Chapter 10

Regarding the matter of the Fund for Germany now held in Tihran: Unfortunately the exchange rate of the Persian Tuman into Swiss (or American or British) money is extremely unfavourable, and he considers that your loss would be far too great to transfer, at the present time, the entire sum from Tihran to Switzerland. It is also extremely difficult to get money out of Persia, which now has financial restrictions similar to so many other countries. However, he is investigating at the present moment the possibility of having a sum to meet your immediate requirements transfered from Persia to Switzerland, and the moment he can arrange this he will notify your assembly.

The devoted services of the Baha'i youth rendered in clearing the Hazira property of debris, was much appreciated by him, and he wishes you to please let them know he admires their spirit which is demonstrated in such a useful manner!

He was very sorry to hear of the sad and untimely death of dear Mrs. Brauns-Forel. Her services, always rendered with such unflagging devotion, will be sorely missed by her co-workers in Germany. He hopes her daughter will arise to take her mother's place in the active work of the Cause.

He trusts that now your assembly is able to render more active assistance to the Austrian believers and to stimulate them in their work. Recent reports seem to indicate the Vienna Baha'is are more active and determined than ever before in their history.

He hopes the construction of the Hazira in Frankfurt will now be able to go ahead at a rapid pace. You may be sure he will do all he can to assist you in this essential enterprise.

You are all remembered in his prayers with much love, and he is very pleased over the way the Faith is progressing in Germany....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

I am delighted to hear of the energetic steps that have been taken in recent months in connexion with the establishment of the Haziratu'l-Quds in Frankfurt. This institution, the center round which all national Baha'i activities must revolve, should be made the object of the special care and solicitude of the entire community of the German believers in the years immediately ahead. Upon it will depend the coordination, consolidation and expansion of the collective efforts of the members of this community, which occupies so vital and pivotal a position in the heart of the European continent. Parallel with this conscious, this determined and persistent effort, assiduous endeavours must be constantly and increasingly exerted by your assembly to multiply the administrative centres, increase the number of the active supporters of the Faith, proclaim its verities wisely, unreservedly, far and wide, disseminate its literature, vigorously and systematically, and deepen, by every possible means, the understanding and the devotion of its adherents. That these immediate objectives may be speedily attained, and enable the members of this valiant and sore-tried community to embark on a carefully conceived Plan in the years that lie ahead, is my fervent and constant prayer.

Your true and grateful brother Shoghi

LETTER OF 20 OCTOBER 1948 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

20 October 1948 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated September 9th, was received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was delighted to see so many of the dear German friends had attended the school, for in this loving Baha'i association and study a closer unity is created amongst the believers, and new plans born for the teaching work that lies ahead.

He urges you all to exert every effort to spread the Faith in these dark days of crisis the world is still passing through, for in the teachings of Baha'u'llah alone can the people find hope, peace and comfort.

He assures you all of his most loving prayers on your behalf, and for the success of your devoted services....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

Your joint message truly cheered my heart and served to remind me of the great company of my dearly-beloved brethren who have toiled so devotedly in the past, and are so energetically pursuing their historic tasks at present, in the service of our glorious Faith, I will continue to supplicate the Beloved to bless continually your high endeavours, to enable you to extend the range of your splendid activities, and to lend a tremendous impetus to the onward march of the Faith in your promising country,

Your true and grateful brother Shoghi

LETTER OF 20 OCTOBER 1948

20 October 1948

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter to our beloved Guardian, dated Sept. 15th, was received, and he wishes me to thank you on his behalf for your loving thought in sending him birthday greetings.

He was very pleased to see the Esslingen School program, and to note that four sessions were being held in the summer. This school is a rallying point for the German believers, and greatly stimulates their unity and their enthusiasm.

The world outlook is so dark and over-clouded that the believers must labour day and night to give the people the message of Baha'u'llah, and instill in them some hope for the future. We can see more and more of the predictions of the beloved Master being fulfilled, as humanity persists in its waywardness and spiritual blindness. There is no other remedy except this Cause.

He assures you all of his most loving prayers, and he deeply appreciates your devoted services....

P.S. I am sending through you the Guardian's answer to the Esslingen Summer School attendants, as their envelope had no address on it. Please share it with the friends.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Beloved of our hearts guide and sustain you, reward you abundantly for your valiant deeds, aid you to extend the range of your beneficent services, and enable you to contribute, continually and effectively, to the multiplication and consolidation of the institutions of our glorious Faith,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 14 SEPTEMBER 1948

14 September 1948

COMMUNICATE GERMAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THE FOLLOWING INFORM ENTIRE GERMAN BAHAI COMMUNITY DISOBEDIENCE MISCONDUCT FAITHLESS BROTHER HUSSAYN NECESSITATED HIS EXPULSION. OWING HIS POSSIBLE VISIT GERMANY AND HIS PERSISTENT ASSOCIATION WITH COVENANT BREAKERS WARN BELIEVERS ANY COMMUNICATION WITH HIM CONSTITUTES DISLOYALTY TO COVENANT ABDUL-BAHA.

SHOGHI RABBANI

LETTER OF 21 DECEMBER 1948

21 December 1948

CONVEY FOR JAEGER STUTTGART DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR TRANSLATION OF GOD PASSES BY.

SHOGHI RABBANI

LETTER OF 5 JANUARY 1949 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

5 January 1949 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving message, sent to our beloved Guardian from the 8th Summer School of Esslingen, was received, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very glad to see dear Mr. Remey had been present at that occasion, as he is a faithful and devoted old believer, and has been serving the Cause since its earliest inception in the West.

He urges you all to concentrate your efforts on the all-important work of teaching the Cause and spreading it to new centers.

You may be sure he will pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, and for the success of your labours....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your meritorious efforts, guide and sustain you in your valued activities, enable you to deepen continually your knowledge of the fundamentals of His Faith, and lend a tremendous impetus to the advancement of its new-born institutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 24 FEBRUARY 1949 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

24 February 1949 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter to our beloved Guardian was for some time held up in reaching him. But he was most happy to see so many of the dear friends had gathered at Esslingen school for the 3rd session.

It is most encouraging to see the way this important institution has grown since the end of the war and became a focus for Baha'i students. He hopes it is the foreshadowing of a true Baha'i University which some day must form part of the activities of our glorious Faith.

The Guardian urges you, one and all, to work together, in the utmost unity and love, to spread the Message throughout Germany, and particularly to teach the Youth and enlist them in the ranks of the Faith.

He will pray for you all in the Holy Shrines....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah guide and sustain you in your labours, enable you to extend continually the range of your valued activities, deepen your knowledge and understanding of the essential verities of His Faith, and aid you to lend a great impetus to the multiplication and consolidation of its divinely-appointed institutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 28 MARCH 1949

28 March 1949

INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY OWING LOSS INVOLVED PRESENT EXCHANGE ADVISED TEHERAN FORWARD FIVE HUNDRED POUND.

LETTER OF 30 MARCH 1949

30 March 1949

TRANSMIT FOLLOWING GERMAN ASSEMBLY DEEPLY GRIEVED SPIRITUAL POSITION GERMAN BAHAI COMMUNITY STEADILY DETERIORATING. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST ARISE LOYALLY VIGILANTLY ENERGETICALLY SAFEGUARD FAITH AND CONFIRM BELIEVERS IN COVENANTS BAHAULLAH ABDULBAHA. GRANDDAUGHTER SUBHIAZAL MUST BE SHUNNED ENTIRELY. HISTORY SOCIETY ACTIVITIES COMPLETELY DISASSOCIATED FROM FAITH. ANY MISCHIEFMAKING ORIENTALS MUST BE GUARDED AGAINST. SYMPATHIZERS OF MRS WHITE OR SOHRAB OR DISLOYAL MEMBERS ABDULBAHAS FAMILY INCLUDING MY BROTHER HUSSEIN WHO MAY VISIT GERMANY THIS SUMMER MUST BE WATCHED AND WARNED AND IF NECESSARY EXPELLED. COMPROMISE INDECISION PROCRASTINATION WILL CAUSE CRISIS AS SERIOUS AS HERRIGELS. IF APPEAL UNHEEDED GREAT SUFFERING AND LOSS COMMUNITY WILL ENSUE THOUGH FAITH WILL EVENTUALLY TRIUMPH.

SHOGHI RABBANI

LETTER OF 20 APRIL 1949

20 April 1949

INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY HOLDING CONVENTION ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ALSO ELECTION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. PRAYING UNITY WELFARE DEAR GERMAN BELIEVERS.

SHOGHI

LETTER OF 27 MAY 1949

27 May 1949

TRANSMIT GERMAN ASSEMBLY FOLLOWING ELECTION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MUST NOT BE DELAYED PRAYING HARMONY UNITY COMMUNITY.

SHOGHI

LETTER OF 30 JUNE 1949

30 June 1949

TRANSMIT GERMAN ASSEMBLY GREATLY APPRECIATE RESPONSE ARDENTLY PRAYING RESTORATION FULL HARMONY COOPERATION ASSEMBLIES AND INDIVIDUAL WITH ELECTED NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ENERGETICALLY.

LETTER OF 30 JUNE 1949

30 June 1949

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letters to our beloved Guardian, dated Oct. 17, 22, Dec. 19--two of this date--Nov. 21, 23, 1948 and Jan. 9, 23, Feb. 28 and May 4, 15, of 1949, as well as their numerous enclosures, have all been received and I am instructed on his behalf to answer them. He regrets the long delay in replying to you, but he is very busy, and he was also anxious to receive as complete a picture of the situation as possible in order to better advise you on the difficult situation which has arisen.

Before going into this matter he wishes to assure you that he was delighted with the 5 Year Plan your assembly has formulated, to which he attaches great importance.

Likewise, he was very pleased that the annual convention, though not a very happy one, unfortunately, was held in Frankfurt.

He was, likewise, very happy to learn that the N.S.A. is now in full accord with ... about the work on the National Hazira in Frankfurt, and to hear that the transfer of funds from Tihran via Switzerland to your assembly had been worked out in the way most advantageous for you.

The good news that the much needed Esslemont books are now in Germany, and the "Hidden Words" being printed there, was also very welcome. He cabled you in answer to your letter about the "Hidden Words". But wishes to make it quite clear that the "Anmerkungen" is not correct. The genuflections and washing of hands and face (as clearly put down in "Prayers and Meditations of Baha'u'llah", which he himself translated,) associated with the two longer daily prayers (obligatory prayers) are laws of Baha'u'llah, applicable to any Baha'i whether of Muslim background, Christian background, or otherwise. It is blasphemy to suggest otherwise. However, the Baha'is have been left free by Baha'u'llah to choose one of the 3 obligatory prayers, and those who prefer not to perform these acts can say the very short one. He would like to add, however, that he deeply appreciates the work done on this translation by ... and other of the friends, and is delighted it has been published.

He very deeply appreciates your assembly's assurance of its abiding loyalty to him and to the Master's Will and Testament. As you can well imagine this disaffection of the Master's Family has been a very sad and heavy blow to him; but, although for many years he shielded them with his silence, in the end he was forced to speak out in order to protect the Faith. For a hundred years our beloved Cause has suffered from these internal afflictions, and the way the believers, generation after generation, have met this test with steadfast faith, loyalty and devotion, is one of the signs that this is the Cause of God, divinely protected through the Covenants of Baha'u'llah and the Master.

Regarding the crisis which has arisen among the believers because of the charges made by ... and others, the circular letter issued by your body, etc, etc.

The Guardian feels that although there is no doubt this has produced a very grave situation, threatening the stability and the unity of the entire community, it can be successfully overcome and lead to a new stage of unity and progress in the Faith in Germany. We Baha'is can always, with the aid of Baha'u'llah, Who is ever ready to strengthen and assist us, turn our stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and utilize the often violent forces released by sincere but perhaps misguided friends, as a positive stream of power by turning them into productive channels instead of destructive ones.

Fundamentally he feels that the cause of this present crisis arises from the fact that the German community so long suppressed, disorganized, deprived of literature, and the visits of friends from countries where the believers have always been free to be Baha'is and have, consequently, evolved their administration of the Faith's affairs to a higher point of efficiency,--has had no opportunity to develop the administration of its Baha'i affairs, and also, no opportunity of maturing as Baha'is living within a smoothly-working Administrative Order. Consequently the troubles experienced at present may be said to be largely caused by immaturity in their understanding of the administration.

Linked with this is the fact, which he mentioned in his cable, that the Baha'is need to be deepened in their knowledge and understanding of the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha. They should study this, and the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah, for it is obvious that they do not--for the most part--fully visualize the greatness, the glory, the power and the protection which have been conferred on this Faith through the Institutions provided for in the Master's Will.

In going over the correspondence and documents forwarded by your Assembly (which he appreciated receiving as it gave him a clearer picture of the entire situation) he was struck by the actions and statements, of both individuals and assemblies, showing a complete lack of knowledge of how to function administratively. In view of this it may, if the friends make an effort and sincerely seek to unite and progress, prove providential that this whole thing has occurred. He was impressed, in this connection, with the wisdom and tolerance of the remarks of Mr. Oskar Schmitt in his letter to your Assembly, and he hopes that all of the believers will take this kindly and tolerant view, for the friends, in their desire to do the right thing, and undoubtedly out of their genuine devotion to the Cause, seem to have gone to every extreme in their reactions. In doing this they have paradoxically demonstrated both their devotion to the Cause and their complete lack of a profound understanding of the administration.

Quite frankly, the Guardian feels that the circular letter of your Assembly was unfortunate. You were entirely within your right, as the National Body, to issue such a letter and the violent reactions of the secretaries of various assemblies, and some of the assemblies themselves, and many individual believers as well, showed a complete lack of understanding of administrative procedure. The friends should realize that the National Body has authority over the local assemblies and the believers in administrative matters. One of the fundamentals involved in our administrative order, which we must remember will become the pattern for our World Order, is that even if an assembly makes an ill-advised decision it must be upheld in order to preserve the unity of the community. Appeal can be made from the Local Assembly's decision to the National Assembly, and from the National Assembly's decision to the Guardian. But the principle of authority invested in our elected bodies must be upheld. This is not something which can be learned without trial and test. The Baha'is in other countries often have their difficulties in learning to live as believers in an orderly community, governed by the administrative principles laid down by the Master. But, having been free, they have, for the most part, reached a more mature understanding than their German brothers and sisters have up until the present time. He hopes this whole episode will stimulate the German assemblies and believers to really study the Baha'i administration.

He wrote the ... Assembly urging upon them the necessity of cooperating with the National Assembly. He also pointed out to them that the attitude of "all for one and one for all" was very incorrect. An assembly constitutes within its area of jurisdiction the Trustees of the Faith. Its members must at all times put the interests of the Faith above personality and impartially go into any matter brought to its attention. Theoretically it is always possible for a member of an assembly to be unworthy or insincere. To take the attitude that any blame cast upon or any charge made against an assembly member is a charge against the body itself is very wrong. An assembly must protect the Faith and neither blindly accuse nor blindly defend one of its members. The ... Assembly has taken the attitude that the remarks referring to ... are an insult to the entire Assembly; at the same time it accuses the National Body of being dominated by one individual, an accusation which because of its own attitude could equally well be aimed at itself! The Guardian feels that all this is only evidence of the immaturity of the friends in relation to their Administrative Order.

The Baha'is must learn to forget personalities and to overcome the desire--so natural in people--to take sides and fight about it. They must also learn to really make use of the great principle of consultation. There is a time set aside at the 19 Day Feasts for the Community to express its views and make suggestions to its Assembly; the Assembly and the believers should look forward to this happy period of discussion, and neither fear it nor suppress it. Likewise the Assembly members should fully consult, and in their decisions put the interests of the Cause first and not personalities, the will of the majority prevailing.

Over and over, in going through the correspondence he received from your Assembly, he was struck by the fact that the friends acted so unadministratively. Instead of taking up their accusations and problems and unhappy feelings with their local Assembly, or the National Assembly, they referred to individuals or individual members of the Assembly, or they refused to meet with the Assembly. The first thing a believer should do is to turn to an Assembly--That is why we have assemblies! He feels this trouble would never have arisen if the Baha'is utilized their assemblies as they should. One of the healing remedies Baha'u'llah has given to a sick world is the Assembly (which in future will become a House of Justice); its members have very sacred and heavy responsibilities, its power to steer the Community, to protect and assist its members is likewise very great.

..., a most loyal and devoted believer has assured the Guardian she will fully support and cooperate with the N.S.A. He hopes you will give her every assistance in this resolve and, indeed, encourage her to stimulate the believers in their support of their administrative bodies and teach them to turn to them and make better use of them.

In this connection he would like to point out that any Baha'i can write to him directly. This is the privilege of everyone.

He feels that ..., a most loyal and devoted servant of the Cause, communicated with ... in her ardent, and very wise desire, to promote closer unity among the German friends. He feels your Assembly should over-look this, as the motive was undoubtedly a very noble one.

He was very glad to receive the letter of ... and he feels sure he will do all in his power do dispel the impression of his attitude towards the Covenant, which has been spread about among some of the friends....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

The course of recent developments in the life of the German Baha'i community has given rise to considerable anxiety and caused me grave concern, in view of the eminent position which the collective achievements of its members have enabled it to obtain on the morrow of the severest crisis which it has experienced in its history.

The spiritual vitality which the individual lives of its members have so abundantly demonstrated, the resilience of which it has, as an organized body, shown itself to be capable, the soundness of the foundation on which its collective life has been built in the years preceding the great ordeal which it has survived; the remarkable rapidity with which it has rehabilitated its fortunes since the cessation of hostilities, have evoked in every Baha'i heart feelings of profound affection and admiration for both the representatives of that community and the mass of believers constituting the body of the faithful in that land.

The hopes that have been raised must never be allowed by those who actively participate in the life of so virile a community to be disappointed. The structure now being reared so laboriously on so solid a foundation must, under no circumstances, be jeopardized through neglect, dissension or deviation from established principles whether spiritual or administrative in character. The process that has been set in motion, after so long a period of forced inactivity, which is lending so great an impetus to the multiplication of the institutions of the Faith and their consolidation, must, in no wise be arrested or even retarded through any misunderstanding, insubordination or contention between the voting members of the community and its elected representatives whether local or national.