Chapter 8

Chapter 85,390 wordsPublic domain

Letters to Individuals, 1946-1957. These letters were addressed to many individuals who continued to write directly to the Holy Land after the formation of the institutions. The tone of the letters reflects personal interests rather than institutional development.

(56) July 30, 1946

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter dated July 17th has been received, and the beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He was very pleased to hear the Alaskan believers are so active, and that you have witnessed with your own eyes such a wonderful development of the Faith there these last few years, since you went there as a pioneer.

He was also delighted to hear Mr. Oliver is anxious to translate some of the Writings into Eskimo; please assure him this would be rendering both the Eskimos and the Cause a great service. If anything is printed in that language the Guardian would like to receive copies for the libraries here.

He hopes through the "Arctic Trails Shopping Service" you will be able to demonstrate the fairness, uprightness, and nobility of the adherents of the Baha'i Faith to the people it deals with, as this will more than anything else attract their attention to the Faith.

As to your own plans: if you are absolutely certain that your departure from Alaska will not in any way affect the stability of the Cause there, he approves of your suggestion that you go to Europe and assist the work there. If, on your way, you could visit and do some teaching in England it would help the British Baha'is very much, as they are embarking on a very heavy teaching schedule. He will pray that your family there may become attracted to the Faith.

Assuring you of his deep appreciation of your wonderful services and his loving prayers.

Yours in the Faith, R. Rabbani

P.S.--If Mr. Oliver would begin by translating even a small pamphlet into Eskimo at once this would be a much appreciated service. Please send him some printed copies as soon as available. Please assure this dear friend that his service is highly meritorious.

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my deepfelt and abiding gratitude for the splendid and historic services you have rendered our beloved Faith and of my constant prayers for the extension of your valued activities, and the realization of every hope you cherish for the advancement of its institutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

(57) March 15, 1947

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter of January 9th has been received and our beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He very much appreciated your desire to once again answer the call for pioneers and go to Europe, and in principle he approves of your doing so. However, Miss Kempton(13) has already left Alaska, and you say Miss Dole(14) is contemplating doing so, and he is very concerned lest the work in Alaska suffer and the number of resident believers in Anchorage fall to below Assembly status. Alaska is one of the prizes of the first Seven Year Plan, and must be guarded at all costs. If you find in the future, after consultation with the National Teaching Committee, that you can be safely spared from the work there, he approves of your going to Europe.

He cannot suggest to you what form of employment would be best for you, but he will pray that you may be guided in this matter, and that your Baha'i services be richly blessed.

With loving greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-worker:

I deeply appreciate the spirit that so powerfully animates you in the service of our beloved Faith. You are a great asset to the Cause you serve so devotedly. I will pray for the extension and consolidation of your service from the depths of my heart. Persevere in your historic task, rest assured, and be happy.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

(58) May 16, 1947

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter, dated May 7th, has been received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He was very pleased to see with what determination and dedication you are serving the Cause in Alaska. Now that two pioneers have gone forth from there, your labour is all the more important, and he certainly hopes that, through the medium of the Arctic Trails Shopping Service, the public meetings being held weekly, and the devoted labours of all the dear friends there, the Faith will rapidly reach and enlighten many new souls.

There is such a confusion in the world today, so much uncertainty, so much materialism, that it is very hard to hold the attention of even the more spiritually minded people. But we must persevere and do our best knowing this is our duty and that conditions will eventually change completely and follow Baha'u'llah's Pattern.

Please give his love to the Anchorage friends. You may be sure he will pray for you all, and for the success of your work, in the Holy Shrines.

With warm Baha'i love, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my special and fervent prayers for your success, for the steady extension of your valued activities, for the consolidation of the historic work already achieved, and the realization of every hope you cherish for the promotion of our beloved Faith,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

(59) November 14, 1947

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter to our beloved Guardian dated October 31st has been received, and, in spite of the fact that he is terribly busy, he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf because he would not like in any way to ever hurt the feelings of one of the friends. However, he suggests in the future you refer such questions to the N.S.A. and ask them to put you in touch with a Baha'i teacher who can correspond with you. He himself cannot do this kind of work, because he is so overworked with the more urgent administrative affairs of the Faith.

To answer you briefly what the original state of the universe was no one as yet knows. But we believe God is a spiritual Being and did create it; how we do not know. We will have experience of God's spirit through His Prophets in the next world, but God is too great for us to know without this Intermediary. The Prophets know God, but how is more than our human minds can grasp. We believe we attain in the next world to seeing the Prophets. There is certainly a future life. Heaven and hell are conditions within our own beings.

He urges you to study carefully the Baha'i books, and he will pray for your advancement and the success of your Baha'i activities.

With loving greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless your efforts, guide and sustain you in your meritorious activities, in such a distant field, and enable you to win great and memorable victories in the teaching field.

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

(60) March 18, 1952

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your most interesting gift has been received, through the kindness of Leroy Ioas, and it is deeply appreciated. I thank you for the thought as well as the gift.

These are busy days in Haifa with the many pilgrims who are coming and going. The news of the rapid growth of the Faith in various lands is very inspiring, and the pilgrims leave the Holy Land for their posts with a new determination to play nobly their parts.

With warm Baha'i love, Ruhiyyih

P.S. I should also say the beloved Guardian appreciated very much the Eskimo things.

(61) September 17, 1952

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter of August 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

As the Guardian is very busy indeed these days, the answer will be brief. Your plan to return to Alaska makes him very happy indeed. He attaches the greatest importance to Alaska, and it will become increasingly important in the future. Therefore, he urges you by all means to return to that land, and there lend your valuable assistance in the service of Baha'u'llah.

The Guardian assures you your dedication and service to the Faith are very deeply appreciated.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved reward you bountifully for your splendid labours, guide and sustain you always, and enable you to win great and memorable victories in the days to come.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(62) March 29, 1953

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your loving letter of February 14th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf.

The contribution which you have made to the Shrine of the Bab is very greatly appreciated. Receipt is enclosed herewith.

The work on the dome of the Shrine is going forward quite satisfactorily. The brim of the dome has been finished. As additional units of the building are completed, it adds to the stateliness of the entire structure, and permits one to realize how beautiful it is going to be.

The Guardian very deeply appreciates the wonderful work you are doing in connection with the spread of the Faith.

The Eskimo booklet which you submitted for his approval he feels should be submitted to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States for their review. The reason for this is that they are closely in touch with the teaching work, and therefore well qualified to decide just what should and what should not be included in such a pamphlet.

He hopes you and Frances Wells will work very closely with the National Spiritual Assembly in connection with this important service.

The Guardian is extremely anxious that the Eskimos be brought into the Faith. He values very highly indeed the very wonderful services rendered by Mrs. Wells. He feels that she has sacrificed very deeply in order to carry the light of guidance to the seeking peoples of the world, particularly in Alaska, and now with the Eskimos. You may be sure the Guardian will pray for her spiritual success and her spiritual happiness.

The Guardian will likewise be very happy to pray for Mrs. Hadley Ferguson of Fairbanks, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Greene, Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Pirkey, Mrs. Perry Bane, and Dr. Saul Mackoff.

The Guardian has communicated with the National Spiritual Assembly with regard to the efforts being made by yourself and Mrs. Wells as well as others in connection with the introduction of the Faith amongst the Eskimos, asking them to render every possible assistance to this most important work. It is impossible to let you know how important the Guardian feels the introduction of the Faith amongst the Eskimos is at this particular time.

With warm Baha'i greetings, Leroy Ioas Assistant Secretary

P.S.--The draft of your pamphlet is being sent direct to the National Spiritual Assembly.

(63) December 7, 1953

All Pioneers:

Dearly Beloved Friends,

The beloved Guardian sends you his loving greetings, and he assures you of his prayers in your behalf.

You will be most happy to know that at this time there is only one country, Chagos Archipelago, which has not been assigned to a settler, outside of the countries which are under Iron Curtain influence. More pioneers are arriving at their posts daily, so that at the present time, 71 of the new countries of the Crusade have been opened to the Faith.

You are now the representative of the Faith in your area, and the beloved Guardian feels assured that you will arise to the great opportunity that has come to you, to become the one to quicken the souls in your virgin territory and become the spiritual conqueror of that new land. The Guardian realizes you will have many problems and difficulties, but he urges you to persevere under all circumstances; not to become disheartened in any way, but relying solely upon Baha'u'llah and His quickening Spirit, arise at once to carry forward the teaching work.

The Guardian makes the following suggestions with regard to teaching in virgin areas, at this critical time:

1. No publicity should be secured.

2. No articles should be placed in newspapers or magazines.

3. Do not contact Authorities or Political Leaders.

4. Do not discuss Government policies in any way.

5. No effort should be made toward a public proclamation of the Faith.

6. Proceed with great caution.

7. Be very wise in the manner in which the Teachings of the Faith are presented.

8. Make friends, and when these friends gain confidence in you and you in them, gradually confirm them in the Faith.

9. What is needed is a complete reliance upon Baha'u'llah; pure consecration to the Faith, and then energetic but wise presentation of the Divine teachings. Such selfless sacrificial devotion will attract the divine confirmations, and gradually you will confirm souls who will join you as strong supporters of the Faith in your area.

With warm Baha'i greetings, Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas Secretary-General International Baha'i Council

(64) December 13, 1953

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter of October 9th was duly received by the beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf.

He very deeply appreciates the contribution which you have made in behalf of the Eskimos of Alaska. Receipt therefor is enclosed herewith. It is fitting that the Eskimos of Alaska be associated with the work of the Shrine of the Bab, and your having made this gift in their behalf is very appropriate, especially as you are endeavoring to work with the Eskimos in that country.

The Guardian feels that you should write to the American National Spiritual Assembly in detail concerning the problem of Groups, Assemblies, etc. outside of Fairbanks. Certainly some basis should be set up for the establishment of such Groups and Assemblies, and he feels sure that within the principles that have already been enunciated, the American National Spiritual Assembly can properly handle the matter.

At his direction I am sending a copy of this letter to the National Assembly, so that they will be informed of the matter when you write to them.

The Guardian greatly values your sacrificial and devoted services to the Faith. He is praying in your behalf. He likewise will pray for the friends in Alaska, and also for those who are being attracted to the Faith, particularly Mr. English, who is half Eskimo.

The Guardian was deeply appreciative of the spirit which animated you in preparing the tape recording of the Ridvan Feast held in the home of an Eskimo family in Fairbanks.

With warm Baha'i greetings, I am

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas Assistant Secretary

(65) December 18, 1953

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving communication of December 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf.

The contribution which you have made to the Shrine of the Bab is greatly appreciated. Receipt is enclosed herewith.

The beloved Guardian is very happy because of the response of the friends throughout the world to the Ten Year Crusade. All of the virgin areas, with the exception of the Iron Curtain countries, are settled or assigned to pioneers. There are now over seventy of the virgin areas settled by pioneers, which bring the number of countries within the pale of the Faith to over two hundred.

The Guardian is now deeply concerned with the development of the Faith in the homelands. If the Faith is not developed and spread in the homelands, it will ultimately affect the success of the work in foreign lands. The Guardian therefore hopes that the believers who have not been able to go to foreign areas will, in accordance with the Master's instructions, scatter to the goal cities in the homelands, and thus aid in the establishment of Spiritual Assemblies.

What is needed to achieve success in the teaching field is a complete dedication on the part of the individual, consecration to the glorious task of spreading the Faith, and the living of the Baha'i life, because that creates the magnet for the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit which quickens the new soul. Thus, the individual should be as a reed, through which the Holy Spirit may flow, to give new life to the seeking soul.

One should search out those who are receptive to the Faith, and then concentrate on those persons in their teaching.

The Baha'is in Alaska have a special responsibility, and that is to spread the Faith rapidly in that vast country. The success of the teaching work done by the Baha'is of Alaska will determine how soon a National Spiritual Assembly will be established in your country.

The beloved Guardian is praying for the success of your efforts. He sends his loving greetings to you.

With warm Baha'i love, Leroy Ioas Assistant Secretary

(66) January 9, 1954

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian greatly appreciated the spirit of your loving letter of December 28th, addressed to me, and has asked me to assure you of his prayers in your behalf, for the success of the noble mission you have undertaken. He will pray that the divine confirmations may be with you always, so that many souls may find eternal life, in that far off land, through your devoted and sacrificial efforts.

He was pleased with the establishment of the fund for the Hazira for Alaska. It is his hope, the Friends will arise with renewed effort in the Teaching Field, so many new centers and Assembies may be estabished, thus enabling Alaska to achieve its supreme goal of the NSA early in the Ten-Year Plan. Then the time will be ripe for the building of the Hazira, for which the Friends are now contributing funds.

With loving Baha'i greetings, I am,

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas

(67) February 20, 1954

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving letter of February 8th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has asked me to acknowledge it on his behalf. Your contribution to the international interests of the Faith is greatly appreciated by him. Receipt is enclosed herewith.

The Guardian is very happy with the development of the teaching work in the virgin areas of the Ten-Year Crusade. Over 84 of the countries have now been settled, bringing the number of countries within the pale of the Faith to over 216.

The Guardian is hopeful that the friends at home will arise with the same spirit of sacrifice and determination as the pioneers abroad, and teach and spread the Faith.

More Baha'is, more Groups, more Assemblies, are the immediate goals before the friends at home. He feels sure the friends will arise as never before, and filled with the Holy Spirit, quicken the seeking souls, leading many to the bourn of immortality.

Dedication to the heavenly task, complete consecration to the noble mission, and living the life, are the requirements for success in the teaching field.

The beloved Guardian greatly values the active services of you two devoted workers in the Faith. As you know, the Guardian feels that the future of Alaska is very important indeed, particularly the city of Anchorage. One of the goals of the Ten Year Crusade is the establishment of a National Assembly in Alaska. This great bounty carries with it great responsibilities; and therefore the Guardian is hopeful that each and every Baha'i in Alaska will redouble their efforts in order to spread the Faith far and wide, and to bring many new souls into the Faith.

The Guardian feels sure that you two will render distinguished and outstanding services in connection with the development of the Cause in Alaska during the present Crusade. He assures you of his prayers in your behalf, and sends you his loving greetings.

With warm Baha'i love, Leroy Ioas

(68) April 12, 1954

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving letter of March 16th has been received through the courtesy of Mrs. Tuttle.

We have prayed at the Shrines for the solution of your problems; that all obstacles may be removed from your path, and that your true field of Baha'i service may become clear and evident.

As a general principle, the Guardian has established the order of importance in Baha'i service as follows: First, Pioneering in one of the virgin areas of the Ten Year Crusade. Second, Pioneering in one of the consolidation areas of the Ten Year Crusade. Third, Settlement and Teaching in one of the goal cities of the home front campaign. This of course would include developing the Faith in Communities where there is already a Group or isolated Baha'is.

The Guardian feels that it is advisable for every individual, after his own prayers and meditations and seeking of guidance, to consult with the appropriate committee appointed by the National Assembly. They are in touch with the ramifications of the Campaign, and are qualified to give sound advice.

So far as your personal affairs are concerned, the Guardian assures you of his prayers in your behalf, that they may be clarified for you. Of course the question of love and marriage is something that can only be determined by the individual.

So far as the publication of the pamphlet in Eskimo is concerned, it probably would be advisable for you to write the National Assembly on this important matter, asking them what the present status is, and if you can assist in any way.

With loving Baha'i greetings, I am,

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas Secretary-General

(69) May 7, 1954

Dear Baha'i Brother:

Your letter of April 21st has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He appreciated your loving thought in sending him Ridvan Greetings from a new Alaskan Center.(15)

He attaches the greatest importance to the spread of the Faith in that territory, because, as you know, it is destined to have a National Spiritual Assembly of its own ere the termination of the Ten Year Plan; and the sooner the believers can open up new centers and establish new Spiritual Assemblies, the sooner will the happy day come when Alaska will be independent, and have its own national Baha'i Body.

He assures you he will certainly pray that your sacrifices and your services may be richly rewarded.

He urges you to concentrate on attracting the natives as much as possible, by that he means the Eskimos. These people have a right to hear of the glorious message of Baha'u'llah, and he hopes you will be instrumental in attracting many of them to the Faith.

With warmest Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and spiritual advancement,

Your true brother, Shoghi

(70) May 14, 1954

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of March 19th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is delighted to see that you are in one of the goal cities in Alaska, and that you have been joined by Miss Meyer. He feels sure that this nucleus will soon attract to itself sufficient new Baha'is to create a Spiritual Assembly.(16)

He urges you to persevere, and assures you of his prayers for your success.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

(71) July 20, 1954

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter of June 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He will pray that your personal affairs may work out happily. He fully approves of your going to Selewik, where you can be of greater service to the Faith than in Fairbanks, where there are now a number of Baha'is, until such time as you can arrange to carry the Teachings into the far north.

He assures you his loving prayers will always surround you in your devoted efforts to serve the Faith so dear to your heart.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, remove all obstacles from your path, and enable you to promote the vital interests of His Faith.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(72) December 23, 1954

Dear Baha'i Brother:

Your letter of December 15th has been received by the beloved Guardian; and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He is happy to know that you are engaged in the service of the Faith, and will pray that you may be strenghthened to perform befittingly your part, and may be instrumental in guiding others to this great Cause.

He urges you to teach all you can, both in Anchorage, and, if possible, in surrounding towns. As you know, Alaska is to establish its own National Spiritual Assembly during the World Crusade; and the first step is the formation of a sufficient number of Local Spiritual Assemblies.

In his visits to the Holy Shrines, he will remember all the members of your family. He hopes your two dear children will become pure and noble examples of the Baha'i life, and worthy instruments for the service of the Cause.

He will also remember in his supplications all the dear friends in that land.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, and enable you to promote the vital interest of His Faith.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(73) February 20, 1955

Dear Baha'i Sister:

The beloved Guardian has received your letter of February 10th, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

In view of the fact that he hopes that in the not-too-distant future Alaska will have its own Spiritual Assembly, he advises you to remain in Alaska, and try to find employment in some place other than Anchorage, where you can assist in establishing another Local Spiritual Assembly. There must be a sufficient number of local Assemblies in Alaska in order to form a broad basis for the National Body to be erected upon. He feels that this would be the greatest service you could render at this time.

Assuring you of his appreciation of your devotion to the Faith, and of his prayers for your success,

With loving greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving prayers for your success and spiritual advancement,

Your true brother, Shoghi

(74) August 26, 1955

Dear Baha'i Sister:

The beloved Guardian has received your letter of July 15th, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He deeply appreciates your devotion and service to the Faith. You must not become discouraged, but strive diligently to consolidate the Faith in that important area. He feels the Haziratu'l-Quds itself will prove to be an instrument to attract new souls to the Cause.

He assures you of his prayers for the success of your labours, and will also pray for all the Baha'is in Anchorage.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

Assuring you of my loving prayers for the realization of your heart's desire,

Your true brother, Shoghi

(75) November 11, 1956

Dear Baha'i Brother:

Your loving letter of October 31st has been received by the Beloved Guardian, and he has directed me to acknowledge it on his behalf. The contribution which you have made to the International Fund is greatly appreciated. Receipt is enclosed.

Alaska is a most important country, especially mentioned by 'Abdu'l-Baha in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. The Friends there must arise with renewed effort to spread the Glad Tidings and win souls to the Cause of God. There should be many assemblies, groups and Isolated centers, for the formation of the National Assembly, and its vigorous functioning.

The Guardian was happy to learn that Alaska is awake to the Faith, as never before. It therefore remains to see what the Friends will do; for it is now in their hands to raise the heights of their spiritual endeavors.

The Guardian assures you, and all the Friends in Alaska of his prayers in their behalf; for the success of their work; and the confirmation of many souls in the Kingdom of God.

He sends you his loving Greetings,

Faithfully yours, Leroy Ioas

(76) January 24, 1957

Dear Baha'i Friends:

The beloved Guardian has received your letter of January 3rd, and has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very happy to hear of the declaration of Miss Johnson,(17) and particularly of the translation into Aleut of the excerpt from Baha'u'llah's Writings. Likewise, he was very happy to know that you are building a Baha'i Center,(18) which he will consider as an auxiliary to the other goals the friends are winning all over the world.

Perhaps one should not approach the people in that country(19) on the basis of religion, but rather through the social teachings of the Faith and its Laws, and make them understand the need for World Order, rather than giving them the religious aspect first, when they are so fanatically attached to their church.

He will certainly pray that you may find receptive souls, and the slow work of conversion be begun. No doubt once they embrace the Faith, they will be very staunch.

Assuring you all of his loving prayers and his appreciation of your persevering services,

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless, guide and sustain you, aid you to extend the range of your meritorious services to His Faith, and win memorable victories in the days to come.

Your true brother, Shoghi

(77) April 20, 1957

Dear Baha'i Sister:

Your letter of April 5th has been received by the beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He feels that now that you have found the thing you were searching for inwardly, and have this added joy in your life of our glorious Faith, you should be kinder to your husband and more considerate than ever, and do everything in your power to make him feel that this has not taken you away from him, but only made your love for him and your desire to be a good wife to him, greater. Whether he will ultimately be able to become a Baha'i or not, is something that only time can tell; but there is no doubt where your duty lies, and that is to make him appreciate the fact that your new affiliation has not interfered in any way with his home life or his marriage, but on the contrary, has strengthened both.

It is very difficult when one has found what one knows is the truth, to sit by and see a dear and close relative completely blind to it. The temptation is to try and "stir them up and make them see the light", but this is often disastrous. Silence, love and forbearance will win greater victories in such cases. However, your husband has no right to ask you to give up being a Baha'i. That is going too far. Nobody should trespass on the sacred bond every human being has a right to have with their Creator.

The Guardian assures you he will pray that you may be guided to do the right thing at this difficult time, and that your husband's attitude may change.

With warm Baha'i greetings, R. Rabbani

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved bless, guide and sustain you, aid you to overcome your difficulties, and enable you to promote effectively the vital interests of His Faith.

Your true brother, Shoghi