Chapter 12

Our beloved Guardian regrets extremely the delay in answering many of these questions. This has been, and still is, an extremely difficult period for him. He has so much work to do--there are so many things to be attended to here in Haifa--with the construction of the Shrine and the administration of the many Baha'i properties here, and also through the formation of this first International Baha'i Council, that he is finding it extremely difficult to attend to his correspondence--even such important letters as those he receives from the national bodies.

We are all hoping that this is merely a transitional and difficult phase, and that soon he will be able to find some respite from his heavy duties, and devote more time to taking care of his precious health. If he were not so overburdened with details which, alas, are often very insignificant, he would be able to give out so much more to the believers all over the world. The friends should pray that God will lift some of these burdens from their Guardian, and enable them to receive the full bounties of his mind and spirit, which he could pour forth into the body of the Faith if he were only not so exhausted and preoccupied.

The increased activity of your Assembly, the increased unity amongst the believers and their evident sense of growing responsibilities, the work already achieved in constructing the national Hazirat--all these things augur well for the expansion of our glorious Faith in Germany and Austria, and undoubtedly are hastening the day when this Community will play a more important role in the international affairs of the Faith, and be able to carry out its own final duties in neighbouring countries, and thus enrich the record of its services to the Cause of God.

He assures you, one and all, of his loving prayers for the success of your work; and deeply appreciates the spirit of dedication which animates your Body....

Post Script (March 8)

In regard to the matter you raised in your latest letter, the Guardian does not see how, under present circumstances, he can arrange to transfer any more funds to Germany. He regrets this very much; but, as you know, nothing can be sent out of this country, and the International Fund cannot support any additional work on this national headquarters at the present time. He will pray that this obstacle may be swiftly removed from your path.

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

The progress achieved in recent months, in both the teaching field and the consolidation of national and local administrative institutions, by the German Baha'i community is highly exhilarating and has served to deepen my feelings of admiration for its members who have so faithfully arisen to compensate for the years of enforced inactivity resulting from the repressive policy followed during the last world conflict. The one dark cloud on an otherwise bright horizon has been the disabilities suffered by their brethren and compatriots in the Eastern zone of their divided land and their virtual separation from them at a time when their close association and collaboration would have greatly reinforced the foundations of their common Faith and redounded to its fame and glory.

The field now stretching before the believers constituting the major part of a sundered community is, however, still so vast, its needs so great and its spiritual receptivity so pronounced that they cannot afford to either relax for a moment in their efforts or hesitate in the prosecution of their sacred task. To publicize the Faith and disseminate its literature; to lend an ever-increasing impetus to the multiplication and consolidation of its nascent institutions; to accelerate the incorporations of firmly established assemblies; to overcome by any means in their power the obstacles obstructing the completion of their national administrative headquarters; to persevere in their efforts to guide, encourage and strengthen the community of their brethren in Austria; to prosecute with diligence and determination the Plan they have initiated; to remove, once and for all, every trace of inharmony and of misunderstanding which may linger among some of the members of the community; to forge fresh links with the newly fledged assemblies in the goal countries of the European continent and their subsidiary institutions; to reinforce the ties binding them in particular, to their sole sister national assembly in Europe and other Baha'i national assemblies in general--these may be regarded as the outstanding and immediate obligations devolving upon the national elected representatives of a community which in the concluding period of the Heroic Age of the Faith has been made the recipient of such marked blessings and favours from the Center of Baha'u'llah's Covenant, which on the morrow of His ascension played so notable a part in preserving the integrity of the Cause of God and in establishing the agencies of its rising Administrative Order, which demonstrated in the course of the prolonged ordeal it subsequently experienced, its tenacity, fidelity and exemplary devotion, and which is now preparing itself for the gigantic tasks that await to be accomplished by its valiant members in so large a section of the European and Asiatic continents.

The record of service stretching behind them is indeed highly inspiring. The vision of future victories at home and in distant fields now unfolding before them is even more glorious and highly challenging. The more they consecrate themselves to their present tasks, the more faithfully and promptly they fulfil the requirements of the Plan to which they stand committed, the sooner will they acquire the spiritual potentialities that will empower them to qualify for the successful conduct and the ultimate consummation of so colossal an enterprise destined to shed so great and imperishable a lustre on both their community and nation.

That they may be vouchsafed by Providence all the strength and guidance they require for the attainment of their immediate goal, that they may prove themselves worthy of receiving a still greater measure of celestial strength and Divine sustenance for the achievement of their ultimate objective is the dearest wish of my heart and constant prayer.

Shoghi

LETTER OF 30 APRIL 1951 (CONVENTION)

30 April 1951 (Convention)

ASSURE ASSEMBLED DELEGATES LOVING FERVENT PRAYERS OFFERED SHRINES CONSOLIDATION EXPANSION MANIFOLD MERITORIOUS ACTIVITIES DEARLY LOVED VALIANT PERSEVERING GERMAN BAHAI COMMUNITY. SUPPLICATING BLESSINGS DELIBERATIONS. URGE REDOUBLE EFFORTS TO FULFIL OBJECTIVES PLAN AND PAVE WAY STILL GREATER MORE GLORIOUS ENTERPRISES.

SHOGHI

LETTER OF 26 JULY 1951

26 July 1951

INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY TRANSMITTING FURTHER CONTRIBUTION NATIONAL FUND.

SHOGHI

LETTER OF 9 AUGUST 1951

9 August 1951

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Our Guardian was very pleased to see the Post card of the new German National Baha'i Headquarters, and also to note the official cancellation mentioning the Baha'i annual Convention.

He feels sure the Faith in Germany, through means such as these, will attract an ever wider interest in the public at large.

He wishes all of you every success in your devoted services to the Cause of God....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty abundantly reward you for your labours, guide every step you take in the path of service, and aid you to extend continually the range of your accomplishments, and contribute effectively to the consolidation of the nascent institutions of our beloved Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 27 AUGUST 1951 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

27 August 1951 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letter of July 22 reached our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer it on his behalf.

He was very happy to see the friends are now regularly enjoying the use of the National Headquarters which they constructed through so much effort and sacrifice. This marks a great step forward in the progress of the Faith in Germany, and will ever-increasingly lead to bounties and blessings.

He assures you one and all of his most loving prayers for the success of your devoted services to the Cause of God....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty reward you abundantly for your steadfast and meritorious labours, aid you to acquire a fuller understanding of the essentials of His Faith, and contribute effectively to the consolidation of its nascent institutions,

Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 28 SEPTEMBER 1951 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

28 September 1951 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your loving message was received by our beloved Guardian, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was particularly pleased to hear the sessions of the School were carried forward in an atmosphere of love and harmony, as this is the very essence of Baha'i living.

He urges you all to redouble your teaching efforts in your local Communities, and he will pray for you all....

[From the Guardian:]

May the Spirit of Baha'u'llah sustain and guide you in your meritorious activities, bless your high endeavours, and enable you to lend a great impetus to the consolidation of the institutions of His glorious Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 30 OCTOBER 1951 (SUMMER SCHOOL)

30 October 1951 (Summer School)

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your greeting reached our beloved Guardian, and he was very happy to see your school had been so successful and well attended.

Hamburg is a very important Center, one of the oldest Baha'i Centers in Germany, and situated in a position where it can favour the spread of the Faith. It is, therefore, essential for the believers there to be firm and united in serving the Cause, for them to keep in close contact with the National institutions of the Faith in Germany, and to be active in teaching, and also in associating with travelling Baha'is who pass through their city.

He will pray for the success of your Baha'i work....

P.S. He was very interested to see the "Rundbrief" you enclosed.

[From the Guardian:]

May the Almighty bless your high endeavours, guide and sustain you in your meritorious activities, and enable you to promote the best interests of the institutions of His Faith,

Your true brother, Shoghi

LETTER OF 30 OCTOBER 1951

30 October 1951

Dear Baha'i Friends:

Your letters dated May 31, August 14, and two of September 16, have been received, as well as other material sent the Guardian by you under separate cover, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

Please note that on behalf of the beloved Guardian I have written direct to ... assuring her of his prayers and his sympathy for her sufferings. Cancer is a most terrible affliction, and has taken its toll of some very fine Baha'is, alas!

The Guardian was particularly pleased to hear so many of the German friends could be present at the E.T. Conference in Holland. This association of the friends is a great stimulus to the work, and he hopes will increase in scale as the situation in Europe improves.

He was also very glad to know your Assembly met with ... and ... as Berlin and Vienna are important centers, and the work needs to be stimulated and fostered in both places, especially Vienna.

The Guardian feels that the financing of the Hazira--so that debts may not pile up too much--and the teaching work are very important.

To concentrate on achieving the goals of your Plan you should, if necessary, make economies in other directions. In America, for years, the publication of "World Order Magazine" was given up, as it was not essential, and the money in the Fund was more urgently needed elsewhere. He feels that, if necessary, "Sonne der Wahrheit" and the Youth Bulletin can be given up. The Youth can have a place in your regular "Baha'i News" for themselves. However, these are matters for your assembly to weigh and decide upon.

The most important thing of all, now that greater unity has been established in the German Community, is to make the friends pioneerconscious; they must learn to venture forth, putting their trust in God, and go to new cities and towns to establish the Cause. This will mark an entirely new phase in the history of the Cause in Germany, and will give the Baha'is a sense of victory and importance they have never had before. When they see how, after years of persecution, of war, occupation, financial chaos and instability, they have built their Hazira, and moved their National Headquarters to it, they must feel both astonished at their victory and immensely proud. Did they ever believe such a thing could happen? Let them, then, with the same faith and determination, arise and build up new assemblies and groups. They will find that they succeed as they succeeded with their Hazira.

The Guardian remembers you all in his prayers, and is very pleased with the progress so far made by the German friends. But he hopes they will now accomplish still greater feats!...

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

The Plan now being prosecuted with such diligence, fidelity, unity and enthusiasm by the long oppressed, greathearted, indefatigable, much admired German Baha'i community, despite the exhaustion following a prolonged ordeal, is entering upon its concluding phase. This first collective enterprise, embarked upon by a community which, by virtue of its size, its experience, its past achievements, occupies a preeminent position in the European continent, and is destined, in view of its capacity, its fortitude, its resilience and tenacity of purpose, to play an outstanding role in both contemporary and future Baha'i history, must, through a concerted and supreme effort on the part of its members, be brought to a triumphant conclusion.

Its successful termination will be but a signal for a series of enterprises, each more glorious than the one preceding it, which will carry the fame of this community, already tested in the crucible of afflictive trials, and richly endowed by the tender favours of its Founder, Who blessed with His Presence its leading center, to regions far beyond the confines of its homeland and as far as the Eastern fringes of the Asiatic continent.

In such a glorious venture, and in the course of so vast, so momentous and sacred an enterprise, it will, if it discharges manfully its present task, be seconded in its noble exertions by the concerted efforts of all the budding communities in the European continent, and will play a notable role, in collaboration with the trustees of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Divine Plan labouring throughout the American continents, and with its sister communities toiling in Africa, South East Asia, and Australasia, in achieving the spiritual conquest of the entire planet.

Much depends, however, on the manner in which it discharges the responsibilities of the present hour. The administrative base from which it must spread out into Eastern and Southern Europe, and beyond these spheres into the heart of Northern Asia, as far as the China Sea, must first be thoroughly consolidated. The valiant battalions that are to carry the banner of the Faith of Baha'u'llah to distant climes, amidst alien races, and throughout the length and breadth of immense territories and in inhospitable surroundings, must, to begin with, increase in number, acquire added experience, and deepen in their faith and understanding. The literature with which the bearers of God's redeeming Message must be equipped when launching out beyond the frontiers of their native land must, preparatory to their arduous crusade, be multiplied and adapted to the mentality of those diversified peoples and races inhabiting so vast a section of the globe.

The Baha'i Administrative headquarters now being completed in the heart and center of this community's homeland must be speedily consolidated and further extended. The assemblies and groups which, as a result of the operation of the present Plan, must be brought into being, must be safeguarded and strengthened. The spiritual life of its participating members must, while this process of administrative consolidation is being accelerated, be continually enriched, their vision broadened, their understanding deepened, their unity reinforced, their enthusiasm enkindled through the institutions of summer-schools, conventions, regional conferences, youth rallies and study classes. The unity and solidarity of the members of this community must be vigilantly safeguarded and constantly reinforced. The ties binding it to its neighbouring sister-community in Austria must be greatly strengthened, and the administrative agencies operating in both communities must be closely correlated and the cooperation between them continually fostered.

Then and only then, will this community be empowered to launch befittingly its first campaign across the borders of its native land, and manifest, as it projects itself beyond its national frontiers and diffuses over regions, both far and near, the illuminating radiance of Baha'u'llah's redemptive Revelation, the potencies with which its Divine Founder, the Center of the Covenant, endowed it in the course of the last decade of His Ministry.

As the centenary of the birth of Baha'u'llah's Mission approaches, as the Plan formulated by this Community draws to a close, a supreme effort, unprecedented in its scope and intensity, must be exerted collectively by its members, young and old, an effort that will arouse the admiration of the entire world, that will proclaim its worthiness and capacity to shoulder so immense a task in the future, and which will carry to a triumphant conclusion this initial undertaking, embarked upon by the German and Austrian followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah in the heart of the European continent.

Shoghi

LETTER OF 18 APRIL 1952

18 April 1952

INFORM GERMAN ASSEMBLY HANDS ELIGIBLE.

SHOGHI

LETTER OF 29 APRIL 1952

29 April 1952

DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE ASSURE DELEGATES PRAYING FERVENTLY UNPRECEDENTED BLESSINGS ATTAINMENT OBJECTIVES HISTORIC PLAN LOVING REMEMBRANCE SHRINES.

SHOGHI

LETTER OF 30 MAY 1952

30 May 1952

Dear Baha'i Brother:

The beloved Guardian has received your letters of January 29, February 13, April 7 and April 14 (2), and May 1, 1952, and he has instructed me to answer you on his behalf.

He was very pleased to hear of the progress the German Baha'is are making, not only in their teaching work, as witnessed by the formation of new assemblies and the establishment of new groups, but also in the administrative field.

The reports he received about the success of your Convention this year, the free consultation and the unity which prevailed amongst the friends, encouraged him greatly. He feels that this indicates a new maturity on the part of the German believers. They must come to realize that the Administration is a system both living and dynamic, and that, through obedience to its principles and regulations, they will gain greater strength in teaching the Faith, and be able to direct their energies as a united force into the different channels of service that lie open to them. One of the main reasons why the Faith does not advance more rapidly is because the friends have not learned to live with, and work within the framework of the Administrative Order. Either they crystallize it into too set a form, or they rebel against what they feel to be a System, and do not give it sufficient support. Both of these extremes impede the progress of the Faith, and the efficiency of the believers.

In this connection I should like to mention that the Guardian states that the Hands of the Cause are eligible to administrative offices except those permanently residing in Haifa and helping the Guardian in the administrative work. Whenever the time comes when the Hands should give up their administrative offices in order to be more free to serve under his direction, he will inform the friends.

The convention--all Baha'i Conventions--must be held within the Ridvan period; and he was very pleased to see that you had been able to advance the date of your Convention without affecting its success.

As regards the question you asked, the Baha'i marriage certificate has been accepted by the Israel Authorities. All the Baha'i properties and imports are exempt from taxation and customs, and the status of the Faith as a religion, recognized. At present, we are planning to clarify our legal position with the Government, and get it on a more concrete footing. We are not incorporated here, but there are the Palestine Branches of the National Spiritual Assemblies of both the United States and India incorporated here, and holding title to property.

He was very pleased to see that the Secretary is now residing at the Hazira, as he considers this both the proper procedure, and important for the national work.

He was very sorry to learn that you are still having so many financial difficulties in connection with the Headquarters, and hopes that, through the self-sacrifice of the believers, the debts can be gradually wiped out, and funds be made available for other important forms of Baha'i activity.

He thanks you all for the expression of your loving sympathy on the occasion of the passing of dear Mr. Maxwell. His services will long be remembered, and he has had a very great bounty in being permitted to design the Holy Tomb of the Bab.

He assures you all that, in his visits to the Holy Shrines, he remembers you lovingly in his prayers, and supplicates for your guidance and the advancement of your work....

[From the Guardian:]

Dear and valued co-workers:

From the reports and communications received, in the course of recent months, from your assembly I have derived considerable satisfaction, as I have noted the spirit of wholehearted dedication which has animated its members in the discharge of the manifold duties and sacred responsibilities which have faced them in the execution of their Plan. It is indeed highly gratifying, and a source of great pride, to contemplate the progress that has been made, the consolidation that has been achieved, the great sacrifices that have been willingly undertaken, the enthusiasm, the fidelity, and the perseverance that have been so abundantly demonstrated, the publicity that has been accorded the Faith, the plans that have been devised, the marked stimulus that has been given to the activities of the Youth, the harmony that has characterized the collaboration of the oriental and occidental believers, the progress made in connexion with the National Haziratu'l-Quds, the steady expansion of Publishing activities, and above all, the notable improvement in the spiritual life of the community, as witnessed by the greater unity, cooperation and understanding prevailing among its members.

As the last year of the Plan, formulated by the German Baha'i community inexorably draws to its close, a concerted, a redoubled effort should be made to ensure that all its provisions, without any exception, will be fully carried out, that the members of this community may thus acquire the spiritual potentiality regarded as indispensable for the launching of a still greater enterprise, on the morrow of the celebrations of the approaching Baha'i Holy year--an enterprise that will bring the much-admired, greatly loved, highly promising community of the followers of the Faith of Baha'u'llah, in both Germany and Austria, into direct association with its sister communities throughout the Baha'i world for the conduct of the world Crusade destined to immortalize the decade separating the two greatest Jubilees of the second Baha'i century.