the Master has definitely stated in the Tablet which you have quoted, to ‘take care of that house because the light of the love of God, was lighted in it,’ By renting the house, the N. S. A. can for the present avoid the expenses entailed by its repairs and upkeep,”

“The set of administrative principles Bahá’í communities already possess, together with the text of By-Laws are sufficiently elaborate, at the present stage of the evolution of the Cause, and should not be over-developed by a mass of specific statements related to secondary and exceptional cases.”

“Regarding persons whose condition (i. e., mental condition) has not been defined by the civil authorities after medical diagnosis, the Assembly on the spot must investigate every case that arises and, after consultation with experts. deliver its verdict. Such a verdict, however, should, in important cases, be preceded by consultation with the N. S. A. No doubt, the power of prayer is very great, yet consultation, with experts is enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh. Should these experts believe that an abnormal case exists, the withholding of voting rights is justified.”

And this postscript, in the Guardian’s hand: —

“I fervently hope and pray that the year into which we have just entered may be signalized by fresh conquests and unprecedented triumphs in the teaching field within the United States and beyond its confines. A systematic, carefully conceived, and well-established plan should be devised, vigorously pursued and continuously extended. Initiated by the national representatives of the American believers, the vanguard and standard-bearers of the valiant army of Bahá’u’lláh, this plan should receive the whole-hearted, the sustained and ever-increasing support, both moral and financial, of the entire body of His followers in that continent. Its supreme immediate objective should be the permanent establishment of at least one center in every State of the American Republic and in every Republic of the American continent not yet enlisted under the banner of His Faith. Its ramifications should gradually be extended to the European continent, and its scope should be made to include those countries, such as the Baltic States, Poland, Greece, Spain and Portugal, where no avowed believer has established definite residence. The field is immense, the task gigantic, the privilege immeasurably precious. Time is short, and the obligation sacred, paramount and urgent. The American community must muster all its force, concentrate its resources, summon to its aid all the faith, the determination and energies of which it is capable, and set out, single-minded and undaunted, to attain still greater heights in its mighty exertions for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.”

– 795 –

1936-06-26 To Alfred Lunt

USBN #105 February 1937, p1-2

To Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, June 26, 1936:

“The Convention’s unanimous and eager response to the Guardian’s call to intense teaching activity is highly encouraging, and constitutes another source of deep satisfaction to his heart. He is now awaiting to see what steps the N. S. A. will devise to carry out. vigorously and systematically, this new teaching campaign, and what cooperation it will receive from individual believers, groups and Assemblies in the fulfilment of its plans.

“As the Guardian’s telegram clearly reveals, this teaching plan has two chief objectives: first, to establish a center in every State within the U. S. A. and then in every State throughout the American continent.

“What the Guardian would strongly advise is, first, to concentrate, heart and soul, on the first part of this teaching program, namely, to have at least one center established in those States of the American Republic where there are as yet no believers. This task can best be accomplished by means of settlement in these States by at least one believer. Intensive teaching work, that is to say, concentration on a few spiritually minded and receptive people. is also a method of teaching which the Guardian would specially recommend to those who wish to fix their residence in such States.

“Regarding your question as to the meaning of Jin or Genii referred to in the Qur’án, these are not beings or creatures that are actually living, but are symbolic references to the power of men of evil and may be likened to evil spirits. But the point to bear in mind is that these have no positive existence of any kind.”

– 796 –

1936-06-29 To May Maxwell re Focus Efforts on Lyon vs Paris

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p275-7

Dearest Mother,

I am writing you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of May 30th and to express how deeply satisfied he was to hear that you are feeling well and had such a good and restful crossing …

If you can, and your health permits, concentrate as much as possible on your work in Lyon, which Shoghi Effendi feels more important than Paris, and make a special effort, if possible, to have a local assembly established. Also to keep in close touch with them after you leave, through your correspondence.

He also reminds you to not neglect your history of the Cause in France! And when completed to send him a copy for his consideration. Do not hurry; the gathering of the material must be very thorough. Mrs. French has written him suggesting that you write an article on Thomas Breakwell for ‘Bahá’í World’ vol.VII. Shoghi Effendi approves of this and asks you to send the article, when ready, to Mrs. French.

Shoghi Effendi wishes to convey to Daddy his hope that he will be more active in the teaching work, not to neglect his administrative activities, but to collaborate with you. This is the best way you can both, unitedly, express your high appreciation of the honour conferred upon you through this marriage.

Assuring you of the Guardian’s great love and prayers for you both, your loving daughter,

Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum

Dearest co-worker:

It gives me great & genuine pleasure to append a few words to the letter which at my request & on my behalf Mary has addressed to you. I was deeply touched by your letter to me & and by the noble sentiments you have expressed in your recent letter to her — sentiments that I greatly value. The bond that has always united you to me has now been powerfully reinforced, & I feel sure that the services you will be enabled to render as a direct result of this new tie that binds us to each other will serve to draw me closer to you, & enable me to help you more effectively through my prayers. I wish you to concentrate your attention at present on the National Fund which stands in great need of continuous support by all the believers. Have no anxiety whatever. Concentrate your heart & soul & mind on the requirements of the Faith & of the Divine Plan which you have supported so splendidly in the past & which, I am sure, you will foster with increasing effectiveness in the future.

Shoghi

Kindly assure Mr. Maxwell of my great love & affection for him. I have great hopes that he will in collaboration with you further the teaching work in Canada & thus pave the way for any international services he may be enabled to render in the future.

Shoghi

– 797 –

1936-06-29 To Wim Grosfeld

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp34-5

Wim Grosfeld, 29 June 1936

Dear Mr. Grosfeld,

The Guardian was deeply gratified to receive your very kind and assuring message of June 1st, and is indeed comforted to learn that you are keeping in good health, and are as ever deeply attached to the Cause. It was such a long time that he had no news from you, and was feeling really anxious, knowing well the difficult circumstances under which you were living in Holland. He is profoundly grieved to learn that you are still being faced with so many difficulties, and that you have not yet succeeded in securing a suitable position which would enable you to settle permanently in your country. He feels that in case you are sure to find some employment, or work privately in Java or in any other place you should not hesitate to do so.

As you have been already in the East, it would not be very difficult for you to return there and start once more your work. But before undertaking such a trip, the Guardian would advise you to make all the necessary enquiries, and to fully ascertain that once there you will be sure to find a proper job.

In his prayers and meditations, the Guardian will remember you and will specially entreat Bahá’u’lláh to protect, strengthen and guide you, and open before you the door of success. You should not feel discouraged at the sight of the obstacles that so severely confront you at present, but should feel confident that through your sustained and wise efforts and through Gods unfailing guidance you will succeed in overcoming them one by one. Also, you should bear in mind that sorrows and afflictions are a necessary part of life, and are often blessings in disguise, as they serve to open our eyes to the nobler spiritual aspects of life. Trials and sufferings are therefore very helpful to our spiritual growth, and as such should be accepted with the utmost resignation and submissiveness to the Divine Will.

With warmest Bahá’í greetings, and every good wish, yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání

Dearly beloved co-worker:

It is such a joy and relief to hear from you after such a long silence. I do hope and pray from all my heart that your affairs may be speedily adjusted that you may be enabled to resume actively your work of service to our beloved Faith. Wherever you may settle and labour my prayers will ever be with you. I am eager to keep in close touch with you, and I hope you will continue to write to me about your plans and future decisions. Wishing you happiness and success from the depths of my heart, your true brother, Shoghi

– 798 –

1936-07-05 Exert Utmost Effort

USBN #120 Nov 1938, p9

“I cannot refrain from adding a few words to renew and reaffirm my fervent plea to you, and through you to every individual member of the American Bahá’í Community, to exert the utmost effort in order to further the Cause of Teaching throughout the American Continent. Every possible assistance, whether moral, financial, or administrative, should be continuously, generously, and systematically extended to this most urgent, this sacred and meritorious Cause. My heart yearns to learn of any speedy and effective action which the valiant members of that community may determine, whether collectively or severally, to undertake. The invisible hosts of the Abhá Kingdom are arrayed and ready to rush forth and ensure the triumph of every stout-hearted and persevering herald of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

— SHOGHI.· July 5,

– 799 –

1936-07-05 Forming New LSAs

USBN #102 Aug 1936 p2

Regarding the formation of local Assemblies, the Guardian does not advise any departure from the principle that every civil community should have its own independent Assembly.”

To USNSA July 5,

(In answer to the question whether, in the case of a new Assembly, the membership of the community could reside in two or more adjoining civil communities.)

– 800 –

1936-07-26 To George Spendlove re Praise

A Love That Could Not Wait. J A McLean, p44

Dearly beloved co-worker:

I wish to assure you in person of the deep debt of gratitude that I feel I owe you in view of your historic services to the Faith. You have upheld the principles of our Faith, spiritual as well as administrative, and with exemplary loyalty, courage and wisdom. I will, from the depths of my heart, supplicate for you the Masters richest blessings. Persevere in your high endeavours.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 801 –

1936-07-26 To George Spendlove

BW XIII pp895-9

Through his secretary:

“While he feels truly rejoiced over the news of the successful completion of your academic work at London, he cannot but deplore the fact that you have left England, as your presence in that country was of an immense benefit to the English Bahá’í Community, particularly now that the Administration is making a steady headway.

In his postscript Shoghi Effendi wrote:

“Dearly beloved co-worker:

I wish to assure you in person of the deep debt of gratitude that I feel I owe you in view of your historic services to the Faith. You have upheld the principles of our Faith, spiritual as well as administrative, and with exemplary loyalty, courage and wisdom. I will, from the depths of my heart, supplicate for you the Master’s richest blessings. Persevere in your high endeavors.”

– 802 –

1936-07-27 Arrival of Martha Root

USBN #108 June 1937, p10

On July 27, this cablegram announced the coming of Miss Root:

“Beloved, indefatiguable Martha sailing New York (on board the) Bergensfiord, Feel certain (the) believers will accord befitting welcome (to this) well beloved star servant of Bahá’u’lláh.”

– 803 –

1936-07-28 Local Archives Under Direct Supervision Local Assemblies.

Guidance Regarding Bahá’í Archives

Compiled by Bahá’í International Archives

National archives are in the process of formation in Egypt, Persia, Germany, America and India. As soon as these national archives are established, local archives will be formed under the direct supervision of the Local Assemblies.

From a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi 10 June 1936 to a National Spiritual Assembly

– 804 –

1936-07-28 Teaching Relics Nashville Meeting

USBN #103 October 1936 p1

“The Guardian has read with keenest interest the new statement adopted by the NSA concerning teaching and wishes me to assure you, and through you all your distinguished fellow-members, of his most genuine appreciation of the steps that your Assembly is taking for the expansion of the teaching work throughout America. He is praying for your success from the innermost depths of his heart… .

“Regarding the preservation of relics associated with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the general principle should be that any object used by Him in person should be preserved for posterity, whether in the local or the national archives. It is the duty and responsibility of the Bahá’í Assemblies to ascertain carefully whether such objects are genuine or not, and to exercise the utmost care and caution in this matter.

“In connection with the meeting of the N.S.A. at Nashville, the Guardian feels strongly that such a meeting should he held, as it would greatly encourage the believers in that center. The holding of public meetings in that city should be avoided only in case it would lead to grave and very serious results. Slight local criticisms and unpopularity should not act as deterrant. The issue should be met squarely and courageously, and an effort should be made to attract at first the most cultured element among the colored, and through them establish contact with the white and the masses. Such individuals and groups, whether white or colored, who are relatively tree from racial prejudice, should be approached, separately if necessary, and an endeavor should be made to bring them together eventually, not only on formal occasions and for specific purposes, but in intimate social gatherings, in private homes as well as in formally recognized Bahá’í centers.

“The summer schools provide a splendid setting and environment to which the best element among the colored race should be specially attracted. Through such association prejudice can be gradually eradicated, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ardent wish fully realized,

“The Guardian finds it impossible to overestimate the importance and urgency of this sacred duty that confronts both the local and the national Assemblies.” —

Then this statement in the Guardian’s hand:

[USBN #108 June 1937, p11]

“I am eagerly awaiting the news of the progress of the activities initiated to promote the teaching work within, and beyond the confines of the American continent. The American believers, if they wish to carry out, in the spirit and the letter, the parting wishes of their beloved Master, must intensify their teaching work a thousandfold and extend its ramifications beyond the confines of their native land and as far as the most distant outposts of their far-flung Faith. The Tablets of the Divine Plan invest your Assembly with unique and grave responsibilities and confer upon it privileges which your sister Assemblies might well envy and admire. The present opportunity is unutterably precious. It may not recur again. Undaunted by the perils and the uncertainties of the present hour, the American believers must press on and prosecute in its entirety the task which now confronts them. I pray for their success from the depths of my heart.”

[to the USNSA July 28, 1936]

– 805 –

1936-07-28 To Mrs Russell

USBN #105 February 1937, p2

To Mrs. Russell, July 28, 1936:

“The number nine, which in itself is the number of perfection, is considered by the Bahá’is as sacred, because it is symbolic of the perfection of the Bahá’í Revelation which constitutes the ninth in the line of existing religions, the latest and fullest Revelation which mankind has ever known. The eighth is the religion of the Báb and the remaining seven are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islám, and the religion of the Sabeans. These religions are not the only true religions that have appeared in the world but are the only ones still existing. There have always been divine Prophets and Messengers, to many of whom the Qur’án refers. But the only ones existing are those mentioned above.

“As regards your question concerning the membership of the Universal House of Justice, there is a Tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in which He definitely states that the membership of the Universal House is confined to men and that the wisdom of it will be fully revealed in the future. In the local, as well as the National Houses of Justice, however, women have the full right of membership. It is. therefore, only to the International House that they cannot be elected. The Bahá’ís should accept this statement of the Master in a spirit of deep faith, confident that there is a divine guidance and wisdom behind it, which will be gradually unfolded to the eyes of the world.”

– 806 –

1936-07-xx To Lidia Zamenhof re Poss Trip to U.S.

Lidia: The Life of Lidia Zamenhof, Daughter of Esperanto, Wendy Heller, p145

It would be splendid if you could visit the United States where the friends are eager to meet you and accord you a hearty welcome. You will let me know, I trust, whenever you decide to visit them, for I wish to introduce you to them in a befitting manner … .

– 807 –

1936-07-xx To USNSA — American Bahá̀i Community Should Rise As Never Before

Planning Progress: Lessons from Shoghi Effendi, June Manning Thomas, p51

Founded on the unity and understanding so steadily achieved, functioning within the framework of the Administrative Order so laboriously erected, inspired by the vision of the Temple edifice so nobly reared, the American Bahá’í Community should rise as never before to the height of the opportunity now confronting it.

– 808 –

1936-08-xx To May Maxwell re Teaching in Germany

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p239

In this country too, the Guardian feels confident, your visit will have an abiding & most beneficial effect on the Cause. Though the Faith is far more alive & promising in Germany than in any other part of Europe, yet there are many vital points on which the believers need much enlightenment which you are admirably qualified to give.

The Guardian wishes me to stress two points in particular: first that you should arrange your program in such a way as to have ample time to visit all the centers in Germany; & also that you should make every effort to attend the Summer School at Esslingen where, he hopes, you will be given full opportunity to address the friends & to give them the great benefit of sharing your long & rich experiences in the Cause.

Dear & prized co-worker:

Your welcome letter truly rejoiced my heart, & I cannot refrain from adding a few words in person & express my gratitude for what you have achieved in France & my hopes for what you will achieve in Germany. I am glad you will soon join Mary, about the progress of whose work I have received encouraging & most welcome reports. Wishing you both good health, happiness & success. Affectionately

Shoghi

=========

It appears to me that at this time the Guardian was putting an emphasis on getting deepened teachers into Germany in preparation for a poss shut down of formal Bahá’í activities.

– 809 –

1936-09-04 To Wim Grosfeld

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp35-6

Wim Grosfeld, 4 September 1936

Dear Mr. Grosfeld,

Your welcome letter of August 7th to the Guardian has arrived, and the news of the success of the teaching work in Holland has greatly rejoiced his heart. He hopes that the small group of beginners you have succeeded in forming will meet regularly, and that through careful and concentrated study of the Cause they will grow both in numbers and in strength. Will you be so kind as to convey his greetings and heartfelt congratulations to these dear friends, and to assure each and all of them of his ardent prayers and best wishes for the success of their endeavours in the path of service to our beloved Cause.

The Guardian is however extremely grieved to learn that you are still without proper work, and he would certainly advise you, in case you find it quite impossible to earn your living in Holland, to leave for any other country where you can be assured of gaining the means of your livelihood.

Assuring you once more of his fervent prayers for the removal of your difficulties, and for the realization of your fondest hopes and dearest wishes. Yours in His service, H. Rabbání

Dearest co-worker:

Kindly assure those precious friends that you have interested in the Cause of my love, my best wishes and prayers for their spiritual advancement. Your noble and historic work, conducted under such difficult circumstances, is dear and near to my heart, and is worthy of the highest praise. I pray that you may be enabled to find the necessary means that will enable you to expand and consolidate the work you have so nobly initiated. Persevere and rest confident. Affectionately, Shoghi

– 810 –

1936-09-11 German Community Attracting Attention

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

The German Bahá’í community, which is certainly the most prosperous and promising of its kind in Europe, has by consolidating its internal unity and by extending the basis of its national Bahá’í institutions increasingly attracted the attention and excited the envy and admiration of its sister communities throughout Europe. Esslingen rightly deserves the attention and interest which it is now receiving from believers outside Germany. The Guardian’s hope is that this interest will be further deepened during the next few years, and that an increasing number of visitors will annually flow to that centre, not only to deepen their understanding of the Cause, but to acquire, through contact with the German believers, those essential qualities and attributes which constitute the key to the notable and in many ways unique success accomplished by the German Bahá’í community.

(11 September 1936)

– 811 –

1936-09-14 To Leroy Ioas re Effect Summer Schools Must Have on Public

Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God, Chapman, p61

… they must be greatly impressed by the unity, love and enthusiasm animating the believers, and by the spirit of wide tolerance and appreciation with which they welcome the non-Bahá’í visitors to the school.

– 812 –

1936-09-19 Teaching Work in Austria Germany and Central Europe

Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union A Compilation From the Bahá’í Writings, #16

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

He is indeed pleased to learn of the steps you have taken to extend your stay in Europe, and sincerely hopes that you will be thereby enabled to lend all the support and assistance you can to the extension of the teaching work in Austria, Germany and Central Europe. You are working in a field which is certainly most promising, and in which ardent and competent workers are most urgently needed. In Austria, in particular, the Guardian feels the possibilities of teaching are as numerous as they are effective. He would urge you, therefore, to concentrate at present all your efforts on that country, and also to closely collaborate with the friends in Vienna, so that through your united and harmonious co-operation the Cause may rapidly spread and become firmly established there…

(19 September 1936 to an individual believer)

– 813 –

1936-09-25 NSA to Appeal for Tablets

___ has suggested to the Guardian that he should ask your NSA to address an appeal to the … believers urging them to co-operate with the National and local Bahá’í Archives … in their efforts for the collection of Bahá’í sacred relics, and specially the Tablets, and their safe preservation.

As this is undoubtedly one of the most urgent tasks facing the believers at present, he strongly feels it advisable that your NSA should once more impress upon the friends the necessity of their giving full and continued support to the truly valuable work which the National as well as the local Archives Committees are accomplishing for our beloved Faith… .

Now that the Cause is rapidly passing through so many different phases of its evolution is the time for the friends to exert their utmost in order to preserve as much as they can of the sacred relics and various other precious objects that are associated with the lives of the Founders of the Faith, and particularly the Tablets They have revealed.

Every believer should realize that he has a definite responsibility to shoulder in this matter, and to help, to whatever extent he can, in rendering successful the valuable work which National and local Bahá’í Archives Committees are so devotedly accomplishing for the Faith in ___.

25 September 1936 to a National Spiritual Assembly on behalf of Shoghi Effendi

Writings, Bahá’í: Importance of collecting and safeguarding

Compiled by Bahá’í International Archives.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review, 11, pages 100-102

– 814 –

1936-09-25 Importance of Bahá́í Archives

Guidance Regarding Bahá’í Archives

Compiled by Bahá’í International Archives

The importance of the institution of Bahá’í Archives is not due only to the many teaching facilities it procures, but is essentially to be found in the vast amount of historical data and information it offers both to the present-day administrators of the Cause, and to the Bahá’í historians of the future. The institution of Bahá’í Archives is indeed a most valuable storehouse of information regarding all the aspects of the Faith, historical, administrative as well as doctrinal. Future generations of believers will be surely in a better position than we are to truly and adequately appreciate the many advantages and facilities which the institution of the Archives offers to individual believers and also to the community at large.

Every believer should realize that he has a definite responsibility to shoulder in this matter, and to help, to whatever extent he can, in rendering successful the valuable work which National and Local Bahá’í Archives Committees are so devotedly accomplishing for the Faith in America.

From a letter on behalf of Shoghi Effendi dated 25 September 1936 to a National Spiritual Assembly

– 815 –

1936-09-25 Institution of Bahá’í Archives

USBN #104 December 1936, p1

The importance of the institution of Bahá’í Archives is not due only to the many teaching facilities it procures, but is especially to be found in the vast amount of historical data and information it offers both to the present-day administrators of the Cause, and to the Bahá’í historians of the future, The institution of Bahá’í Archives is indeed a most valuable storehouse of information regarding all the aspects of the Faith, administrative as well as doctrinal. Future generations of believers will be surely in a better position than we are to truly and adequately appreciate the many advantages and facilities which the institution of the Archives offers to individual believers and also to the community at large.

“Now that the Cause is rapidly passing through so many different phases of its evolution, is the time for the friends to exert their utmost in order to preserve as much as they — can of the sacred relics and various other precious objects that are associated with the lives of the Founders of the Faith, and particularly the Tablets They have revealed.

“Every believer should realize that he has a definite responsibility to shoulder in this matter, and to help, to whatever extent he can, in rendering successful the valuable work which national and local Bahá’í Archives committees are so devotedly accomplishing for the Faith in America.”

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, September 25, 1936

– 816 –

1936-10-12 What to Stress in Talks

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

October 12, 1936, Haifa.

“… As regards your teaching work; the Guardian has already advised you to stress in your talks the idea of a world super-state, and the concept of the Oneness of Mankind underlying it. In addition, he wishes you also to emphasize the fact that humanity, taken as a whole, has entered the most critical and momentous stage of its evolution, the stage of maturity. This idea of the coming of age of mankind constitutes the central core of the Bahá’í teachings and is the most distinguishing feature of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. A proper understanding of this concept gives the key to an adequate appreciation of the tremendous claim made by the author of the Faith, both with regard to His own station and to the incomparable greatness of His Dispensation.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 817 –

1936-10-14 For SE to Ind re Exact Translations

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 5 #1-2 September 1985 pp92

You need not worry if the rendering is not absolutely correct. For the essential is that it should convey the Message in a fairly good and understandable language. In teaching literary considerations are no doubt important but are quite secondary when compared to the ideas and thoughts constituting the Message itself.

– 818 –

1936-11-11 Concerning the Racial Amity Conferences

“To Move the World”, Morrison, p244

“Concerning the racial amity conferences; the Guardian firmly believes that they constitute a vital & inseparable part of the teaching campaign now being carried on by the American believers. It is the duty of every loyal Bahá’í to do all that he possibly can to promote this phase of Bahá’í activity, without which no campaign of teaching can bear lasting results.”

At the bottom of the letter Shoghi Effendi penned a brief note:

The teaching campaign, now in full swing in the United States and Canada, should, under no circumstances affect the progress, or detract from the importance & urgency of the racial amity work that challenges & confronts the believers in that continent. I hope & pray that in both fields you may be enabled to render magnificent services. I feel truly proud of your past achievements & cherish the brightest hopes for your future contributions to this noble & twofold task.

[to Louis Gregory, 11 Nov 1936, USNBC Archives (Gregory sent a copy of letter to USBNC]

– 819 –

1936-11-11 Obligatory Prayers Facing Shrine of Bahá́ulláh at Bahjí

Notes On Obligatory Prayers And Ablutions

compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice in a letter to an individual fm the House of Justice 15 April 1987

As Appeared In Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol. 4:3-4 2 January 1991

Concerning the obligatory prayers; they are three in number, but the believer is free to choose anyone of them. The long prayer should be recited once every 24 hours; the middle one three times a day: at morning, mid-day, and evening; while the short one, consisting of only one verse, should be recited once a day at noon. All these three prayers should be read with the believer facing the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí, ‘Akká, which is also called the Dawning point of Revelation.

(11 November 1936 on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual)

– 820 –

1936-11-21 Pacifism

USBN #113 Jan 1938, p1-2

21 November 1936 to Mrs. Helen Bishop

With reference to the absolute pacifists, or conscientious objectors to war; their attitude, judged from the Bahá’í standpoint, is quite anti-social and due to its exaltation of the individual conscience leads inevitably to disorder and chaos in society. Extreme pacifists are thus very close to the anarchists, in the sense that both these groups lay an undue emphasis on the rights and merits of the individual. The Bahá’í conception of social life is essentially based on the principle of the subordination of the individual will to that of society. It neither suppresses the individual nor does it exalt him to the point of making him an anti-social creature, a menace to society. As in everything it follows the ‘golden mean’. The only way that society can function is for the minority to follow the will of the majority.

The other main objection to the conscientious objectors is that their method of establishing peace is too negative. Non-cooperation is too passive a philosophy to become an effective way for social reconstruction. Their refusal to bear arms can never establish peace. There should be first a spiritual revitalisation which nothing, except the Cause of God, can effectively bring to every man’s heart.

– 821 –

1936-11-xx To Lidia Zamenhof re Trip to U.S.

Lidia: The Life of Lidia Zamenhof, Daughter of Esperanto, Wendy Heller, p146-7

Dear and valued co-worker:

I have communicated with the American National Assembly and I feel confident that they American believers will be only to glad, and indeed eager, to extend to you a cordial welcome. Your services, past and present, are, I believe, but a prelude to a distinguished record of the services that will enrich the ans of God’s Holy Faith. Persevere, nay redoubleyour valued and highly meritorious efforts.

– 822 –

1936-12-08 To May Maxwell re Pilgrimage

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p257

HEARTILY APPROVE YOUR DECISION SAIL FROM TRIESTE LOVE BOTH

– 823 –

1936-12-24 To Blomfield re Into to “The Chosen Highway”

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p323

‘Do be assured that I have considered with the utmost care and deliberation your request, and I grieve to find myself in a situation that makes it impossible for me to accede to it. I deeply regret it, and would have been so glad to collaborate with you in your work … Please do not be disappointed. The work you have already achieved is historic, and what you will, with the Beloved Master’s guidance, accomplish in the future will, I feel sure, ennoble the record of your past services to the Cause of God. You are often in my thoughts and prayers.

Lady Blomfield asked if the Guardian would be willing to write a Foreword for her book.

– 824 –

1936-12-26 Regarding the Teaching of Esperanto

The Principle Of An International Auxiliary Language

Compiled by the Research Dept at the direction of the House of Justice, 1 Nov 79(?)

Regarding the teaching of Esperanto: the Guardian thoroughly appreciates the efforts you are exerting for the spread of this language, and fully realizes that through them you can find many openings for teaching the Cause. He wishes me, however, to bring to your attention the fact that neither Bahá’u’lláh nor ‘Abdu’l-Bahá did specifically state that Esperanto would certainly become the international auxiliary language of the future. Neither did they enjoin its teaching upon the believers. What ‘Abdu’l-Bahá chiefly did was to highly praise it, and to reveal its possibilities. The teaching of Esperanto is, therefore, not a command or an obligation in the sense that praying is for instance. What is enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh is either the creation of a new language, or the adoption of one of the existing languages for use as an international medium of communication. Let us hope that Esperanto may some day develop into such a medium.

(26 December 1936 to an individual believer)

– 825 –

1936-xx-xx Racial Issues

USBN #105 February 1937, p1

To Mr. Wilfrid Barton, during 1936:

“Regarding the solution of the racial problem; the believers should of course realize that the principle of the oneness of mankind which is the cornerstone of the message of Bahá’u’lláh is wholly incompatible with all forms of racial prejudice. Loyalty to this foundation principle of the Faith is the paramount duty of every believer and should be therefore whole-hearted and unqualified. For a Bahá’í, racial prejudice, in all its forms, is simply a negation of faith, an attitude wholly incompatible with the very spirit and actual teachings of the Cause.

“But while the friends should faithfully and courageously uphold this Bahá’í principle of the essential unity of all human races, yet in the methods they adopt for its application and further realization on the social plane they should act with tact, wisdom and moderation. These two attitudes are by no means exclusive. Bahá’ís do not believe that the spread of the Cause and its principles and teachings can be effected by means of radical and violent methods. While they are loyal to all those teachings, yet they believe in the necessity of resorting to peaceful and friendly means for the realization of their aims.

“As regards the meaning of the passage on page 188 of the ‘Gleanings’, it is an emphasis by Bahá’u’lláh on the importance of maintaining differences of station and classes in society and does not refer to the question of race.”

– 826 –

1937-03-22 Engagement in Profession

USBN #108 June 1937, p1

With reference to Bahá’u’lláh’s command concerning the engagement of the believers in some sort of profession; the Teachings are most emphatic on this matter, particularly the statement in the ‘Aqdas to this effect which makes it quite clear that idle people who lack the desire to work can have no place in the new World Order. As a corollary of this principle, Bahá’u’lláh further states that mendicity should not only be discouraged but entirely wiped out from the face of society. It is the duty of those who are in charge of the organization of society to give every individual the opportunity of acquiring the necessary talent in some kind of profession, and also the means of utilizing such a talent, both for its own sake and for the sake of earning the means of his livelihood. Every individual, no matter how handicapped and limited he may be, is under the obligation of engaging in some work or profession, for work, specially when performed in the spirit of service, is according to Bahá’u’lláh a form of worship. It has not only a utilitarian purpose, but has a value in itself, because it draws us nearer to God, and enables us to better grasp His purpose for us in this world. It is obvious, therefore, that the inheritance of wealth cannot make anyone immune from daily work.

As to the question of retirement from work for individuals who have reached a certain age, this is a matter on which the International House of Justice will have to legislate as there are no provisions in the ‘Aqdas concerning it.

— March 22,

– 827 –

1937-03-22 Southern Teaching

USBN #108 June 1937, p1-2

Regarding the problem of teaching in districts of mixed colored and white populations, the Guardian fully approves of the policy adopted by the N.S.A. to the effect that the teaching work should be carried simultaneously with the two races in the south without the slightest discrimination. For the Teachings are obviously not intended for only one race or one class. Your Assembly’s suggestion that Bahá’í public meetings should henceforth be conducted separately for whites and colored and that study classes resulting from such meetings should likewise be conducted separately until individuals of both races are truly confirmed believers is splendid as it win undoubtedly help in removing the misunderstandings and obstacles that have thus far stood in the way of the expansion of the Faith in the Southern States. To alienate either the white or the colored race would he indeed un fair and unjustifiable. The solution proposed by your Assembly thus marks a step in advance over the methods which the friends have hitherto enforced in their teaching work in the Southern States. The Guardian therefore trusts that it will be brought fully to the attention of the friends, and that they will each and all arise to apply it in their future teaching activities,

In this connection, however, he wishes me to stress the fact that the two races should ultimately be brought together, and be urged to associate with the utmost unity and fellowship, and be given full and equal opportunity to participate in the conduct of the teachings as well as administrative activities of the Faith. Nothing short of such an ultimate fusion of the two races can insure the faithful application of that cornerstone principle of the Cause regarding the oneness of mankind.

— March 22,

– 828 –

1937-04-05 Response to Marriage

USBN #120 Nov 1938, p2

Accept. Deeply touched (by) American believers’ spontaneous expression of ever-increasing devotion to crowning institution (of) World Order (of) Bahá’u’lláh. Noblest contribution individual believers can make at this juncture to consecrate newly-acquired tie is to promote with added fervor unique plan conceived for them by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. — SHOGHI.

Cablegram received April 5, 1937 in response to congratulations on marriage

– 829 –

1937-04-23 To Keith-Roche in Response to Marriage Greetings

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p281

I am deeply touched by the sentiments you have expressed to me on the occasion of my marriage. I greatly value your message of good wishes, and will always remember with feelings of gratitude the assistance you have extended to me in my arduous task. I will be most pleased to welcome you at our home on any day that may be convenient to you. Thanking you most warmly for your message…

– 830 –

1937-04-24 Moved to the Very Depth of His Heart

USBN #108 June 1937, p2

“Moved to the Very Depth of His Heart”

At the Guardian’s direction I am enclosing herewith the receipt, duly signed by him, of the contribution sent by the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada through their N.S.A. with the request that you kindly ask your fellow members in that body to transmit to the entire American Bahá’í Community the expression of his profoundest thanks and genuine appreciation for this spontaneous manifestation of their unshakable devotion and loyalty to the Cause. He is moved to the very depth of his heart by this fresh evidence of their unalterable attachment to, and their whole-hearted readiness to support, by every means in their power, the vital international institutions of the Faith, and particularly the institution of the Guardianship of which they are indeed the most outstanding defenders and champions throughout the West.

He wishes them, each and all, every blessing and success, and a most abundant reward in return for what they have accomplished and are still, so zealously and effectively accomplishing, for the extension and consultation of the Administrative Order in their country and beyond its confines.

— April 24,

– 831 –

1937-04-xx To Coswell re Teaching Trip to Nashville

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p12-13

Beloved Bahá’í Sister,

The Guardian is in receipt of your letter of March 29th, and is delighted to hear that, at the National Spiritual Assembly’s suggestion, you are planning to undertake a teaching trip to Nashville. He wished me to assure you of his prayers at the Holy Shrines for the success of your visit, and to express the hope that through it you may receive a fresh and full opportunity to assist in the spread of the teachings in new fields. The mission with which you have been entrusted is certainly difficult and delicate, but you should be confident that with the assistance of Bahá’u’lláh you will be made fully equal to your task. Have courage and whole-heartedly perservere in your splendid efforts.

(Signed) H. Rabbání

=========

In April/May 1936, Louise had volunteered to go to Mexico for the winter but her request was denied. In March 1937, the USNSA asked her to do follow-up teaching in Nashville after the work by Marian Little. She communicated this to the Guardian and this was the response.

– 832 –

1937-05-06 Tablet of Aḥmad Addressee

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

May 6, 1937, Haifa.

“… With reference to your question as to whom the Tablet of Aḥmad was revealed; it was addressed to an Arab believer in Baghdád who lived during the days of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 833 –

1937-05-15 To Coswell Response to Nashville Teaching

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p13-14

May 15th, 1937

The Guardian also wishes me to express his gratification at the success of your teaching work in Nashville. He has read with keen interest the clippings you had enclosed, and is delighted to realize the wide response your talks and lectures have brought to the message. He is continually and fervently praying that your trip to this “Athens of the South” may result in attracting and confirming many souls of true spiritual insight and of intellectual capacity. Remain assured that the seeds you are now so carefully sowing will in due time bear an abundant fruitage. There is no effort in His path that can be considered to have been spent in vain. ‘Persevere, therefore, and be confident and happy, success will assuredly be yours.

(Signed) H. Rabbání

=========

– 834 –

1937-05-19 Divine Plan Pamphlet

USBN #108 June 1937, p9

“Heartily approve publication pamphlet. Advise publish as preamble appropriate passages from Gleanings and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will regarding importance teaching. Pamphlet’s title left (to) Assembly’s discretion. Convention plea addressed to American believers can not achieve its purpose unless dauntless pioneers arise and, forsaking homeland, permanently reside (in) countries where light of Faith (has) not yet penetrated. Cabling three hundred pounds as nucleus (of) special fund to be established (for) furtherance (of) this exalted, highly meritorious purpose,”

Replying to a cablegram asking for advice on whether the reprint of the Tablets of the Divine Plan should contain any supplementary material, sum as oral statements which were published in the original edition, the Guardian on May 19 cabled:

– 835 –

1937-05-28 What Constitutes Indirect Teaching

The Principle Of An International Auxiliary Language

Compiled by the Research Dept at the direction of the House of Justice, 1 Nov 79(?)

As to your question as to what constitutes indirect teaching: it essentially consists in presenting some of the humanitarian or social teachings of the Cause which are shared by those whom we are teaching, as a means of attracting them to those aspects of the Faith which are more challenging in character, and are specifically and solely Bahá’í. The teaching of Esperanto, for instance, has been a very useful way of presenting the Cause indirectly to many people. It has opened many doors of contact for the believers, and has lately proved to be of tremendous help in introducing the Teachings into important social and intellectual circles.

(28 May 1937 to an individual believer)

– 836 –

1937-05-29 Trusts Marion Jacks Teaching Efforts

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p195

Now as regards your work in Sofia; Shoghi Effendi trusts that through your efforts the meetings are being regularly held, and that the number of the attendants is on the increase. He too hopes that you have been able to renew the assembly election this year. It is indeed so essential that the friends should enforce, as much as their means and the conditions around them permit, these basic principles and methods of the Administration, so that they may acquire the necessary experience for the conduct of Bahá’í affairs in their community, and thus cease to be in need of any further help from outside.

[postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

I am continually reminded of the stupendous work you are achieving for our beloved Faith, though I do not often express it in letters addressed to you. I am keenly aware of the work you are so patiently and almost heroically performing and accomplishing for our beloved Faith. Your services will adorn the annals of God’s Faith and inspire the rising generation to tread the path you have so nobly trodden. Persevere therefore and redouble your high endeavours.

[letter to Marion Jack, 1937 May 29]

– 837 –

1937-07-04 Seven Year Plan Steps

USBN #120 Nov 1938, p3

Immeasurably gratified National Assembly’s initial step presentation SevenYear Plan, Successful operation Temple enterprise necessitates carrying out faithfully energetically following successive steps. First, expedite preliminary investigations. Second, utilize Fred’s historic munificent donation by immediate signature contract for next unit. Third, redirect with added force nationwide appeal to entire community insure uninterrupted completion first unit and accumulation sufficient funds enable placing without delay final contract. Fourth, place final contract as soon as half required sum available in National Treasury. Fifth, re-emphasize supreme obligation triumphant consummation so vital a part of American believers’ twofold task by May,95. Advise communicate above message all believers stimulate universal response Assembly’s future endeavors.

— SHOGHI.

Cablegram received July 4, 1937

– 838 –

1937-07-10 To Coswell to Stay Longer in Tennessee

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p14

The Guardian advises you “ … to return to Knoxville in order to follow the work that has been so splendidly started. Your first and foremost objective upon your return, he feels, should be to lay firm foundations for the establishment of a Local Assembly so that after your departure the work may be carried forward steadily and along specific Bahá’í administrative lines.”

(Signed) H. Rabbání

=========

– 839 –

1937-07-17 Quotations From the Dispensation

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

QUOTATIONS FROM THE DISPENSATION OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH BY SHOGHI EFFENDI Interpretation of lines from these quotations given by Shoghi Effendi

July 17, 1937, Haifa.

Pago 12 — “But for Him no Divine Messenger would have been Line 5 invested with the Robe of Prophethood, nor would any of the sacred scriptures have been revealed. To this bear witness all created things.”

Answer — “This refers to the Reality of Him, (Bahá’u’lláh), not His Person.”

Pago 20 — “Time is pressing. The Divine Charger is impatient, and can tarry no longer. Ours is the duty to rush forward and ere it is too late, win the victory.”

Answer — “The passage refers to any opportunities that arc missed through neglect and not to any particular event.”

Pago 21 — “From time immemorial, He, the Divine Being, hath been Line 20 veiled in the ineffablo sanctity of His exalted Self, and will everlastingly continue to be wrapt in the impenetrable mystery of His unknowable Essence … Ten thousand Prophets, each a Moses, are thunderstruck upon the Sinai of their search at God’s forbidding voice, ‘Thou shalt never behold Me!’ Whilst a myriad Messengers, each as great as Jesus, stand dismayed upon their heavenly thrones by the interdiction, ‘Mine Essence thou shalt never apprehend!’ How bewildering to Me, insignificant as I am, is the attempt to fathom the sacred depths of Thy Knowledge.”

Answer — “The meaning of this passage should not be taken literally. The purpose is to emphasize the theme and heighten its effect.”

Pago 24 — “whereupon there was asked, Why the weeping and the

Line 20 wailing? He made reply. ‘As bidden I waited expectant upon the hill of faithfulness, yet inhaled not from them that dwell upon the earth the fragrance of fidelity. Then summoned to return I beheld, and lo, certain doves of holiness were sore tried within the claws of the dogs of earth. Whereupon the Maid of Heaven hastened forth unveiled and resplendent from Her Mystic Mansion, and asked of their names, and all were told but one. And when urged, the first letter thereof was uttered, whereupon the dwellers of the celestial chambers rushed forth out of their habitations of Glory, and whilst the second letter was pronounced they fell down, one and all, upon the dust. At that moment a Voice was heard from the inmost Shrine, ‘Thus far and no farther.’ Verily We bear witness to that which they have done and now are doing.”

Answer — “This refers to the Reality of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 840 –

1937-08-14 To An Individual Believer re Two Bible Verses About Resurrection.

The Resurrection

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

The two Biblical verses you had enclosed for explanation on behalf of Dr. …; the Guardian wishes you to explain to him that these passages are allegorical, and should not be taken literally. They indicate the reality of the presence of the Spirit of Christ and not His bodily resurrection….

...in response to a request for an explanation of the Biblical verses Luke 24:39 and John 20:24-29 for a person who was investigating the Teachings of the Faith.

– 841 –

1937-09-06 Tend My Raven Locks

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

[Persian No. 79]

The expression “tend My raven locks, and not wound My throat” is an allegorical warning by Bahá́’u’lláh against the misuse of anything bestowed by Him on the world.

(From a letter dated 6 September 1937 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 842 –

1937-09-07 To an Individual re Just Government

USBN National Bahá’í Review #7 July 1968 p5

As regards the Bahá’í principle of obedience to just governments, what is meant here by just is recognized and well-established authority.”

– 843 –

1937-09-22 Establish Contacts with Jewish Fellow Citizens

HOLOCAUST AND THE GREATER PLAN OF GOD (Revised 1998)

A compilation by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

You should certainly endeavour to establish further contacts with your Jewish fellow-citizens, as their spiritual destiny is assuredly bright. The age-long sufferings and tribulations which the Jews all over the world have so cruelly experienced will be terminated during the Bahá’í era, as they will be gradually led to embrace the Faith, which, indeed, constitutes the only means of salvation to their race.

(22 September 1937 to an individual believer)

– 844 –

1937-10-25 To May Maxwell re Activities for the Winter

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p300

In regard to your winter’s work he would urge you not to attempt to remain in Montreal during the cold months … but to go somewhere warm — New York, if not too cold … or perhaps South or even to California if necessary … He urges Daddy to so arrange his affairs that he can spend at least a part of the time with you so that neither of you will be alone, at least for very long, this winter.

– 845 –

1937-10-25 To May Maxwell re Response to Report of NYC Meeting

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p298-9

Shoghi Effendi was immensely pleased with the report you sent in your letter to me of the meeting in New York. He wishes me to tell you that you are working in the forefront and as a brave soldier of the Cause. In fact he said it might be the best letter you ever had written! He was so heartened and pleased by it …

I send you my deepest love, ever your own loving daughter,

Rúḥíyyih

Dear & prized co-worker:

I feel proud of the initial success that has signalized the resumption of your activities in America. I was deeply moved by your graphic account of the meeting & I hastened to cable you & urge you to persevere. Do take good care of your precious health & be assured that your task is by no means completed. Persevere & be confident. You are valiantly promoting, defending and consolidating the manifold interests of the Faith & for so meritorious a work for which you are highly qualified & newly & fittingly equipped you should feel grateful & happy. You are often in my thoughts & prayers I assure you. Affectionately & gratefully

Shoghi

– 846 –

1937-10-30 Progress of Temple Fund

USBN #113 Jan 1938, p1

The Guardian feels most gratified over the splendid progress realized by the Temple Fund, though he still would urge your N.S.A. to impress upon the friends the paramount necessity of maintaining at any cost the steady flow of their offerings. This obviously calls for considerable sacrifice, but such a sacrifice is of the very essence of the Cause and is the only force than can enable it to carry out its ideals into the realm of constructive and living action.

— October 30,

(The Guardian’s postscript to the above.)

I am delighted with the progress of the Plan and I pray that the contributions to the National Treasury may be such as to lend unprecedented impetus to its development.

- 847 -

1937-11-03 Lyon Offers Many Peculiar Difficulties

Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 4:1

The work in Lyon offers many peculiar difficulties, which are largely due to its being the very heart of conservative France, and a stronghold of Catholicism. But precisely these same difficulties render the work infinitely more interesting and important than perhaps in any other centre. The Guardian would therefore urge you to persevere, and to be confident that no matter how strong the forces of opposition, that whole region is destined to experience sooner or later a general stirring which would result in a great triumph for our beloved Faith.

(on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi 3 November 1937 to an individual believer)

– 848 –

1937-11-08 For SE to Marian Holley re Communism

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 5 #1-2 September 1985 pp74-81

Selected Extracts On Philosophy

The Faith should under all circumstances be disassociated from communism and from those doctrines that preach violence. The Cause stands for cooperation, for peaceful and constructive methods of social reform.

– 849 –

1937-11-12 To Safa Vafa Kinney re Reception Given to M M Maxwell in NYC

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p288

The Guardian has also been moved to know of the very warm reception which the friends in New York, and you in particular, have so cordially extended to Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell upon their arrival in America. It is his hope and prayer that the return of these dear friends will awaken a new consciousness among the believers, and stimulate them afresh to dedicate themselves, more whole-heartedly than ever, to the service of the Faith.

– 850 –

1937-11-13 Concerning the Future of the Jews

HOLOCAUST AND THE GREATER PLAN OF GOD (Revised 1998)

A compilation by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Regarding your question concerning the future of the Jews: They certainly have, as explicitly stated by the Master, a great spiritual destiny, and will gradually enter the Faith in large groups.

(13 November 1937 to an individual believer)

– 851 –

1937-11-17 To Inez Greeven re Publishing

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp36-8

Dear Mrs. Greeven,

The Guardian has received your letter of the 26th October and has learned with satisfaction of the news of the completion of the printing of the Dutch version of the Kitáb-i-Íqán. He has also received a note from the publisher regarding the printing expenses, and has mailed him a draft for £53. 17, being half of the total cost for publishing the book.

He would approve of the publisher's suggestion to place three hundred copies with all the booksellers, and to send the remaining two hundred over to Haifa. He trusts that the books will be soon mailed and will reach in good condition. Needless to assure you how grateful he feels for this outstanding service you and your dear sister have been able to render, and he will pray that as a result the Cause may make a good start in Holland. He is eagerly waiting to hear of the good news of the progress of your teaching activities, and would urge you to whole-heartedly and confidently persevere in your efforts.

Regarding the statement you had enclosed about the sale of the Esslemont book: the Guardian indeed regrets that the results are so disappointing, and does not think it necessary for you to make any accounting to the Esslemont heirs. He would advise you to wait until the amount collected would be sufficiently substantial.

In closing may I express the Guardians hope that your trip to Italy will prove helpful in restoring your health. He will specially pray to the Beloved that He may strengthen your forces for many more years of service to His Faith.

Loving greetings to you and dear Mr. Greeven, and with best wishes for your success in your new field of work in Holland.

Yours ever in His service,

H. Rabbání

PS. Of the 200 copies you are going to send to Haifa, the Guardian wishes you to mail fifty to the American National Spiritual Assembly and to distribute thirty among the various other Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I wish to assure you in person of my special prayers for the success of the efforts which you and dear Mr. Greeven are now exerting in Holland for the progress and establishment of the Faith. The literature which through your generous assistance is now available in Dutch will no doubt be a great help to you in your devoted labours, and I pray that your dearest hopes may be fully and speedily realized. My loving gratitude to you both,

Your true brother;

Shoghi

– 852 –

1937-11-20 To Amelie Willard Bodmer

USBN #118 August 1938 p2

“You have asked as to what point in man’s evolution he becomes conscious of self. This consciousness of self in man is a gradual process, and does not start at a definite point. It grows in him in this world and continues to do so in the future spiritual world.

“Man can certainly recall past experiences in his evolution, and even when his soul leaves this world it will still remember the past.

“The Guardian wishes me to answer you that he sees no objection to the friends coming together for meditation and prayer. Such a communion helps in fostering fellowship among the believers and as such is highly commendable.

“With reference to psychic phenomena referred to in your letter; these, in most cases, are an indication of a deep psychological disturbance. The friends should avoid as much as possible giving undue consideration to such matters.”

— November 20, 1937 to Amelie Willard Bodmer

– 853 –

1937-11-23 Man Upon the Earth Only 300000 Years

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

November 23, 1937, Haifa.

… With reference to the statement to the effect that man has lived as man upon the earth only 300,000 years, I am directed by the Guardian to inform you that this has never originated from him and is a misquotation. Questions such as this are for scientists to investigate and decide upon.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 854 –

1937-11-25 Increasing Number of Delegates

USBN #114 Feb 1938, p1

Concerning the problem of increasing the number of delegates at the Annual Bahá’í Convention; the Guardian wishes me to reaffirm the message he cabled to the X.S.A. a few days ago stressing the necessity of revising the basis of the national elections at this and subsequent conventions. He is convinced that the expansion of the American Bahá’í Community, involving the increase in the number of its Assemblies and other administrative institutions, necessitates a similar increase in the size of the electoral body responsible for the election of the N.S.A. It is obviously unfair and mathematically impossible to apportion ninety-five delegates among the seventy or more Assemblies already instituted. The principle of proportional representation governing the election of Convention delegates therefore can no longer operate, and unless a definite increase in the number of representatives is made the election of the N.S.A. itself would cease to rest on a secure foundation.

The advantage which such an increase presents is to broaden the basis of the N. S. A. by making it a truly representative body, and thus heighten the confidence of the believers in its authority. The National Assembly, being the highest administrative body within a country, is in absolute need of the full trust of the believers, who have the right as well as the obligation to see that the body under whose jurisdiction they serve should be a truly representative body.

In view of these considerations the Guardian feels that the time has come to revise the basis of the present representation at the Convention, by raising the number of the delegates from 95 to 171, which number represents nine times nineteen.

The question of the added expense and strain which this increase in the number of delegates entails can be solved by having those delegates who cannot afford to pay the expenses of the trip send their votes by mail. Aside from that, no financial consideration is of any importance when compared to so vital an issue as that of Convention representation which admittedly affects the very welfare and future growth of the Cause …

The Guardian wishes me to convey to your Assembly his deep appreciation of their gift of the Temple model which, he hopes, will reach him in good condition, and which he plans to fit in a place that would be accessible to both the Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í visitors. —

November 25,

– 855 –

1937-12-31 On Behalf of to an Individual re Start of the Human Soul

Reproduction and other Biological Subjects

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

With regard to the soul of man: According to the Bahá’í Teachings the human soul starts with the formation of the human embryo, and continues to develop and pass through endless stages of existence after its separation from the body. Its progress is thus infinite.

As to your question regarding the possibility of an artificial production of life by means of an incubator: this is essentially a matter that concerns science, and as such should be investigated and studied by scientists.

– 856 –

1938-01-14 Give Message to All

USBN #118 August 1938 p2

“The believers ought to give the Message even to those who do not seem ready for it, because they can never judge the real extent to which the Word of God can influence hearts or minds of the people, even those who appear to lack any power of receptivity to the teachings.”

— January 14, 1938, to Amelie Willard Bodmer.

– 857 –

1938-01-14 Passage in “The Hidden Words” No. 19

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

The passage in “The Hidden Words” no. 19 has a spiritual meaning and is allegorical, as are also the other passages in that book. It refers to the spiritual presence of Bahá’u’lláh.

(From a letter dated 14 January 1938 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

[Response to an inquiry about the meaning of this passage of the Hidden Words, especially the last part in which reference is made to a “place” and “those surroundings”.]

– 858 –

1938-01-15 To May Maxwell re Reassurances Regarding Mary

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p306

I wish to assure you that Mary is in very good health & is making real progress in her spiritual life & is cultivating those virtues & traits of character that will be of immense value to her in her highly responsible & exalted task which she is strenuously striving to perform. Rest assured, & confidently & happily persevere in your own meritorious & historic services to the Cause. For you & for dear Mr. Maxwell I am continually praying.

Shoghi

– 859 –

1938-01-15 To May Maxwell re Reports of Those Affected by Sohrab

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p305-6

Again I have the pleasure and privilege of writing you on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to acknowledge your reports of your activities, dated Dec. 2nd and the 14th.

He is very pleased with your interest in and fidelity to the mission he has given you but feels your task in this line is by no means completed. As he said in his recent cable to you he wants to have lengthy and detailed reports.

Dear & prized co-worker:

Your illuminating report is quite satisfactory, & I would deeply appreciate even more detailed reports whenever you find it convenient to send them to me.

– 860 –

1938-01-30 Certain Vital Requirements and Various

USBN #115 April 1938 p1

[First paragraph printed in This Decisive Hour #36]

The Seven Year Plan, with which the immediate fortunes of the American Bahá’í community are so closely interwoven, demands, at this critical stage in its development, serious and prayerful consideration of certain vital requirements, without which such a stupendous task can never be brought to a successful completion. The evolution of the Plan imposes a three-fold obligation, which all individual believers, all local Assemblies, as well as the National Assembly itself, must respectively recognize and conscientiously fulfil. Each and every believer, undaunted by the uncertainties, the perils and the financial stringency afflicting the nation, must arise and insure, to the full measure of his or her capacity, that continuous and abundant flow of funds into the national Treasury, on which the successful prosecution of the Plan must chiefly depend. Upon the local Assemblies, whose special function and high privilege is to facilitate the admission of new believers into the community, and thereby stimulate the infusion of fresh blood into its organic institutions, a duty no less binding in character devolves. To them I wish particularly to appeal, at this present hour, when the call of God is being raised throughout the length and breadth of both continents in the New World, to desist from insisting too rigidly on the minor observances and beliefs, which might prove a stumbling block in the way of any sincere applicant, whose eager desire is to enlist under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh. While conscientiously adhering to the fundamental qualifications already laid down, the members of each and every Assembly should endeavor, by their patience, their love, their tact and wisdom to nurse, subsequent to his admission, the new-comer into Bahá’í maturity, and win him over gradually to the unreserved acceptance of whatever has been ordained in the teachings. As to the National Assembly, whose inescapable responsibility is to guard the integrity, coordinate the activities, and stimulate the life, of the entire community, its chief concern at the present moment should be to anxiously deliberate on how best to enable both individual believers and local Assemblies to fulfil their respective tasks. Through their repeated appeals, through their readiness to dispel all misunderstandings and remove all obstacles, through the example of their lives, and their unrelaxing vigilance, their high sense of justice, their humility, consecration and courage, they must demonstrate to those whom they represent their capacity to play their part in the progress of the Plan in which they, no less than the rest of the community, are involved. May the all-conquering Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh be so infused into each component part of this harmoniously functioning System as to enable it to contribute its proper share to the consummation of the plan.

From the same letter, in the portion written by the Guardian through his secretary, the following excerpts are published for the information of the believers: —

“The Temple model prepared by Mr. Earley which you had shipped to Haifa has been received in good condition, and will be placed shortly in the International Bahá’í Archives on Mt. Carmel for the benefit of all the visitors.”

In reply to a question concerning the authority to approve a bust of ‘Abdu’I-Bahá:

“He feels that for the present neither he nor the National and local Assemblies should take any action by laying down any regulation in this matter. Individuals should be left free to exercise their discretion and to act as they deem best.”

“All those believers who are talented in music and desire to make some contributions along this line should be encouraged and advised to send their musical contributions to the Editorial Committee of The Bahá’í World for reproduction in that book.”

“In conclusion the Guardian wishes me to express his satisfaction at the progress which the Seven Year Plan is making as a result of the cooperation, energy, selflessness and perseverance displayed by the entire body of the American believers. He is continual1y praying that their efforts for the consummation of this two-fold task may be blessed and crowned with complete success.”

– 861 –

1938-02-25 To Sutherland Maxwell re Working With Other Org

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p303-4

The Guardian was exceedingly pleased to receive your letter of January 26th with enclosures regarding the invitation extended to the Bahá’ís of Montreal by the Canadian Civil Liberties Union to join in making representations to the Canadian Prime Minister concerning the ‘Padlock Act’.

He has carefully read all the papers you have sent, and wishes me to assure you of his whole-hearted approval of the letter you have written in answer to the above Union’s communication addressed to Mr. Schopflocher. The tone of your reply, he thinks, is indeed splendid, and he has every reason to hope that it will be received in a good spirit by the persons concerned.

The attitude which the believers should adopt whenever such requests are made to them is to strictly uphold the Teachings, without however displeasing unnecessarily, through lack of wisdom and tact in their negotiations, their non-Bahá’í fellows.

The Guardian wishes you also to express to the Montreal Assembly the assurances of his appreciation of the action they have taken in this matter. He is well-pleased with the care and loyalty with which they have considered the whole issue, and is confident that the result of their deliberations will serve to considerably safeguard and strengthen the basis of their Assembly and work.

Before closing I wish to express to you in particular Shoghi Effendi’s gratitude for the share you are so ably contributing towards the progress of the Faith in Montreal. He is praying for you and for dear Mrs. Maxwell, that you may both be given increasing strength and capacity to fulfil your new duties and obligations, and thus attain your highest destiny in His service.

Loving remembrances and heartiest greetings to you both from the family.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I wish to express to you and to your devoted fellow-members, my keen appreciation of your vigilance, your determination, your zeal and devotion to the Cause and its manifold interests. The manner in which you watch over and safeguard the institutions of God’s nascent Faith is truly splendid and highly gratifying. I will pray for you all from the depth of my heart. Persevere in your noble endeavours.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 862 –

1938-02-27 On Behalf of to an Individual re Conception without Sperm

Reproduction and other Biological Subjects

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

The Teachings do not tell us of any miraculous birth besides that of Jesus. As to the possibility of conception without the presence of a male sperm in the future: this is a question which lies entirely within the province of science, and which future scientists will have to investigate.

– 863 –

1938-03-20 Days of Stress and Trial in Germany

quoted in Hermann Grossman: Hand of the Cause of God, p55

May the Almighty Protector sustain you in these days of stress and trial, and enable you and your dear and unforgettable co-workers to bear heroically the tests that confront you and to surmount the obstacles which face you.

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi

[letter to Anna Grossman, 20 Mar 1938]

– 864 –

1938-03-27 “Eschew All Fellowship with the Ungodly”

References of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi to the Hidden Words

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.

Published in Bahá’í Studies Review 9

re: Hidden Words Persian No. 3

In the passage “eschew all fellowship with the ungodly”, Bahá’u’lláh means that we should shun the company of those who disbelieve in God and are wayward. The word “ungodly” is a reference to such perverse people.

(From a letter dated 27 March 1938 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 865 –

1938-04-01 Printed Calendar 1938-39

USBN #116 June 1938 p1

The Guardian wishes me to bring to your attention the fact that in the Bahá’í Calendar recently issued by the Publishing Committee the year 1938-1939 has been indicated as synchnonizing with the 94th year of the Bahá’í era, while in reality it corresponds with the 95th and not the 94th year of the Bahá’í Calendar.

On the 21st of March last (1938) the Bahá’í world entered the year 95 since the Declaration of the Báb in S̱híráz. — April 1,

– 866 –

1938-04-14 Qur’án & Two-fold Task

USBN #116 June 1938 p1

As to the question raised by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles concerning the best English translation of the Qur’án, the Guardian would recommend Sales’ translation, which is the most accurate rendering available, and is the most widespread.

In closing he wishes me to stress once more the urgency and paramount importance of the two-fold task which lies before the N. S. A., namely, the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the Temple and the expansion and consolidation of the teaching work throughout North and South America. For the attainment of those two high objectives, the entire American Bahá’í Community should strive with one accord, and should express its perfect readiness, in both words and deeds, to undergo every possible sacrifice. Not until such measure of unity is attained can they hope to achieve, at its appointed time, the heavy task that has been entrusted to their hands.”

— April 14,

– 867 –

1938-04-xx To All Faiths League via Martha Root

The Priceless Pearl, Rúḥíyyih Ḵhánum, p104

MARTHA ROOT, BOMBAY,

CONVEY ALL FAITHS LEAGUE EXPRESSION MY BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS DELIBERATIONS. MAY DIVINE GUIDANCE ENABLE ASSEMBLED REPRESENTATIVES ACHIEVE THEIR HIGH PURPOSE AND EXTEND RANGE THEIR MERITORIOUS ACTIVITIES.

– 868 –

1938-05-25 Church Missionaries

USBN #118 August 1938 p1-2

“The Guardian has read very carefully the letters your Assembly has received from the Spiritual Assemblies of Urbana and Chicago reporting the criticisms that have been advanced by Rev. John Elder, a missionary from Írán. While he is certain that such attacks from Church missionaries are destined to increase in number and force in the future, he feels that for the present they do not constitute a challenge so grave and widespread as to justify any strong action by your Assembly. Later on, when the very progress of the Cause on the one hand, and the corresponding decline in ecclesiastical organizations on the other, will inevitably incite Christian ecclesiastical leaders to vehemently oppose and undermine the Faith, the believers will then have a real chance to defend and vindicate the Cause. Under present conditions it would be inadvisable for the American Community to give such issues too much prominence.

“It would, however, be very helpful for the friends to know that the question which the above-mentioned missionary has raised in connection with the marriage of Bahá’u’lláh and the provisions in the ‘Aqdas’ regarding the institution of marriage have been explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in a Tablet which the Guardian hopes to have translated and published in conjunction with the ‘Aqdas’. Moreover, as regards Bahá’u’lláh’s marriage, it should be noted that His three marriages were all contracted before He revealed His Book of Laws, and even before His declaration in Bastyle="font-family: GentiumPlus, Georgia, serif;">ghdád, at a time when Bahá’í marriage laws had not yet been made known, and the Revelation not yet disclosed.”

“As regards those Persian or Oriental non-believers who become genuinely interested in the Cause in America, they can be admitted to study classes, but every care should be taken by the Assemblies to fully test their sincerity and the genuineness of their desire to join the Community before they are given the necessary facilities that will enable them eventually to be regarded as voting members of the Faith.”

— May 25,

– 869 –

1938-05-25 Ornamentation Work on Temple

USBN #120 Nov 1938, p3

I heartily welcome and am deeply touched by the assurances conveyed in your last communication, and am particularly rejoiced to learn of the steps already taken by your Assembly to insure the uninterrupted progress of the ornamentation work on the Temple. The determination and zeal which you have so clearly evinced in taking these initial steps augur well for the continued expansion and ultimate fruition of the two-fold enterprise you have undertaken to accomplish. Individual believers and local Assemblies will assuredly be greatly heartened and reinvigorated by the splendid initiative that has marked the beginning of your year’s stewardship in the service of this glorious Cause. The high expectations we all cherish will no doubt be fulfilled.

— SHOGHI.

May 25,

– 870 –

1938-05-25 Progress of Ornamentation Work

USBN #117 July 1938 p4

I heartily welcome and am deeply touched by the assurances conveyed in your last communication, and am particularly rejoiced to learn of the steps already taken by your Assembly to insure the uninterrupted progress of the ornamentation work on the Temple. The determination and zeal whi.ch you have so clearly evinced in taking these initial steps augur well for the continued expansion and ultimate fruition of the two-fold enterprise you have undertaken to accomplish. Individual believers and local Assemblies will assuredly be greatly heartened and reinvigorated by the splendid initiative that has marked the beginning of your year’s stewardship in the service of this glorious Cause. The high expectations we all cherish will no doubt be fulfilled.

— SHOGHI.

(In letter to the National Spiritual Assembly, May 25,10. )

– 871 –

1938-07-07 On Behalf of Shoghi Effendi to NSA Persia re Divorce

USBN National Bahá’í Review #111 February 1980 p1

“Divorce is a disgraceful and offensive affair and runs counter to the good pleasure of God. The Assembly should circulate the passages revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in this connection among the friends and bring this matter to their attention more than ever before.

“The application of the law of divorce is dependent upon the permission and approval of the Spiritual Assembly. The Spiritual Assembly should make a thorough and independent investigation in these cases. Should there be legitimate causes or should the couple find it impossible to live in unity and harmony and no way can be found to overcome their aversion to each other, then the Assembly may approve divorce.”

(Translated from a letter dated Rahmat year 95 B.E. [July 7, 1938] to the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia)

– 872 –

1938-07-13 For SE re Melchizedek

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol I #2 September 1982 pp61

“Melchizedek was certainly a prophet, but we do not know even the approximate date of his appearance, or where he appeared.

– 873 –

1938-07-14 Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is Primarily for this Planet

July 14, 1938, Haifa.

“…Concerning your question regarding the meaning of the passage on page 231 of the ‘Gleanings’ — ‘And out of it will We bring you a second time’. This is allegorical and does not imply physical resurrection.

On page 287 of the same book, ‘And hath power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished’. No particular force is meant. It is symbolic of the regenerative power with which a righteous act is endowed.

As to your question whether the power of Bahá’u’lláh extends over our solar system and its higher worlds; while the revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, it should be noted, is primarily for this planet, yet the spirit animating it is all-embracing, and its scope therefore cannot be restricted or defined.”

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 874 –

1938-08-07 To Martha on Maries Passing & Response of Marie of Jugoslavija

Her Eternal Crown: Queen Marie of Romania and the Bahá’í Faith, Della L Marcus, pp273

Regarding the late Queen Marie of Romania, her sudden and quite unexpected passing was a real shock to the friends, who cannot but profoundly mourn her loss. Memorial meetings were held in her honour in many centres, and the occasion was seized by the believers to give fresh publicity to the Cause through the press.

The Guardian himself, immediately upon hearing of the Queen’s death, wired in the name of all the Bahá’ís a message of condolence to her daughter, the Dowager Queen Marie of Yugoslavia, and in reply received from her a telegram expressing her ‘sincere thanks to the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.

– 875 –

1938-09-05 To an Individual re Bahá’í Concept of Sex

USBN National Bahá’í Review #4 April 1968 p5

The Bahá’í Teachings on this matter, which is of such vital concern and about which there is such a wide divergency of views, are very clear and emphatic. Briefly stated the Bahá’í conception of sex is based on the belief that chastity should be strictly practiced by both sexes, not only because it is in itself highly commendable ethically, but also due to its being the only way to a happy and successful marital life. Sex relationships of any form, outside marriage, are not permissible therefore, and whoso violates this rule will not only be responsible to God, but will incur the necessary punishment from society.

“The Bahá’í Faith recognizes the value of the sex impulse, but condemns its illegitimate and improper expressions such as free love, companionate marriage and others, all of which it considers positively harmful to man and to the society in which he lives. The proper use of the sex instinct is the natural right of every individual, and it is precisely for this very purpose that the institution of marriage has been established. The Bahá’ís do not believe in the suppression of the sex impulse but in its regulation and control.

“In the Aqdas and innumerable Tablets, most of which have not been yet translated, both Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá emphasize the above view and up-hold the principle of chastity. In The Gleanings there are some important references, more or less direct, to this question. You should carefully go over them, and ponder on their meanings and their far-reaching implications.”

=========

While portions of this letter are cited various places, this is the most complete

– 876 –

1938-10-27 To Coswell to Continue Consolidation in Knoxville

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p14-15

“For the present however, the Guardian would advise that you remain in Knoxville and assist the friends in consolidating their work and in acquiring the teachings necessary to enable them to administer their affairs efficiently and along sound administrative lines.

(Signed) H. Rabbání

– 877 –

1938-11-10 To Max Greeven re Situation in Germany

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp38-40

Max Greeven, 10 November 1938

Dear Mr. Greeven,

I am directed by the Guardian to express his thanks for your letters dated August 9th and October 11th.

With reference to the situation of the Cause in Germany; Frau Mühlschlegel wrote sometime ago that the friends in Stuttgart had received a communication from the Berlin Secret Police to the effect that “for state-police reasons” the Faith had to remain prohibited, and that the objects confiscated would not be returned.

There is apparently nothing the friends in Stuttgart can do to induce the authorities to re-examine their rulings, or to rescind it, even in part. Further representation on their part not only seem to bring no results, but might have the effect of displeasing the authorities. And in view of this, the Guardian wrote in reply to Frau Mühlschlegel that under existing circumstances it would be wiser for the believers to keep entirely silent, and not to press any longer their case by addressing any appeal either to the authorities in Stuttgart or Berlin.

As regards your own efforts to approach the minister in charge of ecclesiastical affairs in the capital; the Guardian has noted your view that under the existing regime in Germany there is very little chance of your obtaining any definite results through representations to that department. Fie would suggest therefore that, in case you deem it feasible and opportune, you should endeavour to find new ways of approach, possibly by trying to contact some of the high officials in the “Gestapo” which, as you have written, reigns supreme in the Germany of today. This is, however, merely a suggestion, and he leaves it entirely to you to decide as to its practicability, particularly as events in Germany are all developing in the direction of greater centralization, and of a further suppression of all religious groups and denominations.

The general world condition is obviously growing more tense every day and clearly points to the inevitability of that world-wide conflagration foretold by the Master and explained by the Guardian in his “Goal of a New World Order”. Shoghi Effendi wishes the friends to be prepared for still far more serious developments than those which we have witnessed in the course of the last two months, but he wishes them also to feel assured and confident in the glorious promises for a brighter future so emphatically given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

With regard to the photographs of the Paris bust of the Master; Shoghi Effendi does not wish you to undergo the expense and trouble of ordering another fifty copies of the same dimensions as the original photos. Those of the post-card size you had sent, he feels, are quite good and sufficient.

With his most loving greetings, also to Mrs. Greeven,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání

Dearest co-worker:

Just a word to assure you of my ever-deepening gratitude and admiration for the efforts you are ceaselessly exerting on behalf of our oppressed brethren. Bahá’u’lláh is no doubt watching over you, and the Beloved is well pleased with your historic endeavours. Whatever their outcome, you have won for yourself an abiding place in the affections of the believers.

Affectionately and gratefully Shoghi

– 878 –

1938-11-11 To Blomfield re Talk to Society for the Study of Comparative Religions

Lady Blomfield: Her Life and Times, Robert Weinberg, p333-4

In this connection he wishes me to express the hope that the public address you have requested to deliver on the Cause by the “Society for the Study of Comparative Religions” will be a great success, and that as a result genuine interest will be awakened in the Teachings.

He will specially pray that your efforts in this connection may be blessed and yield the maximum results. He wishes me also to assure you that he will remember in his prayers the member of the above-mentioned society whom you have been trying to confirm in the Faith. May Bahá’u’lláh awaken his soul to the truth of His Message and inspire him to actively join the Cause.

‘I was truly delighted to hear from you, and to know of your steadfastness and increasing success in the service of this noble Faith. You are often in my thoughts and prayers, and I supplicate our Beloved to shower upon you and your dear daughter His imperishable blessings.

– 879 –

1938-11-13 To May Maxwell re Support for Hospitality

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p299

My dearest Mother:

… He was very touched by your desire to contribute to the upkeep of the hospitality offered pilgrims in Haifa, but felt he would prefer to use the sum in your and Daddy’s name for the purchase of land about the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel. He felt this would make you both happy to have it spent for such a purpose… .

With the Guardian’s love to you and Daddy, as well as my own deepest love,

Your daughter,

Rúḥíyyih

Your prompt & exemplary response to the suggestions & requests I have felt urged to make in recent months has served to heighten my admiration for the spirit that has always so powerfully animated you in the service of the Cause. I wish you now to concentrate for a time your energies and attention on the immediate needs of the teaching work in whatever region you find it most agreeable and beneficent to your health. I trust that in this renewed effort dear Mr. Maxwell will be closely associated, & in conjunction with you win fresh laurels for the Faith. Mary, who continually shares with me the joy & anxieties which the evolution of the Cause must necessarily occasion is well, happy, & continually progressing. You should be quite assured & happy. Affectionately & gratefully

Shoghi

– 880 –

1938-11-27 Bahá’í Calendar

USBN #122 January 1939 p3

“The Bahá’í day starts and ends at sunset, and consequently the date of the celebration of Bahá’í feasts should be adjusted to conform to the Bahá’í calendar time. For further particulars on this subject you should refer to the section entitled ‘Bahá’í Calendar’ in The Bahá’í World.

“The Guardian would advise that, if feasible, the friends should commemorate certain of the feasts and anniversaries at the following time:

“The anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb on May 22, at about two hours after sunset.

“The first day of Riḍván, at about 3:00 P.M. on the 21st of April.

“The anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb on July 9 at about noon.

“The anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh on May 29 at 3:00 A.M.

“The Ascension of ‘Abdu’1-Bahá on November 28 at 1:00 A.M.

“The other anniversaries the believers are free to gather at any time during the day which they find convenient.”

Letter from Shoghi Effendi, November 27,

– 881 –

1938-11-27 This Historic Enterprise

USBN #122 January 1939 p2

With reference to the ornamentation of the gallery section of the Temple; the Guardian wishes me to express his entire satisfaction at the rate at which the work is progressing, and also to assure your Assembly of his approval of the suggestion made Mr. Earley,which will have the effect of expediting considerably the work of the ornamentation of the first story.

He further wishes me to stress the importance of placing the contract for the models and molds before the completion of the present contract, as this, he strongly feels, will save much time,and would in addition enable your Assembly, in the meantime, to accumulate more funds and thus insure the uninterrupted progress of the ornamentation of the rest of the Temple.

He would, in closing, urge your Assembly, and wishes, through you, to renew his plea to the entire body of the American believers, to spare no effort to bring this historic enterprise to final consummation at the appointed time. They would certainly be failing in one of their most vital obligations, at this crucial period in the development of the Cause, if they allow the work of that sacred edifice to suffer any setback. But there is surely no ground for any such doubt. Rather, there is every reason to believe that the American Bahá’í Community, the range and quality of whose achievements have raised it to so unique and enviable a position among its sister communities throughout the West, will, as in the past, endeavor with one accord to fulfill to the very last and with that self same spirit of abnegation and heroic resolve that have characterized its previous accomplishments, all its obligations and responsibilities under the Seven Year Plan.

— - — November 27, 1938

– 882 –

1938-12-14 For SE to Ind re Spanish Translations

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol 5 #1-2 September 1985 pp92

The decision reached by the N.S.A. concerning the matter of Spanish translations, he hopes will be carries out promptly and vigorously, so as to avoid any further delay. He feels the highest literary standard possible should be maintained in any future translations of Bahá’í Writings into Spanish and for this reason he heartily welcomes the suggestion to refer such work to Spanish professors, even though this may involve some expenses which your Committee or the N.S.A. might find somewhat difficult to bear in the beginning.

=========

– 883 –

1938-12-14 re Temerity Ranch

USBN #131 November 1939, p8

“The Guardian feels also deeply appreciative of your generous offering to the N.S.A. of your ranch in Colorado Springs. Your idea to turn this property into a training school for Inter-America teaching work, he feels, is splendid.”

— - — - 14 Dec 1938

re Temerity Ranch facility, Pine Valley

– 884 –

1938-xx-xx Hopes for P & M

USBN #212 October 1948 p1

“ … He is indeed pleased to know that the book of Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh has been out in time to enable the fr?ends to read it during the Fast, and he has every hope that the perusal of such a precious volume will help to deepen, more than any other publication, the spirit of devotion and faith in the friends, and thus charge them with all the spiritual power they require for the accomplishment of their tremendous duties towards the Cause ….”

(From a letter from Shoghi Effendi to Miss Jessie Revell of Philadelphia in answer to a letter she wrote him thanking him for the book Prayers and Meditations).

– 885 –

1939-01-09 Cobbs Character

USBN #128 Aug 1939, p 5

He has noted with particular satisfaction the reference made to the Master and the Cause, and trusts this will serve to attract the attention of many thoughtful leaders to the Faith, and awaken widespread to the Faith, and awaken widespread and genuine interest in the teachings. A single seed when planted at the right time and the right way will take root, grow well, and yield abundant fruitage. Your book, likewise, is of such simple and beautiful expression, and presents the spiritual ideals and teachings of the Cause in an indirect but most effective and convincing language that every serious and unbiased reader is bound to be impressed by its perusal and to investigate and study the Cause. This volume represents your experiences of many years as a Bahá’í, and is the fruit of your labors as a student of the teachings in the field of educational philosophy. May it serve to inspire the educationalists of our time to assist in spreading and vindicating those spiritual ideals which Bahá’u’lláh and the Master have set as the highest and noblest goal of every education.

— to Stanwood Cobb regarding his book, Character: A Sequence in Spiritual Psychology, 9 Jan 1939

– 886 –

1939-01-26 Questions of Kaukab H. A. MacCutcheon

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS circulated by RUTH J. MOFFETT

Extracts from a letter from Shoghi Effendi to Kaukab H. A. MacCutcheon, dated January 26,

“In regard to the list of questions you had enclosed, the Guardian has directed me to answer them in the order in which they have been put:

The Teachings do not contain any explanation of what is meant by Guardian Angel.

The holding of a memorial forty days after the passing of a person is a purely Islámic practice, and consequently should be discarded by the believers.

There is no prophecy in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh regarding the Pyramids.

On page 231 of the ‘Gleanings’ the passage beginning with the words, ‘Out of earth have We created you’ — in this passage Bahá’u’lláh is refuting the argument of the Muslims who believe in bodily resurrection.

There is no connection between the birth of Christ and His having practiced celibacy to permit one to infer that since He was born of the Holy Spirit He therefore refused to marry. Even if Christ had been, married, this would in no way have affected the manner of the appearance of Muḥammad or the Báb.

Approximately six thousand years elapsed since the appearance of Adam. The ages of the Prophets as spécified in the Bible were based on a different calculation than the one used at present. The years mentioned in the Bible were different from ours.

As to your question as to whether another letter will be added to our alphabet in order to have 27 letters; this tradition in which reference to 27 letters is made, has no relation to the Western alphabet.

The fulfilment of the prophecy regarding the appearance of the Sun in the West refers to the Bahá’í Civilization and World Order, and has no relation to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to the West;

The provision in the ‘Aqdas’ regarding the use of glass coffins will be explained when that Most Holy Book is published. This has no connection with the purification of the earth in the Day of Bahá’u’lláh.

The words Spirit and Soul are interchangeable. You should refer to ‘Answered Questions’ for further clarification.

The subconscious mind is one of the manifestations of the human soul.

The Báb is the return of the 12th Immam only in a spiritual sense, just as Bahá’u’lláh is the return of the Spirit, the Christ.

In the ‘Gleanings’, p. 154, the sentence beginning with ‘a sick person showeth Bahá’u’lláh means by this that the soul itself, in its reality, is not affected by any physical forces.

There is no reference in the teachings of the real birthday of Jesus Christ.

Also, the Teachings hear no reference to the names of the stars which are supposed to have preceded Moses, Christ and other Divine Prophets.

The Jews are the descendants of Jacob. Both they and the Arabs are branches of the Semitic race.”

Your true and grateful brother,

SHOGHI.

- 887 -

1939-02-06 Hindrances Can Be Overcome

USBN #134 March 1940, p2

“Such hindrances (i.e. illness and outer difficulties), no matter how severe and insuperable they may at first seem, can and should be effectively overcome through the combined and sustained power of prayer and of determined and continued effort.”

— To Mrs. Alíce S. Cox, February 6,

– 888 –

1939-02-11 Three Homefront Pioneers

USBN #123 March 1939 p2

.. Heart flooded (with) joyous gratitude (at) realization American believers (are) rising magnificently (to meet the) challenge (of this) unutterably precious hour. Convey (to) Alaska, Nevada (and) Vermont pioneers (my) immense appreciation (of their) marvelous, instantaneous, exemplary response. Prayers continually accompany them.”

11 Feb 38

On rcvg news that Miss Honor Kempton would proceed to Alaska, Miss Grace Bissell to Vermont, and Miss Helen Griffing to Nevada

– 889 –

1939-02-25 To May Maxwell re Poss of Shoghi Effendi Travel to America

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p321

The Guardian wants me to tell you he approves of your little note of explanation enclosed with the notes you intend sharing with the friends. He does not want to have any misunderstanding arise regarding them and so feels your note was quite appropriate.

He was very touched by your offer of our home to him if at any time he should be forced to go to that continent, but he feels such a thing is very unlikely indeed! However the spirit of your offer he accepts and the love that inspired it.

Dear & valued co-worker:

I deeply appreciate & feel much touched by your spontaneous and generous offer to place the house you live in at my disposal if ever I visit the States. This is another evidence of your passionate devotion to the Faith which I regard as an inestimable asset to the Cause. What you are achieving for the Cause in these days of stress & trial, through personal contact with the believers only serves to enhance the rich record of your past & outstanding services. Mary is quite well, & exceedingly busy in her study of the Bible at present which I regard as a necessary foundation for her future work. You should feel assured, happy & redouble your efforts in the teaching field. With much love to dear Mr. Maxwell whom I trust will be able to help increasingly in the magnificent work you are performing for the Cause. Your true & grateful brother,

Shoghi

– 890 –

1939-03-19 Several To Mrs. Elizabeth Edwards

USBN #134 March 1940, p2

As regards the celebration of the Christian Holidays by the believers; it is surely preferable and even highly advisable that the friends should in their relation to each other discontinue observing such holidays as Christmas and New Year, and to have their festival gatherings of this nature instead during the intercalary days and Naw-Rúz …

Concerning the question how long it takes for the spirit to properly disconnect itself from the body; there is no reference to that in the Writings ….

The healing prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh can be effective even though used by non-believers. But their effectiveness is of course greater in the case of those who fully accept the Revelation.

– 891–

1939-04-14 Bahá’í World Order & Social Aspects

USBN #134 March 1940, p2

Concerning the idea of the Bahá’í World Order and the proper emphasis which should be laid on the social aspect of the Faith; the Guardian feels the necessity for all teachers to stress the fact that the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh can, under no circumstances, be divorced from the spiritual principles and teachings of the Cause; that the social laws and institutions of the Faith are inseparably bound up and closely interwoven with the moral and spiritual principles enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh, Who, Himself, indeed, has time and again emphasized the underlying oneness and the identity of purpose of all His spiritual, doctrinal, and social teachings. The Friends, while emphasizing both of these aspects, should, in particular, point out that they constitute parts of one and the same plan, and elements of a single, divine and world-embracing system.

— To Leroy Ioas, April 14,

– 892 –

1939-04-17 Pioneer Teaching in Northern and Southern America

USBN #126 June 1939 p2

Before closing I wish to express once again the feelings of unbounded satisfaction and gratitude that fill the heart of our beloved Guardian at the repeated evidences of the steady extension of pioneer teaching in both the Northern and Southern America, and at the unanimous and unconditional response made to his recent teaching appeals by the individual believers, local Assemblies, regional and national teaching committees and last, but not least, by the distinguished members of your own Assembly who have assuredly spared no effort to coordinate, guide and reinforce the activities and resources of the entire community towards the accomplishment of the collossal task set forth by the Seven Year Plan. Such exemplary response, truly reminiscent of the intrepid faith, fearless courage and irreproachable fidelity so characteristic of the immortal pioneers of the Heroic Age of the Cause, indeed befits the high spiritual rank which the American believers so deservedly and incontestably enjoy. It surely cannot but excite the envy and the admiration of all their sister communities. whether in the East or in the West, and, in particular, offer true and abiding solace to those of their co-religionists who, though harrassed and persecuted, turn their eager and confident hearts to their dear American brethren, whose inestimable privilege it is now to compensate, through their heroic exploits, what their disabled fellow-believers are prevented from accomplishing for the further spread and greater glory of their faith.

Through his secretary: — 17 Apr 1939

– 893 –

1939-04-21 Meaning of Certain Phrases

EXTRACTS PROM SHOGHI EFFENDI’S LETTERS

TO RUTH J. MOFFETT AND ROBERT LEE MOFFETT

April 21, 1939, Haifa.

“… With reference to your question as to the meaning of ‘Abhá Kingdom’; it is another term for the spiritual world beyond the grave.

What is meant by personal God, is a God who is conscious of His creation, who has a mind, a will, a purpose, and not, as many scientists and materialists believe, an unconscious and determined force operating in the universe. Such conception of the Divine Being, as the Supreme and over-present Reality in the world, is not anthropomorphic, for it transcends all human limitations and forms, and does by no means attempt to define the essence of Divinity which is obviously beyond any human comprehension. To say that God is a personal Reality doos not mean that He has a physical form, or does in any way resemble a human being. To entertain such belief would be sheer blasphemy.

When we say that man lives in a three dimensional plane of consciousness, we should not interpret such a statement in mathematical terms, though the basic idea of the thought is certainly correct.

The word Israel, used throughout the Bible, simply refers to the Jewish people, and not to the chosen ones of this day.

The passage in the Gospel of St. John 14:26, is a reference to the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, through Whose coming this prophecy was fulfilled.”

Your true and grateful brother,

Shoghi.

– 894 –

1939-04-22 On Behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an Individual re Some Economic Topics

Redistribution of Wealth

Compiled By Research Department Of The Universal House Of Justice.

Now with regard to your questions concerning Bahá’í economic teachings: the writings of Bahá’u’lláh do not contain any technical teachings on the subject of economics, and on such specific financial questions as gold standardization, monetary standards and exchanges, etc. — what they provide however are certain general principles in the light of which future Bahá’í economists will have to evolve the Bahá’í Economic System of the future. These principles contribute the basis of all future economic schemes, but at present it would certainly be premature to foretell what definite economic system will be evolved and established by the Cause. The Bahá’ís, therefore, cannot claim to possess at present an economic order or system which they can officially associate with the Faith, nor should they now attempt to establish any such economic scheme, which would obviously be beyond their present-day capacity and resources.

As regards the objections raised against Bahá’u’lláh’s law of Inheritance: even though a Bahá’í is permitted in his will to dispose of his wealth in the way he wishes, yet he is morally and conscientiously bound to always bear in mind, while writing his will, the necessity of his upholding the principle of Bahá’u’lláh regarding the social function of wealth, and the consequent necessity of avoiding its over-accumulation and concentration in a few individuals or groups of individuals. It is his duty as a loyal and responsible believer to make such provision in his will as would make it fully conform to the spirit if not actually to the exact provisions of the Aqdas regarding the division and distribution of inheritance….

No country can possibly solve its economic difficulties alone, for economic interdependence is an unescapable economic reality, a fact of economic life which can neither be ignored nor deliberately opposed.

The Teachings do not state what the exact relationship between Labour and Capital will be in the future. Neither do they indicate any directions regarding the payment of wages, or whether the wage system will be retained, modified or altogether abolished. They, however, explicitly uphold the institution of private ownership, but stress also the necessity of introducing certain fundamental changes in its methods and features.

– 895 –

1939-04-24 Be Very Careful in Contacts with Esperantists

The Principle Of An International Auxiliary Language

Compiled by the Research Dept at the direction of the House of Justice, 1 Nov 79 (?)

One thing, however, the Guardian feels the believers should be very careful to avoid in all such contacts with the Esperantists: namely that of giving them the impression that they consider Esperanto as necessarily constituting that international auxiliary language of the future referred to by Bahá’u’lláh and stressed by Him as an indispensable element in the upbuilding of the coming New World Order.

To give them such a false conception of the true Bahá’í attitude regarding the choice of the future world international language would not only be an act of dishonesty and disloyalty towards the Cause, but would lead to serious misunderstandings and misapprehensions, and eventually result in counteracting the effect of any temporary gains or advantages which may accrue to the Faith through such association and contacts with the Esperantists.

It is not so much that language as the central idea it embodies and inculcates which the Bahá’ís endorse, and only through keeping firm to such an attitude can they hope to establish any fruitful and enduring contacts with various Esperanto groups and associations throughout the world.

(24 April 1939 to an individual believer)

– 896 –

1939-04-27 Racial Problem in America

HOLOCAUST AND THE GREATER PLAN OF GOD (Revised 1998)

A compilation by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

With reference to your question concerning the racial problem in America: although the American race problem is no less serious than the race question in Europe, particularly as regards the Jews, yet the Guardian is inclined to think that for the present there is little likelihood of its becoming as widespread and tragic as in such European countries as Germany, Poland and other Central European and Balkan States. He feels convinced, however, that unless the racial question in America is vigorously and fearlessly tackled, grave disturbances, of both a social and political nature, will inevitably result.

(27 April 1939, on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

– 897 –

1939-05-12 Importance of Panama

USBN #129 August 1939, p8

… the importance of establishing the Faith in that republic (i. e. Panama) as already stressed by the Guardian in his last general letter, cannot be overemphasized. and whatever the obstacles that will have to be faced by future Bahá’í pioneers in that country, the task of insuring the spiritual conquest of that territory, of whose far-reaching possibilities as a radiating center for the diffusion of the light of the Cause throughout Central and South America ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has so explicitly written in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, must be vigorously and systematically pursued. … In closing. Shoghi Effendi wishes me to stress the all-importance of the teaching work in Central America. While the teaching campaign in South America should be continually and vigorously prosecuted, special attention, he feels, should be directed to Central America, aiming at the permanent establishment of at least one believer in each one of its republics, before the end of the present year.”

[on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the Inter-America Committee, 12 May 1939]

– 898 –

1939-05-14 Supreme Objective

The supreme objective of the American believers in the year just entered is to insure the uninterrupted prosecution of the Temple construction work and to accomplish the present and perhaps the most difficult stage in the inter-American teaching campaign recently and officially inaugurated. The scope of the dual task ahead is now clear and defined. It is now for the newly elected Assembly to devise ways and means for its efficient, complete and speedy execution.

SHOGHI.

May 14,

– 899 –

1939-05-20 To May Maxwell re Her Health

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p326-7

He was very sad to learn from your recent cablegram sent to me, that you have a diabetic condition. He hastens to assure you he will pray for your complete recovery and he wants you not only to continue treating this condition but to have complete rest of body and mind in order to entirely recover. He assures you that you have no need to worry on any score and that when the time comes you will return to him, and to my open arms, in Haifa. You must never have any doubt about this for a moment!

He wants you at present to devote yourself entirely to recovering from this condition and only after you are recovered, to go on with your teaching work …

Also he feels whenever you need his prayers, or wish to, you should cable him directly at once. This will greatly help you and you should never hesitate, for any consideration, to do so.

In your last letter to me you asked me a question that I felt only our beloved could answer so I took the liberty of mentioning it to him, knowing his answer would be the true one. He says your illness has not the slightest connection with any spiritual state or failure. There is every reason for you to feel happy and proud because he is pleased with you and you are doing your duty in every way. This illness is purely a physical condition and he is praying you will overcome it. He wants you not to worry over anything or think any dark thoughts …

You must always feel that he is not only happy to hear from you but eager to get your views as one so devoted to the Cause and so close to him!

It is a long time since I have written you but you have been often in my thoughts and prayers, particularly since I have heard about your illness which I trust will be soon completely cured. To be fully restored physically should be your first consideration. Everything for the present should be subordinated to it. Anytime you feel the urge to write me do not hesitate for one moment. Rest assured, and have no anxiety whatever either regarding Mary who is well, happy and protected, or in connection with the international situation & its repercussions. You and your dear family have in the past & under all circumstances been consistently & sometimes miraculously preserved, guided & blessed & will in the coming days be vouchsafed similar if not still greater & more abundant bounties & blessings. Be happy, confident, & thankful. Affectionately

Shoghi

– 900 –

1939-05-22 Inter-American Teaching Campaign

USBN #127 July 1939 p2

In connection with the Bahá’í exhibition at the San Francisco Golden Gate Exposition, he feels deeply appreciative of the efforts exerted by the N. S. A. in conjunction with the San Francisco Assembly for the arrangement of such an attractive and impressive display. and has every reason to hope that the exhibit your Assembly is now holding at the World’s Fair in New York will prove equally successful. and result in giving the Faith a befitting and widespread publicity. He welcomes your offer to send him photographs of this last exhibit at New York. and would also appreciate your giving him a report on the public interest shown on both occasions.

He wishes me in conclusion to stress the paramount importance, now that the teaching campaign in the United States and Canada has been successfully extended to embrace every State and Province in these two countries, of insuring by all means available the systematic and vigorous penetration of the teaching force in the Latin Republics of Central America — the opening up of which he has, in his recent cabled message to the Annual Convention, set as the chief immediate teaching objective facing the Community of the American believers during this year. Since the nine hitherto unoccupied territories in the North American Continent have at last been definitely settled, and following the formation during this past year of the first local Spiritual Assembly in the heart of Mexico, this southward penetration of the teaching campaign is but a natural and logical step which should now be resolutely and unfailingly pursued.

That this new and crucial stage in the Inter-American teaching campaign is infinitely more difficult and challenging than any teaching attempt under taken so far collectively by the American believers, fraught as it is with problems which they have never had the opportunity to tackle before, and might for this reason appear at first quite beyond their present-day resources and strength, the Guardian himself has readily admitted in his “Advent of Divine Justice.” But though fully alive to the existence of such obstacles and difficulties. whether religious, political, racial. or otherwise, he feels absolutely confident that these harriers. no matter how insuperable they may prove to purely human attempts and endeavors, cannot in the long run offer any effective resistance to the onward march of the invincible arm of Bahá’u’lláh which, however significantly small and poorly equipped materially it may appear, is endowed nevertheless with such celestial strength as will undoubtedly enable it to break down one by one every barrier it may encounter in its spiritual conquest for the redemption and guidance of human souls.

It is the assurance of such divinely promised victory, stressed time and again and in language indeed unmistakable by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, coupled with the ever-growing evidence of the incomparably glorious teaching achievements accomplished by the American believers in recent years, and in particular during the last two decades following the ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that fill the Guardian with confidence and courage, and impel him to set up such an admittedly high goal before the American Bahá’í Community, thus leading it, resolutely and infallibly, ever onward towards the high spiritual destiny which has been, irrevocably and yet so deservedly, chosen for it by God in this glorious age and dispensation.

[on behalf of the Guardian 22 May 1939]

– 901 –

1939-05-30 To M M Ellsworth Blackwell On Their Volunteering To Pioneer

White and Negro Alíke (Kindle edition), Audrey Mike

May 30, 1939

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The most welcome message you had jointly addressed to our beloved Guardian dated May 9th has duly reached him, and he was inexpressibly delighted to hear that you have written the Inter-America Committee offering your services for teaching work in Central America. He hopes that the N.S.A. & the Inter-America Committee both will extend to you every support & assistance in their power in order to facilitate your journey & enable you to settle in a locality where you will have the best chance of establishing the Faith. You did well to write & ask the Committee in charge of the teaching work in the Latin American countries for their advice as to what particular state you should settle in, as their recommendation would certainly be invaluable to you in your work.

Needless to assure you that this great teaching undertaking you have chosen with such spontaneous will and such heroic determination characteristic of the Bahá’í pioneer, the invisible, yet ever present hosts of the Kingdom will ever reinforce & strengthen your labors, and lead you onward to the goal you have set yourselves to attain in service to Bahá’u’lláh in His Faith.

The Guardian’s good wishes & prayers will accompany you all through your journey, & it is his heart’s fervent hope that you may be fully confirmed & successful in your efforts.

With the warmest expression of his grateful appreciation of your devoted services in the teaching field & with his most loving greetings to you both.

Yours ever sincerely,

R. Rabbání

[At the close of this letter on behalf of the Guardian to the Blackwells, Shoghi Effendi, in his own hand, added these comments.]

Dear co-workers:

I am delighted to hear of your noble determination, and will specially pray for your success. I value and prize the spirit that animates you in His service. May the Beloved guide every step you take, resolve every problem that may confront you, cheer your hearts and fulfill your dearest wish in His service.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

742 East Marquette

May 9, 1939

Dear Shoghi Effendi,

This is to inform you that we have submitted our names to the Inter-America Committee for pioneer work in Central America. We are entirely willing to carry the great message into any one of these countries, should The National Spiritual Assembly decide to accept our applications.

We would like to give you a few facts concerning our personal history. We became declared believers in the year 1934 within a few months of each other, and were later married in the year36. I am a member of the Negro race, and my wife is one of the Caucasian race, while I am from the southern states and she is from the northern states.

It was the summons contained within your cablegram that “white and Negro believers alike must arise…” which has created within us the desire to respond to the Call.

We are asking, then, for your prayers on our behalf so that we may always render the utmost service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Faithfully yours,

Ellsworth Blackwell

Ruth Blackwell

– 902 –

1939-07-04 Various to USNSA

USBN #129 August 1939, p4-5

The Guardian wishes me to express his approval of the budget of $150,000 fixed by the N. S. A. for teaching work and Temple construction during the current Bahá’í Year, and trusts that the individual believers as well as all the local Assemblies will cooperate in raising that sum, and thus make it possible for your Assembly to carry on, regularly and uninterruptedly, its twofold national tasks in this third year of the Seven Year Plan.

The Guardian also welcomes your Assembly’s decision to maintain the plan of holding public meetings and regional conferences in various parts of the country, and also views with approval your decision to include the city of Toronto in the schedule of the N. S. A. meetings for this year.

In closing I wish to express the Guardian’s unbounded satisfaction at the most gratifying news of the opening up of the three Central American Republics of Cuba, Panama and Honduras to the light of the Cause, and to urge your Assembly, on his behalf, to make a special, and indeed supreme effort for the settlement, in the course of this year, of the six remaining Republics of Central America. Whatever the cost and sacrifices which such admittedly difficult campaign would entail, and however tentative the efforts of those pioneers who offer themselves for service in these religiously conservative, politically unsettled, and climatically inhospitable countries, the one supreme and immediate objective is to insure laying down, ere the termination of the current year, and in each one of these Republics such foundations, rudimentary though they may be, as would provide future Bahá’í teachers working in these regions such means and openings as would considerably facilitate their task of further extending the scope and consolidating the foundations of the Cause in Central America.

Whoever feels the urge to volunteer for pioneer work in either one of these Central American States should be encouraged to do so and while the N. S. A. is conscientiously bound to facilitate his settlement it has also the right of exercising its own discretion whenever there are a number of similar applicants, through extending special financial support to all those pioneers whom it considers to be best qualified for the task.

This present phase of the inter-continental teaching campaign, coinciding as it does with the steadily rising tide of uncertainty and gloom throughout the world, acquires a special significance, and offers indeed a unique challenge to the community of the American believers, who, as the undisputed “vanguards of the Faith in the West” are now called upon to demonstrate, in fields hitherto unexplored and through exploits as yet unrivaled by any of their sister-communities throughout the West, the efficacy of this new saving grace of God revealed in this age through the person of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Guardian will continue to pray that the members of the American Bahá’í community may arise and meet the challenge of the present hour with such audacity, such self-sacrifice and such unflinching determination as truly befits their incontestably high spiritual position, and in a manner that would evoke the admiration and excite the envy not only of the entire body of their co-religionists, but of the whole unbelieving world outside.

July 4,

– 903 –

1939-07-11 To May Maxwell re Marys Progress

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p307

Mary is steadily quietly & surely progressing & developing in every way, & I am truly pleased & satisfied. You should with increasing joy, thanksgiving, assurance & ardour persevere in your work which is complementary to hers in your servitude to the threshold of Bahá’u’lláh.

– 904 –

1939-07-11 Through Difficulties Enabled to Deepen Devotion to Cause

Fire and Gold: Benefiting from Life’s Tests”, p139

as compiled by Brian Kurzius

He fully understands indeed the rather difficult situation in which you have been placed through the sheer development of circumstances, but nevertheless feels you have no reason to get so discouraged, and wishes you therefore to rest assured, confident that through such difficulties you will be enabled to further deepen in your love and devotion to the Cause, and receive fresh opportunities of serving and promoting its truth.

[Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 11 July 1939]

– 905 –

1939-07-11 To May Maxwell re Sutherlands Illness

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p331-2

He was very pleased to hear from you in your cable to him that Daddy was so much better, and he trusts you will both devote yourselves to becoming quite re-established physically and then go out and teach.

I know you will be happy to hear that Shoghi Effendi himself is well and feeling encouraged by the good news of the progress of the work in America and southward.

Your deep love for him touches and pleases him very much! He is well aware of your great devotion to the Cause and its Center.

He has permitted me to send this air mail to you, so excuse the paper, which is some I bought just for my air mail letters to you and Daddy.

With my heart’s deepest love to you and Daddy and assuring you that the Guardian prays for you both and watches over you and me!

Your Rúḥíyyih

Dear & prized co-worker:

The news of dear Mr. Maxwell’s illness has greatly saddened me. What a relief to learn that he is well again & that no operation is required! The welfare & happiness of such a noble, such a pure & dear soul are ever near to my heart, & I pray that he may be graciously assisted & led to associate himself closer than before with the truly magnificent & historic work you are achieving, in these days of stress & trial, for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh & its institutions. Mary is steadily quietly & surely progressing & developing in every way, & I am truly pleased & satisfied. You should with increasing joy, thanksgiving, assurance & ardour persevere in your work which is complementary to hers in your servitude to the threshold of Bahá’u’lláh. Be happy & take good care of yourself & of dear Mr. Maxwell.

Shoghi

– 906 –

1939-07-11 To May Maxwell re Greatest SVC of May is Deepening Others

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p303-4

My dearly loved Mother:

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi I want to acknowledge your letters to him of June 9th and May 15th,20. He is always pleased to hear from you and interested in receiving the news of the friends and the Cause and progress of the work in general. Indeed so much so that he wants you to tell him in greater detail the expressions of interest, satisfaction, etc. that you may hear about his last general letter or the Seven Year Plan, or things in general. If you had ever been questioned in detail by the Guardian about something that interests him keenly, you would know what I mean! He is so extremely eager for news and naturally the more he hears of the exact reaction of the individual Bahá’ís to different things, the more he can better gauge the work and help them to progress …

He feels your greatest service to the Cause can be rendered by helping the friends to deepen their own understanding of the great institutions of the Faith, its laws and teachings, as well as by teaching new souls — a function he feels you have a great gift for — and confirming them… .

– 907 –

1939-07-20 Lydia Martin re Teaching in Pine Bluff Ark

“To Move the World”, Morrison, p255-6

… . the Guardian’s heart [was] immeasurably gladdened at the report of the outstanding teaching achievements which you and Mr. Gregory have been able to accomplish in Pine Bluff during this past year. His heart goes out in deepest gratitude to you both for all the sacrifice, determination & resourceful energy you have displayed all through your teaching work in that center, & he feels indescribably happy & encouraged to know that as a result the entire Negro population of Pine Bluff has heard of the Cause, that one of the college students … has already declared herself a believer, & that several others are on the point of becoming fully confirmed… .

In view of these remarkable results you have accomplished in Pine Bluff, particularly among the student body in the Arkansas State College, & notwithstanding any opposition, veiled or open, which may be directed against you from certain quarters, the Guardian would strongly urge you to remain in that center, & to confidently persist in your efforts until you succeed in establishing a strong & united group of confirmed believers, capable of developing eventually into a local assembly. He wishes you, in particular, to concentrate on teaching the Negro inhabitants of Pine Bluff, & thus bring into the Cause this hitherto neglected, though highly promising & spiritually receptive, element of the population in the Southern States.

[To Lydia Martin, 20 July 1939]

– 908 –

1939-07-29 To Coswell re Pleasure at Her Going to Panama

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p17

Dear and prized Co-worker,

You stand on the threshhold of a great and historic mission, so high in rank, and so weighty with responsibility, so arduous in nature, so rich in possibilities, so unique in its significance, perseverance will enable you to reap an abundant harvest. I will specially, continually and ardently pray for you, and am eager to hear of the progress of your historic work. The Master is well pleased with you, watches over you and will bless richly your endeavors. Rest assured and be happy.

Your true and grateful brother,

(Signed) Shoghi

– 909 –

1939-08-07 Pylon Contract

USBN #129 August 1939, p5

“Delighted approve placing contract (for) pylons (of) main story. Praying response (of) believers (will) insure uninterrupted completion entire edifice. Loving gratitude.”

Shoghi

August 7, 1939

– 910 –

1939-08-09 To May Maxwell re Death of Brother Randolph

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p334-5

Shoghi Effendi was deeply touched by the depths of your love for and devotion to him as shown in your letter to him of July 25th.

He realizes how much the loss of your only and dear brother means to you, as well as to his family, and he has felt very badly that Uncle Randolph should have passed away so prematurely and under such tragic and sad circumstances, all the details of which he read in your long letter to me.

He wants me to assure you again of his prayers for my uncle’s eternal felicity, as conveyed to you in his cablegram, and he feels sure that the work that Unkie did for the Cause, in such a good spirit and so painstakingly, in translating the footnotes of Nabíl’s narrative, will have a powerful effect on the progress of his soul in the next world.

The Guardian very much regrets the fact he did not meet Uncle Randolph, and he says he is sure he would have liked him very much! …

You should be greatly consoled by the Master’s words to you and the knowledge that Shoghi Effendi is offering his ardent and potent prayers for your brother … The goodness of my Uncle, his many kind deeds, as I have already written Aunt Jeanne in reply to his letter to the Guardian, will prove a powerful factor in his spiritual unfoldment.

I deeply sympathize with you in your severe & sudden loss, & am truly touched by the sentiments so nobly conveyed & so tenderly expressed in both your cable & letter to me. I have felt the spirit of your dear brother draw closer to the mighty spirit of our Beloved, & feel certain that he is now basking in the sunshine of His love & care … Mary was deeply moved, but shows a radiant spirit, so indicative of the depth & purity of her faith. You should therefore feel assured, thankful & happy. My prayers for you, for him & for her will continue to be offered to the Threshold of Bahá’u’lláh. Take good care of your health & whenever you feel strong enough, redouble your efforts in the teaching field for which you are eminently suited.

Your true & grateful brother,

Shoghi

– 911 –

1939-08-09 To Sutherland Maxwell re Activities and Health

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p333-4

Dearest Daddy:

Shoghi Effendi was very pleased indeed to get your letter dated July 25th, and to know that your health has so quickly recovered and that you realize the mercies and bounties of God to us, so frequently shown!

As he has already written you indirectly in his letters to Mother, he feels it is only right that you should not only sustain Mother in her teaching work, but that you yourself should take an active part in it. As much as your affairs permit, you should concentrate your talents and efforts in this direction.

The Guardian feels very sad that Uncle Randolph should have passed away so prematurely and he is praying for him most ardently.

Shoghi Effendi tells me to add, that in connection with your good health, the thing that he feels certain will most strengthen and assure it, is for you to strive in every way to serve the Cause increasingly. Therein lies your greatest protection and happiness and he feels you are well qualified for such service.

I send you my devoted and tenderest love and assure you that both the Guardian and I are well. Ever your most devoted daughter,

Rúḥíyyih

I forgot to say how proud and happy I am to be able to answer you on behalf of our beloved Shoghi Effendi!

Dear and precious co-worker:

Your letter reflecting so clearly the beauty & serenity of your spirit, which I have come to admire during your visit to Haifa, has deeply touched me. I deeply sympathize with you in your great loss, & I feel that any service you & dear Mrs. Maxwell will be able to render the Faith will directly & effectively contribute to the progress & happiness of the soul of Mr. Bolles. I long to hear of fresh evidences of your renewed efforts in the service of so precious a Cause, & will continue to pray for your guidance, good health & spiritual advancement.

Your true brother,

Shoghi

– 912 –

1939-08-25 For SE to Ind re Abortion

Bahá’í Studies Bulletin Vol I #4 March 1983 pp82

“The practise of abortion — which is absolutely criminal as it involves deliberate destruction of human life — is forbidden in the Cause.”

– 913 –

1939-09-24 To May Maxwell re Services

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p336-7

My dearest Mother:

I am so happy that Shoghi Effendi has given me the pleasure of answering your letters to him dated the 1st and the 5th of September.

He not only was pleased to receive the news you sent him … and to notice how vigilant you are in the service of our beloved Bahá’í Faith, but above all to see the wonderful spirit both you and Daddy are showing at this time of unforeseen separation and strain. Indeed he told me he is proud of you both and feels you are demonstrating your worthiness to be now so closely bound to the Guardian of our Faith.

He was also happy to learn — from my letters — that you are both well and that you have met with such a true Bahá’í faith and spirit the shock and sorrow of your brother’s sudden death. All these things show how you are progressing and growing ever closer to the beloved Master’s presence.

There is nothing you could do at this time that would be of greater service than to teach this Cause and also help deepen the faith of the Bahá’ís themselves. He is very happy that Daddy has taken his place at your side in this work.

Dear and valued co-worker:

The spirit you have manifested since the present conflict has begun, your confidence, your spirit, serenity & courage are indeed highly praiseworthy, & reveal the quality of your devotion to the Cause you adore & serve so well. I wish to assure you that Mary is in the stronghold of God’s protection, is markedly progressing every day, is pursuing happily & serenely her work, & will I trust become increasingly capable of fulfilling her great tasks in the service of the Faith. These thoughts should cheer, strengthen & reassure you as well as her dear father, whose spirit of sacrifice in these days of physical yet temporary separation I truly & increasingly admire. May He enable you both to render such services in these days of world turmoil as to enhance the position you have acquired through your relationship to His holy Household.

Your true & grateful brother,
Shoghi

– 914 –

1939-10-10 To Persian Bahá’í re Death of Martha

Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold, M. R. Garis, p404

“The Pure Leaf, the illustrious teacher, the sign of detachment, the torch of love and affection, the example of courage and faithfulness, the consolation of the people of Bahá, Martha Root has ascended to the summit of eternal habitation. The Concourse on High received her with the shouts: ‘Welcome O Glory of Teachers (men and women)! Well done, well done, O Thou who hast sacrificed thine all in thine attraction to the Kingdom of the Lord of manifest signs. Blessed art thou a thousand fold for this shining, exalted, lofty, inaccessible station!’ Inform the entire friends of the necessity of holding special gatherings throughout the provinces for two full weeks in honor of her noble station.”

– 915 –

1939-10-11 To Sutherland Maxwell re Making Plans for Terraces

The Maxwells of Montreal Vol II, Violette Nakhjavani, p390-1

Dearest Daddy:

I am writing you on behalf of the Guardian who has something he wants me to ask you to consider for him and make your plans for it as your idea might prove to either be just what he wants or give him something to work on. He is about to build the last terrace of the Shrine on Mt. Carmel and although in an unforeseen future it might need to be changed or added to, he expects it for the present to be the permanent entrance to the terraces. Enclosed are a photograph of the present state of the terraces, a plan of the ones built and where the projected one will come and the property limits, and a cross section map showing the inclination of the mountain and the terraces.

Now the whole thing is this: What should the entrance, marked by me in elegant red ink with the letters ‘XYZ’, look like? That is where your work comes in. As you perhaps remember you discussed it here with Shoghi Effendi and he showed you a model that had a huge flight of circular steps opening out of the smaller flight that led up through the wall of the terrace to the higher level? He does not like this design and leaves it to you to propose one or more different ways. Also he is not absolutely fixed in the idea of using the big wrought iron gate, the design of which you also saw, in that position. So that gives you carte blanche except for the rather narrow and unfavourable approach to this entrance and the incline of the mountain itself. Unfortunately, as you can see from the enclosed photo, the houses are just fronting the as yet unfinished road that leads up to the terrace end. That makes a wide view of it impossible, I mean nice flanking gardens, etc. Also the incline is very steep. The projected stairs could come as near the boundary of the Bahá’í property to the RIGHT of the XYZ line as you think would look nice.

Shoghi Effendi says that as mails are so slow and uncertain now and the distance so great he wants you to not make a detailed plan as that would take too long and be a waste of your time. Make two or three tentative plans in the form of sketches with rough dimensions attached. He has a fairly good engineer who can carry it out. And above all don’t try and ask me more details and wait for the answer as by that time probably summer will be here! At the present rate of mails!

– 916 –

1939-10-20 Passing of Martha Root

USBN #132 January 1940, p1-2

“The very sad and indeed distressing news of the passing away of our beloved Martha was a great shock to the Guardian, who feels unutterably sorry at this heavy blow sustained by the Cause. Her departure constitutes the heaviest blow which the teaching force not only in America but throughout the entire Bahá’í world has sustained since the passing of our beloved Master. May the memory of the distinguished services it had been her unique privilege to render in so many fields and over such a long and uninterrupted period of years serve as source of continued inspiration to the present-day and future generations o[ Bahá’í teachers, to whom she will indeed ever be the very embodiment of those teaching qualities which only a few Bahá’í teachers, whether in the East or the West, can claim to have attained.

“To you, and to all the dear American friends who are now so profoundly deploring beloved Martha’s passing, the Guardian feels moved to convey the assurances of his deepest and most loving sympathy in your great bereavement. May Bahá’u’lláh comfort your grief-stricken hearts, and cause this calamity to further cement the unity, deepen the devotion and increase the resourcefulness of the American believers, and in particular those dear pioneers who are so indefatigably laboring in foreign and distant fields.”

In the Guardian’s hand:

“The passing of dearest Martha and the circumstances of her severe and painful illness have brought profound sorrow, but I rejoice at the glory and joy that must be hers and which she fully deserves in the Abhá Paradise.”

October 20, 1939, addressed to Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer

– 917 –

1939-11-18 Marion Jack Can Stay in Burgaria

Quoted in Never be Afraid to Dare, Jasion, p195-6

The very welcome message you had written the Guardian dated October 21st has just arrived, and he feels indeed most happy to know that you are keeping well in spite of the grave anxieties and uncertainties through which you mn|t have passed during the last two months. At the outbreak of hostilities in Europe which threatened to spread throughout all the Balkans he felt so deeply concerned about your safety that he decided to send you a wire advising you to leave for Switzerland, as he considered that country to be the safest and most suitable place where you could settle. But since the war seems to be localized, at least for the present, he thinks there would be no immediate necessity for you to leave Bulgaria, and has already advised you by wire to this effect.

[postscript by Shoghi Effendi]

I have already assured you and the friends by cable, and approved of your remaining at your post in these days of trial and stress. The spirit which you above all the rest so powerfully evince, the progress of the work in which you are so devotedly and determinedly engaged, are a source of extreme and constant joy and inspiration to me in my multitudinous labours and responsibilities. Will continue to pray for you all from the depths of my heart. Be confident and happy always.

[letter to Marion Jack 18 Nov 1939]

– 918 –

1939-11-20 To Max Greeven re War Situation

Dear Co-worker: Messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Benelux countries, pp40-1

Max Greeven, 20 November 1939

Dear Mr. Greeven,

Your very kind letter of October 28th was truly welcome, and it indeed greatly rejoiced the heart of our beloved Guardian to know that both Mrs. Greeven and yourself are keeping well, and that in spite of the storm and stress created by the outbreak of war in Europe you have been spared so far the sufferings and privations which millions of souls are now bitterly experiencing. He hopes, and indeed will earnestly pray that the protection and guidance of Bahá’u’lláh may continue to be vouchsafed unto you both, and unto each and everyone of the believers throughout the world.

In view of the gravity of the situation in Holland, and the possibility of war spreading gradually to that and other adjoining countries, he still feels that, in case your business conditions permit, you should move as soon as possible to Sweden, where you have certainly a greater chance of safety than in the Netherlands. He would leave, however, the final decision to you and to Mrs. Greeven that you may, in consultation with each other, decide upon the course that would be the best and most feasible for you to take under present circumstances.

Assuring you afresh of his warmest good wishes and his affectionate greetings,

Yours in His Service, H. Rabbání

Dear and valued co-worker:

I am so glad to learn that you and Mrs. Greeven are both safe and well despite the perils and dangers that surround you in that troubled continent. I trust and pray that when you transfer your residence to a safer country you may both be enabled to render outstanding services to the Faith, and thus continue to enrich, no matter how grave the hour, the record of your past accomplishments. With my best wishes for you both, your true brother, Shoghi

– 919 –

1939-11-26 On Behalf of to an Individual re Evolution of Individual

Reincarnation And The Nature And Progress Of The Soul

Compiled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

Evolution in the life of the individual starts with the formation of the human embryo and passes through various stages, and even continues after death in another form. The human spirit is capable of infinite development.

Man’s identity or rather his individuality is never lost. His reality as a person remains intact throughout the various stages of his development. He does not pre-exist in any form before coming into this world….

The passage on page 156 of “Gleanings” regarding the evolution of the soul after death clearly proves that the soul after its separation from the body keeps its individuality and its consciousness both in relation to other souls and to the human beings in this world.

– 920 –

1939-11-28 Admittance of Applicants into Cause

USBN #213 November 1948 p2

“He has noted with care what you had written him regarding the question of admittance of applicants into the Cause. This is certainly a matter which calls for the utmost tact, wisdom and consideration on the part of Bahá’í Assemblies. While, as he himself has repeatedly stressed, a uniform procedure should be adopted and followed whereby every applicant should be required to express his whole-hearted and unconditional acceptance of the essential verities of the Cause, great care should also be taken not to insist on matters of a secondary importance which the newcomer cannot, for obvious reasons, fully grasp and apprehend at the beginning. Once the applicant has been admitted in the Community with a clear understanding of the duties and responsibilities, and essential implications which such membership entails, there would be no difficulty for him in gradually adjusting his whole ideas according to the requirements set forth in the Teachings. The process of becoming a Bahá’í is necessarily slow and gradual. The essential is not that the beginner should have a full and detailed knowledge of the Cause, a thing which is obviously impossible in the vast majority of cases, but that he should, by an act of his own will be willing to uphold and follow the truth and guidance set forth in the Teachings, and thus open his heart and mind to the reality of the Manifestation.”

to Mrs. Ethel M. Hunt. November 28,

– 921 –

1939-12-07 Physically Unable to Observe Regulations Obligatory Prayer

Obligatory Prayer Exemption

Compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice

With reference to your question regarding the three daily obligatory prayers: the Bahá’í worshipper is not required to recite them all each day, but has to choose one, and should also strictly conform to any instructions revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in connection with its recital, such as the raising of hands, various genuflexions, etc. Those who for some reason or other, especially when physically unable to observe these regulations owing to illness or some bodily defect, cannot conform to these instructions, should preferably choose the short prayer, which is exceedingly simple.

(7 December 1939 to an individual believer on behalf of Shoghi Effendi)

– 922 –

1939-12-11 To Coswell and Cora Oliver in Grateful Thanks

Divine Springtime — Louise Coswell Recalls, p25

Dear and Valiant Co-Workers,

My heart overflows with joy at the news you give me. The spirit animating you both in your services to the Faith is truly exemplary, and will no doubt enable you to overcome and obstacles that may confront you. I am deeply thankful for having such staunch and devoted co-workers in the Divine Vineyard. Persevere, and be assured that I will continue to pray for both from the depths of my heart.

Your true brother,

(Signed) Shoghi

– 923 –

1939-12-24 Various to USNSA

USBN #133 February 1940, pp2-3

Dear Bahá’í brother:

On behalf of the Guardian I gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your communications written at the direction of the N. S. A. and dated July 3, 11, 17, 18, August 3, 3, 11, 21, September 20 and November 16 (two letters ), together with their enclosures, and of various other materials sent under separate cover, all of which reached him safely, and for which he wishes me to heartily thank your Assembly.

Illness, and his pressing duties and preoccupations, have unfortunately delayed his acknowledgment of your welcome communications. The multitudinous duties that have pressed upon him have become so complex, urgent and vital that he finds it difficult, at times, to cope with his correspondence with the believers and the Assemblies.

He wishes me to specially convey to you and your fellow-members his deep sense of appreciation and gratitude for the message you had, in response to the suggestion made by the local Assembly of New York, been prompted to convey to him, expressing the earnest hope of the American believers that he would undertake a visit to the United States. He is profoundly touched at this fresh evidence of the close ties of loyalty and devotion that so inseparably unite the American Bahá’í community with him, and will pray that the passing of years may further strengthen this bond and increasingly deepen in the hearts of our dear American friends their sense of responsibility for the well-being and protection of the Faith at its world center in the Holy Land.

The Guardian particularly welcomes the appointment by your Assembly of a new Race Amity Committee, and fervently hopes that this will enable the friends to make the fullest possible response to his vital call for interracial amity and understanding, and specially to his instruction regarding the treatment of colored minorities within the Community.

It was also a matter of deep gratification to him to know that the number of recognized local Spiritual Assemblies throughout the United States and Canada had reached eighty-eight on the 21st of April of last year, and would urge that special effort be exerted by your Assembly to increase that number to one hundred by the next meeting of the Annual Convention.

With reference to the permission granted by the Marriage License Bureau of the City of Chicago to the Chicago Assembly to perform Bahá’í marriages, the Guardian considers this indeed as an historic achievement, and trusts that it will open the way for the accordance of a similar recognition to other local Bahá’í Assemblies throughout the States. He would certainly approve that all incorporated local Assemblies make similar representations to their respective civil Marriage Bureaus for the legal recognition of Bahá’í marriage ceremonies. In the performance of a Bahá’í marriage, the chairman and secretary of the local Assembly should act as its representatives. The ceremony itself must be very simple. The marriage certificate, copies of which in Arabic and Persian are published in the Bahá’í World, and which bears the signatures of both parties and of their parents, should be translated and adopted by the American friends. This is indeed a tremendous step forward in the ultimate adoption and enforcement of the laws of Bahá’u’lláh in the West.

With regard to Munírih Ḵhánum’s account of her life, concerning which certain questions have been raised by one of the believers; what has been written by Munírih Ḵhánum herself in that account, and also the references to the subject made by Nabíl in his Narrative should be taken as the accurate standard and not what has been reported in Dr. Esslemont’s book.

Regarding the time for the holding of the Nineteen Day Feasts and elections; the Guardian would advise your Assembly to urge the friends to hold such gatherings on the prescribed day before sunset. If impossible, then it is permissible to hold them on the preceding day. In connection with the nine holy days, however, the friends should consider it obligatory to celebrate them on the prescribed day before sunset.

The Guardian wishes your Assembly to abandon the practice of appointing associate members to some of the committees, as reported in the July news letter. Such a practice, he feels, tends to create confusion and misunderstanding. Those already associate members, however, may at the discretion of the N.S.A. be added to the full membership of the committees.

In connection with the request received by your Assembly from a Chicago believer for permission to be married in the Temple, Shoghi Effendi wishes your Assembly to abide by his directions on the subject as contained in his letter of January 29,

The news of the donation of two hundred copies of the last issue of the Bahá’í World made by our very clear Mr. Schopflocher to various national and local Assemblies outside of the United States was received with deepest appreciation by the Guardian, who feels confident that this action will create widespread enthusiasm throughout the Bahá’í world, and will also considerably help in giving due publicity to this invaluable international record of the Faith.

He also wishes me to express his deepfelt appreciation of the increase recently made by the N.S.A. in its monthly contribution to the International Fund. He will pray that your Assembly may be richly rewarded for this truly generous assistance you are extending towards the promotion and safeguarding of the interests of the Cause at its world-center in the Holy Land.

Regarding the construction of a memorial dedicated to the late Miss Martha Root at the cemetery in Honolulu: Shoghi Effendi highly approves of your Assembly’s proposal, and hopes that the contribution of one hundred pounds he has already cabled through Mr. Wilhelm for that purpose will serve to stimulate the friends to send in further donations that would enable the N.S.A. to erect a befitting monument in honor of our departed sister. He wishes you to impress upon the friends the necessity of their acting promptly and generously in this matter. He is eagerly awaiting for a copy of the design of the proposed monument. As to the design itself he prefers to leave it to the discretion of the N.S.A.

With reference to the matter of the consent of the parents to a Bahá’í marriage: as this is a vital binding obligation, it is the duty of the Assemblies to ascertain, before giving their sanction, that the consent obtained has been given freely by the parents themselves.

The Guardian approves of the recommendation made by the editors of World Order to publish in that magazine hitherto unpublished material from the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and hopes that in response to your request he will also be able to send you, from time to time, any such material he can gather from the Sacred Writings.

December 24,

– 924 –

1939-12-25 Interment of Purest Branch & Navváb

Bahíyyih Ḵhánum, compiled by the Research Department p61

O loved ones of God, These two precious and most exalted treasures,⁶ these two keepsakes of the sacred Beauty of Abhá, have now been joined to the third trust from Him, that is, to the daughter of Bahá and His remnant, the token of the Master’s Remembrance.

Their resting-places are in one area, on an elevation close by the Spot round which do circle the Concourse on High, and facing the Qiblih of the people of Bahá-‘Akká, the resplendent city, and the sanctified, the luminous, the Most Holy Shrine.

Within the shadow of these honoured tombs has also been laid the remains of the consort⁷ of Him round Whom all names revolve.

For joy, the Hill of God is stirred at so high an honour, and for this most great bestowal the mountain of the Lord is in rapture and ecstasy.

[To Bahá’ís of the East, translated fm Persian, 25 Dec 1939]

– 925 –

1939-12-28 Nancy Bowditch re Artistic Endeavors

“The Artist’s Daughter”, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p259-60

Letter from The Guardian via H. Rabbání to Nancy Bowditch. Dated December 28th,

Dear Mrs. Bowditch,

Your most sweet and dear letter of the 19th November has just arrived, and the Guardian feels indeed profoundly happy to hear again from you after such a long and unbroken silence, and wishes me to hasten in conveying to you his heartfelt thanks for it, and also for the various photographs you had enclosed, which he is very pleased and grateful to have.

The Guardian has noted with deep satisfaction, in particular, that your work in the field of art has opened before you so many avenues of contact, and will specially pray that those souls to whom you have been able to impart the Message will all gradually deepen in their love for the Cause and will become in time confirmed and earnest believers.

With regard to the pageant you are now busy writing; Shoghi Effendi would urge you by all means to complete the work, and trusts that it will prove a most effective medium for the spread of the Teachings.

Also with reference to the collection of the portraits of the early believers-about which you had talked to him while in Haifa-he wishes you to continue your work along this line, but to also take great care lest through excessive strain on your eyesight you jeopardize your health, and thus be prevented from actively serving the Cause.

Assuring you in closing of his prayers on your behalf, and also for the spiritual advancement and confirmation of Mr. Bowditch and your son,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

Note in Shoghi Effendi’s handwriting:

Dear and valued co-worker:

I was so glad to hear from you after such a long period of silence, and am so happy to know that you are continuing your work in the service of the Cause with undiminished zeal, determination and perseverance. I long to witness the result of your labours in connection with the portraits of the earlybelievers, and I feel that this service you are rendering the Faith is truly meritorious and highly valuable. I will continue to pray for you from all my heart. Rest assured and persevere.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 926 –

1939-12-28 To Nancy Bowditch re Work in the Arts

The Artist’s Daughter, Nancy Douglas Bowditch, p259-60

Dear Mrs. Bowditch,

Assuring you in closing of his prayers on your behalf, and also for the spiritual advancement and confirmation of Mr. Bowditch and your son,

Yours in His Service,

H. Rabbání.

Dear and valued co-worker:

I was so glad to hear from you after such a long period of silence, and am so happy to know that you are continuing your work in the service of the Cause with undiminished zeal, determination and perseverance. I long to witness the result of your labours in connection with the portraits of the early believers, and I feel that this service you are rendering the Faith is truly meritorious and highly valuable. I will continue to pray for you from all my heart. Rest assured and persevere.

Your true brother,

Shoghi.

– 927 –

1939-xx-xx Impartiality in the Matter of Political Parties

USBN #140 December 1940 p2

“We should — every one of us — remain aloof, in heart and in mind, in words and in deeds, from the political affairs and disputes of the Nations and of Governments. We should keep ourselves away from such thoughts. We should have no political connection with any of the parties and should join no faction of these different and warring sects.

“Absolute impartiality in the matter of political parties should be shown by words and by deeds, and the love of the whole humanity, whether a Government or a nation, which is the basic teaching of Bahá’u’lláh, should also be shown by words and by deeds…

“According to the exhortations of the Supreme Pen and the confirmatory explanations of the Covenant of God Bahá’ís are in no way allowed to enter into political affairs under any pretense of excuse; since such an action brings about disastrous results and ends in hurting the Cause of God and its intimate friends.”

(Words of Shoghi Effendi published in Bahá’í News Letter of the NSA of India and Burma, December, 1939)

[Checking w/ India as to provenance of this statement which is not found in either comp of msgs to India]

– 928 –

193x-xx-xx Laws of Aqdas

Laws of Aqdas

Bahá’í Procedure (1937), sheet 1

The Guardian will, when the Aqdas is published, elaborate this fundamental principle of our Faith. This brief reference, he feels, is adequate for any reference you wish to make regarding this matter in the Nei^

– 929 –

193x-xx-xx Lou Eggleston _ re 1st Year of LouHelen

No. 63 — June 1932 — page 4

To achieve success in such manner the first year is surely beyond what we could expect. Shoghi Effendi hopes that the friends will make the necessary preparation to do even more next season. Such gatherings will give chance to friends from different localities to come together and exchange views on the different problems of the Cause and also attract new souls to the spirit and teachings of the Faith. Not only will their knowledge oi the writings deepen but also the unity of the Cause will be strengthened and the work of teaching be enhanced. It is surely a wonderful service Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston have rendered to the Cause. It is only God that can recompense them for it.

“Shoghi Effendi was very glad to hear that so many souls were confirmed there. As we see the suffering around us, caused by the prevailing financial crisis, we should redouble our efforts in bringing the message of comfort and peace to those desperate souls, and add to our labors, that the golden age promised by Baha'u'llah may dawn sooner.”

[Rúḥí Afnán]

“The account regarding your Bahá’í summer school is most encouraging and augurs well for the future. I wish you to persevere in your efforts and extend its scope and influence. I win especially pray for the success of your devoted and continued efforts.”

(Signed) Your true brother, Shoghi

“Say,’ Bahá’u’lláh Himself declares in the Súriy-i-Ra’ís, ‘this Youth hath departed out of this country and deposited beneath every tree and every stone a trust, which God will erelong bring forth through the power of truth.” (“God Passes By” (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1987), p. 181) ↩
Refers to the Annual Convention held in April 1932, at which the delegates and friends responded in an impressive manner to the need of the Fund associated with the name of the Greatest Holy Leaf, initiated in order to complete the exterior ornamentation of the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Mrs. Parsons spontaneously removed a valuable pearl necklace from her neck to assist in meeting the Fund’s goal.
See Bahá’í News, No. 62, May 1932 for a report of that Convention. ↩
J. E. Esslemont, "Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era", (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1987). ↩
6th Jugoslavija Esperanto-Kongress, 4-5 June 1933 ↩
1.
2.
↩
The remains of the Purest Branch and those of Navváb. ↩
Munírih Ḵhánum. ↩

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